The Merlie Girlie History:

We are hoping to get a nice merlie girlie at some point soon. We have been searching for the right one for a long time and have just not found quite the right pup. We want something with good conformation, not to much white, hipscored parents, CEA normal parents (or at least one normal and low chance of carrying) and with a high working drive with the view to breeding from her in the future.

We have been to see a few litters but nothing has been quite right. It's a tough hunt!

Ok so we have now a litter that we are interested in!

This pup is from Nik Fowlers Wispa (Tosari Caique) and Jayne Brays Kruise (Merledaze Cant Wait Wont Wait at Upanova). Now I have always liked Kruise for his smooth working style and stunning looks. Jayne told me about this mating and we met Wispa at Middowns 2006. Wow what a little bundle of energy. She is also stunning. Wispa is a small BC and has measured into 'Medium' which means she's under 17" to the shoulder. Kruise is a fairly small lad too so the pups should be compact and neat which is what I am looking for. Kruise and Wispa both have good hips and Kruise is CEA DNA Normal. Wispa hasn't been DNA tested but she is clear of CEA and her Dad (Tobermoray Ryans Legacy) is CEA DNA normal. Kruise is one win off Advanced Large and Wispa is already Advanced Medium. Kruise is a nice mix of show and working lines and has the Kapia breeding in him which I so admire. Wispa also has show and working lines and some lovely dogs in her pedigree.

The pups have been born!!! (DOB: 06/04/2006)

There are two merlie girlies one slate and one dark blue merle. The slate is quite tiny and I expect may turn out to be medium (could be totally wrong though)! She is so far quite cuddly and sweet. The dark is the largest in the litter even bigger than the boy! At the moment she is a real madam and wants to be where she wants to be! We saw the litter at a week and a half and will go back to see them around four weeks old and will make a decision then.

Ok, so I know I said I was going to wait till four weeks old and consciously that's what I was doing. Unfortunately subconsciously I kept thinking about the same pup. She's also the one I reached for straight away when I first saw them. We haven't confirmed it 100% yet but the one who I think we will be having is the Slate bitch.

Here are some more pics of her at 2 1/2 weeks old. She is darkening up a bit now and her eyes are fully open except she's sleeping here. In fact Nik tells me she slept all the way through Coronation Street. But as Nik says "We already knew she had class"!

02/05/2006

Well we went to see the pups again yesterday. They are 31/2 weeks old now and so cute! The Slate woke up early on and was the one who stayed awake for most of our visit! She was happy to play or hug. If you picked her up she would snuggle into you but as soon as her feet were on the floor it was play time again. She has however had a growing spurt and is now a real roly poly big girl! I don't think she will be huge, I do however think she will probably be a 'Large' after all which I would prefer really! Ah well guess we will have to wait a year or so to see how big she ends up!!!

We have picked a name for her and she is now known as 'Hoax'. Hoax looks darker in the photos than she is as the flash seems to darken the coat colours. She has a lovely shape with well set ears and a pretty head with a nice defined stop. She also has the fluffiest coat of the lot. At the moment her eyes are bright blue but who knows how they will end up. They both seem to be the same pigment so I think her eyes will match. . Her dark merle sister however I think will have one blue and one brown eye as the pigment in each is quite different.

Some photos we took yesterday:

08/05/2006

Well apparently all the pups are doing well. They have had a peek around the garden and are eating just fine. They are all playing a lot and causing the usual puppy chaos!

15th May 2006

Went to see the pups on Saturday afternoon. Well it was pouring with rain outside but the pups were happy to follow people outside or play indoors. They are all very playful and so well socialised. Hoax is just the best! (Maybe a little biased though). One of Hoax's ears is starting to lift slightly so maybe she'll end up with ears like her dad! She gives great hugs and kisses but is ready to pounce and play too. My perfect pup!

22nd May 2006

Just when I thought she couldn't get any cuter Nik goes and send me this photo. OMG how gorgeous my new baby girl is!!! I can't wait!

06th June 2006

Well she is now with us! What an amazing puppy. she is full of love, attitude, energy, enthusiasm. Everything I could possibly want! He ears have now gone prick and at the moment her eyes are still blue. She is just totally perfect! What a stunner. Thanks Nik!!!