We're looking forward to...

[Bernie's mom]

We're looking forward to...
Wiggles & snuffles waking us up in the morning...
Little white paws & a little orange nose under the bathroom door...
Sparkly eyes peeking at us at the edge of the bed...
Celebrating the success of learning a new trick...

Puppy sighs... omg <3

Telling everyone her name!

[AuntieMom]

SQUEAL!!!! More input, more input, more input.

[gagesbarb]

and the name is??????

[Bernie's mom]

a year to go... let's see if we can hold out.
I get up in the morning & I can almost hear the clicking of nails & the pitter patter of puppy feet!

[Bernie's mom]

Gagesbarb, we're really going to try to keep the name a secret! We want a girl this time, &
I told Kevin my name idea & he absolutely loves it!

[Bernie's mom]

Gagesbarb, we're really going to try to keep the name a secret! We want a girl this time, &
I told Kevin my name idea & he absolutely loves it!

[AuntieMom]

Can't wait to hear about it. I can see The Bern smiling.

[Ron]

Can't wait to hear about it. I can see The Bern smiling.

The same here, will be watching closely.

[gagesbarb]

so have you settled on a breeder, or are you still exploring? Glad you have your neighbor's pup to cuddle to hold you over until your girl arrives

[Bernie's mom]

I've contacted 2 breededs & will get in touch again next month to set up visits. One breeder sends them home potty trained, she had lots of great stories. I'd like to visit the other breeder as well tho.

[gagesbarb]

I have a good friend who has bred welsh terriers for years and believes that in addition to all the health issues, breeders have an obligation to make sure the puppies are started out with the appropriate socialization/behavior development experiences. She does this neurological stimulation program with puppies, starting almost at birth. She makes sure the puppies are exposed to all kinds of people (she also makes sure they are not overwhelmed) and when you go to play with puppies at her house, the puppies have to sit before you can pick them up. Once they are 7 weeks, she begins to have them sleep in little crates to help them learn to handle separations. She doesn't let her puppies go to their homes until 14-16 weeks, although their new families are encouraged to visit and take the puppies to puppy class. She feels that if terriers are not socialized appropriately during that critical period, you have big problems...but that is terriers...
so, would be interesting to hear from the breeders you are working with what they do about early socialization experiences...

[Bernie's mom]

That is an axcellent question that I will be sure to ask!

[Muddy Creek Britts]

Guess I have to come here more often to get the good gossip.

[janet909]

Congrats !!!!! I know we will get a puppy some day. Until then, I will live vicariously through you and your pictures !!!!

[Bernie's mom]

Hi!
We went to the breeder yesterday to meet them and their dogs. 6 adult female brittanies with two litters of pups as well as strangers coming in and out, and not one snap, growl or tussle amungst them. VERY impressive! 3 week old and 6 week old puppies... be still my heart!
(side note: the 3 week old litter was not their breeding, but the dam was one of their pups, they're just helping out).
We put some money down, momma Summer should come into heat in january to give us a new baby to bring home in may!
Summer is a L/W, but her last litter with an orange sire produced only one l/w pup. We have our hearts set on an o/w female with momma's markings, and because we're early for that litter we were first and so have pick of the litter. Summer and I sat snuggled on the floor and had a little heart to heart, and a belly rub sealed the deal.

I swear I can still smell the puppy breath when I look at the pics I took... <3