Iida the terrier's maternity diary

[Finsky]

Ok...it is time to spill the beans.....I'm too excited to keep my secret quiet any longer!
So after months of soul searching, debating for and against having a third dog into our household...I came to conclusion that I will have a go of breeding iida and keeping one of the possible pups for ourselves.
Despite that only just over couple of years ago I have never been interested of having a pup, all of the sudden I changed my mind, not only once but then I had the second pup for a year later!
I have also said that I would NEVER put Iida through having pups from her..and here I am...having a urge to put myself and her through the mill of hard work and sleepless nights, wee...poo and all that. But I feel like I need to complete this dog 'circle' from learning first from 'second hand dogs'...then bringing up two pups that I'm very happy how they have turned out to be (so far) so I have one more step to go through. And our life situation makes it now possible to do it for practical reasons as well.
Last few months I have exchanged quite a number of messages with @excuseme who has been 'training' me by sharing her experience with lots of advise and tips.

I have been in touch with Iida's breeder who have been very helpful as well, sharing his experience with Iida's mum, in my search for a stud I came across with Iida's dad and his owner. I have already been gifted with a 'book of bitch' and I have bought and read numerous books old and new about Iida's type of terriers to find out more about if it is indeed is a good idea for end up with yet another terrier. And my search for that answer have proven to be inconclusive...there is no knowing as some people have been successful and others not. There is no magic formulae to it. Some people got it, some don't...it can be about luck..dogs personalites..etc etc.

I've already spent sleepless nights reading information online..hoovering in anything and everything into my tiny brain that might come useful.

It took good two months to find suitable stud that I liked and that the owner of the dog was easy to get on with. There is some 'funny' folk out there... And this 'virus time' didn't help with the search neither.
Little by little some of the details have lodged into their places and things have started to look like my plans might come into reality.

Carrying on this on next post...

 

[Finsky]

Yes...I'm rattling but I will get to it soon...

So last week Iida started her 4th season and I had stud viewed and ready for action...we saw vet for check up...we had registered Iida for another vet as well for ultrasound and possible puppy 'work'.
Then yesterday her 7th day in season arrived and all of the sudden we had lots of 'sisterly' love going on in a house...Iida was standing and willing to be 'mock mated'!?
By all the advice and what I had read...she was tad early for proper action!?
Today we decided to pay a visit to see the stud...just to see if she is indeed interested and if not, at least they've had then chance to get little bit more acquainted with each other. So nothing lost either way.
This afternoon...our 'first timer' got out of car and she was straight 'at it'... 'Go on then boy...get on with it!'
She was truly a trooper...didn't 'bat a eye lid' and afterwards if there would have been a 'cigarette' there for her to puff, she would have leaned back and closed her eyes
And I was fully prepared to face various complications or rejection...I'm rather surprised about the ease of her first attempt.
"well hello there...." "oh get on with it boy!" :

 

[excuseme]

Oh so exciting I hope we get loads of pictures when it all happens.

Good luck.
.

 

[JudyN]

Ooh, what wonderful news - I'm really looking forward to following her progress. If only all prospective breeders did so much research first.

 

[Finsky]

Oh so exciting I hope we get loads of pictures when it all happens.

Good luck.
.

Oh yes....I suspect there might be a flood of them to come. Particularly if things turn out to be 'productive'.
I learned so much from your diary entries that maybe somebody will benefit from my first timer experiences.
But even is she doesn't get court at first time round...that too is good lesson to learn and I'd like to share it as well.

 

[Finsky]

Ooh, what wonderful news - I'm really looking forward to following her progress. If only all prospective breeders did so much research first.

Iida is so precious to me that I will do my utter most to do it as 'proper' as possible. There is no room for many mistakes.

