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How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. Shares German Shepherds are graceful, obedient, and loyal dogs with specific nutritional needs. Following a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart will enable you to track the amount of food your puppy is eating as they grow. There are varieties of foods available in the market and most of them come with guidelines at the back of the packaging showing you how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy. This article will cover different types of diets available and the specific nutritional needs of your German shepherd. It will also help you know what to do to ensure that your GSD gets nutritious and balanced food for every stage of their life. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart There are three aspects of this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, namely the German shepherd feeding amount, feeding frequency, and mealtime lengths. It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount, frequency, and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. That way, you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog. Overall, there are four ranges that you need to keep in mind. An active dog may require a bit more than the numbers in this list, and an inactive dog will need a slightly less amount. But this guide can act as a solid benchmark. A puppy will need to eat more because they are growing very quickly. Talk to your vet about how much exactly so you keep them healthy and happy. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water all day. When you take your dog for a walk make sure to bring along some extra water in a collapsible bowl. If they get tired on the way or it gets very hot, this can save their life. So for example, if your dog is 60lbs they should eat between lbs of food in one day. If you notice your dog is losing weight, add more calories to its meal size. However, there are other considerations on how much to feed a German shepherd puppy per day. You might want to consider avoiding meals right before bedtime. Let them digest their food first before they go to sleep. Understanding German Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs All dogs require nutritious, satisfying, and healthy food and every breed have their special diet. For maximum energy and health, there are factors to consider when deciding what to feed your German Shepherd: Size considerations- the AKC breed standard says that a German Shepherd can go to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Females can be around 49 to 71 pounds while Males can be around 66 to 88 pounds. This means that they have a big appetite hence it is good to find quality food for them. They grow pretty fast hence they need specific nutrients for specific stages. Activity level- German shepherds are muscular, active, and agile which contributes to higher caloric needs to be complemented by feeding them a high-quality diet. Health consideration- GSDs are prone to many diseases hence a healthy diet will prevent problems. For example, arthritis that is caused by hip and elbow dysplasia can be mitigated through an excellent diet. Ensure that your GSD diet contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. How long does it take for your dog to be full? Is your dog still hungry after eating his portion? German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet. If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem. However, if your dog is still hungry after finishing the meal, consider sending him to your vet. This is because this can be a sign of a serious health issue involving their digestive system. They encourage the puppy to chew hence preventing periodontal diseases or tartar. Kibble is less expensive to buy and can stay fresh for longer. See also German Shepherd Gestation Period And Pregnancy Wet food is also essential for puppies because they allow puppies to feel fuller with less food. If your GSD need to shed a few pounds, wet food is a good way to reduce their caloric intake. Wet food is easier to digest, hence they are good for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs. Wet food is appetizing and keeps the puppy hydrated. You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue. There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness. If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick. If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery. The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues; therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine. Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food. The German shepherd is a medium dog breed according to the AKC. Therefore, free-feeding is not a good idea. For the German shepherds, feeding schedules work better. If the puppies are free-fed the puppy may eat the leftover at any time even when they are not hungry. Sticking to a feeding routine help the puppy to stay healthy and prevent obesity. When you have a schedule, managing their weight and house training will improve. The puppy usually relieves themselves around 15 minutes after eating or drinking, therefore, when they feed at the same time every day and are taken outside after a while, accidents will be minimized. A raw diet is good for German shepherds. A raw diet help improves vitality and energy. The puppy gets healthy white teeth with an increased lifespan and reduced shedding as well as a stronger immune system. Raw meat is a great source of protein and an optimal diet. It is like keto to humans because it allows the puppy to reach their total capacity and good health. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, hence raw diet aligns with their natural needs. However, you should speak to your vet before putting your puppy on a raw food diet. The majority of commercially available kibble food is balanced and complete, and of high quality for your German shepherd puppy. Human supplements often contain harmful substances to animals and are unregulated or minimally effective. Therefore, never give human supplements to your German shepherd puppy. But they can eat small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey, plain cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, plain yogurt, and small amounts of fruits like apples or bananas without getting sick. Talk to a vet for advice on how to feed your German Shepherd puppy a healthy and balanced diet. These include chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chives, avocado, onions, nuts, grapes and raisins, garlic, raw or undercooked meat, and bones. These foods can cause a wide range of health problems, from stomachaches to more serious problems like pancreatitis or kidney failure. Some foods that people eat may have a lot of sodium or sugar, which can also be bad for dogs. How much food to give an older German Shepherd will depend on their needs and how much they move around. But as dogs get older, they tend to slow down and may need less food to stay at a healthy weight. As a general rule, an older German Shepherd needs about 2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided between two meals. A German Shepherd that is getting older should eat high-quality senior dog food that is made for their age and size. Senior dogs might also benefit from getting smaller meals more often. If your German Shepherd puppy seems to always be hungry, you should look at what they eat and how often they eat. Make sure they eat enough for their age, weight, and level of activity. Puppies grow quickly and need more calories than adult dogs, so it is possible that they are not getting enough food. Also, make sure you feed them high-quality puppy food that is right for their age and size. If you are worried about how hungry they are or how much they weigh, you should talk to a vet to rule out any health problems and make a plan for feeding them. The amount of dry food you should feed your German Shepherd will depend on several factors, including their age, weight, and activity level. Puppies: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Adult dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Active dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Senior dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. If the dog is obviously overweight or underweight, adjust accordingly. If you can feel most of the ribs without squeezing your fingers in between them — try 1 cup per day. This is a decent starting point for a growing large breed puppy that needs the extra calories to grow big and strong. If you can feel most of the ribs AND see its waist — try 3 cups per day. This is perfect for an adult German Shepherd which needs extra calories due to being very active. With this amount, it will be able to maintain its weight, but not gain any extra fat. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 3. This is a good amount for a very active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain a healthy weight. This should be sufficient for an adult German Shepherd which is quite active. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 5 cups per day. This is a good amount for an extremely active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain lean muscle mass. For example, when my dog was a puppy, he would feel all ribs and see his waist when eating 2 cups of food per day. However, as he got older and larger, I had to increase the amount — even though I could still feel most of the ribs! He maintained around .Although there are lots of opinions on how much food your shepherds needs, these guidelines work for me and my German Shepherds. Everyone is different though, so you will have to adjust accordingly if necessary — this guide should help you until you find the ideal amount. If your dog is a very active one it may need more food depending on its activity level. Always be sure to give plenty of water since dry kibble can dehydrate the animal over time. However, this amount will vary depending on the size, age, and activity level of your dog. Puppies and young dogs, for example, generally need more water than adult German Shepherds. And working dogs or those who exercise frequently may require even more. This is because they can easily hydrate themselves if given free access to water. However, you still need to remember some things. For example, take note that your dog will need to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3. Depending on the temperature and activeness, this amount can increase. Lastly, make sure you take extra care in providing water access to your German shepherd. The most preferable way is to fill a bowl with a moderate amount of water, not too much. The feeding amount, frequency, length, and water requirements can always be changed. If you have no time to visit your vet, the following topic may help you. How Much Should A 1-year-old German Shepherd Eat A 1-year-old German Shepherd should eat about two and a half to three cups of food each day, broken up into two or three meals. Pointers for Feeding German Shepherds Improper feeding practices can lead to serious health problems for German shepherds. An owner is responsible for taking into consideration the age and weight of a German shepherd before feeding them. When feeding a german shepherd puppy that is four to six months old, you must give them two meals a day that comprises around eight ounces and five ounces. When feeding a German shepherd puppy that is between seven and twelve months old, the meal amounts should be increased to ten ounces for each meal. This amount should be split into three smaller meals. This is regardless of whether they are active or not. Yep, German shepherds can gain weight regardless of whether they exercise or not. If you think your dog is gaining too much weight, you can split their daily calories into four or five smaller meals. Some people prefer using dry dog food, while others would choose canned dog food. Whatever you choose for your German shepherd is usually okay, but canned food tends to contain more moisture than dry food which may lead to bladder stones in certain dogs. However, when it comes to the amount of dog food you feed your German shepherd, canned food leads to more obesity than dry food. If your German shepherds are over five years old, you must give them an extra meal. This additional meal should comprise around four ounces of food so they can easily digest it during their older age. When feeding a German shepherd puppy, you must know how to correctly measure their food amount. Be accurate when following the proper measurements; otherwise, it could lead to your dog gaining too much weight. Use measuring cups that are specifically made for dry food. If you use any other type of measuring device, it might lead to your dog eating too much or too little food. You must not feed your German shepherd until they are full, but allow them to eat until they are slightly satiated. Do not serve unlimited food; give them about two to three cups of food per day. If you are unsure whether or not your German shepherd is obese, check its waistline. If they have a thick waist and their stomach looks like a sphere, then that is a clear sign that your German shepherd is obese. Never let them finish their meal if they are still hungry; otherwise, you will encourage them to gorge on their food. Your German shepherd must always have access to fresh clean water, so you should ensure they can drink it whenever necessary. Feeding Guidelines by Age Before proceeding with the following points, remember that age is not the only determining factor in a German shepherd feeding chart. Make sure to consider all the content in this blog post as well. It is recommended that you slowly let them adapt first. This can be their regular food from now on. This includes fruits, bones, and more. You should also avoid giving them your leftovers. However, they will need time to adapt. You should also consider feeding your German shepherd foods that can be gnawed and chewed. This is so they can develop their jaws, teeth, and gums. This will result in less feeding amount and frequency. Feeding Guidelines by Weight German shepherds can be of different weight ranges. An average weighted German shepherd 35 kilograms will then need calories per day. This only applies to German shepherds that do not exercise or are inactive. Active German Shepherds: In the case of active German shepherds that exercise regularly, every 1 kilogram equals 55 calories per day. So an average weighted German shepherd will require calories per day to be able to function properly. Take note, however, that this calculation may be affected if the German shepherd has a health disorder concerned with metabolism or digestion. German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults Guidelines Our last topic involves the difference between a puppy and an adult. The following are some of the facts that recent studies have proven: Puppies have higher energy levels than adults. This means they need to eat more than adult German shepherds. German shepherds will need higher protein and fat content at an early age. The amount of fat and protein will decrease as they grow older. Puppies cannot tolerate too many nutrients. Ingesting extra minerals and vitamins may lead to serious health disorders. Meanwhile, adults are only risking being overweight when taking in more than intended. German Shepherds usually have a good appetite and can eat a lot, especially when they are young and growing. But their food intake should be balanced and right for their age, weight, and level of activity to keep them from getting too much food and getting fat. As they age, they should usually eat less quickly. Most of the time, bones that have been cooked and ground up completely may be safe to eat. Instead, give them dog-made chew toys or treats. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Since German Shepherds consume meat, it follows that they must consume a significant amount of animal protein in order to get all of the necessary nutrients. Although while it is feasible to offer a dog a vegetarian or vegan diet, owners of German Shepherds should avoid doing so since it increases the likelihood that their dogs will not get all of the nutrients that they need. After talking about the feeding amount, frequency, and lengths of a German shepherd, you can now easily plan how much, how many times, and how long you feed your dog. You even learned how to hydrate your German shepherd the proper way. Lastly, we talked about the difference between a puppy and an adult in terms of feeding. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. However, it is still advised to ask for a senior-specific diet from your vet or pet nutritionist just to be safe. If you choose to give your German Shepherd dog homemade foods in all of its life stages, you may need to self-calculate and monitor its daily calorie consumption. Feeding German Shepherds has numerous factors to consider. How much you are providing them is crucial, but knowing how often you need to feed them is essential, too. Initially, feeding German Shepherd puppies begins with four puppy food meals daily. Then gradually, it should be transitioned into three equally proportioned meals a day at two months old. This gradual change should go on until they are 12 months old. After that, they should eat twice a day naturally during adulthood. Young puppies have a faster metabolism compared to adult dogs. In general, the last meal of your puppy for the day should be hours before its bedtime, so they have enough time to digest the food before they go to sleep. As for transitioning puppies to adult German Shepherds, the three meals should be given in the morning, noon, and nighttime, so they may be provided with a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is crucial for their growth, especially if they are active and working dogs. Having a feeding schedule can also help monitor their food intake to avoid weight-related issues. The optimal feeding time for adult and senior German Shepherds would be during the morning and night for their two meals daily. Lastly, as owners, we must seldom give treats to our German Shepherds, preferably only during training. Too much of anything may be bad for your dog. Moreover, it should provide the sufficient nutrients needed for growth and development. There are many commercial dog foods in the market, but you can also offer your GSD puppy homemade dog food or a raw diet. Consulting a vet is strongly advised to give your German Shepherd the best diet suited for its lifestyle. To help you in this dilemma, the list below has dog food options you may want to consider offering to your GSD puppy: Dry Food: Dry food or kibble is a commercial food widely available in pet stores and dog food manufacturers. A number of dry foods are formulated to provide a balanced diet for dogs, but checking their nutritional guidelines and value is crucial since a German Shepherd puppy may need high carb foods. It can be mixed with their dry kibble to add water or moisture to their diet. These kinds of commercial foods are expensive and can spoil quickly, and they may not be enough if fed alone to your puppy. BARF Diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food is a type of diet that consists of raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. Raw feeding is given as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. We know a German Shepherd is a large breed dog. However, males tend to grow bigger and heavier than females, needing more food consumption. A German Shepherd puppy may need to eat at frequent schedules with smaller meals, while adult ones may not need to be fed much often but will need more significant meal portions each time. They tend to eat whatever falls from the dinner table or even whatever food they set their sights on. As we talk about food diets, we must not forget those foods you must avoid feeding your German Shepherd puppy. Generally, they may not be too sensitive to dog foods or ingredients, but other foods may be fatal to them. Coffee is one of the most toxic foods to dogs. They contain caffeine , which causes cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure, vomiting, tremors, and seizures. Another toxic food German Shepherd owners should not feed their dog is chocolate. As yummy as this is, chocolates contain theobromine. All dog breeds cannot metabolize this substance. Gums, peanut butter, and candies that contain xylitol are also toxic to dogs. It causes disorientation, hypoglycemia, seizures, and collapse. This is much more threatening than coffee and chocolate, so you need to be extra careful with this. Aside from those mentioned above, there are many other toxic foods you should avoid feeding German Shepherds. They may not be fatal, but they can cause discomfort and progress to severe diseases. If you doubt certain foods or ingredients, you may consult a pet nutritionist or veterinarian just to be sure. Many large breed dogs visit vet clinics due to unmonitored food intake. It only fits a week-old German Shepherd. You may need to mix dry and wet foods at a certain age for your pup, or maybe you want to incorporate raw foods in their adult diet just like many dog owners do. You just have to make sure you know how to do it correctly, and you provide the most nutritious dry dog food or wet food. You should give enough time for your dog to adjust to a new food gradually. Like other shepherd breeds, you should allow a 7-day transition period from feeding German Shepherds their old food to their new diet. If there is discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea, you may opt to slow down the process even more or consult your vet directly. Feeding an Overweight German Shepherd If you free-feed a German Shepherd, it may likely cause excessive weight gain or obesity. Furthermore, it can easily cause heavy or labored breathing during sleep and irregular movements, such as climbing stairs. Aside from dog food or canned food, a few more factors that can cause an overweight dog breed are table scraps, treats, and not enough exercise. There are a lot of alternatives for treats bought from pet stores, such as fruits and vegetables. These are easier to digest, lighter, and healthier. Eliminate table scraps and leftovers in their diet as they are unnecessary to these large breed puppies. Following a specific schedule with specific amounts of puppy food can significantly help lose weight. Implementing control in their daily meals can help reduce unnecessary food consumption. It is essential to understand that having an overweight dog is more likely caused by the lifestyle owners expose their dogs to. Also, inform family members about the diet plan, so your German Shepherd will not be too spoiled with food. There are a lot of factors why your GSD is not eating. It could be triggered by illness, dental problems , and environmental stress. But it can also be because of adverse reactions to medicines, sudden changes in food, increased body temperature, or your dog just being a picky eater. Do German Shepherds Eat a Lot? As a large breed dog, you can expect a German Shepherd to have a huge appetite. They are always eager to eat, may it be dry food, raw, or canned food. However, it is crucial to know when or how much to feed a German Shepherd to avoid weight problems and severe diseases. Can German Shepherds Eat Bones? German Shepherds can eat bones as it is a great source of minerals. However, there are cons to consider, too. According to AKC, if you want to consider giving them bones, there are certain rules you have to follow, such as giving them raw meat bones and throwing them out after three to four days. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Generally, German Shepherds can thrive and survive on a vegetarian diet, provided that they are supplied with enough nutrients, proteins, fats, and calories on a daily basis. Since German Shepherds are energetic dogs with huge appetites, we must put extra effort into planning out their diet. Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. Free feeding them or giving too many treats can lead to severe health problems. It is also essential to know what foods are healthy and should be avoided, as some foods are toxic. However, aside from research, we need to consult their vet to ensure that we provide them with essential nutrients for growth, good health, and development in all stages of their life, especially for giant German Shepherds , If you have other tips in feeding a German Shepherd, make sure to share them in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. So, how many times a day should you feed your German Shepherd? German Shepherds should be fed at least twice a day. Vets recommend two smaller meals instead of one large meal for healthy digestion and energy. For puppies, feed 4 meals a day up to three months old, then 3 meals a day up to six months old, before finally reducing to 2 meals a day. It is essential to stick to food schedules that are consistent for the long-term health of your German Shepherd, especially as the breed is prone to the life-threatening condition, Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus GDV , commonly known as bloat. This article will cover how often to feed a German Shepherd whether puppy or adult and how much to give your dog to keep him healthy and happy. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. My German Shepherd Willow eating her meal Hey! As a working breed raised to herd and protect sheep, they are typically energetic, enjoy physical activity, and love having a job to do. Due to their dynamic character, they demand a high-energy diet. However, as large, deep-chested dogs, they are one of the breeds prone to bloat GDV , and vets advise against feeding one large meal a day. Twice per day is the standard, with a good few hours in between, as it allows your GSD to eat and digest his food properly. German Shepherds, like most dogs, work well when fed on a schedule. I absolutely agree with this, especially as the German Shepherd is susceptible to a sensitive stomach and is known to have more digestive problems than other breeds. However, if you have any concerns, you should speak to your vet. If you have a high-energy or working German Shepherd, such as a guard dog, assistance dog, or Police or Military dog that gets a lot of exercise, you may consider feeding little and often to prevent hunger. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule German Shepherd puppies will require more frequent feedings as they expend far more energy and have smaller stomachs to hold their food. You should feed a German Shepherd puppy four meals a day between 6 and 12 weeks old. Puppies aged between 12 and 24 weeks should have three meals a day, and from 24 weeks onwards, German Shepherd puppies should be fed twice per day. Age of Puppy. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. It is also a vital element for brain and eye development. Fresh chicken meat in the diet provides protein with high biological value. Natural Prebiotics to boost the overall digestive process. The benefits of Orijen Puppy Large: A calorie limited diet to promote a healthy weight and to put less pressure on joints. Rich in protein for making German Shepherd pups healthy and strong. Highly delicious chicken and turkey liver tempt the pickiest of eaters. The crusty and crunchy kibble texture of this food promotes good periodontal health and helps in curbing problems like Tartar and Plaque buildup. An essential fatty acid like Omega 3 has been added in the diet for boosting the overall skin health of the dogs. A natural antioxidant like Vitamin E fortifies the natural immunity of the pups, keeping them strong and healthy. You can feed your adult German Shepherd 2 times a day. You should avoid feeding them synthetic preservatives. High in Fibres: Natural fibres maintain superior digestive health and also an ideal body weight. Vitamin C: Vitamin C keeps the joints healthy, preventing problems like hip dysplasia and arthritis. Natural fibres promote excellent digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. The benefits of Fidele Adult Large Breed: Contains a substantial amount of protein for enhancing strength and endurance in grown up German Shepherds. Omega fatty acids boost skin health and also maintain good eyesight. It consists of Real Chicken meat as the main constituent which is favourite for German Shepherds. It has a good combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that significantly improves the skin health of the dogs. They do not contain any fillers or preservatives which makes this diet completely safe for German Shepherds to savour. Breed Specified Recipe specially made for German Shepherds Real Chicken meat offers good protein content for supporting strong muscle mass Excellent blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids endow the dogs with good skin health. This dog food has a rich protein content that fortifies the muscle mass in the dogs. Moreover, the crusty texture of this food helps in removing Tartar and Plaque build-up. Ideal dog food for a large breed like German Shepherd Consists of Calcium and Phosphorus that boosts bone density Glucosamine and Chondroitin provides anti-inflammatory effect to the dogs Beet Pulp and FOS prebiotics boosts overall digestive health of the dogs Crusty kibble texture of the food eliminates Tartar and Plaque build-up 5 Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog A highly nourishing meal that has Chicken and Barley as its primary constituents, the Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed is an easy-to-digest meal offering a nutritional profile that suits an adult German Shepherd. Omega 6 and Vitamin E promote beautiful skin and coat in German Shepherds. Ample amounts of protein maintain lean muscle mass and endurance. They need foods that are low in protein and fat content while richer in fibres. However, an overall moderate diet with all the components is also considered healthy, provided your dog trains and exercises regularly. A senior German Shepherd consumes around calories daily. They can be fed 2 times a day. Fish Oil Omega 3 : Fish oil is an excellent source of Omega fatty acids that provides a good anti-inflammatory effect to senior dogs. Fewer Carbs: As elderly German Shepherds are quite vulnerable to obesity and diabetes, a diet that has a low glycemic index is most preferred to them. A combination of Vitamin E and C, builds a stronger immune system. Devoid of artificial flavors and preservatives. Fresh meat and freeze-dried liver make the meal highly delectable. A biologically appropriate diet that nurtures your older German Shepherds according to their biological and evolutionary needs. Thus, when you adopt a German shepherd pup, make sure that you provide it with a fully nutrition loaded diet and maintain a lifestyle with lots of physical activities. A comprehensive diet including all the above parameters will lead to a healthy and long life span of your little beasts. An avid nature and animal lover, Akhil likes to read and watch anything related to wildlife. He also has a great interest in athletics, mainly track and field events and is a big Masala Dosa fan. More like this. The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. What IS a Bernedoodle? These are NOT mutts which implies a breeding between unknown breeds or not carefully planned. These are designer breeds that are bred for a specific purpose. We produce an incredible bernedoodle that displays the qualities of both our champion line Standard Poodles and the Bernese Mountain Dog pedigrees. The advantage of a carefully planned mixed breed is that you get the added advantage of a phenomenon called "hybrid vigor". This process shuffles new combinations of genes that helps to increase longevity and decrease the usual ailments that impact many purebred dogs such as various forms of inherited types of cancer not all cancers have a genetic basis such as small and large cell lymphoma which is usually a result from environmental exposure. The bernedoodles are super healthy and are not as prone to the same issues that Bernese mountain dogs and standard poodles are. As a result, you have a family member for a lot longer and that will live a vibrant and healthy life if properly cared for diet, exercise, and family integration are all important components toward helping the dog to live a long happy life with you.You can see the links above about the qualities of Standard Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs as both are extraordinary breeds in their own right and for many, purebreds of these may be a great option as well. We prefer the Bernedoodle as they get the best of both breeds, incredibly loyal, goofy, smart, playful, intelligent, and has one of the best dog personalities we have seen in a family dog. The Premier F1 Standard Bernedoodle is a low- to mostly nonshedding we use standard poodles that do not carry the improper coat alleles and Bernese mountain dogs that have thick wavy curly coats.If you want a guarantee on non shedding, then you should try to select an F1b or F1bb bernedoodle. Both look amazingly similar to the F1 standard bernedoodles but maybe a little smaller. We will produce about 2 F1b and F1bb standard bernedoodle litters per year for those wanting a more curly coat in their bernedoodles. Premier Bernedoodles love to be with the family and do not do well in enviroments of isolation. Wherever the family is, that's right where they want to be. They are stunning dogs, and you'll likely get alot of attention and people asking you what kind of dog you have. They are beautiful and along with their incredibly gentle personalities, you will have an absolutely stunning dog. They are a perfect companion dog that love to go on walks through the city or hikes in the woods or mountains or a swim at the beach. They love it all and will be at your side the entire time. They don't tend to wander away as they prefer to be with you.They equally love just hanging out with you on the couch watching your favorite movie or watching you reading a book. They really love it all as long as you're a part of it. They are so loyal to the family. Bernedoodle puppies do have energy like most puppies, and this will continue thru about years of age at which time they really mellow out. They are not nervous nor hyper but will need some off leash time where they can really stretch their legs and run. The old motto "a tired puppy is a good puppy" always prevails! Just make sure they have a lot of fresh water and a cool spot to cool off afterward. Due to the the recombination and shuffling of new genetic variations, they do show some variation in their coloration however they also all have a common morphology that tells you it's a bernedoodle. Although we do take deposits on a first come, first pick basis, we will know the puppies well, their personalities, and can help select a puppy that best fits your lifestyle and what you are looking for. We only use Standard Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs to produce our Premier Bernedoodles so that any dog we accept into our Premier Bernedoodle program have passed stringent health tests, display family oriented personalities, and exhibit the best of conformation so that our bernedoodles are absolutely beautiful. Be very cautious when purchasing a purebred or bernedoodle without doing your due diligence as the puppies will always be cute, but will exhibit the personalities of the bloodline used later in life.Therefore, use a reptutable breeder that has invested in the dogs they use for their breeding programs and that raise them as their own family members. They should be able to produce their pedigrees as well, and should have both parents on site so you can see how they react to you. We are very Type A when it comes to the quality of dogs which makes it more difficult to give referrals. We are always going to be biased and believe that the wait for a Premier Bernedoodle is worth it and you'll be very happy you did! Also you can visit your local humane society and help rescue a dog at the shelter.If you have young kids be sure to get a younger dog from the shelter that can adapt to your family. But if you're looking for a unique new family member, a Premier Bernedoodle will be a true delight. Colors and Fur Our Premier Bernedoodles will be traditional tri-color much like a Bernese Mountain Dog , abstract tricolor similar to a traditional tricolor with less white in the face , sable similar to a traditional tri-color but has more reddish-browns due to the poodle genetics we use , phantom, merle, merle tricolor, or bi-colored brown and white, black and white, or shades thereof. Our F1b's will consist of black and whites, traditional tricolors, abstract tricolors, and lots of variable brown and reddish brown and whites. Color never reflects temperament and personality so usually most people don't really care too much what color they are. They are all really beautiful. Although there's variation due to the hybrid vigor present as a result of the recombination of genes in many arrays, there is definitely a bernedoodle appearance that is fairly consistent. If you let the hair grow, they will look like big shaggy dogs that you can't help but to give a big hug to. And they enjoy every minute of it! Our Premier Bernedoodles will tend to have wavy curly coats due to the coat types we require in our bernese mountain dogs which helps to minimize or eliminate shedding.We do make sure that our standard poodles do not carry the genetic marker known as the "Improper Coat" allele or IC for short. Wavy curly coats do require a little more grooming as compared to straight, but many, straight coats shed more.Although they are considered to be large, they don't act like a large dog in the house. They are generally very careful and calm natured as adults however they do have some puppy-fun energy thru the puppyhood stages and thru 3 years of age. They love people and other pets! We do thorough genetic testing of our adults that we use in our breeding program to assure that you are purchasing the healthiest of bernedoodle puppies. Our Bernese mountain dogs come from very long-lived blood lines in Western Europe and these longer lifespans is one of the many reasons we obtain our Berners from several specific populations known for their longevity. Obviously we can't guarantee lifespan as there are many variables outside of our control not to mention, environment, stress, climate, food, etc. But track record seems to show a longer lifespan. What's the Difference? An F1b is an F1 standard Bernedoodle backcrossed to a standard poodle or could be a backcross to a Bernese mountain dog but we generally use the poodle as the backcross. An F1bb is an F1b standard Bernedoodle backcrossed to a standard poodle. Behaviorally they are all very similar with the F1b and F1bb's being slightly smaller than our F1 standards and tend to have slightly curlier coats to a tight wave. If you're looking for a smaller standard Bernedoodle these would be a great option. Pictures are posted below with the other pictures. We continue to get lots of praise from those that have purchased our F1b and F1bb standard bernedoodles. Is the Bernedoodle for Everybody? I would like to think so, but if you do not plan on being with your bernedoodle and keeping it with you, in your home, as part of your home, this is definitely not the dog for you. They thrive on being with the family and not isolated we believe this is the case for all dogs, and especially bernedoodles. Any of our puppies kept in a permanent kennel situation, on a tether, or the like, will violate the terms and conditions of our puppy contract and will have to render the puppy or dog back to Premier Doodles see puppy contract in link above. We definitely support crate training, but these dogs are not meant to live their life in a crate nor kennel! If you want a pet that prefers to be in isolation, you may want to consider a nonsocial pet perhaps a Betta fish! Yes we have done a lot of the hard work the first 8 weeks as we do extensive early neurological stimulation bio-sensor and Puppy Culture program, along with starting crate training and housebreaking, BUT, they are puppies and will need your undivided attention for the next weeks as they work towards being completely housebroken and earning more privileges. They have been communicating with their siblings for the past 8 weeks using their mouth. During their normal daily interactions, you will occasionally hear a loud "yelp" in response to one biting another too hard. This yelp usually ends the mouthing behavior. Now puppies have fur and people generally do not. When you bring your bernedoodle home, they will likely display some degree of mouthing behavior toward their human family. This will usually stop this behavior. We then redirect their desire to mouth to something more appropriate like a chew toy and after a few seconds of cooperating we praise them. The good news.We have a Puppy Guide under our tab "Puppy Central" on how to unpack this process so that you can have success. If you put them time in early, they will have this knocked out in a few days. The rule of thumb is to get them outside ALOT.Be sure to purchase two Midwest XL crates can get from our Puppy Store , one for the back door and one next to your bed. The power of meiosis specialized cell division event that occurs in the reproductive organs, ovaries for females and testes for males and crossing over assures that each offspring will be diverse and different and this difference will be noticeable in color and a little bit in behavior. All will be superior, but some will be more playful and others less so, some will mouth more than others, etc. Available Puppies.Check out our "Available Puppies" tab at the top to find out how to get onto our Master List for a future puppy! He is owned by the Gittens family. He adores all kids and has a very special bond with each and every child he comes in contact with. He is a bit on the lazy side but loves to play with other dogs, especially his sister Zolo, who is a mini goldendoodle from SwissRidge. He is the smartest in his obedience class and could probably even skip a level! He insists on putting his gentle paw up to everyone he adores. My experience with Sherry and SwissRidge has been incredible. Sherry has answered every single silly question I have ever had and I had a lot! She genuinely cares about each and every puppy and their adoptive families and always takes the time to explain any concerns one might have. I want a third SwissRidge puppy but the hubby has drawn the line at two! Any further questions, I would be more than happy to answer: [email protected] I could talk all day about my SWR doodles! Everyone was on board except me as I did not grow up with dogs and did not think our on-the-go family could take on such a responsibility. A friend emailed me a picture of a puppy a couple of years ago that I always held on to because I knew if the family ever won out on the puppy debate, THAT would be the puppy I would want! Turns out it was a Bernedoodle from SwissRidge! I finally caved in, and I emailed Sherry and inquired about this breed. She suggested I read her book, which is all about Bernedoodles. So I read it, twice! I did lots of research and asked lots of questions. TJ, my son, was leading the campaign with the every day begging and nagging for a puppy! My husband, Tim, kept saying every boy that wants a dog should be able to grow up with a dog. We decided to take the plunge and put a deposit down for a Bernedoodle. I knew by all the testimonies on the Facebook page that I could rest easy and know Sherry would find the perfect puppy for our family. We were too late and another lucky family got that puppy and named him Lefty! TJ sent Sherry a video explaining how he really wanted that puppy and if anything fell through would she please consider him! It made my heart very happy that all three of my children wanted Lefty…though he was born with a slight imperfection, he was perfect in the eyes of my children. So we continued to wait and we let Sherry know that though we wanted a mini, we would be happy with a large tiny or even a small standard Bernedoodle. The longer you wait, the more flexible you become because the waiting gets harder and harder. So Sherry and I discussed what a turn-key dog was, and with our busy schedules, it sounded like the perfect fit for our family. I called Sherry back and basically asked her if there was any way she could work with us on the time frame of getting this puppy and the amount of training she would have. Sherry worked with us and the rest is history! Dakota came to us crate trained and potty trained. Her temperament is beyond amazing. She has a wonderful personality, and she is so smart! We only had Dakota five days when I had to go to an event, and I made Gracie in charge of her for the evening. Gracie texted me to tell me that Dakota went to her potty door and before she could get off the couch to let her out, Dakota took the bells off the door and dropped them in her lap. I mean how smart is smart??? From putting down your initial deposit to the waiting and waiting, I would go the SwissRidge route every single time! I would also highly recommend the imprinting program or some sort of extra training through SwissRidge because it makes the transition so simple and easy. Dakota has brought nothing but blessings to our family so far! Even my two teenage daughters that were always in their rooms are now hanging out downstairs, so they can be with Dakota. Thank you Sherry and everyone at SwissRidge Kennels for making it possible for us to have our new family member! After we saw Maisy, however, we realized that we were so wrong! This fair-haired beauty won our hearts immediately. We absolutely love her wavy golden coat and white tuxedo accents. Having her show up with this initial training completed made the transition so much easier. Maisy settled in with our family right away. She greeted our daughters on day 1 as if they were old friends and she shares her love equally with all the family members. Maisy is very curious about every living creature she comes in contact with but is never aggressive in any way. She always has a smile on her face and her tongue hanging out of her mouth. Many thanks to the whole team at SwissRidge for delivering on all of their promises. We are thrilled with our Maisy. She has made our family complete. She is a gorgeous girl with a gregarious personality. She loves being social and the center of attention. Persey has a special place in her large heart for children and one of her most recent endeavors is sharing her certified therapy dog skills with 3rd and 4th graders at the local elementary school who struggle with reading. The kids loved having the opportunity to meet her and give her love as well as read her a few stories. She and I are very excited to start this venture and hope that we can expand our efforts into the middle school and high school as well. I had my heart set on a puppy just like the one I saw in the picture. I stalked the SwissRidge website day after day. I will never forget the day Sherry called me out of the blue. We needed this black standard bernedoodle with a white cross on his chest, and a tan swirl over his eyes! From that day on, we knew this pup we named Raglan was going to be a wonderful addition to our growing family. He was an adorable pup, full of energy, dedication, and spunk. We loved him so much that we knew we had room for another. Our youngest daughter wanted a doodle she could bond with, something smaller, so the following Christmas Santa left a dog crate filled with toys with a note saying we were on the list for a mini bernedoodle. Sula was born the next month and our pack was growing! Sula added a new energy to our pack. She was a playful pup who tested any and all limits she was given. With the help of a local trainer, and a quick education in being the leader of my pack, Raglan and Sula were a dream come true. Now that we had a mini and a standard bernedoodle, my love for SwissRidge doodles continued to grow, I hinted around that one more pup would complete our pack. A tiny bernedoodle would make our family complete. I never considered myself to be a small dog person, but there was something about these tiny pups that turned me around. My husband must be as crazy as I am because he contacted Sherry on his own and wanted to