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Petite Goldendoodle Help Dogs In Need Our blog posts aim to provide comprehensive, accurate, and objective information on all types of dogs, helping our readers make informed choices that fit their lifestyle. We don't endorse any specific breeding practices, but advocate for ethical breeding and dog welfare. We encourage exploring adoption first. Countless wonderful dogs, from all breeds, await their forever homes in shelters. Remember, with AdoptDontShop, you can give a deserving rescue a second chance at happiness. Physical Characteristics How big do Merle Bulldogs get? Merle Bulldogs are medium-sized dogs that typically weigh between 40 to 60 pounds and stand around 16 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. Males are generally larger than females. While their size may vary, they are known for their muscular build and strong, sturdy frame. Coat and Colors Merle Bulldogs have a unique coat that is characterized by a marbled or mottled pattern of colors. The base color can range from white, cream, fawn, or brindle, and the merle pattern can appear in shades of blue, gray, black, or chocolate. The merle pattern can also be combined with other coat patterns such as piebald or ticking. It is important to note that merle Bulldogs should not be bred with other merle Bulldogs, as this can lead to health problems such as deafness and blindness. Facial Features Merle Bulldogs have distinctive facial features that make them easily recognizable. They have a large, square head with a broad muzzle and strong jaws. Their eyes are usually round and wide-set, and their ears are small and set high on their head. Merle Bulldogs also have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. Overall, Merle Bulldogs are a unique and visually striking breed with a distinctive coat and strong, sturdy build. Temperament and Behavior Merle Bulldogs are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. They are loyal and loving towards their family and enjoy being around children. They are also known for being calm and patient, making them an excellent choice for families with young children. These dogs are generally well-behaved and easy to train. They are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Merle Bulldogs are also known for their protective nature. They are instinctively protective of their family and can be wary of strangers. However, with proper socialization, they can learn to be friendly towards strangers. Health Issues Common Health Problems Merle Bulldogs are prone to various health issues that can affect their quality of life. Due to their brachycephalic airway syndrome, they may experience breathing difficulties, especially during hot weather or exercise. Eye problems, including starburst pupils, microphthalmia, and eccentric pupils, are also common in this breed. Additionally, Merle Bulldogs may suffer from color dilution alopecia, skin and ear problems, and musculoskeletal issues. One of the most significant health concerns in Merle Bulldogs is deafness. It affects 9. How long do Merle Bulldogs live? On average, Merle Bulldogs live between 8 to 10 years. However, the lifespan of a Merle Bulldog can be affected by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Care and Maintenance Diet Requirements Merle Bulldogs require a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain optimal health. It is recommended to feed them high-quality dog food that is specifically formulated for Bulldogs. The food should contain a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It is important to avoid overfeeding, as Merle Bulldogs are prone to obesity, which can lead to various health issues. Owners should consult with their veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of food for their Merle Bulldog based on their age, weight, and activity level. It is also important to provide fresh water at all times. Exercise Needs Merle Bulldogs have moderate-to-mild exercise needs, requiring a daily walk or playtime to keep them healthy and active. However, they are not overly energetic and are content with lounging around the house. It is important to avoid overexertion, especially in hot weather, as Merle Bulldogs are prone to overheating. Owners should provide a safe and secure outdoor space for their Merle Bulldog to play and exercise. They should also supervise their dog during outdoor activities to prevent injury or escape. Grooming Merle Bulldogs have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. They should be brushed regularly to remove loose hair and keep their coat glossy. Merle Bulldogs are prone to skin allergies and infections, so it is important to keep their skin clean and dry. Owners should bathe their dog as needed, using a mild dog shampoo. It is also important to trim their nails with pet guillotine nail clippers regularly to prevent overgrowth and discomfort. Overall, Merle Bulldogs are low-maintenance dogs that require a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and regular grooming to maintain optimal health. Training a Merle Bulldog Merle Bulldogs can be stubborn at times and they are not the easiest dogs to train. They respond best to a clear and consistent routine, so it is important to establish rules and boundaries early on and stick to them. Use the same commands and gestures consistently, and make sure everyone in the household is on the same page when it comes to training. Positive Reinforcement Merle Bulldogs respond well to positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, and playtime. Use these rewards to encourage good behavior and reinforce training. Avoid using punishment or negative reinforcement, as this can cause your Merle Bulldog to become fearful or aggressive. Socialization Socialization is key to training a Merle Bulldog. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people, animals, and environments early on to help them become well-adjusted and confident. This will help prevent behavioral issues such as fearfulness or aggression. Exercise Merle Bulldogs are active and energetic, so it is important to provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks, playtime, and training sessions can help keep them happy and healthy. Training Classes Consider enrolling your Merle Bulldog in training classes or working with a professional trainer. This can help you establish a strong foundation for training and address any behavioral issues early on. By following these tips and establishing a consistent routine, you can help your Merle Bulldog become a well-behaved and obedient companion. Legal and Ethical Issues Merle bulldogs have become increasingly popular in recent years, but there are several legal and ethical issues associated with breeding and owning these dogs. Breeding The breeding of merle bulldogs is a controversial topic in the dog breeding community. Merle is a dominant gene that can cause health problems when two merle dogs are bred together. While responsible breeders will avoid breeding two merle dogs together, some breeders continue to do so for profit or to produce more merle puppies. This practice is unethical and can lead to significant health issues for the puppies. For example, in Australia, merle Chihuahuas cannot be bred due to their association with health problems. In many countries, there are also increasing calls to restrict breeding dogs with extensive health issues, including popular breeds like the Bulldog and Pug. Even in countries where merle bulldogs are legal, there are ethical considerations to take into account when owning one. Merle bulldogs may require more health care than other breeds due to their predisposition to certain health issues. Additionally, some people argue that breeding merle bulldogs for their unique coat pattern is unethical, as it can lead to health problems for the dogs. Overall, while merle bulldogs can make wonderful pets, it is important for breeders and owners to consider the legal and ethical issues associated with the breed. Yet, every year, countless Bulldogs end up in shelters or with rescue organizations due to various reasons such as abandonment, mistreatment, or overpopulation. While the allure of a puppy from a breeder can be tempting, there are numerous compelling reasons to consider adoption instead. By adopting, you give one of them a fresh start filled with love and care. Combat Overpopulation: By choosing adoption, you become part of the solution to pet overpopulation, reducing the demand for puppies bred purely for sale. Save Money: Adoption fees are often less than purchasing a puppy from a breeder. Additionally, rescue Bulldogs are typically spayed or neutered and have their vaccinations up-to-date, saving you those initial veterinary costs. Support Responsible Care: Rescue organizations often provide necessary medical care, behavioral assessments, and training to ensure that your new pet is healthy and well-adjusted. You can learn about using leashes and harnesses for bulldogs here. Prices — How much is a Lilac English bulldog? The price tag reflects their distinct and enticing look of a lilac coat and piercing blue eyes. Breeders offer different rates owing to the rareness of the breed. The Lilac English Bulldogs have a distinctive look, in addition to being unusual to breed. They have a chocolate base coat with a blue gene that changes the hue to a champagne tint. Their eyes are the most vivid of the uncommon hues. Aqua blue with occasional flashes of blazing green or icy blue. They have tan points on their legs, chest, and face. Sable bulldogs are tri-colored bulldogs with underdeveloped tri-colored genes. There are no apparent differences between the color zones. Instead, they have a brown coat with black flecks here and there. Their backdrop colors can also be a tri pattern and range from red to blue to fawn. Their eyes are usually bright green or blue. Their sable coats come in a variety of brown shades, sometimes as light as champagne. The black tri, followed by the blue tri and the chocolate tri, is the most popular of the four tri-color variations. Because of how diligent and difficult they are to breed, the lilac tri is by far the rarest and most expensive of them all. Are Lilac English Bulldogs Recognized? Lilac English Bulldogs are not AKC-recognized; Breeders and pet owners must use the colors when registering their animals. Merle Bulldogs are also not registered with the AKC. Lilac Bulldogs are black bulldogs that have been diluted twice. Are Lilac British bulldogs rare? The famous Lilac bulldog is a mostly white body with a glossy lilac coat resembling Weimerainer grey in appearance, with a variety of brighter and darker hues. Because of how precise and difficult they are to breed, the lilac tri is by far one of the rarest and most expensive of them all. Do Lilac English Bulldogs change color as they grow? It is wise to consult a vet if your lilac English bulldog goes through noticeable color changes all of a sudden. Tri-color English Bulldogs, like ordinary English Bulldogs, and other dog breeds for that matter, go through minor coat color changes as they get older. Do Lilac English Bulldogs make good family pets? Lilac English Bulldogs are characterized by being laid-back and get along with people, children, and other pets. You can learn how friendly Bulldogs are with everyone here. The bulldog makes a brave and efficient watchdog that would be protective over their owners and loved ones. But it is worthy of notice that they are well known to suffer from several health problems and have a shorter lifespan than other breeds. With bright azure blue eyes, they have a distinctive champagne coat hue. Sometimes their eye colors can be icy blue or ice green; Sable Lilac bulldogs have a reddish pigmentation with fawn coloring. Their hue might range from a light tan to a deeper shade. Black and black-tipped hairs are also found on sable pups. One of the most unique features a breeder may have is their coat. You can learn if all lilac English Bulldogs have blue eyes here. Lilac Tri English Bulldogs Lilac tri is a rare hue since it has a chocolate base coat with a blue gene that turns it champagne. Their eyes have the most vibrant colors of all the unusual colors. Aqua blue with intermittent flashes of ice blue or flaming green. Their legs, chest, and face are covered with tan spots. The lilac tri-colored English bulldog is one of the most unusual English bulldog breeds. While no one gene is responsible for the lilac color, it does need the existence of two dominant genes—one for chocolate and the other for blue—for it to exist. Where to find Lilac English Bulldogs? Lilac English bulldogs are only available from a few select breeders that specialize in importing lilacs. The well-known breeders of lilac bulldogs are: Bulldog Angels: a family-owned kennel in North East Kansas that raises Bulldogs as if they were their own children and breeds a variety of tri-color English Bulldog puppies. Champ Bulldogs: This kennel produces Bulldogs, not for profit, but because they love the breed and want to see it improve. They make it a point to place their beautiful Bulldogs in loving homes with loving families. Due to their gorgeous features and diversity of unusual coats, lilac English bulldogs are rare, difficult to breed, and extremely exclusive, making them quite costly. Disclaimer This is not a recommendation, but merely an answer to your questions. We do not advise you to get a dog from any breeder, no matter their reputation. Please check in with your local rescue groups and shelters first. How do they develop a Tri-colored Coat Bulldog? Breeders develop a Tri-Colored Coat bulldog by diluting the genes with the merle gene; the merle gene has an effect on the melanin which produced the pigment in the eyes and coat. They have an influence on the pigments that are generated eumelanin and phaeomelanin as well as where they are produced. Genes control pigment production by causing some cells to produce eumelanin, others to produce phaeomelanin, and yet others to produce no pigment at all. Genes can even trigger a cell to flip from producing eumelanin to producing phaeomelanin. Regardless of the many coat colors that dogs may acquire, it ultimately comes down to two pigments: eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Both are types of melanin, with the former controlling black hues and the latter controlling red. Eumelanin, for example, is a black pigment that may be modified by genes to generate blue or lilac color variations. A Tri-Colored English Bulldog is a three-colored breed color variant that has three different colors in unique patterns on their coats. Their coats are generally bi-colored except for a few spots with a third color. How much is a blue tri bulldog? Since only a few blue English Bulldogs exist in the entire world, they are extremely difficult to produce, making this color variant the rarest thus, the most expensive. Do Lilac English bulldogs shed? Lilac English Bulldogs shed, although not nearly as much as other breeds. When compared to an adult English Bulldog, bulldog pups shed more. What is a Blue tri bulldog? Blue Tri-Colored English Bulldogs are a color variant with mostly blue, almost silvery coat color, with huge areas of white and tan spots on their legs, chest, and face. Their eyes are generally green or blue in color. How can you tell if a dog is Lilac? The nose, paw pads, and eyeliner are always purple or violet in color. Our Picks for English Bulldogs Tested by the bulldogs themselves The Best shampoos and conditioners for English Bulldogs options for puppies and bulldogs with sensitive skin included Helpful Resources. This can depend on many factors and could vary based on color variations such as lilac merle, tri merle, etc. In this guide, we cover all Merle English bulldog prices so you can get an idea of how much to pay. How Much is a Merle English Bulldog? What are Merle English Bulldogs? Why are They So Expensive? Merle English Bulldogs have an incompletely dominant M gene which dilutes dark colors. Therefore, these dogs end up with a marbled or mottled appearance wherein there is a true basic color and a paler color in the diluted parts. As mentioned earlier, there are several variations in the merle pattern — so you could have blue merle, lilac merle, tri merle, chocolate merle, etc. Although the AKC does not recognize merle English bulldogs, these dogs are in great demand. The reason why Merle English bulldogs are so expensive is due to their beauty, rarity, and uniqueness. The merle coloring creates random patches and patterns that are unique to each dog. No two merle puppies are the same, even in the same litter. Moreover, merle English bulldogs often have light-colored eyes or blue-grey eyes that make them look gorgeous. Since people want rare and beautiful pets, merle English bulldogs are in high demand. This demand has led breeders to breed specifically for the merle pattern. Many breeders even aim for beautiful merle patterns like red merle, sable merle, lilac merle, etc. Merle-colored English Bulldogs are also rare — as they are not recognized by various kennel clubs and are not allowed to participate in dog shows. Therefore, many English bulldog breeders who breed only show-quality pups refrain from breeding them. There are also some general factors that affect puppy prices: Other Factors Affecting Merle English Bulldog Price Coat Colors As mentioned earlier, merle English bulldogs often come with beautiful color variations in them and these can even cost higher. We will cover the costs of these Merle English Bulldog variations later in this guide. Often they are potty trained, socialized with kids and other dogs, and have even received some basic obedience training. In short: these confident little pups are ready for going to their forever homes. People are willing to pay higher for trained English bulldogs and breeders are more than ready to oblige. Pedigree and Bloodlines Pups with superior bloodlines cost much more than those born to bulldogs who are not registered or champions and title owners. Naturally, merle bulldogs are only born to merle bulldogs but there may be outcrosses too. Do note that merle genetics could result in deaf and blind pups. Ethical breeders may conduct genetic tests and health checks to ensure healthy merle puppies. Breeder Reputation Top breeders often charge a lot more just on the basis of their reputation and popularity. This is because of the fact that they have spent time, money, and effort in breeding unique merle-colored Bulldogs. As stated before, they even conduct health checks on the breeding dogs to rule out vision-and-hearing-related issues in the pups. Let us now discuss the prices of different variations of Merle English bulldogs. You typically will see colors like gold-brown, black, fawn, etc. There may be a marbled or mottled appearance on the back, face, and belly. Sable Merle English Bulldog Price Sable coloring in dogs usually means black color with lighter roots. In some dogs, the sable coloring takes the appearance of brown color. With the merle gene, there is a marbled pattern with brown, light brown, grey, or tan appearance. Chocolate Merle English Bulldog These dogs have a lovely deep brown base coat with a lighter color pattern sprinkled randomly on the back and the paws. The face typically has large patches of white, cream, brown, or black. The belly and chest could have white or tan coloring. The chocolate tri merle coloring is very rare which has increased its demand and, hence, the price. These bulldogs have randomly placed stripes of chocolate brown interrupting the base coat color. It is caused by a recessive gene and breeders breed selectively to get puppies having a purplish sheen on their coats. These dogs often have bluish or grey-blue eyes. Lilac tri merle English bulldog puppies are very much in demand. Some of these dogs have light eyes and sometimes, one eye is dark and the other is light. Blue Merle English Bulldog Price A white base with gray or dark gray mottling can create a bluish appearance resulting in the beautiful blue merle English Bulldog. These beautiful dogs often have the blue merle pattern all over the back and hind legs. The front legs may be solid colored — typically white — and the belly is white as well. There also may be white patches on the face and head. Blue merle bulldogs are rare, so breeders often grab the opportunity to charge higher for them. Blue Tri Merle English Bulldog Price In blue tri-merle English bulldogs, you will see colors like blue, black, brown, white, fawn, grey, and tan. Coat Color. Our website offers a comprehensive list of AKC registered English Bulldog Merle puppies, each waiting to become a cherished part of your family. Join us as we delve into the beauty and origin of Lilac Merle English Bulldogs and explore their delightful temperaments to find your ideal furry friend. What is a Lilac Merle English Bulldog? The Lilac Merle English Bulldog is a captivating variation of the classic English Bulldog breed, known for its unique coat coloration. This enchanting appearance sets them apart from the standard Bulldogs and makes them irresistible to dog enthusiasts. The emergence of Lilac Merle coat pattern in English Bulldogs is the result of a fascinating genetic interplay. It is not a separate breed but rather a unique trait that arises due to specific gene combinations. Responsible breeding practices are essential to ensuring the health and well-being of Lilac Merle English Bulldog puppies. At CheapPuppiesForSale. Temperament of English Bulldogs Proper socialization, training, and regular exercise are essential to nurturing a well-rounded and well-behaved Lilac Merle English Bulldog. About Misty If you are looking for the perfect puppy, then you can just stop looking because I am the one for you. If you want a puppy who will be by your side for years to come, pick up the phone and call about me now! Reviews There are no reviews yet. Our website offers a comprehensive list of AKC registered Lilac Merle English Bulldog puppies for sale, waiting to become a cherished part of your family. Join us as we explore the beauty, origins, and temperament of the Lilac Merle English Bulldog, and embark on the journey to find your perfect furry friend. What is a Lilac Merle English Bulldog? The Lilac Merle English Bulldog is a stunning and sought-after variation of the classic English Bulldog breed , known for its distinctive coat coloration. This enchanting appearance sets them apart from the traditional Bulldogs and captures the hearts of dog lovers worldwide. At CheapPuppiesForSale. Our listings feature a diverse range of Lilac Merle English Bulldogs, each with its own unique charm and personality. The emergence of the Lilac Merle coat pattern in English Bulldogs is the result of a fascinating genetic interplay. It is not a separate breed but rather a unique variation that occurs due to specific gene combinations. Temperament of English Bulldogs Beyond their captivating appearance, English Bulldogs, including the Lilac Merle variety, are known for their loving and affectionate temperament. These dogs are renowned for their loyalty and devotion to their families, making them excellent companions for individuals and families alike. Despite their sturdy build, Lilac Merle English Bulldogs are gentle and friendly, making them ideal pets for children and other pets. Proper socialization, training, and regular exercise are essential to nurturing a well-rounded and well-behaved Lilac Merle English Bulldog. About Lucy Lucy loves life and has the best personality. She is going to make the best companion. Lucy is up to date on her age appropriate puppy vaccinations and vet checks to ensure that she is happy and healthy before venturing out into the world to make that journey home to her FUR-ever family. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Merle English Bulldogs have a rare coat pattern that features mottled patches of various colors depending on whether they are a blue merle, lilac merle, tri merle or black merle. The merle gene dilutes random sections of the coat to a lighter color whilst leaving patches of their original coat color remaining. It may also affect eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws. Despite the captivating look of a Merle English Bulldog, prospective owners should be aware that they are often a result of poor breeding practices and because of this may suffer from ocular and auditory defects. That is not to say that all Merle English Bulldogs are the result of poor breeding practices or that they will have these health issues but there is a higher risk than an ordinary English Bulldog. They are also not usually accepted by other English Bulldog breed clubs. They are disqualified from registration eligibility because merle is considered to be an undesirable and unrecognized coat color as it does not conform with breed standards. This is mainly because the merle gene does not naturally occur in the lineage and there are many health issues connected to the gene. Merle English Bulldog via roycee. Technically, Merle English Bulldogs are not purebred as the merle gene does not occur naturally for the breed. It was introduced by crossing a merle Great Dane, a breed that naturally carries the merle gene, with an English Bulldog. The merle gene was introduced into the breed many years and generations ago so Merle English Bulldogs only have a very small percentage of Great Dane genes in them and are mainly English Bulldogs. Merle English Bulldogs have been around for over a decade. Are Merle English Bulldogs Rare? The main reason why Merle English Bulldogs are rare is because breeders often avoid breeding the merle coat color. This is because it is much more complex breeding Merle English Bulldogs as breeders have to carefully track lineage to ensure healthy litters. Breeders cannot breed two Merle English Bulldogs together otherwise they will be Double Merles and may suffer from severe ocular defeats and auditory issues. Double Merles also are likely to have no coloring in their fur and often appear completely white. Merle English Bulldogs are so expensive because they are a rare and exotic looking coat color. There is high demand for them and there are not many available. The relatively low supply and high demand is the main reason for their exorbitant prices. Check out the adorable English Bulldog puppies that are currently available here! PuppySpot is a dog adoption website that connects breeders with prospective pet owners. They have a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills which is why they screen every breeder annually! They have placed over , puppies in homes and offer various trusted, USDA-certified transportation options to deliver your puppy to your home safely! Blue Merle English Bulldogs feature blue, grey, white and tan colors in their coat in a distinct mottled pattern. Usually most of their coat is grey and blue with smaller white and tan patches throughout it. Blue Merle English Bulldogs usually have black or grey noses with pink patches noses and can either have brown or blue eyes.

