german shepherd husky puppies for sale ontario

german shepherd husky puppies for sale ontario

Breeder A lot of things go into raising pups. So, your breeder source will be the main driver of your Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog price. When you pay a premium price to adopt a pup, you are essentially paying for the guarantee that the pup will have no outstanding issues. Getting a dog from a reputable breeder is expensive because the breeder utilizes their expertise to produce a healthy litter. So, take your time to do your research, scour your area with a breeder, and check to see if they have a solid reputation already. Sometimes they sell their pups too soon, so long as the pup is ready to be separated in the litter. But reputable and premium breeders do train their pups and help them get ready for their new home. So, if they guarantee that their Alapaha Blue Bulldog puppies are well-behaved, expect to pay extra for it. Only a few breeders do it though, so do your research and find a trustworthy breeder that assures trained pups. On the flip side, you can also try your luck visiting dog rescues and shelters. Rescue organizations and shelters make sure to housebreak and let their dogs socialize before rehoming them. Location and Demand Yes, the demand and supply of a certain breed can influence its price. And that applies to the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog price too. Basically, the more demand a breed has, the more confident breeders are in raising their price. And when this high-demand breed is also a rare find, breeders would take advantage of this scarcity to increase their price. The same goes for having a lot of breeders that produce that breed; abundance can lead to a lowering of prices. In the case of Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog breeds, they are a rare breed that only a handful of breeders would breed a litter for it. This justifies why the price for this breed is extremely expensive. Medical History Do you know why getting a dog is more expensive when you get it from proper breeders than from puppy mills? Dog breeders care about the quality of their dogs more than they care about making a profit. And when breeders care about the welfare of their dogs, they give the necessary healthcare that both the mother dog and its litter need. Responsible dog breeders would vaccinate and deworm their dogs. They would also have their dogs checked for various illnesses and genetic imperfections. Older dogs are less costly than young ones because they are nearing their expected lifespan. This is one of the many reasons why dogs from shelters and rescues are cheaper than those from breeders. They also become less and less trainable as they get old. There are mandatory requirements that come along with owning a dog. And these requirements would need you to pay for them. Mandatory Dog Requirement. Usually full grown, frequently with some history of mistreatment in their past. We are animal people and love to spoil our pets. Quite often the dogs we get are terrified of something or another from their past, and as such they require a whole lot of patience care and love. If your willing to take the time to build that trust though a dog becomes fiercely loyal,exceptionally trusting of the family, and caring protectors from outsiders. Same dog also tackled and held my sisters boyfriend pinned to a corner until dad and me came home after he slapped my sister. His lips stayed curled back, with teeth bared and a very audible growl, until my dad grabbed the kids collar. Then the dog went and got his leash and came up to me, tail wagging like a puppy, wanting to go for a walk, while my dad had a very serious discussion with a very terrified 15 year old guy that ended with him leaving the house airborne. The dog got a steak with his dinner that night :D My folks current dog came to them with burns all over her.I've finally established enough trust that she doesn't hide under the porch every time I light up out back with her. Only took three years.

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. This food is made for Pugs ages 8 weeks to 10 months. On the other hand, the ingredients list for this food leaves something to be desired. It lists brewers rice as the main ingredient with the second ingredient being chicken by-product meal. For such an expensive Pug food, they sure skimped on the quality of the ingredients! Pros Supports healthy skin, digestive health, and natural defenses Specially shaped kibble is easier for brachycephalic dogs to pick up Cons Brewers rice is the main ingredient 4. It might be expensive, but if you can afford it, it could help keep your pug pup healthy and happy for the long haul. Pros Helps support healthy brain and eye development Contains omega fatty acids for improved skin and coat Lists deboned chicken as the main ingredient Cons 5. Their Wilderness Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food formula takes things even further with higher levels of protein than their original formula. The use of high-quality ingredients in high concentrations is what earns this food its rather expensive price tag. More than just healthy whole-food ingredients, this food is also fortified with healthful nutrients and supplements. Furthermore, it contains an optimal blend of essential vitamins including calcium, phosphorus, and more, to help support healthy bone growth. Pros Contains high levels of protein Uses high-quality ingredients Packed with healthful nutrients and supplements Cons More expensive than most puppy foods 6. We loved the large pound quantity you can buy it in and the relatively affordable price. Others ate the food but had difficulty digesting it. Still, dogs with sensitive stomachs, in particular, would do well to avoid this food. This post may contain affiliate links. We are compensated for referring customers to our affiliate partners. The Pug is one of the most easily identified dog breeds, known for its wrinkled light-colored coat, dark face, and curled tail. These little dogs are ranked as the 32nd most popular breed according to AKC registration statistics and there are many reasons to love them. For one thing, the small size of this breed makes him an excellent choice for small living quarters like apartments or condos. Pugs also do not tend to be overly active, so they only need a moderate amount of daily exercise. The Pug was developed as a companion breed and it continues to be popular in this vein today. Pugs may be small, but they have big personalities and they form very strong bonds with their human companions. If you want to make sure that your Pug remains your faithful companion for as long as possible, be sure to feed him a healthy diet that meets his nutritional needs. Below you will learn the basics about the nutritional needs for Pugs — you will also learn about some special considerations to keep in mind when feeding your dog. You will also receive recommendations for three top-quality commercial dog food products that would be ideal for your Australian Shepherd. Check out the top selling dog food here Nutritional Needs for Pugs The Pug is a small-breed dog that stands about 12 inches tall and weighs between 14 and 18 pounds at maturity. Although these dogs may not be very large in terms of their size, they do have big personalities and they love everyone they meet. The Pug is a very friendly and loyal breed that forms strong bonds with its human companions — they also love to meet new people. Pugs were originally developed as a companion pet and they continue to serve that purpose today. These little dogs have wrinkled skin and short faces which sometimes leads to breathing problems, but a healthy diet will help to keep your Pug in good shape. Like all dogs, the Pug requires a balance of nutrients in his diet — the most important nutrients are protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Protein is the most important consideration and it should come from high-quality animal-based sources like fresh meats and meat meals. Just be sure that the meat meal comes from a named source like chicken meal or salmon meal rather than a generic source like poultry meal or a byproduct meal. In addition to protein, your Pug also requires healthy fats in his diet. Fats are particularly important for small-breed dogs because they provide concentrated energy as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health. The third most important nutrient for dogs is carbohydrates which provide your dog with vitamins and minerals as well as dietary fiber to promote healthy digestion. Dogs do not have specific requirements for carbohydrates but this nutrient should come highly digestible sources like whole oats and brown rice. If you are worried about food allergies, look for a product that uses gluten-free and grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potato and tapioca starch. These formulas are typically more energy-dense and nutrient-dense than large-breed formulas because they need to provide your small-breed dog with the calories and nutrients he needs in a smaller portion size. Small dogs like the Pug should be fed more frequently during the day than large-breed dogs to make sure their metabolisms stay at the right level. You can feed your Pug puppy freely but when he gets older you should ration his daily portion into three or four small meals. This will ensure that his metabolism gets the fuel it needs without putting him at risk for obesity. In addition to being mindful of how much food your Pug eats, you also need to be sure he gets enough calories. Small-breed dogs like Pugs have much higher energy needs than large-breed dogs. Consider this — a pound Akita might need a total daily ration of 2, calories while an pound Pug might only need .If you divide it out, however, the Akita needs about 23 calories per pound of bodyweight while the Pug needs closer to 41 calories per pound of body weight. Top-Recommended Foods for Pugs If you need some help in finding the right food for your Pug, consider one of the commercial dog food brands discussed below. Consider the ingredients list to make sure the product is of high-quality before offering it to your dog. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Bite Chicken and Brown Rice The Blue Buffalo pet food company has gained a lot of popularity in recent years and it has a reputation for producing high-quality, all-natural diets for dogs and cats. Blue Buffalo offers four different lines of dog food products — the Life Protection line, the Freedom line of grain-free foods, the Basics line of Limited Ingredient Diets, and the Wilderness line. Within the Life Protection line of dog foods there are both small-breed puppy and small-breed adult formulas which are perfect for the Pug. The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Bite Chicken and Brown Rice formula is made with deboned chicken, chicken meal, and brown rice as the top three ingredients followed by barley, oatmeal and chicken fat. This formula is rich in protein and fats with moderate amounts of carbohydrate — this makes it a great choice for Pugs. Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food The Earthborn Holistic pet food company believes that nutrition should be approached from a holistic view, rather than focusing on specific ingredients. The Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food formula is particularly well-suited to small-breed dogs like the Pug because it is made from high-quality animal proteins to help your Pug maintain lean muscle mass while also fueling his metabolism. This formula is made with chicken meal, whitefish meal, and oatmeal as the top three ingredients followed by ground barley, ground brown rice, and chicken fat. The Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food formula is supplemented with probiotics and chelated minerals, plus it contains a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nutro Small Breed Adult Dog Food Formula The Nutro pet food company offers an assortment of all-natural pet food products that were designed by an expert team of animal nutritionists. This company uses only the freshest, highest quality ingredients available and their formulas are loaded with natural flavor. This formula is made with chicken and chicken meal as the top two ingredients followed by brewers rice, split peas, and whole brown rice. This dog food also contains chelated minerals for increased nutrient absorption and plenty of antioxidants for a healthy immune system. If you want to enjoy as much time with your Pug as possible, make sure to choose a high-quality dog food that will fuel his health and keep him strong for many years to come. Description So, what is the best dog food for pugs? Here is some breed specific nutritional information and our top 3 recommended dog food blends for pugs. Introduction Importance of choosing the right food for Pug puppies Feeding your Pug puppies the right food can significantly impact their health, growth, and overall well-being. A balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients and energy to support their growth and development and helps to prevent common health issues such as obesity, digestive problems, and food allergies. Factors to consider when selecting the best food for pug puppies When choosing the best food for your Pug puppy, there are several factors to consider, including their age, activity level, and specific nutritional needs. Reading the ingredient list and checking the nutritional content can help you to make an informed decision about the best food for your Pug puppy. Wet Food for Pug Puppies Benefits of wet food Wet food is an excellent option for Pug puppies as it is highly palatable and provides additional moisture, which is important for their growing bodies. Wet food also contains higher levels of protein and essential nutrients, making it a great option for supporting the growth and development of your Pug puppy. Best-reviewed wet food options Royal Canin Pug Puppy Wet Dog Food — This wet food is specifically formulated for Pug puppies, with a balanced ratio of protein, fats, and carbohydrates to meet their unique nutritional needs. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Wet Dog Food — This wet food is made with real meat as the first ingredient and contains wholesome brown rice, barley, and oats to provide the carbohydrates your Pug puppy needs to grow and develop. Dry Food for Pug Puppies Benefits of dry food Dry food is another great option for Pug puppies as it helps to clean their teeth and promote good oral health. Dry food is also a good source of essential nutrients and energy to support the growth and development of your Pug puppy. It contains a balanced protein, fats, and carbohydrates ratio to meet its unique nutritional needs. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food — This dry food is made with real meat as the first ingredient and contains wholesome brown rice, barley, and oats to provide the carbohydrates your Pug puppy needs to grow and develop. Homemade Meals and Snacks for Pug Puppies Benefits of homemade food Homemade meals and snacks are an excellent option for Pug puppies as they allow you to control the ingredients and ensure that your pup gets a healthy and balanced diet. Simple homemade meal and snack recipes for pug puppies Puppy-Friendly Meatloaf: Mix ground turkey or chicken, brown rice, carrots, and green beans for a tasty and nutritious homemade meal for your Pug puppy. Bake in the oven until fully cooked, and serve in small portions. Homemade Puppy Treats: Mix rolled oats, pumpkin puree, and a beaten egg for a simple and healthy snack for your Pug puppy. Roll out the dough, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and bake in the oven until crispy. Use high-quality, fresh ingredients, and avoid using spices and seasonings that can harm dogs. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain freshness. A: Wet food can provide a higher moisture content, which can benefit Pug puppies as they need to stay hydrated. Wet food also has a more appealing taste and smell, making it a great option for picky eaters. Q: What ingredients should I look for in dry food for Pug puppies? A: Look for dry food that contains high-quality proteins like chicken or fish, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Q: Can I feed my Pug puppy homemade meals and snacks? Q: How often should I feed my Pug puppy? A: Pug puppies should be fed 3 to 4 times a day until they reach six months of age. Then, they can be fed two times a day. The food they need will depend on their age, weight, and activity level. Q: What is the best food for Pug puppies with sensitive stomachs? A: Wet food with simple ingredients, like boiled chicken and rice, or dry food specifically formulated for sensitive stomachs can be helpful for Pug puppies with digestive issues. Q: Can I feed my Pug puppy adult dog food? A: No, adult dog food does not provide the appropriate nutrients for Pug puppies as they are still growing and developing. Puppy-specific food is formulated to meet their unique nutritional needs. Gradual changes over a few days to a week are recommended to avoid discomfort. Conclusion Recap of the best food options When choosing the best food for your Pug puppy, several options exist. Dry food is also a good option as it helps to clean teeth and is easy to store. Final thoughts The most important thing is to choose a food specifically formulated for Pug puppies with high-quality ingredients to meet their unique nutritional needs. Choosing the best food for your Pug puppy will give them the foundation for a happy and healthy life. From pet nutrition books to online articles, a wealth of information is available on this topic. These resources will give you a deeper understanding of the nutritional needs of your Pug puppy and help you make informed decisions about the best food options for their growth and development. Although certain health issues that Pugs may experience are congenital and beyond our control, others can be influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, such as diet. Some of the most common health issues faced by Pugs include the following: Food allergies. Certain ingredients in their food can cause allergies in Pugs. Food allergies in Pugs may present as dry, itchy skin, ears, or paws. However, unlike allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system but can lead to vomiting or diarrhea. We highly recommend conducting an at-home dog food allergy test like the 5Strands kit. This particular kit can test for up to ingredients and determine which ones may cause food intolerance in your dog. Once you receive the results, you can use the list to avoid dog food formulas that contain potential allergens. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome BOAS. Due to their compressed noses and flat faces, Pugs are prone to breathing difficulties and an inability to cool down easily. Eye problems. Pugs are at risk for various eye health issues, such as distichiasis, cataracts, dry eye, entropion, corneal ulcers, progressive retinal atrophy, and more. Ear infections. Pugs have narrow ear canals and deep skin folds around their face, making it easier for debris and bacteria to accumulate, leading to ear infections. Skin infections. Skin fold dermatitis is common in breeds with wrinkled skin, such as Pugs. Luxating patella. Pugs are susceptible to luxating patella, where the kneecap moves out of its normal position. Mast cell tumors MCTs , a type of skin cancer, are common in middle- to senior-aged Pugs, with cancer being the leading cause of death for the breed. Pugs are prone to obesity, which can exacerbate other health issues. Pugs are also susceptible to diabetes. Pugs are prone to obesity, leading to numerous health issues and decreased activity levels. A proper diet and sufficient exercise are crucial to keeping your Pug at a healthy weight. Overfeeding or providing nutrient-poor food can contribute to weight gain, which may result in a Pug becoming less active and more lethargic. More active Pugs require more calories and nutrients to sustain their energy levels, whereas less active Pugs require fewer calories to prevent weight gain. Pug Puppies. Require a diet that is higher in calories and protein to support their growth and development. They also need a balanced calcium and phosphorus diet for healthy bone growth. Feeding high-quality puppy food formulated explicitly for bulldog puppies can help ensure they receive the necessary nutrients during this crucial stage. Adult Pugs. Require a diet that is lower in calories and protein to maintain their weight and prevent obesity. They also need a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to support their overall health and energy needs. Senior Pugs. Senior dogs may require a diet lower in calories and fat to maintain a healthy weight and higher fiber to support digestive health. Senior dog foods often contain joint supplements to help mobility and joint health. Avoid common allergens. Pug often develops food allergies or intolerances, so it may be helpful if your dog food is free from common allergens, such as corn, wheat, chicken, and beef. Pugs can have sensitive digestive systems. Look for a dog food that adds probiotics to its formula. Dog probiotics support a healthy digestive system and immune system. Pugs can be prone to digestive issues, so look for dog food that is minimally processed, such as fresh dog food or homemade dog food for Pugs. Lower-quality kibble may contain fillers, artificial preservatives, and other ingredients that can be harder to digest and may cause digestive upset in some dogs. Easy-to-eat kibble size and shape. Brachycephalic breeds like Pugs have shortened skulls that can cause breathing and eating difficulties. Opt for dog food with a small, flat, or round kibble shape that is easy for Pugs to pick up and chew. Balanced Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega fatty acids can help support healthy skin and coat, reducing the risk of skin infections around the face and ears. They also help with skin inflammation and support healthy and shiny dog coats. Foods rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein, and vitamins A, C, and E can help protect the eyes from oxidative damage. These nutrients are found in many fruits and vegetables. Low-glycemic carbohydrates. To help manage obesity and diabetes, choose dog food containing low glycemic carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes or legumes, which release energy slowly and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Low-calorie content. Joint support supplements. Look for dog foods containing joint support supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, which can help maintain joint health and reduce the risk of a luxating patella. Chapter 2: The Reviews. How much and often to feed The best food for Pug puppies is easy to swallow, but still provides them with a complete diet. Because while this adorable dog is partially popular for that cute little face, their flattened features make finding the right food a little trickier. Chewing and Swallowing Pugs are brachycephalic , which means that they have been bred for their wider muzzles. This flat face makes it tricky to breathe, even more so while they are trying to eat. Pugs are also prone to retained deciduous teeth. Again, making chow down more of a chore. Nutrition Matters Pug puppies have different nutritional requirements to adults. They need more fat and more protein, along with additional amino acids and minerals. They should also have more omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA for brain and eye development. Feeding growing puppies the right balanced commercial diet can help keep them healthy. What is the Best Food for Pug Puppies? Puppy food is good for puppies, of course, because it includes more energy-intensive ingredients. However, you should be cautious. Research shows our understanding of specialist dog foods needs to be more nuanced. For example, researchers have found that even dogs within the same family had a 20 percent difference in energy requirements from their food. It also showed that temperature may play a role in their needed energy requirements. Basically, your dog has individual needs that must be balanced against each other when it comes to health and growth. But Pugs are one of the breeds that may be able to benefit from specialist dog foods. This is because of their conformational and health issues, and their low energy level. Bespoke meals may be able to address their obesity issues and come in sizes that are easier for their teeth to pick up. The formula supports skin and digestive health as a Pug puppy is growing, but without adult natural defences. This formula is designed to be easy to digest. It also comes in a variety of shaped pieces, which should help your pup to pick it up. Designed with protein-rich chicken, wholesome whole grains, and garden veggies and fruit. This specialist food uses natural ingredients and great quality designed to support the healthy growth and development of puppies. The grain-free puppy formula features farm-raised chicken. It is designed for easy digestion and weight management in young dogs. The kibble is small so puppies of small breeds can pick it up more easily. High-quality ingredients include a blend of veggies and fruit. The Puppy Stew version of this puppy food for small breeds provides balanced nutrition for little dogs under a year old. The formula includes high-quality lean protein. It promotes healthy digestion, and comes in a tiny peel and serve tray with the exact serving for a small pup. The formula used to create this chicken, oatmeal and salmon recipe supports complete, balanced health. Wellness Complete Health uses a guaranteed level of minerals to promote bone growth. It contains natural sources of DHA for brain development and has more protein for building muscles. Pugs gain weight easily. In such small dogs even 1 lb. And extra weight can exacerbate the breathing problems that pugs may already have. The amount of food a Pug puppy needs depends on a lot of factors, including age and activity level. You should feed a puppy four times a day, until about 6 months of age. Then you are able to reduce to three or two times if you like. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. Some may find it expensive. Hence, Victor Select offers you high protein and low carbohydrate food to feed your pugs. Pugs might find it difficult to digest. It comes with DHA to promote bone development and prebiotics to support the digestive tract of pugs, but with reliably low protein content. A balanced diet is what pugs need to fulfill their dietary needs. Serving the pugs chicken, lamb, beef and vegetables, and grains play a vital role in balanced nutrition for the pugs. What you should do to offer a taste to your pugs is: Variety Wet foods in the best puppy food for pugs, offer a taste and aroma that lures pugs to eat consistently. Moreover, wet foods offer flavors and textures which provide an experience for pugs while eating. Chewing is easy Wet dog food is easy to chew; however not every pet parent favors wet foods. Most pet parents claim that it affects the teeth in the long run. But good quality wet canned foods offer the pugs a balanced and nutritious diet. Dry Food for Pug Puppies Where dry foods are concerned, for best puppy food for pugs, these also provide a certain diet and energy to pugs. Manufacturers also claim that the formulas are tailored according to the needs of pugs. Moreover, dry food offers convenience for the owners. Dry food can also be done as treats for positive behavior by the pugs. To help you with a better idea of the best puppy food for pugs, a link to a youtube video is attached below. Go through the video and learn more. Things you should know about pugs! Do you intend to provide the best puppy food for pugs? You can also feed them with homemade foods. The benefit of homemade dog food is that it is easy on the pockets, free of preservatives and additives, and you can control the ingredients. Therefore, if your pug is allergic to any ingredients, you can easily feed them the best dog foods for pugs with allergies. Proteins The best puppy food for pugs includes chicken meat, fish, lean beef, turkey, and lamb. Moreover, kidney beans, butter beans, and lima beans also offer large protein. Corn gluten meal is an excellent source of protein and amino acids for your dog, so ensure to add it too. Vegetables Carrots, peas, green beans, bell peppers, and spinach are some vegetables your pug might love to eat. Pumpkin is also a great vegetable, but serving it during an upset stomach is recommended. Fruits Fruits also fall in the category of best puppy food for pugs. Raspberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwi, apples, and pineapple are some fruits that pugs love to treat. However, remember to serve them fruits after extracting the seeds from within the fruits. However, more than protein may be needed to be on cloud nine. Carbohydrates, fats, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins are essential bodily requirements. DHA is also essential to support the vision. Antioxidants wash out harmful substances to boost the immune system, while vitamins and minerals keep the muscles and bones kicking. All in all, to have a clean bill of health, all these nutrients should be balanced in daily diet.

