Barefoot Pudel's Blog (www.barefootpudels.com)

One Year Old Pictures

2011-09-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Puppies!

Grace x Everad's first litter turned one year old today.

Here's pictures and comments from their families

There were 10 puppies born on the 10th in 2010

Here are some new pictures of Callie after her trip to the groomer.

Callie is 18.5" and 22 lbs.

Hi Paula and Jim, We weighed and measured Karma this morning and sang Happy Birthday to her. She weighs 27# and is 19.75 inches tall. She is the light of our lives. We think she is just the best dog ever. Her personality is sweet, she loves other dogs, kids, and people, but hates cats. We walked by a cat today and she barked and would have jumped on him if she hadn't been on leash. I am attaching a picture of her first canoe ride. She actually did well in the canoe but when it started raining, she stood the whole time..like she didn't want to get her butt wet. Blessings, Nancy and Mary Ellen

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Cricket (Courtney) she's 18" and 22# at one year old

Dear Paula, Jim, Nancy, and Mary Ellen,

We had to write how beautiful and courageous Karma is. Also a very Happy Birthday to her.

Our Roxy is Karma's half sister. Mama Grace is her Mom too. Roxy will be two on January 26, 2012. She is wonderful like Karma and we love her dearly. They look very similar (both beauties), but Roxy is a blue (very dark charcoal/black) and a bigger girl. Roxy weighs 38 lbs. and is 23 inches at the shoulder.

Roxy says hello to her sister Karma and is happy that Karma has a loving forever family too.

All the best.

Mike and Mercedes in Glendale, CA

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Hello Jim and Paula! 
 
Arthur is the best dog ever.  I weighed him on Tuesday, he is down to 49 lb so I 
got the extra pug style padding off of him.  And I measured him this morning, he 
came in at 24 inches exactly.  My lifestyle has totally changed with him, I 
didn't know it needed changing, but we are all incredibly happy.  He gets along 
great with everyone, is the star of every obedience class we take, and is 
learning how to be a spectacular boy. He has a whole slew of commands and 
tricks, but the thing I am the proudest of right now is that we've figured out 
awesome for everyone bedtime cuddling rules.  He knows that up until lights out, 
while we are reading (or cuddling with him) that he is allowed on the bed. And 
then in the morning, the moment the radio clicks on, there is a nose in my face 
asking for permission to hop up.  I love it, Rick is tolerating it and learning 
to enjoy it (HA! you know he does, he just can't admit to it yet) and Arthur 
clearly enjoys it.  I think he also enjoys sleeping in his own bed where he can 
stretch out and not worry about putting his tail in my mouth and his paws in 
Rick's stomach.  
 
Lara

-----

Ceophie is 26 pounds in weight and 17.5 inches tall. She is the perfect poodle. Rosie

hmm, looks like the picture isn't coming through ... here's a younger picture of Coephie (Sophie)

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Updated Yearling Pictures

2011-08-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

--- will update pictures pretty soon ---
puppies turn one year Sept 10th, 2011

see our photo album on www.barefootpudels.com

they are all beautiful!

Puppies are almost 8 months old

2011-05-01T16:45:00.001-07:00

"Cricket" (Courtney) living the life of luxury in Palm Spring, CA, she's small, 17" 25#

Carly after her spay, she's a sweet character of a gal, about 18"

"Chula" (Cara) is 19.5" and 33# at 7.5 months old, she's being trained as a Delta Therapy Dog

"Callie" (Cova) almost eight months, she's 18" and 25# also going into the show ring

"Celby" (Colby) all fluffed up for the show ring, 17" 25# still call him Lil' Ev

"Chewbecca" (Claudia) she is a black beauty, 6 months old she's 18" and 27#

"Ceophie" (Collette) she's also 17.5" 22#

"Arthur" (Cory) cute hair cut after his neuter, I think he's 22" and over 40#, beautiful isn't he?

I still need an updated pictures of Connor, Cricket and Karma ... check back, got more coming

here's a newer picture of Everad (sire), at 2.5 yrs, he's 18" and 24#

Momma Grace running next to the fence to see the horses next door, she's 3.5 yrs 22" and 50#

Happy Holidays from Barefoot Pudels

2010-12-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

Santa is holding Everad on your left, Joaquin is on the right,

front view: Grace, Hilde, Tigre'

Updated puppy pictures at their new homes

2010-12-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

Cricket (Courtney) 15 wks in two days, her moma reportis she's 11#

Teddy (Conner) is only 12# ?? wow, he was the big boy...

Callie (Cova) newly trimmed, isn't she beautiful?

Chula (Cara/Cappy)

fka "Collette" they now call her Ceophie (pronounced Coffee), very loved in N. Calif

fka "Cory" sitting with his new family a black pug
happy and well adjusted living in Kirkland, Washington

fka "Claire" now Carma lives in Seattle, Washington
happy and cuddly

Carma

Carly (below) is doing great... she's a very happy, playful pup. Her favorite games include hurling herself onto the couch in our den (she'll run, twist in the air, and hit the back of the couch with her side... I think she likes the bounce!), tug of war, and chasing the light from a flashlight (I've never seen a dog do that, lol!). She's very smart and has learned some basic commands/tricks... She can sit, lay down, stay, shake, and give high-five. She usually comes when called. She consistently stops (or at least pauses!) in response to "no-no" or "ah-ah!" She's essentially housebroken; the few accidents she has had since we moved have happened right in front of doors (guess she was trying to tell us but we didn't understand in time).

would you like to see a picture of Everad and his brothers of the "E" Litter?
Everad is the middle puppy, picture taken March 2009, they are about 3.5 months old

Puppies at their forever homes

2010-11-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

"Callie" (Cova) now lives in San Jose, CA

"Carly" now called Carly, now lives in Tennessee, and very loved if I might add!

Pups Available

2010-11-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

just one puppy remaining,

Cory. Now this little guy is a showdog. I will only let him go to a home that is actively showing dogs and will have him championed in no time. He's the perfect kleinpudel, registered UKC will be about 25# maybe 18". Silver face and feet with silver already coming in as new growth. He's strong and proud. I will sell him on a co-ownership only and will ask for a like puppy in return with his first breeding. If you are interested in this little guy, see our website for more information http://www.barefootpudels.com/

momma, momma, got milk?

Potty Park! no problem he says

Puppy is house trained at 8 wks old with the Eco Solution Potty Park. This is our first litter with the Potty Park and I will never be without it again! I get up in the morning pour out the resevior, replace the grass with a fresh one and rinse it off outside with the hose. It's marvelous!

Cory and all of the puppies have had their dew claws removed, tails docked, age appropriate worming, seen the vet for a checkup, health history, come with a two year guarantee against congenial and life-threatening genetic defects and personaltiy tested. Both parents are health and genetically screened for six generations, champions and grandchampions. Pupppy above is a show quality male.
please, I do not need to discount or make a deal to sell these puppies, they are superb,

contact us if you are serious about the male above or reserving a puppy from next year's litter. Both Hilde and Grace will be bred to Everad fall/winter 2011.
pudels@comcast.net

Puppies are starting to go home

2010-11-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

four go to their forever homes tomorrow at 8 wks, I'll replace the pictures as I get them from their new mommies and daddies ... they have been a pleasure, we are so thrilled with this litter, repeat breeding with Grace and Everad next year, due Sept/Oct 2011

*******************************************************************

"Claire" now Carma, home and at her well puppy visit.

IMG_1096

-"All is well. She is adorable and doing great."- Nancy

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"Colby" now Celby home in Oregon -picture later-

Celby had his check-up this morning, no problems, and no parasites seen in his stool. The veterinarian gave the first shot, no leptospirosis in it. He weighed 5 lbs even. He is continuing to fit in well. I'm catching almost all his pees and poops outside, and he goes quickly. He sleeps in a crate at my bedside, so I can put my fingers in through the holes to reassure him till he goes to sleep. It doesn't take long! He goes up and down steps easily, for the most part. I think he is more physically advanced at this young age than most puppies! He is sleeping at my feet right now. He had a bath last night and I trimmed his toenails today. And of course he is the most adorable puppy! Thank-you for all your work to help him be a happy and well-adjusted puppy. Marcia

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Conner's picture coming soon,
Hi "Connor" is doing well. I haven't taken any pictures yet, I am really bad about them. He seemed kinda scared in a quiet way the first couple of days, he is really settling in now. He actually whined to go potty today, don't know if it is a fluke but I will take what I can get. He did have runny poo the first couple of days but has firmed up good. He has an appointment with the vet tomorrow, I will let you know how that goes. We are so happy with him. If you have any specific questions about him just email. I will send pics and an update within the week(Don't forget to add a little time for procrastination). Robyn

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Health Certificates for traveling puppies went well. Vet said everything is great, good structures, healthy happy puppies. They fly out friday a.m. exactly at 8 wks old.

here's the three that fly out tomorrow morning, faces and feet newly shaved

Collette, the vet and I were talking about stacking small puppies, she remembered how to stack

I woke Courtney up to take her picture, she's like, uh? what?

oh my gosh look at that face! She and Cory are silvers, the rest are blues and blacks

'got anymore cheese?'

*************************************************************

pictures of newly shaved faces the day before they turned 8 wks old

Carly walking

Carly eating cheese, a great puppy looking for a great home

Claudia, her nose has dirt on it from playing outside, she wants more cheese too!

Going home to Walla Walla, WA, she's so sweet.

"Cara, she will be the perfect kleinpudel, 20-25# 17", she's intelligent, easy to live with, scored on the Volhard aptitude testing as a 3-4 meaning her personality is easily trainable, intelligent and a great family pet companion.

Cory. put him on the floor to get the cheese from the kitchen and he ran over and used the potty park (the potty park really works!) He's the silver boy, looking for a show home that will champion and title him. He's a gorgeous boy!

*************************************************

that's all of them still with us at 8 wks old, four puppies go home

Cara and Cory are available!

Are you are great home for a great puppy?

Volhard Aptitude Testing

2010-11-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Carly & Cory

2010-10-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

video Cory

2010-10-31T20:02:00.000-07:00

video of Carly

2010-10-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

Carly playing with Jim, she's very sweet and playful

As Keeper of the Puppies

2010-10-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

I have to say this is the best litter ever! Today must be about 65, clear and warm for an October. Puppies are perfectly using the potty park, everypoo is now on one of the grasses. The resevoir has to be emptied three times a day to rid of the piddles, wow, this is amazingly more effecient and less expensive than having a stack of newspapers and blue plastic pads on hand.

Puppies are eating softened kibble with Stage 2 puppy formula, much better on the runny poo
they can go outside throught the doggy door
Courtney was the first to come back through the doggy door to come inside,
(I taped up the door so they all can come in when they want)
They are poo'ing outside in the side yard were they are contained by 6' x (?) 40' area
As keeper of the puppies, the potty park is marvelous! I can't believe I had litters without this awesome convenience as a breeder.
Puppies have learned to not poo or pee on their beloved pink pillow, the stuffed bear or the large mini-mouse, they don't even wee on their blue non-skid pad that's over blankets and pillows to make it soft and comfy.

these are awesome puppies!

and, I will never be without a potty park again. A word of advise, the large for small klein puppies, is a little too tall, they have to jump up or down from the potty park and will opt to use the grass laying on the floor instead. Now that they are all almost 6 wks, jumping up and down from the potty park is fun thing to do and catching 99% of the wee. They are well behaved and clean puppies, you will see that will be a big deal as they grow up and keep themselves clean.

