The Mouss x Lexi Puppies are Two Weeks Old

Merry Christmas from Lexi and the Muppets!

December 25th 2017

The puppies turned 2 weeks old on Saturday and Lexi and the Muppets continue to do well.  Gains have been steady and we have some puppies that are weighing in at over two pounds now.  It truly is amazing how quickly they grow.  All of the littles have opened their eyes and they are all up on their legs, toddling albeit somewhat unsteadily, around the whelping box.

We had some special visitors come to see the puppies last weekend.  Delia, Lexi's co-owner and her family arrived to snuggle with the puppies and complement Lexi on her new brood.  Lexi was as always delighted to show off her progeny and the boys were gentle and calm with the little ones.

A little glimpse into the whelping box.

 During the past week the puppies' eyes were opening so we kept the lights dim in the room.  We have the television on and the shifting light that it emits creates a visual stimulation for the puppies.  A video of a fireplace is often on the tv - the perfect background of soft flickering light.  We also play music throughout the day, usually classical although for this litter they have been exposed to an array of Christmas songs instead!  The music offers further stimulation for the pups' developing brains. 

Frequent updates and photos are posted on our Northrock Barbets Facebook Page if you would like to follow the litter's progress please like our page and join us there!

The Mouss x Lexi Puppies are One Week Old

Lexi and her puppies December 12

The puppies turned one week old today and all are doing well.  Lexi is a doting mother and seems to be quite pleased with her puppies. She is very good at making sure they are clean and content. The pups are still very dependant on Lexi, their eyes and ears have not yet opened and they are not yet able to regulate their own temperature so need her for warmth and nourishment.  

Puppy pile up - December 11

They are getting better at moving around the whelping box and spend all their time eating or sleeping.  We have begun doing Early Neurological Stimulation exercises with the puppies as well as Early Scent Introduction. I'm spending lots of time with mama Lexi and her litter and in my opinion, it is time well spent!  I find myself mesmerized as I watch these precious neonates breathing and nursing and I love the sweet cooing and chirping sounds that they make.  Here is a video from earlier in the week. 

The theme for this litter is The Muppet Show and the puppies have all been given names of Muppet characters.  

Black collar is Fozzie, Tan collar is Beaker,  Green collar is Kermit

Purple collar is Rowlf,   Blue collar is Gonzo,   Orange collar is Animal

Yellow collar is Scooter, Red collar is Camilla, Pink collar is Miss. Piggy

Frequent updates and photos are posted on our Northrock Barbets Facebook Page if you would like to follow the litter's progress please like our page and join us there!

Northrock's "H" Litter - The Mouss and Lexi Puppies are Here

We are pleased to announce the safe arrival of the

Lexi x Mouss' puppies born December 9th, 2017.

BPIS CH Northrock's Eureka CGN by BleuZorange C Boom Frimouss B

Lexi had an uneventful pregnancy and we were delighted when her ultrasound revealed that she was carrying a nice sized litter.  On the evening of December 9th Lexi began delivering her puppies and was all done whelping her litter of 9 within a period of three hours.  It was a safe and speedy whelping and we are grateful that all went well.

There are 7 males and 2 females and we look forward to watching these beautiful puppies grow. We are ever so thankful to Lexi's co-owner Delia Bucknell and her family as well as Mouss' co-owner Carol Brown and his breeder Denyse Rousseau for helping to make this litter possible.

New Canine Good Neighbour Titles for the Boomer x Ellie pups!

Joy Hettler and Rizzo (Northrock's For the Joy of It CGN)

I'm so pleased to share the news that this past weekend three of the Boomer x Ellie (Northrock's All Night Boogie x URO1 CH Northrock's Eau de Joy CGN) puppies earned their CKC Canine Good Neighbour titles.

Susan Luyendyk and Marie (UKC/CKC CH Northrock's Forever Yours CGN)

 An enormous thank you to their owners Susan Luyendyk, Joy Hettler and Marisa Victor.  I'm so grateful to be able to share my passion for this beautiful breed with such devoted homes.  My thanks go out to them for the love they give to their dogs and the great job they have done raising them.  

 Hadfield (Northrock's Fly Me to the Moon CGN) owned by Marisa Victor
shows off his new title with his friend and handler Noreena Seery. 

New CKC Champion - Northrock's Forever Yours

Congratulations to Susan Luyendyk who beautifully handled her Barbet Marie to her CKC Championship last weekend under Judge Sean Shields at the Georgina Kennel and Obedience Club show in Lindsay, Ontario.  

UCH Northrock's Forever Yours is out of URO1 CH Northrock's Eau De Joy by Northrock's All Night Boogie.  I'm so proud of what Susan and Marie have accomplished together.  This is the second championship Susan has put on Marie - all owner-handled.  Thank you to the judges who have recognized the quality of this promising puppy.  We look forward to seeing what else this dynamic duo will achieve together.

