We only breed on rare occasions, and when we do, both the female and male dogs are carefully selected based on specific criteria—primarily for working purposes only in our case. We require that both parent dogs are certified as fully healthy and have undergone official genetic screening through Embark.
A responsible breeder also assumes full accountability for the entire litter. This includes not only the placement of puppies with suitable owners, but also follow-up support after adoption. In cases where an owner can no longer care for the dog, the breeder must be prepared to take the puppy back.
Breeding without a legitimate, well-founded purpose is not something we support.

A pregnant dog—and her puppies—need your care and commitment. Please don’t leave them on the street. If you’re overwhelmed, ask for help. There are many kind people and organizations on Aruba ready to support you.

We're Here to Guide You. The information on this website is not a breeding manual, but a basic guide for those who find themselves with a pregnant dog or a litter without having had the chance to prepare properly - as a responsible breeder should. We aim to give you practical advice so you can care for the mother and her puppies as best as possible. Caring for a litter is a serious and demanding responsibility. Fortunately, many foundations on Aruba are willing to help, often while keeping the mother and pups in their own home environment, which is best for their health and development. 

⚠️ Please note: Foundations are overwhelmed. They have saved so many dogs from the streets that most are at full capacity.

Need Help? Contact Us.
If you're unsure where to turn, contact Happy Dog Country Club. While we are not a shelter — and cannot take in street dogs due to health and safety risks to dogs in our care - we may be able to help temporarily with a healthy litter. In very special cases, we can offer short-term accommodation to a litter of puppies.

Conditions apply:

• The puppies must be 100% healthy.
• They must be examined and certified by a licensed veterinarian.

Our Puppy Care Program
When we care for a litter, we provide structure, safety, and socialization.

We ensure:

• Proper nutrition based on age.
• Daily health monitoring (weighing, stool observation, behavior).
• Exposure to household environments, people, and other dogs.
• Early training to prepare them for adoption.

Feeding Schedule by Age:

The total daily amount of food increases each week according to the puppies growth and is evenly divided across the number of feedings per day. This method supports not only healthy overall growth of the puppy, but also the gradual development of the stomach.
By dividing the total daily food intake into multiple, evenly spaced meals, the digestive system is not overloaded.
Rest after each meal is essential — it aids digestion and significantly reduces the risk of gastric torsion (bloat), a life-threatening condition in dogs.

Puppies sleep a lot — and for good reason: sleep supports growth.
During sleep, a puppy’s body produces essential growth hormones, allowing both the brain and body to develop properly. Quality sleep is just as important as nutrition and care in the early weeks of life.
Do you need help or feel overwhelmed? Please reach out. We will do our best to support or refer you to the right organization.

From Birth to 12 Weeks At Happy Dog Country Club, we’re happy to share essential information about caring for a litter of puppies—from the day they’re born up to 12 weeks of age. Understanding each developmental phase is key to raising healthy, well-adjusted dogs.

Puppy Development Phases
Puppies go through several important stages in their early life, each with unique needs:

1. The neonatal phase: 0 - 14 days of age
2. The transition phase: 10 - 21 days of age
3. The first socialization phase: 3 - 12 weeks of age
4. The second socialization phase: 12 weeks to 6 months of age (link for members only)

Each phase plays a crucial role in the puppy’s physical, emotional, and behavioral development.

⚠️ Important: If something seems off with the mother or her puppies, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not rely on online advice from social media or forums—professional veterinary guidance could save your puppy’s life.

After a Smooth Birth — What Comes Next?
Even if the birth goes well, your responsibilities as a caregiver have only just begun. Start by asking yourself a few key questions:

• Did you provide the mother with additional high-quality food during pregnancy?
• Does she have sufficient milk, and is it nutritious enough to support her puppies’ growth?
• Is she allowing the puppies to nurse without issues?
• Are the puppies nursing adequately and gaining weight?
• Are you continuing to feed the mother extra nutrients to support milk production?
• Is she cleaning the whelping area and the puppies regularly?
• Is she stimulating the puppies to pass urine and feces (licking their bellies and bottoms)?

Monitoring is Critical
To answer these questions and ensure the health of both mother and puppies, close observation is essential.

Daily Weighing:

• Weigh the puppies at the same time each day—preferably before feeding, while they’re still calm and sleepy.
• Track each puppy’s weight in a notebook or digital chart.
• Healthy puppies should show daily weight gain.

If a puppy doesn’t gain weight, it may be a sign that:

• The mother isn’t producing enough milk.
• The mother is rejecting one or more puppies.
• One or more puppies are too weak to nurse properly.

In these cases, you can:

• Supplement with puppy formula (specifically designed for newborn puppies).
• Feed the mother puppy food, which is higher in calories and nutrients to support lactation.