How to Raise a Litter of Miniature Schnauzers
Miniature schnauzers, known for their intelligence, faithfulness and playful spirit make great companions. For miniature schnauzer enthusiasts, raising a litter of schnauzer puppies can be a very rewarding experience. However, the task of raising puppies is never an easy one and owners must be prepared with plenty of patience.
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Things You'll Need
- Box with soft towels or blankets
- Puppy food
- Water
- Puppy milk formula
- Puppy bottle or plastic syringe
- 60 watt infrared heat lamp
Instructions
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Ensure that newborn puppies are all nursing well and are accepted by the mother. Puppies should be placed all together with the mother in a box with soft towels or blankets. If you notice a puppy not nursing vigorously, being ignored by the mother, or complaining loudly, your intervention is needed. Coax the puppy to nurse by placing it directly in contact with the mother's nipple. If the puppy still refuses to nurse, prepare a puppy milk solution following the manufacturer's directions. Feed the puppy with the bottle or syringe, being careful to never force milk into the puppy's mouth, as the fluid can be aspirated into the lungs.
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Keep the puppies living area warm and free of drafts. One of the largest threats to early life is reduced body temperature. Puppies need a constant temperature of 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit the first week of life. If your puppies become chilled, wrap them in warm blankets and rub them to restore warmth, or place them under a 60 watt infrared heat lamp.
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Place plenty of food and water nearby for the mother dog. She will need approximately three times her normal amount of food during nursing. When the puppies are about 5-6 weeks old, the mother will begin weaning them by spending more time away from the box and complaining when they attempt to nurse. At this time, begin offering the puppies moistened puppy food until they are eating 3-5 times a day. Reduce the mother's food amount to help her produce less milk. The weaning process takes about a week.
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Check the health of the puppies at 6-8 weeks with a visit to a reputable veterinarian. They need to be checked for internal parasites and to begin receiving their first vaccinations. It's at this time that you can begin to consider placing your puppies in new homes. By 10 weeks, they should all be ready for new homes.
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Tips & Warnings
Newborn puppies sleep a great deal and should gain weight each day. If you notice a puppy not eating, not gaining weight or appearing ill, contact your veterinarian.
Newborn puppies lack the ability to urinate and defecate on their own. The mother will provide stimulation by licking their lower bodies. If your puppy is abandoned or orphaned, you will need to provide this stimulation by wetting a cotton ball or soft cloth with warm water and gently rubbing the anus and urethra. A puppy will need assistance until about 3 weeks of age.
References
- Photo Credit miniature schnauzers image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
