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Breed Info If you are thinking of getting a German Shepherd you may have wondered do German Shepherds drink a lot of water? This article will answer that question, explain how much water your GSD should be drinking on a daily basis, and things that could cause your German Shepherd to drink more water than normal. Yes, German Shepherds are large dogs and as such will drink more water than a smaller dog. In addition, German Shepherds are very active so they will need more water to keep hydrated than more sedentary dogs. Normally, dogs should drink an ounce of water for every pound they weigh on a daily basis, but I found that many German Shepherds drink a little more than one ounce per pound. My German Shepherd is 72 pounds, so that means she should be consuming around 72 ounces of water daily. However, there are various conditions that could cause your German Shepherd to need to drink more than this on a regular basis. If it seems like your dog is drinking excessively, look to see if any of the below conditions are present that would increase their need for water. When it is hot outside, your GSD will drink more as a way of cooling themselves down. Conversely, colder air tends to be drier, and the dry air can make your dog dehydrated, thus you may find your pup drinking more in the wintertime as well. Exercise Another reason your German Shepherd will drink a lot of water is because they have been physically active. Just like humans get thirsty when exercising, so do dogs. So, if your GSD just finished running around, expect them to be thirstier than normal. Medication There are a lot of medications that have the side effect of causing thirst in dogs. When my girl was put on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory, the vet told me to expect her to need more water than normal. If your dog was just put on a new medication, that could be the cause of the extra drinking, but check with your vet to be certain. Illnesses Another reason a German Shepherd will drink more water is because they have some sort of illness. Conditions such as cancer, liver disease and diabetes require your dog to drink more water and their body tries to fight off the illness. Also, as stated above, sometimes the medications they are on to help with the illness also increases their thirst. Diet What your dog eats directly affects how much they drink. Dogs that consume a dry kibble will usually need more to drink than a dog that is on a wet food diet. Also, if you give your dog the occasional human food treat like peanut butter , bread , bacon , or fries you may find that they drink more after consuming these foods. Food that are dry, sticky, or salty will cause your dog to take some extra trips to the water bowl. Age Age is another factor is to consider when looking at water consumption. Puppies are known for drinking quite a bit. This is normal though because as your GSD pup is growing their bodies need more water to support their developing system. Older dogs can also drink more because elderly dogs are more prone to developing conditions that would cause thirst such as diabetes, various infections, liver or kidney disease among other illnesses. If you have an older dog that has been drinking more than normal, make an appointment with the vet just to be sure nothing more serious than dehydration is going on. Final Thoughts German Shepherds can definitely drink more water than some other dog breeds. Heavier water consumption is normal for a large active breed like German Shepherds but there are also other factors that can cause your dog to drink more such as age, illness, medication and the weather. An automatic water bowl is a great tool for providing fresh water all day long. And so as large and active dogs, German Shepherds tend to lose a lot of water from their bodies throughout the day. This then causes them to get thirsty and rehydrate. Simply put, German Shepherds drink a lot of water simply because they need to. In general, dogs need to drink at least an ounce or about 0. Meaning, a German Shepherd male that weighs an average of 71 to 88 pounds will generally drink 71 to 88 ounces or 2 to 2. While a female German Shepherd that weighs an average of 62 to 70 pounds will drink 62 to 70 ounces or 1. Instead, they cool themselves by panting to evaporate water from their tongues and mouths. In doing so, their bodies lose a lot of water that needs to be replaced. With that, German Shepherds that are exposed to extreme heat or physical activities need much more water than usual. Diet The type of food a German Shepherd eats also factors into water consumption. Those who eat wet canned food will tend to need less water than those fed exclusively with dry food. A combination of both may either increase or decrease water intake. Age German Shepherd puppies have their own set of rules when it comes to water intake and actually need more water than adults at one point. Medication Some medications may also increase thirst due to increased urine production and other side-effects. For instance, psychogenic polydipsia is a condition characterized by increased water intake for seemingly no cause or reason. Instead, this condition is often associated with boredom, stress, and attention-seeking behavior. So increased thirst and water intake can most definitely be a cause of concern. But the real question is, when should you worry? But to be certain, you can try to look for other unusual symptoms apart from excessive drinking. For instance, if you notice your German Shepherd excessively panting, has dry gums, and being lethargic, then it is most likely dehydrated and needs veterinary care immediately. Do also check for excessive urination as that may indicate a number of major diseases including kidney disease or diabetes. Final Thoughts To recap, German Shepherds drink a lot of water, but mostly because they need to. As large and active dogs they need to drink plenty of water daily to stay hydrated and function properly. So provide your German Shepherd free access to fresh and clean water all the time. Again, excessive drinking may indicate underlying medical conditions and warrant a visit to the vet. Post navigation. Simply pull the skin on the back of its head and let it go. If the animal is hydrated, the skin will easily return to normal. Here are other ways to prevent dehydration or help a dehydrated dog: Keep Your Dog Indoors The heat from the direct sunlight makes a dog lose water in the form of sweat or saliva. Thus, keeping it indoors will help lower its body temperature and allow it to stay hydrated. Feed it Wet Food You can buy wet canned food or prepare things like soup. To prevent them from ingesting disease-causing bacteria, you should close the toilet seat every time possible. Prepare A Cool Treat To make hydration fun for your german shepherd, you can prepare some ice pop by freezing a mixture of water and watermelon juice. Monitor the Liquid Intake To monitor how much water your dog drinks, buy a cup and refill it every morning. Repeat the process the next day as well. Feed A Homemade Electrolyte Solution You can treat initial signs of diarrhea or vomiting in dogs with this easy homemade electrolyte solution: Things You Need. Jan Reisen points out that how much puppy drinks depends on activity level, size, and age. Puppies consume more water than adults. When puppies start eating solid food, half a cup of water every two hours is reasonable. After weaning, a puppy needs half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound of body weight. An eight-week-old puppy might require 20 ounces of water daily. One of the reasons water is so vital to your German Shepherd puppy is because of its influence on the metabolic process. This process includes breathing, blood flow, brain activity, and digestion. Sufficient water, which makes up most of the blood supply, allows the blood to transport oxygen and clear away toxins that can harm your puppy. Because insufficient water negatively impacts this process, a dog is at risk of organ damage. How much water your puppy gets also allows them to regulate their body temperature. However, panting is a double-edged sword, in that your puppy loses more water during this process. When hot weather or heavy physical exertion is making your puppy pant more, the dog will require more water. When everything functions correctly, your dog will have an appropriate energy level. An adequate energy level helps ensure proper health. Taking up the water at night is a good idea, although you will need to make sure you have a consistent schedule. Water and food for your puppy should be taken up two or three hours before your family usually goes to bed. Any changes in how much your puppy drinks may require closer evaluation at your next vet visit. Even young German Shepherd puppies have good instincts about self-regulating their water usage. However, diarrhea, excessive urination, fever, and vomiting can all dehydrate your puppy. A diet of too much dry food can also cause dehydration. Making sure you know the dehydration signs so you can check your puppy for them makes a difference. Wendy Bedwell-Wilson emphasizes the importance of proper hydration and also points out a couple of ways to find out if your dog is adequately hydrated. Skin that snaps back into place is a sign of a well-hydrated dog, while skin that slowly snaps back is a sign of dehydration. Sticky or day gums are a sign of dehydration. Also, gently press their gums and see how long it takes for them to change back to a healthy pink color, no more than three seconds. When your German Shepherd puppy is mildly dehydrated, gradually give them smaller sips of water. Ice cubes can help provide extra hydration relatively quickly. You can also try an electrolyte powder mix, as these are quite effective. If your puppy is severely dehydrated, evidenced by a loss of skin elasticity, consider this situation a medical emergency. When your puppy has severe dehydration, IV fluids may be necessary to restore proper fluids. However, there are a few things you can do to encourage more drinking. The cleaner both the water and the bowl are, the more they will entice your dog. When you see your puppy drinking water out of the bowl, praise the dog and give them a treat. German Shepherds are very responsive to rewards, and associating drinking water with a reward will encourage them to do so even without prompting on your part. Offering the water in the form of ice cubes can be an enticement for a dog. Dogs often love ice cubes as a treat that provides plenty of amusement. Another bonus is that, if your puppy is teething, the ice cubes can provide relief. Using chicken or bone broth to flavor the water can also entice your dog to drink more of it. Sometimes the added flavor provides an incentive that water alone does not. However, make sure you check the water for freshness because broth can spoil. Sometimes, all you need to do is make water a little more interesting for your puppy. Dogs love the variety as much as we do. Your German Shepherd Dog can, in fact, consume too much water. Overhydrating, also known as water intoxication, can be just as dangerous as dehydration in its own way. If your puppy is showing symptoms, veterinary help might be necessary. When your dog plays in the water a lot of swims, they may accidentally swallow too much water. Drinking too much water at one time can also lead to this problem. It is important to always supervise your dog around water. Water intoxication can make your dog feel very sluggish and lose coordination, including having a staggering gait. Nausea, vomiting, and bloating are some of the gastrointestinal symptoms that might occur. Dilated pupils, excessive drooling , and pale gums are also signs of water intoxication. When your dog has these symptoms after having had a lot of water to drink or has been swimming, overhydration is very likely. Top Dog Tips highlights the importance of seeking veterinary help. More severe symptoms might include difficulty breathing, collapse, coma, or even death. Possible treatments include IV fluids for electrolyte balance, diuretics to help the dog urinate, and mannitol in case water intoxication has caused cranial pressure. Any water ingested can still be absorbed without intervention. There is nothing wrong with innocent water play, as seen in this video. Water is an important part of the overall metabolic process, which includes digestion, brain activity, blood flow, and breathing, as well as kidney and liver function. It also helps young dogs grow big and strong. Recommended Videos And, since a dog cools by panting, drinking water is essential for replacing the moisture that evaporates from their tongues, nasal passages, and lungs during the process. Lastly, a well-hydrated dog has a moist nose, which aids in their ability to smell. One of the best ways to make sure your puppy is drinking enough water is to set up a schedule. Instead of leaving a bowl out for them to drink at will, ration their intake. Every few hours, measure the appropriate amount of water into their drinking bowl and call your puppy. Encourage your pup to drink the water, and when they do, reward them with praise and a few minutes of playtime. When you add potty training to the mix, you need to be mindful of a few other factors. First, you want to reduce water intake at night since the goal is to work your pup up to a full 8 hours of sleep. Make sure they get a drink after the evening walk, say half an hour to an hour following a meal. Then put the bowl away for the night. This works especially well if you otherwise confirm that Fido has had enough liquid during the day. Overheating and illnesses, especially those that include vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, put puppies at risk of dehydration. Chewing on ice cubes adds an element of fun while it aids in hydration. Flavor drinking water with chicken or beef broth. Put a treat at the bottom of the bowl. Overhydration If it seems your puppy is drinking too much water, pay attention. Dogs, and puppies, in particular, are super curious. Your little buddy may just be playing in the water bowl, which is more of a behavioral issue than a medical problem. But if you think your puppy is doing more drinking than playing, they may have an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Symptoms of overhydration include:.

