Hello everyone!
I've just logged onto this site and I think it's brilliant. I've read in various sectons about slip matings, and some harsh comments about "professional" breeders, so my intention is to relay the very limited experience we have had with our much adored black lab Phoebe.
She was mated just over a year ago to a dog from an extremely well known kennels in the Midlands, following advice from Phoebe's breeders. Unfortunately a tie was not achieved, and we had only one pup (Solo),who has turned out to be making quite a name for himself in the ring.So, even tho' we had one, he was still a champ in our eyes!
Again, following advice Phoebe has recently been mated to the same dog, and a tie was achieved,so we hope to have a few more this time.
Throughout all of this the breeders from whom we bought Phoebe have been fantastic, and we now count them among our friends. They have always been ready with help and advice, and when we visit Cornwall we always have a warm welcome.
The breeder in the Midlands who is terrifically busy--when Phoebe was mated she had only just got back from judging in Sweden--has also been helpful and supportive, and very interested to hear about Solo.
I think I've waffled on for long enough, but I really wanted to say that we are not show people, just a family besotted with our show quality dog, and yet these 'professionals' have always had time to help,and be patient with our probably daft questions!

Anyhow, the real question is, is Phoebe in whelp? We are having her scanned soon,so I hope to be asking you all how to cope with more than one !!
Regards
Clare

Fingers crossed for you and Phoebe !!! :)

Good news! Phoebe had her scan yesterday, which confirmed that she will have pups but the vet could see only 3 ...she did the scan with Phoebe on her side (?) .We had hoped there would be more than that,but 3 seems a good number for Phoebe to cope with. I always thought labs had lots of pups (she had just one last time) but as long as mum and babies are all healthy and happy we dont care how many she has!
She is half way through and is v. well, and v.v.affectionate.Various people have said we shouldn't increase her intake too much as things progress because with so few pups they will grow too big and she might have to have a c-section. Any thoughts? I just want to make sure it is as stress free as poss for us all.
We are so excited!! We already have a long list of names, but 4 weeks seems such a long time away!

Regards
Clare

Hi Clare,

Good news. I can't answer any of your questions as not bred before. My hubby says you don't increase too much but the others will tell you.

Just wanted to say congrats....

Pam

As regards labs having large litters I have labs and have had a litter of 6, a litter of 5, a litter of 4 and a litter of 1. A friend of mine had 3 litters last year and they were between 9 and 14 pups a litter.
It depends on the dog being mated at the right time but I've also been told that if a bitch came from a small litter she will produce a small litter, don't know how true that is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe you'll find that the litter size is down to the bitch since the dog can only fertilise the eggs the bitch produces.

Yea if it was down to the dog she'd be welping 4.5 million :D

LOL@Isabel

Hi clare, As I understand it, the pups grow very little in the first six weeks, it is from week 6 that you need to make any changes if any. I
personally do nothing different with a bitch carrying a small litter, except give her some good red meat, in her diet, and milk IF she normally has it and her tummy can take it. Im sure other posters do lots of different things and will let you know in due course. All the very best, with your babies.

I would take no notice of how many the vet thinks they can see, as long as it is more than !. I was told 3 when my bitch whelped 8 pups (though we lost one)!

Hi Clare,
I'm not a breeding expert-just 3 litters but from week 6 you need to improve the quality of the bitches diet, more protein and fat, make the meals smaller but more frequent as her increasing girth will press on her stomach. I like giving my girls a drink of Welpi once a day too, full of nutrients for them. A book that has been recommended on a previous posting is the Book of the Bitch, buy it, it's excellent.

Don't believe all a scan says, somebody I know had a bitch scanned for 6, she had 10!!!!! ;)

Start saving newspapers now and get everyone else to, you won't believe how many you'll go through....

Anymore help, you know where I am!!!!! :)

Lily

Thanks everyone for all the very helpful comments.
I have explained to Phoebe that I will be concentrating on quality more than quantity in her diet for the time being and she's not at all impressed! Her response to this gem was to escape to the garage where the new food bags are, and rip one open...she was like a pig at the trough!!
.......I am also v. pleased and relieved (as no doubt is Phoebe) that she will not have 4.5 million pups!!!
Does anyone know anything about homeopathic remedies? We have been advised to give her Pulsatilla and Cauliphyllum (unsure of spelling) to aid with whelping. When I had my own children I took Raspberry Leaf tablets. Does anyone have any experience of these?

Clare

My bitch whelped nine pups12 days ago. I gave her Rapsbery Leaf Tea tablets and used Caulophyllum during the contractions. This was my and hers first litter so I have no other experience of whelping without homeopathy but she whelped all nine with no drama one every twenty minutes.I will certainly use these remedies for my next litter.
Diane

Thanks v. much - I have already got the Raspberry tabs., and I'll go to town and get the Caulophyllum. The stud dogs breeder says she uses it to good effect, but it's really helpful to hear other people's views. Phoebe has just over 3 weeks to go, ...and we can hardly wait!
I'll let you know how things progress,:)
Regards
Clare

I also use arnica before and after birth to help reduce bleeding and bruising. 1 a day for about 3 days before and 3 days after. Aconite is also useful during labour if the bitch is frightened or in pain. 1 can be given every half an hour, stop when she appears to be less frightened or the pain stops.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Hi there, I always give my bitches Raspberry leaf tablets, as it is supposed to aid the labour. My mum always used to give me strained raspberry leaf liquid when I first started my ummm....ladies cycle, to help with the pain and it really worked!!

Well not about dogs but I start Raspberry leaf tea tomorrow in aid to help my labour heard it tastes yuck.

Karen

Whenever I've been pg I was told not to drink Raspberry Leaf tea before 36wks as it can induce prem labour. It works by strengthening the uterine muscles and can cause cramps which induce labour.

If I were you I'd double check with the midwife before you start on it.

Fiona

My sister is due on September 11th and she's having a home birth as well!!

Fiona,

Hi there is a lot of info on Raspberry leaf saying to start at 28 weeks 30 weeks and so on.
I have been told to start on one cup a day till 36 weeks and then drink as many cups as I like there on.

Karen

Lorna where are you your view pretty please.