black brown german shepherd puppies

Breeds The link has been copied! Few dogs are as intelligent and loyal as German Shepherds. With its athletic build and remarkable drive, this working breed makes excellent companions, herding dogs, police K-9s, and therapy animals. How much does a German Shepherd cost? The price of a German Shepherd puppy can vary a lot from one breeder to another. German Shepherds are active and need plenty of stimulation. Flea and tick preventatives are a must-have. You might face additional costs such as pet insurance, training classes, boarding fees, or dog walkers. Puppies tend to cost more due to the high demand. However, professional breeders charge a lot more. Professional breeders usually conduct health testing for the parents. Elbow and hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are the two main tests to look for when adopting a GSD puppy. Prenatal care for the mother can be expensive. These costs can include bloodwork, ultrasounds, and X-rays. Most breeders raise the puppies for the first eight to 12 weeks. They provide nutrition, a living space, socialization, and sometimes early training. Puppies typically receive veterinary care, including a first round of booster shots and a deworming treatment. Colors German Shepherds can come in a few different colors. Black and tan and black and cream are the most common GSD colors. However, there are rarer colors, like black and silver, sable, or black. These colors meet the official breed standards, and a puppy with an unusual color can be worth more. Bloodline and Purity One of the key factors that influences the cost of a GSD puppy is the parents and their pedigrees. A breeder will look at how well the parents match the AKC breed standards. Both parents should be the right height and color. They should have a muscular morphology and the proper head shape. Breeders who are able to trace the ancestry of a litter over several generations and document that all the ancestors are purebred GSDs will charge more. You should also expect to pay more if a breeder can provide health testing information over several generations. Titles are another important factor. Show dogs can receive V, VA, or VA1 titles if they do well at an event and judges determine they meet all the standards of the breed. An IGP3 title indicates that a dog can protect its owner. Parents with IGP or IPO titles produce puppies that are worth more since breeders consider these animals to have excellent potential for training. A breeder who has an excellent reputation and many positive online reviews will attract more prospective dog owners and can afford to charge more. You can protect your dog with a microchip, but there are other steps you can take. The Fi GPS tracking dog collar helps you keep your dog safe. The design is highly resistant and waterproof for durability, and the collar comes with a battery that lasts three months. You can track your pet anywhere and locate them easily if they get lost. There are a few things you should know about this working breed. Personality of the German Shepherd German Shepherds are fiercely loyal. They make excellent guard dogs thanks to their protective instincts. They also make amazing pets who will give you lots of affection. GSDs are reliable and hardworking dogs who thrive if you constantly give them new tasks and challenges. These dogs are extremely versatile. German Shepherds have amazing potential and tend to do extremely well in training thanks to their drive and intelligence. However, they require consistent training and handling since they can be mouthy, chase prey, or become overprotective without the right training. Size and Weight German Shepherds are medium to large dogs. When it comes to weight, a healthy male will weigh 66 to 88 lbs. Lifestyle and Activity Levels German Shepherds are a working breed. Their origin dates back to the 19th century when dog breeder Max Von Stephanitz developed a new dog by breeding different herding dogs. Like all shepherds, GSDs have a strong need to stay active. Due to their athletic build, these dogs need at least two hours of exercise every day. Going for walks might not be sufficient. Your GSD will thrive if you provide plenty of opportunities to use their athletic abilities, including jumping, swimming, or running. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The total cost of owning a German Shepherd is difficult to estimate since every animal is different. German Shepherds can be expensive. Here are a few tips to help you lower the cost. Look for a breeder who cares about the animals and who does health testing on the parents, but everything else is extra. You should also consider adopting a dog with an unknown lineage. Check local shelters or go online to look at classified ads. Check classified ads to find owners rehoming their pets. If you decide to get a German Shepherd, think about using the Fi GPS dog collar to keep your dog safe, and make sure you can bring your puppy home if she gets lost. Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi. TryFi's The Fi Dog Collar is a must-have for any pet parent, it's a GPS tracking collar that helps you keep tabs on your dog's location, activity, and sleep patterns, and alerts you if they escape your backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. German Shepherds are considered healthy dogs that can live many years. You must be able to pay for these dogs every month of their lives. For the most part, providing your dog with a lot of exercise and high-quality food will prevent the dog from developing unforeseen health issues. You will need to buy a dog-safe toothpaste, dog-safe shampoo, and certain medications, such as heartworm prevention, to keep your dog healthy its entire life. Not only do you have to feed your German Shepherd a lot of food, but you want to feed your dog food that is high quality and healthy. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. At the minimum, you should take your German Shepherd for an annual visit, assuming it is healthy. You also need to pay for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Most of these medications last for 1 to 3 months at a time. It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to get pet insurance. If you are interested in getting health insurance for your new pet, Lemonade offers customizable insurance plans and responsive customer service. If you do not want to pay for pet insurance, you can simply set up a savings account instead. So long as you have a house and a yard for your dog to play, the home environment is generally suitable for dogs. Some environmental maintenance things you will need to buy include doggie bags. You need these if you take your dog for a walk or if you have a yard that you have to maintain. You may also need to pay for carpet cleaner, deodorizer, and other items to keep the house clean, despite your heavy shedding German Shepherd. This means that your German Shepherd can help you out when you are in a pinch, but it also means that you need to provide your German Shepherd ample entertainment, or else your dog could become destructive. At the very minimum, you need to buy heavy-duty toys for your German Shepherd. German Shepherds can be really rough with their toys. So, we recommend some sort of brand specific for rough-playing dogs, such as Kong. These boxes will offer toys, treats, and more for your dog, but these boxes can be pretty expensive too. Additional Costs to Factor In In addition to initial costs and monthly payments, there are some other additional factors you need to think about. For starters, obedience training is really important for dogs of this size. Obedience training can be a bit expensive at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. You need to pay for a pet sitter or kennel whenever you go on vacations and your dog does not come with you. If you are buying a German Shepherd puppy, you may also have to pay to replace or fix items the puppy damages. Think about accidents or unforeseen illnesses too. These can cost a whole lot in vet visits. Owning a German Shepherd on a Budget If you want a German Shepherd but are worried about destroying your budget, there are ways that you can own one of these wonderful dogs without spending a fortune either. Unfortunately, there is little you can change about the price of these dogs up front, but you can save on the monthly expenses. The most important tip for taking care of a German Shepherd on a budget is to know when to splurge. When it comes to dog food, make sure to select high-quality food. This will be more expensive upfront, but it will ensure that your dog is healthy for as long as possible, resulting in fewer bills. Splurging on heavy-duty toys is another great idea. These toys will cost more at first, but they should last much longer than cheap ones. For instance, there are a lot of coupons and promo codes you can use when purchasing toys, food, and other items for your German Shepherd. Even if you find coupons, only spend money on the essentials. Not to mention, buy crates and beds that are suitable for the dog as it grows. Many people make the mistake of buying crates and beds suitable for the puppy, but the puppy soon outgrows them. The initial cost primarily accounts for the dog itself and any other items required when bringing the dog home for the first time. Even after the German Shepherd has made your home its home, you will still have to pay some pretty hefty bills for the remainder of its life. Although the initial and monthly costs for this dog are a bit high, they are required for this dog to live a happy life. If you cannot afford to provide a German Shepherd the sort of life it needs and deserves, simply do not get a German Shepherd. Less - The German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs , well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The outline of the German Shepherd Dog is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, strong without appearing coarse or fine. Gender differences are readily apparent. The German Shepherd Dog is confident and fearless, willing to be approached, yet a certain level of aloofness towards strangers is acceptable. When working, the German Shepherd is alert and eager, adapting well to new tasks. Lack of confidence is a serious defect in the character of a German Shepherd. The structure of this breed was designed for efficient locomotion, particularly at the trot, so poor movement is another serious fault. History Less - The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively young breed, developed almost single-handedly in the first half of the twentieth century by a German cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz, president of the Verein far Deutsche Schaferhunde S. Using a variety of German sheepdogs as his foundation stock, von Stephanitz developed a distinctive breed in a very short period of time, due in large part to the authoritarian practices of the German dog fancy at that time. Von Stephanitz emphasized utility and intelligence in his breeding program, enabling the German Shepherd Dog to switch easily from herding duties to other fields of work, particularly military and police work. All things German were shunned and popularity slumped. After the war, however, movie star Rin-tin-tin stimulated interest in the breed again. The striking good looks of this breed, combined with its remarkable intelligence and loyalty, have made it a favorite working and companion dog. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. If you are looking to buy a German Shepherd puppy, then you should find one from a reputable breeder. While these puppies are more expensive, a reputable breeder can guarantee the health and behavior of the puppy. These dogs are prone to genetic diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These health issues can be avoided by genetically testing the parents, which is something reputable breeders usually do. When improperly raised puppies might have behavioral issues and can cause a lot of damage if they bite someone. A good breeder will have their dogs pass a temperament test. German Shepherd Dog Price While most dogs in shelters are adults, adopting a German Shepherd is a great way to find a dog without supporting unethical breeding. Sometimes these hardworking shepherd dogs are given up because they are very energetic. Not everyone is able to take care of a dog that needs a lot of attention and exercise. Some people buy a German Shepherd puppy without understanding the work involved in caring for this breed. Why Are They So Expensive? Breeding a healthy and well-behaved German Shepherd puppy is not easy! It is not as simple as crossing German Shepherds together. However, if you want a puppy of good temperament that is genetically healthy, there are other costs involved in the breeding and raising. This is especially important for a German Shepherd. You do not want a puppy that grows up to be aggressive or that suffers from mobility issues due to hip and elbow dysplasia. Papers A paperless German Shepherd puppy will be the cheapest. Typically breeders invest as little as possible in these pups. You get a puppy just how it is, without knowing its pedigree or background. A puppy with health certifications, temperament test results, and registration papers costs more than this. However, those papers will be beneficial not just for you, but also the puppy. This means your puppy meets the breed standard and is a purebred dog. The last thing you want is to buy a German Shepherd wolf-mix thinking it is purebred. Veterinarian Visits Reputable breeders not only genetically health test the parents, but they will also take the puppy to see a vet before 8 weeks for a basic health check. During these visits breeders will also have the puppies vaccinated, dewormed and placed on preventatives. When you buy a German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder, they will offer you a health guarantee. Most will also be able to provide you proof that the puppy has passed a temperament test. Training Some breeders also take the time to socialize and train their puppies. Many experienced breeders have a specialized training program that begins the process of potty training and basic obedience. This will mean you have an easier time housetraining your puppy, but you will have to pay for their efforts! These are all good signs that the puppy you are buying is of good quality. This will mean you are more likely to avoid any temperament issues or having to pay for vet visits to diagnose and treat hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloodlines Breeders who focus on breeding championship bloodlines will charge more for their puppies. A family might not need such a high-quality German Shepherd. All they need is a healthy and well-behaved puppy that will bring them years of happiness. However, there are many people who need a working dog or show dog. The most expensive dogs are those that are bred to be champions or protective and hard-working. Some breeders spend thousands of dollars just training a world class service dog. A family friendly guard dog with a protective temperament is not easy to breed consistently. Breeders have to factor in not just the genetics, but also the temperament and training. Origin The most expensive types of German Shepherds are those that are imported directly from Germany. Breeders must pay to stud and import these dogs which is not cheap. Since the German Shepherd breed originated in Germany, breeders in the US import dogs from Germany to breed puppies with a purebred lineage. Breeding in Europe is more regulated so the bloodlines are better protected. These puppies are known as European German Shepherds and are slightly different. They are smaller, have straighter backs and brighter coat colors. Some people think they look similar to a belgian malinois. Most European dogs are bred to be working dogs, while American dogs are more frequently bred for companionship. This is the same for American and German Rottweilers and American vs. European Dobermans. All of these breeder will be able to provide: Pedigree and kennel club registration. Documents that certify the puppy is free of any disease and has been checked by a veterinarian. A health warranty. Health records that guarantee the parents are genetically healthy and will not pass on elbow or hip dysplasia. These German Shepherd breeders all breed their puppies in accordance with the breed standard. None of them will sell puppies that are not registered with the American Kennel Club. Another good place to start looking for breeders is the American Kennel Club marketplace. Many of these puppies are bred to be family dogs and come with their papers. As you start looking into more well-known breeders or those that produce dogs of championship or working bloodlines, then the price of a German Shepherd starts to increase. Julia was a German Shepherd bred by the Harrison K-9 facility, highly trained in protection. She could also understand commands in three different languages. Her intelligence, as well as her ability to protect, were why she was priced so highly. Julia was bought by a billionaire businessman in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rarest coat color is panda, which is why it is also the most expensive. These German Shepherds are black and white. It is a piebald pattern where the black coat is splotched with large patches of white. Some puppies can have other colors like tan, instead of white. Panda dogs are purebred, but the rarity of this mutation makes them very hard to find. There are very few breeders that sell the panda color. And he actually cost nothing! By the end of his life, Rin Tin Tin had appeared in 27 Hollywood films. Rin Tin Tin most notably helped Warner Bros. But these dogs come in more than just this classic color! There are 11 colors that are recognized by the breed standard. Check out the table below for some German Shepherd prices based on coat color. The tan color covers the chest, belly and legs. White A white puppy has a furry coat that is entirely white, allowing it to blend in with the snow. Its eyes and nose are black as coal. Black A black German Shepherd has a coat that is entirely black. Any other color would classify them as a bi-color. Blue A blue German Shepherd is not literally blue, but has a gray color with a bluish hue. Sable The sable color is one of the most common colors, but is a bit more interesting than the black and tan. The hairs of these dogs have bands of tan and black, giving them a very unique coloring. Some of the factors that contribute to this cost are: Food. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.

