Before I start this thread can I ask that no one moans at me for what has happned, I am fully aware of the problems my little mistake can cause so please only helpful advice.

I have two bitches one a FCR aged 2 years eyes ok hips excellent, and a Bloodhound bitch again all health tests done. The BH is just over 4 years.

I was planning on both of them having a litter in the future, but not like this. I also own a Ridgeback dog who has all his health tests done, all ok, he is entire and has been lightly shown, my other dogs are all Collies and Terriers, all castrated and speyed.

Both my bitches were in season, and kept togther, however my male RR was kenneled next to them, well I say kenneled they were in horse stables, I think what happened was the RR jumped his door, jumped in with the bitches and its pretty obvious what happened.

I didnt realise they mated as when I got home he was loose but i didnt know he had been with the ladies who were both on day 17/18.

However over the past few days its pretty obvious that both are in whelp. This isnt a problem as I have had litters in the past, however the puppies resulting cross is going to be, the BH was scanned and she has at least 12 pups, the FCR only 4. There is no doubt in my mind the RR is the dad. The pups are due next week.

What I wanted help on is the type of owners for the pups! Both parents have excellent hip scores, eyes, and most of all temperments. I wont be charging anything for pups.

Hope someone can help.

Lindsey Cooper.
Devon.

As you say, what's done is done, so I'm not going to moan at you!

I would guess both crosses are going to grow up to be high-energy dogs, so the owners will need to be active. Other than that it's in the lap of the gods. Choosing suitable owners for any puppies is the worst part about breeding them, as there are no guarantees that you've got it right. You just have to rely on your gut instinct.

By the way, I wouldn't give the pups away for nothing. People tend to value something a bit more if they've paid for it. In my area of the Midlands crossbreeds tend to go for about £100 - £150. Good luck.

do you want to contact me privately lindsay?

Going back to what JG has mentioned about charging-
sometimes poeple may take a pup on a whim if its free :(

Would it not be worth contacting the breed rescue for all 3 breeds involved and explaining to them.None of the breeds are particularly numerically huge and there may be people waiting for a rehome who will be willing to take a first cross.
Archer

Good point Archer.  I also agree with the other posters that it would be best to charge for the puppies - some people only see true value in what they pay for :(   At least if some can perhaps go through one or more of the Breed Rescues then they will hopefully get a payment of some sort for them and that would help their coffers.

I really hope it works out OK for you and the pups - it is a huge responsibility trying to raise one litter never mind two at the same time and of course THE hardest part is always finding the best homes .....

Best of luck, please let us know how you get on ;-)

Teri

I agree with the recommendation you should charge for the pups.  If you feel that morally you don't want too, then why not ask for an amount for the charity of your choice.

I also think that breed rescue might be able to help you, have a word with your vets practice too, they may have genuine enquires for crossbreeds.  I would guess the BH/RR cross will be the hardest to find suitable homes for, unfortunately for you that looks like the largest litter.

Good Luck
Sandra

Guest
you could also try www.dogpages.co.uk  If you go to homes offered you will find a list of people offering homes for all types of dogs.Theres one person with large dog experience looking for a companion for her bullie (page 8 or 9 I think)
Archer

Can I make a comment about breed rescues - they are there originally to rescue homeless dogs, not to take on litters from people who are perfectly competent to find homes for their pups.  Dogs that go into rescue often have to wait in kennels till someone turns up who is suitable and wants them whereas staying in their own homes until a new home turns up is less traumatic for most dogs.

Guest, don't give your pups away for free, raised properly they cost money and as someone has already said people are more likely to take them on a whim if they are free.  If you can afford to do so then give some or all of the money to a rescue if you wish.

Kerioak
I appreciate the purpose of breed rescue but in a breed such as blood hounds where numbers are small then there may be people only too willing to take a first cross.I know in our breed which is not numerically large that cross breeds wether puppies or adults would be dealt with as well as pedigrees.
I still think its worth a try...they may not be able to help but the guest is obviously trying to do right by the pups and 12+ puppies of RR X BH will be hard to place in suitable homes since they will not be the easiest of dogs to cope with and at least someone who is looking for a BH will know what they are getting in to
Archer

No-one was suggesting that the Guest or anyone for that matter should land ANY Breed Rescue with an entire litter of pups:o  Merely that in numerically small breeds, the Rescue may be able to help with homing - simply beause there is a possibility they have a waiting list - that way potential owners with knowledge and experience of at least part of the X-breed have the opportunity of finding perhaps an ideal companion and BR has the opportunity of making a little income for much needed funds relating to dogs who actually need their services.

