golden retriever female puppy

Jayme W. NC Male Transfer .Please make sure you are committed to the process and understand the time we put into managing our lists and working with families to keep them all updated and informed. We only book one list at a time with the option to transfer to a future list on choosing day. Transport options: 1. Cargo is available through American and Alaska Air. We prefer shipping out of Grand Junction, CO airport. We will meet you in the airport terminal so you can return home with puppy in the cabin with you. Pup plus carrier must be under 20lbs at the time of flight. Southwest, Alaska and Frontier are the most accommodating for pets. Our closest airport is Grand Junction, CO. We will meet you at Denver International Airport for an additional fee. Please coordinate arrival dates with us before you book a flight. Service Dog Requests: Many people are in need of canine assistance and we take our placement very seriously. Sadly, we do find that people come to us requesting a service dog because their name will be placed at the top of the list. Keep in mind, service dogs require a lot of your time and training. They need a job and if not given a task they will make their own such as chewing up your couch or barking when left alone. Service dogs need to be with their handler the majority of the day. They are not to be left for hours alone until their owner returns to walk them around the neighborhood. Service dogs need a job and a schedule. Service dog candidates must provide a letter from their Therapist or Physician outlining the tasks their pup should be willing to learn. They must provide proof their pup has been enrolled in board and train or private training by the time they are 10 weeks old and their trainer needs to contact us before our team evaluates the litter. Also, service dog qualified pups are matched to the job and owners do not get to choose their puppy. Also known by the name Irish Wolfadoodle and Woodle, they are a popular choice of dog for those who wish to have the characteristics of each parent breed, without having to choose between them. Taking into consideration that the Irish Wolfadoodle is a mix of two large dogs, there is no way that it is going to be one of the mini Doodle breeds. But, it is one of the best, if not one of the only giant doodle breeds you have got to see! Yes they do! While both parent pups are highly intelligent and simple to teach, they both have the calm and patient temperament that the Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix is known for. Due to its large size, the Irish Wolfhound is always crossed with a standard Poodle, because miniature and toy Poodles are too small to breed with this large dog. Irish Wolfhound Parent Breed If you thought that the Great Dane was the largest and tallest dog breed in the world, take a second guess! The Irish Wolfhound steals the spotlight on the tallest dog breed list for being 34 to 35 inches tall! Despite that, they make wonderful cuddle buddies that you can snuggle next to! The Irish Wolfhound is truly a gentle giant that is known for its calm demeanor and fun personality. Poodles undoubtedly make the best doodle breeds out there. Not only are Poodles visually appealing and extremely soft, but they are also one of the smartest dog breeds in the world! So, combining intelligence with fabulous looks makes the Poodle an amazing canine. Only purebred dogs can become recognized by the American Kennel Club , which makes it impossible for the Irish Wolfoodle to tag along. Before I say anything else, let me just tell you that the Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix is going to be a medium to large dog. In fact, it may even be a giant dog! Its size will depend on the size of its parents, and it will be quite difficult to determine the size of a mixed breed pup such as the Irish Wolfoodle. The Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix is going to be a giant designer dog with a heart that is even greater than their frame! I mean, modern Irish Wolfhounds have Tibetan Mastiff genes in their big bodies! The reason behind such a huge height range is because Irish Wolfoodles may inherit more Irish Wolfhound genes, thus become taller. Weight Alrighty, time to talk about the Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix weight. But first, we got to check how much its parents weigh. The purebred Irish Wolfhound male dog weighs between and pounds. On the other hand, female Irish Wolfhounds are shown to pounds on scale. When it comes to the purebred Poodle parent side, males grow to 45 to 70 pounds and females between 45 and 60 pounds. Combine those two and you will get that an average male Irish Wolfoodle weighs between 70 and pounds, whereas an average female Irish Wolfoodle weighs between 70 and pounds. But, the majority of Irish Wolfoodles inherit dark brown to black colored eyes. In rare cases, an Irish Wolfoodle can be a blue-eyed dog. Although blue eyed dogs are typically Siberian Huskies, French Bulldogs, and Australian Shepherds, a mixed breed dog such as the Irish Wolfoodle may inherit a recessive gene that colors its eyes in crystal blue. Purebred Irish Wolfhounds come in more than 22 interesting colors and shades, while Poodles show more than 35 funky coat colors. Just imagine how many varieties of coat colors an Irish Wolfoodle can inherit! That being said, an Irish Wolfoodle can have any of the beautiful Poodle colors such as apricot and brown, but it may also take on some brindle and wheaten shades of its Irish Wolfhound parent. If there is a black Poodle in the mix, chances are that the Irish Wolfoodle offspring will inherit this dominant coat color gene. Irish Wolfhounds have a double coat soft undercoat and wiry top coat that sheds periodically throughout the year, but not excessively. Poodles have a single coat of curly hair that can grow to be longer than the Irish Wolfhound. The purebred standard Poodle proudly shows its curly coat that is dense throughout its whole body. Its coat is very unique when compared to other double-coated dogs like Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies. In some cases, the Irish Wolfoodle puppy may lean more towards a coarse double-coat of an Irish Wolfhound, and in others, it may lean more towards the single coated Poodle. However, in most cases, the Irish Wolfoodle inherits a double coat that is a bit coarse. Yes it does! But, not as much as you might think. When we look at the parent breeds, we have an almost non-shedding standard Poodle and a moderate shedder that is the Irish Wolfhound. This means that the shedding in Poodles is present, but the amount of hair that has fallen out is minimal when compared to other dog breeds. So, the Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix is going to shed just as much as its parent breeds. If it inherits a curlier coat, it will absorb the loose hairs. But, if it inherits a more straight coat like its Irish Wolfhound parent, then there will be some loose hairs here and there. Due to the sort of coat that standard Poodles have, I like to say that Irish Wolfoodles are potentially hypoallergenic. Standard Poodles come with a single coat that sheds minimally and this is why they are known as hypoallergenic dogs. On the other hand, due to the seasonal coat changing, double-coated dogs such as the Irish Wolfhound are a bit tricky to be around people with dog allergies. The Irish Wolfadoodle can be hypoallergenic to some extent, similar to other Doodle breeds like the Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles. Famous Doodle breeds like the Labradoodles and Sheepadoodle share similar hypoallergenic traits. Depending on the parent breeds whether two purebred or mixed breeds are bred the hypoallergenic coat properties and shedding of an Irish Wolfoodle can vary greatly. This leads me to explain a little more about the Irish Wolfoodle generations and how they work. Then we have the numbers 1, 2, or 3 that mark Irish Wolfadoodle generations. This is the first Irish Wolfadoodle that comes from two purebred parent breeds — the Irish Wolfhound and the Poodle. Having said that, the F1 Irish Wolfadoodle may inherit either a curly or coarse, moderately shedding coat, depending on which gene it picks up from its parents. What it means is that it was bred again with the purebred Poodle. This makes them great canine candidates for allergy sufferers. Similar to mixing an F1 Irish Wolfadoodle with a purebred Poodle, except that the reverse F1B puppy is going to look more like its Irish Wolfhound parent. Expect a reverse F1B Irish Wolfadoodle to inherit a coarser coat that sheds moderately. It will also come with more wolf-like facial features and deep-set almond eyes. Now, this is getting more and more complicated. We can see two B letters, which indicated that this Irish Wolfadoodle puppy was backcross-bred two times with a Poodle. This combination almost always results in Poodle appearance and personality traits. An interesting fact about the F1BB Irish Wolfadoodle is that it has the highest success rate for non-shedding and is suitable for living with dog lovers that are suffering from severe allergies. But, there are other ways to develop the F2 Irish Wolfadoodles. F2B Irish Wolfadoodles I have some good news for allergy sufferers! Although F2B Irish Wolfadoodles are not much different than the standard F2 Irish Wolfadoodles, they have higher chances of inheriting hypoallergenic coats. Which means, more Poodle genes! Their parent breeds are F2 Irish Wolfadoodle and purebred Poodles. F2BB Irish Wolfadoodles are very similar to the standard Poodle dog breed, which means that they are considered hypoallergenic. The Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix is a big dog that is known for its courage and its ability to hunt large and small prey. Its intimidating size makes it one of the best big guard dog breeds , but also one of the biggest cuddlers! This designer dog is among the medium-energy dogs that will love to be around their family members! The Irish Wolfoodle inherits a very gentle and kind nature that makes everyone fall in love with it! The Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix makes a great canine companion to have around the house and it makes a wonderful family dog. It is very gentle towards smaller children, but it may not be as gentle towards smaller pets. This is because the Irish Wolfoodle inherits a strong prey drive from both parent breeds. The Irish Wolfhound parent was originally bred as a sighthound and a fearless hunting dog. These particular traits make it closely related to the Scottish Deerhound, the Greyhound, as well as the Great Dane. The standard Poodle parent was bred as a water retriever, and was even used as a working dog during the war! Therefore, Irish Wolfoodles even though they are usually fairly calm, they may pursue after small, and fast animals like cats. However, its large size alone makes the Irish Wolfadoodle a formidable watchdog. Generally speaking, Irish Wolfoodles are great students, making training sessions rewarding for both the dogs and their owners. It might inherit a bit of a sluggish side from its Irish Wolfhound parent side. Without proper training, the Irish Wolfoodle can become stubborn, and even hostile toward other animals and humans. Naturally, these health issues can be passed onto the litter of Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix puppies. Due to their large size, Irish Wolfoodles often suffer from health issues that are linked to large breeds. These health conditions include:. These puppies will be alillte smaller than the wolfhounds and we have found with our three litters to date, their hair tends to be more wolfhound than poodle. But don't get us wrong, they still will be large dogs - some with heights from 16 to 33 inches at their withers for the males and for the females around 16 to 30 inches it depends on their parents. As an honest breeder, we are upfront with you, saying none of can really tell you at 8 or 9 weeks how tall or large your puppy will really be, we can look at their bones and at their parents. We are breeding them to extend their lifespan is the real reason this is even being done. As far as weight we are seeing around 85 to lbs for the males and 70 to for the females. Ollie, the proud papa, carries a blue eye gene so we are hoping that some day we will have one with blue eyes but so far none have had it, their eyes are usually dark brown to black but will look deep into your soul - these are humans in fur coats! Coat type - wolfhounds have a wiry top coat with a soft undercoat and as you know poodles have a curly coat - when you bathe your doodle, you will see the curl but we are seeing a soft cashmere puppy coat in most and a few with the wiry feel - don't think they don't shed , they do alittle but they love being brushed and the more you do this, the better! Hypoallergenic - some say that they are, we can't make that claim and be honest with you. Generations - F1s, etc - we breed only F1 Irish Wolfadoodles - meaning this F stands for "filial hybrid" a crossbred dog and then the numbers stand for the generations of breeding that has been done - we don't backcross which is called the B or BBs. Ours come from purebreed registered, genetically tested parents, both parents traits are in a ratio of .Lifespan - based on our research, by breeding these two breeds together, your puppy should could live up to 13 years. You are visitor number: .He has to be one of the most incredibly adorable and gorgeous big babies we have ever seen! He is 9 months old and loving and unique. He was tuned into us by his owner when their tiny ChiWeeny Chihuahua Doxy dog was mean to him and wanted to be an only child. The family loved and adored him, but realized he needed to be with dogs that wanted to play with him not try to beat him up like the tiny ChiWeeny was doing. Watson, of course, was scared of the "big mean Chi Weeny and ran away so you can guess that he is very sweet and non-aggressive in every way and is so happy to be here playing with all our big and even tiny dogs who love him. Now he is seeking a great home where he will be happy and safe and loved and cherished for life! Sherlock: Sherlock is a gorgeous 6 month old Wheaten fawn Irish Wolfhound Greyhound puppy who wound up in shelter with his brother Bond James Bond, that is! We rescued these two big babies who are adorable and loving and sweet to all. They are seeking the best homes where they will be loved and cherished and happy and safe for life! Bond: James Bond, that is! Bond is a gorgeous 6 month old Wheaten fawn Irish Wolfhound Greyhound puppy who wound up in shelter with his brother Sherlock. Buddy: Woodle - Incredible cream "Woodle" - Irish Wolfhound Poodle - Buddy's owners love and adore him, but he was much bigger than they are able to handle and a puppy, too. They were under the impression he would be a much smaller dog than he turned out to be as he is already big at one year old and will still likely grow upward until he is two years old and then fill out even more from two to four years old. Although they were hoping for a smaller dog, he is clearly in the right place with us where our adopters like them the bigger the better. Buddy is very friendly and outgoing and though very well behaved in general, he gets exuberant when he first greets you in the morning and when he first meets new people. For our breeds, we call this the "zoomies" and most of the young dogs of the breeds we rescue get it when they get excited. Buddy is a big baby who loves to play and makes no exceptions with whom he plays as he loves all people, kids, dogs, everyone! He looks like a smaller Irish wolfhound in his beautiful cream color and is really as beautiful and incredible as they get. He gives great "whiskery wolfhound kisses" and actually sits up on his hind paws to give you real hugs. No less than the best home on earth will do for this lover boy! Bentley: Woodle Schnoodle - Incredible black Irish Wolfhound Giant Schnauzer Poodle - Bentley's owners moved where they couldn't have a dog and brought him to a shelter. We rescued him on his last day. He is a loving, sweet, exuberant, big boy puppy. He gives great "whiskery" wolfhound kisses, loves to play, and is looking for the best home on earth where he will be happy and safe for life. Little Miss Muppet: Irish Wolfhound Mastiff - a 1 year old scared and shy puppy - Muppy was owned by a little old lady who loved her, but never introduced her to anyone or took her anywhere. As a result, she is experiencing total culture shock in that she was unaware that there were this many people in the world. She needs someone with extreme patience. She is great with all other dogs and cats and is fine with people, just scared of people. She lives here with us and all the other dogs and is housetrained and comes and goes just like the others, but does not come to us for pets, so we have to go to her. She does let us pet and love her, but may take a long time to act normally, though she always acts playful and happy with the other dogs. She needs to go to a home that has at least one other dog, and it would be better if they had multiple dogs so that she could be part of the group and not the total focus of attention. This is why people should always make sure that they continue to bring their dogs everywhere and introduce them to everyone to keep them outgoing and well socialized. With time and love and extreme patience, Muppie will be a great companion and has made great strides here. When she first arrived, we could not even touch her and she had to be separated, but now she has become a member of the household and lives like a normal little person with all the others. She has come a long way since arriving here, but still has a long way to go. Final Thoughts What is an Irish Wolfadoodle? The result of this crossbreed is generally a large, strong, loyal, and devoted dog that loves to please its owners. It is also known as the Irish Wolfoodle or Irish Wolfdoodle. They tend to have the patience and laid-back nature of an Irish Wolfhound combined with the intelligence and trainability of a Poodle. Additionally, they are known for being gentle yet alert companions who make excellent family dogs. The Irish Wolfhound has been bred since ancient times to be a guardian and hunter, while the Poodle was initially used as a water retriever. Both breeds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and trainability, making them ideal partners in life. When I was growing up, my mom would fantasize about Irish Wolfhounds. I guess she met one as a child; its giant size and sweet temperament made her fall in love. Even though she always took a particular liking to Terriers, she dreamed of owning an Irish Wolfhound. The majestic Irish Wolfhound. Plus, as a family, we always had a house full of dogs — some planned, some by accident. My grandpa would taunt my mom that he would buy her one. It never happened, and my mom still adores the breed. I was taking a walk in Dayton, OH, with my Bernedoodle Murphy , and we saw a tall, regal dog that looked oddly like a wolf. He was off-leash and running at a casual pace. Both Murphy and I were a bit scared. Murphy meeting an Irish Wolfhound on a walk. He ran up to meet us and was so sweet, not to mention gorgeous. His owner was down the way, and with one quick whistle, the Wolfhound bounded off to meet up with him. He was majestic — a gentle pup packed into such a significant figure. I always stop and ask the owner for a pet! Irish Wolfhound History Irish Wolfhounds can stand over 30 inches in height. The Irish Wolfhound is a giant breed that originated in Ireland. It is believed to have been developed from ancient Celtic hounds and used to hunt wolves and other wild animals. In later years, it was also used as a guard dog, protector, and companion. The breed has been around for centuries, with references to the dogs appearing in literature as early as the 6th century [1] akc. The Irish Wolfhound is still used as a working dog and kept as a family pet. Surprisingly, the Irish Wolfhound is noted to have gone extinct in the late s. However, a man named Augustus Graham made efforts to revive the breed using dogs believed to have been descended from Irish Wolfhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, and Great Danes and produced the Irish Wolfhound that the world knows today after breeding for a few generations. The debate still goes on if the modern-day Irish Wolfhound is related to the original Irish Wolfhound or is a new breed created by humankind [2] akc. The Irish Wolfhound has a long muzzle, and small ears set close together. This breed requires daily exercise, including extensive walks and lots of playtime, to stay healthy and happy [4] iwclubofamerica. Poodle Standard is the largest size of Poodle. The Poodle is a breed that originated in Germany, where it was initially bred as a type of water dog. The original purpose of the standard Poodle was to hunt ducks and other waterfowl. This is why the breed has a unique coat texture, which was designed to allow them to remain buoyant while swimming [5] akc. In the 18th century, the Poodle became popular in France among royalty and the aristocracy due to its intelligence, loyalty, and elegant appearance. These dogs were used as circus performers and became popular as a lapdog in France and the rest of Europe. By the 19th century, Poodles had become one of the most popular breeds in Europe, and eventually, they made their way to North America in the early 19th century [6] ukcdogs. The Poodle is an incredibly intelligent, active, and loyal dog breed. They are highly trainable, making them popular in various performance venues, such as agility and obedience competitions. There are three sizes of Poodle — standard, miniature, and toy. The Mini Poodle has all the same characteristics as the Standard — just smaller. They are social animals who love to be around their families, but they can also stand to be alone if necessary. Generally speaking, these dogs have an undercoat lighter in color than the outer coat, which is usually darker. The Irish Wolfhound also has a distinctive mane of long fur around its neck and chest, making it recognizable as a unique breed. The Poodle is known for its unique double coat. The outer coat of the Poodle is composed of tight, curly hair that can either be corded or clipped and groomed into show clips. This coat type helps protect them from inclement weather and prevents matting. The Poodle coat is available in various colors, including white, black, silver, and cream. Coat Type A typical Irish Wolfadoodle will have an even blend between both parent coats. The coat tends to be dense and coarse while retaining the curls or waves from the Poodle side. Shedding is typically light, with minimal dander. Coat Colors The Irish Wolfadoodle has quite a variety of coat colors in its genes. Both the Poodle and Irish Wolfhound contribute unique colors to the genetic pool. The parents will be the best determinant of your Irish Wolfadoodle coat. Below is a list of possible coat colors for the Irish Wolfadoodle: Black.

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. Puppy training development after 6 months It is very tempting to get carried away with puppy training. Your young do is so willing to please and such fun to be around. It is important to go at a happy pace for you both. Positive reinforcement training is the right choice for your puppy because there are no negative consequences to getting something wrong. But you can still both suffer from burnout and frustration if you try to reach the later puppy training stages without totally aceing the earlier developments. Your Puppy Training Schedule This may not be exactly the same for each puppy, especially with retrieving which is more Labrador specific. However, it gives you a rough idea. Constantly changing direction. Stopping frequently for cuddles and rewards. This means I blow the recall whistle whenever the puppy runs towards me, no compulsion, and no whistle unless the recall is already underway. Socialisation: Lots almost daily of outings to different places rural and urban carried Visits to family and friends. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow mouthing. Working with food: Learning how to take food gently without snatching or grabbing at the treat pot. I still give the puppy lots of encouragement by running away as soon as I blow the whistle. Socialisation: More socialisation, at least twice a week to busy public places. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow gentle mouthing. Retrieving: Encourage chase and pick up retrieve drive. Hand touch: I teach all new puppies to touch my hand with their noses. This is a great foundation for other skills. Recall: Puppy recall continues, reduce my run to a walk, avoid any distractions. Still frequently blow the recall whenever the pup runs towards me of her own free will. Socialisation: From ground level after vaccination. No other leash walking at all Bite inhibition: No biting, gentle mouthing allowed. Retrieving: Continue to build drive. Positions: I introduce three positions — sit, stand, down. What to expect from your 3 month old puppy Most three month old puppies will be sleeping through the night. And will be having less potty training accidents in the house. There are a few potty training problems that arise at this age, and they are all covered in 15 potty training problems solved. Biting is a big shock and a big problem for many new Lab puppy parents so do check out our complete guide to biting , and join the forum for help and support. Help encourage your puppy to stay in their bed while you are eating. I have a pot of dog treats on our kitchen table, and whenever we sit down to a meal, the puppy gets a treat each time she steps into her basket. Just a treat for stepping in there. What to expect from your 4 month old puppy Your 4 month old puppy will be pretty much potty trained, but accidents still happen if they are left alone too long. Biting is usually starting to subside now, and many four month old puppies will be able to mouth at your hand without hurting you. At this point I start to discourage all mouthing. I teach every puppy to let me touch her face or approach her with my hand, food, a leash etc while holding eye contact and not grabbing at me, or at what is in my hand. This is the age at which people often start to push forward with training. Your 4 month old puppy is capable of quite a lot. There is nothing wrong with teaching your puppy different cues and even some tricks. I recommend you still avoid long duration activities at this point as they are a common stumbling point with puppies young enough to have a short attention span. A ten second sit is ample. Add mild distractions Recall: Fade additional cues. Begin to whistle the pup and stand still. Add mild distractions. Clicker train to polish this in more mouthy puppies. No commands are needed for this. Gradual introduction of distractions. Advanced puppy training begins in earnest This is where I start a programme of sporting training with my Labs. You can begin raising your standards and expectations, asking for longer and more complex behaviors. Teaching your puppy to walk to heel nicely for longer distance and past all kinds of distractions and temptations. Or teaching your puppy to sit and stay for longer periods of time, and even while you go out of sight or while other dogs play nearby. What to expect from your six month old puppy Six months is a common time for people to have a lot of questions and to be struggling with a few challenges. This is now a very bouncy, quite powerful and rapidly maturing young dog. And you may need to patch up a few holes in his training or manners. We have a great article for owners of six month old Lab puppies.

