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Exercise, Growth, and Joints Exercise Labradors not only love exercise, they need exercise. We all look forward to taking our puppy for a walk, however it is important not to over-exercise your puppy. In natural play, puppies will romp until they are tired and then stop to lay down for rest. When walking a puppy on a leash, they cannot stop when they normally would for rest. Too much exercise or walking can severely damage their bone and joint structures irreversibly. This should be taken seriously. THE RULE is: No more than 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age So that means, at 2 months old 8 weeks , your puppy only needs to exercise or walk for 10 minutes per day. At 3 months of age 15 minutes of exercise and so on. If you walk your puppy too far too soon, your puppy may develop hip and elbow dysplasia as they get older. Labradors have been known to develop dysplasia younger than other breeds of dogs. In many of these cases, it is often due to environmental factors such as over-exercise, running on hard or strenuous surfaces such as concrete or sand , continual jumping or agility work. Things to avoid with your puppy: No jumping in or out of car, especially larger cars. Lift the dog or use a ramp. No throwing balls or frisbee great distances for your puppy to chase. The sudden stopping and over reaching with the front legs is dangerous. No agility, jumping or flyball before years old Do not let other dogs knock or push the puppy over continually, includes body-slamming Avoid much stair climbing which can increase the risk of dysplasia No fast turns or roll-overs Good exercise: Swimming is great, since there is no weight-bearing impact on their joints. Remember, labradors love water! Walking on leash, for no longer than the recommended length of time for their age Self-directed play is an overriding rule for any puppy under 18 months old. The majority of exercise should be free play, exploring, and noodling around Hide and seek games are fantastic, as the dog can move at its own pace looking for its toy or treat or you. Size is a factor as large dogs, especially ones that like to play with paw whacks, can inadvertently injury a young puppy. Supervised play is critical. You need to teach the puppy a release command. All these games are forms of exercise for puppies and are a great way to help your puppy learn useful lifelong skills and qualities. Growth plates and bones: Development and injury Growth Plates Growth plates are soft areas that sit at the ends of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. They contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to grow longer until the end of puberty. Growth plates gradually thin as the hormonal changes approaching puberty signal the growth plates to close. In puppies, this closure normally completes between 18 to 24 months old in labradors. After sexual maturity, the growth plates calcify and the rapid cell division ends. The growth plates become a stable, inactive part of the bone, now known as an epiphyseal line. Dogs bones are held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments soft tissue. In an adult dog, if a joint experiences a stress such as bending the wrong way or rotating too much, the bones will hold firm and soft tissue will be pulled, resulting in a sprain or tear. Why this matters so much, is that unlike a sprain, injuries to the growth plate may not heal properly or not heal in time for the puppy to grow up straight and strong. Injury to a growth plate can result in a misshapen or shortened limb, which creates an incorrect angle to a joint resulting in yet more future injuries when he grows up, including dysplasia. These xray images show open and closed growth plates in a puppy and adult dog. Bone Strength In addition to having soft growth plates at the end of long bones, puppies bones in general are softer. Spiral fractures of the tibia lower leg bone are very common in puppies. A spiral fracture is where the bottom half of the bone twists in the opposite direction of the top half. Any exercise that puts torque twist on a bone puts the puppy at risk of a fracture. For an example, movements such as twisting and turning suddenly can cause these type of fractures. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia This is where we recommend you read our Health and Genetic Testing page, where we talk about hip and elbow dysplasia. It is critical that you, as a puppy owner, understand as much as you can about hip and elbow dysplasia, how you can help prevent it, and what your breeder should be testing for. On the other hand, an underfed or malnourished puppy or dog is also at higher risk of injury. Muscles mass directly influences strength, likewise inadequate calcium and nutrients affect bone density. A body condition score of about is healthy for a young puppy. Once an adult, the ideal body condition score would be about 5 for a healthy, fit labrador. Sterilisation Desexing In larger breeds, sterilising young puppies at a young age has shown to increase the risk of joint disorders and injury. We recommend sterilisation occurs between 24 months old for this reason. This recommendation is outlined in our Health Guarantee. We discuss this more under Desexing or Sterilisation. Post header Skip post header How much exercise does a Labrador need? Labradors are amongst the most popular family pets in the UK thanks to their loyalty, gentle nature, and intelligence. Like most dogs, they thrive with regular exercise, keeping them healthy and happy. How much exercise does an adult Labrador need? A healthy adult Labrador generally needs at least 80 minutes of high-quality exercise per day. Of course, when setting exercise goals for dogs with existing health issues including obesity , you should consult your vet first. What types of exercise are best for Labradors? When we say high quality, we mean just that. Try and incorporate off-lead time into their exercise routine and take a ball or toy to play fetch with — running will help to raise their heart rate and burn off more calories. How much exercise does a Labrador puppy need? For their first three months, your puppy will get enough exercise from tearing around the house, playing and causing chaos. How much exercise does an old Labrador need? At an advanced age, your dog will have less energy in general and be more likely to suffer from health issues that may limit their mobility. Be observant — being the loyal companions they are, Labradors will push through a lot of pain to keep up with you. Watch for excessive panting, changes in their movement, and exhaustion as signals that they have overstretched themselves and adjust their activity accordingly. Can you over-exercise a Labrador? Labradors have the capacity to build up incredible fitness that will see them on the go all day long, but for most, there is a limit on how much they can do. Gradually increase their activity levels, using a PitPat to check in on their progress. How far can a Labrador walk? A working Labrador could be expected to cover many miles every day through the undergrowth and even water. However, your pet Labrador will have slightly different stamina, depending on how much exercise they are used to. Getting out and about with your Labrador keeps them happy and healthy and can be a highly rewarding experience for you both. Download our app for free to see if PitPat is for you. You might also like Single page Single page Top 10 most active dog breeds Got energy to burn? Single page Single page 10 ways to exercise your dog indoors Whether you find yourself stuck indoors because of the weather or for any other reason, your dog still needs plenty of exercise. Here are our top tips for exercising your dog indoors. And just like us, their cardiovascular system becomes more efficient the more its used. The benefits of exercising your dog are many. Exercise helps your Labrador grow more blood vessels and effectively oxygenate his body, as well as build muscle and strengthen his bones. It also helps with weight control to a certain extent. Firstly, he will tend to get bored and will be bursting with pent up energy. Your lab will expend all that energy by resorting to destructive behaviors like chewing and digging, and barking excessively. So, how much exercise does a Labrador need? Generally speaking, however, a healthy, adult Labrador needs an hour of exercise every day. If your dog is the relaxed kind, 45 minutes will do, while a really energetic dog could work out up to 1. Labradors, like all dogs, love to explore. Even a quick hike or walk around a nature trail will be great exercise. Just make sure you have the right hiking gear for your labrador. Just their normal playtime will tire him and give him enough of a workout. This is five minutes of structured exercise per month of age, until your puppy is grown. And that should be enough to keep him fit and burn off excess energy. There are plenty of games you can play with your dog which double as exercising. Tug-of-War is a great form of play and exercise. This can be played indoors—as long as you have enough space—or outdoors. A couple of tips to keep it safe. And if your Lab especially a puppy grabs any part of you or your clothes, stop the game for a time before trying again. Another good idea is upgrading a rubber ball to a Frisbee. Balls tend to sink and roll away, but Frisbees hold air much longer, making them a very fun toy for your Labrador. See if you can teach your Lab to jump and grab the Frisbee midair for even more of a workout. A low impact game which is a great brain teaser for your Lab is finding the treat under the cup. Start by having your dog sit and show them a piece of their favorite treat. Hide it under a plastic or Styrofoam cup right in front of them. Once your Labrador has gotten the idea of how it works, rub a piece of treat over three cups to keep your dog from cheating with his nose. Then place the treat under one of the three cup and ask your dog to find it. Labradors were bred to be full of energy and want to work. They need lots of regular exercise. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Whether young or old, big or small, yellow, black, chocolate, from field lines or show lines, your Labrador needs exercise. It will keep their heart and muscles strong, their mind stimulated and their weight under control. But how much exercise does a Labrador need? Labradors Are a High Energy Breed The Labrador Retriever is a high energy working breed, initially bred for very physically demanding work retrieving game for hunters. This would involve all day hiking, running and swimming in sometimes difficult conditions. So Labrador Retrievers were bred to have lots of energy and be very active. And though their main role in life today is as a family pet, they still have those same genetics that made them suited to their original role. Dog Ball Thrower. Yes, you can throw a tennis ball extra far with the Chuckit, but two reasons why I love it: 1. In this state they will often resort to destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing…and will often be very restless, may bark excessively and try to escape your home and garden at every opportunity. Insufficient exercise can also lead to weight problems with Labradors. Excess weight is a problem because it can lead to all sorts of problems such as damage to their joints hips and elbows , heart disease, increased blood pressure and increases the risk of diabetes. So a lack of exercise leads to behavioral problems, hyperactivity and possibly an assortment of health problems. However, as a general rule of thumb, a normally healthy adult Labrador Retriever will need 1 hour of exercise every day. The more relaxed Labs just 45 minutes per day, the more energetic 1. This can be made up of running, swimming, playing fetch , jogging alongside you…anything that goes beyond a gentle walk. But if the first consideration is your Labradors age, how much do puppies and the elderly need? Nice for long runs with your Lab. If you have older dogs or children, the puppy may well try to keep up with them and over-exert themselves, playing to exhaustion and damage their developing joints. So keep an eye on them and interrupt play if need be, to give them plenty of rest. Once they are fully grown, they can go out for much longer. The 5 minute rule should be sufficient to keep your lab puppy fit, burn off excess energy yet not over-exert them and cause possible developmental issues. Continue the 5 minute rule until your puppy is at least one year of age where you can then begin to exercise them more vigorously. This is highly dependent on your labs overall health and can vary wildly from one Labrador to another. Some labs may need to slow down from the 7th year onwards, while others remain extremely active beyond their 10th year. As Labradors get older, many develop arthritis, dysplasia and other health issues that can prevent a Labrador from enjoying or needing exercise as much as they used to when young and healthy. They will likely still try to chase a tennis ball all day and hike mountains just to please you, even if it may be doing them more harm than good. Try not to put them in this position. As your Labrador ages, you need to be more observant , looking for changes in their movement, excessive panting, slowing down, feeling tired. And during grooming sessions and massage, check for any painful spots indicative of sore joints or other problems. We noticed Linus was stiff getting up in the morning and decided to try adding glucosamine to his diet. We saw a noticeable difference a few days later and an added spring in his step. If your Labrador tears around your home like a tornado. If your Lab displays any of the restless and destructive symptoms described above, try increasing their levels of exercise for a few days and see if their behavior problems improve. However, if you have money burning a hole in your pocket you might want to check out PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher. Over-exercising very young and elderly Labradors can do more harm than good. For your adolescent and adult Labrador, exercise them well. As a general rule of thumb, aim for 1hr per day and scale this up or down depending on your Labradors individual needs. This could mean 45 mins for the more sedate and elderly, or 1. And at the end of the day, think of it like this: You have the best exercise machine to rival that of any gym to keep you fit and healthy yourself. And hey, what fun!!! What better motivation and need is there to keep yourself in shape? Do you mostly agree with the above? Please let us know in the comments section below. 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. Tweet on Twitter Puppy exercise requirements vary between different types of dog, and as a puppy grows the exercise they need will increase. It is possible to give a puppy too much exercise so I will give you a puppy exercise chart, as a guide to how far a puppy can walk at different ages. Taking your new puppy for a walk We all look forward to the day we can take our new puppy for a walk. For many people, daily dog walks is a huge part of why they bought a Labrador in the first place. Others already take quite small puppies for quite long walks and are surprised to discover that many experts believe this to be a bad thing. So just how much exercise does a puppy really need? How much exercise does a puppy need? This rule of thumb says that a puppy should have no more than five minutes of walking for every month of his age. So that would be fifteen minutes a day maximum for a three month old puppy, twenty minutes for a four month old and so on. This concern about excessive exercise has arisen because it is widely believed that exercise is a factor in the development of serious joint disorders. Especially in larger breed puppies such as Labradors Breeders are particularly concerned about hip dysplasia, a serious and complex disorder of the hip joints, that is believed to be influenced both by inherited factors passed from dogs to their puppies and by environmental factors In addition to factors influencing growth rates, the stresses and strains placed on the vulnerable growing joint by excessive exercise are believed to be a contributory environmental factor in the development of inadequate hip joints. It seems likely, that a puppy that had inherited a tendency for poor hips, could have its soft and still forming hip joints made a good deal worse through prolonged or hard exercise. It is also possible that a puppy that has inherited excellent hips, will come to no harm whatsoever through hard exercise. On the contrary, a certain amount of free running exercise is a good thing Running off-leash A Norwegian study published and which included labradors, showed that puppies given the opportunity to exercise off leash in a park before the age of three months were less likely to develop hip dysplasia HD , not more. Stair climbing The same study showed that puppies that had to climb stairs on a regular basis during the same period were at increased risk of HD You can read about this study in Science Daily. So what does this study tell us? Well, it is only one study, but it suggests that playing in a natural way, with other pups or simply running about at their own speed is probably going to benefit a small puppy Strenuous exercise Whereas more strenuous activity such as climbing hills and stairs, may not be such a good thing at a very young age. Another study has suggested that running hard for a retrieve, may not be great for joint health either. And some breeders also prevent dogs from jumping for the first twelve months to reduce impact on the shoulder and elbow joints. This may be especially important for some of the heavier breeds of dog, and those that are slow to mature. How far should my puppy walk? But how does that translate to distances walked? If you like to think in distances rather than time, a mile is around steps for an adult human and takes about twenty minutes at a moderate walking speed. So a maximum walk for a four month old Labrador might be about a mile. And of course if you are walking out and back again, that means not taking the dog more than half a mile from your home or car, whichever is your starting point. With young puppies, you need to keep a balance. Think about the overall energy your puppy is expending rather than focusing on walking alone. Walking is only one form of exercise and is no more valuable or important than games or training exercises. If you have been to visit a friend with your five month old pup and their dog has played for half an hour in the garden with yours, your dog does not need a walk as well. It is the total exercise that counts. How much exercise is too much? And you are bound to know of someone whose puppy had far more exercise than this and came to no harm. However taking a puppy for long walks or asking him to negotiate very steep or uneven surfaces when he is little, is probably a bad idea. Beware of letting a puppy play for too long with an older dog that does not want to stop. And keep an eye on children who may inadvertently exhaust a puppy by encouraging him to play when he needs to sleep. Crating your puppy when he is tired or overexcited, will enable you to make sure that your puppy gets some well deserved down time. Summary Young puppies need the time and space to run about freely, and free running exercise is beneficial. You do not need to attempt to prevent puppies playing in the garden, trotting about the house or playing with another young puppy for a while. Provided that the puppy is free to stop and rest whenever he wants. As far as we know at the moment, formal exercise — walking on a lead — for example, is probably best restricted using the five minute rule as an approximate guide. And strenuous exercise such as stair climbing, and chasing balls should be limited or avoided altogether in puppies under three months of age. Remember, an adult dog can become an amazing athlete, but like all athletes, fitness and stamina are best built up in gentle stages if injury is to be avoided. Do talk to your vet about exercise at your first appointment with your puppy. We are still learning about hip dysplasia. Research is ongoing, knowledge increases all the time. Your vet should be up to date with the latest information regarding the optimum amount of exercise for your new puppy. Published in April , the Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. It will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialization and early obedience. This article was originally published in and has been extensively revised and updated for References Slater et al. Diet and exercise as potential risk factors for osteochondritis dissecans in dogs. Am J Vet Res. Sallander et al. American Society for Nutrition. Krontveit et al. Risk factors for hip-related clinical signs in a prospective cohort study of four large dog breeds in Norway. Why is exercise necessary for Labrador Retriever puppies? One of the things that make Labradors a distinctive dog breed is their high energy. As a breed that has a history of being the companions of hunters and fishermen, Labs have become ideal for doing demanding physical work. For this reason, they are genetically programmed to have high levels of energy. As a breed that was historically used to physical work, Labradors have developed to become voracious eaters. Hence, if they lack exercise, they will easily put on some extra pounds. When this happens, them becoming an overweight Labrador is a huge possibility, and they will be prone to health problems. Another trait you should know about Labs is that they need mental stimulation. Labradors are highly intelligent creatures that need mental stimulation to keep them going. Without it, they get bored and can become hyperactive. In turn, they may adopt destructive behaviors that may make you puzzled. How much exercise does a Labrador puppy need every day? Most puppies should get 5 minutes of exercise for every month of their age. They can get that amount twice a day. For example, six-month-old Labrador Retriever puppies can exercise for 30 minutes a day, twice a day. So, in total, they would get roughly 1 hour of exercise a day. Keep in mind as well that you should break up the times. For instance, the six-month-old puppy can walk for minutes then take a break. You can walk them and play with them again when they are ready. Ideally, most of that time should be spent on walks. If your puppy starts to lie down, pant, or look tired, it is time to go home. Of course, you may slightly increase or decrease that time as needed. For instance, your puppy may want 10 minutes more or less exercise per day. It will greatly depend on their personality since each Lab is unique. Extra Steps to take care of Labradors Puppy If you want to walk your puppy, make sure you do not force them to run, jog, or march. Walks should be long and leisurely. Plus, you do not want to push a puppy past their limits, so take your time with their walks. One thing you should also bear in mind is that Lab puppies does not require any form of routine exercise during their first three months. Puppies need relaxed walks because their cardiovascular system is not strong enough yet, and they have not built up enough endurance. So, while your pup may have a burst of energy, it is likely that they will flop down just as quickly. We suggest instead that you take them out for leisurely walks since these let your curious puppy explore their surroundings. It is normal for the puppy to sniff the floor while you walk, stop to look at a squirrel, or do something else based on what catches their attention. Just make sure you do not let them stop mid-walk for more than 2 minutes. They need to learn that they cannot focus on a distraction for too long. Now that we know how much exercise does a Labrador puppy need, we can look at some other factors that help you determine how much your puppy specifically needs. Signs that your Lab puppy needs more exercise It is relatively easy to figure out whether your Labrador puppies need more exercise or not based on the following signs: 1 Rough play As sociable creatures, Labrador Retrievers love to play with other dogs—it is completely normal for them to playfully fight with their siblings. However, if you notice that your Lab puppy lacks self-control and is playing more roughly than usual, then they may have too much energy. Unfortunately, this usually involves destructive behavior. It may happen that when you come home, you will find that your Lab puppy chewed up all your pillows or dug holes in your backyard. Some other common signs your Labrador wants more exercise are:. Learn more » While Labrador Retrievers are a popular companion dog worldwide, they were initially bred as sporting dogs and have retained a lot of their working prowess even after the shift to companionship. AKC compliant breeder Ruffwood Labs emphasizes that exercise is not a value of time exercised but exertion. Puppies According to Ruffwood Labs, Labrador puppies need to be walked for around 5 minutes for every month of life. So, a minute walk would be appropriate for a four-month-old puppy. However, not all walks are equal. Take into account the terrain that you will be walking on eg. The most important part is not the length of the exercise but the quality of it. Puppies are being walked to help with socialization and lead skills rather than a need for exercise per se. Let them guide the activity- sniffing and investigating or running around madly for a few minutes. They will usually stop and sit or lie down if they need a rest, let them do this. Additionally, Ruffwood Labs warns against overexercising your puppies. Hip dysplasia is multifactorial and genetics, diet and exercise all play a part. Ruffwood Labs recommends that Labrador puppies not be vigorously exercised and kept away from stairs to avoid causing damage to their delicate, growing joints. Once they are mature, by 18 months, they will be able to engage in more vigorous exercise and start to go jogging with you if you wish. Your average labrador would enjoy around 1 to 2 hours of exercise a day but this can be divided into manageable time slots. Exercise also includes brain stimulation such as training and scent work. So your morning and evening walks can be supplemented with training sessions at home too. Labradors love to swim and this can be a great form of exercise for them. Get creative, play games, use puzzle feeders and have fun together building your bond. If you see any of the following signs while exercising your Labrador, stop the activity and let your dog rest. Damage to the Paw Pads Some dogs get so absorbed in their play that they accidentally put excessive strain on the paw pads. Even though paw pad injuries are typically painful, some dogs will ignore the very clear sign that they need to stop to continue playing. Soreness or stiffness will typically become visible once your dog has rested up following their play session. Image By: SeventyFour, Shutterstock Behavioral Changes If your dog is not quite themselves or behaving oddly, especially around the time you would typically exercise, this is a good sign that something is wrong. Your dog may be feeling under the weather, or maybe you went a little too hard the day before. If the problem persists, contact your veterinarian to rule out any medical diagnoses. Injury or Heat Intolerance If your dog is injured during play or starts showing signs of heat sickness , you should halt play immediately and bring them to a veterinarian. Prompt treatment is of the essence with these kinds of situations. Final Thoughts Exercising your dog is a critical component of being a dog owner. So, it makes sense to learn as much as you can about how to properly keep your dog healthy before you get one. So, keep that in mind before bringing your new dog home. Just like us, Labradors need plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Whether you have a young or old dog, they all need to get the blood flowing to stay healthy and live long happy doggie lives. Regular exercise with your Labrador is very beneficial for you both. Exercise stimulates neuron growth in the brain, encourages the production of endorphins with a known mood-boosting effect , helps strengthen your bones and muscles, improves blood pressure, and can significantly help with depression. Are you having a hard time figuring out how much exercise your lab needs? Answers vary drastically from one dog to another. The amount of exercise to give your Labrador depends mostly on the age of the dog. The key to taking your Labrador puppy out for exercise is to be patient. Some labs are athletic, and thus need more exercise than others. Also, certain Labradors are genetically programmed to be energetic and have high metabolism rates, whereas others are more laid-back. Here are some exercise guidelines a new lab owner can follow to make sure their dog gets the right workout. With older dogs or children, a lab puppy may well try to keep up with them and exhaust themselves before they reach their adult size and stamina. Hold off on structured games and other forms of heavy physical activity for the first three months. This will set the stage for long-term, healthy exercise habits. This rule states that you should take your Labrador puppy out for at least five minutes of exercise per month of age up to twice a day until he or she is fully grown. This can be anything from a walk around the block to a run in the dog park. How old your dog is will make a difference in their stamina. To determine how much exercise your dog needs, first take their age into consideration. Labs that are four years old and above need between one and two hours of exercise per day. The truth is Labradors can lead a perfectly healthy life with just an hour of daily active playtime. The Labrador Retriever was bred to retrieve game for hunters. That means they naturally love to play fetch. All you need is a toy for playtime and room for running around. Tug-of-War is less cardio-oriented but helps with muscle mass and body structure in growing dogs. Plus, they love it! It requires that you prepare your puppy with a proper agility training course. Agility training is great for completing a total-body, structured workout, while also providing mental stimulation for your labrador. This involves activities such as going through walkways, tunnels, and hurdles to reach the other end. You will need to train your lab to engage in the activity and this involves proper instruction. Find one that fits his size and abilities, as well as your own personal comfort level. Either due to space or having a small yard, it may be difficult to get their puppies out every day. The good news is that, with a little creativity, indoor exercise can be just as viable and fun! Here are a few ideas you can try at home. Try Treadmill Training Sessions With Dogs A dog can be trained to use a treadmill and enjoy it, but the experience will take time. Build an Obstacle Course for Your Labrador Use everyday things found around the home or office to create an obstacle course. It also boosts their energy levels and problem-solving skills. For example, you might use old boxes and trash bags to make a tunnel, chairs or stools to jump across, and other furniture for your puppy to climb. At first your puppy may not catch on, but with effective use of the treat and lots of encouragement, you can help it learn as it goes. Hide-and-Seek With a Treat! Hide a treat around the house, and let your puppy work to find it. As you hide treats around the room, remember to make sure they are not hiding somewhere that is unreachable. Tip 2. Make sure that all the activities are not just what you enjoy but what is enjoyable for the puppy. Otherwise, they may get frustrated and stop cooperating with you. Include treats and praise whenever they accomplish something. All dog breeds respond positively to lots of physical affection and verbal affirmation. This will make the activity more enjoyable for the puppy. Keep fun as the central theme and good health will flow. Tip 3. Make an Exercise Routine and Schedule for Your Dog Lab owners, take note: maintaining the health of an adult Lab is all about consistency. And this starts with walks at a young age. Take regular walks with your dog, no matter the weather conditions. Walk at the same time each day in order to create an exercise pattern that both you and your dog can stick to. Maybe you can get the puppy used to a leash and casually walk through your neighborhood with it. That way, you can vary the activity occasionally. In six months, increase the amount of time your dogs are running to 15 minutes. This keeps their energy high and stops weight gain as they mature. Conclusion As a dog owner, your foremost responsibility is protecting the health and safety of your pet. Insufficient exercise causes health problems in dogs , like hip dysplasia especially those already prone to hip or joint problems. Share on.

