Puff and Cliffords Pups - Birth to One Year
This page is hopefullly going to be helpful for folk interested in owning a Labradoodle and great fun for us who own one of the pups from this litter. We will be putting photos on at 3 / 6 / 9 and 12 months of age and giving a bit of information of what the pups are like at each stage. I feel optimistic that through sharing the reality of puppy rearing---the ups and the downs---we will all gain confidence and not feel too overwhelmed at the task we have taken on.
Three Months Old
All the pups have settled into their new homes. The sweet little bundles have turned into hooligans that nip,bite,charge around and test every theory their owners thought sounded so easy in the "how to" books. Toileting is improving,but still a bit hit or miss. Motion sickness is still a problem for some.Most of the pups have completed their shots and are free to go out into the world. Puppy socialization and training classes are starting. They are delightful,but challenging.
Six Months Old
The pups have now doubled in size(some even more)and are presenting a whole new range of challenges! Toileting is pretty much sorted and the painful nipping has stopped with the passing of the baby teeth. Grooming has been the biggest issue for many of our pups. Almost overnight the baby fluff starts to loosen and gets into tight matts if not caught soon enough. Not all the coats do this,but once it has occured the only solution is a close haircut and patience for the lovely adult coat to come through. The joyful---"everyone is my best friend" doodle approach to life is asserting itself. All who go to puppy classes are doing very well---real stars,but once exposed to the constant stimulas of dogs and humans to greet (by jumping up and getting just as close as possible)----all learning seems to be put on hold. This is the stage where you almost wish you had a dumb,sleepy dog!! Some of the pups have started to greet folk with their mouths----not biting--just a mouth shake instead of a hand shake! Six months to about 18 months is the most challenging period and takes a great deal of patience and serious work with training. Right now they are just beginning to exert their independence and I am sorry to say that it may well get worse before it gets better,but they will get through these teenage months and evolve into the devoted companions we started this whole adventure to achieve.
Nine Months Old
Our pups have now really blossomed and all are stunning. Every owner reports that their pup is 100% part of the family and their love for the dog knows no bounds. Families thank us for producing such wonderful pups,but the truth is that we have only done half the job. Their devotion to the dog and time spent in training and socializing is what has allowed the dogs to thrive. Two of our females have had seasons and all are developing their adult coats. Some have stopped their formal puppy classes,but all are reporting the success of the recall to be the most challenging aspect now in their training. All of them are really handsome and we couldn't be more proud of each and everyone.d every one
Twelve Months Old
One year has now passed and all of the pups have grown into beautiful dogs. Some have sailed through the 12 months with little effort and others have had misadventures that have led to some very stressful days for their concerned owners. We have shared and cared about each other and I am very proud to be part of this “family” of doodles.At this stage none are perfect, but in general behaviour is improving. They are all exuberant in their meeting of visitors and remain convinced that everyone wants to be their best friend,but I am afraid that is one of the hallmarks of a doodle and will continue for life. They all have quite different lifestyles, but each family is unanimous in feeling that life without their doodle is absolutely unimaginable.
Sally at three months
Sunshine Sally---our sweetheart--about as round as she is long. 10kg of fun. The other dogs play with her so we are spared a good deal of the nipping that others are suffering from,but her curiosity knows no bounds and she happily chewed(and destroyed)my digital camera today. So much for the "perfect puppy"!
Sally at Six Months
She is still delightful and wants very much to please. Having five siblings seems to be the key to keeping her calm and content .Clifford has become her best friend and the ball play is endless. She still enjoys a good illegal chew and did some quite creative work on our dictionary this week. She has had one trim and her coat has soft, gentle curls. She weighs 21kgs(46lbs) and this photo does not do her justice--she really does have eyes!
Sally at nine months
Sally is now 22.5kgs and remains a delight. She is very well behaved,but recall can be challenging. If she is with best mate Clifford---she does what he does so we win,but on her own she can find just too many more interesting options than coming! She is loved by us all.