What size will my puppy be?

2010-10-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

this litter (Grace+Everad) at birth were:

10.8oz 11.1oz 11.2oz 12.2oz 12.6oz 13.7oz 15.7oz 15oz 13.5oz 13.4oz

at 5 wks old puppies are:
2#10oz 2#15 3.7oz 2#8oz 2#13oz 3#12oz 3#11oz 3#12oz 3#4oz 3#11oz

Grace's first litter (Drake+Grace) were eating kibble by 5 wks old, this litter prefers it softened.
Her first litter's sire was a 21" small standard poodle.

at birth they were:
12.8oz     14.5oz     1#1oz     15.6oz     1# .05oz

at five weeks, they were
4.5#       4.5#      5.5#      5#      5#

at 7 wks:
8#        8#       7.5#        8#        9.5#

It occurred to me last night that the size from the small standard/standard litter and this litter of kleins/small standards is markably different. I guess I was hoping for the size in this litter but wasn't as convinced until now that we acheived it. We usually have 5# puppies at this age. The combination of G+E has really made some intelligent, smart puppies. Jim got home yesterday he says "I hope these owners can keep them contained (paraphrasing) these guys are just looking to get into things!"

This morning I found Courtney climbing up the exercise pen where one rung was loose, pushing her face through the bars to get out. I stepped into the exercsie pen, and there she was --stuck-- little face and two front feet just like the pictures below. She stopped and waited, no problem she knew I'd come and get her.

Carly got out this morning too (before I found the weak link of the exercsie pen), she was just walking down the hallway toward the front room, wiggling and saying hi to the other poodles, tootsie doodling down the way, no problem, just happy to be walking around like the other poodles.

Julie said that Carly has a good looking little body... how about that?!

Cova is famous of getting out and away from the litter and then realize how far away she is. She's probably the most adventurous and independent, but ya know, she's still a poodle and she will chirp-chirp-chirp, where did everybody go? I'm all alone and this world is big.

Jim enjoys Claudia, Carly and Conner sitting on his lap watching TV at night, he pets them and they just relax. Cova and Cara like to sit inbetween the pillows of the couch and Jim, so Jim has started to have one puppy on his chest with either Cova or Cara tucked in between the couch and Jim. Courtney, Claire and Collette are walking all over his head when he's holding one of them, he's laughing .. look at this puppy as they crawl around his head.

Cory's has his head up listening and looking at the front room with sounds and the other dogs. He's a boy, he's figuring out his place in the pack.

Colby when you pet him, he melts into your chest and will stay there when your hand isn't petting him. He likes to be very close to his people.

Carly and Cory don't whin to get attention but they look straight up at us with eye contact, "Pick Me Up"

The leading joke around here is Everad (from his personality testing at 49 days old) is socially dominant, meaning, he absolutely will get a hug from anyone that comes to the house, AND he will give a thousand kisses in 30 seconds with 2 second intervals. Try to put Everad where he can't see company? oh my, there's whinning and whimpering ... socially dominant. Only thing that hushes him is persistence to make him mind (and he does, he's almost two and a wonderful boy) or a juicy new bone to keep away from the others.

Colby? if he doesn't think he's had enough huggin' there will be some whinning! not a threat, just a fact ... socially dominant. He's calmer than Everad,

Cory? he's got the longer legs and busy-ness as Everad. He will probably be 18-20" he's a joy, has a more refined face than Everad and Colby, he will probably look like his uncle Zachary (see picture pedigree below).

Conner has a tail that will wiggle off his body. He's large like Grace, sweet and kind and loves people like his dad. Probably not socially dominant, just wants to be with you to get and give hugs.

I didn't list everybody, but there's more personality notes in earlier posts,
ok, I can't resist talking about these great little puppies.

Claire holds your eye contact, she's very affectionate in a sweet manner.
Claudia is calm and lean, she has Grace's personality, she's not saying yet, but she will, she will know what she wants and will let you know like her momma.
Carly is busy but not like Everad but more busy than Grace, she has things to search out.
Collette is also into everything, searching to get to her people. When you pick her up, she's all kisses and wiggles. She's the snuggle bug.
Cova instead of whins, she play barks, no whinning for this girl, she knows what she wants and she's verbal about it.
Courtney is so much like Collette, she has petite bones and small, perfectly proportioned, Julie says she's the gal to breed out of the litter, she wiggles and kisses too. She's so pleased to be with the humans.
Cara is the small quiet one - most of the time. She has the frog belly, that will thin out once she's away from the litter and not challenged to be sure she gets enough to eat. She's adventurous and refined, but she's a winner no mistake on that. There's a calm determination with this little girl. She's the purple collared girl just in case we get mixed up with Carly.

Carly and Cara's persaonalities are simillar, Cara is much smaller than Carly but they both have a quiet deterination. Cara and Carly have Grace's beautiful chest but on a smaller scale.

enjoy all of the talk about the puppies. New owners, congratulations on your almost home puppies. These are beautiful puppies all over them. Those who are waiting for the personality testing to pick out their puppy, luck to you, I know you are eager to know who's yours, I will send the info after the testing or early Saturday morning. I'm sure we can get it all figured out so no one has to wait any longer than Saturday afternoon.

Available puppies?
Carly is available, one of the unchosen "klein" females and one of the boys are available.

One of the two mid-sized boys are available (Cory or Colby), won't know which one until after the personality and grading on October 29th. Same with the "klein" girl (either Cova, Cara, Claire, Collette or Courtney).

Looking forward to the personality testing and conformation grading. Will tell us all what these puppies are like by new eyes.

Videos

2010-10-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

had to make the videos very small to upload to the blog,

2010-10-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm having a heck of a time getting the vidoes on here, but looks like it might work>>>

2010-10-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Red Collar, Carly, first bath

all of the puppies with Cova sleeping between the grid,

Cova shaking the towel,

probably ... Claire, she has the most darker cream,

Colby's first bath (Lil' Ev).

LOL, black puppies.

Jim and Cory,

three cream girls in a row, from left, Collette, Claire and Courtney

Colby, what a beautiful face. All of the puppies' eyes are turning from blue to brown, he held completely still so I could take a picture,

Cova, is centered picture. She gets all independent and adventurous, then she looks around and gets worried where everybody is at. She's a darling puppy, ok, well they all are, but this is her picture.

continue on with the pictures, it will be backwards, I had to save the pictures and go to the next post to get these all on here,

enjoy!

More Pictures, Oct 17th

2010-10-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Collette the other comedian taking a nap propped up on the bars of the exercise pen,

Collette, running.

side view of Collette playing on the stairs,

Conner, little blurry, sorry,

Conner, you can see his face getting lighter around his nose,

Cory, I don't know about this bath thing ... Cory's first bath

Courtney .... and probably Cova or Cara, they are about the same height

Courtney taking time for an itch, Carly or Claudia walking towards her,

Courtney had a drink of water outside in the sunny day, Courtney has long whiskers, you can really see them here,

Pictures, continued, continued, Oct 17

2010-10-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

Collette and puppies abound,

Collette with Claire behind her

Collette after playing in the water, time for cleaning up that little face,

Pictures continued from October 17th

2010-10-18T13:14:00.000-07:00

from top left around the water hole: Collette, Cara, Cova, Claire and Courtney

Conner, Courtney, Claire, Collette (pushing her face through the slots), Cara, Carly and Cova: aka puppies all lined up

Mary Ellen holding Cara, Claire coming up the stairs

Cara, her head is shaded,

Carly, she's quiet but into as much as anyone else,

Carly standing, Cova sitting

Carly's first bath, I'm not sure I like this,

Claire playing tough with black puppy, grrrufff

Claire sitting in the grass outside.

Claire, side view

Claudia, running down the hill for water,

hmm, black puppy looking up

Pictures

2010-10-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Conner's first bath

Cory's first bath

one cream, one black puppy (probably Courtney and Cova)

we need to put a big bow on each of these puppies so we know which they are when they are out in the yard

puppy is a free stack, again, need a big bow to say who he/she is

Conner with his face changing light in color, to the right with the collar is Cara

Litter's comedian, Cova, she falls asleep like that,

puppies (lol!)

female puppy, black .. lol

Jim petting Claudia

Mary Ellen getting wiggly Collette's picture,

Bunches of Puppies get a drink outside,

black puppy and a very pink/red tongue ... don't forget the NuVet Plus vitamins, they give puppies healthy pink-reddish tongues b/c they are healthy!

Five week Update

2010-10-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

5 wks and 3 days old, it's starting to be apparent that these darling little puppies that fill our hearts (and fill every inch of sound in the house) are quickly coming into their own (personalities, determination, attention getting) and getting very obvious they are house guests now getting ready to grow up and leave the nest.

Here's weight for the puppies, about 5 wks old they start staying their size of the kleinpudels, some still look like little frogs (namely Cova), some (like Claudia) are trim and like it that way. Cory is growing tall and Colby is slowing down in weight. Claudia is surprisingly looking small but still weighs the most. Courtney looks like a little doll perfectly square, also stays on the trim side. Claire always has eye contact. Cara is scooting around, Jim calls her the instigator. Carly is the quiet one, she's easy to misplace, she doesn't demand attention. Claudia and Conner are the most cuddly and will sit on your lap without squiggling like the others, oh my gosh, for maybe over a minute.

The best part for me? they all have happy faces and wiggly tails, all of them have great personalities, we are starting to become aware how little time we have with our sweet little house guests and how much they have stolen our hearts.

2#8 Claire
2#10 Courtney
2#13 Collette
2#15 Cova
3#4 Colby
3#7 Cara
3#11 Carly
3#11 Cory
3#12 Claudia
3#12 Conner

funny story. These puppies have been a challenge to keep enclosed today. They were able to play in the hallway this weekend with visitors and got use to having lots of attention. This morning these guys are chirping, can't seem to find what they need. I finally opened the back porch area and the bathroom so they could explore, I'm like, whew, quiet! a couple of minutes later lots of chirping (will I ever get pictures on the blog?), I go around the corner to the puppy room and there's a couple of puppies that have escaped the exercise pen. I hug them and kiss them and bend over to put the first puppy back and my eye quickly counts five puppies! oh my gosh! where's my puppies I ask Tigre'. I quickly look everywhere, no puppies to be found, my heart steps up a beat. I think, ah-ha the doggy door! sure enough four more puppies playing outside the doggy door. I count again 1-2...9, 9! where's (with a quick look) Collette, oh my gosh where is Collette? I open the side door with the doggy door, walk down the side of the house, go around the corner, and yeah, she's playing with Tigre'. [Tigre' is everywhere with these puppies, she loves the puppies, Everad will come get us when someone is out of the exercise pen, but this time he wash't around). She sees me and her tail about wiggles off of her body, [like she says] "oh I'm so glad to see you, I'm playing with Tigre' outside", I pick her up and she bathes me with kisses all the way back inside back into the safe zone. I call it the safe zone due to they are contained and won't get hurt or fall off of something or get run over by the big poodles playing, etc. But no she's just delighted with herself like jiggly jelly

Earlier Claire was the escapee but with Cory and Carly. They ease out like momma gets into the exercise pen, squishing their bodies in between the pen and the wall, pushing, pushing until they get through. My gosh these guys are quick learners.

