Kleinen Wiese German Shepherds

Posted By Sandy Wilson on June 23, 2009

Ever since the whelping of the pups, my other dogs have been just so interested in what is going on.  They hear the squeaking of the pups and they know they can’t go in the whelping box and check things out, so of course, they are very curious about what they can’t see.  They just know they smell puppies, hear puppies, but at this time, they can’t play with the puppies.

Aiko - behind the baby Gate!

Here is my Aiko, peeking behind the gate.  This was a familiar scene at the house while the pups were being delivered.  He just couldn’t stand the excitement and wanted to know what all the hoopla was for over Arla!  Well now he knows – puppies!  Mr. Nosey has already smelled a pup or two, so he is satisfied a bit, but still would like to really check them over thoroughly.

Yesterday we weighed them all and all our about a one pound.  I still can’t believe she was holding that many in her belly.  But they are all doing well and eating up a storm.  The kids have been handling them alot so they are going to learn to love belly rubs.

D-Litter - Puppies are getting plenty of loving!

My son happens to think he lives in the whelping box with the pups.  Arla doesn’t seem to mind a bit and always appreciates the help when my son rearranges the pups for nursing.  Kevin seems to like to get them all lined up nicely so everyone can eat.  Then after nursing they all settle in his arms.

Puppy - less than 24 hours old.

They are all just beautiful.  Very healthy and shiny coats.  Seems Arla is having no trouble feeding them all and they seem satisfied after nursing with their little bellies full.  They seem to grow before your eyes!

Category: Puppies | No Comments »
Tags: D-Litter, German Shepherd, Puppies

Posted By Sandy Wilson on June 22, 2009

“D” Litter has arrived!  Arla had her puppies on Sunday, June 21, 2009.  She had a total of 9 puppies, 4 FEMALE, 5 MALE.  All are eating well and wiggling like worms around the whelping box.  Arla is very nuturing and has great mothering instincts.  Hawk, wish you could have been here as the proud daddy, but I helped Arla as her labor coach and she did a fabulous job!

Here are a few photo’s of mom with her little pupsters!

Arla with some of her pups this morning after a very long night!

Arla with the whole gang! 5 Boys & 4 Girls

Way to go Arla and thank you Hawk for a beautiful litter.  Arla couldn’t have done it without YOU!

Hawk v. Eichenluft - The proud daddy of the "D" Litter!

You can just see the joy in his eyes!  Hawk has many progeny on the ground and he has proven himself as a worthy stud dog.   He has puppies on the ground that are involved in all aspects of canine work.  Those include schutzhund work, tracking, SAR, obedience, and agility.  Thank you Kandi for sharing this wonderful boy with us!

I’ll have pictures later of the pups individually – right now I can’t even get mom to go outside much without me dragging the whole bunch in a box with her to follow.  She is so glued to her pups and every peep they make, she must attend to.

More to come later today. . . .

Category: Puppies | No Comments »
Tags: Arla vd Kleinen Wiese, D-Litter, German Shepherd, Hawk v. Eichenluft, Puppies

Posted By Bill Wilson on June 21, 2009

The puppies have started coming and so far everyone is fine.

Arla and her new German Shepherd puppies

1.  2:55 PM  Black & Tan  Male

2.  3:05 PM  Black & Tan Female

3.  3:50 PM  Black & Tan  Male

4. 5:15 PM  Black & Tan  Female

5.  5:18 PM  Black & Tan  Female

6.  6:30 PM Black & Tan  Female

7.  9:40 PM  Black & Tan  Male

8. 11:30 PM Black & Tan Male

9. 12:40 AM Black & Tan Male

More to come . . .I hope no more to come – 8 is enough, but we’ll see what happens through the night!

Mom is doing well and so are pups – the minute they deliver they are looking for milk!  Pictures to follow once all pups are delivered. 

Arla is doing great and what a super mom.  She just takes everything in stride.  As I was coming to tuck her in for the night and change her bedding, out popped another puppy.  I hope she can relax now for the night.  She has had a hard day indeed!  Bless her heart.  Couldn’t have had a better way to spend Father’s Day!

