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Twitter Pinterest Ready for a dog birthday meme to brighten your day or make a birthday more wonder-fur? Birthday dog memes from one very happy dog to brighten your barkday These happy birthday dog memes are just the beginning of the smiles that are in store for dog moms, dog dads, and any dog lover who loves celebrating special days and even little everyday moments with their canine companions. We hope you enjoy these wholesome, funny dog memes as much as we enjoyed creating them for you. So please sit, stay, and catch some smiles and happy birthday wishes right here delivered to you with tail-waggy happiness from Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe. Happy Barkday! Happy Birthday. Mom got me a giant water bowl for my birthday. I was going to fetch you a birthday gift. Treat yourself to these happy dog memes about birthday cake Did someone say treats? These birthday dog memes are inspired by yummy doggy birthday cakes, puppy treats, and sweetness. I sorry I ate your birthday cake. But I left you a present in the yard. Love goofy, smiley dog humor? Check out our mega list of smiling dog memes. Enjoy these dog birthday memes about birthday games and activities. I thought we were playing keep away! But maybe you want to perk up the birthday wish a bit. This next group of birthday memes are birthday wishes, compliments, and smile-bringing messages from the dog. Just peeking in on your birfday. Have the bestie birthday ever! May your birthday be this! How Happy? This happy! Ready for my birthday belly rubs. Ruff Birthday? Dog make birthdays even more wonder-ful! Ruff birthday? March 10, p. PT 2 min read Imagine that you are trapped in some kind of twisted "Saw" scenario. You're locked in a dingy room that looks like the store room of an abandoned factory with no windows, doors that you can open by hand or a shred of a memory of how you got there. Suddenly, a low, creepy voice emits from a speaker and asks if you'd like to play a game. Since you're going to be in there for quite a while, you'll need food to survive. The voice tells you that the only chance you'll have at avoiding the pain of slow starvation lies in two locked, see-through containers that are completely sound proof. One contains a delicious plate of homemade fried chicken and the other holds a small litter of Labradoodle puppies. You'll have to choose one as your main source of food purely by sight. It sounds easy.Thankfully, you can take some time to train for that twisted challenge through a new series of dog vs. Can you tell the difference between a Labradoodle and a plate of fried chicken? If not, you can expect to get an angry phone call from the SPCA very soon. She collects photos of different breeds of dogs and the foods that seem to be their dopplegangers and organizes them in albums on her iPhone. Then she takes a screenshot of her collection, posts them to her Twitter account and the rest of the social media universe spreads them across the Internet. So far, she's put together galleries that show the eerie similarities between Labradoodles and fried chicken , puppies and bagels and my personal favorite Chihuahuas and blueberry muffins. She's also explored outside the realms of dog doubles and their edible counterparts with galleries like sheepdogs and mops. Images of Zack's galleries started popping up on the photo-sharing site Imgur, and her "Dog vs. Muffin" gallery scored a spot on the front page of the "Funny" Subreddit. I'm sure that people who have dogs named Muffin must feel really conflicted. View post on imgur. Related links.

Sometimes the blue coloring is due to a coat color called merle , which features "irregularly shaped patches of diluted pigment and solid color," according to the University of California, Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Merle is incredibly popular, but it can become harmful for dogs in some cases: Breeding two merle-colored dogs together can lead their puppies to have auditory and visual problems. Other dogs from certain breeds sometimes rarely have blue eyes. German Shepherds, for example, will rarely have blue eyes due to a genetic variation , though most breeders consider it a fault. Sometimes dogs will have two differently colored eyes, with one blue or partially blue, which is called heterochromia which can sometimes indicate a health problem. Scientists have also found that for some breeds, blue eyes are caused by a genetic mutation that is passed down through recessive genes, which means both of the parent dogs must carry the gene to pass it to their offspring, according to National Geographic. For other breeds, blue eyes are the result of a genetic mutation that actually results in decreased pigmentation, so the dogs' eyes aren't really blue — they just look like they are. But, in addition to the fascinating — and confusing — science behind the trait, dogs with blue eyes are mesmerizing just because, well, they are. Here are 10 dog breeds that can have striking blue eyes. Also, contrary to what their name tells you, Australian Shepherds likely originated in the Basque region of Spain. Melanin is what determines eye color, and when puppies are born, their eyes don't produce enough of it to give them a clear color. Something similar can happy with white babies, who are often born with blue eyes that then change to green or hazel or brown. Shepherds with the variation are often called Blue German Shepherds. Often, blue eyes in a Shepherd would result if the dog is actually a mix with something like a Husky. Border Collies with just one blue eye are called "walleyed. When the Great Dane has a merle gene that causes merle coat coloring their blue eyes can remain. The black-and-white coat that can cause blue eyes in a Great Dane is known as "harlequin," according to the AKC. Sanitary Wipes Can German Shepherds have blue eyes? Blue eyes are possible in German Shepherds , although it is scarce. Brown eyes are the most prevalent in German Shepherds. However, some exceptions exist where some German Shepherds possess grey, hazel, amber, and green eyes. How rare is a German Shepherd with blue eyes? Blue eyes are occasionally seen in German Shepherd dogs. It fades into dark brown eyes over time in most of these cases and is only seen in very young puppies. Adult German Shepherds can have blue eyes due to a rare gene mutation in both parent breeds; however, it is rare. Many mature German Shepherds have brown eyes, but blue eyes are prevalent in mixed-breed dogs. Can Purebred German Shepherds have blue eyes? No, because it is not in the breed standard. A healthy purebred German Shepherd will not have blue eyes. Can German Shepherds be odd-eyed? A German Shepherd can possess two blue eyes or be odd-eyed i. While most breeders consider the feature a flaw, many dog owners believe it is desirable. These dogs are often referred to as Blue German Shepherds not only because they have blue eyes. They have classic markings, and the recessive gene responsible for the blue eyes can also give them dark patches on the hair, which seem more blue or silver instead of the usual black. Blue-eyed German Shepherd Dogs are classified into three groups. These can be summed up as follows: 1. However, puppies do not produce a large amount of melanin before or after birth. As a result of this, nearly all German Shepherd puppies will have blue eyes when they are born. Understanding Punnett squares, genetics, and phenotypes will improve your chances of acquiring blue-eyed German Shepherds. A genotype is a group of genes that determines how the body functions. A phenotype is an observable physical characteristic that can be classified. The phenotype is influenced directly by the genotype. For instance, If you possess a tall height gene, it will show in your phenotype, and you will be taller than an average individual. The ability to see the phenotypes of their animals and the progeny they produce is beneficial to dog breeders. It will help them determine genotypes within their breeding pairs using this knowledge. And also, they can use this information to select breeding pairs based on their genetic compatibility. You can also conduct a genetic analysis for your dog. However, this form of expert testing is better suited to individuals looking to avoid congenital disorders caused by inbreeding rather than identifying the eye color of future pups. Genetic Mutation German Shepherds result from more than a century of inbreeding, which is notorious for producing recessive genetic disorders. As a result, offspring from breeding parents with blue eyes recessive alleles may be predominantly dark-eyed. However, their offspring may get the recessive blue-eye feature. In that case, there is a higher chance of getting blue-eyed puppies. Health concerns for Blue German Shepherds German Shepherds with blue eyes are usually equally as healthy as those with brown eyes. However, your dog could be at risk for various health issues, ranging from pigmentation loss to genetic flaws. Skin Disorders German Shepherds are highly vulnerable to skin infections and allergies. However, the presence of recessive alleles for blue eyes makes their vulnerability skyrocket! Genes function primarily to regulate skin cell production. They produce new skin cells to replace dead ones. Recessive genes function differently. It increases the likelihood of your dog developing a skin disease. The presence of the merle mutation increases the risk of auditory and ocular defects such as hearing loss and blindness. To rule out any congenital disabilities, perform an ear and eye examination for your dog. Sensitivity to Light A lack of melanin characterizes blue eyes, which does not appear to be a problem until you realize that melanin protects the eyes from UV rays! As a result of their light sensitivity, blue-eyed German Shepherds are frequently seen squinting or avoiding sunlight. How to care for your blue-eyed German Shepherd? If you suspect that your German Shepherd is suffering from eye pain, here are a few preventive measures you can take: Use of doggie shades As previously stated, German Shepherds with blue eyes may be light sensitive. As a result, taking your dog out on bright days may cause discomfort. You can buy a pair of doggie sunglasses to protect their eyes from sun rays. Eye ointments In case of an eye infection or injury, contact your vet immediately. You can apply an eye ointment as a handy treatment to tackle the problem right away rather than waiting for the vet. Always make use of wet sanitary wipes to keep their eyes clean and hygienic. Oh, the humanity! Fret not, this article should shed a bit more light on this uncommon occurrence, why it happens and how it affects you. What are normal purebred German Shepherd eye colors? Different shades of brown, green, hazel …and blue are normal eye colors. But green, gray and hazel-colored eyes are also normal. More importantly, although blue eyes are rare, depending on the circumstances, they can occur naturally in German Shepherds. The recessive gene or a mutation therein, is typically the main reason as to why every once in a while, a black German Shepherd with blue eyes comes out of a German Shepherd litter of mainly brown-eyed offspring. If you still remember your biology class back in high school with your teacher endlessly droning on about Gregor Mendel and his genetics work, then worrying about your black German Shepherd with blue eyes is a textbook example of this application. German Shepherd eye color changes happen much in the same way that eye color changes happen in normal dogs. Recent research has shown that the amino acid melanin is chiefly responsible for lighter or darker shades of eye colors in dogs. Melanin also determines coat color. More on this later. Is my German Shepherd still a purebred if it has blue eyes? Yes, but not necessarily. To understand why blue-eyed purebred German Shepherds are such a controversial topic, it pays to know why purebred dogs are so highly-valued. Continuing on this line of thinking, blue eyes are a common trait inherent to the Siberian Husky breed and may be a telltale sign that your German Shepherd is not purebred. Purebred dogs are typically associated with the following traits: Well-socialized Prone to suffer genetically-acquired diseases Typically the only kinds of dogs recognized and supported by kennel clubs While mixed-breed dogs are known to exhibit the following: Prone to suffer fear-based behavior problems Have a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases Generally accepted as being more hardy than purebreds It is important to note, however, that white German Shepherds also known as White Shepherds are recognized as their own breed, and should not be confused with mixed-breeds or an offshoot genetic mutation. See also The German Shepherd Dachshund Mix Breed Guide And Information If you find cause for concern regarding your white German Shepherd with blue eyes or any kind of dog with unusually colored eyes for that matter , do some research, reach out to your local vet and inquire about genetic testing for your pet. Is it normal for German Shepherd eyes to change color over time? Melanin as a contributing factor to German Shepherd eye color change was a fact mentioned earlier. This happens because melanin takes time to produce. Because this is the case, it is not uncommon for a baby German Shepherd with blue eyes to have its eye color change over the course of a few months. On the same note, it is normal to find puppies with blue eyes regardless of breed because of this lack of melanin. In addition, it should also be noted that other eye conditions may result in eye color changes for your German Shepherd. All the more so if your German Shepherd is a puppy! More often than not, there are plenty of conditions that account for German Shepherd eye color changes or blue eyes outside of breed. See also The Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Breed Guide On the downside, this may mean that there is a small chance your German Shepherd is experiencing some kind of degenerative eye disease or disorder. But in any case, with the advent of modern technology, it should be easier than ever to inquire about your German Shepherd with blue eyes, including requesting genetics tests. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Jul 22, Share You have probably seen a cat or husky with blue eyes, but have you ever seen a German Shepherd with blue eyes? Probably not. To learn more about German Shepherds with blue eyes, read on. This article covers everything you could possibly want to know about German Shepherds with blue eyes. The majority of both purebred German Shepherds and mixed German Shepherds have brown eyes because it is the dominant trait. In contrast, the blue eye color is a recessive trait. For a recessive gene to appear, both parents must have the same trait. Interestingly, the recessive trait that causes German Shepherds to have blue eyes is also found in humans, but it is simply more common in humans. Thus, the German Shepherd has a bluer appearance, and its eyes are blue instead of brown. Although it may sound weird that blue eyes are blue due to lack of pigmentation, the same is true of human blue eyes. Whereas humans with blue eyes can come in all sizes and races, German Shepherds with blue eyes tend to look the same, but they look different from the classic German Shepherd. German Shepherds that end up having blue eyes are called Blue German Shepherds. A Blue German Shepherd can come in three colorations, including blue and black, blue, and dark brown, and blue and tan. Often, the blue and black coloration makes the dog appear dark gray all over. It is considered very rare for German Shepherds to have blue eyes. Not only must the German Shepherd have the recessive gene, but it also must have blue eyes. Plus, most breeders prefer not to waste time breeding Blue German Shepherds for reasons we will discuss next. This recessive gene can be seen in other dogs, such as Dobermans. In Dobermans, the gene can cause the dog to have certain skin conditions. In German Shepherds, there is no negative health link between the recessive gene and the dog. That being said, many breeders avoid breeding Blue German Shepherds because kennel associations view them as a defect. What this means is that you cannot present your German Shepherd at dog shows because the blue coloration is a fault. Of course, you can always find a Blue German Shepherd if you want one specifically and have no intention of showing it. Final Thoughts If you have seen a German Shepherd with blue eyes, you have seen a real treat. German Shepherds can have blue eyes only if they have the recessive gene. Even though the gene is not associated with any health defects, kennel associations view the color as a defect and most breeders view it as a waste of time to breed these dogs. Despite the rarity of blue-eyed German Shepherds, they will bring you just as much fun, love, and companionship as a classic German Shepherd. Related Reads:. A German Shepherd can have blue eyes due to a genetic defect that causes one or both eyes to be a different color. Their piercingly blue eyes have little to no effect on their temperament, so you can expect the same characteristics as a typical German Shepherd. Watch This NOW! The genetic site that causes the blue color is the D dilute locus. The diluted pigment lightens coats from black to blue. It causes, in effect, a watered-down version of black. The two alleles connected with dilution are D dominant full color and d recessive dilute. It takes two recessive alleles dd to lighten black pigment to blue. In simple terms, both parents must carry and pass on the recessive D gene for a German Shepherd to have blue eyes. It is, therefore, impossible for a blue-colored dog to have any black on its coat. While these dogs are beautiful, the American Kennel Club classifies their eyes as an issue, docking points or refusing to let them rank in conformation. So although blue-eyed German Shepherds can enter events, they are seldom seen. This causes controversy among owners of blue GSDs, who often feel discriminated against. A German Shepherd with blue eyes is extremely rare because both parents must carry the recessive D locus gene, home to the dilution gene. When a dog is homozygous for dilute, a black dog will become blue. So it is highly uncommon to get two mutated copies of the gene that causes blue eyes. While many dog breeds can also lose pigmentation in their eyes to make them look blue, a German Shepherd can have truly blue eyes, albeit unique. German Shepherds with blue eyes can be purebred or mixed. This trait is much more common if mixed with a husky since these dogs can naturally have blue eyes. However, a purebred German Shepherd can have light brown, dark brown, golden, hazel, or blue eyes without another breed in the mix. Send a quick sample and find out if your pup is mixed or if his blue eyes are a purebred genetic rarity. All GSDs have striking features, but adding blue eyes makes them even more beautiful. Blue-eyed German Shepherds can also be quite confident and brave. When raised in the right household, these dogs will feel proud of themselves and their territory. Common Health Problems German Shepherds with blue eyes are prone to hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and digestive issues as they age. All of these health concerns can be minimized or managements with the three following tips: Healthy food is crucial from birth through their senior years. German Shepherds need up to two hours of exercise daily. Attention and affection prevent the anxiety that can cause stress, seizures, and blood pressure problems. I also recommend you invest in a good orthopedic bed suitable for large breeds as they help prevent mobility issues and ease pain and discomfort caused by arthritis. Some owners might be concerned that blue eyes in a German Shepherd cause additional health concerns. But are blue eyes in the German Shepherd breed a health concern? These lovely dogs are just as healthy as the standard brown-eyed German Shepherds. Their health predictability is based on their genetics, diet, activity, and affection. So what causes the confusion? Some dogs, such as the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, and Great Dane, carry the M-locus Merle gene that causes mottled white patches of fur, solid or piebald, on the face and body. Breeding two Merle gene carriers is, therefore expressly forbidden and deemed inhumane. However, this presents an opportunity to bring a gorgeous pup into your home. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. The few with blue eyes owe their eye color to a recessive gene that needs to be inherited from both parents. Blue-eyed German Shepherds can have two blue eyes, or they can be odd-eyed with one blue eye and one brown eye. Dogs with odd eyes are sometimes described as having heterochromia. A Blue German Shepherd is one with a color variation caused by a recessive gene. It dilutes black pigment so the fur will appear blue-gray or silver-gray rather than black. On the other hand, powder blue German Shepherds have lighter colors. Blue GSDs can be blue-and-black, blue-and-tan, or blue-and-sable dark brown. Strangely enough, Blue German Shepherds can appear in litters containing prototypical black-and-tan pups. While the blue color is a normal variation, both the AKC and many breeders consider it a defect of sorts. Well sometimes at least… The Dog Breed Info website includes a list of dog breeds that are known to have blue eyes on occasion. While all puppies are born with blue eyes, the breeds listed can actually retain their blue eyes as adults. A German Shepherd mix can inherit blue eyes from the GSD parent, or from the non-Shepherd parent if the breed has been known to have blue eyes. These dogs, which are also known as Siberian Shepherds or German Huskies, often inherit blue eyes from their Husky parents. Generally speaking, blue-eyed German Shepherds are as healthy as their brown-eyed relatives. There are, however, some unfortunate exceptions. While this sounds harmless and even attractive, dogs that inherit the merle gene from both parents often have birth defects. Mating two carriers of the merle gene is thus considered inhumane and strictly forbidden. However, a German Shepherd mix can have the merle gene. Such examples of breeds affected by the merle gene include the Australian Shepherd, the Collie, the Great Dane, and the Shetland Sheepdog. An albino dog will thus not only have pure white fur, but the skin around their nose and eyes will be a very pale pink. The eyes may have some pigment and be a very pale blue, or have no pigment and appear pinkish. The pink color is actually due to the blood flowing beneath the skin. Albino dogs of any breed are generally healthy, but they are very sensitive to light and are vulnerable to both sunburn and skin cancer. Are White German Shepherds Albino? In most cases, no. That gene has two alleles or versions: white and non-white. White is recessive, so a puppy would have to inherit the trait from both parents. One big difference between white German Shepherds and albinos is that the gene for albinism affects the skin and eyes as well as the coat. Those that do have blue eyes are the result of another recessive gene. Cataracts, for example, cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy and appear to be a hazy blue. Glaucoma can also make eyes appear cloudy blue. Yes, German Shepherd puppies are born with blue eyes! In fact, all puppies are born with blue eyes, no matter what breed their parents are. This is because the reason behind puppies having blue eyes has nothing to do with inherited genetics. Blue eyes are caused by a lack of melanin in the irises. It is natural for puppies to be born with this imbalance, as melanin is something that develops as they age. This is why puppies are born with blue eyes but will grow out of them by the week mark. But, the irises are never really blue. They are actually clear, but they appear to look blue. However, some dog breeds can retain blue eyes as they grow older. Full-blooded German Shepherds can have blue eyes, however, this is very rare. Blue eyes in German Shepherds are caused by a genetic mutation in the breed line, as the majority of German Shepherds will have brown eyes. However, this genetic mutation does not mean that your German Shepherd has something wrong with them. In some dog breeds, blue eyes can be a sign that something is wrong with your pet. But, German Shepherds are one of the few dog breeds where blue eyes are relatively common. So much so that a sub-breed is recognized for these German Shepherds with blue eyes. So yes, full-blooded German Shepherds can have blue eyes, and these dogs are just as healthy as any other kind of German Shepherd. How much is a German Shepherd with Blue Eyes? As German Shepherds with blue eyes, or blue Shepherds as they are otherwise known, are relatively rare, you can expect to pay more for them than a regular German Shepherd. This is because blue Shepherds are viewed as a premium dog breed. They are very rare, so when a breeder manages to breed this type of German Shepherd successfully, they will want premium prices for the puppies. Additionally, you should expect to pay higher prices for a German Shepherd that has a single blue eye, as this is also considered premium. Does a Blue eye mean a Dog is blind? No, a blue eye in your dog does not mean that your dog is blind, or that it is going to go blind at some point. Blindness is rarely the cause of this. You might also think that blue eyes are a sign that your dog is deaf. This is probably because blue eyes in cats have been linked with deafness. So, no blue eyes are not a sign that your dog is blind. In fact, there are no health concerns