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At cheappuppiesforsale. These lovable puppies are perfect for anyone looking for an affordable family pet. English Bulldogs are small, fun dogs that require minimal training. They are known for their clownish personalities and love of cuddles. History of English bulldog puppies English bulldog puppies are a completely man-made breed. The national dog of England, their strong heads, loose skin and short legs give them a very distinctive, amusing appearance. Bulldogs are generally gentle, affectionate dogs that love to be around their families. They are excellent with children and have a medium-low activity level that makes them great for apartment or city living. These loveable dogs are loyal to a fault and are sure to make you smile. English Bulldogs are calm, non-sporting dogs with a sourmug face that love to chew and play tug-of-war. British Bulldogs rarely bark but snore, snort, wheeze, grunt, and snuffle instead. Bulldogs are a people-oriented, loyal and devoted watchdogs that love to nap by your side. Unlike other breeders, We choose parents not based on champion bloodlines and registry, but on health, temperament, and looks. As a result, cheappuppiesforsale. From this breed of dogs and others,We and our staff offer a variety of healthy, attractive pups 8 weeks of age and older, all of whom are ready for a loving family and home. As a leading national seller of bulldogs, cheappuppiesforsale. The website maintains an extensive FAQ section, where Howard fields questions about the breed regarding health, fitness, care, and maintenance. This handsome English Bulldog will sure melt your heart with one look into his adorable eyes. He is a very social pup who is played with regularly. This fella is excited to meet his forever friend. He is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed and comes with a 1 year genetic health guarantee. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Our website is dedicated to connecting you with reputable English Bulldog breeders across the USA, ensuring that you bring home a healthy and happy furry companion without breaking the bank. Finding the perfect English Bulldog puppy at an affordable price can be a challenging task. However, our platform simplifies the process by curating a list of trusted English Bulldog breeders who offer these delightful companions at budget-friendly rates. We understand that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy and companionship that a lovable English Bulldog can bring to their lives. History of English bulldog puppies Cheap near you! The national dog of England, their strong heads, loose skin and short legs give them a very distinctive, amusing appearance. Bulldogs are generally gentle, affectionate dogs that love to be around their families. They are excellent with children and have a medium-low activity level that makes them great for apartment or city living. These loveable dogs are loyal to a fault and are sure to make you smile. English Bulldogs are calm, non-sporting dogs with a sourmug face that love to chew and play tug-of-war. British Bulldogs rarely bark but snore, snort, wheeze, grunt, and snuffle instead. Bulldogs are a people-oriented, loyal and devoted watchdogs that love to nap by your side. Temperament of english bulldogs Temperament is a crucial factor to consider when bringing a new furry friend into your life. English Bulldogs are known for their gentle, friendly, and affectionate nature. They make excellent companions and are particularly good with children, making them a fantastic choice for families. Despite their somewhat serious expression, they have a fun-loving and playful side that will bring joy to your everyday life. This Bulldog puppy is a very social and sweet baby girl who loves everyone she meets! She is raised with children that play with her daily. This gal will steal your heart the second you look into those puppy eyes and when she gives you one of her famous puppy kisses. She will make a fantastic addition to any family. This puppy is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed and comes with a 1 year genetic health guarantee. Her momma is Kayla. This puppy is anxious to meet her new family and begin her life of adventure with you! Call now!
Brush Frequently Brushing their coat at least 3 times a week is an absolute must. Longer hair tends to tangle, and curly hair can mat easily. If you leave it too long between brushes, the problems will build, and knots will be that much harder to remove. See Also: Click the image 2. Not only can water tighten knots making them impossible to remove, but matting tends to hold onto both water and shampoo. This can leave skin itchy, flaky, and sore. Use a pin brush or long-tooth comb and pay special attention to areas such as behind the ears and around the tail. This is where tangles tend to accumulate. This can dry their skin and counteract the moisturizing effect of shampoos and conditioners. Instead, give their coat a good rub with a towel and leave it to air dry. Keep Them Groomed Trimming or clipping your Labradoodle can keep them cool in hot weather and make brushing them easier. You will also need to cut any long hair around their eyes to prevent their vision from becoming obstructed. See Also: Click the image 5. Feed Them The Best Hair and skin health begins on the inside. This is as true of dogs as it is of people. Protein is a crucial part of the canine diet, but dogs also need a range of other nutrients and regular access to fresh water. There is no single answer to this question as no two Labradoodles are the same. However, there are a few good rules of thumb. For instance, high-quality, botanical ingredients are less likely to cause irritation than chemicals often found in bottom-of-the-market shampoos. We have chosen Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo as the best overall shampoo because of its versatility. Unless your Doodle has any particular coat care needs, this should suit them nicely. How Often Should a Labradoodle be Bathed? Most Labradoodle experts say that you should only bathe them every six to eight weeks as over-bathing can harm the quality of their coat. That being said, if your pooch has been out rolling in something nasty, you should give them a good clean before they tramp the smell through your house. How often you bathe your Doodle will also depend on the type of shampoo you have. However, products that target specific issues are likely to contain stronger chemical ingredients and should be used more sparingly. However, be extremely careful about using human shampoo on canines as they are made to suit different skin types. Humans have about twice as many layers of skin compared to our four-legged friends. Plus, human skin sits around 5. That being said, baby shampoos tend to be more pH-balanced and are perfectly fine for dogs. Are Labradoodles High Maintenance? Labradoodles might be considered a high maintenance breed. Of course, coats vary, and some can be a little more challenging than others. However, if you find a shampoo that suits your pet and stick to a regular grooming routine, you will likely have very few issues. One area that needs a little more attention with these dogs is their fun, floppy ears. They can easily trap both dirt and moisture, making them the perfect breeding ground for infection-causing bacteria. You want something that will keep them looking and smelling great while helping to maintain the health of their skin and coat. What is your go-to shampoo for your Doodle? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Learn How to Upkeep Your Doodle! Enroll Now The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional groomer advice. Always seek the advice of your groomer, veterinarian, or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. This is an awesome product from one of the most respected brands in the industry, they produce quality shampoos, from cosmetic grade ingredients, and sell them at a very reasonable price point. The bulk of the cleaning power comes from the coconut extract base that combines with natural essential oils and other deodorizing compounds. The high-quality nature of the ingredients in this product ensures that it creates a thick luxurious lather despite the lack of soap — which is something other lower quality products struggle with. We really liked the scented infusions in this product that make it one of the best soothing shampoos on the market. This product honestly does everything a good Labradoodle shampoo should do, and more. Unless you have some very specific reason to try something else, this should be at the very top of your shortlist. Like the product above, this is an all natural product that contains no soap, alcohol, or chemicals in its formula whatsoever. The amount of effort 4-Legger put into its natural company ethos is quite honestly impressive. We absolutely love the cleaning power that this product provides. The zesty fresh material is antibacterial and antifungal — which means the stench causing bacteria the currently live on your pooch are going to have a very, very bad time. As an added bonus, lemongrass has a small yet significant amount of pest repellent capability inherently inside of it. This is probably a better product than our overall recommendation slightly , but there is one small issue, the price. The lather it generates is luxurious and the light fresh scent it leaves behind is pleasant too. Similarly, the delicate skin of your young Labradoodle will be nourished and protected by the various high-quality compounds inside the shampoo. The real reason we like this product is the tearless nature of the formula. This will make bath time an even more unpleasant experience for them than it usually already is — which is obviously less than ideal. The aloe vera infusion in the conditioner is generous and will leave your pooch with healthy, well-protected skin. Earthbath is a reputable brand and has a reputation for creating organic quality on the same level as 4-Legger that we chose as our runner up in the section above. However, the cleaning power it provides is more than acceptable with oat flour in its ingredient list, and the conditioner is surprisingly effective too thanks to the honey extract in the formula. The tangling and matting that is a fact of life for Labradoodles becomes much harder to remove after it has been in contact with water. Removing the tangling by grooming before bathing eliminates this issue, and it makes the post bathing grooming session quicker and easier too. Lather Them Well The thick curly hair of your Labradoodle is very dense compared to some other breeds. Run The Bath Before Calling Them In Labradoodles often get anxious around bath time, and anything that you can do to make the experience a little less stressful for them will be appreciated by your pooch. One of the worst parts about bathing for a dog is sitting around waiting for the process to start. The best way to do this is to run the bath before you call them in and make sure you have everything nearby that you need to complete the bathing session. Then you simply call them, pick them up, and put them in the tub to get on with the job. How a reasonably small dog like the this can shed so much hair in the tub while remaining cuddly and fluffy is almost magic. As you already know, hair is one of the worst things in the world for plumbing blockages, so you need to catch as much of it as you can before it makes it down the drain. Get a piece of steel wool and place it in the plug hole before you start bathing your dog. The steel wool will trap any hair it comes into contact with easily, which leaves your plumbing fully protected from your pooch. Follow the hints and tips above, and you and your pooch are going to enjoy grooming and bathing a whole lot more. We put a huge amount of effort into the product recommendations we made earlier, and we honestly think that they represent the best Labradoodle shampoos on the market in .Any of them are more than worthy of your consideration, they beat off some stiff competition to be mentioned here today and they are all winners in our eyes. Sean Green Pet. Reviews was founded by Sean Green, a devoted pet owner and champion of quality pet products. Sean is supported by a knowledgeable team of pet-loving writers who work together to provide you with a wealth of information about training and caring for your dog. Post navigation. How to wash your Labradoodle One of the most popular traits of the Labradoodle breed is their coat! Labradoodles have soft, curly, and low shedding coats. Such as, after a muddy walk! So, choosing the right shampoo for your Labradoodle is important to keep their coat looking its best. All of these products were carefully and independently selected by The Labradoodle Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you. There are three major factors to consider. Firstly, what coat type does your Labradoodle have? Hair coat types are the straightest and usually the highest shedding. Wool coats have tight curls and can tangle easily. And fleece coats fall somewhere in between. Secondly, you must consider the age of your Labradoodle. Puppy coats are very different to adult dog coats! And so, their needs will usually be different too. Puppies often need a shampoo that is very gentle on their skin, and will need to be introduced to bathing slowly with positive reinforcement. Finally, you must also consider any particular skin problems or special care needs that your Labradoodle has. For instance, sensitive skin shampoos can contain ingredients known to soothe the symptoms of problems like atopic dermatitis or skin infections. Best Shampoo for Labradoodle Dogs The best shampoo for your Labradoodle will consider their specific skin needs, their age, and their coat type. You should choose a shampoo with dog-safe ingredients. Most shampoos for dogs will have minimal perfume, if any. Here are some options that could be just right for your adult Labradoodle. It comes in a 16 ounce bottle. And, if this product suits your Labradoodle well, they might also benefit from the other many grooming products the Healthy Breeds brand has. Including an ear cleanser, and tear stain wipes. This shampoo is designed to get deep into tightly coiled curls to remove any dirt and grime and wash away easily. Tropiclean 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Cleans and conditions coat in one wash Papaya and coconut scent to mask bad smells Spill resistant packaging Comes in a huge range of sizes The Tropiclean 2 in 1 option is both a shampoo and a conditioner. And, if you love the Tropiclean shampoo, you can purchase bottles as large as 2. This shampoo and conditioner duo contains ingredients like oatmeal and neem oil to soothe itchiness in dogs with skin problems. This shampoo also comes in a variety of sizes, so if you love it, you can buy it in larger quantities. So, if your Labradoodle loves to roll in stinky things, or loves to get into messy predicaments on your walks, this could be the best option for you. The standard bottle contains 32 ounces of product. Best Puppy Shampoo for Labradoodles Not all shampoos will suit puppies as well as adult dogs. Over the first year of their life, this coat will shed away to reveal their adult coat. Puppies often have more sensitive skin than adult dogs. Some ingredients found in shampoos for adult dogs will be too harsh for puppies. But, bathing your puppy is still important, as it socializes them to the process. If you never wash your puppy, bath time can be a stressful, overwhelming experience as an adult dog. Here are some of our favorite options. It cleanses fur and gets deep into knots and tangles to make untangling easier. This shampoo also has a mild coconut scent, to leave your Labradoodle puppy smelling fresh but not overwhelming. This shampoo comes in a variety of bottle sizes. But, it recommends waiting until 12 weeks of age before using it on your puppy. This shampoo has a high concentration so you can get more baths from your product. Isle of Dogs Everyday Puppy Shampoo. Labradoodles have a beautiful coat of hair on them and this makes them one of the most sought after breeds. If you want a dog that is easy to maintain but still has a beautiful coat a labradoodle is an ideal pick. The coat on a labradoodle is easy to clean and maintain so you will not need to bath them often, but when you do make sure you use a great shampoo. The type of shampoo that you choose to use depends on the way that your dog responds to each type of shampoo. For instance, if your dog has itchy or sensitive skin you may want to invest in a hypoallergenic shampoo. If your dog has dry skin you will likely want to get a shampoo and conditioner mix to help moisturize the skin. Finding the perfect shampoo for your dog can be a challenge but this list of best shampoos is here to help make your job easier and your labradoodle bath more fun and healthy. Popular Types Of Labradoodle Shampoos There are many popular brands of labradoodle shampoos on the market. Each shampoo is designed a little differently even if there are many popular brands on the market. They all have different scents and benefits that you may want for your dog. Remember to research each brand throughout before just picking one out. Giving your dog a bath should be a fun experience for you both. It allows you both time to bond together and plays in the water. Often, the shampoos that are sold for dogs are full of perfumes and irritants that make the experience a hassle, rather than a fun time. Finding the best shampoos for Labradoodle can make the entire experience of getting a bath something that you will want to do repeatedly. The most popular brands of dog shampoo often come with hypoallergenic ingredients and a simple, yet calming smell that you and your dog will both love. Once you find the best shampoos for labradoodle it will be almost impossible to get you to try something else. These brands of shampoo and conditioners are amazing and the results that they produce are almost impossible to achieve. It can help relieve dry and itchy skin because it is made with aloe vera, baking soda, and oatmeal. This product is great for sensitive skin. It is a professional grade shampoo that will make your labradoodle look and feel its best. This product includes baking soda that helps provide your dog with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It gives off a fresh apple scent that is not too strong. The shampoo has a very light scent, lathers great, does not leave a residue. I will continue buying this product and use it on both of my dogs. Very happy with this purchase. Mighty Petz 2-in-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditione r Features The mighty Petz is an all-natural ingredient shampoo with oatmeal, aloe Vera, and lavender suitable for moisturizing the skin and keeping it shiny. It soothes the skin perfectly since it has no alcohol ingredient or parabens. The shampoo is biodegradable for sustainable development and keeping your home clean from pollutants. Has no paraben or alcohol ingredient It is all-natural with quality natural ingredients. Has a balanced pH for multiple uses Cons Ensure you have rinsed your dog thoroughly after a bath You may need a lot of water for proper conditioning. It also has no chemicals that can be harmful to your pet. Get your product delivered efficiently by buying from Amazon today. Click here to view the product and make your purchase. It is made with chlorhexidine and ketoconazole ingredients, suitable for treating and eliminating yeast and bacterial infections from the skin. It can also prevent more skin infections such as fungus, ringworm, and pyoderma. Pros Suitable for skin infected with fungi and bacteria Cleanses and moisturizes the skin effectively. Stops all irritations and itching of the skin Cons Not everyone may be impressed by its scent. It also eliminates all discomfort giving you quality time with your Labradoodle. Check out the Smiling Paws dog shampoo on Amazon and buy it here for reliable and convenient delivery. They are formulated, and some serve different special functions such as moisturizing the skin, soothing itchy skin, keeping skin healthy and shiny, and several incredible benefits. If you are a first-time pet parent, choosing the best shampoo for Labradoodles can be tricky and overwhelming. Already we have shown you the top 10 best dog shampoos that you can get from Amazon today and start using. When they occur, they cause discomfort due to dry skin, sores, rashes, hair loss, hot spots, and making them scratch and bite their bodies. These symptoms show that your dog may have a skin problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. It would be best to treat these conditions immediately since they can lead to severe health issues. However, Labradoodles have thick coats, and it may not be easy to see any rash or hot spots quickly. You need to regularly check under the skin for these symptoms and promptly give them the best medical care they need by using the best shampoo for relieving such infections. Also, look for fleas and ticks that may be trapped on the skin and not visible. Some dogs may feel agitated when you touch the affected area and be keen to see how they react when you touch their skin. You need to scrutinize the area and see what makes them feel pain. If you continue without stopping, they may react according to the degree of pain they are feeling. It will help you seek help from a veterinarian if you find unusual swelling or blood on the skin. Some topical treatments and shampoos can make your dog better immediately after you start using them. There are several options on the list provided above. Combining healthy and natural ingredients in dog shampoos are imperative to soothe irritation and treat these skin ailments fast. The best shampoo for Labradoodles with skin ailments is always labeled for sensitive skin; consider that when you go shopping on Amazon, they are all specified on the product description. Best Shampoo For Labradoodle Puppies If you have a puppy Labradoodle, then you will need to be keener on the dog shampoo you choose to use on them. Their skin is very delicate and gentle, making it prone to irritation when using the wrong shampoo in grooming. It would help to use dog shampoos with no harsh chemicals that can cause irritations and itching to the skin for grooming your puppy. The most commonly used natural ingredients for dog shampoos are coconut oil and aloe vera. The top list has several products with such ingredients, and some are purely organic. They help your puppy get a moisturized skin, free from irritations and itching with high-quality components. Also, note that the puppy dog shampoo should be gentle on the nose, eyes, and mouth without causing any itch. Look for the best shampoo by reading its descriptions and finding all the ingredients included in making it. However, when they are affected by fleas or ticks, they may start shedding excessively and make their coats looks untidy and disorganized. Attack by fleas on the skin may also lead to thyroid or hormonal disorder in your dog. Some dogs also shed more in the spring seasons just after the winter to allow for more calm air to reach their skin. It is best to purchase the best dog shampoo to reduce excess shedding. The shampoo should also prevent attack by fleas or any other tropical infections. When you groom your Labradoodle, brush them well to cut down excess fur that may fall on the house and seats. There are several quality products above with natural ingredients that will help prevent fleas and ticks from attacking your Labradoodle skin. Sometimes the dog may feel tired and lack appetite due to an attack by a parasite. You will need to visit a vet in case of severe lethargy and loss of appetite in your dog. However, if it is just dandruff, there are several dog shampoos you can use. Several products on the top list can help you avoid dry skin and dandruff from attacking your dog. Best Shampoo For Labradoodle Deodorizing Labradoodles are allergy-friendly and smell better than any other dog breed. But sometimes, while they play, they may roll on messy substances that make them stink. Several products remove stinking and replace it with naturally occurring scents such as lavender or honey sage. Consider choosing the scent that you and your family like before you purchase the product. Some products have a very intense scent that may not be suitable for allergic people. These different coat textures need other shampoos since they are groomed differently. Labradoodles with fleece coats have wavy fur, with long and flowing hair. The fur is very soft and silky, which rarely sheds. Grooming is painless and does not have to be often. Some have wool coats that are tightly curled together and feel like real wool. They do not often shed, and you need to use the best dog shampoo to keep their skin moisturized. The first Labradoodles have hair coats with no fur that may be straight or wavy depending on their parents. They usually shed, and you need to acquire nonshedding dog shampoos to help in grooming them. Brushing is also crucial to prevent excessive shedding. Your shampoo should also be non-irritating to help your dog enjoy the grooming session. They look charming and memorable to hold and spend quality time with them in the house or outside in the park. However, they need to be well-groomed and smell friendly always to be a good company. Here are some top tips to help you maintain the coat of your Labradoodle. The coat will tend to thicken and mat naturally as the puppy grows older. It is best not to shave the puppy Labradoodle but wait till they grow older. Ensure to clean the coat often instead of considering a cut. It would help to let the puppy dry or use air drying. It is essential for a shinier, silkier, and softer looking skin, which will prevent any case of matting. The top list has the best dog shampoos you can check to get the best to apply to your Labradoodle. Ensure you get a shampoo with natural ingredients and convenient to solve all the issues your dog has. Good nutrition helps to keep the internal health and the external appearance glow. Give your dog food with no fillers to make the coat look silky and soft. Avoid excess sugar that may affect how water is regulated in the bloodstream. Just like human beings, the skin depends on the number of sugars we take in. Consider talking to your veterinarian for a proper plan to feed your dog. If you bathe them too often, their skin will also dry out and look dull. However, there are situations such as muddy weather that can require you to bathe them often. If you have to, look for the gentle on the skin and have the best conditioning in the top list. Also, consider talking to the breeder or the veterinarian about how you can take good skincare through grooming. Different coats have different grooming strategies. Frequently Asked Questions Here are some common questions people ask about the best shampoo for Labradoodles and how to bathe them. Find out the answers below. The situation will depend on several factors such as weather and your labradoodle coating. The best time to bathe your dog is after every three to five weeks. If this is not possible and you need to clean them often, look for a gentle shampoo to use. Although some human shampoos are convenient for sensitive skin, dog shampoos are optimized for their coating and delicate skin. Here is a step-by-step guide to washing your Labradoodle: Brush the coat of your Labradoodle well before it gets wet. It helps to cut knots and tangles on the fur. Test the water temperature if suitable by letting your dog in a little sample. Labradoodles love water, but it has to be balanced for them to enjoy the session. Place a non-slip surface on the bath-tub such as a rug or towel. It helps your dog remain stable, and they will not slip as you bathe them. Rinse your dog effectively with enough water and make sure all the shampoo is drained. Leave your dog without going to any dusty surfaces. To ensure the skin gets its smooth texture and silky look. It is impressive and purely organic for the perfect grooming and sensitive skin. It has the best scent lemongrass scent to keep your dog smelling nice all day, every day. The 4-legger also lathers quickly for the best and reliable grooming session. Hope you enjoyed this post about the best shampoo for Labradoodles. Drop any questions in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this post, then you will love these posts:. Polyethylene Glycol PEG Lanolin You should also be aware of any allergies your dog has and try to avoid them in all of your grooming products. You can find the ingredients of store-bought products on their labels or in the product description of their online listings. Other factors You may also want to consider buying from well-known, trusted brands and buying products with ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients and materials if that is important to you. You may also want to look out for those that have been tested by official bodies or made in approved facilities in the US or Europe, and products that are approved or recommended by vets. How often should I bathe my Labradoodle? How often you should bathe a dog depends on their coat type. Labradoodles typically need bathing approximately once a month, or whenever they are dirty. In fact, many dogs can get away with a few baths a year, but not the Doodle! Ask somebody you trust to keep them still and comfort them while you wet their fur using some warm water. Gently massage it into their skin and let it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, rinse it away with more warm water and repeat if necessary. Towel dry the excess water from their coat and let them air dry, or use a hairdryer on a cool setting if they are okay with it. If you have a rescue Doodle, focus on building your trust with them before you attempt a bath. Should you bathe a Doodle puppy? You can start bathing your Labradoodle pup when they are around three months old. When bathing your puppy for the first time, introduce the concept gradually. Get the water ready and make it fun by splashing around or playing in it with a toy, and then bathe a paw or two to show them how it works. What if my Doodle hates baths? If your Labradoodle hates being bathed or does not like water, consider using a waterless shampoo instead, or at least incorporating it into your routine to increase the time between baths. Try to make them a positive experience by going very slowly. Shampoo and rinse each section of their coat separately and reward them as you go. Make it fun by splashing the water around and turning it into a fun game. Are Labradoodles allergic to shampoo? Any dog can have an allergy, but Labradoodles are especially prone to suffering from allergies. Symptoms of a reaction may include swollen eyes, runny eyes and nose, red skin, and skin irritation. If your dog reacts to any grooming product in this way, stop using it immediately and make a note of the ingredients to avoid them in the future. Should I use conditioner on my Labradoodle? Matting can cause pain, discomfort, and even infection. They can also conceal other skin problems. Can I use human shampoo on my Doodle? So, using your shampoo on your Doodle, especially on a regular basis, could completely disrupt their pH levels, make their fur dry and brittle, and irritate their skin. Can you bathe your Doodle too much? You can over-bathe your Doodle. Although they need regular grooming, bathing them more than what is recommended can strip the coat of its natural oils and damage the coat and skin, leaving it dry, irritated, and brittle.
