Another generation on the way

Keith Doty · 12-06-2025, 03:31 PM

We weren't planning on it but my 19 month old male Lab decided puppies was an excellent idea for Christmas! We're getting a welping box moved into the "gun room", moving some things around to make room and counting down to 12-15 (we think) for the magic of arrival. My female looks like a beer keg with legs, certainly isn't far off. This is our fifth litter over the many years of raising Labs but the apprehension and anticipation seems always to be the same. My wife couldn't wait and had an ultrasound done. Mercifully the count appears to be 6....wonderful. We've had a couple of really large litters (10 and 12) over the years and were pleased as this is an easily manageable number for all involved. Pics in a few weeks.

Keith Doty · 03-08-2026, 12:28 PM

Well, we're now 12 weeks post delivery. Just as big a joy and pain as we remembered. 6...., OH NO! Actually 10. We have an old girl who's now coming up on 12 in June so we kept the pick of the litter black female. "Crew" is the newest addition to our pack. Ya gotta be a bit soft in the head to have 4 labs underfoot but they make our world a better place. We're guarding EVERYTHING from the pup and getting training going.Making great progress on #1, house training. She's huge on the fetching and chews like a stump grinder!

William Machauer · 03-09-2026, 03:57 PM

Ah ya gotta love puppies! Admit it though having a litter is just plain fun!
I've had 4 litters and enjoyed every second of it.
People always ask if I'm heart broken when they go their homes and I always reply no, imagine 4 weeks of multiple little chewing and pooping machines tearing up the house! But I wouldn't change a thing about it!
I've gotta start looking for a stud for my 3yr old Sage.

Keith Doty · 03-09-2026, 04:11 PM

We love every minute of it. It is kinda sad when they are all gone. They've been the center of the universe for 7 weeks for us. We got down to our puppy and the one my niece was picking up. The big box looked empty, poop patrol became much easier, rations were cut down by 75% and much less noise from the back room. Now phase 2, house breaking and training another pup. That has it's own challenges and rewards!

William Machauer · 03-09-2026, 05:34 PM

My last litter I ran into trouble finding homes for 2 boys . I had 2 adult dogs and those boys and my pup, Sage. The boys were almost 14 weeks before they left. I don't know if it was from watching the adults or just extremely intelligent pups but by week 9 they were house broken and sitting on command.
I kept thinking how in the world can I afford to feed 5 Labradors, vet bills and toys!? I was relieved when I placed them.
Again worth every second!

Keith Doty · 03-10-2026, 11:44 AM

We were kinda concerned. Had 5 going to friends and family, keeping one female, but had four we needed good homes for. I placed an ad and photos in the AKC market place and they all went in short order. We placed pups all over Texas! The last 3 dogs I have bought over almost 20 years came from contacts make thru that source. All the folks that came to get puppies we felt good about. Some interested in hunters, some just looking for quality pets. I found my big male over in Louisiana, way back in the swamp! Saw the owner's ad there and made a call. 500 mile round trip drive but worth every inch of it.

William Machauer · 03-10-2026, 12:15 PM

I had my litter on AKC also as well as a couple other sites. The problem is I think was people were still in the covid paranoia and or had adopted dogs during covid.
Don't get me wrong I would have kept all 3 pups but I'm really glad I didn't have to!