This morning about 6am I'm cleaning up after their nighttime poo (on the potty park mostly but still has to be cleaned up), I leave them on the other side of the pen so I can roll up the paper and clean down to the floor. Oh here comes Cova, chirp-chirp-chirp ... but I want you she seems to say. Right behind her now on both sides of the pen here comes one puppy after another. Soon, they are all jumping up and down on my pants (important point here, where pants with small puppies) soon there are a couple outside of the pen realizing they aren't with the others and chirp-chirp-chirp, puppies have to come into the pen.

Like I always say, poodles love to play and they love to be with their people. This litter are social little cridders, maybe Everad's influence in the gene pool? These little puppies are a crack up, they want to be with their people.

Pictures

2010-10-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

pictures! see if we can remember by the picture who they are, much easier in person,

Claire

group photo with Tigre' watching, (Tigre' loves the puppies).

Claudia started laying on the pink pillow about two weeks ago, now everybody has to have a spot, even if they are hanging off of it, they all sleep on it, play on it day and night.

Claire and her pink tummy rolling around playing,

Claudia, originally was tagged as white collar, in person we can tell her apart, on film? wow it's tough!

Colby, where am I?

Collette, how'd that get in there? she's about two wks old

Conner, he just wags his tail, really a sweet loving boy. Can you see his face already changing color? The hair around his nose is much lighter, he has a noticeable brown hue to his coat.

Green collar is Courtney, she has Everad's round eyes like Claire. Courtney is quite a character.

you can tell it's Courtney with the extra pink around her armpits, she's a little girl, (sorry about the eye goo, it doesn't seem so much in person)

pink bracelet is Cova, she's really a small girl too, see her tiny little face? She's refined and beautiful, sweet and mischeivous.

very candid picture of Everad, the tail got messed up with my grooming skills, thank goodness poodles hair grows and grows, always can recoup the style with a little time. Everad turns two November 24th

those eyes look just like her Dad! Just sizing it up, figuring it out, little Cova gets another picture here.

FOOD! they act like they've never eaten every time we feed them. They are starvin' marvin's

Hilde and Tigre' hey how'd they get in the puppy pictures! that Tigre' she's in as many of the pictures as she can get in.

hmm, we didn't plan very well with not being able to see her collar ..... black puppy October 12th
oh yeah, that's right, guess the puppy in the picture, (shh, looks like Cova huh?)

Baby boy Cory, kind of stacked, Isn't he pretty?

they've eaten, they're tired and on the favorite pink pillow, 10/12/10

Colby, (Lil' Ev) he likes to play with the toy,

probably Courtney she doesn't hold still for very long, wiggly, squiggly Courtney

best pictures of all, a happy tail. Did you see that all of the puppies' tails are held high? Both Grace and Everad have high flying tails of happy good attitude poodles.

Claudia, she has a great personality, calm, alert and sweet, she's got her mother's eyes.

another Conner picture

yeah! there's that food again,

sleeping area getting completely cleaned, it's covered in nonskid puppy blanket and towels, oh my gosh, don't forget the pink pillow!

the puppy room. There's a large window for natural light and fresh air today, amazing. From the ceiling is a heater lamp for puppies, each litter we add on some major furniture for the puppies, soon we will have the full layette

videos are too long, won't load on here, will record more tomorrow,

dang - too bad, today the puppies got to be outside for the first time in the sun, they were so cute in the laundry basket. Of course Conner and Cova and Collette were the first to get out of the basket, Cova got scared, it's a big scary place out in the world, Colby didn't like it either. Conner pranced around, he's bigger and more sure of himself in the litter, but ya know, he's still a baby.

enjoy,

What are the puppies eating?

2010-10-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Four weeks, five days old

puppies are eating mush made out of ground up Great Life holistic kibble with real meat in the kibble and a scoop full of Step 2 esilac puppy formula, one tablet of NuVet Plus in each bowl once per day, evening meal is ground up Great Life with a few teaspoons of Pet Pantry raw meat, chicken with ground up bone for calcium to help us all sleep through the night.

adult poodles get to enjoy soft marrow beef bones and an organic small chicken neck from Pet Pantry. It's like dessert, the bones keeps them entertained and busy for hours. Grace will gather 2-3 bones and sit on them for herself ... hey she just had 10 puppies and nursed them to gorgeous little puppy dogs, she's entitled!

Puppies are being feed about four times a day, they are looking like little frogs sometimes. About ready to be wormed, their puppy area still grows by the day. Potty park is for poop that's for sure! Sunday evening we ran out of Great Life so monday they had ground up Eukanuba puppy kibble, wow, really a big difference in the pooping area. Good reason to feed your puppy/dog a high quality kibble -- there's less going out the end of the food cycle.

like they say: garbage in, garbage out

feed a good quality kibble and you will be picking up lots less of poo

Puppy Update and first impression of the Potty Park for the puppies

2010-10-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was their first day with the Potty Park, amazingly they all went for it. Yes there's a few that want to walk to the other side of the room sometimes and do their thing, but they are getting on the Potty Park and wee-ing away. It's so cute to see them trot up to the grass and relieve themselves, then walk away.

Today was their first real eating experience of bowl lapping puppy formula and a tiny bit of kibble ground up into the mix. Took it slow, their teeth are still buds and only a few have pointers. Seems their bed area and play area is expanding by the day, they are growing by leaps and bounds.

(our camera card to put pictures online is having technical difficulties, we will get pictures here soon, you will be amazed how much they've grown and how big puppies in the development they are).

Hadn't weighed them for a half of a week, following are their sizes at 3 1/2 wks young.

Cova, spry and play growling weighed 1# 15oz
Collette, a little squarer head and sleek in body weighed 2# 1.5oz
Claudia, little red collar bounces around playing and figuring out the pecking order in the litter was 2# 10oz
Claire, sweet and the darker of the three creams, will growl & bark like everyone else, if someone really challenges her, will turn her back to them and keep growling, weighed 2# 2oz
Courtney difficult to tell apart from Collette, now light green collar to keep track of her, weighed 2# 2oz
Carly little miss I hold my ground Grace look alike weighed in at 2# 8oz
Cara is bouncing around as much as anyone else, weighed 2# 8oz (thank goodness we collar them to tell them apart, this week I wouldn't have known who she was).
Conner, has a brown hue to him and his face around his nose is starting to turn light. Much earlier than Grace's last litter, will he be much lighter? (*see below)
Colby is black, no white on his feet, he's bouncing around like little tarzan today showing the girls he's something to look at, weighed in at 2# 9oz
Cory with white on the pads of his feet, also bouncing around gruffing and growling vying for top dog, weighed in at 2# 6oz

* when the puppies are over six weeks old and before seven weeks old for the personality testing, their feets and faces will be trimmed. If their faces are still black they will be the dark "blue" like samples in previous posts. If their faces are silvery to light silver, that will reflect the color they will be grown. A true "silver" puppy will have a lighter silvery face and feet at 6 wks. A black puppy will be slightly lighter on the face but close to the same color of their body. A true "cream" will turn very light with varying ears.

Blessings,
Paula and Jim

Puppy Update

2010-09-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

When it's quiet and puppies are sleeping is when I think about taking pictures. When they're up and walking and trying out their voices, I'm weighing them, and watching and playing with them and forget taking pictures. Today I promise I'll get pictures and videos of puppies standing and walking! Their little legs are arn't half bent and wobbly any more, most of them stand erect with their tails up.

Looked in at them early this morning Claire's ears are completely open. I accidentally made a clanging noise moving the exercise pen and she somewhat jumped at looked at me. They can see blurringly, still focusing and now hear really well. They will stare at your face working at focusing and memorizing what they see.

Momma Grace feeds them and doing a great job. Thinking about supplementing momma's milk with a little puppy formulae. They are not fat but trim to look at, definitately not thin, no ribs, I'd like them a little more insulated to help them regulate their body heat.

They rough house easily, already deciding the pecking order. They bark when you come into the room and play with each other. I have two kleins almost 5 months old, I need to doggy door teach Darlin, she hasn't had time to use it so nows the time to open the room so the other poodles can use the hallway and the doggy door. Grace thinks it's great, now being alone a lot for almost three weeks, she welcomes the company of the other poodles and will ask me when it's time to go in with the puppies. I can hear them in the house and know too when it's time. Grace did growl a little when Hilde and Darlin were playing outside of the exercise boundry. The puppies can smell the other poodles and they can sort of see them but hear them. It's time for socializing with the other poodles in the house, but of course only for a moment and only when we are standing right there. Hilde is a little less curious now that they are up on their feet, I think she recognizes that they are puppies. Joaquin and Darlin want to get really close to them and then walk away. Pappa Everad he's curious and then says, ok, they're puppies. Once they are old enough to play with the poodles it wil be a whole other story. Puppies are 8 wks November 5th, they won't have much outside time in our weather, it will be too cold for them outside. We are planning on opening the whelping area and hallway and start to show them the doggy door. They will be using the Eco Solution Potty Park soon. Momma is still cleaning up after them

All of the puppies have been 1# for about a week, here's today's weight, you can see they fluctuate and will settle more into their size about 4-6 wks old

Cova, 1# 10.5oz, black with wht on the pads of her feet
Collette, 1# 9.9oz, cream
Claudia, 2# 3oz, black pads
Claire, 1# 11.9oz, the darkest cream
Courtney, 1# 11oz, cream
Carly, 2# 2oz, black, wht pads
Cara, 1# 15.9oz, black, wht pads
Conner, 2# 8.5oz, black, wht pads
Colby, 2# 0.6oz, black
Cory, 2# 0.8oz, black, wht pads

Puppy pictures and videos

2010-09-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

yesterday, Claudia was the first to attempt going over the edge of the puppy pool.
today? Cova not only attempted but was on the side of the puppy pool and not too worried about it.

They are 17 days old and walking, practicing their voices with growls and barks, mouthing each other - their teeth are starting to itch, rolling and now one has found the way out of the puppy area.

Here's a few pictures from this weekend. Puppies are doing great, still on momma's milk

pink girl, Cova

Conner and Carly

Collette, wiggly, wants to practice walkin (sorry about the early morning (6am) pictures not cropped)

Colby, all black

Claudia

sleepy Claire

Claire and Cara, they are about the same size, unknown black body behind Claire. The creams girls are easier to see on these pictures, the black puppies are just as sweet and cute as ever.

whte hair sample on puppy's feet, this is all of the hints we get to what color they will ultimately be.
This is a very young picture of one of the black puppies.

finally got these off of my phone augh ... hopefully I can get the videos larger

Everad's Volhard Aptitude Testing

2010-09-20T11:39:00.001-07:00

The puppies will be personality tested at 49 days with an unfamiliar person and unfamiliar environment. It's rather disorienting for such as young puppy, the only thing they can do is have a natural response (remember puppies are without momma, anyone or anything familiar and without their siblings then are tested one by one.

