english bulldog puppies how to take care

Moreover, in case your Labradoodle has any sensitivity, weight, allergy, or other health issues, the Purina Pro Plan product range has got you covered. So, if your Labradoodle is struggling with a food allergy, you might not have to switch to another brand altogether. Instead, you can switch the chicken formula for lamb or fish, for example. The same goes for grains. This makes it perfect for all Labradoodles weighing more than 70 pounds. Although the list is not short and has some rather tricky names listed, it does contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, and even added glucosamine, which is great for Labradoodles who are at a risk of developing joint problems like hip dysplasia. Labradoodle owners know how important a beautiful coat is! Dicalcium phosphate DCP has been linked to kidney stones and the calcification of soft tissue Contains soy, which may be difficult to digest, cause bloat and gas, and trigger allergies 2. Fromm Fromm has formulas for all stages of life, large and small breeds, for weight management, and offers grain-free and grain-inclusive variations. The main sources of protein are beef, chicken, turkey, duck, pork, salmon, tuna, lamb, goose, pheasant, quail, venison, rabbit, and whitefish. Chicken is listed as the first ingredient, but it also includes fish meal, duck, lamb, and chicken liver. This formula is grain-inclusive and uses whole grains like oat groats and barley. Likewise, other natural ingredients like flaxseed, alfalfa meal, and inulin provide additional fiber. Not only are the most important vitamins and minerals included, this dry dog food is formulated with prebiotics and probiotics. PawTree formulas are made from real ingredients and they offer a variety of different formulas, specializing in grain-free recipes, and formulas that are free from certain ingredients to minimize allergic reactions. Allergies and food sensitivities are a common concern for many Labradoodles, especially when it comes to certain proteins or even grains. Other highlights in this formula include apples, blueberries, coconut oil, salmon oil, and flaxseed. In addition to quality animal proteins and plants, this dry kibble also contains added vitamins, minerals, and even prebiotics for good tummy health. In fact, this recipe has been designed for reduced stool volume and also to keep those smelly farts at bay. Pros First ingredient listed is real duck. Packed with nutritious ingredients that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Perfect for Labradoodles who are allergic to chicken and fish. Ideal for overweight Doods. Supports good skin and coat health. Naturally occurring glucosamine helps support the joints. Designed to be easily digestible. No corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-products, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Cons None! Victor Victor Pet Food has formulas suitable for all life stages. Additionally, they offer special formulas for joint health, weight management and performance, and grain-free and high-protein formulas. For some Labradoodles, the food sensitivity, digestion, weight management, and joint support formulas might be beneficial. Royal Canin Royal Canin offers formulas that many Labradoodle owners might find useful like special food for large breeds, formulas for food sensitivities, weight management, and digestive health. All of which Labradoodles are at risk of. However, as Labradoodles tend to inherit the health issues of both Labs and Poodles, this option might work well for your Labradoodle. Diamond As with other brands, Diamond offers a variety of dog food options for different needs. Labradoodle owners might find their formulas for weight management or sensitivity issues helpful. It contains a decent amount of fiber that helps with proper digestion, as do added probiotics. The key ingredients in raw dog food diets are: muscle meats, organ meats like liver, kidney, spleen, brain, sweetbreads, whole, powdered or meaty bones, raw eggs, dog-friendly fruit and vegetables, and sometimes dairy, like yogurt. Kirkland Kirkland is another popular dog food brand that Labradoodle parents love. It offers formulas for all life stages, weight management, and also grain-free and organic options. However, they do have other formulas with different protein sources Ingredients To Avoid In Labradoodle Dog Food You already might know that there are ingredients your Labradoodle should never eat. Naturally, responsible dog food brands do not include these ingredients, anyway. Related Content. Fruits and vegetables Labradoodles can eat Dairy If your Labradoodle is not lactose intolerant, he can eat some dairy foods in moderation. Dairy foods provide protein, calcium, vitamin D, A, B12, zinc, magnesium, and selenium. They build strong bones, reduce the risk of diabetes, and may improve heart health. Experimenting with small amounts of dairy foods is best to see what your dog can handle. Some dogs have trouble digesting milk but can enjoy small pieces of cheese or a blob or two of plain yogurt. My dog loves small chunks of cheese but cannot tolerate even a small spoonful of heavy cream — although she is okay with some milk. World of Dogz Commercial Dog Food Aside from the foods listed above, you can also feed your Labradoodle commercial dog food. Labradoodles can eat dry, wet, semi-dry food technically wet, too , raw, dehydrated, or freeze-dried food. However, you must be careful not to select a food package for a different breed with macro nutritional requirements other than Labradoodles. The most remarkable thing about commercial dog food is that it is far less expensive than homemade dog food and takes much less time to prepare, store, and feed. Labradoodles cannot eat chocolate, macadamia nuts, black walnuts, onion, garlic, grapes, or avocado. Standard market-packed sardines are the safest fish for dogs. Even onion powder in a broth can have this effect. Garlic Garlic can also make your dog anemic. Make sure any food you prepare contains no garlic flavor. Chocolate Theobromine and caffeine in chocolate and chocolate-adjacent products are toxic to dogs. Ensure you choose an organic brand. Nuts Some nuts can lead to weakness, vomiting, and tremors. Macadamia and black walnuts are the worst at this. Other varieties are also too high in fat. Avocado The avocado skin can result in vomiting and diarrhea, so your Labradoodle should be kept away from this fruit. Your dog can OD on alcohol. Sugar Dogs love sweet treats, but if you feed a sugar-rich diet, they will get fat. Yeast Dough If you bake bread at home, keep your dog away from unbaked dough. It can ferment in the stomach causing alcohol toxicosis, and the yeast can rise in the gut, causing a severe blockage. The first is to sit down and curate a Labradoodle diet that dodges the above. The second is to simply opt for packaged dog food. Specific fruits can be toxic to your Labradoodle — especially grapes and starfruit. You can feed your dog veggies — yet garlic and onion can be problematic. You can provide your dog fish — but not if it is completely raw. However, organic food is healthier than extruded kibble cooked at high temperatures which reduces its nutritional value. On the other hand, packaged dog food is easy to get, feed, and store. Wet Dog Food If your Labradoodle turns his nose up at dry kibble, you can try wet dog food as it contains much higher moisture content than dry food. Some larger dogs like it, whereas others prefer a bit of crunch. Take note, though, that canned wet food can be expensive for dogs the size of Labradoodles, as you will need to provide much more. Ensure you check the protein content, as wet food contains a lot of water. Dry and Wet Mix This is one of the most widely preferred Labradoodle food types, and you get the best of both worlds. Most Doodles who dislike dry or wet food like a wet and dry mix. Adding a few scoops of wet food to dry food changes the texture and palatability of the food, making it enticing to your dog. You can also add water to dry dog food making it easier to digest and more appetizing, especially if you have a fussy eater or a dog with general appetite loss due to illness. This gives your dog added variety — but remember to adjust the calories accordingly. You may also consider semi-moist dog food. You can use one of countless dog chow recipes to produce homemade dog food. Some dog owners enjoy home cooking for their dogs as it gives them complete control of what they feed them. However, preparing a homemade diet can also be expensive and is very time-consuming. Check out the directory of certified vet nutritionists from the American College of Veterinary Nutrition to help you find one in your area. Raw Dog Food Of course, if you grasp the idea of feeding chow made from leftover meat, you can always get your Labradoodle a prime Wagyu steak. A raw food diet consists of raw meat and organs mixed in — and raw bones. This method of feeding your dog has grown in popularity in recent years. You can prepare a raw diet at home, similar to a home-cooked meal except raw , or buy pre-prepared complete and balanced raw food, which is more convenient. While weighing up your options, you might want to consider the price of feeding a raw diet. Dehydrated Dog Food Dehydrated dog food also known as air-dried is often confused with dry dog food because it is technically dry. However, you must add water to get the food into the shape it is intended to be served. A dehydrated doggy diet is a healthy and minimally processed feeding option as it uses a low-heat and gentle drying method. It combines the convenience of dry food with the nutritional benefits of raw. It is easier to store and far more portable, but it can be costly. Freeze-Dried Dog Food Freeze-dried dog food is prepared at the factory and brought into its wet form, then freeze-dried into solids that dissolve in the water. It is dehydrated at a lower temperature. Once the food is put in a sealed package, it can take years to degrade because there is no moisture for microorganisms to survive. When you buy freeze-dried dog food, it is still raw. For example, a Labrador mixed with a Standard Poodle will need far more food than a much smaller Lab mixed with a Toy Poodle. A smaller adult female needs 1. A Labradoodle puppy needs 12 — 16 ounces of food per day divided into 3 meals initially and then 2 meals at 6 months old. Labradoodles tend to control their weight pretty well. However, some dogs may be food-motivated and greedy, especially if they carry the POMC mutated gene , which is responsible for an increased appetite in Labradors. Labradoodle Feeding Schedule You should consider the energy your dog expends during the day when creating a healthy feeding schedule for them. Mini Labradoodles, for example, will burn off energy more quickly than the standard variety. However, it is advised to offer one cup of dry dog food or its equivalent and then wait eight hours before feeding another cup to avoid canine bloat. When your Labradoodle is a puppy, you must split his intake into 3 or 4 meals. Feeding your pup can be slightly complicated because of your, and not his, schedule. Labradoodle Puppy Meal Plan Puppies need feeding more often, as they need extra calories for growth and to satisfy their energy requirements. Labradoodle puppies should be fed 4 meals a day up to 3 months of age, 3 meals a day up to 6 months of age, and 2 meals a day from 6 months to adulthood. Age of Labradoodle. Labradoodles are unique because they come in a variety of sizes and shapes. In general, Labradoodles need protein-rich foods that contain essential fatty acids like omega-3s. These will help keep their coats shiny and their energy levels high. Additionally, Labradoodles need glucosamine to help support healthy joints, as well as probiotics for digestion and immunity. Proteins Labradoodles require a lot of protein in their diets. Look for foods that have high-quality sources of animal proteins such as chicken, fish, and lamb. Look for foods that contain healthy sources of fats, such as fish oil and flaxseed. Carbohydrates When shopping for food for your Labradoodle, you want to look for foods with complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, and oats. These will provide your pup with sustained energy throughout the day. Look for foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, iron, zinc, and B Vitamins. These will help keep their immune systems strong and give them the energy they need. Overall, when shopping for the best food for Labradoodles, you want to look for proteins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals. By doing this, your pup will get all of the nutrition he or she needs to stay happy and healthy! What Ingredients Should You Avoid? When it comes to dog food, you want to make sure you avoid ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. These can all be difficult for your pup to digest and may cause allergies or stomach issues. Additionally, you want to make sure you avoid any food that contains by-products or fillers as these are not nutritious and could potentially be harmful. Labradoodles can suffer from a variety of health issues, including joint pain, allergies, and skin irritations. Depending on the issue your pup is facing, you may want to look for foods that are specifically formulated to address these problems. Joint Pain If your pup is suffering from joint pain, look for foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin. These are natural supplements that help to lubricate the joint and reduce inflammation. Skin Irritations If your pup is suffering from skin irritations, look for foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats help keep the skin hydrated and can reduce inflammation. Sensitive Stomachs If your pup has a sensitive stomach, look for foods that are easy to digest and have limited ingredients. This will help minimize the chances of any digestive issues or allergies. Ultimately, finding the right food for your Labradoodle is an important part of keeping them healthy and happy. By following these tips and understanding their nutritional needs, you can ensure your pup is getting all of the nutrition they need to live a long and healthy life! Best Labradoodle Puppy Food When it comes to the best dog food for labradoodle puppies, you want to look for something that provides high-quality proteins and carbohydrates. These ingredients will help support healthy development and provide your pup with all of the nutrition they need. Best Labradoodle Adult Food When looking for adult food, you want to look for something with protein and carbohydrates as the primary ingredients. Additionally, make sure the food contains essential vitamins and minerals