People don’t realize that puppy brain development is on on-going process from birth, when they are extremely undeveloped, to 7 weeks, when the brain finally takes on all the processes it will do as an adult. Given the limitation of getting tired quickly as puppies, shorter attention spans and more limited physical abilities, the 7th week stage of development is as early as anyone can begin to evaluate temperament and trainability.
Scientific studies show that mild stress and stimulation create better brain development, helping puppies to better cope with stress as adults and to learn quicker with greater potential in training. These little ones have been handled by me every day, played with children, and gotten every other day baths from 2 days through 14 days old. I’m keeping three sides of the whelping box and the blue plush vet fleece they have loved since the day they were born for comfort and security. But now, starting every other day or so, we introduce new items into their environment.
Here’s the kit in a box; note the mirror on the left to show them reflectionsPuppies take a time out while I work on assemblyThis is going to take a minuteTa-Dah!!! All put together….just add puppies!Here they go
Check out the video!
York x Fida puppies at 4 weeks and 4 days old
This type of play to introduce new textures, sounds, and problem solving skills is best started before 5 weeks of age.
Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH 44333. Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
Seneca Perseverance (Perci), OFA Excellent is the dam, proud first time mommy to TEN little ones–4 boys, 6 girls. Before we get into the arrivals of yesterday, let us introduce Perci, who certainly deserves her due after all this hard work! Perci is from Euro and Merci. Learn more about the parents by clicking on their names or links…..
The grandsire of this litter, UCD, URO1 Dollar von Erikson PCD, CD, TD, TDU, VCD1, NJP, NAP, NFP, JH, SHF, JHR, BH, AD, IPO2, RATO, RL2 , is a German import with obedience/performance titles and OFA AT-5512 Good. He and his owner/trainer Linda Sorak of IL, are perhaps just a bit in the way of overachievers! More training titles are on the way since you just can’t keep a good dog on the couch!
If you’d like to do more research, here are some videos of Euro: First in his IPO and IPO Revieren practice, then in AKC Obedience Novice class.
Arriving on the due date, June 5, 2021, the puppies follow, in the order of birth:
One day old-6/20/2018 Pete x Perci
After being on close Puppy Watch status all for Friday, June 4th–well, they could have been a day early!–we had a quiet night. I knew Perci wouldn’t be going through Saturday without letting go of these guys and we were ready.
Time; Saturday
Gender
Ribbon
Birth Wt
Wt gain after 18 hours-Sunday am:
Monday am
1:00 pm
female
PINK
9.5 oz
9.7
10.1
1:25 pm
male
BLUE
12.6 oz
12.8
13.8
2:25 pm
female
PURPLE
9.5 oz
9.9
10.1
3:20 pm
male
GOLD
9.8 oz
10.2
11.4
4:05 pm
female
CORAL
11.6 oz
12.5
13.4
4:35 pm
male
RED
11.5 oz
12.2
13.0
4:50 pm
female
YELLOW
9.0 oz
9.7
10.5
5:00 pm
female
LILAC
9.6 oz
10.7
11.2
5:45 pm
male
GREEN
10.8 oz
11.6
11.6
5:55 pm
female
SEAFOAM
11.7 oz
12.5
13.8
Three days old-6/20/2020 Pete x Perci (above)
Two weeks old and just opening their eyes for the first time….
They are all growing fabulously well. We will be updating. Plans for the Puppy Aptitudes and physical evaluations/photos are scheduled for July 24th with the first available pick up dates of July 30th and thereafter.
July 15, 2021 – almost 6 weeks old, that last little yipe is when Perci bumped one off the step–everything is OK!July 15, 2021 – almost 6 weeks old, that last little yipe is when Perci bumped one off the step–everything is OK!
We don’t rush them out the door but we would like them to all be with their new families at 8 weeks or shortly thereafter. Puppies want to make a strong attachment to their new families at this age! At this early stage, a deposit is like a reservation at a restaurant–we guarantee you a table, but we’re not sure which one just yet.
July 15, 2021 – almost 6 weeks old, that last little yipe is when Perci bumped one off the step–everything is OK!
Seneca Airedales are located near Akron, OH . Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. A check may be made payable to: Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist–but only after we talk about availability and compatibility. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
We expect puppies June 5th, 2021–plus or minus a day or two–from Seneca Perseverance (Perci), OFA Excellent, (PHOTO ABOVE) and CH Seneca Ochoco Pete UDX, OFA Good. This is the first time Perci, now a three year old, has ever had puppies and the very last time that we will ever see puppies from Pete; you see, Pete died many years ago and this is the last of stored frozen semen that we have hoarded, waiting for the right time.
While we wait, I am using this time to help you become more acquainted with the family has led up to this highly anticipated delivery. You may wonder why we care so much about the capital letters in front of the names and those that follow behind. What is the significance of numbers listed behind AKC and OFA letters? What is a UDX? It means that some highly qualified experienced and educated people looked at the ancestors of your puppy in a dispassionate and unbiased manner.
Instead of “We love Fluffy *so much* that we just had to have puppies to share with EVERYBODY so they can validate our feelings!” type of breeding, these puppies are instead resulting from a body of experts of dogs in general and Airedales in particular reaching a consensus that, indeed, each is an outstanding specimen of an Airedale and worthy of continuing the breed as we exercise responsible stewardship.
Different experts have ascertained the ancestors’ appearance, temperament, and physical soundness (Championships), intelligence, physical soundness, and temperament (CD, CDX, UD, UDX, SchH or IPG, and Agility), genetic soundness (OFA, CERF, and longevity) and so on.
Furthermore, no dog ever achieved any of these accomplishments without the love, dedication, and huge amounts of time, money, and knowledge expended in providing the support needed to participate in these sports and activities. Please keep in mind that Pete was Yvonne’s FIRST dog in these sports and they taught each other everything! You don’t know what that means until you try it.
The sire:
CH Seneca Ochoco Pete UDX
AKC # RM245710/03
CERF # 197/1999-13
OFA #AT-3161G30M Good
Here’s a story about Pete as a young dog:
Fall, 2001:
To have a Champion, you have to show in conformation…here’s one experience:
The first time I tried it, I hated it. Let’s see. I spent days and hours pulling hair. Not only was I a complete Novice at this dog thing BUT I had an Airedale Terrier—probably the hardest dog to get ready for show—I’ll spare you the details. Suffice it to say, it involves hours of hand pulling to mere nths of hair in some places and carefully hand plucking single long hairs from other places. And after all that pulling, and eyeballing and effort I go to the show and he still looks like a hayseed next to the other dogs—readied for show by professionals or owners working on their upteenth dog. The whole ring thing passes by in a flash and you’re lucky if your dog is even looked at seriously by the judge. And unlike obedience competition where the dog is truly judged and scored according to a standard, the judge in (the conformation) ring gives you nothing to help you out the next time.
After my first attempt I wrote a letter to the breeder telling her I was done with the whole thing and sorry….(breeder’s note: it was sort of funny too, but that wasn’t the end of it–read on….)
Now mind you I got Pete to train. I always wanted to train a good dog and he is that, through and through. He also happens to quite a nice looking Airedale and frankly I got tired of him being referred to as the obedience Airedale in the Airedale Club. There was even one of those show folk types who insisted an obedience dog could not be a show dog. In the larger scheme of things I wanted his breeder to get the recognition her breeding program deserves but in the small corners of my human heart I wanted people to give my dog his due!!
So I sent him to dog camp—that is to say a professional handler. He was out and back in 12 weeks. Champion Seneca’s Ochoco Pete CDX.
–Yvonne R., WA
Pete was one of three Airedales nationally to qualify for the 2005 Eukanuba Invitationals, FL. Pete was the oldest at 8 years of age.
