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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. 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. This recessive gene dilutes any black pigment on the dog including coat color, nose leather, foot pads, toe nails, lips, etc. It also affects their eye color. Blue pups have a beautiful light gray coat as babies, as they age however is usually darkens up quite a bit, the ones that darken up are called "steel" blues. To the untrained eye, they can be mistaken for regular blacks. There is also "Powder" blues, they tend to lighten up in color and always stay a very noticeable gray color. Powder blues are not seen very often. A blue pup with sable markings We have a couple blues and a few dogs who carry the blue gene. We choose these dogs first and foremost because their temperament, structure and health aligns with the goals of our breeding program. A beautiful unique color is just icing on the cake of an already exceptional dog. Our non-traditional color lines have some of the highest hip ratings in the US! We have produced non-traditional colored GSDs that compete in obedience, agility, nose work, etc. I personally love the non-traditional colored German Shepherds. These colors are been in the breed since the beginning and our foundation girl Rose just happened to be a blue! 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.

Whether you want a good family pet or an AKC show dog, this breed is the perfect choice. Our Labrador puppies in Michigan come in all three recognized colors — chocolate, black and yellow. We breed the classic English Labrador, known for its stocky appearance and otter tail, and all our adult dogs are AKC pure English lines. Because of this, many of our Labrador puppies for sale in Michigan have excelled in rally, obedience, conformation and agility. This is all on top of being loving family companions. Our available puppies are great choices for multiple needs and tasks. To learn more about the breed and breed standards of our Lap puppies, visit this helpful American Kennel Club resource. Interested in purchasing one of our Labrador retriever puppies for sale in Michigan? Check out the individual page for a specific litter. You can also contact us to be put on the deposit list for picks, and to also hold a puppy. Our puppy Price is for limited registration. Deposits are non-refundable. Full AKC Registration breeding and show rights contact us for an additional fee. Finding the right Labrador Retriever puppy can be mind boggling We here at Rozey K9 Farm provide a convenient and efficient means of selecting and purchasing the perfect Labrador Retriever puppy or Labrador Retriever puppies from your home through videos and pictures or on a visit to our farm. Take advantage of browsing our puppies or adult dogs. We are known as reputable Labrador Retriever dog breeders. Take a look at our individual Labrador Retriever puppy for sale listings with photos and detailed descriptions. We also offer shipping for our Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. As one of the trustworthy Michigan Labrador Retriever dog breeders with puppies for sale we offer a health guarantee. With several Labrador Retriever puppies for sale and numerous Labrador Retriever dog breeders, you're sure to find the perfect Labrador Retriever puppy with us. We are located close to Grand Rapids, MI. You can have your new family home soon. Check out the different Labrador litters and give us a call at to get started. We are the proud parents of the smartest, sweetest, most laid back lab, Gracie. Steve Karp and family are incredible to work with and truly care for their puppies and the families who adopt from them. If I could give stars, I would! If you're searching for a lab, look no further. Kara Bunbury We cannot say enough great things about M. Steve is very hands on throughout the entire process- sending weekly updates until the pups come home and remaining in contact thereafter. Everywhere we go people ask what breeder he came from. We got many very cute updates on our soon to be little puppy. We feel honored to be apart of the Michigan Elite Labrador family! Jill Price We were looking for a pure bred lab but were very skeptical about many breeders until we found Michigan Elite Labs. We knew after our first contact with them we found the breeder we were looking for. Stan is 10 months old and we love him to pieces. If you are looking for a pure bred lab you have found the perfect breeder. We would never think of going anywhere but Michigan Elite to get a Lab. Steve is always just a phone call away if you have any questions. Steve is very knowledgeable about his Labrador Retrievers. If you want an amazing Labrador puppy check out Michigan Elite Labradors you will be glad you did! From the first contact with Steve, you are reassured with their dedication to the breed and the MEL family that you become a part of. It's said that one of the best signs of a "good product" is repeat customers. We're proud to be an example of that, with 2 MEL dogs in our home. Temperament, physical health and the characteristics of MEL dogs are perfection. The added benefit of the MEL owners group is also a great perk. We've made amazing friends through the group, which is reinforced each year at the annual reunion. I would not hesitate to recommend Michigan Elite Labradors to family and friends! We looked at all of the photos and knew we would get a beautiful pup but didnt expect all of the wonderful traits they would have. We ended up getting 2! They are beyond my wildest dreams of what a pet should be.So intuitive! When ive had issues, steve has been a phone call away with the answers. Best babies around.You wont be sorry! I believe we were part his second litter and his biggest litter with Cocco and Chopper 14 pups. Both of the parents were beautiful and on site when we went to pick out our first "Pink Collar" girl. We picked up our second "Pink Collar" girl in late .They have become best friends from the beginning. They have never fought or growled at each other and play very well together. The Karp's are very caring and knowledgeable about the Labrador breed. Any questions I have ever had Steve has always been there to guide me and teach me. His extended MEL family has been very inspiring and amusing as we all watch the pups grow into beautiful pets. Kris Thompson Michigan Elite Labradors are wonderful. We had a great experience working with the Karp family. Our little black lab has brought us so many blessings! They are the most wonderful family and breeders. They are extremely reputable and involved with every pup. Steve is always available to you. I called so many times. He is conscientious and really cares about where his puppies go. He is beyond gorgeous. As a matter of fact, I can honestly say that I have never seen better looking labs. Elite labs are very intelligent and have excellent temperaments. Jax was potty trained right away. When I got a trainer, He learned everything immediately. She was so impressed with him and shocked how well he did. She trains Leader of the Blinds dogs so it was a huge compliment coming from her. We have people stop us everywhere to ask if he is a show dog. One of them was a breeder. Another huge bonus is the all the relationships we have made amongst the Elite family. I love all the stories and pictures. Many of us got together for a Michigan Elite Lab's Reunion. All the dogs were gorgeous fun and well behaved. Even all the parents were a blast. I could go on and on about Michigan Elite Labs, but most important is the fact I would never get a dog from anyone else! Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We are trusted and experienced Lab breeders in Michigan, priding ourselves in raising Labrador puppies that make wonderful companions for your family. Fabulous puppies are produced from our quality lineage. Most importantly we breed to better the quality of the English Labrador to preserve fabulous bloodlines. As a result of this they all have wonderful, gentle and friendly personalities. Therefore according to AKC standards our parents also meet and have great build and conformation. Because of these outstanding qualities, our Labradors excel in AKC performance and many also hold therapy titles. Consequently, we are always working above and beyond to bring out the best in all of our Labrador Retrievers. We pride ourselves in raising Labrador puppies that make wonderful companions for your family. Each puppy leaves here ready for a lifetime of love, loyality and companionship with their new families. Our thrill especially comes from seeing our puppies bring joy and happiness to their new homes. Our daily dedication of hard work and love makes happy puppies and families. Moreover, your new puppy is hand-raised, above all, with much love, personal care and attention. We raise our puppies with constant positive socialization and gentle handling from birth. Because of this quality care, one of Rozey's Labrador Retriever puppies will be the perfect match for your family. Our lab puppies for sale, are also known to be intelligent, easy to train and excel in their obedience classes. We especially make sure that your new puppy will exceed all of your expectations. You will, truly, not go wrong with one of our puppies. Call us today for your new furry family member. Branch Family This is Lola.She is the best. She enjoys boating on Lake Michigan summer weekends and retrieves like a super star. She can catch a basketball midair!! She is such a sweetheart and so smart. Thanks so much for breeding such quality pups!!! We can't get over how calm he is and he just likes to lie by our feet and follow us around. I must say you are doing a great job with their disposition. We have had so many compliments on him. Jerry and Teresa P. Thought I'd send you a picture of Mackinaw a one year old. We couldn't ask for a more sweet, loveable and loyal pet. He has quite the personality. We absolutely love our gentle giant. Wish we could have more! Ashley Just wanted to send you an update saying how much we adore Eva. She has really warmed up and loves to run around chasing anything! She loves walks and knows sit and lay down already. Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful pile of chocolate into our lives! We are so happy! Mike I just wanted to let you know that I took Gracie for her first vet appointment. The doctor said that she is very healthy. Also I received a lot of compliments on not only how good she looked but how well behaved and her temperament. One of the technician asked for your website. She said that she has been looking and thought Gracie was the best looking puppy she has seen. I believe she will be getting a hold of you. Here, our dogs enjoy the fresh country air and open spaces with us. Contact us today, for more information on our lab puppies for sale in michigan and on how to add your wonderful puppy to your home. Call us at .We will surely be able to fulfill your request for the perfect puppy. All Rights Reserved. Phone: .Benefit from a Stronger Dollar. Save hundreds when you exchange your money We take care of everything for you so you can return to Michigan or another state in the USA with everything you need to easily cross the border with your new Lab Puppy. We have focused for the past twelve years as a chocolate Lab breeder and have experienced great success with our chocolate lab puppies in Michigan. Although our focus has been mainly on chocolate Labrador puppies , we also have black Lab puppies and silver Lab puppies for sale at times. We have a couple male studs who carry yellow and a few of our chocolate females do as well. Needless to say that yellow lab puppies for sale to Michigan will be a future topic in our home. Puppies come with a vet examination, free puppy health insurance, microchips not tattoos , and lifetime Labrador breeder support. We also provide a generous discount to the online training website www. If you do not end up getting your puppy from us, we will let you in on a little secret. So please visit the rest of our website and learn more about who we are as Professional Labrador Breeders, the services we have to offer, see pictures of our chocolate lab puppies or possibly our black or silver lab puppies, visit our Facebook page so you can look through hundreds of posts of happy families with their Labradors. We have helped many people from Michigan and the Detroit area find their new Lab puppy. Our goal is to exceed your expectations for adopting simply the best Labrador dog possible weather you are interested in Labrador puppies as a pet, a chocolate Labrador for hunting, or an adult Labrador. We breed both American Labrador retrievers, English Labrador Retrievers yes we know the difference between English and American Labs and also mixes between the two types of retrievers. Field Labradors, a lesser known third type of Lab are also available. Rather, search for the best Labrador retriever breeder in Michigan. Or if you are searching for American Lab breeders in Michigan. Or even chocolate lab puppies for sale in Michigan. We pride ourselves in our work, we love the recognition we get for being a top Labrador retriever breeder and even though we are not in Michigan, we are extremely close to the border. We are a short ferry ride across the border at Algonac Michigan, a 45 minute drive from Port Huron, or about an hour drive from Windsor Labrador Retrievers for Sale Please click the link below if you would like to visit our Lab Puppies for sale and upcoming litters. If you would like to apply you can find our puppy application form at the bottom of our home page where you will also find a map to our location. Dark Water Labradors is a small hobby kennel located in Waterford, Michigan. Our dogs are first and foremost an important part of the family and live in the house with us, where they hog the couch and our bed. We love Labradors for their impeccable temperament and friendly personalities, making them the perfect dog for most families, whether they are looking for a pet or hunting companion. We also work closely with multiple service dog organizations where our donations have produced working dogs guide dogs, detection dogs, service dogs, etc. Our dogs train and compete in multiple sports across various venues, including conformation, hunt tests, rally obedience, obedience and nosework. Our puppies' most important job is that of a beloved companion for their new families. Hunting Retriever Club St. All rights reserved. We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. By clicking Accept you consent to our use of cookies. Read about how we use cookies. Cookie settings Accept Your Cookie Settings We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. 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We offer short term visiting. We have more than 20 years of breeding experience with Cocker Spaniels, Rottweilers and Boxers. We search high and low to find the best homes to suit our dogs. From time to time we have older dogs for sale, some are retired breeding stock that are waiting to become a couch potato! For Pet - Only homes, They are spayed or neutered. Some are rescues that we acquired due to families moving and can't take them or abandoned pets. All have been vet checked and are healthy and ready to go to their forever home. Let us know what you're looking for and we'll try to fit you with the right companion. We also have several males up for stud service, and breed back to our male pups on request and approval. When you choose your new companion, our relationship doesn't stop, we are available for any questions or concerns you may have just call or text. I have helped over the phone and in person with the birthing process with new moms and owners. We love getting pictures and visits as the pups grow. We enjoy getting your feedback on our testimonial page about your experience with us. Bad Az. American Bulldogs of Tucson, AZ. English Bulldog Description The Bulldog is a small-statured, medium-sized dog, originally bred for working with bulls but trained and bred to fight bulls for sport. This practice began in England in the s and throughout Europe until the mids. Its distinctive undershot bite allowed it to hang on to the bull with amazing strength. Discover more about our English Bulldog puppies for sale below! The shuffling gait is a result of this selection since the dog needed to be able to withstand severe shaking and thumping without having its spine or ribs broken. Bulldogs can move swiftly and make sudden leaps, which accounts for their surprising agility and cleverness. The coat is glossy and fine, with standard colors including, red, white, yellow or a combination of those. Young bulldogs are full of energy, but they slow down as they age. Their appearance makes them great watchdogs, but their personalities make them huge lovers. A Bulldog that understands its place in the human pack with thrive with all people including kids. The English Bulldog is described as very affectionate, dependable, gentle with children but known for its courage and bravery. This breed is good with family pets , but some English Bulldogs can be combative with strange dogs especially if their owners are not present to lead them. Bulldogs are very people-oriented and will seek as much love and attention as they can get; in fact, these dogs require a lot of affection from their owners if they are to thrive and be happy. This breed snores very loudly so buyer beware. This is a trait that these dogs are famous for and it is just a fact of life for them. Most English Bulldog puppies also drool and slobber so they are messy eaters, but most owners find these qualities endearing in their bulldogs. They are also prone to flatulence, especially when fed food other than their regular dog food diet. A once ferocious and tough dog — through select and skilled breeding — the bulldog has become a docile and loving pet and cherished member of countless families. The bulldog is beloved for its patience and affection for children making it an excellent family pet known for being jovial, charming and at times comical though messy. The breed is devoted, obedient and always willing to please, yet preserves its own independent brand of stubbornness present in the bulldog breed. Most of them are pleasant or even aloof towards strangers; however, some can be hostile to unfamiliar dogs, though the breed is compatible with most household pets. The fact is dogs are much happier when they know they follow their human. English Bulldogs can be a bit dominating so their owners are best to show strong leadership and understand alpha canine behavior. This is not a dog to drive around within your car, especially in the Arizona summer months. The breed is prone to mast cell tumors , skin infections, and hip and knee problems. See store for details on a specific puppy. American Canine Association.

