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A German Shepherd in Ohio and rehoming them would cost you three hundred dollars to four hundred dollars. Choosing a Good German Shepherd Rescue If you are trying to adopt a rescued German Shepherd from German Shepherd shelters, you might be confused about what you should consider. If you would ask people like your friends and family, they might have different opinions that confuse you. But there is not so much to consider. The fact that you chose to adopt a rescued German Shepherd than buying one is already one act of kindness. You might already know that there are so many rescued German Shepherds in the world and only a few German Shepherd shelters. If the German Shepherd comes at you with no hesitations and no aggressiveness, you would know that it was a good rescue. If the German Shepherd is warm and inviting on your first encounter, it is already a good rescue because there are no signs of any trauma or aggression. How do I pick a good rescue German Shepherd? You might ask yourself what kind of German Shepherd should you adopt and rehome. You can look for outgoing dogs. You can tell that by observing their body language when you first met. If you are also not down to unlimited patience, you can also avoid a shy German Shepherd. These dogs can be a little bit of work because they are afraid and run away from you. If you are outgoing and a very hands-on person, you might not enjoy your German Shepherd in North Carolina because of its shyness. However, this is only a guide, and if the personality of the dog is not that of a big deal for you, you can pick any dog you want. Dogs can be trained and can also be flexible like some people are. If you love a challenge, you can pick any dog you want. Summary Live and enjoy in Ohio with your adopted German Shepherd dog. Adopting in Ohio would range from three hundred dollars to for hundred dollars. This will pay for the whole expenses in taking care of the German Shepherd in Ohio. If you want to adopt one, choose a German Shepherd that is friendly and trusting. Rescued dogs are neglected, abused, and abandoned. These three horrific acts can scar a dog for life, and if you do not want the work, it might be best that you avoid rescued German Shepherds that have mistrusts and are afraid of people. Other States. A German Shepherd rescue that focuses on adoption or rehoming is always a much safer bet for a German Shepherd than just any animal shelter you come across. Responsible rescue organizations subject potential adopters to screening applications, home visits, and reference checks in order to ensure the safety of their German Shepherds. This way, rescue organizations help dogs find a new home with a loving family, and largely prevent these dogs from ever ending up in a shelter again. That said, all of the rescues that have been chosen for this list were chosen via a strict set of criteria. The following are all excellent non-profit organizations that strive to foster, rehabilitate, and then finally rehome their German Shepherds. How do they function? Weeping Willow Sanctuary is a strict, no-kill shelter and a non-profit organization with the goal of saving as many German Shepherd dogs as they can from inhumane and unethical treatment. This rescue is committed to locating and rehoming abandoned German Shepherds in all parts of the state of Ohio. The shelter rescues GSDs from kill shelters, GSDs that are homeless, GSDs that have been in abusive homes, and owner-surrenders that have been given up for various reasons. They also function as a permanent home for senior dogs and dogs with extreme medical conditions that otherwise cannot find new homes. What do they offer? Their facilities boast a two-acre, fenced plot of land where their German Shepherd dogs are able to roam freely and enjoy socialization with other dogs as much as they want. Weeping Willow Sanctuary hosts several different events every year — from public education events to adoption events to public fundraisers specifically held for the older dogs in their care. The rescue accepts financial donations, but they mostly urge those who want to help out and have the free time to do so to volunteer since they are always in need of an extra helping hand. Of course, the team at Weeping Willow Sanctuary puts all monetary donations to good use — they utilize the funds to address the medical issues of each dog that is in their care. If you decide to adopt one of their wonderful adult German Shepherd dogs, be sure to check out their website and get in touch with them in order to inquire further about adoptable dogs. This is a small, independently-run shelter that functions primarily via Facebook, email, and Petfinder in order to provide a convenient and efficient adoption experience to people in Ohio who are looking for German Shepherd dogs for adoption. This rescue organization keeps the well-being and health of its dogs at the forefront of its operation. They seek to nurture, rehabilitate, and rehome each and every German Shepherd and German Shepherd mix dog that is in their care. This German Shepherd rescue organization functions without a primary facility for housing their dogs — instead, the dogs in their care are kept in responsible foster homes. Cincinnati Area German Shepherd Rescue is most active on Facebook, where they share pictures and information about their available adoptable dogs and other underprivileged dogs in their area. Before actually adopting one of their German Shepherds, potential new families will need to be screened and interviewed, as well as provide personal references in addition to a veterinarian reference. Share A Story! German Shepherd Rescues In Ohio A small commission may be earned on any purchases made via links on this page. Read our full affiliate disclosure. The rescues on this page typically have at least a couple of German Shepherd or German Shepherd mixes available. These dogs usually get adopted fairly quick and sometimes the rescues have a wait list of people wanting to adopt a new German Shepherd. By keeping up with these German Shepherd rescues in Ohio, you have an excellent chance of finding the perfect German Shepherd for you. They are located near Cleveland Ohio. However, they use the donations they do receive to spay or neuter, vaccinate, and treat dogs that are need of medical help. Dogs receive a complete health check-up and are tested for heartworms. If they are positive, they receive heartworm treatment. They also receive worming meds and antibiotics as necessary. The two founders, Deb and Jan, pay for most of the veterinary care out of their own pockets. All of the dogs are either housed with the founders of the rescue or in foster homes. This rescue can only accept dogs as long as they have foster homes for them to go to. Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue takes dogs from shelters and also takes in dogs from the public when possible. However, they also want to rescue any dog that they can and are willing to take in different breeds if they have space. If you would like to adopt a dog from Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue, you must be at least 21 years old and thoroughly fill out the application. The rescue will call your veterinarian and verify vaccination records for existing dogs. They or a partner rescue will come to your home to do a home visit. They want to know why you need to surrender your dog and as much information about your dog as possible. They provide lots of useful tips about providing a write-up and taking pictures. They clarify that they are willing to take your dog even if it has not seen a vet in some time. Rescue and Adoption Details Website: dogshope. However, they often have German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes at their rescue. They take dogs throughout the state of Ohio, including dogs from high-kill shelters, county-run shelters, and other rescues. Occasionally they take in owner-surrenders. Because they take so many dogs that would otherwise be euthanized at shelters, Multiple Breed Rescue often has shepherd mixes. German Shepherds tend not to do well in the shelter environment, which means they often end up on the euthanasia list and require a rescue like Multiple Breed Rescue to save them. Rather, their dogs are primarily kept in foster homes. This rescue is a registered non-profit c 3 that operates entirely on the efforts of volunteers and on donations from the public. From its founding in until , this rescue has saved over 3, animals. They hope to rescue many more animals as time goes on. If you are not sure whether you are ready for a German Shepherd, fostering through Multiple Breed Rescue is a great idea. They rely on foster homes to save more dogs. They will provide all of the supplies you need including food and medical treatment for foster dogs. You will also get all kinds of other useful supplies like crates, collars, potty pads, blankets, toys, etc. If you would like to adopt a dog from Multiple Breed Rescue, you need to be at least 23 years old and you will need to travel to Grafton, Ohio. A boarding facility allows Multiple Breed Rescue to use their facility, so this is where you would go to adopt a dog. Dogs are housed throughout Ohio, so you will need to know which dog you would like to meet ahead of time. Adoption events are conducted throughout the year and are a good opportunity to meet more than one dog at a time. Rescue and Adoption Details.

Our 'Puppy Quickstart Program' makes bringing a new puppy into your home easier! Do you want a german shepherd puppy.We offer shipping to select states and countries around the world for these trained puppies. Please note: availability for this year is extremely limited. The answer all depends. .From weeks your puppy is in its first fear stage, which is critical for expose to scenarios they will encounter in their future adult life. During this stage, puppies should be exposed to new people and other healthy dogs, as well as differing terrain and environment. These experiences provide the foundation for the adult dog they will eventually become, but first it's important for them to become a trained puppy. It is vital to keep all activities and real-world exposure extremely positive, safe and monitored as you train your puppy. This time period is critical for their future temperament and personality. If you work a normal job, putting the necessary hours into training your puppy during it's first month at home ages weeks may not be entirely possible. And leaving your young un-crate trained puppy alone in his or her crate for an entire day is sure to have detrimental affects down the road. Training a German Shepherd puppy is hard enough. When you leave the pup in their crate all day, this "ball of energy" becomes even harder to train and house-break. Introducing, the Puppy Quickstart program.The long-requested "trained puppy program" is finally here at Hayes Haus. Here's how it works: From ages weeks of your puppy's life, he or she will remain at Hayes Haus and partake in an extremely regimented training program. During this program, your new puppy will be monitored round-the-clock to ensure proper training and development, which includes but is not limited to socialization with strangers including well-behaved children as well as safe cats and dogs. In order for your puppy to be obey you around other pets, it's important to begin training them at an early age to do so. What goes into a "Trained Puppy Program"? On any particular day at Hayes Haus, your puppy will be going through any number of proven-safe scenarios for puppies. We take short rides in the car to some of our neighborhood parks and trails to use some of the natural obstacles; we teach puppies to pleasantly accept grooming and expose them to bathing; we instill good habits such as keeping your paws on the floor and eliminating on leash; we also use puppy games to teach important life commands. Here's a more in-depth breakdown for you: Training begins at 3 weeks of age, teaching the puppy to make eye contact The puppies are monitored around the clock and follow a very regimented schedule will send exact training schedule to the email address you enter above Socialization exercises are conducted daily All trained german shepherd puppies are available for pickup at 14 weeks of age. At this time, your puppy will know his or her name and be used to the schedule you provide us, which helps with easier integration into your home. When your puppy comes home, they'll be crate-trained, and have the groundwork extensive exposure to training for the following commands: Sit. She has been shown as a puppy in a national show and was placed in 4th place out of 25 dogs. She has a beautiful female head with dark eyes and nice thick structure. Her movement is exceptional in the ring. Dannon is fully trained to sit, stay, down, heal on and off lead. She is also house broken. You will have a session with his trainer to learn her commands and the trainer will be available for any help or assistance in the transition from our home to yours. Dannon is very well socialized and is excellent with dogs, cats and children. She has been given all her shots, microchipped, AKC registered, 4 generation pedigree and comes with a two year written guarantee. He is a large beautiful deep black and red male with a very large massive head. His hips and elbows are both excellent. Very good expression, very good pigmentation, good character, strong head, dark eye. High, long withers, straight, firm back, good length and situation of the croup. Front well, the back very well bent, balanced chest proportions, straight front. Front straight-, rear slightly hackeneng kicking it indicates very powerful, expansive courses at excellent majesty. Safe nature, TSB pronounced. Type full overall appearance. Perform Medium bitches. She is a medium build female beautiful black and red, nice croup, beautiful fast moving pace. Good agulation of the rear, excellent temperament, very well socialized, great attitude and excellent bitework. In Germany she was placed 2nd in a regional show with high compliments from the judge of movement and structure. She produces ultimate gorgeous puppies. V Fibi puppies out of VA Karlo and V Canon have produced extremely nice puppies who have placed in the top 5 in both litters. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.