surprise me with my third bernedoodle for my birthday! Raglan was from the litter of Chantelle, an Apricot standard poodle, and Dominique, a handsome Bernese mountain dog. Raglan is a wonderful pup but he did take some time and effort to get him that way. Even though I read the books and studied the puppy handbook, I still made some mistakes. Luckily with the support of a great trainer, I realized what I was doing wrong. Raglan is a wonderful companion and family member. He walks down the street like he is a Clydesdale horse and if one of his pack members breaks away from the pack, he does not stand down until they return. He is loyal, loving, and with his long legged stature and winning personality, he is the best of all worlds. Raglan will be four in June .Sula is a mini doodle from Juno, a Bernese mountain dog, and Eddie, a poodle, born January 2, .She is a total love and attention hound. Throughout my day I always have the feeling that sometimes I am being watched. If I leave the house she will assume her position in the front bay window and wait for my return. Sula loves everything and everyone. She always wants to know what is going on. Whether you are driving a car, sitting on the couch, or yes, even sitting at the kitchen counter, Sula is right by your side. She is very vocal and opinionated and will express her opinion any chance she gets! We only wish we knew what she was trying to say. Gibbs is a tiny bernedoodle from the litter of Kia and Pickle, born May 24, .He is as smart as he is adorable. Never having a small dog before Gibbs weighs 15 pounds at 11 months we decided to fly from Boston to California with Gibbs in a carry-on bag not knowing what to expect. With a five hour flight ahead of us, we were prepared for anything and everything! Gibbs was unbelievable! I was truly amazed at how well he adjusted to this new adventure. We knew Sherry was special the first time we emailed her. We knew she and her pups were worth every penny we would spend on them. Once you make the commitment to Sherry and her pups you will never look back, or wonder if you made the right choice. And then, when you hold your precious treasure in your arms for the very first time, you will not be able to control that warm and fuzzy feeling that will run through your entire body. The testing, the care, the follow-through, and most importantly her love for her job are just some of the reasons why Sherry Rupke is the very best Breeder of the Pack. He was born in .Pat debated for a long time between a bernedoodle and a goldendoodle. She finally took a giant leap of faith and went with a bernedoodle. Murphy is 8 months old in these pictures and weighs just over 50 lbs. He is very gentle and calm with everyone. Pat was telling me how she had some elderly visitors who were in their 80s and Murphy was great with them and just laid by their feet. He is truly amazing for an 8-month-old pup. I took these pictures when Pat brought him back here to visit me and it was amazing to see how well behaved and calm he was. He is truly an amazing dog and a great mix between the two breeds. He loves everyone and everything, including our 2 cats. He loves to kiss and cuddle. Murphy loves to go tubing at the cottage. He wears a life jacket and away he goes. He is truly a people dog! He was so easy to train and he was 1 in his puppy class. We truly adore him. Murphy is our great big fuzzy bear and we are so glad we decided to choose a Bernedoodle. He is truly awesome! We leave Bailey and Camelot our ten year old Golden Retriever in the garage with the door shut into the house. We get home around pm and Camelot is inside the garage and Bailey is missing! He has figured out how to push down the latch, push the door open and we find him up in our bedroom lying on the king sized bed. At eight months old, Bailey figured out how to get into the house from the garage pretty routinely. We decide to leave both dogs in the house without access to the upstairs and get home to find Bailey now in the garage. He has now figured out how to pull down the latch, pull the door slightly open, stick his nose in and push open the door from the inside…. Mom and Dad…you know the food and treats are stored in the garage…just checking it out! Every morning we have to be at the hospital around to am, so we have to get up before am to work out in the garage. Bailey knows that at he gets to go outside to potty and have his breakfast, so we no longer need an alarm clock. Bailey usually sleeps on the floor near the sliding porch doors in our bedroom because it is cooler. We have a wetland which abuts our property so the yard is pretty big by Seattle standards. He has lots of energy, goofy and totally a pleasure to have around and part of our family. He carries himself in such a way that you are certain he is royalty, yet he is very silly behind closed doors. He is very athletic; he loves to swim, hike, chase squirrels and birds. Puk can run on his hind legs while chasing a squirrel that is running along the fence. My favorite thing about Puk is his ability to adjust his energy levels with ours. If we are out hiking or swimming he is giving it his all, but if we are having a lazy day he is perfectly content to lay and cuddle with you. He is very sweet natured and loves his family fiercely. His hair is a mix of curly to wavy and is the softest, silkiest fur to touch. He does not shed at all. When he is not on an adventure or taking a nap with me, he is out in the backyard playing with his brothers. This amazing soul has brought me so much love and joy, he truly is one of the greatest Loves of my life. A true testament to his wonderful parentage. He just wants to be with us. He draws so much attention when he is out and about. I travel several times a year to visit family and Puk gets to come along with me at times. Last trip he took with me he almost gave a toll booth operator a heart attack. He does weigh 80 pounds and is very tall and takes up all the space in the back seat. He just takes all the attention in stride. Sherry Rupke has been such a wonderful person to all of her SwissRidge family. Then when you start looking at her website and all the beautiful pups, you are hooked. When I am ready for another Pup, Sherry will be the first to know. Love this Breed. Magic loves…everyone! He weighs 95 lbs. He meets other dogs on a regular basis and promptly plays with them all. His groomer has a 10 lb. Yorkie and a friend of mine has a lb. Irish wolfhound. There are various dogs we know that fall within that range, and Magic playfully engages with them all with no reservation. He is just as happy meeting new people. I have lost count of the number of people who have told me they are afraid of big dogs, but somehow Magic is different. I find it heartwarming that my big, goofy, often clumsy clown is remarkably gentle with children. I call him my Velcro pup, since he tends to be by my side as much as he can. In him I have a constant companion. He accompanies me from room to room as I finish housework — it does make changing the bed linens challenging! He sits by my side leaning on me while I work and sticks close to me outdoors. And he always loves to cuddle. When I return from work, I invariably find Magic has placed some article of my clothing along with a shoe or boot of mine on the windowsill where he rests his chin, as he waits for me. He is heavy set with a big blocky head, wide chest and the famous Berner bottom! And yes he loves to lean on you if he likes you, prefers to sit in your lap if he can. He is a big boy and weighs 95 lbs. His coat is wavy with very little shedding, does not mat and is easy to comb. I can assure you if you choose a bernedoodle, you will have a joyful, happy and devoted companion who will make you laugh on a daily basis. If you have children or grandchildren, or other dogs, your bernedoodle would make a fantastic and fun companion for them as well. Thank you for our Reesie. I have tried several times to write a reference for our experience with SwissRidge and our Reesie. I try to express what this puppy has brought to our family, but everything falls short. I have had and still have dogs. I love them all beyond measure. They are all our family. I was skeptical to get a third dog and a big dog. But having a bernedoodle was exciting. And knowing Sherry was an expert was intriguing. Sherry breeds amazing dogs. Reese is a beautiful bernedoodle but that is just the beginning. Reese is one of the most loving and affectionate dogs I have ever been around. She truly wants to please us, but she is a complete character and a goofball. She keeps us laughing constantly. She plays with our older dogs and had learned how to do that gently. She steals socks every chance she gets. And food is in open season. But when she comes up to you with her amazing face, she melts your heart. Thank you, Sherry!!! We love our girl so much. If her parents have a litter, we want a sister!!!!!!! She could not be any more perfect for my desire in a dog. She is extremely smart and gentle and fun when it is time to have fun. Her favorite game is ball. She loves to play this game up at the beach on Lake Michigan. Zo is a very good swimmer, she will only swim though if the ball is tossed into the water and away she goes. She is extremely loyal and always will stay close by. It must be the Bernese loyal trait. She has the gene for sure. Digging massive sand holes is a favorite of hers too. In the winter, she loves snow too! Being a doodle, the snow sticks to them and they do not even feel it. Zo will stay outside in my yard by choice all day long playing in the snow if it is 30s F or so out. She is owned by the Faddoul family. She is so sweet and playful. She goes everywhere with me and everyone loves her. She is always by my side at home and constantly gazes at me. When I first got her, my son threw a snow ball towards her and it hit her in the face. She is not even 5 months old yet! Her disposition towards other dogs is engaging and teasing. We love her so much. I have raised many dogs but I am most impressed with her sense of loyalty. You as a breeder should be so proud to call her one of yours. May you keep up the great work and diligence that you put into breeding. It is evident and the end result is unbelievable. In the 5 years that he has been with us, he has brought so much love, light, and laughter into our lives. He is an 80 lb. They just assumed that he was a trained and licensed therapy dog because he was so loving, gentle, and well mannered. He slowly crawled in bed and cuddled with the woman we were visiting even though he had never met her before. We already have our second on the way! Below are several pictures of Gryffin. The first is the picture that you had on your site when we picked him back in late .You sent him to us on a plane in January of along with another little guy who went to a gentleman in Boston. We live in New Hampshire and Gryffin absolutely loves it here!!!!! I remember his father Yswen from your website, who was absolutely breathtaking! Gryffin is full of spunk and fun. He is the most lovable pet that I have ever been around. His favorite thing to do is chase down balls and run in the woods. We have some walking trails at the end of our street and he loves to run and swim in the stream that is there. He loves the outdoors and spends countless hours in the yard just exploring and laying in the sun. He is definitely a winter dog and loves to play in the snow. Please feel free to use these photos on your website. Everywhere we go, people want to know what kind of dog he is. We take him to a local dog park and he has a great time playing with a Bernese mountain dog. Thank you so much for bringing Gryffin into our home. Our Bernedoodles are from excellent bloodlines and all Pedigree information traces back to their AKC lineage. Our Dams and Sires have obtained extensive health clearances prior to being bred. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with allergies. F1 Bernedoodles all have loose wavy coats that are typically minimal to light shedding, while F1B Bernedoodles coats can be loose wavy just like the F1 or curly and there are both coat types within the F1B litter. The F1B Bernedoodle is typically minimal to non-shedding. The coat of a Bernedoodle can vary from straight, loose wavy or curly. An F1 Bernedoodle will have a loose wavy coat, while an F1B Bernedoodle litter has both curly and loose wavy coats within the litter. The coat colors of Bernedoodles can vary based on the color genetics of the parents. We will also have Parti Bernedoodles. Daily walks are a must if you don't have a safely enclosed area for them to run freely. The Bernedoodle can be independent and does great being with family engaging in play, then happily laying on their own with a toy. It is still unknown how long Bernedoodles will live as it is a newer cross. The expected lifespan is hoped to be years. As with any dog, socialization and training should start while the dog is still a puppy and continue throughout its life. Look for a puppy kindergarten class locally or join the AKC S. Puppy Program , training based on positive techniques. You do not have to be an AKC purebred puppy to participate in their S. Puppy Program. Find a class here. This is a great place to start socializing and training. A well-socialized, well-trained Bernedoodle makes a wonderful family companion. Early socialization and training establishes those lifetime bonds between the family and puppy as these programs teach you how to communicate with your new puppy and get started on the right foot. The F.These pups are from the reproducing of an F1 Bernedoodle and a Poodle. Despite the fact that they are less inclined to shed, these F1B Standard Bernedoodle puppies lose a portion of the uncommon Bernese attributes most individuals are searching for and are certainly more likely to inherit a congenital health defect due to breeding a poodle gene back to another poodle gene. F2 Standard Bernedoodle - This is a mix between two Standard F1 Bernedoodles and is certainly not recommended by HC Bernedoodles, due to possibly having very bad conformation and being much more likely to have congenital health defects. Standard Bernedoodle Coat Bernedoodles come in lots of different colors, a solid color Bernedoodle may be black, sable, blue,silver, or possibly many more colors. Solid colors gerally have a white foot or 2 and sometimes a white snip on there nose that will disappear by the time they mature. A bi color Bernedoodle is classified as any bernedoodle that has any separate two colors. Colors you may see in bi-color Bernedoodles may be black and white, sable and white, silver and white , Black and Tan and many more colors. A Tri color Bernedoodle is a bernedoodle that has 3 different colors which may consist of black,white and tan and considered the traditional Tri color Bernedoodle, sable, white, and tan and considered a sable Tri bernedoodle. Any of these colors that carry for the fading gene which is carried by many poodles may fade into much lighter colors as they mature. The sable colors , sometimes fade to the extent that your sable bernedoodle may actually be mistaken for there cousin, the goldendoodle. You will also see a curly coat which will generally be minimal to nonshedding coat. When comparing the two coats the curly coat will almost certainly shed less than the wavy coat and may be more suitable for allergy sufferers. Standard Bernedoodle Temperament With the bernedoodle being a combination of two different breeds, it is common to see traits from both sides of the breeds. You will certainly see the intelligence and ease of training from the poodle side and the affectionate, loving Bernese Mountain Dog trait. Bernedoodles, like Bernese Mountain Dogs, can be a little wary around strangers, so early socialization is important. Something to keep in mind about this breed is that they need a lot of human attention and do not fair well with being alone for very long periods at a time. Standard Bernedoodle Training It is certainly recommended to start with training while your bernedoodle puppy is still young. A bernedoodle can be a bit headstrong like the Bernese Mountain dog. Consistency, patience, and a gentle hand are the key to a well trained bernedoodle puppy. Health Bernedoodles, being a hybrid mix breed are very healthy. A hybrid mix breed is less likely to develop congenital health defects than a purebred due to the gene pool being much larger. That is not to say that is is not possible for a bernedoodle to develop a health problem, all breeds have the possibility to have health defects. A few of the health defects that a bernedoodle may develop, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye problems, skins problems, Von Willebrand's Disease and Degenerative Myelopathy. Exercise It is typical for a bernedoodle to be a moderately active breed and daily exercise should be sufficient to satisfy their needs. If you would like to be notified, please contact us and we will notify you when our Standard Bernedoodle become available. Standard Bernedoodle Past Litters. Life Span Did You Know? These large, fluffy dogs are known for their non-shedding coats and lovable personalities. Bernedoodles tend to be a great addition to any family! Although the Bernedoodle is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other dog registries. As long as they are properly socialized, they tend to be open and friendly dogs that get along well with just about anyone. These dogs tend to do well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they can be initially wary and watchful at first, they even tend to warm up quickly to strangers once introduced. Bernedoodles are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. Despite their size and energy, they can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise and attention. These dogs tend to handle the cold better than the heat; you may even have some trouble getting them to come back inside after some playtime in the snow. Because Bernedoodles bond so closely with their families and enjoy nothing more than being around them, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to skin issues like sensitive skin, allergies, and hot spots. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large dog breed, the Standard Bernedoodle is also at risk for bloat like both parent breeds. The Bernedoodle is a highly intelligent and easily trained dog breed. Some facts about Bernedoodles are that they are a good fit for owners of any experience level and tend to pick up commands easily. Although they tend to grow out of this initial stubbornness with age, puppy training classes will certainly help with training and socialization early on. Bernedoodles tend to have a longer coat that ranges from curly to wavy. Although they tend to be non-shedding, they still need a lot of maintenance to keep their coat looking great. Daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats along with grooming every weeks are recommended. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing daily along and cleanings at the vet as needed are an ideal start to a good dental care routine for your Bernedoodle. Standard Bernedoodles can range from moderate to high energy. They tend to sit in a more moderate activity range and have bursts of higher energy when they play. These dogs are known to play hard and energetically until they are tired, but are not usually considered high-energy dogs. Daily walks plus playtime and some time to run should be enough for a Bernedoodle. But, these dogs will likely be up for more activity if you are. They will love the opportunity to spend more time being active with you. A fully-grown Standard Bernedoodle usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Standard Bernedoodles generally live for years on average. A Bernedoodle is also sometimes called a Bernese Mountain Poo. Featured Bernedoodle Article. I am so happy that I spent so much time and effort to find the right breeder and the right puppy. Thank you for bringing her into our lives. I personally did months of research, and was very particular on the type of breeder and dog we wanted. First and foremost, I needed our puppy to come from a loving and family oriented home. I wanted to feel a "connection", I wanted to be treated as a family member, rather than just a credit card number. I was turned off from the amount of "money hungry" breeders that I was in contact with, and those that just bred dogs for their final payment.A weight was taken off my shoulders, and speaking to Tyler was like a breath of fresh air. He is everything I wanted in a breeder and more. His answers were honest and to the point. The love he has for her family and dogs was gleaming.I knew deep inside that I finally found the breeder "of our dreams! Our Kash is everything we dreamt for. He has the biggest heart, and gentlest personality. We prayed for a large boy, and he is lbs of pure joy. We can't imagine our lives without him. With our upmost respect we give all the credit to Tyler. He maintains the highest of standards, and we think we got the best dog because of that. People to this day stop us on the street and compliment his coloring, size, and temperament. Bernedoodle's are a stunning breed, and our lives have forever changed by meeting Tyler, and having Kash in our family. Kami Dunn Albuquerque, NM Read More Great experience brought our puppy home she has slept through the night the very first night , I have never had a puppy do that. She hasn't had any accidents in the house she even went to the patio door the second day as if she was saying ok It's time to go out. Smart, mellow, and the sweetest thing ever. His best friends is our orange tabby. He loves snuggles and if he's not sleeping on someone's lap, he's as close to them as he can get. Oso is 38 lbs now and has had two haircuts. He is so chill that he fell asleep during his first blowdry. He is smart and has learned sit, down, off, stay, jump, and up. The kids love laying on him, running in the backyard with him, and fight over who gets to give him treats. He is a fantastic sleeper but has to be where we are to sleep well; in the bathroom during bath time, in the kitchen while I cook, under my desk when I'm on the computer, on the couch while the kids watch movies. He's gotten along well with every dog and cat he's met: french bulldogs, pit mixes, mini daschunds, everyone is his friend! You did an amazing job raising him, we can not thank you enough. He is the light of my life. I take him everywhere. He is a recent puppy school graduate and an all the time good boy. Such a great personality! He loves running on the beach, playing fetch, and cuddling. Thanks for helping me find the sweetest pup! Helen Cuevas Rock, MI Read More My husband said to start looking for a new puppy to become part of our family, I knew I wanted to look for a breeder that was family-owned with a great reputation. We wanted a smaller dog that could travel with us and enjoy the company of our current dog. Tyler is a wonderful communicator - he always answered texts, emails or phone calls quickly and kept us up to date on Paris weekly until she came home. When my daughter and her boyfriend decided they wanted to get a puppy, there was no question they would also get it from Home Trained Bernedoodles, i picked up the puppy at the Chicago airport, and I was all the goodies they added to the puppy package after the necessary documentation. She and multiple others asked where we got him and I gave her the name of Home Trained Bernedoodles. She said she will refer you to some clients who are looking for a doodle as their second dog! He is just beautiful and we already adore him. She has been a total pleasure since she joined us less than 2 weeks ago. She is a wonderful, healthy and playful puppy. She has had minimal accidents and continues to sleep through the night with not one accident in her crate. Today she walked over to the door and sat down to let us know that she needed to go out and then did both businesses in a very timely manner. Our daughter, Millie, is loving on Charlie and has really stepped up with many of the daily care items. Finally, she does enjoy her naps as she goes full throttle and then crashes. You've brought joy to our home and hearts, may God bless you.

