What the Scale Can Tell Us

This entry is part 16 of 17 in the series Breeder Education Series

Birth Weights, Growth Patterns, and the Early Warning Signs We Shouldn’t Ignore There are few pieces of equipment in a whelping room quite as unremarkable as a digital kitchen scale. It doesn’t have the sophistication of an ultrasound machine or the apparent importance of the emergency supplies we’ve carefully assembled Read more

When a Newborn Puppy Needs Help

This entry is part 15 of 17 in the series Breeder Education Series

Early Warning Signs & Emergency Response Newborn puppies can decline with alarming speed, and the earliest signs of trouble are not always obvious. A puppy that seems unusually quiet, nurses less enthusiastically, or fails to gain weight may be telling us something important. Recognizing those subtle changes—and knowing when to Read more

The Puppy That Isn’t Thriving:

This entry is part 14 of 17 in the series Breeder Education Series

Looking Beyond Fading Puppy Syndrome Recognizing the earliest warning signs, understanding what may be happening, and knowing when a struggling newborn needs more than our best intentions. Most experienced breeders have encountered, or at least heard about, the puppy that simply doesn’t seem to be doing as well as its Read more

First 24 Hours Puppy Monitoring Sheet

This entry is part 13 of 17 in the series Breeder Education Series

The first 24 hours of a puppy’s life are critical, particularly when it comes to colostrum intake, early nutrition, and establishing a healthy start. Careful observation is important, but accurate records can reveal concerns that might otherwise go unnoticed. To accompany our article, The First 24 Hours: Colostrum, Immunity, and Read more

Newborn Resuscitation Emergency Reference

This entry is part 11 of 17 in the series Breeder Education Series

A printable guide to keep handy When a newborn puppy struggles to breathe, every second matters. Knowing what to do, what not to do, and when to intervene can make a critical difference. Drawing upon the 2025 RECOVER neonatal resuscitation guidelines and the educational work of Dr. Emmanuel Fontaine, we’ve Read more

Fertility Evaluation in the Stud Dog

This entry is part 9 of 17 in the series Breeder Education Series

“A complete fertility evaluation in the male involves history, physical examination, libido determination, semen collection and evaluation, hormonal evaluation, and prostatic examination. The initial database should include a detailed history, a complete physical examination, complete blood count, serum chemistry and urinalysis. History should include travel, diet, past or current illnesses, medications, vaccinations, deworming history and prior laboratory tests. Details of breeding history should be obtained, including the dates of all known matings, type of breeding (natural vs. AI – vaginal, transcervical or surgical; fresh, chilled or frozen semen) and the results of these matings (including pregnancy rates and litter size). Breeding management of each bitch should also be described.“