Just like to pick every-ones brains here. I have had my girl scanned three times now 4 wks/5wks and 7wks and we can only see one pup. I have a giant breed and she is a big bitch so it's possible there is more than one but...on the assumption that we just get the one (It'll be a dog..as I really want a bitch..sod's law! ) what are your thoughts on trying to foster another pup? I feel sure it would be the best for the pup as to grow up a singleton is not the best scenario. I do have three adults who are very sociable but they are big girls and I shall be worried about pup getting squashed in play! Has anyone any experience in rearing a singleton? Or fostering another pup? It would have to be a large/giant breed as my pups grow like the clappers and would dwarf anything smaller than a lab type. Obviously I should like to start looking asap as she is due this week (Already temp taking and charting, vet on standby and monitoring her progress with great care as I am aware of the possibility of a C sect')  I have been reading up old posts to see if I can glean any info but not much available about rearing one pup. I would ideally like one of my one breed but in a numerically smallish breed the chances of finding one within a 100 mile radius are slim and I would not want to have to travel a baby pup too far!!
Any thoughts appreciated
Aileen.

Hi Aileen

I had (well, my bitch had!) a singleton pup many years ago.  As you can probably guess from my username, it was a Ridgeback.  She delivered it fine - then the vet was convinced he could feel another pup and did a ceaserian.  I think he learned to scan or x-ray after finding nothing there!

Well the pup grew very fast.  After the first couple of days I ended up taking the pup in a dog basket into the living room with the other dogs.  My bitch was perfectly happy with that - others might not be.  At 3 weeks, the pup was sleeping in the middle of the heap of all my RRs, his mum, aunt and granny and my mutt.  They all played with him very gently - supervised of course.  And he grew up to be very well socialised - and BIG :)

HTH
Carina

We had a single pup about 6 years ago and for the first few weeks she was kept with mum and a teddy bear. The teddy was in the box at all times and then if mum left the box Summer would curl up with the teddy. The other dogs used to visit the room and once up on her feet summer joined us and them in the lounge. At the time I had 8 dogs and she was fine. Very happy and well balanced. What they might lose in not having litter mates they more than make up for with other things like being with the older dogs from a young age.
Summer's owner says she still has the teddy she was in the box with and loves it to bits.

we had a singleton pup 4 year ago.
mum delived her well after she had the pup she relax that when i took her down to be scan too see if she had any more no more pup.
this was wispa 3 litter so she couldnt cope just with one pup where before she had 10 then 6 so one was a bit odd for her,
the first thing is to put mum back on to maintance feed but high protine she will product to much milk for just one pup,
i bought a soft toy from one of the show that had a heart beat in it so the pup thought it was lying next to a sibling..
the other problem beacuse she was having all the milk to herselft she was lazy and wouldnt get up and walk untill 3 weeks old,but she was a laid back girl later in life as well,
the other dogs in the household would socailze with her at four weeks so that she new where she stood with them and play with them as well.
weaning was from 3 1/2 to 4 week as mum was doing well with her.

it is hard work as you got to be the sibling in the pack making shore that she learn good things and lots of play.she was very close to her mum and her half sister,

I had a singleton 9 years ago. I am finding now that when my other bitch and her daughter play my 9 year old is confused. She just doesn't understand what is going on and tries to stop them. I'm convinced it's because she didn't have litter mates to play with. Her mother wasn't interested in her, and neither was my older bitch, so she didn't learn to play.

She is far more people orientated than any other dog I've had as I took her everywhere (she got heavier as she grew ;) ) Though she doesn't like young children.

