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This four-leg animal is responsible and has traits like Bernese—loyalty. The Best Bernedoodle breeders in New Jersey offer a fluffy ball for all of you who love doggos but are allergic. Additionally, this canine is low to non-shedding. Bernedoodle puppies in New Jersey are like best friends—will cuddle you, hike with you, lay by your side. In simpler words, this cutie is always there to accompany you. It is interesting to notice that no two doodles will be identical. The genes from the parent breed meld in unique ways and, it is mesmerizing to watch each one being produced. However, the three categories in sizes are presented below. Standard Bernedoodle—The standard size of these pooches usually ranges from 23 to 29 inches at shoulder height. The weight of these canines usually lies between 50 t0 90 pounds. Moreover, the size can vary based on sex as well. A healthy doodle lives for 15 to 19 years approximately. Mini Doodles— As per their name, these doodles are mini- little shorter than a standard dog. The height of these fluffy balls is between 18 to 22 inches with a weight of 25 to 29 pounds. These small and tiny four-leg animal lives of r 15 to 17 years approximately. Micromini or toy— These poochies are super adorable and comparatively small. The height of the canine reaches 12 to 17 inches. Moreover, they weigh almost 10 to 12 pounds. These cuties are known to have the lengthiest lifetime of 17 to 18 years. Therefore, you much consider the steps given below to choose the right breeder. You must take feedback from your friends and family if they got the doggo from the 5 Best Bernedoodle breeders in New Jersey. You should search on the websites to get accurate information on these canines. Do visit a couple of breeders before making your final selection. Clear all your queries and doubts it would be best for a person having this breed. Feel good if you are being interviewed by the breeder this shows they care about the new home for their beloved doodle. Since this doodle is a hybrid breed, you can notice a significant difference in the size, temperament, and colors of this pup. Therefore, you should choose this doggo carefully—according to the temperament that suits your family well. These cuties love to play outdoors with your kids and enjoy cuddling as well. They are a perfect family pooch if trained well. Therefore, it is highly necessary to get your canine from a good breeder. To get a full insight on the best breeder in New Jersey, please go ahead. They have a rigorous screening process for breeders to ensure that all puppies are bred in responsible and ethical conditions. PuppySpot also offers a health guarantee for all puppies and provides ongoing support to buyers to ensure that the puppies are properly taken care of. Overall, purchasing a Bernedoodle puppy in New Jersey from PuppySpot can provide peace of mind and a positive experience for buyers. Although they are new, they have made a good standing in the market as they follow best practices. These pooches are raised well—not in cages but like family members in the home. Getting enough love, and attention, and being raised with the rest of the pets makes this doggo adapt to the home environment effortlessly. You can find all sizes of doodles with this breeder. All the details on these doodles and breeder are available on the website—pictures, litter dates, and all the minor details. It gives you an idea of the size and color of a possible Bernedoodle doggo. You can find one of the highest qualities of mini and micro mini Bernedoodles with these breeders. Mini and Micro Mini Bernedoodles are the perfect example of lovable companions, doggo with brains, and are very loyal. These Bernedoodle puppies in New Jersey love to hug everyone and are great with children and especially children with disabilities. You would be amazed to know, these poochies are great at service and hence make perfect company for army people. These breeders provide you with the information of both parents so that you know what exactly you are taking home. Moreover, you can avail the pure breed of these doggos by knowing both parents from Best Bernedoodle breeders in New Jersey. Bella Pups Quality and high maintenance, you can expect both from Bella Pups. These breeders bred these Bernedoodle puppies in New Jersey for great companionship. These doggos are not just smart but beautiful, enjoy cuddling, playing with their families, and love snow. This breeder runs the faculty chiefly, focusing on the Bernedoodle puppies. They spend a lot of time breeding their canines to give you healthy offspring with an outstanding temperaments. This breeder is highly professional and satisfies you with minor detail before you take their one of the doodles home. Additionally, you can visit their website for a better understanding of what exactly you would be getting. So, if you are looking for the friendliest mini-puppy, this breeder is among the 5 Best Bernedoodle breeders in New Jersey. An insider of the Doodle Breeder. Unfortunately, since Bernedoodles have risen in popularity over the last decade, you must be cautious of puppy mills and backyard breeders. Here are three important points you should consider when choosing a Bernedoodle breeder in New Jersey: 1. Do your Research: There are several Bernedoodle breeders in New Jersey, and unfortunately, not all of them are reputable. You must know what you are looking for and must not be coerced into buying a dog that is not suitable for you. Contact Bernedoodle breeders: We suggest you can ask a lot of questions of each Bernedoodle breeder you touch. You should be able to see their place and either see pictures of the dogs or meet their owners. If the puppies are less than 8 weeks old, you should be able to meet the mother of the litter. Reputable breeders will gladly answer any questions you have and should have questions for you in return! Check medical history: Whenever you buy a Bernedoodle puppy in New Jersey you should check the medical history of puppies and both the parents. Most respectable Bernedoodle breeders in New Jersey will provide you a health guarantee. They will normally provide you with a one or two-year health warranty against all inherited disorders. Furthermore, some of the trustworthy breeders will give you lifetime support if you have any concerns. As we know that, the Bernedoodle is a mixed breed, you will find a major difference in its size, nature, and colours. As a result, you should pick this dog very carefully. If you know any great Bernedoodle breeder who lives in New Jersey, please let us know in the comments below. So we can add it to our list. What is the Breeder Name? Where are they located in New Jersey? Conclusion for Bernedoodle Breeders in New Jersey I hope you liked this post, and now you know all the reputable Bernedoodle breeders who live in New Jersey. So share this post with your friends family who lives in New Jersey and finding the Bernedoodle breeder. So this post is really helpful for those who want to find a Bernedoodle breeders in New Jersey. Share this post on all social media platforms and support Dog Breeds Expert for more articles. Other Bernedoodle Breeders. You've come to the right place. Here, at Premier Pups, our Mini Bernedoodles are happy, healthy, and ready to embark on a life-long journey with their new families. These puppies are raised with love and cared for by the best in the business. We align ourselves only with the best breeders that meet our high standards. All our Mini Bernedoodles come with a year health guarantee that backs up our Premier Promise. Nationwide delivery is available for all out-of-state customers looking to adopt a Mini Bernedoodle. The beautiful Mini Bernedoodles are a blend of fluffy looks and darling personalities. They can be small or medium depending on their generation, but regardless of their size, they are simply adorable. Mini Bernedoodles are designed to be loyal and loving companions for equally loving owners. They thrive in a setting where attention and fun are plentiful. We partner with the best dog breeders in the nation to offer you healthy, happy Mini Bernedoodle puppies. Find your dream Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle mix puppy today! A few of our Mini Bernedoodle Pups. View Our Available Puppies! You should not confuse Mini Bernedoodles with Standard Bernedoodles. Our adorable Mini Bernedoodle are of the F1 variety. All the doodle moms are purebred Genetic Tested Bernese Mountain dog females. Our mini Bernedoodle pups usually end up weighing pounds and around inches tall when full grown. Most Mini bernedoodles live to be around years old. Mini Bernedoodles have become really popular because they shed very little after they shed their puppy coat, they are very hypoallergenic. We have specialized in breeding Mini Bernedoodles as well as a few other breeds for many years. They are a big part of our family and farm. We have also partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini bernedoodle pups that meet our very strict criteria and genetic testing. We usually have a good selection of very high quality doodle puppies. So if you live near Hammonton New Jersey and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Bernedoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are a few of our Mini Bernedoodle Pups!

Check them out on Amazon here. To learn more about what to feed your golden retriever puppy, check out this article here. Brush Golden retrievers are obviously very fluffy and need to be brushed often. Check this brush out on Amazon here. Check it out on Amazon here. Chew Toy Check it out on Chewy here he had the size small. Plush Toy This is a plush, squeaky toy that will keep your puppy busy for hours. Interactive Toy Interactive toys allow you to play and bond with your puppy, and are great for teaching or reinforcing commands like drop it, sit and stay. Bonus Items The above list is for the bare necessities of what your puppy will need to get started. Below are some extra things that, although are not necessary, have come in pretty handy. Food Storage Container This is great for keeping food fresh and in a convenient place. Since we get the pound bag of food, we get this container that holds 42 pounds of food. Note that this container does not come with a scooper, so we recommend one like this that has measurements on it. Check out the storage container on Amazon here. Exercise Pen Exercise pens are great for confining your puppy to a smaller area while giving them more space to run around in than a crate. Using a combination of baby gates, exercise pens, and the crate will help you keep them safe while also keeping them from chewing up the house. Get this baby gate from Amazon here. Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook Getting everything you need will help you physically prepare for your puppy, but you also need to mentally prepare for your puppy. This book will help you know exactly what to do before you bring your puppy home, how to handle the first month which is the toughest month! Get the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook here. That means get their crate set up, have their food and water bowls in their designated places, and have a few welcome home toys set out to help your new pup have a great experience in your home right away. Find a veterinarian. Locate the nearest emergency animal hospital. Find both the nearest hospital, and the nearest 24 hour hospital. Find a puppy kindergarten class. If you ask any trainer, breeder, or veterinarian how to have a well-behaved pup, nearly all of them will recommend joining a puppy kindergarten class. The socialization aspect alone is worth it. Puppy-proof your house and yard. Get down on your hands and knees to see what your puppy will be seeing remember this: whatever can be chewed will be chewed , and make sure there are no puppy-sized holes that they could escape through in your backyard. For more tips on how to raise your new golden retriever puppy, check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Life With Your Golden Retriever Puppy Although this might seem like a pretty big list, if you have it all when you bring your puppy home with you, it will make the transition time that much easier. Take lots of pictures and videos! Have a question about any of these items? Let us know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is getting a puppy and needs to see this list, please share this with them! Related articles:. Other sweaters have not been big enough in the chest because of all his fur, but this works well, and has large armholes. A nontoxic nose balm , for golden retrievers whose sniffers are dry, chapped, scaly, or could just use a little TLC. Promising review: "My golden gets a really rough nose. We put this nose butter on her and within a couple of days, her nose looked so much better and smoother. She loves this stuff! An easy-to-clean slicker brush with retractable bristles that will keep your pupper's double coat smooth and healthy, without pulling or yanking. This gets into the undercoating and does a good job. Given the way the top shield is constructed, I don't think the little wires will get bent and jam up. A padded, no-pull harness specifically designed for larger dogs , so your golden can always feel comfy and secure on walks yes, even when that squirrel who lives in your yard starts antagonizing them. It is easy to adjust and put on your dog. It is padded and seems very comfortable for my golden retriever. I love that you can attach the leash to the shoulder area or to the chest area. I specifically wanted a harness for the front clip to help with leash training and it has worked very well so far. Really happy with this purchase! An orthopedic dog bed , because the memory foam will help relieve some of the joint pain older goldens often experience. The memory foam gives him incredible support in any position. Although he is a young dog, I would think this bed is perfect for older dogs whose joints are beginning to stiffen. I have placed the bed in my office and he lies there happily for hours watching me work. We will consider getting another for the living room. She sat comfortably on the cover and enjoyed her ride. The cover is easy to install and to take off when it's time for carpool. My car seats stayed clean even after a trip to the park! A durable rubber squeaky toy , for the golden who is constantly destroying their playthings R. Squeaky Chipmunk Plush Toy, we hardly knew ye. He chews through toys in the matter of seconds, but this one has held up. It's very durable and my dog really likes the squeaky aspect of it. It's not obnoxiously squeaky, either — you have to squeeze down on the toy pretty hard to make it squeak. A durable rope leash with a padded handle , so even if your golden is a tugger, your hand won't get hurt or strained. I was actually quite shocked by the quality — it's excellent! A cooling mat that will give your golden relief from the summer heat or help soothe an injury for up to three hours. Very cool to the touch and seems to be made well. My golden retriever is 95 lbs and this was the biggest pad I could find. She can lay all sprawled out with plenty of extra room. A raincoat with reflective visibility strips , so your pal can stay safe, visible, dry and cuuuuuute on rainy days. I have a pound golden retriever and XL fits him great. Plus, it looks adorable! A pair of water-resistant, nonslip booties, because goldens love outdoor time all year-round, even when the pavement is burning-hot or covered in ice-melting salt. He loves to go on walks, but nerve issues in his rear legs caused him to drag his feet and bloody his nails. I ordered these dog shoes in the hopes that they would protect his paws while walking, and I am so pleased. A pair of sharp, easy-to-grip nail clippers, so you can trim your puppo's thick nails quickly and move on to activities that are more fun for the both of you like, say, literally anything else. Check Price on Amazon Like all breeds, golden retrievers like to chew on objects that can include your shoes, remote controls, and undergarments. Between 12 to 24 weeks old, the puppy needs to chew on something safe to relieve teething. It helps puppies transition from a softer chew to a firmer one for adults. Interactive Toys Check Latest Price Intelligent breeds like the golden retriever can become bored if their minds are not challenged, but you can offer interactive toys for mental stimulation. It has several compartments for storing treats, and your dog has to figure out how to open each panel to expose the food. Interactive feeders also help dogs slow down when they consume their food too fast. Not only does it permanently remove the very worst smells and stains yes, everything you can imagine! Click here to get yourself a bottle. Dog feces and urine are not only unpleasant to your nose, but they can also stain furniture, carpet, and wood. Manufacturers produce several cleaners for cleaning pet stains, but some are more effective than others. Some cleaners only mask the smell but do not eliminate the proteins causing the odor. Poop Bags. By Susan B. Barnes Susan B. Barnes is a lifestyle, food and travel journalist who is as comfortable bicycling through Italian olive groves and sampling fermented shark in Iceland as she is taking her dog on miles-long walks and hanging out at the dog park. Daily Paws' Editorial Guidelines Published on January 28, We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Though she's happy to snuggle and cuddle up with you, she's also an active dog who enjoys being outside, be that going on walks or hikes , to the dog park , or playing fetch in a fenced-in backyard. As a good dog parent, you want to be prepared for whatever adventures await the two of you, but taking a look at all of the products out there for dogs can be overwhelming. From the right collar, leash and harness setup to grooming needs, food bowls, road trip necessities, toys to burn off all that energy, plus a few goodies for the humans, this list has everything you need to take care of the most golden part of your life. Featuring a collar, leash, and waste bag dispenser, you'll be prepared for your walks and your golden will love all the compliments on how handsome she looks. This harness, with its padded chest and belly, is fully adjustable for a perfect fit with leash clips in the front and back. It comes in a variety of colors to coordinate with your dog's leash and collar, too. The adjustable height means the serving tray can grow with your golden, and the pads on the bottom prevent slipping while she eats and drinks. Place a mat under the bowls to catch any water droplets. The stainless steel bowls can be removed and popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Not only will she have to slow down to find the food, but she'll essentially work out a puzzle which keeps her mentally stimulated, too. Choose to purchase just the cover and fill it yourself with old pillows, towels, sheets, or clothes, or you can opt to purchase their eco-friendly fill made from plastic bottles or their memory foam insert. The extra-large size is recommended for full-grown goldens. Not only does the shampoo leave your pup fresh and clean, but it moisturizes and conditions so that after-bath brushings are tangle-free. It's terrific for dogs with sensitive skin, too. With a dense outer coat and thick undercoat, it can take some time to brush out all the layers, but this undercoat rake makes quick work of their luscious locks. One Chewy reviewer wrote that the medium-tooth rake was "so wonderful to get my two golden retrievers' undercoat combed out. Also, the gel grip is quite easy to hold on to. The non-slip handle works for both right- and left-handed users, and ensures you maintain control to avoid any mishaps. One reviewer says: "I stumbled across these supplements while trying to find some joint relief for my golden, Sandy. After only a week I already saw some improvement in her movement and she had an easier time getting up into and out of the car, which was becoming a struggle. Her coat is also looking healthier and she seems to be less itchy. Not only does this fleece-lined coat fit snugly for maximum warmth, but it's waterproof and has reflective strips to stay safe during nighttime walks and winter hikes. They can also help older dogs find traction on slippery floors. Tip: use the printable sizing guide to measure your dog's feet before ordering to ensure a perfect fit. And send us videos of your dog trying them for the first time! This seat cover is not only comfortable for your pup, but waterproof, too. When it's time to go, simply lay the cover over the seat, loop straps around the head rests, push the anchors in, and voila—you're ready to hit the road! One way to do that is to use a harness that doubles as a seat belt: simply attach the harness to the seatbelt using a carabiner, and you'll both be on your way safely and comfortably. Fill the bottle, twist on the top that doubles as a bowl, and when your golden's ready for a drink, squeeze the bottle and water will fill the bowl. Release, and the water disappears back into the bottle. Pop some treats in the holes, cover them up, and watch your pup work her magic to figure out the puzzle and find those tasty rewards. Just like a ball you use to play fetch , this one flies through the air but when she retrieves it, she'll spend some time figuring out how to get to her favorite treats inside. When your pup drops the ball into the top of the launcher, it'll throw it 10, 25, or 40 feet; choose the "random" setting to keep her guessing. Buy Now Change up your game of fetch with this fun Frisbee alternative. This flying squirrel is made of a double canvas material that is durable enough to withstand rough play, yet still agile to spin and tumble in the air, keeping your golden guessing and enticed in play. Shop now: Chuckit! The sturdy sole ensures you'll stay on your feet, and the bone-printed liner is a fun and unexpected treat. Embroidered on percent cotton canvas, and if it gets a little dirty, simply pop it into the washing machine, air dry, and it'll be back on your furniture in no time. The rubber backing prevents slipping when your guests wipe their paws before stepping inside. It's hilarious enough to be a favorite gift for any golden lover on your list, too! Perfect for the dog park, running errands, around the house, or really anywhere you please! The design can also be used on totes, hats, and more. Food bowl There are endless options of food and water bowls. In addition, the bowl can prevent gagging, choking, vomiting, indigestion, bloat, GDV, and malabsorption. If you already have a dog bowl, you can simply add a slow feeder insert. Water bowl Ellie has an 8-cup YETI water bow l to keep her water cold for more extended periods and a 4-cup bowl for food. YETI allows you to customize each bowl with a name, initials, or image. Great as a gift! They help prevent your puppy from getting tangled up in the leash and provide better control. Make sure you check out their sizing guide for the appropriate fit. We added a crate pad for noise reduction and comfort. