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Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. King Shepherds are prone to weight gain. Choose a high quality food and stick to a feeding schedule. Make sure your dog gets at least 60 to 90 minutes of walking or hiking per day, which will help keep them fit. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. One of the toughest jobs when caring for any animal is maintaining their oral health. You should brush their teeth a minimum of three times per week. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility with one-inch jumps. King Shepherd Feeding An ideal King Shepherd diet should be formulated for a large-sized breed with moderate energy. Limit their amount of treats, as well. The main coat colors are fawn, red, black, brown, and sable. Their coats are usually a combination of two or more colors. They usually have medium-length, normal density coats, and while they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing three times a week will probably do the job and bathing is recommended only as needed with a mild shampoo. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Their double coats do shed quite a bit. You will definitely want a vacuum on hand. See if a RoboVac is right for you! That double coat gives them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also help to keep them cool during hot summer months. A gentle giant, they are patient and sweet with kids. 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. King Shepherds are nice to strangers and can get along well with dogs and other household pets, including cats. Early socialization is an important factor for developing a social dog. King Shepherd Rescue Groups Because the King Shepherd is a somewhat rare hybrid dog breed, it may be difficult to find a breed specific rescue. However, you can always check with your local shelter, and you may want to try a rescue that caters to all kinds of dogs. You can take a look at the following:. A post shared by Joey Senft jsenftphotography There are varying reports about the exact history of the King Shepherd. According to the International Shiloh Shepherd Alliance , the King Shepherd began as a Shiloh Shepherd and splintered away when a breeder had a different vision for her dogs. The American King Shepherd Club is less specific. They do not mention the Shiloh as part of their breeding program, nor do they specifically mention the Great Pyrenees or Akitas. They report that the King Shepherd was founded by mixing German Shepherds with flock guardians and then breeding them back to Old German Shepherds from Europe. Either way, it seems evident that the origins of the King Shepherd are entwined with the Shiloh Shepherd. The Shiloh Shepherd began as a breed by Tina Barber, who had grown frustrated with the health and temperament issues in some German Shepherd lines. The King Shepherd split from the Shiloh Shepherd lines when David Turkheimer and Shelly Watts-Cross developed their own vision for the breed and wanted more of a working dog. So today, both breeds have their own association and breed standard. The King Shepherd is significantly larger than the German Shepherd. It also only has two coat types, straight and rough, or long and silky. On the other hand, the German Shepherd can have plush, double, or long-haired. There is also a difference in temperament. King Shepherds are bred to be stable and reliable dogs, but they may also be more independent and have a stubborn streak. Meanwhile, the German Shepherd is generally a highly trainable dog, provided it comes from good lines. Help Dogs In Need Our blog posts aim to provide comprehensive, accurate, and objective information on all types of dogs, helping our readers make informed choices that fit their lifestyle. We don't endorse any specific breeding practices, but advocate for ethical breeding and dog welfare. We encourage exploring adoption first. Countless wonderful dogs, from all breeds, await their forever homes in shelters. Remember, with AdoptDontShop, you can give a deserving rescue a second chance at happiness. What are the Physical Features of the King Shepherd? Originating in the United States in the s, these dogs were originally bred to create a German shepherd mix that had fewer health issues than a purebred German shepherd. American breeders David Turkheimer and Shelley Watts-Cross first bred a German shepherd with a shiloh shepherd a hybrid of German shepherds and Alaskan malamutes to elevate the best qualities of the German shepherd. In order to achieve the long-haired look they wanted, the breeders also incorporated long-haired German shepherds from European lineages. These European lines didn't just give king shepherds their distinctive coats, but they also boosted genetic variation. This was essential to reduce the risk of genetic issues that have become common in longstanding lineages because of inbreeding. Because king shepherds are a relatively new breed—and still fairly rare among American families—they are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club. Between their grooming and exercise requirements, king shepherds need lots of time, energy, and attention in order to thrive. Exercise King shepherds are a high-energy breed that needs extensive exercise. Strenuous activity for at least one hour per day is a must. These dogs thrive in active, single-family homes with lots of space to run, walk, explore, and play. Because they're also very intelligent, king shepherds benefit from exercise routines that incorporate mental stimulation. Playing games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide and seek are great ways for owners to keep this breed entertained. These dogs also excel in canine sports like agility training. King shepherds can become bored very easily, so it's vital to keep them engaged—and exercised—to prevent them from becoming destructive. Grooming King shepherds have thick, double coats that shed heavily. Brushing your dog several times per week or even daily can help reduce shedding and keep their coat healthy, clean, and tangle-free. It is very important to have a dog vacuum when owning a king shepherd. When it comes to baths, the king shepherd only requires standard bathing every three to four months. Check your dog's ears and clean its teeth regularly to prevent infections. If your king shepherd is especially active, running and walking can help keep their nails worn down, but trimmings should be performed as necessary. Training King shepherds are highly intelligent dogs, making training relatively simple for owners that are consistent and engaging. Basic obedience lessons can start in puppyhood between eight and 16 weeks of age, while more involved training should continue through the dog's life. Because king shepherds are so eager to please their family members, they can learn simple commands fairly quickly. Begin socializing your dog when you first bring him or her home to ensure they stay friendly and well-mannered with strangers and other animals. Pixabay Common Health Problems While king shepherds are generally healthy dogs, they're still prone to certain health issues like most breeds. Responsible breeders will test parent dogs for inherited diseases to prevent passing problems on to puppies; however, this breed's genetic variation does offer additional protection against genetic disorders. The following are common conditions that king shepherds may experience: Elbow and Hip Dysplasia : This condition causes a malformation in your dog's joints as they grow, which can lead to pain, instability, or weakness. Dysplasia is especially common in large-breed dogs. Von Willebrand Disease : This genetic disorder affects the blood's ability to clot after injury. Hypothyroidism : Affecting the thyroid, this endocrine disease reduces your dog's metabolic rate, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems in the future. Your veterinarian may recommend preventative surgery to tack the stomach down. Eye issues : Specific to the breed issues include pannus, glaucoma, and corneal dystroph. Allergies : King Shepherds are at risk for skin allergies like canine atopic dermatitis. Bloat : Since this breed has a large gastrointestinal tract, they are at risk for gastric dilatation volvulus GDV , which is a life-threatening condition. Diet and Nutrition Feed your king shepherd a high-quality diet with plenty of protein. This breed typically eats between three and four cups of dry food per day, and it's important to split these portions into several smaller meals to help prevent bloat. Since king shepherds are also prone to joint problems, owners should be especially mindful of their dog's weight. Canine obesity or excessive weight gain can put added stress on your dog's joints. To create a meal plan with the proper nutrients and portions, talk to your veterinarian about the best diet based on your specific dog's age, weight, and activity level. Where to Adopt or Buy a King Shepherd Before adding a king shepherd to your family, ensure that your home, schedule, and lifestyle can accommodate this large, energetic breed. These dogs require considerable grooming and daily strenuous exercise. Since king shepherds are still a new dog breed, they're not as likely to be found in shelters as their German shepherd cousins. Visit your local shelter to meet similar dogs in need of forever homes. If you plan to purchase a king s puppy, it's essential to research responsible breeders that readily provide the litter's family medical history. Your breeder should also allow you to meet the litter's parents and see the conditions in which their dogs are kept. To start your search, check out these breeding clubs dedicated to King Shepherds:. King Shepherds will worm their way into your heart with their winning ways. They are extremely loving and steadfastly loyal, as we mentioned earlier. King Shepherds are hard workers which comes from their shepherd instinct. They are eager to please and are quick to grasp what you want them to do. Are King Shepherds child-friendly? Do you want your kids to have memorable experiences with a cherished family pet? King Shepherds are playful and exuberant, yet they are still incredibly gentle with kids. They are also loyal and protective of their little buddies. King Shepherds have a playful, social side around other household pets. They are gentle even though they are large. Cats and other dogs are treated kindly by this giant. What more could you ask for as a guardian of the family? This is not an apartment or condo-sized pet. King Shepherds tend to fill even modest house space. So having a big backyard or a nearby park is a must. They will keep you on your toes, as they get bored quickly and thrive on a genuine challenge. If you look forward to coming home after a busy workday and just chilling out, then forget owning a King Shepherd. These dogs love strenuous exercise and movement. Get ready for long fast walks, jogs or bicycle rides where your King Shepherd can run alongside you. This dog possesses boundless energy. They will run about, jump up, leave muddy paw prints and knock things off shelves and tables with their tails. Under-exercised King Shepherds become bored and look for ways to burn off that energy. If they are not kept busy and exercised, their health and your well-ordered home will suffer the consequences. King Shepherds demand a fair amount of grooming. The bonding that takes place during grooming is an excellent experience for both of you. Daily vacuuming of shed and brushed hair and frequent mopping of paw prints is a reality — but worth the effort in my mind. There are some essential things you should know about feeding your King Shepherd. The dog food you buy for him should not contain artificial ingredients so ask your breeder or your vet for a good brand that they recommend or refer to our feeding guide for German Shepherd A typical serving for your adult dog is three or four cups of dry dog food per day. Divide this into at least two meals. Check with your veterinarian during regular check-ups to see if your King Shepherd in a good weight. We know by now that this is a super smart canine, but despite this, initial training will require a lot of patience, consistency, and persistence, as is with any other dog. However, as King Shepherds are so eager to please you, training will be really fun and your new canine companion will get the hang of it pretty quickly. Once trained, your King Shepherd retains the lessons taught. As long as you also remember and implement what you learned in obedience classes, then you are in for years of loyal companionship. Follow the training progress of this five-and-a-half-month-old King Shepherd 11 Need a Watchdog? This is one of the primary reasons dog owners cite for buying a King Shepherd. They are outstanding watchdogs. He can be counted on to bark if an intruder or a stranger tries to enter your home or accosts you. King Shepherds are courageous and formidable in appearance. But it pays to be informed. Because your King Shepherd is a crossbreed, they may have health problems associated with both of his parents. The good news is that hybrids like King Shepherds have what vets call hybrid vigor. This means they can be delightfully hardy and healthy. They may also inherit allergies and eye diseases, degenerative myelopathy, pancreatic problems and thrombopathia. In the market for a King Shepherd puppy? King Shepherd litters are usually between six and ten King Shepherd puppies. Backyard breeders are people with one or two dogs who breed as a sideline. Their dogs may be well treated but not necessarily looked after medically. On the other hand, puppy mill owners have one thing in mind — making money at all costs. They breed as many dogs as fast as they can and often under abysmal conditions. Inbreeding is rampant, and puppies often have genetic disorders. The American Kennel Club has suggestions for puppy shopping Find a knowledgeable breeder. Make sure you like the way he raises his dogs. Meet at least one of the puppy parents. This is a good indicator of appearance, size, and temperament of your future dog. Check to see if the kennel is clean. Does it look and smell nice? The puppies should look clean, well fed, well groomed, healthy and energetic. How does the breeder interact with the puppies? Does he care about his dogs and their future owners? Find out what has been done to protect your puppy from diseases. Ask for proof of health screenings and certificates. Get to know the breeder. He can be an excellent mentor and resource for you in the future. Good breeders care about the future of their puppies and are happy to provide support. If a breeder is rushing puppies out the door to make way for a new litter, you should beware. They need forever homes. Why not check out the All Shepherd Rescue website. Some of these rescue dogs may have abandonment issues. Some may have health problems due to lack of exercise, improper diet, or lack of medical care. You can turn his life around by offering him a forever home. If a King Shepherd is your wish, be patient and let local shelters know what you want. The next cost is making sure your new family member is healthy. You need to do an initial medical exam which is a brilliant investment. You want to prevent health problems down the road, and you want to ensure your puppy is in excellent health. Some breeders and most animal shelters do this as part of the adoption process. Less - The King Shepherd is a large breed. According to the American Rare Breeds Association males stand at over 29 inches 74 cm tall and should have an ideal weight of to pounds 59 to 68 kg pounds while females are 27 inches 69 cm tall and ideally 90 to pounds 41 to 50 kg. The build of this dog is muscular, long, and robust; the structure is solid. The head is in good proportion with the body and moderately wide between the eyes. The forehead is slightly rounded. The cheeks are not too full and moderately curved when viewed from the top. The thick, firm ears are medium-sized and moderately wide at base. The eyes are medium-sized and almond shaped. The shades of the eyes can be varying shades of brown ranging from golden brown to almost black. The chest is broad and deep. Thickly feathered, the tail reaches at least to the hocks and is slightly curved. The King Shepherd is self-confident with a well-balanced personality and healthy nervous system. They should not exhibit any shyness or nervousness. They are extremely intelligent, easy to train and eager and faithful to please their owners. This breed makes a fine sheep-herder and working dog. They are also a naturally courageous guard and watchdog , showing courage, strength, and hardiness in their role of protector. They make very nice companions and are friendly to other animals and children. An organized dog breed club was started in .The head is in good proportion to the body and moderately wide between the eyes. The forehead, seen from in front and in profile, is only slightly rounded, with or without a medial furrow which is moderately well defined. The cheeks are not too full, are moderately curved, when viewed from the top should be much in the form of a "V," and are well filled in under the eyes. The thick, firm ears are of medium size, moderately wide at the base, set on high and pointed; they are carried erect and slightly forward puppies up to the age of months, and sometimes older, do not carry their ears completely erect. The eyes are medium size and almond-shaped, set somewhat aslant and not protuberant, as nearly as possible matching the surrounding coat in shades of brown, and from very light to dark are acceptable. The chest is deep and broad. Thickly feathered, the tail reaches at least to the hocks. The tail is carried down and slightly curved; when excited or in movement, the dog raises the tail, which becomes more curved, without however, going beyond the vertical. It must not, moreover, lie on or curl up on the back. Docked tails are inadmissible. The paws are round and short with a well-closed, arched. The pads are very hard. The nails are short and strong, generally dark in color. Dewclaws are usually removed. The King Shepherd comes in a wide range of acceptable colors. These are as follows: sable brownish tan with brown or black markings, or grayish silver with black markings ; black saddle with tan, gold, cream, tan or silver markings. Strong, rich colors and pigments are highly preferred. Small white spots on the chest are acceptable. Pale, washed-out colors are serious faults. The undercoat is invariably little colored, except in black dogs. White, blue or liver-colored dogs or a dog with a nose that is not black are not accepted in the show ring. Puppies change color from birth until they get their final coat. There are two coat varieties: coarse-haired, which is straight and longhaired, which is light and wavy. Temperament The King Shepherd is self-confident with a well-balanced nervous system and should not be shy. Extremely intelligent and easy to train. Faithful and eager to please its owner, this breed makes a fine working dog and sheep-herder. A courageous watch and guard dog showing courage and hardiness in his role of protector, it makes a very nice companion. The King Shepherd is full of strength and vigor. Friendly toward strangers, children and other animals. A docile, obedient breed with an easy gait and plenty of stamina. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack. When we humans live with dogs , we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. It does best with at least a large yard. Exercise The King Shepherd love strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for this dog is very intelligent and craves a good challenge. It needs to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk , jog or run alongside you when you bicycle. If under-exercised, this breed can become restless and destructive. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Life Expectancy.