If I had another singleton I'd be tempted to look for pups to foster just so that the singleton had playmates. They learn so much from one another.

i had a bitch scanned. she was seen to be carrying 2 pups. she actually went on to have 7! so i would wait and see what happens. there is enough to worry about whilst waiting for a bitch to whelp. good luck

Hi my bitch is expecting a single puppy anytime now, last time she had 9! the thing that worries me is she is very rotund by her breed and although on the scan i can see the puppy moving, i've felt no movement at all. perhaps we can compare notes when your girl delivers

Aileen
I have a Border Collie boy who was a singleton.  He has superb temperament even if he had no littermates.  Plays with all my gang (different breeds), with no problems.  He has got to be the easiest dog I've ever trained.  If you are interested in contacting my boys breeder for how she reared such a smashing, confident puppy, I'll gladly give you details if you want to PM me.

Hi all
Thanks for you replies. very interesting...food for thought, I think we will just wait and see before I make a final decision..maybe if a foster pup comes along we shall take it but I may not search too hard. She has started to leak a little mucus late this morning though still eating and enjoyed her short stroll round the park, and a bit of slow motion squirrel chasing!!. She is happily snoozing under my desk as I write this and her temp hovering around 37.7 so I think she is working up to it for later in the week. I am looking forward to being Mum and Brothers and Sisters...good excuse to spend even more time with the pup! as if I need any excuses....LOL. Just keep fingers and toes crossed that it turns out to be nice lillte girlie for me!
Aileen.

Only problem with a  singleton, whether you planned to keep them or not they tend to stay :D

mine stayed with all that  hard work with her and bring her dad over from sweden, she was speacial untill she died in sept 2007

True Brainless but I will not keep a dog...with Mum and Granny at home as well as Auntie it would be foolish and irresponsible to keep a dog. Much as I would love to, haven't kept a dog for years and I do love the character of the boys!! I would want to show him and preferably not castrate so can you imagine three bitches coming into seasons one after the other twice a year poor boy he would be a slavering wreck for 18 weeks out of 52 and I would have no hair and no walls!!! I limit myself to four maximum and I really do want a nice bitch to continue my lines. SO..... Be firm Aileen....and hope if it's a bitch it's THE ONE!

We had a singleton 18 months ago - after so much anticipation, and the stud dog coming all the way from Southern Germany, it was a bit of a shock...

It is awfully important not to let your bitch go over her due date - we were advised by the vet to give it 48 hours, but after 24 hours I had  a gut feeling we should go in, and insisted on a Caesarian - we nearly lost her, but thanks to the commitment of the staff she survived.

I did actually keep her in a little warm crate next to her mum for a while, until I was happy that mum had come round properly, and wasn't going to squash her.     She had a few cuddly toys with her.   

When she was about 4 weeks old, I socialised her with another litter of pups- only 2 in the litter there, and I think that helped as well.

But she has turned out to be the most difficult pup I have ever trained - very very strong willed and independent.    She's just beginning to relate better to me now - at 18 months old.

I know people who have kept a singleton dog pup who turned fiercely protective - whether he would have anyhow, who knows?   Rather a case of 'a pet lamb is a cross ram'!

Jo

Yep fingers crossed for a bitch that is just fab, no need for any more, no worries about homes, if only we could opt for one or two quality pups instead of the numbers.

As a breeder I prefer my smaller litters as long as I can get the choice of at least two bitches.

My breed can have large litters, but I have been lucky to average just under 6 pups a litter.  I don't know what I would do with litters of 10 as the norm.  So many more good homes to find and keep track of.

Have just been down on the floor feeling for puppy movement in Merlot and although the scan shows the "Puppy" is in her left horn I can feel kicking on her right hand side! I have felt kicking on her left and wonder if I would be able to feel the pup from both sides (Bearing in mind Merlot is a 9stone bitch).
Or hoping against hope there may be two!!!! She is due tomorrow from the best of four slipped matings and has dropper her temp, vulva swollen and a small amount of clear discharge yesterday, still eating and seems comfortable but I'm thinking tomorrow night or Sat (Bound to be Sat or Sun if we need a C Sect')
What d'ya think you expierienced breeders? might we have two pups? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

A stethoscope will tell you :-)

Havn't got one Blue!!!
Want to come and listen??
Aileen

:-)  You don't know anyone with one.   It is hard to tell with movement but generally if one at each side the she should be similarly sized at each side.  ( Know that sounds a bit obvious)  :-)

