I don't think I'm cut out for breeding. My first puppy is going to her new home tomorrow morning. I can't cope. I can't eat, I keep bursting into tears every time I look at her. She's going to my sister so I know she's going to be cared for properly and I can still see her regulary but this is one of the hardest things I think I've ever done. I don't think I will be breeding again. The emotional side is so stressful.

The thing you have to keep in mind is that all pups as they get older NEED their own home.

You are right and I do keep telling myself that I can't keep them all but I just didn't think it would be this hard. She will be going tomorrow, and I will just have to deal with it.

I found it hard saying goodbye to my last litter but they are 12 months old today and to recieve cards with piccies of them in their new homes was wonderful today :-) :-)

Awww (()) not easy

I always find the first puppy of each litter the hardest, its the breaking up of the litter that have been yours since birth.  After the first puppy has gone it does get a little easier for each other one in that litter.  That's what I find each time I breed anyway.

The way I cope is to tell yourself that the joy your pups and dogs have brought you are now going to bring years of happiness to someone else, how can that ever be sad. :-)

only done that once, never again, felt that I was giving my own dogs away.............

I always feel like that but Brainless is quite right...they HAVE to go...they have reached the age where they need one to one with their own families and go out into the big wide world.

With the best will in the world you cannot provide that with a whole litter of pups. Think how difficult it has been for breeders who have kept two pups from a litter, most have vowed never again. Then muliply that by the whole litter and you'll soon begin to realise why they have to go. As long as you are happy with the homes you have chosen, relax in the fact that you have bought a litter of well bred socialised puppies into the world and now its their forever homes turn to complete the job.

The thing you have to keep in mind is that all pups as they get older NEED their own home.

Exactly - try and concentrate on the joy you are bringing the pups new family - if t you have chosen new homes well, they will keep in touch and give you updates etc.

However much you feel the need to want to keep the litter, think if the longer term problems you could have, how to train, socalise XX number of pups together.

I hope you're keeping one, so that will lessen your grief, but we all know how you feel, always an emotional occasion, especially if it was one you may have kept for one reason or other.

My last puppy (litter of nine) left yesterday, we keep one so it was the 8th to go. I love these pups to bits and I am really happy when I see them going to homes (most of which have had puppies from me before) that I know will love and nurture them and give them the very best life possible. That's what it's all about. Of course it is sad but they were ready to move on and we could never give 100% to more than one puppy at a time at 8 weeks. As long as you know the homes are as good as possible then be happy for them. Good Luck !

Awww thanks for your kind words everyone. I'm feeling a bit more positive this morning, I'm keeping one back and am sure I've chosen good homes for the others. I couldn't keep them all, it wouldn't be fair on them or my other dogs. It's just sad knowing they won't be here anymore.

Just think of the happiness your little bundle will bring to a family. I could never breed as I would end up as one of these batty old ladies with a million dogs :-D, so I'm very grateful to those who do breed and allowed me to have one of their precious puppies.

Don't be afraid to have a few tears, it shows that we care!! Once they start going it will get easier and then you can focus on the one who is going to stay.
It is the hardest part of breeding and one reason why I'm glad I will never have another litter!

How did it go???

It was fine. I took the pup over to my sisters, she was a bit nervous bless her but I think it was because my sisters other dog (jrt) was a bit to in her face, she completely washed her all over within about 5 minutes of us getting through the door! But once the introductions were over with she had a good look round and seemed fine.

Not spoken to her today yet, I'm dying to ring her but I'll try and hold off for a bit longer. But all in all it went better than expected ( in my case anyway!)

Since starting taking my Safi out (13 1/2 weeks) it is so funny to see the at home bolshy pest of a pup that pesters the life out of the other five adults at home, go all silly and submissive to other dogs on first meeting.

Initially she couldn't seem to work out that these things that smelt like dogs, barked like dogs didn't look like (to her) dogs.

She starts off tentative, tail at half mast (they have tails that curl over the back), scoochign away at any unexpected move, to rolling around the grass playing tag within 5 minutes.

I explain to my niece who gets upset that the puppies were born for the family they are going to , just like her dogs were born for her family , that it is their destiny . It makes it easier for her to get her head around , and to be honest I con myself into believing it as well , it makes it easier , after all that's what I think about my dogs who have found their way into my home and heart . I cry when my pups leave , I've tried not to but I can't keep it in . Most of the new owners have called me to see if I'm okay. I also ring them the next day to see how the puppy has slept on their first night from home. It shows how much I care , and I get regular updates from nearly all my owners which I love :)

As I no longer have any captive 'Tiddly Peeps' of my own I borrow my friend and neighbours children when we have pups.

Last year Karl who was 5 was most upset to her the pups were leaving as he thought they would all be staying for good.

It's quite strange, even though he lives with a large breed dog, he is quite wary and tentative with both my adult's and the pups when they get to the needle teeth stage, year his baby sister at 3 is a natural with the dogs.

Ive got a great nephew that I could hear yelling for "Whistley" as he arrived downstairs (office) he's 2.
Whistler & Jake were wriggling everywhere when they heard him. Ball collected, Grandad's desk wrecked, water machine and plastic cups all over the floor and a sloppy kiss and he went - peace restored!! You cant beat dogs and kids!!

When the second one Ambur was tiny she slept in the dog basket!! my OH once asked where we got the rag doll!!! Ambur & Whist asleep in a dirty old dog bed - oh and the yellow dog biscuits taste the best Im told!!

At home they have a staffie so there all dog aware and dog lovers!! bless that Debo!!