Loyalty, affection, intelligence, work ethic, and good looks: Boxers are the whole doggy package. Bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, the Boxer has been among America's most popular dog breeds for a very long time. A male can stand as high as 25 inches at the shoulder and weigh lbs; females are a little smaller, lbs and inches tall. Their muscles ripple beneath a short, tight-fitting coat, and the dark brown eyes and wrinkled forehead give the face an alert, curious look. The coat can be fawn or brindle, with white markings, and some are born solid white. Boxers move like the athletes they are named for: smooth and graceful, with a powerful forward thrust. Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great dog with children. They take the jobs of watchdog and family guardian seriously and will meet threats fearlessly. Boxers do best when exposed to a lot of people and other animals in early puppyhood. The Bullenbeisser descended from Mastiffs was crossed with the Old English bulldog to eventually produce the modern breed. Bullenbeissers were generally used as catch dogs for hunting bear, wild boar, and deer. With their strong jaws, they would catch and hold prey until their hunter masters came. The first Boxers were developed to be a smaller, faster dog for similar purposes. Unfortunately, like their bulldog ancestors, Boxer dogs were sometimes used for bull-baiting, and, after the practice was outlawed, for dog fighting. Many are still working dogs, for the military and as police dogs. But most have taken an equally important place as the popular companion dog we know and love today. Boxers are, for the most part, versatile dogs. But be wary of leaving your Boxer dog unattended with access to local pets in your neighborhood. A strong fence without escape routes is a good idea. And although Boxers do well in hot weather, white ones might need some sunscreen. Yes, dog sunscreen is a thing. A bored boxer will chew, lick, and dig to excess, so a kennel or crate may be necessary when you need to be away for longer than they like. In the perfect world, a boxer owner would work part-time, or from home, so that they could spend maximum time caring for and bonding with their pet. After a puppy is reserved its is our goal to make the update within minutes with few exceptions outside holidays and unforeseen events. You can be confident the available puppies and their pictures shown are accurate and up to date. Sign up for BoxerBriefs to get news delivered right to your mailbox! Get them early for holiday gifts! We are an organization dedicated to the rescue and adoption of Boxers in the metropolitan-Atlanta area, and to provide support and education for Boxer owners. We are operated and managed by a group of dedicated volunteers, and we are funded by adoption fees, fundraisers, and gifts from generous donors like you! Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. If you are interested in adopting a Boxer in Atlanta, you've come to the right place. Take a moment to learn about the Boxer breed, including some of its history. When you are ready to move forward, familiarize yourself with everything you need to know before you adopt. Some Frequently Asked Questions are answered on our site as well. We strive to support your adoption to make it a success for you and your new Boxer friend. All of our Boxers have had a check-up with a veterinarian, been spayed or neutered, and brought up-to-date on vaccinations. We have also done our best to evaluate our Boxers for temperament, socialization, and house-breaking. We are always looking for great volunteers to help us. If you are interested in being a foster home for a Boxer in need, thank you! The number of Boxers that we can save depends on the number of willing volunteers like you. Please complete our Foster Application or contact us for more information. We have a lot of resources to help you. Sign up for our newsletter , contact us about any questions or concerns you might have, or seek comfort if you've lost your Boxer friend. We can't do this without you, so please consider a donation or a purchase from the ABR Store! Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article.
Greetings from Bruiser Bulldogs and The Wysongs We are a family absolutely in love with the Bulldog breed and are dedicated to breeding genetically healthy English Bulldog puppies. As responsible AKC English Bulldog breeders, our extensive experience and unique take on the need for a healthier English Bulldog has positioned our breeding program as a visionary leader for adopters in search of a higher quality Bulldog. At our core, we love placing healthy, properly socialized puppies into loving families. There is no greater joy than to be able to share our lifelong passion for English Bulldogs with our adopter families. Feel free to read our blog , watch our videos and learn why Bruiser Bulldogs is producing a better bulldog. Instead of focusing on maximizing wrinkles or winning in the show ring, we have built our foundational bloodlines over the past decade with a focus on health first on foremost. Sires and Dams are health tested with a unique criteria. Bruiser Bulldogs must breathe freely, move athletically while still maintaining that classic English Bulldog look that people around the world have come to love. Our goal has always been consistently produce puppies that are both a head turner and fundamentally healthy Bloodline development is the key to producing healthy bulldogs. We believe that foundational genetics are created through layer after layer of breeding healthy generations of bulldogs. Over the course of a decade, we have focused on a stringent set of health criteria to gradually improve the health and quality of the dogs we produce. The rare combination of experience, repetition, and ethical awareness of correct breeding practices has set our breeding program at the forefront of responsible breeding practices. The process truly is an adoption that affects the time, focus, and schedules of each household that gets a puppy from us. After a healthy puppy , the single most critical factor for a successful bulldog adoption is adopter support. The English Bulldog is unique breed with a unique set of caretaking criteria. Previous dog ownership, while helpful, is not enough to fully prepare an adopter for English Bulldog ownership. We always say the adoption is just the beginning of our journey. Through blog articles and email prep, we focus on such topics as socialization, crate training, disease prevention, potty training, nutrition, and basic puppy supplies to ensure that each adopter will be fully prepared for their new puppy. Call Morgan at for specific pup identification if you are leaning towards placing an early deposit. Please check back, we update our website daily! Please see our Deposit Page and our Transportation Page for information on getting your puppy. We love the English bulldog temperament, physique and expression, I just personally like it to be about lbs. We find the smaller sizes are more buoyant and playful and, though still very heat sensitive, are better able to cope with life in general. Downsizing an AKC breed takes time. Our girls all come from long lines of lb. We not trying for 20 pounders…our goal is to have healthy, beautiful babies that consistently mature at lbs. If you see a puppy that tugs on your heartstrings please call, or go to our deposit page for more information. In the last few years it has become clear that most people would prefer their puppy to be transported using our White Glove transport or Nanny Flight transport. Today, we have requests for our Puppies from all over the country. Because of this, the majority those requesting a Sugarplum Bulldog Puppy have also requested transport to their area of the country; those in Florida, for example, cannot easily make the drive to RI. As such, the majority of our Puppies have shifted to a transport model; this gets them closer to their new forever home. Because of this, we have come to the decision, that for the well being of our Puppies and for the benefit of our new Sugarplum Bulldog owners, we have developed a transport model for our pups using our Puppy-Mobile with direct transport to the pups new Forever Home! Our Mid-Western breeding home is co-owned by Sugarplum Bulldogs, and our partner. I realize that not having a chance to play with the Pups is disappointing to some, but please understand that our team are dedicated to the highest level of care for our little Pups. We truly feel that this new model is in the best interested of our Puppies and their new homes. Please feel free to ask me any questions….
Even though this dog was bred as a working dog, it is friendly and loyal, making it an excellent choice for breeding to create unique family-oriented crossbreeds. On the other hand, the German Shepherd is known to be courageous, fierce, and protective. Most people keep the German Shepherd as a guard dog, making it an excellent choice for families that need a protective dog. Breeding these two creates a gentle dog to work as a family pet and fierce enough to protect its family when need be. In simpler terms, the crossbreed highlights the best qualities from both parents, creating a unique, valuable dog. However, the two parents have a conclusive background, explaining how the breeds came to be and how their popularity grew. Whippet History The Whippet can be traced back to the s, with its origin believed to be England. This medium-sized dog belongs to the sighthounds family, a descendant of the greyhounds. They are smaller than regular-size greyhounds as not much has changed, even with breeding. Whippets were kept and trained to chase wild rabbits and other small animals. They would hunt these small animals out of their burrows due to their high speeds. Today, Whippets are mostly kept as home pets, but some still use them as working dogs. While their popularity grew in England more than in other parts of the world, they were first recognized by the American Kennel Club in .This followed recognition by the Kennel Club in Egland in .In its earlier days, farmers in Germany and the rest of Europe relied on dogs to protect and guide their herds. Some dogs were great at the job, but no one had developed a district herding breed. In , Captain Max von Stephanitz retired from military life and began breeding dogs. He created a superior German Shepherd dog, thanks to his extensive knowledge of the breeding techniques of the British people. But, he was determined to keep the breed as a working dog, after which he decided to train it for police work. Captain convinced the German government to use the breed with his military connections. This followed the German Shepherd used as a Red Cross dog, rescue, guard, messenger, and supply carrier. Breeding of this dog in the United States was not regulated, which led to a deterioration in the quality of German Shepherd. Whippet German Shepherd Appearance The Whippet German Shepherd mix has a distinct appearance that carries the physical attributes of both parents. The dog can present the skinny body of the Whippet but have the curious face of the German Shepherd. Therefore, Whippet German Shepherd mixes can vary even among siblings, each having its own set of physical traits. Another unique feature of the Whippet German Shepherd mix is the straight back, despite both parents having a curved back. Size The Whippet German Shepherd mix stands at 20 to 25 inches tall. Most dogs of the same age will appear similar in height, taking this standard. The Whippet German Shepherd can weigh between 20 to 96 pounds when it comes to weight. The German Shepherd is considered a medium to large dog and can weigh between 75 to 95 pounds. The Whippet is much smaller and weighs between 15 to 30 pounds. This means the mix can take a size closer to the Whippet or German Shepherd, hence the variation in size. Coat Type and Color The coat type and color of the Whippet German Shepherd depend on the dominant gene from the parents. Your dog can have a coat resembling the Whippet or one closer to the German Shepherd. They come in a medium-length coat prone to shedding, needing regular brushing. If your dog takes after the German Shepherd, it will have an intelligent mind, and you will notice its inquisitive side comes to play. If it takes after the Whippet, it will show the gentle, friendly vibe of a family-oriented dog. It will have a more mellow than curious personality, but you may still notice a few personality traits of the German Shepherd. Both parents are great family dogs and enjoy human interaction and attention. Therefore, the mix does not do well if left alone for a long time. It can generally be an independent dog, but having created relationships in the family, it would be best to give it as much attention as needed. The courageous and curious personality of the German Shepherd may lead to your mix having a stubborn attitude. Training can be challenging, but your dog can pick up on cues and commands with positive reinforcement. Whippet German Shepherd Care Whippet German Shepherd mixes bring so much value; they deserve regular care and maintenance. Feeding The type of food to give your Whippet German Shepherd mix is not cast on stone. Usually, diet is best established on a per-dog basis rather than per breed or size basis. On that note, the right food for your Whippet German Shepherd mix will depend on its health, activity levels, etc. It is important to note that both parents, the Whippet and German Shepherd, were bred as working dogs. Therefore, they have adapted to being high-energy working dogs since time immemorial. That means their diets need to match their energy requirements all through. The best food for your Whippet German Shepherd should provide essential nutrients for optimal growth and development. Additionally, the food should be balanced and packed with adequate energy-giving components to keep your dog active and healthy. You may be inclined to feed large portions many times, but that can increase the risk of your dog developing obesity. If you are unsure of the right foods or potions, the best approach would be to seek help from a certified vet for guidelines on an appropriate diet. Grooming The Whippet German Shepherd mix is a moderate shedder, so you need to brush the coat regularly. If you have your dog indoors, then you would need to invest in a high-quality vacuum to get rid of loose hairs on the floors, furniture, and other surfaces. Your dog may need regular baths depending on how dirty it gets, especially if it plays outside most of the time. A bath once a month is adequate to keep your dog clean. Training The Whippet German Shepherd mix is a pretty intelligent dog. On this note, your dog might have difficulty cooperating with you during training, as they like having the upper hand. The best approach would be to make the sessions short and quick to keep their attention span higher. The dog may be inclined to chase small animals, but the behavior can be tamed if appropriately handled. Like other dogs, your Whippet German Shepherd mix will respond well to positive reinforcement. During training, praise your dog and offer treats whenever it improves or picks up on a cue. Lastly, ensure you socialize your dog to help with behavior. Plan doggy dates with your friends or take your dog to the park to play with other dogs. You could also leave your dog in a doggy daycare to interact with other dogs and people too. Your Whippet German Shepherd dog will need active playtime and walks to stay healthy and happy. This mix is considered a high-energy dog; therefore, long walks, hikes, and park playtimes are advisable. Creating an exercise routine for your dog will help keep destructive behavior at bay, often resulting from built-up energy and lack of socialization. When your dog is tired from exercise, it is likely to behave better and rest better. Some of the health issues your Whippet German Shepherd may suffer from include: Bloating. They can usually be identified by their lean bodies no matter which parent they take after more. There are certain colors that may be present in their coats: Black ; gold Black ; red Sable Their coats will be on the short to medium side and they very rarely shed. This makes them a very easy dog to groom, which is great because these dogs love to play outside in the dirt. More On The Whippet German Shepherd Mix Whippets and German Shepherds have very different personality traits, and a Whippet German Shepherd could take on more traits from one parent or be an equal balance of both personalities. The German Shepard is a very dominant dog, and they are also incredibly smart. They are very courageous and have no problem scaring off anyone that presents a danger. On the other side of the gene pool, the Whippet dog is a lot more mellow. They are one of the least aggressive breeds of dogs and usually love to be around people. These are the dogs that can sit beside their human companions and listen to them chit-chat for hours. A lot of people find having a Whippet dog around very comforting. When listing out the traits that you would like your ideal dog to have, most people will find those both German Shepherds and Whippets present qualities they want. When these two breeds come together to breed, they bring the best of both worlds into one dog. The Whippet German Shepherd mix could have the temperament of either breed, but will likely have traits from both. They are incredibly smart guard dogs that show a lot of courage. The Whippet gene does usually take over and these dogs become loveable family dogs. However, one trait that many Whippet German Shepherd mixes carry from the German Shepherd side is nipping. This is because the German Shepard was originally bred for herding. They may start to nip when they are trying to get your attention. This is because the German Shepherd dog is full of energy and the Whippet is known for how speedy they are. Ideally, you should give a Whippet German Shepard mix at least 40 minutes of exercise each day. The best way to do this is to break it up into two separate sessions. They love a game that challenges their mind as well as their agility. They love a good game of fetch or tug-of-war. Switching up the games will keep them happy while staying healthy. Since they are a gentler breed, they can easily be entertained by playing with kids. Most Whippet German Shepherd mixes enjoy the company of kids. Whippet German Shepherd Mix: Training While these dogs are very well-behaved, they do have some bad habits such as nipping that should be corrected. Training should be started as early as possible with Whippet German Shepherd mix dogs. This will help curb some of the aggressive traits that they inherited from the German Shepherd. When you start training and socialising with these dogs when they are puppies, then they will likely be very obedient dogs. This will help ensure that your dog behaves in an affectionate manner, without taking their guard dog instincts away from them. The thing about Whippet German Shepherd mixes is that they are at their happiest when they have a task to do. You should always encourage them to exercise their physical and mental capabilities to the fullest. This goes back to the instincts of the Whippet dog because they were originally bred to chase rabbits and fish them out of their burrows. Once a Whippet German Shepherd mix is socialised and well adapted to their surroundings, they will be very loyal to their owners. What makes this dog perfect for most families is that they have the gentle nature of a Whippet and are very affectionate to those they love. However, they still hold the protective traits of a German Shepherd. You will need to make sure you begin training these dogs early to make sure they are on their best behavior. When you put the time into these dogs, they will easily become a part of the family. They are one of the most loyal types of dogs and enjoy being surrounded by people they love. Other Popular Posts. They are typically around 21 to 22 inches tall and weigh approximately 60 to 65 pounds. Coat The Whippet — German Shepherd mix can take on a number of appearances depending on the parent it takes after. Grooming While Whippets are short-coated with smooth hair, GSDs typically have medium-to-long hair with dense undercoats. The offspring of these two breeds could don either of the two coat types. The difficulty of grooming a GSD — Whippet cross would depend on what type of coat they inherit. If they take after the GSD, they will need more frequent baths and brushing. They will also shed throughout the year and blow their coats twice a year. On the other hand, their short coats will need very little maintenance if they take after the Whippet. Strength The Whippet might seem small and lanky, but its body is actually composed of lean muscle. Apart from body strength, these crosses can also inherit the considerable bite strength of their GSD parent. German Shepherds have an average bite force of psi. They are also incredibly agile. Nevertheless, they perform best in sprints with long rests in between. Generally, they thrive best when they get several vigorous exercise sessions per day. Three minute sessions of fetch or regular long walks should be enough. Exercise requirements can vary between each individual dog. Trainability Whippets are not as easily trained as German Shepherds. While GSDs are among the smartest and most obedient dog breeds, Whippets are more self-willed and not as intelligent. In fact, while GSDs rank as the 3rd most intelligent dog breed, Whippets rank at .Nevertheless, given ample time to form a strong bond and with enough determination from its handler, a Whippet — German Shepherd cross can be quite eager to please and can learn fairly quickly. These dogs can be affectionate with family and are patient with young children. With early socialization and proper introduction, they also get along with cats and other pets. Although the GSD — Whippet mix can be quite wary of strangers, they can become playful and sociable with guests once welcomed by the rest of the family. Nevertheless, they can still inherit the strong protective tendencies of their German Shepherd parent. Health The German Shepherd — Whippet mix is generally a healthy cross. They could, however, be just as prone to life-threatening bloat. However, this can be avoided through proper screening of breeding stock and keeping the dog at a normal weight. Additionally, these dogs can sometimes suffer from eye disorders and deafness. In fact, they typically live between 12 and 15 years. Ensuring proper nutrition and keeping them at a healthy weight could further contribute to their longevity. Because it is a cross between two purebreds, it does not have breed standards that can be used for conformation events. Through this program, both purebreds and mixed breeds come together and take part in events like Tracking, Obedience, and Rally. These crossbreeds are undeniably extraordinary dogs with many positively unique characteristics. However, most breeders prefer to keep their pedigrees pure not only because purebreds are more profitable but also because there are too many uncontrollable variables when trying to produce crosses. For these reasons, finding the offspring of a Whippet and a German Shepherd would be difficult. These rare crossbreeds are typically the result of accidental mating. They thrive best when they have a job to do and have access to some open space. If you believe you can meet their mental and physical needs, a Whippet-GSD would definitely be a wonderful companion. If you found this crossbreed fascinating, you might also be interested in the larger GSD-Greyhound mix. Or, check out how the German Shepherd mixes with several other breeds of all sizes. Many of the characteristics that pass on to mixed breed puppies can be dominated by one of the parents only. Consequently, a Whippet German Shepherd mix will likely be a medium to large dog. Whippets and German Shepherds are muscular dogs, but where the Whippet is lean, the Shepherd is stockier. Perhaps a mix of the two breeds will be somewhere in between. German Shepherds have a double coat of thick outer fur covering a soft undercoat, where Whippets have a single coat. German Whippets then will tend to have a thicker coat than its whippet parent that will require regular grooming. Join over others who've subscribed to my newsletter! No spam guarantee - I only send 1 newsletter each week. German Shepherds can also be coloured black, red and sable and these colours may also pass on to a mix. Purebred Whippets too have a range of coloration, such as brown, black, blue and white. They can also have a combination of colours as well as a variety of markings. Hence the colours of and markings of German Whippets might be equally varied. They can be a little highly strung given their strong prey drive, just like other members of the sighthound family. Additionally, German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, fearless and confident. They might also be very protective of their homes, as German Shepherds are. As with all dog breeds, German Whippets will benefit from early training, especially if you have you have children. Both Whippets and German Shepherds are know to be great family dogs, but puppy and obedience training will be essential to curb undesirable behaviours. Find out about how to socialise Whippets. Others disagree and suggest that unregulated designer dog breeding results in a greater chance that mixed breeds will be prone to more illness rather than less. Tia is a very special dog as for the frist 7 months of her life she was mistreated very badly. She was not let outside, had things thrown at her, way underfed and probably a lot of other things I don't know about or haven't worked out by her reactions. My partner and I have had Tia for a couple of months after Mandi, a lovely lady, rescued her from this terrible home but then could no longer keep her as she has such a bad back. When Mandi first got Tia, she was happy about leaving her old home behind but did not have a clue about right or wrong. She would mess inside, wouldn't walk on the lead and was scared of everything. Mandi did a brilliant job of housebreaking Tia, and used a crate. For 3 months Tia lived with a proper family. Because Tia pulled so much on the lead, Mandi had to find her another home. This was heartbreaking for her and her children. Mandi said she chose my advert from a site called Preloved because all I was looking for was another dog who needed a loving home as a companion for Shep. As we do not have children, I have lots of love, kisses and cuddles to give. We met Tia on a Saturday and she hit it off with me and Shep first time. Sunday we went back and brought her home and I have not regretted it! She is a bit of a handful, but given her first home, I feel lucky to have such a caring dog. She is as affectionate as Shep, and they love nothing more than playing together. I have taught Tia her left and right back and front paws, to look left and right at the road, to stop at the road, roll over, jump, dance, and also to talk. She does this at all hours! Shep knows all of these tricks too so you can imagine the fun.But I wouldn't change either of them for anyone! Tia has really come out of her shell, jumping and playing. I am slowly training Tia to heel, and although she is very clever in learning harder tricks, heeling is the hardest thing to teach her. She is still scared of things, some are silly like cups or cushions, or flies, but I think with all the love my partner and I can give her, she will become as settled as Shep is. They are both more like humans than dogs, and they love nothing better than to cuddle up in bed. I would like to ask that if people are looking for a new dog, to take in a rescued dog. They are a lot of hard work and need alot of patience, but everyone deserves a second chance. In the rescue centers they normally teach the dogs basic tricks. I've gone for the hard way, but I've learned so much that I would even think of doing it again once I move to a bigger house :.
