black german shepherd puppies long haired

The lighting is not great, but it will give you an idea of their progress. The end of the video showing the puppies walking was taken today. The pups are just opening their eyes. They bobble their heads around to get a glimpse of their environment. They are also beginning to balance on their legs and usually topple over while making a shaky attempt to get to mom. Mom is doing great. We can't get over how much she eats! She is showing interest in her human family again and enjoys a break from the litter. A nudge for a scratch is her way of reminding me that she is my dog and that she needs equal time too. A few fronts for treats makes her very happy. She shows that gleam in her eyes that tells me she could go forever, but I don't want her to forget that her priority is being a mom. One was observed scratching with his back leg. German Shepherd puppy photo - 6 days old Perspective As of today the males are all the same weight at 36 ounces. The females naturally have a lower weight. There is a difference of 2 ounces between the two at 30 and 32 ounces. They are all on track. Here is a bit of perspective. This male was 28 ounces when the photo was taken of him lying next to him dam's foot. The boys are like the three pigs. All three boys are 28oz now. The third born pup, a female is 20oz and the 5th born female is 24oz. Both females are equally active. Always rooting, nursing, chatting and on the go. The boys can always be found dining at their usual spot. Unlike their little sisters who find a spot under their mom's leg or arm. They prefer it be a little warmer since they have less meat on their bones. We started the Bio-Sensor program on the pups today. The US Military developed a program to improve the performance of their canine units. It was discovered that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. These exercises kick the neurological system in to gear at an earlier than normal age. The early stimulation results in a dog with superior abilities to perform compared to their counterparts that did not under go the Bio-Sensor excercises. We are doing all that we can to give these pups the brightest future. Perfect size for a first litter. The first two boys were the largest at 20 oz. Gjeter is an excellent mom, tending to every need. All the pups are healthy, strong and vigorous. Mom knew exactly what to do as each pup was whelped. We assisted her with the first pup by opening the sac right away. We were a little anxious since she was in stage 2 labor for 12 hours. Talk about an event that will weigh on your nerves! Gjeter is doing very well. She is surprisingly lean again. It's nice to see that all the extra food went to the pups. Glenn made a great design and this one is built to last. It should be easy to clean with the white walls and removable rails. Gjeter is nesting in it here and there, but she still prefers to sleep in her crate. She is getting quite tired now. She enjoys getting extra z's throughout the day. She is still enjoying her daily walks though. It's been a bit of a balancing act when it comes to food. She's the type of dog that will make you think she is starving even when she is stuffed. Signs of pups on the way should be any day now. Not only can the pups be felt, but their movement can also be seen while watching her belly. They are very active which is not surprising. Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. 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. Get Peace of Mind Today 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. Height: 26 inches Ratio: .This should give you their height. For example, 26 inches times 0. Using the other example, .Since each dog is going to be different, you need to look at their overall body condition rather than a weight range. Fortunately, there are body conditioning charts that you can use to figure out if your German Shepherd is at their ideal weight. Just look at them from the side and from above, feeling for ribs and pelvic bones when necessary. Younger dogs will also typically be on the thin side before they fully fill out as adults. Years of line breeding has produced several distinct types of Shepherds. Show dogs are known for a sloped back in which the back legs are shorter than the front. This unnatural formation can cause back and hip problems along with an abnormal gait. German Shepherds bred for show will also be thinner than their hardworking cousins. As you can see in this picture, this is a show-bred German Shepherd with an obvious curved back and short back legs. Working dogs, on the other hand, are bred for a sturdy, straight back so they can work long hours without getting sore. They tend to be thicker than show dogs and will, therefore, weigh more, even at the same height. As you can see in this picture, this dog has a straighter back and longer back legs, so it has been bred for working. Something else I wanted to mention here is that, according to some sources, Black German Shepherds are larger than their bi-colored cousins, despite being otherwise the same. So, if you have one of these rare and beautiful creatures, you can follow the same charts that were listed above. If your German Shepherd is diagnosed by a veterinarian as underweight or overweight for their age, then the first thing you should do is ask him or her to help you figure out the underlying cause of the problem. This will determine what should be done next. Do you have a giant German Shepherd? What about a tiny one? Comment below to tell us more about it! About Alexandra Animalso I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. American German shepherds have straighter backs then German shepherds. If you have a german shepherd and their lineages are close to their German roots they will have that arch in their back. Frequently Asked Questions German Shepherds German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular breeds and are my absolute favorite breed. That's why I've had five in total, three boys and two girls. From their loyal and obedient personalities to their beautiful coats and markings, they bring joy to many homes, including mine. With impressive intelligence, these puppies are easy to train and make excellent companion animals. The German shepherd is a large breed, usually weighing between pounds for males and up to 75 pounds for females. Their coats require minimal grooming but will benefit from occasional brushing. German shepherds are very active dogs who love to run around; they need plenty of exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy. They also enjoy activities such as agility training or nose work games where they can use their smarts! Factors Influencing Weight But what about their size? German shepherds can vary in size based on gender, age, nutrition, and because of their breeding. For example, a German working line shepherd is much more energetic than the more laid-back American show line dog. A puppy from working lines may weigh less than the average on the charts. Be sure to consider factors such as gender and environment when monitoring your pup's development. A good rule of thumb is that by eight weeks of age, a German Shepherd puppy should weigh between pounds, depending on the genetic factors mentioned above. By six months, most male puppies will weigh between 49lbs — 57lbs with an average weight of 53lbs, and a female will weigh between 44lbs — 49lbs with an average weight of 46lbs. For this reason, when consulting a weight chart for a German shepherd puppy, it's essential to understand the breed, lineage, and pedigree of the dog, as well as the sex of the dog. Our puppy weight charts are specific to German Shepherd Dogs and consider all these factors. It's an excellent tool for monitoring your pup's growth and health. These charts show the average expected weight range for male and female German shepherds at different ages, from puppies to adults. Knowing the expected range can help ensure your pup grows normally and stays within healthy boundaries. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. Our chart differs from others in that you can track your puppy's weight based on his actual weight at a point in time. Many other weight charts are either for non-specific breeds, or if they are specific to a German Shepherd, they only give you the averages and a range. While this is all useful and included in our charts, what is missing from many others is what weight your puppy will likely be based on his actual weight now. Most people bring their new puppy home at 8 weeks old 2 months. The range for a female German Shepherd puppy at that age is between lbs. As you already know your puppy's weight, you can estimate how much they are likely to weigh when older using our chart. For example, if your puppy weighs 14 lbs at 8 weeks old. To estimate how much they are likely to weigh at 6 months old, you would find that weight on the chart and follow it down to the 6-month-old row and see that she would most likely weigh 46lbs by the time she is 6 months old and 68lbs when fully grown. Of course, these are just estimates, and all puppies grow at different speeds, as will yours. Another way this chart is helpful is if, using the same example, your puppy weighs 14 lbs at 8 weeks old and then jumps to 49 lbs at 6 months old, instead of the predicted 46 lbs. In that situation, you would follow that new column down and see that she is now closer to weighing 70 lbs when fully grown. They are heavier-boned, more muscular, and have deeper chests. If you know what you're looking for, you can distinguish a male from a female German shepherd by looking at their heads, as a male is larger and have a more masculine look. Using the German Shepherd Puppy Weight Charts To use this chart, find your pup's current weight along the top and go down the left side of the chart to find his age. If he is in range, you can follow that column down to see what he will likely weigh at each age milestone. For example, if your male German Shepherd puppy weighs 18 lbs at 8 weeks old, then you would find the nearest weight at that age on the chart. In this case, it's .In this instance, he would weigh approximately .Under no circumstances should you try to adjust your dog's diet or exercise to fit in with the chart; it is merely a guide. German Shepherd Weight Chart for Female Puppies Female German shepherds, on the whole, have a much narrower head and nose and have an overall feminine look, especially around the eyes. If you know what you're looking for, you can guess whether they are male or female by looking at their face. Having said that, my girl, Ava, was very tall for a female and was often mistaken for a boy, even when she was wearing her pink collar and leash! But I still think her face was much more feminine than her brother Hudson's. This breed of dog has unique growth development. During the first three months of their life, a German Shepherd's body goes through a significant growth spurt. Typically, they can double their birth weight in the first week! At 12 weeks, you can expect your pup to weigh about pounds for a male and pounds for a female. This growth spurt will continue through five months old; by the time they're six months, you'll likely have a large, goofy puppy on your hands. After that initial growth period is over, you'll find that your German shepherd will gain weight slowly from then on out until it reaches its full adult size at around two or three years old. On average, female German Shepherds reach an adult weight of pounds, while males reach pounds. German Shepherd Puppy Height Chart German shepherds come in a range of sizes, some taller than others. It can be helpful to know the different heights of German shepherds to ensure that the one you choose fits your lifestyle and needs. When looking at a German shepherd height chart, it's essential to remember that males tend to be larger than females. Depending on where they were bred, most standard-sized male adults will stand between inches, while female adult German shepherds typically reach inches in height from paw to shoulder. Below is our height chart for German shepherd puppies you can use to estimate your puppy's height at each age milestone based on his starting or current height. It also includes the average percentage of adult height reached each age milestone. If your puppy's weight is outside the guidelines, it may be less of an issue than you think. Puppy weights can vary greatly depending on breed, genetics, and other factors included on this page. While ensuring your puppy receives proper nutrition and exercise is essential, several factors can influence their weight. One way to determine your puppy's adult weight is to check with your breeder. They can make an educated guess as to what your furry friend will weigh once they reach adulthood. A reputable breeder should have a good understanding of their dog's genetics and be able to provide insight into the typical size range of their litter. This information can give you a rough estimate of what weight you can expect for your German shepherd as they grow older. Another factor to consider when determining the adult weight of your pup is their parents' size, and again the breeder can give you much more information on this. You can also speak with your veterinarian about your puppy's overall health and development, and they may be able to provide some insight into their expected adult size. It's important to avoid becoming too fixated on your puppy's weight if they fall outside the standard guidelines. Don't worry if your puppy is a little bigger or smaller than listed here, and if you still want to determine their adult weight, you can also use the puppy weight chart for a large or giant breed dog here. Conclusion In conclusion,German Shepherds are a fantastic breed of dogs, and understanding their growth and development is essential for pet owners. Knowing the average weight and height of male and female German Shepherds can help you be better prepared for your new pup's growth. With the proper diet, exercise, and vet care, your German shepherd will be healthy and happy throughout their life. Keep in mind that these charts are only a general guide — every pup is different! A 3-month-old German Shepherd should weigh between 17 lbs - 26 lbs for a female, with an average weight of .For males, it'll be between 22 lbs and 30 lbs, with an average of 26 lbs. How much does a 5 month old German Shepherd puppy weigh? A 5-month-old puppy will weigh between 40 lbs - 49 lbs for a male with an average weight of .A female GSD puppy will weigh between 35 lbs - 44 lbs with an average of .When will my German shepherd puppy stop growing? Most German shepherd puppies continue growing until they are two or three years old. You might like these. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. What is a healthy weight for your dog? Your tiny, cute German Shepherd puppy will likely grow into a medium-sized or large dog. Females will probably weigh in on the medium side, while males can get pretty big. GSD puppies experience a phenomenal rate of growth, especially before six months, so be ready. Just remember that dogs as big as male German Shepherds are at risk for joint problems because they grow so quickly, and overfeeding them can exacerbate those problems as they get older. Factors Effecting German Shepherd Size German Shepherd size is dependent on age, but there are many other factors too. Female Shepherds are smaller and lighter than males. How your dog is fed and exercised will play a part. In this article we will look at the height and weight of GSDs at different stages of their development. And at what you might expect your cute German Shepherd puppy to measure and weigh when they are a full grown German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherds are the third most popular dog in the USA right now, having been recently nudged down a place by the French Bulldog. The breed belongs to the Pastoral group of dogs traditionally used as herding dogs. Some shepherd breeds were also used to guard livestock. German Shepherd Dog size is linked to this important role. The German Shepherd temperament is also tied in with this purpose and has made them uniquely suited to work as a service dog. With the right training, German Shepherd dogs also make excellent family pets. Working German Shepherd Size Because of their dual purpose as both herding and guard dogs, they are one of the larger shepherd dog breeds. He also turned to refining them into good police and guard dogs, creating a very versatile breed still in demand as herding became less common. German dog breeds became unpopular during the second world war and lovers of the breed began referring to them as the Alsatian dog, to protect their dogs from anti-German sentiment. They are easily trained, so they make good show and work dogs. Specifically with weight and growth rate. Being overweight can be harmful to German Shepherd health, just as it can to other breeds. Black German Shepherd puppies weigh the same as pups of other colors Weight issues in adult dogs is not the only area of concern, GSDs are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which has been linked in some cases to overly rapid growth in puppies. They also suffer fromosteochondritis dissecans, disorders of the pancreas, panosteitis causing lameness, eye and ear issues, and allergies. And are vulnerable to bloat. In addition, some GSDs have deeply sloping backs and angulation in the legs that may be causing health issues. German Shepherd Puppy Size An average weight of German Shepherd puppies, according to a giant census study of dogs in Italy, is about grams or 1. A baby German Shepherd can range from 0. By about a week of age, they will weigh 1. This is one of the reasons why large breed-specific dog foods exist: to control the growth of these dogs in a way that will maximize their health and minimize joint problems. But up to 3 or 4lbs either side of that is normal. At this age most puppies are settled in with their new families and are on three meals a day. At this age pups can look quite gawky and skinny. Growth rate starts to really slow down now and many dogs will look a lot less puppyish than they did a month ago 9 month old German Shepherd puppy By nine months, your Shepherd will weigh between .At that point, the dog is about 90 percent of his or her adult weight. But in the coming months your pup will fill out, look less gawky, and may carry on gaining weight for another months. Bear in mind that this should be muscle gain, not fat, so keep an eye on that waistline! German Shepherd puppies generally stop growing significantly in height by nine months for males, eight months for females. Males may get an extra inch by 15 months and females slightly less than that by months. They reach their adult weight at 36 months. GSDs, like many larger breeds, are considered fully grown by about 18 months, when they have reached 98 percent of their growth. A golden shepherd golden retriever shepherd mix may be very similar but a shepherd mix dog where one parent is much smaller, will not. The answer is no, not really, though it is possible to harm your dog by overfeeding either as a puppy or an adult. German Shepherd dogs will no longer grow in height after 36 months of age, or three years. Dog individuals vary, just like human individuals do. You can ask your vet for a weigh in and a check up to discuss any concerns Average German Shepherd Height On average, male German shepherds reach a larger size when adult than females. So your girl German Shepherd is likely to be a little smaller than her brothers when she is full grown. The German Shepherd breed standard specifies that a good height for adult male German Shepherds is inches at the withers. For females, a size of inches at the withers is about right. How tall is a German Shepherd — length vs height These dogs are longer than they are tall. Fully grown male German Shepherd size is usually between inches tall and lbs. And adult female German Shepherd size is typically within inches tall and lb. However, you can expect your male GSD to weight about 80 lbs by 18 months of age, and 84 lbs by 36 months of age. Female German Shepherd weight is going to be less than male, the average weight at 18 months of age is about 62 lbs. But a good weight for females can like anywhere from lbs, and a good weight for males will be anywhere from lbs, depending on individual factors. Shepherds are often not as greedy as some other popular dog breeds, but obesity can still be a problem in this breed. Remember that exercise or lack of it is rarely at the heart of excessive weight issues in dogs. The problem is almost always too much food. Red German Shepherd Some slight weight loss may occur naturally in an old german shepherd. Older dogs may lose their sense of taste or smell and have less of an appetite than they did when young. However, there are certain breeds that are easier to train than others. Thankfully, German Shepherds fit into that category because they are very intelligent and quick learners. This includes house training , crate training , basic obedience commands as well as learning tricks. We recommend attending a puppy kindergarten class as part of your German Shepherd puppy socialization strategy. Once your pup knows their basic obedience commands, you can enroll them in Schutzhund training aka IPO. Partnership and teamwork between yourself and your dog are the basis for this type of training. Note that the Schutzhund environment is not a place for dogs with aggression issues, neither towards other dogs nor people! If they pass that initial level which includes a temperament test, they can move on to IPO 2 minimum age 19 months and IPO 3 minimum age 20 months. That said, protection dog trainers recommend starting training classes that include bitework and high jumps once your German Shepherd puppy is 12 months old. Dutch and Czech are two other languages that commands are frequently taught in. Stanley, my former long-haired GSD dog walking client, started going to Schutzhund training when he was a little over 12 months old. His owners practiced commands in German with him on a daily basis, and I remember getting a print out of his German commands as they asked me to use them on our walks as well. Lots, ha! German Shepherds need a minimum of 2 hours of physical exercise per day, but generally speaking, the more exercise you can provide your GSD with, the more they will thrive. Remember, German Shepherds are high-energy, athletic dogs bred to be active all day long, especially if they come from a working line! Physical Exercise Ideas for German Shepherds As far as physical exercise, this can be a mix of walks, runs, bike rides, fetch and playtime. This is Nala, one of my former pet sitting clients. She was crazy about frisbees and balls. One of my favorite ways of increasing the energy and calories a dog burns on a regular walk or hike is by using a doggie backpack. Mental Stimulation for German Shepherds Besides providing a good physical workout, dog backpacks also burn mental energy. As you probably know, bored dogs can quickly become destructive as they figure out ways of entertaining themselves. For example, chewing up your furniture and shoes, scratching doors, raiding your kitchen trash can or digging up your flower beds. So do yourself a favor and make sure your GSD gets plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog, and that applies to German Shepherds as much as it does to any other dog breed! Former GSD client Remi pooped after a long walk. Bottom Line So, how big does a German Shepherd get? Well, German Shepherds are medium to large size dogs, so they can weigh anywhere between lbs. That said, the average expected weight for a male GSD is between lbs, and the average expected weight for a female GSD is between lbs. Both reach sexual maturity somewhere between months and are considered fully grown at about the 2 year mark. Keeping that in mind, your GSD breeder should be able to give you a good general idea of how big your German Shepherd puppy will grow to be! Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Barbara is a trilingual, something dog lover, e-book author, founder, copywriter, dog nutrition blogger and editor at K9sOverCoffee. Post navigation. When your German Shepherd is the ideal weight, you can feel their ribs, although they are not easily seen, and they are not covered in a layer of fat. There should be a defined waistline when your dog is viewed from above and a noticeable tummy tuck when they are viewed from the side. Underweight German Shepherds While German Shepherds are growing, they will be thinner and look gangly until they fill out in adulthood. It is sometimes recommended to keep your growing German Shepherd marginally underweight but not unhealthily thin while their joints grow and strengthen. Purina defines two levels of underweight: thin and slightly underweight. Thin: Ribs, hips, and spine are easily felt, and there is no fat covering the sides and back. There is noticeable muscle loss around shoulders and thighs, an overly pronounced waistline from the top view, and an overly pronounced tummy tuck from the side view. Slightly underweight: Ribs can be easily felt, hips and spine may be slightly visible if your German Shepherd has shorter hair, but there is no fat covering. There is an obvious waistline from above and a marked tummy tuck from the side. If your German Shepherd is underweight or thin, speak to your veterinarian. It could be that they are just growing quickly, often becoming lightly underweight after a growth spurt and then putting weight on until the next growth spurt. You may just need to change their food or feed them larger and more frequent meals. However, their low weight may indicate parasites or another underlying medical condition. Elderly German Shepherds can struggle with being underweight. This is why senior dog foods typically have a higher calorie count. Overweight German Shepherds It is important to prevent your German Shepherd from becoming overweight while they are growing. Extra weight on developing joints and muscles can cause problems. German Shepherds can also suffer from hip dysplasia, which is worsened by excess weight. Other excessive weight-related conditions include diabetes, pancreatitis, heart problems, respiratory problems, kidney disease, and arthritis. Related: German Shepherd Joint Problems: All You Need to Know Your German Shepherd is not likely to become overweight in the first 9 months of their lives because their growth rate easily matches their calorie intake. When your German Shepherd reaches 9 months, growth slows down significantly, and you may need to adjust their food quantities to account for this sudden reduction in calorie requirements. A helpful tip is to switch to low-calorie treats during this stage, especially considering training needs to intensify, and people often use treats for positive reinforcement incentives. And instead of switching to a calorie-restricted food or reducing the amount you feed your German Shepherd, speak to a veterinarian about switching from puppy food to adult food. Purina defines four levels of overweight: slightly overweight, markedly overweight, obese, and clinically obese. Slightly overweight: Ribs can be felt slightly, but there is an obvious layer of fat covering the ribcage and back. There is a slight waistline when viewed from the top, but it is not clear. There is a slight tummy tuck towards the hind legs when viewed from the side. Markedly overweight: Ribs are not easily felt, and there is an obvious layer of fat over the ribcage. There are fatty pads along the lower back and at the base of the tail, making the waistline absent when viewed from above. Obese: Ribs are difficult to feel because of the fatty layer covering them. There are significant fatty pads along the lower back and at the base of the tail, making the waistline absent when viewed from above. And the tummy bulges outward and sags slightly when viewed from the side. Clinically obese: Ribs cannot be felt under the fatty layer. There are significant fatty pads around the neck and legs, along the lower back, and at the base of the tail. The waistline is absent when viewed from above. The tummy significantly bulges and sags when viewed from the side. Miniature German Shepherds are much smaller and have completely different development requirements and problems. Final Thoughts The weight and growth charts provided in this article are designed to provide guidelines for the developmental milestones your puppy should be reaching in the first years of its life. Male German Shepherds are bigger and heavier than females, and from weeks old, these differences become apparent. Although males and females have different weight and height targets at each stage, they should hit the same percentages of their adult weight at the same age. If your puppy is slightly above or below the average weight or height at a given age, it does not mean that there is a problem. However, if your German Shepherd puppy starts to fall more and more behind, or if they miss other developmental milestones other than weight and height, it may indicate an underlying medical condition, and you will need to take your dog to see a veterinarian. Deficiencies in weight can compromise growth and the general condition of your German Shepherd, and excess weight can cause joint injury and other serious medical conditions. Keep all of these things in mind and be observant of your growing pup and how you approach feeding and training in accordance. By doing this, you will ensure that you have a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted German Shepherd for many years to come!

