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Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We also shared a few tips on what to expect when buying a puppy. If you follow these tips, you can get a healthy Labrador Retriever puppy for a great price and avoid getting ripped off. Pet Keen advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. ChampDogs helps you track down those dogs in your area. You can filter results by location, colours, completed health tests, and more! Gumtree puts you in contact with all the local breeders to get you the perfect puppy without having to hit the countryside. Not only are there tons of local breeders, but with Poolehall Labradors right around the corner, you can easily get a show-quality Labrador! A site like FreeAds makes use of this fact to put you in touch with local breeders. Just make sure to do your homework before forking over any cash. Not only are there are tons of Labrador Retrievers on the site, but many of them are also registered working dogs. Keep in mind that while most of that money is profit, it also goes to cover initial shots, health check-ups, and other necessary things to keep the puppies happy and healthy. Before you buy a puppy, ask the breeder the following questions. References: Before purchasing a dog from a breeder, get and check their references. Ideally, you want to reach out to customers whom the breeder might not be listing. Registration status: This one comes down to the pedigree of the dog. Keep in mind that you need the official registration status for your puppy, not just the parents. Is there a health guarantee? Do get a guarantee of health for at least a few months. Can you meet the parents? First, you should see the genetic lineage that your puppy is coming from. Where are the puppies raised? They Have Tons of Energy Before you bring home a Labrador Retriever , you need to ensure that you have plenty of space for them to roam and exercise. But big dogs also eat tons of food. Full-grown Labrador Retrievers can eat 4. They Are Extremely Smart and Trainable If you want a dog that you can train to do about a million tasks, a Labrador Retriever is a great choice. If you have kids and want a dog, a Labrador Retriever is ideal. There are tons of breeders out there, and the result is tons of Labrador Retrievers that you can purchase! You may also want to read:. If so, you may be wondering how to choose a reputable breeder. There are many Labrador breeders in the UK, so it can be tough to decide who to trust. Ask friends, family, or your veterinarian for recommendations. This will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of temperament and personality. Health: Be sure to ask the breeder about the health of the puppies and their parents. Find out if there is a history of any genetic or health problems in the bloodline. Visit Breeder Place: After you have done your research, and narrowed down your choices, visit the breeders to see the puppies and meet their parents. Ask for Reviews: Once you have visited the breeders, and chosen one that you like, ask for reviews from previous customers. This will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of customer service and puppy quality. Get a Written Contract: Be sure to get a written contract when you purchase your puppy. This will help protect you in the event that something goes wrong. Take your time in choosing a Labrador breeder, and be sure to do your research. This will help you find a breeder that is reputable and has healthy puppies. What is the average price for a Labrador puppy in the UK? How do I choose a reputable Labrador breeder? When looking for a reputable Labrador breeder, be sure to do your research and ask lots of questions. Look for breeders who are members of the Kennel Club or other similar organizations, and visit their facilities to see how the dogs are being cared for. What health problems are common in Labrador retrievers? Some health problems that may affect Labradors include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and allergies. Be sure to ask the breeder about any health concerns before purchasing a puppy. What is the average lifespan of a Labrador retriever? Labradors typically live for years, although some may live longer. Do Labradors need a lot of exercises? Labradors are active dogs who need plenty of exercises, including daily walks and access to a secure area to run around in. They also enjoy playing fetch and other games. What is the best type of food for a Labrador? Labradors do well on a diet of high-quality dry food, although they may also enjoy wet food, raw food, and treats. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your dog. How much grooming do Labradors need? Labradors have a thick coat that sheds regularly, so they will need to be brushed several times a week to prevent mats and tangles. They also need to be groomed every few months, which may include trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, and more. Are Labradors good with children? Labradors are generally good with children, although they may be too energetic for very young children. They should always be supervised when around children to prevent any accidents from happening. Do Labradors make good house pets? Labradors are typically good house pets, as they are relatively calm indoors and easy to train. They do need plenty of exercise, so they may not be ideal for those who live in small apartments or homes without a yard, so an active family would be a good fit for them. This content will cover some frequently asked questions about Labrador breeders in the UK, including average prices, how to choose a reputable breeder, and common health concerns. We will also touch on the exercise needs of Labradors and whether or not they make good house pets. If you know any great Labrador breeder who lives in UK, please let us know in the comments below. So we can add it to our list. What is the Breeder Name? Where are they located in UK? It really helps others who are looking for a Labrador puppies in UK. If your friend and relative looking for a Labrador Puppies in UK, you can share this post with them. If you are looking for the best Labrador Breeders in UK, you can consider one of these breeders. Labrador Breeders. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We also shared a few tips on what to expect when buying a puppy. If you follow these tips, you can get a healthy Labrador Retriever puppy for a great price and avoid getting ripped off. Pet Keen advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. ChampDogs helps you track down those dogs in your area. You can filter results by location, colours, completed health tests, and more! Gumtree puts you in contact with all the local breeders to get you the perfect puppy without having to hit the countryside. Not only are there tons of local breeders, but with Poolehall Labradors right around the corner, you can easily get a show-quality Labrador! A site like FreeAds makes use of this fact to put you in touch with local breeders. Just make sure to do your homework before forking over any cash. Not only are there are tons of Labrador Retrievers on the site, but many of them are also registered working dogs. Keep in mind that while most of that money is profit, it also goes to cover initial shots, health check-ups, and other necessary things to keep the puppies happy and healthy. Before you buy a puppy, ask the breeder the following questions. References: Before purchasing a dog from a breeder, get and check their references. Ideally, you want to reach out to customers whom the breeder might not be listing. Registration status: This one comes down to the pedigree of the dog. Keep in mind that you need the official registration status for your puppy, not just the parents. Is there a health guarantee? Do get a guarantee of health for at least a few months. Can you meet the parents? First, you should see the genetic lineage that your puppy is coming from. Where are the puppies raised? They Have Tons of Energy Before you bring home a Labrador Retriever , you need to ensure that you have plenty of space for them to roam and exercise. But big dogs also eat tons of food. Full-grown Labrador Retrievers can eat 4. They Are Extremely Smart and Trainable If you want a dog that you can train to do about a million tasks, a Labrador Retriever is a great choice. If you have kids and want a dog, a Labrador Retriever is ideal. There are tons of breeders out there, and the result is tons of Labrador Retrievers that you can purchase! You may also want to read:.

Red skin Recurring skin infections If you notice any of these signs in your American Bulldog, contact your veterinarian for guidance. Feeding your American Bulldog a diet formulated for large-breed dogs as both a puppy and an adult is recommended for optimal growth and wellness. As American Bulldog puppies mature, feeding them two meals a day is recommended. Nutritional Tips for American Bulldogs Avoid feeding your dog table scraps, which may be dangerous to their health. Dogs fed a complete and balanced commercial food diet should not need any nutritional supplements unless recommended by a veterinarian. Because they are so loyal to their family, they can be useful watch dogs that bark to alert you when anything is amiss. A well-trained and socialized American Bulldog will typically get along with other pets and with young children. American Bulldog Behavior American Bulldogs can be watchful over their family and, as with every other dog breed, early training and socialization is vital. They are large, active dogs who need to be kept busy physically and mentally. Playtime and long walks are important for American Bulldogs—though they also enjoy a good afternoon nap. American Bulldog Training American Bulldogs are a large, active breed that require dedicated training. They can pick up training cues quickly, especially when training sessions are done consistently and with positive reinforcement. Fun Activities for American Bulldogs Agility. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic American Bulldog Overview American Bulldogs are generally happy, family-loving dogs that do well in homes where they have plenty of space to roam. A big, fenced-in backyard is practically a must-have for one of these energetic dogs, though exercise needs may vary by specific type and breeding. They may be just fine with urban life, so long as they get plenty of walks, and they can even make good jogging or running buddies. They do not, however, take very well to being left alone for long periods of time, and they can feel cooped up in an apartment. American Bulldogs need experienced owners who can be patient with training and start socialization early. Whether they are used for hunting and farm work or just cuddling up with their humans, the American Bulldog makes for an excellent, loyal companion and a competent watchdog. American Bulldog Highlights Temperament: They are known for their loyalty, protectiveness, and affection toward their families. American Bulldogs are often described as gentle giants, making them good family pets. Intelligence: These dogs are intelligent and trainable, but they can also be strong-willed. Early socialization and consistent, positive reinforcement training are crucial to ensure they grow into well-behaved adults. Exercise Needs: American Bulldogs are an active breed that requires regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. They enjoy activities like daily walks, playtime, and even agility training. Lifespan: The average lifespan of an American Bulldog is around 10 to 15 years, depending on genetics, diet, and overall care. Family Compatibility: American Bulldogs can make excellent family pets when raised in a loving and consistent environment. They are known for their patience with children and are protective of their human family members. Guardian Instinct: Due to their protective nature, American Bulldogs can be good guard dogs. They are naturally watchful and alert, which makes them capable of providing security. These two lines may have slight differences in appearance and temperament. Always check local laws and regulations before acquiring one of these dogs. American Bulldog History The ancestor of the American Bulldog is the Old English Bulldog, which was brought to North America by working class immigrants who wanted to keep their working dogs to help on the farms. Rather than being concerned with maintaining breed purity or certain genetic traits, early farmers bred the dogs with the best working qualities for all-around farm work. Wild pigs were an invasive species not native to the American south that had no natural predators, and the strong jaws and muscular build of the American Bulldog was perfect for hunting them down. They were originally used in the barbaric sport of bull baiting. By the end of World War II, the American Bulldog was almost extinct until a few breeders scoured the south for specimens to revive the breed. Today, the American Bulldog is in no danger of extinction and is mostly a family-friendly companion. Adorable American Bulldog puppies will grow to 20 to 28 inches in height and 60 to pounds by the time they reach adulthood. Although these sizes are considered to be standard for the breed, American Bulldogs can be quite a bit larger or smaller. American Bulldog Personality American Bulldogs are friendly, intelligent, and affectionate , though that affectionate nature often leads them to be territorial and overly suspicious of strangers. This makes them lovely family dogs and watchdogs, even for families with children, but they will need socialization training, especially as puppies to get along with unfamiliar humans or other dogs that stop by for a visit. Luckily, their intelligence makes them highly adaptable and trainable. The American Bulldog is a playful breed that has some high exercise needs, and they do well in families that are able to stay active with lots of walks and play time. They can develop in American Bulldogs and may require surgical removal for treatment. It can lead to itching, hair loss, and skin irritation. Treatment typically involves medicated baths and sometimes oral medications. This can lead to weight gain, lethargy, skin issues, and other health problems. It is usually managed with lifelong medication. It can lead to lameness and discomfort, and severe cases may require surgical intervention. Elbow Dysplasia : Elbow dysplasia is another developmental disorder affecting the elbows. It can cause pain, lameness, and arthritis in the affected limb. Treatment may involve medication, weight management, and in some cases, surgery to correct the condition. American Bulldog Care Most of the care that is necessary for the health of an American Bulldog is meeting their needs for exercise and mental stimulation. Failing to do so can result in anxiety, boredom, and destructive behavior. So long as those needs are met, the rest is fairly standard. Maintain normal vet visits, check their ears weekly, keep up with monthly nail clipping and normal dental care. One of the issues you may face is the potential for drooling that is common among bully breeds. You should take care to wipe your dog as needed unless you want a generous amount of slobber all over your home. American Bulldog Feeding An American Bulldog diet should be formulated for a large to giant breed, and their high energy level should be taken into consideration. Their needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood. You should discuss with them how to form an appropriate diet for your dog. Traditionally they are white with patches of brindle, red, or black, but there are quite a few more color variations to the breed in modern times. They may have patterns that include shades of black, red, brindle, brown, or fawn. American Bulldogs usually have black on the nose and the rims of the eyes, but they may also have shades of pink. Their eye color is usually brown. Although these are breed standards, some American Bulldogs have been known to be merle or have coats that contain shades of blue. Weekly brushing should keep it under control with baths as needed. So long as they are trained properly, American Bulldogs are great with children and are very loyal to all members of the family. It is also important to train children on how to properly handle and treat animals to avoid incident. American Bulldogs are large animals, and overly energetic play can cause injuries. The same can be said for interactions with other pets. So long as American Bulldogs are socialized and trained, they usually get along with other dogs just fine. Play should be supervised, especially with smaller dogs that can easily get hurt when playing with a large, muscular American Bulldog. You can also check local shelters near you, or you can use our adoption page that lets you search by breed and zip code for adoptable dogs. American Bulldog Breed Organizations Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues. More Info For You. They know how to finish a task, and they hope you'll appreciate it. They're brawny and well-built, they have incredible stamina, and they'll be at your side if you're out in the fields, in the woods, or hiking a rocky trail. They also enjoy cuddling. With a family, they're naturally loyal. Their hindquarters are narrow and lifted with sculpted haunches. They have a high, thin tail like a rudder and a long back. Standing about 2 feet at the shoulder, their broad, square head is positioned on a solid neck. With a quick glance, it's almost as though most of their 60— pounds is in the front of the body, but that's just because their burly chest ripples with strength and their forelegs are set wide apart. They have a prominent forehead, and their dainty upside-down, V-shaped ears drape on either side of their cap. They have soft, round brown eyes. Most American bulldogs are white or have a white base coat usually marked with black, brown, brindle, or tan. Their fur is short and neat. Temperament The American bulldog temperament is quite silly when excited or happy, and these dogs will clown around to make their human companions laugh. Your lap is often their favorite spot, regardless of how much oomph they have. They love to frolic and play, especially fetching and tug-of-war, and they'll spring many feet into the air after a Frisbee or another flying toy. They're so intelligent , it's easy to be enthusiastic about training to help them grow into effective hunters or well-mannered family dogs. American bulldog puppies need early socialization and consistent training , and mental and physical stimulation for bullies of all ages is a must. They were bred to do good work, and some of their job titles include feral hog wrangler, hunting dog , livestock herder, personal protection canine, and ranch hand. When a working dog is bored, their impish charm might toe the line, and they're more likely to engage in undesirable behaviors such as digging , chewing, and barking. Birt says new American bulldog owners need to be knowledgeable and vigilant! Include your American bulldog in any exercise you do. This helps them see you as the leader, and they'll jump for joy—literally! They're naturally wary of strangers and may need some extra association with your children's friends so they recognize their play together as non-threatening. Early and consistent socialization will help your American bulldog be more comfortable around new people. Living Needs As long as American bulldogs are kept active and engaged, they'll do well on a farm, in a house with a big yard, or in an apartment with a large-animal dog park nearby. As long as they're not left alone for too long, they're adaptable. Because American bulldogs crave activity and stimulation, potential owners should first talk with a veterinarian to determine if this bulldog's exercise needs match their lifestyles. All dogs benefit from early, positive socialization so they can learn to work well with their owners and children, and this is true for an American bulldog, too. Though he lives happily with animals he's known since puppyhood, Birt says he might get a little grumpy if his four-legged sibling tries to play with his toys or eat all his food. An American bulldog's temperament is so persistent, he'll probably dash through invisible fencing, especially if he's chasing a rabbit or squirrel. Tall plank fencing is a good option and hard for these dogs to jump over. Creating a maze or a busy box to provide mental stimulation is a terrific problem-solving activity to eliminate boredom and avoid undesirable behavior. Something simple, like tossing wads of crumpled newspaper across the floor with little treats hidden underneath, helps keep your American bulldog happy and engaged. When you're not around, he'll love interactive toys to keep him busy. Care There's no need to spend a lot of time spiffing up an American bulldog—he's a naturally handsome breed. Weekly brushing controls moderate shedding and spreads essential oils through his coat to keep it healthy. But you might need to give him an extra comb-through when spring and fall seasonal shedding picks up. They only need baths when they're dirty , and that's a good time to trim their nails and check and clean their ears , too. Regular home dental care is important, not only for healthy teeth and fresh breath but also because they have a tendency to slobber a lot, especially after eating and drinking. Their cute facial folds need cleaning throughout the day. Most types of bulldogs, including the American, are a bit gassy. A veterinarian can explain how their particular anatomy affects digestion and what diets minimize flatulence. Health An American bulldog's lifespan is 10—12 years, and they're generally healthy and robust. But as a brachycephalic or flat-faced breed , they're prone to overheating, and you have to take action quickly. According to the American Bulldog Association ABA , this breed can also develop elbow or hip dysplasia , a condition where the joint doesn't properly form. This results in a loose joint and, if untreated, osteoarthritis. The ABA also says American bulldogs can also develop two diseases: Ichthyosis: This is a skin disorder resulting from a genetic mutation. In less-severe cases, the dog has flaky skin and requires more frequent bathing and oiling to be comfortable. In severe cases, your pup will be itchy and need almost daily bathing and oiling. American bulldogs can also develop allergies , so talk to your veterinarian if you notice your dog excessively itching. Canine Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis NCL : This is a deadly, incurable condition where a dog loses control of his hindquarters, eventually resulting in him not being able to move. According to the ABA, signs of the condition begin appearing when a pup is about 2 years old. The good news: both of these conditions are detectable with genetic testing. Make sure your American bulldog breeder conducts all health screenings recommended by the OFA. If you're adopting through an American bulldog rescue, ask for all available health information. History American bulldogs' ancestry began in the English countryside, where they were often found in butcher shops. When laborers immigrated to the American colonies in the 17th century, they brought their stout working dogs with them. According to the ABA, this breed was originally known as the English white bulldog or the white English bulldog because of their mostly white coats, even though they didn't have the typical "sourmug" face of their English cousins. American bulldogs almost faded away after World War II, but breeders John Johnson and Alan Scott each worked to improve the animals' family sociability and guarding skills. Now, there are two primary strains of American bulldogs, and those with Johnson's traits are a little larger and more athletic than canines Scott's line. This breed is sometimes confused with pit bulls, but there are some things prospective owners need to know about American bulldogs vs. For one, the term "pit bull" in the U. But pit bulls are recognized as their own breed by the United Kennel Club. While both can be loving and rambunctious dogs, the American bulldog always has a white base for their coat, while pit bulls can be almost any color. They also have different lineages—American bulldogs descend from mastiffs , and pit bulls from various terriers, including American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers —although some breed historians believe there's a little bulldog mixed in. Fun Facts American bulldogs can jump more than 3 feet in the air. Some have been known to bounce as high as 7 feet! American bulldogs have spent a lot of time on the big screen. Steve Martin's movies Cheaper by the Dozen and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 featured an American bulldog as the family companion. The couple also trained him for his movie debut. Was this page helpful? Their personalities are easy to love; they have a confident demeanor and are known for their almost clown-like antics when excited, making them an excellent family companion. This breed is quite family-oriented but may be distant with strangers at first. Their characteristic aloofness to outsiders helps make them great guard dogs. With consistent training and established rules and boundaries, this powerful pup can learn with the best of them. As a working breed, they were known for their wild pig and cattle catching abilities, making them indispensable on southern ranches in the US. Grooming Hurray for easy care! Make sure your vet gives your pup a professional cleaning every year, too. Be sure to put nail trimming every couple of weeks and ear cleaning monthly is usually enough on the grooming menu, too. And as for baths, plan on a bath about once a month or so. You may be able to just use your nose. If you detect an unpleasant odor eww! Training When it comes to training, an American Bulldog puppy needs a confident pup parent who uses positive reinforcement to teach various skills, such as how to walk nicely on a leash and come when called. Start training your American Bulldog puppy early to get them used to the ropes. Once you understand what works for them, training becomes easy. Remember: American Bulldogs are smart. These social interactions give your dog a chance to explore a variety of environments and social situations. Feed your puppy large-breed puppy kibble for their first 14 months to support slow but consistent growth. Skip food or supplements with calcium until your pooch is fully grown and eating an adult diet. The added calcium could disrupt healthy bone development. Treats are an essential part of training and a great way to show your pup you love them. However, too many treats can lead to a tubby pup, so check with your vet if you need help figuring out a proper treat-to-mealtime ratio. Exercise Even though they have a moderate energy level, an American Bulldog needs a lot of exercise. And exercise is important to keep your dog out of trouble. If they have unused energy, an American Bulldog will resort to destructive behaviors to release that energy, like chewing on your favorite pair of shoes. This athletic dog benefits greatly from structured walks and play to work the mind and their muscular build. As a puppy parent, strive to offer non-impact movement such as hiding balls in the yard or offering a puzzle toy, as these games lower the risk of joint and bone damage early on. Get out of the house twice a day or more if your young dog is up for it for playtime and walks that last between 20 and 30 minutes. Trainers often suggest skipping the dog park because structured play is more difficult in this setting. Instead, get creative with activities. Think: fetch, tug-of-war with a rope toy or a chewy option filled with something delicious. You may even try lower-impact dog sports like agility or nose work. Both are an excellent way to keep your pup mentally and physically engaged. Remember, a happy dog is a tired dog! Ideal Environment Both city and country homes will suit the American Bulldog as long as you can offer lots of exercise and playtime. Still, families with kids are a good match for this protective and intelligent breed. A structured day with regular walks and chances to play with a variety of toys is the best environment for the American Bulldog. Staving off boredom is paramount, and, of course, no animal likes to be home alone for a long time. When considering the American Bulldog as a pet, bear in mind that training is the key to their success, especially when adding this breed to a home with kids or other dogs. Pup parents need to be aware of some of these issues so they can help their dog live the healthiest life possible. Joint Dysplasia: This joint abnormality is seen in the hips and elbows, and a dog with dysplasia may run, jump and climb less than usual. Most often, the issue is a rupture or partial tear. Cherry Eye: Did you know dogs have a third eyelid? Bone Cancer: Often found in the long bones arms, legs , the cause for this condition is unknown, though vets feel it may have a genetic or environmental component. Deafness: Deafness, which can occur in one or both ears, may be acquired via drug exposure or infection. But deafness could also be hereditary and is linked to dogs with light coats and eyes. Acquired deafness is usually permanent but may improve over time without intervention. A special diet may be the treatment or medications, depending on the cause. Spinal Issues: Degenerative myelopathy DM is often genetic in nature and affects the spinal cord, leading to weakness and hind limb paralysis. Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis: NCL is an inherited, progressive and rare neurological disorder that starts showing up between 1 and 2 years of age. The most obvious symptom is behavioral changes in the dog, and the pup will usually lose coordination and eyesight. It can be discovered through a DNA test, and at this time, there are no treatments. This proud pup carries an imported pedigree, having been brought over from across the pond as a descendant of the English Bulldog, which was originally bred for bull baiting. Thankfully, this horrific sport was outlawed in England in .Back in the 17th century, early settlers packed these working dogs with them for service on farms and ranches. The American Bulldog became a utility player, stepping in to accomplish many tasks, such as guarding livestock and catching cattle and feral pigs. In fact, were it not for their success as an excellent catch dog in the southern states, we might not know the breed today. John D. Johnson and Alan Scott were able to breed the last few native American Bulldogs in the southern US, resulting in two types the Scott type and the Johnson type that thrive today. These breeds differ in appearance; the Johnson American Bulldog sports a bigger, stronger build, a larger head and short muzzle, and the Scott American Bulldog has more lithe features, such as an athletic, small-boned frame and a longer muzzle. Are you looking to add an American Bulldog as a family member? Check out the AKC puppy finder to find a reputable breeder. You can also seek out local American Bulldog rescues to find a worthy, loving dog to call your own, or keep an eye out for the breed at your local shelter. FAQs Do American bulldogs shed? Yes, American Bulldogs shed, albeit lightly and seasonally. Are American Bulldogs Pitbulls? Are American Bulldogs aggressive? American Bulldogs may be aggressive toward other dogs, particularly unfamiliar ones of the same sex, in part because of their protective and somewhat dominant nature. But with consistent training and early socialization, this breed is considered a loving family dog that does well with kids and other pets. How long do American Bulldogs live? American Bulldogs can have a generous life span, often living between 10 and 12 years. Providing your dog with the proper diet and exercise can help your pup live a full life. What are the most popular American Bulldog names? Get more dog names here. What are the most common American Bulldog mixes? Families of all kinds admire this agile, athletic breed and count themselves lucky to own such a loving, loyal pet. Female Names. Dog domestic dog The American Bulldog is a large, muscular breed of mastiff-type that was used as stock dogs, catch dogs, and guardians on farms and ranches. John D. Johnson and Alan Scott are widely regarded as the forefathers of rescuing the breed from extinction. Small farmer and ranch owners used this all-around working dog for many tasks including farm guardians, stock dogs, and catch dogs. These dogs were not a bona fide breed by modern standards as was the case for most other dogs; kennel clubs and breed registries did not exist until , [6] at least two centuries after the Old English Bulldog first migrated to America. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Old English Bulldog had many different strains for cattle-droving, bull-baiting , farm dogs, and butcher's dogs. In America, no records remain, but rather landrace strains are acknowledged that initially depended on where a dog's master originated in England, the majority of which were bred to work as evidenced by accounts of the age in local newspapers and written inventories upon death. Later, breeding decisions were dependent on the best working farm dogs, despite breed or background. Later, in states such as Texas, several separate strains of the " bulldog "-type dogs were kept by ranchers as utilitarian working dogs. Other dogs in time became guard dogs on plantations. The bulldogs were the settlers' only means of sufficiently dealing with the vermin. Johnson scoured the backroads of the South looking for the best specimens to revive the breed. During this time, a young Alan Scott grew an interest in Johnson's dogs and began to work with him on the revitalization process. At another point, Johnson began crossing his original lines with an atavistic English Bulldog from the North that had maintained its genetic athletic vigor, creating the Bully type American Bulldog, also known as the Johnson type or the Classic type. All over the world, they are used variously as "hog dogs" catching escaped hogs or hunting feral pigs , as cattle drovers, and as working or sport K-9s. American Bulldogs also successfully compete in several dog sports such as dog obedience , Schutzhund , French Ring, Mondioring, Iron Dog competition, and weight pulling. The shoulders and chest tend to be the most muscular parts of the American Bulldog. Its coat is short and generally smooth, requiring little maintenance except a bath every few weeks. The breed is a light to moderate shedder. Colors, while historically predominantly white with patches of red, black, or brindle, have grown in recent years to include many color patterns, including black, red, brown, fawn, and all shades of brindle. Black pigmentation on the nose and eye rims is traditionally preferred, with only some pink allowed. Eye color is usually brown, but heterochromia also occurs, although this is also considered a cosmetic fault. American Bulldogs are known to drool more than other breeds of dogs. The Bully type is generally a larger, heavier dog with a shorter muzzle, but the muzzle should never be so short that it causes difficulty with breathing. Standard types are generally more athletic with longer muzzles and a more square head. Many modern American Bulldogs are a combination of the two types, usually termed "hybrid". In general, American Bulldogs weigh between 27 and 54 kg 60 to lb and are 52 to 70 cm 20 to 28 in at the withers , but have been known to greatly exceed these dimensions, especially in the "out of standard" nonworking stock. Temperament and characteristics[ edit ] This section contains instructions, advice, or how-to content. The purpose of Wikipedia is to present facts, not to train. Please help improve this article either by rewriting the how-to content or by moving it to Wikiversity , Wikibooks or Wikivoyage. August An American Bulldog at guard dog training American Bulldogs are typically confident, social, ebullient, and lively dogs that are at ease with their families. They are not as friendly, however, with people they do not know; their ancestors were farm dogs that guarded the home, the livestock, and the children when their master was away. That said, they do not have the affinity for water a retriever would: they swim if they have to do it, not because they particularly enjoy it. However, they also prize the breed having a soft, affectionate inner nature. Some health problems in American bulldogs are often found within certain genetic lines, and are not common to the entire breed, while others, such as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis NCL , [25] Ichthyosis , disorders of the kidney and thyroid, ACL tears, hip dysplasia , cherry eye , elbow dysplasia , entropion , ectropion , and bone cancer are more common to the general population of American Bulldogs. Some American Bulldogs are prone to allergies. Due to the ideal of beauty regarding the shape of the face the skull malformation brachycephaly was increased by breeding selection. American Bulldogs in popular culture[ edit ] This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. February .Your browser does not support the audio tag. Description The very muscular, sturdy and powerful, yet compact frame of the American Bulldog remains higher on the leg, more agile and swifter than its English counterpart. Some individuals are reportedly able to leap six or more feet into the air. Males are characteristically stockier and heavier boned than the more refined females. The head is large with strong jaws. Agile and light on his feet, the chest is wide and moderately deep, giving the sense of athletic ability and power. The neck is muscular, tapering from the shoulders to the head and may have a slight dewlap. The head is square, large and broad with muscular cheeks relatively in proportion to the size and overall structure of the dog. There is a defined furrow between the rounded eyes, with a distinct, sharply defined, deep stop. The strong muzzle is broad and square. The preferred bite is reverse scissors, but a moderate underbite, scissors or even bite are acceptable. A variety of ear types are acceptable including cropped, rose, half-pricked and forward flap. Uncropped ears are preferred in the American Bulldog Breeders Association standard. Eyes are most often brown, but can come in any color. They sometimes have split eyes, where one eye is brown and the other eye is blue. Black eye rims are preferred on white dogs. Pink eye rims are considered a fault according to the written standard. The nose is black, red, brown or grizzle; black is the preferred color according to the standard. In black-nosed dogs, the preferred lip color is black, though some pink is permitted. The lips should be full but not too loose. The front legs are heavy-boned, strong and straight. The hindquarters should be very broad and thick with well-defined muscles. The tail is low-set, begins thick at the base, and tapers to a point. The coat is smooth and short, and comes in all shades of brindle including red brindle, varying degrees of white, red, brown, tan, fawn and piebald. Temperament The American Bulldog is loyal, reliable, brave and determined. Not a hostile dog. Alert and self-confident, this breed genuinely loves children. It is known for its acts of heroism toward its master. It has strong protective instincts, and needs a firm, confident, consistent pack leader. Well-socialize and obedience train them at an early age, to prevent them from becoming reserved with strangers. Without that strong-minded pack leader who can tell the dog what is expected of it, it may be aggressive with other dogs. They need to be around people and know their place in their pack to be truly happy. This breed tends to drool and slobber. Without enough daily mental and physical exercise they will become high strung and may become hard to handle. Height, Weight Height: Males 22 - 28 inches 55 - 70 cm Females 20 - 26 inches 52 - 65 cm Weight: Males 70 - pounds 32 - 54 kg Females 60 - pounds 27 - 45 kg Health Problems Prone to hip dysplasia. Living Conditions The American Bulldog will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. Exercise The American Bulldog should be taken on a long daily walk. Life Expectancy. Vocality level 3 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament The American Bulldog is an agile, confident and loyal protector for his human family, as well as of personal property. He is a gentle, affectionate and loving companion, albeit fearless and ready to strike should any intruder cross his path. An energetic, active working dog, the American Bulldog exudes a dominant, powerful and athletic appearance, with strong muscles and substantial boning. He gets along well with young children, as well as dogs and other pets so long as he was raised with them from the start. The American Bulldog does not do well when left alone for prolonged periods of time. With proper socialization, training and regular exercise, the American Bulldog is a true companion and excellent watchdog. Upkeep Because of his working past, the American Bulldog is quite familiar with being outdoors, but like most dogs, he thrives on living indoors with his owner. As such, he should be frequently exercised with plenty of engaging activity to burn off energy and combat boredom, avoiding consequential destructive behavior. Otherwise, the American Bulldog is a relatively low-maintenance breed, requiring not much else than mopping up his regular drool and slobber and minimal grooming for his short, fine coat. Known for his strength, courage and ease around livestock, the breed began being used for bull baiting before it was outlawed in England. Consequently following the ban, the breed was replaced with the less athletic, shorter and stockier English Bulldog. Meanwhile, the original bulldog type was preserved by working class immigrants, who brought them on their journey to America to use as all-around working dogs on farms and ranches in the South. Johnson worked to revive the breed alongside Alan Scott and other breeders. Today, the modern American Bulldog as we know it remains a well-rounded working dog, courageous guard dog and faithful family companion. Related Content.

For the complete list please see our Listings of Boxer Breeders page. This price is not too high and it will depend on the age of the puppy that you choose. Typically older puppies will cost more than younger puppies. Always check with your local Boxer breeders to see what they are asking for their pups before agreeing on a purchase. The price does not include any necessary veterinary care such as vaccines and medical treatment if needed, so always remember to factor these expenses into your financial consideration when shopping around for boxers. The cost will vary depending on the breeder, the lineage of the animal, and location in Kentucky. Breeders could charge different prices based on what type of lines their dogs are coming from. If your dog is registered with the AKC American Kennel Club , this could increase its worth significantly when selling to another person or purchasing it. How to Find A Responsible Boxer Breeder in Kentucky Finding a responsible boxer breeder in Kentucky can be very rewarding, but it can also be difficult, time-consuming and stressful. There are many things to consider when looking for a reputable breeder. The first thing that you should do is research. Search online for reviews to see if the person or business has had any issues with previous customers or breeders. If they have, contact these people and ask them about their experience. The more positive reviews you find, the better the chances of finding a good breeder. Also, check out local message boards and Facebook groups — there might be something posted where other people in your area talk about their experiences with different breeders or share information about their favorite breeders to help give insight on who could be a good option for you. If the breeder has a website, look at their site to get a feel for what kind of person they are and how much information they share with their customers. Their website should have pages about their facilities, photos of the dogs and puppies, health guarantees offered on their pups, and more. Remember that it is important to find an ethical and responsible breeder who cares about the dogs and that will guarantee their health. Stay away from calling and asking about prices and availability on the phone. The breeder should want to meet with you and talk about their puppies before giving any kind of price quotes or discussing what is included with the cost of one of their pups. Visit your chosen boxer breeder in person at their location. Talk to the people who work there and ask questions about the dogs and even about themselves You can tell a lot just by talking to people and asking questions, so use this opportunity to learn as much as you can about the breeder. Visiting your potential breeder will also give you a chance to see their facilities and to meet the parents of any puppy that you may take home with you. Look around carefully and ask questions about the animals and what is required of future owners. The breeder should be knowledgeable about the breed, health-conscious, and willing to answer your questions. This includes emailing back and forth or even using video chat so that you can see where the puppies are kept and how other people who have bought from this breeder interacted with them. Price should not be your first priority when looking for boxer breeders in Kentucky. A responsible boxer breeder in Kentucky should be able to give you the names and phone numbers of people who have purchased puppies from them. The best breeders are usually focused on making sure that their pups go home with loving families, so they want to make sure that anyone who buys one of their dogs is responsible. When you do call these people up, ask about the process of buying their pup. If they had any issues or concerns with the breeder, this should be brought up during your conversation. If you follow these steps, you should have no problem finding the right person or place to buy your new puppy from. Meeting past customers will give you a chance to talk to people who have already bought their boxer from this breeder. Talk to them about the process of buying their puppy, and ask if they had any concerns or issues with the breeder in question. There are many Boxer breeders in Kentucky that care about their animals and will only sell their pups to ethical homes. Do your research before you visit anyone, make sure you visit the location of the puppies if possible or speak over video chat , and make sure that all references are checked before agreeing on a purchase or payment. You should ask your breeder the name of the veterinarian they use. You may call and ask for a reference from that vet if needed. A board-certified veterinary surgeon or specialist is a good choice for a dog with orthopedic problems. Hip dysplasia is common in dogs and often requires surgery. It may seem like an off-the-wall question at first because you are just looking for a Boxer Puppy but remember that this dog will be part of your family for many years to come so it is important that he is healthy. The cost of having your Boxer examined by a Veterinarian should not influence your decision on where to buy your puppy from. Although you are excited to welcome your new family member into your home, spending a few hours preparing will ensure that both you and your pup have a safe and comfortable environment in which to play. If you already have a crate at home that you use for traveling or other purposes, this would be an ideal time to introduce him to his new box. While in the cage, give him some toys and treats so he will get accustomed to spending time inside until he gets older. It will also give him a place to call his own and create a den-like environment inside the crate. Try acquiring different types of toys like fuzzy stuffed animals or rubber balls that he can easily pick up in his mouth. Of course, make sure not to leave any type of chew toy unsupervised because accidents can occur if they are eaten by mistake. Since puppies often like to sink their teeth into something during playtime. If the area where he will spend most of his time is accessible to him, such as a bedroom or living room, this would be an ideal place to begin. Remember, patience is a key element to successfully training your Boxer puppy. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Exercises Grooming From ancient Germany precisely around the 19th century had the now extinct mastiff breed Bullenbeisser and bulldogs brought in from England. At the time of their arrival, they served as hunting dogs for bears, deer, and other ferocious beasts, it would capture the prey with the help of its awesome teeth and detain it until the hunter arrives. And in the first boxer standard club was launched with a comprehensive document that is still in use today. Shortly after, the breed made its way into other European countries and got into the U. S in the late 19th century with the American Kennel Club taking registration of its first boxer around .During the first world war, boxers played the role of a military dog as a pack-carrier, a guard dog, and an attack dog, later they were taken home by the soldiers and got introduced into the domestic world as a show dog, best companion, and a reliable guard. One with so much life, energetic, curious, attentive, active, smart, sociable and incredible fun with children is the boxer, they are also known to be very patient and highly protective of their family members making them the love and desire of many homes. As active dogs, they need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally fit, apparently having a mind of its own, you will find your boxer entertain itself by digging the ground often, chewing, and licking the mouth to beat boredom. They are also very stubborn in character which makes them a terrible choice for first-timers with dogs, they are generally a bit difficult with adult dogs including dogs of a similar breed but friendly with puppies. They usually do not bark unless there is a genuine reason behind it but they love to growl. If you have occupied home with people around all the time or you want a canine buddy the whole time, then a boxer is just the perfect breed to get. Being a highly active dog, they dread loneliness and they can cope finely in both a house and an apartment as long as you provide it with enough room and spaces for exercises and activities. What you must have is a large yard if you are living in a house for it to dig the ground and run around as it likes. And more so, if you are given to being away from home most of the time, getting a boxer may not be the best for you and the dog, because they usually get aggressive when left alone. Boxers are known as loud snorers and they drool greatly too. Boxers are playful and very energetic dogs as such regular exercises are part of a good canine relationship, especially a breed of this sort. Your boxer should be allowed to play in a fenced area and on-leashed since it is likely to jump and leap around in excitement. This puts a boxer as a bad choice for a frail owner as they may find it a tad impossible and daunting keeping up with its excessive activity demands. Being a breed with a short and thin coat its grooming demands are quite easy and little, all it needs is a light brushing of the hair twice every week to maintain its good and gleeful looks. Bathing should be a once in a while since boxers are generally clean dogs and its nails, be trimmed once every month or as often as they grow worn on surfaces, its teeth should also be brushed daily to avoid tartar formation and other dental crises. Our Boxer 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. Frequently Asked Questions Are Boxers good family pets? Yes, boxers are particularly fond of their family members especially when goodly trained. Are Boxers trainable? Though the boxers can be a little headstrong, they are very intelligent and with a proper training environment, they respond well. Are Boxers friendly with kids? They are very fond of children and they love playing games with them. Are Boxers friendly with other animals? Boxers are naturally patient with puppies, pooches and small animals but a bit unaccommodating of adult dogs and other animals. Are Boxers good apartment dogs? They can live anywhere you make as a home all you need is to provide it with enough space for exercise. How is Boxers shedding? Given the shortness of their coat, they shed minimally and occasionally, you can also regulate the shedding by frequent brushing of their coat. Are Boxers good for first-time owners? Not quite, as their exercise needs are way too high for their inexperienced hands. Are Boxers loud barkers? But growling is a thing they do most. Are Boxers tolerable to heat and cold? All they need is moderate exposure to heat and cold because of their thin fur body. How long can Boxers live? The average life-span of boxers is 10 years Are you interested in purchasing a Boxer? 