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The DoberMomma and her 7 pups arrived from Abilene around 11:45 this morning. Mom is settling in. She was a bit wary of me at first, which is understandable, as she has no idea who I am. She is very thin and doesn't have much milk. I will be offering her condensed chicken noodle soup and canned dog food mixed with turkey broth every 2 hours or so. I will transition her to Eukanuba puppy kibble as quickly as I can.
The question everyone is asking is, "Are the pups purebred?" For now, Margo (of S.A. Dobe rescue and a former breeder), Joe (a local Dobe breeder/exhibitor), and I think they're most likely Dobe x Rott crosses. Time will tell, though. Margo thinks this litter is DoberMomma's first.
Although all the pups are black and rust, one of the pups has a distinct "reddish" cast to its fur. At least one of the pups has a bit of white on the tips of some of its rear toes. At least two of the pups have white/pink claws on their hindfeet. Two of them have short white stripes on their chests. Two pups are very dark, with small rust points. (This adds up to more than seven because they're observations I've made over several viewings of the litter. I can't tell yet whose chest goes with which toes.)
I have handled the pups only a little and will not handle them much for a day or so, so Mom can get used to me. When I approach the nest, she stands up to watch me, which means the pups can't nurse. I was told the litter's sex ratio, but don't remember what it is.
This girl is much younger than the ~4 years Abilene A.S. listed as her age. Based on the condition of her teeth, I think she's between one and two years old. However, she has a glossy coat and no callouses on her elbows/hocks, so she has been taken care of. Why on earth didn't her owner(s) claim her?
Mom is getting antibiotics for a UTI. Jennifer, who pulled the family, told me Mom will take the pill if it's wrapped in cheese, but she's not delicate about it and to watch my fingers!
The family has a vet appointment on Monday, at which time Mom will be named. SADAR typically names their Dobes after Texas towns, and I suggested "Luling" because it's a fun word to say. Either that or "Old Dime Box" (just kidding!) How about "Venus" (zip code: 76084)? I haven't met many dogs named that.
On a potty break, Mom met one of the feral cats I'm feeding (and attempting to re-domesticate). She really wanted to go after him! Silly "LyleLack" thought I'd brought him a new playmate. Well, if he can wait until the pups are 4 weeks old, he will get all the attention he seeks.
Here is a link to some pix I took when they arrived, then about an hour later, when Mom had settled enough to nurse the pups: S.A.D.A.R. black female & pups. Also, a couple of long shots so you can see the room set-up. I still have to insulate the window, as it is only single-pane glass and the cold comes right though it. I originally wanted to keep the family in the kitchen but that didn't work out. I worried about having to keep them in the utility room, but I think Mom will be less stressed there as she won't have total strangers hovering around her pups.
Once Mom is comfortable with me around the pups, I will begin the Early Neurological Stimulation program. One is supposed to start it when the pups are three days old, but better late than never.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to getting this DoberFamily out of danger!:wavey:
On a sad note, as Jennifer was leaving Abilene A.S. with the family, someone else was arriving to surrender their black female Dobe claiming she had attacked another dog in the family.
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Previous thread: http://www.dobermantalk.com/doberma...-abilene-tx-black-dam-w-pups.html#post1006546
The question everyone is asking is, "Are the pups purebred?" For now, Margo (of S.A. Dobe rescue and a former breeder), Joe (a local Dobe breeder/exhibitor), and I think they're most likely Dobe x Rott crosses. Time will tell, though. Margo thinks this litter is DoberMomma's first.
Although all the pups are black and rust, one of the pups has a distinct "reddish" cast to its fur. At least one of the pups has a bit of white on the tips of some of its rear toes. At least two of the pups have white/pink claws on their hindfeet. Two of them have short white stripes on their chests. Two pups are very dark, with small rust points. (This adds up to more than seven because they're observations I've made over several viewings of the litter. I can't tell yet whose chest goes with which toes.)
I have handled the pups only a little and will not handle them much for a day or so, so Mom can get used to me. When I approach the nest, she stands up to watch me, which means the pups can't nurse. I was told the litter's sex ratio, but don't remember what it is.
This girl is much younger than the ~4 years Abilene A.S. listed as her age. Based on the condition of her teeth, I think she's between one and two years old. However, she has a glossy coat and no callouses on her elbows/hocks, so she has been taken care of. Why on earth didn't her owner(s) claim her?
Mom is getting antibiotics for a UTI. Jennifer, who pulled the family, told me Mom will take the pill if it's wrapped in cheese, but she's not delicate about it and to watch my fingers!
The family has a vet appointment on Monday, at which time Mom will be named. SADAR typically names their Dobes after Texas towns, and I suggested "Luling" because it's a fun word to say. Either that or "Old Dime Box" (just kidding!) How about "Venus" (zip code: 76084)? I haven't met many dogs named that.
On a potty break, Mom met one of the feral cats I'm feeding (and attempting to re-domesticate). She really wanted to go after him! Silly "LyleLack" thought I'd brought him a new playmate. Well, if he can wait until the pups are 4 weeks old, he will get all the attention he seeks.
Here is a link to some pix I took when they arrived, then about an hour later, when Mom had settled enough to nurse the pups: S.A.D.A.R. black female & pups. Also, a couple of long shots so you can see the room set-up. I still have to insulate the window, as it is only single-pane glass and the cold comes right though it. I originally wanted to keep the family in the kitchen but that didn't work out. I worried about having to keep them in the utility room, but I think Mom will be less stressed there as she won't have total strangers hovering around her pups.
Once Mom is comfortable with me around the pups, I will begin the Early Neurological Stimulation program. One is supposed to start it when the pups are three days old, but better late than never.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to getting this DoberFamily out of danger!:wavey:
On a sad note, as Jennifer was leaving Abilene A.S. with the family, someone else was arriving to surrender their black female Dobe claiming she had attacked another dog in the family.
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Previous thread: http://www.dobermantalk.com/doberma...-abilene-tx-black-dam-w-pups.html#post1006546
