$250 for both doe goats together

 Available are mother-daughter doe goats.

They are mixed breed, high percentage Kinder Goat.

These two are very cautious of people. They will probably not make good pets. They are very suitable for clearing land. They do not need grain. I only feed grain in very cold temperatures (15 degrees and below), and only a little. 

Their needs are:

Shelter

Rugged land to clear

Salt/minerals 

Occasional deworming 

Hoof care 

Water

Hay in winter

These are very hardy goats who don’t need pampered to stay healthy. 

These are 4th and 5th generation on my farm. All these generations have given birth unassisted. 

My land is clear, they need a job. 

Good confirmation, correct udders. 

These are SMALL goats, about the size of Nigerian Dwarf Goats or smaller Kinder Goats 

COMPETING WITH YOUR LITTLE BEAR SWAMP FARM AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

 

Our Australian Shepherds have been farm dogs and camping-hiking buddies. They have happy and purposeful lives. But just as it's good for humans to keep on learning, it's time to start the Aussies (and the Terrier) learning new things. I'm writing this post about the direction we are going with our dogs, so that maybe I can help direct you to the organizations that would be great for competing with your dog. YOU can join
US, if you'd like. It would be wonderful to meet up from time to time!

Distance Disc League

We are currently practicing and competing seasonally in K9 Frisbee Toss and Fetch Disc Dog League

This league has many locations, all over the world! This is a great way to get started in competing. The rules are easy to learn. There are often disc throwing seminars. Sometimes you can jump right in and  get some throwing critiques from the league members to get you started. 

"Rollers" are now allowed in this league, which opens this competition up to puppies who aren't yet ready to run fast and jump for a disc. Puppies can learn how to get "drivey" for a disc rolling on the ground. Then later, the discs are thrown in the air and the older puppy will be catching those too! 

We do this sport with Winchester and Marvelous. And I plan to take Fantastic to start her in summer league too! 

I am very interested in UpDog. I'd really like to learn freestyle and the combination of disc and agility! Take a look. 

Trick Dog Titles 

Winchester knows enough tricks to earn his Novice and Intermediate Trick Dog Titles. He is close to having enough tricks accomplished to earn his Advanced Trick Dog Title too. This title can be earned virtually or in person. We expect Winchester to earn three title levels in one day.

The organizations we prefer for earning Trick Dog Titles are:

Do More With Your Dog

and 

AKC Trick Dog

Do More With Your Dog has an accompanying Facebook page for questions.

For AKC titles, your dog will need a PAL number

AKC has videos of HOW to accomplish these tricks. And YouTube is valuable as well! Find the name of the trick on the AKC and/or DMWYD list and then search engine it! The Facebook page groups can be a good resource too!

Conformation Titles

We show Star in United Kennel Club (UKC) conformation events. She is a conformation champion and is in the American Hairless Terrier top ten, qualifying her to compete in Top Ten Conformation at UKC Premier Nationals. She has points towards her Grand Championship, so we may complete that title too. 

Drag Racing looks like a lot of fun for a terrier, and look, an American Hairless Terrier is front and center on the UKC website. We plan to start Star in UKC drag racing this year 2021! She will also be having her first litter of puppies. She is likely to go into heat in May or June. We are excited to breed CH Ratitatt Super Star to Lace Rawhide Git R Dunn of Gaushof

To show Little Bear Swamp Farm Australian Shepherds in conformation, 

they MUST be shown at American Stock Dog Registry shows. There is a yearly HUGE show in Ohio, called the Buckeye Classic. There are other ASDR conformation shows too, in various states. The best way to learn about these shows is to check out the ASDR website, then join the facebook page to ask the moderator questions. If you don't do Facebook, you can email for information. ASDR shows are Friday-Sunday shows. 