Prevalence: Common Boxers are stocky, muscular and powerful. Males grow to about 25 inches and weigh from about 65 to 80 pounds 30 to 36 kilograms ; females grow from about 21 to 25 inches and weigh from about 50 to 65 pounds 22 to 30 kilograms. Boxers have regal, distinctly shaped square heads. Their jaw is undershot and the muzzle blunt. They have a broad, deep chest and a relatively short, strong back. Boxer's ears fold over naturally, but traditionally, their ears have been cropped to stand erect. Their tails generally are docked and carried high. Their feet are compact and the toes are arched. The boxer's coat is short and sheds moderately. Some boxers are a rich, fawn color and others are brindle. Their face or mask is usually black, but many have white face markings and white on the chest and paws. Personality: Boxers are intelligent, high-energy, playful dogs that like to stay busy. Their temperament reflects their breeding. They prefer to be in the company of their owners and are loyal pets that will fiercely guard their family and home against strangers. Few boxers bark excessively. If a boxer barks, chances are there is a good reason. Many boxers are vocal, however, and make a growling noise that's really just the dog's way of talking. Living With: The boxer has a high need for companionship and exercise. If these needs are not met, boxers can be destructive if left alone in the house. Boxers are ideal for people who want a canine companion with them most of the time or for larger busy families with homes that are often occupied by someone. They can do well on a country estate or in a city apartment as long as they have the opportunity to romp and expel energy. If you live in an urban area, regular walks are necessary. Boxers are intolerant of hot weather, and care must be taken to prevent them from getting overheated. They also need protection from the cold since they are short-coated. Their coats, however, are very easy to care for and will be shiny and bright as long as they have a good diet, are bathed occasionally, and are given regular rub-downs with a grooming mitt or brushings with a rubber curry. Some boxers drool excessively, and some snort and snore. Like other larger dogs, boxers are not particularly long-lived. Their life expectancy ranges from about seven to 10 years. History: Boxers are descendants of extinct bullenbaiser breeds crossed with mastiff, bulldog and possibly Great Dane and even a terrier. They were developed in Germany in the 19th century, initially as bull baiting dogs and later as butcher's helpers, controlling cattle in slaughterhouses. Some breed historians say boxers are named from the German word boxl, their slaughterhouse designation. Other fanciers contend the name boxer comes from the characteristic way that they use their forepaws to play, sparring much like a human boxer. After the breed rose to become among the most popular in America. Boxers are considered working dogs. They were one of the first breeds employed as a police dog, and they have been used as seeing-eye dogs. But they are also bred to be companion and guard dogs, perhaps best known for being loyal family pets that are especially fond of children. Related Pet Care Articles. This gives the owner an opportunity to see their dog at such a young age and then watch them quickly grown into strong and large adults. If you are purchasing a Boxer puppy, the dog should be at least 8 weeks old. In many regions it is illegal to have a puppy at a younger age. Up until 8 weeks, the puppy will need to be nourished by its mother. We're Home! That Boxer newborn puppy that you picked out has rapidly matured into an 8 week old and it's time for your new family member to join the household. Bringing a puppy home should be well planned in advance. If you have a large family, other members must be told to keep the environment calm and peaceful until your Boxer puppy has a chance to gain their bearings and become used to its new home. Have everything you need so that you do not need to suddenly run out to the store for a forgotten item. Do not allow the puppy to be rushed at by many people wishing to hug, pat and smother him or her with kisses. That can come a bit later. Your new Boxer must be approached gently and with warm voices. Puppies are a good, robust size but are still fragile. It is very sad when a puppy is stepped on accidentally; this can cause great harm. From birth to the 1 year mark, trauma is the leading cause of fatalities with this breed. Children must understand how to gently treat a pup. Very young children should be watched during interaction. All members of the home must be very aware of what may be underfoot. Your Boxer puppy should be given a tour of the home. Do not expect your new pup to know where everything is! Show him or her where they can find their water, where to expect their meals to be served, their dog bed and their toys. A puppy needs the security of knowing where to find what they need. Puppies will need quite a bit of care from you. This includes: Feeding - A puppy should be fed times per day. More feeding information can be found in our Feeding section. Only high quality puppy food must be given. This will be a time of rapid growth and your Boxer puppy needs the right dog food for optimal health. Vaccinations - All puppies will need the full schedule of vaccinations. This is absolutely vital to the health of the pup. If the budget is tight, your dog's veterinarian should be able to provide a discount or recommended animal clinics which provide shots for a very minimal fee. This includes that absolutely necessary Heart worm prevention medication, as well. Comfort and safety - Boxer puppies are rambunctious. They will jump, bounce and play. They will need loving attention and interaction with their owner or owners. Plenty of room to play, lots of toys and acts of love are crucial to the physical and emotional growth of a pup. A puppy is just learning about its world; yelling or hitting is never called for. Through love, patience and understanding a puppy will learn what is expected. Negative reactions from its owner will simply teach the puppy to be afraid. Housebreaking - This should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. Read more in our housebreaking section. When started early and with consistency, your Boxer puppy will soon learn where it is appropriate to eliminate. A schedule - Puppies know nothing about the world except for what you show them. It is important to keep a puppy on a schedule that they can depend on. Normal times for baths, exercise , walks, feedings, grooming , play time and sleep time are recommended. Some Things to Expect The first year will be full of changing behaviors and a change in physical appearance. Here's what you can expect: A Boxer puppy will whine if he is hungry, wants attention or once he is learning house training, if he has a bathroom need The time to instill training for barking and other behavior is now - before habits can form Puppies are super hyper , but will also sleep quite a bit - Anywhere from 15 to 18 hours per day including night time and daytime naps The first year is one of rapid growth, but do expect starts and stops. As your Boxer reaches adolescence, there is sometimes a brief period of stalled weight gain at which time a Boxer may appear too skinny. This typically only lasts a few months before that final gain happens that allows him to fill out. Puppyhoood is the time to do socialization training - You'll want to introduce your puppy to as many people, other dogs, events and situations as possible so that he learns control and gains self-confidence. Health Check A Boxer puppy should be checked over every day to check for certain issues. Eyes- The eyes should be clear and bright. Any excessive discharge is a reason to go to the veterinarian Ears and nose - These areas should be cleaned each day with a damp, soft washcloth. Discharge of any color is a reason for a checkup with the vet Breathing - A puppy's breathing should always be clear and easy. Forced breathing, wheezing, coughing or other strange sounds must be taken care of immediately through the dog's veterinarian or closest animal hospital Limping - Puppies may be a bit clumsy or wobbling when very young. However limping is never normal. This must be brought to a vet's attention ASAP Tank - 9 months old Photo courtesy of owner: Jaymie Conner Skin - It is normal for a Boxer puppy to have some loose skin around the neck area and there will be some facial folds. These areas can hold in moisture which can lead to a fungal or bacterial infection. Moisture can accumulate when the pup drinks or when he drools. Keep the area nice and dry to prevent any problems. Written by Lens And Leash Boxers are an incredibly popular breed and for good reason. Instead, they are loving, loyal and have a heart of gold which makes them an excellent choice for someone looking to adopt a new family member. This breed will easily become much more than just your pet. Boxers have a way of becoming a friend and companion that can always be counted on, but there are some things you should be aware of before committing to an adoption. Consider These 10 Things Before Adopting 1. Boxers Are A Large Breed 2. Grooming Is A Breeze 3. Their Name Fits Them 4. Boxers Prefer To Be Warm 5. Possible Health Issues 6. Companionship Is A Must 8. Boxers Can Be Stubborn 9. You can expect male Boxers to reach a weight between pounds. Their average weight in adulthood ranges between pounds. Prepare yourself to have one big lap dog. Their short coats are to thank for this. These fur babies hardly shed, especially when they are brushed once a week. This makes them the perfect fit for someone looking for a new BFF that requires little maintenance or a family with pet allergies. Their Name Fits Them Watching your new buddy play is sure to put a smile on your face. Their stance also makes their name fit them perfectly as well as their barrel-shaped chest. However, unlike the boxers you see in a fight on TV, your furry little friend just wants to play and please you. Their short coat offers little protection from low temperatures. For this reason, Boxers are a lot more comfortable in a warmer climate. Just make sure you do what you can to keep them comfortable. A great place to start is a jacket that will give them some extra protection and keep them warm. One important thing to keep in mind is that a Boxer should never be kept outside in the cold, especially when there is snow and ice on the ground. Possible Health Issues Boxers usually live long and healthy lives. However, there are some possible health concerns you should be aware of. For starters, this breed can be prone to an issue called Colitis which is a bowel disease. Luckily, this issue can usually be spotted within the first two years of their life. Another thing to keep your eye out for is mobility issues later in their life. In fact, Boxers are excellent with children. The affection they show toward children is remarkable and the patience they exhibit is hard to find in other breeds. Companionship Is A Must Boxers are incredibly loyal, and they crave attention from their humans. This is not the breed for someone who will have little to no time to spend around their furry friend. When left alone for too long, Boxers can quickly develop separation anxiety which needless to say comes with an abundance of negative outcomes. However, this is an issue that can be worked through with enough time and patience. In the greater scheme of things, this issue is rather small when compared to all of the benefits this awesome breed has to offer. Just remember that training will require fresh ideas that are entertaining as well as rewarding for your furball. The last thing any of us want is to come home and find our couch, coffee table or whatever else happens to be within their reach torn into pieces. Luckily, there is an easy fix for this. Make sure your buddy has plenty of toys to chew on. You may want to consider purchasing a food cube or a treat ball. Slobber will be no stranger in your house. In reality, this is a rather small inconvenience. In fact, it can be pretty funny at times. They were never bred to be aggressive. In fact, they truly are the exact opposite and they would make a great addition to any home. The biggest thing you have to worry about is some minor messes. Will you give them the home they undoubtedly deserve? Frequently Asked Questions Is a Boxer a good first dog? A Boxer could be a good fit for a first time dog owner as long as they will be able to provide the dog with the exercise, attention, and affection they need to stay happy. Can a Boxer dog turn on its owner? Boxers tend to be very loyal and protective of their family. The chances of this breed turning on its owner without being mistreated are slim to none. However, since they are so protective of their pack, there is a possibility that they can become aggressive toward other people or animals if they feel that their family is in danger. How do Boxers show affection? True to their name, Boxers love to use their hands and dance around. They will commonly stand on their hind legs, bob and weave, and tap you with their paws in an attempt to play with you. Are Boxers good with kids? There was once a time where people believed that Boxers are aggressive and dangerous to have around children. Boxers are great dogs to have around children. They love to play and they are incredibly gentle, kind, and protective of kids. What is the lifespan of a Boxer? A healthy Boxer typically has a lifespan of between years. You should be aware that they can become prone to certain health issues in their later years such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, cancer, and heart conditions. How often should Boxer dogs be bathed? In fact, your fur baby will only need a bath every couple of months. Overbathing your furry friend can have negative consequences such as dry skin and itchiness. If they get dirty between bath times, simply wipe them down with a wet cloth. Can Boxers be left alone all day? Boxers thrive with love and attention. On the other hand, they tend to not do well when left alone inside all day or in a yard. Their loving nature makes them want to be close to their family. Extended periods of time alone can lead to loneliness, boredom, undesired behaviors, and even destructiveness. Are male or female Boxers easier to train? Being an intelligent breed, both male and female Boxers are fairly easy to train. Females tend to be more obedient and less stubborn making them slightly easier to train. Do Boxers like water? However, with some coaxing and plenty of treats, you might be able to warm your furry friend up to the idea of an occasional swim. How big do Boxers get? A full-grown male Boxer will typically be around inches tall and weigh somewhere between pounds. Females are much smaller, but they are still muscular dogs with a large build. Do Boxers get cold easily? Boxers have short coats which leave them vulnerable to the cold. They can tolerate the cold, but they definitely enjoy warmer weather.

