Gold @Excuseme Pregnancy Diary

May I suggest that the start of any pregnancy diary should be that the dam and sire have had the relevant health tests - and I do mean tests, not just a check from a vet to confirm the dog can mate. Sadly in current times the country's shelters and vet surgeries are inundated with badly bred pups with long term health conditions. The popularity of certain breeds - and at the moment that seems to be flat faced brachycephallic breeds like pugs and French Bulldogs - has caused a surge in puppy farmers who have no interest in the dogs' long term health, and back yard breeders who think it would be lovely to have a mini version of their family pet, but who are inexperienced in recognising breed traits issues. So we are seeing a huge surge in problems like stenotic nares (pinched nostrils) and soft palate problems which both cause respiratory difficulty. Good breeders are trying to breed away from these extremes. Please don't think I have anything against these dogs; I use them as an example only because they are the popular ones right now.

A good breeder will research the breed, carry out the tests, and select a sire or dam that complements their own dog.

I also want to add that I am not a breed snob. My own dog is a cross between a Jack Russell and a toilet brush. But I strongly believe that if you are planning to bring a litter of, say, 8 pups into the world for, say, 12 years; you have a responsibility to the puppies and their owners to make sure they don't carry preventable health problems that could cost both owners and puppies pain and cost over the years.

 

I too believe that If we are going to create a litter of puppies that we should DNA test and xray if applicable, our girls, and look for a suitable health tested mate too, (not just the dog next door that has been checked over by the vet!)
There are so many nasty and hereditary problems that are being further bred into our dogs without any care.
Just because a dog may be a show Champion or maybe a Field Trial Champion, does not guarantee their health.
Even cross breed dogs could have more care with their selective breeding, especially the very popular "Cockapoos"

We have just had one of our girls mated 2 weeks ago, we travelled 200 miles, a round trip to use a suitable dog.
Both parents Have BVA clear eye certificates and both are Glaucoma clear too. Both parents are DNA tested clear for; prcd PRA, FN and AMS. Mum is also DNA tested clear for AON.
It is easy to create a litter of puppies and take peoples money ! It should also be done with care and good selection.
I feel that it is the least we can do and should do, for these potential little lives.

 

What a great, responsible first pregnancy thread.

 

Our mum to be (hopefully) is part of our family she is not a kennelled dog, she spends most of her evenings sitting either on the sofa with my husband or on the floor beside him, her mum too chooses the sofa with my husband. ( a leather sofa it's easy to wipe clean !)
It's early days at the moment only 14 days and mum to be has a very tight waist line.
If all goes well and she is pregnant her due date is 8th February.

 

I do hope it's been successful, it will be lovely to follow her progress.

 

Mum to be at the age of 2 years.

 

A picture of mum to be at 2 years of age

 

At the moment everything continues with no change, exercise and food will not change, and her life will continue as normal. We still have 7 weeks to go, and of course we are not sure yet if she is actually pregnant!

 

Ha ha, you will just have to be patient at the moment! Sit back, chill out and have a good Christmas and New year. A 9 week pregnancy can take "forever" !
Everything is perfectly fine, she is still just being a normal active girl, she is still coming out beating with us and our vet is happy for her to work at her own speed up until 6 weeks.
My husband keeps telling her that she has babies inside and that in her condition she must take care !!
There is no reason why she should not be pregnant, she had a good happy mating.

 

I have just put my camera on charge, If she keeps still for long enough I will attempt a couple of pictures.

 

Today, out for a walk and showing off her dirty and wet tummy when we got home.
Just very early days and nothing showing yet !

 

Has she had puppies before? I was thinking her nipples look quite big but obviously you'd have noticed if that was new!

 

Yes this will be her second litter, (I know, they look well used! and her milk bar never went back very tight either. ) her teats were absolute whoppers!
She will be 6 years of age this coming April, she was 3 when she had her first litter.

 

I know just how she feels!

 

Raw fed mum's produce so much milk! She would have put a Jersey cow to shame!!