linked with blue eyes in dogs, it is simply a genetic mutation. They can occur thanks to a genetic variant in purebred dogs. This fact automatically makes them less valuable to breeders than dogs that can be shown in competitions. Because they are considered a fault, blue eyes are becoming rarer and rarer. Instead, most of them are neutered and sold as pet dogs. A breeder may continue to use a blue-eyed dog for breeding in rare cases, but only if they have exceptional features otherwise. The rarity is increased even more due to the recessive nature of this trait. Both parents have to be carriers of this gene for their puppies to have blue eyes. Brown eyes are dominant, which means that they will cover up the blue eyes trait. A dog may technically have blue eyes — but still, end up with brown due to a dominant brown-eyed gene. Instead, many of them focus on matching the breed standard — which means not using dogs with blue eyes in breeding programs. Breeders that breed show dogs will not have blue-eyed dogs available. However, you may be able to find them produced by breeders that concentrate on pet dogs. These people may even purposefully breed them because they are sometimes sought after by those looking for a pet. German Shepherds usually have brown eyes. This color is the most common and recognized by the breed standard. When many people breed German Shepherds, they aim to breed dogs with brown eyes. The brown-eyed gene is dominant. This means that the dog only needs to inherit one gene for its eyes to be brown. On the other hand, most other eye genes are recessive; the dog must receive two to develop the other eye color. The shade of brown can vary widely, though. Some dogs have dark brown eyes, while others are more of a tan. It largely depends on the amount of melanin a dog produces. More melanin equals a darker shade. There are multiple traits involved. Whether they are brown or blue is pretty easy to work out, but all the traits determining the shade can make determining their end eye color rather tricky. They may look like one of their parents — or they may not work at all. When they are first born, a puppy will not produce all the melanin that they will when they get older unless their eyes are a very light color — in which case they may never increase their melanin output. Therefore, most puppies will be born with light eyes, but they will darken as they get older. Usually, their eyes will reach their final color by the time they are about ten weeks old. This can vary widely from dog to dog, though. Some dogs may have their final color much earlier. Others may develop them much later. Some puppies may even be born with blue eyes — but these rarely stick around into adulthood. Typically, they will darken to brown within a few weeks. Instead, they happen to have blue eyes instead of the usual brown. This is a recessive trait, so your best chance of getting a puppy with blue eyes is to breed two blue-eyed adults. You may occasionally end up with a few blue-eyed puppies from breeding two brown-eyed dogs — assuming that they both have a recessive blue-eyed trait. Some German Shepherd mixed breeds also have blue eyes. Siberian Huskies are a typical example of this. Many Siberian Huskies have blue eyes. Therefore, if you breed them with a German Shepherd, your odds of getting a blue-eyed puppy are much higher. Of course, brown-eyed dogs are much more common. Finding two German Shepherds with blue-eyed traits is much more difficult than finding a Husky with blue eyes. At the moment, it is unknown. There have been few studies done on blue-eyed German Shepherds simply because there are so few of them. Most German Shepherds with blue-eyes are also mixed breeds. There are some health problems associated with blue eyes in other breeds, though. This is primarily because of the decrease in melanin that these dogs produce. For instance, German Dalmatians with blue eyes are more likely to have sensorineural deafness. However, this study also found that there was obvious inheritability even when eye color was controlled for. Therefore, other genes involved caused the deafness — not just the blue eye color itself. It may be that the blue-eyed gene itself has a large enough effect to cause deafness — or German Shepherds may not be affected at all due to their lack of this other deafness gene. Dalmatians also have an increased chance of being deaf if they have blue eyes. There have been other physical traits linked to increased deafness in Dalmatians in dogs, including the amount of spotting in their coat. This may suggest that German Shepherds will have an equal chance of being deaf if they have blue eyes. However, this is not known for sure. What About Merle German Shepherds? There are no merle German Shepherds. However, mixed-breed German Shepherds may have the merle gene — depending on the dog they are bred with. Sadly, the merle gene causes quite a few health problems. However, the science is pretty clear on this topic. Many proposed health problems may come along with a merle coat. However, only a few have scientific evidence supporting them. Dogs with the merle gene are nearly twice as likely to be deaf or blind than those without it. Multiple studies have drawn these conclusions. These health problems likely stem from the decrease in pigment the dog creates, leading to problems with their eyes and ears. Many breeders will not attempt to create merle German Shepherds for this reason. And these canines would not be purebred. It makes the dog worthless since they cannot be shown. Finding a blue-eyed German Shepherd is extremely difficult. For the most part, these dogs are rare. Most breeders produce dogs to be shown in the show ring. Instead, they are focused on producing pet-quality dogs. In this case, they may purposefully breed dogs with blue eyes, as many potential pet owners are willing to pay a high price for these German Shepherds. These breeders are few and far between. You may have to travel quite far to find one. And the waiting list may be substantial. If you want a dog now, you should probably settle on one with brown eyes. Due to their rarity, some people assume that this is a defect. However, it is caused by a recessive gene — it just happens to be a rare one. There may be some health problems associated with this gene. In other breeds, dogs with blue eyes are more likely to have certain health conditions. Plus, the current need for studies is relatively low, as these dogs are often not very common. If these dogs do have different health problems, the odds are likely not substantial. They might have a slightly higher chance of being deaf, for instance — but this chance will be meager. However, you may want to keep this in mind if you decide to adopt one. Conclusion Blue-eyed German Shepherds are very rare. The blue-eyed gene does exist in this breed. However, it is not nearly as common as the brown-eyed gene. Therefore, finding these dogs is difficult. Many breeders do not produce German Shepherds with blue eyes because they cannot be shown. They will avoid breeding these dogs where possible, though some blue-eyed dogs may pop up occasionally. These breeders usually market their dogs to pet owners. Stay on the lookout for more studies, which may be published as this dog becomes more popular. Author: Kristin Kristin was born in Tennessee and currently lives there with her husband and children. She is passionate about educating pet parents and helping them make the best possible decisions for their pets. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish. Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

This way you know that you are getting the right information from them. They are noisy. Bull-Peis will snore and bark. They require a lot of food. The majority of Bull-Peis will get along quite well with children because of their English Bulldog part of the breed. Every interaction with little children needs to be supervised as this breed is very powerful. They are also likely to chase smaller pets in the household rather than another dog. A Bull-Pei is often fairly simple to train, even though some are more difficult and stubborn. While training, be consistent, patient, and firm. Training your Bull-Pei using positivity, praise, and rewards will be very effective. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They will play with the children and be loving and affectionate with them. They are also protective and will act to keep children safe. Make sure that you are socializing your Bull-Pei early. Before you bring your new puppy home, we want to let you know what you should expect from your new four-legged pal. This will help the transition be a lot easier for you and for your new dog. This will all help them to make the right recommendation for your Bull-Pei. Since a mix can take on any combination of traits from their parents, you want to make sure you ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix. Should an English Bulldog Mix take after their Bulldog parent, they will be sweet-natured, affectionate, and playful dogs that love being with their families. English Bulldogs are companion breeds that are known for being sweethearts. As long as they are socialized properly, they tend to be excellent with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although watchful, they are even agreeable to strangers once they have been introduced. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect the same from an English Bulldog Mix. You still want to talk to the breeder about the other parent as they are likely to introduce their own quirks. Meeting the mother in person can give you an idea of her temperament and the behavior she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should have started some training and socialization, it is your responsibility to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home to ensure they grow into a well-rounded, well-behaved dog. Although English Bulldogs adapt to most living situations, they are sensitive to hot and cold, and are particularly sensitive to heat. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. This makes them a moderately adaptable dog breed. The other parent breed could introduce some traits that affect adaptability so you do want to ask the breeder about them. A mix could inherit conditions common to neither of their parent breeds, one of them, or even both of them. From the English Bulldog, potential health concerns to be aware of in an English Bulldog Mix include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Entropion, and Cherry Eye. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to prevent passing issues to puppies, so make sure you are asking about the health history of both of the parents. Although English Bulldogs can be stubborn, they are generally eager to please and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels and respond well to consistent training that is focused on positive reward and praise. If the other parent breed is also highly trainable, then you should be able to expect the same from an English Bulldog Mix. The other parent breed could also introduce the potential for an English Bulldog Mix that is more difficult to train. Mixed-breed dogs can inherit a coat that is a carbon copy of one of their parents or they can end up with a coat that is truly a mix of both. Should an English Bulldog Mix end up with a Bulldog coat, they will shed moderately year-round, require brushing a couple of times a week, and the occasional bath. If they have face wrinkles, you will need to make sure they are clean and dry regularly to prevent skin irritation. Cutting nails once or twice a month keeps them from growing too long. Ear checks on a weekly basis with careful ear cleanings as needed helps prevent ear infections. Daily brushing or use of an enzyme toothpaste is ideal dental care for dogs and can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. English Bulldogs tend to be lower-energy breeds that only require daily walks and some playtime to be happy. But, they will be energetic when they play and might be up for more activity if you are. The other parent breed can affect this. If they are a low-energy breed, then you can expect an English Bulldog Mix to be the same. If the other parent breed requires more daily activity, then you will need to be prepared for that potential range in an English Bulldog Mix puppy. Because they may still be a brachycephalic dog breed, they can overheat, so you want to be careful of overexertion. There are many safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs to help your English Bulldog Mix get the exercise they need. Fully-grown English Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. An English Bulldog generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed could affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar life span in an English Bulldog Mix. Featured English Bulldog Mix Article.