Please Contact Us to find out if we can ship to your State or Country. You Deserve The Best We understand that offering yourself a puppy is no ordinary purchase. We commit to gifting you a healthy, trained and "exactly as described" puppy. ABOUT US Niko is my main man in this journey; he helps keep our French bulldogs active, healthy, and well socialized by constantly playing with them, and actively participating in their care. Keira and Artemis enjoy puppy playtime, as well as giving and receiving kisses. Our white French bulldogs come from a famous breeder in Taiwan, known for having the best French bulldogs in the world, as we only want the best in our breeding program and most of the French Bulldogs currently in the US has top quality thanks to breeders like us. We are still currently breeding other colors ranging from CAD - CAD , but plan to solely focus on improving French bulldogs within the next few years. We are a small hobby show breeding home so make sure to email me US to get on the waiting list for a puppy as we do not always have puppies available. Thank you, and I hope that you find as much love for the breed as I have. We can transport to Colorado and Missouri. We have a flight nanny who can bring your French Bulldog puppy to the nearest major airport to you. Multivitamin All of our French Bulldog puppies take a multivitamin and probiotics for good GI health which we will give you the information to order once you have placed the deposit on your Frenchie. You are expected to give the multivitamin for the longevity of the health guarantee. Dogfood for Your French Bulldog Puppy We use the highest quality dogfood for our French Bulldog puppies which has been shown in studies to be the healthiest for them. You can order your Frenchies puppy food here via Amazon Health Guarantee Our health guarantee for our French Bulldog puppies covers genetics for two years. You will schedule your puppy check-up within 48 hours of receiving your Frenchie. When you know the date of pick-up, schedule your appointment ASAP as some veterinarians schedules fill up quickly. You can register the microchip in your name online, when you register your Frenchie with AKC, or ask your vet to do so at the puppy check up. You can read more here. You can register you lilacs and lilac merle French Bulldog puppies as blue. Love lilacs? See more lilacsFrench Bulldog puppies here! These adorable members of the Non-sporting group can be great pets for almost anyone and do well in any type of household, just as long as they have access to air conditioning. They are definitely a big dog in a small package! Over the past few years, the French Bulldog has become especially popular with city-dwellers. Frenchies have also become popular with the rich and famous. They come in a number of colors and patterns. The breed is known for its distinctive bat ears and bowlegged gait. He is also a brachycephalic breed, which means he has a flat, squished-in face. Grooming needs are pretty minimal. Frenchies need to be brushed once or twice a week. Ears should be checked and cleaned weekly, and nails should be trimmed every two weeks or so. The wrinkles on Frenchie faces need to be cleaned at least twice a week in order to keep them dry and free of infections. Wipe the crud out of the folds with a baby wipe and dry thoroughly. They have difficulty breathing because of their squishy faces, which also means they can have trouble regulating their body temperature. Since the French Bulldog loves any and all food, monitoring his weight will be of paramount importance throughout his life. While rigorous exercise is bad for a French Bulldog because of his breathing issues, he can go on 15 to minute walks as long as the weather is good. As with any flat-faced breed, heatstroke can be a problem, so be sure your Frenchie has access to air conditioning. In addition to the aforementioned health troubles, Frenchies can suffer from spinal malformations and a spinal condition called Intervertebral Disc Disease. Reproductive problems are also common with this breed. Temperament and Training Frenchies are loyal, loving lapdogs! They tend to follow their humans around the house without making nuisances of themselves. This breed gets along with almost everyone, but they do require early socialization with other dogs. Many reputable breeders will not send French Bulldog puppies home until 10 or 11 weeks of age. Frenchies tend to be on the pushier side when it comes to interacting with other dogs, so breeders want them to spend extra time with their littermates in order to learn good manners from pups they already know. Even so, socialize your puppy with other dogs once he comes home. Puppy kindergarten classes are great for this. Patient, and vaccinated, dogs belonging to family and friends may also be willing to help new puppies learn proper canine etiquette. Frenchies have loads of charisma and love all human attention. They love to play and tend to be hard on dog toys. All new toys should be durable, if you want them to last for any length of time, that is. Frenchies also love hiding toys and then making the humans search for them. Frenchies are often stubborn when it comes to training. They prefer to learn on their own terms, so be sure to figure out their favorite reward when you really need them to focus. They love putting their own spin on commands, especially if they have an audience! As with most dog breeds, the Frenchie is prone to obnoxious and destructive behaviors like barking and digging if left to his own devices for too long. These super-cute little dogs have been bred to be the perfect companion, which means they get very attached to their people. Separation anxiety can be a problem with this breed, so teaching them to be alone gradually is important for their, and your, mental health. Bulldogs were popular companions back then for lace workers, keeping them company and ridding their workrooms of rats. After the industrial revolution, lacemaking became mechanized and most lace workers lost their jobs. Since handmade lace was still popular in France, some of these people emigrated to that country. Naturally, their little dogs came along, too! They instantly captured the attention of French shopkeepers. Eventually, the breed became popular with the Parisian bohemian set, artists, novelists, and wealthy Americans doing the grand tour. Frenchies were even the subjects of some impressionist paintings! Their popularity has continued to rise, especially throughout the past decade or so. Today, the French Bulldog is a wonderful companion, and their funny, friendly personalities have helped them become the fourth most popular dog breed in the United States! British people have a lot of the same Christmas traditions that we do here in the U. Stuffing, cranberry sauce, and bacon-wrapped sausages are typical side dishes. Picture a flakey biscuit-type pastry. Then, picture filling it with gravy. Sound delicious? Trifle is another popular, and delicious, dessert. Be sure to try one if you ever get the chance! Christmas trees are popular in England too, as are stockings, with a twist. Instead of hanging them over the fireplace, most British children hang their stockings at the foot of their beds. That would be boring. Instead, British children burn them in the fireplace, in hopes that the ashes will float up the chimney and reach Santa as quickly as possible! Be sure to check back to learn about dog breed number three! This entry was posted in TevraPet. 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Contact Can Bulldogs Get Bloat? Plus 6 tips to Prevent it! The adorable face of your bulldog is truly mesmerizing each time you look at it. He is your true companion, always keeping beside you to help multiply your joy and divide your sorrow. Can bulldogs get bloat? Yes, bulldogs can get bloat, regardless of age. Bloating is caused by a heavy intake accumulation of air and the twisting of the stomach. It is the second leading cause of death in dogs, the first cause being cancer. Bulldogs are subject to multiple diseases and health emergencies. Luckily, bloating can be identified and prevented in most cases. What is Bloating in Dogs? Bloating also goes by the name Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. In order to fully understand what it is, we will try to examine its stages. This can lead to blood circulation problems as the organs that surround the stomach along with the heart and diaphragm can be pressed. As the pressure builds, it prevents the blood from hind legs and abdomen from reaching the heart of your dog. Second Stage: Volvulus During the first stage, things might be relatively easier to control but the problem elevates if your dog reaches the second stage- Volvulus. Here, the stomach rotates and twists by degrees along with food, water and air trapped in it. The stomach, while flipping, drags the spleen and the pancreas along with it, cutting off the blood flow. This lethal disease can result in your dog dying in hours without you realizing it. Why Do Bulldogs Bloat? The prime cause of bloating is the accumulation of air in the stomach dilatation part as well as the twisting of the stomach volvulus part. Veterinarians have not yet been able to identify the sequence of the two parts, i. Bloat emerges suddenly and it can strike even a healthy dog. Though the actual cause of bloating in bulldogs is not yet known, the following reasons according to veterinarians are the most probable reasons that can cause your adorable bulldog to bloat. Bloat typically develops after your bulldog has taken a large meal. It can develop after your bulldog has consumed a lot of water after the meal. Bloat can also develop if your bulldog has extensively played after the meal. The faster your bulldog eats the less it chews so basically he is just chucking down all the food. Look out for the following signs that could signal the first stage of bloating; If there is an unusual tummy enlargement in your dog as though it is distended in the sides. The dog may start feeling sudden depression, malaise or lethargy. There could be pale gums or excessive salivation. Feelings of anxiety and unease in the dog. Also, the dog may feel painful or show aggression when his belly is touched. The first stage is usually followed by the second stage of bloating. In this stage, you may want to check the following; Is your dog having rapid heart rate? Is he experiencing shortness of breath? Is he losing consciousness? Have the gums turned purplish? Is he collapsing? The above indicators are not sure signs of bloating in your dog, but they are in most cases. You may consult with your veterinarian for the final call. While bloating is such a serious problem for your canine friend, you need not worry even if your sweet bulldog has been diagnosed with bloating. There are still many chances that he will recover soon if proper treatment is provided. The following are some possible treatment plans for curing or managing this condition. Radiographs and lactate test — As the symptoms can be related to some other disease, doctors may need to perform some tests to confirm it. Radiographs assist in determining whether the stomach may have already been twisted. Removal of the gas — If the dog is experiencing the first stage of bloating, a feeding-tube is inserted in the stomach which can help to vacate the trapped gas through his mouth and the esophagus. However, in case his stomach is already twisted, then the doctor would be forced to puncture the stomach and abdominal wall so as to allow the accumulated gas out. Surgery — If his stomach is already twisted, it may need to be brought back to place even after the gas has been taken out. Thus, surgery will be performed to untwist the stomach. Bloat is one of those curve balls that come out of no where and can be costly. Dog insurance can totally protect you and you can give your dog the best care with out any hesitation of cost. We break down 4 different dog insurances here to help you decide if it is right for you. Prevention is always better than cure! Why should you wait for your beloved canine friend to undergo this pain and risk of life? You should always take some precautionary measures to ensure your dog follows certain habits so that the occurrence of bloating is largely avoided. The following are some of these tips. Feed your bulldog in smaller portions, with two meals per day. Ensure he does not eat too fast. You can follow the below points for doing so: Give your bulldog small portions and refill the bowl finishing. Get a bowl from the market which helps your dog to feed slowly. If there are many dogs, take care that they are fed in different bowls. In fact, feed your dogs in separate areas if at all possible. Eating together causes anxiety and makes the dog eat fast. Even eating next to their human family members can cause stress while eating and cause your bulldog to eat faster. Let your bulldog eat in privacy for stress free meal time. Keep your dog active as well as fearless and happy. Stressed dogs are much likely to develop bloat. Do not let him drink excess water after eating. Ensure that he rests for some hours after taking his meal before letting him play. Consult a veterinarian before giving any medication. Conclusion I know that your love for bulldog knows no bounds. Though we cannot eliminate the risk of bloating, we can at least try to prevent it by following the above effective steps. I can not stress enough that bloat can quickly become an medical emergency and can lead to death in your bulldog if not treated with in an hour. Many people ask if bloat is treatable at home, and unfortunately, it is not. It is only preventable. Be sure to take note of the above steps to keep your bulldog safe and healthy. Post Views: 1, Otherwise called Gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV , this condition is very common in pets all across the world. We all know that French bulldogs love to eat, but did you also realize how much they can suffer from bloat? The condition of gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV is a serious problem that can be fatal if left untreated. It progresses quickly towards life-threatening levels in just minutes. The stomach bloating in French bulldogs can come in two stages. The first stage is called gastric dilatation when the gasses and fluid cause the stomach to expand or bloat. Unfortunately, it can be fatal for a dog within only a few hours. The pancreas takes up much space inside dogs because it produces many important hormones like insulin to control blood sugar levels for example. When these vital organs get cut off from oxygenating tissue due to being pressed against one another by powerful abdominal muscles as seen during the