Yvonne Rauch with Pete UDX (Left), Mary Law with Spice UDX (Center), and Alice Peterson with Tigger UDX (Right)
30 May, 2004
Well, we had a beautiful day out on the Lost River for our first day of field training. It was the third day of training for most…..The first part of the morning was introducing the labs and the dale to birds: pigeons, pheasant and duck. Some dogs took right to it. Others, mine included, had to deep sniff the birds and then be enticed to pick them up. Pete was quite puzzled by the whole thing and exhibited none of his usual retrieve drive.
The trainer told those of us whose dogs were less than enthusiastic not to start worrying and fretting; things would kick in.
We moved onto bumpers being tossed by someone stationed out in the field who also shot a small starter pistol. Pete clicked in and did an excellent job marking. We then moved to water where Pete could hardly stand the fact that other dogs were going before him. We did some of the longest water retrieves ever and he did not want to stop after three.
The last piece of training was shooting a bird for the dog to retrieve from “the line.” The dogs who had shown a bit more enthusiasm went first and I took one of the shot birds and did some refresher training while waiting our turn. I placed the bird in Pete’s mouth and told him to hold.
Then asked him to give and praised. I did that just a few times and then had Bob hold Pete while I stood a few feet in front of him, extending the bird.
“Hey Pete, Take it.” As soon as he strained against the collar he was released; he came and took the bird, praise, Hold, praise, Give. I then did a very short retrieve from my side. Then I had Bob, a short distance off, throw the bird and sent Pete out. The light went on and so did his drive.
We went to the line (all that obedience training also kicked in) and he did a beautiful retrieve. …while he has always loved to retrieve, and has been known to bark on the go out or retrieve in the obedience ring, as soon as I took the bird, he wheeled in place, faced outward and barked at me, the line judge and (I swear!) the gunner in the field. Everyone agreed; he was given a second bird to retrieve.
The two trainers feel that he should be ready in August for his first NAHRA trial and started talking about beginning the work on multiple marks and directed hunting. He is so fun to watch…..
Sun, 27 Jun 2004
…Pete and I went off to Bend, OR this weekend to see what competing in Open B and Utility B might be like. This is one heck of a brag so please forgive…..We qualified in both each day, earning two UDX legs, three OTCH points, and on Sunday High Scoring Terrier and High in Combined. Quite a ride! I’m still somewhat stunned. And this was the good part–his scores and heeling got better with each performance, not worse as before.
Imagine what he could do if he had a really GOOD handler and trainer. I’d say field work has helped his outlook…..People kept coming by and saying: Wow! An Airedale! An intact male Airedale! Wow.
The paternal grandsire:
Luckyboy von Abendstern SchH III (64 times), FH II German Import
AKC # RM213151/01
AT-2471E122M Excellent (at 10.5 years of age)
Lucky, the sire of working offspring in Germany, is a product of many generations of East German working dogs. This indicates that a very high priority for temperment, health, and soundness was applied in the breeding progams that produced him consistently, over a period of over 30 years.
Physically, Luckyboy was in excellent condition at the age of 11 years. He last competed in the intensely physical sport of Schutzhund on the weekend of July 4th, 1997 with a score of 280 from a possible score of 300. He was qualified for the all-breed national working trials to be held in fall, 1997 which complicated his purchase, as he could not go if he came to the USA.
Genetically, Luckyboy offers a rare outcross to American breeders. He especially possesses great substance, excellent coat color, and soundness-front and rear. His head excells in the flat planes of the top of the skull with a full semi-circle of backskull, small dark eye, and correct bite with but one missing pre-molar (P4). His health and obvious vigor at his advanced age is impressive and a factor in my interest in the line.
The paternal granddam:
Seneca Jasmine
AKC#RM133842/01 OFA AT-2463G29F Good
Her full sisters include:
CH Seneca Foxy of Ohuivo CDX, NA, NAJ (CH title from Bred-By classes (BBE), 3X National Specialty winner of BBE, & Best Junior in Sweeps, performance class winner)
OFA # 2401E25F Excellent, CERF # AT-164/96-21
CH Seneca Brave Chance, Finished from the Bred-by classes with 3 majors
OFA AT-2089 Fair, CERF # AT-139/95-27
U-CD U-CH MACH CH Seneca Darby Life O’ The Party MHV UD AGI AGII PAX2 MXP7 MJP9 RA FDCH, Specialty winner and versatile agility dog, first MACH in breed history OFA AT-2104G30F Good
Seneca Highest Authority AT-6029G34M-VPI (Good) the sire of our litter, photo above with professional handler Santiago Pinto, Medina, OH. His sire is UUD, UAG2, URO2 Dollar von Erikson PCD, CD, TD, VCD1, NJP, NAP, OFP, JH, SHF, JHR, BH, AD, IPO2, RATO, RL2 , is a German import with obedience/performance titles and OFA AT-5512 Good. His dam is Seneca Ariana Merci, OFA AT-5672G27F-VPI (Good). Here us a link about how Arti was born: https://smartairedales.wordpress.com/2018/03/
Mom is Seneca Vega Harp Star; If you search her name in smartairedale.wordpress.com you will see some of her previous escapades.
Feb 24, 2021…one week to go…Vega needed her maternity trim to get ready for the big delivery!
March 1st…day 61…Slept in the bedroom; tossed and turned thinking about whether Vega was going to go into labor when I wasn’t there, so decided to start sleeping next to her–I had it all ready, anyway. My work schedule has been cleared for the week; I’m all hers.
March 2nd…day 62…Sept surprisingly well next to her; nothing all night.
March 3rd…day 63…Then….at 7:40 am she starts to scratch at her bedding and that’s a sign! Right on the due date, too.
Was that a contraction?
Was that a contraction?
Was that a contraction?
YEP!
__5:25 pm 10.6 oz female ribbon: Burgandy
__5:50 pm 12 oz female ribbon: Pink
__13.3 pm 13.3 oz male ribbon: Blue Born in contaminated dark amniotic fluid I believe his lungs were damaged; he expired with breathing issues shortly after 8 pm as I held him. Nothing could be done.
__7:20 pm 11.8 oz female ribbon: Sky
__7:45 pm 11.3 oz male ribbon: Orange
__8:25 pm 10.4 oz female ribbon: Teal
__9:30 pm 9.8 oz female ribbon: Purple
__9:40 am 11.0 oz male ribbon: Red
Then the laundry to be done, so far three different loads of blue newborn rugs, birthing towels, bathing wash clothes, and assorted fabrics that come in contact with the puppies. Giving birth is messy, so wipe downs must be done with non-toxic natural products and rinsing anyway, just to be safe. Soon, Vega will get a post natal bath, which she most richly deserves! It takes a little work to get these neat, clean pics!
Doing well on the third day!
OK, I’m tired but I’ll be up every three hours during the night for the first 10 days or so, just make sure that no puppy is off in a corner somewhere or slipped under the blue rug, or on the wrong side of Vega (there’s no way to get milk from her backbone!) or any of the other of a hundred creative ways a blind and deaf newborn can get lost in a 38″ x 38″ box!
Two weeks old and growing!Now for the first meals….growing so fast that Mom can’t keep up!
We don’t rush them out the door but we would like them to all be with their new families at 8 or so weeks. Puppies want to make a strong attachment to their new families at this age! At this early stage, a deposit is like a reservation at a restaurant–we guarantee you a table, but we’re not sure which one just yet. 😉
OK, three weeks and Vega is SO over the whole nursing bit….it’s good that we are good at making puppy food and they really like it!
There’s a large play area and other places to sleep, but they are all so determined to fit in this box! On the left 3 weeks old, on the right 4 weeks. I wonder how it will work out at FIVE weeks?
Please note our puppies are reserved very early and you need to make a confirmation and conversation with me on the phone before sending any deposit or being assured of availability to a specific litter or puppy.
Seneca Airedales are located at 3766 Everett Rd, Richfield, OH . Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. A check may be made payable to: Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-808-1285. We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
(Placed within 24 hours of posting) Verity is now living in Cincinnati with a retired lady who has had our Airedales for the last 40 years–Now that is family!