as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Orijen Puppy Food Orijen puppy food is one of the best options on the market. It is made with high-quality proteins and carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Is kibble, cans, raw or homemade food better? Swapping Puppy Food Brands Moving into his or her new home is a challenging and exciting time for your Labradoodle puppy. Keep feeding what your pup is used to for at least two weeks. Then, slowly start mixing in the new food you have chosen for your pup. Labradoodle Puppy Diets Puppies have lots of growing to do. This means that they need more of certain minerals and nutrients for example calcium and phosphorus for bone growth. Your labradoodle pup will also need a higher amount of good quality protein. This is definitely not the case, though. This—among other things—can cause joint problems, such as hip dysplasia. Labradoodles are a cross between two breeds that are both already at high risk of developing hip dysplasia. The most important thing of all is to avoid overfeeding a Labradoodle puppy, as we will see later in this article. This is called hypoglycemia. Generally, a feeding schedule for your Labradoodle pup can look like this: 2 — 4 months: 4 meals daily 4 — 6 months: 3 meals daily 6 — 8 months: 2 — 3 meals daily Older than 8 months: 2 meals daily. Just make sure to divide the total daily amount onto multiple feedings. You can make slight adjustments to these amounts if your pup is looking a little slim or chunky. The number of calories your pup needs will also change as he or she gets older and heavier. There are a couple of different options out there. Commercial dog foods offer complete and balanced nutrition for your growing pup — this means that they have all the right nutrients in all the right amounts and ratios. If a puppy is fed an inappropriate diet, this could lead to long-lasting growth defects or other malnutrition diseases. Feeding a Labradoodle Puppy Kibble Kibble is the most popular type of dog food out there. There are only two things you need to pay attention to when choosing kibble: It should be designed specifically for puppies, and it should be high-quality. Research shows that higher-priced dog foods tend to have higher nutrient digestibility than lower-priced kibble — so it might be worth spending a bit more. Choose a kibble that contains a meat protein source as the first ingredient, and steer clear of ingredients like corn, soy, and cereals. Due to its high water content, the aromas and taste of the meat unfold better, making wet food the most palatable food there is. This comes at a bit of a cost, though: Wet food tends to be more expensive than kibble, and of course it spoils more easily. To get the best of both worlds of commercial dog foods, you can combine or alternate between kibble and wet food. The BARF diet consists of lots of raw meat and bones, as well as some veg and fruit. Supporters of raw feeding think that it will make your dog healthier, although there is no solid evidence for this yet. Raw meats are often contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter. These bacteria could potentially cause diseases in your pup. However, this is extremely rare, as the digestive tract most dogs can handle these bugs just fine. This means that there is a lot less danger of bacterial infections from raw meats. Keep in mind that cooking for a dog is not the same as cooking for yourself. Avoid spices, onions, garlic, cooking oils, and too much salt. These are dogs that will always want more food and are prone to obesity. It can help to space out meals or add one or two feedings a day if your dog is constantly hungry. Another option is to make your dog work for small amounts of food throughout the day — be it with puppy training, food balls, or puzzles. The possibilities are endless. A diet that meets these life-stage needs is essential for proper development and health maintenance. Labradoodle puppies. They also need a balanced calcium and phosphorus diet for healthy bone growth. Feeding high-quality puppy food formulated explicitly for Labradoodles puppies can help ensure they receive the necessary nutrients during this crucial developmental stage. Adult Labradoodles. Require a diet that is moderate in calories and protein to maintain their weight and prevent obesity. They also need a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to support their overall health and energy needs. You must slowly transition your dog to an adult recipe at one year old. Senior Labradoodles. Senior dogs may require a diet lower in calories and fat to maintain a healthy weight and higher fiber to support digestive health. Senior dog foods often contain joint supplements to help mobility and joint health. At around 8 or 9, you should slowly transition your Labradoodle to senior food. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are important to boost their weakening immune system. Labradoodles are a hybrid breed that combines the traits of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. They are known for their high energy levels and require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Feeding a Labradoodle a balanced diet that meets its nutritional needs will ensure it has the necessary energy for physical activities. If a Labradoodle is not receiving adequate nutrition or is being overfed, it may experience weight gain or become lethargic, which can decrease its activity level. Conversely, if a Labradoodle is not consuming enough food or getting the proper nutrients, it may lack the energy required for vigorous exercise. By providing the right amount of nutritious food, owners can help maintain an optimal activity level in their Labradoodles and promote their overall well-being. Although certain health issues that Labradoodles may experience are congenital and beyond our control, others can be influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, such as diet. Some of the most common health issues faced by Labradoodles include the following: Food allergies. Certain ingredients in their food can cause allergies in Labradoodles. Food allergies in Labradoodles may present as dry, itchy skin, ears, or paws. However, unlike allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system but can lead to vomiting or diarrhea. Hip dysplasia. Some dogs show signs of pain and lameness. Elbow dysplasia. This can lead to painful lameness. It can cause mild or severe seizures. Progressive retinal atrophy PRA. This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind; as the disease progresses, they also lose their daytime vision. Sebaceous adenitis SA. This serious skin disease destroys the sebaceous glands that produce the skin and coat essential oils. This is a genetic bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia in people. It occurs in poodles and can show up in doodle hybrids. This thyroid gland disorder is thought to cause conditions such as epilepsy, alopecia hair loss , obesity, lethargy, hyperpigmentation, pyoderma, and other skin conditions. Heart disease. It can cause underlying conditions such as heart valve degeneration, irregular heart rate and rhythm arrhythmia , and dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. Labradoodle-Specific Dog Food Qualities To Look For Providing Labradoodles with a well-balanced and nutritious diet and preventative supplementation, as advised by your veterinarian, is crucial in maintaining their health and preventing potential health issues that may arise from poor nutrition. Here are the key qualities to look for in dog food for Labradoodles. Avoid common allergies. Because Labradoodles can develop allergies or food intolerances, we highly recommend conducting an at-home dog allergy test like the 5Strands kit. This particular kit can test for up to ingredients and determine which ones may cause food intolerance in your dog. Once you receive the results, you can use the list to avoid dog food formulas that contain potential allergens. Labradoodles can have sensitive digestive systems. Look for a dog food that adds probiotics to its formula. Dog probiotics support a healthy digestive system and immune system. Labradoodles can be prone to digestive issues, so look for dog food that is minimally processed, such as fresh dog food or homemade dog food for Labradoodles. Lower-quality kibble may contain fillers, artificial preservatives, and other ingredients that can be harder to digest and may cause digestive upset in some dogs. Skin and coat support. These nutrients help to maintain the health of the skin and coat. Joint support. Foods with added supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin can help support joint health, which is crucial for breeds prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. Adrenal support. Choose a high-quality, balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients, and avoid foods with high potassium levels, as these can exacerbate symptoms. Low glycemic index. Foods with a low glycemic index can help manage conditions like epilepsy. They can help to avoid sudden spikes in blood sugar levels that can trigger seizures. Eye health support. A diet rich in antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, and certain carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin can support overall eye health. Heart health. For heart conditions, food should be low in sodium and rich in taurine and L-carnitine to support heart function. Omega-3 fatty acids may also support heart health. Hypothyroidism management. Some research suggests that kelp and other seaweeds, rich in iodine, can support thyroid health. Chapter 2: The Reviews.

These desirable qualities are a result of meticulous breeding practices and superior genetics. Ritterhund K9s are specifically bred for stability and soundness. Our German Shepherds exemplify the values of Obedience, Protection, and Service, making them exceptional ambassadors. While they possess strength, endurance, and speed, they are also affectionate and devoted family companions. These are the dogs you can rely on to safeguard your home and watch over your loved ones when you're away. German Shepherds view their family as their "pack" and are instinctively protective. They can cuddle with your toddler and accompany your child to the school bus, but should any threat arise, their strength and fierceness will manifest as an unstoppable force. When you become part of the Ritterhund Family, you become a lifelong member. We take great pride in our breeding program and are committed to surpassing expectations for both our K9s and customers. If you are fortunate enough to own a German Shepherd with these genetics, then you understand the difference in these K9s. Bomber is an absolute legend in the K9 Community. These puppies will be large, have high and medium drives, and be steady-tempered. We put countless hours into raising them with the proper foundation they need. Structural balance and harmony that you will only find in this genetic combination we have in this breeding. We are very selective in the homes in which our puppies are placed. A family who is educated on the breed, lives an active lifestyle, and who are willing and able to put the time and effort into properly raising their puppy. We are located near the Central Coast of California. We hand deliver our puppies to their new owners if within reasonable driving distance for no charge. Air in-cabin flight nanny and Ground transport are available for an additional charge for customers located out of the surrounding areas or state. We highly recommend placing a deposit early as our puppies do go quickly. Please download the puppy application or contact us via email or text for details. However, the black German Shepherd is much less well-known. This coloration is extremely rare and not currently recognized by most major kennel clubs. But they have since grown significantly in popularity. Usually, German Shepherds have a single coat pattern — black and tan. However, fully black German Shepherds do exist. This is not due to crossbreeding; the gene for completely black coats is carried by purebred German Shepherds. It is much rarer than the usual coloration, though. They have the same build and grow to be the about same size as a purebred German Shepherd. Males usually weight between 65 to 90 pounds, while females are 50 to 75 pounds. These are considered medium-to-large dogs, so consider whether you have the space before adopting one. Their height is around inches. This is correct for both males and females. Black German Shepherds are completely black. Most German Shepherds have at least a little bit of black on them. However, German Shepherds have nothing but black. Their coat is generally the same besides for their different in coloration. Their double-coat helps them stay clean and warm. As working dogs, these canines are built to work, and it shows. This coat color is accepted by the AKC. It is also not the result of crossbreeding, as some misinformation may state. Instead, it is simply a rare color that very few German Shepherds end up with. It only showed up recently and is sometimes encouraged through selective breeding. While the gene for a solid black coat was once though to be recessive, many people now consider it to be dominant. These dogs always have dark-colored eyes. Blue eyes are extremely rare and usually a sign that a dog has other breeds in his pedigree, such as Huskies. Other than the color, the body of black German Shepherds looks just like his black and tan cousins. As in all German Shepherds, the ears are typically erect, though floppy ears in adult can be seen occasionally. History By , the generalized herding dogs of Europe had split themselves into a few different distinctive breeds, including the German Shepherd. During the s, there was an attempt to standardize dog breeds and promote traits that encouraged sheep herding, including speed, strength, endurance, and intelligence. However, varieties still existed from place to place. Slight breeding difference had led to slightly different shepherds. During the industrial revolution, the need for sheepdogs decreased along with the predator population. Luckily, by this point, people were already recognizing the intelligence and ability of the previous herding dogs. From this dog the breed standard grew. In just a few generations, the German Shepherd was one of the most populous in the world. Honrand fathered many puppies. Nearly all German Shepherds today are descended from him. There was quite a bit of inbreeding that occurred to produce the German Shepherd breed we know today. The Black German Shepherd has likely existed to some extent since the breed was produced. However, many dogs do not carry the completely black gene. Many