When they were pups....

It's Day 58 of Siege's pregnancy. Her temperature today was 99.7 degrees. The puppies should be here any day, but we're still waiting on that temperature to drop down to 98 degrees. Here she is prior to this post being made, and you can tell she is ready for this process to be over with:

While we continue to wait for these puppies to get here, I wanted to introduce you to Siege and Stryker in their puppy forms -- maybe it will give you an idea of what to expect your puppy to be like when you bring him to be a part of your new family.

Siege

Here is Siege at 8 weeks of age. She has been playing in the water at a local pond called Conway Acres. She has lived for retrieving since she was a pup and that's what she continues to do today. You could tell from the get-go that she had the makings of becoming a really great dog -- which she certainly has.

Here is 8 week old Siege retrieving a bumper from the water. She has no fear and the fact that the bumper is as big as she is has no relevancy. She was on a mission every time. She didn't care how small she was, she was going to get the job done!

Here is Siege in action as an 8 week old puppy.

Here she is the day that she left for her duck dog training at Runnin Rebel Retrievers in Townley, AL at about 16 weeks of age.

Stryker

Stryker has been such a good dog from the moment I brought him home. I picked him up when he was 15 weeks old, so he was a little more progressed when I got him. He was such a fun pup that loved to retrieve and was an absolutely beautiful dog. Here he is:

This is Stryker the day after I got him home. He still has that same happy look on his face regularly.

Stryker hanging out in his kennel

A born and bred retriever. He loves it.

Always has had a passion for the water

This is one of Stryker's last days as a puppy. He has just turned 1 year old -- we are having the "becoming a man" talk -- one of my favorite pictures of us.

I hope this post has helped you learn a little bit more about Siege/Stryker. I know that these puppies will bring you as much joy as mine have brought to me these past few years.

Deposits are being accepted. Picks are disseminated in the order that the deposits are received. Deposits can be made in the form of a personal check for $200.00 -- the remaining $300.00 will be due upon delivery/pick-up of your puppy. Get your deposit in today!

wareagle044@gmail.com

**Be Sure to read the older blog posts for more information about Stryker and Siege -- their pedigrees -- vet visits -- etc. Stay tuned for more live streaming videos, recorded videos, pictures, and information about this fantastic litter of puppies.

Family Ties

Meet the Pedigree

While we're waiting for these puppies to hit the ground, I wanted to take the time to introduce you to members of the pups pedigree. We know about Stryker and Siege, but let's take a closer look 3-generation pedigree from each.

Siege -View the Pedigree

AFC Coolwater's Knockout (Punch) - Punch is the grand-sire of this litter. Punch is a product of Coolwater Kennels in Bruce, Mississippi. Punch has earned the title of Amateur Field Champion, which means he has won a Field Trial sanctioned by the AKC. In 2011, he qualified for the National Amateur Field Trial which is a feat only accomplished by the top dogs and amateur handlers in the country. Punch was named Co-Champion of the National Derby in 2008, and was also named the 2008 Purina High Point Derby Dog which means he scored the most points of all dogs under 2 years old that year. 

Here is a photo of punch from CoolwaterKennels.com

HRCH SYD LK Bear BR Carbon's Gem (Diamond) - Diamond is the grand-dame of this litter. Diamond was owned and handled by Mike Perry. She received the title of Hunting Retriever Champion from the UKC and was awarded her Master Hunter title from the AKC. These mean that she was capable of mastering most any hunting situation. Diamond made regular trips to assist with geese and duck hunts in Canada. Mike describes Diamond like a thoroughbred race horse when on the retrieve, and as if she was a linebacker taking aim at a tailback when running down a cripple. You can see photos of her in action around the :20 second mark of this video. Unfortunately, Diamond was lost in a tragic fire just a couple of years ago. Her legacy will live on through these puppies.

NFC FC AFC Five Star General Patton (Patton) - The titles in front of Patton's name pretty much speak for themselves. Patton is a product of Five Star Retrievers in Sussex Wisconsin. Patton qualfied for 8 Nationals and finished as a finalist in 5 of them. He won the National Field Championship in 2003 -- making him the "top dog" for that year. Patton passed away in the arms of his owner in December of 2009. He will forever be remembered as "one of the greats".

AFC Coolwater's Makin Trax (Honda) - Honda is another product of Coolwater Kennels and is a talented one at that. Honda has won 3 amateur Field Trials which has given her the AFC title. She has qualified for the national amatuers in 2005 and 2006. She finished as a finalist in 2006. 

Honda from Coolwater Kennels.com

NAFC FC AFC Carbon Copy of Horn Creek (Carbon) - Carbon is another pup whose titles speak for themselves. Carbon was awarded the National Amatuer Field Championship in 2006. He has 15 open wins,and 24 amateur wins. He was awarded as the high point amateur dog in 2004 with 47 cumulative points. Carbon was also a 5x National Qualifier. 