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. It is essential that the dog crate is never used as punishment — the crate must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat. Gates Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. Use a gate to limit access to certain areas of your home and reduce unwanted chewing or house soiling. Introduce your dog to small sections of the house at a time. We prefer the walk-through gate for easy mobility through the house. Toys and Chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with various items to see what interests your puppy most. However, the last inch of a bully stick can be a choking hazard if swallowed. This safety device allows your pup to enjoy the benefits of long-term chews while reducing the risks of choking. I typically give it to her for 20 minutes, rinse it off, and store it in the refrigerator until the next day, which prevents bacteria growth. Note you probably want to keep it separate from your food. However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both. Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Puppy Food Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too! Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident. Image Source Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Chase Toys Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines. So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime. Training Treats Food is a powerful reinforcer , so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy. Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house. Dog Shampoo and Conditioner The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris. Pooper Scooper and Poop Bags A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. In the Home: Image Source Keep the toilet lid closed. Believe it or not, open toilet lids have the potential to be drowning hazards. Secure medicine and cleaning products. Keep these products high up or use childproof locks and latches on lower cabinets. Garbage should be kept lidded and secure. Lidded, secured bins are the best type of garbage cans you can have with a young puppy. Not only do you want to avoid spilled garbage, but a locked lid will prevent your puppy from getting into any potential hazards. Hide electrical cords and blind cords. Exposed electrical cords and long blind cords can prove to be fatal for curious puppies. Keep electrical cords hidden away, buy cord wraps to keep them safely covered, and be sure that your blind cords are tied high and inaccessible. Invest in a pet or baby gate. Gates can be used for doorways or staircases to keep your puppy away from certain areas of the house. In the Backyard: Be careful of plants and landscaping that may be poisonous or dangerous. Many plants are toxic to dogs , so be sure to triple-check if any are growing in your yard. Secure your yard with fencing and add gates around bodies of water. If you plan to let your puppy roam freely in your backyard, you should have complete fencing with no puppy-sized gaps around the perimeter of the property. If you have any ponds or pools, block them off with appropriate fencing to avoid accidental drowning. Keep your yard landscaped and manicured. Long grass and brushy areas can invite ticks, which can be extremely dangerous if any potential bites are not discovered early on. Generally speaking, your grass should not be higher than a couple of inches and potentially even shorter while your puppy is still young. In the Car: Image Source Move any chewable items and lock loose items in the glovebox. Confine your puppy in one area of the vehicle, like the backseat. Keeping your puppy confined to one area of the car is safe for everyone. Many puppy parents choose harness seat belts and car seats for younger dogs, while older dogs are big enough to safely sit in the back seat or trunk with cargo barriers. As your Golden Retriever gets older, you may find yourself opting for different barrier methods that will better suit his size. Kennel your puppy while in the car. Crating your puppy is the safest mode of transportation while in the car. Deciding on a Daily Routine Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues , like separation anxiety and barking or whining. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include: Feeding: Pick out regular meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Golden Retriever puppies will need three daily feedings until they are six months old. After that, stick to feeding twice a day at the same time each day. Fixed meal times will help you predict when your puppy needs to potty each day, which better ensures easier potty training. Scheduled potty breaks: Take your puppy out to the yard or on a walk to potty immediately after a meal and after they wake up to enforce a schedule that will help with house training. Playtime and exercise: Playing and mental stimulation are key to a happy puppyhood. Even though they will mellow out in personality as they become adults, Retriever puppies are high energy! Place the dog crate in a quiet part of the house since we kennel train at Snowy Pines, and it helps ensure their safety and comfort. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home! But now what? Puppy Socialization Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations. You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp. Training Techniques Training is just as essential as early socialization. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence. Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys. Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and minute training sessions each day. Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals. While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role! Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months. Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run. At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped!

It quickly became clear that this new dog, at the time called the St. Then, in the 19th century, visiting Englishmen took note of these incredible dogs, brought them home to England, and soon perfected and standardized the breed—which had now been dubbed the Labrador Retriever. When they began as the St. While this is still true today, the recessive colors of yellow and chocolate have become more and more coveted by those seeking Labs as pets. Thanks to years of breeding efforts, those recessive colors are not as difficult to find as they once were. Chocolate Labrador Retriever Puppies for Sale Chocolate Labs are a favorite among those looking to add a member of the breed to their family. Coat shades can range from a warm, light brown to a deeper chocolate color. Both parents must carry and pass on the recessive chocolate color gene in order for a puppy to be born with this coat. Just like their black and yellow counterparts, chocolate Labrador Retrievers are known as doting and capable dogs. You can put them to work as hunting or service dogs, but they make excellent cuddle buddies as well. Their beautiful coats and breed stature make them great show dogs too. The chocolate lab puppies we breed for sale at Hidden Pond Labradors come with their first round of shots, one-year written health guarantee, and a veterinarian health certificate. We are dedicated to breeding our puppies for premier health and pedigree, as well as raising them in our home so their personalities and happiness can blossom. Experience the love, joy, and comfort this amazing breed has to offer with a chocolate Labrador Retriever puppy of your own from Hidden Pond Labradors. Give us a call at or message us online to inquire about our available and upcoming Lab puppies! Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article. We currently have puppies available now as our mothers have hade much larger litters than expected and we had more puppies than people on our waiting list. When searching for a Retriever Breeder in Ontario it never pays to gear your search toward finding a Labrador puppy quickly, rather, focus your efforts on finding a Chocolate Lab puppy of quality, bred by a breeder with a reputation who will stand behind the Labrador Retriever puppies they breed. Please visit our Facebook site by entering luckylabspuppies in the search box on Facebook, see the pictures of our Labrador puppies and hear what our owners have to say about our commitment to quality. Look for quality puppies for sale not quick puppies. A second thing to consider is that you will want your breeder of Labrador retrievers to provide you with support after your Labrador puppy goes home with you. Lucky Labs guarantees this lifelong commitment to support for you and your Lab and we are happy to do so. We have deep discounts to Labrador puppy training websites , many articles on our blog dealing with health, behavior and other aspects of owning a Labrador puppy. We are available for you after your puppy goes home either by email or a phone call. Our availability changes at times in regards to the color of Labrador puppy we have available. As well, there are times when we get so busy and focused on our pups that we may have beautiful ckc yellow black or purebred chocolate lab puppies for sale that are not listed here. So if we are the small scale family based registered breeder for you please send us an application for a puppy in order to get the most accurate and up to date information about what our availability is. Puppies for sale Our silver lab puppies for sale are actually a faded coat chocolate lab. When both parents carry the chocolate gene, and they both carry the dilute gene then the color is diluted to a silver. If you look close you will notice that the silver lab still had brown pigment around its eyes and mouth because officially it is a chocolate lab. Silver Labradors make excellent family dogs. The Labrador Retriever breed regardless of color has been the most popular breed for over 25 years and the Silver Lab is no different. We have some Silver Labs who will be mating in the future resulting in puppies for sale. If you are interested to get on the waiting please read toward the bottom of this page to see what colors we are accepting applications for. For more information about silver Labradors click here. There is 1 male and 1 female yellow Lab puppy available to reserve who go home Oct 7th. One of these yellows will go to an Ontario Police force and the sibling will be available. Please apply below for more information. There are 2 black males available to reserve from this litter. Please apply below. Haddie and Archie Haddie had her puppies. There is 1 chocolate female available to go home Sept .Reservations are available please apply below. Ginger and Hank Ginger had her puppies Aug 5th and they will go home Sept 30th. Available for reservation are 2 black females, and 1 chocolate female. Reservations are available please apply below Chanel and Archie Chanel had her puppies. This litter will go home Oct 7th, 1 yellow male, 2 yellow females, 1 chocolate male and 4 chocolate female puppies are available for reservation. Daisy Flowers and Gus One chocolate female puppy is available for reservation to go home Oct 8. Ruby Emma and Archie Ruby has 5 chocolate males available and 1 chocolate female available to go home Oct 18th. Interested in one of our chocolate lab puppies for sale? Click here and visit the Lab Puppy Quality page for further information and price. If you are ready to apply click the button below and send us an application for one of our puppies for sale. You may want to consider being a guardian of one of our dogs, if so, click here. We are accepting applications for chocolate, silver, and black lab puppies. For chocolates we have some mothers mated who will have puppies ready for homes Sept through December. Our availability changes daily as people reserve puppies and sometimes change their minds for a puppy later on, or a different sex or color. We are expecting one litter with a few yellow puppies who will be ready to go home in Oct. We will have black lab puppies that will be born in August and Sept, reservations are available. For silver litters our next silver puppies will be ready in winter of .We are accepting applications now for our silver waiting list and first born silver puppies will be offered to those on the waiting list in the order that their deposits are received. To reserve one of our silver puppies or to get onto our waiting list for winter silvers please apply below. The earlier you place your deposit the higher up on the list you are. To check the quality of our purebred dogs click here. If you have had a family talk, everyone is on board getting a puppy, and you are ready to take that step please apply here. If you want a puppy later this fall or winter we are accepting applications for those timings as well. If an adult lab is better suited for you view availability on this page. View our Labradors There are many pictures of our Labs on the pages of our website, please click through some of the pages to view them. There is a photo gallery of our dogs here. As well, once a litter is born and we reach your position on the waiting list we will email you a picture of the puppies and the parents for you to decide if you want to move into that litter and take one of the puppies, or, you can wait for the next litter. To see many many more pictures and videos of our dogs please scroll back through our Facebook page as it goes back to .Trained Chocolate Lab Puppies.

Temperament: The husky very friendly to people , very smart, not a great guard dog, non-aggressive. The worst he's done is just bark at people he doesn't know that enter the backyard. Does well with other small dogs like my chi-poodle I introduced to the family when the husky was 8 years old so quick learner. The German Shepherd female is a very loyal and well tempered dog and never shown any signs of aggressiveness , but I did train her to be comfortable around other dogs and people at the dog park at a early age a must for this breed and the husky. Does well with small animals raised the chi-poodle and her together. Very smart and normally like to stay near the owners Puppies: I got 5 males and 4 females. Currently the puppies are only 5 weeks old will turn 6 on , I normally don't like to separate them until they are weeks due to research showing they grow up to be a better dogs and have less separation anxiety as they grow so you don't have to worry about them howling and crying if you place them outside or leave them home when you work. I think i only have pictures of of the puppies i got more i didn't take pictures of because they look very similar to the ones listed. While some breeders care more about making money, good breeders care about the health of their puppies and not about making a quick sale. There are many sources for these dogs, from shelters to private breeders. You can find the right puppy for you by using a combination of several different search engines, including the ones mentioned above. Listed below are a few of the most popular resources. Read on to learn more about the benefits of each. A reputable breeder will also tell you about the health problems of their dogs, so you can be confident in choosing your dog. A good breeder will ask you for more items, such as a picture of yourself with the dog, and a copy of your health insurance policy. A good breeder will send a pup with a person who will stay in touch with it throughout its first five to seven weeks. A good breeder will also send their puppies to a vet for a check-up before they leave. Bella is a 9-month-old female German Shepherd mix. She was surrendered due to financial issues. Her coat is reddish tan with white markings. She has lived with children and other dogs but still needs a large yard. Share this:.

Located in beautiful Southern California, we strive to breed superior quality family dogs that will not only make great companions and protectors for your family but that also represent the German Shepherd breed well with the exceptional temperament the breed is known and loved for worldwide. We breed only top German V and VA bloodlines that possess superior health and temperament through generations of hip and elbow certified and temperament tested dogs. Additionally all of our dogs are tested for Degenerative Myelopathy to be sure we are producing puppies safe from this disease. Additionally all of our dogs are DNA tested Clear for the MDR1 gene that can cause mild to severe reactions to a variety of medications. Please visit our testimonials page to read review from many of our clients through the years. Also be sure to visit our Dogs For Sale page to see retired females and males we currently have available to the right homes. Check back often as we are always updating photos of our available puppies. With keeping a small number of dogs we have time to give plenty of love and individual attention to them and the puppies when we have them. Our dogs are not kept in kennels, they live with us as part of our family, with room to roam outside on our one acre property and a warm spot inside to sleep. All puppies are raised inside our home in a clean and healthy environment. All whelpings are supervised by us and assisted as needed to ensure the best start and to protect the health of the mother and her puppies. All puppies are well socialized with small children, cats and our other dogs. Temperament is very important to us, our breeding dogs have wonderful temperaments that they pass on to their puppies. Puppies are temperament tested so that we can help you to find the perfect fit for your family and your needs. We actively show our dogs on the local, national and international level thereby striving to breed dogs of quality bloodlines and structure that adhere to the German SV standard for the German Shepherd dog. We make every effort to continue to learn and to improve our bloodlines by importing dogs of superior quality with top German VA bloodlines to bring you the highest and best quality puppy for you and your family to enjoy. Our hope as breeders is that we can provide the best quality German Shepherd puppy with an outstanding temperament that will in turn make a lasting impression on you and your family like they have in ours. I have so many customers that have been lifelong fans of the German Shepherd, that have grown up with German Shepherds and long for that companionship again with the dog of their childhood. I look forward to providing the dog of your dreams to you and your family! Call today to begin your future with a great German Shepherd Dog of your own. Call or email for an appointment to visit us and to meet our dogs and puppies. We invite you to visit with us and our Beautiful German Shepherd puppies for sale. On occasion we have gorgeous long coated German Shepherd puppies for sale as well. Please see our Family Reunion page to see some of our pups in their homes that we have sold over the years Throughout the years, several of our Rotterbarental German Shepherd dogs have had jobs. We have had pups that have become Search and Rescue dogs, Certified Therapy Dogs, One of our therapy dogs was used for children with cancer through Create a Smile. Please be sure and read these special dogs stories on our Dogs with Jobs page. If our dogs can accomplish these special jobs, just imagine what a Rotterbarental GSD puppy can do for you and your family. That is why our German shepherd dogs are health tested and puppies are raised in a home environment with a variety of other pets to insure proper socialization. Our puppies and dogs play on grass and not in kennel runs. Far too often, we have seen the ill effects to dogs that have lived a kennel life. Every Rotterbarental German Shepherd puppy comes to you with a 5 year written health guarantee, vaccines and de-worming up to date, a comprehensive puppy package and life time support as well as a forever home policy. We are conveniently located near you within minutes of the , the 60 and the 10 fwys on our seven acre ranch in the beautiful San Jacinto Valley, Riverside County, Southern California. You are welcome to visit us and our beautiful German Shepherd dogs and puppies with an appointment. Click here Puppies for Sale to see what pups are available today or in the future. She is a very loving protective dog. Unfortunately I am going thru a separation and she is just too much work to be trapped in an apartment, she needs a yard. Already received 1st vaccines and dewormed. Great family pets and great with kids. View Detail Baby boy pure breed He is so cute and well mannered. Just needs a loving home asap. View Detail Purebred German Shepherd 13 week old puppy German Shepherd Purebred expected to be '5 standing on hind legs when fully grown. Vaccines are up to date. Very playful, taught to do her business on the grass only, still in her teething phase. Loves to cuddle kind and calm. Will be a great addition to any family. Born Dec 3rd, .The males are stocky and large pawed. Dad is 80lbs, mom is 40lbs. Beautiful markings, healthy, playful, energetic and smart! Current on vaccines. View Detail AKA German Shepherd I have a female German Shepherd looking for a new home she has had all her shots but Has not been fixed very smart and loving dog she loves the water and kids View Detail German Shepherd She is seven months old very smart and active loves the water has had all her shots very good with kids View Detail German shepherd puppies Have 5 male german shepherd 7 weeks and with first shots and deworme. She has not been spayed yet and has had all of her puppy shots she is 6months was born in May of this year. Please unless interested do not message or contact!!! Do not call!!!!!! Only message!! Applicants are still subject to an interview, meet and greet, and it of course must be the right fit. But the adoption fee is covered! She is high energy and extremely smart. She was a stray in the San Bernardino mountains for several weeks, and once Mountains Humane Society was able to trap her, she had to go into boarding due to no foster homes. They reached out to rescues, and because one of our fosters stepped up, we were able to take Keary into Cause for SB Paws! It took her about a week in her foster home to fully trust, but now she loves everybody. Keary likes to play hard and while she knows to be gentle around certain dogs, she would do best with another large, high-energy fur-sibling. She has a Shepherd working dog temperament, so she needs lots of mental and physical stimulation. She loves to play fetch, do puzzle games, chew antlers, and thrives in her training sessions. See her video. Keary is looking for a large-breed loving adopter. An active home a must. If you're the fun-loving active family Keary needs, we'd love to meet you! September 14, , am.