Sally at twelve months
Our Sally now weighs 23kgs and is 22inches at the shoulder. She is smaller than our other dogs and we are hoping she remains so! She is very feminine and quite quiet until she gears up for her goodmorning or welcome home greeting---not for the fainthearted!! Her recall remains on her terms----often a good chase of overhead birds needs to be completed before she happily remembers us. She is a darling and I am sure another couple of years and we will have that perfect pup!! Photo was suppose to be a family portrait---getting three to do as we wished was impossible,but a less than perfect look at Sally with mum and dad.
Rika at Three Months
Rika with Steve and Betsy(my sister). Rika can now run from the bow to the stern of the boat without them worrying that she will fall in.
Rika at Six Months
Rika is the first of the pups to be spayed. She was so impressed with the plastic head collar that she ate it up! She also had a haircut by someone unfamiliar with Labradoodles---but haircut #2 will be different! With her close shave they were able to discover that she had course white hair right down her back---rather interesting----will be fun to see what happens when the grown up coat comes in.
She goes to training classes--has lots of doggy friends and is definately challenging Betsy and Steve. I think she knows she looks silly and will be better behaved when she once again looks like a doodle!
Rika at nine months
Rika is once again a beautiful doodle and to the surprise of all--her coat has come in chocolate. She is stunning and having spent time with her this summer--I can attest to her sweet nature and good manners. She is delightful.
Rika at Twelve Months
Rika is our mystery pup---she started out life jet black and is now a beautiful chocolate. She has just moved into her land home---she still enjoys the sailboat,but is basically just content to be wherever Betsy and Steve are. I spent hours watching these pups in the early days- trying to select the perfect match for B&S and beleive I got it right! She has brought pleasure and unconditional devotion from the moment she arrived in America.
Sickan at Three Months
Sickan has the most urban life of all the pups.She rides elevators,buses and the metro. This photo was taken on a visit to Xingo---the first British doodle in Sweden.
Six Months
Sickan continues to thrive. She weighs 18kgs. She has learned the doodle skill of counter surfing! Lars told me that she far surpassed his original expectations!She looks beautiful and is very calm and laid back. She occasionally goes to work at the bank and sits happily under the desk---wish they were all like her!
Sickan at nine months
I don't know if it is the Swedish air,but Sickan continues to be the perfect puppy.They say she has no hunting instinct and can ignore rabbits! Not a likely scenario around here! She is learning to walk close without a lead--oh my---I think we chose the wrong pup! She is developing golden highlights and is a very beautiful girl. She goes to doggy day care. I sure wish we had something like that in our area --the dogs would love it.
Sickan at Twelve Months
Sickan is our cosmopolitan pup and goes to doggy day care each week day. Anna Lena says that the greeting they receive on pick up is almost worth the time apart. We are hoping that the whole family will be visiting in the summer and we will try to get all the gang together. What a grand time we will have---chaos!
Rio at Three Months
This is Rio.She has been a challenge for Carolyn and Logan,but with the freedom to now go out and about ---hopefully good walks and meeting other dogs will lesson the need to nip.She has mastered the art of swimming in her water bowl!
Rio at Six Months
Rio is doing very well in her puppy training classes,but finds life outside of class far too exciting to bother with sits,stays and downs. She no longer swims in her water bowl,but does love jumping into the bath(I think when it is empty). She still has her puppy coat,but may have a summer trim. Carolyn says that folk stop their cars and get out to ask about her---a real stunner.
Rio at nine months
Rio is the first of the females to have a season. She has become a professional counter surfer and Carolyn says she shows no shame whatsoever--more like pride! Her recall still needs improvement,but suspect that is the price we pay for having curious,intelligent pups. She is a beautiful lass.
