29/08/2025
Phase 2:
After 30 years of animal rescue, adopting from shelters and 5 years of RSPCA desexing work, have taken the next step into normal canine breeding behaviour.
And Valentina and Ludovic were expecting puppies! They are both pedigree standard poodles. Ludovic is champagne colour with apricot colour mother. Valentina is a rare mahogony colour with both parents also mahogony. We were expecting a 3:1 genetic split between dominant and recessive colours respectively.
Female dogs come “on heat” (start to cycle) around 6 months of age when they become hormonaly mature. The whole process is about 3 weeks but the females are only receptive to males for a very short period when the hormone levels are correct - female dog will decide when they are ready to breed and the male will take the que. The fertile period is not at the same time as the bloody discharge in the female. The dog’s incredible sense of smell allowed both males and females to recognise the right hormonal stage.
On the 21 day ultrasound we counted 8 puppy-poodles-to-be 🐩😊
Photos: ultrasound, telling Valentina she is having 8 puppies, getting larger through the 63 day pregnancy, mother-and-father-to-be relaxing, Lui taking a look at a flat pack puppy pen, Lui giving up on the flat pack, still enjoying gentle beach walks in the evening.