How does the Labradoodle growth chart work? The following numbers are estimates based on the litter of a Labrador Retriever crossed with a standard Poodle. If your pup's Poodle parent is a toy size, then they are likely to be significantly smaller than these estimates. Their health is what matters most, so if you have questions or concerns about your puppy's development, reach out to your veterinarian. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? Labradoodles typically need 12 to 18 months to reach their full size, especially if their parents were on the heavier side of the average weight spectrum. Large breeds grow slower and take longer to reach their full size compared to small and medium-sized dog breeds, which usually reach maturity within nine to 11 months. How big should a 6-month-old Labradoodle be? A 6-month-old Labradoodle may weigh anywhere between 40 and 55 pounds. As a general rule, male Labradoodles weigh more than their female counterparts. In terms of height, a 6-month-old Labradoodle puppy will stand around 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders, but this varies based on their genetic makeup. Pro Tip: Download our new puppy checklist for tips on how to set up a vaccination schedule, essential pet care supplies, and more. How much bigger will my Labradoodle get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much more your Labradoodle may grow. Most Labradoodles need anywhere from 12 to 18 months to reach their full size. If your pup is younger than a year old, they are likely still growing. Refer to our Labradoodle weight chart to estimate how many more pounds they might put on as they mature into adulthood. If they look oversized compared to their limbs, then they're probably still filling out. Oversized paws are a classic puppy feature indicating that your pup still has more growth underway. Lastly, if you purchased your puppy from a breeder, you can contact them about your Labradoodle's weight. Alhough the breed varies greatly in size, knowing the weight of your puppy's parents and those of previous litters can help you predict your Labradoodle's adult size. What is the size of a full-grown Labradoodle? As a hybrid dog breed, Labradoodles vary significantly in size based on their geneology. Per Agape Labradoodles , adult Labradoodles typically weigh over 45 pounds, with some Labradoodles weighing as much as pounds. However, most Labradoodles will weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. In [terms of height], Labradoodles stand 21 to 24 inches tall when measured from paw to shoulder, or approximately two feet excluding their neck and crown of the head. How do I make sure my Labradoodle is healthy? Our Labradoodle puppies are important, cherished family members who we want the best for. One of the best ways to help your Labradoodle thrive is by taking them to regular veterinary appointments to have them routinely checked out and evaluated. Prevention is always better than treatment, and regular veterinary exams provide your veterinarian with the opportunity to screen your Labradoodle for disease. Your puppy will need to see the veterinarian several times in their first six months of life for core vaccinations against things like Rabies, and then at least once a year as an adult for annual health check-ups. Like their parents, Labradoodles are also more susceptible to hip dysplasia , a common orthopedic condition that occurs when the hip joint forms improperly. Hip dysplasia can lead to pain in their back legs, impaired mobility, and even lameness if not treated - fortunately, the condition is treatable with surgery. When over 20, pet parents were surveyed, only .As loving pet parents, it can be devastating to think that our four-legged friend could develop a painful disease that requires expensive treatment. This is where pet insurance comes in. Most pet parents opt for accident and illness pet insurance plans as they cover both injuries and most illnesses, such as hip dysplasia or eye diseases. Pet wellness plans can be added to your insurance coverage to help you pay for preventive veterinary care, like your regular vet exams, x-rays , dental cleanings , vaccinations, and more. Like humans, dogs are living longer, which creates an even bigger need for excellent veterinary care so that our dogs can live their happiest and healthiest lives. Pet insurance helps alleviate the financial strain that's often caused by vet visit costs. If your Labradoodle puppy gets sick or hurt, you and your veterinarian can work together to provide your pup with the best treatment plan - without worrying about how much it might cost. Key Takeaways Adult Labradoodles weigh pounds on average. The parent Poodle breed has toy and standard size variations that impact the size of the offspring, along with other genetic factors. Most Labradoodles grow until months of age. The breed is known for several congenital health disorders, and is especially prone to hip dysplasia. Pet insurance can protect your puppy and provide a financial safety net for vet costs throughout their life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Labradoodle Highlights Friendly and intelligent: Labradoodles are known for being friendly and intelligent dogs. They are good with children and other animals, and they are easy to train. Hypoallergenic: Labradoodles are often considered to be hypoallergenic, which means that they do not shed as much as other dogs. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies. Active and playful: Labradoodles are active dogs that need regular exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, going for walks, and swimming. Loyal and devoted: Labradoodles are loyal and devoted dogs that make great companions. They are always happy to see their owners and they love to cuddle. Versatile: Labradoodles are versatile dogs that can be trained for a variety of tasks, including therapy work, obedience, and agility. They can be expensive to purchase and maintain. They require regular grooming, especially if they have a curly coat. They are prone to some health problems, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Overall, Labradoodles are wonderful dogs that make great companions for people of all ages. If you are looking for a friendly, intelligent, and hypoallergenic dog, a Labradoodle may be a good choice for you. Labradoodle History Wally Conron, who was in charge of the breeding program for the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia, purposefully crossbred a Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever in to develop the Labradoodle as a hypoallergenic guide dog. The first cross produced Sultan, a dog with a hypoallergenic coat, aptitude, intelligence, and personality suitable for being an effective guide dog. Sultan worked successfully with a woman in Hawaii. Other breeders saw the merit of crossing these two breeds, and the Labradoodle quickly rose in popularity like its Labrador Retriever parent. These dogs are often produced by crossing a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle, but multigenerational breeding has begun in an attempt to produce a viable and recognizable breed. The Australian Labradoodle Association and the International Australian Labradoodle Association are taking steps to move this designer breed into registered breed status in the next few years. These groups have made great efforts to bring breeders together so that they are working to achieve the same standards through multigenerational breeding. Labradoodle Size The Labradoodle comes in three size variations, depending on the size of the Poodle used for the first-generation breeding. The three sizes are Standard, Medium, and Miniature. The Standard Labradoodle should be 22 to 24 inches in height for a male and 21 to 23 inches in height for a female, while both can range in weight from 50 to 65 pounds. The Medium Labradoodle should be 18 to 20 inches high for a male and 17 to 19 inches high for a female, with both weighing from 30 to 45 pounds. The average size for a Miniature Labradoodle is between 14 to 16 inches and 15 to 25 pounds. All of that said, there is a lot of variation in Labradoodle sizes. Some can be smaller or larger than expected. Labradoodle Personality The Labradoodle is an intelligent dog who can make the ideal family pet if properly trained. They are friendly and accept and treat everyone like their best friend. They can be gentle, but they can also be joyful, showing their happiness through exuberant jumping and playing. They also tend to be easygoing, since the Labradoodle was bred not to be aggressive. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Meeting siblings, parents, or other relatives of the dog is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when they grow up. Socialization helps ensure that your Labradoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking them to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help them polish their social skills. Here are a few conditions to watch out for: Ear Infections: These can plague Labradoodles because of their floppy ears. The ears trap moisture and should be regularly checked. X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem. Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : Similar to hip dysplasia, this is also a degenerative disease. The disease varies in severity: the dog could simply develop arthritis, or they could become lame. Treatment includes surgery, weight management, medical management, and anti-inflammatory medication. It can cause mild or severe seizures that may show themselves as unusual behavior—such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding—or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Allergies: Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Labradoodle is no exception. Treatment varies according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes. Diabetes Mellitus: This is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. The dog will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Symptoms of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and the administration of insulin. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Hypothyroidism : This is a disorder of the thyroid gland. It is treated with medication and diet. They require about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day and would do better with a fenced yard in which to expel some energy. Some Labradoodles, especially in the first generation, can require even more exercise. The Labradoodle makes an excellent jogging companion but also needs some time off-leash to burn off steam. The Labradoodle is an intelligent and eager-to-please dog. Training should be easy as long as consistency and positive reinforcement are the methods. Socialize them from puppyhood, since they tend to hurl themselves headlong into canine situations without regard to the feelings of other dogs. This can lead to some problems if the unknown dog is aggressive. Despite their activity levels, a Labradoodle can adjust to living in suburban or city environments and can do well in rural settings. A crate is also a place where they can retreat for a nap. Crate training at a young age will help your Labradoodle accept confinement if they ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized. Never stick your Labradoodle in a crate all day long, however. Labradoodle Feeding Recommended daily amount: 1 to 2. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Keep your Labradoodle in good shape by measuring their food and feeding them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. First, look down at them. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on their back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Labradoodle, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Labradoodle Coat Color And Grooming Although a Labradoodle can have one of a range of coat types, the desired length is four to six inches. They have a single coat with hair ranging from straight to loose curls. There are three types of texture: The Hair coat, which is similar to fur in shedding breeds, is the least popular. Hair coats shed and usually have a normal doggy odor. This coat is seen in first generations, although breeders try to avoid it. The Fleece coat has a silky texture often described as an Angora goat texture. This coat ranges from straight to wavy. Labradoodles are considered to be non- to low shedders, especially those with a Fleece or Wool coat. Hair coats tend to shed just as they do in other breeds, ranging from very low to average shedding. The Labradoodle comes in a wide variety of colors. They can also have parti-colored coats, which consist of brindles, phantom, patched, or sable colors. Grooming requirements vary depending on the length and type of coat the dog has. Generally speaking, you can expect to brush a Labradoodle about once or twice per week. Some can be clipped or trimmed every six to eight weeks to keep the coat easy to maintain. Like Labs, Labradoodles can be prone to ear infections, so take a little extra time caring for their ears. Dry and clean them after a swim, and check them once a week for dirt, redness, or a bad odor that can indicate an infection. Then wipe them out weekly with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent problems. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Dog toenails have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far you can cause bleeding—and your dog may not cooperate the next time they see the nail clippers come out. Handle their paws frequently—dogs are touchy about their feet—and look inside their mouth. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. Labradoodle Children And Other Pets The Labradoodle does well with children and can be an affectionate and gentle companion for any child. They can also be exuberant and might knock down smaller children, but they will love them with all their heart. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Labradoodles usually get along well with other dogs and pets. Like most dogs, they need training and socialization for optimum success at living with and visiting other animals. Labradoodle Rescue Groups Labradoodles are often brought home without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. Many end up in the care of shelters or rescues because of this. It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Labradoodles because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Labrador Retriever or Poodle breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have both health and behavioral issues. More Info For You. Some of these may be genetic, while others can be environmental. Here are some factors that affect labradoodle puppy growth. Genetics No matter what breed of dog it is, genetics plays a very important role in the growth of a puppy. Labradoodles are a mix between Labrador Retriever and Poodle. These dogs share genetic traits from both parents. The size of a labradoodle depends on its Poodle parent. For example, if the Poodle parent is a toy or miniature, you will get a mini and medium-sized labradoodle. However, if the Poodle parent is standard size, you will get a standard-sized labradoodle. Nutrition Selecting a nutritious diet for your Labradoodle puppy is essential to his well-being and development. Giving him all of the nutrients he needs to flourish and grow. Puppies are in a period of rapid growth, so they require more nutrients for bone and joint development than adult dogs. Puppies who receive adequate nutrition grows to their full potential. When feeding your pup, make sure the food contains all essential nutrients as well as the right levels of fat and protein. Your veterinarian can advise you on the ideal food to provide them with. Physical Activity Labradoodles are high-energy dogs that need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy. If not given enough exercise, they could develop health issues such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease. When your puppy is young, it is best to limit their exercise as excessive physical activity can cause joint damage that will impact their development later in life. Walking and jogging are two activities that puppies enjoy doing, but these should only be done in small amounts in order to protect their joints. Health The growth of Labradoodle puppies also depends on their overall health. Labradoodles may suffer from health conditions that hinder their growth, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions make it difficult for them to walk or lead an ordinary life. So, make sure you buy a Labradoodle puppy from a reputable breeder and screen them for any health issues. It is also advisable to take them for regular vet visits. Many new pet parents often wonder what size their Labradoodle will be when they grow up. For Labradoodle puppies, puppyhood lasts from birth until about five or six months old. During this stage, you will see a massive growth spurt in Labradoodles. They will keep growing until they reach adulthood. However, this may not always be the case; some may need additional pounds to gain before reaching this milestone. Conclusion A Labradoodle is a designer hybrid dog created by crossing two breeds — Poodles and Labrador Retrievers. As such, these dogs possess high energy levels, are friendly, and are highly affectionate. If you are planning to get a Labradoodle puppy or already have one, it is essential to monitor their growth, as their size can be drastically affected by certain factors. With some simple formulas, these charts may even allow you to predict their future weights. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Standard and medium Labradoodles will generally stop growing at around 1 year of age, while miniature Labradoodles will stop growing at around 10 months. However, there is some deviation in this, and your Labradoodle may stop growing slightly sooner or later. If you notice your Labradoodle putting on extra weight when it is over 12 months old, it could be a sign that it is putting on too much weight. Check the height of the dog, compare it to the expected size, and make sure you are providing a balanced diet and regular exercise. Image Credit: Adam Melnyk, Shutterstock Factors Affecting the Size of Labradoodles The primary factor that determines the size of a Labradoodle is whether the first generation was bred from a standard, miniature, or toy Poodle. Beyond that, factors such as diet and exercise play a big part. Dogs that eat more will usually grow heavier, although not necessarily bigger. Exercise helps to keep weight off but it can also lead to a growth in muscle mass, which also puts extra weight on the dog. Some illnesses can cause growth to slow or speed up, and if your dog is growing more quickly or slower than expected for its age, and has any other symptoms of concern, it is worth speaking to a vet to ensure everything is OK. Ideal Diet for Maintaining a Healthy Weight Labradoodles should get protein from high-quality sources , typically including chicken, turkey, beef, and other meats. They can also get protein from vegetable sources as Labradoodles—like all dogs—are omnivores that benefit from a diet that consists of meat and pl1ant-based ingredients. Unless they have an allergy, Labradoodles can also eat grains and cereals. Such protein and other ingredients can come in dry kibble, via wet or canned food, or as part of a carefully constructed and safely prepared raw food diet. Owners should follow feeding guidelines, which are usually given according to the weight or target weight of the dog. Alternatively, your vet or possibly a dog groomer may have scales and measures to help take the required measurements. Conclusion The Labradoodle has become one of the most popular dog breeds around the world and is almost certainly the most popular hybrid breed. It was bred as a guide dog that was also hypoallergenic but is more often kept as a companion dog. There are different sizes, according to the size of Poodle that was originally bred, which means that the typical weight and size of the Doodle can vary. Size variations between F types This is your complete guide to Labradoodle size. The Labradoodle The Labradoodle dog is a hybrid dog breed. What this basically means is that Labradoodles have one purebred Poodle parent dog and one purebred Labrador Retriever parent dog. In the world of Labradoodle breeders, there are three adult size ranges: miniature, medium and standard. As you can imagine, the size of the Poodle parent can greatly impact adult Labradoodle size. But not always in the ways you might expect. In the case of standard Labradoodles, the Poodle parent is a standard Poodle. In the case of miniature Labradoodles, the Poodle parent is a miniature Poodle. The medium Labradoodle size can occur in either pairing, which we will talk about in greater detail here shortly. History of the Breed Labradoodles as a hybrid breed got their start in the s in Australia. A blind woman from Hawaii wrote to a man named Walter Conron. Conron was then in charge of breeding and training guide dogs for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia. The blind woman had a special problem: her husband was wildly allergic to dogs. So she was reaching out in hopes of finding a hypoallergenic dog to help her get around. Conron took on the challenge with gusto, and to make a long story short, the Labradoodle was the result. Labradoodles still make fabulous service dogs. But they are also beloved as family pets for their famously friendly, smart, intuitive personality, their adorable appearance and, in some cases, their non-shedding coats. This variance relates to the size of each parent dog. And also to what generation breeding program the puppy comes from more about that topic here later. Standard Labradoodle puppies typically weigh between 7 and 12 pounds by the time they are two months old. But in 10 more short months, they may weigh up to 80 pounds depending on the size of each parent dog. Miniature Labradoodle puppies, in contrast, may only weigh 4 to 7 pounds at the age of two months. In 10 months, they may weigh anywhere from 30 to 45 pounds. This depends on the size of each parent dog. To estimate the size of medium Labradoodle puppies, it is best to learn as much as you can about the breeding pair. Important factors include whether the Poodle parent if you choose an F1 breeder is a Standard Poodle or a Miniature Poodle. Labradoodle Growth You need to know the breed size of each parent dog and the exact weight of your little Labradoodle pup to work out how big they will grow. Or use the four fold or double up formula. The Four Fold Formula When your puppy reaches the age of two months, the number you see on the scale typically represents one-quarter of his or her estimated adult weight. The Double Up Formula When your puppy reaches the age of four months, the number you see on the scale typically represents one-half of his or her estimated adult weight. For this reason, even though using these formulas can give you a handy point of reference as your Labradoodle puppy grows up, no formula should be used to substitute frequent weigh-ins and health check-ups by a qualified canine vet. To help moderate growth neither too slow nor too fast , if your Labradoodle puppy falls into the miniature to medium size range, select a Labradoodle puppy food that is formulated for the needs of smaller breed dogs. On the other hand, if your Labradoodle puppy is projected to be a standard size in adulthood, you will want to select a puppy food formulated for the needs of medium to large breed dogs. They can help you adjust portion sizes and Labradoodle puppy foods as needed. Labradoodle size in adulthood can vary depending on gender. In general, adult males tend to outweigh adult females by 10 to 15 pounds. Of course, this is not always the case. Other factors that can influence adult weight include birth order and food type. Also feeding schedule, activity level and health in puppyhood. Hybrid dog breeding always includes genetic uncertainty. The Reason Behind This Why can Labradoodle size in adulthood be so hard to precisely predict, you might be wondering? The answer relates back to the nature of hybrid dog breeding itself. Whenever two different sets of canine genes combine, it is not possible to predict exactly how each set of genes will influence a given puppy in any litter. For example, in Labradoodle breeding programs, this means some puppies in a hybrid litter may grow up to look and act more like Labrador Retrievers while other puppies may grow up to look and act more like Poodles. Labradoodle Breeding Programs There are different types of Labradoodle breeding programs. Some programs contain a greater amount of genetic uncertainty than other programs. Here is a basic overview of the different programs in order of greatest to least genetic uncertainty: F1: This Labradoodle puppy will have one purebred Poodle parent and one purebred Labrador Retriever parent. F2: This Labradoodle puppy will have two F1 Labradoodle parents. Using This To Choose Your Labradoodle Size If it is very important for you to ensure your Labradoodle will be a certain size when fully grown, we encourage you to seek out a multi-generational Labradoodle breeder to work with. It is also very helpful to meet each parent dog to assess potential size variance in adulthood before making a commitment to a puppy. Here again, meeting each parent dog can help you assess potential coat variance in adulthood. These two examples will give you more insight into how sizing differences arise. It can even happen between Labradoodle puppies within a single litter. Here, the adult Labrador Retriever parent will typically weigh l The adult Standard Poodle parent will typically weigh between 40 and 70 pounds. A breeding pair where the Standard Poodle weighs 40 pounds will theoretically produce more size variance in a litter than a breeding pair where the Standard Poodle weighs 70 pounds. Miniature Labradoodle Size Variance In the case of miniature Labradoodle size, you will have a Labrador Retriever parent dog weighing between 65 and 80 pounds and a miniature Poodle parent weighing between 10 and 15 pounds. Here, it is easy to see how you can expect quite a bit of size variance in early F1, F1b breeding programs regardless of what each parent dog weighs. Is My Labradoodle Overweight? Labradoodle Size and Weight Labradoodles are among the most popular mixed breed dogs. A cross between the Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, Labradoodle fans hope their dog will combine the best qualities from both breeds. Before they bring a Doodle home, they usually want to know how big it is likely to get. But the adult size of any puppy can be hard to predict, especially when it comes to mixed breed dogs. Mixed breed dogs like the Labradoodle can inherit a combination of characteristics from both parent breeds, including size. Weighing Up The Labradoodle Labradoodle adult weight can be especially hard to predict because their Poodle parent comes in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. It is common for Labradoodles to be labelled as either standard or miniature, depending on the size of the Poodle parent. Furthermore, weight guides for the three Labradoodle sizes tend to be broad. Generally, a mini Labradoodle will be under 30lbs, a medium between 30lbs and 40lbs, and a standard Labradoodle is 40lbs or over. It can be difficult to get more specific than these rough weight ranges, because many things contribute to the size and weight of an individual dog. They are: The size and genetic background of the parent breeds. How the sex of a dog can influence size. And the overall health and body condition of the dog. Labrador Retriever Weight Adult male Labradors weigh between 65lbs and 80lbs. Adult female Labs weigh between 55lbs and 70lbs. The Labrador is a solid, sturdy dog with an athletic and muscular body type. Labradors can be prone to weight gain, a trait that may or may not be passed on in a Labradoodle. Some genetic lines of Labrador Retrievers are larger and stockier, whilst others are leaner and lighter. British Labradors tend to fall into the first category, and American Labs fall into the second. They should be able to show you photographs and veterinary weight records to help you visualize the ancestry of their puppies. Poodle Weight The three Poodle types cover a remarkable range in size. The weight range for adult male Standard Poodles is 60lbs to 70lbs, and females are 40lbs to 50lbs. Miniature Poodles weigh between 10lbs and 15lbs. Toy Poodles weigh between 4lbs and 6lbs, and due to the massive disparity with Labradors, they are rarely used to sire first generation Labradoodle crossbreeds. In theory, a Labradoodle can weigh as little as their smallest parent and as much as their largest parent. However, most individuals end up somewhere in between, so that most mini Labradoodles weigh between 30lbs and 50lbs, and most standard Labradoodles weigh between 40lbs and 80lbs. There will always be outliers though, who grow unexpectedly big, or remain surprisingly petite! Male Weight vs Female Weight In many animal species, the two sexes differ in size and weight. This is known as sexual dimorphism. In dogs, sexual dimorphism leads to larger, heavier male dogs and smaller, lighter female dogs. This applies to most dog breeds but is especially true for larger breed dogs. In one study of sexual dimorphism in dogs, Labrador Retrievers and all three Poodle types were recorded as exhibiting sexual dimorphism, but it is most pronounced in the Lab and Standard Poodle. And these weight differences between males and females can be significant. What does this mean for the Labradoodle? Owners can expect to see some level of sexual dimorphism in mini and standard Labradoodles. So the weight of your Labradoodle is not totally out of your control. Underweight Labradoodles One of the main reasons your dog may be underweight or smaller than average is because he or she is the runt of the litter. Low birth weight in puppies can be associated with small size as an adult, as well as health issues such as cleft palate, heart defects, and a susceptibility to infections. One study of birth weight in Labrador Retrievers found that puppy size can be influenced by several factors, including: Sex of the puppy Gestation time Weight, age, and inbreeding of the mother If you choose the smallest puppy in a Labradoodle litter, make sure that they have been given a clean bill of health by a vet before you collect them, and get them checked by your own vet as soon as possible too. They can be smaller than average and perfectly healthy. Normal Weight Labradoodles The normal weight range for Labradoodles is wide. A mini Labradoodle can weigh under 30 pounds while a standard Labradoodle can be over 60 pounds. The best way to tell if your Labradoodle is within the normal weight range is to weigh your dog regularly and use the standard veterinary Body Condition Score BCS system for dogs. So ask your vet to show you what to look for in your dog, and remember to take them back for vet check ups twice a year. Overweight Labradoodles Does your dog exceed the normal weight range for Labradoodles? This is common if your dog inherits the Labrador tendency for weight gain. Poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to obesity in Labradoodles, but these factors are in your control. Feed your dog a quality diet that is high in protein. Once your Doodle is fully grown, twice daily feedings are sufficient. Daily exercise will keep your Labradoodle happy and healthy. Aim for around 60 minutes per day, which can be a combination of walks and play sessions. Whether your Labradoodle is small, medium, or large, proper care ensures that your dog is happy and healthy! Good breeders can tell you how big they expect their litters to grow, and they should also be honest with you about the possibility for variation. Once you bring your puppy home, your vet will track their growth through puppyhood, and help you pinpoint a healthy adult weight for them. Did the size of your Labradoodle take you by surprise? How much does your Labradoodle weigh? Does it fall wide of what you expected? Let us know in the comments box down below! More articles to help keep your Labradoodle healthy. Our puppy growth chart and calculator has your answer! Size is largely determined by genetics. Size is inherited in non-linear ways in dogs and other animals. Some puppies stay much smaller than both parents, some become much bigger, and some are in the middle. While size is already hard to predict in purebred dogs, it becomes even more erratic when two breeds are crossed such as in any Doodle mix litter. Labradors are large dogs. They can have a heavy build with deep chests and a wide rib cage. Poodles on the other hand are rather dainty, even though they are tall. Especially in the first generation of a Labradoodle litter that means a generation whose parents are a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador , there will be a greater variation of size. The smallest and the tallest puppy of the litter might be as much as 20 pounds apart in weight! That being said, most Labradoodles weigh somewhere between 45 and 65 pounds and are inches tall. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club and have no breed standard that requires a certain size. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? As a large dog breed, Labradoodles grow past their first birthday. The smaller a dog, the sooner he is finished growing. Some very small breeds can stop growing around months. Since the Labradoodle is tall, expect him to continue growing until about months of age. At 12 months, most tall dogs are lanky teenagers! By the time your Labradoodle is 2 years old, he will definitely be done growing. How big is a 6 month old Labradoodle? At 6 months old, your Labradoodle will weigh about pounds. He is definitely not fully grown yet — expect him to become quite a bit taller and heavier in the coming months. As your Labradoodle puppy is growing up, his coat will become longer and thicker as well! Make sure you bathe and brush him regularly. Trimming his coat regularly with a good set of clippers will be very important as well! Ensuring healthy growth Here is what you can do to set your Labradoodle up for a healthy growth and solid adult weight: Nutrition and feeding Without the right nutrition, your pup cannot grow well. You need to feed your Labradoodle a high-quality food with a lot of protein. Protein is what our bodies are built of — your growing pup needs a lot in order to grow tall and strong. You can choose from a variety of different foods, such as: Dry food.

