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Do you hand make unique gift items? Do you frequent a local dog loving spot? Maybe you have a beach or mountain house? If any of these apply to you, we need your help! We are seeking in-kind donations to make our upcoming events a huge success. Please click the button below share your information and a volunteer will contact you. In-Kind Donation Form International Rescue Want to learn more about our international efforts and how you can help golden retrievers in need? Click the button below. Here you can interact with our available dogs, complete foster training, and learn how you can become involved with supporting NRGRR. See the calendar below for details. Please click on the event to see the list of dogs attending. Event Calendar Make a donation. Our volunteers give their time, their homes and their hearts to every dog who comes to us for help. Unfortunately, warm homes and loving hearts alone do not pay for the medical care and supplies our dogs need. Sadly, the number of golden retrievers who have entered our program, and the costs related to their medical care, have dramatically increased over the past several years. When you make a tax-deductible gift to the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, you can be assured that your donation is directly supporting golden retrievers rescued through our program, and allowing us to continue to provide help to others in the years to come. Thank you for your support. Box , Raleigh, NC Phone: .We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near High Point North Carolina and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted!

Look no further than Hooch Jr. With his endearing resemblance to the iconic Hooch from the movies, Hooch Jr. His expressive eyes and that classic pitty smile will melt away your worries in an instant. But wait, there's more — Hooch Jr. It's like he's a master at tugging at your heartstrings with every glance. Hooch Jr. He thrives on human companionship and can't wait to become your new best friend. While he's more than happy to make new furry buddies, his heart truly belongs to his human family. He's a prime example of a lap dog trapped in a slightly larger body, and he's guaranteed to provide you with an endless supply of cuddles, snuggles, and affectionate gazes. Whether it's a romp in the yard or a leisurely stroll with his canine pals, Hooch Jr. This little guy is no slouch when it comes to learning. And if you're a fan of peaceful walks, you're in luck! He's a leash-walking extraordinaire, making every stroll a breeze. If you're looking for a furry companion who wears his heart on his paw, Hooch Jr. His enthusiasm for life and his love for everyone he meets are truly heartwarming. Whether you're young or young at heart, he's bound to wrap you around his little paw with his irresistible charm and his expertly executed pout lip. If you're ready to open your heart and home to a forever friend, don't miss the chance to bring Hooch Jr. He is microchipped, current on his vaccinations and preventatives. If someone has caught your eye and you wish to arrange a meet and greet, we do need you to fill out the adoption application. When your adoption application is received our screening team will verify the information given. Once your application has been confirmed and approved, we will be send it over to the foster parent for review to determine if your home is a good match for the dog. In the event one lucky dog receives multiple applications, please know we do not select based on a first come basis. We try our best to select the best-fit for our animals and families. We invite you to take a peek at our handsome, friendly, large breed American Bulldogs. We are a a team of private American Bulldog Breeders and our dogs and pups are never kenneled or crated. They are our family pets and roam our house and land. We breed loving American Bulldog Puppies for you and your family to cheerish. Learn More After breeding these amazing creatures for 22 years. We have perfected the best breeding standards that have award us the 1 American Bulldog breeder in America. At We Love American Bulldogs we take a lot of care and pride in helping educate families about the breed that are interested in bringing one of these beautiful creatures into their homes. As any breed the most important thing you can do, is educate yourself about the breed that you are about to bring into to your life. We hope by offering these documents and our YouTube videos, about the breed and about the puppy you are about to consider to be a part of your family, that you will do it with complete awareness of your responsibility to the breed and your puppy. Get a Puppy Our team at "We Love American Bulldogs" feel blessed to care for these wonderful creatures we brought into the world. We worked very hard to make sure the foundation of your puppy is stable, loving and strong. Now we hope with all the information my over 22 years experience with this breed bring me, that we will share with you, that you will stay the course and make sure these pups are the best and true American Bulldog they can be. A Day In The Life.NKC Jr. Little did I know what I was getting into, learning quickly that American Bulldogs can be a handful, to say the least. But nonetheless, Coot and I had a wonderful bond and shared an adventurous life together for 10 years before I lost him to cancer. From the start, Nashi immediately became part of the family, living in our home in the NC Mountains, surrounded by active adults and teenagers. We spent endless hours training and socializing her with people, taking her to various stores, festivals, hiking in the mountains, car rides, and dogs shows. We competed in our very first conformation show in , competing until we retired Nashi after she produced her first litter. We kept Boss and Domino from the litter, competing in the show ring once again with Domino. In , we produced our second litter from Domino, expanding our list of dogs with the addition of Wick. We love that the American Bulldog is the embodiment of loyalty and devotion. The perfect combination of a working dog, true guardian, powerful athlete and companion. They are very intelligent, courageous, goofy, sensitive and stubborn. We enjoy the breed because we can do everything we want with them; hike, swim, camp, hunt, the possibilities are endless. The American Bulldog isn't for everyone, they can be territorial and dog aggressive. As a puppy, one must be dedicated to training and build a good foundation, socialization and defining boundaries.

He is looking for his FURever home. Kao is 11 months old. He is super friendly with other dogs and children. He is a cuddler that is truly lovable. He is a magnificent family dog! Like a puppy, he is high in energy. Kao loves to go on long walks at the dog park and run for a bit. Kao is fully vaccinated, but he is not neutered. Kao is still in the training phase of his young life and requires a family that is home. I will provide a bed, food bowl, water bowl, treats, full breed registration papers, ALL Vet visit papers including vaccines and deworming. A leash and training collar will also be provided. Please feel free to email me with any questions. Willing to negotiate the price call prince at xxx xxx xxx0. Well Trained Gorgeous Boxer Puppies. Outstanding puppies with the Perfect Boxer puppies Look'; short, stocky, large nose ropes and tons of wrinkles! Male and female puppies available. Raised in our family home with our 3 kids. Parents on premises. The price include veterinary consultation , first n second vaccination, microchip, flea and worming treatment, they have first collar, toy and blanket with mummy's scent. Both parents can be seen. They loves other dogs and kids and they are house and potty trained. Only in good hands! Text us directly at xxx xxx - xxx2 Or Email us with your Contact number before respond to you. If you don't contact us using the above method, we won't respond to you. Seeking a good home for my puppies. They have great temperament towards people and gets along with big dogs and pets at home. They are registered.They are registered. View Detail affectionate and cute boxer puppies for adoption to good homes.Call or text at xxx xxx-xxx2. Dad is akc registered. View Detail boxer puppies available AKC black and white boxer puppies available. .Both male and female in that shining beautiful black color. .They are very lovely and awesome pups. .Give me a text or call if you are interested at.This pups and dogs are raise in my home with other boxers Txt only via x x View Detail Top Quality Litter Boxer Puppies for sale Only 3 puppys left from litter of 10,one puppy is red and white with flashes and flash on mask other has has full black mask minimal markings. Mother is beautiful red with flashes she is larger then most females and also has and aps amazing physique, Both parents have USA Champion's in their lining, mother's grandparent's are the very well known Winuwuk lust in the dust , Boxken bottle of Beer and Blueprint Beern Skittles at Walkon. His father is Ergo perkinska van dibrid. Mother carries 15 champs in her 5 generation pedigree's. Pure quality litter. All pups are socialised with my children and other dog's. All puppies will go to their new homes with the K. Thank You. They are stunning red with black masks and lovely white markings. The mother to these babies has an exceptional loving nature and can be seen with them. He is sweet, silly, snuggly, and ridiculously cute. He is just about everything that is good in a dog. Petey loves to entertain himself and others with his playful attitude and his puppy-like antics. He loves to start each day with a happy morning wiggle dance, and he will perform encores throughout the day. Petey is an affectionate fellow. He only gives occasional kisses, but loves to get close to you; nuzzle you; lean; poke at you with his front feet as boxers do; and when he is feeling silly which is often! He is accustomed to sleeping in bed with a person and snuggling all night. Truthfully, he can get away without it inside the home because he is an easy, good boy to live with! However, he is overly excited out in the world, on walks, in the car, and seeing new people and animals, so he would benefit from some guidance to help him behave calmly in those situations. At this point, meeting people is extremely exciting, but meeting dogs is just too overwhelming for him to handle. Petey had a dramatic entrance into rescue, as he was pulled from the shelter while he was suffering from bloat a medical emergency fatal within hours. Pulling a dog in critical condition, when we know the cost will be tremendous and a good outcome far from guaranteed, requires a leap of faith. The shelter vet bought Petey time by puncturing his stomach to decompress the gas that was building up. Within an hour of first being contacted by the shelter, a flurry of communication had occurred, an NCBR volunteer darted to the shelter, delivered Petey to an emergency vet, and Petey was being prepped for surgery. But we are overjoyed to say that Petey made it through surgery and is now recovering in the hospital.

Greetings from Bruiser Bulldogs and The Wysongs We are a family absolutely in love with the Bulldog breed and are dedicated to breeding genetically healthy English Bulldog puppies. As responsible AKC English Bulldog breeders, our extensive experience and unique take on the need for a healthier English Bulldog has positioned our breeding program as a visionary leader for adopters in search of a higher quality Bulldog. At our core, we love placing healthy, properly socialized puppies into loving families. There is no greater joy than to be able to share our lifelong passion for English Bulldogs with our adopter families. Feel free to read our blog , watch our videos and learn why Bruiser Bulldogs is producing a better bulldog. Instead of focusing on maximizing wrinkles or winning in the show ring, we have built our foundational bloodlines over the past decade with a focus on health first on foremost. Sires and Dams are health tested with a unique criteria. Bruiser Bulldogs must breathe freely, move athletically while still maintaining that classic English Bulldog look that people around the world have come to love. Our goal has always been consistently produce puppies that are both a head turner and fundamentally healthy Bloodline development is the key to producing healthy bulldogs. We believe that foundational genetics are created through layer after layer of breeding healthy generations of bulldogs. Over the course of a decade, we have focused on a stringent set of health criteria to gradually improve the health and quality of the dogs we produce. The rare combination of experience, repetition, and ethical awareness of correct breeding practices has set our breeding program at the forefront of responsible breeding practices. The process truly is an adoption that affects the time, focus, and schedules of each household that gets a puppy from us. After a healthy puppy , the single most critical factor for a successful bulldog adoption is adopter support. The English Bulldog is unique breed with a unique set of caretaking criteria. Previous dog ownership, while helpful, is not enough to fully prepare an adopter for English Bulldog ownership. We always say the adoption is just the beginning of our journey. Through blog articles and email prep, we focus on such topics as socialization, crate training, disease prevention, potty training, nutrition, and basic puppy supplies to ensure that each adopter will be fully prepared for their new puppy. As a couple, Trish's love for these breeds rubbed off on Dale, and after struggling with infertility, they decided to take a break and welcome their first boy, Lucky, into their lives. Soon after, they were blessed with a baby girl named Reagan, who can often be seen in pictures with their puppies. After discovering their love for breeding, they established a home kennel and have since become devoted puppy parents. They are located in Central Indiana on a spacious property in Zionsville, where all their dogs are raised and socialized by their large family, which includes five children between the ages of 7 to 25, and a bengal cat named Mama Bell. As passionate breeders, they have expanded their family to include some French bulldogs, including Phoebe, Jasper, and Echo, and a one-year-old Dogue De Bordeaux named Belle. The love affair they have with their dogs has never faded, and they treat them all as part of their family, young and old alike. Dependable and predictable, they make wonderful family pets and are loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively seek human attention. They develop their own personalities quickly, and will leave you laughing most days of the week. Call Morgan at for specific pup identification if you are leaning towards placing an early deposit. Please check back, we update our website daily! Please see our Deposit Page and our Transportation Page for information on getting your puppy. We love the English bulldog temperament, physique and expression, I just personally like it to be about lbs. We find the smaller sizes are more buoyant and playful and, though still very heat sensitive, are better able to cope with life in general. Downsizing an AKC breed takes time. Our girls all come from long lines of lb. We not trying for 20 pounders…our goal is to have healthy, beautiful babies that consistently mature at lbs. If you see a puppy that tugs on your heartstrings please call, or go to our deposit page for more information. In the last few years it has become clear that most people would prefer their puppy to be transported using our White Glove transport or Nanny Flight transport. Today, we have requests for our Puppies from all over the country. Because of this, the majority those requesting a Sugarplum Bulldog Puppy have also requested transport to their area of the country; those in Florida, for example, cannot easily make the drive to RI. As such, the majority of our Puppies have shifted to a transport model; this gets them closer to their new forever home. Because of this, we have come to the decision, that for the well being of our Puppies and for the benefit of our new Sugarplum Bulldog owners, we have developed a transport model for our pups using our Puppy-Mobile with direct transport to the pups new Forever Home! Our Mid-Western breeding home is co-owned by Sugarplum Bulldogs, and our partner. I realize that not having a chance to play with the Pups is disappointing to some, but please understand that our team are dedicated to the highest level of care for our little Pups. We truly feel that this new model is in the best interested of our Puppies and their new homes. Please feel free to ask me any questions…. We currently do not have any bulldog puppies available, and the waiting list for our summer puppies is now full. Please check back with us this fall. If you would like to be notified when our waiting list opens up for a future bulldog puppy please feel free to begin the interview process by filling out our puppy application Link , which is required for all potential bulldog homes. We also occasionally have retired adult bulldogs available for adoption to approved homes. Feel free to email us at castlewoodbulldogs gmail. Ronny and Dawn Castillo A Preview Of The Upcoming Litter Of Bulldogs For Sale Our Bulldog Mission Our desire is not only to present and showcase our beautiful bulldog puppies for sale and stud service with you, but we also hope to help educate and inform those considering adopting or purchasing a bulldog. Located in Southern Missouri, about a half hour from the Arkansas border, we live in a log home situated in the middle of 20 secluded, wooded acres. Our journey in bulldogs began back in .Ronny and I were married that year and were very young I was only .I have always been a dog lover but up until that point my experience with dogs had mainly involved toy breeds. Johnny passed away at the age of 11 but long before then I knew we would never be without a bulldog. A few years before Johnny died I began researching the breed more thoroughly and had decided to pursue my passion for breeding and showing. I was hooked! The following year I produced my first litter bred by the champion, Ch. For info or to speak to us directly feel free to call or Email — CST castlewoodbulldogs gmail. This includes health, temperament and conformation. Thus, I set out to find and bring into our program the very best bulldogs from around the world. I attended the Bulldog Nationals and watched with keen interest all of the top bulldogs in the US compete for the Best of Breed title. Shortly thereafter there was a post and discussion in one of the bulldog forums I was a member of regarding a particular European bulldog Ch. Valleybull Silver Sailor at Merriveen. He was one of the most beautiful bulldogs I had ever laid eyes on! So, I started researching and studying the European bloodlines and fell in love with many of their dogs. What I noticed was that while the US bloodlines seem to have better top lines and shorter backs, the European bloodlines tend to have better heads, tails and more bone and substance. By incorporating both the US and European bloodlines into our breeding program, I am aiming to get the best from both worlds. I am very proud of our most recent addition, coming all the way from Spain, Ch. Valley Bulls Burton.