Please keep in mind that these are estimates to give you a general idea of how tall your French Bulldog puppy will be. At what age is a French Bulldog fully grown? A French Bulldog will reach close to their full weight around eight to twelve months old and maximum height around nine to twelve months of age. French Bulldogs will continue to slowly fill out anywhere between nine to fifteen months of age. They are considered fully grown around 12 to 14 months old, but may continue to put on muscle until they are two years old. How big should a 6-month-old French Bulldog be? A male French Bulldog will weigh between 17 and 22 pounds at six months old and have an average weight of .A six-month-old female French Bulldog will weigh between 13 and 20 pounds with an average weight of 17 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand around seven to nine inches on average. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. French Bulldogs usually reach their full height when they are between nine and twelve months old. As short dogs, French Bulldogs barely double in height from three months of age to 1 year old. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, this is a telltale sign that they are still growing! What is the size of a full-grown French Bulldog? Most female French Bulldogs will weigh about 17 to 24 pounds, while male French Bulldogs weigh about 20 to 28 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand 11 to 13 inches tall and have a muscular, heavy-boned build. How do I make sure my French Bulldog is healthy? As a purebred dog breed, French Bulldogs are more prone to genetic health problems. In particular, French Bulldogs are predisposed to skin problems, ear infections, diarrhea, eye problems, spinal injury and respiratory distress caused by their brachycephalic syndrome. Brachycephalic syndrome causes them to have a flat nose and shorter esophagus, creating a heightened risk of breathing problems. The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that about half of French Bulldogs have significant breathing problems and .In addition to this, French Bulldogs are prone to obesity , which can lead to type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, disc disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and further respiratory issues. Pro Tip: Compare pet insurance plans to save on veterinary expenses and ensure that the cost of care never interferes with the essential treatment your pet deserves. Most French Bulldogs do well with a leisurely walk or active playtime. Be careful with taking your French Bulldog out in hot weather though as their brachycephalic syndrome makes them prone to overheating and heat stroke. As a general rule temperatures over 80 degrees should be avoided for French Bulldogs. As loving pet parents, we never want to think the worst could happen to our furbaby. However, we must prepare for both everyday costs, like vaccinations and veterinarian appointments, and emergencies. Dog Insurance is here to help you with emergency costs, as well as expected costs like veterinarian care see the wellness options many pet insurance plans offer. Only .Pet insurance can help you provide your pup with quality routine and emergency care. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Key Takeaways On average, French Bulldogs weigh between pounds at age one, with inches in height. French Bulldogs stop growing around months old, so pet owners should be mindful of weight gain after their first birthday. As a breed, French Bulldogs are exceptionally prone to obesity, which can worsen breathing problems and lead to a number of secondary health concerns. Use our French Bulldog growth chart to monitor your puppy's weight and ensure they stay within a healthy range. Pet insurance promotes positive veterinary care and offsets the cost of services should your Frenchie get sick or injured at any point in 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. Pin29 30 Shares Just like human babies do, French Bulldog puppies will also teethe. I have often compared owning a puppy to having a baby. You have the tantrums, poop, pee, separation anxiety, and more… and that includes having to deal with them going through the French Bulldog puppy teething stages. I remember when we got Claude. During his puppy months I was frequently finding little teeth on the carpet. And, we also had the chewing. In this guide I am going to explain why French Bulldogs teethe, what age it happens and starts, what to expect, how you can stop them chewing your prized possessions, how to help them, and when it stops. But when exactly does teething start and stop? French Bulldog baby teeth start to grow through at the same time their eyes begin to open. Canine teeth at which point they can start on solid foods. Pre-molars stop coming through after about 6 weeks. There will be 28 baby teeth in total and they should fully stop growing through at around 8 weeks of age which is the minimum age you can take a puppy home. They will start to fall out, being pushed out by the adult ones. When do French Bulldogs lose their baby teeth? When do French Bulldogs start teething? French Bulldog puppies will start to teeth at around 3 months of age. They then start to lose their baby and milk teeth which will start to fall out, being pushed out by the adult teeth. The 28 milk teeth will eventually be replaced by 42 adult teeth. French Bulldog puppies stop teething — age 7 to 8 months Want to know when do French Bulldog puppies stop teething? French Bulldog puppies will stop teething at about 7 to 8 months of age. It can sometimes be shorter or longer, but by this stage all their milk teeth should be replaced by adult teeth. How long do French Bulldogs teethe for — between 20 and 24 weeks The entire Frenchie teething process from start to finish will take longer than you might expect. In most cases, they will have stopped teething after 24 weeks, but it can end as early as 20 weeks from the start of the process. To conclude, adult teeth do take longer to grow in than milk baby teeth. The molars are particularly prone to taking longer to push through. However, by around 8 months of age, your French Bulldog puppy should have stopped teething completely and will now be the proud owner of 42 strong and health adult teeth. I have heard of some puppies finishing teething at 4 months, but this is very unusual. They chew because it helps them to relieve the pain in their teeth and gums. Small loose milk teeth: you might find cute little baby teeth stuck in toys or on the floor. These have now made way for the adult teeth to grow through. Perhaps you could be the tooth fairy, and leave a treat under their bed? Blood spots on toys: you might also see small spots of blood left on the toys or furniture they have chewed. Excessive drooling: many Frenchie puppies will also drool when they are teething. If your dog continues to drool after the teething age, it could be the sign of a health problem. French Bulldogs teething ears is common. It happens because they are young so need the calcium in other areas of their developing body, including new teeth. This can make their ears behave very erratically, but they should stand up in the end. Red and inflamed gums: the gums can swell and look angry. This is particularly true once the milk teeth have gone, as the adult teeth will be fighting to push through. Once they do, expect the blood spots. Short attention spans: your Frenchie puppy will be distracted and possibly irritable. Try to soothe them, pay them lots of attention, and use toys to keep them active. Mild fever: just like human babies, puppies can also suffer from mild fevers when teething. The adult tooth will grow through next to the baby tooth and can actually cause an abscess. If it does, consult with your vet. Recommended French Bulldog teething toys One of the best ways you can help your French Bulldog puppy when teething is to give him more toys to play with. It needs to be something tough and rugged to cope with those sharp little teeth and sore gums. Frenchie puppies will chew when teething and need plenty of toys! How stop your puppy chewing in the teething stage When the baby teeth of your Frenchie start to fall out, your puppy will go on a chewing frenzy. It was such a problem with Claude that I had to buy a shoe rack to sit up on a work surface, as any shoes on the floor were fair game for him to destroy. The reason French Bulldog puppies chew when teething is because it helps to relieve the pain they are feeling as the new adult teeth grow through. Just like babies, they want to chew on stuff. You can actually buy a range of teething toys which you can see featured elsewhere on my blog. Handy Hint: Read this guide on how to stop a Frenchie from chewing. It contains 8 tips in more detail which we used with Claude. What you need to do is distract them, give them something else to chew on, or make steps to remove stuff from their reach that they can cause the most damage to. Here are my tips on how to stop your French Bulldog puppy chewing the items you value the most. You can be better off… Puppy proofing your home: just like you would place stair gates in your home with a baby, you can take similar methods with a puppy. The simplest way to do this is by taking anything out of their line of sight they are going to be inclined to chew. Give them frozen carrots or ice cubes: weird I know, but some puppies love to chew on cold frozen items as it will relieve the teething pain. There are also some fruits you can freeze and let them chew on. See my list of fruits Frenchies can eat. Keep the puppy well exercised: dogs that have energy will chew more. To reduce the amount of teething chewing, take your puppy for a couple of walks a day so he can spend some of that energy. Keep the puppy entertained: a bored dog is a chewing dog. During the Frenchie teething stage, play with you pup and keep him distracted from your valuables! We soon stopped doing that when we read how dangerous this can be. The rawhide can cause internal blockages and choke them. The bottom line is; puppies can do a huge amount of damage when teething. Our dining room table legs still have the scars to prove it! You can see what I mean in the photo below. This was what Claude did: You can see the damage caused when Claude was teething. He used to love chewing our dining room table! The positive thing is, as soon as French Bulldog puppies stop teething, a lot of this chewing still stop. Warning: If your French Bulldog continues to chew after the teething stage, it could be the sign of a nutritional problem or even stress. Ailments such as worms and upset stomachs can also lead to this behavioural trait. Related questions Here are a few more questions relating to teeth which will help you during the different stages, and once the adult teeth have grown through. The dental health of your Frenchie is important. This breed can be prone to a variety of health problems , with dental issues being quite near the top of the list. They can develop oral diseases, and at the bare minimum I recommend an annual teeth cleaning visit to the vets. In addition to the once a year cleaning, you can also buy dog-friendly toothpaste and tooth brushes, plus use dental chews to help their teeth stay healthy. How many teeth do French Bulldogs have? French Bulldog puppies have 28 milk teeth which will be lost in the teething stage ages. Once the milk teeth have fallen out, Frenchies will grow 42 adult teeth in their place. What other owners say I am the members on a few Frenchie Facebook groups, and the topic of teething comes up a lot! Here are some questions people have asked, with some of the best responses underneath. We have a toy Kong that he has no interest in, and a Nylabone and some soft toys that he enjoys, but he really wants to chew on fingers, hands and toes mostly. What have others used that helped with the biting and teething phase? Another idea is to soak a wash cloth in broth or just plain water and then freeze it for them. With the Kong toy, you should really put some food in the middle of it too — peanut butter xylitol free is great for this. We also bought special teething treats with clove oil in and puppy teething gel. And I believe ice cubes went down well too. He is 7 months old and is teething like mad. They just love to chew anything and everything. My boy teethed until 7 months. He will be a year old in July and has one more back tooth poking through finally. But it could also be secondary teething. The jaw is growing and the teeth are moving into their final place. With my dogs they tend to want to chew on harder things than when the puppy teeth fell out and new ones broke through. But she constantly bites me, but not other people. Any help would be appreciated! They should never be allowed to put their mouth on you. If allowed to do it, after 3 times it is a habit and much harder to break and they are very stubborn but also very smart and so darn cute. Lots of chew toys. They do learn biting from siblings. Give her time. They are stubborn little monsters at time. He did chew though. We found blood spots, loose teeth, and as you can see from the photo had some damage to deal with! At this time of their dental development, your Frenchie puppy will need your love and support, plenty of chewable toys, patience, and understanding. Losing your temper with a puppy that has chewed something to help reduce his pain will lead to a stressed and fearful dog. This includes regular health checks and a good diet. Home » Blog » What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks You certainly want to know about every minute of your sweet puppy. Last year we did a documentary about our breeding program in which we showed where our Frenchies live and we also wrote about how our program has grown over the years. In this article, we share with you how we help our little puppies on the TomKings Puppies farm, from the first moments of their lives until we find a forever loving family for them. The vet checks if everything is fine and we take them home. The average birth weight of a Frenchie is 0. Their size strongly depends on the size of the litter; when there are a fewer of them they can be as big as a two-week-old puppy from an other litter. Newborn puppies are deaf and blind and absolutely helpless so we are here to assist their mother to nurture them. In the first two weeks They are breastfed every 3 hours, and then their mom stimulates them to pee and poo. Not all mothers are eager to do this, in which case we assist them with a dam, warm cotton towel. The puppies spend the rest of their time sleeping they often seem to be dreaming! Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email They are so cute as they love to huddle together, but we also keep them warm with an external source like an infra lamp. As the puppies are very small, there is a threat that the mom accidentally smothers one or more of them. In the first 4 weeks We make strict precautions to keep the newborn babies sterile to avoid the risk of them being infected. They sleep in the house with us, and only a small circle of carers are allowed to touch them who use lots of hands sanitizing. As the mother has less and less milk we gradually switch to give them milk from a bottle and then crushed food. The puppies open their eyes when they are days old, and then they are able to hear — a whole new world opens up for them. At the age of weeks, the little explorers start crawling and then the first few shaky steps. At this stage, they are already very playful and start love-biting each other.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Our home-based, family-owned Australian Labradoodle breeding program is located about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. We are committed to breeding authentic, multigenerational Australian Labradoodles with bloodlines originating from the two breeding research centers in Australia, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park. Multigen Australian Labradoodles are consistently non-shedding, allergy and asthma friendly, loving, calm, intuitive and at times quite comical. All of these qualities make them wonderful family companions as well as excellent therapy and service dogs. Raising puppies is a lot of fun but it is also a lot of work!! As a breeder, it is our responsibility to make the most of our puppy's critical growth periods and introduce them to as many new sights, sounds, smells and situations as possible. At birth, days 3 to 16 with Bio Sensor Stimulation, and right through to the day you take your new fur baby home we are handling and socializing our puppies. Ultimately, it is our goal is to provide you with a healthy, well socialized, intelligent, lovable, easily trained doodle that will be a joyful addition to your family for many years to come. As trusted Labradoodle breeders, we take great care to give every visitor the best labradoodle puppies , including the best health characteristics, a gorgeous appearance, and an adoring personality. Australian Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, non-shedding dogs that are easy to train and easy to care for, providing companionship and love without a lot of work. This breed is intelligent, loyal and friendly, providing protection to their owners and family without excessive barking or aggression. Australian Labradoodle puppies exhibit the best characteristics of their parent breeds, the Labrador and the Poodle. Both breeds are famously intelligent, athletic and loyal, with quick learning attributes and mobility that makes them ideal service dogs. With the docile temperament of the Poodle and the athleticism and energy of the Labrador, the Australian Labradoodle is the perfect mix. As a loyal, friendly, gentle and low-upkeep breed, Australian Labradoodle puppies are great with children, and they are also an ideal breed for older couples. Our Australian Labradoodle puppies are bred from our own prized pets, carefully selected to eliminate health defects and enhance the best qualities of the breed. From the day they are born, we treat our Australian Labradoodles like a member of the family until they become a permanent part of yours. Take a look at the Labradoodle Puppies for sale online and select your new pet. Contact us for more information and have your new puppy personally delivered to your home in Chicago. Puppy Spotlight. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL. An Australian Labradoodle is a designer dog specifically bred to be the ultimate family companion. How much are Labradoodles for sale Chicago? Will you only connect me with local Labradoodle breeders Chicago? One of the great things about using our network is that our team will connect you with great Labradoodle breeders and businesses around the country, not just in Chicago. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Chicago? Bottom line? Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodles Chicago? We made Uptown Puppies to help unite great breeders and businesses with great families—and to help you find a puppy that suits you perfectly. What is a puppy mill for Labradoodle puppies Chicago? Puppy mills are factories for dogs. At mills, dog health and safety go out the window—here, profits are king. When you buy a puppy from a mill, your dog is facing higher risks of genetic disease, behavioral issues, expensive veterinary intervention, and even a shorter life expectancy compared to other dogs. Are there any Labradoodle puppies in Chicago available now? What is the MatchMaker process like for Labradoodle Chicago? In our opinion and according to tons of our customers MatchMaker is the easiest, fastest and most fun way to find a puppy online. I went to meet Mike to talk about an upcoming litter and Bailey was sitting by herself. I pretty much changed my mind and wanted her immediately. She was introduced to a 6 year old cocker spaniel with and IVDD condition and they became best friends. Great Temperament, Incredibly smart and absolutely beautiful addition to my family. Mike has been following up since I got her checking to see if I had any issues. His training packet was detailed and if you follow the crate training and feeding regiment you will have no problems. Angelica I brought home an F2 labradoodle from here. My pups has already learned several commands within a few weeks of having him. The breeder has plenty of space for the pups and you can tell that there is a lot of care put into the environment. My dog has a great temperament and deals with people well. Upon the first meeting my pups was excited to greet people you can tell he had been socialized well. Mike does well with communication and answers any questions. Highly recommended! Javier Sanchez Got my black lab from Mike trained. He is very good and is comfortable with a crate, walking and great temperament. Overall an awesome dog from a great breeder! Maura Eaton My 12 year old son did all the research on Mike and his company. He had 5 star reviews across the board. Once we saw the picture of Zoey, a Chocolate Labradoodle, we knew we had to meet her. Mike's business is clean, the dogs are all loved by him and well trained. Zoey was Stage 1 trained. This is my first dog as an adult and Mike was excellent in providing advice and recommendations. After we adopted Zoey, Mike would periodically check-in on how Zoey was adjusting to her new family and home. As you can see in the pictures, she is very happy. Mike knew her personality well - smart, sweet and social. A perfect fit and addition to our family. He worked on training with the puppy before we brought him home, which was a big help in the adjustment! I would recommend Mike to anyone looking for a labradoodle puppy. Our puppy has been the best addition to our family and we have enjoyed working with Mike. John Schmadeke We were looking for a labradoodle puppy from a reputable and experienced breeder. Mike was super helpful, and we really appreciated that he cared so much about things like genetics and DNA testing for the dogs. Mike has always been available to answer our questions and to give advice. Tom Riniker We found Mike to be very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful when we purchased a puppy from him. His kennels are clean and organized, and his puppies are well cared for. He really loves his career and it shows! He has followed up with us on numerous occasions regarding the health and well-being of our puppy, and I always know I can reach him if I have questions. Thanks for everything, Mike! Yunhua Chen I have bought a stage 2 F1 labradoodle from Mike. His name is Zen, and just like his name, he is a well-behaved and well-trained little man. He only cried about 15 - 30 minutes during the first few nights and later he was sound asleep. I highly recommend Mike as a breeder because not only he deeply cares about the dogs, but also he has the expertise to make the dog the perfect match for you. Michelle Balchunas Mike was absolutely wonderful to deal with and very helpful with adding a new puppy to our family. If you are looking for a lab to add to your family we would highly recommend working with Mike. Charles Arnold Mike was a great help with our new puppy, Archie. Great experience… and a great dog. Junie is gentle, kind and very loving. She's also extremely athletic and smart. Working with Mike was a very smooth process and his "dog siting" service has proved helpful as I do travel on occasion. Having someone I could trust to care for Junie is super helpful. Mike James I recently had the fortunate privilege of working with Mike to find my next pup. For multiple reasons, the breed is perfect for me - the temperament, lifestyle often on the water , and hypoallergenic fits a tough lifestyle. I without hesitation recommend you work with Mike if you are looking for an amazing pup and great support network. Charlie is so gentle. He was just outside getting petted by his fan club, the neighbors. He licks. I got him the week of July 4th he was outside during that noise. He looks at noise. One of his other puppies was the same way, gentle. Day one he knew the trail through the woods back to our house. Charlie is a beautiful Chocolate lab with the softest hair. I got him at 16 weeks. You have no idea how helpful that is. Of course you want a healthy dog. Took the shots like a champ. The Vet remarked how firm his joints were. Yes he lets you brush his teeth! He goes to the door when he has to go. Another reason I wanted a 16 week pup. Peanut butter to continue gentle licks on my fingers. He always gets small chicken or liver for COME. You should see him come. Is Charlie gentle because some hunting dogs have a gentle mouth or is he gentle because Mike treated him right? Oh do exactly as Mike says on the take home instructions, he knows his dogs! Highly recommend! We brought our pup home with all the documentation of his superior genetics. Mike also sends several handouts which help prepare you for puppy ownership and ensure a smooth transition for your pup to his new home! In addition to his exceptional breeding he is exceptionally well-trained. We opted for a stage 2 puppy and not only does he sit, lay down, stay, he has an incredibly calm demeanor and his additional exposure to other dogs was also incredible. He is so well-tempered and well-behaved due to his additional training. We are so happy and in love with our sweet boy! Brent Viditz-Ward We were looking for a chocolate lab puppy for a long time from a reputable breeder and our experience with Mike was wonderful. He took time to get to know us and make sure that the dog was going to a good home and is always available to answer questions, give advice, etc. I highly recommend Mike and his puppies! M Fowkes Mike is a fantastic breeder. We got an F1 puppy from Mike. She is a sweet beautiful girl. Before she was born Mike knew what the puppies would look like generally, and was really easy to communicate with. He is very responsive when I had a lot of questions. He is like that even now that my puppy is 4 months old…available to answer questions and be supportive. Josie Palma-Aurelio We stumbled on this website when we were looking for our next fur baby. All the reviews speak truthful about Mike. He calls us to check on Nala for updates and gives us pointers on how to take care of her. Nala is such a lovable puppy and we are so happy to have her. We highly recommend! Juan Tellez Mike was a great helping my family and puppy get adjusted to our home. You can tell Mike has a lot of dedication and love towards his dogs. Snoop has been a great addition to our family! We are first time pet owners and Mike handheld us through the entire adoption process. His reference material, responsiveness and his genuine care for the puppies has helped us navigate the critical period of 12 weeks smoothly. The puppy is super smart outwitted me in a game of hide n seek when he was 10 weeks old! He is a bundle of joy! We are first time pet owners and had a lot of questions! He is always enthusiastic in answering any questions we have and supporting us before and after getting the pup! He cares about his dogs and pups and it shows in the research he has done and the knowledge he has about them! He has a lot of information on his website about the breed, food, toys and snacks! He also gives a couple of handouts when we book a pup with him and some when we take them home! Those helped a lot in the preparation for our pup! When you take them home, he also gives you details about the breed, vaccination records, and DNA testing done for the litter! Our girl, Shuri, is very energetic and curious! She does really well when we train her and has already learnt so much! For anyone looking for a labradoodle, Mike is the best! Jocelyn I highly recommend Mike. We are first time dog owners and he made the process so easy for us. Our labradoodle has made an excellent addition to our family!