Just an update Merlot had her PUP by C Sect yesterday afternoon. A dog and he weighed in at nearly two pounds so big even for a breed like mine!! Unfortunatly she has no milk and the pup is not stimulating her enough to produce any so we are on 2/3hourly bottle feeds. God it's 23 years since I bottle fed and then it was my youngest!!! Luckily Mum is doing the washing and pooping bit so it's not too bad. Hopefully all will go OK. Get him over the first couple of weeks and I shall feel better about things. Bit emotionally drained and tired just now! He is snuggling down with a fluffy rabbit with a beany tummy you can warm in the microwave for company.
Thanks for all your help over the last couple of weeks.
Aileen. Pepsi, Merlot Treacle and baby "SOLO"

Aw, congratulations Aileen and of course Merlot.  I like the name "Solo"! :)  Pity you didnt get your girl that you wished for though.  I hope everything works out fine with the hand feeding and you do manage to get some rest soon...!!!
Kerri x

Congratulations! Glad all went well for Merlot and little "Solo".
Wonderful name, he'll be spoiled beyond belief :-)
Karen

Congratulations Aileen, I'd been wondering how things were going.  Coincidence!  My singleton Border Collie is called Solo.  I had planned my own name for him, but he was already responding to Solo, and I didn't want to throw the training by confusing the issue.  Hope things progress well for you and your girl.

Have just put a picture of Solo in my photo bucket for you all do drool over !!!
And I'm not being cruel by having him just on paper...he will not settle on vet bed and he is lying right on top of the heat pad!! God forbid you should think that. He seems to like the paper!!!???!!!

> He seems to like the paper!!!???!!!

He looks so content, there is no doubt about him being happy where he is.
Maybe he'll grow up to be the intelligent type  :-D

He is so sweet, it makes my mouth water  :-) 
I'm so much longing for a litter, it's been far too long since the last one.

Karen

all the best with the puppy,

Don't give up on her getting milk.  It can b slow to come with a C section, and if she is looking after pup let him suckle as much as he can.  A friend had a bitches milk come in after a week and was able to gradually stop bottle feeding.

Good luck with your puppy, we had a singleton in July of this year, a cocker spaniel weighing in at 1lb, also born by c-section, it took a while for the milk to come down, but when it did it was in full flow and the pup looked 3 weeks old at 5 days!  :)

Congratulations, love the name. Shame you didn't get your little girl.

All the best with your new  baby

Dee

Awww, he's gorgeous...congratulations to you!
Karen :-)

Congratulations on baby solo, my girl had her single baby on Thursday, he too was a boy, sods law. Did your vet think Solo was stuck? hence the section, as he was a big lad. Good luck and try to remember the night feeds don't last forever although at the time it feels they do. Thinking of you

Mell x

He is so gorgeous, brilliant name, hope he keeps it.  Hope all goes well for you and solo.

Linda

I love the name. Very cute to match a very gorgeous pup.

Wishing you all the best.
Anna

Morning all!
An update for you. Merlot is beginning to get her milk in.. Hurrah.. Solo has just had a real good feed and you could tell the milk is in as he went all frantic and rigid as they do when the milk drops and guzzled like a little Trojan, he is sleeping happily now and Mum is snuggled up with him. I think I will only suppliment if he won't settle after a feed, the more he takes from Mum the better now I think,. I offered the bottle after he fed but he turned his nose up at it so he must be full!!! Thanks for all you encouragement will keep you posted and get some more pics as he grows. :-D
Aileen

Brilliant I am sure she will make enough for one, as you say only supplement if he is hungry after feeds.

Little update for you all. Mum is now producing plenty of milk for Solo who is beginning to take on the shape of a small fat pear!!! They are both doing really well now and have settled into a nice routine.
No more making up bottles....and on that note I had just ordered 2kg of RC 1st stage puppy milk so if anyone needs any I have plenty to spare!!! Sell by date august this year and unopened. Murpheys law isn't it, had I not ordered it Solo would have needed it!!!
Will get some more pics as he grows but have popped another in my photo bucket of him having his bottle.
Aileen.

