With sad hearts, we have decided that we will not be going ahead with our spring 2021 litter plans. Abiding by current public health guidelines and restrictions set in place by the Ontario government, our biggest concern with raising puppies at this time would be a lack of positive early socialization. We would not be able to safely host our family, friends, reservation families, and guardian families in our home to introduce puppies to people while in our care. In normal times we aim to positively introduce litters to at least 50 people (the Avidog recommendation is that puppies should carefully, positively meet at least 100 people in the first 100 days of life) because our home is a safe, known environment for puppies to first meet humans while they have their littermates, mother dog, other adult dogs, and familiar people to support and mentor them. Puppies that are not carefully and positively socialized during their critical socialization window from week 3-16 are more likely to have problem behaviours like fear and reactivity that are difficult to overcome (https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf). Dog training programmes are currently closed for any in-person services and have wait lists for when classes are able to resume, this would also be a concern for training and continued early socialization of puppies once they go home. Research studies show that attending positive puppy classes prevents social fear and problem behaviours. Dog trainers are currently consulting on a lot of pandemic puppy behavioural issues which we do not wish to contribute to. Veterinary services also remain limited at this time. We do not have access to all annual health testing for breeding dogs (canine ophthalmology exams which are recommended for all breeding dogs have not been available in Southwestern Ontario since March of 2020), breeding facilitation and artificial inseminations by our reproduction veterinarian, or semen workups for stud dogs. We know this news is very disappointing for waiting families (we understand this personally as we have had our own long-awaited puppies from other breeders deferred due to the pandemic), but we want to be sure that we can provide any puppies in our care the best start possible for the best life possible with their forever families.
We also have some very exciting news to share! We are expecting a baby in the summer of 2021! Over the last 9 years, we have had the privilege of seeing families grow by four paws and we joyfully look forward to the addition of a new member of our own family!
We do not anticipate that any of our female dogs will be in heat again until the very end 2021 (likely November/December). We do hope to welcome puppies in early 2022. Our Cobberdog females only come into heat and are able to be bred 1-2 times a year. Female dogs ovulate about two weeks after starting their heat, are pregnant for 9 weeks after ovulation, and have puppies that go home 9 weeks after birth. We will be sure to keep our website updated.
Our programme will remain closed to considering new interested families and accepting new applications until 2023 due to the volume of amazing waiting families who are already in contact with us and have approved applications.
We do not and will not have any adult dogs or older puppies available to rehome.