Please keep in mind that these are estimates to give you a general idea of how tall your French Bulldog puppy will be. At what age is a French Bulldog fully grown? A French Bulldog will reach close to their full weight around eight to twelve months old and maximum height around nine to twelve months of age. French Bulldogs will continue to slowly fill out anywhere between nine to fifteen months of age. They are considered fully grown around 12 to 14 months old, but may continue to put on muscle until they are two years old. How big should a 6-month-old French Bulldog be? A male French Bulldog will weigh between 17 and 22 pounds at six months old and have an average weight of .A six-month-old female French Bulldog will weigh between 13 and 20 pounds with an average weight of 17 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand around seven to nine inches on average. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. French Bulldogs usually reach their full height when they are between nine and twelve months old. As short dogs, French Bulldogs barely double in height from three months of age to 1 year old. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, this is a telltale sign that they are still growing! What is the size of a full-grown French Bulldog? Most female French Bulldogs will weigh about 17 to 24 pounds, while male French Bulldogs weigh about 20 to 28 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand 11 to 13 inches tall and have a muscular, heavy-boned build. How do I make sure my French Bulldog is healthy? As a purebred dog breed, French Bulldogs are more prone to genetic health problems. In particular, French Bulldogs are predisposed to skin problems, ear infections, diarrhea, eye problems, spinal injury and respiratory distress caused by their brachycephalic syndrome. Brachycephalic syndrome causes them to have a flat nose and shorter esophagus, creating a heightened risk of breathing problems. The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that about half of French Bulldogs have significant breathing problems and .In addition to this, French Bulldogs are prone to obesity , which can lead to type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, disc disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and further respiratory issues. Pro Tip: Compare pet insurance plans to save on veterinary expenses and ensure that the cost of care never interferes with the essential treatment your pet deserves. Most French Bulldogs do well with a leisurely walk or active playtime. Be careful with taking your French Bulldog out in hot weather though as their brachycephalic syndrome makes them prone to overheating and heat stroke. As a general rule temperatures over 80 degrees should be avoided for French Bulldogs. As loving pet parents, we never want to think the worst could happen to our furbaby. However, we must prepare for both everyday costs, like vaccinations and veterinarian appointments, and emergencies. Dog Insurance is here to help you with emergency costs, as well as expected costs like veterinarian care see the wellness options many pet insurance plans offer. Only .Pet insurance can help you provide your pup with quality routine and emergency care. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Key Takeaways On average, French Bulldogs weigh between pounds at age one, with inches in height. French Bulldogs stop growing around months old, so pet owners should be mindful of weight gain after their first birthday. As a breed, French Bulldogs are exceptionally prone to obesity, which can worsen breathing problems and lead to a number of secondary health concerns. Use our French Bulldog growth chart to monitor your puppy's weight and ensure they stay within a healthy range. Pet insurance promotes positive veterinary care and offsets the cost of services should your Frenchie get sick or injured at any point in 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. Learn More How do you determine if your Frenchie has excessive body fat? Because French bulldogs already have a stocky appearance, it is not always easy to determine whether or not one of them is overweight. When babies ask for more food, their cute little expressions will often make it impossible for them to say no. However, it is not a good idea to give them excessive food. An overweight French bulldog runs the danger of having health problems in the long run. Therefore, it is in everyone's best interest to keep them at a healthy weight. If they do, then they have a weight problem. Fatigue: Overweight Frenchies become out of breath after only a few minutes of exercise or activity. They might have difficulties performing actions that they could accomplish previously, such as ascending the staircase. A French bulldog that is in good health must have a chest which is significantly bigger than their waist. They may be considered fat without this criterion. Feel their ribs: Applying a tiny bit of pressure to the individual's chest with the tips of your fingers will help you locate their ribs. If you can't feel someone's ribs, they are likely carrying excess weight. Struggle to do itch: Dogs will sometimes experience itching, making it difficult for them to scratch themselves. Therefore, it is something that every dog ought to be able to accomplish, and that is having their ears scratched. It's possible that an overweight Frenchie won't be able to pull this off. Undefined Muscles: French bulldogs should have the musculature of their forebears, who also had undefined muscles. In particular for male Frenchies, who often have larger muscles than their female counterparts. Their muscles are obscured by the excessive fat that they carry, which is evidence that they are overweight. Problems Grooming Themselves: Obese Frenchies will also have trouble when it comes to grooming themselves. They are less flexible as a result of the additional fat. Visiting the veterinarian is the most responsible action you can do for your overweight Frenchie. Your veterinary doctor will provide you with instructions on assisting your Frenchie in returning to a healthy weight. During the first few weeks of their lives, men develop at a significantly quicker pace than females, but at the age of 4 to 5 months, their growth rates are similar. French bulldogs are lovely companion animals, even though they are a relatively small breed. We hope now you understand the full pattern of the Frenchie weight chart. Shannon Cutts As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to this site. French Bulldog Adults: Average Weight and Height On average, a full-bred adult French Bulldog weighs between 18 and 28 pounds and is 11 to 12 inches tall. Again, this can vary, and all pups grow at different rates. Everything you need to know about French Bulldog weight can be read here. Can I predict the size that my French Bulldog puppy will be? Double up: Typically, an adult dog will weigh twice as much as it did when it was 4 months old. This may vary. You can also compare your pup to the height of their mother for females or their father for males. Genetics As mentioned, genetics play a major role in the size of a puppy. A high-quality breeder will happily answer questions. A responsible breeder also ensures that the mother is provided with top-notch nutrition before breeding. Diet Like with plants and babies, puppies need proper nutrition in order to grow. Keep in mind some dogs show less interest in food and may not finish their entire bowls at meal times. Vets tend to recommend giving your dog a certain amount of time to eat. After a certain amount of time is up, you pick up the bowl with the remaining food. This is to train your dog that they need to eat all of their food at one time, or they will have to wait until the next scheduled meal time. Check out this complete guide to French Bulldog food. Mental Health If a French Bulldog is under stress or suffers from anxiety, it may show a loss of appetite. If you notice your pup being uninterested in meal times, try changing up its food. When is a French Bulldog full grown? Is my French Bulldog overweight? You can determine if your French Bulldog is overweight by noticing the following: Stand over your Frenchie and feel their ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs, but not see them. While Frenchies may show difficulty breathing due to being a Brachycephalic breed short muzzles can cause obstructive breathing , dogs of a healthy weight should be able to exercise at least for a bit without struggling. Of course, getting a second opinion from your vet is the best way to determine if your French Bulldog is overweight. Can I help my French Bulldog lose weight? Providing your pup with regular exercise and a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, fiber, and water and following the serving size provided on the nutrition facts is the best way to ensure your Frenchie is at a healthy weight. Wholesome food made with natural, high-quality ingredients like this can help your pup maintain a healthy weight. Less active dogs, like French Bulldogs, should eat about 25 calories per pound a day. So, if your pup is 20 pounds and eating about calories daily, its daily treats should consist of about 50 calories. Apple slices and carrots are nutritious, tasty treats. Is my French Bulldog underweight? Can I help my French Bulldog gain weight? When a pup gains too much fat instead of healthy fats combined with muscle, it can face health issues such as joint, heart, and lung problems. If your pup seems to be underweight according to the French Bulldog growth chart or it looks malnourished, certainly contact your vet. Disclosure HappyFrenchBulldog. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Contact Have questions about our content? Contact us at info [at] happyfrenchbulldog. Footer Nav. The early months are critical. The timing is vital. Some apply to all dogs, such as distemper and rabies. If your French Bulldog is in contact with other pups, you should get him a kennel cough vaccine. Likewise, if you take him on the trail with you, consider getting him a Lyme disease vaccine. They are starting to learn social skills and how they fit in the hierarchy with their littermates. They are becoming more independent and starting to show signs of their unique personalities that will define them as adults. Socialization is critical at this age as it will determine how well he gets along with other people and pets. Anything is fair game for this pup. You can transition him to a dog food for pups at this life stage. A French Bulldog reaches his adult size at 12 months. Unfortunately, this pup has a relatively high tendency to gain weight. That puts him at risk for many chronic health conditions that can complicate the ones associate with him being a brachycephalic breed. That brings a host of other health issues that advisable to avoid. While breeding also can have adverse effects, keeping your pet intact may offer a viable option. More likely, stunted growth is the outcome. Growing up takes a lot of energy. The danger of stunted growth also extends toward so-called teacup varieties. These pups are at a greater risk for health problems because of their size. We recommend buying puppies from reputable breeders who understand the particular needs of the French Bulldog. The best way to gauge the weight of your French Bulldog is to look down at his body shape from above him. He should have a well-defined waist. You should also be able to feel his ribs. The feeding guidelines on the back of the package or can are not written in stone. Base his feeding schedule on his current weight and state of health. An online calorie calculator can help you plan his mealtimes correctly. Conclusion The cuteness of the French Bulldog makes it easy to overfeed him. His cute face begs for a treat. It will reduce his risk of chronic health conditions and improve his quality of life. After all, you want him to hang around as long as possible as your BFF. See also:. A few tips on the weight of the puppy French bulldog, during its growth: Growth of French bulldog female: According to its size, the weight of the French bulldog female at 3 months should be between 7. At 6 months, the French bulldog female weighs on average between .How much must a French bulldog Female at 1 year? Enter .The French bulldog female will end up growing between the age of 12 months for the smallest sizes and the age of 14 month for the bigger ones. Growth graph of French bulldog female: See all weighings of French bulldog - Female saved by users. Add your dog's weighings and compare them to other registered dogs Growth of French bulldog male: According to its size, the weight of the French bulldog male at 3 months should be between 8. At 6 months, the French bulldog male weighs on average between .How much must a French bulldog male at 1 year? Between .The French bulldog male will end up growing between the age of 12 months for the smallest sizes and the age of 14 month for the bigger ones. Growth graph of French bulldog male: See all weighings of French bulldog - Male saved by users. Excellent nutrition is important in order to have a healthy and happy dog. There are many varieties of food out there; wet, dry, freeze dried, raw, or cooked. Regardless of what food you decide on, they do need to be on a high-quality and nutritionally balanced dog food. What are the signs of high-quality dog food? The food should contain lean meat-based protein sources such as chicken , turkey , pork and beef. Feeding Your French Bulldog at Different Life Stages Once your puppy is fully grown, generally, between months of age they will progress on adult dog food. As young puppies, they have a huge requirement for calories and high-quality ingredients to promote puppy growth. Puppies grow rapidly during the first six months of their life and they continue growing more after this period. Without proper nutrition, they might be stunted and underweight. Check out our other article to learn how to switch puppy to two meals per day! Once your puppy is fully grown, generally, between months of age they will progress to adult dog food. This food will provide the nutrients and calories required to maintain an adult weight. Very active dogs will need more calories while sedentary dogs will need less. Dogs that have been neutered will have slightly different nutritional requirements than other adult dogs. They generally need fewer calories to prevent weight gain which can happen in the months after neutering surgery. This can be achieved by feeding a diet with relatively low carbohydrates and high-quality lean protein. Senior dogs require highly digestible foods and a good source of omega fatty acids for potentially stiff joints. They might require varying levels of protein depending on their kidney function and body condition. Good quality nutrition will keep your dog at optimal body condition and health. Feeding stage-of-life specific recipes allows your dog to have the optimal nutrients for the life stage they are in. However, regardless of small differences, most dogs will loosely follow the growth chart below. Age of French Bulldog. Unless your vet advises otherwise, you should try and keep your dog in the weight-range typical for his or her breed and gender. By analyzing thousands of data points, we created the real-life French Bulldog weight distribution chart. For a typical female, the weight ranges from 9. That is, .The chart presents the percentage of the population that falls in a specific range. You can see trends and identify any problems. You can set up the normal weight range for your pet and log different measurements over time. Monitor the weight of your pet Download the 11pets: Pet Care app now and start monitoring the weight of your French Bulldog. We have included a tutorial that shows every step of the weight tracking process. Download the 11pets app now More information from experts of your French Bulldog Care guide for the hygiene of your French Bulldog In our blog you can also find a care guide for the hygiene of your French Bulldog developed by a group of experts. It explains how often you should bath your dog, trim its nails, clear its ears etc.

Champion bloodline but no KCI registration. Both parents can be seen, home bred pets. Tripunithura Kochi. Contact Dr. She was born on 12th October. She is very smart and a quick learner. She is extremely loving and is eager to please. She is partially vaccinated. Her next vaccine is scheduled on the 10th of Jan. We want her to go to a very loving home and family. She will definitely make you'll very happy. She is healthy and active. Buy Now Golden retriever puppies for sale Both male and female available,pls contact xxxxxxxxxx Buy Now Champion golden puppies for sale We have 2 male and 2 female puppies. All are KCI verified with champion Lineage. First vaccination and de-worming are completed. Currently puppies are 55 days old. All puppies are super friendly and adorable. Location: Chalakudy, kerala. Contact number: xxxxxxxxxx View Detail 45 days golden retriever london breed 45 days golden retriever pure 1st qualitty. Vascin okke eduthu. .Kanan teddy bear pole ond View Detail 44 days golden retriever london breed 1 st quality aanu athil no doubt. .Lond breed aanu so nalla size ond. .Kanan oru karadi kuttiye pole ond. .Golden Retriever Dogs are the best family companions. To adopt the Golden Retriever puppy, there are lots of pet shop in your cities and website where you will find lots of Golden Retriever puppy for sale in Kerala. But the most important questions while adopting Golden Retriever puppies are 1. Is Golden Retriever puppy is of original breed? What would be the Golden Retriever puppy price in Kerala? The price quoted for Golden Retriever puppy is best or not? Are you buying the Golden Retriever puppy from registered pet shops or breeders. Golden Retriever puppies are vaccinated as required or not? Are available Golden Retriever puppy for sale in Kerala are from different blood line? We solve all your problems in a single go because we ensure all above mention point and help dog lovers to adopt original breed healthier and loving Golden Retriever puppy or Golden Retriever Dog. The only thing you have to do is to only click below and contact us. We ensure the purity and originality of dog breed. We will not demand for any money transaction until you see the puppy, check the purity and quality, dog papers, vaccination card, dog health. We will provide our services even after you adopt the Golden Retriever puppy from us. Services such as advise need for training, food, accessories, any health issue, pet hostel etc. Things you should take care while buying a Golden Retriever puppy either from us or from any pet shop or breeder. Dog should be vaccinated as required and vaccination card should be given by the seller. Golden Retriever puppy or Golden Retriever dog health should be good and he should not be aggressive and most important puppy should be happy. Price Variation Factors are: 1. Breed Mix or Pure Pure breed Golden Retriever puppy is always high in cost because quality and purity always matter when things come to getting a new family member. There are lots of fake or irresponsible breeders those who only bred Golden Retriever for money not for quality or not for purity. So, because of there are chances to get mix breed so if you are planning to adopt then go for genuine and trust able breeders only. Pure or original breed Golden Retriever puppies will only have the good temperament and the quality which this breed should have due to better genetics. There are lots of chances that mix breed puppies develop hereditary diseases or any other problem. Pure bred puppies always have good health, longer life span and they lesser get sick in in comparison to mix bred. There are lots of good YouTube video available which will help you to understand that how to identify that Golden Retriever is of original breed or not. Age Right age to adopt the Golden Retriever puppy is around 45 days to 60 days because it is easy to training puppy who of this similar age. Peoples like to adopt puppies rather than dogs until and unless if they are looking for kennels or for breeding propose. Puppies are must costlier than of dogs because of increased demands. If you find someone is selling puppies of lesser age please do not buy and report the same to concerned authorities. Puppies should be of required age because then only you will get healthier and active puppies which has been take care by her mother. If KCI registered puppy parents are from champions line i. When you ask breeders to adopt the puppies in India then they most the time says that this puppy is from champion line and many other things. But do remember please verify all the papers and facts before adopting the puppies from them. Location Delivery charges as per the location will also get included in the dog price. Colour In India Golden Retriever are available mainly in three colours such as golden white, black and chocolate. Very Basic Information of Golden Retriever Dog Breed: Golden Retriever Dogs are Affectionate, easygoing and lovable companion dogs and they are having a very playful personality, they are large dogs. Golden Retriever happily lives with the family and he is an excellent and perfect family dog. He is not a watch dog and might barks when he see strangers around him. Golden retriever dogs are very intelligent and have very beautiful feathery coat. Golden Retriever dogs are easy to train dogs because of their intelligence. Golden retriever dogs are very active, playful, gentle and they are best suited for everyone either someone is single, couple or family. Golden Retriever enjoy spending time with family, his eyes is so kind and he is so affectionate that no one will miss to love him. Golden retriever have thick, double and long length coat looks like creamy golden teddy bear. The life span of Golden Retriever dogs is around 10 years. The height of Golden Retriever adult dog can reach up-to inches and their weight can be up-to kilograms. There are lots of places where you find Golden Retriever puppy for sale in Kerala but we believe above information will help you to adopt or buy the Golden Retriever puppy which you want to have with you. Love your pet and you and your pet will love like you are the only one for him in this world.

