Mohr Bouviers

From the time of conception to the time each puppy starts their new lives with their families there are many decisions to be made, anxious hours of waiting, sleepless nights, countless time spent working with each puppy and the list goes on. We take this job to heart and realize how important those five+ months are to each puppy.

It all starts with deciding which male to breed to our female. We know what we are looking for in our puppies and do our best to create that perfect match. The most important being the temperament of the puppies. Your dog can be perfect when it comes to conformation and have champion bloodlines but if it does not have a great temperament is it not a dog we would like coming from Mohr Bouviers. These dogs are too large and powerful not to be even tempered.

Once that decision is made we wait to see if the breeding takes. Even though we do not know for sure if our female is pregnant we start feeding them like they are pregnant. That means they get converted to a good quality puppy food and plain whole milk yogurt is added to their diet. This is not only important to Mom but the probiotics and calcium are good for developing puppies.

All of our Bouviers receive conventional immunizations along with various herbal and holistic supplements to support their immune system and overall wellness. When one of our females is bred we continue with these supplements and add additional products to support the uterus throughout pregnancy and the birthing process. We use products that are not only helpful for Mom but also for the developing puppies. The supplements are continued once the puppies are born and throughout lactating. This is all done in an effort to give each puppy the very best start in life we can give them.

As the time approaches we start watching closely for signs of labor. Usually as the time grows close, Karl starts sleeping on the sofa in our living room. The nights are long with Lola (this year) coming over during the night, wanting to go outside since bladder control is a thing of the past for the time being. Then in and out of the whelping box continually scratching at the paper to make sure it is “just right.” This year this went on for about four days with Lola deciding to have her puppies during the day. That was greatly appreciated since I took the day off thinking “she is not going to make it though another day.”

The entire birthing process is truly a miracle but very nerve wracking for those watching and supporting. Thoughts go through your mind like “did we make the right decision, what if anything happens to either Mom or puppies.” But after many hours the puppies are all born, dried off, weighed, ribbons are tied around their necks for identification and notes taken for our records. The paper has been changed in the whelping box too many times to remember but everyone is fine and nursing happily. Mom is doing great, drinking water and eating a light dinner.

Then starts the raising process… This entails continuing to sleep downstairs to make sure everyone gets to eat during the night and that no one is laid on. This can happen easier then you think. Especially with large litters, it is hard for Mom to keep track of where all the puppies are and they wiggle around and sometimes end up under her. So that becomes Karl’s job to help Mom during the night if he hears any crying or squealing to check and do a puppy count. Needless to say by the time the puppies are two weeks old and Karl thinks the puppies are old enough to get out of harm’s way, the sleepless nights come to an end.

The puppies are handled from the time they are born. We hold each puppy so they get used to human contact. They are touched all over and rubbed which is a technique called Cradle and Massage and is part of Positive Reinforcement Training. Each puppy learns they are safe when being held and come to enjoy this time. We also make notations on each puppy’s reaction to this whole new adventure.

As the puppies start escaping from the whelping box it is time to think about putting up the exercise pen. This allows them to run around in an enclosed safe area. Although by this time the puppies have started on baby rice cereal mixed with water soaked puppy food and plain whole milk yogurt, they still get to be with Mom, if she allows them to nurse. We do not wean the puppies. Instead we let Mom wean the puppies. Believe me when those teeth start coming in Mom makes it very clear she does not want any of the puppies to nurse. But it is important for her to continue to be part of their lives. She starts to play with them and lets them know when they are getting out of control. These are things a puppy can only learn from another dog and who better than Mom. When the puppies have had their shots they can go outside and start exploring the farm with Mom, along with Uncle Houdini, Uncle Jethro and Grandma Belle. They play in the front yard at first then venture into the hay field under the watchful eye of Mom and her back-up.

The farm offers many new experiences and life lessons to be learned. There are all the new smells, sights and sounds on the farm. They get to experience grass under their paws, (for the brave) puddles to splash in, hills to run up and roll down. Then there is the always amusing game of hide in the tall grass and pounce on your littermate, usually ending up with a good chase! This is one of my favorite times with a new litter. Watching them being introduced to the outside world. Some are braver then others but before too long they are all playing and enjoying the farm.

Before too long and much too quickly comes the time we have been preparing for, letting each puppy move onto their new home and new role. This time is met with bittersweet emotions. We are so proud of each and every puppy and happy to see the excitement in the faces of their new families. But this time also brings some sadness in letting go. But in the end, letting go and sharing these wonderful creatures is why we starting breeding Bouviers. With that thought in the back of our minds we give each puppy a huge hug and a kiss and let them start out on their new adventure.

This is why we LOVE hearing from everyone with the latest funny, sweet or curious thing your puppy has done. This is especially easy to do via our website’s contact form or by dropping us an email at linda@mohrbouviers.com.

So if you decide to add a Mohr Bouvier to your family, know that each puppy is raised with a lot of love, dedication and joy.