Puppies are coming! Puppies are coming!

Well, after a harrowing day of re-routing at least four times, we arrived at the vets for our ultra sounds. For those that don't know, the New England states have been slammed with lots of rain and flooding for a few days. Bridges are washed away, roads a flooded, and getting from 'here to there' was like negotiating an agility course! :+(

The good news is Harriet Potter's little belly showed about nine puppies! The other good news is Miss Annabelle only showed one. Why is this good? Because the puppies will enjoy TWO lunch bars as both mommies will share the feeding duties. Both girls are excellent mothers and I just have to switch the pups around every now and again.

Of course, surprises can always happen and either one could have more since U/S isn't done for numbers, but rather to determine pregnancy (some pups hide - little stinkers!). I will do x-rays closer to their delivery time to have exact numbers.

So, although these past few days in N.E. have been a bit soggy, life is good!

Zaccheus of Connecticut Labradoodles

(remember to click the pic for enlargements!)
I didn't know what to expect when I made the trip to meet Zack with Harriet Potter. I had always used artificial insemination with my other litters and this was to be our first 'natural' mating. Well, it was 'love at first site' for both Harriet and me. An absolute sweetheart in every way. He is gentle, has a real desire to please, smart, obedient and calm. His coat is a soft wool blend, non-shedding with enough curl to spiral if left long and enough 'body' when kept short.

But since I don't live with Zack, I asked that his owner say a few words about him. Here is what April said.

'He loves to play ball, especially if I have two balls and Peeka joins in. He gets along with everyone and really enjoys life.....always so happy and content. If you ask him "What does a good boy do?" He immediately sits down (he is very proud that he learned this trick and always looks at Peeka like....see what I just did!).

Zack is extremely smart, loves to learn new things and then show off what he has learned. He also has a mischievous side that is just too funny. He has never done anything out of spite. He always checks with me when he is doing something wrong - almost like asking "What do you think....should I be doing this or not?" When I tell him 'Not', he happily goes along to find one of his toys and then looks at me as if to say "this ok?"

Zack is such a little bundle of joy - loves to cuddle and kiss. He actually puts his arms around me when he is in my lap to give me a hug.....extremely affectionate. He loves to play with my 6 year old son and is very gentle with him. When they are done playing, Zack almost always gives my son a kiss.

Alright, I'm done bragging about Zack - can you tell he is my little pride and joy??? He has so much personality it just amazes me. He is my best friend. :+)

What a sweet match!

This full shot of Zaccheus (left) shows how well these two are suited. They are such a perfect couple! Both have soft wool/fleece coats that do not shed and are great for those with 'coat' allergies. Their pups should be simply adorable! :+)

I am expecting a rainbow litter from these two in a variety of creams/apricots, a couple cafe's and perhaps a lovely black or two. These will be miniature in size. (under 17 inches)

Really, what do all those website logos mean?

I am delving into a political arena with this post as I try to put a perspective to what I view as 'misleading information'. Please do your own research to see if you come out with the same questions that I do.

As you peruse websites, you are obviously impressed by those breeders who seem to display numerous 'logos' that show membership in various organizations. Just what do those logos really mean? Is it just a form of glorified advertising or do they have any substance? Who do they really benefit? Are all of them necessary to belong to? Why?

From where I sit, there are two organizations worthy of serious consideration if you are looking for a doodle. Keep in mind, no two breeders offer the same program, have identical mindsets, or agree on infusions or outcrossing to other breeds. However, both require some serious health testing.

• First and foremost is the PREMIUM BREEDERS site. This listing was started after other organizations were in full swing with members, board of directors and even required client feedback. All these original organizations were informative and some provided excellent links for research and reading which was of great benefit to many. But what was seriously lacking was the inclusion of 'written proof of testing for health' from the breeders themselves. Most claimed they did testing on their websites, but very few could prove it. The PREMIUM BREEDERS listing was the first of its kind for numerous (not just basic) mandatory testing of all foundation and multi-generational stock. This was not the case for any of the other organizations at the time. The PREMIUM BREEDERS site set the stage for defining quality breeding programs.
• The second group is the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA). The ALAA members are advised to 'upgrade' in a timely fashion or face removal.  These are the kind of     consequences that will continually improve the health of our hybrid.

These two organizations imply ethical breeding  by action and proof - not promises and clever marketing, BUT it is up to the individual looking for a Labradoodle to REQUEST seeing PROOF OF ALL TESTS claimed on any breeder's site or through any organization. So when you are searching for a breeder to purchase from, ask for copies of test results.   No proof?  Move on. 


I have often wondered if some of the yearly fees associated with belonging to those organizations are justified. Some are pretty steep and others are very reasonable. This brings us back to my original question about logos. I have come to the following conclusion:

'Logos are like stickers you see on cars - some are worth reading and others just take up space'

Indigestion or.........??

(click to enlarge)
This morning I heard 'aaaack, aaaackk...' I thought, 'someone has to go outside - and quickly'! Both Harriet and I ran down the hall and got the door open just in time for her to display 'Morning Sickness'!!! I believe the semen have landed and are replicating. :+) I have scheduled a palpation from her vet for April 17th to 'confirm my suspicions'. Very exciting!!!

Rumple is so fine. :+)

(click to enlarge)
Rumple is such a gentle man. I decided to trim him up before I deliver him to his guardian family. He was so patient and even turned over so that I could trim his belly. Of course, belly rubs were his ultimate goal (smart as well as exceedingly charming!)

Harriet's Prince Charming 's name is Zaccheus!

(Click to enlarge)
This is 'Happy Zaccheus'. That big smile is because he and Harriet 'tied the knot' a few minutes prior. (blush..)

What a gentleman he is. A beautiful soft curly coat of fleece and wool which is wonderful for allergy sufferers. A true mini of barely 16 inches and 21 lbs. A very 'distinctive' mini man who is very well behaved and cuddled on the lap of his owner. He comes from a wonderful pedigree background of Australian Labradoodle Multigens and excellent, proven testing results.

We are so hoping that their tryst will result in a litter of curly Australian Multigens in colors of creams, chocolate/cafes and little 'replicas' of black Zacks!