View fullsize Both our chocolate Labradoodle and our Poodle are beautiful dogs with excellent temperaments. They are our family pets. Because we begin with a Labradoodle and a Poodle, rather than a Lab and a Poodle, our puppies are much more likely to have the non-shedding Poodle coat. A F1b Labradoodle has been back-crossed to a poodle in an effort to insure a non-shedding coat. Even though most f1b Labradoodles shed very little or not all, it is impossible to guarantee that any dog even doodles or purebred poodles will not shed at all. Hypo- means less hypothermia is having a lower than normal body temperature. No dog can be said to be completely non-allergenic. Studies have shown that doodles are less likely to cause allergies, particularly f1b doodles. The ideal is to keep as much of the Lab head shape and super-friendly personality as possible while getting the non-shedding Poodle coat as well as the dignified, less vocal characteristics of the Poodle. Our Labradoodle methodology is quite simple. First, we get quality dogs. This is why we wanted to have pick of the litter for our Labradoodle and our Poodle and why we only obtained puppies from reputable breeders that we knew we could trust. Second, we try to treat our dogs Labradoodle and Poodle well. We feed our Labradoodle and Poodle high quality food with plenty of protein, and give them wonderful socialization and opportunities for exercise. We have 12 acres along the Enoree River with trails, additional property next to a Greenville state park, and property on Lake Hartwell giving us the opportunity to take the dogs kayaking. We recognize the importance of socializing young Labradoodle puppies so they will not be fearful as they mature. Our Labradoodle puppies have lots of opportunities to play with our children, and water games are definitely on top of the list. Labradoodles love the water and so do my kids, as you can see below. Third, we try to find appropriate families for our Chocolate Labradoodle puppies. To learn more about our process, check out this resource that gives a step-by-step guide between the application to receiving your puppy! A Chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle is not for everyone, and a puppy is not for everyone. If your family is not prepared for a Labradoodle puppy financially, time investment, etc. When can you get your puppy? Because we have only one Labradoodle mother and a couple guardian homes , puppies are available only occasionally. Contact us nathan crockettdoodles. We have a flexible waiting list and offer your deposit back if we do not have the ideal Labradoodle puppy for you within a certain window of time. Sometimes with mini Labradoodles we prefer to wait until they are a little older than 8 weeks because accidents tend to happen more easily with really small puppies. We will take several pictures of you with your Labradoodle puppy. We will send you the pictures for free place them on a USB thumb drive for you , and you will have full copyright privileges to all of the pictures to use at your discretion. You have the option of whether or not the photos appear here on the ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Although we never ship puppies, we will sometimes personally deliver puppies for a reasonable fee. Why should you consider getting a Chocolate Labradoodle from us? If a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy is right for your family, and if you are within driving distance of Greenville, SC, you may want to consider getting a chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle from us. If you read our Labradoodle puppy methodology and like what you read, you should consider adopting one of our puppies. We have a three-year health guarantee on each of our puppies if the forever home continues to feed TLC one year health guarantee on all others. How can you get a Chocolate Labradoodle or Labradoodle mini from us? If you think your family would be a good match for one of our Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppies, then start the conversation by emailing us at nathan crockettdoodles. You will have full access to all pictures and hold the copyright to make as many pictures as you desire. You keep all the pictures. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality collar. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality leash. We give you a bag of high quality dog food. We believe that you should give your new Labradoodle puppy or mini Labradoodle puppy the best food. Instructional materials about crate training and house training. Our goal is to do everything we can to assist in the house training and crate training process. A Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy or any puppy cannot be completely reliable in the house until the puppy is about 6 months old. The simple point is that no matter what some breeders tell you you will be partially involved in the house training process unless you buy an older Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle , but we want to help you with that process. A one-year health guarantee; extended to three years for all who continue to feed TLC. We are concerned with finding really good homes for our Labradoodle and mini Labradoodle puppies. Labradoodle Color To see a list of available colors, check out this page. At ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Ultimately we cannot completely control the color of puppies. Even though chocolate is the most desirable color, we sometimes have puppies of other colors even occasional merles. These puppies, will of course, also make excellent pets. These non-chocolate Labradoodle puppies are also available to great families, but we know that Chocolate Labradoodles are the most desirable. The Labrador Retriever has a short coat that sheds. By breeding the F1 Labradoodle back to an unrelated Poodle, the chances of getting the highly desirable non-shedding Poodle coat increase exponentially. Some F1B Labradoodles are bred back another time to a Poodle in an effort to guarantee a Poodle coat. If high quality dogs are chosen to breed that have the head shape of a Labrador Retriever it is possible to get a puppy that is very similar in many ways to a Labrador, but has the beautiful non-shedding Poodle coat. Both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, helping Labradoodles excel in smarts, train-ability, and a general desire to always please their owner. If you desire a family-friendly, kid loving, medium energy dog that is comfortable inside or outside, that loves the water and the land, you should definitely consider a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle. For more info about Labradoodle puppies or mini Labradoodle puppies, please email nathan crockettdoodles. Check out our sister site miniLabradoodlePuppies. We specialize in Chocolate Labradoodles and mini Labradoodles, but often we have other colors as well. Occasionally someone travels from Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh-Durham or Knoxville, but our proximity to North Carolina and the popularity of Labradoodles in North Carolina make Charlotte and Asheville our most serviced locations. We also have some who are interested from distant states, but we primarily serve the Southeast U. View fullsize The first labradoodle was developed in the 's in Australia as a means of providing allergy friendly coats on an intelligent service dog. With the name "labradoodle" being so popular, some breeders are crossing poodles with labrador retrievers and calling the resulting dogs "labradoodles. They might shed, they might trouble people with allergies, they might be a labrador or a poodle or almost anything in between. The goal of Multi-Generation Australian Labradoodle breeders is to develop a consistent breed with predictable traits. By breeding only multi-generation Australian Labradoodles with a lineage that can be traced back to Australia, we are doing our part to perfect and standardize the Australian Labradoodle breed. Many people who are allergic to dogs can have an Australian Labradoodle. Not only are they intelligent, but they are also very funny. With their floppy ears, wide-set eyes and wavy or curly coats, they can look like muppets. When introducing them, we like to tell people that "yes, they are as silly as they look. While resting they can assume what we call the " attack position " where their bellies are exposed, legs splayed out and tongue hanging out of their head that's lying on the ground. Australian Labradoodles are in love with the dishwasher. Anytime we are loading it they will be waiting to inspect everything that goes in. We got Matilda in .One year later we decided that with all three children away at college we should get another Australian Labradoodle and start breeding them. In we bought one of Tilly's unaltered little sisters from Pine Lodge Labradoodles. Look at our Labradoodling blog and our Puppies pages to see lots and lots of pictures. There are more pictures on Instagram. Our house sits on eight acres in Western Washington between Seattle and Bellingham. We had horses several years ago, the mare lived to be 37, the gelding we had out of her, .Now the barn is just where we lock the cat up at night. We let the dogs run wild in a large fenced yard when the weather cooperates, take them for long walks when it doesn't and keep them in the house with us the rest of the time. When the children visit they are all over their poochies, taking them for walks, runs, hikes and bike rides. And road trips. Having had many animals over the years, someone probably grumpy, maybe dad declared that there would be no more animals in the house. We had a barn, a yard and even some woods. There was plenty of room outside for all the animals anyone could need without having one stink up the house. That all changed when we got our Australian Labradoodles. If we wait too long between baths they will eventually smell like grass, which is where they spend most of their time in the summer. Otherwise you can walk into our house and not know we have dogs unless you see them. Or hear them. When you come visit, they'll say hi. The puppies we sell are registered with the ALAA and WALA , come with a two year health guarantee and will be sent to their forever home with their shots up to date, a microchip, a veterinarian's checkup and a free month of insurance available from Trupanion. Our first Australian Labradoodle. View fullsize. Australian labradoodles have been created for their temperament, coat, and conformation. This has been shown over and over again by so many who use the Australian Labradoodle for therapy dogs. They just have a special ability to know their owner's emotional needs. They are intuitive, smart, athletic, easy to train love bugs! Australian labradoodles have been very carefully genetically tested to give you the best dog possible. American labradoodles are crosses between poodle and labrador and their backcrosses. Coats and conformation are not stable. First generations are likely to shed. They can have the personality of a poodle, lab or both. When the lines are carefully chosen their temperament can be just as wonderful as an Australian Labradoodle. All Labradoodles are NOT non-shedding or hypoallergenic. It is very important that you do your homework and know what it is you are looking for and what you are getting. Ask about the parent's testing, their pedigree, their temperaments. As a breeder, it takes a great deal of time, patience, and money to raise healthy, happy labradoodles with wonderful temperaments which is then passed down to the puppies that will go on to be your much loved family pet. General Appearance: The Australian Labradoodle will have an athletic and graceful, yet, compact body. They should not appear heavy or overly fine. A distinctive feature of this breed is their coat, which is non-shedding and easy to manage. Movement: Trotting gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and coordinated in mature dogs. Sound free movement and a light gait are vital. The sizes are measured to the withers top of the shoulder blades. Soundness is very important. Weight range tends to be 15 to 25 pounds. Medium 17" TO 20": The "Ideal" size for a medium female is 17 to 19 inches and for a male 19 to 20 inches. Weight range tends to be 30 to 45 pounds. Standard: 21" TO 24": The "Ideal" size for a standard female is 21 to 23 inches and for a male 22 to 24 inches. Weight range tends to be 50 to 65 pounds. The low to non-shedding is a big plus and adds to the allergy-free factor. All the Labradoodles we breed and offer for sale will have beautiful coats. The following are the three kinds of coats all Labradoodles have: COATS: Coat types are also still very sporadic with many dogs showing a combination of multiple types. Both the Fleece and the Wool coat should naturally grow in "staples" and be of a soft texture. Both the "Ideal" Fleece and Wool coats spin successfully. It comes in many styles, straight open fleece, wavy fleece, to spiral fleece. This coat is easy to maintain, but must be brushed in order to remain mat-free. There should be no body odor with this coat and very little to NO shedding. WOOL: These coats are denser to the feel more like a sheep's wool. The sprung wool coat is not preferred. To keep the wool coat long and flowing will require more maintenance. If this coat is kept short, it is very easy to maintain, but also requires regular grooming to avoids matting. There is no body odor with this coat. HAIR: Hair textures shed and are unwanted. There will be some shedding with this coat, although it could be minor shedding. This is not a coat for anyone with allergies or asthma. Black noses will have black lips and dark eyes. They can come in varying shades and may fade as the dog gets older Black: Dark and rich, black, they maintain this color their entire life - black nose Blue: Blue dogs are born black but will have blue skin and undertones at a young age -black nose. Blue also belongs to the Rare Color Group. Silver: Born black but will have more of a gray skin and will develop individual silver fibers at a young age- black nose. Silver dogs can take up to 3 years to color out. Uneven layering of color in the silver is normal. Chocolate: Dark and rich, born almost Black, they maintain a dark chocolate their entire life - brown nose. Chocolate belongs to the Rare Color Group. Cafe': Born Milk Chocolate of varying shades, and have the same dilute gene as the silver dogs, often taking up to 3 years to fully color out to multi shades of chocolate, silvery chocolate and silver throughout - brown nose, they also develop stunning highlights. Parchment: Born Milk Chocolate, will pale to a smoky creamy beige. Paling usually starts from an early age often as early as 6 weeks - brown noses. Parchment belongs to the Rare Color Group. Labradoodles Litters For Sale. Welcome to Magnolia Australian Labradoodles! Magnolia Australian Labradoodles was created to breed exceptional Labradoodle puppies to carry on the traits that make this breed so wonderful! We only have a few litters a year as we truly put our heart and soul into each of our puppies, as well as, the dogs that live here with us. At Magnolia Australian Labradoodles we consider each of our dogs a member of the family and we treat the puppies no differently. From day one, the Labradoodle puppies are in our home, being handled, played with and loved every single day. Someone is with them the majority of the time, making sure they are well cared for and interacting with them throughout the day. What makes us different? Through this method your new puppy will be calm and confident from day one. Your new puppy will be introduced to sleeping in a crate and beginning house training. This way your first night home will be a smoother transition for your puppy. We believe that attention to every detail is important. We are very approachable and when our materials do not answer a question you might have, we are committed to answering all your questions and fully preparing you to bring home your new family member. Our Goal is Excellence! Our goal at every point in the process is excellence. When you decide that Magnolia Australian Labradoodles is the best choice for your family, we take your decision very seriously. You become part of our family! We are passionate about sharing this exquisite breed with others, and providing wonderful homes for our pups. Once we decided to get an Australian Labradoodle, we then set out to find the best breeder we could find. We spent several months trying to find a breeder with not only good reviews, but also one who would understand our needs having a son with autism. We thought we had found a good breeder but they were not responsive and their contract was crazy long with some pretty crazy requirements. Right from the start, Judy was very responsive to ALL our questions. She understood our concerns about getting the right dog for our son. Once we decided to go forward with it, she even let us come visit to get to know our soon-to-be new family member. She has been so responsive to our questions and concerns even after bringing little JoJo home. Her training program has made such a huge difference and has taken away so much of the normal stress of having a new puppy. Thank you Judy. We are so in love with our sweet little JoJo. We elected to do bring our pup home around 12 weeks so he could do the advanced training and it was the right choice. Our pup did amazing in his crate, adjusted quickly and was comfortable going out on a leash to learn his bathroom