Puppies always bring joy, and our house is blessed with joy to the 7th power right now.  Our adult dogs and our baby puppies join us in wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas filled with many blessings of family, fun, and food with a big helping of hugs and wags from your doggies.

Time for some Christmas cheer!  Puppies were 1 month old on the 21st and we decided it would be cute to put them in a Christmas basket.  Right!  I could barely keep one puppy in the basket, much less all four.  It was decided to put them in one at a time and try to get the little Santa hat on each of them.  They had already outgrown this little hat that I bought especially for Christmas photos, so it didn't stay on very well.  Photo at top is grey girl, followed by green boy, Massimo below, followed by orange girl and purple girl.  Aren't they so adorable!

First bath for the puppies.  They all were good little puppies in the sink for their baths.  Sorry about the quality of the photos as we didn't notice the protective lens on our camera had gotten seriously cracked, so they are sort of blurry.  Top photo is our boy, whose family will call him Massimo.

Here is our grey girl:

This is our Orange girl.  she has more white on her forehead.

Our purple girl.

Puppies are now 3 weeks old and it is time to start on solid food.  I introduced them to goat milk mixed with ground chicken.  They loved it and lapped up as though they had been eating out of a dish all their lives!  We had messy faces and feet, but it was fun to get them started on solids.

Green boy

grey girl

orange girl

purple girl

Puppies are learning to walk and it is fun to see their world expand.  Now that the eyes are open, they are starting to relate to each other, and to me.  What fun to see a baby puppy start to waddle over to me when I come into their space.  They are also starting to interact with each other, which shows how eager they are to be social beings.


Here is a video of green boy learning to walk.  Note mama's toy in this clip.    

  

Two weeks old!  Puppy eyes are just beginning to open.  Now that they are beginning to see a bit, they yawn a lot.  Funny puppies.  They are just starting to learn to get up on their feet.

Grey girl has newly opened eyes so no flash.

















Orange girl

Purple girl with no flash

Green boy

Ginevra is so funny.  At the time she was getting ready to whelp and we had her area all set up, she started to drag some toys into the whelping box (kiddy pool, in our case).  I would take them out and she would drag them back in.  I let her have them, thinking she was just getting ready for her own pups and these were surrogates.  During and after her whelping her litter, she kept bringing the toys back.  I would take them out, and the next time I looked, the toys were back.  She has 5 toys she likes and I keep finding one or more back in the whelping box.  I am not certain what is in her mind; are these toys substitute puppies because she has a small litter, are the toys for her to play with, or, is she trying to teach the puppies to play?  One can only guess.

This photo shows 3 toys, one is a soft yellow sea urchin shape, which she sometimes takes out in the play yard, but brings it right back back in .

Each of the puppies has doubled birth weight.  They are getting stronger each day and are starting to practice using their legs more than just scooting around.  Life still consists of eating and sleeping and eating and sleeping.

One week old!  We have begun the neuro-stimulation exercises.  If you want to see a video of my earlier litter, check out youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPp3JWEpZh4

Here are some photos of our puppies at 1 week.

Green boy

Grey girl

Orange girl

Purple girl

We need a caption for this photo.  Mama's legs are like a chaise lounge for grey girl.  Check those full tummies!  Green boy is still filling up.

You would think with almost 20 years in showing/breeding dogs that I could tell the difference between a puppy male and a puppy female.  Well, not so.  Embarrassed to admit that on closer scrutiny,  brighter lighting, my biggest puppy is in fact a boy.  That means green girl is really green boy.

Here are the girls at almost 4 days old.   You can tell from the noses and toes that these two will both be brown patches on roan, like mom.

Orange and grey girls

Purple and green girls:  The light puppy will likely look mostly white with slight tinge of orange around the ears.  The other puppy will look like mom.

Puppies are here!  Ginna presented us with 4 girl puppies starting at 3:45 am on Nov. 21; my son's birthday.

3 pups are going to be the color of mom (brown/roan) and the other will be like dad, white/orange.  Puppies weighed between almost 11 oz. to 15 oz., big puppies!  We've had puppies in larger litters that were 4.5 oz to 9 oz., so I was surprised to have a 15 oz. puppy.  We had to help with that one.  When I saw the front paws present themselves, I had a premonition that the rest of the puppy would be big, as well.

