Neverland-Retrievers

The next group of three puppies went home on Saturday Jan 22.

 The Pink Collar Bitch, now called Neverland Caroline’s Delight, call name “Lily”  has gone home with the Banks Family

The Banks with Lily

The Red Collar Dog, now called Neverland’s Carl Chicago, call name “Shadow” has gone home with the Hillner Family

Hillner Family with Shadow

The Green Collar Dog, now called Neverland Captain Jack, call name “Jack” has gone home with the Kirby Family

The Kirby Family with Jack

The last puppy, Blue Collar Dog, has been placed with a Flat-Coat Family. His new name is Chester and will be going home in early February. Until then, we will have fun showing him off to our friends and family. Watch out for more pics of Chester and the rest of the C-Litter bunch in upcoming posts.

…P

From the Kennelly family which adopted Pippa (white collar girl). It didn’t take long for these two to become BF for life.

BF Pippa and Henry

 …P

After an afternoon in the play area, they get quite dusty and their noses turn brown, see for yourself.

Brown Nose, L-R Red, Pink, and Blue

I’ve been asked, “How much should I feed my puppy?” 
During my second litter I found the following article helpful.
How_Much_to_Feed_A_Dog_to_Meet_His_Energy_Needs

Based on this article I generated a  simple spreadsheet that I used with Wendy until she was about one year old.  Here is the shortened version of the spreadsheet in 5 lbs increment.

Here is how to read the table. Take, for example, a 8 wks old average FCR puppy that weighs about 20 lbs. Feeding Artemis Med/Lg Breed Puppy they should get about 2.5 cups per day along with 1/2 can of Merrick Puppy Plate Can food. I would feed them
1-1/2 cups in the morning of the dry and in the evening 1 cup dry mixed with the 1/2 can.

Once they get to be 4 mos old, the energy requirement is reduced.  Again, for example, a 16 wks (4 mos) old puppy will weigh about 40 lbs and they should be eating about 2-1/2 cups dry and a full can.  I would split this up with a morning feeding of 1-1/2 cups of dry and in the evening 1 cup dry mixed with 1 full can.

Always remember, if you can easily feel their ribs, then their weight is optimal, if not, cut back on your feeding.

…P

Pippa made it home and was introduced to her new BF, Henry.

Pippa and Henry Making Friends

Even through Pippa is settling into her new digs,
she is still keeping tabs on her brothers and sisters.

Pippa Monitoring the Web Cam

… but she has also made time to relax by the fire.

Relaxing Pup

…and then after a hard day adjusting, what else but to take a nap of course.

Napping Pippa

Well tomorrow is another day to explorer.

…P

I’ve recieved a couple of e-mails regarding the play pen on the web cam. I’m asked why the top door is up today imparing the view of the puppies. I’m sorry to say, the puppies have learned to climb out of the play pen. This morning, all the puppies were in the pen when I came down to feed them. They are very concious of the sound and smell of their food in the feeding pan. When I came out of the back room, the red dog was on the family room floor reliving himself of last night’s dinner. He had figured out how to scale the play pen wall. A little while later, he started to demonstrate his escape skills again in front of us. We certainly don’t want a puppy with a broken neck. That’s why the doors are now up while we are not in the room with them.

…P

The first three puppies have left for their new homes. The Orange puppy is now called Neverland Carolina, Call name “Willow” and she has gone home with the Beard Family.

The Beard Family with Willow

The yellow dog left with the Kirby Family and he is now called Neverland’s Comfort Me Once More, Call Name “Jasper”

The Kirby's with Jasper

The White dog left with the Kennelly Family and she is now called Neverland Castle’s Lady Pippa, Call Name “Pippa”

The Kennelly Family with Pippa

…P

Ms. Orange

Orange Head Profile

Orange Head Front View

Orange Profile View

Ms. Pink

Pink Head Profile View

Pink Head Front View

Pink Profile View

Mr Blue

Blue Head Front View

Blue Profile View

Ms White

White Head Profile

White Head Front View

White Head Oblique View

White Profile View

Mr Green

Green Head Profile

Green Head Front View

Green Profile View

Mr Yellow

Yellow Head Profile View

Yellow Head Front View

Yellow Profile View

Mr Red

Red Head Profile View

Red Head Front View

Red Profile View

…P

Congratulations to Kennel Almanza for being recognized as the Top Breeder in Sweden of all dog breeds. Also, Sune  had the honor of appearing in the Show picture with Ragnhild Ulin, see below.

BREEDER OF THE YEAR 2010 | Kennel Almanza | Sthlms DOG SHOW | 18-19/12-2010

 At this year’s closing event of the Stockholm International Dog Show Exhibition, Breeder of the Year competition was decided. The winner was, by the smallest of margins, 1 point – Kennel Almanza with the breeding of Flat-Coated Retrievers. In the picture above, is congratulated breeder Ragnhild Ulin by the Swedish Kennel Club and the Pedigree contest sponsor representatives.  

Tomas explains how Top Breeder is determined in Sweden:

“Top breeder is a competition over the year. A breeder compete with 4 dogs (see the picture below). The judge looks for high quality and evenness. You first compete in the breed, and the winner there compete against the other breeds in the final show. The judge then places 5 in the final show, and the breeders get points for the placing and for the amount of competitors in the final show. For example: if there are 15 breeders in the final show and Almanza becomes best in show, they will get 5 points for the BIS and 15 points for the number of breeders they have beaten (second place is 4+14 points, third 3+13 and so on).  The top 5 results over the year is counted. This is the fifth time Almanza becomes Breeder of the year, all breeds in Sweden!”

Almanza Top Breeder Competition

From left: Almanza Totally Toxic (Radar) with  Sussie Karlström, Almanza Let’s Mingle I’m Single (Diezel) with Ragnhild Ulin, 
Almanza Wild At Heart (Sune) with Anna Francesca Rosudottir and Almanza Quite The Thing (Casino) with Sofia Olsson

…P

As anyone will tell you, if they bred a litter, it’s alot of work! I know it’s been ten days since my last posting, but not for lack of trying. Until last night, when I put away the whelping box and setup the puppy play pen, I have been in the routine of feeding, cleaning, washing, folding… repeat, repeat…. Seven puppies is definitely more work than I expected. On Day 23, I introduced the puppies to doggy mash (Blended 2.5 cups Kibble, 1/2 can Merrick Puppy Plate, and 16 ozs of milk replacement) to start the weaning process. At that time, their poop change and the quanity increased significantly. It’s been a constant battle to keep them clean. Now that the pen is up, it’s a bit easier, but the 1″ grid spacing on the floor is not perfect and we still need to be attentive when they start to squat.

Enough on that subject, today the weather was very nice, sunny and high temp in the 50’s F, so it was time to take the puppies outside for the first time. Here is a pic in the play pen with Morgan eyeing the play toys.

Day-31 Outside Play with Uncle Morgan Standing Guard

I also found it interesting the girls (Orange, White and Pink) were the first to pickup and run with the duck toy or bumper. See for yourself:

Ms. White with Bumper

Ms Pink with Bumper

Ms Orange with Duck Toy

Of course, the boys finally got into the action when Mr. Yellow figured out what to do with the ducky.

Mr Yellow with Duck Toy

 The weather is forecasted to be nice for the rest of the week, so check the puppy cam for some outside action in the afternoon.

…P