spot at this new house. He did great with a 18 month old and 5 year old without any nipping. Chris Beck The decision to add a dog into our family was a big one. We took our time researching, with the selection of a breeder being a huge factor. I stumbled upon Judy at Magnolia Labradoodles and was instantly intrigued. I liked that she only had one litter at a time. I knew my puppy would be getting attention and care. I liked that past customers said she was responsive and the experience was personal. My telephone conversation with her was also critical. I had lots of questions and she had answers for all of them and gave me all the time I needed to feel comfortable. I could tell she loved what she did and it was personal to her…not just a business. We opted for the additional training and felt this made the transition home for our dog go smoothly. He did not nip at us, knew his name, how to focus on us, how to sit and was happy in his crate. We had to wait quite a while to bring our dog home, but Judy kept us updated with photos and videos. She even face-timed my children twice so they could see their dog. It was a great experience and worth the wait. I highly recommend Judy and Magnolia Labradoodles. We have always had English Labrador Retrievers, but due to us getting older we wanted something a little smaller but also hardy. Lexi is everything you could ask for: intelligent, kind, loving, good with people and children, loves all dogs, loves to play with our cat, walks and hikes great and the added bonus if the above items are not enough they are absolutely gorgeous!!!! We had an amazing experience with Judy!! Judy was always there to answer all my questions and she still is a year later!! That in itself is an outstanding quality, not to mention the wonderful job Judy does getting them ready for their forever homes. If you are skeptical about doing the 3 week training…DO IT!!! It was well worth it. We put Lexi in her crate the first night and she went right to sleep. I will never forget when we went to pick Lexi up. Judy let us in and there in the living room was this gorgeous, well behaved dog that just sat there until I went over and picked her up. I started crying and as I turned around, so was Judy!! That just showed me the love and compassion she has for raising these outstanding dogs. If after reading this, if you are still unsure, please feel free to contact me. Judy has my contact information. Debbie Stierly Working with Judy was fantastic. Cadbury Harmony and Rhett is as perfect a puppy as you could imagine. From the beginning, Judy helped my daughters face their fear of dogs and see how kind and loving puppies can be. This is absolutely a much better way to ensure success. Judy treats her pups with love and kindness. She dotes on them! When we brought Cadbury home, family and friends could not get over his calm and loving personality. He adjusted immediately, slept well on the first night, and already had learned manners. While it is hard to wait the extra 3 weeks, it is so nice to have a puppy that has learned basic obedience, crate training, and potty training! If you plan to add a puppy to your family and want a dog that will be sweet, obedient, and gentle, look no further! Judy was excellent throughout the process and was responsive, organized, detailed and passionate. Lucy was the smallest in the litter of Harmony and Rhett and needed a lot of extra care just to be able to make it to our home. Judy spent many sleepless nights to make this happen. Lucy is…. She is a kind and gentle puppy with a great spirit for adventure. We are enjoying her everyday! I highly recommend working with Judy if you are looking for a great addition to your family! The puppy that we recently got from Magnolia Australian Doodles was worth the wait and cost for such a lovely little addition to our menagerie. He was introduced to numerous adults, noisy children, other dogs, a cat, sweeper, hour car ride home and multiple other stimuli and he was unfazed. And this was just during the first two days. Not to mention a huge thunder and lightening storm. He is going to one of those special dogs, you talk about. PK Pamela Kratzer Five stars are honestly not enough! Judy made the experience of getting a puppy so easy and stress free. She was always available, and answered my thousands of questions. She sent us updates and photos weekly too! You can tell Judy puts her heart and soul into caring for each litter. Our puppy is almost 3 months old, and we are so happy we chose Magnolia Australian Labradoodles! Our puppy slept the whole first night, and is the most loving and fun puppy ever! Despite the pandemic going on, Judy did her best to socialize the puppies. She sends you home with a complete binder with everything you need to raise your puppy! Duke has been a great addition to our family and I highly recommend Magnolia Australian Labradoodles if you want a caring and knowledgeable breeder!! You guys are truly incredible. Thank you. He really brings a smile to all of us, all the time. I had done a lot of research on the web of this breed. Judy welcomed my questions and answered with obvious knowledge of having done her own research. She was able to answer any question or concern that I may have had. I highly recommend Judy and Magnolia Australian Labradoodle kennel to anyone looking for a beautiful Australian Labradoodle. I would also highly recommend the additional 3 weeks with Judy as she trains and teaches confidence. Ella came to us, confident and well adjusted. She was able to be in her crate all night 9hrs without even a whimper. She was able to sit and layed down on command. She is a lovable, sweet, attentive and is so well adjusted from the minute we brought her home. Without any hesitation, I give all the credit to her first human mommy, Judy Adams of Magnolia Australian Labradoodles. We adore our Little Miss Ella!! Joyce Rusin. They have beautiful wavy fleece coats that will be non shedding and allergy friendly. Both Parents are easy going, affectionate and willing to please. He is a willing to please funny and goofy all while keeping his person in his sight. He has great eye contact and a nice connected intituive temperament. Possible therapy type dog. He has advanced training and is ready to explore the world, house trained, crate trained and learning more every day. He is a willing to please and a great learner with good intuition and great eye contact, he is easy going peaceful and calm. He has great eye contact and loves to be with his people, plays nice with all of the other dogs of all sizes. He will be a great family dog or dog for an individual. She is started on all of her basic training and well advanced with a calm easy going nature. She will be an excellent family dog or possible therapy type dog. She wants to please and learns quickly, going over and through obstacles, with great leash manners and offering good behaviours, she is house trained and crate trained. Typically Labradoodles are exceptional family pets as they are quick to love their people and are exciting playmates for older children. Be extra alert, however, when the Labradoodle is sharing space with a toddler. A simple swish of their tail could soon send a little person toppling. Labradoodle puppies love a good friend and enjoy time spent with family. As Labradoodles mature into adulthood, be sure to keep clear who the pack leader is. Begin training early and utilize frequent praise. Always be positive with your Labradoodle and keep training fun by tossing in delicious puppy treats and favorite doggy toys. Furthermore, be proactive in socializing your Labradoodle to new sounds, smells and sights. Visit dog parks and explore the outdoors together. Or invite guests into your home to further socialize your growing pet. In addition, Labradoodles require lots of exercise. So be sure to take your growing buddy on several walks throughout each day to keep your Labradoodle healthy and in shape. Intersperse exercise with games of Frisbee in the back yard, a hike in the woods, or a run through the park. Look for a Labradoodle with parents of good personality as well as one who has been well socialized from early days. Plus, they need lots of exercise and health problems are an issue. Why you should consider Labradoodle puppies for sale: They are apartment friendly and get along well with children and other dogs. Plus, they are smart and trainable. So go ahead, grab one of these Labradoodle puppies for sale and say hello to years of exciting doggy moments. Related searches:.

Exercise Grooming The Golden Retriever is believed to have originated from the Russian tracker dog which has now gone into extinction. It has its origin from Scotland, United Kingdom and originally bred in Scotland in the midth century. As of then, wildfowl hunting was a quite popular sport amongst the Scottish elite. The retriever breeds as of then were inadequate in retrieving the games from both land and water and as a result, the best water spaniels as at then were crossed with existing retrievers which is how the Golden Retriever came to being. The Golden Retriever is best described as a kind, friendly and confident which is why it makes a really good family pet. It also has an eagerness to always please its family. In addition, it is a very active and fun-loving animal with a well-mannered temperament. This breed is well suited to rural environments and homes that have yards, it can also easily adapt to a cold environment because it possesses a lot of hair. Although it loves the outdoor life, it still remains a family dog that requires regular family interaction. The Golden Retriever can do well both indoor and outdoor if it is properly trained and stimulated. A Golden Retriever requires exercise at least twice a day in order to avoid boredom and hence destructiveness. Golden Retrievers in a working field will require more exercise than non-working Retrievers but on average, the Golden Retriever should be exercised for at least one hour twice a day. This breed requires regular baths and grooming, in order to prevent ear infection, it needs its ears cleaned regularly. With frequent grooming, the amount of hair shed by the Golden Retriever is minimized. However, excess shedding in the Golden Retriever is an indication of an underlying health issue. Our Golden Retriever puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. A healthy male Golden Retriever weighs between 65 to 75 pounds while growing up to 23 to 24 inches tall. A female weighs between 55 to 65pounds and can grow up to .How long does it take a Golden Retriever to reach its full size? For Golden Retrievers, full physical maturity takes one to two years. Once this is attained, its bones become fully grown and can perform the same amount of physical exercise as an adult dog. Do Golden Retrievers smell? Golden Retrievers often smell bad because of its thick water-resistant coat. You can, however, maintain its cleanliness to control its bad odor. How can you keep a Golden Retriever healthy? There are several ways to keep this dog healthy few of which are high-quality food, providing it with plenty of clean and freshwater, developing a good feeding schedule, etc. How many times a day should a Golden Retriever be fed? The required food for a Golden Retriever is dependent on its age, activity level, size and built. Vets recommend about 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food per day for two meals. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? This dog is a sporting breed and therefore requires a whole lot of exercise when fully grown, high-intensity exercise is very beneficial to it. Is it alright to get a Golden Retriever in a hot climate? The Golden Retriever can thrive well in hot climates; all it requires is a shaded and aerated area with lots of water. However, it should not be allowed to exercise too much in the heat. What age can a Golden Retriever Puppy be brought home? A puppy Retriever should not be taken from its mother earlier than when it is 8 weeks old. This is because up until that age, it gets important socialization and learns important skills from its mother and siblings. Should a Golden Retriever be left indoors or outdoors? A Golden Retriever naturally wants to be with its family, if its family is indoor, you will find it right there with them. Does a Golden Retriever bark a lot? The Golden Retriever is not one to bark a lot except in cases of boredom or mental stimulation. Are you interested in purchasing a Golden Retriever? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We have answers. What are Golden Retriever puppies for sale near Montgomery like? A Golden Retriever is a large-sized breed of dog that originated in Scotland during the 19th century. They are known for being friendly, loyal, and intelligent. These characteristics make them a popular breed for households and families with children or other animals. They are excellent water retrievers and are known for their agility and active personalities. They thrive on physical activity and need to receive appropriate exercise or playtime depending on their individual solution. Maintenance of their coat requires regular brushing and care. Golden Retrievers typically live a lifespan of years. Are Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Montgomery non-shedding? Golden Retrievers are not non-shedding, and experience regular seasonal shedding. The amount of shedding can vary from dog to dog, but owners of this breed often find themselves vacuuming or brushing their pup regularly. While Golden Retrievers are considered to be one of the lowest shedding breeds, they do still shed. Shedding occurs most during the spring and fall when the seasons are changing and the coat is adapting. Additionally, owners of Golden Retrievers may find that their pup sheds more if they are not getting enough exercise or eating a healthy and balanced diet. What's the best dog food for Montgomery Golden Retriever puppies for sale? When searching for the best dog food for Golden Retrievers, it is important to take into consideration the individual pup's size, age, lifestyle, and preferences. However, Golden Retrievers generally benefit from dry dog food with high-quality proteins, such as chicken, beef, and fish. A few key ingredients to look for are whole grains, such as brown rice, barley, and oats; omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory; and vegetables, which provide necessary vitamins and minerals. Am I ready to adopt Golden Retriever puppies in Montgomery? To ensure a safe and comfortable home for your new Golden Retriever, it's important to prepare ahead of time. First, set aside a dedicated space for your pup to call their own. Second, make sure any hazardous items such as cleaning supplies, medications, and plastic bags are secured away from your Golden Retriever's reach. Third, buy any necessary pieces of furniture and bedding for your pup in advance. Fourth, stock up on appropriate food, appropriate supplies, toys and chew bones. Finally, make sure your lawn is dog-proofed and any existing fences are sturdy. How fast do Golden Retrievers for sale in Montgomery grow? It's impossible to accurately predict the ultimate size of your Golden Retriever puppy, as its size when full grown will depend on several environmental factors including diet and genetics. On average, a fully grown Golden Retriever can range from 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh around 55 to 75 pounds. As an adult, their coat will tend to be medium in length and of a soft texture. With good care and nutrition, your puppy should reach its maximum size over the course of 18 to 24 months. How much exercise do Golden Retriever puppies near Montgomery need? Golden Retrievers need a moderate amount of exercise in order to stay healthy and fit. Depending on their age and activity level, it's recommended to provide them with at least one hour of vigorous activity each day. This can include brisk walks, ball-chasing sessions, or a game of fetch. You should also be sure to provide your Golden Retriever with an ample supply of mental stimulation and interactive play with you or other pets. Taking your Golden Retriever to a dog park and practicing basic obedience commands are excellent ways to give them the exercise and stimulation they need. Do Golden Retrievers in Montgomery make good family dogs? Absolutely, Golden Retrievers make excellent family dogs! Their kind natures and beautiful coats make them especially endearing to family members of all ages. They are highly intelligent and loyal, typically creating strong relationships with those they love. When cared for and trained properly, Golden Retrievers can be calm and peaceable housemates, interacting well with children and other pets. They are also famously eager to please, making them quite easy to train and highly responsive to commands. Golden Retrievers are active, as well. Are Montgomery Golden Retrievers for sale smart? Yes, Golden Retrievers are indeed extremely intelligent. Through generations of breeding, they have developed a natural instinct for learning and responding to commands. They can remember important concepts and are able to concentrate on multiple tasks at once. In addition, they can be trained to recognize signs and signals, such as visual, auditory, and hand signals. They are not only smart when it comes to grasping commands, but they also exhibit problem solving abilities. Many Golden Retrievers use their eyes, nose, and paws to figure out how they can turn a difficult situation into an achievement.

