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More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We have been breeding and raising dual purpose Labradors by breeding Show Bench English style and American lines since .We strive to produce healthy, good-looking Labs which make loyal family pets or hunting companions. We strive to produce quality Labradors with great temperaments, training ability, and sound physical condition. It is our goal to enhance the Labrador retriever breed one litter at a time. We have a passion and dedication to the Labrador Retriever breed and strive to produce only the best puppies. Our girls and boys, who are all AKC registered, have been carefully selected for their health, temperament and beauty, and are the heart and soul of our business. We take great pride in the puppies we produce, and strive to make sure each one is happy and healthy. By the time our puppies are ready for their new homes, they will have had their dew claws removed, 4 series of wormings, vaccinations, and beginning socializations. Micro chipping is included in purchase price. Our Labs are part of our family. They are each given exercise and "play time" daily, which is imperative to Labrador health. The puppies are well socialized and are hand picked for companionship, retrieving or both, with close evaluation on a daily basis. Please remember, a pet of any kind is a lifelong commitment and must be discussed and agreed upon by all members of your household. Labrador Retrievers are an amazing breed of dog. They love your attention and will gladly return the favor. Labs are retrieving machines, be it fetching a ball with your children or retrieving fowl while you're hunting. We believe at Texas Pride Labradors, that the Labrador is the most versatile dog for families. They are content lying on the couch or being a running companion for daily work-outs. Labs are brilliant with children and never aggressive. Give the magnificent Labrador a place in your family and you will not be disappointed. Contact me if you have any questions and thanks for visiting my website. The Labrador Retriever is also the most popular purebred dog in America for the 21st straight year. More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: The ten reasons that I am giving for children to have a dog are not listed in order of importance. All of us have different characteristics which we find more important than others. Every reason I list, however, is important to the childhood of your son or daughter. Furthermore, telling a dog to sit, and then watching the dog do what he was told, provides children with tons of confidence. By giving children the confidence needed to consistently practice reading, they become better readers by virtue of the practice. Dog-owning children have fewer sick days off school, and children who own them often have better self esteem. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Did you know… Founded in by brothers John and Augustus Allen who came to buy and sell real estate here. When oil was discovered in the area exploded with growth both residentially and commercially. The Houston Shipping Channel opened in which further fostered growth in the area. NASA moved to Houstin in , bringing the space program here. In , the Astrodome opened, the first indoor domed sports stadium in the world. The distance from Houston to Washington DC is miles. The distance to the Texas state capital is miles. Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! We have answers. Actually, there are a variety of factors that influence dog prices, such as Houston Labrador Retriever breeder experience, pedigree, and even coat color. Luckily, there are so many breeders in our network that finding a dog is easy! Do American Labrador Retriever breeders Houston ship puppies out of state? Labrador breeders and businesses in the Uptown network have extensive experience shipping puppies around the United States, and your family can easily have your dog delivered to any major airport excluding Hawaii and Alaska. How do you screen Labrador Retriever Houston breeders? Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places offering Labrador Retriever puppies for sale Houston? We built Uptown to bring together humane breeding operations with families looking for a fast, fun way to meet their dream puppy. What is a puppy mill? Why are some Labrador Retriever puppies in Houston so cheap? Puppy mills are inhumane, unethical breeders that mass produce puppies on an industrial scale. When you bring home a puppy mill dog, you can expect your new friend to get sick more often, have more severe behavioral problems, cost you thousands of dollars in extra vet bills.Are there any chocolate Labrador Retriever breeders Houston near me? With the Uptown network at your fingertips, your dream dog might be waiting just around the corner. What is the MatchMaker process? How do I know I can trust you?

About Us Why Australian Labradoodles? We raise Australian Multi-Generational Labradoodles for many reasons. The Australian Labradoodle has become a breed that is noted for its high intelligence, asthma and allergy friendliness and no to low shedding, and easy trainability. Their playful and endearing personalities make them loving and loyal family companions. Combine all this with excellent health and fantastic temperaments and you have the dog we love! A Love For Dogs Our Labradoodles are hand raised and whelped in our home with love and lots of attention from our family, extended family, and full-time staff. Our dogs have plenty of room to run and play indoors or outdoors. We take great care in socializing our Australian Labradoodle puppies so they will be a treasured companion from our family to yours! Our Australian lines come from the two main research and development centers, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor in Australia. We are a gold paw breeder with the Australian Labradoodle Association of America ALAA and go above and beyond their minimum requirements for health testing. Along with my family and full-time staff, we raise genuine quality miniature, medium, and standard Australian Multi-Generational Australian Labradoodles. After researching the breed, it became apparent to me that the Australian Labradoodle was the right choice for my family with a history of allergies and asthma. We fell in love with these incredible dogs and one thing led to another! We have been in business now for sixteen years. View fullsize The first labradoodle was developed in the 's in Australia as a means of providing allergy