Emailing and asking for more info is only going to hold up your process and risk your chances of the dog you want being gone. We do not ship dogs, we do not transport dogs, we do not hold dogs. You must be ready to adopt within 72 hours upon approval. Hi all! Thanks for stopping by to check me out!! My name is Miss Rohan, I am a 4 yr old 70 lb cuddle bug!! I ended up in rescue when it was determined that I would be best suited in a home with no other animals. But quite honestly, who needs other animals to play with when you humans will do just fine?! Although I am considered a young adult, I have lots of puppy energy to expend so an active owner s is a must. Car rides?? LOVE them, as they typically end up supplying me with new and exciting adventures. There are some things I must brag about. First of all, I am totally potty trained which seems to be really important to you folks. Also, I am crate trained as well. Which means when you leave your house, you don't have to fret about me getting into anything while you're gone. Now for what makes me really really special.I am hearing impaired and because I am so smart, I have already mastered my hand signals intelligent AND gorgeous!! My ideal home would be one that will continue to supply me with ample playtime, lots and lots of hugs, and has patience while learning how we communicate with each other. The folks here at the rescue are insisting on a fenced in yard for me and if you have kids, they need to be older like teenager age. I am a strong gal, so walking me on a leash can prove challenging unless the correct harness is utilized foster mom can fill you in on that detail. I get so excited to see what's ahead of me that I have a tendency to move faster than the human at the other end of my leash!! I have tons of love and happiness to add to the right home.If so, fill out that adoption application and my people will be in touch with you!! Puppy Breeds The American Bulldog has a very sturdy and muscular build, weighing anywhere from 60 to pounds at a height of 20 to 28 inches. This breed has a large head with strong jaws with ears that may be cropped, semi-prick, rose or drop. The coat is short and soft coming in any variation of colors. Temperament Though larger than the English Bulldog, the temperament of the American Bulldog is very similar. A gentle, affectionate dog that loves children and can be considered a big lap dog, the American Bulldog is alert, confident and loyal to its people. A breed with strong protective instincts, Bulldogs are known for their acts of heroism towards their owners and can sometimes be reserved with strangers. American Bulldogs require plenty of regular exercise to prevent boredom and encourage it to be a well-trained dog during the day. Care The short, fine coat of the American Bulldog requires minimal grooming and care, however, similarly to the English Bulldog, the American Bulldog has been known to drool and slobber. Name Required.

Scroll Welcome to the home of Gaetacreek French Bulldogs! That is approx. We would like to welcome you to visit us and our little clowns, as they are otherwise known, the French Bulldog. These funny little wonderful dogs are soon to melt your heart as soon as you meet one. If you have never had the opportunity to own a Frenchie you will be in for quite a ride! We are here to help you and teach you everything we know and have experienced about these very special dogs. Please visit our about us page to get to know us a little better. It is our goal to raise beautiful, happy, healthy French Bulldogs. We breed to the French Bulldog Breed Standard. The health and temperament come first and foremost in our breeding program. Our goal is to produce a French Bulldog that can participate in AKC conformation while at the same time become a certified therapy dog and also be a member of the family. Our dogs become certified therapy dogs through Love on a Leash. We are committed to the breed and our puppy parents. Our website is a place to not just connect to new families but also a place to reflect on the beautiful family we have created. Please enjoy looking around! We have answers. What are French Bulldogs like? Looking for a pup that will make everyone say "aww"? Then a Frenchie is the dog for you! French Bulldogs are one of the most popular breeds around for their lovable appearance. With their big eyes, flat face, and large head, they sure are hard to resist! Not to mention, they are friendly and loving dogs that make great companion pets. So why not bring one home today? Why are French Bulldogs so expensive? One thing to note about Frenchies is that they cannot reproduce naturally due to their narrow hips. This means that breeders need to take special care when artificially inseminating the mother and delivering newborn puppies by C-section. A little extra work, but just look at these adorable dogs! When looking for a puppy, it's important to find a reputable source. Uptown Puppies only works with the best breeders out there. We vet every breeder in our network to make sure you're getting a high-quality pup. Whether you're looking for an established breeder or a new all-star, Uptown Puppies has you covered. Are there any French Bulldog puppies available right now? Are you searching for a French Bulldog puppy? You're in luck! Loads of Frenchies are readily available right now. Due to their delightful countenances and charismatic personalities, it's not surprising that French Bulldogs are one of the most favored dog breeds. If you become attached to one of the puppies featured here, move quickly to secure your new friend before someone else does! Are French Bulldogs good for apartments? Do you want a dog but don't have a lot of space or time for walks? A French Bulldog might be perfect for you! They are a small breed and don't need a lot of exercise. Although all dogs need some form of activity, French Bulldogs don't require as much as other breeds like Golden Retrievers. Are French Bulldogs easy to train? Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique personality. Some Frenchies may be stubborn, but with the right training program and attitude, they can be obedient too. Start off strong and be consistent to set your puppy up for success. A little persistence will go a long way! I want a French Bulldog for sale in Long Island, but do the puppies snore? Looking for a loyal and lovable companion? A French Bulldog may be the perfect fit! Though they may be small, they make up for it in personality. Don't let their stub noses fool you - these pups are full of spunk. Keep in mind though that because of their unique anatomy, French Bulldogs can have trouble with breathing. So if you're looking for a quiet dog, a French Bulldog is probably not the best choice. Do Frenchies shed? Looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed that doesn't shed? French Bulldogs are perfect for families who want a low-maintenance pet. Although all dogs shed some hair, Frenchies shedding is minimal compared to other breeds. So if you're looking for a pet that won't leave hair everywhere, a French Bulldog is an excellent choice. Are French Bulldog tails docked? Do you love French Bulldogs but worry about their tails? Don't worry, their tails are naturally short and stumpy! In fact, the unique charm of a French Bulldog lies in its stubby appearance. French Bulldogs' tails can vary in appearance from little nubs to curly, but they are all equally adorable. So if you're considering getting a French Bulldog, don't let their tail discourage you! Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes, and this is certainly true when it comes to dogs. Some people prefer purebreds while others are drawn to mixed breeds, or hybrids. There has been a recent trend of hybridization among canines, with new mixes being created all the time. These mixed-breed dogs often take the best physical characteristics from each of their parent breeds, resulting in some seriously adorable pups. Are Frenchies good with kids? Looking for a pup that will bring lots of joy to your family? Consider a French Bulldog! They are not only patient and playful with kids, but also small in size — which means they're unlikely to get hurt during rough play. In addition, their adorable appearance is sure to bring a smile to your face. Is it easy to find a dog here? Get your dream dog, Long Island! With dozens of French Bulldog puppies, Long Island families like yours are really spoiled for choice!

My first litter was a complete success! My girl, Gheera, gave birth to 10 healthy, smart, well-built, puppies. At East German Shepherd Kennel Vom Laudenbach, our hobby is the German Shepherd dog, which as a friend and family member, is a main part of our daily life. Our dogs live with us as family members in the house, but they are also used to kennels. The dogs are with us all day, are well socialized, and they love to be taken everywhere. What is fascinating about them is their charisma, body structure, nature and their strong will. The DDR Shepherd dog often takes significantly more time to mature then others. We strive to breed healthy, strong-nerved, performance-related dogs that are suitable for dog sports as well as for the family. Puppies from our breeding program are only given to capable and loving hands. We breed dogs with a balanced nature and absolute family loyalty. We want our puppies to have a long, healthy and happy life with their humans. Therefore, if you choose a puppy from us, you have to consider that the German Shepherd is a working dog and therefore it definitely needs training, structure and a job. If you are interested in a puppy from our DDR breeding, please email me a message in which you briefly describe yourself and your environment pictures are always welcome. Our dogs are purely for lovers and we definitely want to know more about our puppy's future home and family! Contact Us for Details on Our Puppies! After the surrender of Germany at the conclusion of the war, Berlin and the remaining German territory was partitioned into four occupation zones by the Allied forces. Strict breeding criteria was put in place and breed wardens aggressively culled dogs with any sign of hip dysplasia or weak temperament. DDR dogs were bred for power and athleticism , with straight toplines and large, strong heads. Breed wardens inspected every litter for proper dentition, temperament, bone structure, ear set, coat quality, and total overall appearance. Males with undescended testicles were culled. While West German dogs were tested over five-foot angled walls, East German dogs were required to scale straight six-foot walls. West German dogs searched six blinds, DDR dogs searched ten blinds. West German tracking tests included eight corners and angles, DDR tracking tests included .The DDR border patrol dogs served as sentries, tracking dogs, and attack dogs. Special units were formed to track deserters over large expanses of countryside. When the German borders were opened in the need for guards and guard dogs ended. Within five months of the border opening half of the 50, guards had been dismissed with the remainder retained to dismantle the border fortifications. Many of the DDR dogs were sold, abandoned, or put down. Today, Vom Banach K9 is one of a small number of dedicated breeders worldwide actively preserving the DDR lineage and its physical soundness and structure, intelligence, working abilities, natural drive, highly developed tracking abilities , temperament, and devotion to their handler. Quick Find. Contact info by Ricardo E. Perhaps we will see the day when fashion gives way to balance and the Golden Middle rises supreme, not as a choice among many, but rather as the only sensible option. In the meantime, on the eve of the centennial celebration of the "king of breeds" on this earth, let us remember the final plea of its founder, Max von Stephanitz's last words to his good friend Muller on his deathbed, "Take this trouble for me: make sure my German Shepherd Dog remains a WORKING dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim". He brings back the old-style heavy bone type along with tremendous working abilities. He has the legendary look of the East German bloodlines along with the superior temperament and performance qualities of the West German working lines. Transitions between active and passive behavior perfectly on command. Shows an excellent relationship with his handler in obedience with reliable fast reactions to the commands. Steady and sure, impossible to find fault, always full of self-confidence with nerves of steel. But he pulled it together and earned a nice score of .He finished his CD title, then moved up to the Graduate Novice class. He earned two legs for that title. One with second place and the other with first place. Both with first place and very nice scores. He was also High in trial for protection. PS1 .All of this in the rain and on a feild and decoy he has never worked on. The obedience was not quite up to par with the rain .Nice job 3 titles in 3 months. He earned his PS3 title with second place and a very nice protection score .We are very proud of him working two days in a row and adding two high level titles at his young age. We were very please how he handled having 3 judges on field and all of them very close in their scores.

Knowing what to do to help your dog with misbehavior is half the battle. Are you making any of these disciplining mistakes? Do not use negative reinforcement Negative reinforcement is causing discomfort or worse, pain, to your dog to get them to perform a behavior. Other common negative reinforcers include a choke chain and prong collar. Negative reinforcement is about turning off something negative, or uncomfortable, at the least, and painful at the worst. But take note… Negative reinforcement has been scientifically shown to lead to an increased risk of aggression of 2. Instead, use lure and reward GSD puppy training Do not use physical correction Just as when using negative reinforcement, physical corrections cause your dog anxiety and fear and lead to aggression. When you got your dog you wanted him for life as your best friend and companion. If you find yourself about to engage in physical force for punishment with your German Shepherd, step away from your dog immediately. Ask someone for help. Call a friend or family member and tell them you need help with your dog. Even withholding food, water, or shelter is cruel and must be avoided. And demeaning them by calling them names and speaking to them in a critical tone can cause fear and aggression in German Shepherds. Not to mention, your continued shouting could stress your dog to the point they shut down and withdraw from you. They will no longer be the sweet, lively dog you dreamed about. Instead, learn how to use your voice to communicate effectively with your German Shepherd. Keep your voice calm, clear, and confident. Unfortunately, this type of training only makes his house training take longer since he begins to fear going potty anywhere. So, instead, he begins to sneak off and hide to potty indoors to avoid punishment. Preferably, always have your puppy tethered to you when potty training, never letting them out of your sight. When not tethered to you, place them in a puppy-proof area to prevent potty accidents. Reward your German Shepherd when they potty outdoors in the area you want with praise and treats. Learn more about how to quickly potty train a German Shepherd to start off on the right steps to house training. Or, what about when your tiny puppy sinks his little teeth into your hand in play and you laugh out loud? Why does your German Shepherd misbehave? Take a look. There are a few common factors in dogs that cause them to misbehave. Even if you think your dog is trained and should know better, these are the top reasons they might have bad behaviors. Separation anxiety If you spend a lot of time with your puppy, then begin to leave him alone for long hours he may start to misbehave. This is especially true if you are busy and tend to leave him in a crate for far too many hours. This could mean chewing inappropriate things, digging, or even excessive barking and howling. Under exercised An under-exercised dog is not getting his basic needs met. German Shepherds must have at least 2 hours of physical exercise per day. See — Fun Jobs for German Shepherds at Home for more ideas Before you leave the house give your dog a long walk with plenty of time to sniff. Inconsistent Discipline Another leading cause of needing to discipline a German Shepherd is a lack of consistent training and discipline techniques. Do you make sure your puppy always has 4 paws on the floor to greet guests? While many owners remember to obedience train their dog they overlook the importance of mentally stimulating games to reduce boredom. Decreasing boredom is shown to give your dog a more enjoyable day, which lessens their desire to participate in unwanted behaviors, such as chewing and digging. Start with a few minutes a day using mind games to help keep their mental health in check. Need more help disciplining your German Shepherd the right way? Do you wish there was a German Shepherd monthly guidebook? There is! Disciplining your German Shepherd puppy is most effective when you focus on teaching your German Shepherd what to do, rather than punishing him for unwanted behaviors. The wrong type of punishment can cause irreparable harm to your companion, but discipline when used properly actually reinforces positive behavior. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Because they are so smart and energetic, they require a physical and mental outlet for all their boundless energy. German shepherds also require a loving yet firm owner to help guide them into adulthood and beyond. This is a breed that gives and demands respect. Without training, they can easily develop bad habits that get harder to break as they mature. The best way to prevent problem behavior is to stop it before it starts. Some common problems that can be solved include: 1. Food guarding One easy way to prevent food guarding is to hand feed your puppy. Puppies that are accustomed to having their food handled rarely develop food guarding behavior. Placing your hand into the bowl to deliver food also prevents guarding because the puppy is happy to receive food from you and perceives it as a reward. Benefits of hand feeding also include teaching your dog to be gentle when taking food or treats, learning to be calm at mealtimes, improved impulse control, building trust, and the food can also be used as training treats. Start with once or twice a day and as the dog learns and matures, try a few meals a week. As long as food guarding never begins, you probably will never have the problem. Resource guarding Resource guarding or possession aggression also includes food but here, we have listed them apart. As the name suggests, resource guarding is simply guarding a possession such as a toy, bed, item of clothing, personal space — anything the dog finds valuable. Any lunging, growling, snarling, stiffening, or growling to prevent you from coming near their treasure needs to be nipped in the bud before it escalates. To prevent resource guarding, when the dog is a puppy, offer them and handle their toys, beds, food bowel, and more. Whatever they love, take ownership of it and share it with them, rather the other way around. As far as toys and chews, teach young pups that it is fun to share by trading high value items for a reward. Teach the puppy to drop the item in exchange for a treat and then give the item back so that the dog can enjoy it. The idea is taking items are not to punish and should not be perceived by the dog as such. If a dog begins guarding behavior that gets out of control, call a professional trainer. Play biting Herding dogs tend to play bite or mouth more than other breeds. German shepherds are notorious for play biting with their razor sharp teeth. As young pups, they love to herd and nip hands, feet, shoes, pants, and whatever else that moves. German shepherds need to be taught bite inhibition through redirection. Appropriate chews are also really important for this breed. Durable rubber chew toys for aggressive chewers, bully sticks, food puzzles that can be stuffed with treats and chews that can be frozen for teething pups work well. Destructive chewing German shepherds have amazingly strong jaws and love to chew. Preventing destructive chewing includes trying to determine why the dog is chewing. If the dog is lonely, bored, frustrated, anxious, or teething? Identifying the cause will help you come up with a solution. A basic guideline to prevent this type of chewing in puppies is to not leave temping items out where the dog can find them in the first place. Next, be sure that the dog has plenty of appropriate chew toys, is getting plenty of exercise, and has their emotional and mental needs met. German shepherds need regular exercise, training, play time, nurturing, grooming, healthy food, and lots of fresh water. They are very loyal and bonded dogs who need to be close to their family. When all these needs are met, chew toys, treats, and bones should be adequate for their chewing needs. When they begin to dig, tell them no and redirect them onto something else that is stimulating, such as their toys. The best way to stop the behavior is to prevent it from escalating and making sure the dog is getting plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. If your sheppy just lives to dig, you can create a digging pit or appropriate place to dig, such as a sandbox. Separation anxiety Separation anxiety can happen because German shepherds share such close bonds with their family. The best way to prevent this is establish a routine from the beginning. Start by teaching your puppy that you will come back by returning after a very short time and slowly increasing your time away. Crate training can also be helpful. Also establish a schedule that your puppy gets used to, including meals and potty breaks. A radio or TV being on can be helpful. Jumping German shepherds grow up to be powerful dogs so jumping is something that should not be encouraged in puppies. Fortunately, teaching a puppy not to jump is not difficult. Start by never petting the dog when they jump up. Tell the dog down and turn away. Once four paws are on the floor, lavish the pup with all the love and attention you want. In conclusion The good news about German shepherds is that they want to work alongside you and have a deep desire to please. Despite being strong willed and willing to look for their own job to keep themselves busy, they rather connect with and be near you. When you bond with them and direct their energy into positive things, such as training, exercise and playing games, they make the most remarkable pets in the world. Please share these tips with other German shepherd lovers. They are also intelligent and have their own unique personality traits. Many of their behaviors develop due to how they are raised, their training or lack thereof, the environment they live in, other dogs in the house, and their breeding. However, some dog behaviors are more innate and instinctual, such as these: 1. According to Jill Goldman, Ph. Leading the way German shepherds are working dogs bred to herd and guard sheep. It is natural for them to be out in front to lead and protect the flock, or you, their owner. When they walk in front of you, they are doing their job and staying between you and any threats that may come along. The stare can signal that the dog is ready to bolt toward something, bite, or that they are in guarding mode. This intense stare may be the only warning they give before taking action. Softly gazing at you When your German shepherd gazes at you, they are reading your body language, watching you for clues, and communicating how much they love you. It can mean they are desiring attention yet at the same time, are relaxed and not going to do anything. Dogs can open their eyes wide like this when they are nervous, stressed, or anxious. If you see your dog looking at someone or something with whale eyes, it means they are highly uncomfortable and you should intervene in the situation. Next time you take your dog to a new place, to meet new people, or to the vet, notice if they begin yawning. Butt scooting If your German shepherd starts scooting their butt along the ground it could mean they have full anal glands, an infection, an itch, irritation, worms, or that want to wipe their butt. Spinning before going poop If your dog is picky about its spot then spins before going poop, you can look to science for the reason. Apparently, dogs use the magnetic field of the earth to determine where they go. According to the study published in the Journal Frontiers in Zoology, dogs prefer to poop in a north-south axis. The study examined 37 dog breeds, urinations, and defecations before coming to this conclusion. Sleeping on your clothes German shepherds are fondly called Velcro dogs for a reason. They love being close to their owners. Following you to the bathroom German shepherds like to follow their owners everywhere, including the bathroom. Twitching when they sleep German shepherds can dream when they reach REM sleep, much like humans. When they begin to twitch or move their paws in their sleep, they are