I have owned both. They are remarkably similar. Goldens are far less suspicious and more outgoing. But the GSD is also very sweet and less likely to hound your guests. Goldens are only good at scaring intruders with their size and bark but unlikely to do anything about it. While the GSD may actually do something about it. Both shed but in my experience goldens shed much more contrary to what many GSD owners say. Goldens produce hair tumbleweeds weeds while GSD produce much less hair. You can actually get done brushing a GSD but you can never be done brushing a golden retriever. Pick a golden if you want a dog that will be friendly with no work. Love both of these breeds. Superior dogs for sure. October 25, at am Hey Evelyn, hope you can get your own dog! While every dog is different, golden retrievers are typically sociable. Make sure to socialize your dog early. Early socialization is one of the best ways to create a sociable dog! Sammy February 22, at am I would say that the two dogs are both really intelligent but I would rather chose the German shepherd because they are really kind and loyal. I have one of my one that is 6 months and she is already trained to sit lay down roll over play dead and stop. German shepherd is a really good dog!!!! JIll Michalski August 20, at pm Hi. Golden retrievers are also very kind. My golden was trained, gives paw, sits and lies down at a very early age. Do your research. They are both adorable dogs, depending on what you are willing to put in is what you get out of it. Connie March 23, at pm I have a white German Shepherd. He sheds a lot but nothing unreasonable. High energy and extremely playful, easy to train, but he is very suspicious of guests. He picks and chooses who he likes. I am looking to getting a dog in our family but dont have to deal with a lot of shedding. I understand dogs need to shed for many reasons and therefore wanting to know which is easier to clean, maintain,could decrease shedding, and could be inside my house without hair lying around the floor. The fur or hair was easily able to clean and spot which in comparison to the German Shepard is hard to clean and spot depending where the dog lays around and the color of the fur. I am just seeking into finding answers which breed I should get. I hope you guys can reach out to me and give me answers which fits more to my problem. They are highly intelligent as well and easy to train. We are going to move to our family farm in Minnesota as soon as my mom can find a job. We have a little family, its just me, my mom, my dad, and our tuxedo kitten Oreo. We do not know if we should get a GSD or a goldie. I have a few questions; 1. Who gets along with kittens better 2. Who sheds less 3. Who loves their humans the most 4. Who would follow their humans and take a walk with them with no leash? For your first question, a Golden would probably get along better with a kitten. German Shepherds have high prey drives and may chase the kitten, but either one could get along with it if they are introduced while the dog is a puppy. Make sure to keep the puppy on a leash during their first meeting, or keep them in separate rooms with a baby gate between them so they can get used to each other with no possibility for a fight. Make sure there is room for the cat to get away from the dog just in case there ever is a fight or the dog attacks the kitten. As for the shedding, both dogs will shed a lot. I had a golden mix and her hair was everywhere. Between loving their humans the most, both dogs would be great. German Shepherds are extremely loyal and would protect their owners from anything. They will bond to the family and be suspicious of outsiders. Golden retrievers are extremely friendly. They will love the family and love other people. If you want a dog that will love you and protect, get a GSD. No-leash walking needs to be trained. Some dogs do it naturally but they need to learn not to wander and when to come back. My golden mix was also trained to walk off-leash. You can research how to train them to walk off-leash, but you MUST train them how to walk on the leash first. Waking them on the leash will teach them how close they should stay to you and teach them how to match your pace. For the kitten question, a Goldie might be better. GSDs can have a high prey drive so they might chase the kitten, but a Goldie might too. You need to socialize them early. Make sure the puppy is on a leash for their first meeting, and keep them in different rooms separated by a baby gate so they can get used to each other with no possibility of a fight occurring. Shedding- both will shed. Brushing them a few times a week will help control the shedding and keep more of the fur off your floors. If you want a dog that will love their humans, either one will be perfect. However, they are still different. GSDs are extremely loyal and will bond closely with the family. They can have aggression issues but this should be no problem with proper training. They love everyone. If you want a dog that will love the family AND protect them, a German Shepherd is the dog to go with. As for no-leash walking, this will be trained. My German Shepherd mix and Golden retrievers mix are both trained to walk off leash. You can look up training methods to teach this. This will teach them how close they need to stay to you and not to wander or run away. Please teach them to walk on a leash first, and gradually release them for short periods of time once you are confident they will not run. I really hope this helps and you enjoy raising whichever breed you choose. GSDs are more intelligent than golden retrievers, meaning they are easier to train and excel at many jobs. GSDs are very protective of their owners. Also golden retrievers can pick up a lot of inappropriate habits when greeting visitors. GSDs are far more obedient and reliable. Both dogs are very good with children and other animals but, I would recommend the GSD because they are far more gentle and adaptable, but goldens can be a little boisterous. Goldens have high maintenance coat and shed far more than the GSDs. GSDs have medium maintenance coat, making it easier to groom. In conclusion, both are superior and lovable companions but, the GSD german shepherd is easier to care for and is more capable than the golden retriever. Two puppies, a 17 month old GSD and a 4 month old Golen. Great dogs! I like a lot of you am just a dog person. Stella is my 3rd GSD. More than what dog is a better family pet I want to talk about YOU as the pack leader. I think a avarage trained or better GSD is the best dog ever! In no way are they agressive just …. I dont know a little stand offish. If a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? I want the dog to grow up with my little one. And to protect her n love her. Which one is the best one? Mustafa March 23, at pm The german shepherd is far more protective than the golden retriever thanks: Bradley July 20, at am If you want a dog that would love and play the goldie is the way to go. They are eager to please and very helpful. While they do shed quite a bit if you brush them a few times a week it wont be a big deal. They are also more likely to lick an intruder then hurt it but if you treat the dog right and it sees anyone in your house trying to harm your or your daughter you can count on it to be right there and getting that person away. Golden retrievers are sweet, playful, family dogs. They have beautiful coats that can range from cream , to gold, to red , and have floppy ears and feathered legs and tails. German Shepherd Overview German shepherds are herding dogs that like to work. Like golden retrievers, the traits that made them great herding dogs make them both great and occasionally difficult family companions. Energy Level Golden retrievers: Golden retrievers have a lot of energy. They need hours of exercise per day and need to be both physically stimulated by playing games like fetch and tug and mentally stimulated training and puzzle toys help here. German shepherds: German shepherds are high-energy dogs, too. Both dogs have a ton of energy, so no matter which one you go with, expect to do a lot of training, playing, and working to avoid potential behavior problems and keep your dog happy. Golden retrievers: Goldens are some of the best family dogs around. German shepherds: German shepherds make great family dogs, too. But if you have kids, golden retrievers will probably be a better choice to go with. Are They Easy To Train? However, they can be easily distracted, which may make training a little more difficult. Conclusion Although both dogs are relatively easy to train, German shepherds are the winners here. Temperament Golden retrievers are some of the sweetest, most loving dogs out there. They like to spend time with their families and are very playful and often goofy. They love just about everything and everyone. German shepherds: German shepherds are loyal and loving with their families, but usually a little more suspicious or aloof when it comes to strangers. What are the differences between German Shepherd and Golden Retriever? Besides significant differences in appearance, the two breeds have different original purpose. While the German Shepherd was originally developed as a herding breed, Goldens were mainly used for retrieving shot game. Despite significant temperament differences, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are popular family companion dogs. Potential owners who are not sure which of the two breeds would make the right family pet can compare these large breeds in detail. German Shepherd is an excellent working companion dog. GSD dogs need to have a purpose - the active breed does best with an owner who can dedicate most of the time to this highly intelligent family pet. Whether the German Shepherd is trained to be a home guard or a search and rescue team member - this breed needs to have a purpose to live a happy life. This is not the right breed for a passive owner where the dog is left alone at home with nothing to do most of the time. Boredom and loneliness can result in various psychological and behavior problems in German Shepherds and in Goldens alike. In comparison to German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers also enjoy to be active throughout the day. Golden Retrievers are wonderful companion dogs for active families that like to have the family dog around most of the day. Just like German Shepherds, Goldens are happiest when in company of their owners. Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds can be trained to a high standard - the desire to please the owner is strong in both of these breeds. The one big difference between GSD dogs and Goldens is that a German Shepherd can do a great job as a guard dog when properly trained. Golden Retrievers are very friendly and owners of the breed should not expect protectiveness in a Golden Retriever as the breed is known for friendly and amiable temperament. The Golden Retriever German Shepherd mix puppies can resemble both or either of the parents visually. The hybrid dog that resulted from mixing the two different breeds may have variations in temperament that can be difficult to predict. Image of German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix. Golden Shepherds are large dogs that can reach up to 88 pounds in weight and up to 26 inches in height. GSD is a few pounds heavier than Golden Retriever on average. Detailed size comparison between a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever can be found below. Golden Retriever male weight: 29 to 34 kg 65 to 75 lb German Shepherd male weight: 30 to 40 kg 66 to 88 lb Golden Retriever male height: 56 to 61 cm 22 to 24 in German Shepherd male height: 60 to 65 cm 24 to 26 in German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever: Shedding Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds shed a lot. Many first time owners are surprised by the amount of shedding that Goldens and German Shepherds produce. The dog's hair can be found everywhere and the best way to manage the heavy shedding is by brushing either a GSD or a Golden every day to remove the dead hair. Removing the dead hair by brushing helps to minimize the amount of hair that can be found on the floor and on furniture where the dog spends time. There are great deshedding brushes available to help German Shepherd owners and Golden Retriever owners keep the heavy shedding under control. A good vacuum cleaner can be very helpful in removing the dog hair from the floor and from other surfaces. Managing the heavy shedding can be accomplished with the right tools, such as the Furminator Deshedding tool for large breeds. Brushing either a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever regularly helps to remove the bulk of dead hair from the dog's coat, thus reducing the shedding. Brush the dog outdoors to make the clean up easier. German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers shed constantly with some heavier seasonal shedding. Fortunately, Furminator Deshedding tool makes managing the heavy shedding possible to a large degree. German Shepherd and Golden Retriever compared: Grooming Besides brushing a Golden or a GSD every day with a deshedding brush, grooming includes keeping the dog's teeth clean. Start training the GSD or Golden puppy to get accustomed to teeth brushing while the dog is still a puppy. Always use a canine toothpaste to brush a dog's teeth. Clip Golden's or German Shepherd's nails every six weeks or so. German Shepherd versus Golden Retriever: Lifespan With a healthy lifestyle and good care most German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers can live up to 12 years of age and sometimes longer. Overall health, genetics, care, diet, lifestyle and other factors affect a dog's life span. Purebred dogs with a well known pedigree, show dogs and dogs that received training that goes beyond basic can cost significantly more. These breeds are known for desire to please the owner, obedience and loyalty. Genetics, breed and the early stages of life deeply affect the temperament of the mature animal. When getting a dog from a breeder, pay close attention to the temperaments of the parents of the puppy and be sure to only select a reputable breeder who places a high value not only on the dog's appearance but also temperament. As an owner you will have a big impact on shaping the dog's temperament. Socializing a puppy from a young age, for example, helps to raise a confident dog who will be comfortable in different settings and environments. Golden Retriever breed originated in Scotland. Good with kids: German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers make reliable and easygoing companion dogs for families with kids. Families with very young kids need to be aware that Goldens can be very active as puppies and will require a lot of physical activity during the day. In comparison to Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds aren't ideal dogs for families with young kids. While a Golden Retriever is essentially a companion breed, a German Shepherd is a working dog breed that requires an owner who can channel the dog's energy in the right direction during the day. Both breeds are highly active and require a lot of attention from the owners throughout the day. Daily training, exercise, play time and mental stimulation is a must for owners of these energetic breeds. Golden Retrievers vs German Shepherds: Companion dogs Goldens and German Shepherds are great dogs for active owners who are looking for a companion dog to spend the day with. These breeds need long daily walks, coat maintenance and mental stimulation and an owner who is ready to share his or her day with the dog. Golden retrievers are generally friendly around strangers while German Shepherds may need some convincing that the stranger deserves the dog's trust. German Shepherds are more protective of their owners and do exceptionally well as protection dogs with the proper training. While a Golden Retriever is perfectly happy just being the best companion dog he can be, a German Shepherd needs to have a purpose even when the dog's main job is to be a good companion animal. German Shepherds that are left alone or bored throughout the day will assign a job to themselves and may start guarding the home from the mailman, for example. If you are considering a German Shepherd as a family companion dog, consider how much time you are willing to spend on making the best of the dog by providing sufficient exercise, training, mental stimulation, games and so on. German Shepherds are not for everyone - be sure to learn all you can about this breed before you make the final decision. Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are large, active breeds that are happiest in a home with a large yard where the dog can run around and explore. Country living often offers more space for either of these dogs and is ideal. Can a German Shepherd or a Golden Retriever live in an apartment? If you have a small apartment and do not have a dog park or a dog run nearby - this is not a good situation for either of these active breeds. Apartment living is not ideal because these large dogs need space and a territory where they can stretch their legs. Living in the city environment puts these naturally energetic dogs in a situation where the animal is forced to live in a confined space with little exercise. This is not a happy situation for either a Golden or a German Shepherd. Good with other dogs: Golden Retriever compared to German Shepherd Golden Retrievers are happy to be friends with people and other dogs - with proper socialization this amiable breed normally gets along fine with other dogs. German Shepherds need to be socialized from an early age. Some German Shepherds can be aggressive towards other dogs, especially when the dog did not get enough socialization during puppyhood. Level of socialization depends of each individual dog how much time the owner spent getting the puppy comfortable around other dogs determines how good the dog is around other dogs. Both breeds are highly intelligent. Puppies are born with innate intellectual capacity that can be further developed by the owner during the puppyhood. Provide the dog opportunities with mind stimulating activities. Interactive games for dogs are available on today's market. Invest time into your German Shepherd or Golden Retriever so that the dog can grow into a confident and highly intelligent companion that will make you a proud owner. Difference between German Shepherd and Golden Retriever: Trainability German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are quick to learn, eager to please and can be trained to a high standard. Short and fun training sessions work best. Start training a GSD or Golden during puppyhood. Reward based training approach helps to maintain a dog's interest during training. Positive motivation techniques get best training results for these intelligent breeds. If dog barking is an issue, train the dog the "Quiet! Professional dog trainers suggest to train the dog the "Bark! In some cases when a dog is left alone frequently with nothing better to do, he or she may start barking out of loneliness or boredom. Always leave a chewable toy or treat dispenser toy with the dog when leaving the animal alone for a while - this will help to keep the dog busy while you are away. Goldens and GSD dogs do not enjoy being left alone - consider a different breed if you are not able to dedicate most of your time to spending it with the dog. Owners of either of these energetic breeds need to allocate at least a couple of hours each day on walking and exercising the dog. Younger dogs have even more energy and although activities the involve high impact jumping are not recommended, low impact activities such as swimming and walking are great for younger Goldens and German Shepherds. German Shepherds and Goldens run a higher risk of joint problems as they age and putting too much pressure on the growing joints may result in earlier offset of health issues in dogs related to joints. That is one of the reasons why younger German Shepherds and Goldens should not be allowed high impact exercise during their first couple of years of life. Getting enough physical exercise is important for both breeds, but don't forget about the benefits of keeping the dog mentally sharp as well. Training a dog a new command or allowing the dog to play with an interactive dog toy are great for mental stimulation. Other health issues that German Shepherds and Goldens have in common include higher risk of bloat and eye related health problems. German Shepherds versus Golden Retrievers: Dog behavior issues Behavior problems often start when either a German Shepherd or a Golden Retriever are left alone for long periods of time. Destructive behaviors such as chewed up or ripped furniture, recreational barking and many other unwanted behaviors are often caused by boredom and insufficient mental and physical exercises. For that reason these active breeds are not ideal for an owner who does not have the time and energy to spend with either of these breeds. If you need to leave either a German Shepherd or a Golden Retriever alone for an hour or so, be sure to give the dog a good walk and tire him or her out before you leave so that the dog can spend the time away from you resting rather than being active and destructive. German Shepherds vs. Golden Retrievers: Popularity Both breeds are very popular. These two are among the best known and most popular breeds in the United States. Golden Retriever video. Is a Golden Retriever the right breed for me? Watch the video and see what it's like to own a Golden Retriever. Compare other dog breeds to Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.

