4 weeks old!

If you're wondering why we haven't blogged lately, it's because these puppies are now starting to take over our lives! And visitors and interviewing and meeting prospective buyers also occupy our time but they are helping to socialize the puppies.

Puppies turned 4 weeks old on July 14. Their heads have really changed & they are starting to look more like real Vizslas. In fact, I think they will have gorgeous heads, judging from these photos. That's one aspect of my breedings I can usually count on - beautiful heads and faces - because the parents also have gorgeous heads.

Above left is Mr. Green, 4th born. What a handsome guy! He's a sweetheart (well, they all are!).

It's also been a week of firsts: first visits outdoors, first taste of solid food, first meals of kibble, first to climb up a stair, first drink of water from a bowl, first time eating out of a bowl, first nap in a crate, first night without mom. Lots of new experiences in a single week and they are handling them all like pros! (It must be that Super Dog program we used!) Plus, the puppies have had so many visitors this week. They have far exceeded this category in the Rule of 12!

This is Mr Blue, first born. He's an energetic puppy showing lots of prey drive. Not surprisingly, he was one of the first to try to climb up steps and explore the world on his own. He's now weighing in at 5 lb.

Here's Mr. Black, 2nd born. He's a little sleepy here but he sure has lots of spunk and lots of personality. No fear, this little guy! He along with Mr Blue were the first to try to climb steps and explore on their own. Mr Black's coat colour is a little lighter than the others but I am confident that it will darken up. His grandmother on his maternal side was like that when we imported her at 9 weeks and after she lost her puppy coat, her coat came in a nice, rich dark colour.

Miss Yellow was 3rd-born and for the first 3 weeks, was the heaviest in the litter. She's outgoing, mischievous, and keeps up with the boys. She was the first to climb a step. Miss Yellow shows signs of being a very spunky, confident and energetic puppy - perhaps like her mother Miska or her dad, Ozzie?



Mr Red - another handsome devil! He's a 'sandwich' kid - born in the middle of the litter. A bit of a suck right now - he lets us know when he's not happy! but he's starting to develop his own personality. He's feisty too but will be a sweetie.

Last born, but definitely not least, is Miss Lilac-Purple. She wore a lilac ribbon when born and has now donned a purple collar. She's very sweet and very pretty but she can alos be a terror! Although a little smaller than the others right now, we've learned over the years that: a) there is little correlation between birth weight and final size/height/weight of the dog and b) they will grow to whatever their genetic profile is no matter what they weigh as a puppy. One of our heaviest puppies at birth was a female born at over 1 lb. She was heavier by a couple of ounces than her brother. But she ended up being the smallest in the litter once those puppies were fully grown and her brother is the tallest/largest.

Well, I'd better get this blog uploaded because puppies are awakening from their nap and want out to play!