Thanks Natasha,

Will keep you updated as soon as I can...
And definitely as soon as I know I can post piccies!

Just wanted to say I like the name you have choosen 'Takara'

It reminds me of my boys name Takoda!

Thanks Myschevious,
it was actually a dogwebber that suggested it to me!

I went to see her today!

The breeder says not to make a final decision yet. Now that they know I want one I can go pick and make sure I definitely want that one in another couple of weeks.

It's quite a good way of doing it. They let you look at them, they chat to you about what you want pet/show etc. then they say, 'right you were first so you can come first in another couple of weeks when they're 5 and a half weeks old - then you can choose your final puppy so that you know exactly what you're getting'

The one I have provisionally chosen (I fell in love with her!) has blue eyes at the moment, which is a fault in dalmatians. The breeder said they all have blue eyes at first, then they darken with age. Sometimes, they won't fully darken until 12 months, but by 5 and a half weeks you can tell if they are going to stay blue or if they will be brown. So I have provisionally chosen her and I can go back in 5 and a half weeks to look again, see if she's changed much and see if I still want her!

She's a liver bitch (pictures on the picture forum). The black one was not at all show quality and she said that if I did want to show her (even lightly) I should go with the best, added to personality etc. because after all I'm paying £500 and might decide that I like showing her and want to do it properly.
The dad is liver spotted but he's very, very dark. Almost black. So she said that most of the puppies should get very dark too. But this one is beautiful and whatever colour her spots be, whether they end up like they are now (which are lovely) or darker (which is even lovelier) she's got nice markings.

Now, how did I pick her?
No, I didn't look for the best looking. As soon as we went in, she came and sat on my foot and padded my leg.
My mum fell in love with the black bitch and one of the dogs. I didn't really want a dog and the black bitch wasn't show quality (even though she was lovely) and I had already fallen in love with this liver baby. My mum was not convinced so I put the puppy in her arms and she started licking her chin (like she had me) and then started sucking on my mum's chin! My mum just melted! 'ok! we'll have you!'

So, little (provisional) Takara is such a character! She loves people! she loves licking you and was licking my face and chewing on the straps on my top! She's a little belter!

All the puppies are really bright and they all come up to you wanting a fuss! They look so happy and healthy I feel like I've won the jackpot!

I think my mum actually considered having two...

I'm so chuffed!

Hi Lotty Takara sounds lovely and I am so please everything is turning out ok for you after the bad start

Thanks mini!

I'm off to find my nearest PAH now for a puppy collar and lead!

Lottie

Takara's hearing test is next week! Keep fingers crossed for me.

I'm going to go and see her next week and the week after that, then the week after that and then that next week it will be time for her to come home!

So, I need you to keep fingers crossed for:
a) hearing tested normal
b) blue eyes turn brown

Thanks! Will keep you updated!

Lottie

Ok, how far have I got?

Let me just look through...

Ok, I can't go and see her this week so it's next week if possible...

I went to my first ringcraft/obedience class today to see what I thought, I'm going round a few to decide which to take Takara to.

The plus points:

• It is for puppies and dogs alike
• If the puppy is getting restless or tired because it has had enough of the obedience, you can pull out whenever
• They've taught dalmatians and know how, there are 2 -or 3- dally owners/breeders on the committee
• It's very cheap
• It's very friendly
• It's more like an informal get together with a lot of people and a LOT of dogs
• There's a raffle! lol

• it's far away and not so easy to get to from home - although my friend goes and she gave me a lift tonight
• there's no beginners class - it's all together
• everyone goes at the same pace

the main problem i had was, there was a lady there with a dalmatian puppy who was having trouble because she obviously hadn't taught her puppy obedience before, or hadn't taught her much yet - puppy was only a few weeks - and she was having trouble getting her to do what she wanted -obviously- but she was in the same class as everyone else. So felt rushed. I would've been embarassed because the class was stopped for the instructor to go over to help her and all eyes were on her - I wouldn't be able to do that.

I will look at other places first, obviously. But if I decide to go there it will be purely for socialising at first. You can take your puppy but not take part in the ring craft or the obedience and just get her socialised. I will teach her obedience at home - I know a lot of how to do it and what you guys have told me, my mum has successfully trained 3 dogs so she can help me. Then when she's got the basics, I'll take her to the obedience, also, from watching Trish -my friend - and her beagle's obedience class, I can know what to do at home...

While I was at the class I met 3 breeders of dallies. All of them had a dally with them and I was in dally heaven!!
I met in the flesh, the lady who recommended me to my new breeder - she's really lovely and I'm just about to email her. Just wanted you all to know that!

Bye!

oh and eyes are set to turn brown - haven't see them yet, but breeders at the class assured me that they probably would if they didn't stand out and scream 'LOOK I'M BLUE!!!!!!' when I saw her!

(For some reason I imagined that 'LOOK I'M BLUE' in scottish....

Yes a "blue-eyed" has very piercing blue eyes that get lighter each week until they are nearly white. The "midnight blue" is perfectly normal.

I'm having a guess at who the Dally owners would be there, apart from Leanne! Sounds like you are in good hands!

Good luck for the hearing test, if you think you're stressed, think of the breeder - I've been through it a few times and it's a worrying time.

Gill

ooh exciting, my cousin has got a blue eyed Dally, Hector, very stunning looking, she will be your baby regardless of whether she has blue or brown eyes, and if you dont want her she can allways come and stay here in Coventry LOL.
Good luck with her hearing test, hope all goes well.
No i'm not clued up that much on showing as i dont personally show an interst in the showing world, but does blue eyes in a Dally mean it can't be shown
best wishes