completely black German Shepherds in the past were likely culled at birth due to the defect. Today, the gene is seeing a reoccurrence. Personality and Temperament The German Shepherd is often considered to be an aggressive dog. However, this is not completely true. They do have significant protective instincts, as they were originally bred to guard flocks of sheep. For instance, the German Shepherd has a bite force of over 1, newtons. But there are several dogs that rank around this as well, including the Rottweiler, Pit Bull, and Labrador Retriever. Most dogs at about this size are going to have a similar bite strength. German Shepherds are considered to be moderately active. They need just about as much exercise as dogs of a similar size. This breed is well-known for being heavily devoted to their people and easy to train. When trained properly, they will absolutely listen. However, they do have innate protective instincts. If you want to dog that is going to be protective of their family, this is a great choice. These canines do need extensive socialization starting at a young age, though. Otherwise, they can become a bit too protective of their family and territory. These canines are not the friendliest. They are people-oriented, but not with strangers. They tend to be quite unsure with strangers. At best, they usually ignore them completely. Other times, they may be obviously uncomfortable. German Shepherds have high prey drive. On the one hand that means that you can easily motivate them with a ball or tug toy. On the other hand, it requires a lot of supervision for owners that have small dogs or cats in addition to their shepherd. While your dog might not outright try to fight with a cat or smaller dog, he could even accidentally hurt them during play. They are extremely intelligent and devoted to their owners. Unlike some dog breeds, they will listen to their owners in most real-life situations. They can learn a variety of different commands very easily and will actually do them when asked. However, these dogs do need the training. Without it, they can be overly protective and even potentially dangerous. Their ease of training does make fulfilling this need quite easy, though. We do recommend puppy classes starting at a very young age. These classes provide the extra socialization that your dog needs, as well as allows you to jumpstart their training. We only recommend private classes for dogs that are too reactive around strangers and other dogs to thrive in a group class. Usually, only German Shepherds who were not properly socialized as puppies will fit into this category. If you adopt an older German Shepherd that seems in need of socialization, we recommend taking private classes with an experienced trainer. You can work your dog through some basic commands and then work on socializing them with safe people and dogs. The trainer should be able to help you in this regard. The German Shepherd is a more active breed, and completely black German Shepherds are not different. While there are more active dog breeds out there, these canines are best for those that are quite active. They need at least two medium-to-long walks per day. Puppies will likely need some extra play sessions as well. Health and Care German Shepherds are pretty healthy as far as purebred dogs come. However, they are prone to some health problems. Many of these are due to the inbreeding that occurred early in the breed, which made some previously rare traits more common. Black German Shepherds are not known to have any more health problems than their black-and-tan cousins. Their coat coloration is not associated with any particular health issues or anything of that sort. It is important to purchase these dogs from a qualified breeder, as they tend to perform plenty of health testing on any dog they plan on breeding. This helps them recognize health problems and pick only the healthiest dogs possible for producing litters. We do recommend purchasing a German Shepherd that was bred as a working dog — not one produced as a show dog. These two lines of dogs are somewhat distinct as they have been bred for two very different purposes. Show dogs tend to confirm to an extreme extent to the breed standard, which increase the amount of health problems they develop. On the other hand, working dogs were bred with practicality in mind. Many German Shepherds have hip and elbow dysplasia. This disease occurs when the ball and socket of the joint do not line up correctly, leading to excess wear-and-tear. Eventually, this cause arthritis-like symptoms, but at a much earlier age than arthritis typically shows up. Usually, this damage occurs during puppyhood when the dog is growing, but they may not show symptoms until a few years later. There are a few things pet owners can do to reduce the chance of hip and elbow dysplasia in their German Shepherd. Many of these dogs are also affected by degenerative spinal stenosis. However, this study had a notably small sample size, so it may not be entirely accurate. On a good note, German Shepherds are actually less likely to get ear infections than other dogs. Degenerative myelopathy occurs often enough in German Shepherds that they are likely predispositioned to it. This test is very expensive, so many breeders perform it on their dogs before breeding as well as on the puppies after they are born. Once the test is used regularly, it becomes very easy to remove it from the breed. Von Willebrand disease also occurs at a higher level in German Shepherds than in the normal dog population. It is likely that they are genetically predispositioned to it. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency occurs in German Shepherds as well. This condition is usually treated with medication and pancreatic supplements. It is most likely genetic, so health testing and keeping track of pedigrees is important to eliminating it in the breed. Medium-coated dogs will only need brush two to three times a week. Long coats will need combed through at least once a day to prevent mats. Because of their double coat, dogs of all coat types will shed profusely. Do not adopt a black German Shepherd unless you can deal with a lot of extra hair. Even if you brush your dog daily, they will still shed everywhere. Usually, this occurs in the spring and fall, but it can depend on your local climate. Shedding is also tied to hormones — not just the weather. There is little you can do to reduce the overall amount of shedding your dog does. However, anti-shedding shampoos and a high-quality diet can help. It is usually not too difficult to find a normal German Shepherd breeder somewhere near you. However, not all breeders produce black dogs. Most will also be significantly more expensive than a black-and-tan German Shepherd due to their rarity. Many people want a black German Shepherd, which means that you often have to be prepared to pay a bit extra. However, this is still much cheaper than you might expect for a large dog. As a common breed, they are usually cheaper than most. It may be tempting to cut corners and purchase a cheaper puppy. However, this is not recommended, especially when it comes to German Shepherds. These puppies need socialized from the moment they are born. Often, breeders put in this time and effort. We highly recommend only purchasing puppies form very experienced breeders. Otherwise, you may end up with an unsocialized puppy and a troublesome temperament. You should always ask about the pedigree of the parents, as well as the health testing the breeder has done. Ask to see the parents if at all possible. Sometimes, the father will be located somewhere else, so only the mother will be at the breeder. In this case, it is usually fine to just see the mother. You can tell a lot about a breeder form how they keep the mother and the puppies, so be absolutely sure to ask to see their living conditions. The parents should be AKC registered, so you should ask for registration. But AKC registration does not mean that the dog is high-quality. Every German Shepherd can be registered — even those with no health testing. Preferably, you should have owned at least one dog before. It is recommended that you have some experience with more active dogs, as well. These dogs are quite active and tend to be high-energy. Without the appropriate amount of exercise, they can easily become destructive. In fact, most of the destructive behavior associated with a German Shepherd is due to a lack of stimulation. German Shepherds require extensive training as well, so it is best if they have a handler that has previously trained dogs. They will take up a few hours a day as puppies and require as much as an hour or two of exercise alone. Many of these canines are more expensive than their black-and-tan counterparts. However, they have won the hearts of many pet owners. It will often take you a little bit before you locate a completely black puppy, so be prepared to sit on a few waiting lists. Despite their unusual colorations, these dogs are very similar to all other German Shepherds. They have the same temperament and work great as guard dogs. You have to prepare to train and socialize them properly. They require quite a bit more work than other breeds, but it is absolutely worth it in the end. We recommend these dogs for serious dog owners who have previously owned dogs. German Shepherds are not for the casual dog owner. They need someone who can commit to their training and activity needs. Author: Kristin Kristin was born in Tennessee and currently lives there with her husband and children. She is passionate about educating pet parents and helping them make the best possible decisions for their pets. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish. Unleash the real potential of your companion! We will email you daily with training tips, ideas and videos. This is an introductory course into our training philosophy. You will get customized video lessons based on your training goals — and you can implement them in just 5 minutes a day. Approximate litter date is on November 24, for Isaac and Lily! Ready to go to their forever home on January 20, .Highly intelligent, sweet temperament, confident, fantastic companions that are a joy to live with. Vet administered vaccinations and de-worming starting at six weeks. AKC Breeder of H. We are a small, noncommercial breeding kennel raising quality AKC German Shepherd puppies for sale to loving, nurturing families. We selective breed hip and elbow certified bloodlines for healthy, good tempered working dogs and pets. Isaac focused on conformation training while he was young. He has 1 obedience, 2 rally, 1 trick and the highest level of CGC titles to show that he has biddability, and he easily passed the GSDCA temperament test before he was 2. That is quite impressive! He loves using his nose in barn hunt, and is ready to find some trials this summer. Isaac also shows Herding tendencies, so his owner will try him on that and agility classes this year. He is focusing on more performance training and titling. Best in Amateur Maturity at the National Specialty in .Bringing great hips, drive and temperament to our program with that beautiful black and tan coat! We are a German Shepherd breeder that specializes in quality, intelligent dogs with proven superior genetics. We sell German Shepherd puppies that are the perfect choice for professionals and families. We focus on producing a stable, protective line of German Shepherds that you can trust with your children. Specifically bred for temperament, intelligence, conformation, and sound hips and elbows. Estimated birth date Nov. Ready to go to their new approved home on January 20, .Iowa code states puppies can not leave until 8 weeks of age. Depending on maturity, puppies can stay with us from weeks. Ours are raised in our home. These are also show dog quality with great temperaments. We register our litters and each individual puppy with the American Kennel Club. Are you ready to own a GSD? If you are interested, please let us know. We have a puppy reservation PDF questionnaire for you to complete to see if your home would be a good match for one of our puppies. We are always willing to speak with you about our puppies. We are located in southwest Iowa. We do not ship puppies. You will need to pick up in person. Watch this site and our Facebook page and Instagram for updates! Also, each individual puppy gets registered with the American Kennel Club by us, the seller. You pick your puppy and name it! Prices are subject to change at any time due to availability and demand. When you make your deposit, your price is absolutely locked in! If you are a home that is interested in showing or breeding, please visit with us about this as early in the process as possible! The puppies in this litter are from AKC Registered parents, are a registered litter, and are also already individually registered with the AKC. Litter born on Apr. Later will focus on more performance training and titling. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc. Elbows are normal and the hips are good. Our German Shepherd Dogs can be used for police work, tracking, search and rescue, guarding, guide dogs for the blind or physically disabled, show, and a family pet. They are well socialized with children and other pets. Our dogs are intelligent and easily trained. Our German Shepherd puppies are the perfect choice for personal protection and are great companions for all ages. All of our puppies for sale are born and raised in our home. They are well-loved and handled regularly by our family, giving them a great start on being well socialized. Carmen L. This training involves exposing the young puppies to different stresses which help stimulate the neurological system. ENS is done for 2 consecutive weeks starting 3 days after the puppies are born. The process consists of 5 simple and harmless exercises, which are: tactile stimulation, lying in the supine position, held with head erect, tilted upside down, and thermal stimulation. Each exercise is done for seconds and the entire process only takes about 30 seconds. We will use their score to help match puppies to people. Please read the important information below! Please contact us prior to placing a deposit, so we can ensure that the puppy will be going to an approved home and that the puppy of your choice is still available. A deposit or payment can be placed on a puppy by check or PayPal. Puppies will be ready for their new homes at 8 weeks old and current on all vaccinations and de-worming. It is your decision whether to pay and extend this. It is recommended to have pet insurance for your puppy. You will be given a list of participating vets in your area. Must provide valid identification. Prices vary for vets.

