Guess Work

"The biggest litter size, therefore, will be achieved when a bitch is bred two days after ovulation, when both semen and eggs will be at their peak viability. However, a successful pregnancy can still result if the bitch is bred any time between the 2 days prior to ovulation to the 4 days after ovulation."

Until I tested Tali I'd had never tested a bitch before and we did still travel, South Wales for Arko Vom Hunhengrab and Apollo Von Dakota, Crewe for Chanask Jamiroquai and the sire of the B litter, whose name currently escapes me (and I'm too lazy to look it up - it will come to me) and we met Rangmore Arko near Queenseferry. We went twice 48 hrs apart and hoped for the best ... I think the earliest was with Nikki, day 10 and 12 - she had 8. 

Of course where testing comes into it's own is when you have bitches like Kaiah, without the test we simply would not have got her pregnant, she's just so bloody late! Sammi is also late, but ovulation on day 16 is still doable had we mated on day 14 - but Kaiah doesn't ovulate till day 20, when most bitches have gone over! 

Oh ... Fabelhalf Arazi ... that was his name! 

Day 13 And Test 2

A huge jump up in 48hrs, just like her mother and grandmother, if not worse. Today she's on 23, not quite doubled every 24 hrs as that would have taken her to 26.4 - but not far out eh! (19 -31 -ovulation recently occurred - mate immediately or within 2 days.) We are taking her to be mated at 10 am tomorrow. So if she doubles in the next 24 hrs that takes us to 46. (32 -64 - eggs have matured, optimal potential for fertilization, breed immediately or within 1 day.) I will be honest, I would have preferred to have gone today and tomorrow, but I have to fit in with Joe's plans too. Ringing in my head is - "breed early for bitches!"  Just out of interest and to compare - Kaiah went from 4.9 to 15 in 48 hrs and Sammi went from 8.2 to 23.6 in 48hrs, so Siska has taken more of a jump. Kaiah was mated about 30hrs after the 15 test, Sammi was mated twice, the afternoon of the 23.6 test and 24 hrs later. Whilst Fransisco mated Sammi twice he would not mate Kaiah a second time.

Orin is still reasonable calm, but I've looked back and it was day 14 that he lost the plot last time, so that would make us think that the eggs were maturing on that day of her last season too. When they are maturing they soften and the sperm finds it easier to fertilize them, though sperm from a health young male can live for up to a week, mating is more successful if the mature eggs are already laying in wait ... The boys were still frantic on day 16 last time, I think they get more desperate as the unfertilized eggs mature, but by day 17 things were starting to settle.

If I had to guess I'd say Siska ovulated yesterday evening, there was a difference in Orin between 5 pm when he went past her to eat his meal, to 10pm when he rejected his carrot and I had to pull him away from her crate (And Orin LOVES carrots!) We always used to say the ideal time for mating was 48 hrs after ovulation, well Sunday morning may be a tad early - but it takes 6 hrs for the sperm to travel to the eggs - we won't be far out! (I hope) 

Vet Google says " Following ovulation it takes the eggs 2 days to mature and be ready to be fertilized. Ovulation of multiple follicles may occur over a 12 – 36 hour period. Once mature, the eggs are capable of being fertilized for 2 days. Therefore, the fertile period begins 2 days after ovulation and lasts for the next 3 – 4 days" (Ovulation in GSD bitches is known to be about 17) 

Day 12

There is still little interest in Siska, but Zeus and Orin didn't eat this morning. Knowing how quickly things can change I would never now leave Siska with either of the entire males but of course another advantage now is that Ross can go walkabout with the girls.

Siska's not a happy bunny, Kaiah laughed! 

Joyal's Crufts Pics

 Orin

Siska's class - well some of it.

I love this photo of her - doesn't she look stunning

Test 1

The result was a predictable 6.6

 6 is a minimum of two days before ovulation, 7 is a minimum of 1 day before ovulation. 

Going from her last season I'd say we'll be mating Saturday, Sunday or Monday. (days 13, 14 or 15) According to my notes by day 17 of her last season things were settling down here, so yeah, I'd say Sunday ... ish! lol

Loki And I Went AWOL

Sometimes it's nice to go off for a secret walk with the older male of the family.

I've Made It Official

 We had given things a lot of thought and want to let his mates know that Ross is now well and truly retired from the show ring. As beautiful as we think our dogs are, and he is, we have to realise that not every dog can be a show dog. Not every dog has the right character to be in the ring, and we have to put their needs before the hope of a red card. Don't get me wrong, Ross loved going to shows, loved the socialising but when it came to going in the ring, well he wasn't that keen. My dogs happiness come before any show success so whilst some of his mates will still be going off to shows, the brown clown will be staying home to supervise any gardening or DIY that goes on at home. 

Of course blog followers knew this a couple of months ago but after seeing a couple of stressed out dogs at Crufts I thought it was the appropriate time to make it official on Facebook and see if the penny drops with other owners. Mainly it's the same dogs from show to show losing the plot in the ring, and crated and covered like a parrot outside the ring. In the ring I honestly fear the lead breaking or the handler falling, this is a terrifying accident waiting to happen. 

Ross was never aggressive in the ring, well Ross is never aggressive full stop, he was just bored. He made no effort on the move and stood as if the world was at an end. After a break over covid I tried to show him twice last year, once with Sarah handling and once handling him myself, it was worse than ever, the break did not do him any good. So what is the point wasting £30 entry fee when the dog makes it obvious that he doesn't want to do it? 

Puddle Photos!

Crufts Photos

Orin 

Siska

Callan

The Crufts Adventure

I guess our Crufts adventure started on Thursday afternoon with a somewhat snowy drive to Swinton. I have to admit I was apprehensive about leaving Steve and equally apprehensive about how Orin and Siska would behave in someone's home. There were no worries, no concerns Steve was fine and the dogs behaviour was impeccable from the beginning to the end of the adventure.  The dogs have never stayed anywhere before and other than being a little unsettled with the heat in the house they did really well overnight. 

The M6, especially the toll was quite snowy with the fast lane being mostly out of use, but we got to the NEC without incident. The long walk from the car park to the halls was really not funny, especially with two dogs eager to get on their way. I found walking on the grass when possible was much safer. I've done that walk plenty of times in December and March to be prepared for any weather. 

Jackie's puppy Kai was in first, there were only two in the class but the other puppy had already done some winning. Kai gave a great performance and won the class, he later challenged the MPD winner and was BPD ... a great start. 

Callan was in PGD, there was an entry of 16 dogs, 14 of which were present. Callan was shortlisted and then placed 1st where he remained till the end of the class. Maybe one of the highlights of the day was seeing Bethan in tears as her precious boy won the class. 

Orin was in straight after Callan, 8 of the 9 entries were present in limit dog. After taking that jump into limit I was really pleased with how Orin looked and went. To be second in that class was an achievement in itself, but to be called in to challenge was just overwhelming - maybe one day, dreams may come true eh! 

To great interest from the public, Siska spent most of the day relaxing in her chair, she must have been the most photographed dog on the day. Anyway, she gave a very nice performance in the ring and held her own in a difficult class with a lot of older bitched, 14 of the 15 entries were present in her class too. I was thrilled with her place and there were some nice bitches behind her. Being on day 5 of her season made no difference whatsoever and other than a quick flirt with Sully, well no one seem to notice.  

I must admit by the end of the day I was desperate to get away, I just want to get some food and come home! Anyway thanks again to everyone who made it possible. Frank and Linda for giving us a bed for night, Ian for driving, Sarah for handling the gang and Linda, Bethan and Joyal for the photos and Ian for the super videos. (All the photos and videos are on Facebook)