probably dreaming. Licking you German shepherds are very loving and often give their owners kisses. It can also be their way of grooming you or licking salt or lotion off your skin. Some biologist believes this licking behavior is an instinct left over from wolves, whose young will lick them to cause them to vomit up a meal for the pups to eat. Curling up in a circle when they sleep If your German shepherd sleeps in a donut shape also known as the fuzzy bagel, they might be cold and trying to keep their vital organs warm. They also may instinctively be protecting those same organs from predators, while they sleep. These dogs also are prone to separation anxiety and their destruction of furniture or their crate can be a sign that they need more from their owner and their needs are not being met. Bringing you gifts If your dog brings you a toy or bone, they are giving you a gift. Howling When a dog howls, they are communicating or responding to a sound. They can also be trying to attract your attention because something is amiss or they need help. They may also howl when they hear a siren because siren sounds are on the same frequency. Sitting on your feet When your German shepherd sits on your feet they may be just trying to be close to you. However, they might also be sending a signal to other people and dogs that says, this human is mine, go get your own. Licking lips or flicking tongue If your German shepherd starts licking their lips or flicking their tongue for no apparent reason, you need to pay attention. Sighs and huffs German shepherds are super smart and great at communicating. Rolling in the grass Have you caught your German shepherd rolling in the grass after a nice bath? The grass may also be scathing an itch and when the ground is warm, it feels good. Hunched over German shepherds are confident, bold dogs and not usually found hunched over. If you suddenly find your shepherd is hunched over, it could mean that they are trying to make themselves appear smaller, are feeling shy, are scared, or are feeling abused. Eating poop If your German shepherd eats poop, it may mean they need something in their diet. It can also be behavioral. Dogs that live in squalor are also more likely to eat poop. Please pass them along to your German shepherd loving friends. He can also put himself at risk especially if he would dig under the fence and escape out into the street. That can be dangerous since they can knock over the person who is opening the door and escape out into the street, where they can hurt other people or injure themselves. It can also be brought about by separation anxiety, a desire to get your attention, and feelings of loneliness and isolation. You might also want to read this: Dogs That Look Like German Shepherds: Types and Breeds,… 7 Disobedience German Shepherds are naturally self-assured and independent, and they find it easy to disobey their owners. GSDs respect authority and will want to follow your instructions. So, when you get one, he immediately thinks of your family as a pack and instinctively wants to become the alpha. However, this behavior has no place in a home. Signs of aggression include chasing other pets while continuously barking, snapping at you when you try to correct his behavior, and growling at you when you attempt to touch him. That can mean snapping at the mailman or charging at the people who visit you. With enough patience and effort, you can help your dog correct his negative behaviors and transform into a well-mannered pet. The information is very specific in technique and theory, and there is a thorough background on the history of the German Shepherd Dog, as well as modern standards and practices. You might also want to read this:. Different causes make your furry friend chew destructively on couches, surfaces, and shoes. These include: Poor obedience training from when your dog was a puppy Loneliness from being left alone for too long Lack of exercise and mental stimulation Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior Excessive stress in the home environment How to Stop Destructive Chewing in Adult German Shepherds As with the causes, the remedies for excessive-destructive chewing in an adult GSD can be diverse. These will include: Retrain your dog if you think basic training was poorly done during puppyhood. You may want to consider the services of a professional trainer. Find ways of keeping your dog busy when you are not around. You can consider giving your dog a bone to chew on. If you do, go for natural or synthetic ones that will not break into pieces and risk choking your dog while he is alone. Ensure your GSD has the recommended 2-hour exercise daily, which could be distributed into walks and runs in the morning and evening and play and games at other times. That means he finds a replacement for his wild mates in his human family. Besides, the GSD is also a friendly and affectionate dog that loves cuddling time and spending time with family. As such, leaving your German Shepherd alone can cause excessive loneliness, otherwise referred to as separation anxiety , when it gets to the levels of an undesired psychological condition. The German Shepherd is among the top 10 breeds most predisposed to separation anxiety. This suggests that it could also be a breed thing, and you must take extra precautions. Dogs with this behavior problem find something to relieve their nervousness and stress, so most will turn to destructive behavior. Typical forms of destructive behavior include excessive chewing, house soiling, getting into the trash can, digging, destroying furniture and other items, and increased aggression toward family, strangers, and other pets. I would never leave her in her crate for more than hours. However, I got delayed in traffic for another 30 minutes on this occasion, and she clearly got bored! I only wanted one cushion! Remember that destructive behavior can be caused by factors like lack of exercise or a stressful home environment. Three solutions can be highly effective in stopping separation anxiety in your German Shepherd. Suggestions include finding someone to keep them busy and staying connected with them while you are away. Find a way of keeping your dog occupied while you are away Keeping your dog mentally and physically engaged can be achieved by employing a professional trainer or a dog walker. There are also doggy daycare facilities where you can take your GSD. Find a way of staying connected with your dog while you are away In an ever-changing technology era, staying connected with your GSD using dog cameras is easy. Take, for example, the Furbo Dog Camera from Amazon. Its main features can offer many ways to stay connected with your German Shepherd. You can toss a treat to your dog to reward him for good behavior. You can talk to your GSD to calm him down, especially when the barking alerts come in. Urine-Marking in German Shepherds Urine marking is an instinctive dog behavior that usually starts during sexual maturity. They will urinate on objects to leave a message for other dogs. For example, male German Shepherds will spray on the walls of a building where there is a female GSD in heat to tell fellow males to stay away. Generally, females only spray when they are in heat to attract any male dogs that happen to be in the area. However, urine marking becomes inappropriate inside the house, making it a behavior problem. The original herding and protective roles of German Shepherds make them quite territorial. As pack dogs, GSDs can also be highly dominant. Territory marking you welcome your partner at home, and your dog urinates on their backpack to claim ownership of you. Your dog has noticed a new dog in the neighborhood and wants to mark the house as his territory. How to Stop Urine Marking in German Shepherds To prevent or stop urine marking , consider one of these remedies — depending on the cause. Keep new and unfamiliar items in the house out of reach. Clean places where your GSD has urine marked to remove the smell and prevent your dog from remarking them. I like this one as you can use it on any surface. Help your German Shepherd become friends with new persons or dogs in the house. Eliminate anxiety-causing situations in the home. Confine your dog in his crate for a couple of hours. Consult a canine behaviorist if the behavior is out of hand. German Shepherds with ADHD will portray behavior problems such as hyperactivity, inability to pay attention, being easily distracted, impulsiveness, poor social skills, aggressive responses, fear, and sensitivity to noise. The consensus seems to reign about the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in ADHD. Hyperactive German Shepherds may be uncontrollable during walks, manifest excessive leash-pulling, become overly excited when removing the leash or returning home, and be challenging to engage in obedience training. Experts have used human ADHD questionnaires to detect the condition in dogs since; it seems hyperactivity has similar body chemical markers in dogs as in humans. This explains why testing ADHD in dogs entails observing changes in respiratory and heart rate and behavior. Consequently, solving hyperactivity in German Shepherds entails countering self-stimulation with external stimulation. As often repeated, the test for ADHD is to give your German Shepherd a prescribed stimulant in a controlled clinical situation and then observe the change in its respiratory rate, heart rate, and behavior. The levels for these markers will reduce in dogs with ADHD. Avoid self-diagnosing your dog, especially with self-made remedies. Excessive Barking in German Shepherds Barking is a typical communication behavior in dogs, and German Shepherds are known to be naturally vocal. Nonetheless, when barking becomes excessive, it can become a nuisance for both the owner and the neighborhood. Excessive barking means your dog will start to bark for any little stimulant and go on and on and on. It could be a doorbell, a passing stranger, or even the rustling of leaves in the backyard. If your GSD barks excessively, this may be the first sign of underlying issues and that he is sensitive to specific triggers. Triggers of excessive barking include: Boredom — your German Shepherd is home alone most of the time. Insufficient exercise — both physical and mental. Territorial behavior — your dog is overly protective of you, your home, or your possessions. Attention seeking — your dog has been reinforced to receive your attention when he barks incessantly. Medical issues — your German Shepherd has a medical condition that causes them pain and discomfort. How to Stop Excessive Barking in German Shepherds Sadly, people re-home their dogs every day due to excessive barking. If you have this German Shepherd behavior problem, below are the methods that are incredibly efficient in stopping excessive barking in dogs: Using positive reinforcement. To do this effectively, you must understand your German Shepherd and what makes him bark in the first place. Desensitization and counter-conditionin g : desensitization means exposing your GSD to the stimulus that causes excessive barking at a level lower or similar to the actual trigger. Eliminating the triggers: this might be a bit difficult, especially if they are beyond your control. For example, you cannot stop strangers from using a path near your house or leaves from rustling. Avoid gimmicks such as bark collars and sprays designed to teach your German Shepherd not to bark, as these only address the symptom and not the cause of the behavior problem. You have to lure them to the bathtub and put up with their crazy shaking and splashing unless you have managed to train them out of it! But bathing your dog becomes an extra hassle if covered with awful-smelling dirt! So, why do German Shepherds roll in the mud? Many speculative theories are used to explain why dogs roll in the dirt. Here are some of them: In the wild, wolves disguise their smell with dirt History has it that wolves disguise their scent by rolling in the dirt. Since dogs have their ancestry from wolves, it is speculated that they will roll in the dirt for the same reasons. Dogs love to leave their smell around Dogs have the instinct to leave their smell around to claim dominance or mark their territory. The pungent smell of dirt pushes them to want to claim their dominance with their odor, even when strong smells would overpower it. It gives them a sensational feeling As animals that predominantly use their sense of smell to interact with the environment, dogs enjoy extra sensory stimulation and may look for it excessively, such as lying in a pile of dirt. German Shepherds have innate behavior dispositions unique to the breed, like all other dogs. This can include behaviors like mouthing or destructive chewing. Think of their instinctual protectiveness towards their loved ones and how that can cause them to be aggressive toward strangers via nipping or jumping at strangers. But German Shepherds grow to be the dog you train them to be. And if that is not done correctly, behavior problems like howling will occur. However, that is not the only reason why your GSD may be misbehaving. German Shepherds have behavior problems such as howling, mouthing, jumping, and nipping due to poor or incomplete socialization and training, letting your dog have his way, insufficient exercise, hormones, health reasons, and using aversive training methods. Genetics can also cause poor behavior, which is easily solved by training. Genetic Disposition to Bad Behavior It has been scientifically proven that behavior, including howling and jumping, has both genetic and environmental determinants. This fact is recorded in a study on the genetics of behavior traits in German Shepherds, which confirmed that multiple genetic and non-genetic factors influence canine behavior, such as mouthing and nipping. In simple terms, your German Shepherd may inherit genes predisposing them to aggression from their parents, which does not mean you cannot tame the behavior through training. Poor Puppy Socialization Poorly socialized puppies grow into badly behaved adult German Shepherds exhibiting undesirable behaviors like jumping up and biting. If a German Shepherd is not socialized well at this age, he will become an unapproachable and untrainable adult. Proper socialization training for your German Shepherd means exposing them to different environments where they learn how to interact with other people and pets positively. This makes them more confident and calm than anxiety and aggression in unsocialized and badly trained dogs. Incomplete Obedience Training Obedience training is crucial in helping your German Shepherd understand your expectations. This includes managing behaviors such as play biting and improving the overall trainability of your pet. Many new dog owners think a week of training after bringing their dog home is enough. Not so! This is also key to ensuring your dog feels confident when interacting with visitors. Miscommunication can result in undesired behaviors like play biting, especially when your pet meets visitors. I have two helpful guides to help you with obedience training using positive reinforcement techniques. These guides incorporate strategies to improve trainability and build confidence in your dog. It has been confirmed that positive reinforcement training produces the best behavior in dogs because it boosts their confidence. Alao, you encourage your pet to repeat it by constantly rewarding him. Instead, research suggests that aversive training methods may be less effective in teaching good behavior to your dog. This can also negatively affect their interactions with visitors. Hormonal Effects and Gonadectomy Testosterone is often associated with aggression in male dogs. This research study discovered that other hormones could be the underlying causes of play biting and aggression in dogs. Oxytocin OT , a hormone associated with social bonding and sexual reproduction, and Vasopressin AVP , which regulates the volume of extracellular fluid volume and renal handling of water, can negatively impact dog behavior. Gonadectomy is the generic term for the surgical removal of the male testes or female ovaries. However, research results from a large sample of over 13, dogs show this is not entirely true. Scientists still do not know the reason for this. Would you call that a well-behaved dog? This is especially notable when visitors come to the house and the dog exhibits poor behavior. Not setting boundaries with your dog can be another reason your German Shepherd has behavior issues. Such a dog will show aggression when someone tries to set boundaries, such as at the vet or the dog park. The German Shepherd is a high-energy dog requiring at least two hours of daily exercise. This means more than leash walks! In addition to this, he will need lots of interactive play and mental stimulation to manage his health and build confidence. If you try to make your GSD a couch potato, he will have behavior issues, manifesting primarily in destructive behavior, negatively affecting his play-biting habits and behavior around visitors. Zak George , the well-known dog breeder and trainer, often emphasizes this point in his teachings. For example, a study revealed that dogs involved in physical activity and those who practice agility shows are less likely to show aggressive tendencies than those living a more sedentary life. Medical Conditions A final reason your German Shepherd will show behavior problems is if he has medical issues. These could be both physical and psychological. For example, dogs with Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior are often linked with self-directed aggression and self-mutilation, primarily through biting. A study on clinical features in dogs and cats with OCB indicated self-mutilation as the most recurrent of these features. Such practices are often seen as a sign of distress in dogs. Other medical conditions that may cause behavior issues in dogs include injury and post-operative pain, which can trigger aggressive behavior. In this case, having a breeder or vet advise on handling the dog can be beneficial. The causes of German Shepherd behavior problems are lack of socialization and exercise. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and social dogs and must be exposed to various people, animals, and environments to develop correctly. They are also active and energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. What other resources can help me deal with German Shepherd behavior problems? Many resources are available to help you deal with German Shepherd behavior problems. The most important is a qualified and experienced dog trainer. A good trainer can help you identify the source of the problem and develop an effective plan to address it. Another great resource is books and online articles written by experts on the subject. Final Thoughts Owning a German Shepherd is both exciting and rewarding for most owners. However, behavior problems associated with the breed can sometimes make owning a GSD a challenge altogether. What is most important is knowing that you can manage these behavior problems. Exercise, training, eliminating cues to behavior problems, and seeking a canine behaviorist are all possible ways to make your German Shepherd overcome his behavior shortcomings. Remember, though, that the job of a dog behaviorist or trainer is to train the dog and the human too! Related Posts You May Like:. Breed Info German Shepherds can be one of the best breeds of dogs to own. They are exceptionally smart, filled to the brim with personality, and incredibly affectionate to people they love. German Shepherd Behavior Problems German Shepherds tend to develop behavior problems when their needs are being met either mental or physical. Some of the most common German Shepherd behavior problems are jumping, destructiveness, OCD, hyperactivity, separation anxiety, excess barking and whining, mouthiness, dominance, and defensive aggression. This is not because they are inherently problematic dogs but because it takes a compatible lifestyle and handling style to enjoy the best traits of the breed. However, GSDs are instinctively protective of their family and defensive of their home. When not directed properly, this positive trait could easily turn into aggression. Dominance Dominance can emerge as disobedience or assertiveness towards humans or other animals. Being confident and headstrong dogs, German Shepherds might try to assert themselves and see what they can get away with. While GSDs are naturally clingy to their humans, distress from being separated must be address through methodical training. Mouthiness German Shepherds are naturally mouthy. They use their mouths to interact with the world. Additionally, as puppies, German Shepherds are prone to nipping and play biting as that would be how they interact with their littermates. Excessive Barking German Shepherds are generally very vocal. And because they are so large, their bark tends to be quite thunderous. Generally, they will bark because they want to communicate something, like alerting you to the presence of a stranger or because they sense a threat. However, they could also develop the bad behavior of barking excessively due to boredom or getting attention. Nevertheless, you need to be aware of them as well as how to manage them. Here are different ways to address German Shepherd behavior problems that might develop without proper training, handling, and socialization: Whining Like barking, whining is a means for dogs to communicate. Unfortunately, GSDs tend to whine excessively. This is a loud, high-pitched noise that could become aggravating when left unchecked. However, you can keep it at a minimum through proper reinforcement. Hyperactivity German Shepherds are working dogs developed in the fields where they worked long hours and ran great distances. Destructiveness German Shepherd destructiveness is related to hyperactivity. Often, this can include chewing, digging, and destroying things at home. Giving them ample mental and physical stimulation will help address this. Additionally, you can redirect their chewing to things of their own. Jumping Dogs often jump up at you as a means of greeting you excitedly. Try to address this at puppyhood by redirecting the behavior. For example, teach them to sit in front of you. Ignore them and gently push them off when they jump on you, and only fuss over them and give them attention when they sit. OCD Like humans, dogs can develop obsessive-compulsive disorders. Unfortunately, some GSD lines have this genetic predisposition. This can emerge as unwanted behaviors like excessive licking, pacing, or chewing. Often, this can be addressed by deterring behaviors ex. In more extreme cases, medication may be needed to treat OCD in dogs. Urine Marking Urine marking is common among male German Shepherds. It is a means to communicate with other dogs and typically a way to claim their territory. Even properly housetrained dogs will sometimes do this indoors, especially when there are other male dogs at home. They lack the confidence to be out in the world and might act out when presented with unfamiliar experiences. Reaching sexual maturity will make them more prone to mood swings and scent marking males. Additionally, this is the time when your puppy is most likely to develop stronger responses to strangers and might play more roughly with other dogs. Six months up to the time they reach about one year old is a critical time in their puppyhood where they will learn to be bolder and independent. It is a critical time for you to teach them proper manners while also enabling them to develop their own personality and confidence. This includes jumping and play biting. Even so, GSDs might also develop new behavior issues at this stage, and most of them stem from having excessive energy and drive. To mitigate these issues, make sure you give them plenty of opportunities to exercise as well as stimulate their mental faculties. How to Avoid German Shepherds With Behavior Problems Knowing that German Shepherds are consistently among the top 3 most popular breeds to own, they are undeniably incredible companions. But if you can, select a breeder with responsible practices and has a reputation for producing healthy and confident dogs. Socialization Start socialization as early as you can. Expose your pup to all sorts of experiences so that they may build their confidence and interact properly with their environment. Make sure they know how to engage with other people and animals. Leadership Throughout their puppyhood and sometimes even beyond, your GSD will test how you respond to disobedience. Stimulation Too much energy leads to boredom and the development of bad behaviors. Make sure you give your GSD plenty of exercise so that they can expend the excess energy they have in productive ways. Additionally, they need opportunities to use their intelligence and natural canine abilities through mental exercises. Final Thoughts All breeds have dogs with behavioral problems. However, such issues are much more of a concern with large dogs like German Shepherds. To those of you that are wary of the German shepherd dog breed, I understand where you are coming from, too! Aggressive German Shepherd behavior — a common association