11 Puppies
6 Girls, 5 Boys
11 German Shepherd puppies arrived on the evening of Sunday 8th June. The proud mother of this huge family is Katja, owned by Sharon Arnold, a well-known dog trainer and the owner of Frome-K9.
Sharon recalls, "I was worried about Katja as she didnt seem well at the end of her pregnancy. So, I took her in, and the Vet told me to go home and wait, explained Sharon. Within the hour they phoned me and said I had 6 girls and 5 boys. I was confused, thinking they meant I had 5 or 6 puppies. But, they said, 'No, no. You have 6 plus 5. You have 11 puppies' ".
Sharon was stunned.
Later that evening, Sharon brought Katja and the puppies home. She put the puppies in the pen she had prepared and kept watch on them. Katja showed little interest in the pups at first. She seemed unconvinced that they were hers. Over the next days, she repeatedly tried to dig holes in the garden to prepare a nest for the pups she was expecting. It finally dawned on Katja that these 11 little mites in the living room were her babies.
Now that they are older, Sharon decided to put a soft toy in the pen with the pups. Katja promptly removed it and hid the toy upstairs. She wasn't having that. She's become very attentive to the pups.
When I visited, the pups were 3 weeks old. Its a lovely age, because they're still very tiny, but just starting to show an interest in the world. Each time I approached the pen, Katja would make a gentle mock charge at me as if to say, "Dont touch my babies", after which she would allow me to approach.
I held one of the pups for quite a while - a tiny little fellow, nicknamed Punk because of his spiky hair. Katja kept watch on me and would come over to me every few minutes to check on Punk.
I ask Sharon if she would do it again. "I might breed again", she confided. "It all depends on whether the next bitch meets my high standards. I bred this litter because I, and couple of friends of mine, each wanted a dog that we could work in Obedience and Agility".
Sharon is offering those that take the pups a year of training at Frome K9 (or, for those that dont live locally, a lifetime of phone/email support). "We still have 4 girls and 2 boys not spoken for", she says.
The pups are black and gold, some long-coat and some short/plush coat. Their dad is Hector, a stunning dog owned by Katrina Stevens in Warminster.
I am very tempted. But, I have Molly who is still only 14 months and quite a handful. Watching the pups as they explore their surroundings, I am mesmerised and find it hard to tear myself away. Molly is waiting in the car and I know I need to get back to her so I give Katja a final congratulatory pat on the head and say goodbye.
The good news is that I'll be back next week as WAGS is to follow the stories of some of these pups. So, if you end up being one of the lucky new owners, please let me know if you'd like your pup to be included in our regular features.
Contact details for Sharon Arnold, Frome K-9
Tel: 01373 455160
Email: sharonma12@aol.com
Website: Frome K-9
Author: Kay Wheatley
3 weeks old.
Sharon and pups.
We feel sleepy now.
Mum (Katja)
Dad (Hector)