You can see better photos of sire and dam on my website on Ginevra's page and my Photos page with Appy in a tuxedo.  http://www.lagottoaz.com

At 3:45 am, Ginevra started whelping her litter of 4 girls, weighing in at 10.6 oz. to a whopping 15 oz.  That one was pretty hard work and I had to help.  The feet came out first and I could tell as soon as I saw them that this was a large puppy.  We have 3 that will look like mom and one who will look like Dad.  Photos tomorrow when I am not so tired.

Puppy's birthdate is November 21, same day as my son's birthday.

We are checking Ginevra via fetal monitoring twice a day and also checking puppy heartbeats with the doppler.  She had her first recorded contraction last night.  She is still very active and eating well, so it might be a couple more days.  Next monitoring session will tell us more.

While we are waiting I researched an item on fiber in canine diet and found this item worth sharing.  Our dogs are mostly raw fed so it was interesting to me to make sure they get the correct amount in their diet.  Even if your dogs are fed commercial diets, it is good to be aware of the excess or lack of fiber in their diets.

dietary fiber for cats and dogs

I have been checking heartbeats with the doppler and have had mixed results in trying to get a count on how many puppies to expect.  We took Ginna in to the vet to get a count, see rads below, and then took her in again the next day for another try at a better image to count.  The vet sees 3 puppies.  I have been hearing possibly 4 or more but since I am an amateur doppler tech, I am not certain that I have a correct count.  I sent the rads to the WhelpWise counselor and she thinks we have 4 pups but perhaps one is hiding.  Ginevra's digestive track is pretty congested so it is harder to count on the Xrays.

So how many can you see?

We just got our WhelpWise equipment.  Now we can track fetal heartbeats with the doppler and read uterine contractions with the sensor that records all.  We then send the recording over the phone lines where they are evaluated by WW pros.  I wouldn't have a litter without this great equipment.

Here is their website:
http://www.whelpwise.com/

So far Ginevra hasn't slowed down much.  By next week she should be getting in the mindset of motherhood.

For such a little girl, Ginna has a BIG tummy!  She is due to whelp in less than 3 weeks and she is already running less and being more careful when she jumps.  She still is digging (and tore up part of the drip system today) and singing at ear-splitting levels, enough to make her shake her own head.

We confirmed Ginevra's pregnancy yesterday.  We did an ultrasound and saw puppies!

We had to photograph the image with a regular camera so it is not very clear, but this puppy is near the probe at the top of the screen and shows up lighter grey above the vast white and below the darker area at top center.  One was wiggling as we watched.  We are so excited.  Puppies should be due in a month.

Whole Dog Journal has a good piece on dog treats that is worth reading:Ingredients in dog treats to watch out for

Here is Angelus Mei Apollon!  Handsome boy.  He is an International All-Breed Canine Association (IABCA) International Champion.  He also has his United Kennel Club (UKC) Championship.  He is very sweet and is a discerning gentleman.  If he likes you, he will glom on to you for the duration.  Check out my website to see him in his tuxedo.  He is on the photo page:  LagottoAZ

Appy has OFA EXCELLENT hips, is BFJE clear,  and tested normal on his CERF eye exam.  He is the stud for Ginevra's breeding.  She also has OFA EXCELLENT hips and tested normal with CERF. Since Ginevra's mom is orange/white, half the litter should also be white.  The rest will be brown/roan or brown/white patch pups.  I am excited about this breeding and hope we have lots of girls so I will have a puppy to keep for myself.

Here's hopes that we have a successful breeding and can expect puppies in a couple months!

Since I have been boycotting all dog treats from China, I took the suggestion from a Lagotto friend and decided to make my own chicken jerky.

I purchased a food dehydrator (lists at about $60.00).  I purchased boneless chicken breasts on sale and froze them.  When partially thawed, they are easier to slice.  Photo shows the 4 layers in the dehydrator and the cover.  I used just under 3.5 pounds of sliced chicken to fill my dehydrator.






