Mitten
Mitten has now entered her 5th week of pregnancy and so many changes are taking place. At this stage in pregnancy, amniotic fluid in the uterus increases in order to protect the pups. This happens around day 32 of gestation. From week five onwards, the puppies are much less susceptible to developmental issues and defects. Their individual toes are beginning to form, and their claws and whiskers start to grow. The fetuses also develop their male or female sexes during this time.
Mitten's weight will begin to noticeably increase. I have started to supplement her & Maple's food with SARDINES, they love it and as a result, everyone else gets a little bit as well, so we have a house full of happy dogs!
As a note, we do not feed our pregnant/lactating females or puppies Puppy Food. There are many diverse studies regarding feeding large breed dogs puppy food and to each his own. I do not, as studies show, feeding large breed dogs puppy food causes too much rapid growth and can lead to joint issues in the future.
Mitten measures : 27 inches
Maple
Maple is in her 4th week of pregnancy, no morning sickness for her! At this time, the eyes and spine of the fetuses begin to develop, and their faces begin to take shape. The fetuses will grow to around ½ inch long during this week. The fourth week of foetal development is considered to be one of the most formative stages of the pregnancy, when the growing puppies are most vulnerable to damage and developing defects. At this stage of development, we begin to limit rough play and strenuous exercise in our Airedales.
A couple of photos of Maple's mate, Moose
Helpful References
www.TheDailyPuppy.com
"Training Your Superdog" - Author; Gwen Bailey
Fun Games to Teach Dogs
Bringing a Second Dog into the House
Raw Food
Natural Approach to Fleas
Essential Oil Use for Dogs
Dog Food Advisor
How to Deal with Puppy Crying and Separation Anxiety