Guest, hopefully you did not get the impression from the posts that you should cart a litter along to rescue and leave them kennelled with them ;-) 

I can assure you that it is extremely hard trying to find homes for my breed :( :( especially rescue ones. In the past we have had unscrupulous breeders try to foist xbred and part bred hounds onto us & breed rescue now have a policy of pure bred hounds only. and as bh hybrids are very very difficult to find home s for, I personally would have one suggestion for Ms Cooper. I have seen the result of bh hybrids on several occcassions & I think she needs to think very carefully before homing them :(

then what do you suggest she does.The deed is already done and the bitches are too far gone to terminate.Are you suggesting these pups are PTS cos if you are I think thats awful.These pups (esp the BH X) may be hard work but with the right owners they have the potential to be good pets and deserve the right to life
Archer

Pm me ill point you in a direction where loads of people will be willing to help :) these pups need homes and we can find them all loving homes dont you worry about that ;) join and i will try and help every way I can dosent matter what breed they are :)

Forgot to mention guest...the person on dogweb looking for a large breed dog is in Devon
I know its only one but every little helps
Archer

Animals in Distress Rescue Centre
Biltor, Edgelands Lane, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, TQ12 5UG
Tel: 01803 812121 www.animalsindistress.org.uk

Blue Cross Adoption Centre
Chilton Gate, Bickleigh, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8RS
Tel: 01884 855291. www.bluecross.org.uk

Blue Cross Adoption Centre
Ashley Priors Lane, Watcombe, Torquay, Devon. TQ1 4SE.
Tel: 01803 327728 Fax: 01803 323314. www.bluecross.org.uk

Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre (formerly NCDL)
Haziedene, West Down, IIfracombe, North Devon EX34 8NU
Tel: 01271 812709. www.dogstrust.org.uk

Gables Farm Dog and Cats' Home
204 Merafield Rd, Plymouth. Tel: 01752 331602 Fax:1752 331604
Email: info@gablesfarm.org.uk www.gablesfarm.org.uk

League for the Encouragement of Animal Protection
Axminster, Devon. Tel: 01404 861301

Margaret Green Foundation Trust Rescue Kennels
Brentor Road, Heathfield, Nr Tavistock, Devon PL19 0LF
Tel: 01822 810215 www.animalsanctuaryuk.com

RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter
Blackhat Lane, Bakershill, Exeter, Devon EX2 9TA
Tel:01392 439898. www.rspcaexeter.org.uk

RSPCA Torquay and South East Devon Branch Centre
Tel: 01626 369855. www.rspca.org.uk

South Devon Animal Shelter
31 Long Park, Ashburton, Devon TQI3 7BP
Tel: 01364 652390

South Devon Animal Shelter
Lammas Coombe, Salcombe, Devon, TQ8 8JW
Tel: 01548 842775

Theres a few rescues if you ring them now they can possibly sort homes for pups to go straight too .
Ive contacted some other rescues just incase they can help .
Blue cross have a homes waiting list  :) Hope this helps hope you still join and contact me

Thats pretty much my suggestion archer, because, I have experience of bloodhound hybrids & contrary to what you say, they DO NOT HAVE POTENTIAL TO MAKE GOOD PETS!!!  I had  someone trying to palm off 25 such hybrids a while back :( when she found them being returned quicker than she could churn them out :(  They are a very very difficult hound to contain/train/domesticate.

Sam
I would have said a termination was the right path to go down if things had been known earlier but I do not agree with destroying puppies that are live and healthy for any reason.
Archer

Sam Your basicly saying kill these puppies thats terrible :( were talking about life here not toys .
When we can find these dogs homes whats the reason to kill them .
These pups wont just have bloodhound in them ya know but there will be RR so who can tell what they will turn out like  . They deserve a chance at life at least. the rescue will find suitable homes anyway that includes looking into the breeds .
Not only that there is RR x FCR as well here
Thankfuly the poster has asked for help :)

You would be disgusted at our rescue policy then as any in whelp bitches that come in are if the pregnancy is not too far developed are spayed & the puppies removed or the puppies put down by the vet at birth. We have more than enough problems rehoming the adults that come in but to add puppies like the all breed rescues do(their puppies sell well & the rescues see puppies as a nice income)would mean the adults waiting even longer for homes & therefore stretching our non existant funds even further

Sorry but I consider putting the puppies down as being responsible & not evil etc The odds of all them getting forever homes at the first homing are relatively samll

Someone I know took on a GSD cross bitch from the Dogs home, but wasn't allowed to ahve her until her season had finished. 

Well it transpired that the dogs home had not been diligent and the bitch was in whelp.

With the full backing of her Vet and breeder of her first dog a (Welsh Springer) It was agreed that this young bitch would rear two pups which already had homes among the breeder freinds contacts (one went to her daughter).

When the bitch was whelping the Vet was called,a nd arrived once she had finished, bitch was tqaken out for a pee once checked over, 7 of the 9 multicoloured and sized pups were removed and she returned to them, and seemed unaware that she had a smaller family.

This really is the most responsible course of action, much better than pups getting into perhaps wrong hands (Ridgie crtosses would be quite attractive to some people to breed the wrong sort of macho crosses) and both sets of crosses would likely not be easy to have as a pet.

From what Sam says maybe the whole BH litter should be PTS abd the FCR xz RR pups be shared between the two bitches.