You can use the information on dog f.Show more How much grooming does a French Bulldog need? Although French Bulldogs have short fur, they do shed so you'll need to brush them occasionally. To help your dog feel comfortable with handling and grooming, introduce it in a positive way, one step at a ti.Show more What size crate do you need for a French Bulldog? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretched out.To find out more abo.Are French Bulldogs easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So every French Bulldog temperament is different. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develo.Show more Are French Bulldogs good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. You can use the information on dog f.Show more How much grooming does a French Bulldog need? Although French Bulldogs have short fur, they do shed so you'll need to brush them occasionally. To help your dog feel comfortable with handling and grooming, introduce it in a positive way, one step at a ti.Show more What size crate do you need for a French Bulldog? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretched out.To find out more abo.Are French Bulldogs easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So every French Bulldog temperament is different. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develo.Show more Are French Bulldogs good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. Mixed Breeds By K9 of Mine Staff 14 min read July 12, 18 Comments K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Like other popular breeds, Frenchies have been bred with other pups over the years, and the result is some even cuter pooches! Check out a list of adorable French bulldog mixes below, and let us know what you think in the comments! The mixed breed may have the clownish nature of both breeds or lean into the famed dramatics of pugs, especially regarding nail trims. His sturdy build and gentle demeanor make him the perfect choice for families. This pooch is all muscle, though his strongest muscle is his heart! Just make sure you start training him manners like loose leash walking earlier on before he gets too strong. Health conditions like allergies and sensitive skin may be areas of concern for him, along with dog selectiveness they sometimes have trouble making friends. Start puppy socialization once his shots are up-to-date to ensure he knows other dogs are furry friends and not foes. Boston terrier mixes are already silly, goofy guys, so combining them with a Frenchie will likely result in one wacky, endlessly-amusing canine pal! While this class clown is a natural-born entertainer, as a brachycephalic breed, his flat face warrants caution in hot weather, as he can overheat easily. His large, protruding eyes can also have issues or accidentally get poked, so avoid romps through underbrush and keep up on regular vet visits. This little pup often sports large ears that complement his tiny body quite comically, particularly when he also has pouty facial features. He may have the clownish nature of a Frenchie or take after the legendary lapdog status of a Chihuahua, with some pups winding up being the best of both worlds as snuggly, fun companions. So, keep him leashed in unfenced areas, no matter how great you think his recall is. Other than occasional brushing to remove shedding hair, bathe him as needed, clip his nails, and clean his ears as needed. The Frenchiepoo might be the dog for you. This makes training easier but does require you to switch things up in your training routine occasionally to prevent boredom. Luckily, you can have him clipped professionally every six to eight weeks to make daily life easier. The pairing often results in a medium-sized pup with a bug-eyed appearance and a soft coat that may or may not be long and require more frequent brushing to remove tangles. The results can be quite comical. Like any doggo, he should be monitored for hereditary diseases from both parent breeds, including hip dysplasia. He can come in lots of colors and patterns, with a medium to long-length coat that sheds moderately and needs regular brushing to prevent tangles. His exercise needs are also easy to meet in an apartment setting, only requiring a daily walk and indoor play to burn off energy. Independence is a hallmark of this mixed-breed dog. His stubborn streak can be a challenge for beginner dog owners, as he sometimes decides its his way or the highway without warning. Ongoing, positive training is a must for him. He can be fiercely loyal and also incredibly playful, making him a beloved companion for those seeking a dog of all trades. Unfortunately, his deep loyalty can lead to separation anxiety when left alone. A good way to combat separation anxiety is to schedule regular visits with a dog walker or opt for doggy daycare. German shepherds are working dog breeds and excellent watchdogs, which may mean your mixed breed mutt inherits this drive and need for physical and mental exercise. This mixed-breed dog is an ultimate family dog and adventure buddy, with boundless energy and a happy disposition that suits active households with children big and small. His exercise needs and exuberance for life can be a lot to handle at times, so couch potatoes need not apply. Labs are among the easiest dog breeds to train , making him an excellent option for newbie dog owners. Just remember to stick to positive methods to avoid damaging his gentle spirit. The unique build of this mix means special care is needed to avoid back injuries. These folds are full of cute factor, but they also require regular cleaning and careful drying to prevent skin irritation. He may need extra eye care as well, depending on his appearance, as Shar Peis are prone to eye issues. The Frenchie-Pei can be a more independent dog breed mix, so he may take a bit to warm up to new faces. Frenchie x Bulldog A post shared by Finn finny. This is one of the more low-energy dog breeds on our list, with a daily leisurely stroll suiting his needs. Health issues are another major concern with this mix. The Jack Russell is a famous ratter dog with a tenacious temperament, which may pop out in this mix. Daily walks with indoor play will suit him just fine. This canine combo can be snippier than other French bulldog mixes, so he may not be the best choice for families with small kiddos. Begin his training and socialization early to prevent him from becoming a handful. Just be sure to comb debris from his coat after outings. The terrier side of this Frenchie mix can make him scrappy, so start training and socialization early to help him be the best version of himself. Keep things positive, and mix up your training routine, as this smart sniffer can bore easily with repetition. He may have health issues, however, so keep up on regular vet visits. A sanitary trim is also recommended to avoid any backdoor messes from potty breaks. Daily walks are always a must for this pup, along with early and ongoing training and socialization to prevent dog aggression. Often one to flash trademark Staffy wide smiles that melt your heart, this mix is brachycephalic, requiring special care during warm weather. He needs air-conditioned digs and brief potty breaks outside during the summer to prevent overheating. Steer clear of pools, too, as many French Staffs cannot swim. One cute sniffer! This mix is often a great lapdog with a sweet spirit, but he still needs proper training and socialization to avoid small dog syndrome. Fortunately, keeping him clipped short with professional grooming appointments every six to eight weeks makes your day-to-day routine easier. Bringing home a small Frenchie mix? Grab the right food! Many French bulldog mixes are small pooches, and small canines have nutritional needs that differ a bit from those of big pups. Check out our article about the best dog foods for small breed dogs to learn some tips and view recommendations. Do you have any of these adorable French bulldog mixes? Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments! Want more cute canine crosses? Check out our articles on:. Customers are always right. After purchasing a puppy and changed your mind. Browse our available puppies and be happy. Worldwide free express shipping for all our teacup poodle puppies. After buying, relax. So worry not. We have many years of experience in puppy shipping and handling. Contact Us For More Details. Hand delivery service of puppies is available throughout the USA so shipping a puppy with a delivery person is a safe way. The safety of our puppies is our 1 priority. Our puppies are much too tiny and delicate for cargo! It truly takes a special breeder to assist with nourishing and raising a puppy properly. Providing a safe, natural, comfortable, and healthy environment for the nursing mother and her baby is essential. Here, we work hand-in-hand with our breeders. We spend consistent on-site time with our selected breeders and can undoubtedly say that our puppies come from a caring environment. We directly take un-staged, unedited, and only authentic scenes of our breeders. We only align ourselves with breeders whose standards are much higher than the rest. Dogs may change color naturally as they mature due to many factors such as genetics, hair type, losing puppy fur and evolving to the adult coat, pigmentation, hormonal changes, seasonal changes, shaving, etc. Color changes are expected and can occur quickly and at any time. Yorkshire for sale We provide you the puppy with all the health guarantees, and our team is available for you seven days a week in case of any issues arise after taking your puppy home. When it comes to delivering puppies to a far-off place, you do not have to worry about it that too. We make sure your puppy reaches your home safely and as early as possible. We deliver within Unite States, Canada and other areas around, and you can easily find all the delivery details and charges on our website. So, if you are also a pet lover and looking to have a puppy at your place, connect with us today! Agree or not, dog or pet lovers have their separate communities. These people love their pets much more than anything in the world and treat them more like kids. After all, we cannot deny that, at times, pets are much more loyal than humans, so why not have them in our family. To get a puppy home, you have to be pretty sure about the breed you want to go for. One needs to know the care that a particular breed demands and whether you will be able to provide that care or not. We have different breeds of dogs under a single roof like — Yorkie, Poodle, Frenchie, Chihuahua and more. We also have the Toy and miniature poodles. We are a reputable and very well-trusted platform of puppies, and you do not face any issues while taking home a puppy from our reliable yard. We ensure that all the paperwork is correctly done before handing over your puppy. We have all the paperwork from the authorities, which makes our services even more reliable and trustworthy at the same time. From selecting the right breeder partnerships to coaching our clients how-to properly get their puppy settled into their new home. Because of their popularity as a breed, many breeders in the United States specialize in breeding Chihuahuas nowadays. French Bulldog West Yorkshire If you are looking for a French Bulldog in West Yorkshire for stud you have come to the right website as you can search by both breed and location here. If you can't find the stud you need be sure to check our breeder listings as they don't always advertise their individual stud dogs. If you are in need of Frenchy stud services it will almost always require a contract. This will often require a fee or in some cases the 'pick of the litter'. There may also be time limits to your contract so be sure that the female is in heat and ready to mate and be sure to ask about the consequences of an unsuccessful breeding. We provide a free ad service for stud dog breeders. Nice chunky boy with good bone. Arlo is a lilac and tan carrying cream with no pied or brindle???? Arlo is small and compact with a beautiful head , he comes from amazing b.Read More Damon - French Bulldog Stud Leeds, West Yorkshire LS13 Here we have hank the tank , hank really lives up to his name and has been a tank since the day he was born with a lovely big head and a short compact muscular body Hank comes from amazing bloodlines.Read More.