 

[Finsky]

Oh...one more thing I'd like to add. Not only do I put ourselves through this to get another dog for us but I already have few close circle (experienced with these sort of terriers) friends that would quite likely end up with some if not most of the pups.
One of our friends not long ago lost his terrier and it was SO devastating for him that it hurt everybody's hearts to see him suffer with the loss.
I would be most pleased and honoured to put smile back of his face again with possible new friend. He has already been involved with the planning and research and he has very much a soft spot for Iida. But the idea having possible pups living nearby and able to follow up and see how they grow up is very appealing indeed..it would be a nice extra bonus for this all.

 

[Josie]

Wow how exciting @Finsky and thank you for sharing this journey with us!

@excuseme did a wonderful puppy diary where we all got to share her journey and it was great. I also think important educational experience for people to understand how the whole process works (properly!)

 

[Finsky]

Wow how exciting @Finsky and thank you for sharing this journey with us!

@excuseme did a wonderful puppy diary where we all got to share her journey and it was great. I also think important educational experience for people to understand how the whole process works (properly!)

When I first read through it, at the time I didn't have no idea yet how relevant and full of useful info it would one day prove to be. It is interesting read even without any particular motives. Now it is like a guide for me to follow up in my journey.

 

[Hemlock]

What lovely news! You are in for a rollercoaster of exhaustion, worry and delight.

Couple of bits of advice: Start stockpiling newspaper NOW. You won't believe how much you get through. And it all has to be disposed of once used, so you need a plan for that.
Warn your vet of due date. Everything will probably go just right, but just in case it doesn't, it's helpful for the vet to know in advance of the birth. Don't forget to advise the practice once pups are born so they can stand down the duty alert! If your pups are going to be workers and therefore have to be docked, you need to sort that out with the practice in advance as not all will do it. Your breeder will be able to help with alternatives if so. If you don't want them docked, they don't have to be.

Looking forward to puppy pics!

 

[Finsky]

What lovely news! You are in for a rollercoaster of exhaustion, worry and delight.

Couple of bits of advice: Start stockpiling newspaper NOW. You won't believe how much you get through. And it all has to be disposed of once used, so you need a plan for that.
Warn your vet of due date. Everything will probably go just right, but just in case it doesn't, it's helpful for the vet to know in advance of the birth. Don't forget to advise the practice once pups are born so they can stand down the duty alert! If your pups are going to be workers and therefore have to be docked, you need to sort that out with the practice in advance as not all will do it. Your breeder will be able to help with alternatives if so. If you don't want them docked, they don't have to be.

Looking forward to puppy pics!

Thank you for the warnings and advice...all is very welcome and even I already am aware some of it. It never hurts to be reminded about these things...when one gets tired, being forgetful is never far away
Yes.....LOL....I've have quite a few warning about possible on coming mess. I have already started cutting old towels/blankets/t-shirts..etc. Once friend who is retired breeder said that best thing she did was to use two carboard whelping boxes (home made). First one to use for giving birth and lining it with incontinence pads and have pile of them next to the box for immediate cleaning as the puppies are being born. They are very absorbent and once the mess is over and done and pups born...it is quick a and easy to get rid of everything and start fresh with another box.
To warn our vet is now put into my 'to do list'. I shall do that as soon as we have had conformation that there is some to come..'tick'.
And 'yes' about the docking too. That was one of the first 'issues' I sorted out when I started planning for this. I know for sure that at least few of the pups would be destined be working terriers so I had to search and enquire fair bit to find a vet that would agree to do the tail dockings. I was surprised how few still does that.

When I started my research to decide if I was going to this....I made list of 'issues' that I would have to solve for certain degree before letting my heart into the decision process. I did lots of thinking and talking with DH to see if he could come up with solutions as well, our friend has some vetenary connections so that helped as well.
Finding possible problems at first and solving them might not eliminate all the future hic-ups, but at least you have much more confidence within yourself that at the basic level things can work just fine.
Now I just have to wait yet another year to get some upgrade work done in the house.....but I've already waited for 3 years anyway (because of the past and current dogs) so it ain't a that big deal. I'll let puppies to take over and worry not of any possible damage and mess.

 

[Finsky]

Our 'lovers' had their 2nd date today....

Diesel (the stud); "quite nice today...sun is shining, birds singing..." Iida; "hellooo lover boy...over here..!"