One practical difference between curly and wavy poodle fur involves dog show competition. If your mature poodle's hair tends to waves rather than outright curls, you can't compete in conformation breed classes. Poodle Coat Standard The American Kennel Club, the governing body of canine breed competitions, states that the poodle's coat should be curly. It adds that the curly coat is dense throughout the body and of "naturally harsh texture. The cords are shorter on the tail puff and legs, and longer on the trunk or neck. The standard does not mention a wavy coat. Puppy Coats Poodle puppies have wavy coats, which are also softer than that of the adult dog. While the coat changes over time, how long it takes depends on the size of the poodle. In toy and miniature poodles, the wavy coat starts changing into a curly coat at approximately 9 months of age, and takes about 9 months to completely transition. By the time your smaller poodle reaches the age of a year-and-a-half, his curly coat should be complete. For standard poodles, the change in coat type begins between the ages of 9 to 16 months, but the entire transition takes just about three months to complete. By the age of 19 months -- approximately the same age as his smaller cousins -- the standard poodle sports an entirely curly coat. Poodle Mixes Because they don't shed and are believed to be hypoallergenic, poodles are often crossed with other dog breeds. The results include the cockapoo -- poodle and cocker spaniel; schnoodle -- poodle and schnauzer; Labradoodle poodle and Labrador retriever and many more. Crossing dogs with dissimilar hair coats is always a gamble, because you could end up with a shedding, non-hypoallergenic canine that only faintly resembles a poodle. One of the older crosses, the cockapoo, tends to breed true, although many of these hybrid dogs have wavy rather than curly hair. A good breeder can tell you what type of coat a cockapoo puppy is likely to have when the pup is still quite young. Poodle Grooming All poodles require regular grooming and clipping. Without this basic maintenance, they turn into a matted mess. Poodles whose curly coats haven't yet come in can sport a "puppy" clip, which is also an easy maintenance style for owners of older poodles who don't compete in the show ring. With a puppy clip, the tail base, feet, face and throat are shaved. Show dogs might appear in a continental, English saddle or sporting clip, each of which has strict rules about what areas of the body are shaved. If you have a poodle mix with a wavy coat, or a poodle still in his puppy coat phase, you can opt for a full coat, but that requires extensive grooming. A simpler option is the "teddy bear" clip, which just needs weekly brushing. Do poodle tails get docked? What is a curled tail? In contrast, the same tail on another show breed would be deeply undesirable. Can poodles have curly tails? A poodle with a curled tail running through the grass. The tail curl can also be caused by hemivertebrae, although this is not often associated with poodles. Hemivertebrae is a congenital condition where the vertebrae of the spine either fuse or develop as a wedge shape giving rise to the curvature or curl of the tail. In some dogs, typically breeds with longer tails, hemivertebrae will only cause the end of the tail to curl. Dog breeds with shorter tails can develop a corkscrew tail. This can be a sign of spinal problems in these breeds, which can be painful. The tail curl is hereditary, so puppies born to parents with tail curls are more likely to have it themselves. If you want a poodle with a straight tail, you should see both parents before picking your puppy out of the litter. Are there any health concerns associated with a poodle tail curl? If you have a smaller poodle whose tail is very curled or shaped like a corkscrew, it would be worth checking with your veterinarian. Will a poodle tail curl stop me from showing my dog? Whether or not you can show your dog depends on the kennel club, but most of them do want poodles with straight tails. The American Kennel Clubs poodle breed Standard states explicitly the tail should be straight. American Kennel Club Breed Standard If you want to show your Poodle, take full advantage of its tail and make it a real showpiece. Some people turn to surgery to try and straighten the tail, but this can be risky and painful for the dog and is not recommended. You will also find it challenging to find a veterinarian willing to help, and for a good reason. You can take your dog to a groomer and ask them to work on the tail to make it look as straight as possible. Of course, there are limitations to what they can achieve, but you might be surprised by what a skilled dog groomer can achieve. FAQ Do poodles have curled tails? Yes, with a slightly shorter tail this can be more pronounced than the Standard poodle. Yes, as the tail is shorter than the larger poodle variants, this can be even more pronounced. It can be an inherited trait from the parents or caused by wedge-shaped vertebrae. What is a gay tail in poodles? Yes, show dogs are expected to have their tails docked. The Doxiepoo is a mix of the Poodle and the Dachshund breeds. Every puppy looks a bit different — most have the long body of the Dachshund and the curly hair of the Poodle! Westiepoo: West Highland White Terrier x Poodle Mix The Westiepoo is an amazing hybrid dog breed that is full of love, affection, and offers a pleasant disposition. This smart guy matches perfectly with any owners, as they have a great personality — not to mention they are incredibly handsome with those majestic curls. Maltipoo: Maltese x Poodle Mix Maltipoos are a winning combination of the Maltese and Poodle — with those elegant, wavy locks, that cute black nose, and those button eyes, how can you not live him? Maltipoos also come with great intelligence and an easy-going disposition that makes them unique. They get along best with older, quiet kids and adults because of their shy nature. Aussiedoodle: Australian Shepherd x Poodle Mix This cross between the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle results in a playful, energetic, and affectionate partner. The Aussiedoodle can make you fall in love with just a glance — that wavy fur and those bright eyes are an irresistible combo! With a small-sized body, the Papipoo is an adorable tiny breed. These cute balls of fur are adaptable to any kind of place, and they can live happily in your yard or your apartment. They are elegant, affectionate, and have a sweet personality that matches with their cute looks. If you mix them up you will have as a result the Golden Doodle — a large-sized dog that owns the wavy curls and pointed black nose of the Poodle and the yellow hair and hanging ears that belongs to the Retriever breed. Besides its beautiful looks, this guy has a friendly, playful, and smart personality matching with an extroverted and kind soul. Similar to his big brother, the Mini Goldendoodle boasts bright curly locks alongside a fun and playful personality. We can personally attest to the cuteness and sweetness offered up by these darling crosses between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle! No matter which of these wonderful poodle mixes you like the most, any of them can be a perfect match for a lifetime. They are loving, smart, kind, and playful, and will bring tons of joy to you and those around you! What is your favorite poodle mixed breed? Share your favorite in the comments! Keep reading with our lists of:.

