Seafever Lowchen & PWD's

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Some Past Puppies

These puppies are NOT available. If you interested in joining our waiting list,
please fill out a puppy questionnaire and we will respond ASAP!

At Seafever Lowchen, we always look forward to the arrival of puppies with much preparation and excitement. Because we breed infrequently, every litter is looked upon much like one expects any new baby! Lowchen litters are literally like the proverbial box of chocolates----as far as colors go, "you never know what you are going to get".

During the waiting period for puppies, our dams are fed a select diet of raw meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and limited grains. We supplement only with Vitamin C and E as the variety of their diet provides all they need from natural bio-available sources.

Once the dam is nearing her whelping date, she is given her own maternity ward, quiet and secluded. She enjoys all the best, including calming, soothing classical music. Once the pups are here, she enjoys her litter without the stressors of two much activity and noise so she can concentrate on her beloved puppies. Between two and three weeks of age, puppies and dam are moved into the busy area of the house, so the pups can accustom themselves to the normal noises and activities of a household. About this same time, pups are being offered a diet of raw goats milk and rice cereal, along with nursing. We prefer to let the bitches determine when the pups are totally weaned--sometimes at 6 weeks , sometimes later. Even when the dam has weaned the pups, she continues spending a great deal of time with her litter, teaching them the ways of the world. After a week or so of the goats milk mixture, we start adding in raw food as well as kibble. Although our preference is not kibble, we realize that not all homes will have the commitment to feed a raw diet. Sadly, we cannot keep them all in an ideal world, but urge kibble feeders to feed premium foods with the addition of some raw meat and veggies. By the time pups are 6-7 weeks old, they are eating both raw and processed food well. We do not let pups leave the nest until they are over 9 weeks old.

Seafever Lowchen pups are started on day three with the Biosensor Program, the very same used by the US Military for it's service dogs. Evidence suggests that pups raised on this program are generally more at ease in the world and perhaps more intelligent. Along with this, we continually offer them new experiences, such as new tactile sensations (carpet, tile, lambs wool, grass, etc), new and different people, and even play a sound socialization tape every day. We try to expose them to as many different experiences as possible to insure confident pups.

As late as we can, we vaccinate for the first time. Recent studies suggest that vaccinating too early can be ineffective as the maternal antibodies still in the pups over-ride the effects of the vaccine. For that reason ,we delay first shots as long as we safely can. By delaying shots, the pups are subjected to less boosters. We also use only distemper and parvo. Studies suggest that over vaccination and using too many vaccines has a damaging effect on the pups new immune system. We vaccinate only for potential life threatening illnesses. By the time the pup is maturing, he has usually been exposed to most of the others without incident and has built his own immunity. Pups are wormed however, on a two week schedule until they leave.

At eight weeks we determine our show prospects and start working with potential puppy owners. We offer as much guidance as we can to insure the pup lives a long, healthful life in their care. After 9 weeks, pups start leaving the nest. We do not like to ship. Shipping is a stressful, not without risk proposition for the pup and we do so as a last resort. Sadly, a pup's life is not something that can be returned to him by man's carelessness.

So as you can see, our philosophy in a nutshell in raising pups is to let Nature do what it does best. Our diet--our puppy rearing practices all mirror this. When you are contemplating a new member of a family and confused by the many diets, I offer you one question to consider "even though cereals are "nutritionally complete", would you feed that day in and day out to you child without fresh foods"? And regarding shots, consider that humans are not boosted every year, so why should other animals? Science and anecdotal evidence is suggesting that we are both over vaccinating our dogs and that feeding a species appropriate diet is the beginning step to optimum health. Nature proves time and time again it knows best!

I hope you enjoy this brief description of a puppy rearing practices and philosophy of health. There are a new breed of dog breeders who are literally "going back to nature" and seeing wonderful results. Thankfully, Lowchen are a relative healthy breed but other breed fanciers are reporting that changing protocols in vaccinations and offering species appropriate diets are eliminating some of the chronic health problems seen. Our dogs possess a vitality--as one judge said to me, "just look into the eyes to recognize a raw fed dog". Many books and articles can be found on the subjects of diet and over vaccination and I urge you to do your own homework. If you prefer the convenience of kibble, I will gladly assist you in providing additions to insure optimum health.

Before you buy any puppy, any breed, I urge you inquire about the breeder's puppy rearing practices, vaccination protocols, etc. Many are behind the times in science either by lack of interest or effort. Like humans, chronic poor health is becoming acceptable in dogs. Most would agree that it is poor management, diet and over vaccination causing this-dogs and humans like. Do your own research, find a breeder you trust and follow the level of care you are comfortable with. Be informed.

Pups are not livestock and should not be raised in that manner No expense should be spared in those critical first months of its life. Unfortunately, the old adage applies here, "you get what you pay for" when it comes to rearing practices.

Enjoy some of our past pups (and some current) of Seafever Lowchen!

Janet (Jann) Nienhaus
Louisiana
(985) 290-4372
janet@seafeverlowchenandpwds.com