*This post is sponsored by Breeder’s Edge®

“I got into breeding English Bulldogs because I have always loved the breed. Being a registered veterinary technician for so many years, I had witnessed how poor breed selection over time was negatively affecting the health of bulldogs.” Kimberly describes how she became a first-time breeder with her English Bulldog, Princess Leia.

Doing the Research

Even though Kimberly was a vet tech, as a first-time breeder, she knew there was a lot more to learn. “Breeding Leia had added risk just because she is a bulldog. I was concerned about her having to have a C-section, and the risk of anesthesia.” She did hours of research on the breed before selecting a breeder. She also visited the Revival Animal Health Learning Center and discovered tips and advice about pregnancy and whelping that she had never known before. “I read articles and watched the videos, some of them several times. I’d get something new each time,” she said. “The pregnancy and whelping articles and videos by Dr. Marty Greer, Revival’s Director of Veterinary Services helped me so much during Leia’s pregnancy. Dr’ Greer’s videos were invaluable and the information on C-sections and neonate care were my favorites,” she recalls.

First-Time Breeder Help

DeeDee, a Revival Pet Care Pro who helped Kimberly, remembers how dedicated Kimberly was to learning. “Kimberly did an amazing job of taking the time to truly learn what she needed to do to avoid any unexpected surprises. She called me with a couple of questions about what she learned from Dr. Greer’s webinars, and I was happy to help her.”

The Day Arrives

On July 26, 2021, Kimberly’s hard work paid off when Leia delivered six healthy puppies. Based on what she had learned, Kimberly began them on Breeder’s Edge® Puppy Lyte and Breeder’s Edge Nurture Mate, to give them a healthy start. To help Leia’s recovery after birth as well as with nursing, Kimberly gave her Breeder’s Edge® Oxy Momma and Doc Roy’s Healthy Bones.

Puppy Socialization

Kimberly knew there was more she needed to do for her puppies. Her son had done service dog training, and she knew the importance of early puppy development. Plus, Leia herself had shown signs of lack of socialization and confidence as a puppy, so Kimberly wanted to make sure Leia’s pups would be ready for their new homes. Kimberly acclimated the pups to different toys, different types of flooring, and she even took them camping. To socialize them, she exposed the pups to cats, her goats, and other animals, as well as children. She even played YouTube videos of fireworks and gun sounds as they nursed to help them later relate these noises do a calming activity with their mother.

Advice for Other First-Time Breeders

Now that the puppies are in their new homes, Kimberly offers this advice to other first-time breeders. First, be prepared by having all your supplies ready ahead of time, including charts to record weight, temperature, urine color and feedings. This helps catch any potential problems. And make sure to have extra help on the day of delivery, whether by C-section or natural whelping. Things can get very hectic during whelping. For additional information on caring for newborn pups, read Newborn Puppy Care: Managing Neonates and High Risk Puppies.