Check them out on Amazon here. To learn more about what to feed your golden retriever puppy, check out this article here. Brush Golden retrievers are obviously very fluffy and need to be brushed often. Check this brush out on Amazon here. Check it out on Amazon here. Chew Toy Check it out on Chewy here he had the size small. Plush Toy This is a plush, squeaky toy that will keep your puppy busy for hours. Interactive Toy Interactive toys allow you to play and bond with your puppy, and are great for teaching or reinforcing commands like drop it, sit and stay. Bonus Items The above list is for the bare necessities of what your puppy will need to get started. Below are some extra things that, although are not necessary, have come in pretty handy. Food Storage Container This is great for keeping food fresh and in a convenient place. Since we get the pound bag of food, we get this container that holds 42 pounds of food. Note that this container does not come with a scooper, so we recommend one like this that has measurements on it. Check out the storage container on Amazon here. Exercise Pen Exercise pens are great for confining your puppy to a smaller area while giving them more space to run around in than a crate. Using a combination of baby gates, exercise pens, and the crate will help you keep them safe while also keeping them from chewing up the house. Get this baby gate from Amazon here. Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook Getting everything you need will help you physically prepare for your puppy, but you also need to mentally prepare for your puppy. This book will help you know exactly what to do before you bring your puppy home, how to handle the first month which is the toughest month! Get the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook here. That means get their crate set up, have their food and water bowls in their designated places, and have a few welcome home toys set out to help your new pup have a great experience in your home right away. Find a veterinarian. Locate the nearest emergency animal hospital. Find both the nearest hospital, and the nearest 24 hour hospital. Find a puppy kindergarten class. If you ask any trainer, breeder, or veterinarian how to have a well-behaved pup, nearly all of them will recommend joining a puppy kindergarten class. The socialization aspect alone is worth it. Puppy-proof your house and yard. Get down on your hands and knees to see what your puppy will be seeing remember this: whatever can be chewed will be chewed , and make sure there are no puppy-sized holes that they could escape through in your backyard. For more tips on how to raise your new golden retriever puppy, check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Life With Your Golden Retriever Puppy Although this might seem like a pretty big list, if you have it all when you bring your puppy home with you, it will make the transition time that much easier. Take lots of pictures and videos! Have a question about any of these items? Let us know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is getting a puppy and needs to see this list, please share this with them! Related articles:. You will receive a pound of food when you pick up your puppy so that you can transition to whatever food you choose. The most important things to keep in mind are choosing a kind labeled "Puppy Food" so that it has the nutrients your puppy needs to grow well. Also check to see if the first ingredient is meat-based or plant-based. Dogs digest meat-based foods more easily than plant-based. We recommend feeding your puppy 3 times per day. This helps the puppy maintain a steady metabolism as he grows rapidly. Smaller, more frequent meals also help with house training, since dogs naturally want to relieve themselves after eating. Once your puppy is about 6 months old, you can cut back to 2 feedings per day. Sometimes a puppy may not eat much the first week because of his new environment. This is normal. Give him time and his appetite will return. Vet Appointment: We recommend scheduling an appointment with your local vet within 1 week after your puppy arrives. We will give you a copy of your puppy's vaccination and deworming schedule to take to your vet. Your vet will be able to tell you which vaccines the puppy needs next and set up a monthly deworming schedule. Food bowl There are endless options of food and water bowls. In addition, the bowl can prevent gagging, choking, vomiting, indigestion, bloat, GDV, and malabsorption. If you already have a dog bowl, you can simply add a slow feeder insert. Water bowl Ellie has an 8-cup YETI water bow l to keep her water cold for more extended periods and a 4-cup bowl for food. YETI allows you to customize each bowl with a name, initials, or image. Great as a gift! They help prevent your puppy from getting tangled up in the leash and provide better control. Make sure you check out their sizing guide for the appropriate fit. We added a crate pad for noise reduction and comfort. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. It is essential that the dog crate is never used as punishment — the crate must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat. Gates Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. Use a gate to limit access to certain areas of your home and reduce unwanted chewing or house soiling. Introduce your dog to small sections of the house at a time. We prefer the walk-through gate for easy mobility through the house. Toys and Chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with various items to see what interests your puppy most. However, the last inch of a bully stick can be a choking hazard if swallowed. This safety device allows your pup to enjoy the benefits of long-term chews while reducing the risks of choking. I typically give it to her for 20 minutes, rinse it off, and store it in the refrigerator until the next day, which prevents bacteria growth. Note you probably want to keep it separate from your food. By Susan B. Barnes Susan B. Barnes is a lifestyle, food and travel journalist who is as comfortable bicycling through Italian olive groves and sampling fermented shark in Iceland as she is taking her dog on miles-long walks and hanging out at the dog park. Daily Paws' Editorial Guidelines Published on January 28, We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Though she's happy to snuggle and cuddle up with you, she's also an active dog who enjoys being outside, be that going on walks or hikes , to the dog park , or playing fetch in a fenced-in backyard. As a good dog parent, you want to be prepared for whatever adventures await the two of you, but taking a look at all of the products out there for dogs can be overwhelming. From the right collar, leash and harness setup to grooming needs, food bowls, road trip necessities, toys to burn off all that energy, plus a few goodies for the humans, this list has everything you need to take care of the most golden part of your life. Featuring a collar, leash, and waste bag dispenser, you'll be prepared for your walks and your golden will love all the compliments on how handsome she looks. This harness, with its padded chest and belly, is fully adjustable for a perfect fit with leash clips in the front and back. It comes in a variety of colors to coordinate with your dog's leash and collar, too. The adjustable height means the serving tray can grow with your golden, and the pads on the bottom prevent slipping while she eats and drinks. Place a mat under the bowls to catch any water droplets. The stainless steel bowls can be removed and popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Not only will she have to slow down to find the food, but she'll essentially work out a puzzle which keeps her mentally stimulated, too. Choose to purchase just the cover and fill it yourself with old pillows, towels, sheets, or clothes, or you can opt to purchase their eco-friendly fill made from plastic bottles or their memory foam insert. The extra-large size is recommended for full-grown goldens. Not only does the shampoo leave your pup fresh and clean, but it moisturizes and conditions so that after-bath brushings are tangle-free. It's terrific for dogs with sensitive skin, too. With a dense outer coat and thick undercoat, it can take some time to brush out all the layers, but this undercoat rake makes quick work of their luscious locks. One Chewy reviewer wrote that the medium-tooth rake was "so wonderful to get my two golden retrievers' undercoat combed out. Also, the gel grip is quite easy to hold on to. The non-slip handle works for both right- and left-handed users, and ensures you maintain control to avoid any mishaps. One reviewer says: "I stumbled across these supplements while trying to find some joint relief for my golden, Sandy. After only a week I already saw some improvement in her movement and she had an easier time getting up into and out of the car, which was becoming a struggle. Her coat is also looking healthier and she seems to be less itchy. Not only does this fleece-lined coat fit snugly for maximum warmth, but it's waterproof and has reflective strips to stay safe during nighttime walks and winter hikes. They can also help older dogs find traction on slippery floors. Tip: use the printable sizing guide to measure your dog's feet before ordering to ensure a perfect fit. And send us videos of your dog trying them for the first time! This seat cover is not only comfortable for your pup, but waterproof, too. When it's time to go, simply lay the cover over the seat, loop straps around the head rests, push the anchors in, and voila—you're ready to hit the road! One way to do that is to use a harness that doubles as a seat belt: simply attach the harness to the seatbelt using a carabiner, and you'll both be on your way safely and comfortably. Fill the bottle, twist on the top that doubles as a bowl, and when your golden's ready for a drink, squeeze the bottle and water will fill the bowl. Release, and the water disappears back into the bottle. Pop some treats in the holes, cover them up, and watch your pup work her magic to figure out the puzzle and find those tasty rewards. Just like a ball you use to play fetch , this one flies through the air but when she retrieves it, she'll spend some time figuring out how to get to her favorite treats inside. When your pup drops the ball into the top of the launcher, it'll throw it 10, 25, or 40 feet; choose the "random" setting to keep her guessing. Buy Now Change up your game of fetch with this fun Frisbee alternative. This flying squirrel is made of a double canvas material that is durable enough to withstand rough play, yet still agile to spin and tumble in the air, keeping your golden guessing and enticed in play. Shop now: Chuckit! The sturdy sole ensures you'll stay on your feet, and the bone-printed liner is a fun and unexpected treat. Embroidered on percent cotton canvas, and if it gets a little dirty, simply pop it into the washing machine, air dry, and it'll be back on your furniture in no time. The rubber backing prevents slipping when your guests wipe their paws before stepping inside. It's hilarious enough to be a favorite gift for any golden lover on your list, too! Perfect for the dog park, running errands, around the house, or really anywhere you please! The design can also be used on totes, hats, and more. However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both. Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Puppy Food Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too! Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident. Image Source Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Chase Toys Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines. So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime. Training Treats Food is a powerful reinforcer , so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy. Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house. Dog Shampoo and Conditioner The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris. Pooper Scooper and Poop Bags A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. In the Home: Image Source Keep the toilet lid closed. Believe it or not, open toilet lids have the potential to be drowning hazards. Secure medicine and cleaning products. Keep these products high up or use childproof locks and latches on lower cabinets. Garbage should be kept lidded and secure. Lidded, secured bins are the best type of garbage cans you can have with a young puppy. Not only do you want to avoid spilled garbage, but a locked lid will prevent your puppy from getting into any potential hazards. Hide electrical cords and blind cords. Exposed electrical cords and long blind cords can prove to be fatal for curious puppies. Keep electrical cords hidden away, buy cord wraps to keep them safely covered, and be sure that your blind cords are tied high and inaccessible. Invest in a pet or baby gate. Gates can be used for doorways or staircases to keep your puppy away from certain areas of the house. In the Backyard: Be careful of plants and landscaping that may be poisonous or dangerous. Many plants are toxic to dogs , so be sure to triple-check if any are growing in your yard. Secure your yard with fencing and add gates around bodies of water. If you plan to let your puppy roam freely in your backyard, you should have complete fencing with no puppy-sized gaps around the perimeter of the property. If you have any ponds or pools, block them off with appropriate fencing to avoid accidental drowning. Keep your yard landscaped and manicured. Long grass and brushy areas can invite ticks, which can be extremely dangerous if any potential bites are not discovered early on. Generally speaking, your grass should not be higher than a couple of inches and potentially even shorter while your puppy is still young. In the Car: Image Source Move any chewable items and lock loose items in the glovebox. Confine your puppy in one area of the vehicle, like the backseat. Keeping your puppy confined to one area of the car is safe for everyone. Many puppy parents choose harness seat belts and car seats for younger dogs, while older dogs are big enough to safely sit in the back seat or trunk with cargo barriers. As your Golden Retriever gets older, you may find yourself opting for different barrier methods that will better suit his size. Kennel your puppy while in the car. Crating your puppy is the safest mode of transportation while in the car. Deciding on a Daily Routine Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues , like separation anxiety and barking or whining. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include: Feeding: Pick out regular meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Golden Retriever puppies will need three daily feedings until they are six months old. After that, stick to feeding twice a day at the same time each day. Fixed meal times will help you predict when your puppy needs to potty each day, which better ensures easier potty training. Scheduled potty breaks: Take your puppy out to the yard or on a walk to potty immediately after a meal and after they wake up to enforce a schedule that will help with house training. Playtime and exercise: Playing and mental stimulation are key to a happy puppyhood. Even though they will mellow out in personality as they become adults, Retriever puppies are high energy! Place the dog crate in a quiet part of the house since we kennel train at Snowy Pines, and it helps ensure their safety and comfort. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home! But now what? Puppy Socialization Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations. You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp. Training Techniques Training is just as essential as early socialization. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence. Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys. Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and minute training sessions each day. Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals. While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role! Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months. Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run. At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped! Read the full disclosure here. This comprehensive list covers all the essentials, plus some added extras. Food: Every dog needs food! See our puppy food guide for recommendations. Bowls: Your puppy is going to need something to eat that food from. Something to think about. Bedding: Your pup will need a comfortable bed to call their own. You can decide whether to choose a puppy-sized one or one that they can grown into. To avoid buying more than one crate, you can get one big enough to fit your adult golden and make it puppy-sized using dividers. Brushes: Get your puppy some brushes suitable for a longer-coated dog. The sooner you get pup used to being brushed, the easier it will be in the future. Toothbrush and toothpaste: These are daily essentials in your grooming routine. Be sure to choose a dog-specific toothpaste as the human stuff can be dangerous to canines. Treats: Essential for training. Pick high-value treats for when you really want to motivate your pup. Chew toys are essential to help direct chewing away from your belongings. Tug toys, balls to play fetch and treat-dispensing toys are also nice to have. Travel harness or dog guard: To keep your dog safe in the car. These are the main things you need to think about when puppy proofing your home. Put them up high or away in their proper place. Not only will it leave you out of pocket if your pup chews something expensive, many such items are also choking hazards. Be careful of plants: Make sure you remove any plants that are poisonous to dogs , both in your house and your garden. Common offenders include foxglove, wisteria and yew. Secure medicines and cleaning products: Both medicines and cleaning products can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested. Hide electrical cords: If a puppy sinks their teeth into an electrical cord, it can prove fatal. Try not to have electrical cords running across the room or out in the open where your puppy can get to them. If needs be, you can get cord concealers, cord wraps or even pvc pipes to secure them. Planning Appropriate Puppy Socialization Socialization, with both humans and other dogs plus other animals, if your new puppy is going to be around them , is one of the most important things to think about with your new puppy. A well-socialized puppy should turn into an adult dog who interacts well with all dogs and people, which makes your life so much easier as a dog-owner. It might sound a bit over the top, but it will stop your pup from getting confused or overstimulated and it sets some ground rules for the humans involved, too. Pick out regular meal times for your puppy and try to stick to them as closely as possible. Also take your puppy out into the garden on a schedule, as this will really help with toilet training. You can also schedule in training sessions, play sessions and, when your puppy is old enough, their daily walks. Learning How To Train Your Puppy You might think that training your new dog will be intuitive when you get them home, but dog training is a skill you learn, not one you just pick up as you go along. Once your puppy is old enough, group puppy training classes are an excellent idea. Not only will you learn more about training your pup, your dog will also get to socialize with other young canines. The ideal option is to have the puppy in the back seat in a car harness and have a passenger sit next to them, who can hold, pet and comfort them on the journey home. Some people forgo the harness altogether and have a passenger simply hold the puppy, wrapped in a blanket or towel. However, before you even get your puppy into the car, you should try to get them to relieve themself first , to avoid any toilet-based accidents on the journey home. Once you get your precious pup home, all that effort and preparation will have been worth it to give your new four-legged friend the best start in life. You May Also Like. We use the 8mm size for our dogs. Alvalley is a high quality brand for all lengths. For an adult dog, use an 8 mm or larger. For a young puppy, an 8 mm leash works fine, but I prefer the smaller 6 mm Alvalley Snap Lead one for ease of use when working at home. This size fits easily into the outside pocket of a treat bag. If going for a walk, use a more substantial leash such as the 8 mm Alvalley leash. For at-home use, a 6 mm collar is fine. I like to attach a snap lead permanently to a martingale collar for ease of use. The collar and leash can easily be slipped off and on as needed. Puppies and even some dogs like to chew the plastic ones. At 10 weeks of age, we are using very small bowls for ease of use during training. Golden Retrievers tend to act like they are starving and eat too fast, even at their correct weight. These bowls slow them down so that they will come closer to chewing their food than inhaling it. I like to use buckets instead of bowls for water. Puppies love to dig in their water which makes a mess out of it. Hang the bucket on the outside of the crate by the handle that is on the bucket. Then attach the clip for security by using only one side of the clip to attach the handle to the crate. Leave the other end of the clip just hanging. Never put water inside a crate with a dog. I recommend the 2-quart size for one or two big dogs. This size is also a good size for a puppy. I use two snaps to stabilize the bucket. Though wire crates usually have a divider so that you can size the crate down, we recommend that you go ahead and purchase a 24 inch wire crate along with the correct size for your dog when he is grown. Most puppies can use the 24 inch crates for about 2 months after they are weeks of age. It is also helpful to have a smaller crate when traveling. If you want this option with a Summer Brook puppy, you can have a small icrate shipped to our home address for you to pick up when you get here. The best size crate for adult girls is a 36X24X27 inch wire crate. For an adult boy, use either a 42X28X30 or 36X24X27 inch wire crate. We prefer wire crates in most cases because they give more ventilation and Golden Retrievers like it to be cool. Midwest Life Stages : These are heavy duty and come in both double or single door options. I prefer the crate with the double door because you will have the opportunity to use it turned sideways with the entrance on the side as well as the end. The Icrates are also two inches shorter and two inches narrower than the Life Stages crate. They are larger at the bottom than the top so they fit better in the back of an SUV or van. They are crash tested and have excellent safety records. These crates are a bit difficult to set up and take down so we only recommend them for those that want a crate that stays in a vehicle most of the time. They are perfect for families that take their dogs with them a lot and want a somewhat permanent fixture in their vehicle. This crate is very lightweight and sets up and folds down quickly and easily. We love these crates for motels and dog shows. Wood Crate Denhaus Townhaus : I recommend this crate if looks are important to you. This crate looks just like a nice end table. Though it was expensive, mine has held up well for several years. Crate Pad Primo Pads: These are my favorite crate pads. They are made of a heavy-duty vinyl and I have yet to have a dog chew one up. The vinyl is cool so that my dogs like them even in the summer. They come in a big variety of sizes so that they will fit your crate like a glove. These pads are not sold anywhere except from the manufacturer. Order your Primo Pads here. This is a raised cot-like bed that is cool and comfortable. There is a new Kuranda Bed that we have not tried ourselves but it looks amazing. It is a raised cot like the aluminum bed that we have loved for years but it is sized to fit perfectly into a crate! We have purchased both the aluminum as well as the less-expensive PVC Kuranda beds. Our aluminum beds still look brand new but our PVC beds are starting to warp a little after a few years. We like the Ballistic Nylon fabric which has held up for us for several years. The large is the correct size for both boy and girl Goldens. We have two of them and they are as comfortable as many human beds. We have the extra-large size but a large would be plenty big enough for a girl. At first, your puppy will have to be watched almost every minute when they are out of the crate or pen in order to establish good potty habits and also to teach them not to chew. Until you teach them otherwise, some puppies will try to chew everything, including the furniture and even the woodwork on the walls so I have found the pen to be a huge help. If you get a pen, you need to begin training your puppy not to jump on the sides right away. Never pet your puppy or let him out while he is jumping. Reward him for sitting. They open and close easily and in both directions. The Richell Pens look really super nice. They also can be set up as room dividers. We own at least a dozen sets of these pens and have used them in a large number of configurations. However, like most exercise pens, many puppies will eventually learn to climb or jump out of them. Families must be on top of training their puppy not to jump on the sides. Unlike the Richell pen, most, if not all pens have doors that open in only one direction. If you get one of these pens, set your pen up so that the door opens to the outside. If you are getting your puppy from a breeder other than Summer Brook, plastic pens are a good option for a 7 to 10 week old puppy. It is easier to house train if you start off not allowing your puppy in too large of an area. It also has the added convenience of being able to be easily removed by simply pushing a button that locks it in place. However, this gate must be mounted to the wall. Baby Gates that are Mobile Regalo Extra WideSpan Walkthrough Safety Gate : This gate can span a space inches For a pressure-mounted gate, the Regalo gates do very well and are a good simple solution if you only want a gate for a few months until your puppy is house-trained and can be given the full run of the house. However, understand that many puppies cannot be totally trusted in large areas until they are over 6 months of age. It takes some until they are close to a year. Doggy Door Why to Use a Doggy Door If you are able to put a doggy door in, this is by far the easiest way to house-train a puppy. Also, it provides an ideal way to leave a dog when they have to be alone. I teach our puppies to use a doggy door before they go home. In the last days before they go home, I section off a small area inside next to our kitchen with free access to a doggy door that leads to our side yard. When I keep a puppy past 8 weeks, I gradually increase the size area of the indoor area as they show dependability. I reserve the times when they are free in the house to the 30 minutes right after they have pottied. We highly recommend it. If you have a particularly aggressive chewer then I would buy the Extreme Kong but if your dog is average then I would use a Classic Kong. Bob-a-lot : You can fill this toy with a lot of food; the dog has to work at getting the food out by pushing it around. JW Pet has other great toys too. If you have a particularly aggressive chewer then I would buy the Extreme Kong but if your dog is an average chewer then I would use a Classic Kong. Puppies love them and they keep our puppies happy in their crates. Toys for Month Old Puppies.