Pugs will eat as much as you give them. Measure your pug's food and feed him small meals at scheduled times. As he ages, decrease how often he eats. He should eat four times a day. High-quality dry foods and wet foods are nutrient-dense, so your little guy will not need as much of it as he would lower-quality foods. You can find high-quality puppy foods in pet stores and at your veterinary clinic. Avoid semi-moist puppy foods because they contain high amounts of sugar. Adjust the amount so he is still getting his daily requirement. He may want more; but as long as he is at a healthy weight, don't start giving him extra food. Pugs gain weight easily. Obesity in pugs can lead to muscle and joint problems, diabetes and heart disease. It is doubtful that you will need to increase the amount of food per day even though your pug is growing. Your vet may suggest that you decrease the amount of food if your pug is starting to gain weight. Some owners prefer to continue the twice-a-day feedings because pugs have a smaller stomach than larger dogs. It's hard for them to digest a large amount in one feeding. It is now time to consider adult food. Introduce the new food slowly so he doesn't have difficulty digesting it. If you are concerned that your pug is not getting enough to eat, look at his shape. He should be broad at the shoulders and narrower beyond the shoulders, with a slight widening in the rump area. If his shape is square, he is getting too much food. More Articles. You may find yourself on the dog food isle trying to make sense of all the ingredients, types of foods and categories. And all you want to know is… How often and what should I feed my Pug? Every dog is different, every type of food has its specific quantities and it even varies between brands. Start simple and figure out all the details and methods. I have collected information about the different types, brands pros and cons of dog feeding to try and give an unbiased as much as I can look, so you can make a better-informed choice which will be right for you and your Pug. Remember, people care deeply about their dogs and will often get very emotional about the health and feeding they chose. Having been the owner of a pet store, I have learned that although I have my personal preferences and very good reasons for them, others may have different choices and they believe they are the right ones for them. There are a lot of issues to consider. How Many times a day should I feed My Pug? A mature Pug can easily live a healthy life with one meal which provides all his nutritional needs. In most cases, it is more convenient for both us and the pug to split this to two meals. If your Pug had a full meal in the morning, be sure he will nag you like crazy in the afternoon. Puppies have smaller stomachs and need, relative to their size, a larger quantity of food so it is better to break it up to three or even four meals a day. If you are around your Pug all day and prefer to give 4 meals a day to a mature dog, there is no harm in it, as long as the overall daily quantity stays the same. Free Buffet or Set meals? Pugs are notorious for becoming overweight and need to be limited to a set amount. If your Pug is not typical in that sense, you are welcome to put the full daily portion in the bowl and see how long it lasts. One more reason for set meals is monitoring. You want to know how much you Pug eats. If you want your Pug to lose weight, you need to know how much he is eating in order to cut down. On the flip side, if your Pug is not eating the usual amounts it may be an indication of a medical condition. What food do Pugs Eat? Pugs love food. They love treats, dry food, wet food, table scraps, raw meat, cooked meat, spicy meat and meat gone bad. In rural areas and farms, they may have also got more meaty scraps. Our Pugs who grew up with Emperors and Royalty were probably treated to high quality scraps. Today, dry bagged kibble or canned wet food are the standard for most homes, although there is a growing number of people and companies promoting more natural diets of either raw or cooked food for dogs. Every type of food claims to be the healthiest, more appropriate, tailored and nutritional. Kibble Kibble is the most common dog food available and has become the staple for the average dog. Pros of Kibble The makers of dry food claim it has the most balanced and scientifically based formulas to provide the best nutrition for a dog. They also tailor these formulas to dogs of different size, breed, age or other needs. Even the most discerning dog owners should be able a composition to satisfy them. The ingredient list is unclear and misleading. There are numerous food recalls yearly. There are websites dedicated just to keep up with the recalls. Teeth are going to need cleaning. Wet canned food Aside from the meatier texture and the higher water content, there is little difference between kibble and the canned, wet counterpart. The ingredients can be similar and so are the health benefits. Some dog owners report that wet food makes for softer stools when fed exclusively. Many dog owners will give a combination of wet and dry food. Home cooked As with human food there is a growing number of people fed up Pun intended with commercial and over engineered food. Raw food Also called the BARF Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods , the idea behind it is that the dogs digestive system has not evolved as their behavior, and much like wild dogs or wolves, they should eat the equivalent to small animals they would pray on in nature. Since dogs are also scavengers this diet will include some vegetables, berries etc. The pros As with the home-cooked diet, you have total control of ingredients and quality No preservatives, additives, fillers etc. You need to learn how to make, takes time Ingredients like bones and internal organs may not be available in your area. Can be pricy. Even More expensive if buying ready and frozen. Takes freezer space Raw Disclaimer I am a little bias towards raw food. I used to own a pet food store specializing in raw food for cats and dogs and I have been feeding my own Pugs raw food for over twelve years. Obviously, I am very happy with the raw diet and its outcomes as switching to dry food would have been easy and cheap. I believe it is the better choice for myself and my dogs. I believe I have presented the facts fairly objectively as far as the other feeding options go. There is no standard or way to measure what natural is and what the added value of it is other then the origin of it. Natural color could come from some secretion of an insect. Special Needs Puppies These little ones need the most nutritious and high-quality food you can find. If you want to find an economic way to feed your dog, please do it later in his life. Allergies Pugs are relatively sensitive to allergies. In some cases, this is due to an external source such as home detergents, but more often than not it has to do with their diet. There are a few brands that you can try with low, or no grain. If you are feeding your pug home cooked food or a raw diet, taking the carbs and grain out would be easy. Our Pugs were and are on a raw diet from day one and we never had any issues with allergies, except for one time. We started noticing that Preston had pinkish skin around his paws and around the nose fold. Since we owned a pet food store specializing in raw food, at the time convenient, I know we tried different types of meats, but nothing helped. It took us some time to realize the cause. We had our baby daughter at the time, and since she was very close and intimate with Preston, and he was eating raw, we made sure to wipe his mouth and feet with baby wipes after every meal. The baby wipes were the culprits. We switched them both to hypo-allergenic wipes and the skin went back to normal… Hip Dysplasia Pugs are ranked as one of the breeds with the highest chances of suffering from Hip Dysplasia. This can lead to trouble in walking and running and arthritis may follow as well. If your Pug is suffering from Hip Dysplasia to any extent you may want to either supplement their diet with Chondroitin and Glucosamine or to choose a brand that is made for joint support. Vets and nutrition. Having said that, if I needed nutritional advice, I would go to a nutritionist and not to my Doctor. The nutrition training vets get in many schools is provided by agents of the commercial food companies who are bias at best. Skipping meals Dogs will sometimes skip a meal. It is natural for them as food is not something that was always available on daily base. It is not typical for Pugs but it may happen. If it happens it will probably be a one meal deal. If your Pug misses a few meals in a row you may want to consult a vet. Treats and snacks I try and think of treats and snacks the same way I think of candy for my daughters. If the amount of treats your Pug is rivals the actual food, in quantity, you should reconsider or at least re calculate it. If you are using kibble both at meals and as treats for training, and your stubborn Pug ends up consuming a lot of treats, just take it off the next meal. The same goes for snacks. They should be a part of the total daily feeding and not extra. How long can a pug go without eating? An adult Pug can probably survive many days without food, but no Pug would stand for it. Unless your Pug has a medical condition, he will surely let you know he is hungry. Do make sure that your Pug is not deprived of fresh drinking water at all times. More so if the weather is hot and if he is on a dry food diet and has no other source of hydration. What if my Pug is overweight? Pugs love to eat and have a tendency to eat too much. A chubby Pug is very cute, but at some point, it becomes a health issue. Overweight Pugs may suffer from a wide range of conditions and or aggravate others. Conclusion Food is an important part of your Pugs life and will directly affect his health and well-being. Do make sure you know what your Pug is eating, the quality as well as the quantities. Actually, yes. This is an actual condition called Eye Displacement or Proptosis. It is not a common occurrence but with extreme trauma or circumstances it may happen. In most cases the condition is treatable. More on the condition here… Are Pugs Loving? Pugs have been bred as companion dogs for over two thousand years. Being with people is almost in their DNA. So yes, Pugs love to cuddle, snuggle and just be in contact or as close as they can to their human friends. More on Pug Love here. Still, you may discover information about how much to feed a Pug puppy here if you were unaware of the specifics before. Pugs are very food-motivated and will do just about anything for a tasty treat. Unfortunately, pugs gain weight as fast as any other dog breed. You are, supposedly, what you eat. The pug is a little dog, so even a slight increase in weight might be noticeable. Because of their tiny stature and low activity levels, pug pups have a lower caloric need than puppies of other breeds. Because of their unique nutritional needs, small-breed puppies should be fed food that has been developed particularly for them. Furthermore, make sure the puppy food you choose has all the nutrients it needs, and ask your physician for recommendations on how much and how often to feed the puppy. By the age of three to four weeks, you may begin feeding your puppy solid food. Mix equal parts of puppy chow and milk replacer as a first step. Give a little bit teaspoons many times a day. Weaning off of milk and onto solid food is complete when a pug puppy reaches this age. Independence from their mother and siblings and other littermates may begin to emerge. Puppies may start interacting socially and maturing rapidly at this age. Water should be kept fresh at all times. This is a good age to start teaching children to use the restroom without assistance. At this age, pug pups are full of energy and wonder. As they become older, puppies often become more receptive to training and socializing. There may be a period of boundary testing when they need constant guidance in training and socializing. Baby teeth may start falling out and adult teeth emerging in puppies. Proper potty training should have been completed. They may begin to express themselves more openly and build their own identities. Get started on the changeover to puppy food for adult dogs. They may test limits and need ongoing socialization and discipline. Make sure they get lots of exercise to keep their weight in check. Their interests and preferences in playthings and other pursuits may become more clearly defined. Maintain a high volume of physical activity and intellectual challenge. Pug pups achieve their full size at this point, however they may continue to gain weight. As puppies become older, they often become more devoted to their families and develop stronger bonds with them. The amount they eat should be adjusted based on their weight. At reaching adulthood, pugs often slow down and spend more time lounging. They may set in their ways, but they can still be taught new tricks with enough repetition. Aging symptoms in adult pugs include the development of gray hair and a general slowing down of activity. Understanding Pug Puppy Nutritional Needs Depending on factors including their age, weight, and level of activity, the calorie needs of Pug puppies might change over time. Pug puppies, on the whole, may need anything from to calories each day. The food of a Pug puppy should consist of between 22 and 25 percent protein, since this is the macronutrient most crucial for promoting healthy muscle and tissue development. Consuming between 8 and 10 percent of their calories from fat is recommended for optimal health and energy levels. To maintain a healthy skin and coat, they need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well. High-quality commercial puppy chow designed for pups is what you should be feeding your Pug. The growth and development of pug pups may be supported by feeding them multiple little meals throughout the day. Feeding them three to four times a day till they are roughly six months old is the norm. To figure out how often and how much to feed your Pug puppy, talk to your vet. Having access to clean water at all times is also crucial. Puppies of the Pug breed need three meals every day. For ages 8 weeks to 6 months, try to stick to this schedule for feedings. As soon as your Pug reaches 6 months of age, you may begin reducing the number of times each day it is fed to twice. Kibble is practical since it may aid in the prevention of tartar accumulation and can be stored easily. Yet, the added moisture provided by wet foods may aid in the fight against dehydration and support efficient digestion. Wet food may have a better texture and flavor for certain Pug pups, while kibble may be a better choice for others. You should talk to your vet about what kind of food and how often you should feed your Pug puppy. Yet the specific time might vary from dog to dog based on their nutritional requirements. To prevent stomach trouble, the change should be made slowly over the course of a few weeks. Puppy anorexia may be caused by several things, including sickness, dental issues, stress, and dietary or habit changes. In the meanwhile, you may try introducing a new kind of food or moistening their normal kibble with a little quantity of wet food or broth to pique their interest. Do not feed your Pug puppy any human food or table scraps since this might cause gastric discomfort and other health issues. Pugs have a tendency toward becoming overweight and overeating, which may lead to a host of medical complications. Instead, you should make sure your Pug puppy is receiving the right quantity of food by sticking to a regular feeding schedule and controlling portions. This may improve general conduct and aid in the process of teaching toilet independence. This formula is designed for purebred Pugs. Little dogs with short muzzles may easily pick up and chew the kibble design. This meal supports Pug immunological, skin, and digestive health with antioxidants and important nutrients. Supports digestive health 2. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins strengthen bones and teeth in this specifically prepared combination. Vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants for immune system, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and hair No corn, wheat, soy, or chicken or poultry by-product meal Cons May contain artificial flavors 3. This puppy chow supports strong muscles and a healthy heart by starting with high-quality protein. Antioxidants and natural glucosamine will maintain his joints for a lifetime of sports. Pros Protein-rich chicken is the first ingredient DHA aids puppy brain and visual development Four antioxidants boost immunity Omega-6, vitamins, and minerals for skin and coat No artificial flavors or preservatives. Best Dog Foods for Pugs Choosing the right dog food for a Pug is essential as this will ensure that it gets proper nutrition. However, this can be challenging and time-consuming, considering that there is a lot to choose from. Whether you choose to feed your Pug commercial, homemade food, or raw food, make sure that they are of good quality and recommended by a trusted veterinarian. Proper nutrition is one of the factors that affect their lifespan. Below is a list of the best dog food choices for your Pug: Dry Food: One of the best options for Pugs is dry dog food as it is widely available, cheap, and has a long shelf life. These are packed with all the nutrients essential for your Pug. Wet Food: Wet dog food is another good option for Pugs. Its flavor and texture make it more appealing to Pugs than dry food. Wet food contains fewer grains, making it healthier and easier to digest. However, wet canned food has a shorter shelf life and should be consumed immediately after opening. Wet foods are also more expensive than dry foods. Homemade Food: Your Pug may benefit from cooked food consisting of chicken, eggs, fish, rice, and vegetables. The process is time-consuming, but it is less expensive and more convenient in the long run, especially if you plan on giving them a grain-free diet. Raw Food: Raw food diet for most Pugs results in better digestion, healthy skin, and a stronger immune system in Pugs. Mixing any of the aforementioned food choices is also good. Hence, you may want to try dog food alternatives to fit your budget. With their sensitive little stomachs, some foods can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and can even be lethal. Below is a list of food that you should completely avoid feeding to your Pug: Alcohol: Any amount of alcohol is hazardous for Pugs. Pugs do not have the enzyme to metabolize alcohol. Ingestion can cause hypoglycemia , metabolic acidosis , breathing problems, and central nervous system CNS impairment. Avocado: Avocado contains persin , a fungicidal toxin that has been linked to the death of many animals, including Pugs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart damage in large quantities. As a result, even small amounts of chocolate can cause poisoning. Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid , which causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney failure among Pugs. Unfortunately, even one whole grape can cause irreversible damage and death in small breeds like Pugs. Macadamia nuts and walnuts: While the exact reason why they are poisonous is unknown, it is best to avoid giving them to your Pugs entirely. In Pugs, macadamia and walnuts can cause diarrhea, weakness, breathing problems, and pancreatitis. Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives: All these vegetables contain N-propyl disulfide , which damages the oxygen-carrying substances in red blood cells. Ingestion of these vegetables can eventually lead to hemolytic anemia. Xylitol: In Pugs, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, lethargy, collapse, and seizures. It is frequently found in gums, candies, syrups, and toothpaste. Pugs should avoid the foods listed above at all costs. Food with high sugar content: If your Pug consumes too much sugar, it is more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Food with high sugar content can also give Pugs an upset stomach. Salty food: Just like sugar, too much salt can cause health problems in Pugs. If left unchecked, it has the potential to poison your Pug. Excessive salt consumption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and kidney failure. Milk and dairy products: Because the majority of Pugs are lactose intolerant , dairy products can make them sick. They will have digestive problems because they are unable to break down lactose. This causes gastrointestinal blockage and death if left unattended. If you think your Pug has accidentally ingested any of the aforementioned foods, bring your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic for appropriate treatment. Transitioning to a new brand or type of food may be beneficial to their well-being and development. For most dogs, transitioning to new dog food can be difficult. Fortunately, Pugs are not born picky eaters, so changing their diet will be easier. The ideal transition for Pugs should be gradual changes spread over three weeks. Do this until they are comfortable with the new food. Below is a more detailed breakdown of how to transition your Pug to a new food: Days. This feeding routine should be followed from 8 weeks to 6 months old. But how much food should that be exactly in each feeding session. How many cups of food should I feed my Pug puppy and adults? Before you check out this Pug feeding chart below, you may just want a quick reference to how many cups of food you need to feed a Pug. The common guidelines say you should feed a Pug puppy of 8 to 20 weeks different cup sizes depending on their weight and age. You can see the cup amounts in the chart here: Puppy feeding amounts This Pug puppy feeding chart explains just how many cups of food you should give them and the regularity. It will be 3 times a day, then twice a day as they get older. As your Pug ages, the number of cups of food you need to him or her will change, as will the regularity. Take a look at the guidance in the graphic below. Adult feeding amounts This is feeding chart for adult Pugs explaining how many cups and how often in the day the feeding times should be. The Pug feeding charts you see above have been scanned from the Royal Canin brand of dog food. This is a very trusted brand, and you will find it being sold in vets all over the world. It contains all the nutrients your Pug puppy will need and is great for starting out with and into adult ages. Almost every time, this happens by the age of 3 weeks; and puppies should not leave their mother until at least 8 weeks of age. They will be like eating machines at this age because they have so much energy to burn. You could also try to sit your Pug down on some scales, but good luck with trying to make them sit still. Instead you can weigh yourself if you have accurate scales, and then get someone to pass you your Pug puppy to see what the difference is. The age of your Pug You might find it hard to get your Pug used to commercial dry food at first. The commercial puppy food should be high enough in calories and nutrients to make up for what they used to get from their mother. In terms of adjusting for their ages, Pug puppies of 8 to 12 weeks old can have one and half cups of food each day, split into 3 servings. By the ages of 6 to 9 months, Pug puppies will be in a regular eating routine where they drop to two meals a day — and this is how it will stay as adults. The dangers of over-feeding Some Pug owners might decide to go to 4 meals a day, but still with the same amount of food. This is because tinier Pugs might find the half a cup 3 times daily, too much of a large meal. Overfeeding is something to keep a strict eye on. If you feed your Pug puppy too much, he could get gastric dilatation-volvulus see definition on ACVS. This is the medical term for a twisted gut and can actually be fatal. Feeding more senior Pugs As Pugs get older, they will start to get less active. With reduced levels of energy comes the need for a lower calorie intake. But only if they are reducing their exercise due to age. With an older Pug you might start to see them putting on weight. If you do see weight gain, start to pull back on the portion sizes. Sometimes your vet may even recommend you go to a higher frequency of daily meals albeit smaller portions , almost like they are puppies again. With senior dogs this can help with weaker stomachs. Overweight or underweight? The average Pug puppy will weigh between 2 and 4 pounds at 8 weeks. These are healthy weight ranges. If you do have a Pug puppy who is clearly underweight, start to add a little bit more food to each of the daily meals until they come back into the health weight range. With overweight Pugs you do the exact opposite but mix more exercise into their daily routines as well. Handy Hint: If your Pug is losing or gaining weight and how much food they eat makes no difference, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Health problems related to Pug feeding Not all dogs are the same, and all the guidance on this page is very generic towards how much you should feed a Pug. The bottom line is that your vet will be able to properly tell you how much your Pug should eat due to their age and weight. Raw food vs. I understand why people feed their dog raw food though; they say commercial food has too many additives plus preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and proteins. Consult with your vet for a professional opinion. Pugs that eat their food far too quickly You should also monitor how quickly your Pug is eating. Puppies are used to having to compete for food, and even when they are home alone with you, they will still have an instinct to wolf their food down. This can cause indigestion and vomiting, so there are a few things you can do to slow their intake down. Use a muffin tin evenly spread the portions throughout the tin. The best dry dog foods should have a high percentage of meats and fish in. Omega-3s are healthy fats, so those will also be a good sign if listed. All of the notes and guidance are based on my own personal experience of raising puppies, with exception to the feeding schedule which is from the Canin dog food brand. However, the Canin Pug feeding charts you see, are exactly how I have fed my puppies and adult dogs. Once your dog reaches adulthood, the best times to feed your Pug will be breakfast and dinner times. Keep a regular feeding routine, and your Pug will stay at healthy as our dogs have! You might also like… If you have found this useful and are new to Pug ownership, you might find these other handy guides useful during the puppy phase:. And the total number of dogs all breeds in the reports are .So while this is something that should be monitored and many more studies need to be done, it's important to keep in mind that this is a very small number compared to the estimated 77 million dogs in the U. The latest update is that there are no recalls at this moment that are linked to this issue. The Best Food for Pug Puppies and Adults What to Avoid: Quite a few ingredients that are found in a lot of dog food brands can be severely detrimental to a Pug and cause everything from allergic reactions itching, rashes, wheezing, running eyes, etc. Corn which includes as corn germ meal, corn gluten meal, and corn bran High grain counts which includes high levels of wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal grains which may be listed as hominy feed. Rice can be an exception; with rice, the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ is removed and for this reason, rice is often tolerated very well. By-products which are animal body parts deemed unfit for human consumption and can include brain, lungs, undeveloped eggs, and more. Generic meats or oils which can legally include roadkill and deceased zoo animals. What to Look For: All-natural preservatives; there are vitamin blends that work very well to preserve dog food and this often will show as mixed tocopherols. Natural flavoring Protein will come from wholesome animal sources including chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, bison, and beef. There will be no by-products or generic meats. If you offer grains, gluten-free grains are usually best. No other fillers or controversial additives. Helpful extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin beneficial for joint health , omega-3, 6 for healthy skin and coat , probiotics for immune health and antioxidants to help prevent disease. Some of the best food for Pugs includes: Best Formulas with Grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds. The base of this kibble is turkey and oatmeal which is easy on the stomach for most Pugs. There is also salmon, brown rice, peas, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. There are excellent levels of a wide-range of vitamins and minerals, good levels of omega-3 and 6, and glucosamine and chondroitin which are extremely beneficial joint supplements for Pugs. This is made in the US. Note that this offers puppy and adult formulas as well as 'healthy weight' for Pugs that need to lose a few pounds, and a senior formula. This line of Halo offers holistic recipes. This one has non-GMO produce and meats that are antibiotic-free and hormone-free with factory-free farming. The grains in this are oatmeal and pearled barley which are generally known for being well-tolerated. This is sized ideally for Pugs, and has no artificial additives, by-products, or corn. And, this is made in the US. Best Grain-free Formulas: 1. This is one of the best grain-free kibbles for Pugs; it's really top-of-the-line. The base is chicken and turkey. There is a wide selection of vegetables and fruits compared to some other brands spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, apples and blueberries. Levels of omega fatty acids are ideal, via both salmon oil and flaxseed. And, there are good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin which as mentioned earlier are important for joint health. There is no corn, wheat, by-products, fillers, or artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives and this is made in the USA. This is another excellent choice that is formulated for dogs under 70 lbs. There are several great bases including lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon. There are zero chemical preservatives and no artificial ingredients. Added extras are healthy antioxidants, omega-3 and 6, and the very important glucosamine and chondroitin which are very beneficial for breeds like the Pug that are prone to joint and hip issues. This is a holistic kibble that offers non-GMO veggies and fruits and sustainably-sourced wild-caught fish and is ideal for Pugs that are carrying a few extra pounds. The base is salmon and whitefish, so most dogs love the taste. There are no chemical preservatives, corn, by-products, coloring, or fillers. Switching a Pug onto a Different Food If you just got a new Pug puppy, you may want to feed your little guy or gal something different than what was being given. And in many instances, this will be a good idea. The sooner you start your pup on a superior food that you've chosen yourself, the better. If you have an adult Pug, you may decide to switch foods due to an intolerance to certain ingredients some dogs do best with certain proteins like beef as opposed to chicken or vice-versa or maybe you realized that your Pug was not on the brand and you want to make a change. No matter the circumstances, if at all possible, it is best to change to a new brand of dog food in a gradual way because a quick switch can disrupt the digestive system. The goal should be a incremental change over the course of 3 weeks. Home Cooking Owners decide to home cook for their dogs for a variety of reasons: It can be less expensive; though, this depends quite a bit on what you buy and if you can purchase ingredients in bulk. It may be done to fully avoid preservatives, additives, by-products and other subpar ingredients; you know exactly what you are putting in. This can help avoid an intolerance or allergic reaction to an unknown ingredient. It is very flexible and adjustable. It can be a good choice for picky eaters. Other sources include beans such as lima beans, kidney beans, and butter beans must be cooked. Vegetables - This includes peas, carrots, spinach, zucchini, green beans, bell peppers, and butternut squash. You can also offer asparagus, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli in moderation since these foods can cause gas, Pumpkin in moderation is fine but typically reserved to help ease upset stomach issues. Fruits - This includes blueberries, raspberries both are low calorie, high in antioxidants, and water-packed , strawberries, huckleberries, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mango, kiwi, pear, peaches no pit , plums no pit , nectarines no pit , fresh pineapple, and apple no core, no seeds. Additional - This includes oatmeal plain , white or brown rice if no intolerance , quinoa, potato, sweet potato, cottage cheese, plain whole white yogurt, and eggs most dogs do best with scrambled eggs vs. Read more about home cooking for a Pug. Snacks and Treats We've covered the frequency of giving snacks and treats, but let's recap. Dry snacks, meant to satiate a dog in between meals should be given 3 to 4 times per day. And moist treats, meant to reward training and reinforce good behavior, should be given as needed. Now, the question remains on what to offer. All snacks and treats should be held to the same high standards that you have in place for your Pug's meals, meaning no synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, soy, corn, by-products, high wheat levels, or generic meats. If your Pug's calorie intake needs to be carefully watched due to issues with weight gain, there will also be a need to opt for some low-calorie treats. And, to see more options, including moist treats for giving reward, continue on to the best snacks and treats for Pugs. After 2 to 3 days, if the problem has resolved, adding in additional ingredients can be done. Any diarrhea lasing longer than 3 days or moderate to severe vomiting lasting more than 12 hours should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian. Water Different elements will dictate just how much water a Pug dog requires , though a general rule of thumb is that each day, dogs need to drink about 1 ounce for each 1 pound. Offer bottled spring water or use a filter device like the. Related Articles: When a Pug is a Picky Eater - If you find yourself constantly scrambling to find foods that your Pug likes and their taste buds seem to change weekly, this will help you get things back on track. When a Pug is Always Hungry - If your Pug's appetite is ferocious and nothing seems to satisfy, these issues may be at the root of the problem. When a Pug Won't Eat - If your Pug puppy or dog refuses to eat or getting them to eat feels like a chore, these tips will help. How to Stop a Pug from Begging - If your Pug wants your food and is relentless about getting it, these guidelines will help stop this sort of behavior. Top 10 Pug Dog Eating Problems - A roundup of the most common eating-related issues seen with this breed and exact steps to resolve them. Do you have your book? All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Kibble, cans and specialty foods Proper Nutrition Since puppies need energy to grow big and strong, their food is higher in calories and packed with more nutrients. This includes more fat, protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. So always choose a food that is labelled for puppies. Since a Pug is a small toy breed , they will grow very quickly and reach adulthood much faster than larger breeds. Toy dog breeds actually need more calories per pound than larger breeds due to their higher metabolic rates. The structure of their flat muzzle and facial folds , while appealing to look at, unfortunately causes a number of serious health problems. This causes soft tissue to block the airways, making breathing very difficult. Their jaws and teeth can also cause them problems. Remember, slimmer is better. How Often To Feed Your Pug Puppy I always recommend feeding puppies small meals at scheduled times several hours apart, and then decreasing the frequency as they get older. For puppies under six months go with something like 7am, 12noon, 3pm then 6pm. As they grow you can reduce this routine to three or even two times a day, but there is no harm continuing with multiple feedings as long as you dividing their daily rations evenly. Kibble vs Canned Food Dried puppy kibble is affordable, easy to store and transport, and readily available. Serving is as simple as opening the package and pouring it into the bowl. Canned or wet food will sometimes offer more meat protein and fewer carbohydrates than kibble does, but you will usually pay more as well. Wet food is also associated with an increase in periodontal diseases , which is not ideal for a dog already prone to these issues. Specialty Pug Puppy Foods The introduction of breed-specific formulas to the market has made it even more confusing. However, there are some Pug puppy formulations that address some of their health issues that might be worth considering. Some kibble is designed in a shape and texture that makes it easier for short-nosed puppies to pick up and chew easily. But the sad part of the story is that just like any other dog, pugs get obese very quickly. As they say, you become what you eat. Since the pug is a tiny dog, even one extra pound will affect its appearance. For this reason, it becomes important to keep a check on what your pug is eating. The present article talks about the feeding guidelines of this adorable dog: How much is too much? It is very important to feed your dog the correct amount of food to ensure that the pug is getting enough calories for proper growth. Any deviation from the right amount will led to health problems in a pug. Age, activity, metabolism and build of a dog are the major factors on which the amount of food which should be given to a dog depends. Also, the type of food you are giving to a dog is another important factor. If you are feeding home cooked food to one pug and commercial dog food to another dog with same age, build and activity level, it is not necessary that both of them will consume the same amount. As a general rule of thumb, a puppy pug should be given 1 ounce of food per one pound of body weight. For adult pugs, the amount is halved. What about calories? A pug puppy which is in his growth phase requires more calories than adult and senior pugs. On an average, a puppy requires 50 calories per pound of their body weight while an adult pug requires 40 calories per pound of their body weight. Senior pugs need fewer calories because of slow metabolism and less activity level. Free feeding is not recommended to the pug. The following table illustrates the right feeding regime and meal frequency for pugs: Age Amount of food given at one time No.