Live look at Blackacre. These little guys are on the move and have learned that they are even strong enough to climb out! Working out in preparation for the escape
Of course, it's pretty great when they're out and about, too.
Although some are certainly bigger than others, all are growing and getting more and more interested in everything around them. Though she still does it, Käthe is losing interest in nursing, and we give her puppies in small groups outside the box. Sharp nails, sharp teeth, etc. But the move to groups has also seemed to really help her and all the puppies. The puppies don't feed as long now either. They do still fall asleep while suckling, though, their little mouths still on the "bottle" and quick to get back to drinking enthusiastically if you try to pull them off. Barfly or overtired child? Both analogies seem to work. These puppies stumble everywhere, too! The transition to puppy formula and even real food is about to start. Unfortunately, that also means Käthe won't be cleaning up after them anymore and that'll be our job. Hovawarts love the cold, so a few open windows won't be too upsetting, right? Watching them learn to play and even fight a bit has been great, too. Some are quicker to growl and push back. Some like to play sweet, and then bite a tail when they get the chance. But they all get into the play. Personalities are forming! A few like to cuddle with us humans, some just like to be near us. Others see us as merely giant chew toys. All of it is pretty adorable.
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They still mostly sleep and eat and sleep some more. But the eyes are open, and they are starting to really interact with each other. Some really can walk. Others have mastered stumbling. We are now having them nurse in small groups because Käthe can't take 10 beastlets all at once. But they are all growing getting more and more active. Some really seem to be drawn to each other. Red and Blue (one of the biggest and one of the smallest) are together all the time.
Soon they will be off mother's milk and our work will really begin! Here is who's who in order of birth: Red: Black Female Orange: Black & Tan Female Yellow: Black & Tan Male White: Black & Tan Female Blue: Black Female Brown (formerly Red, White & Blue braid): Black Female Purple (formerly Pink & Purple braid): Black & Tan Female Green: Black & Tan Female Gray (formerly Orange, Green & Gray braid): Black Male Pink: Black Male They may be too young for Bourbon Street, but they still overindulged on milk! Passed out by 8:00.
Their first real photo shoot! They may not be ready for the magazine cover yet, but they are all happy to wish you a wonderful Valentines Day! Let Love Grow
They all made it! That x-ray was both exciting and frightening, and we still had an expected due date of Feb. 9. But at 8:30 Wednesday morning, she was ready. The first four came within 90 minutes, and she was done by 4:30. It was both a sprint and a marathon. Käthe never had a real pause, and then she was suddenly in charge of 10 screaming little buggers. But she is handling it herself, insisting we not interfere. Which is good. We don't need to handle her newborns too much, and she needs to do this herself.
Luckily, wonderfully, we awoke to ten puppies still alive and feeding. Today has been a mix of cries, suckling, quick food and bathroom breaks for Käthe and bedding exchange/box cleaning for us, and repeat. We couldn't be happier for her. 10 is so many and this was so confusing and frightening for her too. But she's doing it. And we will take all the hope you have that all puppies and mother stay healthy. And what's the count? Admittedly, I might have misidentified a wet, recently licked clean black and tan dog for a black one, and there is no need to stress her too much by handling her puppies, but we're pretty certain of the following: Four Black Females; Three Black & Tan Females; Two Black Males; One Black & Tan Male. Thanks to all of you who have written or texted. And for those more recent inquiries, I hope you understand why we've not been in touch for a couple days. Please feel free to email us again with your preferences and requirements. Thanks. Congratulations Käthe! We had Käthe x-rayed this afternoon. Ten! Ten skulls he counted in there (though is looks like 20 spines!). She's been widening quickly this week, and added 20 pounds since the sonogram. We see why.
Understandably, Käthe is uncomfortable and likely as ready as anyone for these creatures to get out of her. Due date is Thursday, and I think it'll be a marathon for all of us. Wish her an easy and healthy experience. Due date is around February 11 (though it could be earlier or later, of course), and we still don't know the number of puppies yet. We'll have an x-ray done next Tuesday and the puppies will be well enough along to count. We would love to know today, but they are still forming, and we don't need to shoot too much radiation into them too early!
Käthe is getting bigger, naturally. And she is still active -- walks, patrols of the yard, standard anger at the mailman. The whelping box is in place and she's starting to take an interest in it. The biggest change is how much she needs to be near us. She's always been affectionate, but this is different. Not bad, but different. Funnily, she wants to be near or even touching us but really does not want us to pet her. And our older girl, Leda, is constantly inspecting Käthe. Smelling, even licking her, is a regular routine for Leda. Typically, Leda tolerates Käthe, but now she is more than curious about her "sister" -- dogs can sense earthquakes coming, right? We are both very pleased with the interest we've had in the litter, and especially happy to see how many well-informed and truly interested inquiries have come in. It's been great talking with so many of you. More to come! We took Käthe to the vet today for an ultrasound. We're thirty days since the insemination was done, so now was the time to confirm pregnancy. We don't know yet how many she may have, but the doctor did confirm that he saw three in the imaging. Käthe is pretty nonchalant about the whole thing, but we're definitely excited and nervous. Lots to do! X-rays in about two weeks will let us know how many she is truly carrying, and then two or so weeks later we can expect the arrival. |
MatthewHovawart Breeder and HCNA Club President Archives
April 2023
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