We have answers. The only thing you have to do is browse some of the pre-selected breeders below to find a litter or individual Fresno German Shepherd for sale that you are interested in. The last step when you work with Uptown is introducing your new companion to your home. There is a high likelihood that you will! Backyard breeders are everywhere and they can be hard to recognize if all you have to judge them by is a well-made website. A puppy mill is a factory like breeding facility where popular breeds are forced to reproduce more often than they naturally would which can cause stress and eventually health issues down the line. Do German Shepherd puppies in Fresno require a lot of exercise? Fresno German Shepherd puppies for sale will not require a lot of exercise at first, but as they grow older these dogs will start to build up more and more energy and also grow to be quite large. Before you schedule a meeting with one of the many vetted breeders below through Uptown Puppies you should be prepared to play and run around outside with your new dog. What can I expect when I own a new German Shepherd puppy? You should be fully prepared to awake next to a friendly, energetic and loving puppy each and every morning. Will Uptown Puppies recommend a specific type of food for my puppy? We will always recommend that if you notice potential food allergies or symptoms that could be related to your pups food that you contact a vet immediately. There are a lot of dangers that come with purchasing a new dog from a puppy mill or backyard breeder which is why at Uptown we steer our customers clear of the danger and potential costly health risks! Instead our vetting team likes to focus on standardized puppy treatment, sanitary facilities and breeders who offer a more boutique experience for the end consumer. Which kinds of breeds are best for families? German Shepherds can be loving, playful and protective when they need to be, which is perfect for a couple with a growing family of kids, pets and relatives! What is a backyard breeder? A backyard breeder is a term that is commonly used in the canine breeding world to describe a business that has created a breeding facility in their residence or even a spare corner of a backyard. They are now ready to go to their forev. We are a c 3 non-profit rescue based in Northern California and the Sacramento Valley. Below are our newest added German Pinschers available for adoption in Fresno, California. Seller's profile All seller items 1 Be careful! Never pay down a deposit in a bank account until you have met the seller, seen signed a purchase agreement. Adopt a rescue dog through PetCurious. Plott Hound Puppies for Sale. Why buy a German Pinscher puppy for sale if you can adopt and save a life? Look at pictures of German Pinscher puppies who need a home. I have 3 German Shepherd mix dogs. To see more adoptable Bedlington Terriers in Fresno, California, use the search tool below to enter specific criteria! We ensure each dog is highly socialized, family-raised, and genetically tested. Old English Sheepdog Puppies for Sale. There are often many great Gordon Setters for adoption at local animal shelters or rescues. We are a family owned and operated, Colorado state licensed, AKC registered, home kennel in beautiful Conifer, Colorado. Golden State German Shepherd Rescue is a c 3 non-profit based in the Central Valley of Northern California Our mission is to find loving new homes for German Shepherd Dogs in need of a second chance and to educate the public about this highly intelligent and versatile breed. Fresno, California, United States xxxx xxxx. Say hello to these darling F1B Mini Goldendoodle puppies that can't wait to spoil you with love and attention. Both parents pure bred German s. When you purchase from us you can be assured of the highest quality and good temperament. Meet Azami! Azami A is a 2 year old, female, brown and black, German Shepherd blend. Call my parents to schedule a play date today! Female Black German Shepherd. She checked out just fine on her first vet visit. German Shepherd Puppy for Sale. Their brains, size, and loyalty make them ideal police and service dogs, but they also make great friends. German Shepherd Puppies For Sale. I'll arrive up to date on all shots and dewormers, vet checked, microchipped, and with a 1 year genetic health guarantee for an easy and happy adoption. To see more adoptable German Pinschers in Fresno, California, use the search tool below to enter specific criteria! We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. These curly cuties are full of life and will make the perfect addition to any family. German Shepherd puppies for sale in Fresno, CA from trusted …. Our Shepherds are raised in a mountain setting where they are exposed to weather, wildlife and terrain like no other place on earth. Learn more 1, puppies available 1, certified breeders Transportation Location Color. Azami is a big girl with a loving heart, she is a bit shy in the kennels. German Pinscher puppies and dogs in Fresno, California. Female 8 Month Black German Shepherd. Page 6: German Shepherds for Sale in Fresno. Search for an Old English Sheepdog puppy or dog. German Shepherd california, fresno. ZIP or Canadian postal code in. These pups are in Fresno, California too! Below are our newest added Bluetick Coonhounds available for adoption in Fresno, California. Below are our newest added Bedlington Terriers available for adoption in Fresno, California. Browse photos and descriptions of of California German Shepherd Dog puppies of many breeds available right now! Tools 1 week ago on Adopt-a-Pet. Find your puppy for sale in Fresno, CA. German Shepherd puppies for sell. German Shepherds for Sale in Fresno. Their impeccable training allows them to be not only a superb guard or protection dog but also the perfect addition to any family. Healthy with shots and dewormer record up to date. We provide a gal bag of food that she is used to and also probiotics for a better transition to her new home. Located high in the Rockies at over ft. German Shepherd Puppies for sale in Fresno, California. Rocky Mountain German Shepherds. Our dogs are from the highest quality imported German bloodlines and are bred for superior temperament, beautiful conformation, excellent health, and high levels of trainability. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since .Mom is 17 inches tall and 40lbs, black bi with beautiful blue eyes and a very calm sweet temperament. White German Shepherd Puppies california, fresno. If you take your new German Shepherd on walks and trips to the grocery store as puppies you'll be ahead of the exercise curve! Feel free to contact us to schedule a visit or discuss any of our fine dogs. Search for german shepherd dog rescue dogs for adoption near Fresno, California. Transportation to Fresno, CA available. Bedlington Terrier Puppies for Sale. German Shepherd Dogs are the perfect dog to own. Americanlisted has classifieds in Fresno, California for dogs and cats. German Shepherd puppies for sale in Fresno, CA from trusted breeders. All of our pups are socialized and family raised in our home. Page 2: German Shepherds for Sale in Fresno. Find a German Shepherd Dog for adoption at dog rescues or shelters near Fresno. Fresno German Shepherd puppies for sale will not require a lot of exercise at first, but as they grow older these dogs will start to build up more and more energy and also grow to. We believe that it is not just nature but nurture as well that brings out the best in the German Shepherd working lines. Our kennels are located in sunny Southern California. Lahna is A beautiful an adorable little girl. Azami is a big girl with a loving heart, she is a bit shy in the kennels and once you first meet her but she warms up quickly. She will also have her first vaccination. I currently have 5 male German shepherd puppies available for sale. German Shepherd Dog puppies and dogs in Fresno, California. Don't miss what's happening in your neighborhood. German Pinscher Puppies for Sale. Here are some of our current and recently adopted dogs in our program:. Needs love and plenty of area to roam. Because all breeding programs are different, you may find dogs for sale outside that price range. Rocky Mountain German Shepherds We provide German Shepherd puppies, young adults, trained adults, import service, and all breed dog training. German Shepherd For Sale in Fresno .German Shepherd puppies for sale in Fresno, CA from trusted. Save this search and we'll notify you when they are. As a Hobby Breeder we selectively breed litters of German Shepherds per year and maintain a wait list for our puppies. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. Pets and Animals Fresno. Find German Shepherd puppies for sale. Fresno German Shepherd puppies for sale will not require a lot of exercise at first, but as they grow older these dogs will start to build up more and more energy and also grow to be quite large. German Pinscher. Find German Shepherd puppies for sale Near Visalia, CA German Shepherds are renowned for their incredible trainability, work ethic, and physical grace. Find your puppy for sale in Fresno, CA Puppies. German Shepherds for Sale in Omaha. These spacious kennels provide a great environment for our dogs. Click below to find a shelter or rescue in your area! Find an Animal Shelter. German Shepherd Puppies for Sale near me. They will be dewormed and will have their first parvo shot at 8 weeks. To see more adoptable Bluetick Coonhounds in Fresno, California, use the search tool below to enter specific criteria! German shepherd!!! If you can help, click here Application to send us your application. Then, email us here foster gsrnc. Not all of our rescue Shepherds are lucky enough to go directly into a foster home; some have to start in a kennel. Every rescue dog must be in a foster home before it can be adopted. In a foster home it will experience the love, care, and attention it needs and deserves while it is waiting to be adopted and we will observe the personality of the dog to help place it in the best possible forever home. Our network of rescue volunteers is there to help you with advice, and Rescue pays for the care of the dog including food and authorized veterinary expenses. Won't you consider fostering a German Shepherd who wants a second chance at a happy life? Fostering is a very rewarding experience, not only for you, but for the dogs too! Join us on October 7th for Wags to Riches! Register now before we sell out! Help us save dogs while putting yourself in the running for some great prizes! Click on the "Lucky Dog" for full details and to order tickets! Shop online at Pet Food Express by clicking on the puppy. Visit Our Dogs on YouTube.