Iida; "shall we do it? yes yes?" Diesel; "uh...erm...you are starting to scare me..."

Iida; "do you like my bum?" Diesel; "uh....erm....I suppose it is ok...err...."

Iida; " Oh come on! Snap out of it! 'shoving with shoulder'.."

Iida; "lets play first....you can tickle my tummy!"

So despite girl's all best efforts...the love didn't happen...he didn't feel like it
Tomorrow we have another go at it again...girl is still 'feeling it', so maybe she will get lucky after all. Btw..she did have a good tie at first time round so maybe that is all that is needed..whole 18 minutes of it!

 

[Tinytom]

Are they fell terriers ....

 

[Finsky]

Are they fell terriers ....

Yes they are....though there is more 'nuance' for Fells too...these sort are more often called working(type) Lakeland terriers..but yes, plain 'Fell terrier' is used too.
The pedigree Lakeland however has become different terrier altogether from its humble origins as it was defined by Kennel club in 40's (if my memory serves me correctly) and 'their' Lakeland had to fit into certain standards. Yes, the pedigree Lakelands have same the same genetics but this working sort has slightly different and varying looks and working temperament. Those who do breed working Lakelands and take their job seriously...they do not bring pedigree Lakies into the mix as it often results less predictable working dogs not only perfomance wise, but against outdoor weathers and behavioural wise.

 

[Tinytom]

Their heads are a much different shape to the Lakeland ...my friend had Lakeland terriers ..dont see many around here ...
Lots of patterdales in rescue ...I love all terriers

 

[JoanneF]

Lots of patterdales in rescue

I wonder how many people get them without realising how driven they are.

That said, I seem to have met a few recently that are a lot more mellow and chilled. Has anybody else experienced that? I wondered if there had been a decision by some breeders to produce a temperament more suited to the pet market?

Sorry, derailing a little ....

 

[Finsky]

Their heads are a much different shape to the Lakeland ...my friend had Lakeland terriers ..dont see many around here ...
Lots of patterdales in rescue ...I love all terriers

Do you refer the head shape to the pedigree Lakelands?
Then yes...they are stronger and slightly shorter and wider. There is more 'omf' to the body shape in general. If you were to clip those fluffy Lakelands down to similar coat lenght...show dogs would have slightly more elongated look into them.

 

[Tinytom]

She had working lakelands but they still had the elongated face and nose ...i prefer the fell terriers to look at ....
We had to go to wales to get our last jack russell as nobody around here had working types so they didnt dock their tails

 

[Hemlock]

I have a lot of experience with Patterdales, and IMO they have no place as pets! I fear a lot of people with "pet" Patts are in for something of a shock.

18 minute tie should be enough, though it's always good to get a second mating if you can.

 

[Finsky]

I wonder how many people get them without realising how driven they are.

That said, I seem to have met a few recently that are a lot more mellow and chilled. Has anybody else experienced that? I wondered if there had been a decision by some breeders to produce a temperament more suited to the pet market?

Sorry, derailing a little ....

No, that's ok.....it is good to talk about these things and I don't mind do it in here.
Fell terriers might be hardworking and tough, avid hunters and prey killers, but in house they do make good pets and they are VERY laid back chilled in general. They just wait the opportunity that you lie or sit down and they immediately snuggle up next to you or rush on front of fire. The 'tough cookie' turns into creature of comforts in that instant they step inside It is the amount of energy they have outside and level of need for it, particularly when they are younger that many people do underestimate. Their instincts does over take them and there is not a lot you can do about it but accept that it is so and adjust to it...or you do end up struggling with them.
When I was looking this kind of pup, it was the advert that got my attention as it gave the impression that the breeder would indeed 'interview' us to be suitable and experienced type of owners. And that's were the issues lie...they make fantastic family pets but it takes right kind of terrier person to get them into good start..
I would struggle with sighthounds, I don't have much glue what makes those dog tick so I'm stuck what suits us....but I LIKE IT too , terrier people are their own 'breed'..