About Us Experienced Breeders We have been successfully breeding quality labs since .It all began as a hobby for my oldest son that has grown to a small family business. Happy, Healthy Bloodline We live on a acre farm with 3 large ponds. This picture to the right is Samson. He was our first Charcoal Lab that produced several beautiful puppies. Our number one concern is producing great family pets. We have also produced some great hunting stock as well as service dogs in the past. A Furever Friend Labrador Retrievers are the best big dogs for the average family. This is a past silver puppy. This is Roxy's first litter. More info coming soon.See Available Puppies page for more info 6. See Available Puppies page for more info 5. See Available Puppies page 5. See Available puppies page 3. See Available puppies for more info 2. See Available puppies for more info 1. They were both born the first week of Jan .See Available Puppies for more info 5. See Available puppies for more info 5. See Available puppies for more info 4. Pics coming soon 2. Pics coming soon.See Available Adults page for more info 2. See Upcoming litters for more info 1. See Upcoming Litters for more info 1. See Available puppies for more info .See Upcoming Litter for more info .See Available puppies for mor info .See Available Puppies for more info .See Upcoming Litters for more info .See Upcoming Litters for mere info .See Available Adults for more info .This will be a chocolate litter .See Upcoming Litters for more info 9. See Upcoming Litters for more info 8. See Upcoming Litters for more info 6. See Available Puppies for more info 6. See Upcoming Litters for more info 4. This has been in the works for a few years now 2. More info to come soon.See Available Puppies for the latest info .Her name is Layla pics coming soon .See Upcoming Litters for the latest info 9. See Upcoming Litters for more info.See available puppies for the latest info.He is just a puppy now, but he will grow fast! See Available Puppies for more info. We tragically lost Hercules. See Available puppies page for more info 6. See Upcoming Litters page 6. See Upcoming Litters page 4. See Available puppies page for more info. Hoping to replace her in .See available puppies page. We are seeing awesome results! Please let us know what you think! See Upcoming Litters for more info. These breedings didn't take! She had one yellow puppy. She will be having a litter of puppies in November. Sign Up For Updates Be the first to hear about new litters, availability, and helpful pet advice. Email Address. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Here, we highlighted six of the best Labrador Retriever breeders in the state. Keep in mind that before purchasing a puppy, you need to do your homework and visit the breeder. But this list should get you on the right track! The 6 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Kentucky 1. The breeder also offers breeding rights for an additional fee. They have multiple breeding couples, giving customers a wide array of color options to choose from. High-quality purebred Labrador Retrievers are exactly what you get with Kentucky Labs. Just keep in mind that you should still visit the breeder in person before sending any money! Lincoln Park Labs also offers a month guarantee for hip dysplasia. All their Labs are AKC registered and get health clearances before breeding. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. Labrador Retrievers For Sale in Kentucky Our Labs can be found across the country in forty 40 states from the great Southwest to historic New England, from frigid Alaska to the great state of Kentucky. Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we have delivered more than 8, world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily deliver our guaranteed Labs to your location in the state of Kentucky. For details, Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .They were born less than one hundred miles and one year apart. State Flower: Goldenrod. Davis Lakeside Labradors is the best Labrador Breeder in the Paducah locale known for the care they take in selecting top purebred bloodlines. Their farm is located on the border of Lake Barley in western Kentucky. Davis Lakeside Labradors have temperature-controlled kennels and a acre play or training area including a swimming pool. The latest litter includes silver, charcoal black, and chocolate labs, registered with the AKC, vet checked, and guaranteed for long-term genetic health. Like most qualified breeders, Davis ensures that the lab puppies for sale have been raised as per the AKC guidelines and given appropriate claw treatment, vaccinations, and other medical therapies to create strong puppies that are fit for hunting journeys. West KY is a massive labrador enterprise with a acre farm and over 15 years of experience as a breeder. It is one of the few breeding services that offer chocolate, champagne, silver, charcoal black, white, and fox red lab puppies in Kentucky. Some breeders engage in malpractice in order to get the best colors. However, West KY Labs is a dedicated quality breeder that only sources new colors from pure, natural, and certified bloodlines. All the puppies are AKC-certified, vaccinated, and come with both a health guarantee and continued support from the breeder for all matters. All the puppies sold are registered with the AKC at no additional charge. Your puppy undergoes vaccination, deworming, microchipping, and potty-training before you take it home. According to customer testimonials, they have produced some of the most beautiful-looking, well-socialized healthy Labs and safely delivered them all across America. In addition to high-quality Lab puppies, Grandview also offers stud services if you want to breed your female Labrador with a healthy, top-of-the-line male. Come and join our family! Our experience in raising and breeding these dogs is extensive and dedicated, as we always work to ensure that each and every puppy is shown the care they deserve from birth. Our Purpose Lincoln Park Labs is committed to providing families throughout the Kentucky area with an excellent, top-quality Lab of their choosing. In truth, however, we are only able to accomplish such a feat because Lincoln Park Labs focuses on breeding responsibly and paying the utmost attention to the health and temperament of our Lab puppies. This is because Lincoln Park Labs makes it a point to care about the disposition of our puppies before anything else. Ultimately, Lincoln Park Labs strives to ensure that all of our puppies are placed in good, loving homes. With that being said, we reserve the right to only provide white English Lab puppies to committed and responsible dog owners. Our conscience is clear when knowing our puppies are safe and happy with families that love them-yours being one of them. Thank you. Send us a message.
Pugs require attention, but should also have a space of their own in which they feel comfortable when you are not home or are otherwise occupied. Provide your pug with an area of its own including a bed and blankets, some toys, and easy access to food and fresh water. This way, even if you cannot pay attention to your pug for a moment, they do not feel alone. Remember that pugs are sensitive to very hot temperatures and rapid temperature changes. Avoid setting up their space in areas with continued direct sunlight or near heating and cooling vents. Pugs are prone to nervousness and anxiety. You can help them calm down by being consistent in your daily routine. This means scheduling feeding times, walks, play times, and quiet times as close to the same time every day as possible. Because of this, it is important to schedule a vet check as soon as you bring your new pug home. It is important for your pug to be seen by a veterinarian regularly so that it can get preventative veterinary care. A bi-annual check up will ensure that your dog stays up to date on immunizations, preventative medications, and that any emerging health problems can be dealt with quickly. Younger pugs may need to see the vet more often until they are spayed or neutered and have completed their first course of shots. Your vet will help you work out a preventative care schedule for things like annual shots, heartworm treatments, parasite elimination, vaccinations, microchipping, and teeth cleanings, all of which are important parts of keeping your pug healthy. This is especially important if you have children in the house. Teach your children how to recognize when your dog is anxious or fearful, so that they know when to back off. Pug puppies are cute and cuddly, but they require a lot of care and attention. In this article are some tips for taking care of your pug puppy: Give your pug puppy plenty of love and attention. Feed your pug puppy a healthy diet. Exercise your pug puppy regularly. Train your pug puppy to obey basic commands. Pug puppies are energetic and playful, but they also require a lot of care. Here are a few tips on how to take care of a Pug puppy: Provide plenty of toys and chew toys to keep the Pug puppy entertained. Feed them a high-quality diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits. Take them for regular walks and exercise. Brush their coat regularly to remove dirt and loose hair. Trim their nails regularly to prevent them from getting injured. Here are the detailed explanations for taking care of your pug puppy: 1. A crate will be essential for both housebreaking and exercising your pup. Feed your pup a high-quality diet Pug puppies are adorable, but they require a lot of care and attention. One important aspect of taking care of your pug puppy is feeding them a high-quality diet. Look for a food that is specifically formulated for pug puppies, and avoid brands that contain fillers or artificial ingredients. They should have three meals per day until they are six months old, and then you can switch to two meals per day. Make sure to have fresh water available at all times. With a little bit of care and attention, your pug puppy will thrive. Give them the best start in life by feeding them a high-quality diet! Start by getting a soft-bristled toothbrush specifically designed for dogs. You can also use a finger toothbrush or gauze wrapped around your finger. Put some doggy toothpaste on the brush and let your pup lick it off to get them used to the taste and sensation. Then, gently lift their lips and start brushing in a circular motion along their gum line. Be sure to get the back teeth too! Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Give your pup plenty of physical activity Pug puppies are full of energy and need plenty of exercises to stay healthy and happy. A good way to provide them with exercise is to take them on walks or runs around the block. You can also play fetch with them in your backyard. Just be sure to keep an eye on them, as they can get overexcited and runoff. Be patient with your pup Pug puppies are adorable, but they can also be a handful. Here are some tips for taking care of your pug puppy: -Create a routine for your puppy and stick to it as much as possible. This will help them feel secure and learn what is expected of them. This means setting rules and sticking to them, providing positive reinforcement when they behave well, and being consistent with the commands you use. If you are inconsistent, your puppy will get confused and will not learn as effectively. So make sure you are on the same page as everyone else in your household, and that you are all using the same commands and following the same rules. Make sure to take your pup to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations. Keep an eye out for signs of illness, and be sure to report any concerns to your veterinarian. Feed your pug a high-quality diet appropriate for their age and activity level. Avoid giving them table scraps or letting them beg at the dinner table. Make sure your pug has plenty of fresh water available at all times. Invest in a water fountain or water dispenser specifically for your pug, and clean it regularly. Pugs shed a lot, so regular grooming is important. Brush their coat daily with a soft brush, and bathe them monthly with a mild dog shampoo. Trim their nails regularly, and brush their teeth daily with dog-specific toothpaste. Spend some time playing with your pup and observing their behavior. Do they seem to prefer cuddling or running around? Do they like being left alone or do they enjoy company? Expect your pup to make mistakes No matter how well you train your pug puppy, they will make mistakes. Be sure to spend plenty of time playing with your pup and giving them belly rubs. Here are some things to keep in mind when adopting a Pug: -Pugs are intelligent and playful dogs. They require plenty of exercise and playtime and need someone who is patient and can provide enough stimulation for them. Consider adopting a Pug in a quieter area of the city or suburbs. Provide plenty of toys and chew toys to keep your pup entertained. Reward good behavior with treats and praise. Help your puppy learn basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, and come. Regularly take your puppy for walks and playtime to keep them exercised and stimulated. Be prepared to deal with potty accidents and teach your pup how to use the litter box. Be patient with your pup and allow them to develop at their own pace. Have fun with your pup and make sure to bond with them! Read More. They will want to be with you. Have a crate or bed next to your bed for at least the first few weeks while you get them into a Puppy night-time routine. Here is how to get a puppy to sleep through the night. Alone Training Teaching your Pug puppy that they can be totally fine being left alone can be done with stuffed chew toys, time and patience. Remember to do it slowly to avoid any stress! Toilet Training Training Practically every website you read may tell you that Toilet training your Pug puppy can be a challenge. As with alone training, start sooner rather than later. Of course, if they run into any birds, butterflies and hear planes flying over, it will be great for them to get acquainted already. Have fun gathering surfaces with different textures for them to explore, like synthetic grass, tiles, and soil. Use treats! Remember to use lots of treats and praise when training. They love making your tail wag! Repeat their name to them a lot in the first week, so it really starts to click. Recall — How to teach your Pug puppy to come back when called — This is important for safety. Pugs generally stay close, but they can be very friendly and want to run up to people and other dogs for a bit of a cuddle, so a good recall will always help. But they can enjoy fetch games on a smaller scale, get on the floor and interact and play with your Pug puppy to learn what they enjoy. This will help to avoid resource guarding. Husbandry Tasks Pugs love affection but should be handled with care. Be mindful to not treat them like toys. Not going to blame children to think they are toys though — the resemblance is uncanny. To do this we want to teach them that hands will do nice things to them so use plenty of treats when handling your puppy. Week 2 — Training your Pug puppy Week 2 already! But, owning a Pug does come with some challenges. Since Pugs are prone to carrying excess weight, this brings in the care elements of both eating a healthy diet and following an appropriate exercise schedule; though this can be tricky, since Pugs must be exercised with care in regard to both duration and intensity. Pugs have thick coats of fur with heavy shedding, lots of wrinkles that need to stay clean, and are generally prone to skin sensitivities. This all requires proper grooming and upkeep. Aside from this, is the general care that applies to every dog. While many owners do this as part of the excitement and preparation of bringing a new pup into the household, this is something that should be done on a regular basis throughout your Pug's life. This can lead to accidentally swallowing things, toxic poisoning, or choking. Proofing the house involves removing small items from the floor, placing cords out of reach or wrapping them in cord protectors, finding new places for shoes and other objects that may be chewed, and placing child-proof locks on any lower cabinets that a Pug may be able to access. The Pug is prone to skin yeast infections, eye issues, and is a heavy shedder, so this a breed that requires lots of grooming. It is best to stick to a schedule in regard to these care tasks. Baths - Bathe you Pug once every 3 weeks, even if your puppy or dog does not appear to be dirty. This will help prevent bad odors , keep skin properly moisturized, and loosen dead hairs from the coat. Young pups can be given a bath in the kitchen sink and older adults can be placed in the bathtub. Because the Pug has sensitive skin, use a shampoo that has a pH between 6. A terrific shampoo to use on Pugs is Earthbath Shampoo which has plant-based cleansers and no additives. The Oatmeal and Aloe formula is ideal for just about Pug since it works to keep skin in great shape. Don't forget about a wash-out conditioner. Hair cuticles open during the shampooing process and a conditioner smooths them down. Eye maintenance - Pug's eyes are large and slightly bulging which means they are prone to picking up debris that can irritate the eyes or scratch the cornea. Small food particles are a top culprit. Keep the eye area clean by wiping it at least once a day and as often as after each meal. For this, you can use the same type of wipe that you have for your Pug's wrinkles see next tip. Wrinkle maintenance - Pugs have lots of deep wrinkles on their head and face making these areas prone to skin infection, so attention must be given to keep these folds clean and dry. Wipe the wrinkles at least once a day, and up to 3 times a day by opening each fold and wiping it with a grooming wipe. If you are looking for a good grooming wipe, Earthbath All-Natural Grooming Wipes are excellent for cleaning wrinkles, wiping the eye area, and to spot-clean a Pug in between baths. Brushing - Pugs are heavy shedders, a lot of the dead hairs will stay lodged in the coat and some will fall to the floor. So, even if you do not notice much shedding, it's important to brush your Pug on a regular basis. Young puppies can be brushed once a week, but adult Pugs should be brushed at least every other day and as often as once per day. Use a tool that will reach down through this breed's thick coat and pull out all the loose and dead fur. While you may be envisioning using a brush, a grooming glove like the Delomo Pet Grooming Glove works very well on a Pug's dense coat. This has over grooming tips that latch onto dead hairs and debris. Pugs are a brachycephalic breed that is very prone to breathing issues. Using a collar when on leash, which places pressure on the trachea, is near guaranteed to exacerbate this. So, part of caring for a Pug involves using accessories that do not impede breathing. For this reason, a harness should be used any time a Pug is on a leash. Harnesses displace tension over the shoulders, back, and chest, leaving the neck free. This is a step-in design just the front legs are placed through the holes, so nothing has to slip over the head , there is an easy-close adjustable Velcro flap on the back, and it is made with air-mesh to keep a Pug cool and comfortable. What you choose to feed your Pug will have both short and long-term consequences, affecting everything from weight maintenance to allergies to intestinal health. Pugs do best with a dry kibble as opposed to a wet canned food; a dry formula tends to keep stools firm and is better for the teeth. Puppies should be fed 3 times a day and this can transition over to twice per day at the 9-month mark. Several dry snacks should be given in between meals and moist treats can be given to reward good behavior such as house training and obeying commands. This breed generally has a very hearty appetite and this, along with their intolerance for extended exercise, makes it easy to gain excess weight. Pugs also tend to have sensitive stomachs and are prone to skin reactions from food additives. Therefore, aim to provide all-natural foods that have no chemical preservatives, no artificial flavoring or dyes, and no by-products, high grain counts, generic meats or oils, corn, soy, or other cheap fillers. If you are not sure what rating your Pug's current dog food has, a good place to check this is Dog Food Advisor which rates the quality of hundreds of brands. And, if you are looking for a good kibble, one recommended brand is Wellness Complete for Small Breeds. For snacks and training treats, Wellness offers several good choices in their line, and if you have an adult Pug and you are working on helping them keep off excess pounds, a good low-calorie option is Fruitables Skinny Minis Dog Treats. Pugs need to drink 1. The tap water in many regions of the US, the UK, Canada and other countries is either outright unsafe or improperly monitored. A number of studies have found drugs in tap water including contraceptive medications, Prozac, Naproxen, Ibuprofen and even illegal drugs; these contain fine particles that are not caught by municipal filtration systems. Other toxins include Chromium-6 a known carcinogen , fluoride which is toxic to canines , chlorite which can cause central nervous problems and HCB which can cause can cause liver disease and skin lesions. And, heavy metals are also an issue. So, for this care tip you can offer bottled spring water, a filtering device that connects your kitchen tap, or a more portable device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher. Pugs are prone to bloat, a dangerous and potentially fatal twisting of the stomach. Raised bowls are a contributing factor, as well as eating or drinking too fast or too close to a bout of exercise. For this reason, place food and water in floor-level bowls. If your Pug tends to gulp down his food or water quickly, use a slow-feeder bowl. After eating a meal, do not take your Pug out for exercise for at least one hour. Another element to consider is that stainless-steel bowls are recommended since plastic bowls can cause allergic reactions to either the material itself or to dyes and tend to more easily harbor bacteria, fits the requirements of both height and material. When saliva and tiny food particles mix into water, this creates a slimy film in the dish, which can lead to a dog avoiding it. With food bowls, caked on food can lead to a buildup of bacteria and even mold. Make it a habit to wash both of your Pug's dishes with hot water and soap every day. Since dogs can be very protective of their bowls, a good time to do this is in the evening, after dinner or once your Pug has gone to sleep. Despite their reputation for being lazy, Pugs can have a good amount of energy. And, you'll want to meet this by keeping your Pug moving along, for several reasons: Exercise plays an important role in a Pug's physical health; it's good for the heart and lungs, regulates metabolism, helps maintain proper muscle composition, boosts the immune system, and can keep certain diseases at bay including canine diabetes and even some forms of cancer. Exercise also plays a vital role in a dog's mental health; it allows a dog to release any restlessness that bottles up and allows for desensitization and socialization to all outside elements. At the same time, too much exertion in either duration or intensity can lead to breathing difficulties or overheating for this brachycephalic breed. So, the goal for this care element is to exercise your Pug on a regular basis while keeping in mind your dog's limitations. Pugs do best with at least two walks per day. Each session should last a minimum of 20 minutes, but can extend to 45 minutes or even longer if your Pug is game. Breaks should be taken at the halfway mark of a short walk, every 15 to 20 minutes for a longer walk, or any time that a Pug is breathing noticeably heavier than normal. Bring your Pug into the shade and offer fresh water, ensuring that breathing is back to normal before starting up again. Light to moderate cardio sessions can also be added in, with a rousing game of fetch being the easiest to play and one that most dogs love. Pugs are sensitive to seasonal changes in temperature and some care elements will need to be adjusted. Summer - Hot humid weather makes summertime care a bit tricky with Pugs. Breathing issues are more pronounced and it's more difficult to keep a Pug active. It can help to take your little guy or gal for walks in the early morning and then later in the evening, avoiding the hottest parts of the day. You can help your Pug stay cool by offering lots of water and refreshing treats like frozen blueberries or raspberries. Stay aware of hot walking surfaces which can cause burns to a dog's paws. Take routes in the shade when possible and use a paw wax to offer a layer of protection. Another helpful care tip is to give your Pug a cooling mat to rest on. The Green Pet Shop Self-Cooling Pet Pad works by drawing excess heat away from the body, is self-activating you don't have to plug it in , and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Winter - Plunging temperatures and slippery weather conditions can make wintertime care a bit challenging as well. Fortunately, Pugs have thick coats which help them stay warm in the winter, but never-the-less, many don't like to go out when it's snowy and cold. And, even with dense fur, dogs that are outside for too long, particularly when it's below freezing, are vulnerable to developing hypothermia. So, continue to take your Pug out for their regular exercise sessions, but limit this on days with heavy winter precipitation or below-freezing temperatures. Another aspect to keep in mind is that arid winter air can lead to issues with dry skin. Be sure you are using a hydrating shampoo see care tip 2: Baths and apply a paw wax every two weeks to offer better traction and keep the paw pads in good shape. The Pug is prone to certain issues related to the joints, bones, and ligaments including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and Legg-Calve-Perthes. In addition to this, all dogs age 8-years and up suffer from some level of osteoarthritis and this is more common with breeds that have the aforementioned issues. For this reason, supplying your Pug with a quality bed to rest and sleep on that provides good cushioning and proper support for the body is vital. This should be an appropriately sized orthopedic memory foam bed with at least a 2-inch base. Either a flat mattress or a bolster bed will work and sometimes dogs do have a preference. Because Pugs tend to snore and may have other sleep-related breathing issues, like sleep apnea, being able to place their head on a bolstered cushion which helps extend the neck can be helpful. This also has a non-slip