Neverland-Retrievers

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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