They are 9 days
21st April 2012
Urania's six pups are 9 days old today. They have on average reached 229% of their new-born weight. And this afternoon we could see their eyelids slightly separating. Arrived
12th April 2012
This morning between 4.50 and 9.35 Urania delivered 6 healthy pups: 3 boys followed by 3 girls. To our surprise the dam’s body temperature did not drop significantly before the labour, and she instinctively assumed her mother’s role leaving us as almost completely passive spectators. It is enough to say that we nearly missed the moment when the last little bitch was born. We did not watch prolonged straining or panting and all puppies took their first breath soon after born and are nursing energetically ever since. And our young mum’s appetite is still as good as usual! About 9 days to delivery
6th April 2012
We expect Urania to deliver her puppies about 15th April and have started taking her body temperature regularly. But we are confident that we will not miss the obvious signs and the dam's behaviour that will directly precede the labour. Anyway the time has come to rearrange the bedroom with the welping box in and keep all the utesils for delivery at hand. Urania is still very well, but will already not move quicker than a trot when not excited. 
Urania sleepy at dawn
6th week of gestation
23rd March 2012
Next Monday Urania will enter the third trimester of her gestation. Sometimes she visibly acts more carefully than before, but still has her daily portion of exercise and play. We cannot complain about her appetite: in the mornings and evenings the dogs receive freshly made meals, and some reasonably composed kibble for lunch. The abdomen of the bitch seems to look different every day now, and the nipples are visibly getting ready to supply milk. Urka pees a little bit more often as the bladder does not have so much space to expand as before. And Cyrus – like a typical male – behaves as if he still were a bachelor. 4th week of gestation
5th March 2012
We had Urania’s abdomen examined by ultrasound and can now be sure about her pregnancy. Only the parts of the horns nearby the body of the uterus were checked and we did not attempt to count the fetuses, but we saw at least 3 of them in a single picture. In the photo shown here one can see two clear oval fetal sacs at the top. During the examination we could tell a heart beating and an umbilical cord apart. Needless to say we are bursting with joy :) 2nd week of gestation21st February 2012
We are pleased to announce that we have received a reliable value of the Wright's inbred coefficient of the future offspring of Cyrus x Urania from a person in the Schweizerischer Klub für Entlebucher Sennenhunde. It is computed based on an extensive database of Entlebuch Cattle Dogs and equals 1.42%. First litter of Entlebuch Cattle Dogs at Quercus Niger15th February 2012
In April 2012 we plan delivery of Entlebucher puppies from parents Cyrus Wolin Dogs and Urania Szwajcar. Our dogs mated first time on 8th February. Cyrus and Urania display all the key behavioral merits of the breed, including strong bind with the home mates, vigilance, caution with strangers, addiction to plays like fetching, frisbee, nosework, agility and hiking or swimming. They get along with half a dozen of cats that live with us too. Cyrus is of inquisitive nature, and when confronted with other dogs he might serve as a template. Urania in turn demonstrates more ability to stay focused during training sessions. She is much more vocal as well. Both beasts are of excellent type, with sturdy bone, nicely carved muscles and perfect coat. They bear typical markings, including almost identical thin blaze on their heads. Cyrus apparently took his head after his mother Dixi Brabusz, and Urania’s with a shorter and stronger muzzle is very much like that of her grandmother Alaska vom Franzengarten. Oveall both dogs offer a strikingly pleasant expression. The dogs are HD-free, and their offspring will be at no risk of developing progressive retinal atrophy (eye disease). We have a reliable (Wright’s) inbred factor of the prospective pups: it is 1.42%. Future parents also possess certain show record. Younger Urania is a Polish Youth Champion and has been shown internationally with success. Cyrus is an Interchampion (FCI CIB), a Polish Champion (Youth and adult) as well as a double German Champion (VDH and SSV). |
Calendar of litter A 
|
Our bitch is officially HD free
November 2011: We have just received Urania's X-ray result certifying that she is free from hip dysplasia (HD A).
We tentatively plan an Entlebucher litter in winter 2011/2012
Since spring 2009 we have been happy owners of an Entlebuch Cattle Dog named Cyrus. This has changed our life in many ways (what a cliché), but apparently the balance amount was positive as next year we acquired another Entlebucher pup: a sweet little lady named Urania.
Somehow what at first was just a need to put some extra energy in our newly built home and the surrounding garden, became a more serious interest in dogs in general and this particular breed, which seems to offer merits unseen with most of the others.
Now we think we have reached the point when the ability to breed Entlebuchers became real. Cyrus, our stud, has gathered a significant show record, and we have just filed his Interchampion application with FCI. Urania, still in her early life, is mature enough and displays good health, to deliver our first litter after her next heat, which we expect in late fall or winter 2011.
If you wish to learn how our plan materializes or are simply interested in purchasing a puppy of your own, please contact us by email.
In any case, if you are considering becoming a happy owner of an Entlebucher, please study closer its exterior and temperament unless you have already done so. Try to think over how it would match your lifestyle and living conditions. While each dog is fairly adaptable, there are certainly less demanding breeds than the Entlebucher. Do not feel deterred: There are also plenty of breeds far more demanding in terms of their owner’s time and experience, often recklessly purchased by people driven by how cute 8-week old puppies look. If you are new to the topic then you may want to lookup information here: NEMDA (English) or here: SSV (German).
Dorota & Rafal
See also:
>> Show performance: Cyrus'
>> ...and Urania's
>> Health of the dogs