friendly coats on an intelligent service dog. With the name "labradoodle" being so popular, some breeders are crossing poodles with labrador retrievers and calling the resulting dogs "labradoodles. They might shed, they might trouble people with allergies, they might be a labrador or a poodle or almost anything in between. The goal of Multi-Generation Australian Labradoodle breeders is to develop a consistent breed with predictable traits. By breeding only multi-generation Australian Labradoodles with a lineage that can be traced back to Australia, we are doing our part to perfect and standardize the Australian Labradoodle breed. Many people who are allergic to dogs can have an Australian Labradoodle. Not only are they intelligent, but they are also very funny. With their floppy ears, wide-set eyes and wavy or curly coats, they can look like muppets. When introducing them, we like to tell people that "yes, they are as silly as they look. While resting they can assume what we call the " attack position " where their bellies are exposed, legs splayed out and tongue hanging out of their head that's lying on the ground. Australian Labradoodles are in love with the dishwasher. Anytime we are loading it they will be waiting to inspect everything that goes in. We got Matilda in .One year later we decided that with all three children away at college we should get another Australian Labradoodle and start breeding them. In we bought one of Tilly's unaltered little sisters from Pine Lodge Labradoodles. Look at our Labradoodling blog and our Puppies pages to see lots and lots of pictures. There are more pictures on Instagram. Our house sits on eight acres in Western Washington between Seattle and Bellingham. We had horses several years ago, the mare lived to be 37, the gelding we had out of her, .Now the barn is just where we lock the cat up at night. We let the dogs run wild in a large fenced yard when the weather cooperates, take them for long walks when it doesn't and keep them in the house with us the rest of the time. When the children visit they are all over their poochies, taking them for walks, runs, hikes and bike rides. And road trips. Having had many animals over the years, someone probably grumpy, maybe dad declared that there would be no more animals in the house. We had a barn, a yard and even some woods. There was plenty of room outside for all the animals anyone could need without having one stink up the house. That all changed when we got our Australian Labradoodles. If we wait too long between baths they will eventually smell like grass, which is where they spend most of their time in the summer. Otherwise you can walk into our house and not know we have dogs unless you see them. Or hear them. When you come visit, they'll say hi. The puppies we sell are registered with the ALAA and WALA , come with a two year health guarantee and will be sent to their forever home with their shots up to date, a microchip, a veterinarian's checkup and a free month of insurance available from Trupanion. Our first Australian Labradoodle. View fullsize. It offers high-quality dogs with champion bloodlines as well as excellent customer service. This breeder has been breeding Miniatures and small Mediums since .It was established to give each pet the love and attention it deserves to live a healthy and happy life. It breeds Labradoodles that are already housebroken, making the transition easier for you and your new puppy. It also provides all puppies with a genetic health guarantee to cover any problems related to their breeding. They make great family pets because they are gentle around children and other animals. In addition, they are very friendly, making them a good choice for first-time dog owners. Get in touch with one of these breeders today and let your dream dog become a reality! These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Bellingham Washington and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. We have decided we want to add another Whispering Winds puppy to the Wetzel family! I am ready to put down a payment, but just wondered if I need to fill out the application again? This is with her best friend next door neighbor, Kaia, who just moved away. Thanks so much! The big boy is Diesel, our 10 month old black German Shepard. She is such a sweet loving dog! We adore her!! She is becoming quite the boating dog! She has her own little bed in the fly bridge for when we are cruising and she loves to go kayaking, hopping right in to go for a ride! Thank you again so much for such a wonderful puppy!!! Gidget and I and our Mom are doing ok. Gidget and I share a recliner when we watch tv. I wanted to let you know that we continue to adore Penny. She will be eight years old this week. She now has a 6 year old brother and 3 year old sister both human. We've moved to Bainbridge Island, and she loves tagging along with us on all our outings to the beaches and trails. Hope you are doing well! She is wonderful and we are madly in love with her. It has been an easy adjustment welcoming her into our family. I think that made all the difference. She is very healthy and the vet had very good things to say about how well Whispering Winds had cared for her.We had some crying the first two nights but then she settled in really well and just goes right in at bedtime. We put it in the living room during the day and she goes in and out of it all day playing, napping. She really loves it. She is so cute, she walks alongside it when I move it from room to room. We live across the street from a park so we gets lots of people walking by wanting to stop and chat about her. She loves all her toys, but the wiffel ball is her favorite right now! She has met other dogs in the park and also friends. We want to be careful but also still socialize her. They had so much fun playing! We hope you are well and enjoying this next litter. Take care, Hi Gail. We are so enjoying our Ollie. He is so fun and loves Annie He has been with us for just over a year. I have attached pictures. Christine HI Gail: I wanted to forward you a couple of pictures of our beautiful, sweet, and occasionally ornery Lucy, who turned one yesterday. Jim, Anne and Lucy. Hi Gail. I hope you and yours are doing well and enjoying the summer. Ozzy formerly Ricky Bobby is now 8 years old and as spry as ever. We have a younger dog, 4 year old Troy, who chases him around and Ozzy, although he might never admit it, loves having him around. Checking in - we are having a fantastic summer with kona. She has met new furry family members, and though not a big fan of