It takes about 7 hours for this amount of chicken to dry.  Notice the lighter color on the dried piece on left side, it was thicker and didn't fully dry so I gave that to the dogs right away.  I keep some of the pieces in a treat jar and freeze the rest so I don't have to worry about freshness.

I have been concerned about products from China for both myself and my dogs.  I have been boycotting dog treats for quite a while.  This is sad as Costco and Sam's carried a nice big bag of chicken jerky treats for a good price.  When I noticed the treats were no longer US made, I returned the opened package to the store for a refund.

Now recently this item came to my mailbox.  I recommend this website for good information.  Sometimes it is a sales pitch, but much of it is useful.  Here is an item about Chicken jerky from China.

Healthy Pets - Dr. Becker

The decision was finally made.  Ginna's next stud will be (drum roll . . . .) Angelus Mei Apollon. She and he are in the very small group of Lagotti in this country with  Excellent hip scores with OFA.  We decided to do a back to back breeding as I still want a female for myself.  According to good breeding practices and our club Code of Ethics, I will then rest her for a year.  That will give us time to show her in AKC next year.

You can see a photo of Apollon on my website on the photo page.  He is wearing a Tuxedo.  He was the sire of Adrina's first litter of 3 pups a few years ago.  http://www.lagottoaz.com

Are there hypoallergenic dogs?

As a past breeder of Wheaten Terriers (advertised by Commercial Breeders as hypoallergenic and non-shedding) and now of Lagotti, I am often contacted by folks who have allergies to dogs.  I always recommend a visit before deciding on the breed.  I have seen cases of folks who can tolerate the Lagotto and one who still had a minor break out.  I think this is true of other breeders as well.

Never assume by any advertising you may see, that any dog is hypoallergenic.  Check it out first.  Here is a recent item on the topic:

http://www.thedogplace.org/MP/hypoallergenic-breed-asthma_staff128.asp

Took the dogs to the dog park today.  A Navy family stationed in Japan was visiting their dad in the Phoenix area and wanted to meet the breed.  They are researching breeds for when they return to the states in 1.5 years.  I really like it when people do their homework!  Very nice family.

Vando had a bath and trim yesterday, Adrina was about a month since her trim and Ginevra had to stay home as she is getting closer to time to breed and I didn't want Vando acting very annoying at the park.

For over 19 years I have had dogs that needed a lot of grooming, first ShihTzu, then showing my Wheaten Terriers and now my Lagotti.  All needing regular grooming.  When we built the house we are now living in, we included a very large (12' X 12') utility room so I could easily groom our 3 to 4 dogs.  To save my back, we installed a bathtub at waist height to wash the dogs.  Since this room serves as my laundry room as well, the tub serves as an extra sink as well.

We chose Booster Bath, preferring its size and features.  It has a non-slip floor, and attached collar to secure the dog.  There is an attached bin to hold shampoo and brushes.  There is a lip at the opening where I cut a piece of fiberglas panel to fit and keep water from splashing out the end.

The bath has a drain hole near the end so we plumbed that to our grey water line through the base cabinet.  The cabinet was built at a height comfortable for me and also so the dogs could jump into the tub. Doors on the front of the cabinet give some extra storage under the tub, which is great.

This photo shows the cabinet and the tub which is bolted to it.  I hemmed a shower curtain to put over the window which is behind the tub.

This photo shows how we plumbed the hot and cold water for the tub.  We used a handheld shower head.

Italian Water Dog.  Here is something I found a while back on the internet about the history of the Lagotto.  I don't have the link but have copied it here in its entirety:

Italian Water Dog

Italian Water Dog

Friendly Italian water dog the first time I've seen at the World Exhibition in Brussels in 1995. It was a dog kennel from the Italian Luciano Landi. Now, without a water dog does not do any large-scale exhibition and a dog of this breed successfully win prizes for "Best-in-Show".

Italian Water Dog (lagotto) - a very old breed. It occurs in lowland areas of Comacchio and Ravenna in northern Italy, where in the last century were drained swamps. According to Italian researchers, the ancestors of these dogs came to Italy with Turkish sailors, ships are often moored to the shores of Italy. They guarded the sailing of the Moors, the sailors were very much appreciated for the intelligence and ability to perform different tasks and swim well.