Lifelong Customer Support Expert advice will be a phone call away. Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. As English Bulldog Breeders, how do you breed for a healthier Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other bulldog breeders from improving the health of their Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes them unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities and produce high quality English Bulldogs for sale. I have been looking for English Bulldog Puppies for sale near me. Where are you located? We are located in the Northeast corner of Indiana. We just happen to be about 2. We are also about a 30 minute drive from the Michigan and Ohio state lines. Other major cities within 2. If you are looking for an English Bulldog puppy near you and happen to be in one of these areas we are certainly within close proximity. What if I am not located locally? Do you offer delivery services? A large portion of our adopters are located on the East Coast and Southern states. While many do make the drive to pickup, we also offer a delivery service to those with extremely busy schedules or limited ability to travel. We also utilize our own flight nanny for our West Coast adopters looking to have their puppy hand delivered. Whether through pickup or through delivery service, we try to be the type of bulldog breeder that is ethical and responsible to both our bulldogs and adopters. English Bulldog Puppies English bulldogs are among the most well-known breeds of bulldogs in the United States and arguably the world. According to rankings by the American Kennel Club in , this breed is the number 2 in the option for families to buy amongst a selection of dog breeds. These bulldogs have a long history stemming from their original use for bull baiting in Britain. Many people still see these as an old English bulldog and a cultural icon, and it is one of the most popular dogs you will see in England. They do have fierce determination, persistence and an underrated strength, and these are part of why many people love them so much for a family companion. British bulldogs naturally have wide heads and shoulders, flat faces covered with skin folds and thick flaps, and a shorter and higher muzzle than many other dogs. Their thick facial skin folds are also present under their neck, and their pointed teeth and endless snorting constitute a significant factor in the fierce and sometimes scary look they have become known for. So why should you go for an English bulldog? What exactly makes them so special and wonderful anyway? Well, here are a few things we love about this breed of bulldogs. The first and most important benefit to us is that English bulldogs are very good guard dogs. Despite their relatively small size, these dogs are not to be underestimated. Their aggressive nature from their history of bull baiting has been passed down from generation to generation of bulldogs, making them mean fighters to intruders. These dogs do not hesitate to leap into action and defend their owners when there is a threat. Another big benefit is that they are family-friendly and safe to be around your children. Despite the strength and aggression they show to outsiders, you can be sure that your well-trained English bulldogs are perfect family friends that can be around your children with low chances of danger. This very tolerant breed loves to keep a quiet and watchful eye over its owners and is very good at informing you when they sense something wrong. Their short, stubby legs also make for some very funny moments, such as their clumsy efforts to climb onto surfaces, like your couch or their dramatic pouts and faces. English bulldogs have a natural pranking streak that makes you laugh effortlessly. Coming home to unwind and having an English bulldog waiting for you to home is a definite stress reliever and mood elevator. We need to rectify that, and we have the perfect English bulldog puppies for sale for you to make your pick from. With an English bulldog puppy, you can have that beautiful bully that your kids can grow up with, and that can be a perfect companion and guard for your home. All our English bulldogs are the healthiest and cutest selection of breeds that you will find in the country, and this is a fact. We have decades of veterinarian experience and expert knowledge in this breed that has helped us monitor and facilitate the best studs and breeders to produce these beautiful English bulldog puppies. We have male and female English bulldog puppies, and there are a variety of ages that you can pick from, whether you like an eight-week-old puppy, ten-week-old puppy, week old puppy, or even older. Frequently Asked Questions How much exercise do English bulldogs need? English bulldogs are a low-energy breed and do not require a lot of exercise. A daily walk or play session of minutes should meet their physical needs. However, due to their short snouts, English bulldogs are prone to overheating, so it's important to avoid strenuous exercise or exercise in hot weather. Indoor play, such as fetch or tug-of-war, can provide them with physical and mental stimulation. Regular exercise is vital for their overall health and well-being. How to train an English bulldog puppy? Train an English bulldog puppy with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Early socialization and obedience training are important. Avoid punishment-based training. Find a trainer who understands the breed and its unique needs. Consistency and patience are key to success in training an English bulldog puppy. What are the key features that make Bulldogs special? Bulldogs are notable for their unique physical appearance, friendly and affectionate nature, and loyalty. They are low-energy and good with children, making them popular family pets. Their wrinkly faces and undershot jaw give them a distinct look, while their muscular build and confident attitude make them recognizable and loved by all. Where can I buy an English bulldog? English bulldogs can be purchased from various sources, including breeders, pet stores, and animal rescue shelters. When buying from a breeder, it's important to find a reputable one that's committed, knowledgable, follows ethical breeding practices, provides information about the dog's health temperament, and offers a written guarantee. At BigBullDogs. We offer the best service for purchasing the perfect bulldog puppies, and we have quality studs that have set us apart as the top breeders for bulldogs. Whatever it is that you need regarding these beautiful bullies, this is the right place for you. Here are the varieties we have; What You Need to Know About English Bulldogs English Bulldogs are very distinct from the other breeds of bulldogs and are the more prevalent breed. These sturdy, muscular dogs have a cute waddle walk that directly results from their short, stubby legs. The English bulldog also has a flat-looking face, dark and low set eyes, massive and broad jaws, and fleshy cheeks and lips that give it that signature pouty and droopy look. Its short neck, thick shoulders, and barrelled chest, slightly arched back make it one breed that you can easily identify anywhere. Our standard Male English bulldogs are inches and weigh an average of 50 pounds, while the Female English bulldogs weigh about 40 pounds. All our English bulldogs have the finest textured coats and healthiest skin with a variety of colour patterns. Whether you pick a male English bulldog or female English bulldog from us, you can be assured of their wonderful demeanor and gentle disposition. The AKC recognizes over dog breeds and rated the Bulldog as 2 for the best family dog breed. They are incredible family dogs but not the best watch dogs these days. The last nine decades of domestication has turned them into couch potatoes, considerably different from their original genetic breeding that made them perfect for Bull Baiting. Nevertheless they are fantastic at lying on the couch and giving you the stink eye when you disturb their rest. Quick Guide to French Bulldogs French bulldogs were named for their origin story, which says that they were a breed of English toy bulldogs and several unidentified dog breeds. They have distinct features that make them stand out against their English counterparts, such as their pointy, bat ears. French bulldogs are small, cute dogs that are very playful and perfect for being a home pet. Regardless of whether you pick the male french bulldogs or the female French bulldogs , you get a pet that is calm, attentive, attention-loving, and a partner to you and your kids. The male french bulldog is an estimated 12 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight. On the other hand, the female french bulldog is about 11 inches and 20 pounds. The male french bulldogs are usually a bit more muscular than females and have larger heads. However both are equally affectionate and super family oriented. Not to be outdone by their British Bulldog cousin, the female french bulldogs also made the Top 10 Best Family Dog breeds list in .Looking to Adopt Bulldogs? Life Span Did You Know? The loving and gentle English Bulldog is one of the most well-liked companion dog breeds around the world. A breed of English origins, the Bulldog was first recognized as a non-sporting dog by the American Kennel Club in .The original use of this breed was Bull baiting, which was eventually outlawed with the establishment of the Cruelty to Animals Act of .This legislative act made the act of Bull and Bear baiting both illegal. The current role most suitable for the English Bulldog would be as a companion or family pet, given their sweet demeanor. The English Bulldog is relatively easy to train but definitely takes some work for more complicated commands. If you are looking for a breed to sit, stay, and play dead for treats, this is the breed for you. While they may not be the sharpest tool in the shed compared to some of the other highly intelligent breeds, they are easy going and apt to please their owner. Training this breed will be accomplished with less difficulty if you make the training reward based. Can you say Sweetheart? While this dog breed makes an above average watchdog because of their courage, this breed is a loving companion at heart. The Bulldog is excellent with kids when socialized and should be very agreeable with guests of the house. The English Bulldog breed as a whole is heralded as one of the most well liked companion breeds in the world. The Bulldog should do well with other family pets as long as properly introduced and socialized. They need to be socialized early and often to curb any negative feelings towards strange dogs. This breed is generally agreeable to most environments. Although they easily adapt to a noisy and chaotic household, they are not very tolerant of extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold. Although they are well liked and very popular, one must be aware of the potential health pitfalls with this breed. Some of the potential issues you can see with the English Bulldog is Cherry Eye, Entropion, or dysplasia. This breed also has a high risk for weight gain, so this should be monitored. An average Bulldog life span is between 8 and 12 years. You do not need to be a professional dog trainer to own an English Bulldog. They are good for most novice owners because they are passive by nature. The English Bulldog is an average shedder, so brushing him twice a week with a firm brush will be a good idea. Also, they can have a tendency to drool, so making sure you wipe their face off everyday can help ensure they do not suffer irritation on their faces and between their wrinkles. Because of the amount of wrinkles they have, it is recommended that you clean between the wrinkles fairly often to avoid irritations. The English Bulldog is a generally low energy breed. They do not require a lot of exercise, but when they do play, they play hard! Because they can be intense when they do have an energy burst, an owner must be aware of overexertion. They can be very playful, but do tend to tire out quickly. The English Bulldog is a short, stocky breed that should weigh between pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding both owned English Bulldogs. Featured English Bulldog Article. English bulldogs for sale in texas "We pride our selves on making exceptional quality bulldogs" Health Guarantee We provide a limited 1 year health guarantee on your bulldog purchased from us. This helps guarantee the health of the bulldog. We want to make sure that our customers feel comfortable and trusted, when buying their English bulldog with us. The blueeyes Bloodline We have built up our English bulldog bloodline from scratch when we just started breeding 10 years ago. We have got colors such as Merle, blue, lilac, double chocolate, and features like Blue Eyes or exotic markings. One of the top canine color testers! This will assure you that what you see in the photo will be what you see when you meet us. We will guide you through every step from vet visits, to grooming, and feeding. If you are using your bulldogs to breed, we will also be their to help you with the process. As seen on.English bulldog puppies for sale As you can tell from our website, we mostly specialize in AKC English bulldogs for sale Texas and French Bulldogs for sale. Since we are a very small hobby breeder owning more than the breeds we already have will just overwhelm us and lower the quality of our dogs. Our main goals are to: 1. Make the breed have better health 2. Give a better quality of life to these amazing dogs 3. Give people the gift of owning a bulldog Some of the colors we offer are Lavender French bulldogs, Merle French bulldogs, Lilac French bulldogs , etc for our French Bulldogs. The Best Bulldog blog! Follow us on our bulldog blog where we frequently post tips, tricks, and new information about French and English bulldogs for sale. Additionally you can subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on new Bulldog blog posts, and new French and new English bulldogs for sale on our website. We are trusted breeders for over 10 years, and have a lot of experience with English and French Bulldogs. So if you need some help go check out our bulldog blog and grow your knowledge of french and english bulldogs.

