any recommendations please?

Merry Christmas! Hope you're all having a lovely Christmas break :)

MC to you too.   I'm not entirely sure what you are asking other than for a vet?   I'd suggest any vet would be able to scan and microchip - one they are open again after the holidays?   For vets in N.Somerset, go to the RVS or RCVS websites - you'll find lists of vets there.

Thanks for the reply MamaBas :)

I do have a very good vet locally with a well equipped vet hospital within easy reach.  However, last time I asked my vet (albeit at my home in a different area) about ultrasound scanning, they told me that they would use the scan to confirm only that the bitch was in whelp and that they would not give me any information regarding litter size.  I would at least want to know if the litter was a very small one or a very large one in order to be better prepared at helping. As a result for her last litter I used a gentleman who scans sheep and dogs. He had been recommended to me and indeed was very accurate.

Regarding microchipping, I prefer not to transport a large, healthy litter of pups to a vets where they may be exposed to unwell animals if there is the option of a microchipper who will visit.

I will also check with my new vets what their policy is of course

Re microchipping, it might be worth contactng other breeders in the area to see if they can recommend an implanter, that's what a friend of mine did & found a great one, who is very helpful & arranges visits to suit the breeders

Thanks Tommee - will get started on that :)

I'm fairly sure I recall Merlot mentioning her scanner before.  Merlot is in Yeovil I believe so not too far to travel...

May be worth sending a PM to Brainless and JeanSW too :)

Re microchipping give Samantha of Mucky Pups in Clevedon a call.  I know she does chipping and, as she also shows/breeds Min Pins, she might know a scanner too

I know there is a kennels less than a mile from J19 of M5 which does microchipping. The lady who owns it, has shown hounds & knows dogs. Coleacre is the name of the kennels..ladies name is Jayne.

Thank you Dogs a Babe and thank you Lexy.  Lots of options to explore there :)

Hi Alysce - I have never felt the need to go for a scan with an expected litter.  Fact is they are not reliable in the same way x-ray is, and will only confirm, or not, a pregnancy at the time of the scan.   There are no guarantees the bitch will carry to term.   In other words, if you have a need to know, to make decisions about a pregnancy that may not have been planned, scan.   Otherwise I'd just wait, and keep fingers crossed.   Once the due date has come, and nothing has happened, then I'd go for x-ray to confirm whether or not the bitch is empty.   And meanwhile plan for the litter, if it was intended.

Part of all this was because I didn't see lining the pocket of the vets (!!) and as most bitches/dogs don't really like going to a vet why stress them at a time they should be leading a quiet happy life - plus sick dogs go to vets and she equally doesn't need to be picking up infection.

Other than agreeing with you re transporting a large litter to the vet (microchipping), I too would find out whether there is a vet who will come out.   Mine did, to do the first set of vaccination (we didn't microchip at the time we were still breeding).

This is very much a planned for litter :)  She has had one previous litter for myself and her breeder (under her breeders affix).  I was mentored through all aspects from showing her, health testing, sharing in decisions regarding choice of stud ............. all the way to how to assess puppy buyers.  The puppies from that litter are now over three years old, healthy, of good temperament and four of the litter being shown regularly with good results.  I am having a second and final litter from her (under my affix this time) because I would like another bitch puppy from her to show and possibly breed on from all being well.

My breeder/friend always scans her bitches in order to have as much information as possible in advance of whelping.  Obviously there is always the chance of reabsorption - equally the bitches in her lines tend to have large litters. Her first litter was eleven and it is possible that a subsequent litter could be larger. Her own dam had a litter of ten followed by a litter of thirteen!  Given that a very full uterus causes difficulties with contractions or lack thereof - I'm hoping that scanning would give me a heads up if that were the case.

I have done some "googling" and found a canine scanning service in Somerset and will contact them to see if I can arrange a visit.

I quite agree with you as regards not taking a healthy in-whelp bitch to a vets unless absolutely necessary.  I blood tested to find the optimum mating date - luckily knowing the lines and knowing what date she was ready last time gave me a clue as to when to do the first blood test (judged it right and she only needed the one).  Cost £70 just to take blood and do one test!  Worth it when travelling fair few hours to stud though eh?!

>I know there is a kennels less than a mile from J19 of M5 which does microchipping. The lady who owns it, has shown hounds & knows dogs. Coleacre is the name of the kennels..ladies name is Jayne.

We used Jayne for Micro-chipping before I trained to do it myself. Lovely lady, in fact all our dogs are going into her kennels for 2 nights in July when our daughter gets married.

Thanks for your recommendation SharonM - always helps in making a confident choice.