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Do you worry that they drink too much water or not enough? If you feel this may be an emergency while reading this article, please contact your veterinarian immediately. In any case, if you are looking for some advice on general matters, then we have a few great guidelines for you. Each pound of body weight should be equal to one ounce of water for adults. For an adult female Frenchie, the weight range is pounds, and for an adult male, it is pounds. Three cups of water would be the average daily intake. In most cases, measuring out the exact water amounts your pet drinks is not necessary unless directed by a veterinarian. You should provide your Frenchie with plenty of fresh, clean water throughout the day in easy access for them. The following are some common reasons why your French Bulldogs may be drinking less water than they normally do. Your French Bulldog May Be Sick or in Pain If your Frenchie is suffering from another underlying condition, such as arthritis, or is suffering from mobility problems, they may not drink enough water. Make sure you talk to your veterinarian about how you can help your dog drink more water. Your dog might drink less when eating only dry kibble every day. Due to the importance of water to many body functions, your dog can quickly dehydrate and become ill without an adequate supply of it. When the kidneys, liver, and other organs are deprived of enough water, they eventually shut down. Suppose the condition persists for a long enough period. In that case, the kidneys, liver, and other organs will also begin to shut down. This will lead to death shortly after that. Your dog will typically drink enough water to stay hydrated on its own, but there can sometimes be instances when the dog becomes dehydrated. Metabolic disorders Cancer how much water to give a french bulldog puppy Little French Dog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Here are the steps you should take to determine whether your Frenchie is dehydrated : Between the shoulder blades, gently pinch the skin. Gently pull up the skin and release it. Observe how the skin falls back into place. Dehydration may result in the skin slowly returning or even staying up for a while before falling back to its normal position. Other symptoms of dogs who are dehydrated include: Mouth and nose are dry Dry, sticky, or pale gums Eyeballs that are sunken and dry how much to feed french bulldog puppy How to treat dehydration in French bulldogs? Due to their tendency to hyperthermia, the French Bulldogs should drink plenty of water in hot weather. Therefore, keep a bottle of fresh water handy whenever you are spending a long time outdoors with your dog. The best option for hot weather is a water bottle with a collapsible bowl. Pet owners can carry them in their backpacks or attach them to their leashes. This means they can always provide fresh water to their pets. You can help hydrate your pet if they appear dehydrated by providing more fresh cool water to break the cycle of dehydration further. Your French Bulldog will not be able to hydrate themselves from their regular meals, which will exacerbate the problem even more. Pedialyte or other electrolyte-enhanced fluid can be given to your Frenchie if they are not vomiting. Check with the veterinarian to find out the dosage recommendation for your French Bulldog. Be sure to tell your veterinarian if your French Bulldog seems to be drinking or urinating a lot more than usual. Your veterinarian can determine the appropriate course of action based on a thorough physical examination and blood or urine tests. Although avoiding dehydration is important, too much fluid can also cause problems. A variety of conditions can lead to water intoxication, including poisoning, hyperhydration, and toxicity. A condition called hyponatremia occurs first when sodium levels outside cells become low. An excessive amount of water causes the body to shut down. A low blood sodium level causes the body to increase fluid intake inside the cells to rebalance itself. The brain enclosed in the bone cannot accommodate the swelling cells in other organs, such as the liver. Symptoms of Water Intoxication in Dogs Lethargy. To get your Frenchie hydrated, you can do several things. However, you should first check its water bowl and look for signs of dirt, bacteria or any other kind of schmaltz. If you notice anything untoward, give it a good cleaning and rinse it well. Then, you can attempt any one of the suggestions below: Add a Couple Drops of Coconut Water: Before you fill up the water bowl, put a few drops of coconut water on the bottom and pour the water over it. Consider a Drinking Fountain: If you have a picky pooch, perhaps moving water will fix their lack of desire to drink it. DIY Doggie Recipes: There are a host of foods you can make special for your dog that will help keep it hydrated. Things like chicken broth, raw fruit, smoothies, yogurt ice pops and honey are excellent. In the event your precious French Bulldog constantly drinks water, regardless of activity or season, then you should pay attention to your dog for other clues. The following list is some potential problems your dear little dog is experiencing which are resulting in excess water consumption. Regardless, you should make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. Diabetes: If the dog has increased urination, lethargy, frequent urinary tract infections, weight loss, poor eyesight, changes in appetite and a sweet smell to their breath that accompanies excessive water consumption. This may accompany increased appetite, difficulty breathing, heavy panting, bloating, hair loss and lethargy along with weakness and bruising. Fever ; Infection: When the dog has a dry nose that feels hot along with warm ears, red eyes, lethargy, shivering, lack of appetite, vomiting or coughing. Diarrhea: Along with loose stool, the dog may have other symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, drop in weight, vomiting and abdominal pain. Cancer: Lumps under the skin, swelling and abnormal body odors are the most common symptoms. However, there may be a thick colored discharge and wounds may not heal quickly. Plus, the dog could experience problems breathing, general pain and lethargy. General Water Infection: Urinary tract infections and cystitis will result in pain when your Frenchie urinates. This will accompany other things such as the presence of blood, a strange odor or cloudiness. Lethargy and loss of appetite are the two most important ones. Remember, whenever in doubt, contact your vet right away. No comments Is your French Bulldog drinking a lot of water? However, drinking a lot could be a symptom of an underlying health issue. The following are a few reasons your Frenchie might be drinking more than their recommended amount of daily water. The simplest reason any dog might be drinking more water than usual is thirst. Dogs, like humans, get thirsty sometimes, especially after strenuous, physical exercise or play. It is completely normal for your French Bulldog to drink a lot of water during hot weather or after a long walk, however, excessive thirst could also be a sign of disease. Many of the illnesses associated with drinking a lot of water are best caught in their early stages, so it is important to take your dog to a vet if you are concerned about their thirsty tendencies. Drinking more than they typically do could be a sign of kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypercalcemia or high calcium in the blood, and pyometra, which is a fairly common uterine infection that presents itself in unspayed female dogs. Go and get a second opinion from a veterinarian. Time is of the essence when treating and possibly curing these types of diseases. If you suspect something is wrong with your Frenchie check with a vet. Doggie diseases usually show more than a single symptom. So, if your dog is drinking excessively, be sure to keep an eye out for other symptoms of illness linked to this behavior. For example, if your French Bulldog is also vomiting , exhibiting lethargy, has bad breath with a slight chemicalized smell, has lost weight, has ulcers, is dehydrated or has a poor appetite — then it is probably time to visit a vet. In order to manage their excessive drinking, you could limit the amount of water you leave in their bowl. Or they may suggest a change in diet. Holding it in could result in household accidents as well as pain, kidney problems, and urinary tract infections. Wrapping up It is important to spend time with your Frenchie, understand their habits, and be ready to spot any unusual changes in behavior. There are many causes for this type of behavior, ranging from simple thirst to serious illness. The reason this is happening could be completely innocent. If your instinct tells you something is off and the symptoms are obvious, get to the vet as soon as possible. Pin3 3 Shares All dogs and puppies should have unrestricted access to clean water at all times. Too little can cause health issues but a Frenchie that drinks a lot of water could also be a sign of illness. With that said, how much water should your Frenchie be drinking each day and what is the best guidance for water consumption? How much water should you give a French Bulldog? Adult Frenchies should drink one ounce of water for every pound of body weight. The average weight for an adult Frenchie is pounds for a female, and pounds for a male. This averages out to about three cups of water a day. But what about puppies? How much water should you give a French Bulldog puppy? Frenchie puppies will drink more than adult dogs and can drink half a cup of water every couple of hours. It is normal for Frenchie puppies to drink a lot of water. How much water you should give your French Bulldog puppy is said to be half a cup of water every 2 hours. How much water is too much? On the other hand, if you notice that your Frenchie is draining bowl after bowl, it could be a symptom of something more serious. P Schoeman in .Signs of dehydration In most breeds, a dry and cracked nose is one of the clearest signs of dehydration. With the exception of dogs who naturally have pigmented gums, healthy gums should always be a soft pink color. Anything other than this is usually a sign of a more serious health conditions. Try pressing the gums with a finger. The skin should turn white for a moment, but then quickly return to the healthy pink. Dehydrated Frenchies will increase their water consumption and intake in hotter weather. Other indicators of dehydration include: Thick saliva. Increased panting or difficulty with breathing. Dry eyes that can appear sunken. Lack of energy. One of the most common causes for dehydration in Frenchies is over-exertion. However, if you notice that your Frenchie is really struggling to breathe and has no energy at all, it is vital that you get them booked in to see a vet as soon as possible. What to do if your pup is dehydrated If you notice that your Frenchie is displaying signs of dehydration, the first course of action would be to check their drinking bowl. If you notice any dirt or bacteria gathering around the edges, give it a thorough clean with soap and water. Fill it up with fresh, cool water, and try offering it to your Frenchie again. Try some of the following solutions to get them drinking again.Add water to their food Canned food already has quite a bit of water in it when compared to dry food, which makes it a great option for dogs who need more liquid in their diet. If you want, you can also soak their kibble in water as another option. Drinking fountain Although some dogs are more than happy to drink still water, the pickier among them may be put off by the taste and smell that tends to develop in stagnant water over time. One way to deal with this is by buying your Frenchie a doggy drinking fountain. Aside from providing constant running water, some fountains also come with filters that will reduce the smell and taste that might be putting your Frenchie off drinking from their bowl usually. Chicken broth and smoothies If your pup is proving to be especially stubborn, it might be time to bribe them. Another fun option would be to make your Frenchie a dog friendly smoothie. There are plenty of tasty recipes that you can find for your dog online, and as long as you stick to safe fruits and veg, the variations are endless. Fruits such as apples, oranges, and bananas, are all excellent options, while veg such as carrots, chard, spinach, and cucumber will all give your pup plenty of nutrition while also helping to keep them hydrated. Some dogs love licking them and may prefer this to drinking regular water. If your Frenchie enjoys this, you may also want to try making doggy ice pops. Simply dilute some chicken broth, or a dog-friendly smoothie, and add the mixture to a silicone ice tray. Freeze it overnight and see what your Frenchie thinks. If this is something your Frenchie enjoys, it might be worth experimenting with some of the many recipes available online. If your Frenchie is drinking a lot of water it could also be the sign of something more serious. Either way, your veterinarian will need to examine them to determine the best course of action. Here are some of the illnesses that are most likely to cause excessive drinking in your dog: 1. Fever and infection Signs of a fever or infection include a dry nose that feels hot to the touch; warm ears; red eyes ; shivering; lack of energy; loss of appetite; coughing; and vomiting. Diarrhea Loose stools are the main indicator of diarrhea in dogs, but other symptoms may include a loss of energy; lack of appetite; weight loss; abdominal pain; and vomiting. Diabetes Excessive thirst can be one of the first indicators that your dog may have this illness. Other symptoms include increased urination; weight loss; lack of energy, urinary tract infections; loss of eyesight; sudden changes in appetite; and sweet-smelling breath. Read this guide to bad breath and what signs to look for. Liver Disease Aside from increased thirst, other symptoms of this illness includes increased urination; loss of appetite; weight loss; vomiting; diarrhea; an unsteady walk; confusion or dizziness; general weakness; blood in the urine or feces; bloating; seizures; and a yellowing of the eyes, tongue, or gums. Kidney Disease Symptoms for this illness include a loss of appetite; increased thirst; increased urination; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of energy; constipation; weight loss; seizures; blood in the urine or feces; and blindness. They may also exhibit an increased appetite; struggling to breathe; increased panting; a swollen stomach; hair loss; lack of energy; general weakness; bruising; and dry, scaly patches of skin. Cancer Some of the symptoms for cancer include lumps under the skin; abnormal body odors; thick, colored discharge; swelling; wounds not healing; weight loss; sudden change in appetite; difficulty breathing; lack of energy; change in bathroom habits; and general signs of pain. If you notice that your dog is displaying an excessive thirst, along with any of the symptoms listed above, we strongly advise you to book your dog in to see a veterinarian as quickly as possible. French Bulldog water infections Another problem associated with drinking can be water infections. According to Dr. Kraemer of Vet4Bulldog , cystitis and urinary tract infections will lead to pain when your dog urinates. Bulldogs suffering from this infection will often be in various degree of pain and discomfort, often while urinating. Your French or English bulldog puppy may present with abnormal urine, such as urine containing blood, known as hematuria, or urine that may either have a strange odor or cloudy appearance. Whilst you should always ensure your French Bulldog has plentiful water on tap, the rules change a little bit when house-training a puppy. I recommend that you take their water bowl away during night-time hours. Try to remove the water bowl a couple of hours before sleep as this means you can take them outside to do their business, reducing the chances of night-time accidents. Handy Hint: You can read a guide to French Bulldog potty training which contains more advice on how to house-train your puppy. Conclusion One of the most crucial parts of making sure your Frenchie stays happy and healthy is ensuring they maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. Dogs of all sizes need unlimited access to clean, fresh water. How much water a French Bulldog should drink a day will then depend on their age and weight, with puppies typically thirstier than their adult counterparts.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldador Overview The idea was to create a working dog with the sensitivity of the Golden Retriever and the tolerance of the Labrador Retriever. It worked. Cross them, and the result is the unequivocally genial Goldador. Thanks to their easygoing nature and keen intelligence, Goldadors have proven outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and bomb detection dogs. But like their parent breeds, Goldadors are happiest simply working alongside a person they love. Goldadors are active and require at least half an hour of daily exercise — most enjoy retrieving games as well as hiking and swimming. Training the eager-to-please Goldador is relatively easy — they come from a long line of dogs who work closely and willingly with people. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time owners, provided they get the exercise, structure, and positive reinforcement they crave. Goldadors are also a good option for families with children though they can be a bit rambunctious for toddlers , as they want nothing more than to be part of family activities. The ideal residence for a Goldador is a home with a fenced yard, but with regular exercise and companionship they can live and thrive in apartments and condos. Whatever his home, a Goldador should live indoors with his people. Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages. The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions. Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise. Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. Goldador History The Goldador was first developed more than a decade ago: the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever were crossed with the hopes of creating a sensitive, tolerant working dog. The effort proved successful. At this time, there are no breed clubs or any efforts to create a breed standard for the Goldador. Goldador Size The Goldador is one of the few designer breeds with a fairly predictable size, as both parent breeds are large and similar in size and shape. The Goldador is usually 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 80 pounds. Goldador Personality The Goldador is affectionate and loyal, alert enough to make an excellent watchdog, but too friendly to be an effective guard dog. His intelligence and desire to please render him highly trainable, and he responds best to positive reinforcement techniques. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldador puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Goldador Health Goldadors are prone to certain health conditions. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication and weight loss to control the pain. Cataracts are an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye s of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are regulated in part by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Glucose sugar is needed by the cells of the body to burn for energy; insulin is the key that lets the glucose into the cell. Without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell, so the cells are hungry even though there are high levels of glucose circulating in the blood. A diabetic dog will eat more food to try to compensate, but he will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and daily insulin injections. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that the eyes are normal. Goldador Care The ideal home for a Goldador is a house with a fenced yard where he can play safely; however, he can do well in an apartment or condo if he gets daily walks or runs. Interested in dog sports? Goldadors make formidable competitors in agility and flyball. Mental stimulation is crucial as well. Teach your Goldador to fetch the paper or your slippers, practice obedience training regularly with him, and put his mind to work from time to time with an interactive dog toy. As with all dogs, positive reinforcement techniques praise, play, and food rewards work best with the Goldador. Goldador Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Goldador, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldador Coat Color And Grooming A Goldador should have the same double coat as a Labrador Retriever, with a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat some have a slight wave down the back. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove dead hair, helping to keep it off your clothes and furniture. During seasonal shedding periods, however, daily brushing is recommended. Bathe your Goldador as needed, and be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse any time he goes swimming. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections, so check and clean the ears weekly. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Goldador Children And Other Pets Goldadors are an ideal family companion and are generally gentle and loving toward children of all ages. As puppies, they can be a bit rambunctious and may knock over smaller children unintentionally, so close supervision is important. Social and easy-going, Goldadors do well with other dogs and pets, especially when raised together. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldador Rescue Groups There are no official rescue groups for the Goldador, but this cross is frequently available at private and municipal animal shelters. More Info For You. Golden retrievers and Labradors were crossed together to develop a working dog that was highly trainable, tolerant, and sensitive, all ideal qualities for service work. Golden Retriever Golden retrievers have their origins in 19th-century Scotland. The breed was developed by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, a Scottish businessman and liberal politician, who bred water Spaniels with other working breeds to create a dog that was loyal, highly trainable, and excellent at retrieving. Goldadors often inherit the affectionate nature and athletic build of the golden retriever. Labrador Retriever Labrador retrievers were first bred in Newfoundland, Canada, in the 19th century, and were used to retrieve waterfowl and fishing nets from the water. They were later imported to England, where the dogs were further selectively-bred to exhibit the traits known and loved today. Labradors were recognized as a breed by the AKC in .Lifespan Golden retriever lab mixes have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, as long as their needs are met. Plenty of exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular vet checkups help these dogs live long, healthy lives. Golden Retriever Lab Mix Appearance Goldadors are large dogs with muscular builds, affectionate eyes, and broad muzzles. Their coat appearance varies, depending on which genes they inherit from their parents. Height and Weight Golden retriever lab mixes are considered large dogs, with a height at the withers of .Males are larger and broader than females. At eight weeks old, goldador puppies weigh around 10 pounds. These dogs reach their full height within 12 months, though their weight can vary throughout their lives depending on diet, activity, metabolism, and other health factors. Colors Golden retriever lab mixes are typically shades of gold, yellow, black, or chocolate. Some goldadors have white markings on their chests. Coat Goldadors have thick, double coats with dense hairs. Labrador coat: Short, straight outer coat with a soft water-resistant undercoat Golden retriever coat: Water-repellent outer coat made up of straight or wavy hairs. Heavy feathering on the chest, tail, and legs Golden retriever lab mixes shed moderately throughout the year, but have heavy shedding periods during the fall and spring when they blow their coats. Goldador Personality and Temperament Golden retriever lab mixes are loyal, playful, affectionate, sociable, and get along well with children and other pets. These dogs are intelligent and love nothing more than pleasing their owners, which makes them easy to train. Goldadors are energetic dogs that are best suited to owners that lead active lifestyles and have time to play with the dogs throughout the day. Early training and socialization can help prevent excessive barking. While trainable and rarely aggressive, these dogs are energetic, have high-maintenance coats, and need lots of attention. The mixed-breed also requires plenty of mental stimulation throughout the day to prevent them from boredom and destructive behaviors. Food Needs Golden retriever lab mixes require 2 to 3. The food must be formulated for large dogs and be packed with nutrients. The exact amount to feed a goldador depends on its activity level, metabolism, age, and size. Goldador puppies grow rapidly and reach their full adult size within 18 months. Golden retriever lab mixes have voracious appetites and put on weight quickly if overfed. Obesity can lead to several health issues including heart disease, joint problems, and diabetes. Grooming Needs Golden retriever lab mixes are heavy shedders and need daily brushing to keep their fur free of tangles, debris, and excess hair. Brush in the direction the fur grows, and use a slicker brush to tackle feathered areas. Goldadors need bathing once every month or whenever they get dirty. Exercise Needs Goldadors are energetic dogs that require one to two hours of exercise per day to stay physically fit. Ideal activities include walking, hiking, running, swimming, agility, and interactive games. Golden retriever lab mixes do best in houses with backyards, where they can easily play and stretch out their legs. Mental Needs Goldadors are intelligent dogs that need at least an hour of mental stimulation per day, in the form of learning new tricks, agility, water games, and playing with toys. Golden retriever lab mixes particularly love to fetch. Symptoms include severe pain, excessive drooling, rapid heartbeat, retching, and lethargy. Dogs suffering from bloat should be taken to a veterinarian immediately for treatment Hemangiosarcoma: A tumor arising from the cells that line blood vessels. The symptoms vary based on the location of the main tumor but include lumps, an irregular heartbeat, weakness, lethargy, and pale gums. Treatment involves palliative care, chemotherapy, and surgery Bone cancer: A malignant tumor in the bone cells, called osteosarcoma. The symptoms include a visible mass, loss of appetite, panting, elevated heart rate, lethargy, pain while exercising, and limping. Bone cancer is treated and managed with chemotherapy and surgery Lymphoma: Cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, lethargy, breathing difficulties, and increased thirst. Symptoms include pain, reduced activity, lameness, and limping. Hip and elbow dysplasia can both be managed with physiotherapy, medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes Ichthyosis : A rare skin condition that causes scaling and thickening of the outer skin layer. Treatment involves frequent grooming and washing, moisturizing, and topical medications Ear infections: When harmful bacteria or yeast builds up in the ear canal, causing pain, inflammation, and irritation. Hypothyroidism is treatable with thyroid hormone replacement therapy Goldadors are also prone to a range of eye problems, including: Retinal dysplasia: An abnormal formation of the retina that causes vision issues. There is no known treatment for this condition Progressive retinal atrophy PRA : A disease that causes the retina to gradually deteriorate, eventually leading to permanent blindness. No treatment is available for PRA Cataracts : A cloudy patch on the lens of the eye, causing vision problems. Cataracts can be removed with surgery, though most dogs cope well with the vision loss Golden Retriever Lab Mix Training Golden retriever lab mixes are easy to train because of their intelligence, strong focus, and eagerness to please. These dogs love learning new tricks and can pick up complex tasks, which makes them well-suited for service work. Training can start as early as eight weeks and should begin with name training, crate training, housebreaking, and basic obedience. Puppies should also be socialized throughout their lives, especially between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks, to help them become outgoing, even-tempered adult dogs. Goldadors respond best to positive reinforcement, with rewards such as high-value treats and toys. Always acknowledge and praise desirable behaviors. Golden retriever lab mixes are mouthy, so they need plenty of bite inhibition training. Whenever the puppy bites you, make a yelping noise and turn away from them. You can also redirect their mouthiness by giving the dogs durable toys to chew. Goldador Price Goldadors are popular mixed breed dogs and are moderately expensive to buy. The price depends on whether you adopt these dogs from rescue shelters or buy them from breeders. First-year expenses are higher than subsequent years because of initial vet fees, vaccinations, training, bedding, and walking supplies. You should also budget for dog walkers, dog sitters, and training classes if you and your dog will benefit from these services. Golden retriever lab mixes are gentle, playful, and sociable dogs that make wonderful family companions. Golden Retriever Lab Mixes Are Suitable for: The best owners for goldadors are people that are prepared to walk, play with, groom, and train a dog daily. Goldadors are large, energetic dogs that do best in spacious households with backyards. Goldadors are heavy shedders, so people who suffer from allergies, or like to keep their house spotless, should also avoid having a pet of this mixed breed. About Thomas Woods Articles Thomas has been a dog lover since he was 6 years old when his parents got him a rescue Labrador. He now keeps a six year old English Bullmastiff and educates pet parents through his online publication Perfect Dog Breeds. Be the first to comment Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Breed Title Goldador Puppies Temperament Goldadors are an amazing combination of the intelligence and trainability of the Labrador and the friendly, gentle personality of the Golden Retriever. With their outgoing, friendly character and sweet disposition, Goldadors make excellent family pets around children and other animals as they have a great aptitude for understanding people. In terms of temperament, these beloved pups are highly sociable but not overly boisterous or hyper; they enjoy playing fetch but rest just as happily on your lap or at your feet while you work. Golden Labrador Retriever Puppy Health Considerations Though generally very happy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around years — our Goldadors for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Golden Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Finding a Golden Labrador puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can also dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. Depending on the climate they live in, Goldadors may need regular baths — however omitting shampoo once or twice a year will ensure their coat retains its natural oils. Finally it is recommended to check the ears regularly and trim nails as needed. Adopted Golden Labrador Retriever Puppies. Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor Grapes or raisins Golden Retriever Crossed with Labrador Exercise Requirements The Lab Golden Retriever Mix has an active temperament so they might get destructive if they get bored. It is recommended to exercise them at least 2 hours daily. Getting them to do physical activities every day will help keep him happy and healthy. Here are some outdoor activities that you can try with your Golden Retriever Lab Mix: Hiking: It is a great way to turn your daily walk more challenging and exciting for your dog. Swimming: Utilize your private pool and do a swimming exercise with your dog companion. Swimming does not only serve as an exercise activity to yourself and to your companion dog, but it is also a great bonding experience. It also provides relief from the heat during the summer months. Make sure you supervise your dog all the time while doing this activity. Dock Diving: This is a fun sports activity to enjoy with your dog. All you have to do is throw a floating toy and encourage your dog to jump and swim out to retrieve it. If you and your Golden Retriever Lab Mix want to upgrade the challenge, you can try joining a Dock Diving Club and compete with other dogs. Play Fetch: This is a classic outdoor game that is great to do in summer. Challenge your dog by putting a twist to the activity, you can either use a Frisbee or a tennis racquet to make the object travel farther for your Golden Labrador to retrieve and return back to you. However, you should not be working them too much because when it comes to recovering objects, both parent breeds of Golden Retriever Lab Mix can be overly enthusiastic. However, even though they are intelligent dogs and has a friendly nature, you still need to put time and effort to train them better. Both parent breeds were bred to carry things. The best way to teach your Goldador not to bark is to socialize them frequently with strangers. Use Positive Reinforcement The Labrador crossed with Golden Retriever is a sensitive type of dog, so training them using positive reinforcement will be very helpful. Make sure to avoid negative punishment-based training since this hybrid dog may end up fearing you rather than respecting you as their leader. Make it a regular routine to reward your puppy whenever they do something right. Training your Goldador consistently in a positive method will give you pet companions that are obedient and good-natured. Do Mental Exercise The Golden Retriever mixed with Lab is an intelligent dog, and they need stimulating mental activities to avoid developing any aggressive behaviors, such as nuisance barking and chewing. Without proper mental exercise, Goldador puppies will grow into a passive, timid and uninspired dog. Labrador Golden Retriever Mix and Families Despite its large size, the Labrador mixed with Golden Retriever is a great family dog because of its easy-going personality. It is extremely friendly and affectionate. The Goldador is the type of dog that goes well in a loving and active family — one that considers him as a family member. The Golden Labradors cherish the company with children. They are naturally gentle, but they can play tirelessly as long as your kids can keep up. However, due to their sheer size, supervision is still needed around toddlers and infants. The Goldadors makes an excellent therapy and companion dog. Because of their affectionate nature, they generally do well when given lots of attention and affection. These hybrid dogs love to be with people, and hence it is tough for them to cope with solitude. So give love lots of love and affection to your Goldador Lab Retriever Mix and expect that it will shower you back with love. Labrador Retriever Mix, or a Goldador Dog. The Goldador dog is a playful and good-natured, large dog. When you cross a purebred Labrador Retriever with a purebred Golden Retriever , even though both parents are recognized purebred dog breeds, the result — the Goldador — is a hybrid dog; recently known as a designer dog. Designer breeds come in a variety of coat colors and types, depending on the genes and appearance of the parent breeds. This cross-breed dog has parents with hunting and retrieving skills. They are often used as therapy dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and other types of service dogs, even bomb detection: but not as a guard dog or watchdog! This hybrid dog breed has the classic appearance of the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever dogs; inheriting their friendly, smiley face and their big brown eyes. The Labrador Golden Retriever mix is soft, loving, and intelligent. This is a large, bouncy, and easy-going dog that loves to be active. It will want to be wherever you are; in your bed, on your sofa or in the bathroom with you! A Goldador puppy is simply adorable. But remember, nowhere is private with a Goldador around! Fact: When two different dog breeds are intentionally mixed it called a designer dog; any hybrid dog will inherit its characteristics and health problems from both parent breeds but the result will not be seen until the puppy is born and observed as it grows up. A Goldador is friendly and will always want to be close to you. In , Lord Tweedmouth, a British Aristocrat, wanted a loyal and hard-working gundog to retrieve waterfowl while hunting on his estate in Scotland. So he crossed a wavy-coated yellow retriever sire with a Tweed Water Spaniel dam and produced 3 Golden-colored Retriever puppies. Fact: the Tweed Water Spaniel is now an extinct dog breed. Lord Tweedmouth mixed this new breed Retriever with an Irish Setter dog to breed the recognized Golden Retriever dog breed. In , the Golden Retriever dog breed was registered by the UK Kennel Club, and they quickly became popular as family pets and show dogs. Parent 2: A brief history of the Labrador Retriever parent — a purebred dog The Labrador Retriever is the best-loved and most popular dog breed in the world! It has a solid- color double coat in one of 3 colors; pure black, chocolate brown, or yellow. Whatever the coat color this is just a good looking dog breed for any level of dog owner or family member. The Labrador Retriever dog is from Newfoundland, Canada, and was used by fishermen to retrieve fish from nets and catch those that escaped back into the sea. They are good swimmers and have a gentle mouth grip that will not further destroy any prey they are ordered to retrieve. The Newfoundland and Labrador Province, in Canada, provided this hunting and retrieving dog with its name — the Labrador Retriever or Lab to its friends! The Newfoundland Labrador Retriever dog breed came to Great Britain around , to be used as gun dogs for retrieving waterfowl from land and water, during the shooting season, in Scotland and England. Ongoing breeding is believed to have continued the pure Newfoundland lab bloodline in our Labrador Retriever breed today. Meet the offspring: The hybrid offspring of these two purebred dogs is the Golden Retriever Lab mix — the Goldador puppy. This mixed breed puppy will be happy, affectionate, and will easily become a family member for sure. Fact: Designer dogs are increasing in popularity and so is the trend to give them a cute combo name that reflects a bit of both parent names. The Goldador puppy will inherit characteristics from both parents. What are the main characteristics of a Golden Retriever Lab Mix? Like any other crossbreed, a Labrador Golden Retriever Labrador mix can inherit the characteristics of either parent or both. Crossbreed dogs, like The Goldador, are no more likely to inherit health issues than purebred dogs; in fact, it is believed they may actually be stronger. Any mixed puppy can inherit all, some, or none of the health issues its parent breeds have. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other. The characteristics of The Goldador are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment, and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. The Goldador — possible coat colors Both Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever parents have a thick, double coat: a water-resistant topcoat and a warm undercoat. Therefore the Goldador will inherit the same double coat but is likely to be short-haired like the Labrador. With its impressive and popular parent breed mix it will be loyal with a loving temperament and good around children and other dogs. It will be caring and become and active companion, that just wants to be by your side all the time. Reputation: This large Golden Labrador mix breed dog comes from two of the best-loved and most popular dog breeds. This is why they can make such good service and guide dogs, therapy dogs or even search and rescue dogs. They will still need to be trained and socialized early to teach them how to use that energy positively and learn how to behave in public. They are people-friendly and need exercise. They would not make a good guard dog, or watchdogs as they are approachable with strangers and make friends easily. So watch your slippers! Trainability: The trainability of this intelligent Golden Labrador mixed breed should be easy. The Goldador needs to be trained and socialized early as it will inherit a herding instinct and be highly active. They may attempt to take over and herd small children and smaller pets so they need to be controlled. Positive reinforcement and small treats will work well but not harsh discipline, or any form of negative punishment or physical restraint. Power and intelligence: This mixed breed dog is very intelligent, strong, and active with a herding and working drive. It will enjoy and need working challenges incorporating mental and physical stimulation, but it will be curious and want to investigate the other side of the fence. Socialization: Early socialization and discipline are strongly recommended for any crossbred dog especially those with herding and service dog parents. The Labrador Golden Retriever Mix wants to be active and occupied; if bored it may become destructive and bark. When trained and socialized this mixed breed dog will be approachable and friendly around all types of people, children, and other animals. Purpose: Any herding or working dog will want to be useful and please its owner. It will need to be trained and socialized early as it will help with control its excitement in public and develop obedience norms. It will form an early bond and lasting companionship with its owner. Either parent will still give it an athletic, well-balanced build and a strong working ethic. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them. A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more. This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets. They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends. The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic. Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of. These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward. This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to. Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Golden Labrador generally lives years. Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever. Featured Golden Labrador Article. The double coat has a soft undercoat below a rough top coat that is water resistant. Either way, their coat will be fairly high maintenance. Shedding and Grooming Your new friend is going to shed, sometimes a lot. Both parent breeds heavily shed their coats with the change of seasons twice a year. For the rest of the year, expect a moderate level of shedding. Increased brushing during transitional times can help catch the loose hairs and stop them from spreading everywhere. Golden Retriever Labrador mixes will need weekly brushing, likely more during shedding season. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well. Are They Hypoallergenic? The Goldador dog will not be hypoallergenic. They are high shedders, spreading dander from skin and saliva liberally around your home! With designer breeds like the Golden Retriever Lab, you can only make an educated guess about their temperament based on the general demeanor of their parents as well as the temperament of the parent breeds as a whole. If they are left alone a lot, they may become very destructive to your home. They will chew out of boredom or anxiety. As many Lab lovers know, these dogs do not know a stranger. Generally, the Goldador will get on well with children and other pets. Socialization Socialization from an early age is important for any breed, including the Golden Retriever Lab. Even though it hails from overly friendly and sociable breeds, there are still no guarantees to the temperament of your dog. Since training and socialization are both best started early on, puppy training classes can be a great way to both train and socialize your puppy at the same time. Training Tips The Goldador has an easygoing and eager to please temperament that helps make them highly trainable. Owners should start training early, from the time their puppy comes home. The parent breeds have a long history as service dogs, bomb detection dogs, hunting dogs, and now therapy dogs. Obedience classes will help create a well-mannered dog but also strengthens the bond between the dog and owner. Since Goldadors grow to be large dogs, obedience is also important to prevent them from jumping up at your guests! Energy Levels Golden Retriever Labrador puppies will grow into high-energy adults with a love for playing and a passion for retrieving! A Labrador Golden Retriever Mix makes a great companion for jogging, hiking, or cycling. This is a breed that also loves to swim. Canine sports, like agility, obedience trials, and tracking, are also a great way to keep your dog physically active, mentally stimulated, and out of trouble. As a very social breed, they do best as indoor dogs, but with a large, fenced in yard to run around. In addition to self-exercise, they need walks or other forms of daily activity with their owners. Exercise is especially important for the health of your Goldador since both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. Weight management is one way of combating these joint problems. Health and Care All pedigree dog breeds are inbred to some extent. The measure of this is called the coefficient of inbreeding COI. The higher the COI, the greater the risks of health issues arising specifically from inbreeding. In a crossbreed such as the Goldador, the COI is usually much lower than it is in a purebred dog, and this is a good thing. To begin to look at the health and care of a Goldador we first need to consider the inherited health risks from both parent breeds Labrador and Golden Retriever. Labrador Health Labrador Retrievers are prone to a few hereditary health conditions and joint problems, as well as some health issues common to most dogs. To help minimize the likelihood of hereditary health issues in your new Goldador pup, check that your breeder has followed the recommended testing for the Labrador Retriever breed: Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis HNKP.

Tunnel Dash The Weaving Wonder Games for German Shepherds can include everyday objects that you can find around your house and are fun activities that give your German Shepherd mental stimulation and exercise. Try a few of these activities for German Shepherds and see which ones your dog loves! Hide-and-Seek Treats Hiding their food helps your dog use their noses to explore. Mental stimulation with a food hide-and-seek game keeps your dog sharp by using their noses source. You can use this game indoors or out in your yard or garden. Now hide a few pieces around the house or yard while they watch, and encourage them to find the food. German Shepherds have a keen sense of smell, and many learn to track. Puppy Puzzles This German Shepherd activity teaches your dog to use their nose and brain together. Food puzzles are activities that keep your dog working for their reward. Use this stimulating mind game to introduce them to puzzles. Next, place their food in the puzzle. Show them how to find food and encourage them to find the food on their own. If you want to feed your dog the right foods, then read this list of healthy, tasty treats for German Shepherds. Break your treats into small pieces, no larger than the size of your pinkie nail to keep their nutrition in check. The Special Delivery activity uses common mailing items as hiding places for their treats. Use a clean box that came in the mail. Place pieces of kibble or treats inside the brown paper wrap. Squish the brown paper or paper towels together to wrap around the kibble. Encourage your dog or puppy to look for their food. When they are finished, refill the brown paper packaging or paper towel balls and start again. Another simple and easy game to put together is a bottle treat dispenser. The bottle slides and moves on the floor to make the game more interesting for both puppies and adults. And, of course, supervise your German Shepherd during games at all times. Save a large water bottle. Make sure it is clean and dry. Let your dog turn, paw, and shake the bottle so the kibble falls out. Repeat when empty to finish their meal. Replace the bottles regularly as they become dirty or worn. The larger the opening, the easier the food will fall out. Brain Training for Dogs Brain Training your German Shepherd keeps them mentally stimulated and physically engaged, ensuring they have a pawsome time! Brain training your German Shepherd is an activity that increases their mental stimulation and is fun for both you and your dog! You can use brain training to help teach your German Shepherd manners and basic obedience at the same time. But… You can read more on my helpful review: Brain Training for Dogs Review to learn all about this engaging playtime program. Setup this game by doing this: Place a few bits of their food or treats in the muffin tins and a ball over the top to cover the cups. You can leave some muffin tins without a tennis ball to make the game easier to start or for puppies learning about brain games. When your dog is finished, refill the muffin tins. To make the game interesting, leave some tins without food, but still cover the compartment with a tennis ball. This makes your dog use his nose more and gives them a surprise when they find the food in some compartments but not in others. Frozen Kong Delight By far, my German Shepherd enjoys this mental exercise the best, as the food seems to last longer and keep her quiet. Get out your trusty, indestructible German Shepherd-proof Kong toy. Place a mixture of moistened kibble in the center. I like to add a few spoonfuls of unflavored Greek yogurt mixed into the food for extra encouragement. Set this in the freezer for a few hours to stiffen up. When frozen, give it to your dog for a tasty mealtime surprise! If you buy a few Kongs, you can keep them in your freezer for times when you want or need to keep your German Shepherd busy and entertained. Trust me, the Kong toys make for engaging playtime ideas for German Shepherds and can stand up to their rough play. Tupperware Surprise These old plastic food storage containers make useful indoor activities for your German Shepherd. Put them to use with this game. Place several pieces of plastic food storage containers upside down, without their lids, over a handful of kibble. You can put the food storage containers all in one room or place them in multiple rooms for a seek-and-find activity. Encourage your dog to go find the kibble, and help them find the first few to get them started. They must figure out how to turn the container over with their paws or nose, which is tricky for some dogs, especially puppies. Use this mental exercise inside or outside, depending on the weather. This game also uses empty cardboard tubes from paper towels or toilet paper. Place their kibble on brown shipping or craft paper, or even a clean paper towel. Next, wrap the kibble up securely and place the wrapped kibble inside the cardboard tubes. Encourage your dog to explore the tubes. You can see my German Shepherd enjoying the game of finding treats in cardboard tubes. As simple as this sounds, the activity keeps my German Shepherd busy as she delicately removes the kibble from the boxes or toilet roll tubes filled with kibble and paper. No worries. This game really gets an active Shepherd moving and keeps them occupied! Start slowly and toss one ball away from you. While your dog goes to chase that ball, get another ball toy ready in your hand. As they return the first ball, toss the second ball across the grass for them to have another sprint. Only play a handful of rounds, and then let your dog have a rest and some water to avoid them overheating. Instead, use these summer activities to exercise your German Shepherd in the heat. Place their kibble meal or another dry treat inside the toy to help provide a challenge to their minds and bodies. As your dog chases the toy around and works to get their reward, they burn calories and have to use their brain power to work the food loose. You can wash this treat dispensing toy, so if your dog is a first-class drooler, you can easily clean their germs away. This is a mentally-stimulating game for an indoor German Shepherd activity for a puppy or even a bored German Shepherd. Tunnel Dash Collapsible tunnels can make for an exciting and fun backyard activity. Owners of our high-energy breed will appreciate teaching their dog both indoor agility to challenge their minds and outdoor agility to challenge their minds and use their energy! You may have to entice your dog through the tunnel by placing them at one end and having them wait while you walk to the other. But German Shepherds love this type of stimulation and are expert tunnel runners! The Weaving Wonder From German Shepherd puppies to seniors, almost every dog enjoys learning how to become a weaving wonder! If your dog enjoys high-energy activities, then add to your agility set by using these easy-to-set up weave poles. Your athletic Shepherd will love to use their brains and their agility to figure out the best way to quickly maneuver through the weave poles. Begin by walking ahead of your dog through the weave poles and have them follow you. Reward them frequently in between poles in the beginning. When they make it to the end, celebrate and reward them again. Eventually, have your GSD make more turns of the poles before the reward. Learn all about the right ways to exercise your German Shepherd for complete health and fitness. Your dog or puppy has many senses they need to use daily. They can see, hear, touch, smell, and think. Many dogs living in our modern, busy lives lack mental stimulation. In the wild, your dog would work alongside their pack or alone to track down prey using their senses. They would then plan an attack, using their mental abilities. Using all these senses during play helps your dog gain confidence in themselves and in their abilities. New experiences ignite portions of their brains to keep them engaged in their environments. An engaged dog is a happy, better-behaved dog! Include 2 or 3 new activities for your German Shepherd a week to begin. You ready for more? From nutrition tips to exercise tricks, this guide has it all. Trust me, your German Shepherd will be wagging their tail with joy! So, what are you waiting for? Grab your free guide now and continue fun adventures and activities with your German Shepherd! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Due to the hectic lifestyles that many of us lead today, German Shepherds might spend many hours alone at home every day. Here are some of my favorite ideas. Give them the King of toys — the Kong. Kong toys not only help calm your dog but, when frozen, can keep your German Shepherd busy for a long time. Kongs are great for hiding treats or serving their daily meal and keeping them busy. Stuff the Kong with natural peanut butter, their favorite dog-safe foods, special treats, or even fill with a mixture of all. Most German Shepherds will stay happily busy working for their food. And, a properly stuffed and frozen Kong could take a lot of time for your dog to release all their tasty reward. Is it summertime and you need to help them beat the heat? Kong to the rescue for busy-time and summer fun! Not only can the Kong toy itself be filled and frozen, but for an extra treat fill a freezer-safe plastic container with low-sodium broth and water and drop your food-filled Kong inside the mixture. Leave it to freeze overnight. Then, take the toy and your dog to a safe spot where they can enjoy licking and chewing their giant-size pupsicle! Do you have a teething German Shepherd puppy to keep busy? Place their soaked kibble in the Kong and freeze for them to soothe their inflamed gums and aching jaws while they chew and squeeze away the pain. Want to know the right size Kong for your dog and how to use the toy to help solve and prevent behavior problems? Then read all about Kong toys for German Shepherds. Show them interesting sights and sounds. Some Shepherds enjoy watching the sights and sounds of the world going by. Others will bark at leaves falling. Here are a few stations that dogs generally enjoy: Animal Planet Discovery Channel National Geographic There are even YouTube channels that cater especially to dogs at home that need some visual and auditory stimulation. While watching these videos your German Shepherd can see squirrels, cats, birds, other dogs, and nature scenes — all while hearing the sounds of the animals along with calming music. If you know your dog gets upset hearing other dogs or animals, then look for calming music channels that play soothing sounds and tunes to comfort anxious dogs. Provide a search and sniff scavenger hunt. Did you know that sniffing helps to calm dogs and provides needed mental stimulation to keep their minds occupied source? Encourage your dog to hunt for her meals by hiding small piles of her kibble around your house in safe, easy-to-reach areas so she has to use her nose to find them. Scatter a couple of handfuls of kibble in the places where your dog hangs out during the day before you leave for the day or when you want to keep her entertained. You determine how easy or difficult you want the game to be depending on where you decide to hide the treats. At first, you might need to leave the food in more open areas as your dog learns to play and sniff for their treasure. Easy Scavenger Hunt larger groups of kibble placed in the open smaller groups of food placed under safe items groups of treats together next to items, but not hidden a kibble trail that leads your dog on a sniffari indoors You can make the Scavenger Hunt more difficult as your dog learns the game. You can also hide one of her meals in her Kong puzzle toy right before you leave home. This prompts her to associate you leaving for the day with a positive — as opposed to a negative — emotion and can help lessen the fear of being alone for her. Play a classic game of tug-of-war. Tug can help build confidence in German Shepherds when played correctly. All you need for this old-school game is a tough rope toy and some space to move around safely. To entice your German Shepherd to grab the rope, wiggle it like a snake, let her take hold of it, and gently begin tugging the rope. While your dog sinks their teeth and puts her bodyweight into the pull you get a bit of an upper-body and cardio workout. Plus, did you know that cotton tug ropes provide your German Shepherd the opportunity to easily help clean their teeth? In fact, research shows that playing tug with your dog is much more complex. In one study dogs handicapped themselves i. Tug, when played correctly and with rules, can build confidence in German Shepherds and help teach them more about your owner-dow relationship. Teach your dog a new trick. When was the last time you taught your German Shepherd a fun trick? I bet your brilliant German Shepherd