Lyric's first heat

[Ginny Nightingale]

Well, it finally happened on Lyric's 1 1/2 birthday! She is fully in heat now after a very small one at around one year of age. Her breeder and I decided to wait until she is 2 years old to breed her. She is still so immature--very puppy-ish. I don't want to rush her into anything. Since she is an ALD, I think the papa will be as well. Can't wait until the next heat--that should be the one for breeding! I will be retired by then, so I will have lots of time at home to be with her.

My neighbor just brought over a present for me. It's a toy that is a robotic labradoodle puppy that cries, moves its head, opens and closes its eyes, barks, sleeps--what a riot! The good news is that Lyric, our future mommy, sniffed it gently and nuzzled it. Mattie, on the other hand, is my prey-driven LD. She kept biting at it and licking her lips! Luckily, Lyric's pups will be born at the breeder's house and not here with hungry Mattie!!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Well, I have to admit that I won't be doing ANY of the work--my breeder has a contract with me for Lyric to have puppies for her. She picks the sire and delivers the pups and sells them and I get some of Lyric's purchase price returned (plus I got a big discount on her original price). OR I can opt to select a puppy which I am hoping I can resist doing. I also have a daughter who is about to become a vet, so that will help! But I will do a lot of research anyway so I can be on the look out for any problems during the pregnancy.

[Deb McD]

I bred my doodle at 3.5yrs of age. I was lucky my dtr was home from university at the time of the births. Lots of work - glad to hear you will be retired. It was such a wonderful experience. Watch lots of You tube deliveries - they were a big help.