All of our dogs meet the European Standard for health, confirmation, and working ability. On this website we expose the AKC, and American Veterinary System for the pain, suffering and destruction they are causing to this breed. We also expose German Shepherds. This is why that from the over 50, German Shepherd Breeders in the U. You will learn that modern Schutzhund dogs are NOT working dogs, only trained in obedience, to bite a bite sleeve, to track an article across a field, but can hardly function off leash, and certainly could NOT function in the Real working dog World!! You will learn how and why this is happening. In Europe, German Shepherd puppy and dog prices are uniform. However in the U. We break all of that down for you so you specifically what all of this means. This is an incredible and sad statement. Sad that you would know more than ANY breeder, trainer or Veterinarian in America just by reading one website…. .Our puppy facility is located on 12 acres in Tennessee. Unless required to do serious protection, tracking, or Narcotics detection, Authentic German Shepherds dogs do NOT need serious training, only good Parenting from their Owners. This is why you only want to acquire an Authentic German Shepherd Dog. VZH is non-profit, the price of our puppies and dogs is dictated by our overhead. Our dogs thrive on acres of woods and water. We cover everything A-Z here to make you the best dog Parent possible. While he is yet to publish anything in book or journal form, he has amassed hundreds of pages of notes, statistics, spreadsheets, and interviewed hundreds of experts associated with the German Shepherd Dog Worldwide. Edward conducts hours of research each day as time permits, this has been ongoing for over 30 years. German Shepherd Owners give their dogs time they can spare, room they can spare, and love that they can spare. Our breeding program has earned the the highest level of accomplishments that a kennel in the United States can achieve. Nadelhaus breeds purebred German Shepherds year round and we also import both German Shepherd puppies and adults direct from Europe for our clients. Long-haired German Shepherds are technically called a long coat German Shepherd, while a short-haired German Shepherd is called a normal coat or stock coat German Shepherd. Dogs with either coat have the same physiological structure and both have double coats: an undercoat and a top coat. The only difference between the two is the top coat. The long haired German Shepherd will have a heavier top coat than the undercoat. The double coat of a German Shepherd is an important feature of the breed. The double coat weathers and insulates the dogs—it protects them from the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. The length of the coat of a German Shepherd has no impact on its ability as a working dog. What does a long haired German Shepherd look like? The skeleton and structure of a long-haired German Shepherd will be the same as a short-haired German Shepherd. Both dogs will have an undercoat, but the difference is that the top coat of a long-haired German Shepherd will be longer. The long coat GSD has longer and silkier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Short on the head, including the inside of the ears, on the front side of the legs, on the paws and toes, somewhat longer and more strongly covered in hair on the neck, almost forming a mane. On the back side of the legs the hair extends to the carpal joint or the hock and forms clear trousers on the back side of the haunches. Historically, German Shepherds originated in Germany and were native sheepdogs. He firmly believed that the standard of the German Shepherd breed should not include dogs with long hair. Throughout the s, long haired German Shepherds were considered unsuitable and unacceptable for breeding. It is important to note that long-haired German Shepherds are the result of natural genetic diversity and not a separate breed. Their long coats are an inherited trait that can occur when both parents carry the recessive long-hair gene. This gene manifests as a more luxurious and abundant coat, offering a striking contrast to the traditional short-haired German Shepherd appearance. The breeding of long-haired German Shepherds follows the same rigorous standards and principles as their short-haired counterparts. The focus remains on maintaining the breed's exceptional temperament, working abilities, and overall health. Over time, breeders recognized the value of long-haired German Shepherds and began selectively breeding them to maintain and enhance their unique characteristics. Through careful pairings and strategic breeding programs, the long-haired variety established itself as a distinct and cherished branch of the German Shepherd breed. How big do long-haired German Shepherds get? Long-haired German Shepherds are structurally the same as short-haired German Shepherds, therefore they can both grow to similar sizes. Males: inches tall, pounds Females: inches tall, pounds Since both German Shepherds are physiologically the same, they also have the same temperaments: loyal, intelligent, energetic, courageous and protective. German Shepherds are ranked 2 on the AKC Breed Popularity list and make for wonderful family companions and working dogs. How can I identify a long-haired German Shepherd puppy? In the photo below are two litter mates from a recent Nadelhaus litter. The puppy on the left is a long coat and the puppy on the right is a normal coat. The long coat has wispier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Long-hair female German Shepherd next to short-hair male German Shepherd. Genetically in German Shepherds, the short hair gene is dominant and the long hair gene is recessive. This means if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated, but neither carries the recessive long hair gene, then no long haired puppies can be produced. However, if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated and both carry the recessive gene, then long-haired German Shepherd puppies can be produced. Long-haired German Shepherds are considered a less common variant of the breed, adding to their allure and exclusivity. While short-haired German Shepherds dominate the breed standard, enthusiasts of long-haired Shepherds appreciate their unique beauty and elegant appearance. Due to their rarity, finding a reputable breeder or rescue organization specializing in long-haired German Shepherds may require some research and patience. However, the joy of owning one of these beautiful dogs is well worth the effort for those who appreciate their longer coats and exceptional qualities. Do long-haired German Shepherds shed more than short-haired German Shepherds? No, this is a common misconception. Although they shed less than short haired German Shepherds, their coats still require regular maintenance. They will need regular brushing and grooming, especially if you enjoy hiking or outdoor activities with your GSD. While it is a rare occurrence for a long-haired GSD to not have an undercoat, most of them do have undercoats. And just like short-haired GSDs, their undercoats will shed more or less throughout the year depending on the season. Should I trim my long haired German Shepherd's coat? The decision to trim a long haired German Shepherd comes down to personal preference, but it is not a necessity. Trimming can help make for more manageable living around the house. If you choose to trim, you can trim around the backs of the ears, on the back of the legs both front and back and then thin the bushy tail. Shaving a German Shepherd on the other hand is never recommended. Their double coats help keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. What are long haired German Shepherds called? Regular brushing: Long-haired German Shepherds require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Aim for at least a few brushing sessions per week to keep their coat in good condition. Finish your brushing session with a gentle dog brush to clean up loose hairs. Bathing and drying: It's important to bathe your long-haired German Shepherd as needed, using a dog-specific shampoo. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all the shampoo to prevent any residue. After bathing, use a high-velocity dryer or a cool air dryer to dry their coat thoroughly, as moisture trapped in the fur can lead to skin issues. Professional grooming: Consider taking your long-haired German Shepherd to a professional groomer for occasional trimming and coat maintenance. A groomer can help keep the fur around sensitive areas, such as the paws and ears, tidy and reduce the chances of matting. Watch for seasonal shedding: Like all German Shepherds, long-haired ones will undergo shedding seasons. Be prepared for increased shedding during these times and brush your dog more frequently to remove loose hair. A de-shedding tool can be helpful in managing shedding and keeping their coat healthy. Remember, each dog is unique, and the specific care requirements may vary. Does Nadelhaus sell long haired German Shepherd puppies? Nadelhaus breeds German Shepherds puppies year round and while the majority of puppies we sell are short hair, we do have occasionally have long haired puppies. We breed all our German Shepherds in the black and red color. If you are looking for a long haired adult German Shepherd, we can also import long-haired German Shepherds direct from Europe. Contact us for more information. Our dogs are x-rayed and certified through the orthopedic foundation for animals OFA and they are also PennHip certified. We participate in conformation shows through the United Kennel Club and have several champions. Learn more about our breeding program here Knowledge in raising the finest puppies There is more to producing amazing puppies than just careful selection in breeding. We strive to produce perfection in the way we nourish, train and enrich our puppies lives from birth. What sets us above the rest is the enrichment we provide for our litters. We go the extra mile to make sure that our puppies have the best start in life as possible. We focus on quality over quantity by never having more then 2 litters at a time. We have been raising these magnificent dogs for over 20 years. Learn more about how our puppies are raised here Located in beautiful South Carolina We are located in the beautiful midlands of South Carolina. A beautiful unique color is just icing on the cake of an already exceptional dog. Our non-traditional color lines have some of the highest hip ratings in the US! Learn more about GSD colors here We hope you enjoy looking around our website and getting to know about us, our dogs and the unique way we raise our puppies! Visits are by appointment only. If you are in California and want a puppy from us we can still make it happen as we can deliver! My husband got this made for me in .Puppy pads Create a Schedule German Shepherd pups would do well with a schedule. Dogs live with a routine, and they are easy to train by having one. For this reason, make a schedule of the things you need to do regularly. Eventually, your pup will learn the routine events and will make itself adept at them. It will help you prepare for your pet, especially in the first few days of living together. As you allow your pet to adjust, do your best to create a stress-free environment for it. Always supervise it as it familiarizes itself with its new home. Still, it would be best to prepare yourself for loud noises when your pet is asleep. Moderate Training German Shepherds are highly trainable. It simply means they respond well, especially to positive reinforcement. Squeaky Toys Out of all toys, your pet will love the squeaky ones. For this reason, prepare for a lot of loud squeaks every time your pet is active. Thus, in picking your pet, you may want to consider getting it from the best. Tells you any health problems A good breeder will tell you any significant health problems in any of the dogs he or she bred. Asks more questions than you A good breeder would ask for more items from you than you would for him or her. Not in a hurry to send off A good breeder is not in a hurry to send the puppies off and get your money. He or she will even show you other breeders and veterinarians caring for their dogs. Requires expectations on both sides A good breeder will create a contract that offers not only what he or she expects from you. More than that, he or she will also show what you can expect from him or her. Sends puppies properly A good breeder will never send a puppy in a compartment and without any responsible person to go with it. Works only with one or two breeds A good breeder works only with a single or a couple of species. Shows breeding experience A good breeder shows her dogs in recognized confirmation shows. He or she will also join his or her breed in other breed-related performance events. Other states. We have answers. The challenge comes when you start to try and determine the reason that these puppies are priced so drastically different. If finding a purebred or purpose-bred designer puppy is important to you, you probably also want to know your new family member's health and behavioral history. That being said, as dog lovers by no means are we anti-shelter, in fact we realize all of the benefits that shelters offer. What is a backyard breeder? A backyard breeder is a term used for puppy businesses who are operating out of a spare bedroom or even out of a residential backyard. With so many backyard breeders flooding the marketing finding German Shepherds for sale in Nashville from reputable puppy businesses can be difficult. How does Uptown Puppies view transparency when it comes to breeding puppies? When it comes to finding the perfect breeder transparency is extremely important. Working with Uptown is far different than just typing a few random terms into your favorite online search engine. How do I find healthy German Shepherd puppies in Nashville? Finding a litter of well-taken care of Nashville German Shepherds for sale and taking one home to meet your family is one of the best feelings in the world. Is it enough to walk my dog, or do they need more exercise? For a lot of dogs a walk around the block or a stroll to the grocery store will be enough but as the dog gets bigger that situation evolves. German Shepherds were bred to be working dogs so you should expect them to have a lot more energy than a Poodle or Miniature Schnauzer. What is a puppy mill? Puppy mills are facilities that breed countless German Shepherds or other valuable dogs while also limiting the resources they are putting into the process. Puppy mills may have grand buildings but that is only because they want to cram as many puppies into them as possible.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Labradoodle Highlights Friendly and intelligent: Labradoodles are known for being friendly and intelligent dogs. They are good with children and other animals, and they are easy to train. Hypoallergenic: Labradoodles are often considered to be hypoallergenic, which means that they do not shed as much as other dogs. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies. Active and playful: Labradoodles are active dogs that need regular exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, going for walks, and swimming. Loyal and devoted: Labradoodles are loyal and devoted dogs that make great companions. They are always happy to see their owners and they love to cuddle. Versatile: Labradoodles are versatile dogs that can be trained for a variety of tasks, including therapy work, obedience, and agility. They can be expensive to purchase and maintain. They require regular grooming, especially if they have a curly coat. They are prone to some health problems, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Overall, Labradoodles are wonderful dogs that make great companions for people of all ages. If you are looking for a friendly, intelligent, and hypoallergenic dog, a Labradoodle may be a good choice for you. Labradoodle History Wally Conron, who was in charge of the breeding program for the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia, purposefully crossbred a Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever in to develop the Labradoodle as a hypoallergenic guide dog. The first cross produced Sultan, a dog with a hypoallergenic coat, aptitude, intelligence, and personality suitable for being an effective guide dog. Sultan worked successfully with a woman in Hawaii. Other breeders saw the merit of crossing these two breeds, and the Labradoodle quickly rose in popularity like its Labrador Retriever parent. These dogs are often produced by crossing a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle, but multigenerational breeding has begun in an attempt to produce a viable and recognizable breed. The Australian Labradoodle Association and the International Australian Labradoodle Association are taking steps to move this designer breed into registered breed status in the next few years. These groups have made great efforts to bring breeders together so that they are working to achieve the same standards through multigenerational breeding. Labradoodle Size The Labradoodle comes in three size variations, depending on the size of the Poodle used for the first-generation breeding. The three sizes are Standard, Medium, and Miniature. The Standard Labradoodle should be 22 to 24 inches in height for a male and 21 to 23 inches in height for a female, while both can range in weight from 50 to 65 pounds. The Medium Labradoodle should be 18 to 20 inches high for a male and 17 to 19 inches high for a female, with both weighing from 30 to 45 pounds. The average size for a Miniature Labradoodle is between 14 to 16 inches and 15 to 25 pounds. All of that said, there is a lot of variation in Labradoodle sizes. Some can be smaller or larger than expected. Labradoodle Personality The Labradoodle is an intelligent dog who can make the ideal family pet if properly trained. They are friendly and accept and treat everyone like their best friend. They can be gentle, but they can also be joyful, showing their happiness through exuberant jumping and playing. They also tend to be easygoing, since the Labradoodle was bred not to be aggressive. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Meeting siblings, parents, or other relatives of the dog is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when they grow up. Socialization helps ensure that your Labradoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking them to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help them polish their social skills. Here are a few conditions to watch out for: Ear Infections: These can plague Labradoodles because of their floppy ears. The ears trap moisture and should be regularly checked. X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem. Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : Similar to hip dysplasia, this is also a degenerative disease. The disease varies in severity: the dog could simply develop arthritis, or they could become lame. Treatment includes surgery, weight management, medical management, and anti-inflammatory medication. It can cause mild or severe seizures that may show themselves as unusual behavior—such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding—or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Allergies: Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Labradoodle is no exception. Treatment varies according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes. Diabetes Mellitus: This is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. The dog will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Symptoms of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and the administration of insulin. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Hypothyroidism : This is a disorder of the thyroid gland. It is treated with medication and diet. They require about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day and would do better with a fenced yard in which to expel some energy. Some Labradoodles, especially in the first generation, can require even more exercise. The Labradoodle makes an excellent jogging companion but also needs some time off-leash to burn off steam. The Labradoodle is an intelligent and eager-to-please dog. Training should be easy as long as consistency and positive reinforcement are the methods. Socialize them from puppyhood, since they tend to hurl themselves headlong into canine situations without regard to the feelings of other dogs. This can lead to some problems if the unknown dog is aggressive. Despite their activity levels, a Labradoodle can adjust to living in suburban or city environments and can do well in rural settings. A crate is also a place where they can retreat for a nap. Crate training at a young age will help your Labradoodle accept confinement if they ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized. Never stick your Labradoodle in a crate all day long, however. Labradoodle Feeding Recommended daily amount: 1 to 2. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Keep your Labradoodle in good shape by measuring their food and feeding them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. First, look down at them. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on their back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Labradoodle, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Labradoodle Coat Color And Grooming Although a Labradoodle can have one of a range of coat types, the desired length is four to six inches. They have a single coat with hair ranging from straight to loose curls. There are three types of texture: The Hair coat, which is similar to fur in shedding breeds, is the least popular. Hair coats shed and usually have a normal doggy odor. This coat is seen in first generations, although breeders try to avoid it. The Fleece coat has a silky texture often described as an Angora goat texture. This coat ranges from straight to wavy. Labradoodles are considered to be non- to low shedders, especially those with a Fleece or Wool coat. Hair coats tend to shed just as they do in other breeds, ranging from very low to average shedding. The Labradoodle comes in a wide variety of colors. They can also have parti-colored coats, which consist of brindles, phantom, patched, or sable colors. Grooming requirements vary depending on the length and type of coat the dog has. Generally speaking, you can expect to brush a Labradoodle about once or twice per week. Some can be clipped or trimmed every six to eight weeks to keep the coat easy to maintain. Like Labs, Labradoodles can be prone to ear infections, so take a little extra time caring for their ears. Dry and clean them after a swim, and check them once a week for dirt, redness, or a bad odor that can indicate an infection. Then wipe them out weekly with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent problems. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Dog toenails have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far you can cause bleeding—and your dog may not cooperate the next time they see the nail clippers come out. Handle their paws frequently—dogs are touchy about their feet—and look inside their mouth. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. Labradoodle Children And Other Pets The Labradoodle does well with children and can be an affectionate and gentle companion for any child. They can also be exuberant and might knock down smaller children, but they will love them with all their heart. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Labradoodles usually get along well with other dogs and pets. Like most dogs, they need training and socialization for optimum success at living with and visiting other animals. Labradoodle Rescue Groups Labradoodles are often brought home without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. Many end up in the care of shelters or rescues because of this. It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Labradoodles because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Labrador Retriever or Poodle breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have both health and behavioral issues. More Info For You. Lifespan Sociability As puppies, Labradoodles look like tiny, fuzzy teddy bears. In reality, this cross-breed can be a great deal to handle for first-time dog owners or those looking for a more hands-off canine companion. What does this mean? The Lab Poodle mix awkwardly straddles the worlds of purebred and mutt. On the one hand, Labradoodles are purposely bred and sold for tons of cash. On the other, the cross-breed is not recognized or regulated by any major dog organization at least in the United States. Many breeders also turn to in-breeding to achieve desirable puppies. Yes, Labradoodles can make incredible pets, and there are countless well-intentioned breeders out there. Unfortunately, this also means many Labradoodles end up causing discomfort for misinformed households. The Labradoodle might boast a Poodle-like coat, but hair type has nothing to do with canine allergens. Instead, your allergies are probably triggered by the dander a. If you or a family member requires a hypoallergenic dog, then the Labradoodle might not be the best option! While the regular Labradoodle is just a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, the Australian Labradoodle includes genetics from the Cocker Spaniel and other unknown breeds. Labradoodles come in a variety of colors and patterns, from stark white to tri-colored. In this regard, the Labradoodle definitely takes after the Poodle. Despite what many lovers of the cross-breed believe, Labradoodles can also have more than one type of fur. While the most popular coat texture is wavy, you can also find puppies with extremely curly and straight fur! With consistent socialization and training, though, these traits can be easily managed. A well-adjusted Labradoodle is friendly, mellow, and ready for anything the world has to offer. Labradoodles who have not been taught to manage their excitement, especially around strangers and other dogs, can quickly cause issues. Before bringing home a Labradoodle puppy, take note that poor genetics often lead to behavioral and temperamental issues. While this is true for any dog — purebred, hybrid, or full-on mutt — it is a well-documented problem within the Labradoodle community. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Most Labradoodles are fairly large, reaching up to 65 pounds, so these eager playmates will easily mow down small children. Labradoodles are bred to be friendly and relaxed around strangers, making them terrible guard dogs. Because of its generally low prey drive, the Labradoodle is a great option for households with cats or small dogs. Please reference the feeding guidelines of your chosen food — every formula has slightly different serving recommendations. You should also aim to go on two long walks per day. While puzzles are a great way to meet these needs, adventure walks meandering walks or hikes where your dog can sniff and explore a new environment are also an excellent choice. A lack of room to run around and burn excess energy can rapidly breed destructive habits. The combination of high intelligence and overall friendliness makes the Labradoodle great for experienced and first-time dog owners who are willing to invest in lifelong training. Even naturally friendly dogs can suffer if not properly socialized from an early age. Like Poodles, Labradoodle coats can be cut in a variety of functional and fashionable ways. However, the lack of standardized breeding and immense popularity means many Labradoodles carry poor genetics. Labradoodles are most affected by conditions common among Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. Regular vet visits can help keep your pup healthy and catch early signs of disease. Here are the most common health conditions known to affect Labradoodles: Minor Conditions. Origin and history of the Labradoodle To fully understand the history of the Labradoodle, it's best to have a look at both parent breeds. History of the Labrador Labradors originated in Newfoundland, a large island off the east coast of Canada. The island is actually part of the Newfoundland and Labrador province — which is where these pups get their name from. They're closely related to St John's Water Dogs, a breed that no longer exists and eventually divided into two breeds — the larger Newfoundland dogs and the original Labrador. These pups were incredibly talented at helping fishermen retrieve nets, long lines, and fish that had managed to escape. In the s, European settlers saw how impressive these dogs were and decided to take them back home with them. They were then bred with local hunting dogs to create what we know as the adorable Labrador Retriever today. History of the Poodle Poodles are an ancient breed. In fact, poodle-like images have been found on Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs. This naturally makes it more challenging to know precisely when these pups originated and where they come from. Most experts agree that Poodles originated in Germany but were further developed in France. Some think that they are the result of crossbreeding various different European Waterdogs and others believe they arrived in Portugal in the 8th century and originated in Asia. What is sure is that they're a very old breed and that Miniature Poodles and Toy Poodles were further bred in France. Standard Poodles were used for hunting ducks, Miniature Poodles to hunt truffles , and Toy Poodles as cute little companion dogs for the French elite. History of the Labradoodle Often, with mixed breeds, little is known about the exact origin because it's difficult to pinpoint whether a pup was first bred naturally or not. That's not, however, the case with the Labradoodle. They were first bred in the s in Australia by a guide dog trainer named Wally Conron. He specialized in breeding hardworking Labradors and Golden Retrievers but wanted to breed a hypoallergenic one that could help blind allergy sufferers too. Poodles are well known for being great non-shedders, so Wally decided to breed these intelligent canines with his working Labradors. The result was a great success! Many people, however, didn't want a mixed breed assistance dog, and it took him many years to prove how great these dogs are. Both the Australian Labradoodle Association and the International Australian Labradoodle Association are trying to incorporate more intergenerational breeding so that these pups can officially be recognized as purebred. Temperament and personality of the Labradoodle Labradoodle puppies and adult dogs are adoring and devoted. They're very sweet-natured and love to be around their whole family. Playing is a huge part of any Labradoodle's day, and they'll love to spend time running after a ball or working out a particularly difficult puzzle toy. These fluffy dogs are very sociable and confident around strangers. They get on well with children, dogs, and other pets and love to make new friends. In all likelihood, they'll be the first to run up to other dogs in the dog park and introduce themselves. These hybrids are very energetic and need a good amount of space to explore and run around in. They're also just as happy to snuggle up with you on the couch and enjoy a good film. Training a Labradoodle Just like the purebred Poodle and Labrador, Labradoodles are very intelligent. They excel in all sorts of dog sports and training classes and really benefit from new and exciting things to do. These intelligent dogs love to please their owners, make them laugh, and are keen to do as they're told. For example, if taught from a young age not to bark unless they need to Labradoodle puppies are pretty quiet dogs. Lots of socialization is important for Labradoodles — they'll love playing with other dogs in a puppy kindergarten class and will benefit from learning for older pups. In fact, Labradoodles generally enjoy everything they do — including training! Because they're so affectionate, they can be a little sensitive. They also respond best to exciting training and positive reinforcement and don't like being told off or raised voices. If you want your Labradoodle to learn, it's essential to encourage them rather than scold them. They also respond well to the odd treat! Appearance of the Labradoodle As well as their loving and affectionate personalities, the unique appearance of a Labradoodle is something else that makes them very popular. These dogs look like little teddy bears! They have large, wide eyes and a happy and curious expression. Because there isn't a standard for this dog breed yet, they come in all different shapes and sizes, and their coat color and texture can vary quite a lot. How big do Labradoodles get? We really have to consider the purebred dogs behind this amazing hybrid to know this. Labradors are always medium to large canines , stand at roughly 23 inches tall, and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. Poodles, however, come in 3 different sizes standard, miniature, and toy. Because a Labrador Retriever is mixed with a Poodle, the Labradoodle also comes in 3 sizes standard, medium, and miniature. Just like the Miniature Poodle, the miniature Labradoodle is especially cute. These little dogs can be between 14 and 16 inches tall, the medium 17 and 20, and the Standard Labradoodle can grow to be inches. Depending on which Labradoodle you adopt, they can weigh between 15 and 65 pounds. Generally speaking, male Labradoodles will be a bit bigger than female Labradoodles. Labradoodle color The American Kennel Club recognizes 3 Labrador colors — black, yellow, and chocolate. But these pups can also come in red, silver, and white. On the other hand, Poodles come in many different colors everything from black to apricot. So, as you can imagine, Labradoodle puppies can be many different colors and combinations too. Some are caramel, chocolate, black, red, chalk, gold, and sable. Labradoodle coat Whether you get a chocolate Labradoodle or a particolored one, their coat texture can vary a lot. There are three main types of coat: Hairy: this coat is usually shorter and wirier think Terrier. It's likely to shed a little more and will smell when your pup inevitably goes for a swim. This coat type is found in first-generation Labradoodles puppies with Poodle and Labrador Retriever parents. Wooly: this coat is dense and very soft, kind of like a sheep's or Poodle's. Fleecy: a Labradoodle with a fleece coat will have long, wavy hair. In many people's opinion, this is the most attractive coat. Are Labradoodles hypoallergenic? No dogs are fully hypoallergenic; they all shed at least a little bit. But many Doodle breeds Poodle mixed breeds were originally bred specifically because Poodles are low-shedders. Labradoodle breeders wanted the fun personality of a Labrador but with the low-shedding coat of a Poodle. If you suffer from allergies and don't want dog hair all over your furniture, the Labradoodle could be a really good choice. Grooming a Labradoodle Labrador Retrievers have a double coat and therefore shed quite a lot — especially before the seasons change, and they need to grow a warmer or cooler one. Luckily, Labradoodles inherit the single coat of their purebred Poodle parent and therefore shed less. Even though they don't shed as much as other dog breeds, it's still worth giving your pup a weekly brush to remove any loose hairs and dirt. This helps their coat stay sleek and smelling good. Depending on whether your Labradoodle inherits a fleecy coat or not, you may need to trim the hair around their eyes and in between their toes, so it doesn't irritate them. You might also want to consider taking them to a professional groomer every so often. Health of a Labradoodle A mixed-breed adult dog is usually healthier than a purebred pup as the gene pool is a little bigger. To ensure you get a healthy Labradoodle puppy, make sure you do your research and get them from a responsible and ethical breeder. Even if they're cheaper, avoid puppy mills at all costs. Unethical breeders don't care about the health or welfare of your Labradoodle, and you can't be sure they've been properly tested. Taking your standard, medium, and miniature Labradoodles to the vet regularly can help catch any conditions early on. That being said, depending on the parent dogs and your Labradoodle size, some pups can suffer from the following conditions: Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia common in both Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles Ear infections. It is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Note: there are two totally different types of Labradoodles, the Australian Labradoodle and the American Labradoodle. The Australian Labradoodle is a purebred dog, while the American Labradoodle is a hybrid dog. There are a few different ways breeders are producing American Labradoodles. This is not the best cross for people with severe allergies. Health Problems Prone to hip dysplasia and genetic eye problems. She's happy to get it thinned, but it doesn't last long it grows back fast. We caught them in the flower pots and started to shoo them away, but had to take a picture first.Labradoodles make amazing pets. We have been socializing them and exercising them faithfully every day and can see their excellent temperaments developing. His coat is less curly, more shaggy and scruffy looking. He is cool, laid back and more mellow than most other Labradoodles. It could be his age. The Labradoodle is a hybrid product of a cross between a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. Just like the Labrador and Poodle breeds, these crossbreeds are highly active, friendly and intelligent. Labrador Poodle Mix dogs feature a curly and shaggy coat that needs regular maintenance. With moderate to high activity levels depending on the size of your Labradoodle, you will have to invest some time to play with your dog every day. Labradoodle is a suitable dog for someone who enjoys long daily walks. Labradoodles are smart and respond well to training. For crossbreeds such as the Labradoodle there is no specific size chart because there are several different Labradoodle sizes that depend on what type of Poodle was bred into the mix. Since there are three different Poodle varieties, a Labradoodle dog may be on the smaller or on the larger side with each dog having a very unique appearance. Labradoodles are moderately active, with larger ones being more active than the smaller crossbreeds. Labradoodles can also excel as therapy dogs. The parent breeds that form these crossbreeds tend to be quick learners and smart. As such, a Labradoodle will definitely reward you by being super companion especially if the Labradoodle pup gets exposed to early training and socialization while using positive reinforcement techniques. Labradoodle lifespan What is the life expectancy of a Labradoodle? Research has proved that smaller dogs normally live longer than big dogs. Being moderately small or big, the Labradoodle falls somewhere in between. It boasts of a lifespan of twelve to fifteen years. To live to a maximum of 15 years, a Labradoodle must be fed a proper diet, exercise regularly, be of good quality genes and less prone to accidents and injuries. Labradoodle size How big do Labradoodles get? Labradoodle comes in three different sizes that are dependent on the size of the first-generation Poodle used. Poodle breed comes in three sizes that include the largest Standard, Miniature and Toy, which is the smallest. Labradoodle sizes can vary dramatically and generally fall into the following categories The Standard Labradoodle weighs between fifty to sixty five pounds for both male and female, with a height of 22 to 24 inches for males and 21 to 23 inches for a female. The Standard Labradoodle is the largest in size of all Labradoodle size variants. The medium Labradoodle male measures 18 to 20 inches tall and 17 to 19 inches tall for females, with weights of 30 to 45 pounds for both, males and females. The size of a miniature Labradoodle ranges between 14 to 16 inches tall and 15 to 25 pounds in weight for both male and female dogs. Keep in mind that some Labradoodle dogs appear to be bigger or smaller than anticipated and it is difficult to predict the exact weight of Labradoodle puppies when they are full grown. He wanted to come up with a dog that had few allergies with pretty good health, and he succeeded by crossbreeding a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. He named this first Labrador dog Sultan, which came with great attributes such as intelligence, guide dog personality, and great attitude. Sultan was later on taken by a Hawaiian blind woman called Pat Blum as a seen dog with zero allergies. He accompanied her to work daily and when people saw this, they began embracing the Labradoodle and many of this dog came to popularly rise with a very high demand globally. Enthusiastic dog breeders are attempting to conduct multigenerational breeding among the Labradoodles in order to come up with a more feasible and noticeable breed. There is the hope of creating a registered breed from a designer breed. However, this is likely to several generations before getting purebred Labradoodles that are predictable in appearance and temperament. Labradoodle Breed Variety This hybrid cross encompasses a variety of breeds. Labradoodles are available in 6 different sizes with an array of coat texture from Wool to Fleece. They come in a vast range of colors and patterns such as brindle, sable, and so on. As new colors for the breed continue to be identified, Labradoodles appear in cream, white, red, buff, chocolate, gold, black, and lavender among others. Generally, Labradoodles come in a countless number of choices you can select from. Labradoodle puppies Labradoodle pups need a lot of training and interaction when they are still small. They should be left open to socializing with distinct people, taken through different experiences, sights and even locations. Socialization ensures that your puppy grows up ably as an all-rounded and disciplined dog. You can enroll the puppy in dog classes to expose him to other dogs as well as allow your Lab Poodle mix puppy to play with them. Often, take your puppies for walks in the parks and permit people to greet it or invite people regularly to your home to converse with the puppy. This will aid in proper growth of your puppy's social life and wellbeing. Feeding the Labradoodle Whenever you get a Labradoodle puppy, endeavor to follow a regular feeding schedule as advised by the breeder, dog food manufacturer, or your vet. Dry dog food such as high-quality kibble is recommended for these pups. The amount and frequency of feeding changes from puppyhood to adulthood, as well as the activity levels of your Labradoodle. Although older Labradoodles aren't fussy feeders, they also have to be fed with high-quality dog food. To sufficiently satisfy the nutritional requirements of the Labradoodles, meals should be given twice a week. To prevent your dog from gaining excess weight, exercise your Labradoodle doodle in order to burn off any calories that accumulate gradually in the body. If this isn't done, your Labradoodle is likely to become obese or suffer other health issues. This will ultimately reduce a Labradoodle's lifespan. Labradoodle Exercise Needs How much exercise does a Labradoodle require? Labradoodle is made with a playful character. They love playing and exercising regularly. As an owner, you should brace yourself with ample running room and long walks. If you are an active person, then this is the perfect dog for you as you can take it to all your outdoor endeavors and not get bored or distracted. More you can take for swimming once in a while to stretch its muscles and burn those extra calories. Don't worry if you have a small house with a small compound, the dog will still be comfortable as long as you take it out to exercise. Give Labradoodle enough attention just like a small kid because if you ignore him, your pet will be very sad, anxious and cheeky. The same applies when the Lab Poodle mix dog is not being exercised enough causing destruction to everything he comes across. Labradoodles dogs love children and tend to be very tender towards them. However, they can also be aggressive and devastate small children though they mean no harm. If you have a lot of time to socialize, exercise, train and groom a Labradoodle every day, this dog can be right for your family. If you want your kids to appreciate the presence of this dog, teach them how to handle them via talking and patting them. Often keep an eye on their interactions to prevent dog-child fights such as pulling of tails, scratching and biting. Make rules for your children such as never share plates with the dog and not to pat or hold the dog while eating. Lastly, make sure your small kids are not anywhere near the dog when you or any other adult are not around. Just like how human-beings like interacting and socializing with their fellas, dogs too like this. Take your Labradoodle dog to other friendly dogs for socialization. Engage Labradoodles in dog shows and even visit together with other dog friends in the neighborhood. How to groom a Labradoodle These breeds can have varying coat types, with some resembling shaggy retrievers, and others have Poodles' loose curls, with the majority falling in between. To maintain the health of their coats, invest a good amount of grooming time. They will need to be brushed several within a week, and their coats will need trimming a few times a year. If your puppies coat happens to closely resemble that of a poodle, then you will consistently need to keep combing and trimming, as it can easily get tangled and matted. The exact time you need for grooming purposes varies depending on the type of coat. Ensure to keep Labradoodles' ears clean and dry, as they are susceptible to infections especially after swimming or having a bath. Everything else required is normal care. Also, remember to brush the teeth daily or frequently using vet-approved toothpaste for pets to maintain fresh breath and good health. Grooming of your Labradoodle should begin at its puppy stage. Even with its touchy feet, hold them regularly and also examine their mouth until they get used to it. This will ease your grooming moments and make them fun to you and your dog as it grows to adulthood. Labradoodle owners should always care for and groom their dogs regularly with regards to the dogs' texture. There are three main types of Labradoodle coat textures which include Labradoodle hair type coat: This is the least popular texture that resembles fur found in shedding breeds. They normally have a natural dog odor usually found in 1st generations. Wool type coat: This is a deep coat that looks like a lamb's wool. It does not shed and neither has a dog odor but hangs in loose curls. Fleece coat: The one with a fine silky touch Angora goat texture and it can be full of waves or straight. Labradoodle coat colors The Labradoodles coat comes in different colors that range from gold, caramel, cream, apricot, chalk-white, chocolate, red, silver, parchment, blue, and black. Some Labrador Poodle mix dogs have spotted coats consisting of pith, phantom, brindles and patched colors. Even with all these color ranges, this breed is a non-coat shedder or low-shedder. You will notice this especially if own one with a wool or fleece coat. How frequently you should groom your Labradoodle greatly depends on the dog's type of coat and the length of it. Labradoodle grooming Labradoodles need to be groomed one or two times a week. You can also trim or clip a Labradoodle after one or two months for easy maintenance of the coat. Furthermore, since Labradoodles fur is odorless, it should be washed once in a long time or when the need calls for a bath. For good care of Labradoodle's delicate ears, you should always clean and dry them after swimming and weekly clean than to remove dirt, bad odor, and redness that can cause ear infection. Use a cotton ball moistened with antiseptic or an ear cleaner that is PH balanced. Just like human beings brush their teeth for proper maintenance and fresh breath, Labradoodles' teeth should be brushed at least 2 or 3 ties in a week. This helps in getting rid of mouth bacteria and tartar. However, you're not restricted to daily brushing for healthy dog gums and cool breath. Always trim your Labradoodle's nails when they are lengthy about once a month. You will know when to cut Labradoodle's nails as soon as the dog's nails start making clicking sound when the dog walks on a hardwood floor. You should also take caution when cutting the dog's nails not to trim them too far as their nails have blood vessels located close to the tip of the nail. The trimming can be done by you, a professional dog groomer or even by a veterinarian in a vet clinic. Always if your Lab Poodle mix dog has inflammations on the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and feet when grooming. Take caution and visit a vet clinic if you find any abnormalities such as rashes, infection signs like tenderness or redness. When