would love to keep entertained by learning a new trick or obedience command. You can pick a hard trick that takes a while to learn or an easy trick that your dog might quickly pick up on. Or aim higher by working on naming all of her toys in her toy box so she can get them by name when you ask. Either way… Your German Shepherd is capable of learning almost anything that you take the time and patience to train. Remember, your German Shepherd is so smart for a reason. Whether you have a German Shepherd puppy or a full-grown dog, this is super fun to try! Even better… 6. Include plenty of play with their friends. Having doggie friends is essential for German Shepherds, especially puppies. Sometimes your German Shepherd just needs to play with other dogs and socialize. You can schedule playdates with other well-behaved dogs with your friends and family for some puppy entertainment. Many doggy daycares will provide discounts if you purchase multiple play days to keep the price reasonable and provide your German Shepherd with more opportunities for entertainment. There are separate play sections for puppies and larger, adult dogs, so your dog is matched to their appropriate playgroup. Never underestimate the value of a healthy play session to keep your German Shepherd entertained. Sneak in a new toy. Sneaking in a new toy for your German Shepherd can keep them entertained as they enjoy the surprise. Do you have a dog that loves to play with toys? Then help keep them busy by sneaking in a new toy to spark their interest and keep their self-directed play fun. Just think of how excited your German Shepherd will get when they sniff out their new toy! Also, rotate her toys every week or so to heighten the excitement of playing with her toys. Simply put away a few of the usual toys and sneak in another to replace the missing old toys. Then, rotate them again for a fresh perspective! Teach them how to stay calm. Even busy German Shepherds need to calm down to recharge and relax. Teaching a German Shepherd how to calm themselves and channel their energy into resting and relaxing is actually difficult. If your German Shepherd becomes nervous, anxious, or overactive when you leave home, try these ideas to help comfort them, especially puppies. Give a treat designed to encourage rest and relaxation, like these calming chicken and hemp chews. Use a dog pheromone diffuser. Use a dog-appeasing pheromone diffuser if you think your absence causes anxiety in your German Shepherd. Adaptil makes a calming dog diffuser for this specific purpose that is shown to lessen anxiety symptoms and promote calm. The pheromone released by the diffuser is similar to the one that lactating mother dogs emit to calm their newborn puppies when feeding. So, the pheromone is familiar to your German Shepherd and creates a sense of relaxation and calm. Place the diffuser in a room your dog generally uses or spends most of her time in. These calming tools are especially helpful to German Shepherd puppies who might be overwhelmed in their new home and miss their littermates and mother. Include a mid-day walk. Dog walking services are provided in many cities and towns to help you. The typical dog walking schedule for many working owners is in the morning and evening. But the German Shepherd Dog is a high-energy breed and will benefit from a mid-day walk to add some entertainment to their day. Many reputable pet care facilities include a dog walking service and will walk your German Shepherd with other dogs that are similar in personality if you like. I highly recommend that you also get a GPS tracker for your German Shepherd if you have a dog walker. Give remote surprise check-ins. Checking in on your mischievous German Shepherd puppy has never been easier with remote cameras. With all the modern pet technology today you might be overlooking how to keep a German Shepherd busy remotely. Remote cameras are a great way to keep your German Shepherd occupied and surprised. How amazing is that for modern pet technology? Each puzzle takes a combination of reasoning, persistence, and paw dexterity to work out. The very act of leaving a German Shepherd alone for 8 hours or more a day and then being too tired to spend time with them in productive ways is the reason for most of the behavioral problems they develop. How would you feel if you were left at home all day, every day, with no one to talk to, no television to watch, no books to enjoy, no work to do, and no opportunity to exercise? It would be awful! Read this post on how to exhaust a German Shepherd to reduce boredom to learn more about what you can do to help keep boredom at bay. Playing with your German Shepherd enriches your relationship with her on a unique level. Together, the two of you will have a distinctive interaction during your play sessions. This is vital information because play helps build a strong relationship foundation. While some people believe that German Shepherds are rough, tough, working breeds they genuinely have a playful nature and seek out the companionship of play with their special person. German Shepherds seek out play with those they feel close to and are comfortable with. Although there are many different ideas to entertain your dog, every dog is unique and has certain preferences. They tend to develop behavior issues when secluded from their family and can become depressed, act out for attention, and develop other health conditions due to the stress of spending too much time alone. When you understand how to keep a German Shepherd busy and entertained both of your days will go by more smoothly. Remember… The time you put into your German Shepherd creates an unbreakable bond. Catherine Krasavin, BS Hons. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. For the most part, you let the puppy decide his own activities at this stage. Your puppy, at this tender age, does not need exercise; he needs activity. Indoor play consists of informal activities in which you educate your German Shepherd to avoid dangerous behavior while satisfying his need to be active. At this stage, it is more about mental activity games and basic training as opposed to physical activity. This nifty little toy is excellent for young pups. Here are some low-impact games that are appropriate for a German Shepherd puppy at 8 weeks of age: Puppy the Explorer Let your GSD explore the indoors while keeping a close eye on him. This also presents an excellent opportunity to teach him to follow you. You must do this organically. Wait for him to get in his explorer mode and start walking beside him. Remember not to exceed a period of 10 minutes of exercise in the second month and stop whenever your pup shows signs of being tired. The minute mark is the maximum duration, not the minimum. Initially, your puppy will get tired after a few minutes of walking around and exploring. In each subsequent week, he will be engaged for a few more minutes. You might need to use jazz hands to get his curiosity. Once your pup starts following your palm with his head, simply tap his nose and hug him. At this point, you might be tempted to start moving your arm out of his reach to prolong the game. Follow the Wiggling Toy This is the ideal transition exercise that I would start around the tenth week of indoor play. For this, I recommend the Pacific Pups Rope Toys Set from Amazon, not just because it is budget-friendly but because you can use toys of different sizes as your German Shepherd puppy continues to grow. Once you have him sitting close to you, introduce the rope toy and place it on the floor with your hand holding onto one end. Your job then is to make sure he takes at least four steps before he catches the rope toy. Again, this is a high-engagement, low-impact exercise that builds up the foundation for medium-impact activities later on. Jaw and Bodyweight Exercises Recommended age: 3 — 4 months Maximum duration: minutes per day, twice a day Risk factor: low Things to avoid: sprints Your German Shepherd puppy is now three months old; he is building on his training according to the standard puppy training methods, and you can start to interact with him more physically. Still, his growth plates remain open, and you still need to avoid exercises that strain the joints, especially ones located around long bones like limbs. At the same time, your German Shepherd has more energy and may want to exercise more than is good for him. As a result, your role has shifted. Here, instead of letting your puppy have the toy once he follows it and grabs hold of it, you play a small tug of war with him. If your GSD is used to getting the toy after following it, he may get too defensive when you tug it. I recommended the toy set for this reason precisely. The final thing worth remembering about this game is that you always lose! You place the rope toy on the ground and let your German Shepherd puppy follow it as you move it around. Once he grabs hold of it, you use your arm strength to keep it in place. Do not try to pull it too hard. It is also essential that you gradually move up the tug of war in time and position. Gradually you can move the tug toy slightly above the ground. Throughout this, make sure your dog is on a leash because you do not want to encourage grabbing and dashing. Ultimately, you have to let your puppy win! As soon as you release the toy, he gets to have it for a while. This is also the best stage to train him to release objects on command. Make sure your GSD is on a long leash before you start this activity. Associating running with playtime is risky. A long loose leash allows you to bring him back to you gently. Be prepared to spend a lot of time negotiating with your GSD. I suggest playing tug before this because it builds trust. When you roll the ball on the floor, your puppy will get it. You cannot expect him to bring the toy to you. You simply tug the leash gently and bring him close to you. Then, you hold the ball in place. You should not pull it away. That will only cause your German Shepherd to bite down on it harder. When you have it firmly in place, your dog will try to wrestle it free but will eventually let the ball go. You can encourage this by just talking to him in a reassuring tone and using training treats. As soon as he lets go of the ball, put it on the ground and roll it. As GSDs take pleasure in high-engagement activities, the activity itself becomes a reward. In my experience, this will always be a mixed bag. Some dogs never stop giving pushback at the retrieval stage, while others let go of the ball the moment you extend your arm toward it. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Some owners have large yards and several family members that can help keep the dog busy, but it can be a struggle to keep finding something to do if there are only one or two people in your household. If this sounds like your situation, keep reading while we list several activities you can do with your German Shepherd to keep it happy and well behaved. Fetch Frisbee, ball, throwing toy Plenty of room Fetch is the most basic dog game that almost everyone knows. To play this game, all you need is a Frisbee, ball, or any toy that you can throw so your dog can chase it and bring it back. Balls and Frisbees work well because you can get a good distance with them, which will keep the dog more active. These toys can cause your dog to expend a large amount of energy in a short amount of time without you needing to put in a lot of effort. There are even accessories you can purchase to help you throw the ball further with less effort. The downside to this game is that you need a lot of room for the dog to run. To play this game, you only require a piece of rope with knots in it so you and the dog can get a grip. Many commercial ropes will work perfectly, and there are many varieties available, so you can find one that is comfortable to use. To play, let the dog grab one end with its teeth, and you take the other. It will also help your dog expend energy quickly, especially if you are in good health, and can make the dog work harder to keep the rope. It only requires a fraction of the space fetch does, but it does require considerable strength to play against a full-grown German Shepherd for more than a few minutes. Obstacle Training Obstacles Plenty of room Obstacle training can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. It will help your pet burn off excess energy quickly and sharpen your skills as a trainer. To play obstacle training, you will need plenty of room to set up obstacles. The obstacles can be anything, but we recommend starting with something simple like a piece of wood or a chair. Put the obstacle between you and the dog and call it toward you. If it jumps the barrier, give it a treat and try again. The downside to obstacle training is that it will go a lot easier for someone with experience training, and it can take up a lot of room in your yard if there are several obstacles. Wrestling Strength As strange as it may seem, wrestling is one of the best ways to bond with your German Shepherd because few other activities cause you to be in such close proximity with your attention focused on each other. The dog will climb all over you to try to get the ball, and you can flip your pup over gently to get the belly which will get it all riled up. It has a long pole that you hold. Attached to the pole is a long string that has a toy tied at the end. The toy usually squeaks, and you use it almost like a fishing pole to dangle the toy in front of the dog to get it to chase it. Our dogs get a lot of enjoyment from the Flirt Pole , and the only downside is that the dog chews them, so you will need to replace them every few weeks. Mind Games for German Shepherds 6. To get started, hide a treat in plain sight, then let your dog see you hide another behind a wall. Try a few more easy hides, and when your dog starts to catch on, you can make them a little more difficult. The easiest way to play this game is to wait until your dog is out of sight and then call them but quickly run and hide before they get there. When the dog arrives, they will be confused and begin to search for you and will usually continue looking until they find you. As the dog catches on, they will begin to check past hiding spots first, so you will need to be clever. Call your dog over and watch as they turn them over looking for the treat. As they get more skilled, they will find the treat faster, so you can add even more cups. Ring Stack Ring stacking toy If you have children or know someone that does, there is a good chance that you are familiar with the ring stacking toys for babies. You can also use these toys with your German Shepherd and learn to stack the rings in the right order with a little patience. The best way to play is to start with only a few rings and add more as your dog catches on. After some time, put the item on the floor and instruct your dog to fetch it. After several months, you will be amazed at how many items your dog knows by name. Some are extremely easy and only require the dog to step on a lever, while others are quite complex, requiring multiple steps to unlock the treat. It burns off excess energy extremely fast and helps keep your dog in top shape. The other games are all fun, but they take longer and require a bigger commitment of your time. Luckily, you can play as many games as you want, so you can play fetch every day and do some wrestling on your days off work. We hope you have enjoyed reading over this list and found the answers you need. If we have helped you keep your dog entertained, please share these eleven best games to play with your German Shepherd on Facebook and Twitter. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. Puppies German Shepherd puppies are incredibly playful. So how do you play with a German Shepherd puppy? This article will examine the best way to play and entertain your German Shepherd puppy, providing example games to play and activities to do. The best way to play with a German Shepherd puppy is through short bursts of low-impact physical activity. This will keep their growing bones and joints safe from injury and malformation. Additionally, play games that sharpen their motors skills and hone their natural abilities. All dogs have a maximum tolerance for exercise, and playtime counts towards that limit. Most will play for as long as you allow them. Thus, you need to pay attention and keep them from overexertion, especially during activities that involve plenty of physical movement. In general, young dogs should have two sessions of exercise per day where each session is about 5 minutes per month of age. So, a German Shepherd puppy of around 2 months old should only get 10 minutes of playtime twice a day while a 6-month-old pup can tolerate two minute sessions. By the time your GSD is a year old, they should be able to tolerate hour-long sessions of play or exercise. Keep in mind, however, that these are general guidelines. You need to keep an eye on your dog and determine their own tolerance to avoid serious consequences like overheating and overexertion. Like children, individual dogs have different preferences. Use play as a means to strengthen their motor skills, nurture their sense of curiosity, and build their confidence. The best toys for young German Shepherds are interactive ones that stimulate their senses. Especially exciting are treat dispensers and squeaky toys while teething toys provide tons of comfort. They also love balls that they can grasp and chase after. They also love playing with people and other animals. Doing this often will help prove each of these commands and ensure they will obey no matter the situation. Have fun with the Obedience Shuffle by randomly asking for each command and rewarding your dog every time they obey. Make it increasingly difficult for them by adding distractions in between. Hide-and-Seek Hide-and-Seek is an excellent game to play with your German Shepherd puppy because it requires some concentration, sniffing, and running. It also primes them to think of you as the best reward. To play this, ask your dog to stay while you hide. Release them from their stay position and respond with excitement and praises when they find you. Hide in easy-to-find spots at first and find more difficult hiding places as your pup picks up on the object of the game. You can start by keeping your pup in a down position as they watch you hide the treats. When they understand the point of the game, you can make it more challenging by keeping them in another room and letting them in only when all the treats are hidden. It also requires very little space and involves more concentration and nose work. To play the shell game, take 3 cups and some treats, and sit across from your dog. Place the cups upside down on the floor and keep a treat under only one. Shuffle the cups before arranging them in a row. Turn over the first one your pup touches. If they get the right one, let them have the treat. If not, re-shuffle the cups and play again. Find-and-Retrieve Find-and-Retrieve is not just a game of obedience and concentration. This game involves teaching your dog the proper names of things, finding those things on command, and handing them over to you. To play this game, start by teaching your dog the name of one toy. Then, make the game more difficult by asking them to retrieve the ball from other places. Here are other things you can do to interact with your puppy, strengthen your bond, and help them to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally: Walking Walking can be a good way for your GSD pup to learn more about the world outside of your home. Allow young pups to walk at their own pace and try not to be too harsh on the lead. Let them stop to sniff and interact with whatever they might find interesting. This will form a huge part of their socialization. German Shepherds typically like water if they are exposed to it and learn how fun it can be. Swimming is also an excellent way to have fun with your growing dog since it is easy on the bones and joints. Being in water will also help strengthen muscles for even better skeletal development. Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys for dogs are not only excellent for mental stimulation but also for independent play. Depending on the toy, it could also help prime your German Shepherd for nose work, combat boredom, and control their impulses. They can compete in these companion sports as early as 6 months old or you can simply join local clubs to engage in these activities for fun. This helps avoid issues like hip and elbow dysplasia in the future. Until your German Shepherd has developed into adulthood, you should generally avoid activities that involve plenty of jumping. Staircases and other steep angles are safe enough for regular use but not as a means to exercise. Additionally, when running or walking, opt for turf and soil rather than concrete. Final Thoughts Discovering the best ways to play with your German Shepherd puppy will help you develop a strong bond and learn to communicate with one another. These games will also help stimulate their intellect and develop a love for learning. Learning how to discipline your GSD puppy correctly will teach them to respect your leadership and stay on their best behavior.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You turn your attention back to your computer screen and suddenly feel little teeth grabbing at your sock! You look down. Your once-angelic puppy is now having a full on game of tug-of-war with your pant leg! This cute baby is now more like a furry little monster. You get up and try to walk away, but the fur alligator is still attached, munching away at your trousers and having the best time! If this sounds like your life, read on to learn how to stop a puppy from biting. Why Do Puppies Bite? Believe it or not, this scenario is actually very common! Biting is one of the most natural things in the world to a young pup; and they do it for many reasons. You would be left with your feet and mouth to interact, taste and feel your environment. Now, what if you had puppy paws — incapable of grasping anything? That leaves you with one final way to interact — your mouth. For good measure, add in the incredible curiosity of a child. How many times do you see a baby grab things with their hands and pop them into the mouth? Puppies have that same mindset. Your mouth strength and play bite helped you communicate and determine your rank in society. Your mouthy mojo gave you respect in canine culture. Puppies interact with their surroundings largely through their mouths. Labradors, like most sporting breeds, have the drive to chase after prey, put it in their mouths, and bring it back to you. This translates into a strong need to chew. They will try this same tactic with their human pack members. If ignored, one bite on the toe is often enough to get the focus back on them. Remember, to a puppy even negative attention is still attention. Terrible Teething When you add teething into the mix, you have the recipe for a furry gator. Most pups will have an increased need to chew while teething , which can begin at 6 weeks and last to 8 months of age. Unlike teething, there is no magical age that puppies grow out of a learned mouthing behavior. Thankfully, with positive training, most dogs eventually lose interest in chewing on their owners. Types of Biting: Aggression or Play? Puppies use their teeth in many ways. However, this is actually just very intense play. Play biting can be accompanied with growling and snarling. This is just part of the fun to a young pup. Instead, we will look into how we can prevent playful mouthing. However, it is important to recognize the signs of aggression. Pay attention to the timing of the biting as well. If so, the motive behind the bite may be more aggressive. Could it be Resource Guarding? Some dogs also aggressively bite when they are guarding a toy or food item, commonly called resource guarding. With resource guarding, you will see the same behavior as aggressive biting, but they will also stand over an object and defend it from any perceived threat. If you think your puppy is behaving aggressively, seek professional help to learn how to actively manage this issue. In contrast to this, playing puppies will be relaxed and have a wiggly body. They will be bouncy, easily roll onto their backs and often be panting with open mouths. Even if they are growling, a relaxed face and body mean a happy puppy. What Can Trigger Biting? Do you really want your pound Labrador to target your hands as a toy later? Children Little kids tend to excite puppies more than adults. Children move erratically, run around, make strange sounds and have a lot more energy. Puppies can easily associate them with toys. Ankle Biters Puppies target fast moving objects that excite their prey drive. Your feet moving by at their eye level can be irresistible. After all, what self-respecting puppy would snub shoes with those floppy laces that are perfect for playing tug? How do we do this? Redirection with Hands When training your puppy, always have a toy to offer. Remember, puppies are like babies. Your job is to redirect them to fun toys instead of human skin. You must do everything possible to make toys extremely attractive so the puppy chooses them over your clothing, hands or feet. Redirection with Kids You can also use redirection around children. First, teach your puppy to use interactive toys and then show your child how to play with the puppy correctly. In the event that your dog forgets, teach your kids to be a tree when their puppy begins to bite them or their clothes. This position makes them less interactive to the puppy. They look boring and the puppy will lose interest. Most bites occur because the child is running or moving erratically. Remember, dogs have the same prey triggers as wolves. If something is running away, it looks like prey. Your job, therefore, is to have an even more amazing toy than your feet. You can take a toy, tie it to a rope, and then tie the rope to your belt so that you are dragging the toy whenever your pup is out. If your puppy is coming for your feet, stop moving them and wave the toy around excitedly instead. Once the pup is attached to the toy, you can start walking again. This way, they will pounce on the toy instead of you! Bite inhibition simply means that the puppy learns not to apply too much force behind their teeth. They apply gentle, but firm, pressure to their greeting. Puppies also learn to limit this pressure with their mouths by feedback from pack members. When puppies are little, they learn bite inhibition through play with their siblings. If two pups are tussling, and one bites down too hard, the other puppy yelps loudly. This startling sound usually causes the offending party to let go. The play stops for a few minutes, as the first pup nurses his wounded ego. Play then resumes, but with less brutality. Instead, let the puppy release your hand and then simply get up and and move away from your pup while ignoring them. Your job is to teach them when they bite down on you, the fun stops. Ignore them for about a minute, then return and resume the play and praise them when they focus on the toy. If they bite you too hard again, repeat this process. You can either step over a puppy barrier or go into another room and shut the door. Just make sure they are in a puppy-proof area, as they may take out their frustration on inappropriate household items. You can also keep the puppy on a leash while playing with them. If they bite you, you can calmly tether them to something and then walk out of their reach. Your goal is to correct the puppy only by taking away your fun presence. You should not be threatening or angry. Give them the appropriate time out from the fun interaction to settle down, and then come back with a toy to redirect their energy. Once they understand they have to be gentle, you can then start to ask more of them by ending the game with lighter and lighter pressure on your skin. Finally, you can take the game to the highest standard — no teeth on human skin at all. If you slowly progress to this over weeks, you teach your pup to have a soft mouth. If they do feel the need to put their teeth on a human, they know not to put much pressure into their bite. You need to teach your puppy that human skin is fragile and requires a softer touch than a canine interaction. Your goal for this exercise should be to help your puppy understand that the play and fun things continue as long as they keep their teeth on their toy and not on you! More Ways to Stop Your Puppy Biting While the yelp and time-out method works for most pups, there are additional ways to reinforce good behavior. When your puppy bites your hand, they get a terrible taste. You can use anti-chewing sprays like Bitter Apple to make your hands less appealing. When your puppy bites you, be still and wait for them to react to the bitter taste. When they let go, praise them and redirect them onto a treat or toy. You want the crate to always be associated with only good things. Crates also should be in the middle of the household, with the rest of the pack — not isolated. This is the same way other canine pack members would isolate them. A laundry room or puppy pen works well for this exercise. Make sure the room is comfortable and safe for your puppy. When the puppy is too stimulated, calmly put him in the room with some teething toys and leave. Teaching them interactive games like fetch or bringing you a toy to tug helps show them that they can have even more fun when they play by your rules. Positive play helps develop a bond with your dog. You never want to avoid it, you just want to show them how to play without biting you. Teaching puppies to retrieve objects helps to tire them out, gives them something positive to chase, and focuses their bite on an appropriate item. Plus, most Labradors are pretty good at retrieving! Remember, anytime we ask a puppy to stop a behavior, it should be because they are rewarded in an even more exciting and positive way for doing something else and things our way. The following video shows how. Video: How to Stop a Puppy from Biting This video shows how to use clicker training to stimulate a puppy in situations where they normally would bite; and then reward them when they choose a closed mouth and calm interaction. Dominant Puppies Dogs are individuals. However, as puppies mature, there may be the rare pup that uses biting as a way to take charge. Dominant puppies may bite to show you that they want to be the boss as they mature. This happens naturally among littermates, as all packs have a pecking order. This reinforces to them that you are backing down and that they are the leader in the relationship. Always remain calm and assertive with your puppy, but end the game as soon as they begin vying for leadership instead of playing. Remember, the alternative to not training your dog is a large animal putting his mouth on people. Be patient with your puppy. Remember, mouthing and biting are normal parts of canine culture. If you stay patiently positive, train consistently, and redirect and reward good behavior, you will soon see a puppy that learns to bring you a tug toy instead of shredding your trousers. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. 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. This awful biting time with puppies seems like it will go on for ever, but actually it only lasts a few weeks - mostly by the time the new teeth have come through, at about four to five months, the biting stops, and soon you will find you have a dog with a gentle mouth. You may not realize it, but your puppy is already being careful to some extent - if you have ever fed a puppy a raw chicken wing, for instance, you will know that he would be completely capable of biting right through your fingers, if he really wanted to. He is already pulling his punches, and now just needs your help to learn that human skin is more delicate than the thick fur of his mother and siblings. Your puppy sounds like he gets wound up and overtired the mad running around the house. This is the time a crate or quiet area can work wonders. Stay calm, keep giving him toys and chews to chomp on instead of your hands, refuse to interact with him when he bites you - even a second or two of no attention will help him to realize you really don't like it. Grabbing his cheeks and pulling him obviously doesn't work, he probably thinks it's some kind of game, and the attention you are inadvertently bestowing on him in that way seems to be making the situation worse.It will help if you teach him what you DO want, which is calm, gentle behaviour. Don't forget to praise him quietly and calmly when he is being good and quiet. I found holding one end of a chew such as a bully stick , so that we were interacting without him actually hurting me, helped. I also found that working out a routine was very helpful, so that we would go outside to play, then he would have his food, go out again to pee, then I would put him in his bed in the crate or behind a gate for a rest. Don't panic, this is very normal puppy behaviour, and I guarantee it will pass. You will get there. In a couple of months you'll be telling us what a delight he is.Print How to stop your puppy from biting your hands and feet — fast! Have you ever watched a litter of retriever puppies play with each other? They are all mouths and feet as they growl, bite and paw at each other. Over time, if left to it, each pup will naturally figure out their place in the pack. However, when you bring your Lab puppy home there are no longer littermates with whom to tussle. And the result is often that your Lab puppy will start biting and growling at you! The problem is that puppy teeth are sharp. Very sharp! And when your puppy bites you, even if they are playing, it hurts. So, what can you do to stop this behavior before it gets out of hand and you find yourself or someone in your family injured by your puppy? Before I go any further, I want to be clear about what we are talking about. You should seek professional help and evaluation. Why puppies bite and growl Puppy play is a kind of training for a dog as they grow and mature. It is also a way that dogs determine rank within a group. Remember, dogs are pack animals. In a pack there is only one Alpha lead dog. Every other dog is under the authority and control of that dog. No two dogs share the same rank. So, while biting and growling starts as play, it does not stay that way. All dogs, whether in a group of dogs or a human family, want to understand their place in the family. They need to know their place. It helps they be more mentally balanced and will help solve a multitude of behavioral problems. Once a puppy or dog understands where they rank in the pack, they often assume that place, at least for a while. Remember, they are dogs. They are not robots so occasionally they may challenge their position, but if the boundary remains clear, the challenge is short lived. Biting, nipping and playful growling at a human can become a challenge of dominance. If your puppy is young, you can quickly and easily end this behavior by establishing boundaries and consistently enforcing these boundaries each and every time your puppy shows this type of behavior. If you have let this behavior go on for a while, you may be in for quite a fight to take back your authority. Biting is not the same as chewing A puppy biting your hand or feet is not the same as a puppy chewing on a shoe, toy or other item. All puppies have a need to chew. As their puppy teeth grow and their adult teeth come in, it is common for dogs to chew on things to relieve the pain and help the new teeth to come in. This should not be discouraged, but rather encouraged on an appropriate item like a chew toy, nylabone or rawhide. And if this works, this is an appropriate solution. Instead, it is likely an issue of dominance. How to stop puppy from biting you Biting is just one puppy dominance behavior. There are many others such as jumping on you, putting a paw on your feet, and lifting and placing paws on your arms or legs. The behaviors I have listed are often gateway behaviors that escalate into more aggressive or troublesome behaviors like stealing food off your plate or the counter, pushing you out of the way when going through doors and pulling you around on a lead. Start by establishing firm boundaries The first step to stopping your puppy from biting or mouthing you is to set up firm boundaries for your puppy. You can set these up for not only biting but for all dominance behaviors. So, what is a boundary? Well, here are some examples. Some people we have worked with are okay with their puppy mouthing their hand as long as there is no tooth pressure. If you feel the same way, then make that a boundary. But if there is any tooth pressure, a swift and consistent correction will follow. This boundary is stronger and does not give the dog any room for confusion. In fact, they often will understand what your boundaries are but will test that standard against everyone else in the family. Each person needs to set and enforce boundaries. React with firm consistent corrections After you establish the boundary, you now need to react every time your puppy or dog crosses that boundary. Each and every time! There can be no room for confusion. Your corrections must be swift and consistent. Not all dogs react to the same level of pressure. For some dogs, this squeeze and strong words will be all it takes to stop the behavior. Especially if you are consistent in your correction. But some dogs have a stronger or more challenging personality. This will give your puppy a taste of his own medicine since his puppy teeth are sharp and will pinch into his lips or flews. You must be consistent. How long will it take to stop my puppy from biting me? If you are firm and consistent, the behavior should stop for the most part in a day or two. Some dogs require more pressure, some less. Your puppy should feel some discomfort. That is okay. The point is to show your puppy that biting hurts and that it is not an acceptable behavior. When nothing seems to work If you puppy is a bit older and has been getting away with biting and mouthing you for a while, you may struggle to end this behavior. Often the problem is a strong dominance issue that needs to be addressed. If your puppy continues to snap or bite at you even after a correction, you likely need to exert some dominance over your puppy. This is similar to what a mommy dog does to a puppy that is not behaving. Humans can do the same thing to show dominance over a rebellious puppy. I know, it sound a bit ridiculous but it really does work. Instead, remain calm and patient. Stay in control. Reacting with emotion can lead to strong reactions or punishment that you will later regret. The point is to show your dog that you are the Alpha in the relationship, and you can and will determine what behavior is acceptable. Biting is not love As a professional dog trainer, I am always surprised at what some of clients consider appropriate behavior. Some owners feel that setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries means that you do not love your dog. That you need to accept all dog behaviors otherwise you do not love your dog. This is a false and faulty mindset. We have seen clients who have been injured by their dog multiple times and they still refuse to take steps to end the behavior. That is not love. What if the next person that dog bites is a child? Would you be able to live with that? A dog that is allowed to continue harming humans is only one bite away from having to be put down. It may sound harsh, but it is the sad truth. Some people may argue that the dog is unable to understand what they are doing is wrong. This is not based on reality. Dogs are very smart. They can learn to do amazing things and become incredible hunting partners and family companions. But they rarely achieve this potential without an owner who cares enough to set boundaries and enforce them. Final thoughts on how to stop my puppy biting me all the time You can stop your puppy from biting you and others if you are willing to take the steps necessary to make your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. A firm consistent correction each and every time your puppy bites will quickly teach your puppy to stop biting. These corrections will not harm your relationship with your puppy, but will, in fact, enhance it. Your puppy will quickly learn where the boundaries are and how to operate within those boundaries. We see it time and again, once a puppy is taught that there are boundaries, they quickly adjust and become wonderful loving and obedient family members. Help, my Lab puppy keeps biting me! But as your kids approach the puppy, he starts biting and nipping them, causing a few surprised cries. The AKC says Labradors are an affectionate breed, treating adults, children, and other animals like family without causing any trouble. Labradors are easy to train and receptive to learning new commands since their main goal is to please their families. Do All Labrador Puppies Bite? As your new puppy settles into their new home, they are many stimulants, and he needs time to get to know your family, its new surroundings, and that not all slippers are a toy. Just as when people move to a new house, city, or country, your new Labrador puppy is exploring the world. This process will take a few weeks, so be patient. But what happens when he suddenly starts biting you and your kids? Every family that gets lab puppies faces this challenge. Although your puppy is only a few pounds, Labrador puppy biting is still painful. Many owners worry that the behavior will continue into adulthood, especially when biting becomes an ongoing issue. The good news is that there is usually a short time frame that you have to experience this. So in reality, Labrador puppy biting is primarily instinctual. Reason 1: Teething Puppies Sometimes, a Lab puppy biting is simply due to teething. Teething is uncomfortable, so your pup likely just wants to relieve that discomfort in any way possible. If that means biting a chew toy or your fingers, then so be it. Once your Lab puppy has its teeth, it might stop biting and nipping. You can help ease his comfort by offering him teething toys for puppies, like frozen chew toys. Reason 2: Excitement Biting Behavior Your new Lab puppy could get excited by just about anything: Your kids squealing, shouting, or crying, and adults shouting or being angry can set off your Lab puppy biting with its sharp teeth. The solution: Deter your puppy from biting you by redirecting him to what he can bite, like a toy. Reason 3: Biting for Attention Most Labrador puppies are receptive to conditioning and positive reinforcement. Dog lovers know that dogs crave attention from their families, but Lab puppies are extreme attention seekers. They love any form of contact with their families, whether playing, petting, or even just eye contact. So if your pup gets these responses from you while biting, he will interpret them as attention. The solution: Stop giving your puppy the attention he wants when he bites so he learns not to associate the two. When puppies are with their mom and siblings, the mom teaches them how hard they can bite each other without it being too painful through play fighting. Your Lab puppy learns how to calibrate strength based on his own family experience. Do Labrador Puppies Bite Children? One major adjustment is the play-biting: A small Lab puppy has a powerful bite and can cause pain, especially to such sensitive skin. The downside is that Lab puppies are more likely to bite children and teenagers than adults. It all comes down to learning how to interact with the puppy. Children and teenagers are inherently more confusing for a Lab puppy. The great news is that you can stop your Lab puppy from biting your kids through consistent training, but the training should be on both sides. Your kids also need to learn how to play and interact with the puppy, understanding its boundaries and playing just enough to keep them from overexciting. You plan to throw a chew toy into the yard for him to chase — but before you can throw it, he suddenly starts nipping and tugging at your hands while making odd puppy sounds that sound dangerously close to snarling. You might also be worried that you have a puppy displaying aggressive biting behavior. Most of the time, they mean no harm and just need a little training to control it! Without the proper guidance and education, many of these methods might be wrong: Instead of discouraging your puppy from biting, you could unintentionally reinforce it. Puppy Biting Tip 1: Discourage Play Biting Whatever stage of puppy development your adorable pup is in, he will always crave attention. If you encourage and reward play biting, he will associate it with attention, praise, and treats, causing him to do it more. So if your puppy has entered its biting phase and is displaying rough or aggressive behavior, stop yourself from giving any reaction. Simply follow rigid training steps, and it will eventually stop. Although that might be very hard to do because a Lab puppy is so adorable, you will thank yourself in the future for doing this. In fact, it might even make things worse. When you punish your Labrador, he might learn to fear you. This can worsen the biting and lead to your puppy developing more aggressive behavior as an adult. Some people also do a light swat on their puppies when they misbehave. When your pup starts biting, remain calm and follow positive training methods rather than negative ones. This is especially true when it comes to a nipping Labrador puppy. While a biting puppy is normal puppy behavior, without proper training and techniques, your Labrador might bite well into adulthood. Step 1: Teach Small Children Boundaries The first step in your training routine should be teaching your kids how to interact with the puppy. But if they start barking and biting out of excitement, you must stop playing with them immediately. Instead, pick up the toy and step away. Bite inhibition is when you teach your puppy how much is too much. After that time-out, you can return to the room and resume whatever activity you were doing. As your puppy learns to bite with less intensity, you can start training it not to put your hand in its mouth. This training takes time, so be patient, and you will see a positive result. Step 4: Reinforce with Additional Training You can also use other training techniques to reinforce positive behavior. Move your hand closer to the puppy and follow the same technique. If the puppy bites you, walk away from it. As you train the puppy to tolerate your hand getting closer to it without biting, you can finally keep your puppy calm and play safely without causing overstimulated biting. Puppies and dogs might go back to their bad habits if you change how you interact with them, so being consistent is crucial. Remember that children tend to take more time to learn training steps, so always reinforce the boundaries and supervise them during playtime in the early training days. Be patient and give your puppy time to learn. Seek help from professional trainers. Professional dog trainers are experienced in redirection, toy-play, and bite inhibition training to give you helpful tips and tricks. Take your puppy to puppy school. There are hundreds of puppy schools and programs that teach puppies good manners. Remember to never punish your puppy for biting. Invest in some good toys, such as different chew toys or Kong toys, so you always have something to redirect him towards. Conclusion Whether teething, scared or just excited, most Labrador Retriever puppies bite for various reasons. Unfortunately, those sharp little puppy teeth can hurt — so if you notice some unwanted biting from your Lab puppy, you should immediately start training him into different behavior. Learn more about what we do and check out our available Labrador puppies today! Share on. Calm puppy behavior. Conflicting advice on how to stop your pup biting Many articles will tell you to ignore a puppy when he bites and to offer him a toy instead. Some people will tell you to punish your biting puppy. Others will tell you that you must not stop your puppy biting too suddenly, or punish him for biting, for fear of drastic consequences later. So who is right, and who is wrong? Does ignoring stop your puppy biting? Many new puppy owners try to ignore the biting puppy initially. This failure tends to be for one or more of the following reasons. Does noise stop puppy biting? There is no doubt that a sufficiently loud squeal, followed by immediate withdrawal of attention, will cause many Labrador puppies to break off from biting. Sometimes long enough for a skilled owner to then redirect the puppy into a more appropriate activity. There is also no doubt that for some puppies, this has the reverse effect, and causes them to bite harder and more fiercely. A puppy that has spent sufficient time with his Mum, may be more likely to take heed of this verbal warning, as he will expect it to be followed by a sharp click of her teeth and a fiercer rebuke if he ignores her. But there are no guarantees here. And the fact is, squealing simply does not work as an effective anti-biting strategy, for some puppies. Punishing the puppy to stop biting I have heard, even quite experienced, breeders tell new puppy owners to punish their puppy if he bites. Either by intimidating the puppy with an angry growling voice, or even with physical punishment such as a scruff shake or slap. But there are problems with this approach. This process is called bite inhibition. And the use of punishment may curtail all biting rather than just the hardest, most painful, bites. Nowadays many people like to train dogs without punishment. And there are strong reasons for joining them — check out this article — the downside of punishing dogs. Teaching puppy to stop biting Why would we want to teach dogs to bite humans gently? Why is it not best to teach them not to bite at all, right from the start? The idea of reducing biting gradually was popularised by Ian Dunbar. The theory is that a dog which learns to inhibit his bite i. You can read more about bite inhibition here: Labrador Puppies Biting. The concept is a sound one, and most canine behaviorists agree that teaching gradual bite inhibition is a good thing. The problem for many new puppy owners, is stopping those painful bites in the first place! The first step is not a technique at all, but an adjustment in the expectations that we have of a small puppy How much do Lab puppies bite? New puppy owners tend to have false expectations of puppies. They also anticipate that stopping a puppy from biting will be a fairly quick and simple matter. None of these expectations is true. Most puppies bite hard, frequently and growl fiercely whilst they are doing it. This noise is not a sign of aggression see Help my puppy is aggressive. Stopping a puppy from biting is a process, a journey. And it can be temporarily an uncomfortable one! It is important to accept that there is no guaranteed way of stopping biting immediately. Indeed, as we have seen, bite prevention rather than inhibition may be a bad thing in any case. Supervise your puppy around children Once you have got your head around the fact that this process will take some time, that it will be a gradual thing, you need to think about how you are going to protect any children that might come into contact with the puppy. This is important because small children can, both hurt and, be hurt by small biting puppies. Calm your puppy to stop him biting The next priority is to keep your puppy calm. Overexcited puppies bite harder and more frequently than less excited puppies. This will merely start the biting up all over again. There are lots of ways to interact with puppies without physically playing with them. Check out our article on playing safely with your dog. What to do when a puppy bites When your puppy bites you really hard, take immediate action. Stand up, move away from him and completely withdraw your attention. You can try the squeal thing if you want to. This works well with some puppies. Be ready for it, and repeat your actions. If the puppy chases after you, biting at your legs and feet, step over a baby gate, or pop him in his crate for a few minutes. You can read up on this process in more detail in this article: How to cope with biting. Remember, puppies enjoy chewing , and teething puppies need to chew on something. Whilst you and your clothing are not suitable chew toys, you need to provide your puppy with alternatives, like Kong toys. How to stop your puppy biting Biting is normal Biting should be inhibited in stages Training takes time The key points to take away from this are that biting is normal, and that training a puppy not to bite takes time. Stop the painful bites first, then work on putting a stop to mouthing. If what you are doing is not working, you probably just need to be more patient and persistent. If your children are suffering, you need to separate and supervise. Work hard on keeping your puppy calm — it makes the biggest difference. How to train a puppy not to bite Is it normal for puppies to bite a lot? Yes it is! Almost all puppies bite and some bite much harder than others. How long do puppies teeth and bite? With some exceptions, puppy biting will stop by the time your puppy has his full set of grown up teeth at 7 months. Fortunately, you can stop your puppy from biting long before they have cut all their adult teeth. Do puppies grow out of biting? If you do nothing at all, to teach a puppy not to bite, the biting would likely subside over the next few months. But its very easy to do the wrong thing, and actually encourage a puppy to bite more. And in those cases, play biting can become very rough and the relationship between a young dog and their family can break down. Do All Labradors Bite? Anyone who shares their home with a 10 or 12 week old puppy will tell you that Labradors bite! And I can reassure you that this applies to all Labradors in the first few months of life. Fortunately this is a phase puppies go through and not a permanent character flaw. And most adult Labradors are indeed very good natured dogs. And also at what is normal, and what is not. If your children are in tears at being bitten every time they try to play with and cuddle their new friend, you may be wondering if your puppy is becoming aggressive. You may even worry that your children might be at risk. Fortunately I can reassure you that this is not the case. While your puppy may frighten your children with his sharp teeth and growling. The way he is behaving now does not mean he will be a threat to their safety in the future. Happily, studies have shown that behavior in small puppies is not predictive of the way that they will behave as adults! Why Do Puppies Bite Children? Some breeders will not sell puppies to homes where there are small children. This is because puppies often bite children and teenagers harder and more persistently than they bite grown-ups. It is normal for small puppies to make small children cry, but before you rush your puppy off to the local shelter, bear with me a moment, because I can help with that. Children give off conflicting signals to the puppy. Fortunately there are lots of ways to make it easier on yourself and on your kids. In short, you need to be a little patient at this point, and it helps to know that this phase does pass quite quickly. And that it is completely normal for all puppies to bite a lot, and to bite children with particular enthusiasm! It has to be said, Labradors are even more bitey than some other breeds of dog during this stage in their development. In fact, retrievers generally tend to be very bitey as puppies. As can the pain of being bitten. Puppy bites do hurt. And sometimes they leave marks. Pain, bruising, scratching, little tooth marks on your toddler, these are all part and parcel of raising a puppy. Some very enthusiastic puppies will even draw blood on occasions. All this is normal, but I will explain what you can do about it. Perhaps the most serious concern that new puppy parents have, is the fear that their puppy is becoming aggressive. What really worries people is the snarling. When puppies play, they practice being fierce. They throw themselves into the whole play acting thing with huge enthusiasm. And they are