You may find yourself on the dog food isle trying to make sense of all the ingredients, types of foods and categories. And all you want to know is… How often and what should I feed my Pug? Every dog is different, every type of food has its specific quantities and it even varies between brands. Start simple and figure out all the details and methods. I have collected information about the different types, brands pros and cons of dog feeding to try and give an unbiased as much as I can look, so you can make a better-informed choice which will be right for you and your Pug. Remember, people care deeply about their dogs and will often get very emotional about the health and feeding they chose. Having been the owner of a pet store, I have learned that although I have my personal preferences and very good reasons for them, others may have different choices and they believe they are the right ones for them. There are a lot of issues to consider. How Many times a day should I feed My Pug? A mature Pug can easily live a healthy life with one meal which provides all his nutritional needs. In most cases, it is more convenient for both us and the pug to split this to two meals. If your Pug had a full meal in the morning, be sure he will nag you like crazy in the afternoon. Puppies have smaller stomachs and need, relative to their size, a larger quantity of food so it is better to break it up to three or even four meals a day. If you are around your Pug all day and prefer to give 4 meals a day to a mature dog, there is no harm in it, as long as the overall daily quantity stays the same. Free Buffet or Set meals? Pugs are notorious for becoming overweight and need to be limited to a set amount. If your Pug is not typical in that sense, you are welcome to put the full daily portion in the bowl and see how long it lasts. One more reason for set meals is monitoring. You want to know how much you Pug eats. If you want your Pug to lose weight, you need to know how much he is eating in order to cut down. On the flip side, if your Pug is not eating the usual amounts it may be an indication of a medical condition. What food do Pugs Eat? Pugs love food. They love treats, dry food, wet food, table scraps, raw meat, cooked meat, spicy meat and meat gone bad. In rural areas and farms, they may have also got more meaty scraps. Our Pugs who grew up with Emperors and Royalty were probably treated to high quality scraps. Today, dry bagged kibble or canned wet food are the standard for most homes, although there is a growing number of people and companies promoting more natural diets of either raw or cooked food for dogs. Every type of food claims to be the healthiest, more appropriate, tailored and nutritional. Kibble Kibble is the most common dog food available and has become the staple for the average dog. Pros of Kibble The makers of dry food claim it has the most balanced and scientifically based formulas to provide the best nutrition for a dog. They also tailor these formulas to dogs of different size, breed, age or other needs. Even the most discerning dog owners should be able a composition to satisfy them. The ingredient list is unclear and misleading. There are numerous food recalls yearly. There are websites dedicated just to keep up with the recalls. Teeth are going to need cleaning. Wet canned food Aside from the meatier texture and the higher water content, there is little difference between kibble and the canned, wet counterpart. The ingredients can be similar and so are the health benefits. Some dog owners report that wet food makes for softer stools when fed exclusively. Many dog owners will give a combination of wet and dry food. Home cooked As with human food there is a growing number of people fed up Pun intended with commercial and over engineered food. Raw food Also called the BARF Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods , the idea behind it is that the dogs digestive system has not evolved as their behavior, and much like wild dogs or wolves, they should eat the equivalent to small animals they would pray on in nature. Since dogs are also scavengers this diet will include some vegetables, berries etc. The pros As with the home-cooked diet, you have total control of ingredients and quality No preservatives, additives, fillers etc. You need to learn how to make, takes time Ingredients like bones and internal organs may not be available in your area. Can be pricy. Even More expensive if buying ready and frozen. Takes freezer space Raw Disclaimer I am a little bias towards raw food. I used to own a pet food store specializing in raw food for cats and dogs and I have been feeding my own Pugs raw food for over twelve years. Obviously, I am very happy with the raw diet and its outcomes as switching to dry food would have been easy and cheap. I believe it is the better choice for myself and my dogs. I believe I have presented the facts fairly objectively as far as the other feeding options go. There is no standard or way to measure what natural is and what the added value of it is other then the origin of it. Natural color could come from some secretion of an insect. Special Needs Puppies These little ones need the most nutritious and high-quality food you can find. If you want to find an economic way to feed your dog, please do it later in his life. Allergies Pugs are relatively sensitive to allergies. In some cases, this is due to an external source such as home detergents, but more often than not it has to do with their diet. There are a few brands that you can try with low, or no grain. If you are feeding your pug home cooked food or a raw diet, taking the carbs and grain out would be easy. Our Pugs were and are on a raw diet from day one and we never had any issues with allergies, except for one time. We started noticing that Preston had pinkish skin around his paws and around the nose fold. Since we owned a pet food store specializing in raw food, at the time convenient, I know we tried different types of meats, but nothing helped. It took us some time to realize the cause. We had our baby daughter at the time, and since she was very close and intimate with Preston, and he was eating raw, we made sure to wipe his mouth and feet with baby wipes after every meal. The baby wipes were the culprits. We switched them both to hypo-allergenic wipes and the skin went back to normal… Hip Dysplasia Pugs are ranked as one of the breeds with the highest chances of suffering from Hip Dysplasia. This can lead to trouble in walking and running and arthritis may follow as well. If your Pug is suffering from Hip Dysplasia to any extent you may want to either supplement their diet with Chondroitin and Glucosamine or to choose a brand that is made for joint support. Vets and nutrition. Having said that, if I needed nutritional advice, I would go to a nutritionist and not to my Doctor. The nutrition training vets get in many schools is provided by agents of the commercial food companies who are bias at best. Skipping meals Dogs will sometimes skip a meal. It is natural for them as food is not something that was always available on daily base. It is not typical for Pugs but it may happen. If it happens it will probably be a one meal deal. If your Pug misses a few meals in a row you may want to consult a vet. Treats and snacks I try and think of treats and snacks the same way I think of candy for my daughters. If the amount of treats your Pug is rivals the actual food, in quantity, you should reconsider or at least re calculate it. If you are using kibble both at meals and as treats for training, and your stubborn Pug ends up consuming a lot of treats, just take it off the next meal. The same goes for snacks. They should be a part of the total daily feeding and not extra. How long can a pug go without eating? An adult Pug can probably survive many days without food, but no Pug would stand for it. Unless your Pug has a medical condition, he will surely let you know he is hungry. Do make sure that your Pug is not deprived of fresh drinking water at all times. More so if the weather is hot and if he is on a dry food diet and has no other source of hydration. What if my Pug is overweight? Pugs love to eat and have a tendency to eat too much. A chubby Pug is very cute, but at some point, it becomes a health issue. Overweight Pugs may suffer from a wide range of conditions and or aggravate others. Conclusion Food is an important part of your Pugs life and will directly affect his health and well-being. Do make sure you know what your Pug is eating, the quality as well as the quantities. Actually, yes. This is an actual condition called Eye Displacement or Proptosis. It is not a common occurrence but with extreme trauma or circumstances it may happen. In most cases the condition is treatable. More on the condition here… Are Pugs Loving? Pugs have been bred as companion dogs for over two thousand years. Being with people is almost in their DNA. So yes, Pugs love to cuddle, snuggle and just be in contact or as close as they can to their human friends. More on Pug Love here. Best Dog Foods for Pugs Choosing the right dog food for a Pug is essential as this will ensure that it gets proper nutrition. However, this can be challenging and time-consuming, considering that there is a lot to choose from. Whether you choose to feed your Pug commercial, homemade food, or raw food, make sure that they are of good quality and recommended by a trusted veterinarian. Proper nutrition is one of the factors that affect their lifespan. Below is a list of the best dog food choices for your Pug: Dry Food: One of the best options for Pugs is dry dog food as it is widely available, cheap, and has a long shelf life. These are packed with all the nutrients essential for your Pug. Wet Food: Wet dog food is another good option for Pugs. Its flavor and texture make it more appealing to Pugs than dry food. Wet food contains fewer grains, making it healthier and easier to digest. However, wet canned food has a shorter shelf life and should be consumed immediately after opening. Wet foods are also more expensive than dry foods. Homemade Food: Your Pug may benefit from cooked food consisting of chicken, eggs, fish, rice, and vegetables. The process is time-consuming, but it is less expensive and more convenient in the long run, especially if you plan on giving them a grain-free diet. Raw Food: Raw food diet for most Pugs results in better digestion, healthy skin, and a stronger immune system in Pugs. Mixing any of the aforementioned food choices is also good. Hence, you may want to try dog food alternatives to fit your budget. With their sensitive little stomachs, some foods can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and can even be lethal. Below is a list of food that you should completely avoid feeding to your Pug: Alcohol: Any amount of alcohol is hazardous for Pugs. Pugs do not have the enzyme to metabolize alcohol. Ingestion can cause hypoglycemia , metabolic acidosis , breathing problems, and central nervous system CNS impairment. Avocado: Avocado contains persin , a fungicidal toxin that has been linked to the death of many animals, including Pugs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart damage in large quantities. As a result, even small amounts of chocolate can cause poisoning. Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid , which causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney failure among Pugs. Unfortunately, even one whole grape can cause irreversible damage and death in small breeds like Pugs. Macadamia nuts and walnuts: While the exact reason why they are poisonous is unknown, it is best to avoid giving them to your Pugs entirely. In Pugs, macadamia and walnuts can cause diarrhea, weakness, breathing problems, and pancreatitis. Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives: All these vegetables contain N-propyl disulfide , which damages the oxygen-carrying substances in red blood cells. Ingestion of these vegetables can eventually lead to hemolytic anemia. Xylitol: In Pugs, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, lethargy, collapse, and seizures. It is frequently found in gums, candies, syrups, and toothpaste. Pugs should avoid the foods listed above at all costs. Food with high sugar content: If your Pug consumes too much sugar, it is more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Food with high sugar content can also give Pugs an upset stomach. Salty food: Just like sugar, too much salt can cause health problems in Pugs. If left unchecked, it has the potential to poison your Pug. Excessive salt consumption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and kidney failure. Milk and dairy products: Because the majority of Pugs are lactose intolerant , dairy products can make them sick. They will have digestive problems because they are unable to break down lactose. This causes gastrointestinal blockage and death if left unattended. If you think your Pug has accidentally ingested any of the aforementioned foods, bring your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic for appropriate treatment. Transitioning to a new brand or type of food may be beneficial to their well-being and development. For most dogs, transitioning to new dog food can be difficult. Fortunately, Pugs are not born picky eaters, so changing their diet will be easier. The ideal transition for Pugs should be gradual changes spread over three weeks. Do this until they are comfortable with the new food. Below is a more detailed breakdown of how to transition your Pug to a new food: Days. And the total number of dogs all breeds in the reports are .So while this is something that should be monitored and many more studies need to be done, it's important to keep in mind that this is a very small number compared to the estimated 77 million dogs in the U. The latest update is that there are no recalls at this moment that are linked to this issue. The Best Food for Pug Puppies and Adults What to Avoid: Quite a few ingredients that are found in a lot of dog food brands can be severely detrimental to a Pug and cause everything from allergic reactions itching, rashes, wheezing, running eyes, etc. Corn which includes as corn germ meal, corn gluten meal, and corn bran High grain counts which includes high levels of wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal grains which may be listed as hominy feed. Rice can be an exception; with rice, the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ is removed and for this reason, rice is often tolerated very well. By-products which are animal body parts deemed unfit for human consumption and can include brain, lungs, undeveloped eggs, and more. Generic meats or oils which can legally include roadkill and deceased zoo animals. What to Look For: All-natural preservatives; there are vitamin blends that work very well to preserve dog food and this often will show as mixed tocopherols. Natural flavoring Protein will come from wholesome animal sources including chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, bison, and beef. There will be no by-products or generic meats. If you offer grains, gluten-free grains are usually best. No other fillers or controversial additives. Helpful extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin beneficial for joint health , omega-3, 6 for healthy skin and coat , probiotics for immune health and antioxidants to help prevent disease. Some of the best food for Pugs includes: Best Formulas with Grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds. The base of this kibble is turkey and oatmeal which is easy on the stomach for most Pugs. There is also salmon, brown rice, peas, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. There are excellent levels of a wide-range of vitamins and minerals, good levels of omega-3 and 6, and glucosamine and chondroitin which are extremely beneficial joint supplements for Pugs. This is made in the US. Note that this offers puppy and adult formulas as well as 'healthy weight' for Pugs that need to lose a few pounds, and a senior formula. This line of Halo offers holistic recipes. This one has non-GMO produce and meats that are antibiotic-free and hormone-free with factory-free farming. The grains in this are oatmeal and pearled barley which are generally known for being well-tolerated. This is sized ideally for Pugs, and has no artificial additives, by-products, or corn. And, this is made in the US. Best Grain-free Formulas: 1. This is one of the best grain-free kibbles for Pugs; it's really top-of-the-line. The base is chicken and turkey. There is a wide selection of vegetables and fruits compared to some other brands spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, apples and blueberries. Levels of omega fatty acids are ideal, via both salmon oil and flaxseed. And, there are good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin which as mentioned earlier are important for joint health. There is no corn, wheat, by-products, fillers, or artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives and this is made in the USA. This is another excellent choice that is formulated for dogs under 70 lbs. There are several great bases including lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon. There are zero chemical preservatives and no artificial ingredients. Added extras are healthy antioxidants, omega-3 and 6, and the very important glucosamine and chondroitin which are very beneficial for breeds like the Pug that are prone to joint and hip issues. This is a holistic kibble that offers non-GMO veggies and fruits and sustainably-sourced wild-caught fish and is ideal for Pugs that are carrying a few extra pounds. The base is salmon and whitefish, so most dogs love the taste. There are no chemical preservatives, corn, by-products, coloring, or fillers. Switching a Pug onto a Different Food If you just got a new Pug puppy, you may want to feed your little guy or gal something different than what was being given. And in many instances, this will be a good idea. The sooner you start your pup on a superior food that you've chosen yourself, the better. If you have an adult Pug, you may decide to switch foods due to an intolerance to certain ingredients some dogs do best with certain proteins like beef as opposed to chicken or vice-versa or maybe you realized that your Pug was not on the brand and you want to make a change. No matter the circumstances, if at all possible, it is best to change to a new brand of dog food in a gradual way because a quick switch can disrupt the digestive system. The goal should be a incremental change over the course of 3 weeks. Home Cooking Owners decide to home cook for their dogs for a variety of reasons: It can be less expensive; though, this depends quite a bit on what you buy and if you can purchase ingredients in bulk. It may be done to fully avoid preservatives, additives, by-products and other subpar ingredients; you know exactly what you are putting in. This can help avoid an intolerance or allergic reaction to an unknown ingredient. It is very flexible and adjustable. It can be a good choice for picky eaters. Other sources include beans such as lima beans, kidney beans, and butter beans must be cooked. Vegetables - This includes peas, carrots, spinach, zucchini, green beans, bell peppers, and butternut squash. You can also offer asparagus, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli in moderation since these foods can cause gas, Pumpkin in moderation is fine but typically reserved to help ease upset stomach issues. Fruits - This includes blueberries, raspberries both are low calorie, high in antioxidants, and water-packed , strawberries, huckleberries, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mango, kiwi, pear, peaches no pit , plums no pit , nectarines no pit , fresh pineapple, and apple no core, no seeds. Additional - This includes oatmeal plain , white or brown rice if no intolerance , quinoa, potato, sweet potato, cottage cheese, plain whole white yogurt, and eggs most dogs do best with scrambled eggs vs. Read more about home cooking for a Pug. Snacks and Treats We've covered the frequency of giving snacks and treats, but let's recap. Dry snacks, meant to satiate a dog in between meals should be given 3 to 4 times per day. And moist treats, meant to reward training and reinforce good behavior, should be given as needed. Now, the question remains on what to offer. All snacks and treats should be held to the same high standards that you have in place for your Pug's meals, meaning no synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, soy, corn, by-products, high wheat levels, or generic meats. If your Pug's calorie intake needs to be carefully watched due to issues with weight gain, there will also be a need to opt for some low-calorie treats. And, to see more options, including moist treats for giving reward, continue on to the best snacks and treats for Pugs. After 2 to 3 days, if the problem has resolved, adding in additional ingredients can be done. Any diarrhea lasing longer than 3 days or moderate to severe vomiting lasting more than 12 hours should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian. Water Different elements will dictate just how much water a Pug dog requires , though a general rule of thumb is that each day, dogs need to drink about 1 ounce for each 1 pound. Offer bottled spring water or use a filter device like the. Related Articles: When a Pug is a Picky Eater - If you find yourself constantly scrambling to find foods that your Pug likes and their taste buds seem to change weekly, this will help you get things back on track. When a Pug is Always Hungry - If your Pug's appetite is ferocious and nothing seems to satisfy, these issues may be at the root of the problem. When a Pug Won't Eat - If your Pug puppy or dog refuses to eat or getting them to eat feels like a chore, these tips will help. How to Stop a Pug from Begging - If your Pug wants your food and is relentless about getting it, these guidelines will help stop this sort of behavior. Top 10 Pug Dog Eating Problems - A roundup of the most common eating-related issues seen with this breed and exact steps to resolve them. Do you have your book? 