There really isn't any place for misplaced sentimentality in the whelping box when considering the future welfare of such pups.  There are after all lots of Cross bred dogs in rescue homes up and down the country already badly in need of homes.

The Flatcoated Retriever rescues usually help any FCR or xbred FCR. As your puppies are part FCR, any rescue you send them to will need to know the puppies may have a predispostion to glaucoma and new owners will need to know. The puppies will need to be eye tested at 6 months or so, to make sure they are ok. This is why it might be better for these puppies to be helped by the flatcoat rescues, rather than a general rescue.
There are two rescues, one run by the Flatcoated Retriever Society details on their web site, and an Independant one, the details of which I don't have here. I'm sure somebody here will be along to help you with their contact number.

A friend of mine had a x-bred litter - an unlikely mix of Akita X Springer. She advertised at our local rescue & found homes for a number of pups - people who wanted pups when none were available from rescue and were happy to pay around £80. for them too.

Breed rescues

Flatcoated Retriever Rescue
Mrs B Harkin (Co-ordinator), Peterborough, Cambs. Tel: 01733 840585.
Email: mrsbs@harkin001.fsnet.co.uk
Mrs B Abbett (Fundraising), Redditch, Worcs. Tel: 01527 450187
Email: flatcoats.brenda.abbett@blueyonder.co.uk
www.fcr-uk.co.uk

Independent Flatcoated Retriever Rehoming
Chippenham, Wiltshire (UK Co-ordinator)
Tel: 01666 837087 Email:mary@flatcoated-retriever.info
http://www.flatcoated-retriever.info

Association of Bloodhound Breeders Rescue
Mrs D Pownall, Antrobus, Cheshire. Tel: 01925 730606 or 01925 730800
Mrs M Green, Saffron Walden, Essex. Tel: 01763 838355

Bloodhound Club Rescue
Mr David Powell, Cheriton Bishop, Devon. Tel: 01647 24727
Email: info@bloodhounds.co.uk
Mrs S M Emys-Jones, St Columb Major, Cornwall. Tel: 01637 880443
Email: sue@penwesta.demon.co.uk

Midlands and Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Rescue
Mrs S M Firth, Oldham, Lancs. Tel: 01457 872520

Rhodesian Ridgeback Welfare Trust
Helen Adshead (Secretary), Sale, Cheshire. Tel: 0161 282 1204

Southern Rhodesian Ridgeback Association
Mrs Marie Rose Crunden, Hythe, Kent. Tel: 01303 268305

The Flatcoat Rescue would be involved if the puppies are in need of rescuing rather than puppies which need homes.

This is not the first time this sort of accident has happened and it won't be the last!  If you contact the Flatcoat Society litter secretary - Mrs Johnson on 01638 718231 and tell her what has happened, occassionally she gets requests for crossbreds.

Also, in fairness to the breeder of your Flatcoat you should tell him/her what has happened - he/she maybe able to help.
Becky

Some people may find this abhorent, but in your place I would have most of the litter euthanised at birth with both bitches, leaving each with two pups each to rear.  this will ensure pups ahve the benefits or beign part of a litter (singleton pups can often be difficult around other dogs and be rather prone to dominance) and of course once the pups are weaned they can play together making a nice foursome.

It will be much easier to find four great homes, and will mean if you need to have any of them back it will be fewer.

Personally apart from referals I wouldn't think it morally right to involve rescue as theya re always stretched.

brainless - the OP lost her BH bitch to torsion :(

Oh my Lord when did this happen?

last night

What a shame, didn't see any post.

OP??? whats that then please?

Original Poster.
:)

This is so sad - you must be feeling helpless right now.

Thinking of you.  Teri

i dont think its morally right to put puppies down . i have had  rescue contact me :) poster please contact me :)

<sigh>i dont think its morally right to put puppies down

Thats the thinking of someone who doesn't get involved with such dogs when the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th.... homes don't pan out & a problem dog arrives on a rescues doorstep. If only the all breed RSPCA, Dogs Trust etc would take the heartbreaking decision to PTS puppies or abort them there would less adults waiting for homes I have lost track of the people who want a rescue puppy who won't look at an adult, they contact us as a breed rescue as they assume we have lots of puppies available like the RSPCA etc

i have had  rescue contact me about these puppies already ? my god that was quick put them in touch with me we have lots of adults awaiting homes

If you read ChloeH's post above, the bitch died last night from torsion

yes i know :)  if you read the O post it says that two bitches were mated , so theres still more pups to come ;) 

the poster also said she is rehoming them with friends and family.

well i hope they find happy forever homes :)

really sorry to hear about the bloodhound :( Unfortunatley its par for the course with this breed (torsion) :( as no doubt the breeder of your hound would have told you. needless to say i would imagine flattie x breds will be quite easy to find the right homes for, so good luck.

Torsion is something Flacoats also get. Sad to hear about your hound, but fingers crossed your FCR girl will be fine. I might know of a good home for one of the FCR crosses by the way.
Polly