Grapes Raisins While these are just a few of the things that French Bulldogs should not eat, it is important to talk to your veterinarian about what other foods may not be suitable for your dog. Should French bulldogs eat grain-free food? No definitive answer exists, but the general consensus is that grain-free food may not be necessary for French bulldogs. Some experts believe that grain-free diets could actually be harmful to dogs, since they can cause digestive issues and other health problems. If you're unsure about whether or not to feed your French bulldog a grain-free diet, talk to your veterinarian for advice. What food do vets recommend for French bulldogs? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each dog's individual needs may vary. However, many vets recommend feeding French bulldogs a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. This type of diet can help to maintain a healthy weight, improve joint health, and increase energy levels. When it comes to choosing the best food for your French bulldog, it's important to consult with your veterinarian and do your own research. There are a variety of factors that you'll need to consider, such as your dog's age, activity level, and health condition. Once you've taken all of these factors into account, you can then begin to narrow down your options and choose the best food for your French bulldog. Grain-free and all-natural ingredients were used to create Fuel for optimal health and peak performance. They use free range chicken, actual veggies, and all-natural substances that are high in nutrients. Pupper thinks that it's important to start with high-quality ingredients. Every stage of the supply chain has been evaluated. This was created using top-notch ingredients provided by our partner farmer and suppliers. Your dog deserves nothing less than the finest care. We Feed Raw We Feed Raw dog food features high-quality protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and pork, ensuring optimal muscle development and maintenance. Additionally, the raw ingredients contribute to a complete and balanced diet, promoting overall canine health and well-being. We Feed Raw dog food is formulated with natural, wholesome ingredients that promote healthy digestion for your canine companion. The raw diet, consisting of easily digestible proteins, fruits, and vegetables, supports optimal gut health and provides essential nutrients for overall well-being. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Adult Image courtesy Nulo Freestyle This Nulo Freestyle recipe is high in protein thanks to its inclusion of fresh salmon and turkey meal, as well as menhaden fish meal. This high-calorie formula is ideal for dogs on a calorie restricted diet. It's packed with double the amount of proprietary probiotics of other high-calorie products, making it easier to digest and chelated minerals that help it stay healthy longer. This grain-free best dog food for French bulldogs is highly recommended. A nutrient-dense design with a tiny kibble size. A great recipe for small and medium-size dogs. One of the most frequently mentioned brands by breeders and veterinarians. Readily suggested! The Farmer's Dog may be the ideal option if you've ever wished to make a delicious, home-cooked meal for your Frenchie without all the work. The ideal dog food is made with human-grade components and is highly recommended. It's worth the somewhat greater cost. A traditional, grain-inclusive design with no peas, lentils, or other plant-based protein boosters. It's for people who want a classic grain-based meal. It's reasonably priced, and it's definitely worth trying. For French bulldogs over 12 months old, NutriSource offers a complete, fully balanced diet. A typical combination of animal protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin to promote muscle growth and joint health. It is straightforward to recommend. The formula includes fresh chicken, turkey and flounder as well as whole Atlantic mackerel, making up the better part of its animal protein. It's also devoid of preservatives. A top-notch, well-balanced dog food. With confidence, it is recommended by the manufacturer. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Image courtesy Rachael Ray The majority of the flesh protein in Nutrish Chicken and Veggies comes from fresh chicken and chicken meal, as do many other commercial diet foods. Fresh chicken and dehydrated chicken provide the majority of the meat protein. It's free of peas and legumes, as well as meat meals and animal by-products. Omega fatty acids support a healthy skin and coat. Pomegranate and berries provide antioxidants that protect against harmful free radicals. This nutritious dish is complemented with glucosamine and chondroitin for long-term joint health. L-carnitine also makes an appearance.This puppy formula has 3. This recipe is ideal for promoting eye and brain development in puppies. Furthermore, we observe that omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil are included in the mix to assist with proper brain and eye development. A long-time trusted, balanced combination designed for growing French bulldog puppies. Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy Image courtesy Chicken Soup for the Soul The greater portion of the puppy's animal protein comes from fresh chicken and fresh turkey, according to this book. This recipe, which features a timeless design and includes zinc proteinate and 2 other chelated minerals is one of the best dog foods for French bulldogs. The kibble is 4. This meal is packed with dried beet pulp and chicken, making it a great option for French Bulldog puppies. The light formulation is ideal for keeping your dog's gut flora in check. Vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, calcium iodate, and zinc oxide aid to maintain a healthy coat, as well as strong bones and teeth. Furthermore, the kibble was created especially for the short muzzle and square jaw of your French Bulldog to enable them to pick up the food with ease and chew it properly. It's good to use high-quality ingredients like that so that your dog may get all of the health they require from their food diet. This meal is made with whole foods like chicken, peas, sweet potatoes, and canola oil which makes it an excellent choice for your French Bulldog's diet. It doesn't contain any fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives. This recipe is also grain-free and made with no wheat, corn, or soy. It's a great option for French Bulldogs who are allergic to grains or have sensitive stomachs. This meal is made with real chicken and rice which makes it a great source of lean protein for your dog. It also contains prebiotic fiber to help support a healthy digestive system. This recipe is also high in omega-fatty acids to help promote a healthy coat and skin. This meal is made with real venison and roasted lamb which makes it a great source of protein for your French Bulldog. It also contains sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots which are all excellent sources of fiber and nutrients. This recipe is also free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. This meal is made with real chicken and brown rice which makes it a great source of lean protein for your French bulldog. Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dry Dog Food Image courtesy Nutro Ultra Nutro is an excellent choice if you're looking for a diet that helps your dog lose weight while still providing adequate nutrition. Nutro features the right balance of meat, grains, and minerals to help your dog slim down without causing hunger. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are added to Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dry food for the same reason that chondroitin is used in joint supplements. This meal is made with real beef, sweet potatoes, and green beans which makes it a great source of protein and nutrients for your dog. It also contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It also has deboned chicken in it, which is simple to consume and digest. The ingredients in Puppy Chow are: fish oil, plant starch, vegetables, and dried eggs. These components give your tiny dog all of the essential nutrients and more. Their gut health will improve while their bones remain strong as a result of these ingredients. The best news is that this food won't cause indigestion or regurgitation. This meal is made with real chicken and turkey which makes it a great source of lean protein for your dog. It also contains fruits and vegetables which are all excellent sources of fiber and nutrients. This meal is made with free-range chicken which makes it a great source of lean protein for your dog. It also contains sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsley which are all excellent sources of fiber and nutrients. Because American Journey has the finest formulation in town, look no further. This best dog food for French bulldogs formula has carefully chosen ingredients to guarantee that your elderly companion receives all he or she needs to remain robust and active. The experts at Amazing Years can help you develop a customized plan that addresses the nutritional needs of your loved one. Everything from antioxidants to medium-chain triglycerides has been chosen based on your loved one's demands. This grain-free recipe is also easy to consume and digest. Should I feed my French bulldog eggs? Yes, you can feed your French bulldog eggs as part of a healthy diet. Eggs are a good source of protein and other nutrients, and they can help to keep your dog's coat healthy. However, you should only feed eggs to your French bulldog in moderation, as they can contain high levels of cholesterol. If you are unsure about how many eggs to feed your French bulldog, speak to your veterinarian for advice. Can I give my French bulldog raw chicken? Yes, you can give your French bulldog raw chicken as part of a healthy diet. Raw chicken is a good source of protein and other nutrients, and it can help to keep your dog's coat healthy. However, you should only feed raw chicken to your French bulldog in moderation, as it can contain high levels of cholesterol. If you are unsure about how much raw chicken to feed your French bulldog, speak to your veterinarian for advice. Can French Bulldogs eat popcorn? This is a common question that many French Bulldog owners have. The answer is yes, your Frenchie can eat popcorn. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, popcorn should only be given to your dog in moderation. Like all snacks, it's important not to overdo it with the popcorn. French Bulldogs are prone to obesity, so it's important to keep their calorie intake in check. Second, make sure the popcorn is unsalted and unbuttered. Too much salt or butter can be harmful to your dog. Third, avoid giving your Frenchie popcorn that has been popped in oil. This can cause gastrointestinal issues for your dog. If you follow these guidelines, you can feel good about giving your Frenchie a little treat of popcorn every now and then. Just remember to keep it in moderation! What human foods are OK to feed my French bulldog? If you're ever in doubt about what to feed your French bulldog, it's always best to ask your veterinarian. In general, however, there are a few human foods that are perfectly safe and even healthy for Frenchies to eat. Here are some of the best options: Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it's also hypoallergenic. Just be sure to cook it without any added sugar or salt. Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber. They're also low in calories, making them a great option for Frenchies who are trying to lose weight. Brown rice: Brown rice is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It's also hypoallergenic and easy to digest. Fish: Fish is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins. Just be sure to avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as tuna, swordfish, and shark. Chicken: Chicken is a good source of protein and vitamins. Just be sure to remove the skin and any bones before feeding it to your French bulldog. Vegetables: Vegetables are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Some of the best options for Frenchies include carrots, green beans, and broccoli. Fruits: Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some of the best options for Frenchies include apples, bananas, and blueberries. Our Criteria for Ranking the Best Dog Food Choosing the right dog food is essential for your pet's health and well-being. With the plethora of options available in the market, it can be challenging to determine which dog food is best for your furry friend. To simplify this process and help you make an informed decision, we have established a set of criteria for ranking the best dog food products. These criteria are based on scientific research, expert opinions, and the specific nutritional needs of dogs. Ingredients Quality: High-Quality Protein: The primary ingredient should be a high-quality animal protein source, such as chicken, beef, or fish, to support your dog's muscle development and overall health. Whole Grains and Vegetables: Whole grains and vegetables should be included to provide essential carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Absence of Fillers and Artificial Additives: No Fillers: The best dog food should not contain fillers like corn, soy, or wheat, which offer limited nutritional value and may cause allergies. No Artificial Additives: It should be free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can harm your dog's health over time. Meat Meal vs. Whole Meat: Preference for Whole Meat: Whole meat sources are preferred over meat meals or by-products, as they are less processed and retain more nutritional value. Digestibility and Allergen Consideration: Hypoallergenic Options: For dogs with allergies or sensitivities, hypoallergenic options that avoid common allergens like poultry or grains should be available. High Digestibility: The dog food should be highly digestible to ensure your pet absorbs the maximum nutrients from each meal. Life Stage Appropriateness: Age and Size-Specific Formulations: The best dog food should offer formulations tailored to your dog's life stage puppy, adult, senior and size small, medium, large. Transparency and Sourcing: Transparent Labeling: Brands should provide transparent information about ingredient sourcing and processing methods. Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing: A commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing of ingredients reflects a brand's responsibility toward animal welfare and the environment. Health Benefits and Special Considerations: Support for Special Health Needs: The best dog food may offer formulations to address specific health concerns, such as joint health, dental care, or weight management. Customer Feedback and Reviews: Positive User Experiences: Customer feedback and reviews are valuable indicators of a product's performance, safety, and palatability. Price and Value: Affordability: The cost of the dog food should be reasonable and commensurate with its quality and ingredients, offering good value for pet owners. Recall History and Safety: Safety Record: Brands with a history of recalls or safety issues should be viewed with caution, as the safety of your pet is paramount. In this article, we've listed 25 best dog foods for French bulldogs in .These foods include both human food and commercial dog food options. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before switching your Frenchie's diet, as some dogs may have allergies or other health conditions that need to be considered. When choosing dog food, consider factors such as your dog's age, size, activity level, any allergies or sensitivities, and consult your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations. What is the difference between dry and wet dog food? Dry dog food kibble is convenient, has a longer shelf life, and can help with dental health. Wet dog food contains more moisture and can be more palatable for picky eaters. Some owners choose to feed a combination for variety. Is homemade dog food a good option? Homemade dog food can be an option but requires careful research and balance to ensure your dog gets all the necessary nutrients. Consulting with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist is recommended. How can I tell if a dog food is of high quality? Look for high-quality protein sources, whole grains and vegetables, minimal fillers and additives, and adherence to AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced nutrition. Checking customer reviews and consulting experts can also help. Should I choose a dog food based on my dog's breed? While some breed-specific formulas exist, it's more important to consider your dog's individual needs, age, and size when selecting dog food. What should I do if my dog has food allergies or sensitivities? If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, consult your veterinarian for advice. They may recommend hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient dog foods. Is grain-free dog food a better choice? Grain-free dog food isn't necessarily better. While some dogs may benefit from grain-free options, it's essential to ensure the food still provides balanced nutrition, as some grain-free diets have been associated with certain health issues. How often should I feed my dog, and in what portion sizes? Feeding frequency and portion sizes depend on your dog's age, size, and activity level. Puppies typically require more frequent meals. Follow the feeding guidelines provided on the dog food packaging and adjust based on your dog's needs. Can I mix different brands or types of dog food? Mixing different brands or types of dog food can be done, but it should be done gradually to avoid digestive upset. Consult your veterinarian for guidance on the best way to transition your dog to a new diet. Should I be concerned about recalls when choosing dog food? Yes, it's important to stay informed about recalls. Check the FDA and manufacturer websites regularly for recall information. Brands with a history of recalls may be worth avoiding. What is the role of my veterinarian in selecting dog food? Your veterinarian can provide valuable guidance on selecting the right dog food based on your pet's specific needs, health conditions, and dietary requirements. How can I ensure my dog stays hydrated when feeding dry dog food? Always provide access to clean, fresh water. Wetting the dry food or incorporating wet food into the diet can also increase moisture intake. Can I give my dog human food as part of their diet? While some human foods are safe for dogs, it's essential to know which ones are and to avoid potentially toxic foods. Always consult with your veterinarian before adding human food to your dog's diet. Remember that each dog is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian and open communication about your dog's diet are key to ensuring their health and well-being. Related Content. Hills Science Diet Puppy Food is dedicated to bringing food that meets the nutritional needs of the Frenchie puppy. Hills dog food for puppies is pellet-shaped kibble that has chicken meal as the first ingredient. It contains some quality whole-grain barley to ensure maximum nutritional value for your puppy. It is not recommended for adult dogs or obese dogs. The core ingredients of Hills dog food are chicken meal, whole grain wheat, cracked pearled barley, whole grain sorghum, whole grain corn, chicken fat, and whole corn gluten meal. Pros Fish oil works well for the development of eyes and a healthy brain. High-quality protein helps build muscle mass. The essential minerals keep the teeth and bones strong. Cons The dogs did not like the flavor of this food. The ingredients and nutritional charts on any food package are the most overlooked section. Still, it is time you start reading them too to ensure the perfect choice for your dog. If you are not sure what to look for in french bulldog food, our buying guide will help sort your problem. Moderate Proteins When we say french bulldog, emphasize on word bulldog, not the fact that it is a small breed dog. Though french bulldogs appear small, their requirements are significant. These muscled buddies need protein for their growth and health. But take it balanced. It might not be good. There is a risk of allergy or sensitivity. Low Fats It is easy to put on some pounds, but cutting excessive fat is difficult. For this reason, it is advised to choose a food with low-fat content. High fat is not even good for dogs. Low-fat food will be a healthier option. If you feed them high fat that is ultimately high in calories, remember french bulldogs gain weight quickly. Avoid high-fat contents because they can lead to obesity and significant health issues in your dog. Instead, choose anything with a balanced proportion of fat. Low Carbs Carbohydrates in any food break into sugar, and then the digestion continues. If the level of carbohydrates increases, it can even lead to diabetes. Carbohydrates for dogs can be derived from fibers. Dietary fibers are a healthy source of carbohydrates which ensures better digestion and refraining from weight gain. So, the lower the carbs, the better it will be. It has plenty of work to perform. Ingredients like different fruit and vegetables source these minerals and vitamins. It ensures good digestion, promotes a healthy weight, and other essential things. In addition, healthy joints and skin is ensured by the rich vitamins and minerals like glucosamine and chondroitin. The dog food for french bulldogs varies for each life stage. The food that your puppy can eat may not suit an adult dog. First, you must know the nutritional needs of the life stage of a french bulldog. Anything that can fulfill their need is considered best for them. Commercially manufactured foods are considered best because they are made under the supervision of experts. Thus, packing all the nutrients, your french dog will need. Yes, french bulldogs need special food. Special food is needed for the breed itself and the different life stages. The reason is their stomach. French bulldogs are known to have sensitive stomachs. To avoid these issues, french bulldogs need different food irrespective of their age. They have to avoid particular food and specific ingredients to prevent health issues. Grain-free dog food and low carb and fat can serve their need. When you bring a puppy home, you have to start from scrap. You have to learn what and when they need anything. How much food and how often it should be given to french bulldog puppies. The emphasis should be on the amount of food fulfilling the calorie need rather than how many times. For example, it is recommended for puppies between 2 to 6 months to have three meals a day, whereas, for the older ones, you should feed them twice a day. They should be fed 1. Then, feed the puppy to get the requisite calories suggested calories are calories per pound ad have a healthy weight in line with its age. Can French Bulldogs Eat Eggs? Yes, it is safe and healthy for your french bulldog to eat eggs. They can eat in any form they like. It can be scrambled, raw, boiled, or any way your dog prefers. However, there are concerns regarding feeding raw eggs because there are chances they get exposed to salmonella, which can get them sick. So, preferably give them cooked eggs in any form they like. The egg is very rich in nutritional value. They contain essential minerals, vitamins, protein, etc. Be vigilant while feeding eggs; watch for any allergic symptoms that your dog may develop. One thing is to be kept in mind; the egg should not be a daily meal; it can work as an occasional treat, though. Conclusion This sums up our word on the best food for french bulldogs. You must know what makes a food best is the quality ingredients. There is no room for animal by-products instead of natural protein, and you cannot replace fillers for healthy grains. The french bulldogs are not picky about food. Still, their stomach sensitivity makes their parents pick a few of the options available on the market. A balanced and healthy diet will give you a happy, playful, and lively pet. So enjoy your days with them, and we hope you enjoyed reading it. She's committed to providing clients with convenient solutions for their dogs, whether training or behavior issues that arise while they're out running errands! Aurora also competes in agility showcasing three dogs that have become an integral part of her vibrant life. Aurora is a successful dog trainer who loves what she does!