Digital Marketing Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you decided to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. It can even be a bit challenging when it comes to an intelligent and high-energy dog breed like the German Shepherd Dog. This is where good dog books come in handy. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of dog books on the market today, and I want to make this list specific to new owners but not limited to the GSD breed. My goal is to give you the best ideas at your disposal. And hopefully, you can pull out any one book from the list to get the answers you may need along the way as your dog grows. This volume is highly recommended for owners and breeders alike. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. Yet you can own this volume in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author. Written by the father of the German Shepherd Dog himself, almost years ago, this book could arguably be the Holy Bible of German Shepherd. Hands down. This book works as an instruction manual for any GSD owner. It is a must for any first-time or even veteran GSD owners. It does exactly what the title suggests — give you everything you need to know about owning a German Shepherd for the first 12 months of puppyhood. The first 12 months of their lives could be the most critical part of all GSD life. They grow so rapidly and there is so much to care for. As every month is a little different, knowing what to expect will make you a much better GSD owner. From puppy-proofing your home, feeding and nutrition, crate training, leash training, housetraining, socialization, adolescence behavior, to vaccination, this book has got you covered. This book is very easy to follow, and it guides you through every step of the way month by month. The author clearly defines the characteristics and temperament of this breed as well as guides you through the stages of puppyhood. This book is packed full of useful information for every German Shepherd owner. Why do we like this book? This book guides you through the stages of puppyhood feeding, potty training, crate training, socializing, etc. If you are out in the market to look for your perfect GSD, this book will give you some handy tips on how and where to find a reputable breeder. This book could be perfect for the first-time dog owner, or someone raising a puppy for the first time. The Monks are the advocates of creating a happy, well-behaved dog. They put a lot of time into their dogs themselves, and they expect their dogs to integrate into their lives in a way like a family member. From the decision to adopt a puppy through the practical steps of choosing the right breed, preparing your home, caring for your new charge, and practicing basic obedience exercises. This is a must-have guide for raising a puppy. This book covers every aspect of puppyhood and how to be a good pet parent to your puppy. If you are looking for free and effective ways to training your GSD, check out our training guide: 6. This book will guide you towards a loving, satisfying life-long relationship with your best friend. This is a good entry-level book to learn from the master. His insight is very helpful the makes this book enjoyable to read. And before he made himself famous by training dogs from celebrities, he had been training wild animals including big cats, bears, primates, wolves, birds of prey, elephants and many more. Next, McMillan provides solutions to common canine behavior problems, including house training issues, door dashing, chewing, barking, and common mealtime misbehaviors. Throughout the book, McMillan explains the importance of building trust, establishing focus and control, and mastering training techniques. The 7 Common Commands could be the best basic training you could give to your perfect pup. Lucky Dog Lessons includes easy-to-follow steps, illustrative examples, tried-and-true tips and tricks, and photographs to demonstrate each technique. How To Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication By Stanley Coren Drawing on substantial research in animal behavior, evolutionary biology, and years of personal experience, Coren demonstrates that the average house dog can understand our language at about the level of a two-year-old human. While the actual conversation of the sort Lassie seemed capable of in Hollywood myth-making remains forever out of reach, Coren shows us that a great deal of real communication is possible beyond the giving and obeying of commands. German Shepherd is one of the most vocal dogs. And this book will let you better understand the cues from their howling, whining and barking. With easy-to-follow tips on how humans can mimic the language dogs use to talk with one another, you will be amazed that it is not that hard to speak dog at all. Sound fictional? Maybe not. How Stella Learned to Talk is part memoir and part how-to guide. It also reveals the techniques Christina used to teach Stella, broken down into simple stages and actionable steps any dog owner can use to start communicating with their pets. If you want to learn more about training working dogs, this is a good place to start. This book gives you clear step-by-step instructions on not only how to train but also detailed information about why the particular training works so well. It is a must for any serious dog owner or trainer alike. Hopefully, with this list of resources can help you along the way from the puppyhood to the adulthood of your beloved GSD. Bon is a dog lover and a blogger. He loves spending time with dogs more than with humans. You will find him training himself for the next marathon when he is not writing. Much of this book is about training the German Shepherd, though it is full of theoretical information as well. This book can completely change how you view dogs and raising a puppy. The authors have managed to pack quite a bit of knowledge into this hardback book. It is about more than just training your dog. Chapters include information on playing with your puppy, crate training, raising dogs in an urban area, and the latest developments in canine health. It includes a chapter that talks about just that! If you have to get just one book on training your dog, we recommend this one. It is truly the best overall book for training your German Shepherd. Pros Practical tips and theoretical information Discusses adopting adults and puppies Includes information particularly for urban dwellers Information on canine health and canine behavioral theory Written by authorities in the canine training Cons Too many specific examples and stories for some readers 2. This book goes over how to raise a puppy into a well-adjusted and happy adult dog. It goes over everything you need to know to raise your puppy. It discusses a wide range of topics, including crate training and potty training. For instance, it discusses in length what to ask a breeder before adopting a puppy and vaccination schedules. Socialization is discussed in-depth, which is vital for any book on German Shepherds. It outlines how to teach basic commands, including sit, stay, and come. Leash training is discussed. There are significant sections on exercising and feeding your German Shepherd. Grooming topics like bathing schedules are covered, and there is a section on when to take your dog to the vet and when not to worry about it. Pros Includes discussions on crate training, leash training, and basic commands Discusses what to do before you adopt your puppy Exercise and nutrition information included Grooming and vet topics included Cons May lack the specific information some readers are after 3. The authors are some of the foremost German Shepherd Dog trainers out there and are also the authors of our number one pick , and much of their information pertains specifically to the breed. However, their tips are written in a way that pertains to all dog breeds. This book will help you train your German Shepherd by building a better relationship with them. It is a refined and unique approach to dog training that many reviewers find to be very effective. You can apply the information in this book to both adults and puppies. Some essential topics are covered on top of the usual training information. They discuss choosing a dog for your needs, as well as where to adopt your dog from. Pros Helps you build a relationship with your canine Versatile for a wide variety of dogs Lots of topics covered May be a bit too theoretical for some readers 4. It is pretty straightforward, making it a good option for those who have never trained dogs before. It includes advice specifically about a wide variety of different training topics, including housetraining, verbal commands, and leash training. Step-by-step pictures and instructions are included with each command and training tip. This inclusion may be a bit overkill for some owners, but it can be constructive for those that have never trained a dog before. Pros Provides basic information on most training topics Step-by-step instructions included.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Do you want to know how to fatten up a German Shepherd to make them gain weight in a healthy way? Are you worried that your German Shepherd is thin and underweight and want to know how to bulk up a German Shepherd for safe weight-gain? Is Your German Shepherd Underweight? Your dog should have a trim, athletic appearance. They are large breed dogs with fast metabolisms that are active and energetic in their daily lives. Fit German Shepherds may at first seem slightly underweight. They are lean, athletic dogs with a strong, firm figure and you should avoid learning how to make a German Shepherd fat. Instead, you want to bulk-up your German Shepherd to make them fit. But if you see their ribs protruding or their hip bones raised and easily felt when petting, this is a sign of being underweight. You should first check with your vet for possible medical issues. You want to know if they are gaining weight, losing weight, or remaining the same. This helps you to decide if your weight gain plan is working — or if you need to adjust your plan. If your dog continues losing weight or if you see a lack of progress, take your dog back to your veterinarian. You need to see this as a long term plan and not an overnight fix to get your German Shepherd fat and by fat, I mean bulk-up not obese or overweight. Look for foods that have a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current food. Adults and seniors should eat about 20 to 25 percent of their daily calories from protein and 25 to 50 percent from fats. The rest of the calories should come from carbohydrates. This is anywhere from 8 months to a year or longer. Change to Puppy or High-Performance Food If you have an adult dog, switch them to a puppy or high-performance dog food to help them gain healthy weight. Both puppy and high-performance also known as a working breed food is higher in calories to support complex energy needs and sustained growth. Puppy foods generally have added nutrients to support puppy growth which can help your underweight German Shepherd gain weight and fatten up in a controlled manner — which is what you want. Mixing regular adult and puppy or high-performance food helps your GSD gain weight and fat in a regulated manner. For More Calories Feed Dry Kibble Dry kibble dog food generally has more calories if you want your dog to gain weight. Dry kibble is denser and contains more calories than wet food because the moisture has been removed from dry foods. Therefore, dry food has up to 4 times the number of calories as the same amount of wet food — dry kibble is a weight gaining powerhouse! If your dog is currently eating wet meals, then try mixing in some dry food with their wet food to help stimulate weight gain. Wet foods may taste better to your dog, so mixing in the dry foods with the wet still encourages your dog to eat in order to not lose more weight. Look for dry food with higher protein and fats to encourage weight gain in a healthy manner and go with one of the foods mentioned above for fat gain that is healthy. Begin by feeding your dog a bit more of their current food spread out over one more meal per day. Add a quarter to half a cup of extra food per meal. You can also take their regular feeding and the additional food and increase their feeding schedule to four times per day, splitting the food equally at each feeding. If your German Shepherd is picky about when they eat, then it may help to leave food out for them all the time. This is called free feeding. Dogs who can free feed tend to gain more weight than dogs fed on a schedule. Free feeding allows your dog the chance to eat a little whenever they are hungry or bored. This type of feeding may help them eat more overall. But only use free feeding with dry food, since wet foods spoil when left out for more than a couple hours. They may follow you around rather than eat when you offer their food bowl — this may be especially true of Shepherds since they tend to get fixated on their caretaker. But, just keeping your dog company while they eat may stimulate their appetite. Find a comfortable spot to sit and wait on your dog while they eat. Bring a book or do a quiet activity while they eat close to you. Simply sit with them and enjoy your time together while they eat. Keep the treats handy and offer them to help get extra calories into your dog. Adding these foods into their regular kibble may also entice them to eat more of their dry dog food, which can help an underweight puppy or adult. They also add extra calories which are healthy and nutritious. To get your dog more interested in their food, try sprinkling on a topping to their usual meals. You can even buy healthy toppers that are easy to add. Seniors, adults, and puppies all have various nutritional concerns. Most commercial and pre-made dog foods specify their intended age range on the packaging and state what groups the food is aimed at feeding. Underfeeding a German Shepherd puts your dog at a serious health risk. You need to make sure they get enough food for their age and energy needs. Puppies generally eat almost double the number of calories an adult dog needs, so be sure to check out this post on what amount to feed a German Shepherd puppy to keep them healthy. While a senior GSD may eat significantly fewer calories, if they are losing weight or underweight and a vet has been consulted, they may need extra feedings or food to help them gain the weight back. German Shepherds thrive on consistent physical activity. Walking and swimming are activities that build muscle and are lower impact and less intense on their joints and bones. They can be done every day to keep your dog active and help them to maintain their muscle mass. But these two exercises can be performed at a lower intensity so that even older dogs and puppies can enjoy their benefits make sure your puppy can swim first. Keeping muscle mass is important to prevent wasting and help maintain their health and mobility, as well as their athletic appearance. Try walking up hills to improve muscle growth or a gentle game of tug using a spring pole in which your dog can start and stop on their own. Some of the herbs used to increase human appetite are also safe for use in dogs. Dandelion is available in this for-1 multivitamin , along with other herbal supplements to make your GSD gain weight. B vitamins are natural appetite stimulants and are readily available over the counter and online. Visit Your Vet Regularly Always see your vet regularly. Regular vet appointments are especially important for your underweight German Shepherd. Your vet will use your notes to help make medical adjustments, as necessary, and to give you the right tips and advice. Helping Your German Shepherd Gain Weight Knowing how to fatten up a German Shepherd can help you and your dog achieve their ideal weight and maintain this healthy condition. There are many reasons why your dog or puppy may not be gaining weight. But there are also ways to help your dog at home to become healthier and have more energy. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. If you normally feed your dog once in the morning and once in the evening, add in one more meal right before bed. Start by feeding them the same amount spread out over more meals. If this does not help them gain weight, you may need to give them more food, adding a quarter to half a cup per meal. This type of feeding schedule allows your dog to nibble a little whenever they are hungry or bored, which may help them eat more overall. Keep in mind that free-feeding may not work for your dog. For some dogs, the excitement of getting their food at certain times during the day makes them eat more than if it was available to them all the time. Treats should not be a primary calorie source for your dog. Giving them a few extra treats throughout the day, though, can help your German Shepherd gain some weight. Some dogs find treats from your fridge to be more appealing than treats from a bag. Give your German Shepherd small amounts of cooked chicken mixed with rice, a spoonful of peanut butter, a scrambled egg, or some apple slices every day in addition to their normal food. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. A sprinkle of rice, a couple heaping spoonfuls of pumpkin, a bit of wet food, or a big spoonful of peanut butter mixed in with dry food could intrigue your dog into eating. Coconut oil has a lot of calories, and it's easy for dogs to digest. Stress Aging These complications may affect the appetite of your dog and eventually make your dog lose weight. In extreme cases, serious diseases like cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, and gastrointestinal disorders can also be the cause. How bad can underweight be? An underweight dog can be a sign of some serious health problems. This will result in weakened immunity, reduced mobility, loss of muscular function, retarded growth, or thyroid problems. Nutritional deficiencies in an underweight dog can also find their way to some major issues like weakened bones, heart and kidney problems, hormonal imbalance, skin problems, and delayed wound healing. Ultimately, an underweight dog has a reduced lifespan than a normal dog. The simple way to determine whether your GSD is underweight is to look after his bones like ribs, pelvis, and vertebrae. If these become very prominent and seen grossly, then obviously your dog is skinny and underweight. This shows that your dog lacks fat and muscles in these areas. Identifying the causes of being underweight of your GSD is more important before helping him with weight gaining. Therefore, gaining more weight surely helps him to lead a normal life. How much should your German Shepherd weigh? The weight of the full-sized German Shepherd varies on their sex. An adult German Shepherd male typically weighs between 75 to 90 lbs, while female weight ranges from 60 to 70 lbs. In the below tables, you can find the weight chart for both male and female GSDs. Feeding more often and using high-protein and fat foods helps German shepherds gain weight. Change their diet gradually so as not to give the dog diarrhea or an upset stomach. Causes of Weight Loss in German Shepherds The main causes of a German shepherd being too skinny or losing weight are: Malnutrition Stress Old age Obviously, you need to take your dog to a vet in order to find out what is causing the weight loss or lack of weight gain. Before you do, take time to note when the weight loss started or any other symptoms such as hair loss or diarrhea, or a sudden increase in thirst. Or maybe your vet surprises you by saying your dog is malnourished, even though you feed your dog every day. Whatever the reason, your dog is malnourished and needs to fatten up. The key is doing this gradually with several small meals a day. This way, the dog will not get sick by gorging on food. Feed a few large spoonfuls of puppy or growth food. Ask your veterinarian about a food supplement, since malnourished dogs are often lacking in critical nutrients. Until you can get to your vet, try supplements with fatty acids Omega 3 and 6. This is what many dog shelters use to help their dogs gain healthy weight. They range from tooth problems, making it difficult to chew, to cancer. German shepherds are prone to a specific kind of pancreatitis called malabsorption syndrome or pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. This means that the dog cannot digest its food properly since the pancreas is malfunctioning. Other symptoms besides weight loss include vomiting and diarrhea. Another common illness that can cause weight loss is diabetes. The dog may even seem ravenous and yet loses weight. This usually happens after a period where the dog was thirsty all of the time and then has to urinate more frequently because of drinking so much. Your vet will want to see a stool sample from your German shepherd to make sure he or she is not suffering from internal parasites. The good news is that most parasite infestations can be cleared up fairly quickly. A dog that is highly stressed will lose any appetite. They may constantly pace or act restless, burning up calories quicker than usual. Has a child left for college, or another household pet died, or has loud construction started in the neighborhood? Usually, time will help deal with stress. In the meantime, feed the dog food with higher fat and protein to help it regain a healthy weight. Try leaving a bowl of dry food out all of the time so the dog can eat whenever he or she is hungry. Try to keep to the same routine every day to help your German shepherd to relax. Dogs like predictability. Imagine if you had no clue as to what the next day would bring. You would get stressed, too. Old Age When dogs get very old, they often stop gaining weight and start losing it. Just why is not exactly known. It could be due to loss of smell, which in turn decreases the appetite. In this case, feed food with higher calories, such as puppy food. Foods with higher fat content tend to be tastier and tempt even poor appetites. Many old German shepherds suffer from tooth problems. Talk to your veterinarian about a safe exercise program for your German shepherd. Keeping active helps ramp up the appetite. It also helps dogs stay limber and put on muscle and not just fat. Not all German shepherds will have the average weight described in the breed standard. Some will be too small or too large to show, so they fall outside of the breed standard weight. If the hip bones, backbones, bones at the base of the tail or ribs are showing, then the dog is too skinny. Foods with high protein and fat help dogs gain weight, according to PetMD. This is why puppy food has much higher protein levels than for adult dogs. Dogs lose weight due to malnourishment, illnesses like diabetes, stress, or old age. Feed food high in protein and with fat to help put weight back on. Feed little and often to avoid getting the dog sick. Related Posts. Tweet We get a lot of questions from German Shepherd owners about how to keep weight on their pups. Chronically skinny, underweight Shepherds can be heartbreaking for an owner who is desperate to put weight on them. What do I do? Schnauzers can have this problem too. So what is it? Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or EPI is a condition in which the pancreas is not able to produce adequate enzymes to digest and absorb food properly. To determine if this is the case with your shepherd, make an appointment with your veterinarian and request some blood testing. Shepherds are also susceptible to pancreatitis so it's important that you think preventatively! So what can you do if your shepherd has EPI? Your first line of defense as a pet owner is choosing the type of food and supplements you put into your shepherd. Try the following: Provide as many dietary enzymes as possible. Our recommendation is by feeding a raw diet. Raw meat, bones, organs, and juiced veggies combined will contain all the necessary enzymes for better digestive function. By relieving the pancreas of having to produce additional enzymes you can prevent pancreatic inflammation Pancreatitis. Shepherds that are fed only processed or cooked diets are often missing these vital nutrients. Suggestion: A rotation of our 3P veggies 1 and 4 is a great way to give natural-source vitamins and minerals as well as metabolic support for a dog suffering from a pancreatic disease. This may be a bit gross for some, but excellent for your pup! Add a good portion of raw, green tripe to the diet. Green tripe, an animal stomach that smells horrible, but it works! If fed raw not canned it contains the highest levels of digestive enzymes available in a natural form. Wild canines eat the stomach of their prey first because of this fact. Your shepherd will benefit too. Us it as a supplement on top of regular food portions. Ensure you are purchasing freshly frozen, grass-fed tripe. Provide a canine-specific digestive enzyme supplement that includes ox bile and a variety of other digestive enzymes. This will also provide some extra digestive support. Start slowly and build up to a full dosage if your shepherd is experiencing regular diarrhea. Keeping the gut flora in good working order will help your dog to absorb as many nutrients as possible. Good bacteria in the gut will also help with enzyme production, so don't leave the good bacteria out! Look for canine-specific, high potency, multi-strain probiotics with a pre-biotic added. Feed a lean, low-fat raw diet. High-fat diets can overwork the pancreas and the liver and are not recommended for shepherds with EPI or other pancreatic dysfunction. High-quality lean protein will help pack on the pounds for shepherds having difficulty gaining weight. Steer clear of lamb, duck, and other naturally high-fat meats. Cook yams or squash to add as low-glycemic carbohydrates. Cooked yams and squash are more nutritious and easier to digest than other forms of carbohydrate, such as rice or oatmeal. Also yams and squash pair better with the digestibility of raw foods. Remove the skin, unless vegetables are organic then you can keep the skins on. Make all dietary changes slowly and add one thing at a time. When should you consult a Veterinarian? How do I put weight on my German Shepherd? Great Food for German Shepherd Weight Gain Some owners only provide their animals with the best natural ingredients they can. Some even opt for raw diets as they believe this is the closest a pet can be to the natural food he eats in the wild. Some prefer sticking to the kibble diet, which is generally the most convenient option. Since there are various kinds of kibbles that can be fed to the dog, it may be hard to figure out which one is good for your dog or which one will help him to gain weight. What type of dog food you decide to feed your German Shepherd dog to help his weight gain will depend on your training and raising principles. A low-fat, high-protein diet is ideal for helping your dog maintain its weight and provides him with the nutrition he requires to feel energized and increase his muscle mass. There should be plenty of protein in your diet. However, you do not need to feed him only protein. What is the best kind of food to give a German Shepherd pup? Glucosamine , as well as chondroitin, create the digestive process smooth and easy. Additionally, antioxidants ensure that the immune system is up and running. In the end, Royal Canin ranks at the top of the top diets to feed German Shepherd puppies. Are there ways to increase weight gain in dogs? High-protein and fat food items are excellent for dogs that need to increase their weight. You can feed the dog a diet that is higher in protein and fats is a great way to aid in gaining weight slowly over time. Diets rich in protein and fat will allow your dog to gain weight in a steady manner, and you will see a change in weight within a few weeks. Are there size-specific dog foods? How do I get my German Shepherd to eat more? Select foods that have a higher protein and fat content. Change to Puppy or High-Performance Food. Why is my German Shepherd not gaining weight? The average weight of German Shepherd puppies at birth is around grams 0. A baby German Shepherd can weigh anywhere between 0. Will giving a German Shepherd dog coconut oil make them gain weight? Coconut oil could cause an increase in cholesterol levels, the thickening of the arteries, and weight increase in certain dogs. If you think your pet is susceptible to any of the above conditions, discuss it with a veterinarian before using it. What is the best food for my German Shepherd to gain weight? The most effective diet for German Shepherds that will aid in weight growth includes Taste of the Wild Prairie grain-free dog food. This formula contains Bison and venison roasted as the major protein sources. These are believed to aid in maintaining the health of bones and create strong and lean muscles. Is dry dog food safe for my dog? Dry food, also known as kibble, contains ingredients that differ by brand. However, all are necessary to meet the requirements of balanced nutrition and satisfy the nutritional requirements of dogs. What should I look for when buying dog treats at the store? Ingredients of lower quality, such as by-products from meat. Avoid any food that contains additional syrups, salt or Molasses. Dog owners who have pets who are allergic to wheat should stay clear of as well as soy and corn. How often should I feed my German Shepherd? Feeding German Shepherds 2. Will my German Shepherd gain weight if I give them treats in addition to their regular food? However, certain treats contain extra calories and nutritious ingredients that could assist the German Shepherd gain weight. Can German Shepherds get fat? Inactivity, a poor diet, including excessive treats, and illnesses like thyroid issues could lead your Shepherd to gain weight. Veterinarians recommend annual checkups twice a year for older pets. If required, your pet will be vaccinated and undergo an extensive physical examination and tests to follow any concerns. If you are concerned about your Shepherd being underweight, it may be worthwhile consulting your vet if the above tips are not working for you.