Excellent example of a 7 week old Salhaus Champagne pup, genetically white, produced by 2 colored parents who carry the white gene. This pup comes from a kennel in the UK. See him below as an adult. Just stunning! Shown here as an example of the champagne coloring. The champagne color is technically "white. Anyone can have a White German Shepherd, but why not join the few who own a more "rare" Champagne Shepherd! We only get 1 or 2 in each litter, so don't hesistate! More to Come! He's super gentle, as well as a wonderful family protector even at this young age! See his gorgeous champagne overlay! Both are gorgeous, just slightly different. Both are "whites" one just has more pigment. Beau This dog's name is Kai. He loves his stuffed "lambie! Both boys love toys! Certified at just 5 months of age! Our dogs are family dogs, but are super smart! Notice his champagne saddle! Shown on the left at 3 months. On the right as a young adult. Stunning, heavy built Salhaus Champagne Shepherd! Also, the whole creamy champagne enhancement through his body! Notice how the white backdrop of the snow really accentuates the gorgeous champagne coat on this young Salhaus dog! Champagne saddle on one of our white pups. So well behaved in the house! She still thinks she's her 9 week old size in her mom's lap! All of our white pups have champagne in their coats to varying degrees. None of our whites are snow white. Anyone can have a white Shepherd. Why not get one of our more eye catching Champagne Shepherds to add to your family! Our whites are "champagne," which means they get lots more color pigmentation than a regular white dog would, since their parents are both colored dogs. There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about our females. The first three dogs are Greta, Tillie, and now Lady. They are our current breeding females. At the bottom of our page are our retired females, Mady and Dayna. They are enjoying their retirement right here at Schutzhaus German Shepherds. So, be sure to check them out as well. All of our dogs are AKC registered. The puppies will get the AKC application for you to register your puppy when you adopt him or her. Since we are really only concerned with the normal range for the breed, logically: 0. Therefore, make sure to check out all of my dogs' testing results with each dog. Each dog's PennHIP results are listed with each dog. As you will notice, my dogs have fantastic hips. She is a champagne color. She may look white. However, she has the champagne top-coat color. We are hoping for a lot of color with her and Kaiser. Greta is our Dayna's half-sister. Stryker is a silver sable. Rosy is a blue. Testing: Greta has had her Embark testing completed and she is completely clear of over genetic health conditions that Embark tests for. Greta's parents are both DM normal. Therefore, through parentage Greta will be DM normal. Greta's PennHIP distraction index was 0. Her PennHIP test is shown below. Greta is going to be a big girl, like her sister, Dayna. At 10 months old Greta was 88 pounds. Since she still has a lot of growing to do, she is going to be a very big girl topping at well over pounds. I predict her to be about pounds when mature. She is a very sweet and gentle little lady with a loving personality. Greta has been easy to train and is very smart. She is a Salhaus puppy from Salhaus German Shepherds. She is a black and tan. Bravo is a black and silver. Gray is black and tan. Based on what we see right now, she is going to be a stocky girl. Tillie is the traditional Black and Tan saddle-back color. She still has a lot of growing to do. Based on Tillie's Embark test, she is going to be a large female. Tillie weighed .I predict Tillie will be a stocky pounds when mature. Tillie loves to play with the other dogs and is very athletic. She is very sweet and loves attention. Tillie is very clever and uses her intelligence to maneuver well while playing with the other dogs. Testing: Tillie has had her Embark testing completed and she is completely clear of over genetic health conditions that Embark tests for. Tillie's PennHIP distraction index was 0. As you can see, Tillie has phenomenal hips. This would be considered supurb if OFA was to ever go there. We are taking deposits on this beautiful girl for around September puppies. We have started taking deposits on this beautiful girl and she does have some female spots available. She also has the Royalair's German Shepherd bloodlines. Her sire is Menard's Legendary Royalair's Natsu. Natsu is bicolor. Koa is black and tan, but she is a very light black and tan. Lady's color has been hard to figure out. We thought she was a black and tan. However, her true colors have finally come out and she actually is a dark black and tan sable. This is due to her under coat being a different color than her top-coat. Either way, as you can see by the photos, Lady has a lot of color. I predict Lady to be around pounds when she fully matures. Lady is very playful and energetic. If you are looking for a puppy to run with you or go on hikes, I highly recommend one from Lady. She is a very happy and an intelligent little lady who loves to have her belly rubbed. Testing: Lady has had her Embark testing completed and she is completely clear of over genetic health conditions that Embark tests for. Lady's PennHIP test reveals her hips to be in good range with a distraction index of 0. Her PennHIP results is shown below. We are starting to take deposits on this beautiful little lady and her list has already started and is filling up fast. Lady's Photo Gallery. For several reasons not necessarily good reasons , white dogs aren't appreciated by the German Shepherd's national breed club nor by German Shepherd breeders who compete at dog shows. Despite their disapproval, a white puppy who pops up in a litter of German Shepherds can still be registered with the American Kennel Club as a German Shepherd. So if you're considering acquiring an AKC-registered German Shepherd who just happens to be white, you can expect a similar temperament and behavior as if he were a more familiar black and tan color. If you're considering acquiring a UKC-registered White Shepherd, you need to find out whether the breeder's goal was to make the temperament of his dogs the same as or different from normal-colored German Shepherds. White Shepherds are often bred to have a softer, more mellow, more sensitive personality. Because of this sweeter temperament, White Shepherds are seldom used as police dogs, guard dogs, or to participate in protection dog sports such as schutzhund. A White Shepherd can certainly be a very good watchdog, but his "watching" is usually limited to alerting you that someone is coming. White Shepherds are not typically aggressive. In fact, if a White Shepherd is going to have any temperament fault, it's more likely to be timidity or skittishness. White Shepherds need a great deal of early socialization to build a confident attitude toward strangers and strange situations. White Shepherds do need plenty of physical and mental exercise. This smart breed should not be relegated to a home that simply wants a casual pet to walk around the block. White Shepherds can be quite vocal, tending to whine, mumble, and grumble. Though they seldom have dominant personalities, White Shepherds still need a confident, consistent owner who will establish and enforce rules. I'm currently working on an article about that breed. If you want a dog who.Is strong, athletic, and natural-looking Has a "softer," more mellow personality than a traditionally-colored German Shepherd Thrives on challenging activities and exercise Is exceptionally intelligent, loyal, and versatile — when well-socialized and well-trained, can learn and do almost anything Makes a sensible watchdog and is not inappropriately hostile A White Shepherd may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with.Providing plenty of exercise and interesting things to do Skittishness or shyness in some lines, or when not extensively socialized Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough Potential aggression toward other dogs, especially of the same sex Constant heavy shedding A White Shepherd may not be right for you. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult White Shepherds have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics. If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up. The range of temperaments. You should know what kind of personality you're looking for before you ever start looking for a White Shepherd. Otherwise you might end up with an individual who is very different than what you can handle. You should be especially cautious with this breed because there are a good number of them with inherited temperament problems such as nervousness and timidity. Serious health problems. White Shepherds share a number of health problems with German Shepherds of all colors. Crippling hip and elbow dysplasia, skin diseases, and autoimmune diseases are some examples. Read more about White Shepherd Health. Heavy shedding. White Shepherds shed constantly. Longhaired individuals "appear" to shed less because much of their shed hair gets caught in their long wavy outer coat. But you still need to brush it out and you'll be amazed at how much hair this breed can produce. Make sure you're okay with this. Socialization requirements. Standoffish by nature, White Shepherds need extensive exposure to people so that their natural caution does not become shyness or fearfulness, which are very difficult to live with. Read more about the importance of careful socialization. Providing enough mental stimulation. German Shepherds of all colors are so intelligent and capable. I hate to see them chosen by owners who just want a dog to hang around the house and yard. Shepherds of all colors thrive when you find interesting things for them to do that challenge their minds. Get your White Shepherd involved in agility obstacle course , or advanced obedience classes. Play fetch games. Take them hiking. They must have physical outlets for their energy, and mental outlets for their intelligent minds. Potential animal aggression. Most White Shepherds are good with other dogs and cats in their own family. But some individuals aren't so tolerant of other dogs of the same sex. Legal liabilities. White Shepherds may be lumped in with other German Shepherds for purposes of "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guardian dog should be considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. To help you train and care for your dog Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy. For puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. If your dog is over 18 months, you'll want Respect Training For Adult Dogs: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved dog. Again your dog will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Teach Your Dog English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Related posts you might enjoy.

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

Quality Goldens for family companions, obedience, and show. I breed Golden Retrievers that have been carefully chosen to produce family companions with excellent temperaments, good conformation and that are intelligent and easy to train. At Carriage Hill we believe in striving to produce the best goldens we can therefore we breed to produce the breed standard and all of our golden's have clearances from OFA on their hips, elbows and heart as well as testing on their eyes by an ophthalmologist. At Carriage Hill we specialize in helping you to pick a puppy that will be a match for your family, and providing support on how to care for your new family member. I feel the most important part of pet ownership is that you train your puppy, I will show you how to use everyday games to prepare your puppy for training and to help establish yourself as the Alfa in the family. You should plan on taking your puppy to a minimum of two training sessions, first the puppy obedience class when they are 12 weeks old and then beginners obedience. Each of these classes are usually once a week for 8 weeks and are a essential part of responsible pet ownership. I sell all of my pet puppies with a limited registration from AKC, this means that you will need to get your pet either spayed or neutered. All of our golden puppies are socialized with our family, have had their first set of puppy shots, are wormedtwice, and their dew claws are removed. We usually plan 2 - 3 litters a year. Browse through the rest to see pictures and information about Stormy and Bode our males, and our Golden Girls. We have answers. What class of dog are Golden Retriever puppies for sale near Naperville? Golden Retrievers are classified as a Sporting breed. This means that they are a type of dog that excels in tracking and retrieving activities, hence the "retriever" portion of their name. They are generally active, outgoing, and have a good working temperament making them ideal family companions. Golden Retrievers are content to play all day and love to be around people. With caring owners, they thrive and enjoy all the activities life has to offer. They are an intelligent, loyal breed that is known for obedience, so they make a wonderful addition to any home. Are Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Naperville non-shedding? Although Golden Retrievers are considered relatively low-shedding breeds, they are not considered to be non-shedding. Golden Retrievers tend to lose some hair throughout the year, particularly during the fall and spring when their coat will go through seasonal shedding. During this period of shedding, additional grooming and care should be taken to help minimize the shedding. In general, however, Golden Retrievers shed less than other similarly-sized breeds, making it a good choice for those looking for a companion that has minimal shedding compared to other breeds. What's the best dog food for Naperville Golden Retriever puppies for sale? Finding the best dog food for your Golden Retriever can be a challenge. Every pup has its own individual nutritional needs depending on its activity level, age, size and health conditions, so there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Additionally, it's best to source from a reliable dog food brand that sources high-quality ingredients, like meat, fruits, and vegetables. A good rule of thumb is that the fewer ingredients in the food, the better. Do Golden Retriever puppies in Naperville have any kind of special requirements? Golden Retrievers have the same basic needs as other breeds, but they do have some specific requirements that you need to be aware of. Since they are a larger breed, they need adequate exercise and access to a yard is ideal. They also need ample mental stimulation, so they need regular playtime or learning activities such as obedience training. Golden Retrievers are happiest when they have human interaction, so regular grooming and petting is a must. Additionally, like other breeds, they do have some specific dietary needs, so make sure to consult your vet on how to feed them properly. What sizes do Golden Retrievers for sale in Naperville come in? Golden Retrievers come in a range of sizes, ranging from very small to extra large. Small Golden Retrievers typically reach a height of 18 20 inches and weigh between 35 50 pounds. Medium-sized Golden Retrievers are 21 22 inches tall and weigh 40 64 pounds. The largest Golden Retrievers eat up real estate, reaching a height of 23 24 inches and weighing between 65 75 pounds. Bear in mind that these measurements are approximate. An individual Golden Retriever's size can still vary from the general range and could be slightly larger or smaller. How many minutes per day should I walk Golden Retriever puppies near Naperville? Every Golden Retriever is different when it comes to the amount of exercise they need, but as a general guide, it is recommended that a Golden Retriever should get between minutes of exercise per day, depending on their age, size, and activity level. However, if you have a young, energetic Retriever, they may require up to two hours of exercise to stay happy and healthy. When walking your Retriever, be sure to choose a safe, stimulating environment for them, and engage with them throughout the walk by playing games and using obedience cues. Are Golden Retrievers in Naperville good family dogs? Golden Retrievers make excellent family dogs due to their friendly and loyal nature. Adults and children alike will easily become attached to their Golden Retriever through its affectionate demeanor and eagerness to please. Not only do these dogs have a calm temperament, but they are also highly intelligent, making them easy to train and handle. With consistent training and socialization, Golden Retrievers will become an excellent family companion, providing dependable protection while forming strong bonds with your loved ones. These dogs have a natural desire to protect the family, making them great watchdogs. Are Naperville Golden Retrievers for sale smart? Yes, Golden Retrievers are incredibly smart dogs. They consistently rank among the top dog breeds in obedience-training tests, demonstrating a high level of intelligence and coordination. Goldens have the ability to learn commands quickly with persistent and consistent training. They are also very easy to train, remain engaged with their owners, and they continue to display an eagerness to please. Experts report that their combination of intelligence and obedience is unique among dogs and makes them great working dogs, show dogs, and beloved family companions.