backing and the cover is machine-washable. There are lots of effective toys that can help your Pug in a number of ways and it's always better to have just a few that do their job than a ton that are ignored. Teething puppies need teething toys that help them scratch their itchy gums and soothe the discomfort of erupting teeth. Pugs of all ages that enjoy chewing should be given durable chew toys that they find pleasant to use, as opposed to looking to non-toy items in the house. Pugs that are home alone and suffer from separation anxiety can be helped with interactive toys that respond to them and a companion toy that helps ease feelings of isolation. Toys breeds and brachycephalic breeds are both prone to tooth decay, so that means that if you have a Pug you need to pay particular attention to keeping your dog's teeth clean and healthy. A build up of plaque, which eats away at tooth enamel and can travel under the gum line, can lead to terribly painful infections, tooth loss and more. Taking care of your Pug's teeth includes brushing the teeth with a quality canine toothbrush and effective canine toothpaste, or using a spray if your Pug is intolerant to brushings, and offering daily dental treats like GREENIES Dental Chews. Note that this applies to puppies as well, since decay on milk teeth can affect adult teeth that are waiting to emerge. Pugs should have their teeth examined by the veterinarian at least once a year during their wellness checks. An x-ray may be taken to look for any decay and if there is plaque or tartar present, this may require a 'full dental' which involves scraping the teeth clean. This is done with a dog under light sedation. Trauma is one of the leading causes of death for all puppies, the Pug breed included, and is a top concern for Pugs of all ages. Many instances of severe injury and death can be prevented by following some simple care tips: If your Pug has trouble navigating stairs most applicable to puppies and seniors , block these off with a gate. When outside, never allow your Pug to be off leash. Never allow your Pug to be in the yard unsupervised. If you have a puppy, do not allow anyone to handle him unless they have been shown proper handling techniques, which includes using both hands, one under the rump and one supporting the chest. Have young children stay on floor level to play with your Pug. Always be aware of where you are walking, especially at night, so that your puppy or dog is not accidentally stepped on or tripped over. If your Pug will be a passenger in your car, use a safe canine car seat or a canine belt restraint. These yearly for dogs age 1 and up or twice-per-year typically starting at age 8 visits are crucial for good health, prevention, and the best possible prognosis, should any issues be detected. The vet will perform a full physical examination to check for issues seen with canines in general and health issues specific to the Pug breed. Vitals will be taken temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and your Pug will be weighed. The head will be checked eyes, ears, nose, mouth. The coat and the skin will be examined to look for any signs of concern. Proper posture will be assessed, knees and hips will be examined, and reflexes will be checked. A stool sample will be tested for possible parasites and a blood test will be run to evaluate overall health, flag any infections, and check organ function and electrolyte and protein levels. Senior dogs may have more advanced testing, including x-rays. During the visit, this is your opportunity to ask any questions; a good owner is an involved owner. The American Humane Association estimates over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the US every year. Here are some tips to prevent this: If your Pug tends to run off, consider spaying or neutering. Intact dogs can have strong urges to take off, looking for a mate. If your Pug darts for the door as soon as its open, have a rule that everyone knocks before entering to allow enough time for someone to hold onto the dog. Consider having your Pug micro-chipped; dogs with chips are returned to owners at a much higher rate than those without. Have current photos of your Pug. If your dog does become lost, create 'lost dog' posters and bring these to all animal services and shelters within a mile area dogs are sometime brought to local shelters but send further away if there is over-crowding. Did you find these care tips to be helpful? This is available in both soft-cover paperback and ebook. Pug Paw Care - The most common issues seen and helpful tips to keep the paws in excellent shape. When a Pug is Super Itchy - Top reasons that cause both acute and chronic itchiness and how to offer fast relief. Housebreaking a Pug - Pugs typically aim to please, but house training can still be a bit challenging. See exact guidelines for fast success. Tips to Keep a Pug Busy and Occupied - Does your Pug stay home alone or seem lost unless you interact with him or her? See super-helpful advice to keep your Pug entertained and happy. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. He is goofy, silly, and fun. Pugs were originally bred to be lap dogs and this is evident in the affection that they show to their owners. Nothing makes a Pug happier than being a member of the family. With their large heads, big, sparkling eyes, and wrinkled faces, Pugs are able to achieve a wide variety of human-like expressions- happiness, surprise, and curiosity. If bad doggie breath is a problem in your house, Spray Me comes to the rescue! So whether you have a Pug already or are wanting to adopt one, here are all the facts and tips for creating a lasting bond between you and your pup. Meet The Pug Height: inches tall at the shoulder Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years Fur type: Pugs have a double coat of short, smooth hair. But they do shed a lot, because of this they are not hypoallergenic. Color: Typically fawn or black. But coats can have different tints like apricot or silver. Personality Pugs are happy, affectionate, loyal, charming, playful, and mischievous. They can be trained to be social from a young age. They are even tempered and gentle. Many people would say that Pugs are a lot of dog in a little space. Pugs tend to be sensitive to the moods of their owners and are eager to please them. Energy Level Pugs are a small, quiet breed, and are for the most part inactive while indoors. They are great for apartment dwellers. While they are docile and peaceful dogs, they do require a daily walk or some playtime to get their wiggles out. Good With Children Because they are bigger and sturdier than most other toy breeds, Pugs are an ideal pet for children. They can withstand some rough play and love to be around people. They are sweet and loving by nature and will protect your children as well as entertain them with their goofy and charming antics. However, if your children are looking for more of an active breed that they can play fetch with or take for long walks, a Pug would not be the best choice for your family. Good With Other Dogs If trained from a young age, Pugs can learn to be social with other animals and can even be trusted with other animals like cats and rabbits. Shedding Pugs have a short, double coat, and shed profusely. We recommend that if you live with a pug, to invest in a vacuum cleaner! Grooming Needs Regular brushing and monthly baths will help keep your Pugs coat in great condition and shedding to a minimum. A rubber curry brush will help remove and catch the shedding hair. Pugs do not naturally wear down their nails, so regular nail-trimmings are necessary. Teach your Pug to tolerate teeth cleaning. This will help prevent him from getting gingivitis. It may seem like a daunting challenge, but the more frequently you brush your Pugs teeth, the more acclimated to it they will become. One of the best things that you can do for your pug to ensure a long healthy life is to regularly clean out his face folds. The wrinkly folds on his face, although adorable, are a hot breeding spot for infection and bacteria. It is very important that after baths you dry out the folds and in-between baths you clean them out. You can use a dry cotton ball to get the junk out or a wet wipe, whichever you have handy. They do have a love for food, so using treats to your advantage might help your little guy learn quicker. Start training your puppy from the minute you bring him home, the earlier you start training, the faster he will pick it up and learn to behave well. How To Feed My Pug If you allow your pug to eat as much as he would like to, you will end up a roly-poly puppy. Pugs will eat everything and anything that you give them, so be sure to measure out their food and feed them small meals at regularly scheduled times. Pugs are usually allergic to foods like corn, soy, and wheat. Try feeding them raw food. Eating a raw, natural diet will ensure the best health of your Pug. Your Pug will love eating raw food! A high-quality diet of Raw food will ensure the best health condition for your pup. Because Pugs are prone to obesity, watch their calorie intake and weight. If you chose to give your dog treats, do so in moderation. Give table scraps sparingly and try to avoid giving your furry friend cooked bones or foods that are high in fat. Feeding Your Puppy Your cute little Pug should start eating a scheduled diet around 8 weeks. He should eat 4 times a day. This schedule should be followed until your furry friend reaches 3 months of age. At this time you Pug can start eating 3 times a day instead of 4. Feeding Your Adult Once your Pug reaches 1 year, he will be ready to start eating adult food. At this time you may also want to decrease his eating from 3 times a day to twice daily. This will be your best option because Pugs tend to gain weight very easily. He should be broad at the shoulders and narrower beyond the shoulders, with a slight widening in the rump area. If you Pug happens to have a square shape, he is getting too much food. Health Concerns For Pugs To ensure you are getting a healthy Pug never buy one from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Heat stroke: Pugs suffer from heat stroke if they are outside for too long. When outside with your pug, watch for signs of overheating. They are definitely house dogs and should not be kept outside Breathing: Because of their short snout, pugs are prone to wheezing, snorting, and snoring loudly. Obesity: Be aware of how much you are giving your Pug. If your Pug is developing a square shape, he is eating too much. Pug Dog Encephalitis: This disease is not treatable nor is it testable. Most vets cannot diagnose it until after the death of the dog. It is an inflammation of the brain and meninges. It usually occurs between 6 and 7 months of age and is fatal. Will my pug bite? Pugs are strong-willed but rarely aggressive. They will only bite in moments where they feel threatened or the need to protect. When will my pug stop growing? Some Pugs will actually stop growing then, others will put on a few more pounds before they reach a year. At 1 year your pug puppy will be considered an adult, and by this time their full height is reached. They will still keep filling out in width in the chest area and a little more muscle until about 18 months. If you notice your pug gaining weight in other areas or later than 18 months he may be gaining unnecessary weight and should be checked out by the veterinarian. Can pug eyes pop out? Since Pugs have such beautiful bulgy eyes, they can accidentally go through something call proptosis, which is the popping out of the eyes. You might think this to be a very uncommon, scary thing, but in reality, it is more normal than you think. It is most common among breeds with short snouts and shallow eye sockets, like pugs. It can be a result of a trauma or it can happen completely all of a sudden. Immediately call your vet and she will give you further instruction on how to help your dog. Can pigs swim? Like most dogs, Pugs have a natural ability to swim. Does that mean that he will like the water? Not always. Make sure you introduce your pug to the water in a fun, positive way so that he will have a great first experience. This first time will really make it or break it in terms of him enjoy or disliking the pool. The barrel shape of your Pug does make it harder for him to swim than other breeds and he may get tired very quickly, but as long as you are there to supervise and help him if he starts to panic, he should be fine to swim. When will my pug go in heat? Your female pug could start her first heat as early as 4 months or as late as 15 months. The most typical time is between 4 and 6 months of age. The average heat cycle will last from 2 to 3 weeks and your pug will enter heat every 5 to 8 months. How much do pugs cost? It all depends on pedigree, the area of the country, and health tests that the breeder has done on the parents. Many people would think that the more expensive the pug, the better the quality of life it will have. While that may be a good guess, price does not always indicate how your pug will live. Buying a puppy at weeks is always a guessing game. Are pug puppies hyper? Pug puppies are known to be more energetic than their older parents. This energy usually lasts until about 1 year of age. At this time they tend to slow down and really embrace their lazy personality. Why does my pug howl? Pugs are very loyal dogs. They attach themselves to their humans and love them with all they are. They do not like to be left alone. Some Pugs have been known to howl when their humans leave. Every dog is different though, you might get a pug that howls in conversation or one that never makes any noise. Why do pug tails curl? Kind of like our tailbones. It consists of bone and cartilage. This is an anomaly in how the vertebra develops. Specifically, the bones and the tail form a twisting wedge shape. The twisting is what causes the tail to curl. So if you are looking for a dog with a ton of personality, one that will make you laugh as well as love you until his dying days, look no further. Your Pug will be your constant companion. He will love you as no has ever loved you before. Give him a lot of attention and love and you will have a forever best friend. About Jenna Barrington Hi! My name is Jenna and I am a proud pet parent of a gorgeous Golden Retriever. I grew up surrounded by animals and developed a love for anything on four legs! I spent a year working as a night puppy nurse for Doberman Pinchers, delivering puppies and taking care of all the health needs of the parents. I work now as a professional copywriter and researcher and am happy to be able to share my love for dogs by contributing to TruDog. You might be wondering about proper Pug care. Bringing a new puppy home is always exciting. Puppies are cute, fun, and lovable. They make a perfect addition to the family. But, having a puppy at home comes with a few responsibilities of its own. This will make it easier for your new puppy to get used to your home. There are many things in your home that may be dangerous to a puppy. This is the basics of Pug care. Puppy Eye View This may seem crazy, but it works! You have to check to see for things your puppy can bite, chew, get tangled in, squeeze through, etc. This is an essential step in Pug care. Hide the Electrical Cords! Your puppy can electrocute himself by chewing cords. And, hide all the cords. You can use a baby gate to close off these areas. Use a pet gate to block off the stairs as your Pug may hurt himself. Hide Your Food! Some of your favorite foods may be toxic to your Pug. Onions, grapes, coffee, tea, sugar-free chewing gum, etc. Hide Medication Just like the food items, your medication may also not be safe for your puppy. Your Pug can have a bad reaction to your medication. And when you take your pills, be sure to take them over your kitchen sink. Better to have a pill fall in the sink rather than the floor where a fast Pug can gobble it up. Puppy-Proof the Yard Are you planning on letting your pug out in the yard? Preventing a crisis is an important element Pug care. Instead, you should buy the supplies beforehand. This way you can enjoy bringing your new Pug home. No stress! We recommend getting a comfortable bed that your Pug puppy can grow into. Puppy Food Pug puppies love food. You should ask the breeder about the kind of food your puppy likes to eat, and buy it. Changing homes is a big transition for your puppy. You can slowly switch his food to something new after he is comfortable in his new home. Food and Water Bowls You should get two, high-quality dog bowls for water and food. Stainless steel bowls usually work the best. A Comfortable Blanket Pug puppies love their blankies and find comfort in them. My Pug still loves his blanket, even after all these years! Puppy Toys Do you like your furniture and shoes? Then, you must get some toys for your Pug puppy to save them from destruction! When teething, puppies with chew anything and everything. Treats Treats are a great training tool as they make an excellent reward for good behavior. Some are even enriched with vitamins and minerals! Good Pug care may cost you a little extra money, but worth it in the end. Pee Pads Your Pug will have accidents at home. All puppies do. You can train your Pug puppy on the pad. It is best to get these as soon as you can to help your pup get used to them. A Crate for Transportation For safe and stress-free transportation, you should get a crate for your Pug puppy and line it with some pee pads to avoid accidents. The crate will keep your puppy safe during the car ride home. Start proper Pug care for the day you pick him up! There are many things you need to keep in mind when choosing the best dog food for Pugs: His activity level Any medical issues and problems Food sensitivities Age For the right guidance, refer to your vet. He will be able to guide you about Pug care. Different diets have become very popular such as the raw food diet, keto diet, etc. With these diets, you need to take extra care to make sure your Pug is getting all the nutrients he needs. A healthy diet equals a healthy Pug. Growing Pug puppies need 55 kcals per pound bodyweight. Adult pugs need kcals per pound bodyweight. You should feed your Pug puppy at least three meals a day. Puppies nurse several times a day, and this feeding schedule helps ease the transition. For puppies over six months in age, you can slowly transition to two meals per day. Ask any Pug, and they will tell you that proper Pug care includes two meals per day. Grooming is an important factor in Pug care. He may not even show any signs of illness until it is too late! They affect his quality of life. It will fit all the crevices without irritating or injuring your furry friend High-quality toothpaste: Never use toothpaste made for humans on your dog! It may have Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Many dog toothpaste come in yummy flavors your Pug will enjoy! You can also give dental treats and toys a try. But, these folds and rolls can collect a lot of dirt and grime. All you need to do is to take a warm, wet towel and clean his face. There is also wipes for dogs that you can purchase. Be sure to care for your Pug properly by keeping those cute wrinkles clean. They get everywhere! Trimming His Nails Did you know that long nails in dogs are linked to causing arthritis? Not just that, long nails can easily split and break, which is very painful for dogs. They also cause many other paw issues! Using a nail grinder is also an option. Bath Time! You should give your Pug a bath when necessary. Experts suggest you bathe your pug once every four to six weeks. This helps keep your Pug dog clean and well-maintained. You can bathe your Pug in the sink or the bathtub. These tiny dogs do well with light to moderate exercise. Proper Pug care includes taking your Pug out for two minute walks per day to meet all his exercise needs. Backyard access is also great for your furry friend. You can also get your Pug some toys to keep him entertained throughout the day. Exercise Restrictions for Pugs Necessary Pug care means watching his breathing closely. Pugs have breathing issues, so strenuous exercise is out of the question. Running, extremely long walks, jumping up and down the stairs, etc. It will trigger breathing problems. Avoiding exercise is not a good idea, though. Pugs are prone to gaining weight and becoming obese. This puts them at risk of developing problems like heart issues, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, etc. Controlled exercise is the best solution for excellent Pug care. Even if your Pug is perfectly healthy, it is a good idea to take him to the vet every months for a check-up. So, even if your Pug dog seems perfectly fine, it may not be the case. A vet will thoroughly examine your Pug to see if everything is okay. Vets keep a close eye on: Dental health. Small Pets Taking Care of a Pug Puppy Pugs are some of the most soulful looking animals on the planet, and are very expressive. You can easily recognize a pug as these small breed dogs have a wrinkly face and a curled tail. They first came to international prominence when mobile operator Vodafone used them to endorse their brand —the ad with the pug, named Hutch in the ad, was a stupendous success with the pug soon becoming a household name. But there are certain things that you must be aware of if you also want to adopt this cute pet. Unlike adult pugs, small pug dogs are most likely to suffer from a number of health issues ranging from obesity, overheating and pharyngeal reflex. So, you need to be the doubly careful when dealing with these vulnerable puppies. If you are worried, you can take heart from the fact that taking care of the pups is uncomplicated and easy as they have very few demands. Before bringing home the pug puppy Ensure that you have all the grooming items in place starting from brush, cotton swabs, and petroleum jelly to puppy shampoo and dog treats. Here are some guidelines that you can refer to when taking care of the pug puppy: Training the puppy to follow your commands: There is no substitute for a well-trained dog, so train the puppy from day one. The first six months are the most crucial as during this period, he will learn the most which will mold him. Every time he responds correctly to your commands, like sit, run, jump, and come, give him some treats and words of encouragement. But there is one caveat: keep the sessions short as being such a young dog, his power of concentration is limited. To start with, minute sessions would be ok. Also, when taking him for a walk, better use a harness which will provide protection to his windpipe. Potty training: This is a very important stage of puppy training. When he is young, he has very little control over his bladder, so you need to take him out for potty breaks more frequently than you would do to an adult. He may demand potty breaks every hours at this stage, but as he grows older and his control over the bladder imp roves, the frequency will gradually become normal. However, under no circumstances, you should overlook his tendency to soil corners of the home thinking that it is an isolated incident, because it is not. Deal with such incidents with a firm no, or else he will become a big nuisance and a lazy dog. Grooming routine: The pug has a double coat which keeps shedding continuously, so daily grooming is essential. Brush the pug at least twice every week and vacuum him extensively. In what is unusual, pug dogs are very fond of water, unlike other dogs. You can easily find soaps and other bath related items that are designed for puppies in the local outlet, use them. Try oatmeal based shampoos which not only keeps his skin soft, but protects his sensitive skin. Pugs have narrow ear canals, so chances of getting an ear infection if water gets into its ear are higher in pugs. What you can do is use soft tissues or a cotton ball to wipe the ear clean and dry. If your pug is shaking his head violently, then it may indicate an ear infection —and if there is an infection, get in touch with the vet immediately. Cleaning of Pug Wrinkles Pug wrinkles are called folds, which serve as a great place to accumulate all sorts of unwanted stuff like water, mucous, dirt, tear, food etc. Cleaning of pug wrinkles is an easy task and getting the Pug used to it at an early age is a good idea. Some owners use an Ear Bud or Q-Tip for this purpose, but we would not recommend this as the slightest struggle from your Pug could cause an eye injury. Instead, you can use baby wipes or medicated wipes. You can fill a cup with lukewarm water and dip the baby wipes or cotton swab in it. After that, run the moist tip of baby wipes through the wrinkles so that all dirt and grime particle come out. At the end, you should use a cotton swab to smear petroleum jelly inside the wrinkles to keep the internal skin protected. Tackling overheating issues: Pugs are adversely affected by warm conditions and may get dehydrated. So, ensure that the living condition of the pup is cool- special care needs to be taken during the summers when the pugs feel great discomfort. Regularly check the room temperature where the pug is kept, and if you feel that the room is too hot, you have to either move it to a cool room or else you have to provide him with lots of water. In extreme conditions, there are cold compresses that you can put on his belly till it cools down. Exercise: Pugs are actually overweight for their size, so unless they exercise a lot heath issues are a given. Take him for a daily walk and play different games with it which will help it maintain its health. Be careful not to take him out on a bright sunny day, as it can dehydrate him. Feeding the puppy: There are special diets that are designed for pugs. But you may be unsure which brand to select for your puppy as there are so many different brands in the market. The best thing to do in such a situation is to take the advice of a vet. Pugs would eat almost anything and in the process put on a lot of weight. So, make it a point not to overfeed it. Also, if your dog prefers a particular food and you want to wean it away from that food, do it gradually. Normally, puppies in the age group 3 to 6 months should be fed at least three times a day. And from 6 months to 1 year, change it to two times. To make the feeding process easier for the pet, try using bowls that has an elevated shape off the ground. For more guidance, please refer to this article : Puppy feeding tips for new dog owners Dealing with obesity: Overeating will not only make the pug overweight, but may pave the way for ailments like leg pain, eye disorders, and lung problems. About Rahul From Delhi, Rahul is an animal lover at heart. He is a writer and most of his writing revolves around making people aware of animal issues like health, training and grooming.