The oldest of the designer dog breeds, cockapoos are not a true breed but, rather, a cross between the American cocker spaniel and the poodle. This offspring of a purebred cocker spaniel and a purebred poodle is also known as a cockapoodle, cockerpoo and cock-a-poo. As with any type of mixed-breed dog, the appearance of cockapoos is difficult to predict. Their size and weight depends mainly on the type of poodle used in breeding. The adult offspring of a toy poodle can weigh as little as 5 pounds, while the offspring of a standard poodle — known as maxi cockapoos — can weigh up to 65 pounds. Some breeders offer teacup cockapoos that are as tiny as 2 pounds. Most commonly, though, cockapoos are created from crossing a cocker spaniel with a miniature poodle, creating sturdy, medium-sized dogs that weigh around 15 pounds and stand about 14 inches at the withers. The appearance of their coat is also difficult to predict or control and comes down to which parent breed's genes are dominant. The coat can be straight, wavy or curly, and long, medium or short. One characteristic that is typical, yet still not guaranteed, is that cockapoos usually inherit the low-shedding quality of a poodle's coat. Another characteristic that generally applies to most cockapoos is that they don't tend to produce a strong odor and don't need to be bathed often. While their coats don't need to be cut like a poodle's, they do require regular brushing to prevent matting and remove debris that can get caught in their fur. Their coloring also widely varies. Cockapoo puppies can be any color that you'd see in a poodle or cocker spaniel, including black, white, red, brown, sable, tan, blonde or a combination of colors and patterns. Personality: Cockapoos are bred more for temperament than for appearance, and they tend to inherit the sweet, loving and friendly natures common with both parent breeds. They are highly intelligent, easy to train and also typically inherit the poodle's enthusiasm and tendency to be little jokers. These dogs tend to be extremely friendly and thrive on social interaction. They hate to be left alone and can develop separation anxiety if left solo for long periods. They get along well with other pets and children although, due to their high energy and enthusiasm, they tend to do better with older children and should be supervised around young children. Living With: Cockapoos do well in apartments, although maxi cockapoos may be less well-suited for small living spaces than their smaller counterparts. They don't bark a lot, although they will let you know when someone's at the door. They have a moderate amount of energy and can be quite bouncy, but they're also happy to curl up in a lap or next to you on the sofa. They generally require about 15 minutes of exercise a day, which can be achieved by playing in the backyard or with a quick walk around the block. Although their coats don't require regular cutting like a poodle's, they do need to be brushed regularly — and some cockapoo owners do like to keep the coat trimmed to a certain length. Their floppy ears are prone to infections and should be cleaned and inspected on a weekly basis. Signs of an ear infection include an unpleasant odor coming from the ear, redness or swelling, itching, and constant head shaking. While cockapoos tend to be healthy and hardy dogs, they can be prone to the same genetic predispositions to health conditions that affect either of their parent breeds, including cataracts, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, allergies and liver disease. When considering a cockapoo puppy, it's important to do your research and seek a reputable breeder who is happy to answer any questions you have about the parents and their health, disposition and purebred status. History: The earliest of what has become known as designer dogs, cockapoos were first created by accident in the United States in the s. Impressed by the sweet and intelligent nature of the puppies combined with their odorless, low-shed coat, enthusiasts began intentionally crossing poodles with cocker spaniels in an attempt to recreate these results. This crossbreed has only gained popularity over the decades. Cockapoos make excellent companion dogs and family pets. The American Kennel Club does not recognize cockapoos as a true breed, but considers them a mixed-breed dog. However, efforts are underway by cockapoo breeding organizations to get the cockapoo recognized as a true breed. Related Pet Care Articles. Foley which mostly promotes multigenerational breeding by crossing one Cockapoo with the other, with the effort of making it a purebred. Besides this, other organizations formed for the purpose of developing this breed included American Cockapoo Club as well as the North American Cockapoo Registry. They have a clingy nature, loving to follow their masters wherever they go or even enjoy being petted on their laps, which increases their chances of separation anxiety when left alone for prolonged periods and could also resort to destructive means like barking excessively or chewing. The Cockapoo might be either reserved or shy towards strangers like its Poodle parent, or even display aggression and bark at the sight of an unknown face, similar to the Cocker Spaniel. However, the gentle and pleasing nature it takes after both its parents lessen its possibilities of being a guard dog. Though the Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix gets along well with kids, and older children who could deal with these dogs in a sensible and well-behaved manner. They also share a comfortable rapport with other canines and cats but might get after smaller animals and birds if they inherit the chasing instinct of their Cocker Spaniel parent who has a hunting lineage. Care Exercise They are moderate in terms of activity levels, but could be immensely active if the Miniature version of Poodle is one of its parents. It also possesses the increased energy levels of the Cocker Spaniel, hence needing adequate amount of exercise to keep it physically and mentally rejuvenated. Besides giving them two short walks for 10 or 15 minutes at a time on a daily basis, give them sufficient playtime in a fenced yard or even when they are indoors. When their need for activity is met well, they would do fine in an apartment. Grooming These low shedding dogs need less amount of grooming, though its requirements vary according to its coat. A slicker brush would be suited for combing the coat at top, which may be further combed using a steel comb for removing the mats and tangles. Of the several hairstyles, the teddy bear cut is one of the sought after hair-cuts for the Cockapoo where the hair around its facial region has a full and round look. Though claimed as an odorless breed, bathe it after two or three months or whenever it gets dirty. The hair around its eyes should be trimmed on a regular basis to ensure visibility lest it could hinder its eyesight. Clean its eyes and ears using a damp wash cloth, brush its teeth twice or thrice a week and also trim its nails one or two times in a month for better hygiene. Health Problem Some of the common health problems faced by the Cockapoo include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and infections of the ear. Training The Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix is intelligent but could be stubborn, hence a firm hand is needed to train it in a better way. Socialization training should be imparted to the Cockapoo puppies so that they could be able to shed off their aggressive traits if they have any. Many owners of the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel mix often follow the Rule of Seven that means acquainting them with seven new sounds, new places, new sights, and new people. In this way they would be able to understand and differentiate the good from the bad, which in turn may help in shedding off their aggressiveness, also helping them to develop a pleasant and friendly demeanor. Housetrain them as early as possible so that you can lessen their chances of separation anxiety. Place them in a crate by putting all their belongings and favorite things within. Do not go for highly spacious crates as it may stress the dog unnecessarily. The appropriate crate size for the Cockapoo is 36 x 23 x 25 length x width x height. Feeding Feed a Cockapoo with a good quality dry dog food, though the amount would differ in accordance with their size. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. 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. Cockapoos have an infectious zest for life that spreads to everyone around them, that essential joie de vivre that makes every day a celebration. These guys are just plain happy to be alive. The true Cockapoo been bred with the goal of a healthy, hypoallergenic dog with a good temperament. When the cross works as intended, you get the intelligence and spirit of the Poodle with the sturdiness and field spirit of the Cocker. Efforts have been made over the last decade to clearly separate Cockapoos and Spoodles into two different hybrids, and some success has been achieved. If the type of Cocker involved is important to you, be sure to ask. Cockapoo Highlights 1. Friendly and Affectionate: Cockapoos are known for their friendly and loving nature, making them excellent companions. Hypoallergenic Coat: Many Cockapoos have hypoallergenic or low-shedding coats, which can be a great choice for allergy sufferers. Intelligent and Trainable: They are intelligent dogs and are usually easy to train, responding well to positive reinforcement methods. Adaptable: Cockapoos can adapt to various living environments, including apartments, as long as they receive enough exercise and attention. Good with Families: They are generally good with children and other pets, making them great family dogs. Long Lifespan: Cockapoos often have a longer lifespan compared to some other breeds, living 12 to 15 years or more with proper care. Moderate Exercise Needs: While they enjoy playtime and walks, they are not overly hyperactive, making them suitable for families with varying activity levels. Unique Coat Variety: Their coat can vary from curly to wavy and comes in a range of colors and patterns, adding to their charm. Grooming Requirements: Regular grooming is necessary to keep their coat in good condition and prevent matting. Health Considerations: Like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues, so regular veterinary care is essential to maintain their well-being. Cockapoo History When it comes to designer dogs, the Cockapoo is an old hybrid, popular since the s. The first breeding may have been accidental, but the happy result was a litter of puppies who were intelligent, almost odorless, had the low-shedding Poodle coat, and showed the easygoing and loving nature of the Cocker Spaniel. These puppies were well received, and the Cockapoo line began. Some efforts are being made today to establish breed standards and start the Cockapoo on the hard road of becoming a true breed, one producing offspring with consistent traits. Once the Cockapoo became more well-known, he only grew in popularity. The Cockapoo Club of America formed in and, in an effort to create breeding consistency, it created a breed standard. This group formed in and provides certification for Cockapoos who are the results of first- through sixth-generation breedings. The Toy Cockapoo can reach 10 inches in height but has a sturdier build, the bigger ones tipping the scales at just under 12 pounds. The Miniature Cockapoo weighs 13 to 18 pounds and ranges between 11 and 14 inches high. The Standard or Maxi Cockapoo should weigh more than 19 pounds and be at least 15 inches in height. Cockapoo Personality Intelligent and easy to please, the Cockapoo was established as a companion dog. He has an outgoing nature and usually gets along with everyone. Depending on his temperament, he can be active or he can simply enjoy snuggling up on the couch with you. He has the intelligence of his Poodle forebears but also the sweet disposition of his Cocker Spaniel ancestry. Socialization helps ensure that your Cockapoo puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. He prefers, always, to be with his family and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a Cockapoo; he can achieve high levels of obedience with time and patience. However, there is a general misconception that hybrid vigor automatically applies to mixed breeds. Cataracts : Cataracts cause opacity on the lens of the eye, resulting in poor vision. Cataracts usually occur in old age and sometimes can be surgically removed to improve vision. Patellar Luxation: Also known as slipped stifles, this is a common problem in small dogs. The patella is the kneecap. Luxation means dislocation of an anatomical part as a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint often of a hind leg slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be crippling, although many dogs lead relatively normal lives with this condition. X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem. Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Allergies : Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Cockapoo is no exception. Treatment varies according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes. Liver Disease : This condition is becoming more prevalent in Cocker Spaniels in two forms: chronic active hepatitis and copper toxicosis poisoning. Both conditions may or may not be genetic; at this point no one is certain. Ear Infections : These afflictions may plague the Cockapoo because of his floppy Cocker ears, which can trap moisture, dirt, and debris. Ask your veterinarian about appropriate ear care products. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. Health clearances are not issued to dogs younger than 2 years of age. They enjoy a good walk — and need it to keep them from becoming overweight. The best type of exercise, though, is a good play session in the backyard. Expect him to need at least 15 minutes of exercise every day. The Cockapoo is an adaptable breed. He can live in an apartment, though the smaller varieties seem to do better there than do the Maxi or Standard Cockapoos. They thrive when with their family and can suffer from separation anxiety when left for long periods of time — and that can lead to excessive barking and to destructive behavior. A crate is also a place where he can retreat for a nap. Crate training at a young age will also help your Cockapoo accept confinement if he ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his 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 Cockapoo in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Cockapoo, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Cockapoos can be found in all the colors and color combinations that are seen in both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles — a more rich variety of coat colors than is usual in many other breeds. The Cockapoo is usually seen au naturel, but many people like to clip the coat. However, it should only be trimmed to two to three inches in length. The coat should be brushed daily. To retain coat oils and health, he only need be bathed when absolutely necessary. Because his floppy Cocker ears block air circulation, the ears must be checked and cleaned weekly to prevent ear infections. Gently wipe out the ear — only the part you can see! Your Cockapoo may have an ear infection if the inside of the ear smells bad, looks red or seems tender, or he frequently shakes his head or scratches at his ear. 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 he sees the nail clippers come out. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his 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. Cockapoo Children And Other Pets The Cockapoo does well with youngsters , although he generally prefers homes with older, more considerate children. He also gets along with other dogs and pets. 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. Cockapoo Rescue Groups Cockapoos are often acquired without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one, and these dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering. Cockapoo Breed Organizations Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. 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. This small to medium sized dog is very active, who loves to be outside. However, they are also friendly and caring, liking just as much to curl up on your lap and to watch TV with you! These dogs can be used as working dogs such as guide dogs, although they were originally intended to be companions, especially for those with allergies who needed a dog with a low-shedding coat. Breeders must follow the rules when producing puppies to make sure they stay in line with the breed standard. To get a better understanding of where these dogs came from, we can take a look at the origins of their parent breeds. The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl. Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century. Cocker Spaniels first came to the US on the Mayflower in the 17th century. They were registered in and the popularity of the Cocker Spaniel grew significantly during the s and s. The American Cocker Spaniel has a smaller prey-drive than the English Cocker Spaniel, which makes them better family pets. Characteristics Of The Cockapoo Although there is a breed standard for the Cockapoo, you still cannot be sure what traits you are going to get in a litter of Cockapoo puppies. These dogs can come in a range of colors and patterns and it all depends on which parent they take after more. A Cockapoo puppy is normally born in litter sizes of four to eight pups. Because the Toy Poodle is the smallest size of all dog breeds, if you are crossing a Cocker Spaniel with one then the Toy will always be the father to prevent any complications. However, if the Poodle is a Miniature size, it does not matter whether they or the Cocker Spaniel are the mother because they are similar in size. Cockapoos are popular dogs and this means that they can have a hefty price tag. Always ensure that you are buying from a reputable breeder. Appearance The Cockapoo has a distinct look due to their adorable teddy-bear appearance! These dogs are classed as small-medium sized dogs, although their size will largely depend on whether they are bred from a Toy or Miniature Poodle. The Cockapoo is a well proportioned dog that is athletic and sturdy. Their heads are round and their eyes should be brown with a black nose. If they have a brown nose then their eyes should be black and if they have a lighter nose then they will have green or hazel eyes. Their ears hang down, too, giving them a super cute look! Coat There are three different coat types that the Cockapoo could inherit. Again, this depends on which parent they take after more. They can have a tight curly coat, a medium curl or a flat coat. All of the coats will be quite thick but they will almost always be a single coat. One of the reasons the Cockapoo was bred was to inherit the low-shedding coat from the Poodle parent. While the coat is not hypoallergenic, these dogs do not shed as much as many other breeds and may be the perfect dog for those with allergies. Color There are a range of different colors that the Cockapoo can come in and they can either be solid, part, phantom or tri-color. The colors include red, black, merle, tan, sable, brown, chocolate, and apricot. Temperament The Cockapoo is a very energetic pup that loves to be outside exercising. Because of their hunting heritage from their parent breeds, the Cockapoo can still retain this trait so you will need to be careful when out and about. Proper training and socialization can fix this, and it can also help with unwanted or aggressive behaviors that the Cockapoo is sometimes known to develop if not socialized properly at a young age. Friendly and loving, the Cockapoo will happily also spend time curled up next to you on the couch. They love attention and people and can be known to be very social dogs with children, pets and even other strangers. The Cockapoo is an observant dog and will bark to warn you if something is out of place. Occasionally, the Cockapoo can be prone to rage syndrome and, although rare, it is associated with Cocker Spaniels and they can sometimes pass it on to their young. Again, adequate socialization from a young age can help with this. Lifespan The Cockapoo has a long life expectancy. These dogs are expected to live to anywhere between 14 and 18 years old. Known Health Issues Due to the fact that these dogs are a mixed breed, they have fewer health concerns than many pups. However, unfortunately, they can still be prone to some health problems that their parent breeds are prone to. This is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Patellar Luxation is another condition the Cockapoo may inherit from their Poodle parent. This is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop. Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable. Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring. Daily Life Now we know all about the Cockapoo temperament and traits, we can take a look at what daily life with one of these pups is like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs. Food And Diet A Cockapoo needs roughly calories of food a day, which equates to around two cups of kibble. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding your dog based on their weight. The food you feed your Cockapoo should be high-quality and nutritious. You should try to split their food into at least two meals a day. As a puppy, their food should be split into three meals a day. Unfortunately, this Poodle Mix can be a fussy eater so it may take you a while to find a food they like. Take a look below at the food we recommend for this breed. Matty had a great time and a lot of mental stimulation shopping at Athleta. We adopted Shadow from a shelter at age 2 years. We found out he had epilepsy 2 weeks after adopting him. He is currently 15 years old and still kicking, although slowing up. He is a lover and a lap dog. Everyone that has met Shadow wants to take him home. If you're looking for companionship, then a Cockapoo is a good choice. Shadow is my 2nd cockapoo. My first CAP lived to be 16 years old. She was also a wonderful dog, although didn't require as much "snuggle time" as Shadow does. Shadow was quick to train learned sit, speak, roll over and stay in a few days. We trained him ourselves. He was great with my kids when they were small and is very accepting of people when they come into the house after some barking of course. The best quality I've found in both my CAP's is that they weren't big chewers and not mischievous. I never came home to find a shoe destroyed, furniture chewed or trash can rummaged through. Both my CAP's had full run of the house and were never crated. They are bright, affectionate and love people. Both were rescues and have grown into well-behaved, social and much loved pets. She is wonderful, very obedient. She loves the cats and other dogs in the family, and the kids, ages 9 and 4 years. Her coat is a little rough. I keep it short. She enjoys walks and car rides. She loves to watch the kids play on the playground nearby. She is a good watchdog and alerts me to any noise not recognizable to her. I watch the Dog Whisperer, read his book and have followed his method of the pack leader. It has worked with all my dogs including the Mini Poodle and Sheltie. The best technique I learned was the claiming ownership over items. My dogs are not possessive over any items and will relinquish any item I wish them to. The cats are another story! We are a happy "calm submissive" household. He started out white, but as his adult coat starts coming in he's developing this apricot tint. He is truly a wonderful creature, and extremely intelligent. He knows a variety of tricks and learns things on his own. For example, he has learned how to open the sliding screen door by pushing his nose in the crack, and can open all the doors inside the house if they are left slightly ajar. Bubba is just so wonderful, pleasant and loves everyone. He is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. He doesn't bark which is great if you live in an apartment and he only sheds a little. We were hoping for a completely non-shedding dog, but he has so many other good qualities we will take a few hairs here and there. At the tiny end of the scale, the teacup Cockapoo will weigh less than 6 pounds. The toy Poodle Cocker Spaniel hybrid will weigh less than 12 pounds at adulthood, and a mini Cockapoo will weigh in at anywhere from 13 to 18 pounds. A full grown miniature Cockapoo is the medium size and the one you are most likely to see at the dog park. At the other end of the scale, a maxi Poodle and Cocker Spaniel mix, with a standard Poodle parent, will weigh 19 pounds or greater. The vast majority of Cockapoos weigh a more moderate lbs Appearance Cocker Spaniel Poodle mixes tend to have a broader head the average Poodle. Their fur varies between loose and very tight curls. Both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles come in a wide range of colors so there is plenty of choice for the would be cockerpoo owner. Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic? He began crossing breeds in an effort to produce a hypoallergenic guide dog, for a blind woman whose husband was highly allergic to dogs. So, he crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. This is because allergies are caused by pet dander. And all pets, regardless of breed, produce some dander. Certain dog breeds shed that dander less readily, however. This particularly applies to dogs with very curly coats. And this may be beneficial to owners with allergies to dander. Dogs that shed less fall into this category partly because loose hair remains trapped in the curls rather than floating around your home. Do They Shed? All dogs shed to some degree. A Poodle and Cocker Spaniel hybrid dog can have either coat type, or something in between. And unfortunately, you cannot predict which coat they will inherit. So they may be less likely to trigger allergies. But they might not. Remember that the tighter the curl, the less the dog is likely to shed, and if you have allergies, do spend some time with Cockapoos to see how they affect you, before you bring one into your home. Cockapoo Temperament The typical Cockapoo personality can be hard to predict. It is important to make sure that both parents are friendly, when you buy a Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix. And Cocker Spaniels are loving and very loyal. Both breeds are clever and active. Cockapoo Barking Any dog has the capacity to bark. And may bark more if they discover barking is in some way rewarding. But some individuals of this particular breed maybe a little more prone to barking than average. And to make use of resources like this one if you need to train your pup not to bark. Training and Exercising The good news here is that these dogs are as a whole are people-centric and eager to please. Your Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix will likely want to be where you are, doing whatever you are doing. These dogs are social and people-oriented. So, the closer your bond is, the easier Cockapoo training will become. Throughout training, positive reinforcement will be your key to success. Poodle and Cocker Spaniel mix dogs are particularly sensitive to punishment, so avoid this at all costs. They need daily exercise, and regular training to stimulate their minds, too. The important thing is to keep your Poodle Spaniel mix busy. Remember that young puppies have much lower exercise needs than adult dogs. A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes of structured exercise, such as walks, per month of their age, per day. Heart Valve Disease Cocker Spaniels are liable to develop leaky heart valves as they grown older. In the early stages medications will help extend life. But in the later stages the dog develops heart failure, a leading cause of Cocker Spaniel death. Sadly operations to repair heart valves are not yet commonly performed on dogs. A blood clotting disorder that causes excessive bleeding. Epilepsy Cocker spaniels are prone to epilepsy and seizures. These can often be treated with medication. Both Poodles and Cockers are prone to this disease, which causes blindness. Hip Dysplasia Cocker spaniels and standard poodles are prone to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia causes pain. It affects the movement and function of the hip joint. Some cases are improved by surgery. Patella Luxation Toy and Miniature Poodles are among a number of smaller breeds that can suffer from Patella Luxation. It may require surgery. Exactly how likely each problem is, depends on a number of unpredictable factors. Cockapoos can also be multicolored and have a patterned coat. This cocker spaniel and poodle mix receives the best of both worlds from its parents. Known for their friendly natures, cockapoos can get along with just about anyone, from young kids and strangers to fellow dogs and pets. Becoming familiar with different sights, sounds and smells early on can help ensure your cockapoo grows to be a kind, gentle adult. Along with socialization, we teach our puppies basic obedience commands, housebreaking and behavior modification. They should have enough room to walk around and ideally an outdoor space to get some exercise. Those with small apartments might be better off with a toy variety rather than a maxi variety. Do Cockapoos Like to Play? Ideally, your puppy should receive at least 15 minutes of exercise a day. This need can be met with a walk around the block, a quick jog or a game of tag in the backyard. Can Cockapoos Be Left Alone? Once a cockapoo is properly trained, you can leave it home alone for periods of time without worrying about your property being destroyed. Moreover, the older a cockapoo gets, the better it is at holding its bladder. However, they should not be left alone for more than eight hours at a time. Leaving it alone for too long can cause anxiety or compel your dog to behave badly. Training: Teaching a Cockapoo Cockapoos are naturally intelligent dogs that enjoy pleasing their owners. Are Cockapoos Intelligent? Poodles are known for their naturally curious and intelligent natures, a trait the cockapoo happens to have inherited. They respond well to positive reinforcement and can be encouraged with treats. Are Cockapoos Obedient? Most cockapoo owners can agree that these dogs are fairly obedient. Their ability to adapt to new environments and eagerness to learn new skills makes them great therapy dogs for elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Do Cockapoos Enjoy Mental Stimulation? You can keep a cockapoo engaged through chew toys, interactive toys or scavenger hunts. How Long Do Cockapoos Live? According to the American Cockapoo Club, most cockapoos have an average lifespan of 14 to 18 years. However, some cockapoos may live for 12 years while others live for over 20 years. Shedding While some cockapoo puppies may take after their cocker spaniel parent, most tend to retain the hypoallergenic coats found in poodles. Feeding Good food is key to a good life, and cockapoos are no exception to this rule. When feeding your cockapoo, be sure to provide it with a diet that accommodates its size and age. For instance, as your puppy transitions to adulthood, you may have to switch to a lower fat food. You should follow a twice-a-day feeding schedule and always keep an eye out for allergic reactions. Cockapoos are more prone to some of the health issues found in poodles and cocker spaniels, such as: Ear infections Hip dysplasia Patellar luxation If you notice any sudden behavioral changes in your dog or any concerning symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting or limping , you should schedule a visit with your veterinarian immediately. Because cockapoo fur has a tendency to mat, you should brush it regularly ideally a few times a week. You should also trim its fur every three months and bathe it about once a month. Avoid giving your dog too many baths, as this can dry out its skin. Life Stages of Cockapoos Just like people, cockapoos go through a variety of life stages as they age. You can expect them to undergo some changes as they transition from a newborn puppy to a senior dog. These stages include: Puppyhood Adulthood Seniority Like all dogs, cockapoos start off as puppies. Once cockapoo puppies reach sexual maturity typically between 6 and 18 months of age , they enter the adolescence stage. This life stage can be identified through behavioral changes — females may begin roaming around more often, while males might exhibit aggression. Fortunately, thorough and early training can help limit these behaviors. Your dog may also experience pain as it undergoes growth spurts. Between 12 months and 3 years, adolescent cockapoos begin to enter adulthood. They are officially adults once they reach their expected height and weight. At this stage, some of their more exuberant behaviors mellow out — you may notice your dog is more mature and relaxed. The final life stage is seniority, which is achieved anywhere between 6 and 10 years. As dogs age, you may notice issues such as increased confusion, fatigue and health problems. Senior dogs may also need to adjust their diet to accommodate changing nutrition needs or weaker teeth. Their small sizes and moderate energy levels make them the perfect dogs for anyone from a single apartment owner to a large family with small kids. What Is a Cockapoo? Sometime during the s, a poodle and a cocker spaniel mix was bred by accident. The result was the cockapoo, a smart and sweet companion dog with the ability to adapt to several environments. Breeders were thrilled by the likable personalities and easy maintenance of these mixed-breed dogs, and so they sought to create more. The cockapoo is one of the oldest designer dog breeds there is, which is a testament to its popularity. These crossbreeds also vary in size. Although all dogs tend to be on the small side, some are miniature, while others are larger. Miniature cockapoos are typically less than 15 inches in length and weigh between 12 and 19 pounds, while maxi cockapoos are over 16 inches and weigh anywhere between 20 and 65 pounds. Some breeders even offer teacup cockapoos, which are typically less than six pounds in weight and smaller than 10 inches. Most of these dogs come from miniature poodles and either American or English cocker spaniels, although the precise size and coloring depends on the exact genetic makeup of the parents. They can be hypoallergenic, low-shedding, and nearly odorless depending on the coat that they inherit, which are all desirable qualities for most prospective dog owners. However, what really makes these dogs stand out is their favorable personality traits. Cockapoo and Personality For such small dogs, cockapoos have big personalities. They inherit the intelligence and obedience of poodles, as well as the sweet and affectionate natures of cocker spaniels. They respond well to positive reinforcement and are always happy to please. Thanks to their enthusiastic nature, cockapoos get along with everyone, making them the perfect family dogs. In terms of energy, cockapoos tend to have moderate activity levels. These needs can be met through a simple walk around the block or some playtime in the backyard. Other activities cockapoos enjoy include: Scavenger hunts: Cockapoos are highly intelligent and love games that let them use their brainpower. Pet parents should try hiding toys or treats around the yard or home for them to find. Games of fetch: Fetch is a great way for a cockapoo to get physical activity. This game is also mentally stimulating as it encourages the dog to focus on a specific object. Puppy playdates: Cockapoos are very social creatures and enjoy interacting with other dogs. Short runs: When a cockapoo feels particularly energetic, it may get bored with a walk. A run is a great way to relieve this pent-up energy. They also have low prey drives, which reduces the likelihood of chasing any squirrels or small animals. However, for the best results, training should start at a young age. Taking Care of a Cockapoo While each cockapoo has its own set of unique needs, there are some characteristics they all have in common. Most cockapoos can tolerate being alone and are unlikely to dig up your carpet or destroy your cushions. In addition to physical activity, cockapoos need mental stimulation — chew toys and squeaky toys are a great way to keep them entertained. Another positive trait shared by most cockapoos is adaptability. However, for small apartment owners, it may be better to get a teacup or miniature cockapoo rather than a maxi cockapoo. However, most cockapoos will need to be groomed regularly, particularly those with long or curly coats. Generally, a dog should be bathed at least once a month, as any more than that could dry out the skin. Cockapoos enjoy swimming, so they should react well once they get used to the water. Small dogs are more likely to build up tartar and develop gum infections, so you should thoroughly brush their teeth every two days or so. You should also trim their nails at least once a month to avoid scratches. Cockapoo Health Cockapoos have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, which is on the higher side for dogs. Methods to keep your cockapoo in good condition include making sure it gets regular exercise, feeding it high-quality dog food and keeping an eye out for any common health ailments. As cocker spaniel and poodle mixes, cockapoos are susceptible to some of the health problems found in their purebred parents. Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia results in the deterioration of the hip joint, which can lead to lameness. Cataracts: Dogs with cataracts have cloudy or blurred vision. Patellar luxation: In patellar luxation, the kneecap slides out of place. This can be painful and negatively impact motion. Dermatitis: Develops rashes or itches due to airborne substances, such as pollen or dust. You can reduce the effects of these issues by getting your dog checked regularly and by keeping an eye out for any symptoms, such as lethargy, vomiting or rashes. However, many health problems can be avoided altogether by simply going to a reputable breeder. We offer the following amenities: Testing for over canine diseases Coat testing to ensure they are non-shedding and hypoallergenic Temperament testing to determine therapy dog potential Worming, vaccinations and vet checkups One- to two-year genetic health guarantee Obedience training, housebreaking, socialization and behavior modification We also offer free hand delivery in New York City, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and more depending on your location. Not only are they adorable, but their calm, affectionate temperaments and high intelligence make them incredibly practical. To learn more about this breed and how they compare to other poodle mix breeds, check our cockapoo vs cavapoo detailed comparison. Trustworthy breeders treat animals humanely, and they thoroughly check for health problems such as hip dysplasia or ear infections to make sure your new pet is both happy and healthy. Not only do we conduct extensive health tests, but we also provide therapy-dog quality obedience training. By teaching dogs valuable lessons at a young age, we help guarantee good behavior in the future. As a bonus, we make sure our dogs are non-shedding. We offer a wide range of cockapoos that come in a myriad of sizes and colors, and you can always expect your pet to be health-tested, housebroken and obedient. Learn more about our services by contacting us today!

Things to do with your English Bulldog Oregon is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Oregon that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit the Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Oregon that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Oregon, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Oregon, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Oregon, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Oregon, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Pet-Friendly Businesses Oregon has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Oregon. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Oregon is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Oregon? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Born April 14th, available to go to their forever home late June-early July, For the health and safety of our puppies, no onsite visits are allowed until puppies have had their vet check and first immunizations at weeks. Past litter Little nappers! Past litter, 3 weeks We deliver within a 1-hour radius of Dallas, Oregon at no additional cost. We raise every one of our bulldogges with great care. Our dogs are a beloved part of our family, but also cared for knowing we are caring for your new family member as well! All puppies are whelped in our home in a specially designed whelping room with access to an automatic watering system and private yard for the dam and pups as they grow. As they grow, they become well socialized with children as they are integrated into daily life in our home with our large family. They play and explore around our home. When you buy one of our puppies, you have the confidence of: Puppies are raised with the best veterinary care available Current immunizations and up to date on deworming regiment and tails docked Five generation pedigree from International Olde English Bulldogge Association IOEBA Nutrition programs designed for optimal health of dam, sire, and pups Puppies well-socialized with other animals and children Steps to getting your new puppy! Pick of the litter is offered as an option on every litter. Your place in the waitlist is determined by when your deposit is placed. Puppies are not held without a deposit. The balance is due at pick up or 8 weeks of age. Our pups are highly sought after and It is not likely a client will be able to get a puppy if they wait for the pups in any upcoming litter to reach 2 or 3 weeks of age. Most all our pups are spoken for before birth by clients who have put down a pick of the litter deposit. Questions about Bulldog puppies for sale in Portland OR? We have answers. How much are Bulldog puppies for sale in Portland OR? Bulldogs in Portland are a very special breed as they require a veterinarian to breed them through artificial insemination. What if there are no Bulldog breeders in Portland? What are backyard breeders? Bulldogs are bred with the help of a veterinarian. These Bulldog breeders Portland and businesses are never professional. They breed their dogs in their backyards. The only way to ever get a healthy and happy true Bulldog pup is through a reputable breeder or business. Why is Uptown Puppies a different experience? What is a puppy mill like? People who own these awful places see it as money making machines by exploiting the innocent lives of Bulldog puppies in Portland. Puppies from here often cost their owners thousands in vet bills. What important Bulldog health issues do I need to be aware of? Portland Bulldogs for sale suffer from two main chronic conditions. These chronic conditions worsen if they come from puppy mills. Bulldogs Portland get chronic skin conditions because of the folds of skin on their faces. These constantly need to be cleaned. Are there any Bulldog puppies to purchase currently? Without a doubt, there are wonderful Bulldog pups currently available! Uptown Puppies makes all your pooch dreams come true, so just begin searching for your perfect Bulldog puppy today, connect with its breeder or business, and make the necessary travel arrangements! What kind of dog is an English Bulldog? An English Bulldog for sale in Portland is a really friendly dog that hates being alone. They love being hugged, kissed and played with. They adore children, and are happiest when allowed to laze around and sleep for long periods of time. They constantly need cool and fresh air. Are Bulldogs easy to train? Bulldog puppies Portland are easy to train when using positive reinforcement. What is the rarest color for English Bulldogs? Bulldogs for sale Portland come in 8 different colors, but some colors are rarer than others. The following colors are rare to rarest: black, blue, chocolate, and lilac.

Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. Helps with joint lubrication 4. NSAIDs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Just like humans, dogs can benefit from taking certain pain medications to treat their hip dysplasia. In particular, NSAIDs can benefit your dog by reducing some of the pain and inflammation that hip dysplasia causes. There are some great charts available online that show you how much your German Shepherd should weigh at various stages of his life. Hard surfaces can be especially painful for your dog to walk on, so avoid walking on asphalt and sidewalks and instead take him for a walk in a grassy park. Repair and Prevent Cartilage Deterioration We mentioned cartilage a bit earlier. When your dog moves, cartilage helps cushion the joint. But it can become damaged when your dog has hip dysplasia. Over time, this cartilage deteriorates, causing pain and inflammation. Another word for this cartilage deterioration? Fortunately, certain active ingredients can help maintain joint health and reduce the likelihood that the secondary condition of arthritis will form as a result of German Shepherd hip dysplasia. In particular, the active ingredients of chondroitin and glucosamine for dogs help maintain cartilage health. These two naturally occurring substances work together to not only repair damaged cartilage but also prevent it from deteriorating in the first place. Lubricate Joints Hyaluronic acid is another key active ingredient that benefits dogs suffering from German Shepherd hip dysplasia by improving joint mobility and reducing discomfort. In particular, hyaluronic acid may help reduce the pain your dog experiences as a result of hip dysplasia. And how does it do that? Well, hyaluronic acid is an important component of synovial fluid. So it stands to reason that making sure your dog has enough hyaluronic acid is a great way to ensure his hip joints can move as smoothly as possible. But fortunately, MSM, a powerful antioxidant and building block for healthy joints, can help reduce the pain and inflammation your dog experiences from hip dysplasia. And the great news is that this ingredient is often found in joint supplements. Additionally, MSM may become even more effective when used alongside glucosamine, another common active ingredient. Yes, that is indeed our product. If your dog qualifies for surgeries, you have even more options. Tips for Preventing Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds Although not all cases of hip dysplasia can be prevented, a good majority can. Even if hip dysplasia is not preventable in your dog, you can use these tips to minimize pain caused by the condition. This can make a huge difference in whether your dog develops hip dysplasia. The best reputable breeders will even provide a screening for their puppies. After the screening, which can only be done after 16 weeks of age, you can know if a puppy is predisposed to hip dysplasia. From an early age, make sure to provide your dog with high-quality dog food specific for large breeds. For example, get a large-breed puppy-specific dog food when your dog is young, and switch to an adult dog food once the dog ages. Note that most senior dog foods are not generic, so your vet will be the best person to help you choose which product is best for your older German Shepherd. Only provide your dog as much food as they need, never under or over. Both malnutrition and obesity increase the risk for hip dysplasia development. If you are unsure how much to feed your dog, talk to your vet for recommendations. Right Exercise Exercise is another factor you need to consider carefully if you want to prevent hip dysplasia in your German Shepherd. Preventative Supplements Image Credit: ElenVik, Shutterstock You can begin giving preventative supplements to your dog to nourish their joints. One of the most popular is glucosamine. This supplement is prescribed to dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia, but you can use it for preventative measures too. Of course, preventative supplements will have a lower glucosamine count than prescribed medications. Final Thoughts If you suspect that your German Shepherd is experiencing hip dysplasia, please visit the vet right away. Luckily, most German Shepherds with hip dysplasia live long and robust lives. If they get a great treatment, you can expect your dog to be happy and carefree. By starting a well-rounded prevention plan from an early age, you can help your dog grow with minimal issues. Featured Image Credit: makeitclear, Pixabay Contents. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Hip dysplasia HD is a disease of the hip coxofemoral joints. Dysplasia means abnormal development. Both hips are usually affected Brass .It is a complex disease that results from a combination of genes that predispose a dog to developing hip dysplasia interacting with environmental factors that lead to its full development and expression Riser .It is characterized by hip joint instability which, if compounded by environmental factors, then results in secondary osteoarthritis and the clinical signs of hip dysplasia which include pain, lameness and disability Zhang et al .To fully understand hip dysplasia, it is necessary to understand the structure of the hip joint. The hip joint is the joint at the top of the hind leg, where it articulates forms a joint with the pelvis. It is described as a ball and socket joint, as in normal hips the ball-shaped head of the femur the thigh bone fits perfectly into a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis, the acetabulum. The head of the femur femoral head and the acetabulum are normally covered with cartilage which produces a smooth, low friction surface. Within the joint there is also a fine layer of synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant between these cartilaginous surfaces. This thin layer of synovial fluid, along with the round ligament a ligament that runs round the edge of the acetabulum — between the acetabulum and the femur , keeps the two cartilaginous surfaces together by creating a suction-like effect. The ligaments and the joint capsule also help to hold the ball and socket closely together. In newborn puppies, because the bones are soft and not fully ossified turned into bone as they need to grow and develop, they are still deformable if abnormal movements or stresses and strains occur in them. Riser suggests that, in a normal six month old individual, ossification of the bones and soft tissue strength the strength of the surrounding ligaments, joint capsule and muscles have developed enough to prevent hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is described as a biomechanical disease. The hips appear normal at birth. However, in affected individuals, the hips develop abnormally due, at first, to joint instability sometimes called joint laxity Riser .This means that the developing femoral head and acetabulum are not held constantly, closely together, and can move into abnormal positions relative to one another. This puts abnormal stresses and strains on the joint. Riser states this is due to the soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscle, not being strong enough to maintain congruity between the articular surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum ie the constant contact between the surfaces of the bones is not maintained. The pathological changes seen due to the joint instability are progressive inflammation and degeneration of the tissues that together form the joint. Brass details the following changes in the joint: The joint capsule can become thickened and the round ligament can become stretched or ruptured leading to additional, excessive movements. The synovial fluid increases in volume and changes in nature, due to inflammation, this pushes the joint surfaces apart. The cartilage on the bone surfaces gets worn away exposing subchondral bone the layer of bone beneath the surface cartilage. Unlike cartilage, bone contains nerve endings and such exposure will commonly cause pain. The rim of the acetabulum becomes damaged and flattened and later new bone starts to grow here as the body tries to stabilize the joint. The femoral head becomes deformed and flattened and also grows abnormal bone called exotoses or osteophytes. This changing of the shape of the joint with new bone growing in abnormal positions, and being lost in others, is called joint remodelling. The signs that are seen with hip dysplasia can vary hugely in their severity, the age at which they first appear and their progression. In mild cases dogs can be free from clinical signs for years; however, for more severely affected individuals, signs of pain can develop whilst they are still immature less than a year old Signs include acute pain, particularly after strenuous exercise or movement. This may show as lameness or reluctance to jump, to go for walks, climb steps or move at all if really severe. The pain may be worse in cold, wet conditions Brass .These signs may start intermittently, but over time can become constant. Muscle wastage is often seen in the hindlegs Brass .There appears to be little correlation between the severity of pain shown by the dog and physical abnormalities felt on examination by a vet or revealed on an x-ray Brass ie some dogs can be in severe pain but have few changes on x-rays and vice versa. This is typical of any joint disease. Controlling food intake during growth has been shown to decrease hip dysplasia in Labradors ie by reducing excessive energy intake and therefore excessive weight gain during growth Kealy et al .High calcium intake during growth has been shown to delay maturation of the skeleton and increase the risk of hip dysplasia in Great Danes Hazewinkel .It is thought that controlling the amount and form of exercise during development may also help Corr .Bennett and May suggest excessive exercise during development can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment for hip dysplasia is complex; many surgical interventions have been developed to prevent signs appearing in young animals with high joint laxity and to treat dogs with severe osteoarthritis. All need specialist surgeons. Various medications to aid pain relief are also available, along with recommendations to reduce the effect of environmental factors. Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Though some dogs may be mildly affected, for many German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia, the impact of the condition is major and life changing. These animals suffer pain that is severe and debilitating, leading them to be in pain even with small everyday movements such as standing up. Their quality of life is severely affected so that they are unable to enjoy normal canine behaviours such as walking and running. It is not uncommon for dogs to be euthanased due to the pain and disability of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease with signs seen from any age. For some dogs pain starts before a year of age. Signs may be intermittent to start with but often progress to be constant. Medical treatment and advice can help control pain and possibly slow progression, though a cure can only be obtained with major surgical intervention in dogs that are considered suitable candidates for such surgery. Return to top 4. Number of animals affected Hip dysplasia is the most common joint problem of large dogs Smith et al .UK VetCompass data for dogs overall, showed that 7. In this sample, diagnosis of conditions affecting the pelvis eg hip dysplasia did not significantly differ between purebred and crossbred dogs. Figures vary greatly for how frequently German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia, depending on the method by which they have been screened and the database reviewed. The frequency is likely to vary for geographically different populations of the same breed Brass .However, Paster et al suggested that the OFA population was biased, as it is not compulsory for radiographed dogs to have their x-rays submitted to the OFA scheme so some owners may have had dogs pre-screened and only submitted apparently non-dysplastic ones for consideration and scoring. In this study, German Shepherd dogs had a higher odds ratio of hip dysplasia occurrence than Dobermanns, Labradors and Rottweilers, indicating that the breed is at a significantly higher risk of hip dysplasia development. Return to top 5. Diagnosis For a young dog suspected of hip dysplasia, a diagnosis can be made on the clinical signs shown at home and on examination of the dog, including assessment of joint laxity and joint pain plus evaluation of radiographs x-ray pictures of the hip joints Corr .Assessment of the joint laxity and radiographs may need to be performed by a specialist vet who is used to checking for this condition. For a formal diagnosis, the radiographs are usually submitted to a panel for evaluation. There are three methods of assessing joint laxity. Radiographs and assessment of joint laxity need to be performed under heavy sedation or anaesthesia Corr .Return to top 6. Genetics Hip dysplasia in dogs is a polygenic disease; many genes are thought to play a role in its development. Most of these genes probably have small additive effects quantitative, polygenes and some probably have larger effects Zhang et al .Heritability estimates are used to demonstrate how much variation in a phenotypic trait is due to genetic variation among individuals in a population. Using hip scores published by the British Veterinary Association, heritability for hip scores of German Shepherd dogs was 0. Genes are not solely responsible for whether a dog with the genetic potential for hip dysplasia develops the condition. Environmental factors play an important part. They are discussed in the clinical and pathogenic effects section above. However, there are significant breed predispositions to this condition and the German Shepherd dog is one of the breeds affected. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? There are a number of breeding schemes around the world developed to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia in dog breeds. These schemes assess potential breeding animals in somewhat different ways. All aim to give breeders and owners a strong indication of which dogs are likely to produce healthy offspring and which should not be bred. However, this is by no means straightforward for hip dysplasia as it is a polygenic condition in which the genetics are poorly understood and which is also affected by environmental factors in a major way. This lack of clarity has produced much debate over the best way to assess potential breeding dogs. A brief summary of the various schemes follows including some current evidence for their benefits. All dogs must be at least 12 months of age. There are nine radiographic features which are scored, including the Norberg angle NA - a measurement for hip laxity taken from the EHR and each dog is given a score out of 53 for each hip total of up to for both. A low score indicates healthy hip joints eg Greyhounds would score 0, as is not seen in this breed and a higher score indicates worse hip dysplasia. Breeders are recommended to only breed from animals with a score lower than the breed medianscore e. It is also based on an extended hip radiograph EHR , which is then graded by three independent experts to give an overall grade. All dogs must be over 2 years of age to be assessed. There are seven possible grades for the radiograph: excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate or severe hip dysplasia. Dogs must be between 1 and 2 years of age and the radiograph is graded by someone appointed by each breed club — they do not have to be an expert. Grades include: A- no signs of hip dysplasia, B — near normal hip joints, C — mild hip dysplasia, D — moderate hip dysplasia, E — severe hip dysplasia. Older dogs can be assessed but the likelihood of more secondary osteoarthritic changes is taken into account. Dogs from 4 months of age can be assessed. It involves the assessment of three different radiographic views of the hip joints called the distraction view, the compression view and the EHR. The radiograph must be taken by a vet who is registered with the scheme and the radiographs are assessed by vets at the PennHIP Analysis Center. Dogs with a DI lower than 0. Dogs with increasing DI values over 0. Advocates of the PennHIP method like it because it accurately identifies individuals who have hip laxity - the primary phenotypical abnormality that predisposes dogs to hip dysplasia. The other schemes only look at the EHR and though the NA can be measured from this, the NA has been shown to be an inaccurate method to assess hip laxity Culp et al .Much of what is assessed on the EHRs are secondary arthritic changes, these are not specific to hip dysplasia and are affected by many environmental factors. Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed that the Distraction Index DI is a significant risk factor for the development of hip dysplasia. In other words, DI scores give a very good indication of the likelihood of osteoarthritic changes, due to hip dysplasia, developing in the future Smith and others , , , Smith , Runge et al .These and other researchers argue that the other schemes are not as good at detecting animals that have hip dysplasia as the PennHIP method and, despite older schemes existing for over 40 years, little improvement has been seen in hip dysplasia in the general pet population Corley , Kaneene et al , Leppanen et al , Paster et al .In fact, one recent study looking at a database of over 1,, dogs found an increase in the prevalence of hip dysplasia Witsberger et al .However EHR scores were found to have a much higher heritability 0. Heritability studies are difficult to compare between different populations with different environmental influences. To improve the gene pool, phenotypic traits that can be easily detected with strong links to the genotype genetic make-up of animals have to be found. Ideally, any potential pet would have had its hip joints assessed by one of the above schemes prior to purchase, although this is often unhelpful, as most pets are purchased as young puppies. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee all their offspring will be free from hip dysplasia. Certainly any potential breeding animal should be assessed prior to breeding using an appropriate scheme. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Hip dysplasia is a complex trait which involves multiple unknown genes and environmental factors. Eradication schemes have been running in some countries for decades and still it is commonplace. Thus prospects for its quick elimination are low. In a recent study, Zhang et al suggested that using scores from four hip traits combined to create a breeding value for each animal would help speed up elimination of the condition. They felt that information on the single joint trait EHR eg the OFA scheme gave insufficient information to provide the basis for breeding decisions. The DLS is a measurement made from an x-ray taken in a weight-bearing position to measure the subluxation of the femoral head Farese et al .In this study on two populations of dogs where environmental factors were strictly controlled, heritabilities for all these traits were found to be relatively high eg heritabilities were 0. The researchers suggested these heritabilites were higher than expected due to the controlled environmental conditions. Zhang et al suggested an improved way for selectively breeding out hip dysplasia would be if breeders could be given breeding values derived from the four traits for each potential breeding animal, plus a measurement of the inbreeding of any potential mating eg the inbreeding coefficient. This way, they suggest, inbreeding can be avoided and only animals with phenotypes strongly indicative of healthy hip joint genes would be bred from. This scheme is a more organised form of others that have suggested using a combination of breeding values determined from pedigree information and phenotype score Ginja et al , Hou et al .As described by Bell , when breeders are prioritising raising dogs that have good hip dysplasia genotypes for future breeding the phenotype has to be used as a marker for the genotype. Although the diagnostic signs can be affected also by environmental factors such as feeding and exercise regimes. It is important that the puppies are raised in a standard and not excessively protective way. Otherwise, dogs that would normally have developed radiographic signs of hip dysplasia will have this masked and their genes will be perpetuated. Future development of genetic tests to help identify some of the hip dysplasia genes, along with more use of pedigree data that includes the health of ancestors and progeny for clinical signs of hip dysplasia and also for other inherited defects of German Shepherd dogs , may well help to improve methods used to eliminate this condition. Currently we have to continue to rely on choosing phenotypical traits which apparently indicate the presence of healthy genes. Return to top 9. Originally bred as working dogs, they were favored for herding sheep and defending them if attacked. Known for their athleticism, intelligence, affection, and protective nature of their owners, they are also known for diseases that affect their breed disproportionately, because of poor practices by some breeders. Sadly many of these great animals end their lives in pain, often unable to stand. There are three common causes for that, which might appear the same to an untrained observer, but require different treatment regimes. This allows the bones to move beyond their appropriate range of motion, causing bones to rub together. Over time that causes inflammation, along with increasing discomfort. Dysplastic hips show the femoral head fitting loosely in the pelvis. Elbow dysplasia is the same problem at a different joint. In either case, there are a few treatment options. Diet can help reduce inflammation, and keeping a healthy weight will reduce the strain on the joint. Warm and dry sleeping areas help manage the pain and inflammation as well, especially if arthritis has set in. Pain medication can be used, although some dogs will have conditions that are contra-indicated for pain medication, and it is better to avoid for long term use. It is not painful but affects the quality of life, and often causes complete debilitation within a few years. Myelopathy will cause abnormalities in the spinal cord, eventually leading to debilitation. Most treatment regimens focus on nutritional support and exercise. Acupuncture, casts and braces, and physical therapy can also help. Unfortunately, there is not a lot to be done. One website, www. Myelopathies are not inflammatory diseases, so the healing process is different than for dysplasia. Yet a few months later she could run as though she had never been affected. In some cases, remission occurs, in others, the progress of the disease is greatly slowed. Panosteitis A dozen or so of the breeds recognized by the AKC become affected with panosteitis. A sudden lameness characterizes the disease, and diagnosis might include gait and motion analysis, comparison t other limbs, a verbal report from the owner, or x-rays. An easy way to diagnosis for those with experience is to pinch the middle of the affected bone, which will cause the dog to yelp or show discomfort. Dysplasia and other joint diseases would not cause such a reaction unless the area pinched was near the joint. You can see the area of the bone with Pano is more sense, and looks like it has fibers where there is usually only marrow. It occurs specifically in the humerus, radius, and ulna of the foreleg, and the femur and tibia of the hind leg. Generally, it is a foreleg that first gives way with an onset of lameness. The bone itself may become misshapen due to pressure from within. The pain caused by Pano varies but may make the dog unable to walk. Most dogs will have more than one bone affected. Often a particular leg will be lame for a week or two and then shift from one leg to another. Luckily there is no harm done if left untreated, although diagnosis by an inexperienced breeder or vet might come up with a wrong diagnosis. As an inflammatory problem, Panosteitis might be greatly helped by PEMF therapy, improving recovery times for affected dogs. Inbreeding and health problems The German Shepherd is the second most commonly bred dog in America, according to some sources. This popularity has been the problem, as many breeders made poor choices in breeding certain lines too closely, causing the problems that have become so common today. A shepherd with a doggie wheelchair- sometimes a solution for dysplasia or some stages of myelopathy.