The Story of Australian Cobberdogs Elias, and Alita, (BOYS) and Elita (Girl).
Firstly, this litter was never supposed to happen! The dam, Rutlands Style N Grace is ten years of age and she was booked in at the vet to be dexexed. The sire, Rutlands Starry Lil Zephyr (Buster) was only ten months old, so he was still a puppy.
We decided to let him try a mating with another female, DJ. It was very hot here in the Australian summer, but in the relative cool of the early mornings, and when I knew she would be mateable, I let them play together. I never saw a mating, but 2 months later DJ whelped eleven puppies well over half of them with their daddie's unique Parti Color markings and the rest looking just like their beautiful mother. One darling little Parti Color girl was still born so we grieved over her loss, but we didn't have long to sorrow, because there was work to do with DJ and her big brood.
We decided to let him try a mating with another female, DJ. It was very hot here in the Australian summer, but in the relative cool of the early mornings, and when I knew she would be mateable, I let them play together. I never saw a mating, but 2 months later DJ whelped eleven puppies well over half of them with their daddie's unique Parti Color markings and the rest looking just like their beautiful mother. One darling little Parti Color girl was still born so we grieved over her loss, but we didn't have long to sorrow, because there was work to do with DJ and her big brood.
DJ resting with her litter
The 'knowing' eyes of Grace
While all this was going on, 10 year old Grace had been booked in with the vet to be spayed, seeing as she wasn't due to be in season. I was dreading what spaying her would do to her emotionally, because she is such a naturally maternal girl, she always has been, and when someone of her buddies is pregnant or has puppies, Grace can get very jealous.
One day, when I was feeling her over, as I do with all my Cobberdogs, to assess their condition, I said to her-
"Hey Gracie, I think we might have to reduce your meals or snacks, you're getting quite fat!"
To my wonderment, she lay down and rolled over to show me her belly. She only does that when she is pregnant!
So up to the vet we went for an ultra scan, me hoping to goodness that she would show up as empty. Not because of her age, cos she's as fit and athletic as any two year old Cobberdog, but because I really didn't want to have two litters to care for at the same time!
One day, when I was feeling her over, as I do with all my Cobberdogs, to assess their condition, I said to her-
"Hey Gracie, I think we might have to reduce your meals or snacks, you're getting quite fat!"
To my wonderment, she lay down and rolled over to show me her belly. She only does that when she is pregnant!
So up to the vet we went for an ultra scan, me hoping to goodness that she would show up as empty. Not because of her age, cos she's as fit and athletic as any two year old Cobberdog, but because I really didn't want to have two litters to care for at the same time!
Funny thing is, We were only discussing just the other day what a pity it was that Grace's daughter Schatzi has been illegally desexed by her Guardian Home which means Grace's bloodline has come to an unexpected abrupt end! And we commented then what an awesome combination Grace's line would be together with Buster's. With Grace's smarts and temperament combined with Buster's amazing qualities....but I digress!
When DJ's puppies were just 8 days old, Grace whelped effortlessly in her usual fashion. I worked out that young Buster had taken the opportunity to mate with Grace when I was absent at an appointment, and that after mating with DJ he still had enough juice in him to produce three healthy plump amazing quality puppies to Grace! They each have his distinct Parti color markings too, which may darken or fade into their cream color later on. They look white in some lights at the moment but so did Grace too, and yet in real life she has peachy coloured patches here and there.
I am so impressed with these puppies, with their magnificent heads (ample brain room) their great and sound conformation already at birth, and the circumstances around their very existence, that I have dubbed then 'the litter that was meant to be'. Another first for me, in all the years I've been breeding dogs, is that I've named them already at just a day old. Their names mean 'The Chosen Ones' 'The Special Ones' and I know in my heart and spirit that each of them will have a special destiny to fulfil wherever they may go.
Born plump and healthy even before their first feed.
It will be more than fascinating to watch these puppies grow and develop and their individual future families will surface in due time as destiny directs.
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