you are grooming your Labradoodle dog, be sure to pay attention to any signs of skin issues and that can help you curb health issues arising and also save you expensive treatment money when the skin infections become too serious. Labradoodle temperament The temperament of Labradoodle depends on the amount of socialization, parent's temperaments, as well as inherited personality. Labradoodles are friendly dogs with high levels of devotion to their families. A Labradoodle under good care never gets aggressive or becomes shy towards other animals and people. The Labrador Retriever's love for working with people and Poodles intelligence makes these crossbreeds highly trainable and very smart. When trained through plays, rewards, and treats, Labradoodles are very likely to learn happily and quickly. As soon as you get your Lab Poodle mix puppy home, start positive reinforcement training. This prevents Lab Poodle mix dog from becoming headstrong and harder to train. Begin by getting your Lab Poodle mix puppy to the kindergarten class of puppies for socialization purposes. The majority of these puppy classes need your puppy to have completed the recommended vaccines before any exposure to the public. Before these vaccines are complete, just start training and socializing the puppies at home with friends and family. Remember to get uncannily and accurate advice from the breeder prior to purchasing your Labradoodle. After knowing your personality and lifestyle, they will absolutely give the best recommendation since they see the puppies daily. Endeavor to also look for Labradoodles socialized since early puppyhood, and puppies from parents with excellent personalities. Labradoodle potty training It is very important to housetrain your puppy. It may seem like a daunting task, but ultimately, it pays off. On your part, toilet training a puppy requires a lot of consistency and you need to be patient with the Labradoodle puppy. The time it takes for your Lab Poodle mix puppy to housebreak could be a few weeks to several months. It just depends on the level of attention and time you take to focus on this kind of training, and the time the puppy takes to realize that 'pottying' needs to be done outside. How to potty train a Labradoodle? Housetraining starts by identifying a specific spot where you will always take your Lab Poodle mix puppy for potty. Whenever your Labradoodle relieves himself on the spot, ensure to praise and reward him using treats such as pieces of meat, although in a controlled manner. When the dog identifies pottying at that particular spot with a positive experience, he will eventually learn to do so by himself. Always avoid scolding or punishing your Labradoodle puppy for accidents or any mistakes. Most mistakes are bound to happen when getting the Lab Poodle puppy out upon waking up, after meals, or even when they suddenly stop playing around as they are not able to hold their bladders and bowels when young. But you don't have to worry since pups are able to 'hold it' for longer as they grow up. Ensure not to rush anything, let the Poodle and Labrador mix puppy take his time as you continue to train. Remember that complete housebreaking for puppies could take as long as 6 months. If you rush the training process, problems could start occurring. When you are housetraining a Labradoodle puppy, be sure to clean every mess with an Enzyme Cleaner to completely get rid of the dog's urine scent that may be left on the accident spot. Leaving even a faint scent of dog urine there may encourage your puppy to use that area as his toilet area again. To preven that from happening, using an Enzyme Cleaner is an easy way to remove any trace of the dog's urine scent from your floors thus discouraging the dog from using that area as his toilet. Labradoodle training Being an intelligent, sweet, and intuitive dog breed, the Labradoodle enjoys playtime, training and is obedient, which makes him, a pleasing companion. All you need is to take your time to establish a loving authority when it's still early. Always train your puppy using positive reinforcement techniques of rewarding with treats and praises, and show him he's a welcome addition to the family. A well taken care of Labradoodle is a happy dog. Therefore, it is very important to take good care of your pet for it to live fully as per the following tips. As a Labradoodle owner or if you plan to buy one, you should note that these dogs adapt to all settings though they are not made to be kept in apartments. This is because they are very active dogs that need approximately 30 to 60 minutes of physical activities per day. This means Labradoodle owners may need to take the dog to the park or to a fenced yard release some vigor. If you happen to be a jogger, the Labradoodle makes a perfect partner with a little time off the leash to blow off steam. You also need to be exciting, smart and more energetic than them or else they will destruct your entire jog. The Labradoodle is a smart, easy to please and fast learner dog. It is the easiest dog to train with consistent lessons and positive measures. They are awesome companions for first-time owners that are non-cuddly since the dog doesn't need excessively holding. Teach them from puppyhood to be considerate of other dogs' feelings not fight them when they meet. Although very active, Lab Poodles can easily adapt to life in the city with sufficient daily exercise or suburbs but most favored in rural areas. Lab Poodle cross dogs are usually very excited when living comfortably at home, soundly sleeping on your arms and feet. Labradoodle dogs are great companions when visiting places familiar to them. Always crate train your Labradoodle dog from puppyhood to prevent it from landing into accidents in and outside the house and hanging around restricted things. They can also sleep and relax in the crate when tired. Crate training will assist your dog to get used to being confined in boarding and hospital situations. However, note that the dog should not be crate confined for many hours since this will encourage laziness and boring character in the dog. Shelter dogs vs puppies Origin Of The Labradoodle There are now first crosses being deliberately bred from a wide variety of pedigree dog mixes. But it was the Labradoodle that kicked off this entire trend. And the mix started in Australia in the s. It began as part of an attempt to create a low shedding guide dog for those people who were both visually impaired and sensitive to the allergens in dog hair. And he set up a breeding program to try to create a line of hypoallergenic or low shedding guide dogs. According to Stanley Coren, who later interviewed Conron, all 33 puppies failed the guide dog training program. Moving onwards Today, the Royal Guide Dogs Association no longer incorporates doodles into its breeding program, though some other Guide Dog Associations do. This is due, not to the dogs themselves, but the fear that a sharp increase in popularity could lead to a greater number of abandoned dogs. Labradors vary less in height than Standard Poodles, with a recommended height of about 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder. A standard Labradoodle full grown may reach anything from 15 to 24 inches tall, but is more likely to come in at the top end of that spectrum. When it comes to weight, an adult male Labradoodle may reach anywhere from 60 to 80 pounds. Females tend to weigh in at around ten pounds less than males. Colors Standard Labradoodles are commonly solid-colored, such as a typical brown or a beautiful apricot. However, Standard Poodles are sometimes particolored white patches on a dark background , and a Labradoodle may inherit that. A bicolored Labradoodle may be referred to as a Parti Labradoodle. Expressed Labrador genes may result in a chocolate, black or yellow Labradoodle. Apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, red, white or even silver Labradoodle dogs are possible too. However, not every Labradoodle will exhibit the fleece. In fact, whether or not a Doodle is a first generation or later cross can greatly impact its fur coat. The first-generation cross F1 results from the initial breeding of a Labrador Retriever to a Poodle. According to the breeders at Deer Creek Labradoodles, the first generation is the least likely to have a fleece coat and most likely will still shed like a Lab. According to the breeders at Apple Creek Doodles, the first generation is most likely to have a somewhat shaggy coat that requires grooming, although minimal, due to the coarseness of the fur. The second-generation cross F1b results from breeding a first-generation Lab Poodle mix with a Poodle. This combination seems to consistently produce litters with the fleecy, low-shedding coat, thanks to the influx of Poodle genes. Crossing an F1b Labradoodle with a Poodle produces the F1b. This combination seems to produce pups with the most Poodle-like coats and Labrador-type personalities, making them highly sought after by the general public. Do Labradoodles Shed? The allergen to which some people are sensitive can be found in every home where there is a dog. This is true regardless of breed. Every dog, regardless of how low-shedding its coat may be, still produces some dander. Most of the time, a good brush once or twice a week should keep their coats in great shape. We recommend taking any dog with a Poodle-type coat to the groomer once per month for a clip. Sometimes, the Labradoodle coat can be a problem for owners that lack the time or inclination for thorough grooming. Just as with Poodles, lack of grooming can occasionally become a health issue, with matted fur getting out of hand and covering the dogs eyes and bottom. This can escalate as the owner becomes embarrassed to seek help. Typical Temperament Traits Labradoodles are known for their highly energetic but easy-going natures. However, each Labradoodle is a unique individual with his or her own quirks and mannerisms, some of which may be passed from their parents. Therefore, knowing whether or not a Labradoodle puppy will show more of a Lab or Poodle personality is kind of a toss-up. First-generation Doodle temperaments are especially hard to predict, but it seems that later generations act more like Labradors. However, breeding later Doodle generations back with Poodles to maintain the Poodle coat can result in more Poodle-like temperament. Poodles and Labs have quite different personalities, though both have the potential to display strong, loyal attachment to their family. Some people associate them with being snappy. In addition, socializing your Doodle or any dog, for that matter from a young age will help to prevent fearfulness and unpleasant behavior toward people and pets later in life. Poodles are active dogs who enjoy lots of physical and mentally stimulating activity. They like having a job and interacting with their owners, which is part of the reason why they are such contenders in the show ring! Labrador Side of the Family On the other side of the coin, Labrador Retriever temperament is generally happy-go-lucky. They are dogs who are content with anyone as long as they are being lathered with attention. These playful pups are also pretty tolerant of other dogs in the household. They are also dogs that need company. Get help with chewing or destructive behavior here. Like Poodles, these are energetic dogs who love to go for walks, runs, bike rides, and swims. They will thrive in an active household or in a job that lets them use their energy and their powerful nose! Labradoodle Socialization Socialization is important for any breed, even outgoing and friendly dogs like Labradors. Regular training and socialization is what helps a puppy to grow up to be a happy, healthy dog who is comfortable in different situations and around new people and animals. A lack of socialization could lead to a dog who is unsure of himself in a new situation, and therefore anxious or fearful. This may lead to acting out. Additionally, because the Poodle parent may potentially be a little more aloof, a Labradoodle will need socialization to counteract that tendency. Puppies should begin to be socialized from the time that they are brought home. Regularly introduce them to new people and other animals, and take them out into new environments. Training And Exercise Plan for at least an hour of exercise each day for an adult Labradoodle, and try to add in additional playtime in an enclosed yard, and tasks such as retrieving. Plenty of physical activity will keep their joints moving and flexible, plus the mental stimulation will keep a Doodle both physically and mentally fit. Just like ensuring that your child goes to school, training is a vital part of raising a well-adjusted dog of any breed. The training needs of a dog vary throughout the different ages of life. Labradoodles should also be trained to walk without straining at their leash, and to come back when given a recall signal. Check out our in-depth guide to training a Labrador or Labrador cross here. However, with mixes, dog owners need to take into account the risks for both parent breeds, as any and all could potentially be handed down to the mix puppy. Most of our purebred dog breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. These are diseases that can only harm the individual dog if he or she carries inherits two faulty genes — one from each parent. With recessive diseases, if either parent passes a healthy gene to the puppy, the faulty gene is switched off and remains harmless. Which is why mongrels are often genetically more healthy than purebred dogs. A first cross like a Labradoodle may, genetically speaking, be an improvement on either of the parent breeds. Labrador Health Labradors are generally healthy dogs. But there are some inheritable issues that they do face. And they absolutely should be, before the Lab is allowed to breed. Whether the Lab is the mother or father of Labradoodle puppies, they should be health tested and cleared first. Labs also have a tendency to become overweight, especially as they get a little older. Lab owners should always keep an eye on the amount and quality of the food they give their dogs. Labs can also suffer from some more minor issues, such as ear problems and skin allergies. To learn more about the diseases and health conditions that commonly affect Labrador Retrievers, refer to our health article on Labrador Retrievers. Poodle Health Unfortunately, Poodles, while also being generally healthy, suffer from some of the same problems as Labradors. When both parent breeds have diseases in common, those diseases have a greater risk of being passed down to the Labradoodle puppy. Common major health problems include: Hip dysplasia. Black, cream, white, apricot, gold, caramel, chocolate, red, tan, sable Suitable for: Active families, families with children, those looking for a playful and active dog Temperament: Affectionate, intelligent, friendly, energetic, playful, easy-going While Labradoodles are known for being sweet, their consistency in other characteristics is lacking. The demand for these dogs contributes to irresponsible and hasty breeding, and the results are litters of puppies with varying personalities. Not all Labradoodles are exactly alike but they do share similar characteristics. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. Labradoodle Puppies Image Credit: Danii Brown Photography, Shutterstock Labradoodle puppies are highly intelligent and social, and tend to be good with children and other pets. They are also known for being easily trained and make great family pets. Labradoodles come in a variety of sizes, coat types, and colors, which can range from straight to curly and from black to cream. Labradoodles, like all hybrid breeds, can exhibit a range of physical and behavioral traits from both parent breeds, so it is important to research the background of the individual dog to get a sense of what to expect. These are smart and loveable dogs that enjoy following commands and completing tasks. This is another reason that Labradoodles are used as service and therapy dogs. Their gentle dispositions combined with their intelligence and love for people make them ideal for anyone, from first-time dog owners to those with a house full of pets. They are low-maintenance dogs that are happy to spend time with their families. They can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long. This can manifest through barking, howling, pacing, urinating in the house, and being destructive. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They get along well with kids, but their large size and playful natures could overwhelm small children. If this breed is properly trained and socialized, they make loyal companions that are devoted to their families. Labradoodles love people and other animals alike and get along well with other pets in the home. Their gentle and accepting personalities make them ideal for a home with other animals. The best way to ensure that your Labradoodle will be friends with the other animals in the household is to raise the animals together. Puppies will grow to love and accept other housemates as family. Adding a Labradoodle puppy to a house with other pets is easier than adding an adult Labradoodle to the mix. That said, while it may take longer for the adult dog to become familiar with everyone, they will be happy to do so. Training and socialization when the Labradoodle is a puppy, though, are crucial to their success living with other animals. However, there are several requirements to be aware of when welcoming this dog into your home. Here are a few things to consider about owning Labradoodles. When you bring your puppy home, they should be kept on the same diet that they were eating previously. This will help you avoid any digestive distress from a sudden change in food. A high-quality, protein-packed kibble will work well for puppies and adult Labradoodles. There is no one universal dog food that will offer the same nutrients to every dog. Just like people, different dogs need specialized diets suited to their needs. Treats are always welcome by Labradoodles and are motivators during training. A handful of dry kibble offered piece by piece will also work, depending on how food-motivated your dog is and how much they enjoy their food. They can go from sleeping on the sofa to up and waiting at the door to go outside in seconds. They require exercise to be healthy and happy but also to avoid them becoming bored. A bored Labradoodle will make up their own activities, and these may not always be the things that you want them to be doing. A minute play session per day in a fenced-in area where the dog can run or chase a ball will provide the mental and physical stimulation that they need. However you choose to do it, your Labradoodle will enjoy the exercise and the time with you. They like learning new things and following commands. Their trainability makes them reliable and competent service dogs. If you welcome this dog to your home as a pet, there are a few things that you can do to help them be the best they can be. Socializing your new puppy is the most important step to take from the time that you bring them home. This encourages your dog to not fear new experiences, people, or places and instead, to be intrigued by new things. A puppy socialization class is a good place to start. Playdates with your friends and their dogs will help your dog learn to make friends. Obedience classes will teach your dog basic manners and how to follow simple instructions. From there, you can move on to agility classes, to help your dog get the exercise that they need while focusing on an activity. Patience and repetition are required from you so your dog associates learning with a positive experience. If you get this done professionally, it will include a haircut, nail trim, and bath. Regular nail trims are important for paw health. Overgrown nails can be painful and make walking difficult for your dog. In addition, the popularity of Labradoodles has increased, leading to overbreeding and irresponsible breeding. If you have a Labradoodle, these are potential issues that could arise down the road. Regular veterinary exams are important for the prevention and detection of these conditions. Minor Conditions. Life Span Did You Know? A Labradoodle is a popular designer dog breed. It is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. This designer dog breed originated in Australia around .The main goal of the Labradoodle was to create a hypoallergenic guide dog for people living with disabilities who were also allergic to dog fur and dander. Now, they are still a popular choice for service, guide, and therapy dogs and are also a popular companion dog. Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are both friendly, gentle, intelligent, and affectionate dog breeds. The Labradoodle tends to be similar. They are open and friendly and crave human attention and affection. They are happiest when they are with people. Labradoodles also tend to have an energetic and playful personality. They get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and strangers. They are alert enough to bark or let you know when someone is at the door, but they are not generally good watchdogs or guard dogs as they are more interested in making friends. A Labradoodle is a highly adaptable dog breed. They do very well in homes with space to run and they can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They also do well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat and cold. Because they enjoy being around people, they do not generally like to be left alone for long periods of time. They can also become bored if not given enough attention, exercise, or mental stimulation, which can result in destructive behavior. This dog breed is generally healthy, but they do have the chance of inheriting common health conditions from both of the parent breeds. Some health conditions to be aware of include elbow and hip dysplasia, ear infections, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy. Good breeding practices can reduce the likelihood of passing on many of these health issues. Be sure to talk with the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and ask to see any health clearances; this can help allay potential health concerns. A Labradoodle tends to be eager to please and highly intelligent, which makes them highly trainable. They are a good fit for dog owners of any experience level. As with most dog breeds, Labradoodles respond best to training that is consistent and uses positive reinforcement. There are some grooming tasks that are common to every dog breed. When it comes to coat care, it can vary with a Labradoodle. Poodles have a low-shedding coat that is also high maintenance in terms of brushing, trimming, and professional grooming. Labs tend to have a higher shedding coat that needs minimal brushing and grooming. For the most part, a Labradoodle will have a low or non-shedding coat that will need to be brushed a few times a week. But, they can have a higher shedding coat should they take after their Labrador parent. You may also need a few professional grooming sessions throughout the year. Nail trimming once a month is usually enough to keep movement comfortable and prevent longer nails from snagging on things. Proper dental care for your dog will help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Drop-down ears are more prone to infection because floppy ears are more likely to trap moisture, dirt, and debris. This will make grooming throughout their life a much more enjoyable process for both you and your dog. It can even become a bonding time for you both as well. Labradoodles tend to be high-energy dogs. They require a few daily walks plus some time to run and play in order to stay happy and healthy. They certainly love to play and you may tire out before they do sometimes. They may calm down a little as they get to be a couple of years old, but they tend to be quite energetic as puppies. Going swimming with your dog , taking a hike with them, going on a trip to the dog park, playing a game of fetch, and more are all great supplemental activities to ensure your Labradoodle gets plenty of exercise. You can even train them to compete in dog sports like dock diving, flyball, agility, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Labradoodle will usually stand between 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 65 pounds. Labradoodles generally live 12 — 14 years. However, it did not become popular until when the mix was specifically bred to create hypoallergenic guide dogs. Featured Labradoodle Article.

