Here are the links to a couple videos I took recently. I am having so much fun with YouTube.
Puppies in the Cat House
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEoXUI5vbqo
Playtime in the x-pen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6eOTtx2hoU
Maxi (9 months old) Playing with Meora in the Snow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ9eE9kGFoI
I don’t know which is more fun, taking the videos, watching the dogs, adding the music or sharing!
Well, trust me it does because dogs are like people and they like to ‘play around.’ So when the breeder who took Phoebe in last September called me to say a disaster had fallen upon their household I was prepared for something much worse than hearing we might have a Multiple-Sired litter. Mind you, if this breeder hadn’t called and ‘fessed’ up to the situation I would likely have never known. That is the kind of breeder I look for…honest, sincere and mentoring.
Yes, I was disappointed. But, what are you going to do. She had a perfectly logical explanation and trust me it did not happen because she was careless.
Moving forward we had DNA testing done on all the puppies, on Phoebe and on both potential sires, Specs and Andrew. But, because AKC takes up to ten weeks for this process and we wanted results much sooner we went with a different company. Kathy was about 90% certain the puppies were all Specs’ given he and Phoebe had had three breedings before Andrew stepped onto the scene. That way we could register them right away with AKC.
Bad news:
Two were Specs’ pups and four were Andrew’s.
Good news:
Andrew has a fantastic pedigree, healthy parentage and a delightful disposition.
We are now in the process of having the puppies re-tested with AKC as they will not accept DNA testing from companies other than their own. Then, we submit two applications to register the two litters that are really one litter.
Ten weeks after that the puppies will have their official AKC papers. WHEW!
…this is ridiculous. The puppies are already 4 1/2 weeks old! That’s what holidays full of family, friends and Havanese will do to you! They are growing…no surprise there. And this is the stage where their little personalities begin to surface. We have Rudolph, the independent one. Then there’s Dancer, who I thought was a cry baby until I realized he was just bored…probably the brightest one in the bunch the way he explores new toys. Angel is a little on the quiet side…so far, that is. And, Chilli is a rolly-poly love muffin!
Fun!
Anyway this begins a difficult weak as I wean the puppies from their mother. They have been eating canned puppy food and goat’s milk for about ten days now but neither they nor their mother want to give up the nursing. I had to take Phoebe to be with me last night because she wakes up in the wee hours of the morning keening for her babies. A few more days and this will pass and they can romp and play together until they drop from exhaustion.
Just a few photos to update you.
Phoebe is with puppies! I feel a little weird getting so excited about another litter.
Can’t explain it. I love puppies, plain and simple. The sire is Specs, a perky and loving boy from Michigan’s thumb…one of Kathy Ambler’s boys. Specs is a champion…in the USA and Canada. Beyond that he is handsome, outgoing and friendly. These are his pictures.
What more could a grandmother ask for?
Due date early December…stay tuned!
As soon as your Havanese puppy is three or four weeks old, start him off on the right foot–or left foot–by learning to accept your gentle massaging of his toes, his ears and his mouth. Lift his lips and look at his teeth. Lift his ears and look inside them. Stroke his hind quarters, his chest and his forehead with a small, soft brush, all the while giving him soothing talk and treats so he is accustomed to being handled.
You might also ask a friend to do the same so your puppy is used to strangers. All these motions will help your puppy be more relaxed at the veterinarians or on a show table with the judge.
It is a good idea to bathe your Havanese puppy weekly once he is six weeks old to get him used to the tub, the gently scrubbing and the rinsing. Hug him with the towel and give him lots of kisses so he associates this part of his day with lots of love.
Another important part of the grooming process is a pedicure. Good breeders will start clipping the puppy’s nails when it is a couple weeks old. Much easier on mom when the puppy is nursing and it also gets him used to the clippers. There are automatic, battery operated ones on the market too for owners who are skittish about clipping too close to the quick. Have a bar of soap handy. If you too clip too close, scrape a bit of soap on the nail to stop the bleeding.
Remember, if you enjoy this part of your puppy’s care he will too!