Use baby steps and go slowly letting your GSD pup get used to their crate. Offer them meals Provide them a few meals either very near or inside their crate for a positive association with their new crate. When you leave As they spend more time inside their crate, work on leaving them alone for very short periods. Step 1: Introduce Your German Shepherd to Their New Crate Spend about 5 minutes, two to four times a day, introducing your dog to their special kennel. Familiarize your dog with the kennel by tossing a high-value food reward near the crate to entice them. Let them explore the kennel and go in and out freely on their own. A fun, squeaky toy tossed inside can sometimes help them explore their crate. Step 2: Feed Your German Shepherd Inside Their Crate When your dog has sniffed the crate and wandered in and out multiple times, offer them a meal inside with the door propped open. Offer several meals, in the same way, to show your dog a kennel is a safe place. After a few meals inside and when they are comfortable eating, begin to quietly and softly close the door. But let them out once their meal is over. Next time, leave them in the crate for a shorter period. This way you reward them for staying quiet, instead of whining. When they enter, toss them a treat as a reward. Close the door quietly and sit in the same room as them for 5 to 10 minutes. You can even sit calmly next to the crate while dropping food into it occasionally. Now, go to another room for a few minutes to leave them alone. Instead, sit in the same room again for a few minutes before releasing them. Increase the time you leave them alone in the room and repeat the previous step upon your return to them. Once you work your way to leaving them in their crate for about 30 minutes, begin leaving them in their crate while you leave your house. Step 4: Crating Your German Shepherd When You Leave the House Leave the house for a short time with them in the crate using the same process above to call them to the crate. Call your dog to their crate anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes before you want to go so they have time to settle in their crate and relax. Tell them to go into their crate, give them a reward, and offer them praise. Leave the house without a big commotion. When you return, quietly let them out of their crate. Their collar could get hung up on one of the bars and cause serious injury or worse! When you take the time to introduce the crate properly, they see it is a comfortable place that has their favorite toys and tasty foods! You must keep this slow. If at any time your dog whines, you have gone on too long! Praise puppy for relieving themselves. Offer fresh water and take them back outside again. Take your pup back outside to eliminate before crating. Let them outside to relieve themselves and stretch. Offer fresh water, cuddles, and another meal. They need to go outside after eating and drinking. Place your pup back in the crate. Play with them and take them for a walk. Supervise them by leashing them to you and watching them closely. Let them outside. Praise them for using the bathroom outside. Throw a ball or work on basic obedience. Return inside and leash them to you to supervise while playing, petting, or letting them rest next to you. Bring them in and let them explore while you watch them. Keep them leashed to you when indoors to avoid any accidents. Offer fresh water. Take up the water a couple of hours before bed. This is to prevent accidents in the crate overnight. Let them stretch their legs in the yard. This gets him too excited before bed. You want bedtime to be a calming ritual. You can make your own schedule based on the typical times a GSD puppy needs to go out. Be sure to watch for these times and set an alarm if you need a reminder. Pay attention to these times and let your dog out: When they first wake up. After their first meal of the day. Before you go to work. Most people start crate training their pet when the dog is a puppy, as it is also a very effective potty training tool. Being able to spend time in a cozy, comfortable crate also provides your pet with a peaceful retreat when they want some rest and relaxation time away from the hustle and bustle of family life. The idea of crate training your dog is to provide a comfy, secure space where your pet feels safe and likes to spend time , especially when left alone while you go to work, pop out to the store, or run errands. So, why is crate training such an essential part of raising a German Shepherd , and what are the benefits of crate training? Potty Training Crate training your dog makes the potty training process much easier and quicker. Obedience Training Crate training is a handy tool for obedience training as long as you start crate training your pup from a young age. I found crate training my shelter rescue dog challenging because she was a year old and had never been crated before. That said, we worked hard together, and eventually, she was confident and happy to use her crate voluntarily when I sent her into it. Crate training can help to build mutual trust between you and your furry friend, which is crucial for obedience training. Protection German Shepherds are often thought of as confident dogs that work with law enforcement and as guard dogs. However, these dogs are people-oriented and can sometimes feel insecure when left alone. Safe Transport Most dogs love to go with their owners on day trips and to the park, which usually means riding in your car. For safety reasons, you should always travel with your puppy or adult dog safely restrained in a crate. Not all dogs appreciate car travel and can get car sick. Destruction Prevention Puppies of all breeds can be destructive when you take your eye off them for a moment! Rather than using a blanket your pup could drag into the crate and potentially choke on, we recommend buying a proper, machine-washable crate cover. Step 1: Choose a Crate The best crates for crate-training puppies are high-quality wire mesh crates with divider panels. Ensure you buy the correct size for your puppy. In addition, a crate divider means you can buy a large crate size for your puppy to grow into without having to upsize to a new crate several times as your pet matures. Step 2: Introducing Your Pup to His Crate Before you begin your German Shepherd crate training program, set up your new crate in a room where your puppy will spend lots of time, for example, in your bedroom or living room. Make the crate super comfy by adding a mat, some cozy bedding, and a couple of chew toys. Your puppy should be allowed to go in and out of the crate voluntarily. Your aim at this stage is to encourage your puppy to feel secure and confident approaching the crate and going inside. Using treats and toys will show your puppy that the crate is a fun, positive place where he wants to spend time. Step 3: Feed Your Pet in the Crate Once your German Shepherd puppy happily goes in and out of the crate by himself, start feeding him inside the crate. Puppies reluctant to enter the crate are usually tempted by food, especially greedy breeds such as Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. Start by putting a small bowl of food your pup will eat in ten minutes or so in the crate. As your pet gets more confident and content to eat in the crate, build up the amount of food you give him so that your puppy spends more time eating his meal. Step 4: Begin Closing the Crate Door Now that your puppy is content to eat his meals inside his crate, start shutting the door for short periods, minutes at first. Gradually feed your puppy in the crate with the door closed for extended periods. During this time, try giving your pup a chew stick or a Kong toy stuffed with treats or peanut butter to keep him occupied. At this point, you want your puppy to feel comfortable inside his crate with the door shut. Step 5: Slowly Build Up Crate Confinement Time Now that your puppy is happy to spend short periods in the crate with the door shut, you can begin increasing the length of time he spends in there. If your puppy is happy with that, increase the periods of time he spends inside the crate. Remember to give your puppy plenty of toilet breaks and exercise between confinement periods. Dogs of all breeds do best when they have a routine and understand what to expect and when. Day 2: Continue with Step 1, moving to Step 2 if your puppy is ready. Day 3: Complete Step 2 and move on to Step 3. Day 4: Finish Step 3 and begin Step 4. Day 5: Finish Step 4 and move on to the final Step 5. Throughout the crate training process, be sure to take your time without rushing your puppy. If you try to hurry things, your puppy could lose his confidence in the crate and in you! Tips for Successful Crate Training Finally, here are a couple of top crate training tips that have worked for us! Your dog should always have a positive association with his crate, such as treats and toys. Can You Leave an 8-week-old Puppy in a Crate? Never shut a puppy in a crate as a punishment or if he is not confident and happy to be left in his crate with the door shut. A: German Shepherd dogs are intelligent creatures that love to learn and work alongside their human owners. Although these dogs can be playful and willful, you can usually crate-train your dog within about a month or so. Keep your training methods consistent, and always use positive reinforcement training methods to guarantee a happy dog and a successful crate training program! Q: How long can I leave my dog in his crate? However, senior dogs and those with medical conditions might need more frequent potty breaks. Dogs and puppies can usually last longer overnight since their metabolism slows down. However, you must remember to take your pet for a potty break before settling down for the night. Q: Should I ignore my puppy crying when crate training? Puppies cry to get your attention and be let out of the crate. If you give your pet the attention and freedom he craves, you simply teach him that whinging and crying get him what he wants! Training pads can encourage your puppy to soil his crate, sending the little guy mixed messages and potentially setting back your potty training program. Final Thoughts Did you enjoy our guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy? If you found the article helpful, please share it! German Shepherds are generally intelligent dogs that enjoy working alongside people and are highly trainable, so they generally take well to crate training. How long did it take for you to crate-train your German Shepherd puppy? Tell us in the comments box below. Meet our writer Wanda C Wanda has LOVED dogs ever since she was a child, and is currently a dog parent to a 3-year-old poodle who means the world to her. Leave a Comment. This is never acceptable. Unfortunately, this can make it somewhat challenging for owners and families with no one at home during the working day. My German Shepherd was never left for more than three hours in her crate during the day. She was crate trained as soon as we brought her home at eight weeks old, as recommended by her breeder. If you check out this fantastic video below from celebrity dog trainer Zak George on how to crate train a puppy, around halfway through the video, he confirms that you should never leave dogs for more than four hours in a crate and less for younger puppies. How to Crate Train a Puppy German Shepherds that have been crate trained love their crate and see it as somewhere comfortable where they can go to feel safe and secure. They see it as their special den where no one else is allowed and where they can either eat, rest, or play with their favorite chew toys. Plus, puppies need loads of attention, playtime, and socialization. The same goes for house-trained adult dogs, who should be allowed outside to pee at least times during the day. You must always exercise your German Shepherd and allow him to go to the toilet before leaving him in a crate for a few hours. You can always invest in a pet camera, such as a Furbo from Amazon, to keep an eye on them from time to time and make sure they are okay. You can get cheaper dog cameras, but I just love how these can toss treats out to your dog, which you control remotely from your smartphone! Extended periods longer than four hours can lead to various mental and physical health issues for your dog. Here are a few significant side effects of leaving a German Shepherd in a crate for longer than four hours a day: Restlessness during the evening is common when owners leave their dogs in a crate for too many hours each day. Pacing, whining, and excessive energy might occur when a German Shepherd is supposed to be tired or winding down for the night. Separation anxiety is an unfortunate issue that GSDs have to deal with sometimes. If they need to pee or poop while stuck in the crate for hours on end, they could develop rashes or infections. After all, would you? Joint issues such as hip or elbow dysplasia is a disease prevalent in older German Shepherds. If your adult dog is crated for hours and hours during the day, then he cannot stretch out and move around sufficiently. The lack of space and cramped conditions without exercise for hours can cause additional pain and discomfort due to your GSDs hip dysplasia. German Shepherds left in their cage for excessively long times can develop heart or other health conditions. Without enough exercise throughout the day, GSDs can become ill very quickly. Remember, they were initially bred as herding dogs and are still used as working dogs today due to their fitness, strength, and stamina. They should have open running space, and they need two periods of at least minutes of exercise per day, including mental stimulation and lots of playtimes. Never uses a crate as a way of punishment for your German Shepherd. It should be a happy place where they associate positive experiences. Regarding crate size, German Shepherds should have an extra-large one, no smaller than 48 inches. This allows for enough space for your dog to move around and stretch out without being too confined to a small area. You need a metal or wire crate, preferably a heavy-duty one that will be impossible to break as German Shepherds are strong dogs. Most metal crates will fold down, making them easily transportable, and you can opt for either a single or double door or both, depending on how you wish to position the crate. I like the Midwest Homes for Pets dog crate as it comes with the option of double doors, has a divider panel, and is easy to set up. You can read more about why I like this crate in this article, 8 Best Dog Crates for German Shepherds and Playpens Nonetheless, a crate on its own will not just turn into a safe haven for your dog and keep him entertained. It can be as big as the whole crate, or you could leave half of it uncovered for them to move around easier and leave some space for them to cool down on the tray if they get too warm. Either way, you need to make it cozy, and washable soft bedding is essential to allow them to lay down comfortably. One way of solving all these problems is to go for the Big Barker crate pad. Plenty of toys. Imagine being stuck in a small room for hours and hours with nothing to do. Providing them with various interesting chew and interactive toys, such as KONG toys , will prevent them from becoming bored. Food and water. Purchase clip-on bowls to prevent them from being tipped over. A blanket to cover the crate. Place a blanket or cover over the top of the crate. This makes the crate feel more like a den and can help your dog feel more secure, especially if he is clingy. As long as they have food, water, and shelter, such as a large dog house, they should be able to adapt fairly quickly. This can be done; however, it will require lots of training, patience, and a gradual transition. Get dog gates for your house. These gates allow you to decide how much space your puppy can have to move around in your house by sectioning off various off-limit areas. Purchase indoor or outdoor dog fences or playpens for your puppy. These products are perfect for young GSDs who need more room to move around. Some of these can even be connected to a crate to make a fantastic combination of a cozy resting space and room to roam. If you have a higher budget or need a playpen, look at the BestPet Dog Pen. Slowly train your German Shepherd to roam free throughout the house. This process will take some time, from puppyhood into adulthood. You can start by initially leaving the crate door open when you go out or gradually increasing the size of their gated area until it fits the size of a room. My GSD, Willow, was 12 months old before I started leaving her crate door open and two years old before she was allowed free reign of the house. However, it is important to gradually increase the time they spend outside the crate and to provide them with plenty of exercises and mental stimulation when they are out of the crate. It is also important to ensure that your German Shepherd has access to water and a comfortable place to rest when they are in the crate. It is also recommended to cover the crate with a blanket or sheet to create a den-like environment and provide your dog with a sense of security. Using a crate can be a helpful tool for managing separation anxiety in German Shepherds. However, it is important to introduce the crate gradually and make it a positive and comfortable space for your dog. You should also avoid leaving your dog in the crate for extended periods of time and provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation when they are out of the crate. When crate training your German Shepherd, always provide food, water, comfy bedding, and enough toys for them to enjoy and keep themselves entertained. My German Shepherd adored her crate. She loved to go and settle in her crate if she wanted to rest and needed some peace and quiet away from me! Related Posts You May Like:. But goodness, German Shepherd puppies can get into a lot of trouble! Crate training a German Shepherd puppy can help ease the stresses of puppyhood. Believe me, crate training is your best friend! Well, after your German Shepherd, of course. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about crate training a German Shepherd puppy. What is Crate Training? There are a lot of people who feel this way, and the truth is — it can be cruel if the crate is misused. To make this happen, your pup must think of its crate as a place where the good times roll! In other words, a puppy should associate its crate with only pleasant experiences. Now be prepared — this is a process with a lot of training involved, and it can be long and frustrating at times. What are the Benefits of Crate Training? There are so many great benefits to crate training a German Shepherd puppy. Let us count the ways… A way to feel secure: A crate makes your puppy feel safe and secure. Remember, dogs evolved from den animals so they like having a small, protected place of their own. A way to potty train: One of the toughest things about raising a puppy is potty training , and a crate is a great tool to help take the headache out of housetraining. When Allie was a puppy, she would wake me up with a whine in the middle of the night to let me know she needed to potty. With a little time and a lot of patience! A way to transport: Crates make travel much easier for both you and your German Shepherd! Riding in cars can be very stressful for your pup, but if your dog is comfortable being crated, it makes for a much easier ride. A way to protect your puppy: As a puppy, Allie would get into everything! She would eat or chew anything she could get her mouth on, and I worried about her eating something dangerous while I was out. Many dogs are injured or worse from chewing electrical wires or eating toxic substances so crate training is essential to keep your active German Shepherd puppy safe from harm. A way to protect your stuff: Did I mention that German Shepherd puppies love to chew!? This includes your furniture, shoes, and anything else you leave where your puppy can find it. If left loose in your house, your puppy will most likely search and destroy! A way to keep your sanity: Overall, crates offer you something priceless — peace of mind! Crate training saved me a lot of stress and energy while potty training Allie. Crate training means a happier you and a better relationship with your furry friend so you can have fun being a puppy parent! How Do I Choose a Crate? Dog crates come in different materials and sizes and can be purchased online or at your local pet store. There are a lot of options available! This section will help you make the best buying decision for you and your four-legged family member. Wire Crates Pros: Wire crates are well-ventilated, and the pan slides out so they are easy to clean. They are also collapsible for storing or moving, and you can purchase a divider for this type of crate. Larger sizes can also be heavy. Plastic Crates Pros: Plastic crates are good for travel. Because the sides are mostly solid, your puppy may feel more secure. Cons: Plastic crates are harder to get clean and less ventilated. Fabric Crates Pros: Fabric crates are very lightweight and great for travel. Cons: Fabric crates are not very durable and are easily destroyed by a mouthy puppy. If the crate is too big, your puppy will potty on one end and sleep on the other, defeating the purpose of using the crate for potty training. So what is the best size crate for a German Shepherd puppy? Go with a or inch metal crate with a divider — the divider is key! Use it to partition the crate, giving your GSD pup just enough room to stand up, lie down, and turn around. GSD puppies grow fast! So just move the divider back to give your pup more room as it grows. Check out my full guide to the best crates for German Shepherds if you want to learn more, but here are three of my top recommendations. There are several sizes available, and you can choose either a single or double door. I went with the inch size, and 8-year-old Chyna still fits inside perfectly. Very durable and sturdy but still folds easily. Plus, the price makes it a great value! Includes a fleece bed, which is removable and washable for easy cleaning. Very easy to set-up and fold-down, making it a great option for dogs on the go! Allie uses this one for long traveling long distances in the truck. Petmate offers several variations on this hard-sided plastic kennel, including several sizes to choose from. Easy to assemble and very sturdy, making it the safest crate for airline travel. If your dog gets overly anxious or nervous in new situations, this crate might be the best choice. Ok, new crate for your puppy — check! But what else do you need? Bedding When I first started crate training Allie, I bought a nice, fluffy bed for her to sleep on while in her crate — bad idea! For a puppy, I recommend buying something a bit more durable and a bit less fluffy. Toys Toys are great for a puppy learning to love its crate. It gives your pup something to do other than chew up the bedding and teaches it that crate time is fun! Just remember, eventually, your puppy will be left unsupervised in its crate for extended periods of time. So any toys you choose for its crate must be safe! Allie loved gnawing on her Kong while in her crate. Treats Speaking of treats, make sure to keep plenty of treats on hand to use as rewards. A crate cover will help your dog feel safe and keep it from being disturbed by its humans walking by. You can purchase a crate cover or even use a towel or bedsheet. Keep in mind, never cover all sides of the crate — your dog needs plenty of ventilation. As I mentioned before, the most important part of crate training is teaching your puppy to LOVE its crate! How do you do this? Use lots of treats, patience, and praise to show your dog that learning is fun. Put the crate in a room where your puppy spends a lot of time and prop the door open or remove the door altogether. You can add a crate mat and toy, but then back off and let the puppy investigate the crate casually — no pressure! Your puppy may explore immediately, going in and out of the crate to sniff around. But if not, you can encourage it with a few treats or toys near the front of the crate. Be patient until your puppy is bold enough to go all the way inside its crate without any nervousness. Use during mealtime Once your pup is comfortable with wandering in and out of its crate, pair mealtime with crate time. Adding a food reward reinforces those positive associations you want to build between your puppy and its crate. Start by regularly feeding your puppy next to the crate, then slowly work the food dish into the crate at the front, then further back. Close the crate Once your pup is happily chowing down while standing all the way inside the crate, start closing the door during mealtime — but just until dinner is over! Open the door again as soon as your pup is finished eating. Then, close the door. Stay near the crate for several minutes, then go into another room for a few minutes. When you return, sit near the crate again for a few more minutes before opening the door. Repeat this step until your puppy is comfortable in its crate for at least 30 minutes without you in sight. This may take several days or even weeks so be patient! Crating when you leave Now your puppy is ready to try crating while home alone for short periods of time at first. Make sure to give your puppy a potty break before crating for an extended period of time. Stick to your normal routine for crating — use a command to get your dog to enter the crate, praise your dog briefly, give them a treat, and then leave quietly. Keep it low-key when you return as well. Wait a few minutes before letting your puppy out of its crate and try to ignore any excited behavior. Crating overnight Before attempting an overnight stay in the crate, make sure your puppy is tired and ready for sleep. Lots of exercise and playtime before bed will help. Give your puppy a chance to potty immediately before bedtime. Again, use your normal routine for crating command, praise, treat. Once your puppy is happily snoozing through the night, you can move the crate wherever you prefer. Only keep puppy-safe items in the crate at night. A regular daily routine is important in training your puppy, and consistency is key! Puppies learn best through repetition so create a puppy crate training schedule and stick to it. Here is a super simple German Shepherd crate training schedule that you can easily modify to fit your needs. Image used with permission by copyright holder How long does it take to crate-train a German shepherd? With that being said, crate-training a dog usually takes longer than teaching him how to sit or stay. Recommended Videos As a general rule, puppies should be left in a crate for one hour per month of age, but they should never be kept in a crate for longer than four hours at a time. By the time your pup is six months old, he should be able to sleep in his crate overnight without having any accidents. Crate-training tips Whether you have a young puppy or an older dog, crate training requires time and patience. You may want to purchase a crate large enough to accommodate his adult size. Leave the crate open in a room where you spend plenty of time. Your pup may wander into the crate without being told to do so. Now you can try closing the door and leaving your pup in his crate. Image used with permission by copyright holder Are German shepherds hard to crate train? While crate training a German shepherd puppy may seem easier than training an adult dog, studies show that sometimes the reverse is true. In fact, many GSD owners will find that this is one of the easiest breeds to housetrain, as long as constant supervision and consistency are required. However, remember that all dogs learn at their own pace. Where should your German shepherd puppy sleep? According to the professionals, your German shepherd puppy should sleep indoors in a crate. Not only does crating your dog at night make housebreaking easier, but it also keeps your dog safe. Puppies, especially German shepherd puppies, explore the world with their noses, which can lead them to mischief. Image used with permission by copyright holder Crate training is one of the most controversial topics amongst dog owners, but research shows that crating your dog can help her feel safe and secure. With time and patience, your German shepherd will come to view her crate as her den , and she might even choose to spend time there on her own. Editors' Recommendations.

