Friday, January 8, 2010

Newdog Whelping Boxes - Available in America Exclusively from Cherrybrook


by Jamie Pyatt


Many dog breeders build a whelping box after the breeding, once a pregnancy has been confirmed. There are many plans on how to build a whelping box available online. Each breeder has their own preference as to which dog whelping box is the “right” one. Not all whelping boxes are created equal. And some have splinters or sharp edges. Yikes!

Even if you have the carpentry skills to build a whelping box from whelping box plans, where will you store it until the next time you whelp puppies? The bulky, heavy whelping boxes are often stored in basements or garages where they may pick up germs and bacteria that will be transferred to the bitch or the puppies. And even if you clean the whelping box thoroughly, unseen microbial germs and bacteria can linger from one whelping to the next. As a responsible dog breeder you have taken great care during every step of this breeding. Why risk your puppies’ exposure to possibly harmful germs?

Newdog unique whelping mats and disposable Whelping Boxes have established an excellent reputation with dog breeders, both in Europe and America. Newdog Whelping boxes are made from strong double walled, environmentally friendly cardboard which has good insulating properties and no harmful chemicals or plastics. They are also hygienic as they are designed to be disposed of after use, which avoids any concerns with cross contamination. The disposable option also avoids the need to store bulky and infrequently used whelping boxes. A waterproofed base card is included in the price to protect the floor of the box. They are also ideal as a secondary box for double whelpings.

Cherrybrook is proud to be the only American supplier of these hygienic, disposable whelping boxes and reusable mats. The Whelping boxes are available in 5 sizes and are shipped flat for easy storage and quick assembly. The sizes are 24” x 24”, 30” x 30”, 40” x 30”, 48” x 36” and 48” x 48”. With so many sizes to choose from most anyone can find the whelping box appropriate for their dog.

A good rule of thumb is for the whelping box to be large enough to allow the dam to comfortably lie fully extended anywhere in the box and keep her litter in front of her. Bigger is not better. A too-large box will allow puppies to become disoriented and lost from their mother.

Now that Newdog has solved the whelping box dilemma, what about the pig rail to keep mom from rolling on her puppies? Newdog Puppy Protector Rails are made from polished aluminum. They are virtually indestructible and cannot absorb bacteria. These aluminum buffer rails need only to be purchased once. They are easily and securely fixed through the box with the bolts supplied.

Newdog manufactures two products for use inside the whelping box. The Newdog whelping mat is designed to be used together with the Newdog absorbent whelping insert.

John and Elaine Snow, owners of Newdog, developed the “Non-Ruck” whelping mat in 2001 after witnessing the behavior of a bitch digging at the bedding during and after whelping. The first users were delighted with it, as the bitch was unable to dig it up and bury her pups underneath. They are a "must have" item for any dog breeder, whether experienced or novice.

The top layer of the whelping mat is made from high quality veterinary fleece, made in England, stitched to a waterproof PVC material. The white fleece is used to show any problems such as unusual discharge or bleeding. On one edge of the whelping mat is a Velcro fastened opening into which a polypropylene stiffener is inserted. The combination of the stitching and stiffener ensures that the mat cannot ruck or bunch up. To wash the Newdog whelping mat simply remove the insert, sponge it down with an anti bacterial agent and place the mat in the washing machine at 40c or 104F. Air dry and reuse many, many times.

The Newdog “Stress Free” whelping mats are available in sizes to fit the Newdog whelping boxes but can be used in any whelping box.

Newdog has developed an absorbent whelping insert that is fully machine washable and is designed to be used in conjunction with the non ruck Whelping Mats.

The Newdog absorbent whelping insert is ideal for when the waters break or when the puppies start to urinate on their own. Simply place the absorbent insert into the whelping mat. After the birth, remove the absorbent pad and replace with a clean one. Follow the same washing instructions as for the whelping mat and reuse. No need to use shredded newspaper with ink made from harmful chemicals and little absorption, or multiple towels that bunch up.Designed to fit inside the whelping Mat, the absorbent insert is available in 24” x 24”, 30” x 30”, 40” x 30”, 48” x 36” and 48” x 48”.

Visit http://www.cherrybrook.com/ to order these unique products, other dog whelping supplies and books on breeding, whelping and genetics.