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Hey Jack!

Man, you got alot ahead of you now!

1. Whelp box constructed?
2. You gotta be there @ birth time to help!
3. "Romper-room" constructed? This is a larger sized area "cordoned off" so the pups don't get into bad things at the age they begin to roam around.

I hope that before the breeding that you also : Had both dogs OFAd on hips and elbows, had both dogs CERFd, had brucellosis tests done on both of them as well, and that you are certain that this breeding will improve the breed.....Please understand that I'm not trying to "come down on you", but I've found that many people that ask the questions that you are asking really haven't done it right.

What's up Doc?<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I understand your concerns about the health of the puppies as they mature as far as the tests you mentioned. Good idea I guess? But what exactly do mean by &quot;.....and you are certain breeding will improve the breed...&quot; and &quot;....many people that ask the questions you are asking really haven't done it right.&quot;

The man just wants to know what to expect now that his dog is going to have puppies. I don't think he is trying to make big mark on the dog world.

sasjack, it will be fun for the whole family. I'm sure your girl will hunt again just fine. But just in case keep one of her pups.

<font color=purple>OK, this is my area. Asuming that you've had all of the required tests done on both dogs. You should take it a little easy on the bitch,not working her too hard. After about a month you will notice that she is getting heavier and slower(if she IS pregnant). I suggest that about 3 weeks before the puppies are born,start feeding her puppy chow or a little puppy chow mixed with her regular.But that's just me.

About a week before the delivery she will begin to get restless and pant alot. She won't really want to do alot but lay down and drink alot of water. And don't try to get the whelping box too fancy,she'll just dig at all of the stuff in it.

Most likely the pups will be born LATE at night,they ALWAYS are,just for your convenience<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>. If she has trouble with them you need to help. If she doesn't tear the membrane sack then you have to. And make sure to help by rubbing the pups with a towel,I like to have a towel with the bitch for a few days so it will smell like her. If she seems testy then just don't mess with her. I'm assuming that you have thought of c-sections? It could happen that a puppy might get stuck in the birth canal and just won't come out.That's when you need to call the vet and either give her something to help with the contractions or do a c-section.

I hopw this is help to you. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to email me at [email protected] . I know a whole lot about whelping and raising a litter of pups.

Good Luck!

April</font id=purple>

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