Northrock's Forever Yours aka Sweet Marie beautifully handled to BOB at the Pine Ridge KC show by Susan.

Marie is a sweet Barbet and lives a happy life with Susan, Erik and her Berner "sisters".  I am so very grateful for the wonderful home they have given her.

Upcoming Litter at Northrock Barbets

Northrock Barbets Upcoming Litter Announcement 

💜 Puppies due December 2017 💜

BPIS CH Northrock’s Eureka CGN x BleuZorange C Boom Frimouss B

Pregnancy has been confirmed by ultrasound.   

We are happily anticipating the arrival of Lexi and Mouss' puppies in December.  Both of these Barbets have excellent health testing results and sweet temperaments.  More information, photos and the link to their health clearances are available on their respective pages on the Northrock Barbets website.



Our pretty girl Lexi has a CKC Championship and Canine Good Neighbour temperament title to her credit.  She has passed all of her health clearances with positive results; OFA Hips Good
OFA Elbows Normal
OFA Cardiac Normal
Eyes CAER Normal E2
OFA Thyroid Normal 
clear for dilution and prcd-PRA 

Frimouss is a handsome, athletic Barbet with moderate size and good bone.  He too has passed all of his health clearances; 
OFA Hips Excellent
 OFA Elbows Normal
 OFA Cardiac Normal
 Eyes CAER Normal
 OFA Thyroid Normal
clear for dilution and prcd-PRA.






It takes a village to move a breed forward with care and consideration for it's well being.  Many thanks to Lexi's family and her friend and co-owner Delia Bucknell.  We are looking forward to Lexi's second litter and are grateful to Mouss' breeder Denyse Rousseau of BleuZorange Barbet and his co-owner Carol Brown for the opportunity to use Mouss in our breeding program.  With this breeding we hope to produce beautiful, healthy puppies with wonderful temperaments that will excel as fabulous family pets.

We have a few more spaces available on our interest list for a puppy from this breeding.  If you would like to be considered for one of these puppies, I encourage you to reach out to us early on and we can begin the process of getting to know one another.

For more information please contact Stephanie Dixon

Please visit our Facebook Page Northrock Barbets for more news about our dogs.  We will continue to provide updates via the blog, just not as often.  

Another performance title for Northrock's Dance With Me - Lyric

Northrock's Dance With Me RA, O-TN-I, O-XBR-I, IAC, ICC, WV-I, HP-I

Congratulations to Glenna Splerem and her Barbet Lyric on earning the final leg towards her CKC Rally Advanced title with a score of 99 and 2nd in class! I'm so proud of what you two have accomplished together. Lyric is from our Oreo x Sophie litter (MBIS GChEx Treebeard's Galileo CGN x URO1 UCD Ch Neigenuveaux Fleur d'Northrock WC CGN).  

This team has a ton of fun together and as you can see from the alphabet soup behind Lyric's name - this fast and fun Barbet has also earned several North American Dog Agility Council - NADAC titles.

Glenna and Lyric - agility practice

Glenna and Lyric - agility practice

Glenna and Lyric - Intro Extreme Barrel Racing 

Last month Lyric participated in her first Barn Hunt trial and earned a Q and 2nd place!  The Barbet is a very versatile breed and many enjoy performance sports.  I am so grateful for the wonderful life that Glenna gives Lyric - they sure are having a great deal of fun dancing together.

Glenna and Lyric (who really liked the judge LOL) at the Barn Hunt trial in October. 

Northrock's Forever Yours - A New UKC Champion!

Our heartfelt congratulations to Susan Luyendyk and her Barbet puppy Marie on completing her UKC Championship at the recent Maple Leaf Kennel Club shows held over the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.  Marie was beautifully presented by her owner Susan and together this wonderful team came away from the weekend with two Gun Dog group seconds, one group first and Reserve Best In Show! Thank you to Judges William Hosler, Laurie Soutar, Karyn Colman and Margaret Doster for their recognition of this promising young puppy. Marie is out of URO1 CH Northrock's Eau de Joy CGN and Northrock's All Night Boogie.  

Susan and Marie after Marie's Group second win under Judge William Hossler.

Odin is a New CKC Champion!

We are pleased to celebrate a new conformation champion at Northrock Barbets.  Odin, Northrock's Full Morning Star, finished his championship at the Pine Ridge Kennel Club this past weekend.  We are delighted with this young puppy and look forward to seeing what he and his wonderful co-owner Andrew Rhodes will get up to next. Thank you to all the judges who recognized his quality along the way to his new title. Odin is out of Northrock's Eau De Joy by Northrock's All Night Boogie. 