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Welcome to Quivira Goldens Contact us to place a deposit on our upcoming litter The rolling plains of Kansas are where we call home, and we are excited to be able to bring some of the best and brightest of the Golden Retriever breed to our families. We are certain you will fall in love with our Goldens just as we have done. Our health tested parents are a perfect blend of American bloodlines as well as some imported lines from our sires. We have been working at developing a unique blend of healthy, intelligent easy to train Golden Retrievers for nearly 20 years and can't wait to talk with you about our upcoming litters. Many of our Goldens are training or functioning as service dogs or emotional support dogs with veterans, law enforcement and in schools and nursing homes. The easiest way to join the Quivira Golden Family is to complete a puppy reservation form and place a deposit. We encourage all families to call or email prior to completing the form. Puppy spots are held based on the order deposits are received. Now taking deposits for our January litter. Ready to go to new homesin March sometime. Call Soon to reserve your pup. Our never kenneled, well loved puppies make the perfect family dog! We are located in the Kansas City area however our puppies are adopted all over the United States. Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were: Improved cardio vascular performance heart rate Stronger heart beats More tolerance to stress Greater resistance to disease At three weeks old we start potty training our pups. We first designate a place in their whelping pen for them to do their business and as they are able to walk farther we gradually move their spot farther away. They are using a dog door to "go" outside between weeks old. Also at three weeks old we start beginning Manners training. That involves learning to sit and be patient before getting to go eat puppy food. The pups are also starting to spend time in an open crate and will graduate to closed crate time as they get older. Sometimes we keep our favorite pups longer to use for our breeding program or to offer a higher level of training for our clients. These pups depending on their age, know sit, stay can hold a stay while I go outside out of sight for at least 2 minutes come and sit at my feet, down, leave it, and on your bed. They are crate trained and also good on a leash. If you are interested in one of our pups in training give us a call. We have one 8 month old male available. Join our wait list Champion blood lines from a trusted breeder There are many options when looking for a Golden Retriever puppy. At Simply Golden Puppies We believe that Golden Retriever puppies and their mommas deserve a lot of love and attention. If you have ever had a Golden, you know that they are happiest when they are with their people. For this reason we keep our breeding program small. Our goldens are pets first. They are never kept in a kennel and spend a lot of time by our sides. We believe that if our momma's are happy the babies are happy too. The litters of Greta and Kate mark our sixth generation of puppies. We know very well how our puppies turn out. Our puppies have championship blood lines from 6 separate countries. That makes their gene pool phenomenal! You can expect a beautiful, healthy, very smart dog with therapy soft fur and blocky heads. They are devoted and loyal with fun personalities! While environmental factors play a big part in the health of your golden retriever you can be sure that we have done our best to ensure your puppy gets the best possible start in life. All of our personal adult goldens have lived past 12 years old with several living to be 16 years old. Our Puppies are vet checked healthy and vaccinated before going to their new homes and are sold as family companions with limited pet AKC registration. Why a Golden Retriever is the Perfect First Dog A golden retriever puppy is an excellent choice for those who are looking to get their first dog. The golden retriever is even-tempered, intelligent and affectionate. Golden retrievers are playful, yet gentle with children, and they tend to get along well with other pets and strangers. If you are consistent you can teach them very precise things like staying off of the carpet unless they are invited on it, waiting at an open door until they are invited in, not to bark unless there is something important to bark about.Because they are so smart, they can also learn to "work " the system so praise and being consistent is key. Goldens are eager to please and like to work which explains why they respond so well to Positive reinforcement training and are such popular service dogs. Many of our puppies have gone on to be service and therapy dogs. Our Golden Retriever Puppies are loyal — Golden retrievers are extremely loyal dogs. They were born to please you which makes them the best companion dog and another reason that they can be wonderful therapy or emotional support dogs. Our Golden Retriever Puppies are great with kids — Golden retrievers are great with children! They seem to instinctually know how to interact with them. One of our last customers had a one year old who tripped and fell in the grass. Our 12 week old puppy went carefully up to him, bent his head down to his face as if to ask if he was all right. It melted all of our hearts! Long ago my Daughter learned how to walk by pulling up on our first Golden Retriever. Our Golden Retriever Puppies are funny - They have the best personalities! They are loving, loyal, goofy, playful, gentle, and bring so much joy to our golden families! They are bird dogs at heart, so they love a good game of fetch or a swim. If exercise is provided daily, golden retriever puppies can adapt to any type of home, even if it is a city apartment. History: In , the golden retriever was the second most popular AKC breed. This ranking is no surprise, because the dog has many qualities that make for a perfect family pet. The golden retriever's roots are in the fields and waterways of Great Britain. The golden retriever was bred to be a bird dog, particularly for hunting water fowl, and the breed resulted from crossing a number of other breeds thought to include spaniels, setters, and the Newfoundland but not the Newfoundland we know today , and perhaps even a bloodhound. The combination created a hardy, strong swimming dog that could withstand cold water, track wounded game and deal with crippled birds. Today, golden retrievers are not only good bird dogs and family pets; they also are popular as service dogs for the blind and disabled, and as search and rescue dogs and contraband detection dogs. Few dogs can claim this breed's versatility.

It's time to talk about Labradoodles. This combination Labrador retriever and poodle is an excellent family dog who's often sought out by allergy sufferers because of their minimal shedding. The ever-popular Labradoodle is immensely trainable and, unlike some dogs, a good fit for first-time dog owners. On the larger side, these pups can take up some space-but are great with kids and will adapt to their family's lifestyle. The standard version, which is a Lab bred with a standard-sized poodle, can grow to be about 24 inches tall and weigh up to 75 pounds. If you're searching for a dog on the smaller size, it's possible to also find mini Labradoodles, a hybrid of a Labrador retriever and a miniature poodle. The loving, loyal doodles are a fun addition to any family. They're prone to zoomies and more than happy to play with the baby. Labradoodles are healthy dogs and need exercise, though the amount of running, playing, or swimming might depend on their makeup of Labrador and poodle genes. But regardless of the genetic breakdown, you'll need to get used to trips to the groomer. These pups are hairy. A quick note: Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodles aren't the same. Australian Labradoodles are crosses between a poodle, Labrador retriever, and cocker spaniel. Appearance Like many Labradoodle characteristics, your dog's appearance will depend on the generation you're looking for. To illustrate: Martinez breeds F1 half Labrador, half poodle , F1b 75 percent poodle, 25 percent Lab , and F2 87 percent poodle, 13 percent Lab Labradoodles. The half-Lab F1s will have longer, wavier hair and will still shed, Martinez says. The F1bs and F2s will have more poodle-esque hair that's tighter, curlier, and generally won't shed. They'll often look like little teddy bears as puppies. Labradoodles are often thought of as hypoallergenic -even though no dog is truly an allergen-free animal-but generally the F1b and F2 generations are considered better options for some allergy sufferers. Martinez recommends people with allergies spend time with their puppy before they adopt. His customers are required to. They'll come in around inches tall, Martinez says. As for colors, Labradoodles run the gamut. You'll find them in black, white, cream, red, chocolate, or a mix of those colors. Taking after their poodle brethren, these fluffy boys and girls need to be brushed frequently , too. Temperament Martinez loves the dogs he breeds-he owns 10 himself-and was especially effusive about how Labradoodles act around people, families , and children , even kids who might not know exactly how to pet or interact with dogs "They love people," he says. But not only can these pups live with cats -Martinez says several of his puppies have gone on to become therapy dogs , meaning they're calm and affectionate enough to visit schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers to offer psychological and physiological support to patients and people in need. Some Labradoodles go on to become service dogs , as the breed creator originally intended. But don't confuse them for docile dogs. They still have big personalities-Martinez describes a typical day with his dogs as "entertaining"-but mischievous behavior can be counteracted with training , which Labradoodles quickly pick up on. Genesis Service Dogs , which breeds Labradoodles to help children and adults with special needs, says the dogs will mature slower than their Labrador retriever brethren, so they'll be puppyish for about a year and a half. Then they'll become even more affectionate toward their humans. They're mostly quiet, keeping barking to a minimum, but Labradoodles' energy level can vary based on their generation, Martinez says. The dogs with more Labrador genes F1s will be more energetic than the ones with more poodle in their blood. Labradoodles will often reflect the energy levels of their owner, Martinez says, but they're still descendants of sporting dogs who like having something to do. Whether that means long walks together or playing games in the yard, a Labradoodle will be happiest with any activity he can do with you. Living Needs Labradoodles are flexible when it comes to where they live. While the standard Labradoodles are bigger, they can still reside in an apartment, though generally Martinez admits smaller dogs, potentially miniature Labradoodles, are better suited for living in smaller homes. If you do live in an apartment or smaller home where yard space is limited, make sure you can regularly fit in enough exercise and play for your active pup to blow off some steam, like a visit to the local dog park every so often. Labradoodles certainly won't turn down a house with a big, fenced-in yard , though. Martinez lets his group of pups spend plenty of time outside, where they'll be just as likely to lay down for a spell than run around on the doggie playground equipment. They do need exercise, though. If Martinez sends a puppy home with someone who works all day, he advises them to invest in a dog walker so their doodle is able to stretch his legs during the hours he's left alone. But if you have the time and like to explore, a Labradoodle could be the perfect hiking partner. And since poodles are considered water dogs, some Labradoodles like to swim , too. This breed is good for all ages, Martinez says, but Labradoodle owners will still need to put the work in with positive reinforcement training and to meet their activity needs. He subscribes to the oft-used mantra: There aren't any bad dogs, just bad owners. Care It's important to start training your Labradoodle puppy as soon as you bring him home. Labradoodles are considered smart dogs and will pick up what you're teaching very quickly. Martinez says they may even understand some commands within the first day. Labradoodles are smart enough that daily training doesn't take too long. Martinez recommends three or four sessions of 10 minutes each day to accommodate the dogs' short attention spans, which is like that of "a young child," he says. They're so easy to train and quick to learn that even first-time dog owners can fare well, Martinez says. But if you don't have the time or know-how to train, obedience school is the answer. Once he's learned to recognize the basics, your doodle will start making those classic head tilts when you mention their favorite words walk, car, treat. According to Martinez, early socialization -both with other dogs and people-is important for Labradoodle puppies. Martinez says he lets the puppies he breeds spend their early days with his adult dogs to get them used to other dogs at a young age. If your vet says it's safe, you may want to have your new Labradoodle puppy meet other humans and dogs in their first few weeks in their new home. When it comes to exercise, three to four walks a day will suffice which is why you might need a dog walker. Otherwise, swimming, hiking, or some playtime in the yard or at the park will help your dog immensely. Labradoodles do enjoy their activity, but Martinez says they'll spend just as much time lounging around to relax. Grooming is another integral part of caring for your Labradoodle, but it's probably best to outsource it. These fluffy boys and girls need regular trims. Martinez sends his dogs to the goomer for a haircut every six weeks, regardless of whether they're F1s, F1bs, or F2s. Regular brushing is a good idea, too, because you don't want your Labradoodle's hair to get matted or uncomfortable. You'll also want to keep those ears dry and clean , and don't forget to keep up with the nail trimming and tooth brushing , either. Health Here's another reason Labradoodles are good for first-time dog owners: They're a relatively healthy breed over their years of life. But being the ideal combination of Labs and poodles also means Labradoodles can be susceptible to the health problems of both their parent breeds. Labs, for instance, will commonly suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia , so the risk is there for Labradoodles as well. Doodles can also run into problems with myopathies, diseases that damage muscles , and exercise-induced collapse. For anyone looking to adopt a Labradoodle, Martinez couldn't emphasize enough: Make sure your breeder conducts DNA tests on your puppy's parents to find any genetic abnormalities. The same goes for having their hips and elbows tested and certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. If the breeder you're considering doesn't do that testing or says it isn't needed, find someone else. Martinez notes that Labrador retrievers are happy to eat just about anything and everything. While your Labradoodle will likely be a bit pickier, be sure to keep any weight gain in check since they may have a tendency to overeat if they're allowed to. History Australian Wally Conron is credited as the modern-day creator of the Labradoodle, breeding the first one in the late s. He was trying to create a guide dog that would also be hypoallergenic, by breeding a Labrador retriever and a standard poodle. Clearly, his efforts were successful. The breed exploded in popularity, and since it is the combination of the U. People seek out the Labradoodle for its trifecta of cute looks, friendly demeanor, and minimal shedding. While the Labradoodle is the seemingly ideal dog for people with allergies, Conron has said he regrets his creation. Because of the intense demand for these "designer dogs," Conron has expressed concern over the bad actors who breed Labradoodles in puppy mills-and the inexperienced and sometimes misinformed breeders who fail to prevent genetic problems from being passed on to new generations. Labradoodles have belonged to several famous owners, including golfer Tiger Woods, actress Jennifer Aniston, and actor Henry Winkler. Doodles certainly earn their keep on Instagram, so if you need some extra fluff in your life, the Dood Squad is a good place to start. Was this page helpful? By Chris Every pet owner knows that dogs love to lick. They lick their treats, they lick their bowls, they lick themselves; they even lick you! Licking can mean a lot of things; dogs are very expressive in this way. But sometimes, consistent licking of one particular area can be cause for concern. You may have noticed your Labradoodle lick its paws a lot more recently. Is your Labradoodle licking paws constantly? Why Do Dogs Lick? Licking is fairly normal behavior for dogs. In most cases, we see our dogs licking either themselves or us. Licking to stay clean is a super common behavior for not just dogs, but pretty much all animals. Licking People Dogs are practically known for licking people — or as we like to call it, giving kisses. You probably receive a face full when you get home from work each day. Your dog may also lick you to get your attention. Some dogs lick legs as a sign of affection? As we mentioned above, dogs frequently lick themselves to stay clean. You should probably thank them for taking care of some of the work for you. Dogs who play outside can easily pick up dirt, dust, and debris on their paws. They may even get chunks of mud stuck between their toes. Grass seeds often get caught in dog paws. Signs like licking paws or lip-licking can let you know that your dog is feeling uneasy or uncomfortable with the current situation. This can happen when your dog is around new people, other dogs, or left alone. In fact, paw-licking can become something of an addiction for your anxious dog. And this constant licking can give them sores and wounds. Knowing your dog is feeling anxious can help you make better decisions to ease their worrying and calm their licking. Australian Labradoodles are a different breed the Labradoodles although similar! Skin conditions can irritate your dog, so they self-soothe by licking the area. Skin conditions like these can be a result of contact with some sort of allergen. You might also try changing up their diet. Try giving them grain-free food to see if their licking eases up. Finally, dogs can get yeast infections. A yeast infection in a dog typically starts either in their ears or on their paws, so excessive licking may be a sign of this condition. Digestive Issues While it may seem like an odd reaction to us, many dogs actually lick themselves excessively when they are experiencing digestive distress and other stomach issues. Just keep in mind that your Labradoodle licking paws could be a sign of one of these conditions. Keep an eye on its bathroom habits and contact your vet with any concerns and questions. Two Labradoodles sniff each other out at a dog park. However, constant licking of a wound can prevent it from healing. This is what we refer to as a lick granuloma. Lick granuloma, also known as canine acral lick dermatitis, is a skin injury that a dog can give itself from persistent licking. It normally happens after a dog has suffered an injury. Signs of a lick granuloma include a thickened layer of skin around a wound, raised sores, and hair loss. Your dog may also lick its paw if it has a broken nail or if its paw is in pain. If your dog is constantly licking and biting its paws, you might have a flea or tick problem. This is especially possible for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, whether in grassy fields or dense, wooded areas. Look for other signs of fleas and ticks on your dog. If they do have these insects on them, they will likely be scratching, itching, and biting other spots on their body — not just their paws. Thankfully, there are plenty of medications and home remedies you can research to alleviate flea and tick problems. Different dogs display their boredom in a variety of ways. Some dogs whine and bark at you to try to get your attention. Other dogs might sit quietly and find something small to focus on to stimulate their mind. This may look like chewing on your favorite pillow, or it could be licking its own paws. If you spot your dog licking its paws for a long period, try offering it your attention. Doing so could be an instant solution to finding all those wet spots on your furniture. But thankfully, they do give us signs that something is amiss. We just have to stay informed so that we can recognize those signs and take action to resolve the issue. If your Labradoodle is constantly licking its paws, it could be a sign of something more serious. Your pet deserves it! My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. This