going swimming, loves getting on the paddle board and going for a ride. She discovered that she loved going from one paddle board to another so on our camping trip , the kids put 3 paddle boards together and kona happily walked back and forth between them. It was a blast. Thank you again, she is the best girl ever! Gail Completely delayed update but Poppy is doing great. Here is her latest picture post haircut. Thanks Monica Hope all is well. We Went and had a beach weekend! The pups and grandkids had a blast. She wanted you to see how beautiful she is with short hair! I love doing all the different toys they have out there for me to do. They hug on me and I just lean on them and give them kisses on their hands. I like working and making people happy, but most of all I love playing and doing zoomies. I just give them a big smile and lots of kisses. My moms and I hope you are doing well and having a super good summer. He had his first sandy beach experience today. We love having him adventure with us. Hope all is well with you! Katie Hi Gail, I hope this finds you well! Luka is officially home and loving his Texan life. He has learned to go up and down the stairs and bark. Loves his new mom my mom, Teresa and his sisters Mila and Frida. Here are a few pictures and videos- Cassandra Our beautiful Chloe turns 17 years old today! July 9, Hi Gail.Hope this finds you and Wayne happy and in good health! We're doing good and just celebrated Bill's 89th birthday!!! Darbi doesn't pose and wouldn't stay still for the photos, so it is just of Bill and Cubby! Hope you are easing into your retirement and enjoying a much more relaxed life!!!! Love you, Bill, Susanne, Darbigail and Cubby!!!! The dogs are so shaggy.Sorry I can't trim their muzzles so you can see their eyes.I worry about poking their eyes!!!! Moon turned 10 last May. She is the most special to me of all the dogs we have had. If I could clone her I probably would. I missed out on her puppy stage…. Great temperament. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Bellingham, WA? We have answers. What are some fun facts about Labradoodle puppies for sale near Bellingham? Labradoodles are an interesting breed of dog that many people find attractive. One fun fact is that the breed was created relatively recently, first bred in the late s in Australia. They were originally created by mixing Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles to create a breed with the look and intelligence of a Poodle, but the temperament of a Labrador. In addition, they are usually low to non-shedding, and tend to be very loyal companions. Will Labradoodle puppies for sale in Bellingham cause me to have allergies? It is possible that Labradoodles may cause allergies, however this will depend on an individual's own sensitivity. If you or anyone else in your household suffers from allergies, it is important to consult with a doctor before bringing a Labradoodle into your home. Many Labradoodles are bred to have a low-shedding coat which may reduce the presence of allergy-causing dander in the home. Additionally, there are many benefits of owning a Labradoodle in terms of companionship, intelligence, and trainability. What should I not feed Bellingham Labradoodle puppies for sale? Labradoodles should not be fed human food, chocolate, moldy or spoiled food, fatty foods, onion or garlic, grapes, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, or alcoholic beverages. It's important to also avoid feeding them food items that may contain these ingredients. Additionally, Labradoodles should not be overfed, as this can cause them to become overweight and have poor health. Fortunately, there are many healthy, balanced food options that are specifically formulated for Labradoodles. It's best to feed them these types of foods and avoid any human food or snacks. How do I prepare to adopt Labradoodle puppies in Bellingham? Preparing for a new Labradoodle starts with making sure your home is ready for your new furry friend. Gather all the essential items like a dog bed, food dish, collar, leash, and a good quality dog food. Additionally, it is important to provide safe chew toys and keep dangerous things out of reach. You'll also need to research dog breeders and the necessary vaccinations for a Labradoodle. Socializing is also an important part of owning a Labradoodle. How fast do Labradoodles for sale in Bellingham grow? Labradoodle puppies vary in size, as their size depends on their parent breeds. Generally, Labradoodle puppies can reach full size between 11 and 24 months. However, mini Labradoodles, which are a hybrid of the Miniature Poodle and Labrador Retriever, may reach their full size quicker as soon as 11 months. Mini Labradoodle puppies are usually smaller at maturity standing at around inches, with a weight of between 15 and 25 pounds. How much exercise do Labradoodle puppies near Bellingham need? Labradoodles are a very active breed of dog and require lots of exercise in order to stay healthy and happy. While the precise amount depends on the individual dog, most Labradoodles are recommended to receive at least 60 minutes of physical exercise each day. This could include running in the yard or park, playing a game of fetch, or going on a long walk. It may also be beneficial to actively engage them in other mentally stimulating activities, such as playing hide and seek, agility courses, or a game of tug of war. Are Labradoodles in Bellingham good for first-time owners? Labradoodles can certainly make great companions for first-time owners. Their intelligence, sociability and eagerness to please make them very amenable to learning new commands and being trained to obey their owners' wishes. They are loyal and affectionate to their families, which makes them highly trainable dogs and great companions. Labradoodles also boast an adaptability to different climates and environments. They can remain calm around children and other household pets. Is training Bellingham Labradoodles for sale easy? Training a Labradoodle is not necessarily easy, but it is rewarding. It takes time, patience, and consistency to get the most out of this type of dog. Establishing a training routine allows you to get to know your pup and create a strong bond and positive relationship. Having a daily routine wherein you invest time in teaching sit, stay, come, or go to bed commands, as well as providing ample opportunities for playtime and exercise, helps your pup stay focused and attentive. Training should also include teaching your pup boundaries such as jumping and leaving objects alone.