digestion process which happens while flipping , they start producing harmful chemicals that can turn out to end up fatally. What causes a bloated stomach in French bulldogs? Use an anti-choking feeding bowl Since French bulldogs are naturally prone to fast eating because of their short snouts, you have to buy your pet a special anti-choke feeding bowl. The rotating bone will move as your Frenchie tries to reach food from the bowl and it will slow down his eating. In that way, your furry friend will not only have to work for his food but will also become less prone to bloating. Interactive Anti Choke Bowl is another French bulldog bowl that can help your pet. Feed your dog with multiple meals a day Instead of feeding your furry friend only one meal, you can divide the amount into two or three meals. Do not play with your dog right after the meal Playing with your Frenchie after the meal can cause his gizzard to twist. Just imagine how would you feel having training right after lunch. Well, your Frenchie would feel the same. Exposing your dog to strenuous exercise can lead to pains, gasses, and bloating. Keep your dog active Taking your Frenchie on regular strolls will improve his digestive system. Besides, walks will keep your dog in good shape and healthy. A rule of thumb is to take a French bulldog on multiple short strolls during the day. Visible stomach enlargement Heavy breathing and rapid heart rate A dog can show aggression when you try to touch its belly Hard belly in touch. Shallow breathing Pale gums Puppies experiencing bloat will appear visibly uncomfortable and usually have a distended stomach. The pain may make your puppy act restless, pace, and whine and cry. Puppies may also wretch without producing vomit, as the blocked stomach entry will prevent regurgitation. The gums may appear pale, demonstrating a lack of oxygen, accompanied by shallow breathing and a rapid heartbeat. If your puppy is not treated, it will collapse and die. Causes of Bloat Several factors can contribute to your puppy experiencing bloat. Breed: Large and giant puppy breeds are three times more likely to experience bloat than mixed breeds. Large and giant breeds have wider, deeper stomachs that can hold more air, putting them at higher risk. The deep, narrow chest conformation of certain breeds creates a more acute angle where the esophagus connects with the stomach, making bloat more likely. Still, puppies of any size can develop bloat. Ingesting too much food or water quickly: When puppies eat food or drink too fast, they can inhale and trap large amounts of air in their stomachs and create bloat. The food or water itself can sometimes cause bloat, as a too-full stomach can press on other organs, no matter what is filling it. Exercising after eating: If a puppy partakes in strenuous exercise too soon after eating, its stomach can twist and swell, causing bloat. Anxiety: Irritable, anxious, and aggressive puppies are more prone to bloat. Weight: Dogs of any breed that weigh over pounds have a 20 percent risk of developing bloat at some point in their life. Diagnosing Bloat in Puppies To diagnose your puppy with bloat, your vet will examine clinical signs, medical history, and perform blood analysis and imaging tests like an ultrasound or X-ray. Imaging tests will reveal the extent of the bloat, and blood analysis will evaluate the level of oxygen loss. A speedy diagnosis is ideal, as an operation should happen as soon as possible. Treatment If you notice your puppy has symptoms of bloat, it needs to be taken to an animal hospital immediately. First, your vet will stabilize your puppy by administering IV fluids and oxygen. To treat bloat, your veterinarian decompresses your puppy's distended stomach by passing a tube down its throat to empty air from the stomach and allow the return of normal blood flow. When the stomach is twisted, your puppy will need surgery to properly reconfigure it. Sometimes, part of the stomach or the entirety of the spleen will need to be removed. If your puppy's surgery is successful, your surgeon may perform a gastropexy the suturing of the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent future twisting. Prognosis for Puppies With Bloat The prognosis for puppies with bloat varies based on how early treatment is received and the extent of the organ damage. After surgery, your vet will monitor your puppy in the hospital for several days. Some puppies treated can return to normal shortly after treatment, while others will die regardless. The mortality rate for puppies who have received treatment for bloat is 20 to 40 percent and rises with every organ injury sustained. How to Prevent Bloat Although you can't completely prevent bloat, there are measures you can take to reduce its likelihood of occurring. Gastropexy surgery may be recommended preventatively, particularly in Great Danes or other puppies predisposed to bloat. Gastropexy doesn't prevent air from being trapped in the stomach, but it does keep the stomach from twisting. You can take many at-home measures to minimize the risk of bloat. These include lowering your puppy's food bowl, feeding smaller quantities of food over multiple meals throughout the day, separating multiple dogs at feeding times, and waiting several hours after eating before exercising your puppy. Positive puppy socialization that reduces anxiety can also help prevent bloat as it ages. FAQ Why does eating too fast cause bloat? Often if your puppy eats too much or too fast, its belly can be overfilled with food and gas, press on other organs, and cause bloat. How common is puppy bloat in a small breed dogs? Bloat most frequently occurs in large and giant breed dogs, but all dogs are able to experience the condition. How fast does it take for bloat to set in? Bloat sets in within two to three hours after your puppy begins experiencing symptoms. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. There is, of course, a difference between your pup gradually gaining weight around their belly due to overeating and lack of exercise versus truly being bloated. When is a Swollen Stomach Dangerous for Dogs? If you notice this, call your veterinarian immediately. Some reasons for bloat can be fatal if left untreated. Reasons Why Dogs Get Swollen Stomachs There are a number of reasons why a dog can get a swollen abdomen, and some are more serious than others. This particular disease can have detrimental effects or even kill your pup within hours. It has been linked to swallowing air and intense exercise after a meal. If you only feed your dog once a day, use elevated bowls, consume dry food, or eat too quickly, then they are at a higher risk. Some other additional risk factors include having a family history of bloat or are of a certain breed. Deep chested breeds like St. Finally, older dogs between 7 and 12 years of age are at risk. You absolutely have to take your dog into a vet as quickly as possible. Treatment generally includes removing excess gas from the stomach, stabilizing the heart rate, and managing shock. The vet can go in for surgery as soon as your dog is more stable. It is recommended that you feed your dog twice or more daily rather than once and incorporate canned food into the mix. There is also a preventative measure surgical procedure called a gastropexy that you may speak to your vet about if your dog is a predisposed breed. This can be done at a younger age as well. Usually this happens because of ulcers, tumors, or bone splinters. Urinary bladder or gallbladder ruptures can also cause peritonitis. This condition is extremely painful so you will notice bloat and your dog may be unwilling to move. The vet will need to repair the puncture, remove infected fluids, and flush out the abdomen. The sooner he is taken to the vet, the better. Some dogs will also start to lose hair or show an increase in panting. If the reason is a tumor, it can be removed via surgery. There are many reasons why your dog may experience ascites. Common reasons include heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or intestinal diseases. Puppies can get it from various infectious diseases. Because of the nature of the above diseases and conditions, there is no time to waste. Quick action can be a matter of life and death. By staying vigilant and keeping a watchful eye, you can protect your pup from further complications. How to treat bloating in Bulldogs Time is crucial when treating the incidence of bloating in Bulldogs. Early treatment makes a difference between life and death for them. Some symptoms of this disorder are similar to other diseases. So, if bloat is suspected, the vet performs some quick tests to confirm or rule it out. Procedures may also include radiographs x-rays and lactate test. Radiographs help determine if the stomach has already been twisted, while the lactate test is performed to check if there is already necrosis or cell death in the stomach or surrounding organs. The damage done by bloating is often irreparable if necrosis has already begun. If the vet determines that your Bulldog has a high chance of survival, treatment is immediately started. Letting the gas out While treating bloating in Bulldogs, it is necessary to remove the trapped gas. But if the stomach has already twisted, the vet may opt to puncture the abdominal and stomach wall to let the trapped gas out. Surgery If the disease reaches the volvulus stage, the stomach has to be returned to its original position even if the gas has already been out. To do this, the vet will untwist the stomach via surgery. Many surgeons recommend performing a gastropexy, an operation that refers to the suturing of stomach to the body wall, after the stomach is arranged back to its original position. This surgical operation prevents the stomach from twisting again. How to prevent bloating in Bulldogs? There is not a surefire way to stop bloating in Bulldogs from happening. However, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the risk of bloat in your pet. Feed your Bulldog smaller meals spanned throughout the day instead of giving him one large meal per day. Feed him using a slow-feeder to stop him from eating too fast and gulping air in the process. Do not feed your Bulldog dry kibble with water as dry dog food tends to expand in the stomach. Do not let your Bulldog drink too much water after eating. Make your Bulldog rest for a couple of hours after eating before letting him to play. It slows him down while eating. Use gastric medication in your first aid kit and use it as soon as you see the early signs of bloating in your Bulldog. But make sure to call your veterinarian first before giving your Bulldog any medication. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. Rapid or shallow breathing Collapse or shock If you find out that your Frenchie is suffering from bloat, contact your veterinarian immediately. Basically, bloat is a medical emergency, and if the treatment is not done at the right time it will lead to a lot of complications and even death. How to prevent bloat in French bulldogs? Although the bloat is not completely preventable, you can take certain steps to decrease the chances of bloat in French bulldogs. Feed your French bulldog a high-quality diet A good quality diet with all the nutrients is essential for the overall health of French bulldogs. When selecting the dog food for your Frenchie, always go through the ingredient list and make sure that the formula is according to the age, breed, and activity level of your pup. Furthermore, make sure that the food has good quality ingredients, including whole grains, animal-based proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid feeding your French bulldog table scraps or human food, as this can disrupt their digestive system and increase their risk of bloat. Feed smaller meals more frequently The next important thing that you can do is to feed your Frenchie small frequent meals as it can help in reducing the chances of bloat by preventing the air to enter the stomach. You can do this by feeding your Frenchie three to four small meals instead of two large meals per day. Use a slow-feed bowl If your Frenchie is an aggressive eater and eats his meals too quickly it increases the risk of bloat. In order to avoid this situation use a slow-feeding bowl or mat. They are designed in a way that they could decrease the speed of your dog while eating. The slow feeding bowl for French bulldogs is a revolutionary new product designed to help your dog eat at a slower pace. The design of the bowl keeps food inside it and prevents your dog from gulp-feeding, which can lead to bloat and other digestive issues. The slow-feeding bowl for French bulldogs is made of high-quality plastic and is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean. Limit water intake before and after meals Water is an important component for maintaining the good health of your French bulldog but if they drink a large amount of water before or after every meal it increases the risk of bloat. In order to avoid this issue limit their water intake for at least an hour before and after a meal. Instead, wait at least an hour after feeding your dog before engaging in any strenuous activities. Reduce stress and anxiety Anxiety and stress are not good for your French bulldog because they increase the risk of bloat. To decrease the stress in your French bulldog make sure they have a safe and comfortable space when they need rest. It is also necessary to provide your pup with a lot of mental stimulation and exercise to burn off excess energy and reduce stress. Monitor your French bulldog for signs of bloat Early detection is necessary when you want to treat bloats. Always keep an eye on your French bulldog for the sign of bloat, like restlessness, distended abdomen, and unsuccessful attempts to vomit. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek veterinary care immediately. Consider a prophylactic gastropexy A prophylactic gastropexy is a surgical procedure that can be done to prevent bloat in dogs, especially those at high risk, like French bulldogs. In this procedure, the vet will attach the stomach to the abdominal wall, as it will prevent it from twisting. Talk to your veterinarian about whether a prophylactic gastropexy is right for your French bulldog. Feeding your dog a high-quality diet, feeding smaller meals more frequently, using a slow-feed bowl, limiting water intake before and after meals, avoiding exercise immediately after eating, reducing stress and anxiety, monitoring your dog for signs of bloat, and considering a prophylactic gastropexy are all effective ways to prevent bloat in French bulldogs. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your French bulldog lives a healthy and happy life.