A healthy male Golden Retriever weighs between 65 to 75 pounds while growing up to 23 to 24 inches tall. A female weighs between 55 to 65pounds and can grow up to .How long does it take a Golden Retriever to reach its full size? For Golden Retrievers, full physical maturity takes one to two years. Once this is attained, its bones become fully grown and can perform the same amount of physical exercise as an adult dog. Do Golden Retrievers smell? Golden Retrievers often smell bad because of its thick water-resistant coat. You can, however, maintain its cleanliness to control its bad odor. How can you keep a Golden Retriever healthy? There are several ways to keep this dog healthy few of which are high-quality food, providing it with plenty of clean and freshwater, developing a good feeding schedule, etc. How many times a day should a Golden Retriever be fed? The required food for a Golden Retriever is dependent on its age, activity level, size and built. Vets recommend about 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food per day for two meals. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? This dog is a sporting breed and therefore requires a whole lot of exercise when fully grown, high-intensity exercise is very beneficial to it. Is it alright to get a Golden Retriever in a hot climate? The Golden Retriever can thrive well in hot climates; all it requires is a shaded and aerated area with lots of water. However, it should not be allowed to exercise too much in the heat. What age can a Golden Retriever Puppy be brought home? A puppy Retriever should not be taken from its mother earlier than when it is 8 weeks old. This is because up until that age, it gets important socialization and learns important skills from its mother and siblings. Should a Golden Retriever be left indoors or outdoors? A Golden Retriever naturally wants to be with its family, if its family is indoor, you will find it right there with them. Does a Golden Retriever bark a lot? The Golden Retriever is not one to bark a lot except in cases of boredom or mental stimulation. Are you interested in purchasing a Golden Retriever? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. We even have all types of golden retrievers for sale! At My Golden Retriever Puppies, we pride ourselves on our golden retriever price being fair and affordable for high quality puppies. Location Information for San Antonio Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in San Antonio? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in San Antonio? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. There are some simple, but important requirements to be eligible to adopt from Gold Ribbon Rescue. Please read through these pages thoroughly prior to filling out our adoption application. We are looking for safe, happy, healthy, loving, committed homes. We are looking for individuals and families who wish to make the dog a member of the family. The dog must be allowed to sleep inside and spend most of its time inside with the family. We are looking for homes with lots of love to give and time to spend with the dog. We require that you have a private fenced yard with a large enough grassy area for dog to run around and play fetch with a minimum 4' fence attached to your home. Dogs need sufficient room to exercise and play. We work hard to make good matches for the dogs and our families. We ask that you are realistic about the right dog for your lifestyle and that you trust in our experience in making these matches. Please let us know if you prefer to foster or adopt a dog. As a foster, you have the joy of serving as the loving, caring bridge to help a dog heal and prepare the dog for his or her forever family. Currently, our fosters do not have the option to adopt the dog. If approved to adopt, your matchmaker will discuss the best options for you. FPA means that an approved family who desires to adopt a dog from GRR will take the new dog in as a foster with the intent to adopt, as long as the dog ends up being the right fit. FPA families are assigned to a matchmaker and they work closely together to determine the dog that is deemed as the best fit for the dog and the family, just the same as if the approved family only desired to do a straight adoption. The FPA family will be the foster on record and is expected to abide by all of the same requirements of GRR approved foster families. The only difference is the FPA family may adopt their dog when the dog is medically cleared. Potential foster and adoptive families must agree to the following: The family has not adopted, fostered or otherwise acquired a new dog within the past six months and does not plan to do so within the next six months. The family does not have any children under the age of 8 years old and agrees to take appropriate measures to never allow children to be unsupervised with the adopted dog. This may also apply to families that have children under the age of 8 years old that regularly visit them, depending on the situation. Because most of our dogs come to us with unproven histories or issues with children, this policy is for the safety of both the child and the dog. GRR reserves the right to deny any applicant who: does not have a private attached fence or an appropriate yard for a medium or large size dog does have a type of fence that may be unacceptable for the dog On rare occasions, exceptions can be made if we have a dog GRR deems appropriate for the situation. The family agrees to keep the dog on leash anytime he or she is outside an enclosed fenced-in area. The family does not have any unaltered dogs in the home unless for a medical reason verified by a licensed veterinarian. The family will keep the adopted dog inside the home anytime the family is sleeping or away from home. Places such as, but not limited to, screened-in porches and garages even if air conditioned are unacceptable. Dog houses and kennels on the property may be deemed unacceptable and will require further explanation. The family agrees to keep the dog as an indoor house pet and will not allow the dog to have access to the outside of the home or garage when an adult is not at home. This includes closing access to a dog door to prevent the dog from being able to go outside the home when the adults are gone. The family does not use aversive training methods such as shock collars, choke chains, prong collars or excessive use of force. GRR supports the use of science-based positive reinforcement training. Dog training is an unregulated industry and there are many practices that can be harmful to your relationship with your new companion. If you need recommendations for trainers in your area, we are happy to help. When being transported, the family agrees that the dog will always ride inside an enclosed vehicle and never in an open truck bed, whether contained in a crate, loose or tethered. The dog will not be placed in the home as service dog for physical, mobility or psychological needs. Resident dogs or recently passed in the home are required to be altered, up to date on all core vaccines, have received annual health exams and heartworm tests, and have received year-round heartworm preventatives. Cats should be altered and up to date on their rabies vaccination, or as recommended by the veterinarian. When applicable, we will request at least a three-year vetting history. We also acknowledge there might be exceptions due to the frailty of senior pets or for certain medical conditions and treatment plans. If the applicant lives outside the area where we have a trained volunteer to do an in-person visit at the home, please understand we will not be able to complete your application. Before applying, please email adopt4 grr-tx. Most of us work which means we must leave our dog. Crating can be a useful tool but crating a dog hours while you are gone during the day and again 8 hours at night is too much as Goldens are active dogs. Need to climb multiple steps multiple times a day. Some homes require climbing steps to an upstairs bedroom, to the front door or off the outside deck to the yard. If this is your situation, a senior dog or one with hip issues may not work best for you. It should be expected that a new rescue dog will require socializing and training and will most likely pick up on any undesirable behavior of another dog they spend a significant amount of time with. If it is determined during the home visit that the resident dog may need more training, we may ask you to do some work with your dog before we place a new dog in the home. Cats, chickens, rabbits, birds, etc in the home — some dogs will not have had any exposure to cats, chickens, rabbits and other small animals. What will be your plan for integrating a dog into your environment? Terms and conditions The primary terms and conditions which will be included in the adoption contract, if you complete the process, are listed here. Please Note: Due to the reduced number of dogs, there can be a lengthy wait but not always. We match the dog to the family depending on his or her needs. Please read our qualifications to foster or adopt carefully -- if qualified, we welcome you to apply now! Deserving dogs need the love, care and commitment you have to give! The policies and process to become approved to foster and to adopt are the same, except fosters cannot currently adopt their dogs. We are always in need of families who want to open their hearts to adopting dogs with special needs. Special needs include but are not limited to: giving medication, socialization, heartworm treatment, confidence building, training and surgery rehabilitation. Our Foster and Adoption Approval Process In the past decade, Golden Retriever breed—specific rescues and educational outreach have helped to dramatically reduce the number of homeless Goldens. Facebook and other social media platforms have made it easier for owners to rehome their Goldens -- although not always to the best homes. For you, these changes likely mean a wait to find the perfect Golden. Gold Ribbon Rescue receives dogs weekly. Some are Golden Retrievers, and some are Golden mixes. The more specific your requirements, the more patience will be required to find the right dog for you. If you are seeking a purebred Golden, you should expect a lengthy wait. While we get puppies, we seldom get purebred puppy litters. Young, perfectly trained Goldens are even more rare. Many of the dogs we see brought into the rescue have special needs and even these have many applicants. We value all of our previous adopters, donors and interested families. However, we can only prioritize based on who is the best fit for the dog. If you want to bring a rescue Golden into your home, the rewards of adopting an adult dog, a senior dog or a special needs dog are beyond measure. Let us help you find your perfect match: read through our process and complete your adoption application. And remember…patience has its rewards! First time adopters must first complete our application process and be approved to adopt. Previous adopters must also complete an application, so we have your updated information. The application provides us with important information that helps us find your new companion! The foster and adoption process consists of these steps: Step 1: Complete the on-line application and pay the non-refundable application fee please be sure you are not out of area before applying. The application link is located at the bottom of this page. Step 2: Telephone Interview. A volunteer will contact you to schedule a telephone interview which will take approximately minutes. This interview provides us with more information on the right dog for your lifestyle. All applicants should participate in this interview. Step 3: Personal Home Visit. A volunteer will contact you to schedule time for a personal home visit. The home visit gives you a chance to ask many questions and learn more about the Golden Retriever breed. All residents of the home must be present during this visit. All resident dogs must be present as well. Step 4: Matchmaking. The search for your Golden begins. A matchmaker will contact you to better understand what you are looking for in a Golden. We match the dog to the family we believe is the best fit. We do not match a family to a dog. Our goal is to find the forever home for the dog based on his or her needs. If you applied to foster the dog, the Foster Home Coordinator will contact you and make arrangements for you to foster a dog. Even after the adoption is final, Gold Ribbon Rescue will continue to be a resource whenever you need us. We hope that you will keep in touch — as you are now a member of one big happy Golden family! Thank you for considering rescue — the compassionate alternative. Meeting adoptable dogs Families qualified to meet adoptable dogs Completed adoption process and are approved and ready for a dog Matched to appropriate dog by Gold Ribbon Rescue Matchmaker Once Matchmaker and family discuss a particular dog, that dog is kept in reserve until the meet can take place If meet is successful, dog is adopted If meet is not successful, dog goes back up for adoption If meet is not successful, Matchmaker will continue the search for a more appropriate dog for your family ALL family members including family dogs are required to attend the meet GRR DOES NOT guarantee the adoption of any specific dog requested or noted on the application. All adoptions are given a day trial period in which the dog may be returned for any reason. Note that the application fee is non-refundable. If at any time after that, the adopter cannot or does not want to keep the dog, the dog must be returned to Gold Ribbon Rescue. How Goldens find GRR Turned in by cooperating shelters Strays found by Good Samaritans GRR does not buy dogs, but we will pay reasonable shelter adoption fees International rescue, when appropriate and available GRR rarely gets puppies under 6 months of age How GRR prepares dogs for adoption Examined by vet Vaccinations brought up to date Health issues identified and treated Heartworm tested, treated if necessary, and placed on heartworm preventative De-wormed Placed on flea and tick preventative Spayed or neutered if dog is old enough Foster care for a minimum of two weeks Temperament evaluated.