Reviewed by Monica Tarantino Dr. Monica Tarantino, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian and writer with five years of general practice, emergency medicine, and geriatric pet health experience. She is certified as a Fear Free doctor. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. These pups make a great addition to every home, as they are excellent with kids, love to cuddle, and will do anything to make their owners happy. They are medium-to-large sturdy dogs with excellent balance, obedience through the roof , and an adorable face. Keep scrolling to see the cutest photos yet and discover mind-boggling Labrador retriever trivia. Despite their name, Labrador retrievers originally came from Newfoundland, not Labrador. Continue to 2 of 16 below. Continue to 3 of 16 below. Continue to 4 of 16 below. Continue to 5 of 16 below. Continue to 6 of 16 below. A little training will go a long way. Continue to 7 of 16 below. It may require some training, but their instincts will know how to handle soft items. Labrador retrievers go crazy for plush toys and are often found napping with their favorite ones. Continue to 8 of 16 below. Our extensive library of high-quality stock photos includes a wide variety of images featuring this beloved breed in various settings and in different stages of life. Whether you need a photo for a website, brochure, or any other marketing material, we have the perfect image to suit your needs. Types of Images Available We offer a wide range of images featuring Labrador Retrievers, including photos of puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs. Our collection includes different colors of Labradors, including Chocolate, Black, and Yellow. You'll find images of Labradors in a variety of settings, such as playing in a park, resting at home, or working as service animals. These formats make it easy to use our images for different purposes, such as print and digital media. Our images can be used for a variety of projects, including websites, social media, brochures, posters, and banners. When choosing an image, keep in mind the intended purpose and the audience. For example, an image of a Labrador playing with a ball may be perfect for a brochure promoting dog toys, while an image of a Labrador as a service animal may be ideal for a website promoting disability services. Practical Advice on Choosing the Right Image When selecting an image, consider the message you want to convey and the emotion you want to evoke. A happy Labrador playing in a park may convey joy and playfulness, while an image of a Labrador comforting an owner may convey comfort and compassion. It's also important to consider the composition of the image. A well-composed image draws the viewer's attention to the subject, making it more effective in conveying the intended message. Choose images with a clear subject and a clean background to avoid distractions. Conclusion No matter what your project requires, we have the perfect Labrador Retriever image to meet your needs. Our extensive library of high-quality stock photos features a variety of Labradors in different settings and stages of life. Make your project stand out with our Labrador Retriever images. Pet Project Updated May 25, 3. Are you in the mood to see some adorable photos of Yellow Labrador dogs? This is a list of some of the cutest Yellow Lab photos. You can add your own special Yellow Labrador Retriever photos to the list, and you can vote for your favorite pictures of Yellow Labrador Retrievers to get them ranked higher on the list. The English Labs are heavier, thicker and blockier. The American Labs are from American bred stock and are tall and lanky. Their double coat is smooth and comes in solid black, yellow or chocolate. Labs love to play in water, and are very good-natured and eager to please. They are large dogs, some reaching to over pounds in size. They are also very energetic and need regular mental and physical exercise to keep them stimulated or they can become high-strung. These large dogs excel at almost everything, and can be used for service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, search and rescue and sledding, among many other activities. Labrador Retrievers have a strong willingness to please and are highly intelligent. These beautiful animals make excellent service dogs and are a top choice for service dog work. The nose and eye rims are black on Yellow Labrador Retrievers, and their coloring is a pretty yellow. Enjoy these cute pictures of adult and baby Yellow Labrador Retrievers, and see what great dogs they can be!

The dog requires some outdoor space to loosen up when bored. Not only does the dog typically captures the bodily appearance of a Chow Chow, but also has a curved tail that is unlike the tail of a German Shepherd. The dog is also seen to inherit the long muzzle of the German Shepherd parent dog side along with a black accent on its face and pointy ears. This makes the German Shepherd Chow mix resemble the facial appearance of a bear or a lion. This dog is a quick learner, making it easily trainable even as a puppy. Part of its personality that you should try to address while training your dog is its stubbornness which originates from the nature of its Chow Chow parent dog side. Obedience training should be your initial and primary training method on the dog. Unlike the stubbornness of a Chow Chow, the German Shepherd Chow mix find great pleasure in exhausting itself with constant play time and attention by its owner. Without any form or source of mental or physical stimulation, the dog can easily become bored and may end up acting more aggressively or destructively to release its restrained tensions. The dog is prone to chasing things that run by it, so make sure it is always kept on a leash once the dog is taken for a walk or any other outdoor activity. German Shepherd Mixed with Chow Chow Puppies for Sale Before buying a German Shepherd Chow puppy, you need to consider your budget and the costs involved after paying for its ownership. About more than a thousand dollars is required for purchasing the puppy and providing it with medicines and vaccinations. The typical price of a German Shepherd and Chow Chow offspring range from two hundred and fifty dollars to seven hundred and fifty dollars. The best way of looking for this puppy is by checking out dog breeders who specialize in breeding German Shepherd Chow offspring. Besides crossing out possible health issues from parent dogs, your other concern when looking for quality breeders is the price of their puppies. Another budget-friendly method is by looking at adoption centers or German Shepherd Chow mix breeders who are open to adoption. An excellent and responsible dog breeder is someone who makes as many background checks on the buyer as possible. Below are some adoption sites and dog centers to get a German Shepherd Chow puppy: Petcurious. You could also attend professional dog shows, contact or join dog clubs, or talk with a veterinarian who may know or refer a German Shepherd Chow mix breeder to you. Since the dog would appear like its Chow Chow parent dog, its long hair can result in excessive shedding. Having a vacuum around can help you clean up the mess in your surroundings. You should shampoo the dog only when necessary such as flea or skin problems or in cases when it starts to smell unpleasing using shampoo products made for long coats Chow Chows. This dog shampoo is formulated with a Sweet Pea Vanilla scent for a more pleasing smell on the dog. It is also specifically designed for Chow Chow coats and is hypoallergenic. This dog shampoo is a good alternative for skin allergies and infections. It contains Bentonite clay which helps in alleviating itchiness, dry skin, and hot spots. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo. Also formulated as a moisturizer, this dog shampoo includes Aloe Vera extracts. Do not forget about maintaining the nails of the dog. Just like many dogs, the German Shepherd Chow mix also needs its nails trimmed once in a while using specialized nail clippers for dogs. This is a genetic illness that is common to many dogs in general. In other cases, obesity and improper nutrition and diet can contribute to the development of hip dysplasia as well. The hip joints of the dog slowly deteriorate and could result in skeletal malformation. Flea Allergy. Irritation can occur once ticks or fleas get into the coat of your dog. The long coat of the German Shepherd Chow mix can provide the perfect and warm atmosphere for the pests to breed and feed for their eggs. Scientifically termed as gastric dilatation and volvulus or GDV, bloat is the result of gas filling up in the stomach. As the stomach expanses, the diaphragm and blood vessels get squished and could cause breathing and heart problems to the dog. Eye Problems. Pannus or chronic superficial keratitis is a common eye problem with the German Shepherd breed. When it is left untreated, the dog may experience blindness. It is usually common for the dog at its middle to the old age of seven to nine years and above. Heart Problems. Vital signs that you should be wary of are breathing problems, behavioral changes, weight and diet changes, abdomen swelling, and weakness. There are several reasons for the dog to catch a heart problem but being aware of the signs and symptoms should help in treating it as soon as possible. The German Shepherd Chow mix does not necessarily have any health issues or illnesses that were specifically pointed out. Nevertheless, the sicknesses and health problems that were mentioned above can still be passed on to the offspring derived from the genes of both parent dogs. Healthy supplements including chondroitin, fish oil or omega three acids and glucosamine should help in preventing or reducing hip dysplasia problems. According to the American Feed Control Officials, a German Shepherd Chow mix puppy should eat protein at about twenty-two percent, while an adult German Shepherd Chow should consume only eighteen percent of protein. Protein from whole meats including beef, fish, and chicken are recommended in its diet. It features the following ingredients: salmon, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, pea derivatives, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and parsley. It is made grain-free and packed with protein. Ingredients are as follows: duck, chicken meal, turkey meal, whitefish meal, egg protein, peas and chickpeas, sesame oil, and almond oil. It is another grain-free dog food with a hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. This dog food contains a variety of animal protein and healthy fat sources. Ingredients include salmon, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, lamb meal, chickpeas, split peas, dried potatoes, and sunflower oil. It is a unique-tasting and premium dog food made of real beef, dried whole eggs, pork meat meal, beef liver, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, salmon oil, cauliflower, apples, green beans, carrots, blueberries, and other sources of antioxidants. This dog food is full of nutrients and proteins without containing wheat sources. The ingredients include turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, chicken fats, chicken liver, salmon oil, peas, and potatoes. Feeding your German Shepherd Chow mix should have a balanced diet just like any other dog. You should consult with your veterinarian about these dog foods and devise a holistic dietary plan. Too much protein is too much calorie for the dog and may result in too much weight. If you want to obtain the best food for your sweetheart, this is a place to start. Senior dogs have specific nutritional requirements and you should search for their food in the best senior dry dog list. In case you have welcomed a puppy into your home and the little munchkin is just getting used to a regular diet, take a look at the list of the best puppy food brands. Your sweetheart comes from two different parents, which makes your pups more likely to grow to love dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. The same is expected from its offspring too. Hence, the German Shepherd Chow needs a daily dose of mental and physical stimulation to stay on the right track of things. Aside from doing activities with the dog including running, hiking, jogging and cycling, training is also another way of stimulating since German Shepherd Chows enjoy pleasing their owners. Below are some activities that you should do with the dog: Swimming. Swimming is not only an exciting activity for both the dog and its owner, but it also burns a lot of fuel or energy from the dog. The German Shepherd Chow mix is a friendly dog to people, but it is equally essential for it to recognize other dogs and behave in the same manner towards them too. Dogs, in general, are curious animals, and you can keep their curiosity in check by teaching it how to be around and respect other dogs. The dog will eventually learn new social skills. Scenting or Tracking Games. The German Shepherd parent dog side of the German Shepherd Chow mix was tracking dogs that loved to hunt things. Some games include finding the treat, hide and seek, and find the toy. Obedience Training. There are many ways to train your dog, but it all boils down to giving it commands and following your orders. Any form of training should keep the dog mentally and physically engaged and exhausted too. The Chow Chow parent dog side of the dog is known to be independent due to its stubborn nature and may choose not to obey you when you tell it to do something. Here are some training methods that you could apply to the dog: Puppy Training. The most important part of training the dog as a puppy is giving it your time and company. This should teach your dog the value of your bond with it and will soon acknowledge you as its alpha. Let it play with toys that you give so that it learns that being with you is a rewarding experience. Positive Reinforcement. Rewarding your dog while teaching it commands can