with this breed — terrifies some people because they feel that German Shepherds are dangerous dogs to own. First off, they are very large dogs and can come off very intimidating. They can become very protective, aggressive, and scary dogs. The key word here is untrained. Any untrained dog—regardless of breed—can have the same behavioral problems. Understanding German Shepherd Behavior Better German Shepherd behavior has always been portrayed in the media as one filled with aggression, disobedience, and unpredictability. In fact, I have personally fallen in love with this breed. Their personality is terrific! If you are someone who fears this breed, are one of the pet parents looking for help and direction with your dog, or you know someone who is wary of German Shepherds, then this honest truth about this lovely breed might change your mind. The German shepherd breed originated in Germany. No surprises there. But, believe it or not, their name was changed soon after the war. Before the war this breed was commonly called the Alsatian in Great Britain and parts of Europe. There are still parts of Europe that refer to the German shepherd as the Alsatian; however, most of the world has converted back to calling them German shepherds. Pretty interesting, right? As for life expectancy, German shepherds normally live for around years. The color of a German shepherd can range considerably from gray to black to tan, and even a silvery color. The males grow to be approximately 24 inches at the shoulder. Females tend to be a little shorter, measuring around 22 inches at the shoulder. As for weight, males average around 80 pounds and the females are a bit lighter at around 60 pounds. There is no denying that these are big dogs! The German shepherd dog breed does not only come with a big size; they have big, complex personality traits that can fascinate and overwhelm pet parents. The German Shepherd breed can be classified as guard dogs and working dogs. These dogs are bred to be confident and powerful — two personality traits which often scare people away from wanting anything to do with the breed. Physical Characteristics of the German Shepherd They have strong muscles. All dog breeds require proper training and daily handling. This is especially true when your dog is a puppy. Proper training can prevent a lot of behavior issues down the road. If you have a puppy, I encourage you to check out my Puppy Coach training program. German Shepherds can turn out to be incredibly beautiful, gentle, and loving family pets with work and effort! But today, I want to share what my general experiences with German shepherds have been like. I can confidently say that the breed description given to German shepherds is pretty accurate. I have encountered German Shepherds who are physically and mentally strong, and courageous! They all seem to have a deep desire to connect with you, work for you, and do a great job. Training your aggressive, confident dog? They possess a strong desire to learn and excel in various tasks. Understand that their intelligence needs to be channeled through training and mental stimulation. Provide them with consistent training sessions, engage them in interactive games, and offer challenging tasks to keep their minds engaged. Personality 2: German Shepherds Are Naturally Protective German Shepherds have a natural instinct to protect their family and territory. This protective nature can manifest as alertness, watchfulness, and sometimes even suspicion of strangers. This prevents excessive guarding behavior and promote a well-rounded and friendly temperament. Originally bred as working dogs, they excel in various roles such as search and rescue, police and military work. Some also work as service or therapy dogs. Engage their intelligence and energy by providing them with tasks, training exercises, or even participation in dog sports. This helps them feel fulfilled and prevents boredom-related behaviors. Personality 4: They Require Socialization and Proper Introduction While German Shepherds are known for their loyalty and strong bonds with their families, they can be reserved or aloof with strangers. Early and positive socialization is crucial to ensure they develop good manners and friendly behavior towards unfamiliar people and animals. Gradual exposure to different situations and positive reinforcement will help them become confident and well-adjusted in various environments. They require companionship, attention, and quality time with their family members. Make them an integral part of your daily life! Involve them in activities, and provide regular opportunities for interaction, training, and play. This bond and sense of belonging are essential for their happiness and well-being. These dogs have a natural inclination to follow a confident and assertive leader. Establishing yourself as the pack leader through consistent rules, boundaries, and clear communication allows your German Shepherd to feel secure and reduces behavioral issues. A strong leader provides the guidance and structure that these intelligent and loyal dogs need to flourish. Debunking Myths About German Shepherd Behavior The strong, intimidating build of the German Shepherd breed often comes with myths and misconceptions that might stop you from really knowing these amazing dogs! However, with proper care, training, and socialization, German Shepherds can be gentle, loyal, and loving companions. Myth 2: German Shepherds Are Only Suitable As Working Dogs Debunked: While German Shepherds excel in various working roles, such as police and military work, search and rescue, and service dogs, they are also wonderful family pets. They can adapt to different environments and thrive with proper exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. They have a strong desire to please their owners, making them quick learners. Consistent positive reinforcement training methods, such as reward-based training, can help them excel in obedience, agility, and various other activities. Early socialization and supervised interactions are key to fostering positive relationships between German Shepherds and other family members, including children and other animals. Early training, positive reinforcement, and gradually increasing alone time can help prevent or alleviate separation anxiety in German Shepherds. While they are often described as loyal and protective, each German Shepherd may have its unique characteristics and temperament. They have a code or a set of rules, which they follow. He was ready to hand him over to another family because he felt that his dog had tasted blood and that was the end of him as a good dog. We both knew his beloved family pet was great — giving up was not an option that time! I decided to step in and explain a little bit about why his German shepherd had actually bitten another animal — a sheep he owned — that he decided to keep the dog. He basically had the German Shepherd and a sheep—believe it or not—almost feeding from the same bowl so it was a recipe for disaster. Definitely made sure to remind him that he needed to pull his socks up as a dog owner and start putting into place some really simple training techniques, and it was very effective. He was still an amazing dog deep down, but you needed to know what you were doing! I could certainly see myself ending up with one in the future. I would fully trust this breed around my kids, my wife, and my other dogs. And yes, I have proven the German Shepherds also make the perfect family pet! Like I said, with proper training and boundaries put in place, German Shepherds are beautiful, friendly dogs. Here are some common German Shepherd behavior problems you should catch on early. Why The German Shepherd Breed Is Protective Over the last century, German Shepherds have been used for tracking, search and rescue—especially as police dogs— and protection and guarding. This dog breed produces most military dogs! Their strength, size, intelligence, and confidence make them excellent police dogs and military dogs… but the same qualities can also trigger potential German Shepherd behavior issues. German Shepherd Behavior Problem 1: Fierce Aggression One of the first common problems for German Shepherds revolves around aggression and the need to protect. They will continue to do problematic stuff, until you step in! Yes, Yes You Can! German Shepherd aggression can be untrained. German Shepherd Behavior Problem 2: Leash Pulling Another German Shepherd behavior problem —which I think is probably due to the determined nature of the German shepherd and their size—is pulling on the leash. When a German Shepherd wants to pull, they are very strong, obviously due to their physical design. My dog experience made me realize that you can effectively address leash problems in German Shepherds through basic training and a good sturdy harness. German Shepherd Behavior Problem 3: Nipping and Biting The third most common issue I come across with this breed is biting and nipping, especially with adolescent German Shepherds that are around 6 or 7 months of age. Here are some ways you can follow to prevent this problem from escalating! German Shepherds are big dogs, so this issue might seem scarier with this breed. I totally understand that. Make it clear from the get-go that biting hands, arms, legs, etc. And for those of you that are wondering, nipping and biting should really stop at or before 4 months of age. When this breed is left alone, they can become very stressed with separation anxiety. The number one cause of German Shepherd separation anxiety their fierce loyalty to their humans and their desire to stay close to and protect their pack. When a German Shepherd is stressed out due to separation anxiety, he may show a variety of different behavioral problems like digging holes, trying to escape, or barking. You have to remember that these problems related to separation anxiety are caused by anxiety. These problems are annoying, frustrating, and should not be acceptable, but they do happen out of love. Once again, many dog breeds suffer from separation anxiety and will show the exact same behaviors when left alone. This is where the training comes in. And like wolves, all dogs have a family pack mentality and a desire to protect and look after and love each other. I would say the German Shepherd follows that dog code to the letter of the law. So, if you want to have a good German Shepherd, you really need to understand the rules of the dog code—and you need to learn those rules quickly. A lot of people know how to play chess, but there are masters and then there are grandmasters, and it just seems to me that German Shepherds are the grandmasters of this dog code. They will take you to the next level, and you make your move, and they will do something else to outwit you. If you are looking for a comprehensive training program for your German Shepherd pup or a comprehensive training program to stop any of the above listed issues, then be sure to check out my online training program—The Dog Calming Code. In the program, I give you solutions to a bunch of different dog trainer problems, from fixing aggressive behavior and leash training to recall training and puppy training. I hope that you now know a little bit more about their history and why they behave the way that they do. Please share your story in the comments below! His goal is to continue to share his unique approach to dog training with like-minded people who wish to make a difference in the world of dogs. His training methods focus on creating and building the connection between dogs and dog owners, and are shared and used around the world. My next-door neighbor had two that they left in the backyard to their own devices. They would dig up their backyard, bark agressively at anyone who walked by and sometimes even get out of their yard which was scary. Why German Shepherds develop behavior problems, and how to solve them. The number one thing I see all the time is, German Shepherds, developing behavior problems from a young age. Understanding German Shepherd Behavior: 1. What age should you start training a German Shepherd puppy? Training should start when you bring your dog home. Eight weeks and beyond! A lot of people are led to believe, that they cannot start working with their puppy at eight weeks of age, The imprint age is so important which would be eight weeks, to four months, and actually, your dog can be in the imprint age right up until … Six months is when they start coming out of the imprint age. So, you are missing the train ride. From eight weeks is a great age to start your training so your puppy will bond with you. Man, that is far from the truth. If I was to tell somebody that contacted me for training a dog. I would tell them what they need to start doing right now. You should be doing your crate training, and your house training. Teaching it the proper rules and boundaries in the house and outside the house. You got your housebreaking, you got your leash training. You can go out and teach your basic commands, come, stay, sit, and down. Pet dog owners, There are a couple of other things I want to talk to you about. This is for pet owners. That is far from the truth. My back German Shepherd Val just passed away 30 days ago. I had to put her down for a brain tumor. It sucks. Things happen. We got to do it for the right reasons. I took Princess a couple of times, just because I knew some people were going to be there, and they wanted to see Princess and wanted to buy a couple of puppies from me. I took her there so they could see how she would get along with other dogs. Top-quality German Shepherd puppies, or older German Shepherds, do not develop these behaviors on their own. You cannot change bloodlines. You cannot change your dogs temperament. But for insecure German Shepherds, you can build their confidence. If we had more dog owners that would take responsibility, we have fewer dogs being euthanized every day, for behaviors that can change by hiring a good dog trainer that knows German Shepherds and has years of experience working with the breed. The only way that any of this stuff will change, is for you to get started with training your dog. Another thing is, people have a fenced-in yard. They think a fenced-in yard is the answer to having a trained dog. Just my personal feelings, for over 30 years in the business. German Shepherds, and Border Collies, are the number one breed I love to train. Princess is now nine and a half years of age. She gets along with any dog. Having a fenced-in yard for a dog. In my fenced-in area, my dogs will protect their domain. All dogs are going to protect their house. So, this can make a dog aggressive too. Train your dog, Learn how to get off and on-leash control so you can go out, and burn them out before you leave the house for work. Not doing crate training the right way, Another reason is, most people think they should just use a crate when their dog sleeps at night. Guys, my earliest, youngest German Shepherd, had total freedom of the house at 16 months of age. Examples, You go into this room, and the dog follows. You go into the kitchen, and the dog follows you, you go to the bathroom, and the dog follows you. You go in the shower, and the dog follows. I got people telling me all kinds of stuff. If you do, you raise them insecure. If you did that to your kid, what would happen? I will be honest and authentic with anybody. Why you need to walk your German Shepherd dog, Another big thing I want to cover is about walking your dog. A lot of people develop behavior issues from free feeding. Some dogs will become very aggressive, so if you bring another dog into the house. Because they were free feeding for so long, now their dog is guarding the water bowl and guarding the food bowl and guarding dog bones, and any other toy that they use of having to themselves. When you leave toys down, some dogs will start guarding their toys too. Dogs do not need a toy box. They are not kids, but to some people they are, and those are the people who have a lot of aggression issues with their German Shepherds. The dog is leading you. These are some of the most important reasons why they develop bad behaviors. Any German Shepherd can learn at any age. Hire somebody you know that owns the breed and has enough knowledge about the breed, to go with you and help you pick out the right temperament puppy or older dog. I recommend you read the article I wrote on seven things you need to know about rescuing and adopting a German Shepherd. I did a video two years ago on this. If you are going to buy a dog, you want a sound temperament dog, that has a nice temperament and strong threshold. You want to get a strong nerve puppy. Strong headed. Lightning, gunfire, noises, nothing bothers her. Want to learn more about East German Bloodlines? This is a great website to review. If you have a dog that has a weak tendency in that nerve, your job is to do a lot of positive, confident-building training. A lot of food rewards-based training. Introduce that dog to real-world surroundings, cars, noises, bicycles, anything. Get out there, introduce your dog, and teach him how to get over those challenges. You can do it. I hope this video helped, germanshepherdbehavior. I just love this bloodline because of the way they bond with you and are so loyal to their owners when trained and raise right. Dennis loves black German Shepherds. I wish you guys the best of luck on your German Shepherd journey. If you have any questions, please post them below in the commons. Thanks for stopping by. About the author: Dennis is the founder of German Shepherd Behavior. I have owned this breed for over 25 years and looking forward to sharing my German Shepherd journey with you. They are a very smart, bold, and determined breed. To ensure that your German Shepherd is a happy, well-adjusted member of your household, your dog must receive the attention and exercise they need. They are also very strong willed with a dominant nature, so they also require a lot of training. For your family and children, a German Shepherd is an excellent choice as a caring companion. They are loyal, friendly, smart, and naturally protective; however, German Shepherds also need lots of socialization and good training to become obedient. If they do not get proper behavioral training, they can develop overly protective behaviors and neurotic habits. Because they are so protective, excel at many dog sports, and are exceptionally loyal, the military and police choose them protect and serve their communities and country. You might be wondering: what characteristics should I be looking for in my German Shepherd? Well, the answer may vary between different buyers, but generally speaking, you should look for a smart, loyal, and healthy dog. This is the reason that they are used in police work such as search-and-rescue, or sniffing out bombs and criminals. But their intelligence can sometimes lead to problematic behaviors. However, if they receive proper training at a young age , then they will not exercise this type of behavior. Over-Protectiveness German Shepherds are typically protective dogs, and they always make sure to care for their family, but sometimes this protectiveness leads to bigger problems. For instance, they might aggressively bark at everyone you come in contact with. It is also crucial to give your dog time to socialize with other people and dogs early on, as this will get them comfortable being around others. Giving them time to interact with others at a young age will help them learn how to handle certain situations later on. North Mountain Kennels can do all these things for any prospective buyer! Territorial Aggression Your German Shepherd not only protects you, but they also protect their territory. They are very territorial animals, which is why they are often used as security dogs. Because they are so protective of territory that they believe to be theirs, it may lead them to act out, which can cause an unsafe environment. German Shepherds can also become territorial over food, and toys. They will show aggression by growling, lunging, and barking at other animals and people. There are plenty of ways to prevent this aggressive behavior from developing, but the most common way is to gratify them for calm behavior. Digging or Destructiveness German Shepherds need rigorous physical and mental exercise. These dogs get bored easily, and this can lead to destructive behavior. You can help your dogs by playing with them, or giving training that will help them to reduce their boredom in less destructive ways. Nipping Puppies usually start nipping between five and nine months old. This is considered normal behavior for young dogs; however, German Shepherds are very strong, so it might hurt a lot more than a smaller dog. The solution is as simple as giving your dog some toys. Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety is common in dogs that are close to their owners. They do require a lot of attention, and being gone for long periods of time can stress them out. Leaving them lots of toys is one way to help, but it also comes down to them adjusting to you being gone. Showing Dominance German Shepherds are known for their alpha male behavior. To prevent this type of behavior, you need to teach them obedience. Being aggressive with them is the worst thing you could do. Not only is it wrong to mistreat your dog, but it will also teach them that aggressive behavior is okay. Conclusion German Shepherds absorb information like a sponge. They are quick learners, especially as puppies. As they get older, it is harder to break bad habits. Here at North Mountain Kennels, we have been raising some of the smartest and healthiest German Shepherds for years. We have a team of professional trainers who are experienced in what they do. Our team of experts is the best around, and know everything when it comes to training German Shepherds. Recent Posts. German Shepherds are smart, loyal, naturally protective, and friendly. Without proper training and socialization, German Shepherds can develop nervous habits and overly-protective behaviors, just like most breeds. You might be wondering: What traits should I be watching for in my German Shepherd puppy? This intelligence, when left to its own devices, can lead to problematic behaviors. With early training and socialization though, you can help to prevent some of these common issues from coming up. A few of the most common include: Over-Protectiveness — German Shepherds are naturally protective. They want to protect the family unit. This protectiveness can become problematic if it manifests as aggression towards strangers or other animals. Examples include lunging at the mailman, or aggressive barking at passers-by. Introduce them to new people, new situations, and new noises. Socialization helps your puppy develop confidence and to learn what types of people and situations are non-threatening. Unfortunately, when they become over-territorial, this can be unsafe for visitors. Often, too, Shepherds can become territorial over food, growling, barking or lunging at anyone or other animals that come into their space. Exercise, obedience training, and rewarding calm behavior can all help to alleviate territorial aggression. Digging or Destructiveness — German Shepherds, require rigorous mental and physical exercise. They get bored very quickly, and often, this boredom manifests itself in destructive behavior. When bored, your pup might try to seek attention too, another common reason for the destructive behavior, like digging excessively or chewing up a shoe. Providing daily physical exercise, as well as training mental activity can help prevent boredom. Nipping — Many young dog breeds nip starting at around 6 to 9 months old. This is fairly typical behavior, but with Shepherds, it can be a bit scarier as get bigger. Separation Anxiety — German Shepherds, love you and want to always be by your side! Unfortunately, work and vacation make that impossible. You might also start with shorter trips when you first bring your pup home. Obedience training is imperative, and you should include your whole family in the training process. This will help your dog learn that he is not the alpha. Ultimately, the best way to weed out problematic behaviors is to start a training regime very early. German Shepherd puppies want to learn and put their intelligence to good use. Owners must be consistent in their training. Using the right cues, rewarding the right behaviors, and communicating with your dog properly is very important. The best way is to learn the right way to train a pup is to seek the help of a German Shepherd trainer. Taking a course teach you how to properly communicate with your dog and provide you with techniques to redirect negative behaviors. It starts with the breeder. Find a breeder that breeds for temperament and health. The best breeders take great care to produce animals that are calm, confident and loving. It requires careful pedigree planning and selecting the right sire dad and dam mom who show well-adjusted temperaments. Similarly, the best breeders will also be happy to provide a pedigree for the animal and are glad to answer the phone when you have any training concerns. For more information or if you may have questions, please contact us here.