Verity, just turned 6 years, is a sweet girl, spayed and ready for her very own house and people. Fresh Photo To Be Posted SOON!
You can look up the life story of Verity from when she was born–Her father is CH Seneca Ochoco Pete UDX or PETE, with his whole life history here. We have a whole history of her mother, CH Seneca Ariana Temperance or TEMPE here too, which is told on the night of Verity’s birth.
Verity is blessed with an extremely red and black coat and low maintenance wiry texture, and she has her own page too, here for VERITY. One question we get is Why? Well, we have five Airedales, always house dogs, and would like to travel more in the future. If we can find the right situation for Verity while getting all the undivided attention, I think that she’ll be so very happy! She’s great now with getting one-fifth of my attention, so would that make her five times happier? It boggles the mind!
Our puppies are $1800, so Verity is $900 with all her vet work done until the next due dates on her vaccinations. She does best on Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Pet Foods – Grain Free Salmon formula. Her hips are OFA Good and the vet just gave her a clean bill of health after her spay was completed.
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-666-2004.
We have a way of welcoming a litter of Airedales here at Seneca, honed over 40 years: the traditional maternity bath and haircut, buffing and rounding mom’s nails; cleaning the nursery area and setting up the whelping box with a lamp for warmth, warm fuzzy covering and newspaper, a capacious container of water for late night drinks….then the ribboning from my *extensive* ribbon collection and weighing each puppy as it arrives, all in order chronologically.
Vega threw all that out when she decided to have her puppies a bit earlier than expected Wednesday, June 3rd. I know. I was expecting the weekend and had cleared my work calendar for it.
So I had given Vega her maternity bath on Tuesday and set aside Wednesday for the trim and to put the finishing touches on setting up her whelping area. Vega had eaten a hearty supper Tuesday night which dogs generally don’t do if they are going into labor…..during the night, right by my bed, she did a very short period of scratching as though to get more comfortable, but nowhere near the level of a dog with the first labor pains.
Wednesday morning I left Vega outside to do her business while I went to get her water and finish laying her blue fuzzy rug. She was just walking about as usual. When I went out to get her, I found a puppy outside at her feet! So, if you could have seen me dashing about, grabbing a towel for little boy Blue, ushering in Vega to her special corner and grabbing MORE towels for the immediate next arrival, and the next, and the next….CRAZY!
So here she is as soon as she finished with producing 8 puppies, all done by 4:30 pm! Shown in no particular order….without birth weights but all are solid, healthy and gaining weight very well!
Two days later, ribbons in place, Vega finished with trim, all in order!
Our boys are Blue, Green, Purple, and Silver. Our girls are Teal, Scarlet, Yellow, and Coral.
June 18, 2020 – Only 2 weeks (! really !) and so big that Mom needs help with feeding them. They are graduated early into messy eating of our patented milk supplement and frozen Bil-Jac, so it’s a Double Graduation Day!July 12, 2020 – 5 1/2 weeks old and we are well into the piranha stage….The next two weeks are going to be fun/interesting/cute…..OUCH!
We have so many reservations that we cannot accept any additional deposits. We plan for a litter in fall, possibly due September 10, 2020.
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-808-1285. We can also be found on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
We expect puppies about June 7th. While we wait, please browse our history and earlier posts recommending books to prepare for your new puppy. We can also introduce you to the family–starting with the dad’s side!
Earlier this year, I traveled to Massachusetts to visit Stirling Airedales who is captained by Susan Rodgers, who started her Airedales in the 1950’s. You can read more about the story of the trip here.
While I was there, I met “Marcus” and was greatly impressed by him. He finished his titled during the most competitive weekend of the year at our annual National Specialty at Montgomery County Kennel Club! At that time, I hoped to return in a few months and bring Vega with me to breed to Marcus. (At the time, I was there with Merci for Champion Stirling Wildside Mighty Monty, resulting in our April litter.
So then, fast forward to April and we find that there are travel bans in effect and the return trip to MA is not possible. As you know, an Airedale who begins the biological process for breeding cannot be delayed, postponed, or reasoned with! I began to search and research with a time deadline of 10 days to figure it out–and found an excellent choice!
The sire is Am Champion BAJANAIRE AIRERUN SOUND THE TRUMPET OFA AT-5903G28M-VPI and OFA Good. “Gabriel” is a finished son of an well known east coast dog, Am. Can. Ch. Stirling Walk on the Wildside “Marcus” OFA AT-5537E31M-PI and OFA Excellent). His mother is CH Bajanaire Like A Bleu Aire Rose “Rosie” OFA AT-5496G25F-VPI and OFA Good). Gabe is in the large pic plus gaiting in the ring and his sire, Marcus, on the bottom center, dam, Rosie, on the bottom right. Gabe lives in NE Ohio, luckily for us due to the travel bans and quarantine.
The dam is our “Vega” (Seneca Vega Harp Star OFA AT-5709G25F-VPI and OFA Good), a daughter of Ch. Darbywood’s Baraboo of Singing Hills, National Specialty winner. Vega has generations of working German lines on the maternal side. I will feature Vega and her family in the next post.
Naturally, we can’t tell what sexes or how many puppies are on the way as yet. It will be early August before we have any puppies old enough to travel.
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-666-2004. We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
While we are letting the puppies grow, there are a few good ways to prepare for their arrival. Read a book or three; in my opinion, no single book gets it entirely right so it’s best to get more than one viewpoint.
My Smart Puppy: Fun, Effective, and Easy Puppy Training by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. I’ve been told the paper version with the DVD is better than the Kindle e-book but I will leave that up to your preference. The same authors also wrote Good Owners, Great Dogs Paperback by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. Their advice to be “fun, fair, and firm” is on target for a terrier!
Here’s a sweet little guy showing how he can now look back at you!
But it is so-o-o-o-o-o hard to keep your eyes open when you’ve had a hard day of nursing from Mom and growing all those joints and muscles and organs and then more skin to cover it all and bigger feet to carry it all, and then start all over again! I can tell you, it’s pretty exhausting!
My personal favorite breed book is the 1978 third edition of The New Complete Airedale Terrier by Gladys Brown Edwards. This is a vintage book but I’ve not seen any newer books that really cover *everything* this well.
They graduated into a bigger space–Now eating puppy food several times a day, too!
Still sleeping most of the time–they *love* their fleecy blanket very much!
We plan to do our aptitude evaluation on Memorial Day weekend. Our winter puppies will be old enough to travel starting May 26th and thereafter.
Due to unpleasant experiences in the past, please prepare to bring cash on the day of pick up. At the time that you pick up your puppy, we ask for cash unless you have prepaid with enough time (about 2 weeks) to verify your personal check. We’re sorry that we are so old-fashioned that we prefer not to do digital money transfers.
We don’t rush them out the door but we would like them to all be with their new families by June 10th. Puppies want to make a strong attachment to their new families at this age! At this early stage, a deposit is like a reservation at a restaurant–we guarantee you a table, but we’re not sure which one just yet. 😉
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-666-2004 We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
April 2…day 59 of gestation…Merci skipped dinner….I’m worried she will start without me during the night, so I sleep lightly with many checks on her…nothing.
April 3…day 60…Merci woke me with scratching and paper shredding at 2:30 am but then eats her dinner from the night before between 3 am and 6 am sometime, then eats her regular breakfast at 7:30 am. Hmmmm, mixed messages here. Then skips dinner again and won’t eat. Shreds paper later that night from 10 to about midnight, then settles to sleep for the small hours of the morning. I’m glad *she* can sleep; I’m wide-eyed.
April 4…day 61…woke me again with scratching and paper shredding at 2:30 am, settles and resumes shredding/scratching from 4 through 5 am. Ask me how I know….yep, I’m up a lot! Settles and goes back to sleep–she sleeps most of the morning.