President of the Italian club lagotto Giovanni Morsiani believes lagotto goes back to prehistoric dog Canis familiaris palustris Rutimeyer, peat or a dog known as the ancestor of many breeds of dogs that existed in the period from 10 000 to 6000 years BC

However, the figure, the characteristic drooping ears, habits and other characteristics lagotto suggest that this breed is classified by Professor S.Bogolyubskogo (1959) to the group goncheobraznyh, which includes the hounds, cops, spaniels and retrievers. Curly hair pudelepodobnaya could be inherited from kosmatosherstnyh shepherds, which were widely circulated in the past century in Europe. Morsiani opinion about the origin of the peat lagotto dog - the alleged founder of Spitz, Terriers and Pinschers hardly justified. Progenitor of a group of hunting dogs is goncheobraznyh Ash dog Canis familiaris intermedius, found in Europe. Of course, to say with complete conviction, from whom there was one or the other species in prehistoric times, it is impossible, we can only speculate. Morsiani also convinced that the Canis Aquaticus, or water dog, mentioned the great Swedish naturalist Linnaeus XVIII century and is found in the pool, and there's nothing like lagotto. Powered by Linnaeus drawing curly dog and is very similar to other water dogs mentioned by different authors. In 1591 Erasmo di Valvazone in the "Hunt" wrote: "Our favorite curly dog breed is not afraid of no sun, no ice, no water, overcoming the steep hills, making their way through thickets of thorns, and swimming across the river. Her head and hair reminiscent of sheep, this the dog willingly brings wounded bird.

Eugenio Raimondi wrote in 1630 that water dogs are common in the Adriatic Sea to Venice, where he used to feed the ducks to water. Other documents in 1660 also refers to the water dogs used for hunting waterfowl, which were rich in the lagoon in Italy, particularly coots. Hunters are very prized these dogs because they are easily trained to submit game with water, but, except for hunters, fishermen, and they were used, which helped pull the dog's small boat on a rope. Sometimes in shallow water was collected as many hunters that shooting at a bird turning into a real massacre. Dogs also tirelessly picking up the game, swimming and diving in the water, even with the ice crust, from which they are well protected curly hair.

The closest relatives of lagotto - Portuguese Water Dog, Spanish, Irish and American Water Spaniels are very similar in composition and characteristics of slime coat. There is no doubt that their common ancestors, the most famous and refined breed of this family was the poodle.

By 1800 the lagoon was drained, the water fauna is impoverished. Lagotto found no more use as a bird hunter and have been used to find truffles, which is particularly widespread in the years 1840-1890. Thus, from the swamps and shallow lagoons lagotto moved to the wooded hills. Mushroom - the main specialization lagotto today. The dog can detect the fungus that grows at a depth of 60 cm under the ground. Truffles have saved the breed from extinction. I would like to hope that she does not lose its valuable properties under the influence of fashion.

In addition to Italy, lagotto quite well known in Sweden, Britain, France and the United States. Dogs of this breed are taking part in competitions in agility, work well with the police on the trail, successfully detected drugs.

Lagotto Romagnola - unpretentious and appreciative companion, who loves to work not for reward, but only for the praise of his master. In relation to people and dogs lagotto friendly and peaceable. This dog must be able to swim and frolic in the water, it should not be protected from all, as a porcelain toy. Lagotto easily tolerates heat and cold, is always ready to play with the owner, does not like being alone. We must not forget that the hunter in the past do not miss a soaring bird or cat had been running, so the walks should be alert. At the same time, this dog is very docile and easily controlled.

Lagotto Romagnola - a dog of medium height, of proportional build, strong, with thick, curly hair, evenly covering all parts of the dog's body, silky strands to the touch.

Height at withers Dogs 43-48 cm, ideally 46 cm, weight 13-16 kg, females 41-46, respectively (43) cm and 11-14 kg. Length of body slightly greater than the height at the withers. Head trapezoidal, somewhat longer than the cranial part of the muzzle. The transition from forehead to muzzle a little noticeable. The eyes are round, the color of the tone color. The ears are drooping, rather large, broad at the base, triangular, rounded at the ends. The tail is saber, carried below the topline. Color white, white with brown or reddish spots of various shades of brown, red. The muzzle may be a darker brown mask.