come a long way to its relationship with you. You give your dog a reward such as a treat or a toy whenever it successfully responds to your command but gives it nothing until it learns how to react correctly to your call. A German Shepherd Chow mix needs to be taught how to socialize and behave properly around both humans and animals. If the dog would live in a home with children, it should be exposed to them as early as possible so that the dog learns how to tolerate your kids and feel more comfortable around them. They are playful towards any member of the family and is also easy for anyone to get along with as long as the person is introduced to the dog properly and not spontaneously. It is generally a peaceful dog that barks less unless provoked or neglected of attention. Some traits that make German Shepherd Chows great family pets are loyalty, protectiveness, and loving. It is also a perfect watchdog because the dog when faced with a stranger or someone not belonging with the family, becomes wary and can show intimidation as a warning sign to potential intruders. This is not just an energetic dog, but it is also a larger dog breed in size. In terms of lifestyle, the dog does very well with owners who are also active outdoors. The family does not necessarily need to have an energetic attitude towards the dog since it can be stubborn too, but owners should set daily activities that include the dog in their routine. Overall, the German Shepherd Chow mix is an excellent dog breed and family pet to own. With the parents of two dog breeds that are geographically far apart, a combination of the German Shepherd and the Chow Chow seals the deal. Because of this, it is important to understand how these dogs were intended to be used before you decide to purchase one. This breed has a very long life expectancy and is not at all prone to being deformed or unhealthy in any way. People around the world tend to think that the German Shepherd is one of the smallest of large breeds. However, contrary to what many people believe, it actually stands up against the most well-known breeds like the Dachshund and the Yorkshire Terrier in terms of size. This is quite surprising to some people who consider the average size of these dogs. Some even consider them to be more slender than the Cocker Spaniel. The life expectancy of the German Shepherd is really quite astonishing. It has been found that in the last century, the lifespan of a male German Shepherd has been around seven years while a female has lived for nine to ten years. This is a very long life span for a dog that only weighs about twenty to twenty-five pounds. Unlike other breeds, the German Shepherd is very intelligent, especially when it comes to learning basic commands such as sit, stay, and come. Aside from the amazing health and longevity, German Shepherd Chow Mix Puppies for Sale also has another great benefit: they are extremely social animals. Since these dogs are social creatures, they are well-suited to live in small apartment homes or apartments. They can easily interact with other pets and humans because they are extremely social creatures. They are gentle and cuddly but can be extremely protective of their family. They will bark when there is an intruder in the house but they do this only when there is an intruder. This makes them ideal dogs for use in hunting. The German Shepherd is an excellent choice for anyone considering a dog of this type. They are very healthy and durable, very responsive to training, and extremely well-behaved. Chihuahuas are common and easy to find, but German Shepherd puppies can be very difficult to locate. A large number of German Shepherd owners prefer to adopt their dogs, but unfortunately, this breed has become exceedingly rare. There are a few things you can do to find German Shepherd puppies for sale. All of these tips will save you money. The first place most people look when they want to find German shepherd-chow mix puppies for sale is a breeder or rescue group. These groups have a list of dogs that have been screened for health problems and temperament so that the general population of dogs would be safe. You must do your homework before choosing a breeder or rescue group to adopt a German Shepherd. You should be aware of the expenses that go along with adopting a German Shepherd and be sure that you can afford the price before making an offer. Another place that can help you locate German Shepherd puppies is at your local animal shelter. Almost all local animal shelters have German Shepherds in their foster care programs. These dogs are there because their owners do not have the funds to purchase another pet. Because the shelters help animals, they tend to have very low-cost pets and German Shepherd mixes are no exception. Adopting a Chihuahua or any other breed of small dog from a shelter will cost you much less than it would cost to purchase a German Shepherd from a breeder. Many owners of German shepherd mixes choose to adopt their dogs from animal shelters instead of going through the time and effort to purchase one from a breeder. While there is nothing wrong with this, you need to be aware that there are several different German Shepherd breeders out there and not all of them will raise good quality dogs. There is also the possibility that shelter dogs could have been exposed to unhealthy conditions. It is your responsibility to research before choosing a shelter to adopt a German shepherd mix puppy from. All shelters should be checked out thoroughly by the proper authorities so as not to make the situation worse for the dog. If you decide to go through with purchasing a German shepherd-chow mix puppy, then you should understand that the breeding process can be very complicated. Not only does the mother have to be ready to take over the entire litter, but she also has to have proper pups to take care of. Although the German Shepherd breed has some excellent temperament, it is important to remember that these dogs were originally intended to be used as herding dogs. They were originally intended to be used for herding cattle. This means they were originally used for sheepherders and farmers. A good way to help you understand the history of the German shepherd is to do some online research. You can learn about the origin of the breed, the original breeding methods used to develop the current dogs, and how they are being raised today. Knowing all of this information will help you better understand the German shepherd mix for sale. The more you know about the breed, the more likely it is that you will make the best possible choice when purchasing one for your household. One thing to keep in mind when searching for German shepherd-chow mix puppies for sale is that many of the current owners of these dogs no longer want them. Part of this may have to do with the type of work that they are getting. Many of these dogs were used as herding dogs and had to be raised in large stables to help them exercise and live up to their breeding standards. Some