Here we go again…. 2013 Spring Bulhaven Litter

The Most Beautiful Daughter of my special Clara Haute, “Toni”

Toni was bred to Cassanova for a breeding I look forward to like no other. Toni is a strong girl with a body like a truck driver. She is athletic, bold and beautiful. She is sound head to toe, inside and out. This girl is the perfect foundation for producing very special puppies. I chose her for Cassanova’s breeding to produce the next generation of excitement, spirit, love, fun, and beauty.

Moving forward in the breed I love so much and dedicate my every thought to is an overwhelming feeling that I get from producing litters like this, I am very excited about Toni being my new “mama to be”.

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Sweet Mother’s Day.. Hugs to my mama Clara!!

Happy Mother’s Day to the most special mother of all Ms. Clara Haute (and my own mom of course!!!)

Clara’s litter, 4 of the 5

On May 5th, (Cinco De Mayo) Clara Haute honored Bulhaven Bullmastiffs with her third and final litter, ironically her first litter was 6 days old on Mother’s Day. Clara’s new litter is just 8 days old on this Mother’s Day and Clara has EVERYTHING to be proud of!

Clara’s beautiful girls; one red, one fawn

We were blessed with three handsome boys and two beautiful girls, the most brilliant reds and fawns!

By natural instinct, Clara has once again mastered counting her puppies, nudging them into a pile to feed them, she cleans them, and snuggles them day and night. As a mother, she is a portrait of Mother Nature giving concentrated, faithful attention to every detail of the puppies’ lives. It is their vulnerability that she is prepared to defend with her life.

A mother’s influence on her litter provides the essential foundation for the future development of the litter.

Although newborn puppies are born without hearing or sight, they possess a well developed sense of smell. Neonatal behavior also reveals a capacity for the simple learning necessary for survival.

Regardless of how one interprets infant behavior and what constitutes true learning, the fact remains that pups’ brain, motor and sensory capacities are all immature during this period. “Learning” at this point is left to only what is necessary for their survival.

Abundance of sleep is an absolute requirement. It is vital to the development of the central nervous system and the brain. Neonatal puppies spend about 90% of their time sleeping. It isn’t until after four weeks that pups are able to stay awake for any sustained amount of time.

During this time, it is the quietness of sleep, combined with regular mothering, nourishment, warmth and elementary movement that establishes the proper climate where the brain and central nervous system may mature.

The Most Beautiful Mama

This litter has interested me by the seemingly rapid development of their senses They’ve already started to get up on their feet and move around rather than stick to the crawl. I guess it’s quicker to get to the food!! I’ve also heard a few of them sit and give a bark when frustrated to find mama when she enters the box. I love the eagerness and alertness of this entire litter.. very exciting!

Life is growth.

Happy Mother’s Day, Clara Haute! 🙂

How Many?

Happy Monday, April 23rd.. the wonderful week of our radiograph to determine approximately how many puppies Clara is expecting.

Clara's ultrasound exam

A few weeks ago, Clara and I traveled to our reproductive vet for her to be examined by sonogram to determine that our exciting breeding was successful.  Ultrasound diagnosis only “confirms” pregnancy but not actual “litter size”. Radiography (to determine litter size) is possible after day 45 with 95% accuracy in counting number of puppies which we have scheduled for Friday April 27th with much excitement.

Clara’s health is outstanding, her pregnancy has been pleasant and her attitude amazing. This is a relief for a our beautiful mama-to-be and much easier on all of us waiting for her due date. The difficulty of pregnancy is always a concern, Clara is pulling thru fairly well of the final two weeks!! She is so amazing to me. Clara is a Bullmastiff of beauty, boldness and bubbling happiness. She’s everything a Bullmastiff should ever be.

My beautiful girl..Clara Haute, 48 days in whelp

Bulhaven's Clara Haute: Big, Bold, Beautiful Girl

I will continue BLOG updates as Clara closes in on her “due date”. Nothing could be more exciting than to watch the final stages of this pregnancy and consider Clara successfully producing another litter of Beautiful Bulhaven Puppies for 2012!!I look forward to communication and comments from both potential homes as well as anyone interested in the breed and just sitting back to watch and enjoy.

Stay Tuned!

Mary and Clara at Bulhaven

May Can’t Arrive Soon Enough!

With the Easter Holiday behind us and a nice warm visit to Cape Cod to spend the time with family, May can’t come soon enough!

They say April showers bring May flowers

Bulhaven's Clara Haute

… My Springtime flowers are soon to come by *Special Delivery*!!

Clara’s due date is the first week of May, and the time seems to be S-L-O-W-L-Y passing. I am currently (and very excitedly) preparing my home for our expected new additions while enjoying the beautiful spring weather here in Connecticut. Clara is getting ready to welcome her pups… intensely watching me put together the Bulhaven Whelping Box for her last time as a mama.

Here is Clara doing what any Bullmastiff does BEST… Sunbathing!

Stay Tuned!