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. However, there are some signs to look out for to determine when it is time to stop mating them. So, when is a Golden Retriever too old to breed? Female Golden Retrievers are too old to breed at eight years of age. After eight, they are more likely to experience health issues, and kennel clubs will typically not register puppies born to mothers older than this. Males can keep breeding until their sperm is not viable, or they have health problems. 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! In general, males become sexually mature earlier than females. Male goldens can reach sexual maturity anytime after they are 5 months old. Typically, their first heat will occur when they are 6 to 15 months old. A female Golden Retriever should be ready to breed when she is two years old. By this time, a female Golden has gone through two or three heat cycles, and she has reached prime breeding age. Responsible breeders do not breed female goldens during their first heat. Females at this young age are still growing, so pregnancy is hard on their developing bodies. Plus, females need to be mature enough to feed and take care of their puppies. However, owners should always consult with their vet to make sure their goldens are old enough and healthy enough for breeding. Additionally, female goldens should not be bred during consecutive heats. Constantly mating them will wear down their bodies and not give them the time they need to heal between pregnancies. Male goldens, on the other hand, can start breeding much earlier. Males do not have to feed or take care of the puppies, so their maturity level is not as important. However, male dogs sometimes have problems producing enough semen if they are too young. They may also lack the experience they need to impregnate or not even be interested in having sexual relations. Typically males become more fertile around months of age, so it may be better to wait till then. Owners should contact a vet when their male goldens are sexually mature to determine if they are ready to breed. Most kennel clubs would not accept an application to register a litter of puppies if the female was 8 years old or older at the time of breeding. For registering purposes, female goldens should not be bred after they turn eight years old. Most breeders retire their female goldens when they are years old. Female dogs do not have menopause, so they can technically keep reproducing into old age. However, more health complications arise in older dogs, so it is unwise to keep breeding females over 8. The guidelines for male goldens are less stringent. If studs are healthy, they can keep breeding for a long time. Healthy Golden Retriever males often remain fertile well into old age. However, as males age, their sperm count goes down. It makes it harder for them to get females pregnant. Similarly, males can develop arthritis and other age-related conditions which makes it harder for them to mount females and impregnate them. They experience complications during pregnancy or start displaying health problems that harm them or that could be inherited by their puppies. Had More than Four Litters It is generally recommended that female goldens stop reproducing after they have four to six litters. Most vets recommend that females stop breeding after they have four litters, but some dogs may be able to have six safely. Pet owners should consult their vet and look at their kennel club rules before deciding how many litters their goldens should have. Pregnancy Complications Some health conditions can become worse when dogs get pregnant. If females have any of these health issues, they should stop breeding: Diabetes Pyometra Hip dysplasia Additionally, female dogs can have health problems during pregnancy. If female goldens experience any of these problems, it may be wise to stop breeding them. Sometimes the problem that occurs during one pregnancy can happen again in future pregnancies. These include: Having multiple miscarriages Having an unplanned c-section Prolonged labor and birth If Goldens develop any of these problems or any other health issues, owners should stop breeding them immediately. They Have Inheritable Health Issues If golden retrievers display any inheritable health problems, they should not be allowed to mate since these conditions can be passed on to their puppies. Some of the most common inheritable conditions experienced by golden retrievers are blindness, hip dysplasia, and heart problems, such as aortic stenosis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Blindness is caused by many inheritable diseases, such as hereditary cataracts, glaucoma, and uveitis. All of these conditions are experienced regularly by Golden Retrievers. Hip dysplasia is another inheritable condition in which the hip joint does not form properly. This condition is often passed on from mothers to their puppies. If female dogs with hip dysplasia get pregnant, they may experience increased pain and problems in their hips due to the added weight from the puppies and the increased stress on their hips. Aortic stenosis is an inherited condition that makes it so the blood leaving the heart is partially obstructed. It makes the heart have to work harder to pump enough blood throughout the body. Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM is a disease that makes the heart so weak that it cannot pump blood through the body. The cause of DCM is still undetermined, but it is ideal to be partially genetic. Male Golden Retrievers Male golden retrievers can reproduce into old age. However, as they get older, they are more likely to have trouble getting females pregnant. Here are some signs male golden owners can look out to determine if it is time to stop breeding. Health Issues Arise As with female goldens, if any health issues arise, male goldens should not allow mating. These include conditions that are harmful to the studs themselves or conditions that can pass from the males onto their offspring. Goldens should always be checked at the vet before mating to ensure they are in tip-top shape. Smaller Litter Size Than Before If male dogs have stud multiple times, their owners should have a rough estimate of the number of puppies typically produced. While the female determines litter size, if studs have become less fertile, that can influence how many eggs get fertilized, thereby making the litter size smaller. If the litter size goes down significantly, then male goldens may have a high amount of abnormal sperm or a low count of healthy sperm. While there are some potential treatment options for this, in some cases, it may be a sign that it is time for them to stop mating. If this occurs, they may not want to do the deed with female dogs. 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! After eight, health complications are more likely to arise. Additionally, most kennel clubs will not register puppies that were born to mothers who are eight years old or older. Male Golden Retrievers can start breeding earlier and can continue to breed throughout their life. Males should stop breeding when they experience health problems, cannot get females pregnant, or are no longer interested in mating. 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! In general, dogs, Goldie or not, can get pregnant once their first heat cycle arrives. But for female Goldens, the ideal age for pregnancy is slated between 18 to 24 months of age. When can a Golden Retriever get pregnant? Think about teenage pregnancy: it will be the same thing if you get your dog bred at a very young age. Usually, bigger canines will take longer to be fully prepared for pregnancy. This is due to their growing bodies taking longer to reach its adult size than smaller breeds. Getting them bred too early will mess their growth and even compromise their safety. The pup is still growing, and you should give it time to achieve its full body size first. Signs that your Golden Retriever is in heat Dogs are fertile when they are in heat. You can expect your Golden Retriever to experience its first heat cycle within its first 10 to 14 months of life. It could be earlier or later, depending on the specific dog. Once your dog is in heat, it will undergo these four stages: Stage 1 Proestrus. This phase can last from 4 to 20 days, characterized by swollen vulva and vaginal discharge. Stage 2 Estrus. This is the fertile period for your Golden Retriever. This can last for 6 to 14 days, characterized by reddish vaginal discharge, tail moving to the side, and willingness to mate. A female Goldie in the estrus stage may lick her genitals profusely. Stage 3 Diestrus. At this period, your dog is no longer fertile. The discharge will also stop, and your Goldie will start avoiding a male from mounting her. The doggo may also become aggressive if another canine tries to mate. Stage 4 Anestrus. In the last stage, your female Golden Retriever is back to its normal phase. This can last for 60 to 90 days, which is basically the window time before the next heat cycle starts. This way, you can give your Golden Retriever the care it needs while growing the puppies inside its tummy. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that a Goldie is pregnant: Increased appetite. A pregnant doggo will have a sudden increase in hunger since the pups are requiring more and more nutrition. Also, a pregnant Goldie may vomit, which is the equivalent of morning sickness in humans. Enlarged nipples. When a dog is pregnant, its nipples will start to swell as the mammary glands are activated. For Golden Retrievers, you may need to comb through its feathers to see if its nipples are enlarged or discolored. Decreased activity. Like humans, pregnant Golden Retrievers will have decreased physical activity as they progress through the pregnancy. You will notice your dog being sleepier and being reluctant to physically exert. Enlarging belly. One of the tell-tale signs of Golden Retrieve pregnancy is the enlargement of the belly. Nesting behavior. Nesting occurs in the last weeks of the pregnancy. By this time, you surely confirmed the pregnancy of your Golden Retriever. Make sure that you have the whelping box ready as the puppies will be arriving anytime soon. You can also consult a pet nutritionist if your dog has sensitivities or special dietary needs. The most important thing is that you invest in high-quality dog food. Also, be modest when it comes to supplements. Always consult a veterinarian since not all pregnant Golden Retrievers need too many minerals and vitamins. In fact, too much calcium consumption among lactating dogs can lead to a condition called eclampsia. It will subject the kidney to excessive load, which can lead to infections or full-blown kidney disease. In the first weeks of pregnancy, the veterinarian can determine if your pet is suffering from an illness or anything that could compromise the pregnancy. You should also call the veterinarian if you notice any sudden change in discharge, behavior, and appetite of your Golden Retriever. Once your dog is weeks into the pregnancy, the veterinarian can conduct an X-ray examination to determine the size of the litter. This will allow the safe implantation of the embryos. After some time, you can introduce calm walks and other low-impact activities to keep your Goldie in shape. Give your dog an orthopedic bed to support her body and the growing babies in her tummy. Aside from that, you should reduce stressful experiences like bringing the pregnant doggo to a crowded park or having loud sounds around the house. Even if your Golden Retriever is due for vaccinations, you should wait until the puppies are born. Most vets will proceed with the shots even if the dog is nursing. Here are some of the things you need to get: Whelping box lined with lots of newspaper Clean towels to wipe the puppies Thermometer. 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. Learn more » Golden Retrievers can start going into heat as early as 6 months of age, and then they go into heat about every 6 months thereafter. The only time that a Golden Retriever can get pregnant is when she is in heat. Anytime a Golden Retriever mates with a male dog during her heat cycle, there is a possibility that she will become pregnant. So, once a Golden Retriever conceives, how long will the dog stay pregnant? Pregnancy in dogs lasts for around two months and, on average, Golden Retrievers are pregnant for about 63 days. Read on for more details. It can be tough to figure out exactly how long your pooch will stay pregnant if you do not know exactly what day she was mated. Even then, pregnancy can last a couple of days less or a couple of days longer than the standard 63 days. There is no guarantee that mating during the heat cycle will result in pregnancy, but the chances are high. Any time your female dog is exposed to a male during heat, she should be checked by the veterinarian regardless of whether the mating was intentional or an accident. Here are a few other signs of pregnancy to look for: Increased Appetite — Many Golden Retrievers will appear more hungry and look for food. Clingy Behavior — Some dogs tend to get clingy with their human companions while they are pregnant. They may rub up against you more often, want to cuddle in bed with you when they normally do not, and stay close to you whenever you are home. Caring for a Pregnant Golden Retriever As your Golden Retriever carries her babies, she will need extra care and attention. First, you should adjust the amount and type of food that she gets daily to ensure that she is getting enough nutrients for the babies to use as they grow. You should also adjust her exercise to her new situation. This is especially important at the end of her pregnancy. Several daily walks and playtime should be maintained. Also, pregnant pooches should have unlimited access to clean water, both indoors and out. It is vital to get your dog treated for internal and external parasites, and her vaccines should be up to date. When they get pregnant, things can be a little stressful for everyone involved because you want things to go as smoothly as possible. Working with your veterinarian is the best way to ensure that your pooch stays happy, healthy, and safe during her pregnancy and to make sure that all the puppies are as healthy as possible when they are born. Featured Image Credit: Prostock-studio, Shutterstock Written by Rachael Gerkensmeyer Author Rachael has been a freelance writer since , in which time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry in her spare time. As a vegan, Rachael is obsessed with helping animals in need both in her community and anywhere in the world where she feels she can make a difference. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about! She lives off the grid in Hawaii with her husband, her garden, and her rescue animals including 5 dogs, a cat, a goat, and dozens of chickens.Read more Advertisement. Less physical activity — Nothing noticeable with Raven. Hungry, hungry, hungry! More affection please — One word: Golden Retriever. Behavior changes — Nothing noticeable here with Raven. Vaginal discharge — She keeps pretty tidy in her nether regions, but in hindsight, I do recall her licking herself more frequently than normal. Bigger Nipples — This time around I started noticing an increase in the size of her nipples around halfway through. Maybe after about 5 weeks? Not until towards the end of the second trimester have we noticed signs that Raven is pregnant. More pee-pee! Belly starts to pooch — Yep! This is probably one of the first things I notice that confirms pregnancy. I mention this again below. Every breed and dog will be different. By the time she gives birth, we also start adding a powdered probiotic to her meals which we noticed has helped her with digestion when taking care of her litter. This gives us a rough idea of when she will begin labor. Antsy, restless, pacing, panting, digging, nesting… — Yes, yes, yes! We both Raven and I usually have a few restless nights before the puppies arrive. Check out the AKC website for more information about dog pregnancy and gestation periods. Our Golden Retriever was pregnant for 63 days plus or minus a day or two After she had her first puppy? Just Kidding… Raven was bred on March 1st, .The real question is when did Raven show clear signs that she was pregnant. Pregnancy 2 — It was around 3 weeks out that I was fairly confident Raven was pregnant. I noticed 3 signs. First, her stomach was big enough that she was showing. Second, her nipples were much larger than normal. Pregnancy 3 — Very similar to pregnancy 2 — This time I really noticed the enlarged nipples and her fur flaring from the side of her body. The last thing I noticed was her bulging belly. All 3 signs became apparent around 4 weeks out. Also, you can get an ultrasound, blood test, or have your vet check your dog to confirm pregnancies much earlier. Am I getting better at noticing the signs of pregnancy? Theory 2: Raven started showing earlier because she has more puppies in her belly. Theory 2 sounds more plausible to me and since Raven started showing earlier in her third pregnancy we could be in for a big litter. That brings us back to one of the other questions we got on our blog a couple of years ago: How many puppies in a litter of Golden Retrievers? So, I have two questions for you guys today: When do you think Raven will have her puppies? How many puppies will Raven have in her third litter? If you have any questions or comments please leave us a note in our comment section below. If you guys are expecting a litter of puppies then you should check out our whelping checklist. It lists all the supplies we like to have before our litter of pups arrives. 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.