Rally O Titles

I have never competed in Rally, but this looks like something that my Australian Shepherds would enjoy. This is an obedience competition, only Rally Obedience WANTS the handler to RALLY their dog on with words of encouragement. I like to see a happily wagging TAIL while a dog is working. 

To compete in UKC events, your dog will need a Performance Listing. 

We have been showing UKC in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, and plan to return to those locations for Rally competition and for Drag Racing (where offered). I'll give a Facebook announcement next time we are attending an event, so you can come visit us with your puppy/dog or JOIN US in the competition. 

Agility

We aren't ready yet for agility, so I'm not going to write a lot here. We have plans to begin agility training later in 2021. We will identify which dogs enjoy agility. Maybe they all do! We will likely enter UKC agility competitions 2022. 

In summary:

We are competing in distance disc league (locally) with 

Winchester

Marvelous

Fantastic

We are working towards AKC trick dog titles with

Winchester

Fantastic

We are competing in UKC conformation in OH, IN, MI with

Super Star

We are competing in UKC drag racing sometime 2021 with

Super Star

We plan to compete in UKC Rally O sometime in 2021 with

Twizzle

Spectacular

Fantastic

I might have Marvelous ready for UpDog 2021

We are training in agility 2021 with the plan to enter UKC agility 2022 with all adult dogs who show a strong enjoyment of it.

To attend a UKC show as a competitor or as a spectator, click here for the calendar of events. 

Speckie Puppies are 8 Weeks

Current Puppy Weights Are:

Fantastic 5.8 pounds

Marshall 10.2 pounds

SpeckiePuppy3 7.4 pounds

Finn 8.8 pounds

Beans 8.0 pounds

Hazel 5.6 pounds

Measurements (these are approximate with a bit of space added)

Fantastic: girth 13 1/2", neck 9 1/4"

Marshall: girth 17", neck 10 1/2"

SpeckiePuppy3: girth 15 1/4", neck 9 3/4"

Finn: girth 15 1/2", neck 10 1/2"

Beans: girth 15 1/4", neck 10 1/4"

Hazel: girth 13 1/2", neck 9 1/4"

 

Veterinary Health Exam

 Speckie’s litter had their veterinary health exam on March 19, 2021

Puppies were 6 weeks, 6 days on the day of their vet visit.

Puppy weights are:

Fantastic: 4.8 pounds

Marshall: 8.63 pounds

SpeckiePuppy3: 6.31 pounds

Finn: 7.31 pounds

Beans: 6.75 pounds

Hazel: 4.63 pounds 

Twizzle puppies are 8 weeks!

 

Current puppy weights are:

Puppy1: 10.8 pounds

Puppy2: 11.6 pounds

Layla: 9.2 pounds

Puppy4: 7.6 pounds

Biscotti: 8.4 pounds

Measurements (these are approximate with a finger space added)

Puppy1: neck 9 3/4", girth 15"

Puppy2: neck 10", girth 15"

Layla: neck 9 1/2', girth 14 3/4"

Puppy4: neck 8 3/4", girth 13 3/4"

Biscotti: neck 9", girth 14"

8 week photos are my last blog update photos. I will very likely catch some photos within the next week, but I'll send them directly to the new family of the puppy in messenger/text. 

Puppies go to their new homes at 9 weeks. This is Twizzle's litter, born January 20, 2021. Their go home date is Wednesday, March 24. 

Crate training starts tonight. I will have this litter in crates for two hours tonight, then open the door to let them out. I will add one hour each day until reaching 6 or 7 hours, as long as puppies are doing well and keeping their crates clean. The goal times is crating from 11 pm - 5am or 6 am. I encourage the new families to add another hour before and after those times. The puppies are usually able to go 7 hours in crate at night time consistently by ten weeks of age. And 8 hours by eleven or twelve weeks of age. These puppies have been raised in a constantly cleaned environment. I practice house training them EVERY day in my home. From five and a half weeks, they have been in a small barn at night. At this age, the mothers discontinue night nursing, but the puppies still need to relieve themselves at night. So the barn has given them a good sized space for a sleep area, a play area, and a potty area. We have had a heat lamp on for the puppies most nights. The weather has been inconsistent. Some nights have been cold and the barn needed heat, some nights have been comfortable without heat. So the puppies have been able to sleep and potty and eat whenever needed (at night).