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Recommended by D Magazine.We have bred and raised rare Labrador Retrievers for 20 years. We consider ourselves boutique breeders; we usually have one litter at a time, and rarely two. Our mature dogs are family members, each and every one. They are raised on our 20 acre Arabian horse ranch, which is fenced in its entirety for the safety of our animals. We have ponds to swim in, birds to chase, and shade trees to relax under on those hot Texas Days. All our puppies are birthed in our home. As each baby is born, Russ and I fuss over each arrival with all the anticipated joy of grandparents. To put it very simply, we adore our dogs. I love the diversity of genetic possibilities. While it is true that we are famous for the rare color of our Labradors-there is so much more that goes into it. Everyone wants a beautiful stunning puppy that stops traffic. We go even further. We try to minimize negative behavior traits, for example, our line of pups and mature dogs are quieter and will rarely excessively bark. We have all experienced or witnessed a neurotic or aggressive dog. This is the type of animal we all wish to avoid. Our Labradors are known for their loyalty, intelligence and charisma-as well as their stunning great looks. This is an easy statement to say, but we can brag for hours on the accomplishments of our labradors. These are all great accomplishments, but the best compliment we ever receive are our heartfelt letters, Christmas Cards and emails from our families that just have to let us know how their dog is unique and truly the best dog ever. We smile because we know, they are our treasures and they are our family members too. We completely understand. My passion for as long as I can remember has been animals. In addition to our rare Labradors, we also isolate unusual genetic qualities of our Arabian Horses. These two passions grew together over time. Horses are also exotic animals that just capture our imaginations and attentions. I have spent 20 years breeding rare Arabian Horses. It is because of the decades spent studying our animals that I see more than most when they look at the animal. I actually see what type of eye is most engaging, the shape of the eye, the type of expression that speaks to us. I can go on and on, but I believe you see what I mean. Legacy-Labs was not created as a business venture. It was created out of a love for the animal. Some people might say that our pups are too pricey but we believe that through decades of breeding, we offer one of the best dogs available on the market. We feel they are priceless. The demand for our puppies has grown substantially over the years yet we refuse to mass produce. It takes all our care and attention to keep all their needs fulfilled. I feel committed to each and every puppy, each and every family. We are committed to the physical, emotional and mental strength of each dog and pup at our facility. This is our commitment to you, as well as our pups. At this time we have three males that are our main sires at Legacy-Labs. Our males do not stand at stud to the public at this time. Please remember we support Limited Registration. Legacy Alamo We support limited registration. Located 20 miles from Downtown Dallas on I.We appreciate your interest and invite your inquiries. For driving directions go to the contact us page. We invite you to browse the happy families we have helped create on our reviews page. The Labrador Retriever is also the most popular purebred dog in America for the 21st straight year. More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: The ten reasons that I am giving for children to have a dog are not listed in order of importance. All of us have different characteristics which we find more important than others. Every reason I list, however, is important to the childhood of your son or daughter. Dogs help children to be more physically fit. All dogs, regardless of breed, need to be walked. Children who take their dogs for regularly scheduled walks tend to exercise more than those who have no reason to get up off the couch and leave the TV. The Journal of Physical Activity and Health concluded that people who walk their dogs generally walk about an hour longer per day than non-dog walkers. In this age where over one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese, exercise is no longer merely a choice of leisure activity, it is a necessity Center for Disease Control and Prevention, .What more pleasurable way for a child to exercise than to run and play with an adored dog? All dogs need exercise regardless of size, so children include dogs when they are running or playing casually—not just on regularly scheduled walks. One of the reasons that I suggest retrievers when parents ask about what kind of dog is best is simply the name. Of course, I grew up with retrievers and I love them, but even more than other dogs, they love to play ball. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Did you know… Before Texas was claimed in the 18th century as a part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, the Dallas area was inhabited by the Caddo people. The area remained under Spanish rule until , when Mexico declared independence from Spain and the area became part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. In , the Republic of Texas broke off from Mexico to become an independent nation. In , Warren Angus Ferris surveyed the area around present-day Dallas. Two and a half years later, John Neely Bryan established a permanent settlement near a river he found and called that settlement Dallas. Dallas was formally incorporated as a city in February 2, .Twin Lakes Kennel is the number 1 resource for Labrador Retriever puppies. We select from the most dominant American field bloodlines and breed for natural hunting instinct and tractability. Our Labs, both puppies and adults, are out of the top working Labrador Retriever bloodlines in the country. The end results are the most talented, well rounded Labrador Retrievers possible, making them a most desirable family pet. More than eight thousand 8, Labrador Retrievers have been bred and trained during those thirty-five years. He has won the Ducks Unlimited Open Championships twice. Our Labrador Retriever puppies are the culmination of a 30 year search for the most talented, well rounded Labrador Retriever possible. Our puppies begin a structured socialization program in the litter box and are introduced to birds at six weeks. All our Labrador Retriever Puppies carry a guarantee against hereditary defects and to have basic retrieving instincts. Parents of all our Labrador Retriever puppies are physically sound with certified hips and eyes. They are out of the top working Labrador Retriever bloodlines in the country. We guarantee all our Labrador Retriever puppies to be free from hereditary defects. Call Woody and Judi at for more information to learn more about how you can have a Labrador Retriever puppy in Dallas, Texas. Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! We have answers. Lab prices rely on numerous factors, including type American vs. English , coat color silver being extremely rare , breeder experience, pedigree, and more. What if there are no breeders near me with Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Dallas? So relax, and get ready to meet your new friend! We have tough standards in place to protect your puppy and your family from unethical breeders—have a look at our Breeder Pledge for more information. You have countless options for finding puppies online, but vetting all of those options is just about impossible. Uptown is on a mission to bring together the top businesses and breeders in the nation, making it simple and fun for families like yours to find awesome, healthy, happy puppies. What is a puppy mill? A puppy mill is an inhumane, unethical breeding operation where dogs are treated like machines instead of living animals. Puppy mills are all about breeding as many dogs as possible for as cheap as possible. When you adopt a dog from a mill, you run a much higher risk of your puppy getting sick and, unfortunately, dying young. Are there any Labrador Retriever puppies for sale Dallas right now? Still searching for your new best friend? Begin your MatchMaker questionnaire right now, and tell us all about your perfect puppy. Uptown makes it super easy for great families to find great dogs from great breeders and companies all across the US. MatchMaker is a FREE process that helps us find out all about your dream dog, letting us match you with our top picks for breeders and companies with upcoming and current litters who fit your preferences. How do I know I can trust you? Being ripped off by an online puppy scam is almost as common as being ripped off by your mechanic. Uptown uses tools like our strict screening process, Breeder Pledge and MatchMaker to create lasting relationships between families, breeders, businesses and, of course, puppies. Take a look at our Alumni to see what we mean!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Is your golden retriever struggling with some behavior problems? Welcome to the life of a golden retriever parent! Have you ever been around a baby late at night? There are also physical and mental stimulation needs. Golden retrievers were originally bred to retrieve gunned down birds for their owners. They had to work all day running through fields, streams, and marshes… It required a lot of energy to do all of that work, so being full of energy and desiring a job to do is in their genes! Can you see how your golden might be bored and looking for an outlet for all of their energy? So the question is, how do you mentally and physically exercise your golden? Here are seven ways to do that: 1. Give them puzzle toys My golden retriever, Oliver, has a ton of energy, so we give him a lot of puzzle toys. We give him frozen kongs often, which is where we take some of his food , soak it in water for ten minutes, stuff it in a kong , then freeze it. It takes him anywhere from minutes to get all of the food out and he absolutely loves them. Plus, they use up a ton of mental energy. We have a rubber ball that we put his food in and he has to roll it around to get his meals out. Teach them to love chew toys Dogs naturally love to chew and it releases feel-good endorphins. If your golden is anxious or has a lot of pent-up energy, getting them to go to town on a chew toy will do wonders for them. You can play tug or fetch, or especially if you have a mouthy puppy you can use a flirt pole to play with them. Take them on walks Taking your golden retriever on a walk will allow them to sniff, which will help with the mental stimulation, as well as get a little physical exercise. Usually, with Oliver, we go on walks and sprinkle in some training throughout. Train them Challenging your golden retriever by teaching them new things and making them earn treats and praise is a great way to burn off some of their mental energy. Plus, when you challenge them and they overcome those challenges, that will help build confidence and give them a sense of satisfaction both of which will help decrease bad behaviors. Check out this article to learn how to train your golden retriever. Set up doggy play dates Most goldens love playing with other dogs, so if you have a friend who has a dog, or you meet some people in an online dog group, that could be a great way for them to get some exercise. We recently attended a local golden retriever meetup and Oliver absolutely loved playing with all of the other goldens. Take your golden to daycare A few times a month, Oliver goes to doggy daycare and he has a blast. Whenever we pull up to the building he realizes where we are and he gets so excited. One of the workers there even told me he has a girlfriend! Remove The Temptation One day, seemingly out of the blue, Oliver developed the bad habit of digging into the trash can in the office. He would grab Post-it notes, tissues, crumpled up paper, anything… Then he would run around the house and try to get us to chase him to get it back. Eventually, we got fed up with it, so we moved the trash can on top of the desk for a few weeks. He got out of the habit, and now we can use the trash can in peace again. Are there any temptations for your dog that you can remove, either temporarily or permanently? Can you put your shoes in the closet so your dog will stop chewing them? Can you not give them a certain toy that they become aggressive or possessive over? If your puppy is biting you, leave the room. This is called redirection. You give them pets and tell them how much you love them. They pull on the leash and you let them go up to the smelly smell, which makes them happy because they get to check it out. Are you accidentally rewarding and positively reinforcing this bad behavior? If you are, that could be adding to your problem. You have to kindly and patiently teach them what you want them to do. Puppies also love to have fun. Be sure to not give in to their games and accidentally reinforce bad behavior like stealing socks. Another thing is puppy biting. You can learn more about the golden retriever puppy timeline here. Common Golden Retriever Behavior Problems Here are several common golden retriever behavior problems: jumping on people. Insufficient exercise Golden Retrievers are a breed that is meant to get a lot of daily exercise. When Golden Retrievers do not get enough exercise, they will often become a lot harder to control. This would be more likely if your Golden Retriever is normally harder to control when it is not able to get exercise. Generally, it is recommended for them to get at least an hour of exercise per day as healthy adults. Attention seeking Another cause might be that it does it to get extra attention from you. This would be more likely if it tends to behave that way when you have not been giving it attention and you tend to give it extra attention when it does it. Instead, it would help to give it attention when it is being well behaved, to wait for it to calm down before giving it attention and to give it lots of positive reinforcement training to change its behavior. Punishment If you often punish your Golden Retriever, when it misbehaves, it could be the reason why it is hard to control. One of the reasons for that is that if you punish it then it might think that you are punishing it for something different. It can also cause it to be resentful towards you. For example, if your Golden Retriever bolts out the door and you punish it when it comes back then it will likely think that you are punishing it for the last thing that it did which was to come back to you. It can also cause other problems such as fear, aggression, anxiety, distrust, and destruction. An alternative strategy would be to do lots of positive reinforcement training instead. This is where you train your Golden Retriever by rewarding it for doing the things that you want it to do or at least for making steps in the right direction. If your Golden Retriever thinks that it will be punished by you then it will make it less likely to listen to you. Training The reason that your Golden Retriever is out of control could be due to a lack of training. Golden Retrievers and other dogs do not understand spoken language like we do. This is why it is important to take the time to teach your Golden Retriever to do the things that you want it to do. You should start with the basics in an easy environment and then work your way up to harder tasks and environments from there. When you bring your Golden Retriever into a new environment it will cause it to get distracted by the things going on around it and it will not be as mindful of your command. It would be better to save rewards for good behavior and signs of good behavior. When this happens, take a step back and train it to do what you want again starting at an earlier step or even the beginning. An issue with its diet It could also be the case that there is an issue with its diet. It might be eating too much, not enough, it might not be getting the right nutrients in its diet or it might be eating things that it should not be. This would be more likely if it has started behaving that way since a change in its diet and if it behaves that way when it eats certain foods. How to stop your Golden Retriever being out of control Below are some options you have when getting your Golden Retriever to be easier to control. Training To get your Golden Retriever to listen to you more it will be necessary to give it lots of training. Training your Golden Retriever will have a number of benefits. It will make it more responsive to your command so you will be able to get it to stop misbehaving more easily. It will make things easier for you in social situations where you need your Golden Retriever to behave. It will also help you to have a more rewarding relationship with your Golden Retriever. You should start by teaching it the basics such as to sit and stay in an environment where there are not many distractions. Then you can build up to teaching it harder things such as to come when you call it. If your Golden Retriever is quite energetic then giving it some exercise before you start training it should help to make it more focused on you when you try to train it. You can watch the video below to see how to get started on teaching your dog the basics. Exercise As mentioned above, it is important to make sure that your Golden Retriever is able to get daily exercise. It is recommended for them to get an hour of exercise per day as healthy adults. Positive reinforcement One way to train your Golden Retriever is with the use of positive reinforcement training. This is where you reward your Golden Retriever. You can see positive reinforcement training in the video above. Instead, it would help to reward it when it is behaving the way you want, to stop rewarding it when it misbehaves and to give it positive reinforcement training. But, make sure to use this in conjunction with giving it training and exercise. Ensure that it is getting the right diet As mentioned above, it might also be the case that there is an issue with its diet. It would help to make sure that your Golden Retriever has not been eating things that it should not be and that it has been getting the right diet. Things to consider Below are some things to consider about your Golden Retriever being out of control. You might not be able to make big changes over the course of days but over the course of months, you can. So, it will help you a lot to approach it with a long-term focus. If you train it to do something but then neglect to follow up on that training in the weeks following then your progress will likely be slow. Its age If your Golden Retriever is still young then it is likely that you will be able to get it to calm down a lot as it gets older. When it first started doing it When trying to figure out why your Golden Retriever has been behaving that way, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in its diet, a lack of exercise or encouraging the behavior by rewarding it when it behaves that way. When it is out of control It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that it tends to be out of control. If there is, it might be the case that the timing has something to do with it. For example, if it behaves that way after eating a certain food, it would be more likely that there is an issue with its diet. Check Price on Amazon Although young Golden Retriever puppies have short attention spans, the ideal time to start teaching basic commands is at 8 weeks old, as soon as you bring your pup home! Training sessions should only be up to five minutes long at this young age but can be repeated many times throughout the day. The second effective discipline moment is at the precise moment your puppy performs the unwanted behavior. When your Golden Retriever misbehaves, you should immediately communicate to him that his conduct is unacceptable. Expressing your disappointment and denying a reward immediately after an improper action is performed helps your puppy associate his poor behavior with the experience of no reward. If this message is given later, a disciplinary moment is lost. Because scolding your Golden Retriever long after any wrongdoing is crazy as dogs only have a 2-minute short-term memory. An excellent example of this is when your Golden Retriever will be excited when you walk through your door, even if you were with him 10 minutes earlier! However, dogs can recall your training commands through associative memory, meaning they form associations between commands, events, and behavior. Instead, your Golden Retriever is deliberately doing bad things, whether he knows it or not! It might even strengthen it! At least if he barks at you, he gets some attention from you! This is referred to as demand barking and is when dogs have learned that barking serves to get them what they want. Instead, ignore the bad behavior and reward him only when he has resumed the learned positive behavior. If we take our example of demand barking, ignore your Golden Retriever by not reacting to him or yelling at him. But as soon as he goes quiet, quickly reward him. Timing is vital as you must