The COLLIE PUPS are HERE! -- **UPDATE - post #34** MORE PICS

[Spiritwind]

Kelsey had her babies today!!! What a long day....

The breakdown of the litter is:

1 Smooth Tri-Color Male
2 Blue Merle Males (I THINK 1 smooth and 1 rough??? but should be able to tell for sure in the next few days)
2 Rough Tri-Colr Males......
(tris and sables are easy to tell rough or smooth at birth.. blues are a bit more difficult)...

And... after waiting all day, and HOPING for a beautiful female in the litter, and after 5 males, thinking it just wasn't going to happen....

1 BEAUTIFUL Smooth Tri-Color Female.... who is going to be very spoiled and who is going to have to learn to keep her brothers in line..... but hey, she's a smooth, so she'll be fiesty LOL

Mom and pups are doing wonderful!! I will post pictures of the litter later this evening... but these are the largest, fattest, healthiest looking puppies I've ever had in a litter. I've NEVER had pups this size at birth... they don't even look like newborn pups.... they look like they are about 5-6-7 days old...lol not one runt in the litter.... even the female is basicly the same size as the males....

Sire is CH Apple Valley Shades of Blue, CGC - Ben (smooth blue merle)
Dam is Spiritwind Ain't An Angel - Kelsey (rough Tri-color)

[Suki Wingy]

Congratulations to you and Mama! I can't wait to see pictures. :) I think smooth tris are my favorite color/variety.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Congradulations, they sound beautiful. Glad mom and pups are doing well. Can't wait to see pictures.

[Spiritwind]

Here are pics I just took of the puppies with their mamma.... she is a wonderful mother!!!... and of course their sire is my 7yr old smooth champion, this is his FIRST litter!! He did the samething to me, that his father did to his breeder.... Ben is from a litter of 7.... 6 boys and 1 girl (and she was also the last born! LOL)


http://i27.tinypic.com/21bpv76.jpg

http://i28.tinypic.com/30ljrtd.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/k9w48x.jpg

http://i31.tinypic.com/zn7wc5.jpg


I will try to update pictures weekly.. love to take pics to watch them as they grow and develop!..

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

<squeals with delight> OMGosh!! They are so stunning! I cannot wait to watch them grow!

[Shelteez2]

*SQUISH* Send me a rough tri.... ;)

[RobiLee]

Ohhhhh, they are so cute! Thanks for keeping me informed and up to date. Zack and I waited anxiously for each report ;). You know I wish I could sweep in and snatch one up if I could. I am looking forward to more pictures. My Zack is a new Grandpa!!!!! Give Kelsey a nice hug from us. She did a good job.

[Taz_Zoee]

OH my goodness!! I can't wait to watch these little guys, and girl, grow up. I must admit, I am partial to the blue merles. :)

[Spiritwind]

*SQUISH* Send me a rough tri.... ;)

LOL you know I can certainly do that... if you REALLY want to!! LOL

[Spiritwind]

Ohhhhh, they are so cute! Thanks for keeping me informed and up to date. Zack and I waited anxiously for each report ;). You know I wish I could sweep in and snatch one up if I could. I am looking forward to more pictures. My Zack is a new Grandpa!!!!! Give Kelsey a nice hug from us. She did a good job.

Thanks Robin!! I will try to keep pics updated weekly!!

TTYL

[Spiritwind]

OH my goodness!! I can't wait to watch these little guys, and girl, grow up. I must admit, I am partial to the blue merles. :)

Thanks! I'm very happy with the babies!!!

Oh, I LOVE blues! I was hoping for more blues (some blue girls would have been nice).. but what can you do right??? mother nature has its own plans LOL

[Blackrose]

They are ADORABLE!!! :D

Hey, Chloe wants a new brother...

[Freedom]

Well my goodness, aren't they just fine and dandy? And yes, can see what you mean about them looking big and healthy! If there are 2 tri's in those photos (and I believe you!) I can't see 'em.

Collies hold a special place in my heart. My first dog, when I was 5 years old, was a rough coat sable female (named Lassie, of course!) She shared my life for 8 golden years. These puppies are so very special for me to see!

[BC_MoM]

Rough tri here too, please! :D :love:

[lute]

OHHH!!! OHHH!!! THEY ARE ADORABIBBLE! Send me a blue merle male! Look at those full white collars! Beautiful litter! Congrats! I can't wait to see them grow!:love:

[Karen]

Well my goodness, aren't they just fine and dandy? And yes, can see what you mean about them looking big and healthy! If there are 2 tri's in those photos (and I believe you!) I can't see 'em.


Look in the very first photo - you can see brown markings on two of the pups that look "just" black and white from other angles in the other pictures.

They are absolutely adorable, give their momma a big kiss from me, okay? We soooo look forward to watching them grow!

[Spiritwind]

Thanks everyone! I will keep pictures updated regularly....

Will post a few more pics of the pups in the next 2-3 days...