Are you worried about the growing prevalence of designer dogs? As a dog parent, you want to be as well-informed as possible about your new family member. With this information, you can be confident that the Labrador puppy is purebred. Visual Assessment The most obvious way to identify a purebred Lab is by looking at its physical characteristics. The American Kennel Club establishes those standards. A black Labrador must be completely black, while a chocolate Lab should be anywhere from light brown to dark chocolate brown. A wider range of colors is allowed for yellow labs, from very pale cream to fox red. Thus they are less likely to be disqualified. Do purebred Labrador retrievers have white markings? Small white spots on the coat are still permitted. Unfortunately, a fully grown Labrador with brindles, color markings, or color panels is ineligible. Male Labs should weigh between 65 and 80 pounds, with female Labs weighing slightly less at 55 to 70 pounds. Their muzzle should be long, wide, and deep with a slightly set-back nose. The top of the muzzle should be straight or gently arched. However, this color does not last into adulthood. The noses of yellow and black Labradors are typically black, whereas those of chocolate Labradors are often brown. Dudley Labradors are the only dogs in the breed to keep their pink noses into old age. It has an oily outer layer to protect the pup from water and cold temperatures and a soft, wooly undercoat that helps to trap body heat. Their dark, pure lustrous black fur coats make them so gorgeous and appealing to all dog lovers. However, not all Labrador retrievers belong to the black variety. Some of the mutts had white patches on their black fur because of a gene disruption that occurred when they were descended from the St. Like a lemon, they can be anywhere from a tan to a bright yellow. Included in this range is a yellowish-brown color called fawn Labrador. This is a deeper yellow but not as dark as a red Labrador. It is common to find cream-colored labs among yellow labrador retrievers. With six distinct labrador colors to choose from, yellow Lab offers the most color variation. Most people enjoy this chocolate-like covering on their fur as they are lustrous and appealing. Nonetheless, there is a wide range of shades of chocolate in labradors. Their hue ranges from light brown to a blend of brown and black lab coats. Although their ear and paw fur are typically white, certain animals may have lighter brown fur in other areas. Red labs are at the dark end of the yellow spectrum, opposite the white labs. In light of this, red fox labs are just yellow labs with darker coats that are mistaken for the reddish kind. In direct sunshine, the silver tone pops out more clearly. Scientists have found that silver labs and chocolate labs share a color spectrum. They may have been born chocolate, but their DNA can subtly overcome all the other colors, producing an incredible silver covering instead. Therefore, silver labradors are distinct from other labrador coats because they have recessive genetics. Natural Instincts Labradors possess certain natural instincts that set them apart from all other breeds. These include retrieving and water-based activities, a strong desire to please their owners, and an affinity for training. They are also known to be very loyal, friendly dogs who enjoy being around humans and other animals. This information can be important for people interested in purchasing a Labrador retriever puppy, as it can help them make an informed decision about which puppy to choose. You can also use the pedigree paper to track the health and temperament of the Labrador breed and identify any potential genetic defects present in the puppy. Therefore, if you are considering purchasing a Labrador puppy, it is important to ask for a copy of the pedigree papers. A DNA test can be done with a simple cheek swab or blood sample and then sent to a laboratory for analysis. This test amplifies the DNA so that it can be easily analyzed. You can usually obtain the results of a PCR test within one to two days. However, this type of test is less commonly used than the PCR test. A DNA test can provide valuable information about a labrador puppy. Buying a Purebred Labrador Puppy Ensure the puppy you acquire is a purebred Labrador and that its papers are in order. It is important to verify that the breeder registered the litter before selling the puppy to new owners. Make sure you meet the mother and that you like her appearance. Do not buy a puppy from the breeder if it has markings that you find offensive. True black Labradors sometimes sport white patches. Finally, make sure to ask the reputable breeder if they have performed any health checks on the puppies. This is an important step in ensuring that the puppy you are buying is healthy and free of any genetic defects. These dogs are born with two copies of a gene that causes them to have a diluted coat color. The result is puppies with grey, silver, or light blue coats instead of the traditional black, yellow, or chocolate colors. Dilute Labradors may also have a lighter eye color than traditional Labradors. While these dogs are still considered purebred, they cannot be registered with the American Kennel Club due to their unique genetics. While the dog may have done nothing wrong, most dogs end up in shelters owing to issues with their owners, such as financial constraints, lack of time, changes in the family dynamic such as a new baby, divorce, relocation, or marriage , or allergies. Read up on breeders who have good reputations and ask for references from owners whose dogs you admire. Ask about their breeding practices, how their puppies are socialized and raised, and whether or not the puppy is registered with an organization such as the AKC. Make sure that the breeder provides you with proof of health checks and that all puppies are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Reach out to previous customers and find out what their experience was like. Finally, remember that a purebred Labrador is one of many types of dogs worth owning. Mixed breeds can be just as wonderful and loving as purebreds and may even be healthier. Take your time when selecting a puppy, and make sure that you find one that is right for you and your family. A: Mixed breeds may not have all the same characteristics as a purebred Labrador, but they can still be just as loving and loyal. Mixed breeds are also often healthier than purebred Labradors due to the lack of inbreeding. Q: What is the best type of Labrador to get? A: The best type of Labrador depends on your lifestyle and what you are looking for in a pet. If you want a show-quality Labrador, then a purebred would be best. However, if you just want a loving and loyal companion, then a mixed breed might be the right choice for you. This is because they have unique genetics that does not match the breed standard. However, they are still considered purebred dogs and can be registered with other organizations. Q: How can I find a reputable breeder? A: Start by searching the internet for reviews and recommendations from other dog owners. Once you have narrowed down your search to a few reputable breeders, ask them for references and reach out to previous customers. Make sure the breeder provides you with proof of health checks and that all puppies are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Q: How do I know if a Labrador puppy is purebred? A: The best way to ensure that a Labrador puppy is purebred is to purchase it from a reputable breeder. Ask for proof of registration, health checks, and breed history. If the breeder cannot provide these documents, then it is best to look elsewhere. Additionally, it would help if you look for physical traits typical of Labradors, such as a broad head and short muzzle. Q: Is it possible to train a Labrador puppy? A: Absolutely! Labradors are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them excellent candidates for training. Start by teaching basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Then move on to more complex behaviors, such as walking on a leash and responding to hand signals. With patience and consistency, you can have a well-trained Labrador in no time! Final Words Selecting a purebred Labrador puppy is a big decision. Make sure to do your research and select a reputable breeder who can provide you with all the necessary paperwork and proof of health checks. You should also remember that purebreds are not the only type of dog worth owning — mixed breeds can also be just as loving and loyal. Finally, once you have a puppy in your home, be sure to provide them with the proper training, socialization, and care that all puppies need to grow up healthy and happy. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times. Labrador retrievers are an adorable and popular dog breed that can make a great addition to your household. Aside from a physical examination, you can do a professional DNA test on the dog to check its genetic makeup. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Does the fur appear short, and have a thick texture? The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Did you know? There are silver labs, but silver is not an acceptable color in the breed standard as this color is believed to have come from a cross with the Weimaraner. However, dogs with this coat color may still be registered with certain kennel clubs. If the dog is a yellow or black lab, check that the puppy has brown eyes. In the case of chocolate labs, check for brown or hazel eyes. Check to see how long its legs are; while a Labrador should have longer legs than a Dachshund, its legs should be shorter than a Husky. Purchase a dog genetics test, which will give you a specialized testing kit. Some DNA tests will look for genetic markers, while cheaper tests focus more on the different breeds. Tip: Try to keep the puppy from sharing food or playing rough with the other dogs, as this might hurt the integrity of the saliva sample. Package the saliva sample according to the instructions given by the company. Seal the envelope or package carefully, so the sample is completely secure while it travels to the lab. Generally, you can find the test results listed by breed, followed by a percentage; however, this might differ, depending on the company. If this is possible, use a cotton swab to collect saliva samples from 1 or both parents. Store these samples carefully, so you can send them to a professional company. Seal the envelope or package carefully to secure the sample, and keep it safe in transit. Go to source Seeing a CH or confirmation champion title on the pedigree certificate means that the dog is close to the ideals in the breed standard and is related to a dog that was able to win over other dogs at a show with at least 15 conformation points. Go to source A dog with this lineage can make a great candidate for showing. If your dog has documented parentage with the American Kennel Club, you can search their database and purchase a certificate that affirms this. You can also register your dog through the American Kennel Club once you have proof of their pedigree. Go to source Fees for pedigrees very depending on the type. Purebred dogs can be identified in three possible ways: Can you tell by looking? Purebred dog characteristics are not a certainty when it comes to identification. I have a steady stream of people coming to my forum, posting questions in the comments boxes at the foot of my articles, and writing emails to ask: is my dog purebred? The question is very often accompanied by photographs, or detailed descriptions of the characteristics of the dog. A visual assessment is what most of my readers are hoping I will give them when they send me photographs. So what exactly is a visual assessment of a purebred Labrador? Purebred Dog Characteristics A visual assessment of pedigree involves looking at a dog and comparing his appearance with the breed standard. This involves a detailed knowledge of the breed standard. Purebred Lab Breed Standard Breed standards vary slightly from one country to the next. So, here, we will just be focusing on the AKC breed standard. This standard says that a purebred Labrador Retriever should weigh between 55 and 80 pounds, growing to between .The three recognized colors are yellow, black, and chocolate. But, yellow is accepted in a variety of shades. Dilute colors and mismarks can be AKC registered but are disqualified from the show ring. I want to give you a couple of examples to illustrate the problems involved with this approach. She has a thin, whippy tail with an upwards curve, overlong ears and a long narrow face. These features, combined with her ginger coat mean that very few people recognize her as a Labrador at all. I have been asked if she is a Vizsla cross, a Lab x Greyhound, and other unlikely combinations. In fact this purebred Labrador Retriever has an impeccable pedigree full of noble ancestors with famous names. But if someone made a visual assessment from a photo of her, unless they were familiar with working line Labs, they might well put her down as a crossbreed. The father is a show line lab, and his looks have dominated in this particular dog. A visual assessment would wrongly put him in the purebred category when he is actually no such thing. Mixed breeds like this can inherit any blend of traits from their parents. Are Visual Assessments Any Good? I hope you can see from these examples how worthless visual assessments usually are. While I can point out that your dog may have faults that will eliminate him from the show ring, I cannot possibly tell you whether or not he is purebred by looking at him. Purebred Dog Colors Can you tell if you have a purebred black Lab or a purebred chocolate Lab from their color alone? Unfortunately the answer here is no. So, a mixed breed could easily have a solid coat in one of these colors. Do purebred Labs have white on them? The current Labrador breed standard is very clear on what a purebred Labrador should look like. But not all Labradors meet that standard. But equally a mismark can occur in purebred Labrador Retriever puppies too. Common Lab Mismarkings Big white chest patches are fairly common in mismarked Labs. It is even possible to get a purebred Labrador with tan points like a rottweiler or patches of brindle fur. These types of puppies are genetic accidents and the puppies are usually sold as pets to owners who appreciate their unusual friend. Purebred Dog Pedigree Papers If you buy a purebred dog, the breeder should give you the registration document with the names of both parents. Most breeders will also give you a copy of the pedigree which lists the ancestors of those parents, together with any titles they may have, back through five generations. Pedigree Papers Have Limitations If you have the correct pedigree papers, then your puppy is probably a purebred dog. I say probably because there is room for dishonesty with this system. It is possible for a dishonest stud dog owner to mate his female dog to one stud dog and register the puppies to another. Which brings us to our final method, DNA identification. There are various laboratories offering this service. The laboratory will examine the sample you send in. This greatly reduces the chances of your dog being cross bred. Ask to see the registration documents! Do not accept any excuses, your breeder must have registered the litter in order for you to be able to register your puppy. Meet the mother and make sure that you like the way she looks. There is always another litter. Let someone else who loves unusual markings buy that puppy. It is possible to find a purebred black Lab with white markings, or a purebred chocolate Lab with brindling. After Buying Your Purebred Puppy Once you have purchased your puppy try not to worry about whether or not he is purebred. Remember that many purebred dogs have mismarks or poor conformation, so if you have pedigree papers for him, he is probably purebred no matter what he looks like. Try to ignore any other people that criticize your purebred dog, or try to convince you he is not a purebred. After all, the most important thing is that your dog is happy, healthy, and a great addition to your family. How do you pick a good Labrador puppy from a litter? Other characteristics include a moderately-sized muzzle, medium-sized and well-spaced eyes, and a thick and water-resistant coat. Physical Appearance And Features Breed standards may vary. As per the American kennel club, A labrador retriever should weigh about pounds. They should be .While dilute colors can be AKC registered, they are unacceptable in the show-ring business. Other physical traits include a dense, short coat, otter-like tail , broad skull, and kind eyes. How To Identify pure breed yellow lab 2. Personality And Temperament Labrador Retriever has a gentle personality. They like to cuddle and are loyal to their owners. These dogs love activities like fetch or swimming and are playful. However, temperament can vary depending on the individual dog. Some Labs may be more laid-back and easygoing, while others can be hyper. An aggressive labrador can be tamed with socialization. One common behavioral trait is their strong sense of wanderlust. If given the opportunity, these dogs run off searching for adventure. A secure fence or leash is needed when taking them outside. Overall, labs make wonderful family pets. They have high energy and make good working dogs and sporting dogs. No wonder they are the most popular breed of dogs. Their love for food can sometimes cause obesity. How To Identify pure bred labrador 3. Health Considerations Labrador Retrievers are generally healthy dogs but can still suffer from breed-specific issues. Some examples include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy PRA. DNA testing can detect genetic abnormalities that might not be visible yet. Another crucial health consideration is its nutrition and exercise requirements. Regular exercise helps burn off excess energy, which keeps them physically fit and mentally stimulated. Opt for high-quality dog food brands recommended by veterinarians. Avoid harmful additives or fillers that could harm its overall wellness. Researching The Breeder Reputable breeders are transparent about their breeding process. Ask for referrals from a fellow dog owner or veterinarian. Look out for red flags such as unresponsiveness or reluctance to let you visit their facilities. You can identify reliable breeders via the AKC directory. Conducting A Physical Examination Conducting a physical examination can help you identify potential red flags. It must have a sleek appearance. Eyes: The eyes of a purebred Labrador should be medium-sized. A chocolate or black lab typically has brown eyes, while yellow Labs may have lighter-colored eyes. Ears: The ears of a purebred Labrador should hang down close to the head and have a slightly rounded tip. Its color will depend on the color of its coat. Teeth: Check that all teeth have erupted properly by age. Body structure: Purebred Labradors should have an athletic build with well-proportioned muscles and limbs. They are suited for work in water or outfields. It is thick and tapers toward the tip. Behavior: Observe how the puppy plays and interacts with other puppies or older dogs. Genetic testing can reveal potential health issues like hip dysplasia early on so that preventative measures can be taken. A CH Conformation Champion on the certificate means the dog is close to the breed standards. However, they indicate potential health problems. Despite their unconventional coloring, some Lab variations, such as the Silver Lab and Fox Red Lab, are still considered purebreds. If the potential dogs look smaller than usual, it might point towards some degree of mixed-breed heritage. Labrador retrievers are the least aggressive dogs. Their behavior matches the cuddling kind. If a lab shows aggressive behavior, it may not be pure. An aggressive labrador is due to inadequate training and socialization. A responsible and reputable breeder should be open and transparent. Breeders must be able to answer whether they conduct genetic testing on their breeding dogs. This allows for better management. Ask for referrals from friends who have purchased a purebred Labrador. Ask for references and testimonials from prospective breeders. Ask if they have been screened for genetic disorders. Observe firsthand how the puppies behave and interact with each other. You can also assess whether they look healthy or not. During your visit, note how clean the breeding grounds are and whether or not they have access to food, water, and bedding materials. Breeders committed to producing healthy purebred Labradors always give OFA certification. Ask your breeder if they have conducted specific veterinary checks on the puppy. This includes checking for parasites like worms or fleas and ensuring the new puppy has received vaccinations. It means using both objective information alongside subjective feelings to make informed decisions. DNA tests or pedigree papers are the best ways to identify a pure labrador retriever. A visual evaluation is also beneficial, but you cannot depend on it entirely. How does a pure Labrador look like? If you see labrador retrievers with coat colors other than yellow, black, or chocolate, they are not purebred. A purebred lab can have a small white mark but nothing other than that. Do purebred Labs have white on them? The current breed standards are clear on what labrador retrievers should look like. However, some labs may not meet the breed standard. A mismark occasionally appears, indicating they are not purebred. A small white spot is acceptable, though. What is the difference between pure Labrador and Labrador? A purebred labrador adheres to the standard breed characteristics in terms of height, weight, coat color, temperament, etc. They may exhibit the same behavior with slight variations. How should a Lab puppy look? A lab puppy must have a strong build, broad skull, high energy, deep chest, etc. Their broad skull usually has a defined stop. They have powerful jaws of medium length. Their cheeks are not fleshy. What color eyes does a purebred Labrador have? Labrador eye colors should be brown yellow and black labs. Chocolate labs can have brown or hazel eyes. Some labrador retrievers can have green or greenish-yellow eyes. Silver labrador retrievers have gray eyes. Research is essential before purchasing a puppy from a litter. Enquire about their appetite, elimination, etc. Consider their health and pet parents before making a decision. About The Author Sarah Sheikh Labradors have an extraordinary capacity for love and companionship, and my mission is to help you unlock their full potential. Hi there! I'm Sarah, a proud contributor to Labradorandyou, the go-to online resource for all Labrador Retriever enthusiasts. As a lifelong owner and avid admirer of these remarkable dogs, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to our readers. One of my strongest beliefs is in the power of positive reinforcement training. I'm truly passionate about helping our readers build strong, positive relationships with their Labradors. Whether you're a first-time owner or a seasoned Labrador enthusiast, I aim to provide you with the resources and guidance to cultivate a bond that will endure a lifetime. Even in modern days, the Labrador boasts the thick, sometimes wiry coat that helped its ancestors to stay warm when fowling in the freezing Canadian sea. Due to this selective breeding, the Labrador breed still retains many of the characteristics that made the dog a valuable asset: vigor, strength and powerful love for retrieval. Labradors come in three main variants: chocolate, yellow and black. Though there are many differing opinions on the defining characteristics and traits of each type of Labrador, generally the chocolate lab is seen as a bit of a lush with an affinity for the show ring. The yellow lab is famously the first choice as a guide dog for the blind, and the black lab frequents television and movies as an astute hunter and birding dog. There are many things to consider prior to making the leap into Labrador ownership, however; as with any new pet, the responsibilities associated with owning a vivacious dog like a lab cannot be understated. Labrador retrievers are excellent companions for many living situations, including both single owners and large families with children. However, it should always be a decision that involves every member of the family; agreeing to adopt a Labrador is no small undertaking. These dogs are intelligent, high-energy and can be therefore difficult to train. Is the entire family on board with the challenges that come with a puppy? The issue of any other family pets that will be affected should also be given as much importance as kids. Therefore proper socialization is absolutely necessary when bringing a new dog home, and should be researched and undertaken properly to avoid any unneeded bumps along the road. If there is a suspicion that there may be undue prey-seeking behavior or that another pet may be endangered, the correct actions must be taken to prevent this, even if it means re-homing a pet or reconsidering your new puppy. Puppies are well known for their boundless energy and playful spirits, but Labradors are another thing altogether. Through many years of selective breeding, the Labrador has become well known as one of the most energetic dog breeds available, and the puppies are no different. One of the most important things to consider when adding a canine member to the family, regardless of its breed, is the space available for a young dog to roam and exercise. Labradors are generally considered a bad fit for apartments due to their energy levels and occasional fondness for chewing when bored, however, even if your family does not have a few acres for your new family member to run, as long as your puppy will receive exercise in some form or another any situation can accommodate a Labrador. Another important characteristic of the Labrador to take note of is their sense of wanderlust; they are known to be trusting of strangers and curious of new smells, and therefore wandering off can be a real danger. Fences are an excellent way to discourage this type of behavior, although in absence of this a watchful owner, adequate training and a long leash can suffice to prevent escape. Any new pet can be expensive, but Labradors can be prone to many extra expenses that should be taken into consideration before taking the plunge on a purchase. Apart from the normal costs of new dog ownership, including microchipping, vaccinations, collars, leashes, food and boarding where necessary, Labradors also demand an extra level of expenditure to make sure they live long, healthy and happy lives. Veterinary bills can also be steep, venturing into the thousands sometimes for various ailments. It