German Australian Shepherd Video Temperament and Behavior Known for their intelligence, alertness, and loyalty, the Australian German Shepherds are extremely devoted to their family members, spending time playing. They get along well with the kids provided they are socialized when young. As in the case of most herding dogs , they are reserved and unresponsive with strangers. Being protective by nature, they do a great job watching and guarding their house and family. Because of their kind and loving behavior towards their family members, they are considered good family pets. However, they need confident and firm leadership and are thus not suitable for the timid or first-time owners. Care Exercise As a lively dog, it needs a minimum one-hour of daily activities including running, playing, and agility exercises. Keep your pet occupied and mentally stimulated by providing it with puzzle toys. Long walks are also recommended for avoiding boredom and inactivity. Grooming Routine maintenance will ensure a shinier and healthier coat. Utilize a slicker brush to stroke its hair in the direction of its growth. This will keep dead hairs from coming on your clothes as well as furnishings. Do not bathe your pet too often as it might strip its skin of all its natural oils. Trim its nails occasionally to prevent them from growing too long. Keep its teeth and gums healthy by brushing them with a gentle toothbrush and vet-recommended toothpaste. Health Problems These dogs might be prone to common health conditions including food and contact allergies, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, eye disorders, as well as some other diseases affecting its parent breeds. While adopting a puppy, it is advisable that you check the health clearances of its parents from the breeder. Training Let your pet know that you are its leader and it should follow your commands. Enforce strict and positive training methods, but do not be too harsh. You may reward it by praising its good behavior, offering foods, or playing with toys. This will encourage your pet to listen to your commands and accept training. Feeding Keep an eye on the quality as well as the quantity of food you provide your pet. A low-calorie diet with small amounts of fat and protein is necessary to keep it in good shape. Do not offer more than cups of dog food a day. Intentional breeding likely started in the recent past, probably in the United States. For over years, these dogs have roamed the American West, rounding up livestock for farmers and ranchers. While the breed was refined in the Outback, this purebred got its actual start working the hills of Europe. Needless to say, the modern Aussie comes from a long line of herding champions! German Shepherd? More like canine bodyguard! Brave and powerful German Shepherd dogIn the 19th century, German officer Captain Max von Stephanitz sought to create a German herding dog like no other. Through careful crossbreeding, the modern German Shepherd Dog emerged. Shortened to GSD, these canines quickly proved capable of far more than herding. One even became a famous movie star named Rin Tin Tin. DRA does. Most have well-proportioned, athletic bodies. Set up high on their well-proportioned head are triangular ears with rounded tips. It could still range anywhere from upright and alert to floppy and folded. Their almond-shaped eyes have that observant and intelligent expression. Eye color varies from dog to dog. Most often, we see them with brown, blue, or hazel eyes. Your pooch might even inherit heterochromia from their Aussie side, a condition that gives them two different eye colors! Muzzles can be medium or long that slightly tapers and have a rounded tip. Your Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix is likely to have a fluffy, plumed tail that can be long or short, depending on which parent breed they take after. They sport a solid color, while others have a combination of black, tan, red, cream, golden, white, blue merle, or red merle. Some might even be tricolor or have tinges of silvery gray or brindle, with speckled or spotted markings. How big will a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix get? Full-grown Aussie German Shepherds usually have a height of 19 to 26 inches tall 48 to 66 cm and weigh 45 to 80 pounds 20 to 36 kg , where males tend to be heavier than females. This is assuming that your pup has a standard-sized Australian Shepherd parent. If your pooch comes from a Toy or Miniature Australian Shepherd, they could be much smaller. Their energy is far too boundless for anything but a spacious home with a large yard. Farms and ranches would also make a great home for this mixed breed. Do Aussie German Shepherds make good house dogs? With this crossbreed, you get a skilled guard dog and family companion, all rolled into one. Because this pooch is quite aloof and a little wary of strangers, it makes them a reliable watchdog. Exposure to different people and situations is essential for this hybrid. To keep them engaged, include plenty of praise and tasty treats. You might even consider muzzle training your hybrid friend, especially if he joins your pack as an adolescent or adult. This might seem harsh, but muzzles can be an excellent tool for keeping your dog and other people safe. If this crossbreed is starting to sound a little intimidating, keep in mind that they are completely devoted to their families, and they love to play! Take a minute to watch this video of Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix puppies playing with their littermates and toys. Your kids will enjoy this hybrid, too. Both German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds are known for their patience and friendliness toward children. Think of their crossbreed offspring as a canine nanny of sorts. You should also exercise caution if you have other pets in the home—especially pets that look like food. Confident, experienced owners who can spend a good portion of each day bonding with and training this pup will undoubtedly reap the rewards. Well-trained German Aussie mixes are capable of some amazing feats. You should still consider providing mental enrichment at home by giving your German Aussie Shepherd mix puzzles, interactive toys, as well as clicker and obedience training. Owning an Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix Every dog needs some assistance when it comes to general care and maintenance. One of the first things you need to consider when raising your Aussie German Shepherd is that they have moderate tolerance to heat. Do Australian German Shepherd mixes shed? Their crossbreed offspring is considered a moderate shedder with average grooming needs. But like other double-coated canines, they shed profusely during their bi-annual blowout — spring and fall. We recommend using a slicker brush and a rake while moving in the same direction as the hair growth. Baths should only be given when necessary using a mild dog shampoo when washing your pet to avoid irritating her skin or drying out her fur. Ears that are upright can quickly accumulate dirt and dust. Cleaning can be done once a week with a damp cloth or an ear wipe. Not only do sharp talons take the fun out of playing with your dog, but long claws can splinter and break. Most pups can do with a pedicure once a month or so, but this varies from dog to dog. Exercise: how much activity does a German Aussie Shepherd need? Plan on a full two hours of daily exercise for this fireball of a canine. Ideally, this time will be split between strenuous activity and play, training, or casual walks. To keep them and yourself happy, think outside the proverbial box. Walks are great, sure, but have you ever seen a GSD Aussie mix dock dive? What about flyball? This is one clever pooch, so they can learn to do just about anything. And for them, learning is half the fun. Combining exercise with mental exertion is a fantastic way to wear out your pup. It also strengthens your bond. You can teach your fur buddy to catch flying discs with this Kong Frisbee, which is well-loved by active fidos. For a satisfied Aussie German Shepherd tummy, aim for 2. Divide this amount into two meals to discourage overeating, bloat, and keep your canine friend fueled. Being overweight can be a sign of illnesses like insulinoma and hypothyroidism. Are Australian German Shepherd dogs healthy? Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mixes are generally healthy dogs that could enjoy a lifespan of 9 to 15 years! But like any dog, owners will still need to watch out for some health problems. Joint issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia are possible in both German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds. A few other health issues to look out for are hemophilia, degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, drug sensitivity like MPR , EPI , and cancer. How much are Australian German Shepherd puppies? Wondering if you can afford one of these remarkable dogs? You might find one for a lower price, but expect to pay somewhere in this range. Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix breeders Picking a breeder is just as important as picking out your puppy. To make matters worse, you could get your heart set on an unhealthy pup. Keep in mind that these documents should include more than a standard vet checkup. The best breeders care just as much about their puppies as their clients do. Furthermore, breeders should have an evident bond with their pups. If the adult dogs or puppies at a breeding facility seem detached or fearful, this is a huge red flag. You might be able to find one of these pups through a rescue. For starters, you can save quite a bit of money. You also have the option of bringing home an older dog and avoiding the more trying aspects of puppyhood hello, potty training. Perhaps the most joyful part of doggy rescue is providing a needy pooch with a loving, stable home. One or two other breeds may be thrown into the mix. Temperament: Work-oriented, people-pleasing, and intelligent. These differences among parent breeds mean that your mix will certainly be unique. They will typically be smaller than a standard German Shepherd but larger than a standard Australian Shepherd. Although both the parent breeds are herding dogs, there is still a lot of differences in their appearances. Height and Weight You can expect a fully grown Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix to weigh anywhere from pounds. Males tend to be at the heavier end of the scale, with females being at the lighter end. As for height, anywhere from inches tall. Colors and Coat We all know that German Shepherds are typically black and tan with a double coat. And Australian Shepherds come in a variety of different colors and mixes with a medium-length coat. This means that the Australian German Shepherd mix can come in many different colors and mixes of whites, blacks, tans, silvers, blues and greys. With both parent breeds having a medium-length double coat be prepared for grooming and shedding. These mixes will shed profusely twice a year during their bi-annual blowout. During this time you will need to brush the undercoat to remove the extra dead hair trapped. This will need to be done every day or so. This hybrid will excel at agility competitions. They can be wary of strangers which makes them amazing watchdogs. Do not be surprised if the Australian German shepherd tries to herd small kids. Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix Personality and Temperament One thing to keep in mind with this breed is that they need huge amounts of both mental and physical stimulation. Daily exercise will keep your German Shepherd Aussie mix happy and entertained, and prevent any destruction that can result from boredom. Their intelligence needs should be met by consistent training sessions to keep their mind sharp. Agility, herding, and tracking are a few sporting activities that this mix excels at. Whether or not you choose to compete in these events you should still consider some form of obedience training. They are hard workers and should be provided with enrichment to combat boredom. Because of their self-confidence and nearly unmatched intelligence, they excel in high-pressure jobs. They are amazing problem solvers and thus both the German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd can be used as police dogs or service dogs. Again as both their parent breeds were bred to herd flocks all day they have a very high energy level. Without consistent exercise, they will make their boredom and frustration known. A bored Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix will let you know by barking, chewing, and digging. Their high energy levels are almost as high as the affection they have for their family. This dog wants nothing more than to play with their family. They can be a little wary of strangers but are still an overall very confident dog. Their wariness of strangers makes them great guard dogs and you can expect some barking from them when strangers are near. However, this is not ideal for the sort of family who consistently has guests over and wants them to feel welcomed. The good thing is since the Australian German Shepherd mix is so easy to train this can easily be stopped by socializing them as a puppy. The Australian German Shepherd is a good family dog because of their loving nature. They enjoy human attention and would fit best in an active family — they are a breed that enjoys going on long walks or hikes with their owners. Caring for an Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix Remember these dogs require a great deal of physical and mental stimulation. This may be a mixed-breed dog but for the most part, they are still working dog. Be prepared for lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Also, their undercoat will need consistently raking out during shedding season. Training should begin early on so that they knows their boundaries — when properly trained they will make a great companion. Exercise Requirements This point can not be stressed enough — This crossbreed requires plenty of exercise and stimulating games. They are not ideal apartment dogs because of this and do best in a home that has a large yard or garden. A fun exercise that your Australian German Shepherd mix would enjoy is being in water. Both of their parent breeds are known for excelling at dock diving competitions so your mix should be no exception. They would appreciate a long walk each day and then some time to play in addition to this. They should be left off leash while in an enclosed backyard for playtime. Remember they do have prey driven instincts so while walking around the neighborhood it is important to keep them on leash. Grooming and Shedding Grooming and shedding are also important things to consider when getting an Australian German Shepherd mix. They will have a medium-length double coat that will require at least weekly brushing throughout the year. This mix will shed moderately all year long therefore if you suffer from pet allergies this will not be an ideal dog for you. Twice a year in the spring and fall they will shed their entire undercoat which will require daily brushing to avoid matting. At this time, you should expect to rake large clumps of undercoat from this dog. Their ears stand upright and naturally collect a lot of dust and dirt. This can lead to ear infections therefore it is crucial to clean their ears at least once a week as well. Bathing should be done as needed to avoid irritating the skin. Feeding and Diet When choosing what type of food to feed, you should look for a high-quality dog food that is appropriate for their age. Food that is low in carbs is also ideal. You should also consider the activity levels of your dog. Active dogs will need lots of protein to keep their muscles and body healthy. Some common health problems to watch out for are:. Applies to all dog food recalls in the U. The German Shepherd mixed with Australian Shepherd dogs weighs from 46 to 65 pounds. Its parent breeds are notably medium to large-sized dogs. The height of this crossbreed could range from 20 to 23 inches. Its coat is remarkably dense. You should be wary about warm places due to the coat of this dog. The colors of their coat can come out as a combination of white, black, blue, red, cream, silver, and sable. The Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix makes a very energetic dog, suitable for owners and families with an active lifestyle. This dog also loves going outdoors and exploring nature. The German Shepherd crossed with Australian Shepherd dogs are intelligent dogs. They can be trained well to become service and therapy dogs. High intelligence causes less worry and more pride to the owners. The trainers would require less training time for this crossbreed. The mixed puppy has a clingy nature. Its affectionate nature may also contribute to a fearful state, often leading to separation anxiety. This condition may be averted by employing effective obedience training and socialization. Overall, this crossbreed is a dependable and wonderful companion. Australian Shepherd Crossed with German Shepherd Puppies for Sale Finding a breeder for a crossbreed tends to be more difficult than going into a pet store and purchasing a new pet. The quality of the crossbreed is drastically high when the dog is acquired through reliable breeders. One place where you can spot potential professional breeders is at a dog show. Certified breeders often attend this event. You can gauge the temperament and disposition of some dog breeds during the dog show as well. This event could help you decide better on what breed to get. There are designated and verified parent clubs that you can access and reach out to. These parent clubs provide support for breed-specific studies, along with the help of AKC. You can seek out public opinion regarding some breeders. There are breeders with website and comments. You will see disappointed owners or prospective buyers if the breeder has pending issues on the environment and health problems of the dogs. There is no accessible list of substantiated breeders for the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix dogs at this time. These places are good grounds for acquiring your new family member. Following these steps will assure that your dog will be in top appearance throughout all the seasons. Brushing is an essential part of grooming this mixed breed. The German Shepherd Australian Shepherds shed heavily throughout the year. Brushing is beneficial in developing your bond with your dog as well as its aesthetic value. I recommend two to four times of brushing per week for this crossbreed. Another function of brushing the coat is providing proper insulation for the dog. Some owners prefer this step. This may or may not reduce the insulating property of the coat. There is a possibility that the coat will not grow as well as before it was shaved. While you are brushing its coat, you should also check for tick and flea infestations. You may also need a pair of thinning shears. You need to do minimal trimming of the feet, tail, ears, britches, and legs. With the use of a slicker brush, you will gently brush the hair from the toes toward the leg of the dog. You will cut the hair sticking above the foot and the lengthier hair surrounding the foot. You can use the shears to cut a vertical line at the end of the tail. You only need to cut the hair with excess length. Trimming this part involves following the natural curve of the coat. The special spot to notice is the coat on the ear. If you lack the basic grooming tools or enough time, there are dog wash salons that may also offer grooming services. You can also contact and find professional groomers to help you with the activity. The risk factors and genetic mutations in the parent breeds affect the disposition of the offspring. The Australian Shepherd parent breed is relatively healthier than the other dog breeds. It suffers less skin, coat, and bone problems. It manifests as spontaneous bleeding. Dogs could have internal bleeding in muscles or joints. Hip and elbow dysplasia: This malformation can spontaneously occur to the dog. It leads to joint inflammation at a young dog age. The cartilage in the hip socket is greatly affected in this disease. This degenerative disease ultimately ends in blindness. Epilepsy: It is a serious neurologic disorder that can be triggered by infections and injury. This may have structural or idiopathic causes. For German Shepherd crossed with Australian Shepherd dogs, this health issue has an idiopathic origin. Collie Eye Anomaly: This is a group of eye issues that may be minor to fatal. It may cause unilateral or bilateral disturbances. If you established enough rapport with the breeder, you can contact him more about the proper management of the dogs. Professional breeders will gladly inform you about the health hazards, genetic and non-genetics, and other things you need to watch for. They made the effort to subject the parent dogs and the offspring to screening tests. A regular appointment with a reliable veterinarian can help you a lot in maintaining the health of the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix dogs. Australian Shepherd Crossed with German Shepherd Food Requirements You will need a great diet plan to sustain the energy of this agile crossbreed. This mixed pup could grow to a helpful working dog, so it is crucial to maintaining a steady and strong development. A healthy quantity of the