At 8 weeks, I begin to teach them that they need to hold their potty at night. (They already do most of the night, I check on them. They have their routine down to wake up from napping in living room at about 9:45. I put them outside. Then they head to the barn each night around 10. I hang out with them. They rough-house until about 10:45, then drop off to sleep in puppy piles.

In the mornings, all the puppies nurse their mothers. They have (mostly) chosen the correct mother dog as they burst out of the barn for nursing time. I have to do a few swap-a-roos here and there. Twizzle is nursing her puppies just one time in the morning now. I wonder if she will continue or not. She seems to know when they reach eight weeks of age. Speckie is nursing her puppies three times a day. They are younger and this frequency is right on target. I don't force-wean. This is what the mother dogs choose. Speckie, though is a push over, so both litters snitch some milk from her through the day. She is getting less patient with Twizzle's puppies nursing her. This is new to hear her growl at them at all. I feed her more than double what I am feeding Twizzle currently. Twizzle has nice weight, and is beautifully shiny. Speckie is also beautifully shiny. But it's been tougher to keep weight on her, since she has been nursing both litters. She will recover though. She has acted a bit more assertive just recently. 

After nursing and a long walk on our back property, so that the puppies relieve themselves and play, all 11 puppies come into the house. In the house, they GO COMPLETLY BONKERS GREETING ALL THE PEOPLE. Then they play and wrestle with each other and the people. Then they all fall asleep on dog beds, blankets, or under the couch. 

When the puppies wake, usually they all wake. And I've got to be in a super fast dash to rush each puppy out the door. They have got to go pee IMMEDIATELY  when they wake up. When the weather is nice, the puppies stay outside and play some more. They love digging in the garden and carrying around corn stalks. They have several different textures of dog toys too. They have a great time, and we join them! If the weather is too cold or rainy, the puppies round the house and come to the back door and we do round two of house time, then round three, all-day-until bed time. Sometimes puppy play and potty routine is broken up by a puppy outing. We have gone on outings to a store and to parks. We have had many visitors to see the puppies. The puppies have been socialized well for their age, with experiences and people. If no one will be home to play with and potty the puppies, they will spend up to three hours in the barn in the afternoon.  

Speckie's puppies will start their adventures off the farm just this week! We do the most between week 7 and 8. Lots of adventures. Also bath time, and picture day when they are 8 weeks (expect Speckie litter photos on March 28). 

If you haven't already, now is the time to take a look at "Crystal's Health Care Recommendations" tab. I keep all these things on hand. They are helpful to puppies who will remain unvaccinated AND to those who will be vaccinated. Remember, both can get sick. Be PROACTIVE and stock up on products that help the puppies strengthen their immune systems. Also, consider having a puppy appropriate electrolyte on hand. 

Also, stock up on raw food for the puppies. I purchase most of our food from Farm Dog Raw coop. A breeder friend purchases most of her raw dog food from My Pet Carnivore.

If you've missed the order date, don't worry! Just go to the grocery store:

14 cornish hens (make sure no salt/etc)

8 pounds of 90% or higher lean ground beef

4 bags of sweet potatoes

1 fillet of salmon

box of blueberries, bag of apples, or a watermelon (whatever you can get)

and visit a butcher shop or an Asian or Mexican grocery store to purchase a few organs (don't over feed liver or tripe) heart is good. And chicken feet are excellent for growing puppies. 

1 dozen farm fresh eggs (chicken, duck, quail)

Then, when you get a chance, order or locate a shop which sells even more nutritious meats such as: goat, lamb, venison, rabbit. 