Rio at Twelve Months
Carolyn says that Rio had a brief stint at being perfect,but is now back to nomal and has mastered the art of openning the fridge and selecting her favorite treats. She has watched her do it and is quite impressed with her dexterity. Carolyn's Dad was not originally impressed with the thought of a puppy,but he is now one of Rio's biggest fans. Logan and Rio are the very best of mates---most of Logan's toys are now of little interest to Rio----phew! It has been a long year for Carolyn and Rio has been very challenging,but she says that at one year--they are very much a solid family unit.
Branston at Three Months
Branston has Ullswater in her backyard and has discovered the fun of paddling.She wrote us a lovely letter---very clever pup and seems to have her owners very well trained.
Branston at Twelve Months
We were delighted to have Branston and family stop in for a visit close to the one year date. She is now bigger than Sally--perhaps 24kgs and her coat is turing chocolate with a silvery undercoat and white guard hairs throughout---oh what a difference a year makes! She now lives on the edge of the Peak District National Park so plenty of good walks. She is very much a water dog and has enjoyed boating holidays with her family. She is lovely and we were so pleased to have a visit(Sally was not impressed)!
Dougal at Three Months
Dougal is now 12.5kg and has given his family a real run for their money. His size and beauty are in equal measure to his hooliganism. The location of this photo is 10 minutes from Dougal's home.I think we should all meet right on this spot for a doodle gathering!
Dougal at Six Months
Dougal is continuing to be a real handful.They have been unable to find training classes,but hopefully more pups will come into the area. Dougal weighs 29kgs and the front of his legs are turning silvery and his whiskers are chocolate. He looks much like Clifford although they are not related---a very handsome lad.
Dougal at nine months
Dougal was special from the very first day and he has continued to shine ever since. He is now over 32kg and still growing! He is turning silver grey with brown bits---I think he is absolutely gorgeous. He remains a small pup at heart and can be far to exuberant when meeting others,but I suspect his good looks get him through. He has a passion for wood and nothing seems able to deter him---think their home will need DIY once the lad has grown up.
Dougal at Twelve Months
Dougal has been the pup with the most challenging behavior--I think he is absolutely gorgeous,but suspect his good looks are in equal measure to his creative naughtiness! Jackie writes:"Dougal is still a big boy and a big challenge and is really kept manageable by lots of exercise......really nothing else works. It has been quite a year and I can honestly say I have never met a dog like him. He is so challenging and so large that at times it has seemed overwhelming. However he is just the most wonderful dog..... our furry bear , and life without him is now hard to imagine." Dougal's coat has turned a silvery, chocolate--wonderful to look at the three month photo and see the change---he really was black when he left us!
Woody at Three Months
Woody is charming all the beachcombers in Brighton. Quick walks are out of the question as folk stop to admire her. Sue thinks she should be called a Polardoodle as each week brings a thicker coat.
Woody at Six Months
Woody no longer nips and is a very loved member of the family.She is sociable,full of fun and like her brothers and sisters---thinks anything that moves is fun to explore.
Woody at nine months
Woody is a real star on Brighton Beach and a day doesn't pass without folk wanting to know all about her. Sue says she is a wonderful family pet and inseperable with little Jude. She still enjoys a good illegal chew of skirting boards,but otherwise a perfect,much loved puppy.
Woody at Twelve Months
Woody is presently recuperating from an accident that she had in November. She picked up a discarded firework(rocket with a wooden stick) and somehow before it was taken away she pierced her throat and seven weeks later and two operations---is once again on the mend. The wound had to be left open to heal from the inside/out so no collar and a very restricted life. Nothing has been found to be causing the abcesses so there is worry that more medical care will be necessary, but for now she is doing very well. Woody had to have a fairly severe haircut to try to blend in the shaving from surgery. Sue wrote:" The bond between us seemed to intensify when she was ill and now seeing her eyes so clearly and the dog underneath the cute 'disney' exterior is an experience of the heart. What a girl!" We are all rooting for a full recovery and know that she
is receiving the very best care and if love is the best medicine---she will soon be 100%.
Woody on Christmas Day---feeling much better and thankful for everyones concern.