Want to learn how to crate train your golden retriever puppy fast? Crate training is one of the best things you can do for your puppy. It helps accelerate potty training, it keeps them safe, and it helps keep them from learning bad habits like chewing up shoes. Read this article to learn more about potty training your golden retriever puppy. When I was a kid I hated vegetables. I just wanted fries and chicken nuggets. But what did my parents do? They made me eat veggies a little at a time until I got used to them. And then after I got used to them, I learned to love them. Now as an adult, I would much rather prefer a pile of grilled zucchini, broccoli, and asparagus than a plateful of fries. Crate training your golden retriever follows a similar pattern. But the following steps are going to teach you how to teach them to love their crate and handle being alone. The wire crate helped because it was open so he could always see the people around him, which lessened his anxiety of being in there alone at first. Step 2: Get The Crate Ready This is another step that you will have ideally done before you bring your puppy home. The first thing to consider when getting the crate ready for your pup is where to put it. Here are a few options: In your bedroom In the living room or other area where people in your home hang out Get two crates and have one in your bedroom and one in the living room Golden retrievers love being around people, so having their crate around people will usually help ease some of the pain of crate training. This will usually help with the loneliness and crying. The other thing to consider when getting the crate ready is what to put in it. You also may want to put a bed in there to make it comfortable for them. So how do you do that? First, they need to decide to go into the crate themselves. You can do that by putting a favorite toy in the crate, or scattering food in there. Expect them to walk in and right back out the first time. You want to make it so that they know fun things are in the crate. Check out the video below for a fun crate training game to help your puppy learn to love their crate. Walk out of the room for a second, then come back in. Then walk out for five seconds, then ten seconds. These next few sections will answer some common questions that new puppy owners have, as well as some tips to help the process go smoothly. Putting your puppy in the crate with a full bladder is one way you can set them up to fail. Also, frozen kongs or chew toys with peanut butter work great for easing your puppy into getting comfortable in their crate by themselves. That means that a two-month-old puppy can only hold it for about two to three hours, so expect to have to wake up two or three times every night until they get a little older. Take the water bowl away about two or three hours before bedtime so that your puppy will have time to fully empty their bladder before going to sleep for the night. Get them sufficiently tired during the day. Play games like tug, fetch or chase to physically wear them out, and train them and give them puzzle toys like frozen kongs to mentally wear them out. Set an alarm to wake yourself up before they wake up themselves. This is a tough situation, but it can be done. Here are some tips to make it work. You may have to come home on your lunch break, ask friends, family, or neighbors to come over, or hire a dog walker to let your puppy out. Wear them out in the mornings Go on walks, play chase, fetch and tug, or wrestle with them in the mornings to get some of their endless energy out. Utilize an exercise pen You might want to consider getting an exercise pen like this one from Amazon and circling it around the front of the crate to give your dog some extra room. Check out the video below for an example of what a crate looks like with an exercise pen attached for extra space. Does she need to pee? Is she full of energy? Or does she just want to get out and get some attention? Remember to set them up for success before you put them in crate, meaning physically and mentally tiring them out and making sure their bladder is empty. You can also leave for short periods of time starting at seconds , then come back and let her out. How long it takes for your puppy to get used to the crate depends. Did you rush them into it, or did you let them learn that the crate is awesome? Have you been rewarding them for barking in it, or have they learned that silence is what gets them out of the crate? It also depends on the dog. Some dogs take to crates much better than others. You can do it! Is Crate Training Ever Over? We started leaving him alone in the house somewhere around six months old, and then a few months after that we started letting him sleep outside of his crate he decided to sleep under the toilet… weird dude. Two big questions to ask yourself when considering taking this next step are: When was the last time my puppy had an accident in the house? When was the last time my puppy chewed something up in the house? Just like with crate training, you want to take baby steps and set them up for success. Crate Training Mistakes While all of the tips above will help make crate training go smoothly, the mistakes below can ruin your efforts, or at least make it very hard to get them to relax in their crate. Mistake 2: Rushing crate training Crate training takes time. Would you want to go in an unfamiliar box in an unfamiliar house? They need to learn that the crate is fun, safe, and relaxing, and that takes time. This leads us to the next mistake… Mistake 4: Punishing them for crying in the crate If a puppy is crying in the crate because they want attention, they might perceive you yelling at them as attention. Mistake 6: Using the crate too much Golden retrievers are lovers. Conclusion Crate training is one of the best things you can do for your puppy. Have any questions about crate training? Or have any other tips for new puppy owners? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Food bowl Treats Make sure you have all the above items before you bring your Golden retriever puppy home so that you can get started crate training him right away. Position The Crate Before you set off to collect your puppy, decide where you want his crate to be. Prepare The Crate Fit the crate with a non-slip crate liner, comfy bed, or crate pad, and put a tempting chew toy inside. Put a bowl of water and a packet of treats close by. Cut a small piece of the blanket and put it in the crate. Keep the rest of the blanket for future use. Let the puppy check out the area around the crate. Curious pups might even voluntarily venture inside the crate! Put a few tempting treats inside the crate, close to the door. Golden retrievers are notoriously food-oriented dogs that will most likely be enticed into the crate by those yummy treats. Never force the puppy into the crate. Chat to your pet, offer him more treats, and add a fun toy to the mix to persuade your furry friend to go into the crate. Generally, placing the crate around people will help to encourage your puppy to feel comfortable spending time inside it. Play Crate Games Crate sessions can be made more enjoyable for your puppy by incorporating some crate games. Use treats, cuddly toys, or a KONG toy stuffed with frozen peanut butter or treats to reward your puppy for entering his crate. Crate Feeding Your Golden Retriever Puppy Golden retrievers are very food-oriented, and you can use that to enhance and speed up the crate training process considerably. Allow your puppy to watch you prepare his meal, and then place the food bowl just inside the crate. Once your puppy is confidently going into the crate to get the food, move the food bowl to the back of the crate. Shut The Door By now, your Golden retriever puppy should view the crate as a safe, comfortable, fun place to be. So, try closing the crate door when your puppy is happily tucking into his food. The first time the door is closed, open it again once your pet has finished eating. At each crate training session, leave the door shut for a little longer. Step Back Away From The Crate Assuming that your crate routine is going well, your Golden retriever puppy should now associate the crate with a couple of treats, toys, games, and eating his meals. A common mistake people make is that they try to move too far away from the puppy too soon. Provided that the puppy is calm, you can now move away from the crate. If your puppy starts whinging, turn your back on your pet, and wait a few minutes until the whining stops. After ten seconds of your pet remaining calm, you can turn around and allow him to come out of the crate. Watch your puppy throughout this exercise, and let your pet out of the crate as soon as he shows signs of anxiety. Very young puppies aged up to ten weeks old will need to relieve themselves immediately after a meal. Potty Breaks When you begin your crate training puppy schedule , observe your pet closely for tell-tale signs that he needs to go potty. Generally, puppies will start whining, circling, and sniffing the ground when they need to relieve themselves. When that happens, immediately grab your puppy, and get him to his assigned toilet spot. Eight-week-old puppies typically need to go for a pee around every 30 to 60 minutes. During warm weather or after exercise, when the puppy drinks more, he might need to go more often than that. Once the puppy is older, he will be able to wait for longer between potty stops. What About Bedtime? The safest place for your puppy to spend the night is confined in his crate. Although your pup might experience a bit of separation anxiety from bedtime crating at first, you can help to mitigate that by putting the crate in your bedroom with you. Use a crate cover to create that safe, den-like space that encourages your canine companion to settle down and sleep. Sometimes, giving your Golden retriever puppy a special treat reserved for bedtime can help him understand that his crate is a comfortable space to spend the night. Expect Disturbed Nights! When your puppy is very young, you can expect to be disturbed by his cries for attention during the night. Dogs are clean animals, and they will resist soiling their sleeping area if at all possible. So, set your alarm to wake you up every couple of hours throughout the night so that you can take your puppy outside to relieve himself. Immediately Clean Up Accidents Unfortunately, dealing with potty accidents is all part and parcel of raising and training a new puppy. When that happens, never punish or scold your pup. When accidents happen around your home, use an enzyme cleaner to remove the scent of urine from your floor coverings. If your puppy has an accident in his crate, you must wash all the bedding immediately. Ensure that you have a good supply of spare bedding to grab if you need it, and clean the crate thoroughly to remove any lingering smell of urine. Golden retrievers are especially quick at remembering simple words, and these trainable dogs are typically pretty obedient. So, from the get-go, you need to begin using verbal cues. Pick short and clear words so that your puppy can easily recognize and remember them. Combine your cue words with crate training. Increase The Difficulty As crate training progresses, you can make things more challenging for your puppy. Ask your dog to stay in the crate with the door closed for longer periods, and begin to move out of sight. Just like little kids, puppies will throw tantrums during the first few days of crate training. That behavior is perfectly normal and to be expected, especially when you first close the crate door. Instead, reward calm behavior with treats verbal praise, and let your puppy come out of the crate. So, when a tantrum kicks off, simply turn your back on your furry friend, and wait until he settles down again. Consistency Is Crucial! One of the most common problems people experience when crate training their puppy is not being consistent. Yes, it can be tough when your adorable fluffy bundle is crying and whining inside his crate. Unfortunately, giving in to your fur baby when he complains simply teaches your pet that whining and other bad behavior get him what he wants, which sets your training regimen back. Playtime Is Vital A lively Golden retriever puppy bursting with energy is not likely to settle calmly in his crate. Final Thoughts I hope you enjoyed our guide to crate training a Golden retriever puppy. If you did, please remember to share it. Crates are also useful tools for potty training your puppy and preventing bad behavior, such as chewing and eating harmful substances. Always be consistent and patient when crate training your puppy; use cue words and positive reinforcement to make learning fun for both your pet and you. Did you use a crate to train your Golden retriever puppy? Tell us how you did in the comments box below. Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. Leave a Comment. Key Takeaways Crate training can help you provide a safe and comfortable environment for your Golden Retriever. Avoid rushing the crate training process to ensure your dog feels comfortable and secure. Please do not use the crate as a punishment or leave your dog in it for extended periods. Crate training can be more effective and enjoyable for your dog if you use consistency, positive reinforcement, treats, and toys. Make it more comfortable by providing toys, blankets, and treats. Step 2: Once your pup is at ease, close the door and bring toys and treats inside. Keep an eye on them and let them out if they become distressed. Step 3: Increase the time your puppy spends in the crate with the door closed gradually, and step away from the crate while they are distracted. Step 4: Extend the time you are away from the crate. Selecting The Right Crate Size To ensure your Golden Retriever is comfortable and has enough space in their crate, you need to measure them accurately. Golden Retrievers will typically grow to by 20 to 24 inches tall and up to 75 lbs, so you need to make sure to get them the right size crate. Follow these steps to determine the size of your dog: 1. Measure the height of your Golden Retriever: Have your dog stand up straight, Measure from the floor to the top of their shoulder blades. Add around inches to this measurement to determine the minimum height for the crate. Measure the length of your dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail. Remember to add 2 to 4 inches to the measurement. Measure their width by having your Golden Retriever standing with their legs slightly apart. Focus your attention on the widest part of their body, which tends to be the chest area. Once again, always add up to 4 inches to the figure. Finally, you want to consider the age of your Golden Retriever. For example, if you have a puppy, keep in mind that they will grow rapidly. You may want to choose a crate that will work for their adult size or opt for an adjustable crate with dividers, so you can gradually increase the space as they grow. Your Golden Retriever puppy will rapidly outgrow a nice crate that is not suited for an adult size. Now that you have all the measurements, you can refer to this Crate Size Calculator to find out the right and best dog crate size for your golden retriever. What Is Crate Training? Crate training is the process of teaching a dog to accept a crate as a familiar and safe location. Here are some of the reasons: House training: Using a crate, you can help your dog learn where and when to go potty. This will make house training more effortless and less stressful for both of you. Safe space: A crate can be a relaxing and safe place for your dog to relax and sleep. It can also help keep your dog out of a mess by preventing them from chewing on inappropriate items or getting into dangerous substances. Traveling: Whether driving or flying across the country, a crate can help keep your dog safe and comfortable. Additionally, many hotels and other accommodations allow crate-trained dogs. Separation anxiety: A crate can provide security and comfort if your dog gets anxious when you leave. Knowing they have a safe place to go can help alleviate their anxiety and make their time away from home less stressful. Overall, crate training is an excellent way to provide your dog with a secure and comfortable environment to call their own. You should start crate training your puppy when you bring them home. However, with patience and positive reinforcement, an older dog can be trained to use a crate. Crate training can be a helpful way to provide a safe and comfortable space for your Golden Retriever to rest and relax, but it should never be used as a form of punishment or confinement. When done responsibly and positively, crate training can be a positive and effective method for you and your Golden Retriever. However, with time, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can help your dog get used to his crate. Add treats, toys, and blankets to the crate to make it more inviting. Increasing the time your dog spends in the crate gradually is crucial. Remember that crate training should be enjoyable for you and your Golden Retriever. You can quickly make your furry friend feel safe and secure in their crate with a little effort! Benefits Of Crate Training Your Golden Retriever Crate training can be super helpful for your furry friend and offer them a bunch of benefits, such as: Prevents Destructive Behavior: By giving your Golden Retriever a cozy and secure space, crate training can prevent them from chewing, digging, or scratching on household items. Potty Training: Crate training can teach your Golden Retriever to associate the crate with their den, making it easier to hold their bladder and bowels until you take them outside. Prepares Them For Travel: If you need to take your Golden Retriever on a trip, crate training can help them feel comfortable and secure while in transit. Crate training is a great way to help your Golden Retriever feel safe, secure, and comfortable while preventing destructive behavior and keeping them healthy and happy. Adult dogs: They can handle up to 8 hours in a crate, ideally with a break in the middle. Overnight: Many dogs can stay in a crate overnight without issues. Always ensure that any time in the crate is a positive experience for the dog, supplemented by regular breaks, exercise, and playtime outside of the crate. The shift is a delicate balance of patience, supervision, and positive reinforcement. Gradual Exploration Start by letting your dog explore a restricted, safe space under supervision. As comfort grows, extend the time they spend outside the crate. Monitor and Supervise Observe your dog closely during early freedom stages to prevent accidents or mischief. Ensure your home is dog-proofed to minimize potential hazards. Essential Amenities Keep their water bowl accessible. Designate a comfortable resting spot outside the crate. Positive Reinforcement Reward good behavior with treats or praise. This encourages adherence to house rules and reinforces desired behavior. Display patience and affection throughout their transition. With time and consistent guidance, your furry friend will seamlessly integrate into the household, striking a balance between freedom and behavior. Before leaving your dog alone in the crate, be patient and make sure your furry friend is comfortable and safe. For them, the crate should be a positive and safe space, and associating it with negative experiences can cause anxiety and fear. While some time in the crate is acceptable, providing sufficient opportunities for exercise, socialization , and bathroom breaks throughout the day is essential. Maintain a consistent routine and use the same commands each time you place your dog in the crate. Use Toys And Treats: Place toys and treats inside the crate to entice your dog to enter. This will make the crate a more positive and enjoyable environment for them to be in. Ensure your pup gets enough exercise and playtime throughout the day, so your furry companion can relax in the crate when the time comes. Excessive whining, barking, panting, and restlessness are all signs of stress in a Golden Retriever. If your furry friend exhibits these behaviors in the crate, they may be too stressed. Can I use a crate for my adult golden retriever? Yes, as long as it is appropriately sized and they are comfortable in it, you can use a crate for your adult Golden Retriever. Can you leave a puppy crying in the crate? Leaving a crying puppy in the crate is not recommended because it can cause separation anxiety and other behavioral problems. Instead, it is critical to gradually acclimate them to the crate and create a positive and comfortable environment. Should you put a blanket over a dog crate? Yes, draping a blanket over a dog crate can provide a sense of security and darkness, but ensure proper ventilation is maintained. What age is too late to train a puppy? Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Read the full disclosure here. I know that, and eventually, your dog will know that, too. In this article you will learn exactly how to crate train a puppy or dog, no matter their age or level of previous training. You should read the whole guide before starting, to gain a complete understanding of the process, including the tips and troubleshooting at the end so you can find the speediest success. Why do we do this? We do this so we can use the crate as a place for short-term confinement, to keep our dogs and our belongings safe when we cannot supervise them. Then we can confine them short-term when needed, and they are happy to do so. Yes, they can even enjoy their time in the crate! In contrast: A properly crate trained dog will enjoy time in there happily and stress-free, even relishing the chance to get down to some occupational chew toy time or just to chill out and relax. Dog obedience is key to get this result! Benefits such as: Dramatically speeding up house training. Giving your dog a cozy and comfortable place to call their own where they can sleep and relax, overnight or whenever they wish. Giving you a tool to use for managing problem behaviors or to use for time outs to calm your puppy when needed. Giving you a safe way to transport your dog both by car and air if the need should arise. So they can enjoy trips away and holidays with you. Preparing your puppy for boarding at the vets, a kennel or at home to recover after medical treatment. There are many benefits to using a crate when used correctly, but they can also be misused. And there are also times when you should never crate a dog, regardless of their age or how much or little they can be trusted: Times And Ways That You Should Not Use A Crate There are a small number of dogs that suffer true anxiety and panic when placed in a crate. Under no circumstances should these dogs be crated…ever! The signs you need to look out for are: Any damage to the crate that show signs of attempting to escape. Urinating or defecating in the crate. The crate has moved at all while your dog is inside they must have made some frantic movements for this to happen. Never if your dog has sickness or diarrhea. Never when the weather is extremely hot. Never for any time longer than 5 hours. Not any time your vet prohibits it for medical reasons. Never as a way to punish your dog or for punishment. Use obedience training to correct bad behavior instead. Crating your dog for any of the reasons above is either inhumane, dangerous or purely selfish. Getting Prepared Before you can start crate training, you obviously need a crate. But you also need to make it a comfortable and happy place for your dog. Choosing A Crate Dog sleeping in crate There are many different sizes and style of dog crates available, from tiny inch crates all the way up to inch and bigger! XXL heavy duty dog crates. There are wire dog crates , plastic, fabric and even high quality wooden crates that look just like pieces of furniture. But the most important aspect of the crate you choose is its size: Too small and it would be cruel to expect your dog or puppy to spend time in there Too large and it loses the den like feeling dogs crave, not to mention they can use one end to sleep in while using the other end as a toilet, so it loses its effectiveness. For detailed instructions on measuring your dog for a crate and selecting the right size and type to suit your needs, please see my article: Choosing The Right Size And Type Of Dog Crate 2. Making The Crate Comfortable And Safe Dog In Soft Crate After choosing the right crate, you then have to make it a comfortable, safe and pleasant place for your puppy or dog to love spending time. For a detailed guide on where to place your crate and what you should put in it, you can read my article on: How to make a crate comfortable and safe for your dog. Make sure the crate is out of any direct sunlight, away from heat sources like fireplaces or radiators, and away from any possible cold drafts. Place soft, comfortable bedding inside. Place 2 or more chew toys inside to keep them occupied and develop good chew toy habits. If you have a wire crate, cover it either with a purpose bought crate cover or an old blanket or towel. Following the above 5 tips ensures the crate is a nice comfortable place for your dog. These pose a risk of choking if they happen to snag on anything, so no collars or leashes allowed. Your dog or puppy must be completely naked when crated. You must not rush through and you must make sure you are successful at each stage before you move on to the next, otherwise you could end up causing your dog or puppy to hate the crate by leaving them crated before they are ready. This unfamiliar box can be scary! The ultimate goal is for them to use it voluntarily. So the first task you have on the journey to crate training your puppy or dog is to form in their mind an association between the crate and all the things that they enjoy in life, so they see the crate as a good thing. Fail at this and you could saddle yourself with a dog who hates the crate, refuses to use it and maybe even fears it which can be a very hard thing to undo. So how do you go about achieving this? Technique 1: Magically Appearing Toys And Treats Set up the crate before you bring your dog home or if you have an existing pet, assemble the crate without them seeing so it just magically appears. Now let your dog or puppy into the room. So what should you do? Just act as you normally would, do what you would normally do. Play with your dog or puppy, or sit and watch TV, just act normal. Hopefully they will investigate this new thing in their world, enticed by the treats around and inside it, but also out of plain curiosity. Just draw no attention to the crate at all. Every dog will eventually at least eat the treats around the crate, if not the ones inside. This has the effect of the most prized things in their life being magically conjured up by the crate. Do this for a couple of days or more before you start crate training, and then occasionally for the few weeks after starting so your dog learns to love the crate and what it provides. You should find after a very short time they venture into the crate on their own just to look for some goodies, all without any encouragement from you. NOTE: Any treats you give this way have to be subtracted from their daily food portions or they will be overeating. And I say to do this just for the first few days and then only occasionally because to help house training you want your puppy eating on a schedule to promote defecating on a schedule, not eating at random times and pooping at random times. Feed these meals inside the crate. At first, place their food bowl just inside so they only have to poke their head in to feed. Then after the first couple of times, place it half way into the crate. After a couple of times of this, place it all the way at the back. You might be successful with this right away, or you may have to place it at the front for a few meals over a few days. Some dogs confidence builds quicker than others. Eventually and not before too long you should find your dog expectantly running over to and maybe even into the crate every time they see you holding their food bowl. After a few days of magic appearing treats and your dog eating dinner from the crate, basically once they are used to the crate and associate good things with it, we are ready to start crate training. When you do release your dog you do not want them bolting out and bumping into you, particularly important if you have a large dog such as a Golden Retriever that can easily bowl you over on their way past! You want them to reliably leave the crate when you ask. You can only achieve these three things if your dog understands that they must stay inside until told they can leave, or must leave when they hear the cue word. Choose whatever words you like, just be consistent. You do not want to spook your dog at this stage. Sit close to the crate armed with some high value treats, show them to your dog and then throw one inside the crate. Move away so they can easily exit and just stand patiently and quietly waiting for them to do so. Repeat this 8 to 10 times then take a couple of minutes break. Then do another set of 8 to .Yes, for real. Repeat this whole exercise a few times over the course of a day or two until your dog is comfortably, happily and reliably going in the crate when you throw in a treat. Training your dog to do this is a huge step! Make sure they really are confidently going in to get the treat before moving to the next step. And remember to use your cue words every single time so they quickly learn them. Step 3: No Treat For Free! The next step is to ask your puppy or dog into the crate before you treat them. Make them work for the treat instead of using it to lure them into the crate. To start, do 2 or 3 exercises of throwing a treat in and using the cue word as they go in to get it. When they do, give them a treat or two while you praise them profusely. Then use the cue word to leave and praise them when they do. Repeat this 8 to 10 times, take a couple of minutes break, then do another 8 to 10 before finishing up for this session. Repeat this step many times over the course of a day or two until you are certain your puppy or dog truly understands the commands and is happy to both go into and leave the crate on cue before you move to step 4. Now, many of you will have a dog at this stage that goes in, gets the treat or their toys and cannot wait to get back out again. But some will already be sitting, laying and sleeping in the crate of their own accord. Regardless though, what you want to achieve is your puppy or dog to sit and lie in the crate on cue, which is different to doing it of their own accord. Begin this just a couple of days after getting them home because they need to understand the cues outside of the crate before you can hope to have them follow the commands inside it. Other things you should have been doing before this step are: feeding your dog or puppy their main meals inside the crate occasionally leaving stuffed Kong toys in the crate this gets them used to spending time in there, usually in a sitting or laying position this will have made things easier Now, run through 2 or 3 repetitions of steps 2 and 3 before you start step 4, always remembering to use your chosen cues! Next, when your dog is inside the crate: Simply cue them to sit, praise and reward them profusely when they do. Then ask for a down and do the same. Then cue them to leave the crate before repeating the exercise. Try this 8 to 10 times before a few minutes break, then repeat for 8 to 10 times more. Repeat this whole step a few times over a day or more, but as you repeat the exercises, ask them to stay sitting or lying down for longer periods before you release them. And you should vary the duration to keep them guessing what it takes to earn a treat. Try just 1 second, then 5, then 2, then 10, then 3 and so on. Try to stretch the time out over a few practice sessions. Remember to be gentle and that your tone of voice throughout training matters. As always: Start with 2 or 3 repetitions of the easier steps first, going through steps 3 and 4 before trying to close the door. When ready: Cue your dog to go into the crate, praise and treat them, then ask for a sit, praise and treat and then slowly close the door. You ask for a sit because this position is automatically a more calm and relaxed position than standing. Continue to praise your dog and give a couple of treats through the closed door for remaining calm and sitting. Then open the door, and cue them to leave the crate. If your dog looks fearful or panicked when you close the door some will! Start by closing the door just part way for a few repetitions, then half way for a few, then most the way before finally closing it fully. This may take one training session or a few over days. Are you ready to move on? Once your dog is happy to sit a few seconds with the door closed, begin to latch it. Praise and treat for calm, then release the latch and open the door. For a training session, do 8 to 10 reps, take a few minutes break and then repeat. During each set, vary the time they have to stay calm and sitting, 3 seconds, then 10, then 4, then 15 and so on. You should aim to extend the time they stay calm and sitting with the door closed to a full minute before moving on to the next step. Again, this could take an afternoon, or it might take a few days. Go at your dogs pace and never force things. The base is serving as a staging facility for hurricane relief operations. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jack Braden Once your puppy or dog can sit calmly in the crate with the door closed for a full minute, the next step is to start moving away with the ultimate aim of being able to leave the room. First of all, perform a few reps of steps 4 and 5 as a warm up, remembering to always use your cues. Next, follow these steps: Cue your dog into the crate, close the door, latch it, praise and reward them and take a couple of steps backwards away from the crate but still facing it. Then return, praise and reward. Open the door and cue your dog to come out. Do this exercise 8 to 10 times, then take a few minutes break and repeat. For each repetition, mix things up: Try walking away a different distance in a different direction, but remaining in the room. First 2 steps backwards and pause 5 seconds before returning, then 4 steps to the side and a 15 second pause and so on. Work up to walking right to the exit or the wall and pausing for a full minute. Next, you will want to amp things up even more: Perform this exercise while you actively walk around the room, looking busy doing other things, but return to praise and treat your dog often. Tidy some magazines, rustle through a drawer, just look busy doing other things a few times in the house. Then, go even farther: Perform this exercise but back yourself up to the exit of the room and leave for just a couple of seconds before returning and heading to the crate to treat and praise. Do this a few times. The time this takes and the success you have will vary from puppy to puppy and dog to dog. Always stop at 10 repetitions max, and never more than two batches in quick succession followed by a big break. Otherwise your dog will get bored and the training is less effective. Now you just need to start increasing the time they are happy to spend time alone. Before you begin, something that goes a long way toward helping is to make sure your puppy or dog is well exercised before asking them into the crate. Why is that? A tired dog will be far more willing to relax and chill out for a length of time, compared to one who is full of energy and keen to play or wanting attention! After exercising them, the first step is to increase the time they are happy to spend in the crate while you are still nearby. To achieve this: Crate feeding: Feed your dog in the crate, or give them a stuffed Kong toy or good tasting bone chew toy. Hang out nearby: Ask your dog into the crate, give them their food or the toy, then close the door and take a seat nearby to read a book or a magazine. Engage occasionally: Every now and then, give them a further treat and praise, then go back to your book or magazine. Gradual build: Try to work up to a good half hour of quiet and calm in the crate while you read and they chew. Ignore them: After a couple of times like this, crate your dog or puppy with their meal or a stuffed toy and move around the room busying yourself, paying little attention to your dog. You want them to be eating their meal or chewing a toy in the locked crate while you do other things. Leave the room: After a couple of repetitions of this, repeat the exercise but move freely in and out of the room a few times, as well as occasionally sitting nearby. Disappear: Start by leaving the room for only 5 or 10 minutes, extending the time over a few sessions until you eventually achieve a full hour of alone time. As always, how long this takes will vary wildly from puppy to puppy and dog to dog. Go at their pace. It helps massively to succeed in this step if you only ever give your puppy or dog the bone chew toys or stuffed Kongs when in the crate and never outside of it. It builds excitement and anticipation, something to look forward to in the crate. Step 8: The Grand Finale! Wait for them to start chewing and then leave and come back into the room a couple of times. If they stay calm and pre-occupied with their chewing, simply leave the house. Then, do this: Go outside and walk to the bottom of your garden, just hang there for a few minutes and then go back inside and walk around your home for a couple of minutes before going to the crate and your dog. You want them to think that this is nothing, a complete non-event. And certainly do not go straight to them when you come back in. Remember: this even means nothing! From now on, practice alone time in the crate when you leave the house at least a couple of times every day, for varying lengths of time. Never make a fuss of any sort before you go, never make a fuss on your return. Over a few sessions, build up the time you are out of the house with your dog in the crate to a couple of hours as long as they are old enough to hold their bladder this long. You can now use the crate to keep your dog and your belongings safe when you cannot supervise them, and use the crate as a sleeping place for your dog at night. Always leave a few toys in there with your dog, and continue to repeat the exercise where you crate them with a stuffed Kong or chew toy if natural opportunities do not arise, just to keep them happy with the situation. If you have a dog that: Some puppies will take regular naps in the crate before you even start crate training. They might go on to show little interest or care about the door being closed. They might be super confident and happy right away with a little alone time. You might be able to crate train such a dog in just a few short days. Dogs like this can take many weeks to crate train: Some puppies may show fear of the crate and not want to go anywhere near it. Once carefully trained to go in, they might feel panic and fear when you close the door. You have to go at your own dogs pace because if you rush them you can instill dislike or even fear of the crate in their minds, and then it will take far longer than it ever should have. But many or most dogs will take to it quicker, and most puppies certainly will as they have no preconceived ideas, habits or emotions to overcome. When going through the steps above, if your dog excels at any stage you can quickly move to the next step. If they do not, if they show any fear or uncertainty, spend more time at a particular step until they are comfortable before moving on. Your dog will show you when they are ready to progress and you should go at their speed, however fast or slow that may be. They need to be able to: move around exercise their muscles enjoy some mental stimulation If they are regularly crated longer than this, behavioral problems will be the result, as well as the fact they have little in the way of a fulfilling life. In my experience this is a bit optimistic, all dogs are different and when a puppy is very young, this is certainly too long. This is with the exception of puppies from 8 to 12 weeks old who will need letting out once during the night. But after 12 weeks, they can last the whole night through. Crating your dog when you work full-time means two lots of 4 or more hours crated and this is a long time, so quality time, exercise and stimulation before and after crating is essential. Tips For Better Crate Training What follows are a few useful tips to keep in mind when crate training your puppy or dog. They will make the process easier and faster, while making sure your dog is comfortable and happy throughout the process: Always make sure you take your puppy or dog to their bathroom spot before you crate them for any length time. They will be uncomfortable and noisily complain with a full bladder…but rightfully so! Also take them the moment you let them out as they will usually be ready to go. Make sure the crate door is always open and your dog always has access to it so they can use it as and when they please. Most dogs will use it as a place to rest and this is a good thing. Always leave chew toys in the crate for your dog so there is something for them to do while crated. This will minimize boredom and teaches good habits of chewing on the right things. Continue to feed them their meals in the crate. Also, reserve special treats like bones and stuffed Kong toys for the crate only and never outside of it, so they really look forward to spending time there. Exercise your dog or puppy well before crating them for any length of time. A tired dog is one who is happy to relax and chill out. If you find your puppy nodding off and completely unable to stay awake this happens a lot! This will speed up their acceptance of the crate considerably if they snooze and find themselves waking up in there often. The worst thing you can do is force them in because chances are it will heighten their fear and make things even worse. Instead, break the task down into easier steps for your dog by employing some of the following tasks: Practice asking your dog to step in and out of cardboard boxes. First trimming the sides down to look like a small tray, then using further boxes and increasing height of the sides. Place bedding in the box and practice asking them to lay down. Some dogs may not like the roof aspect of the crate. Ask your dog to step underneath, even sit under there yourself and read a book while enticing them over for treats. Start with a big gap and a wide area covered, then lessen the gap between furniture in later training sessions to make it feel more crate like over time. If you have a plastic travel style crate airline crate then remove the top half and practice having them step in and out of the bottom half only. Start asking your dog to step into the bottom tray only. Then put on 2 of the walls for a couple of training sessions. Then three walls for a few sessions. Then the roof until finally the crate is fully assembled. Then cover the back third of the pens roof with a sheet and do the same. Then cover a half. Then remove a part of the pen to make the area smaller and ask them in to play with them. Whichever of the above you try, make sure an exit is wide open and easy for your dog to use for escape so they will feel less anxious. And take things very slowly, making sure they are visibly comfortable at any stage before taking a next step. After a few days maybe more of slowly getting them used to stepping into things that progressively get more and more crate like, you should be able to begin crate training. This type of reinforcement will not help the cries. Yes, you getting angry and telling your dog off will actually make the issue worse. This will train them to think that if they cry long and loud enough, you will eventually come and let them out. Not a good idea. Wait for 5 seconds silence before you approach, then give them a treat. You ruined it! Wait for at least 5 seconds of silence before you return, then treat them. Enough repetitions of this will teach them that silence gets rewarded and noise makes you go away. Why did they whine? You might want to go back a step or two in your crate training though. Make sure they are comfortably happy and silent in the crate, for a reasonable length of time with the door latched and you present, before you ever try to leave them alone. Young puppies cannot hold it through the night without having a potty break. But how do you know if the whines are because they need to eliminate or just crying for attention? For a puppy 8 to 9 weeks old, you will need to set an alarm to take them to potty twice during the night, at 2. For a puppy 9 to 12 weeks old, set an alarm to take them to potty half way through the night, 3. Make sure you do not feed them anything in the 3 hours before bed, take away water at least 2 hours before bed, and take them to their toilet spot to empty themselves as the very last thing you do before you go to bed. When you take them to potty, make sure you do so in silence. No playing, no words, no attention, otherwise they will learn that night-time is a time for play and attention. You obviously do not want this. They are very different things. But if when you leave your dog alone crated they show these symptoms: anxiety.

