I wasn't totally convinced that today would be the right day, but, by gove, it was!
As with Friday, our Tibetan Terrier, Summer's bleeding was still a pink watery substance this morning but having discussed a possibly good day to take her to visit her prospective bow, Claude's owners and I had decided that today should be the one!
Claude's experience as a stud would tell us if Summer was ready to mate or not. If it wasn't the right time, as the drive from Surrey to Northamptonshire is around two hours, Claude's owners were happy to have Summer to stay, possibly until the right time (which would not be long). As Summer is a much loved family pet who has never spent a night away from us in all of her (nearly) four years, we weren't sure how either us or Summer would feel...
...But we didn't need to find out...
My friend, Judy (owner of TT Harris' who is Claude's brothers), accompanied us to Northants as support and company. We left late in the morning, stopping once so we could all stretch our legs... (I'd read that you should let the bitch have a wee before arriving at the studs house).
THE MEETING
On arrival at Claude's house, as instructed, we let Summer off her lead in the lovely enclosed garden. She had a good sniff around, a few more wees/marking, and then Claude was let in.
I can only say, it was an instant attraction, and any worries that my "little baby" would suffer, instantly disappeared! Puppy bows all round (bottom in the air, front legs parallel with the ground and wagging tail), jumping and playing - phew! Within minutes Claude climbed onto Summer's back and started humping her. This stopped and started as they moved around the garden. He was arousing her, something I hadn't read about.
Claude's owner watched very closely and as it was a windy, cold day, we took the dogs inside where it was warm, when it became obvious that the actual mating was imminent (they had been playing around for maybe 15-20 minutes).
Inside, Claude climbed on Summer, started humping and Claude's owner confirmed that this was it! After a few minutes or so, Claude stopped humping and they were tied. Summer did not look to be concerned, worried or stressed, at any point of the proceedings. Together with Claude's owner, we held Summer's head and comforted her as she tried to move away. Claude was moved around so they were bottom to bottom (a bit like Doctor Doolittle's Push Me Pull Me). Summer tried a few times to move away so we had to hold her gently but tightly, so she wouldn't damage Claude's boy bits!! But she wasn't stressed.
After a twenty minute tie, which I'm told is a good length of time, Claude moved away and was put in an area of the garden way from Summer. They would not meet again that day. Summer was kept inside for about another 15-20 minutes and then let out for a wee.
It was time for tea and coffee, and a nice long chat. And for me to ask lots of questions...
QUESTIONS & THOUGHTS
COLOUR I was once told that Tibetan Terriers do not breed true (a colour outside of the breeding family can just appear) but this is not true. You could find a colour coming through from the parents etc but generally the pups should take on the parent's colouring.
Touch wood, Summer and Claude's pups will be black and white (like Summer) or white and black (like Claude). There may be a bit of tri-colour.
The colour breed standard for Tibetan Terriers are "white, golden, cream, grey or smoke, black, parti-colour and tricolours, in fact any colour except chocolate or liver permissible".
REGULARITY OF SEASONS We had expected Summer to come into season 10 months after the previous season, which was 10 months before that, and 10 months before that. Her first season was at 11 months and 3 weeks old. The last season did not happen in November 2012 as expected and when I expressed concern to our vet, he said that we must have missed it and that all dogs have seasons between 5 and 8 months. I wasn't convinced. I have since learnt that it isn't unusual for a Tibetan Terriers season to be around every 12 months. Phew again!
GIVING BIRTH / WHELPING From simple research, I know that the bitches temperature drops and when it does (around 60 days) birth is due within the next 24 hours. I learnt that the bitch also gets very clingy nearer the birth and won't want to leave the owner. She will also start to get very restless.
It also isn't unusual with Tibetan Terriers for the bitch to go into labour early, maybe even up to five days!
BIRTH ISSUES I did wonder about things to look out for when the puppies are born particularly with Tibetan Terrier pups. Umbilical hernias aren't unusual and for non show dogs don't always need to be touched - a show dog won't be penalised. Also we need to check for back feet claw nails and these must removed around day three.
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I'm sure there must be other bits I learnt today, but I'll maybe add them as I remember!
Next step for Summer and Claude now, is to wait for 48 hours and see if they will mate again. 48 hours is necessary so the dogs sperm is at its strongest/most effective.
Sooooo DAY THREE will be Wednesday 24th April, and Summer and I will return to Northants. Tomorrow (DAY TWO) we are going for a walk with Harris (Claude's brother, and Summer's boyfriend!). I wonder what Harris will think of her and if he will sense if she is pregnant?
If Summer is pregnant, that means puppies should arrive around 21st June, give or take a few days!
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