Carbon

NAFC CNAFC FC AFC Ebonstar Lean Mac - Lean Mac is probably known as the dog that has produced the most titled offspring in the history of AKC. He was a 2x winner of the National Amateur and a 2x winner of the Canadian National Amateur. Lean Mac was inducted into the retriever hall of fame in 2002.

Ebonstar Lean Mac

FC AFC Webshire's Honest Abe - Abe has received his Field Champion and Amateur Field Champion titles. He was a 1x National Finalist. He was inducted into the Retriever Hall of Fame in 2002 alongside Lean Mac. He has 41 title offspring and was the sire for the 1998 National Field Champion.

Abe

FC AFC Dare to Dream (Cosmo) - Cosmo received his Field Champion title at the age of 3. He qualified for 6 Master Nationals. He was the #1 open male with 6 open wins. He has sired 28 FC/AFC titled dogs, and is the grandsire of 2006 National Field Champion Club Mead's Road Warrior.

Cosmo

FC AFC Watermark's the Boss (Boss) - Boss is a product of Watermark Retrievers in Houston, Texas. Boss qualified and competed in 4 Nationals. 

Boss from Watermark Retrievers

Now we have looked at some of the key components that make up Siege's pedigree -- let's switch directions and look at some of the key cogs that make Stryker the pup that he is today.

Stryker -View The Pedigree

GRHRCH UH Buddy Ryan's Jim Bo MH (Jimbo) -- Jimbo is the type of dog that you don't come across very often. He is owned by Ellis Howard of Georgia and has been a self taught hunting retriever from the get-go. Ellis received Jimbo as a reward for returning some escaped retrievers to its owner -- he took him on a dove hunt and Jimbo retrieved like a natural. It was off to the races for Ellis and Jimbo from there. Jimbo holds the most championship points of any male retriever to ever participate in HRC/UKC hunt tests in the US/Canada. He has since been passed by a female after his retirement, but he hold over 5000 points. Jimbo has also received his Master Hunter title from the AKC. He is also a certified Upland Hunter by HRC/UKC. There won't be many more dogs to pass through this world like Jimbo, maybe yours will be one of the few. Watch the 6 part story of Jimbo and Ellis Howard's journey HERE.

JimBo in the Field

HR Birdee in the Hand JH WC (Birdee) - Birdee is Stryker's dame. She is a good natured hunting retriever awarded the same title from the HRC/UKC. She has obtained her Junior Hunter title from the AKC and Working Certificate from the Labrador Retriever Club. She is an athletic hunter and very good in the field. Stryker exhibits a lot of her personality with the work ethic of JimBo. She has since been sold to a new owner but you can find more information about her at http://www.championlabs.net -- You can trace Birdee's lineage back to some of the great dogs in Field Trial History: You can find the following dogs in Birdee's pedigree: 

FC AFC Trumarc's Raider

FC AFC Trieven Thunderhead
FC AFC Trumarc's Zipcode
FC AFC Dee's Dandy Dude
NAFC FC AFC Dude's Double or Nothin
FC AFC Snake-Eyes Double or Nothin
CNAFC CFC FC AFC ACES HIGH III 1987 National Derby Champion
NFC FC AFC WESTWIND SUPERNOVA CHIEF
NFC FC AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO
FC WHYGIN CORK’S COOT
NFC NAFC FC AFC SUPER CHIEF

Birdee

These are the key cogs in Stryker's pedigree. You will notice quite a few Master Hunters awarded by the AKC which are solid hunting retrievers. If you have anymore questions please ask.

Remember Deposits are now being accepted on a puppy from this litter. $200.00 (non-refundable) will reserve your pick in this litter. Picks will be disseminated in the order the deposits are received. Get your deposit in quickly.

wareagle044@gmail.com

**Remember to check out the old posts for more information, videos, photos -- stay tuned for more updates and videos as we get these puppies on the ground and prepare them to join you in your household!

It's the FINAL week...

Day 56

Today starts the FINAL week of Siege's pregnancy. Average gestation for a dog is 60-63 days, so I am expecting her to have these pups any day now. I will start checking her temperature twice a day. Her temperature will begin to spike before taking a sudden drop to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. When we hit that 98 degree threshold she will deliver the pups within 24 hrs. Her temperature just before this post was 100.5 -- normal temperature for a dog is about 101 degrees or so.

I have been closely monitoring and limiting Siege's activity the past few days. Her whelping box has been moved next to my bed and she is under as close to 100% surveillance as she can get. Her exercise consists of walks with me down the street or walks around the horse pasture. It's not her favorite thing in the world to not be able to retrieve because that is what she feels is her sole purpose. However, I think she enjoys getting out of the house and it's good to spend time with her outdoors --- even if it is just walking. It'll be a quick few weeks before her motherly duties are over. She will then be able to work off that mommy fat and retrieve till her heart stops! 