is important to ask the breeder from which you plan to purchase your new Labrador retriever what sorts of medical issues have arisen previously in that particular line, what can be done to prevent their exacerbation, and how best to identify the symptoms to best head the conditions off. Finding a Reliable Breeder Will Save You on Medicines, Food, and Training Finding a reputable breeder with experience in the Labrador retriever breed will make the transition from the dam to home much easier and more comfortable for both dog and owner. Gleaning information from the breeder can help to lessen the cost for things like training and veterinary treatments down the line. A breeder should always be the front line defense for any preventable or hereditary issue. They can also be an invaluable resource on the subjects of food and training; most breeders have experience in both providing adequate nutrition for their dogs to maintain health and longevity and also how to properly train based on requirements and characteristics unique to the breed. Taking tips and suggestions from a breeder can save time and money on professional training programs and less healthy commercially available food. Questions to Ask Your Shortlisted Breeder The most difficult task involved in choosing where your Labrador will come from is selecting a breeder. There are scores of breeders who are active in most countries in North America and elsewhere, and a quick web search or a visit to a breed-specific website is a great place to begin. As with any business, all breeders are not created equal; therefore it is important to take some time and investigate each one before choosing the best fit. Some breeders do not recognize hygienic or safe environments for their litters, and many will falsify information in order to prey on the uninformed or inexperienced. Often a visit to the facility or home of the breeder is a good way to differentiate between the predatory or dishonest breeders from those who are honest, forthcoming and diligent regarding the health and quality of their lines. Once a breeder is chosen, there are several questions that can be asked to ensure that you go home with a puppy who is healthy, happy and bound for success: Will the parents get registered? What rights will I own on the puppy? If a breeder is reputable and breeding Labradors for confirmation or agility as well as pets, most, if not all, the dogs that the breeder owns, including dams and sires, will be registered with the AKC or one of its constituent. This provides information on specific bloodlines and guarantees that your new dog is indeed a purebred Labrador. The paperwork on such animals should be readily available for inspection and verification prior to purchasing a pup. Many breeders will try to retain breeding rights or a certain number of litters, or demand that you refrain from spaying or neutering if your Labrador will be a pet only. If this is a source of discomfort, the best time to say so is prior to purchasing when arrangements can still be made. What kind of socialization and environment puppy get during his breeding time? Labradors are social animals, and their socialization should start young; much like human children, their earliest environmental and social exposure will go a long way toward determining what kind of dog he or she will grow into someday soon. Another good indicator is the behavior of the adult dogs in the facility. Are they skittish or nippy? Do they seem frightened of interaction both from dogs and humans alike? When in doubt, always trust your instinct! Can you get the vaccinations chart which shall be given to the puppy? Puppies get their first vaccinations around the age of four to six weeks and will receive frequent boosters and shots until they leave their mothers at the age of twelve to fourteen weeks. Therefore in most cases, when a puppy is purchased from a breeder, many of the necessary shots have already been administered. However, it is important to note any continuing needs for further vaccinations and booster until your dog is old enough to go a year or two between necessary shots. A reputable breeder will provide you with a chart or a list of the prior vaccines, what type of prevention and when the next ones are needed in an easy to read format. Keeping your dog healthy does not end in adulthood, but it certainly begins before then. If no vaccinations have been administered or notated, this can be a red flag. Distemper, parvo, and rabies are deadly to Labradors and easily contracted, though very preventable. What all other breeds are handled by the breeder? Not all professional breeders specialize in a single breed of dog. Many experienced breeders will have experience in many different types, which seems to be a natural result of gaining experience in the field and branching out. If the number of breeds currently being kept in a single facility is too high, or if there are too many different types of dogs, this can bode ill. What is the experience of the breeder in breeding Labs? Any major cases or complaints? While many breeders have been at the game for long enough to be able to differentiate between the traits of a good dog and one who will run into issues later in life, some breeders are still wetting their feet in the art of breeding dogs. Labradors in particular, due to their popularity, seem to be an easy target in the creation of puppy mills, or facilities who breed dogs only for the financial gain that it entails. Moreover, careless breeding between two-parent dogs with serious health issues can perpetuate those problems into later generations, causing a much bigger issue with dogs who continue to fall ill to the same problems. The AKC can be a valuable resource in the selection process, due to its exquisite record-taking track record and capacity for suggestions and comments. Will you provide the initial instructions on how to handle the puppy and his pet supplies for the initial days? When purchasing a Labrador puppy, the prospect can seem overwhelming. There are so many specifics and rules to owning a young dog, including which supplies you will need, how initial training will go and what to expect from your new family member in the first few days. Tips for keeping your new Labrador puppy happy and comfortable while adjusting to his or her new digs is key to starting a new life together as smoothly as possible. Ask for testimonials and references for getting feedback from previous buyers? When we want to try out a new restaurant, where do we go first? Yelp, of course, or a similar place where we can see firsthand experiences and reviews. Again, a breeder is a business owner, so this should be a no-brainer for them; the better the service, product and plan of care, the happier his or her customers will be, making them not only likely to purchase again but also to rave about the quality of the services they received. Many breeders keep details on every puppy sold, so this should not be an issue unless the breeder has a great deal of negative feedback to hide. Is there any refund in case of fraud or insurance of any kind for the purchase? The puppy may not get along with the family cat, perhaps, or maybe a startling health problem manifests itself, such as seizures or signs of distemper. This also gives the buyer some peace of mind if there is suspicion of fraud occurring during the transaction, such as a promise of delivering the puppy personally once the payment is rendered, or raising the price abruptly. Documentation with witnesses can help alleviate the concerns of both parties and keep the transaction simple and to the point, therefore beneficial for everyone, including the puppy. Any special processing or agreement for the new owners who adopt the puppy? Again, many breeders will sell their puppies with a litany of stipulations circling around which benefits and rights cease and which persist after the puppy is purchased and taken away from the facility. Many times this has to do with breeding rights, be it a litter with the first pick of a puppy or a siring of their choosing later on. Documenting these quid pro quos is very much advisable even if the agreements seem fairly simple and straightforward, and witnesses to such an agreement can also help to keep everyone honest. Sometimes the temperament and physical skills are also passed down to the progeny. This is especially important if there are plans to use your Labrador in confirmation or agility, as both these sports require a great deal of talent; most of this talent will come from hard work and training, but not all of it. If the personalities or temperament of either parent strikes you as unbecoming, it may be a good idea to walk away and find another breeder. There are many criteria to remember when choosing your new friend; would you like a black lab? A yellow lab? Perhaps a chocolate lab? Are you looking for a companion or a sporting dog? Would a high-energy animal fit better into your household than a calm one? The best way to see if the fit is right is to bring the family to the ceremony of choosing your Labrador. Meeting each individual puppy can be useful in gauging how their personality seems to be, but just as important is observing how the pup behaves among his or her siblings. Does he or she seem like the most dominant personality there, jumping on the other puppies and causing a ruckus? Or is he or she more reserved, sticking to the outskirts of the commotion and seeming much more interested in the humans? An affinity for cuddles, or a more aloof puppy? There are many options to consider, but in more situations than not, your puppy will choose you. As dog parents, you may have personal reasons for preferring purebred Labs and you want to know as much as you can about your furry family member. In this article, we tell you all you need to know to determine if a Labrador is purebred. The Embark dog DNA kit helps ascertain everything about your pet, so you can provide them with the right mix of nutrition, environment and lifestyle, and help them live a long and healthy life. We can see traits of the different breeds in our pup. It is a wonderful tool to learn about the puppy, what to expect from a breed and how to train. Knowing what our dog is, is a great tool!!! Sarah H Collecting the dog spit was easier than I expected and the results came back pretty soon. Mikayla P Great customer service! I got the results within 17 days. We were kept updated every step of the way. I got a lot more than what I paid for. Buy Now Visual Assessment Firstly, specific visual standards must be met for a dog to be considered a purebred Labrador retriever. The American Kennel Club sets these criteria. Black Labs have to be entirely black, while chocolate Labradors should fall within the range from light to pure dark brown. Yellow Labs have more flexibility because light cream to fox red is still acceptable hues and will not disqualify them. Do purebred Labs have white markings? White markings on the coat are still acceptable, but they should be small. Unfortunately, brindles, color markings, or color panels are causes for disqualification, especially if the Lab is already fully grown. Coat Your Labrador should have a slightly dense, short, and straight waterproof coat to be considered purebred. The exterior coat should be a bit stiff when you touch it, whereas the undercoat should be soft. Silky and wooly undercoats are not acceptable. Weight Range Considered as medium-sized dogs, standard purebred Labrador retrievers are naturally athletic, weighing between 55 to 70 pounds with a height of .Any measurement beyond these dimensions is outside the set standards of the AKC. Tail Structure The traditional tail of a purebred Labrador retriever is thick, and it tapers towards the end. Unlike the other retriever breeds, Labs have minimal to no feathering on their tails. Yellow and black Labradors usually have black noses while chocolate Labradors have brown noses. The only exceptions are Dudley Labradors who retain their pink noses throughout their life. Natural Instincts The Labrador retriever was originally bred to look for waterfowl for hunters. This breed has a powerful instinct to retrieve, run through overgrown terrain, and swim in the water. They also have impressive athletic and physical skills, making them excellent working dogs. Also Read: Types of Labradors Conformation Standards Labrador retrievers have a trademark broad head, naturally floppy ears, and expressive eyes. They have a strong build with a well-balanced conformation that makes them one of the best retrieving gun dogs. One of their most distinctive features is their webbed feet. The skin between their toes, together with their ottered tails, helps them when swimming. Do you want to know how long do purebred Labs live? They have a relatively long lifespan, at an average of 12 years. This is why most owners and breeders opt for a second and even third method for accuracy and documentation. Pedigree Papers Secondly, another way to identify if your Lab is purebred or not is through its pedigree document. Your reputable, AKC-registered breeder should hand this certificate to you on the day you bring your puppy home. There are many dishonest breeders out there, and a certificate is not enough to ensure that your Lab is purebred. DNA Test Lastly, given the reality that even pedigree certifications are not foolproof, there is a final method for identifying a purebred Labrador: DNA testing. You can have your Lab undergo a DNA test through local laboratories offering this service. Also, there are test kits that you can purchase online. DNA testing is the most accurate way to determine if your Labrador is purebred. You can get a sample from your dog in two ways. One is a simple swab on the cheek, and the other is through blood collection. The results will show how closely the parents and ancestors correlate to the set standards of the breed. Labradors are friendly, intelligent, gentle, and even-tempered.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Welcome to Russford Labradors! We strive to produce healthy, even tempered, and beautiful companions that families can be proud to own. Our dogs are true to their breed standard - in both conformation and in temperament often called "English" labs. Our versatile puppies are suitable as both family members and hunting companions, and we spend many weekends traveling around the country to AKC shows competing in conformation, rally, and obedience. We are a family made up of 4 adult daughters, plus mom and dad - we each have a Russford Lab or two or three in our homes, so that they can live like the spoiled pets they deserve to be. While puppies are raised at the family home in Bath, some of our adult dogs live with our daughters in different areas of New York State. We keep a small number of breeding dogs, usually between 2 and 4 adults, and we occasionally have puppies available to select homes. Our dogs have DNA, hips, elbows, hearts, and eyes tested at a minimum to prevent genetic diseases. Our puppies are raised in our home utilizing the Puppy Culture Program for rearing and socializing, and they are placed into loving pet homes on AKC limited registration. We typically have homes waiting for our puppies before they are born; if you are interested in our plans for future litters, please watch our Facebook and Instagram pages and contact us for more information when a litter is coming up. Thank you for visiting our site. During this time, they have learned that good breeding is not seldom. This is why they conduct DNA genetic testing on the mating Labs, research pedigrees, and perform x-rays. At other times, they fly in semen from other states to guarantee the best quality future Labs. They have produced family dogs, show dogs, hunting dogs, and service dogs. If you want to reserve a puppy from Humehill, they will send you a questionnaire and a deposit contract. The puppies leave the facility after they are eight weeks old. Prior to this, the puppies are taken to the vet for a checkup, dewormed, microchipped, and receive their first vaccine. They consider themselves knowledgeable breeders because they have degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Engineering. They focus on producing and raising genetically quality dogs, a reason why the parents undergo Embark tests. In addition, they raise the puppies in an acre home with fenced-in yards instead of kennels. The dogs also have a large pond to swim or play in. All Hidden Pond puppies have veterinarian health certification, a one-year written health guarantee, have their first shots, and are microchipped. They also give a lifetime placement warranty and offer stud service. They aim to breed championship Labs that can go to the show program. The pups that do not qualify for show programs are trained for companionship, hunting, therapy, or response dogs. The breeder is dedicated to guaranteeing that future Labs have the best genetics to live a long, happy life. They also receive year-long preventative health care. Stoneleigh Labrador puppies are hand-raised with abundant affection then socialized before they leave the facility. Even though the breeder does not always have available puppies all year round, they will be happy to have you on a waiting list. Legacy puppies receive the same socialization programs as service and guide dogs. They are paper trained, crate trained, taken for car rides, and receive daily playtime. They are also microchipped and AKC registered. Unlike other Labrador breeders, Legacy accepts applications only when there is a litter available. This means you must be on the lookout since they do not keep a waiting list for potential buyers. Occasionally, they have older dogs available after they have finished their show careers. These dogs are suitable for children of all ages because they are socialized at a young age. All pups receive their first shots and worming before they leave. To purchase one, contact the breeder via email or the website. She has a passion for Labradors and loves their sweet temperament. This is proof that not only are the Labs well-bred, but they are healthy and with easy to live temperaments. To find and purchase a pup , visit the website, or contact the breeder via email. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. For nearly 50 years we have produced English Labradors in the true style of the all-around dog they were meant to be. Our ultimate goal has been a beautiful dog conforming to breed standards with soundness of temperament and body. Our Labradors retain the hunting ability that has made them the supreme hunting retriever. This intelligent, well-tempered dog is a perfect family companion and service dog. We are pleased to not only have many of our On The Bluff Labradors in pet, show and hunting homes, but also used as guide dogs for the disabled and specialist for airscent detection. Our breeding program strives for perfection in every litter. We use the highest quality stud dogs with a background of multiple Grand Champions. We combine their linage with the outstanding genetics of our females. The result are not just cute, adorable puppies, but dogs that can be well trained, healthy companions for a lifetime. We have never lost sight of our initial goal to produce the perfect Labrador- in mind and body. Feel free to email us for additional information or to get on a waiting list for one of our puppies. Staffed by professional trainers- each puppy receives several weeks and hundreds of hours of individual lessons- Obedience Training, House Living Training, Group Socialization, and Outside Etiquette. We believe our unique training methods and individualized programs sets us apart from any other breeder. Here you will find many adorable pictures of our current puppies.

As a printmaker, I need my focus and concentration, to work without distraction. Is there a perfect breed of studio dog? I think I need a quiet companion, though we can all benefit from morning and evening walks. Can someone who lives happily without a dog learn to live happily with one? Dogs are angels sent from heaven to make us into better people. A few minutes of petting a dog releases oxytocins into the bloodstream of both dog and human, reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. Dog people may live longer. Every puppy begins in joy and ends in tears. Sometime ago I wrote about the loss of our former dog, Emily. The email condolences that came in here were overwhelming. Lining up trusted dog sitters is vital. Having said that, a dog will increase your studio hours and prevent you from wandering off and getting into trouble. A loving tail-wagger in the studio goes a long way in a profession of loners. I happen to think that dog people are the best people, perhaps because dogs, just like artists, have excellent dreams and fantasies. But there are cat people too, and they are just as passionately converted. Gerbils, weasels and rats do it for some folks, particularly as starters. You have a good husband — I think you should also have a good dog. Forget about the ready money. Stanley Coren Esoterica: Dorothy the Airedale has a particularly spirited personality. Good for my cardiovascular, she is always eager to go for a walk. Uniquely, she is also content to play ball with herself. She is a happy girl, rather overly bonded but universally friendly. An occasional garden digger, as I write this she is curled up with dirty feet in a pile of paint rags. To her credit, she steps carefully around paintings when they are casually thrown here and there. Living happily without? Besides being constant muses for me, my two dogs are wonderful company. There are 3 comments for Living happily without? From: Jim Oberst — Jun 07, I also prefer humans. I am now 60, and we are lucky enough to still have our original dog, Riley, as well as three others. How lonely we would be without our pets! For a wonderful, laid-back companion, we both recommend a golden retriever. A dry painting is even worse! My pets have been endless inspiration and I do pet portraits in any medium including on glass mugs! If you provide a cuddly bed the dog will lie there out of your way — usually. But then, we live in the country with a big fenced yard and a big dog-door, so no worries there. We now have two Great Pyrenees — our favorite breed so far for intelligence, kindness and watch-doggedness out here in the woods, though they do tend to lay their massive bulks right behind me when I work at the easel! You are so right about the dog-sitter, but our travel schedule is determined by when SHE is available. We made the mistake of telling our retired traveling friends about her. They are now 13 years old, ancient for Great Pyrs, and are facing a double-departure, perhaps this fall. It takes courage to take on the love of a new dog knowing that it will end with a broken heart! I still have a hard to thinking of her, because it still hurts my heart so much. I have had alot of dogs, but Tango was, by far, the best. She was so kind, and so smart and so beautiful that people would stop their cars to look at her and talk to me. I miss her still. Tango was 10 yrs. Thanks for sharing. From: Libby — Jun 07, Your colors are stunning! From: Tatjana — Jun 07, Beautiful painting! My heart is with you … losing our four-legged family members is one the hardest things to do. Your creativity will grow in leaps and bounds because dogs teach us to be new. To be new we must be willing to be clumsy as being clumsy means you are exploring and never on solid footing. Being new means never having to apologize for being different, creative or failing. Being new gives permission to rest and dream. Being new presents a life without judgment. Being new is curiosity in full bloom. Being new allows laughter to come from deep within your belly. Being new opens the door to creativity. Being new invites quiet. Being new is pure love. Their favourite things to do in life are to go from 0 to75 km an hour in search of the most comfortable couch in the house. They will also sleep for hours at a time without moving which makes for a great subject to paint. There is a reason artists have kept greyhounds and other breeds of sight hounds in their studios over the centuries… They are just a great breed of dog for artists. From: Debra LePage — Jun 07, Your beautiful painting looks just like our late Samantha-a perfect companion, indeed. She spent many hours curled up on a futon in my studio while I worked. From: Deb Munro — Jun 07, I agree with your comments. I have a lurcher greyhound x collie who is the most calming gentle soul I have ever known. Contrary to popular belief, greyhound types require a short run or two per day followed by hours of sleep on a comfy bed. Ideal companions for artists and others to! The latter are all carefully trained to lie calmly where they are told — either beside the artist or nearby under a table no worry about stepping on them or any part of their anatomy. I have two rescued pit bull mixes who think nothing is better than to lie beside me or on the futon behind me all day until I get up to refill my coffee or head to the bathroom. Then they would like to have an hour in the huge dog pen on our rural property, going on walks with me only early in the morning or before dinner. But other than that, they do what they are told when they are told. There is 1 comment for Rescued pit bulls ideal companions by Amber Grey From: linda b — Jun 18, i have a hearing dog and have lived with her for 9 years. She is a pit bull mix. This dog is the absolute best behaved and most loving dog who has shared her his life with me. As you said, she is content to lie on her bed for hours, only getting up when i do. I take her out many times a day and give her extra attention. I have no trouble getting people to stay with her when i am away. Most people want to take her home with them. Her name is Acadia. Some dogs are like soul mates. You know each other immediately. He travels nicely beneath an airline seat. He sleeps with us at the foot of the bed unless I invite him up to be squished like a stuffed animal while I fall asleep. Tony my dog loves my work. If I feel like reading, he warms my lap. I cannot imagine living without a dog. It would be cruel and unusual punishment for me. I would say do a little homework and notice breeds that work with your lifestyle and surroundings and be prepared to do a little training at first for your investment in your future. Think of it as courtship. I have been without dogs once or twice and it was just plain sad. They make my life far less serious. I also admit that one of our labs likes to be smashed between us on a cold nights. But as one who has just plunked down an irrational amount of money to get on the waiting list for a puppy, I just had to write and express how your words buoyed me this morning. So your words are an affirmation of what I know emotionally, if not yet intellectually. The real remaining