dog depends on some variables. It is advisable to divide the food servings into two meals each day. Some essential minerals for the development of puppies are chloride and sodium. They affect the cardiac and skeletal muscles. They also contribute to the correct functioning of the nervous system. Below is a list of the recommended dry food for the Australian Shepherd crossed with German Shepherd dogs. These ingredients contribute to building strong muscles and giving energy to the dog. It is gluten-free. The formula has Omega-3 and Omega-6 for a shiny coat. It also includes minerals for the optimal function of the joints and strength of teeth and bones. Orijen Dog Food: This well-known formulation has a high content of protein, amounting to 75 to 80 percent. The recipe for this dog food is patterned on the diet of the wolf ancestors. Canidae Life Stages: This is quite a one-size-fits-all dog food. It can be suitable for dogs of all ages and kinds. It is equipped with antioxidants, fatty acids, and probiotics. It contains chicken, turkey, lamb, oatmeal, potatoes, brown rice, white rice, and cracked pearled barley. It can be digested easily. It has a healthy source of fat called flaxseed. It is important to know the benefits of this dry food, like its advantage to the brain and eye development. It has vitamins C and E that provide help to the immune system. This is a vet-approved formulation without any artificial flavors and colors. It has whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, whole grain oats, and whole grain corn. Giving proper nutrition does not end in providing the food. You need to monitor if the diet contributes to the good development of the dog. You can check for possible weight gain by touching his spine and ribs. There is a breed standard that the dogs need to achieve. If you are able to feel the ribs, the dog is less likely to be overweight. Owners should be cautious with the possibility of obesity because it may be a manifestation of a systemic disease like hypothyroidism, insulinoma. Your inquiries can be addressed by setting up an appointment with a veterinarian. The professional can also create a detailed diet plan for the dog. There are also some brands that you should keep off of their food bowls, such as the worst dry dog food. Dogs pass on the genes to their puppy pups, and thus they can develop a different taste for food, which is why you can try your luck with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. If you own a puppy, scan through the best puppy food brands, and for gray-coated grandpa doggos, chose something from the best senior dry dog food list. All changes in nutrition should be made after discussing it with your vet. The crossbreed inherited the athletic nature of its parent breeds. The duration of vigorous physical activities should be at least one and a half hour. Different techniques to gain the attention and interest of the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix puppies are required to avoid irritability and aggressiveness from manifesting. You can involve the dog in physical activities such as long walks, jogging, hiking, tug-of-war, and fetching. Tug-of-war may intimidate some new owners because it could lead to increased aggression. This has great benefits if done properly, such as teaching about rules and boundaries and bonding with your dog. For fetching activities, the Legendog Flying Disc Rubber Catcher is a great toy that can fly higher than the average flying discs. It has edge bulges to let the dogs bite firmly. It keeps the dog fairly occupied. It has no preservatives, salt, sugar, or plastic. You can give it to dogs of all ages. Australian Shepherd Crossed with German Shepherd Training The German Shepherd crossed with Australian Shepherd dogs has a high possibility of being hailed as service dogs, involved in search and rescue, and therapy dogs. These dogs are highly trainable and willing to learn. The owner has a role in supporting and keeping a level head during the training process. The emotions of the owners could confuse and distract the dogs. Choose particular tasks: You can heighten the productivity of the dog if you choose to train it with specific tasks. These tasks may involve fetching the newspaper or loading the dishwasher. Never hit your dog: This action will affect your bond with the dog. The dog could see you as a threat and attack you. It may develop antisocial personality traits. Basic commands: The breeding instinct of the Australian Shepherd may manifest in their offspring. Invest in obedience classes: Your dog will benefit greatly with knowing the basic commands through formal classes. You can have fewer frustrations as well because another person is responsible for the training. It is important to allow time for the dog to process the commands and avoid unnecessary pressure. Training will also contribute to better mental health for the dogs. If you are hesitant of the proper training techniques for your dog, you can refer to an experienced dog trainer. It is affectionate and loyal to its owners. An important factor in building a good family dynamics with the Australian Shepherd German Shepherds is making the dog feel that it can be part of the family, even if it is still new. You must do early socialization. This will contribute to their potential in becoming therapy dogs, service dogs, or herders. Aside from its benefit to family dynamics, socialization allows the dog to be friendly to your friends. They are also friendly to children. With the proper training and early socialization, you can be assured that these dogs will exhibit minimal herding behaviors with your little children and other animals. You need to be careful in dealing with boredom in these crossbreeds. They could manifest with destructive behaviors if left unattended for a long period of time. These behaviors may include excessive barking which may affect your relationship with your neighbors. Origin Story of the Aussie German Shepherd Mix It might not be a shock to hear this about mixed breeds, but the origin story of the Australian Shepherd mixed with the German Shepherd is somewhat unclear. What is known about the German Shepherd Aussie is that the breed was developed sometime between the s and s. However, like other mix-breeds, the only way you can really decipher what this dog is all about is by understanding their purebred parents. Von Stephanitz did this by using a selection of the best shepherd breeds that were scattered around the German countryside. The German Shepherd dog also referred to as GSD has quickly proved to be capable of far more than just herding. Nowadays, these dogs are synonymous with police work, bomb and drug detection, and personal protection. While the breed was refined in the outback, this purebred got its actual start working the hills and countryside of Europe. In the last hundred years, the Aussie Shepherd transitioned to the Australian West, rounding up livestock for farmers and ranchers. They, too, are astute and will often try to outsmart their owners. So, be prepared to remain on your toes at all times. Australian Shepherd The Aussie Shepherd is an emotionally supportive dog but can, at times, be reserved and independent. At heart, the Australian Shepherd loves the company of its owners. Australian Shepherd and German Shepherd Mix Appearance Whenever you get a designer pup, you can never fully predict what physical traits the dog will adopt from either parent. These dogs are mostly well-proportioned with strong athletic bodies. Their sloping back and long legs give this half German Shepherd half Australian shepherd the ambling gait of a GSD with the pep-in-step of the Aussie. This hybrid will most likely have a fluffy, plumed tail that can be long or short. This will be dependent on which parent breed they take after. Their almond-shaped eyes are very expressive. With these dogs, their eyes are truly the windows to their soul. Eye colors vary from dog to dog. Typically, you can see them with brown, blue, or hazel eyes. In some cases, the German Shepherd Aussie can inherit Heterochromia , a condition that causes two different eye colors. Males tend to be at the heavier end of the scale. These dogs tend to sport a solid color, while a few might have a combination of colors. Some are even speckled or spotted dogs with a tricolor or tinges of silvery gray or brindle. It really depends on the parents and who has the dominant gene. Therefore, grooming these dogs can take a bit of time and concentrated effort. Grooming this hybrid requires plenty of brushing and trimming to keep their coats in top shape. Since their coats are primarily straight hairs, you can use a dog comb and a dematting brush at least twice each week. Baths should only be given when necessary using a mild dog shampoo. This will help to avoid irritating the dogs skin or drying out their fur. Doing so helps them avoid ear infections. And to finish off a full grooming program, keep their nails down with some quality dog nail clippers. If your dog gets enough exercise, it is less likely that they will need their nails clipped each month. If you run on asphalt or hike with them, their nails will naturally wear down. This designer mix, however, is a moderate shedder with half the grooming needs of their parents. This occurs in the Spring and Fall seasons when the dog will lose clumps of hair and shed much more than usual. During this time, it is best to take them to a groomer to effectively get rid of the shedding hair. Shaving is never the solution for dogs with a double coat. Shaving a double-coated dog can actually make it harder for them to cool off. This part of their personality is thanks to their German Shepherd heritage. However, both the German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd are amazing problem solvers and can work as police or service dogs. German Aussie puppies have a very high energy level, and without consistent exercise, they will make their boredom and frustration known. They will bark all night and day, chew on things and dig, dig, dig. Essentially, all this dog wants is to play with its family. They can be a little wary of strangers but are overall still very confident dogs. Their wariness of strangers makes them great guard dogs, though, so you can expect some barking from them when strangers approach. Are They a Good Family Dog? The German Shepherd and Aussie mix is a great addition to any family. They adore human attention and would fit best in an active family — they are a breed that enjoys going on long walks or hikes with their owners. This breed can get along with other pets. The most significant factor in their acceptance of other animals is their socialization when they are puppies. Both parent breeds are known for being quite relaxed as properly socialized dogs. They can even get along with cats and other small animals if introduced slowly and correctly. Well, it all boils down to the breeding business. Some breeders are well-established and have pedigree dogs in their kennels. Breeding is an expensive business, and very few breeders make any profit at all. To make matters worse, you could get your heart set on an unhealthy pup. These documents should include more than a standard vet checkup. The best breeders care just as much about their puppies as their clients do. When it comes to rescuing a German Shepherd Aussie mix, there are several benefits to adopting one. For starters, you can save quite a bit of money. You can also have the option of bringing home an older dog and avoid the highs and lows of potty training a whining puppy. One or two other breeds may be thrown into the mix. Take the time to observe if the breeders or rescue staff have an evident bond with their pups. If the adult dogs or puppies at one of these breeding or rescue facilities seem detached or fearful, this is a huge red flag. As both parent breeds were bred to be obedient working dogs, their cross also has that focus and obedience during training. With plenty of positive affirmations and repetition, you will have a wonderful, well-trained dog in no time. Exercise for German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd Mix As previously mentioned, this breed is highly energetic, so it needs plenty of exercise. The German Shepherd Aussie will need about 2 hours of activity spread throughout the day. But you will probably have to walk with them twice a day to fulfill their exercise quota for the week. Diet and Nutrition for the German Shepherd Aussie As an active breed, your German Shepherd Aussie mix needs a diet high in protein to keep its body and muscles strong and healthy. This is an estimated 1, calories a day. Divide this amount into two meals to discourage overeating and bloating. You should also check if your German Shepherd Aussie mix is gaining too much weight by doing a touch test. This is where you run your fingers through their coat and feel for their ribs. Being overweight can be a sign of illnesses like insulinoma a tumor of the pancreas and hypothyroidism an underactive thyroid condition. As for the Aussie Shepherd, this dog enjoys a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years. It is suggested that the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix could live for between 13 and 15 years, adopting its Aussie genetics. Sometimes, unsound breeding practices in their parents can contribute to a greater risk of hereditary conditions. Joint issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia are possible in German and Australian Shepherds. However, below are some potentially serious health conditions affecting the half Aussie half German Shepherd breed. Hemophilia An inherited condition that stops blood from clotting. Dogs with this condition can have prolonged, spontaneous bleeding from injuries or even from the nose and eyes. Epilepsy Seizures can be caused by trauma or sickness, but in many cases, the real reason is unknown. Luckily, this can be managed with lifelong medication. A visit to the vet may prescribe eye drops to reduce inflammation, but surgery to remove the cataract is the most effective treatment. It usually occurs after the dog has eaten or drank excessively, often just before or after exercise. The stomach starts to fill up with gas, then twists around on itself, cutting off the blood supply to the organs and rupturing the stomach lining. Without emergency surgery, the dog will not survive. Collie Eye Anomaly This is actually a group of eye problems affecting Collie-type breeds. They range from mild to potentially fatal, and some can cause blindness in one or both eyes. Your dog must be checked regularly for any sign of eye problems of this nature. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a disease of the spinal cord that stops the brain from communicating with the hindquarters. It is a progressive disease that almost always results in complete paralysis of the back legs. In many cases, their front legs are weakened, and they become incontinent. The only good news here is that the dog is not in pain while experiencing this disease. They do, however, require a diligent owner. Novice pet parents or those with packed schedules should think twice before bringing one of these puppies home. The primary consideration you must make with these pups is their need for space and attention. As long as you make the effort, they will be an excellent addition to your home.

Welcome to the Michigan state page on TrustedPuppies. Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Michigan is renowned for its stunning lakeshores, vibrant cities, and variety of dog-friendly activities. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional English Bulldog breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the ideal companion for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable Michigan breeders who specialize in raising healthy and happy puppies. Our MI breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Discover the dynamic dog-friendly scene in Michigan, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the West Michigan Harvest Cluster Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of English Bulldog canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. Michigan claims the 7th position in U. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable English Bulldog breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Michigan. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your English Bulldog puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect English Bulldog puppy on TrustedPuppies. We care about puppies We raise our AKC puppies in a enrichment and socialization environment. Wagging Tail Reviews See how our past puppies are enjoying life with their families. Stay Tuned! Breeding that is both safe and responsible Our breeding circumstances are of the finest quality, resulting in healthy, happy, and gorgeous puppies. Raised in a Warm and Caring Home Our puppies are nurtured as members of our family and are raised in our house. Completely purebred Our males and females are all certified pedigree dogs, and our litters are all purebred puppies. Morgan K. I got my first Frenchie from the Sproull's and the whole experience was amazing! I will definitely be going back soon to get another you just can't have enough frenchies! I would highly recommend her to anyone, they let you come visit anytime so you can bond with your puppy! There is no place better if you are looking for an amazing French Bulldog! Melissa S. I have always rescued dogs and was unsure if I wanted to buy one. Jessica's showed me there are breeders who truly care about their animals. She hand raises them with her family and treats them as loved pets. Now I have this nugget of love! Heather M. I found Jessicah 2. After many breeder interviews we decided to go with her. I highly recommend Jessicah. Should a French Bulldog Mix take after their Frenchie parent, they will be a small companion breed that bonds closely with their families. They tend to have an energetic, playful personality and love nothing more than being with their favorite humans. French Bulldogs tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate dogs that get along with just about everyone. They tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets. They will even warm up quickly to strangers as long as they have been properly socialized. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect the same from a French Bulldog Mix. You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and the behavior she is modeling for the puppies. The breeder should have started some training and socialization, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. Frenchies are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes. However, as a brachycephalic breed, they are extra sensitive to heat and also sensitive to the cold. They also do not like being left alone for long periods of time. If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a Frenchie Mix to also be a highly adaptable dog. The other parent will introduce their own traits and some potential quirks, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. They could inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, or they could inherit some or all of them. They can also be prone to allergies, have sensitive skin, and also a sensitive stomach. Good breeding practices will make a huge difference. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. Although French Bulldogs can sometimes be stubborn, they are eager to please and tend to be easy to train. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive praise and reward, they can be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. If the other parent breed is also easy to train, then you can expect a French Bulldog Mix to be highly trainable as well. Regardless of owner experience, there are many benefits of puppy training classes. A mixed-breed dog can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a mix of both. You will also need to clean their facial wrinkles. Weekly ear checks with cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, a Frenchie Mix is more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. This makes good, consistent dental care for dogs even more important for them. Daily brushing with a dog-friendly toothpaste or using an enzyme toothpaste paired with cleanings at the vet when needed is ideal. Frenchies are known couch potato dogs that are happy to lay back, relax, and cuddle with you. Daily walks plus some playtime are usually enough for this affectionate little dog. Even though they like to relax, they also like to play and will be energetic when they do. They can also be athletic and compete in dog sports. As a brachycephalic breed, you do need to be careful of overexertion and overheating. But, there are plenty of ways to safely exercise flat-faced dogs to make sure your French Bulldog Mix gets enough exercise. If the other parent breed is also a low-energy breed, then you can expect something similar from a Frenchie Mix. If the other parent breed requires more activity, then you will need to be prepared for the potential of a higher energy dog. Fully-grown Frenchies usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so make sure you ask the breeder about them. This can give you some idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown French Bulldog Mix. French Bulldogs generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span in a French Bulldog Mix. Featured French Bulldog Mix Article.