brilliant at it. And the most important part of that game is to make as much noise as possible and to sound as angry as possible. So, all puppies growl or snarl ferociously when they play, while they are biting, and sometimes when they are trying to entice their poor owners into yet another game. His little face will be all scrunched up, his lips drawn back, his teeth showing. So he has no idea that he is frightening your children or that you are wondering if he is turning into a horrible aggressive and dangerous beast. Please do be reassured, that however fierce your ten week old puppy sounds. It is just a game. He is truly just playing. Normal Puppy Play Behavior So, the hard truth is, all puppies bite. And many puppy bites are quite painful. Some Labrador puppies bite more than most, and biting a lot, and growling or snarling at the same time is normal. So is biting so hard that it makes your eyes water, and even occasionally breaks the skin. Puppies bite at hands that go to stroke them, at bare feet, and happily tug away at clothing, all the while trying to sound as fierce as they possibly can. All this is normal. And you, quite naturally, will want to know exactly when it is going to stop! When Do Puppies Stop Biting? It also happens in working dog families where the dogs may be kennelled or at least are not allowed unsupervised interaction with anyone apart from their trainer or main carer. A study carried out on Guide Dog puppies in showed that simply rejecting interaction and refusing to play was enough to stop the puppies biting their adult puppy walkers. But, and it is a big but — in most young families, this is not always what happens. In many families, especially where the puppy is a novelty, everyone plays with the puppy, and often in quite a physical way. This gets puppies very excited and tends to make biting worse. Inexperienced puppy owners also tend to inadvertently prolong the biting phase by rewarding the puppy with attention when he bites. The more excited they get, the harder they bite. Rough physical play gets puppies excited, rubbing puppies tummies, chasing puppies, grabbing at puppies. All these things get puppies bubbling with excitement Noisy behavior can get puppies excited too, so children squealing, or crying, grown ups shouting or getting cross. You might not think you are rewarding your puppy for biting, but you probably are. Labrador puppies are particularly social and love attention more than most puppies do. Any kind of contact with you, or other members of the family, including physical contact, talking, shouting, even eye contact, all reward your puppy. And if you give him these things while he is biting, this will reinforce the biting behavior and he will bite more in the future Poor bite inhibition What makes the bites hurt more, is poor bite inhibition. So the next section explains what bite inhibition is and how you can help your puppy improve his. What Is Bite Inhibition? At just eight or nine weeks old , Labrador puppies are actually capable of crushing bones the thickness of your little finger, with their jaws. Your puppy has been learning to inhibit his bite since he was tiny. His mother and brothers and sisters all helped to teach him how hard he can bite without hurting them. This is where your training will come in. You can read more about bite inhibition and bite inhibition training in this article What About Puppy Teething? We mentioned teething earlier because people tend to associate biting with teething. So, is it true that puppies bite so much because they are teething? And how long will teething go on for? In fact, most problem puppy biting is simply play. Puppies may chew or mouth at fingers to help relieve the discomfort of teething, but this is not the major cause of the biting problems we find in homes with small puppies. Most puppies have their adult teeth by the time they are 7 months old, but biting does not usually last that long. He is growing fast and by 11 or 12 weeks those bites will hurt a lot more. The time to begin taking action is now! But for the time being, you need to put this image aside. Children under five are simply not capable of playing with a puppy under four months without getting bitten. So you need to supervise every interaction between them. Do put baby gates across doorways, even if you no longer need them for your children. Baby gates allow you to separate children and puppies when you are not free to supervise. Do show children how to stroke the puppy gently whilst you hold one end of a rawhide chew and let the puppy gnaw on the other end. It will end in tears. Playful Visitors It is not just children that play inappropriately with puppies. I have known grown men grapple roughly with a tiny puppy, rolling him around the floor, making growling noises, whilst the puppy gnaws on his knuckles. You can find out how to play safely with a Labrador in this article. Saving your sanity and enjoying your puppy If you were not expecting this, it can seem like a big deal, but supervision and some separation is essential if you are to keep your sanity, and your children are to dry their tears and carry on enjoying their puppy. With older children, you need to teach them how to interact with the puppy without getting him overwrought. Labrador puppies, like toddlers, are easily over-excited. And when they are over-excited they start to be silly. Your first job at this stage, is to keep your puppy calm. Your second job is to stop giving your puppy rewards for biting. Make sure the puppy gets no reward at all when he bites someone. Especially no attention. The next stage explains how you can do that. The process whereby the puppy learns to use his mouth gently on your skin — and it takes a little while. Bite inhibition is taught in stages. The puppy learns to reduce the power of his bites gradually. What to do when your puppy bites If your puppy bites and hurts you, remove your attention immediately. This is where baby gates can be really helpful. If you are playing with your puppy and he bites you, you can step over the gate, thus effectively removing all attention from him. All of a sudden his playmate has disappeared. What about squealing You may have heard that a puppy will stop biting if you yelp or squeal. And you can try this, because it does work with some puppies. But many puppies get even more excited by the yelping, and on others it has no effect. The strongest signal you can give your puppy is the loss of your presence and attention. What about punishment? Some people try and stop puppies biting by smacking them or shouting at them. There are several problems with this. Firstly, it tends to only stop the puppy biting the person who did the yelling. Which is of course the very opposite of what you are trying to achieve! You can find out more about the potential impact of punishing your Labrador here. What if you need to move a biting puppy? If you need to move the puppy away rather than stepping away from the puppy you may find he bites at your hands when you go to pick him up or take hold of his collar. Others bite when they are stroked or petted. We are fond of wiggling our fingers at puppies, petting them and rubbing our fingers in their fur, not behaviors that dogs really understand. And many puppies see fingers and toes as something to chase and play with. Hands are a particular target for puppy bites so teach your children to interact with your puppy using toys that he can tug and bite on, rather than playing with him using their bare hands. Distracting your puppy If you want to sit and pet your puppy, or your children do, use treats or hold a rawhide chew with one hand so he can gnaw on the end. Have your puppy wear a harness and houseline so that you can pick up the end of the line and move him to where you want him to go without his grabbing at your hands. Stage Four: Train Your Puppy Not To Bite This is where we teach the puppy to let us stroke and pet him, or handle him in any way we like, without him putting his mouth around our fingers. The best way to do this is with a clicker and some dog treats. But you can also use a word like YES instead of the click. And place a treat on the floor in front of him You see where I am going with this? Build up slowly so that you can touch him anywhere on his head or body, pick up his paws etc. All without him grabbing or mouthing at you. What do I do if he mouths at me? If the puppy grabs at your hand, you got too close. Make smaller hand movements further away from him until he ignores those, then bring the movements gradually closer. Stage Five: Playing Safely As puppies grow older biting can reappear. Puppies between six and nine months of age, are extremely boisterous, and may start nipping with their teeth during play. At this age, your puppy is more than half grown, and his size and weight are a significant problem if rough play is allowed. The secret to avoiding and resolving this issue is to change the way you interact with your puppy. And to ensure that children follow your example. Boisterous and excitable puppies must not be allowed to play rough games with small people. The consequences can be very unpleasant, and it is no coincidence that this is the age at which many young dogs are abandoned or given up to rescue. Here are a few more articles that you might find helpful:.

Town and country cut Short cut You will also have to bear in mind that some of these cuts will be much shorter. If you live in a cold climate or a hot climate, ensure you have the right protection for your dog. Our article on dressing dogs for winter shows you how to do this in an appropriate way. Lion cut The lion cut is probably the best known and most extravagant of all the poodle haircuts. The dog's limbs are hairless, with only a pompom around the front and back paws. The tail should be rounded off and the chest, stomach and head should be left with hair. It is the most widely used haircut in competitions and dog shows where is is also known as the Continental cut. The lion cut's elaborate style makes it impressive, but also takes a lot of time and effort not to mention experience to get right. There are other cuts on dogs called the lion cut, such as one for the Shih Tzu , but they will look different according to the specific breed. Image: National Geographic 2. English saddle cut The English cut is very similar to the lion cut. The difference lies in an additional pompom on the hind legs, and the pelvic area being left at the same length as the chest. It still shares the long ears and tightly wound curls on the body. Both are considered some of the most popular Poodle haircuts among groomers. Image: poodleforum 3. Dutch cut The Dutch cut is one of the most popular in dog contests and expositions. Unlike previous styles, this one is for those who are looking for a uniform style with no differences in length of the dog's coat. It's notable above all for the tail ending in a cute pompom. Image: poodleforum 4. Modern cut The modern cut for poodles is probably the most suitable for owners who love following recent trends and enjoy watching canine beauty competitions. This is also known as the Scandinavian cut or European cut in some sectors, especially in the United States of America. It seeks to achieve a careful and professional finish, without being as exaggerated as the aforementioned styles. It is an aesthetic cut, yet at the same time it is very natural. It follows the shape of the body, emphasizing the ears and tail as much as the head. This is a very trendy cut for Miniature Poodles, and it isn't difficult to work out why. This haircut really makes your poodle look like a puppy. This style doesn't aim to achieve a defined or sharp-looking finish. On the contrary, the fur should look natural and fresh. The American Kennel Club claims there should be a pompom on the end of the tail. It is another of the most popular Poodle haircuts. Image: temporary-secretary 6. Summer cut Many dog owners wonder if it's bad to give their dogs a haircut during the summer. Not all dogs should follow the example of the Poodle, which is a breed that adapts perfectly to different haircuts and styles. Summer is a hot period that makes your beloved poodle get dirtier than usual - especially if you take it to the beach or go for a walk in the woods. Therefore, giving it a summer cut is a good idea: You will help to keep it cool while achieving some interesting aesthetic finishes, as shown below. Winter Poodle cuts tend to leave more hair on the dog to help insulate them from the cold. Image: poodleforum. Cupcake cut This haircut is not very well known, possibly because some people think it provides a strange look once it is done. The cupcake cut is notable for leaving the ears absolutely rounded as a result of being thoroughly styled. Not all styles will involve Poodle face cuts to be so dramatic, but we think it is quite stylish. This Poodle cut is also notable for the shape of its head - which ends in a point - which bears a clear resemblance to a delicious muffin. Image: huxtablethepoodle. Teddy bear cut The teddy bear cut is increasingly popular among long-haired dog breeds. This finish must be done with scissors, and it requires hands with experience in styling poodles. The hair should be left mid-length so that the poodle's curls can be seen clearly. This gives a sweet and rounded finish which makes it look like a bear, as the name suggests. Make sure you know how often to bathe a poodle in order for their fur to look gorgeous at all times. Image: yiral 9. This style can work for any type of Poodle, but is particularly common with Standard or Miniature Poodles. Its defining feature is that it leaves the legs hairy and cylinder-shaped. The body hair, on the other hand, is cut shorter, which accentuates the density of the leg hairs. The head and ears have a rounded finish. Image: najupets .Short cut While it's not very common to see a short-haired poodle, it remains an aesthetic option that will avoid knots, tangles and dirt building up in its coat. This Poodle cut may be a good option in warmer countries. It is also a good option for those who can't go to the dog stylist as often as they would like to. This style can work just as well on a Toy Poodle as it will a Standard Poodle. However, you will need to bear in mind that it may cause the dog to become cold. Either avoid this cut in cold climates or winter months. If you still prefer a shorter cut, ensure you have a doggie jacket for them to stay protected. Image: notastandardpoodle-gregg. The problem is there is no standardized style guide for cutting a Poodle's hair. In different countries, regions and even individual dog groomers , there is debate over the correct name for some of the terms. This can understandably cause confusion for groomers. Clients may come in with a specific idea of how they want their Poodle cut, but are unable to explain the style to the groomer. The best thing for you to do is to decide on what you want before hand and locate a picture of the Poodle cut you want. You can even take this article with you and decide which type of haircut will best work for your dog. Relying on the name of a certain Poodle cut may cause confusion or frustration, so it is best to be on the safe side. Send us a photo of your dog! Do not forget to share your poodle's haircut in the comments so that others can get inspired. Thank you for visiting AnimalWised! If you want to read similar articles to 10 Haircuts for Poodles, we recommend you visit our Beauty tips category. Jul 18, Share Poodles are renowned for their hair. While the continental haircut may be the most popular, there are tons of other options out there. Some haircuts are more practical, while others are high-maintenance and adorable. Which haircut you choose for your dog depends on your goals and lifestyle. Show poodles need the continental cut, for instance. However, if you have a companion dog, you can choose whatever cut you want! Below, we listed some of the most popular poodle haircuts for this year. This list should give you plenty of Poodle cut styles to choose from! The Top 11 Poodle Haircuts 1. It is so popular and time-honed that it is still prevalent this year. It is one of the two acceptable haircuts for show dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. This cut involves shaving everywhere except their face, ears, shoulders, paws, and tail. This was the traditional cut Poodles were given when retrieving waterfowl, as it left enough hair for them to stay warm without getting in the way of their mobility. The one downside of this cut is that it needs to be done by a professional. It takes a lot of work. It is more difficult to see the body of the dog with all the extra care. However, you may not care much if you have a companion dog. This cut leaves plenty of hair behind to keep the dog warm but shaves it down enough to give the dog plenty of mobility as well. This is an increasingly common cut for dog owners, as it is a happy middle-ground. Generally, the coat is clipped to the same length across the whole body. Most companion poodles have this cut. Instead, this cut is supposed to make full-grown poodles look like puppies. Thus, it is one of the more popular toy poodle haircuts, as they are already small enough to be puppies. With that said, this is also a style that is acceptable for actual puppies. According to the AKC, this is a good style for dogs under a year old. You will need a pompom on the tail for showing purposes, though. However, for companion dogs, this is not necessary. Some brave owners may be able to keep this cut maintained at home. This is an easy cut to maintain at home and is a standard cut used for show dogs. However, this is an extremely suitable cut for companion dogs as well. We recommend this cut for colder climates, as the fur is a bit longer overall than in other cuts. It is almost the winter version of the kennel cut. There are no harsh lines. However, for owners who care more about practicality than the show, it is a good option. This cut is seen on a variety of other dogs as well as it is simple and low maintenance. Bikini Cut A post shared by Bo the Rescue Poodle standardpoodlebo The bikini cut is a middle ground between fancy and straightforward. It has a little bit of style but is still very low maintenance. Most of the body is kept very short, while certain areas are allowed to grow out like the ears, paws, and tail. This is one of the shortest cuts out there, so it is suitable for warmer climates. Scandinavian Clip A post shared by Kimberly Snoddy kimberlysnoddy This cut is incredibly grand and overdone. It is an extreme continental cut. For this reason, it is scarce. It is most suitable for icy areas, like Scandinavia, hence the name. This cut is most identifiable by the fluffiness everywhere! Town and Country Cut A post shared by Finnegan And Riker Schiller finnstaoninsta As far as modern cuts go, this is one of the most popular options out there. The one distinguishing feature is that the legs are cut to resemble cylinders. The ears and head are also very rounded with minimal poofs. This cut involves letting that process happen. This cut used to be very popular. However, it had fallen out of style for decades. Nowadays, the cut is beginning to come back in style. This should be done with care and precision, as natural mats can be quite uncomfortable. This is a style you can achieve at home, though. It is also effortless to care for once you get things going. It is not quite as impressive as some of the other cuts on this list. However, it is very low-maintenance , which is precisely why many owners choose it. It is notable and low-maintenance, making it the best of both worlds for most companion dogs. Conclusion If you are the lucky owner of a poodle—no matter what size—you have plenty of adorable haircuts to choose from. Also See:. By Yvonne Villasenor Yvonne Villasenor is a freelance writer and animal lover who just so happens to be allergic to cats and dogs. That doesn't stop her from cuddling with them! When Yvonne's not working, you can find her lounging with her charming Chihuahuas, weightlifting, or wandering around Halloween stores. Having such unique and versatile fur means there are countless poodle haircuts for you to choose from, and a professional groomer can give your poodle a makeover with a hairstyle that best matches her personality and lifestyle. With so many options available, learn how your poodle can look like anything from a plush toy to elegant royalty! Teddy Bear Cut The teddy bear cut is a popular trim for poodles and other long-haired breeds. With this look, your poodle has longer hair on her face for a soft, rounded "teddy bear" appearance, and the rest of the fur on her body is cut at a shorter, uniform length throughout. Talk about cuddly cuteness! Summer Cut Because poodles have a single coat, they can enjoy the luxury that comes with it: the summer cut. Known as one of the most low-maintenance poodle haircuts, the summer cut is a practical haircut option that keeps your poodle's fur short so she stays comfortable in hot weather. So if you're looking to cut your hair to beat the heat in the summer, you and your poodle can rock shorter hairdos together! Puppy Cut No matter your poodle's age, you can seemingly turn back time with the puppy cut. Also a popular choice among poodle parents, the puppy cut is a simple, natural-looking trim that leaves your dog with an evenly cut length, typically 1 to 2 inches, all over. This is a highly modifiable look, so consult your groomer for a length that best fits your and your dog's preference and lifestyle. Continental Cut The continental cut is a glamorous and traditional hairstyle often worn by poodle show dogs. With this look, your poodle's face, throat, feet, and part of the tail are shaved. This look is characterized by full hair on the rib cage and chest, pom poms of fur on the tail, ankles, and hips, as well as a banded topknot on the head. German Trim Looking for a haircut that looks fancy but not too fancy? The German trim uses the power of angles to give your poodle a sharp profile. The hair on your furry friend's legs is left long, while the hair on the body and ears is cut short. This is a great option not only if your poodle is more active but also if your pup is prone to ear infections or ear matting. Modern Cut The modern cut is an elegant hairstyle that combines aesthetics with your poodle's natural features. This cut keeps the hair on the body short, accentuating your poodle's shape. The fur on the head, ears, and tail is left longer to create a fluffy appearance. When your dog has such curly, coarse locks, you may wonder how many trips to the groomer you and your poodle may be making. Poodles and poodle-crosses also go through a coat change in the first year of life, so they need to be groomed more often," says Danna Alexander, owner of Prestige Dog Grooming School. To keep mats and tangles at bay, it's best to brush your poodle at least two to three times a week. Toy poodle haircuts aren't off limits for miniature and standard poodles, just as standard poodle haircuts aren't off limits for miniature and toy poodles. While any poodle can sport any style, there may be common options you'd like to choose from. Because there are various names for different types of poodle haircuts, make sure to bring your groomer a photo of the haircut you'd love your pooch to have. Was this page helpful? Two ponytails look amazing not only for small kids but also for small dogs. Keep the body hair short, sparing the ears. The coat growing here should be longer than the ears. Tie the hair without the ears. Outlined Coat Create an outline for the belly and legs these should have longer hair than the rest of the body. Next, create height on the half back and top of the head. The ears should also have long hair that is tousled and teased. In fact, it seems that the poodles were the ones who created it. So make sure to try it at least once. Summer hairstyle This is a great poodle haircut for the next summer season. You need to keep the hair on the body about half an inch short and leave the hair long on the ears and the tail. A wonderful choice! You need to keep the hair all about the same length but not longer than 1- 1. The plush toy is ready! There are plenty of different dog clothes out there. All you need to do is go shopping. Curly friend Curly poodles look wonderful with short hairstyles. However, this poodle haircut requires a careful approach. Cutting curly hair too short can result in getting rid of the cute spirals. So be careful! Ponytails If your pet is a girl and you want to give it a girly look, consider cutting the hair short on the face and leaving it long on the ears. The hairy long ears will give an impression of ponytails that you can decorate with clips and bows. The shorter the fluffier Your curly poodle will look like a plush toy if you do the right job managing its hair. Ask a professional dog groomer for advice on how long such hair should be to look neat. Puppy style Puppy poodle haircuts must be adorable. There is no need to go out of your way. You will need to grow the hair about 3 — 4 inches long and then take the dog to a professional groomer so he or she can shape the mane. Oh, those ears Poodle ears require special attention. They are often the centerpiece of any poodle hairstyle. Groomed face Poodle face usually requires special attention. The hair in that area is rather short on its own, but you need to keep it neat to contrast with the rest of the body, especially the long hair on the ears. Hairy cutie Poodle owners often go for short poodle haircuts. However, the long ones can even be more attractive. Neat and impressive Poodle hair is often hard to manage. But allow it to grow longer in the winter. The bob If you want your dog to have a closer- to- human hairstyle, you can create a bob. In order to achieve that, you need to grow the hair on top long enough to blend in with the ears. Short classics If you are running out of poodle hairstyle ideas or think that you are short on time, consider this classical cut. You need to trim the hair to be all the same length and leave it about 1 — 2-inch-long on the ears. Winter cut If your pet is getting ready for a cold winter, you need to ensure that the hair is long enough for morning and evening walks. You can even leave it long on the face to keep the dog warm. Half and half This half and half poodle haircut is extremely popular. It is a good choice for a dog show or some other special occasion but not the best idea for the dog itself. In fact, it can be quite uncomfortable for the animal. Princess haircut The simple princess haircut involves leaving enough hair on top to create the appearance of a human hairstyle. You can also leave some hair on the tip of the tail to make a more interesting impression. Tail designs Poodles have long tails and grow a lot of hair on them. Ask the groomer for some ideas or use this one. Teddy bear If you want your poodle to look like a teddy bear, this hairstyle is for you. The hair on the legs is kept about 1 inch long to make an appearance of a bear-like hair. The body can be trimmed a little shorter. A real lady This real lady hairstyle can be a real hit at a dog show. One of them is that the pet is warm during the cold months, and the other one is the room for imagination. The longer the hair, the more creative poodle haircuts you can come up with. Hair coat A hairless poodle face is a wonderful base for funny haircuts that look like a costume. It will seem as if the dog is hiding inside a large hair coat. Play around with the length and the style. Corded coat This dreadlock-like appearance is popular at the dog show. This hairstyle looks truly fabulous but requires a lot of work. Make sure that your dog is ready for the procedure. Corded coats are hard to take care of. Half-breeds If you have a have breed poodle, you might consider experimenting with very short hairstyles. The result will look surprising and benefit your dog. Leave the hair on the tail long enough for some at-home styling. Messy cut While your poodle might look like a fun and huggable teddy bear with a long hair, the dog might not be feeling comfortable lugging all this hair around. Give it a cut! Below are more awesome poodle cuts to get ideas.