worry is that, in my application, I failed to specify that my puppy must have a good eye for composition, temperature and values. However, every hour and a half or so, she will come to the door to remind me that she needs attention as well and so I take a break and we go out and play for fifteen minutes or so. This not only serves to keep her happy but also gets me up and moving for a bit since I tend to paint sitting down at a table and a break is really beneficial. This can be advantageous as I often get too focused on details and fail to look at the whole. Hence, my dog is contributing to improving my art. I also get to transfer some of that love of dogs over into my art as animals, and especially dogs, are a large part of what I do. Not to mention the fact that exchanging that unconditional love with your dog opens you up to deeper relationships with people as well. But I do love all animals and would love to have a dog, too, but Mr. Munchkins vetoed that. After almost losing our cat this winter, I decided no more animals because saying goodbye is too painful. I find cats to be very quiet studio partners. The best advice mine has given to date is to just relax. And Mr. Munchkins adds a great deal of texture to my paintings by way of a film of fine white cat hair in and over everything. I once had a cat, a trickster type, who loved to take a sip when opportunity presented. He prefers yoga to long walks. And we paint to choruses of birds through open windows as much as possible. If the dog feels safe and comfort just from the holders serenity it might be much easier. On the other side… a dog helps a lot to calm you down. For example… a dog can be used from the very beginning to an indoor bench in case of a puppy already large enough for the adult. Quite soon it learnt the positives from this sheltering. Most dogs love staying inside there and learnt that the open! For that purpose use covering towels or plaids on the bench top including the sides, except the open bench door. My dog learnt to step aside when I appear. You can have any breed… it all depends on how you interact with your dog. Even non-acting means for dogs a communication. Without such breaks I would live unhealthy and forget about any breaks. My dog is my personal gain. My collie Riley is my studio buddy, my walking companion, my muse, my model, my confidante and so much more. Clambering, pestering, poking into everything. They are loved in this home but banished from the studio. Give me a dog any day! He walks me daily to get me out of the studio for some exercise, and keeps me generally sane. I have noticed in many older photos of artists working in their studios, that a dog is curled up somewhere near the workspace. I cannot imagine not having one to keep me company in this solitary endeavor of painting. The poodles were wonderful, devoted pets who loved to be in the studio — or anywhere I was. The cockatoo is more likely to be out chasing birds from the yard. But I missed the company and devotion and now have my little Romeo. Most dogs want to please their owners, so teaching them is the first responsibility of a dog owner — and pick the right dog for you, and your lifestyle. From: Barbara Carter — Jun 02, Dog people are good people. Dogs know that which is why they overlook all our shortcomings and concentrate on our positive qualities. But people have to know themselves to pick a breed that is compatible with their lifestyle and personality. Read about the breeds before you choose one. And remember that there are many dogs at the shelters waiting to become a best friend. As for me? I may be a bit biased toward dogs since I currently share my life with five of them. The personalities of my Westies are as different as they can be — one pops like popcorn on a leash, one is a sedate and gentle lady until she hears the word bird! People in North American should get to know Brussels Griffon more. They ask only one thing — to be with me. They can outrun the wind and look over their shoulders to see if I am watching. Dogs are great. And they seem to believe that we are great too. There are no small dogs — only little dogs. From: Bette Laughy — Jun 02, My Airedale experience was a lovely dog who occasionally visited our neighborhood. In spite of her effect on our cat, we looked forward to her occasional visits; she was truly special. She is selectively deaf, blind enough to prefer to walk on a leash, now allows her brother the cat to lick her and even occasionally licks back, and is my companion in everything including painting. She is my joy, and I will not travel far from home as long as she is with me. Every day is a gift. And I am still dogless, though I have a cat who thinks he is a dog and does all the doggie things, including accompanying me on walks. However I would like to say that TWO dogs can be easier than one. They bond with each other mine were littermates and so keep each other content when one is busy. Saying goodbye is really terrible. The memories are stellar. A large golden retriever comes to be babysat for a week at a time, though, and we have long and important murmurs about painting, weather, and food. From: Randena Walsh — Jun 02, Oh, I love the companionship of a dog in the studio, and in the field as well, where I get my inspiration for my work. However, from experience I can tell you my previous Goldens have been wonderful studio mates and convenient models. I am sure my pup will get there too. Loving human companionship as they do, Goldens are happy to just be in the same room with you. Exercise is a must, though, for a happy artist and her dog! From: George Forder — Jun 02, As a master of the esoteric, their are few places my mind has not fathomed at some time or another. But the biggest quandary remains unsolved. I grew up with 6 dogs, but when I left home, gradually realised I was a cat person. Cats find me. I find cats. We share a purrfect love. Kitty love is the purrest kind of love. I tolerate dogs, but am old enough to not have to fake it anymore. Every argument voiced for dogs can be applied to cats. But if a cat decides it wants you, you will burn in the radiance of its light. I think Dogs vs Cats is about control and dependency, but I could be wrong. My cat is a consumate critic. He listens attentively and then asks for food. Like art in a way, letting go, not sure of the outcome but welcoming the opportunity to express. To me a Dog is an expression of pure love. Getting through the Puppy stage and then the adolescent stage is a challenge at times, more dogs are surrendered to shelters during their adolescence than any other time I am told. Once again like art perseverance pays out in the end. Socialise them, guide them and you will be rewarded ten fold in love and loyalty. I cannot be whole without a dog in my life. There are so many sweet, loving older dogs in shelters who no one wants. Everyone wants the cute puppy, but when you get a puppy, you might as well have another child. Puppies are wonderful, but require a lot of time and attention. From: leslie ditto — Jun 03, well I think a dog in the studio is a great idea, my studio space is kinda small right now so I have a cat, I did have to do some cat proofing. But I would probably not suggest a cat for everyone because they can get into alot in a studio. But as any animal in our studio goes, make all toxic materials are up and out of the way. And here is one thing that I had to learn the hard way. .From: Betsy Doody — Jun 03, I paint best with a minimum of 4 dogs around me. What is life without a dog? Betsy Doody From: Susan Stetson — Jun 03, I cannot see myself without a dog, actually two at the moment, cocker spaniels. Even if they have just come in from outside…they go out the studio door, run about the yard, come in and Reilly settles on the couch, Lily under the ottoman the tail and paws stick out a bit? After an hour or so they are just as excited to go have a cup of tea and dog cookies and again with such enthusiasm we go back to work. It brings a smile to me when they do it and now when I picture their little paws running down the steps. What fun to have such enthusiastic and quiet working buddies! From: Troy Gervais — Jun 03, As my faithful companion is now reaching his final days it is bittersweet. He has been my best friend since he was a few weeks old. He has listen to my rantings and the many ideas I have bounced off of him. He has gotten me out for a walk every day of his life even when I was reluctant to do so. I have witnessed many spectacular sunrises and sunsets that I would have probably missed otherwise. I have drawn and sketched him many times. How do I thank a friend like that? He has never forsaken me like some humans can do. He has always been honest especially about his dislike of cats and his love of a soggy tennis ball and a good dinner. When I think back at all the times we have had how can I do anything but thank him for the time he spent here on this earth with me and wish him well on his next journey where ever that might be. Thank you my friend. Not sure if that works so I added some comments here. I am a doggie lover. The hugs, kisses and companionship are great. They do look at you like they understand what your saying also. I think they pick up on the emotion too and comfort me at times. Yes, I am over the doggie edge. Plus, it is a great way to meet and talk to people. There are so many wonderful, loving, sweet dogs in the world. Yes, you take a chance when you get a shelter dog but if you give the dog love they give it right back. It is important to have great doggy sitters when you go out of town. We keep our dogs at home. Some people drop their dogs at a friends or neighbors house who have dogs. Whatever works. I also painted a picture of Currie and Missy with acrylics. They inspire me and love me. It is wonderful! I attached some pictures of Missy, Currie and my back yard where I hang out with the dogs. The other pictures are of flowers I was painting one day. Thanks for talking about doggies. I took off work today and am going to take the doggies for a walk this morning. I agree that it is great exercise too. Have a wonderful day. Lepore — Jun 03, From: Sandie Halyk — Jun 03, When I paint my golden retriever Jessie is right there in the art room, usually curls up and sleeps. It is such a comforting feeling. Wherever we are, that is where she is. She is also our 4 legged physiotherapy. She is a devoted, caring and loving dog. Initially there is a big committment to the training and also there are frustrating times when you have a puppy. We are now starting to go through hip problems as she is older, we do physiotherapy, heat etc. Just be sure you are willing to put in the time to look after a dog as they will put in the time to look after you and be there for you. Hope this is of some help in assisting you to make up your mind. From: Pat Kochan — Jun 03, I was debating over 3 different paintings to put into an up coming art competition; so I put 3 cookies on the floor, one in front of each painting and the one my sweet dog picked was the one that went into the show. It won a top award. Mindy lived 18 years and was the greatest companion and friend to our whole family. From: Bunny — Jun 03, I have a just turned one year old puppy Buddy named by my grandson , who is my studio buddy. He has a pile of toys nearby and is content to chew on those, usually. I had to learn to watch before I step back, get the paper towels that accidentally fall to the floor quickly he loves paper , — or pencils; otherwise he is a great studio friend. From: Cindy Mawle — Jun 03, I like to take my 6 year old chocolate lab, Jesse, with me while painting outdoors. She keeps an eye out for bears and lets me know if someone is coming. I am able to totally absorb myself in my work without anything sneaking up on me. I just have to put up with a few loud sighs from her at the beginning after she realizes that we are staying put. Once on the kettle river she put up a big fuss and I looked up from my work and a coyote was intently watching us from the other bank. As a woman painting out there alone, it can be peace of mind as well as great company. Recently had to give up my cats for adoption due to asthma. Their presence in and around your life lifts you up. Their antics make you smile and their unconditional love are a reminder to us as to why we are here — to enjoy the passing of time with those who give our lives meaning. Their loss leaves a hole in your heart but right now the neighborhood dogs are getting great hiking experience. He was great. Learned not to sleep where I walk, and then all he wanted was just to be with me. The perfect studio companion…slept most of the time, until it was time to wake up and go for walkies. I currently have a 10 mo old chocolate lab, so leaning glass against the wall or work bench is currently a no no. She is, however, learning to put the brakes on before she enters the studio, so my need to modify my behavious will change with time. Love having her with me, and at the moment, a crate is my best friend. Lately I can leave the crate door open and she goes in willingly for a nap, and nudges me when she wakes up. From: Linda C. Dumas — Jun 03, Blaze, a golden retriever mix, was a gentleman from the day he was born. Pancho, the Maine Coon cat, would climb into his little box and sleep the studio time away. Annie, mini-Australian Shepherd and current dog, is very well behaved, but decided she found the studio boring. I bought some special treats, and whenever we went to the studio, she got one. At that point, we will adopt an older rescue dog that has passed the puppy stage. Look for breed characteristics. A beagle is probably not the most fortuitous studio dog — darling dog, but way too energetic. From: Mike Young — Jun 03, Please remember that for some of us dogs, cat and birds produce unwanted allergic reactions such as rashes and asthma. For me this has been since childhood and in spite of series of desensitization shots a reaction still occurs in the presence of such pets, albeit somewhat reduced from my childhood. Studios with pets are out of bounds for me and many like me. Love my cats too. Although when I am doing graphics at the computer they want to have their say…. .All I can add is that is their form of love… just being with me. Now I do occaisionally get black hairs in my polymer and metal clay work. Thanks for the post. I lost the latter last year but I know she is still there, barking away, voicing her opinion on everything. The Collie loves to come to the studio, check out the perimeter desert but mostly sleeps peacefully as I, alas! The cats stay at home. As a rabid animal lover, I strongly recommend adopting or fostering — but do get a dog by any means! As Robert Says, dogs will help you not only live longer, but more happily. I enjoy having them around…. I think Emmy would like to pickup a brush and paint on a canvas herself…. Dogs are wonderful…. Here are some tips: provide puppies with wet frozen washcloths to chew on. This will numb their gums. Our oldest dog is now receiving a round of adequan shots which are helping with her arthritis enormously. She is now off of her pain meds. I cannot live without dogs. They possess true empathy. Surely they were created to be our companions. Thank you Robert for saying dogs are angels sent from heaven to make us better people. So true. From: Mary — Jun 03, Your story reminded me of the best cat we ever had. A Himalayan mix. When I was working on drawings including ink drawings she would carefully leap and land on my table not disturbing a thing. Then sit there moving her head this way and that watching my pen. Always wondered what she thought of my work. They keep the mouse population at bay to save your canvas being turned into bedding and they make great models. When I had a studio cat and was lacking inspiration I would paint my cat. They are the perfect gesture model while bathing, they will pose for long periods if they are occupied with a window to look out and only ask for a meal to compensate them. Yes, dogs drool and in the Studio Cats rule! From: Laudine Borges — Jun 03, Dogs are wonderful. Choose a breed compatable with your lifestyle. Visit dog parks or breeders to see how different breeds behave. It took me a long time to choose the right breed for my lifestyle, a walk by the ocean in the morning and then working in my studio. My dog adds so much to my life. As fulfilling and wonderful as my life was with them, they ruled our lives. We paid for the Vets second home in Maui. And sadly, when they passed, I was not only devastated, but it lead to an immediate break up. When asked at the park how long my dogs would live, I wondered if people would like if they were asked how long their child would be alive. People kept asking me if I was going to get another dog. I felt like I had lost my children. Dogs are wonderful creatures and very loving. Dogs want to be with you. So, as long as they feel included and are in your line of vision, any dog will be a wonderful addition to your studio or home. My experience with Dalmatians is they are particularly hyper dogs. And while they are loyal to the family, they are not great with children. They can also be terribly inbred which can lead to all sorts of heath issues. So, make sure to find a good and reputable breeder. And realize a dog is a commitment and the sign of a good dog is a good owner. Last year I lost Sophia, my Calico cat. She was always there keeping me company while I painted. At times she would sit on a high stool beside me and look out the window; at other times she would be curled up on a chair or maybe inside a box that was open. She was even known to sleep inside an empty frame! Occasionally I would feel her rub up against my leg, and I would run my hand through her soft fur, giving me that warm fuzzy feeling. Well yes, there was that one time when she was young. She came in through an open window with mud on her paws and walked accross my latest watercolor on the drafting board…. .Her calming presence was well worth any inconvenience! My studio is very empty now that she has gone. I have lost my muse. They will reward you with their great love and devotion. After my 14 year old Golden, Andy, passed away in August of , I considered not getting another dog. Life would be easier and less heartbreaking right? I could sleep in in the morning with the cats. I could get right to working. For six months I did without. I did. I realize now I will not live without a dog as long as I can. For six months, I had missed out on sharing quiet, early morning walks in the outdoors to observe and discover nature. I had missed out on conversations with neighbors and being a part of my community. I had missed out on having a friend who nudged me with a wet nose, reminding me it was time for a walk, a break from studio work, to get outside and experience life. So despite the animal hairs that occasionally end up in paintings, the concern about getting home to let the dog out, or the vet bills, I would not have it any other way. It has been a joy to have a dog as a companion and cats, too! The pros outweigh the cons in my view but only you know in your heart, Janet. You have to be committed from beginning to end for it to work…. From: Kathleen Kelly — Jun 03, I have a Wheaton terrier that lays in a corner watching me paint or simply sleeps…. From: Marilena Fluckiger — Jun 03, I think the Chinese Crested Hairless dogs are the most intelligent and the best studio companion dog! They are the total parcel albeit with minimal packaging…hey, eco friendly, too! She was such a loving girl. She also stayed with me in my studio, and lovingly stared at me while I worked, and followed me back and forth to the sink to wash out my brushes, or sharpen my pencils. As a second best, I lay on the floor close to my table, and thought of work I would do when I was better. The trouble was that Woofer lay beside me. This was fine. But she kept creeping closer and closer. Finally, she laid her head my chest, and lapped my face lovingly. I think her endless wet kisses spurred me to get better even faster. Soon, I was back at my easel, and even taking Woofer for her usual walks around the neighborhood. No, she took me. From: Miranda Gray — Jun 03, I am an egg tempera painter, which is a very slow, tedious, time consuming medium. One day I set my painting down on the floor to get a better distance look at it, when the phone rang. I turned my back on the painting to talk on the phone. My mistake. I heard a slurping noise, and low and behold, my dog had licked off many days of work from the painting. Fortunately, egg tempera is a very forgiving medium, and I could repair it. I truly need my dog in my studio to keep me company while I work, but I no longer put the paintings in tongues reach. I too believe that dogs are angels sent to make us better people. From: Cindy Fankhauser — Jun 03, I so needed to hear this answer to a very good question. Can I love it as much as I loved Bailey? I really just want my Bailey back!! But, after reading your letter, I am thinking I better go puppy shopping and give my heart away again! From: Rick Rotante — Jun 03, All the beneficial health reasons for dog ownership are renowned. I have two that seem to have an infectious smile on their faces all day long except when my wife or I have to leave. My wife and I doubly blessed and will probably live doubly long because of them. From: Diane Overmyer — Jun 03, Our family is made up of two parents, three young-adult children and two middle-aged dogs. Unlike my children, my dogs never complain, sulk around or slam doors. They are getting older so if I am quiet they tend to be quiet as well. They often sleep or lay on the floor and look out one of our glass doors. When the weather is nice they spend a good deal of the day out in the yard. The breeds we own are a Sheltie which is a very intelligent, well mannered, loving dog, but ours is more high strung that our other dog. The second dog is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, which is also pretty smart, but ours sometimes reminds me of an eager two year old. Our Corgi is very protective of me and wants to be near me whenever he can. What a special dog she was to you. I was in the gallery then too. Looking forward to seeing you in Penticton at the Shatford building and the reception for the first 3 Chapters Show. A dog can be so much work, and yet give so much back in love, exercise and companionship. I think Jane will find that the rewards outweigh the negatives. I agree with you about the only 2 drawbacks to owning dogs. From: Susan Vaughn — Jun 03, I agree — dog people are special. I have 2 dogs — A German Shepherd and a Malti-tzu a cross between a Maltese and the Shih-tzu They both come into my studio when I am painting and curl up together and sleep while I paint and listen to my iPod. They are great dogs and I enjoy their company. I think I am a better artist because of the love they give. Before Buddy, Angel would spend hours with me in studio and when she thought I needed a break she would let me know and we would stretch and take a walk…. Now that Buddy is in the picture I had a weak moment and adopted him they spend time on the verandah while I am in studio. I can peak out the window and keep an eye on them and know exactly when we need a break! The daily dog walks are good for clearing the mind and for inspiration. Besides, as has been pointed out, dogs need you and your attention and are happy as all get out when they get it. All they want to do is eat and find a sunny spot to take a nap. Oh, and sit on the brick wall out back at two in the morning and serenade the neighborhood. So loyal, so devoted, so positive. If only we had just a portion of that in our people lives. My big mutt Bruno is the perfect studio dog. Part Chow, German Shepherd, and Akita, he lives for loafing and really improves the ambiance in the home and studio. My little Shia-poo Grady is a napping expert and will happily join and inspire you in this important past-time. My other buddy, Snickers the Papillon, is a ball fetcher extraordinaire and keeps me in shape. I like cats too, but dogs are much more interactive. They want to be with you, to worship you. How can you not like that??? We lost Hershey to cancer very unexpectedly just last Saturday. I have art photos, paintings and drawing of them and they always were nearby often chasing squirrels or rabbits in their dreams. They were excellent companions in the print studio as well. Our lives will never be the same without them. When I take the dogs for a walk in the local park I always pet other dogs and talk to people there. They inspire me. From: Kay Rodriguez — Jun 03, Oh but cat people can get the best support. .I never have to take her out for a walk though she will take one on her own if the door is opened. Sofy takes a nap right there beside me patiently waiting for me to finish. She is a fine forgiving companion gives me room to do my work under her approving eye. Cat people get to watch those personality crazy funny things that make you want to call up your friends to tell them. Dogs have been my life long Co-pilots. They all had distinctive personalities and yes I mourned when I had to put them down. It took me a year to recover from Zeppie, my red merle Aussie with blue eyes. He was the closest and the easiest to train but I can easily live without the shedding. He would lie at my feet while I painted. Now, I have a very independent minded rare breed Canaan Mackie who is nearing his 13th birthday. He is from Israel and was really a basket case when we got him. He still is dreadfully afraid of any engine sounds but has finally given up watching airplanes as they pass overhead. Mackie is much too intelligent! Pavlof training worked once and that game was over. After he has inspected and sized up the intruder, he retires to his bed or near the ac vent in hot summers. As I age, I know that in the future I need a smaller dog something like Toto to be my side as the tornadoes blow into NC. I have had a good feeling because my last three dogs have all been rescued. There are no bad dogs only bad owners who need to learn how to properly train their dog not to be a pest. That bond is strengthened with the attention you give in training your pup who to fit into your life. They want to please and be loved. I know that we will be first in line to enter those pearly gates if God happens to be a Dog. I agree wholeheartedly! Breed does not matter so much, and dog pounds let you test drive. Just a thought!! From: Bruce C. I had the opinion that this breed was high energy because they were used for racing. I was also surprised to find out that they have universal blood. From: Larry Moore — Jun 03, You want a quiet companion? Get a cat. No walking. Might be some issues with hair in your wet paint and hairballs but, overall. From: Catherine Orfald — Jun 03, I agree! My dog Gita is an essential