You'll want to be on our waiting list, as Kenya Labradors puppies are most often sold before they are born. Waiting for the right Lab puppy to adopt is well worth the investment of your time. While all puppies are cute, it's vital to remember your puppy will grow up quickly and spend many years of life with you. Your best bet is to take time and find a responsible and caring breeder of Labrador puppies. You are making both a delightful and serious commitment. We highly recommend adopting a high quality Lab puppy, one that comes from breeding excellence, who will grow up to be a lovely, strong, healthy, fun-loving, affectionate companion. Kenya Labradors are never breed for volume sales, only for the best possible lifetime companions. We plan every breeding carefully to bring out the best in the sire and dam — both are tested and certified for hereditary dysfunctional diseases. We will be here to guide you in choosing your puppy, and to offer further advice and training tips. Trinity Puppy Nanny Transport Service When your puppy is ready to go home, we highly recommend this safe and reliable transport service. Click to email Trinity Pet Nanny for rates and more information! Kuranda Dog Beds Kuranda is the brand of dog beds that we use and recommend. They are built to last and our dogs love them! However, the dog is completely eligible to be entered in any of the thousands of licensed or member events. Kenya Labradors Does Not: Kenya Labradors does not ship puppies, and we do not sell puppies via the Internet or to pet dealers. You must be physically present to adopt a Lab puppy from us. We also do not cross-breed Labs to make designer dogs, and we do not breed for so-called "rare" colors, like silver or white. Come and see for yourself. You just might fall in love! Some of our puppies featured in a commercial for Tennis Warehouse: More Kenya Labradors puppy videos: Cute little Lab puppy with his toy, sired by Mikey. Adorable puppy by Joe and Brandy. A big thank you to the Mako family for providing "Poncho" with such a great home! Santa Margarita, CA .Our Prices: Our base prices are listed below, according to current demand for colors and genders. Note: Sales tax is due on any pups or merchandise sold in California. By request, and for an additional fee, we often transport puppies to Davis. We used to be able to ship puppies via airplane all over the continental United States, but more restrictions apply at this time, due to Covid, extreme heat, or extreme cold. Unfortunately, we no longer ship puppies to Hawaii, due to their quarantine restrictions. Can I pick out my Labrador Retriever puppy before the designated adoption date? Sorry, but no. Most people will not know which puppy they are choosing until puppy adoption day. What supplies do we need for our new puppy? So many people ask us this question, we wrote a blog giving our advice. You can read our blog here. Do you raise American or English Labs? Both, actually, but mainly American. Only a few of our dogs are pure English; some are a blend of American and English. Litters are usually pure American or a blend of American and English. None, so far, are pure English. If you scroll down to the bottom of the videos page you can also view links to past litters of Labrador puppies for your viewing pleasure. We may, however, be able to refer you to hunting dog trainers, so feel free to shoot us an email asking us about that. Marble Mountain Kennels.

Scroll down for LIVE puppy cams! However, if mama needs a little help, we are very close by monitoring the process to assist removing the sac or stimulating a puppy to breathe. When mama has finished her clean up, we remove puppy for a quick weight, add an ID collar, and treat the umbilical stump with a disinfectant. For the first few days after birth, we practically have to drag mama away from her babies to get her to go out to potty. After the first few days, mama begins to leave the puppies for brief periods of time—usually she lies just outside the box on the cool floor—she needs an occasional break from the higher temperature that is so necessary for her babies. We also have a heating pad area the puppies can choose to move to if they need more warmth when mama is away. Puppies are little heat seeking missiles—they have heat sensors on the sides of their noses. This heat seeking instinct guides them to mama to nurse, to each other to puppy pile and to warm areas in their nest. We also add one additional step by presenting the puppies with a new scent stimulation daily. This series of brief, specific exercises we perform are in addition to our normal daily handling of the puppies as we weigh them, trim toenails, move them to clean their area, etc. One Week Old: The puppies continue to spend all their time nursing or sleeping. During this week, we give them their first toenail trim and continue to weigh each puppy two-three times a day. We monitor weight gain carefully, since that is our first indication that a puppy might need a little extra boost of supplemental formula. Puppies generally double their weight in their first week of life! These rails originated on farms to protect piglets—hence the name pig rail. Puppies often gravitate to the outer edges of the box and wedge themselves down in a corner. Since mama is spending most of her time in the box with her babies all around her, she often leans back against the walls and falls deeply asleep as she recovers from her labor and delivery. The rail stops her from crushing or smothering a baby that has burrowed in behind her along the edge. We remove the rails when the puppies are about three weeks old and are strong enough to raise a ruckus if they get trapped. Towards the end of the first week, we see their eyelids begin to become more defined and separate, and their eyelashes grow longer. By the beginning of the second week, the eyes are starting to open in the inner corner and working to the outer corner of the eyes. By days old, their eyes will be open. Two Weeks Old: The puppies eyes are all open now and their ears will be opening in the next few days. At this age puppies do not experience fear, so the startle is not fear driven. In these next few weeks before they begin experiencing fear around weeks of age, we will mildly stress them with noises to build their recovery response. We are carefully watching the intensity of the startle and the speed of recovery—our goal is to elicit a very mild startle followed by a rapid recovery. By repeating the noise several times in a row, the startle response will diminish and go away and the recovery will become immediate. This will help the puppies be stable to new sounds and experiences as they grow into adult dogs. The puppies continue to gain weight at a remarkable rate—often several ounces a day. Mama is still stimulating puppies to potty and cleaning up completely after—she keeps the nest fastidiously clean. Their awareness of their surroundings is awakening. We start enriching their environment during this week—we generally remove the whelping box at this point to give them more room to explore, adding soft toys to give texture to their area. We place potty pads at the back of their area for the beginning of potty training, and we help define that potty area by adding sleeping beds, changing the bedding in the main area of their pen several times a day and leaving the soiled pads in the potty area. The puppies will gradually begin to follow the scent to the specific potty area, and in a matter of weeks they will regularly go to the designated potty area to eliminate. Four-Six Weeks Old: During these weeks we continue to add enrichment items to their area and also expand their area as they show signs of needing more room to move and explore. The puppies become more stable on their legs and start to interact with one another, play bowing, barking at one another, and noticing us. We have continued the weekly toenail trims and daily handling—touching paws, ears, body. At this time we increase our interactions with the puppies and spend more individual time with them. As the puppies continue to wake up and become more aware over the next several weeks, we will start our clicker training exercises, following our Puppy Culture protocols. Although the puppies are still nursing, during this time they are introduced to food. We start them with puppy formula, gradually adding in raw lamb and baby rice cereal, then softened kibble and diminishing the formula. Mama dog is usually tired of sharp teeth nursing and she pushes the puppies to weaning. She no longer lies down to nurse and only spends brief times in the pen with them cleaning them and checking on them—then out she jumps to lie just out of reach, keeping an eye on things, but no longer feeling as protective. At this point, she is fine to let the other older dogs interact with her babies, and she happily rejoins her guardian family once her puppies are eating solid food on their own. Seven-Nine Weeks Old: Weather permitting, puppies are introduced to the outside area through the doggy door and discover a whole new world of running, larger toys and obstacles, wind, sun, rain, the chickens, etc. Such fun times they have outside! They become proficient at diving through the doggy door, in and out all day. In the warmer months, we have a wading pool for them to play in, in fall and winter they chase leaves, dodge rain drops, and play in rain puddles. We welcome visitors once the puppies are six weeks old, and the puppies love meeting children, teens, and adults. At about eight weeks of age we do our temperament and structure evaluations and veterinarian check up. The big day arrives all too quickly that we make puppy allocations and at nine weeks old our puppies head off to new horizons, adventures, and wonderful lives with YOU! All rights reserved. By sharing knowledge and working together with other members of the ALAA, we can advance the health of the Australian Labradoodle. Membership in a professional organization ensures that you are working with a breeder who is invested in the breed, who abides by a Code of Ethics, and who will be here when you have questions or need support. We love what we do, and we want to do an exceptional job! We invest our time and resources into education, for us and for you! We continue to learn about health issues, breakthroughs in testing, puppy development, and socialization. We pass that information on to you. We are passionate about educating and helping new families become successful puppy parents. We look forward to partnering with you as you select your new family member! This keeps the health of the breed the top priority. There are different levels of health testing. Make sure you select a breeder who does all of the appropriate testing, not just some of it. She temperament tests all our puppies. There are 2 boys and 6 girls, and are apricot. Puppies will be mediums and are expected to weigh 30 to 35 lbs. Puppies will be going home the weekend of August 26 and

At what age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? As larger dogs, Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to reach their full weight. Most Golden Retrievers will be close to their adult height and weight around a year of age but may need one more year to fill out their chest fully. A six-month-old male Golden Retriever will weigh between 35 to 45 pounds, while their female counterpart will weigh around 30 to 35 pounds at the same age. As for their height, most Golden Retrievers will still need another three to six months to reach their adult height. At this age, they will likely be a few inches away from their adult height, which ranges from .Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on bonding with your pet, puppy-proofing your home, training, microchips, and more! How much bigger will my Golden Retriever get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much bigger your Golden Retriever will get. If they are less than a year old, they still need more time to reach their full adult size. Many Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to completely fill out, though their weight at one year old is usually close to their full adult weight. A puppy is rarely larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you a general idea of their maximum weight. If their paws still look large or oversized next to their body and legs, they are probably still filling out and have some growing left to do, as this is a classic sign of adolescence in canines. What is the size of a full-grown Golden Retriever? As adults, Golden Retrievers will appear overall symmetrical and have a powerful body hidden beneath beautiful, golden fur. Golden Retrievers are stunning, sunny dogs that easily steal our hearts. Unfortunately, as a purebred dog breed, they are more susceptible to genetic diseases, which can compromise their lifespan and quality of life. However, many genetic disorders can be treated or prevented with regular veterinary care. Remember that prevention is almost always easier and less expensive than treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend a large-breed growth food to your Golden Retriever puppy to support their growth rate which can help prevent or decrease the severity of hip dysplasia in adulthood. According to the Veterinary Centers of America , Golden Retrievers are also more prone to gaining excess weight. Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to various genetic health disorders, such as oral tumors and aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is most commonly found in large, purebred dogs, including Golden Retrievers, and occurs when the aortic valves to the heart narrow. Aortic stenosis causes the body to struggle to pump blood through the valve, creating additional stress on the body. If untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to muscle failure and even fatality. However, veterinarians can treat many genetic diseases like aortic stenosis and oral tumors through surgery and medication. Even with proper prevention and wellness care, necessary veterinary visits can be expensive, with many treatments costing thousands of dollars. Out of over 20, pet parents surveyed , only .The last thing you should be focused on when the worst happens is how to finance a needed surgery or treatment for your beloved pet. This is where pet insurance comes in. Just like people, dogs are living longer lives and will need additional veterinary care to maintain a happy quality of life. Let pet insurance help you with these costs should the worst happen to your dog. Wellness plans are also available as an add-on to help with the ongoing costs of regular veterinary care , like x-rays and exams. Act now and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your Golden Retriever is covered should anything happen. Compare top Golden Retriever pet insurance plans side-by-side with Pawlicy Advisor today! Key Takeaways On average, male Golden Retrievers weigh pounds and females weigh pounds. At full height, Goldens stand between .Although puppies groww extremely fast, the Golden Retriever breed can take as long as 2 years to reach full maturity. Owners should keep an eye on their Golden Retriever's diet because they are very prone to obesity. Pet insurance helps cover the cost of care necessary to give your Goldie a happy, healthy life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. At this stage, nipping bad behaviors in the bud is more important than imprinting positive ones. Instead, just redirect them to positive behavior and reward them accordingly. By this point, your puppy should have already been given their distemper and parvovirus vaccinations. By this point, they should be fully housetrained or close to it. Your dog will be likely to gnaw and bite on anything they can get their chompers on—including you. Stay calm and redirect their attention to appropriate objects like chew toys. Your Golden should be fully accustomed to their new kibble at this point, and you should feed them three to four times per day. A 3-month-old dog should also get a DHHP booster, which protects them from parvo, distemper, parainfluenza, and adenovirus. You can play with your pup as much as you like, but take care not to put too much stress on their joints. Avoid a bunch of running and jumping, especially on hard surfaces. Your dog can transition from four meals per day down to three at this point, but the meals should probably be larger. This can cause digestive issues until your dog gets accustomed to it, so be prepared to clean up a few messes. Training should continue, although your primary focus will likely be convincing your pup to chew on something besides your shoes. Your dog will need another DHPP booster at this point, as well as a rabies vaccination. Other optional vaccines include Bordetella, Lyme disease, coronavirus, and leptospirosis. This could cause a brief burst of intense biting and chewing, so power through it. Make sure your pup has plenty of chew toys available to them. Stairs in particular should be avoided. Your pup is likely to start asserting itself at this stage and may start to mature sexually if not spayed or neutered. There are no vaccinations required at this point. Everyone knows how much fun it is to raise teenagers, right? This can lead to undesirable behaviors like aggressiveness, increased tendency to roam, and destructiveness. As a result, you may think that your dog is too skinny, but resist the urge to increase their rations. While most breeds have a puppy coat that they eventually grow out of, Goldens do not. Instead, their puppy coat becomes their undercoat, so you may notice your dog becoming increasingly fuzzy. The teenage rebelliousness should be wearing off by this point, and your dog is ready to begin training in earnest. You should still be feeding them twice daily, and they should stay on puppy kibble for at least another 6 months. Goldens reach their full height between 9 and 12 months old. Females tend to get there faster, but males will be taller in the end. You may also need to cut back on the amount that you feed them. It depends on the individual dog, but females generally reach maturity first. Spaying or neutering your dog has its pros and cons. The pros are fairly obvious: less marking, reduced misbehavior, and zero chance of getting an unexpected litter of puppies. Spaying and neutering can also protect against certain cancers. You may want to wait until your dog is at least 12 months old before getting them fixed. This also leaves the window open longer in which they can suffer skeletal damage, though, so be careful about how active you allow them to be. However, stunted growth and growing too quickly can cause serious health problems, so you should check with your vet to make sure your dog is growing on schedule. Stunted growth is usually caused by malnourishment or a medical problem. You should have your pup tested for parasites like hookworm or ringworm, and consider switching them to a higher-quality, calorie-dense food. If left untreated, malnourishment can lead to weak bones, muscles, and immune system. As you might expect, growing too quickly is often caused by feeding your dog too much. American and British Goldens are similar. However, American Goldens tend to be less stocky and muscular, instead having a leaner appearance. They may weigh a bit less as well. They tend to be taller as well, often standing an inch or two higher than their counterparts. Conclusion Golden Retrievers make excellent pets, and we understand how hard it is to resist the temptation to bring a puppy home. If you do, though, you should understand what to expect from your new dog. Steady growth is what you want to see, without too many peaks or valleys. This sets your dog up for a long, healthy lifespan. Every dog develops at their own pace, so as long as you feed your pup an appropriate amount of high-quality puppy kibble and get them vaccinated regularly, you should be fine. See also:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! By Tom Massey Mar 02, Adopting a golden retriever is one of the best decisions you can make. These loving dogs are constantly praised for their gentle and calm, yet playful nature, making them perfect dogs for all walks of life and types of families. So when you do finally bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, you want to do everything you can to give them a long and healthy life for years to come. This is a wide range, so keep in mind that the weight of your Retriever will vary depending on genetic factors and sex. For example, female Golden Retrievers will weigh closer to 55 pounds while Golden Retriever males are heavier and will weigh closer to 75 pounds. Females also typically reach their full size by their first birthday, while males may continue growing through their second year. You can usually tell the size males and females will be based on what their parents look like, which is why Snowy Pines encourages meeting the parents or browsing through their photos and biographies online. Then, calculate 1. What to Expect: This age is crucial for mother-puppy bonding since he will depend on his mother for food, cleaning, and socialization. Image Source Weeks months Golden Retriever Male Weight: Between 8 to 12 weeks, your male puppy will average between 10 to 22 pounds. Golden Retriever Female Weight: Although females will grow to be smaller than males, they are typically around the same weight at this age group. The puppies become very playful, curious, and discover their voices little by little. Introductory training like house training is essential. Socialization is also important, which is why Snowy Pines ensures that all puppies stay with their littermates until adoption. For female puppies, 6 months is a little over the halfway point to their full-size, and males are essentially smaller versions of their adult bodies. Remember, at this age, you can multiply by two to determine their adult weight! What to Expect: Socialization is still crucial at this age, and more intense training can also begin. The puppy should also be kept in happy and safe environments, as any exposure to something fearful at this age may impact him long-term. This is entirely normal: Think of your puppy as a teenager who is going through adolescence and waiting for the rest of his body to catch up. They may get territorial and challenge you and other pets for dominance. Most Golden Retrievers will be fully grown by 24 months old, although this varies. Golden Retriever Female Weight: In most cases, females are finished growing before 16 to 24 months. Whatever their nature is like at the to month mark is likely what it will be throughout their adult life. They are loyal, friendly, and calm, making them the perfect companion for small and large families alike. However, Goldens are susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases that are common in bigger breeds that are typically caused by overfeeding, stunted or accelerated growth, and genetic issues. One of the most common diseases that goldens experience is Osteochondritis dissecans OCD. OCD is a developmental disease that affects large-breed dogs because of the accelerated growth they experience. It is an inflammatory condition that causes abnormal cartilage development on the end of a bone in the joint. This can lead to joint problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia which commonly appears in the elbow, hip, and knee. Image Source The good news is that, although larger breeds like golden retrievers are prone to joint issues like this, you may be able to help prevent it through proper practice. OCD is a specific disease that is more common in dogs that receive too much energy and calcium in their diets. Other common factors are genetics, rapid growth, and hormonal factors. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, and all that extra weight can leave your puppy with skeletal abnormalities that put too much weight on joints. Another way to avoid accidentally stunted or accelerated growth is to ensure your golden retriever puppy is getting fed appropriately and receiving the right amount of calories. Image Source Months Between 2 and 4 months old, your puppy should eat 4 times per day with 2 ounces per meal. This will add up to 7 to 9 ounces per day, depending on how much he willingly eats. Keep him on puppy food through his first year before switching to young adult food. They must receive regular exercise every day. However, this depends on their age. As previously covered, the more your puppy grows, the more susceptible to common diseases like joint problems. Breeders with years of experience, like the team at Snowy Pines, work hard to keep pure bloodlines so that all of the parents and their litters are as healthy as they can be, which helps guarantee a lifetime full of happiness without any issue. Share on. Not all goldens will grow to the same size and at the same rate. The size of the parents is always a good indicator of whether your dog will be above or below average in size. However, while natural variation is nothing to worry about, stunted growth or accelerated growth is. If a golden retriever puppy is malnourished or suffering from an unidentified medical condition usually hookworm or ringworm , their natural growth can be compromised. This can lead to serious medical issues in later life, as it can leave them with weak bones, weak muscles, and a weak immune system, as well as a tendency to develop both skin and digestive issues. Growing too quickly, largely as a result of overfeeding, can also pose a major health risk. As well as leading to obesity, carrying too much weight at the development stage can leave your golden retriever with skeletal abnormalities, hip dysplasia, and osteochondrosis , a condition that affects the joints. With these tips, you will help fight off those genetic health disorders as well. Appropriate Diet Start off by speaking to your vet for guidance on foods to use for the different life stages. At the very least, you will need a nutritionally complete and balanced diet made for large breeds. Good food will help your pup gain the right amount of weight, look healthy, and have enough energy. Proper exercise will build their muscle and bone strength, prevent obesity, increase their agility, stop destructive behavior, and help them release pent-up energy. Vaccines will help to prevent infectious diseases such as hepatitis, parvovirus, rabies, and distemper, all of which could affect the growth and overall health of your puppy. This will be a plus for her overall health. It would also be great to have your vet do routine health checks on your puppy. This way, no issue will go unnoticed, and treatment can be administered early for better outcomes. A shiny coat and bright eyes are a plus. Alternatively, if you notice rapid weight gain or loss, unusual bumps and lumps on their skin, digestive issues, changes in behavior, and visual or hearing complications, take your dog to the vet right away. Compared to other breeds, Golden Retrievers, especially females, grow pretty quickly. Males could take up to 18 months to achieve the same milestone. However, both will still need an additional year to fill out the chest fully. Adult height, on the other hand, will be reached between 9 and 12 months. As always, females will get there a bit faster than males. You can get a rough idea of how big your golden retriever will grow by first studying the parents. Take note of the size that both of the parents and previous litters have had. Rarely will a puppy grow larger than its parents, so the measurements you gather will give you a better idea of how tall and heavy your golden retriever will get. Full-grown, healthy, male golden retrievers have a height of between 22 and 24 inches while the females are 20 to 22 inches tall. In terms of height and body structure, the Canadian golden retriever has no rival. Spaying and neutering specifically affect the development of bones and also ligament and tendon strength. In fact, some studies report higher incidences of cranial cruciate ligament tears and hip dysplasia among golden retrievers that went through this procedure. Therefore, consult your vet when deciding if and when to spay or neuter your dog. The weight of your golden retriever is a good indication of their healthy development. While male and female Goldens will have different weights and show goldens tend to be heavier than working goldens, overall, they should be hitting the weights listed in the growth and weight chart above. If your dog is not hitting these milestones, consult your vet about malnutrition, possibly caused by worms, and excessive golden retriever growth, which is often the result of overfeeding. If you feel like your pooch is missing any of them, again, it is time to consult your vet. In general, good nutrition and a loving home is a recipe for a happy and healthy golden retriever. If you want to know more about your golden retriever, you can do a DNA test, too. You can choose one of the tests below:.