If you aren't used to raw feeding, you get the hang of it fast. I have information on my blog tab, "How to Feed a Naturally Reared Dog". Just go with the flow on amounts. The puppy almost always eats the right amount for his/her needs. Sometimes I feed several small meals, sometimes a couple large meals. Don't feed too many veggies if the puppy is about to have crate time. Veggies cause them to have to relieve themselves more often.

If you plan to feed kibble, hold off for a week or more before introducing it. Our raw fed dogs like Acana (Acana Grasslands and Acana Duck and Pear). We use this for treats. It's nice to have on hand for a rough long day that the food wasn't prepped. It's rare for me to feed kibble, but this one works well when I need treats or just need some convenience. My dogs are used to food being moist, so this dry food is always weird to them, if I feed a bowl of it. So I put some water into the dry food to help my dogs. It's a rare meal for me to feed kibble. 

I feed puppies meat 6 days a week. I feed plants 1 day a week. I often will have some veggies or fruit (available before or after feeding meat) just on the floor in case puppies want to eat fresh or chew on these.  My older, non nursing dogs eat meat every other day, plants every other day.

Our puppies and adult dogs REALLY like these beds, so I thought I'd post the link here . These will fit into a crate. The crates we are using are Retriever brand, purchased at Tractor Supply. They are USA made. I think the size is Large. They are about 20"W by 30"L. The larger puppies may outgrow this, so size up. Or just wait and see.

I think that's all!

I'll edit this if I think of more to add. 

Contact me if you have questions!

A lot of information is in the blog tabs. But if you don't see what you're looking for, let send a message or call me.  

Twizzle Puppies Veterinary Health Visit

 Twizzle's litter had their veterinary health exam on 

Friday, March 5, 2021

Weights are

Puppy1RedMale: 7.06#

Puppy2RedMale: 8.19#

Puppy3BlackFemale: 6.56#

Puppy4RedFemale: 5.88#

Puppy5BlackFemale: 6.0#

Puppies were weight at age 6 weeks, 2 days.

The veterinarian informed me that the Inguinal Rings are open on Puppy1. This means that his testicles are not staying in his scrotum. Both testicles are just above the scrotum, they may still come down. Since both testicles are palpated, neutering will likely be straight-forward. There is nothing to be concerned about, for a dog who is intended to be neutered. This could be a disqualification for a dog intended for conformation showing. All other types of showing (dog sports, including agility, Rally, obedience, trick dog, disc, etc) are absolutely fine. 

There is nothing else to note. All puppies are overall healthy. Heart tones and Lungs were heard properly. Eyes and ears were examined. Puppies are healthy. Puppies' fecal sample is parasite free. 

Speckie's litter is scheduled for their veterinary health exam Friday, March 18, 2021

Puppies have blog tabs!

 

On a PC and on Web Version of phone, you will see that the puppies now have their individual blog tabs. This will be where I drop weekly photos. The photos include their newborn photo with their litter, and individual photos of that puppy starting around 4 weeks of age.

For more photos, please join my Facebook group of the same title as this blog. I am able to drop photos on Facebook much quicker and photos are posted there often. 

In the newborn photos, the puppies are lined up in their birth order, left to right. 

The puppies are currently described with their mother's name and their number in the birth order/etc, example: "TwizzlePuppy1RedTriMale". This is describing a puppy from Twizzle's litter, birth order, color, and male. When the new family names the puppy, I will replace the description with the puppy's name.

I am currently accepting applications. 

Viewed on the puppy blog tabs will also be the status of the puppy:

AVAILABLE: puppy is available to be chosen by an approved person

Reserved: puppy has been chosen by an approved person

OnHold: I am considering keeping the puppy, or I have concerns with the puppy's development.

Be sure to also take a look at the blog tabs of the parents of these puppies! This will give a pretty good idea of how the puppies will look as adults.

Birth Announcement!