The litter is due to be born the beginning of October and then will be ready for beginning of December. This makes a happy, healthy well adjusted puppy. Warm regards, Patricia OMG.Miley's boys at 6 wks old Some one is camera shy!!! I LIKE food!!! LOVE that Golden smile!!! For those of you interested in this therapy dog program — check out their website angelonaleash. Each one leaves a pawprint on my heart…. Patricia Here's lookin' at you Handsome!!! We just LOVE them!!! Let's Go Play: 5 weeks old Yummmm.I have a new little Brother!!! New best friends! Can it get any cuter??? You Darling puppy!!! It was a pleasure meeting you all and I wish you lots of love, joy and laughter with your new family member. The pictures you see below are from our litters that have been adopted and gone off to their new homes. Each one leaves a paw print on our hearts! To our adoptive families…. .Please stay in touch. We love updates and pics! We wish you years of joy, love and laughter with your new family member. Please stay in touch; we love updates…. .We breed top quality pups of excellent health and temperment for wonderful, loving family pets. That is our goal and commitment to this awesome breed of dogs. They are calm, affectionate, playful, happy and eager to please. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon……. .Patricia — .Sponsor Meet Bella Requirements - Must have a secure fenced yard with direct access from home. No other dogs or pets. Applications will be reviewed from Chatham Kent, Sarnia and Windsor. Adoption Application can be found on our webpage - www. She loves being around people, and enjoys being brushed, cuddles, back scratches and tummy rubs are the best! Year of birth - She is a medium size girl and needs a home with a secure fenced yard and room to run. She will chase squirrels to keep them on the move. Bella loves walks and is quite good at listening to commands in the home or outside. She loves to take in all the sights and smells on her walks. She can be a puller so a specific type harness would be a good choice for her. We were told her former owner took her when jogging. She loves her foster family so much and can feel a bit anxious when she is alone at home. She is still working on her manners around other dogs. She is too much for small dogs and same for cats. She will chase so she is best to be the only furbaby in the home. Bells likes children who are respectful and when she had enough she will find a place to laydown probably right next to her human. She would do her best being the only furbaby. She is not a fan of car rides, although she does love music if she goes for a car ride. Bell is very smart, loving, loyal and fun. She will bring lots of joy to your days and sweet cuddles. A person with patience with Bella being anxious would be ideal. Together you can learn from each other and have a lifetime of love and happiness. Ideal situation for Bella is someone who works from home or works part time, newly retired and is very active. This is what this girl would call her dream come true. Please submit the online application if you feel you are the perfect adopter for Bella - www. The litter is due to be born the beginning of October and then will be ready for beginning of December. This makes a happy, healthy well adjusted puppy. Warm regards, Patricia OMG.Miley's boys at 6 wks old Some one is camera shy!!! I LIKE food!!! LOVE that Golden smile!!! For those of you interested in this therapy dog program — check out their website angelonaleash. Each one leaves a pawprint on my heart…. Patricia Here's lookin' at you Handsome!!! We just LOVE them!!! Let's Go Play: 5 weeks old Yummmm.I have a new little Brother!!! New best friends! Can it get any cuter??? You Darling puppy!!! It was a pleasure meeting you all and I wish you lots of love, joy and laughter with your new family member. The pictures you see below are from our litters that have been adopted and gone off to their new homes. Each one leaves a paw print on our hearts! To our adoptive families…. .Please stay in touch. We love updates and pics! We wish you years of joy, love and laughter with your new family member. Please stay in touch; we love updates…. .We breed top quality pups of excellent health and temperment for wonderful, loving family pets. That is our goal and commitment to this awesome breed of dogs. They are calm, affectionate, playful, happy and eager to please. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon……. .Patricia —

La Vergne, TN About We are a family oriented pet kennel, our objective is to produce the very best family dogs possible. We take pride in our puppies. Our kennels are cleaned everyday rain or shine. Our Waiting List: Our waiting list will guarantee your place in line for up to 2 years. You can request to be placed on our waiting list to reserve a puppy from any of our upcoming litters. Those on our waiting list will have first choice of puppies before they are advertised to the public. Once a deposit is placed your name will be added to the list. We will contact everyone on our waiting list once a litter is born in the order that the deposit is received. When we arrive at your name, you may pick a puppy or pass if there is not a puppy you are interested in. Please be advised that the deposit is good for 2 years, if not used in that 2 years then your deposit will be forfeited. We do not hold any puppy without a deposit. The deposit does come off the total purchase price of the puppy with the remaining balance due 1 week prior to pick up if paying with credit card or at pick up if paying with cash. We accept most credit cards. We do have financing for our puppies. We use Square Reader as a form of payments with credit cards and financing. A puppy pack that will include a starter pack of NuVet Supplements www. Lifetime breeder support, 1 month free insurance through AKC , access to our webpage that has massive amounts of educational material www. This page is where we keep in contact with all our fur families and would like you to join our group. We start all of our babies on Nu-Vet supplements.You can read all about it on our webpage under Nu-Vet Supplements at www. What is not included: All shipping charges to your location. All associated cost of preparing your puppy for shipping such as a health certificate and crate if shipping by air. Shipping can be handled through the airlines or ground. We prefer ground shipping over air. The shipper we use comes directly to your door. Airlines are not available in extremely hot or cold weather and you are charged a crate fee to fly them. You may also pick up your puppy at our kennel. All of our puppies are seen by a Licensed Veterinarian on or around the age of 6 weeks. We reserve the right to decline selling any of our puppies that we don't feel will fit in with your family. For the safety of our puppies and adults dogs, we will not be allowing anyone to come around the puppies until they are at least 7 weeks of age. This will help us to insure healthy puppies and mothers. Even though we have not experienced this at our Kennel, we are taking precautions. We hope that everyone understands our concerns. Parvo Virus: people can bring that virus in on their shoes, clothing and skin. Just about everywhere. This virus can wipe out a litter within hours. Puppies are very vulnerable to these kinds of diseases; their immune systems are developing and are unable to fight off this disease. Coccidia: Another disease that can wipe out a litter of puppies. It also can be carried in with shoes. But most of the time, puppies will ingest it by eating stool or breathing in the spores that are left on the ground. Stress on the mother: This could lead to inadequate milk supply for the puppies. Loose bowels and lack of appetite. We want the mother to care for her babies as long as she can, as she gives them the immunity that they need to fight off diseases, grow and get strong. We will be taking videos and pictures. We will try to post weekly, so that everyone whom is adopting one of our puppies can see them grow. I don't think this will cause an issue since most of your puppies are adopted out of state. Thank you for your understanding. Boxer puppies for sale Prescott, Arizona Boxer puppies for sale Prescott, Arizona Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Prescott Arizona? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. Boxer puppies for sale in Prescott AZ The Boxer dog breed slowly gained popularity throughout Europe in the late s. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Prescott for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. According to the Census, the city's population was 39, The city is the county seat of Yavapai County. Prescott again became the Territorial Capital in , until Phoenix became the capital in .Wiki Prescott Drop us a line! We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. If your Golden Retriever is like mine, they just want to play all day. It contains a mix of games that will mentally stimulate them, physically stimulate them, games with toys involved, and games with no equipment needed. Here are the best games to play with your Golden Retriever: Chase All puppies love chasing and being chased, so this is a fun way to tire them out. Treat Toss Treat toss is another way to get your puppy practice coming to you. This is a great game to play to pre-practice recall, get your pup some exercise, and have them learn that good things come from you. This game obviously requires lots of food, so instead of feeding your puppy their meal in a bowl, you could just play this game. To play this game, you and your partner each grab a handful of treats kibble will be fine for young puppies and sit across the room from each other. For more fun or more advanced dogs, there are a few ways to mix this game up. The other option is to take it outside. This is best with older puppies who are not so distracted and who are good at coming when called. We play this game with my 3-year-old Golden Retriever all the time in our backyard where we stand on opposite sides of the yard to get him some exercise. Want to potty train your Golden Retriever puppy fast? Click here to download the Potty Training Cheat Sheet! Tug Tug is a classic game that you can play with Goldens of any age. Once your pup learns how to drop it , you can mix in practicing other commands between sessions of tug. This makes it a great way to get physical and mental exercise, plus bond with them. The only equipment you need to play tug is a rope toy like this one from Amazon. We play fetch with tennis balls he likes the Penn tennis balls better than balls made for dogs or the West Paw Zogoflex Zwig stick. And if you want to make it easy to throw the tennis ball farther, you can get a Chuckit! Launcher to throw the ball like a major league outfielder. Open Sesame This is a fun game to mentally challenge your Golden Retriever puppy and teach them some impulse control. The first step is to grab a treat in your closed fist and hold it out to your pup. The moment they pull away, open your hand and give them the treat. This will teach them that patience, not pestering, will get them what they want. Getting a Golden Retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Airplane Game The Airplane Game is a great game to get your puppy to pay attention to you. To play this game, hold a treat in your hand. She might even jump , bark , or paw at you to get the treat. Immediately reward her for doing so. Muffin Game To play the Muffin Game, take a muffin tin and put treats in it. Then, put balls or other objects over the treats so your pup has to move them to get the treats. Oliver loves this game and this is another idea I got from Brain Training for Dogs. The only requirement is that they either know how to stay or you have a partner to hold them still while you hide. I usually have a few treats to give to Oliver when he finds me, but you could also have a tug toy to play with them as a reward. This game is great because it helps them practice stay and recall , as well as builds the bond with you two. You can also play this game with their toys where you hide one of their favorite toys in another room and they have to go find it. Wrestle Mania Wrestle Mania is what it sounds like — wrestling with your pup! Oliver and I wrestle a few times a week and he loves it. Building A Bond With Them Having a solid bond with your puppy will help them want to behave and obey you more — not to mention this is the whole reason you got a Golden Retriever! Playing games, having fun, and exercising with your pup are all ways to have a better relationship with them. When I was a kid, the only thing that motivated me to learn math was that I wanted to keep score of basketball games. Playing games like Open Sesame will help your pup with impulse control, the Airplane Game will help get them to focus on you, and tug interspersed with tricks and commands is a fun way to practice those behaviors. Have any questions about these games? Let me know down in the comments! Related articles:. To help you narrow your search, the Hounds Lounge pack has broken down the fun games to play with your pup into six different categories, including DIY games, games to make dogs smarter, indoor games, games to keep dogs fit, sense of smell games, and games for older dogs. Start reading now, and find the perfect dog games to play with your fur fam. To play the following games, you can use household items you already have on your paws! Start playing by dropping treats into each muffin cup, covering them with tennis balls, and handing the tin off to Fido! Once your woof has figured out how to reach the treats, you can up the ante by only putting a treat in some of the cups but covering them all with tennis balls. This game requires your dog to solve problems and flex their sniffer! Treat Burrito To cook up a treat burrito, all you need is a towel and some small treats! Lay the towel out flat, then scatter treats all over its surface. Roll the towel up slowly, keeping each treat in place, then serve up the burrito to your pooch. Cardboard Tube Treats Cardboard toilet paper and paper towel rolls can be repurposed into dog toys! One game option is to fill a cardboard tube with peanut butter, then give it to your woof to lick up. You can freeze the tube if you want to keep Fido occupied for longer! Another way to use cardboard tubes to play fun games with your dog is to arrange several tubes in a shoebox so that they all support each other and stand up straight. The tubes should all be roughly the same height. Your woof will thoroughly enjoy hunting down every bite. Snack Track Down This game can involve empty containers of any size, from shoeboxes to yogurt cups rinsed clean, of course. Place a few containers on the ground, with at least one hiding a smelly treat! Then, bring Fido in to sniff out the prize! When you first play this game, you might want to poke holes in the containers to make the treats easier to smell. As your pooch becomes a pro at this game, you can make it harder by adding more containers and spreading them out farther, with only one container hiding a treat! Fill the pool with balls, then sprinkle small treats on top. When your dog enters the pool to get their paws on the treats, the balls will shift, and the treats will move! This game — and most of the dog games to play above — is also a good option for feeding a fast eater. Hide-and-Seek To play hide-and-seek with your woof, have them sit and stay while you go find a hiding place. Treasure Hunt A treasure hunt is similar to hide-and-seek, except you will hide a smelly treat or toy rather than yourself! Tell your dog to sit and stay, then go hide the prize. If they know all these tricks, your pooch is sure to be at the top of their Doggie Daycare class. Stop and Go Some fun games to play with your pup can also reinforce training. Get Fido a little riled up and excited, then create some space between the two of you. Keep playing by repeating this routine a few times over! Stop and Go teaches your dog how to control himself, plus it strengthens his listening skills. A great way to teach them new words is to name their favorite toys, people, and activities. Below are great dog games to play for rainy days, late nights, and for folks who might not have a yard! Clean Up, Clean Up Looking for fun games to play with your pup that are also beneficial to you? Clean up is the clear winner! With this game, you teach your dog to literally clean up after themselves. Introduce a toy bin or laundry basket, and teach your dog to drop their toys inside. Snuffle mats require your dog to sniff out treats that are hidden in folds and pockets. This game is quiet and mess-free, making it perfect for playing with dogs in the great indoors! You can order a snuffle mat on Amazon, or you can easily make your own with a sink mat and strips of fleece from an old blanket! Clear some space and then use household items to design your course. Your woof could weave around stacks of books, shimmy under chairs, hop over blankets or jump through a hula hoop! Even indoors, an obstacle course offers great mental and physical stimulation. Staircase Run If you have stairs in your house or apartment, they offer fun and physical dog games to play! However, be careful not to run too fast, or you could take a tumble! After a few runs, your woof will be pooped out! Obedience Training If you and Fido will be inside together for a good chunk of time, why not work on some training? First, show your dog a toy or a treat, praise them as they are coming to you, then reward them. After a few repetitions, whenever your dog looks at you and starts to move towards you, add in your chosen verbal cue come, here, etc. Make sure to only add in the cue when you are confident your dog is moving towards you. You can slowly up the ante by asking your dog to come before showing them the treat. But, be sure to reward with a high-value treat like chicken, cheese, or beef liver, when they get to you. Also, try slowly adding distance within your low-distraction environment. With positive reinforcement and treats, learning can be fun — and even considered a game! Good training ensures that dogs listen to their owners and stay disciplined, even during fun times! Give your woof a workout with the games below. Tug-of-War Tug-of-War is a classic game, but did you know that the tugging and pulling is also great exercise for your dog? Typically using a rope toy, you and your dog can play tug-of-war inside or outside, and little space is needed. You want to challenge your woof but also allow them to win on occasion! This will teach your dog that they are not allowed to nip at you and, if they do, the fun is over. Fetch Fetch is another classic that burns some serious calories. If you also want to get some exercise while playing fetch, try out this tip from our blog, 8 Ways to Make Exercising with Your Dog More Fun : Take your dog for a normal round of fetch using a ball or their favorite toy. Repeat until you are both pooped! Play fetch with a tennis ball or other ball designed for retrieving. If you really want to get your dog excited, play fetch with a frisbee! Sprinkler Fun Sprinklers offer fun games to play with your pup and your kiddos! If you have little ones and furry ones in the family, playing in the sprinkler is a great way to keep everyone happy on a hot day. Set up your sprinkler where the grass is dry and show your pooch how to jump over the water! Impawtant Note: While your dog can get a sip of sprinkler water, you and the kids should stick to drinking water from inside the house. Get a soccer ball and teach your pooch how to nudge it with their snout. Eventually, try softly kicking the ball toward your pooch and see if they pass it back. If Fido masters passing, give him a shot at playing defense! Dribble the ball up to him, and see if he steals it from you. Before you know it, your woof will be a regular footballer! Chase Bubbles See how many bubbles your pooch can pop! Get a bottle of nontoxic bubbles for kids, and blow a few at a time in front of Fido. Pretty soon, your fur baby will be romping around bursting bubbles! From a classic bath to a spa treatment, your fur baby can get the services they need to look like a million bones. Therefurr, playing with dogs is extra fun when smells are involved! Check out these scent-focused dog games to play with Fido. Close your hands into loose fists, then present your dog with both hands. Your pooch will sniff around a bit, but they should ultimately linger on the hand with the treat, which you will then give them as a reward! To make the game more challenging, have a friend join in to double the pawsibilities! This game involves making Fido work for his food! Play this game by getting Fido distracted or tucking him away before preparing his meal. This is a great mental exercise and a chance for your dog to use his instincts! Stroll and Sniff Walks are a great way to allow your dog to exercise his nose — out and about, there are so many new scents to take in! You can turn a walk into a game by bringing along some small treats and pausing every now and then to drop a treat into a grassy area. Show your dog the treat before you toss it, and then give them a little time to track it down. Then, bring your dog around and show them where the trail starts, and watch them follow it to their reward! Once Fido has mastered short trails, you can create longer ones with more space between each treat. Bring several dog toys into an open area, either indoors or outdoors. Scatter them around the ground. Then, get your pooch and start playing with one of these toys. Both of you should make plenty of contact with the toy so that your scents will linger. The goal is for Fido to bring back the toy you were both just playing with. The dog games to play listed below are senior dog-friendly, as well as great options for dogs with joint problems, arthritis or other health concerns. Swimming If your older dog — or young dog — likes water, swimming is one of the grrreat games to play with dog. Cavaletti Course This game is a toned down version of an obstacle course, making it perfect for older dogs. Set it up by placing a few poles such as broomsticks about a foot apart. Then, slowly walk your pooch through the course while keeping them on a short leash. This is a good strength exercise, and you can make it more challenging by lifting the sticks one or two inches with crushed soda cans or pillows. Modified Fetch Fetch is a timeless dog game to play! You might consider rolling the ball on the ground instead of throwing it. Know when to wrap up fetch and move into nap time! Backward Walking Back it up, Fido! Backward walking is a fun game that helps your dog strengthen their rear legs and also improves balance and coordination. When you get close enough to him, Fido should take a step back, and you will reward him with a treat! Puzzle Dog Games to Play Puzzle games are grrreat dog games to play for any woofs, including seniors! Fun and Games with Furriends! Their furrst day of daycare is free! Make a reservation now at any of our locations. Even if you take your dog for long walks daily, boredom can still set in if they do not have an opportunity to activate their mind. In particular, Golden Retrievers need a job to do to keep their brain busy throughout the day. Without this type of interaction with the world, you just might find that your dog develops some behavior problems. Golden Retrievers need mental stimulation daily to prevent nuisance behaviors like barking or destructive chewing. These games help keep their minds sharp and prevent cognitive decline in old age. You can practice it with puzzle toys, nose work games, and by allowing them to explore the world. If you think that your Golden Retriever could benefit from some mental stimulation, here is everything you need to know. This breed is known for its helpful relationship with its owners. They are known to be excellent at hunting and fieldwork. Others are highly trained in specialized areas to help act as a sight for the blind or to track down individuals in search and rescue work. Golden Retrievers need a job to do to keep them happy and healthy. If you spend much time at all with a Golden Retriever, you are likely to notice that their brains and bodies are always busy. A dog who does not get enough activity each day is likely to show some disruptive behaviors like barking or destructive chewing. You must give these dogs a job or they will find one on their own. Mental stimulation gives your canine a job to do and relieves them from their boredom. As a result, they are less likely to seek out ways to alleviate their boredom on their own. A mentally exhausted dog is often a happier dog. A Golden Retriever needs a good bit of physical exercise each day to manage their energy levels. Many owners do not realize that mental exercise also plays a role in how tired your dog is at the end of the day. Mental stimulation can help them to feel more tired than just physical exercise like a walk around the neighborhood. A tired dog is a happy dog. Benefits of Mental Stimulation for Golden Retrievers Did you know that your dog can show a cognitive decline in its later years? As your Golden Retriever ages, there is a likelihood that they might start to go downhill mentally. They might have high anxiety, physical fatigue, and a decrease in social interaction. Some may even forget basic commands that do not get used regularly. Mental stimulation can help to prevent this type of steady decline when it comes to your pup. It activates parts of the brain that have gone dormant when dogs are left to their own devices. Games and other mentally stimulating activities can keep your dog feeling younger for longer. However, mental stimulation is good for dogs of all ages. Boredom can cause dogs to misbehave. If they are not given a task, chances are that they will start to look for one on their own. This is when your pup is likely to get into trouble. They might begin to chew on furniture, bark incessantly at the neighbors, or even have housebreaking accidents. Many of these behaviors are easily avoided if your dog feels that they have a job to do. Mental stimulation can also help occupy your dog while you are away. Some dogs may suffer from separation anxiety. However, their experience of this feeling can be lessened if they have something to occupy their attention in your absence. This is why it can be good to leave puzzle toys and simple games for your dog to do while you are away. Get ready to curb some of those bad behaviors and set your dog up for success with these twelve activities. Teach your Golden Retriever a New Skill Training your dog to learn a new skill is one way to activate their brain. This can be anything from basic obedience for young puppies to more advanced skills for older dogs. If your dog already knows a wide variety of skills, you can even start to apply them in new ways. For example, a dog who knows how to retrieve might learn to fetch items from around the home. For those who are unsure where to start with training, consider signing your pup up for a group obedience class at a local pet store. A trainer can help you understand the basic concepts of teaching your dog something new. When the class is over, you will have all the tools you need to teach your dog other skills that were not included in the class. Find It If your dog already has a basic stay command, ask him to do so in one room. Meanwhile, you will go to an adjacent room and hide some delicious snacks. Make sure to choose something that has a strong smell to it. Let him use his nose to seek out the treats that you hid. Puzzle Toys Maybe your Golden Retriever needs some mental stimulation, but you simply do not have time to spend with them today. The good news is that they can still get their brain moving even without you present. Purchase a Kong ball or some puzzle toys that they can play with, in your absence. Stuff them with high-value rewards that they will look forward to. For example, you can fill a Kong ball with peanut butter and then pop it in the freezer for a few hours. This will keep your dog busy for hours. Exploration on Walks Walking your dog daily is important to keep them tired and happy. However, you can also use this as an opportunity to exercise their mind. Once in a while, you can give them free rein to explore as you go. They can sniff and experience the world in a new way instead of just being held in a heel position. Working their mind out this way is important. However, you may want to teach your dog a command to release them from a heel position and let them know that exploration is okay. The question is, does he know them by name? Teach your dog distinct names for their favorite toys so that they know which ones to retrieve. You might teach them the difference between ball and rope, for example. If they have lots of toys, you might need to be creative with the simple names you assign to each one. Once they know the names of their toys, you can hide them and ask your dog to find or retrieve them. Agility Courses Most dog owners associate agility courses with physical exercise, but obstacles also teach your Golden Retriever to use their brain as well. They must figure out how to balance on the seesaw, weave in and out of the poles, and how to go over or under a set of hurdles. Agility courses can easily be made out of common household items or you can set up an elaborate course in your backyard. No matter what, this is one activity that is great for Golden Retrievers in both body and mind. Shell Game You have probably seen the shell game played on the street before, but have you ever played it with your retriever? Take two or three cups and hide a treat under one of them. Shuffle the cups around and then ask your dog to find the treat. This forces them to pay attention visually to where the treat goes while you are shuffling. They can even use their sense of smell to find the treat. You