Border Collie is giving birth!

1159 Views 37 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Connie Sutherland, Aug 31, 2006

Martin Espericueta

Discussion Starter · Aug 29, 2006

Hello All,

I've been away for abit from the forum (but lurking :? ) and have broken
my silence to announce that our 2 year old Border Collie is in the process of
giving birth!

She's had 5 already, w/more in her still. She gave birth to the first one at
8 pm tonight. It's now 1:16 am (and am I tired? YES! :| ) and I am with
her to make sure all is well.

Pictures will follow - but I'll post them on my website, as she is NOT a working
BC, just a really good OB pet.

I have the male too. He's a BIG Black LaB. So far, the pups are black
with white, and just one white with large black circles around her eyes!

PS: Sable, my GSD, is 9 months now, and is doing really good w/OB and
bitework, although I have been back to work ( still have the worker's comp
injury thought

) , so I haven't had allot of time w/her like in her
younger days.

WOW ~ Another one!!! Gotta go!

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1 - 20 of 38 Posts

Martin Espericueta

Discussion Starter · #2 · Aug 29, 2006

Strange behavior from Sable:
Sable's in her crate (in my room), and whines/cries everytime she hears
one of the pups (whelping box in the living room

). I mean, really
whines/cries - like she's sad that she's missing out on something!

Anyone have a reason why she's acting this way?

Martin Espericueta

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 29, 2006

#8 just came :!: :!: :!:

Wow!

Kristen Cabe

· #4 · Aug 29, 2006

She is NOT a working BC, just a really good OB pet. I have the male too. He's a BIG Black Lab.

Great. More mixed-breed, pet-quality pups brought into the world. And for what reason? ...

David Frost

· #5 · Aug 29, 2006

<<<And for what reason?>>>

Well, ya see there was this girl dog and this boy dog, then something about bees and pollen and viola' puppies.

DFrost

Nancy Jocoy

· #6 · Aug 29, 2006

So what ARE you going to do with the pups?

There are TONS of purebred labs in shelters because they are over the top and people don't know what they are getting into.

I cannot even begin to imagine a lab x BC (clumsy hyperdog that crashes into everything?)

Jerry Lyda

· #7 · Aug 29, 2006

I can see the possibilities of these pups becoming working dogs. The drives that both of the breeds have. I can see them as detection dogs. They could be very good at it. Play ball, Play ball, Play ball

Kristen Cabe

· #8 · Aug 29, 2006

David Frost said:
Well, ya see there was this girl dog and this boy dog, then something about bees and pollen and viola' puppies.

Precisely the reason most people should have their pets speutered. :roll:

Nancy Jocoy

· #9 · Aug 29, 2006

Jerry Lyda said:
I can see the possibilities of these pups becoming working dogs. The drives that both of the breeds have. I can see them as detection dogs. They could be very good at it. Play ball, Play ball, Play ball

I know people have done some crossing between different breed high drive working dogs to produce working *mixes* (but then you get into issues with 2nd geneartion outcrossing etc.) but the BC is just a pet. I am not sure how the two breeds would complement each other.

Jerry Lyda

· #10 · Aug 29, 2006

You can into the same with total working dogs that are not cross bred. Even with a litter of working dogs Maybe just Maybe 30% will make a good working dog.

Cross breeding dogs that have good work ethics is not a bad thing. You can, sometimes, find these in pounds and you have no clue what's in their linage. Who cares as long as they will work. I have two Boston Terriers and they are not classed as working dogs but they have that drive. Both are explosive detection dogs. They love it.

Connie Sutherland

· #11 · Aug 29, 2006

I will assume that the O.P. has the sense of responsibility to place every single puppy in a good home and to prevent any more accidental litters (also assuming that this was an accident that somehow happened before the pets were altered). We all know the shelter and euthanasia stats on this board, and I feel certain that we all know that a mixed litter from pet dogs is not something the dog world needs.

Placing eight or more mixed-breed pet puppies in good homes is a formidable job. I'd start putting out feelers immediately, and requiring that each potential owner agree without exception to spay/neuter. I'm sure that every member of this board would do that same responsible thing after having been caught flat-footed and letting an accidental litter happen.

I hope they are healthy and hearty and easy to place when the time comes.