Disclaimer: The price shown above includes all applicable taxes and fees. The information provided above is for reference purposes only. Products may go out of stock and delivery estimates may change at any time. For additional information, please contact the manufacturer or desertcart customer service. While desertcart makes reasonable efforts to only show products available in your country, some items may be cancelled if they are prohibited for import in Seychelles. For more details, please visit our Support Page. We have a dedicated team who specialize in quality control and efficient delivery. Since , desertcart has been delivering a wide range of products to customers and fulfilling their desires. You will find several positive reviews by desertcart customers on portals like Trustpilot, etc. The website uses an HTTPS system to safeguard all customers and protect financial details and transactions done online. The company uses the latest upgraded technologies and software systems to ensure a fair and safe shopping experience for all customers. Your details are highly secure and guarded by the company using encryption and other latest softwares and technologies. Disclaimer: The price shown above includes all applicable taxes and fees. The information provided above is for reference purposes only. Products may go out of stock and delivery estimates may change at any time. For additional information, please contact the manufacturer or desertcart customer service. While desertcart makes reasonable efforts to only show products available in your country, some items may be cancelled if they are prohibited for import in Aruba. For more details, please visit our Support Page. We have a dedicated team who specialize in quality control and efficient delivery. Since , desertcart has been delivering a wide range of products to customers and fulfilling their desires. You will find several positive reviews by desertcart customers on portals like Trustpilot, etc. The website uses an HTTPS system to safeguard all customers and protect financial details and transactions done online. The company uses the latest upgraded technologies and software systems to ensure a fair and safe shopping experience for all customers. Your details are highly secure and guarded by the company using encryption and other latest softwares and technologies.

You can get this puppy elsewhere for a lesser price, but you want to ensure you receive a healthy dog with great genes. Should you buy a German Shepherd puppy or an older dog? The answer to this will be based on your preference and lifestyle. But there are also pros and cons to buying a puppy or an adult dog. Adopt whichever feels right to you. If you intend to buy a German Shepherd, know that the breeding of dogs is more involved than just putting a sire and dam together. Reputable breeders look into the health and genetics of the parents. When the puppies are born, they get them health-tested, too. For example, the puppies get hip x-rays, elbow x-rays, thyroid tests, cardiac tests, and a canine ophthalmologist exam. In most cases, the breeder will ensure that the puppies are up-to-date on their vaccinations before going to their new owners. Are large GSD dogs more expensive than small ones? No, because a purebred German Shepherd is a large dog and only comes in one size. Male GSDs can grow to be 24 to 26 inches 61 to 66 cm , with female GSDs being slightly smaller at 22 to 24 inches 59 to 61 cm. Do German Shepherds that train as service dogs cost more? Yes, German Shepherds that are trained as service dogs are more expensive. This is because they are selectively bred and go through special training. Bloodline affects the purchase fee. The West German Show Line is bred based on the breed standard. They make great house protectors, are social, and need a high amount of physical activity. Working line German Shepherds are fully trained with various skills and excel in obedience. Some of the most expensive German Shepherds are the ones that look different. For example, this pooch can come in a few rare coat colors. The colors may include Panda, Isabella, or Black. In addition, some German Shepherds might have one or two blue eyes. Take into account whether you want your German Shepherd as a family dog or a working protection dog. A companion will be less expensive. In addition, the litter size of German Shepherds is about 6 to 10 puppies. Therefore, the more puppies in a litter, the less the puppies will cost. When searching for a German Shepherd puppy, your best bet is to go through a reputable breeder rather than a search aid site. This is because you can get to know the breeder during the process. There is nothing wrong with being a hobby breeder, but they may have less experience than a professional one. For example, test their knowledge of the German Shepherd breed as a whole. Ask them about the family tree and the health history of the parents and the puppies. In addition, discuss the temperament and traits of the dogs as well. Finally, ask if the puppies have been crate trained and gone to the vet. The breeder should be able to answer these questions flawlessly. Alternatively, you can find a German Shepherd rescue. In addition, you might find puppies as well as adults. These factors include traits of the dog, but it also depends on where you adopt the dog as well. Age Age is one of the biggest factors in pricing a German Shepherd. A puppy is more costly than an adult dog. German Shepherd puppies aged 8 to 12 weeks will be the most expensive. This is because owners want to train the puppy to their lifestyle. Therefore, puppies older than 12 weeks will be more affordable. Adopting an adult GSD dog is less desirable, but these pups need loving, forever homes, too. Size German Shepherds are a large dog breed, growing up to 22 to 26 inches 56 to 66 cm tall. If a breeder advertises Miniature German Shepherds, they may cost more, but there is no such thing. That pooch is most likely a mixed breed, or the purebred has dwarfism. Since purebreds are more desirable, they cost more. However, hybrids are often healthier than purebreds. Lineage and bloodlines If your puppy comes from a champion bloodline and is a show-quality German Shepherd dog, then you can expect to pay more. Breeder certifications, registration, and pedigree When it comes to looking for a reputable breeder, be sure to do your research. A responsible breeder will care about finding the puppies a loving, forever home rather than making a profit. A qualified breeder will charge their puppies higher but at a reasonable fee. Gender Believe it or not, male and female German Shepherd dogs cost about the same price. Male GSDs are stronger and have more energy. Coat Colors and Markings German Shepherds with different colored coats and markings will be more pricey. This is because they are more difficult to breed since they rely on recessive genes. Did you know this doggo can also be long-haired? You can learn more about long-haired German Shepherds here. Health screenings and medical expenses Most reputable breeders will get the puppies health screened and take care of certain medical expenses, such as their first vaccinations. If they do, then you can expect to pay more. For instance, if the breed is in high demand where the breeder is, you can expect to pay more. Other factors The litter size is another factor. For instance, if there are more puppies in a litter, the cost will decrease because the breeder has more puppies available for adoption. In addition, if the parents have a proven record of being show dogs or breeding dogs, that will increase the puppy prices. A friendly German Shepherd dog with a veterinarian Health care and veterinary bills: how much are vet expenses for GSDs? Fortunately, German Shepherds are generally healthy. This includes general physical exams, vaccinations such as rabies , and heartworm and flea prevention. GSDs also need additional vaccinations. For example, Leptospirosis if they are exposed to wildlife. Medical Expenses for German Shepherds Range. Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. What factors determine the price of a German Shepherd Puppy? The price of a German Shepherd puppy does vary, depending on her age, color, bloodline, litter size, location, as well as breeding cost. German Shepherds obtained from animal shelters and rescue organizations are relatively inexpensive because they charge only enough to cover their costs. Here are the 5 most prominent factors that will affect the price of a German Shepherd: 1. Age Age is the most important factor in determining the price of a German Shepherd Dog. All in all, it has a lot to do with the desirability of a cuddly puppy. Puppies that are only weeks old will cost the most. It is because this marks the beginning of the most precious moments of a puppy. The demand drives up the price. The price of German Shepherd puppies of 12 weeks or older will start to decrease. Adult German Shepherds will be offered at much lower prices because some people see them as less desirable. Another reason is that the new owner may need to set a budget for health issues related to senior dogs. Coat Color Some colors are more expensive than others. For German Shepherds, colors such as white will cost more than the usual black and tan. This is because these rare coat colors are more difficult to breed. Bloodline Although purebred German Shepherds puppies are the most sought-after ones, mixed-breed pups usually cost much less and have the potential to be healthier than many purebreds. In general, German Shepherds have working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. We will get into them later in this article. Litter size It refers to the number of puppies in a litter. Usually, the more the number of puppies in a litter, the cheaper the price will become. Location The location from where you purchase your German Shepherd can actually affect how much you pay. Areas with a lower cost of living, or places where there is less demand will typically charge lower prices than more populated cities. Certain states or cities may even have more regulations on breeding which may increase the cost, thus the price of a German Shepherd pup. And these all come at a cost for the breeders. What are the different variations of the German Shepherd bloodline and their prices? While the German Shepherd is a dog breed of its own, you may probably stumble upon different variations. Purebred German Shepherds come in many different sizes, colors, coloration patterns, and body styles. In general, German Shepherds are divided into working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. Here is a four-minute video from which you can learn about their variations: 1. They have a distinctive angulation with their back legs shorter than their front legs, thinner bones, and significantly smaller heads. They come in quite a few colors, mostly solid with occasional bi-color variations, including black and tan saddle, solid back, solid white, and saddle sable. But their obedient and playful character make them fantastic pets. There are certain measurement minimums for their hips and elbows. This results in a stunning, very specific, and uniform appearance. These dogs have a very strong, pronounced build with a black and tan saddle, and solid back. They make good house protectors and need a lot of exercises and to be trained frequently. These dogs are very social. So they are perfect for families with kids. This is the line of GSD you would normally see in movies. They are also closest to the original breed that was bred and developed by Max von Stephanitz, who is acknowledged as the father of German Shepherd Dogs. With a stable temperament, they excel in working jobs, and also make awesome family pets. Rigid control of the original DDR breed prevents the gene poll from diluting. They must be free from any history of hip dysplasia, among other health conditions, to be able to reproduce. This resulted in a very distinct look — with large heads, large bones, and a shiny dark coat. The Czech further tightened the breeding standards, resulting in arguably the most intense breed of German Shepherd available to date. But they are extremely loyal and obedient, with a pleasant temperament. They could be the best guard dog to protect people. But they are extremely rare nowadays. Other factors that affect the cost of a German Shepherd A puppy whose parents and often grandparents and other relatives are hunting champions has the potential to excel in these areas as well. And it will cost you more than any puppy who is the offspring of just average parents. And the most expensive German Shepherds are those adults with proven records as show dogs, K9, or breeding dogs. What is a reasonable price for a German Shepherd puppy? Reputable breeders, when pricing their German Shepherd puppies, must factor in the cost of breeding, feeding, raising, and caring for the pups as well as their mother. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.

Located in beautiful Southern California, we strive to breed superior quality family dogs that will not only make great companions and protectors for your family but that also represent the German Shepherd breed well with the exceptional temperament the breed is known and loved for worldwide. We breed only top German V and VA bloodlines that possess superior health and temperament through generations of hip and elbow certified and temperament tested dogs. Additionally all of our dogs are tested for Degenerative Myelopathy to be sure we are producing puppies safe from this disease. Additionally all of our dogs are DNA tested Clear for the MDR1 gene that can cause mild to severe reactions to a variety of medications. Please visit our testimonials page to read review from many of our clients through the years. Also be sure to visit our Dogs For Sale page to see retired females and males we currently have available to the right homes. Check back often as we are always updating photos of our available puppies. With keeping a small number of dogs we have time to give plenty of love and individual attention to them and the puppies when we have them. Our dogs are not kept in kennels, they live with us as part of our family, with room to roam outside on our one acre property and a warm spot inside to sleep. All puppies are raised inside our home in a clean and healthy environment. All whelpings are supervised by us and assisted as needed to ensure the best start and to protect the health of the mother and her puppies. All puppies are well socialized with small children, cats and our other dogs. Temperament is very important to us, our breeding dogs have wonderful temperaments that they pass on to their puppies. Puppies are temperament tested so that we can help you to find the perfect fit for your family and your needs. We actively show our dogs on the local, national and international level thereby striving to breed dogs of quality bloodlines and structure that adhere to the German SV standard for the German Shepherd dog. We make every effort to continue to learn and to improve our bloodlines by importing dogs of superior quality with top German VA bloodlines to bring you the highest and best quality puppy for you and your family to enjoy. Our hope as breeders is that we can provide the best quality German Shepherd puppy with an outstanding temperament that will in turn make a lasting impression on you and your family like they have in ours. I have so many customers that have been lifelong fans of the German Shepherd, that have grown up with German Shepherds and long for that companionship again with the dog of their childhood. I look forward to providing the dog of your dreams to you and your family! Call today to begin your future with a great German Shepherd Dog of your own. Call or email for an appointment to visit us and to meet our dogs and puppies. Rest assured when purchasing a dog from us that years of breeding and training experience have gone into the development and selection of your German shepherd dog or puppy. Black, Dark Sables, as well as Red and Black German shepherd male and female puppies are available by reservation. Martin Z. Riverside is over an hour drive from me in the valley, but; the puppies that come from the breeder are worth the drive and more! My all black German Shepard "Sirius" is an absolute dream! The breeder and his family truly care for the dogs and their upbringing. Arsalaan constantly checks in to see how me and Sirius are doing and is there to answer any questions you may have. Whether it's your first dog or not give him a call! He'll walk you through the steps and be there with you for guidance. Gavin U. Arsalaan and his family are very kind, caring breeders! When I first reached out to him, he was very quick with a response and easy to communicate with. He truly takes great pride in his pups and is very helpful to answer any questions that may arise. I brought Bear home with me on Dec 16 and he was nice, clean, and healthy upon pick up. Arsalaan provided Bear's list of shots as well as his pedigree and some other additional documents. You will not be disappointed working with him, highly recommend him and his family to help you bring home your newest family member! Mitchell K. Very responsible breeder, I came from Arizona and couldn't be happier. Very helpful before and after receiving my puppy. I highly recommended. Jimmy M. I call Arsalaan whenever I have questions and he is always very helpful with training tips and advice. I get a lot compliments on her looks. Elvia B. I am so grateful for all of the help I got from Arsalaan, and we also appreciate him following up on our puppy "Rexie". He's given us great advice even before we decided to get Rexie. Although he's up north about a 90 minute drive from us, it was definitely worth it. He kept our puppy even after her 8 weeks we couldn't bring her home because it was a Christmas gift. When I took Rexie to her first vet visit the vet said " this breeder definitely knows what he's doing ". Rexie came with up to date vaccinations and AKC forms paid for just have to finish writing them up. Our new family member is a happy and healthy puppy! Plus she sleeps through the night quietly from day one. Amazing Thank you Arsalaan. Join and learn directly from Nadelhaus founder Traci Needles, who has over 25 years of experience breeding and training German Shepherds. Over 50 videos on the following topics covering German Shepherd puppies, housebreaking, crate training, obedience, feeding, grooming, wellness, and much more. New videos to be added every month. Our customers come from all over including Sacramento, the Central Valley, the Bay Area, Southern California, and even from out of state. Not only do we breed German Shepherd puppies, we offer puppy and dog training , dog boarding , and can import fully-trained German Shepherds. What makes Nadelhaus German Shepherds different from other dog breeders? This is the breed club founded in by Max von Stephanitz, who set the standards of the German Shepherd dog breed. The quality of dogs bred to the rules of the SV is second to none. A West German dog is regulated for its sound mind and body. We focus on breeding our dogs for structure, movement, workability, trainability, hips, elbows, pigment, and coat. Our goal is to to produce the best quality German Shepherd again and again, aiming to better the breed every time we breed our dogs. What is the price to buy a Nadelhaus German Shepherd puppy? Our Puppy Application page will provide you with more information on the application, deposit, and matching process. Once you have read through these steps, you can click through to the application form and view the prices for both Nadelhaus German Shepherd puppies as well as import German Shepherd puppies. If I buy a German Shepherd puppy, can you ship it to me? If you are not able to pick your puppy up from our facility in Northern California, we can ship a puppy to you. Shipping rates vary by location and include a health certificate vet visit, transportation costs, and an airline approved crate. Contact us for shipping details. Do you sell long-haired German Shepherd puppies? Nadelhaus breeds German Shepherds puppies all year round and while the majority of puppies we sell are short coat aka short hair , we do have occasionally have long coat long hair puppies. Learn more about long-haired German Shepherds. Can I have a German Shepherd puppy or dog imported from Europe? Puppies bred at Nadelhaus sell quick and even with a deposit, there is generally a wait list for our puppies. If you are interested in skipping the wait list, consider having a puppy imported from Germany. Importing a German Shepherd puppy is a special opportunity to acquire a very beautiful dog with special bloodlines. Both the female mother and male stud are often top V and VA dogs in Germany and come from very popular and highly sought after bloodlines. If you are interested in importing a puppy, simply fill out the same puppy application and click the checkbox that you would like to import a puppy. Will my German Shepherd puppy have its shots and vaccines? All of our puppies receive their vaccinations and are de-wormed to date. They are vet checked at six weeks old. Visit akcreunite. Owners must complete their portion of the paperwork and mail in the registration to the AKC along with the proper fee. We have some puppies born to German imports, so we must mail the paperwork to owners post-purchase. How much should I feed my 8 week old German Shepherd puppy? Our article covers care from the moment you pick up your puppy at the Nadelhaus kennels, to feeding, common issues, introduction to other dogs in the home and more. Our trained driver can transport your German Shepherd to our kennels for puppy purchases, dog training or dog boarding. Trust that your German Shepherd will be transported with care: our driver is knowledgeable about the breed, trained in dog handling and transport, and our transporting service is bonded and insured. This service is exclusive to Nadelhaus purchased German Shepherds. We do not transport dogs that were not purchased or imported through Nadelhaus. Pricing below are estimates only. Our transportation services are generally limited to Northern California, but we encourage you to contact us with any inquiries for your location or for a price quote. Our home is located in Southern California on 3 acres nestled in the hills just north of the Temecula Wine Country. Our family has spent more than 20 years with the German Shepherd breed and the last decade showing and breeding. Our AKC registered German Shepherds and German Shepherd puppies are from German import, show line working dogs, which possess the fundamental intelligence, beauty and grace we all know and love. The focus of So Cal German Shepherds is to produce quality puppies from multiple generations of healthy parents that have the necessary certifications for breeding. Producing healthy, beautiful and intelligent German Shepherd puppies, with strong nerves and courageous temperaments. The result of this breeding is a puppy which is wonderful with the children, confident and stable when in public, and ready to protect its family when at home. However, they remain as participating members of our family and enjoy trail riding with the horses, taking trips to the beach, going camping and lounging in the living room. From working with the live stock to standing out in the show ring, our German Shepherds are truly a versatile breed. We Hope you enjoy your visit to our web site and look forward to you becoming part of the " So Cal Extended Family ". If you are interested in making a So Cal German Shepherd puppy part of your family, please visit our " Puppies " page to see our available German Shepherd puppies and our planned litters. Male deposit 1- ES Female deposit 1-CM Male deposit 2- Female deposit 2-VP Male deposit 3- Female deposit 3- Male deposit 4- Female deposit 4- If you would like to know litters coming later than this please give us a call Before you place a deposit, Please download or print our guarantee and contract. Fill it out and return to us either by texting it, scanning and emailing or through regular mail. Remember that regular mail is slower and cause you to not get the spot you want if I get other deposits and contracts before yours. Once I receive your signed contract and your deposit, I will sign one and send one back. New-contract-June 15 We distribute the best dry food available for dogs and cats! Most people want to feed the best and LA is just that! Or if you will be taking home a puppy soon, make sure you buy a puppy start pack. The start up pack is on the same page as the food. Performance shows what the dog IS. If you wanted to ship your puppy, you would need to first come to our kennels and then ship the puppy out yourself. Or you can use a ground transportation company. By placing a deposit on a litter not yet born, please keep this in mind and be willing to move your deposit onto another litter at a later date. This allows us to offer puppies to pet homes at a more affordable price. You will still get AKC papers except they will say limited. If you bred a dog that was registered limited, then you would not be able to register the offspring. This limit however, can be lifted by the breeder. That said, while it can be done, I strongly urge anyone who lives in an apartment to think carefully about how much time and work it can be to keep a large, working dog in an apartment. I will not sell a puppy to anyone who lives in an apartment and leaves the dog home alone all day. At least one person needs to be home during the day. The dog needs to be taken outside to play at least once a day and taken for potty breaks many times EVERY day. Also, please check with your apartments rules on German Shepherds; some complexes do not allow them. New strains of the Parvo Virus are abundant and it is my job to keep puppies safe. I use a high titer Parvo Vaccine at 4 weeks but this may not protect all puppies. So please understand as much as you would like to visit with your puppies as they grow I can no longer allow this until they are 7 weeks. I will send out emails with pictures or videos weekly. No outside dogs are allowed at anytime. Thank you for understanding how important it is for me to keep the puppies safe. If you do visit other breeders, please do so on a different day that you visit. Von Ward Kennels will take back any puppy at any time in their lives if their owners can no longer care for them. Please never take a Von Wards dog to a shelter if you can no longer keep them. While most of our dogs are larger than the standard, we do have a couple of breeding females that are within standard.