Many of our dogs end up around the world, including the great state of Rhode Island. With affordable shipping, we can get you happy, healthy, and socialized Olde English Bulldog puppies in Rhode Island. A premier breeder with unbeatable guarantees, customer service 2nd to none and of course our amazing quality bulldogges makes us the best spot for your Rhode Island Olde English Bulldogge puppies. If you are looking for a perfect bulldogge, give us a call .For avid facebookers you will also be able to interact with siblings of your pup and watch how they grow! Look no further! Happy, Healthy and Socialized Bulldogge puppies come from One of a Kind Bulldogs Truth is, we have an epidemic of puppy mills and backyard breeders. Our customers have done the hard work and inspected our facility for you out of state clients. I love to follow all of our friends and the adventures they have with their dawgs. Anyone else interested please do the same. Hes mellow, smart a huge :. We couldnt be happier with him and with Ary. Ary is always available to help answer questions of give advise and loves to keep up with his pups as they grow and beyond. In researching, we found Ary and the Olde English breed and could not be happier with the decision to get Bruce. Ary was incredible throughout the process, explaining everything we needed to know about the breed and the process of importing him into Hong Kong. He checked in with us several times before the flight and was in constant contact via text when we went to the airport to pick up Bruce, who arrived a little skeptical of his new surroundings but perfectly healthy and happy. The extent to which Ary cares about every one of the amazing dogs he sells is clear through his attention to detail and willingness to put in any extra effort to make sure his puppies get to, and stay in, good homes. He took to his kennel training and potty training so fast! In searching for our puppy, we did our due diligence researching online and then visiting your property in person. I was impressed with how happy and healthy all of your dogs are. I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet the parents of our puppy; they both seemed to have great termperments. Thanks for a wonderful puppy! Lauren W. I recently adopted her from Ary, and it was great! Ary is so devoted to all of his dogs, he even knows them by their bark! His property is a dog haven, dog runs, kiddie pools, and toys for days! He truly loves what he does. When I heard that Ary had rescued a litter of puppies i had to take a look! I fell in love with them all, as i do with all of his litters! He knows the background of each and every one of his dogs, he is so knowledgeable about the breed and is always there to answer any questions i have about Pepper. I will definitely be getting another bulldogge from Ary in the years to come. Thanks Ary! Jenna S. Iowa Hey Ary We just want to say thank for are boy Kane. He one of the best we gotten. He is are first bulldogge and wont be the last. Im just glad you made my day by letting take Kane home to live with use. S im looking forward to the day we get are girl from you. He is pounds and a real joy to have around! Ary is so helpful and we are grateful for him introducing us to this wonderful breed. There really is no better breed of dog! If you are looking for a bulldog and you should be! Shane S. Cares deeply about the health and well being of his dogs. A quality breeder with amazing dogs!! Cinda G. Brea, CA Just want to start off by saying: Ari, isnt just a Breeder hes a good guy and now a friend of mine!!!! I bought a puppy from him last feb !!! Since that time he taught me a lot about the breed to the point where i want to start breeding oldies!!!! So if you looking for a quality olde you have came to the right spot…. One of a Kind is now actively helping save shelter Bulldogges in high risk of euthanization, this is our way of giving back! Check our rescue site www. We are helping the olde English Bulldogges that were relinquished to shelters and ironically clening up a lot of the mess irresponsible backyard breeders are making. We always have olde English Bulldogges needing a home, if you dont wanna buy a puppy, help save a shelter dog. Follow Us on Social Media! Paypal Secured Payments. 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…. You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting an English Bulldog, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to English Bulldogs". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Bulldog from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here. If you can't find the perfect Bulldog puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many English Bulldogs young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos!

They focus on dogs who have the temperament and character of a friendly family dog. They spend their time seeking out the perfect adoption homes for these Goldens through their volunteer network, applications, social media, and events. They do this to ensure that whichever home the dog ends up in, the owners will be well educated in caring for this specific breed. This organization is amazing because they take many different steps to ensure that their dogs go to a great, loving home with a family that will take care of them. This rescue is amazing because they focus on dogs who are close to being euthanized or dogs that have the possibility of being less likely adopted. Address: P. This club is to give recognition to this amazing breed of dog. This rescue is trustworthy because they are a part of the Golden Retriever Club of America and therefore they are American Kennel Club registered. This club is a great organization for anyone who owns Golden Retrievers because they consistently host events and have many different projects to work on as a team. They also spend their time finding reputable breeders of Golden Retrievers so they can ensure that those looking for Goldens can get the puppies from a trusted source. People love this club because they have a ton of information on their Goldens, puppies, finding a breeder, and more. They host events and they have a community where people can get together to celebrate Golden Retrievers. This ensures that they are a trustworthy and educated club for Golden Retrievers. This club provides education and training for those who own a Golden Retriever or those who are looking to own a Golden Retriever in the future. People are loving this club in specific because they dedicate their time to Golden Retrievers and the education behind them. They even are looking into research to find answers to medical questions that have been a concern for Golden retriever breeds for years. They are consistently contributing to the community by building friendships, providing education, research, and training as well to all the owners and Goldens of central New York. This is the perfect Golden Retriever club because they even have veterinarians and professionals who give educational lectures about the breed. This club is great for those that are looking to get their Golden Retrievers involved in shows, field trials, and obedience trials. This club is also American Kennel Club certified so you know they are trustworthy and ethical. People love this club in particular because they stay busy with events, organizations, and fundraisers. They are accepting new members regularly and they ensure that anyone that joins their club is involved in their organization a lot by having a ton of events to attend. This club is a devised club where even non-members can attend their events, just without their furry friends. This is a great idea if you just want to scope out the club before actually joining and bringing your Golden Retriever. People love joining this club because they focus on a lot of different training and tricks. They involve their Golden Retrievers in competitions, assisted therapy, conformation, obedience, rally obedience, and tracking. This is a really great reason to choose this club because it gives your Golden Retriever a lot of different opportunities to be a part of. Not only that, but this club is also a part of a lot of events that bring their community together in order to celebrate Golden Retrievers. Anyone with a Golden Retriever can join this club in order to bring out the best qualities whether that be in obedience, training, agility, tracking, competitions, or field events. Not only is this a club for Golden Retrievers, but they also have rescue, puppy referral, and referenced clinics. They work with a lot of people to bring Golden retrievers the best care before adoption, after adoption, and as puppies. Golden Retriever owners love being a part of this club because they have a lot of educational opportunities and they teach the dogs a lot about their natural abilities. Final Thoughts Finding the perfect Golden Retriever rescue center or club can be tricky, especially with so many options around New York. We hope to have narrowed down the search a little bit for you by providing you with some of the best and most trustworthy rescues. Rescues that are ethical, registered, and overall show true compassion for their animals are the ones to go with. Not all rescues have the same agenda, so making sure that you go through one that does what they are supposed to do is important. These rescues are the perfect palace to start and a lot of them have a ton of information on their website about their organization. You should be able to find everything you need using the information in this article. We wish you all of the luck trying to find your perfect Golden Retriever for your family! Size: 35 lbs Sex: Female Bella came to us after her owner passed away a few months ago. Bella is an outgoing, happy 8-year old girl who we believe to be a lab mix. She is a little treasure and is ready to join you. Read more about this easygoing, good girl on her bio page. Sally was found dumped in the backyard of a shelter worker and was terribly underweight, a clear case of neglect. Sally is now looking much healthier and has found her forever home with friends of Sally's foster mom. Her adopters are experienced dog owners, and will be able to shower Sally with lots of love and attention. They live only a few blocks away from Sally's foster and will be able to have lots of playdates!! Congratulations Sally, on finding your forever family! Sally is doing fine and settling in. She is a funny dog, lots of energy after she eats breakfast and just before she goes to bed - literally jumping from one piece of furniture to the other. Keep in mind she is NOT allowed on furniture. So it is a crazy time. All are adjusting well. We are enjoying her and she is really a very good dog. We are very lucky. She is a dream of a dog, so friendly and gentle. She appears to be a quick learner. We know this will resolve itself in time. She sleeps soundly in her own bed in our bedroom. She is doing well. We re-named her "Luna": Vet appt went well. She has a bit of a cough, so we are going to keep her away from other dogs for a week. We are going to check stool sample in a couple of weeks, since she just tested positive for hookworm on Aug 2nd. Also, we got her vaccinated for Lyme, since it is an issue up here. She is very eager to please. She already knows her place on the couch between us, and in the bed in the evening, LOL. She is not crazy about her crate, but we will do more training on that. She also was, quite honestly, horrible on the slip lead. Instead, we are using a Halti Leader. With that, she has been very good. She wants to chase rabbits, cats, and squirrels, so we will work on that, too. She seems younger than two. She is probably closer to one. She is very puppy like, but not rambunctious. She has a lot of energy. Longer distances are obviously better. Finding chew toys that she likes and can hang onto is a work in progress. Anything stuffed or made of rope is gone in a very short time. Definitely a challenge to get her to leave the cats alone. Fortunately, they are savvy and are able to keep themselves safe. She has been sleeping well at night. She is very happy overall and enjoys endless ear and neck rubs! I have enrolled in the K9 Training Institute so that I can better understand and manage her. Also, my granddaughter has decided that her name is now Peaches! All is good here in Vermont! Thanks again for sending this pup our way! We are most certainly delighted with her and are looking forward to many years with her! Jenkins and his new sister Abby seemed to have had a good night; slept through the night, together on the kitchen rug rugs put in for sake of senior dogs where Abby often has been lying down recently. In the morning, she moved to her bed; then Jenkins slept on the other dog bed. They are getting along just fine. Jenkins seems very content and happy! We are so happy. Even the "pups" are celebrating with carrying their stuffed animals around! Jenkins is with his Forever family! Authored by one of SGRR's adopters, this children's book is written from the dog's perspective. We hope you will read the heart-rending story of Jackson's abandonment and journey to his forever home. Young readers will learn that dogs feel pain, fear, confusion, and sadness, just as we do, and will realize the importance of responsible, loving dog ownership. When you purchase this book and most other items through Amazon's Smile program, Amazon will donate a small percentage of your purchase to our rescue. The book is printed "on demand" so you can ignore the "Temporarily Out of Stock" message if it appears and go ahead and order it! Remember to designate SGRR as your charity on smile. Learn more about Smile. Thank you! If you are looking to add to your fur family, consider adopting a dog. You will save the life of that dog and allow another to come into the shelter to be saved. Golden retrievers are well-mannered, loyal companions that love to play. They love meeting new people, and their enthusiasm is contagious. Goldens make great family dogs and hiking partners. Check out all 25 golden retrievers looking for their forever homes and share with a friend. Bruce Wayne Bruce is a 7-year-old sweetheart who is looking for a forever home. He loves to go for car rides and is completely housebroken. This perfect gentleman knows basic commands and just wants a loving home where he can cuddle next to his family at night. The rescue said his transition into a new home would be easier if he was the only dog but he is learning that other dogs mean him no harm. Bruce loves everyone he meets but will bark to alert his family someone is there. If this faithful pup sounds like the perfect match for you, you can find out more by clicking here. The playful girl will need a home with a fenced in yard to play fetch and run around. Does Layla sound like the perfect dog for you? Adopt her. He has the biggest heart and just wants to find a family who will love him the way he is. He gets around just fine thanks to a custom wheelchair. If you are ready to experience unconditional love — adopt him! The six-year-old loves attention and looking at herself in the mirror. She would do best in a home with another dog as she is unsure of loud noises and new things. A patient family with a fenced in yard would be perfect for Peaches. They arrived with three other siblings but these two would love to find a home together. They are incredibly smart, eager to learn, and ready for a forever home. If you are able to open your heart and home to two adorable puppies click here. The seven-year-old gentle giant loves children and people. He does not do well with other male dogs but could live in a home with a female dog. If this handsome boy caught your eye, you can adopt him here. While he still has bursts of energy, he prefers attention over play and has not shown any interest in playing fetch. Adopt him here. He can be a bit bossy so a home with older children or no children would be best. Rocko is too interested in cats to live with them but can live with another dog, after a meet-and-greet. Looking for an adventure buddy? Marley Mae is your girl and she loves car rides. Daily walks will be required but fresh air and exercise is good for everyone. Oliver is a love bug and just wants a family of his own. If you are willing to spoil him with attention and cuddles, apply to adopt him here. Boyd is currently in Texas looking for a loving forever home. Adopt him! The gorgeous pup will shed and is still learning to walk on a leash. He needs a family who will teach him basic commands and house train him. If you are ready for a lifetime of fun and learning, apply to adopt Asher here. Missy is a friendly gal rescue estimates she is 18! She prefers a home without children. Let her show you how to enjoy the little things in life, like a relaxing care ride. If she is the dog you have been looking for, adopt her here. Colin is 7 years young and a total sweetheart. He enjoys walks and meeting new people but also loves cuddling. The affectionate boy does have separation anxiety so he would do best with a homebody. She is 5-years-old and gets along well with other dogs. This loving girl is looking for a forever home. Adopt her! He needs a family that will take the time to teach him how to be a good boy. He is a year-old boy who loves other dogs, cats, and children. He is looking to enjoy his golden years with a loving family. Bring him home! He is missing hair due to a skin infection that is being treated by a vet. This good boy is ready for his forever home. She just wants a family of her own to go on walks and cuddle with. Anyone ready to give her a life of luxury and love her unconditionally can adopt her here. The young boy loves to play with a ball and will do so for hours. He loves people and would do best with a family that prefers to stay in or take him along on adventures. He loves treats and is a quick learner. An active family would be the best fit for Samson as he needs to go on a couple mile walk every day. He gets along well with other dogs and just wants a home of his own. Does he sound like the perfect dog for you? He loves going for walks and to the beach. As soon as he sees his leash his tail starts to wag. While he is always up for adventure, the big fella also loves to relax and cuddle. If you are looking for a best friend who will never leave your side, then look no further. Adopt Harlow here! The golden mix boy is inquisitive and energetic. He needs a patient family who will teach him how to be a good boy and watch him grow into his huge paws. She walks well on a leash and is as sweet as can be. She enjoys playing with other dogs but can be a bit bossy. The sweet dog is looking for a calm and quiet home to enjoy his golden years. He enjoys cuddling and going for short walks. FAQ about golden retrievers and how to start the process of adoption. What is the lifespan of a golden retriever? Golden retrievers are active dogs with a life span of years. How much exercise does a golden retriever need? The breed is part of the sporting group and was originally bred to retrieve ducks and fowls for hunters. They need daily exercise consisting of a walk, a game of fetch, or a trip to the beach. Ideally, they should have 60 minutes of intense exercise a day and a great way to achieve that is through hiking. How to adopt a golden retriever? If you think a golden retriever is the right dog for you, contact your local shelter. Be sure that your lifestyle is a fit for a golden and consider adopting an older dog. No matter what type of companion you are looking for, you can find a perfect fit in a rescue pet. History Where are Golden Retrievers from? One of the best documented and most fortuitous efforts to produce a breed resulted in the Golden Retriever. The man responsible for the breed was Lord Tweedmouth, who lived just north of the Scottish border along the Tweed River. How big do Golden Retrievers get? Goldens can reach a weight of 55 — 75 lbs, and a height between .A Golden Retriever has a dense, straight or wavy outer water-repellent coat, which sheds heavily twice annually and lightly throughout the year. Groom a Golden Retriever weekly to maintain the double coat and control shedding. What are the Golden Retriever colors? The breed was first considered to be a yellow variety of Flat-Coated Retrievers but was recognized as a separate breed, the Yellow or Golden Retriever, in .What makes the Golden Retriever dog so popular? The breed was valued for the hunting abilities so ably produced by the careful blending of foundation stock, and only later became popular as a pet. How long do Golden Retrievers live? Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of 10—13 years. What are some Golden Retriever facts and information? Facts Golden Retrievers are best known to: Push through heavy vegetation. Some exceptions may be made in special situations. While some of our dogs come from loving homes, all have been unexpectedly uprooted. Many come with training, confidence-building, or care needs that should be supported with positive reinforcement, patience, and ample time to bring out the best in your new companion. We generally require that you have a fenced yard exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. We ask that you are realistic about the right dog for your lifestyle and that you trust in our experience in making these matches. Click here for additional information. Dog Ratings The Level 1 dog is an easy dog with typically low energy level and has no behavioral issues. This level of dog would do well in virtually any home regardless of owner experience. Level 2 has energy that can range from low to high. This level may have other minor issues that are easy to address. Level 3 dogs typically have a challenging behavior, but are good dogs. These dogs might have an intense focus to work, be dog reactive or dog aggressive, may have to be an only animal in the home, or may require daily physical and mental stimulation, etc. This level of dog is not an average pet.