The Vissell family in with their first litter of Golden Retrievers, their family hobby. Top Quality Golden Retrievers as Loving Companions We trust that you will enjoy and treasure your puppy and that he or she will become a valuable member of your family. We breed our female dogs every other heat cycle, only once every year and a half to two years, after they have passed all the health clearances at age two. At age six they are retired from breeding and remain a vital part of the family. Breeding and raising the puppies from birth is our family project and we each enter into our specific duties with joy and enthusiasm. Our family has a lot of love and respect for one another and we give that same love and respect to each puppy. This is our unique quality as The Golden Light Kennel. The puppies spend their first five weeks right in our home hearing human voices and being picked up and loved. A typical scene at dinner is all of us sitting around the table taking turns holding the different puppies and having fun with them. After five weeks they outgrow their inside pen and go to the outdoor area, just feet away from our dining room. We spend a lot of time sitting in the pen, holding and playing with them. Several times a day they each get a chance to experience a supervised play time in the backyard. Early human contact and love are important for producing a great pet with the ability to be easily trained. Princess Grace of Golden Light comes from a long line of show dogs. Because of the quality breeding, the dogs are gentle, smart and beautiful. Both the parents of these puppies have their health clearances. Nothing is more heartbreaking than to purchase a puppy that has not been bred well and have it develo p hip, elbow, heart or eye problems which cause much pain and expense. Our first golden retriever, which was purchased over 40 years ago, was not bred well. He developed hip and other problems. Because of that experience we have chosen to breed our puppies in the highest and best way possible. We nourish the mother and puppy with the best nutrition we can get. The puppies will have two wormings and will receive their first puppy vaccine. You will receive a record of this when you pick up your puppy. Thank you for choosing the Golden Light Kennel. You have chosen a pure golden bundle of love and affection. Gracie and puppies, almost 3 weeks old here. I would really like one or more doggie siblings to be my best friend s. But hey, I like humans a lot too since they give me lots of pets, tell me how handsome I am, and most important, throw the BLUE Chuck-it ball for me if you do not know, the blue ones have squeakers! I am a 3 year old Golden Mix with a great personality, hoping that my next home is one where I can unpack and stay forever. I have had two homes before that did not work out, but I think we are on to something new with my current foster home. I have never had a dog sibling before, but I feel SO much better when my doggie foster brothers are around! My foster mom took me to see the veterinary behaviorist at the SF SPCA, and the vet agrees that these guys are helping me feel like it is ok when mom leaves us for a bit to go in the store or take a short walk in the neighborhood. I can stay in the car for a while with my brothers since the temperature is cool right now and not worry too much. I can also stay in the house with them, and while I am a little vocal, I do not destroy anything. I have so much potential and am hoping the meds I am taking doggie Prozac will continue to help me be calm when I am stressed. I might be on those forever, but they are not too expensive. They tell me I am pretty smart did I mention good-looking? For now, if I cannot go with you when you leave the house, I would like to be with another human in some setting maybe a neighbor, Doggie Daycare, or with a dog walker. Ok, enough reading, talk it over with your pup s , and come meet me already, I am waiting! We are R. Together we bring over 50 years of education and experience to pet care. See our AKC listing for validation. Healthy dogs are our 1 priority. We like people, but we love animals. Everything we do puts them first. Learn More Our Breeding Philosophy Our mission is to give our English Cream Golden Retrievers puppies the best possible start, setting them up for long healthy lives as your loving companions. We surround our dogs and their litters with experienced care and love. They live in our home as a treasured part of our family, alongside our own furry loved ones. They are constantly stimulated, exercised, and challenged. We even teach them to swim — everyone should see a pool full of golden retriever puppies. We specialize in healthy, energetic, and loyal English Cream Golden Retrievers. We practice Early Neurological Stimulation, resulting in confident, engaged, trainable puppies. We keep puppies with their mother for a minimum of ten weeks, ensuring they are fully weaned. We encourage spaying and nurturing only after the puppy has grown strong from their new hormones — at least 18 months. Learn More Meet Our Dogs! Our puppies are living their best life in the Aromas hills. The have space to run, a pool to swim in, and a home to be nurtured by. Click to learn more about moms Kira, Millie, Skylar, and daddy Luke. Find your new best friend English Cream Golden Retrievers bred in California, genetically selected to be superior.

Now taking deposits for litters going home October or call Bill Mays at For the latest news regarding available puppies, please visit the SouthWind Labrador Facebook page! These dogs will be great family companions as well as your best hunting partner for many years. Southwind Labradors have both Fox Red and yellow lab puppies for sale. Our fox Red puppies are brilliant red and our yellow puppies are usually yellow with red highlights. We are home-based breeders and focus on quality. My dogs are my companions and join me in the field for hunting. I am an Outdoor writer for hunting magazines, I duck hunt, upland game hunt, and my dogs give me their all in the field. We breed a Labrador Retriever you can hunt with for 3 months and live in harmony as a calm well-adjusted family dog. We work very hard to maintain our dogs and our kennel. Our females have a secure environment with temperature control so they are stress-free as they care for their litter. Our females are well adjusted and have excellent temperaments. Over the past 25 years of raising puppies we have made many new friends and have sold puppies to parents and now their children. Families who have purchased puppies from us have kept in contact and sent us letters and pictures of their puppies as they grow up. We raise Labrador Retriever puppies for the love of the breed and to bring love and happiness into your household for years to come. Thank you, We also raise a limited number of black and chocolate English Labradors throughout the year. Our dogs and pups are our life and passion; each pup we raise is lovingly cared for- from the time of birth, until the time of adoption into their forever home. We hope you enjoy your visit to our site; please stay awhile and browse through our gorgeous photos. From the time of birth to the time of adoption into their new homes, Redwood pups are spoiled with the best of everything. Along with the superior care that our pups receive, it is of equal importance to us that our adults also are given the best care possible. Each adult is a part of our family, and treated that way. It's important to us that they are properly trained, loved, and are well behaved just as a single family pet would be. We spend numerous hours with our dogs each day, ensuring they receive plenty of play time and proper exercise. This is, and always will be our 1 Goal as breeders. We carefully select each and every dog for our breeding program, so as to remove potential health issues in our pups before they exist. Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that there are a few distinct color coat variations. Fox Red Labradors are a rare-colored version of the Labrador Retriever. Despite this, they can be registered as purebred Yellow Labrador Retrievers , as the darker-colored coat is not considered to be a disqualifying factor. Due to their unique and certainly eye-catching color, the Fox Red Labrador continues to grow in popularity. Labrador Retrievers are known for being exceptionally sweet and are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. These dogs yearn to be a part of a family, and fit right in when joining one. In fact, Labs are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Well-socialized Fox Red Labradors tend to get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. After all, every person they meet is a potential friend that they can play with. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Despite their energy, Fox Red Labradors can adapt to most settings. As long as this dog breed has a chance to get in daily walks, go outside to run and play, and they get plenty of attention, they are content. They are not overly affected by cold weather, but they have a dense double coat. Fox Red Retrievers are also happiest when in the presence of people and they love to be with their families whenever possible. They also have a lot of energy and get bored easily. Potential health concerns to be aware of in Fox Red Labrador Retrievers can include hereditary myopathy, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease, and cataracts. There is also a condition with a genetic link that can occur in young adult Labradors called exercise-induced collapse EIC. Carriers can be identified by DNA tests. Good breeding practices can reduce the risk of potential health issues and make a big difference in the health of Fox Red Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances. The national breed club recommends hip and elbow evaluations, an EIC DNA test, and an ophthalmologist evaluation at a minimum. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Fox Red Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk of bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Labrador Retrievers are one of the smartest dog breeds and are highly trainable. Although they can become stubborn at times, they are eager to please and pick up on training quickly overall. Their energy and intelligence mean they can lose focus in training and get bored easily. However, training that is kept clear, consistent, and focused on positive rewards usually keeps them focused and responding well. Any color variant of the Labrador Retriever is ideal for beginner dog owners. Fox Red Labrador Retrievers have a short, dense double coat that is water-resistant. They shed year-round and more heavily as the seasons change. Brushing their coat a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding is usually enough to keep their coat healthy and looking great. Bathing is on an occasional, as-needed basis. Because their coat tends to protect them from the cold and they are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , your Fox Red Lab may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. If they are an avid swimmer or tend to get into a lot of things, you may need to bathe them more often. It is highly recommended to give them a bath or at least rinse them off thoroughly after going swimming with your dog. Their nails should be trimmed once or twice monthly. This will help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs is essential for preventing the tartar buildup that lends to dental diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is a good start. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with dental hygiene chews, a special dental care diet, and more. Like other Labs, Fox Red Labrador Retrievers are high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. However, they will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Often, they are just happy to be spending time with you. Labs tend to have an extended puppyhood until they are around years old. They will mellow out a little, but also tend to maintain a puppy-like exuberance even in their senior years. Once they are done growing and your vet has cleared them for more activities, you can try a lot of different things. Labs are athletic and versatile dogs. They are one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures and tend to enjoy a variety of activities. They tend to excel in swimming, running, obstacle courses, and several dog sports. Fully-grown Fox Red Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Fox Red Labs generally live for years on average. All deposits are nonrefundable We charge 5. Please contact us for more information. All puppies are picked in deposit order. Please contact us for more information on any of our wonderful English Lab puppies, or upcoming and planned litters! We will help you find the perfect puppy for your family! All of our English fox red Lab puppies are vet checked with the vaccines that are needed and also wormed. They also have their dewclaws removed. If in any case a dew claw, or partial dew claw grows back, that will be the buyers responsibility to take care of, if they feel the need to do so. This can be done at the time of spaying or neutering. This is not a common thing. We strongly suggest keeping them on this food. If you feel the need to change, please keep them on a large breed puppy food. Please do some research on grain free diets with all the new information being released. In nice weather, our English fox red Lab puppies are taken outside a few hours a day for some sunshine and introductions to all the outside sounds of vehicles, kids playing, lawn mowers, etc. They also have a small wading pool to swim in, and are visited by our adult dogs throughout the day. In the winter months our English fox red Lab puppies make several short trips outside once they are 5 to 6 weeks old. Puppies are started on potty training, but are still just babies! We update pictures every 1 to 2 weeks. We know this is an exciting time for families and everyone loves to see puppy pictures, but please do not ask for pictures. We do them as soon as we have time. Raising a litter or multiple litters of puppies is a lot of work and very time consuming. As always, the care of the puppies and our dogs and family is top priority. All of our English fox red lab Puppies are placed with limited registration Pet homes only If you are looking for full registration Breeding rights Do not wait until pickup day to discuss this with us. Puppy picks are determined in the order we receive your deposit. For puppy pick up day we schedule buyers in order of how we receive the deposit for picking out and taking home your puppy. Pick up day is determined by the day the puppies are born. We ask that you do not arrive more than 5 minutes early for your appointment. We are excited to work with your family to find the perfect addition to your family! Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more exciting pictures and videos of our English Chocolate Lab Puppies! Majority of our english lab puppy family come from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan. We are able to ship our english lab puppies with Delta airlines, and because of that, we have our english lab puppies all across the country. We have our english lab puppies in every state across the country, even Alaska. We get requests from other countires several times a year for our english lab puppies, but at this time we will not ship out of the country, just too hard on the little english lab puppies. We are within driving distance of Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan. We are about .Michigan really varies. A lot of our English lab puppy families from Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa or Indiana will drive up the night before and stay at a hotel when picking up their english lab puppy. This helps break down the drive a bit. Click Here For Available Puppies! Blackfork Labradors breeding quality English AKC registered fox red labs, including yellow, chocolate and black Labradors. Our lab puppies are bred for companions, hunting, showing and therapy. Blackfork Labrador Retrievers specializes in breeding the fox red shade. We have fox red lab puppies available through out the year, along with black, chocolate and yellow Labrador pups. Blackfork Labs takes great pride in striving to improve our fox red labs taking into consideration health, temperament, soundness and the Labrador Retriever Breed Standard. Fox red is not a separate color of the Labrador but a shade of yellow. In the early years of the breed development, fox red or dark yellow was the original yellow shade of the Labrador Retriever. Fox red is the darkest shade of yellow Labradors. Tap the photo below for Fox Red Labrador Information When looking for a breeder that produces fox reds in their breeding program, it is very important that the following questions be asked: Do you have an overall goal for your breeding program? This goal should be more than just producing wonderful pets for families. Ask to see copies of clearances. It is very important that your breeder is doing annual eye CERFs to be certain that eye issues have not developed over time. Here at Blackfork Labradors we are striving to improve the overall standard of the fox red. I do not breed solely for depth of color. I spend hours researching pedigrees and calling other breeders to ask questions. That means there will be times that my fox reds will be bred to black stud dogs and yellows of all shades.