German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. While looking through the different stages of growth you can see the rough size of German Shepherd puppies at different stages of their life by comparing the ages to a German Shepherd growth chart. Important Note: Once a puppy has been weened off milk it is essential that the puppy is given a high quality puppy food to ensure proper development. A lack of proper nutrients can result in ears not rising, smaller than normal dogs and health complications in later life. In my opinion Blue Buffalo Puppy Food is the best available on the market. German Shepherd puppies, as with all other dog breeds, are born with their eyes and ears closed. At this stage the GSD puppies are completely dependent on their mothers for care, food and the like and the newborn puppies are relatively immobile. A small section of the umbilical cord will still be attached to the German Shepherd puppy - this will dry up and fall off on its own within a few days. The first 3 days are the most critical in a GSD puppies life. Birth is the beginning of the neonatal period in GSD development and it lasts roughly 2 weeks. Typically the puppies will curve into a comma type shape when picked up. This is because their nervous system at this time is still very immature. Additionally, they can't eliminate unless the mother, or caregiver, stimulates their anus or urethra by licking or gently rubbing the area. Gentle, frequent handling by humans is very helpful from this age onward. As their nervous system development continues they will now also now arch their backs when they are picked up and held rather than curving into a more comma shaped position as before. Around Day 7 German Shepherd puppies now begin to crawl more readily and more often during this phase of GSD development. Short periods of daily handling and exposure to some stimuli can also be very beneficial to stimulate weight gain in the puppy, earlier eye opening, hair growth and motor development in all members of the GSD litter. The German Shepherd puppies eyes will appear to be blue in color at first even though they can't focus right now. They will be able to see shapes after about 2 weeks of age during continued GSD development. Around Day 14 The German Shepherd pups eyes and ears should be fully open by now and many may have their first incisor teeth beginning to erupt. The puppies should also be crawling quite well by this time. This is the beginning of the transitional period of GSD development which typically lasts about a week or so. This is also a period of profound changes in the German Shepherd puppies growth and development. The German Shepherd puppy will begin to be more independent from it's mom during this time. During this time the German Shepherd puppies will begin to eliminate on their own and should start walking within 2- to 3 days by about day 16 or so - very shaky at first, but with practice growing legs will soon become less wobbly. You can observe tail wagging as well as the beginning of play fighting. German Shepherd puppies will also be eliminating on their own by this time. Around Day 21 Around this date the German Shepherd puppy will move from the transitional phase into the socialization period of GSD development. By this time GSD puppies should be able to walk pretty well, with a more adult-like gait. They will also begin a more active exploration of their environments and that of their GSD litter mates. This period is thought to last from about 2. This is an extremely important time for the emotional and social development of the German Shepherd puppy. This is also a period of dramatic changes in your German Shepherd puppies life. This is the period in GSD development when puppies can form bonds with species outside of its own such as human beings. This is also the time when the puppy can identify their own species as well as being able to identify future social partners. Oftentimes, the peak of sensitivity to the formation of social bonds is described to be between 6 to 8 weeks of age. This is also called the fear period in GSD development! Around Week 4 By now social play becomes an important factor in GSD development and German Shepherd puppies learn how to interact with litter mates and adult animals of their species as well. They can also play with toys, play fight, play with humans and other animals and are beginning to eat other soft foods to supplement their mother's milk. Many times the GSD puppies are fearless during this time - exploring their environment and all that is about them. This is also a good time for continued exposure to new and novel things, to various people and other kinds of animals, all while the German Shepherd puppy continues to develop. The socialization stage is very important in the growth of GSD development, however it should be looked at within the context of the developing emotional system of the puppy. At around 3 - 5 weeks of age attraction responses in German Shepherd puppies are very strong. These kinds of responses begin to diminish between 5 - 7 weeks of age as fear responses begin to emerge. It is important to note that early socialization is tremendously important in the development of well-adjusted GSD puppies. During these few weeks, your German Shepherd puppy will also learn how to play and communicate with it's littermates, respond to humans it comes in contact with and how to get along safely in the adult dog world. Around Week 6 German Shepherd puppies begin exhibiting more adult like behaviors such as mounting of other litter mates and demonstrating dominance roles. Sniffing of tails and noses also becomes an important part of the greeting process among their canine peers. Between about 7 - 9 weeks of age the fear response may become so strong as to begin to overwhelm the attraction response. For other puppies the social motivation to make contact may very well overcome any wariness during this phase of GSD development. Around weeks 7 - 12 Among other things, this is an ideal age of socializing your German Shepherd puppy to humans, other animals and new surroundings and objects. It also a great time to learn such important skills as: leash training, housebreaking, crate training, accepting gentle handling and grooming and to accept human domination and control. The socialization period is absolutely critical in GSD development and acceptance of other animal species. If a GSD puppy is not exposed to horses, sheep, goats, other dogs, cats or small children before it reaches 12 weeks, it is likely it will never accept them. You may also observe that your German Shepherd pups ears are beginning to come up in some form or fashion. Don't be surprised by the wild and interesting shapes that they may take on as they mature. As the puppy goes through the teething process the ears will go up and down and will do all sorts of weird things - one up one down; one flopping to the left, the other to the right; both in the center, etc. This period is thought to occur from the end of the primary socialization period through sexual maturity. Motor skills are increasing for the GSD puppy. During this time the puppy is still refining both learning and social skills as well. While puppies in this phase can learn quite well, they are easily distracted and very hard to keep on task. This is an excellent time to start puppy kindergarten. This is also a good time to start being very aware of your GSD puppies ear carriage. Around 4 Months German Shepherd puppies will begin to lose their puppy teeth and will soon replace them with their adult teeth, generally starting with the incisors. Young German Shepherds will continue to learn about their environment and all the individuals in it throughout their social maturization process. This is often the time when older puppies are learning about their social relationships within the environment they live. Social maturity takes more time to achieve than sexual maturity. In the beginning of social maturity dogs will begin to display more mature, adult social behaviors. This time is thought to vary between breeds and from dog to dog and to occur anywhere from 12 - 36 months of age, especially in the larger breeds such as German Shepherds. Again, this varies from German Shepherd to German Shepherd but this is a good place to start. If your German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing up by this time on their own it is a good time to consider taping them. Detailed directions for this process can be found here. Overall, most of the puppies internal body systems are nearly "adult" even though the skeleton is still growing and will for some time to come. In many respects your German Shepherd puppy is now a "small adult". The heart rate has decreased again to about 70 BPM and by the end of this month the GSD puppy should have a full set of adult teeth. Also an important milestone: German Shepherd females reach sexual maturity and have their first estrus heat period. If the GSD's ears are not up by this time you need to take action quickly to get them up before it is too late. Read the article on ear taping. Around 7 - 12 Months German Shepherd males reach sexual maturity and begin to hike their leg when urinating. It is important to be especially firm and consistent about setting limits and enforcing commands during this time since your older GSD puppy may challenge dominance of other dogs or humans during this stage. If the German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing on their own by this point, there is a good chance that they will never stand on their own. This is an ideal age in GSD development to start "Beginning" level classes of obedience training. Bonding to humans is now very firmly established and your German Shepherds vocal and body communications are now that of a more mature individual dog - and more easily understood, and well on their way to many years of happy companionship with you. Sign up for promotions, news, discounts, and the chance to win prizes for you and your German Shepherd E-mail Address. Week 1 During the first week of a GSD pregnancy, their eggs undergo fertilization, and their reproductive system is ready for the pregnancy. This is an obvious indication of their pregnancy. You may even be able to witness the movements of puppies in her abdomen. Week 9 As the final pregnancy week commences, the puppies are fully developed as they make their way towards the birth canal. This may cause your German shepherd to feel quite restless and uneasy, pushing them to look for a safe place for nesting. Delivery of Puppies A German Shepherd will deliver her puppies at any time during the 9th week of pregnancy. If it takes any more time than that, there are high chances of complications, so you must immediately take your canine to the vet. Conclusion Caring for a pregnant German Shepherd is a lot of responsibility, especially because this breed requires special love and attention. We hope that this week-by-week guide to a German Shepherd pregnancy can help you provide better care to your furry friend. Discover how to create a joyful, healthy home for your pet. Subscribe to your weekly rundown of practice, real life ideas and training tips straight to your inbox. We offer practical, real life ideas and training tips for a joyful experince, with your pet. All rights reserved. German Shepherd Development: From Puppies To Adults Posted on Last updated: Categories German Shepherds From early puppyhood to adulthood, German Shepherds undergo significant development that shapes their temperament, behavior, and physical abilities. As a dog owner, understanding the developmental stages of your German Shepherd is crucial to providing the right care and training. German Shepherd development consists of several stages. 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. Contents Final Thoughts German Shepherd Development and Growth Stages German Shepherd development refers to the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in German Shepherd puppies as they grow and mature into adulthood. These changes include the physical development of their muscles, bones, and organs, as well as their ability to learn and process information. Social development involves their ability to interact with other dogs and humans and to understand and follow social rules and norms. As a dog owner, it is important to understand the growth stages of your German Shepherd. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. In the latter case, you need to know that the German Shepherd puppy depends on his mother for everything in these initial weeks. This includes food, warmth, and physical security. Here, your only responsibility is to make sure the dam is equipped with what she needs to fulfill her duties. As long as you feed the adult GSD right, she will be able to feed her babies and give them the warmth and company they need. You might notice that the puppies may seem asocial. Do not measure how the puppy interacts with other dogs for at least three to four weeks, which brings us to what you can expect within the next two weeks. This is where the puppy can wean off and not need a diet made up of milk exclusively. The puppy can consume solid food but is not too fond of it, especially if it is strange in texture. Your priority at this stage should be to get him to accept solid food without regressing to a diet of milk. There will be a social incentive in weaning off as the puppy will observe the litter he belongs to and notice a simultaneous change in feeding preferences. This brings us to a very important change: social interaction. I mentioned above that you should not worry about social disinterest up until the third week. However, by the fourth week, you should look for some interaction. If the puppy fails to acknowledge others in the litter or is getting shunned collectively, consulting an expert trainer or a vet can be helpful. Otherwise, the journey from being 4 weeks old to being adoption-ready is a long one, and it starts by accepting a human guardian. From weeks 4 to 5, the puppy is learning to accept a human usually the breeder as his guardian. Both dominant guardian and guiding guardian archetypes work in establishing yourself as the leader, but the dominant frame might box you into less palatable training tactics. German Shepherd puppies are quite intelligent, but a bulk of this cognitive ability is unlocked in two stages. The first is around the five-week mark. This could be the fourth or sixth week, depending on the individual puppy, but it is noticeable when the dog starts getting excited about other dogs. Of course, you need to be on schedule with socialization and carry-walks to notice this. Again, this explains why breeders usually keep the GSD puppies at this stage. Aggression issues can stem from excitement signaling menace. The opposite is true as well. Fortunately, professional breeders expose the dog to other dogs his age at this stage, and he learns to adjust how he shows and perceives excitement, making your life as a new German Shepherd parent much easier. But socializing your German Shepherd happens in stages as well. And of different ages. The wider the variety of people he gets to see and interact with at this stage, the more receptive he will be to people growing up. If your German Shepherd has seen only young people all his life, he might react differently to older ones and vice versa. This also applies to experiences. Exposing your puppy to experiences like car rides and ringing doorbells ensures that he will be calm in normal situations as he grows up. And in addition to getting your German Shepherd acquainted with normal stimuli like bells and travel, you must get him crate trained at this stage. Introducing the crate as a refuge and a secure spot as opposed to jail is a great way to get your GSD puppy to accept the crate. The more you delay this, the harder it becomes to crate-train a German Shepherd. If you want to check how his growth compares to the guidelines, head over to this article, When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? This also includes a handy growth chart. This is a critical stage because if unchecked, your German Shepherd might end up hurting other dogs or be hurt by them. The watchful dog-parent in you that you were holding back has his chance to shine here. Make sure you keep a close eye on your German Shepherd and how he interacts with any other dogs in the house. The status-measuring step is one even adult dogs take when first interacting with each other. But at this age, dogs engage in prolonged status-measuring inquiry and either establish dominance or accept their subservient spot. You cannot force your German Shepherd to be the alpha in a relationship with another dog. GSDs are very physical, which is fine when two dogs play within the same breed. But if one of your doggos belongs to a relatively fragile lineage, you might want to consider some separation. If you are worried your German Shepherd playing too rough , click the link for some cool tips on how to limit rough play. The easier to walk your GSD is, the more enjoyable it will be for you both. This is better elaborated in my dedicated post on the fun exercises you can do with your German Shepherd puppy. At the same time, his physical energy levels are rising every day, which can be counterproductive as your German Shepherd can get uber-excited about physical activity. Make sure you have him on a no-pull harness instead of a collar-and-leash, so you can get him properly under control without hurting him. You can also see my other recommendations here. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below.