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More The transition from a puppy coat to an adult one can come as a bit of a shock to novice owners and newbie pet parents. Some breeders choose not to mention it for fear of putting off prospective buyers. However, here we will let you know exactly what to expect when your Goldendoodle puppy coat transition happens. Types of Goldendoodle Coats All dogs are born with a soft, single-layer puppy coat, whether they later go on to develop a double-layered one or not. Goldendoodles are no exception. This smooth, silky hair then gives way to something that can be altogether trickier to manage. Knots, tangles, mats, and shedding can become real problems with some dogs. As you probably know by now, with a mixed breed, there are no certainties. Especially when the parent animals are so different. One half of the Goldendoodle equation, the Golden Retriever, has a dense, straight, water-resistant double coat. In contrast, the other half, the Poodle, has a curly, coarse, low-shedding single one. Depending on which parent they favor, Goldendoodles can inherit either of these coats or a wavy, fleecy, long one that sits somewhere in between the two. This is generally the most common and the most popular of the three. For more on Goldendoodle coats and the right tools for caring for them, take a look at The Absolute Best Brushes for Goldendoodles. Nature can be a bit of a lottery. We can, however, make a few best guesses based on the parents and what usually happens. One thing we do know for sure is that whichever adult coat your pup is destined to have, it will be altogether stiffer and denser than their puppy one. It could even be a different color, thanks to the Poodle Fading Gene. Breeders, however, do highlight a few telltale traits that could give you an early idea of what to expect: Check The Snout An excess of hair at the top of the snout known as a mustache indicates that your pup is likely to end up with a coat on the curlier end of the spectrum. Straighter, shaggier, beard-like hair suggests a wavier coat. If your dog has short hair here and an overall neat and tidy-looking muzzle, they will probably inherit a straight coat. Pay Attention to the Generation The generation of the dog can also provide a strong indication of what to expect. See Also: Click the image Goldendoodle Puppy Coat Transition Phases When it comes to changing from the puppy to the adult coat, there are no clear-cut transition phases. When and how pups blow their puppy coat varies from dog to dog. With most dogs, it tends to happen at around six months, and it can be either sudden or gradual. Some owners barely even notice — it all depends on the final hair type. However, you may start to notice a little more hair in the brush or a few more tangles around the armpits, tail, and ears. If your Goldie is getting more of a curly coat, you will need to be extra vigilant at this time. Shedding puppy hair can all too easily get caught up in tight curls leading on to painful knots and mats that are all but impossible to remove with a brush. A good rule of thumb with dogs is that with a low-shedding coat, you have to spend more time on brushing; with a high shedding one that time will be spent cleaning hair up off the floor or your clothes. Which Goldendoodles Get Puppy Coats? Pretty much every variety of Goldendoodle from Standard to Mini experiences some sort of coat change as they transition from puppy to adult. The switch from puppy to adult coat is also less noticeable with active dogs and particularly ones that spend a lot of time swimming. The water washes away the old hair as it is replaced with the new. It is not left about the house as it otherwise would be. This change could be pretty dramatic or quite subtle depending on the type of adult coat your pup has inherited. They will shed their puppy coat somewhere between four and eight months, and their stiffer, denser adult one will start to come in at this time. Do Goldendoodle puppies change color? While your pup is unlikely to completely change color on you, many Goldies get lighter as their adult coat comes in. This is known as fading. How do you tell if a Goldendoodle puppy will have furnishings? Furnishings refer to the hair features about the face. The best way to know if your Goldie will have furnishings is to pay attention to their generation. F1 Goldendoodles are most likely to be missing them. F1B dogs are the most likely to have them. If a puppy lacks furnishings, they are unlikely to develop them in adulthood. With or without, though, all Doodles are still undeniably cute. When adopting a puppy, there are many things you need to be prepared for. Many people choose to adopt one of these darling dogs for their hypoallergenic properties. The best way to anticipate precisely what kind of hair your Goldendoodle will have when they are done blowing their coat is to speak to the breeder. Checking out the parent dogs is also recommended for later generations. However, this is no exact science, and you should really be prepared for anything. We are sure, though, that no matter how your Goldie ends up looking as they develop, you will love them just the same. How could you not? Just look at that face! Learn How to Upkeep Your Doodle! Is this the Goldendoodle puppy coat transition? Where are all these dog mats coming from? The surprising transition from puppy coat to adult coat can sneak up on any unsuspecting dog mom. But the subject of the Goldendoodle coat transition deserves just as much attention as all the other Goldendoodle pros and cons. However, one thing is true for all Goldendoodle puppies. At some point, the Goldendoodle puppy coat will change and the adult coat will come in. Matting can take over quickly Kind of like the month of March, the coat transition may enter like a lion! You may be surprised how quickly the mats coming roaring onto the scene. When my Goldendoodle sidekick Chloe was a pup, her puppy coat was soft and silky and there was not a mat to be found, even in the crevices like the armpits! Meet Chloe. Her puppy coat was silky soft. First under the ears. Then the armpits. Brushing became our thing. Brushing removes dead hair that would otherwise cause mats. Like hair on our human heads, dog hair has to go somewhere. Since Doodles tend to shed less, Goldendoodle grooming is part of keeping the hair from tangling and matting. There will always be hair to manage with any dog, whether low-shedding or high-shedding. With a low-shedding dog, there is a greater amount of grooming. With a high-shedding dog, there is a greater amount of time spent cleaning hair off floors. Either way, you have the joy of being a dog parent! For more about shedding, read my article: Do Goldendoodles Shed? It may make you feel overly confident. When the Goldendoodle puppy coat starts transitioning, be ready. When do Goldendoodle puppies shed their coat? However, as a rule of thumb, Goldendoodle parents say anywhere between four to eight months and may even be up to two years. What happens during a Goldendoodle puppy coat transition? When the Goldendoodle adult coat begins to grow in, the puppy coat begins to shed. This creates tangles. If not groomed early, the tangles turn into mats. Since there are so many Goldendoodle coat types, there is not one set example. Some parents will hardly notice the change while other Goldendoodle parents will find what feels like an explosion of mats. What areas are the biggest matting culprits? View Larger Image Introduction: The time will come when your little Goldendoodle pup will need to switch from puppy food to adult dog food. While you may think this transition is as simple as changing kibble brands, there are a few things you should consider before making the switch. This blog post will explore when to switch from puppy food to dog food Goldendoodle and what factors you should consider in making this decision. We will also give you tips on making the transition as smooth as possible for your furry friend. Puppy food vs. Puppy food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of puppies as they grow and develop. Dog food is formulated for adult dogs. Puppies need more calories, protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus than adult dogs. They also need specific vitamins and minerals in higher amounts than adults. For example, puppies need more niacin vitamin B3 for proper growth and development. Some puppy foods contain DHA an omega-3 fatty acid to support cognitive development. When to switch from Goldendoodle puppy food to adult food? Smaller dogs can be switched to adult food as early as months old, while larger breed dogs may need to consume puppy food until they are months old. The food you are feeding will also play a role when you make the switch. For example, if you are providing your Goldendoodle with a grain-free diet, you may be able to switch them to adult food sooner than if you were feeding them a diet with grains. The American Kennel Club recommends switching to adult dog food around 12 months or when your pup reaches its full size — whichever comes first. If you are unsure about what age to switch from the puppy food, it is best to consult with your veterinarian. They will be able to take into account all the factors involved and give you specific advice for your dog. How much dog food should a Goldendoodle eat? On average, an adult Goldendoodle should eat cups of dry food per day. Puppies will typically consume meals per day until they are about six months old, which can be transitioned to 2 meals per day. The number of calories in a dog food cup varies based on the type of food. Puppies and active dogs will require more calories than sedentary adults. What are the benefits of switching to dog food? The benefits of switching from puppy to dog food are many and varied. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is the monetary one. Puppy food is generally more expensive than adult dog food, so making the switch can help to keep your costs down. Adult dog food is formulated to provide optimal nutrition for your pet, so making the switch can help to keep them healthy and fit. Finally, switching to adult dog food may also help to reduce or eliminate bad breath. Many puppies have bacteria in their mouths that cause bad breath, but this usually goes away as they age. If bad breath is a problem for your pup, switching to adult dog food may help to resolve it. Are there any risks associated with switching to dog food? The biggest threat is that your dog may not like the new food and refuse to eat it. It can lead to malnutrition and weight loss. If you notice any vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of illness, stop feeding the new food immediately and consult your veterinarian. How do I transition my Goldendoodle from puppy food to dog food? During the transition period, you need to: Introduce the new food gradually. Mix the new food with the old, slowly increasing the amount until your Goldendoodle is only eating the new food. FAQs: Q1: When to switch to adult food? A: Every dog is unique, and there is no hard and fast rule for when to stop feeding Goldendoodle puppy food. Q2: Is it bad to feed a grown dog puppy food? Puppy food often contains more calories and fat than adult dog food, leading to weight gain and other health problems. Q3: How much to feed a Goldendoodle puppy? A: In the first twelve weeks, you should feed your Goldendoodle pup times a week. Later, you can switch to 3 times a day. Q4: What happens if a puppy eats adult dog food? A: Adult dog food vs. If you feed adult dog food to your puppy, you may be Conclusion: When can Goldendoodle puppies eat adult dog food? Switching from puppy to dog food is an important milestone for your Goldendoodle. The right time to switch will depend on your pet, but most Goldendoodles will be ready to transition between 6 and 8 months. Talk to your veterinarian about when they recommend making the switch, and then introduce the new food slowly. Related Posts. These are the typical week-by-week Goldendoodles stages that you will go through with a new Goldendoodle puppy and what signs to look for that they are not developing correctly. Predicting average weights in Goldendoodles is challenging. The parent breeds are the strongest predictor of size, but hybrids can be unpredictable. Standard poodles and Golden Retrievers are both large dog breeds. However, a toy poodle or mini poodles can be bred to larger breeds like Golden Retrievers to produce a much smaller dog, like a toy Goldendoodle or even teacup Goldendoodles. Dogs with long lines registered with the Goldendoodle Association may have more predictable traits, but not as much as an AKC purebred dog. These puppies are born blind, deaf, and without teeth. These first weeks are a very critical time in their development. Your puppy will start to open their eyes at about 2 weeks of age. By the time that they are 3 weeks, their ears will be open, and you will start to notice that their teeth are pushing through their gums. At the end of this first stage, your Goldendoodle puppy will be aware of their surroundings. They will start to bark, crawl, and interact with the other puppies in their litter. At the end of this first puppy stage, they are aware of everything that is around them and are trying to crawl, bark, and interact with their littermates. During this time, they will continue to grow in size rapidly. Most importantly, they start to get more socially active with their mom, littermates, and the people in their lives. Your puppy will start to learn many new things during this stage of puppy development. Their mother will begin to teach them a few basic manners and start the weaning process. They will learn how to play with other puppies and what other puppies will tolerate. This is when they will learn how strong of a bite they have and what is okay for playing. They will usually establish a pecking order within the litter of puppies. This is the main reason why most breeders do not recommend taking the puppies from their litter and mother until they are about 7 to 8 weeks old. By 6 to 7 weeks of age, your Goldendoodle puppy will be able to be left alone for a short period of time. They will also be doing normal puppy behaviors such as eating puppy food , walking, running, and wagging their tail. This is also the time that your Goldendoodle puppy will need their first set of vaccines and dewormed. Most breeders will take their puppies to the vet for these vaccines. This way, they know that their puppies have received the vaccines that they need to get started off on the right track. Stage 3: 7 weeks to 12 Weeks After 7 weeks of age, your puppy is old enough to leave their mother and other littermates and go to their new home. This will probably be around the age when your first get your Goldendoodle. At first, try to keep everything just like the breeder had been. This helps keep your puppy on a normal routine while they are adjusting to their new house. Once your puppy has been at your house for a few days, you can slowly switch things if you want. You may already have a diet you want your puppy to eat. Also, make sure that your dog is eating large-breed puppy food. This will make sure that your Goldendoodle puppy is receiving the best nutrition needed for their fast-growing body. If you do plan on switching diets, make sure that you do this slowly; quickly changing diets can cause GI problems in your new puppy. At this age, your puppy will be ready to start learning everything and experiencing everything you are ready to teach them. They learn very fast at this age, so it is important to make sure that you are teaching them correctly. Your puppy can learn basic commands and manners by going to puppy classes. This will also give them socialization with other puppies and people during this stage. Having many different social encounters will help them become a very well-mannered dog. During this time, your Goldendoodle puppy may show signs of fear. This is a normal experience for a puppy to go through. They may be afraid of certain people, places, or things that they have never been afraid of. During this time, it is important to continue to socialize your Goldendoodle puppy and show them that these things are not as scary as they first thought they were. Make sure not to expose them to a lot of simulations at once, as these can cause them to become more afraid. Stage 4: 3 months to 4 months This is the stage of development when your Goldendoodle puppy will start to become independent. They may even start to challenge you or even ignore you. This is very similar to the terrible twos in people. Your Goldendoodle puppy will also start teething around this time. They will have very painful gums, which will cause them to want to bite and chew on anything possible. Make sure that you are providing your puppy with plenty of approved chewing toys in order to keep your shoes and furniture from becoming the next chew object. During this stage, you may find that you are telling your puppy no a lot. All this training will eventually pay off, and your puppy will be very well-mannered and do what you tell them to. Most of the time, your Goldendoodle puppy just wants to please you. All you must do is give them a little patience and love, and they will quickly learn what is expected of them. By starting obedience classes during this time, you will help your puppy become a friendly and well-behaved adult Goldendoodle. Stage 5: 4 months to 10 months During this time, your Goldendoodle puppy will continue to grow and develop very quickly. It is very important to continue teaching and training your Goldendoodle puppy. They will learn how to adapt to different social situations and what behavior is approved and what is not approved during this time. They will also continue to challenge you, so be prepared to stick to your training and not back off. During this time, your Goldendoodle may act a little bratty. There are going through their teenage years during this time. Also, during this time, do not let your dog play-bite with you, as this can teach them to be aggressive and encourage other dominant behaviors Around 6 months of age, it is advised to spay or neuter your Goldendoodle puppy. These procedures will help your puppy stay healthy and happy as well as prevent unwanted litters that end up in the shelter. Stage 6: 10 months to 1 Year During this stage, small Goldendoodles will reach their full size. They will usually reach maturity around 8 to 12 months of age. Larger Goldendoodles will continue to grow during this time and may not fully develop until they are 18 months to 2 years old. Your Goldendoodle puppy may now look like an adult dog; they usually are still developing mentally. They will have a ton of energy and usually not a lot of common sense. You will still need to monitor your Goldendoodle for any unwanted behavior and quickly correct any problems that you notice starting. Even though they are no longer a puppy, they will still need to continue training and learning commands. At this stage, your Goldendoodle will need lots of attention and exercise to keep them for getting into trouble. Always use a very firm voice and positive reinforcement when training and correcting unwanted behavior. It is best to have a loving and patient but firm voice when training your Goldendoodle Stage 7: 1 year and Older Between 1 and 2 years of age, your Goldendoodle will be fully developed and sexually mature. Your puppy will finally stop growing but may fill out in size just a little. At this point, you can now start exercising more with your Goldendoodle. They love to go for a jog, do agility training, or go for a long hike. Since their bones are now fully developed, there is less likely that they are going to have joint or stress injuries. This is also the best time to switch your puppy from puppy food to adult food. It is always best to stay with the same brand of puppy food that you fed to help decrease any GI signs from switching food. When switching food, it is recommended to switch food slowly. Also, make sure that the diet that you are feeding your Goldendoodle puppy is a high-quality diet. When will my Goldendoodle puppy need to be vaccinated? This is a common schedule most veterinarians follow when vaccinating puppies. This is usually done by the breeder before you get your Goldendoodle puppy. Most of these worms are microscopic, but some you can see in their stool. If you see worms, make sure to let your vet know. Your vet can give your Goldendoodle puppy medication to get rid of these nasty worms. Not only will your pet need vaccines, but they will also need heartworm, flea, and tick prevention. All of these parasites can cause health problems in your Goldendoodle, some of which can be fatal. If you notice something is not right in your Goldendoodle puppy, it is best to take them to the vet. Some very young Goldendoodle puppies can have problems regulating their blood sugar. If you notice that your Goldendoodle puppy has diarrhea, this can be from the stress of going to a new house, parasites, or even parvo. Any problems noticed in your puppy could be very serious, your vet can examine your pet and make sure that there is nothing that is wrong with your puppy. It would be better to be safe than sorry if your pet has something very serious going on. Both parvo and parasites can easily be prevented by sticking to the vaccine schedule and making sure that your puppy is properly dewormed. How big will my Goldendoodle puppy be? It can be hard to tell as puppies which one will be the biggest or which one will be the smallest. Usually, from the time that they are born until the day that you pick up your new puppy, all the puppies in the litter will change in size. At 8 weeks old, the smallest in the litter will usually be the smallest when they are all fully grown. The older your puppy gets, the easier it will be to determine if your puppy will be bigger or smaller. The exact adult weight can be a guess, but you can expect a miniature Goldendoodle to weigh about 4 to 9 pounds at 8 weeks old and a standard Goldendoodle to weigh over 9 pounds at 8 weeks old, and a medium-size Goldendoodle to fall between the 8 to pound range. Most dogs do most of their growing in the first 6 months of life. Smaller and miniature Goldendoodles will be half-grown at 4 months of age, with larger Goldendoodles taking a few months longer to reach this half-grown point. The larger the dog, the longer it will take them to reach adult size. When will my Goldendoodle Puppy stop growing? It may seem as if your Goldendoodle is getting bigger each day. Most Goldendoodle will be done growing by 1 to 2 years of age. They will usually reach their maximum height by 1 year of age and just fill out a little bit in the next year. Miniature Goldendoodle will be done growing by 7 to 10 months. The smaller the dog, the quicker they reach their adult body weight. Standard Goldendoodle should reach their full size by 2 years of age. After your Goldendoodle reaches 1 year of age, you need to monitor what you are feeding them. Lexie, 5-year-old fully grown F2 Mini Goldendoodle. Adult Stage Since your puppy is now over a year old, they are not growing, but there are some things that you need to consider as they start to get older. Goldendoodles that have just matured are usually very active. As your Goldendoodle gets older, they will start to slow down and sleep a little more. There are diseases that you need to look out for as your Goldendoodle gets older. If you notice any of these signs in your Goldendoodle, you need to see a veterinarian. Predicting the mature size of a puppy is by no means an exact science, especially with a hybrid breed like the goldendoodle. How big will my goldendoodle puppy be? From birth until the gotchya day, puppies have fluctuated back and forth in terms of who weighs the most. Even though adult weight is a bit of a guess for a young puppy, expect mini goldendoodles to weigh 4lbs-9lbs at 8 weeks of age. A medium puppy and standard puppy may both weigh 9lbs at 8 weeks old, but the standard puppy with gain weight at a quicker rate than the medium. Like most dog breeds, goldendoodles generally do the majority of their growing in the first six months of life. In fact, many mini goldendoodle puppies reach half of their adult weight by four months. Standard goldendoodles may take a month or so longer to reach that halfway mark. The larger the dog, the longer growing takes. For mini goldendoodles, expect the weight to start leveling off between months of age. Standard goldendoodles, like other large dog breeds, will grow for a longer period of time. While this rule may work for many standards, it is not accurate with smaller-sized goldendoodles who finish growing at a younger age. When will my goldendoodle stop growing? Dogs can finish growing anywhere between years of age, but generally reach their maximum height by a year of age and spend the remaining months filling out. This means your dog might hit a growth spurt right after her first birthday — she might not get any taller but she could thicken up. Golden retrievers grow at a slower rate in terms of height than standard poodles, but fill out more quickly. Golden retrievers tend to finish growing and filling out between months while standard poodles can take up to 2 years to accomplish the same. Established breeds generally reproduce naturally, whereas first-generation mini goldendoodles require artificial insemination. Subsequent generations of hybrid breeds i. F1b, F2b, etc. F1b goldendoodles can potentially have a slightly more predictable size range if the parents are similar sizes. Our 19lb F1 goldendoodle and 24lb poodle produce F1b mini goldendoodle puppies ranging in weight from lbs as adults. Embark is a canine genetic testing company that offers a variety of canine disease and trait tests in their panel. Order an Embark testing kit off Amazon , send in that quick cheek swab, and Embark will happily send you the results. Check out our goldendoodle puppy time lapses to watch various goldendoodles grow up right before your eyes! If you would like to submit data, please complete our quick survey or email goldendoodles timberidgefarms. Growth patterns vary from dog to dog but there are some generalities you may find helpful. Remember, this is a guide only, not a guarantee! Thank you for your support! 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. Share this:. Again, this depends on their parents. But most commonly, they have wavy hair. Those with curly hair resemble their Poodle ancestry. Those with a straight look appear more like Golden Retrievers. The latter is far easier to groom. Speaking of grooming… Length After your dogs latest trip to the groomer, how long should you wait before scheduling their next visit? Mark it on your calendar, every six weeks about does the trick. Most Goldendoodles will have regrown everything in about three to four months. Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers have longer coats. While Labradoodles could have a shorter coat, this is uncommon in Goldendoodles, if even present. All in all, a Goldendoodle is a great pet for owners with allergies. While there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, Doodle breeds shed far less than most and are quite allergy friendly. Many Goldendoodle parents may note that their puppy's coat quickly fills with fluffy clumps as a result of this. This is a definite indication that the shift has begun for your dog! Your Goldendoodle puppy's fur is thickest at three months old. It's possible that your puppy's coat has grown to its full potential and is very well-colored at this time. Your Goldendoodle could start to lose its puppy fur and develop an adult coat between the ages of 4 and 8 months. Depending on the exact kind of fur, this process may be slow and scarcely perceptible, rapid and evident, or protracted and difficult. The color and texture of their pelt can also vary. Don't get too depressed if your puppy's fur lasts past the age of 12 months; some Doodles may continue to shed puppy fur. We mentioned earlier about grooming. While most breeds you can take to the groomer at about 12 weeks, you probably want to wait until this six-month mark to shuffle them to the stylist. This will allow most of their puppy fur to be shed. When a puppy is 6 to 10 months old, the silky puppy coat often begins to shed gradually. Your Goldendoodle will continue its gradual transformation from puppy to adult coat by the age of one. Any shedding should be minimized, and if a suitable grooming routine isn't put in place at this time, you can have issues with knots. First, the adult coat becomes stiffer and more curly. Over time, you will notice that the coat is not as soft as it used to be. Most of the time, the color will usually lighten as the dog ages. They will grey just like we will. There are a handful of reasons for changes at this age or, sometimes, younger. If your dog is one that loves daytime romps, the sun could bleach its fur over time. This is natural. Diet and nutrition can affect their coats as well. A lack of vitamins could cause them to shed and matt. You might be allergic to dogs, but your dog could also be allergic to you. Or other things too. If they do have allergies this can affect the color, texture and volume of your puppy's coat. See your vet for best practices about how to assist your dog in these instances. Inherited or communicated diseases can also affect your dog's coat. Again, your trusted vet is best suited to formulate a plan of action for managing the situation. The same goes for grooming your senior pup. Older dogs need to be treated with a bit of finesse. Have that same respect for your dog. Especially those over the age of about ten years or so. If they have arthritis, for example, be aware of those areas on their body. But what happens during the time in between hair care visits? You can even take things step by step and demonstrate how easy it can be. Keep things light. Keep things fun. Shampoo and conditioner of high quality are viable options for special treatment. There are other, less expensive options as well. When they are true puppies, you want to only wash them when they start to smell. What will really help is brushing your puppy on a regular basis. Popping out the brush once a day or every other day is recommended. Brushing their hair less than once a week will almost definitely spell disaster. You can trim things up here and there as well. Where are some trouble spots that will need to be considered when grooming your pup? These might be found at the base of their tail, beneath their ears, and in the area just above their armpits. Don't forget about the back of their haunches and elbows. The best way to learn is with hands-on experience. Ready to get your Goldendoodle today? Have more questions about anything and everything Goldendoodle related? We have the answers , and for all things Doodles, stay tuned to our exciting and educational blog. Coat Comparisons Post updated I have had many inquires from families wondering what coat type the puppies will have as they mature. When dealing with a Hybrid it is very difficult to predict with certainty what their Adult coat will eventuality end up like. Puppies go through multiple coat changes before their adult coat finally comes in. All newborn goldendoodle puppies look like Golden Retrievers. It is not until around 6 — 7 weeks when we can determine if it will be a Flat Coat goldendoodle — no facial furnishings. We have produced flat coats with both straight hair and with some curls. Below are some of our previous puppies. There are three pictures of each puppy. Notice the progression of the puppy: the first picture is newborn, the next picture is puppy at eight weeks old and the last picture the puppy as an adult. My puppies are lucky to have joined such wonderful, loving families. It makes my day when I get an email from one of our previous puppy families giving me an update and sharing pics of their dog. Thank you! They are fluffy all over including the face. They come in three types — Straight, Wavy, and Curly. Grooming requirements are brushing daily to prevent matting and a trip to the groomers every eight weeks or so.

My Account "Bringing people together through the love of a Labrador" "Bringing people together through the love of a Labrador""Bringing people together through the love of a Labrador""Bringing people together through the love of a Labrador" We are happy to announce that we will be having three litters in .We are now accepting reservations for our Litters. Even though we have been breeding labs for over 13 years, we felt it was time to share our experience, love and puppies with others. As time went on, we found that we have a gift in how we breed and raise Labradors. We go above and beyond the call of duty for our dogs and it shows not only with our in house dogs, but those we have produced throughout the years. We are distinguished breeders that please even the most discriminating dog lover. We are a small family operated breeder located outside of Angier, NC on 60 acres of secluded land that is perfect for our breeding business. Why Choose Hidden River Retrievers? All of our pups from birth to time to go to their new homes are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by us. We are a hands on, in house, small breeding operation that treats our animals in the most sanitary, loving, clean environment imagined. We treat all of our litters as if they were staying right here with us. We believe teaching socialization skills by voice, touch and sight as early as birth and continuing on as the eyes open is a very important asset to the program as it gives them early preparedness and skills for the future. Our puppy area is always clean and inviting to even the most sensitive client. All of our dogs are bred with careful genetic screening. NOT all lab breeders can claim… OFA Certified Clearance: hips, elbows, eyes and heart Genetic testing with over panels for the Labrador Retriever breed Most importantly, we believe in the producing of the true all-purpose Labrador. Of course you are here because you are looking for a Lab. We are aware there are hundreds of other breeders. This is WHY we do what we do that sets us apart. Each dog must be one that we would want for our personal pet. If you are interested in a Labrador as a companion we strongly suggest that you do plenty of research and get on a waiting list with a reputable breeder. Remember this is a companion that will spend the next 14 or so years with you. Waiting for the right Labrador from the right breeder is well worth it. Talk to breeders and visit their home, dogs and facility. What you can expect from us: A healthy puppy that is both sound in mind and body. Before leaving us all of our puppies will have had their first vaccination, several de-wormings, have a microchip in place, go home with 30 days of free Pet Insurance through Trupanion and will have had its first well puppy exam with a qulalified, trusted Veterinarian. You can be assured that the sires we use and the dams from which our puppies are born are of the highest quality, extensive pedigrees and temperament. Remember this is a companion that will spend the next 12 or so years with you. Filling a void, in need of a Fur-ever Friend or Companion or looking for a Hunt prospect. We have you covered. All of our Dogs have extensive pedigrees that qualify them to be trained as your hunting title buddy or just your best friend. We strive to match our pups with their potential family to ensure a proper fit into the make up of the family. One of our strongest virtues is to help those who have suffered the loss of a furry family member fill that void by introducing them to a new member to love. Sign Up For Updates Be the first to hear about available Labrador Retriever puppies, upcoming litters, policies, information, specials and more! At Happy Lab Kennels, we specialize in healthy, happy silver Labrador puppies, a variation of a chocolate lab with a gene mutation that creates their distinctive gray coat. Explore more about silver Labrador puppies for sale in NC and learn about the other great Labrador puppies we offer, including black, yellow and chocolate. The reason for this record is simple. Labs are great dogs. They have a wonderful temperament and are filled with Love to share. They seem to have one goal in mind, making Life long friends and memories. Labs are the perfect example of unconditional Love. While they do thrive on Love and attention, they require little maintenance. No long hair and curls to worry about and shedding is minimal. At Happy Lab Kennels, we focus on producing dogs that are healthy, friendly, gentle and full of love! While our dogs are mainly loving companions, they do come from hunting stock. With proper training, they would make a great hunting partner. About Happy Lab Kennels Our love for dogs has been growing for over 30 years We both grew up with a family dog, and knew we would always have a dog or two when we were older. Well, our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Our dogs are a big part of our family. We have them spend time with us indoors, as well as, outdoors. We have them sleep inside when the weather is cold and to take a break on those very hot days. In our dog journeys, we have taken our dogs to field trials and have been active members of a K-9 Search and Rescue Team. What is A Silver Labrador? Loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities Silver Labrador Puppies for Sale NC Silver labs were first created by a breeder in the early 80s and were officially recognized as a subset of the chocolate lab breed by the AKC in .While some think the unusual color comes from outside the breed, these dogs are verified by the AKC as percent Labrador retriever. Male labs grow to an average of .Our silver labrador puppies are bred as loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities that have long made labs one of the most popular family dogs. These rare purebred, pedigreed pups are registered with the American Kennel Club. The Silver Labradors are registered as chocolates. Like other lab variations, silver labradors need lots of exercise. Get ready to play endless games of catch and take long walks around your neighborhood, where your pet is sure to make friends with other dogs and humans alike. These dogs respond well to training and easily adapt to new environments. They also tend to be great with children, although younger labs can be quite boisterous and may be excitable around those younger than 5. Our Other Labrador Retriever Colors Silver, chocolate, yellow, and black Labradors available for sale Black Labrador Puppies Black labs are sometimes considered the original Labrador puppies, brought to Newfoundland in the s. Because black is the dominant color gene for these dogs, they are more common than yellow, silver and chocolate labs. We offer an impressive selection of purebred chocolate labrador puppies for sale. This chocolate color comes from a gene variation on the classic black lab. Their golden hue occurs when both parents carry the gene for yellow fur rather than the dominant gene for black. Our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Labrador Litters. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. North Carolina has several qualified breeders offering various types of healthy Labrador pups. Labradors are exceptional animals that provide companionship, love, and years of enjoyment. Creekside also offers basic obedience training, hunt testing, retriever training, and shed and game tracking. They offer hunt test pedigrees and waterfowl hunting dogs. You can check the Happy Lab Kennel website for updates on upcoming litters. Their Labrador puppies are raised in a home environment, and they stay under the watchful eyes of their mothers until the day the dogs are sent to forever homes. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. The Labrador retriever is loyal, affectionate, patient and friendly, making them a popular selection for a great family dog. Highly intelligent, good-natured, willing and eager to please, they are also preferred for service dog work like blind guides, service dog for the disabled and police work. They love to play, especially in water, never passing up the opportunity for a good swim. Our Labs can be found across the country in forty 40 states from the great Southwest to historic New England, from frigid Alaska to the great state of North Carolina where we are based. We can easily deliver our guaranteed Labs to your location in our own home state. For details, visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .When Bern, Switzerland was founded, it was named by a group of hunters. They named the city for the first animal they came upon on their hunting expedition. It was a bear. It has been adopted by New Bern, as well. The word Carolina is from the word Carolus, the Latin form of Charles. When Carolina was divided in , the southern part was called South Carolina and the northern, or older settlement, North Carolina. State Flower: American Dogwood.

