Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 9:40 am Post subject: Keeping two from our litter?
Hello, first time posting but I need some urgent advice!
Our choccie had a fabulous litter of eight, and they're all heading off to their new homes this weekend. It was always our intention to keep one of the boys, so he'll be staying with us.
However, it became clear yesterday that one of the homes was unsuitable because of socialisation issues with their existing dog - in short, I think the bitch they'd selected was at risk of serious injury or worse. We've been working with this family to help, but concluded that their dog simply isn't ready to accept a puppy. We handed back the deposit. Sad, but the pup's interest has to come first.
We could resell, but this little girl is wonderful, and we're very tempted to keep her as well. I know the wisdom of never *buying* two from the same litter because of sibling bonding, but a breeder friend whom I respect very much said that because this is our litter, the pups will see us as the pack, and that problem won't arise. Both pups are very gentle (like their mum) and we always wanted to end up with three anyway...
I know people who've kept two from their own litters and they have had exactly the same problems as anyone else having two pups together. So it's up to you, but personally, I wouldn't risk it unless I had to.
Do you have the time, energy, finances and patience to cope with raising and training 2 pups of the same age who are likely to have a strong bond with each other and possibly their mother as opposed to you...
I don't think it will make things any easier because you are their breeder as opposed to a buyer. They will cause just as much havoc for you as they would a buyer!
And remember that keeping an intact boy and an intact girl will raise problems when she comes into season... a brother and sister mating or even a mum and son mating will cause a whole wealth of health problems for pups and it isn't easy to keep dogs seperate when they really WANT to be together
Well done for not selling your pup to an unsuitable home and for returning the deposit.
It was never our expectation that having two would be in some way easier (I always wonder at that sort of muddled thinking!), and we wouldn't be keeping the boy intact - I'm not precious about my lads hanging onto their puppy-making parts
And yes, it was tough to say 'no' particularly since the family are (or as of today more likely 'were') friends. We were confident that they were taking steps to sort their big lab out, but clearly it hasn't worked. Still feeling sorry for them and particularly their kids.
Interesting that you have experience of this going wrong for others. I guess I was hoping that there was a magic bullet if we bred them ourselves...
Watch this space, might be posting a rush advert up in the puppy pages...
There are no magic bullets, wands, dust,....... when it comes to pups unfortunately!
Glad to hear that you will be sorting out the puppy-making parts to prevent accidents!
Keeping the girl and training and socialising her until the correct home comes along is you being a responsible breeder IMO, And then if that home never comes along at least the girl has one! You'll find a mixture of experiences on here - those that have made 2 siblings work but wouldn't recommend it to others, those that have tried it and failed, those that have found it a great success! It depends on you, the character of the dogs and the time, focus and energy IMO.
I wouldn't do it but then I'm now a fan of owning adult dogs and rescues rather then pups! Luna fulfilled my pup broodiness for a while - and having just one pup was more than enough for me!
I've kept litter brothers and sisters - one year I actually kept 4 back - but I'm a full time gundog trainer so I've got the time and facilities to do it. It can be done as long as you split the two of them up - Yes, they can have playtime together but you must take them out individually and you must also train them individually: they DO NOT train themselves and let alone each other so double the work - can be compared to having twins rather than one baby .
Natasha
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WLF All the Way!!!!
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you canīt eat it or hump it. **** on it and walk away..."
Hello Tobes, sorry you are going through this - but we are very excited to be collecting our little lady tomorrow! (I truly hope you are who I think you are!!)
Knowing you, as I do - I truly think you could make it work keeping 2....tough decision though, I certainly don't envy you.
I am pretty sure I would'nt want to be in your shoes, but just want to say that your predicament is almost the same as our breeder almost three years ago when we got our pup.
She had one little girly returned in less than a week, having kept her pick of the litter [also a girl] it was decided that returned pup would stay even though it messed up her plans for future.
Like you there was 5 labs including the sibling pups. We met up quite a lot and the sisters were great, full of fun as you would expect from youngsters, the breeder and her hubby had worked hard with them and they were doing really well, their recall at 6 months was excellent, they new who was boss and I don't think there was any regrets. [I think they were probably better behaved when out, than our pup at 6 months ]
The downside if I remember correctly, was the destruction the littluns got up to when left, they were'nt crated at all, but breeder was pretty ok with it, could manage a joke and smile when telling about the mischief they got up to.
I think the pups learnt a lot from the older dogs in the house also, big decision for you, but am sure you will make the right one for you.
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