It is necessary that we note the details of each puppy from birth as ethical dog breeders. We need to be able to distinguish each puppy right from birth. Each puppy in a litter may need special attention and a follow up may be needed, hence the need for a way of identification. Also, the identification helps a breeder to take the records of each puppy right from birth and make notes on each for future reference.

The record can show sequence of birth, delayed labour, dystocia(Difficult birth) etc. if the interval between the birth of a puppy and the next is recorded. If you have observed, for example, consistently that there is always a delay between the third and the fourth born, it is an indication that you should  always be prepared for the necessary whelping assistance that may be needed after the third puppy is delivered during each whelping. Our memories cannot keep most of the information for us, hence the need for documentation.

It is important that we pick each puppy up and mark for future reference. There are various ways to do this. One of the ways to mark a puppy is to use a fingernail paint to mark a rear toenail of the puppy and the corresponding colour is marked on a paper with a dot. Different colours of fingernail polish will be used to differentiate each puppy. This has to be applied every 4 days interval on the toe to ensure it does not rub off.

For the purpose of this write up, we will focus on newborn puppy collar because that is the method we adopt in our kennel, Euniversal Stars, before the permanent identification of the puppies. Identification of puppy via newborn puppy collar is basically the use of coloured yarn to identify puppies in a litter.

Whelping Collar, otherwise known as puppy identification collar, is used to identify newborn puppies. The puppy collars are used in conjunction with many charts like Puppy Birth Record, Litter Weight Record, Bottle and Tube Feeding Record, Vaccination/ Worming Record etc. We will look at each chart and its usage.

1. Puppy Birth Record

This has column for Puppy ID Band Colours. The first colour is blue and can depict the first born of the litter(or the first live birth) and 1 should be written in the column ‘Position’ corresponding to the colour. It should be noted that the collar can be used at random without regard to the position on the chart. For example, purple collar can be used for the first puppy in a litter. The corresponding column for position will have 1 appended to it to indicate ranking and so on.

We also have column for ‘Time Whelped’ and it indicates the time each puppy is given birth to. This can help us to depict delayed labour by comparing the time of arrival of a previous puppy and the next one. We can deduce the duration of whelping. It can also help us to determine a bitch that usually need help to be on ground during whelping. We all have bitches that will always be fine during whelping without supervision and whereas we have some that require supervision throughout whelping.

We have columns for Sex of the puppies and also colour in case of a litter with different colours. The column for ‘weight’ is simply for recording the birth weight of each puppy.  We can determine ‘Large for gestational age’ puppies and the ‘small for gestational age’ puppies. The latter,usually refer to as the runt of the litter, will usually require help and this is noted on its record. This takes us to the column for ‘Notes’. This is where we write special notes on each puppy.

2. Litter Weight Record(daily/weekly)

This records the weight gain of each puppy daily and weekly. It is necessary that we weigh each puppy daily for the first 15 days of life and thereafter weekly. Each puppy must have daily weight gain, failure of which is an indication of a problem. It can be that the puppy is sick, inability to suck or not getting enough milk from mummy owing to competition. This chart will help us to determine if a puppy is sick or needs assisted feeding.

3. Bottle and Tube Feeding Record

It helps us to record the details of the supplemented feeding provided for the newborns. It is used to record the time of feeding and the volume of supplemented milk that is feed to each puppy. In hand raising a litter or in supplementation, formula must be fed at certain interval round the clock. This chart is good in this regard.

 4. Vaccination/ Worming Record

This as the name implies is for recording vaccination and worming details for the litter. The puppies are usually wormed alongside the dam 2 weeks and 4 weeks after whelping  and the procedure recorded on the chart since such treatment are not going to be entered into their Health Card until the first vaccination at the age of 6 weeks or more.

In conclusion, we have all seen that the puppy collar is not just for beautification of our puppies.  It is an essential part of healthy and thorough bred puppies.

©Euniversal Stars Kennels 2020