Mom is lab, dad is bull terrier. Shots and wormed. Very good tempered dogs. Can meet for delivery. Ready to go 6 weeks 2days old. More pics to come. Unlimited AKC, exams, shots and de-worming done by our vet. A complete puppy care pkg to help get you started. One year written health guarantee. Mirna means tender. She is an all white beauty that loves to snuggle. Our pups are absolutely gorgeous home raised puppies. They are playful puppies. They are vet checked, AKC register and potty trained and will be coming along with the health papers and a one guarantee health certificate. They are very lovely and playful with both kids and other home pets. Serious buyers should only. Text or Call me at xxx xxx-xxx2 for more info. Extremely beautiful girls and boys. These little dogs has rabies vaccination, chip registration and passport. They are also treated against fleas and parasites. They are very healthy puppies. Every day at 3 pm the puppies are available for viewing. Extremely serious inquirers can be seen in the morning, after a pre-consultation. Weight is perfect, very nice. They are housebroken. Serious buyers should only Text ME at xxx xxx-xxx7. Free Shipping is Included. They are 12 weeks old and have this out going vaccinations as well as de-wormings. They will also be started on heart worm and flea prevention before leaving my home. My puppies will also come with all registration papers as well as a one year health guarantee. They have nice pedigree that includes many dogs that have earned their championship. If your looking for a stunning little boy or girl that is pre-spoiled, happy, healthy, champion lined pedigree, kid tested and approved email today to schedule an appointment to come. Serious interested buyers should only Text ME at xxx 34O-xxx1. Text xxx xxx-xxx7 Absolutely Beautiful Bull Terrier puppies Available now, from Champion and Champion pedigrees, correct eyes and ears, cobby and stocky, dew claws done, wormed and ready to join your family. Each puppy comes with all shots up to date, dewormed, AKC registered, health certificate and guarantee. These two outstanding pups out of a litter of 8 have been brought up to the highest standards with no expense spared. Miniature and standard sizes. They are registered and come with papers, shots, and health guarantees. They are raised in a loving home and are already well socialized with children. For any information please send me a email or call. Txt only via xxx xxx-xxx8 for more info and pics View Detail Bull Terrier Puppies available They are ready for their their new homes now All our puppies are AKC reg, vet checked, wormed, flea treated, micro-chipped and have had their first vaccination. They are scared of nothing and thinks they knows it all! They are being raised with our family and will be completely spoiled rotten. They are current on all shots and dewormings wonderful good looking english buldog pupies for adoption call xxx xxx-xxx7 or email xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. Lifespan Sociability Deciding to add a new puppy to your home is not a decision you should take lightly. These dogs have plenty of energy but can also be challenging in terms of training. You must socialize them extremely well as puppies to avoid them becoming overly wary of strangers as adults. They can also be a touch stubborn, thanks to their Terrier heritage. It takes an experienced eye to pick up when your dog is starting to switch off and change up your commands accordingly. This is especially true with a less well-known cross such as the English Bull Terrier. You could get a pup that looks like their English Bulldog parent but with the personality of a Bull Terrier, or vice versa! You might even end up with a puppy who seems like a fairly even mix of both parent breeds in terms of both appearance and temperament. The most important thing when looking at getting a hybrid breed puppy is to familiarize yourself with both parent breeds and make sure you like everything about each of them. The tenacious and powerful nature of both these breeds meant that they were brave enough to take on a much larger foe. Bull Terriers came about by crossing the slower English Bulldog with Terrier breeds, in an attempt to create a powerful yet quick dog with spirit. Both breeds have been in the U. While the Bulldog is now the more popular of the two breeds by a significant margin, the Bull Terrier was the first to be accepted into the American Kennel Club. They were recognized as a breed by the AKC in and were the 13th breed to be placed on its books. The Bulldog was accepted into the American Kennel Club in , as their 26th breed. This means their owners need to be experienced at training dogs or happy to work with a professional for extra guidance. They can have a territorial streak and will take it upon themselves to protect their families if they are not properly socialized from a young age. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Any family will need to make sure that they place a high priority on training an English Bull Terrier right from the start. They can be a little too big and bulky for very old or young family members, as their exuberance may knock people and objects flying. Remember the fighting instinct of both parent breeds, and know that care will need to be taken with small pets, especially any that would run away rather than stand their ground. Free feeding this breed is not a good idea, as they will eat everything in sight rather than self-regulate. Another issue that can affect English Bull Terriers with shorter noses is that they cannot swim well , so they should never be allowed around bodies of water without being constantly monitored. Keeping training sessions short and sweet and using positive reinforcement techniques is a great way to make sure you keep their attention. This breed needs significant amounts of socialization when young, to make sure that they learn to accept other people and dogs both within their home and outside. They can excel at agility, tracking and obedience, but remember to take into account that you may need to reduce high-energy activities during hot weather if your pup has a short nose and is at risk of breathing problems. These are the most common health conditions to affect the English Bulldog and the Bull Terrier. Minor Conditions. Not recognized as a breed by any major kennel club. Notes Dog domestic dog Bull and terrier was a common name for crossbreeds between bulldogs and terriers in the early s. Other names included half-and-halfs and half-breds. The sport of bull baiting required a dog with attributes such as tenacity and courage, a wide frame with heavy bone, and a muscular, protruding jaw. By crossing bulldogs with various terriers from Ireland and Great Britain , breeders introduced "gameness and agility" into the hybrid mix. The types and styles of dogs varied geographically depending on individual preferences. Some early anecdotal reports indicate that bulldog to terrier was preferred over bull and terrier to bull terrier, which was likely to have resulted in at least half or more bulldog blood. Those crossbreeds or hybrids are considered the forerunner of several modern standardised breeds. The appearance of certain dogs were being altered by crossbreeding to better suit function. Such changes began casting doubts over the bulldog's earliest known ancestors. For example, mastiff is a common descriptor for all large dogs, which created a cloud over the earliest origins of the bulldog. The Alaunt was once believed to be the likely ancestor of bulldogs and mastiffs, both of which came from Asia; others believed bulldogs descended only from mastiffs. There are also many paintings, texts, and engravings created during or prior to this period that labeled the bull-and-terrier only as "bull-terrier". Hinks was still developing his new bull terrier, nicknamed White Cavalier, which he presented at the Birmingham show in May .These types of descriptors vary, depending on the recognized breeds and observers' perspectives. Despite anecdotal misinformation and incorrect visual identification, dog owners, animal shelters , veterinarians and the general public routinely use the term "pit bull" in casual and official papers as though it denotes a single, recognized breed. It is believed their ancestors may have been mastiffs of Asian descent because of their aggressive tendencies and strength, but the term "mastiff" was used as a general reference for large dogs. A genetic assessment verified that bulldogs were descendants of mastiffs, but it also discovered pugs in the cross. It further confirmed a substantial loss of genetic diversity in the breed resulting from a small founder population of about 68 individuals. The impact of focused selection for breeding dogs with specific physical traits created artificial genetic bottlenecks. At the same time that the new Bull-and-Terrier made its appearance, the Bulldog fanciers began breeding their animals heavier and lower to the ground, so that the Bulldog acquired a new type. A genome -wide research study suggests the following: "In this analysis, all of the bull and terrier crosses map to the terriers of Ireland and date to .This coincides perfectly with the historical descriptions that, though they do not clearly identify all breeds involved, report the popularity of dog contests in Ireland and the lack of stud book veracity, hence undocumented crosses, during this era of breed creation Lee, .Circa .An Old English Bulldog and a muzzled bull and terrier. Some believe that the courage of most terriers, both past and present, to bear the bites of badgers and other prey they are meant to corner, dig for, or attack is derived from having a quarter to an eighth of Old English Bulldog ancestry. The terrier as used for hunting is a strong useful little dog, with great endurance and courage and with nearly as good a nose as the Beagle or Harrier. From his superior courage when crossed with the Bulldog, as most vermin-terriers are, he has generally been kept for killing vermin whose bite would deter the Spaniel or the Beagle, but would only render the terrier more determined in his pursuit of them. Less - The Bull Terrier is the cavalier gladiator — a good-looking tough character. It is strongly built and muscular, longer than it is tall. Its muscle mass combined with its relatively low center of gravity make it difficult for opponents to knock it off its feet. Its distinctive head not only shows off its keen and determined expression, but also its great jaw strength. Its gait is smooth and easy. Its skin is tight, and its coat short, flat and harsh. Exuberant, comical, playful, assertive and very mischievous describes the bull terrier. It is an imaginative breed that often sees things its own way and is stubborn to the end. It needs daily physical and mental exercise lest it exercise its powerful jaws on your home. For all its tough bravado, this is an extremely sweet-natured, affectionate and devoted breed. It can be aggressive with other dogs and small animals. Later they crossed the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier, mixed with some Spanish Pointer to increase its size, which produced the Bull Terrier breed. After dog fighting was abolished, Bull Terriers were bred with the Dalmatian to produce a white colored strain, then again with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to reintroduce color. Both the white and colored types increased in popularity as pets, and both strains remain today.

We're located in the heart of the Arkansas mountains the Ozarks , and our pups grow up on a ten-acre farm. We are looking for dedicated families to adopt our fur babies and love them like we do. We are not a discount breeder; we take this job of placing each pup very seriously and their future and well-being is of utmost importance. Please contact Dogwood Farms if you're ready for this loving commitment. CALL The Dogwood Difference When you purchase a fur baby from Dogwood Farms, they come complete with a puppy care package which includes: a care package, AKC registration paperwork, immunizations completed by a licensed veterinarian along with immunization paperwork and food each pup is used to eating. We are dedicated to these dogs and our promise is to make sure you have the support and equipment you need to take wonderful care of your new fur baby. We also have in person delivery options for each of our puppies. Rates available to St. In Person Flight options are also available as well to most major airports across the nation for example to California, Florida, New York and even Alaska. If for any reason you need to re-home your fur baby, we are more than willing to help you with that process. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We are serious hobby breeders of beautiful Golden Retrievers, located in central Arkansas. Let us introduce ourselves, Julie and Randy Lewis. We are natives of Little Rock, Arkansas and both grew up in the country just west of town. Our families both had dogs from day one. We learned to love them and realize that life would never be as full without paw prints on the floor and sloppy doggie kisses to make us smile. We are thrilled to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream of raising fabulous Golden Retrievers to enrich the lives of others. Julie's Dad, Tery Baskin, did a lot of duck hunting and usually had a Golden Retriever by his side during those hunts. After graduating from college, she was involved with animal rescue groups, fostering many dogs of all breeds and placing them in homes. They have the combination of temperament, personality, intelligence, looks, and a desire to please that is unsurpassed by any other breed. Julie decided that if she ever had the chance she would love to raise happy, healthy, well adjusted Golden Retriever puppies to enrich the lives of well deserving families. After spending years in banking, Julie decided the time was right to make her dream come true. She now is a stay at home doggie mom. She loves having the time to interact with her older dogs, compete in the confirmation ring, dock diving, and other dog sports, socializing the puppies and provide the best home she can for her beloved Golden Retrievers. We are lucky enough to live out in the country with acres of land where our dogs can romp and play daily. We also love taking our dogs to our lake house for swimming and boating! She has made lifelong friends through her love of this breed. Julie is fortunate to have a husband who loves animals as much as she does. Randy was an automotive mechanic for 13 years and then sold Auto parts for 6 years. He is now working at Paramount Metal Systems as an Estimator. His passion in life is everything to do with cars and trucks. When he is not in his shop tinkering with his antique car, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with the dogs, cats, and horses.

