GOLDSMITH BLOG

It's been a while....

April 4, 2019
It's been a while since I've posted anything...its been pretty quiet around her for the past year.  In August 2018 Blanka whelped a small litter of 2 - The Double Litter. February 25 Blanka started her heat cycle and we were waiting for the timing to arrive to mate her to Dominic.  I did progesterone testing to make sure we would get the timing right and in case we needed to artificially inseminate her.  Dominic arrived in Canada February 1 and this is our first time asking him to perform his studly duties.  Well, he was frustrated, as well as we were, when her heat cycle turned into a false cycle.  After 6 progesterone tests where numbers did not rise to the point of ovulation, we realized that we weren't going to breed her at this time.  I was hoping that it was a split cycle, meaning that in a few weeks, the real heat cycle would start.  That is exactly what happened - on March 26 she started again and by all indications it looks like a true cycle.  No testing this time - I'm going to trust Dominic to tell me where things are at.  Back this up a few weeks - Stella started her cycle a few weeks ago and Dominic bred her naturally Mar 28 & 29 - no A.I. which makes us very happy - if the breeding took, she should have her litter around May 30.  Looking forward to a busy spring/summer with puppies.....when it rains it pours...we expect Reese to cycle in the next month and our plan is to pair her with Dominic.
 

Trying Times

April 27, 2018
In 21 years of breeding goldens, we have come across many situations.  We've always known, the longer we breed, there will be more new situations to deal with.  I am on several breeder forums and read about the different experiences breeders go thru - we have many more to experience.  There was another first this past week.  Juno was about 5 weeks pregnant - seemed to show all the signs of carrying pups - starting Wednesday she refused her dog food....she always has a big appetite so this was...
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Ice Litter 11 days old

December 9, 2017
11 days old - Blanka is doing very well as a first time mom.  She is spending less time in the whelping box and feeds as necessary...this also means that if you snooze you lose.  I weigh the puppies every evening to make sure each puppy gains a decent amount of weight.  10% of their weight per day is a guideline - but the weight gains can differ daily.  There are tummy upsets and this has been the "poopiest" litter I've had in a long time.  10 puppies are 10 poop factories and Blanka's milk i...
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Ice Litter DOB: November 29, 2017

December 1, 2017
The Ice litter has made its arrival, not without some excitement and angst though.  I learn something new with every litter - something new/different happens, mostly negative, and you learn about it, deal with it and move on.  There was a first with this litter....first born was delivered in the back of my Ford Edge!  We need to go back a day to start from the beginning.  Blanka had a temperature drop Monday Nov 27 mid evening.  When the thermometer dips below 37 degrees, you know you should ...
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Glitter Litter has arrived!

August 28, 2016
It's already 6 days after the arrival of the much awaited Glitter Litter.  I thought Juno had started the labor process on Sunday...but Monday came around and there was no progress in the labor.  Just heavy panting on and off and so very uncomfortable - couldn't sit it one place for more than 2 seconds...she was also fairly whiney which was not like her.  I stayed home from work to observe her and as the day grew longer i was getting concerned that we may have to make a trip to the vet.  At 8...
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D Day

August 21, 2016
Today is the due date for the Glitter Litter   Juno & Bingley  All week I thought she wasn't going to wait until due date and here we are.  Her temp dropped this morning to 36.7 C - this means puppies should be born within 24 hours - if this is a textbook delivery - so very likely she'll start tonight - almost never fails - litters are normally born during the night - i suppose going back to  their ancestors birthing during the night because it was safer.  I've only whelped a few litters duri...
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Hollywood Legend Litter 4 weeks old!

June 17, 2016
I am really wondering where the last 4 weeks went!  Can't believe the puppies are 28 days old!  Such changes in the past week.  They've experienced a few firsts:

1.  We expanded their living area from a 4 x 8 whelping pen to a 12 x 12 room.  They were ready - was amazed how steady they were on their 3 week old legs.

2.  The had their first outdoor adventure.  I think I had more fun than the puppies.  They were a bit tentative...weren't sure about the tickley grass underneath their paws.  It wil...
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Hollywood Legend Litter - born May 19 2016

June 8, 2016
I know what you're thinking...it's about time she's blogging!   You're right....don't know if I can really explain the delay....just wasn't feeling it.  Go back 3 weeks ago.....

May 19.....still had 5 days to go for Georgia's due date....the morning started out normal...until I was going out the door to work...let the dogs out one last time and noticed something dark on Georgia's back end.  Thought it was just a twig...when I bent down to take it off, realized it was dark green discharge.  As ...
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The Designer litter's final days with us

October 19, 2015
It was a whirlwind of a weekend...puppy pickup started on Thursday and ended Sunday afternoon. It's almost an empty nest..Ms Orange is still with us.  It was great meeting the families in person - seeing the joy in their faces as they were leaving....it all makes sense in that moment why I am a breeder.  It is a process I love from start to finish....I'm often asked if its' hard to see the puppies go.  Yes, in simple terms.  However, I am a realist and know that at 8 weeks the puppies need to...
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Thankful...

