Future Litter:
Seeker (Ch Cuardach Seeks New Shores) out of Scout/Casey may be bred in the spring/summer of 2011. More information to come and inquiries welcome.
How We Raise Our Puppies:
Careful thought and consideration goes into every breeding not only to produce IWS that are healthy and have wonderful temperaments but also because I devote a tremendous amount of time to the litter. All of our puppies are raised in our home in a family environment. The puppy pen is in the center of our home so that they are well adjusted to all family activities and sounds (dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, TV, radio, etc.). We also encourage many visitors so that the puppies meet all types of people and have many different people handling them. My husband is incredibly involved with each litter so they are very comfortable with both men and women. Puppies have an opportunity to interact with the older dogs in the house and our cats. My orange cat Sundance loves to play with puppies.
From the day the pups are born, they are constantly handled while allowing the mother dog to do her job effectively. As the pups get a little older, they participate in individual training sessions with me a couple of times a day. It is amazing to watch puppies so eager to have their turn even as young as 5 weeks old. It is also a great opportunity for me to see the puppies’ individual personalities outside of the litter. Between the individual and group training sessions, the puppies learn that interacting with humans is wonderful and full of rewards. By the time the puppies go home, they already have a strong desire to learn and they think it is fun. Most of the puppies have a pretty good start at understanding a sit and down.
I provide the puppies with a lot of enrichment so they are well adjusted to all sorts of things. This includes all different types of toys and things to climb in, under and over including boxes and tunnels. I also have a crate (without the door) in their pen so the can explore it on their own. If the weather permits, the puppies get a lot of time outside. They get exposure to all different kinds of surfaces (grass, dirt, rocks, paved patio and tree stumps). They also have many toys outside and things to climb over, under and in. As we live in suburbia, they get exposure to all sorts of noises such as loud radios, traffic and other city sounds. I also take pups on car rides.
While I know future families are eager to get their puppies, I am not in a rush have the puppies leave. Puppies usually go home between 9-11 weeks of age. Through my constant observations and interactions with the puppies; I really get to know the individual personality of each puppy. This helps me match each puppy with the forever home that is best suited for the pup. This is a win/win for everyone involved. In addition, I find that the mother dog teaches puppies a lot of critical skills and behaviors throughout the time they are in our home. The mother dog teaches puppies appropriate dog-to-dog interactions and the mom also does a great job at teaching bite inhibition.
We take pictures of our puppies every week and post them on the website so the future families can see the puppies grow and share in the experience no matter where they live. I strongly encourage puppy people to visit the puppies as often as possible. It is great fun.
Each puppy will receive a complete physical by our wonderful veterinarian and their first puppy shots prior to leaving for their forever home. All puppies go home with some food, a new collar and leash, a puppy snood, toys, and treats. I also give my puppy buyers a lot of reading materials on training, socialization, feeding, vet care, and behavior.
We hope that by the time the puppy leaves us that their new family knows we are here to answer any questions and help throughout the life of the dog.
Megan/Marley Litter: Puppies born May 10, 2010 - 3 females and 1 male
Sadie/Clark Litter:
Sadie snuggling with Stephanie - what a sweetie
Clark - Ch Cuardach Blaze The Trail AX AXJ OF (OFA Hips Excellent, Elbows Normal, Thyroid Normal, Cerf) was bred to Sadie - Castlehill's Sirius Conspiracy (OFA Hips Excellent, Elbows Normal, Thyroid Normal, Cerf Normal). Clark x Sadie Litter Pedigree.pdf On Thursday, January 15, 2009, Sadie delivered 6 beautiful puppies, 4 girls and 2 boys. Sadie is a wonderful girl with a fabulous temperament. Sadie is so sweet you can't help but fall in love with her. She has a beautiful body and a dark coat. Sue Tapp of Castlehill Irish Water Spaniels (www.castlehillirishwaterspaniels.com) bred the litter. All puppies have homes at this time.
Scout/Tyler Litter: Puppies born March 30, 2008 - 4 females and 5 males
Scout/Casey Litter: Puppies born April 11, 2006 - 6 females and 1 male
To see pictures of the pups taken weekly from when they were born to the time they went to their new homes, see the litter tabs above. Updated information on each puppy from our litters can be found in the Dogs of Cuardach tab.