Meanwhile, I’m looking like Night of The Living Dead with the lack of sleep for the full week I’ve been having with her! I took a nap about noon and stole a couple hours of shut-eye while I could.
About 2:30 or 3 pm on Saturday afternoon, Merci actually shows signs of imminent birthing! If she was going to do a daytime whelping, she shouldn’t have kept me up so many nights!!! <sigh> C’est la vie. After much stomping, scratching, circling, and several tours outside with nothing much to do out there….oh, I meant Merci, not me….
__3:40 pm 10.5 oz male ribbon: Blue
__5:23 pm 6.0 oz male ribbon: Gold
__6:10 pm 10.3 oz female ribbon: Pink
__7:15 pm 6.4 oz female ribbon: Coral
__7:30 pm 5.3 oz female ribbon: Green
__8:09 pm 10.6 oz male ribbon: Purple
__8:51 pm 11.5 oz male ribbon: Orange
…and on April 5th in the small hours…
__1:30 am 11.0 oz male ribbon: Red
Photo taken at 8:22 pm with #6, purple ribbon, still damp from birthing–yes, he crawled up there himself!
Meet our eight little ones!
In numerology, the number 8 represents the search for a balance between physical, mental, and spiritual being. How appropriate that is during this time of social distancing and the lack of such simple contacts such as handshakes, hugs, and human touch. These eight small lives are precious, balancing influences on us, individually and together–stay sane, stay healthy, and take this all as an opportunity to grow. I know these little ones are!
Here’s our crew on fresh bedding…wait 10 minutes and it won’t be fresh….more laundry!
Then the laundry to be done, so far three different loads of blue newborn rugs, birthing towels, bathing wash clothes, and assorted fabrics that come in contact with the puppies. Giving birth is messy, so wipe downs must be done with non-toxic natural products and rinsing anyway, just to be safe. Soon, Merci will get a post natal bath, which she most richly deserves! It takes a little work to get these neat, clean pics!
Merci is an excellent caring mother!
OK, I’m tired but I’ll be up every three hours during the night for the first 10 days or so, just make sure that no puppy is off in a corner somewhere or slipped under the blue rug, or on the wrong side of Merci (there’s no way to get milk from her backbone!) or any of the other of a hundred creative ways a blind and deaf newborn can get lost in a 38″ x 38″ box!
In the early stages, a deposit is like a reservation at a restaurant–we guarantee you a table, but we’re not sure which one just yet. 😉 Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-808-1285. We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
Merci is in her final week of pregnancy and it shows!
First, let us introduce the sire of this litter, from the East Coast and, lucky for us, on being able to drive to MA before the Covid-19 travel bans took effect: Champion Stirling Wildside Mighty Monty AKC #RN26049402 Hip certification Good, OFA AT-5798G58M-VPI
“Monty” is a very red dog with red grizzle saddle. His crispy hard colorful coat promises easy maintenance for owners of his puppies. Personality, good looks are characteristics of the many years and generations of breeding for which Susan Rogers and Stirling Airedales are known. “Wildside” represents Thomas and Jeannie Dilworth. An interview with Susan is available here, starting with her family and Airedales beginning in 1912!
Merci is thriving and grows larger each day and is now eating 4 small meals a day, based on the Best Breed Salmon diet. We have set up the whelping box with a special absorbent warm mat designed for newborns, safe from cold drafts but with good ventilation, heat lamp, quiet and peaceful location away from other dogs and most importantly, right next to my bedroom.
Merci on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 with a week plus to go….Hello from the box!Look closely–Merci shows that cheesy smile she is famous for!Merci on Friday, April 3, 2020 with her baby bump….how many *are* we expecting!?!
We’re ready and now we wait….
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-808-1285. We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
Sitting at 1:15 pm on Sunday, February 2nd, 2020, broke down on the side of the Ohio Turnpike, with steam rolling out from my Jeep’s hood and 80+ mph semi-trucks roaring past me three feet away….this was NOT an auspicious start to begin our saga for Merci’s puppies!
The well known Easdale Jeep
Let’s back up to begin our tale. In this modern age of dog stewardship, we use advanced testing to detect the correct time to get our lovely lady to her beau. In this particular case, I had planned on a champion dog in NY from whom I had raised puppies before. I was planning to go back with Merci. Plans change….Merci came into her cycle on January 17th, 2020 and the games began.
We started our testing.
So here is how the progesterone testing works: At the beginning, blood tests are done in the morning and results arrive in the late afternoon. Tests are done every 2 or 3 days. When the test reads 5 or more, we need to get Merci on the road. If the number gets to 19 or higher, we are probably too late to see puppies this year and that would be bad. Merci is 5 years old and at her prime. Before her next chance to have puppies based on the spacing of her cycles, she would be well over her sixth birthday and close to age 7. This is too old for my standards to breed. This is the last time we have any chance at this.
Day 4 – 0.4 (setting a base line)
Day 8 – 0.5 I let our NY friend know that the big event was starting and she informed me that her champion had an issue with his fertility check and the veterinarian did not recommend any activity for some months until he could be checked again. He was NOT AVAILABLE.
Day 11 – 0.5 New plan–I had long admired a line of dogs on the East Coast but considered the 9+ hour drive to Massachusetts to be too difficult. Research was done and a pedigree was evaluated. I contacted the MA owner and plans were made….now to detect that exact right moment to hit the road.
Day 13 – 1.9
Day 15 – 2.6
At this point we were scheduled to come back from over the weekend for a Monday test on Day 18. I had a feeling that Day 18 was too far advanced in her cycle to let three untested day go by with Monday gone waiting for the results of the test and Tuesday the first day of opportunity to do anything about the test results–4 days lost. So I made an appointment with a specialist who can test on-site with no wait and on a Sunday.
This is where our story began. Merci had completed her visit at the specialist for her latest blood work for progesterone and I had a 45 minute drive to go home when I became stranded on the OH Toll Road-my radiator and engine toasted, broasted and broiled. I made calls to get my 2006 Jeep loaded on a transport truck and was waiting for them to arrive. My cell rings; it’s the vet with test results….
Day 17 – 13!!!
Note the red “X” above and further note that it is close to the end of the tan area denoting that ovulation is already over–Just 2 to 3 days left of fertility. All this in only 48 hours–from not anywhere near it to almost PAST it! If we don’t get to the stud dog ASAP we will have missed the chance completely! I began making frantic calls to get a rental car….they were all closed or getting ready to close in 90 minutes. If I didn’t have a car, I’d have to wait until 9 am on Monday, a precious day of delay at the worst time!
Getting there!
Very special thanks and kudos to my office manager Rachel as she was able to take the company credit card to the Enterprise Car Rental Office and make it just by 3 pm for their Sunday close. I rode with the Jeep to drop off at the dealership parking lot and Rachel picked me up in the rental. We arrived home, turned Merci out for some exercise and I packed in about 30 minutes. Rachel was ready to take over the evening pet care and the business Monday and I was on the OH Toll Road with Merci by 5 pm. We made it to Syracuse, NY by 10 pm and then we took a motel room for the night. Up and out by 6 am and made it to MA and our studly destination about 1 pm. Shortly thereafter, we had a breeding with no technological help whatsoever!
My next post will feature our chosen Eastern champion sire and Merci setting up in her maternity suite. Due date approximately April 1st–April Fools!
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-808-1285. We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
The mother is Jacki, expecting perhaps 8 puppies on Oct 6th. These are with Jean McCoy, a long time friend and co-breeder in Springfield, IL. Please contact Jean for information about the puppies; info listed at the bottom of this page. For more information about the mother, find out more about her parents and background here: https://smartairedales.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/new-ch-seneca-ariana-fancy-jack/
Seneca Ariana Fancy Jacket. RN30254509. 11-16-2016. Breeder: Nancy L. Secrist. By Can CH Seneca Brave To The Max CD & Seneca Up Your Alley, Owner: Jean McCoy
The sire of this October 2019 litter, UUD, UAG2, URO2 Dollar von Erikson PCD, CD, TD, VCD1, NJP, NAP, OFP, JH, SHF, JHR, BH, AD, IPO2, RATO, RL2 , is a German import with obedience/performance titles and OFA AT-5512 Good. He and his owner/trainer Linda Sorak of IL, are perhaps just a bit in the way of overachievers! More training titles are on the way since you just can’t keep a good dog on the couch!