The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Feeding Your Golden Feeding Your Golden With the wide array of foods available today, it can be hard to make a good choice of what to feed your golden. Goldens are particularly sensitive to dietary concerns, and feeding them a high quality diet can help boost their health and immune system. Feeding a high quality food is not necessarily more expensive. Price is misleading: cheaper foods require more volume to be fed, up to several cups at each meal. With the wide array of better foods available today, you can make a smart choice of what to feed your golden. A golden will normally eat about two cups of premium food per day. It can be adjusted a little more or less based on activity level and metabolism. Goldens are prone to skin problems, and a poor quality diet will cause skin problems which translates into costly veterinarian bills. You will need to go to the pet store to purchase your food. Grocery store brands do not offer the nutrition goldens need for good health. Do not be persuaded by fancy advertising. Many commonly hyped foods are not high quality and maybe lacking the necessary nutritional value for your dog. For example, Grain Free foods may play a major part in taurine deficiency in Golden Retrievers and other large breed dogs. This deficiency can cause serious heart problems for your dog see Taurine and Grain Free information on this web page. Here are some guidelines: Look for food free of chemical preservatives. Some of these additives are suspected of causing cancer. Look for food preserved with Tocopherols Vitamins C and E as well as rosemary and other herbs. Make sure you have several months before this date. Frequent stores where there is a good turnover of food so you get a fresh bag. Always store dog food in a tight airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you only have one dog, consider buying pound bags instead of pounds bags so the food is fresher. Look for a food that has some form of meat as the first ingredient — such as lamb, chicken, or turkey. Avoid foods that have grain as the first ingredient. Also look for multiple meat proteins in the first seven ingredients. Protein from multiple sources is generally viewed as being beneficial such as lamb, chicken and fish , unless your dog is allergic to certain proteins. Dog food companies sometimes list several types of grains in the first seven ingredients. Beware of this — your dog needs animal protein in his diet! These are the intestines of the animal including what is in the intestines!! Most by-products are not desirable. By-products normally contain beaks, feet, feathers, heads and other slaughterhouse wastes — not the most nutritious part of the animal. Avoid foods that have sugars or artificial colors or flavors or a lot of added salt. Semi-moist dog foods are the worst — they usually are loaded with artificial colors and sugars. Added vitamins and minerals are beneficial only when applied after the baking process, because heat destroys vitamins. The best foods are made up of ingredients that would be suitable for human consumption. Most dog foods contain meat products that are not fit for human consumption. They can include meat from diseased livestock, condemned material from slaughterhouses such as tumors cut away from meat , and as horrible as it sounds, some pet foods include euthanized pets sold to rendering plants and even road kill. Is it any wonder why so many dogs die from cancer when they are being fed meat from these sources? Grains — many dog foods will contain some grains, for example, brown rice, barley, corn, wheat, etc. We have found that some goldens in our rescue program generally do poorly on a food that contains corn or soy. Many goldens are allergic to corn or wheat. So if your golden starts getting a lot of hot spots or skin problems — check his food. There is a big difference in quality of grain products. Look for whole rice or brown rice in the ingredients; white rice and ground brewers rice are much lower in nutrients than whole or brown rice. Often pet food companies take the sweepings off the mill floor and put it in pet food. Look for whole grains instead such as oatmeal, brown rice, barley, or whole oats. Grain Free foods. Grain Free foods have become increasingly available as food companies try to offer foods that are easier to digest with lower levels of complex carbohydrates and grains. One misconception is that grain free dog food is also low-carb, however, vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas and tapioca often replace the grains in grain-free dog foods, especially in kibble foods, making them as high or higher in carbohydrates than grain-based dog foods. Studies have shown peas, beans, pea starch, legumes, potatoes and sweet potatoes that have replaced the grains in dog foods block the function of taurine. Taurine, a sulfuric acid, is essential for healthy cardiovascular function in Golden Retrievers. If left untreated, taurine deficiency in Golden Retrievers can cause dilated cardiomyopathy DCM , congestive heart failure and possibly death. Read all the ingredients in the food which should include taurine and check with your veterinarian before selecting or feeding any grain free food to your dog. Detailed information on dog food ingredients and taurine can be found on this web page under Taurine and Grain Free information and at: Diet Associated Heart Disease Treats — beware of many dog treats out there. They are filled with sugars, preservatives and artificial colors. Try buying biscuits at your local dog bakery or making some yourself. The dog food companies listed below have high quality treats available for your dog. Is your dog overweight? Beware of some diet dog foods, they can be loaded with fillers that provide no added nutrition. At least green beans are healthy. You can also use canned pumpkin. Typically goldens love it! DO NOT free feed your golden; instead feed a measured amount of food twice a day. Most adult goldens will eat 1 cup of premium dog food twice a day. Is your dog too fat? You should be able to feel its ribs and your dog should have a waist. We have found that we have a different view of what constitutes a fat dog than many veterinarians. They will typically allow dogs to carry more weight than is optimal. This perhaps is because they do not want to insult their clients and risk losing business. Letting your golden get too fat is like chopping years off of its life. We also see lots of hip problems with goldens, and keeping weight in check will give your dog better mobility. Fat goldens are an epidemic from our experience. We routinely get goldens into our rescue program that have to lose 30 — 40 pounds!!! Therefore we have a lot of experience at taking the weight off! It is very discouraging and upsetting when an adoptive home will let some weight creep back on. You may think you are loving your dog by giving it too much to eat, but if you really love it you will keep it at a normal weight. Remember — Ribs and Waists! Can you feel and see them on your dog? If not, break open the cans of green beans! The bottom line is read the ingredients, consult your veterinarian and research reliable resources. Making sure your dog has the best nutritional food will help to insure he has a long and healthy life. Here, from Whole Dog Journal, are some additional links for selecting best dry dog food and the best canned dog reviews. Goldens Rescued Since .Learn more » Congratulations on your new golden retriever puppy! You now have a beautiful, smart, and loyal dog who will love you for life. To make sure they grow into a healthy and happy companion, you need to feed them the right amount of food. At months old, which is usually when they are ready to leave their mother, a golden retriever puppy should be eating 3 cups of dog food divided into three meals per day. This is based on a typical large-breed puppy food. Different brands will give a feeding guide on their packaging. However, how much and how often to feed your golden retriever will keep changing during this time of rapid growth. Golden Retriever Puppy Feeding Timeline Image Credit: PxHere All puppies are different as are the foods, but some general guidelines for feeding your golden retriever during their first year are: 0—6 weeks: A golden retriever puppy can start eating solid food when they are 3—4 weeks old. Give them a total of 3 cups of dog food per day by their third month, 3 to 4 cups by the time they are 6 months old. The AKC recommends waiting until large breed puppies are at least 12 months old before switching them over to adult dog food and more likely 18 months. The amount will depend on their weight and activity level, but a rough guide is 1—2 cups per meal. Image Credit: Kinek00, Shutterstock Large breed puppies like golden retrievers should eat three to four small meals a day for the first 3—6 months of their lives. Smaller portions spread throughout the day are easier on their tummies and help prevent bloat, a serious condition that can be deadly for dogs. It also helps them maintain their energy level throughout the day. Puppy food has more calories and fat to support their growth, as well as extra vitamins and minerals for their developing immune and nervous systems and bones. The protein source matters, too. Puppies need animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb for their growing muscles. Choose a Large Breed Formula: Large breed puppies grow quickly, which means they need extra support for their bones and joints. Formulations for large breeds contain the correct calcium and phosphorus ratio for strong bones and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. They can help you choose the right food for your puppy based on their age, weight, and activity level. But puppies need to be fed on a schedule to prevent them from overeating and becoming overweight. How do you know if your puppy is getting enough to eat? After that, their growth will start to slow down. He Has a Healthy Appetite: A healthy puppy is interested in food and eager to eat. He Has Plenty of Energy: A well-fed puppy is full of energy and ready to play. Make the most of mealtime with these tips: 1. It also helps other aspects of puppy training, such as potty training and crate training. Image Credit: Alena Marchuk, Shutterstock This means leaving food out all day for them to graze on whenever they want. Leave food down for 10 minutes and then pick up what is not eaten. If they have not eaten anything, offer it again in an hour. Slow them down by scattering their kibble around the bowl, using a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat. This will help them learn to eat slowly and enjoy their food more. If your puppy is not drinking enough water for your liking, try adding a bit of broth to their bowl to make it more appealing and help them stay hydrated. Resist the Urge to Sneak Them Table Scraps Puppies are experts at giving those big, soulful eyes that make it hard to say no. But resist the temptation to give them table scraps or human food. Aside from teaching them bad manners, it can also lead to health problems, like obesity. A lot of human foods are not safe or healthy for dogs. For instance, garlic and onions are toxic to dogs. Oily food can upset their stomach, and carbs add a lot of calories. This helps them learn that mealtime is a specific time and place and not something that happens all over the house. Let Your Puppy Eat in Peace. This includes other pets in the house and small children who might want to bother them or try to steal their food. Otherwise, meals can become a stressful experience for your puppy instead of a happy one. Conclusion Feeding your golden retriever puppy the right amount of quality dog food will establish a strong foundation for their health and happiness. In addition, make mealtimes more meaningful by turning them into lessons and bonding moments between you and your dog. The puppy phase is over before you know it, so enjoy it while it lasts! Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months. There is also info on how to keep your puppy and your adult at his or her optimum weight. Scroll down to find growth charts to make sure your puppy is growing at the proper rate and is within the right weight range for his age. If you are looking for information on what to feed, go to How to Choose a Dog Food. Unlike with human children, a puppy that is overfed will grow too fast before they grow too fat. A good example is where a smaller puppy at 10 weeks was overfed and his growth was compared to a puppy that was correctly fed. The growth of your puppy needs to be controlled. General Guidelines for Puppies Below are some general guidelines on how much to feed puppies. Most dog food bags suggest feeding too much. Increase to about 3 cups a day by 5 months for boys and by 6 months for girls. Golden Retrievers at this age are supposed to look lanky and all Golden Retrievers act like they are starving when fed the correct amount. If left to eat as much as they want, they will all grow too fast. In the wild, dogs do not have unlimited access to eat as much as they want. They work for their food. Caloric Needs Greatly Decrease at About a Year When puppies reach about months, their caloric needs begin to decrease. Some males might need 4 cups if active and are fed a less expensive food. Make sure you take into consideration the number of extra calories being fed as treats. You should be able to feel their ribs, but not see them even when the dog is wet. If you can see the ribs, increase their food. Decrease the food if you cannot feel them. I always tell people that it is better to underfeed than to overfeed, especially when feeding puppies. Weight Range Charts Following are charts of how puppies should generally grow in weight. Keep in mind that very few puppies need to be at the top of these ranges and if you cannot feel ribs, your dog is overweight even if she is in this weight range. If your dog is still a puppy and she is over these weight ranges, you are feeding her too much. Female Golden Retriever Weight Chart Here is a chart of how girls should generally grow in weight: 2 Months — pounds.