Description Different breeds have different needs, which is why IAMS created a recipe tailored to meet the unique nutritional needs of adult German Shepherds. This recipe has high quality protein sourced from chicken and eggs to support the strong, firm muscles of this large breed working dog. Plus, this no soy, no wheat, and no fillers recipe is formulated with essential minerals to help your dog maintain strong bones and healthy joints. Why feed your dogs just any dry dog kibble when you can satisfy their hunger with a balanced meal made just for their breed? Key Features: Tailored to the nutritional needs of German Shepherds for a healthy, balanced diet-because different breeds have different needs Recipe formulated for the sensitive digestive systems of German Shepherds and for healthy digestion Chicken is the 1 ingredient of this dry dog kibble, with no soy, no wheat, and no fillers Supports a healthy heart and strong, firm muscles Formulated with essential minerals to help German Shepherds maintain strong bones and strong joints Tailor-made recipe, carefully crafted to maintain healthy skin and coat of German Shepherds. Our vet wanted us to get one for sensitive stomach and skin. The reviews on other dog issues sounded like our so we tried. She loves the food compared to our old stuff. Seems to be helping with digestive issues but she has very stinky farts. Will keep feeding to see if it gets better. Vet says to give a new dog food a few months so will order again. If it does not improve I will start the search again. My dog actually likes this food thus far His digestive system improved no more diarrhea or loose stool. So far so good. Glad I switched 1 Rated 5 out of 5 stars By mandy on Aug 3, iams dog food my German Shepherd is very picky and always gets the runs but with iams German shepherd he hasn't have any problems 0 Rated 5 out of 5 stars By Traci on Apr 25, Pups Love It First time we have tried Iams and my girls love it! Very affordable! We switched from a popular brand that lowered their weight per bag and raised the price. We changed her to this food and though she has probably slowed down her growing, she has also quit limping. She enjoys her food, has solid stools and is doing great! I switched her with no problems and she likes it 1 Rated 5 out of 5 stars By treats on Mar 12, So nice not to have to go to the store I have troubles going to the store so this makes it so much easier and it gets delivered to the door. I want to see how long it takes for her to eat the whole bag, then I will get it on auto ship after that. I used to feed her Beneful.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Deer Creek Comfort Dogs Shaping future companions for families and those in need of comfort Our family has been raising puppies for over 20 years. Our children have always had a passion for dogs which began our journey and now our grandchildren enjoy growing up with our wonderful dogs by their side. Deer Creek provides emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, service and therapy prospects, canine good citizen dogs as well as family pets. Deer Creek assists our families with puppy selection to help ensure the families get the puppy that will work well with their needs. Someone once said, "Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" and we hope you choose one of ours. If you are interested in finding your new family member, fill out our puppy application and we will be thrilled to work with you. We recognize that our dogs have the capability of changing peoples' lives on a therapeutic level. Many of our Doodles have become therapy dogs at funeral homes, children's advocacy centers, hospitals and nursing homes, and others have found homes as anxiety, PTSD and emotional support dogs. Learn more about our nonprofit organization Deer Creek Paw Prints at www. Learn More Molly, Rhys, and Beau! View fullsize Both our chocolate Labradoodle and our Poodle are beautiful dogs with excellent temperaments. They are our family pets. Because we begin with a Labradoodle and a Poodle, rather than a Lab and a Poodle, our puppies are much more likely to have the non-shedding Poodle coat. A F1b Labradoodle has been back-crossed to a poodle in an effort to insure a non-shedding coat. Even though most f1b Labradoodles shed very little or not all, it is impossible to guarantee that any dog even doodles or purebred poodles will not shed at all. Hypo- means less hypothermia is having a lower than normal body temperature. No dog can be said to be completely non-allergenic. Studies have shown that doodles are less likely to cause allergies, particularly f1b doodles. The ideal is to keep as much of the Lab head shape and super-friendly personality as possible while getting the non-shedding Poodle coat as well as the dignified, less vocal characteristics of the Poodle. Our Labradoodle methodology is quite simple. First, we get quality dogs. This is why we wanted to have pick of the litter for our Labradoodle and our Poodle and why we only obtained puppies from reputable breeders that we knew we could trust. Second, we try to treat our dogs Labradoodle and Poodle well. We feed our Labradoodle and Poodle high quality food with plenty of protein, and give them wonderful socialization and opportunities for exercise. We have 12 acres along the Enoree River with trails, additional property next to a Greenville state park, and property on Lake Hartwell giving us the opportunity to take the dogs kayaking. We recognize the importance of socializing young Labradoodle puppies so they will not be fearful as they mature. Our Labradoodle puppies have lots of opportunities to play with our children, and water games are definitely on top of the list. Labradoodles love the water and so do my kids, as you can see below. Third, we try to find appropriate families for our Chocolate Labradoodle puppies. To learn more about our process, check out this resource that gives a step-by-step guide between the application to receiving your puppy! A Chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle is not for everyone, and a puppy is not for everyone. If your family is not prepared for a Labradoodle puppy financially, time investment, etc. When can you get your puppy? Because we have only one Labradoodle mother and a couple guardian homes , puppies are available only occasionally. Contact us nathan crockettdoodles. We have a flexible waiting list and offer your deposit back if we do not have the ideal Labradoodle puppy for you within a certain window of time. Sometimes with mini Labradoodles we prefer to wait until they are a little older than 8 weeks because accidents tend to happen more easily with really small puppies. We will take several pictures of you with your Labradoodle puppy. We will send you the pictures for free place them on a USB thumb drive for you , and you will have full copyright privileges to all of the pictures to use at your discretion. You have the option of whether or not the photos appear here on the ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Although we never ship puppies, we will sometimes personally deliver puppies for a reasonable fee. Why should you consider getting a Chocolate Labradoodle from us? If a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy is right for your family, and if you are within driving distance of Greenville, SC, you may want to consider getting a chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle from us. If you read our Labradoodle puppy methodology and like what you read, you should consider adopting one of our puppies. We have a three-year health guarantee on each of our puppies if the forever home continues to feed TLC one year health guarantee on all others. How can you get a Chocolate Labradoodle or Labradoodle mini from us? If you think your family would be a good match for one of our Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppies, then start the conversation by emailing us at nathan crockettdoodles. You will have full access to all pictures and hold the copyright to make as many pictures as you desire. You keep all the pictures. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality collar. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality leash. We give you a bag of high quality dog food. We believe that you should give your new Labradoodle puppy or mini Labradoodle puppy the best food. Instructional materials about crate training and house training. Our goal is to do everything we can to assist in the house training and crate training process. A Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy or any puppy cannot be completely reliable in the house until the puppy is about 6 months old. The simple point is that no matter what some breeders tell you you will be partially involved in the house training process unless you buy an older Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle , but we want to help you with that process. A one-year health guarantee; extended to three years for all who continue to feed TLC. We are concerned with finding really good homes for our Labradoodle and mini Labradoodle puppies. Labradoodle Color To see a list of available colors, check out this page. At ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Ultimately we cannot completely control the color of puppies. Even though chocolate is the most desirable color, we sometimes have puppies of other colors even occasional merles. These puppies, will of course, also make excellent pets. These non-chocolate Labradoodle puppies are also available to great families, but we know that Chocolate Labradoodles are the most desirable. The Labrador Retriever has a short coat that sheds. By breeding the F1 Labradoodle back to an unrelated Poodle, the chances of getting the highly desirable non-shedding Poodle coat increase exponentially. Some F1B Labradoodles are bred back another time to a Poodle in an effort to guarantee a Poodle coat. If high quality dogs are chosen to breed that have the head shape of a Labrador Retriever it is possible to get a puppy that is very similar in many ways to a Labrador, but has the beautiful non-shedding Poodle coat. Both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, helping Labradoodles excel in smarts, train-ability, and a general desire to always please their owner. If you desire a family-friendly, kid loving, medium energy dog that is comfortable inside or outside, that loves the water and the land, you should definitely consider a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle. For more info about Labradoodle puppies or mini Labradoodle puppies, please email nathan crockettdoodles. Check out our sister site miniLabradoodlePuppies. We specialize in Chocolate Labradoodles and mini Labradoodles, but often we have other colors as well. Occasionally someone travels from Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh-Durham or Knoxville, but our proximity to North Carolina and the popularity of Labradoodles in North Carolina make Charlotte and Asheville our most serviced locations. We also have some who are interested from distant states, but we primarily serve the Southeast U. The Labradoodles and Goldendoodles in our breeding program live with us in our home, not a kennel. Our puppies are whelped in our home and exposed to daily family life. At Blessed Day Doodles one of our top priorities is that our doodles are part of our family and receive daily love and attention. Our breeding dogs live with amazing and carefully chosen guardian families. Guardian homes allow our breeding dogs to be part of a forever family and receive the love and attention every dog deserves. Why Blessed Day Doodles? Labradoodle and Goldendoodle Health The Australian Labradoodle is a hybrid between the poodle, labrador retriever, and cocker spaniel. Miniature goldendoodles are a hybrid between the poodle and golden retriever. Our breeding dogs must pass extensive health testing to become part of our program. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle Temperaments Goldendoodles and Australian Labradoodles are incredibly social, intelligent, and equally loving. Doodles love people and animals alike, coupled with their low to non-shed qualities, it makes them the perfect family pet. Because of their social nature it would be a punishment to leave a doodle alone for long periods of time without human contact. Furthermore, we encourage you to consider that dogs, like humans, are happiest with a mate, so in their case…another dog. With this in mind, you may want to consider having two dogs so they can keep one another company. We humans are great company but dogs are happiest with another canine companion.

Find Pug breeders with puppies for sale near Fredericksburg Pug breeders directory Enter your 5-digit U. Find a Pug for adoption at dog rescues or shelters near Fredericksburg. See real-time photos and information about dogs currently available by clicking or tapping on FETCH below. Fredericksburg: Pug Breeders Below is a sample search of our Pug breeders with puppies for sale. The search tool above returns a list of breeders located nearest to the zip or postal code you enter. From there you can see photos of their pups, find detailed information on their web page and contact them by e-mail, phone and even get driving directions. Detailed contact information has been omitted. Enter your zip or postal code above to access our up-to-date directory. This is a free search tool! Use the form at the top to get complete listings for breeders in your area! Important: Breeders. It is your responsibility to investigate. See How to Find a Dog. Puppies available most times. UTD on shots and dewormings. Raised in my home! Mountain View Puppies Woodbury, PA, Services: Puppies Looking for a forever home for Lucky, a sweet 7 month old gal, who loves attention, is good around small children and other dogs. They are health guaranteed and raised with children, dogs and cats. We do NOT ship. It is too high of a risk. We have only a few litters a year. All of our dogs and puppies live in our home. We have beautiful AKC registered pug puppies. We have been raising puppies for around 25 years and make every effort to raise healthy quality pets. All our dogs and pups are raised in our home not a kennel. Our fur kids are Loved and spoiled beyond measure.Looking for one of these fantastic little dogs give us a call! We have traditional colors and unrecognized colors all pups are vet checked and come with a guarantee. Very sociable,loving and fun. Old black female who is housebroken and very calm and laid back. Feel free to check out our Panini Pug facebook page for the newest info! Still have the cutest black male and two fawn males. Spring is the nicest time to raise your puppy. Adorable little girls full of energy and playful. Very sweet and love to be held. Dewclaws removed and first vaccine. We have been doing this for 13 yrs. The pups are raised in our house and our parents have absolutely no health issues. I have fawns and blacks, all are AKC registered. Boys available at stud. We breed sweet, healthy companions and occasional show pups. One year health guarantee Kurtz's Pugs. Chico and his buddy, Bear, were surrendered to the rescue because their family was having financial difficulties and could not afford to keep them. Both pups were stressed when they first came into the rescue after this major life change, but they have acclimated well to their new foster homes. Chico is currently being fostered with two small dogs both more laid back energy, one is very submissive and one is more bossy, and Chico does well with both. He has a medium energy level and is always up for activity and does great in the car.He has definitely acclimated to our home and dogs. We have one dog that is very submissive that he gets along fine with and another dog that is a bit dominant and he shows him the proper level of respect. He is doing great with house training. Chico would definitely be happy in a home with another dog. He would be great with kids, but he when he gets very excited, he likes to jump so care would be needed with really young children. He likes his crate and absolutely loves to snuggle with his people on the bed at night. He currently shares the bed with his foster people and two other dogs and does great. He also does absolutely fabulous on long car rides with no issues. Chico would do well wtih another dog, or as only dog, with or without kids. .Apply for this cutie today! You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. September 14, , pm. AmericanListed features safe and local classifieds for everything you need! Pug babies ACA. For Sale. Contact the Rescues and Animal Shelters below directly for information on adoption and costs. Age: 11 Weeks Old. Hypoallergenic: No. The Chihuahua-pug hybrid has yet to gain popularity as a popular mixed breed. Share this listing: Breed: Pug. Default Sorting. Contact Fredericksburg Pug breeders near you using our free Pug breeder search tool below! ADN Its also free to list your puppies and litters on our site. Gender: Male. ADN Fawn pug puppies Precious babies loves to play been raised in a house with a lot of kids Have male and f. .Size: Small. Free Shipping is Also available. Dog Group: Toy. Girl sold Have 1 black one platinum boy. Sex: Male. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Caseys House, Inc. Filter Dog Ads Search. Puppy laws vary from state to state and it is important that you research what dog breed will best suit you as an owner. Post an Ad. Coat: Short and smooth. I have both parents so can be view. Distance: Aprox. These puppies are excellent quality, Distance: Aprox. At the moment our cattery is one of the biggest in the USA who produced these valuable Pug puppies. View pictures. If youre in Virginia and you are looking for a Pug puppy, youre in the right place! In this article, I have written a rundown of Pug Breeders in Virginia. Here, you can search for your dream puppy without leaving your state! Should it happen that you cant find your breeder and puppy of choice, dont worry. I also made a list of online breeders. Rameys pugs virginia, fredericksburg. Shedding: Moderate. Energy Level: Low. Only 2 Females Left! Featured Listings. We have a beautiful litter of pug puppies that will be available at the end of October. Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. Chinese Crested. Real Estate. Zola's Female 2. Size: inches tall, lbs. Rameys pug club virginia, fredericksburg. Male s and Female s Age: 8 Weeks Old. Nickname: Snoopy on PuppyFinder. Bentley 19wks old. If you have any questions, please contact us at today! Find Fredericksburg Dogs. We have 2 black males, 2 black females, and 1 fawn female. Americanlisted has classifieds in Fredericksburg, Virginia for dogs and cats. As a result, the price of Chug dog puppies is still quite low. Lifespan: years. Pug Puppies For Sale. Share it or review it. We have 2 beautiful female purebred pug puppies we are now accepting deposits on. The lower prices would generally be the puppies you can get from reputable breeders. Please leave a message if we don't answer, we may be with the dogs :. We offer services in the state for Dog Breeders and buyers alike. Loudoun All our Pug puppy for sale are transferred according to the law with documentation and all our Pug puppy and puppies are with registration AKC. Mother is available to view she is half pug half shit zhu father is full breed pug. We have 2 beautiful fawn female pug young puppies excluded our trash. Fawn pug puppies virginia, fredericksburg. Bluemont, VA .Another popular website where you can find a good quality pug puppy would be here in Adopt a Pet. A great feature of this site is that you have put some filters to narrow down your searches according to your preference. Beautiful Fawn female pugs ACAvet check first shot dewormed and papers parents on premises Ready to go ho. .Gender: Female. Pug Breeders Directory. Age: Baby on PuppyFinder. They were born upon June 28th, .The higher prices would likely come from popular or well-known breeders. We have a litter of pug puppies that were born last week, we have 3 fawn males and 2 black males available. Tyson 22wks old. Finn 13wks old. Fawn male pug and female brindle pugs first shots dewormed vet checked ACA paper Family raised ready for their new home. Browse search results for pekingese puppies for sale in Fredericksburg, VA. Fawn Male. They are fully registered and come with full ownership rights. Beautiful Female Pug Puppies! Its also free to list your puppies and litters on our site. Will be available to be re-homed from 28th march. Ad ID .PetzLover helps you to find your lovable pets to your home.