need to give them one if you want to keep their minds active and healthy. Teach them to hunt, get them involved in a sport like flyball, or take them for long hikes where they have to carry the pack. Anything, where they have some responsibility, can help to stimulate their mind. More Play Time A lot of dog owners leave their pups to their own devices during the day. However, interactive playtime can be very mentally rewarding for your Golden Retriever. You should be an active participant in the game you choose whether it is fetch or tug. Take Your Dog on Errands How often does your dog get out of the house? Besides his daily walks around the neighborhood, your pup does not have many opportunities to explore the world at large. You can stimulate their mind by taking them with you when you run your errands. Take them along when you go to fill up the tank, head through a car wash, or go to pick up dinner. Your dog will be excited to spend time with you! Buy New Toys for your Golden Retriever If your dog is already used to puzzle toys, you might have to freshen up their toy box from time to time. Once they learn the trick to securing their snacks, the game becomes a bit stale for them. Think of it this way: would you want to play with the same three toys over and over? Try blowing bubbles in the backyard for the little ones and the canine companions. Watch as everyone tries to chase and catch the bubbles. Your dog will love this game because there are endless opportunities to chase the bubbles, but they will never truly get to catch them at the end. Mentally Stimulating Your Golden Retriever No matter what game you choose to play with your pup, they will soak up all of your attention. These mentally stimulating games and activities will keep them happy and tired. After all, a tired dog is oftentimes a well-behaved dog. Because Golden Retrievers were bred for work, it is all the more important to make sure that they are mentally stimulated each and every day. Related Questions How much mental stimulation does a Golden Retriever need? Golden Retrievers should have about twenty to thirty minutes of mental stimulation every day. This is in addition to their daily walks or physical exercise. If you want to combine these tasks, consider teaching your dog games like flyball or agility. Are Kongs mentally stimulating? Yes, Kongs can be mentally stimulating for dogs if you pack them full of treats. For example, you can pack it full of peanut butter and then freeze it overnight. This will require your dog to work harder to get to those tasty morsels. How do I know if my dog is mentally stimulated? Dogs who are mentally stimulated are often better behaved. Dogs who bark, whine, and destroy things often need an outlet to channel their energy. Consider some of the activities on this list to curb some of these destructive behaviors. References Ellis, Nicole. Greenberg, Aurora. Helmer, Jodi. Hi, I'm the owner of Juniper Pets! You can often find me playing fetch with my dogs, working out or cooking up something legendary in the kitchen. Hope you enjoy my blog! Recent Posts. If you click on a link and choose to make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. Making sure your Golden Retriever gets plenty of exercise is vital to its health and well-being. Physical exercise ensures your Golden Retriever has healthy muscles and bones, that its heart and lungs get stronger, and it helps maintain a healthy weight. However, for your Golden Retriever to be well-balanced, it also needs mental stimulation and socialization. Boredom in dogs can often lead to destructive behaviors. So, what are some good activities for Golden Retrievers? Good activities for Golden Retrievers incorporate physical exercise and mental stimulation and should include training and socialization whenever possible. Physical activities help burn excess energy and maintain physical health, while mental-focused activities aid in cognitive skills and problem-solving. The game also works on recall skills as a bonus. Fetch is simple and cheap. You throw it an item such as a tennis ball, frisbee, or practically anything your dog can comfortably carry, and your Golden gets it and brings it back. Or, if the weather is lousy, you can play a shortened version in the house. The tug game is widely recommended by most science-based trainers and animal behaviorists. Begin by showing your dog a toy that they like and that is suitable for the dog. You may have to really wiggle it and shake it around if your dog has never played before. The goal is to get their interest peaked, and movement usually does it. Every game has its rules, and this applies to a game of tug too. Your dog cannot make contact with skin or clothes, and you decide when the fun begins and ends. Rules for us humans are that no aggressive pulling is allowed, nor is pulling aggressively up at steep angles or side to side. The tug of war game is an excellent way for your dog to learn and reinforce skills such as let go, sit, and go-play commands. The tug game can be combined with fetch as well. Teach your Golden to let go and ask for a sit. Mixing it up keeps it more exciting and mentally stimulating. Follow the Leader Follow the leader is a great training game that teaches your dog to follow you while having fun. If your Golden goes right, you go left; if your dog runs ahead of you, you slow down; if your Golden slows down or stops, you run. The rule is that he follows you. It can be a quick activity to start or end a play or training session, and it works well as an add-on to other activities. I usually like playing follow the leader before a fetch game. Puzzles and Games Many pet stores and online retailers carry puzzle games and lick mats, so if your budget affords it, these can be fantastic options to keep your dog mentally stimulated. Puzzle feeders can be used with your kibble, while lick mats work well with peanut butter, yogurt, or dehydrated foods such as beef liver treats. All dogs need mental stimulation, especially higher intelligent dogs such as the Golden. Many games engage a Goldens brain and include anything from hiding treats in toys to commercial puzzle games. Or we put a treat or two in a muffin tin, put tennis balls on each hole, and the goal is for our Golden to find the reward. Or create a foraging box. Keep some boxes in various sizes, such as cereal boxes. Sprinkle some treats in each box and then place the smaller box inside a bigger one and those inside an even bigger one. Your Golden has to use its nose to locate the treats and must figure out how to get the goodies out. Kong toys work well also. You can put some loose kibble in there for your Golden to locate, or you can soak the kibble, put it inside the Kong and freeze it for the next day. Your Golden will need to figure out how to get the tasty reward out. You can use make-shift pylons any object will do , use Hoola hoops, small jump obstacles like cardboard boxes, stairs, brooms, rolled-up blankets, and whatever you think of. Teach your Golden to run through the obstacle with you. Have your Golden run-around, over, and under the obstacles. Find a hiding space. Someplace where your dog cannot see you, but your Golden should still be able to hear your when you call. Once you find the right spot, say behind a curtain or door, call his name. Your Golden will find you pretty quickly unless you are a great hider , but they love seeking you out and finding you. Another variation is using treats. You can do this activity indoors or, if you have a yard, then outdoors. Use cheese, boiled chicken, apples, or any high-value treat your dog loves. You may have to show them the first few treats, so they get the hang of the game, but they catch on quickly. Bubble Game Cheap, fun, and no training is required. Great for kids as well. Get a bubble blower. Blow bubbles. Your Golden Retriever will chase the bubbles and jump up, snapping at bubbles to break them. Just make sure the bubbles are pet friendly yes, they make bubbles for dogs , and off you go. You can use a PVC pipe, an old fishing rod, or a sturdy stick think hockey stick, eh. Attach a long rope or string, and now add a furry toy, a rag, or a dog toy, and you have a flirt pole. The flirt pole is excellent for physical activity and mental stimulation. Your Golden has to run, jump, and anticipate changes of direction and plan for what will happen next. It also benefits those dogs with a more innate prey drive by stimulating that instinct. The rule is, though, you must let your Golden catch the lure or toy on occasion. It also prevents frustration. Not allowing a dog to catch its toy is teasing and can cause behavioral issues. Once your Golden catches the lure, now you can transition into a game of tug. All handy things for your Golden to learn. And, the teaching moment is all wrapped up nicely in a fun play activity. Just remember, dog training is supposed to be fun, so keep it that way. It can be fun and still accomplish the goal at the same time. The best teachers know how to do both. Or teach your Golden an invisible boundary, so it stays out of the kitchen or stays back from the door. Not only are these complex skills a great way to invigorate the mind, but it teaches skills that benefit both them and you. Activities That Require Classes Obedience Training Formal obedience classes are a wonderful activity and one that I consider essential. It combines socialization, mental stimulation, and training. Your Golden gets to meet new dogs and people, learn basic commands, and do all this in a distracting environment. Obedience classes ensure your Golden gets a great foundation of obedience and manners while simultaneously building and strengthening communication between your Golden and you. You each must learn to work together as a team. Hold up. Are you looking for a good online training program for your Golden Retriever? I recently wrote an article comparing some of the most popular online dog training systems. Canine sports classes are especially suited for dogs with high energy or dogs with very ingrained instinctual drives like herding dogs. Scent Work Scent work training is excellent for dogs. Scent work is also great for fearful and reactive dogs as it teaches them to focus and be confident. Nose work starts by teaching your dog how to seek out treats and toys, kind of like puzzle games and hide and seek. Then it expands and increases in difficulty to entire rooms, outdoor areas, and vehicles. Scent detection is actually a competitive canine activity. If you and your dog have an interest, then competitive events are an option. Doggie DayCare Doggie daycare is great for puppies and older dogs alike. Just like children need to play with other kids their age to get exercise, mental stimulation, and to learn how to socialize — your Golden is no different. So, you get a day to relax or run errands. It also helps teach your Golden Retriever to be away from you, which can reduce separation anxiety. If you work and have your Golden in there every day, then you know your pup is getting exercised along with plenty of social and mental stimulation. This a tired pup — physically and mentally. A shout-out to his best friend Milo for the fun times. Strictly Outdoor Activities Swimming For this one, you need a body of water. Golden Retrievers are bred to retrieve waterfowl from lakes, and their coats are designed for the water. Golden Retrievers are very well adapted to tolerate cold because of their double coats, and they dry off quickly. The result? Goldens are ideally suited to the water and love to swim. Body of water includes lakes or ponds, pools, and even slow-moving rivers or streams. If swimming is done in a pool, be mindful of pool chemicals and chlorine. Give your Golden a good rinse after a pool swim. Did you know that overbathing can be bad for a Golden Retriever? Dock Diving Of course, with this one, you need both a lake and a dock. Once your Golden is comfortable with the water, just run and jump off the dock. Chances are your Golden will follow. Dock diving incorporates swimming plus diving plus fetch all rolled in one. Make sure you put a life jacket on them, though. Kayaking and especially canoeing are easier for your Golden, but paddleboarding will take training for the both of you. These activities can involve swimming too if you decide to take a dip with your Golden sometimes that may be unavoidable. However, the real benefit is mental stimulation new sights, sounds, and smells and the time you spend together. Hiking Hiking is an excellent activity for people and dogs alike. It usually incorporates inclines depending on the terrain and offers a host of other sights and sounds for your dog. Not all trails allow dogs, so check in advance to be sure. And if the trails do allow dogs, then most will require that you keep them leashed. Keeping your Golden on a leash is a good idea anyway since if you lose your dog in a thick brush or a forest, you may never get them back. Also, you want to be mindful of any encounters with small animals like squirrels or porcupines or bigger critters like bears. Just keep them leashed to be safe. Rocky and ungroomed, jagged trails can cause issues with their paws, so be alert to the type of landscape on the hiking path. Make sure to bring water and snacks for you and your dog. Also, throw a small backpack on and take some essentials just in case. Bring a first aid kit along at a minimum. Remove any you find and be thorough. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are not unlike walking or hiking in that it gets your Golden Retriever outdoors and trotting beside you. Usually, groomed trails or shallow snow is best, or your Golden may have difficulty navigating itself through the snow. Bike Riding Biking can be an excellent exercise for you and your dog if you have a well-behaved and well-trained Golden. You want your dog to trot beside the bike, which means you need to keep the speed reasonable. It would be best if you had excellent control of your dog, so training your Golden gradually with the bike beforehand is a good idea. You should also wear a helmet. Be very mindful of temperature in the summer; your Golden can overheat quickly. Bring water and snacks for your dog. If your Golden falls behind, then it may be tiring. Turn around and walk your Golden back home. Yes, you can over-exercise a Golden Retriever. Walking During walks, your dog is exposed to the world outside his home. He gets to experience various sights, sounds, smells, and environments, which mentally engage him. Walking is the foundational exercise for all puppies and dogs, which is no different for Golden Retrievers. Walking should be the staple exercise for your dog throughout most of its life. Dogs love to walk, and walking helps bond your dog to you. You may find your dog wants to stop frequently and check things out. A solution is to mix up your walking sessions. One that focuses on fast walking for exercise and another where your Golden gets time to smell and investigate his environment. One is more physical, the other more mental. Both are social. Running Running is a great cardio workout for both humans and dogs. However, refrain from running with your Golden before 14 to 18 months of age due to developing joints, muscles, and bones and the impact of running on those. And be sure to get a thumbs up from your vet first. Every so often, stop and ask your Golden to sit or change directions and vary the terrain. Keep it fun and your dog guessing. If running in the summer, be cautious of not overheating your Golden, so stick to cooler mornings or evenings and bring water for the both of you. The article details the age they can start, how much they can run, how fast and how far, and much more. Check it out here: Need a Running Partner? How About Your Golden Retriever? Playtime is a perfect opportunity for you and your dog to bond. Luckily, there are several fun games that you can play with a Golden Retriever! As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to keep your pet active and entertained. Learning some of a Golden Retrievers favorite games will create many memorable moments for you and your furry friend. Read on and learn more about the games that Golden Retrievers like to play! This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! There are two ways to play this game. One way is where you hide, and your dog looks for you. Once they find you, make sure you praise and encourage them to do it again. Another way is to hide treats in interesting places and ask your dog to look for them. Since Golden Retrievers love treats, and they will work hard to ensure that they get them. The challenge of looking for the treats uses up some of the dogs excess energy, gives them a chance to exercise their body, and provides the mental stimulation a Golden needs. You can also play a version of hide and seek where you hide a dog treat in a puzzle toy like this one by Outward Hound on Amazon. Your Golden Retriever has to figure out how to get to the treat. Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! Note: Play Hide and Seek with treats in moderation since giving them too many extra treats will end up causing more harm than good. You can also try playing hide and seek with your dogs favorite toy instead. The game is fun, helps keep your dog active, and is a good way to teach them manners. This is a rope made of special material that will not hurt their teeth or have any harmful chemicals. Try the Mammoth Tug Rope found on Amazon. When playing tug of war, always remember that the game ends when the dog touches your hand with his mouth, so you should teach them this rule from the beginning. This helps ensure that the game remains safe since some dogs can get carried away when playing tug of war. Alternatively, a safer and very fun to watch way to play tug of war with your pooch is to set up a bungee out in the yard where your Golden Retriever can play the game all by himself. Watch how excited these two Goldens are to play with their new tug of war bungee. Like humans, dogs enjoy spending time in the water, especially on a hot afternoon. When teaching, use a doggy life jacket Amazon for safety. After your dog has learned how to swim, you can then have fun playing other Water Games, such as dock diving or swim racing. You can also bring along some of their toys and play a game of fetch in the water. You can play this game both indoors and outdoors. Also ensure that your Golden Retriever is running on a carpet. Otherwise, they are at risk of slipping and hurting themselves when running to get the toy, especially if the floor is slippery. For an outdoor game of fetch, the bouncier the dog toy the better. A Jolly Ball is a ball and a rope combined. This is a durable rubber toy that really bounces! The inside is hollow so it can be filled with peanut butter or dog treats for an added surprise. Clean Up Teaching Your Golden to Clean Up As its name suggests, Cleanup is where your dog will collect the toys that have scattered on the floor while you were playing. Imagine that! Though this may take time for them to get, Golden Retrievers are smart and will eventually be in a position to pickup and put away anything you ask him to. Pretty cool! You can improvise with items such as blankets, old furniture, or wrapping paper tubs, creating your own obstacle course. Use treats to lead your dog through it. This is a fun and an ideal exercise for your dog, especially if you are trying to help them lose weight. Here is a YouTube video to guide you on how to play some agility games: How to play games with agility training. Is it a sport or a game? To ensure safety in the game, make your Golden Retriever sits downstairs while you throw the treat onto the top landing. When your dog is coming downstairs, encourage them to run slowly to reduce the risk of injuries. Under, Over, and Through Golden Retriever Obstacle Course Teaching your dog to go under, over, and through objects is not only a good brain game, it is also good exercise for them. Use an item such as a chair and teach them to crawl under the legs of the chair as a response to the command you give them. You are also likely to bond better with your dog when they see you joining them. You can set up all sorts of obstacles to climb over, go around, and crawl under using items in your home. Cardio Twist Golden Retriever Slalom Game This game is often played in dog competitions, but you can play it at home as well. Set up poles using household items such as chairs or stools and have your dog weave between them. If you have other people in the game, they can also serve as poles. Weave between the poles and instruct your dog to follow you at your pace. Change your pace from fast to slow from time to time. Cardio twist is not only a great workout for you and your dog but it also helps them learn coordination. Golden Retriever slalom. You can also use pillows, chairs, people, anything really. Since dogs have a powerful sense of smell, you can make a game out of it. The follow your nose game is similar to hide-and-seek. You play it by hiding something yummy and smelly in a scent bag and instruct your Golden Retriever to look for it. Avoid hiding the bag in an obvious place. Hide it somewhere where your dog will have to put in the effort to get it, so as to challenge and stimulate them. This dog game is best played outdoors since there are many hiding spots, including underground. Golden Retrievers, young and old, love to chase bubbles out in the yard. You and your dog can have hours of fun with this one without requiring much effort on your part. An old dog will enjoy this game as much as a young dog will! This Golden Retriever loves her bubbles! Conclusion It is impossible to exhaust the list of games to play with your Golden Retriever. But whenever you have a chance, entertain and bond with them by joining them in the games listed above. And remember that safety comes first, so always ensure that your playing area is safe to avoid any risk of injuries for you and your Golden Retriever. The Three Cup Game 1. As golden retriever likes to chase you can make your own chase toy by attaching a toy to the end of a rope and tying it onto a stick you can wave around for your dog to chase. You can also make your own puzzle toy with a muffin tin, some tennis balls and a few treats. Stairway dash If you have a stairway, make it a game to run up it and burn some serious energy. To get the most exercise from this game with the least risk to your dog's joints, start at the bottom of the stairs. Put your retriever in a sit-stay and throw the toy up to the top landing. Make it more exciting by keeping your dog in a stay while creating a buildup, such as saying "Reeady…. Let your dog come back down the stairs at his own pace, encouraging a slower return since it's the downhill climb that risks injury. After 10 or so repetitions of this, golden retriever will be totally tuckered out. Agility Training Golden retrievers tend to enjoy doing dog agility training and are a good way to keep your pooch occupied in every way possible, both their body and mind. And the best part is this can be done in your backyard. Set up items like tables and hula hoops and get your retriever to go around, under, or over them. You can even work on balancing on top of smaller items. It helps you to build a bond with your golden as you work together towards a common goal. Many dogs can be trained to get comfortable on a treadmill. Start off by simply having them in the same room as the machine while it is on so they can get used to the sounds and sights. You can then turn off the treadmill, get them to stand on it, and give them a treat. After they seem comfortable, turn it on at a very low speed and encourage them to stay on with treats. If they have problems getting used to it, try standing in the front of the treadmill and giving them the occasional treat for motivation. Remember to always supervise your dog when they are on a treadmill and never tie them to it. Hiding Treats All dogs love treats and you can take advantage of this to give your golden retriever some exercise. Take some of their favorite treats and hide them around your home in various places. Consider putting them underneath rugs, behind chairs, under tables, or behind doors. Your dog is likely to get exhausted looking for the treats and get a great workout in the process. Just remember to restrict yourself to a reasonable number of treats. Giving them too many can make them sick or defeat the point of exercising by leading to weight gain. Under, over and through Training your dog to perform new tricks like high-fives or lying down is great mental exercise. However, training them to do tricks that require physical skill exercises both mind and body, making teaching certain tricks perfect for pooping out the pooch when inside on a rainy day. One of the things you can do with your dog to get started is training him to go under, over and through objects. Set up an item like a kitchen chair, a step stool, or some other sturdy object on legs. Next, teach your dog how to crawl under the object and stay there, crawl all the way through the object, walk around the object, and how to jump over it entirely. The Three Cup Game Another great nose work starter game. Get out 3 cups and line them up in a row in front of your dog. To start put a treat under one of the cups while your dog is watching, give him the OK to show you which one is the right cup. Once your dog seems to get the hang of it you can make it more challenging by mixing the cups around after you place the treat. More Training. Read articles about:Dog Activities 5 Games to Play With Your Dog One of the best parts of being a dog owner is finding fun and constructive games for dogs. Engaging in physically and mentally stimulating exercise with your dog is a great way to keep them healthy. It also strengthens your bond. All you need is a yard, park or field, a tennis ball or frisbee and an enthusiastic dog to have some fun. Fetch is an excellent game for energetic dogs. It provides plenty of physical exercise while helping them fulfill their instinct to run. It can also keep your dog mentally engaged and challenged by trying different objects for him to run after. For example, a frisbee may be a bit trickier to catch yet more fun to snag in midair. Try adjusting the height, distance and direction of your throws to keep your dog interested. Tug of War Another classic game most dogs love is playing tug of war. Great for both indoor or outdoor play, tug of war is fun and engaging for your dog. Plus, all that pulling and tugging is a good source of physical exercise. Only pull gently for a few seconds at a time. If they seem too little, explore other play activities. Try using a rope, or a dog toy made from soft rubber. If your dog has a history of back and neck injuries, try another activity until talking with your veterinarian. This dog enrichment game is a fun way for them to exercise their problem-solving skills. This game uses a flirt pole. A flirt pole is a long pole or stick with a rope attached to one end. You can either purchase a flirt pole or make one with a little bit of DIY. Tie a toy to the rope of the flirt pole and drag it slowly, occasionally stopping as your dog gets ready to pounce. Agility training is the ultimate mental and physical stimulation for dogs. It will help your dog burn off excess energy and help tire them out for a long nap or a restful night of sleep. Set up an obstacle course in a yard or park with objects from around the house. You can use boxes to jump over, cones for them to weave between and anything else that comes to mind. If you have a hula hoop, teach them to jump through it and, of course, reward them with treats as they make progress. Avoid Overstimulation There are lots of games to play with dogs both inside and outside. This leaves your dog excited for their next play session rather than exhausted and discouraged. Find out more tips and insights on dog ownership from our experts on our Pet Expertise page. Related articles. Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube Channel as I am going to be showing you some of the things I use to build a small course in my tiny yard. I will also show you how I teach my 6-month-old Lab to navigate it. Biking Biking is an all-out endurance effort for your dog. I like biking with my dog because it ramps up his cardiovascular response and gives him a great workout without killing me. Be careful with these because you will have a problem if you have a pound Lab tied to your bike and that dog decides to take after a cat. Running This is another oldie but a goodie when it comes to exercising your dog. You might not consider this a game, but if you change up your route enough, your dog will love the change in scenery. More important than what your dog sees is what he will smell. Keep in mind that your dog can run much farther than you can. So, unless you are training for a marathon, a typical run might not be enough exercise for your Retriever. Everyone gets stuck in traffic or caught in a last-minute meeting at the end of the day. These treats can be great at the last minute or, with a little preparation, they can be even better. If something unexpected comes up and you cannot get to your planned activity with your dog, then fill one of these with treats and let your dog wrestle with it for a while. Something sticky inside like peanut butter will really force your Lab or Golden to work even harder. You want the food to just be on the point of soggy without turning into mush. Now, fill the KONG treat with your soggy food and freeze it. When you get home, pull out the treat and set it out for your dog. He will work on that treat for 20 to 30 minutes trying to get the frozen food out. Adventure Hikes When you take your dog to a new field you will watch him cover at least 4 times the territory that you do sniffing and marking and learning. So, if you take a nice 1-mile-hike in a new field, your dog will likely cover 3 to 4 miles. In addition to the great physical workout, your Retriever will also be using his mind trying to figure out what he is smelling. Your dog will access long-term memory banks to see if he has ever smelled these things before. Bubbles, Bubbles, and More Bubbles Have you seen these bubble guns? They make my kids go bonkers—mostly the 2-year-old and the 5-year-old. Well, your dog is likely to enjoy chasing these wisps on the wind just as much as your children. My daughter and Odin playing with the bubble maker Get one of these guns and set yourself on one side of the yard hopefully with a crosswind and then fire away. Your Retriever will chase the bubbles and then wonder where it went after chomping down. This is almost always good for a couple of Instagram or Snap Chat posts. To make one of these great tools, get a 5-foot stick or an old fishing pole and tie a rope to the end of it. Hold the toy still on the ground until your dog approaches it. Just before he launches himself for the toy, pull it out of his reach. This will really rev him up. When he gets closer, move it again. After a couple of times, you will probably see your dog go into stealth mode. Crouching and creeping. Odin and me, just playing with a flirt pole that I made out of the Christmas light stick. His mind is going to be racing with ways to get this silly toy. It is an excellent game for both physical and mental stimulation. I like this game because it does not require a lot of me physically. For the most part, I can stand in one place and give my dog a real mental puzzle. Once your dog has those commands down pat, then you are ready to play. It also helps if your dog knows some hand signals for those commands as well. Take your dog to one side of your yard and put him in a sitting position. Then walk 10 or 15 yards away, but make sure your dog can still see you. Hold your arms out wide to your pup. If he is familiar with the hand signal, he should run towards you. Now, in the middle of his run, hold up the hand and give him the STAY command. Hopefully, your Retriever stops in his tracks. Give him the hand signal or the voice command SIT. Repeat the process until your dog reaches you. You should have some kind of a treat in your pocket to reward him for being so obedient and focused. Note: You might need to teach this activity in pieces and start with shorter distances. The mental side of this activity is fantastic. Your dog will have to focus intently on you and your commands. It will require serious self-control and it is important that every dog practice self-control on a regular basis. I doubt the chef in your house is going to want you using the one out of the cupboards. You also want several tennis balls and a smelling treat for your dog. Put the treat in one of the muffin tins and then cover it with a tennis ball. Put several more tennis balls in the other muffin places. This is another one of those activities that will use the mental aspect more so than the physical. It is a great option when you are forced indoors with weather that is either too hot or too cold. Puzzle Games If you are looking to purchase something already to engage your dog, think about one of the following puzzle games from Amazon or Chewy.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Is there anything cuter than a two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy? At eight weeks old, they are absolutely, impossibly, unbearably adorable! At two months old, a Golden Retriever is ready to leave their mother and littermates to join their new family. Some breeders will keep a puppy for a couple more weeks before sending them home, but eight weeks is very typical. Puppies at this age are usually playful and curious, with brains like little sponges. This usually only lasts a day or two, and then their true personality will shine through! They are in the prime socialization window here, which is the time between three and sixteen weeks when puppies are most open to learning about the world. Proper socialization can help you buffer against potential behavior issues as your pup matures, and teaches them how to feel and act in different situations and environments. It helps them feel confident and self-assured. A two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy is constantly learning! Make sure your puppy is learning that they are safe and that they can trust you both at home and out in the world. A fear period is a temporary span of time where a puppy may be more sensitive to things like strange people, strange dogs, inanimate objects, sounds, etc. It usually lasts about a week and you may notice your puppy showing signs of fear such as cowering, running away, growling, or barking. It can be a little scary as the owner of a puppy to see them acting this way. The good thing is that a fear period is short-lived and will pass. If they are concerned about something or someone, help them get more distance so they can observe the thing while feeling safe. They have a lot of needs and are totally dependent on you to meet those needs. Be patient as you help them learn how to live in our human world, and you can develop a strong, positive bond with your new companion. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! This is heavily influenced by genetics, but is not always the best indicator of their adult weight. Some lines of Goldens are bigger or smaller than average, so puppy size will reflect that. Your vet can help you make sure that your puppy is at an appropriate weight if you have any concerns. Eight-week-old Golden Retrievers need around 18 hours of sleep each day. Oftentimes, a puppy that is wild and bitey is in fact overly tired and in need of a nap. It may seem like they need more exercise to drain that crazy energy, but they actually need sleep. Using crates and pens can help ensure that your puppy is getting enough sleep at night and throughout the day. Many two-month-old Goldens are not good at putting themselves down for a nap, even when they really need it. So, you may need to step in and help your puppy settle in for some sleep. Make sure that their crate or pen is nice and comfy before you put them in for a nap, so they are more able to relax and fall asleep. Every puppy is different, so yours may prefer a nice cushy bed , or they may actually like laying on the bare floor. You can take note of what kinds of surfaces your puppy lays on around the house and then recreate that in the crate or pen. Covering the crate or pen with a blanket can also help make sleep easier for a two-month-old puppy, as it cuts down on the visual stimulation. Products like Adaptil spray or diffuser , and the Snuggle Puppy toy can also help a puppy settle in for sleep. Chewing and licking are naturally calming behaviors for puppies, so it can also help if you offer something like a stuffed kong , which can assist in transitioning the puppy from awake to asleep. Playing Classical music can also help a puppy feel more calm and able to sleep. At this age, most two-month-old puppies are ready for sleep after about an hour of awake time, so by following these tips, you can help make sure your puppy is getting enough quality rest. Instead, you can give them a break and see if they choose to get up, or simply scoop them up and walk home. Sometimes people get a Golden Retriever to be a running or biking companion, which can be a great thing when the pup is a fully grown adult, but is too much exercise for a young puppy. Playing with toys in the house or in the yard can be a great way for young pups to burn some of that puppy energy. If you have a yard, letting your pup safely explore and run around outside can also be a nice way to get in some exercise. You may also find that your puppy needs more sleep on some days, and on other days, they need more playtime and exercise. Golden Retrievers as a breed can also vary a lot in terms of exercise needs. Some are pretty laid back and chill and others are up for anything and want to go hard. These differences can be reflected in how much energy your puppy has, as well as in what kind and how much exercise your puppy needs. Training is an excellent way to build a positive bond with your puppy and create a way to communicate with each other. Group puppy classes can be a good option for getting started with training, as the trainer will help you learn how to train your pup. You can also hire a certified, professional trainer to come to your home and provide personalized training guidance for you and your puppy. Before you sign up with any trainer, be sure to ask them what kind of training methods and tools they use, to avoid causing any physical or mental distress for your puppy. Potty training is definitely a top priority for two-month-old puppies. They have small bladders and bowels and will need frequent trips outside to help them learn appropriate potty behavior. Crate training can also be started at this age, as learning how to be okay with confinement is an important life skill. Eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppies eat about a half cup of food three times per day. There is no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to feeding your two-month-old Golden. Puppies at this age need more frequent meals than adult Goldens, so three meals a day is recommended. Because two-month-old Goldens are undergoing so much growth at this stage, feed them high-quality food that can support them as they mature. Most Goldens have big appetites and will happily gobble down their meals when you serve them. Using slow feeder bowls like this bowl on Amazon , or other food dispensing toys, such as the Planet Dog Snoop , can help slow down their eating and provide them some mental stimulation while they eat. Puppies like to put things in their mouth as a way to learn and play. Unfortunately, it can be pretty painful for humans, as those puppy teeth are needle-sharp! There are, however, some things you can do to minimize and deal with the biting. First, ensure that your two-month-old Golden is getting enough sleep. Overly tired puppies tend to get super bitey and frenzied, so naps are key to preventing your puppy from turning into a piranha. Your floor might look a little cluttered, but it helps to keep toys within reach for a quick redirection. Third, you can simply give the puppy a break if they are on a biting spree. You could step on the other side of a baby gate or put them in their pen to calm down a bit, and then resume the play. This communicates to the puppy that when they bite, they lose access to you and the fun stops. A common piece of advice when dealing with puppy biting is to yelp in response to their nip, as if you were another dog. This is actually not a good way to handle puppy biting and can actually make it worse. Other puppies will be further excited by the yelp sound and come at you with even more intensity, resulting in harder bites. Good Beginnings Bringing a two-month-old Golden Retriever home is a very exciting thing. It can also feel pretty overwhelming as you figure out how to care for and train them. You might be sleep-deprived and have a couple scratches on your hand from those sharp puppy teeth, but try to keep in mind that this is the beginning of a special relationship with an incredible animal. Focus on bonding with your puppy, teaching them about the world, and creating good habits from the start. Have any questions about raising eight-week-old golden retrievers? Let me know down in the comments! Read the rest of our Golden Retriever puppy series here:. We are overjoyed for you! Golden Retrievers are one of the most friendly and loving breeds…and lucky for you, one of the easiest to train. Golden Retrievers require a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid going about on their own or becoming frustrated. Their love for food is infinite. Prerequisites for training my Golden Retriever puppy? What age can I start to train my Golden Retriever puppy? Sounds like a good deal! We can only hope. What do I need to train my Golden Retriever? Say bye to that sticky, meaty feeling in your fingertips. A piece of non-slip vet bed or a soft mat: For a cozy bed, warm nights, and good dreams. Treats: The more smelly, the better. Two identical toys : Great for swaps! The name says it all…your Golden Retriever puppy will love retrieving, so identical toys will be great for all the games we have in store for you in the Zigzag Puppy training app. Of course, Golden Retrievers grow to be big dogs. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? A golden retriever needs 2 hours of exercise a day. What age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? Golden Retrievers reach adulthood at 3 years of age and are seniors by 8 years old. Though their height has been reached, their weight will still fill out and they will continue to mentally mature. What are Golden Retrievers bred for? Distinctly British, the 1st Baron of Tweedmouth developed the breed crossing his golden colored retrieving dog Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel — these look similar to Irish Water Spaniels. The cross resulted in a dog that was comfortable being on land and water kind of like crocodiles , and robust enough to hunt goose, partridge and even deer. Do Golden Retrievers make good family pets? In fact, Golden Retrievers are one of the most loved dog breeds in the UK. The Kennel Club has a lot more good information and info about them. What does this have to do with how I train my Golden Retriever puppy? But there is a logic as to why knowing the context might help you train your Golden Retriever better: Golden Retrievers love to work. Commonly employed as Guide Dogs, they love having a job to do, which means they will adore training. Anyhow, they will be a breeze to train. They will also do almost anything for your soft words and approval — your praise will work just as well as treats. Because they are so gentle, they are a great fit for families with a variety of lifestyles and ages. They need a good amount of exercise; mental as well as physical. Let us rephrase — a hefty amount of exercise. Besides you and food, being in water is what they love the most! They have a very strong sense of smell, so retrieving or scent work games tend to be the biggest treat for most. Golden Retrievers are the social butterflies of dogs. They love most people, and are not discreet in showing it. You know how us Brits can be about politeness. That being said, make sure you also teach them the wonders of giving things up. It can lead to great things! But it can also be less helpful when they give you a love bite on your arm — give them a toy to carry instead. Shift to some play, and revisit training later — we want training to be associated with fun, and not something they begin to dread. How much does an 8-week-old Golden Retriever sleep? How much exercise does your 2-month-old Golden Retriever need? Eight weeks is typically when breeders allow puppies to be taken to their new homes, but some breeders keep them for a couple of extra weeks. This shy, sleepy puppy will eventually get more comfortable with its new environment and come out of its shell in a couple of days. Socialization is important for eight-week-old golden pups. Getting your pup used to these things is a good way to avoid potential behavioral issues as the puppy matures because it allows them to learn how to feel and react to various stimuli and leaves you with a confident, well-adjusted pup. You need to reinforce the idea that your puppy is safe and gain their trust during this time period. During this time, pups will be a little more fearful of things like strangers, sounds, and certain objects. It will pass, and usually only lasts a week or so. It can be a little scary or discouraging for the owner of a golden puppy to see them go through this fear period, especially if they start exhibiting fear towards people. Goldens are known to be such friendly and social dogs, so watching them exhibit such antisocial traits can be off-putting. You can still get them outside and introduce them to new things, just remain mindful of their feelings. You need to be patient with an eight-week-old puppy. These adorable balls of energy and fluff are completely dependent on you to meet their needs and there are a LOT of needs! Check out our article on the Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers so you can meet their hygiene needs! You need to be patient with them so that you can not only bond with your new pup, but also help him grow and learn about the world around him. Sometimes the puppy that was the smallest puppy in the litter can grow and quickly become the largest. And the largest puppy of the litter may not always remain the largest. As a breed, Golden Retrievers vary in size and weight. So you should enjoy that before they grow too big to pick up and cuddle! You may be surprised to learn that 8-week-old Golden puppies require about 18 hours of sleep a day. This may seem counter-intuitive because most people would assume that if a puppy is full of energy it needs to run it off, but in all actuality what they really need is sleep. You should use either pens or crates to make sure that your pup gets the optimal amount of sleep both through the night and during the day. Here are some things you can do to help your puppy nap: Adorn their crate or pen with comfortable blankets or pillows. Learn whether your pup likes to sleep on a bed or on the floor, then set their crate or pen up accordingly. Cover the crate or pen using a blanket or towel so that their visual stimulation is limited. You can use aromatherapy products for dogs to lull your pup to sleep. Get your puppy something like a stuffed Kong toy because licking and chewing are relaxing to pups. Classical or calming music can help your puppy get to sleep. You can expect that your pup should be ready for a nap after being awake for around an hour. So, you can get him to sleep easier using these tips. An 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy is largely able to know how much exercise it needs all on its own. What you should do instead is either pick them up and take them home or give them a break and see if they get a second wind. Golden Retrievers excel at playing fetch, but you need to keep games short. The running and then suddenly stopping to pick the ball or toy up and bring it back is hard on their tiny bones. People often adopt Golden Retrievers with the intent of getting a companion to exercise with running, hiking, biking, etc. Allowing your puppy to play with toys in your yard or house can be a good, safe way for your puppy to exercise. Having a yard is ideal because you can let your pup run around the yard and explore, while also burning off some excess energy. Just make sure you choose a short, easy walk that your puppy can handle. However, some days they have more energy than others, which is normal. Every Golden Retriever has varying exercise needs. Some are pretty chill and would rather lay around, while others are really hyper and active. You need to know that positive reinforcement works best for Golden Retrievers. You should avoid any sort of training that is based on punishment. There are also other training methods that can be beneficial to your pup. Group training is a good way to get your pup acquainted with other dogs and learn alongside them, while the trainer provides you with ways to better train your pup. You also have the option to hire a professional dog trainer, who will come to your house and give you customized tips to train your puppy. Before hiring any sort of trainer, ask them about the methods they use to avoid distress for puppies. They need to learn about confinement early on. Another important thing to teach your pup is their name, and to come to you when you call them. The bond with your pup is vital to any other training you do with them. For more about the training process, check out our article about Golden Retriever Puppy Training. Hey, food is good, okay? Most 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppies should be eating around half a cup of food three times a day. So, talk to your vet for a specific amount. They need high-quality puppy food. For more about what to feed your pup, check out our article about the Best Puppy Food for Golden Retrievers. Your golden puppy will probably quickly devour any food you place in front of them. It can be a good idea to buy a slow feeder bowl or toys that dispense food to slow them down a bit while also giving them some mental stimulation and making mealtime fun. Just as infants put things in their mouths, puppies do too. They do this to both plays and learn about their world. This can really suck for humans because puppies have sharp little teeth that feel like needles. The good news is that you can do some things to cut back on the biting and learn to deal with it. The first thing right off the bat you should do is to make sure your puppy is getting enough sleep. Secondly, scatter chew toys all over your house. Third, give your puppy a break if they start biting. This is as easy as going on the other side of their gate or putting them in their crate. This lets your pup know that when they start biting, the play stops, and access to you is denied. Many people suggest yelping and making loud noises when your puppy bites. But this is actually pretty counter-productive because it can make the situation worse by scaring the puppy. Other puppies can get more excited by the noise and bite harder. Biting is just something that puppies at this age do. However, remember that getting through this trying time is going to help you establish a lifelong bond with your new family member. Golden Retriever puppies are easy to train to basic or advanced obedience standards. They enjoy physical activity and have many favorable traits as a gundog bred to retrieve downed game birds. They are friendly and gentle and often train as assistance or detection dogs due to their easy trainability. Apart from starting training while young, other breed-specific reasons make training a Golden Retriever puppy easy. Here are three examples: Golden Retrievers are among the smartest dog breeds. In his book, The Intelligence of Dogs , canine psychologist Stanley Coren ranks Goldens fourth of the brightest working dogs. So, even at just two months old, your puppy has it in his genes to learn and execute commands. To perform their original hunting job of retrieving felled ducks and other game birds in the Scottish marshland, Golden Retrievers had to be watchful, eager, and energetic. These are primary learning attributes. Golden Retrievers also have advanced skills as gundogs. They also have to excel at obedience. These are core training requirements that make your Golden Retriever easy to train. To succeed in your training mission, however, there are specific principles you need to follow. Read about these key training standards in the next section. Key Principles of Golden Retriever Puppy Training The purpose of any dog training is to have behavioral skills mastered. I explain these training requirements in my 10 key principles of successful Golden Retriever puppy training. However, they also have to handle grooming, making them feel uncomfortable. Your Golden Retriever can learn to manage this uneasiness if exposed to handling when young. In one study, puppies subjected to early gentling behaved more calmly at 8 weeks old than puppies not experiencing early handling. You can continue to hold your pup gently as soon as you arrive home. Teach Name Recognition How does your Golden Retriever puppy know you are talking to him if you only make commands? It would be best to teach him his name as this is the foundation for his future training. Say his name first, then give the command. That way, your pup knows to answer when you call. Assert Yourself as the Alpha Leader In dog training, your Golden Retriever must know that you are the boss from the start. Set rules and boundaries, and be consistent and fair. He will respect you as being top of the hierarchy. Never mistake being the alpha with punishment. It will only cause resentment. An alpha leader is calm and assertive, teaches his dog to be happily submissive, and approves of the behavior. Rewards reinforce the behavior, and you can use treats, a favorite toy, or activity, in conjunction with lots of verbal praise. Only Give a Command Once When it comes to training, you reap what you sow! Teach your pup to heed a command the first time you say it. Then make lots of eye contact. Repeat until he learns to obey the first time you give the cue. Dogs have poor short-term memory and will typically forget an experience in 2 minutes, as discovered in this experiment. However, dogs can recall your training commands through associative memory, which means they remember based on associations and not memories. For example, if you put your shoes on and grab your car keys, your Golden Retriever knows you are going out. Once your puppy has corrected his undesirable behavior with the required behavior, reward him with a high-value treat and heaps of praise. Other unacceptable confrontational methods include growling at your dog, forcefully removing an object from the mouth, withdrawing food, staring, using a shock collar, or tying your dog for hours. Your dog needs to have consistency, which means everyone else in the household. Dogs need simple training instructions, and everyone should also use the same verbal and non-verbal cues. Perform the same basic commands every day. At this young age, ten minute sessions are far better than a ten-minute session. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when he has repeatedly performed the desired behavior and mastered it, including in different locations and with various distractions. With these ten principles, you can now apply them to the essential areas that you need to train your 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy in first. How to Socialize a Golden Retriever Puppy Dogs are social creatures, especially the Golden Retriever, who is super friendly, good-natured, and loves to be around you. To socialize a Golden Retriever, expose him to many different experiences, places, and situations. Include noises, smells, other people, children, babies, animals, cars, bicycles, objects, the weather, etc. Early socializing and training your Golden Retriever plays a significant role in developing adult dogs, as found in this exciting study. Check out these two important findings: Dogs socialized well as puppies are less likely to display unwanted behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. Socialized dogs are more likely to engage in positive social behaviors with humans. They also learn better how to play games, helping them establish a real bond with their owners. Socialization will make your puppy feel confident around people and teach him to engage in his new world happily. You can teach your Golden Retriever social skills and confidence through intentional training moments in the family. My best tips: Take one step at a time. Use positive reinforcement. I often get asked whether you can socialize your puppy before his final vaccinations. Take him to non-doggy places or carry him where necessary. To potty train an 8-week-old Golden Retriever, create a separate area where you want your puppy to go, establish a routine, and start with hourly potty breaks. Supervise your puppy at all times, learn to spot the signs, and never punish him after an accident. Give lots of rewards and praise when he goes. Many new dog owners fall for this — your puppy has to learn to tell you he needs the toilet. Make sure you take your puppy outside often enough. Stick to your schedule! It is a gradual process for him to grasp this. It may take a few weeks to master potty training, not days! Usually, puppies will need to go early in the morning, after a meal, and after a play session. Use their natural rhythm for daily poop walks. Dogs hate messing in their sleeping area, and most will usually hold it. Walk your Golden after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to allow him to poop. Do the same in the evening. Puppies need to be allowed to relieve themselves every hour, and a short walk every hours is an ideal routine. If you crate your puppy when going out, get friends or family to help you stick to your routine. Repeating this routine for the first few days will give your new pup a pretty good idea of your expectations. To crate train a Golden Retriever puppy, get him used to the crate by letting him explore it. When he is happy to go in and out freely, introduce treats or feed inside, and close the door; that way, he associates nice things with his crate. Gradually increase the time he spends inside with the door closed. Here are seven fundamental principles when crate-training your Golden Retriever: Let your puppy sleep in the crate at night. Initiate crate training on the very first day. It will be harder to succeed if he gets accustomed to other sleeping arrangements! My puppy cried during the early hours of the first night, but then, she was just fine. A rough guideline for puppies to be left alone in a crate is one hour for each month of age, up to four hours. Keep your puppy in the crate when unsupervised. It only sends a message that he can get his way. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate, i. He will quickly associate that being quiet leads to positive things. He will quickly learn that this is his particular spot. Interesting toys and comfy bedding will offer some solace for your Golden Retriever. Dogs are denning animals, so they often go underneath tables or desks. Instead, buy a crate with an adjustable divider that allows him to grow into it. My favorite is the MidWest Homes for Pets Dog iCrate from Amazon, as it has everything you need, including a divider and a handy removable wipe-clean plastic pan. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel check price on Amazon are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog. This one is also airline adaptable and meets most airline cargo specifications. This sends a message that the bite hurts. Persist by leaving your hand in his mouth to prevent chase drive until he releases. Then, give praise and redirect the biting with a chew toy. When your puppy gets the hang of repeatedly letting go, and his bite becomes softer, this is a good sign that he is beginning to learn his bite inhibition. Helping a dog learn to curb the force of his bite is necessary to living with humans. All puppies need to master this technique that they initially began learning from their mother and siblings. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Training your Golden Retriever puppy soft bite must be done in puppyhood as an adolescent dog will not be able to adjust the force of his jaws when he has adult teeth and jaw muscles. Remember to have realistic expectations, as it can take your puppy weeks to learn his bite inhibition. Teach a leash cue, and start very short walks. Reward with a treat and praise. You can do this by letting him wear them inside the house or yard for a few minutes. I use this one as it gives you more control, is inexpensive, and comes in various colors and styles. Give a treat when your dog obeys the command. Introduce your Golden Retriever to short outside walks on his leash. Anticipate the behavior and quickly distract him with a treat. Timing is the crucial part. Reward him every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of leash walking is perfected. Follow the excellent training principles above and use reward-based training to train your puppy in these areas successfully. Be consistent in your commands, and always discipline at the precise moment of unwanted behavior. Are you looking for a puppy training schedule? Related Posts You May Like:. We took each puppy individually and did a rigorous eh, not really test to find out which puppies would be best suited to do service dog work. However, there were two tests that stood out: The Retrieve Test — We crumpled up a piece of paper next to our puppy to get his attention. I mentioned we performed 10 tests, but the results of the above two ended up determining which puppies would be our next service dog puppies in training. Puppy temperament testing is tiring! Liberty Berlin — While she performed about the same as all the other pups on every other test, Liberty stood out during the Umbrella Stability Test. She was the only puppy to enthusiastically approach the Umbrella. We knew from day 1 that Liberty was a confident puppy and had a good feeling that she would have no problem with the Umbrella. She lived up to our expectations boldly and playfully engaging the umbrella. Tank Bear — One of the larger puppies in the litter, Bear was our little cuddly buddy. He did not do well on the Umbrella Stability Test and neither did three of his siblings. However, Bear was a standout when it came to the Retrieve Test. Bear was the only puppy to run out, pick up, and bring back the crumpled-up piece of paper. Not only was he the only one to do it once he did it several times! Trooper Buster — Our smallest puppy by over 3 lbs. Trooper was our mini-mite. Even though he was the smallest he may have been the mightiest as he was the first of only 2 puppies Liberty was the other to climb out of the whelping box. While not exhibiting the enthusiasm of Liberty during the Umbrella Stability test Trooper had a more curious attitude towards the opened Umbrella as he approached, sniffed, and explored showing a more calm demeanor than Liberty. The response of the other puppies on the Umbrella Stability Test ranged from slowly moving away from the umbrella to cowering and running away from the umbrella. The Golden Bear Puppy — Checking out different surfaces. Day 56 — Puppy Names Since the beginning of this series, you may have noticed I listed 2 names for some of these puppies. After 8 weeks with these adorable puppies, they finally got to meet their puppy raisers. Bear stayed with us while Buster and Berlin went to new homes. Awww…Cuddly Golden Retriever puppies! Berlin — Our former first lady she was first born , Liberty first went to a puppy raiser home until she was 16 weeks old. Unfortunately, I did not have a puppy raiser to work with her for the full 18 months. As luck would have it the breeder we partnered with for this Golden litter was looking for a female puppy as a potential breeding dog. Again, we did not have a puppy raiser to train him and we looked to a service dog organization we volunteered with in the past. We contacted Tender Loving Canine Assistance Dogs and set up a meeting to have Buster tested, and he passed with flying colors. They fell in love with Buster on the spot and adopted him into their POOCH program where he is being trained at a prison to be a service dog. We kept our Lil Bear to train as a service dog. From the beginning, we knew he was a little softy, but he passed the retrieval test with flying colors so we had high hopes for him. We started taking him on outings to the book store, grocery stores, and shopping malls. He never showed the confidence we hoped and while he would eventually adapt to places after several visits he was always hesitant in new situations. He continued to progress and we were hopeful his confidence would grow as we exposed him to new environments and worked on his training. At the same time, an opportunity arose and we had to make a decision with Bear. Our friends had recently lost their long-time Golden Retriever, Sugar, and also tragically lost a puppy they had adopted. After discussing with my wife we decided to see if our friends were interested in adopting Bear. They said YES! And the rest is history. Heck, he has a huge following cheering for him every step of the way! Puppy Crate Training ? Once again, Happy Birthday to our Golden Litter! That concludes our 8-week journey with our Golden puppies! Just in case you missed any of the other blog posts in the series: Week 1 — Six Golden Retriever puppies are born! Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — This is Week 8! I hope you enjoyed our pics and insights into raising a Golden Retriever litter. Raising a litter of puppies is a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. Definitely not for the faint at heart. If you have any questions or comments please leave us a note in the comment section below. Are you about to bring home an 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy? If so, Puppies for Dummies is a good starting point for learning the basics of how to raise and train a puppy. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. As your dog grows and develops its own personality, you may begin to think about breeding them. It is well known that breeding a female dog before they are mature can cause health issues, but what about a male. What is the right breeding age for male and female Golden Retrievers? A male Golden Retriever can mate after just 12 months. Female Goldens are more complicated; you should wait until after their third heat cycle before breeding, which usually occurs around 18 to 24 months of age. It's best to wait two years before breeding a female to ensure they are fully developed. Before breeding a Golden Retriever, it is essential to understand what heat cycles are, the importance of the third cycle, and physical development. If your female Golden Retriever is bred too young, you should know how to make sure she is healthy and ready to conceive. Males A male Golden Retriever can reproduce after six months of age and gains full sexual maturity at 12 to 15 months. Males can mate at any point in time since they don't follow hormonal cycles. If the male maintains his health, he may stay fertile and sexually active into old age. Breeding males is a pretty simple concept. But, unfortunately, several other factors need to be considered when breeding a female. Females Like males, female Golden Retrievers become fertile around six months of age during their first heat cycle. This cycle repeats every six months but we'll get to that later! Female Golden Retrievers should never be bred during their first heat cycle. Dogs are not fully developed at this point in their lives. If a female becomes pregnant this early in her life, it can cause stress during pregnancy and pose more health risks as her body develops. Even though she may be fertile, she isn't physically or mentally mature. Young females that are bred during their first heat cycle are at an increased risk of becoming pregnant and developing health complications. Since Golden Retrievers are classified as a large breed, they physically mature around 18 to 24 months. Since we don't want to breed a female before they reach maturity, you should not breed a female Golden Retriever until after her third heat cycle and she reaches two years of age. Understanding Female Heat Cycles No one wants a surprise puppy litter or a bunch of failed breeding attempts. So, understanding the heat cycle of your female Golden Retriever is essential to create your desired outcome. A female's heat is her body's way of preparing for potential conception. In other words: your dog's reproductive cycle. There is not a definite number but Golden Retrievers usually stay in heat for around three to four weeks. However, your dog is fertile for about nine days. A Golden Retriever's most fertile period is days into the heat cycle. However, the highest fertility period lasts about five days, so you should try to breed two Retrievers between the 10th and 14th day of the female's heat cycle. Stages of the Female Heat Cycle Proestrus: the female is preparing for pregnancy. Intact males will become attracted to her, but she will not allow breeding. This stage typically lasts nine days. You'll see signs such as a swollen vulva and bloody vaginal discharge. Estrus: The ovaries release an egg at the beginning of this stage. As the estrogen levels in your dog's body decrease, her progesterone levels will increase. This means your female is fertile. She is ready and willing to mate. This stage also lasts about nine days. Diestrus: This stage will last about two to three months or until the female Golden Retriever gives birth provided she's pregnant. She will no longer allow males to mate. A bloody discharge may continue but will gradually stop. By the end of this stage, the hormone will level out. Anestrus: This is the final stage of your dog's cycle. She is not fertile and will not allow breeding during this stage. Most female Golden Retrievers go into heat twice a year, though some larger dogs may only menstruate once a year. The ovarian activity of a female starts to decline in the sixth year of her life. Most females stop conceiving after they're seven, so the female Golden Retriever breeding age is from two to five years of age. We know that we should wait until the end of the third heat cycle of a female Golden Retriever before breeding. But what happens if a Golden Retriever gets pregnant too early? You need to allow your Golden Retriever to fully mature physically. If your Golden Retriever gets pregnant before reaching maturity, it will put extra stress on her. The physical strain of carrying a belly full of puppies puts a burden on her growing joints. Pregnancy will also suck nutrients from your dog. Since the female Golden Retriever is young, her immune system isn't fully developed. This makes her more vulnerable to diseases and infections than a mature dog would be. Bacteria can infect her vaginal tract and cause stillbirths, miscarriages, and the death of newborn puppies. Your dog may even die while giving birth to the puppies. Since her pelvic canal may not be large enough for puppies to fit through, if this happens, it will endanger both the puppies' life and her own. In addition, if this happens, she will need surgery, which increases the chance of health complications. Since she is not mentally mature, she is more likely to reject the puppies than a mature mother. Motherhood is mentally and physically taxing on both dogs and humans! You can consult your veterinarian about terminating the pregnancy. Your veterinarian will perform a full risk and side effect evaluation on your Golden Retriever. During this evaluation, your vet will try to determine when the dog was bred so they can evaluate how far along she is. If you are not sure of the date of conception, they will most likely perform an ultrasound to measure the fetuses and determine their age. Once you have determined the stage of pregnancy there are two options in terminating the pregnancy. Desexing a pregnant female can be done up to five weeks after conception. Desexing is the process of removing the ovaries from your dog. She will not be able to have puppies after this procedure. Your dog will require significant aftercare following the procedure. Crate rest is crucial for the 10 days following the procedure. The incision wound will also need to be kept clean and dry to prevent infection. The second option of terminating a pregnancy is abortion. Pregnant dogs can have an abortion up to 45 days after conception. Your veterinarian will most likely use Alizin , which is injected in two doses, 24 hours apart. Before deciding to terminate a pregnancy you should consult with your veterinarian, you should never attempt to terminate a pregnancy at home. If you decide to allow the pregnancy, your dog will need extensive observation and monitoring as the pregnancy continues. It is important they are both physically and mentally healthy. They should have decent muscle tone and a balanced weight before breeding. Physical health isn't everything; good mental condition is also essential when breeding two Golden Retrievers. A mentally stable female will make a better mother than one that's insecure or has an unstable temperament. A month before breeding, the female should go through a pre-breeding physical examination by a vet. You want to get her checked for common health problems, like joint dysplasia and eye disorders. If she has these issues, pregnancy will be more difficult and she may pass the issues onto the puppies. Vaccinations for both parent Golden Retrievers should be current, and the female should be tested for parasites. DNA Post-Partum Care Caring for your dog after they give birth is just as important as caring for them while they were pregnant. You should keep your dog on a high-calorie diet, not only is she providing nutrients to her puppies, but she is also chasing them around and caring for them. Making sure your dog has a private space for her and her puppies is crucial in making sure she is able to care for them properly. Provide a clean, dry, peaceful area of the house for your dog. With too much traffic around her, your dog may become distracted and neglect her puppies in favor of you. If you are worried about your dog neglecting her puppies, a good way to monitor them is by weighing them. Should the puppies not gain weight appropriately, contact your veterinarian. You may want to constantly love on the new puppies, but you need to be cautious of how you do this. Give your dog time to adjust to the new responsibility she has, and allow her to come to you with the puppies. Around weeks, you should begin weaning the puppies from the mother. Weaning is done by slowly incorporating dog food into their diet and separating them from their mother for increasing periods of time. If you are considering having more liters of puppies from your dog, you should consult your veterinarian to make sure your dog can carry another litter safely. I recommend waiting at least one heat cycle after weaning before attempting to breed again. This will allow your dog to recover from the last pregnancy. Main Takeaways Male Golden Retrievers reach reproductive age after 12 to 15 months of age Female Golden Retrievers have their first heat cycle after six months of age. Females should not be bred until after their third heat cycle, which happens after 18 to 24 months of age. Mating will be most successful between the 10th and 14th day of the female Golden Retriever's heat cycle, as she is most fertile during this period If your Golden Retriever develops an unwanted pregnancy, there are options to terminating the pregnancy Conception before physical maturity can cause health problems Performing a pre-breeding health check ensures that the female Golden Retriever is healthy and ready to conceive Post-partum care is extremely important when trying to raise a successful litter. You should give your dog space to bond with her puppies Waiting at least one heat cycle before breeding again will help your dog recover from the previous pregnancy. Jan 20, Share Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. They are known for their loyal and friendly personalities, and many people choose them as their first dogs. Such a popular breed is always in demand, and more Golden Retriever puppies are born every day. However, there is some uncertainty about how many puppies Golden Retrievers typically have. Due to their size, larger dogs tend to have larger litters, while smaller dogs tend to have smaller litters. As a bigger dog breed, Goldens can have anywhere from one to twelve puppies per litter, but six to eight puppies are about average. Some litters may have as few as four. Read on below to find out more. Why the Size of the Dog Breed Affects Litter Size The different sizes of litter between breeds are due to the fact that larger breeds have more room in their uterus to grow puppies, while smaller breeds have less room. This is likely due, in part, to the fact that smaller dogs have a shorter gestational period and thus less time to mature a large number of offspring at a more rapid rate than larger dogs. This difference in litter size can be important for breeders, as they need to consider the size of the breed when planning how many puppies to produce. However, it is also worth noting that different breeds of dogs will exhibit different average litter sizes, even within the same size class. For example, the German Shorthaired Pointer is around the same size as a Golden Retriever, but has an average of nine pups per litter. The first litter of puppies for a female Golden Retriever is typically smaller in size than later litters. Additionally, since the first litter is typically born earlier than later litters, the puppies may not have as much time to grow and develop before being born. She should, however, have regular checkups with a veterinarian to ensure everything is going well. Despite Golden Retriever mothers being able to deliver many puppies, not every pup will survive birth. A dam may give birth to four puppies, but only two or three will survive. Pregnant dogs require high-quality vitamins, minerals, and premium proteins in addition to a healthy and balanced diet. Additives and fillers in dog food can lead to poor nutrition and ultimately affect litter size. In addition, diet plays an important role in the health and survival rate of puppies after birth. The chances of a Golden Retriever producing a small litter are higher if they are unhealthy. It is also possible that the puppies are born weak and have a lower chance of surviving. Age of Parents Female Golden Retrievers should not be bred too young or too old. Ideally, a female should be between the ages of 2 and 5 when she is first bred. It is also important to consider the age of the male. Once a male reaches the age of 5, their sperm count will decrease. Image Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock Lineage Overly inbred dogs are less likely to have large litters than dogs with a diverse gene pool. Ask your breeder about their parents and whether they have been tested for defects if you are looking for a puppy. Conception Method and Timing It may surprise you to learn that the way your Golden becomes impregnated may determine how many puppies she will have. Having a larger litter is more likely for Golden Retrievers that become pregnant naturally while conceiving artificially is more likely to lead to a smaller litter. This is because the freezing process kills many sperm cells in preserved semen, resulting in fewer pups. Dogs that conceive within 48 hours of ovulation have a higher chance of having a larger litter. These larger litters usually occur in the third, fourth, and fifth pregnancy. Puppy Mills Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities that mass-produce puppies for sale to the public. In a puppy mill, the mother dog is often bred repeatedly until she no longer can bear puppies. There are many reasons why one should avoid buying a dog from a puppy mill. First and foremost, puppy mills are notorious for breeding unhealthy dogs. Dogs from puppy mills typically have a variety of genetic health problems, ranging from joint problems to heart disease. In addition, puppy mills often keep dogs in horrible conditions, with little or no veterinary care. Dogs in puppy mills may also be malnourished and abused. Conclusion In conclusion, Golden Retrievers have an average of eight puppies. However, a breeder or owner can mate their Goldie at the right time, exercise them, keep them healthy, and feed them high-quality food all year long, but ultimately they cannot control the litter size. Thanks for reading! Golden Retriever Heat Cycles Explained: Complete Guide Posted on May 9, by Galen Kauffman Share: Golden Retrievers are not only adorable and loving companions but also fascinating creatures when it comes to their reproductive cycles. As a first-time Golden Retriever owner, you may find yourself wondering how to handle your furry friend during her heat cycle. Fear not, as this article will provide you with all the essential information and practical advice to navigate this journey with ease. Key Takeaways: Golden Retrievers go through heat cycles, also known as estrus, which is a natural part of their reproductive process. Responsible pet ownership includes considering the best time for breeding, potential health risks, and the importance of spaying or neutering. Plan for potential behavioral changes and be patient and understanding with your dog. Stock up on washable doggy diapers and designate a comfortable resting area for your dog during her heat. Allowing your Golden Retriever to roam freely outside during heat may lead to unplanned breeding. Designate a comfortable and secluded area for your dog to rest during her heat. Regularly clean and sanitize the designated area to ensure a hygienic environment. The first heat cycle usually occurs around the age of six to fifteen months. Dogs usually experience two heat cycles per year, although this can vary. Breeding a Golden Retriever during her heat cycle is not mandatory and should be a carefully considered decision. Responsible breeding requires thorough research, proper planning, and finding suitable mates. Estrus: This is the fertile phase, lasting around 5 to 13 days. Your dog will be receptive to mating and may seek out male dogs. It lasts approximately 60 to 90 days and involves a gradual decline in hormone levels. Anestrus: The resting phase of the reproductive cycle before the next heat cycle begins. Silent Heat Sometimes, Golden Retrievers may experience a silent heat, where there are minimal or no obvious signs of the estrus phase. This can make it challenging to detect when your dog is fertile, emphasizing the need for vigilance and responsible pet management. This irregularity in timing can be confusing for pet owners and may require additional monitoring. Be sure to spend quality time with her. Increase playtime and mental stimulation to keep your dog engaged and distracted from mating urges. Limit outdoor walks to avoid encounters with intact males and reduce the likelihood of unplanned breeding. Consult with your veterinarian before using any natural remedies to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your dog. If your dog displays signs of extreme discomfort or unusual behavior during her heat, consult your veterinarian. Any indications of illness or abnormal bleeding should be addressed promptly by a professional. Timing is crucial for successful breeding, so accurate monitoring is essential. Various tests, such as hormone level assessments, can help determine the ideal time for mating. Unplanned pregnancies can occur if your dog mates with an intact male during her fertile phase. Proper management and supervision are essential to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Keep her away from intact males to avoid unwanted advances. Phantom Pregnancy in Golden Retrievers Signs A phantom pregnancy, also known as pseudocyesis, is when a non-pregnant dog displays signs of pregnancy. Common signs include nesting behavior, enlarged mammary glands, and maternal instincts. Phantom pregnancies can last for several weeks and can be emotionally challenging for your dog. Provide comfort and reassurance during this time, and consult your veterinarian if necessary. Differentiating False vs. Real Pregnancy A false pregnancy can closely mimic the symptoms of a real pregnancy, making it difficult to differentiate without professional assistance. Consult with your veterinarian to confirm whether your dog is experiencing a real or phantom pregnancy. What To Do Provide a calm and secure environment for your dog during this period to ease any anxiety she may be experiencing. Avoid encouraging nesting behavior, as this can reinforce false pregnancy symptoms. The Importance of Spaying or Neutering Golden Retrievers Spaying or neutering your Golden Retriever is a responsible decision that can prevent unwanted litters and reduce health risks. Engage in interactive games and activities that keep your dog mentally engaged and physically active. By understanding the different phases, signs, and potential health risks, you can provide the best care for your furry friend during this time. Golden Retrievers are pregnant for approximately 63 days, from conception to birth. Do Golden Retrievers go through menopause? No, Golden Retrievers do not go through menopause. They continue to have heat cycles throughout their lives. Is it normal for my Golden Retriever to lose her appetite during heat? Yes, it is common for some Golden Retrievers to experience a decreased appetite during their heat cycle. Monitor her food intake and consult your veterinarian if you have concerns. Can I spay my Golden Retriever while she is in heat? It is generally recommended to wait until your dog is out of heat before spaying to reduce surgical risks and complications. What age should you spay a Golden Retriever? Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best timing for your pet. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Golden Retriever puppies are fluffy balls of joy, and you must be thrilled to welcome them into your home. But how many puppies should you be expecting from this upcoming litter? On average, Golden Retrievers can have around eight puppies. Litter sizes can vary depending on the breed of dog, so there are a few factors that can determine the litter size of your Golden Retriever. This article goes over what kind of litter you could be expecting based on your Golden Retriever mother. Litter Size: First-Time vs. This is the national average for first-time mothers, so it is normal for your dog to give birth to a few less or a few more. However, it is always important for her to have check-ups with a vet to ensure everything is going well with her puppies. It is very rare that your Goldie will have a single puppy birth. Litter sizes of over a dozen puppies are also possible with Golden Retrievers, but not as common. If your Golden Retriever is pregnant, it is safe to assume that she will give birth to four to nine puppies. While it is always important to feed your dog a healthy and balanced diet, pregnant dogs need high-quality vitamins and minerals and premium protein. Dog food that is filled with additives and fillers can affect the litter size. Diet will also be a factor in how healthy the puppies will be after birth and what their survival rate will be. Health: If your Golden Retriever is obese or not given enough exercise, this can affect the litter. An unhealthy Goldie will more than likely produce a small litter. The puppies might also be born weak and have a smaller chance of survival. Age of both parents. You do not want to breed your female Golden Retriever too young or too old. The age range for the female to be bred is 2 to 5 years old. However, if you wait to breed your Goldie for the first time after they are five years old, their litters will always be smaller in number. The age of the male is also a factor. The sperm count in males will decrease once they reach 5 years old. Genetics: Dogs that have a more diverse gene pool are more likely to have larger litters than dogs that have been overly inbred. This is why if you go to a breeder, ask them about the parents and if they have been tested for defects. Image Credit: PorChonlawit, Shutterstock Final Considerations If you are a dog owner, you already know how important health, diet, and exercise are for raising a strong and happy dog. These factors must also be considered when deciding if you want to breed your Golden Retriever. Have her checked with the vet before she gets pregnant to make sure she is healthy and able to carry a litter safely. Ensure the potential mate is also healthy and the right age. However, no matter the litter size, each puppy will be a bundle of pure joy! A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. Read the full disclosure here. So what is correct? What is the best age to bring a Golden Retriever puppy home? I think the most important things to consider are any long-lasting negative effects on the puppy by taking it away too early. Lessons that are vital to the early development of a normal puppy. There are many things a puppy learns from its mother and litter-mates that are vitally important to their early development and could take you an extreme amount of time and effort to make up for if they miss out: Bite Inhibition When a puppy bites and hurts their mother or litter-mates they get growled and snapped at. Combined with being the victim of biting from their litter-mates in return, this gives continuous feedback and an education in how painful biting can sometimes be. And so they very quickly learn to inhibit their bite, to not go full force and to hold back when play biting. If a puppy is taken from the nest too soon they miss out on this learning process and the responsibility passes to their new owners who will at first have a puppy who bites hard. And sometimes extremely hard. Acceptance Of Discipline When a puppy does wrong in the nest, their mother regularly disciplines them to keep them in line. And a puppy will often throw a little hissy fit but the mother will be unmoving. They learn that bad behavior gets you disciplined and they have to accept it. They learn their actions have consequences and they cannot have things their own way. The puppy then becomes a dog that is so much harder to train and is less controllable for their owners. In the nest, a puppy will be constantly pawed, clawed, rubbed against and climbed all over, all day every day by their litter-mates. This results in your puppy getting used to being touched and becoming highly tolerant of it. They learn about appropriate play and how to interact with others of their species safely, considerately and happily. This can mean less time…or no time…interacting with his own species, having to be on the leash in dog parks and woods when other dogs are around and ultimately living a less fulfilling life than they could otherwise have had. And this is the important thing when it comes to leaving a puppy in the nest for too long. A puppy must be introduced to as many sights, sounds, environments, people and other dogs and animals as possible before they reach 14 weeks of age. This 14 week window of opportunity is a time where a puppy has little fear and instead has heightened curiosity that compels it to explore and test things out. The first 14 weeks is also the time when a puppy will form its strongest bonds with people and other animals. And so for the best possible relationship and strongest bond between your puppy and you, this is a time when you want your puppy living with you, seeing your entire family and social network so your puppy truly integrates and feels a part of the pack of humans around it. So think to yourself, if you get a puppy at 8 weeks of age, you have 6 weeks to take them to the shopping mall, the park, the pet shop, to meet as many people as possible, get them in the car, on the beach, in a swimming pool etc. I did this for a reason! Yes, 8 weeks old is the recommended perfect time to take a puppy away from its mother and litter-mates and home with you to live. But you would be doing far from the best for your new puppy and could be stunting their development, leading them toward behavioral issues and affecting their entire future lives. On the other end of the spectrum, leaving it later than 8 weeks to take your puppy home they could be missing out on essential socialization opportunities. Conclusion Take your puppy home at 8 weeks of age. A breeder telling you to take them any earlier is trying to avoid investing further time and effort into caring for them and possibly trying to save a little money by moving them on faster. And this early time spent with their mother ensures the best development of a puppy that will result in a dog far better suited to spending an entire life with you. May 10, Jun 22, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Having a pregnant dog welcome a new litter into the world is one of the greatest things a dog owner can experience. If you are ready to experience all the joys of doggy pregnancy, you may be wondering: can dogs be too old to get pregnant, and how old can dogs still have puppies? I was very surprised to discover that dogs are never too old to have puppies! Yup, you read that right—in fact, there is no such thing as doggy menopause, and female dogs go into heat during their whole lives. Pregnancy can be tough even for young dogs that are in their prime, but older dogs are at a much higher risk of health problems and stillborn puppies. Whether you want a new puppy or you are a breeder thinking about retiring your dogs, it is important to consider the ages of your male and female dogs before breeding them! Our 1 puppy product we recommend you send home with all new puppy owners is the Calmeroos Puppy Heartbeat Toy. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about responsible breeding and dog fertility. Knowing that your pooch is an elderly citizen will help you determine whether it is safe and appropriate for your dog to get pregnant in the first place. Most dogs enter their senior years when they are around seven years old; however, the aging process is slightly different for small and large breed dogs. A tiny Chihuahua , for example, is considered a senior when they reach 11 years of age. On the other hand, a giant breed such as a Great Dane is considered a senior by the time they are five years old. The aging difference between smaller and larger breeds is mainly due to their size. Several studies have confirmed that larger breeds tend to age much faster than their smaller counterparts. Therefore, how old is too old for a dog to have puppies is directly related to the size of that particular dog. Unlike people, female and male dogs technically remain fertile their whole lives. However, their fertility and ability to whelp healthy puppies decrease as they get older. A healthy male dog can still sire puppies until very old age. In fact, most professional breeders will retire male dogs much later than their females. According to AKC rules, you can register a litter of puppies sired by a male dog that was no more than 12 years old at the time of mating. In practice, most reputable breeders will retire their male dogs when they are between 10 and 12 years old. Age is just one of several factors that affect the ability of a male dog to sire puppies. The age at which a male dog can have puppies also depends on the quality and quantity of its sperm. So, many professional breeders will check the sperm count of their male dogs regularly, at least once a month, to see if they are still capable of siring litters. Additionally, breeders will check many other things to determine whether their male dogs are too old for breeding and ready to be retired. Low conception rate is another sign that a dog is getting too old to sire puppies regularly. This means that a male dog fails to get a female dog pregnant during ideal conditions: one mating per day and a completely healthy female. Furthermore, a breeder may decide that the male dog is too old to sire puppies if their partner continually produces smaller litters, or if the puppies are weak and sick. Our 1 pick is the Basic Whelping Kit for puppies. Check out our Whelping Supplies Checklist for more of our favorites. According to the AKC rules, a dam must not be more than 12 years of age at the time of mating, if you want to register the litter. However, a lot of breed clubs, including the UK Kennel Club, set eight years as a maximum limit for breeding female dogs. However, at this grand age most female dogs have birthing difficulties and serious complications are often seen during labor. When they become pregnant, older female dogs may have trouble giving birth, and seeing stillborn puppies in a litter is unfortunately quite common. Additionally, older dogs may have trouble producing enough milk to nurse their puppies, who often die if not bottle-fed by their human caregivers. Due to all these risks and complications, most reputable breeders decide to retire their dams when they are around five or six years old. To determine whether or not to retire a female dog from a breeding program, the breeders consider the same factors as for male dogs. Taking all of these criteria into account can give you a good idea of whether it is safe to continue breeding your female dog or not. Our Golden Retriever , Raven was a breeding dog. She was retired by her breeder when she was 6 years old at which time we officially adopted her. If you own a female dog, the most important thing to remember is that she can get pregnant at any time during her life. Although older dogs are less fertile than their younger counterparts, there is still a risk of unwanted pregnancy. Now that you know that dogs can become pregnant their entire lives, talk with your vet about the best ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. We use these tools to help keep our dogs separate. You read that right: Your cute, fluffy puppy can have puppies of its own! Once they reach sexual maturity, male dogs can mate at any time, even every day! Females, on the other hand, can mate only when they are in heat, which usually happens twice a year. However, some dogs can go into heat up to four times a year, while others will be ready to mate once a year, depending on their size and breed. Male dogs generally become fertile earlier than their female counterparts, usually when they are around five or six months old. Toy and small breeds such as Chihuahuas become sexually mature earlier than large breeds. In most cases, you should wait until your dog is at least one year old to mate him with a female. Keep in mind that large and giant breeds need more time to fully grow, so you should wait until your pooch is 18 to 24 months old to breed him for the first time. If you decide to use your male dog for siring litters, you will first have to ensure that he is completely healthy and fertile. Your vet can help with that and provide health clearances that your dog is a qualified stud dog ready for breeding. Once a male dog reaches sexual maturity, he remains fertile his entire life. However, their sperm count tends to be low during the beginning and the end of their reproductive cycle. Unlike male dogs, who can mate literally every single day once they reach puberty, female dogs can breed only when they are in heat. Female dogs usually reach sexual maturity when they are six months old, but smaller breeds can go into heat as early as four months of age. As with male dogs, you should wait until your female is fully grown before attempting to mate her for the first time. The size and breed of your dog will determine when the best time is to mate your female for the first time. Smaller breeds reach adulthood earlier than their larger counterparts and can consequently become pregnant safely much earlier. After having their first estrus, also known as heat or season, female dogs usually go into heat every six months until they get old. However, this time frame can vary from one dog to another and can depend on the size of the dog. Generally, smaller dogs go into heat more regularly than larger breeds and can produce more litters during their lifetime. The heat cycle is divided into four stages: proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. The estrus phase also lasts around nine days, at which time the female is fertile and will allow being mounted by a male dog. In most cases, ovulation happens within the first 48 hours of the estrus phase, but this can vary greatly. This phase happens whether or not the dog has gotten pregnant, and some dogs may develop signs of false pregnancy during this stage. Lastly, the anestrus phase is the time when a female dog can no longer become pregnant and is a period without sexual activity. In most cases, this stage lasts between three to four months. Technically, both female and male dogs can have puppies their whole lives. The actual labor is also more difficult and risky for older dogs and is commonly accompanied by complications. Older dogs also may have problems producing the milk and nursing their puppies. What is the age limit for breeding a dog? Can a 9-year-old dog have puppies? A 9-year-old dog can technically get pregnant and give birth to a litter of puppies. However, an older female dog can absolutely get pregnant if mounted by a fertile male during her heat cycle. To prevent any health problems and unwanted pregnancies, keep a close eye on your dog while in heat and consider spaying her. Is it bad for a 1-year-old dog to have puppies? Small breeds reach adulthood when they are one year old and can safely have puppies if they are done growing. A one-year-old Great Dane is still a puppy, and it would be bad for a growing pup to get pregnant and have to take care of a litter of newborn puppies. Conclusion Knowing how old dogs can be to have puppies is an important piece of information if you plan to breed your dog at some point in their life. While technically dogs are fertile and can have puppies their whole lives, older female dogs are at risk of premature labor, stillborn puppies, and birthing complications. Before breeding your pooch, talk with your vet and have your dog throughout examined. Are you a breeder? Have you worked with our bought a dog from a breeder? If so, do you know how old their breeding dogs are? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

We have been established since .We are experienced, proven and conscious breeders! We are Selective in our breeding pairs as we have searched worldwide! We will not compromise the rich heritage, pure quality of our Traditional and International breeding lines. We are Dilute Clear!! Official AKC Standard for the Labrador Retriever, General Appearance: The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions; the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family companion…… The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an "otter" tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its "kind," friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament……The Labrador is bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance. Some of our breeders come with hunting titles as well!! Over the years, our dogs have made great companions, hunters, and service dogs. Our pups and dogs have been featured in commercials and magazines! Please send in your Pictures!! Janice M. We could not ask for a better puppy than Robin for a family. She is everything we were looking for. She has the sweetest temperament and I cannot believe how smart she is. She has been such a joy to train. She is already great with off leash recall and as soon as we tell her to stop doing something which is not often she listens immediately. Potty training and crate training were a breeze with her. What we love most about Robin is she is completely devoted to our children. She is with them before they go to school and then is at the door a few minutes before they walk in. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. He was smart, well tempered, and just an amazing friend. He was an ultimate protector of Jenine. We have been so happy with everything about him! From Maggie X Manny Litter of 12 pups, ! Our Puppies are Veterinarian Examined! We send stool samples in to eliminate all parasites! Your Health Certificate will share the details! Our Commitment: Welcome to Bailiwick Retrievers web site. We concentrate on Sporting Dogs, Hunting Dogs, Puppy training and of course, family companion puppies. We take a great deal of time researching just the right breeding combination, resulting in puppies very strong in intelligence, health and genetics. All of which allows you to take your new hunting companion and family member to the next level. We are licensed and inspected yearly by Georgia Department Of Agriculture We are not a boarding facility……. .Our Labrador retriever puppies carry the intelligence, trainability and instincts found in only the very best. Hunting Lab Breeders, like Bailiwick Retrievers, produce top hunting companions and of course, first class family members. We have placed our lab puppies for Search and Rescue, Narcotic Dogs, to the government and individual trainers, and Agility Dogs. We at Bailiwick Retrievers believe in socializing, starting on the first day they arrive. Our Pups are born in our house, in the Florida Room next to the Pool…. They are socialized from day one, introduced to loud noises, different sounds and different spaces. This is very important in helping them adjust to their new world without fear. It is all in the training, our dogs even sleep in the bed BUT they know the house rules as well as learning the rules and requirements of a Hunt Test. Teaching what is acceptable from the beginning is very important. Getting a Hunting Labrador Retriever puppy that has the best of both worlds is very easy with great breeding. The intelligence this strong breeding brings makes training easy. Our new lab puppy owners are very important to us. We encourage you to keep us posted on your new labs progress and development. We take great pride in our pups and love progress reports. We are always here for you with suggestions and to answer all questions. Labs are naturally born to hunt and make wonderful companion dogs with a natural family oriented temperament. The Labrador Retriever is unusually adaptable, obedient and kind-hearted. They are sociable, affectionate and loyal with a keen sense of smell. No wonder they are so popular!!! When we began looking for a puppy, we knew we wanted her to have a strong bloodline and come from a reputable breeder. We did a lot of research and finally landed on the Kennels of Baliwick based on their breeding standards and credentialed dam and sire. We are so happy with our decision and feel our Sweet Reese Lee is truly a great-looking dog! She is very affectionate and has demonstrated her ability to be a fabulous hunter time and time again. Loud noises, not a problem; gun shy, not this pup; curious, you betcha! Crate training was no problem with Reese and she had the basic obedience commands down in weeks. On top of that, her keen sense of smell and alertness is unmatched. She is high energy, super playful, and brings so much joy to our lives! We are very grateful to Barbara and Tyler for the love and safekeeping of Reese after she was born and could not have asked for a greater first puppy buying experience! Thanks again! Thank you David for all the joy you have given us. We love our beautiful dogs! He is just perfect! My vet said he has never seen a better put together Lab. He is the hit of our community and has to say hello to everyone he meets. Hidden Ponds is just the best place to purchase a Lab. David is so kind and informative. His dogs are gorgeous and well mannered. They treat their dogs with kindness and it shows. They are smart, their costs are beautiful! He has a great personality and is wonderful with the kids! He is lbs and thinks he is a lap dog. We would definitely buy from Dave again!! Lindie is an incredible athlete, as you can see by the photo. Lindie also volunteers at our local hospital in Glens Falls, NY comforting anyone that needs fur therapy! She is an amazing ambassador for the Labrador breed! Thank you! He hiked his first mountains this weekend in the Adirondacks. He is such a wonderful addition to our family and we will be back for a companion for him next year. Read more testimonials Bentley Bentley is almost 4 years old and is absolutely amazing! She is the happiest, cuddliest, wiggliest ball of fur, and I love her more than I can say. She is super smart, very curious, and a little mischievous. She has already learned to walk very well with my wheelchair. Thank you, Hidden Pond! At 9weeks she has accomplished stairs,swimming learned to sit and give paw. Play time and eating remain 1 LOL but,she is full of kisses and love all the time too. My sweet service dog, Rhett, came home in October of and has been the biggest blessing in my life. This breeder not only breeds for confirmation and health but for perfect personality and temperament. They are perfect in every sense of the term responsible breeder. I cannot imagine life without my Labs. And not to mention how welcoming everyone was when we went to pick Rhett up. They care about each puppy they welcome into their home. And they strongly support several forms of care to keep the puppies happy and healthy in their new homes like food and supplements! I cannot thank them enough or recommend them enough!! Savannah Stevens Read more testimonials Chip Chip is a crazy, funny, lovable gem. He is the most gorgeous dog. He has the most regal head. Everyone who sees him stops to tell us what a handsome dog he is. Thank you to Hidden Pond for letting him be ours. We picked her up in early July , and she made our family complete! She is such an amazing dog: sweet, gentle, loving, and playful. It is wonderful to see how much she loves our three young boys. We love how much she loves being outside — especially swimming and playing in the snow. Thank you Dave and your family for bringing her into our lives. She was exactly what our family needed to be complete. She is the sweetest, spunkiest and most wonderful dog we could have asked for. We picked him up this past September. He is a joy, fully housebroken, and so very funny. Everyone who meets him always comment on how handsome he is. He is really beginning to look like his dad, Thunder. He loves walking and meeting all his dog friends in our community. Thanks, David, for this wonderful dog! He has made our house a home again!! She brings so much joy to our home. She is loyal, smart and a lot of fun. She loves going on walks or long hikes in the woods and is a big snuggler in the house. Scout has a very sweet disposition and people comment on what a beautiful girl she is. She enjoys people and dogs of all ages. Thank you Dave, we are enjoying every day with one of your Hidden Pond pups! Courtney Hundley Read more testimonials Raemo This Lab is truly a best friend to everyone that comes his way. Very kind and affectionate. Raemo is now 6 months old and is great with the family, friends and the neighborhood. He is great with other dogs too! David and his Labs are simply the best and worth the wait! Rob Amurao Read more testimonials Daisy We got Daisy in June , but Dave introduced us to her the day she was born; it was love at first sight!!! Dave kept us updated with pictures and short videos as we anxiously awaited the day we could pick her up. She has been an absolute joy in our lives! She is incredibly smart, a sweetheart along with being an active puppy. She was swimming at 10 weeks with our other dogs. She is now 10 months old; everyone she meets loves her. Thank you, Dave, for such an awesome new family member!!! Marilyn Morey Read more testimonials Mabel Mabel is 6 months and we thank you for this blessing. She is a wonderful addition to our family. We love going on adventures with our little girl. Highly recommend and reasonable pricing! He has an amazing temperament, his favorite activities are long walks and swimming! Marlana Broderick Read more testimonials Chip Chip is the best dog we have ever had. He is funny, silly, smart and so handsome. We get stopped on the street every 5 feet. Everyone asks where he is from and tells us how gorgeous he is. Thank you Dave. This photo is with his sister Cocoa. Chip on the left Cocoa on the right. She has such a great personality. Gets along so well with the grandkids ,and so adaptable she took to the crate and house breaking so easily. Accepts new experiences so calmly. Dave has been great to work with a fountain of info. We also went with the dog food he recommended an love the results that we switched our cat to it as well. She is the most beautiful, sweet tempered, smart lab. We could not be happier having her as part of our family. Romy Ziegler. The Issue of the Silver Lab Does the puppy appear healthy? A good healthy puppy will have clear, shiny eyes that are free from discharge. Its coat will be glossy with a minimum of flaking skin. It should be alert and playful. How about its littermates and the dam? Look around at others in the litter, all should appear healthy and well fed. Look around for any fecal matter that may not have been removed yet. Is the stool well-formed or sloppy? A clean environment and robust family of dogs are very good signs! If the sire and dam are present, how do they behave? A surprising amount of behavior is inherited. The parents may be one of the best indications of the future temperament of your new puppy. Hip and elbow dysplasias are potentially crippling abnormalities of joint formation that, unfortunately, do occur in this breed. While there are several factors involved in joint dysplasias, it is well known that these are at least partly inherited. It may take several years for the painful arthritis associated with hip and elbow dysplasia to become apparent, but the joints can be checked by x-ray examination before breeding. Making sure that both parents, and as many of their relatives as possible, are radiographically free of hip and elbow dysplasia will help you to avoid this sad condition. Have the parents had their eyes examined? Unfortunately, again, some Labradors may have inherited eye defects that could lead to vision loss. Subtle changes in the appearance of the retina part of the inside of the eye can indicate that tendency. Retinal Dysplasia is generally a non-progressive eye disease that causes varying degrees of poor eye-sight, but rarely total blindness. Juvenile Cataracts are spots of abnormal coloration deep within the lens. They generally do not affect vision and are non-progressive. If interested, does this puppy have show, field, hunting, or obedience potential? Even with outstanding pedigrees, not every puppy will have the qualities sought after in the show ring, field or obedience ring. Check the pedigrees for the blending of lines that will produce the best possible animal. Ask the breeder for a certificate of vaccination stating what vaccines it has already received and when, and by whom. For adequate protection, puppies need a series of vaccinations. Check with your own veterinarian for advice. If the puppy was dewormed, what was the drug used and when was it given. If the puppy was not dewormed, was a fecal exam done? The breeder can answer whether or not the dam or other litters have had problems with worms. What type and brand of food, how much, and how often? The breeder will usually recommend a food and feeding program. It is important not to over-feed nor under-feed a growing puppy! Heartworm is spread from dog to dog by mosquitoes. The puppy should be placed on heartworm preventative at an early age, and maintained on this medicine each year throughout mosquito season. What are the terms of the guarantee if any? Have your new puppy examined by your veterinarian as soon as possible after you pick it up to assure its good health. Christmas Puppies Puppies are not good holiday gifts… Each year ads bombard us with images of adorable puppies wrapped in red bows waiting under the tree for excited children who will shower them with love and attention. But during the hectic holidays, this may not be reality. Santa knows better! A puppy may not be the perfect holiday gift. Each year ads bombard us with images of adorable puppies wrapped in red bows waiting under the tree for excited children who will shower them with love and attention. If you are considering giving a puppy this holiday season, please reconsider. Experts give the following reasons for waiting until after the holidays to bring a new dog into your life. Puppies are not something you should decide to get on an impulse. They are a lifetime responsibility that generally live anywhere from eight to fourteen years, depending upon the breed. Adult size, appetite, disposition and amount of grooming required must be carefully considered. Puppies require constant attention. During the holidays, many people are too busy to keep an eye on the new puppy to ensure that it does not get in harms way with holiday decorations, plants, and other hazards that may injure them or make them sick. It is hard to find moments in an already full schedule for training, comforting and loving an insecure puppy who needs reassurances in his new surroundings away from siblings and birth home for the first time. Overexcited children may scare the puppy or neglect it, especially if it chews new presents or has an accident on the rug. Once the holidays are over, give the owner-to-be the opportunity to research the breed of dog that best suits their preferences and lifestyle. Then together you can bring the puppy home. The pet-owning public is being duped into believing that animals with this dilute coat color are desirable, purebred and rare and, therefore, warrant special notoriety or a premium purchase price. Silver Labs. Our Prices: Our base prices are listed below, according to current demand for colors and genders. Note: Sales tax is due on any pups or merchandise sold in California. By request, and for an additional fee, we often transport puppies to Davis. We used to be able to ship puppies via airplane all over the continental United States, but more restrictions apply at this time, due to Covid, extreme heat, or extreme cold. Unfortunately, we no longer ship puppies to Hawaii, due to their quarantine restrictions. Can I pick out my Labrador Retriever puppy before the designated adoption date? Sorry, but no. Most people will not know which puppy they are choosing until puppy adoption day. What supplies do we need for our new puppy? So many people ask us this question, we wrote a blog giving our advice. You can read our blog here. Do you raise American or English Labs? Both, actually, but mainly American. Only a few of our dogs are pure English; some are a blend of American and English. Litters are usually pure American or a blend of American and English. None, so far, are pure English. If you scroll down to the bottom of the videos page you can also view links to past litters of Labrador puppies for your viewing pleasure. We may, however, be able to refer you to hunting dog trainers, so feel free to shoot us an email asking us about that. Marble Mountain Kennels.

