Marsh's MINIATURE AMERICAN SHEPHERDS

Puppies are now 7 weeks old 

Puppy #1     6 lbs 4 oz at 7 weeks old

Puppy put her nose to the ground, wagging her tail and went straight to where the Tester was sitting. She sat for the Tester eagerly waiting for the Love. She then gave paw and gave little kisses to the Testers neck. Once the Tester started petting and talking to the puppy, the puppy changed, like she realized the Tester was a stranger! Her tail stopped wagging and her ears went back and she looked  un- comfortable. Puppy stopped interacting with the Tester and would give them no eye contact. She would not play ball and would not follow the Tester around. Puppy was very calm and attentive when the Tester picked her up and would wag her tail with gentle praise. Once puppy was put down, she wanted nothing to do with the Tester or the toys. She did however seem to enjoy exploring the new environment and was very curious to the strange sound and had to check it out. The whip game completely petrified the puppy into hiding and Tester had to take a lot of time to coax her over.  Tester then took all of the toy time to try to bond with the puppy (the most time ever given to a puppy). Puppy was very interested in food and became more trusting to the Tester after her snack and finally started playing fetch with the Tester. Puppy did not project her usual temperament and was very cautious with the Tester, taking her time to warm up. Puppy should be kept well socialized to avoid becoming weary of strangers. Puppy has a medium energy that increases once she is comfortable. She is greatly motivated by food as well as positive reinforcement.

Puppy #2   7 lbs 14 oz at 7 weeks old

Puppy went straight to the Tester with his tail wagging fast. Puppy greeted Tester eagerly with gentle kisses and rolled over onto his back wanting a bell rub, his tail always wagging. Puppy would instigate a game of tug a war, shaking the toy, running around in circles and would consistently bring toys over to Tester to play fetch. Puppy loves affection, especially belly rubs and being held. He is always returning his love with lots of kisses and love bites. Puppy cringed at the loud sound and ran to the Tester for comfort. He also whimpered early into his the pain test and licked the Testers hand to get then to stop. When the whip was introduced, puppy went into high drive, chasing the whip and grabbing at any toy he passed. Puppy started whimpering when the Tester initially fell. His whimpering turn into him howling and then he ran to the exit area, as if looking for help. He was super relieved to see the Tester sit up and stopped crying at once. Puppy does not like to be restrained and refused to give eye contact or submit in anyway, showing some stubborn tendencies. Puppy was too eager to eat and made the Tester yell OOCH as he bit their hands to get to the food. He would not play after the food was introduced, no matter how encouraged and would only paw at the floor where the food had been. The test ended there. Puppy has consistent high energy and will need a lots daily exercise as well as mental stimulation, to keep from being bored and or becoming destructive.

Puppy #3  6 lbs 3 oz at 7 weeks old

Puppy noticed the Tester immediately and eagerly ran over jumping onto the Testers lap, smothering them in kisses, tail always wagging. After spending lots of time getting to know the tester the puppy went off to explore his new surroundings. Puppy would run back to the tester when called, bring the ball back once, loose interest and then run off to explore again. The puppy was happy to follow the Tester around and gave great eye contact. He loves affection and is comfortable being held or restrained in any position. Puppy was very curious with loud sound and ran in its direction, sniffing as he went. Puppy found the food bag in his travels and it was hard to regain his attention. He became very excited when the whip was introduced, chasing the end, trying to bite it furiously . Puppy may grow up reacting suddenly to small movements (flying insects). When the Tester fell, puppy didn’t seem to take it seriously. He grabbed his ball and went over to the Tester and tried to get them to play. Puppy was very happy to have Tester, giving them tons of kisses. He really wanted the food once introduced, but could sit patiently waiting for it. Puppy played with the Tester for a little after he had a treat, but was quick to run off to explore once more. Puppy’s energy level increased throughout the test and he will need both daily physical and mental stimulation to keep from becoming bored and destructive.

Puppy #4    6 lbs 4 oz at 7 weeks old

Puppy ran straight to the exit area, uncomfortable in her new surrounds, but eagerly came to the sound of HERE Puppy Puppy. She ran so quickly with her tail wagging fast, straight into the Testers lap. Puppy had no interest in anything but the Tester for several minutes. Puppy would paw the Tester, roll on her back for belly rubs, give kisses and just act silly. Puppy enjoys a good game of fetch and eagerly brings the ball back. Puppy loves affection, kisses and being picked up, but resisted being put on her back. She has an above average pain tolerance and was quick to forgive the Tester. Puppy eagerly followed the Tester around the testing area and became comfortable in her new environment quickly. When the whip was introduced, puppy became frightened, sat down and began howling like a wolf. The puppy took a long time to recover and did not notice or respond to the Tester falling. Tester had to spend time regaining the puppies trust, but with encouragement, she started playing happily again. Puppy used her paws like hands to help get her toy away from the tester and then ended the test with a few little whimpers.  Puppy climbed onto the Testers lap for nap time. Puppy has a medium/high energy level without being too needy. Puppy has a moderate food drive, responds best to positive reinforcement and feels more confident when following a confident leader.

 Puppy #5     6 lbs 7 oz at 7 weeks old

Puppy noticed the Tester instantly and happily ran over and up onto the Testers lap. Puppy has a calm, friendly personality and gives lots of gentle kisses. Puppy would rather be on Testers lap, getting love, then play tug war. She really responds to being called a GOOD GIRL and grunts with excitement. Her whole bum will move because she’ll be waging her tail so fast. Puppy was very eager to follow the Tester around. She has a great recall and is quick to understand what is expected of her, and was able to anticipate the Testers next move. Puppy accepts all forms of restraint, has a normal pain tolerance and is very quick to forgive. She loves affections and eagerly kisses back. Puppy became more playful with encouragement and was curious to the new sound. When the whip was introduced, puppy gave great eye contact, waiting for further instructions. Puppy brought her ball over a laid beside the Tester after they fell. She then started scratched the Testers face until they responded. Puppy has a moderate food drive and only licked the Testers hands gently to get the treat. She was even more willing to play by the end of the test and wanted to play equally with the toy and the Tester like a team. Puppy has a consistent high energy and will need lots of daily exercise as well as mental stimulation to keep from being bored and or becoming destructive.

Full Temperament Results 

Persistent Pupillary Membrane

PPMs are the remains of a fetal structure called the Pupillary membrane. The membrane covers the pupil before an animal is born and is part of the blood supply to the developing lens. Normally the pupillary membrane completely absorbs before birth in foals and calves but is partially present and continues to disappear in neonatal dogs. Absorption may not be complete in puppies when the eyes first open and small strands or a web-like structure may be seen across the pupil. These strands normally disappear by 4 to 6 weeks of age. In some dogs these strands do not disappear and become PPMs.

In general, iris to iris PPMs (The strand is attached to only iridal tissue, not touching the lens or cornea), cause no problems. They may be single strands or a forked structure. These PPMs may break and become less prominent as the puppy gets older, or seem to completely disappear.

 Pup #1   6 lbs 12 oz at 8 weeks old

  Pup #2   9 lbs 3 oz at 8 weeks old 

 Pup #3   6 lbs 14 oz at 8 weeks old 

  Pup #4   7 lbs 3 oz at 8 weeks old 

 Pup #5   7 lbs 4 oz at 8 weeks old  

  PEDIGREE