~ Mary at Bulhaven

Old Manila’s Ernani at Bulhaven, “Oslo”

“Oslo” is a puppy I obtained in the winter of 2010 from one of the most well respected breeders in Norway, Old Manila Bullmastiffs, Hilde Kjeldby. Oslo’s dam is the littermate to the number one Bullmastiff in Norway, Old Manila’s Echo Springs… a gorgeous fawn bitch who captivated our hearts here in the United States. Echo was eventually bred to our Cassanova and produced our lovely (and amazing!) young girl, “Nocello”.

Bulhaven's Beautiful Young Brindle Boy; Old Manila's Ernani at Bulhaven, "Oslo"

Oslo has become a very special male here at the house, he is so much a part of me (maybe from having his puppy crate in my personal office, he was always “right there”). Without me he looks for me, without him I look for him. I’m not sure how well we go together, but I’d have a hard time thinking of what it would be like if he wasn’t here. His playfulness and athleticism have been a unique combination. He’s as fun as he is tireless; a blending that presents us with nothing less than a comedian!! Oslo has generated laugh after laugh, every shape of smile and giggle, happiness when I am down and a total overall rainbow here at my house and in my heart. He’s a strong dog with a solid build… and inside, his softness is that of a gentle teddy bear needing a big hug.

about the foamey face, just think of me like a good Starbucks latte!!

I believe Oslo will always be the “baby” here, even though I have several younger dogs. His puppish and devilish personality will always be a treat!!

He’s generous, sensitive and delicate, with an “Arnold Schwarzenagger-like” physique… muscles popping out everywhere!! I couldn’t be more excited about Oslo and his potential. He has developed into a beauuuuuutiful and promising young dog. The next few years with Oslo should really be exciting for me.. my brindle boy. xoxo

Oslo at a year and a half old

Oslo has a lot of growing yet to do, physically and mentally. Male Bullmastiffs will continue to develop thru maturity until they are almost three years old. The full growth potential won’t be known until at least this time (3 years). We have alot to be excited about in the next few months. Keep in touch regarding my beautiful brindle, Oslo, and what he has planned next!!

Stay Tuned!

Mary at Bulhaven

February, March Around The Corner!!

I no longer have the fabulous Bulhaven camera and my external hard drive is waiting for a new cord so I might be without photos for a few posts… I’m currently without a lot of the beautiful things and people I’ve enjoyed for the past few years but I’m not without my closest friends and sweetest dogs!! Thank you to everyone who has been there for me, friends absolutely make the heart grow!!

Mid February and we are listening to the birds chirping in the sunshine, odd? What’s next for us besides unpacking boxes for the next few weeks? The Connecticut Working Group Dog Shows and Regional Bullmastiff Specialty Shows in West Springfield, Massachusetts. These shows are usually held on St. Patrick’s Day weekend but this year they are the first weekend of March, March 3rd and 4th..which is just a few weeks away!! Entries sometimes are 50-100 Bullmastiffs so be sure to get up in the morning and join us in Springfield to watch the Bullmastiffs along with all of the AKC’s Working Breeds.

Cassanova winning the Bullmastiff Specialty at the CT Working Dog Show, 2010 (7 years old) and 2011 (8 years old)

Cassanova is now 9 years old and showing as a Veteran for several years now, still taking Breed wins over the younger, Top Ranked Bullmastiffs. We are excited to take Cassanova again to West Springfield to the CT. Working Group Shows and Regional Bullmastiff Specialties, Saturday and Sunday March 3rd and 4th.

I entered only Cassanova so I will have plenty of time to chat and meet friends while we are there. I am not showing my younger dogs yet, not at this show at least.

I look forward to seeing my friends, new and old and making new friends… feel free to say hello at the show!!

Stay Tuned!

Mary at Bulhaven

Valentine

Well, rightfully so, my beautiful “Cassanova” should be the cover of this Blog Post and he could, should and would… but we are now on the Day After of the Romantic Holiday and I have nothing but smiles in my heart. Sharing Valentine’s Day with the breed I love at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, NYC and with the man who holds my heart… what a day! Who could ask for a better Celebration?

Now that the Big Day is behind us…

Ch. Leathernecks Stealin' Hearts

The dogs and I are all settled into our NEW home in Huntington, CT and Cassanova has put forth his unique way of sharing my bed once again. He has always taken his job of watching over me very seriously, so where else would be better while I am sleeping than right there next to me?!

Temporary fences, furniture, boxes, packing and unpacking.. we are very fortunate now for our fresh start and anxiously excited for 2012 to ring in as a *NEW* year for Bulhaven Bullmastiffs. We are now in Fairfield County, CT and really looking forward to all of our new experiences here.

As Springtime approaches (is winter really going to pass us by this year?) our girls have started their heat cycles starting with Nocello who (poor puppy girl) is having her first season. Noci is 8 months old which is the expected age, she’s right on time. Next I expect Clara’s cycle within a few weeks. I’m currently indecisive about breeding Clara this cycle for her final litter… she absolutely loves being a mama and not only is she extremely good at it, she produces the most amazing puppies. Stay tuned for the news either way and announcement regarding “who’s the daddy”.

