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Call it puppy love ...
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| Youngsters Oliver Wilkinson, Katie Seaton, Joe Wilson and Katie Wilkinson hold the new arrivals. |
When a five-year-old border collie called Belle died while giving birth to four puppies, it seemed her offspring might struggle to survive.
But a three-and-a-half-year-old female rottweiler has successfully adopted all four of them.
The dog, called Kia, had recently given birth to 13 of her own puppies.
Only 11 are still alive, as one was stillborn and another died shortly after birth.
Kia's owner, Cowling resident Joanne Wilson, said she was an extremely friendly, good-tempered dog, who was coping well with her mixed breed litter.
She added the rottweiler breed's reputation for being unpredictable and dangerous was inaccurate and unfair.
Cowling farmer Lisa Wilkinson, 37, said Belle died last Friday after suffering complications during labour.
She said she spent the day desperately appealing for anyone who might be able to rear the two male and two female puppies.
However, Joanne Town-Jones, landlady of Cowling's Bay Horse pub, was able to put her in touch with Joanne that very same day.
The sheepdog puppies were introduced to their prospective new mother that evening and Kia immediately took to them, allowing them to feed from her.
Joanne, 28, who has two young children, and also owns a six-year-old Lakeland terrier called Tam, said: "Kia's been absolutely brilliant with the new puppies. She's had no bother with them at all."
"Normally you only hear about rottweilers when they've attacked someone. But then some people buy rottweilers because they want to look hard.
"Many of these young lads have no idea how to look after them. Folk that can't manage them should just get themselves a little terrier instead. It's not about the dog - it's all about the kind of people who own them.
"If you keep a rottweiler chained up all the time or you buy one and use it as a fighting dog of course it'll be dangerous.
"My aunt and uncle breed rottweilers and my mum has had a few and they've never had a single problem."
She said she would not be able to keep all the dogs, so anyone interested in buying any of the rottweiler puppies can contact her on 07919 682994.
8:43am Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Lisa, Keighley on 2:54pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Sweet story - but of course, had the collie been spayed, she'd never have died.
Sweet story - but of course, had the collie been spayed, she'd never have died.
Posted by: shirley, Kly on 4:15am Sat 22 Mar 08
Perhaps as this was a farm sheepdog the litter was an intended one and your remarks regarding spaying unneeded
Perhaps as this was a farm sheepdog the litter was an intended one and your remarks regarding spaying unneeded
Posted by: Lisa, Keighley on 7:20pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Had it been a planned litter, a responsible breeder would have had homes lined up before they were born, and not had to rely on another breeder to pick up the pieces. Sounds far more likely to be an "accidental"/backyar
d breeder, the kind who dont think before they plonk two dogs together. It's a stark message to those planning the same - breeding dogs can cost your dog their life, or at best - a far whack in vets fees. Dont breed unless you have excellent dogs with an outstanding history for health and temperament going back several generations. Dont breed unless you have homes lined up. And be prepared for things to go wrong - c-sections, and death, are more common than you think.
Best of luck to the rottie owner and the rehoming effort. Sadly with a glut of collies (and other more pet suitable breeds/crossbreeds) in rescue, they're going to have a tough job on their hands!
Had it been a planned litter, a responsible breeder would have had homes lined up before they were born, and not had to rely on another breeder to pick up the pieces. Sounds far more likely to be an "accidental"/backyar
d breeder, the kind who dont think before they plonk two dogs together. It's a stark message to those planning the same - breeding dogs can cost your dog their life, or at best - a far whack in vets fees. Dont breed unless you have excellent dogs with an outstanding history for health and temperament going back several generations. Dont breed unless you have homes lined up. And be prepared for things to go wrong - c-sections, and death, are more common than you think.
Best of luck to the rottie owner and the rehoming effort. Sadly with a glut of collies (and other more pet suitable breeds/crossbreeds) in rescue, they're going to have a tough job on their hands!
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