 

Above: Twizzle's puppies 

Born January 20, 2021

In birth order from left to right:

TwizzlePuppy1: Red Tri Male

TwizzlePuppy2: Red Tri Male

TwizzlePuppy3: Black Tri Female

TwizzlePuppy4: Red Tri Female

TwizzlePuppy5: Black Tri Female

Below: Spectacular's puppies

Born January 30, 2021

In birth order from left to right:

SpeckiePuppy1: Red Tri Female

SpeckiePuppy2: Red Tri Male

SpeckiePuppy3: Red Merle Female

SpeckiePuppy4: Red Merle Male

SpeckiePuppy5: :(

SpeckiePuppy6: Red Tri Female

SpeckiePuppy7: Red Tri Female

UPDATE

 The blog is in the process of being updated!

I'm working on updating photos of our dogs, Winchester has matured and become heavier coated.

We WILL have Australian Shepherd puppies available this year!

Twizzle had a surprise breeding with Winchester, and Spectacular surprised us by allowing a dog to breed her for the first time ever!

Twizzle's due date range is January 16- January 22

Spectacular's due date range is January 28- February 3. 

I am also editing blog tabs and will have them posted soon! 

I will also update our AHT Star's blog tab. I would like to breed her next heat cycle, expected May 2021. 

Last Post Before Puppy Pick Up Days!

Puppies were weighed and measured yesterday, which is one week after the last weights and measurements.

Kenai         10.4 pounds

Puppy2        8.4 pounds

Nova           6.4 pounds

Puppy4       7.4 pounds

Twizzle       8.6 pounds

Puppy6       8.4 pounds 


Kenai        neck 9", girth 14"

Puppy2     neck 8 1/4 ", girth 13 1/4"

Nova         neck 7 1/2", girth 12 1/2"

Puppy4     neck 8", girth 13"

Twizzle     neck 8 1/4", girth 13 1/4"

Puppy6     neck 8 1/4", girth 13 1/4"


Today, I sent the last fecal sample to the veterinary clinic and the puppies are NEGATIVE for parasites! So they go to their new homes parasite free! 

Puppies have been in crates 3 hours each afternoon (usually 1pm-4pm). They have been in crates each night 5-6 hours (usually 11pm/12am-5am). My son needed one of the crates for a new hatch of ducklings. Tonight, I'll probably leave all the puppies out of crates, with their big sis, Spec, to watch over them. I had been using three crates (two puppies per crate), but it's too crowded to now place three puppies into two crates. The puppies have grown considerably! I'll still continue today's afternoon nap in crates, three hours in A/C in crates somewhat crowded, isn't too bad. But night time is too long to be crowded. The puppies have a solid nap/sleep routine going. I believe they will transfer to housetraining in their new homes very well. I have also placed the puppies individually into crates throughout the day, for eating, or randomly, so that they are also prepared to be a lone puppy inside of a crate. 

Paxxin and Vibactra are underway, I'm giving these three times a day. The puppies hate the taste of this stuff, it's not getting any easier to give it, poor little sweeties. I'm also giving probiotic once a day, on food or directly in puppy's mouths. These puppies have been to all sorts of places, likely exposed to many pathogens. I believe it's EXTREMELY important that breeders do this with their puppies well before puppies go into new families. It's foolish to keep young puppies at the place of their birth and the first time the puppies are ever exposed to new pathogens is when those puppies are also leaving their mothers and litter mates. The best time to expose puppies to a variety of pathogens is while they are nursing their mothers. We all know mother's milk contains antibodies. The milk is also able to change according to the immediate need of the offspring. This is why Twizzle has also been on the outings, so that he body quickly supplies the correct antibodies since she was exposed too. Also, consider how helpful it is, to have puppies who have been on new adventures and are well socialized. New families must continue to socialize their puppy with many people, dogs, and new experiences. Australian Shepherds are a breed who tends to be suspicious of new people. Our adult Australian Shepherds have been incredible protection for the farm animals and for our family. But this protective nature can go overboard if the this breed is not socialized enough. So take your puppy practically everywhere you can. This will build your bond and it will help your puppy continue to grow into a confident dog! And use Paxxin, Vibactra, Silver, and Probiotic to help keep your puppy healthy with your many outings.