of these dogs were sold because their owners could not keep up with the expenses associated with keeping such a large dog. TherSome lucky ones will up with a large enough purebred chow that they can maintain their current lifestyle while also making sure they are getting a great companion dog. German shepherd dogs mix puppies for sale come in a variety of colors and patterns and should appeal to the majority of dog owners. The large size of some of these dogs combined with their beautiful coats can make them a popular option for many households. Just remember that owning a German shepherd is not something to take lightly. You must take care of these dogs properly or they will not perform the way they were designed to. If you are willing to put the time and effort into finding the right German shepherd-chow mix for sale, your family and the dogs you bring home will benefit from the wonderful companionship you receive. Share this:. Showing 1 - 40 of 62 resultsPage 1 - 62 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Delivery can be arranged. There are 4 of nine pups to choose from, the pics say if the pup is male or.They're great additions to anyone's life due to their high.Born on June 29th, just a little over 2 months old. She's very playful and enjoys walks she's great with other dogs. She is 11 weeks old She is a Shephard and bully mix I can't keep her due to.He is neutered. Does not do well.Please Contact Cute 5 month old rescue puppy German shepherd mix. Vancouver Calm and cute puppy rescued from the streets of Mexico, His mom, a German Shepherd and 8 sibblings were tossed to the streets because mom had an affair with a non German Shepherd. Chester is a.Even at this young age, Dagger exhibits a keen.He was born on June 22nd and is 9 weeks old. He eats solid food and use puppy pads already. Winnipeg Puppies born on August 22nd. Mother is a mix of German shepherd and Great Pyrenees. Father is pure bred Kangal. The dogs are great watch and shepherd dogs as they are trained to be around farm.German Shepherd Blue heeler mix. Located in Hepworth. Mother is onsite. All puppies have been vet checked, had their 1st shots, and.They were born on June 22nd and are 11 weeks old. They eat solid food and use puppy.The mom is the bigger beige one in the photos. The dad is also completely beige. Great and knownfor being a nanie dog, a.One of their other names, the Shichon Teddy Bear refers to their.All 1st year shots, Ready for their new home. Mom is 50Lbs, Dad 70Lbs, light brown puppy is larger than black puppy who has her.Born right on our front step, these sweet-hearts have been handled from day one. Friendly and playful, each.Contact for further information. Serious enquires only please. Born July .Mom and Dad have excellent temperament and are.Mom is our family pet, quiet and calm and loves children. Ready to go home with you! Females and males available. To a good home healthy ,friendly , energetic puppies. Last male pending Rottweiler x German Shepherd mix puppies. Both parents are onsite, both are well balanced and highly intelligent. Loyal to their people, amazing with kids and.Any puppies that qualify as a German Shepherd Mix are a cross between a German Shepherd and another dog breed. In a mixed breed, you can get any mix of characteristics in the parent breeds. German Shepherds tend to be strong-willed, intelligent, playful, and loyal. To get a full idea of what to expect in your puppy, be sure to ask the breeder about the other dog breed in the cross and check out the mother dog in-person to get a general idea about size and temperament. On the German Shepherd side, you have an independent dog with high intelligence and a playful spirit. German Shepherds make great family pets and are born protectors. Because of their protective instinct, they can be suspicious of strangers. Socialization early and often can help curb this suspicion and make them more open to new people and situations. German Shepherds also tend to be loving and have a lively personality. The German Shepherd Mix can have any or all of these characteristics plus any characteristics from the other parent breed in the mix. Before buying a German Shepherd Mix puppy and bringing them home, be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed. If the puppies are being family-raised around children, you should be able to get an idea of how they will do in a family setting that includes children. The German Shepherd is a moderately adaptable working dog that was bred to guard, work, and herd. They do not tend to do well in apartments and are best-suited for houses with yards. GSDs prefer to be with their families and do not like to be alone. They also tend to prefer cooler climates as they are sensitive to heat. With a German Shepherd Mix, you could get a moderately adaptable dog that is just like a purebred German Shepherd. You could also end up with a dog that is more like the other parent breed. Talking with the breeder about the other parent breed can give you a good idea of what to expect. German Shepherds can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. You will need to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an idea of any other health concerns to be aware of in your German Shepherd Mix. Health screenings, clearances, and the genetic history of the parents can help allay concerns about potential health conditions. On the German Shepherd side, training and obedience classes are highly recommended for novice dog owners. Although GSDs are highly intelligent, pick up on things quickly, and train fairly easily, they can be stubborn with an independent streak. Regardless of the other parent breed in the cross, you should be prepared to enroll in obedience and training classes with your German Shepherd Mix. The experience will be beneficial to both you and your puppy and will also offer some opportunities for socialization. You will still want to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an understanding of what to expect during the training process. Professional grooming a few times a year and the occasional bath is also recommended. Regardless of the coat type, your German Shepherd Mix will need to have their nails trimmed monthly and their teeth brushed regularly. Not every dog will allow you to do this, so try to get a tooth brushing session in at least a few times a week to reduce tartar buildup. This will help prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, it will help cut down on bad breath! German Shepherds tend to have a high activity level. They were bred to run, herd, guard, and protect, so they are used to working and having a job to do. They are definitely not a lazy dog breed! Be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix. You will still want to go in prepared for a high energy dog with the understanding that your German Shepherd Mix puppy may have an activity level closer to the other breed in the cross. If both are high energy dogs breeds, expect to end up with a high energy dog. A German Shepherd