SWISSHAVEN
Great Swiss Mountain Dogs
A lot can happen in 8 weeks!
Below you will find information on how we bring the fur babies in to the world. A lot of research, dedication, love and patience goes in to every dog that leaves my home and everything is done with care, knowledge and experience. We are hobby breeders - this means we attend shows. We have 1-2 litters a year to keep to show, and place the health and happiness of our four-legged family above all other considerations. We endeavour to place any surplus puppies in only the most suitable and prepared homes. We suggest people with an interest in the breed firstly attend Crufts or dog shows , then come and meet our adult dogs and chat when there are puppies around as a distraction! When females are in season and young pups around we do not have visitors but can always find a family who has a Swisshaven dog for people to meet and talk to the owners of their experiences and the great support they get from the breeder. In over 12 yrs no Swisshaven dog has developed and died from Epilepsy and Bloat.
Plan and Prep:
Mum to be Nya with her big belly and Ever-waggy tail pictured.
Only when I am happy that I have chosen the healthiest dogs possible do I breed from them. When the females are mated I do not take any unnecessary risks and therefore the females do not attend shows or events. They stay at home with their daily routines and are monitored closely throughout their pregnancies. I sleep down with the females usually 5 days before the due date because big litters sometimes come a few days early.
Lots of poops and naps: For them that is, not us!
I sleep downstairs near them until the pups are around five weeks old. Maintaining a watchful eye and a structured cleaning regime ensures all goes well for mum and pups, and also starts the delicate process of house-training off on the right foot. I encourage visitors to see the pups from four weeks onwards and begin to see characters and mannerisms come through in each pup.
Arrival:
Hello sleep-deprivation!
I weigh puppies regularly, ensure everyone is suckling well and may supplement with a home made formula especially if it's a large litter, the more I can help mum out the better. I am a waiter-service for her food and water to the whelping box for the first two weeks and ensure she regularly comes out to stretch her legs, have a break and go outside to the loo.
Finding their feet: And their characters!
I hand wean each individual puppy. I want to make sure they learn how to chew - not bolt! After about a week I set up individual feeders, supervised for the correct amounts per pup and to decrease "argy-bargy"! The kids put hands in the feeders like I do, humans are all around as they are eating. At 5 weeks they get chews and we practice taking them away and giving them back. They learn that after meals is poop and nap time. I watch all play sessions and encourage new experiences like tunnels and ball pits.