Goldendoodle puppies are all the rage right now. However, as cute as they are—getting a Goldendoodle puppy is a big deal! Their cuteness is just an added bonus! Goldendoodle Puppy Is a Goldendoodle the right fit for you and your family? Nowadays any and every level of dog owner is purchasing a doodle—people who have only owned short-haired dogs, incredibly calm dogs, and sometimes first-time dog owners. As a result of not knowing what a person is getting themselves into when they purchase a doodle, doodle rehoming is at an all-time high! Even though many people love their doodle—a doodle may not be the right fit for you. Many people are giving away their Goldendoodles, rehoming them, or sending them to a rescue. If you skimp on the price, you could end up with a dog that is poorly bred. Which is incredibly dangerous for you, your puppy, and the breeding industry. Genetic testing helps prevent the breeding of dogs that test poorly for bad genes or health and behavioral issues. This will essentially cost you a fortune later in high vet bills, training costs, and potentially medical and lawsuit charges. Dogs in a Kennel Additionally, buying from a low-quality breeder to save money helps keep puppy mills in business. Puppy mills over breed their dogs. Those poor overbred dogs are usually stuck in a kennel their entire life—usually in a cramped space, stacked on top of each other, sitting in their urine or feces. There are also puppy mill breeders that keep their puppies in outside kennels, never getting to socialize with other dogs or humans. And they never have a chance to live a life of happiness and freedom. Why on earth would anyone want to support something so inhumane??? Remember the age-old saying, you get what you pay for. And that goes for dog breeders as well. Please choose to purchase your dog from an ethical breeder. If you purchase from a breeder that does not perform genetic testing, you are at risk for a plethora of issues. Please do your research, but due to the explosion in Goldendoodle popularity, there is a higher chance of running across a bad breeder and bad genetics because there are many who are in it for the money and not for the love and care of breeding a sound Goldendoodle. High Coat Maintenance The biggest complaint I hear from Goldendoodle parents is how high maintenance the coat is. Their coat requires quite a bit of brushing. Actually……a lot of brushing. At least 15 minutes a day! A little too easily. And those mats hurt and restrict body movement. Not only do you have to brush your Goldendoodle, but you also have to comb down to the skin, until the comb goes through the coat effortlessly. This means you will actually have to block out time from your day to physically brush your dog every single day. Otherwise, your doodle ends up completely knotted up. This leads to moisture becoming trapped in the coat once this happens, bacteria begins to grow and then your doodle will get hot spots and major skin issues. Putting your dog through that kind of torture for simple aesthetics is really uncool. To ask your dog groomer—who is more than likely an insanely over the top dog lover will feel awful torturing your dog for 3 hours as they try to hurriedly brush and pull out mats due to appointment restrictions. If you feel you have what it takes to brush your Doodle daily and keep them mat free, then a Goldendoodle is a great choice for you! If not. .Plus it can be dangerous, especially if you attempt to trim out matting. During quarantine I witnessed quite a few dogs with burns, cuts, nails quicked too short, and uneven faces and coat lengths. Some dogs were so burned by the clippers they needed vet attention. The cut caused the leg to get infected Luckily the dog was surrendered and ended up with a great life! They take longer to wash, dry, and trim. Almost times longer than many other dog breeds. Therefore, they cost more professionally. Your dog begins to lick these itchy areas and bites incessantly until the spot becomes red and irritated, sometimes bloody. Doodle with Skin Issues And sometimes if a Goldendoodle is bred poorly, they can have health and skin issues ranging from ear infections, hot spots, and skin allergies as well. Which is kinda gross considering your house will begin to smell the same way. I have groomed many sour-coated Goldendoodles that have smelled so bad, we had to air out the grooming salon. They tend to hold moisture and grow bacteria quickly. The trouble areas are usually underneath the ears, under the chin, their feet, and their sanitary booty and pee-pee areas. Getting on a regular bath and professional grooming schedule can help save your furniture, carpet, and bedding from getting that dog odor. Doodle Grooming Guide 7. This can sometimes be too much for people to handle. I have older clients that have Goldendoodles and sometimes they are too afraid to bring them in alone for fear of falling from being pulled holding the leash, or tripping over their Goldendoodle while trying to bring then in for a professional groom. Many times the mouthiness feels like extreme biting. However, training can fix most mouthiness cases. Goldendoodle Puppy 9. Shedding Many Goldendoodles do shed! Especially if they are a first-generation or F1, which is a Golden Retriever crossed with a Standard Poodle. And for this reason, I have witnessed many Goldendoodles either returned or given away, or sent to a rescue group or shelter. Goldendoodle Hair .Their friendliness results in jumping, barking, using their arms and feet, mouthing people, and of course—crotch sniffing. In some rare cases, Goldendoodles can be aggressive. Size Nowadays Goldendoodles come in a variety of sizes, ranging from toy to standard. I have witnessed countless Goldendoodles come out large, and large Goldendoodles come out small. They were supposed to only grow to 30lbs, but now weigh a whopping 90lbs! Dog Allergies Despite popular opinion, I can assure you that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Even if your dog is an FB doodle. All dogs have skin which sheds and all dogs have hair which sheds, some less than others. Otherwise, all of the pollen, dirt, leaves, and dust they come in contact with, will stick to their coat. Thus, creating an allergy-ridden furball running around the house. I feel like this just about covers many of the reasons I see Goldendoodle rehomed. Hopefully, all of these points can help you make a better, informed decision in regard to purchasing a Goldendoodle puppy! Join My Tribe to learn more about Pet Parenting! Soon it would be time to select the one I wanted. How can I stand in a room full of heart melting adorable puppies and automatically know which one I want to bring home. The thought terrified me. What if my selection was really not the right one? I allowed the puppy to choose me! I thought I was making all the right decisions. I had no knowledge of what evil lurked out there with puppy mills pretending to be reputable breeders anotherstory anothertime Leo on the other hand, was my lone star. He was the only pup. With a little more knowledge under my hat I did my due diligence before I even contacted the breeder. He was older 6 months and to me unlike a younger pup — I believed once we spent some time together we would either have a love connection or not. A place all too familiar, you see Dr. However, when I realized I was ready to love, cherish and care for another tail wagging doodle, I knew I had specific desires. I wanted to start this journey from the beginning of his life. I wanted a puppy — born in the winter, so I went to a reputable and responsible breeder… But regardless to where puppies come from, we want them to be healthy. Does he cough or sneeze a lot? Body Condition: does he look well fed? Genitals: does he have feces or pus visible to his genital region? Coat: does he have excessive dandruff, dullness, greasiness or bald spots? Hearing: does he respond when you clap your hands? Vision: does he notice a ball when it rolls within his field of vision? Does the puppy seem to like people? Does the puppy like being handled by people? Does the puppy seem overly sensitive to sights and sounds? Think about it — who best to give me guidance and insight based on time spent with the entire litter? Kelly — the breeder! The ultimate decision should always be yours, but with one as serious as this, I welcomed the assistance from the person who loved them first. Here are just a few that I found interesting and informative:. Conclusion Preparing to Buy a Goldendoodle Puppy Before choosing your new puppy and bringing him or her home, you should first get to know the breeder. You will also want a breeder who introduces you to the parent dogs. Parent dogs give you a glimpse of what your Goldendoodle puppy will grow into both physically and socially. Two super small brown or chocolate Goldendoodles Depending on how long the puppies stay with the breeder, they might have already given them their first round of vaccinations and dewormed them. Good breeders also provide a comfortable and spacious area for the parent dogs and puppies, which you should observe upon arrival to their home and grounds. Dirty or cramped quarters or other adverse conditions may cause traumas that will surface later in the developmental process. To ease the process of bonding and proper nourishment when you bring your Goldendoodle puppy home, breeders should supply you with all the information you need to make the transition as smooth as possible. You should ensure that breeders are forthcoming and knowledgeable on best-care tips and habits. What kind of food or formula is the puppy currently eating? Have you vaccinated the puppy? If so, is there a second round of vaccinations, and when is it? Do you have a certificate of health for the parent dogs and the puppy? Have you dewormed the puppy? How social is the puppy with their brothers and sisters? Puppies, like all animals, are a product of genetics and their environment, so a loving and caring breeder is an excellent indication that your Goldendoodle will likewise be loving, healthy, and happy. What size Goldendoodle are you after? The size difference between a Mini Goldendoodle and a Standard Goldendoodle can be staggering. If you need to pick up your dog to put them in the car or bath them — you do NOT want a standard or medium Goldendoodle! They will be far too heavy for the average pet parent. Ask to see the statistics of the parent dogs. Check the weight and height and find the average between. This is a best estimate if these parents do not have any previous litters to compare to. What generation of Godlendoodle are you after? The difference between a F1 Goldendoodle and a F1b Goldendoodle can be huge. This is the type that has the highest likelihood of having a hypoallergenic puppy coat. Go in depth and learn about the different generations of Goldendoodle dog and the differences in this guide. We also have a predicitive guide on how to tell what type of Goldendoodle coat your puppy will have curly, wavy, or straight. Just as you asked the breeders feeding and sleeping schedules , your vet will have even more information on training, nutrition, and other areas of pet care. What to Look for in a Goldendoodle Puppy You want your Goldendoodle puppy to have the best life possible with you and your family, so there are various variables that you should investigate and anticipate in your search for the best Goldendoodle puppy. We will go over the most important factors to look for in a Goldendoodle puppy in the following sections. Physical Health and Genetic Predispositions Wavy coat F1b Goldendoodles are typically non-shedding while still maintaining that teddy bear look. Medical records will show if either parent dog has suffered from conditions or diseases that may be genetically inheritable. Breeders usually do genetic screening for genetic diseases or conditions common to poodles and golden retrievers. Ostensibly, if breeders present you with health certificates for the parent dogs, this means that they do not have any severe genetic conditions. If you notice any genetic conditions the parent dogs have suffered in their lifetime, this indicates that their puppies are more likely to exhibit similar ailments. These are the most common issues that Goldendoodles face, for which you should do an independent screening with your primary vet: Hip Dysplasia. We've been through the picking-out process many times. We've learned how this process goes and so what I am telling you is true. Let us take you back in time a bit. Do you remember back when puppies used to be picked out at pet stores? There were some in Boise, Idaho for a short period of time. There was usually only one of each breed in the store. That's because the stores found that people picked puppies much easier when there wasn't a lot to choose from. A few complications happen when there is a whole litter to choose from, or gender in our case. We think our option is best for puppies and new families. The majority of our families are not picking a puppy purely out of impulse. That helps them make a logical decision. You are that family. You have thoroughly thought this through and planned for it. Remember that as you move forward, still consider your logic. Often puppy families are so caught up in the emotion of the moment they've waited for a long time, they throw all logic aside and grab the first Goldendoodle puppy that licks them. You are welcome to choose that way, but we will encourage you to ask us about them, and discuss your lifestyle, expectations, energy level, and what are your top priorities. These puppies all have the same mother and father. Even though they are very different siblings, you are not going to get puppies that are that much different from each other. Mother and Father's genetics are even tempered, obedient, pleasurable, gentle, smart and happy dogs. Some are larger, and alpha in their little litter pack, and some are timid. But overall, they will be even tempered just like their parents if given a stable, consistent home. Alpha puppies may need a bit more submission work which we do along the way continually when we see it and the shy ones will need extra handling to build confidence. The healthiest place for them is their litter and mother, who teaches them how to interact with each other and to know who is boss Mother. These puppies will still change A LOT! Between weeks puppies can go from Alpha in the pack to the middle. Some of the middle kids, as I call them, can rise to the top of the pack. Their eating habits and playing rough habits can dramatically change their size and strength and temperament between now and then. By 6 weeks though, it is pretty set. Puppy's development is in hyper speed. It's like watching a newborn grow to a tween in 8 weeks. So we watch them closely, especially as they are changing a lot. That being said. Today's introduction should be just that. We will not be updating you on all of their little changes from now until then. We will point out a few things, but it has been proven that we would be wasting your time and ours if we were focusing on their personalities or even size right now. Please try to contain your excitement and be patient with us. The last few weeks have a very high intensity of care and constant cleaning, moving, training, vetting, and socializing. We try to make it seem very romantic, but it is farm work! Hard, sweaty, dirty and stinky at times! We get our hands and clothes dirty. I don't even want to tell you what hits me in the face sometimes. Thank you for enjoying the journey with us. We always fall in love with a all of them and usually a few favorites, and it's hard to say goodbye. What would be helpful to focus on. Have fun looking at the litter's photos! It takes us over an hour of sweat and tears sometimes to get these shots. These photos will be memories for you when you do take your little one home. We know how valuable they will be in the long run to you! You'll have these photos and look back at the changes. Think about and possibly make note of what's most important to you for when you come. Then you can tell us what your main focus is and trust us to guide you. We know what they are like. You are welcome to do little tests with them. There a many different ways that people try to test temperament. I think they are helpful as long as it agrees with our opinion as well. If a test determines who we know to be the big alpha male says its timid, it's probably not accurate. But if there are several that haven't stood out to us as particularly one way or another, a little test could be helpful if you wanted to try. When it's time to choose. When it's time to choose your puppy, you will be scheduled 45 minute slots. Goldendoodle Puppies get tired quickly and at 6 weeks will only play about minutes until they are all "dog tired. So, staying any longer than that is not very helpful anyway. We can chat with you, and you'll find that it's ample time to decide who is the best fit for you. We will space you out so that they are not all sleeping hard when you arrive. They still sleep the majority of the day, but they will be rested enough to move around and interact. Please play carefully with them, they are still very young. I'll be in touch with you in your pick order soon to schedule your pick-out time. Thank you for choosing Power Goldendoodles! Flat coats are quite commonly seen in F2 Goldendoodles. These coats are easy to maintain when compared with curlier coated types. However, if you want a Goldendoodle that has the traditional teddy bear look, a flat-coated dog is not for you. Also, these dogs are moderate to high shedders and are, therefore, not recommended for a family with allergies. However, unlike flat-coated Doodles, the straight coat type does have furnishings and the fur tends to be fluffier in texture. Straight coat Goldendoodles are also referred to as loose coats or hair coats, and these pups have coats that are most like a Golden retriever. Also, these dogs do tend to shed quite heavily, making them unsuitable for those with pet allergies. So, if you take on one of these Goldendoodles, you must also be prepared to vacuum your carpets daily! Wavy Coat Image Source: Instagram. A wavy or shaggy coat is the most common type of Goldendoodle coat type, and they are also sometimes called fleece coats. In fact, the wavy coat occurs in all the most popular generations of Goldendoodles, including F1, F1b, and multigenerational dogs. Wavy Goldendoodles can be minimal shedders, although F1 and F2 dogs tend to be moderate to heavy shedders. So, to be certain as to whether your puppy will shed or not, always choose a reputable breeder that has had all their breeding dogs DNA tested. Curly Coat Curly coats are created when the puppy inherits a curl gene from each parent. These dogs have very dense, fleece-like coat characteristics that most closely resemble the coat of the Poodle parent. You will most commonly find curly coats in an F1B Goldendoodle or some of the multigenerational Goldendoodles. However, most owners prefer to have their dogs shaved or clipped. Curly Goldendoodles are minimal to non-shedding coats, which makes these dogs extremely sought after by people with pet allergies. If you leave the coat to grow without having your dog clipped, the curls will become very dense, making it difficult to gauge their length simply by looking at the coat. That said, eventually, the hair will stop growing. To make matters even more confusing, Goldendoodles commonly change color as they mature. Generally, if the puppy has a smooth face without furnishings, he will most likely have an improper or flat coat. Goldendoodle Coat Stages As previously mentioned, Goldendoodle puppies begin shedding their puppy coats once they reach around six months of age. By the time your puppy is eight months old or more, he will have his final adult coat. The final coat is usually not as soft and fluffy as the puppy coat. The coat change can be gradual or sudden, taking a matter of weeks or several months. Also, some super-soft adult Goldendoodle coats are virtually indistinguishable from the puppy coat. Until recently, crossbreeding dogs generally gave unpredictable results with the puppies taking more after one parent than the other. Now, DNA testing is commonly used by good breeders to determine what kind of coat their puppies will have. However, there are a few tried and tested methods of determining what kind of coat the puppy will have as an adult. That can be a good indicator for the coat type your dog will have as an adult. Generally, a prominent mustache is a clear indicator that the puppy will have a curly coat. Dogs that will go on to develop wavy coats tend to grow a shaggy beard around the muzzle. Straight-coated Goldendoodles usually have short, neat hair around their snout. If the puppy is anything other than an F1, first-generation pup, look at both the parent dogs. Generally, puppies take after one parent dog. However, genetics always have the final say when it comes to coat types. Inspiration For Names! One of the fun things about owning a Goldendoodle is choosing a name for your dog. For a few more ideas on what names you can choose for your Doodle puppy, check out this guide! Most people think of the Goldendoodle as having those classic teddy bear looks that everyone finds so adorable. However, not all puppies go on to develop that wavy or curly coat and furnishings that are so desirable. And, of all the generations, the F1B Goldendoodles are much less likely to have a significant coat change as they mature, although the coat coarseness and density are quite likely to increase. Interestingly, English Goldendoodles are more likely to have that boxy teddy bear features than American Goldendoodles. However, both kinds can develop the teddy bear appearance with the correct furnishings. Dogs with any of the three types of Goldendoodle coats can be with or without furnishings. F1 Goldendoodles are most likely to be without furnishings. That involvement entails providing access to the very latest research and expert guidance on canine reproduction, breed development, and puppy development. However, through the careful selection of mates, a good breeder can produce that adorable Teddy Bear look that people love so much. Shedding intensity can also be predicted through careful DNA research and careful breeding. The S gene that gives the dog a short coat is dominant. Doodle coats can be curly, straight, or wavy, depending on the number of curl genes that they take from their parents. What Are Furnishings? Commonly known as the F gene, the gene, RSP02 is responsible for those furnishings. Improper Coat A coat that has no furnishings is known as an improper coat or IC. Goldendoodles that have Ff or F IC or one copy of the furnishings gene tend to be lighter shedders than dogs that do have furnishings. I hope you enjoyed this guide! What kind of coat did you think your puppy would grow, and how did it actually turn out? Tell us in the comments box below. Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. Leave a Comment. By Dr. There are many great breeders out there that you can buy a puppy from. There are also so not so great places you can get a Goldendoodle. When looking for a Goldendoodle puppy, this article will help you pick out your perfect puppy. There are many things that you need to consider. This will help make sure that your puppy is healthy and exactly the puppy that you want. What to look for in a Goldendoodle Puppy? There are a few things that you need to check out in order to make sure you are getting the best puppy for yourself. These are: Physical Health Health and Genetic issues of the Parents Personal Preference Breeding Qualities By checking all these out in your Goldendoodle, you will make sure that your puppy is perfectly healthy and exactly what you want. These puppies are going to be members of the family, and you want to make sure that they will fit in wonderfully and be as healthy as possible. Physical Health Check When you are looking at what puppy you want, you will want to thoroughly check over everything about the puppy that you are picking out. While most people who are buying these dogs are not vets so they do not know everything that you needed to look for these are common things that you should examine to make sure the puppy that you are picking out is as healthy as possible. Energy Level: look at the energy level of your puppy. If the Goldendoodle puppy is very active and playful, this will be their personality. If they are lazier as a puppy, they may not be as energetic once they are grown. Sometimes these dogs may be sleeping, but they are usually very active. Also, make sure your dog is moving around. If a puppy is sick, they typically are very lethargic and do not really come to see people when they come near. These will be bright and alert. They should not be any matting or redness in the eyes. If they have been adequately cared for, there should not be any dirty or eye discharge around their face. Breathing: Watch your Goldendoodle puppy breathing. They should be breathing at a regular rate. You should also not hear any wheezing or noise when they are breathing. If you notice that your Goldendoodle puppy is making a wheezing sound, they may have an upper respiratory infection. Make sure that they are clean and do not have an odor. A dog with an ear infection or ear mites will have black debris in the ears, and they will have a very strong unpleasant smell coming from the ears. Body Condition: Make sure that your puppy looks overall health. They should be at a good weight and not look malnourished. If your puppy did not eat a proper diet early in life, they could have a lot of health problems as they start to get older. There should be no redness or discharge. If they are a boy, you should be able to feel both testicles. If a dog only has one, the other one has not descended. If this does not happen, your puppy will be cryptorchid. This testicle that does not descend could turn cancerous and cause many problems for your Goldendoodle later in life. Coat: Make that your Goldendoodle puppy has a beautiful shiny coat. They should not have any fleas or ticks. They should not have any bald patches of skin. Sometimes puppies do play rough with each other, and they may have a minor scratch on them, but there should not be a large bald spot on your new Goldendoodle puppy. If your puppy does have a bald spot, they can possibly have Demodex, a type of mange that they get from their mothers shortly after birth. While this can easily be treated by your veterinarian, it can be very itchy for your puppy. There should not be a bulge around their belly button. This would be an umbilical hernia. These can easily be fixed by a veterinarian, but it would be an extra cost you would have to spend on your new Goldendoodle puppy. Hearing: Some puppies can be born deaf. It is straightforward to test to see if your puppy can hear when your puppy is playing whistle very loud. If your Goldendoodle puppy can hear, they will quickly turn around and come toward you. Dogs who cannot hear will continue doing what they were doing. Vision: Vision problems are commonly seen in poodles. Make sure that your new puppy can see. You can observe your puppy running around and notice if they have vision problems. Your new puppy should be able to quickly move around objects without running into them. These are simple observations that you can quickly make about the puppies that you are looking at buying. This will help make sure that you are getting a healthy puppy. You do not have to be a vet to be able to notice that there is something that is just not right with a puppy. Remember to trust your instincts when picking out a puppy; if it just does not seem right, it probably is not the right puppy for you. Behavior Around People and Other Puppies When