1. As breeders wot season would u prefer to have your litters if u had a choice, was talking 2 my breeder about this subject and she prefers a spring litter so they can enjoy the summer months with their new owners, she doesn't like summer or winter litters 4 various reasons.

2. Where do set up your whelping areas and what space do u need 4 a large breed?


I own my girlie in partnership with my breeder, and Cara lives with us, and my breeder shows her and will b breeding her next year as part of our agreed contract we have in place, a sire has been chosen and she already has a puppy wait list

We have discussed this at length and decided that Cara will have her pups at our house rather than at the breeders house as originally planned in the agreement, as she has a pack of 4 Rotts already and we think it would stress her out being away from her own environment and us, so we will do what is best 4 her.

We have a large conservatory which we can heat and set up as the puppy pen so they have plenty of space and privacy etc, luckily breeder only live 25 minutes away from us and we have become very good friends through showing, they will b literally moving in with us when pups r due as they r very experienced in the breed and whelping, as we have never experienced whelping b4.

Excited but a bit daunted as well, still early days and all depends on how Cara's seasons fall, but we r planning 4 the event now, as well as all the sleepness nights, OH already got emergency vets on speed dial

Luckily we have a great relationship with our breeder who is now our dear friend and know we will have all the help and support needed, obviously if Cara had gone 2 them as originally agreed in the contract, then we wouldn't b as much involved with the litter, but we think this is the right decision for her, means more work 4 us, but don't mind that

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"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."
Martin Luther King Jr.

Late spring is great, so the pups are ready to go out as the weather is warmer. I have had litters in all seasons - a litter of 11 pups running in and out full of mud (and the MASSIVE heating bill) means its a right PITA in winter lol.

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Check out my English Shepherds
http://www.edenvillage.co.uk

Breed for a useful dog and you often get a beautiful, useful dog... breed only for a beautiful dog and you are on your own in the useful department.

I just worked out wot PITA means lol

__________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."
Martin Luther King Jr.

My last litter was in October so lovely winter puppies lol , wou;ld have prefered them in the summer but it was the way her season fell, this next litter will be born after christmas so yet again winter babies.

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http://www.weynoakebordercollies.co.uk/

Oh snow babies

Do u find it easier 2 regulate the cold in winter rather than trying 2 cool them down in summer?

I'm hoping the conservatory will b a good place 4 them, close enough 2 family life but nice enough so they can have time out when needed?

__________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."
Martin Luther King Jr.

I have mine in the kitchen, which has direct access to outdoors. Its perfect. I would have thought the conservatory will be fine so long as you can get the temperature right.

__________________
Check out my English Shepherds
http://www.edenvillage.co.uk

Breed for a useful dog and you often get a beautiful, useful dog... breed only for a beautiful dog and you are on your own in the useful department.

We have radiators in there but if it's summer then it can get a little hot, something we will need 2 think about, it has french doors out onto the garden so great 4 Cara and means she can be separate from Bailey when needed i suppose it all dpeends when she has them, also have a dining room I could use and section off 4 them as well if need b, just think it's best she stays with us rather than go 2 breeders home 4 whelping, even if it is the easier option

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"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."
Martin Luther King Jr.

In my breed the majority only have winter seasons so we don't have much choice. My last litter was born in June as she decided to have a spring season which was lovely as was able to get them in the garden more than in the middle of winter unlike my next litter are going to be as they are due 2 weeks before xmas.
My puppies are in the kitchen where they have easy access to the garden.

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http://www.goosesbasenjis.moonfruit.com

The pups are born in the kitchen we have central heating in there so puppies are always warm much easier to warm them up than try to cool them down

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http://www.weynoakebordercollies.co.uk/

We have air conditioning so I'd much rather have litters in the warm weather lol.

__________________
Check out my English Shepherds
http://www.edenvillage.co.uk

Breed for a useful dog and you often get a beautiful, useful dog... breed only for a beautiful dog and you are on your own in the useful department.