Four years ago I went through an emotional roller coaster when I decided to breed Feature. It wasn’t just pulling her out of competition for months, or worrying about the potential health risks during a pregnancy or all of the work that goes into raising a singleton.
It was a combination of all of the above.
Even though the breeding resulted in my amazing, talented and handsome dog “Swagger”, when I was asked if I would ever breed her again, I confidently said “NO WAY!” It was w-a-y to stressful for me!
Well here I am four years and one month later to share with you all that the old adage “never say never” is a good one.
As Feature is once again a mother and Swagger now has seven…yes that is correct seven new (half) siblings. And I am in love with each and everyone of them.
As I said that last time I bred Feature, I do not want to be a breeder. There is so much to know, it is a such an investment of your time to do it properly. Then why did I do what I said I would “never do again”? I did it because I just adore Feature and to keep her line going here in North American I had to have another litter.
It just so happens that the sire of this litter is also a very special dog… and not just because he is handsome and athletic :). He is also a half brother to my special girlie “Encore” AND grandson to John’s past dog “Quid” AND back in his pedigree are all four grandparents from my very first talented Border Collie “Stoni!”
Since the baby daddy is a black & white dog the litter produced 4 reds and 3 blacks. We have 2 red females, 2 blacks females, 2 red males and 1 black male. A lovely collection and assortment. I decided the theme of this litter was going to be talented Canadian athletes.
The girls are:
- JJ
- Sinclair
- Genie (aka “Devlyn”…she already has a nickname…long story!).
- Wicken
The boys are:
- Bobby
- Elvis
- Wiggins
Can you name the person and the sport each of these puppies are named after? I will give you a hint each puppy represents a different sport!
I am excited to see these 7 special souls grow up. I am excited to be keeping one of them for my very own and I am excited for the new twists I will be putting on my puppy training! Yep, “Puppy Peaks” is about to get just a little more interesting :).
Today I am so grateful for the safe and relatively easy delivery of a healthy and thriving litter of puppies and a happy and healthy mama dog. Happy to report Feature is now being a champion mother. 🙂
*Addition note: For those who have been asking. Here is a video of the “baby daddy” two year old “Sense” running at a UKI trial. Sense is pretty new to trialling in agility as his owner is a very busy lady studying to be a chiropractor and getting ready for her wedding but what an amazing team they make! Love him.
Argh. puppies!!! Congratulations Susan, John and of course Feature. What a happy day to see all these wonderful pups being born. Some of the most special moments of my life have been those. Warm hugs!!!
Congratulations! Family connections are a treasure, and I’m looking forward to see the new members of the family in Puppy Peaks.
Bobby Orr…hockey
Elvis Stoyko…figure skating
Very exciting, congratulations. I cannot imagine how much fun you will have in the next few weeks or how busy you will be.
Congratulations on the beautiful babies!! <3
Can’t wait for your posts on Puppy Peaks! I’m getting my new puppy in three weeks and am so excited to be able to follow all your activities with this litter.
Congratulations and good luck with all!
Congratulations, Susan and John! What fun the next couple months will be!
How exciting. Your litter truly embodies the llegacy of the past and the foundation of the future. Best wishes for you, your family and all the new arrivals.
Huge congrats Susan! Lovely litter!
I want Wiggins!
Congratulations! They look so cute, and love the names!
Woo-Hoo!
Congratulations! They are all so cute! 7 puppies – all that wonderful puppy breath! I look forward to the next couple months reading about them!
Congratulations, a very pretty litter. Love those Feb babies, by the time they are ready to run around outdoors and met the world, it is starting to warm up and spring is here.
Congratulations Susan! What a lovely litter. Love the blacks!
Congratulations! There’s a whole lotta fun packed into that pic.
PUPPIES!!!
I’m thinking they will be the greatest dogs!
My french pyrenean shepherd “Bobi” says this is THE name to recall to :-)))
Congratulations Susan, Feature and Brother Swagger!! Such thrilling news and I hope you post a lot of puppy pictures for us all to enjoy. My own “puppy”, Riddle (another half brother to Swagger, but on his Daddy’s side!) turns one today, so it’s a great birthday to share with these special ones.
How very exciting! What special pups!
I’m so happy and excited for you Susan ! Congratulations on a beautiful litter of pups!
What a spectacular litter. Nice balance of gender and color. Well Done all around.
Wow 7 gorgeous puppies, well done Feature. Lucky owners of puppies.
congratulations – well done Feature and we’ll done Susan for turning the puppy names into another game – every day sure is game day!
Congrats from a rainy Bergen in Norway! 🙂
Four girls and three boys, a dream litter! My PS had a litter 8 months ago with two boys and four girls, a Perfect number!
