The first barbet litter in the UK

A very important landmark in the history of the barbet in the UK, the first litter was born on 4th March 2008. After a long and thorough search for the best possible mate for Betsy, Boree Di Barbochos Reiau De Prouvenco from Holland was chosen on the basis of health, character and genetic diversity. Due to the UK`s quarantine laws, Betsy was taken to Holland to be mated at the beginning of January 2008.

Any concerns we may have had over Betsys abilities as a fist time mother were quickly dispelled as she delivered seven puppies over the space of three and a half hours. All the pups were cleaned up and started to suckle without the need for any human intervention. The litter comprised five males, three brown and two black and two females, both brown. The pups were weighed daily for the first month and all progressed well no doubt due to Betsy`s healthy appetite.

Growing up in a busy family home, the pups were very well socialised and were used to a constant stream of visitors including their new owners. I also tried to make sure they were introduced to as many normal household experiences as possible such as hoovers, TV, music and teenagers!! The pups were all weaned onto the B.A.R.F diet (Bones and Raw Feed) as that is the diet our three adult dogs are on although Betsy continued to feed the pups almost to eight weeks. The pups were also given a variety of foods such as fish, vegetables, porrige, weetabix etc to give them a wide experience of meals. Prior to leaving for their new homes the puppies were all health checked by a vet, micro-chipped and DNA tested for our records. As the breed is not yet recognised in the UK, a register is being kept by the Barbet Club of Great Britain and the dogs have also been put on the Kennel Club Activity Register under our registered kennel name, `Novaforesta'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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