Sooo gorgeous...........thank you so much for sharing, he's yummy.
Karen ;-)

how cute!  my goldie had a singleton 7 years ago now, i still have him here, was too precious to let him go!
he did at about 2 weeks resemble a blob however as he had unlimited food supply!
i found i had to interact with him quite a bit, and i may of looked daft, but i had realistic looking puppy 'freinds' for harv to play with, as well as letting him play as he liked with the adult dogs, his behaviour is no different to any others ive had from other litters either.

hope that helps, and congrats on ur pup!

Just a quick updat for you all. Solo is 12 days today and has begun to open his eyes, so he can now see the big monster that has been cuddling him and watching his every move!! He is growing like mad and doubled his birth weight in 8 days, have to be carefull when I start to wean him!! Mum is a devoted parent now and will spend the whole day in the box with him just washing and watching him, she is in love! Will get some more piccies when he is on his feet.
Aileen.

So good to hear the little man is doing so well ! :-)

Lucy
xx

Solo Update... Four weeks old tomorrow and doing fine. I have put a couple of new piccies in my photobucket for you all to see how the little man is doing.
I just wish Mum wouldn't be so good to him...it's quite a trial getting him to eat solids???
Still little and often and we are just about getting a little minced beef and Royal Canin puppy food down him! He is out and about and likes toes..very nice and chewy! He has a big pen in the dining room now and surveys the world from there when I cannot keep a full time eye on him. He likes a rough and tumble with me on the floor and I swear he is winning more often than me ;-)
More updates as he grows.
Oh and by the way he has a great home waiting for him with another Bernie, they cannot wait for him to be old enough to go!
Aileen

My hasn't he grown ! He is just adorable ! How much bigger are they than Labs ............... :-D

Lucy
xx

Hi Lucy
Well Merlot is 26 inches to the shoulder but weighs 57/8kg..about 9 stone...and she is not fat...but very fit. They are not huge in size but have (Or should have!!) lots of bone, she measures 8 inches around her knee!! and running at full speed they can knock you flying..and break your knees!!!!!
But we love 'em to bits.
Aileen

Mmmm I was wondering how big mine was going to grow ;-) :-p

I must go and have a nosey at Discover dogs as can't remember ever seeing one in the flesh :-)

I think they are scrummy.  the lady in Finland whose dog I used had Bernese as her main breed,a nd she had two 4 week old pups when I visited, they were just so gorgeous.

The stud I used was in a big run with two Bernie bitches of about 18 months who used him as a foot stool.  My first sight of him was with them standing on him to get a better view :D

Sounds about right for a Bernie Brainless..they will use anything to get a better veiw on life...people included!!!
They love nothing better than to flop on top of you as well.
They call them
"The Canine Contradiction":
Biddable yet Stubborn
Irrepressible yet Sensitive
Dignified yet Fun Loving
Endearing yet Frustrating
Robust yet Delicate
Loyal yet Manipulative
Accomodating yet Demanding
Confident yet Dependant
many non owning Bernese people reading this may be forgiven for thinking they are Flawed however these opposing characteristics in our dogs are essential components for the most delightful and compelling of breeds and most owners think Bernese are JUST PERFECT
(adapted from the Berer.org description!)

Sounds exactly like mine - and you are right they are perfect! I would have a dozen if I had the time, space and money!!!

Solo is gorgeous

Yep he has grown thought about him just the other day wondering how he was doing,and yes all the things in your post about Bernese I can relate to .. ...

Sorry too late to edit this post but may I just add the link to the site where I found this description for you to see it in its entirety.
http://www.bernese.tv/canine_contradiction.htm
Worth a read those of you who love the Bernese breed. and the site is very informative too!
Aileen.

New Piccies for you !
Aileen

He sure is a cutie pie.

Linda