We look forward to the JOY expressed when the families come July 7 and 8 to take their precious puppies into their families! We will see you all soon! 

Puppy TOYS! Australian Shepherd Favorites

This post is to help families choose a variety of puppy toys. I've raised four recent litters of Australian Shepherds and can identify some most common favorites with the puppies: 


These rope tugs and these wool balls are puppy favorites. One of each of these are going into the puppy gift bags.

Notice the rope bones are made with fleece, not "string". The string type knot "bones" are dangerous, because some dogs swallow those string pieces.  

Puppies think these wool balls are fantastic. They can easily pick them up to play fetch. They also like the scent of natural animal wool. Don't leave a puppy in a crate with one of these though, they might shred it all up. :) 

I support small businesses whenever I can. The fleece ropes and the wool balls are both from Etsy shops. 

Something our puppies enjoy a lot that I haven't been able to find a small business replacement for, is "Duckworth". The past puppies have loved this and I think it would be a fantastic addition to the puppy toy collection the families are gathering. This duck is just the right size for puppies to sleep with. They like to lay their neck over the duck's neck. It feels similar to the way the puppies sleep with their necks over each other. Here is a link to "Duckworth". The larger size (13/14 inches), is the "correct" size. Duckworth on Amazon 

The puppies really like CRINKLE dog toys too. To find these, just type "crinkle dog toy" into the search engine of Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. If you are at a store, you can feel the crinkle inside of the toys. 

Most of our Australian Shepherd puppies/dogs do not like squeaker toys. Our terrier goes happy/crazy for squeaker toys, but most of the Aussies do not like them. Some do not like the noise and won't play, others try to put an end to the noise by destroying the toy.

Most of our puppies really enjoy DOG DISC. Here is a link to a 9" soft disc to start "rolls" with puppies. Then these are also used for catches when the puppy is older. Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper There are also many colors available on eBay. You NEED to have at least two discs. Disc dogs do not give you the "frisbee" back. When your dog returns to you with the disc, you need to be ready to throw the next disc. Your readiness and throw, causes the dog to release it's current disc and go for the next. This is how you don't get a tug-of-war going or a run-away-with-the-disc going. 

Do not allow a puppy or dog to chew the discs. Discs should be put away until the person is ready to play. 

The cutie below, got ahold of a disc after the big dogs were done. But these are not chew toys, chewing on them will not encourage good disc catching habits. 

After soft discs, when your puppy becomes an adult, you can upgrade to hard discs. Don't use discs that are not made for dogs. Some discs will crack or shatter when the dog snaps down on the disc. This is an excellent brand made for dogs. Hyperflite JAWZ Hyperflex I have much more to learn about Dog Disc "stuff". It can be worth your time and investment to join a Dog Disc club, or pay a trainer to get some tips. Most dog failures to catch, are the handler's fault. These Aussie dogs are so much fun, let's keep them feeling successful! 

Weights and Measurements

Based upon my weighing of the puppies, I do not believe the vet weights at 5w,5d was accurate. I was surprised by some of the puppy weights, especially when I could clearly see and feel the size differences of the puppies. I weighed one puppy myself, and got a completely different weight. 

These weights below are absolutely accurate. Puppies were weighed today. Today puppies are 7weeks, 4days

Puppy1:    8.6 pounds

Puppy2:    7.4 pounds

Nova:        5.4 pounds

Puppy4:    6.4 pounds

TwizzleJr: 7.0 pounds

Puppy6:    7.4 pounds

Below are the girth and neck measurements so that you are able to estimate harness and/or collar size. These measurements may be slightly inaccurate, but should be within 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of accuracy. It is difficult to measure wiggly, fluffy puppies. :) . Puppies are growing rapidly! Keep this in mind. 

