Blue Barbet boy at 5 weeks

He is cheeky this boy, quietly confident, the sort of puppy that sits behind you whilst you are looking for him chewing the end of your trousers, he used to be a real wriggler like green collar but now just happy to be held and shown new things, similar to the solid black boy, very happy to be cuddled and to sleep on your lap.

Solid black Barbet boy at 5 weeks

This is still the smallest pup, but don't be fooled as being little doesn't stop him being in the middle of the scrum for food so he is not missing out, he carries all the toys and out of the whole litter always shows an interest as soon as something new arrives in the pen, he loves to sleep in the bed with all the toys, doesn't look very comfortable but that is what he likes. 

Black boy with white stripe at 5 weeks old

I do not have favourites but this little boy was the first puppy that managed to climb on my lap unaided, he was determined and when he achieved he went to sleep. He is brave outside and quite an explorer, just adorable.

Break dancing Barbet

Go for it Bepop, show your daughter how to do the best Barbet breakdance

Good news for Barbet puppies

I am rather shocked to be saying this but we have new people nextdoor and they have children who are so noisy it is wonderful. Are you shocked? My children are older, so we get car doors banging late at night, and we get loud music mingled with a few raised voices, but for puppies nothing beats young children screaming and yelling at random times. They have also been and bought a trampoline, which adds to my delight as the children bounce up and can see over our fence. Martha was completely gutted about this intrusion, but I am pleased to say that now she is just excited to see half a child appear and then disappear. On the downside for these kids, they have lost a few footballs, but dogs are dogs and random balls appearing in the garden makes them feel like its Xmas. So roll on Summer when the pups can go out and explore the garden and learn to live with the wonderful random noises that our neighbours make.  

Seminars at Crufts

This year I attended three days at Crufts, it was heaven although the distances driven were pretty awful, just under 1000 miles....the things we do for an education.
The seminars were:
Temperament testing by Nathalie Ingham (Battersea dogs home)
Rearing a Guide Dog litter by Wendy Adams and Caroline Peacock (Guide Dogs for the Blind)
First Aid in the field by Gill Simpson (retired vet)
Taking Canine Research to Business as Usual the Guide Dog way - not sure the names of the speakers.
and the best of all for me was:
The Canine mind- How Puppies learn by Professor Peter Neville Dhc BSc(hons).

I could have listened to Peter Neville for hours, I am a bit of an anorak over dog behaviour and he was talking puppies and behaviour so a winning combination.
Now one thing I will share:
The fear factor in young puppies, on average starts at 49 days but with different breeds a huge difference has been recorded.
Wolves 19 days
GSD 35-38 days
CKCS 55 days
yorkies 33 days
labradors (might have been Golden Retrievers!) 72 days.
So where does the Barbet fit in? hopefully based on one litter (so fairly non conclusive) I will be able to tell you in about 10 weeks, although my testing will be a bit Heath Robinson as I will not have heart rate measurements or saliva checking equipment but I will enjoy it and the pups will only benefit.
  

The KCAI get a thumbs up for organising the seminars