Canine Partners

Welcome back to our blog series all about the journey of a canine partner mum.

You may remember from our last update that Faith was mated with Guide Dogs for the Blind’s stud dog Gus and that the next step was a scan to see if the mating was successful. We are delighted to announce that Faith is now pregnant!

We scan our canine partner mums at around 4 weeks into the pregnancy. Faith was scanned at her local vets, and sometimes the vet is even able to give us an idea of how many puppies in the litter!

The all-important preparation

Just like a human family prepares for their new baby, we make sure that both canine partner mum and their fosterer (Brood Bitch Holders) are ready for the new arrivals!

Sian, who is our Brood Stock Supervisor, arranged a visit to see Faith at around six weeks into the pregnancy and brought lots of goodies ready for the puppies.

Some of these goodies are:

• A whelping bed – this is a special pen for mum and puppies designed to protect the litter during birth (whelping) and keep them self-contained during their early life so they can stay safe and warm together.
• A heat lamp – newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature and so it is important that the whelping bed is kept warm
• A room thermometer – to monitor the temperature of the whelping bed
• A set of scales – to weigh the new arrivals and monitor their growth
• Towels
• A digital thermometer – for taking Faith’s temperature prior to and following her whelping

In addition to providing the equipment, Sian will remain on hand offering 24/7 support and guidance throughout the pregnancy.But for now, it’s a waiting game!

Interested in fostering a canine partner mum?

We are on the lookout for more volunteers to care for a canine partner mum in their home. You will be responsible for looking after the new-born puppies until they are approximately 7 weeks old.

If this sounds like something you would like to do, or you wish to find out more, click here.