Puppy1: Girth, 14 1/2 inches. Neck, 8 1/2 inches.

Puppy2: Girth 12 3/4 inches. Neck, 7 3/4 inches.

Nova: Girth 12 inches. Neck, 7 1/2 inches.

Puppy4: Girth 12 3/4 inches. Neck 7 3/4 inches.

TwizzleJr.: Girth 13 inches. Neck 7 3/4 inches.

Puppy6: Girth 13 inches. Neck 8 inches. 

ALL PUPPIES ARE MATCHED TO THEIR WONDERFUL FAMILIES

Puppy Families chose their puppies and get to bring them into their families in two weeks, two days!
We truly enjoyed meeting and talking on the phone to get to know the families these lovely puppies are going to!

American Stock Dog Registry has accepted my kennel name request, so the prefix on the puppies' registered names will be, "LittleBear". If you are new to registry, this is how it works:
The breeder registers the litter. 
Then the new owner registers the puppy individually. 

The new owner will name their puppy and send in the registration form, along with $20 and one photo. 
The puppy's name will include the prefix LittleBear, like this: LittleBear Twizzle, or LittleBear Spectacular, or LittleBear Marvelous. 

All puppies are sold with full registration. This means you ARE ALLOWED to breed your dog, if desired. All puppies are completely clear on their genetic health panel. Therefore they will  not pass on the common Aussie health issues to their offspring. I am available to consult about the pros and cons of breeding and how to select a mate for your dog. And of course, how to raise the puppies.

I encourage delayed spay/neuter, at around 18 months, after dogs are done growing. You may choose a different age to do so, based upon your own research and desires. Or you may choose to leave your dog intact. I am available to discuss these things too. 

We are new to showing, but enjoy it! We think it would be a blast to have some dog show friends join us! We are currently showing conformation, but later plan to do some competing in Rally and Agility and maybe some others. We have found dog shows to be enjoyable, not stressful. I'll let you all know when we choose a show to attend, and you're welcome to come watch or compete. :) 

I still need to post 6 week photos. I'll get 'em done in the next couple of days and then I'll get the 7 week photos up too!

Next, I'll put up a tab to cover all the health "stuff" I use for my puppies and dogs. This will give you time to order the same products if you like what you read about them. Two excellent products to have on hand for puppies are: Vibactra and Paxxin. These are formulated to help puppies heal quickly and successfully from Parvo and other viruses. I'll be posting the data about these products. I expose our puppies to all sorts of places before they go to your home. I'm very confident that the way these puppies are fed, plus the back up of herbals, will fight off anything the puppies can pick up. I expose the puppies to pathogens while they will live here, so that I can treat them here if needed. And more importantly, so that their exposure to pathogens are nothing new when they leave our home. Their bodies will already have strong stimulated immunity to a variety of bacteria and viruses. I don't believe it benefits puppies at all to stay home for nine weeks. Our puppies have been and will be where other dogs are and have been. This helps them so they can continue to be socialized without the worry of illness.

If you name your puppy before Puppy Pick Up Day, July 7, let me know and we will start calling the puppy by the name of your choice.  

Winchester age 1 1/2. Twizzle age 6.

One Week

Left to right and in birth order:
Puppy1 black male, 
Puppy2 black male, 
Puppy3 black female, 
Puppy4 red female, 
Puppy5 black female, 
Puppy6 red female 

PUPPIES, May 6, 2020

Between 12:40am and 3:40am Wednesday May 6, 2020 

six puppies were born to Twizzle and Winchester!

Everything went very smoothly. Puppies and Twizzle are healthy and thriving.