Will my dog get sick from eating poop? Poop eating can definitely be a concern to a pet owner since it can make your dog sick. If your dog is eating its own poop, itmay be OK, but there is still a chance of illness. Especially if your dog is eating the poop of another dog or animal, there is a large risk of infectious diseases or parasites. Some symptoms of poop eating include gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhea, decreased appetite, tiredness and intestinal parasites , according to Muenster Milling. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has eaten poop and is experiencing any behavioral changes or symptoms. How often should I take my dog to the vet? And how to know if your pet needs a checkup How can I keep my dog from eating poop? To curb your pup from eating poop, you may consider vitamin or enzyme supplements. These can help if your dog is eating poop due to a lack of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B, says the AKC. There are also various deterrents on the market, which make poop less appetizing to your dog. Other methods to stop your dog from eating poop include training, — using commands like "leave it,' — keeping a close eye during walks and cleaning up poop immediately. Understanding why your puppy eats stool and learning how to address this behavior appropriately will help prevent it from becoming a lifelong habit. So … why do puppies eat poop? If your puppy consistently ingests stool, talk with your veterinarian. There are many possible reasons for a puppy to eat poop, and knowing if the cause is medical, behavioral, or a combination of both can help you eradicate the behavior successfully. This is a primitive, evolutionary behavior that developed to keep the den clean and protect the puppies from disease, parasites, and predators. The smell from large amounts of stool accumulating in a den would certainly draw unwanted attention! This behavior can sometimes be thwarted by picking up any stool the puppies produce before they have the chance to snack on it. Puppies Eat Poop Because of Poor Digestion Another theory behind coprophagia is that some puppies develop the habit after not digesting their food well. If food is digested poorly, this might cause portions of the stool to have the same smell and taste as their puppy food. This similarity may inspire some puppies to eat the stool. Causes of poor digestion can be diet formulation, parasites, or abnormalities in the digestive tract. Boredom and Stress Can Cause Puppies To Eat Poop Puppies with inconsistent socialization and activity can develop many bad habits in an effort to entertain themselves or feel more in control of their environment. Though chewing on crates and furniture is more common, some puppies might eat their poop. Consistent, frequent playtime and interaction is important to help prevent this unwanted behavior. If your schedule requires your puppy to be alone for extended periods of time, talk to your veterinarian about age-safe dog toys that will keep them entertained and stress-free. Growing puppies require many more calories than adult dogs and should be fed a diet specifically designed for their needs. Young puppies should be fed three or four times a day on a consistent schedule. If you have questions about how much or how often you should feed your puppy, talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can look for evidence of intestinal parasites through fecal testing. Puppies Eat Poop To Get Your Attention Getting upset and yelling at your puppy is a very common reaction when you see them doing something as gross as eating poop. Therefore, punishment tactics should never be used with puppies to help with house-training or stool-eating. Instead, put effort into praising good behaviors like when your puppy poops outside. When a puppy poops on the floor, ignore them and just clean it up well. When they potty outside, praise them. Your puppy will learn that they get attention for pooping outside, not for pooping inside and eating it. How To Stop a Puppy From Eating Poop If your puppy has already developed a poop-snacking habit and they have no physical abnormalities or illness, the following tips may help stop the yucky behavior. Watch for signs of digestive issues: Vomiting, diarrhea, and passing undigested food may be signs that your puppy is not digesting their food appropriately. Make Sure Your Puppy Gets Enough Exercise and Attention Exercise and play are essential for a happy puppy, and providing consistent opportunities to engage their mind and their muscles will make them less likely to develop undesirable habits. When you have to leave your puppy alone, consider age-appropriate and non-destructible chew toys or puzzle toys to entertain them. Cleaning up stool promptly can help them avoid temptation. After your puppy poops, distract them from their stool by calling them to you. A puppy who successfully comes when called and ignores their stool should be rewarded, either verbally or with training treats. Bring your puppy inside, if possible, before removing the stool to avoid drawing attention back to the location. Keep Your Puppy on a Leash For puppies that cannot be easily distracted from their stool, leashes can be an effective tool to keep them walking away after they have defecated. It can also keep them away from the stool of other dogs or other animals. While verbal commands and recall are always preferred, a gentle tug on the leash can help distract them from the stool initially. But, like in puppies, it may be a reaction to anxiety or boredom. If no medical cause for the coprophagy is found, use the same techniques described above for your adult dog. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. From eating that week old sandwich they found on the sidewalk to spending hours of their life licking their own butt, dogs do plenty of things that us humans find disgusting. No matter which way you look at it, the eating of feces is plain revolting. Many dogs, however, seem to consider it a fine delicacy! If your dog likes to chow down on poop at any opportunity, you might be concerned, and understandably so. Nobody seems to be percent sure exactly why they do it, but there are plenty of theories. The good news is there are ways to discourage your dog from eating poop. The bad news is it can be a tricky habit to break percent. If you live out in the country, you might find poop-eating more of a problem. This means more temptation for your dog and more likelihood that they make poop a regular snack. Why do Dogs Eat Poop? Are There Any Medical Reasons? Dogs Naturally suggests a number of medical reasons why dogs consume feces. Parasites Internal parasites, such as worms , leach the nutrients that your dog should be getting from their food. This could make them crave anything that might contain the nutrients they require. Or, more simply, it could make them more hungry and want to eat anything available. As such, if a dog eats their own feces, it could be because it contains lots of undigested nutrients. There are all kinds of medical reasons why a dog could have an increased appetite, from thyroid issues to being on prescribed steroids. Giving your dog a bit of extra breakfast or dinner could discourage your pup from their poop-eating ways. Malabsorption A number of malabsorption syndromes, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency , have been known to cause dogs to eat feces. Deficiencies There are certain deficiencies some experts believe could lead to a propensity to eat stool. Roger DeHaan, DVM , says a hydrochloric acid deficiency could cause poor digestion and ultimately make dogs eat feces. Whereas Joseph Demers, DVM, suggests that a deficiency in trace minerals might lead to poop eating in dogs. This could be a result of underfeeding or feeding your dog a poor diet. Make sure your dog is getting sufficient calories for their age, weight and activity level, and feed a high-quality food containing sufficient nutrients. Why do Dogs Eat Poop: Possible Behavioral Reasons Along with the medical reasons listed above, there are all kinds of behavioral reasons why a dog might take a fancy to feces. Dogs are natural scavengers and they look for food wherever they go. In the wild, this would have been to keep their den clean and avoid attracting predators with the smell. Some dogs may pick up this desire to keep their area clean and eating poop out in the garden could be a form of housekeeping. Attention Seeking Much like children, dogs who are bored, lonely or just wanting some love will sometimes do things to get attention, even if the attention they get is negative. They may have the opposite of the desired effect or cause other behavior problems. If your dog has been punished in the past for defecating indoors, if they have an accident, they might eat their feces to hide the evidence, as it were. If they start doing this regularly, it could become a habit and they could start eating other poop at other times. Boredom Dogs who are home alone all day can, understandably, get bored. They might find that eating poop is just something to do, and they get a snack out of it, too. Learned Behaviors Dogs are pack animals and learn things from their canine companions. If they spend time with another dog that thinks dung is a delicacy, they may simply learn it from them. Dogs have very different ideas from us about what they think is tasty. You only have to take a big whiff of their favorite dog food to figure that one out. So, is eating poop dangerous for dogs? Other than the fact the idea of it is rather cringe-worthy, that is. However, she does go on to say there are risks your dog could contract a parasite from eating poo. In most cases, however, dogs who eat poop never develop any issues from doing so. If you think your dog has contracted a parasite or other medical issue from eating feces, contact your vet to get them checked out. How you get your dog to stop eating poop depends on why they do it in the first place. Change Their Diet As mentioned earlier in this post, a poor diet could cause your dog to want to supplement it with a little something extra. Make sure you always pick up after your dog as soon as they go. And, if you have cats, keep their litter tray clean at all times. The main issue comes if your dog likes to eat wild animal feces out on walks. You might do one stage per day or it might take several days for your dog to get the hang of each stage. Keep your training sessions to no more than ten minutes at a go, as your dog will lose focus and you might start getting frustrated. Using high-value treats can make the lesson sink in that much quicker. Extend your treat-holding hand toward your dog. At this point, your dog will probably try to get it from you in various ways; trying to grab it, licking it, nibbling it, trying to give you their paw, and so on. As soon as your dog either stops and move their nose back from the treat or turning their head away, give them the treat and some praise. Remember to give a treat and a good dose of praise every time. This way your pup will build an association between the action and the command. Repeat this a few times, continuing to give praise and treats. Place a treat in both hands. One in a closed hand, behind your back, and one in a palm opened upwards. Move the treat-holding palm toward your dog so they can see it and smell it. Because the treat is fully visible, it might be tougher for your dog to resist. From this point, you must always give them a reward from elsewhere, not the one that you asked them to leave. Repeat this until your dog gets it right the first time, every time. Have a treat ready in your hand as a reward. Just go back to the third stage and give them some more practice. Once again, practice this stage once your dog is getting it right. But you do have to be around to tell your dog to leave it. In the majority of cases, however, your dog eating poop is more disgusting than it is dangerous. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. 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. Reasons Dogs Eat Poop Nutritional Deficiencies A dog may eat poop because they are missing important nutrients in their own diet or they are not properly absorbing certain nutrients in their food during digestion called malabsorption. One study found that dogs whose diets were deficient in thiamine vitamin B1 developed coprophagia. If your veterinarian suspects deficiencies, they will run specific tests not included in a usual wellness blood panel. Nutritional deficiencies are not common for dogs fed commercial diets, and are instead more common in dogs fed raw or homemade diets. Underlying Medical Issues If a dog suddenly begins to eat feces, it may be a sign of health conditions that cause increased appetite, such as diabetes, Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or any gastrointestinal disease that causes malabsorption. Diseases that can lead to pica eating inappropriate things , such as liver disease and anemia, can result in coprophagia. Canine cognitive dysfunction "doggie dementia" can also contribute to this behavior. Intestinal Parasites Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, or whipworms, "steal" nutrients from your dog's diet, which can cause inflammation and malabsorption. That can then can lead to coprophagia. Anxiety Stool eating may be a symptom of underlying anxiety or stress in a dog. This may be separation anxiety or isolation distress, or a dog who is seeking to avoid punishment during potty training hiding the evidence! Hunger Eating stool may be a sign that a dog is simply hungry and seeking more calories. Dogs who are taking steroidal treatments, such as prednisone, often have a larger appetite and may begin to eat poop. Cleaning the "Den" When raising a litter of puppies, for the first few weeks after birth, a mother dog will lick the puppies' rears to stimulate bowel movements and then eat the puppies' feces. This is completely normal and expected behavior and is believed to happen due to their desire to keep the den area clean and protect against predators who may smell the poop and therefore find the den location. It Just Tastes Good! While we may automatically wrinkle our noses at the idea that our dogs just find poop tasty, it just may be that they like the taste. Feces is simply digested food. And if your dog is eating other dog or cat feces, to them, it's just another protein source! If they prefer horse or rabbit poop, perhaps they like the taste of digested plants. Inappropriate Association with Food This is related to the prior point about dogs liking the taste of feces. In some cases, a dog may associate poop with food because their eating area was located too close to their potty area during critical development phases. This can happen with dogs who spent a lot of time in confinement without a separate potty area, such as in puppy mills or an overcrowded shelter. Attention Seeking or Boredom Dogs learn quickly that eating poop is a surefire way of getting your attention, as when we see it happen, we tend to immediately respond by shouting and running after them. They may start repeating this behavior to get your attention and can even see it as a fun game to play when you're around. If a dog is bored, they may seek out things to indulge in, including finding and eating feces in the yard or taking on the challenge of accessing the cat's litter box for a snack. When eating poop, your dog has an increased risk for certain diseases, such as E. Consumption can increase their risks of intestinal parasite infection as well. There are even documented cases, albeit not common, of pets absorbing certain undigested medications from consuming poop. If your dog consumes their own or another household pet's poop but all are parasite-free, make sure they are on year-round preventatives and have regular fecal exams to ensure their continued health. Staying up-to-date on preventatives is also extremely important if your dog eats other dogs' feces at dog parks or on walks. You'll also want to consider that your dog puts their mouth on quite a lot of things in your home — not to mention that they probably lick your face or hands. If they eat poop, you're then also at risk of illness and disease transmission such as Salmonella and giardia. Speak with your veterinarian about your dog's poop-eating behavior. Ask them if they have recommendations on food or supplements to add to their diet. They may refer you to a veterinary nutritionist for further testing and treatment. The Solution: Prevent Poop Eating With Management The most effective thing you can do, no matter the reason your dog is eating poop, is to remove access to it. If they can't get to it, they can't eat it! How you do this depends on whose poop they are eating. Pick up Poop Right Away. For my dog, he prefers my older female dog's poop, but not his own. This means that I must be very quick to immediately bag up her poop when she goes. But I have more leeway when it comes to scooping his poop in the yard. Whenever we go out for a potty break in the yard, I make sure to have a bag ready in my pocket and keep a close eye on her to make sure I don't miss any droppings. Be prepared with your poop scooper or poo bags whenever you take your dogs outside. Keep Your Dog Out of the Litterbox. Block your dog's access to the cat's litterbox. Use gates or strategic locations for the litter box, and make sure to clean it regularly. Dogs are scavengers by nature, and "training" this out of them is a big ask. In some cases, managing their environment and using anti-scavenging tools solves the problem. But for extreme cases, while you work on teaching your dog to leave poop alone, invest in these tools to prevent them from practicing this unwanted behavior. Anti-scavenging muzzles. I recommend muzzle training for all dogs , but it's particularly useful for dogs who like to grab and eat feces. Choose a basket muzzle that is designed with a front guard, like this Baskerville Anti-Scavenge muzzle. The JAFCO muzzle is also a good option, or if you have a basket muzzle custom-made, make sure to choose a tightly woven front design. While a basket muzzle will still allow a dog to shove their snout into a pile of poo, ideally it will block actual ingestion. Just be ready with sani wipes and clean your muzzle after each use. For more tips on finding the right muzzle for your dog, check out my tips in "Choosing and Fitting a Basket Muzzle. An alternative to a basket muzzle, a product like the Outfox Field Guard prevents your dog from ingesting feces they find. However, just like a muzzle, your dog may still decide to smear poo all over it. But this product is especially useful if you live in an area where foxtails are prevalent. Use a head collar on walks. If your dog likes to treat your walk like a poop buffet, grazing on found poop along the way, walking them on a head collar, such as a Halti , can give you better control over where their nose goes. Using this walking gear, you can keep their nose up from the ground and prevent scavenging. This is usually my last recommendation, as sniffing is an essential activity for your dog to engage in every day. However, using a head collar for leash walking in areas where there is a lot of wildlife poop and then allowing them the freedom to sniff in "free-of-poop" areas is a good compromise. I only recommend using a head collar, if you can commit to spending lots of time conditioning your dog to wear it comfortably