companion. She happily accompanies me on long walks to scope out new scenes and spends long days outside with me when I paint. I have attached a painting I did with Gita as subject this winter: Dog and Snowmobile. My cats occasionally stroll through the studio, but are also too busy and noisy to stay. The best companions I have there are two rabbits. They joyfully race around the studio when I let them out of their large pen and then they settle down contentedly while I paint. I like having different folks for different strokes while I work. From: Guy Giersch — Jun 03, I would recommend a rescued greyhound. These dogs are big couch potatoes. Loving, and always ready for a walk; but stately occupying the couch as you work. Training is key. Plenty of sources to help you decide on the dog for you. I agree totally with you about dogs and dog people. They are high energy puppies but at about the 4 year mark they are content with ball throwing, long walks and just being by your side. They are great friends. My heart constantly melts! For the record, here is my studio companion, Teddy. I got him at a shelter about a year and a half ago, and his acclimation has been very challenging. He still hates to be left alone, only tolerating it begrudgingly, which keeps me on task when I want to roam. While I paint, he dozes and chews his chew bones patiently and only interrupts me for scheduled walks and feedings. Plus, he announces with great vigor that the UPS truck has again arrived to deliver my next eagerly anticipated art book. Removing paint from dog hair is not fun. I have attached a pic of my own German Short-haired Pointer in my favourite studio chair. One other bonus that you neglected to mention is the fee-less modeling these animals are willing to do. He has great angles and curves and moves around a great deal so the challenge is to capture my favourite bits in the time he allows. The companionship is wonderful and, as you yourself are aware, completely non-judgemental! He just oozes love and affection and is quite the centre of attention wherever we go. I have attached a picture of His Royal Cuteness Yukon so you can see his smile. Our cats are more intrusive than our heffalump of a dog! From: Susan Faye Martin — Jun 03, I know what it is like to have disruption with my sweet little pup in the studio. But since she has turned 2, we seem to have more harmony. I have a covered garbage can now to prevent the dragging of miscellaneous items around. I also have learned to leave everything beyond her reach if I want it to stay the way it is. Life is wonderful with a dog in it :- From: Janie Cohen — Jun 03, More times than not I think you are my doppelganger; or you at least follow me around and hear my every thought and anxiety concerning my art. Your loving doggie stories are always welcome here, for I have a very special artigiana without whom I could not paint. Having been diagnosed with stage IV cancer in in remission 5 yrs. Clara is a rescued kitty from a local shelter. These are the tiny greyhounds, not the big ones, but 2 or ours are rescues. Your service of directing surfers to websites sounds interesting. If there is not more info on your service, can I get more? Recently I finished my first book which involves dogs, mystery, fantasy and God knows what else. Your service sounds like it could be very helpful once I get the website for the book finished. He is a treasure. While we still miss all of the dogs we have had the joy of sharing our home with we must admit that 5 large dogs that need to be kept away from each other as the boys were not neutered and wanted to be Alpha and one female who actually was in charge was quite an experience. Even though there were some very interesting and heart wrenching moments when they visited my studio, they were still my favorite models. From: Marilyn S. Mylrea — Jun 03, I just recently got a kitten and cats can also make great companions. My cat loves to watch me paint in my studio. He is not a distraction at all as he just lies there and stares up at me. I love that he is the first being outside of me to see my art as I know his love will always be supportive. I also like dogs and may someday get one. The famous American artist April Gornik also has pets and is a big animal lover. And Emily Carr preferred animals to many people. I think they lift our spirits which is always great and inspirational! At that time, she was given one month to live, and here she is, still with us today, bouncing and pouncing, good days and bad, but so loving and giving. Her little short stubby tail tells all. We also have a lb Labrador, who is a geriatric, however the tail never stops wagging. Love them both. They are small, lively, and do nothing but love people I hope. Thanks for touching on this subject. My home is my studio. Or vise-versa. I am a big fan of adopting animals from the shelter, and of mixed breeds. You do have to devote time and energy to pets, which I find healthy. The walks, play sessions, cuddling all help keep me happy. Life in the studio is way too quiet alone. I have an Australian Shepherd. They are one of the smartest breeds and love lots of exercise. Not only do we get the blood flowing first thing, but during our walk, with the juices flowing, I work out my plan for the day. We come back refreshed and invigorated, ready for a day of painting. She takes a nap on her bed in my studio and I can get my work done. When I need to let paint dry, I play the piano and she comes along side to listen. Currently I have two of these wonderful dogs and I know I am going to be a sad puppy when they leave. I always forgive them and they never hold a grudge. You are right about them being angels. From: Janet Badger — Jun 03, Thank you all so very very much for your supportive and helpful ideas. I feel surrounded by caring friends, and I hope to prove worthy of the dog that will eventually become part of our family. They make very good and docile pets—some people even prefer them to dogs—especially when raised from infancy. In the USA there are laws preventing owning them in some cities, but most states issue licenses for them in rural areas. It would not be too cute for Janet to have a badger as a motto, a logo and a spiritual presence that would help people remember who she is. From: Judy Feldman — Jun 03, My dog, Cleo is my muse — I love sketching her and she appears frequently in my paintings. From: Adrienne Moore — Jun 03, Hi Robert, your most recent letter The dog decision set me thinking about losing my beloved Chewbie, a cross Pyrenee lab retriever,to cancer at the age of eleven. He had been my trusted friend and shared my studio since I adopted him as a pup. He was an alpha male , strongly independent and was always pushing boundaries, so determined was he to have things his way. His antics were amazing and I kept a journal about the amusing situations he got into. When he was no longer with me ,I composed a book ,illustrated it with a few colourful paintings and recently received the first edition which I published. The entire process of writing the book was an opportunity ,to some degree ,to make our parting more bearable. I watch dog owners with envy and I will get another dog one day but first, it is time for me to travel because my favorite companion kept me close to home for many years. .One of the artists, a wee gal with big dreams was hanging large abstracts with limited color schemes. One of the painting, a large creme one was the hit of the show. She decided to leave it and it was the hit of the opening! They are usually trained and their personalities are evident and they are grateful to have a companion. From: Allan Pitfield — Jun 03, Badgers are notoriously nasty animals. If you have one, get it to a wildlife rehabilitation place asap. They are not good pets. Further, they are not interested in art. They are not just my constant companions but my dear little friends. As with Mr. I live alone on my farm, my reward for having raised 6 children by myself, I think, and I cherish the medicinal solitude and Nature all around me. My dogs are comfort, succor and even inspiration to me, if only because they live life so simply but so pure: all about love. I agree with other posters here, look to animal rescue-shelters for a great dog you can train to be with you as you work. In their eyes, there is no judgement, no rancor, none of the negativity humans sometimes bring, only love shining brightly…. That pretty well says it all. My yellow lab, Sunshine, is also cognizant of when things are going badly. He thinks that this is a good time to pat the dog. He is correct. The distraction leads to re-focusing and getting back on track. I take my little guy with me most outings. Here however, we had many friends and acquaintances stopping by to chat, as it is a busy spot for cycling and dog walkers and wide open views up and down the path. One of my breakfast buddies had decided he would try to connect with me later that afternoon, as he was curious to see my setup. After a half hour visit, he roared off and would return to see the finished piece. I continued my painting only to look on Zeke and found he was nowhere to be seen. Picture my panic, yelling and jogging in the direction that our friend had gone in, finally I saw him. All dogs know who have the treats and who are the treat babas. From: -Loraine Wellman — Jun 04, Cats make good studio companions too. However, it could be that they are a little bossier. I get to pause and think- and a lap gets provided. Joe was a rescue dog who used to live with pigs when he was young. He was uncared for so he began to wander our village in search of food. Yes, my horse would drag Joe along by his leg, ever so carefully and the two of them would butt heads and wrestle for hours. When Joe was two, the village decided that we should keep Joe. While in British Columbia we hike in the mountains to paint, sometimes alone and at other times with two friends and their dog. Joe and I are now wandering the Italian Alps and a lovely valley called the Valchiusella. Joe now has two languages, he loves Italian food and has even found some delightful Italian, dog friends. From: Denita Tizard — Jun 05, Thank you! I have been given an opportunity of a beautiful puppy to join our family, and I nearly said NO. From: Jackie Knott — Jun 05, As artists, we tend to travel a lot. This next year will involve even more travel. Because of this we decided not to replace our old dog we lost last year. I always noticed the dogs suffered more anxiety over our absence than the cats. Our dog used to be my shadow for days upon coming home, obviously stressed … our cat is glad to see us return but is back into her routine immediately. Yes, we all love our pets … but one must consider their affection as well. From: Ceci Lam — Jun 05, I totally agrees with your observations on the wealth of having dogs, and of the two primary difficulties. Saying goodbye to a companion of 10 or 12 years is heartbreaking, but the joy and adventure of a new dog is good medicine. Having an ex who uses my garage to restore his British sports cars in exchange for house and dog sitting is invaluable, as I write you from France. Every good home deserves a dog and every dog deserves a good home. I think having a good animal around the home is such a blessing. Aldous Huxley once advised an aspiring writer to get a cat—preferably two cats—to learn more about human psychology. Only once did anything bad happen with one of my cats and my paint, and that was all my fault: I did not realize I had a glob of wet dioxazine purple acrylic paint on my sleeve when I pet Dana until I saw it get transferred to her white flank. Fortunately for me, Dana was the sweetest, most trustworthy and gentle cat that ever lived she died three years ago and I miss her so —she let me hold her under a running faucet so that I could wash the paint off her fur. From: Sheila Minifie — Jun 06, What a wonderful outpouring of appreciation for our hairier companions from everyone. It just flowed out unobstructed, joyfully and quietly in one long digital river. Strolling into the studio in the morning with a cup of coffee and a furry friend at your feet makes the blank canvas much less daunting. Though cats are equally wonderful pets, I have found them to be less than adequate as studio companions. I love cats. I have never been without one or two or three. But they hamper my process. I had to start using a portable palette so when I see Phineas coming I can put the lid on. He likes to sit in the middle of my palette. Scamper always wanted to be right next to me no matter what I was doing…he would climb up the drawing table which was at an angle and then slide down, all the while trying to grab hold with his claws. He would then promptly fall asleep on my arm which was still across the table. It took all this for me to realize why my grandfather never allowed the cats in his studio when I was growing up. I have included a sketch of the cat my grandparents had when I was young. I put my paintbrushes down for 8 months and devoted every possible minute to her. She had never felt the warmth of a human touch before that, had no social skills, nor even knew how to play. She greets us warmly and faithfully every day upon our return, plays all the time and even has learned to place her own signature paw prints on several of my paintings. What joy she brings us! Give a stray or shelter animal your time and love. I have my friend Ferghus at my side most days in my sewing studio. He is also a Therapy Dog and we visit seniors. After losing our last dog at age 7 — I was not keen on another dog yet now we have Ferghus age 3,the joy us greater than the heartache. From: Ted F. If you are to focused and may not hear some one coming they let you know and when you need a break they are always ready to put their head on your lap for some petting and always ready to accompany you whenever you like. This past winter we were to learn that he had cancer, and sadly would not be with us for very long. I asked for one last sit, in the studio. I felt such a profound and deep closeness to him during what was to be his last painting sit with me. Her last days were spent accompanying me while I completed two paintings and started on the third, meant for a group exhibition. The show was cancelled and the third painting has remained unfinished. I guess, though she was almost completely blind and deaf, she could feel my excited vibes. I have three cats, used to have a dog who passed on. Becca stands next to me as I paint, purring, waiting to be petted, giving me the most beautiful green-eyed gaze. Bert—well, he chases Melie, thus livening things up. I always get slightly older, shelter cats. They are healers, angels, guardians of the soul, which is why cats seem to choose us. It makes me immensely sad when I hear cats slandered, or hear of them being discarded or abused. And there was plenty of fur around with the dog, too, huge drifts of it. From: sarastar — Jun 07, I have found that if I point the fan away from my art and keep my studio well swept that hair from any pet is a minimal issue. From: Kathleen Kuchar — Jun 07, I have a terrific studio dog, a standard poodle that I acquired when he was 8 years old his owner died. I quickly learned that he liked to eat my Arches watercolor paper. I wonder if it is the sizing he likes so much. Anybody have a clue what to do about this behavior. Other than that, I call Modie MR. I highly recommend an older dog that is already trained and one that has been rescued. I love my poodle. One day, one day soon. From: Susan Williamson — Jun 08, Last week my Cavalier King Charles spaniel Lily passed away after fifteen and a half years of devoted companionship. I say go for a dog, Janet, and I would recommend a Cavalier. Perfect for an artist. Give your head a smack lady. Get a dog or two!!! Izzit a walk? I think I like this pack! I am a pastel painter. Turns out full tails are not so helpful in the studio. The Workshop Calendar provides up-to-date selected workshops and seminars arranged in chronological order. Each match was with a forfeit up and seasons of schooling and conditioning of each dog. That day, I bought seven or eight dogs from a young man by the name of Danny Burton. At this time, I was trying to buy the dogs bred closest to the ones in Earl Tudors yard. Before this, Danny had spent a few years being friends with Earl Tudor. She was almost fawn color. I was using dogs from most every family of dogs bred in those times. And the ones I was winning the most with was the ones bred the closest to Earl Tudors purest family. It was the same with the others in the game at that time. Everyone in the game at that time, who was at the core of the game, was trying to get dogs bred as close to Earl Tudors yard and purest families as they could. At this time I was going to Earl Tudors shade tree two times a year. We would talk each time from sunup to sundown one day, then I would go home and think for weeks and weeks about what all he told me. A number of times, I had a tape recorder and taped hours and hours of he and I talking to each other. In those days. They all were trying to push him from the mountain he had proven in the game. Many times, when Earl and I talked, he would break down and cry and rub tears and talk about how the game never gave him his due. He told me more than one time about the many dogs that were bred off his yard, then the new owners would change their breeding and try and make A name in this game, they will come after you for themselves. He said, from all over the mountain trying to prove you wrong. I matched him into a painter friend from East Dallas; his name was Billy Purdue. Billy had become friends with an old timer in the Dallas area called, Frank Fitzwater. Billy and Frank had a red rednose family bred dog, bred by Frank. He had been schooled and worked since he was a small pup. He was bred from the purest families from Earl Tudors yard. Frank Fitzwater had been a friend of both Bill Lightner and Earl Tudor and over the years, became a breeder of their family of gamedogs. Frank and Earl had climbed into the pit with one another more than once. Frank had won over Earl and Earl had won over Frank. Frank Fitzwater was matching dogs a number of years before Earl Tudor matched his first dog. When we met at pitside, after going near a season without seeing one another, I could see Billy had lost weight and Frank was drinking some good whiskey. This was the way of the match till near 40 minutes. Both dogs had been off their feet but, only for one or two seconds at a time. Frank was a tall man of over 6 ft. He was slim and never a man to show any fat. Frank was known as a long dog walker. He learned his conditioning from Lou Bowser when he was near 20 yrs. His stories were very interesting and he would match a dog into anyone who would match a dog. Frank was known over the U. Billy and Frank were both ready to give up the Match as we got a handle. When the ref. His next match came one weekend when there was a big show in the area. There were a number of people who were coming from every area in the U. The pits were out in the open or under a grove of trees. Over the pit and seats were a light cover for shade. Most all of these big Texas shows had near 10 matches each show. The number one dogs and dogmen of that time were meeting each-other at every show. And in those days, winning was a big part of the game. Earl was making a number of the shows in those days but, most he missed as his health was a wreck and his nerves were near out of control. Earl, in his late years, became a man many found very hard to be around. He was like an animal that would go wild within two seconds. When he talked he went into his stories to tell you the different looks on the different peoples faces at the time of the stories. And when some stories reached a point, he would begin crying, taking his eye glasses off and wiping tears from his eyes. His stories I listened to for hours each visit. Many of the stories Earl told me were stories I had heard but, told to me in a different way. And, in a room like that at a show, there would be many stories told about the different areas and gamedogs and the people who play the game. It was as if most were trying to push Earl from his true area on the mountain. It was plan to see the way the game matched itself into Earl Tudor in many ways as he proved himself. We all prove ourselves over a matter of years, and years, and years of playing the game. And talking of Playing the game; at the time when one of the big Texas shows came off in this area, there were a number from California who had come to my shade tree for a visit. One was an Indian Chief called Indian Sonny. Another was a large land owner in California, his name Larry McCaw. Another was a good gamedog man called Freddy Jones. He was fast to try and get Freddy and I together for a match while the Indian was trying to get into my pedigree and Picture collection. In my dog yard in those days, there were no shade trees. The dogs and their houses were in an open area with the grass kept cut. Each dog house had a lean-to shade on one side of their house. Each dog had a water hole beside or under their house. At that time, a field investigator for the Humane Society called Jerry Owens was starting to make headlines and TV news about how he was investigating dog fighting in this Texas area. The next show that came off in the spring of , was a show where it rained all the day long and pit side was near people who watched the matches all day till the last match ended under the light of a lantern. When this show came off, Jerry Owens got into a line leaving the motel to get to the pit side, then left to go buy him and his friends some rain coats. The pit was set up on the father of the Asst. District Attorneys ranch. Jerry Owens made it to the phone and called a number of different laws but, could not get a hold of any who would make the bust. For the next few weeks, Jerry Owens wag on headlines and TV shows talking about the size of the pit and the washing and weighing of the dogs. The story was on the headlines of all the papers in the Texas area. About this time, the number one Texas Ranger in Texas came to the shade tree on the mountain, his name was Boss Hogg. His name was Jimmy Wimmberly. George Gilmen, who was at that time, a close friend who he and I had matched near 20 dogs together; he was backing me with money. One week later Jimmy called and asked if he could turn the dog over to another old friend called Roland Fontenot. It was near 2 weeks till match time. I told him to let Roland have him to work. The deal was made and the fourth day in front of the matches, I drove into Louisiana with a large truck and the pit sticking out the rear of the truck. There was three of us from this area that made the trip with the pit and bleacher seats and five dogs that was matched at the show. We set up camp at pit side beside a river in a grove of tall pine trees on a sandy road behind an old half vacant house that was lived in by a horse jockey. When I got the dog from Jimmy, I put him on a 70 lb. We talked on a few hours, as we ate duck and drank wine. We were all looking forward for-the matches; we all had our pockets full of money to bet on the ones we liked. The next day before the last feeding, we drove the truck and dogs to the motel where everyone was staying. We got a large room for all the dog people to meet, talk, drink and smoke in. The dog talk was stories from every area in the U. A while after sunset, in drove two station wagons with five people in each car. It was the dog men from the West Coast. It was as if he was putting on a show of his body as he stood and then licked Freddy in the face. Pit weight dog and had won one match at 48 lbs. Bull Plug had won an off the chain match at 52 lbs. This was a big money match, it was the match we had more money on than any of the matches. In this area, the talk about these two dogs was being bet on in many areas. Four weeks before the match,, the betting became even. The betting, at the weigh in and wash tubs, was being made one after another as the California people were calling all bets. Then he was fast back into the broken shoulder. He took a deep hold between the chest and shoulder and rooted in deep. He was also getting hotter and hotter. These two big dogs fought one another hard for near two hours; they scratched 10 or 15 times each. On his way home to Ft. This was in the fall of .This stone and tree can still be seen in Ft. Worth, Texas in Bull Plugs dog yard. The next match was males at 43 lbs. Maurice was using an outcrossed bred dog that was bred from some good bred dogs he had at one time. How about us matching for the gate money? He was young and had little time being schooled. The next match was a big money match with females at 27 pounds into a 29 pounder. We, the North Texas dog men, were matched into number of dog men from Tennessee. Billy was a top rated boxer in Pro Boxing. He conditioned and handled his 29 lb. Bush, from Alabama. That match was Picked up when the show was busted by the Mississippi law. John was a man with lots of money and a few were trying to get in with him. He lost his forfeit but, had two lbs. The next match was between the North Texas dog men match into Floyd Boudreaux and his cajun friends from Louisiana. The match was males at 33 lbs. When we made it home near two in the early morning, we went straight to bed. Then, up at seven in the morning to take the dogs out of their crates. Maurice was selling black Pups for a hundred dollars more than the other Pups he sold. A short time later, the Con of Bulldog Hill called the Indian. Then the Indian called me, then the Indian got out of the game for a few years. Many times when we play the game, we stray from the truth. Not just a few of us but, the very large percent of us do sometime stray from the truth. Then, in later years, the truth becomes proven and it has a way of making one a bit sick if they were one of the ones who strayed to far from that truth. Today, truth is being proven by many of each generation of our past. Kennedy is having a number of books and movies of the man he was. Frank S. The higher we climb the mountain, the more we prove ourselves. If one never does any climbing, they never get the chance to prove their true gameness. The truth of all of us will be proven as we climb the mountain in all games, no matter what game; a movie star, a dogfighter, a dog lover or a president. All games of life. The ones who climb the mountain are proven truth. We all, at a time, live in the pits of hell and high on the mountain as more will be proven true about that person. Mountain climbing and proving truth is a-way of life that comes after a climber has played in one game for a number of years and reached a peak in that game. How high anyone climbs in any game of life is up to the gameness within that climber.

