At the end of March we intentionally bred our Working Border Collie with our Border Collie x Shepherd.
On 31 May Lassie gave birth to 9 adorable puppies! She was a first time mum and found the initial experience quite overwhelming. As her first puppy got close to being born she felt the need to empty her bowels … hence first puppy was born outside on the grass!! As soon as we noticed that it was a puppy not a poop we raced over, opened the sac, cut the cord and carried it inside wrapped in a facecloth! Unfortunately we didn’t get any photo’s of this! We dried her off and showed her to Lassie who was definitely NOT interested!
Next four puppies were born at about 10-15 minute intervals. Jasmine had to break the sac of each puppy, then she dried it a little then passed it on to one of the other girls after I (Sarah) had cut the cord! Once it was dry we placed it in a towel lined drawer with a hot water bottle under the towels.
After puppy #5 it seemed as if Lassie was finished birthing so we gave her the puppies which she gladly accepted! Whew! We had wondered, after her rejection of the first puppy, if we’d have to hand feed the whole litter! She settled down to feeding them all like a good mummy!
About an hour later … surprise, surprise … she started nesting again. We quickly removed the puppies and prepared for another one.. two … three … FOUR more puppies!!
All the puppies are doing well and so is Lassie. She is a great mummy and we haven’t had to supplement feed any of the puppies even though its a huge litter for a first time mum.
<—SHAZZY
KELLY –>
<—CHARLIE
ROY –>
<—MAYFAIR
MIKEY –>
<—OXY
DIXIE –>
JUNIOR
Oh my gosh they are so adorable - congratulations on so many puppies at once! Huge congrats to Lassie - 9 puppies is a huge amount for first time!
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