does mean however, that your dog requires regular clipping to keep the coat trimmed and free of knots and matting. This is important for the dog also, as their coats can get very heavy and hot and matted coats make them very uncomfortable. It will really depend on the length you want to keep your Labradoodles coat as to how much grooming you will have to do. What do I need? Hold the skin taught to protect from any discomfort, especially where you come across a knot, or matts. Like in human hair, work knots out gently, or cut through them with scissors or a matt breaker. Knots are quite common around the ears, jaw, and collar as well as behind the tops of their legs. If they wear a harness regularly, you may find matting from this too. Trim around their eyes and across the bridge of their nose between their eyes regularly — you can do this with blunt scissors, or use a little tool like the Wahl Pocket Pro, which is a little battery operated trimmer. Over bathing can reduce the oils and damage the coat. I usually bathe my dogs every weeks. It is important to use a good quality pet shampoo — dogs have a different PH in their skin to humans, so regular shampoos is not suitable for use on your pets. Fido products are expensive, but I find them very good and this is what I use on the puppies, and my own dogs. Some vets will advocate regular plucking, others may suggest trimming the hair, but regardless, keeping the hair minimal, and the ears clean, with the use of an ear cleanser or a drying agent will reduce the risk of problems. You pop the solution into each ear and massage it for seconds and then wipe it out with a tissue — never use ear buds! Check with your vet for tips on hair removal and which solution to use. Your dogs nails should be done each time they get their coat trimmed and this is a service most dog groomers usually do as part of their clip. If you choose to do this, be sure to get your groomer, or your vet to show you how to trim the nails correctly. Grooming How frequently you choose to get your dog clipped will depend on lifestyle, how long you want their coat to be and, your regular maintenance regimes. Besides you want to enjoy that adorable puppy shagginess for a little while! The Puppy Trim Trim between their eyes so they can see Fringe should be cut so there is an inverted"V"above the nose. If the fringe is thick, it can be neatened with thinning scissors. Trim the ear length back to about 1 cm following the shape of the ear leather. Neaten the face, especially if the beard is long. The Full Clip Ears Trim the ears, following the edge of the ear leather. To gauge the length — pull forward to the nose. The length of the ear should be just short of the nose. Taper the tip of the ear. Hair on the outside of the ear should be layered on the to about 3cm, and the tip of the ear tapered. Trim back any thickness behind the ear. The underside of the ear should be shaved or cut very short underneath to allow good air flow. Trim hair inside the ear canal. Top of the head The top of the head should be natural, and cut long enough that it parts naturally by itself. To trim, pull the hair forward and up and trim to around cm. You want to be able to see the dogs eyes easily. Leave the eyelashes long — it helps to keep hair out of their eyes. Eyes Below the eye at the muzzle, trim the top of the muzzle short at an angle just under the eyes so they can see easily. This makes it easier to clean around the eyes also. Muzzle The beard and moustache should be layered and trimmed into a circular shape, rather than blunt - aim for around cm in length. Body the body can be trimmed to whatever length suits the lifestyle. Tail should be evened up. If the body is left long, the tummy can be trimmed shorter, or even shaved in summer to keep the dog cool. Trim the hair between the pads, so the pads touch the ground. Trim the nails. Taper the hind quarters to the tail gradually. Brush and trim the tail to a natural length, and trim underneath. Private Parts Shave or trim close the dogs private area to keep clean and free from matting and any dags. While the adult coat is establishing, you will need to brush multiple times a week, and I find this the best time to give your pet his first trim. It will be difficult to keep up with the matting in the longer coat, but with a trim, it is very manageable, and the beauty of the adult coat is better realized. Once your dog gets to 12 to 14 months, the adult coat will be fully established, and this is the coat you can expect to work with for your dog's adult life. I find that the picture to the right will help to clarify the instructions you will need to convey for your dog's face. It is best to print this picture and take it with you to the groomer. A three-fourths inch blade don't go shorter than one-half inch will keep your dog's coat nice and full but give a smooth consistent length all over. If you like your dogs coat longer, your groomer should have a guard they can use to achieve this. The legs are typically just a little longer than the rest of the coat if you trim the coat to three-fourths inch. FEET: The feet will need a "slipper" cut to achieve the floppy, full leg look. The leg will look like a column. TAIL: The tail needs to be de-matted and trimmed. It is also important to have the hair removed, either trimmed or pulled, inside the dog's ears. Click the grooming picture for an enlarged, printable version and take it with you to your groomer! Caring for Labradoodle paws Labradoodle paws are perfect for helping your Labradoodle race through fields and clamber over obstacles! But, their paws can be delicate and prone to injuries. About Labradoodle Paws Dogs, including Labradoodles, are digitigrade animals. This means they walk on their toes and their heels do not touch the ground, unlike humans. Labradoodle paws usually have four digits toes with a claw on each. Many dogs will also have a claw and a digit slightly further up each foot, known as the dew claw. Some owners choose to get these claws removed, but this is a very controversial practice, since dew claws have a purpose. The Labradoodle originally descends from two common working breeds. Both purebred Poodles and Labrador Retrievers originally worked as retrieving dogs alongside humans. Many had to retrieve game on land and in water. So, their paws were perfectly moulded for this purpose, helping them maintain balance and speed when retrieving! Grooming Labradoodle Paws Our modern Labradoodles are less likely to have a working lifestyle than their ancestors. Most Labradoodles are kept as companion dogs. But, as an active breed, they still spend plenty of time running, climbing, and exploring. It can help to prevent split nails, injuries, and excess dirt buildups. Dog fur extends over their entire bodies, including the tops of their paws. Labradoodles often have long, curly fur that will grow between their digits and paw pads. So, whether you groom your dog at home, or take them regularly to a professional, keeping paw fur trimmed will complete the freshly groomed look. Shorter hair between the paw pads and toes can also lead to less dirt buildup from walks in muddy or snowy areas. Labradoodle nails must also be regularly trimmed. Highly active Labradoodles may adequately wear down their own nails when exercising outside, but many will need extra attention. This part of the nail contains a lot of vessels and nerves. So, when cut, it will bleed and will be painful for your Labradoodle. Socialization to Paw Grooming Grooming your dog can be a calming experience for them, as long as they are acclimated to the process. So, you should groom them from a young age, and keep the experiences positive. This can mean working in small sections, and providing plenty of treats to accompany clippers, grinders, brushes, and even touching certain parts of your dog. Including their paws. Work in small steps to ensure your Labradoodle puppy is happy with you touching every part of their paw. This includes their claws, their paw pads, and even gently separating their toes. All of these are areas that you will need to touch when grooming them. Once they are happy with this, you can introduce the tools. But, there are many reasons your Labradoodle might lick or chew at their paws. Some of the potential explanations include: Cleaning their paws. Trying to soothe an injury or irritation. Response to fleas, ticks, or other parasites. Examine the pads and digits for any injuries, dirt, or pests. If you cannot find any, your dog may simply be feeling anxious or bored. Try exercising or playing with them to prevent boredom. If licking and chewing persists, it can be a good idea to take your Labradoodle to the veterinarian. Licking an injury too much can cause further problems. Your veterinarian is the best person to help if your dog is suffering from a paw injury. Labradoodle Puppy Paws As well as paws helping our dogs and puppies to move around and soften impact from the ground, many people believe puppy paws have another key use. Mixed breed dogs like the Labradoodle can be quite unpredictable as they can inherit any mix of traits from their parents. This includes their overall size and their paw shape. Labradors tend to have narrower, more rabbit-like paws than Poodles, who often have rounded paws with long, slender toes. Labradoodle paws can be more like one of their parents, or the perfect blend of both. Female dogs are generally smaller than males when fully grown. These signs could be quite obvious, such as limping or whining when weight is placed on a certain paw. Or they could be more subtle, such as increased licking and chewing, or a lowered interest in physical activity. If you notice an injury, take your Labradoodle to the veterinarian for the best solution. Labradoodle Paws — A Summary Labradoodle paws are often all unique, as their shape and size will be determined by the genetic combination they inherit! But, all Labradoodle paws require regular grooming to stay clean and healthy. Readers Also Liked. Establish a routine that you will follow through with or you will end up with a puppy with nails that may rip or cause problems walking properly, ears that have infections, and coats that are severely matted to the skin and cause severe discomfort for your dog. These are the areas that are most prone to matting. Part the hair and brush from the base of the coat in small sections. Many people only brush the surface of the coat and do not realize the dog is matting very badly next to the skin. Remember, if you cannot maintain basic brushing and grooming on your own, then you will need to budget for using a professional groomer. You should still try to clip nails and clean ears weekly at home, and give your dog a brushing at least once a week. BATHING When you groom your puppy or dog, you will want them to have a clean coat so your scissors and clipper blades work efficiently and do not wear down more quickly. Here are some general, simple tips for basic labradoodle grooming when doing your doodle at home. Eyes: Your Labradoodle should always be able to see well and not have hair hanging and restricting vision or growing up and into the eyes from the bridge of the nose! Using blunt tipped scissors, trim the hair over the bridge of nose and in between eyes so vision is not obstructed. Hair that hangs over the eyes should be trimmed neatly across the brow blending down into the sides of the face. If your dog gets eye gunk, use eye wipes every few days to keep them clean. A Labradoodle with long ear hair does NOT look like the standard for the Labradoodle, it looks more like a Cocker spaniel. Shape the ears and blend hair neatly into the top of the head. This will help prevent infections. You can use a clipper with 10 blade for a good length in this area. If the canal has a lot of hair inside, you will need to pluck it out in very small amounts to prevent irritation. Clean ear canal with solution and then use ear powder to eliminate moisture. Paws: Trim paws in a nicely rounded shape so that hair does not hang over the paw and cannot be walked on. Completely clip hair from in between pads on bottom of feet. This is most easily done with an electric clipper and a 30 blade. Keeping the paws shaped nicely will aid in less debris attaching to feet when outside and being drug into your home. Long muzzle hair results in beards that drip with water every time your dog gets a drink. The hair on the sides of the muzzle should be even with the bottom of the lower jaw. This is an area of the body we frequently see with matting. Hair is left to grow and grow and GROW and you not realize it is severely matting close to the tail. This helps prevent matting and urine or feces from building up on the coat when your dog uses the bathroom. Body: If you like a longer coat, more brushing and maintenance will be required. Here are a couple examples of shorter cuts that most find easy to maintain. Share this: Click to share on Pinterest Opens in new window Newsletter Subscribe to Spring Creek's monthly newsletter for training tips, recipes, dog health care, seasonal tips, grooming advice, behavioral help, and more! Just enter your email address and sit back and enjoy our monthly news! Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Spring Creek Labradoodles is an Oregon Labradoodle breeder, and one of the first in the U.

As newborns they are deaf, bind, and largely immobile. They rely on their mom, or their breeder for food, warmth, and care. A Pug is Born! Unfortunately, the birthing process of Pugs is a difficult one. Flat-faced breeds, such as the Pug, are more likely to experience complications when giving birth. The Pug is also more likely to experience Dystocia, which is simply a term that means difficult or abnormal birth. Such situations put both the mother and her pups at risk. More often than not, the mother will require her pups to be delivered by a C-section. This is due to the fact that unborn Pugs have large and broad heads, whilst their mom has a very narrow pelvis. This awkward combination makes natural birth difficult. If the birth is successful, Pugs commonly have litters containing puppies, with 4 pups being the average. If your baby Pug is born naturally, their mother will next turn to chewing off the umbilical cord and cleaning them up. This is an important part of the bonding experience for mother dogs. The newborn Pugs will often nurse from their mother. When they are not nursing, they will spend the majority of their time sleeping. Newborn Pugs Pug pups begin their life fully reliant on their mother. They are born blind, deaf, and without teeth. A coat should be present, with the color being commonly either fawn or black. Fawn pups may experience their coat color lightening or darkening in shade as they mature. Their eyes and ears will be closed at birth and will remain this way for a while yet. Unable to support their own body weight, they will crawl on their stomach to get around. Baby Pugs are also not able to regulate their temperature, meaning that it is very important to stay warm. They will commonly clump together in piles, sharing body heat. Finally, the mother will also have to help her pups urinate and defecate as they are unable to do so by themselves. She does this by licking the anal and genital areas. One Week Old Baby Pug During the first week of life, baby Pug pups will either be nursing off their mother or sleeping. As they are still blind and deaf at this stage, they will not bother exploring or moving around more than necessary, spending most of their time lying close to their littermates and mother. Their weight should steadily increase every day. At the end of their first week of life, they should have doubled their birth weight, or at least come close. The owners of the pups will need to keep an eye on their breathing as brachycephalic breeds, such as the Pug, commonly have breathing issues. Two Week Old Baby Pug As we hit two weeks of age, we see a key development in the puppies growth; their eyes will open for the very first time! To begin with, their eye color will be blue, but will likely transition into a dark brown as they mature. Owners need to check over their eyes to ensure there are no issues, as this breed can be susceptible to ocular problems. At this stage, they may be a little more curious about their surroundings due to their newfound eyesight. However, they will still primarily be focused on sleeping and nursing. Their weight should continue to rise steadily over the coming weeks. By this time, the ears of the baby Pug pups will have opened. They will be able to hear for the first time and will begin reacting to more sounds. Their eyesight will also have developed significantly, with them being able to recognize their mother, littermates, and objects placed in their den. Along with their newfound perception of the world, they should now be able to support their own body weight and stand up. They may be able to walk, albeit with an unsteady gait. With all the interesting sights and sounds around them, they will likely be a lot more inquisitive of their surroundings. They may explore the den as much as their wobbly legs will carry them. The Pug puppies will also start teething, with their baby teeth coming through for the first time. This may start a passing interest in solid food. Gaining Independence On top of all this, they should now be able to urinate and defecate on their own, without any stimulation from their mother. We can also expect to see the start of the early socialization period. The puppies will begin developing behaviors and social skills for the first time, taking part in play with their littermates. Owners of the puppies should take advantage of this period to help them get used to human touch and presence. They will be establishing relationships with their mother, den mates, and people. Training can begin at this early stage. Despite the fact that their brains still have a lot of developing to do, a start can still be made on teaching them basic crate and potty training. They will also likely be much more mobile on their feet. Little adventures will be common and the puppies will play together often. Soft, easy to eat puppy food can be given. They will continue to rise in weight and keep learning social skills, with more complex behaviors being shown. While they seem a lot more independent at this stage, they will still require plenty of time with their mother and den mates before they are ready to be moved to a new home. Six Week Old Baby Pug At six weeks old, the Pug puppies are fast approaching the age where they reach full independence. By now, they should be fully weaned off their mother and placed onto solid food only. This is a big step. There is still much to learn. Up until now, the Pug puppies have been very curious and interested in completely new things. But they have always been safe under the watchful eye of their mom, too. Now, as they finally gain independence, the puppies learn to be cautious and careful; traits that keep them alive in the wild. Eight Week Old Baby Pug At eight weeks old, the Pug pups are developed enough to be able to leave their mother and littermates behind. They can be sold and moved into a new loving home. They should weigh around pounds. Training and Raising a Pug Resources Keep in mind that they still have a lot of developing to do; both physically and mentally! Remember, they are still within their fear period! Things learned here will make a big impact. During this stage a pug puppy is experiencing everything for the first time. He's also learning what it means to be a dog -- lessons that will stick with him for the rest of his life. The First Two Weeks During the first two weeks of your pug puppy's life, he'll be pretty focused on doing two things: eating and sleeping. Newborn pups spend the day nestled with their mother and siblings, suckling and napping and occasionally readjusting to get comfortable. Their eyes are still closed, and they can't see or hear, but they can feel the warmth of their mother and litter mates around them. Keep in mind that it's normal for pug puppies to breathe rapidly when they're sleeping because of their snubbed noses. But, if a puppy is wheezing, you should contact your vet right away. Age Two to Three Weeks In the two to three week stage, your pug puppy will begin to emerge from his constant slumber. Once his eyes are open, he'll build his ability to respond to light, movement and sound. He may try to crawl around his whelping box, until he wears himself out and needs another nap. Since he's more aware of his surroundings, he'll begin to recognize his mom, brothers, sisters and you. Now that your baby pug has all his senses, you can begin handling him gently for short periods of time. Always respect the pup's mother when handling her babies -- if she seems uncomfortable, return the puppy to the nest. Age Three to Four Weeks Your little pug will really perk up when he hits three to four weeks old. By now his eyes, ears, and nose are fully functioning. He'll see you coming and know that good things are headed his way. At this point your puppy is an adorable little sponge, constantly absorbing information about his surroundings. Because pug pups are so susceptible at this stage, it's important to keep their experiences positive. This is also the time when he starts to learn what typical pug behavior is really all about. Now that your pug pup's eyes are fully functional, check them for any sign of disease. Many eye diseases afflict pugs in particular because their eyes are so prominent. Check your pups for common pug eye diseases like Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca chronic dry eye and Pigmentary Karatitus spots on the cornea. If you suspect that any of the pups have an eye disease you should talk to your vet immediately. Age Four to Six Weeks And so the training begins. At four weeks old, your little pug is playing with his litter mates, who are all learning what to do and not to do as far as proper pup interaction goes. This is also a critical time in your puppy's life because it's when his mother begins to wean him. Pug puppies can start eating regular dog food at four weeks old, in combination with mother's milk, until they're fully weaned. Even though he's learning to make it on his own, it's still crucial for your baby pug to stay with his family. Experts consider weeks three to sixteen to be the most important time for learning appropriate dog behavior. During this window your pup will learn how to play with other dogs appropriately, how to respect their pack leader their mom , and where it is and is not OK to go potty. At six weeks old, your baby pug isn't ready to leave his mama's side, but soon he will be. When he reaches seven to eight weeks of age, as long as he's well-adjusted and happy, he should be ready to leave the nest and begin his life with his forever family. More Articles. Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.