October 11, 2015
I am very thankful for many things in my life...my husband, children, grandchilden, my job, friends,my life, and the freedom we enjoy living in Canada.     Am also very thankful for the Designer Litter.  They have been an easy litter to whelp and to raise...it doesn't get better than this!  As a breeder, we deal with many different situations - from still born pups; pups that have been laid on by mom; cleft palettes, water head, puppies born with no eyes, puppies that don't grow in first 4 we...
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In the home stretch....The Designer Litter

October 9, 2015
We are in the home stretch with the Designer litter.  Almost 7 weeks old and growing like weeds.  At puppy selection weekend, I mentioned to the families that the puppies would be 3-4 pounds heavier when they picked up their puppies at 8 weeks.

They love their outside time - the bigger space to run around - chew on leaves and twigs.  Jayda continues to be attentive...she will do this until the last one leaves.  Still nurses them a few times a day along with their 4 square meals.
They've been de...
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And the picks are in...

October 5, 2015
It was a great but busy weekend....families came out to pick out their puppy - I had the great fortune to meet some very nice people today.  I really don't think there was bad pick....the fact of the matter is that someone had to be picked first and inevitably someone had to be last pick.  The puppies had a good time with their visitors and slept soundly once the day was over.

Something I forgot to mention in my last blog when I was talking about what a good litter this was.  When I was transp...
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Designer Litter 6 weeks old Jayda & Tango

October 4, 2015
This litter rocks!  Not to jinx myself, but this has been one of the easiest litters to raise.  The delivery was uncomplicated; I have not supplement fed one puppy; no health issues, and now, their vet check was as close to perfect as you can get.
The main concerns are heart, eyes, hernias and knee/hip joints, and teeth....perfect checks for all of them.  For the boys, the vet checks if testicles have decended..just Mr White's have not....not a concern as he will be a pet puppy.  This litter d...
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Designer Litter Jayda & Tango 5 weeks old!

September 28, 2015
The last 5 weeks have gone by so quickly.  I am so in love with these puppies...it's been a while since I've had a trouble free litter...knock on wood.   We have a ways to go but am very happy with everything so far.

The puppies are big and appear to be very healthy.  Weight gains are very good - they are now on 4 square meals a day and Jayda still feeds them when she feels it necessary.  By 6.5 weeks I'll start limiting her time with them so they are mostly dependent on solid food.  By 7 week...
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My Happy Place

September 24, 2015
Playing with the puppies is definitely my happy place!  They are so much fun right now - very interactive and so excited to see me.  They are pure sweetness right now...that will change as they get older and more aggressive.

The outdoor play periods have been really good.  Today, they moved around with little fear - explored a big part of the yard - of course they were very curious about the two big dogs behind the gate on the deck.

Eating hasn't been the greatest...don't think I've ever had a ...
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Half Way! Designer Litter Jayda x Tango

September 21, 2015
4 weeks old...half way there.  Apologies for no blog post on Wednesday.  The week got away on me.  The puppies had some major "firsts" this week.  I was away Monday-Wednesday for work and the puppies were in the capable care of my husband Bruce.  When i left, the pups were not very mobile - unsure of their bigger space we gave them.  I got back Wednesday evening and what a change!  I walked in and they were moving around, fighting, obviously very comfortable with their space.  It was as thoug...
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We're on the move Designer Litter Jayda x Tango

September 13, 2015
The designer litter is on the move....still quite wobbly but game to manoever their way around their room.  Up until yesterday their world was a 4 x 8 whelping box - we have now opened it up so they can explore their room - about 10 x 10.
Some are more advernturesome than others...some show their insecurities by growling a lot...all and all they are embracing the extra space.   They can still go to their box - can lie on the blanket that's on the floor....we put shavings on the floor to help k...
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Its a new World!

September 10, 2015
Its a new world for the puppies with eyesight and hearing intact.  They get animated when mom is around and when they hear my voice.  Mr. Orange likes to seek me out when I'm close by.  Some are giving a little woof when they hear my voice - its too cute to describe.  Their little tails are starting to wag.

While they still sleep most of the day away in between feedings, their periods of being awake have increased.  They are starting to mouth at each other...gum a littermate's fur.  Teeth will...
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We can see you!!! The Designer Litter DOB Aug 22/15

September 7, 2015
2 weeks old and their eyes are open.  I'm sure they're not seeing everything yet, but it is exciting that the eyes are open.  Their hearing is improving too...they are responding to noise, especially where it concerns their mom.  Jayda is very attentive and very concerned when I hold a pup....today I tried cutting nails while she was in the room with me...don't think I'll do that again...she kept on nosing the puppy or my hand...think she wanted me to put it back with the others.  Puppies are...
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Ahhh....puppy breath Designer Litter Jayda x Tango

September 3, 2015
Not much has changed in the last post other than the puppies' eyes are almost open - by Friday they will be looking up at me and wondering who the heck is that.  It's been so hot this week so its been difficult to keep the temperature where they are comfortable, yet not too cool that their lives would be jeapordized.   They are still not panting, so that tells me they still can't regulate their own body temperature.  Jayda is looking very skinny trying to keep up with the puppies' constant de...
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GoldSmith Retrievers est 1996