Alyosha

Hooray zzz top!! Congrats on your new arrivals, an I hope is all still going well. Ours seem to have a permanent "milk drunk" look!! Our littlest boy opened his eyes last night!! The very first one to do so. Such a cutie. I haven't heard of Braxton Hicks in dogs, but I can't see why not? We had restlessness and bouts of panting for almost a week before delivery, but hard to tell with our girl whether she was just hot as she gets warm so very easily, and that big belly was heating her up. Would be interesting to know how common it is - Cynda has two weeks to go doesn't she?

We picked a series of Russian names that we liked the meaning of or story behind. We got our third choice I think. Alyosha is a Russian name, a male form of Alexey. There is a massive statue at Murmansk in honour of a WWII soldier "Alyosha". The story goes that he travelled home from battle across the ravaged lands and was so struck with the devastation brought upon the common people that he became a spokesperson and campaigner for recognition of their suffering and hardship. A little annoying that some weird girl has recently used the name as her Eurovision name and is now a minor Euro celebrity. Even stranger as it's a boy's name... Anyway, this is the Alyosha statue, overlooking Murmansk. It commemorates all Russian soldiers from WWII. It's customary apparently for newlyweds to drink a bottle of champers at it's base for good luck.

We bred our litter specifically hoping for a bitch. The first five born were boys... I was starting to panic a little!! We did end up with three lovely girls... amongst the nine brothers... Photos from today. These are our "small" six. Who are now nearly as big as the bog boys, and even the littlest two, the silver one on top, and the little red & white one, are powering ahead! And this close-up just 'cause I love the happy smile on the little boy on the right...

That's right, keep telling yourself... I distinctly ordered five as well, six at the most. I was most clear to Sonya on the subject... Well, 12 is close to 5 isn't it??? Photos coming, waiting for OH to fix some computer issues...

Careful with that one though, as breeds that are recognised yet haven't been bred for some time will also show a zero. Eg. Sloughi shows zero for the whole form, and I don't know how long it's been since there have been any in the country. Yet they're recognised here.

Portugese Podengo

I think there could be more areas available on the other side - nearer to Selwyn snowfields? Kiandra area perhaps? But it's easier to access those areas via Gundagai/Tumut than through Canberra so maybe not much help anyway.

Do you mean new breeds as in not formerly recognised? Or new breeds as in recognised elsewhere but not previously in Australia?

Wow! Cynda is filling out like Feonix!! Maybe 'tis the season for large litters?? :D We still have all 12 going strong - touch wood of course! - and growing like weeds. Will post a pic later. One of our runts has caught up, the other is not far behind.

Like you Rebanne, I was without. Mine went kaput when I got then out for the whelping - they'd been "fixed" by the kids... I have gone by feel/observation as well. But I will second BB's comments on early correct intervention for small pups. If they are simply small with no other contributing condition then supportive care can make all the difference. We had two vey small males in our recent litter of 12. One was very weak at birth and I didn't hold much hope. He went straight onto heat and slept. Once he woke up after 15 minutes he has never looked back. I think he was just small and fatigued from the birth. The other was small but strong, but started to get weak the very first night. Mum didn't have much milk and he had no body reserves like the heavier pups. As soon as he started dropping off the teat I started tube feeding. No waiting. He regained strength after just two feeds and again hasn't looked back. Skills like tube feeding can be difficult to learn. Anyone starting out, if you know anyone that does have skills like that - ask. Get a demo, have a hands on lesson. It seems such a simple thing once you can do it with confidence but it can make all the difference between success and heartbreak.

Wow Feonix has really filled out since the last pic!!

There have been a few human cases in Australia, can't remember the exact number - 2 or 3 maybe? From memory all were wildlife carers in extremely close contact with affected bats, ie untreated bite, kissing them, inadequate hygiene cleaning feeding equipment (sharing sinks) etc. It is spread via saliva. It can theoretically be transmitted by scratch though as bats lick their claws as part of self-grooming. The disease can be carried without becoming apparent. Once it becomes apparent it has a 100% mortality rate in humans so far. I wouldn't let any pet into contact with a grounded bat if possible - bearing in mind that affected bats suffer paralysis and will likely be on the ground. They also fit. If a dog finds a bat on the ground try not to let them engage it at all. If a dog is bitten or scratched by any bat, apparently healthy or not, seek veterinary advice. A serum injection can be given into the wound, and a course of preventative injections. Same for humans - if you are bitten or scratched, off to Dr or hospital you should trot. Most wildlife caring groups will have vaccinated carers that can come and collect any injured bats.

