** Note: All pups from this litter are currently reserved.
Week three has arrived for this beautiful litter, and what a week it has been. Every litter has its own personality, but this one continues to surprise us with how quickly they are growing, learning, and showing off their unique traits. From new foods to new adventures to their first time outdoors, this group packed a lot into just a few days.
A Look Back At the Week in the Video
We started the week with a sweet moment from Charlie. In one of the first photos we captured, she was resting in her crib looking a bit tired, but still keeping a close eye on her pups. It has been a big job keeping up with this crew, especially as they grow stronger and more mobile by the day.
One of the things that stands out most with this litter is their stunning color consistency. As our first English and American mixed litter, we weren’t completely sure what to expect, but their rich red coats are turning out beautifully. When you see them all together, the uniformity of their color is truly striking.
Lainey Steps In as the “Helper”
We also had a moment of panic one afternoon when we couldn’t find Lainey, our seven month old female. After a quick search, the mystery was solved—she had snuck into the puppy area and was happily playing with the pups. She has really taken to these little ones and seems to think she has an important role in their development. Lainey won’t be eligible for breeding until 2027, but she already acts like a natural big sister.
Transition to Puppy Mush
Week three is always an important milestone because it’s the time when their teeth start coming in. Once those back teeth make an appearance, we begin transitioning them to puppy mush. Normally this takes a little encouragement. Most litters try to walk through the mush, lay in it, or play with it before they figure out that they’re supposed to eat it.
Not this group.
The moment we set them down near the bowl, they went straight in and started eating like they had done it their whole lives. They cleaned out the entire bowl without hesitation, which is something we almost never see on the first attempt. Between their quick learning and their growing appetites, it is clear they are strong and thriving.
Growing Fast
By the end of week three, every pup is just about five pounds. For this age, that is impressive. With their move to high calorie puppy mush, we expect their growth to continue at a fast pace. Most of our pups go home weighing somewhere between ten and twelve pounds. With this litter, we wouldn’t be surprised if several reach fifteen pounds by the time they head to their new families.
Their size, along with their consistent coloring, makes them look incredibly similar to one another. Aside from collar colors and one white toe on Orange, you’d have a hard time telling them apart.
First Time Outdoors
One of the biggest firsts this week was their initial trip outside. It was a sunny day in the fifties here in Grand Junction, so it was the perfect chance to let them experience the outdoors for the first time. As expected, they weren’t quite sure what to make of it.
They huddled together, stayed close, and tried to figure out why everything suddenly felt different. Meanwhile, the adult dogs couldn’t understand why the puppies weren’t ready to chase a ball around. Give them a few weeks, and that story will change. By weeks six through eight, it’s nearly impossible to convince them to come back inside.
As they got colder, they eventually gathered in a tight little pile in my lap, hoping for warmth and reassurance. It didn’t take long for them to decide they preferred the comfort of home over the unfamiliar outdoors.
A New Sleeping Space
Another milestone this week was moving the pups out of their crib and into their evening area. This is a warm, secure space where they will begin their early litter training and continue building routines. As they grow, their need for more space and structure naturally increases, and this transition helps prepare them for the next stages of development.
Looking Ahead
We will begin the puppy pick process soon, and it is only going to get more exciting from here. Their personalities are starting to show, they’re becoming more coordinated, and every day brings a new milestone.
Thank you for following along with this special litter. We can’t wait to share more updates with you next week!
