Starting puppywatch....
- Thread starter DogstarAcademy
- Start date
Technically, I'm going to say 2008 was the bad year, because that's when the breedings took place and pregnancies confirmed. I plan on having a good puppy year in 2009, and I hope Cait will too!! 
I'm upset but not crushed about it. I wish Rittie was a year younger (she's going to be 5 by the time she comes into her next season unless she comes in early, and I don't want her to have her first litter any older than I have to) but she's not, and she's what I've got to work with. On the other hand, now I can get her pointed and stuff before I breed her. I'm going to sign her up for obedience at DTCDC that starts in March, and I'm going back and forth between taking her a UKC or AKC show the same weekend in a venue I really like. (I could even do one each day; I can only show one day in the AKC show since her breeder is judging the other day.) I'd LIKE to get her RN before she comes back in, but I suspect that'd be a bit much- she doesn't sit.
All I can really do at this point is move forward. I love Mac and I wouldn't mind a Mac kid, but I think we're going to try something different and breed to a normal-eyed dog this time. Have one option on the table, waitign to hear back from his breeder.
Cait has she had a Thyroid screeing done? You might do another just to make sure...as well as culturing some swabs from her vulva to see what is there...something always is.
Many folks...not myself but many...give Clavamox the minute they come in thru after the breeding...and the bitch I watched here was on it thru her pregnancy as well.
Many folks...not myself but many...give Clavamox the minute they come in thru after the breeding...and the bitch I watched here was on it thru her pregnancy as well.
pregnancy can mess with those...yes...I was thinking if she'd had one done at any point tho, and you do one in a couple more weeks you could compare and see what if anything has changed. It's good to have a baseline esp when they get older.
Obviously her dam could throw pups but you might ask about how often she missed, if she did and what issues she might have had...sisters and aunts as well. The more you know the better.
Nonnie was 5 this last time but she was no maiden. Honestly a first breeding at that age might be a minefield all on it own without the stud dog even being an issue. I wish you the best of luck. I have heard mixed things about Solid Gold's Concept a Bitch but I have used it it without a real issue...so maybe check into that.
Obviously her dam could throw pups but you might ask about how often she missed, if she did and what issues she might have had...sisters and aunts as well. The more you know the better.
Nonnie was 5 this last time but she was no maiden. Honestly a first breeding at that age might be a minefield all on it own without the stud dog even being an issue. I wish you the best of luck. I have heard mixed things about Solid Gold's Concept a Bitch but I have used it it without a real issue...so maybe check into that.
Vanna had a litter this past spring at 7; Rittie's littermates (there were three girls in her litter- Rittie was pick bitch, then Crystal (sable merle R) and Delilah (tri rough, Mal & Kaylee's dam).) who have been bred haven't had any problems.
I hate that she's going to be 5 or nearly before she comes back into season, but we're going to try it, because dammit, she's got a lot to offer.
Cait
I hate that she's going to be 5 or nearly before she comes back into season, but we're going to try it, because dammit, she's got a lot to offer.
Cait
I know this is old, but I just saw it.
That is an old wifes tale, the mare doesn't control when she foals. She can present all the signs of foaling but it is the foal that must release the oxytocins for the birth to happen.
If you want to force a mare to foal on your timeline, have her palped. Guaranteed that she will foal within 24-48 hrs of being palped. But having said that, most vets are wise enough not to palp a mare during this time unless they suspect a problem.
A mare at 375 of gestation can present a premmie foal, where as that same mare another year can present a term foal at 320 days of gestation.