Bone's Retrievers LLC. Steven Catrombone. All rights reserved. We also have a toddler who is an active little helper. I'm pretty sure his first word was "doggies". We fell in love with golden retrievers as soon as we found our beloved Dam Kola here in FL, and have been expanding our fur babies ever since! We've just recently made our hobby into a full time business so we can share these beautiful pets for generations to come! My goldens are OFA tested for hips, elbows, heart, and eyes prior to breeding. We want to make sure your baby has the best chance of avoiding any congenital diseases! Because this is a family business, every puppy is handled, monitored, played with, and loved since birth. We feed all our babies top quality food and vitamins, and make sure everyone has a clean healthy environment to thrive. We are known for our service dog candidates, and have tons of working dogs in the field now! Puppies are sheltered indoors, that's right, NO barns or outdoor kennels. Our puppies are pampered from the very start! Puppies love play time, and so do we! We have over an acre of land and a big pool for ALL our golden retrievers to enjoy, and you will often catch us out in the Wesley Chapel area with one of our big hunks! Donate Thank you for stopping by to see the dogs ready for adoption. There are typically between 35 and 45 dogs in our program at any given time — some will stay with us longer than others as they overcome their medical or behavioral challenges. Dogs Available for Foster-to-Adopt Curly Simon Curly is a retired breeder female looking to start her new, better life! She loves her humans and stays glued by your side, looking for chin scratches and snuggles. Meet Me Oprah Runfree Oprah is a young girl who is a bit shy and nervous about anything new! She is good with playful, non-reactive dogs, as long as the introductions are done slowly. He loves to spend his days roaming your backyard and watching critters go by! He is super sweet with humans, but needs to be an only dog and he is not good with cats. We are in great need of more foster homes for all the dogs coming into our program! There are many more dogs in need of foster homes than what is shown on this page. Fostering is a great way to find the perfect dog for your household. Foster volunteers get to select which dogs they are willing or able to foster, and then they get first choice as to whether to adopt once the dog is ready for adoption. Do you hand make unique gift items? Do you frequent a local dog loving spot? Maybe you have a beach or mountain house? If any of these apply to you, we need your help! We are seeking in-kind donations to make our upcoming events a huge success. Please click the button below share your information and a volunteer will contact you. In-Kind Donation Form International Rescue Want to learn more about our international efforts and how you can help golden retrievers in need? Click the button below. Here you can interact with our available dogs, complete foster training, and learn how you can become involved with supporting NRGRR. See the calendar below for details. Please click on the event to see the list of dogs attending. Event Calendar Make a donation. Our volunteers give their time, their homes and their hearts to every dog who comes to us for help. Unfortunately, warm homes and loving hearts alone do not pay for the medical care and supplies our dogs need. Sadly, the number of golden retrievers who have entered our program, and the costs related to their medical care, have dramatically increased over the past several years. When you make a tax-deductible gift to the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, you can be assured that your donation is directly supporting golden retrievers rescued through our program, and allowing us to continue to provide help to others in the years to come. Thank you for your support. Box , Raleigh, NC Phone: .History Where are Golden Retrievers from? One of the best documented and most fortuitous efforts to produce a breed resulted in the Golden Retriever. The man responsible for the breed was Lord Tweedmouth, who lived just north of the Scottish border along the Tweed River. How big do Golden Retrievers get? Goldens can reach a weight of 55 — 75 lbs, and a height between .A Golden Retriever has a dense, straight or wavy outer water-repellent coat, which sheds heavily twice annually and lightly throughout the year. Groom a Golden Retriever weekly to maintain the double coat and control shedding. What are the Golden Retriever colors? The breed was first considered to be a yellow variety of Flat-Coated Retrievers but was recognized as a separate breed, the Yellow or Golden Retriever, in .What makes the Golden Retriever dog so popular? The breed was valued for the hunting abilities so ably produced by the careful blending of foundation stock, and only later became popular as a pet. How long do Golden Retrievers live? Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of 10—13 years. What are some Golden Retriever facts and information? Facts Golden Retrievers are best known to: Push through heavy vegetation. Some exceptions may be made in special situations. While some of our dogs come from loving homes, all have been unexpectedly uprooted. Many come with training, confidence-building, or care needs that should be supported with positive reinforcement, patience, and ample time to bring out the best in your new companion. We generally require that you have a fenced yard exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. We ask that you are realistic about the right dog for your lifestyle and that you trust in our experience in making these matches. Click here for additional information. Dog Ratings The Level 1 dog is an easy dog with typically low energy level and has no behavioral issues. This level of dog would do well in virtually any home regardless of owner experience. Level 2 has energy that can range from low to high. This level may have other minor issues that are easy to address. Level 3 dogs typically have a challenging behavior, but are good dogs. These dogs might have an intense focus to work, be dog reactive or dog aggressive, may have to be an only animal in the home, or may require daily physical and mental stimulation, etc. This level of dog is not an average pet.
german shepherd puppy losing hair - With 17 years of experience in breeding Australian Labradoodles, we pride ourselves on selecting only the best dogs for our breeding program, which in turn ensures that we are producing the best puppies imaginable. We work closely with our licensed vet to perform health testing, including hip and elbow testing; eyes, heart, skin, and patella testing; and a series of genetic tests, on all of our breeding dogs. We provide a temperature controlled, in home my master bedroom environment, with sound therapy to expose your puppy to lifes sounds from an early age. This helps desensitize your puppy to the sounds of life traffic, fireworks, outdoor machinery, crying baby, misc appliances, automobiles, etc. We start crate training at 5 weeks with a soothing heartbeat snuggle puppy to comfort them as they transition to sleeping alone and all the puppies love it and sleep better with minimal crying. We add nutrients and special additives for puppies to their drinking water. We add probiotics to their food for a healthy GI tract and immune system. We make special liver water, gruel, with puppy supplements, dog milk formula to their nutritionally dense food to support eyes, ear, bone, joint, coat and heart health. We expose your puppy to sunlight daily on the deck right outside the puppy nursery area. There is always a plush bedding for their cozy comfort in their play areas for those impromptu naps puppies love. Our puppies are held and played with while being bathed and exposed to water, in our walk-in shower, which builds a positive experience, with water, for their lifetime. Bath time is with a human sitting in this large shower allowing plenty of space for your puppy too roam around and enjoy water in a nurturing experience. The puppies love it instead of being in a sink with a dry human just washing them. Water is actual playtime while they get clean and build positive experiences with being wet. Instead we utilize Puppy Culture, Badass Breeder protocols and tons of love from humans that are passionate and dedicated to what they do. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We look forward to providing you with your fury best friend! When full grown, these health tested, Australian Labradoodle puppies will be approximately pounds with wavy fleece coats, curly fleece coats or the occasional straighter hair fleece coats. Our puppies can go home as early as 8 weeks old. We can also hold back a puppy if you are interested in training services. Sugar Pine Doodles on Facebook. Would you like to be a guardian for one of our breeding doodles? Please click for our Guardian Home Program to learn more. Find the Next Member of Your Family. We strive to produce dogs absent of the genetic diseases prevalent in many purebred dogs today. We offer a 2-year Health Warranty against severe genetic defects and pledge to provide lifetime consulation support for your dog. We aim for a "personal" touch in our relationship with our puppy families and are happy to answer any questions you might have about the breed, about our dogs and about what you might expect from an Australian Labradoodle Puppy. Pictures and stories of our most recent litters and adult dogs on our "Puppy Photo Blog"! Happy Fall ! Puppies Are On The Ground! We are taking reservations for our 4 litters going home December- March .Chocolates, Reds, Apricots, Caramels in large mini to mediums. A Guardian Home will keep the dog as their own family pet, while we retain breeding rights for a specified number of litters in the case of females , after which she will be spayed and retired to the family forever. Males will need to remain intact for years. Please phone or email for more information on this opportunity. A few key facts about our program.You can follow how our puppies grow on our "Puppy Photo Blog"! Our dogs live in our homes as beloved family members or in loving Guardian Homes. The adult dogs play an important role in socializing puppies and teaching them canine "Good Manners," while the human family members devote countless hours to individualized puppy care. Puppies are exposed to a variety of different stimuli including vacuum cleaners, car rides, a cat, chickens, annoying pop music, unusual culinary aromas, an excess of televised sporting events, and the bagpipes! Careful but Extensive Socialization While we are extremely careful about keeping young puppies protected from disease and from stress, we try to expose the puppies to a variety of humans throughout their lives with us. Personalized "Match-making" While we appreciate good-looks as much as the next person, temperament and sound health are the key factors behind breeding quality Labradoodles. Can you judge a book by its cover? We evaluate our puppies' personalities extensively and focus on achieving the optimal match between puppy and family. Ongoing Support Have questions about how to manage your new family member? Need advice on food or training? Referral to a vet or groomer? Or would you like a lesson on grooming your dog? Vacation boarding for your new puppy? We are committed to providing assistance to our Labradoodle community throughout the life of the dog. Apply to Adopt A little about us.Genuine Australian labradoodle puppy breeder since .Located in Monterey, California just two hours south of San Francisco. We are a small in-house breeder specializing in breeding miniature to medium labradoodles from the seeing eye dog Australian lines. We do not ship our puppies but will meet new owners at the airport. We average four to five litters a year. This gives us the time to complete early neurological stimulation starting at three days and desensitizing to fireworks, thunderstorms, etc. We give each litter and each puppy the love and attention it needs during those first irreplaceable eight weeks of your puppy's life. We take great responsibility in giving every puppy the best start in order to grow into a well-adjusted, highly socialized, and healthy member of your family for many years to come. Our puppies are born in our bedroom, raised in our kitchen and get the best of care and lots of handling from their first day. We not only guarantee genetic health but also have very strict requirements for the temperaments of the breeding dogs in our program. Puppies are examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, and micro chipped before going home. About Australian Labradoodles.Australian Labradoodles are beautiful, healthy, allergy and asthma friendly. They were originally bred to be service dogs and not a 'designer' pet. The Labradoodle breed started with a request over thirty years ago by a family needing a seeing eye dog but who also had a family member with asthma. After some research and years of breeding by leading service dog breeders, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor in Australia, the Australian Labradoodle was born. Our top goal is excellent health, fantastic temperament, and service qualities. Just like any other breed that becomes popular, though, some breeders have started breeding for the popularity of these dogs and not for the benefit of the breed itself. So here's how to make sure you're getting the dog you want. Here are some helpful tips to understand what a breeder means when they are using these phrases. The multi-generation Australian Labradoodle, which is the original Labradoodle, has a foundation stock including six different parent breeds. These dogs were developed in Australia, and hence the "Australian" in the name of the dogs. This was a breed that was developed with goals in mind for a low shedding service dog, not a designer dog. The multi-generation Labradoodle has only poodle and lab in its heritage. It does not include the other parent breeds that were originally used by the creators of the breed. These have been primarily developed later in the U. These dogs tend to shed their coat since they are more closely related to the Labrador and often have a wire hair look to them. The "Back Cross" or "F1B" is a dog from an F1 see above mated back to a poodle usually for coat correction. These dogs have not had the multiple generations of Labradoodle mated with another Labradoodle nor the addition of Australian Labradoodle foundation stock or multiple parent breeds.