How Much Sleep Golden Retrievers Actually Need July 26, 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. Do you ever wonder how much sleep your Golden Retriever should be getting? How long Golden Retrievers sleep depends on several factors such as age, health, and lifestyle. Golden Retrievers sleep about 12 to 14 hours each day, with puppies and senior Golden Retrievers sleeping a little bit more. The age of a Golden Retriever is often the most significant factor that influences how much they sleep. Dogs are a crepuscular species. This means they are naturally most active at dawn and dusk. Evening zoomies, anyone?! They tend to sleep for chunks of time throughout the day and night, and can be fairly flexible and adaptable with their sleep patterns. Golden Retriever puppies need about 18 hours of sleep and rest each day. Puppies are baby animals, and babies need a lot of sleep. They are undergoing major physical and mental growth, and sleep is important to ensuring proper development. You might notice that some days your puppy seems to need a lot of sleep, and may even exceed 18 hours. Long naps might indicate that your puppy is having a growth spurt, and needs the extra rest. Other days your Golden Retriever puppy may not be as inclined to rest for quite as long. So the 18 hours is more of a guide, than a strict plan. Proper sleep helps keep your puppy happy, healthy and well-behaved. Want to potty train your puppy fast? Golden Retrievers aged 6 to 18 months need about 14 to 16 hours of sleep per day. This can seem like a lot, but this is because their brains are going through a big reconstruction from puppy brain to adult dog brain. They may not be 8-week-old puppies anymore, but sleep is still extremely important for adolescent Golden Retrievers. Adult Goldens need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep each day. How much your adult Golden sleeps in a day may vary depending on their overall health and activity levels. Just as with younger Golden Retrievers, adults can be negatively affected by lack of sleep. Dogs who are sleep-deprived can experience health and behavioral issues as a result. Senior Golden Retrievers need about 18 to 20 hours of sleep each day. Just like human senior citizens, older Goldens tend to slow down and sleep more. Some senior pups also have health issues that can cause them to sleep more too. Golden Retrievers enter the senior category starting at 8 years old. And in some cases, a lack of sleep can actually cause health problems for your dog. Maybe they have allergies that make them super itchy, causing them to wake up frequently from naps. Some Golden Retrievers can have anxiety issues that make getting enough sleep a challenge. Even digestive issues can create sleep difficulties for Goldens. So when it comes to sleep and health, it goes both ways. Some Golden Retrievers are experts at putting themselves down for a nap when they start to feel tired. Others seemingly never tire and are always ready for the next thing. While taking a nap and sleeping through the night might seem like normal, natural things for a dog to do, some will need more help and support to get sufficient rest. Good sleep for dogs means they are getting the right amount of sleep for their age. But it also means they are getting high-quality sleep, which means uninterrupted stretches of sleep. Dogs will usually nap for 30 minutes to several hours at a time. So quantity and quality are both important when it comes to good sleep for your Golden. Goldens are highly intelligent, and if you only focus on physical exercise, they may struggle with getting enough sleep because of excess mental energy. Some ways to incorporate mental exercise are puzzle toys , training games , and time to sniff in nature. Some Goldens excel in dog sports such as agility, obedience and nose work, and those can be excellent mental enrichment opportunities too. Nutrition Just like in humans, nutrition can also play a role in sleep for dogs. A healthy, balanced diet is an important part of getting proper rest. Essentially, think about what factors make it easier for your dog to fall asleep and stay asleep. If your dog tends to want to involve themselves in all the happenings in your household and, as a result, is sleep deprived, it might help to use a crate , pen , or baby gate to help them settle down. Confinement can be great for puppies and teenage Goldens as well, who may not have the skill of putting themselves down for a nap quite yet. Sometimes covering the crate , or draping a sheet over the pen, can cut down on visual stimulation and help pups fall asleep more easily. Consider what kind of surfaces your dog likes to sleep on. Some love a cool tile floor. Others enjoy a plush dog bed. Think about temperature too. Do they need a fan? Or a blanket? Other things like calming music and lavender can also help soothe dogs and help them fall asleep, whether during the day or at night. Just like humans will put babies and children down for nap time, you can do the same for your dog. Then make sure their sleep zone is set up to their liking. For some Goldens it can help to give them a toy to chew or lick , which can promote relaxation. So you might give them a yummy stuffed kong to work on as they transition from active and awake to relaxed and asleep. If you notice your dog sleeping more than normal, it could be an indication that they are sick. Excessive sleep could also be due to other factors such as warm weather, stress, or a particularly long hike, for example. If their increased sleep is accompanied by lethargy, lack of appetite or other changes in behavior, definitely consult your vet. Sweet Golden Dreams Understanding how much sleep your pup needs at the various stages of their life will help you ensure they are getting the right amount. A well-rested Golden is a healthier, better-behaved dog who can enjoy a happier life with you. And to help your Golden sleep well, read this post about the best bed for your Golden Retriever next. Getting a Golden Retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Related articles:. If your dog has behavioral issues allowing them on the bed might not benefit you. This was the first thing a dog expert pointed out to me. Dogs need boundaries and that includes boundaries around allowing them on the bed. Golden Retriever Sleeping in Bed Before you let your Golden Retriever sleep on your bed you should consider a few factors. This is a red flag to the idea of letting them sleep with you at night. I have two dogs, they are not Golden Retrievers , one has guarding and aggression issues so she is not allowed on my bed because she sees it as her territory. Talk to a dog trainer about how to correct such behaviors before allowing them to sleep on your bed. Age of your Golden Retriever It is not a good idea to keep dogs on your bed as this may be dangerous to them. Also, it may not be ideal for keeping your old dogs on your bed as they may have a hard time getting up there at their fragile age. Getting down quickly from the bed, if need be, may also be challenging. Allergies If you or your partner is mildly allergic, it is best not to keep them on your bed as this can worsen your symptoms and make it difficult for you or your partner to function correctly. It might be challenging to break the habit when started. When the Golden Retriever gets used to sleeping on a bed at night, bringing it to a stop may be somewhat tricky. Where can my Golden Retriever Sleep? You might have questions about Golden Retrievers sleeping. If you feel it is not a good idea for your Golden Retriever to sleep in your bed at night, there are other options. Lots of people have their dogs sleep in dog beds in their bedroom. Golden Retrievers can be comfortable in different locations in your home. One crucial factor is to know your dog. Some may be pretty okay sleeping on the living room couch with a warm blanket, or some prefer crates. It is also essential to take into account their age or personality. Golden Retriever puppies need more attention. It is, therefore, better to have them sleep in your room in a crate. They can sleep in a dog bed in another room They can sleep on the sofa They can sleep in a crate in another room Reasons you should let your dog sleep in your bed? You probably have decided to let your Golden Retriever sleep on your bed, but you want to know the impact this will have. Studies have shown that there are many benefits associated with the act, not just for your Golden Retriever but for you — the owner as well. Separation Anxiety Decreases Separation anxiety is common in some dogs; however, it is unclear why this happens. Studies have shown it may be an emotional response to a traumatic experience in the past. When your Golden Retriever spends adequate fun time with you and the experience being close to you most of the time, including during bedtime, they would less likely to develop separation anxiety because of the feeling of being with them most times. Bonding and Companionship Golden Retrievers are attention seekers; they were bred to accompany their owners. It is no surprise that this trait has been passed to newer generations of Golden Retrievers. Sleeping with them in bed at night is a great way to ensure companionship and improve bonding. Helping them Feel Safe Most dogs are scared of thunderclaps and lightning flashes, and your Golden Retriever may be no different. When your dog sleeps with you at night, it gives them the feeling of safety and extra warmth. It probably gives you a feeling of safety too! Also, most Golden Retrievers are heavy sleepers; they tend to sleep upwards of 10 hours a day and will most likely not move around a lot during the night. How many hours do golden retrievers sleep? Golden Retrievers need 10 hours of sleep a day. Give them somewhere they are comfortable sleeping. Diet Illness, Injury, Surgery, and Medication All these things can contribute to how much your Golden Retriever sleeps, and knowing these factors is essential. Age The age of your Golden Retrievers is one of the biggest things that contribute to the amount of sleep needed. At the far end of each spectrum of age, the amount of sleep increases. Due to their growing bodies and fast metabolism, puppies need more sleep. Likewise, senior dogs also need more rest due to their aging bodies and slower metabolisms. Adults typically need 12 to 14 hours per day, barring any health issue or lack of activity, as discussed later on. So, all factors being equal, one Golden Retriever may need more sleep, another less. Golden Retriever puppies and seniors sleep more than adults Activity Level Not surprisingly, activity directly impacts the amount and quality of sleep that your Golden Retriever gets. Typically if they have not had a fulfilling amount of physical activity and mental stimulation during the day, their sleep will be sporadic and in short bursts. So, you may find your Golden Retriever boredom naps — the dog naps a lot because there is nothing better to do. However, the quality of that sleep is not optimum. In other words, while they may nap a lot, they typically are more restless than when they have been adequately exercised. Usually, you will see a less restless dog and one that sleeps longer and more deeply. In addition, they are less likely to seek attention and become mischievous. Because they have burned an adequate amount of energy and have far less in reserve while getting the quality sleep that their minds and bodies need. For example, when I take my Golden Retriever Bailey to doggie daycare, he sleeps from the time he gets home at pm to the following day at am, and it is sound sleep. Yet, even the next day, he may not be in the mood for a vigorous walk until later in the day. In contrast, on days where he gets little activity, such as especially frigid days during our cold Canadian winters, he is more restless during the day, although he naps frequently. As a result, he is more inclined to seek our attention for play on those days, or he amuses himself by being mischievous. Personality As noted previously, there are individual differences between dogs within a breed. Or in other words, they have different personalities. When people select a dog, they often put far too much emphasis on breed characteristics versus individual differences in a litter. So, while the Golden Retriever is considered a very active breed, you can have individual puppies within a litter that are super high energy like ours and others that are a bit less so. Dogs, like humans, need adequate calories each to fuel activity and biological functions. In addition, to function optimally, their bodies need proper levels of macronutrients protein, fats, and carbohydrates and micronutrients vitamins and minerals. Sleep can be impacted when a Golden Retriever is underfed and too skinny or one that is overfed and too fat. Either body state is unhealthy and has the potential to impact activity levels and sleep. An obese dog may have less energy and difficulty exercising, so it may sleep more. Whereas an underfed Golden Retriever may not have enough energy to be active, causing it to be more lethargic and sleep more due to lack of energy. Illnesses, Injuries, Surgery, and Medication Sick or injured dogs will need more sleep. Sickness and injury stress the body, and it requires a lot of energy to support healing and recovery. Sleep supports those processes, so expect a dog to sleep more if injured or sick, much like we do when we have the flu or cold. Dogs might also sleep more if they have a pre-existing health condition for much of the same reasons as sickness and injury. Potentially compounding any pre-existing health issues is if it requires medication. Medications can impact sleep, either increasing it or decreasing it. Surgery, such as when getting spayed or neutered , will also cause a dog to sleep more as it heals. Consider our Golden Retriever Bailey when he was neutered. Initial sleep was from the anesthesia medication and the stress of the surgery. But, even a few days later, he was still sleeping more than usual, partially from the pain medication and the need for his body to recuperate. It could be due to children not allowing the dog to sleep enough during the day, or chronic pain, medication, or injury. Whatever the reason, sleep deprivation can be detrimental to Golden Retrievers in much the same way it is for humans. Lack of sleep in your Golden Retriever can affect hormones, brain function, and the ability to learn and retain memories source. In other words, your dog may become cognitively impaired. Often signs of lack of sleep in dogs will manifest as stress, anxiety, or even agitation or aggressiveness. If you think your Golden Retriever is sleep-deprived, you must talk to your vet to determine the cause and remedy the issue so your dog can sleep better. One that meets both is macro and micronutrients. Talk to your vet for recommendations. Also, make sure your Golden Retriever is fed proper portions. Watch for potential overfeeding issues from snacks or table feeding. Keeping your Golden Retriever at a healthy weight positively impacts its health and its sleep. Similar to children and even adults, dogs also need consistent routines. As discussed earlier, Golden Retrievers are diurnal and need the brunt of their sleep through the night. Try to be consistent with when your dog goes to bed, when you get up, go for a walk, feed your dog, and any rituals before bed. As discussed in my article on puppies and sleep, Golden Retrievers are very good at learning routines. If you can, try to get your dog outside during the day, especially in the morning. Be prepared for some disruptions during changes during daylight savings time. Slowly adjusting their schedules a few weeks in advance helps ease them into the change rather than abruptly shifting everything by an hour on one day. A tired dog sleeps more and better than one that lacks its fulfillment of physical and mental stimulation. If you work and have little time to exercise your dog, consider hiring a dog walker or dropping off the dog at daycare two or three times per week. I wrote an article on raising a Golden Retriever puppy while working, but much of it applies to adult dogs. Make Bedtime Relaxing It is beneficial to teach your Golden Retriever the skill of calming himself or self-soothing before going to its bed. Most dogs will chew to calm themselves, so make sure it has good chew toys to help wind down the mind. During the evening, your dog must relax before bed. Ensure your dog has burnt excess energy from the day during the evening. A walk after supper or some play helps. If your dog is a chewer, giving it something to chew in the evening is a MUST. For example, we use Kongs and snuffle mats you can find the ones I use in my recommendations and resources at the bottom of this post. As a special treat, Bailey sometimes gets a big soup bone. The chew toy or foraging mat helps preoccupy him a few hours before bed. Kongs provide a snack and chew toy for BAR, which helps calm him in the evenings Also, avoid stimulating or getting your Golden Retriever worked up before bed. Instead, give him adequate time to decompress and wind down. Lastly, make sure the room your dog sleeps in is a dark, quiet, and cool room. Dogs, like us, sleep better in these environments. Treat Underlying Conditions Consult your veterinarian for solutions if there are underlying health conditions that negatively impact sleep. Your veterinarians will address any underlying causes and may recommend lifestyle changes, medications, supplements, or medical interventions. Recommendations from your vet may include prescribing pain medication if your Golden Retriever is suffering from decreased sleep quality due to osteoarthritis, chronic pain, or other health issues. Training is valuable in teaching your dog how to settle for the evening and calm down, and it also strengthens the bond with your dog. Of course, it positively impacts the brain, helping with learning and memory. For example, on days that BAR gets a lot of nosework sniffing on walks and has a few training sessions, he is much more apt to be calm in the evenings and sleep better through the night. Lastly, you can train your dog to calm down. Many dogs suffer from hyperactivity and excitement that can be addressed with training. Healthy adult Golden Retrievers sleep a lot, and that is normal. Dogs get the brunt of their sleep during the night with frequent naps during the day. Puppies and senior Golden Retrievers will need more rest due to increased need. Lastly, be thankful for all that sleep. A well-rested Golden Retriever is a much calmer and happier Golden Retriever. Weather Health All these factors can contribute to how much your Golden Retriever puppy sleeps, either increasing or decreasing the amount of sleep. Knowing which factors affect sleep is important because your Golden Retriever puppy must get enough sleep to grow and develop normally. So, understanding how to create the best sleep environment for your puppy ensures that it gets enough sleep and quality sleep. Age Age is typically the single most significant factor in the amount of sleep. As your puppy grows, it will require little less sleep. The amount of sleep should get down to about 14 — 16 hours a day as the Golden Retriever grows in adulthood. The younger the puppy, the more they sleep Puppies play a lot when not sleeping and often at a furious pace. As well, they grow and develop rapidly. That all requires a lot more sleep. As they slow in growth, their amount of sleep trends down slightly as they age. However, even adult Golden Retrievers spend the majority of their day sleeping. Activity Level Next to age for puppies, activity level is often the most significant contributor to sleep volume. Although puppies spend a good portion of the day and night sleeping, they still require activity, such as physical exercise, and mental stimulation e. How much activity they need is discussed below in the tips section. However, consider that more play and exercise means a more tired puppy and more sleep. Weather When temperatures rise in the summertime, it may be uncomfortable for a young puppy to sleep. Dogs typically have a much harder time dealing with hotter temperatures than we do. So, during hot summer nights, your puppy might find it difficult to cool down and sleep, especially if you lack air conditioning. Ceiling fans work well for circulating heat and keeping the room cooler. You can also sleep on the main floor or in the basement, which is often cooler than sleeping upstairs. For example, I have a mattress topper that I carry to the main floor during hot summer nights. Health Sick puppies or puppies with medical conditions might need more sleep. As well, some medications can impact sleep. If your puppy is sick, the extra rest helps it recuperate. If the puppy has a medical condition or one that requires medication, then make sure to discuss potential sleep impacts with your vet. It is essential to be informed and know what to do. Sleep during the day and night can differ, but both are important. Dogs, including puppies, very much live their lives by their internal clocks or circadian rhythms. While a sleep schedule is often most important through the night, ensuring the puppy has adequate sleep when it needs it during the day is also essential. Just like babies and toddlers need naps for healthy development and growth and to not be cranky or overtired , puppies also need to nap for the same reasons. Consider these tips to ensure your Golden Retriever puppy can sleep through the day. Do Not Disturb the Puppy When Napping Puppies are adorable, and often we are tempted to pick them up or play with them. However, it is essential to not disturb a puppy when napping. They are sleeping because their bodies need it. Consider how you feel when abruptly woken from a deep nap or sleep. For example, teach children to wait for a puppy to wake up before playing or cuddling. Try not to wake a puppy while napping — their growing body and minds need that sleep Schedule Nap Times Earlier, we touched on how important consistent sleep is to a puppy and how they sleep naturally based on a circadian rhythm. Typically, puppies will nap after a bout of exercise and play during the day. A natural routine may look like this; they eat, go potty, play, then nap for 30 minutes to two hours. Understanding that they typically sleep after an activity ensures that you can set aside quality time for napping. It also allows you to schedule some of YOUR activities during this time. For example, cooking and cleaning are much more difficult with an underfoot puppy that is eager to play. Teaching your Golden Retriever to settle to a mat or elevated bed helps in this regard. Scheduling activities can also ensure your puppy tires at the appropriate time. For example, understanding that puppies like to play after a meal, make sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise in the evening after supper. This will help expend his energy into the evening, so he sleeps through the night and helps him settle during the time you usually compress in the evening to watch TV. Teach the Puppy to Self-Soothe Like children, puppies can become overstimulated, making it difficult to wind down. While play and exercise are essential, too much can be overwhelming. Disrupting nap times may cause the puppy to be overtired. As noted in the first tip, do not disturb the puppy when napping. This is the first step to teaching a puppy how to self-soothe. In this way, it gets the largest block of quality sleep during the night, which coincides with when we need our best sleep as well. So, how do you ensure that your Golden puppy sleeps through the night? Below are some suggestions to help with that goal. Give It Enough Exercise During the Day While overstimulating a puppy can impact sleep, so can understimulating a puppy. All that pent-up energy from lack of physical and mental activity during the day means you might have a puppy that is energetic well into the evening and gets up frequently during the night. How much activity do puppies need? In addition to playing and mental stimulation, puppies need their month in age x 5 minutes of physical exercise twice per day. So, for example, take a 3-month-old Golden Retriever puppy. It would need 15 minutes of exercise twice per day or 30 minutes total. Lack of physical and mental stimulation can affect both the quantity and quality of sleep. For example, a small puppy that does not get enough physical or mental stimulation will have pent-up energy. As a result, you may find a puppy that not only seeks more attention but will sleep less than a more stimulated and tired puppy. A well-exercised puppy is a tired puppy Keep a Regular Schedule It is crucial to put puppies on a consistent and regular sleep schedule. The goal is to teach the puppy to hold its bladder through the night and get the most extensive single block of its sleep through the night when you are sleeping. An erratic and inconsistent schedule during the night can affect how much your puppy sleeps. For example, if you are constantly up to all hours, and your puppy is often up with you, it may impact your ability to get your puppy on a consistent sleep schedule. Dogs, including puppies, do not live their lives by a clock. So, the last thing you want is a puppy that is up during the night and sleeping all day, because that is what it is accustomed to. And as discussed earlier, puppies need both enough sleep and good quality sleep for healthy brain and body development. Establish a Routine Puppie catches on to routines very quickly. Often they will know when you are getting ready to leave in the morning when you brush your teeth and start getting dressed. Bedtimes can be similar. He then goes out for a potty break, gets a treat, and then immediately runs up and jumps on my bed, and goes to sleep. He knows his routine because it was taught as a puppy. Someplace where you can hear the puppy is beneficial should the puppy need to go potty during the night. Also, make sure the room is dark, cool, and quiet. Night Is Not for Play Your puppy may need a potty break during the night, or it may not be ready to sleep yet. In addition, they often want to play afterward or do not need to go potty but rather want attention. Then, bring the puppy back to its bed or crate and go to sleep. Resist the temptation if it whines or tries to engage you in play. The puppy needs to learn that nighttime is for sleep. The same patient and positive rules apply. Keep putting the puppy in its bed calmly and with lots of praise. Crates work well because they can be closed, which prevents the puppy from escaping and engaging you. Most puppies, once accustomed to crates, will love them! Bailey slept in his crate as a puppy, but now sleeps on my bed Just be prepared to ignore whining, barking, and crying as the puppy tries to get you to give in to your guilt by playing on your heartstrings. Training a puppy, especially during the night, can be challenging. So, if you need training help I reviewed the best online dog training courses to determine the best ones. The link is in the big gold box at the end of this post. Expect your Golden Retriever puppy to sleep upwards of 16 to 20 hours per day. Most of all, enjoy those times of sleep. When the puppy is not sleeping, it can be a whirling tornado of crazy activity. Raising Goldens: Recommendations and Resources. The viral video, which has been viewed more than , times since it was first shared to TikTok on July 24, showed viewers how the cream-shaded pup, named Louie, sleeps. Louie's consistently waggy tail is what gave away his "happiness" and the sweet dreams that he may have been experiencing. While an active tail can indicate numerous different moods and meanings in a dog, a so-called "waggy" tail is often associated with happiness or excitement. Lemon captioned the post: "He's sweet even in his sleep. Louie's 'sweet' way of sleeping has tugged at many heartstrings across social media lately. Since it had been shared to TikTok by LouieTheCream, the post has been liked by over 35, users and commented on more than 1, times. Plenty of users have gushed over the golden retriever's adorable style of sleeping in the post's comments section. One user wrote: "You know that he is dreaming about you, right? A different user commented: "My dog wags its tail while in deep sleep, paws in the air whenever I come near him. Even in absolute, barefoot silence. LouieTheCream, the account created and managed by Lemon, houses and shares adorable photos and videos of Louie and his English golden retriever brother, Leo. Louie's 'sweet' way of sleeping looks to be a hit with followers as multiple clips of him wagging his tail while asleep have been shared to date. The TikTok post can be seen here. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life newsweek. Read more. Since Golden Retriever puppies grow quickly it is necessary for them to get a lot of sleep so that they are able to direct their energy towards growing. With that being said, if your Golden Retriever puppy sleeps for more than 20 hours per day and it is lethargic when it is awake then it may be cause for concern and it would be important to take it to a vet. Other things that can cause a Golden Retriever puppy to sleep a lot Even though it is normal for a Golden Retriever puppy to sleep a lot, it could still be the case that there are other reasons for it sleeping a lot. Additionally, if it is more than 16 weeks old, it should be starting to sleep much less than it used to. If it is still sleeping for more than 14 hours per day then it could be that there is something else contributing to it. If it is also lethargic when awake, it would help to take it to a vet. Below, I will mention a number of possible reasons why your Golden Retriever puppy has been sleeping a lot and what would make them more likely. Hot weather The cause could be due to the weather becoming hotter. This would be more likely if it becomes more tired at midday when it is hot outside and if it can get hot indoors. In this case, it would help to make sure that it has access to lots of shade, water and a cool room. It would also help to avoid taking it out in the sun when it is directly overhead and it would help to exercise it when it is less hot in the morning or evening. Illness It might also be the case that an illness or medical condition has been causing it to sleep a lot. This would be more likely if it has started sleeping more suddenly, if it is fatigued when it is awake and if it has been showing other signs of being ill such as vomiting. If it does seem like illness could be the cause then it would be the best option to take it to a vet. Boredom It might be the case that it has been sleeping more than usual due to being bored. Golden Retrievers can be very active as puppies. If they do not have things to stimulate them in their environment then it can cause them to become bored. Golden Retriever adults require a lot of exercise. Generally, it is recommended for them to get an hour of exercise per day. However, the amount that you should be exercising your Golden Retriever puppy will be a lot less since their joints are not fully developed yet. Instead, you can give it exercise, while it is young, by training it to behave the way that you want it to when it is older. It is important to take the time to train it while it is young since it will be easier to change its habits and you will be able to avoid behavioral issues when it gets older. With that being said, you can still give it exercise and it is recommended to give it 5 minutes of exercise per month of age two times per day source. Diet Another possibility is that an issue with its diet has been causing it to become fatigued. This would be even more likely if it suddenly started sleeping more when you changed its diet. You can look at this website to see what you should and should not be feeding your Golden Retriever puppy. It would also help to talk to your vet about what you have been feeding it. Too much exercise If it has suddenly started sleeping a lot more, it might be the case that your Golden Retriever puppy has been getting a lot of exercise and it has been wearing it out. It is normal for Golden Retriever puppies to be highly active when they are awake and then to fall asleep shortly after being highly active. However, depending on its age, there is a recommended amount that you should be exercising it yourself. According to the Kennel Club , a good rule of thumb is to give your Golden Retriever puppy 5 minutes of exercise two times per day for every month of age. So, if it is 3 months old, it would be recommended to limit its exercise to 15 minutes twice daily. Consider if it suddenly started sleeping a lot more If it has suddenly started sleeping a lot more, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it did then it could be the case that an event-triggered it to start doing it. Possible things that might have happened could include: A change in its diet The weather becoming hotter It got an illness However, if it has started sleeping a lot suddenly, it would be recommended to take it to a vet for expert help. When to be concerned While it is normal for a Golden Retriever puppy to sleep a lot, there are some situations where you should be concerned and take it to a vet. Examples would include: If it started sleeping more suddenly without any apparent cause It is lethargic when awake It has been showing signs of illness What to do about your Golden Retriever puppy sleeping a lot Below are some options you have when dealing with your Golden Retriever puppy sleeping a lot. Take it to a vet If your Golden Retriever has started sleeping a lot suddenly, it has been showing signs of illness or it is concerning you then the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so you will be able to get expert advice and to rule out the possibility of illness or medical causes. Allow it to sleep as much as it needs to It might be tempting for you to try and get it to stay awake more. However, you should allow it to sleep as much as it wants to. When Golden Retriever are puppies, they are growing rapidly and most of the growth occurs when they are asleep. Make its sleeping environment comfortable It would also help to ensure that it is able to sleep easily. This means that you should ensure that its sleeping environment is reasonably cool, dry and not too bright especially at night. Ensure that its diet is right As mentioned above, it might be the case that there is a problem with its diet. It would also help to ask your vet if you have been feeding it correctly. Give it access to cool and shaded areas If the weather is hot outside then it would be important to give it lots of access to cool and shaded areas so that it can stay out of the sun. It would also help to exercise it when the sun is not directly overhead. By: Author Jennifer Seegmiller If you are a new proud owner of a Golden Retriever puppy you may think and wonder how can this little puppy be so full of life and energy one minute, and then completely asleep and dead to the world the next. You may wonder what is a normal amount of sleep for your puppy or full-grown Golden Retriever. Adult Golden Retrievers will sleep on average hours a day. Golden Retriever puppies will sleep hours a day in a hour period. How much your Golden Retriever sleeps depends a lot on their personality. Golden Retrievers are high-energy dogs so they may sleep a little less than other breeds. If you are fit and active your Golden Retriever will likely be also. If you are relaxed and laid back, your dog may be similar to you. Continue reading to find out. How much sleep does a Golden Retriever need? Puppies, adults, seniors Golden Retriever Newborn Sleep Patterns This stage of life is very short and full of lots of shut-eye! Newborns generally nurse every 2 hours but even while doing so they will have their eyes shut and look as though they are eating in their sleep. As they grow they will slowly start to spend more time awake. Around 3 weeks old they will have around hours of active time a day broken up into small spurts of energy and exploring their world. They need plenty of sleep to fuel and recharge their growing bodies. From months old, Golden Retriever puppies will generally sleep around hours in a hour period. This includes sleeping at night and daytime naps. Your puppy will sleep in longer stretches at night, but will still need to get up to relieve its small bladder and stretch. He may even have a burst of energy and seem like he wants to play. With some patience and guidance, your puppy can learn to sleep through the night by 4 months old, maybe even sooner. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend high-quality products that are used and recommended by real owners. If you use these links to buy something we earn a small commission. Older puppies from around months old will sleep about hours throughout a 24 hour period. At this point, they should be more active and inquisitive during the day and will be better about sleeping through the night in hour stretches. They will also take multiple naps during the day, as well as times of rest when they appear to be just lying around, but somewhat alert as well as high energy awake time when they will want to play and train. When will my Golden Retriever puppy sleep through the night? Golden Retriever puppies will generally sleep through the night by about 4 months old, but it can range from 8 or 9 weeks old all the way through 6 months old. Some puppies may also go through a sleep regression when going through a growth spurt or teething. Towards the end of this article, we will discuss those in the heading sleep problems and solutions. Fun fact: Senior dogs, as well as puppies, tend to twitch more in their sleep! This is due to a part of their brain called the Pons which regulates muscles and keeps them still while they sleep. Golden Retriever Adult Sleep Patterns Your adult Golden Retriever will normally sleep around hours in a 24 hour period, but more as he ages. In this study, researchers found that older and middle-aged dogs slept more during the day than young adult dogs. This was because they took more naps, not because their naps were longer. They tend to run out of energy and need to rest more often than the younger group. Older and middle-aged dogs also slept more at night than younger dogs because they had long stretches of sleep at night waking up later and woke up fewer times during the night. Golden Retrievers are bred to hunt and herd. It is ingrained in them to want to do a job! They tend to be pretty high-energy and love to be kept busy with games and exercise. Because they may have a bit more energy than other breeds, they may sleep a little less than other breeds as well. Some owners I talked to said that if their Golden Retrievers are left home alone all day they tend to just sleep since there is no one there to engage them with play or give them a reason to exercise. So as you can see their sleep schedule greatly depend on the kinds of habits you develop for your dog. At this time you will probably start to see your dog slowly increasing the amount of time it is resting and sleeping. Senior Golden retrievers will sleep hours a day on average as they get to be years old and older they could be sleeping up to 18 hours a day. For older Golden Retrievers, these could be signs of more serious issues such as dementia, arthritis, hypothyroidism, or other conditions associated with older age. Your Golden Retriever may be waking up more at night because its bladder is getting older and they need to use the potty more often. You can try and help with this by taking them out right before bed and limiting their water intake just before bed as well. Can Golden Retrievers sleep outside? Golden Retrievers can sleep outside if they are provided with adequate shelter and brought inside in extreme weather. However, it is not recommended that Golden Retrievers sleep outside. Golden Retrievers thrive on relationships and being close to their owners; sleeping outdoors can be lonely for this social breed. Even though sleeping outside may not be the ideal solution for your Golden Retriever, your dog most likely loves being outdoors! Many Golden Retrievers may have a desire to live outdoors all day long, and some may even ask to be outside at night. If your dog is comfortable with this and you live in a temperate climate, there is really nothing wrong with your dog living and playing outdoors, as long as your dog has adequate shelter and socialization it needs to thrive. After speaking to many Golden Retriever owners I found that the majority of them have their dog sleep inside. Most owners state their hot or humid climate as being the reason their dogs sleep indoors with them as well as their dogs need to be by their side following them around day and night. Some owners who have a dog door allow their Golden Retriever to choose whether to sleep indoors or outdoors. Why does my Golden Retriever sleep so much? Many factors could contribute to your Golden Retriever sleeping a lot. Puppies and senior dogs sleep more than adult Golden Retrievers. Stress, anxiety, boredom, diet, or disease can all be factors for why your dog is sleeping more than usual. In most cases, it is normal for dogs to sleep 12 or more hours a day. Lethargy or a lack of energy and enthusiasm can be a sign that your dog is being affected by something more than just laziness or a bit tired. If this describes your dog then definitely consult with your vet. Many diseases and age-related problems can come with a change in sleeping patterns. Some dogs will sleep more in the wintertime because the days are shorter and colder. You can read this article I wrote to learn more about that. Do Dogs Hibernate? Winter Weather Questions Answered If you think your dog is sleeping a lot because of boredom you can always make an effort to have more playtime and exercise sessions with your dog. You could hire a dog walker we have a neighborhood teen that loves to walk dogs for a very reasonable rate! Or join a fun program you can work on together like this popular brain training for dogs course! Sleep problems and solutions for puppies and adults If you are struggling with getting your Golden Retriever to settle down and sleep at night you are not alone. Things that may be making this challenging can range from crying or whining at night, waking up in the middle of the night, struggling to settle down, or waking up too early in the morning. Some dogs will start to sleep well through the night then a few weeks or months later start to wake up again. This is called a sleep regression and can be normal. Similar to human babies when puppies are teething or going through growth spurts it could cause them to wake up at night or have difficulties sleeping. This routine can include using the restroom, bringing the noise level down, dimming the light, creating a relaxing and calm atmosphere. Give them plenty of exercise: Since Golden Retrievers are bred to herd and work on a farm or ranch. Golden Retrievers need plenty of stimulation and exercise each day. Two hours a day for a high-energy Golden Retriever should be the minimum. The best time for a good exercise session is about 2 hours before bedtime. Try to include high cardio exercise as well and engaging brain activities so that your Golden Retriever will be both physically tired as well as mentally tired. If your dog sleeps in his own bed, or in a crate, having something that smells like you and a small stuffed animal to snuggle with can help him feel more safe and secure. This is especially true for puppies. One Golden Retriever owner said that the only way to get their dog to settle down and sleep is to put him in his crate in a quiet place with a blanket draped over the crate. Try changing meal times or limiting food and water: Take up their water after a certain time of the evening. If your Golden Retriever seems to need a bathroom break in the middle of the night all the time you can try changing his meal time to be a few hours earlier so he will get the poop out before bed or a few hours later so he can hold it until tomorrow. Either way, you may want to slowly adjust the time of his meals to see if that will help with the late-night bathroom breaks. If early morning waking is a problem, try figuring out what it is that may be waking them up: Is the sun coming up? Try adding some darkening curtains. Are there noises such as birds or early morning traffic? Try adding some white noise by using a noise machine like this one from Amazon affiliate link. All it takes is some investigative work to try and figure out what may be causing the problem. If nothing seems to be working, your dog has changed his sleep patterns suddenly, he seems very lethargic and low on energy all the time, or he has other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, blood in his stool, or other concerns then you should take him to the vet immediately to get checked out. Pro Tip: If you are not able to get a hold of a vet near you, or you want to avoid an unnecessary ER trip, there are online resources that you can turn to. Here is our best recommendation:.

This will ensure that the puppy comes from healthy parents and has been raised properly. How would you know which is the right breeder? There are many lists of good and trusted breeders online that you can check. Alternatively, you can look at dog breeder reviews in your area. After that, once you get in contact with a breeder, you should make sure that they are upfront and honest with you. And of course — always ask for a health certificate! What about adopting a bulldog from a shelter? Still, well-run shelters and rescues often provide health certificates and adequate health info. They also take good care of their animals. It should go without saying that young pups are full of energy but a lot of new bulldog owners get surprised by that. What does that mean? In fact, bulldog puppies are a lot of fun! However, you should be mindful of that before getting your bulldog puppy. The dogs from this breed are very loyal and defensive of their family Most dog breeds are known as loyal and loving toward their families but this goes doubly for bulldogs. This makes them an incredibly dependable breed — unless you mistreat it, your bulldog will always be by your side and will always be willing to help you out. Bulldogs often need to be taught not to bark. Because they feel the need to protect you, bulldogs often have the urge to bark not just at strangers but even just at outside noises. This can be annoying not just for you but for your neighbors too. Bulldogs can be a little jumpy. This is as much out of fear as it is due to their instinct to react to anything that might threaten their family. But while it is incredibly cute, it also leads to certain problems. Breeds with such flat noses are called brachycephalic dogs. With pretty much all of them, this unique facial structure is due to the way they were bred over the years. And with all of them, it has two negative side-effects: The potential respiratory health problems we mentioned above. Lots of snoring! Sure, the latter sounds much less problematic than the former. And it is! But the extra loud snoring and snorting are still important to keep in mind Why? This breed is extremely social and requires near-constant human presence A common misconception is that all dog breeds are social. Sure, all dogs are more social than cats but there are still dog breeds that are much more individualistic than others. Bulldogs always want to be near you, they always love sleeping on you, they love getting pets and belly rubs, and they adore any type of attention and pleasant physical interaction. Is there a downside to this, however? Unfortunately, yes. This hyper-social mentality of bulldogs makes them ill-suited for people who spend lots of time out of the house. Instead, bulldogs are best-suited for people who work from home. Get your bulldog a second canine buddy. A bored dog is a dog that takes out its frustration on your couch. Fortunately, bulldogs are not one of those breeds. Instead, all they need is a bit of running, a bit of ball play, and the rest can be hugs and petting on the couch. If you make the mistake of overplaying or overworking your bulldog there may be some unfortunate health consequences such as overheating, hyperventilating, or a stroke. In short bulldogs are lazy dogs for lazy people. Or, at least adult bulldogs are that way — as we said, bulldog puppies can be quite energetic before they grow up. Be mindful of overheating your bulldog Going on from the previous point, bulldogs are really easy to accidentally overheat. And not just with excessive physical exercise either. Instead, a bulldog can get overheated due to many different reasons: Stress. By Sarah Ashley Published Jan 22, Bulldogs are sweet, loyal companion dogs that make it impossible not to fall in love with them. Just ask Chrissy Teigen. Full disclosure, we talk about English Bulldogs here. French bulldogs are a different story. Frenchies are pointy-eared, tiny versions of their English relatives, originally bred in the s by mating said relatives with the now-extinct toy bulldogs. American bulldogs and boxers fall into this bull breed category, too, but are also very different animals. Breed History English bulldogs are non-sporting canines. They were originally bred for bull-baiting, a horrible practice in medieval Europe that involved forcing the dogs to taunt and bite bulls. No, thank you! Today, bulldogs have been bred to be kinder, gentler and generally more playful pups—yet physically they still resemble their rough ancestors and, occasionally, some of their ancient nasty behavior seeps out. Temperament A few of those nasty behaviors include stubbornness and aggression. Bulldogs can be super territorial of their food, so weaning them off this tendency early is key see Training below. For the most part, bulldogs are known for their loyalty, friendliness and chill factor. Tug-of-war is to bulldogs what tennis is to Serena. Size Adult bulldogs reach 14 to 15 inches tall and can weigh up to 40 to 50 pounds. Females are generally smaller than males by about 10 pounds. Build Due to their specialized breeding history, bulldogs are muscular and dense. They are also a dysplastic breed, which means their hip sockets are shallower than those of most dogs. Some have straight tails while others have little curlicues. Notable Features English bulldogs have short, glossy coats that come in a variety of colors. Life Expectancy English Bulldogs typically live only eight to ten years. Training Because bulldogs can be stubborn, training early is critical. Companion Level Bulldogs are wonderful companions and great with kids. Their sturdy build and calm demeanor make them troopers when it comes to strong kid grips and rough petting. Plus, they are loyal lovers and enjoy company. However, make sure they are trained not to bite people early on. If a child startles them, they could snip. When it comes to other pets, bulldogs are more often than not on board and ready to mingle. They tend to be more aggressive when it comes to same-gender doggie playmates, so two males in one household could cause issues. Feeding As with most dogs, bulldogs run the risk of becoming overweight, so feeding them enough to maintain their thick build without overdoing it is key. So…look out for that. The reason bulldogs are so expensive is the mating and birth processes are highly complicated aka all bulldog babies are the products of artificial insemination and C-sections. Of course, you can always adopt a bulldog from a shelter! Grooming Bulldogs are big shedders. Brushing them at least once a week preferably three times is encouraged. And beware: The skin on their faces piles up into folds, which can cause skin ailments when dirt or moisture gets caught in the wrinkles. Be sure to watch for itchy, red skin and clean between these folds often. Activity Level Bulldogs can pack on the pounds easily join the club so regular exercise is necessary. A brisk walk or rambunctious tug-of-war is great. Just watch out for heat, water and stairs. And while they can swim, deep water easily gets into their noses increasing the likelihood of drowning. Finally, going down stairs is tricky for their shoulder-heavy bodies. Health Issues Bulldogs definitely have their fair share of potential health issues. The biggest health issues bulldogs face are respiratory- and mobility-related. Due to a pesky disorder called brachycephalic syndrome, caused by their short snouts, breathing can be difficult and may require surgery if your bulldog also suffers from narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate or a narrow windpipe. Bulldogs also experience more hip dysplasia than any other breed. Roughly 72 percent of bulldogs experience joint or bone problems due to bad hips in their lifetime. Some bulldogs develop eye ailments like extra eyelashes, flipped lids or irritated corneas. Weird Facts Bulldogs have notoriously bad gas. UKC Classification: Companion Dog Prevalence: Common The English bulldog is a brawny little powerhouse whose characteristic crablike waddle exudes great strength, stability and vigor. The dog's head is large and spherical, and the muzzle is extremely short, giving the face a flattened appearance. The English bulldog's eyes are dark and set low and wide on the forehead in the frontal plane. The nose is black and slightly upturned. The jaws or "chops" are massive, broad and undershot. The lower jaw juts out in front of the upper jaw to scarcely expose the lower incisors, producing a comical grin. The lips are fleshy and pendulous. The cheeks are well rounded and protrude sideways. The ears are thin, small and angle forward like flaps that frame the forehead. The English bulldog's neck is short and thick; the shoulders are massive, muscular and broad. The chest is deep and full, and the back is barreled and slightly arched. His rounded hips protrude slightly above the level of the back. The stubby tail is thick and either straight or screwed. His short, stocky legs have great muscle definition. They are splayed out and slightly bowed at the elbows and hocks to form a sturdy, base-wide stance. The English bulldog stands about 16 inches tall. The female weighs about 50 pounds 23 kilograms , and the male weighs about 54 pounds 24 kilograms. The English bulldog's skin is loose and pendant with heavy wrinkles and thick folds on the face and a dewlap hanging from the throat. The coat is short and fine textured. The various color patterns are brindle, piebald, and solid white, red, fawn or fallow. Personality: The English bulldog has a sweet, gentle disposition. Dependable and predictable, the bulldog is a wonderful family pet and loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively solicit human attention. However, they have retained the courage that was originally bred into them for bull baiting, so they make fine watchdogs. Although they generally get along well with other family pets, English bulldogs can be aggressive to unfamiliar dogs. Living With: English bulldogs make fine apartment pets and do not require a yard. Typically low-endurance dogs, they need only a moderate amount of exercise. They thrive best in temperate climates; they readily overheat and have breathing difficulties in hot weather, and they chill easily in cold temperatures. Generally loud breathers, English bulldogs tend to snore and wheeze. Many drool as well. They are moderate shedders and their short coats require little grooming. However, the wrinkles on the face should be wiped regularly to prevent skin infections. History: Named for its use in the sport of bull baiting, the English bulldog seems to have originated in the British Isles sometime prior to the 13th century. One of the few references to the sport dates back to , and talks about a butcher's dogs that chased a bull through the English town of Stamford. This pursuit so pleased the earl of the town that he inaugurated bull baiting as a sport in his domain. Today, the English bulldog makes a fine family pet. The AKC recognizes the breed simply as the bulldog. Related Pet Care Articles. English Bulldogs are up there with Dalmatians and Golden Retrievers for being one of the most easily recognizable dogs around. They have a distinctive look to them, with their most prominent characteristic being their short snouts and chubby faces. English Bulldogs are short - only about a foot tall - and extremely stout. They're tough little guys and were originally bred to fight bulls. These days, they've lost all of their fight and have turned into super lovable dogs. They're very friendly, don't require much exercise, and have a lot to offer for new families. However, they do have a tendency to develop health issues later in life and require some extra attention in certain areas. In this medieval sport, Bulldogs would attack and taunt tethered bulls, eventually pinning the bull down to be executed. Bullbaiting was outlawed in , however, which seemed like the end for the little fighting machines. They were notoriously aggressive, and only bred for a singular purpose - so why keep them as pets? Well, over time, passionate breeders were able to turn these little fighters into the chubby cuddlers we know them as today. They're now one of the more revered breeds of dogs, and often can be found on display at dog shows around the world. Their heads are large and round, with a flat muzzle. They have large, broadly set jaws, and have droopy jowls and skin all around their face. They have a short and thick body, with broad shoulders and stocky legs. They come in a variety of color patterns, though the most well known is white and brown. Despite their fierce appearance and history, they are some of the gentlest dogs around. The English Bulldog personality portrays to be very sociable, especially with people, so you don't have to worry about introducing them to new animals and friends. That said, they are still loyal and brave, making them great watchdogs. They don't scare easy and will do more than just bark if they sense an intruder. The most obvious is its coat color. Blue English Bulldogs have a grey and white coat mix, as opposed to a brown and white coat. The second difference, and the characteristic most people seeking out Blue English Bulldogs are interested in them, is their blue eyes. Blue eyes are rare on just about any dog, but especially when it comes to English Bulldogs, who traditionally have dark brown and black eyes. While this may not seem like a big deal to most, this one change can be very difficult to breed for. And as a result, these dogs are much, much more expensive than traditional English Bulldogs. British bulldog British Bulldogs are the standard English Bulldogs that you think of or see the majority of the time. They have a brown and white coat with dark brown eyes and are the least expensive of the English Bulldog variations. Mini bulldog The Mini Bulldog - sometimes called the Toy Bulldog - is a variation of English Bulldogs that is the same in just about every way, except that they are much smaller. They also tend to have less wrinkly and chubby physiques, which may appeal to certain owners. Unlike other toy breeds, though, the Mini Bulldog is not as small as you might expect. It's somewhere in between the standard English Bulldog and a Chihuahua. So think of them as a slightly smaller Bulldog rather than a tiny one. Mini Bulldogs have been bred since the s, though they didn't really find their footing until the s and s. While the breed became popular, the reduction in health issues has mostly been negligible. They can eat any dog food and be ok, though high-quality dog food is generally recommended. Just make sure that whatever dog food you are feeding them is relevant to their needs puppy, adult, senior, indoor, outdoor, etc. The one thing to keep in mind about English Bulldogs when it comes to their diet is that they can be particularly prone to becoming overweight. This is because they don't exercise as much as other dogs. So, make sure that you aren't ever overfeeding your English Bulldog. Treats are ok to give them during training, although it's easy to overfeed them on treats if you aren't careful. Grooming English Bulldogs are prone to shedding more than most dogs, so you'll need to make an active effort to keep their coats in check. This can be done by giving them a thorough brushing two to three times each week. When shedding is heavier, you may find that a rubber curry brush works best. The wrinkles around your bulldogs face will need to be cleaned periodically, as food, dirt, and moisture can all become trapped there. A cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide is helpful for cleaning their wrinkles. For drying their wrinkles after cleaning, applying cornstarch to moist areas works best. Just be sure that cornstarch is not applied near their eyes. Their nails should be trimmed every two weeks or so as well. Exercise English Bulldogs are not very athletic dogs, so laidback owners will have a nice time relaxing with their Bulldog. That said, like any dog, moderate exercise from time to time is still recommended. Casual walks or an hour or so in the backyard is usually enough exercise for these little guys. It's important to keep in mind, though, that English Bulldogs do not do well in heat. So during the summer, it's best that they stay inside, near an air conditioner if it's particularly hot. English Bulldogs will have a hard time going up and down stairs, so if you have stairs in your home, it might be good to build some kind of ramp or carry them up the stairs yourself. They should also be kept away from pools and bodies of water unless supervised closely since they are not strong swimmers. Training Like most dogs, English Bulldogs are eager to please their owners, so they are reasonably trainable so long as they are started at an early enough age, and checking out our Puppy Growth Chart may help you determine the best age for puppy training. They should also be socialized while they are young as well, or they may have a hard time interacting with new people and pets. Bulldogs love to chew, so they'll need lots of chew toys all throughout their life. However, it is also important to train them to release what they are chewing on command, as they may end up chewing something important to you or harmful for them. English Bulldogs can be very protective of their food, which can cause them to be aggressive as they get older. In order to curb this behavior, train them to get used to people and other animals taking food from their bowl at a young age. Health The primary health concern that most English Bulldog owners will face on a regular basis is overheating. English Bulldogs, due to their size and the way they breathe, are not good at keeping themselves cool. This means that it's your responsibility to keep an eye on them on hot days and keep them indoors during the summertime. If you live in an area of the US that is particularly hot year-round - like the southwest - it might be advisable to consider adopting another breed. English Bulldogs typically weigh around 40 to 50 pounds and live to be between eight to twelve years of age. They should stay indoors most of the time, and only go out for occasional exercise and playtime. They do not do well as outdoor pets because of their sensitivity to heat. While any well air-conditioned home will be suitable for an English Bulldog, they are very prone to overheating. So if you live in a particularly hot or desert-like climate, your Bulldog will end up spending the majority of its time indoors. They do extremely well with families, and in fact, love all of the extra attention and social interaction that comes along with kids. They can be territorial when it comes to other animals, though, as they prefer to have the attention on themselves. Health Issues In English Bulldogs Dry eyes English Bulldogs are notorious for their health issues, with some of the most common being related to their eyes. They often have inadequate tear production to keep their eyes as moist as they should be. This can lead to them developing a blue haze on their eyes, which can damage their vision and cause significant pain. Fortunately, there is a medication that your vet can prescribe to combat this issue. Another issue that Bulldogs are prone to get in their eyes is cherry eye. This is when one of the glands in their eyes starts to protrude, resembling a cherry in the corner of their eye. This will sometimes need to be surgically removed by a vet. Sneezing Sneezing may not sound like a serious health issue - in fact, most of the time it's a normal part of how your dog's body functions. In the case of English Bulldogs, though, they can have challenges related to sneezing and their health. Reverse sneezing, also known as inverted sneezing, is when nasal fluids drip into your Bulldog's soft palate, causing it close. This can be scary for them and cause them to cough and choke. It's generally not serious, however, so the best thing you can do is comfort your dog during a reverse sneezing fit. Brachycephalic Syndrome Brachycephalic syndrome is pretty common among dog breeds with short snouts like the English Bulldog. While the name is a little medical for most of us, the condition itself is pretty straightforward. There can be a few different causes, but the general issue with this syndrome is that your pet's airway is obstructed. This can be due to issues with their nostrils or palate. In mild cases, this just means your English Bulldog will have labored breathing and is likely to snort. In severe cases, though, your dog may have trouble breathing at all. This can require surgery and regular oxygen treatment to resolve. Head shakes Head shaking in English Bulldogs is exactly as the name sounds. Your dog will start to shake their head up and down or side to side over and over again for no apparent reason. While your dog may appear conscious of the movement, it is usually involuntary. This is usually caused by stress as well as low blood sugar. Most breeders recommend giving your dog a spoonful of honey if you notice their head shakes seem uncontrollable. If this doesn't work and you aren't able to come up with a reasonable explanation for your dog's head shakes, there could be a more serious health issue just below the surface. In these cases, take your dog to the vet to figure out what is causing their head shakes. Hip Dysplasia You've likely heard of hip dysplasia in dogs before, as it is relatively common in dogs of all breeds. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition, so Bulldogs whose parents have hip dysplasia are likely to have hip dysplasia as well. This condition is when your dog's thigh bone doesn't fit snugly into their hip joint, causing it to move improperly. Most English Bulldogs will appear to have hip dysplasia just based on their natural build, which can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. If your bulldog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia , be sure to get a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis. While hip dysplasia is usually an inherited condition, it can also be caused by rapid growth, a sudden change in weight, or long term obesity in your pet. Reasons To Adopt An English Bulldog English Bulldogs are great pets to adopt if you have an easy-going family looking for an extra member. Aside from their health issues, they're pretty low-maintenance and don't require much exercise. English Bulldogs are also quiet for the most part, so you won't have to deal with loud barking in the middle of the night. They're also very loyal as well, making them decent guard dogs for your family. All in all, English Bulldogs are very laidback pets who love to socialize and chill with their owners. If that sounds like you, then an English Bulldog will more than likely make a great addition to your home. The biggest drawback to owning an English Bulldog is the health problems all throughout their life. You'll need to be prepared for this, as well as be an extra vigilant owner who isn't afraid to visit your local vet. While English Bulldogs are able to be kept around other pets, they tend to be pretty possessive of their owners' attention, as well as their food. So bringing an older Bulldog into a family that already has pets or introducing new pets into an older Bulldog's life can sometimes go awry. English Bulldogs are also one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world, making them on the more expensive side of pet ownership. This upfront cost - coupled with the long-term costs due to their health issues - means you'll need to be willing and able to invest in them over their lifespan. Tips For New Bulldog Owners First and foremost, like any new dog, socialization is extremely important. If your new English Bulldog is a puppy, make sure they spend plenty of time around people and other animals. It also helps to get your puppy used to other people and animals messing with its food early on, as this can prevent them from being territorial and aggressive down the road. And lastly, make sure that you are on top of your Bulldog's health needs. This includes watching for common signs of health issues, visiting your vet regularly, and keeping them clean and healthy. But he is also referred to as English Bulldog or British Bulldog to distinguish him from other bulldog-type breeds such as the French Bulldog or American Bulldog. Despite his gloomy mug. Bulldog puppies are frisky, but adults are quiet and rather phlegmatic, spending much of the day snoring on the sofa. But they definitely need some exercise to stay fit, preferably walks in cool weather. Some English Bulldogs are friendly with strangers, while others are politely reserved. Though not a barking watchdog, his blocky build and his rolling, shuffling gait give intruders pause. It takes a tremendous amount of serious teasing or threatening to provoke this sweet-natured breed, but once aroused, he can be a force to reckon with. His tenacity and resolve mean that it's difficult to change his mind once he decides to do something. Usually peaceful with other pets, some male Bulldogs may engage in a battle of wills or jaws with other males. Though stubborn, the English Bulldog is surprisingly sensitive, remembers what he learns, and responds well to patient, persistent training. If you want a dog who.Is moderately-sized — built low to the ground but very heavy Has a short easy-care coat that comes in many colors Is easygoing and dependable with most of the world Doesn't need much exercise and spends much of the day snoring on the sofa Seldom barks An English Bulldog may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with.Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Bulldogs have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics. If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up. Despite their sweetness, most English Bulldogs are very stubborn. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. On the plus side, once Bulldogs mature, they seldom get into real trouble. To teach your Bulldog to listen to you, see English Bulldog Training. Possible animal aggression. Most Bulldogs get along very well with other pets in the family. However, some Bulldogs may act aggressively toward other dogs of the same sex. And some Bulldogs do not get along with cats. Be aware that English Bulldogs can be very possessive of their food bowl. Don't feed an English Bulldog in the presence of other animals. Children should also be kept away, just to be safe. Bulldogs shed more than you might think! Their short, coarse hairs stick tenaciously to your clothing and furnishings. Bulldog sounds. Though they don't bark much, English Bulldogs are far from silent. Because of their deformed face, they go through life snorting, snuffling, wheezing, grunting, and snoring loudly. Some people find these sounds nerve-wracking; others find them endearing. I'm sure if it was up to the dog to choose, he would prefer to breathe normally. Most people are not prepared for how much English Bulldogs slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. Gassiness flatulence. All short-faced breeds gulp air when they eat, and that air has to go somewhere, after all. However, commercial diets make flatulence worse by including fibrous or hard-to-digest ingredients. Bulldogs who are fed a homemade diet of real meat and vegetables have much less trouble with gassiness. High cost. They explain that this is to cover their costs of artificial insemination because most Bulldogs are too deformed to be able to mate without assistance and C-sections because the puppies' heads are too over-sized to be born normally. But that's just the beginning of your money outlay, because typically you'll be spending a great deal of money on veterinary care for this breed. Serious health problems. It's been said that if you feel like supporting your vet with great chunks of money, get an English Bulldog. They suffer from hip problems, heart problems, and skin problems. Their respiratory system is compromised, so it's even risky to anesthetize them for dental cleanings. In hot weather they should be kept in an air-conditioned environment and supervised during outside activity so they don't over-exert themselves and become overheated. I don't recommend buying an English Bulldog puppy, as that only encourages people to keep breeding unhealthy puppies. If you really want this breed, please consider adopting an adult Bulldog who desperately needs a home. Provide the best life you can for him, managing his health problems as they occur. You can ward off some health issues by following the advice on my Bulldog Health Page. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. To help you train and care for your dog Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy. For puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. If your dog is over 18 months, you'll want Respect Training For Adult Dogs: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved dog. Again your dog will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Teach Your Dog English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Related posts you might enjoy. Despite his gloomy mug, English bulldog is the friendliest of all breeds. However, it tops the list of most popular breeds in Los Angeles and New York. Calm, friendly and courageous, this pooch is owned by many famous personalities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon, Martha Stewart, and many more! As you can see from the name, they get their name from this sport too. Bull baiting was a sport of harassing tethered animals and bulldogs were forced to take part in this sport. The broad and low stature of this breed made it a brilliant animal to harass bulls. The stout stature and under-bite made it easier for bulldogs to grab onto what they were biting. Fortunately, this blood sport was outlawed in the 19th century. But after England banned the bull-baiting, the breed has drastically changed since they were no longer needed for the original purpose. They were bred to be much friendlier and smaller and became companion animals. Earlier they were known for their aggressive and tenacious behavior, but now they are the most loyal and lovable dogs. They Closely Escaped Extinction Once England banned the bull baiting, bulldogs usefulness suddenly came to an end. Dog lovers decided to breed out the ferocious qualities. Fanciers bred these dogs to have kinder and gentler demeanor. Some bulldogs were sent to Germany and USA to work as herding dogs while some stayed back in England as companions. English bulldogs are also considered brachycephalic dogs that make them ill-suited for water. They can drown if they ever attempt to swim. Their short, stocky and broad body cannot handle it. Keep Them Cool Despite their fear of water, bulldogs need to keep cool all the time. The breed is sensitive to heat and thrives best in temperate climates. They sometimes overheat and have breathing difficulty, but they relax easily in chilled temperatures. Bulldogs Need Help With Reproduction Having such large heads and small birth canals precludes pups from being delivered naturally. Most of the English bulldog puppies are delivered by C-section because natural birth can cause injury or lead to death. Also, bulldogs have difficulty in conceiving as males have a hard time reaching females. So, to keep the bulldogs away from physical stress, breeders often decide on artificial insemination. They are problem solvers and can solve them without taking guidance from their owners. Bulldogs are very affectionate and form a strong bond with kids, which make them a perfect pick for families. However, you need to train them consistently as they can be stubborn and dominating. They are super friendly with family pets but can be wary around strange dogs. And, bulldogs are extremely social dogs. No matter if you are a human or a dog, they will try to befriend you. Along with their loving nature, English bulldogs are also suited for the night shift guarding the house. Their cute eyes and wrinkly face is what makes this breed adorable and stand out from the crowd. However, these wrinkles need to be cleaned and wiped regularly to avoid infections. Talented Skateboarders English bulldogs puppies and grown bulldogs are not considered the most active breed. But, they do have a hidden talent. They are skateboarders! Many bulldogs have gained popularity over the time for their skateboarding abilities. Otto, a three-year-old bulldog, is a skateboarding sensation. Popular Mascots English bulldogs make great mascots. Some refer bulldogs as cute and cuddle whereas some consider them sturdy and powerful, but we love to call them mascot. Nearly 40 universities in the USA have named their sports teams after this breed. Ending note: Bulldogs are dearly loved around the world, but we bet you are equally amazed by these facts. Bulldogs are undoubtedly the most adorable pet you can get for your home. Also, for us bulldog owners we know that they are forever babies. Despite their stubborn nature, they hardly get into any trouble. This cute, cuddly dog loves to relax and chill. If you have a crazy and stressful life and want to chill out, a bulldog will be an excellent pick for you. The calm, laid back and gentle nature of the dog has the same effect on their surroundings. You Might Also Enjoy:. Sight Sensitivity Stability These categories are scored using a number system and the results determine which type of home would be most suitable. Scoring primarily in certain categories will help an owner determine the temperament of their specific puppy and if their lifestyle matches the needs of the animal. Your English bulldog puppy will most likely follow traits typical of its breed, but every dog is different! This test will tell you more about your specific puppy and how you can provide the best environment for them! We have done this test with everyone of our dogs and it has perfectly predicted their personality so I highly recommend doing so. Living with Other Dogs As a general rule, English bulldogs live well with other dogs as they are friendly and sociable. It is important that your English bulldog puppy is socialized at an early age to ensure that they are comfortable around others. Female English bulldogs may be more aggressive with other female dogs. Keep an eye on them as they become familiar and learn to coexist. English bulldogs are generally very possessive over their food. Keep them separated from other dogs during feeding with no access to their food. This is the one instance when the well-tempered bulldog may become aggressive. Life Expectancy English bulldogs have been bred for a very specific look, one that has created for many mutations. These mutations have led to increased risk of health problems, therefore shortening their lifespan compared to other breeds. The average lifespan for an English bulldog is years. There have been bulldogs that have passed earlier as well as ones that have lived into the year range. Their lives may be shorter, but it just means you have to make the most of the time you get to spend with them! Prone to Health Problems English Bulldog puppies may be perfectly healthy with no problems in the beginning, but English bulldogs are prone to a variety of health problems. Brachycephalic Syndrome We all know a bulldog is coming from a mile away because we can hear them! Being bred for their short noses and head, this creates shortened nasal passages, a small trachea, and an elongated soft palate. This causes more difficulty in breathing and may lead to more serious issues as they age. Many young bulldogs will undergo a staphylectomy, or shortening the soft palate to allow for easier breathing. Infections Bulldogs are particularly prone to infection in the folds of their face, skin, eyes, ears, and between the toes. These infections can be controlled through medication and prevented through consistent bathing. Food allergies may be cause of some of these infections and diet should be monitored to prevent inflammation. Hip, Spinal, and Joint Pain Bulldogs may develop joint problems as they age. Their heavy, low, and long body structure puts stress in their bones and joints, making them more susceptible to deformities and skeletal conditions. Bulldogs are deemed more likely to get tumors than other dogs. These could appear within the neuroendocrine and central nervous systems. Heart Problems English bulldogs are at a high risk for cardiac muscle problems and other related heart diseases, especially as they age. Make sure you have your bulldog examined for heart murmurs and other cardiac issues. Some Have Corkscrew Tails Along with the rest of the bulldog, their tails have been selectively bred to form a corkscrew. While this may be very cute, it could cause some health concerns. This may lead to twisted vertebrae in the spine, causing nerve and disc disease as well as spinal pain. In addition to structural problems, you need to make sure you help them clean behind the tail. This area has a high chance of becoming infected as feces or dirt can become trapped. Wipe them down after they use the bathroom to reduce problems in this area. Coat Care One of the things about English Bulldog puppies is they tend to have very dry skin and you might see dandruff build up on their coat. Our favorite method to keep their skin healthy is giving them some coconut oil. Your bully will love it and their coat will be much less dry. Give about 2 teaspoons a day. This could be once a week or every other week based on activity level. Increased bathing will keep bacteria and yeast under control, preventing infection. This is particularly important between their toes, in their facial folds, and near their anus. Keeping these areas clean will promote overall wellness. With their short hair, they do shed, but there is little you need to do other than give them a good shampoo with warm water! Exercise Bulldogs do not require a lot of exercise. A bulldog puppy will be full of energy, requiring more exercise than an older bulldog. When exercising, you should expect walks to be short. English bulldogs are not well-suited for hiking or strenuous activity. They tend to roll at a more leisurely pace. Make sure all exercise is done in cool temperatures as they are at great risk of overheating especially during exercise. While they come with their quirks, English bulldogs are lovable companions for almost any home! Love Water but Not Swimmers Our bulldog puppy loves the water, unfortunately, they are not strong swimmers. I highly recommend getting a life vest if you have a pool in your backyard. If you have any question about English Bulldog Puppies, leave a comment below or checkout our Facebook Group Leave a Reply: Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. July 31,

german shepherd husky puppies for sale ontario - Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Tammy and Greg were great people to work with in finding our puppy. Koda has fit right in with our whole family. We will be forever grateful to all of you for bringing Koda into our lives. Our dogs live in house and are part of our family. His name was Arco von Bittendorph. He was 1 year old when I bought him and came with a cast on his leg. He had a fused tendon. He was injured during Schutzhund training. When the cast came off he gave me 11 wonderful years. He was a protector of my children and the best companion I could ever have. The intelligence was unbelievable to me. After Arco passed away in Nov. I never bred him and regret it. Then in when looking to buy a home in McKee Ky, I met my first long haired Shepherd and fell in love all over again. I was finally ready to have another GSD. The excitement was back. So I purchased a beautiful 11 week old girl named Ely Kabi from Poland in .We call her Tanzy. Then came Lief, next Rizzo and Silvy. Still find it hard to believe that I have four of these wonderful companions that are always eager to please. I chose bloodlines that appealed to me. Temperament, intelligence, beauty is what we wanted. There just like our kids. My goal is to preserve these bloodlines and produce majestic looking dogs for all to love and enjoy. All of our dogs meet the European Standard for health, confirmation, and working ability. On this website we expose the AKC, and American Veterinary System for the pain, suffering and destruction they are causing to this breed. We also expose German Shepherds. This is why that from the over 50, German Shepherd Breeders in the U. You will learn that modern Schutzhund dogs are NOT working dogs, only trained in obedience, to bite a bite sleeve, to track an article across a field, but can hardly function off leash, and certainly could NOT function in the Real working dog World!! You will learn how and why this is happening. In Europe, German Shepherd puppy and dog prices are uniform. However in the U. We break all of that down for you so you specifically what all of this means. This is an incredible and sad statement. Sad that you would know more than ANY breeder, trainer or Veterinarian in America just by reading one website…. .Our puppy facility is located on 12 acres in Tennessee. Unless required to do serious protection, tracking, or Narcotics detection, Authentic German Shepherds dogs do NOT need serious training, only good Parenting from their Owners. This is why you only want to acquire an Authentic German Shepherd Dog. VZH is non-profit, the price of our puppies and dogs is dictated by our overhead. Our dogs thrive on acres of woods and water. We cover everything A-Z here to make you the best dog Parent possible. While he is yet to publish anything in book or journal form, he has amassed hundreds of pages of notes, statistics, spreadsheets, and interviewed hundreds of experts associated with the German Shepherd Dog Worldwide. Edward conducts hours of research each day as time permits, this has been ongoing for over 30 years. German Shepherd Owners give their dogs time they can spare, room they can spare, and love that they can spare. Well socialized. Bred and raised on our farm for healthy parents with great temperament. Email xxxxxxxxx xxxxx. Health guarantee, immunizations up to date, 2 year hip dysplasia guarantee. Top of the line puppy. Stauffemberg German Shepherds. You can find us on google Buy Now Quality puppies This puppies have excellent conformation, powerful movement and correct anatomy. Character, temperament and drives are balanced and suitable for a variety of venus. Parents are Dm clear and the litter is expected to be dm clear by parentage. Pups from our previous litters are succeding in a variety of activities such as IPO, AKC performances, trucking and active family companions. Direct imported champion male. Son of Sunyi Vom Huhnegrab, IPO3 dog out of VA rated dam, has a gorgeous head, lovely expression and very dark eyes topped with excellent conformation and a calm , stable temperament. Her pedigree is outstanding as well. Buy Now West German Show line Outstanding pedigree from imports dogs, well socialized and started potty training. Health guarantee including hip dysplasia. Buy Now Liver and tan I have a 13 week old liver and tan German shepherd pup utd very smart beautiful female in Benton Ky. I own her mother and she is spittin image of her. Call xxx-xxx-xxxx I would put more photos but slow internet on farm Buy Now Full blooded German Shepard 5 months old one female left five months old had first and second shots. German Shepards are very good family perts and watch dogs. Buy Now Full Shepherd Pup! Full German Shepherd puppy!!! Puppy needs a new home asap Very small rehome fee to help cover cost of shots xxxxx. Need to rehome asap. Mother and father are pictured below. Need to find new homes for all 9 puppies. Delivery is negotiable. Asking or best offer. First and second shots are already done. Great with kids and other pets. Love being with people. Text or call xxx xxx xxx3 Buy Now puppies foe sale born march first. Buy Now puppies for sale born march 1st. Both parents are on site. More pictures upon request. Buy Now 8 week old babies Three babies left. They have been wormed and will have first set of shots. Partially house trained and extremely intelligent and loving. They are sweet, playful and love to snuggle when sleepy! Call for more information xxx-xxx-xxxx. He is very playful and very healthy! He is full blooded. Rare colors. Some Liver and tans. And some White masking Liver!!! Liver and tans, there are 2 males and 4 females. White masking Livers, there are 1 male and 3 females. Price listed is Without breeding rights!! Comes off the total price. Kentucky was purchased from a breeder as a very young puppy. He was a small bundle of cuteness. Like all german shepherds, Kentucky grew and became a typical teenage German Shepherd. Strong, happy, playful and full of energy. Lots and lots of energy. His family realized they could not provide him with the home he needed to grow and develop into the wonderful dog he was capable of becoming. He is a very smart guy with a thick, shiny coat and a friendly, curious nature. Kentucky lived with 2 young girls in his former home and gets along well with children. He is eager to learn his doggy socialization skills so he can become truly impressive. Kentucky will thrive in a home willing to provide him with the structure and training he needs to develop. As cute as they are — puppies demand a large investment of time, patience, and training. They are inquisitive, have endless energy and get into just about everything. They dig, chew, and seemingly never stop! Think long and hard about your lifestyle. If you are not willing to invest the time and training to ensure your Kentucky matures into the wonderful dog — then please consider an older dog. Puppy pads Create a Schedule German Shepherd pups would do well with a schedule. Dogs live with a routine, and they are easy to train by having one. For this reason, make a schedule of the things you need to do regularly. Eventually, your pup will learn the routine events and will make itself adept at them. It will help you prepare for your pet, especially in the first few days of living together. As you allow your pet to adjust, do your best to create a stress-free environment for it. Always supervise it as it familiarizes itself with its new home. Still, it would be best to prepare yourself for loud noises when your pet is asleep. Moderate Training German Shepherds are highly trainable. It simply means they respond well, especially to positive reinforcement. Squeaky Toys Out of all toys, your pet will love the squeaky ones. For this reason, prepare for a lot of loud squeaks every time your pet is active. Thus, in picking your pet, you may want to consider getting it from the best. Tells you any health problems A good breeder will tell you any significant health problems in any of the dogs he or she bred. Asks more questions than you A good breeder would ask for more items from you than you would for him or her. Not in a hurry to send off A good breeder is not in a hurry to send the puppies off and get your money. He or she will even show you other breeders and veterinarians caring for their dogs. Requires expectations on both sides A good breeder will create a contract that offers not only what he or she expects from you. More than that, he or she will also show what you can expect from him or her. Sends puppies properly A good breeder will never send a puppy in a compartment and without any responsible person to go with it. Works only with one or two breeds A good breeder works only with a single or a couple of species. Shows breeding experience A good breeder shows her dogs in recognized confirmation shows. He or she will also join his or her breed in other breed-related performance events. Other states. We have answers. They can give you all the details about how to reserve your dream puppy. What makes Uptown different from other places with German Shepherd puppies in Louisville? All our partners are pre-screened to make sure they stand up to our high standards. That means you can rest easy knowing that their facilities and breeding programs are top-notch. Are there any Louisville German Shepherd puppies for sale right now? Do you have the cheapest German Shepherds for sale Louisville? The cost of your new puppy should reflect the time, energy, and dedication it takes to raise them. We love all dogs, and are a pro-shelter organization. How do I know that my German Shepherd for sale in Louisville will be healthy? Then make an appointment with your local vet, for as soon as your puppy arrives, and take their notes with you. Is it enough to walk German Shepherd puppies Louisville, or do they need more exercise? German Shepherds are famed for not just their energy, but also their intelligence. That means they need regular active walks, plus plenty of opportunity to put their minds to work. Training sessions, agility, and games with their families will all help these dogs feel physically and mentally challenged. Will a German Shepherd for sale Louisville make a good family dog? German Shepherds have a gentle protective streak that can make them a great choice for families. As with any breed, correct training and early socialization is vital, as is teaching children how to safely interact with their new pet. What will a Louisville German Shepherd for sale be like to train? Training a German Shepherd is a rewarding experience, thanks to their love of learning! Signing up for puppy training classes will give a great foundation, and allow you to find the best methods for your dog. But German Shepherds also excel at advanced obedience, agility, or anything else you can imagine.