We are overjoyed for you! Golden Retrievers are one of the most friendly and loving breeds…and lucky for you, one of the easiest to train. Golden Retrievers require a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid going about on their own or becoming frustrated. Their love for food is infinite. Prerequisites for training my Golden Retriever puppy? What age can I start to train my Golden Retriever puppy? Sounds like a good deal! We can only hope. What do I need to train my Golden Retriever? Say bye to that sticky, meaty feeling in your fingertips. A piece of non-slip vet bed or a soft mat: For a cozy bed, warm nights, and good dreams. Treats: The more smelly, the better. Two identical toys : Great for swaps! The name says it all…your Golden Retriever puppy will love retrieving, so identical toys will be great for all the games we have in store for you in the Zigzag Puppy training app. Of course, Golden Retrievers grow to be big dogs. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? A golden retriever needs 2 hours of exercise a day. What age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? Golden Retrievers reach adulthood at 3 years of age and are seniors by 8 years old. Though their height has been reached, their weight will still fill out and they will continue to mentally mature. What are Golden Retrievers bred for? Distinctly British, the 1st Baron of Tweedmouth developed the breed crossing his golden colored retrieving dog Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel — these look similar to Irish Water Spaniels. The cross resulted in a dog that was comfortable being on land and water kind of like crocodiles , and robust enough to hunt goose, partridge and even deer. Do Golden Retrievers make good family pets? In fact, Golden Retrievers are one of the most loved dog breeds in the UK. The Kennel Club has a lot more good information and info about them. What does this have to do with how I train my Golden Retriever puppy? But there is a logic as to why knowing the context might help you train your Golden Retriever better: Golden Retrievers love to work. Commonly employed as Guide Dogs, they love having a job to do, which means they will adore training. Anyhow, they will be a breeze to train. They will also do almost anything for your soft words and approval — your praise will work just as well as treats. Because they are so gentle, they are a great fit for families with a variety of lifestyles and ages. They need a good amount of exercise; mental as well as physical. Let us rephrase — a hefty amount of exercise. Besides you and food, being in water is what they love the most! They have a very strong sense of smell, so retrieving or scent work games tend to be the biggest treat for most. Golden Retrievers are the social butterflies of dogs. They love most people, and are not discreet in showing it. You know how us Brits can be about politeness. That being said, make sure you also teach them the wonders of giving things up. It can lead to great things! But it can also be less helpful when they give you a love bite on your arm — give them a toy to carry instead. Shift to some play, and revisit training later — we want training to be associated with fun, and not something they begin to dread. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! The ease of training dogs varies across different breeds and the age at which they are adopted. Retrievers are typically released two months after birth and ready for training. Golden Retriever puppies are easy to train because of their high social intelligence, loyalty, and desire to please; they can understand commands and positive consequences in the first few weeks. However, if you do not teach them early on, you may need to work harder to get them to unlearn bad habits. We must remember that Golden Retrievers are acclimatized to working with people and are definitely people pleasers. They were bred as hunting dogs to retrieve shot-down waterfowl and are still used today as gundogs by sportspersons to retrieve game birds. They are also used as service, therapy, and search and rescue dogs. While training a Golden Retriever is easy, you have to start early. If the dog misses the early portion of the training, the later stages draw out perpetually. By now, you know the dangers of being too late in training your dog. But what if you are too early for the party? Not if you go by the standard release time. The average breeder releases a Golden Retriever at 8 weeks old. You should train your Golden Retriever at two months old because, by that stage, he has grown enough to take cues and is sufficiently self-reliant not to need his mother to survive. He will have already learned canine behaviors by interacting with his mother and littermates, but now he can continue to learn by association. Initial training should be kept light. As mentioned in the table, it is simply a period where you establish your authority as the source of commands and rewards. You can even go 2 weeks without giving any proper training to your freshly-released pup without impacting his progression. However, the 8 to week period from release to assimilation is important. A traumatic experience can have a negative and counter-productive effect during this period. Read further if you: Have a Golden Retriever older than seven weeks or plan to get a puppy Want an approximate schedule for training your pup Wish to train a dog using positive reinforcement and ethical training methods Want to commit to 1. At this point, you have to train your puppy to see you as an authority figure. Moreover, the puppy can only form the most obvious associations between command, response, and consequence, so it is crucial to adapt your training strategy accordingly. For example, you can start clapping if your pup runs toward you. Once he realizes that clapping and running toward you are linked, you can clap, and he will run toward you. For now, notice the following and set distinct anchors for each. Each anchor has to be hard to confuse with every other anchor. Clapping, for instance, is an anchor that can be confused with snapping your fingers. But it is hard to confuse clapping with whistling. This melts a lot of the resistance as you train your pup to understand and respond to more complex commands. Therefore, the first step should be encouraging your Golden Retriever to follow you. As you may know, dogs evolved from wolves, and wolves follow the pack leader usually a parent. Delaying gratification is easier for grown dogs. Young puppies get tired too quickly and spend most of their time sleeping. So if your puppy follows you, reward him with affection, hugs, and appreciation. You need to build a positive reinforcement loop and let your dog establish a connection between following you and receiving a pleasant experience. When your puppy knows that following you results in rewards, you can make the act of following you slightly more challenging. Things you can do may include sharp turns and sudden changes of pace. Lower Socializing Barriers Golden Retrievers are the definition of social beings. Still, their appearance and the love they receive can keep them from becoming completely asocial. But why make socialization difficult when you can facilitate it early in their lives? Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pup is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. Golden Retrievers are bundles of energy, and it would take living in a castle for one to become agoraphobic. Seeing the outdoors as soon as they are ready to take block-long walks is healthier for their social development. Start Potty Training You might wonder how long you have to wait before your Golden Retriever puppy is ready for potty training. Quite simply, your Retriever is ready for potty training the day you bring him home. Cordoning it off and adding a small fence can help him identify it more easily. Next, you need a potty training schedule, such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Moreover, many owners use dog crates to help with house training and I highly recommend you do this too. The earlier you discipline your Golden Retriever , the less harsh you need to be with him as he grows up. Biting is one of the behaviors that incur severe penalties for dogs. Golden Retrievers, fortunately, develop a soft mouth and are less likely to administer harsh bites. Still, nibbling must be discouraged so that kids, other pets, and your friends can be safe around your puppy. If you have ever given silent treatment to your spouse, you know it takes intelligence to know that you are in a timeout. So a timeout for a 2-month-old Retriever might not be the right punishment because he might not understand why he is in one. Often, an untrained Retriever puppy might snatch at a treat. After that, you can withhold the second treat and close off your body language. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Golden Retriever will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Teach Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Golden Retriever will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. How to Train a 3-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Once you have established your authority and set initial anchors, it is time to progress the training of your Golden Retriever puppy to the next stage. Four weeks of light training is sufficient for setting anchors and establishing associations. That makes the 3-month mark ideal for slightly more complex commands. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. He will regress to walk behind you. He already knows how to sit and stand, and you have to use the same method you used for the heel position and command to teach your Retriever how to sit or stand on command. The method is simple. The same applies to other position commands. Since your Retriever can tell words apart, he can go into different positions based on the words you say. The anchoring process involves saying something or making a specific sound while your dog is busy holding a certain position or acting a certain way. Now is the time to start saying the words you have associated with his actions in order to inspire said actions. Where you previously whistled when your Retriever ran towards you, now you must whistle so he begins his run. This is the start of his Golden Retriever recall training. It is possible that your Retriever does not respond to the commands. There will be back and forth where you will keep saying words while the dog organically acts. After a few attempts at reinforcing the commands, you can test the triggers again. So avoid forcing your dog to be perfect on the first few attempts. This helps him be social and get close to them. He must learn to be safe and social around strangers too. After all, he has to go on walks without picking fights with people, no matter how friendly Golden Retrievers are known to be. Slowly exposing him to crowds can improve his social tolerance. The less quick he is to bark at strangers, the kinder they will be to him. This triggers a positive feedback loop where he is adored for being social, which encourages him to be more social. Studies have shown that separating a puppy from mom and siblings before that time may lead to behavior problems later on. The good news is that you can start training your baby golden retriever as soon as he is home with you. Up until your puppy is 6 months old you should focus your attention on 3 main things: Golden Retriever Potty Training This may seem obvious but potty training problems are one of the main reasons dogs are surrendered at shelters. This link will take you to a step-by-step guide on potty training and crate training a golden retriever puppy. Socialization As a dog trainer I get asked many questions about dog behavior and training. In this photo Samsom is being socialized to babies and also to people putting their hands in his food bowl. Always add something yummy! Unfortunately, this period is very short and closes at 3 months of age. This means you have about 4 weeks to socialize your puppy to people of all sizes, genders, colors, ages, with costumes, hats, umbrellas; dogs of all sizes, colors, ages; cars, buses, trucks, loud noises, water, hair trimming, nail trimming, etc. Take your pup to a golden retriever training and socialization class that uses only positive methods. The first four weeks with your new golden retriever pup should be the busiest ones, follow this link for a detailed list and guide on how to socialize your new baby dog. It is natural and completely normal. The good news is that you can teach them to control the pressure they make with their mouth until mouthing turns into soft kisses. Follow this link for a how-to-guide. Playing with a puppy's mouth is a great way to teach him to how control his teeth. Finally, you can also start golden retriever training obedience commands, since puppies can learn very fast many things but you need to concentrate your attention on the three topics above, because they are key factors to help your puppy become a friendly and social dog, one you can trust and trusts you. Teaching your kids to train your Golden Retriever puppy is a grat way for them to bond. Sit and stay! Do not give up. Then repeat 3 more times. This is classic adolescence behavior and may start happening when your golden is between months. Just like humans, dogs also have an adolescence period, and just like humans, they like to test boundaries. During this time it is very important that you continue training basic obedience commands: Take your golden retriever dog to an obedience class that uses positive methods only! We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This was the first time we had a chance to chart puppies from birth until 8 weeks old. We tried to take as many pictures as possible so we could have a journal of our Golden Retriever puppy growth week by week. When raising guide and service dog puppies we usually bring home our puppies at around weeks old. On occasion we are allowed to see puppies before 8 weeks of age, but they need to stay with their mother and siblings during those important early weeks to get milk and antibodies from mama and learn how to interact properly with siblings, learning important behaviors like bite inhibition. During our days as a foster we raised two litters of puppies , but both were already weeks old by the time we got them home. We actually own the Puppy Culture DVD and Workbook which includes charts, lists, worksheets and other great information for raising your litter. Keep your eyes and ears open and absorb it all like a sponge! Birth To 1 Week Old Guess what? This was the first litter we ever whelped!? We got a lot of advise, but we were largely on our own. Large Puppy Dish — great for feeding the puppies when they moved to solid food. Whelping Mats — we ordered 2 of these mats and washed them several times a day. Whelping Box — We have a homemade whelping box built by my father-in-law, but if we continue raising litters I plan on purchasing an EZWhelp Whelping Box. Our homemade box lasted three litters. We ended up purchasing the Magnabox which was hellu expensive but if you plan on raising multiple litters we highly recommend it. We recently put together a whelping checklist with all the supplies we gathered together to help out with our second litter of Golden Retriever puppies. Check out our whelping supplies checklist here. However, none were overly huge and none were extra small. No runts and no beasts. It was my understanding that when the cord was chewed down to the base of the belly it was sometimes difficult to get it to stop bleeding. I took the hemostat and pinched the umbilical cord about 2 inches from the base of the pups belly then cut the cord rather than let Raven chew it off. I kept the hemostat on the cord for about 2 minutes to let it clout. The umbilical cord dries up quickly and then within a day or 2 it falls off. Raven was a good mama and took care of her poops. Puppy eyes and ears are closed at this stage and puppies army crawl around the whelping box looking for a teat to suckle. We did everything we could to make sure our pups stayed warm by adding a watt heat lamp to the whelping box and portable heating unit in the puppy room. As I mentioned Raven stayed in the whelping box most of week 1 and of course… the puppy piles! One thing I learned is if I had a puppy on my lap then do not let Raven lick those areas or be prepared for a little accident on your lap. While caring for Raven and her litter Raven was really blowing out her coat that first week, but as time went on it slowed down. I heard from other friends this is common and that Raven blew out her coat much less than other mama dogs. We got Probiotics for Raven before her first litter, but forgot to order them for her second litter. After an upset stomach for the first week or so we realized our mistake, got Probiotics, and no more upset tummy. Week 2 — Pups eyes are opening starting to waddle. Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. Have you ever had a litter of Golden Retriever puppies? Tell us about your experiences with puppies in the comment section below. Are you about to raise a litter of puppies? Not raising a litter, but getting ready to bring home your first Golden Retriever puppy? Puppies for Dummies will give you the basics on how to raise and train your new puppy. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.