This should give the viewers (and most importantly, the puppy's new owners), an idea how to pick from the personality testing to fit for you and your lifestyle (training needs, ages of the family, etc). The most important thing over size, color or being a male or female puppy is their personality and how they will live with you for the next umpteen years.

here's the scoring system and Everad's results when he was 49 days old.

Social Attraction Everad's Score 3
instructions: place the puppy in testing area about four feet from the tester, tester kneels, leans backwards and coaxes the pup to them by clapping hands gently.
purpose: degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence. Pack drive.
score: (1) came readily, tail up, jumped bit at hands, (2) came readily, tail up, pawed, licked at hands, (3) Came readily, tail up, (4) came readily tail down, (5) came hesitantly, tail down.

Following Everad's Score 3
instructions: the tester stands up and slowly walks away encouraging the puppy to follow. Make sure puppy sees you walk away. Coax puppy to follow by talking to it and attracting its attention
purpose: Willingness to follow a person. Pack Drive
(1) followed readily, tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet, (2) follwed readily, tail up, and got underfoot, (3) followed readility, tail up, (4) followed hesitantly, tail down, (5) followed hesitantly, tail down, (6) did not follow or went away.

Restraint Everad's Score 3
instructions: tester crouches down and gently rolls the puppy onto its back and holds down with light pressure with one hand for 30 seconds.
purpose: Degree of dominance or submissive tendency and ease of handling in difficult situations.
Fight or Flight Drive
(1) struggled fiercely, flailed, bit, (2) struggled fiercely, flailed, (3) settled, struggled and finally settled with some eye contact, (4) struggled then settled, (5) no struggle, no eye contact, (6) no struggle, straining to avoid eye contact.

Social Dominance Everad's Score 3-2
instructions: puppy sits or stands on crouching tester's left side as tester gently strokes puppy from head to back, continue stroking until a recognizable behavior is established.
purpose: Degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person. Pack Drive.
(1) jumped, pawed, bit growled, (2) jumped, pawed, (3) cuddled up to tester and tried to lick face, (4) squirmed, licked at hands, (5) rolled over, licked at hands, (6) went away and stayed away.

Elevation Dominance Everad's Score 4
instructions: the tester cradles the pup under its chest with both hands fingers interlaced, palms up and gently lifts puppy two feet off of the ground, holding it there for 30 seconds.
purpose: Degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control. Fight or Flight Drive
(1) struggled fiercely, tried to bite, (2) struggled fiercely, (3) struggled, settled, struggled and settled, (4) no struggle, relaxed, (5) no struggle, body stiff, (6) no struggle, froze.

Retreiving Everad's Score 4
instructions: tester crouches besieds the pup and attracts its attention with a crumpled up piece of paper. Then the pup shows some interest, the tester toesses the paper (no more than four feet) in front of the puppy, encouraging it to retreive the paper.
purpose: Degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with social attraction and following, a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training. Prey Drive
(1) chased object, picked it up and ran away, (2) chased object, stood over it, did not return, (3) chased object, picked it up and returned with it to tester, (4) Chased object and returned w/o it to tester, (5) started to chase object, lost interest, (6) did not chase object.

Touch Sensitivity Everad's Score 1
instructions: tester locates the webbing of one of the puppy's front paws and presses lightly between his index finger and thumb. Tester gradulally increases pressure while counting to 10 and stops the pressure when the puppy pulls away or shows discomfort. (do not pierce with fingernail).
purpose: Degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
before response: (1) 8-10 counts, (2) 6-7 counts, (3) 5-6 counts, (4) 2-4 counts, (5) 2-3 counts

Sound Sensitivity Everad's Score 4-3
instructions: the puppy is placed in the center of the testing area and an assistant stationed at the perimeter makes a sharp noise, such as banging a metal spoon on the bottom of a metal pan (loudly).
purpose: Degree of sensitivity to sound (also a rudimentary tet for deafness). Prey Drive.
(1) listened, located sound, walked toward it, barking, (2) listened, located, barked, (3) listened, lcoated, showed curiosity and walked toward sound, (4) listened, located the sound, (5) cringed, backed off and hid, (6) ignored sound, showed no curiosity.

Sight Senstiviity Everad's Score 3
instructions: the puppy is placed in the center of the testing area. The tester ties a string around a bath towel and jerks it across the floor two feet away from puppy.
purpose: Degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels. Prey Drive
(1) looked, attacked and bit, (2) looked, barked with tail up, (3) looked curiously, attempted to investigate, (4) looked, barked, tail-tucked, (5) ran away, hid.

Stability Everad's Score 1
instructions. an umbrella is opened about five feet from the puppy and gently placed on the ground.
purpose Degree of startle response to a strange object, Fight and Flight Drive
(1) looked and ran to the umbrella, mouthting or biting it, (2) looked and walked to the umbrella, smelling it cautiously, (3) looked and went to investigate, (4) Sat and looked, but did not move toward the umbrella, (5) ran way from the umbrella, (6) showed no interest.

Structure (conformation) Everad's Score Good +
instructions: the puppy is gently set and held in a natural stance and evaluated for structure in the following categories:
* straight front
* straight rear
* shoulder lay back
* front angulation
* croup angulation
* rear angulation
purpose: Degree of structural soundness. Good structure is necessary.
(1) good, the puppy is correct in structure, (2) the puppy has a slight fault or deviation, (3) the puppy has an extreme fault or deviation.
(first published in the AKC Gazette, March 1979, an article by Melissa Bartlett)

(there's a bunch more summary info for interpreting the scores, but will save the details for the puppy's new owners)

Everad's personality is out of his skin in love with people. He is probably what you would call as socially dominant. He's very good with other dogs, loves puppies, 100% without a doubt loves people and kids. Most people that come over think he will "get enough" attention and back off .. hmm, not Everad, you let him kiss your face and you enjoy it, you've set a precedent with him, from then on, you love him and love to be kissed by him. Around the house? yes, he does get enough attention and affection, as an almost two year old boy he's satisfied with the affection and love he gets, but take him to class or have someone come over, and you are here to be kissed and that's all there's to it. Everad is fast as lightening, we look forward taking him to agility trials as he gets older. He has all of his points in conformation to be a UKC champion and one major. He loves people so much it's nearly impossible to get him to hold still for a judge to look him over. He's been to one show got all of his points and one major on his first birthday. We look forward to him growing up some and taking the gold, b/c this guy is gold through and through.

comparitively for testing results, here's "Tigre's" testiing (remember she's not related to Grace, Everad or the puppies, but to understand the testing and how a puppy can be so different, here's her scores.
Social Attraction: Score 4
Following, Score 3
Restraint, Score 5
Social Dominance, 6
Retreiving, 5
Touch Sensitivity, 3
Sound Sensitivity, 4
Sight Sensitivity, 2

two 3's, two 5's, a 2, 4 and 6.
the test says she will be outgoing, friendly and will adjust well in situations, flexible temperament, the 5s say she is submissive and lacking in self-confidence, bonds closely to owners but is aloof from the score of 6 with one 2 as being dominant and self-assured. (she has moments of both, a protector and loves to be hunged and play catch)

She is outgoing, friendly, wagging tail that clears tables, she is everybody's best friend. She does dominant with a big bark with someone coming towards the yard or house, we are her priority, she's a total sweetheart. When there's discord in the house amongst the canine (over a bone, otherwise never), she is the peacemaker. She's a perfect girl around the house, stays out of the crate at night without any trouble, never distructive. Now that she's 8 months old today, she has found a passion of playing catch, her most favorite things are laying around rassling with Joaquin on the floor, playing easy with Darlin, plays with Hilde endlessly and rough housing, plays with and submits to Everad and Grace. She is a wonderful balance of a sweet and loving poodle.

Note: each litter have similar aspects to their personalities, some will retreive, some will be more outgoing with loud noices or cringling paper, etc. All in all, these are poodles, loving, well bred, intelligent and as all poodles are, they love their people and want to please them.

Puppy Pictures 9 days old

2010-09-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

no particular order, updated pictures, Day 9 (names are on top of the picture)
I know it says their ears will open after Day 13-17, but when we walk into the room, they will answer us with a little gruff-woof. They are communicating with us answering any quick noises.

Cara, one of the smallest girls,

Carly, she does not like being on her back, not a normal thing to do I guess,

Claire is the darkest cream girl, her nose also buried into the bear,

Claudia, doesn't like being put on her back, her eyes are opening too,

Colby, he's got his nose down in the bear, the black quiet guy,

Collette, 9 days old and eyes are opening,

Big Boy Conner, 1# 11oz today, 9 days old, his eyes are peaking out too,

his toe nails looked completely white again today,

Cova, one of the smaller girls, she was a wiggly poo, her toe nails looked white today,

Courtney, had to put a color collar on her to tell her apart, we keep getting her mixed up with her other cream colored sisters,

Cory likes to show off his white pads on his feet, (camera doesn't pick it up, in person easy to see),

Week 2 Development and Neural Stimulation exercises

2010-09-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

Development of the puppies:

* Eyes should open around days 8-10
* Ears should open around days 13-17
* Begin holding puppies in different ways (applying light stress)
* Trim nails weekly

Once their eyes open, it's a world of discovery and fun and exploring.
Collette seems to be looking out of her fused eyes, must be her lighter color, we can kind of see her eyes looking out. Today Conner sat up (for a few seconds) to look around, eyes fused. They don't need to be so warm now that their bodies are able to regulate their body heat a little, we are adjusting and readjusting the room's temperature. The whelping box, the puppies' environment is about 75-80 degrees.

Litter's Early Life, Week 1 start this week.   I will be putting "pictures" of the exercises during this week.

Barefoot Pudel's have adopted the Bio Sensor method to start our new pups off right. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects.

The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized six exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup in a gentle and loving way. Handling the puppies once per day involves the following exercises:

1. Tactile stimulation - holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

2. Head held erect - using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

3. Head pointed down - holding the pup firmly with both hands, the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that itt is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

4. Supin position - hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

5. Thermal stimulation - using a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator, place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain the puppy from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises:
     *   Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
     * Stronger heart beats
     * More tolerance to stress
     * Greater resistance to disease

These exercises impact the neurological system by lightly stimulating it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play with the pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so b/c the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socializaiton or bonding.

Once the puppies are home with their forever families, play stimulation of toys, chewing, healthy treats, etc. is a way of bonding and creating the best relationship with your dog. We suggest following Cesar Millan's way of training and creating a strong relationship with your puppy/dog by non-violent training and caring for you dog.

We also recommend raising your puppy as holistically as possible. If you wouldn't put a product on yourself, consider not putting it on your puppy/dog. Instead of using flea deterrants, consider spraying your house to keep the fleas down to a minimum. We have six poodles, we have a company come out and spray our home and yard for bugs which keeps the fleas away, we do not use any rinse or flea collars on our poodles.

