The puppies are born!

December 3, 2004 - Last night 7 healthy pups were born out of the combination Spikey x Belukha: 4 females and 3 males. Everything went just fine. The little ones came into the world rather fast for a first birth - within 5 hours they all saw daylight.

Our Belukha has done a great job and is feeling fine. Only when the first puppy came she cried in pain for a short while to then push it out within a minute and another one only 20 minutes after that. That seemed to be a pattern: each time two of them came shortly after each other. Only the 5th came 'alone'.

The baby Mals vary a lot in color, from rather light with a mask to almost completely black. But of course this could change a lot in the coming weeks.

Belukha is taking very good care of her litter and is completely at ease. The puppies nurse well. Later today the vet will stop by to check on them. Recepy for the following days: piece and warmth!

See also the pictures of the development of each puppy in our gallery.