Greytmate and PF I couldn't agree with you both more. For a novice owner with a young family, pound dogs should not be a consideration. Rescue dogs can be fantastic, I have to agree as I've fostered and rescued myself. But some "rescues" and people adopt out dogs straight after release from the pound, not all rescue dogs go through programs and assessments like GAP dogs. Just as not every registered breeder is reputable, not every rescue is either. For someone not savvy to it, to paint all pounds and rescues with the angelic brush can be a disaster waiting to happen. Not just where temperament is concerned but where health is a factor as well. A young family don't need to take on a dog with existing health issues that can lead to heartbreak and financial nightmares. Dogs in pounds can and sometimes do have existing health issues. We always harp on at folks to source pets from reputable breeders or reputable rescues, for reasons of health, more known quantities in temperament, reliability in size, breeder/rescue support etc etc. These factors are more important than ever when sourcing a pet for a family with children, and puppy buyers should be steered in those directions. They need support in finding the right pet, not a guilt trip about how many dogs die in pounds if they don't take them in.

I work full time, have four kids and have done a few puppies over the years. It does depend a whole lot on the breed and individual that you choose, as to how demanding they are. Maybe if you are really interested in a Cav, pop into the Cavalier thread in the breed sub forums and have a chat with some owners and breeders. I'm sure there will be people there that have families and work as well as dogs, and can give you a good idea of what suits best. To be honest, I would be very careful with a rescue or pound dog with a young family. Some, not all granted, are older dogs that have had varied upbringings and often need much more training than a young pup. JMHO of course.

Sorry Yarrowfell. RIP little white girl. But go little green girl!! What a great gain!

It's frustrating isn't it zzz top?? Hopefully it won't be long now!

OMG Yarrowfell!! What a GORGEOUS brood!!! :love: Congrats on such a smooth whelping for such a big 'un. Sorry about your lost one, but what a fantastic result!! Underfoot it sounds like you have an impressive number heading your way!! We feed milk replacer to pregnant and lactating girls. It does work well. Friends of ours feed Divetelact or Biolac - as much as she will drink. I have a slightly cheaper option which seems to be giving fantastic results (and I heard about it here - hooray for DOL!) it's Palastart lamb and kid milk. Made up warm, milk might entice her to squeeze a bit more nutrition in, and it digests quickly so she will eat again soon. After whelping as we had a slow start to milk I have made it up with Fenugreek tea which has been fantastic. Even when she doesn't want food she drinks it, she is now feeding all 12 bubs easily and maintaining her own body weight.

Not one mention of the term "proactive impact" in their whole spiel. Greens, get a grip. It's not all about getting people to Court you know, sometimes it's about effective reduction in criminal activity and protecting the community.

Should be a cruelty case against the former owner.

Every bitch and litter will be different. My girl finds her whole litter of 12 very stressful. She doesn't settle and fidgets trying to keep off them - the upshot of which is stepping or laying on some while she tries to avoid others. We've had one emergency rescus on a squashed pup - I don't know if my heart can stand another!! Also, as her milk really didn't come in until day five (yes, even with oxy!), supplementary feeding and keeping them very warm was vital. She overheats quickly in a normal warm room, whereas the pups need lots of warmth, so spearating them has worked well. And by separate I mean in a basket at the edge of the whelping box where she can stick her head in. :D

Gorgeous pic Jerojath!! They look so big compared to ours!

I think Kaffy Magee has them does on Bullmastiff pups?? Not sure what state though.

WooHoo! Congrats on your girls Jerojath!!

Eeek - posting gremlins!!

Underfoot our girl was exactly as you describe for the last two weeks of her pregnancy. She was so very huge and uncomfortable. She would want things and then not want them - to walk around, to eat, to lie down. She just wasn't feeling good at all. Two days before she actually whelped I thought she wsa starting, she had a restless panting night. But the belly shifted, got softer and lower. She was much more comfortable from then on. I was leaving food with her to pick at, so she could have a mouthful here and there. It seemed to suit her better and she held condition well. We had 12. Good luck!!