ATB Puppies: We're not sure - YET!

PIPPIN
We're not sure, and we were not sure when she was born either. Some days we are certain she is. Other days we are convinced she is not.  She is not very big at all. But her behavior indicates either a pregnancy with 1 or 2 pups, or a false pregnancy altogether. We've been wrong before though. At 3 weeks, there was morning sickness and again at 5 weeks. Some dogs get morning sickness and she did last time.  She's always been very wide sprung through her ribs and she's eating like a chow hound. So, is that wideness because of pregnancy or extra calories?  She runs to keep up with the other dogs but does seem to lag behind. She is active outside. Indoors, not so much.  She has been very needy and clingy. Some minimal nipple changes but, that could also be a post-heat thing. Although proven to be safe and effective, we're not ones to do ultrasounds or have x-rays taken unless in an emergency. And they are not always accurate. So we wait. Yesterday she decided to spend the afternoon in an open, large crate. She went in and turned up the blanket and crate pad, scratched around and made herself a little nest in the back. That's where she spend most of the afternoon.  We are about 2 weeks away from an anticipated due date and I really cannot confirm this one way or another.  Stay tuned.

PIPER
Always marching to a different drummer, we are not surprised to see her offer her own style of [hopefully] being pregnant.  She's not so far along as Pippin. Her small, agile body is typically quite trim and athletic. She's built much different than Pip. And she is definitely widening. Her appetite is usually that of a true chow hound.  In recent days she has begun to eat much more slowly, being quite picky.  Although always quite affectionate, loving, and appreciative of well deserved attention that includes a belly rub, her style of interaction is more 'drive-by' in nature. There are many other things in her life that draw her attention and focus. This is different though right now. She lingers longer, apparently desiring much more attention which is a good thing, and something we're very happy to oblige her in. Her coat is glowing, just beautiful. She's always happy, and lately seems even more so.  We are perhaps a bit more confident as we continue Pipers journey towards motherhood. We will share more with you as the days approach.

PREPARING THE WAY FOR YOUR PUPPY
We hope those who are waiting have the 'required' ATB reading in hand. This is the Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete. And for the majority of soon to be puppy owners who will  hunt them, there is Tarrant Trains Gun Dogs by Bill Tarrant. I also hope you'll take a look at the resources on the pages listed on the blog here. There's very good information there. I hope you have discovered the link on our website of 11 downloadable forms several of which are specific to the Brittany. Our individual downloads include: help with basic grooming, crate training, day in the life of an 8 week old puppy, new arrival checklist, Brittany standard, puppy aptitude tests that we do, membership in the American Brittany Club, puppy biting article, socialization, and the world of a puppy. You'll be armed with many written training tools to help you through the first few weeks and months with your new puppy and you'll ALWAYS have us available as a resource. If we don't have the answer to a question you may have, we will find someone who does!

WAITING AND MORE WAITING
I always hesitate to share very much at this point in time. I don't like to get hopes up only to have them dashed. And, quite honestly that can happen sometimes. Not often. but sometimes.  We are traveling on this journey together, and that's something I do love to do when we have pups due.  Once they are here and on the ground, it's a different story but waiting is part of the journey! We wait for our girl to come into heat, we wait for the time when she should be bred, we wait to confirm the pregnancy, we wait for the pups to be born. There's at least a year of planning involved prior to each breeding.  So no one is more excited to confirm these pregnancies than we are!! While there are dreams of puppy breath, the first day afield or in the ring, or simply successfully house training a puppy - we are dreaming and praying now for the reality of beautiful, healthy, Brittany pups and the well being of their mother to be. Thanks for your interest, and all the support that comes our way for those who wait with us.

Take care and God bless, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

Previous Puppy Update:
Things Hoped For Things Not Seen
Winter Puppies