Preparation Is Key
Having a litter of puppies can be hard work. We are going to try to help guide you through the struggles with advice from experienced breeders. The first thing you must understand is that you're going to have to be mentally prepared to tend to the pups multiple times a day every day. The key thing to keep in mind before having a litter of pups is preparation. Some things to think about are potential buyers and upkeep.
Potential Buyers
You want to get the word out that you are on the verge of having a litter of dogs. Retriever forums, trainers, social media, and of course family and friends are a great way to get the word out. You don’t want to wait until your puppies are born to start looking for potential buyers. Get the word out in advance!
The key to having success in the breeding world is building your reputation. Most of your reputation comes from your dog. Sending your dog through hunt/field trial tests to earn titles, raises the bar when it comes to breeding options. The higher your dog is titled, the more someone with a well known dog wants to breed with you. A strong reputation allows you to get rid of puppies easier and can raise the price per puppy, which puts more money in your wallet.
Upkeep
Again, you don’t want to wait until your litter is here to get the supplies you need for the upkeep of your litter. First, you need to have a place in mind out of the weather where you can house your puppies. Typically, people use garages, carports, basements, etc. Second, a water supply is essential for cleaning purposes, so make sure you house your pups in an area that can easily be accessed by a water supply. Read on to discover products that will make taking care of your litter a breeze!
Here’s some products that will make the upkeep of your litter a whole lot easier:
Whelping Box - A whelping box is essential when having a litter of pups. It houses your puppies to keep them safe and warm, and will also make your life a whole lot easier. Whelping boxes are short enough to allow your dam to get in and out, but tall enough so your puppies can’t get out. Purchasing a whelping box with a removable floor allows for easy cleaning and is a must in the breeding word. (Link Below)
Kennels - Wire kennels allow for another layer of security for your dam and pups. A kennel surrounding your whelping box adds security by letting nothing in or out. There are many types and sizes of kennels, but we found that a 5’x10’ (Link Below) kennel is the most accommodating. This size kennel allows you to put a large whelping box inside and leaves room for you to take care of business without having to enter the box. Purchasing a kennel is not a must, but can make things easier for upkeep.
Cleaning Your Area - One of the most crucial tasks of caring for your litter is cleanliness. At birth, your dam will clean the puppies and the surrounding area as she well as she can, but there are things you can do to help out as well. One of the best sanitizers and deodorizers on the market is Wysiwash (Link Below). This product is advertised as being “scientifically designed to accurately deliver consistent levels of active chlorine. The Wysiwash Sanitizer-V sanitizes, deodorizes, and neutralizes mold/algae spores. '' Simply drop in a tablet, hook to your hose and start spraying. No mixing, rinsing, and no wait time! Another product that will help with the cleanliness of your litter’s area is a whelping box liner. These liners absorbs and contains liquids and allow for a sanitary whelping area. The liners are machine washable, easy to clean, durable, and long-lasting!(Link Below)
Keeping Your Pups Warm - Puppies cannot maintain body heat for the first few weeks after birth. A heat lamp (Link Below) is necessary if your litter is born during winter time. The larger the litter you have, the less heat you need to have. If your puppies get too cold, it may result in sickness and can sometimes be fatal.
Puppy ID’s - When you begin to have people interested in your puppies, the best way to keep them apart is by purchasing different color collars for each one (Link Below). This will make your life a whole lot easier. When someone comes and picks out a pup, simply put a collar on and write down the individual’s information corresponding with the collar color.
Hopefully we have guided you in the right direction for your upcoming litter. Stay tuned for upcoming blogs. Leave comments if your have any questions and let us know what else you would like to see! Thank you for supporting Magnum Retrievers!
