Markings.
Very few Berners have “perfect” markings.
Although Lupine appears to be correctly marked with her white blaze and muzzle, four white feet and white tail tip, she actually has a marking flaw — it is just not as noticeable as Paintbrush, who does not have much white on the left side of his muzzle.
Note below how Lupine’s white extends past the corner of her mouth on her right side.
You can really see it in the photo below — it is called a Swiss Smile.
The small bit of white on the back of her neck is called a Swiss Kiss — that will all but go away as she grows. Both Mariposa and Lupine have those Swiss Kisses.
White on a puppy — or lack of white — creates a certain illusion. For example, more white on one paw than the other can actually make the white paw look bigger. White faces seem to make the heads seem bigger — although, to be fair, Lupine has a big head!
Things went great overnight in the new Wildflower Place. Dear Husband again stayed up all night — I do not know how people raise litters without a night shift person as it makes ALL the difference. I wake up mostly rested, and both Daisy and the puppies get fed well overnight.
But we will now start to transition back to a more normal sleep routine, which involves Dear Husband staying up to his usual 1 — 2 a.m. (he is naturally a Night Owl ) and me getting up between 4 — 5 a.m., which is normal for me.
This means there is just a short gap where Daisy and the puppies do not have an awake person with them — just close by. Since they will be three weeks old tomorrow (how did THAT happen?!) and they are safely in the escape-proof Wildflower Place (aka Dining Room), I think we are all ready.
This is Mallow — so cute.
Back to markings — this is Mariposa and Lupine. If you look at the next two photos, you can see that both puppies have rust to the corner of their mouths; Lupine’s Swiss Smile is only on the right side of her face.
Larkspur is a nicely marked puppy but again — not perfect. Look at the difference between his muzzle white and the two girls above.
Sometimes I take photos and forget to also take one with the collar so I know who it is — like this one.
Puppy Posse.
Definitely Larkspur.
The Milk Bar is one big party all the time.
Sage has lovely face and head markings but will have dark feet and a four-hair tail tip.
Bottom line — those who want perfect markings on a Berner should look HERE.
For the rest of us — who embrace dogs and people with imperfections — we have the practically perfect Wildflowers.
Video HERE.
EVENING: PHOTOS FROM THE DAY
So much toothless chomping going on around here.
Clover
We created a nursing alcove so that Daisy can still do shift nursing outside of the puppies’ bedroom/playroom. This is all nine!
The paws — love!
Sage
If you watched the video you will know that we set up the play structure that Lori sent us for our last litter. They are a perfect age for this.
All of the puppies interacted with the structure with no concerns or issues — it was awesome. It won’t stay in their space all the time — novelty is important and so it will come and go, and the things that hang will change as well.
Mariposa
Good Night, Friends!