Pictures: -coming soon-

Puppies are six days old

2010-09-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

wow it's already Thursday, guess it's having 10 puppies in the house, but that was a fast almost one week!

Momma Grace is doing really good. By day three she was jumping and playing, she's still smiling. She's a happy girl, her usual self.

Puppies are doing great too, they have a fabulous momma that takes care of them. Today was nail trimming day - once a week, momma appreciates that! They are strong rooters, holding them takes attention they don't swiggle off your hand. We weigh them twice daily and starting to spend more time holding them and cuddlying with them which is their first "socialization" phase. Touching and being persistent to clilpping their nails is their first stress conditioning. We touch their feet, cut their nails, rub under their ears for a couple of seconds until the puppy will relax or show a sign of acknowledging attention and then stop. It doesn't take much with these little infants.

They are starting to show personality differences but it's so subtle.

Cova after the nail trimming still has white nails. She's one of the smallest girls, she sleeps a little more and eats a little less at a time, same as Cara, the purple ribboned girl.
Cory's nails after trimming, the white was clipped away and are now black, most of the other puppies that had white nails have turned black
Conner's coat is turning a brown hue, at the vet's on Tuesday under the bright light it was easy to see.Conner seems to be getting more white up the back of his feet not less like Grace's last litter.
Cara, purple girl seems much calmer, she's a petite little girl, she doesn't seem food motivated at this point.
Courtney seems to the a bit wiry, see picture below, she doesn't hold still for very long. When she was first born she weighed 10.8oz and then either dropped or we mis-weighed her, 2nd weighing she was 7.9oz, but she has caught up with them, she's done well the whole time.
(see below for the pigment and traits of the puppies, the creams are more voicerous - but not in a bad way, they just feel there's reason to say something right now more than the black puppies)
Collette seems to settle quicker than the other two cream females.
Today Courtney caught up with weight gain with Claire, we have to compare and look at the lightness of the cream color to be sure we have Courtney and not Claire.
(the three creams in size are: Collette the largest, Claire the deeper cream color and Courtney the smallest and lightest cream girl).
Conner moves slower like Cory, they are just calmer, they are not terribly worried about anything in particular, like their sister Carly. Colby seems more sensitive like he's paying attention but just saying, he's storing information maybe.
Carly, she's not so worried about things, she will be taken care of why worry,
Cara is quick and wiry like Courtney (probably their small bodies), Claire is a little more moving around(energetic) but so is Collette. Collette does the little thing her mom does, she will do what you want with a heavy sigh, just to make sure you know it's your idea.

hmm, I didn't realized I was putting in a synopsis of the little guys. All in all they are doing great. They eat, sleep and picking them up by us humans is starting to stimulate them. They have healthy poos, which is good.

Courtney is the smallest cream girl, but she's gaining on them
Cara and Cova are neck and neck with size, Cara actually feels lighter, she's calmer than Cova, Cova might be lighter in color. I actually think Cara and Cova are smaller than Claire, the darker cream. Collette is a little larger than these four girls, but much smaller than Claudia and Carly.

Next size step are the "calmer girls" Claudia and Carly.

Collette a little more having something to say, but still calm. Claudia is quiet so is Carly and Cara. You have to make a point to check in with them why we ID the puppies so we don't miss anything small and subtle that puppies are really good at being.

Jim and I will get one week pictures out tomorrow or saturday, they are growing, they are so soft and sweet. They are all beautiful puppies, you will love them, I promise

Puppy's 1st Picture

2010-09-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

Not in any kind of order, here's puppy's first picture,

Collette, 2nd puppy born, birth weight 12.6oz, she's the lightest cream girl, today's weight 13oz

(the ribbon in the background is Everad's from his conformation show, he got one major and all of his points that weekend, was the weekend he turned one, November 2009)

Conner, the first boy born, 8th puppy, weighed 15oz at birth, first puppy to break the 1# mark, today he weighs 1# 2.2oz, he's the big boy of the litter. He has lots of white on the pads of his feet, seems to be getting more than going away like Grace's last litter.

Cova, first puppy born, weighed 11.1oz at birth, today she weighs 12oz, see her white toe nails? She's the last puppy that still has white toe nails, everyone else has already changed to black.

Cara, last female born at 5:19am as #7 puppy, 11.2oz at birth, today weighs 12.1oz, she feels like Everad to me, small framed and light weight. Her front pads are shiny black; the back feet have lots of white hairs in the pads of her feet.

Carly, red collar, weighed 13.7oz at birth, #6th puppy, she weighs 15.3oz today. All of her feet have white hairs on the bottom of the pads.

Claudia, 3rd puppy born, weighing 13.7oz, today weighs in at 15oz, she's all black, shiny black pads, no white.

Claire, darker cream girl, 12.2oz at birth, she keeps rolling out of her light green collar, today she weighs 13.1oz, her nose is turning black today and so are her pads.

Puppies have plumped up and gotten more hair on their faces today

Colby, #9 puppy, black puppy with shiny black pads, weighed 13.5oz, see his paw? no white. Day 3, today he weighs 15oz

Courtney, the very smallest cream girl, weighed 10.8oz at birth. First day she went down to 7.9oz, today Day 3 she is steadily up to 9.9oz. She's hungry and wiggly.

Cory, last puppy born weighing at 13.4oz, he has lots of white on the pads of his feet, today weighs 15.3, growls and screams when we turn him over onto his back. His personality test will be interesting. He has white hairs on the pads of his feet, see my color coming through?

X-Ray before puppies born

2010-09-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

Poodle Colors

2010-09-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

The conversation has come up to qualify what the puppies will look like grown. Following are examples to get more of an idea of what the colors of this litter will grow to look like. For conversation sake, we will continue to call Grace a silver and samples of Hilde and her Mom, blues. The blues are faded blacks, the silvers can be seen as silver before they are 8 wks old as Darlin can be our example, the blacks should show no other color than black.

Cream Poodles

Creams are almost white to a champagne color. The Cream Poodles also have black stains or points with lightly tinted apricot ears. Between these poodles, you can find combination of cream and white and they look very beautiful. Above is Everad's sire, Zivan.

Black Poodles

The Black poodle color should be a beautiful deep jet black. No hint of blue or silver in it. The face when shaved should be almost, if not as dark, in color as the main coat. A true black should never fade and they should never have white or silver guard hairs. Blacks must have black points and dark brown eyes. Pictured here is Everad's uncle, Zachary, Everad is exactly that color, same colored eyes. Zachary is 20" tall.

Blue Poodles

The blue poodle is a dilute of black. It carries the fading gene. Blue poodle puppies are born black and turn blue by two years of age. This poodle color takes the longest time to clear. Puppies at a young age will have brown highlights showing they are a blue or silver puppy but not a black puppy. By 2 years of age the dog will usually have it's adult color. Blue poodles should have black points and dark brown eyes.

Pictured here is Hilde's dam, she is a blue. Eventhough the puppies are not related to Hilde, Grace's previous litter have puppies that didn't show any silver traits before they were 8 wks old, which makes them this blue instead of silver that Grace is. The puppies with very few white hairs on the pads of their feet --at this point-- we will say they are "blues". About 3-6 wks they should show quite a bit of change in color with the brownish/mahongy hue to their black coats.

Silver Poodles

This color is also a dilute of black and carries the fading gene. Silvers are born black and clear over time. Silvers should have a silver face and feet by the age of 6 weeks to be a real silver poodle. As the blues, there are varying shades from silver to sparkling platinum that is almost white to a beautiful pewter colo. (That's where Grace's color can get confusing, her grandmother is the pewter color and is called blue.)

The picture on the left is Darlin at 6 wks old, she has a silvery face and feet and a mahogony coat showing she is a silver puppy. By 12 wks her coat is turning a metal gray color with very light silver feet and face with light silver coming up through as new hair. The picture on the right is her grandsire, Aery's Preditorian, a silver adult male. Grace, centered, is a combination of silver/blue, she has a silver face, feet and legs, brown and black running through her coat makes her darker than silver on the core of her body.

The puppies with lots of white on the pads of their feet we will say are "silvers" however they should show silvery faces and feet before they are 8 wks old to register them as silvers. If they still look black with the mahogony hued coat and no silver feet and face, we will say they are blues.

Ready for Technical Talk about Poodle Colors?

2010-09-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

Article from VetGen, the laboratory that tests for color
http://www.vetgen.com/chromagene-coat-color2.html

ChromaGene™Coat Color

Coat Color in Poodles
DNA research has identified the genotype associated with the brown (b allele) and cream- white-red-apricot (e allele) coloring.

What does this mean to breeders of Poodles?

VetGen has discovered that Poodles who are brown have the 'bb' genotype and Poodles who are cream, white, apricot or red have the 'ee' genotype.

The DNA Test for coat color in Poodles will allow breeders to test dogs who are NOT brown, to identify whether the b allele is present, as well as to test those dogs who are NOT cream, white, apricot or red, to identify whether the e allele is present.

The DNA test for b and e allows breeders the choice of producing dogs with brown coat color, as well as the opportunity of breeding away from the cream, white, apricot or red coat color.

The ChromaGene™ test will determine which one of the genotypes listed below your Poodle is:

If your dog is black the possible genotypes are: BBEE, BBEe, BbEE, BbEe.

If your dog is brown, the possible genotypes are: bbEE, bbEe.

If your dog is cream, white, apricot or red with a black nose, possible genotypes are: BBee, Bbee.

If your dog is cream, white, apricot or red with a brown nose, your dog's genotype is bbee.

ChromaGene™ testing is valuable for determining if a breeding pair is carrying e, b or both and would therefore be capable of producing the brown or cream-white-red-apricot coat color.

Table of Statistical Outcomes of Mating Pairs
(please click the link above to view the actual table)

please note we have not tested our poodles for color but will like to in the future.

.

Colors and Personality Traits

2010-09-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

Pigment and Personality
Poodle, by Bruce Fogle, DVM

Results of a survey completed by poodle breeders report on the link between coat color and temperament. This link is probably the color pigment melanin, which is similar to chemicals that act as trasmitters in the brain. The Poodle's personality is also influenced by size, breedling line, and early learning experiences.

Blue Poodle is similar to black in personality and temperament.
(According to this book/article, Hilde is a blue [a light black] and Grace is a silver and I do agree with that)

Playfullness with Other Dogs
The survey shows that black poodles are most willing to play with other dogs. Whites are also more playful than average. Apricots and browns are less likely to initiate play.

Wariness of Unknown People
Black and brown standard poodles are most at ease when meeting unknown people. Whites are typical of the Poodle average, while apricots are little less sure of themselves.

Destructiveness at Home
Poodles are less destructive at home than almost any other breed. Within the breed, blacks are least likely to chew furniture; browns and apricots are the most likely.

Trainablity/Obedience
Black Standards are better than average at responding to obedience training. Browns and whites are average for the breed, while apricots require a little more patience.

Black poodles were reported to be more obedient and easier to house train than poodles with other coat colors, while apricots were found to be more likely to be disobedient and more difficult to house train than average. (Be careful not to let the house training scare you off with your preferred color. Our puppies are raised with the Potty Park that we encourage you to continue when you bring your puppy home. Please consider ordering your Potty Park now for your puppy.)