If you’d like to do more research, here are some videos of Euro: First in his IPO and IPO Revieren practice, then in AKC Obedience Novice class.
For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: jcmccoy7575@gmail.com or by phone: 217-415-8012 The puppies and mother reside in Springfield, IL.
Little Rose was born in a big litter of twelve puppies on October 30th, 2018, and she is still looking for just the right family. She wasn’t the biggest and she wasn’t the smallest. Rose was just right! Now she is bigger and learning so many new things that are very important to a puppy–walking on a leash, being quiet and very good at night, and eating up her very good puppy diet to continue growing into a most outstanding little Airedale!
Sometimes, Rose likes to play with her Uncle Bosun, a very big 85 pound Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Don’t worry–he lays down and lets Rosie climb all over him! Sometimes, Rosie likes to dress up as you can see in the picture and go for a walk. Her favorite place is the local pet store where they have more treats and more toys than she has *ever* seen in one place before!
If you are thinking of adopting a new canine into your family, give us a call and we can schedule a visit with Rose herself!
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-666-2004 We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
We took a bath and got all cleaned up with new ribbons to be introduced to you. Now at just a couple days short of being six weeks old we will soon be sending out a “getting ready” email of tips for everyone waiting for these little lady killers and heart breakers.
Congratulations! (female)
First the girls….
Congratulations, or Congrats as we call her, has really grown. She is named for the ribbon she wears, happily!
Born as the smallest puppy in the litter, she grew up fighting and has gained weight and look fabulous! She’s sassy, she’s plucky, and she takes nothing from nobody in this big litter of twelve!
UPDATE: Now living in WV
Rose (female)
A rose is a rose by any other name, so our little Rose is sweet. She was also not the biggest puppy born but has taken to the puppy food with gusto and has never looked back! Rose is gentle, sweet, and has just enough terrier feisty so that she can hold her own with the boys.
UPDATE: Now living in NY
Sunshine (female)
Sunshine, our yellow ribbon puppy, likes to play–then sleep–then eat and play again. She’s really not hard to please if you help her to do those three activities! We could all use a little sunshine in these gloomy winter days in Ohio.
UPDATE: Now living in OH
Now for the boys, all nine, who are the handsome heart breakers of the bunch. Watch out or you might fall in love!
Teal (male)
Teal, wears the ribbon with pride. He’s now ready to start celebrating the New Year with you! Teal is an outgoing adventurer and is always ready to check out the newest toys and try them out. Next, he’ll be exploring anything you leave lying on the floor in your house, too!
UPDATE: AVAILABLE with PAT scores indicating natural aptitudes in retrieving, social skills, and excellent obedience potential!
Seafoam (male)
Seafoam makes me think of beaches and he’s sitting in front of a Jesse Wilcox Smith print. A steady sort of fellow, Seafoam is a great companion, ready for his grown up name with you!
UPDATE: Now living in TN
Red (male)
Red is a bit of a traditional Airedale puppy. He’s been practicing using his vintage carrier to be ready to travel in a few weeks. He likes his red blanket and we had to coax him out to take his photo!
UPDATE: Now living in AL
Purple (male)
Purple, yes, that’s a purple ribbon in there, next to the teal feather he has decided to taste. Our Mardi Gras boy could grow up to be a field dog getting birds, or he just might be a provocative tease with his beads and feathers!
UPDATE: Now living in IN
Green (male)
Green is a lucky boy. He’s a little quieter and more self amusing. He’s sweet and perhaps not as busy as some of his littermates. Can anyone use a little more luck?
UPDATE: Now living in OH
Gold (male)
Gold is a big sturdy fellow with something more precious than real gold; he’s got time…years and years of time to be someone’s best friend ever. We can’t say for sure but he may grow to be larger than average.
UPDATE: Now living in NC
Chocolate (male)
Chocolate wears a brown ribbon. The grandfather of all these twelve is an international German Champion. Their father was conceived there and then born in the USA. He’s the sweetest guy you could ask for…everyone’s most favorite treat, pure, high quality, rich, memorable chocolate!
UPDATE: Now living in OH
Blue (male)
Blue is a tortured artist–NOT! He’s a bit more of a paw painter from the Jackson Pollock school of artists. Bright colors attract on the new toys but he’s really not as busy as you might think. Creativity takes a lot out of you so Blue naps a lot!
UPDATE: Now living in OH
Orange (male)
Orange is a big fan of the Cleveland Browns! Yeah, the record may be a bit spotty but the jacket sure looks good on him. I hope you have some balls to play with at your house–especially a football or two!
UPDATE: Now living in PA
We plan to do our aptitude evaluation on either December 19th or 22-23. At this early stage, a deposit is like a reservation at a restaurant–we guarantee you a table, but we’re not sure which one just yet. 😉
Due to some unpleasant people in the past, please prepare to bring cash on the day of pick up. At the time that you pick up your puppy, we ask for cash unless you have prepaid with enough time (about 2 weeks) to verify your personal check. We’re sorry that we are so old-fashioned that we prefer not to do digital money transfers.
Our winter puppies will be old enough to travel after Christmas but we don’t rush them out the door. They can be placed up until January 20th. Then there will be a 2 week break while I am on vacation. Don’t worry; I take responsibility for my puppies very seriously and if any have not been spoken for at that point, we will resume interviewing families after my return in February.
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-666-2004 We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
Here we are at the fun stage of weeks 4 and 5 (week 3 is reprinted for comparison); now in addition to eating and sleeping, we have some playtime to add. The team has graduated from the litter nursery box to a grand enclosure fully newspapered and furnished.
Now we have to use two pans to provide everyone a place at the table!
FIVE weeks old – Seneca Airedales
FOUR weeks old – Seneca Airedales
the previously published THREE weeks old – Seneca Airedales
So what comes next? Later today, we will be bathing all twelve AGAIN–they seem to think that food works by osmosis through the skin instead of orally….<geesh!> Then we will be taking individual photos to show the gleam in their eye. We are sure that you are tired of looking at puppies eating! But here it is again anyway as they enjoy their double dish all you can eat buffet!
So, the recap to our litter born from “Harry” aka Am & Can Ch Terrydale HK Traymar’s National Affair and from “Verity” aka Seneca Ariana Verity, born on October 30th. Their eighth week falls on Christmas time, so consider your holiday plans and think about the arrival of a new family member after the holidays!
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-666-2004 We have also listed this litter on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
A Dozen! We are blessed with boys as we welcomed 9 boys-3 girls for the full night long on October 29-30th. I pretty much went without sleep for over two days as I helped in their safe arrival and started monitoring weight.
In the order of arrival on October 29th: Followed by the weight Nov 2, 4 days later:
10:00 pm BLUE male 8.6 oz 8.7 oz
11:38 GREEN male 9.1 10.5
Now, October 30th:
12:48 am TEAL male 9.3 8.9
2:00 ORANGE male 9.0 9.5
2:20 PINK female 7.1 6.9
2:45 RED male 8.1 8.7
4:28 YELLOW female 8.3 10.1
4:50 PURPLE male 8.3 8.5
5:55 SEAFOAM male 8.6 9.6
6:38 GOLD male 9.3 12.0
7:50 CONGRATS female 6.5 7.2
11:18 CHOC male 8.1 7.6
As you can see from the weights in RED that some of the puppies actually weighed less than their birth weight after 4 days and other had only gained very little–more drastic measures were called for.