Learn more » The Pug has become one of the most popular dog breeds thanks to their quirky appearance and friendly attitude. This tiny breed does have some unusual habits that set it apart from other breeds and while some, unfortunately, are caused by their brachycephalic facial shape, some are behavior-based attributes. Among the traits that some people accuse the Pug of having is that they are lazy dogs that sleep a lot. You may notice it more because of the heavy breathing and snoring that tends to emanate from that squashed face. If your Pug is sleeping up to 14 hours a day, it is normal, but if yours is sleeping more than this, you may need to investigate to determine the cause and look for ways to remedy the problem. About The Pug Note Though the Pug is a popular breed, they unfortunately suffer from a plethora of health issues as a result of generations of selective breeding and therefore unfortunately have a lower quality of life when compared to other dog breeds. Veterinarians around the world are urging pet owners to not adopt the breed as their genetic shortcomings cannot be overcome by proper care and management alone. If you wish to adopt a Pug, please be mindful that they will most likely need extensive medical assistance throughout their life, which may include necessary reconstructive surgery. The Pug is a toy breed of companion dog. The breed has been developed to accompany their owner and provide companionship and has never been a working dog. The breed is known to be affectionate with family, will bond with visitors and even strangers, and they will usually get along with other dogs and potentially even cats. Because this is several hours a day longer than most people sleep, it can seem like Pugs spends their entire life snoozing. Puppies can sleep as long as 20 hours a day while senior Pugs may sleep for 15 or so hours a day. Although you can take some steps to reduce this a little, you need to ensure that your dog is getting enough sleep to recharge and stay healthy. Aim for about 12 hours of sleep a day. Top 6 Causes Of Excessive Sleeping If you determine that your Pug is sleeping more than 14 hours a day, take a look at the possible causes. Such causes include: 1. Boredom Pugs like fun and they enjoy spending fun time with their owners. If your Pug gets bored, one of their few options is to go to sleep in the hope of waking up to something more exciting. Try to introduce more playtime, offer a greater range of more exciting toys, and look for ways to provide stimulation that will keep your pup entertained. Image Credit: Piqsels 2. You should provide up to an hour a day of decent exercise, including walks and playtime. Make sure you provide two walks a day, of between 20 and 30 minutes each, and supplement this with some time playing with toys or playing games like hide and seek. Stick to an appropriate diet and if your Pug is really overweight, consult a vet so that they can advise you on the best next steps to shed the pounds and achieve a healthy weight. Image Credit: Tanya Dol, Shutterstock 4. Poor Diet Diet is as important to dogs as it is to any animal. Pugs do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with the supervision and approval of a canine nutritionist or your veterinarian. Pugs like to follow their humans around and partake in some of the same activities. Determine how long you spend in front of the TV to see whether this could be the cause of your sedentary pup. Image Credit: Michelle Scott, Pixabay 6. Illness Some illnesses can cause lethargy and even fairly minor ailments can wipe a dog out, in the same way illness can leave us feeling jaded and in need of extra rest. Conclusion Pugs can be fun-loving, affectionate, and jaunty little pets that want to spend as much time as possible with us. While they do sleep for up to 14 hours a day and make a lot of noise while they are sleeping, they actually have similar sleeping habits to other breeds of dog. If yours is sleeping for longer than 14 hours a day, it may be worth investigating to determine the cause and changing habits to help achieve optimal sleeping habits. Pug Sleeping Habits Overview Just about any Pug owner will agree that this breed gets a bit of a bad rep in regard to sleep. The Pug is sometimes thought of as a lazy breed; a dog that takes over your favorite chair and sleeps his life away, snoring as if he doesn't have a care in the world. While it may be true that a Pug does tend to snore - and make a few other interesting noises - he does not sleep more than any other breed and he is not lazy at all. In fact, Pugs are super animated, very personable and eager canines that often are curious, emotional and expressive. They thrive on attention and tend to mimic their owner's mood and vibes. If you sleep a lot, your Pug is not going to pace around the room; he'll be right by your side. And if you're active, he'll want to be right there as well; in fact many Pugs need to have limitations set because they'll push themselves to far and can have overheating and breathing issues. One element that may make it seem as if a Pug sleeps a lot is that he is so obvious when he does it. Other dogs may retreat quietly away and an hour later, an owner may wonder 'where's my dog? In this section we are going to cover: How much Pug puppies should sleep Normal amounts of sleep for adults and seniors Reasons why a Pug may have trouble sleeping Things that may cause a Pug to sleep too much Common questions about Pug sleeping habits Emma, 20 months old, photo courtesy of Helen Gastaldo How Much Sleep is Normal for Pugs Newborns - Newborn Pug puppies - from 1 day old to 3 weeks - sleep just about all of the time, up to 22 hours per day. They will mainly only be awake to eat; after that's it's right back to bed, warm and safe next to the dam and littermates. The age of 3 weeks old is a huge turning point; at this time both hearing and vision are working well and with this comes a new found curiosity. A heightened interest in exploring his little world and for playing with siblings will cause the pup to stay awake a bit longer now. From 3 weeks to 8 weeks, a puppy will sleep anywhere from 20 to 21 hours per day. Puppies - Owners of new puppies often want to know how much Pug puppies sleep because they worry about the pup being overtired and perhaps sleeping too much and missing out on things. The first couple of months - age 2 months to 5 months - a Pug puppy will sleep from 18 to 20 hours per day. This includes both nighttime sleep and naps taken all throughout the day. This is a really funny stage, because often a Pug puppy will be so interested in his world that he struggles to stay awake. It's not uncommon for a Pug to zonk out in the middle of playing or even eating, resting his head on the rim of the bowl because he just couldn't make it to his bed. Each month that the Pug matures, he will sleep a bit less and stay awake for longer periods. By 6 months old, many Pugs are on the sleeping schedule of adults. Adults - Adult Pug dogs sleep roughly 14 per day. There are some reasons for sleeping less or more discussed ahead. This may seem like a lot - especially when compared to how much we get- however most of this will be done at night. When you subtract 8 or 9 hours of nighttime snoozing from the average of 14, this leaves 5 to 6 hours of on-and-off again naps. The amount of naps will depend on how much the Pug sleeps at night and most will shadow what their owners do. It's very common for this breed to start getting tuckered out when lights are dimmed and their humans are relaxing before bed. It's typical for a Pug to drift off about an hour before his human family; he'll try to hang on but will conk out as the house quiets down and everyone is relaxing. Then, most will pop right awake as soon as the alarm goes off of if they sense that their human has awoken. It's rare for a Pug to stay sleeping in the morning while everyone starts their day. Since canines - like us- need a good amount of deep REM sleep, if they do follow their owner's sleep schedule of 8 hours a night, this leaves a good 6 or so hours that will be napped away during the day. And if an owner is only sneaking in 6 or 7 hours with the Pug following suit, this makes for a lot more napping of up to 7 or 8 hours during the day. So, how much you actually see your Pug snoozing will depend a lot of your own schedule and whether or not you are home with your dog or are away at work or school. Seniors - As a dog ages, there are many changes… decreased metabolism, a slowing down that reduces activity, etc. These are gradual changes, so you may not notice that your Pug sleeps an extra 20 minutes or so; but as the years pass, this adds up to falling asleep an hour earlier than usual and it is then that it really becomes apparent. When a Pug Has Trouble Sleeping With puppies, it can take a while for puppies to accept their schedule; many may seem downright nocturnal, making you wonder if somehow an owl was crossed in the Pug's bloodline. It takes a couple of months for a pup to understand the cues of a day winding down and feeling isolated can cause a puppy to stay awake whining or barking at night. For those of any age, this breed will show appreciation for many of the care elements you provide and often won't be shy at all to announce when things are not right. Here are the top reasons why a Pug may not be sleeping as good as usual: 1: Quality of the bed - Choosing the right bed for your Pug is important for this breed that tends to have hips and back issues. Keep in mind that beds do not last forever; after 4 years or so, cushions can lose buoyancy and won't be as supportive as they once were. Also, a puppy may be outgrowing his smaller bed and seniors may a thicker mattress to better support aching joints. This has a base of 2-inch medical-grade memory foam, water-proof inner and outer fabric, and a cover that is resistant to mold and dust mites and washable. Pugs need a good place to rest but still like to be close to the 'action' so that - if they happen to prefer it, they can join in. While it is a good idea to give your Pug his own space - especially if you want him to get used to that area for when home alone - it should in a quiet corner of an familiar room that is used by the family such as the living room or den. Some owners may move a Pug's sleeping area further away if the dog snores loudly or is otherwise causing a disruption; however, a compromise should be made so that a Pug doesn't feel quarantined. Additionally, any chronic snoring noises should be evaluate by the vet for possible stenotic nares, elongated palate and other issues common to brachycephalic breeds. Drafts, which can cause interrupted sleep, are common near windows and doors, but can also be found hear exterior walls. Keep in mind that any cold spots may only be near the floor, so you may want to get down to your Pug's level to access things. With sleep apnea, a dog will stop breathing for 10 to 20 seconds, repeatedly throughout the night. While some stay asleep, many will gasp and wake up. This can cause sleep deprivation, which often manifests as troubled, moody behavior the next day. Reasons a Pug May Sleep Too Much Dogs will vary the amount of time that they sleep by an hour or so, just like humans. However, whenever there is a marked increase in how much a Pug is sleeping this is reason to take note. Possible reasons include: Mimicking- As we touched on a bit earlier, this breed is notorious for copying his owner. Even if you don't sleep much, if you spend a lot of time watching TV or zoning out with video games, etc. After all, very few Pugs will run around and stay super active if the owner is plopped on the sofa, aside from young puppies that may have high energy levels. Lack of Stimulation - If a dog has nothing better to do, he'll often do one of two things: bark or sleep. This breed often chooses the later and you really can't blame him. Dogs need interaction, challenges, sights