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 - 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. 

Responsible Barbet Breeders

This handout is part of the educational material that is being shared by the Barbet Club of America.  I love the message it contains and am thankful to all the wonderful dog breeders who helped to play a part in the production of it. I believe it was the Berner folk who came up with the original concept.  Juliana du Pree was inspired by their idea and ran with it, putting together one for Corgis.  My thanks to her for helping to create this version for the Barbet.  The photo credit goes to Tammy McAllister.  Thank you ladies.