We have compiled some of the best breeders in Texas to make the process easier for you. After thorough research, we can ensure that all these golden retriever breeders in Texas are verified, reliable, and strictly adhere to American Kennel Club AKC and US Department of Agriculture guidelines. Weatherby Goldens They are owned and operated by two retired U. Coast Guard officers. Their dogs are imported from Europe and belong to champion bloodlines. Weatherby Goldens breeding facility is spread across 15 acres of land, wherein their dogs and puppies can play and run all day. One of the best features of their property is an old 6-car garage that they have converted into temperature-controlled homes with plenty of room for dogs and pups to run and play. Their dogs are healthy and well-exercised. They have received their vaccinations on time, have been dewormed and declawed, and have been Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA -cleared for elbows, eyes, and heart. Their puppies are raised with love and attention and are socialized from birth within their 3-acre wooded property in Bulverde. All pups go to their forever homes with a thorough month puppy guarantee that covers congenital or hereditary defects, severe hip and joint issues, and other life-threatening and altering conditions. They have a strict sanitization policy to eliminate germs, and all pups are examined by a veterinarian before they go to their forever homes. Each puppy undergoes deworming, vaccination, Early Neurological Stimulation, tactile and noise desensitization, potty training and kennel training, area training, and microchip insertion. Address: The Colony, TX Splendor Goldens This breeder is a boutique breeder whose dogs prove to be perfect indoor and outdoor pets. Their pups run and play with their four children and accompany the breeder as the ideal hunting , ranching , and camping partners. Their English Creams belong to champion bloodlines of potent European pedigrees. These pups are well-socialized from birth to become the perfect family pets. All pups are thoroughly checked by certified and experienced veterinarians, dewormed, declawed, and vaccinated. Their pups and parent dogs are genetically sound, screened for hip and elbow dysplasia through OFA, for cataracts by a board-certified ophthalmologist, and heart defects. They are proud breeders of puppies that have competed and won in ring shows, obedience, and hunting competitions. Their puppies are well-socialized and raised with a lot of love and care. As soon as the weaning process begins, the puppies are moved to a large playpen in the living room. They are exposed to ambient noise, such as children playing, television, music, kitchen noises, and the like, to make it easier to adjust to their new homes. Jet is a fabulous Corso Mastiff that loves all humans. Cane Corso experience is preferred. A brisk walk or better yet, run of at least a mile in the morning and again in the evening will sustain their health and muscle tone. They make great companions on long walks, hikes, or bicycle rides. Jet's breed was bred to work and is happiest when given a job to do. He knows sit and walks well on a leash fairly well but need a an owner committed to committed training. A wooden privacy fence is a must. Due to his size, he will need a home with older children as he is a big guy at almost lbs. He has a sweet nature but thinks cats and horses are a little too interesting. Apply for Jet at ww. The mom and dad are unknown but we believe Joey will be a medium breed adult. At 6 months of age, he currently weighs in at 40 lbs. He has normal puppy energy but also relaxes easily. Toys and water re his favorite. Joey is great with all dogs and all people. Joey carries a serious expression but is a happy playful, fun loving active pup. He will do best with fenced yard to expend his puppy wiggles. He, like all young ones, will need continual training with housebreaking and house manners. He has been neutered , microchipped, is up-to-date on vaccines and is on heartworm and flea preventatives. To apply for Joey, please go to www. Could yours be the one? Justin and his 4 siblings were found as strays in Wood County. The mom and dad are unknown but we believe Justin will be a large breed adult. At 7 months of age, he currently weighs in at 40 lbs. Justin has medium more energy needs and loves to play. He is a more dominant personality than his siblings Joey and Journey and would be best in a home with a confident dog in the family. Justin loves to cuddle and loves all people. To apply for Justin, please go to www. Our puppies are raised in a nursery in our home not in a crate or kennel. We are a hobby breeder but we have Champion blood lines imported from Russia and Hungary. These puppies will grow up to be beautiful dogs. We spend a lot of time with our puppies socializing them and exposing them to the things that are experienced in most of your homes daily. We paper train which makes the transition much easier on our new owners. We put our puppies in a play area aka: our ninja course numerous times a day to allow them to play and mingle. The course teaches them to maneuver through tunnels, slides, etc. A puppy contract will be provided to guarantee health. We believe in being there for our puppies new families anytime they need guidance or assistance with their new puppy and hope to build a long term relationship with them. We want our puppies to go to loving homes where they will be raised indoors and be a part of your family as they are ours. These puppies will grow up to be loving and smart, obedient dogs. They are very easily trained. Golden Retrievers are family dogs. They believe in pleasing their owners. For information please email [email protected] or text I will call you upon request. If we do not respond within 24 hours please contact us again. Please check you spam folder for email also. We look forward to hearing from you. If you text me your email address I will email you our process for our puppy buyers and what we offer to you. I will also text you pictures. We do not post many here since our pictures were used in a puppy scam a few years ago. We will be glad to answer any questions for you. I look forward to hearing from you. Please do your research and don't be a victim of the scammers. Have a blessed day!!!!! Golden Gems of North Texas.

Pairing the sweet and friendly nature of the Labrador Retriever with the low-shedding Poodle genes, we get the most charming Doods that any owner would love to have by their side. And as both Poodles and Labradors are extremely intelligent, training Labradoodles is an absolute breeze! Thorough health screening helps breeders choose the healthiest pups for breeding new litters. As a result, the new litters have a much lower chance of inheriting any hereditary health issues. Likewise, ethical Labradoodle breeders in Florida also offer a health guarantee, which covers any serious genetic conditions that the parent pups have been tested for. The health guarantees usually cover the first two years, but some breeders also offer three-year health guarantees. However, all of these organizations require their member breeders to follow ethical breeding guidelines and strict health testing standards. And if any of your friends, family members, or neighbors have recently adopted a Labradoodle puppy, reach out to them and ask about their experiences with various breeders in your state. Their goal is to breed happy and healthy Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles with wonderful temperaments. At Coastal Labradoodles, they raise all of their puppies in a loving and safe home environment. All of their breeding dogs are family pets first who either live with the breeder or with carefully chosen guardian families. This ensures that each dog is pampered and loved by their very own family. Coastal Labradoodles conducts extensive health and genetic testing on all of their breeding dogs to ensure the health and wellbeing of their litters. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Coastal Labradoodles follows Puppy Culture and Avidog methods when raising their puppies. Since they raise their puppies inside their own home as part of their family, their pups are already well-socialized with adults, children, and other dogs. In addition to that, their pups are well-adjusted to all sorts of household sights and sounds, and they even start with potty training and crate training before the pups go to their forever homes. Puppies receive all age appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and a microchip. Waitlist: Yes. Our puppies are all over the world and would be happy to make you part of our puppy family. Thank you for visiting South Florida Australian Labradoodles. .We are the first multigenerational registered Australian Labradoodle in South Florida. We started in with our first mini Australian Labradoodle and fell in love with the temperament of this breed. Since then, we have held back mostly our own puppies and created the amazing lines we have today. We have generation after generation of our same lines, so our puppies temperaments are very predictable. We have since grown to our wonderful puppies being all over the world. We specialize in Mini Australian Labradoodles and know how important it is to know you are getting an Authentic Australian Labradoodle that is healthy, sound temperament, correct structure and amazing coats. All of our breeding dogs are registered and health tested to the standards of the ALAA. We adhere to a strict code of ethics, breed standard and strive to do everything with the highest integrity. All of our puppies are raised in our home and receive endless kisses by the time they go home. If you did not receive a response please check your junk mail. We are proud to be a member and abide by the ethics of this organization. These certifications help ensure that your new Australian Labradoodle puppy is the real deal. Our dogs are carefully selected so their puppies will have wonderful dispositions, amazing conformation, and hypoallergenic coats for which the breed was developed and is sought after. Our goal is to provide allergy friendly Australian Labradoodle puppies that are healthy, smart, and people oriented as family pets as well as therapy and service dogs. Our foundation dogs were chosen specifically because they were the best examples of the breed standards set forth by WALA. With each and every litter we produce we are striving to produce a better puppy that lives a full and happy healthy life. This ensures that our dogs are as healthy as possible before breeding. We use temperament testing and conformation evaluation to help us breed for for calm, confident, and people focused puppies with correct structure. We also use the temperament test results to help place puppies in the right homes. These breeding practices help ensure that you get the best possible Australian Labradoodle puppy available for your family or service dog. We feel that every family should own one of these wonderful Australian Labradoodle puppies for a joyful addition to your family. See why we belong to WALA in this video below.Sunrise Australian Labradoodles. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Miami Florida and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat.