Louis at Three Months
And here is Louis---twelve/half weeks old and 13 kgs!! He and Dougal are definately the biggest at this stage. Claire says he is totally house trained and walks to heel. Not only handsome,but clever. This may well be the last photo of Claire holding him!
Louis at Six Months
Louis had a bit of a traumatic adventure between 3 and 6 months. He had to have a very close haircut to get rid of the puppy fluff that had matted. Very hard for Claire and Jay to see their gorgeous teddy bear come home a skin head,but his new grown up coat is coming in curly---by nine months he will be a new fella.He weighs 26kgs. He loves ball and frisbee games and even sleeps with the ball in his mouth---ever ready for a play!
Louis at nine months
Louis(or Loopy Lou as he is affectionately called)is now 30kgs and still growing. He was neutered at seven months and Claire says he is none the wiser.He is a huge part of their lives and friends know to include him in all social functions. He loves emptying the laundry basket of dirty clothes and making himself a comfy(and comforting)nest.When he has to be left,he is fortunate to have a dog walker who comes in her doggy bus and collects him and after exciting outings--actually leaves a report card so they know where he went and how he behaved. Scotland seems way ahead of our area in meeting the needs of dog owners. Louis's lovely,soft curls are returning and he looks wonderful.
Louis(Loopy Lou) at Twelve Months
Claire's update on Louis could be describing almost any one of these pups. "Louis becomes more of a character each day. He really is so clever and never ceases to amaze me with the things he remembers or knows how to do. Recall is STILL an issue if he sets his mind to something........or someone! His coat requires a lot of grooming- we've learned just to use a shedding comb rather than a brush - seems to do a better job. We'll probably have to keep his coat quite short. He is absolutely crazy and at the moment, I'd be lying if I said he was perfectly behaved. He is a massive 34kgs (about 5 stone 4lbs i think), although thinks he is a lap-dog and will jump up on your knee or lie on the pillow beside you, taking up most of the bed. We're always covered in bruises. He also hates to be on his own and is adored by everyone he meets. He is a real people-dog, constantly seeking love, affection and play. He simply has to be in the middle of everything that's going on......and we wouldn't have it any other way. We just couldn't imagine life without him now."
Arthur at 13 weeks
Arthur-13 weeks old and 12.8kgs. He is developing lovely brown whiskers--and is the star of his puppy school--delights in greeting all the humans as well as the other pups.
Arthur at six months
Arthur is the twin to our Sally except for the white chin and chest. He lives with two small children and loves their attention(and vise/versa). Like his brothers and sisters---a perfectly behaved pup until something or someone new comes into site. He has had one trim. Photo shows him relaxing on what he thinks is his outside lounger(a trampoline). A very handsome pup.
Arthur at nine months
Arthur just gets better with age. He has lots of doggy friends and all get on with never a growl. He is good with his young family and adored by all. His whiskers are now turning brown. He looks wonderful!
Arthur at Twelve Months
Arthur looks like the twin of our Sally. Brandon wrote the following:"Apart from chewing 3 holes in the wall, destroying Kerenza's new glasses and being a constant pest to our other dog, he's still a wonderful dog with a huge character and a personality to match. He just cannot understand why some other dogs don't want to play 24 hours a day!! The kids still adore him and although they give him over enthusiastic hugs and the inevitable fall onto him, Arthur has been a star and not given us the slighted cause for concern."
Ozzy at Thirteen Weeks
. He spends his weekends in a caravan with his family and like his siblings---thinks everyone is his best friend. Tracey says that even when he is naughty--folk forgive him because he is so cute.
Ozzy at nine months
Ozzy's family has had a bit of trouble with their computer,but finally we have a photo of the lad---looks like he too has brown whiskers.
Ozzy at Twelve months
Ozzy and our Sally are the only pups who were black at birth and remain so at one year. Ozzy does have brown whiskers and Tracy says in cetain light his coat does have a brown tinge---perhaps by two years he will be a chocolate doodle too! He has been hard work at times,but is very loved and his greetings can make a difficult day almost all better.