Here is Siege about halfway through our walk around the pasture. There was a squirrel jumping around in the woods across the creek that has her attention.

Here is Siege after her walk watching over the horses in the horse pasture.

Stryker

Stryker's lifestyle hasn't quite been as limited as Siege. Stryker got to spend the evening at the park and in the water. Normally, I make the dogs ride in their kennels when in truck --- but today, I let Stryker go free-style. He was pretty pumped about it. Stryker won't have any role in the rearing of the pups, but I want you all to see what the sire is doing to stay busy. 

Stryker retrieving a bumper from one of the ponds at Conway Acres in Auburn, AL

Deposits are now being accepted,

If you would like to place a deposit or have any questions on a puppy from Siege/Stryker's litter please contact me at: wareagle044@gmail.com

Deposits are $200.00 -- deposit reserves the order of your pick so get it in today!

Also, be sure to head through the older blog posts to find more information about Siege and Stryker. You can find links to both sets of pedigrees and our recent visit to the vet with Siege.

Puppy Counting

East University Veterinary Hospital

1675 E. University Dr.

Auburn, AL

334-826-0360

Today was Day 55 in Siege's pregnancy. It was time to take her into get a head count of the little ones inside of her. I have used East University Vet Hospital since I moved to the Auburn area in 2005. You will not find a more professional clinic than the one run by Dr's Pete Marine and Monica Hall. They are both Labrador owners and very knowledgeable of what it takes to provide superior care for them. Every time I visit, I leave with 100% confidence that my pet received the best care and attention that they possibly could have. From receptionist, techs, interns, and docs -- it's the best.

After a short wait in the waiting room, Siege was taken back to the X-Ray Department of the clinic for her picture. I could hear the tech's and Dr. Hall guessing litter sizes through the wall. I believe Dr. Hall guessed 9. I thought this was funny because my girlfriend and I were doing the same thing as I drove to the clinic. I guessed 6 and she guessed 8. As it turns out, Dr. Hall was closest with her guess of 9. We are thinking there are 10 or 11 pups just waiting to join us in this world. You can count for yourself in the picture of the X-Ray below. What you do is count the skulls of the pups. You will notice them as small white circles on the X-Ray film. They almost look like jelly-fish.

I will  now officially begin accepting deposits on these puppies. I am going to accept 10 deposits before I start developing a waiting list. If I end up with 11 or 12 puppies, I will then contact those on the waiting list to let them know a pup is available. Deposits will be $200.00 (non-refundable) and you will receive your pick based on the order that deposit is received. The final $300.00 will be due upon pick up of your new friend.

wareagle044@gmail.com -- Please E-mail me to place your deposit TODAY!

Be sure to read the older blog posts for more information about the sire/dam -- Also, continue to follow along as I plan on having live streaming video, recorded video, images and other updates as the whelping and weaning process goes on. I want you to feel a part of the process and enjoy these puppies as much as I am going to. Thanks!!

Siege is EXPECTING!!!

My black labrador, Siege, is expecting her first litter of puppies in a matter of a few days! She was swooned by the romantic antics of my chocolate lab, Stryker. Stryker and Siege had a romantic evening back in the beginning of February which has led to these pending events. I expect these puppies to be fantastic hunting retrievers and am hoping to get them into homes that will allow them to meet their potential in the field.

-AKC/UKC registered
-dewclaws removed
-dewormed
-will be up to date on vaccinations
-lots of socialization
-introduction to water
-lots of TLC

I am expecting all puppies to be black and will be $500.00 each.
$200.00 deposit will reserve your pick (picks disseminated in order deposits are received) 
Get a deposit in quickly because these guys won't last long.
Please E-mail me for info or to reserve your pick today!!!!

(click to e-mail)

**As the breeder, I reserve the right to refuse sell of any puppy to homes deemed "unfit" to provide for them.

Siege: HR CRBN PNCH'S MAKIN U SURRENDER

(AFC Coolwater's Knockout x HRCH SYD LK Bear BR Carbon's Gem)

-Hunting Retriever Title awarded by HRC/UKC
-excellent drive to retrieve
-excellent in the water

Here is a video of Siege working an easy Triple Mark Retrieve at the end of a training session.

Siege's AKC Pedigree

(click)

Stryker: Greene's Stryker Brigade Commander

(GRHRCH UH Buddy Ryan's Jim Bo MH x HR Birdee in the Hand JH WC)


-Stryker's sire is the all-time leader (male) in championship points in the US/Canada for HRC/UKC hunt tests.
-Stryker is a solid dog with a strong desire to please
-motivated to retrieve
-great nose

video of me hiding a bumper and Stryker "huntin it up"

Stryker's AKC Pedigree

(click)

Siege and Stryker's UKC pedigrees

(click)

Stryker and Siege w/ my dad's dog and my other lab, Memphis --- just playing.