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. Aug 25, Share An important part of taking good care of your Pug puppy is making sure that they are properly fed and that they get all the nutrients that they need to grow strong and healthy. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and if your Pug is like most, they seem to like anything that they are fed. Luckily, there are many commercial foods available on the market. There is also the raw doggy food diet that seems to keep getting more popular as time goes on. But what kind of dog food is right for your Pug? How much should you be feeding them? What will the dog not eat? Are there special considerations for a senior Pug? The answers to these questions and more can be found in our Pug feeding guide below. What you do decide to feed your pooch should be based on the quality of the food, no matter the type, and your personal feeding preferences. Here is what can be on the table for your Pug. Image credit: PxHere Commercial Dry Food Kibble Commonly referred to as kibble, commercial dry dog food is the most common and widely available option on the market. Manufacturers of this type of food work hard to balance the ingredients and create a completely balanced nutritional profile for dogs like your Pug. In fact, some brands, like Royal Canin, offer puppy and adult foods made just for Pugs. Whether you choose a dry dog food made just for Pugs or one made for dogs in general, it should include real meat or animal meal as one of the first ingredients on the list. The upside to commercial dry dog food is that it is affordable and easy to administer. It is also typically easy to store for the long term without worrying about it spoiling. The downside is that it tends to be dehydrating, so water should be available to your Pug throughout the day. Commercial Wet Food Commercially made wet dog food tends to be more nutrient-dense than dry food because it contains fresher ingredients and usually has fewer grains, if any at all. Most wet foods have real whole meat or seafood and broth as the first ingredients. Sometimes, veggies are thrown in for good measure, but many are meat-centric to meet the high protein needs of your growing Pug. Wet food is not as easy to store as dry food is, because it must be refrigerated after being opened. However, Pugs tend to enjoy the flavor and texture of wet food more than dry. Wet food is also a little more expensive than dry food, especially when trying to feed Pugs that are full-grown and in their prime. Raw Food A raw food diet is said to result in better digestion, a healthier coat and immune system , optimal dental health, and less susceptibility to allergies among other things. A raw food diet typically consists of quality meat, a source of calcium such as bones , animal organs, and a lower fat count than most commercial foods offer. Feeding your Pug a raw food diet will take commitment and a strong understanding of the nutrition that they need. This type of diet can be expensive and can require storage space in the fridge and freezer. It is recommended that you consult with a veterinarian to put together a complete meal plan to follow if you choose to go this route. It is a freeze-dried raw food supplement that is delicious and nutritious. The process requires about a day of cooking in the kitchen, but the time that you spend in your kitchen should yield enough food for your pooch to eat all week long. You will just have to store the leftovers in the fridge each day until the entire batch has been offered and consumed. Homemade dog food usually consists of whole meat like chicken, eggs, fish oil or flaxseed, brown or white rice, possibly vegetables like carrots and peas , and maybe even supplements of some kind. It depends on what kind of recipe you decide to follow. Any recipe that you consider feeding your dog should be approved by your veterinarian first. But you can quickly tell whether your pooch is being underfed or overfed by checking out their physique every day. If your dog is underfed for too long, you could notice signs like lethargy and an unwillingness to interact with family members. If your dog is overfed, they may succumb to problems like diabetes. If you find that your dog is getting underweight, start feeding them up to an extra cup of food each day. Reduce the amount by up to a cup if your dog is getting pudgy and out of shape. To help avoid under and overfeeding your dog, follow the feeding directions on the packaging of any commercial food you buy for them. If you decide to go the raw or homemade food route, your veterinarian can provide you with a feeding guide. You are free to use this image, but please give credit back to Hepper. Extra immune support is also typically present in puppy food. Once Pugs become adults, they are not as active as when they were pups, and they are not growing at exponential rates, if at all. Therefore, they need food with less protein than what puppies get. Pugs can typically switch to adult dog food between the ages of 9 and 12 months because much of their growth will be complete at this time. The tricky part is the actual process of switching your pooch from puppy to adult dog food. If not done slowly and intentionally, switching to a new food can cause digestion issues for your dog that could create messes around the house. Lethargy and nausea may follow. Finally, offer only adult food. There are many reasons why your Pug might seem like they do not have an appetite. The first thing to consider is whether you are overfeeding them. If your pooch does not want to eat their last meal of the day, they could simply be full and satisfied. However, other issues could lead to a pup not eating such as: Dental Problems. If your Pug has a toothache or some other kind of dental problem, they may not be comfortable eating. Check for red gums, bleeding, and tenderness throughout the mouth. If something unusual is detected, consult your veterinarian immediately for guidance. Recent Vaccinations. Vaccines can cause side effects, including a lack of appetite. So, if your Pug does not seem to want to eat for a day or two after getting vaccinated, this is normal. Uncomfortable Surroundings. If your pooch goes on an adventure with you and is expected to eat their meal in a situation that is not familiar to them, they may pass on the meal altogether in favor of waiting until they get to what they feel is a safe space to eat. Even if your dog seems fine in every other way, a lack of wanting to eat could mean an illness of some kind is brewing. If you cannot find any other reason for a lack of appetite, you should see your vet as soon as possible. Adult Pugs will generally eat about a cup of dry commercial dog food each day or the equivalent, although certain differences might scale this amount up or down as time goes on. Here are the most important factors to consider. Active vs. Sedentary More active dogs will require more food than those that tend to be sedentary. If your pooch takes multiple walks every day, spends a great deal of time playing with kids throughout the day, or enjoys outdoor time with family members each afternoon, chances are that your dog will need a little more food than the average pooch. If your pooch takes only one short walk each day and spends most of their time lounging around the house, chances are that they should be fed as sedentary dogs. Spayed vs. Neutered Sometimes, dogs that are not spayed or neutered eat more than the average pooch. This is because they tend to be more active and excitable, which results in the need for more calories to support their energy needs. Pregnancy Pregnant Pugs need up to twice the amount of food that an adult dog would need. Instead of feeding your pregnant dog puppy or adult food, consider a food designed for all life stages that indicates its suitability for pregnancy. This type of food offers more protein and fat than adult food to support the extra growth they go through, but not as much as puppy food, which could make them overweight after the birth. What Foods Are Bad for Pugs? Image By: Momentmal, Pixabay There are a few foods that you should never feed your Pug to ensure their good health and to avoid serious problems like poisoning and even death. Here are a few food items that should be avoided at all costs: Alcohol. Introduction Importance of choosing the right food for Pug puppies Feeding your Pug puppies the right food can significantly impact their health, growth, and overall well-being. A balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients and energy to support their growth and development and helps to prevent common health issues such as obesity, digestive problems, and food allergies. Factors to consider when selecting the best food for pug puppies When choosing the best food for your Pug puppy, there are several factors to consider, including their age, activity level, and specific nutritional needs. Reading the ingredient list and checking the nutritional content can help you to make an informed decision about the best food for your Pug puppy. Wet Food for Pug Puppies Benefits of wet food Wet food is an excellent option for Pug puppies as it is highly palatable and provides additional moisture, which is important for their growing bodies. Wet food also contains higher levels of protein and essential nutrients, making it a great option for supporting the growth and development of your Pug puppy. Best-reviewed wet food options Royal Canin Pug Puppy Wet Dog Food — This wet food is specifically formulated for Pug puppies, with a balanced ratio of protein, fats, and carbohydrates to meet their unique nutritional needs. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Wet Dog Food — This wet food is made with real meat as the first ingredient and contains wholesome brown rice, barley, and oats to provide the carbohydrates your Pug puppy needs to grow and develop. Dry Food for Pug Puppies Benefits of dry food Dry food is another great option for Pug puppies as it helps to clean their teeth and promote good oral health. Dry food is also a good source of essential nutrients and energy to support the growth and development of your Pug puppy. It contains a balanced protein, fats, and carbohydrates ratio to meet its unique nutritional needs. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food — This dry food is made with real meat as the first ingredient and contains wholesome brown rice, barley, and oats to provide the carbohydrates your Pug puppy needs to grow and develop. Homemade Meals and Snacks for Pug Puppies Benefits of homemade food Homemade meals and snacks are an excellent option for Pug puppies as they allow you to control the ingredients and ensure that your pup gets a healthy and balanced diet. Simple homemade meal and snack recipes for pug puppies Puppy-Friendly Meatloaf: Mix ground turkey or chicken, brown rice, carrots, and green beans for a tasty and nutritious homemade meal for your Pug puppy. Bake in the oven until fully cooked, and serve in small portions. Homemade Puppy Treats: Mix rolled oats, pumpkin puree, and a beaten egg for a simple and healthy snack for your Pug puppy. Roll out the dough, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and bake in the oven until crispy. Use high-quality, fresh ingredients, and avoid using spices and seasonings that can harm dogs. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain freshness. A: Wet food can provide a higher moisture content, which can benefit Pug puppies as they need to stay hydrated. Wet food also has a more appealing taste and smell, making it a great option for picky eaters. Q: What ingredients should I look for in dry food for Pug puppies? A: Look for dry food that contains high-quality proteins like chicken or fish, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Q: Can I feed my Pug puppy homemade meals and snacks? Q: How often should I feed my Pug puppy? A: Pug puppies should be fed 3 to 4 times a day until they reach six months of age. Then, they can be fed two times a day. The food they need will depend on their age, weight, and activity level. Q: What is the best food for Pug puppies with sensitive stomachs? A: Wet food with simple ingredients, like boiled chicken and rice, or dry food specifically formulated for sensitive stomachs can be helpful for Pug puppies with digestive issues. Q: Can I feed my Pug puppy adult dog food? A: No, adult dog food does not provide the appropriate nutrients for Pug puppies as they are still growing and developing. Puppy-specific food is formulated to meet their unique nutritional needs. Gradual changes over a few days to a week are recommended to avoid discomfort. Conclusion Recap of the best food options When choosing the best food for your Pug puppy, several options exist. Dry food is also a good option as it helps to clean teeth and is easy to store. Final thoughts The most important thing is to choose a food specifically formulated for Pug puppies with high-quality ingredients to meet their unique nutritional needs. Choosing the best food for your Pug puppy will give them the foundation for a happy and healthy life. From pet nutrition books to online articles, a wealth of information is available on this topic. These resources will give you a deeper understanding of the nutritional needs of your Pug puppy and help you make informed decisions about the best food options for their growth and development. Kibble, cans and specialty foods Proper Nutrition Since puppies need energy to grow big and strong, their food is higher in calories and packed with more nutrients. This includes more fat, protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. So always choose a food that is labelled for puppies. Since a Pug is a small toy breed , they will grow very quickly and reach adulthood much faster than larger breeds. Toy dog breeds actually need more calories per pound than larger breeds due to their higher metabolic rates. The structure of their flat muzzle and facial folds , while appealing to look at, unfortunately causes a number of serious health problems. This causes soft tissue to block the airways, making breathing very difficult. Their jaws and teeth can also cause them problems. Remember, slimmer is better. How Often To Feed Your Pug Puppy I always recommend feeding puppies small meals at scheduled times several hours apart, and then decreasing the frequency as they get older. For puppies under six months go with something like 7am, 12noon, 3pm then 6pm. As they grow you can reduce this routine to three or even two times a day, but there is no harm continuing with multiple feedings as long as you dividing their daily rations evenly. Kibble vs Canned Food Dried puppy kibble is affordable, easy to store and transport, and readily available. Serving is as simple as opening the package and pouring it into the bowl. Canned or wet food will sometimes offer more meat protein and fewer carbohydrates than kibble does, but you will usually pay more as well. Wet food is also associated with an increase in periodontal diseases , which is not ideal for a dog already prone to these issues. Specialty Pug Puppy Foods The introduction of breed-specific formulas to the market has made it even more confusing. However, there are some Pug puppy formulations that address some of their health issues that might be worth considering. Some kibble is designed in a shape and texture that makes it easier for short-nosed puppies to pick up and chew easily. But the sad part of the story is that just like any other dog, pugs get obese very quickly. As they say, you become what you eat. Since the pug is a tiny dog, even one extra pound will affect its appearance. For this reason, it becomes important to keep a check on what your pug is eating. The present article talks about the feeding guidelines of this adorable dog: How much is too much? It is very important to feed your dog the correct amount of food to ensure that the pug is getting enough calories for proper growth. Any deviation from the right amount will led to health problems in a pug. Age, activity, metabolism and build of a dog are the major factors on which the amount of food which should be given to a dog depends. Also, the type of food you are giving to a dog is another important factor. If you are feeding home cooked food to one pug and commercial dog food to another dog with same age, build and activity level, it is not necessary that both of them will consume the same amount. As a general rule of thumb, a puppy pug should be given 1 ounce of food per one pound of body weight. For adult pugs, the amount is halved. What about calories? A pug puppy which is in his growth phase requires more calories than adult and senior pugs. On an average, a puppy requires 50 calories per pound of their body weight while an adult pug requires 40 calories per pound of their body weight. Senior pugs need fewer calories because of slow metabolism and less activity level. Free feeding is not recommended to the pug. The following table illustrates the right feeding regime and meal frequency for pugs: Age Amount of food given at one time No.