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german shepherd puppy losing hair - Conclusion: Why the Silver Labrador Retriever? How much does a Silver Labrador Retriever cost? If you find one for adoption, the cost will be lower. What Is a Silver Labrador Retriever? Silver Labs are Labrador Retrievers with gray, silver coats and haunting grayish eyes. Silver Labradors most likely developed from a recessive trait found in some Chocolate Labradors. However, there are many who believe that Silver Labradors are not true Labrador Retrievers at all. Major breed clubs including the Labrador Retriever Club Inc. Frances O. In this section, we will explore the most common Silver Labrador Retriever traits. However, please note that not all Silver Labs will be identical to each other in terms of personality. There will be differences between individual dogs. Still, this list will give you a basic sense of what to expect from the Silver Labrador Retriever temperament. Sporting Dogs are bred to work in partnership with humans as hunting companions, pointers, flushers, and retrievers. Therefore, these types of dogs thrive when they have a purpose or a job to do. Silver Labrador Retrievers are very active dogs, especially when they are young. They need an ample amount of daily exercise as well as mental enrichment. If you leave an energetic lab pup home alone for hours on end, be prepared to come home to evidence of destructive behavior such as chewing or digging. A young lab needs about an hour of vigorous exercise per day. If you are not able to provide that level of exercise, consider adopting an older Lab or Silver Lab mix. Silver Labrador Retriever exercise can include activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, or romping at the dog park. Doggie Daycare is another great way for Labradors to fulfill their daily exercise needs. Labradors were bred to work in tandem with their human guardians out in the field. Therefore, they are very attentive and eager to please. They may not be quite as clever as some of the herding breeds such as the Border Collie or the Australian Shepherd , but they are still very smart. They can be trained for all types of jobs including hunting, search and rescue, and police work. Silver Labs tend to get along well with other animals and children, especially with proper socialization. Of course, it is still advisable to supervise your Silver Labrador anytime he or she interacts with kids or other animals. Photo by Nilda Guzman These dogs are notorious for getting into mischief when left alone. Crate training is highly recommended, especially for puppies and young labs. Labradors are especially obsessed with finding food! Labs love to eat. Do not leave food accessible on countertops and make sure your trash can has a dog-proof lid. Joyful, Goofy, Fun One of the most beloved components of the Silver Labrador Retriever temperament is the joyful nature of this breed. Labs are happy, silly, fun-loving dogs. They enjoy romping in the snow and swimming in the summertime. Silver Labs love to play! They are especially fond of playing fetch with tennis balls for hours on end. If you add a Lab to your home, your home will soon be filled with laughter! Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland , Canada. They were bred to work alongside hunters and fishermen as water retrievers. Their popularity began to soar in the s as specimens spread to Europe and America. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in .The Lab has held the highest-ranking since .The American Kennel Club recognizes three color varieties: black, yellow and chocolate. The Silver Coat Coloration Photo by Nilda Guzman The silver coloration first appeared within the last few decades and has caused great controversy within the Labrador community. It is not recognized as a distinct coloration. The silver color has become incredibly popular and desired because it is attractive and rare. Consumers are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money for a silver lab puppy. Respected, responsible breeders discourage the practice of breeding specifically for a physical attribute. They argue that a good breeder should always prioritize health, function, temperament, and the improvement of the breed. When breeders are breeding solely for appearance, health and temperament are inevitably compromised. Size and Appearance The Silver Lab has the same general appearance as any other Labrador, other than the color. They are the same size and shape as other Labs. For example, the Silver Labrador Retriever weight range is between 55 and 80 lbs. Likewise, the Silver Labrador Retriever height range is between 21 and 24 inches at the withers. These measurements are the same for all coat colorations. Silver Labrador Retriever colors are described as gray or silver. They have gray noses, nails, and gray pads on the paws of their feet. The gray color occurs as the result of breeding two dogs that each carry a recessive gene for dilute coloration. How to Train a Silver Labrador Retriever? In fact, Labrador Retrievers are trained to do many important jobs including drug detection, search and rescue, and therapy work. They are also commonly used as service dogs for people with disabilities. There is no doubt that this is a very trainable dog. However, like all dogs, training a Silver Lab takes patience, effort, and consistency. Make sure you find a trainer that uses modern, positive, force-free training methods. There is no need to use painful training devices such as shock collars, pinch collars or choke chains. Instead, find a trainer that uses reward-based training. This type of training is more effective and more enjoyable for you and your pet. Once you have mastered basic commands, you can look into more advanced activities such as canine sports. Silver Labs can excel at sports including flyball, dock jumping , water retrieving, agility, tracking, nosework, Frisbee and much more! His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog. You will need to brush and bathe your Silver Labrador on a regular basis. However, professional grooming should not be necessary. Labradors are moderate shedders, so be prepared for some dog fur in your house. Are Silver Labrador Retrievers Hypoallergenic? Labrador Retrievers of all color varieties are NOT hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a breed that is hypoallergenic, check out this article for some possibilities. Silver Labrador Retrievers are prone to certain genetic conditions, and your vet can give you an idea about what to expect in terms of care and financial cost. For example, be on the watch for signs of the following conditions:. What Is a Silver Lab? The silver Lab is a variant of the chocolate Labrador Retriever. These colors are black, yellow, and chocolate. Other colors of the Labrador Retriever breed are merely variants of these three primary colors. For example, the red fox Lab and champagne labs are some of the variations of yellow Labs. The same is true for silver Labs. Silver Labs, however, are variations of the chocolate Labrador Retriever. Simply put, silver Labs are technically chocolate Labs! According to the AKC breed standards , chocolate Labrador Retrievers can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate. The greyish-blue color of the silver Labrador falls in between this range of shades. Nevertheless, they also have a double coat just like their other cousins. Are Silver Labradors Purebred? Up to this day, there is still an ongoing debate about whether or not the silver Labrador Retriever is purebred. Sure, AKC recognizes these pups as a variant of chocolate Labradors; however, many people still oppose this recognition saying that these dogs are a product of cross-breeding. Smith, there is no such thing as a silver Labrador. In one of his official statements, Smith warns buyers that silver Labs are merely marketed as rare purebreds so that breeders can sell them for a higher price. In reality, it is not at all that simple. It will always depend on who you ask. Ask a silver Lab breeder, and they will always tell you that their dogs are purebred. Unfortunately, there is no solid evidence that proves whether or not silver Labradors are purebreds. Of course, there is always the option to scrutinize their origin under the microscope. Still, even science can prove to be inconclusive at times. That said, you may still register your silver Labrador as a pedigree in major kennel clubs. However, most clubs such as the AKC require proof of at least three generations of purebred Lab breeding. If you can provide this proof, then you can very quickly have your silver Lab registered. Some of the most probable reasons for this are their high price tags and peculiar coat color. But what else is there behind this controversy? The Labrador Retriever breed was first recognized in the United Kingdom in .Meanwhile, the breed was formalized in the United States a few years later, in .Before the formalization of the breed, both in the United Kingdom and the United States, the silver Labrador was simply unheard of. News reports and magazine articles about it would have been published. But the silver Labrador Retriever did not make such appearances. It was also around this time when silver Labs first appeared in the literature. The controversial part of the story is that silver Labs carry a dilute dd gene. This dilution gene was not found in Labrador Retrievers during the time the breed standards were set. Naturally, this issue blew up in the pet community. Adding gas to the flame is the ridiculously high asking price of silver Labs at the time. This made skeptics believe that the silver Lab was only bred for monetary reasons alone. Some even believe that silver Labs are descendants of Weimaraners and Labrador Retriever hybrids. Except for their coat color, silver Labs share their appearance with the rest of the Labrador Retriever family. These pooches have broad skulls and wide chests. They also have well-defined muzzles and floppy ears. Moreover, silver Labs have an athletic stance. Their bodies are well-balanced, and their muscles are well-distributed. The topline of a silver Labrador is straight, and their tails do not curve upwards. In terms of colors, the silver Lab boasts an attractive grey-blue coat. Their color is closely comparable to that of the Weimaraners. However, some silver Labs appear closer in color to a rich chocolate Labrador Retriever. In addition, many silver Labs also have blue-colored eyes, especially during their younger years. However, the eye color of these puppies usually changes to dark yellow as they grow old. Silver Labs are comparable to other Labrador Retrievers in terms of size. However, gender brings some notable differences in size. In general, a male silver Lab will grow a tad taller and heavier than its female counterpart. Full-grown male silver Labradors grow about 22 to 25 inches in height and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Meanwhile, full-grown female silver Labradors grow about 21 to 24 inches in height and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. All of these pooches are considered medium to large dog breeds. Many people believe that Labradors came from Labrador, Canada; however, this statement is only partly true. While Labrador Retrievers are indeed from Canada, they are from the province of Newfoundland. Labs are descendants of the St. Fishermen and hunters initially used Labrador Retrievers as working dogs in the s. Their intelligence, athleticism, and top-notch swimming skills made them one of the best working dogs at the time. In the s, migrators brought Labs to England. It was around this period when breeders put keen attention on improving the breed. After a few more years, they were registered with the AKC. However, it was only in the s when silver Labs first appeared in the picture. Before silver Labs, there were only three known colors of the Labrador Retriever — black, yellow, and chocolate. Unfortunately, the pet community is split with regards to the origin of the silver Labrador. Many believe that they share the same roots as other Labrador Retrievers, while others argue that they are a mixed breed. For starters, many factors affect the coat color of a Labrador Retriever. The majority of these factors are engraved in the set of genes passed on by the parent dogs to their puppies. Many types of genes affect the coat color of a dog. There are B genes, E genes, and many more. Since every Labrador carries two of these coat color genes, there are three possible combinations of the dilution gene — DD, Dd, and dd. Breeding a silver Lab is all about probability because of the existence of recessive genes. It is possible to have a silver Lab puppy by breeding chocolate Labs. However, for a higher success rate, breeders typically breed silver Labs together. Are Silver Labs Rare? Silver Labs are not as rare as they once were in the s. Since their early years, these dogs have gained many fanatics in the pet community. As a result, there are significantly more silver Lab breeders nowadays compared to the previous years. However, compared to other Lab colors, there are still fewer silver Labs. The most probable reason behind this is that many countries do not recognize silver Labs as purebreds. In turn, fewer pet owners consider having silver Labs as pets. The higher asking price of these pups and their difficulty in breeding also play a role in their rarity. In addition to all these, another possible reason why silver Labs are rare is that they are controversial. Many pet enthusiasts opt not to have silver Labs because they do not believe silver Labs are purebred. For these people, owning a silver Lab puts the Labrador Retriever breed at risk. That said, there are still many fans of the silver Lab breed. While they are rarer than their other Lab cousins, they are not impossible to find. The only requirement is that your silver Lab must have records of at least three generations of pure Lab breeding. If you have the files with you, you can easily register your pooch as a pedigree puppy. Similarly, an AKC registration means that your pooch is welcome to join any AKC-organized pet competitions and dog shows. However, if you reside outside of the United States, registering a silver Lab might prove to be challenging. That said, however, you may still try your luck on any of these kennel clubs. Similar to other shades, Labs with silver color are fantastic family pets. These pooches are loyal, easy to train, and very affectionate. Plus, they are incredibly intelligent as well! Moreover, silver Labs are also very friendly. They can quickly get along with kids and other people. If you have other pets in the house, a silver Lab might act strange around them during the first few days. Just give it some time, and they will get along eventually. Silver Labs are playful and often silly. They may chew up on random objects around the house, especially during their younger years. That said, they typically grow out of the habit. If properly socialized at an early age, a silver Labrador Retriever will grow up as a well-behaved family dog. You just need to be patient during their puppy years because these intelligent pooches can surely be naughty at times! The average life expectancy of the silver Labrador Retriever is 10 to 12 years. This means their lifespan is around the same as other Labrador Retrievers. For the most part, silver Labs, when well cared for, live long and healthy lives. However, much like other Labs, silver Labs are also at risk of some health issues. Furthermore, there is also one health issue that only develops in silver Labrador Retrievers. Below are some common health issues of the silver Labrador Retriever: Color-dilution Alopecia CDA : Color-dilution alopecia is a skin condition that affects dog breeds that carry the dilute gene. This health issue is characterized by poor coat quality accompanied by hair fall. Unfortunately, CDA is not a curable disease. Luckily, a silver Lab with CDA can still live a full life. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Canine hip and elbow dysplasia are widespread health conditions in Labs. More often than not, these health issues are brought about by genetics. A silver Lab with hip and elbow dysplasia will experience problems with their ball-socket joints, which sometimes leads to inactivity or excruciating pain when moving. Silver Labs with PRA will eventually go blind if left untreated. Unfortunately, compared to other dog breeds, Labrador Retrievers have a relatively high chance of developing PRA. If you decide to get a silver Labrador Retriever, these are some of the health issues you should look out for. As always, the best way to keep your silver Lab healthy is by giving it proper nutrition and exercise. Regular vet check-ups are also a must! In fact, these dogs are relatively low maintenance compared to other dogs. Good food, regular exercise, and occasional cuddles are enough to keep a silver Lab happy and healthy. Feeding and Diet Feeding your silver Lab does not require anything special. You just need to make sure you are giving the right kind of dog food for its age. However, during its first few years, you might need to try out different kibble brands to find which one suits your dog the best. Similarly, you can also feed your dog homemade dog meals. You may also give them fruits as alternatives to treats, but make sure you are not feeding your silver Lab anything from the list of toxic food for dogs. Cleaning and Grooming Silver Labs have weather-proof coats. Their coats are quick-drying and relatively easy to maintain. In terms of bathing, it is safe to bathe your silver Lab once every four to six weeks. However, if you take your dog on hikes or other activities, you may bathe it more often. You also have the option to take your silver Lab to a professional groomer twice a year for thorough cleaning. Training and Exercise Silver Labradors are active pooches. It is recommended to bring your dog for a walk for at least one hour per day. Alternatively, you may also engage your pet in other physical activities such as swimming, hiking, or a simple game of fetch. Engaging your dog in mentally challenging training is also a good idea. After all, silver Labs are working dogs. These pups love challenges! Typically, silver Labradors cost more than other Lab colors. The price of the silver Lab is about the same as the red fox Labrador. These pooches are a few hundred dollars more expensive than traditional, black, chocolate, or yellow Labs. The premium asking price of the silver Lab is due to their rarity. Since there are fewer silver Labs than other Lab colors, breeders face more challenges in breeding them. If you want to save a little bit of cash, you can always resort to adoption. Try finding silver Labradors in reputable shelters and rescues. Another way you can cut down on costs is by choosing a reputable breeder who bundles his Labs with freebies. Many breeders offer deals inclusive of some pet supplies. These freebies may range from dog toys and dog food to crates and beds. While these dogs are rarer than other Lab colors, finding silver Lab breeders is still reasonably easy. This breeder raises their Labrador puppies on a acre log cabin property. You can check out their available puppies from time to time to look for some silver Labs! This breeder specializes in charcoal, champagne, and silver Labs. Make sure to check out their listings of adult Labs and Lab puppies. This breeder is committed to raising and selling high-quality silver Labrador Retrievers. However, if you are looking to adopt a silver Lab, you might need a little more patience as these pooches are rarely found in shelters and rescues. Here are some services where you can find silver Labs for adoption: Adopt-a-Pet — Adopt-a-Pet is one of the most famous adoption websites. This platform has been around since and has helped thousands of aspiring pet owners. Petfinder — Petfinder is another reputable adoption website. This website aims to rehome abandoned dogs from shelters and rescues all over the country. Make sure to visit their website regularly to see if they have available silver Labrador Retrievers for adoption! When getting a silver Labrador, it is recommended to find one with a health guarantee. This way, you will have full support from the breeder or shelter if your dog encounters some health issues. On average, silver Labradors are considered moderate to heavy shedders because of their double coats. It is recommended to bathe silver Labrador Retrievers once every four to six weeks. Are Silver Labs Overbred? Many people argue that the silver Labrador is overbred. They blame overbreeding as the leading cause of the common health issues in silver Labs. However, this is not the case. The truth is Silver Labs are not overbred. They have the identical genetic make-up to the other Labrador Retrievers. The only difference is that silver Labs carry a dilute dd gene, which can sometimes increase their risk of some health issues. Some silver Labs develop a disease known as color-dilution alopecia. This skin condition is relatively rare in Labrador Retrievers except for the silver Labs. The main culprit behind this condition is the dilute dd gene, which silver Labs have. A silver Lab with color-dilution alopecia will have poor coat quality and severe drying of the coat. Moreover, parts of the coat where color dilution is most prominent will lose hair gradually. The Labrador Retriever is not known for carrying the dilute dd gene. The breed universally known for carrying this gene is the Weimaraner. This led many skeptics to believe that silver Labs have Weimaraner in them. That said, unfortunately, there is no conclusive way to determine whether or not silver Labs have Weimaraner genes. According to a joint statement from the Labrador Retriever Club and the American Kennel Club, this assessment is beyond the capabilities of parentage testing. On average, Weimaraners are taller and heavier than silver Labrador Retrievers. They also tend to be more active than Labs. What Is the Rarest Labrador Color? Among the three officially recognized Labrador Retriever hues — black, yellow, and chocolate, chocolate is the rarest color variation. However, if sub-colors of the Labrador Retriever are considered, then silver Labs are easily the most uncommon. The Labrador Retriever is a fantastic hunting dog and an amazing family pet. It is one of the most recommended choices for aspiring pet owners looking for four-legged best friends. Luckily, all the praiseworthy traits of the Labrador Retriever are present in silver Labs. Except for the controversy linked to their coat color, silver Labs are Labrador Retrievers through and through. 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. Many breeders dislike this variation, and others love it. However, not all breeders approve of breeding this color variation, and other breeders only try to breed this type. A famous breeder advertised a rare silver grey-looking Labrador back in the s, and many people were shocked because the Lab did not traditionally have this color before. The Silver Labrador remains a mystery, just like the Fox Red Lab that also takes on a rare color appearance. Unfortunately, this can sometimes make the Silver labrador hard to acquire. Overall, the Silver Lab still takes on the same amazing traits that Labradors have. Check out our list of breeders and potential rescues below. The Silver Labrador is a color variation in the Labrador that can be quite difficult to breed. However, the most skilled breeders can accomplish this. Each breeder charges something different based on their reputation, pedigree, and even what they include with the purchase of a puppy. If this still seems like too much for you, you can look down in our rescue section for a cheaper Silver Lab, but it will likely be much older and not a puppy. So if you really want a Silver Lab puppy, then you will have to purchase one from a breeder. Below are four reputable breeders to begin your search. Are Silver Lab Puppies Rare? Yes, the Silver Labrador is a rare color found in the Labrador dog breed. This type of coloring is not seen much and was made by two recessive genes. You may have never seen one in real life, but there are Silver Labs out there. Some breeders do not approve of this coloring on the Labrador, and others do. Is a Silver Lab a Real Dog? Yes, the Silver Lab, also known as the Silver Labrador, is a dog breed. As I have mentioned above, this is just a color variation of the Labrador dog breed and not an actual new dog breed. Here we have found four Silver Labrador breeders that are registered with the American Kennel Club and reputable choices for Silver Lab Puppies for sale. Check them out. The family has an excellent background with dogs, as they also provide training and boarding services. They are located on a acre farm in Central Texas. Their dogs are treated with a great deal of love and like family members. The puppies come with a limited American Kennel Club registration and a month health guarantee. The owners at Serenity Ranch Kennels breed various Labs in black, white, silver, and charcoal colors. They have multiple litters each year, so you should contact them to put a deposit down on a future litter if you are truly interested. They are located in the Greenwood area of Mississippi. All of their dogs and puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club. Puppies will be given a limited registration. Puppies also come with a month hip guarantee, so you can rest easy with that. They breed a variety of different colored labs from silver, charcoal, red, white, and black. They strive to bring you the best quality dog and companion. It is temperature-controlled and very cleaned. It gets inspected by the American Kennel Club to ensure it is safe and clean for dogs. The Kennel has a fenced-in outside area for the dogs to play around in. Then, the expectant mothers get moved into the birthing room to get ready to have puppies. They love all Labradors, but their focus in breeding is to breed the silver, charcoal, and champagne colored Labs. All the dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club, and each puppy comes with a limited registration. If you are truly interested in getting a Silver Lab, fill out their puppy application and get in contact with the owner. Their small family breeding operation is located in West Tennessee. Jeff and Rhonda have been breeding Labradors for twenty years now, and all their dogs are American Kennel Club Registered, and puppies come with a limited registration. They do not ship their puppies across the United States, so you will need to make arrangements to come to them to get your dog. The only drawback is that you will likely find an older dog instead of a puppy. The Lab Rescue is a non-profit rescue that rescues, rehomes, and takes in neglected or abused Labradors. They work with six different states to acquire these dogs and rehome them. They have many Labradors up for adoption. Look through their list and see if they have any Silver Labs that you might be interested in purchasing. Another great resource to check out is the Lab Rescue by State. This directory is really helpful as it gives you a map of the United States. In addition, it lets you click on the state you live in so you can see how many Labs need a new home. They have both purebred Labradors and some mixes. It can be very helpful and extremely affordable to go through a rescue. I hope you found these two Silver Lab rescues helpful. Summary Have you ever seen a Silver Labrador? Do you own one? Let us know in the comments below if you have one or plan on purchasing Silver Lab puppies for sale. I hope I was able to help give you a lot of information to help you begin your search in finding the perfect Silver Labrador puppy for you and your family. As mentioned, some breeding purists denounce any Labradors other than the three classics and believe that the emergence of other colors is due to cross breeding with Weimaraners. However, no solid evidence supports this theory, and a quick glance at the science reveals that the unique Silver Lab puppies, and their Charcoal and Champagne counterparts, come from a rare combination of recessive genes. A big D is considered dominant, while a little d is recessive. This is why the AKC allows Silver Labs to be fully registered as Chocolate Labs — they come from pureblood, they just have recessive genes. These are even more rare than the trendy Silver Labradors. Hunters loved them for their innate ability to retrieve ducks and after a whole century of developing the breed and meticulously recording characteristics of each litter, Labradors were formally registered with the AKC in .Most kennels strived to breed Black Lab litters, but records include documentation of tan, red and brindles, in addition to the traditional Yellow and Chocolate Labs. But Silver Labs? No one seems to know quite where they come from. They emerged seemingly from nowhere, only adding to their allure. This is because there are only 7 traceable bloodlines. The gene pool is small, and most responsible breeders only allow their female Labrador to produce litters before retiring her. Basic supply and demand keeps the price of Silver Labs very high. There are however, specific rescues geared toward finding the perfect home for Labrador Retrievers of all ages and coat colors. You may find your new Silver Lab puppy through an