9 & 10 weeks old

The Onnekas puppies are having a strange kind of start in life.  We're all locked in our houses except for one walk a day, and there's very little traffic on the roads or any kind of normal society at all.   That makes for a challenging time to be trying to socialise young puppies.  Anyway, needs must, and so they are all getting as much in as they can.

In the meantime, they are growing fast, bringing a wealth of happiness and joy to their new families, and starting to learn to do all the stuff that young Lappies need to know - like being good, and being naughty, of course.

Cute update photos alert!  I have to say I'm pretty impressed that we have such great standing shots - definitely not easy in a young puppy.

Nalle
9 weeks & 10 weeks:

Penni
9 weeks & 10 weeks:

Ruska
9 weeks:

Taika
9 weeks & 10 weeks:

Maki
9 weeks:

Lily
9 weeks & 10 weeks:

12-week check in

At the time of writing the Sisko girls are just about 12 weeks old.  They are deep into training, socialisation and ... swimming.  At least one is a skilled escape artist like her dad, at least one other is super-clever like her great-great-granny, at least another is a very good girl like her mama.   But they are all, without exception, loving the water like their maternal grandpa.  Actually, come to think of it, he was a pretty good escapologist himself, so I guess these puppies don't stand a chance.  Or, should I say, their families don't.

Big thanks to their families for frequent updates and some photos.  I'm still waiting for the swimming video, but hopefully that will be along too in due course.

Suvi

At home in her new garden

Got the paddling pool sorted

A day at work

Insta-famous at Pets at Home

Piia

Mid-game with new big brother, Bergen

Being a good girl

Growing up pup

Also got the paddling pool sorted

Kukka

who is now also called Nukka

"I'm allowed on the table, right?"

Getting sleepy

Playing tug with Mr Fox

Another sweet wet pup

happy birthday...

... to the beautiful Persikka puppies who are 3 years old today.  Here's how they looked at 3 weeks. 

If their owners are tuning in, they should feel free to send me a recent photo.  Just sayin.

Kuura - who was Elias Jr

Bo - who was Budgie

Sonni aka Buddy - who was Kicker

Tippi - who was Honey

Marja - who was Marilyn

Ukko - who was Kuusi

Kasari aka Sisu - who was Vee

Jacob at 1 year old

I had a lovely note from Sue to say that she had checked in with the blog and was horrified to discover that I had no recent photos of Jacob in the one-year puppy update for the Riemu gang.  So she got straight on the case to put that right.

Truly, I didn't mean to embarrass anyone.  Nonetheless it would seem I am not above publicly naming and shaming those who fail to keep me up-to-date with puppy photos.  You have been warned.

But without further ado, here is Jacob at one year looking all grown up... well, kinda.  To me he still looks like a puppy with a bit of maturing to do. 

 Smiley boy relaxing in the sun

"Now where did my pebble go?"

 Hunting for treasures with George

Do you suppose Sue has trained him to wipe his

feet before coming in?

riemu puppies at 1 year old

On 18 February the Riemu puppies turned one year old, so technically they are no longer puppies.  In reality, however, Finnish Lapphunds retain their infuriating endearing puppyish qualities longer after they have abandoned official puppyhood, so although they may be maturing physically and sexually, in behaviour they are still prone to sweet puppynesses.  What, I can't make up my own words?   

Here is a selection of photos of the brood at one year or, in some cases, one-year-and-a-bit or one-year-or-a-little-less.

First born was the brown wolf sable girl Tiia, who now lives with her big half-sister Marja in Cornwall where she gets to roam the wilds of Dartmoor on a regular basis.  And then, as you can see, to chill out in luxury at home.

Photos from Maria Gregory

The second puppy to appear was Kiittaa, the "hopea" - or silver - little polar bear.  She has been busy in the show ring with Lexi during her puppy year and has had some success - most notably winning her class at Crufts in March, pictured below.  And, as it goes with dog showing, there was also some less-than-success, with one judge casting a critical eye with the comment "Well, I suppose that's an acceptable colour..."  Whatever next!  Sounds a bit to me like a judge who needs to re-read the breed standard.  Unless, of course, not all the mud had been completely eradicated beforehand...

@Nicky Birks

@Silke Hollje-Schumacher

@Silke Hollje-Schumacher

The next puppy to appear was Miila, pet name Miia, baby name Toes.  At 393 grams, she wasn't only the biggest bitch of the litter, but the biggest puppy, out-weighing even the biggest of the boys by 10 grams.  These days she's more petite, which just goes to show you can't judge anything by birth weight.

@Karen White

@Liz MacDonald

@ Liz MacDonald

After the biggest of the puppies came the smallest of them, Emmi, whose baby name was, of course, Little Ilo as she has her father Ilo's wolf sable colouring.  Emmi, too, has been busy in the show ring in her first year, and you can read all about her adventures there and elsewhere in the update sent by Jane. 

@Mark Treasure

@Mark Treasure

@Jane Treasure

Next came the first and smallest of the boys, Kimi, aka Jacob, baby name Claw.  He now lives in North Devon with his long-suffering "big brother" George the Cavalier King Charles where they have the run of a truly fabulous beach every day.  Lucky dogs!  Alas there are no recent photos of Jacob, although I keep threatening to get myself up to North Devon for a visit.  However, this is how cute he was at 4-5 months.

Photos from Sue Neale

And finally, the big brown boy Mikko who has the colouring and sweet expression of his mum, Keksi.  His baby name was Brownie and he is now a strapping young dog with a south Welsh accent who is being kept busy with two children to play with - and apparently plenty of snow!

Photos from Peter Davies

Happy belated birthday to the sweet Riemu puppies.  And now that they are no longer officially puppies, I am getting decidedly broody again and I'm thinking it's just about time we had the pitter-patter of little paws in this house again.  How does that happen with such frequent regularity?