They make excellent pets and formidable guard dogs. General Discipline Step 1 Observe your German shepherd's behavior. From the day you bring home your dog, keep a log of how he behaves in various situations. This will help you understand his likely future behavior. A typical German shepherd will be confident, alert and protective. His confidence should never become aggression, and he should be calm and watchful when encountering new stimuli. Pay special attention to how your pet responds to visitors arriving at the home, to other dogs coming to say hello, and to being taken for walks. Step 2 Note his naughty habits. Encouraging good behavior means introducing a reward; discouraging behavior means taking away rewards. Some love toys while others see physical contact as the ultimate prize. Many will do anything for a treat. Step 4 Leash your German shepherd and expose him to stimuli likely to resort in bad behavior. For example, have a friend ring the doorbell. Just before your friend rings the bell, begin to verbally praise your dog. This is a positive stimulus. If he remains passive and calm, increase the praise and let him off leash. If he barks, stop the praise and gently tug the leash to get his attention. This distracts him from barking. Step 2 Move the treat so he moves his head backward to follow it. As you do this, issue the sit command. Step 3 Release the treat as soon as he sits and then give lots of fuss and praise. Step 4 Use what you learned from observing your dog and monitoring his bad habits to anticipate bad behavior. For example, if he slopes off into the living room, discreetly follow him. Step 5 Issue the sit command before he has chance to be naughty. Then issue the down command. These commands will distract the dog from the naughty behavior he was contemplating. More Articles. Knowing what to do to help your dog with misbehavior is half the battle. Are you making any of these disciplining mistakes? Do not use negative reinforcement Negative reinforcement is causing discomfort or worse, pain, to your dog to get them to perform a behavior. Other common negative reinforcers include a choke chain and prong collar. Negative reinforcement is about turning off something negative, or uncomfortable, at the least, and painful at the worst. But take note… Negative reinforcement has been scientifically shown to lead to an increased risk of aggression of 2. Instead, use lure and reward GSD puppy training Do not use physical correction Just as when using negative reinforcement, physical corrections cause your dog anxiety and fear and lead to aggression. When you got your dog you wanted him for life as your best friend and companion. If you find yourself about to engage in physical force for punishment with your German Shepherd, step away from your dog immediately. Ask someone for help. Call a friend or family member and tell them you need help with your dog. Even withholding food, water, or shelter is cruel and must be avoided. And demeaning them by calling them names and speaking to them in a critical tone can cause fear and aggression in German Shepherds. Not to mention, your continued shouting could stress your dog to the point they shut down and withdraw from you. They will no longer be the sweet, lively dog you dreamed about. Instead, learn how to use your voice to communicate effectively with your German Shepherd. Keep your voice calm, clear, and confident. Unfortunately, this type of training only makes his house training take longer since he begins to fear going potty anywhere. So, instead, he begins to sneak off and hide to potty indoors to avoid punishment. Preferably, always have your puppy tethered to you when potty training, never letting them out of your sight. When not tethered to you, place them in a puppy-proof area to prevent potty accidents. Reward your German Shepherd when they potty outdoors in the area you want with praise and treats. Learn more about how to quickly potty train a German Shepherd to start off on the right steps to house training. Or, what about when your tiny puppy sinks his little teeth into your hand in play and you laugh out loud? Why does your German Shepherd misbehave? Take a look. There are a few common factors in dogs that cause them to misbehave. Even if you think your dog is trained and should know better, these are the top reasons they might have bad behaviors. Separation anxiety If you spend a lot of time with your puppy, then begin to leave him alone for long hours he may start to misbehave. This is especially true if you are busy and tend to leave him in a crate for far too many hours. This could mean chewing inappropriate things, digging, or even excessive barking and howling. Under exercised An under-exercised dog is not getting his basic needs met. German Shepherds must have at least 2 hours of physical exercise per day. See — Fun Jobs for German Shepherds at Home for more ideas Before you leave the house give your dog a long walk with plenty of time to sniff. Inconsistent Discipline Another leading cause of needing to discipline a German Shepherd is a lack of consistent training and discipline techniques. Do you make sure your puppy always has 4 paws on the floor to greet guests? While many owners remember to obedience train their dog they overlook the importance of mentally stimulating games to reduce boredom. Decreasing boredom is shown to give your dog a more enjoyable day, which lessens their desire to participate in unwanted behaviors, such as chewing and digging. Start with a few minutes a day using mind games to help keep their mental health in check. Need more help disciplining your German Shepherd the right way? Do you wish there was a German Shepherd monthly guidebook? There is! Disciplining your German Shepherd puppy is most effective when you focus on teaching your German Shepherd what to do, rather than punishing him for unwanted behaviors. The wrong type of punishment can cause irreparable harm to your companion, but discipline when used properly actually reinforces positive behavior. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? While puppies are adorable, German Shepherds are notoriously difficult due to their high energy and large size. While they can be a challenge, consistent and effective discipline a german shepherd puppy can help them settle down quickly. Start From a Positive Place To Discipline A German Shepherd Puppy The first thing to keep in mind when you bring home a new puppy of any breed is that your puppy is learning a brand new set of rules. The things they did with their litter mates and their mother may not be okay in this new household. In addition, the world is suddenly a very lonely and scary place for a puppy who used to always be protected by his or her mother and siblings. This is especially true for German Shepherds. It takes a little while for a puppy to form that bond with a new owner. Sometimes puppies also simply are not developed enough to control themselves. Much like human children, too-tired puppies are prone to getting wild and misbehaving. They also experience teething pain, which may make them chew on many different surfaces in an attempt to soothe it. Timing is Critical Another thing to remember about puppies is that they have very short attention spans. Whatever discipline you choose must be given immediately for it to be effective. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that any praise or punishment is given within three seconds of the puppy performing the behavior. Instead, look at ways you can prevent it from happening, such as planning for more frequent bathroom breaks or restricting your puppy to a smaller area. Keep It Consistent Consistency is key in training and disciplining any puppy. If you allow a certain behavior sometimes but ignore it or reward it at other times, your puppy will end up confused and frustrated. If you live with other people, make sure everyone is on the same page with your training methods and rules. Utilize Time-Outs One of the best tools for disciplining a puppy is simply taking away the thing that is exciting them. Turning your back on a jumping puppy can have a similar effect. If the puppy is persistent, a small break in a safe spot can also help them calm down and settle enough to behave. A gated-off laundry room or a bathroom can be good choices for this. Just be calm and matter-of-fact about it. You want to make everything as boring as possible so that the puppy learns that being rude means that the fun ends for a little while. Instead of scolding your puppy, simply redirecting to a more appropriate toy is usually the best option. Trade a fun chew toy for the shoe, then put the shoes away somewhere else. One of the big benefits of this approach is that it also lays the foundation for teaching your dog to willingly drop things on command, which is particularly important in German Shepherds since they tend to be a fairly possessive breed. Redirection can also be used for other behaviors. If your puppy tends to jump on people when greeting them, try teaching him to sit or lay down instead. You can even have a little fun with it and teach him to shake hands on cue. Make sure your puppy always has plenty of appropriate toys around, since puppies need to chew. Try to keep a good variety of textures and materials, and offer occasional treats like bully sticks or antlers. Talk to your vet about the best chews for your puppy. Many puppies also thrive when kept on a regular schedule, including frequent nap time. Young German Shepherds may sleep up to 18 hours a day, so make sure your pup has plenty of rest. Over-tired puppies often have trouble settling down and may bite more than usual. German Shepherds are also very clever, high-energy dogs, so your puppy needs plenty of stimulation. Young puppies cannot go for long runs or do other serious physical exercises since it can damage their growing bones and joints, but they still need to be kept occupied. Training, play dates with other puppies, and games such as nose work are all great choices for tiring out your German Shepherd puppy without overdoing things. Although raising a smart, energetic German Shepherd puppy is never exactly easy, it can be very rewarding. Sticking to positive, reward-based methods and working with your puppy can help ensure you form a strong bond and raise a happy, well-adjusted dog. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. So, how do you discipline your German Shepherd without punishment? Find the answer to that in the next section. Give your GSD something interesting instead, such as a toy. Use positive reinforcement training. Ignore demanding behavior, such as barking, pawing, or jumping. Use short effective timeouts. As already indicated, the most efficient way of disciplining your German Shepherd is through positive reinforcement training. Positive reinforcement implies adding some reward to increase the frequency of response. How positive reinforcement happens In positive reinforcement, rewards include: A treat: Should be healthy and given in moderation to avoid health issues. It could be a single kibble from their food or a tiny piece of meat, or you can try healthy fruits or vegetables. Expression of physical attention: A hug, a gentle pat, or a caress on the head or behind the ears. You can find out more about petting a German Shepherd here. Negative reinforcement means taking something away or removing a reward to increase the frequency of the response. A typical example of negative reinforcement is when getting your dog to sit, you gently push his bottom down towards the floor, easing him into the sit position. Once the sit is accomplished, you reward him by releasing the pressure. By repeatedly doing this, the behavior is reinforced. Instead, it means reinforcing good behavior and deterring unbecoming conduct. In other words, you should not punish your German Shepherd when disciplining him. That means you love your dog and want the best for him. Consequently, you do not wish to hurt your dog, and you want your German Shepherd to trust you. If all that is true, it is easy to indicate that you should never apply physical punishment to your pet. Whether that means spanking, kicking, leaving him without food, caging or tying him for days, or other forms of punishment that could bring the dog some form of physical harm. Do you want to learn how to show dominance over your German Shepherd the right way? These forms of punishment do not achieve any good results. First, dogs do not have the reasoning capacity to associate punishment with their action and are, thus, unlikely to change. Instead, they will develop fear and aggression towards you, which could strain the relationship with your GSD. Second, from an animal rights perspective, physical punishment is a form of pet abuse that could make you count among the thousands of people who are perpetrators of animal cruelty in the US, inflicting physical pain. That also means that they can tell the difference in your voice pitch, and they know shouting indicates anger and displeasure. Yelling can cause fear and aggression in German Shepherds, which could make them turn against you with a bite, or they could just run away. With time, dogs may also adopt a form of indifference to your shouting and learn to ignore your yelling. From a well-being approach, continuous shouting as a form of punishment can cause poor quality of life for your German Shepherd. This study found that dogs trained with aversive methods shouting is an aversive method had poorer welfare than those trained with reward-based techniques positive reinforcement. Rather than shout, therefore, you will be more efficient if you use a calm voice and make clear and confident commands. Your dog might change position next time, and that is because your punishment did not teach him that doing it in the house is bad. Dogs like their space clean, especially from their dirt. Instead, if your German Shepherd puppy soils your carpet, clean the mess with a detergent that removes the stain and odor, and then redirect your dog outside. Also, reward him when he relieves himself during a walk and withdraw the reward when the same is done in the house. This will teach your German Shepherd to associate doing his thing outside with a good treat and avoid that which takes it away. Letting it go once creates the expectation that you can let it go another time. Instead, insist on chew toys for play or dog teething toys if your pup is still at the teething stage. Most pet stores have you spoilt for choice when it comes to chewing and teething toys. As a dog owner with lots of love for your German Shepherd, you might be remorseful that you denied your pet a treat for not following your command and decided to give him three in compensation. If, as a dog owner, you realize that you cannot be firm with disciplining your German Shepherd, seek the help of a professional trainer immediately. And even though they learn what they should do through training, they might sometimes make mistakes and need understanding from the loving owner they look up to. Final Thoughts Disciplining your German Shepherd is an essential aspect of training. But it is important to differentiate discipline from punishment. While punishing may cause harm to your dog, disciplining is intended to reinforce positive behavior. Rewarding good behavior through positive reinforcement and rekindling it when your dog faults through negative reinforcement are the two most effective ways of using discipline to train your German Shepherd in good behavior. There are several reasons why your German Shepherd may be involved in unbecoming behavior. Some of them are loneliness, lack of exercise, or poor training as a puppy. If you have to discipline your GSD, avoid rewarding negative behavior, shouting, and physical punishment. Related Posts You May Like:. Puppies German Shepherds can be the most well-mannered and obedient dogs. However, much of how they behave depends on how you train them and keep their manners in check. So how do you discipline a German Shepherd puppy? This article will dive into the best and most effective ways of disciplining a GSD puppy when needed. Best Ways to Discipline a German Shepherd Puppy Positive reinforcement training remains to be the best way to discipline any dog, especially a German Shepherd puppy. This method works not only for obedience but also for encouraging good behaviors. For GSDs, this is especially effective because their high level of intelligence enables them to quickly associate rewards with their actions. While some believe that the best training methods involve punishing bad behaviors, research suggests that reward-based training methods are actually the most effective. Additionally, behavioral issues can be addressed through redirection and behavior-specific training. Here are the most critical parts of fostering good manners in a young German Shepherd: Positive Reinforcement Training Positive reinforcement training involves rewarding your dog for good behaviors. This increases the likelihood of them performing the right behavior and can also discourage unwanted behaviors. Instead, they will greet you by sitting in front of you because that gets them the reward they want. On the surface, positive reinforcement training might seem simple enough. However, here are some things you need to get right for effective training: Step 1: Find The Right Reward First, you need to find the right reward. Different dogs have different motivations. Some are driven by food while others are mostly motivated by toys and play. Others find that the best reward is cheerful praise and a good ear scratch. Learning what motivates your dog will help you raise them more successfully. Dogs basically live in the moment, so you need to reward in the moment as well. When rewarding, catch them in the act of doing the right behavior. Step 3: Consistency Third, you need to be consistent. Redirection In most cases, the most difficult part of training dogs is to reverse unwanted behaviors. So, the most effective thing to do is to redirect them to more appropriate behaviors. For example, if your German Shepherd likes to dig holes in your backyard, you can redirect that behavior to something more desirable, like playing with a ball. As soon as you let them out into your yard, toss a ball and encourage them to play. This diverts their energy into something more positive. If you do this consistently, they will associate the yard with playtime rather than digging time. Excessive barking , for example, is very difficult to divert. In the barking example, it helps to teach your dog to bark on command. Make sure you reward them as soon as they stop barking. Practice this until you can make them speak and keep quiet on command. Additionally, certain types of punishment can instill fear in your pup. Not only would that severely hinder their ability to develop a good relationship with you, that might also lead to some fear-based aggression down the road. This might also lead to fear-based aggression where they will growl , lunge, or bite to defend themselves. In fact, most will still experience some frustration. No dog is inherently well-mannered all the time. Here are some things you can do to improve your success while also strengthening your relationship with your canine companion: Start early. Be consistent. Establish verbal cues. Use playtime as an opportunity to reinforce positive behaviors. Tire them out. Excess energy can often be the root cause of bad behaviors. Hone their abilities. GSDs are working dogs. If you give them opportunities to sharpen their mental abilities and also hone their other skills e. Rubbing face in dog pee or poop. The goal of negative or punishment-based discipline is to associate bad behavior with bad things. As Science Alert reports, according to a survey of expert canine trainers, the German Shepherd is ranked third out of 79 purebred dog breeds in terms of overall intelligence and trainability! This means your German Shepherd puppy is very, very intelligent. It also means your puppy is very trainable. Of course, just like there are different types of people intelligence, there are different types of dog intelligence. So your German Shepherd puppy is technically able to learn a new desirable behavior or unlearn an undesirable behavior in as little as five tries and remember what they have learned with 95 percent accuracy. These dogs are just smart, smart, smart! They are highly tuned into their people and eager to please. But this also means that your training method of choice will have a lasting impact on your dog right away. So you want to choose wisely. When a dog is particularly emotionally sensitive, as most people-centric dog breeds are — any kind of punishment or negativity will have a deep and lasting impact on them. You can see this in people as well. While some people just seem to let life roll off their back, more easily letting go of old hurts and mistakes, other people hold onto these memories and can even become traumatized by shame, embarrassment, or hurt. Your German Shepherd is sensitive like this as well. These dogs want to please and have been carefully bred to have a strong desire to please people. So any kind of negativity, whether in words or actions, is likely to leave a lasting impact. This is also why the only training method you want to use for disciplining a German Shepherd puppy is going to be positive reinforcement training. German Shepherds are very strong and powerful dogs. They are used extensively in military and police work, K-9 search and rescue and bomb-sniffing, the Secrete Service and private protection and guard dog work, and similar occupations. German Shepherds that are not trained with positive methods can sometimes become aggressive. This is especially the case if there is no underlying positive bond with a person. A German Shepherd that is subjected to harsh corrections can turn into a dangerous dog. And there is truly no need to use harsh punishments when you have a dog that is so smart and can easily learn the same desirable behaviors using positive reinforcement. How exactly can you use positive training methods to discipline a German Shepherd puppy? The answer to this question starts with establishing reasonable expectations for any puppy, no matter how smart and attuned to you. You want those first six months to be good ones! However, puppies will be puppies even if they are exceptionally smart, very bonded to you, and highly motivated to please you. Overall, there are always two goals when it comes to disciplining and training a German Shepherd puppy: 1. You are pleased with this response and show it with praise, pats, and even a small tasty treat. Your German Shepherd puppy learns that prompt obedience results in good things — praise, pats, and treats. This teaches your German Shepherd puppy that quiet behavior brings the food out more quickly. Because German Shepherds are bred for a specific type of work, these dogs have some innate tendencies that can be especially misunderstood in puppyhood. As the German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Sacramento Valley charity explains, German Shepherds were bred to herd and track and guard and work alongside people. These dogs are high energy naturally. They are social and people-focused naturally. They are workers naturally. Combine this with the onset of puppyhood teething, when the puppy teeth are calling out and the adult teeth are growing in, and you now have an energetic, you-centric dog that is uncomfortable and irritable. At the same time, your German Shepherd puppy has a bladder and bowel system that is still developing and so you are trying to potty train your dog to go to the bathroom outside and only outside and in a specific place on cue. But your puppy may have accidents even when they do their best not to, because sometimes their incompletely developed bladder and brain may fail to understand if they need to go right away. So your German Shepherd puppy may have some initial anxiety, especially since they are also adjusting to life without their mom and littermates at the same time. Here are specific tips to minimize frustration for both you and your puppy during training and discipline: Establish easy verbal cues for every need If this is your first time training a German Shepherd puppy , you may want to talk to a more experienced dog owner for guidance here. Make sure the commands you choose are short and percussive and sound sufficiently different from each other so your German Shepherd puppy will not be likely to get confused. Similarly, right when your German Shepherd puppy is doing the behavior you want is the right time to reinforce it. Instead, simply clean up the mess and apply a pet odor neutralizer and begin again. Discourage problem chewing, for example, by offering your pup an icy teething ring to