looking for a new puppy, you will want one that is great with people and other dogs. You can watch how the puppies act in different situations. This will help make sure that your new puppy does not have any unwanted traits. You will want a puppy that is well rounded and approaches you as you walk near the puppies. Your new puppy may be hard to pick out as most Goldendoodle puppies tend to have a very outgoing personality. There are other tips that you can use when picking out a Goldendoodle puppy. How does your puppy act with other dogs? Watch your puppy around other puppies. Make sure that it likes being around other puppies, especially if you have another dog in the house. You can quickly see if your new puppy will be the leader or stand back and let other dogs take control. You can also tell if a puppy is going to bully other dogs and continuously pick fights. Does your puppy like other people? If you spend a lot of time with friends and family, you will want to make sure that your new Goldendoodle puppies love to be around people. Watch as your dog interacts with you and other people who are around. Does your puppy like being touched? If you want a dog that loves to snuggle on the couch and be around you all the time, make sure your puppy also likes to be touched. When you are sitting near all the puppies, the ones that come up to you and want to be in your lap usually turn out to be lap dogs. The ones that are doing their own thing are often more independent and may want to spend their time napping in their bed rather than snuggled up to you on the couch. Pick up the puppies and see how they act. Do they nip at your hands and wiggle around as soon as you touch them? By interacting with the puppies, you can quickly gauge their personalities. Be careful not to pick the shy puppy of the littler. These may be fearful, which is a behavior that is very hard to change. Is your puppy sensitive to sounds? If you live in an area where there are a lot of thunderstorms or your house is noisy with the kids. You will want a puppy that is not sensitive to all these loud sounds. If you clap your hands and your puppy runs away , they may be afraid of loud noises and would do best in a quiet house. Make sure that you are answering these questions when looking for a new Goldendoodle puppy. These will help make sure that your new Goldendoodle puppy is excellent around other people and dogs. Many times, you can help train your Goldendoodle to accept new people and pets, but if your dog already loves other people and pets makes it much easier. If you are planning on getting a new Goldendoodle puppy and you already have a pet or kids, take your dog and kids with you to help pick out a new pet. Many times, it helps to know what puppy your dog and kids already bond with before bringing them home. Genetic Health Many traits and problems can be passed from parents to offspring. If you see any genetic conditions in their health record, then you know that the puppies may also have these problems. The breeder can test the parent for the potential to have any genetic conditions. Any reputable breeder will have their dogs tested for genetic conditions before breeding. Some testing will need to be done by a specialist, and some can be done by your regular vet. This condition is usually inherited but can be due to poor nutrition, overweight, or inadequate amounts of exercise. What is Hip Dysplasia? Hip dysplasia is caused by abnormal development of the hip joints. The hip joint is a ball and socket type joint. A Goldendoodle with hip dysplasia is caused when the socket that is in the pelvis is not deep enough for the ball, which is part of the femur to stay in place. When the hip joint is shallow, the femur to continually come in and out of place, causing looseness and instability in the hip joint. The femur will rub on the pelvis while moving in the socket. This causes arthritis to build up around this joint. This arthritis can be excruciating. This will put extra stress on the knees and ankles, causing them even more orthopedic problems. While there is a treatment to make this less painful, there is nothing that can reverse this condition. How is Hip Dysplasia Testing done in Goldendoodles? Dogs under two years of age can only be a preliminary screen for hip dysplasia. They cannot get their full hip certification until they are at least two years old. Once your dog reaches two years of age, you can take them to your veterinarian for the entire test certification. The hips will be grades as excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate, and severe. To pass OFA hip certification, your Goldendoodle will need to receive an excellent, good, and fair rating. They will then receive a certification number. Elbow Dysplasia in Goldendoodles Elbow Dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia, and they can inherit this condition from their parents. This can be seen in both Poodles and Golden Retrievers. What is Elbow Dysplasia Elbow dysplasia is caused by one of three different problems. These are: Fragment medial coronoid process of the elbow, Osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle and Ununited anconeal process. This extra growth can lead to the elbow becoming displaced or out of the socket. This can cause the elbow joint to develop abnormally, leading to a life of pain, inflammation, and arthritis in the elbow. Goldendoodles with elbow dysplasia may have no obvious signs at all, but it can be so severe that your Goldendoodle is not putting any weight on that leg. There are many treatment options that you can do to help decrease the pain and inflammation if your dog does develop elbow dysplasia. How is Elbow Dysplasia Testing done in Goldendoodles Elbow dysplasia testing is done very similar to hip dysplasia, where your vet will take 4 different radiographs of the elbows will be submitted to a veterinary radiologist. Just like with hip dysplasia, your dog cannot get their full certification until after they are two years of age. Elbow dysplasia is graded as normal or abnormal with abnormal being broken down into 3 different grades: Grade 1: Minimal bonny changes Grade 2: a bonny proliferation of 2 to 5mm Grade 3: a severe degenerative joint disease where bonny proliferation is greater than 5mm Only dogs who have a normal elbow will pass certification and should be used for breeding. Elbow and Hip Dysplasia testing can be done on your Goldendoodle to see if they have the potential for developing hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA , and your veterinarian, can use x-rays of the hips to help decide if your dog is predisposed for hip dysplasia. Goldendoodles who do have hip or elbow dysplasia should not be used for breeding. These are genetic diseases that are passed from parents to offspring. When looking to purchase a Goldendoodle puppy, you should see if their hips and elbows are OFA certified. This will help you determine if these will be problems that your new Goldendoodle puppy may develop later in their life. For a Goldendoodle to be tested for elbow and hip dysplasia, they will need to see a veterinarian. Not all veterinarians test for this disease, so call your veterinarian and make sure that they can test your Goldendoodle for hip and elbow dysplasia. Your dog would have to be sedated to get the perfect radiographs for submission. Specific views must be taken of the hips and elbows. To take these radiographs, your dog will not experience any pain but will need to be perfectly still. These radiographs will be sent off to for boarded radiologists to review. It can take a few weeks for the radiologist to review the x-rays and get you the results. Poodles are known to get Progressive Retinal Atrophy. This disease causes the retinal in the eye to slowly deteriorate. Once the retina is gone, your dog will be blind. This is a no treatable or preventable condition. This disease is thought to be genetic, and dogs who have this problem should not be breed. This testing has to be done by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. Most of the time, the dogs have a disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This is when the heart does not function properly, causing the heart to overwork. The ventricles of the heart will become dilated, causing the heart to have to work harder to get blood pumping all around the body. This is usually a fatal disease but can be managed with daily heart medications. If the Goldendoodle that you are looking at purchasing has these issues, it would be best to look at another breeding pair. A responsible breeder will test for these traits and not breed any dog who has tested positive for any of these issues. Personal Preference Many people have a personal preference for what they also want in a Goldendoodle puppy. Some people want a specific color or a particular hair type. Some people want a big dog, while some like the smaller Goldendoodles. By looking at how Goldendoodle puppies were bred will help you to pick out the perfect Goldendoodle puppy. Breeding Qualities There are a few different types of Goldendoodles. These are all determined by what the parents are mixed with or if the parents are pure-bred dogs. These are common ways that Goldendoodle puppies are made. F1 Goldendoodles. These Goldendoodles are made by mixing a pure-bred Poodle with a pure-bred Golden Retriever. These dogs have all of the traits that many people think of when they think about a Goldendoodle. These dogs will be shaggy and curly. They will have the teddy bear look that most people want. F1B Goldendoodles. You will get this mixture when you cross an F1 Goldendoodle with a pure-bred poodle. These Goldendoodles do not shed and tend to have hair that is more like the poodle. This breeding is the most hypoallergenic of all the breeding possibilities. If you have horrible pet allergies, this breeding would be best for you. You will also see more color variations in this breeding. The hair type commonly seen with this breeding is more like a poodle. F2 Goldendoodles. F2 or second-generation Goldendoodles are made by breeding two F1 Goldendoodles. These dogs tend to have hair more like a Golden Retriever and usually shed a little more but nowhere near as much as a Golden Retriever does. These Size of your Goldendoodle The size of your Goldendoodle will also depend on the parents. While most Golden Retrievers are 60 to 70 pounds, Poodles come in many different sizes such as Toy: 6 to 9 pounds Minature: 15 to 17 pounds Standard: 45 to 70 pounds If you want a smaller Goldendoodle, make sure that the poodle parent is also smaller. If you want a Goldendoodle that is on the larger size, make sure that the poodle parent is a Standard poodle. Most people have Goldendoodle, around 30 to 50 pounds. Some as they are breeding a miniature poodle with a Golden Retrieve. Some people love the tinny Goldendoodles and will look for a toy poodle that was bread with a Golden Retriever. By looking at the breeding of the parent, you should be able to pick out the perfect traits that you want in a Goldendoodle. When should you take your Goldendoodle to the veterinarian for the first time? As soon as you get your puppy, you should take them to the vet for a checkup. Most reputable breeders and other adoption organizations will allow you about 72 hours to return your Goldendale puppy. They will usually allow you to exchange the puppy for another one if there is a health problem that your veterinarian notices. It is advised to make a vet appointment the day your plan on picking up your puppy to help quickly identify any issues that your Goldendoodle puppy may have. Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam on your Goldendoodle. These are the steps veterinarians take to examine your new Goldendoodle puppy. Not only will your veterinarian completely examine your dog and let you know of any potential problems, but they will also check the records that the breeder provided you for your Goldendoodle puppy. They will give your puppy any vaccines they need and prescribe heartworm and internal parasite deworming. At this visit, it is a great time to discuss any potty training and other questions that you may have on the health of your new Goldendoodle puppy. By starting your new Goldendoodle off with a trip to the vet will get them set up on a great schedule to keep them healthy. Your vet can advise you on diets, feeding, and spaying and neutering your new Goldendoodle puppy. There are many different things that you need to consider. Do you have kids? This guide should help you make the correct choice when picking out your new puppy. By looking at the overall appearance of your puppy and taking into consideration the breeding and potential genetic testing, you will be able to pick out the perfect Goldendoodle puppy for your family. Making sure that your new Goldendoodle puppy is healthy and happy will start you out on the right track to a healthy and long life with your new furry friend. My two daughters and my Goldendoodle all use this same brush daily. I was kind of surprised at how good it is that it is inexpensive on Amazon. Updated: Oct 22, There are few things more exciting in life than deciding to get a new puppy. But how do you know which puppy will be perfect for you? Recently we outlined a list of questions you should ask before you get your puppy. Equally important, what kind of puppy will be best suited for you and your lifestyle? As South Carolina doodle breeders , we have years of experience under our belt and we are here to help make the very best decision for both you and your new best friend. When it comes to picking the right puppy from a litter, many people often find themselves considering the value of Nature versus Nurture - the age old debate! We have talked at length about the nurture side of the equation in previous blog posts i. While no one knows exactly where to draw the line in the age old nature vs. The first step is to decide which litter is the best fit for you. Most people choose their doodle litter based on color, coat texture, etc. Most breeders adore their parent dogs hence why they want to create more of them! For example, at JLDD we love all of our parent dogs for different reasons, but we also recognize not all are created equal. Others we might recommend for people desiring a more active companion or a dog that can be a real athlete fetch, agility, etc. Ideally, you will find an experienced breeder who can help guide you in this regard…performing a temperament test on each pup can also be very telling. At JLDD we have various exercises that allow us to rank each litter based on attributes including trainability, dominance, etc. But even if your preferred breeder does not do a temperament test, there is a lot you can tell on your own when you go to visit a litter! Well-socialized pups should be willing to approach a new person some may do so more excitedly than others , but all should be curious and accepting of human interaction. A puppy that is very shy and attempts to hide from human interaction will need a lot of patience and training. Learn more about doodle exercise needs here. Dogs that are very confident and more on the dominant side may be repeatedly jumping up, less inclined to be held on their backs, etc. They may also not be a good fit for a home that already has a dog — typically more submissive pups integrate more easily into a home with another dog. A pup that is interested in human interaction but is a little slower to approach may prove to be a more reserved dog. There are other simple techniques you can employ when meeting a litter of pups. Make a strange sound such as whistling or jingling your keys and see which pups respond with curiosity. Again, this would be a marker of a confident dog who will be outgoing and eager to participate in training. Independence is another trait to keep an eye out for. Also, any pet owner should be aware of doodle separation anxiety symptoms. Some people want a dog who can enjoy some time in the backyard by themselves. Others are looking for a shadow — those looking for an emotional support animal often want a dog that scores very high on affection and low on independence. Picking a Good Puppy Out of a Litter Is Easier When Breeders Have a Matchmaking Process One thing that sets our adoption process apart from other breeders is that we like to pair our clients with their new dogs, like matchmakers! Begin by filling out an application so we can learn more about you, such as whether or not you live with young kids, your activity level, what you're hoping a new dog will add to your family, etc. Choosing a new pet is a major responsibility and not all puppies are the same, so why should we treat them like they are? Remember, any pup that has been well socialized and comes from happy, healthy parents, will likely make a wonderful family pet. And nurture will bring out the best in any pup! We hope this post has assisted your search for a new pup. Let us know at contact jennaleedoodles. Post not marked as liked3 Recent Posts.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Have you always wanted a Labrador retriever, but are you worried about the common health problems of the breed? Someone might have recommended that you go for a Pit Bull-Lab mix. Labrador retrievers and American pit bull terriers began to be deliberately interbred in the s as a way of minimizing the health problems that are common to both pure breeds. The result is usually a gorgeous, medium-sized pup with the strength and loyalty of a pit bull and the intelligence and affection of a Labrador. But wait, you might be wondering if these dogs are highly aggressive, since pit bulls do have a reputation for being a pretty aggressive dog. While exactly what you get with a mix-breed pup is always unpredictable, the aggressive reputation of the pit bull is undeserved. They are, in fact, intelligent and affectionate canines. A word of warning, while pit bull-Lab mixes are highly affectionate and highly trainable, they are not generally recommended for first-time dog owners since there is quite a bit of work involved in looking after these special dogs. But whatever you call them, they are a mix between a Labrador retriever and an American pit bull terrier. Labrador retrievers are medium-large gun dogs that were initially bred to retrieve game. But over the years, they have also become incredibly popular family dogs. They are also highly intelligent, trainable, and friendly, so they are also often used as disability assistance dogs, for example working as guide dogs for the blind. American pit bull terriers are solidly built medium-sized dogs. In the early 19th century, they were often used in blood sports such as bull and bear-baiting, and after these sports were outlawed in , they were also often used in dogfighting. This is why the breed has a reputation for being aggressive, but they are not naturally aggressive when properly cared for. They are, in fact, strong, confident, and lively, and make excellent family pets as they love children and are protective of them. Pit Bull-Labrador Mix Characteristics Unlike with pure-bred dogs, which tend to have a fairly predictable appearance and temperament, you can never be sure exactly how the characteristics of parents will combine in a mix-breed dog. But it is possible to generalize about the most likely characteristics of a pit bull-Lab mix based on the characteristics that appear most often, and characteristics that breeders will often try and control to produce the best possible pups. Labrador-Pit Bull Mix Appearance Most pups that are a mix between a Labrador retriever and a pit bull can be characterized as medium in size. They usually range from between 17 to 25 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 45 to 90 pounds. Male Lab-pit bull mixes tend to be significantly larger than their female counterparts. They will almost certainly have a strong and muscular physique. Labradors are fairly strong to start with, and this is only enhanced by the extreme muscular nature of the American pit bull terrier. Their facial features generally fall between those of a Lab and a pit bull, and they will have a broader forehead than a Labrador retriever, but it will be narrower than that of a pit bull. They usually have a relatively long muzzle and long pointed ears. Your pitador might also come out with the classic Labrador retriever double coat that sheds a lot. Breeders will often try and control for this characteristic, but there are no guarantees. There is no way of knowing what kind of coat they will have when you adopt a puppy. Coat colors vary from classic Labrador colors including black, chocolate, and golden yellow, but you can also expect to see white, spotted, brindle, and cream. Lab-Pit Bull Mix Temperament When you adopt a Labrabull, you can expect a dog that is affectionate, intelligent, and energetic, as these are characteristics of both Labrador retrievers and American pit bull terriers. Lab-pit bull mixes are very affectionate and bond quickly with new families. They are incredibly friendly with children and will be both careful and protective of them. While you can trust a pit bull-Lab mix with children, small children should never be left alone with any dog unsupervised. While they do get on with other animals, this breed does have a need to be dominant. They may engage in behaviors you consider aggressive or undesirable to assert their dominance over other dogs or household animals. They crave to be included in everything the family does and to be the center of attention. These dogs are very intelligent and also eager to please, which makes them highly trainable. They are just as capable of being trained as working dogs as their Labrador retriever parent. They are motivated by praise and reward, and training should always utilize positive reinforcement. When your dog is frustrated and confused by what you want from them, that is when they can become aggressive. But pit bull-Lab dogs are not naturally aggressive; they actually have a calm and fun-loving temperament. But they are also high energy and need a lot of exercise. They are highly alert and will bark a little to let you know if guests arrive at the door or strangers are lurking near the house. Lab-Pit Bull Mix Health These crossbreed dogs generally live for years and within that time are likely to have fewer health problems than either purebred Labrador retrievers or American pit bull terriers. Nevertheless, they can be inclined to develop some of the joint conditions that are common in Labrador retrievers, such as hip dysplasia. They can benefit from glucosamine supplements to help keep their joints supple and healthy. You can find our recommendations for the best glucosamine supplements here. These dogs are also more inclined to developing epilepsy and hyperthyroidism than some other dog breeds. You should monitor your dog for seizures to identify the onset of epilepsy. You can read more about seizures in dogs here. Finally, dogs that are a mix of Labrador retrievers and pit bulls can be inclined to develop skin conditions and allergies. For this reason, it is important to choose a good pH-balanced shampoo for your dog, and try to keep their food and environment free of toxins that can trigger or exacerbate allergies. These might help you to decide whether they are the right breed of dog for you. Exercise Lab-pit bull retrievers are energetic dogs that need lots of space to play. They need a yard to give them space to run and play throughout the day. They need a lot of exercise each day. They need at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running or playing catch, each day. On top of this, they will need hours of moderate exercise such as walking and playing. This exercise is best when split into at least two exercise sessions each day. It is advisable to keep your pit bull-Lab mix on the leash when in public parks as they have a high prey drive. Attention These dogs thrive on love and attention, and since they are so intelligent, they also need a lot of mental stimulation. This means that it is not appropriate to leave them alone for long periods of time. If you leave one of these dogs alone for ten hours a day while everyone is at work, you will come home to a lot of destruction and a frustrated dog that may become aggressive in their need for your affection. Grooming Most Lab-pit bull mixes have the short-haired, low-shedding coat of a pit bull, which only needs brushing once a week. But if they turn out to have the high-shedding coat of a retriever, you may find that you need to brush them every day to keep on top of their shedding. You will also want a powerful vacuum cleaner that is designed to pick up dog hair. You also need to pay a lot of attention to dental care, as Lab-pit bull mixes are prone to tartar build-up and gum disease. Diet Since these dogs are highly muscular and full of energy, they thrive on a diet that is high in animal-based proteins and high in healthy fats. You do need to be careful how much food you give them, as they will usually eat even when they feel full, and they are prone to put on weight when they overeat. So, feed them a diet that is low in carbohydrates and put food out at regular times rather than leaving food in their bowl for them to graze throughout the day. Since these dogs are prone to allergies, it is important to invest in high-quality food that does not contain any artificial additives that can be toxic for dogs. It is also a good idea to vary their diet, and ensure they are not eating the same type of meat every day. Dogs are most likely to develop allergies to the foods they eat the most. So, if you feed your dog the same chicken-based dog food every day, it is likely that over time they might develop an allergy to chicken. Varying the protein that makes up their diet can help prevent this. Where To Adopt There are many reputable breeders out there breeding top-quality pit bull-Labrador retriever mixes. Generally speaking, you will find that the Labrador is the mother, as they are a slightly larger breed, and it is safer for the dog when the mother is a bit larger than the father. So, if possible, look to adopt rather than buy. A great place to start looking for adoptable dogs is at Petfinder. We found our Australian Shepherd Labrador Retriever mix through petfinder. FAQs Is a pit bull-Lab mix an aggressive dog? No, pit bull-Lab mix dogs are not aggressive. They can have a reputation for aggression because pit bulls have traditionally been used in blood sports, but the breed is not naturally aggressive. They can be dominant among other animals and may engage in classic alphamale behavior to assert their position in the animal hierarchy. When do Lab-pit bull mixes stop growing? Lab-pit bull mix dogs will usually keep growing until they are about three years old, which is around the same time as they start to lose their puppy energy. You can expect them to grow between 17 and 25 inches tall and to weigh between 45 and 90 pounds. Are pit bull-Lab mixes a good dog breed for families with kids? Yes, Lab-pit bull mixes are excellent kids. They are gentle and playful and will also be highly protective of their young charges. While they will give you a bark to let you know that strangers are around, they are actually very good with strangers as well. Can you have a pit bull-Lab mix with another dog? Pit bull-Lab mixes are highly dominant animals, so they will try and assert their dominance over any other animals you have in the house. For this reason, they need to be well-socialized from a young age to ensure they learn appropriate behavior. So, while you can introduce a Lab-pit bull mix puppy into a home that already has a dog, you might want to be wary about introducing an adult dog into a household that already has another dog. Do pit bull-Lab mix dogs bark a lot? No, these highly intelligent dogs are not the type to bark continuously or for no reason. They might give you a bark to let you know when something has happened or if someone is approaching. When do Labrador-pit bull mix dogs calm down? From about the age of one year, these dogs begin to calm down and have less energy. The Verdict Labrador retriever-American pit bull terrier mixes make excellent pets for anyone with an active lifestyle and lots of space for these dogs to stretch their legs. They combine the intelligent and friendly temperament of both breeds in an adorable dog that is less likely to suffer from some of the serious medical conditions that are common in both pure breeds. They are also highly trainable and have a calm and friendly temperament as long as they are getting the physical stimulation and the attention that they need. You will need to be prepared to make the time commitment to keep these dogs healthy and happy. Do you have any experience raising a Lab-pit bull mix pup? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Labradoodle Highlights Friendly and intelligent: Labradoodles are known for being friendly and intelligent dogs. They are good with children and other animals, and they are easy to train. Hypoallergenic: Labradoodles are often considered to be hypoallergenic, which means that they do not shed as much as other dogs. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies. Active and playful: Labradoodles are active dogs that need regular exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, going for walks, and swimming. Loyal and devoted: Labradoodles are loyal and devoted dogs that make great companions. They are always happy to see their owners and they love to cuddle. Versatile: Labradoodles are versatile dogs that can be trained for a variety of tasks, including therapy work, obedience, and agility. They can be expensive to purchase and maintain. They require regular grooming, especially if they have a curly coat. They are prone to some health problems, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Overall, Labradoodles are wonderful dogs that make great companions for people of all ages. If you are looking for a friendly, intelligent, and hypoallergenic dog, a Labradoodle may be a good choice for you. Labradoodle History Wally Conron, who was in charge of the breeding program for the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia, purposefully crossbred a Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever in to develop the Labradoodle as a hypoallergenic guide dog. The first cross produced Sultan, a dog with a hypoallergenic coat, aptitude, intelligence, and personality suitable for being an effective guide dog. Sultan worked successfully with a woman in Hawaii. Other breeders saw the merit of crossing these two breeds, and the Labradoodle quickly rose in popularity like its Labrador Retriever parent. These dogs are often produced by crossing a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle, but multigenerational breeding has begun in an attempt to produce a viable and recognizable breed. The Australian Labradoodle Association and the International Australian Labradoodle Association are taking steps to move this designer breed into registered breed status in the next few years. These groups have made great efforts to bring breeders together so that they are working to achieve the same standards through multigenerational breeding. Labradoodle Size The Labradoodle comes in three size variations, depending on the size of the Poodle used for the first-generation breeding. The three sizes are Standard, Medium, and Miniature. The Standard Labradoodle should be 22 to 24 inches in height for a male and 21 to 23 inches in height for a female, while both can range in weight from 50 to 65 pounds. The Medium Labradoodle should be 18 to 20 inches high for a male and 17 to 19 inches high for a female, with both weighing from 30 to 45 pounds. The average size for a Miniature Labradoodle is between 14 to 16 inches and 15 to 25 pounds. All of that said, there is a lot of variation in Labradoodle sizes. Some can be smaller or larger than expected. Labradoodle Personality The Labradoodle is an intelligent dog who can make the ideal family pet if properly trained. They are friendly and accept and treat everyone like their best friend. They can be gentle, but they can also be joyful, showing their happiness through exuberant jumping and playing. They also tend to be easygoing, since the Labradoodle was bred not to be aggressive. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Meeting siblings, parents, or other relatives of the dog is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when they grow up. Socialization helps ensure that your Labradoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking them to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help them polish their social skills. Here are a few conditions to watch out for: Ear Infections: These can plague Labradoodles because of their floppy ears. The ears trap moisture and should be regularly checked. X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem. Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : Similar to hip dysplasia, this is also a degenerative disease. The disease varies in severity: the dog could simply develop arthritis, or they could become lame. Treatment includes surgery, weight management, medical management, and anti-inflammatory medication. It can cause mild or severe seizures that may show themselves as unusual behavior—such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding—or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Allergies: Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Labradoodle is no exception. Treatment varies according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes. Diabetes Mellitus: This is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. The dog will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Symptoms of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and the administration of insulin. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Hypothyroidism : This is a disorder of the thyroid gland. It is treated with medication and diet. They require about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day and would do better with a fenced yard in which to expel some energy. Some Labradoodles, especially in the first generation, can require even more exercise. The Labradoodle makes an excellent jogging companion but also needs some time off-leash to burn off steam. The Labradoodle is an intelligent and eager-to-please dog. Training should be easy as long as consistency and positive reinforcement are the methods. Socialize them from puppyhood, since they tend to hurl themselves headlong into canine situations without regard to the feelings of other dogs. This can lead to some problems if the unknown dog is aggressive. Despite their activity levels, a Labradoodle can adjust to living in suburban or city environments and can do well in rural settings. A crate is also a place where they can retreat for a nap. Crate training at a young age will help your Labradoodle accept confinement if they ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized. Never stick your Labradoodle in a crate all day long, however. Labradoodle Feeding Recommended daily amount: 1 to 2. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Keep your Labradoodle in good shape by measuring their food and feeding them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. First, look down at them. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on their back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Labradoodle, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Labradoodle Coat Color And Grooming Although a Labradoodle can have one of a range of coat types, the desired length is four to six inches. They have a single coat with hair ranging from straight to loose curls. There are three types of texture: The Hair coat, which is similar to fur in shedding breeds, is the least popular. Hair coats shed and usually have a normal doggy odor. This coat is seen in first generations, although breeders try to avoid it. The Fleece coat has a silky texture often described as an Angora goat texture. This coat ranges from straight to wavy. Labradoodles are considered to be non- to low shedders, especially those with a Fleece or Wool coat. Hair coats tend to shed just as they do in other breeds, ranging from very low to average shedding. The Labradoodle comes in a wide variety of colors. They can also have parti-colored coats, which consist of brindles, phantom, patched, or sable colors. Grooming requirements vary depending on the length and type of coat the dog has. Generally speaking, you can expect to brush a Labradoodle about once or twice per week. Some can be clipped or trimmed every six to eight weeks to keep the coat easy to maintain. Like Labs, Labradoodles can be prone to ear infections, so take a little extra time caring for their ears. Dry and clean them after a swim, and check them once a week for dirt, redness, or a bad odor that can indicate an infection. Then wipe them out weekly with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent problems. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Dog toenails have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far you can cause bleeding—and your dog may not cooperate the next time they see the nail clippers come out. Handle their paws frequently—dogs are touchy about their feet—and look inside their mouth. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. Labradoodle Children And Other Pets The Labradoodle does well with children and can be an affectionate and gentle companion for any child. They can also be exuberant and might knock down smaller children, but they will love them with all their heart. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Labradoodles usually get along well with other dogs and pets. Like most dogs, they need training and socialization for optimum success at living with and visiting other animals. Labradoodle Rescue Groups Labradoodles are often brought home without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. Many end up in the care of shelters or rescues because of this. It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Labradoodles because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Labrador Retriever or Poodle breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have both health and behavioral issues. More Info For You. These dogs tend to look at the sunny side of life, making fantastic playmates and companions. Since these puppies will grow to be medium to large dogs, they can take a little while to learn their feet. It would be best to exercise caution when these puppies are around small children, as play can get rough sometimes and result in injury. However, with proper guidance, they can acclimate just fine and usually outgrow the puppy phase by roughly 2 years old. With this combo, most litters will be accidents. These things happen, and most folks will just want the puppies to go to good homes without trying to sell them for high prices. So, we highly recommend steering clear of purchasing these animals from potential backyard breeders. Use caution if someone has intentionally bred these dogs and is trying to sell them for profit. Puppies should come with a clean bill of health. They should have sound temperaments, healthy systems, and be in good physical shape. Always check vet records and living conditions—and most importantly, ask about the parents. Buying from a rescue or shelter cuts out a lot of the expense for you right up front. Not only do you have the cost of the puppy itself taken care of, but you also have vaccinations, deworming, anti-parasite, treatment, and potentially microchipping done before you even bring them home. Pitbulls are incredibly loyal, lovable dogs who get very close to their owners. These goofy boys and girls make friends with just anyone they meet. However, Pitbulls can also show an inclination for high prey drive. This can make it complicated if you try to teach them to coexist with smaller pets. However, mixed with the Labradoodle, this instinct might cancel out a little bit. Labradoodles tend to be extremely agreeable with everyone they meet—furry, or otherwise. These dogs are amiable, good-natured, and docile. Also, most Labradoodles are considered hypoallergenic, which might make it easier for those with mild allergies to dogs. When you put these two together, you have a big ball of love who will protect and stand by their families all their days. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are very lovable, getting along with children and adults alike. These animals should have the proper training to ensure they know how to interact with all family members. All the dogs in this combo are super loyal to those in the home. They will consider you part of their pack, protecting and loving you all the way. They will love going on adventures and playing with the whole crew in the backyard. Once you have made a friend, you will have a buddy for life. With proper handling, they will fit in with just about any family—but do be mindful of breed restrictions. Since many rental companies have lists of unacceptable breeds, Pit mixes might not be permitted. Always check with your landlord to ensure you can have this breed if you rent your space. The Pitbull Labradoodle mix can make a terrific buddy for other household pets. They generally get along well with other dogs and can even make friends with household cats, permitting that they are socialized and acclimated well. Some Pitbulls and Labs have a high prey drive, so these traits might bleed into the mix. However, as puppies, they can get along well with our feline friends—and they might even become best pals. They might enjoy chasing or taunting your cats if you get this breed fully grown with no prior socialization. So, always supervise interactions with other critters just to be safe. Accidents happen, even if the play is all in good fun. Because they are an athletic breed, getting them a protein-rich, high-quality dry kibble for the appropriate life stage is best. More and more folks are moving towards fresh food options for their dogs. These fresh recipes are more specific for your individual dog, creating a healthy outside and inside. You can opt for your dog to have a subscription box sent to your front door and cut out all of the extra work for you. Pitbulls are prone to food-related allergies, which might transfer to puppies. If your dog has suspected allergies, your vet will run a series of tests and start food trials to uncover the issue. Often, animal protein is the main culprit, so your vet will suggest a diet plan accordingly. Grain-free recipes are all the rage these days, but no healthy dog requires it. These recipes have been linked to specific health issues and should be entirely avoided unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy—which is rare. They will absolutely love going on their daily walks, visiting the dog parks, and accompanying their humans on basically any adventure! These dogs require an owner that can keep up with their daily needs. This will likely be easy to manage if you have multiple members in the household. However, if you are single or have physical restrictions or disabilities, you might not be able to give this breed the right amount of physical exertion. On average, this breed will require over an hour of exercise per day. They will benefit from walks, games, puzzles, and new adventures. Both parent breeds are incredibly loyal and eager to please. These traits help during training; they want nothing more than to make owners happy. Sure, they might be rambunctious or silly occasionally when you want to be serious. These dogs should learn basic concepts like potty training and simple commands with no issue. If you want, try very advanced training, too. If you want to, but need to be better-versed in dog training, trust a professional to help you achieve your goals. Pitbulls have naturally short coats that are a single layer. Labradoodles can range between the curly hair of a poodle to the thick, medium coat of a lab. Your dog has a lot of coat possibilities here. They might have some curls, they might have short straight fur, or a combination. This creates a bonding experience with your dog, keeps them looking fresh, and makes the oils evenly distributed on their skin. When you bring your puppy home, they have likely already had their first shots and parasite treatment. It is very important to start vetting early. However, from that point forward, it is your duty to keep up with necessary vet visits. You can opt for spay and neuter surgery and microchipping in the first year to keep your pet healthy and safe. After the first year of life, visits will decrease to once a year, permitting you to have a healthy pet. While this breed combination is generally pretty healthy, there are some issues that might be a concern. Here are the possibilities. Minor Conditions. Brush their teeth regularly even if chewable treats are given and take them to the vet from time to time to ensure that your health habits are checked and okay for your pitbull poodle mix. If you give your dog table food, chances are, it will develop illnesses brought about by human food. Opt to stick to dog food pellets, soft meat, etc. Bloating: this is a common thing among different breeds. Bloating leads to gastric dilatation-volvulus if not addressed immediately and may lead to death. Hip dysplasia: Poodles are prone to have joint dysplasia most commonly in the hip and pelvic area. This occurrence happens when joints pop out of the socket, causing immense pain for the hybrid. Pitbull Crossed With Poodle Food Requirements Make it a point to ensure and prioritize the type of food you allow your dog to eat because this will significantly affect its longevity of life and health status. Take note of the size and needs of each breed it came from so you may plan a specific diet for your hybrid. Treats are good for training as well but refrain from making it a daily habit to lessen weight gain. Make sure you choose snacks that have low caloric content. Take note of the nutrients needed to ensure a proper diet. Always choose foods that are rich in protein, as they are high energy dogs. Make sure to avoid typical dog allergens such as wheat, corn, and potatoes. Your dog might be prone to skin diseases as well, and its best to strictly follow feeding instructions. If you look hard enough, the market offers a lot of high-quality foods you can give your pitbull poodle mix. Instinct takes pride in improving the coat of any dog that stays on their dog food for a while. High-energy dogs will surely benefit from all the protein this brand gives. It also contains oat fiber for proper digestion, and dried cranberries, blueberries, and spinach as antioxidants. It includes chicken, fish, and whitefish meal. Antioxidants such as Vitamin E, beta carotene, fruits, and vegetables are incorporated to boost the immune system. Oatmeal, barley, brown rice, and rye are included to promote digestion and L-carnitine for fat burning. Their product has natural microorganisms to help aid digestion in line with the incorporation of lentils as a fiber source. Considering that your gorgeous mixed breed is a medium-size dog, you can offer them either the best dry dog food for small dogs or the best large breed dry dog food — it may surprise you to find out which parent they take their taste for food after! Whichever brand you settle on, make sure that it is only the best dry dog food kind as going for the worst dry dog food may have dire consequences on the overall health of your pooch. Pitbull Poodles Exercise Requirements Your boodle is a product of two very different breeds: one is highly active, and the other focuses more on the intellectual aspect so it would be best to choose equipment or toys that can exercise them physically, as well as train their minds and awaken their sensitivity. Make sure you schedule play time with your dogs, whether its walking or running or playing in the park to ensure that they have a healthy lifestyle. You can also incorporate exercise in your home. Try playing hide and seek or fetch in your backyard, anything to keep your dog going and panting. Physical and mental exercises are essential to avoid putting your boodle in an idle state, which can lead to depression, boredom, and destruction. Try your best to plan any form of activity that will keep your pups active physically and mentally. To improve your exercise regimen, here are some toys you can purchase: Canine Hardware Chuckit! Classic Launchers: This is perfect for the non-athletic, stay at home type of owners. This product is also ideal for the energetic side of your hybrid, without giving you the sore arm from repeatedly throwing the ball. FluffyPal Chew Toys For Puppies Small Dogs And Medium Dogs: This product is an all-in-one type because it can be a teething toy which can remove tartar, a potential favorite toy, and it also has a vanilla scent to counter any dog drool smell. Not only does it exercise your hybrid, but it also teaches it about rewards and positive outcomes when they follow a command. Hear Doggy! With the balanced need for exercise, you can choose to specify activities that will enhance their physical and mental abilities. Make sure you have enough space for them to run around and play. So this can be a bit of a challenge because you need to exercise both aspects. Pit bulls tend to exercise wanting the alpha position, which needs training that involves firmness, confidence, and a strong will. A poodle is an intelligent type and will be a bit challenging to train, so they need more patience and understanding. Always start training once you establish what you want and need for your pup. Train your puppies before reaching a year old, starting from simple commands until more difficult ones. Here are tips to make training easier for your boodle: Plan What You Want To Teach: To avoid confusion for your dog, make sure you have a plan as to what commands you want your dog to learn. Schedule Shorter Sessions: The reason for this is to have a higher attention span. If you think long sessions bore your hybrid, cut them down to at least 30 minutes to an hour to ensure, you have their full attention. Practice Positive Reinforcement: a poodle is an intelligent breed, and they remember when you praise them for doing something right. They tend to be shy and aggressive towards new people, which might be the case for your boodle. You can visit the vet and ask for tips, or you can bring them to the park until they familiarize themselves with different people and dogs as well. Potty Training: This is an essential type of training for almost all dogs. It saves you effort and money, and it also lessens the stress of accidentally stepping on unwanted stuff. Throughout history, pit bulls are known and recognized as dangerous and aggressive. On the other hand, poodles require mental stimulation and constant socialization. A mix of the two breeds will still require socialization training. Your pitbull poodle mix can be stubborn at times, but they are also easy to train. Make it a habit to remind family members that your dog needs to exercise, so that you can take turns as to who will take the dog out for a walk. Having a big space is ideal for the energetic side of your dog. Are Labradoodle Pitbull mixes good pets? Regardless of what you choose to call your Labradoodle Pittie mix, you are in for a treat when you pick a well bred, well socialized and healthy puppy or rescue pup. This article gives you everything you need to have an amazing time welcoming your Doodle Pit to the family! What is a Labradoodle Pitbull Mix? The world of hybrid and crossbred dog mixes is getting more nuanced and complex daily. This is exciting in a way but can also be confusing, too! For example, you probably recognize several dog breeds in the name Labradoodle Pitbull mix. And in fact, the Labradoodle is no longer truly considered a newer or hybrid dog breed. This breed is well on its way to becoming its own standalone purebred dog breed. The Labradoodle Pitbull mix dog will have influence from as many as five different purebred dog breeds. How many depends on whether the Labradoodle parent dog is an Australian Labradoodle or American Labradoodle. In contrast, American Labradoodle puppies typically receive genetic influence from just two dog breeds: the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever. As you can see, this can make determining precisely which important traits your Labradoodle Pitbull puppy will inherit slightly more complicated. But that is okay — we are going to help you sort all that out right now! Labradoodle Pitbull Mix Size Labradoodle dogs today are bred in three sizes: miniature, medium and standard. This means the Labradoodle parent dog could range in size height from 14 inches to 24 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 15 pounds to 65 pounds. The Pitbull parent dog, on the other hand, might stand anywhere from 14 inches to 22 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 24 pounds to 75 pounds. If your family includes babies or very young kids, you might consider choosing a miniature or medium Labrapit dog whose smaller size is less likely to create its own issues. Labradoodle Pitbull Coats and Colors Labradoodle dogs can grow up to inherit three different coat types: hair, fleece or wool. The coat is generally single layer. Labradoodles can grow up to display a wide range of solid and parti-colored coats with unique markings and color patterns. Labradoodle Pitbull Mix Grooming Grooming can be an intensive daily process with Labradoodles, who can otherwise be prone to develop tangles and mats close to the skin. All three associated pitbull dog breeds have a short, neat, flat coat that is typically single layer. And all three breeds can inherit a wide variety of solid and parti-colored coats with unique patterns and markings that are simple to brush and maintain. The amount of grooming your new Labradoodle Pitbull will need will depend entirely on which coat type your new dog inherits — at the most, daily, and at the least, weekly. The Labradoodle is known to be a smart, friendly, highly trainable and people-centric dog who gets along well with family members of all ages. This holds true whether the Labradoodle hails from the American or Australian side of their lineage. These dogs are popular for service dog and therapy dog roles for these reasons and also because of their notably low-allergy coats. Where things get slightly less clear is when we factor the pitbull into the mix. Also, terriers in general typically make excellent guard dogs and watch dogs. Labradoodles although less known for guarding can still be protective sometimes. There is no way to present a full picture of the Labradoodle Pitbull mix without addressing the elephant in the room — the reputation of the pitbull dog. What does this mean for you? Well, it means that a well bred, well trained and socialized and healthy Labradoodle Pitbull is likely to be an excellent family companion as well as guard dog. Labradoodle Pitbull dogs are affectionate and friendly but can also have strong guard dog instincts and will need early and ongoing training to manage these traits. A Labradoodle Pitbull mix is best suited to an adult home, with plenty of spare time for socialization and positive reinforcement training. When you choose a healthy Labradoodle Pitbull puppy from a reputable breeder, you can look forward to enjoying the company of an energetic, friendly, loyal, brave and loving pet dog. Are you considering adding a Labradoodle Pitbull mix dog to your family? Let us know in the comments below. More Labradoodle Mixes.

