Ever wonder what a Bouvier experienced before you first visited the litter and long before you introduce him to your family? From the minute he was born until he goes home to his family he was accumulating many experiences and developing a lot of traits that will reflect his adult personality. Puppies grow very rapidly from zero to eight weeks, both physically and mentally!

All puppies are born blind and deaf and vary in weight, although 12-16 oz. is considered about average for Bouviers. This may vary depending on the litter size - which averages about eight. Many newborns are quite black and shiny in color at birth, although some destined to become brindles may start showing some brownish streaks in a day or two. Determining coat quality this early is often possible, as better coats often start out thick and wavy at birth. A few days after birth, tails are docked and stitched (while cartilage is soft) and dew claws are removed. Some signs of future structure are recognizable to the experienced breeder even at this young age (shoulders, amount of neck, head to body proportion, body/loin lengths, angles)

In the first week of life healthy puppies double or nearly double their birth weights. They spend most of their time sleeping and doing little twists and jerks (growing!) and about 20% of the time actually nursing. In a large litter, the Dam may even 'rotate' puppies as two groups off and on a feeding schedule. Certain puppies may show preferences for top or bottom row nipples or nursing upside down! Some will even wag their tails while nursing! At a week or so they are pulling themselves up on all four legs and trying to propel themselves forward. Soft rubber-backed carpeting or textured bedding helps develop early, strong muscle stand up, but by two weeks they are quite a bit more stable and can get to where they want to go much more quickly.

Eyes begin to open at the inside corners at 11 or 12 days, and are fully opened at about two weeks, but pups really cannot see or focus for another several days. Ears unseal and hearing becomes possible about this time also.

Between 2-3 weeks, they crawling away from where they lie and nurse to urinate/ defecate, which makes this an excellent time to put newspapers in one end of the whelping box (to begin housebreaking). Also at three weeks they begin to bump and sniff and mouth each other, discovering they are not alone. Some will even begin little oral noises and wag their tails. Differences in personalities really begin to manifest themselves from now on.

By 21 days old, puppies have developed a licking reflex and the teeth are beginning to break through, making it possible to supplement them with a little mashed food mixture. These first feedings are quite a fun mess, with more winding up on the outside than the inside until puppies get the idea to put their head down (into the dish) and not breath through their noses while licking up. (While nursing they had been able to breathe the entire time, as their faces were usually in an up position.)

Approximately four weeks of age begins a progressive interactive phase where what they experience -- littermates as well as external sights, sounds and activities - can have lasting impressions on them as grown dogs. It is important that they be touched and handled, and have toys to shake, lick, and follow. They need variations in sound in light and dark to get used to the real world. We always have a radio on and vary the station daily. TV shows, especially ball games and game shows like The Price Is Right, which provides bells and whistles, and lots of stimulation like shouting, laughter, and clapping.

By now puppy food kibble has been introduced because many little teeth have come in. Dinner is either pulverized or heavily soaked, or both, with a little canned meat added. It will be gradually made more firm over time, as the teeth get larger, and more plentiful and as the digestive system matures.

By the time they are 5-6 weeks old you can truly sense the differences in personalities (if not before) because they become much more expressive with their ears and eyes. Now they are very playful and attempting to explore. It is an excellent time to increase their area and their challenges -- visual, auditory, and physical, with individual cruises around the living room, playing on toddler plastic play structures, tunnels, even cardboard boxes with 'doors' cut out.

They not only respond well to new activities at this age, they also begin to vie seriously for pecking order (watch 'king of the mountain' and 'tug' games they will play). As the little social order (pack) is formed, much scrapping takes place. This is normal and should not be interfered with, unless somebody is really getting hurt. It is at this time that any smaller or more withdrawn pup could become more timid, so care must be taken to get him involved and not let him be bullied away.

Now the pups are almost totally sustained by regular puppy food fed in bowls, with Mom stepping in to give occasional dutiful drinks and to relieve her own pressure. (F.Y.I. - They will not begin to loose the baby teeth, a.k.a. milk teeth, until about 15-16 weeks of age and they will have all of their adult teeth by 6-1/2 to 7 months old.)

By six weeks old, Bouviers are old enough and sturdy enough to experience the out of doors for short periods at first (weather permitting). They learn what it is like to walk on cement, grass, rocks, etc. and to play with things outside in a puppy-proofed place. Being on a regular schedule while still with the breeder, helps them prepare for routines they will follow when they go to their new homes. When they do first go out, it usually takes a little while for them to get used to the openness, breezes and smells, but then, watch out! (There are always one or two who take absolutely NO time to adapt at all, they just begin running around shouting 'I'm free. I am free! Catch me!')

This is also the time when most breeders have the ears cropped (6-7 weeks). Bouvier puppies have enough substance and strength to withstand the stress of surgery, they are young enough to recover quickly, emotionally and physically, for the healing process is rapid at this age.

After seven weeks the individual characteristics are most distinctly obvious in a variety of scenarios. It is the perfect time for puppy temperament &/or aptitude testing. A haircut and bath now makes it easier for the breeder to evaluate the structure and carriage of puppies prior to their placements. It also prepares them for the grooming they will experience for the rest of their lives; this first experience being a good and a safe one with a familiar environment and groomer.

Housebreaking should be well on its way by this age, with puppies going to their homes at eight weeks at least paper-trained. Then, the transference from the paper to the favorite backdoor of puppy's new home is usually a simple matter, as long as a routine is maintained for a many days after arriving in the new home.

It is extremely important that the new owner continue the socialization and training that began early in puppy's life. Continued exposure (socialization) for the puppy to new sights, sounds, people, affection, and lots of positive reinforcement and reassurance are essential to developing a well-balanced and discriminating adult Bouvier. This is every bit as critical as proper physical care and nourishment.

Eight weeks old and absolutely full of themselves! -- HERE THEY ARE! -- now they are ready for their new lives as a members of families! Each is ready for a special place in the world -- as companion and protector, farm dog, part-time show dog, obedience worker, agility fanatic, part of a search & rescue team, a therapy dog or canine service dog.