They were awfully cute during that first game of tug-o'-war. But your Labrador retriever pup's rapidly developing chompers may soon have you mourning over your latest pair of perforated pumps and wondering what you've gotten yourself into. Labrador Retriever Baby Teeth Labrador retriever puppy image by crazy. The rate at which pups grow their first teeth may vary slightly, but by the time you got your new Lab puppy, he was probably at least 6 weeks old and had his full set of milk teeth properly called deciduous teeth. These are the needle-like little teeth you've probably felt during play. The first to show up around 3 weeks of age are the aptly named canines. The final premolar comes in around 6 weeks. Puppies do not have molars. Most pups will have about 28 milk teeth. Teething means discomfort for your pup, and the irresistible need to chew on things. Unless you are on guard, that means chewed books, shoes and furniture legs. You can help your Lab puppy and preserve your belongings by giving him things to chew. Plenty of chew toys are marketed, and nothing beats a good rawhide chew as a project for a teething pup to work on. Be sure to supervise with anything your pup might be able to break into bits that could choke him. Your Puppy's Grown-up Teeth Labrador retriever image by crazy. At 6 to 7 months, the full set of 42 permanent teeth will be in. As your puppy grows, the roots of his baby teeth are reabsorbed by his body. The adult teeth push up, loosening the baby teeth and eventually causing them to fall out. Don't worry if you can't find any baby teeth lying around on your rug; most are swallowed by the young dog. Rest assured, this is normal. The last teeth to come in are the molars. Because there are no baby molars, growing these is more uncomfortable and causes more teething behavior. Do not use human toothpaste, which can be seriously harmful to dogs. Pet supply stores offer toothpastes specifically formulated for dogs. Make brushing a fun game, and your pup will value the extra attention from you. As his teeth come in, watch for baby teeth that stay in place after the adult tooth has erupted. A veterinarian may have to remove these. More Articles. A time when puppies lose their baby teeth and the adult ones start to emerge. With any luck, teething will go smoothly for your pup with minimal hiccups during that time. The majority of dogs, however, get in a great deal of discomfort when they are teething, which is when chewing comes in handy. It is common for puppies to develop sore gums during the teething process, as their adult teeth begin to poke through the gums. To alleviate teething discomfort, chewing helps soothe the teeth. As your pooch grows, it is normal for them to nibble and chew. Here is a guide to lab puppy teething, including information on when or what you can expect from the teething process with just a few symptoms as their adult teeth develop. Puppies teeth begin to appear around the time of weaning, which usually occurs between weeks of age, but depending on the breed, they can appear as late as 8 weeks of age. Beginning with their first tooth, a puppy gets 28 teeth, temporary teeth, referred to in different ways like milk teeth, deciduous teeth, or just simply puppy teeth. At this stage, your puppy loses his baby teeth and replaces them with permanent ones. After 3 months, puppies begin to lose their baby teeth. At around 4 months, it is likely your puppy will have some missing teeth. These teeth are remarkably sharp, designed to help them successfully adapt to carnivorous life after tasting meat for the first time. A few of the theories regarding sharpened teeth are associated with introducing solid food and assisting the pups in controlling their biting instincts. Once the root is fully reabsorbed the tooth becomes loose and is easily knocked out when the lab Puppies eats or chews his toys. Teething Gels For Puppies Fairly speaking, there are those who favor teething gels made for puppies. Our recommendation is to speak to your veterinarian if you are considering teething gels. There is disagreement regarding the efficacy or even the danger of teething gels. Like how do you know if your puppy is teething or not? What if your puppy is going through mental turmoil, chewing everything she encounters. Chewing Puppies chew by nature, however, if he suddenly shows a significant increase in her chewing behavior, it may indicate that he is teething. Make sure to give him his own toy because otherwise, you will regret it. Constant Drooling Puppies that are teething experience intense gum pain which leads them to constant drooling. When chewing, it gets even worse. Turn Into A Slow Eater As soon as the puppy starts to teeth, his mouth starts hurting and it gets even worse as he tries to eat. As a result, his eating rate slows down. Some may even stop eating. If possible, give him something softer and less chewy to eat during this time. Consult with your vet to get a list of soft foods that are suitable for him. Frequent Whining Every puppy whines while it is young. However, if you observe unusual whining even after he is past the whining stage, such behavior may be indicative of teething. Moreover, lab puppies who are teething often whine as they chew on toys as well as when they eat. Swollen Gums Plus Bleeding If you find blood on your puppy toy, do not panic. Unless the toy is drenched in blood and the puppy keeps acting the same, there is no need for further concern. Remember — It is possible for swelling and discomfort to persist for some time, so do not be shocked if the symptoms persist. However, if the bleeding seems excessive compared to normal teething, consult your veterinarian right away. Look Out For The Lost Teeth Most puppies lose their teeth while playing, so keep an eye out for teeth in his toys after he chews them. Owners of lab puppies often save their teeth to preserve their memory. If you wish to do the same, simply wash it, dry it well, and keep it in a safe place. This would be a great contribution to a memoir about your pet. Ideal Teething Toys for Lab Puppies As the lab puppies starts to teethe, the majority of pet parents are devastated to see their beloved puppies tearing up their house, devouring shoes, TV remotes, couch cushions, or digging through the garbage. We have listed some of the best toys that you can gift your pooches to cheer them up. Nylabone Key Ring Toy. Does teething make puppies ill or aggressive? Puppy teething can make biting worse , but your puppy also bites in play and he needs to learn to be gentle with his mouth. Chewing is also a natural behavior for teething puppies. It also helps the puppy to shed those teeth that are loose and ready to come out. As well as suggested toys for teething puppies. How long does puppy teething last? With human babies, we tend to associate teething with sleepless nights and grumpy infants. With puppies, our concerns tend to focus more on biting and destructive chewing behavior. How many teeth do dogs have as adults? Labradors are lucky. Unlike some modern dogs breeds, they have a full sized jaw bone with plenty of room for their teeth. Most adult labs have a beautifully designed set of forty-two teeth. This is a perfect mouthful for crushing bones and for ripping and tearing up meat! Just like people, dogs can have problems with their teeth. Tooth decay is common and teeth can get broken. Usually this is one of the premolars that sit between the long canine tooth, and the big molars at the back of the mouth. How many teeth does a Labrador puppy have? Like human babies, Labrador puppies are born without teeth. And, like human babies the first set of deciduous baby teeth are lost during infancy. These are replaced by bigger, stronger grown up teeth. This means your puppy will only have twenty-eight teeth until he cuts his grown up ones. When do Labrador puppies start teething? That first stage in the teething process involves the cutting of the first teeth through the sealed gum. In addition, this phase is pretty much over once you collect your puppy at eight weeks old. When do puppy teeth fall out? At this stage your pup loses his baby teeth and replaces them with permanent grown up ones. Loss of baby teeth begins after the puppy is three months old. The chewing may help to relieve the discomfort in his gums, but you need to watch him carefully. Make sure he is not swallowing bits of blanket or toys that have come apart. Some people claim that their puppies are more irritable during teething but I have not personally found this to be the case. How do puppies lose their teeth? Once the root is fully reabsorbed, the tooth becomes loose and is easily knocked out when the puppy eats or chews his toys. However, his gums may be a bit irritated or sore. But a word of caution before you rush out to buy some. Puppy teething gels Understandably, some people want to use puppy teething gels. However, we recommend you have a chat with your vet before using puppy teething gels. As opinions vary as to whether or not gels are effective or even harmful. You might also come across a cracked tooth. This may need to be seen to by a vet to avoid the risk of infection. Infection can be quite painful. It simply means he has knocked one of his loose teeth out a bit roughly, before it was quite ready to fall out. Most of the time, your puppy probably swallows his baby teeth along with his dinner, or while playing. You may occasionally find a baby tooth, which you can keep as a memento, but they are tiny and quite hard to spot! What are the best chew toys for teething puppies? Without doubt, the most useful toys you can buy your teething puppy are Kongs. You need to fill the hollow center with mushy food and freeze them. Your puppy can then spend up to half an hour of bliss removing the frozen contents. This soothes his mouth and relieves boredom another common cause of chewing. You can buy lots of other chew toys but I find these to be the best. When will my puppy stop teething? Many puppies will be done with teething by about seven months and almost all puppies will have a full set of adult teeth at eight months old. This is because there are reasons other than teething for the enthusiastic chewing that so many Labradors seem to have. Does teething cause diarrhea or fevers? There are a great many claims for the effects of teething in children, from fevers to rashes and upset tummies. These claims, tend to be associated with that first stage in teething. In other words when the baby goes from no teeth at all, to a set of deciduous teeth. This stage is over in puppies before you bring your own puppy home. Over the next few months, your pup will lose his baby teeth and grow his adult replacements. This is the equivalent of what happens to older school-aged children, not what happens in human babies. If in doubt contact your vet In addition to this, there is little or no evidence to suggest that teething causes anything other than teeth in puppies. It is really important not to delay veterinary attention to small puppies that are not well. A small, sick puppy can become seriously ill very quickly. However, there are problems that puppies can have with their teeth. The first is to do with the structure of the jaw. The second is to do with the position of the teeth as they grow through the jaw. If you are looking for a puppy to raise as a working retriever, or for the show ring, this is something worth checking for. Sometimes teeth that look slightly misaligned will level out when the adult teeth come through, and vice versa. Periodontal Disease is a common and sometimes severe problem in dogs. Just like in human, dental hygiene is important in dogs! Have your puppy checked by your vet if you think he still has some deciduous teeth left in his mouth at six months old. Retained baby teeth can impede the growth of the adult teeth and cause problems for your puppy later on. The power of puppy teeth Despite a lack of molars puppies still have powerful jaws and very sharp teeth. From an early age, puppies are learning to harness that power and not to use it when playing or interacting with other dogs and people. This is a process called bite inhibition. Does teething cause biting in puppies Puppies tend to bite a lot when they are teething. But the teething itself is not the only cause. However, biting and growling is an important part of puppy play, that is often mistaken for aggression. Small puppies often bite too hard because the process of bite inhibition that we talked about earlier is not complete. They have learned how hard to bite their furry litter-mate and mother, but not how hard to bite on human skin. Teaching this is one of your roles. But once his adult teeth come through, it is a different story. His permanent teeth have to last him the rest of his life. For example, he may break a tooth. Therefore, he must be happy to have his mouth examined. This is something you can start when he is really small. Get him used to having his lips lifted up, and his teeth examined now, using food as a reward. One of the many questions dog owners have is when do puppies lose their teeth? A new puppy can bring both joy and hours of fun, as well as the tendency to chew and teethe on not only your shoes, and the remote control, but your fingers as well. It can take at least eight months for puppies to finish teething, and to learn that chewing on your shoes is not a good idea. Puppies start getting teeth once they start the weaning process, and this typically starts around five to six weeks of age, and for some breeds, it might not start until eight weeks of age. The puppy dentition contains a total of 28 baby teeth, and puppies are known to have sharp, pointy baby teeth that can wreak havoc on not just your shoes, but your hands, arms, and fingers too. Puppy teeth erupt at about two weeks of age and are usually completely in by about eight to ten weeks old. The incisors erupt first, followed by the canine teeth, the premolars, and the molars, although there is some variation between breeds. Typically, puppies lose their baby teeth faster than they come in, and typically baby teeth fall out about one month after erupting. Three Months Most puppies lose their first set of teeth at three months of age, usually starting with the incisors. Six Months At six months old, a puppy should have nearly all of her adult teeth in place, and any teeth that are growing crooked or causing an overbite might need dental correction before the teething process is over. Below is a general timeline for the presence of adult teeth: Incisors: Two-four months Premolars: Four-six months Molars: Four-seven months From seven to eight months old, puppies should have all their permanent teeth, totaling 42 teeth. How Long Do Puppies Teethe? Teething is a process that can last for months and starts when puppies are around two weeks old when the first baby teeth start to come in. The teething process itself usually ends at around eight to nine months of age, when all the adult teeth have erupted. However, if your puppy seems painful, reluctant to eat or play, then an appointment with your veterinarian is recommended. The best thing to do for your teething puppy is to offer safe chew toys, and your veterinarian can make recommendations. The best items for teething puppies are toys that are soft and flexible and bend easily. Baby teeth have long roots, and pulling a loose tooth can break a root, leaving the broken part behind and leading to possible infection. In dogs who have retained baby teeth, where the baby tooth is in the way of an emerging permanent tooth, you may have to make a dental appointment with your veterinarian to have those baby teeth pulled. This is a common issue in some toy breeds, such as Yorkshire terriers, where the baby tooth remains in place, preventing the adult tooth from coming in properly, and as a result, causing an occlusion, or bite, problem. Periodontal issues can also arise when there is the crowding of baby and adult teeth, and this can lead to bad breath and the build-up of dental plaque and tartar. This will get your puppy used to having her mouth touched and make it easier for you to brush her teeth and maintain a dental care regimen. Most of the time, people assume that they are just being destructive. Actually, we need to understand that puppies are chewing, more often than not, to relieve some discomfort. There are some important lessons your puppy needs to learn in these stages that will make life much easier as they get older. You can expect your puppy to stop teething when they are 6 or 7 months old. Puppy Teething Timeline If you are new to the puppy experience, you definitely anticipated some of the fun playtime and cute cuddling. However, there are probably other things that you did not anticipate that may drive you crazy. Behavior problems like chewing and biting are one of the most common reasons that people get rid of their dogs. When it comes to teething biting and chewing , you should understand what the puppy is going through. Knowing when your puppy will transition from one stage to another will help you have patience when you get the most frustrated. Weeks 2 to 4 Your Lab puppy was born, like most mammals that I can think of, without any teeth. He will still be with his mom, so there is not much you need to know about this period. At this stage, his teeth will still be too gentle for dry food—so he will still be nursing throughout this stage. Weeks 5 to 6 By this point, your puppy will have all 28 baby teeth. With his teeth in place, your Lab puppy should be introduced to soft, wet dog food. Lots of breeders will just use the same dry dog food they plan on feeding as the dog gets older. Click here to see how I like to prepare dry dog food for puppies in this stage of tooth development. Just use the puppy food you will be transitioning them to before they go home. When you are ready to use the soaked dog food, place it in a blender or food processor. Blend the mixture until it is the consistency of baby food no lumps. When you are ready to feed the puppies, you can mix it will some warm water or put it in the microwave for just a few seconds to take the frigid edge off. This is also when your puppy will start dropping his baby teeth. It will not be uncommon to find little, rice-sized puppy teeth around your house. On the other hand, you may not see the teeth if your puppy swallows them while eating. No big deal. This is because his mouth hurts. The gums are irritated and chewing on stuff gives some momentary relief from that discomfort. Anyone that has cared for a baby understands how miserable the teething process can be. It is no uncommon for a baby that is teething to be very miserable. They develop a fever, become very cranky, lose sleep, start to drool uncontrollably, rubbing their cheeks, etc. Especially his mouth. Puppies chew on everything… even you! Anything to get some relief from the teething process. Your vet will appreciate your helping your dog get comfortable with having his mouth handled. The frustrating part of this stage is how often you will get bit. It is just a part of the puppy game. And, when you do get bit, it hurts because his puppy teeth are like little needles. They do not need to bite down hard to cause some serious pain. Although the purpose of this article is not to get your dog to stop biting, here is a video that will help you through this stage. If you notice any puppy teeth remaining with the adult teeth, you should contact a vet and have them pulled. Problems in Labrador Puppy Teeth There are lots of different problems your puppy can experience in conjunction with teething. Retained puppy teeth are the most common. The puppy tooth is considered retained if the adult tooth has emerged. The adult tooth does not have to be fully grown in order for the tooth to be considered retained. As I mentioned above, make sure that you get your dog to a vet to consider having it pulled. Missing teeth are not necessarily a problem. If the adult teeth are starting to come in, it is possible to find a spot where the puppy tooth has fallen out, but the adult tooth is still just below the gum surface. Also, the angle helps you get anything that might be caught between the tooth and the gum. Pet Republique Finger Toothbrush This is the instrument you need if you want to really focus on a specific tooth and give direct attention. That stuff can cause serious problems for K-9 teeth. You can check Chewy. I about died. I grabbed a bag of these and within one month, I could visibly see the difference in the plaque buildup on her teeth. I am not exaggerating. The next time I took Lady to the vet, he could not believe the change. Now, he suggests them to all of his clients that have dogs with plaque build-up. Click on this image or this link to see what these are selling for today at Chewy. Best Toys for Labrador Puppies that are Teething There are a number of toys that you can get to help your puppy deal with the discomfort of teething. The benefit of getting some of these is that you can start training your puppy what is okay to chew and what is not. If you do not have one or more of these toys close at hand, you will find it very difficult to get your dog to stop chewing on your stuff. I think they are some of the very best dog toys on the market. Make sure you check out this video on how I use KONG toys to help with crate training and training my dog to be quiet. You can grab them from Chewy. This might be the most useful dog toy on the market. The polymer is completely safe for your young dog. The nylon rope relieves the discomfort from teething. Puppy Proofing Your Home Puppy-proofing your home is more about avoiding the point where you start to resent your puppy. Remember He is only a puppy and his mouth hurts. Any relief at all is going to be welcome as far as he is concerned. The frightening thing is how fast your puppy can destroy your favorite stuff. Puppy-proofing your house is as much about keeping your stuff safe as it is about keeping your puppy safe. So, make sure that electrical cords are tucked out of sight. Baby gates or doors are a great way to control where your puppy can and cannot go in your house. These are a great way to limit where your puppy can go in your home and thereby reduce the number of places you have to puppy-proof. Check out this metal gate from MidWest. It is a great option and will bring you some peace of mind.