By choosing a dog food with top ingredients, you can ensure your Frenchie receives the essential nutrients they need for a healthy and happy life. Salmon, poultry, and lamb are particularly beneficial sources of protein for French Bulldogs. Healthy Fats Healthy fats, such as omega-6 fatty acids, are an excellent source of nutrition for French Bulldogs. These fatty acids help maintain a healthy immune system, promote healthy skin, and result in a glossy coat. By providing your Frenchie with a diet rich in healthy fats, you can support their skin and coat health while helping to moderate inflammation. Beneficial Supplements In addition to high-quality protein and healthy fats, beneficial supplements like prebiotic fiber, probiotics, glucosamine, chondroitin, taurine, and omega fatty acids should be considered for French Bulldog dog food. Prebiotic fiber and probiotics are formulated to be gentle on the digestive system and promote digestion. Glucosamine and chondroitin are essential for joint health and support joint and cartilage health maintenance. Taurine and omega fatty acids have been found to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Some dog foods that include these beneficial supplements are: Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dry Dog Food, which contains taurine for cardiovascular health Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy Food — which provides complete and balanced nutrition, strengthens the immune system, encourages growth, and promotes balanced intestinal flora. By choosing a dog food with these beneficial supplements, you can provide your Frenchie with a well-rounded diet that supports their overall health. Potential Allergies and Sensitivities in French Bulldogs French Bulldogs may be prone to allergies and sensitivities , making it important to research the ingredients in their food and consult a vet if necessary. Some common sensitivities in French Bulldogs include corn, soy, beef, and dairy products. If your Frenchie shows signs of allergies or sensitivities, it is essential to evaluate the ingredients in their food and seek veterinary advice if needed. If you suspect your French Bulldog has a food allergy , you may want to consider a limited-ingredient dog food or a grain-free diet. By being aware of potential allergies and sensitivities and choosing the right dog food, you can help your Frenchie maintain a healthy and happy life. Feeding Guidelines for French Bulldogs Feeding guidelines for French Bulldogs include following label recommendations for feeding quantity and dividing daily servings into smaller meals for sustained energy supply. For French Bulldog puppies , it is recommended to provide them with 1. Puppies aged between 2 to 6 months should be supplied with three meals per day, whereas older puppies should be given two meals daily. Adult and senior French Bulldogs should also be fed two meals per day. By following these feeding guidelines, you can ensure that your Frenchie receives the right amount of food for their age, weight, and activity level, helping them maintain a healthy body weight and preventing potential health issues. Our Top Picks: Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs in Our top picks for the best dog food for French Bulldogs in include a variety of options tailored to meet the unique nutritional needs of this charming breed. From weight management formulas to grain-free options and specialized diets for puppies and seniors, these dog foods offer the essential nutrients your Frenchie needs to thrive. Pet owners recommend this dog food for its weight maintenance benefits, quality ingredients, and multiple protein sources. Additionally, it is free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and contains taurine, which acts as a natural antioxidant for your pup. By choosing the best overall dog food for your Frenchie, you can support their overall health and well-being. This dog food is specifically tailored for overweight and less active dogs, providing an optimal protein-to-fat ratio to help them reach their weight goals and maintain an energetic lifestyle. However, the benefits it offers in terms of weight management and affordability make it a great value option for French Bulldog owners. Food and food are both great options when it comes to feeding your French Bulldog puppies. Both provide a complete, balanced diet for their growth and development. Food provides complete and balanced nutrition, strengthens the immune system, encourages growth, and promotes balanced intestinal flora. It is also easy to digest for optimal nutrient absorption, making it an ideal choice for your Frenchie puppy. It is worth noting that some puppies may not take to Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food, and it is more expensive than other dog food options due to its breed-specific nature. However, the benefits it offers in terms of nutrition and breed-specific formulation make it a top choice for French Bulldog puppies. It provides optimal nutrition to maintain their health and wellbeing. This specialized diet is formulated for French Bulldogs over the age of twelve months and includes L-carnitine and top-notch protein to sustain optimal muscle mass, probiotics to minimize intestinal fermentation, and a kibble design that is easy for Frenchies to consume and encourages chewing. While some dogs may not accept Royal Canin French Bulldog Adult Dry Dog Food and it is costly, the benefits it provides in terms of nutrition and breed-specific formulation make it an ideal choice for senior French Bulldogs. Customers say their dogs love the taste of this food. Additionally, it is excellent for dogs with food allergies. No longer will they suffer from itchy paws or diarrhea. By choosing a dog food specifically designed for French Bulldogs with allergies, you can help alleviate their allergy symptoms and provide them with a diet that supports their overall health and well-being. Customers have reported that their dogs enjoy the flavor of Wellness Core Grain-Free Kibble and have maintained a healthy coat when consuming this food. By choosing a grain-free dog food option for your French Bulldog, you can support their overall health while accommodating their dietary needs. They come in a wide variety of flavors and are packed with lots of nutrition. Our dogs do deserve the best! Gradually introducing the new food over a period of days can help avoid these problems. If your dog experiences any digestive issues or stomach discomfort, consult your veterinarian for advice. Foods to avoid include chocolate, coffee, tea, grapes, and raisins. Instead, consider offering your Frenchie safe and healthy alternatives such as oatmeal, sweet potatoes, brown rice, fish, chicken, vegetables carrots, green beans, broccoli , and fruits apples, bananas, blueberries. It is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian if you are uncertain about what foods are appropriate for your French Bulldog. By providing your Frenchie with safe and healthy food alternatives, you can promote their overall health and well-being. Homemade Dog Food Options for French Bulldogs While commercially manufactured foods are generally recommended for French Bulldogs, some owners may prefer to prepare homemade dog food for their pets. Suitable ingredients for homemade dog food for French Bulldogs include cooked lean meats, cooked eggs, cooked vegetables, cooked grains, and healthy fats. If you choose to prepare homemade dog food for your French Bulldog, it is essential to ensure that the diet provides the necessary nutrients to support their health and well-being. Consult your veterinarian for guidance on creating a balanced and nutritious homemade diet for your Frenchie. Summary In conclusion, selecting the best dog food for your Frenchie is an essential part of supporting their overall health and well-being. By understanding their unique nutritional needs, choosing high-quality ingredients, and providing a diet tailored to their age, weight, and activity level, you can ensure your Frenchie thrives. With the right nutrition, your Frenchie will enjoy a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. Frequently Asked Questions What are Frenchies allergic to? French can suffer from environmental allergies such as dust mites, pollens, molds, and grass as well as food allergies such as corn, soy, beef, and dairy products. Taking steps to reduce exposure to allergens can help keep your Frenchie healthy and comfortable. This could include things like keeping the house clean, using air purifiers, and avoiding areas with high pollen. What should I feed my French Bulldog puppy? As the owner of a French Bulldog puppy, it is important to ensure your pup is getting the right nutrients. Feed them high-quality, nutritionally complete puppy food and, if desired, lean raw meat to provide them with the balanced diet they need. When he's not spending time with his furry best friend "Freddy II", you can find him reading up on the latest Frenchie trends or exploring new parks and hiking trails with his dapper little Frenchie by his side. Whether you're a seasoned Frenchie owner or just starting your journey, Freddy is excited to share his experiences and insights with you through his articles on this website. French Bulldog puppies have unique dietary needs that require special attention. There are a few key factors to consider. First off, opt for puppy-specific formulas that meet their nutritional requirements. Avoid recipes with fillers or artificial additives — go for wholesome kibble made especially for small dogs like Frenchies. A balanced diet is crucial in preventing common issues such as paw licking or upset tummies. With proper nutrition, your Frenchie pup will be ready to conquer the world one playful bark at a time. This premium dog food provides a balanced diet with a combination of high-quality proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It contains essential nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that promote healthy growth and support a strong immune system. One of the key features of Royal Canin Small Puppy is its small kibble size, which makes it easier for Frenchie puppies to chew and digest. This formula includes prebiotics to support digestive health and aid in nutrient absorption. The inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids contributes to healthy skin and a shiny coat. This grain-inclusive formula includes deboned chicken as the primary source of protein along with wholesome grains like brown rice. The blend of fruits, vegetables, and superfoods in Wellness Complete Health Puppy ensures that your furry friend receives essential vitamins and minerals. This recipe also incorporates omega fatty acids for healthy brain development and DHA for optimal eye health. We have never used this brand but I hear great things about it. This formula features deboned chicken as the main ingredient, providing a high-quality source of protein to support muscle development. What sets Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe apart is its inclusion of whole grains like brown rice and barley. These grains offer a good source of energy and fiber while promoting healthy digestion. The recipe also includes fruits and vegetables such as apples, blueberries, and sweet potatoes to provide additional nutrients. Royal Canin has been our go to french bulldog puppy food. After trying multiple brands such as Purina, Stella and Chewy, and Merrick no large quantity available for purchase, small bags got expensive , Royal Canin has never let us down. We have never noticed skin problems, intolerance, and poops have always been great. Other brands have caused vomiting, diarrhea, and skin reactions to name a few. French Bulldog puppies are energetic and growing rapidly, which means they need frequent meals throughout the day. It is recommended to feed them three to four times daily until they reach six months of age. This regular feeding schedule helps maintain their energy levels and supports proper growth. Follow the recommended portion sizes based on their age and weight. Different brands may have specific guidelines tailored for French Bulldog puppies or small breed puppies in general. For puppies aged weeks: 1 cup of food per meal. Victor Ocean Fish All Life Stages Dog Food Remember that these portions can vary depending on individual factors such as activity level and metabolism. Adjust the portion sizes accordingly if you notice significant weight gain or loss. Monitor their weight gain and adjust feeding amounts accordingly. While puppies naturally gain weight as they grow, excessive weight gain can lead to health issues such as joint problems. Keep an eye on their body condition and consult with your veterinarian if you have concerns about their weight. If your puppy is gaining too much weight, consider reducing the portion sizes slightly or switching to a lower-calorie puppy food formula. On the other hand, if they are not gaining enough weight or appear undernourished, consult with your vet to determine if an increase in portion size or a different type of food is necessary. By following these feeding guidelines, you can ensure that your French Bulldog puppy receives the nutrition they need during this crucial stage of growth. Providing proper nutrition will help set the foundation for a healthy and happy adult French Bulldog. Feeding your Frenchie the wrong food can lead to serious health issues and discomfort. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be highly toxic for dogs. Even small amounts can cause symptoms like restlessness, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures or even death. Onions and Garlic: A Recipe for Anemia While onions and garlic might add flavor to our meals, they pose a significant risk to our four-legged companions. This could lead to anemia and potentially life-threatening complications for your French Bulldog. The exact reason behind this toxicity is still unknown; however, ingestion of these fruits has been linked to kidney failure in some dogs. Xylitol: Sweetness Turns Sour Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly found in sugar-free products like gum or candy. While it may be harmless for humans, it can be extremely dangerous for dogs. If ingested by your French Bulldog, xylitol can cause a sudden release of insulin, leading to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels. This can result in seizures, liver failure, or even death. Opt for high-quality dog food specifically formulated for their needs. Look for options that include meat protein sources like chicken or salmon, as these are beneficial for their muscle development and overall health. Make sure the food you choose contains adequate amounts of vitamins and fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat. Avoid foods with excessive fat content that could lead to weight gain or digestive issues such as loose stools. Stick to dog-friendly fruits and veggies as treats instead. Chicken fat as dog food High-fat meats, chicken skin and fat from steaks or roasts are not recommended. Ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis. This can be a very painful condition for dogs. Providing a healthy diet is essential for their overall health and well-being. Opting for lean proteins like chicken and turkey ensures they receive high-quality nutrients without excessive fat content. These proteins promote muscle development, support growth, and provide essential amino acids for overall health. Opt for natural alternatives that are free from these artificial additives. Whole Grains: Nourishing Carbohydrate Sources Carbohydrates play a role in providing energy to your puppy. However, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Instead of fillers like corn or wheat that offer limited nutritional value, look for whole grains such as brown rice or oats. These whole food ingredients provide fiber, vitamins, minerals while promoting steady energy levels throughout the day. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Promoting Healthy Skin and Coat To maintain healthy skin and a lustrous coat on your furry friend, incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into their diet. Sources like fish oil offer an abundance of these beneficial fats that nourish their skin from within. Not only do omega-3s contribute to a shiny coat but they also help reduce inflammation and support healthy skin and overall health. By opting for lean proteins, avoiding artificial additives, incorporating whole grains, and including omega-3 fatty acids, you are providing the essential nutrients they need to thrive. Remember, a healthy diet sets the foundation for a happy and active French Bulldog. So be mindful of what goes into their food bowl to ensure they grow up strong and free from unnecessary health problems. Now that you understand the importance of healthy ingredients in food, you can make informed choices when selecting the very best dog food options for your furry companion. Keep their health in mind as you provide them with nourishing meals that will support their growth and overall well-being. By following these feeding guidelines, you can provide your Frenchie with the balanced nutrition they need to stay in optimal health. Obesity can lead to various health problems such as joint issues, heart disease, and respiratory difficulties. To keep track of their weight effectively, consider using a digital scale designed for pets or consult with your veterinarian. Adjusting Portion Sizes French Bulldogs have different dietary requirements based on their activity level and age. Puppies require more calories and nutrients to support their growth and development compared to adult dogs. To determine the appropriate portion size for your puppy or adult dog, consider consulting with animal nutritionists or your veterinarian. They can provide personalized recommendations based on factors such as breed-specific needs and individual metabolism. Excessive treats can contribute to weight gain if not properly regulated. Instead of relying solely on treats for positive reinforcement, try using praise or playtime as alternative rewards. Be mindful of the calorie content in both regular meals and treats. Opt for healthier options like small pieces of lean meat or fruits and vegetables that are safe for dogs. You could even use it as a meal topper to make meal time more fun. There are hundreds of different options on the market all claiming to be the best, no wonder our Frenchie parents constantly turn to us asking what they should feed their puppies. The usual nutritional needs of French Bulldog A well-balanced Frenchie diet should contain the correct amounts of macronutrients: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. However, this is only a general guideline, and a more accurate calculation can be made based on specific factors. For instance, the age and activity level of your dog are essential factors to consider. Hormonal changes can cause neutered dogs to become less active than their fertile counterparts. Store-bought vs. Most commercial dog foods and canned goods contain preservatives, flavor enhancers, coloring, and other additives. Instead of real meat, they often contain animal by-products or meat meal, which can cause allergic reactions in some dogs. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email When you cook food for your dogs, you can be sure of what goes into their bowl. Finally, homemade meals can prolong the average French Bulldog lifespan , so we definitely recommend homemade food! Why is it so hard to find the right dog food? Feeding is an evergreen topic among Frenchie parents in our Facebook group. They know they should feed their puppy with high-quality premium dog food to keep their baby healthy and fit, but they are left puzzled when they see the plethora of different choices. The answer is actually quite simple: every Frenchie is different and what works for one puppy may unfortunately cause problems for the other. The best French Bulldog breeders will always give you advice on how to continue feeding your puppy once you welcome them home. So what are the most important things to consider while trying to find the perfect food for your Frenchie? Read on to find out! The quality of dog food is always determined by the percentage of its protein content, in other words, the amount of meat or fish it contains. So what should you pay attention to when looking at the ingredients list? This could be beef, lamb, salmon, or any other type of meat. The list usually ends with some sort of animal fat, vegetables, and fruits. Jasper, available French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Any other ingredient not mentioned above is only included to increase the volume of the dog food and to ensure the most economical production possible. So, if you see that a food contains an unrealistic amount of filler ingredients like wheat, corn, or chemical preservatives, it is definitely not a suitable and healthy choice for your Frenchie. Dog foods without chicken and grains A question that always comes up when choosing the right food for a Frenchie is whether it has to be chicken or grain-free. For that reason, we usually recommend giving chicken and grain-free food right from the start to avoid any possible problems. Makayla, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies That means that if you look at the list of ingredients, you can find companies whose food meets all the criteria we mentioned above and is much more affordable. Like with so many things, the name is not everything! On the other hand, if the kibble is too large they will have difficulties consuming the food. The flavor of the dog food When looking at dog foods, you can choose from lots of different flavors like a lamb, fish, beef, duck, etc. If one of the foods from a particular brand works fine for your Frenchie, the flavors can and should be changed as long as they have the same nutritional values. A varied diet is important not only for humans but dogs as well, not to mention that your fur baby will be very happy to taste some new flavors. The stool of your Frenchie A very important criterion and perhaps the best indicator of the given food is suitable for your Frenchie is their stool. A healthy stool should always be completely solid, which means you can easily collect it with a bag. You should always ensure a smooth transition by gradually mixing in more and more of the new food with the old to avoid any dietary issues. Signs of a food allergy in your Frenchie We have already mentioned that Frenchies tend to be allergic to chicken, but what are the actual signs of a food allergy? The most common symptoms include scratching, hair loss, dull lifeless fur, inflamed eyes and ears often with some discharge, paw licking, swelling, but also vomiting, and loose stools. You may not notice all of these and the degree to which they occur may also vary. Any of these symptoms indicate that an immediate change of diet is necessary, about which you should always consult your vet first. Eating a bit more slowly and with less appetite are usually signs telling you to cut out the middle meal. As for the amount, nice-looking French Bulldogs are a bit stockier, so you should always increase and lower the amount of their food with that in mind. Read our article to learn more about maintaining a healthy body weight for your Frenchie. Odie, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Special recommendations by TomKings Puppies The best food for French Bulldog with a sensitive stomach For dogs with sensitive stomachs, we always recommend home-cooked food , so you can be sure of what your dog is eating. However, it is important to ensure that the transition from store-bought to home-cooked dog food is gradual. Consultation with a veterinarian can also be helpful in determining the best wet food for a French Bulldog. It is essential to choose a high-quality brand that uses real meat and avoids fillers, artificial preservatives, and additives. Look for products that are labeled as complete and balanced, which means they contain all the essential nutrients your French Bulldog needs in the right proportions. The best dry food for French Bulldogs Although cheaper dry food may appear to be similar to premium brands based on the label, there are significant differences in the quantity and quality of the ingredients. Additionally, we advise you to switch to adult food at the age of months. We always inform new parents of Tomkings puppies of the brands we used to feed the pups and we recommend to continue using the same brand for some time. The best raw food for Frenchies There are several types of raw food diets for dogs, including the Prey Model Diet, the B. To ensure that TomKings puppies receive only the highest quality food, we continuously evaluate available options and test the latest trends. We consult with a panel of experts and experienced puppy parents within the TomKings Frenchie Family, and we are proud to recommend the B. Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods diet. Consulting with a veterinarian is also recommended to determine the best course of action. In general, weight management dog foods can be a good option for overweight French Bulldogs. These foods are formulated to be lower in calories and fat while still providing high-quality protein and other essential nutrients. Avoid feeding table scraps or high-calorie treats, and make sure to provide plenty of opportunities for exercise and play. In some cases, a prescription diet recommended by a veterinarian may be necessary to help your French Bulldog achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Best food for French Bulldogs with skin allergies If your French Bulldog has skin allergies, it is important to choose a diet that is specially formulated to help support skin health and minimize potential allergens. Consultation with a veterinarian is also recommended to determine the best course of action. Some high-quality dog food brands offer special formulas that are designed for dogs with skin allergies. These foods typically contain limited ingredients and exclude common allergens such as wheat, soy, chicken, and dairy products. Instead, they may use alternative protein sources such as fish or venison and may contain added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help support skin health. Some veterinarians may also recommend prescription diets that are formulated specifically to manage skin allergies in dogs. These diets may contain hydrolyzed proteins, which have been broken down into smaller components to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction. Even though processed dog foods might not look healthy to us, they actually contain all the nutrients that Frenchies need to stay healthy. Home-made and raw diets like B. Should I opt for dry kibble or canned wet food? Wet foods are of course more appealing to dogs, which means they get used to them easily and will not want to eat dry food again. If your Frenchie is a picky eater you can mix the dry and wet food but never give them the latter only. We recommend wet food for dogs who are ill and have no appetite. How much time does my puppy need to adjust to a new food? At what age should I switch to adult food for my French Bulldog? We usually recommend switching to adult food at the age of months old. If you notice that your puppy looks a bit chubbier or bigger compared to other Frenchies you can make this change even sooner. What is the best food for a Frenchie puppy? The best choice for your Frenchie puppy is to continue providing the same brand the breeder used to provide. This should be a high-quality brand that uses real meat and avoids fillers, artificial preservatives, and additives. What is the best food for an adult French Bulldog? You have several options. You can buy high-quality wet and dry god food at your local pet store or if you want more control over what goes into the bowl, you can feed your adult Frenchie with home-cooked food. Raw diets like B. The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies , or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article. May 31, Are you head over heels for your adorable French Bulldog puppy? These little bundles of joy bring so much laughter and love into our lives. Best Food for your French Bulldog puppy According to vets and French Bulldog experts in the US, the best bulldog diet should contain proteins, carbohydrates as well as an equal amount of healthy fats for brain power and energy. Just like humans, your dog could be allergic to some kind of food, such as corn or soy, but in most cases, they are actually allergic to fillers found in processed food. These fillers are used to add mass to the product, but have no nutritional value and are difficult to digest. The best way to save your dog from this kind of suffering is avoiding fillers and giving him whole food ingredients. These budget-friendly choices mostly trigger allergies and contribute to various health problems. Having earned the highest of all ratings, NutriSource is a great choice for puppies! Contains all the essential nutrients for the optimum health of your pet. Contains no animal by-products, whole corn, artificial additives or preservatives. Fromm Besides containing nearly all of the essential nutrients, the fact that you can get grain-free varieties and non-grain-free varieties is great. Salmon oil and probiotics have been added to aid digestion and promote good health. No corn and no wheat. Highest consumer ratings!