online search of local rescue organizations. Decade of Friendship: Labrador Life Expectancy When compared to other Labradors, Silver Labs have a typical life expectancy of years - with an average of .Labs generally are known for their friendly, gentle personalities and ability to bond with multiple family members. They are very patient and typically get along well with children and other pets. When socialized from a young age, they enjoy interacting with the whole family. Silver Labradors are well suited for an active household, as they thrive with at least 60 minutes a day of vigorous walking, running, playing, and swimming. As they are natural born swimmers and retrievers, Silver Labs will be happy romping and splashing through water, or chasing a tennis ball. Many owners love to combine the two! Start by finding a clean, safe source of water for your new pup. Then, let him practice his retrieving skills by tossing a ball or other toy that floats. Watch as your new furry friend blossoms into his instincts! Be sure to keep your new Lab puppy physically and mentally stimulated to avoid destructive behaviors like chewing. Puppy puzzles are a great way to provide entertainment without getting outside. The first step in avoiding an unexpected health concern is buying a Lab puppy from a reputable breeder. Still, any Labrador can develop these conditions. Overtime, this condition leads to pain, lameness, and even an altered gait. Though it sometimes requires corrective surgery, if caught early, it can usually be managed with medication and physical therapy exercises. Due to their diluted genes, Silver Labs have additional health risks. Color Dilution Alopecia CDA is a genetic disorder that causes flaky and itchy skin, as well as hair loss. The first sign is thinning coat, which usually occurs at 6 months old. You can also help by providing your puppy with a healthy, balanced diet rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin A. Coconut Oil is a great supportive supplement! If there is food around, they will find it and eat it so keeping food secure is a must! Adult Labs require between and calories per day from a high-quality, protein-rich food. Most vets recommend splitting their daily needs into two meals, to make digestion easier. Both male and female Labradors are prone to unwanted weight gain and obesity. Monitoring their food and treat intake is essential to raising a healthy dog. Training Tips: Best ways to Teach a Labrador Labradors are a national favorite because of their trainability. They respond exceptionally well to positive reinforcement, and reward-based methods, especially when rewarded with food or treats. However, they can get bored easily and training sessions should be kept short, but frequent. As mentioned above, they are highly food-motivated and should easily learn basic commands like sit, down, shake, stay, etc. Just remember to account for the extra calories! Their unique color is due to a simple combination of genes. They love to play and will live best in an active family where they are socialized from a young age. So what do you think? Are you team Silver Lab? Let us know! As one of the most energetic breeds, your Silver Lab puppy will always be down for exercise, play, swimming or any other outdoor activity. Playful and excitable, be prepared to remove any knick-knacks from coffee tables or end tables — this breed is notorious for knocking these over with an almost constantly wagging tail! Widely considered the sweetest tempered dog breed, your Silver Lab puppy will light up every time you walk in the room — greeting you with kisses and affection when you come home after a long day at work. Highly intelligent, these dogs can easily be trained to respond to a variety of commands — and their alert nature makes them natural guard dogs. As one of the most lovable dog breeds, your Silver Lab puppy is sure to get along with everyone — from other dogs to small children and the elderly — making the breed a perfect fit for almost anyone who has the stamina to keep up with it! Many of these conditions affect dogs in later life, though some can occur during adolescents and early adulthood. To learn more about our commitment to ethical breeding practices , read about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! This hunting breed has a water-resistant or water-repellent coat that is slightly dry and oily. Unlike many short-haired breeds, Labs are outdoor dogs. They are usually able to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, straight coats that shed seasonally. They have a double coat — with thick, dense hair — which helps keep them warm during winter months. Their heavy coats also offer additional insulation when swimming — a favorite pastime of Labradors, Silver Labs included. With a low-maintenance coat, the Silver Labrador Retriever only needs brushed once or twice a week. Meet Silver Lab Puppies for Sale. Have a look and then decide further to buy a silver lab puppy or not. Availability of the right space for a large dog Having sufficient time for a dog Financial Support Will a dog fit in with your family members? Apart from Lab Price, the above factors are also mandatory. Labradors can be relatively expensive to manage. Always calculate the after-purchasing expenses. Also, here is some routine medical checkup that is mandatory. Regular eyes checkup Physical Examination Vaccination and Deworming Therefore, all the above will add up to your expenses. For the good health of your puppy, buying veterinary insurance is also a good idea. If you buy regular Pet Insurance, it will save you money. General Expenses Also, keep in mind the numerous expenses on other essentials for your dog including Feeding bowls Collar Leash etc Hopefully, you know all the required above expenditures. If yes, that sounds really great. Now you are on the verge to opt a puppy as your comrade. Dogs need extra space both indoors and outside. Just imagine that small dogs need reasonable space and you are going to buy a large one. In short, you require a decent-sized backyard where your lab puppy can run, play, and enjoy the training sessions. Also, keep in mind that Labradors need to go outside daily for bathroom breaks. If you live in a small flat or no access to a garden, it may be a difficult choice for you. Silver Lab Price is not the main concern when it comes to having it in your home. But, there are some other recurring expenses too. You need a sufficient place for the running and playing of your puppy. Also, the next step is to name your silver lab puppies. If you have some interest in hunting or fishing. It has a strong instinct for hunting. In racing or chasing games, silver dogs prove them an excellent selection. Related Posts:. Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they come in many colors. Silver Labrador Retrievers, or Silver Labs, are relatively new compared to the other Lab coat colors. Contrary to their Yellow, Chocolate, and Black Lab cousins, which have recorded sightings from and before, Silver Labs have only cropped up since .There was some heated debate over their authenticity, as many breeders believed the silver tint appeared from outside the breed. A diluting factor in coat color dominance traits is responsible for the silver hue — something that is also present in Charcoal and Champagne Labs as well. At any rate, Silver Labrador Retrievers are regal, loyal, and friendly Labradors that have a lot of energy and a lot of love to give! Silver Labs are curious and playful dogs. Their curiosity will often get the better of them and they may wander off in search of adventure if they are off-leash. Labrador Retrievers are known for their gentle, friendly dispositions and good natures. Well-socialized Labs tend to get along with children, other dogs, and even other pets and strangers. Because of this they make the ideal family dog and are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Despite being one of the most active dog breeds , Silver Labrador Retrievers are highly adaptable. They prefer bigger spaces to stretch their legs and explore. As one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures , they will often take an outside adventure over an inside one any day. But, they will also just be happy to be spending time with you. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Silver Labs are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are happiest when they are spending time with their favorite humans, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Silver Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, hereditary myopathy, heart disease, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. A condition called exercise-induced collapse EIC has a genetic link and can occur in young adult Labradors. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Silver Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Silver Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk for bloat. Silver Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds. They pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. Despite their energy and getting bored easily, they are still a great fit for dog owners of any experience level. Labrador Retrievers are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, water-resistant fur in two layers. Because of this dense double coat that protects them from the cold, and being one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , they may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. They shed year-round and more heavily twice a year when seasons change. Plus, your Lab will love spending the time with you. Trimming their nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Regularly checking ears and cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, is important to prevent the tartar buildup that causes painful dental diseases later in life. Silver Labrador Retrievers need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. Although they are high-energy dogs, Silver Labs will tend to mellow out a little bit as they get older. Labrador Retrievers tend to have an extended puppyhood and maintain that puppy-like energy until they are around years old. Swimming is a great low-impact activity. Once your Lab puppy is cleared for more intense activity, you can try a lot of different activities with them. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Labs are also athletic and versatile dogs that tend to be a good fit for a wide range of activities. Fully-grown Silver Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Silver Labs generally live for years on average. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are also commonly found working as police or military dogs. They are even one of the best dog breeds for farms! Featured Silver Labrador Retriever Article. Silver Labs cost more than standard colors because they are less common than the standard Black, Yellow, and Chocolate varieties. For the most part, they behave just like the Labradors you grew up with as a child—the most loveable things on four legs. Why this particular color causes so much contention, however is a much more heated subject. The life expectancy is 10 to 14 years, just like any other Labrador. I cannot tell you what to believe when it comes to this difficult subject. Before you decide which side to settle on, however, you should be aware of the important points. In this article we are going to dive into the issues and help you educate yourself on everything surrounding Silver Labradors. For reasons that we will address later on, the Silver Lab costs more than standard Labradors. These are all AKC Labradors. Some of the litters have parents with health clearances. Others do not. Issues Surrounding the Labrador Breed in General You are already treading on some pretty thin ice when you are talking Labradors. With that many devoted fans, you can guarantee there are some serious feelings surrounding the breed. That might be the biggest issue when it comes to the Silver Labrador. You could probably start selling Green English Foxhounds and nobody would care. When you start messing with the number one breed, however, it becomes a different story. The problem arises in the fact that there is a huge demand for this incredible breed and demand has brought a lot of backyard-breeders into the market. These breeders are not concerned about or capable of protecting—at least in the eyes of professional—the overall health of the breed. The rarity of the silver coat has made this particular variety of Labrador even more attractive to backyard-breeders. As a result, the divide between opinions when it comes to the Silver is even more contested. If the answers were clear cut, then the whole controversy would have ended decades ago. Unfortunately, there are no absolute when it comes to the issues that really make up the debate. So, the best you can do is to learn as much as you possibly can before deciding which side to take or whether to just ignore the issue altogether. Having said that, I think it is also important to point out another great quote on uncertainty. The standard colors are as most people know black, yellow, and chocolate. The three standard Labrador colors are black, yellow, and chocolate. The black and chocolate varieties have really remained the same over that time, but the yellows have experienced some variation. Today, however, Yellow Labradors can vary from almost pure white to a fox red or butterscotch without any raised eyebrows. On the other hand, if someone comes with a dog that is designated a Silver Lab or a Champagne or Charcoal it can be another story. So, why do people that accept such wide variation in the Yellows have a problem with the Silver Labs? It really comes down to one accusation that some breeder somewhere crossed a Labrador with another breed of dog to introduce the unique color. So, technically speaking, in order for a dog to be considered a Labrador, it must meet the breed standard setup by the corresponding kennel. These are the ground on which people want kennels to refuse to register a dog that is silver in the Labrador world. There are other disqualifying features that will get a Labrador excluded. Some of those include: Pink nose or one without any color at all Eye rims without pigment Docked tail or otherwise altered When it comes to color, the AKC website says: The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate. Any other color or a combination of colors is a disqualification. A small white spot on the chest is permissible, but not desirable. White hairs from aging or scarring are not to be misinterpreted as brindling. Black: Blacks are all black. A black with brindle markings or a black with tan markings is a disqualification. Yellow: Yellows may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back, and underparts of the dog. Chocolate: Chocolates can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate. Chocolate with brindle or tan markings is a disqualification. To some purists in the breeding game, this statement says it all. Photo by Marcus Benedix on Unsplash Those that support and love the silver or charcoal and champagne colors, there is more to the story. What Causes the Silver Coat? The arguments for and against the Silver or Charcoal Labs is set with the origins of the color. Genetics tells us what makes the silver coat, but it cannot settle the debate over where it came from. It is not art. This is science and it allows us to predict what color of puppies result in any combination of dogs. Gene Combinations There are 9 possible gene combinations when it comes to Labrador retrievers: eeBB, eeBb, and eebb will always result in a yellow lab. Eebb and EEbb will always result in a chocolate lab. It seems to reason that there are more black labs in the world than yellow or chocolate. There are more possible combinations that can lead to that color. So every lab has these two pairs and when you breed two dogs they each pass on one of the allele associated with their pair. For example, if you have a black lab with the genetic makeup of EEBB then that dog will always pass on one E allele and one B. On the other hand, if your black lab has the genetic makeup of EeBb, then your puppy might receive an E or e and a B or b. If both parents are yellow labs, regardless of what the B alleles are, you will always get yellow puppies. On the other hand, if you have two black labs, your litter might include yellow, black and chocolate puppies. The following chart might help you see how this works. The top row represents the contributions of the male and the far column represents the female contributions: Labrador color is determined by science. The Dilute Gene There is another gene pair in labs that typically does not influence the color. This gene pair is made up of the D allele or its recessive counterpart d. Historically, that pair has almost always been DD. For a lab to have the silver color that has become so popular over the last several years, this D pair must have two recessive alleles dd and results in a dilute color of the solid color. If there is even one D in the pair, the lab will have one of the three acceptable colors. As a result, in their minds, the AKC should refuse to paper these dogs. Additionally, the dogs would be refused entry in field trials. Other Diluted Colors Although we are focusing this article on the Silver Labardor, each of the three standard Lab colors have their own diluted variation. The Silver Lab is a Chocolate Lab with the dd gene. When a Yellow Lab gets the dd gene, the diluted color is called Champange. This may be the most difficult to recognize because the colors of Yellow Labradors already have a significant amount of variation in them. If you ever see a Champange Labrador, you will still notice a slight difference. If a Black Labrador ends up with the dd gene, the dog will have a charcoal look. When did Silver Labs Show Up? When such a drastic change comes into a popular breed like the Labrador, people start asking questions. Just puppies of the black, yellow and chocolate varieties. There are plenty of speculations as to how the dilute color was introduced to Labrador breed. Some breeders and enthusiasts, based only on appearance, accuse breeders of having crossed a Lab with a Weimaraner. Here is one breeder and geneticist that believes the Silver Labrador resulted in a cross with a Chocolate Lab and a Weimaraner. Remember what I said about uncertainty? If you have ever seen one, you know what they are talking about. The color of a Silver Lab almost matches that of a Weimaraner perfectly. The similarities have given room for reasonable doubt and a plausible explanation as to where the color variation came from. Although the colors seem to scream foul play, the heredity records seem to dispute the accusation. Some people see this as the smoking gun. It is cold, hard proof in their heads that somewhere along the way Labs were crossed with Weimaraners. Some people claim that there is another connection to the Weimaraner. They claim that Silver Labs have longer ears a distinctive Weimaraner feature. Mutated Genes The other side of the argument against Silver Labradors is that the particular gene mutated along the way. Breeders that believe the gene mutated hold the position that those dogs should have been bred out of the breed when the color first appeared. In other words, the breeder should have refused to let dogs with the gene reproduce. This is why the AKC refuses to register Labradors with the disqualifying features that were mentioned above. Those that hold this view see the AKC has the culprit. They had a duty to stop this problem before it could grow to where it is today. Although this kind of gene mutation is extremely rare, it does happen and there is evidence throughout the animal kingdom. It is hard for some people to believe because the mutation if that is what happened resulted in a gene combination that already existed in another dog. For that to happen would be even more uncommon than the mutation happening in the first place. According to scientists, even though mutations like this can happen, they typically do not reproduce. So, I think mutation is the least likely of the explanations. Evolutionary Progress Those that support the diluted variations claim that the gene has always been present in Labradors. These supporters point to the fact that the first Labradors were predominantly black. They claim that Yellows and Chocolates are recent additions to the breed and that the silver and charcoal colors are just the next evolution in the breed. Breeders that love the silver color, would have us accept the new shades and expand the breed. It seems pretty obvious that the genes causing these other two standard colors were present from almost the beginning—even though they were more rare than Black Labs. The reality is that people preferred the Black Labrador to Yellow and Chocolate. So, that preference weighed in on how people bred their dogs. You can see the preference for colors if you consider the Field Trial winners over the last 50 years. Although Yellow dogs were more common, the Blacks were winning everything at one point. Then, slowly, there were more and more Yellow dogs taking the wins. Recessive Hidden Genes There is a scientific phenomenon where genes remain hidden for long periods of time. This phenomenon is the other explanation for why the Silver Labrador may have taken so long to surface rather than hitting the scene at the same time as the Yellows and the Chocolates. This is actually not unlikely as you might think. The likelihood of the eventual pairing of the diluted genes if it was there all along increases as the Labrador breeding pool shrinks. Once you have the paired genes, it becomes more likely in the later litters. Before there was a Labrador breed, individuals were mixing and matching breeds to get the perfect dog for their situations. In the case of Labs, one of the dogs that was used in the mix was the Chessie. The kicker is… Chesapeake Bay Retrievers carry the diluted gene. The AKC has actually ignored the problem. In doing so, they have made the contempt among the breeders even more intense. The AKC does not recognize the diluted Labrador colors. So, then how do dog owners get their Silver Labradors registered? Well, you have to register them to the non-diluted color. Charcoal Labradors are registered as Blacks. And, Champagne Labradors are registered as Yellows. The truth about the kennels, in my opinion, is that they are never going to make a ruling on this matter. To tell you the truth, I am not sure that they can do anything but accept the dog if the pedigree seems to be in order. This is really difficult to answer because we cannot settle on whether or not this is a variation of the Labrador breed or a Labrador mix. The answer to that question will determine what we can say about their temperament. If it is a part of the Labrador breed, then we would expect to see Silver Labs with the typical Labrador personality. Although there are always variations within that breed, there is a breed expectation. On the other hand, if the Silver is the result of a cross-breeding, then we would need to know what the other breed is to anticipate any changes to the Labrador behavior. Most people assume that any cross-breeding would have been with the Weimaraner. So, take a Labrador and give it copious amounts of caffeine. That is pretty much how I would describe this breed. The Weimaraner has a huge prey-drive more than a Labrador. The higher energy levels and increased prey-drive would make a Silver Labrador if the cross happened more difficult to train than standard Labradors. There have been some concerns about the diluted dogs health. Some writers have even suggested that Silver Labradors will experience increased health concerns because of inbreeding. In the earlier days and still today in the case of lousy breeders , there were not enough of the diluted colors available. As such, the breeders had to use dogs that were closely related in order to continue the color deviation and ensure silver or charcoal litters. Although recent studies of the diluted dog suggest that there are more than enough Silver Labs to keep them from inbreeding problems. Regardless, rumors still concern potential buyers from investing in a Silver Lab puppy. The reality it is that any Labrador can succumb to the ill-fate of bad knees or hip dysplasia. If you are considering buying any puppy, you must do your due diligence. Make sure that both parents have the proper health clearances. This should be done regardless of what breed or puppy you get. Click here to learn more about hip dysplasia. What is the Life Expectancy of a Silver Lab? As the Silver Lab gets more and more common, we will get a better feel for things like their longevity. I anticipate, however, that the life expectancy of a Silver Lab will be the same as any other healthy Labrador. When you bring your little silver bundle of canine chaos home, remember that you have somewhere between 10 and 14 years to love and care for him. Should I Purchase a Silver Labrador? Only you can answer this question. In addition to the typical questions you should ask before making this huge commitment. There are all the typical questions that you must ask before taking the plunge with a new puppy. You need to consider how much space you have and whether your schedule allows you to give the dog enough time. These are difficult questions, but you must be honest with yourself. In addition to the normal questions that you would tell your friends to consider what you want to do with your dog. Are you going to run him in field trials and hunt tests? If that is your plan, then you need to consider the fact that you will likely be allowed to run every time, but that in doing so, you will also likely get heckled by the purists. Although there is mounting evidence that suggests this could be the case, it is mostly circumstantial evidence and nothing more. There are other explanations that offer somewhat equally-plausible explanations. If you purchase a Silver Labrador, you will be able to get it registered. You will not, however, be able to register a Silver Labrador. What do I mean and why does it seem like I am talking in riddles? In order to register the litter, the breeder had to tell the AKC that he had a litter of Chocolate puppies. You can register your little pup, but when you go to register him do not look for the box that says: Silver. It does not exist. Ultimately, you can register Silver Labs, but not as Silver Labs. Fact: It is impossible to determine if Silver Labradors are purebred with current testing. Some supporters of the Silver Labrador adamantly insist that tests have been run to ensure that Silver and Charcoal and Champagne are purebred Labradors. Unfortunately, the current DNA tests for canines are not sophisticated enough to identify ancestral markers. They are really good at pointing out parentage. Reasons People Oppose Silver Labradors It does not take much time in the retriever world to realize that there is some stiff opposition to Silver Labs. All you have to do is attend one Field Trial or Hunt Test with Silver Labs to find out how deep the controversy and the animosity goes. As you bounce around the different forums you can get a feel for how ugly the debate can get. Sharon Wagner does not pull any punches about her opinion on Silver Labs. She said, There are many reasons why silver Labradors should not be produced and the main one is that they are a disqualification and adhering to a standard while breeding is what keeps a breed a breed. The Labrador looks and acts like Labrador and not a German Shepherd because of the dedicated breeders preserving the breed. A standard is a blueprint and varying because it looks nice will undoubtedly cause the structure to fail see full article at www. I think this is the most common and logical argument against the Silver Lab. This leads me to believe that they are breeding simply to make money and do not care about a superior individual nor do they care about the breed in general. Unfortunately, Ms. Wagner allowed herself to stoop to the type of exaggeration that has blown this argument out of proportion over the decades. If you are in the market for a Silver Lab or charcoal or champagne then you had better be ready to pay a little extra. Although their numbers are increasing, they are still a rarity, especially in the UK. This fact has led some to believe that it is the only reason breeders choose to breed for this rare gene. As they become more common, it is likely that the prices will come down, although they may never reach the level of standard labs that meet the AKC regulations. If you are planning on running your dog in AKC events, understand that you will likely run into problems with other handlers. Not everyone is ready to move on. Some of them will express their frustration with the AKC on innocent dog handlers that just want to run their dogs in a Hunt Test. Conclusion Regarding Silver Labs The reality is that this argument and discussion hopefully more of the later will continue to rage on. It does not seem like anyone is even close to presenting information or facts that will completely establish the truth regarding Silver Labradors. Whether you love the color or believe that it is going to bring the downfall of Labrador Retrievers across the globe, we should all agree on the fact that we need to be civil and treat each other with respect.