No idea about the Canadian athletes, but I’ve heard about a basketballplayer named Wiggins – I don’t know if that is the one?
Anyway, congrats again and enjoy every little moment with the gang, they grow too fast! 😉
I would like to bring Sinclair home, i.e., purchase her. I’m sure they are all spoken for but just thought I’d throw that out there.
How wonderful to keep the family connection! You must be over the moon!!! Congratulations!
Wow congratulations Feature and Susan!!! Wonderful news!
Ahhhhhhhhh….. Feature with puppies! I can just see her being such a good Mommy!
Congratulations Susan and Feature! How exciting! 7 puppies!!! Looking very much forward to Puppy Peak, peaking into your puppy life some more. Time-wise it couldn’t be better for me 🙂
Enjoy the cute bundles of love and joy!
Cuteness alarm!!!
They are alll gorgeous looking an am sure magnificent little souls already… So much fun coming up at your house!!
Awwww. Congratulations. Another puppy peaks opening soon then?
Congrats! I seem to recall you were also ‘never’ going to have another boy dog and look how that turned out!
True Billie!
Congrats to the family. Glad to hear all went well. I agree with Debra, whoever gets one of these pups is going to have a super dog/ partner.
Enjoy the the next 8 weeks, as time flies fast. Wish I was a fly on the wall.
Congratulations!
Such darling puppies!
Do they all have homes?
Pam
Congratulations! Well done Feature! Way to go! Can’t wait for the empowered puppy raisiing!
Congratulations to everyone! Looks like Mom and little ones are happy and healthy!
Wow, Susan! And wow!Feature! Congratulations! Whoever gets one of these pups are so very lucky!!!
JJ – Jennifer Jones- curling
Sinclair- Christine -soccer
Genie- Eugenie Bouchard-tennis
Wicken – Hayley Wickenheiser -womens hockey
Bobby – ? Orr? -hockey
Elvis Stojko – men’s figure skating
Wiggins- Andrew – basketball
Great work Heather! Bobby is actually Bobby Hull…only because Bobby Orr had to retire from sport early with 2 bad knees 🙂
I thought for sure Bobby Orr…there is really only one Bobby…but the knee thing ….Booby Hull a great player and has longevity …better choice..congrats Susan they are beautiful!
LOL! I love you use that logic Susan. I thought I might like to name my Ridgeback ‘Gypsy’ but no way was I risking an escape artist, wandering puppy. Congrats on all those beautiful babies. What a blessing xo
Congrats to everyone! 🙂
So very cool… Lots of fun to be had coming up… Enjoy 🙂 well done Feature 🙂
Wigiins- Bradley Wiggins cyclists
Changed my mind
Wiggins – Andrew Wiggins NBA lo
Changed my mind
Wiggins – Andrew Wiggins NBA
Wow, congrats. They are beautiful. Having 2 of my dogs coming down from some of those lines- there are none better
Wicken Hockey Haley Wickenheiser
Yep you got it Karen.
I was going to say Wickenheiser (I met her when she received honorary degree from my university); however, I thought hockey was covered with the Bobby. 😉
Dianne one was womens hockey one was mens!
Congratulations!!!! I can attest to the fact that there is something extra special about partnering with a puppy you helped bring in to the world
Awesome news, so glad everything worked out great. Here’s to fun times coming up.
I am so excited that you will be raising a new litter, and they are gorgeous. But, I have a very selfish reason to be so happy. I am an original subscriber to your Puppy Peaks and am expecting my very first litter of Mudi pups in about 2 weeks. I will be following your litter and news closely. Congratulations!!
Sinclair… soccer?!
What a bunch of roll polly little nubbins! Way to go, Feature!
Congratulations on a Beautiful litter!!!!
Don’t have a clue about the sports names references but send copious good wishes to Feature and all the pups! Loved Puppy Peaks with Swagger, but not like to get another pup for Puppy Peaks Redeux.
Congratulations on the safe arrival
So happy all arrived safely and that Feature is happy and healthy too!
“Genie” has to be for Eugenie Bouchard surely.
Congratulations!!! How exciting!
Elvis = Figure Skating
Bobby = Bobby Hull
Yep thats two of them Dee!
Well, now I understand you already had a hockey player name, but I can’t believe you didn’t name one Gretsky!!! Do Canadians not love him as much as Americans do?
The “Great One” is my favourite hockey player of all time…but decided to go with Bobby because there are just so many “Gretzys” out there!
Oh good – I feel better ;-P!
Christine Sinclair = Soccer
Yep Tina you got the one of the ones I thought would be tough for people.
My daughter Sydnee played on her team.
I was also going to say Elvis Stoyko (figure skating) and hockey for Bobby, but my Bobby was “Bobby Orr”.
I also guess Alan Wiggins for baseball.