 

2 black tri males
2 red tri females
2 black tri females

My Story

We purchased our farm property over 7 years ago. I wasn't new to country living or farming, but I was new to doing it differently. With my own property, I committed to learning a better way.

In the past, I have worked and managed petting-zoo type places. I have also owned many varieties of my own farm animals and pet-type animals. I did it all "conventionally", learning from the pros with eagerness. I've been a horse trainer, a farrier, a equine riding instructor, a barn manager, a dog boarding kennel manager, a vet clinic kennel manager, and a dog groomer.

My love for dogs started early: as a teen, I volunteered several days a week at the local Humane Society. Later, I scrolled through newspapers to rescue dogs with "bad behaviors". I would retrain them so they could function well in a home, then I'd rehome them. Later,  I added rescue dogs for our family. And after that, I became a breeder of Australian Shepherds. I love raising the puppies with a lot of stimulation. They receive a lot of different experiences, so that they can go to their new families with confidence.

I've raised three litters and from the beginning, I was fully committed to doing everything in a way that honors our Creator. I researched to learn the very best nutrition and I adjusted as I went, always adjusting to better food; more pure and more raw.

I knew that causing pain to puppies or any other animal did not need to happen, no matter how much our current registry "leadership" try to brainwash the people. I decided that dewclaws and tails will not be removed. These removals are done with no pain medications and without solid cause. When people try to explain that Australian Shepherds are a working breed and need to have their tails and dewclaws removed, I puzzle myself over the lack of reasoning ability in our society at large. Take a look at so many other working breeds of dogs who have long tails and dewclaws, they keep on working with those tails and dewclaws. I'm not a newbie either. I've only been an official breeder for four years, but I have worked on ranches with my past dogs at my side, moving horses, cattle, and pigs from one place to another. My dogs have received injury in their work, but the injuries never justify removal of puppy parts with or without pain relief. And if we are talking about preventing a dog from future injury, we'd have to remove the head and shoulders of those cattle dogs since that is where they get kicked, when they do get kicked. Australian Shepherds though, when used for herding are usually used to move sheep. It's just not even worth talking about the safety there, our dogs are just fine with the sheep.

When selecting my female Australian Shepherd, I purposely wanted an unregistered dog. I didn't like what registries where doing to dogs' standards and I wanted no part of it. But since then, I've come to appreciate registry. I like that registry and pedigree tracks the heritage of dogs. I am seeing that there are indeed reasonable breeders with registered dogs, who work actively to make positive changes for the breed. I have decided that I am no longer against registry, but I can be part of them to support positive changes for our dogs. I now own a registered Australian Shepherd, a registered Miniature American Shepherd (AKCs name for miniature Australian Shepherd), a registered coated American Hairless Terrier.. Twizzle has tested all clear in genetic health panel. She has appropriate conformation for an Australian Shepherd, and is from a long line of purebreds who weren't registered due to her breeder's beliefs. I would like this lovely female to have recorded lines for the future of this breed.

We have become a chemical free farm. This means no vaccinations, no chemical based treatments. I will use traditional medicine if I ever come upon an issue where there is no known natural alternative. I'm absolutely impressed with some medicines! So I would never let an animal suffer or even live life less than optimal, if there is a medication/etc to help the animal thrive! Also, pain medication is definitely needed at times! But over the years, we have learned so many natural ways that help animals thrive, that we are currently using no chemical treatments at all. It's been incredible witnessing the hardiness of naturally raised animals. They are more resistant to parasites, protozoa, and viruses, for example. Being naturally minded, also means keeping baby animals with their mothers without forced weaning. Our puppies have always self weaned at 8 weeks. They stay with us one more week, then they go to their new homes at 9 weeks of age. Farm life is so peaceful when young animals are left to wean from their mothers on their own schedule without interference.

Little Bear Swamp Farm Currently has a loveable pack of six dogs, a flock of layer ducks, two guinea fowl that we hope will multiply, and three dairy goats.