15Jul
I am counting down the days!
Willow has started asking for 1 to 2 extra meals a day and she has lost her waistline. Her ribcage has started to expand outwards to make room for her growing womb. I have seen 5 sacs with little wriggly babies growing inside and sometimes I think I can see a 6th one peeking behind 2 others. We will soon find out the exact number and I am confident in my ability to know when every puppy is out. Willow has been wanting to stay close and likes my hand being on her chest or stomach- she uses her paw to guide my hand where she wants it 🤗
Why Reggie as the dad...
I know a fair few people who have wanted to know why I had chosen Reggie as the stud for this litter because I haven't used an outside stud before and Reggie has 2 other spitz breeds in his DNA. Reggie is 49% Husky, 37.5% Pomeranian, 8.8% Alaskan Klee Kai and 4.7% Japanese Spitz.
Despite knowing about the other breeds in his DNA, I still went ahead because I considered my breeding goals, his temperament, health test results, conformation, and coat type. I spoke to people on my waiting list to get their opinion and as I plan to breed from Astra (who has a higher percentage of other breeds in her DNA), I decided I would be a hypocrite if I didn't use Reggie. I have looked at other studs in the UK and to be honest, none came close to Reggie and my goals. Finding a fully health tested stud is rare. Finding a health tested stud with a small size and fluffy coat is rarer. Then finding one with the ideal temperament is rare and who is to say the owner will tell the truth about temperament 🤔
Willow is petite and Reggie is only a little bigger than her. His luxurious long coat complements her plush coat well. His calm temperament is like Willow and Drake's and I strongly value those traits in my lines. I met Reggie's parents and I have met 2 of Reggie's daughters... I couldn't feel more reassured. Reggie has even hips with a total score of 10 which is a lovely low score.
Countries around the world are introducing other breeds within the Pomsky breed. The AKC require a third breed to be added and the US breeders have decided that it should be American Eskimo. Other breeders worldwide have introduced Samoyeds, Malamutes, German Spitz, Japanese Spitz and Alaskan Klee Kai. Ideally we need to work towards just Husky and Pomeranian and we can work towards that when choosing our breeding pair. Enzo is a grandson to Reggie and he has only Husky and Pomeranian in his DNA. I could not be prouder of him and he is a stunning example of a Pomsky. The klee kai and Japanese Spitz are similar in size, coat type, have similar markings and conformation to a Pomsky. Willow's puppies will inherit very small amounts or none at all of those breeds due to genetic recombination.
I will always be open and honest about my dogs, pairing choices and health tests results. There are many breeders in the UK who have added collie, akita, malamute, chihuahua and other breeds and they have not been open and honest. Everyone who gets one of Willow's puppies will be aware and when they are living with a well socialised, beautiful puppy who is well matched to their lifestyle- will they be bothered about the possible 6% of other breeds?
Astra is 70.7% Husky, 11.7% Akita, 10.8% German Shepherd and 6.8% Malamute. If those other breeds have contributed to what makes her incredibly calm, laidback, acceptable to everything, and the best family dog I could have asked for especially for her size- then I am grateful for what makes her who she is. I was forewarned about getting a husky because they destroy your house, are escape artists, are not easily trainable and you have to walk them hours a day. That does not describe Astra at all. When I received her DNA results, I thought long and hard about whether I should breed from her. I considered my breeding goals on what I want to achieve with my puppies. I want to create puppies who are healthy, have traits to suit many families and lifestyles and who will bring love and joy to their new families. Astra has a beautiful low score of 4 for hips, 0 for elbows and Grade 1 for eyes. Her temperament is perfection and she is healthy. Her temperament stands out the most which is how I have people on the waiting list for her puppies. I was worried about people not wanting them due to size but people have told me they want the biggest in the litter and husky sized dogs with the temperament that matches them! That is incredible and the best I could ask for.
I am currently feeling run down with an annoying cold that's affected my sinuses. I am grateful to the pack as they are content and I can afford to laze around a little to recover. My "lazing" around is actually helping me to plan for Willow's babies. I have bought new whelping vet beds and extra whelping equipment. I am confident that I have everything, including emergency equipment and the next few weeks will be spent preparing the pack for their new routines. The living room will be out of bounds for a little while which means they must be settled in the other rooms. The adult dogs know this routine and the training will act as a reminder and the pups will be new to this. Thankfully the timing is perfect as my sons are off school for the big holidays. They will entertain the other dogs when I am busy with Willow and her puppies and I can trust them to swap places with me (when I know it is safe to do so). I will have prepared kongs and lickmats in the freezer to save time during the early days.
~ Claire 🐾
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