Whining for Attention
Poodles seldom whine for attention, but, within the breed, blacks are least likely to moan. Apricots are most likely to make noise to gain attention.
(now this one makes me giggle with Joaquin and his sister Mitzi, they demand attention and whining is only one way to get it. Comparitively, Hilde never whins for attention and Eveard always whins for attention but less than Joaquin.)

Need for Physical Activity
All Poodles thrive on physical activity. However, apricot and white standards demand slightly less activity than average, while blacks require more physical exercise.

A note about blue and silver puppies: See our website http://www.barefootpudels.com/ with "Hilde" on the Klein Pudel page. You can see that she has a mahogony hue to her black coat. When puppies are about three weeks, they will change to the mahogony hue which will tell us for sure which are blacks and which are blue or silver.

We can make an observation with our guys on this subject: Everad, Hilde and Darlin, they all need to run full out a couple times a day, they smile their faces off when they can just hall out and run. Comparitively, Tigre' as a small puppy really didn't want to run much, but to keep up with Hilde, her friend, she has sped up and now has a stronger, quicker body due to Hilde's influence. If Hilde didn't encouage her to run fast and play, Tigre' would be much different in her level of physical activity and how she know carries herself. Joaquin and Tigre' will lay and just rassle with a toy and roll around on the floor, where Hilde will just look at them and wonder why they are not up on their feet running.

Ages have a lot to do with the above too:
Momma Grace will be three October 14th
Everad will be two November 24th
Tigre' will be one January 20th
Joaquin will be one May 14th
Darlin will be one June 5th
Hilde will be two August 4th

Puppies are Two Days

2010-09-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

Grace's milk came in last night, they are all gaining weight. They are such gorgeous little gals and guys, still look small. Conner is the largest this morning, at 15oz. Colby and Cory are 14oz, Claudia is 14.3. Carly starting to gain this morning is 13.7oz, Claire is 12.3, Collette is 12.6, two smaller is Cova 11.5 and Cara 11.6, Courtney weighs in at almost 1/2 the size of Conner at 9.1oz. We had to compare to make sure she was Courtney so she really is growing rapidly.
Of course the puppies will change immensely before they go to their aptitude testing and turn 8 wks old, we just keep watching their growth and take note of their personalities.

Last litter (Grace bred to a 21" male) our largest girl was one of the last puppies to go, at 12 wks old she ended up weighing a little more but was an inch shorter. Big boy Blake (now Oliver) is still large, Roxy is a small refined standard poodle and changing color first that we know of. The 2nd largest cream boy is larger than we thought, the smallest cream boy is about 40#. Out of five puppies only three people keep in touch.

I hope everyone will keep in touch from this litter, it helps us know that they are loved and well cared for and we can track their size and how they change colors and grow. It helps with subsequent litters for size, color and health. It's interesting to know what they like to do and how much training their owners are interesting in doing.

This is Everad's first litter. We consider Grace one of our big girls being a small standard at 50#. We are so happy with the size and quality of this litter (maybe I've already said that?, but we really are). The super refined puppies might grow and be long legged, the heavy puppies might be of average size, most of the puppies will change once they leave the litter.

We got Everad at 10 months old. He was raised by Julie Reed of Tiara Standard Poodles in La Jolla. She's an amazing women and loves her dogs. She's a professional groomer, expert advisor for AKC for 20 years, vet assistant, has shown dogs since she was very young for her grandmother. It's in her blood and it's amazing what she knows, we feel honored to know her so well and consider her a friend.
Everad came from having lots of intact male dogs around and him being the puppy at 10 months old. He got here and he was the only male, I guess his hormones kicked in, he grew an inch in six months. Julie was surprised he grew to 18".

Poodles are very adaptable animals. They will change from us and our home to you and your home. They say, the first two weeks is our influence, after two weeks, you and your environment is what the puppy will become.

Our very first kleinpudel was our Mitzi (2007, she's on the photo gallery). We put a deposit on the litter before the parents were bred, it was their first litter. There was one girl (Mitzi) and four boys. There was one very large boy and a tiny boy, Mitzi was the darkest apricot and the next smallest puppy from the litter. We brought her home at 8wks, we loved and adored her, she was small (much like Courtney), very talkative, spoiled from day one. We geneticas and health screened her at two years old, she got an A++ with her health and genetic testing. We were thrilled and eager to have her first litter. We took her to the breeder wth the male and she thought breeding her to a miniature due to her size would be better. She was a fertile myrtle and conceived seven puppies. Unfortunate things happened due to her size and one puppy died 1/2 way into the pregnancy. We didn't know for weeks later and we had to have an emergency c-section and lost the litter and lost Mitzti's reproductive abilities.
Since then, we got Joaquin, Mitzi's brother. We went back to the breeder and asked her for a male puppy, one that would be larger than Mitzi. From her knowledge and being Joaquin from their fourth litter, she gave us Joaquin as a daddy look alike puppy that will be about 17-1/2" and 25#. His personality is much different from Mitzi's. He's more like their sire's and Mitzi's was more like their dam. We do recognize a lot the same with the two of them though. They both are talkers. Joaquin is the noisiest of the household as in wanting to be with us and will make some racket when he feels to far away, however, don't confuse that with anxiety, he doesn't have problems with that. His body is much different than Mitzi's. He lives to eat, he's more rough and tough but a character like his sister.

In their parent's 2nd litter after Mitzi, the puppies were all small standards. We had the opportunity seeing them. They were huge next to Mitzi's litter. The 3rd litter had five boys that were also the mid size kleins like Joaquin's litter. Isn't it interesting that their parents had one litter of small standards rather than kleins?

With each litter we learn more about what our poodles will throw. I expected only a few small Everad type puppies, today? I see most Everad size puppies. I am also a litle surprised we got three creams and only two blacks, the rest silver/blues.

From the color spectrum of this litter, black poodles and white poodles are the basic color.
The blues and silvers and creams are diluted from black and white. How much they will turn color is still a guess, but it looks like we have five puppies of varying color of silver/blue. One black male, one black female and three creams. The creams are a diluted brown that is dominant enough to pop up every litter with Everad's family. Breeding Everad with that gene to a silver/blue we got more of the diluted color than more blacks.

Hilde and Everad should have as many blues over blacks, however, her momma has a rainbow of color and we are hoping for a white as well as a brown and several creams from their litter next year.

Development of the Puppies

2010-09-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

Raising Puppies Timeline

90% of time spent sleeping
10% eating
Susceptible to heat/cold
Instinctive reflexes: crawl, seek warmth, nurse
They can right themselves if placed upside down
Needs stimulation of urination/defecation
Rapid development of central nervous system
Need constant care from momma
Pups may lose 10% of weight after birth, but should start gaining again
Weight should double by end of the week

Puppies are still eating colostrum for about three days before Grace's milk comes in. They are constantly eating and will fall asleep where they are. We have them in a padded and toweled kiddie pool 4'x4' which gives them and momma Grace lots of room. Much less squishing puppies when momma Grace lays down or needs to stretch. Puppies will take a hike across the pool with no problem to get to momma, or get to the heating pad or go towards commotion when we sit and watch them.

Grace is doing well, she's really thin comparatively and thirsty. Still sleeping as much as the puppies, we are feeding her a high caloric diet about 3-4 times per day and of course her NuVet vitamins every day, adding milk product in her diet to encourage her milk to come in. The puppies are just as sweet as ever, they crawl and scoot and make noise and slurp. Still letting momma potty them. When we tagged them with their colors and weighed them she watched every move we made, eventually getting up and checking on her babies.

The creams are easy to tell apart.
The boys are little more difficult, two have white pads and one doesn't. The black boy we call Lil' Ev, but his nickname is Colby. We sat down to watch them and he high tailed it over to say hi, he will be as friendly and gregarious as his dad.
The four black girls are tough to decifer. One has a bunch of white on her pads, but only the back feet. One is what we call black, the pads are shiny, the other two have relatively the same amount of white hairs on their pads.
Already, today just the 2nd day, the hairs on the pads and their toe nails are rapidly changing color, we are keeping good notes to see how these few hairs influence their colors by the time they are 8 weeks old. The two thin babies out of the litter are gaining weight. We spend most of our day making the temp of their environment about 85 degrees, it fluctuates at night and with the weather.

When they are about one week old we will start taking individual pictures of the puppies. Right now they look like hairy fetuses, the hair is starting to ripple and they constantly make little jumping movements, eating or sleeping and they do make noise for a couple of seconds at a time. Yesterday, I saw three tails wagging as they were piled up and eating.

GOD BLESS AMERICA
on this day and always,

Puppy Birth Day Pictures

2010-09-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

Momma on potty break, the following pictures the puppies are all about 6-12 hours old

Grace is tired, she pushed out 3-4 puppies to have these puppies natural, she did AWESOME!

a few up close pictures, puppies' body temp can drop pretty quick, it's important to keep them right with mom or on the heating pad, I promise individual pictures when they are about 5-7 days old.

Too precious not to post, these are brand new little puppies, just learning how to eat. by 6pm on their Birth Day, they can get to momma, find the heating pad to warm up, start to play with their siblings (nose to nose, one black puppy with his mouth in another black puppy's mouth, I saw one little black puppy practically walk on their wobbly little legs --- well it looked like he/she did). No matter what, these puppies are really cute kleins, we are starting to see determination and they will kind of growl when they are uncomfortable or being squished. Today the cream puppies seem to be on top, never on the bottom. Why do the cream puppies like to be on top? That's so funny. Small black boy likes it under everyone, he seems to feel secure.

Thursday night

2010-09-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

I went to put in the blog last night that we were rubbing Grace's tummy from 2pm on and we could actually see the puppies moving up and towards her tail. It might sound funny but we could see the journey starting.

12:30am she was pacing, came into the whelping room and everything was dug up, definitely nesting

next post are the puppies, she's doing great, started 1:30am, we are waiting for the next two, see below, several surprises ... nice surprises

Puppies whelping

2010-09-10T02:08:00.000-07:00

yeah!! Grace is pushing to get these babies out, she's the women!

1st puppy is a female, black with bright white nails and pads, 11.1 oz, nicknamed Cova
2nd puppy is a cream female, weight 12.6 oz, nicknamed Collette
3rd puppy is a female, white nails and slightly whitish pads, 15.7oz, Claudia, yellow
(I'm adding onto this page as the puppies whelp),
Grace had all three girls in one hour --- fast and furious

3:05 came Claire a 12.2oz cream female. light green, very hungry

3:38 was little Courtney, 10.8, cream long and thin, and hungry

and then Grace's mini-me, Carli, black light white nails and a tiny bit of white on her pads, 13.7, she was a push, Grace almost threw up but didn't had to run through the house to get it down and ready, took an hour for this puppy to come out.

another girl!! thanks Grace I just lost the bet!! no problem baby, they are beautiful

7th puppy 5:19am is a black girl, 11.2, purple, quiet and strong, Cara

Everad, are there any boys?

yes! #8 a boy, Conner, black white toe nails, 15.0, 6:30am

2nd boy, Colby, black with white toe nails, will be blue, 13.5oz 7:45am, was a dickens to get out! Momma Grace had to push for quite a while, she did great.

hopefully just one more, Momma Grace is tired and it's really a push to get these last out.
Did I say what a momma muffin Grace is? wow, what a gal!