I had already been getting up round the clock every two hours to make sure that all were getting a fair share of the available spaces to nurse; we had divided the litter into the “Cool Kids” who were larger, sleek, and always seemed to get what they wanted, and the “Breakfast Club” who were smaller misfits who needed a little extra attention and were ready to fight to succeed. While one group nursed with Mom, the second group would rest in a well appointed box and were given bottle-fed formula, then switch about. I enlisted every person I could to help me keep them fed–and I thank everyone whole heartedly! Weight gains improved markedly. Now we are happy to see them trying out their first baby foods today, as they prepare to turn three weeks old on November 20th.
So, we announce a litter born from “Harry” aka Am & Can Ch Terrydale HK Traymar’s National Affair and from “Verity” aka Seneca Ariana Verity, born (mostly) on October 30th. Their eighth week falls on Christmas time, so consider your holiday plans and think about the arrival of a new family member after the holidays!
Seneca Airedales are located at 1814 North Revere Rd, Akron, OH 44333. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email: aireseneca@gmail.com or by phone: 330-666-2004
The Terrier Trio is fat and sassy! With just three to raise up, Vega is having a great time with them now that they are showing personality and real character. With long ribbons dangling, PINK peers out, perhaps planning to ambush one of her littermates. With one paw raised, GREEN is picture perfect but I’m sure, planning her next bit of deviltry….Guarding his fort in a well defended position, BLUE BOY is contemplating his next move.
Actually, more of our photos looked like this….and this….as we tried to get them to hold still long enough to take a sweet photo. They are much more in motion as you can see! On the left, pink and blue, and on the right, blue and green.
After all, it’s much, much more fun to play with the leaves than take a photo!
As a recap, the Terrier Trio are now 5 weeks old and can travel to their new homes the weekend of Thanksgiving or thereafter at 8 weeks. They were born September 26th to Canadian CH Seneca Brave to the Max CD “Max” and Vega. The dad is Max–click his name to see his introduction. His sire is Champion D/KfT, Deutscher Champion VDH, Champion INT.FLASH VON ARGONAUT VPG1, VPG2, VPG3, IPO3, AD, FH, Körklasse. 1A, Teilnahme KLSP 97 + 98. The mother, Seneca Vega Harp Star, was born to her parents CH Darbywood’s Baraboo of Singing Hills and Seneca Ready to Appeal, which you can see here: Vega1 , Vega2 , Vega3. Vega was the Pink puppy- yes, we do need to get some grown up photos of Vega. Remember we are celebrating our 12th generation of Seneca Airedales so you can follow the entire line!
For our available puppies please drop us a line in the comments box below-More info on request!
Blue – Available, excellent obedience and companion potential
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Red – tentatively available, Conformation (slightly long in back but dramatic outline! Appears to be built to really move well), Obedience and companion potential.
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And now for the girls….
Gold – Now in MI getting ready to hike the Appalachian Trail next year and planning in obedience and some field work with BIRDS!
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Sky Blue – I seem to have trouble letting go of this one….11th generation of the Seneca Airedales? The Sky is the Limit! Her new slogan!
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Pink – Also in MI going to work with her professional groomer mom who also has access to puppy socialization classes multiple times a week for her future obedience career….?
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BRUNO x VERITY
Approaching nine weeks old…..holding them back so that the Merci litter could catch up a bit with them.
First the one and only boy…
Blue – Available, excellent obedience and companion potential
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And now the girls…
Sage – Another Michigander!
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Pink – Heading up to Oregon to be an AKC obedience, rally, agility, field trial….well, who can tell this puppy what she *can’t* do!?!
Now if we could just get some WARM weather so the puppies can be outdoors for any length time….play has become a serious activity for them! For our available puppies please drop us a line in the comments box below-More info on request!
Update with pics from April 7–Well, it wasn’t warm but it was clear and sunny. So…..we did try a short time outside. Now keep in mind that these few photos took over 2.5 hours to get. First getting them out, then cleaning the inside play spaces, then photos and getting them all back in the warm again. All the toys were so badly trashed that they are not in the photos because they were soaking to be cleaned! Still, I think that they enjoyed the brisk air for their first time EVER outside!
BRUNO x VERITY
Getting up to seven weeks old now!
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EURO x MERCI
Six weeks old…..loving the outside play so much that they are all tuckered out!
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Everybody is getting their first vaccinations and have finished a preventative worming cycle. In just a few more days, April 12 or 13th, we will be doing the PAT, physical evaluations, and photo shots.
Blue Ribbon Baby Boy and White Ribbon Baby Boy – above – were the undeserved targets of last minute cancellations and their people never saw or came for them. These two most deserving of sweet boys really are waiting somewhat patiently for YOU to call.
Born in the litter of January 14th, 2017, you can see the happy puppyhood they shared in the previous posts since that date. Their littermates are all over the country with two in California and Pennsylvania, one each in Colorado, Ohio, and Texas!
If one of our two available boys could put a SPRING in your step, give us a comment below or call: 330-666-2004
We will provide our excellent puppy portfolio that includes a 5 generation pedigree, health care record to date, 8 pages of info and recommendations, and a four pound bag of Best Breed Puppy Food with a three day starter of Nu-Vet to fulfill their nutritional needs.
April 21, 2017 – Update – Our two boys, now named Henry and Bernie, have found their people and we hear great reports! We hope to have a summer litter; just send a note and we can help you with more information….
Getting big and oh, so active now, the puppies from Seneca Sirius Fidelity, OFA Good, and German Import York von der Laubenhaid, OFA Excellent, IPG 3, FH 1 born March 29. 2022, and ready for anything! This balanced blend between proven working lines and correct conformation is the ideal for a breeder and that’s why we have named them the “DREAM TEAM!” So, we put up the hiring sign for TRAINERS WANTED and I think you will be hearing about these pups in years to come.
Gold Male, side view – solid little guy destined to be a much loved family member here in Ohio
Gold Male, sitting
Teal Male, side view – balanced and outgoing, this one is heading for great things!
Teal Male, sitting
Coral Female, side view – ready to be someone’s BFF but still a real handful!
Coral Female, sitting
Pink Female, side view – brash and confident
Pink Female, lying down because she wants to!
Purple Female, side view – balanced and inquisitive – dog sports, anyone?
Purple Female sit
Seafoam Female, side view – she checks all the boxes!
Seafoam Female – pretending to be a quiet little girl but I know better!
Yellow Female, side view – balanced and outgoing as well, what can she NOT do! She stays with me….
Yellow Female, sitting
Now that you have seen them sitting quietly, let’s see what really goes on here when the Dream Team is working out! They enjoy a play yard outside on nice days but this video was taken on a rainy day when they had to be inside a bit more than they wanted.
Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH 44333. Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
Due to complications with her c-section on March 29, 2022, this is Fida’s last litter. On the positive side of the ledger, she has had a very strong litter of 2 boys and 5 girls whose development I am following with great interest. I did promise to introduce her properly, so here is her bio.
Seneca Sirius Fidelity, OFA AT-6056G30F-VPI (Good) was named “Fida” because that is the female version of “Fido” and refers to loyalty and fidelity; this quality is her defining characteristic. One of my greatest regrets is that I never trained with her as she presented natural fronts and gave many indications that she wants to earn praise through performance. She is strongly motivated by social and food drives and is classically “varmity” in true Airedale fashion when she sees the wildlife in our woods.
Fida at 7 weeksNewborn 09292018 / Pink=Fida
You can see her origins here:
Canadian CH Seneca Brave to the Max CD “Max” and Vega. The dad is Max–click his name to see his introduction bio page! His sire is Champion D/KfT, Deutscher Champion VDH, Champion INT.FLASH VON ARGONAUT VPG1, VPG2, VPG3, IPO3, AD, FH, Körklasse. 1A, Teilnahme KLSP 97 + 98. The mother, Seneca Vega Harp Star, was born to her parents CH Darbywood’s Baraboo of Singing Hills and Seneca Ready to Appeal, which you can see here: Vega1 , Vega2 , Vega3. Ready is littermate to her more famous sister, SHR Seneca Scarlett von Summit, MH, (AKC), JHF, JHR, one of the only Master Hunter titled Airedales ever and featured in Gundog magazine!