View All Articles in Training Expose Your Pet To Novel Experiences From a Young Age While most Goldendoodles adore people which is why they make such poor guard dogs , early and extensive socialization is crucial for helping your pup to be confident in all situations. Goldies that have spent plenty of time with other people, including children, will naturally be the most comfortable in their company. Those raised in a more isolated environment will be more nervous and anxious overall, and this is when they could become aggressive. Puppy play dates are a great way of getting your pup used to the company of other dogs to start with. Puppy kindergarten and group training sessions are another way to help your pal feel confident with being around plenty of other dogs. This makes them a much-in-demand family pet. However, you should never take it for granted that there will never be any problems at all. For a start, Goldies can be quite boisterous dogs, meaning they might knock smaller children down without the intention to do so. See Also: Click the image Beyond this, you need to make sure that your kids treat your pup with kindness and respect at all times. They should never bother them when they are sleeping or want some alone time. Not to say that you need to spend every minute of the day with your dog although these pups do better in a household where there is always someone around , but you do need to ensure they get plenty of daily exercise for one. Younger dogs may need as much as two hours of walks and games a day to keep their exuberance in check. When you do have the time to give them a bit of attention, Goldendoodles greatly benefit from training. Positive reinforcement training is where you train your pup using rewards to highlight desired behaviors. Most canine experts would recommend this as the best current method. See Also: Click the image Goldendoodle Behavioral Stages As is the case with their physical growth, a dog goes through different stages of mental development — especially in their first year. Where they are at with this will be a lot less apparent, yet it is essential that you are aware of these different stages, so you know both what to expect and how to handle it. As they start exploring the world around them, they will learn early lessons about being around and communicating with other dogs. This includes things like bite inhibition, vocalizations, and what various postures mean. See Also: Click the image Socialization Stage and Fear Imprint Period weeks Once they have their initial shots and are okay with being away from their littermates, this is the time to start socializing your pup to other people, dogs, and animals. This should be done slowly, and you need to ensure that all experiences at this stage are positive. The puppy is capable of experiencing true fear at this age, and any traumatic events at this time will stay with them for a very long time, if not forever. See Also: Click the image Seniority Classification Stage weeks At this stage, your puppy is likely very comfortable around you and your family and learning so much from your daily interactions. This is the stage where they will likely start to test boundaries to see what they can get away with. It can also be when aggressive behaviors are first observed. They value you as their stand-in parent and protector. However, once they reach this stage, they will start to become more independent. This is the time when they might decide to run off on you. How you deal with this behavior will set a precedent for how much freedom you can give your pet in later life. Related Content. Aggression is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. A professional will be able to assess the situation and help you come up with a plan to address the aggression. Other Considerations To Keep In Mind With proper training and socialization, your Goldendoodle will learn to control their biting behavior and will be a well-mannered companion for years to come. However, the key is to start early and be consistent with your training. If you allow your dog to mouth and nip sometimes but not others, they will be confused about what is acceptable behavior. In addition to that, dogs are much more likely to pick up on good habits if you teach them from a young age. Finally, be patient! Like all dogs, Goldendoodles need time to learn what is expected of them. With a little time and effort, you can help your Goldendoodle learn to keep their teeth to themselves. Of course, it also includes lots of tutorials and resources on how to tackle excessive Goldendoodle puppy biting. Do not scream or hit your dog, as this will only make them more likely to bite again in the future. This will help your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. If your Goldendoodle continues to bite, you may need to seek professional help. When Do Goldendoodles Stop Biting? So, when do Goldendoodles stop biting? This is a common question among Doodle owners, and unfortunately, there is no single answer. One of the most common questions new Goldendoodle owners ask is when their puppy will outgrow the biting phase. Typically, Goldendoodles grow out of their biting phase once they get all of their adult teeth. Until your pup has grown into all of its adult teeth, there are a few things you can do to help discourage your pup from nipping. For starters, never play rough games with your Goldendoodle that involve hitting or wrestling. These games only encourage them to bite. You can also provide them with plenty of chew toys to help satisfy their need to gnaw. Early socialization is also vital, as this will teach your puppy how to appropriately interact with you, other people, and other pets. With a little time and effort, your Goldendoodle will learn to control their biting impulses and become a well-mannered companion. If your Goldendoodle is older than a year old and still biting, there may be an underlying issue, such as anxiety or boredom. The good news is that you can easily fix the boredom issue by giving your pup plenty of attention, playtime, and exercise. With the help of a professional, you can develop a training plan that will help your Goldendoodle learn to curb their biting impulses. Goldendoodle Biting: Final Thoughts Goldendoodles are wonderful, loving companions. However, like all dogs, they need to be properly trained and socialized in order to become well-mannered members of the family. While Goldendoodles are generally friendly dogs, they can sometimes bite due to excitement, boredom, stress, or fear. If your Goldendoodle is biting, there are a few things you can do to discourage this behavior, including providing chew toys, increasing mental and physical stimulation, and desensitizing them to their triggers. If the problem persists, seek professional help from a certified trainer or behaviorist. With some patience and training, you should be able to stop your Goldendoodle from biting for good. Scared Mum Sep 24, 22 PM i have 2 dogs 14 and 13 with cateracts and one has become very angry, aggressive and bullish to the point of picking serious fights with the other.Sep 24, 22 PM When I am sitting on the couch, she will get right in my face, sometimes she wants to be petted, loved, to go outside or to be fed! She can be so sweet Owners father aggressive pit bull mix Sep 24, 22 PM This dog will sit lay down rollover shake speak ifyou say it has bit my daughter when she reached to pet him bit her boyfriend for the same and attacked Aggressive blue nose fawn male sibling towards each other recently fighting one another Sep 24, 22 PM I have 2 blue nose fawn pitbull male puppies and just lately they have been fighting each other, they are around 6 months old. He has stenosis of the spine, scolisis, a hernia, and carpal laxity. A couple of weeks ago we got a two months old Alaskan Malamute, male puppy. From day 1 he is prone to biting not nibbing , growling at us, did Aggressive terrier mix Dec 30, 21 PM I adopted My now 6 yr old terrier mix from the shelter. He was surrendered by his last owner and came out with a kennel cough. They have become aggressive toward each other during the last year. They become jealous around my husband Aggressive St. I bet some of you wonder why your Goldendoodle growls. I know I do! For those of you who are curious about this topic, I did some research today and came across some interesting details. Why do Goldendoodles growl? Goldendoodles growl because it is their way of expressing how they are feeling. Growling for Goldendoodles allows them to vocalize and communicate to those around them various emotions that they may be feeling. Growling is most often thought of as a way to express aggression for dogs, including Goldendoodles, but this is not the only emotion expressed when they growl. Growling for Goldendoodles can also be the way they express fear, pain, or playfulness. If Goldendoodles growl, it is but one way for them to express themselves vocally. Goldendoodles cannot communicate with words, so they will use various sounds, including growling and body language, to express emotion, thought, wants, and needs. A strong connection or bond between pet parents or caregivers and Goldendoodles allows them to respond appropriately and discover the issue. Perhaps they heard a strange sound outside, or maybe they hurt on the inside. Whatever the reason Goldendoodles growl, it is not always linked to aggression. Goldendoodles growl as a way of expressing themselve s like other dogs. Growling is one way for them to express their thoughts, feelings, wants, and needs because they cannot communicate with words that we can understand. Goldendoodles use growling and other sounds that include barking, whimpering, and howling to communicate along with their body language. Growling for any dog, including Goldendoodles, can also be related to how they feel as a dog. This growling could mean that they are hurting or feeling sick somewhere in their body. Since they can not communicate with words, it is our job to discover what their growling and other sounds mean. These sounds and meanings can vary from one Goldendoodle to another. Another reason why Goldendoodles growl is to express fear. If Goldendoodles are frightened or scared of something, they may use growling as a way to ward of whatever is scaring them. Instead, it is a means for them to attempt to protect themselves or someone else. Sometimes still, why Goldendoodles growl can be because they are excited or feeling playful. This is most likely to happen during physical playtime when they are excited and happy. It is not a reason for concern if they growl when playing unless accompanied by other body languages such as biting or nipping. Goldendoodles and other dogs have to be creative in expressing themselves to us—their inability to use words and have conversations limit their communication to sounds and body language. Perceptive pet parents who know their Goldendoodles well and have a strong bond will find it easier to interpret these sounds and their body language. This allows them to respond appropriately to the need, want, or feeling the Goldendoodle might have. There are numerous reasons why Goldendoodles growl that can be directly related to their environment and what is happening in that environment. Growling can also be related to how they feel or something else entirely. What should be done when Goldendoodles growl? When Goldendoodles or other dogs growl, the pet parent or caregiver should stop what they are doing if possible and attempt to figure out what is happening. It can also include searching the immediate environment and watching what the Goldendoodle looks at. Each dog is unique in how they will express themselves. A Goldendoodle who growls might be upset that the house cat is near their food bowl. A wise pet parent might notice this by looking around. A Goldendoodle who growls when facing the front door might smell that someone is near the entrance or outside of it. Even still, a Goldendoodle who growls while licking a specific body part over and over again might have an undiagnosed injury that is bothering them. By stopping for a few moments to address the situation, the pet parent or caregiver can sometimes stop the dogs growling and even restore harmony in the home environment and their dog. If the pet parent cannot determine why the Goldendoodle is growling by looking around and watching the dog; if they are able, taking a more in-depth look at the situation can sometimes provide answers. The most important thing for any loving pet parent to do is to be compassionate to the Goldendoodle that is growling and maintain a positive attitude. Dogs are very perceptive and can pick up on our own emotions. If a dog is scared of something and tries to tell us, we may react to their fear with fear of our own, increasing their fear and making it more challenging to troubleshoot the problem. Some Goldendoodles or other dogs will even growl when they are excited or being playful with others at certain moments. In these moments for pet parents playing or spending time with their Goldendoodle, who suddenly growls, there is no need for concern unless it is accompanied by other body language such as biting. Being responsive in the moment is a short term solution to growling. In the long term, knowing and understanding the individual Goldendoodle will allow pet parents or caregivers to provide a loving, harmonious home life conducive to happiness for everyone involved, including the Goldendoodle. This requires time, patience, understanding, trust, and a strong bond or connection between dog and human. Is growling in Goldendoodles or other dogs acceptable? Yes, growling in Goldendoodles or other dogs is acceptable as a means for them to communicate if it is not continual or directed at another. It also must not include negative body language. Biting, lunging, and other body language are connected to aggression and should be addressed immediately. If the growling appears to come with other negative qualities such as lunging or attacking others, including other dogs, animals, and people, it should be remedied. This type of growling and aggression can quickly escalate and become a problem if left unchecked. The best solution for this situation is to remove the growling Goldendoodle. Does training and socialization help with growling? These can include not growling when the mailman comes to the door, or when the cat walks past their food bowl. When it comes to growling, socialization is vital. Through social interactions, Goldendoodles learn to live with and get along with others, including other dogs, animals, and people. Socialization also teaches Goldendoodles how others behave. This can teach them that it is okay for another dog to have a treat when they get one or that they are still loved when their pet parent picks up the house cat for a snuggle. Early exposure to various life situations, animals, and people create a well-rounded dog that can handle what life brings. It helps Goldendoodles be less stressed, fearful, and anxious at certain times in their lives. Goldendoodles are naturally social, friendly, and gentle, so training and socialization should go smoothly. Are Goldendoodles aggressive? No, Goldendoodles are not aggressive dogs. Goldendoodles have a very loving and gentle nature due to their breeding, which reduces the likelihood that they will feel and show aggression at any time, even when provoked. It must be said that whether Goldendoodle or other dog if they have been neglected or abused, or have not been appropriately trained and socialized, they can become aggressive whether accidentally or due to upbringing. This situation is not their fault but a byproduct of their upbringing and home environment. In these situations, why Goldendoodles growl is related to what they were exposed to or how they were treated. Proper training and socializing at any stage of life can reduce aggression and create a happier, healthier, and more gentle dog, regardless of whether they are a Goldendoodle or other breed. In Conclusion Whether dogs growl, Goldendoodles or otherwise, varies from dog to dog and is based on their immediate environment and feelings. While many people automatically believe growling is always a negative quality linked to aggression, this is not always the case. Fear, pain, and playfulness can also be reasons for growling. Whatever the reason Goldendoodles growl, if it is accompanied by biting or other negative body language, it should be stopped immediately.

Optimal feeding amounts may vary according to your pet's temperament, activity level and environment. If you have any questions regarding your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. Transition Instructions We recommend at least a 7 day transition before you begin feeding the new food exclusively. On the 7th day, you can feed the new food exclusively. All of our dry diets are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and rosemary extract. Our canned diets are naturally preserved and sterilized during the cooking and canning process. Where do the ingredients in Royal Canin diets come from? Royal Canin is making strides towards sustainability by attempting to obtain sources of raw materials as close to each manufacturing facility as possible. In some cases, we use international suppliers, because only those suppliers can offer raw materials that comply with our quality and food safety standards. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain by-products? Royal Canin chooses ingredients because they deliver high-quality nutrients that support our customized pet food formulas. Using chicken by-product meal instead of chicken meal for example will allow Royal Canin to maintain its highly customized nutrient standards while achieving a more secure and sustainable supply. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain grains? As always, we focus on the nutrients each ingredient provides and grains can provide many important nutrients. How do you ensure Royal Canin diets are safe for my pet? Our Quality and Food Safety systems are state-of-the-art and we continue to invest heavily in new technology to make sure they remain that way. We monitor every load delivered to our plants to verify the safety and quality of the ingredients we use to make pet food. We perform tests on finished pet foods before they are shipped to our customers. How do I know which Royal Canin diet is right for my pet? Based on size, age, lifestyle, and breed, each cat or dog has unique nutritional needs. For healthy pets, use our Product Selector to find the right diet for your cat or dog. If your pet is experiencing health issues, please refer to your veterinarian for more information. Your veterinarian will consider multiple factors when recommending an appropriate diet. Country of Origin France The Pug is one of the most popular companion dogs, whose character strengths lie in its charm, dignity, intelligence and balance. A growing Pug requires a tailored food such as this Royal Canin Pug Puppy to meet special requirements and nutritional needs during its short, sensitive growth phase. Royal Canin Pug Puppy dry dog food offers nutritional balance in a tailored recipe with a moderate fat content. This combines with high-quality L. This kibble has been specially tailored to ensure your Pug can easily take on sufficient nutrients, with the ideal shape for the brachycephalic head shape. It also encourages chewing, without your dog wolfing down its food. Royal Canin Pug Puppy also contains fatty acids from borage oil to keep skin healthy and support a strong skin barrier function. Royal Canin Pug Puppy at a glance: Breed-specific dry food for Pug puppies up to 10 months For a healthy puppy life: The special recipe meets the needs of puppies and supports the immune system, skin health and digestive system. Tailored food: Crunchy kibble that is tailored to the jaw and mouth shape of Pug puppies, encouraging intensive chewing and nutrient intake. Bodily defences: patented antioxidant complex to help build a healthy immune system High digestibility: thanks to high-quality L. This means that Royal Canin offers your dog high-quality, balanced nutrition.