offer the reward, such as a tasty treat when he stops barking. And of course, find time to be with your dog! As a high-energy dog, an adult Golden Retriever needs around 2 hours of daily exercise. This can vary according to age, size, health, and genetics. Golden Retrievers are already one of the breeds sadly prone to obesity due to too many owners treating them like humans, unable to ignore their begging and puppy-dog eyes. A more recent study by the Morris Animal Foundation to understand juvenile obesity in Golden Retrievers is currently ongoing. Dogs with no outlet for energy will also engage in destructive behavior because they need to find a way to entertain themselves. Chewing, biting, barking, digging, jumping up on people, pacing, urinating at home and general hyperactivity are examples of destructive behavior. Rather than punish, find time to exercise your Golden Retriever. If you consistently chastise your dog and perhaps do so well after the event, you are missing the discipline moment. You will only cause confusion, fear, anxiety, distrust, and aggression in your dog. Suppose you come home after leaving your dog for an hour or two, and you see that he has misbehaved, such as chewing your table leg, and he is sitting there cowering, ears pinned back, and showing the whites of his eyes while looking up at you. Then quickly redirect the unwanted behavior to the desired one and always reward good conduct. The Behavior Was Not Mastered in the First Place If your dog is inadequately trained and the behavior is not perfected, your Golden Retriever will neglect good behavior. On your side, this will take patience and consistency. Similarly, if the training was left uncompleted, the dog may regress, which means starting all over again. This time, make sure to complete the learning process and avoid inefficient techniques, such as command nagging. Teach your Golden Retriever to respond to a single cue every time. Check out this video on how an experienced Golden Retriever mother teaches her excited puppies to calm down before feeding them! When puppies are removed too soon from their mother, they miss out on this vital learning. This video is incredible — it has over 77 million views! How an experienced dog mother teaches her 8 weeks old puppies to be calm. It means that he is stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious due to being separated from you. However, sometimes it can be caused by a former family member no longer being around. If you regularly leave your Golden in his crate for hours, he may also suffer from this distressing condition. Common behavior problems of dogs with separation anxiety include excessive barking, howling, whining, urinating, or defecating in the home despite being house-trained, digging, escaping, chewing, and destroying things. Your dog simply cannot cope with being alone. Use behavior modification techniques, counterconditioning, and desensitization to reduce separation anxiety. For example, you can condition your dog to look forward to being alone when he learns to associate the sound of your keys with getting a special treat. Another technique is desensitization. This is where you gradually teach your Golden Retriever to cope with being alone by leaving progressively. For example, you can start by making progressive departures of minutes and slowly increase. You might be wondering… How do you discipline your Golden Retriever without punishment? Find the solution to that in the next section. Positive and Negative Reinforcement Discipline is how dog owners communicate that some behavior is acceptable to their pet and others not. A dog must understand what actions his master likes and those he does not to succeed. Positive reinforcement, also known as reward-based training, means using a reward for desired behaviors. As the reward treats, attention, toys, praise, etc. Your puppy will quickly learn nice things happen when he does the right thing. In positive reinforcement, rewards include: Treats: These should be healthy and given in moderation. You can give small pieces of meat, such as chicken, turkey, or ham, or you can try safe fruits or vegetables. Expression of physical attention: Your Golden Retriever will enjoy a hug, a gentle pat, or a stroke behind the ears. Negative reinforcement means taking something away or removing the reward to increase the frequency of the behavior. Once he is lying down, you reward him by releasing the pressure. You have removed something the dog finds unpleasant the negative part to increase the desired behavior. If you keep doing this, the behavior is reinforced. Another example of negative reinforcement is if your Retriever is pulling on the leash, you may decide to stop walking. The straining on the leash is a negative feeling for your dog, but the negative feeling goes away when he stops pulling. On the contrary, it means reinforcing good behavior and deterring unbefitting behavior. In other words, you should not punish your Golden Retriever. It also includes other forms of punishment that would cause the dog physical harm, such as withdrawing food and water, and psychological punishment such as over-crating or tying him outside for days on end. Dogs do not have the logical ability to associate punishment with their action and, therefore, are unlikely to change. Instead, your dog will develop fear and aggression towards you, ultimately destroying your relationship, as he will no longer trust you. Animal abuse is also a crime that constitutes violent acts, neglect, and failure to provide general welfare. Yelling also causes fear and aggression in Golden Retrievers, making them rebel against you, possibly with a bite, or they may try to run away. Over time, dogs can take a kind of indifference to your yelling and learn to ignore it. You will not get anywhere with them in training and achieve very little. This scientific research showed that dogs trained using aversive-based methods experienced poorer welfare in both the short and long term than dogs trained using reward-based methods positive reinforcement. Specifically, they displayed more stress-related behaviors and body language during training and increased amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. Rather than shout at your Golden Retriever, you will achieve far greater results if you use a calm voice and make concise, consistent commands in a confident tone. And wrong! This is a misconception, and it will only teach your pup to fear you. You have to toilet-train him! Instead, if your Golden Retriever pees on your carpet, quickly correct his behavior and redirect him outside. Reward him when he finishes off by giving lots of verbal praise and a training treat. Most pet stores have tons of choices regarding chewing and teething toys, or you can always find a great selection on Amazon. While punishing will cause harm, disciplining is intended to teach and reinforce positive behavior. Correcting unwanted behaviors always works better than punishment. Use effective positive and negative reinforcement as these have proven to be the best training methods for your doggo. Adverse training techniques are counterproductive and will only harm the intense connection between you and your dog. In some cases, you could lose it forever, which would be pretty sad. Related Posts You May Like:. Are Golden Retrievers Hyper Dogs? The reason is due to their history as working dogs. Golden Retrievers love to get attention, play all day, go on adventures, and more, but this level of energy could get out of hand especially for new owners if it remains unchecked. The longer your Golden goes without any playtime, the more they become anxious and let out their energy in other ways, like chewing on things, and jumping on unsuspecting family members. So, it is advisable to keep your Golden outside playing, walking, or interacting with other dogs, for as long as possible to let them get it all out of their system. To help subdue these behaviors, make sure to give your golden attention throughout the day, not just when they act out. This will help because instead of associating their bad behavior with your affection, they will instead not have to act out for you to pay attention to them. Most Golden Retrievers are high energy, but that is not to say that every single one will be. There are several in the mix who prefer to be calm, cuddly, lap companions, especially in their older age or if you have a female Golden. Female Golden Retrievers mature faster than their male counterparts, so they grow out of their puppy phase faster. Most Golden Retriever puppies will be very high energy and require a lot of affection from their owner. This is a great question for new owners or even some seasoned Golden Retriever owners who may have had a Golden with a slightly different personality. A Golden Retriever dog breed has hard work and outdoor activities running through their veins, they have a free spirit and love to explore. They were bred to be hunting, and working dogs, so many generations have accumulated one fluffy, domesticated, ball of energy! Age: Oh, the Golden Puppy Stage! Age is a major contributing factor when it comes to why your Golden Retriever is so hyper. They are developing social constructs, getting used to their surroundings, and just like children, they love to play. Due to their historic disposition of outdoor activities, this dog loves to be outside in a big yard playing with children or other dogs. This lets them run off all of that energy while also building interactions with others. Golden Retrievers are were bred to be active, outgoing dogs Golden Retrievers Are Hyper by Nature They were bred as working dogs, meaning they have a genetic predisposition for more stamina and energy than some other dog breeds. They were primarily used as companions in midth Scotland to hunt waterfowl, and track downed birds during hunting. This history means that the Golden Retriever was bred to keep up with birds being tracked in the water and on land over many miles. This sporting breed has always been high energy and ready to please. Lack of Exercise can cause excessive hyperactivity in Goldens Just how we humans can get cabin fever and want to go outside and do something to alleviate the mundanity, dogs are the same way. The best way to combat this is to get them some exercise, at least 30 minutes a day is usually sufficient for this breed. Lack of Attention As I mentioned previously, your dog may be acting out because they want to get your attention. Goldens are notoriously cuddly and somewhat clingy companions especially if you have a male Golden Retriever , and they want all of the affection you can spare to them. If you have not played with or snuggled your Golden pup lately, they might be feeling a little neglected, which can lead them to act out in order to get you to fixate on them. If this sounds like the case for you, then the fix for this is to dedicate a time frame at least once or twice a day to giving your dog the attention they have been craving and playing one on one with them. This will let them know your bond is still strong while letting them get out some excess energy. Golden Retrievers Get Bored Similar to the issue of the lack of exercise, Golden Retrievers get bored and act out by showing their hyperactivity. The boredom can stem from many things like a lack of attention, exercise, or not having enough stimulating activities or training. To keep your dog from feeling bored, it is best to keep up their training and introduce new games and activities for them to try. Much like children, they need to be constantly stimulated, so switching up toys, or taking them to a dog park so they can have new interactions are great ways to rectify this. These tips will give you the tools you need to keep you golden happy, healthy, and calm. Keep your Golden busy with Mental Activities Mental activities are a great stimulator for dogs and especially puppies. Mental training and games will keep your dog entertained and help to keep their attention during training exercises. At a minimum, your Golden Retriever needs at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. A Golden Retriever can play for hours on end, and they love it! Training, Training, and More Training! Training your golden is very rewarding for both you and them, and as an added bonus it helps to keep their hyperactivity to a minimum. Golden Retriever dog breed is especially intelligent and is fairly easy to train, and sometimes they just need a little help with self-control, which can be taught. Obedience training will allow you to mentally stimulate your dog while also letting them learn the proper commands and times for things. The more training you give your dog, the more well-behaved they will be and the stronger your bond will become. Give Your Attention to Your Golden Regularly The most important thing to think about when getting a Golden Retriever is to know they will require regular exercise and attention. A Golden Retriever dog breed is very playful and affectionate and needs to be loved constantly. Invest in high-quality chew treats and toys As Goldens can get bored very easily, and since they are known as strong sporting dogs, they have been known to destroy many chew toys. The best way to keep them interested and to keep you from buying new toys every few days is to invest in high-quality chew toys and treats. Do Golden Retrievers calm down after being neutered or spayed? Many owners believe that spaying or neutering their dog will help to calm them down but that is usually not the case. Neutering and spaying can result in making the dog calmer for a short period of time while they are recovering and feeling fatigued. Neutering has a slight chance of helping to correct behaviors if done while they are puppies, this is because they have not had time to learn problematic behaviors. In males, it is likely to help reduce aggression but does not guarantee an effect on hyperactivity, especially since this is a breed trait in Golden Retrievers and not just a hormonal factor. The reduced energy behavior usually comes from the effects of the surgery itself being draining rather than changing their entire demeanor. It is more effective to train your Golden Retriever and reward for calmer behaviors, as this will become a lasting standard for your Golden, rather than a short-lived reprieve due to a procedure. Will my Golden Stay Hyper Forever? Golden Retrievers are a hyper dog breed, however, like most dogs, they tend to calm down after their puppy phase, around 2 or 3 years old. Golden Retriever females of the breed tend to mature faster obedience-wise than males, so they are more likely to be calmer overall. How much they calm down is dependent on the specific dog itself, some may maintain their energy throughout their entire lives and others may taper off later in their life. Overall, when you choose a Golden Retriever to be your family dog, it is important to know the breed is known to be a hyper, attention-seeking, and very active dog. It is important that you give your Golden Retriever daily exercise, training, and affection to have the happiest and healthiest life. Related Posts:. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Golden retrievers are such great family dogs. And they tend to have some behavior problems because of their great characteristics. Most goldens want to be near their people. And they love to be petted and get attention. They may jump, grab our hand or arm, or engage in some destructive behaviors. Many of these are normal dog behaviors that can be modified through training and exercise. Normal Dog Behaviors Versus Abnormal Behaviors Dogs naturally dig, bark, express fear in certain situations, mark territory, chase small animals, and jump. They may steal food. Or want to be with us all the time. Goldens were bred to be sociable, high-energy dogs. My rescued golden Spencer almost always had to carry something in his mouth. So I made sure there were safe toys for him to happily tote around. Unfortunately, many dogs are given up to shelters because of behaviors that can be modified. To have a great companion takes a lot of work, patience, and time. And to meet those needs. These should be dealt with by behavior specialists who can evaluate the individual dog and determine the best behavior modification plan. These abnormal behaviors include aggression to those around the dog, obsessive-compulsive disorders, shutting down, and severe separation anxiety. Why Behavior Problems Develop There is no one reason why some behavior problems occur. Unfortunately, goldens are so popular—the third-popular breed ranked by the American Kennel Club—they are often poorly bred. There are too many back-yard and puppy mill dogs who are more likely to not be the examples of what the breed should be. Jumping on People Golden retrievers usually love everyone and never met a stranger. Goldens are the greeting committee of the dog world. Many dogs want to jump on people when greeting them. The golden can, of course, unintentionally injure someone, knocking them over in his exuberant greeting. Engaging in Destructive Behavior In addition to friendliness, goldens were bred to hunt. They have energy to spare. And they were bred to retrieve and have something in their mouths. They may dig up the garden. Or chew up our furniture. Or they may steal the food on the counter. And the food they eat may be toxic, such as chocolate or raisins. Or they may get a blockage from ingesting a towel or sock. A bored, under-exercised golden can get very creative in meeting his needs. They often need to have something in their mouths. That is, he may constantly try to hold our clothes, arm, or hand in his mouth. Biting is a natural canine behavior. But puppies should be taught bite-inhibition. And it can be dangerous. Someone can be badly bruised or even pulled down. Pulling on the Leash Goldens love to go places and greet all their new admirers. But they want to get there sooner rather than later. Many dogs pull on a leash, but not all are as friendly as goldens are known to be. And they can be lazer-focused on getting where they want to go. Being a rather large dog, a golden pulling on a leash can injure someone. An owner can be pulled down and get injured. Or the dog himself can get free and get lost or injured—or worse. Demanding Attention Because of their natural friendliness, goldens may want to be the center of attention. They are so family-oriented, they love to be with us. Some goldens may bark at you for attention. They may nudge you and grab your arm to be recognized. Some may even engage in unwanted behaviors like taking something off the table. Even negative attention is attention. Hyperactivity Some goldens seemingly bounce off the walls. They are like a hurricane passing through the living room. Tables are cleared of bric a brac. Pillows are shredded and on the floor. But your happy golden is furiously wagging his tail, looking for the next item he can use to help expel his excess energy. Separation Anxiety Because of their innate friendly, family-oriented behavior, goldens may suffer from separation anxiety at a higher rate than some other breeds. Their need to be with us can lead to some unwanted behaviors. Dogs with mild separation anxiety may drool, pace, whine, and generally behave in a distressed manner. Dogs with severe separation anxiety may become very destructive. They may try to get out of doors and windows, feverishly digging at door and window frames. They may even severely harm themselves in their attempts to get free. Dogs with separation anxiety may need professional behavioral help. We owe it to our goldens to do all that we can do to meet their natural needs. A bored, untrained, under-exercised, unsupervised golden is going to develop some problem behaviors. Some of the tips below will even help your golden from developing any of the potential problems cited above. I wrote the ways to help fix a problem separately from the problems because it will probably take more than one item to successfully change an unwanted behavior. All of the favorable interactions we have with our goldens also help further our bond with them. Physical