  

Odin was handled to his Championship by his new buddy Peter Scott.

Billy x Lexi Puppies 8 - 10 weeks

Our special time with the Billy x Lexi litter is coming to a close.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to have lived with these little ones for their first nine to ten weeks.  I absolutely adore these puppies and their dam Lexi has done a wonderful job caring for them.

The past few weeks have included their temperament testing, structural evaluation, chiropractic appointment and veterinary visit.  They have had multiple car rides and visits alone and with their littermates to new environments and have made lots of new friends. 

A fun trip to a friend's house

Ballon fun on their 10 week birthday

 

Hermione was especially relaxed at the vets!

 

A special gift that came all the way from the Netherlands
from Billy (Nuphar's Everything Zen) for Lexi and their puppies.  

The weather has been really nice this past July and the puppies have spent a great deal of time outside. Playing with the toys in their outdoor pen, splashing in the pool and running around the backyard.  I am really happy with the promise that these puppies are showing.  They are typey, sound and have delightful personalities.  I have fallen deeply in love with them all!

Lexi and her family 

We are so thankful to Delia and her family for sharing Lexi with us.  She is a joy to be around and our time with her seemed to fly by.  Of course these puppies would not be here with out the cooperation of Billy's owner Olav van Schie and breeder Anne Plomp - it's been a team effort with beautiful results.  Thank you all.

Billy x Lexi Puppies 5 - 7 Weeks

We are truly having such a great time raising this litter of puppies.  They are an absolute delight!  Each of the pups have lovely personalities and we are pleased with what Billy x Lexi have produced as it is thus far a very uniform and typey Barbet litter.

During the past few weeks the puppies have continued to enjoy playing on the different environmental toys that are put in both their indoor and outdoor pens. One of their favourites is the tunnel which they enjoy running through and jumping on. In addition to using the potty box to eliminate in, they also make several trips outside to potty - good bathroom habits are well under way.  They have had many visitors over the last few weeks, delighting them with their antics and impressing them with their sweetness.  Car rides to new places have been uneventful with little to no noise from the little ones.  Their temperament testing is now complete as well. We are happy to say that they have taken every new experience in stride!  

The puppies eating outside at 5 weeks

They love the swing too!  6 weeks old.

Summer is a great playmate - 6 weeks

Ron - splashing in the water bowl at 5 weeks

With the weather being so warm there is often water for them to play with in their outdoor pen and they take full advantage of being able to wade and splash in it.  In fact they will resort to splashing in their drinking bowl if nothing else is available!

Backyard play at 7 weeks 

Frozen beef windpipes are greatly enjoyed
by the puppies at 7 weeks

Hermione with the bird wing - 7 weeks

Soon they will be departing for their new homes and we will treasure the remaining time we have with them while they are still in our care.

Please visit our Facebook Page Northrock Barbets for frequent video and photo updates of the Billy x Lexi pups.  We will also be providing updates via the blog, just not as often. 

Billy x Lexi Puppies - 3 and 4 Weeks Old

The Billy x Lexi puppies are now four weeks old.  My how the time flies!  When they were three weeks old they made the big move to the downstairs puppy pen which is located in our dining room adjacent to the kitchen and living room.  The puppies are now right in the main part of our home and are exposed to all of the sights, sounds and smells that come along with family life.  

Their whelping box also moved downstairs with them and they would spend the night in the box but periods of time in the larger play space with lots of new toys to explore.  They were also introduced to the potty box and litter training is going very well.

Nap time with their big stuffed tiger

With the weather being so warm we are able to keep the windows open so in addition to classical music playing on the radio and the various different sound c.d.s, the puppies also hear the children playing in the school yard that backs onto our property,  announcements over the loudspeaker, the school bell, lawn mowers and power tools and the many other sounds of summer and neighbourhood life.  They have even experienced some pretty loud thunderstorms and slept right through them!

Hanging out in the "lower deck" of the puppy pen set up.

Over the next two weeks many visitors will be coming to help socialize the puppies and we enjoy these visits so much.  Lexi is pleased to show off her puppies and is quick to take advantage of the extra attention for herself as well.  

 Trips outside have also begun and the outdoor puppy pen will soon be filled with tunnels and step stools, wobble boards and many toys to further the enrichment of the puppies.  In the early days simply being out in the fresh air for "al fresco" meal times and cuddles with people offer further opportunities for sensory development with the feel of the breeze, the warm sun, the different surfaces to walk on and the many smells and sounds of the great outdoors.

Outside with momma Lexi

We are delighted with this lovely trio of puppies.  They are a constant source of joy for our entire family.

Please visit our Facebook Page Northrock Barbets for frequent video and photo updates of the Billy x Lexi pups.  We will also be providing updates via the blog, just not as often.