Puppies - Shorthairs and Pointers We have an outstanding and well proven breeding program. We don't just sell puppies and we don't just train dogs. We work with you through every aspect of a hunting dogs life. We carefully study, plan and implement breeding programs over many generations and track the effects and affects of each litter and associated offspring. Evaluating overall hunting capabilities, socialization skills, health issues, physical build, aptitude, and the ability to produce consistent results. When we are absolutely confident about the anticipated results of a breeding, only then will we determine to move forward with a litter. Because we train the majority of the puppies we sell, producing outstanding dogs is beneficial to our clients and to us as well. The goal of our breeding and training programs are to provide the absolute best English Pointers, German Shorthairs and Labrador Retrievers available anywhere. When you go hunting or compete with your dog and you think you enjoyed shooting the birds more than you did watching your dog perform, then we didn't breed, raise or train your dog to our expectations. We're only a couple hour drive from almost anywhere in Northern California or Northern Nevada. See our " Contact Us " page for a Google map of our location. Outstanding Puppies Available! This is a repeat breeding due to the first litter all being such excellent family and hunting dogs. They should be ready to go home on or about July 5, English Pointers We anticipate a litter this coming summer and will update this post as soon as we know we have a litter on its way. If you have questions or would like to know more about these outstanding litters, please give us a call at .Lifespan Sociability The German Shorthaired Lab is a very high-energy dog that requires a lot of exercise. Its intelligence and eager-to-please personality make for a dog that is easy to train and to teach tricks. They have good overall health, avoiding many of the health concerns that purebreds might experience. They are not aggressive and are generally happy dogs but are protective of their families, which will make them excellent guard dogs. The German Shorthaired Lab has retriever abilities. They usually inherit the retriever traits from both of their parents and are happy to play ball and Frisbee with their owners. The German Shorthaired Lab requires vigorous exercise. They need lots of walks and runs to keep them healthy and happy. A run on the beach or in a park will give them the mental and physical stimulation they require. The German Shorthaired Lab can become sniffer dogs. One of the traits of the German Shorthaired Pointer is working as an excellent tracking dog. If the German Shorthaired Lab inherits this trait, they can become a detection dog and work with law enforcement to detect narcotics and criminals. They are very good with children provided there is supervision if the children are quite young. Always teach your children how to approach any dog appropriately and how to play gently with them. Because of their need to play and run, they make fun companions for the entire family and will act as loyal protectors. Overall, the German Shorthaired Lab is a very easygoing dog that is friendly with pets and strangers. Overfeeding is possible for this hybrid because of the Labrador Retriever parentage Labs are notorious for eating too much, which is linked to obesity in this breed so do not leave food out for them for the entire day. They require a lot of exercise, and you should plan on taking this dog out for a long walk at least twice a day. This can also be accomplished by jogging or riding your bike with your dog running next to you and taking them to the park and throwing a ball around. This hybrid will do very well with an active family that plans on spending a lot of time and energy with their family pet. Like with all puppies, teaching socialization at a young age is imperative and train with a lot of positive reinforcement but with consistency and firmness. Brushing just once or twice a week will suffice unless your dog is shedding a great deal most typically in the spring and the fall. Then you might want to groom your dog every day. During this period only bathe your dog when necessary as overbathing could dry out the skin usually not much more than once a month. This hybrid does have floppy ears, and ear cleaning will be a necessary part of grooming. The usual teeth cleaning and nail trimming are additional parts of grooming necessary for all dogs. Over the years, we have always kept breeding stock that was structurally correct and naturally muscular with a great personality. Our females are medium size when compared to Labs. They hold their body condition on a limited amount of food and have maintained the great personality. The stud males are very strong, correct dogs that will walk up to any stranger and lick them in the face after a couple pats on the head. All adult breeding dogs must hunt, retrieve and track a downed bird with no formal training. But along the way something unpredictable happened: we fell in love with too many of the puppies. We had to stop raising puppies because our kennel was full and we did not have time to market the pups. Our hunting guests kept asking: where did we get those beautiful Labs, what is story with the spotted female, and where can I find one? So, after many requests, we started a breeding program in .View More About Us Our Adults and Working Dogs While we'd like to tell you the spotted female was a carefully planned creation, truth be known, she just showed up one day in a litter along with 10 black puppies. She is a beautiful female that hunts, points and retrieves with great energy. She has had three litters of pups; these dogs are scattered across the US, are loved by all that have them and are a constant source of high praise by their owners see the accompanying letters of praise. Though we have 12 adult dogs in the kennel, we limit breeding stock to five adult females and three proven stud dogs. Our goals are to offer more spotted puppies; though rare, we should be able to offer more in the future. We now have three young spotted prospects that we selected from two spring litters. If they pass the hunting tests, this fall they will be added to our breeding line. View Our Current Litters Questions? We are very blessed with the dogs we have in our care. By upholding high standards in our breeding program, it is our wish that others may enjoy the great qualities and uniqueness of these Hybrid Dogs for years to come. Should you want to reserve one of our pups or started dogs, please fill out our contact form and which puppy you are inquiring about. The father of the puppies is thought to be the neighbor's black lab. The puppies all received their first set of shots and were microchipped at 7 weeks, on June 27th. They have received their first treatment of Frontline and Heartguard as well, so they are officially ready to go to their new homes! Adoptive owners will be required to finish the remainder of the puppy shots if the puppy is adopted prior to them being due for their second round of shots. The owners will also be responsible for the puppy getting it's rabies shot when old enough. Right now these puppies are just incredible bundles of cuteness, but along with that comes a lot of responsibility and work. They have just been started on housetraining, but puppies cannot be left alone all day in a kennel, so this will be a work in progress for their new families over the next several months. The family must have a plan in place for potty training if they are gone for extended hours daily. Please be ready for the time and responsibilities of owning and caring for a puppy if you are considering applying for one of Miley's puppies. If you are interested in adopting, please submit an adoption application and once approved, you may come and meet the puppies and choose which one you feel would be the best fit for your family. Interested in adopting this pet? Please click the adoption info link for more information. And then click on the "Online Application" link at the bottom of that page.

Begin by sketching the bulldog's head. Use overlapping curved lines to craft a lumpy, incomplete circle. Easy Bulldog Drawing - Step 2 2. Use curved lines to draw the rounded, triangular shapes of the inner and outer ear. Then, use curved and "U" shaped lines to complete the irregular circle. Note the large "U" shaped jowl. Easy Bulldog Drawing - Step 3 3. Use curved lines to craft the somewhat triangular shape of the remaining floppy ear. Then, draw the collar. Begin by drawing small triangles with rounded bases pointing outward from the dog's neck. Then, connect these using curved lines, forming the collar. Easy Bulldog Drawing - Step 4 4. Use long, curved, overlapping lines to sketch the dog's back and chest. Easy Bulldog Drawing - Step 5 5. Draw the foreleg. Extend a pair of curved lines from within the body, allow them to converge. Use overlapping "U" shaped lines to enclose the paw, indicating the toes. Easy Bulldog Drawing - Step 6 6. Draw the remaining foreleg using a long, curved line. Then, enclose the paw, using a series of overlapping "U" shaped lines to indicate the toes. Draw the rear paw as seen behind the forepaws using overlapping "U" shaped lines. Easy Bulldog Drawing - Step 7 7. Draw the remaining rear paw. Again, use overlapping "U" shaped lines to form the toes and the bottom of the paw. Detail your bulldog. Both the Bulldog and the Pitbull are very muscular. Draw a curved line across the chest to give him a muscular appearance. Use curved lines to enclose spots on his back and limbs. Draw curved lines across the face to indicate the snout and cheeks. Use "U" shaped lines to craft the nose, and enclose large ovals to form the eyes. Use curved lines to enclose a pointed brow above each eye. Use long, curved lines to sketch the bulldog's lower lip and open mouth. Then, draw curved triangles to indicate the protruding teeth. Color Your Bulldog Drawing Color your bulldog. Bulldogs can be spotted or solid in color, typically in shades of tan, white, grey, or reddish brown. They may also be brindle, a delicate brown and black striping. Check out our animal drawing guides , where you'll find plenty of other dog cartoons to complete your pack. For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin. Step 1: Draw a circle as a guide for the bulldog's head. The circle doesn't have to be perfect. It's just a guide. Leave enough room on the left side for the rest of the body. Step 2: Draw two intersecting lines inside the bulldog's head to help you place the facial features later on. Curve the lines so that they contour to the shape of the circle. Step 3: Draw two short curved lines on top of the head as guides for the bulldog's ears. Step 4: Draw two circles to the left of the head as a guide for the bulldog's body. The first circle should be placed with the top right portion slightly behind the head, so make sure the lines don't overlap. Bulldogs are short and stocky, so don't make this circle too big. It should be just a bit bigger than the circle for the head. The second circle should be about the size of the head and should be placed close to the first circle. Don't place the two body circles too far apart, otherwise your bulldog will end up with a dachshunds body! Step 5: Draw two curved lines that connect the circles to complete the guide for the bulldog's body.

Final Thoughts What Is a Labradoodle? They are a friendly and outgoing breed that makes wonderful pets for individuals and families. The original goal behind breeding Labradoodles was to produce an even-tempered and hypoallergenic dog. While Labradoodles are increasing in popularity, they are still not recognized by the American Kennel Club or other major kennel clubs. The American Kennel Club only registers purebred dogs. Registration requires that both parents of a puppy must be registered as the same breed. Labradoodles may have two purebred parents, but they are different breeds. Since the first crossbreeding, there are now three sizes of Labradoodles. A Labradoodle comfortably sitting on the road. Sizes of Labradoodles Many dog breeds have size variations available. Labradoodles can be Miniature, Medium, or Standard. These three stylish Labradoodles help to demonstrate the curly coat type. They still have furnishings and could be trimmed to Teddy bear like Wavy coat but notice the loose Poodle curls on the chest of the middle dog. Extremely low shedding. A Moyen is a medium-size Poodle that does not qualify for purebred competitions because of its mid-range size. Smaller Moyen will produce a Miniature Labradoodle. Miniature Poodles are not much smaller than Moyen, topping out at 25 lbs. The Mini doodle is comparable to the Moyen Poodle in size and weight. Moyen is another word for Medium. Both large dogs produce large offspring. Within the standard category, you will see some variation between males and females. Males will generally grow taller and weigh more than females. But, you can estimate when your Labradoodle will stop growing. You can tell that your dog is almost done growing because he is near the top of the weight spectrum for Miniature Labradoodles. If you bring a Medium Labradoodle into your family, you should not expect to have a 70 lb guard dog. Miniature and Medium LDs with Lab dominant genetics will tend to be larger. Labradoodles are highly-active dogs that need lots of exercise. Regular playing, running, and walking are necessary for a healthy Labradoodle. Feed your Labradoodle high-quality dog food to help maintain a healthy weight. If you know your Standard Labradoodle should be about 90 lbs maximum, a Medium should not be more than 45 lbs, and a Miniature tops out at 30 lbs, you can tell if you are overfeeding your dog. Overfeeding and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity and related health problems. Breed Facts The size and weight of your adult dog are important information to have before choosing a breed. There are a few other facts about Labradoodles that you should know whether you bring home a Standard, Medium, or Miniature. Activity Level Labradoodles are a highly active breed. A bored Labradoodle will seek stimulation by being destructive or hyperactive. Ideally, you will provide at least 60 minutes of exercise for your Labradoodle every day. Walk, run, fetch, or go to a dog park. They can live up to 16 years. Proper diet and exercise contribute to a long, healthy lifespan for your dog. An Apricot Labradoodle puppy happily laying in the dog park Allergy Affects Most Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, but not all. The original Labradoodle crossbreeders wanted to create a hypoallergenic dog that is also outgoing and friendly. The hypoallergenic Poodle combined with the happy-go-lucky Labrador Retriever achieves that goal. As breeders have produced more variations within the Labradoodle category, some traits have shifted. Not all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic. If this feature is a top priority for you, look for an LD with wavy or curly hair. Doodles with straight hair are not hypoallergenic. Happy Oodle friends Max the happy Mini Labradoodle in the middle Considerations When Choosing a Labradoodle Adding a canine to your family is one of the most enriching experiences we can have as humans. They add joy and love to our lives as few other pets can. Labradoodles are especially friendly and affectionate. Bringing an LD home means that you have time and energy to make sure it gets enough exercise to be healthy and happy. Ask yourself if you can commit about an hour each day to exercise and play with your dog. Think about the size of your home. A large, active dog in a small space is not fun for anyone. Consider whether your space is fitting for a Miniature Labradoodle that will weigh lbs, a Medium Doodle that will weigh up to 45 lbs, or a Standard Labradoodle that could tip the scale up to 90 lbs. A happy woman holding her lovely golden Labradoodle in her arms. Final Thoughts Labradoodles make excellent pets for individuals and families. They are congenial and active dogs who love to run, play, and make new friends. They get their sweet personalities from their Labrador Retriever parent. The dominant genes at breeding determine the adult weight of your Labradoodle. Miniature and Medium Labradoodles who get their size from their Labrador parent will be on the larger end of the weight estimates. You can estimate when your Labradoodle will stop growing by doubling its puppy weight at about six months old. Regardless of which size Labradoodle you bring into your family, it will be done growing by its second birthday. At that point, you want to feed and exercise your dog to maintain a healthy weight. 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. How does the Labradoodle growth chart work? The following numbers are estimates based on the litter of a Labrador Retriever crossed with a standard Poodle. If your pup's Poodle parent is a toy size, then they are likely to be significantly smaller than these estimates. Their health is what matters most, so if you have questions or concerns about your puppy's development, reach out to your veterinarian. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? Labradoodles typically need 12 to 18 months to reach their full size, especially if their parents were on the heavier side of the average weight spectrum. Large breeds grow slower and take longer to reach their full size compared to small and medium-sized dog breeds, which usually reach maturity within nine to 11 months. How big should a 6-month-old Labradoodle be? A 6-month-old Labradoodle may weigh anywhere between 40 and 55 pounds. As a general rule, male Labradoodles weigh more than their female counterparts. In terms of height, a 6-month-old Labradoodle puppy will stand around 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders, but this varies based on their genetic makeup. Pro Tip: Download our new puppy checklist for tips on how to set up a vaccination schedule, essential pet care supplies, and more. How much bigger will my Labradoodle get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much more your Labradoodle may grow. Most Labradoodles need anywhere from 12 to 18 months to reach their full size. If your pup is younger than a year old, they are likely still growing. Refer to our Labradoodle weight chart to estimate how many more pounds they might put on as they mature into adulthood. If they look oversized compared to their limbs, then they're probably still filling out. Oversized paws are a classic puppy feature indicating that your pup still has more growth underway. Lastly, if you purchased your puppy from a breeder, you can contact them about your Labradoodle's weight. Alhough the breed varies greatly in size, knowing the weight of your puppy's parents and those of previous litters can help you predict your Labradoodle's adult size. What is the size of a full-grown Labradoodle? As a hybrid dog breed, Labradoodles vary significantly in size based on their geneology. Per Agape Labradoodles , adult Labradoodles typically weigh over 45 pounds, with some Labradoodles weighing as much as pounds. However, most Labradoodles will weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. In [terms of height], Labradoodles stand 21 to 24 inches tall when measured from paw to shoulder, or approximately two feet excluding their neck and crown of the head. How do I make sure my Labradoodle is healthy? Our Labradoodle puppies are important, cherished family members who we want the best for. One of the best ways to help your Labradoodle thrive is by taking them to regular veterinary appointments to have them routinely checked out and evaluated. Prevention is always better than treatment, and regular veterinary exams provide your veterinarian with the opportunity to screen your Labradoodle for disease. Your puppy will need to see the veterinarian several times in their first six months of life for core vaccinations against things like Rabies, and then at least once a year as an adult for annual health check-ups. Like their parents, Labradoodles are also more susceptible to hip dysplasia , a common orthopedic condition that occurs when the hip joint forms improperly. Hip dysplasia can lead to pain in their back legs, impaired mobility, and even lameness if not treated - fortunately, the condition is treatable with surgery. When over 20, pet parents were surveyed, only .As loving pet parents, it can be devastating to think that our four-legged friend could develop a painful disease that requires expensive treatment. This is where pet insurance comes in. Most pet parents opt for accident and illness pet insurance plans as they cover both injuries and most illnesses, such as hip dysplasia or eye diseases. Pet wellness plans can be added to your insurance coverage to help you pay for preventive veterinary care, like your regular vet exams, x-rays , dental cleanings , vaccinations, and more. Like humans, dogs are living longer, which creates an even bigger need for excellent veterinary care so that our dogs can live their happiest and healthiest lives. Pet insurance helps alleviate the financial strain that's often caused by vet visit costs. If your Labradoodle puppy gets sick or hurt, you and your veterinarian can work together to provide your pup with the best treatment plan - without worrying about how much it might cost. Key Takeaways Adult Labradoodles weigh pounds on average. The parent Poodle breed has toy and standard size variations that impact the size of the offspring, along with other genetic factors. Most Labradoodles grow until months of age. The breed is known for several congenital health disorders, and is especially prone to hip dysplasia. Pet insurance can protect your puppy and provide a financial safety net for vet costs throughout their life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. December 2, Fact Checked The Labradoodle is a relatively new breed in the history of domesticated dogs, having only made its debut in the s, and thus far without AKC acknowledgement. Initially developed in Australia by combining the strength, loyalty, and intelligence of a Labrador Retriever with the low-shed coat of a Standard Poodle, this breed was originally intended to produce an allergy-friendly guide dog. Today, these dogs have moved well beyond their initial plan to become beloved household pets throughout the world. For first-time Labradoodle owners, research almost always includes questions on size. So what should a potential Labradoodle parent expect of a