It's a Big World for a Little Puppy

First Time Outside

Today we took advantage of the unusually warm winter weather for a quick trip outside to take some new puppy pictures. Outdoor photographs are so much nicer than our indoor flash pictures. Every day the puppies learn new things, and they are so friendly and curious. Who doesn't love puppies?

Black Girl

Brown Girl

A New Toy!

Spotlight on Miss Black

I have been accused of favoring the brown girl, since there are more pictures posted of her. Those of you with black dogs know that it is much more difficult to photograph a black dog with good result. But just for today, I am focusing only on our firstborn girl, the pup with the white #1 on her chest. Too bad she didn't wake up for today's pictures.

Little Dogs

Today was a very big day for the puppies. Their eyes are open, they turn to me when they hear my voice, and they are starting to play! Their rudimentary play bows, barks, and wagging tails are now emerging. They are chewing on each other, licking my hands, and it seems like they just instantly turned from only eating and sleeping into real puppies. Having them here is so much fun.

Happy Two Weeks

Sweet little girls

Black girl

Brown girl

Brown girl

Open Eyes

Brown

Black

10 Days

Isabel and the Brown Girl

The girls are already 10 days old and they are still very similar in size. The brown girl looks bigger because her hair is a little longer, but the black girl is almost always the puppy with the slightly higher weight. Both of them are well up on their legs and getting around their box. We could not be more pleased with these two pups.

Black Girl

Brown Girl

Newborn Barbet Puppies

Silly Sleepers

It's hard to believe the puppies are already over a week old. What fun they are to watch and hold! Claire continues to be a great mother, although Calla can't wait to play with the new girls. They are now pushing themselves up on their front legs, and we're really excited for them to open their eyes this week.

Save the Date -- August 24-26. 2012

I am really looking forward to the first National Specialty to be held in North America. Hopefully most Canadian and American (and maybe some European) Barbet Breeders and Exhibitors will attend and create a large, competitive entry. The show is held in a beautiful part of Canada and I can't wait to pack up the RV and hit the road! Even the puppies will be old enough to show by August.

For more information, check out the show website

Day 5 of Total Cuteness

Names and Connections

Everyone is asking me which puppy I will keep. At this point, I don't know and I can't imagine letting the other one go! They are such chunky, perfect and pretty pups. One thing I do know is the call name of the puppy who stays here, and her inspiration is shown in the picture above. In the Disney movie 'Ratatouille' (one of our favorites), there is a character named Solene LeClaire, a restaurant critic who helps put Gusteau's back on the map with her review of Remy's soup. Since her name is partly 'Claire,' we decided to use the other part as well. So, our new little 'Solene' is already here; we just aren't sure if she is black or brown!

Sleeping Babies

Claire Rests With Her Girls

It's Easy Being a Mom

Growing Already!

Claire is doing a fantastic job taking care of her baby girls. They have each gained over 100g since birth and are now ~470g each. They had their nails trimmed today and were very well behaved. Claire was very concerned with what I was doing to them and nuzzled them while I clipped. It is so much fun having baby puppies to stare at all day. It's been 8 years since we've had a litter!

Claire is a very proud mama!

I love the large, blocky heads already!

Mom makes a good pillow

The babies are both visible in this picture. See them?

So Sweet

Brown Girl

Black Girl

Announcing the arrival of our two amazing baby girls!

A Small but Beautiful Litter

Black Girl

Black Girl

Brown Girl

Brown Girl

Bango du Pre de Redy x Ch. Neigenuveaux's Ermagarde, born January 8, 2012

Co-bred with Florence Erwin, Neigenuveaux