Lifespan Sociability German Shepherds have long been the first choice as working and service dogs because they are highly devoted, loyal, and courageous animals. They are generally easy to train by experienced owners but need a firm hand and consistent routine to train successfully. While this is possible for novice owners, they will present more of a challenge than some other breeds. Before buying a German Shepherd, you need to take into consideration the massive responsibility of owning one of these animals. They are highly protective of their owners, which can lead to aggressive and territorial behavior at times, and they have a powerful prey drive. These dogs were bred for and have long been a working breed and do best with a specific job to do. It will take a great deal of time, patience, and dedication to look after a dog of this caliber, so you need to understand that a German Shepherd is not the kind of dog that can be left at home alone for long periods. This will quickly lead to destructive and even aggressive behavior. With the power and working history of this breed, good training and socialization are essential with owning a German Shepherd. They are one of the most popular breeds in the United States Behind only the family-friendly Labrador Retriever, the German Shepherd is the second most popular breed in the U. German Shepherds Go By Two Names Most dog owners know them simply as German Shepherds, but their name has changed over the years, and they are still referred to by different names in other countries. Many people confuse the two as different breeds, but they are the same animal. Sable, tan, and black color variations are among the most common and recognizable coats, but other recognized colors include black and red, black and cream, grey, and even blue. German Shepherds are known for being mildly aloof and independent dogs, and this is often mistaken for aggression or unpredictable behavior, but in truth, these dogs are rarely aggressive when trained properly. While they are reserved and aloof toward new faces and do not tend to make friends easily, once they get to know you, they are extremely friendly and loyal animals. They make great family dogs because they are loyal, gentle, and friendly with their owners. They are well known for being highly protective and powerful animals, making them ideal guard dogs, and they are typically only aggressive when provoked or protecting their family. They are supremely intelligent animals that can be trained to do almost any job, leading to their wide use in service and military applications. These dogs thrive off of having a specific job to do, especially with their owners, so they are happiest when close to their human family. Indeed, close companionship is a must with the breed, and they will not do well being left alone for extended periods. They will swiftly become bored and frustrated, and this can lead to destructive behavior and even aggression if left unchecked. If you are away from home frequently, the German Shepherd is not the breed for you. They are generally gentle and affectionate with children, although they may accidentally knock over small kids while playing. Of course, good training and socialization are essential for this powerful breed. Other dogs are not usually an issue, but they will need to be socialized early to get along with the family cat! Make sure that their food has an animal-based protein as the first listed ingredient and that the food is free from filler ingredients like wheat, corn, and soy. We recommend substituting this dry food with canned wet food or lean meats and organ meats to add variety and give an amino acid and protein boost. Large breeds like the German Shepherd Sable are prone to joint issues, so you need to be careful of overfeeding them. Avoid giving them too many treats or table scraps, and give them a diet rich in healthy oils to aid their joint health. This includes agility sports and training, as well as puzzle toys and games. These large dogs will need at least 1—2 hours of intensive exercise every day to prevent boredom and destructive behavior, although more is better. They are great companions if you are an outdoor enthusiast and will adore joining you on runs, hikes, and cycling. They have a natural love for water and will enjoy an occasional swim too. One point to keep in mind is to be careful about over-exercising German Shepherds as puppies. While these dogs are active and agile, during the first year, they are rapidly growing, and too much exercise can be harmful to their skeletal development and may cause joint issues later. While they can be aloof and independently-minded at times, making training difficult for novice owners, they typically love the process, and training this breed is usually relatively easy. They should be trained from a young age, preferably from the day that you bring them home, as this will mitigate any bad habit formation that may potentially occur. Positive reinforcement training methods are highly recommended for this powerful breed, as too much harsh scolding or reprimands may lead to an unresponsive dog at best or aggressive behavior at worst. This method uses praise and rewards for a job well done, and this promotes good behavior in the future rather than punishment for bad behavior. Socialization is an often-overlooked aspect of training but is vital to the success of properly training your dog. Socialization with other dogs from an early age will lead to less distraction while in public places, and your Shepherd will be far more likely to follow commands with other dogs around. Also, we recommend engaging in training sessions after a short exercise session, as your pooch will be less distracted, more attentive, and thus, more likely to learn. Even with daily brushing, there is no way around having a ton of hair around your home, so you may need to invest in a pet vacuum cleaner before bringing one of these pooches home! That said, brushing your Shepherd a minimum of two or three times a week will help a great deal, especially when they are shedding heavily. This will remove any dead hair and keep their coat smooth and healthy. Avoid using human soaps or shampoos, as this can strip their coats of natural oils; stick to water or special pet shampoos. Other than that, they need a toenail trimming once a month or so, depending on their activity levels, and regular teeth brushing will stop any tartar build-up and potential dental issues. Soft, safe chew toys and high-quality kibble can also help keep their teeth plaque-free, but you should still brush their teeth regularly. Most responsible breeders will make sure your dog is free from most of the genetic problems that can affect these dogs before selling them, but of course, there is no real definitive way to avoid some of these issues. Being such a large breed, German Shepherds are prone to joint issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as a progressive degeneration of the spinal cord called degenerative myelopathy. This disease may eventually progress to the point where your dog has trouble walking due to the lameness in their back legs, and unfortunately, most of the time, there is no treatment. Gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly known as bloat or gastric torsion, is another condition to keep an eye out for. This is common in large breeds with deep chests like the German Shepherd. The condition is caused by dogs eating large meals too quickly, causing a build-up of gas in the stomach, which then twists, cutting off blood flow. The condition is treatable but frequently results in death, as there is not much time to get to the vet. Minor Conditions. The sable German Shepherd has always been acknowledged as the quintessential dog because it has a DNA similar to that of a wolf. It also has the dominant gene in the German Shepherd family. The sable is the only color that matches the dog perceived as the first Shepherd dog. The dog can be red or tan with black tips or have black hair over their entire body. Sable German Shepherds can reach up to 24 inches in height for females and 26 inches in height for males. Females can also weigh between 55 and 73 pounds, males on the other hand weigh more with their weight falling between 75 and 95 pounds. Typically, their lifespan ranges between 9 and 13 years. The interesting thing is that what we call the German Shepherd most times is actually the German Shepherd Agouti. The sable German Shepherd is mostly used for professional purposes rather than for shows because their color pattern is not acceptable for shows. The most common colors are brown, silver, and black, and they can even be red. These hairs are usually covered with a layer of black hair. The sable coat often changes after two years from birth, which means predicting what a puppy will look like in adulthood can be complicated. There are many types of patterns that can be seen in the sable, but the common ones are black over cream, liver on cream, black on red, and sometimes silver on cream. Gray German Shepherds are a species of sable, but their fur has a color similar to a wolf. According to the fur, they can be classified as short-haired sable German Shepherd or long-haired sable German Shepherd. Are Sable German Shepherds Rare? Since the sable German Shepherd is not a crossbreed but a variety of the normal German Shepherd, these dogs share the same traits and temperaments. However, there are some species of sable that are very rare, the rarest kind among this breed being the recessive black. The dog is always entirely black and also carries sable or tan genes. Sable German Shepherds do change color. It is well-known that sable GSDs change color when they reach maturity. Before it reaches adulthood, it will change the color a couple of times. It might be a lighter color while younger, but it might start to darken as maturity knocks. The only complicated thing so far is predicting how much darker or lighter the color of a sable might be later when it has reached maturity. However, you can have an idea of what the color will look like through the parent. If the color is darker, then there is a higher probability that the pup will end up with the same color and the same thing with a lighter color. Overall, I would say that it will retain a lot of the mask characteristics even when it is mature. Check out this video to watch a sable German Shepherd puppy grow up from 5 weeks to 12 weeks. Basically, what makes them different is the pigmentation. Their color is similar to the wolf, rather than the individual black and brown spots like the normal Shepherd dog has. It has a mix of black and tan coloration. Each hair is multi-colored with brown, silver, or white in the background and tips of black. The gene responsible for this pigmentation is also seen in wolves and only a few dogs have this particular gene. Scientists do know though what is responsible for the coloration in sable. The Agouti gene controls the sable GSD, and it has four variations, each encoding wild-type and black tips in hair. At the same time, the location of these sable pigmentations is determined by other genes. It is currently unknown whether the Agouti gene alters the health or behavior of dogs. Overall, the sable is virtually the same as other German Shepherd dogs asides from the pigmentation. Another thing that differentiates sable German Shepherds from others includes their wolf-like color, cool temperament, and strength. These canines are very intelligent and are quick to learn, including picking up commands and tricks. Similar to other breeds of dogs, the German Shepherd comes with various coats and color types. It is essential to know that some colors are not acceptable by the kennel clubs and are mostly marked as faults. A lot of prospective dog owners prefer an excellent and unique coat color on their dogs. In order to know this, we must know the list of acceptable GSD colors. Accepted colors for the German Shepherd breed: Types of Tan and Mixed Colors — Black and tan, black and silver, red and black, black and cream, solid black and black and red. Types of Sable — A light sable color, black sable, bi-colored, and darker sable color. Colors that are not acceptable by the AKC are rare colors such as gray and blue since they are classified as faulty colors. Therefore, according to this list, the sable is an accepted pigmentation by the kennel clubs. The temperament of the sable German Shepherd is not different from other German Shepherds. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and learn new commands and tricks very fast. They are loyal to the core and will stay with you, regardless of the situation. This means it is impossible to go to the toilet alone when you have a German Shepherd. Sable German Shepherds are gentle and full of love, although they have their silly side. They are ready to work and take things seriously when needed, but when you are at home and relaxing, they can play around without worries. German Shepherds are great with children, but you have to ensure that your children know how to behave correctly around dogs. They are very patient, but if a child annoys them too much, they can react. Although it is the same with all dogs, the main thing is to educate your children while training the dogs. Another important thing about this breed is that they need a lot of mental stimulation because they are highly intelligent and not fond of being by themselves. If you leave them alone for a longer time, they end up becoming bored and may start exhibiting destructive behaviors. Therefore, it is essential that the sable stays with people most of the time; otherwise, you might need to train them against destructive behavior. Sable German Shepherd Health The sable German Shepherd is very strong but is also prone to health issues, and like other German Shepherds, the sable has a common health problem: hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a condition that results from abnormal formation of the joint of the ball in the hip and socket. Because hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease, little can be done to prevent it. However, the environment of the puppy might be a factor that will worsen or aid the development of the disease. The disease is similar to arthritis in humans, and in order to help the dog, you need to encourage plenty of exercises. Activities like swimming can strengthen their legs and make them less susceptible to dysplasia. You must also ensure they are well fed with the correct food. For sable German Shepherds to stay energetic, they need to eat healthy foods that are rich in protein. The best precaution you can take to make sure your dog is less susceptible to this disease is buying the pup from a reputable breeder. Also, make sure you obtain health clearances for the parents of the puppy you are buying. Finally, always check your dog to identify the signs of these issues early and let them have regular checkups with the vet. Apart from hip dysplasia, this breed can also develop other diseases such as bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. This can be prevented by slowing the eating habits of your dog and avoiding excessive exercise after eating. Other health problems that are particular to sables are cataracts, allergies, bladder stones, pancreatitis, diabetes, and thyroid issues. The sable German Shepherd aw aw in color genetics has the dominant color. There are other colors like black and tan as as , black a a , and bicolor at at while the black a a is recessive. Above are the color genetics recognized by the SV. The SV is a standard that was initially set up by the first breeder, von Stephanitz, and it has become a standard that governs all breeders. However, there are mutations that some breeders call rare or elusive colors, such as pure white or panda Shepherd. They might be truly rare but can happen as a result of the original gene mutation. If a sable dog is homozygous, then it means it carries two copies of the sable allele aw aw. Irrespective of the color it is bred to, its offspring will express the coat color of a sable. The offspring might carry other colors, but the sable will always be dominant. Many pet owners have asked this question. Studies were carried out to discover whether the pigmentation of sable colors could alter the health and behavior of the dog. There are two things that might affect their behavior, though, and they are nature and nurture. The way you treat your shepherds and the way they grew up have a significant impact on their health and behavior. A puppy that grew up with gentle and loving parents will turn out the same way later. However, a maltreated dog might become fearful, nervous and later grow up to become aggressive. The same as with all dogs, it is imperative to keep in mind that the sable GSD can grow up to become aggressive if treated poorly. For instance, if a dog was unable to interact with other dogs some months after birth, he might be aggressive or nervous towards other dogs when introduced later. There are a lot of sellers in the US selling high quality, trained sable German Shepherds. However, for sable German Shepherds with pedigrees, specific lines, working titles, papers, and puppies having a properly regulated breeding history, you could pay thousands of dollars. That said, it is fair to say a sable German Shepherd costs more than a normal German Shepherd. Its high price is due to its exceptional intelligence and undoubted loyalty to its owners. Some of the features the sable German Shepherd dog possesses can be matched when a German Shepherd dog is crossbred with a Great Dane or Pitbull dog. When they arrive, they are likely to be sickly, and worse of all is they will have missed a major learning period for basic training; hence they can be very difficult to train or control. If you need to purchase the best sable German Shepherds, I recommend that you do so from reputable breeders, animal shelters, or rescuers. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. The banding of color on each and every individual hair leads to a variety of shades and colors which can vary extremely from sable dog to sable dog. Agouti the correct term for Sable is the genetically dominating pattern in the entire German Shepherd Dog breed. I have never owned a sable GSD until just recently however I have been told by many other sable owners that Sables tend to get darker with age - especially over their back. So I guess I'll see how my puppy turns out. It is also easy to say, that as a general rule of thumb, a sable keeps developing his final color up until the dog reaches the age of three or so - so unlike other German shepherd colors you'll never really know what the final color of sable German Shepherd will really be until the dog is completely mature. These dogs may appear in many shades of silver, gray, gold or mahogany colors. Most fall somewhere in between these extremes. Often times they also have the dark mask as well. Agouti German Shepherds can also go through many stages of coat development, both lightening and darkening, before they reach maturity. Color categorization of sables can be quite difficult when the dog is tattooed or photographed early in its life as the choice of color is often incorrect when you see this dog later in its life because the coat color can change so dramatically as the dog matures. Sable GSDs are born all tan in color. The characteristic black tipping starts coming in after a few weeks of age and then continues until the puppy is a few years old. Sable puppies color changes immensely as they grow up. Oftentimes the German Shepherd puppy will end up either darker or lighter than they were as a small puppy. The sable GSD often closely resembles their two-toned counterparts, such as the black and tan saddle back GSD's, but the sable dogs individual hairs have more than one color on each of them creating a very unique pattern specific only to that individual dog. There is quite an array of hues in the Sable German Shepherd colors, ranging from the lightest tans to the darkest blacks. German Shepherd eye color should be dark, or at least blend in well with the color of the dog. Any nose color other than black is a disqualification. Any Sable GSDs coat shade is acceptable but the richer hues are always preferred. Pale washed out colors, shades of blues and livers are considered serious faults. It is important to note that the guard hairs look as though they are banded in various shades of color and are then tipped in black. Generally speaking, there are many more of these sable German Shepherds in the U. It is also important to note that this type of coat coloration is dominant over all the others. Another name for this type of coloration is called agouti or wolf gray, and it can vary a great deal from dog to dog. Tell us all about your Sable GSD! Do you have a great story about your Sable GSD? Share it with us right here! Just type! Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph. Upload Pictures or Graphics optional [? Click the button and find the first one on your computer. Select it and click on the button to choose it. Then click on the link if you want to upload up to 3 more images. Your Name. Some owners refer to them as black and champagne or fawn. Also, when a white German Shepherd has red in its background, it shows up as a cream color. It is possible for particular black and cream German Shepherd puppies to grow into a black and tan look as they get older. Still, you cannot guarantee how the colors will shift or if they will change in the first place. Dog shows aside, black and cream dogs do not have the same intimidating look as darker dogs and can make for great gateway pets for those looking to adopt their first dog but find the alternative looks more intimidating. Ideal for: Households with young children can adopt black and cream puppies as these GSDs are easier to accept for little kids. Black All Black German Shepherds have no shot at dog shows but are much better at something else: guarding. This perception comes with the added assumption that your black German Shepherd is well-trained to deal with intruders. Even though these dogs are great at discouraging intruders, they have excellent temperaments and empathy to be family dogs. Black GSDs are not more aggressive than other varieties. Unlike solid black, most puppies only show their actual color weeks after birth. They also make shedding less annoying as the black hairs are less visible. A recessive gene causes the black color. Some black dogs have gold eyes, as shown in the image. Large houses are also perfect spacious places where such dogs must exhaust their excess energy. A bi-color features two colors, one of which is often black. Most will appear all black with brown feet or legs, as shown in the image. The AKC pioneered this categorization and is most relevant to dog shows where solid colors and bi-color dogs are judged differently. Depending on the specifics of the color, the dog-and-owner fit can vary. Sable Sable is a pattern often seen as color because of its visual impact. The sable color is named after the mammal sable, which also has a similar color. This type of German Shepherd has black peppered across its fur, giving a deeply crimson color that looks nearly indistinguishable from black and liver. The sable coat pattern appears visibly black as each hair has a black tip. Sable colors include black sable, gray sable, tan sable, red sable, and silver sable. If you like the look of this color pattern, head over to this article to learn loads more about this gorgeous variety; Sable German Shepherd. Ideal for: This shepherd dog is best for those living in sun-kissed suburbs where the true color of sable German Shepherds shines. White Featuring the look of a bleached wolf, the all-white German Shepherd is entirely white and represents quite the irony. It is often purchased because of its exotic looks but is also seen as flawed enough to disqualify from the show ring. In other words, it represents the positive and the negative results of judging dogs by their looks, where they are simultaneously loved and discriminated against because of their color. Given that the first German Shepherd was black, this dog is visually the farthest from its ancestors. There is often a misconception that this type is a mixed breed. However, the white German Shepherd is definitely purebred. Ideal for: Families with young toddlers can benefit from getting a non-intimidating dog. This leaves behind bi-color German Shepherds featuring black and a specific hue of tan that gives an overall deep gray look. Ruskin House of Shepherds They are often gray sable. However, many gray dogs have no black pigmentation, differentiating them from the sable. They have an aesthetic appearance and can tip top between work and show, though they are best kept as multifunctional pets. They look intimidating enough for strangers but acceptable even for younger children who have never had a big dog as a family pet. Nonetheless, they are pretty rare, so you may have to find a specialized breeder to adopt one. The color is rare because it is improbable to guarantee when breeding a single blue stud and rare to occur spontaneously. And the ones who breed rare GSDs only charge a lot per puppy. Since blue is a manifestation of black, it can appear in all German Shepherd looks that feature the black color. Therefore, these dogs are bred mainly in the working line, where black and tan are the most common colors. That makes blue and tan the most common bi-color look of blue German Shepherds. Ideal for: Individuals looking for an exotic, rare dog with a story would love to have a blue German Shepherd. Liver Liver as a color term is used almost exclusively to describe dark brown dogs. The shades of dark brown can vary, but the term stands. It is no different for German Shepherds, who are also categorized as a liver for being dark brown. With black not really being seen as color — white as a complete lack of color, brown has the best shot of getting the highest points for color richness — except in the show world. This is because the American Kennel Club sees livers as faults, and they cannot enter the show ring. However, liver German Shepherds are highly sought-after, making them some of the priciest German Shepherds to acquire. Still, their price is artificially inflated because of demand. Ideal for: Those who love the deep brown aesthetic will love a liver German Shepherd. Liver and Tan As mentioned earlier, German Shepherds with liver parents are pretty often liver-colored. While mutations did occur to manifest this look into the otherwise black line of GSDs, the genes of these dogs are relatively stable, making them great studs. Ideal for: Owners with prominently brown wardrobes can get a kick by extending their color preference to their dogs. Isabella Isabella German Shepherds face the same ironic fate as white GSDs, where they are simultaneously admired and acquired for their beauty yet disqualified or marked down from shows for their looks. Similar to liver dogs, the AKC views them as a fault. Isabella GSDs look lavender-flavored cappuccino in that they are a light lilac color. They have a distinctly feminine appearance regardless of gender and can make a beautiful addition to the family. Because of their non-threatening looks, they are readily accepted in suburban communities, whereas new pets can often get scrutinized unfairly. Isabella GSDs are rare because they come from a combination of recessive traits that might not even manifest in studs. Studs often have desirable dominant features, including rich colors. The Isabella color comes from the combination of liver and blue, one of which is rarely used for breeding. This leaves room only for blue genes to pass through non-blue studs, which is not entirely likely. Ideal for: Those who want to make a statement with one of the rarest German Shepherds will be satisfied with an Isabella dog. However, they better be willing to pay the premium. You cannot have a Sable Shepherd without having reddish fur. But the distribution of red and black or silver and a lot of black is what matters: the lighter coat makes up the backdrop over which the darker fur is peppered. Ruskin House of Shepherds Sable shepherds are rarely sable all over, and portions of their body feature only one of the two colors that make up their sable pattern. In other words, given black and red as primary sable-makers, these dogs are more likely to be black and sable or red and sable. Sometimes you can get a rarer color sable, such as the liver sable in the image. Brindle German Shepherds are the closest to sable in that they also consist of one color peppered across another in tiger stripes or a marbled pattern. Instagram: alastian. Black is far more prominent, and these dogs are the closest to the second generation of German Shepherds. Panda A Panda German Shepherd looks like a white or bi-color dog who tried to apply eye shadow for the first time. The area around their eyes is black, reminiscent of a panda. They have white color featured across their chest, limbs, feet, and tail tip, similar to a Border Collie. Panda Shepherds do not have any other similarities with the panda; the dog has an active temperament compared to the lazy panda. The gene is dominant, meaning it only takes one parent to replicate the pattern. It is also seen as a fault for conformation. My German Shepherd Pup Willow Still, getting a German Shepherd puppy with many white spots is a risk if you plan to enter him in a dog show as an adult. But if you do not care about dog shows, the white markings can be charming. It is rarer to find white spotting in black GSDs. These spots are more common in black and red, black and cream, black and tan, and liver variations. However, they blended in with her adult coat in time. A German Shepherd can have a black, blue, silver, or brown saddle though other colors are not definitively excluded. Saddle-back German Shepherds have to be bi-color by definition because the saddle is visible only in contrast with another, often lighter, color. Blanket The blanket is yet another pattern independent of color. Just like with saddle GSDs, being bicolor is a prerequisite just to spot the blanket. The saddle pattern has a better shot at dog shows between saddle German Shepherds and blanket ones. Since the blanket is dark, dogs with this pattern have an intimidating presence and are often used by the police and protective patrols. This makes them excellent guard dogs as they carry the same connotations. Mask Mask refers to the face of a German Shepherd with visible contrast in the face compared to the surrounding region. On the one side, they can have black fur over their faces, which gives the appearance of a mask, but the rest of their body can feature stripes brindle or the sable pattern. This study of dogs with colored masks found that the mask is caused by a specific allele referred to as a melanistic mask. Mask German Shepherds have a unique appeal, which makes people go to great lengths to acquire them. The mask is almost always black. In case the mask is a lighter color, it is categorized differently. The area around the mouth can be lighter, making the German Shepherd look more like a wolf. Some reverse masks also have a dark stripe down the muzzle, as in the image shown. Needless to say, these German Shepherds can be pricey simply because of their resemblance with wolves. They also are intimidating again because of this similarity. All the connotations they have with wolves, and their wildness come in handy when scaring away intruders. However, this is a myth, as they are as easy or difficult to raise as regular dogs. To breed them, you must have both the mother and the father, who carry the same reverse mask look. Like the masked variety, German Shepherds with a reverse mask can have other patterns as the mask or the reverse has to do with their faces. Speaking of wolves, the closest a GSD can come to having a wolf-like appearance is to have a reverse mask look and be a blanketed silver sable. The rarest color of German Shepherd is Isabella, which is also known as lilac. Not only is this color visually appealing, but it is also difficult to predict when breeding. The recessive blue and liver getting combined are not very likely, which makes almost all Isabella shepherds pleasant surprises. Getting a lilac shepherd from a reputable breeder is advisable because unscrupulous breeders may repeatedly breed puppies and neglect the non-isabella dogs hoping to profit from the lilac pups. Black is prominent across most variations of GSDs. From black and tan, often working lines, to black and red for showing, most German Shepherds have a hint of black. If you are looking for the most common overall color of a German Shepherd, the two that come out on top are black and red and black and tan. The show line dog of this bicolor look will be the cheapest yet will command a price significantly higher than a working dog of the same pair of colors. Some German Shepherd colors, such as blue and white, are controversial because they have been linked to genetic health issues, such as skin problems and deafness. Breeders who prioritize these colors over health can perpetuate these issues. Yes, the color of a German Shepherd puppy can be predicted based on the colors of the parents and the genetic inheritance of the color genes. By understanding the basics of color genetics, breeders can make educated guesses about the colors of their puppies. Do German Shepherds Change Color? German Shepherds do change color, especially if they are bicolor. This happens when they mature and shed certain colored fur but never grow it back. The color change is most prominent in brindle GSDs and sable shepherds, as the decrease in one shade of fur leads to a change in the overall look of the dog. No, the color of a German Shepherd does not affect its temperament. Temperament is determined by genetics and upbringing, not color. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are descendants of dark dogs but have come a long way since they were first shown as the perfect cross between beautiful and work-ready. GSD colors can vary from lighter ones like the rare Isabella all the way to solid black. The pattern variations include mask, sable, brindle stripes, and saddle, whereas colors can be solid or pair from the pool of black, red, tan, blue, silver, cream, liver, white, and gray. With over 30 years of experience working with dogs, this former Police Officer has seen it all. Find her on Linkedin! Our extensive collection features hundreds of stunning photos of these adorable canines in various poses, settings, and backgrounds. Type of Images Available Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images features a variety of different types of photos, including portraits, candid shots, outdoor and indoor images, and more. From close-ups of their expressive faces to action shots of them running and playing, our images capture the energy and character of this amazing breed. Our images can be used for a multitude of purposes, including websites, blog posts, advertisements, social media, books, magazines, and more. Whether you're sharing photos of your own German Shepherd puppy or you need images for a commercial project, our collection is a great resource. Tips for Choosing the Right Image Choosing the right image can make all the difference when it comes to creating a compelling design or message. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect image: Consider the mood you want to convey Think about the context in which the image will be used Look for images with high resolution and clarity Take into account the color scheme of your project and select images that complement it Choose images that have a clear focal point and aren't cluttered Why Choose Our Images? Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images offers a unique combination of quality, variety, and affordability. We pride ourselves in providing images that are visually stunning while still being accessible to a wide range of individuals and businesses. Plus, we offer flexible licensing options, including Royalty-free and Extended licenses, to fit your specific needs. With our images, you can create compelling projects that capture the essence of this beloved breed, no matter what your design or marketing goals may be. So why wait? Browse our collection today to discover the perfect German Shepherd puppy image for your next project!