first. I do not recommend head collars for small dogs or dogs who pull or lunge on the leash, as the sudden torque on the neck can cause injury. To function properly, dogs need a balanced diet containing proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that match their life stage. You want to feed a diet that is meat-based listed in the first two to three ingredients , but that also has a balance of carbohydrates vegetables, quality grains, and fruits. Feed Your Dog More Often Feeding your dog smaller meals more frequently throughout the day may help reduce hunger and scavenging behavior, which could be contributing to their coprophagia. Be aware that if you're still working on your dog's potty training, changing their meal frequency may affect how many times and the time they need to go 2 every day. Increase Mental Enrichment To reduce boredom and decrease stress, give your dog more brain games and mental enrichment. Licking, chewing, and sniffing are especially helpful for decompression and reducing anxiety. The easiest way to enrich your dog's life is to make every meal a brain or foraging activity. You can do this with a snuffle mat or puzzle feeder. There are tons of ways to increase enrichment, many of which don't involve more food. One thing to think about here is that typically we have to be present to say "leave it" for our dogs to actually be successful with this. Combine leave it practice with management and prevention techniques for true success. You can take the regular leave it cue to the next level by teaching an automatic leave it. This skill is difficult and takes quite a bit of practice! It can be done, but be aware that you are competing with a dog's natural instinct to scavenge. To introduce an automatic leave it, you'll want to make the presence of poo the cue for your dog, not your verbal "leave it. Approach a pile of poo, but don't allow your dog close enough to eat it. When they notice it, simply wait. When they turn their head away from or step away from the poop, say "yes! Repeat, repeat, repeat. This process takes time and lots of repetitions. It's best to work with a certified trainer on this skill, as this is what we consider a "college level" skill, and training needs to be tailored to each individual dog for the best success. In some cases, we may install a cue transfer, where we teach the dog to recall when they find poop or do an automatic check-in. It depends on the dog's foundational skills and the context that usually ends with poop eating. Poop Eating Deterrent Products There are a few different products available that claim to stop poop eating in dogs. Unfortunately, over-the-counter poop-eating deterrent products simply don't deliver on their promises. According to this study , there were "no successful results in treating coprophagy with any of the commercial products. First: speak with your veterinarian about what they may recommend and what, if any, ingredients may interact with any medications your dog is taking. I recommend first trying natural diet additives to balance your dog's gastrointestinal system prior to exploring commercial products. Natural Poop Eating Deterrents Pre and Probiotics: Providing your dog with a pre and probiotic enhances their digestion, nutrient absorption, and boosts their immune system. Use a multi-strain product with a high CFU per dose. See our veterinarian's top picks for probiotics here. Digestive enzymes: Consult with your veterinarian to determine if your dog needs digestive enzymes, which are typically only available by prescription. They can help improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients resulting in less palatable poop. Vitamin B Supplements: If your pet is diagnosed with a malabsorption issue or Vitamin B deficiency, your veterinarian may recommend B-complex injections. This increases fiber content and may make feces less appealing to eat. Note: Only use pure pumpkin — avoid pumpkin pie filling. Green Veggies: Add vegetables high in fiber to your dog's diet, such as spinach, kale, green beans, or broccoli. Pineapple: There are no scientific studies to support this, but an old legend suggests that feeding your dog small pieces of fresh pineapple never canned will make the taste of their poop unappealing. Meat tenderizer: Both myself and Preventive Vet's team veterinarian are wary to recommend adding meat tenderizer to a dog's diet to prevent coprophagia. Well, many meat tenderizers have other ingredients that can be toxic to dogs, such as high sodium, onion, and garlic. Bromelain, the actual "tenderizer" in these products, is present in fresh pineapple, so you're better off trying that before adding meat tenderizer to your dog's food. But just like with pineapple, there are no studies that show this is effective. There are quite a few recommendations that will pop up on Google when you search for home remedies for stopping poop eating. Be very careful what you try with your dog, and it's always a good idea to ask your veterinarian first. As mentioned above with meat tenderizers, there may be additional ingredients that can be toxic to dogs. For example, one suggestion I found is to sprinkle crushed breath mints on a dog's food, but many sugar-free breath mints contain the sugar substitute xylitol — which is extremely dangerous to dogs. I actually stopped using the product after just two days because my veterinarian informed me that it has high sodium content that she didn't recommend for my senior dog to take — the second ingredient is MSG monosodium glutamate. MSG can be toxic for dogs in high amounts or with long-term consumption. However, if only used for a short period of time, the benefits may outweigh any risks. MSG only has one-third of the sodium content of regular table salt. Some dogs do get vomiting and diarrhea. Speak to your veterinarian first before use, especially if your dog has heart or kidney issues. Does your dog eat poop? We'd love to hear about what you've tried to stop it — take this short 2-minute survey to share your experience! With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization. She has also completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course. When she's not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding. Reviewed by Jennifer Coates Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, is an accomplished veterinarian and writer with more than 25 years of experience in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and conservation. It could be any animal's feces, too. From its own stool to your cat's litter box deposits to a neighboring horse's or cow's manure, some puppies don't discriminate when it comes to poo they're willing to eat. Although many puppies grow out of this phase at least to some extent, there are steps you can take to discourage and even stop the behavior. Exercising your puppy more, changing foods, making it clear that poop-eating is off limits, and minimizing your dog's opportunities to snack on droppings are just some of the ways to stop this gross habit. Here's what you should know about why puppies eat their poop and how to stop it. Why Do Puppies Eat Poop? There's even a technical term for it: coprophagia. This behavior typically is normal for very young puppies, possibly to colonize the gastrointestinal tract with normal bacteria. Puppies may also learn this behavior while imitating their mothers, as a female dog normally will eat the feces of her nursing puppies to keep the "den" clean and prevent potential predators from coming to investigate the odor. Generally, female dogs will stop eating their puppies' bowel movements around the time the puppies wean, but some pups might continue to dine on droppings. Still, the good news is that most puppies outgrow the habit. The bad news is that some dogs hang on to the nasty practice throughout their lives. As far as your puppy is concerned, you are both playing a fun game. Chasing can reward the behavior and encourage your puppy to play poopy-keep-away. Other times, poop eating stems from boredom. If a pup left out in the yard alone has little to occupy its time, it may turn to the one available thing to play with. Cow and horse manure may contain undigested grains or other ingredients that are appealing to your pup. For instance, if the dog's food is not being digested fully, the dog may look to its feces as a supplement because it's nearly the same as when it was eaten. It's also possible that a dog is simply not eating enough and its daily food intake needs to be increased. Another possibility is that a puppy with a heavy infestation of worms eats its own poop in an attempt to make up for the nutrients it is losing to the worms. Health Conditions Some health issues may cause coprophagia as well. Diseases in the small intestine or pancreas may cause malabsorption or maldigestion. Also, conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease often increase a dog's appetite and, if its regular diet isn't filling, it may resort to whatever is available. If your puppy isn't thriving despite eating a well balanced diet, or shows other signs of illness, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to be sure there isn't a health issue at play. Stress Stress can also lead a dog to eat their feces, especially major stressors like coming to a new home after being adopted. Puppies can also become stressed if they are harshly punished for poop eating. This can lead to a vicious cycle where the puppy associates poop with punishment, and eats the "evidence" in an attempt to stay out of trouble. Parasites are often transmitted through feces, so having a dog that eats it as a treat puts the pup's health at risk. There are several things you can do to put an end to this nauseating habit: Make It Clear the Behavior Is Unwanted Puppies may eat waste to get your attention, which means that even yelling may reward their behavior. Instead, interrupt the act by shaking a can full of pennies or clapping your hands loudly. Do not hit your dog, which can make the situation even worse by causing your puppy to fear you. Once your dog leaves the poop alone, reward it for the good behavior by supplying a small treat, petting your pup or praising it, or engaging in a play session. Positive reinforcement is always better than negative discouragement when it comes to training your dog. The 12 Best Dog Training Books of Increase the Level of Activity For bored pups, increase playtime to a minimum of 20 minutes several times a day or try aerobic exercise twice a day. If you leave your puppy in the yard while you're away from home, increase the number of toys available. A treat-spiked toy such as a Kong filled with peanut butter offers a tastier, healthier alternative to poop. Remember that puppies are naturally playful, social animals that long to be with their favorite humans, so try to schedule frequent play and bonding sessions with your pet. Training sessions, such as teaching your puppy to walk on a leash, sit, stay, come, and lie down are also excellent ways to relieve boredom, encourage bonding, discourage poop-eating, and improve your dog's overall behaviors. Minimize Stress If you believe stress may be playing a role in your dog's habit, try to offer some relief. This will entail addressing the reason for its anxiety, whether that be a move to a new home, changes in household members, or simply separation anxiety. C alming products such as Adaptil may help in the interim while you work on alleviating your puppy's anxiety. Speak to your veterinarian for help with diagnosis and treatment. Keep Your Pup On a Leash Prevent access by walking your puppy on a leash and leading it away from its pile once the business is done. Offer it rewards for leaving the stool alone. Then be sure to dispose of the feces in a trash can with a tightly fitted lid so your pup can't scavenge the poop out of the garbage. Add Bad Flavors You might be able to discourage your puppy from eating poop by making the poop taste bad. This can be accomplished by adding a supplement to your puppy's meals that causes the resulting poop to taste terrible. Hot pepper and garlic are two of the commonly used ingredients in these supplements. If your puppy is dining on cat feces or another household pet's poop, try pouring a little hot sauce on the feces and allowing your puppy to sample it. This can set up a negative association in the puppy's mind that poop tastes terrible, so leave it alone. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. Remember to make a gradual change to the new food as a sudden change could prompt tummy issues. And always check any new food to be sure it is balanced and recommended for puppies or for dogs of all ages. Don't feed your young puppy food meant for adult dogs unless advised to do so by your veterinarian. Puppy food is formulated to provide the higher levels of nutrients and calories required by a growing dog. If your dog is dining on feces from neighborhood dogs, be sure to keep your pup tightly leashed when out walking so it can't approach the poop. The same technique can be used to keep your dog from eating horse, cow, rabbit, or other animal droppings. Remember to stay alert when walking with your puppy; dogs can be amazingly fast when they see something on the ground that they want to eat. Related Topics If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. More from The Spruce Pets. Eating non-food items, generally known as pica , is common in Labradors and other dogs. A study focusing on canine behavior problems found that pica was the 3rd most prevalent undesirable dog behavior after barking inside the house and barking at visitors. So, why do Labradors eat non-food items? Labradors eat non-food items because they have nutritional deficiencies. They might also have medical conditions, lack physical engagement, and are bored. Or, they might suffer anxiety, have been weaned early, are teething, have OCD, or are exhibiting typical puppy neurosensory exploration. Nutritional deficiencies. This can make your Lab look for unconventional ways to supplement their inadequate diet. For example, a dog may eat dirt to find iron if absent in their diet. Medical conditions. GI diseases, anemia, malnutrition, and other diseases can cause sudden hunger pangs like diabetes. Lack of physical engagement and boredom. Where a Lab does not get adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation, lacks interactive toys, or has little social interaction. The Lab needs to find an alternative way to keep himself occupied by chewing things like wood or rocks. General anxiety and separation anxiety. These can cause your Labrador to redirect their nervousness to abnormal eating behaviors. Teething comes with itch and discomfort. Your Labrador puppy will chew non-food items to massage their gum and ease teething discomfort if proper chew toys are not provided. Early weaning. This can drive Labradors to eat non-nutritive items. Retrievers are among the dog breeds most prone to canine compulsive behavior. Labrador puppy exploration. This is part of their neurosensory exploration to familiarize themselves with their new world. Labradors are also known to always have a good appetite. This love for eating could explain why Labs might go to extremes when ingesting non-food items. The suspected cause, in this case, was loneliness, as the dog was on a balanced diet. Why Do Labradors Eat Poop? Dogs typically show an aversion to their own poop and that of other dogs. Surprisingly, though, there are dogs with a tendency to eat feces, whether their own or that of other dogs and animals. The guess is that fresh poop is harmless if it bears worm larvae since worm larvae become infectious only after 2 days. Dogs who eat poop tend to be greedy eaters. Dogs in homes with other dogs are more likely to feast on their feces, supposedly because dog poop is plentiful in those homes. Dogs with the tendency to eat poop are as receptive to house training as other dogs. Female dogs are more likely to eat feces, and intact male dogs are less likely. Here are some popular answers to the question of why Labradors eat poop: Nutritional deficiencies. If they are kept in isolation in kennels or basements. To get rid of evidence if anxious about being punished. As a form of attention-seeking. An inappropriate association of poop with food. As puppies because their mothers do. If they are sick and defecate in their own den. Given the above info, you probably wonder how to stop your Labrador from eating poop. The answer is in training. Just like other unwanted Labrador behaviors , the most effective way to stop a Lab from eating poop is to train him out of the behavior using reward-based training and treats that are more enticing to your dog than poop. Why Do Labradors Eat Dirt? Dirt is dirt, and dogs should know that. Nonetheless, many dogs still eat soil any time they have a chance. But what about Labs? Labradors eat dirt or soil to make up for nutritional deficiencies in minerals such as iron, calcium, and sodium. They might also eat dirt to counter medical issues like anemia and gastritis or to beat anxiety and boredom when left alone. They also might have minimal exercise and mental stimulation. Labradors Eat Dirt Due to Nutritional Deficiencies If you feed your Labrador an unbalanced diet lacking some minerals and vitamins, your dog can use instinctive tendencies to supplement the shortage by eating soil. Some of the minerals that your dog could be searching for by eating dirt include calcium, iron, and sodium. Do you want to know the best diet to feed your dog? Labradors and other dogs in deprived living environments can also eat dirt to counter hunger if they are not getting enough food. They include: Severe anemia: This comes from a low red blood cell count, which can be caused by external and intestinal worms in puppies. In adult Labs, anemia can be caused by immune diseases, cancer, and bleeding disorders. In both categories, anemia can also be caused by poor nutrition. Inflammation of the stomach Gastritis : It causes an upset stomach and diarrhea and can lead dogs to eat soil to relieve or trigger vomiting. Liver shunt Portosystemic shunt : It is a congenital condition in dogs that causes liver dysfunction and leads to stunted growth. Labradors Eat Soil Due to Behavioral Issues If your Lab is always home alone, has insufficient enrichment, has little exercise and mental stimulation, or suffers from general or separation anxiety, he can find alternative ways to keep himself busy and counter boredom. This could mean eating dirt. Soil can harbor worm larvae or contain toxins from pesticides and fertilizers. As such, if your Labrador is eating dirt, identify the cause and take appropriate measures to stop the behavior. Such measures include: Supervise your dog during walks. Spending quality time with your dog to prevent anxiety and boredom. Why Do Labradors Eat Grass? Labradors actually do occasionally eat grass, but why? Labradors eat grass because it is a normal dog behavior linked to their wolf descent. Although most people associate grass-eating in dogs with medicinal properties, it is not yet scientifically proven that dogs eat grass to resolve gastrointestinal issues. Here are some of the behaviors that suggest that dogs eat grass for other reasons besides health: Dogs eat grass often, on a daily or weekly basis. There is no clear-cut indication that dogs eat grass to resolve GI issues. Puppies ate grass more often than adult dogs. Puppies were also less likely to show signs of illness before and after eating grass. Dogs eat grass because they are sick: This is mainly associated with diseases such as pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastric reflux. Dogs may eat grass to kill boredom: If they are left home alone, or the owner is too busy to notice them or give them some playtime, dogs may eat grass to fill up the lonely hours. Dogs like the taste of grass: Some types of grass have a flavorsome sour taste that may appeal to your Lab. This flavor would explain why many dogs will go for freshly sprouted grass. Whichever of these reasons drives your Labrador to eat grass, it is essential to know that a lot of the grass available to your dog can be contaminated with toxins and worm larvae. As such, you should discourage your dog from eating grass wherever they might find it and allow your dog only to eat grass that you are sure is not chemically treated or contaminated. If, instead, you opt to train your Labrador out of grass-eating behavior, use positive reward-based training, offering tasty treats when your dog desists grass-eating. Why do Dogs Eat Grass? Why Do Labradors Eat Rocks? Dogs have strong teeth and a strong bite force, but that does not necessarily mean they are made for eating extra-hard objects like rocks or stones. So, why do Labradors eat rocks, even though they could hurt them? Labradors eat rocks or stones to find minerals lacking in their diet. Also, your Lab may eat rocks to keep himself from boredom, relieve anxiety, as a neurosensory exploration activity in puppies, as a mentally stimulating alternative to old toys, or as relief for teething discomfort. Labs eat rocks or stones for nutrition. Just like dirt, your Lab may eat stones or rocks to look for minerals lacking in their diet. These could be iron, calcium, or sodium. Labs eat rocks or stones to relieve anxiety or seek attention. Especially if your Lab is a puppy, eating rocks may simply be a part of his neurosensory exploration to discover his world. Lab puppies eat rocks to find relief from teething discomfort. If your Labrador puppy is teething, chewing on a stone or rock may serve to remove the itch and discomfort that comes with it. Labs eat stones or rocks to find a more mentally stimulating chew toy. A study on dog habituation and dishabituation to toys found that dogs lose interest in toys due to habituation more than any other factors. Labradors are highly intelligent dogs and need mind-stimulating toys. As such, chewing hard rocks that are difficult to break may be more challenging than playing with the same old toys. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. How to stop your dog eating poop. The scientific term for poop eating is coprophagia. Dogs eating poop upset their owners, as naturally it gives you a reflex of revulsion. Very sadly it even sometimes changes your feeling towards your dog. These feelings need to be addressed, not ignored or dismissed. Coprophagia in Dogs Poop eating is often swept under the carpet. But eating feces can be a serious problem for some dogs who do it. Unfortunately, it is a frequently reported problem in Labradors and other sporting dogs. A previous study published in on dogs eating poop confirms this. Whereas, more than a third of Border Collies did. Judging from my inbox, coprophagia is common in Labradors too. But, what are some other factors affecting coprophagia? Natural Size A study published in Colorado in showed that sporting dogs were generally more likely to be coprophagic. Body weight is a factor in this behavior, but only in the sense of being related to natural size. Obese dogs, for example, although heavier were no more likely to be affected. Age is also often considered to be a factor in poop eating. However, the Colorado study did not support the theory that poop eating is more common in puppies. Coprophagia Is Linked with Neutering The current evidence points to neutering as a major factor in the development of coprophagia. One study found that poop eating was more common in spayed females Dogs that had been spayed or castrated were more likely to be reported as eating poop than dogs left in possession of their sex hormones. In the Hart study, the biggest culprits were spayed females. But in the Colorado University study, neutering drastically increased the incidence of coprophagy in male dogs. However, it had no effect on females. Regardless, though, both studies agree that neutering is a major cause of coprophagia. They prove that it seems to be more significant than any environmental factor More Common Than We Think Interestingly, the true figure for the percentage of dogs that eat poop may be even higher than these studies suggest. Data from the studies was based on owner reports and the results of another published study. The study identified coprophagic dogs and compared that data with owner reports. There are lots of them. But why do they do it? It may depend partly on the type of poop being consumed. Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? There are plenty of facts and theories around why dogs eat poop. And plenty of guesswork too. But first, note this: if your adult dog suddenly begins eating poop when they never used to, it might be wise to see your vet. Especially if your dog has recently shown other concerning symptoms. Poop-eating is typically normal for dogs as you will see. However, in some rare cases, it may be a hint that something bigger is happening. These conditions can make dogs super hungry. They will try to eat literally anything within their reach if it only slightly resembles food. Why Female Dogs Eat Poop? Then, they swallow the results. They do this for two reasons. And second, consuming the results helps to keep the nest area clean. A clean nest in wild dogs is important both from a hygiene point of view and to avoid attracting predators. So from this, we can see that nature has provided female dogs with a poop eating instinct. This instinct is always triggered by the process of giving birth and suckling puppies. We can also see that keeping a nest area clean may well be a trigger that could apply to male dogs too. And it could explain why some male dogs eat poop that they find in their own backyard. Why Do Puppies Eat Poop? Like babies, puppies explore the world with their mouths. Everything and anything goes into it. If what goes into the mouth tastes like food, then puppies may swallow it. In theory, some poop-eating puppies will grow out of it, whereas for others it becomes a habit. Well it would seem that some dogs would disagree with you. And that might be partly to do with the way we feed our dogs these days. Coprophagia and Diet In times gone by, dogs were fed a largely natural diet of mainly meat, bones and a few scraps. As carnivorous scavengers, dogs could typically digest this diet in its entirety. So, what came out the other end was fairly boring. Nowadays, however, most dogs are largely fed a pelleted cereal-based food known as kibble. This kibble contains all the nutrients a dog needs. But it also contains a number of additives to make the food taste palatable. After all, no food manufacturer wants your dog to turn his nose up at their product. So tasty is the key. And very tasty they are too. This is why kibble-fed dogs produce larger quantities of feces than raw-fed dogs. But remember those flavourings we just talked about? Well the faeces of the kibble-fed dog are not only bulky, but also highly flavoured. Now we can see why, as the popularity of kibble feeding grows, it is possible that more dogs may be turning to poop eating as a means of grabbing that extra snack during the day. Can Changing Diet Influence Coprophagia? Some studies into why dogs eat poop, have shown that dogs with deficient diets are more likely to eat poop. For example, a study on Beagles in showed that feeding a deliberately deficient diet triggered coprophagia among other problems. Therefore, in theory, if an undernourished coprophagic dog is switched to a nutrient-rich nourishing diet, that change may stop the poop eating behavior. But the modern dog eating poop is not nutritionally deficient. Most dogs nowadays are fed a balanced diet with all the nutrients they need. So, switching brands, for example, is unlikely to stop your dog eating poop. In fact, I have not found any strong evidence for dietary changes reducing coprophagia in well-fed dogs. Still, there is something you might want to consider which has some anecdotal evidence. Sophia Yin, when discussing the Ben Hart study pointed out that the study, based on questioning dog owners, noted that diet did not play a part. However, the vast majority of dogs are fed kibble, and there is no indication what diets were compared or how. The comparison could have been between different types of kibble, or between kibble and household scraps. My personal experience, however, is that changing my dogs from a diet of kibble carbohydrate based pellets of commercial dog food to a natural raw diet of meaty bones has been accompanied by the disappearance of most poop-eating in my adult dogs. So, with some exceptions, as you will see, it seems that the jury is still out on whether raw feeding is a reliable way to stop dogs eating poop. He is normal. Virtually all dogs will eat cat poop if given the opportunity. I have had the chance to rediscover this for myself first hand recently, as I am currently raising a kitten. Two of my labs, one of which has never eaten poop in her life, plus my spaniel, have all attempted dawn raids on the litter tray. Solving the Problem I have now secured the litter tray behind a baby gate which the cat can slide through and the dogs cannot. And this is likely to be the best solution to the problem. My thirteen-year-old spaniel, for instance, can clear a standard baby gate with consummate ease. My gate was meant to go across the bathroom door. But the bathroom doorway is extra narrow, so we have fitted it across the hallway instead. This fecal matter may even be an important source of nutrients in wild dogs. The same applies to ungulate feces. An ungulate is an animal with a hoof. So it is completely natural for a dog to enjoy eating horse poop, sheep poop, and deer poop too. And almost all dogs will enjoy the feces of these animals — not just your dog. However, you may have a friend whose dog never eats poop, of any kind. So why is your dog different? Eating poop often starts by accident — perhaps beginning as a puppyish habit. But from this opportunistic behavior, poop eating sometimes develops into a habit. For the reasons we have looked at above, coprophagia is more common in female dogs, but some male dogs do still eat poop. Also for the reasons above, dogs are more likely to eat poop from animals if they have a lot of digested vegetable matter in their feces. Again, remember, experts consider this normal. But some dogs do eat carnivore poop, such as the poop from wild foxes or the poop of other dogs, or even their own. And this tends to be the behavior that most upsets us humans. Note also that your dog is also more likely much more likely to eat poop, of any kind, if he or she is neutered. Unfortunately, no-one seems to know why that is. Poop eating can start in puppyhood and may become a habit if it persists in adult dogs. Dogs who eat their own poop may be attracted to the flavor switching to a raw diet may help in this case. In this case, though, a change of diet is unlikely to help. There is also evidence that poop eating is more likely in dogs that already have behavioral problems such as anxiety or pica eating plants, stones, and other inedible items. However, we also know that well-balanced, well-fed, physically and emotionally healthy dogs can also be poop eaters. In fact, most poop eating dogs probably fall into this category. The simple truth is, that poop eating, while thoroughly objectionable to us, is so common as to be normal in the domestic dog. And we will probably never find out exactly why dogs eat poop on a case by case basis. There is definitely a risk that your dog could get parasites from eating the poop of other dogs. However, worming your dog regularly should prevent this causing him any serious health problems. The potential for parasites sometimes found in cat poop fall into this category. Most dogs have a digestion that is simply unaffected by common pathogens that could make you or me very ill. The answer lies in the breakdown of the bond between the dog and his family. This happens because humans are often shocked and disgusted by the behavior, and if they fail to address it swiftly, may abandon their dog. Most dogs come to no harm directly, from poop eating. But, indirectly, it can lead to dogs being re-homed or abandoned. Many owners find poop eating upsetting and embarrassing. I hear quite a lot of dog owners issue ultimatums on this one. Very often, the reasons given for abandoning the dog are to do with hygiene. The families often claim to be worried that the dog will infect a family member with pathogens from the poop he has eaten. But the underlying cause may be more fundamental than that. After all, most people are happy to share an ice-cream with a dog that licked his bottom a few minutes earlier. The truth is then is that, whether we like it or not, persistent poop eating may seriously reduce the love a person feels for their dog. This is an issue that is not often raised, but is a significant one. But for many people with a first dog, poop eating is a terrible shock and a serious concern. The important thing to tell you is that most of us more seasoned dog owners once felt the same way. And I was appalled and disgusted — even tempted to re-home her. But I can tell you that she is still with me today. My girl is thirteen years old, rarely eats poop these days never say never , and is one of my dearest friends. So these things can be worked through. How to Stop a Dog from Eating Poop There are lots of things you can try to prevent a dog eating his own poop at home. The first step is to remove the source of poop wherever possible. This means being scrupulous about picking up after your dog, whenever he has emptied himself. You may also find it helpful, for a while at least, to go with your dog when you let him out for bathroom purposes. That way, you can clear up immediately, and dispose of his feces securely, before he is tempted to settle down for a snack. One more thing is something to avoid. Some dogs may continue to eat poop if they feel like it gets your attention. Unfortunately, dogs do love attention. So, if your furry friend notices that eating poop makes you pay more attention to him, he may just continue. So, while you certainly do not want to ignore this habit, it may be worth it to be careful the kind of attention you do give it. What these do is counteract the nice flavors and make his poop taste less appealing. Pineapple is a popular one, pepper powder another. However, sadly, in most cases, these kinds of remedies do not work. And when they do, some find that they only work for a short while. Some people also use substances that create a burning sensation when swallowed. A good example is chilli powder. A bit dismal, to be honest. Some people find raw feeding eliminates poop eating. But these reports including mine are anecdotal. They are not reliable evidence that such a switch will work for you. Plus, moving over to a raw diet is a major change you need to consider from various perspectives. But when I do this, I have to be very careful to pick up poops quickly, or my spaniel will revert to her old ways. But, not everyone has the time or resources to drastically change the method of feeding their dog. So what other options are available? It even caused further problems in some dogs. Freddie was a neutered male poodle whose owners tried many different approaches to stop poop-eating. Eventually, though, they resorted to punishment. But this final step failed to cure Freddie and caused him to develop submissive urination. You can imagine that this only added to their problems. Of course, the methods above only work to prevent your dog eating his own poo. A reward-based programme of recall training may be helpful. In this case, you deliberately seek out dog poop in public places, and recall your dog from it. Then, you reward them with a tasty treat from you. I personally use the magic word system which I find very effective. I associate a powerful reward with a special word that I reserve just for the purpose of distracting the dog from poop. For example, roast chicken is ideal. At some point thereafter, when I see the dog approach some poop with a gleam in her eye, I will use my magic word and chuck the fabulous treat on the ground. Sometimes, to begin with, the dog will eat the poop, then come for the reward. You just have to accept this with good grace. Other times often a bit further on in the process , she will bring the poo with her eek!! Accept this too. Trust Your Reward! If your reward is good enough, your dog will soon abandon all thoughts of poop eating when she hears that word. This will only work if your treat is truly fabulous! Also, it is vital that you are persistent. Keep your Magic Word strong with great rewards, and mostly no requirement from the dog to get it. This will in turn help to keep his mind occupied. But there are no guarantees. Ultimately, you may have to accept that when your dog is out of your sight, or some distance away, there is little you can do to prevent prevent him from indulging in this distasteful habit. So, how do you clean up their mouths and reduce that gross smell so you can still cuddle them in the meantime? Remember to use a doggie-appropriate toothpaste and brush. Feed him: Giving food and water will produce saliva. Dental chew: This also works like food and water; it produces saliva which cleans their mouths. Use a doggie mouthwash: Mix the mouthwash not human mouthwash! Then wipe their teeth and inside their mouths with a cloth soaked in mouthwash. Wipe their mouths with a cloth: You can also soak the cloth in coconut oil or salt water. Too much can cause dehydration and vomiting. Hopefully, you can go back to being cuddly with your furchild. Around half of all dogs do it. It is also more likely to happen if your dog is a gun dog breed like a Labrador. We know poop eating can be embarrassing and distressing — been there! Neither will it harm your family. There are a few things you can do to greatly reduce poop eating. And you will get over your horror and revulsion and feel good about your dog again. Neither will make it go away. Here are the things that have been shown NOT to work in the fight against poop eating: Dietary additives pineapple etc Aversive flavors pepper, chilli etc Punishment e-collars, rattle bottles, smacking etc Adding things to diet or poop have had less than two percent success rate. What Does Work to Prevent Coprophagia? Studies show conclusively that prevention and positive reinforcement training using tasty rewards are the key to success. Clear up all poop immediately they are produced. Accompany your dog to the yard after meals, take a shovel, and remove all poop as soon as they appear! Finally, dispose of them securely. You may consider using a muzzle in some situations. Or use a leash if you are forced to exercise your dog in an area where there is poop lying around. Then you can take some with you when you take your dog for a walk. Teach the magic word cue and use it! However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.