Sunday, November 30, 2014

The Winston x Sophie Puppies are 4 Weeks Old.


The pups had a great week.  Last Sunday they made the big move from the guest bedroom to what would be our dining room on the main floor of the house.  This space is located right next to the kitchen and the living room so the pups are exposed to all of the household sights, smells and sounds of everyday life.  They still have their whelping box which made the move with them but they now have access to a potty box and a small play area.  Already the pups have been making use of the potty box.  Upon waking they toddle over to the box to eliminate.  I'm so pleased with these little puppies.


The radio is always playing and is usually set to the classical music station. We have also started to use the various sound effect CDs that we have to help the puppies get used to the noises of gunfire, thunderstorms, babies crying etc..  They are growing so much from one day to the next.  



It's such a joy to watch them interact with one another and their dam and to see how they use the toys in their set up.  Their teeth have not yet erupted but it won't be long now and they are busy mouthing anything they can get their little gums on. 


The pups were given their first solids meal of ground turkey with bone mixed with goat's milk which they thoroughly enjoyed.  


Visitors have been a regular occurrence this past week and the puppies are getting lots of exposure to men, women and children.  It's an adorable age and we spend countless hours cuddling with the puppies. 


Here are the photos of the puppies taken today when they turned 4 weeks old.


Sunday, November 23, 2014

The Winston x Sophie Puppies are 3 Weeks Old


It's been another great week for Northrock's E litter.  The pups eyes are all open now.  They had toys added to their whelping box during this last week and have slowly begun to interact with them.  They are also beginning to play with one another.  Mouthing and batting at each other and with Sophie.  I could sit and watch them for hours on end.
Minx and Duke


The pups are also up on their feet now and are moving about the whelping box.  It's not the most graceful movement but they are most definitely up and about and enjoying their new found ability to explore.  We had to add the door to the whelping box as they had figured out how to climb over the pig rail and out of the box!


Here is a video of the pups at 2 1/2 weeks old.

These little pups are growing quickly and the weeks ahead will be lots of fun as we get to know their little personalities.  
Rogue - 3 weeks
Duke - 3 weeks
Minx - 3 weeks
Duchess - 3 weeks
Lady - 3 weeks

Sunday, November 16, 2014

The Winston x Sophie Puppies Are 2 Weeks Old



It's been a great week here at Northrock for momma Sophie and her pups.  Everyone continues to do well.  Today wraps up the end of the Neo-Natal Period which lasts from one to fourteen days.  We continue with the Bio-Sensor and Early Scent Stimulation programs and will continue with these exercises through day 16 of the puppies lives.  


The pups have all gained very nicely.  As of today's weigh-in they range from 2.2 3/4 lbs to 2.7 1/8 lbs.  Duchess and Duke were the first to open their eyes followed closely by Minx.  We are still waiting on Lady and Rogue.


The puppies have been spending most of their time sleeping and eating.  They are a quiet bunch as Sophie is a very attentive dam and keeps them well fed and comfortable.  Her whelping box is always clean and you can tell she is very pleased with her little family.   We look forward to watching the pups continue to grow as they move into the Transitional Period (14 - 21 days). 




Sunday, November 9, 2014

The Winston x Sophie Puppies are One Week Old.

November 5
The Winston x Sophie puppies are doing great.  They are a week old now.  Small and precious, these little neonates still have not yet opened their eyes or ears.  They do however taste, touch and smell.  Their mobility is improving and they are pretty good at moving around in the whelping box and climbing over one another and their mother.  The puppies are weighed daily, they have all gained well and have more than doubled their birth weights.

Lady - November 7
We started the Bio Sensor Exercises and Early Scent Introduction on day three and enjoy doing this with the pups.  They receive lots of cuddles in these early weeks and regular nail trims have commenced.  The puppies are absolutely marvellous.  I love to sit in the whelping box with them and listen to their little coos and murmurs.  The tiny little gulping sounds they make when Sophie's milk lets down are music to my ears.  We are all so in love with these darling pups and are looking forward to getting to know their little personalities over the coming weeks.


The puppies now have litter names:

Rogue wears the camo collar
Lady wears the red collar
Duchess wears the lime green collar
Duke wears the blue collar
Minx wears the pink collar

Frequent updates and photos are posted on our Northrock Barbets Facebook Page if you would like to follow the litter's progress.

Duke - Nov. 9

Monday, November 3, 2014

Northrock's "E" Litter - Welcoming the Winston x Sophie Puppies

Announcing the arrival of the Winston and Sophie litter!  Five lovely Barbet puppies were welcomed into the world on November 2nd, 2014.


Introducing:

Miss Pink born at  4:32 pm 10 1/4 oz - Black
Miss Green born at  5:24 pm          9 7/8 oz - Brown
Miss Red born at  6:40 pm         10 3/4 oz - Brown
Mr. Blue born at 10:45 pm         10 1/2 oz - Brown
Mr. Camo born at   1:30 am               11 oz - Brown



Sophie is doing a wonderful job caring for her puppies.  She is a calm and attentive mother and her puppies are strong, happy and content.  We are grateful to Winston’s owners Denyse Rousseau (BleuZorange Barbets), Isabelle Auger and Derek Duguay for making this litter possible.  My dear friend Nellemarie Hyde was once again great company and a fantastic whelper helper.


Please visit our Facebook Page Northrock Barbets for frequent video and photo updates.  We will also be providing updates via the blog, just not as often.