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Connie Sutherland

· #12 · Aug 29, 2006

Martin Espericueta said:
Strange behavior from Sable:
Sable's in her crate (in my room), and whines/cries everytime she hears
one of the pups (whelping box in the living room ). I mean, really
whines/cries - like she's sad that she's missing out on something!

Anyone have a reason why she's acting this way?

Huge stressor for her; I would keep her separated 100% from the puppies. No adult dogs near them except the mother.

I am 99.99% sure of this, but please, some breeder confirm this.

And the mother needs privacy and lack of stress even more.

Woody Taylor

· #13 · Aug 29, 2006

Interesting that others didn't get beaten up when they were kind enough to share news of their GSD breedings with us.

I'm not impressed by accidental litters and definitely feel there's a responsibility to home (or cull)...and these types of situations should be rare...but nothing Martin's posting here makes it possible to assume 1. he "messed" up and 2. he's irresponsible to the point of throwing out in the freeway when the entertainment is up.

I agree with Connie...if you want a low-down on the actual situation, PM Martin. Maybe he's got some great pups you or a friend may be interested in...maybe he's a dern fool...maybe he's got something up on a super-breed you all would one day want. But let him explain the situation, I guess.

Connie Sutherland

· #14 · Aug 29, 2006

Here's a very brief guide for these first days, Martin, if you want something to read:
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/hvpup1.html#Whelp

Stacia Porter

· #15 · Aug 29, 2006

Martin, I really hope you weren't interfering with your BC's birth -- bad idea. Contrary to popular belief, females do not "need" help. Moral support, sure...but not help.

Keep all other dogs away from puppies, keep the whelping area quiet and stress free. Make sure all pups have access to teats on a regular basis (they should be attached to mom just about 24/7 right now). Nursing should release horomones for mom that help her cope with puppy care -- but stressing her in any way can cause her body to release chemicals which counteract hte feel-good horomones.

I am going to safely assume that this was an accident, and that you have and are taking measures to prevent future oooops litters..until then you've got your hands full...

Connie Sutherland

· #16 · Aug 29, 2006

THANK YOU, Stacia! 8)

Kristen Cabe

· #17 · Aug 29, 2006

Interesting that others didn't get beaten up when they were kind enough to share news of their GSD breedings with us.

The difference is they weren't breeding two pet dogs of different breeds, for no good reason.

I wish Martin lots of luck and hope that mom and puppies stay healthy and no complications arise, but it still rubs me raw that people allow these things to happen. If you're involved in rescue to any degree, it's hard to see posts like this, or hear it in person and just be happy and talk about how adorable and sweet the puppies are. When you've worked at a shelter and helped put down dogs, anywhere from newborn to geriatric, it's just hard to find the happiness in posts like this. ... *sigh*

Jerry Lyda

· #18 · Aug 29, 2006

Thanks Woody

Martin Espericueta

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 30, 2006

Both male and female are going to get fixed asap.
[list:472ac37652]
I've been to shelters - and know about the 1k's of dogs being distroyed.

[*]Unfortunate accident. This is not a planned litter.
[*]Unhappy event? Not for my family, nor for the people who want a playful pet for themselves.
[*]Condition of "gettin' 'em fixed" before they are given to new owners - Connie, an EXCELLENT IDEA!!! I will - for sure - require this!
[/list:u:472ac37652]
Funny how people are. Most of the responsible "working line dog" owners
on this board are either angered, or dismayed, or not happy, at my post.
The responsible "NON working line dog" people I know in person are very
happy and exited about owning one of these pups.

Of course, the NON responsible "any kind of dog" owners have told me to
dump the litter in the nearest creek or river - 'cause there's too many dogs
in the world!

So, within the past two days, I've been told:

1) I'm a dreadful dog owner;
2) I'm populating the dog pound with my backyard [email protected]@rd breed;
3) Congrats on your puppies. When can I have one?

Really, I'm not taking ANY offense to ANY posting here, I'm just trippin' on
the gammet of responses I've gotten in person and via this board.

Just wait till I tell you all about my Cockatiel giving birth to turtle eggs!!!!

:wink:

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Martin Espericueta

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 30, 2006

Yes, I did NOT interfere w/the birth process, and yes, the mother/pups
comfort is being taken care of 1st priority :wink:

BTW, my GSD is, "working on her Bark and Hold"... (inside joke)

Take care all.

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