Golden retrievers have a charm all of their own, as Patrice Fellows reports. Register for our newsletter To continue reading this content please register for our newsletter. Since their foundation in midth century Scotland, these attractive retrievers with a keen desire to work in both cover and water, and famously soft mouths, have contributed massively to shooting. Although not as common as the ubiquitous Labrador, goldens have made up for the disparity in numbers by the quality of their contribution to the field. As a consequence Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Baron Tweedmouth, developed a vision of a specialist retriever to meet these requirements. In he bought a pup named Nous from a cobbler in Brighton, the only yellow dog in an unregistered litter of black wavy-coated retrievers. Three years later he crossed Nous with a Tweed water spaniel named Belle; this mating produced four yellow pups that became the foundation of the breed. Through a combination of line breeding and judicious crosses he attained his ideal companion: a powerful retriever that was also gentle and trainable. His Highland estate and line of Guisachan Retrievers are honoured today as the home and foundation of the breed. For almost 50 years the breed remained little known; as Lord Tweedmouth developed his bloodlines he kept some puppies, gave some to keepers in nearby estates and gave others to friends and relatives. This changed in when a friend of the family, Viscount Harcourt, exhibited the first golden under the affix Culham at a Kennel Club event. He was joined by Mrs Charlesworth the next year, who exhibited the offspring of her bitch Normanby Beauty, a highly intelligent and tireless worker. Eight goldens were exhibited at Crufts in , all registered as yellow flatcoated retrievers. A small group of enthusiasts formed the Golden Retriever Club in , which has grown to over 2, members across the world today. It is joined by 12 regional breed clubs in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as 14 breed rescue organisations scattered throughout England. Many early breeders competed both on the bench and in the field, but today most dogs are divided into show or working strains. There are, however, a handful of dual-purpose breeders that continue to pick up or shoot over their goldens. These dogs may not compete at the highest levels, but they more than prove their worth in the field. From the beginning Golden Retrievers have maintained a strong presence in field trials, winning the annual IGL Retriever Championship four times. Mazurka went on to win three more awards, including second place. There have been more than FTChs in the history of the breed, and many have won any variety as well as single-breed stakes. It is considered intelligent, kind, gentle and confident. One of the most adaptable of the sporting breeds, it can carry out many tasks in addition to its original purpose in the field. With its kind and patient nature it is an ideal choice for families with children, making them better suited to living in the house than in kennels. They are typically friendly with other dogs, pets and livestock, as well as people. A common question is, are Golden Retrievers smart? They are widely used as disability assistance dogs, such as guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the deaf. They excel in obedience training at all levels and can be trained for work in numerous disciplines, including detection, search and rescue, and lifesaving. They are also consistent top performers in agility, obedience and working trials. The size of Golden Retrievers can vary from medium to large, and they are strongly built with a balanced body and powerful gait. They have a broad skull and powerful muzzle, black nose, round dark eyes and moderate sized ears. The dogs stand about 22—24" at the shoulder and females slightly less at 20—22". Their topcoat is medium length and slightly wavy or flat with good feathering and a dense undercoat, which keeps them cool in summer and warm in the winter. Any shade of gold or cream is permitted, with some white on the chest. Working Golden Retrievers are generally lighter in build and more athletic than show varieties, with a shorter coat suited to working in the field. With dark yellow to reddish-gold coats, they look more like their early ancestors. When the first breed standard was written in , cream was not permitted as a coat colour, and throughout the s very dark dogs were favoured. Health And Care Adult goldens need up to two hours a day of exercise as well as mental stimulation. Their coats shed copiously, especially at the change of seasons twice a year. With puppies this will entail just brushing, but with working adults it will be necessary to check for burrs, knots and tangles, and to keep their feet trimmed with scissors. Like other pedigree dogs, goldens are prone to a number of hereditary conditions. There are currently three health schemes offered by the British Veterinary Association in conjunction with the Kennel Club. Although breeding stock is screened under these schemes, there is no guarantee that pups will be clear, although the likelihood is increased. Breeding stock should also be x-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia. These are multifactorial conditions influenced by genes, nutrition and exercise, so always follow the advice of breeders in the care of a young pup, even if its parents have good results. Cancer is one of the main causes of death. Aside from the hereditary conditions listed above, goldens can also suffer from skin problems and allergies, ear infections, epilepsy and thyroid conditions. Unlike spaniels, a retriever is not required to quarter ahead to quest and flush live game, although some people use retrievers in the beating line or for rough shooting. Early days focus on obedience commands, steadiness and walking to heel, single marked and memory retrieves, as well as hunting in a restricted area. Once basic skills and control are established, more advanced dummy work incorporating multiple or blind retrieves, handling at a distance with whistle and voice commands, water, gunshot and obstacles are introduced. Once these skills are mastered, there is a transition period of working with cold game before the first introduction to the field. A young dog might spend its first season sitting up at drives or walking to heel while other dogs are sent for retrieves, with a reward of a few birds at the end of the day. Throughout the process, the emphasis is on acquiring new skills on a step-by-step basis to encourage success, simplifying and backtracking whenever necessary. Harsh handling is never advised, especially in the case of goldens, who are sensitive and prone to stubbornness when treated with force or coercion. During the off-season, Golden Retriever clubs and gundog societies hold retriever gundog working tests GWTs , which seek to further good gundog work without live game. GWTs are divided into puppy, novice and open categories, and each club publishes its entry rules on its website. Three or four tests simulate varying shooting scenarios requiring single and double retrieves, blind retrieves, hunting in an area, walking-up and retrieves in or near water. Field Trials for Golden Retrievers Retriever field trials have grown immensely in popularity in recent years and are usually oversubscribed. That said, it is still primarily an amateur sport, open to anyone willing to take on the required commitment. Golden Retriever field trials are run as closely as possible to an ordinary shooting day. If feasible, they are conducted on ground where dogs can be tested walking in line to heel in roots or cover and waiting off the lead at drives, but the day may consist of just one or the other. In August a few trials are held on grouse moors in the north, and in September there are some walk-up days on partridge. The majority of trials are held in October and November as walked-up or driven days over partridge and pheasant, leading up to the annual IGL Retriever Championship at the end of November. Most trials are held under a four-judge system, where pairs of judges evaluate the performance of the competitors, working down the line in numerical order. In the first round, dogs are usually sent for two retrieves each, and can be discarded for a variety of misdemeanours such as running-in, chasing, whining or being eye-wiped by the judges or another competitor. Dogs that survive are called up for further rounds until the top few dogs remain, at which point the judges confirm the final placings with a run-off, usually working all together at the centre of the line. Why Not A Golden? One major drawback is the extra care and attention their coat requires. They are large dogs and prone to getting dirty, especially in the field. Burrs and tangles must be dealt with - and not just brushed aside, so grooming your Golden Retriever is an important daily task. Another drawback for some people is they do not make good kennel dogs. Sarah Gadd, a prominent trialler who started out with both goldens and labradors, gave them up for this reason. While show-bred Golden Retrievers are very popular, working kennels are few and far between. Finally, there is the issue of training your Golden Retriever. Although the breed is considered biddable and easy to train, it is sensitive and perhaps not as resilient to handler mistakes or short cuts as the labrador. Captain HFH Hardy, who won the first field trial award for the breed in , favoured them amongst all gundog breeds. In order to achieve success, you have to have a feel for what makes them so distinctive. But if you are definitely up to the challenge, and willing to learn the secrets to their success, gold-dust beckons. Broad skull and powerful muzzle, black nose, dark eyes and moderate sized ears. Medium length coat with feathering in any shade of gold. Character: Intelligent, kind, gentle, playful, biddable and confident. Ideal for families with children. Usually friendly with other dogs and animals and likes people. Easy to train and adaptable to many jobs as well as work in field. Slow to mature, sensitive and at times stubborn if treated harshly. Daily care: Requires up to two hours of daily exercise and mental stimulation. Coat requires daily or frequent grooming. Basic obedience and gundog training recommended. Health: A healthy breed. Average lifespan of 12 years. Prone to cancer and skin ailments. At work: Tireless worker with a good nose and excellent in cover and water. Also a good tracker of wounded game with a soft mouth. Well-suited to field work as a peg dog, picking up or wildfowling. May be used for beating or rough shooting. Trained for many other jobs, such as assistance, detection and search and rescue. Top performer in obedience, agility and working trials. More Information About This Gun Dog Breed We love sharing our trusted resources, the more we learn about each breed the better we are able to take care of our beloved dogs. Below we have listed some of our favourite websites and books used to create this article and to learn more about this fantastic gun dog breed. Take a look at some of these resources: www. We have since bred Six litters of Working Golden Retrievers. More details if the litter and regular updates can be found here on our dedicated Goldbounty Golden Retriever Facebook Page. For the latest information regarding Goldbounty or to view any of our Dogs health tests, please visit our Champdogs page by clicking HERE or visit Champdogs main page by clicking on the image below. Narla shares the same sire as Ru but has a far stronger working drive. We were lucky enough to meet Adrian at Merryway and Narla was born in August .Narla is a once in a lifetime dog who has tried her paws at so many things and helped many dogs and their owners gain further understanding and skills. For several years Narla was a registered Pets As Therapy dog. Narla has had two litters of puppies with 21 pups in total see below. Olive enjoys having lots of fun at Agility training workshops and being the family cuddler and clown making us smile a lot. Olive spent several years as a registered Pets As Therapy Dog and was a school reading dog at our local school. Brae is a Silver Good Citizen. They also train Agility together and are hoping to compete together. Primrose also demonstrates at classes with Stuart and trains Rally and Obedience with Sarah and Jess. Ginny is kind to other pups and really enjoys her tutor dog role. Ginny is handled and owned by our daughter Jess and they train Hoopers having achieved the Good Hoopers Silver award, Obedience and Agility together. There were 11 puppies in the first litter. This was also a litter of 10 pups with 3 boy and 7 girls. For the latest information regarding Goldbounty or to view any of our Dogs health tests, please visit our Champdogs page by clicking HERE or visit Champdogs main page by clicking on the link below.