ease the gum pain. With patience, persistence, positivity, and pure kindness, you and your German Shepherd will get through the difficult puppyhood phase and build a closer bond as you do. Watch Expert Trainers With a German Shepherd Dogs In this amazing short video , you can see the results of using a positive dog training program with a smart and sensitive working dog breed like the German Shepherd dog. With the right type of consistent, positive training program, there is nothing a German Shepherd will not attempt for their people! You need to learn how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy early on or you might regret it later. Letting your GSD puppy get away with bad behaviors when they are a puppy will carry on with them into adulthood. It is much better to nip them in the bud now so that you have a well-behaved dog later that knows how to act around other people and pets. You want to discipline your German Shepherd puppy by distracting them when they are doing something wrong, redirecting their bad behavior to something more appealing, and then rewarding them for their good behavior. Sounds easy right? Well, each dog is different and certain ages will be harder to train than others. Whatever the case, you can use these same methods to discipline and train any GSD. Just stay patient and use positive reinforcement for the best results. You always want to reward good behavior and not punish bad behavior. These 3 simple steps outline the process and should get your young German Shepherd to behave appropriately. From barking , to biting, to chewing, your GSD will need consistent discipline to curb these unwanted behaviors. The first thing you want to do when they are behaving badly is distract them with some verbal word cues. The key to this method is using positive words and an encouraging tone to your voice. You also never want to yell at your dog. Studies have shown that is causes long-term psychological damage. It makes them more pessimistic and stressed. Once you have found a good word cue, it is time to move on to the redirection. Redirect Their Behavior To Something More Appealing Once you have successfully learned to grab their attention quickly from the bad behavior, it is time to redirect it to something more positive. To do this you are going to have to give your German Shepherd something to do that they would find more interesting or fun than the bad behavior. This could be tough. Well, there are a couple of obvious go-tos. The first and most obvious choice is a tasty treat. You can have a small bag of healthy lean treats ready for the occasion. You can also grab their attention quickly with the sound of a squeaky toy. Reward Them For Their Good Behavior To reinforce them switching from the bad behavior to the good behavior, you need to reward them. This discipline, when taught consistently, will teach them over time that the reward outweighs the bad conduct. There are several ways to reward your GSD once they redirect their attention towards you. One of the best ways to reward them is with praise or a treat. Let them know they did the correct thing by abandoning their negative conduct and redirecting it towards the new positive behavior. Continue all 3 of these steps on a consistent basis. Always try to stay positive and never scold or yell at your dog. Eventually, you and your dog will build a good strong bond and your GSD will learn its boundaries. Unfortunately, some pups may be more stubborn than others and continue acting inappropriately. Stay calm as this is normal. German Shepherds are smart but discipline and training takes time. If you have tried the above 3 steps a couple of times to no avail, it is time to change up the strategy. Short Timeout: A short timeout is a great way to calm your puppy down and stop the acting out. However, it should be used sparingly and not everyday or as a punishment. Try to keep it to a minimum of times a week for the best results. Before you give them a timeout, you will need a safe space like their crate or an empty room that is partitioned off from the rest of the house. Leave them there for no more than a couple of minutes. Once they have stopped whining, you can let them rejoin the family. If they are still whining after two minutes, wait until they can stop whining for seconds before letting them out. This will teach them that they have to stop wining to get out. Pro Tip: Make sure that everyone else in the household is being consistent with discipline and timeouts. Everyone needs to participate for it to be effective. So, in order to discipline your GSD and prevent certain unwanted conduct, you can ignore them. Self-Reinforcing Behaviors: Demand barking to go outside for example Jumping on you or other people Pawing or nudging you with their nose Before we discuss how to ignore these behaviors, it is important to realize that the best way to avoid this type of conduct is by being proactive and training them the right way to do things. However, ignoring your GSD can be effective if combined with a negative punishment. Here are some good examples of how to respond correctly to your dog by ignoring their unwanted behavior: Example 1: Your German Shepherd demand barks trying to get your attention. You ignore him or her by looking away, turning your back or leaving the area. Example 2: Your German Shepherd is jumping on you for attention. You ignore him or her by turning around and walking away, removing the attention. Example 3: Your German Shepherd is pawing or nudging you with its nose. You get up and walk away leaving the room. Avoid making eye contact or using vocal commands when you ignore their misconduct. This can reinforce the bad behavior. This is when things get tricky and patience comes in. Even then, it will be hard for some owners to wait it out while their puppy barks repeatedly at high decibels. Fun Fact: The loudest bark ever recorded by a German Shepherd was decibels back in by a dog named Daz Lightening. We recommend using ear plugs to protect your ears from the onslaught of barks that you may be exposed to when attempting to ignore them. It can also be very difficult to ignore them when they are jumping up and down on you or your family members. As we mentioned earlier, being proactive is better than being reactive. That is why proactive training is used to prevent the misconduct before it ever happens. There are certain things that will benefit your dog and others that you should avoid completely. How you train your puppy now will determine the adult they become. This list, compiled from experts and owners, should give you some good guidelines for training your GSD puppy properly. Dos of Discipline: Be consistent with your training: Make sure you use the same verbal and hand cues every time you train. Also make sure that the rest of the family is using the same cues. Do something light and fun before and after training: Have some fun play time before and after you train. It should help to lighten up the mood and prepare your GSD for the hard work. It should also increase your chance of success. Give commands only once on most occasions: For the most part, you only want to give the command a single time. Although there can be occasions when you can use the command multiple times. In that case, make sure to pause for seconds between. Train when you are feeling good and positive: Your demeanor and mood can have an effect on the outcome of the training. When you are in a good mood, it will rub off on your dog and make the discipline easier. Use short quick training sessions: Instead of one long 30 minute or hour training session, break them up into smaller minute sessions times a day. A German Shepherd is smart but their brain needs time to absorb and soak up new information. It has negative long-term effects on their personality and stress levels. It will increase their anxiety making them more skittish and harder to train because there will be less trust. It will make your GSD afraid and scared of you. This will also make it harder to train and diminish the amount of trust between you and your dog. But be patient and refrain from sticking his or her nose in it to teach them a lesson. You must discipline your dog during the act to be effective. You can start to discipline using positive reinforcement when a German Shepherd puppy is weeks old. You also want to focus on crate training, house training and socialization at this early stage in their growth. However, you will want to wait until your puppy is 6 months old to start obedience training. You should try to teach your GSD at least two new commands every month. It is going to take a lot of patience and perseverance. However, GSDs are highly intelligent and fast learners which should make life easier on you than some other breeds. Be consistent and train them a little each day. If you get overwhelmed, you can always hire a professional trainer in your area. They can help you with basic obedience and commands. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think! Have you had any success with certain techniques not listed in the article. Let us know! We would love to hear your personal tips and story! Share this:.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Our home-based, family-owned Australian Labradoodle breeding program is located about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. We are committed to breeding authentic, multigenerational Australian Labradoodles with bloodlines originating from the two breeding research centers in Australia, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park. Multigen Australian Labradoodles are consistently non-shedding, allergy and asthma friendly, loving, calm, intuitive and at times quite comical. All of these qualities make them wonderful family companions as well as excellent therapy and service dogs. Raising puppies is a lot of fun but it is also a lot of work!! As a breeder, it is our responsibility to make the most of our puppy's critical growth periods and introduce them to as many new sights, sounds, smells and situations as possible. At birth, days 3 to 16 with Bio Sensor Stimulation, and right through to the day you take your new fur baby home we are handling and socializing our puppies. Ultimately, it is our goal is to provide you with a healthy, well socialized, intelligent, lovable, easily trained doodle that will be a joyful addition to your family for many years to come. As trusted Labradoodle breeders, we take great care to give every visitor the best labradoodle puppies , including the best health characteristics, a gorgeous appearance, and an adoring personality. Australian Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, non-shedding dogs that are easy to train and easy to care for, providing companionship and love without a lot of work. This breed is intelligent, loyal and friendly, providing protection to their owners and family without excessive barking or aggression. Australian Labradoodle puppies exhibit the best characteristics of their parent breeds, the Labrador and the Poodle. Both breeds are famously intelligent, athletic and loyal, with quick learning attributes and mobility that makes them ideal service dogs. With the docile temperament of the Poodle and the athleticism and energy of the Labrador, the Australian Labradoodle is the perfect mix. As a loyal, friendly, gentle and low-upkeep breed, Australian Labradoodle puppies are great with children, and they are also an ideal breed for older couples. Our Australian Labradoodle puppies are bred from our own prized pets, carefully selected to eliminate health defects and enhance the best qualities of the breed. From the day they are born, we treat our Australian Labradoodles like a member of the family until they become a permanent part of yours. Take a look at the Labradoodle Puppies for sale online and select your new pet. Contact us for more information and have your new puppy personally delivered to your home in Chicago. Puppy Spotlight. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL. An Australian Labradoodle is a designer dog specifically bred to be the ultimate family companion. How much are Labradoodles for sale Chicago? Will you only connect me with local Labradoodle breeders Chicago? One of the great things about using our network is that our team will connect you with great Labradoodle breeders and businesses around the country, not just in Chicago. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Chicago? Bottom line? Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodles Chicago? We made Uptown Puppies to help unite great breeders and businesses with great families—and to help you find a puppy that suits you perfectly. What is a puppy mill for Labradoodle puppies Chicago? Puppy mills are factories for dogs. At mills, dog health and safety go out the window—here, profits are king. When you buy a puppy from a mill, your dog is facing higher risks of genetic disease, behavioral issues, expensive veterinary intervention, and even a shorter life expectancy compared to other dogs. Are there any Labradoodle puppies in Chicago available now? What is the MatchMaker process like for Labradoodle Chicago? In our opinion and according to tons of our customers MatchMaker is the easiest, fastest and most fun way to find a puppy online. He had received a request from a blind woman in Hawaii whose husband was allergic to longhaired dogs. This breed has since gained worldwide popularity and remains a very sought-after breed today. This breed is the perfect mix between a Poodle and Labrador Retriever. Personality and Temperament This Labradoodle is known for having a very loving, caring, and pleasant personality. They are very smart dogs and eager to be a part of your family. They also tend to be very social and interact well children and other pets in the home. They are not aggressive dogs and have very warm and approachable demeanors. They make marvelous family pets and are known to quickly bond. Appearance and Grooming Labradoodles do not shed heavy and do not require excessive brushing. Most do well with standard grooming every six to eight weeks. Making sure your Labradoodle is properly groomed will allow him to look and feel his best. Care and Feeding Labradoodles do best with a balance of meat-based protein and micronutrients, as well as healthy carbs and fats. This breed also tends to do well being fed twice a day with meals spaced apart every twelve hours. This will help to ensure the dog is provided with the proper nutrients he needs. It is also important that his teeth get cleaned a minimum of three times a week. Failing to keep his teeth clean can contribute to health issues. Although properly cleaning his teeth will take some practice to get good at, in time, this will become easier for you and your pup. At maturity this breed weighs between fifty and sixty-five pounds. They have an average life expectancy of twelve to fifteen years. Fact: This breed is considered a very smart dog who trains with ease. Fact: Labradoodles have different coat types and are not known for heavy shedding. Petland is honored to offer first-class Labradoodle puppies, and our caring team of puppy specialists will help answer any questions you may have. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our Labradoodle puppies. Labradoodles are prone to health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, ear infections, and hypothyroidism. Do Labradoodles shed at all? Although Labradoodles are known as non-shedders, there are some of them who still undergo shedding, most especially the Labradors with hair coats. How should you feed your Labradoodles? But, bear in mind that however you feed your Lab, be careful not to get your Lab bloated or underfed. A Labradoodle has an average lifespan of years. Can Labs go for hunting? How big do Labs grow? The average male Lab can grow up to 22 to 24 inches while the female one can grow up to 21 to 23 inches, and both can weigh as much as 50 to 70 pounds. Is it safe to leave my Lab all alone when we are out? Labs are social dogs and they need to be around people or other dogs most of the time, hence it might not be safe to be away from your Lab for too long, to avoid behavioral problems such as depression, frustration, and unhappiness. Does gender matter when getting a Labradoodle? Not at all. Both genders of Labs make awesome family pets. You can decide to either adopt or buy any gender of your choice How much do Labs puppies cost? The cost of buying Labradoodle puppies varies, depending on where you are buying from. Contact us today to learn more about the cost and availability of our Labs When can I start training my Lab? Name Required. I went to meet Mike to talk about an upcoming litter and Bailey was sitting by herself. I pretty much changed my mind and wanted her immediately. She was introduced to a 6 year old cocker spaniel with and IVDD condition and they became best friends. Great Temperament, Incredibly smart and absolutely beautiful addition to my family. Mike has been following up since I got her checking to see if I had any issues. His training packet was detailed and if you follow the crate training and feeding regiment you will have no problems. Angelica I brought home an F2 labradoodle from here. My pups has already learned several commands within a few weeks of having him. The breeder has plenty of space for the pups and you can tell that there is a lot of care put into the environment. My dog has a great temperament and deals with people well. Upon the first meeting my pups was excited to greet people you can tell he had been socialized well. Mike does well with communication and answers any questions. Highly recommended! Javier Sanchez Got my black lab from Mike trained. He is very good and is comfortable with a crate, walking and great temperament. Overall an awesome dog from a great breeder! Maura Eaton My 12 year old son did all the research on Mike and his company. He had 5 star reviews across the board. Once we saw the picture of Zoey, a Chocolate Labradoodle, we knew we had to meet her. Mike's business is clean, the dogs are all loved by him and well trained. Zoey was Stage 1 trained. This is my first dog as an adult and Mike was excellent in providing advice and recommendations. After we adopted Zoey, Mike would periodically check-in on how Zoey was adjusting to her new family and home. As you can see in the pictures, she is very happy. Mike knew her personality well - smart, sweet and social. A perfect fit and addition to our family. He worked on training with the puppy before we brought him home, which was a big help in the adjustment! I would recommend Mike to anyone looking for a labradoodle puppy. Our puppy has been the best addition to our family and we have enjoyed working with Mike. John Schmadeke We were looking for a labradoodle puppy from a reputable and experienced breeder. Mike was super helpful, and we really appreciated that he cared so much about things like genetics and DNA testing for the dogs. Mike has always been available to answer our questions and to give advice. Tom Riniker We found Mike to be very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful when we purchased a puppy from him. His kennels are clean and organized, and his puppies are well cared for. He really loves his career and it shows! He has followed up with us on numerous occasions regarding the health and well-being of our puppy, and I always know I can reach him if I have questions. Thanks for everything, Mike! Yunhua Chen I have bought a stage 2 F1 labradoodle from Mike. His name is Zen, and just like his name, he is a well-behaved and well-trained little man. He only cried about 15 - 30 minutes during the first few nights and later he was sound asleep. I highly recommend Mike as a breeder because not only he deeply cares about the dogs, but also he has the expertise to make the dog the perfect match for you. Michelle Balchunas Mike was absolutely wonderful to deal with and very helpful with adding a new puppy to our family. If you are looking for a lab to add to your family we would highly recommend working with Mike. Charles Arnold Mike was a great help with our new puppy, Archie. Great experience… and a great dog. Junie is gentle, kind and very loving. She's also extremely athletic and smart. Working with Mike was a very smooth process and his "dog siting" service has proved helpful as I do travel on occasion. Having someone I could trust to care for Junie is super helpful. Mike James I recently had the fortunate privilege of working with Mike to find my next pup. For multiple reasons, the breed is perfect for me - the temperament, lifestyle often on the water , and hypoallergenic fits a tough lifestyle. I without hesitation recommend you work with Mike if you are looking for an amazing pup and great support network. Charlie is so gentle. He was just outside getting petted by his fan club, the neighbors. He licks. I got him the week of July 4th he was outside during that noise. He looks at noise. One of his other puppies was the same way, gentle. Day one he knew the trail through the woods back to our house. Charlie is a beautiful Chocolate lab with the softest hair. I got him at 16 weeks. You have no idea how helpful that is. Of course you want a healthy dog. Took the shots like a champ. The Vet remarked how firm his joints were. Yes he lets you brush his teeth! He goes to the door when he has to go. Another reason I wanted a 16 week pup. Peanut butter to continue gentle licks on my fingers. He always gets small chicken or liver for COME. You should see him come. Is Charlie gentle because some hunting dogs have a gentle mouth or is he gentle because Mike treated him right? Oh do exactly as Mike says on the take home instructions, he knows his dogs! Highly recommend! We brought our pup home with all the documentation of his superior genetics. Mike also sends several handouts which help prepare you for puppy ownership and ensure a smooth transition for your pup to his new home! In addition to his exceptional breeding he is exceptionally well-trained. We opted for a stage 2 puppy and not only does he sit, lay down, stay, he has an incredibly calm demeanor and his additional exposure to other dogs was also incredible. He is so well-tempered and well-behaved due to his additional training. We are so happy and in love with our sweet boy! Brent Viditz-Ward We were looking for a chocolate lab puppy for a long time from a reputable breeder and our experience with Mike was wonderful. He took time to get to know us and make sure that the dog was going to a good home and is always available to answer questions, give advice, etc. I highly recommend Mike and his puppies! M Fowkes Mike is a fantastic breeder. We got an F1 puppy from Mike. She is a sweet beautiful girl. Before she was born Mike knew what the puppies would look like generally, and was really easy to communicate with. He is very responsive when I had a lot of questions. He is like that even now that my puppy is 4 months old…available to answer questions and be supportive. Josie Palma-Aurelio We stumbled on this website when we were looking for our next fur baby. All the reviews speak truthful about Mike. He calls us to check on Nala for updates and gives us pointers on how to take care of her. Nala is such a lovable puppy and we are so happy to have her. We highly recommend! Juan Tellez Mike was a great helping my family and puppy get adjusted to our home. You can tell Mike has a lot of dedication and love towards his dogs. Snoop has been a great addition to our family! We are first time pet owners and Mike handheld us through the entire adoption process. His reference material, responsiveness and his genuine care for the puppies has helped us navigate the critical period of 12 weeks smoothly. The puppy is super smart outwitted me in a game of hide n seek when he was 10 weeks old! He is a bundle of joy! We are first time pet owners and had a lot of questions! He is always enthusiastic in answering any questions we have and supporting us before and after getting the pup! He cares about his dogs and pups and it shows in the research he has done and the knowledge he has about them! He has a lot of information on his website about the breed, food, toys and snacks! He also gives a couple of handouts when we book a pup with him and some when we take them home! Those helped a lot in the preparation for our pup! When you take them home, he also gives you details about the breed, vaccination records, and DNA testing done for the litter! Our girl, Shuri, is very energetic and curious! She does really well when we train her and has already learnt so much! For anyone looking for a labradoodle, Mike is the best! Jocelyn I highly recommend Mike. We are first time dog owners and he made the process so easy for us. Our labradoodle has made an excellent addition to our family!

Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. Pugs are vetted and some need rehab until placed in forever homes. HELP for a Pug? Support Pug Rescue Efforts! There are plenty of ways to help pug rescue efforts! In addition to our hard work and dedication to Pug rescue it does comes with a never ending financial issue we face. Some pugs can cost hundreds even thousands to vet and rehabilitate depending on each pugs circumstance. We appreciate support for our efforts in order to continue helping pugs that are in need. Online Gift Cards to help our rescue needs are appreciated and can be sent to us online via Chewy. The pug you are interested in may be in the process of adoption by the time your application is approved and may already have applications in "review and pending adoption". Adopting from a rescue can take longer due to many steps we take to ensure a successful adoption. Please NOTE: Submitting an application or a home visit does not mean you are approved to adopt the pet you have applied for. You will be notified if we feel you are a candidate for the pug you have applied for. Our Goal is to match each pugs needs in finding a forever home for every rescued pug. The pug you apply for may not be the best candidate for your lifestyle or living situation. Remember a rescued pug is coming from a home or shelter maybe even multiple times. The last thing we want is to put them into yet another rehoming situation! WE want a successful adoption and ultimately what is best for our rescued pugs therefore, It is the decision of the rescue and that pugs foster parent s to decide. Adopting from a rescue can take longer due to many steps taken to ensure a successful adoption. Assists Owners in finding a new and forever home for each pug. .We are a small all volunteer group that works off of foster homes with each pug. .Pug Rescue adoption assistance of south jersey. .Pug Rescue Assistance of South Jersey,assists owners who can no longer keep there pugs, we have many people on a wait lists for pugs,so the keep is not long.We are not breeders no do we sell dogs. This is not a shelter. .All rules on adopting is usually listed on each of our pugs put up for adoption. .Thank you. We spend a lot of time making sure that when an animal is adopted it is a good match for both the new owner and the animal. We require a home visit prior to adoption and references. We do not follow a first come first serve process. We make follow-up visits too, and provide counseling if needed on advice with each pug. .A long-term committment such as pet adoption is not one that we feel should be made hastily and without thought. Animals bond to new owners quickly and it is sad for everyone if an animal must be returned. Sometimes, however, a new owner finds that the animal after all is not a good match, or there is a life change that makes it hard to give the animal proper care. Policy is that any of its dogs can be returned at any time, no matter how long since adopted. .We will give you some of the best NJ pugs rescues. It is an NJ nonprofit corporation rescuing abandoned or surrendered pugs since .We hope you can consider this shelter. Because it is a place of refuge and love for animals awaiting a forever home. Moreover, Jersey Shore Animal Center offers low-cost vaccines, microchips, spay, and neuter. Also, this shelter helps educate the community about responsible ownership. This team also instructs school children on choosing the right pets for their homes. Sometimes, they provide pet therapy, too. Adopting a pug at the Jersey Shore Animal Center will help the shelter rescue more pets. Usually, most animals came from owner surrenders, overcrowded shelters, or abuse. The team is very proud and happy to let you meet these fur babies. The Jersey Shore Animal Center has strict adoption policies. They strongly implement inspection to ensure responsible and educated pug ownership. Usually, applications take 24 to 48 hours. If you want a new pet, please contact the team via phone call. This way, they can guide you on what to do. It is an NJ nonprofit corporation. It rescues abandoned or surrendered pugs. They focus on animals facing euthanasia and victims of neglect. It has been operating since .They also offer basic veterinary care, such as spaying and neutering. This way, we can prevent overpopulation. Animal Alliance is a non-profit organization. Thus, they solely rely on volunteers and donations. If you want to donate, you have many options to choose from. You can give in-kind donations. Examples are blankets, carriers, laundry detergents, collars, and more. Animal Alliance also has an Amazon Wishlist. There, you can select an item to order and ship it directly to their address. This pugs rescue also appreciates volunteers. They need people who can help rescue dogs during adoption days. They also need someone to walk the dogs and provide temporary foster care. The team also needs creative writers for special projects. There, fill out the application form if you want to volunteer. Afterward, you need to download and sign a waiver. You have to bring this document in your first volunteer assignment. If you leave near the area, we recommend you to visit this pugs rescue. It is a no-kill animal shelter that saves surrenders, strays, and neglect. They also offer veterinary services for Caldwell, Nutley, and Glen Ridge. Its mission is to provide the best veterinary care for all rescued animals. Each fur baby undergoes evaluation before putting up for adoption. After evaluation, volunteers will give excellent care like socialization, training, and daily walks. It will help the shelter match the pet to an appropriate adoptive family. It is more affordable and buying from breeders. Before adoption, the team will assess your living conditions, financial situation, and lifestyle. Do you work full-time? Do you enjoy exercising outside? Do you want a small or large pet? These questions will help both parties to decide the best fur baby. Ensure you have the financial security to pay for veterinary care and food. This pugs rescue promotes domestic animal population control. They also support the community and assist in animal welfare emergencies. They partner with different organizations in Jersey City. It helps in providing low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge supports domestic animal population control. This way, they can help stop the cycle of homelessness. It can also prevent many animals from suffering from abuse. They offer behavioral and medical care for dogs and cats. RBARI focuses more on rejected animals, especially seniors. Also, they regularly pull from local facilities to prevent euthanasia. If you want to adopt a new pet here, you can view available pugs and pug mixes on their official website. If you think you found the right match, please apply for an adoption application. If you have other queries, you can contact the team by phone or email. Wrapping Up You can give pug pals a second chance for a better future when you adopt. Yet, we suggest you think carefully before adoption. Remember that these fur babies need a loyal companion around them all the time. It is also important to meet their daily needs. This way, you can prevent behavioral problems caused by boredom or loneliness. For new pug owners or those planning to get a pug , please talk to one of the adoption counselors. We want you to understand the importance of responsible pug ownership. This way, we can guarantee that your future pet will be happy and safe. Our staff are avid fans and dedicated owners of Pugs. We hope to answer all the questions you have about Pugs. Just read and enjoy. Feel free to share if you find it valuable to others! Best regards,

Cockapoo The original Doodle, the Cockapoo , is still a popular choice among those looking to adopt a littler dog. The loving loyalty of the Cocker Spaniel and the proud intelligence of the Poodle makes for one heck of a combo. The perfect canine companion, these gorgeous mutts fit nicely into just about every lifestyle. As one of the small Poodle mixes, moderate exercise needs, and lack of mouthiness, they even do well with apartment living. However, you will need to make plenty of time for these people-oriented pups. Maltipoo Highly sociable, clever, and cute as a button, Maltipoos are excellent for those looking for an absolutely allergy-friendly pal. They love kids, other dogs, and perfect strangers, too. That being said, these dogs can be a little on the loud side at times and will benefit from training and plenty of socialization to reduce this at times irritating behavior. Peekapoo For fans of playful pups, the Peekaboo could be the one. With a history almost as long as the beloved Cockapoo, these darling dogs, formed from regal Pekingese, make excellent lapdogs. While they will stick to their favorite person like the velcro pups they definitely are, they can also be energetic and plenty sporty, given the opportunity. One downside is that Peekapoos could end up inheriting that flat face that creates many of the health issues in their parent pups, but careful breeders are working to eliminate that problem. Pomapoo Known for their Spitz-like good looks all done up in miniature, the foxy Pomeranian passes plenty of its cuteness on to its Doodle offspring, along with that feisty, fun working-dog attitude. Great for inexperienced owners and perfect for fans of super small pups, the Pomapoo is generally a laid-back, happy kind of dog. The biggest issue with these pooches is that their companion animal nature makes them the kind of canines that suffer greatly from separation anxiety. They cannot be left alone for long periods. Schnoodle With two parent breeds that come in an assortment of sizes, the Schnoodle undoubtedly belongs on this list. Still, it can be included among the large Doodles, too, if a Standard Poodle were to be bred with a Giant Schnauzer. In terms of personality, Schnoodles are very terrier-like, which means they tend to be much more active than your average lapdog and so do especially well with outdoorsy families. Yorkipoo The Yorkshire Terrier may well give the Poodle a run for its money in the intelligence stakes making the delightful Yorkipoo a very smart dog indeed — which is great for training. Shihpoo Set your Shihpoo up on a velvet cushion, and they will adore you for life. On a serious note, though, these dogs are consummate lapdogs. As such, they love to be doted on and spoiled more than anything else in this world. With their larger-than-life personality and a tendency towards stubbornness, you might not get very far with trying to teach these dogs new tricks or making them into athletic companions. Still, their playful, funny nature will certainly earn them a firm place in your heart nevertheless. Chi-Poo Right at the smallest end of the Doodle spectrum, the Chi-Poo has all the character of the daring Chihuahua but, much to the relief of fans of the breed, far fewer of their associated health issues that come when toy breeds are made just way too toy. Chi-poos are also quite a bit more independent than most other smaller Poodle crosses, which makes them more adaptable to various home situations. They make great first-time pets and work as well in an apartment as they do in a house with a yard. That being said, they can be pretty energetic little so-and-sos, which is something you will need to keep in mind if you do decide to take on one of these lovely pups. Something else you will need to think about is that these dogs also generally require pretty regular grooming sessions. Westiepoo Westiepoos are some of the most social and loving dogs around. They are super fun, super easy to look after, super quick to train, and super to have in your home. The West Highland Terrier — Poodle mix contains the very best of both these excellent pups. They are fun, funny, active, and larger than life in their characters. That Terrier nature of theirs means Westies have a tendency towards both barking and prey-chasing behaviors. Yet, with their superior intelligence, these are things they can be trained out of. Pugapoo Pugs have recently become quite controversial for the issues they have with breathing due to those flat faces of theirs. Happily, though, when combined with the mightily different Poodle, this becomes far less of a problem. Crossing Pugs in this way with longer-nosed hounds is a way of preserving these quirky, cute, and comical dogs. Pugapoos undoubtedly make delightful pups who are loving and loyal as they are gorgeous. With very modest exercise needs, indeed, they are perfect little lapdogs. Doxiedoodle The thing about Daschhunds, one half of the darling Doxiedoodle , is that not only are they the sweetest little sausage-looking pups, but they vary massively in both appearance and temperament. What you will know for sure, though, is that they will be gorgeous, they will be smart, and they will be floofy little bundles of perky hound. Take care, though, as these dogs can grow larger than you might think. Bassetdoodle Otherwise known as Bassetoodles , Bassetdoodles are lesser-known Doodles for sure, but an interesting combination of breeds nonetheless. Like some of the other pups on this list, they are sometimes formed from Standard Poodles, making all-around larger dogs, so make sure that the breeder knows you are looking for a smaller-sized pup. These pooches tend to be calm, friendly, joyful, and yet slightly on the stubborn side too. They also often inherit a bit of a mischievous streak that keeps their owners very much on their toes. Bossi-Poo Boston Terriers are unique-looking dogs with plenty of heart to go alongside their distinctive features and markings. When coupled with the posh Poodle, you get the amusingly-named Bossi-Poo. Cavapoo Spaniels have long been dotted on dogs, and the Cavalier King Charles is no exception. With their cute faces, beautiful coats, and happy little natures, they make friends wherever they go. When the winning personality of the Spaniel is added to the smart, comedic nature of the smaller Poodle, magic truly does happen. Cavapoos really are some of the most popular Doodles around. Jack-a-Poo Another Doodle of many names, the Jack-a-poo , Jackadoodle, or Poo-Jack, is a bright and vivacious mutt who is super loving but requires a mite more care than some of the other Doods on this list. The reason for that is not their coat which tends to be short or slightly fluffy, but, either way, very manageable, but rather the fact they tend to be teeny firecrackers, filled with all the joys of life. While this makes them entertaining sidekicks, it does mean you have to have a fairly energetic nature ayourself to keep up with their antics. Aside from their distinctive features, these dogs are known for their alert, big-dog attitudes, playful personalities, bravery, and extreme love of people. For all these reasons and more, their offspring Papipoos make a unique and excellent pet choice. Poogle Admittedly not the most glamorous name in the world! A Boodle? A Beapoo? Friendly, curious, and hopelessly devoted to their families, Poogles make excellent pets for just about anyone. They get along with everyone, from kids to other pets. However, they do need plenty of socialization to counter that sometimes fairly high prey drive of theirs. With two intelligent parents, and given that these dogs are dedicated people pleasers, Corgipoos do well in the training stakes. The Corgi actually has a fascinating history. Said to be the companions of fairies, legend has it that they were first gifted, during the Viking era, to those who needed protection in their homes. So, as you can imagine, Corgipoos are great guard dogs in addition to being excellent companions. As one of the most popular and well-known of the Doodles, these tend to be the ones that many opt for. Plus, progressive generations of Goldendoodles have enabled them to be bred in more apartment-friendly sizes as small Poodle mixes. Photo used with permission. These dogs really have it all — a sociable nature, even temperament, high trainability, and gorgeous good looks. On the downside, these dogs blow coat and how! Beyond that, their large size means they need a bigger space to hang out in and more intensive exercise than smaller breeds. Enter the Mini or Toy Labradoodle… With their smaller size and tendency toward inheriting the Poodle coat, they are even more perfect than perfect. In that case, the Bernedoodle may well have caught your attention. While the Standard versions of these pups can be pretty giant, given that the Bernese Mountain Dog is classified as a large breed, smaller versions of the Bernie come from combining them with little Poodles. These have all the best of their qualities, often including their stunning tricolored coats, but in a much more manageable package size-wise. All small Poodle mixes make great dogs for the right owners, so the question should be not what is the best one but rather what is the best one for me. The dogs on this list differ significantly in terms of their appearance, temperament, energy levels, and care needs, among other things. What is the calmest small Poodle mix? While every dog is as totally unique in its specific traits as every person is, and so it can be tricky to judge how rambunctious they will be, Doods that combine the more giant breeds with Poodles tend to be among the calmest dogs. Pups bred to be companion animals also tend to be on the lower end of the energy spectrum compared to those originally used as work dogs, such as Terriers and Spaniels. What is the smallest Poodle mix? The smallest Poodle dogs are going to be a combination of two of the most miniature parents. While that will vary depending on individual animals, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers tend to be high up on any smallest dog lists. So if you are looking for a totally teeny pup, then a Chi-Poo or Yorkipoo might be for you. Which Poodle mix is healthiest? Luckily, for Doodle fans everywhere, due to their more diverse mix of genes creating something known as hybrid vigor , small Poodle mixes tend to be far healthier than most pedigree pups. However, differences in health will come down to how the dogs were bred. Responsible Breeders health screen their animals to ensure that the possibility of genetic conditions being passed down to their offspring is much reduced. Miniature Doods are the ideal option for those looking for a more manageably-sized dog with all the spunk and personality of their often larger parent pups. Hopefully, the information included here has helped you narrow down your choices a little in your quest to find your new best friend. You Might Also Like. Meet The Poodle! Poodles come in three size varieties, but this specific Poodle is a Toy. First, you have the Standard sized Poodle , who stands over 15 inches tall. Next you have th e Miniature Poodle , who is under 15 inches, and then the tiny Toy, who is generally no more than 10 inches in height. One of the great things about Poodles in general is that they are intelligent, athletic, family friendly, hypoallergenic, and they have longer lifespans than many of their other canine counterparts. This is especially true for the Miniature and Toy Poodles , who have been estimated to live up to 18 years. Small Poodle mixes are also great for families who suffer from allergies. But while we do love our small Poodle mixes, there is still some controversy surrounding the idea of crossbreed dogs. In this picture you see a crossbreed Poodle mix dog on the left with a purebred Labradoodle on the right. Any small poodle mixes you come across are going to be what is considered a crossbreed, designer dog, hybrid or mixed breed. Essentially, these are dogs that are the offspring of two specifically chosen purebred parent breeds. Crossbreeding is an age-old practice, but it was originally used to breed working dogs with specific traits, appearances or temperaments. In fact, crossbreeding is how we have developed most of the purebred dogs we know and love today. Unfortunately, it takes generations of breeding and perfecting before one can label a dog as a purebred dog, and this is where the controversy of breeding and selling early generation crossbreeds comes into play. This is especially true when it comes to aspects of health, temperament and physical appearance. For example, while you may be on the hunt for a small poodle mix that is hypoallergenic, there is a chance that an early generation mixed breed could still shed and produce dandar just as heavily as his shedding purebred parent breed. On the flip side of this, it is possible to look for breeders who specifically breed certain small poodle mixes for the purpose of ensuring their coat, temperament and health are more predictable than others. You also have the option of going through a rescue or adopting a dog that is over a year old and who already has many of his traits established. But enough about the logistics of small poodle mixes. Get ready to fall in love with 15 small Poodle mixes we are legitimately obsessed with! The Maltipoo is a mix between the sweet and adoring Maltese and the intelligent Miniature or toy Poodle. Maltipoo dogs are excellent choices for allergy sufferers, as both their purebred parent breeds are hypoallergenic. This means that this little dog will also be hypoallergenic as well. When it comes to family, the Maltipoo is a fabulous addition. He is gentle and sweet, and does well with older, more respectful children. Maltipoo dogs are bred companion dogs that do best in homes with owners who are around often. They make wonderful apartment companions and are excellent therapy dogs, thriving with seniors, singles and retirees. The Yorkiepoo The Yorkshire Terrier x Poodle Yorkiepoo dogs can be quite small and may not be the best dogs for home switch small children. A cross between the sweet and spirited Yorkshire Terrier and the athletic Poodle, the Yorkie Poo is a beloved and popular Poodle mix hitting the scene. He can be quite small, with some Yorkie Poo dogs weighing no more than six pounds. For this reason, we would recommend Yorkie Poo dogs for homes with singles, seniors, retirees or couples. They can also do well in homes with older children so long as those kiddos are gentle and respectful. Otherwise, Yorkiepoos are sweet and affectionate. They love their families but have just enough spunk to keep everyone on their toes. A cross between the clever and independent Chihuahua and the Poodle, a Chipoo is a mix unlike any other. He is clever, somewhat bossy, and very funny. Many Chipoo dogs have been described as almost human-like in their temperaments, and they will let you know what they want and when they want it. Chihuahuas in particular tend to do best in single-dog households and in homes without children. That said, a Chipoo may be more agreeable with gentle youngsters and other dogs so long as he is properly raised, trained and socialized. Enter the miniature Labradoodle. Just like his standard sized counterparts, later generation miniature Labradoodles are intelligent, family-oriented, playful, eager to please and great with children. These dogs just come in a more compact size that makes them easier to travel with! When all of their needs are met, miniature labradoodles can do great in apartments and smaller settings, and if you go through the right source, you should be able to find one of these hybrids with a hypoallergenic coat. A combination of two very intelligent dogs, the Schnoodle is ideal for active and committed families. They like to be outside and may not realize just how small they are. That said, they are eager to please and quick to learn, and are very family oriented. When raised and trained properly, schnoodle dogs do well with children of all ages and will enjoy having other dogs in the home to play with. Height: 8 to 15 Inches Weight: 8 to 18 Pounds Temperament: Friendly, Affectionate, Playful, Attentive Lifespan: 12 to 15 Years Overview: When it comes to small poodle mixes that do best with older families, singles, seniors or retirees, we like the Shih-Poo. A cross between the Shih Tzu and the Poodle, Shih Poos are a sure thing when it comes to small poodle mixes that are hypoallergenic. However, they may not be the ideal additions for homes with smaller children, as they are less playful than some of the other small poodle mixes on this list. Instead, they prefer to be with a calm and gentle owner and are the quintessential lap dog. Like all miniature poodle mixes on this list, the Shih-Poo will need routine daily exercise, training and socialization to ensure he grows up happy and healthy. This darling little dog is one that makes an excellent therapy dog. He is sweet natured, adoring and friendly to boot. He is generally between six and 20 pounds, so a larger Peekapoo can do well in homes with gentle children. Peekapoo dogs are also trainable and eager to please, and they are one of the relatively calmer small poodle mixes on this list. However, their flattened faces can lead to a greater risk of brachycephalic airway syndrome, which can cause heat intolerance and breathing issues, so keep this in mind. This is the ultimate teddy-bear dog and is beloved by families, singles, seniors and retirees alike. Like many small poodle mixes on this list, the Pomapoo makes an excellent therapy dog. He is adoring, sweet and affectionate, and becomes very bonded with his family. When left alone for too long, Pomapoos can be prone to suffering from separation anxiety and depression. This adorable little dog is the quintessential companion. A mix of brains, beauty and comedy, the Cavapoo is one of our small poodle mixes that is best suited for dog owners who can be home often and who are looking for a constant companion. Cavapoos are famous for their affectionate nature. They are eager to please and quick to learn, and will enjoy having an owner who showers them with attention and affection. However, Cavapoos may not be hypoallergenic depending on their breeding or generation. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic Cavpoo, it would be best to go through breeders who specify in these types of dogs, as we have mentioned. Height: 9 to 18 Inches Weight: 12 to 24 Pounds Temperament: Intelligent, Friendly, active, outgoing, Affectionate Lifespan: 13 to 15 Years Overview: All small Poodle mixes are generally sweet, but the Cockapoo is one of our more adoring hybrids on this list. The Cocker Spaniel is known for his affectionate temperament and his special affinity for children. Gentle and calm, Cockapoos are excellent dogs for first time dog owners and they are great with families of all ages. The Poochon The Bichon x Poodle Poochon dogs have dense, curly coats and make friendly and trainable companions. This is also a sure thing for those who suffer from allergies. Both the Bichon Frise and the Poodle are hypoallergenic, and they even have similar coats. This is a small Poodle mix that is not only highly intelligent, but also very playful, fun-loving and friendly. He knows no strangers and makes an agreeable and adaptable companion to a number of different lifestyles. The Poochon does great in apartments so long as his needs are met and he can get along well with children and other pets when properly raised and socialized. However, his curly coat could be prone to mats and tangles, so special attention should be given to a Poochon when it comes to grooming. When it comes to small poodle mixes, the Jack-A-Poo sounds like some kind of fantastical creature! These dogs are athletic, energetic and highly intelligent. As such, a Jack-A-Poo dog is going to do best in homes with active, committed owners who can dedicate enough time to training and exercise. If his needs are not met, your Jack-A-Poo could be prone to destructive behaviors as well as depression, stress and anxiety. The Doxiepoo The Dachshund x Poodle The Doxiepoo could look more like his Poodle parent or more like his Dachshund parent, or he could look somewhere in between. Like Poodles, Dachshunds come in different size varieties, so you can choose between a small poodle mix or an even smaller poodle mix when it comes to this hybrid! Doxiepoos are adoring, affectionate and intelligent dogs with big personalities. Dachshunds in particular are bred badger dogs, and Poodles also have some hunting background. This means that your Doxiepoo could be unaware of his size and have a high prey drive. Walk your Doxiepoo on a leash and harness when outside of securely fenced in areas and be sure to work with this little dog on proper manners using positive reinforcement training techniques. A mix between the adoring Wheaten Terrier and the Miniature Poodle, the Whoodle is a family favorite. He is just compact enough to be considered a small dog, but large enough to do well in homes with youngsters. Whoodles are highly trainable, intelligent and affectionate. They adore their families and do well in homes where their owner is available to them consistently. Like all dogs, Whoodles are small poodle mixes that require plenty of training and exercise at an early age. They should also be kept mentally stimulated during the day to help reduce destructive behaviors like chewing, marking and barking. Keep in mind that the Whoodle does have some terrier in his DNA, and that terrier temperament is certainly spunky and fun. However, terriers can also be more challenging. Are you up for it? The Bassetoodle The Basset Hound x Poodle Bassetoodle dogs can be quite small or they can be larger than you may expect. This is quite the unique canine and probably not the first dog that came to mind when you considered looking into small Poodle mixes. His coat may or may not be hypoallergenic depending on his generation, but his temperament is sure to be quite fun! Basset Hounds are intelligent, albeit somewhat stubborn. They like to follow their noses and have a keen sense of smell. The Poodle, on the other hand, is very trainable and eager to please. You could get either temperament when it comes to this dog, or a good mix. Deciding which Poodle mix is right for you can be tough. All these dogs are so great! Before you decide, there are a few things we recommend you consider. Remember, small Poodle mixes are generally small, and they may not be the ideal dogs for homes with very young children. Some of these small Poodle mix dogs could be more prone to injury if played with too roughly or if accidently dropped. However, there are some more sturdy small poodle mixes on our above list that can do excellent with youngsters. These small Poodle mixes would include dogs like the MIniature Labradoodle , for example. If you do suffer from allergies, we recommend looking for dogs that are over a year old and already have their coats established. Or, you can go through a breeder who breeds older generation small poodle mixes to ensure they are hypoallergenic for those with sensitivities. Last, be sure to keep in mind that small Poodle mixes are intelligent, affectionate and family oriented dogs. They do best in homes with committed owners who are able to work with them, train them, and shower them with attention and love. We are in love with each dog on the list, and we want to help you find the healthiest puppy or rescue possible. If you choose to go through a breeder to get one of the above small poodle mixes, look for breeders who understand the importance of responsible breeding practices. This could lead to an uptick in health and behavioral issues down the road if you are not careful. Instead of going through backyard breeders, online sellers or those who are unqualified or uncertified, we recommend sticking with breeders with a history of breeding small poodle mixes and breeders who can provide you with paperwork. A reputable breeder should be able to provide you with certificates proving their puppies have been screened and cleared of any serious health issues, and you should also be able to ask for references. Because small poodle mixes are so popular, they are also somewhat costly. If you want to save some money and do some good we highly recommend you consider rescuing a small Poodle mix. Rescuing a small Poodle mix comes with plenty of advantages outside of price. For example, if you rescue an adult small poodle mix, you will have a better idea of whether or not he will be hypoallergenic. Some rescues also provide dogs that have already been health screened, are spayed or neutered, and sometimes even microchipped! Whichever route you choose to take when it comes to obtaining your small Poodle mix, the important thing is you know you are already on the right track by reading this article and getting all your ducks in a row! So, are you committed to raising one of the small Poodle mixes on our list? Tell us which of the above dogs stole your heart in the comment section below! Jen Jones Jen Jones is a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist with more than 25 years of experience. Well known for her intuitive and compassionate approach, Jen adopts scientifically-proven, reward-based methods, encouraging positive reinforcement over punishment. Jen specializes in obedience training, behavior modification, and puppy socialization. Her innovative methods, particularly in addressing anxiety and aggression issues, have been widely recognized. You may hear people use different names for the Chipoo Chi-poo , such as the Poohuahua, Poochi, Chipoodle, and Choodle. This tiny mixed breed may weigh as little as five pounds and measure as short as five inches at the shoulder. A Chipoo sitting on the grass at a local park. But many Chipoos are larger than this. The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed worldwide, so it makes sense that a cross between it and the Toy Poodle creates what is often the smallest Poodle mix. Are you thinking about getting a Chipoo? Be careful, especially if you have children. This mixed breed is quite delicate and can get injured quite easily. A great feature of the Chipoo is how affectionate this designer breed is. Your Chipoo will probably have the same propensity. These dogs are loyal and protective, too, which is why the Chipoo is a lively and endearing little dog. A closeup shot of a cute adorable domestic Shih-poo dog There is usually a lot of variation in every litter. A Shihpoo is an excellent choice if you want an intelligent little dog. Be aware, though, that it can be a little stubborn. That can make training more challenging. But again, it all varies by individual dog. Like with other tiny dogs, be careful about having Shihpoos around kids. A Shihpoo could be injured by incorrect handling. The smallest Shihpoo is generally around eight pounds, while the largest can be 18 pounds. Height at the withers may be as low as eight inches but as high as .As we can guess from its parents, the Yorkipoo is full of energy. If you want a Yorkipoo, you must be ready to give your dog a lot of exercise every day. This designer breed tends to bark a lot. Yorkipoos are known for their affectionate nature, though. Be careful with Yorkipoos if you have kids. Yorkipoos can weigh as much as 14 pounds, but in some rare instances, they may be as light as three pounds. While some Yorkipoos will take more after their Yorkshire Terrier parent, others will be more like their parent. Most Pomapoos will weigh between five and 15 pounds. When it comes to height from the shoulder to the ground, Pomapoos usually measure between eight and ten inches. A Pomapoo lying on the grass. Want to get a Pomapoo? Like with the other designer breeds, you should see your Pomapoo puppy before adopting it. As you may already know, Poodles are among the most intelligent dog breeds. So, if you get a Pomapoo with a personality and intelligence that leans more to the Poodle side, expect to have an extremely clever pooch. They love to watch what you do and cooperate with what you want. Just be patient with teaching him how to understand what that is. When it comes to affectionate and friendly designer breeds, the Peekapoo is one of the top choices. Peekapoo height at the withers usually ranges from nine to 11 inches. When it comes to weight, expect a Peekapoo to range from eight to 20 pounds. As the Peekapoo is part Pekingese, it may be prone to Brachycephalic airway syndrome and collapsing trachea. Any kind of health problem is more likely to occur if inbreeding occurs. Peekapoos tend to be quite protective, and they may even try to guard you. It makes sense when you consider that both Poodles and Pekingnese can have these qualities. Pekapoos are often full of energy and enthusiasm. Like with any other dog, you should give Pekapoos daily walks. Like other mixes, the Maltipoo is high-energy and intelligent. There is quite a bit of variation in Maltipoo size, with weights ranging between five and 20 pounds. A white adult Maltipoo sitting on a couch. Are you thinking about getting a Maltipoo? Be ready for some barking. In fact, some people find Maltipoos are great for keeping a watch-out and alerting them of anything concerning. As with any other dog, know the grooming needs of Maltipoos before you decide on adoption. An advantage of this dog is its minimal shedding. In fact, like other mixes, you may find the Maltipoo is a good choice if you have allergies. Pugapoo Yet another tiny Poodle mix is the notoriously cute Pugapoo. As you can guess from the name, this is a mix of the Pug and the Toy or Miniature Poodle. A quirky pooch, the Pugapoo is known for being eccentric. The Pugapoo has a unique appearance, almost like an adorable gremlin. Pugapoos vary in weight, ranging from ten pounds up to 30 pounds. Their height at the shoulder tends to fall between eight and 15 inches. For an affectionate pet, the Pugapoo is an excellent choice. If your individual Pugapoo takes more after its Poodle parent when it comes to braininess, it may be very clever. Have cats and want a small dog that will get along with them? Check out the Pugapoo option. Of course, personality varies from dog to dog. A Pug and a Toy Poodle facing a camera for a photoshoot. Its height at the shoulder ranges between 11 and 17 inches. This mix usually weighs between 20 and 35 pounds. Other names for the Westiepoo are the Wee-Poo and the Westiedoodle. A Westiepoo standing in the middle of the forest. The Westiepoo is known for its gregarious and affectionate personality. Many novice dog owners enjoy having a Westiepoo as their first canine companion. Final Thoughts There are plenty of small Poodle mixes to pick from. No matter which designer breed you choose, make sure it fits your home and lifestyle. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. These dogs are born from Poodles with other purebreds like pugs, Labradors, or Cocker Spaniels. Since the s, doodle dogs have increased in their popularity—and it's not a wonder why. These breeds are often low- to non-shedding, and are consider to be a safe bet for most people with allergies. Their personalities make them ideal companions for many people, too. For example, Bernedoodle dogs tend to be more stubborn but they have lower energy than a Goldendoodle. Another thing that people should look at is the generation of the doodle. Generation refers to how far removed from a purebred pairing—like a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador as parents. Which ones are your favorite? This has become one of the most sought-after "Doodle breeds" due to their winning combination of good looks, smart wits, and hypoallergenic coats. They also make reputable therapy pets. If you admire these gentle giant dogs for their goofy, placid personalities, then one of these pups might be for you. This tends to be a good choice for those with allergies because the poodle coat is often inherited rather than the Labrador coat—however, you can find a variety of colors depending on the parent. These dogs are intelligent, friendly, and moderately active. Friendly and caring, they usually manage to stay happy with other pets and family members. And while these dogs are sweet, they may require some training to rein in their playful personalities. They also go by the name of Wheatendoodle, the Wheatenpoo, the Sweatendoodle, and the Sweatenpoo. These are energetic dogs, but despite their high energy, they don't tend to bark much. They are a rare breed mix and may be difficult to find. This small, fluffy, high energy breed is an adorable addition to the family—especially if you are looking for a dog that's rambunctious and loves to play with the kids. The is likely to be a shaggy yet stately looking dog, with an obvious athleticism derived from its strong hunting poodle origins. Compact, feisty, and fun in spirit, what these dogs lack in size, they make up for in their personality. They are on their best behavior in the company of their owners, as they tend to bark or dig when left alone at home. Incredibly smart, energetic, and loyal, these pups have a work-hard, play-hard mindset that best suits someone with an active lifestyle. These are big, lovable dogs that are incredibly smart and equally stubborn. But while training them takes additional patience, the reward of their loyalty and devotion is well worth it. These dogs are charming, funny, and smart, and their alert nature—thanks to that double dose of working-breed attentiveness—makes them excellent watchdogs. These dogs are friendly and affectionate little comedians with a sweet temperament and a zest for life. It's also believed to be the oldest of the designer dog breeds in America, dating back to the s. It's also commonly known as the Havadoodle or Havanoodle—their intelligent and playful personalities make them a total joy for the whole family. And if you want a calm, sweet dog with lots of love to give, then this mix fits the bill. But calm doesn't mean small. They can grow to be as big as pounds. Because of their eager-to-please personalities, they tend to be protective of their families. This dog may have the curly coat of a Poodle or the long, straight coat of a Shih Tzu, but he always has a cute, alert expression and a sturdy body. When it comes to big breeds, this mix wins the prize—weighing anywhere between 70 to pounds. These dogs are fun-loving, affectionate family companions that need lots of room to run around and plenty of food to meet their nutritional needs. Petite and curly-coated, this is a delightful mix that is likable in personality, if not a little feisty at times. They tend to be vocal if alerted to something, and so they make good little watchdogs. Was this page helpful? In Summary 1. Toy Cockapoo The Cockapoo is a popular designer breed that has become increasingly sought after in recent years. A cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, these little dogs are known for their intelligence, adaptability, and overall loving nature. Cockapoos come in all sizes; they can range from 4 to 30 pounds depending on which parent breed dominates the mix and which type of Poodle they are bred with. Toy Cockapoos must have a Toy Poodle parent, and as such, will be much smaller than Standard Cockapoos. Cockapoos require regular grooming due to their longer fur coat and will need occasional professional trimming if it gets too long or unruly. Regular brushing should be done at least once a week to prevent matting and keep them looking nice. As far as exercise goes, like any other dog they need plenty of activity each day to ensure good health and happiness. Playing fetch, going on walks, or even just running around in the backyard are great ways to get your pup up and moving! These friendly pooches make wonderful companions for almost any lifestyle. They tend to do well with children provided they receive proper socialization training early on so that everyone can learn how to interact properly together. Yorkipoo Yorkipoos, a small breed of poodle mix, are an excellent choice for pet owners looking to share their homes with cuddly and loving companions. Yorkipoos have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their playful personalities and non-shedding coats. When choosing a Yorkipoo, it is important to bear in mind that some breeds may be more active than others or require more grooming. Comparing Yorkipoos to other breeds can help potential pet owners get an idea of what kind of dog best suits their lifestyle and family dynamic. Their curly fur requires regular brushing but does not shed as often as larger, longer haired dogs do — meaning less mess around the house! Furthermore, they tend to be quite docile and friendly which makes them great pets for children. For these reasons, Yorkipoos make ideal lapdogs and playmates alike. By taking into account all these factors prior to committing to owning one particular breed or another you will ensure that both you and your pup feel fulfilled during your time together! Mini Goldendoodle Moving onto another popular small poodle mix, the Mini Goldendoodle offers a unique combination of intelligence and loving temperament. With their origins tracing back to the Golden Retriever and Poodle, this hybrid is one of the most sought after designer breeds for families looking for an affectionate companion. The Mini Goldendoodle has a moderate energy level which makes them well-suited for active households. In terms of feeding needs, these pooches do best on high-quality kibble specifically formulated for medium-sized breeds. Be sure to avoid overfeeding your pup as this can lead to health issues down the road. Due to their kind nature and intelligence, Mini Goldendoodles have become increasingly popular among first-time pet owners. Mini Labradoodle Mini Labradoodles are quickly becoming the go-to breed for those looking for a small, intelligent, and friendly pup. Not only do Mini Labradoodles have all of these qualities but they also come with some unique challenges as well. Training tips and grooming requirements should be considered when adopting or purchasing one of these amazing canines. The intelligence level in a Mini Labradoodle is quite high making them relatively easy to train when the correct techniques are used. Using positive reinforcement rather than negative punishment will ensure that your pup understands what you want from him and looks forward to training sessions. Additionally, consistency is key when it comes to training any dog so make sure that everyone in the home uses the same commands and rewards during their interactions with the pup. Grooming requirements of Mini Labradoodles can vary based on which type of coat they possess. Curly coats tend to need more frequent brushing while wiry coated dogs may require an occasional bath or trimming depending on how long their hair gets over time. Regardless of what kind of coat your pooch has, regular brushing is essential for keeping the fur healthy and free from tangles or mats — something both you and your pup will appreciate! With proper care and lots of love, this breed is sure to bring joy into your home for years to come! These small poodle mixes have been gaining in popularity due to their loving personalities and playful nature. Here are some things to consider when exploring whether a Mini Sheepadoodle is right for your home: Breeding Standards — Most breeders will adhere to certain standards when breeding Mini Sheepadoodles. This includes health testing of both parents as well as temperament assessments prior to breeding. Additionally, make sure any breeder you research has experience with the breed. Health Concerns — As with all breeds, there can be potential health concerns associated with owning a Mini Sheepadoodle such as hip dysplasia or eye problems. Researching these issues ahead of time helps ensure that you select a healthy pup from a reputable source who follows good breeding practices. Breeders with experience in both purebred dogs can ensure you get the best possible puppy. These small poodles mix packs plenty of personality into one tiny package. Their intelligence also means they can easily be trained to do basic commands like sit and stay. Plus, they look absolutely adorable when dressed up! Their grooming needs vary depending on whether they inherited more of their coat from the Poodle side or the Australian Shepherd side — either way, regular brushing will keep their coats healthy looking and mat-free. All in all, these pups make wonderful additions to any home because of their sweet demeanor, trainability, and affectionate nature. This designer breed has the best of both worlds — they are loyal, friendly pups but come in much smaller packages than their purebred parents! Their small size makes them perfect for apartment living or those with limited space. Many experienced breeders will have waiting lists due to high demand, so make sure you plan ahead when searching for your fur baby. Mini Bernedoodles vary widely in price depending on lineage and breeder reputation. Be sure to do research into potential breeding practices before investing any money into a puppy purchase. These intelligent dogs are easy to train as long as they receive consistent training sessions with positive reinforcement techniques like treats or playtime. When properly trained, Mini Bernedoodles fit right in with family life without too many behavioral issues. In terms of health care needs, this hybrid breed benefits from regular vet visits just as all other canine companions would — along with proper diet and exercise tailored to their individual needs. This mix tends towards being laid back and gentle natured while still having plenty of energy for playing games outdoors or snuggling up indoors after a day spent exploring new places together. They thrive off human interaction so be prepared for lots of loving attention if you bring home one of these cuddly cuties! Bichonpoo The Bichonpoo is a small, adorable companion dog that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The breed is created by crossing two other breeds — the Bichon Frise and the Poodle. This mix of two very different yet beloved family companions produces an intelligent, loving pooch with many desirable traits. With any mixed-breed dog, there are certain breeding considerations to be aware of when selecting a puppy from this hybrid line. Responsible breeders will always ensure that both parents meet all health requirements prior to mating them together. In terms of grooming needs, the Bichonpoo will require regular brushing and combing to keep their coat free from mats and tangles. With proper training from day one — along with plenty of love and attention throughout its lifetime — owning a Bichonpoo can bring lots of joy into your home for years to come! Cavoodle A Cavapoo puppy Cavoodles, also known as Cavapoos, are a hybrid breed of small poodle mixes that have become increasingly popular in recent years. The Cavoodle is the result of crossing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Miniature or Toy Poodle to create an intelligent and friendly canine companion. This breed has many advantages over other breeds, such as its low-maintenance grooming needs and good health record. Regular brushing will help keep their fur tidy and free from tangles. Their coats come in various colors including black, brown, white, gold and apricot, so owners can choose which one works best for them. Additionally, regular visits to the groomer are not necessary since they do not need frequent haircuts like some breeds do. In terms of health care, the Cavoodle has a generally good record compared to other purebreds because it is a crossbreed; this means that it inherits beneficial traits from both parents while avoiding potential hereditary illnesses linked to certain dog breeds. Still, it is important for owners to provide their pup with routine vet checkups and proper vaccinations when needed. With lots of love and attention—as well as exercise—this little pooch promises to be a loyal friend who loves nothing more than spending time with his family! This hybrid is surprisingly smart, loyal, and full of energy. When it comes to temperament, these dogs tend to have outgoing personalities and enjoy being around people. They have an innate curiosity towards new things which makes them great learners. Plus they get along well with both children and other pets in the house—a real plus if you already have furry family members at home! With proper diet and exercise, these charming pooches can live up to 15 years old! Doxiepoos are small poodle mixes that have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their endearing appearance and lively disposition. Additionally, carbohydrates like brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oats can provide valuable energy for them throughout the day. Making sure your doxiepoo has access to plenty of fresh water is also essential for good health and hydration. Doxiepoos are generally healthy breeds but there are some conditions particular to this breed which require special attention. Commonly found ailments include luxating patellas dislocated kneecaps , otitis externa ear inflammation and progressive retinal atrophy degenerative eye disease. Fortunately all three can be managed with proper veterinary care and diet modification. This mix can offer some incredible attributes that often draw owners in: intelligence, playfulness, low-shedding fur, and loyal companionship. Generally speaking, however, these dogs tend to have sweet dispositions. They are considered affectionate and loyal towards people they love and also enjoy being around other animals. Additionally, as hybrids go through less inbreeding than most purebreds experience, they typically possess fewer health issues than either parent line. Toy Poodles have curly coats that do not shed much while Miniature Poodles have wavy coats with moderate shedding tendencies. The length of the fur should also be taken into account since short-haired varieties require minimal brushing whereas long-haired ones need more frequent upkeep. In any case though, regular bathing should still occur once every few months in order to maintain healthy skin condition! These dogs have become increasingly popular due to their size, intelligence, and playful nature. When it comes to training tips, positive reinforcement like treats or verbal praise works best with this breed. Consistent routines help reinforce commands quickly while giving them plenty of playtime helps keep them entertained throughout the day. With proper socialization from an early age they will be confident around other animals and humans alike. These pups require regular grooming in order to stay healthy and look their best; depending on coat length brushing should be done anywhere from twice a week up to daily. A professional groomer can trim nails every few weeks if needed which prevents any accidental scratches during playtime! Training Tips:. If a Mini Poodle Mix takes after their Mini Poodle parent, they will be a small dog that is affectionate, loving, and playful. Miniature Poodles are intelligent, sensitive dogs with cheerful dispositions. They tend to get along well with children, other pets, and other dogs. They even tend to be good with strangers as long as they have been properly socialized. They do tend to alert you of things, which can make them prone to barking. Working to train your dog to stop barking early on can keep this from becoming a nuisance behavior. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you can expect a similar temperament from a Miniature Poodle Mix. You can also meet the mother in person to see what temperament she has and the behavior she is modeling for her puppies. The breeder should have started socialization and training. However, it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home to ensure they grow into a well-rounded dog. A Miniature Poodle is a highly adaptable dog that does well in apartments as well as larger homes and in most climates. Because they are so people-oriented, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. If the other parent breed is similar, then you can also expect a high adaptable Miniature Poodle Mix. The other breed in the mix is likely to have their own quirks, so you do still want to ask the breeder about them. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? Just as a mix can inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, they could also inherit some combination of them or all of them. Make sure you ask about the health history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Miniature Poodles tend to be intelligent dogs that are eager to please and easy to train. They tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. As long as the other parent breed is also a good fit for all experience levels, then you can expect a Mini Poodle Mix to be highly trainable as well. If the other parent breed is more difficult to train, then you will want to prepare for that possibility in a Miniature Poodle Mix. A mixed-breed can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is some combination of them both. If a Miniature Poodle Mix inherits the Poodle coat, it will be low-shedding, require daily brushing, and require professional grooming every weeks. Once or twice monthly nail trims keeps them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing teeth daily or using an enzyme toothpaste every day in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed are ideal dental care for dogs. Although they are small, Miniature Poodles are high-energy dogs that require daily walks plus playtime and extra activity to be happy and healthy. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy breed, then you can expect a Mini Poodle Mix to also be a high-energy dog. If the other parent breed has a lower energy level, a Mini Poodle Mix could take after them, but you still want to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog. A Miniature Poodle is usually inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so you want to ask the breeder about them. Miniature Poodles generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar life span in a Mini Poodle Mix. Featured Miniature Poodle Mix Article. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, because all dogs produce dander that carries allergens. However, Poodles with their tight curls are very low shedding dogs. This means as long as they are kept in a good coat condition and your house is kept clean, the risks of allergic reaction is low. However, small Poodle mixes like the Cockapoo can cause allergic reactions to some pet parents. This is because their coat is not always the same texture. So, every owner can find one that truly suits their home and family life. This mini Poodle mix is highly active, but also very patient, making a great family pet. But, like many small Poodle mixes, Bichon Poodles can be quite the little barkers. Barking will often be made worse when they are left alone for long periods of time, since this mix is prone to separation anxiety. They do best in a home where they are never left alone for long periods of time. Depending on whether the Poodle parent is Toy or Miniature, Bich Poos may weigh anywhere from 6 pounds to 12 pounds. The Bichpoo typically has a medium-length, curly coat which is white or apricot in color and which sheds minimally. Daily brushing and monthly coat trims are a grooming requirement. Generally, this hybrid is known to be gentle, friendly, and loyal to their family members. But, like any dog, it must be socialized well as a puppy for the best personality! This combination can be great with children, as long as playtime stays gentle and calm. In terms of looks, this mix can be quite varied, since the parent breeds are so different to one another. Although they will usually stand between 12 and 14 inches tall, weight can range from 15 to 40 pounds as an adult! There are a couple of behavioral quirks with this hybrid, as there are with many small Poodle mixes. Cavapoo may exhibit guarding tendencies. But, proper socialization can alleviate this behavior. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a high prey drive. This cross may reach 10 to 18 pounds at maturity. They are sturdy dogs which thrive in a moderately active environment. But they also enjoy lounging in your lap. Or some combination of both. Their coat may be solid or multi-colored, and it may require weekly or daily brushing as well as regular trims. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do shed seasonally. So Cavapoo shedding will depend entirely on the coat that your puppy inherits. Despite its tiny size, this mix has plenty of energy. It will need daily interaction and lots of mental stimulation! These little dogs will be loyal, devoted, and affectionate, but socialize them well to avoid any fear-based reactivity. As an adult, the Toy Poodle Chihuahua mix will be anywhere between 3 and 20 pounds, standing from 5 to 15 inches tall. A Chipoo with a Miniature Poodle parent will often be a little larger. Their appearance will vary depending on the traits they inherit from each parent, but also on the type of Chihuahua used. Deer head Chihuahuas and apple head Chihuahuas have different skull shapes, leading to very different looking little dogs! Some may also call this mix a Miniature Cockapoo , to distinguish it from the standard size mix. Cockapoos are typically pleasant, intelligent little fellows. They rarely inherit an unfavorable disposition. But, socialization is still important to encourage this wonderful temperament. When the cross involves a Miniature or Toy Poodle, you get a curly-coated ball of pure cute, which may weigh anywhere from 6 pounds to about 18 pounds. But the Cocker Spaniel is a heavy shedder. So depending on which coat type they inherit, this cross may shed pretty profusely, seasonally, or hardly at all. Exactly what type of dog you get will depend on the specific parents used, but generally this small Poodle mix is active, intelligent, and affectionate. They may also have a strong drive to herd — particularly other pets or young children. So, this small Poodle mix is often better in homes with older children. Some Corgipoos will have short legs, but others may inherit the longer legs of the Poodle parent. Their coat will be likely to differ in the same way. Generally, this mix will have quite a fox-like appearance. Particularly if they inherit a red coat. Doxiepoo The Doxipo o is one of the more popular small Poodle mixes. It combines a Mini or Toy Poodle with the short Dachshund! In most cases, this mix will be independent, intelligent, loyal, and very stubborn! It will likely become very close to its family, but this can lead to guarding aggression. If you bring home this mix, socialization and training are vital from a young age. Looks, again, will depend on the genes that a puppy inherits from either parent. But this mix tends to be on the short side. They will likely have floppy ears, and a long pointed snout. Their coat will vary, particularly depending on the type of Doxie that you use. They can also come in long-haired and wire-haired varieties! Havapoo The Havapoo mixes a small Poodle breed with the lovable Havanese! This little mix is affectionate, friendly, and very people-oriented. They will be clever, and will often pick up commands quickly with positive reinforcement training. As long as they are socialized well, they will get along with other pets, animals, and children in and out of the home. In terms of size, the Havapoo often falls between 8 and 15 inches tall, weighing anywhere from 12 to 45 pounds. Of course, those with a Toy Poodle parent will often be at the smaller end of this scale. Havapoo pups tend to have floppy ears, long fur with a slight wave or curl, and relatively short legs. These are agreeable dogs which make perfect companions. But this makes them less than happy about alone time, and may bark their displeasure at this! They will do well in homes with constant company, but may not suit homes with very young children that could accidentally hurt them during play. Depending on whether the Poodle parent is Toy or Miniature, Maltipoos may weigh anywhere from 5 pounds to 15 pounds. But, regardless of their coat type they will need weekly brushing and monthly trips to the groomers to keep their coat from matting. They will be smaller than the standard Goldendoodle mix, but will have a similar, lovable temperament. This means, they will be friendly, social, and very active, despite their small size. The best homes will have lots of time to dedicate to training, exercise, and play every day. When left alone, mini Goldendoodles can become stressed and destructive. Typically, Miniature Goldendoodles reach between 14 and 17 inches tall, weighing from 26 to 35 pounds. Golden shades are the most popular, but thanks to the influence of the Poodle, this mix can come in a variety of different colors and patterns. The amount of curl in their coat can also vary. Which means their shedding levels and grooming needs will vary from one dog to the next. These small Poodle mixes are the cousins of the vastly popular Labradoodle, a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador. Labradors are usually happy to greet strangers. But Miniature Poodles can be shy. So, the exact personality of this cross can vary depending on the genes it inherits. And, on how well you socialize it as a puppy. Not all Miniature Labradoodles stay small. The cross could be as small as a Miniature Poodle, as large as a full-sized Labrador, or somewhere in between. A curled coat will require regular trips to the groomer for trims to prevent matting. Owners must be prepared for any possible outcome with this mix! Usually, a Peekapoo dog is active, outgoing, and agreeable. When socialized well, they will be friendly and sociable, even with strangers. On average, they tend to stand at around 11 inches tall. Those with Toy Poodle parents will be smaller than those with Miniature Poodle parents. Weight will fall under 20 pounds as an adult. But, coat color and type will vary. Generally no Peekapoos will shed excessively, but they will need regular grooming. Since there are so many Pitbull breeds out there, the results of this mix will really depend on the individual parents used. Although, owners of this mix can expect a strong, and often muscular dog that forms very strong bonds with its family. Socialization is vital, particularly to avoid any aggression towards other dogs which could stem from the dog-fighting past of the Pitbull parent. However, many owners report that this mix is gentle, friendly, and loving, especially towards close family and children. Since both Pomeranians and Toy Poodles are very loyal to their families and tend to bond closely with one person. They may exhibit guarding tendencies. Proper socialization can help with this behavior. Pomapoos may also get grumpy or nippy when they are tired of being petted or messed with. This makes this mix an unlikely candidate for a family with small children who may not know when enough is enough. This tiny hybrid weighs just 3 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Which means they do not need a lot of exercise. About an hour of play time, short walks, or a combination of both each day will suffice! A Pomapoo will need daily brushing with a slicker brush or pin brush, respectively, as well as monthly trips to the groomer. Additionally, Pomeranians shed seasonally, so a Pomapoo may also shed seasonally. If their coat more closely resembles that of a Poodle, though, then they may shed minimally. Pugapoo The Pugapoo is also often called a Pugadoodle. This mix combines a Pug with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Both parent breeds were originally bred to be lap dogs. And this shows in the personality of this mix! It will be happy to spend all of its time with you, particularly chilling out on the couch. However, owners also report that this mix is playful, cheeky, and affectionate. Appearance will vary from one dog to the next, but generally a Pugapoo will be small. They can grow from 10 to 12 inches tall, weighing anywhere from 14 to 18 pounds. This is a popular look, since many owners love the cute baby-like face. But, it brings with it a number of painful and lifelong health complications. This includes difficulty breathing and eating, vulnerable and exposed eyes, overcrowded teeth and increased dental issues, heatstroke, and more. Or, since this mix can live into its teens, you could consider rescuing an older version of this mix. Scoodle The Scoodle is one of the lesser known small Poodle mixes. Some owners will also call this mix a Scottie Poo. These little dogs will be active, playful, and confident. Scoodles need plenty of interaction, fun, and exercise! Scottish Terriers are similar in size to the Miniature Poodle. So, this mix will usually reach a maximum of 22 pounds and 15 inches. However, many are much smaller than this, particularly if they have a Toy Poodle parent. Both parent breeds are also low shedding. So you can expect the same of a Scottie Poo, although they will need plenty of grooming. Generally, this mix has a lot of energy and intelligence. They will enjoy training, and will need plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs and their brains. Appearance will vary a lot, but in general this mix will have a lot of hair! The amount of curl can differ, but grooming is a must for a Miniature Sheltipoo. On top of this, color can depend on the parents used. Size will again change depending on the genes your pup inherits. Some may be tiny, like the Miniature Poodle parent. But, others can be as large as the Sheltie. Owners must be prepared for any outcome. This hybrid is usually a cuddler, and needs just a little bit of running amok each day to satisfy their energy requirements. A Shih Poo may inherit a tendency to get defensive of their owner or family as well as a barking tendency. They may also get tired of being fussed over and get nippy. With these traits in mind, socialization and keeping these dogs in the proper environment are ideal. Shih Poos may weigh anywhere from 4 to 16 pounds. And is easier to maintain at home. These dogs will have plenty of energy, and will be very affectionate towards their family. They will take well to positive reward training, which is also a great way to give them some much needed mental stimulation. However, bear in mind that they may have strong natural instincts, including the desire to chase smaller pets, and potential barking. In terms of looks, this can be a real teddy bear dog! They will often have a slight curl to their coat, but the extent of this will vary from one dog to the next. In terms of color, the Springerdoodle can come in almost any shade! But, choosing two parents with similar coats can help you predict what color you will get in your puppy. Due to their Poodle lineage, some Westiepoos bond very closely with one or more family members. This can make them wary of strangers. Extra early socialization with people and animals will be necessary to prevent yippy or nippy behavior. Due to their Terrier lineage, some Westiepoos can also have a high prey drive. This may disqualify them as candidates for homes with cats or other small pets. Of the small Poodle mixes, this hybrid is on the larger side. It has a full-grown weight of about 20 to 30 pounds. Both Westies and Poodles have long and curly coats. A Westipoo will require daily to weekly brushing and monthly trips to the groomer to keep things clean and trimmed up. This mix will have a strong prey drive, so it may not suit homes with other pets or with very young children. But, other than this, a Whoodle will be playful, affectionate, and full of energy. They can be a great choice for an active home. Size will vary depending on the traits this mix inherits. Wheaten Terriers are medium-sized sturdy dogs. So, if it takes after this parent, your mix can be as tall as 20 inches, weighing up to 50 pounds. Generally, a miniature version will be smaller than this, but owners should prepare for any outcome. Coat and color will also vary. Yorkipoo This is perhaps one of the most popular small Poodle mixes. The Yorkipoo is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Poodle. They enjoy spending time with their humans and will do whatever it takes to get your attention! However, some Yorkipoos may get a little too attached to their family. We cannot stress proper socialization enough with these types of dogs. This hybrid also needs short bursts of exercise each day, as they are quite energetic. Their coat may be any color which is accepted for Terriers and Poodles. It will also require regular brushing to eliminate matting. Yorkipoos may shed minimally, like a Poodle, or seasonally, like a Yorkshire Terrier. But the good news is that any shedding can be minimized with regular grooming. Small Poodle Mix Puppies When choosing a small Poodle mix puppy you need to make sure that you like both parent breeds equally. That you are a fan of both coat types, colors and personalities. Good breeders of Poodle mixes health test both parents, and only breed from dogs with friendly personalities. They will be happy to show you health certificates and answer any questions you have. No matter how small! Due to their popularity, small Poodle mix puppies are quite expensive and may run you to several thousand dollars. Toy Labradoodle Tiny Bernedoodle When choosing a dog, size is an important factor. You may not have room for a large, standard poodle , but you could be on the market for a precious toy poodle companion. Still, there are so many designer dog breeds out there. It can be difficult to find the right match for you and your family. Read on to learn about the smallest poodle mixes you can find in the world today. Small Poodle Mixes often work out great for seniors, as many prefer the convenience of smaller, more calm dogs in the home. What is the Smallest Poodle Mix Breed? The smallest poodle mixes are usually half-miniature poodles or toy poodles. At their largest, miniature poodles are pounds. Toy poodles are even smaller, topping out at six pounds. When bred with other small dogs, the result is a pocket-sized best friend. Chi-Poos are among the smallest poodle mix breeds in the world. Weighing in at as little as three pounds and just seven inches tall, these diminutive dogs are intelligent, playful, and love to spend time with their owners. Toy poodles bred with chihuahua parents will likely result in the smallest chi-poo varieties. Chi-poos are practically microscopic! Because size is inherited from the poodle parent, plenty of poodle mixes have toy, miniature, and standard variations. The Smallest Poodle Mixes: A Helpful Guide There are more than fifty poodle mix breeds available in the market today, but some are smaller than others. The best small poodle mix crossbreeds include: 1. Toy Cockapoo Cockapoos are born lovebugs. Cockapoos take after their parent breeds and are often friendly, faithful, and loving. Cockapoo breed facts include: Cockapoos are a mix between toy poodles and cocker spaniels. Cockapoos usually grow to be between pounds and up to 10 inches tall as adults. Cockapoos are hypoallergenic because they have hair instead of fur and do not shed. This also makes them less smelly than the average dog. Cockapoos are long-lived, typically years. Cockapoos love attention and companionship. This makes them a great choice for families with children or homes with other pets. This breed prefers company. If left alone, cockapoos can develop anxious tendencies when isolated for too long. Because cockapoos do not shed , they need to be brushed often and groomed regularly. Maltipoo If you are looking for a small dog that is as smart as they are loyal, Maltipoos are a great choice. This mix is a cross between a Maltese and a poodle. Maltipoos tend to be playful, intelligent, and patient and are good companions for both children and the elderly as a result. Maltipoos stay on the small side, rarely growing larger than twenty pounds. Like many other poodle mix breeds, they do not shed. However, they do require attention and maintenance when it comes to grooming. Expect to brush your pup every day to keep their coat healthy, and bathe them once a month. These dogs tend to stay healthy for the duration of their life, usually between ten and thirteen years. Keep an eye out for White Shaker Syndrome, and brush their teeth regularly. Small dogs including Maltipoos are prone to oral health issues. Lemonade Pet Insurance insurance has enabled me to afford the highest level of veterinary care for my dog, Angus. Especially after he was diagnosed with cancer a few years back. Visit the Lemonade Health Insurance website here to get a free quote and see why Lemonade is a good fit to protect the health of your dog too. Peekapoo Peekapoos are a mix of Pekingese and miniature poodles. These dogs are a ball of energy. They love to exercise! Fun-loving and playful, you should give your pup a little extra activity or training time. One thing to note: Peekaboos are prone to heat exhaustion, so keep them cool when they are playing on hot days. Otherwise, these dogs are healthy critters. Have them screened for hip dysplasia to be safe, and enjoy the long life of your small pup! While peekapoos tend to be low-shedding dogs, their coat can vary depending on which genes they inherit. You can choose to keep them clipped, and they will only need a few brushings a week. If you decide to keep their naturally longer coats, however, they will require daily upkeep. Pomapoo A Pomapoo, also known as a pomerdoodle, is a mix of Pomeranian and toy poodle. Usually inheriting the personality of a pomeranian, this small dog is neither aggressive nor shy. Pomapoos love companionship, so if you are gone for long periods of time, consider getting a second dog to keep your pomapoo company. One walk a day is usually enough, but pomapoos are inclined to weight gain. A Pomeranian is predisposed to multiple health issues, so be on the lookout for these. See your vet for regular checkups so your pomapoo can be screened for the following health issues: Patellar luxation, Epilepsy Cataracts Some shedding is expected with pomapoos, and semi-regular brushing helps keep their coat fresh. Schnoodle With schnauzer protectiveness and poodle savvy, Schnoodles have the best of both worlds. Weighing no heavier than 20 pounds, these little dogs are loyal and intelligent companions. They tend to be easy to socialize with and will make friends with most people or other dogs. Too energetic to be a lap dog, they will love to be your hiking buddy. Their hair grows long and fast, so regular trips to the groomer are a must. Like the other poodle mixes on this list, they do not shed. A weekly brushing will keep your dog healthy and looking handsome in between groomer visits. Generally a healthy breed, there are a few health concerns to consider with a Schnoodle. Yorkiepoo When it comes to the Yorkiepoo, the bark is bigger than the bite, literally! Half-poodle and half-Yorkshire terrier, these pint-sized dogs have a reputation for barking. A Yorkipoo makes for a stellar watchdog, but it might annoy your neighbors. They can be trained to bark less, but expect a chatty pup if you take this breed home. Yorkiepoos should be brushed regularly to keep their coats from getting tangled or matted Be sure to keep a pair of scissors on hand. When healthy and well cared for, a Yorkiepoo is expected to live between 10 and 15 years. Yorkipoos are prone to hyperthyroidism, patellar luxation, and atopic dermatitis, among other ailments. Shih-poo For a senior with plenty of time, the Shih-poo is an ideal breed. Part Shi-Tzu and part poodle, these dogs love to be doted on by their owners. Affectionate and energetic, Shih-poos can thrive in both small apartments or big backyards. They scamper around plenty on their own, so they do not need a ton of extra owner-led exercise. Shih-poos will top out around 18 pounds. They are prone to a few different health problems. If you stay vigilant, you can combat the following health problems before they become an issue for your pup. Shih-poos are prone to health issues such as: Dental problems Skin issues Eye conditions Make regular vet visits for checkups, and your furry friend can expect to live between 10 and 15 years. When it comes to grooming, Shih-poos should be brushed twice a week. Remember to brush their teeth regularly to prevent issues with teeth and gums. Chi-poo For a dog that can fit in the palm of your hand, the chi-poo is lively and a little bit noisy. Do not be scared off by their tendency to bark. This breed takes well to training, especially if you start young. They love to be playful but will certainly cuddle up to their human at the end of a long day. This chihuahua and poodle mix can produce offspring as tiny as three pounds. Bigger poodle parents can produce dogs that grow to 20 pounds. This breed is very versatile, so there is a chi-poo out there for everyone. Grooming should be frequent, so plan on three times a week with monthly baths. The life expectancy of a chi-poo is 12 to 15 years. Feed them constantly in small portions of high-quality food. These dogs are as sweet as they are cute and will take any chance they get to cuddle up on the couch. Sometimes prone to anxiety, be sure to properly socialize your puppy to avoid skittish behavior. A little high maintenance when it comes to their grooming, a Poochon will need daily grooming. Otherwise, their hair is prone to matting, which can cause skin problems down the line. First-generation dogs are often healthier than the second generation. They are well suited for owners with plenty of time to socialize with their pets and are easy to train. Westiepoo Normally a mix of miniature poodles and West Highland White Terrier, the westiepoo is friendly, smart, and sociable. These dogs grow to be between 20 and 30 pounds. Independent and clever, Westiepoos will bond closely with their families. Note these tips before bringing home a westiepoo: Be careful if you have a cat, as both parent breeds were originally hunting dogs. To keep hair out of the eyes, get your westiepoo regular haircuts. You might need a specialized shampoo to keep their white coats looking great. There are some inherited health problems to look out for, such as hypoadrenocorticism, gastric dilation-volvulus, and atopic dermatitis. This is an ideal breed for active families with older kids. Pugapoo Pugapoos can make exceptional lap dogs. Their pug half makes them calm and snuggly and the perfect companion for a Sunday on the couch. They are relatively calm and easy to train, particularly if they inherit the pug personality. You might run into more health issues with pugapoos than other poodle mixes. Pugs are known to have a host of health concerns, many of which stem from difficulty breathing. Poodles are healthier than pugs on average, but there is no guarantee your puppy will take after its poodle side. Pugapoos are prone to the following health conditions: Eye problems Hip dysplasia, Allergies Grooming will be easier with a Pugapoo, as their hair is shorter than a pure-bred poodle. Regular brushing is recommended, and trimming should be done every few months. Doxiedoodle You never know what you are going to get with a Dachshund poodle crossbreed! These dogs lean heavily to one side or the other and show either strong poodle traits or strong Dachshund ones. Personality-wise, they are bold, sociable, and trainable but might have a stubborn streak. Doxiedoodles have a high chance of health problems. They are vulnerable to genetic issues from both sides but can still be expected to live for 10 years or more. Common health concerns for doxiedoodles include: Back problems.