We are now into Monday – Now at 9 puppies – my goodness that is plenty!  All healthy and all vigorous!  I can’t believe it.  I hope this is the last puppy I have to post for the night!  Arla is tired, but she is a tough gal!

The other dogs have been peaking over the barrier all day.    I wonder if they know little ones will be running around the house soon!

Category: Puppies | No Comments »
Tags: Arla, D-Litter, German Shepherd, Puppies

Posted By Bill Wilson on June 9, 2009

Aiko working the border of a wide graze

Aiko had gotten solid in his barn work just as the grass in the pastures had grown enough to take the sheep out, so it was time to move out to the wide graze.  Our starting graze is in a rectangular (fenced) pasture with a mowed L shaped border about 15′ from two sides.

This is a beginers wide graze with two mowed broders and a road

A graze is an area that you put the sheep to allow them to eat.  The dog moves along the border to keep the sheep inside the graze.  The dog should cover the whole flock and give special attention to places the sheep are putting pressure on the border.  If some sheep get out, the dog must put them back, but should not cross the border unless told to. It is common to teach inexperienced dogs on one or two sides of a graze until they learn to respect the border and feel comfortable with the work.  The more confident a dog is, the closer they will allow the sheep to get to the border.  Sheep are very good at evaluating a dog’s intent.  If the dog is too excited and breaks in to chase the sheep for no reason, the sheep will stay in a tight bunch as far from the dog as possible and will not eat.  If the dog is confident in their work and fair with enforcing the rules. the sheep will relax, spread out, and eat.  If the dog is not confident and doesn’t properly cover the flock, the sheep will take advantage and go where ever they want.

Aiko 'counting' sheep in the wide graze

Aiko had worked the border before, but his barn work over the winter paid off in calmer and more focused work.  When I first took Aiko to the graze, I was going to put him back on the long line, because this was a different environment and he might think that the new rules don’t apply.  Aiko didn’t want any parts of the long line after being able to work free in the barn, so I made a deal with him; be good and you can stay off the long line.  I am very pleased with Aiko’s new work ethic.  He still has a few break-ins, but mostly to move the sheep, not just for fun.  Aiko is now letting the sheep get 6′ to 8′ from the border.  We have also started on road work and gathering the sheep when it is time to put the sheep back in the barn.

Video of Aiko working two borders

Next the three sided border . . .

Category: Herding - HGH | No Comments »
Tags: A-Litter, Aiko, German Shepherd, Sheep Herding, Wide Graze

Posted By Sandy Wilson on June 7, 2009

Hawk v. Eichenluft (12x) SchH3, IPO3, CGC/TDI, KKL2 for Life

Hawk is a beautiful, masuline male, medium in size, exudes great confidence and has a great desire to work!  Hawk is well titled and has a wonderful reputation, but it was when I met Hawk that really made me realize this dog was special – magnificent (IMO) - outstanding solid temperament, intelligence and boy was he a social guy!  Loved, loved, loved him!   He is owned/trained by Kandi Jacopino of von Rokanhaus and you can view Hawk and his accomplishments by checking her website.  He really is such a handsome dog and has a personality to match.

Hawk - in a playfull stance waiting to have the ball thrown.

Hawk’s pedigree is packed with solid working dogs and a bonus is that he has a bit of old herding blood in his genetics.  Finding herding traits in sires today is especially difficult because no one breeds just to produce dogs for herding.   So finding Hawk and having both some strong “old” herding blood and good balanced working lines was a nice surprise.  Both dogs already have strong work ethic and biddability that makes them a nice match.  I wanted a dog that had balanced drives, not a dog that was over the top.  Also important to me is a dog that can think independently with a very clear head.  Dogs that can think independently and make decisions are real gems.   I think it is important for dogs doing any type of canine work to be able to read a situation instead of just react to one.  I do love the natural herding ability that my dogs have since I use them to herd sheep on our farm, but my aim is not only to preserve and carry on these great genetics,  but to produce dogs with overall balance to do any kind of work and do it well.  I am hoping I get the best out of both of these dogs.  I think this is a unique combination and it is something special I am really looking forward to!

Hawk v. Eichenluft - Nationals 2005

Category: Puppies | No Comments »
Tags: Arla vd Kleinen Wiese, D-Litter, Hawk v. Eichenluft