It all started when we became empty-nesters and purchased our first lab, since then our Lab family has continued to grow. We strive to breed for great all around family Labradors that are healthy, calm, intelligent, and are of the beautiful English type Labs stocky bodies, square, blocky heads. We're happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for visiting! Healthy Parents We welcome litters a year with the goal of producing healthy family dogs, all purpose Labradors placed in loving homes. We strive for good temperament, structurally sound, intelligence and to improve the breed. Our Labs are sweet, intelligent, easily trained, and so eager to please. Our Labrador Retrievers have superior pedigrees with champion bloodlines from traditional English lines. We do recommended Genetic health testing. The puppies are also dewormed at recommended times. We keep puppies until 8 weeks of age. Labs take 2 to 3 years to develop mentally and physically, training is an important part of the development of your Lab. We strongly recommend you locate a Beginner puppy class, enroll and take several classes. Labs are very intelligent and require socializing, training and exercise. Labs do not socialize themselves. Commitment to the welfare of your dog is extremely important. This puppy will be with you the next years. It's important our puppies are placed in homes where they receive the type of care Lab puppies need. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dogs in the United States and many other countries, too. Rather than wondering if you can find any breeder, you might be interested in discovering how you can find a solid, reputable one. If you want quality puppies with tremendous temperaments, see what they have to offer and learn how to contact them about future litters. The 7 Breeders in Ohio 1. Since their humble beginnings, they have taken on the task of placing Labs as family companions into forever homes. The puppies are raised among the family, making them ideal for family roles, show dogs, and even for work. These dogs possess a strong champion lineage and all puppies come with applicable health checks before placement. This family has a very personal connection with this breed, falling in love initially with a rescue Lab and then choosing to continue the breed after her passing. Also, they specifically breed the English-style Labradors rather than American. These pups are bred for show, field, and companionship. They provide American Kennel Club Labradors from strong bloodlines that come with paperwork, health certificates, and the first few weeks of housebreaking done before you even bring yours home! Plus, they show lots of interactive photos and videos so you can get to know the dogs and pups. If you have any questions, there is a list of contact information on the site. Simply email the breeder for further instruction on how to bring one of these cuties home. This breeder has only English-style Labs, which are the blockier variation of the two. This breeder sells puppies with a limited AKC registration, meaning they can be fully registered but come without breeding rights. If you want breeding rights, you must go through the process of approval beforehand. The primary focus of this breeding is to create the highest quality gun dogs around, so these pups are bred for work. This breeder has yellow, chocolate, and black labs for placement. You must contact them directly for potential upcoming puppies. If you are interested in breeding rights, you must apply for approval and follow the rules laid out. Originally, Avon Kennels began breeding Rottweilers but expanded to Labs in .They also breed Himalayan cats. Puppies come with all applicable health checks and microchipping, which is an expense relief for some buyers. They specialize in the colors of Labs on the silver spectrum—such as charcoal, champagne, and traditional silver. So, you definitely get a unique spin on the breed. All Labs are health tested and microchipped prior to new home placement. Each Lab they possess is registered with the AKC. These rare pups are part of the family and all whelping areas are located indoors. Featured Image Credit: Piqsels Ashley Bates Author Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too — Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature she finds. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are cats and dogs.Read more Advertisement. Striving for excellent quality with emphasis on temperament, conformation, intelligence and all around health. Our dogs come from top pedigree, filled with champion lines. Our goal is to produce calm, intelligent "English" Labradors who will provide wonderful companions to you and your family. We are a small kennel, located outside of Alliance, Ohio and believe in producing the utmost quality in our pups. Therefore, we are able to make sure all of our breeding stock and pups receive lots of attention and care. We believe that Labs are at their best when they are in the companionship of people, and where they have freedom to run and play. We take great pride in the quality of the pups we produce emphasizing temperament, conformation and all around health. Our dogs have great pedigrees, filled with champions, from traditional English lines. Our pups are in homes throughout the United States and have proven to be accomplished service dogs, therapy dogs, hunters and companions to many families. You can see many, many years of our dogs, growing from pups to seniors, as well as testimonials from puppy families, on our Facebook page at Maple Creek Labradors. Our Labradors are the 'English' type, meaning they have a square or 'blocky' head, a well muscled body and thick bone. Their soft, kind expression make them instantly lovable. They are not separate color genes. We do not breed dilutes, nor do we support them.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. They love racing against the side by side, chasing cattle and chickens, and they will happily swim in our large pond for hours. My love for Australian Shepherds began in I had been saving up my pet sitting money to buy my first Aussie puppy. I found a breeder an hour away and went to look at his available litter. I named her Sasha, and we were inseparable. That girl was the most intelligent dog I had ever met. She even taught herself how to stand up on her hind legs at the water fountain and push the button to get a drink. Sasha was also a social butterfly and was constantly making new friends. He was the most gentle, affectionate boy with an old soul who loved everyone, and was a real looker with his glossy red coat. Chester wasn't my dog, but he made me fall in love with the Golden Retriever. She ended up having a litter of eight on January 4, .There was one pup in particular that I was drawn to immediately. He was a big blue merle with a long tail, and I knew I was going to keep him. I named him Rooster, and we had a connection that is impossible to explain. He never left my side, he slept on my feet every night, he got me through college, he was there when I got engaged and married, and when we moved into our first house. He was the light of my life and completed our little family of three. This was the moment that I decided to get back into breeding When Rooster passed away from cancer in , I was completely shattered. It was at that moment that I decided to get back into breeding because I firmly believe that everyone should get to experience that type of unconditional love and steadfast bond with a dog. We started building our kennel in the Fall of As our breeding operation has grown, we quickly realized that our house would not be able to comfortably house all our dogs and our litters. We started building our kennel in the fall of .Although they typically spend a majority of their time inside our home and under our feet! We have a couple whelping rooms with floor drains to help keep the puppy areas clean and a special meet and greet room for customers to play with their puppies. We take pride in how our dogs and puppies are raised We strive to produce beautiful, happy, healthy and quality puppies for families. Our puppies are handled daily, exposed to livestock, they get to interact with other members of our pack and each one will come pre-loved. Learn more Goldens Our Golden Retrievers are loyal pets and incredible companions. Our foundation stud is the epitome of what a Golden Retriever should be. Share 0 Shares The Golden Retriever is among one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, and there is a very good reason for that. Not only are Golden Retrievers famous for being athletic and fun-loving dogs, but they are also very trainable, intelligent, loyal, and friendly. The Golden is also known to behave well around both children and other pets as well. All of this adds up to the Golden Retriever being one of the best family dogs out there. Even though Goldens are renowned for having a great temperament, it is important that you get a Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder to ensure that they will be a friendly and well-rounded dog. Similarly, Golden Retrievers from reputable breeders are known to be healthier as well. T program, and they only breed dogs that have great temperaments and are in excellent health. In order to ensure that their adult dogs are in good genetic health, this breeder gets all of the breeds recommended health testing for their dogs. This ensures that the puppies are as healthy as possible. This breeder also makes sure that all of their puppies are fully vaccinated and dewormed, and puppies are all evaluated by a vet as well. This means that they are not subjected to kennel life. Puppies are all sold with a health guarantee as well. What really sets this breeder apart from the rest is that they offer lifelong support to the people that purchase puppies from them. They do this by offering to give refuge to any of their dogs in the case that they need it. Name of Owner. Puppy pads Create a Schedule Golden Retriever pups would do well with a schedule. Dogs live with a routine, and they are easy to train by having one. For this reason, make a schedule of the things you need to do regularly. Eventually, your pup will learn the routine events and will make itself adept at them. It will help you prepare for your pet, especially in the first few days of living together. As you allow your pet to adjust, do your best to create a stress-free environment for it. Always supervise it as it familiarizes itself with its new home. It can even grow louder as they age. Moderate Training Golden Retrievers responds well, especially to positive reinforcement. Squeaky Toys Out of all toys, your pet will love the squeaky ones. For this reason, prepare for a lot of loud squeaks every time your pet is active. Thus, in picking your pet, you may want to consider getting it from the best. Tells you any health problems A good breeder will tell you any significant health problems in any of the dogs he or she bred. Asks more questions than you A good breeder would ask for more items from you than you would for him or her. Not in a hurry to send off A good breeder is not in a hurry to send the puppies off and get your money. He or she will even show you other breeders and veterinarians caring for their dogs. Requires expectations on both sides A good breeder will create a contract that offers not only what he or she expects from you. More than that, he or she will also show what you can expect from him or her. Sends puppies properly A good breeder will never send a puppy in a compartment and without any responsible person to go with it. Works only with one or two breeds A good breeder works only with a single or a couple of species. Shows breeding experience A good breeder shows her dogs in recognized confirmation shows. He or she will also join his or her breed in other breed-related performance events. Other states.

Prosecutors dropped the charges against Smith on Sept. In May , the year-old former owner of Hideaway Kennels in Lake Wales and three of her workers were charged with 38 felony counts of animal cruelty. Each carries a maximum of five years in prison. The case dragged on without any resolution. Then, earlier this year, the three workers accepted plea deals in exchange for two years' probation. Scott Wilder, a Sheriff's Office spokesman, said the Polk County Sheriff's Office stands behind its investigation and is happy to have three people convicted for animal cruelty. Wilder said there would be no apology for Smith. Wilder said the dogs were living in "vile" conditions, with some having open wounds and missing jaws. In a Thursday telephone interview, Smith, a breeder since the early s, insisted that she isn't guilty of animal cruelty to her dogs. Petersburg-based rescue group, to take 38 dogs. The dogs were old or had some genetic problems, she said. Florida Poodle Rescue alerted authorities about the condition of the dogs. After an investigation, Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested Smith and her three workers. She estimated that she sold about 20 puppies a year. Even with the case lasting for more than three years, Smith refused to take lenient plea deal offers, Levine said. But Chip Thullbery, a spokesman with the State Attorney's Office in Bartow, noted that by accepting plea deals, Smith's three workers had accepted some responsibility for the abuse. The Clearwater resident, who is not related to Paula Smith, denied allegations that the nonprofit organization rescued the ailing dogs to get more donations. Some of the dogs were euthanized and others were eventually adopted, she said. Corinn Smith said she was upset that the charges against Paula Smith were dropped and her workers only got probation for misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals. Jason Geary can be reached at .Press Release May 9, New report reveals licensed dog breeders still in business despite filthy conditions, dying dogs and cruel practices The Humane Society of the United States releases 10th annual Horrible Hundred report, providing a sampling of problem puppy mills and sellers in the U. SHARE The Humane Society of the United States released its 10th annual Horrible Hundred report today, revealing thousands of dogs suffering across the country at commercial dog breeding operations known as puppy mills —many of which are still in business despite years of documented animal welfare violations. The report describes violations such as failing to provide proper care to injured and emaciated dogs, dogs and puppies exposed to extreme weather and dogs living in cramped, filthy and unsafe conditions. The report provides a sampling of problem puppy mills and puppy sellers operating in the United States, based on state and federal inspection reports. For the 10th year in a row, Missouri has the largest number of problem puppy sellers on the list 26 , followed by Iowa 17 , New York 12 and Kansas and Wisconsin seven each. Some states, like Ohio and Oklahoma, have few entries in the report this year, because they failed to respond to our public records requests in a timely manner. Department of Agriculture inspector that he killed some of his unwanted dogs by injecting them in the stomach and then leaving them to die in their cages. His veterinarian denied providing the drug or giving approval for this method, but the USDA did not fine Sommers or suspend or revoke his license. The HSUS has reached out to the agency to urge them to work with local authorities on potential animal cruelty charges. Iowa breeder Menno Gingerich Skyline Puppies admitted to performing a do-it-yourself procedure on a badly injured puppy with a neck wound. A self-described American Kennel Club dog breeder in Missouri, Cory Mincey Puppy Love Kennel , was found to be operating and accumulating severe violations even though the Missouri Attorney General sued the operation in for failing to provide proper care for numerous filthy, emaciated and dying dogs. Missouri breeder Mary Ann Smith, who once unsuccessfully sued the HSUS for referring to her as a puppy mill owner, was once again found keeping dogs in poor conditions during at least three recent state inspections between May and December .In the decade of publishing the Horrible Hundred report , many breeders have appeared five, six or seven times due to recurring appalling violations yet they remain in business. However, some progress has been made during the last 10 years: More than dealers who have appeared in our past reports appear to have shut down , and a few dozen have