Author Archives: Elina Halonen

What goes in the cost of a pedigree puppy?

For years I’ve read comments on dog owner Facebook groups that complain about how expensive pedigree dogs are and how it’s better to adopt not shop. I’ve written about this before, but when we started this puppy project I decided that I will track the costs so that I can both see for myself whatContinue reading “What goes in the cost of a pedigree puppy?”

The work of a breeder – part 2

In the previous post, I said that the male is the second most important choice in the process of breeding – the most important one is the mother.  The mother needs to meet the same kind of criteria as the father, and a bit more because they are a much bigger influence on the puppies.Continue reading “The work of a breeder – part 2”

The work of a breeder – part 1

Recent conversations made me think it might be interesting to shed some light on the work that has gone into these puppies – all of our families are aware and appreciate it, but I’ll write for those who I’ve not had these conversations with.  Many people think the work starts the day the puppies areContinue reading “The work of a breeder – part 1”

The “why” of Zeta Centauri

As we learn more about raising puppies and the influence these early weeks have on dogs as adults, we also increasingly realise things that may have gone not quite as well for Nell, our first spaniel and our forever heart dog, without whom we wouldn’t have Grace and none of this would be happening. Nell,Continue reading “The “why” of Zeta Centauri”

The risks of openness

I posted something yesterday that (in my mind) was about how I’ve realised this process of breeding dogs is full of decisions. I think about this because my day job is about how people make decisions under uncertainty and how they evaluate risk. Some are big and significant, like the choice of male, health testing,Continue reading “The risks of openness”

First days with the A-team

It’s taken me a few days to edit this, but here’s a snapshot of our Saturday night. It was quite nerve-wracking to be a part of the whelping process, and you feel a little bit helpless because the mother dog needs to do most of the work. Grace did well though, and we just hadContinue reading “First days with the A-team”

They’re not puppies, they’re small dogs

This is probably going to sound weird, but I don’t actually look at these little nuggets as “puppies” – meaning a category that is usually associated with “cute and adorable”. Before you think I’m Cruella de Vil, let me explain… When I look at them, I see early blueprints of adult dogs. I knew itContinue reading “They’re not puppies, they’re small dogs”

Virtuous circles of trust in breeding dogs

Grace has been incredibly trusting with us throughout the process. She’s not very insecure about the puppies – she’s left them a few times, and we’re allowed to handle them all the time. She also allowed us to help her extensively during the whelping process. These might seem like obvious things, but after reading aContinue reading “Virtuous circles of trust in breeding dogs”

Introducing… Zeta Centauri Litter A!

I know there will be people waiting for the news… we are now in charge of these little hamsters! Everyone is feeling well, Lady Grace included – although she is exhausted, of course. Several have already attempted “prison break” from the nest even though they are less than a day old, so I think we’llContinue reading “Introducing… Zeta Centauri Litter A!”