All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. One dog trying to avoid the other Tucked tail Ears flat These are all obvious signs that the dogs may not be compatible. This may extend as far as setting aside an entire room for just the new dog. Your Lab should have free run of the home, but with the ability to check up on the new dog when it wishes to. Double Up! Even if your dogs seem to be getting along fine, jealousy can flare up quickly if the new kid on the block makes itself at home on the only dog bed! The same goes for favorite toys. Keep these items in the separation area at first, so that your new dog can make them their own. Supervised Visits When the dogs are allowed to interact openly in your home, supervise them at all times during the early days. Praise both of them for good behavior and reward them with treats. Should either dog become aggressive, verbally admonish the aggressor or both, if they both act up and then separate them for a brief period before allowing them together again. Neither dog should be made to feel as if they are not the favorite. Training sessions can be enhanced by using one dog as a distraction for the other. Trust me when I say, there will be times when it will be useful to have one dog be capable of ignoring the other nail trimming sessions come to mind. But having said that, each dog will enjoy, and benefit from, individual one-on-one training time with you. These are the times that enhance the bond between you and your dog, and let them know they have a special place in your life. Food Fight! Maybe more so! Naturally, meal times are a time of heightened alertness, too, since each dog is anxious to make sure it gets its share. Trying to feed your dogs in the same space can lead to a showdown. Yes, dogs will fight over empty bowls! Eventually, the dogs will come to learn whose is whose when it comes to meal time, but it is always a good idea to keep them apart when they eat to avoid any possible agitation. And maintain separate time-out spaces, including individual crates, if you have the space. A multi-dog home can be a crazy, and patience-trying place at times. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. You should take your puppy outdoors and let him exercise his socialization potential at a young age. Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pet is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. The best way to avoid this is to take them far enough from the house and ensure they have a positive outside experience. It is worth noting that you should do this as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training It would be best to start potty training your Lab puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. A good idea is to cordon off a small area and add some bark chippings. Next, you need a potty training schedule such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Many owners use dog crates to help with house training. I have a step-by-step guide on Labrador puppy crate training where you can learn tons more. Discourage Biting If you follow my blog, you know I am against punishment-oriented training. If you train your dog young enough to avoid harsh bites, you will not need punishment-driven discipline strategies. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can cause aggression in your dog. You can also check out my article, How to Discipline a Labrador , for greater insight into this topic. Instead, you can wait until your Labrador bites during a positive activity and then discontinue it. It will anchor the consequence better. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Labrador will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Labrador will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. Chances are, at first, your Labrador will try to change his pace to be behind you because of the force of habit. Walking in areas familiar to your dog will eliminate this problem. While you previously trained him to assume a heel position, you can also teach him these techniques. You may notice that your puppy can tell your words apart by the thirteenth week. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included whistling, clapping, or saying a specific word to indicate that your Labrador is doing a good job, typically followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! Where you previously whistled when your Lab ran towards you, now you must whistle, so he begins his run. This is the start of his Labrador recall training. Teaching good recall is an ongoing process. My dog was around 12 months old before seeing a noticeable improvement in her recall. Please avoid forcing the dog, as that only introduces confusion. Build Comfort With Crowds — Work on Socialization You have trained your Labrador to acknowledge close friends and family in the past few weeks. While this enables the puppy to be more social when you have visitors, a grown dog must learn to walk outdoors without acting out. This transition must be gradual, and try to keep experiences positive. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training , for example, to touch a target with a specific part of his body. Remember that your Lab may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. Here, I recommend teaching your Labrador to touch your hand with his nose. Ultimately, this is an excellent replacement for bites! Hand targeting is fun to teach, helps your pup build trust, and gets him using his brain! You have laid a strong foundation of discipline and positive reinforcement, making it easier to train your dog to follow more complex commands. In these weeks, you will introduce him to assuming different positions, obeying your commands as he moves away from you, and reacting to more nuanced anchors. Remember, 4-month-old Labrador puppies have a short attention span, so avoid long training sessions. Teach the Sit and Stay Teaching your Lab to sit and stay is a useful command for him to learn. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your Labrador to public parks and he has seen other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your Labrador may not bring the toy back to you for a second round, but he will soon get the idea of retrieving it. You can gradually turn it into a game of fetch over the next few weeks and reward your doggo with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of Labrador training, you will continue potty training with a degree of independence. Continue with a good schedule and sync your walks with his natural cycle to align with the times he needs to go. You can use it to control your Labrador and later to test his ability to execute a command off-leash. A harness is also a good idea and is used for outdoor training and walks. Many owners will opt for a rear-attaching harness. Related: Harness vs. Collar for Lab Puppy: Which is Best? How to Train a 5-Month-Old Lab Puppy A five-month-old Labrador puppy is ready to be tested for his general obedience and the ability to deal with distractions, whether other dogs, people, or other animals such as squirrels or birds. Earlier, I mentioned that you could not expect an eight-week-old puppy to delay gratification. Your puppy can deal with distractions at five months old if you introduce them slowly. You must be prepared for your dog to run ahead of you now! However, suppose you have developed a solid relationship with your pup and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay within a reasonable distance, remaining by your side and showing loyalty. Once your Lab puppy has reached his 6-month milestone, it also marks the point where you introduce him to advanced obedience training. The good news is that all the training you have previously given will make it easier for your dog to follow your lead. Conclude Potty Training Your dog has had months to learn how to communicate his need to go potty. He has also likely refined the patience to hold it instead of relieving himself on the floor. Therefore, you can communicate your disappointment with your body language if your dog makes a mess. Avoid physical punishment and even verbal chastising as it impacts your dog negatively. All dogs can still have the odd accident up to 12 months old. Moreover, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened, known as either excitement or submissive urination. Increase Exercise Now that your Lab puppy is six months old, you can increase his exercise to thirty minutes twice daily. Energy levels, especially for larger breed dogs, escalate during this time. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old Labrador can be out for one hour if you split his walks into thirty minutes a day. To train your 6-month-old Lab puppy, start with two commands with the most practical use. From six months onwards, until your Labrador is a well-trained adult, you can teach the following commands or tricks in any order. How to Train a 7-Month-Old Labrador As your Lab progresses to seven months old, a lot of the previous training needs to be kept consistent as you gradually teach him to comprehend more commands. Maybe there is a trespasser, and you want your dog to scare them away. You will need to continue training your dog to hold things or release them on command, but you can also proceed to add distance and even more background distractions. Ironically, you need to teach him to bark on command before learning to be silent on cue. Over this month, he will learn to associate the respective commands with barking and silence. This is quite tricky, but your Lab will eventually get there if you practice and stay consistent. The eighth month is ideal for training your Lab to go to different places upon hearing the command word. Either way, do not overload him with place commands, and stick to no more than two per month. Or you can use the ninth month to teach a cool party trick! After a week, you can remove the treat and teach your Lab to follow your finger. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he follows the command. By the third week, you can cue your doggo to spin and see if he does so without your finger guiding him in a circular motion. It might take an extra week or two, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your pet to learn previous commands better. You can teach him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now progress this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your 1-year-old Labrador only learns to comprehend more at the same pace as he has since the 6-month mark. You should also audit previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. How to Train an Month-Old Labrador You will not have to alter your training regimen dramatically if you have trained your Labrador properly from eight weeks onward. If anything, this is the period where you customize his training to your convenience. Now is when your dog must learn to be compatible with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your dog to be harmonious with modern adult life within reason. It is sad to see dog owners having to give away their pets because of behavior issues. Such things are avoidable if you train your dog correctly and sufficiently exercise him. It would be best if you simply established authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your dog acknowledges your authority and sees you as a guide, you can merely treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. Your job becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule and stick to your routine. This month-by-month Labrador puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and turn him into the beloved companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. Check Price on Amazon 6. Make Commands Only Once When it comes to training, what you give is what you get. This is known as command nagging. Teach your pup to heed a command at its first mention. If an order is not executed the first time, show your Lab what you want them to do and make the command again. Repeat that until they learn to obey the first time the command is made. Discipline at the Precise Moment of the Unwanted Behavior Timing is crucial when disciplining your 8-week-old Labrador pup. Dogs will typically forget an experience in 2 minutes. However, they can recall your training commands through associative memory. Once your pup has corrected his unwanted behavior with the desired behavior, reward him with a tasty treat and lots of praise. To learn more about how to discipline your dog, check out my top article, How to Discipline a Labrador: What Not to Do! It can also cause aggression in dogs , as found in this year-long study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. Using physical punishment such as hitting, kicking, or grabbing the jowls and shaking, is simply animal abuse. Other unacceptable methods are physically forcing the dog down onto its side or back, growling at your dog, withdrawing food, using a shock collar, or tying it for hours. Wean Your Puppy off Training Treats Your Labrador needs to learn that skills and commands are not learned or obeyed for the sole motive of a treat. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when he has repeatedly performed the behavior and completely mastered it in different locations and with various distractions. Nonetheless, your Labrador puppy is still a dog in training, and you still need to tell him that he has done the right thing. The rule of thumb is that they are trained young when it comes to dog training. You should train Labrador puppies as soon as you bring them home, typically around 8 weeks of age. The American Kennel Club AKC indicates that the first key milestone when training a Lab pup is 8 weeks, as soon as they have left their mother. It is a crucial time to lay the foundation for your Labrador puppy to integrate into the family. When you bring your Labrador Retriever puppy home at two months, it has most likely interacted with a few situations and is eager enough to learn and follow the rules of a new home. A recent study scientifically proved that 8-week-old puppies are quite capable of learning at this young age as they quickly learned to open a puzzle box baited with food and remembered the skill an hour later. Interestingly, these puppies learned the skill better from a human rather than their mother. Other studies have also proven that it is effective for future behavior to teach puppies socialization and other skills rather than adults. In this study, puppies who attended a command and socialization training class for one hour a day for six months responded better to strangers than adult dogs who attended the same classes. Are Lab Puppies Easy to Train? Lab puppies are easy to train. They are a working breed that enjoys physical and mental stimulation and have many positive traits. They are intelligent, devoted, friendly, highly social, and love to please. They are often used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, or search and rescue due to their easy trainability. Apart from the age factor, other breed-specific reasons make training a Labrador puppy easy. Here are three examples: Labradors are among the most intelligent dog breeds. In his book, The Intelligence of Dogs, canine psychologist Stanley Coren lists Labradors in the top tier of the smartest dogs. So, even at just two months, your puppy has it in his blood to learn and carry out commands. To perform their original working job of retrieving fish that came off the trawl, Labradors had to be watchful and enthusiastic. These are essential learning characteristics. As game and waterfowl retrievers for hunters, Labradors have to be obedient. Another core training requirement makes your Lab puppy easy to train. With these ten principles on exactly how to train an 8-week-old Labrador, you can now apply them to the key areas your young puppy needs to be trained in. Labrador Puppy Training: Key Areas There are five critical areas in which you must appropriately train your 8-week-old Lab puppy. In the next section, I will tell you what the training entails. How to Socialize a Labrador They say humans are social beings, but that is also true about dogs. Socialization begins with the breeder and continues with you. To socialize a Labrador, expose him to many different places and situations. Include sounds, smells, other adults, children, animals, cars, objects, etc. Dogs who are well socialized in the first 12 weeks will be set up for life. Socializing and training your puppy young plays a significant role in the development of adult dogs, as evidenced in this important study. Here are two key findings: Dogs that are well socialized as pups will behave more positively with humans and are less likely to display unwanted behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. Socialized dogs are more likely to engage in positive social behaviors with humans. They also learn better how to play games with humans, helping them establish a true bond with their owners. As a puppy, you can teach your Labrador social skills and confidence through intentional training moments in the family. Once he has completed his vaccinations, take him to public places such as parks or puppy socialization classes. Put him outside hourly and learn to anticipate when he needs to go. Reward and praise him when he does go outside. Usually, puppies will need to relieve themselves early in the morning and after meals. Use their natural rhythm for daily pee or poop walks. Dogs hate messing in the area they sleep in and usually hold it. Nonetheless, very young puppies might be unable to do so. Walk your Labrador after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to allow him to do his thing. Repeat the same in the evening. Puppies will need to be allowed to relieve themselves every hour, and for vaccinated dogs, a short walk every hours is an ideal routine to prevent them from peeing around the house. If you crate your puppy because you need to go out, get someone to help you stick to the routine. Repeating this routine for the first few days will give your new furry friend a good idea of his expectations. Check out my guide to Labrador potty training here. To crate train an 8-week-old Labrador puppy, start as soon as you bring him home. Slowly introduce him to the crate by throwing a treat inside and let him explore the crate voluntarily. When you first leave him with the door closed, make sure he is tired as he will sleep and not be afraid. Check out my Best Dog Crates for Labradors and Playpens recommendations, including soft crates, travel crates, and furniture styles. Here are six key things you should practice when crate-training your Labrador: Keep your puppy in the crate at night. Initiate crate training from the very first day you bring your puppy home. It will be harder to succeed in crate training if your puppy gets used to other sleeping arrangements. My puppy cried during the first night, but she was just fine after that. Lab puppies can be left alone in a crate for 1 hour for each month of age for up to 4 hours. Keep your dog in the crate when you are out of the house. This is also for his safety, such as when you are cooking. Do not let your Lab out of the cage when barking or giving you those puppy eyes. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate, i. He will quickly learn that being quiet leads to nice things. He will quickly learn that this special place is just for him. Various toys and bedding will offer some comfort for your Labrador. When purchasing a crate for your puppy, the best ones will give your Lab enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably on his side with paws outstretched. Instead, buy a crate with an adjustable divider that allows him to grow into and choose a standard metal model with either a single or double door. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel , also from Amazon, are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog. This one is even airline adaptable and meets most airline cargo specifications. Older dogs may refrain from biting because they have been trained not to hurt as they have learned their bite inhibition. This simply means that the dog has learned to control the strength of his bite. This sends the message that the bite hurts. Persist by leaving your hand in his mouth until he lets go, then use lots of praise. All puppies need to master this technique that they initially learned from their mother and littermates. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Training your Lab puppy to soft bite must be done in puppyhood as an adolescent dog will not know how to adjust the force of his jaws when he has adult teeth and adult jaw muscles. This can be devastating for you both, should your Labrador go on to bite someone! Have realistic expectations — as it can take your puppy weeks to learn his soft bite. How to Train a Labrador Puppy to Walk on a Leash Walking on a leash is not a natural skill in dogs — they need to learn it! Teach a leash cue, then introduce the pup to very short walks. If the dog pulls, stand fast and wait for him to return to you before continuing. Do this by letting him wear them for short periods inside the house and yard. I find the best no-pull harness to be those that are not rear-attached, such as the Walk Your Dog With Love harness. They give you more control and are ideal for medium-large breeds. Give a treat when the command is obeyed. Introduce your Lab to short walks outside on a leash. When it appears he is about to lunge toward another dog or object, quickly distract him with a treat. Timing is crucial. Reward him every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of leash walking is perfected. You can start steps 1 and 2 when the puppy is young, but you can only commence step 3 once the dog has been vaccinated. Final Thoughts Eight weeks old is the perfect time to train a Labrador puppy in key areas such as socialization, crate training, potty training, not biting, and leash training. To successfully train your Lab puppy in these areas, you must follow good training principles such as using reward-based training, being consistent in your commands, and disciplining at the precise moment of poor behavior. Begin with basic commands before introducing more complex or trick commands. Related Posts You May Like:. But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun. Save to Pinterest The Stages of Puppy Growth and Development Month by Month The following are the stages of puppy growth and development, starting at birth and ending when your dog reaches adulthood. The Neonatal Stage 0 to 2 weeks This is the newborn puppy growth stage that lasts until two weeks of age. At this developmental stage, puppies are blind and deaf. Expect puppies at this point to sleep almost constantly and their mother will take care of everything, keeping them warm, feeding them, and keeping them clean. The Transitional Stage 2 to 4 weeks At this puppy growth stage , they will start to open up their eyes and respond to sounds, light, and movement around them. You will also notice a puppy at this point starting to get more mobile, although they will still tend to crawl instead of walking. They do, however, have enough strength to stand up, but will stumble a lot. A puppy in this developmental stage will just be starting to recognize their siblings and mother. Lab puppies open their eyes at about two weeks old. By this time, Labrador puppies will have their eyes fully open and most will be at least partly open. Ears open at this point too and your puppy will begin to hear. Period of Awakening of Senses 3 to 4 weeks At this period , a puppy develops various senses rapidly. They start to get fully alert and aware of their environment and may recognize you and other humans that are frequently around. The Socialization Period 4 to 7 Weeks Once a puppy is around four weeks old, they start to learn the most important things in life-related to social development. They will learn to not bite all the time and how to interact with their siblings. Interactions with humans are especially important between five and seven weeks. This is also the time they will start to understand discipline thanks to their mother. She will start weaning her puppies and teaching them manners, like acknowledging she is in charge. As the owner, you can start introducing food to your puppy when they are around four weeks old. Start small and begin to give them more food as the mother continues to wean them. You should also continue handling the puppy every day. However, be sure not to separate them from their siblings or mother for over ten minutes each day, since this can lead to issues with training and socialization. Dogs who are separated too soon may also be nervous and more likely to bark and bite. During this period, let the mother dog take care of discipline; you should not correct the dog for mouthing or housebreaking mistakes until later in life. To help ease them through this process, avoid traumatic events, loud voices, or harsh discipline. You should also make sure your pooch has plenty of human contact during this stage. If you want, you can start leash training and even teach simple commands such as sit, down, stay and come. In terms of development, you will notice that your puppy can sleep through the whole night and starts to develop better control of its bowels and bladder. Most vets suggest that new outings should wait until they are fully vaccinated. We rub the Calmeroos Puppy Toy on littermates and mom to get their scent. When we get home the Calmeroos Puppy Toy helps our puppy feel comfortable and adjust more quickly to his new environment. Many puppies will go to their new homes at around 8 weeks old. We recently put together a blog post on our sister site detailing what you can expect from an 8-week-old puppy. The Juvenile Stage 3 to 4 Months At this point in development, a puppy can be compared to a juvenile. They will be more independent and may ignore the basic commands that they know very well. If this happens, firmly and gently reinforce the commands and other training. You may also notice your pup starting to test your authority by play biting or similar actions. You can also redirect your dog to a toy that they can bite. Either can end up teaching your pooch that it is okay to fight with you and challenge your authority. The Ranking Period 3 to 6 Months When your puppy is between four and six months old, you should expect them to be somewhat bratty, showing more willfulness and independence. They are more likely to test your limits and may try to show dominance over children or other family members. If they fail to listen to you or come when called, it can be dangerous as it puts them at risk of injury when in public. It can also hurt future responses to you, making them less likely to listen. This is also when your dog will be teething, so give them toys like frozen dog Kong toys to relieve pressure and pain. Chewing behaviors will also start growing at this point so look for some safe chew toys to keep your dog entertained. This is when hormonal changes start to occur and is the ideal time to spay or neuter your pup. UC Davis published a study comparing the long-term health effects of neutering in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Adolescence 6 to 18 Months After six months, your pup is already in the final stage of puppy development but is still young. This is a fun and exciting time for your pooch since they will be learning, full of energy, and exuberant. During this time, it is important to remember that even if your puppy now looks like a grown-up dog, they are still a puppy, at least in its mental capacity and emotional maturity. Work to slowly increase training and other activities. You can even work on advanced training such as agility or herding. Another option is to simply keep training them to ensure they interact in a non-aggressive and non-threatening way with other animals. It is also possible that your dog will go through another fearful period of time at some point after they reach six months. You can speed up the process with counter-conditioning and desensitization. It fits very well and is quite apt! Final Thoughts With the knowledge of how and when your new puppy will develop, you are better able to meet their needs. Provide socialization at the appropriate times and be sure to give your puppy plenty of social interactions with their siblings as well as humans and any other pets in your home. Your dog should reach maturity at some point between one and two years old with plenty of variation based on breed, Labradors are considered mature at between 2 and 2. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

Life Span Did You Know? While the name of this breed is the French Bulldog, their origins cannot be credited to only France. One of the facts about French Bulldogs is that the idea and reason for the creation of the breed originated in England. This adorable dog breed, which has always been meant to be a companion, started as a miniature version of the English Bulldog. This mini-version accompanied lace workers across the English Channel and into France during the Industrial Revolution. Once the dog breed became prominent in France, the subsequent successful crossbreeding of the English Bulldog, Pug, and Terrier led to the creation of the modern-day Frenchie. The French Bulldog we know today originally came to the United States with groups of wealthy Americans who came across them and fell in love while touring Europe in the late s. The French Bulldog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in and is a member of the non-sporting group. The French Bulldog is an easygoing, affectionate, and playful dog that loves their family and gets along well with children. They also love to make new friends, which means they get along well with other dogs, animals, and people. Intelligent and affectionate, this small dog breed certainly wins over hearts and earns its status as a popular companion dog. Frenchies are not known to bark much, unless you train them into it, but they are naturally alert and make excellent watchdogs. As long as they are well-socialized and trained, they tend to have an open and friendly nature. The Frenchie is a highly adaptable dog that pretty much adapts to any living situation that includes plenty of love and attention. Being a short-snouted, snub-nosed dog breed, they do not tolerate heat very well and are also sensitive to cold. This tends to make them one of the dog breeds that hate winter and you will want to make sure to bundle them up to stay warm while out on cold winter walks. Because Frenchies bond closely with their families and thrive on attention from them, they do not tolerate long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to developing separation anxiety if they are poorly socialized or you do not work with them on this when they are young. Potential health concerns to be aware of in French Bulldogs can include cataracts, cherry eye, and entropion. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances. Heart and joint certifications are recommended for this breed. Playful and happy, the French Bulldog is a great fit for a novice dog owner. They are sweet-tempered, eager to please, and eager to train. Occasionally, Frenchies can be stubborn and they do tend to have big personalities. Although this can sometimes be a challenge for first-time dog owners, it can usually be overcome with consistent and patient training. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training. Standard coat colors for Frenchies are Brindle, Cream, Fawn, and combinations of these. They have a short coat that will shed a little year-round. Nail trims once or twice a month keep nails from growing too long and causing issues. Weekly ear checks, along with careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, the Frenchie is more prone to developing gum disease. Daily dental care plus cleanings at the vet as needed can help prevent this and other painful dental diseases later in life. You will also need to take care of the wrinkles. Frenchies have hereditary face wrinkles and it is important to keep them clean and dry to prevent skin irritation or possible infection. The French Bulldog is an easygoing companion breed. They can be one of the laziest dog breeds that are couch potatoes. Frenchies will often be energetic when they play and will try to match their activity to yours. So, if you live a more active lifestyle, you need to be careful that your French Bulldog is not overexerting themselves trying to keep up with you. As a Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dog, they cannot cool themselves as easily and are extra sensitive to heat. They can also get winded easily, so be aware of this when playing with your dog or puppy and watch for signs of overexertion. There are safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs and you can work with your vet on specifics for your Frenchie if needed. French Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Frenchies generally live for years on average. With this dog breed being so popular, there are plenty of celebrities who have chosen the French Bulldog as their companion, which also means there are plenty of famous Frenchies out there. Also, French Bulldogs cannot swim, at least without a life vest. They can be taught to swim while wearing one, but they should never be left unattended around bodies of water or swimming pools and require constant supervision while in the water. Featured French Bulldog Article. Reviews Angela Pirate is the most beautiful, funny, and overall amazing puppy I have ever seen! I love him so much, he is the best addition to our family!! Great job Happy Frenchie!!! Mike Had a great experience with Happy Frenchie recently. They answered all of my questions and informed me even more about my puppy. Overall I am very happy with my choice, thank you Happy Frenchie! Happy Frenchie got delivered him to me 10 months ago. He came healthy and looking great. He's super extroverted and loves making new friends everywhere we go. Tom Fantastic service from Happy Frenchie. They are very knowledgeable and professional when it comes to French Bulldogs. We got Maximus last month and he's been doing great at home. Very smart and loving Frenchie. Thanks for the excellent work guys. French Bulldog, the king of hearts, minds and purses Sitting nicely at the top spot in popularity rankings for canine breeds in America, French Bulldog is chosen by thousands every year for a host of welcoming features. It loves fun and to be around people. It wears posh coats sometimes way too posh and pricey. This fab thing is as reasonably versatile as one can demand of a pet family companion meant for city life. Look no further for a trusted French Bulldog breeder in Pennsylvania. How to find a reliable French Bulldog breeder in Pennsylvania? Prices of French Bulldog PA? These are all-important queries, for a number of reasons. One, any pet is not simply a toy, but a living being. You take responsibility for its life and well-being from the moment the pup crossed the doorstep of your house. Two, choosing a verified producer gives you a peace of mind about the quality the health. A healthy puppy is not only a happy one; it means lower maintenance and fewer visits to your vet, which may be embarrassingly costly. Three, this is indeed a pricey stuff. French Bulldog breeder in Pennsylvania: the questions to ask Local breeders of French Bulldogs: what to look for Going local is advised ever when planning a purchase. Good for climate, if you care — for any long-haul adds to carbon emission and warmer Earth. In this industry, though, it may not be a universal rule. Our favored breed, French Bulldogs, are a costly lot. Air delivery say, from a breeder based in California may be costly, but compared to total expenses not that significant. How much for a French Bulldog? Go mid-range or marginals? With a dog shelter, it may appear to come for free even. A second-hand dog offered for rehoming for a good reason like a change of family fortunes or a human health problem, however, may likely be burdened with issues not easily identifiable. Like behavioral ones. Face values may be tricky. Buying first-hand from an established French Bulldog breeder in Pennsylvania adds a significant safety net tool to the equation, a clean sheet of individual character traits a new owner may fill in with whatever he or she deems appropriate and welcoming. Based in Allentown, we offer professionally raised and lovingly prepared French Bulldogs puppies in Pennsylvania, of all states. Stick to local breeders of French Bulldogs, research our prices and shades, call for availability of colors not currently listed. Shop, save, enjoy the company of your new buddy, open a fresh chapter in life! French Bulldogs puppies in Pennsylvania will come priced thousands no matter how hard you try. In truth, any real-time query would return estimates deeply north of the mark. State, breeder, fiscal arrangements, delivery options are all to blame for fluctuations. Mind, these are secondary factors to consider if dreaming of French Bulldogs puppies in Pennsylvania. The primary, the one that really matters is what color Frenchie? For this will determine prices of French Bulldog PA. Unusual coat design will add thousands sometimes tens of thousands to the otherwise equally-merited, fine-tuned dog. French Bulldogs puppies in Pennsylvania: shades explained The ocean of incredibly varying colors, shades, hues, tints present in Frenchies can be divided into two pools. These are not allowed to take part in official dog shows but make excellent family companions and wear coats that are outwardly but also costly. Five-digit estimates for exceptionally beautiful, jaw-dropping specimens are routinely registered. What we do is we translate years of experience and love for the trade into healthy, affordable puppies not every French Bulldog breeder in Pennsylvania can proudly boast. Scroll our litters, compare conditions and prices, give us calls, choose, buy, come in person to collect! Have a happy surfing! I strive to breed to the confirmation of the English and French Bulldog. I am available to answer any questions you may have to make the transition of your puppy a pleasurable experience. AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Puppies are raised in my home with lots of tender loving care. Please feel free to check out my Facebook Page at.Thelma's Bullys and Instagram at thelmasbullys with lots of day to day photos. Protect, Promote, Preserve. Parent's are Health tested and pups come with Health Guarantee. Thank you for your interest. We are TimberRock French Bulldogs. My dogs are GCH. Ellie started out her first show career with a 4 point major win right from the Start! All raised and Loved here in our home! All of my dogs are kept In my house and they live as family members. Health, Temperament, and Conformation are what you will find Here. Our babies are not only Gorgeous, but are also wonderful, playful, intelligent silly little things, full of love. I will be breeding to produce my next show Prospect and may occasionally have Beautiful pups available as Companions from time to time. As well as Beautiful well adjusted young adults. A New Perspective family will be thoroughly interviewed by myself And Approved Before being able to purchase one of my babies. If you are offended by answering any questions, or are Only concerned with the price, then Please find another breeder. Also you Must familiarize yourself and research this breed as the French Bulldogs do have possible health concerns to be aware of. As of Now, there are So Many frenchie breeders out there with No idea of breed Standards or Conformation, nor concern for the health of this breed, and you may end up purchasing what you thought was Supposed to look like a True Frenchie as an adult, but end up with something completely opposite, and Not what the True Breed Standards call for. Only The Parent Clubs do! Please remember that IF you are looking into purchasing this Breed, it is Important to Not bargain shop, as the old rule of thumb goes, You get what you pay for! And IF I do not have what you may be looking for at the time, I will then refer you to a Trustworthy breeder who may have what you are interested in. Integrity is Most Important and what you will find in me. I Encourage you also to Please Beware of breeders Claiming they have The True Standard bred frenchies, but when clicking on their site, They actually are Not breeding True french bulldog's!! Everyone would like to save a little money, But what you may be saving upfront could dearly Cost you in the end!! I welcome you to check out my Beautiful babies before choosing your next Family member! If you decide to choose one of our babies, you will become a part of our Frenchie family, where I will Always be Here for you and your perspective new baby, to assist you in whatever I can. I Do Not ship puppies!!! Questions about French Bulldog puppies for sale in Pennsylvania? We have answers. How does French Bulldog puppies for sale in Pennsylvania work? You just have to go online and look within the Uptown network to see the different prices available for French Bulldog puppies. These prices differ according to coat color, pedigree, experience of the breeder, as well as some other factors too. But, Uptown is designed to help you find your perfect pup - at the perfect price! What kind of dog is a French Bulldog? French Bulldogs are short in stature and kind of goofy looking with heads that are too big for their bodies. They look like small popsicles! They are actually descended from their mighty big cousins - the English Bulldogs. They were just bred to be much smaller and cuter , in order to be more appealing to the general public. They are very popular today! Why are Pennsylvania French Bulldogs so expensive? There is a differentiation from French Bulldogs to other breeds for a few reasons. Just to begin with, their hips are extremely narrow. Because of this, reproduction is very difficult. This means that breeders have to artificially inseminate their dogs! Yup - you read that right. Due to these extremely narrow hips, puppies must be delivered by C-section. This all takes a lot of extra work and skill making them more expensive than your average breed - but who wants average? Do you only match me with French Bulldog breeders in Pennsylvania? The majority of companies and breeders in the Uptown network are completely professional when it comes to travel and transport arrangements. They can even arrange travel for your Frenchie to any major airport near you! As Uptown is growing by the day, you may even be able to pick up your French Bulldog puppy in person. How do you screen French Bulldog breeders Pennsylvania? They then have to take our Breeder Pledge. Uptown upholds strict standards with regards to breeding experience, facility quality, animal care, and much more. Puppies are easily accessible, especially with the internet. Unfortunately, it is very easy for inexperienced breeders, as well as puppy mills to sell sick dogs, too. What is a puppy mill like for French Bulldog puppies Pennsylvania? A breeding facility that truly cares about its puppies is like nirvana for their puppies. A puppy mill, on the other hand is a scary place for any dog or pup as they are kept in small cages their whole lives. It is almost like a prison. Puppies that come out of here usually have behavioral issues and are very sick, costing you thousands at the vet. Are there any French Bulldog puppies in Pennsylvania right now? Just click below, and we will provide you with a vast list of French Bulldog puppies you can choose from. Soon, you will have the perfect Frenchie pup you have always dreamed of playing around in your house and giving you love forever! Cheappuppiesforsale is your go-to website for finding inexpensive, locally available, and registered French bulldog for sale. Our primary objective is to assist you in locating the appropriate French Bulldog puppy for sale in your neighborhood History of French Bulldog Puppies French Bulldogs are considered one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and around the world. They are known for their affectionate and playful personalities and are often kept as companion animals. The breed is a descendant of the English Bulldog, which was brought to France by English lacemakers. The French Bulldog was then developed by crossing the English Bulldog with local small breeds, such as the Terrier, to create a smaller, more delicate version of the English Bulldog. During the 19th century, French Bulldogs were used for bull-baiting and dog fighting. They quickly gained popularity among the upper class in France, especially in Paris, where they were considered a symbol of luxury and elegance. In the late 19th century, French Bulldogs were brought to the United States by American tourists who fell in love with the breed while visiting France. Temperament of Frenchies The temperament of a French Bulldog is generally described as affectionate, playful, and sociable. They are known to be good with children and other pets and make great companion animals. They are also known for their intelligence and trainability, which makes them easy to train and manage. French Bulldogs are very loyal to their owners, and they have a strong desire to be close to their family. They have a playful nature, and they love to play and interact with their owners. French Bulldogs are known for their expressive personalities, and they are known to be very vocal. They are known to make a variety of noises, including grunts, snores, and snorts, which can be quite endearing. They are also known for their sense of humor and their ability to make their owners laugh. One of the most striking characteristics of French Bulldogs is their easy going nature. They are known to be adaptable and easy to live with, which makes them great family pets. They are also known to be relatively low maintenance, as they do not require a lot of exercise or grooming. Let us introduce you to Rose a gorgeous French Bulldog pup ready to venture off to her forever home. She is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus the breeder provides a 1 year genetic health guarantee provided by the breeder. Her momma is Amber. Rose enjoy spending time with the children she is currently being raised with. Sex: Female.

