Another litter for Lyric??

[Ginny Nightingale]

Cross your fingers everyone--Lyric was bred on Monday--this time it took forever for her progesterone levels to rise, the the breeding was about a week later than usual, so who knows what will happen. But if it worked, she will be due in early February--the dad this time is white and curly so the pups should be creams--what fun!

In the meantime, Rio has been quite a mess since Lyric has started her heat and, of course,  he can't go near her--she was with the breeder for a week and after the breeding, she came home and I brought Rio to a friend who has a great kennel. She has had Rio there before--but now he is older and more macho--I have already started noticing that dog aggression with him is increasing and at the kennel, he has had a very hard time adjusting to all the dogs around him. He is very nervous there and is growling at the other dogs and can't go out to play with them. SO, we have decided that it is not appropriate to keep him intact since this temperament trait is not desirable.....he is going to be neutered next week. It is a shame since he is such a handsome boy and is so good with our dogs and our family, but I agree with the breeder that temperament is most important. I also am anxious to see if he calms down after the surgery--he is a hyper-alert dog these days and I think the testosterone may be to blame--he has his "woman" (Lyric) to protect from other males and it is making him a bit crazed. 

It will be a relief to have this over with and then we can move on and hopefully raise another gorgeous litter--I am picking him up tomorrow before I go to visit my dad and he can come with me on a mini-vacation--it will do him good and will get him out of the kennel--then off to the vet he goes!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

It makes you have sympathy for the breeders who have intact males and females all too often.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Picked up Rio from the kennel (he finally relaxed by the third day) and took him to my dad's where he was very well behaved--especially the first day since he was exhausted!! Now I have him home again and of course, hs momma is here, so here we go again! Lots of gates and whimpering....he will be neutered on Wednesday, but vet daughter tells me that the males can remain able to fertilize for up to 6 weeks--oh dear! Just another week to go with Lyric though and she should be safe (and hopefully pregnant!)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Good luck with the breeding.  This would be her last litter????  Rio is gorgeous, but I'll bet he will be happier after losing the hormones....

[Karen Kennedy]

Good luck with the breeding of Lyric! I am so sad for you but also must commend you on your decision to put temperament top on your list for breeding dogs. I cannot tell you how many breeders don't do this.

Karen

Sunrise Australian Labradoodles

[Bonnie and Kona]

Hoping to add my congratulations to you and Lyric soon. So glad to hear your breeder is making the wise choice for temperament coming before beauty in criteria for breeding. It's a choice I wish all breeders would make. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thanks everyone--and Sheila--brilliant poem!! It cheered me up!! I guess I was really attached to the idea of little black and white pups--and this is more emotional than I thought--but once it is over, I am sure I will be really glad we did it--and I agree that any speck of dog aggression is just not desirable and it is the right thing to do. You are totally right that those pups would have sold quickly--The other stud dogs in the program are totally "chill" so I guess I was hoping for the same thing with Rio--but not to be!

This is Lyric's third litter and most likely her last. We will decide after the pups are gone about whether or not to spay her--the breeding contract is fulfilled after that litter but if she has an easy time with it, we may go for one more and I will be a co-owner of the litter. BUT, the decision is based on how Lyric does and if she is in good health, etc, we will think it over. She would be 5 by then, so one more would be it for sure. She is what I call a "princess mom" who spends very little time with the pups after a few weeks of devotion so most of the work falls on me and it is not too tough on her at all--we'll see.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really respect you and your breeder for putting temperament first in your breeding program. It should also make your life so much easier.  Will this be Lyric's last litter or does she have one more to go? 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Good luck for all of you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I also think your breeder made the right decision, and I think life will easier and Rio will be a happier guy soon! Good luck with both mama & son. 

[Sheila & Finnley]

Good luck to Ginny's "Lyric",
hope you'll be a mama soon.
Rio will still protect you, he just won't be a raving loon.
Now Rio please be brave, and wear that cone of shame.
You'll still be the big man doodle, but you won't drive yourself insane.
So good luck with your snipping. It will all be over soon,
and you'll be a happier doodle, and the Nightingale's will croon !