Similar services:

german shepherd husky puppies for sale ontario - Characteristics Life Span As pointed out in the intro paragraph Shepradors generally live between 10 and 12 years, and sometimes they can reach the age of .However, they tend to be cautious with strangers, thanks to their German Shepherd ancestors. Caring Grooming: their shorthaired coat needs regular brushing: every day in the shedding season spring and autumn and three-to-five times a week in the rest of the year. Activity level With two highly energetic parent breeds, these dogs need an active life, so be ready to spend several hours a day keeping your pet busy. A Labrador Shepherd is generally 20 to 26 inches tall cm. Besides being active, you should have a large house, with a yard to provide her with enough space to move around. The Labrador Shepherd likes cold climates rather than hot weather, so be sure to have the ability to keep her comfortable all year. Further Reading Top 10 Dog Sports 2. They have it in their blood, and can successfully do police work, including searching, tracking, rescue, or guard work. If you care about your flowers and plants, you should also consider building an enclosure to keep your dog away from them. When you bring her inside, provide her with toys and games to keep her busy. She will enjoy any activity that stimulates her mind, such as dog puzzles or training sessions. The vacuum cleaner will be your new best friend German Shepherd Lab Mix is a double-coated breed, which means they have an undercoat next to the skin with longer hair over the top. Dogs from this crossbreed shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. If you want to keep her hair shiny and healthy, you should take time to brush her for at least minutes, three-to-five times a week. A consistent brushing schedule will help you reduce the amount of hair around the house. Besides brushing, you should include in your schedule: cleaning her ears once a week , brushing her teeth at least three times a week , and cleaning her eyes when needed. While this sounds like a lot, on the other hand, she only needs to take a bath about once a month. Exercising her on a concrete surface could help you keep her nails in good shape and reduce the number of visits to the vet. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents. Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Most hybrids tend to have a balanced personality, but as your puppy could be the result of more crosses , she may not inherit the exact characteristics you want in a dog; your future dog is prone to a series of health issues, caused by her bloodline. Obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and diabetes are a lot more common with these dogs, but she could also develop epilepsy, skin allergies, bloat or cardiovascular diseases, these being common among Labradors and German Shepherds. From my point of view, most estimations work well for average dogs. You should buy your dog from a responsible breeder In most cases, a Labrador Shepherd has high potential and is a great candidate for the title of the perfect family dog. However, as mentioned before, hybrid dogs could have unpredictable coat colors, personalities, and health issues, so buying your puppy from a reliable source is as close as you can get to a clear image about your future dog. Generally, this hybrid can be 26 inches 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 88 pounds 40 kg. Taking into account the height and weight of its German Shepherd and Labrador mix parents, this crossbreed is a medium to a large-sized dog. So measurements can still vary more or less from that range. Good news for you! It will shower you with love and loyalty, and make you proud with its intelligence and playfulness. Do you think you can deal with this? Shepradors has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, but some of them can reach this age. We all want our pets to live longer and spend more years with us, so read this section to avoid and better prepare against genetic illnesses. Conclusion As you could see above, when buying a Sheprador you get the best of two great breeds. I think that this mix of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever makes for the perfect family dog — kind, loyal, patient with children, and protective. However, they have endless energy and require a lot of time and attention, which makes them suitable for active families only. So are you ready to handle such a dog? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your personal experience with this unique crossbreed. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. But I adopted my little Hank recently and he seems both very playful and very cuddly. He likes to snuggle a lot but is very active too. Just wondering if I should expect him to go crazy one of these days? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is, therefore, no surprise that some breeders are starting to mix the two. Considering whether a German Shepherd Lab Mix is right for you? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing mixed-breed dog. Lab German Shepherd Mix Overview Size — 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds Coat — Medium length, double coat, color varies Shedding — Yes Temperament — Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers Trainable — Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored Activity — Highly active needs two hours of activity per day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them What is a German Shepherd Lab Mix? As these dogs are roughly the same size, the mother can be of either breed as long as she is larger than the father, to ensure against any difficulty in the birthing process. Sheprador Appearance As is the case for most mix-breed dogs, it is a bit of a gamble what you will get when these two come together. They might have the pointed ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There is nothing to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, so however they turn out they should be handsome. That said, we can make a few generalizations about the appearance of Shepradors. Size As both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect their mixed offspring to be the same. German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall. Labradors are only a little bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents. Color The color of these gorgeous mixed-breed dogs is also highly variable, and you might end up with a pooch of a solid coat color, like Labs, or striking mixed coloring, like German Shepherds. A lot of this depends on the color of the Labrador parent, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate. As a general rule, the darker the lab parent, the darker the coat of the pup. But you also get white German Shepherd Dogs, which can result in striking white Shepradors. Coat When it comes to coat length, you should expect in most cases that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of German Shepherd Lab Mixes end up with this type of coat. The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a feature of both breeds. The undercoat will be soft and fluffy, and the guard coat rough. This does mean that they shed—a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if anyone in the household suffers from allergies. Shepherd Lab Mix Puppy Lab German Shepherd Mix Character While temperament is again unpredictable with mix-breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs, so you can expect their offspring to share these traits. German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They have a tendency to guard whatever they consider to be theirs. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs, to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to be pleasers, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans. As both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect these characteristics to appear in a Sheprador. However, whether they will be a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers, or a pleaser that is great with children, you will have to wait and see. While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, if you want to take a Lab German Shepherd mix into a family home, or if you are a first-time dog owner, you will want to be careful about which individual dog you choose. Activity Levels However their personality turns out, you are going to have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working need around two hours of exercise each day. Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when they do get bored, they can have a tendency toward destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. They do best with active owners with whom they can go walking, hiking, and running. Whether these dogs will like swimming is a coin toss. While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more wary. But their size and adventurous nature mean they can be trained to love the water. So you have a good chance that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will be a swimmer. These dogs are loyal and love being around their humans. You will find them at their happiest and healthiest when you make them part of the family and shower them with love. Exercise Ideally, your Sheprador will need around two hours of exercise per day. This might be more than just a long walk, as their high energy levels mean they will like to run as well. They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you at their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means this breed is likely to enjoy a good game of fetch. Bear in mind that these dogs will need this level of exercise rain or shine, or they will become frustrated and start engaging in destructive behavior. This is not only bad for them in general, but can put excess pressure on their hips, which are also prone to issues. Intellectual Stimulation German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train but also means they get bored very easily. When they do get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble, and you may come home to quite the scene. These dogs need to spend time with people to occupy their minds, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating games. But expect them to make short work of these challenges, as they are chewers. You will be getting them new games quite often. Companionship Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait their offspring with German Shepherds are likely to share. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can become depressed. Grooming Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shedders, so you can be sure their Sheprador offspring will be as well. This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They will need to be brushed at least twice a week, and as often as once a day during the shedding seasons fall and spring. As well as brushing, invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner that has special functionality to help you pick up dog hair. These dogs are also likely to enjoy jumping up on the couch for a snuggle and a snooze. Invest in coverings and be sure your swanky vacuum cleaner has an attachment for upholstery. Their coat is not the only part of their grooming to attend to. You need to clean their teeth three times a week, with a brush or with dental treats. Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is both for their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a big dog like this, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet to get their nails clipped. But if you feel confident to do this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers. Diet German Shepherd Lab Mixes are big dogs that have lots of energy, but they also have a tendency toward obesity, which means they have to get their energy from good sources. This means high-quality protein and fats over carbohydrates. Preferably this means meals made from quality meats rather than meals or byproducts. When looking at the ingredient list, look for named meats at the first ingredient. Lab German Shepherd Mixes also benefit from novel proteins in their diet, as they can be prone to allergies. Dogs tend to develop allergies to the meats they eat the most, which often means beef and chicken. When they are puppies, Shepradors should be fed three times a day, and this should be cut down to two times a day from about four months of age. As a rule, dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound of their weight per day, though you should watch their individual weight and energy level to see if you need to adjust their meals up or down. You can also check the label on your dog food to get a rough estimate of how much you should be feeding your Sheprador. Of course the amount will also vary depending on how often you exercise your dog. Known Health Problems While there is no limit to the number of health problems that a dog of any breed can develop, or they might not develop any at all, some dog breeds are more prone to some conditions than others. German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs have the potential to develop the health problems that are common in goth German Shepherds and Labradors. These include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — This is a condition where the hip and elbow joints do not develop normally and that can cause extreme pain and arthritis in later life. For more information check out our list of Glucosamine for Dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and can lead to blindness. Shepradors are also prone to eat whatever is put in front of them, so you need to be conscious of what you are feeding them. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — Poor diet can lead the stomach to dilate and expand, in turn leading to a twisting of the stomach that is life-threatening. It can block the flow of blood to the abdomen, leading to rupture of the stomach walls, and put pressure on the diaphragm thereby inhibiting the lungs. Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy — This is a condition that affects the spinal cord and leads to progressive weakness of the hind limbs, and eventually paralysis. Panosteitis — This is an inflammation of the outer surface of the long bones in the legs, resulting in a shifting lameness and making bones more susceptible to breaks. Allergies — Dogs can be born with allergies or develop them over time. Dogs often develop allergies if they eat the same foods consistently. Underactive Thyroid — The thyroid manages hormones, and an underactive thyroid is unable to secrete the required hormones. This can result in weight gain, lethargy, and cold intolerance. At this time, their energy levels will drop and they will need some changes in their diet and exercise. GSD Lab Mix Puppy But no matter how well trained they are, if they are left to get bored for too long, they can engage in some pretty destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing everything in sight. You have been forewarned. The highly assertive nature of German Shepherds means they do not respond well to domination training. They are likely to revolt when subjected to punishment. The best way to train a Labrador German Shepherd Mix is through positive reinforcement. Labradors are pleasers that love to make their humans happy. This means their offspring are also likely to feel the same way. So they will respond rapidly to training based on rewards for positive behavior. Deal with this behavior early, with specific training for dealing with children and strangers. They are very active and need lots of attention, so they need to be in households that support this. But they do great with adults and kids, so they can be a great family pet. Remember that German Shepherd Labrador Mixes need around two hours of exercise every day, so they need someone who can commit to that level of activity. But at the same time, it means they are the type of dog you can take on all of your adventures if you like hiking and trailing. They also need attention and stimulation throughout the day. If anyone in the house suffers with pet hair allergies, this is another reason Labrador German Shepherd Mixes are not the right dog for you, as they shed a lot. Consider something like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle instead. Also, ask for medical records of the parents, to see what health conditions the pup might be prone to in the future. If you decide to adopt a mature dog, spend a bit of time with them to see what their temperament is like. History of the Breeds German Shepherd German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century as a sheep herding dog. But, because they are very intelligent, trainable, obedient, and strong, they have since moved into many different working roles including police, military, search and rescue, and disability assistance. German Shepherds can have a reputation for being aggressive, but they are more alert and wary than aggressive. They can have a tendency to become overprotective of family and territory. But if socialized and trained properly, this tendency should be highly manageable. German Shepherds are the second-most popular dog in the United States and the seventh-most popular dog in the United Kingdom. Labrador Labradors, also known as Labrador Retrievers, were initially used in Newfoundland as fishing dogs to retrieve fish that had gotten away. Because they are incredibly friendly but also intelligent and therefore easy to train, today Labradors are favored as disability assistance dogs, often helping individuals with blindness, ptsd, mobility issues and autism. Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent and therefore easy to train, and loving and loyal, so they will quickly feel like part of the family. However, they do need a lot of exercise and attention, so adopting a Sheprador into your family is a commitment. German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it is not really deserved. They are natural watchdogs and reserved around strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack. They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means easy to control. Beagles, Poodles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Spaniels are all extremely friendly dogs as well, many specifically bred to be companions. They do best with active people or families who are full of people to love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when they are cared for properly. This means training them appropriately, exercising them, keeping them mentally stimulated, and feeding them well. But these loyal pooches will repay your care and commitment with a lot of love and affection. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. This will help you to recognize the nature of the Sheprador a little better. This gave us the Labrador we have come to know and love in modern-day society. Your black Lab pup could weigh as much as 80 lbs, reaching heights of 24 inches. The black Labrador Retriever is an ideal companion because they are always eager to learn and a pleasure to train. These loyal fur babies come from a long line of useful working hounds. Did you know that up until the s, the lovable Labrador was pretty much only black and was intentionally bred to go along on hunting and shooting expeditions? Read next: black dog breeds. The Temperament of the Black Labrador Retriever These sweet-natured furballs are generally pretty active. They love to play and learn. They especially love meeting new people, and they have a strong sense of family loyalty. The American Labrador, or hunting Lab, is built with a daintier frame and tends to possess a bigger drive for retrieving. These doggos are successful at field trials and competitive activities such as hunting. Some Labs, however, are bred specifically for the show ring. Black Labradors are an asset in hunting and sporting communities, and although the popular choice was black, that has shifted slightly in recent years. Where hunting dog owners still do prefer a black coat, those wanting a Lab as a pet or in a show certainly have a preference for a lighter shade. Breeders today sell predominantly lighter-colored Labs, such as yellow, fox red, and chocolate. These good-tempered hounds can be proud members of your family for 12 years or even longer with a healthy diet and the right exercise regime. Standing tall at about 26 inches at shoulder height, this fuzzy friend is clad in a glossy coat and outlined with curvaceous, athletic proportions. A star student, the German Shepherd is delightfully reliable, courageous to the core, and a loyal companion to have by your side. Looking for more intelligent GSD mixes? Getting to Know the German Shepherd The beloved German Shepherds are loyal to the point of putting their own lives on the line when it concerns protecting their loved ones. German Shepherds are extremely courageous but are also one of the most intelligent dog breeds. But when they mean business, these hounds can give a cheetah a run for their money. Looking for a smaller companion? Read more about the most intelligent small dog breeds. The Temperament of the German Shepherd Stout-hearted German Shepherds have been described as the canines that lead the ranks of royalty. Moreover, their character is what sets them shoulders above the rest of the hairy hounds. They have, however, been noted to display a distant, cool quality that does not always bode well for making new friends. However, they still continue to be devoted guardians and valuable team members. Want a protective GSD mix? Yup, you guessed it. A hound that is a blend of two fantastic pups. Both bring enthusiasm and athletic abilities to the table. Labradors, for example, were originally bred as hunting hounds to retrieve fallen fowl from the water and aided as companions on the hunt. Two of the most popular doggos in America are the Labrador and the German Shepherd, so they make for a popular choice among breeders interested in exploring hybrid breeds. These designer pooches are the result of crossing two pure-blooded canines. The Nature of the Lab and German Shepherd Mix When mixing two different dog breeds, each with its own unique nature, there is a possibility for random and unexpected results. This is because traits are passed on and inherited randomly. We can, however, predict that a Sheprador puppy, much like any other hybrid, will inherit the best features from their parent dogs. Despite this, of the batch of hybrid Sheprador pups, some will display more of a German Shepherd personality, and others, more of a black Lab Retriever. Labradors are a very big success in the service and work industry, and to have as domesticated pets in the family home. Their gentle, laid-back nature was an asset to their human companions after a long day of hunting. Born and bred as herding dogs, German Shepherds make excellent security dogs and prefer to work at a distance from whoever is in charge. A handler or herder will get alerted by their German Shepherd whenever something suspicious poses a threat. Labradors are not similar in this regard. But like the lovely Lab, German Shepherds are incredibly versatile creatures and excel in any task they take on. Both doggos are gifted in service or military posts and even in the detection of narcotics. Socialization of the German Shepherd Labrador Mix An essential part of parenthood, when it comes to owning a dog, is socializing your pup. This process allows your pooch to get used to other animals and people. It also helps them to get to know new places and activities. Believe it or not, this is even more reason to prioritize socialization so as to ensure that when they do inevitably interact with other animals or people, they do so in the best way possible. The German Shepherds in your Sheprador will mean they are loyal to the end when it comes to their favorite humans, but they can definitely be wary of strangers. Luckily through early socialization during puppyhood, they can learn good habits. Socialization can even include having people over at your house so they can become used to new voices and faces. Getting them used to small children is also essential to avoid any unwanted accidents out of fear or nervousness. And, of course, if you have other pets, the earlier you introduce them to your Sheprador puppy, the better. Anything new should ideally be introduced earlier rather than later. German Shepherd Labs are likely to inherit this friendliness from both of their parents. Proper socialization will ensure that all parties are comfortable and that your pooch has the confidence to get out there and interact in a healthy way. Read more about why puppies whine so much and why puppies lick your face. Additionally, you should also be sure that you have lots of free time for games and activities that your dog can join in on, such as garden games or even jogging and hiking. These pups can get bored easily and become destructive if they are not properly stimulated. These dogs are really great with children, much like their parent breeds. If properly socialized as puppies, they are truly a joy to have around kids supervised, preferably. So if you have family members who can share the responsibility of entertaining these hounds, then that would be ideal. They are some of the least-aggressive dogs out there, thanks to the Lab in them. But, supervision is important because of their size and slight clumsiness. They can easily knock over a small child in the excitement of fun and games. As you can tell, these doggos are definitely on the needier side and require plenty of love, attention, and care. And not to mention, you are guaranteed a lifelong companion and proud family member. The Appearance of the German Shepherd Lab Mix When one combines these two brilliant pedigree pets, you are likely to end up with a lb hound offering servant-hearted companionship and a diligent, working spirit. Your German Shepherd mixed with Lab will stand tall at about 25 inches and will display the high intelligence and athletic ability of their parent breeds. However, predicting the coat pattern and color of the Sheprador puppy that will emerge from the breeding is not an easy feat. Predicting the inherited physical appearance of any dog is tricky enough as is. So, for the most part, the looks and personality of your Sheprador can be quite a gamble, as with any designer breed. This will simply make your precious pup all the more unique and special. But, if you are specific about the traits of your Sheprador pup, then a reputable breeder will be able to follow the genetic line of the parent breeds and make a rather accurate prediction. These physical and personality traits are a lot easier to predict when the parent dogs — in this case, German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever — are quite similar in nature, which they fortunately are. German Sheprador Coat Labradors have tight, short hair, while German Shepherds have a medium-length, double coat. They can also have longer coats that are wavy. Shepradors are not exactly low-maintenance dog breeds when it comes to grooming. True to its parent breeds, the Sheprador has a double coat consisting of a super warm undercoat and a coarser outer coat to protect them from the elements. These dogs historically worked outdoors, so adequate protection from the heat or the cold was essential. Due to the gene for long coats being recessive and very unusual among Labradors, your Black Lab German Shepherd Mix will most definitely have a neat, short coat like its Labrador parent. This means that even if their German Shepherd parent has a long coat, it is highly unlikely to be passed on to their puppies. However, a lint roller will definitely be your best friend when it comes to maintaining furniture and clothing. Consider also how this handsome hairball may affect any existing asthmatic or allergic conditions. The other main concern when it comes to apartment living is the exercise needs of these dogs. So, if you are available for a rigorous daily walk and plenty of playtime, then it can work. As long as these hounds have the opportunity for daily energy expenditure to keep them happy and healthy, all will be well. Other than that, they will be in their element if they can curl up on the couch for movies and naps with their favorite humans. Like most crossbreeds, mixed breeds are usually healthier than their purebred parents. So if your Sheprador takes after their German Shepherd parent, then you may encounter spinal problems that lead to arthritis and hip dysplasia as they get older. The silver lining is that the good health of the Labrador balances out the potentially compromised health that German Shepherds sometimes have, and the result is a stellar, mostly-healthy Sheprador pup. Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow Dysplasia is characterized by lameness in the forelimb and results in limping. Progressive Retinal Atrophy : This ailment affects the photoreceptor cells of the dog which causes them to deteriorate over time. It eventually leads to blindness. In addition to these conditions, Labradors are also prone to allergies. However, there are no DNA tests to detect this predisposition, so your best bet is to check with your breeder about a family history of allergies. It results due to a lack of von Willebrand factor protein vWF. Hypothyroidism: Marked by an underactive thyroid condition, this endocrine disorder in dogs is rather common. It causes bodily functions to slow down, and warning signs include lethargy and weight gain. Cataracts: German Shepherds are prone to eye problems like Cataracts. It occurs when the dog develops cloudiness in the eye, which disturbs its vision. It causes abnormal blood clot formation. More About the Health of Your Black Lab and German Shepherd Mix While this breed has some health concerns in its parent breeds, these can be detected early on with screenings. Other than that, conditions like obesity can be prevented by pet owners. The best thing you can do with your Sheprador puppy is to find a reputable breeder and ask many questions. Find out about the parent breeds, what their health and medical histories are, and be sure to ask for health screening certificates. Life Expectancy of the Sheprador Now that we know what health issues to look out for, what is the lifespan of these hounds? Labrador Retrievers live between 10 and 14 years, whereas German Shepherds typically live less long, between 9 and 12 years. Exercise Regime for the German Shepherd and Lab Mix With black Labs and German Shepherds being high-energy, athletic animals, combining the two of them results in a grown Sheprador in need of at least 2 hours of walking a day. These two types of dogs were bred with the initial purpose of being active and physical for several hours each day. They are excellent work dogs and will likely chew your furniture or dig up your rose garden if left ignored or indoors for prolonged periods of time. In addition to going for walks or runs, playtime with your Sheprador can include tug of war, fetch, and working on developing scent detection. In addition to needing lots of playtime and physical stimulation, they also need a lot of mental stimulation. This can include dog puzzles and dog toys — they are very mouthy pups, so multiple chew toys, or anything to clutch in their jaw, for that matter, will suffice. Not to mention, these hounds will be in their element with doggy sports like obedience training, agility work, and fieldwork. They are hard-working and love any opportunity to learn something new while pleasing their favorite humans. Both parents of the Sheprador were bred to spend several hours a day being mentally and physically challenged. And take note that no amount of fetch games with a ball launcher will be too much for these playful canines. Dietary Requirements of the Labrador and German Shepherd Mix In order to ensure you have a Sheprador with a happy and healthy life, you should be sure that you feed your pooch the right dog food. Not all dog food on the market is high quality, so carefully selecting the right brand is important. In general, a good rule of thumb is to opt for food with all-natural ingredients and high-fiber dog food that includes fruits and vegetables. Also, make sure they have a diet high in protein. You should also avoid food with filler ingredients, artificial flavoring, and preservatives. The Labrador side of these hounds will certainly mean they come with a big appetite and a love for snacking. Due to this, Shepradors are very prone to weight gain and overeating. To avoid gulping down their dinner, it may be best to invest in a slow feeder. If Shepradors are allowed to become overweight, they will suffer from joint problems, hip dysplasia, and, later on, arthritis. This mixed breed is quite widely accessible and is luckily not as pricey as other, more fashionable crossbreeds. The best route is to research reputable breeders and follow recommendations. Shepradors are not extremely expensive dog breeds. Adopting a Sheprador If you are struggling to find a reputable breeder or you simply have your heart set on a Black Lab German Shepherd, then rescuing is a great option. Be sure to check out your local shelters and adoption agencies. These pups have so much love to give and deserve a second chance at a happy home. They are also easily adaptable and should slot into their new environment and family without too much fuss. Remember that they flourish on positive reinforcement and rely on learning and training in order to thrive. Like with any relationship, there will be highs and lows. But, for the most part, the pros will likely outweigh the cons when it comes to the Black Lab mixed with German Shepherd. Cons of Owning a Sheprador They can inherit serious health issues: this is emotionally and financially stressful, but health screenings can, fortunately, help predict and prevent inherited issues. They need lots of exercise: without sufficient exercise and a generally active lifestyle, these hounds will grow restless, bored, and unhappy. They are likely to shed heavily: without a frequent brushing and sweeping routine, your pooch will leave your home in a blanket of hair. Pros of Owning a Sheprador Shepradors are outgoing with loyal personalities: your Sheprador is always eager to play, engage, learn, and meet new people, which makes them great companions. They are great family pets: affectionate and loving, Shepradors want to belong in your family and feel needed on the team. The dogs are excellent security dogs: the Sheprador is innately a protector and a watchdog and will alert you of any threats to your safety. Final Thoughts on the Sheprador There you have it, folks — the brilliant, blended Sheprador that we all adore. This razor-sharp, athletically-inclined hound is a sure companion to have at your side. They are eager to please and easy to train, which will make them a pleasure to have around in the home or on the job. You cannot go wrong with parenting one of these fur babies unless, of course, you have a problem with too much loyalty and brilliance. Looking for more GSD crossbreeds? Take a look at these posts next:. There is no way to find out if your puppy will develop any of these conditions. All you can do is to take care of your dog properly to prevent some of these severe medical conditions. Your growing dog should maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can be an additional weight on its spine. The ideal dog nutrition will also depend on any nutritional needs of your dog. If you are training your dog, never give treats as a reward. This encourages obesity and will only cause more problems for your dog. Here are top dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will surely love. Its core ingredients include ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken. It is all natural and contains no preservatives. Even a picky puppy will surely love this dog food. Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula Precise Holistic contains chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal and is considered the best organic dog food for large dogs. This comes with extra calcium and phosphorus needed by dogs to achieve its full, large size. This is a portion of irresistible dog food for large breed dogs such as your Lab German Shepherd mix. Just like any other dog, never give your German Shepherd Lab the following human food. Not all human food is safe for dogs. Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Salty foods and junk food Chocolate, coffee, or tea Onions, chives, and garlic If you want your dog to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them the best care in the world. So, start with their nutrition! That means you need to stay away from the worst dry dog food, and try out the best dry dog food instead. Your hairy friend comes from different parents and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Our puppy friends need nutrition that is full of proteins and easy to digest. You can look for some ideas in the best puppy food brands. Senior dogs, in their grandpa style, need food which contains moderate protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Because of this, you need to spend ample time in a day to exercise and to walk this dog otherwise; it can develop destructive behavior. Play with your dog regularly to develop a strong bond with your pet. Remember that this dog will love to swim because of its Labrador Retriever lineage. A local dog pool or a pond would work great with your dog. If you have a large yard, an old, large vat will work great just for him to play and cool off. All dogs love to fetch and play Frisbee. Use other kinds of toys like large ropes so you can play pulling games. Use a giant ball for fetches like an old football or a tennis ball. Here are a few ideas 1. This is available in six sizes so you will surely find the best size for your medium to large-sized Lab German Shepherd mix. It is indestructible so your dog will undoubtedly spend hours playing with it. It is made from durable materials that will never break or chip. This is indestructible, and your dog will surely love to play with this over and over again. It is soft but is made to be indestructible. Your pet will surely love to chew on this soft bone. This will be his favorite toy in no time. Lab German Shepherd Mix Training The Lab crossed with a German Shepherd is a brilliant dog, but it may need more than simple traditional training techniques to train this dog. The following tricks will help you make your dog obey you in no time. The Clicker Technique Learn how to train your dog using a clicker. Press this, and you will hear an audible click, a sound that dog loves very much. The clicker may be used in all kinds of tricks, but the most common is for positive reinforcement. Just click the clicker when your dog can follow the trick and then click again if you want to repeat the behavior. Invest in a good clicker which is available in most pet stores online. This can contribute to obesity and other health problems related to being overweight. Reward good behavior by patting your dog, playing with him or giving him a good scratch. Tell your dog what a good dog he is and combines this with a lot of pats as reinforcement. Every dog takes his time so you must be patient. His bed should at the same place where he found it the first time while his food bowls should also be in the same area. Consistency is the key to training dogs important stuff. Also, consider talking to everyone at home regarding your rules and commands to reinforce consistency in training your dog. Train Your Dog In A Familiar Environment Dogs like the Lab are easily distracted; therefore you must train your pup in a quiet and familiar environment first before you take him out for further training. Start inside a quiet room with only you and him. You can train him outdoors once he is less distracted to noise and the presence of other pets and people. You may also opt for professional training for your Lab German Shepherd mix dog if you want your pup to grow up and become a service dog or police dog. German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families Lab German Shepherds can be great family dogs because these dogs love to be with their masters and to please them every way they can. These are patient with children and will never roughhouse or bite. They can even tolerate toddlers and very intense games like dress up and role play games. Lab German Shepherd mix dogs will love to be with other pets and even other dogs. They are not domineering and will never cause a fight. The Lab German Shepherd mix may become anti-social and may become aggressive with people or other dogs when they are not introduced to people and other pets early on. Your dog should be trained first and exposed to other dogs and people to prevent this untoward behavior. Origin of the Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Designer dogs — the result of deliberately crossing two different pedigrees — are a relatively recent phenomenon. But the Labrador and German Shepherd pedigrees both go right back to the 19th century. And understanding their individual histories provides important insights into German Sheprador temperament. Labrador history Labradors were originally bred as hunting dogs, to retrieve fallen waterfowl from the water. Breeders selected breeding dogs for traits which made them great at this job: a strong build, a thick waterproof coat, and an enthusiasm to learn and work in a team with their handler. The best Labs were also gentle and chilled out companions once the hunting day was over. Which is why Labradors exploded so successfully onto the pet scene, and into service roles as well. Unlike Labs, GSDs needed to be able to work confidently at a distance from their handler. They also used to double up as watch dogs and guard dogs, alerting their owner to the arrival of anything unfamiliar, which might be a threat to their flock. Like Labradors, they also proved to be remarkably versatile, and succeed in a wide variety of roles — including police work, military work, narcotics detection, and service roles. What to Expect From a Black Lab German Shepherd Mix The whole purpose of establishing pedigrees for purebred dogs is to ensure that all the puppies descended from that pedigree look and behave in a reliable way. Inevitably, mixing breeds creates possibilities for unpredictable results. Puppies inherit traits from both of their parents at random. Designer dogs with parents who have a lot in common are easier to predict. Puppies from parents who either look very different, or were bred for very different purposes, are more variable. Black Labs can also carry the genes for chocolate and yellow coloring. Some Labs also silently carry the genes for markings like tan points. These genes hark back to when Gordon Setters contributed to the foundation of the breed. So a black Lab German Shepherd mix puppy might be black or dark brown, and have markings including sable shading or tan points. How big do German Shepherd black Lab mixes get? Labradors and German Shepherds are both medium to large sized dogs. Labs weigh 55 to 80 pounds, and GSDs weigh 50 to 90 pounds. For both breeds, females tend to occupy the bottom end of the weight range, and males the upper end. So, a black Lab German Shepherd mix could weigh anything between 50 and 90 pounds too. Their weight will be partly determined by all of the following: the general parameters of the breed the size of their parents their sex and environmental factors, like receiving adequate nutrition in puppyhood. Do black Lab German Shepherd mix dogs shed? Labs and GSDs both have thick double coats — ideal for insulating them against harsh weather conditions whilst working. So, one thing we can say for sure about the black Lab German Shepherd is that they too will be high-shedding dogs. Regular brushing, and seasonal grooming with specialist tools like a Furminator can help to keep your house clear of discarded fur. They also have a strong retrieving instinct — or in other words they like to carry things around in their mouths! Black Labs in particular have traditionally been favored for working roles, so they tend to be focussed and easily motivated to engage in training. German Shepherds are often described as courageous and loyal. They have strong herding and guarding instincts. Part of this is an innate distrust of unfamiliar people. Although, they are devoted and affectionate to their human family and regular guests. They are also very smart, and capable of picking up new cues quickly. But they are both talented problem solvers and quick learners. Sheprador puppies are sure to be smart and trainable too. So, the training and socialization you do with them while they are young will be very important. Puppies under 12 weeks old readily form positive associations with new things, if they have a good first encounter with them. Socialization is particularly important for German Shepherds and their mixes, because they are naturally inclined to be wary of strangers. It gives them the confidence to interact calmly with the world when they are older. Typically friendly breeds like Labs still need socializing too. And very friendly individuals will also need teaching how to greet people calmly, without jumping up or getting over excited. German Shepradors also need methodical leash training from a young age — being dragged along the sidewalk by a large dog is no fun! Exercise Labs and GSDs are both athletic dogs which have been bred to be mentally and physically active for several hours a day. An adult Lab GSD mix dog needs at least 2 hours of walking per day. At home, they enjoy additional games of fetch, tug and scent work. Training and puzzle feeders like Kongs and sniffle mats are valuable for providing mental exercise. A Sheprador is also likely to enjoy dog sports like fieldwork and advanced obedience training. Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Health Just like in every other respect, Sheprador health is a mixed inheritance from both of their parent breeds. Labrador Health.