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. If it takes longer than 21 days for a lab puppy to open its eyes, look for infections and visit a vet for advice. It takes about eight weeks for a lab puppy's full eyesight development to reach adult levels. We recommend waiting at least eight weeks before adopting a lab puppy so they can develop their sight, walking, running, and health first. But one thing many people ask is when they first open their eyes. On average, lab puppies open their eyes within the first days but sometimes, it can take as long as days. It takes a few weeks for most puppies to open their eyes because they are sensitive to light. Opening their eyes is the first major step in a puppy's growth and development. Lab puppies are born with their eyes closed, and it takes time for all dogs, including labs, to grow and develop. Keep reading to learn everything necessary about puppy eyes and their development. Lab puppies do not open their eyes until they are about days old. The maximum estimate for a lab puppy to open its eyes is days. They are born with their eyes closed and aren't developed enough to open them until they are about two weeks old. They will likely start to make more noise as they become more alert and aware of their surroundings. Remember that every dog is different, so these are just general guidelines. For example, they might make little whimpers and squeaks more clearly. This is because puppies are born with their eyelids sealed together. This is due to their optical nerves not having full function yet, and bright lights are too much for them to handle. They are still delicate. They are born from darkness, and the outside world is much brighter for newborn puppies. It takes time for these little creatures to adjust properly. So when a lab puppy is born, they have its eyes shut. All dogs are born as puppies with their eyes closed. The same is true for lab puppies with tightly closed eyelids in the first few days after birth. Once the eyelids open, the eyes are still delicate because this is the first real exposure to bright lights. The eyeball is blue or gray, and the iris looks the same. All puppies have this same eye color at this age too. The true eye color isn't developed until the lab puppy is eight weeks old. This means they will change color and become more pigmented as they age. Around the same time, the eyeball will grow, slowly becoming more visible. Their vision is mostly movement and shapes, without any ability to see anything accurately. By eight weeks, a lab puppy has developed acute vision. This is one of the reasons why many dog adoptions occur at eight weeks or later. Keep an eye out for signs of eye infections in puppies, especially since the lab is very young. We recommend trying one of the following things if a lab has gone past 21 days without first opening its eyes. This is something to be concerned about, and massaging the eyelids, identifying swelling, and contacting a vet is the best solution. Massage The Eyelids Sometimes a litter of lab puppies can be underdeveloped. This can happen if the lab is very premature. It may take longer for their eyes to open when this happens, but it's still alarming and worth monitoring. Massaging the eyelids gently can help. This can be done once a day to help the puppy improve their eye strength and soon be able to open its eyes. Look For Swelling After trying the massage technique, be sure to look for any type of infection or swelling in the eye area. Some signs of potential problems include swelling, pus, or abnormalities around the eyes. When this happens, professional help is needed to analyze the puppy's health. Puppies are born with their eyes shut. They also lack mobility and must be monitored extremely carefully at birth, which is true for the first weeks after they are also born. This puts more pressure on the new owner to know about potential health issues while increasing the initial costs. Caring for a puppy in the first six weeks is also much more difficult. It takes about eight weeks for them to develop their adult vision capabilities. This means the next weeks should be steady growth to allow the puppies to become more comfortable with their surroundings. By the eight-week mark, the lab puppy is grown, medicated, and capable of much more. And this is around the time when potential owners can start to adopt. Before eight weeks old and adoption, lab puppies also develop more in other areas. This includes learning to climb in the first weeks and learning to walk, run, and play with confidence by week four. Puppies are born with their eyes shut and it generally takes 10—14 days for newborn puppies to open their eyes and longer for them to see clearly. By Doug Jimerson Doug has been owned by a long line of cats and dogs in a variety of shapes and sizes. It generally takes 10—14 days for newborn puppies to open their eyes. Some breeds may even take longer. Most puppies will open one eye at a time over the course of a few days. Be patient. Let nature take its course. So you should keep puppies at this early age in a dimly lit location to protect their eyes. In fact, puppies can see before they can hear their ears open at around 18—20 days , Todd says. The last thing your pup needs is to develop conjunctivitis during this critical period. If left untreated, conjunctivitis can cause permanent blindness. Overall, the best thing to do for your puppy when it comes to early eye care is to let nature take its course. Certainly, you should watch for any crusty build-up on the eyes or any other sign that something might be amiss, but in general, just enjoy your puppy transforming itself from a blind, deaf, fur ball into a bouncing, happy animal. Was this page helpful? Training and Socialization Back to Top During the first eight weeks of life, puppies are extremely dependent on their mother, because they need special care to grow healthy and strong. The mother will provide her puppies with the nutrition they need by nursing them until they are fully weaned and are less dependent on her to survive. During this period, puppies open their eyes for the first time, generally when they are between 10 and 14 days old. Over these crucial first weeks, puppies grow out of infancy and learn to explore and play. They will begin to socialize with each other and with other members of their household once they're physically able to do so. From interacting with their littermates to humans, the period of four to seven weeks is the ideal time to introduce your puppy to numerous people, as this helps the pup grow into an outgoing, friendly, and secure dog. Just be sure that anyone handling your young puppy knows to do so gently. Their eyes will begin to open in the second week of life, usually between 10 and 16 days of age. However, they won't be able to see clearly at first. The eyes will gradually open wider, revealing grayish-blue eyes with a hazy appearance. Puppies' eyes will continue to develop over the next several weeks, reaching full vision around eight weeks of age. Puppies' ears begin to open around the time that the eyes do, generally around 12 to 14 days old. Their hearing will continue to develop until the puppies are around five weeks old. Newborn puppies cannot fully support their weight for the first two weeks of life, so they crawl around on their bellies, paddling and pushing with their legs and building strength. Most puppies will be able to rise up on their forelimbs around 5 to 6 days of age and will begin to use their hind legs around two weeks old. They usually begin to walk with a wobbly gait around 18 to 21 days of age. Puppies need to be stimulated to urinate and defecate for the first several weeks of life. Mom does this by licking the anal and genital areas. If you are raising an orphaned pup, you can use a warm, damp cloth or cotton ball to stimulate the area. Puppies gradually develop the ability to urinate and defecate on their own around three to four weeks of age. Puppies are born without teeth. Their baby teeth, or "milk teeth" will begin to come in between three and four weeks of age and continue to develop until about eight weeks of age. Behavior Changes For newborn puppies, the first two weeks of life are all about sleeping and eating. After 14 days of age, physical changes open up a whole new world. They begin to see, hear and walk. By the age of 21 days, they begin to explore the world and learn about being dogs. This is also when the socialization process begins. Puppies learn how to interact with other dogs by interacting with their mother and littermates. Human socialization with gentle handling is important at this time as well. Around seven to eight weeks old, the first "fear period" will begin. This is a time when most puppies seem to be afraid of new things. Anything you can introduce them to before this time may help make the fear period go more smoothly. Health and Care Mom will still be taking on most of the care for her puppies until they are fully weaned between five to eight weeks of age. However, her puppies will become less and less dependent on her after three to four weeks of age. You may find that the puppies wander out of their little "nest" and try to check out more of the house. It may be best to keep mom and pups in an exercise pen when you are not home. The first few weeks of life are a time of vulnerability for the puppies. If a puppy is not growing at the same rate as its littermates, it should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. In addition, any sign of illness , no matter how subtle, should be taken seriously. Food and Nutrition For the first three weeks of life, puppies get the nutrition they need from their mother's milk. If the puppy was orphaned or needs supplemental nutrition, puppy formula can provide the necessary nutrients. After baby teeth have erupted, around three weeks old, the puppies may be ready to begin weaning. Mom may naturally begin this process as she feels those puppy teeth nipping at her teats. A good way to transition the pups to dog food is to bring out some canned puppy food or softened puppy kibble use warm formula or water to soften the kibble. Be sure to choose a dog food intended for growth. You can encourage them to eat it by offering a taste from your finger. As puppies get used to the puppy food, they will gradually nurse less and less. Most pups are fully weaned by six to eight weeks of age. Training and Socialization Puppies between one to three weeks are still too young to respond to training or socialization. Though their brains are still developing, they are capable of learning some things. Of course, it is still important for these young pups to remain with their mother and littermates until eight to twelve weeks of age. As early as three to four weeks of age, you can start to introduce the crate and start some basic potty training. Even if the pups will be getting homes between eight to twelve weeks of age, you can start laying the groundwork for training. The time between four to seven weeks of age is an early socialization window. Although the puppy must remain with its mother, it is now ready to be exposed to new sights and sounds. It should start meeting people of all ages and appearances. This includes children who know how to act around dogs and will handle the puppy gently. More from The Spruce Pets. But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun. Save to Pinterest The Stages of Puppy Growth and Development Month by Month The following are the stages of puppy growth and development, starting at birth and ending when your dog reaches adulthood. The Neonatal Stage 0 to 2 weeks This is the newborn puppy growth stage that lasts until two weeks of age. At this developmental stage, puppies are blind and deaf. Expect puppies at this point to sleep almost constantly and their mother will take care of everything, keeping them warm, feeding them, and keeping them clean. The Transitional Stage 2 to 4 weeks At this puppy growth stage , they will start to open up their eyes and respond to sounds, light, and movement around them. You will also notice a puppy at this point starting to get more mobile, although they will still tend to crawl instead of walking. They do, however, have enough strength to stand up, but will stumble a lot. A puppy in this developmental stage will just be starting to recognize their siblings and mother. Lab puppies open their eyes at about two weeks old. By this time, Labrador puppies will have their eyes fully open and most will be at least partly open. Ears open at this point too and your puppy will begin to hear. Period of Awakening of Senses 3 to 4 weeks At this period , a puppy develops various senses rapidly. They start to get fully alert and aware of their environment and may recognize you and other humans that are frequently around. The Socialization Period 4 to 7 Weeks Once a puppy is around four weeks old, they start to learn the most important things in life-related to social development. They will learn to not bite all the time and how to interact with their siblings. Interactions with humans are especially important between five and seven weeks. This is also the time they will start to understand discipline thanks to their mother. She will start weaning her puppies and teaching them manners, like acknowledging she is in charge. As the owner, you can start introducing food to your puppy when they are around four weeks old. Start small and begin to give them more food as the mother continues to wean them. You should also continue handling the puppy every day. However, be sure not to separate them from their siblings or mother for over ten minutes each day, since this can lead to issues with training and socialization. Dogs who are separated too soon may also be nervous and more likely to bark and bite. During this period, let the mother dog take care of discipline; you should not correct the dog for mouthing or housebreaking mistakes until later in life. To help ease them through this process, avoid traumatic events, loud voices, or harsh discipline. You should also make sure your pooch has plenty of human contact during this stage. If you want, you can start leash training and even teach simple commands such as sit, down, stay and come. In terms of development, you will notice that your puppy can sleep through the whole night and starts to develop better control of its bowels and bladder. Most vets suggest that new outings should wait until they are fully vaccinated. We rub the Calmeroos Puppy Toy on littermates and mom to get their scent. When we get home the Calmeroos Puppy Toy helps our puppy feel comfortable and adjust more quickly to his new environment. Many puppies will go to their new homes at around 8 weeks old. We recently put together a blog post on our sister site detailing what you can expect from an 8-week-old puppy. The Juvenile Stage 3 to 4 Months At this point in development, a puppy can be compared to a juvenile. They will be more independent and may ignore the basic commands that they know very well. If this happens, firmly and gently reinforce the commands and other training. You may also notice your pup starting to test your authority by play biting or similar actions. You can also redirect your dog to a toy that they can bite. Either can end up teaching your pooch that it is okay to fight with you and challenge your authority. The Ranking Period 3 to 6 Months When your puppy is between four and six months old, you should expect them to be somewhat bratty, showing more willfulness and independence. They are more likely to test your limits and may try to show dominance over children or other family members. If they fail to listen to you or come when called, it can be dangerous as it puts them at risk of injury when in public. It can also hurt future responses to you, making them less likely to listen. This is also when your dog will be teething, so give them toys like frozen dog Kong toys to relieve pressure and pain. Chewing behaviors will also start growing at this point so look for some safe chew toys to keep your dog entertained. This is when hormonal changes start to occur and is the ideal time to spay or neuter your pup. UC Davis published a study comparing the long-term health effects of neutering in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Adolescence 6 to 18 Months After six months, your pup is already in the final stage of puppy development but is still young. This is a fun and exciting time for your pooch since they will be learning, full of energy, and exuberant. During this time, it is important to remember that even if your puppy now looks like a grown-up dog, they are still a puppy, at least in its mental capacity and emotional maturity. Work to slowly increase training and other activities. You can even work on advanced training such as agility or herding. Another option is to simply keep training them to ensure they interact in a non-aggressive and non-threatening way with other animals. It is also possible that your dog will go through another fearful period of time at some point after they reach six months. You can speed up the process with counter-conditioning and desensitization. It fits very well and is quite apt! Final Thoughts With the knowledge of how and when your new puppy will develop, you are better able to meet their needs. Provide socialization at the appropriate times and be sure to give your puppy plenty of social interactions with their siblings as well as humans and any other pets in your home. Your dog should reach maturity at some point between one and two years old with plenty of variation based on breed, Labradors are considered mature at between 2 and 2. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining. Videos This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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