[Shelteez2]

LOL you know I can certainly do that... if you REALLY want to!! LOL

Only if you will take Ramone as a trade in... ;)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Congrats!!!:D They're all so adorable. I look forward to being able to watch them grow.:)

[Spiritwind]

Well my goodness, aren't they just fine and dandy? And yes, can see what you mean about them looking big and healthy! If there are 2 tri's in those photos (and I believe you!) I can't see 'em.


Thanks!

LOL but actually there are 4 Tris in the litter LOL 3 males (2 roughs and 1 smooth) and 1 female (a smooth).... though in most the pics they just look black and white... they have tan markings on their face, and down their stifles...

Give them a few days and I will take more pics, more up close and some individual pics...

[CountryWolf07]

Beautiful! :)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

** SQUEEL !!!**
OMG, those puppies are sooooo cute!!

[cassiesmom]

Oh, my! Tiny baby collies! Wowie, wow! Congratulations, Spiritwind! I'm with everyone else who can't wait to watch them grow!

[Husky_mom]

joins the list of squeelers......hehe.....

I wanna eat them!!

I love the merles...*drools*... and the tri´s are a very very close second... ;)

I love how one of the merles has a merle "diamond" on his collar.... how cute!!

and why would you torture us giving us updates weekly...... make them daily!!! ;)... we LOVE being tortured like that :p

[bckrazy]

OMG! They are beyond adorable... : ) Congratulations on the big, healthy, precious litter.

Pls send over the smooth blue boy. Kthx.

[Spiritwind]

Just thought I'd post a picture of a the smooth tri girl and one of the rough boys so you can see the difference between a rough and smooth tri-colors in newborn pups.....

http://i32.tinypic.com/2j0eg5e.jpg
This is the smooth tri girl. Smooths have very clear, distinct lines between the black and tan markings on their face.... were as in roughs, which you will see below the markings on the face are much more smutty...

http://i31.tinypic.com/2z8e2oj.jpg
Rough tri boy - notice the markings on his face aren't as clear

I left the pics kind of large so you could see the differnce easier. I'm still unsure on whether the blues are roughs or smooths... now I'm kind of thinking both may be smooths... but we'll see...

I will search my computer and post pics of rough and smooth sable newborn pups and post them as well... they are very easy to tell as well...

[Spiritwind]

Ok.. here is the difference between rough and smooth sable newborn collie pups...

Here is Paris (and Kelsey actually) at a couple days old...

http://i27.tinypic.com/24g5dae.jpg
Smooth sables have very light colored heads, with darker rings under their eyes.....

One more of Paris... at about 1 wk old
http://i28.tinypic.com/2wr1dlu.jpg

Now here is a rough sable... this pups is about 1 1/2 wks old..so by now would be obvious he's a rough anyway.. but roughs have darker heads and masks

http://i31.tinypic.com/2q0sv7t.jpg

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Wow, what BEAUTIFUL babies! I'd love one, too, lol! Glad mom & pups are doing well!

[K9karen]

The babies are jaw dropping precious! Thx for the photos and explaining the difference. If I could, I'd take any one of them! I can't wait for updates either! Congratulations Ma!

[tikeyas_mom]

They are sooooo Cute!!!
Cant wait to watch them grow up!

[k9krazee]

ZOMG! Cuteness Overload!!!!

I'll take a Tri boy off your hands! I'm sooo excited to watch them grow! :D

[Husky_mom]

more pics more pics more pics!!!.... love them all... and the explanatory ones are soo cute too!!...

smooches to the pooches

[sasvermont]

I was kinda hoping for a daily update, but then I have too much time on my hands, huh? I can't wait for the updates with photos. Ahemmmmm.;)

[Spiritwind]

Since everyone wanted more pictures..... here they are!!

The Puppies at 2 days old.....


http://i27.tinypic.com/254x6ok.jpg
4 of the babies....

http://i31.tinypic.com/2wn4mdl.jpg
Smooth Tri Girl with one of the blue boys

http://i30.tinypic.com/2dh73ue.jpg
One of the blue boys... rough?? smooth?? still not sure lol

http://i31.tinypic.com/54vknr.jpg
Same blue male as the last picture.. head on.. you can see the markings on his face.... and all that white on his head.. the other blue male has just as much, if not more white on his head LOL

http://i31.tinypic.com/oasryt.jpg
Group picture..

http://i30.tinypic.com/2meohh1.jpg
Rough male (L) and Smooth Male (R)

http://i28.tinypic.com/wv4vbk.jpg
4 of the pups...

http://i28.tinypic.com/2vklrv9.jpg
one of the blues, with the smooth tri girl... sleeping on moms leg..

Thats it for now... pups are doing great!! Getting big, and fatter every day.. they are all little pigs. Once they are more on their feet I'll do individual pictures of each....

[Husky_mom]

I think the blue from the first pic is smooth and the blue from the last pic is rough.... just my guess.. LOL

what a bunch of cuties!!!... but you should see this coming....WE WANT MORE PICS !!!.. they are beyond cute!!!

thanks for sharing some more...