Exercise Goldens were bred to hunt. They are highly-energetic dogs. Walks, fetching, jogging, agility, and swimming can all be great ways to physically exercise your golden. A vet check-up is advisable prior to starting any exercise program. Physical exercise can help decrease or eliminate the above-named problems. Of course, you want to exercise your dog enough but not over-tire them. Dogs who have been sufficiently exercised are less likely to jump or engage in destructive activities such as digging or chewing. Also, dogs who are exercised and calm before we leave are less likely to develop separation anxiety. Obedience Training Obedience training helps us communicate with our dogs and informs them what behaviors are desired. So we can teach them to sit before they receive attention. Or to lie down next to us and settle. And we can show him what toys he can put in his mouth rather than destroying items or turning us into his chew toy. Redirection works. And we can teach them to not pull on a leash and to walk on a loose leash. Part of the training should include how to leave your dog alone. This will help prevent separation anxiety from developing. Start with short sessions. Make leaving a happy opportunity—when great things appear. Leave a frozen, stuffed Extreme Kong with him as you leave. If your dog has already shown signs of separation distress, get the help of a qualified behavior specialists. As far as your golden inappropriately seeking attention is concerned, you can ignore your dog. Turn away or get up and leave. But do give him the attention he needs on your terms by calling him over to you occasionally. Pet him. Have him do a command or trick. Praise, pet, and treat. You should also play games with him. Teach him to tug a toy like a rope or long fleece to and give. You can have him play fetch. You can play hide-and-seek where you go and hide and call him to you. Make a big deal when he reaches you YES! Good boy! And not at all with a dog who has separation anxiety. But, to goldens, this is what they often enjoy most. Everyone is a potential friend. Goldens will thrive if they are fed the same times each day, are exercised as needed routinely, and receive attention from their people every day. No dog should be just put aside like a statue. Goldens especially need attention through positive daily interactions—play, training, exercise. If ignored, their sweet, golden personality will wilt. Final Thoughts Golden retrievers are such happy, affable, family dogs. But they are prone more than some breeds to certain problem behaviors because of their genetic purpose to retrieve and their desire to be with people. By doing so, their lives—as well as ours—will be full and happy. Does your golden engage in any unwanted behaviors? How have you handled them? Please tell us about it in the comment section below. Related Article:. Your neighbor stopped by for an unexpected visit, and as the back door opened, before you had time to act or even think, your visitor was on the floor. The culprit? Your well-meaning, but overly excitable golden retriever. When you brought home your cuddly ball of fluff, that excitability was pretty adorable, as was the jumping and licking that went along with it. Can you train your dog to tone it down and stop jumping up on people? Of course you can! Keep reading to find out how. They also jump up because they want to be closer to your face so they can smell you. Lastly, your dog jumps up because you never taught them what to do instead. As with most behavioral issues, the buck stops with you. Dogs who start out jumping on people as puppies and get told how cute they are, and encouraged to do so, will continue to jump up as adult dogs. That is, unless we teach them how to greet people properly. There are so many reasons why jumping up should not be tolerated. There are children smaller than your golden retriever that get easily knocked over. There are also children who are afraid of dogs. A dog who jumps could traumatize or hurt them. Your full-grown retriever could easily knock over a healthy adult, but you should be especially concerned with the elderly, infirm, and disabled who could suffer real harm if knocked down. Not only would you feel terrible, but you could also face a lawsuit. Most golden retrievers are saying hello in the only way they know how. Some dogs, however, jump up to express more than just an excited greeting. If your dog jumps up while growling or barking, they could be showing aggression, not excitement. It is not a behavior that can be taken lightly or treated yourself. Yes, it takes patience. Yes, it can be frustrating, but your dog truly wants to please you, and will learn this important skill if you are steadfast in your training. Here are four methods you can use to help you keep your dog from jumping up. First and Foremost — Remove the Reward To your dog, the obvious reward for jumping up is getting up-close-and-personal with you or the person they are greeting. Your dog wants your attention and jumping up is their way of demanding it. And they will do it again next time. Therefore, when your dog jumps, remove all attention, both positive or negative. Do not look at your dog, do not reach your hands out to push them away. Simply walk past or away from them, and go about your business. This may leave your dog wondering what happened. It may also encourage your dog to try new tactics. But only when your dog puts all four feet on the floor to greet you should you turn to them and offer up treats , pets, and calm praise. Do not offer up too much excitement, which may cause your dog to jump up again. If this happens, go back to ignoring your dog. Only four on the floor should earn any form attention from you! And we shall discuss a little later, you must do this every time, all the time. Never, not once, can you encourage or reward jumping. If you do, it will never end. Turn Aside from the Jump When your dog attempts to jump, get out of the way. When your dog jumps up, turn around, do not make eye contact, and fold your arms across your chest. Some dogs will try to nuzzle your hands and folding your arms removes that possibility. When they manage to keep four on the floor, you can initiate a calm greeting. This technique works well for dogs who need immediate feedback. Be sure to treat and praise them as soon as they have all four paws on the ground. Mark and reward the correct behavior. Leave The Room In some situations, you may be able to simply leave the room when your dog jumps up. First, say hello at the door. If your dog jumps up, turn around and walk out. Stay away for 30 seconds, then go back in and say hello. If your dog jumps again, repeat the procedure. They need an alternative behavior to replace the jumping. You need to teach what they should be doing instead. So teach your dog to sit when saying hello. A sit is a calm position and with their bum on the floor, they cannot possibly be jumping. So a reliable sit is the easiest alternative behavior to jumping. First be sure your dog knows the cue to sit reliably through all kinds of distractions. Practice sits in different locations until your dog will do it anywhere. Once your dog is sitting reliably, practice having them sit through common triggers that will signal a greeting — when the doorbell rings or when a car pulls into the driveway. Every single time your dog successfully sits, praise and treat them generously. Practice coming home with treats at the ready. When you walk in the door, ask for a sit. If your dog sits, reward them with delicious treats, kind words, and gentle petting. If your dog jumps up, immediately use one of the first three methods above. Before long, your golden retriever will be sitting every time they greet you. This is the hard part. Teaching your dog manners is hard work, but it will be all for naught if you and your dog are the only ones working at it. Therefore, extend your training to encompass your family and friends. In order for your dog to learn the rules, they must be consistent across the board for everyone in the household, as well as friends and visitors. If you are practicing sit for greeting, keep your dog on a long leash and be sure your friend backs away if your dog breaks the sit. You want to avoid any occurrence of your dog successfully jumping up. A long line enables you to do this. Strangers Can Help Too. Have your dog sit beside you and treat them lavishly as the person approaches to say hello. If your dog breaks a sit, the stranger must back away and ignore the dog. With you, all friends and even strangers doing the same thing and not rewarding jumping with any attention, before long your dog will learn they get longer hellos and a lot more treats and attention if they keep all four on the floor. This phenomenon is known as an extinction burst and it means your tactics are working. This post from examiner. Consider crating. Crating your dog can sometimes make them even more excited to meet visitors to your home. Perhaps let your dog hold a toy to greet people. Dogs who become quickly over-excited sometimes find it easier to hold a toy when greeting. It has a calming effect, something else to focus on. Like a pacifier with a baby. Keep a few toys by the door where you receive visitors and encourage your dog to grab a toy as soon as you or someone else enters your home. Stay calm yourself when greeting your dog. Excitement is contagious and excited dogs love to jump around. Be Patient. Your dog just wants to please you. Be consistent. And everybody has to work with this same rule: Family members, visitors and strangers. Shouting will only confuse your dog, and depending on their personality, they will either become afraid, or even more excited. Do not knee your dog in the chest. Many books and web articles suggest you raise your knee to block your dog when they jump. This can work, but we cannot condone this method. Please use the force free, positive methods above, not violence! Do not push your dog off you. And rewarded behaviors increase. So, no pushing! Do not punish your dog after they have jumped up. Your dog will not understand punishment after the fact. Instead, ignore unwanted behavior removing any reward and pile in with rewards for the behaviors you do want to see. But to have that wonderful companion dog, who you can take with you wherever you go, good manners are crucial. By taking the time to teach your dog to stay off people, you are paving the way for more outings, more socializations, and more fun. A dog who respects boundaries is a pleasure to be around, and a steadfast companion in every situation.

The main problem is the marginal response to training by both of the parents. Photo by Mary Swift on Shutterstock Shih-Tzus are quite stubborn and that can make training them a hustle. If you want to achieve something, grant them a lot of attention. On the contrary, Poodles enjoy having their minds and bodies tested so will learn everything there is to know very fast. Your Shih-Poo might not be the best training candidate, especially with dominant Shin-Tzu traits. However, starting the training early and implementing consistency and positive reinforcement will eventually provide results. Their ideal exercise time is approximately half an hour walking daily, possibly in two separate sessions. Sometimes additional exercises can be added if you want them to lose weight. At least an hour of exercise is what can keep your poodle satisfied. This hour can be filled either with intense walking, a game of fetch, or other rousing games. Lack of physical and mental stimulation in Poodles can result in destructive behavior. Excessive barking, digging, and chewing are signs of boredom and excess energy. Obesity can mean that your dog is more of a Poodle in means of exercise and needs to spend time out a lot more. Shih Poos are not inherently aggressive at all. However, as with many small dog breeds, training is often neglected at the expense of a wildly barking and untrained dog. There is no doubt that a Shih-Poo can be madly in love with his family and all life regardless. Whether they are friendly with other animals and people can also reflect their early socialization. Shih-Tzu dogs are very affectionate and there is nothing more they love than following their owners from place to place even the bathroom. They are made to be companion dogs and are generally happy beings. If they think there is something out of the ordinary ex. After the stranger comes in they will be best friends with the dog in a matter of minutes. Poodles strive toward the protective temperament. They are wary of strangers and will let you know that strangers approach their house. A Poodle is an affectionate dog too, but it can take a while to get used to new people, or not get used at all. Without any distraction, they are calm when their family is around. Shih-Tzus are a bit contradictory when it comes to the following leadership. Being stubborn they might decide not to do something or go someplace. In the meantime, they are dependent on their owners and cannot spend a minute without them. When they misbehave if you try to yell at them or punish them will make things even worse because they have very sensitive feelings. Beware of their jealousy especially when you are playing with other pets or children. Provide enough stimulation early in their lives and take the leadership badge. You will need to show you Shih-Poo that you are the leader by using positive reinforcement. Make your dog feel safe around you, give a lot of attention, work on socialization, and no matter what traits are dominant, you will have an obedient furry friend. Health Because of their sensitive skin, Shih-Poos can be prone to skin and ear infections. A contributing factor can be the frequent cases of allergies within the breed. Some bad anatomical formations can produce musculoskeletal abnormalities such as patellar luxation or hip dysplasia. Retained baby teeth, gum disease, and periodontal disease are also a result of anatomical abnormalities in Shih-Tzus. Another hormonal disease Poodles often develop is Diabetes. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or simply called bloat is common in deep-chested dogs such as the Poodles. The condition is very serious. You can reduce the risk of developing if you limit exercises after meals and give smaller and frequent portions of food and water. If the Shih-Poo inherits the Shih-Tzu anatomy there is a big chance for the dog to suffer from dysplasia, retained baby teeth, and any other breathing problem brachycephalic dogs have. Both Poodles and Shih Tzus have a life expectancy of around 13 years and Poodles. A Shih-Tzu cross-breed dog can live years. Depending on factors such as genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle dogs of this breed can live even longer. Do Shih Poos Shed? Yes, Shih Poos do shed and there are a lot of varieties of Shih-Poo coats. Some dogs get the straight fur from the Tzu parent while others are curly like their Poodle predecessor. In most cases, the crossbreed will be a combination of both. Shih-Poos have to be brushed daily and groomed on monthly basis. Along with bathing when necessary, you can prevent their coat from getting dry , matted, and irritated. Both Poodles and Shih-Tzus are considered to be hypoallergenic dog breeds. Their hair is less likely to shed and cause allergic reactions in people. An interesting thing about Shih Tzus is the way their hair grows in all directions — this granted them the moniker Chrysanthemum Dog. Regarding color, they can be in all variations and combinations — brindle, black, brown, white. Size Shih Tzu Poodle mixes are usually inches cm and weigh between pounds kg , assuming the dog is crossed with a smaller Poodle. Standard Shih Tzu dogs have an adult height between 8 and 11 inches cm and weigh pounds kg. There is also the Imperial Shih Tzu that can weigh less than 5 pounds 2. In most countries, they are classified as a toy dog breed. Adult Toy Poodle is about 10 inches 25 cm tall with pounds kg of body weight — Standard Poodle stands are 15 inches 38 cm in height and pounds kg weight. There are 4 different types of poodle — toy, miniature, medium, standard. The shelters across the globe are filled with Shih-Tzu and Poodle crosses. The dog is perfect for both larger and smaller homes and families with children if socialized properly. Let me know if you have any questions left regarding this crossbreed or share your experiences with the Shih tau Poodle mix! Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. Shih poos are a cross between a shih tzu and a toy poodle. While some shih tzu breeders breed a poodle to a shih tzu to create first-generation shih poos, it's also common practice to breed shih poos to one another to create multigenerational dogs. As cross-breeds, shih poos are not an officially recognized breed, and there is no breed standard regarding appearance or temperament. Even shih poo puppies born to the same litter may take after one parent more than the other and appear vastly different in coat texture and coloring, says PetGuide. Shih poos fall in the small to tiny range, typically standing between eight and 18 inches at the withers and weighing anywhere from eight to 18 pounds. Their coat may be long, straight and silky like that of the shih tzu, shorter and curly like that of a poodle or it may fall somewhere in between. Despite the appearance, the shih poo's coat barely sheds, making these dogs a good fit for someone with mild pet allergies. Coloring can take after either parent breed. While poodles have solid coats that are typically black, white, gray, brown or apricot, shih tzu coats may be solid or come in various color patterns and combinations. Shoodle coats may mimic the coloring pattern of either parent. Personality: Often, mixed-breed dogs develop a temperament that balances the qualities of their parent breeds. Shih tzus tend to be highly affectionate and extremely charming, but possess a stubborn streak that can make them difficult to train. Poodles, on the other hand, while equally charming with playful and comedic personalities, are highly intelligent dogs who are more eager to please and easier to train. Shih poos, as a result, are often playful, affectionate and quick-witted little charmers, although they may inherit their shih tzu parent's willfulness. Because of this, they often need a firm but patient guide in training, and might not be the best choice for first-time dog parents. What shih poos may lack in trainability, they more than make up for in love and affection. They love to play with toys and get along wonderfully with older children, although due to their small size and hair that's easy to grab and pull, they should be closely supervised around small children. While friendly and great at getting along well with other pets, especially if introduced as puppies, older shih poos might not love having other dogs around. They often do well as only dogs. Even so, these fluffy pups love being close to their people and don't tolerate being left alone for long periods of time. If work or school takes you away from home for long hours, you may need to consider doggie daycare to keep your shih poo happy. Living With: Shih poos are generally versatile dogs that can do well in small apartments as well as larger homes. They need up to 30 minutes a day of play and exercise, which can be satisfied with two or three short walks each day or minute sessions of vigorous playtime twice daily. The rest of the time, they'll be content to curl up in your lap or to cuddle up next to you on the sofa. Shih poos are highly social and love to be around people, so expect them to stick close as you move around the house. While shih poos tend to be long-lived, with some living 17 years or more, they can be predisposed to the same health problems as their parent breeds. These include allergies, patellar luxation , vision problems and endocrine disorders such as Addison's disease, hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease. Shih poos that inherit the shorter snout of the shih tzu may also be prone to respiratory issues, reverse sneezing and snoring. Extra care should be taken to prevent overheating and heat stroke, says Dogtime. And like many small breeds, these dogs may be prone to dental problems and will benefit from regular dental cleanings and daily tooth brushing. Regardless of the length or texture of your shih poo's coat, it will be thick, fast-growing and prone to matting. Daily brushing and monthly visits to the groomer are recommended to keep the coat under control. Limit baths to a few times a month to prevent the skin from drying out. When bathing, be sure to prevent water from getting in the ear canals to prevent ear infections from developing. Shoodles have healthy appetites and will overeat if given the chance, which will lead to unhealthy weight gain. It's best to keep them on a consistent feeding schedule rather than allowing them to graze on kibble throughout the day. Feed your pup a high-quality food dog formulated for small breeds , and keep treats to a minimum. History: Not much is known about the backstory of the shih poo. Unlike other boutique breeds, no breeders have come forward to take credit for introducing the shih poo. Most likely this cross-breed came about unintentionally, with breeders in the U. As a cross-breed, shih poos are not recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club, although they are recognized by various designer breed registration clubs, including the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry. Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. They are not purebreds like their Shih Tzu or Poodle parents. Shih-Poo coats can be curly like their Poodle parent, straight like their Shih-Tzu parent, or a combination of the two. They are generally considered hypoallergenic. Shih-Poos can come in black, white, brown, brindle, and all variations and color combinations. Like most small dogs, Shih-Poos can be prone to dental health issues. Maintain proper dental hygiene for your Shih-Poo. Shih-Poos are pretty versatile and can live in just about any kind of home. Shih-Poos come from the loyal, adorable Shih Tzu, and the intelligent, sophisticated Poodle. Unfortunately, like any other breed, these little cutie pies wind up in shelters, from people not wanting a long-term commitment. If you keep your eyes out for a Shih Tzu or Poodle rescue, in your area, that is most likely where you will find a Shih-Poo awaiting adoption. They are not acknowledged as an official breed at the present time. That said, as a mix between Shih-Tzu and Toy Poodle parents, you can expect the Shih-Poo to be on the small side Most weigh in at eight to 18 pounds and range in height from eight to 18 inches. As Poodle and Shih Tzu size can vary between teacup, miniature and standard, the size of the Shih-Poo will also vary. Shih Tzus can be stubborn, but what they lack in trainability, they make up for in personality ten fold. They are incredibly friendly, attentive, and cute, while Poodles are intelligent, trainable, and active. Shih-Poo personalities can vary but typically will fall in the middle of parental traits. Most Shih-Poos are described as friendly and playful. While Shih-Poos enjoy a good siesta, they also enjoy walks and thrive on playtime. They may not be eager to learn new tricks but do enjoy interaction and attention. Shih-Poos may not be as barky as their Poodle parent, but may alert you to any displeasures, such as a missed meal, with a single bark until every few minutes until needs are met. Training and socialization should be established early on. Consistency and positive reinforcement are the ways to go with Shih-Poos. Shih-Poo Health While many designer crossbreeds have improved overall health, they can inherit health issues their parents are prone to. That said, Shih-Poos can typically live approximately 16 years on average in relatively great health. Watch for signs of heat stroke if your dog happens to have a shorter snout. As a small dog, they can be prone to dental problems. Maintain good dental care and have their teeth regularly checked and professionally cleaned. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Make sure Shih-Poos are kept on a dietary schedule. Do not allow free-feeding as they will overeat and rapidly gain weight. They will need regular potty breaks and one or two ten-to minute walks a day for optimal health. Dental issues can be problematic. Regular teeth cleanings are recommended, as well as systematic dental chews and teeth brushings. Your vet should be able to help you establish a routine. Shih-Poo ears should be kept clean and dry. After bathing, take extra steps to ensure this. If your pup gets a smelly, pungent odor, they may have an ear infection. Ear cleaning solution can help keep your pup from getting infections and unnecessary trips to the vet. Shih-Poo Feeding An ideal Shih-Poo diet should be formulated for a small-sized breed with medium energy. High quality food is recommended, as they do tend to have dental issues. They should not be allowed to free feed as they may gain weight. A feeding schedule is ideal with a minimum of treats. They can get the curly fur from their Poodle parent, the straight fur from their Shih-Tzu parent, or a combination of the two, which is most likely. The color will vary, as well. They can come in black, white, brown, brindle, and all variations and color combinations. Daily brushings, as well as monthly groomings, will help keep your pup looking and feeling their very best. You may also want to give them a few baths in between, but not more than weekly, as their skin and coat can get dry and irritated. Shih-Poos prefer to be mostly around adults or older kids who know how to play gently. That said, for children who learn early how to properly approach and play with a small dog, the Shih-Poo can make a great companion. When it comes to other pets, Shih-Poos can get along with other animals if they are introduced slowly and calmly, and early socialization will help this go smoothly. Shih-Poos can be left alone for short periods of time, but a second dog could be ideal for them, especially in their later years. However, you may want to try Shih Tzu or Poodle breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. If possible, arrange to meet them and spend some time with them. This will give you some idea of their characteristic traits and, while there is no guarantee that these traits will pass on to your puppy, you should look for friendly, alert, and happy parents. Shih-Poos Are Considered Hypoallergenic Shih-Poos, like their Poodle parent breed , are often described as being hypoallergenic which prospective owners take to mean that they will not affect those with allergies to dogs. However, those with dog allergies are allergic to the dander that the dog produces, and not to a specific coat or hair. All dogs produce dander, which is effectively just dead skin cells. However, while there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog breed, the Poodle is one breed that is known to cause fewer allergic reactions in sufferers, lending some credence to the claim. If you are allergic to dogs or have a condition like asthma, try spending some time with these breeds to see how you react and whether they trigger allergic reactions. Although they are best known as a Chinese breed, they actually originate from Tibet and it is believed that the nation sent dogs to Chinese royalty as gifts, and they were then bred with Pekinese or Pugs. Although the breed has long been popular in China, it was at its most popular in the 19th century. The Empress was so taken with the breed that she considered the dogs to be sacred. This popularity stems from the fact that the little lion dogs have a face that looks like a lion and Buddha was said to have ridden to Earth on the back of a lion. There is some debate surrounding its origins but the breed was either first bred as a water dog in Germany or from the French Barbet. On balance, even though the dog was once named the royal breed in France, it seems most likely that they are a German water dog by origin. Even their fancy hairstyle stems from their early working lives. Today, there are dozens of hybrid Poodle breeds available, including the Shih-Poo. However, they have been bred from two very well-known breeds that we can take information from. Shih-Tzus and Poodles both tend to be friendly and outgoing, and they should not be shy or nervous. This breed is known to get on well with people of all ages, especially those that show them love and adoration. They are very happy to be stroked and loved. This can be further encouraged through positive and continuous socialization at a young age. However, they do not always get on well with dogs outside the family unit but can make companions for existing dogs when bought as a puppy. Small dogs are known for being a bit yappy. They vocalize their feelings, to make up for the fact that they are small. While this is common in a lot of small breeds, it is actually less common in the Shih-Poo, which adopts the quieter nature of the Poodle. Are These Dogs Good for Families? He will happily curl up on your lap for hours if allowed, and he will get on with all family members. He will also enjoy playing, so he is a good dog for older children. As ever, it is not recommended that families with very small children have this dog. Babies and toddlers tend to grab at things when concentrating on them, and this can lead to injury or cause the dog to nip. However, if you want your dog to live with cats or other dogs, it is better to introduce them slowly and at a young age. Shih-Poos do not cope well with being left alone for extended periods of time, so having another dog as a companion can help to alleviate loneliness, prevent boredom, and stop any negative habits that might form. He can make a great family pet for those with older children that know how to play calmly with a dog. He can also be integrated into an existing family consisting of other dogs and even cats. He will benefit from being fed high-quality dry kibble, and you should expect to feed approximately one cup of food a day. This is best served as two small meals and you should avoid free-feeding because this breed, like so many other dog breeds, has a tendency to overeat which can lead to weight issues like joint pain. This is thanks, in part, to their diminutive size. A short, brisk walk in the morning and another in the evening is ideal, and you can supplement this throughout the day by playing with a ball or small toy. He will, however, perform well in agility classes and these can be a great way to exercise his mind as well as his body. This means that you need to offer training at a young age to ensure that they are learning desirable traits and behaviors. Although they are intelligent, the Shih-Poo can be headstrong and stubborn, and they do not always take well to training. The short attention span means that your dog will benefit from short and relatively simple training sessions. You will need a lot of patience to get the desired results, so be prepared to put in some time and effort. Socialization should be considered an important part of training any dog, especially this breed. Good socialization teaches the dog how to behave around strangers and when meeting new people. It also introduces them to other dogs and helps prevent them from being nervous and unhappy. A nervous dog is always on edge and can become nippy. A good way to ensure socialization is with puppy classes. Your Shih-Poo might not want to learn new tricks or other behaviors but is likely to want to meet new people and make new friends, so they will usually relish puppy classes. You can also take walks at your local dog park, which will offer further socialization. Brushing their coat is vital, and you should do this twice a week. You may also need to trim the coat every year, especially around the eyes and face to help ensure that your dog can see properly. Small dogs are especially prone to dental problems, so brush two or three times a week, more often if your dog will let you. In general, you should avoid bathing dogs because it can strip them of natural, protective oils, but it is recommended that Shih Tzu and Poodle Mix owners bathe their dogs every month or two. This can help prevent skin problems that are otherwise prevalent in this breed. Brush at least twice a week, ideally three times, and potentially every day if your dog will let you. The breed also has the potential to suffer from skin and coat complaints. Regular and thorough grooming will help to prevent these problems and can provide them some relief if they are suffering any kind of insensitivity or rash. They can also become teary-eyed, and this can prevent them from seeing properly and may lead to them scratching and rubbing at their eyes, causing further problems. Wipe the tears away when you see there is a buildup and this will prevent your dog from having to do it and potentially irritate the area further. As such, you should be prepared to take them for regular veterinarian checkups and make sure you have good pet insurance because the costs can quickly mount. Despite these potential problems, the Shih-Poo has a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years with some dogs living much longer than this. Minor Conditions. Although purebred dogs are carefully bred over generations according to the breed standard the written description of the ideal physical and temperamental traits of the breed , hybrid dogs like the shih tzu—poodle mix have no official standard. This means that characteristics like height and weight, body structure, color, coat type, and temperament are less predictable than they are in purebred dogs. Different breeders may have different ideas of what constitutes the perfect shih tzu—poodle mix. Additionally, shih tzu—poodle mixes are not recognized by any of the reputable purebred dog registries such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club. Shih Tzu—Poodle Mix Care The low-shedding coats of both shih tzu and poodles require of upkeep, and the grooming requirements for shih tzu—poodle mixes are similar. Brush daily or every other day to keep the coat untangled and to prevent mats from forming. Like poodles and shih tzu, shih tzu—poodle mixes require regular haircuts from a professional groomer. Also trim the nails every two weeks and check the ears once a week, cleaning them with a pet safe ear cleaner if they appear dirty. Excessive dirt or redness in the ears means a veterinary visit is in order. Shih tzu—poodle mixes are smart, but how trainable they are depends whether they inherited more the eager-to-please personality of the Poodle or the more stubborn nature of the shih tzu. Regardless, positive-reinforcement methods like clicker training using tasty treat rewards gets great results from any dog. Despite being indoor dogs, shih tzu—poodle mixes still need some exercise. Aim for two walks a day or one walk and one play session in a safely enclosed space like your fenced yard. More energetic shih tzu—poodle mixes with trainable personalities might also like training for fun dog sports like agility, flyball, and obedience. Each breed has certain inherited health disorders in their family background, and those health issues can be passed on to the puppies in a litter. Breeding shih tzu to poodles means the puppies could potentially inherit any of the genetic diseases common to either breed. Shih tzu are prone to hip dysplasia , patellar luxation slipped kneecap , and various eye problems including cataracts , progressive retinal atrophy, retinal detachment, and eyelid abnormalities. Responsible breeders start with healthy, well-bred adult purebred shih tzu and poodles and test them for the genetic diseases common to their breed before breeding them together. Responsible breeders should also test their adult shih tzu—poodle hybrids before breeding them to decrease the odds that the puppies will inherit genetic issues. Responsible breeders also offer a health guarantee on their puppies that protects the puppy buyer in case the puppy develop a genetic disease later in life. Many shih tzu—poodles will overeat if you keep the bowl filled, so instead serve measured meals twice a day. Ask to your veterinarian for a recommendation for a healthy food for your shih tzu—poodle mix, as well as an ideal healthy weight for your adult shih tzu—poodle. Life Span Did You Know? The Shih-Poo has an adorable, alert expression and small, sturdy body. They can take after the Poodle parent, the Shih-Tzu parent, or be any combination of the characteristics of both parent breeds. Shih-Poos tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate. They love their families and are avidly devoted to them. They tend to be friendly to other dogs, strangers, other pets, and children. They tend to do better with older children who have been taught how to carefully handle a dog. Due to their small size, a Shih-Poo can be easily hurt by rough play or accidental falls. They can do well in families with younger children as long as any time with them is closely supervised. The Shih-Poo tends to be a courageous little dog. They make excellent watchdogs because they are very alert. However, they can become territorial and barking can become a nuisance if left unchecked. Early socialization and training can help curb these tendencies and help your Shih-Poo puppy grow into a well-behaved, confident dog. This designer dog breed is highly adaptable. They do well in apartments as well as in larger homes and tend to do well in most climates. They are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, so they do best in moderate climates. Due to their small size, they may need to layer up for short trips outside when winter rolls in. Because Shih-Poos crave affection and love their humans, they do not like being left alone for long periods of time. The Shih-Poo is a generally healthy designer dog breed. Although the genetic mix can sometimes result in winning the genetic lottery, a mixed dog breed can still be susceptible to health conditions common in one or both of the parent breeds in the cross. By talking with the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances, you can allay several of these potential health concerns. This designer dog breed is highly intelligent and can be easy to train. However, they can also have a stubborn streak that can cause some difficulty for first-time dog owners. This is often easily remedied with the help of some puppy training classes. They can also be difficult to housebreak, but it can be done with plenty of training, consistency, and patience. Crate training can also help. Shih-Poos respond best to positive, reward-based training. Whether with praise, treats, or play, you can reward your Shih-Poo for the behavior you like, which will encourage them to do more of it. Coat types and colors can vary greatly in your Shih-Poo. They can have the long, silky, and straight coat of the Shih Tzu, the short, curly, and non-shedding coat of the Poodle, or a combination of both. Most Shih-Poos end up with a curly or wavy, low or non-shedding coat. However, you should be prepared for your Shih-Poo to exhibit either coat type of the parent breeds. This coat looks its best with a combination of brushing a few times a week at home and then professional grooming every four to six weeks. This will help remove tangles and loose hair and prevent matting. Regular dental care is also important. Small dogs are more prone to dental disease. Drop down ears, or floppy ears, are more prone to ear infections because they can trap moisture, dirt, or debris. Daily walks and some indoor playtime will give this dog plenty of exercise. Beyond that, most of them can keep up with you on longer walks and can even compete in dog sports like rally, obedience, and agility. Be sure to check with your vet first and get your dog cleared before taking on any rigorous activities or training for dog sports. A Shih-Poo will generally stand 8 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. The size of the mother dog can give you a good idea of what to expect in your dog. This designer dog breed usually lives for 15 years or more. Some have even been known to live for 21 years! Featured Shih-Poo Article.