The magazine "Friend" 1998 - 2

The paper benefited Swiss magazine "Le chien magazine"

This is a photo of "Lagott-achina".  A very talented friend drew this for me for my birthday.  For those who might not be steeped in Southwest native traditions, this is like the Kachina dancers in the Hopi culture. Isn't it wonderful!?

Now that a heat wave is gripping most of the country, here is a photo from mid-March after a late spring snow storm.  Adrina and Vando had just enjoyed a romp down the ravine.  You can tell by the snow on the porch that it doesn't last too long around here.

Here is a video of Tillie in CT playing in an Agility tunnel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TwV1brQ2n0&feature=youtu.be

The puppies have been gone for several weeks but I am getting some great video from their families.  Here is Gaby (purple girl) in TX practicing puppy agility.

Here is Renzo (blue boy) at the Beach in New York looking for truffles:

Two cute babies.  These guys are 7 weeks old, and are the grandkids of my Vando.  Mom is Bella, out of Vando and sire is Apollon who sired Adrina's first litter.  These two guys are still available.  We were hoping for a show/breeding home for the girl as she is so well put together.  Both did very well on their temperament testing and both parents have OFA Excellent hips, possibly the only breeding with such good hip scores in the country.

The boy is very nicely put together and will be great dog for someone who likes to train.  He tested as loving and attentive but with lots of confidence.  Both puppies are very smart and will learn easily.  They both have markings like grandpa Vando, so I think they are adorable.  These puppies are in Prescott, AZ.

The little girl is pick puppy because she has an awesome head, good expression, very nice front and topline, good angulation and tail set.  She moves well and tested out to be very exceptional to train.  She is loaded with personality.

I should have inserted this as a live link.  Here is another try:
http://www.lagottous.com/files/LagottoBollettino2012EarlySummer.pdf

Late Spring/Early Summer edition of the Lagotto Bolletino, LCA newsletter is now online at the the following:
http://www.lagottous.com/files/LagottoBollettino2012EarlySummer.pdf

Photos of Ginevra's litter are in an article that I wrote about breeding.

I posted this on FaceBook, but for my non-Facebook friends, please consider the AKC petition.  We need the support from dog lovers everywhere to protect low volume hobby/exhibitor breeders from regulations painted with too broad of a brush.  Please click on this link to sign:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/join-with-the-akc-to-protect-responsible-small-breeders.html

The last puppy in the litter has now gone home.  We were getting so attached to his funny little ways.  Bob and his daughter Adeline have now taken him to their home in the Chicago suburbs.  We hope she and her older brother will get involved in dog sports.  His name is confetti and his call name will be Nino. Confetti is a good name as he may retain some white specks in his roan/brown coat when it matures.

Then there was one . . . .

Yellow boy is the last to go to his new home so he has been hanging out with the big dogs this past week.  He has learned that Auntie Adrina won't let him chew on her anymore and wants him to have more  respect.  He has played ball with dad, Vando and he has had several sessions with mom on how a big dog should behave.  Here he is hanging out on the porch on a hot pre-summer day.

Blue boy is now "Renzo" and is on his way to New York City and summers on Fire Island with a young boy as a playmate.  We already have been treated to a video of his first swim in the Ocean.  

Purple girl "Gaby" is heading for her new home in Texas. She will have two Standard poodles and grandchildren to keep her busy.

Beginning last week Saturday, the puppies started to go to their new homes and a whole world of new sights, sounds, smells and sensations.  We are fortunate to have such a wonderful selection of homes for which our puppies will become a part of their families.

Green boy "Cosmo" went on his way to Tucson May 19 to a family named Green.  Chris Green is a custom jeweler in Tucson and his daughter is interested in dog sports and dog exhibiting.  We are very excited for a young person to show interest in the sport of exhibiting dogs in conformation and other activities.

Orange girl went on her way to Connecticut on Sunday, May 20.  Toni Kay-Wolf is a professional dog trainer and we have big hopes that "Tillie" will be a champion one day in the conformation ring as well as in AKC companion events.  Check out her blog on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ToniAndTillie