2.5 hours later, a boy, 10:15am, black, maybe white-ish nails, 13.4, Cory, another boy, another klein

whew, last couple where some work, I think we got everybody! yeah Grace

AWESOME JOB GRACE
10 puppies
7 girls
3 boys

3 creams the rest silver, blues and maybe one black

out for now,
blessings,
Paula and Jim

only thing for sure right now, everything is fine

2010-09-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

We are calculating and recalculating. Not knowing exactly when she ovulated is the mystery. Normally bitches (that's the technical term) have seasons that last 21 days. Grace's lasted 31 days.
today's theory -- and you've got to keep a sense of humor for us humans -- she bred on July 14th. According to askbreeder's dot com, bred on July14th her due date is September 11th-15th.

Grace is hungry, in good spirits, puppies have slowed down in movement but are rolling and kicking. There's no sign of anything wrong, today's theory, she ovulated a lot later than we thought. We will let nature take it's course and tell us when to do what.

the real mystery is how she got 10 puppies from one breeding, could Everad be that potent?

here's some pictures, the gal is a trouper man, her little buns in the oven are growing, and momma Grace is perfectly happy,

not yet

2010-09-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

Waiting ... anticipating ... let Grace tell us what's up

another breeder friend had some suggestions to help stimulate her. The puppies are active, she's resting, eating, getting her tummy rubbed and very affectionate. Grace says there's nothing to do right now and everything is fine,

Keep us in your prayers, you are also in ours,
Paula

It's Tuesday

2010-09-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

The vet did an ultrasound on her/them today. The puppies are so big they don't fit on the screen of the ultrasound so we don't get any pictures - darn! She very systemically looked at each heart beat, the best news, Grace and the puppies are fine. I forgot to count but her assistant said that was 9 or 10 puppies (hmm). We will give her more time, she will let us know if we need to intervene, best to just let her be. Keep your fingers crossed she will do it herself, soon we will have very beautiful healthy puppies, but right now they are kicking and rolling, and Grace is hungry.

p.s., we will get the x-rays as soon as their equipment is fixed, their printing server is still down.

Blessings,

Paula and Jim

www.barefootpudels.com

Day ?? We are recalculating and here's why

2010-09-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

ok, so here's where we are at.

We are guessing when she was ovulating and got pregnant. Here's the advise of a veteriniarian/breeder friend. She was bred for sure on July 7th and accidentlly bred on July 14th. A female's season is usually 21 days and they usually breed on Day 11th and 13th. Grace bred on Day 18 and Day 25 was in season for 31 days. You can understand how we are not sure when she is due.
[paraphrased] I would not worry yet. Depending on when she was dropping eggs is hard to say and knowing that the breedings are 9 days spread, her due date may not be what you think it is. Figure from the July 7th breeding as her due date Sept. 8th and July 14th breeding her due date would be Sept. 15th. As long as she is not showing any discomfort and being normal, I would just let her be.

She is normal, the puppies are kicking up and are strong, her temperature does fluctuate. The x-ray showed 10 puppies. I will continue updating this blog with pictures, videos and finally the birth!

blessings,
Paula

Day 62

2010-09-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

4am I woke up Grace to check her. She's laying on a white sheet so we can 'catch' anything going on.

Jim and I have made the executive decision at 5am this morning, that if she doesn't deliver by Tues, we will take her in and consider a c-section

then we did the Measurements and wow, it surprised us today!

Girth 32" (10 puppies, exact with the rule of thumb starting at 22")
Temperature 98 yooo-whhooo finally to 98!!!! It will be soon. She's doing fine, eating somewhat, sleeping well, doing her normal stuff. (slight discharge for the breeding talk)

She's doing the same she did last time just slower

I again will guess another 12-24 hours.

Grace's X-RAY

2010-09-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

the vet's computer was having problems ... but,

Grace's vet said anytime, we said, tomorrow? oh, anytime she said

DID I SAY 9 PUPPIES? At the ultrasound the vet says, hmm, there might be 10 but let's say 9 for now.

today? definitely 10 little skulls and associated spines connected to those skulls.

If you'd like to revise your guess of sexes, please feel welcome, right this second, Marcia is in first place with 6 boys and 4 girls. Funny, she sensed it was 10, must be a nurse thing, I was under counting for good measure, but it's official 10 PUPPIES.

their machinery was down, she will forward the X-Ray, they are closed until Tues, guess we have to wait til then to publish the actual X-Ray

yeah! anytime, all are the same size, no overly small or overly large, everything in there is well and no problems (no extra gas, etc,) , the puppies are in there like a bowling ball, the X-Ray looks like little bowling balls with spines connected inside a big bowling ball.

sssssooooonnnn!!!!!!

Still Waiting

2010-09-03T07:03:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning at 3am Grace's temperature dropped to 97. So much for 12-24 hours, did I mention dog breeding and whelping is not a science, more like the moon and the tide possibly waiting for snow to melt? hmm, maybe I should be looking at the almanac.

this morning? well, first things first, she's hungry.

Today friday 6am there's a slight discharge, temperature is holding at 99 late morning, later monrning she stays in the whelping area, growls at Hilde for getting too close, then off to chew a bone.

it's starting, will we have puppies today? hmm, we might, maybe tomorrow, maybe sunday.
Day 63 is Sept 8th, her last/first litter she had them on Day 60, temp dropped 24+ hours ago though ... which will it be? temperature watching or exact Day 60 - Day 63?

anticipating ... waiting ... watching ... planning ... that's all we can do until Grace says it's time

Tomorrow is the scheduled X-Ray ... stay tuned

Pictures of Momma Grace and the gang

2010-09-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

SUPPORT SYSTEM SLEEPING IN MY OFFICE as I am accepting the last deposit until the puppies whelp. Six deposits and nine puppies coming. Since we don't know how many of each, we will hold here until the puppies land. If you are interested in being on the waiting list, please contact us, there's plenty to pick from yet.

from left is Joaquin laying on Grace, Grace is touching Tigre's back feet, Hilde is laying over Tigre's neck, this is their regular laying around the house position.

Here's the new unexpected puppy for us, I was planning on breeding Grace to "Aedan" a german klein and a silver miniature lineage next year. His breeder called and said she had a pick of the litter puppy female available if I wanted to do a co-ownership. Since I was breeding Grace next year to keep a puppy for ourselves, I said yes. Look forward to her training and is tested and two years old, we will be breeding her to her sire's breeder's pick. She is 12 wks, will be 17" a very light silver in color. She and Joaquin are about the same size, they love playing together. To keep Momma Grace calm, they shared the same large crate last night. They were very content.

She was out of the "D" litter, so we were obligated to name her a "D" name (hint-hint for our "C" litter puppies), we named her "Darlin" a cute name for a darling puppy that started with a D.

Darlin and Grace are the same color, it's so funny when they lay next to each other, besides the softer puppy hair, can't tell if it's Grace or Darlin, there color is exact

As always, Joaquin and Tigre' playing

My granddaughters and Tigre', August 2010

Alyssa, my granddaughter, Joaquin's head and Tigre's butt and spots

(Hilde was in season, Everad was in our room in his crate so there's no accidents!)

planned breedings only please, Hilde just turned one, she is too young to breed.

Temperature reading says, IT'S SOON!

2010-09-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sound a sleep, I felt Grace circling the bed, nosing me. She gets really close to my face -- heavy breathing like she's in labor --- (we've had a litter with her before), she's telling me it's getting close. I leap out of bed.

I look at the clock, it's almost 3am. I show her the whelping box, she slightly pushes, no puppy. She softens her eyes, stretches her neck and closes her eyes again. Not ready she's telling me. I check her woo, feel the puppies, everything is fine, no discharge, puppies rolling around, slower than usual.

Take her temperature, and wha-la! 97 degrees, not yet but will be 12-24 hours from 9/2/2010 3am.

last pregnant pictures of Momma Grace, enjoy!

babies bump from behind

like a pregnant women bump, that's not a shadow

Must be that Joaquin is 15 wks old and a baby himself, but Grace puts up no compaint to have him cuddled up to her belly. This picture he is a little further away than usual.

Temperature Pre-Labor Talk

2010-08-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

I looked at my notes from Grace's last litter.
on the 23rd her temperature was 100.2 am 99.5 in evening
on the 24th her temperature was 99.0 am dropped to 97.3 at noon evening was 99 again
   2 days after temp dropped once to 97 labor began
on the 25th her temperature was 99.8 am 98.6 in the evening (dropped once to 98)
on the 26th her temperature was 99.2 am at 6am
   9am we had a cream boy (the smallest puppy of the litter, we nicknamed him Brox)

Grace's temperature this week:
8/29th 10am 99.6 9pm 100.1
8/30th 7am 99.6 5pm 99.3 9pm 99.9
8/31st 6am 100.0
   8/31st girth back to 30" (didn't she do that before she grew 2 "?)

Jim says this Saturday, I say Thursday for puppies

Day 57 picture on it's way

2010-08-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

Grace was really, super, agitated and nesting last evening. I got her calmed down and settled in for bed. Up several times last night thinking this could be the night,

I shaved her belly yesterday to prepare for the puppies ... I think the people got eager with the girth now 31", but still too early.

Her temperature was 99.6 this morning.

In theory when her temp drops to 97-98 she will have the puppies in 2 days. She's getting ready and we are keeping a calm eye on her.

Day 56 -- preparing for puppies and keeping the people calm

2010-08-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

Starting Day 57 is when it's time to take her temperature every 12 hours. We took her temperature this morning for a base line of what's a normal temperature for her.

Note: regular temperature for a dog is about 101 degrees.
A bitch getting ready to whelp, her temperature will drop to 97-98 about 12-24 hours before labor starts

We took Grace's temperature this morning and it's 99.6, her vulva has softened and slightly swollen. The puppies have times where there is constant movement mostly can see and sometimes the roll/kick is felt. She's really huge, geez.

The people got a little anxious, probably have until Thurs to Saturday to send out the announcement of who's the winner of the guessing sexes and colors. HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOUR GUESS IN?

Day 55's Girth

2010-08-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

Today is Day 55, she's due Day 60 to Day 65

Grace's girth this morning is 30"

if you missed the previous conversation about females and her girth, there's a rule of thumb that for every inch the dam grows (measured right before she whelps) in girth, is one puppy. At one week pregnant she was 22" and today ... wow! 8" in growth and have a few more days to go,

guess the measurement thing works out, it's useful for non-ultrasound pregnancies but we already know she is carrying 9 puppies.

no wonder she's been so uncomfortable, she's grown 2" this week

woo-hooo Day 54

2010-08-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

Grace slept well last night, I heard her once walking around the house. This morning ... starving ... after eating she sits and watches. I checked her tummy and there's LOTS of kicking, rolling ... playing?

She's happiest when she's with the other dogs and us and can potty whenever she needs. She just wanders around the house, the yard, sleeps well, constantly looking for food.

