[Alty]

Sounds like you have it all planned and figured out. September 14th would be a great day for the birth, it's my birthday. :)

[blissx46]

Well then I'm rootin for seitember 14th. It would be day 58 for her... I was wondering though, if we did end up going the c-section route (god forbid) what will that run me? Again these are questions that I'll also ask the vet but if I can get a few tentative answers too ahead of time I'll take them! I'm probably getting obnoxious w all my questions but you guys are REALLY helpful and I've been itching to pick experts' minds on a few things. So thank you all for the great advice and tips!

[Alty]

You're not getting obnoxious at all. Truth is, it's a relief to see someone with a pregnant dog that's actually willing to not only listen, but willing to spend the money needed to ensure the health of the mom and the pups. You're a breath of fresh air. If you don't believe me, read some of the other posts in the dog forum. You'll be banging your head against a wall in no time.

C-sections aren't cheap, but really it depends on your vet, where you live. I would put a few thousand dollars aside just in case, but really do talk to your vet about this, he/she is sadly the only one that can give you the cost of vet care.

Are you willing to post pictures of the mama? We'd love to see her. :)

If you don't know how to post pictures go to the dog forum, there are stickies (permanent posts) on the top and one of them gives step by step instructions on how to post a picture. If you can't find it I can post a link.

[blissx46]

Awe! Thank you, to tell you the truth I was worried about posting anything because I was worried I'd just get hot heads that think they should make my decisions for me and tell me how selfish and stupid I am for breeding at all. I'm young in life and I want to turn this into a hobby... I love the breed and have owned them all my life. I feel like you never really know until you do something and everyone starts at square one. So don't bash me just help me gain the knowledge I'll need to be successful at it! I'll look now and try to post a picture of my proud momma to be! She's gorgeous if I do say do myself! ;)

[blissx46]

Ok I can't find the advanced button... I wonder if I go on using my computer it'd show up. Let me try that.

[Alty]

We are a group of experts that don't believe in backyard breeding, puppymills, and the like. But there's always a but. Some of my colleagues may not agree with me, but when I see an owner that is doing everything right, like you are, I'm less inclined to give the backyard breeder speech.

My only recommendation, if you want to turn this into a hobby, is to seek the advice of a breeder. That's how most breeders start. They get a breeding mentor, learn from that mentor, learn what to look for in a dog, the testing that should be done, etc. etc. If this is a life long dream, something that you want to be taken seriously for, then that would be what I recommend as your next step.

But, you're doing the research, you're willing to spend the money necessary to make sure that your dog and the pups are healthy, and I'm sure that when it comes time to find these puppies a home you'll do your research there too, and we can help with that if you'd like.

We can be harsh on this site, but only when it's called for. It's not called for in your case. :)

[blissx46]

Okay I got it figured out... here is a few pics of Mocha and her little pregnant belly. I tried to upload a few other good pics of her but they are not uploading for some reason... not sure why.

[blissx46]

Yay I figured out how to reduce the pixels and was able to successfully upload another picture of my baby Mocha on her back with a good shot of her pregnant belly.

[blissx46]

If you're wondering... which you're probably not being you've probably seen many dachshunds in your time. She is a Brindle patterned smooth coat... only one in her litter to get this pattern. Her mom was a smooth red and dad was a black and tan red so I'm assuming dad was a "hidden brindle" being that this pattern only shows up on the red coat. She's my little Zebra Girl... I was able to feel at least 3 puppies today so we are thrilled... getting the x-ray on Friday afternoon to confirm. :) :)

[Alty]

She's gorgeous. I was going to say "you have a brindle pup", but you beat me to it. :)

Can't wait to see the puppies.

[blissx46]

Thank you! We can hardly wait either. I'll be happy with healthy pups but our sire is also a smooth red and so we are wondering if any of the pups will get her beautiful stripes; only a brindle parent can throw a brindle pup (or so I've read). Do you know any other info about this particular color as far as passing down this pattern type?

[Alty]

Thank you! We can hardly wait either. I'll be happy with healthy pups but our sire is also a smooth red and so we are wondering if any of the pups will get her beautiful stripes; only a brindle parent can throw a brindle pup (or so I've read). Do you know any other info about this particular color as far as passing down this pattern type?

I don't know a lot about genetics. I'm not a breeder, I just happen to know a lot about what it takes to be one. I mainly work in rescue, and most of my dogs have been rescue dogs. :)

From what I've read, it does take a brindle to produce a brindle, but it's not a sure thing, even if both parents are brindle's. This is just from what I've read though. A dachshund breeder could tell you a lot more about coloring and genetics. :)

[Lucky098]

The doctor I work for Always tells people with breeding dogs to have $2000 stash away for c sections or emergency anything with the puppies.

[LadySam]

I just wanted to say that I must agree here that you are a breath of fresh air.
Ask all the questions you want to ask, I applaud your efforts to do things the right way, the safe way and are trying to ensure your pets well being.

And yah! She's a cute one that Mocha.

[JudyKayTee]

I was really concerned about using a heating blanket like so many recommend because of the possibility of malfunction.

This concerned me both from the angle of a malfunction and possibility of mom or a pup chewing through the cord.

I've never heard a heating blanket/pad suggested before.

Am I in the dark ages?

[blissx46]

JudyKayTee a hearing blanket was recommended on a quite a few sites that I looked at to put it under the bedding on low. I think it was mainly to be used during the whelping so the puppies could be placed in a separate box while mom continued giving birth. Then everyone is to be reunited and I would imagine mom and pups could keep it nice a warm. I'm just going to use the bed buddies I talked about earlier and I won't be worried about any possible electric malfunction.

Thanks you guys for the comments on my little Zebra Girl Mocha... She is a cutie! I'll be sure to post pictures of the puppies when they make their appearance.

[JudyKayTee]

JudyKayTee a hearing blanket was recommended on a quite a few sites that I looked at to put it under the bedding on low. I think it was mainly to be used during the whelping so the puppies could be placed in a separate box while mom continued giving birth. Then everyone is to be reunited and I would imagine mom and pups could keep it nice a warm. I'm just going to use the bed buddies I talked about earlier and I won't be worried about any possible electric malfunction.

Thanks you guys for the comments on my little Zebra Girl Mocha... She is a cutie! I'll be sure to post pictures of the puppies when they make their appearance.

I hope it's for limited use! I had a dog who chewed through the cord on an electric blanket and severely burned his mouth (nothing more serious and, of course, he could have died). They scare me to death when they're around animals!

[blissx46]

Yah they have been known to catch fire and electrocute those using them so I'm extremely wary of using one!

[JudyKayTee]

Yah they have been known to catch fire and electrocute those using them so I'm extremely wary of using one!

I've never had much of a desire to burst into flames during the night.

[Cat1864]

Bliss, when I was researching Dachshund whelping for a different poster a long while ago, I came across this site: Dachshund Pregnancy And What To Look For. I don't know if it will have any information you can use, but it may be an interesting read.

She is beautiful and hope she has a safe delivery.