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Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH 44333. Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
We had a little drama as Fida failed to progress into full labor. The reproductive specialist recommended not waiting more than 24 hours past the due date so….c-section. I swear I should have a reserved parkiing space with my name on it at the the reproduction hospital! Good news–all safely delivered and have gained weight well in their first few days!
Waiting….we’re ready….Everybody helps to get the puppies’ airways clear and breathing wellThe anesthesia administered to Fida affects the puppies tooFinally, back home, all set up and doing well!
Female
Pink
11.2 oz
Female
Yellow
10.9 oz
Male
Blue
10.5 oz
Female
Seafoam
6.8 oz
Male
Gold
10.5
Female
Purple
11.3
Female
Coral
12.2
As they nurse and gain weight the sizes are all coming closer together in the same range.
The total is in: 2 males and 5 females. I’ve been busy washing them, watching them day and night to make sure they nurse the first few days and changing bedding. The past 6 days were very short for sleep and I am just catching up now!
We announce our much anticipated litter out of Seneca Sirius Fidelity, OFA Good, and German Import York von der Laubenhaid, OFA Excellent, IPG 3, FH 1, entered for his FH 2. Soon I will post an introduction to the parents and working pedigree behind these puppies.
NOTE: As this litter is bred for FCI working dog sport, we will NOT be docking the tails or removing dewclaws, making them eligible for international competition.
ONE week and three days oldTWO weeks and 3 days old–Eyes Open!Three Weeks and Four Days Old–into a larger play area!YORKFIDA
Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH 44333. Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
There is just one possible match that I have for Teg, our new Gr CH Seneca Integrity. After all, my female dogs include his mother and half sister, so that won’t work. But there is Perci, Seneca Perseverance, OFA Excellent, daughter of UCD, URO1Dollar von Erikson PCD, CD, TD, TDU, VCD1, NJP, NAP, NFP, JH, SHF, JHR, BH, AD, IPO2, RATO, RL2 , a German import with obedience/performance titles and OFA AT-5512 Good. Her mother, Seneca Ariana Merci, OFA Good, daughter of CH Seneca The New Jack and CH Seneca Ariana Temperance BN, RN.
Gr CH Seneca IntegritySeneca Perseverance
Right around Thanksgiving, when everything was chaotic and hectic, the time came to decide and make the breeding. I was so very up to my neck in work and family that I used some of my sleeping time at about 11 pm on Friday and Sunday after Thanksgiving to safely accomplish this. It seemed like a great idea at the time but turns out, there was a problem….
Perci developed all the signs of pregnancy but she was very slim and not at all showing a “baby bump.” With the due date of Jan 27th just a week away, I began to wonder if all was well.
January 19th
Due date -9 days
Local vet x-ray shows ONE puppy and….a wire in Perci’s stomach. Vet tells me puppy looks curled up and may not be normal
22nd
Due date -6 days
Drive the 1.5 hour round trip to reproductive specialist vet hospital for more testing–too early for a puppy to survive a c-section and labor contractions could shift the wire and penetrate the GI tract, endangering Perci–we wait.
24th
Due date -4 days
Drive 1.5 hour round trip, still too early–no change, come back later and we wait
27th
Due date -1 days
Drive 1.5 hour round trip, still too early–no change, come back later and we wait
29th
Due date +1 day
Drive the 1.5 hour round trip to reproductive specialist vet hospital for more testing and new x-rays. Vet warns me that the puppy looks oddly positioned and may not be healthy/normal although ultrasound shows a good heartbeat. If a puppy is held too long in the mother, they become too large for the placenta to supply and die in utero. Progesterone bloodwork indicates still too early. Vet seems convinced that the breeding was later than the dates I supplied. I *know* there was no other opportunity for a breeding. We’re told to come back later and we wait.
31st 12 pm
Due date +3 days
Drive the 1.5 hour round trip to reproductive specialist vet hospital; at this point, I have given up on the puppy and just want to remove the wire from Perci to save her life. The vet again tries to fix a later due date but I strongly request that we do the surgery today. They reimage and diagnose that the wire is bridging from the wall of the stomach through the pyloric valve into the beginning of the small intestine and it is tenting or poking sharply into the wall of the small intestine. If they cut into the valve, it may not heal fully or develop scar tissue later, affecting Perci’s ability to eat and digest her food for the rest of the life. I’m stressed and anxious, even worse than I have been all week.
Surgery 1:30 pm
We are not waiting any longer. The plan is for the reproductive vet to remove the puppy (for which I have given up hope at this point) and then have their top surgeon for the removal of foreign objects to take over and remove the wire. I wait for 3.5 hours in the exam room, waiting to find out if Perci will be ok.
See x-ray above: the white curl below the spine and under the ribs is the wire. Just below the wire is the puppy’s head with the spine lying along the bottom of Perci’s belly.
Surgery 3:00 pm
Due date +3 days
First, they bring out the wire to show me–a nasty rusty thing successfully removed. I have NO IDEA where this came from! I’m told Perci did well, the valve was untouched and she’s going to have a lot of meds but she’ll be ok–WHEW!
4:00 pm
Then they bring out a cardboard box with the puppy in it –it’s alive! –it’s a girl! I have Perci on lead, a puppy in a box; I pay the bill–ouch! I need to get both home, warm, and safe–gotta go!
I get Perci set up in the kitchen and she is fully looped out on pain medications. I have 5 kinds of meds to give her, six times a day. One three times a day but with no food and no other medications, must be crushed, mixed with water and squirted into the back of her mouth. Another is three times a day with food. Some are once a day, others twice a day. I’m medicating at 11 pm, 3 am, 6 am, 11 am, 3 pm and 6 pm. For the first two days, she didn’t even know she had a puppy and I was told to never leave her with the puppy unsupervised or she may lay on it and suffocate it unknowingly. So, I’m up and sitting with her every three hours day and night for the first week–keeping puppy warm and separate when I’m asleep or not there.
Here’s the funny thing–we were so very lucky. During the anxious waiting period, I was wishing that I had never made the breeding. Then I realized how lucky we had been. If she had conceived and carried a normal litter and proceeding with a normal whelping at home, I’d never have had reason to do the x-ray or know that there was a wire. The wire could have killed her. If she had not had any puppies at all, I would again never know that there was a wire and the wire could have killed her at any time in the future. This puppy literally saved her mother’s life by being there.
So….Luck Be A Lady
Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH 44333. Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
Back story: I am in my mid-60’s and have decided to limit myself to four Airedales; for me, this is down from the six to twelve that I enjoyed working with full time in my 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. Four gives me space to have two adults to carry on with puppies for the next generation (up into the 18th generation now), one adolescent to pass genetic testing and possibly show, and one prospect puppy to evaluate and decide upon. Each age must earn their graduation to the next level or I would have a home full of dogs not doing anything. I guess I am trying to show that these dogs are all multitaskers with different roles to play, including home companion but not ONLY home companion or that would be the last generation of Seneca Airedales. After all, paraphrasing Holland Buckley in 1920, an Airedale is a dog you can go out and do something with!
If I keep a male, I can only keep one as intact male adult terriers are not exactly known for getting along together and I keep my dogs in the house, not kenneled. If most of my dogs are close relatives, then I can’t have puppies from him. But he would have to get titles, otherwise, why keep a good dog? It’s unlikely to draw the attention of a quality female’s owner anyway as there are so very many nice dogs out there to chose from; I had decided to NOT keep any more males as I slowed down. So it’s decided then, no boy dogs–too much work, investment and trouble! Then, along came this puppy…..