P.S. post when you can... I just wanted to let you know we PTers never have enough of pics ;)

[cassiesmom]

Tiny, sweet baby new-born pups! I hope you will all grow up to be strong, healthy and beautiful! Congratulations, mom-dog Kelsey and Spiritwind!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for posting more pictures.:) They're just so adorable.:love: Are any of them spoken for yet? Will you be keeping any of them?

[lute]

I just love em! Too cute!

[K9karen]

Itty Bitty pink feetsies on sleeping widdle angels...
A zillion AWWWWWWssss
Do you just sit and watch them all day? I would! ;)

[CountryWolf07]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!! I just wish I could hold one of them in my hands! :)

[boomersooner]

Wow! the circle of life....I just got off of the thread about Sassy....it helps to look at these sweet little newborn faces....

[Riptide]

What precious little babies! :love: I'm such a sucker for those little merles...:D

[Karen]

How can you tell this early who is gonna be a rough collie, and who is gonna be smooth? I don't see much difference at this point ... just curious!

[prechrswife]

They are just adorable! Can't wait for more updates.:D

[shais_mom]

very cute! :D

[Shelteez2]

How can you tell this early who is gonna be a rough collie, and who is gonna be smooth? I don't see much difference at this point ... just curious!

Janna posted pics on how she can tell the coat type here in post 26.
http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/showpost.php?p=2022897&postcount=26

[Spiritwind]

Thanks everyone!! Since everyone wants pics... I'll keep the pics coming!!! I love to take pics of the babies... and just sit and watch them..



Thanks for posting more pictures.:) They're just so adorable.:love: Are any of them spoken for yet? Will you be keeping any of them?

Yes... a few of them should be spoken for... obviously it will depend on eye checks (they should have great eye checks!) and how they develop and mature over the next couple months.... as far as pet or show quality etc... I'll probably keep one (or maybe two for a while) to grow out.... probably the female.. tho I have a lady wanting a smooth tri show bitch, so maybe doing a co-ownership on her... we'll see... I really like the smooth tri boy!! and will have to watch those blue boys as they grow...




Itty Bitty pink feetsies on sleeping widdle angels...
A zillion AWWWWWWssss
Do you just sit and watch them all day? I would! ;)

LOL oh yes!! I can sit and watch them for hours... even tho they do nothing more than sleep and eat right now... I'll go sit in the whelping box with mom and babies and just watch them forever.... once they get 2+ wks old and eyes are opening and they are up on their feet moving more I really love to sit and watch them as they start to discover their new world....

[K9karen]

I'm SO jealous! That'd be Heaven on Earth for me. I can't imagine doing anything better 24/7. My lips would be in a permanent pucker for life.

Are you keeping a pup?

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Kay, excuse my... stupidity, but I didn't know smooths and roughs could be born into the same litter, lol. :confused:

VERY cute though! I'd love a rough blue boy someday. :D

[Spiritwind]

Are you keeping a pup?

Yes... more than likely I'll keep one (possibly hold onto two for a while)... just depends on how they mature and develop and also on their eye checks (which should be great!)....



Kay, excuse my... stupidity, but I didn't know smooths and roughs could be born into the same litter, lol. :confused:

VERY cute though! I'd love a rough blue boy someday. :D

Yep.. they can be born in the same litter..... In this case the mother is a Rough coat and the sire is a Smooth coat.... Below are pictures of the sire of the litter....

http://i26.tinypic.com/24g3ioh.jpg

http://i26.tinypic.com/2wexxxy.jpg

CH Apple Valley Shades Of Blue, CGC

Now if you breed Rough x Rough you will get a whole litter of roughs...... but Rough to Smooth, as long as the smooth is rough factored (meaning it is smooth but carries the recessive rough gene) you will get rough and smooth puppies... if the smooth is pure for smooth (meaning it carries 2 dominat smooth genes, not a rough gene) then you will get all smooth puppies..... as smooth is dominat and rough is recessive.

You can also get rough (and smooth) puppies from two rough factored smooths....

Hope that makes sense.... I'm not real good at explaining these things LOL

Now.. in Eurpoe (and actually I think most places, EXCEPT in North America) Rough and Smooth Collies are considered two different breeds and are not bred to eachother..... though I believe up until a few years ago they were allowed to breed roughs to smooths in Europe but the kennel club that controls all that decided to make them two seperate breeds.... believe thats what happen.... I'm on a Collie Breeder Forum that is based in Europe, so most of the people on the forum are european breeders so thats how I've found most of this out... but the roughs and smooths have been bred to eachother in North America forever... and here they are just two varieties of the same breed....

[cassiesmom]

Again - wowie, wow! Dad has such a beautiful face! I love how half of it is solid and the other half has the pattern, like a line straight down the center of his face. And of course Mom is gorgeous! Spiritwind, could you please give them a very gentle baby pat for me. And skritchies to Mom!

[boomersooner]

I love the smooth collies....they are always one of my favorite breeds to watch when I watch the dog shows on television. They are beautiful puppies, and yes, I would just watch them 24/7 if I could, too!!!!!