to see and scents to smell! It's best for a Pug to have a fun session of command training after dinner, be taken for a late evening walk and have some interactional playtime as opposed to just lazing around. A dog's world is as small or as large as you allow it to be. If a Pug is kept at home without much going on, he's going to sleep more. If he's taken to different places, goes on new walking routes, is challenged by learning new commands, etc. Illness or Injury - Any time that a dog suddenly sleeps much more than normal, this is a red flag that there may be a medical condition. For puppies that appear to be suddenly weak and dizzy, this is a possible sign of hypoglycemia, most often seen in those 2 to 5 months old. With adults, any condition that causes the body to fight off disease or caused discomfort will make a dog sleep more. If you notice that your Pug is sleeping much more than usual, you cannot attribute it to any of the issues mentioned above and it lasts for longer than 3 days, this is your signal that it's time for a vet visit, even if there are no other symptoms. I'd swear my Pug does dream, he moves around and even seems to mumble. His eyes move around under his lids too when he's asleep. A: Yes, absolutely. Studies have proven that dogs do dream and quite often. They have eye twitching, lip movements and even vocalizations that you wrote about that point to REM sleep. REM sleep is the phase of deep sleep when dreams occur. It is believed that dogs and other animals can have complex dreams full of memories of actual events. So that's pretty cool; our Pugs are most likely having dreams about us. Q: Should my Pug sleep in my bed? Aside from hogging the mattress is there anything wrong with it? Would it be interpreted as spoiling? A: While you'll want to hold off until your Pug is housebroken, there's nothing inherently wrong with a Pug sleeping in his owner's bed. There are some cons, however. Due to heavy shedding you'll have to be prepared for how much fur may end up on your sheets, blankets and pillows. Also, know that once your Pug is allowed to sleep in your bed, that spot is claimed. Also, if an owner is currently single, some thought should go into the future when someone else may want the other side of the bed. Q: Is it okay for Pugs to sleep on their backs? My Pug will fall asleep, belly up, and his paws up in the air. It's pretty comical but I'm wondering if this can cause breathing problems or anything else? A: While this is not the 'normal' canine way of lying down to sleep, a small percentage of dogs do sleep this way. If your Pug finds that sleeping on his back is the optimal position for him and he must if he's doing it , this might actually be his way of breathing better at night. When curled up, this constricts the neck and makes breathing a bit more difficult. But if a Pug naturally lies on his back, neck extended back, this will open up the windpipe and may offer him better airflow though the nasal passages. Q: Is it normal for a Pug to sleep with his mouth open? My Pug does this and kind of drools while he's sleeping. A: Being a brachycephalic breed, Pugs are prone to stenotic nares, which essentially means narrowed nostrils. This can make it hard for a Pug to breathe correctly out of his nose. Excessive drooling while sleeping is a possible sign of sleep apnea. And snoring is a sign as well. But, with that said, if your Pug seems fine otherwise and the drooling is not too bad, it's nothing to be concerned with. Did you find this article helpful? You may also like: Pug Dog Separation Anxiety - Effective ways to help your Pug cope when home alone, whether you are gone for just a couple of hours or for the day. Pug Paw Care - The paws are an often overlooked area of the body, but one that should not be ignored. Read tips to keep your Pug's paws in good shape and help for treatment of common paw issues. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. April 24, by Susan When I first got my beloved Pug dog, I also stepped up onto a steep learning curve ladder! So while experiencing life together with my Pug was so exciting, it was often also very stressful. Take the first time I saw my Pug fall asleep sitting up. What the heck? Is this normal? What is wrong with my dog? If you have had a similar experience, this is definitely the article you want to be reading right now. According to canine veterinarians, there are a few simple reasons your Pug may prefer to sleep sitting up or even standing up : breathing problems, or health problems such as hip dysplasia. It could also be that your dog is just comfortable sleeping in this position. Similar to how people prefer to sleep on their back, side, or on their stomach. Dogs tend to have their favorite positions too. Pug dogs are adorably cute — no one questions that. This means that lying down may literally deprive your Pug of air! It happens when the respiratory passages become blocked for some reason, causing chronic sinusitis, canine sleep apnea symptoms, snoring, respiratory distress and heat intolerance, among other symptoms. It is important to know that not all dogs with short muzzles will develop BOAS. But it is equally vital to know the symptoms so you can keep an eye out and seek veterinary care for your Pug dog if needed. It may not make sense right away why your Pug decides to sleep propped up against a banister, chair, table, desk, toy, dog bed or even another Pug. Also, if you are caring for a Pug dog for the very first time, you may not yet know just how much Pugs love to sleep. They really love to sleep! A Pug dog can easily sleep for 20 hours a day , especially in puppyhood and during the senior dog years. Puppies are particularly prone to fall asleep whenever and wherever. Some dogs are just tired and will sleep anywhere if they can just get a quick nap in. As we briefly mentioned here earlier, dogs can get sleep apnea just like people can. In fact, most but not all people who get sleep apnea have facial structures similar to Pug dogs — short wide jaws, thick necks, narrow or obstructed respiratory passages. One of the warning signs of undiagnosed sleep apnea in people is suddenly falling asleep during the day, including while behind the wheel. But sudden bouts of daytime sleepiness can still be a sleep apnea warning sign. Here are some other warning signs to watch for: Snoring loudly. Fits of gasping or choking during sleep. Waking up from sleep because of gasping or choking. Open-mouthed breathing while asleep. Head and neck extension while sleeping. Sleeping propped up or sitting up! Pale or blue color to gums and lips indicates lack of oxygen. High pitched wheezing sound while asleep. However, according to Dogs Health, this breed is susceptible to developing both hip dysplasia and arthritis. Although, it is not as common in small dogs as it is in large dogs. It usually affects younger pups, but can develop later in life. Here are some warning signs to watch for: Loss of thigh muscle mass. Decreased activity. Difficulty climbing stairs, rising from a laying position, jumping, or running. If your pooch is displaying any of the symptoms above, you should take them to your local vet. They will be able to check your pooch and may be able to come up with a treatment plan. It could be that your dog finds it difficult to breathe in other sleeping positions. Therefore, they sleep sitting up, because it is the one position that allows them to let more air in through their nostrils while sleeping. Keeping their head up, makes it easier for them to breathe better. If you live with someone who snores, you know that they will snore louder depending on their sleeping position. Unfortunately, this breed is prone to several health problems and respiratory problems are just one of them. Like people, dogs will have their favorite sleeping positions. Some may like sleeping at your feet, pillow, or lay on top of you. Use of allergy medications for dogs and surgery are also frequently recommended management options. However, if this becomes a daily ritual, you may want to consider taking them to the veterinarian to ensure they are healthy.

They are outgoing, active and affectionate companions who have a lot of energy and love making their owner happy. They have strong retrieving instincts as they were bred to be gun dogs, so they love both soft toys and diving into bodies of water. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop. Nutrition During the neonatal stage, your Labrador puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a mush of minced protein such as beef, but always consult your vet first before changing your puppy's diet at this stage. Health During this time it is important to monitor your Lab for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance. Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach. Behaviour During most of this time your Labrador puppy will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. You will soon notice their attentiveness to you and their intense love of play — many Labs keep this caring and fun attitude for their whole lives if you foster it. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your Labrador's large size and young age. Labs are notoriously greedy and will quickly gobble down food and snatch treats from hands. You should familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into forbidden snacks found only in bins. Labradors puppies instinctively like to 'dig' inside their water bowls so much of their water will end up on the ground. Make sure to get your puppy used to touching inside their small ears as they are prone to ear infections and will need regular checkups. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your Labrador puppy will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and positive reinforcement for good behaviour at this time to establish boundaries early. Labradors are eager to love anyone but can be overbearing, so you should introduce them to a number of different people and environments so that they are not overwhelmed with excitement later in life. PUPPY By the time your Labrador Retriever reaches puppyhood their personality will be well developed and you will have established a loving, social friend who wants to maximise time with you and others. Your Labrador puppy will do well socially and behaviourally from puppy training classes as long as treats are involved. Nutrition Your Labrador puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. You may also wish to introduce them to fresh, lean raw meat — however, don't feed your puppy any meat you would not feed to a fellow human being. Bloat is potentially fatal but can be combatted by feeding your dog two smaller meals per day, a habit you should start while they are a puppy. A rough guide is that they should exercise for minutes per day and less after 5 years when many lose their appetite for long marathons of activity. Your pup will need brushing every few days, with more frequent grooming during seasonal changes to combat shedding. Bathing should be infrequent as this can damage the waterproofing of their coats, however, you should wash them after swimming or rolling in muck. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that. Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet. Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Behaviour Do not be complacent with training your Labrador puppy — almost all are very gentle and well behaved, but this does not mean that training is unnecessary. Labs are very loving and patient with all that they meet, but they often do not know their own size. To combat this, they should be trained in how to act around small dogs and children to avoid intimidation or accidental injury. They will also benefit from obedience training to drop things from their mouths, avoid rushing across busy streets and make sure they come when called. Recommended Articles. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.