Standard Poodles! Poodles are goofy, social, fun-loving, intelligent, highly-trainable, and desire human companionship. It is thought that the Poodle originated in Germany as far back as the Middle ages. Taking its name from the German word pudeln, which means "to splash in water". The Poodle was once exceptional at retrieving ducks from the marshes. The versatile Poodle is among the most intelligent and capable of breeds. It is easily trained and remains a popular family pet to this day. Our Poodles are all from Standard lines and are regal and calm, though they love to play. They bark to alert when someone arrives at the house, but are not barkers without purpose. Standard Poodles love to be near their family and are wonderful with other dogs and children. We produce solids, parti-factor or abstract, as well as Parti Standard Poodle Puppies! Our Parti Standard Poodle Puppies range from red and white, apricot and white, brown and white, black and white, and sable parti puppies. Our Poodle Dams and Sires are AKC Registered from excellent bloodlines and have obtained extensive health clearances prior to being bred. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. We do not currently offer miniature or toy puppies. Poodles can be black, red, white, apricot, brown, cream, Cafe Au Lait, silver beige, silver or blue, and may be a combination of these colors. Poodles carry the color patterns brindle, sable, ticking, abstract, tuxedo, parti, and phantom. They require brushing a few times a week, plus clipping and shaping every months. This longer clip though does require more frequent brushing at home to prevent matting of the Poodles curly coat. According to Slate Magazine, Poodles were originally used as foul hunting dogs. An unshorn Poodle's thick coat could weigh it down in the water. With the bottom half of its body shaved, the animal was more buoyant and could swim more freely. The long mane and hair around the chest were left intact to keep the poodle's vital organs warm in the cold water, and owners also kept the hair around the joints to protect them from cold and injury and to help prevent rheumatism. Shaving the hair around the face left the poodle's mouth and eyes free so it could fulfill its retrieving responsibilities, and tying the hair on a poodle's head into a "top knot" also kept hair out of its eyes. Owners eventually tied these knots with brightly colored ribbons to help them identify their dogs from afar. Daily walks are a must if you don't have a safely enclosed area for them to run freely. They love games and many are attracted to water and love to swim. As with any dog, socialization and training should start while the dog is still a puppy and continue throughout its life. Look for a puppy kindergarten class locally or join the AKC S. Puppy Program , training based on positive techniques. Find a class here. This is a great place to start socializing and training. A well-socialized, well-trained Poodle makes a wonderful family companion. Early socialization and training establishes those lifetime bonds between the family and puppy as these programs teach you how to communicate with your new puppy and get started on the right foot. Multi-color refers to any Poodle that is more than one color at the skin. Multi-Color Poodles are recognized by the Poodle Club of America as purebred Poodles; however, PCA decided long ago that multi-color was a disqualification in conformation. This means that while multis are recognized as Poodles, they cannot compete in AKC conformation. In Europe they actually have their own multi-color kennel club shows! Please do not be fooled by breeders trying to sell you dogs registered with these clubs. However, dogs registered or shown in the clubs above do not guarantee quality dogs or an ethical breeder. UKC, the venue we primarily show in, has their own kennel club for multi-color Poodles called the United Poodle Association. Our breed standard is primarily identical to the PCA breed standard, but our breed standard allows for not only multi-colors, but we are allowed to show in multiple breed cuts besides the traditional puppy cut and continental cut. The UPA is so far the only club to take a public stand against merles. Now, onto Poodle colors! Dogs posted either have verified testing results or are pedigree certified. Huge thanks to their owners and breeders! Click here to go to a color genetics page that covers all breeds, but taught me a lot and helped me apply the all-breed knowledge to Poodles specifically. Not every color rule posted in the above website applies to Poodles as we seem to break a lot of rules! As the creator of this website, I do not give any other breeder permission to use this content. I do not give permission to any other social media page or user to redistribute this content. It presents many different way in Poodles. Genetically, they can be either brown or black based; pheonotypically they can look silver based like Kovu and red based like the bottom dog in the above collage, or cream. A very typical expression of sable you will see is a dog with a solid cream body with brown and black tipped ears. Genetically, sable is "Ay" and is the dominant A locus gene. Since sable can present in so many ways, I always suggest color testing. Sable can also present in a "phantom" pattern like Kovu, but it is important to know that a dog cannot be both sable and phantom as they are both located on the A locus. Sables except for brown should have dark eyes, and dark inky black pigment on their eyes rims, nose, lips, and paw pads. Browns should have liver points, reds should have black points and dark eyes but can have liver points Apricots can have liver points with amber eyes but it is undesirable. Phantom is a recessive on the A locus. Phantom in Poodles is what other breeds call "tan points" such as the coloring on a Doberman. However, phantom Poodles can be many more colors than just black and tan! Some phantoms will hold their pattern, others will fade. In this collage we have two silver phantoms on the top, both actually related! Halo was thought to be a blue phantom when she was brought home, but as she has matured she has really silvered out. On the bottom we have an exciting new addition, a phantom parti! Phantom partis will only retain their phantom phenotype on their faces as the parti patern will generally block all other coloring out. While it isn't a true Poodle term, some will refer to phantom parti's as tri color. Next we have a brindle phantom and to round it out a brown and cream phantom. Phantoms should have dark eyes and dark inky black pigment on their eye rims, nose, lips, and paw pads. Reds should have dark points, but may have liver though it is undesirable. Apricots are preferred to have dark points and eyes, but they are allowed to have amber eyes and light points. Brown phantoms will only have liver points. Brown dogs, solid or multi, can only have brown points. Parti "Sp" S locus And now the one everyone knows, onto Partis!! You will also hear people talk about tuxedos, and that just refers to how the secondary color pattern presents, they are still parti Poodles. Partis should have dark colored eyes with dark inky black pigment on their eye rims, nose, lips, and paw pads. Partis will sometimes have what is called a white haw showing on their eyes, which is acceptable. They should have black or self colored nails. Brown partis should have liver points, red partis can have liver points but it is undesireable, apricot partis can have amber eyes and liver points, but that is not preferred. Seal "unknown" the genetic locus for this is unknown Seal is one of those patterns that very, very little is known about it. Most dogs who are seal test as dogs that shouldn't show any color patterns, so we aren't really sure which locus it comes from. What is thought about it currently is that it has a play on the K locus, the A locus, or a modifier that works on one or both. There are seal Poodles who have a brownish coat color but they will have dark eyes and dark inky black eye rims, nose, lips, and paw pads. Brown based seal Poodles will have brown points and self colored nails. A wild sable Poodle will have banded hair strands, meaning the hair goes from a dark color, to a light color, to dark again. The difference between a sable and an agouti comes down to the banded hairs, because even normal sables can retain their nose band. Black based sables should have dark eyes and dark inky black eye rims, lips, nose, and paw pads. Brown based should have liver points. Recessive Black "a" A locus Recessive black is the last a locus gene and is also a recessive, it is simply "a" on genetic tests. However, a dog born from two dogs that carry recessive black can be born solid black. The dog pictured here is a solid born from two multi colors who both carry recessive black. Blue is the recessive to Black. Since this dog was born from two multis with the recessive "a", he will be able to produce multis and will only pass on one copy of "a" unless bred to another dog who carries "a", if that's the case there will be both multis and solids like this boy in the litter. Genetics are fun! Brindle "kbr" K locus Brindle is a fun one, because it plays off the A locus patterns of sable and phantom! As I mentioned earlier, sable is Ay and phantom is at with brindle being kbr on genetic tests. Brindle is typically red stripes on a black base, but in Poodles you can also have silver brindles. There is a common misconception with abstract marked dogs that they came from or carry parti sp. This has been proven false through genetic testing and litters from other breeders. There isn't much known about what exactly causes abstract markings, because those white spots aren't necessarily due to carrying parti in parti carriers. This is a screenshot of Kovu's color testing results from Paw Print Genetics, I want to explain some things that aren't seen in pictures of the dogs themselves. To break down his results, we will start with the D locus. Blue and silver do not play off the D Locus nor do they have anything to do with it. The K locus is what determines what you see on the A locus. Ky is what allows the A locus to express itself. Next we go to B locus which is black and brown. So to tie it together, if he were KB, he would be a solid black dog! He is not any of those and he cannot produce them. S locus is parti, he is not parti and he cannot produce it. I hope seeing this will help color genetics make some sense now! It's a very complicated subject but one that is very fun to learn about! You are visitor number: All photos are property of Alue Standard Poodles and are not to be used without written permission. Phantom, Tri color, Brindle and Sable Poodles What are brindle, phantom, sable and tri colored standard poodles? Brindle standard poodles have two colors that form a striped pattern. They come in a variety of colors including silver, blue, grey, black, and brown. The brindle pattern may cover the whole body or be on the colored part of the dog not the white areas. It is possible to have a tuxedo or spotted parti poodle with a brindle pattern. Phantom poodles have markings often compared to those of a doberman pincher. There are several other breeds that have this color pattern. While phantom-patterned dogs have 2 coat colors, the markings of a phantom poodle are in a specific pattern, unlike a parti colored dog. Phantom poodles have lighter markings on their legs, across the cheeks on the face, across the chest, on the eyebrows, and below the tail. A true phantom will hold these marking throughout its lifetime. Phantom colors can be found in these combinations: Black phantoms: black and apricot, black and red, black and cream, black and brown, or black and silver Brown phantoms: brown and apricot or brown and creme Red phantoms: red and apricot or red and creme Silver or blue phantoms: silver and creme or blue and creme. On a silver, the markings may become almost indistinguishable as the color changes it is common for silver poodles to fade in color over time. Sable poodles are usually born black or brown and clear a kind of lightening with age. Sable dogs will mature to a lighter dog with black tips. When a poodle is groomed you often may see dark markings only on the longer hair such as the tips of the ears. A puppy that is born a dark brown or black that is also a sable may lighten to a creme with just dark tips. Tricolored poodles are genetically two color patterns. They are a parti colored poodle with phantom markings. The legs may be white as is often seen on a parti dog. The only phantom marking that occur may be seen on the face and eyebrows. You may see poodles with multiple patterns such as a brindle parti or brindle tuxedo. There are also brindle and phantom poodles, sable and phantom, and sable and brindle combinations all with or without parti markings. Dogs may have a black or dark mask on the face which is considered rare. The markings of a multi-colored dog may also change over time, which can be interesting to see. Watch Willow, a tuxedo brindle puppy, change colors. Phantom standard poodles We have phantom, brindle, sable and tri colored standard poodle puppies for sale, make sure to check back often to see available puppies. Our waiting list fills up quickly, fill out an application and get the process started. Our first priority, in the process of selecting our standard poodles, is health and temperament. Because of research and selection, we are able to combine these two conformation types to produce a superb, well-rounded Standard Poodle puppy who can be your newest family member. The Poodle Club of America is, of course, made up of humans that are pretty special, amazing and dedicated people. They write the standards for the breed, and the standard has to some extent changed the original look and purpose of the Standard Poodle. Our primary goal is to enrich the very small gene bank of the Standard Poodle pedigrees, which is and will continue to be the best weapon against genetic disorders. The preceding statements may raise some eyebrows and ruffle some feathers. It might even become a topic on Poodle Forum, but we stand firm in our belief and respect those who disagree. Again, because of our selective breeding, we can produce every color available in the breed of Standard Poodles. We have white standard poodles, cream standard poodles, apricot standard poodles, and red standard poodles. We offer the striking colors of jet black standard poodles, blue standard poodles, grey standard poodles, and silver standard poodles. In , after lots of research and prayer, we added the ability to produce the very controversial colors of phantom standard poodles and parti standard poodles. We also have brindle standard poodles and sable standard poodles. We are concentrating on the diversity of these colors by crossing our solid color Gentlemen with our parti and phantom Ladies. In the selection of our color variety of Standard Poodle Ladies we are striving to improve on the health and conformation. These colors are allowed to be registered with the AKC but not allowed in the conformation show ring. Our hope someday is that the non-solid variety of a Standard Poodle will be accepted in the show ring as a color variety just as the Cocker Spaniels and other breeds of color. However, a self-portrait of Rembrandt shows him with his parti colored standard poodle, in ! To see early history pictures and read more about the origin of these poodles of color, please click here. Below are slideshows of our Canine Ladies and along with links to their Pedigrees and any Health Testing. I have worked very close with my mom now for many years. I try very hard to be the manager, but my mom, who is supposed to be retiring in , sometimes has a hard time letting go. My mom and my sister Holley, helped me design and write the website in the beginning. I did all the technical work on the website as well as the routine updates. I was finally able to pass that on to my Aunt Beth when she came on board. I designed and created all of our forms and records we use in our daily work and routines, i. One of the most fascinating things I do is the research on color genetics and then studying the pedigrees for low co-efficiency. I give advice where needed as a nurse and mid-wife. I also spend a great deal of time with our Standard Poodle puppies. I thoroughly enjoy the responsibility of examining and performing our socializing protocol with our Standard Poodle puppies. In addition to taking care of our puppies at a young age, I work with the ones we keep and the ones we buy for our breeding program; on leash training, crate training, basic commands and socialization. I can often be found in the pictures and videos as well. During these times I receive a lot of puppy kisses and I get to smell the sweet scent of puppy breath. I am very involved and busy in the public relations department. I take very serious the responsibility of placing our puppies into the right forever home. This is exceptionally important to all of us and I assure you we all take it very seriously! I also manage our relationships with other reputable Standard Poodle breeders. I appreciate all your phone calls and emails, so daily, many hours are spent fielding your questions about Standard Poodles. All Standard Poodles possess specific qualities, but with varying degrees of these qualities. I make it my mission to get to know each potential new puppy owner and introduce them to puppies who match their lifestyle and personality. Darlene and April and the other ladies here, also meet and greet our families and help in the role of placing puppies in their forever home as well. Her wisdom and talent have proven to be outstanding in the design of our breeding facility and the structure of the entire breeding program. The knowledge she has passed on to me is invaluable. It makes me so conscious of the importance of superior maintenance and routine repair of the grounds. Mom still helps me answer health questions or training issues that her years of experience better qualify her to answer. I am still learning and am sure I will for many more years to come. Most of the website photography, up until was done by my mom with all of us behind the scenes making all kinds of weird noises to get the canine Ladies and Gentlemen as well as puppies to look at the camera and smile. She still is editing and preparing the photos for the website which she enjoys very much. She also did our co-efficiency work-ups and kept our pedigrees up to date with our canine Lady and Gentlemen information. In addition to all of this, Holley handled our litter registrations and all of our AKC paperwork. She was in charge of getting our contracts and guarantees to you. She also helped me reply to emails and phone calls from you about our standard poodle babies. Late in Holley weaned herself from working full time with our Standard Poodles because she was offered a wonderful opportunity to go back to her first love of training and showing American Saddlebreds. She works with an amazing woman who has shown and trained Saddlebreds for years. My mom is very thankful to Mary Ann for giving Holley the chance to do what she loves best and is such a great mentor and friend to Holley. Holley helps train and works the horses and has a great riding lesson program for children. Now I have been able to relinquish those responsibilities to April and my Aunt Beth. Blake is now a wonderful stay at home dad to our son born July 28, .She started out doing the daily poop scooping, cleaning, feeding and watering. She gave vaccines and medications. The list was endless. No one can deal with all of us with a smile every day. Her winning smile and her bubbly personality adds to the comradery among our team. Darlene now helps me manage the kennel and is the official full time groomer of all our Family Affair Standard Poodles. Our Standard Poodle puppies get their first face and tail haircut, ear cleaning and nail cutting from Darlene. Each of our adult Standard Poodles get groomed every 8 to 10 weeks, so the grooming is a never-ending cycle. Then moms and puppies are let out into their yards and exercise runs to potty and play all day. We are so blessed to have Darlene. She is pictured below with her beloved Raven. Although her first canine love is her Miniature Dachshunds, she is as dedicated to our Standard Poodle Ladies and Gentlemen and our Standard Poodle puppies as we are. Darlene is loved and appreciated by all of us, and enjoys spending time with us even on her days off. I think we can make it happen! She was very responsible and dedicated at that young age. When she wanted to join our team again at the age of 25, we were very pleased. She came back to us on a part time basis in early .She was reliable and observant when examining and observing puppies and adults. We quickly realized she was also a great asset in the office and computer department as well. In just a few months, she started full time and then took over a lot of the task Darlene had been responsible for over the years. Erica begins her day with a quick hands-on inspection of all the babies. She gives medication, routine wormers and vaccines. Erica weighs and individually identifies each puppy with different colors of fingernail polish the day they are born. For three weeks all our Standard Poodle puppies are weighed every day. All of that attention to babies must have affected her, because in early , Erica gave birth to a beautiful baby girl that looks like a china doll. Her name is Kaelyn. We are looking forward to working with Erica for many years to come and watching Kaelyn grow up.