A few random Breeding questions!

Piratebears

Piratebears

New member
Hi all,
I have been on and off the site many times over the years since getting my first Newf Ella 9 years ago.We are now at the stage where we are getting ready for our first litter next season with our girl Minnie ( 2 and a half ) and I am in the middle of compiling my very own 'Bible' filled with all the info i might need and will no doubt forget just when i need it most! this is where i hope some of you can help,as most breeding books are bot breed specific!
1.What is the average room temperature i should keep my whelping box at ? (20 degree c ?)
2.Average birth weight of a healthy Newf?
3.Bitch weight gain during pregnancy-roughly a 5th of starting body weight?
4.What food do you feed your bitch during pregnancy and early whelping?
5.Heat pad / heat lamp?

I'm sure I'll have a million more questions as and when I get further through the 'bible' ! thanks guys x
 
Danielle and Merlin

Danielle and Merlin

New member
Good to see you back! I'm not qualified to answer your questions (I've yet to breed my first littler), but I would suggest that you go to the NCA's website and check out the list of breeder mentors: http://ncanewfs.org/education/pages/breedermentormap.html

These people have many collective years of experience and are willing to help out the 'newbie'. Even if you are in England, you may find a breeder who knows one closer to you. Here is a link to the UK club: http://www.thenewfoundlandclub.co.uk/

Good luck!
 
Capri

Capri

New member
You should get "The book of the bitch" written by Evans & White. It is THE book with the most helpful tips and the most information. I whole heartedly recommend it! Though I also recommend having an experienced breeder a phone call's away..

The room should be warm enough for the puppies, but cool enough for the mother.. That's the dilemma we solved by shutting down the underfloor heating (keeping the floor cool, but placing a warm mattress (long and thing) for the puppies to lay on the mother's side (suckling) without getting too cool), keeping the air at a normal temperature (fairly warm for the first two weeks, then you can start cooling it off), and also having an infrared heater over the puppies when they weren't suckling (though that we keep on at low to make sure the pups aren't too hot and don't get dehydrated because of the heat).

Basically if the puppies aren't gaining weight, it means that it's too cold, if they get agitated or try to move as far from each other as possible / to cooler grounds, that means it's too hot.. You'll get a feel to it pretty quickly. But at least by two weeks you shouldn't need any more extra heat as the pups' coats will start thickening (by 3,5-4,5 weeks they are already getting their first steps in snow and LOVING the coldness..)

The average birth weight varies, but around 450-550g is normal (with 10% variation). It depends on the litter size; if it's a big litter the pups will be born smaller, if it's a small litter, they'll be bigger.. You'll be able to see if any of the puppies look abnormally small or large when you look at the litter as a whole.

They get bigger.. We never weigh our girls during pregnancy, but you can imagine that every puppy will be at least 1kg more..

We feed raw food, but don't suggest it to anyone who hasn't done it before.
 
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Piratebears

Piratebears

New member
Thanks so much guys - I have a good few friends close by who have been a wealth of information,but as Im filling out my 'Bible' I dont always want to keep ringing up with silly questions as the pop into my head - most of which Ive probably asked a million times and do know - but like to check ..and re check !
The book of the bitch is on my night stand,its great,but I like to get personal accounts,and also,its not breed specific so Its great to hear from Newfy people.
Capri - did you come over to Wales for some water trials at all this year?
 
Piratebears

Piratebears

New member
Aha ! we were also there with our two greys and brown girl! Les and Jude always put on the best tests! next year we hope to have our first litter,then the year after we hope to travel a bit ith ours to do some other tests,we met Koen (not sure if spelt correctly) and really would like to do one of the Newfoundland weeks in August
 
Capri

Capri

New member
Yes, they definitely DO :) !! Yes, it's Koen. We trained with them a few times (though over five years ago already :lol: ), but have never made it to their waterwork camp yet as we always spend our summers in Finland.. maybe next year, who knows ?!

Cru'Ella is definitely my favorite, though I have a soft spot for the browns ;) !!
 
Piratebears

Piratebears

New member
Cru'Ella has done so well bless her - she has passed all of the water levels and all of the draught levels and little Minnie is following in her footsteps having passed a-d and levels 1-3 - now she will take a break for some babies! then we hope in 2012 to do the water camp! should be great fun!
 
Sound Bay Newfs

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
I use both a heat lamp and a heating pad. The lamp is secured outside the box so there can be no mishaps. It is facing into the box so it heats the area. Newf pups are usually born between 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. It is best to keep the bitch on her regular food and increase towards the end of the pregnancy.
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
Yup. "Book of the Bitch" Is my doggie bible. Tons of information and my copy is beat up but still readable. Best investment in my opinion.
 
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