labrador full grown? Crossbreeding Surprises The practice of dog breeding as a whole has the same process, regardless of breed: selecting a parental pair with the highest level of positive characteristics and the lowest level of undesirable ones. While labs as a whole are considered medium-sized dogs, the poodle has more available size variance built into its breeding bloodlines. Labradoodles are bred according to three size guidelines per the Australian Labradoodle Association: Miniature Labradoodles have a height between 14 and 17 inches. Medium Labradoodles have a height between 22 and 17 inches. Standard Labradoodles have a height of at least 22 inches. Because the difference in height between two sizes is relatively minor e. On average, Labradoodles weigh around 50 to 65 pounds and do have consistent exercise and interaction needs. They do best with a yard they can run and play in, as well as pet parents that can give them simulation with love, treats, and training on a regular basis. Since labradoodles are crosses between two different breeds they tend to be less prone to breed specific health problems. However, they are not immune to developing health issues. Feeding your favorite CBD dog treats to your labradoodle can help manage their pet pains that come along with getting older. When Do Labradoodles Stop Growing? Generally speaking, most Labradoodles stop growing at around 12 to 18 months. While they may reach their full height, they still tend to fill out and continue to gain weight past this age. Genetics are the sole determining factor of how large a Labradoodle puppy will get. Depending on his parents and the particular mix of genes he inherits, he may be miniature, medium, or standard. He will generally be tall enough to enjoy head pats with only a minor stoop, if any, required of his parent. While Labradoodles are widely touted and sold as hypoallergenic dogs, their cross-bred origins mean that this property can vary from dog to dog. Most allergies are triggered not by fur or hair from a dog, but from canine skin dander that is sloughed off along with the hair follicle itself. Curly-coated Labradoodles will also need brushing to remove dirt, debris, and mats from their coat, or else it may become painfully tangled. While he may be a bit larger than a lapdog on average, the Labradoodle is a fantastic size for home and family life. He will fit into standard collars, leashes, and dog beds without a problem, although he will likely require a large-sized dog door, if one is being used. Accessed October 16, .It takes traits from both breeds, and new puppy owners will quickly see this combination was chosen intentionally. The Labrador retriever is an intelligent, loyal breed with an excellent temperament for nearly any family or living situation. Unfortunately, these dogs also shed a lot, which can be a hassle. It also makes a Labrador a poor choice for public social situations, such as outdoor dining at dog-friendly patios. Instead, the coat traps dirt, allergens, loose hair and other debris inside it. This means less shedding but also means daily brushing is required. The poodle is also an intelligent breed that makes a perfect addition to most homes since it was bred to be a companion animal. Any puppy is a lifelong commitment. Understanding what to expect at every life stage will help you prepare to give your cute little puppy a long, prosperous, happy life. A normal-sized labradoodle will live an average of 12 to 14 years. Smaller labradoodles resulting from a miniature or toy poodle crossbreed will generally live a little longer. However, you must remember that this lifespan is only an average. There are plenty of labradoodles who live into their late teens. A healthy diet, regular exercise and periodic vet visits are crucial to your labradoodle puppy living a long, healthy life. These main life stages include puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle-aged and senior. Each life stage is discussed in more detail below. Puppyhood If you adopt a labradoodle puppy, this will be the first stage you get to witness. A labradoodle puppy will remain in this life stage from birth until five or six months. Birth to 7 Weeks From birth until about seven weeks of age, labradoodle puppies stay close to their mother. They spend all their time eating, sleeping, growing and cuddling with their littermates. As they get closer to seven weeks of age, they may begin exploring their world a little. Around seven weeks of age, a labradoodle puppy will start becoming more interested in people. This is also when it begins forming bonds with you and other humans in the home or family. These adorable puppies will become more playful and curious at about eight weeks old. Instead, you want to create only positive experiences during this time to ensure it grows into a secure young adult dog. This is the perfect time to start positive training techniques. Teaching your labradoodle puppy about action and reward now will benefit its lifelong training. During this stage of puppy development, socialization is crucial. Now is the perfect time to take it to new places, introduce it to new people and provide it with new experiences. The most important part of this stage of puppy development is that your pup becomes a free and independent thinker. With its curiosity at an all-time high, this is the perfect time to bring your new companion everywhere. Socialization and bonding are other vital aspects of this stage of puppy development. Pet owners will find their puppy wants to be with them all the time and may become mildly anxious when separated from them. Most of its time will be spent eating, sleeping or getting into trouble. Your growing canine should have lost its baby teeth, have all its adult teeth and be out of the biting stage it may have had during puppyhood. Thanks to the Labrador genes, your labradoodle will always love to chew. You can stop destructive chewing behaviors by providing a chew toy or two or 20 to keep it occupied. It may become territorial, but regular socialization can help ease these issues. Your labradoodle will also begin showing quite a bit of strength, so continuing its training during this time is crucial. Acting out, wandering and even behaving aggressively are all normal during this time. Adulthood For a labradoodle, adulthood starts somewhere between two or three years of age and lasts until around its seventh birthday. During adulthood, labradoodles are at their prime. Their adult coat will grow in, which may be thicker or denser than their puppy coat. This breed is very intelligent and easy to train, so if you want to keep teaching it new tricks, you can. Weight Management Your labradoodle will reach its adult size between two and three years old. They can tell you if your dog is a normal size or needs diet and exercise. Middle-Aged Your doodle puppy will turn middle-aged around seven years old. This life stage is relatively brief and only lasts until the dog turns nine or .During middle age, most dogs are still active and overall healthy. It may exercise less and sleep a little more as it transitions between adulthood and its golden years. A middle-aged dog may begin to develop some health problems, especially as it gets closer to its senior years. The primary issues of concern are obesity, joints and teeth. The teeth and joints will become especially vulnerable during this stage, so you must take your dog for regular teeth cleaning and wellness visits. In addition, your vet may recommend supplements to protect the joints. Extra weight will also place unnecessary additional stress on the joints and heart of your dog. Senior Your dog will officially be considered a senior from around nine to 10 years of age until the end of its life. During their golden years, your labradoodle will require extra care and attention. Health problems are most likely to occur during these years, and your vet may suggest two annual well visits instead of only one. After 10 years of age, your dog will likely encounter issues staying warm. You might consider a heating blanket in their bed, keeping the house slightly warmer during winter or providing extra blankets to snuggle under. Your dog may also have problems with its eyesight. The most common issue for senior labradoodles is their joints, which tend to ache as they get older. In addition, they may have mobility problems caused by sore and stiff joints. For example, consider a ramp to help it get into the car or up your porch steps. Developing one or more health problems could mean a shorter lifespan for your labradoodle. A few of the most common health problems affecting labradoodle puppies or adults include: Allergies usually to food Ear infections which can lead to hearing loss after repeat infections Epilepsy. As much as we want them to stay little forever, Labradoodle puppy growth happens. And it is very fast. In fact, puppies grow much faster than human babies do. An 8 week old Labradoodle will already weigh between 7 and 12 pounds! And by her first birthday she may weigh upwards of 80 pounds. How Big Do Labradoodles Grow? When fully grown, these dogs stand between 21 and 26 inches tall at the shoulder, and weigh from 55 to 90 pounds. Miniature Labradoodles are considerably smaller, standing somewhere between 10 to 18 inches tall and weighing from 15 to 25 pounds. These dogs are the result of mating a Lab with a miniature Poodle or Toy Poodle. Sometimes when Labradoodles reach a size which is in between these two ranges, they are described as medium Labradoodles. Males tend to be larger than females in any Labradoodle type. Predicting Labradoodle Puppy Growth Many people want to know how big their puppy will be when fully grown. Every dog is an individual. Mixed breed dogs like Labradoodles can even differ in size significantly within a single litter. The amount of variation in size between siblings depends a lot upon the difference in size between their parents. Labradoodle Parent Breeds Whenever two different breeds mate, their puppies may grow up looking a lot like one parent, or some combination of both. This is why there is such variance within designer dog breeds. In the case of the Labradoodle, some puppies can be more like the Labrador Retriever while others are more like the Poodle. The Labrador generally weighs between 50 and 80 pounds and stands from 22 to 25 inches tall. They typically carry their size on a well-built, muscular frame. Standard Poodles reach 17 to 24 inches tall and 40 to 70 pounds. Miniature Poodles stand 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh 10 to 15 pounds. In profile, the ideal Poodle has longer legs relative to their body than the ideal Labrador, so they give the impression of being leaner and more lithe. They will end up broadly the same size as both of their parents. For example, Labradoodles might look relatively stocky, like a Lab, or more tall and slim, like a Poodle. These methods are simply for reference and in no way should replace regular vet weigh-ins and check-ups. The Two Month Rule At two months, whatever he weighs will be roughly one quarter of his adult weight. The Four Month Rule At four months take how much he weighs, double it and add 10 pounds. When do Labradoodles Stop Growing? Most breeds tend to do the majority of their growing during their first 6 months of life. Growth slows down dramatically at around the time dogs reach sexual maturity, and female dogs start their seasons. Large and small dog breeds have considerably different growth patterns. In fact, bigger dogs can take twice as long to reach full size as small dogs. By contrast, miniature Labradoodles are generally fully grown at 11 to 13 months old. Spaying and neutering is an effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and prevent some health problems. In other words, without testosterone male dogs grow taller than normal. Prolonging the growth period like this is not a good thing and can lead to joint problems such as cruciate ligament ruptures. Many vets believe this is of particular concern for Labradoodles, because they are already at increased risk of joint diseases such as hip dysplasia. Small-breed dogs can be spayed or neutered at about 6 months of age. When spaying a large breed female, there are a number of factors, such as lifestyle and risk of disease, to consider. There is a healthy amount of evidence now that spaying and neutering might not be the best idea for many dogs. And that they are more prone to some illnesses when they have these hormones taken from them. Proper nutrition is needed for normal health and Labradoodle puppy growth. Fuel for growth For example, puppies of all breeds need more calories every day relative to their size than adult dogs. However, overly rapid growth caused by too much fat relative to protein in their diet can cause number of growth disorders , several of which are incurable. This is particularly a problem for large and giant dog breeds. Eating too much as a puppy also predisposes dogs to obesity in later life. Labrador Retrievers in particular are known for being insatiable when it comes to food. Left unchecked as a puppy or adult, this can result in an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease further down the line. Vitamins and minerals Puppies also need precise amounts of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous in their diet, to support healthy bone development. These include demineralization of the bones and skeletal deformities as they grow. This is why malnutrition from eating the wrong type of food is just as dangerous as eating the wrong amount of food. He might have a parasitic infection which is preventing him from benefiting from all the nutrition in his diet. Or, he might simply be small but healthy! Never try to make him grow faster by feeding him more. Overfeeding can cause digestive problems and create a fat puppy. You want to make sure that his mental and social skills are developing properly as well. If not well socialized in this time, they can become fearful of anything unfamiliar. Even at the tender age of 8 weeks, basic training and socializing can start. Use positive training methods with food as incentive. But we do know that the best indicator of how big a puppy will get is to look at the parents. Watching a puppy grow up is an amazing experience. Enjoy it while it lasts. Related Articles. Our puppy growth chart and calculator has your answer! Size is largely determined by genetics. Size is inherited in non-linear ways in dogs and other animals. Some puppies stay much smaller than both parents, some become much bigger, and some are in the middle. While size is already hard to predict in purebred dogs, it becomes even more erratic when two breeds are crossed such as in any Doodle mix litter. Labradors are large dogs. They can have a heavy build with deep chests and a wide rib cage. Poodles on the other hand are rather dainty, even though they are tall. Especially in the first generation of a Labradoodle litter that means a generation whose parents are a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador , there will be a greater variation of size. The smallest and the tallest puppy of the litter might be as much as 20 pounds apart in weight! That being said, most Labradoodles weigh somewhere between 45 and 65 pounds and are inches tall. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club and have no breed standard that requires a certain size. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? As a large dog breed, Labradoodles grow past their first birthday. The smaller a dog, the sooner he is finished growing. Some very small breeds can stop growing around months. Since the Labradoodle is tall, expect him to continue growing until about months of age. At 12 months, most tall dogs are lanky teenagers! By the time your Labradoodle is 2 years old, he will definitely be done growing. How big is a 6 month old Labradoodle? At 6 months old, your Labradoodle will weigh about pounds. He is definitely not fully grown yet — expect him to become quite a bit taller and heavier in the coming months. As your Labradoodle puppy is growing up, his coat will become longer and thicker as well! Make sure you bathe and brush him regularly. Trimming his coat regularly with a good set of clippers will be very important as well! Ensuring healthy growth Here is what you can do to set your Labradoodle up for a healthy growth and solid adult weight: Nutrition and feeding Without the right nutrition, your pup cannot grow well. You need to feed your Labradoodle a high-quality food with a lot of protein. Protein is what our bodies are built of — your growing pup needs a lot in order to grow tall and strong. You can choose from a variety of different foods, such as: Dry food. A Mini Labradoodle is fully grown between 11 and 13 months of age. Just before they are 11 months old, Mini Labradoodles will reach their full height and for the remaining months of growth they will fill out and continue gaining weight. Between 3. An adult sized dog raincoat to keep them dry during wet weather An adult sized dog life jacket to help with swimming in lakes and oceans An adult sized dog jacket for cold winter weather A dog cooling vest if you live in a hot climate High quality no-pull dog harness to reduce stress on their neck while walking And other similar products Mini Labradoodle via iamlolalabradoodle How Big Is A Mini Labradoodle Full Grown? A full grown Mini Labradoodle is 14 to 16 inches .They are one of the smallest Labradoodle sizes however some breeders create an even smaller Labradoodle called the Toy Labradoodle. Mini Labradoodle Height 14 to 16 inches .Medium Labradoodles are 16 to 20 inches .Standard Labradoodles are 20 to 26 inches .They are one of the lightest Labradoodle sizes. If you find out the weight of the parents of your Mini Labradoodle you will get a good idea of how much your puppy will weigh as an adult. As a mixed breed, there can be a lot of variation in Mini Labradoodle weight so your dog may be slightly heavier or lighter than these ranges. There are no official weight ranges for Mini Labradoodle as they are a cross-breed.

Check with the breeder for up-to-date information on puppy availability. Let Us Help You Find Your Poodle Puppy Buying the wrong puppy will cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in veterinary bills and incalculable emotional stress. But it could be time-consuming to find breeders of healthy, well-behaved Poodle puppies from good lines. However, we can save you time and from the trouble of finding a reputable Poodle breeder. Leverage our experience and expertise for your peace of mind. She will discuss with you what to expect when expecting a Poodle and prep you for Poodle parenthood. To get started, email your name and zip code to FindMeAPuppy bestpoodle. However, when looking for a puppy from a breeder, we recommend that you do your due diligence. Do not just jump into buying a puppy from a breeder. Take your time to research the breeder. Note that in addition to the price you pay for a poodle puppy, owning a poodle comes with the cost of taking care of a poodle. And owning a poodle can be expensive because poodles require frequent grooming because of the nature of their coats. Learn about how much it costs to own and keep a poodle here. We wish you the best of luck as you are about to embark on the beautiful journey of owning a Poodle! Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Maine? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Maine. Poodles come at different prices. Different things to consider are their height, size and weight, color as well as experience of the professional breeder. You will be able to afford one! Can breeders arrange travel for Maine Poodles out of state? Yes they do! The breeders, companies and businesses in our network know that perfect families do not always live close by, and sometimes far-distance travel arrangements have to be made. You may even be able to pick up your pup from an airplane close by or even around the corner - it all depends! How do you screen miniature Poodle breeders in Maine? We really care about puppies and their well being, so it is of the utmost importance that anyone who wants to be connected to us is screened under strict rules - and then they have to take our Breeder Pledge. The health of your puppy-to-be, its wellbeing, the way it is taken care of, the place it is brought up in - all of this matters to us. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other miniature Poodle breeders Maine? The internet is available to absolutely everybody - and that includes scrupulous breeders who are out there just wanting to cash in by selling puppies. We care deeply for dogs and puppies and we love connecting good and honest breeders with families who just want to open their homes to a new and wonderful puppy. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Maine? A puppy mill is an awful place that is unfortunately legal. Dogs are treated terribly and all their owners want from them are their puppies which they make money out of. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Maine for sale now? We just need to know a little bit about yourself and exactly what you are looking for. Then begin your search and find the Poodle of your dreams. There are breeders, companies and businesses out there that are really excited to place their beautiful puppies in your home. What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Maine? Poodles are actually part of a group of formal dog breeds. The Poodle is available in Toy size, Miniature size and large, regal, Standard size. They are highly intelligent and their origins belong to both Germany and France. How do I know I can trust you with miniature Poodle puppies in Maine? It is hard to monitor all the puppy scams that happen daily on the internet so we make sure that we have a secure Breeder Pledge and a strict screening process, in order to create the best of relationships between our customers and our breeders, companies and businesses. Our reviews reveal all! You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting a Toy Poodle, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Poodles". It's written by experienced Poodle owner and dog trainer Tarah Schwartz. The book contains a lot of really useful insights that can help a new owner avoid common mistakes that most Poodle owners make. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here. If you can't find the perfect Toy Poodle puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many Toy Poodles young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos!