By Sarah Ashley Published Jan 22, Bulldogs are sweet, loyal companion dogs that make it impossible not to fall in love with them. Just ask Chrissy Teigen. Full disclosure, we talk about English Bulldogs here. French bulldogs are a different story. Frenchies are pointy-eared, tiny versions of their English relatives, originally bred in the s by mating said relatives with the now-extinct toy bulldogs. American bulldogs and boxers fall into this bull breed category, too, but are also very different animals. Breed History English bulldogs are non-sporting canines. They were originally bred for bull-baiting, a horrible practice in medieval Europe that involved forcing the dogs to taunt and bite bulls. No, thank you! Today, bulldogs have been bred to be kinder, gentler and generally more playful pups—yet physically they still resemble their rough ancestors and, occasionally, some of their ancient nasty behavior seeps out. Temperament A few of those nasty behaviors include stubbornness and aggression. Bulldogs can be super territorial of their food, so weaning them off this tendency early is key see Training below. For the most part, bulldogs are known for their loyalty, friendliness and chill factor. Tug-of-war is to bulldogs what tennis is to Serena. Size Adult bulldogs reach 14 to 15 inches tall and can weigh up to 40 to 50 pounds. Females are generally smaller than males by about 10 pounds. Build Due to their specialized breeding history, bulldogs are muscular and dense. They are also a dysplastic breed, which means their hip sockets are shallower than those of most dogs. Some have straight tails while others have little curlicues. Notable Features English bulldogs have short, glossy coats that come in a variety of colors. Life Expectancy English Bulldogs typically live only eight to ten years. Training Because bulldogs can be stubborn, training early is critical. Companion Level Bulldogs are wonderful companions and great with kids. Their sturdy build and calm demeanor make them troopers when it comes to strong kid grips and rough petting. Plus, they are loyal lovers and enjoy company. However, make sure they are trained not to bite people early on. If a child startles them, they could snip. When it comes to other pets, bulldogs are more often than not on board and ready to mingle. They tend to be more aggressive when it comes to same-gender doggie playmates, so two males in one household could cause issues. Feeding As with most dogs, bulldogs run the risk of becoming overweight, so feeding them enough to maintain their thick build without overdoing it is key. So…look out for that. The reason bulldogs are so expensive is the mating and birth processes are highly complicated aka all bulldog babies are the products of artificial insemination and C-sections. Of course, you can always adopt a bulldog from a shelter! Grooming Bulldogs are big shedders. Brushing them at least once a week preferably three times is encouraged. And beware: The skin on their faces piles up into folds, which can cause skin ailments when dirt or moisture gets caught in the wrinkles. Be sure to watch for itchy, red skin and clean between these folds often. Activity Level Bulldogs can pack on the pounds easily join the club so regular exercise is necessary. A brisk walk or rambunctious tug-of-war is great. Just watch out for heat, water and stairs. And while they can swim, deep water easily gets into their noses increasing the likelihood of drowning. Finally, going down stairs is tricky for their shoulder-heavy bodies. Health Issues Bulldogs definitely have their fair share of potential health issues. The biggest health issues bulldogs face are respiratory- and mobility-related. Due to a pesky disorder called brachycephalic syndrome, caused by their short snouts, breathing can be difficult and may require surgery if your bulldog also suffers from narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate or a narrow windpipe. Bulldogs also experience more hip dysplasia than any other breed. Roughly 72 percent of bulldogs experience joint or bone problems due to bad hips in their lifetime. Some bulldogs develop eye ailments like extra eyelashes, flipped lids or irritated corneas. Weird Facts Bulldogs have notoriously bad gas. UKC Classification: Companion Dog Prevalence: Common The English bulldog is a brawny little powerhouse whose characteristic crablike waddle exudes great strength, stability and vigor. The dog's head is large and spherical, and the muzzle is extremely short, giving the face a flattened appearance. The English bulldog's eyes are dark and set low and wide on the forehead in the frontal plane. The nose is black and slightly upturned. The jaws or "chops" are massive, broad and undershot. The lower jaw juts out in front of the upper jaw to scarcely expose the lower incisors, producing a comical grin. The lips are fleshy and pendulous. The cheeks are well rounded and protrude sideways. The ears are thin, small and angle forward like flaps that frame the forehead. The English bulldog's neck is short and thick; the shoulders are massive, muscular and broad. The chest is deep and full, and the back is barreled and slightly arched. His rounded hips protrude slightly above the level of the back. The stubby tail is thick and either straight or screwed. His short, stocky legs have great muscle definition. They are splayed out and slightly bowed at the elbows and hocks to form a sturdy, base-wide stance. The English bulldog stands about 16 inches tall. The female weighs about 50 pounds 23 kilograms , and the male weighs about 54 pounds 24 kilograms. The English bulldog's skin is loose and pendant with heavy wrinkles and thick folds on the face and a dewlap hanging from the throat. The coat is short and fine textured. The various color patterns are brindle, piebald, and solid white, red, fawn or fallow. Personality: The English bulldog has a sweet, gentle disposition. Dependable and predictable, the bulldog is a wonderful family pet and loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively solicit human attention. However, they have retained the courage that was originally bred into them for bull baiting, so they make fine watchdogs. Although they generally get along well with other family pets, English bulldogs can be aggressive to unfamiliar dogs. Living With: English bulldogs make fine apartment pets and do not require a yard. Typically low-endurance dogs, they need only a moderate amount of exercise. They thrive best in temperate climates; they readily overheat and have breathing difficulties in hot weather, and they chill easily in cold temperatures. Generally loud breathers, English bulldogs tend to snore and wheeze. Many drool as well. They are moderate shedders and their short coats require little grooming. However, the wrinkles on the face should be wiped regularly to prevent skin infections. History: Named for its use in the sport of bull baiting, the English bulldog seems to have originated in the British Isles sometime prior to the 13th century. One of the few references to the sport dates back to , and talks about a butcher's dogs that chased a bull through the English town of Stamford. This pursuit so pleased the earl of the town that he inaugurated bull baiting as a sport in his domain. Today, the English bulldog makes a fine family pet. The AKC recognizes the breed simply as the bulldog. Related Pet Care Articles. This will ensure that the puppy comes from healthy parents and has been raised properly. How would you know which is the right breeder? There are many lists of good and trusted breeders online that you can check. Alternatively, you can look at dog breeder reviews in your area. After that, once you get in contact with a breeder, you should make sure that they are upfront and honest with you. And of course — always ask for a health certificate! What about adopting a bulldog from a shelter? Still, well-run shelters and rescues often provide health certificates and adequate health info. They also take good care of their animals. It should go without saying that young pups are full of energy but a lot of new bulldog owners get surprised by that. What does that mean? In fact, bulldog puppies are a lot of fun! However, you should be mindful of that before getting your bulldog puppy. The dogs from this breed are very loyal and defensive of their family Most dog breeds are known as loyal and loving toward their families but this goes doubly for bulldogs. This makes them an incredibly dependable breed — unless you mistreat it, your bulldog will always be by your side and will always be willing to help you out. Bulldogs often need to be taught not to bark. Because they feel the need to protect you, bulldogs often have the urge to bark not just at strangers but even just at outside noises. This can be annoying not just for you but for your neighbors too. Bulldogs can be a little jumpy. This is as much out of fear as it is due to their instinct to react to anything that might threaten their family. But while it is incredibly cute, it also leads to certain problems. Breeds with such flat noses are called brachycephalic dogs. With pretty much all of them, this unique facial structure is due to the way they were bred over the years. And with all of them, it has two negative side-effects: The potential respiratory health problems we mentioned above. Lots of snoring! Sure, the latter sounds much less problematic than the former. And it is! But the extra loud snoring and snorting are still important to keep in mind Why? This breed is extremely social and requires near-constant human presence A common misconception is that all dog breeds are social. Sure, all dogs are more social than cats but there are still dog breeds that are much more individualistic than others. Bulldogs always want to be near you, they always love sleeping on you, they love getting pets and belly rubs, and they adore any type of attention and pleasant physical interaction. Is there a downside to this, however? Unfortunately, yes. This hyper-social mentality of bulldogs makes them ill-suited for people who spend lots of time out of the house. Instead, bulldogs are best-suited for people who work from home. Get your bulldog a second canine buddy. A bored dog is a dog that takes out its frustration on your couch. Fortunately, bulldogs are not one of those breeds. Instead, all they need is a bit of running, a bit of ball play, and the rest can be hugs and petting on the couch. If you make the mistake of overplaying or overworking your bulldog there may be some unfortunate health consequences such as overheating, hyperventilating, or a stroke. In short bulldogs are lazy dogs for lazy people. Or, at least adult bulldogs are that way — as we said, bulldog puppies can be quite energetic before they grow up. Be mindful of overheating your bulldog Going on from the previous point, bulldogs are really easy to accidentally overheat. And not just with excessive physical exercise either. Instead, a bulldog can get overheated due to many different reasons: Stress. English Bulldogs are up there with Dalmatians and Golden Retrievers for being one of the most easily recognizable dogs around. They have a distinctive look to them, with their most prominent characteristic being their short snouts and chubby faces. English Bulldogs are short - only about a foot tall - and extremely stout. They're tough little guys and were originally bred to fight bulls. These days, they've lost all of their fight and have turned into super lovable dogs. They're very friendly, don't require much exercise, and have a lot to offer for new families. However, they do have a tendency to develop health issues later in life and require some extra attention in certain areas. In this medieval sport, Bulldogs would attack and taunt tethered bulls, eventually pinning the bull down to be executed. Bullbaiting was outlawed in , however, which seemed like the end for the little fighting machines. They were notoriously aggressive, and only bred for a singular purpose - so why keep them as pets? Well, over time, passionate breeders were able to turn these little fighters into the chubby cuddlers we know them as today. They're now one of the more revered breeds of dogs, and often can be found on display at dog shows around the world. Their heads are large and round, with a flat muzzle. They have large, broadly set jaws, and have droopy jowls and skin all around their face. They have a short and thick body, with broad shoulders and stocky legs. They come in a variety of color patterns, though the most well known is white and brown. Despite their fierce appearance and history, they are some of the gentlest dogs around. The English Bulldog personality portrays to be very sociable, especially with people, so you don't have to worry about introducing them to new animals and friends. That said, they are still loyal and brave, making them great watchdogs. They don't scare easy and will do more than just bark if they sense an intruder. The most obvious is its coat color. Blue English Bulldogs have a grey and white coat mix, as opposed to a brown and white coat. The second difference, and the characteristic most people seeking out Blue English Bulldogs are interested in them, is their blue eyes. Blue eyes are rare on just about any dog, but especially when it comes to English Bulldogs, who traditionally have dark brown and black eyes. While this may not seem like a big deal to most, this one change can be very difficult to breed for. And as a result, these dogs are much, much more expensive than traditional English Bulldogs. British bulldog British Bulldogs are the standard English Bulldogs that you think of or see the majority of the time. They have a brown and white coat with dark brown eyes and are the least expensive of the English Bulldog variations. Mini bulldog The Mini Bulldog - sometimes called the Toy Bulldog - is a variation of English Bulldogs that is the same in just about every way, except that they are much smaller. They also tend to have less wrinkly and chubby physiques, which may appeal to certain owners. Unlike other toy breeds, though, the Mini Bulldog is not as small as you might expect. It's somewhere in between the standard English Bulldog and a Chihuahua. So think of them as a slightly smaller Bulldog rather than a tiny one. Mini Bulldogs have been bred since the s, though they didn't really find their footing until the s and s. While the breed became popular, the reduction in health issues has mostly been negligible. They can eat any dog food and be ok, though high-quality dog food is generally recommended. Just make sure that whatever dog food you are feeding them is relevant to their needs puppy, adult, senior, indoor, outdoor, etc. The one thing to keep in mind about English Bulldogs when it comes to their diet is that they can be particularly prone to becoming overweight. This is because they don't exercise as much as other dogs. So, make sure that you aren't ever overfeeding your English Bulldog. Treats are ok to give them during training, although it's easy to overfeed them on treats if you aren't careful. Grooming English Bulldogs are prone to shedding more than most dogs, so you'll need to make an active effort to keep their coats in check. This can be done by giving them a thorough brushing two to three times each week. When shedding is heavier, you may find that a rubber curry brush works best. The wrinkles around your bulldogs face will need to be cleaned periodically, as food, dirt, and moisture can all become trapped there. A cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide is helpful for cleaning their wrinkles. For drying their wrinkles after cleaning, applying cornstarch to moist areas works best. Just be sure that cornstarch is not applied near their eyes. Their nails should be trimmed every two weeks or so as well. Exercise English Bulldogs are not very athletic dogs, so laidback owners will have a nice time relaxing with their Bulldog. That said, like any dog, moderate exercise from time to time is still recommended. Casual walks or an hour or so in the backyard is usually enough exercise for these little guys. It's important to keep in mind, though, that English Bulldogs do not do well in heat. So during the summer, it's best that they stay inside, near an air conditioner if it's particularly hot. English Bulldogs will have a hard time going up and down stairs, so if you have stairs in your home, it might be good to build some kind of ramp or carry them up the stairs yourself. They should also be kept away from pools and bodies of water unless supervised closely since they are not strong swimmers. Training Like most dogs, English Bulldogs are eager to please their owners, so they are reasonably trainable so long as they are started at an early enough age, and checking out our Puppy Growth Chart may help you determine the best age for puppy training. They should also be socialized while they are young as well, or they may have a hard time interacting with new people and pets. Bulldogs love to chew, so they'll need lots of chew toys all throughout their life. However, it is also important to train them to release what they are chewing on command, as they may end up chewing something important to you or harmful for them. English Bulldogs can be very protective of their food, which can cause them to be aggressive as they get older. In order to curb this behavior, train them to get used to people and other animals taking food from their bowl at a young age. Health The primary health concern that most English Bulldog owners will face on a regular basis is overheating. English Bulldogs, due to their size and the way they breathe, are not good at keeping themselves cool. This means that it's your responsibility to keep an eye on them on hot days and keep them indoors during the summertime. If you live in an area of the US that is particularly hot year-round - like the southwest - it might be advisable to consider adopting another breed. English Bulldogs typically weigh around 40 to 50 pounds and live to be between eight to twelve years of age. They should stay indoors most of the time, and only go out for occasional exercise and playtime. They do not do well as outdoor pets because of their sensitivity to heat. While any well air-conditioned home will be suitable for an English Bulldog, they are very prone to overheating. So if you live in a particularly hot or desert-like climate, your Bulldog will end up spending the majority of its time indoors. They do extremely well with families, and in fact, love all of the extra attention and social interaction that comes along with kids. They can be territorial when it comes to other animals, though, as they prefer to have the attention on themselves. Health Issues In English Bulldogs Dry eyes English Bulldogs are notorious for their health issues, with some of the most common being related to their eyes. They often have inadequate tear production to keep their eyes as moist as they should be. This can lead to them developing a blue haze on their eyes, which can damage their vision and cause significant pain. Fortunately, there is a medication that your vet can prescribe to combat this issue. Another issue that Bulldogs are prone to get in their eyes is cherry eye. This is when one of the glands in their eyes starts to protrude, resembling a cherry in the corner of their eye. This will sometimes need to be surgically removed by a vet. Sneezing Sneezing may not sound like a serious health issue - in fact, most of the time it's a normal part of how your dog's body functions. In the case of English Bulldogs, though, they can have challenges related to sneezing and their health. Reverse sneezing, also known as inverted sneezing, is when nasal fluids drip into your Bulldog's soft palate, causing it close. This can be scary for them and cause them to cough and choke. It's generally not serious, however, so the best thing you can do is comfort your dog during a reverse sneezing fit. Brachycephalic Syndrome Brachycephalic syndrome is pretty common among dog breeds with short snouts like the English Bulldog. While the name is a little medical for most of us, the condition itself is pretty straightforward. There can be a few different causes, but the general issue with this syndrome is that your pet's airway is obstructed. This can be due to issues with their nostrils or palate. In mild cases, this just means your English Bulldog will have labored breathing and is likely to snort. In severe cases, though, your dog may have trouble breathing at all. This can require surgery and regular oxygen treatment to resolve. Head shakes Head shaking in English Bulldogs is exactly as the name sounds. Your dog will start to shake their head up and down or side to side over and over again for no apparent reason. While your dog may appear conscious of the movement, it is usually involuntary. This is usually caused by stress as well as low blood sugar. Most breeders recommend giving your dog a spoonful of honey if you notice their head shakes seem uncontrollable. If this doesn't work and you aren't able to come up with a reasonable explanation for your dog's head shakes, there could be a more serious health issue just below the surface. In these cases, take your dog to the vet to figure out what is causing their head shakes. Hip Dysplasia You've likely heard of hip dysplasia in dogs before, as it is relatively common in dogs of all breeds. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition, so Bulldogs whose parents have hip dysplasia are likely to have hip dysplasia as well. This condition is when your dog's thigh bone doesn't fit snugly into their hip joint, causing it to move improperly. Most English Bulldogs will appear to have hip dysplasia just based on their natural build, which can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. If your bulldog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia , be sure to get a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis. While hip dysplasia is usually an inherited condition, it can also be caused by rapid growth, a sudden change in weight, or long term obesity in your pet. Reasons To Adopt An English Bulldog English Bulldogs are great pets to adopt if you have an easy-going family looking for an extra member. Aside from their health issues, they're pretty low-maintenance and don't require much exercise. English Bulldogs are also quiet for the most part, so you won't have to deal with loud barking in the middle of the night. They're also very loyal as well, making them decent guard dogs for your family. All in all, English Bulldogs are very laidback pets who love to socialize and chill with their owners. If that sounds like you, then an English Bulldog will more than likely make a great addition to your home. The biggest drawback to owning an English Bulldog is the health problems all throughout their life. You'll need to be prepared for this, as well as be an extra vigilant owner who isn't afraid to visit your local vet. While English Bulldogs are able to be kept around other pets, they tend to be pretty possessive of their owners' attention, as well as their food. So bringing an older Bulldog into a family that already has pets or introducing new pets into an older Bulldog's life can sometimes go awry. English Bulldogs are also one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world, making them on the more expensive side of pet ownership. This upfront cost - coupled with the long-term costs due to their health issues - means you'll need to be willing and able to invest in them over their lifespan. Tips For New Bulldog Owners First and foremost, like any new dog, socialization is extremely important. If your new English Bulldog is a puppy, make sure they spend plenty of time around people and other animals. It also helps to get your puppy used to other people and animals messing with its food early on, as this can prevent them from being territorial and aggressive down the road. And lastly, make sure that you are on top of your Bulldog's health needs. This includes watching for common signs of health issues, visiting your vet regularly, and keeping them clean and healthy. The English Bulldog — Quite a Chap! The English Bulldog can be expected to have certain traits: Affectionate, easygoing, and lovable Quiet—not much of a barker Good with kids and other pets An excellent guard dog, courageous and dependable Adaptable to a wide variety of living conditions Outgoing and friendly personality You may also these characteristics in your bully buddy: Can be gassy and drool a lot Makes a lot of snorting, snuffling, and wheezing noises, and she may snore Can become overweight easily if not exercised regularly Can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as a puppy Sensitive, matures slowly Can be possessive of toys and food, tending to show dominance She is an intelligent and dependable companion that forms close human bonds. With early socialization and consistent leadership , she is a social and cheerful addition to any family. The modern Bulldog, with a heavy, thickset, low body and massive head, originated in England after the elimination of bull-baiting in .The Old English Bulldog was crossed with the Pug to create a more docile and affectionate family pet. The Bulldog retained its protective and fearless nature, but aggressive and ferocious tendencies were removed from the breed. Bulldogs serve as popular mascots, representing strength in the face of adversity for the US Marine Corps and more than 30 US Universities. Bulldogs are famous for their gentle nature, fondness of children, and clownish antics. The Bulldog is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Bulldog. By knowing about health concerns specific to Bulldogs, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Bulldogs to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Bulldogs. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your English Bulldog looking and feeling her best. And unfortunately, your Bulldog is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections Bulldogs are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, her age, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Bulldogs. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Bulldog is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. For example, if your pet needs hip X-rays or a puppy tooth extracted, this would be a good time. This is convenient for you and easy for your friend. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions for common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for Bulldogs Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Bulldogs. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. Keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! When Bulldog puppies are allowed to grow too quickly, the cartilage in their joints may not attach to the bone properly. This problem is known as osteochondritis dissecans or OCD. If this occurs, surgery may be required to fix the problem. Feed a large-breed puppy diet rather than an adult or a regular puppy diet. Weigh your puppy every three to four weeks. The cranial cruciate ligament is one of the four tough bands of tissue that hold each knee together. A torn cranial cruciate ligament is a common injury in active dogs, which includes your English Bulldog. Usually surgical correction is done to stabilize the knee and help prevent crippling arthritis. Physical therapy and multimodal pain management are necessary to get the best outcome. Keeping him at the right weight, feeding a high-quality diet, and avoiding too much twisting of the knees like playing Frisbee are key in avoiding this painful injury. Spinal Deformities Bulldogs are more likely than other canines to be born with spinal deformities a condition called hemivertebrae , which may lead to spinal cord damage, instability, or disability. Unfortunately, Bulldogs can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Bulldog is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Entropion is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea surface of the eyeball. This is an extremely irritating and painful condition that can ultimately lead to blindness. It can happen in any dog breed; however, your Bulldog is especially at risk for this heritable disorder. Surgical correction is usually successful if performed early. Dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS, is common in Bulldogs. The tear glands no longer produce enough tears to keep the eye moist, which results in sore, itchy eyes and infections. Symptoms include a thick discharge, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a dull, dry appearance of the eye. This is a painful condition; please call us immediately if you notice any of these signs. Dogs have a third eyelid that contains a gland that produces about one-third of the fluid that bathes the eye. If the gland is sore or swollen, it looks like a red blob in the corner of the eye. This condition is called cherry eye, and it can occur very suddenly in one or both eyes. If this happens to him, we may treat it with ointment first, but surgery is often the best option. Bladder or Kidney Stones There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and Bulldogs are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Call us immediately! Respiratory Distress Syndrome This disease, also known as brachycephalic syndrome, affects dogs with a short nose, like your Bulldog. As a consequence, the soft palate the soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth , is too long and hangs down into the airway. The nostrils are often too small, and sometimes the trachea, or windpipe, is narrow and undersized. All of these things lead to a narrow and obstructed airway. Many of these dogs can barely breathe! Watch for exercise intolerance, loud breathing, coughing, bluish gums, or fainting. With his short nose, he is also more likely to develop other problems, such as flatulence from excessive air intake, pneumonia from aspirating food, or heat stroke. In severe cases, surgical correction may be recommended. Bleeding Disorders There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders that occur in dogs. They range in severity from very mild to very severe. Many times a pet seems normal until a serious injury occurs or surgery is performed, and then severe bleeding can result. Reproductive Difficulties Breeds with a large head and small pelvis are more prone to difficulties during the birthing process. Her pelvis is just too small to pass puppies and a C-section is often required for her health and that of her puppies. If you are interested in breeding your English Bulldog, speak with us first. We can help you make an informed decision based on body conformation of both sire and dam. Heart Disease Bulldogs are prone to multiple types of heart disease , which can occur both early and later in life. Veterinary dental care and weight control go a long way in preventing heart disease. Multiple Skin Problems Your English Bulldog is susceptible to different kinds of skin infections and diseases. One of them is caused by yeast Malassezia dermatitis. When it infects the ears, it causes itching, redness, and an accumulation of brown waxy discharge. On the skin, it leads to greasy, hairless areas, especially on the neck and throat, with a characteristic odor. Another common skin disease called seborrhea can cause dry, flaky skin or greasy, oily skin. These diseases make your pet itchy and uncomfortable. The earlier you call to have his skin problems checked, the less likely it is that you will end up caring for an itchy, bald, smelly dog. Mange Demodex is a microscopic mite that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. All dogs have them. In mild cases, pet owners may notice a few dry, irritated, hairless lesions. These often occur on the face or feet and may or may not be itchy. Secondary skin infections may occur. Prompt veterinary care is important to keep the disease from getting out of hand. Many pets seem to outgrow the problem, while others require lifelong management. Laryngeal Paralysis Older Bulldogs may develop this disease, in which the vocal cords become paralyzed and hang down into the airway. Watch for noisy breathing, especially when exercising or in hot, humid weather. In severe cases a pet can collapse and have difficulty breathing. Mild cases can be managed with changes at home and possibly medication. Cancer Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Your English Bulldog will likely live longer than many other breeds and therefore is more prone to get cancer in his golden years. Many cancers are cured by surgically removing them, and some types are treatable with chemotherapy. Early detection is critical! Dental Abnormalities Teeth abnormalities are often genetically induced and are relatively common in dogs, especially in purebred dogs like your Bulldog. An overbite or underbite is called a malocclusion, or a bad bite. Oligodontia is a condition where only a few teeth are present. Misaligned teeth can also occur and cause lots of problems, but can usually be corrected with braces or extractions. Yes, dogs can get braces! Taking Care of Your Bulldog at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your English Bulldog live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She has low grooming needs. Brush her coat as needed, at least weekly. Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Her deep wrinkles need to be cleaned and dried often to prevent infections. As an adult she can have a tendency to be lazy, so you must ensure she receives adequate exercise by providing a daily walk. She is sensitive to temperature extremes; avoid any prolonged exposure and be very alert to the signs of heat stress. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Bulldog needs help. Despite his gloomy mug, English bulldog is the friendliest of all breeds. However, it tops the list of most popular breeds in Los Angeles and New York. Calm, friendly and courageous, this pooch is owned by many famous personalities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon, Martha Stewart, and many more! As you can see from the name, they get their name from this sport too. Bull baiting was a sport of harassing tethered animals and bulldogs were forced to take part in this sport. The broad and low stature of this breed made it a brilliant animal to harass bulls. The stout stature and under-bite made it easier for bulldogs to grab onto what they were biting. Fortunately, this blood sport was outlawed in the 19th century. But after England banned the bull-baiting, the breed has drastically changed since they were no longer needed for the original purpose. They were bred to be much friendlier and smaller and became companion animals. Earlier they were known for their aggressive and tenacious behavior, but now they are the most loyal and lovable dogs. They Closely Escaped Extinction Once England banned the bull baiting, bulldogs usefulness suddenly came to an end. Dog lovers decided to breed out the ferocious qualities. Fanciers bred these dogs to have kinder and gentler demeanor. Some bulldogs were sent to Germany and USA to work as herding dogs while some stayed back in England as companions. English bulldogs are also considered brachycephalic dogs that make them ill-suited for water. They can drown if they ever attempt to swim. Their short, stocky and broad body cannot handle it. Keep Them Cool Despite their fear of water, bulldogs need to keep cool all the time. The breed is sensitive to heat and thrives best in temperate climates. They sometimes overheat and have breathing difficulty, but they relax easily in chilled temperatures. Bulldogs Need Help With Reproduction Having such large heads and small birth canals precludes pups from being delivered naturally. Most of the English bulldog puppies are delivered by C-section because natural birth can cause injury or lead to death. Also, bulldogs have difficulty in conceiving as males have a hard time reaching females. So, to keep the bulldogs away from physical stress, breeders often decide on artificial insemination. They are problem solvers and can solve them without taking guidance from their owners. Bulldogs are very affectionate and form a strong bond with kids, which make them a perfect pick for families. However, you need to train them consistently as they can be stubborn and dominating. They are super friendly with family pets but can be wary around strange dogs. And, bulldogs are extremely social dogs. No matter if you are a human or a dog, they will try to befriend you. Along with their loving nature, English bulldogs are also suited for the night shift guarding the house. Their cute eyes and wrinkly face is what makes this breed adorable and stand out from the crowd. However, these wrinkles need to be cleaned and wiped regularly to avoid infections. Talented Skateboarders English bulldogs puppies and grown bulldogs are not considered the most active breed. But, they do have a hidden talent. They are skateboarders! Many bulldogs have gained popularity over the time for their skateboarding abilities. Otto, a three-year-old bulldog, is a skateboarding sensation. Popular Mascots English bulldogs make great mascots. Some refer bulldogs as cute and cuddle whereas some consider them sturdy and powerful, but we love to call them mascot. Nearly 40 universities in the USA have named their sports teams after this breed. Ending note: Bulldogs are dearly loved around the world, but we bet you are equally amazed by these facts. Bulldogs are undoubtedly the most adorable pet you can get for your home. Also, for us bulldog owners we know that they are forever babies. Despite their stubborn nature, they hardly get into any trouble. This cute, cuddly dog loves to relax and chill. If you have a crazy and stressful life and want to chill out, a bulldog will be an excellent pick for you. The calm, laid back and gentle nature of the dog has the same effect on their surroundings. You Might Also Enjoy:.