Maisy x Brier Litter '08
Maisy was bred to Brier and the litter arrived on January 31st, 2008. This breeding will produce very fine dogs with exceptional natural instincts, stamina, biddability, desire to hunt, and intelligence.
All puppies from this litter are spoken for and will be ready to go to their new hunting homes after March 20th.
Track the Puppies Progression
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
The first pup whelped at 6:20 p.m. The 6th pup was born at 12:50 a.m. Maisy did a great job. All puppies were born alive and immediately began to feed.
- 6:20 p.m. Male. Black left ear. 10.2 ounces.
- 7:38 p.m. Female. Belton. 11.1 ounces
- 8:33 p.m. Male. Full hood. black spot on back. 11.1 ounces
- 10:05 p.m. Male. Black right ear. 10.2 ounces
- 11:29 p.m. Female. Right black ear. 9.3 ounces
- 12:50 a.m. Female. Right black ear & black on left ear, also. 11.6 ounces
Monday, February 4th, 2008
The puppies had their dew claws removed and all checked out great by the vet.
Saturday, February 9th, 2008
We lost #3, tonight... It was determined that the little guy had a blockage due to something not being fully developed at birth. The problem took 9 days to show up (and do harm) because the puppies just really started taking in so much milk. A sad, awful day.
The puppies eyes begin to open.
Thursday, February 14th.
Puppies are two weeks old! Their eyes are open, they are really getting around and exploring more and more, they all weigh around 2.5 lbs, and they are stinking things up a bit, now! Here are some recent photos:
Thursday, February 21st.
Puppies are three weeks old!
This has been a very exciting week for the pups. They have had their nails trimmed, the teeth are in, they are walking around playing and barking, and they had their first meal this evening. They are chewing on toys and spending a little more time awake. They are very curious about things, now and are readily using the "potty area."
Monday, February 25th, 2008.
The adventure begins! Ha Ha! Too much fun! The puppies are just a blast right now. We had our first escape, last night... and all through the night! #5 female was the first to break-out. We really thought it was going to happen sooner. They have really been trying to get out, but the large PVC pipe pig rail is slippery and they could not manage to get over it. Well, that's over, now. They have figured it out. Scott didn't get much sleep through the night sleeping on the sofa beside them. Once they escape, they cry and wake him up. We could close the door, but are a little concerned that Maisy will jump over and not see where she is landing. I don't like that, but I don't like the squibbers escaping, either!
The pups are eating more and more of the mash, mush, whatever it is and love to come out of the box to play in the living room. We are getting them out for play time as much as possible and are shooting for at least 3 times a day.
Some Notes:
#1 Male: A definite "go-getter" is not afraid of anything. He comes to me right away (while I am down on the floor trying to take pictures). He is very playful, inquisitive and not afraid to go off on his own to explore.
#2 Female: This little gal is somewhat vocal, growling and barking at the other pups and at Maisy. She is a cutie pie! She is inquisitive and not afraid at all to go exploring.
#4 Male: At times, this guy seems somewhat shy, but then he is off playing and instigating romps with the others. . . a cuddlier for sure. Every time I am laying on the floor, he comes over and crawls right up into my arms and dozes. What a sweetheart!
#5 Female: This gal is probably one of the quietest of the pack, but don't let that fool you! She is very feisty, was the first one to make it out of the whelping box and is not one bit afraid of the big dogs.
#6 Female: The most "colorful" as far as markings and ticking and the most inquisitive. She is always checking things out and always on the move. A very bold pup and quite vocal sometimes!
Saturday, March 1st, 2008
We just can't believe the pups are one month old. The month has flown-by and I am suddenly struck with the thought that in just 3-4 more weeks, the puppies will be leaving us, which is exciting and sad at the same time...
But, anyway, update: The puppies are eating more and more of the mush, but they now chase Maisy around the room trying to pin her down for what they love the most! Poor Maisy. I do notice she is beginning to discipline the pups a little. She is the most gentle dog I know and it's very interesting to watch and learn how the bitch disciplines the pups. Of course they don't chatter on and on like humans and it makes you wonder what we can learn from this and apply it to our handling of dogs.
Maisy nudges them away and also "nibbles" at the back of their neck a little if the nudge doesn't work. The pups don't cry out at this at all, but they do stop doing whatever it was that she did not approve of, which is usually biting at her ears or face or what have you.
We are offering the mash 2 times a day, but when the puppies are out of the box playing, they go to Maisy's bowl (which I have also been softening) and eat from it.
They are growing like mad and romping and playing more and more. The play is turning quite rough, now. Each one also spends a lot of time exploring the large room more and more on their own.
They are really excited to see people, now. They will run toward you wagging those little tails and really want to see you!
Here are some photos from the past few days. It is very difficult to get clear photos as they are always on the move. We took over one-hundred photos and only 20 made the cut. Remember that you can click on the photo and it will take you to a larger version.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Puppies are 5 weeks old!
Only 35 days of life for these little squibbers and they are smart! It is amazing to me how much a pup knows at this age. They are at a critical learning stage and take in new experiences every day. We try to spend as much time with them as possible and introduce new things. They love people (especially the ankles) and run to you when you enter the room. They are eating more and more puppy food, which is less and less "mashed". In fact, we do not mash it up any longer. Just add water. They even like to munch on Maisy's dryer version at times. They are also drinking freely from the water dish. They still love to pin-down mamma, when she'll let them and drift off to wonderful puppy dreams (or so it seems) after they finally get a bit of the heavenly stuff.
Otherwise, their days are full of fun and adventure--or as much as it can be at this point. They pretty much have free-range of our living room most of the time. I also work in this room most of the time, so I can keep an eye on things. They really don't care to be in the whelping box any longer, but of course at times must be. They are very vocal about wanting out when they want out and we have started to try to ignore them when they are whining just to be let out of the box. This can be very difficult to do because they can be very insistent, very loudly, for a very long time (especially in the middle of the night)! But, we know this sets a pattern and must start teaching them that crying and whining will just not do.
The pups are exploring more and more on their own and their play with one another is becoming more and more aggressive. They rip and tear around the room, now, and have no problems what-so-ever negotiating most obstacles. #6 (Duchess, as the kids call her) has learned how to get herself up on the sofa! It must be exhausting for her, because once she accomplishes this, she snuggles in for a nice, long nap! What a hoot!
We are introducing a crate today and I think they will love to nap in it. They have picked a corner on the floor by the sofa where they all pile up for their naps together. They have learned that with a little tugging, they can pull the sofa-cover down on the floor and that's where they nap. Too funny. Too cute. Even if we pick them all up while they are sleeping and put them in the whelping box, they soon wake up, let themselves out (if I have the door down) and all pile up in the spot by the sofa! Why do they like that spot so much? I have no idea, but I think they soon be using and liking the crate.
The ticking is really starting to come out and I can't believe how much they have changed in just a week. I will update photos, soon, but let me tell you how difficult the already difficult task has become! Unless they are sleeping, they are on the move and most pictures are a furry blur! But, we take some everyday and I will post what we do have.
March 26th, 2008
Most pups have gone to their new homes--just in time for Shay to whelp her litter of 10 puppies! We have retained Male #1 (Levi), after the first pick on males chose #4 (Cooper). We will update the site with photos as we receive them.
August 2008
Wow, can you believe these pups just turned 6 months old? I can't believe how the time has gone by. Here are some photos that we have received from this litter. Here is Cooper (#4 male) on left and Miley (#6 female) on right:
Here is Levi (#1 male). We have received some photos of Kelly (#5) and will get them scanned asap.