Bulhaven's Matter Of Fact, "Bravo" (Clara's 2010 "puppy")

My special boys, “Bravo” (Clara’s son) and “Cassanova” (Clara’s sire) are both such lovely examples of Clara’s potential as a dam. If I were to go ahead with a litter, Clara’s puppies would have a May due date, a special time of year for puppies to explore the outdoors. Butterflies and flowers! 🙂

Stay Tuned

Mary at Bulhaven

Missing my Tygs xoxo

Funny Tygger, always a joke!!

Today I am missing the most beautiful dog I’ve shared my home with. Well, aren’t they all beautiful in one way or another? This one was beautiful, inside and out. He had the most impressive the coat, like that of a Tiger, red brindle, shiney, tight and muscled. He was as gentle as a Lion.. are Lions really “gentle”? He was so caring and sensitive, what a sweetie! He was comical like a Bear… silly, funny, always smiling. Tygger was an amazing animal.

What a guy... silly smiles

Not a day goes by when I don’t think about what joy Tygger brought to my life. He offered that caring special feeling, knowing that someone I took such precious care of had the same caring appreciation to give back to me. He kept his very watchful eye on everything around me, my home, my heart and my friends. Tygger’s sensitivity was only slightly detoured by his job to watch over me.. his heart was so amazingly huge!!

Nothing's better than that sweet face of Tygger!

Tygger’s passing in 2009 was so very dramatic for my home, my heart in my stomach, the peaceful acceptance of his final comfort. I miss my Tygger. He was the most impressive Bullmastiff by all means. His structure was intense, his substance, physique, attitude, demeanor.. he was a Natural at being Natural.

I bred our Clara this year (2011) to Tygger’s sire, Blackslate’s Hot Shot, which produced our lovely girlfriends-of-superhero’s litter, Bulhaven’s Sweet Polly Purebred and Bulhaven’s Lois Lane. I couldn’t be any happier to have those little parts of Tygger in these no-so-little girls. I am excited to watch them grow and develop. If only they would grow up to be “just like their big brother”!!

Rest in Peace my Tygger, Bulhaven's Walking in Memphis (2000-2009)

I’m missing you Tyggy, especially today…

Rest in Peace. What a great life we shared together.

Stay Tuned!

Mary at Bulhaven

SUPERMAN!

Ah, She’s the granddaughter of Cassanova and the “girlfriend” of Superman.. Bulhaven’s Lois Lane!! I was so excited to be able to visit Lois this past week, what a treat to see our babies during development! Lois is getting BIG!!

Bulhaven's Lois Lane (11 weeks old) .. still picking her up?

I’m happy to report that Lois looking so good, behaving like a pretty little puppy and getting along famously with her larger brother, “Diesel”. At first Diesel was a little bit worried about having a “baby sister” but it took him less than a week to recognize all the benefits of having a new puppy by his side. More treats, more attention, more walks, WOW! This is great. Diesel figured it out REAL quick!

Big Brother (21 months old), Little Sister (11 weeks old)

What a cute couple Diesel and Lois make! We are so proud of Clara’s kids…

Two girls... Lois Lane and Donna

Speaking of girls..

Little Miss Sweet Polly Purebred is bigger than “little”. She weighed in at 27 lbs already… so, that’s nearly 30 pounds at just 3 months of age. Perfect growth!!

Bulhaven's Sweet Polly Purebred at 11 weeks old

She is the apple of her daddy’s eye.. and she thinks the world of him. Congratulations to John and Heidi and the entire neighborhood in Marblehead who are also enjoying Miss Polly!!

Stay Tuned!

~Mary at Bulhaven

 

Time Got Away From Me

With all that is going on, I have missed a week of updating our Blog… my sincerest apologies.

Furgie.. and a couch of her own

We are excited to update Furgie and her fantastic progress in her new home. Amid Clara’s litter, with puppies playing, learning and growing, we met a wonderful family who visited us to be introduced to our Beautiful Flower, “Furgie” (Bulhaven’s Forget Me Not). Furgie was a puppy I kept as my pick-of-the-litter in 2010 (along with her Brother, “Bravo”) but her gentle, reserved personality kept her home rather than in the show ring. With this, I felt it was best for her to give her beauty and kindness where it would be overwhelmingly appreciated and Furgie was placed into the Lewis family at the first of the year..

Bulhaven's Forget Me Not ("Furgie")

It was a match made in heaven. Furgie is living happily ever after with her own couch, TV, three guys of her own, and Laureen. Thank you to the Lewis family for giving Furgie everything she ever deserved!! We love you Furgie!

I am very excited for tomorrow. I will be visiting Little Miss Lois Lane at her new home to see how she is doing and update her diet with more Natural Raw Feeding. I’ll have my camera ready for this little beautiful daughter of our lovely Clara.

Stay tuned!

Mary at Bulhaven