Hello Poodle Lovers! The last post on my blog was way back in April So much has happened since that time.
- Packed out our home in Texas and put all of our things in storage.
- Sent most of our dogs to live with other people for the summer, all across the US.
- Loaded up the family and Cody for a 2 month trip across the US and Canada.
- Listed our house in Texas, got a full price offer on day 3, closed on the house while we were in Kalispell, MT!
- Arrived in Huntsville, AL, but still not in our home.
We are currently sitting at number 5. Our home, which we kept just in case we moved back to Alabama, has been rented while we were in Texas. The renter’s lease is up the 31st of August. “Hopefully” they will be out in a timely manner and we can get our home goods delivered by the 1st or 2nd week of September. Living tiny is starting to wear thin. I need a real home with a fenced yard, so I can gather my dogs and settle in!
MABEL
I know, what you guys are most interested in is ‘when is the next litter?” Well, that is not set in stone as yet. It depends on Mabel. I have a small window where I can take her pups and place them with the travel plans we have this February. If she either comes into season in the next month or waits until mid November, things might work out so we can have the winter litter. If her timing leaves us with 9 week old pups during my travel window in February, the litter might have to wait until next summer. Mabel is pushing 4 years of age and never had a litter, so this would be the better time for her, physically.
Finding a male I like for Mabel has been tricky. She is related to everything I own. I have DNA tested her for diversity and if I bred her to Cody, even though their pedigrees look good on paper, genetically they are as closely related as half siblings. I use the latest testing for a reason, I am not going to ignore the results when it doesn’t fit my personal desires. There are dogs in the DNA tested database who are a fabulous match genetically, but their temperaments are not what I need for Mabel, their location was to far away, or their hips were not good or excellent (Mabel is a fair and I only breed good / excellent to a fair per OFA guidelines). I want all my maiden females to have a natural breeding if possible, not shipped in semen.
CH ARGAN I’M BLOWN AWAY
With all that said, I spoke to Angie at Argan Poodles near Waco about using Tango with Mabel. Tango was the sire of our Cadence litter 2 years ago. I love how that litter has developed. Those boys are beautiful, smart, and not to high drive. Just the temperament I need. Last night I ordered a DNA test to see if Mabel carries the ‘red’ gene which produces creams / whites. If she carries that gene, we will have 50% blacks and 50% creams / whites. If not, expect an all black litter. Mabel is 25 inches and Tango is over 25 inches. I expect all pups in this litter to be large Poodles.
NEWT & JINGLE
These two girls will be turning 2 years old later this year. Hopefully all their health testing will proceed without a hitch. I’ve already selected their studs. Because they are so genetically diverse, it was much easier for me to find boys who matched them. As both boys I have selected are the right temperament and have good or excellent hips, the only thing we need is passing scores and we will be set to go spring, summer, or fall of next year depending on what life tossing our way. Let’s hope they both pass health testing!
That is the full plan for 2020 litters. On a brag note, Courtney took Mabel to a show and was able to pick up 2 of the 3 qualifying legs she needs for her Rally Novice title last month. Mabel also tested for her Canine Good Citizen title and passed!! Go team Mabel!