As their name suggests, they are Boxer dogs that simply have white coats. However, their coat color makes them slightly different. The Boxer breed we know today is from Germany and was originally bred for hunting and dog fights. However, these activities became unpopular as years passed, so Boxers found new roles as working dogs. Many White Boxers are now bred to help humans do day-to-day activities. Some of these Boxers are cattle dogs or police dogs, while others are guide dogs for the blind. Are White Boxers aggressive? All dogs have the tendency to be aggressive when they are not trained properly. Boxers got the bad reputation of being a vicious breed because they were originally bred for hunting and dog fights. But, as times changed, these dogs evolved as well. A White Boxer shares the same features as regular Boxers, only their coat is white. Considered a medium to large dog, as mentioned above a White Boxer can weigh 50 to 80 lbs 22 to 36kg and reach up to 21 to 25 inches 53 to 66 cm in height. Distinctly shaped heads and strong bodies A distinct physical feature of a Boxer is its head. Their jaws have an underbite and their muzzle is blunt. Their ears are erect and sometimes naturally fold over. Some White Boxers will also have cropped ears. Most White Boxers have a muscular body with a broad, deep chest. Their tails are carried high and often docked. How rare are White Boxer puppies? The quick answer is: not that rare. Contrary to popular belief, having a White Boxer does not involve elaborate breeding techniques. Twenty to twenty-five percent of Boxers will be born white, so these dogs are not really a rare occurrence. Are White Boxers healthy? As mentioned in the first paragraph the average lifespan of a White Boxer is 10 to 12 years. This is due to the lack of pigment in the skin cells of their inner ear canal and consequently the loss of sensory hair cells. Skin problems — Skin issues are common in White Boxers because of their short coats. Many of these dogs suffer from skin rashes and irritation. Owners can use human sunscreen to protect their pets from the harmful sun, but dogs may end up licking the sunscreen off. Blindness — The link between blindness and the White Boxer needs to be studied further, but there are more blind White Boxers than any other Boxers of different coat colors. White Boxers are also said to be more prone to canine cancers than other breeds. How do you care for your White Boxer? Caring for a White Boxer is easy, especially since this is a low-shedding breed. However, you will have to devote some regular playtime for this active dog. Their short coats shed only a small amount of fur and require only a weekly brushing. However, they shed more than usual during springtime. The proper diet for White Boxers Due to several health issues Boxers can suffer from, it is very important for them to have nutrient-dense food to keep them healthy and at their best. This dog needs at least 30 to 45 minutes of active play and exercise in a day. Limiting sun exposure As we said before, this breed is prone to sunburn. Sun protection is a must when they are playing outside. You can buy them canine sunscreen for to protect their skin or have them wear a shirt when outside. How do you train a White Boxer? White Boxers are highly intelligent and can be easily trained to do what needs to be done. However, there are some Boxer behaviors that need to be addressed during training. Training sessions should be fun and short to keep White Boxers interested. They need to see you as the pack leader for them to follow your command. Socialization is important for White Boxers as they can get protective of their toys and their humans. Positive reinforcement yields better results with this breed. Praises and treats go a long way in making good behavior stick. Due to the number of White Boxers that are deaf, owners have found other ways to train their beloved canine. What makes the White Boxer controversial? White Boxers were originally part of the police force, but their coats made them easy to spot at night. This nighttime visibility rendered the pups useless in police operations. This ban aimed to take out the genes that make these Boxers white and led to breeders killing their White Boxer puppies and dogs. But that was just the start as the debate about this breed still goes on today. The American Kennel Club controversy According to the AKC breed standard, a Boxer should have two-thirds of its coat is colored either fawn or brindle. Because White Boxers do not meet this criterion, some breeders think that White Boxers are inferior and have more health issues compared to fawn or brindle Boxers. This thinking has caused some breeders to euthanize White Boxer puppies. White Boxer welfare groups There are several White Boxer welfare groups that advocate for these dogs and condemn White Boxer euthanasia. Some of these groups have put up shelters and rescue centers for White Boxers. They are also active in promoting the White Boxer as a good dog, regardless of the health issues it may have. Where can I find reputable White Boxer breeders? White Boxers have a number of health issues that they can suffer from, so you want to pick the healthiest White Boxer puppy among the pack. It may be challenging to intentionally seek out breeders who focus on breeding White Boxers, so you can check out the following Boxer breeders:. They can easily sunburn — an owner should use dog friendly sunscreen on their dog if they plan to be outside for more than 30 minutes — And remember that the UV sun rays CAN penetrate through clouds, so it is better to be safe than sorry. They can be deaf and this is one of the biggest reasons why most breeders do not purposefully breed for the white color. Blindness is a bit more common. Some people believe that white Boxers develop cancer more easily than the more standard colored dogs; however this is still up for debate and has not been proven. The AKC will deny registration for any puppies born to a registered white Boxer. They have the same temperament and personality as other Boxers. .The whiteboxer may have pigmented patches around the eyes and ears and other limited points on the body, but the Check has much more pigment and could be called piebald .A flashy Boxer is one who carries one dose of the gene. Deafness Facts Regarding deafness, the genetic basis of white in Boxers is the same as in Dalmatians, although without the ticking factor to give the spots. Many wonder if a Boxer puppy is born deaf or becomes deaf. With all puppies, the ear canal stays closed and will open between days 10 and .A white Boxer - if he is to be deaf - will progressively lose his hearing. The cause of the deafness connected with the white color is the absence of pigment cells in the inner ear resulting in a loss of sensory hair cells at about 6 - 8 weeks of age. For this reason, potential puppy buyers may want to wait until the 10 week old mark, at which time it should be clear as to whether or not the Boxer has his hearing. The shortage or absence of pigment cells is also the cause of the white coat and un-pigmented third eyelids called the haw. In general the more pigment in the coat the lower will be the risk of deafness, but all predominantly white dogs are at risk of being deaf, not just the Boxer breed. Please note however that not all white dogs are white because of a lack of pigment cells. Some breeds such as the West Highlands and Poodles just have extremely diluted pigmentation; they have a full complement of pigment cells, so are not at risk of being deaf. There are of course many other causes of deafness in dogs. Not all are attributable to the absence of pigment cells. And deafness can be caused by external factors too. Article re-published from www. Lifespan Sociability A well-bred Boxer puppy can reach high prices depending on your locality and the breeder. When you bring a White Boxer home, be ready to have a loyal and friendly dog by your side. These are energetic dogs so they do well with active families who have lots of space for their dogs to run around in and burn off their energy. Boxers Are Among the Top 10 Most Popular Breeds Boxer dogs were brought to America in the early 20th century, but the breed only gained popularity after the s. At present, the Boxer dog is among the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United States. White Boxers Are Not Albino Albinism is a lack of skin pigmentation characterized by white hair, white skin, and pink eyes. White boxes have blue eyes and can develop black spots. In fact, more than one-quarter of the Boxer puppies born are considered white. Nothing could be further from the truth. These dogs are loyal and friendly towards family, but they can also be aggressive when being protective. While they can be wary of strangers, they tend to be playful and jovial when in the company of people they know. And their curiosity and high intelligence allow them to learn new things quickly. Are These Dogs Good for Families? For one, they are loyal to the core and are very protective of those they love. Moreover, they are very affectionate and will jump at you in greeting every chance they get. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, this dog will be too much for you. Additionally, families with small children should be cautious. The dog can easily knock the little fellas down while bouncing and leaping around. However, their high prey drive will put your cat and other vulnerable pets at risk, so be sure not to leave them unattended in the same room. The following is what you need to know before owning a white Boxer. This means that you must provide them with adequate nutrition to support their active lifestyle. White Boxers, in particular, need a high-quality diet rich in proteins, fiber, carbs, and fat. However, take care not to overfeed your pet because this can lead to obesity. Stick to the scheduled mealtime and keep treats at a minimum. An active adult Boxer should receive cups of dog food per day, depending on their weight, as well as other variables. You should seek the advice of a veterinarian always when not sure what to feed your pup. Otherwise, they will direct their high energy elsewhere and can be quite destructive, especially when they get bored. The dog will need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day to maintain good behavior. You can split that into two sessions of 30 minutes each. Walking, hiking and playing games such as fetch are just some of the things you can do with your furry friend. You could even choose to enroll them in dog competitions. Games and puzzles are great here. Additionally, teach them new tricks from time to time. Since they are highly intelligent, they tend to learn things fast. Furthermore, this dog has no time for repetitive and boring routines. You will have to keep things fresh and fun if you hope to teach them anything. Moreover, the canines are generally clean. Just like cats, they are capable of grooming themselves. Therefore, you only need to brush their coat once a week to keep it looking neat. Regular baths may not be necessary, but you should not neglect to clip their nails once or twice a month. Trimming the nails will prevent them from scratching you whenever they jump to greet you. But their well-being can be threatened by various health conditions. Apart from the common health issues that affect Boxers in general, a white Boxer is susceptible to the following health problems. Minor Conditions. White Boxer Dogs Overview Regrettably, some people still believe that white Boxer dogs or puppies are the least favorable of the breed. Some will argue that those dogs born white are more prone to illness or more aggressive than the other more traditionally colored dogs of the breed. Some think that they have a different set of personality traits and will show different behavior than more traditionally colored dogs. For those of us who are lucky enough to love a white Boxer puppy.This simply could not be further from the truth. There is a lot of false information that can easily be found.So, let's clear this up by looking at the facts. While each dog is an individual and has his or her own personalty quirks, in general, white Boxer dogs will behave exactly like most other more traditionally colored pups and dogs. There is no set change in disposition, aggressiveness or any other trait. Most, if not all Boxers are comical, fun loving and expressive animals with a strong craving to please their owners. They are excellent companions, family pets and enjoy the company of their humans. A white Boxer dog is not automatically ill or blind or has eye issues.In some cases, color can go back as far as 5 generations. Both of the parents must carry the genetic code white. In every way the puppy is the same as all of its siblings…with all the liveliness, traits, and spirit that make them Boxers. A white Boxer is not an albino. Albinos entirely lack pigment. Any dog breed will infrequently have an albino…although it is very rare. When a dog is an albino there is no colored pigmentation anywhere on the dog…They have pink eyes, and a complete lack of color anywhere on the body. Most white Boxer dogs have some spots on their skin which can be seen due to their short coats and have some markings around their nose and mouth. Some have colored markings in their coat such as brown spots around an eye or on the back, etc. They will have pigment in their eyes, this alone rules out albinism as the cause of their whiteness. Approximately one in four puppies are white either all white or majorly white. Therefore, this is not a rare color. Because of this limitation, white Boxer dogs do not meet the breed standard for show conformation. Many breeders and handlers hope that this changes. White Boxers, as beautiful as they are, may someday be accepted for conformation in AKC show events. There are breeders and people in the general public who feel that white Boxer dogs are inferior to fawn or brindled colored Boxers and have more health problems. .Recently, there has been more studies to either substantiate or dissuade the claims that white Boxers are more prone to problems than standard colors. The only claims that seem to have merit are: They are more likely to sunburn And the white Boxer like many other breeds with similar loss of pigment are more prone to deafness in one or both ears. They are not rare -Approximately 25 percent of all boxers born are white. They are not albinos — They have colored eyes, colored touch, inside of the ears, belly and bottom of the paws. They can sunburn easy — an owner should use human sunscreen on their dog if they are to be outside for more than 30 minutes — And remember that the UV sun rays CAN penetrate through clouds, so it is better to be safe than sorry. They can be deaf and this is one of the biggest reasons why most breeders do not purposefully breed for the white color. Blindness is a bit more common with the white Boxer. Some people believe that white Boxers develop cancer more easily than the more standard colored dogs ; however this is still up for debate and has not been proven. The AKC will deny registration for any puppies born to a registered white Boxer. They have the same temperament and personality as other Boxers. .They are happy, loyal, social, friendly dogs when raised in a loving, appropriate home. The white Boxer may have pigmented patches around the eyes and ears and other limited points on the body, but the Check has much more pigment and could be called piebald .A flashy Boxer is one who carries one dose of the gene. An albino Boxer dog would have no color on the skin as well; the eye rims, nose, bottom of the paw pads , and lips would be pink. In addition, most albino dogs have very light eyes. White Boxers, on the other hand, will have some skin pigmentation. Typically, the nose is black, as are the lips. Eye rims and paw pads can be black. Please note that very young Boxer puppies often have pink noses. So, if you have an all white Boxer newborn puppy and the nose is pink, this is not an indication of abinism. Over the of the next few weeks, nose color should come in. Final nose coloring may be fully black or spotted. Many wonder if a Boxer puppy is born deaf or becomes deaf. With all puppies, the ear canal stays closed and will open between days 10 and .A white Boxer - if he is to be deaf - will progressively lose his hearing. The cause of the deafness connected with the white color is the absence of pigment cells in the inner ear resulting in a loss of sensory hair cells at about 6 - 8 weeks of age. For this reason, potential puppy buyers may want to wait until the 10 week old mark, at which time it should be clear as to whether or not the Boxer has his hearing. The shortage or absence of pigment cells is also the cause of the white coat and un-pigmented third eyelids called the haw. In general the more pigment in the coat the lower will be the risk of deafness, but all predominantly white dogs are at risk of being deaf, not just the Boxer breed. Please note however that not all white dogs are white because of a lack of pigment cells. Some breeds such as the West Highlands and Poodles just have extremely diluted pigmentation; they have a full complement of pigment cells, so are not at risk of being deaf. There are of course many other causes of deafness in dogs. Not all are attributable to the absence of pigment cells. And deafness can be caused by external factors too. Tia and Dyson, both 8 years old Photo courtesy of Birgitta Woolmer. Much like a boxer might spar with an opponent. The Boxer is thought to be a modern descendant of larger mastiff-type fighting dogs that were bred to hunt large game like bison and bears. The white Boxer may be smaller than these ancestors, but this is still a very powerful dog. White Boxer Dog Appearance Contrary to popular belief about the white Boxer, this coat color is not actually rare in Boxers. These include the brown and white Boxer dog, the black and white Boxer dog, the brindle and the fawn. Here again, if the white portions of the coat equal 30 percent or more of the total coat, the Boxer will be considered to have a white Boxer coat color even if there are other colors or patterns present in the coat as well. One of the most enduring myths about white Boxer puppies with blue eyes is that they will be blind later in life. For white Boxers today, blue is considered just another possible eye color. Shedding and Grooming The white Boxer, like all Boxers, has a very short, neat, single layer coat. However, pale dogs can look mucky more quickly than darker haired dogs. Therefore you might need to brush your dog down slightly more often, and bath them more frequently too. Are They Hypoallergenic? The Boxer has a short coat that sheds throughout the year. They spread allergens through the proteins in their dander and saliva, and are not a good match for human allergy sufferers unfortunately. The white Boxer typically weighs 50 to 80 pounds, with adult males outweighing adult females by about 15 pounds. An adult Boxer may stand 21 to 25 inches tall paw to shoulder. Temperament and Personality The white Boxer has the same playful, friendly, and sociable temperament and personality that the Boxer dog breed is known for overall. In fact, the Boxer is often so exuberant that they need continual training and reinforcement not to bowl you over or leap up onto you just to say hello. Even if you just saw each other five minutes ago! Are Boxers Good With Kids? However, the Boxer is high energy and loves to jump up. Boxers tend to do well with other Boxers so long as they are opposite genders. Same-gender Boxers are known to be somewhat intolerant of each other. Guarding Tendencies Both the white male and white female Boxer dog can make a good family watchdog. For this reason, early and ongoing training and socialization is a vital part of helping your white Boxer learn how to welcome guests. And be a healthy and productive member of your family and the local community. A white Boxer will bark as necessary. For a Boxer, often this means barking to alert you when a stranger is present or if something seems amiss. Too much barking may indicate your Boxer is bored or lonely. In addition to strategic barking, you can expect your Boxer to drool more than a bit. Many owners also report that Boxers tend to snore, which may be due to having the shortened muzzle characteristic of brachycephalic dog breeds. Training and socialization The white Boxer, like all Boxers, can be stubborn during training. This is especially true during the short attention span puppyhood phase! Boxers can be independent thinkers, and this arises from their breed history as a hunting dog bred to hunt prey far ahead of their people. They do best in training when you keep each session fresh and interesting and avoid too much repetition. The Boxer is a flat-out amazing canine athlete and will enjoy and excel in canine sports like agility and search-and-rescue. These dogs are also top picks for K-9 and service dog roles. These dogs love to play, jump, run and chase and you should make sure your yard is escape-proof before letting your Boxer out. Are White Boxer Dogs Healthy? Most purebred dog breeds have certain health concerns that are associated with breed. Boxer dogs are no exception. Because white Boxer dogs can have a higher susceptibility to deafness, ethical breeders do not use white Boxer dogs in their breeding stock. However, this does not mean Boxer parent dogs with other coat colors will not produce white Boxer puppies. As long as all other health tests come back clear, white Boxer puppies can make wonderful pet dogs and have the same 10 to year average life expectancy as do all other Boxer dogs. Boxers can be particularly prone to developing heart disease, including aortic stenosis, which is often initially detectable during routine veterinary exams when the vet hears a heart murmur. Often murmurs related to aortic stenosis, which are different than puppy heart murmurs that resolve with age, are not detectable until the Boxer is an adult. Another all-too-common heart issue is cardiomyopathy, which is often detectable via heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. Boxer dogs that exhibit signs of weakness, lethargy, or collapse may be suffering from early stage cardiomyopathy. They are also prone to: Canine cancer. This is largely due to the fact that for many years, a white coat was a death sentence for a boxer puppy, and breeders routinely killed their white puppies. However, white boxers are wonderful dogs, as beautiful and fun as their fawn and brindle counterparts! The vast majority of them suffer no disability as a result of their coloration, and those that do can still enjoy a long and happy life with just a little accommodation. Below you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about white and deaf boxers. White Boxers Q: Are white boxers rare? A: White boxers are not rare. Q: Are white boxers a recent development in the breed? A: White boxers have been around as long as boxers have, and though it is not considered appropriate to breed them today, they were even included in early German boxer breeding programs. A: No. Albinos completely lack pigment in their skin, hair, or eyes. White boxers have mostly unpigmented fur, but they typically have dark noses, dark eyes, and patches of pigmented skin under their fur. White boxers are not the result of any genetic birth defect; they are genetically normal dogs who have white fur. Q: Are white boxers deaf? A: White boxers are more likely to be born deaf than are fawn or brindle boxers, but even still, the majority of white boxers can hear. There are no definitive figures regarding the incidence of deafness in white boxers. Q: Do white boxers have special health considerations? A: Some people claim that white boxers have a higher risk of developing cancer than do fawn or brindle boxers, but this has never been proven to be true. White boxers, do, however, sunburn more easily, and sun exposure can contribute to skin cancer. Using doggie sunscreen, putting a t-shirt on your white boxer, and, of course, limiting sun exposure during the midday can help reduce their risk of sunburn. Q: Do white boxers behave differently than colored boxers? A: White boxers are exactly the same in temperament as their fawn and brindle siblings. Q: Can white boxers be registered with the AKC? A: While the AKC does not recognize the use of white boxers for breeding, they do offer an American Kennel Club Limited Registration and will assign the dog an AKC number for use in performance events, such as obedience and agility. Any puppies produced by a dog with a limited registration will be denied registration by the AKC. Deafness in Boxers Q: What causes deafness in boxers? A: While many dogs acquire some degree of hearing loss with age, congenital deafness in boxers is usually caused by the lack of pigmented skin in the inner ear, resulting in the atrophy of nerve endings within a few weeks of birth. Congenital deafness in white boxers is not associated with any other health issues. Q: Are deaf boxers trainable? A: Yes, deaf boxers are trainable. Dogs born deaf also are very attuned to other stimuli around them, like vibrations in the floor and changes of light, and you can take advantage of these stimuli for training purposes. Deaf dogs are as trainable as any other, but they may require that you learn new techniques and skills. Q: Can I take my deaf dog on off-leash walks? A: As a general rule, deaf boxers should never be allowed off-leash in unenclosed areas. Since they will not hear you if you call them, you must remain in physical control of your deaf dog anytime there is a danger of him running off or getting into trouble. Q: Are deaf boxers aggressive? A: Deaf boxers, like hearing boxers, have individual personalities, and they are not more likely to be aggressive than any other dog. Some people worry that deaf boxers will react aggressively if they are startled by touch. However, deaf dogs are accustomed to their disability, and just because it is easier to surprise a deaf dog does not mean the dog will respond inappropriately when startled. Additionally, deaf dogs can and should be desensitized to touch using positive reinforcement. Deaf dogs adapt well to their disability and do not necessarily require another dog whose lead they can follow. Oftentimes, any new dog hearing or deaf will follow the lead of a pre-existing dog hearing or deaf in a household.