Where did he come from? Here’s a good bit about his father (click on name), Grand CH BAJANAIRE AIRERUN SOUND THE TRUMPET OFA AT-5903G28M-VPI and OFA Good. “Gabriel” and some background on his mother (click on name), SENECA VEGA HARP STAR OFA AT-5709G25F-VPI and OFA Good , who was a member of our APU litter (Airedale Puppies United) and a very fine daughter of “Bear” aka CH Darbywood’s Baraboo of Singing Hills, National Specialty winner.
So for the last 40 years, this is the kind of puppy I have been looking for, one that just takes your eyes whenever you glance at him–when he crosses the room, when he carries a toy with an arch in his neck, when he hits a casual stance–it takes decades to train your eye to recognize quality and there he was, every day, every move he made, even at 5 months old. But, I don’t want to keep a male….
And at 9 months when every dog has awkward growth spurts, clumsy feet, and adolescent goofiness, here he is again, looking better than most adults. He smoothly gaits across the room like he’s going Best In Show. Then there’s his personality–open, breezy, bold, outgoing, playful, smart, social. I just can’t bring myself to stick this dog on a couch somewhere as a companion. It’s a good life but he can do so much more! I named him SENECA INTEGRITY.
At 12 months old in June, 2021, I messaged a video to a professional handler based in Medina, OH–Santiago Pinto of Sanherpinc Kennels. This is where we bred to Teg’s grandfather, Bear, to get his mother, Vega. The Ohio Regional Airedale Specialty is always on the first weekend of August, eight weeks away–did Santiago want an Open Dog to show? After viewing the video, he messaged back, “Bring dog!”
Weekly trips to Medina for trimming really start to create a vision of excellence. Teg’s natural red color and hard coat texture with rapid growth earn the nickname “Hair machine!” So he approached readiness for the OH Specialty–winning a few warm up smaller events.
Now here is how it works at an AKC Conformation Show: untitled dogs show in the Open Class or one of the other possible classes within their gender. The winners of these classes are brought together in a final class and one is designated Winners Dog for the Championship points, then against the opposite gender for Best of Winners. Still undefeated, the winner is included in consideration for Best of Breed when the finished Champion dogs enter the ring. These “specials” are only here for the Best of Breed award and are already titled, having been showing longer with more experience and usually a higher level of grooming.
At the tender age of 14 months, Teg wins majors in the four day weekend and one day, BEST OF BREED over Champions, including the #1 ranked Airedale in the country! A few weeks later, he defeated that same dog again for a BOB win. Teg rapidly wrapped up his AKC Championship, placed in Group, and in September, finished his Grand Championship before his 16th month of age. His hip x-rays came back normal; he can OFA Certify at 2 years.
Teg turns 2 years old June 3, 2022. He’s not done yet.
Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH 44333. Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
I loved my very first Airedale near Fremont Ohio in 1975 and had the foundation puppy while a student at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio–Lay Dee Ayr’s Sunlit Jacki CDX in 1979. I moved to Helena Ohio, founding Seneca Airedales there until my move to Bath Township in 2003 at Easdale: the best pet care, my new career. Just recently, we’ve moved again, but just three miles down the road!
New contact info: Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH . Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. Our blog, here, and email are unchanged at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
Add to this, that I am transitioning into retirement and moved to our new home in November, 2020 and taking all the dogs with me, providing new safe areas for them to play, exercise, live, sleep, have puppies and properly wash and groom them. As I write today, March 29, 2022, I’m not retired just yet but I do have a timeline and hope to be by the end of this year. I’m excited to return to more activities in training in dog sports and showing in conformation while spending more time with my Airedales in general.
Original South facing gableAdded access door to walk out basementAdded deck for mud-free play!Added cover for weather protection. Perci’s litter of 10 were the first born here!
The walk out basement is large and open but the existing door gave onto a wet area that would soon become a mud pit with multiple dogs on it. We added the new south gable door and decking to provide all-weather access while keeping our dogs in the house with us.
Inside, we started with bare foundation walls but finished the floor with a copper/gold/brown epoxy treatment. I spent all available money on other delayed maintenance for the house and didn’t have enough to finish the basement, so I made do for a year.
People spaceDog spaceGrooming space
A bit over a year later in March, 2022, we’ve finished the basement with drywall, lighting, woodwork, ceiling and a bathroom (!) as well as separating the laundry/utility/furnace area. More photos to arrive as I finish moving back in.
Seneca Perseverance (Perci), OFA Excellent and CH Seneca Ochoco Pete UDX, OFA Good have produced 10 fine healthy puppies and we placed them with great families but there was a hold up with the AKC processing of the litter registration. As you know now, Pete died many years ago and this is the last of stored frozen semen producing the last ever puppies from a great dog as Pete was….and then AKC changed the requirements with no notification and without even detailing exactly what the changes were!
Just to make this more entertaining, here are the boys’ pics from the litter:
As the reproductive specialist veterinarian created our miracle litter, we needed to file the litter application with full documentation of just how a deceased dog could sire 10 puppies; that’s just normal records keeping here–submitted. The first problem was from our end. The vet erred in using a transposed number for the date of collection, making Pete about 15 years old and some years actually after his death. Naturally, we were rejected and had to have the vet correct the date–resubmitted first time. Rejected again, with an updated transfer of semen ownership required. Nevermind that our existing transfer has been used for 4 previous litters, now we need a new one.
Here’s the issue–the trainer/owner of Pete lives in Oregon on the West Coast. I managed to track down a few email addresses and a phone number to contact her and we were able to work on this together. I have since disposed of other stored collections from other dogs because I no longer am in touch with the owners or they are no longer living, making this documentation change impossible to satisfy.
Now for our girls–Lilac is in California showing and Pink is growing up with an owner/trainer, maybe to do agility and Purple is growing up with me.
Submitted, an updated copy of that transfer form from the reproductive specialist–rejected due to quibbles over the number of units listed, the individually identified vials and when and with what dogs they had been used in the past and no clear instructions to correct the problem. So, submitted, a records showing only the two vials used, correctly identified by individual, unique collection number. Rejected, again with no clear instruction as to what is needed. Different people keep sending email responses that say different things with little continuity. Finally, they ask for “…a revised frozen semen collection statement from the collection facility…” which is in Oregon. I call Oregon, get the new revised statement sent to me and submit.
You realize, weeks and months are passing as I chase signatures and forms across the United States because, you guessed it, the lastest submission was, wait for it….rejected. We are told that “The collection statement has been added to the sire’s file.” Wait, what? How about processing the litter application for puppies that are now over six months old? So I ask, twice, by email, with no response about the processing for the litter. I talk to the AKC delegate representative for the Airedale Terrier Club of America (who has one of my dogs by the way) and ask, What gives!?!
Finally, a response and guess what, rejected. One of Pete’s owners is deceased (for over a decade) and now we need a notarized form to indicate that the estate of the deceased spouse has released all claim on the collection from Pete. The Oregon owner had to make an appointment with the estate attorney and notary to get this done….bless you, Yvonne, I owe you lunch and dinner, maybe for a week, for putting up with all this! So I get the notarized form back, sending the original in certified mail…..silence for a couple of weeks. I follow up with an email AND submitting the digital scan of the notarized form….SUCCESS!
I have never been so happy to see this envelope! We are officially registered and individual registrations sent out to the patient (and not so patient) new owners! We didn’t name the mom Perseverance for no reason…maybe I’ll name her daughter “Prevail!” Update: I just registered her as
“Seneca Resolute!”
Seneca Airedales are located in Bath Township near Akron, OH 44333. Please note our MAILING ADDRESS is Seneca Airedales/Nancy Secrist, PO Box 802, Bath, OH 44210. For more information, please direct your inquiries to our email at: aireseneca@gmail.com or by cell phone: 330-808-1285 We may also list updates on our Breeder of Merit page on AKC Marketplace.
smartairedales 