been criminally charged, fined or jailed. More than 1, dogs have been rescued over the past 10 years from breeders listed in the Horrible Hundred report who were later shut down by law enforcement agencies. At least 11 states and hundreds of localities have upgraded their dog breeder or pet store laws since we published the first Horrible Hundred report in .Petland has fought laws across the country that would end the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores, claiming they only purchase from high quality breeders. The public can do their part by choosing shelter adoption when getting a dog, and by asking their lawmakers to support the federal Puppy Protection Act , which will increase standards of care at federally licensed puppy breeding operations. January 11, at a. But she presses ahead — the dogs need her. She pulls into the driveway of Scarlet-Maple Farm Kennel. A necessary one, Anderson thinks, but a lie nonetheless. Will the boy swallow her story? Will he discover her ruse and chase her away? She hopes not. If all goes well, Anderson will leave with at least one dog, maybe more — and perhaps with evidence that could help put this kennel out of business for good. Smith and other animal welfare activists pushed for a new state law — regarded as the toughest in the nation — designed to end the inhumane treatment of breeding dogs in the large commercial kennels popularly known as puppy mills. Kennel owners say the law is unnecessary and too expensive to comply with, and that it is eliminating many good breeders along with the few bad apples. She knows the drill. Large operations like Scarlet-Maple rarely allow prospective buyers inside. State regulators say the smell of a high-volume puppy mill is unforgettable, an overwhelming stench of urine and feces. Ammonia fumes burn the nose and eyes. The simultaneous barking of hundreds of dogs creates a wall of sound that makes it hard to think, let alone converse. Puppy mill dogs spend most of their working lives inside cramped wire cages, stacked one atop the other. They get little grooming, veterinary care or attention of any kind. Lacking a bone or toy to occupy their time, some dogs go into a frenzy every time they see a human. Other dogs circle endlessly. The lack of medical training can have disastrous results. Main Line recently took in a critically ill boxer with a mummified puppy in her belly, the apparent result of a botched Caesarean. She was rushed to the hospital with bleeding and a severe infection. The physical wounds, horrific as they may be, are treatable. Tougher to heal are the psychological ones. Bill Smith says the volunteers at Main Line spend weeks or even months working with rescued dogs so they can be adopted. Ed Rendell, the owner of two rescued golden retrievers — including one from Main Line — are working to shed. Three years ago, Rendell hired Jessie Smith — then a deputy state attorney general — to revamp the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, an agency within the agriculture department that had come under fire for lax enforcement of kennel regulations. He also appointed a special dog law prosecutor and hired new kennel inspectors. Most significantly, Rendell signed off on strict health and safety standards for large breeding operations. Key provisions that went into effect in October required large-scale breeders to double cage sizes, eliminate wire flooring and provide unfettered access to exercise. The new law also banned cage stacking, instituted twice-a-year vet checks, and mandated new ventilation and cleanliness standards. James Casorio. No longer would kennel owners be able to operate on their own dogs. Rendell called the mass shooting an atrocity. Between the new legislation, the bad economy, and heightened public awareness — the state has established a tip line, and Bill Smith persuaded Oprah Winfrey to do a show on puppy mills — pressure is building on multiple fronts against people like Daniel Esh, the owner of Scarlet-Maple. The boy returns with three dogs. The boy goes back to the kennel. He tells Anderson they would make a good breeding pair. Deal, she says. Main Line almost never buys animals from puppy mills. But it will purchase a dog as part of a cruelty investigation. So, if these dogs show signs they have been mistreated, Main Line will take them to the PSPCA to determine whether charges can be filed. As Anderson and the boy talk, a middle-aged man guides his horse-drawn buggy into the driveway. Esh climbs off his rig and strides toward them. His business is already on the verge of collapse. Esh pleaded guilty in January to three summary violations of the dog law and subsequently lost his state kennel license. That means he can no longer breed dogs — though he can continue selling the ones in his kennel — and must reduce his kennel population to 25 dogs or less, down from more than as recently as two years ago. Inspectors planned to visit Esh in January to make sure he has complied. Esh denies ever mistreating his dogs, telling The Associated Press in a later interview that he has fallen victim to a radical political agenda that seeks the end of commercial dog breeding in Pennsylvania and across the nation. They were helping me keep my farm. With milk prices in freefall, dairy farmers have increasingly relied on dog breeding to help pay the bills, selling to pet stores or directly to the public via the Internet. Like Esh and many other breeders, Edwin Zeiset, 34, blames the new regulations for ruining his livelihood. Zeiset says he operated a clean kennel and had many repeat customers. But he recently shut down his EZ Puppies kennel rather than spend tens of thousands of dollars on a big new building. Zeiset was particularly irked by costly new ventilation requirements and by the banning of wire floors. Vets say dogs forced to stand on wire commonly suffer from interdigital cysts — painful sores between the toes. But Zeiset says the wire is there to allow waste to pass through the floor and into a collection system. He says none of his dogs suffered from sore feet. If there are breeders who mistreat dogs, he says, target them. Bill Smith has heard such talk before. He just wants to improve the lives of their dogs. Anderson holds back tears as she plants a kiss on the head of a black-and-white, poodle-bichon mix. Daniel Esh believed her story. They are filthy and fetid. She squeezes some Purell into her hands. At a breeding kennel near the tiny village of Georgetown, the rescuers trade two bags of Rachael Ray dog food for two poodles, a cockapoo and a cocker spaniel. At a third farm — a small, unlicensed kennel in Strasburg — they talk the Amish proprietors into giving up five puppies. By nightfall, Main Line has visited five kennels and retrieved 12 dogs. Back at the shelter, Anderson tests the pooches for parvo, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. Exams reveal the puppies from Scarlet-Maple have ear infections and intestinal parasites; the Georgetown poodles likewise need deworming. Their fur is dirty and matted, their nails long, their ears filled with muck. But these, in fact, are lucky dogs. The new state regulations have teeth, but only if they are enforced. In that vein, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement has been forced to turn a critical eye on itself, says Sue West, who became its director in January .There was a widespread perception among animal welfare groups that dog wardens had become too cozy with the breeders, too willing to overlook infractions. Prior administrations focused on compliance, not enforcement, she says. In , the bureau revoked only three kennel licenses. And now, it has started enforcing the revamped dog law. By the end of December, all large commercial kennels those selling more than 60 dogs per year or selling to pet stores seeking a license were examined for compliance. Yet few breeders improved their kennels in the run-up to Oct. State veterinarian Danielle Ward and kennel compliance specialist Kristen Donmoyer, teaming up to inspect two kennels that first day, were dismayed by what they saw. The dogs remained in cramped quarters and on wire flooring, with no access to the outdoors. Both of the kennel owners expressed frustration with the new law, and one said that it might be easier to close than to comply. Pennsylvania began with .In early October, Pennsylvania kennels shipped hundreds of dogs to an auction house in Baltic, Ohio, to be sold to out-of-state breeders. Smith, who has long complained about state inaction on puppy mills, still doubts that government regulators will do right by kennel dogs. Hundreds of smaller kennels are exempt from the toughest provisions of the new law. And breeders who do have to comply with them were permitted to ask for more time to improve their facilities — up to three years. The state granted 81 of those requests — denying — giving some of the waivers to kennels that Smith considers puppy mills. But West says the dog law bureau has made great strides. Compared to dogs previously taken from Scarlet-Maple, these pooches — both designer mixes — are in good shape. No evidence of animal cruelty. The poodles from Georgetown, rescued the same day, will require a lot more work to prepare them for life outside the mill. Nearly two weeks after their rescue, the poodles — dubbed Mr. White and Mrs. But volunteer Deb Hankins has built up enough trust to coax them out of their crates. Main Line volunteers gently massage the poodles, trying to calm their frayed nerves. At first, Mr. White is frozen and unblinking; Mrs. White shakes violently. Neither poodle will take the treats being offered to them — small pieces of poached organic chicken that any family dog would drool over. Volunteer Faye Donovan tries to put Mrs. White on the wooden floor and the dog flips out, hopping around like a rabbit. None of this odd behavior fazes class leader Mary Remer, a renowned trainer and behaviorist with 28 years of experience and more than 15 Westminster dog show titles to her credit. It just takes time and patience, she says. And plenty of love. The other dogs in class — all further along in their socialization than the poodles — are busy performing small tasks for treats. The same will hold true for Mr. White, the trainer says. Indeed, by the end of the minute session, Mrs. White is walking, not hopping. But he is blinking normally and taking stock of his surroundings; his nose twitches, a sign his olfactory senses are awakening. Link copied to clipboard At 76, she has a nose for troubled kennels She doesn't look like a dedicated undercover operative, this year-old animal lover with arthritic knees. But she is. Now Helen Smith is expected to provide key testimony against a veterinarian who serves some of Pennsylvania's big dog-breeding kennels and who has been charged with animal cruelty on allegations that he mutilated a puppy's tail. ET She doesn't look like a dedicated undercover operative, this year-old animal lover with arthritic knees. In fact, "I'm not harmless at all. There, accompanied by an undercover officer from the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, she unexpectedly witnessed the act that led to the first-degree misdemeanor charge against Thomas F. Advertisement A Lancaster County police criminal complaint states that Stevenson treated a 9-week-old mixed poodle's already injured and bleeding tail by "soaking it in scalding water" and then cutting it off with shears "without sedation or prior numbing of the tail. If he is convicted of animal cruelty, his license could be suspended or revoked. You could see the exposed bone. As Bill Smith began to be more recognized, making it hard for him to get into kennels, his mother started taking his place. Helen Smith has been infiltrating kennels for close to a decade, scoping out conditions, rescuing animals, and informing authorities of what she finds. Many places she visits are feces-laden warehouses where dogs are confined in small pens. But long experience did not prepare her for what she said she saw March .King, to check on a dog she had often noticed tied up outside. The dog was a brown-and-white mixed bulldog, dirty, with an injury that had claimed an eye. Smith and the undercover SPCA officer were walking through the kennel, she said, when "I heard this screaming. I can't tell you - I almost passed out. She wrapped the dog in a towel and took the bleeding animal to another vet's office, where surgery was performed on its tail, she said. The affidavit states that King said he had cut the puppy's tail while grooming it the previous day. However, the officer wrote that she had seen no evidence that the puppy had been groomed. Its hair was long and matted with feces, and the bleeding wound was covered with feces and hair, the officer wrote. King, like Stevenson, was charged with cruelty to animals. He also could not be reached for comment yesterday. His home phone number is unlisted, and a message left at Country Lane Kennels was not returned. Volunteers from Main Line Animal Rescue returned days later and bought the one-eyed dog. Stevenson is the vet of record for most of the largest kennels in Pennsylvania, responsible for thousands of dogs, according to state records. He is also the vet of record for some of New Jersey's largest pet stores. Libby Williams, founder of New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse, said she had received dozens of complaints in recent years from people who bought sick dogs allegedly examined by Stevenson. The veterinarian also was named in a New Jersey consumer-fraud lawsuit against Joyce and Raymond Stoltzfus of CC Pets, one of the largest puppy brokers in Pennsylvania. Lancaster veterinarian Tom Gemmill filed a complaint against Stevenson with Pennsylvania's veterinary medical board after serving as an expert witness for the Ostranders. He said Stevenson failed to keep records on the dogs he examined, a violation of the veterinary practice act. That complaint is pending. Helen Smith said yesterday that, given the publicity surrounding this case, her undercover career was probably over. Smith complimented the work of the SPCA, but said other regulatory agencies should be doing more to end deplorable conditions at puppy mills. That's why volunteers have to get involved. If the inspectors won't do their jobs, then somebody has to help these dogs. Our breeding goals include health, intelligence, temperament, conformation, uniformity, and beauty. Our breeding facility is located in a nice secluded, wooded area about 15 minutes from Little Rock, Arkansas airport where Smith Standard Poodles have plenty of room for exercise, and ample time for socializing with each other. We socialize them also with adults and children. Standard Poodle Breeder Every single one of our pups for sale come with a two-year guarantee. All our pups are birthed from quality, health certified Standard mothers and fathers. We strategically breed our dogs to enhance genetic strengths and subvert undesirable traits including common health problems within the breed. Our puppies come to you well socialize and absolutely doggie door trained. Our Standard Poodles have now found homes in every state in the US, and in fifteen other countries. These colors and patterns include Parti, Brindle, and Phantom Standard Poodles along with most of the solid colors available. Let us know if we can help you with your Poodle pondering, or with any questions, you may have about our beautiful dogs. We have years of experience, and the willingness to share. God Bless, All of the pet store connections below were done by our research team and must be cited or quoted as such. If you would like to support our efforts, you can find ways to do that here. Every year in May, the Humane Society of the United States publishes a list of examples of problematic breeders and brokers in the country. You can view the full details of their list here. Many of the facilities appeared on our Quarter 1 USDA violation report, which can be viewed here , along with the copies of the inspection reports. We highly suggest reading their report! We have listed all of the Horrible Hundred offenders in a short list, whether or not they sell to stores. Fayetteville, Arkansas. Bill Nored, Dry Fork Kennel. Dry Fork Kennels has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , , , and .Kathryn Barber, K-Bar Kennels. Patterson, Georgia. K-Bar Kennels has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , and .Wray, Georgia. East Dublin, Georgia. This brokering facility owns their own pet store in Indiana , which relocated from Illinois. Mervin Ramer. Argos, Indiana. Patty Talcott. Hardinsburg, Indiana. Anita Wikstrom, Unforgettable Schnauzers. Ames, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , and .Brian Felton. Centerville, Iowa. We have record of this facility selling to puppy broker Levi Graber of Blue Ribbon Puppies since .Sioux Center, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , and .Mason City, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred List during the following years: and .Atlantic, Iowa. New Sharon, Iowa. Helene Hamrick, Wolf Point Kennel. Ackworth, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , and .Henry Sommers, Happy Puppys. Cincinnati, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , , and .Salem, Iowa. Hull, Iowa. Larry Albrecht, Coldwater Kennel. Greene, Iowa. Lavern Nolt, Twin Birch. Charles City, Iowa. Lloyd Yoder, Valleyview Premium Puppies. Riverside, Iowa. This facility is located on the same property as Loren Yoder, another Horrible Hundred Offender. Loren Yoder. Riverside Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: and .This facility is located on the same property as Lloyd Yoder, another Horrible Hundred Offender. Loren Yoder likely sells to the same pet stores that Lloyd Yoder does. Menno Gingerich. Albia, Iowa. Steve Kruse, Stonehenge Kennel. West Point, Iowa. Kruse used to sell to many stores directly, but has likely transitioned to selling through brokering companies to keep the facility names off of CVIs. Woody Wiley. Cantril, Iowa. Beth Johnson. Baxter Springs, Kansas. Chapman, Kansas. Bluff City, Kansas. Joyce Cairns, Unicorn Kennels. Glasco, Kansas. Uniontown, Kansas. Douglass, Kansas. Samuel Roman and Summer Roman. Conway Springs, Kansas. Fremont, Michigan. We have record of this brokering facility receiving many shipments of puppies from Indiana breeders. Annette Eccles Down Home Dachshunds. McNeille or Carriere, Mississippi. Hallsville, Missouri- This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , and .Brian Letsinger, Arrowhead Springs Kennel. Ava, Missouri. Urbana, Missouri. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , and .We have record of this facility selling to the following pet stores since Puppies of Westport Connecticut 4. Elkland, Missouri. Dawn Boyles, Atbay Kennels. Chula, Missouri. We have record of this facility selling puppies in to Iowa puppy broker Select Puppies. Madison, Missouri. Donna Taber, Jet Kennels. Wasola, Missouri. Rocky Comfort, Missouri. Clark, Missouri. Ellen Roberts, Rocky Top K9s. West Plains, Missouri- This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , , and .Mooresville, Missouri. West Plains, Missouri. John Bontrager and Lizzie Bontrager. Jonas A. Miller, Country Lane Kennel. Milan, Missouri. Lebanon, Missouri. We have record of this facility selling to Petland Wichita Kansas since .Marceline, Missouri. Jamesport, Missouri. Magdalena McGowan, Orchard Kennel. Cabool, Missouri. Salem, Missouri. Mervin W. Yoder and Lizzie Yoder. Noah Miller. Keytesville, Missouri. Seymour, Missouri. Sandra Kozlowski, Sho-Me Labradors. James, Missouri. Rogersville, Missouri. Spencer, Nebraska. Pender, Nebraska. We have record of this store selling to CT Breeder Connecticut in .Megan Mahlin, Flying High Aussies. Madison, Nebraska. Wilcox, Nebraska. Silver City, New Mexico. Classy Creations. Lyons, New York. Crestwood Acres. Seneca Falls, New York. Livonia, New York. Rochester, New York. Manorville, New York. Martville, New York. John David Shirk. Penn Yan, New York. Rainbow Creek South. Butler, New York. Samuel Brubacker, Hilltop Country Kennels. Dundee, New York. Twilight Valley Toys. Lois Baker. Anders, North Carolina. Andy Nisley, Nunda Valley Kennels. Howard, Ohio. Reuben M. Millersburg, Ohio. Stringtown, Oklahoma. Blanche S Plute. McDonald, Pennsylvania. Bobbie Yoder, Little Mountain Doodles. Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Narvon, Pennsylvania. Newville, Pennsylvania. Jonestown, Pennsylvania. Vickie Hines, Lar-Kie Kennel. Woonsocket, South Dakota. Danya Bueno, Buenos Little Bulldogs. Andrews, Texas. Killeen, Texas. Daingerfield, Texas. Quinlan, Texas. Tiffany Harvey, Ace Deuce Ranch. Avery, Texas. Amos Allgyer, Pawfect Paws. Platteville, Wisconsin. Tomah, Wisconsin. Daniel A. Hillsboro, Wisconsin. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: and although the report was heavily redacted due to the USDA Blackout. We have record of this facility selling to the following pet stores since Puppy Paws New York. Joseph Hochstetler, Sideline Kennel. Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. We have record of this facility selling to the following pet stores since Pups Unlimited New York and they also sell puppies through Southpaw Pets, a Missouri puppy broker. Moses Lee. Wilton, Wisconsin. Vernon Bontrager, Grand Valley Kennels. Markesan, Wisconsin. All of the pet store connections listed in this report were done by our research team and must be cited or quoted as such. In fact, she's been one of the greatest reasons for me to be a kinder, gentler person. Just before Sophie passed away, Oprah—and thousands of drivers—saw a billboard just off the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago that read, "Oprah: Do a show on puppy mills. The dogs need you. Every year, Bill and several volunteers rescue hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitate them and adopt them out to families. Many of the animals Bill rescues come from puppy mills, which he describes as places where bad breeders care more about the profit they make from puppies than the health or welfare of the animals. He says the dogs in puppy mills face deplorable conditions including inbreeding, minimal or no vet care, limited shelter and overcrowded cages. I just thought that you would be able to spread the word and educate a lot of people. Lisa and Bill also visit two pet stores. Many of the dogs born in puppy mills end up in pet stores or sold on the Internet. Lisa and Bill want to trace puppies' paperwork back to specific puppy mills. At the first store, they find a cockapoo puppy, and at the second, Labrador retriever puppies. While the owner of a store they visit denies his dogs come from puppy mills, Bill says most at pet stores do. People go into the pet stores, and they see these cute little puppies not knowing where they come from and what they go through. Bill has fostered relationships with hundreds of breeders across Pennsylvania. He asks them to give him the dogs they no longer want or, worse, the ones they're planning to kill. Bill says these breeders most often want to get rid of older females and younger males. Breeders only need one or two male dogs to breed with every 20 fertile females, so young female dogs are valuable in puppy mills. Lisa and Bill head to the breeder where the black cockapoo was born. The breeder tells them its mother is one of the dogs in cages outside. Lisa and Bill then followed the breeder into a building full of cramped wooden crates stuffed with dogs. Bill says he thinks many of these dogs have never walked in the grass though they live on a acre property. Visiting the home of the Labrador retriever puppies, Lisa and Bill find the lab puppies' mother in a small, mud-filled pen. Her teats are swollen—Bill says this is evidence she's had many litters of puppies. Lisa and Bill continue on to see other nearby puppy mills. In one, they find 30 to 40 dogs in wire-floored rabbit cages stacked to the ceiling in a room that reeks of urine and feces. Before they go to one breeder's property, Bill warns Lisa about what she may see. He has dogs running on wheels in fan casings," Bill says. The contraptions look like big gerbil wheels. That breeder wouldn't let them see his dogs, but Lisa and Bill saw two dead animals on the property. At a third breeder's facility, Lisa and Bill see outdoor cages that house scores of Pomeranians. Bill tells Lisa that not only have those dogs probably never been out of those small cages, it's likely that they remain outside even in bad weather and could die from exposure. All in all, Bill rescues dozens of dogs as he and Lisa visit puppy mill after puppy mill. Lisa says seeing the way the animals live was haunting. Bill says many breeders call him to see if he wants to pick up unwanted dogs. It's always amazing to me when I go out to pick up a dog, they've had the dog eight or nine years and it doesn't have a name. It's never been out of the hutch. It doesn't know how to walk. I have to carry it to the car. It's heartbreaking. They believe man is to dominate animals," she says. And the fact is, there is a market for puppies in America. And I said, 'Well, she's fine. She's walking around the house and everything. It's a different mentality. They're like an ear of corn. We encourage your viewers to find a responsible breeder. Each rescued dog has an appointment with a veterinarian, which is often the first medical care they've gotten in their lives. They also experience two more firsts—their first bath and first grooming. For some dogs, the medical care is urgent. Some have mammary tumors caused by years of nursing and overbreeding. Bill estimates that one cocker spaniel could have given birth to as many as puppies. Before they were rescued, many of these dogs spent their entire lives in wire cages and had trouble walking on the ground once they were out. Some had their vocal chords damaged by a pipe in order to keep them from barking. Others were completely filthy, with their coats overgrown and soaked in urine. Despite the inhumane conditions the dogs lived in before their rescue, Bill says they usually start to show signs of rehabilitation in about two weeks. The first indication they're coming around is when their tails start wagging, he says. Bill says Main Line Animal Rescue has rescued approximately 7, to 8, animals—about 5, of those from puppy mills. Their mission is to ultimately place each rescued animal in a loving family, and they are remarkably successful. We actually have something called a 'shy dog' class where we do massage therapy on them and everything else. It's great. Weeks later, the rescued dogs are steadily making progress. Even if they've been living in one place for years, most of the dogs that come from puppy mills have never been named. Bill says several of the dogs he and Lisa rescued were named in honor of their appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Over the years, Bill says he's definitely taken some of his work home with him—he has 10 dogs! At one point, Bill says he had 12, a bunch he affectionately called the "dirty dozen. In January , Bill rescued a Maltese-poodle mix from a breeder. The emaciated puppy had little hair and was close to death. Bill couldn't leave him behind and adopted the little guy, naming him Shrimp. Today, Shrimp is a happy and healthy member of Bill's pack—and even wears a red bow in his full mane of hair. If you are thinking about adopting a new pet, make your first stop the local shelter or animal rescue office. Consider these facts when adopting a dog. Sometimes, what you see isn't always what you get when it comes to that doggie in the window of a pet shop. If you are looking for a specific breed of dog, Bill says you're likely to find one at a rescue. What you need to know about animal shelters and finding responsible breeders. For people who would still like to use a breeder, Bill urges you to find one that is responsible. Quality breeders care about the quality of life their dogs will have when they go to their new homes and will often interview you about your home. One of Oprah's favorite Christmas gifts last year came from a neighbor who made a donation in Oprah's name to a no-kill shelter called The Lange Foundation. Oprah says she wasn't aware of the gift until she opened a very special Christmas card—"written" by the dog saved by that specific donation. That dog was Salina, a blind cocker spaniel who was close to being put down at an overcrowded animal shelter in Los Angeles. Here is an excerpt of Salina's letter: "One morning last week there was great excitement. One of the dogs had heard an officer say that someone from Lange Foundation was coming to choose a dog in your honor. I shared in the excitement, even though I knew the dog chosen would not be me. I was old and I was blind. I'd lived for many years in the yard of my owner's home. They never paid much attention to me. I did have my own doghouse, and that is where I spent most of my life, especially when I could no longer see. The lady slowly walked up and down the aisles. I could sense that she was sad, and I heard her say to the kennel man, 'I wish I could take all of them. I'll take the blind one. At least twice a week, Jillian visits Los Angeles's animal shelters to rescue dogs and cats that are unlikely to be adopted. Her mission is to save as many animals as possible before their time runs out. During a typical day Jillian drives out to shelters and picks animals as she can—including dogs who have been disfigured or have expensive medical needs. After rescuing the animals, Jillian brings them to her no-kill shelter, which has placed 17,, animals in loving homes over the years. When Jillian received a donation in Oprah's name, she says the decision to rescue Salina was easy. I went down to South Los Angeles Shelter the following day. I saw Salina sitting in the back of a cage, and on her cage card it said 'blind. They're not looking for old and blind. I went online, and one of them that popped up was Salina. She just seemed so helpless. Sadly, five weeks after Jack adopted Salina, she died of a stroke. Jack still wanted to help another animal and has recently adopted another cocker spaniel named Juno. Animal shelters across the country are at or above capacity, leaving little room for new arrivals. Unfortunately, dogs who are not adopted are often euthanized. Tough decisions such as these are made in every city in the country everyday, and the Fort Worth Animal Shelter goes through this difficult procedure nearly 17, times a year. Fort Worth Animal Shelter manager Keane Menefee says they took in 23, dogs and cats in —that's about 50 dogs each day. Sadly, only four of those 50 dogs found each day were adopted. When an animal is chosen, a red E is marked on their cage, and they only have one more day to be adopted. Keane says putting an animal to sleep never gets easier for him. I feel when I'm putting a dog down that I try to use the same compassion that I have as if I was putting my own animal down," he says. When it comes time, dogs are individually taken into the euthanasia lab. After the dog is muzzled for safety reasons, Keane injects them with a dosage of Fatal Plus or sodium Phenobarbital, based on their weight. In all, the process takes three to five minutes. The dog's body is put in a body bag and placed inside a freezer until the next morning, when a service will take it to a landfill. On the day Oprah Show cameras shadowed Keane, 18 dogs were on the list to be euthanized. But three dogs were saved—they were adopted by Harpo staff members working on the show. Fort Worth is also working on reducing the number of animals being euthanized. Starting in the summer of , Fort Worth shelter will offer free spaying and neutering to all animals adopted from their facility. It's better for the animals, and it prevents the needless killing of millions of animals," he says. It doesn't make sense. Shelly Rubin—who treats Oprah's dogs—says spaying or neutering is one of the best things you can do for your pet's health. For males, Dr. Rubin says neutering can change the dog's behavior for the better. One, you'll reduce prostate cancer and testicular cancer," he says. It listens to you when you speak to it, and it won't be marking urine all over the neighborhood—and your house—in many cases. Rubin says it's best to spay them before first heat. Rubin says spaying and neutering are very simple procedures. After a quick exam to make sure the animal is healthy enough for surgery, it's given a sedative and anesthesia. The procedure take about 10 to 15 minutes, and the animal can go home that day. They are helpless before us, and they rely on our good conscience," Wayne says. It's awful. It's contributing to the larger pet overpopulation crisis, which is resulting in over 4 million dogs and cats being killed every year. Go to a shelter. That's got to be your first stop," Wayne says. And if you insist on going to a breeder, go visit the breeder, talk to them. See the condition of the animals, especially the breeding females.