I visited a friends blog for her previous puppies and she did the same thing I'm doing ... did I calculate correctly? Is she uncomfortable, are the puppies moving down today, what the heck is going on in there? We are on puppy watch

FYI
Did I mention we "nickname" the puppies while they are with us?
This is the "C" litter, they will be introduced by nickname and color ID at birth
Puppy's registrations come with Barefoot Pudel's and then the letter that the litter is designated? (i.e., Barefoot Pudel's C) the rest is the owner's pick of name
The puppy depositors will be invited to the personality testing on Day 49 to observe
One of the puppy depositors have decided to wait until next year, everybody bumps up
First sign of starting to whelp is a drop in the temperature then discharge

Blog your guess of color and sexes, we have a football square guessing chart going, please do send your guess, it makes it fun for everybody.

National Geographic Fetus Growth

2010-08-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsLfWgAFFIE&feature=fvw

If you are interested in seeing fetus development this is awesome!

one more,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD3bmHyVEyo&NR=1

puppies in the womb, UTube

Day 53

2010-08-26T05:06:00.000-07:00

As she was settling in for 'night night' she looks at me, looks all around the floor, "here? now?", I'm like, yes, but not yet. (In doggy and people conversaiton it went like this: questioning look at me and the area? my shaking head said, no, not now)

she's got quite a load and feeling it. About 3am she goes out to relieve herself. The earliest we want puppies is Day 60, couple of days after that would be better.

I measured her girth yesterday and it was 1/2" less than last measurement. That's the puppies shifting into place. The puppy deep in the pelvis moved and gave the biggest kick, so no they aren't ready but going down the canal getting in their birth order.

At least seven more days to go Grace, hang in there baby!

Day 50

2010-08-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

The puppies are shifting and getting into place. She's due with 9 puppies, it's eveident which side the odd puppy is on. Felt one little bloop this morning and a strong push down below this evening. Grace has a lot of bulk to her, the puppies are well insulated. She's doing well, eating is getting sporatic, back to chicken broth. Warm today, puppies and momma are sleepy in front of the fan while I'm working on the computer.

Canine Gestation WEEK 8-9 and VIDEO

2010-08-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

We are on the last instructions, it's getting soon

WEEK Eight	The pups have fur and are now crowded in the uterus. You may notice a lot of activity as they get into position for the coming birth. Your bitch may begin digging the bedding in the whelping box. This is natural "nesting" behavior. Allow your bitch to feed freely as she is able.
WEEK Eight to Nine	The pups are ready for birth, and may be quite still as they rest in preparation for the marathon to come. Your dog may appear uncomfortable and restless or anxious. Time to begin taking rectal temperature readings 12 hours apart. Normal temperature is 100 to 101 F; a drop down near 97 F held for two consecutive readings indicates labor will begin within 24 hours.

Day 51, Tuesday, puppies are easy to feel rolling around, saw two sonic booms while I was smishing around and wanting to feel the puppies. ahh, this is the fun part. And the pups have fur, no wonder Grace is so warm

Day 48 Puppy Movement is Felt

2010-08-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Puppies are easily felt today as soft movement under the skin, of course not strong enough to push your hand around, just bubly rolling around. My hands can feel several at a time. They feel darling!

Pictures

2010-08-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

our friend Amy came by today and took amazing pictures,

Here's Grace, Day 49, about 11 days to go, you can see her full body and beautiful face. Grace is looking very short with her hefty belly of 9

Amy also took amazing pictures of Joaquin, Tigre' and Hilde, see our website "Photo Album" to see them, http://www.barefootpudels.com/
thank you Amy, it's a pleasure having you waiting on next year's puppy,

GUESS THE SEX AND AMOUNT OF THE PUPPIES AND WIN A PRIZE

2010-08-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Jim is putting together a football square guessing grid.

Guess the amount of puppies of the sexes (and if he can figure it out the colors) and win a prize ... details coming soon,

my guess starts with 5 boys and 4 girls, Grace is a libra ya know, she likes balance

11 days and counting!

Grace's belly is getting HUGE!

2010-08-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

her appitite is big and so are those puppies growing, wants her tummy rubbed with every free hand there is, she's very affectionate, hungry, happy and doing well. Puppies can slightly be seen and barely felt. That will increase by the day, today is day 49, eleven to fourteen days to go ...

9 puppies coming, we hope they stay in there until Day 60 which is 11 days, can stay in there until Day 65 which is September 7th.

I'm so excited about seeing so many whites in Grace's background. Everad's sire and grandsire are creams, wow, wouldn't that be something to get a small white puppy? we are eager to see the little munchkins,

Grace's Girth

2010-08-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

Grace's girth at one week pregnant was 22"
Today, Grace's girth is 28"

(girth is measure around the dog at the last rib)

The rule of thumb of a female due at 9 wks is for every inch around the girth there is one puppy.

At 7 1/2 wks in gestation, the puppies are the length and size they will be, however, the next 1 1/2 weeks, the puppies will complete developing and adding on more and more weight for their birth weight. At 7 wks the puppies have their pigmentation, eyes are now closed until they are about 10 days old, nails, eyelashes, etc. are growing, mostly internal organ are developing and maturing to be on their own after they come into the world.

dam's meals increases at this time, after whelped and nursing puppies, her feed will increase 2-3 times the amount to sustain her and the puppies.

Day 46 - VIDEO

2010-08-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Heeerrreeesss Belly Belly Momma Grace

Grace with a debut of Everad and Hilde's top of her head

Grace getting her evening "special meal"

Grace with a debut of Everad, Hilde, Tigre' and Joaquin

this is fun I'll have to put more on here

yeah, the puppies will have lots of videos!

Everad's Picture Pedigree

2010-08-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Day 42-49, 7th Week - notes & pictures

2010-08-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

Day 42 to 49 (per a breeder's website regarding gestation)
Puppies are well-developed and begin attaining size in preparation for birth

You may be able to see/feel the puppies' movements in your bitch's abdomen

Her breasts start to develop and probably contain a bit of colostrum or "first milk"

Your dog is noticeably tired and may begin search for a place to whelp.

Time to set up a whelping box, gather the supplies for the whelp, will we ID the puppies, do I have the birth charts to fill in ... lots for us humans to prepare for the day.

DAY 45: When I rub her tummy there will slowly develop dent or a rounded bump under the skin. I can't quite feel the puppies rolling around, but I do think I saw a quick splash type motion as I walked by after sitting and rubbing her tummy for a few minutes. Will be able to feel the puppies' movements pretty soon. She sleeps soundly, she's taking breaks away from the poodle pack around here. She still jumps and runs and flips around when I've got her special treat. I'd like to get that on a video soon and put it on here. She's eating fine now, still getting those special little meals plus kibble whenever she wants. She's doing great.

What a pleasureable world with poodles and poodle lovers in it

2010-08-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

(I'm new at this blogging, copy the link to view his pedigree if it doesn't work, there's ancestral testing and a picture of Zanto - very cool)

Hi Paula Wilson!

Thanks you for mail.

Zanto (Bjørklyckans silver Harleqin) is in relations vith Lemerles Travelin Lite, in the 3 generation backwards. See his pedigree in the link.

http://www.poodleinfo.no/Bjorklyckans_Silver_Harlequin.html

Regretely I have no picture of Lemerles Travelin Lite.
Thanks you for the praise of my Zanto and my videos of him.

(I am makeing a childrensbook of Zanto and Robin who is saveing Christmas. I hase take pictures of thei make gingersnap, washing floor, and a lot of ather stoff. The bok is in Norwegian. )

You have a fantastic homepage. With beautiful pictures of youre dogs too.

Regret my poor English, but hopes it is understandable.

(p.s. she said Zanto is 25.2")

Momma and babies swim in Puget Sound

2010-08-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

I wish we had our phones or camera, but with five poodles taking them swimming with lots of people around we had our hands full.

I took her out where she had to swim, not for too long, Grace's ears perked up and she looked like she said, "ahh, nice." I wanted to get her to swim to give the puppies some sensation, by Grace's face, they all enjoyed it.

Talented Training

2010-08-17T13:52:00.001-07:00

I was looking for pictures of Grace's ancestry when I was searching for "Lemerles Travelin 'Lite" and found this website, both this poodle and Grace has Lemerles Travelin 'Lite in their third generation back ... what's interesting is that they both have the warm brown eyes. There's an up close picture of Zanto, his face looks exactly like Gracie Macy's.
check out his website,
http://www.poodles-in-scandinavia.com/torhild_zanto.htm

the below link might not work, try copying it to your browser BUT it will be worth it! This poodle is a hoot, you've got to watch this video, it's his "training"

http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff161/Tormaha/?action=view%C2%A4t=ZantoogRobintriksApril2010mlyd.flv

it works in email, I'm working at getting the link to work here,

Grace's PICTURE PEDIGREE

2010-08-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hanging out on a warm summer day

2010-08-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

keeping Momma Grace cool and relaxed

2010-08-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Jim does the special tummy pat that Grace loves.

yep, there's nine puppies in there. For Grace's comfort, let's hope they are smaller!

Pappa Everad, the Seattlite

2010-08-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Hilde is in season, Grace is pregnant, Everad needed a breat. We went for an afternoon outing to enjoy the sunny day and warm breeze in West Seattle - beautitful!

Day 28-35, 5th Week

2010-08-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

Week Five four weeks to go

*   The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin to look like actual puppies.
     The leg buds lengthen and develop toes.
*   Your dog's belly will begin to look noticeably swollen as the pups take up more space.
*   With less room for full meals, it's time to begin serving smaller meals more frequently.

---------

Tuesday, July 27th to August 10th
* Morning sickness might occur due to hormonal changes or stretching and distension of the uterus.
* Dam may appear a bit apathetic. She may be off her feed for a while.
* Feed her several small meals throughout the day might help.

Sunday, August 1st to August 5th
* It's best to do palpatation or an ultrasound now due to the embryos are walnut-sized and easy to count.

Wednesday, August 4th
* Start to increase her food ration
* The foetuses are now and are fully developed miniature dogs.

Tuesday, August 10th
* Her abdomen start to get larger as of today

Day 33

2010-08-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Grace is starting to get her appetite back, Jim's turn to make her a special meal tonight, she does love the chicken broth. Ya walk into the room, and she rolls back, legs apart to have her tummy rubbed. She's doing great, running through the yard, the other poodles (especially 12 wk old Joaquin) will walk all over her and lay on her. I think they are trying to comfort her and make sure she's ok, not quite up to par like her normal prancing around, they know something is up.

Day 32

2010-08-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

Grace's tummy is showing, she wants her tummy rubbed and very affectionate.

Day 32 Ultrasound

2010-08-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

9 Puppies were counted on the ultrasound

here's a few pups on film

click a couple of times on the image to enlarge

Day 30, starts the blog

2010-08-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Grace is half way. Her nipples are noticable, tummy is getting wider and bigger, nautiousness is apparent, she does sleeps a lot, plays, looks for nummy treats

Here's about a week ago with Ma and Pa soaking up the afternoon sun,

I'm new at this blog editing, maybe you can click on it to enlarge?