is a large dog breed that generally weighs between 55 and 90 pounds. They also usually stand between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders. The other dog breed in the cross could result in a smaller or larger German Shepherd Mix. A German Shepherd generally lives for years. You should be able to expect a similar range in your German Shepherd Mix, but the other dog breed in the cross could affect this range. Featured German Shepherd Mix Article. Showing 1 - 40 of 45 resultsPage 1 - 45 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. They're great additions to anyone's life due to their high.Delivery can be arranged. There are 4 of nine pups to choose from, the pics say if the pup is male or.Born on June 29th, just a little over 2 months old. She's very playful and enjoys walks she's great with other dogs. She is 11 weeks old She is a Shephard and bully mix I can't keep her due to.He is neutered. Does not do well.He was born on June 22nd and is 9 weeks old. He eats solid food and use puppy pads already. German Shepherd Blue heeler mix. Located in Hepworth. Mother is onsite. All puppies have been vet checked, had their 1st shots, and.They were born on June 22nd and are 11 weeks old. They eat solid food and use puppy.The mom is the bigger beige one in the photos. The dad is also completely beige. Great and knownfor being a nanie dog, a.All 1st year shots, Ready for their new home. Mom is 50Lbs, Dad 70Lbs, light brown puppy is larger than black puppy who has her.Born right on our front step, these sweet-hearts have been handled from day one. Friendly and playful, each.Contact for further information. Serious enquires only please. Born July .Mom and Dad have excellent temperament and are.Mom is our family pet, quiet and calm and loves children. Ready to go home with you! Females and males available. To a good home healthy ,friendly , energetic puppies. Last male pending Rottweiler x German Shepherd mix puppies. Both parents are onsite, both are well balanced and highly intelligent. Loyal to their people, amazing with kids and.Drayton 2 female and 6 male puppies. Absolutely adorable! No vaccinations. These Dutch shepherd crosses are amazing pets. Dad is 3yrs old and he is a mix of retriever, great.Dad is a Bulldog Terrier. Mom is a Rottweiler Shephard cross, who looks like a mix. They are ready for rehoming as of 17th of September. Urgent Malinois X puppies Sarnia Belgian malinois and German shepherd mix Malinois x this is a hybrid I have 4 females and 6 males they are 12 weeks old. They will need to be walked daily and need a big backyard to run around. Chase is a year old, up to date with vaccinations and is intact. He is playful, energetic and compassionate. Chase is house, leash and.Pad trained and doing well. Puppies have been dewormed, just needs first vaccinations! We recently picked Luca up from a seller who had a litter. He is an adorable puppy who loves to meet new people and explore the world. Want to sell because I got a new job and don't have enough time for him. Asking 75or obo He is NOT fixed. Yes he is.Puppies are.He is good on a leash, house-trained, obedient and good-natured, and is friendly with children and other dogs. Let's introduce the parents: The mother is a stunning King Shepherd mix with chestnut honey eyes. She's an exceptional and devoted mother to her.Born July 30th and will be ready to go as of September 24th! I'd love for them to both stay together and go to a loving home. We love her and she is an amazing dog who is filled with energy and loves to play. She's very friendly and loves attention. Mom is purebred golden retriever brown color dad is golden retriever mixed with German shepherd light grey color. I owned both mom and dad. I have 1 puppy for sale.

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. 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. Simba 2yrs old Golden Lab St. Catharines This is Simba! Simba has lots of energy, loves going for walks, can play fetch for eternity but is also always cuddled up by my side. It breaks my heart to have to give him away as I love him so much.Call or text only. Friendly playful well tempered and seriously good.Gorrie One sweet, 7-week-old female puppy ready for a new home next week! Has had vaccinations, vet check and deworming. Mother is on site and very good.Jacobs Mixed large breed puppies for sale. Call or text us to get a quick reply. Raised on the farm. Lots of experience playing with children. Have had their first shots and dewormed. Vet checked healthy. Come and pick out your new.Played and socialized with kids and adults every day! We have 8 black and 2 yellow pups available. Mama dog is the picture of the chocolate lab, and the golden retriever is.Great family dog! Best of both worlds. Dad is purebred golden retriever. Parents DNA tested. Super friendly breed and good with our kids. Mom is pure lab, Dad is red lab x golden.Some search tips we've found useful: Try a different or more general keyword Expand search location.

Once he has reached maturity, you can switch to adult dog food. Not all breeds reach maturity at the same age, however, so this can make it harder to know when to switch. How Long to Feed Puppy Food Puppies need a complete and balanced puppy food until they reach maturity. For dogs, adulthood depends more on breed size than their age. Because large and giant breeds take longer to mature, they need to eat puppy food longer than small- or medium-sized breeds. Medium Dog Breeds: Medium-sized dogs weigh between 21 and 50 pounds at maturity. They tend to reach maturity around 12 months of age. They need to eat puppy food longer than small- and medium-sized breeds. They can tell you when to switch to an adult dog food and help make it a successful transition. Leftovers in a bowl could signal that your puppy is getting full and needs less calories throughout the day. Continuing to feed puppy food past the point of maturity could cause him to become overweight, which can lead to other health problems. Choose a complete and balanced adult dog food formula once your puppy reaches maturity to help him maintain his ideal body condition. When to Switch Puppy to Adult Food Once you know when your puppy will reach maturity, you can decide when to switch to adult food. If your puppy will be full grown at 12 months, you can start transitioning him to an adult formula around his first birthday. How to Transition Puppy to an Adult Dog Food When you stop feeding puppy food, you must change more than just the food he eats. The number of meals and portion sizes will shift, too. Most puppies eat three meals a day , but adult dogs can eat just two meals per day. A gradual transition helps prevent stomach upset. Days 3 to 4: Serve half puppy food and half adult dog food. Days 8 to Serve only adult dog food. If your dog resists eating the adult food or experiences an upset stomach, extend the transition time as needed. Consult with your veterinarian for more help if needed. For more information and tips on puppy and dog nutrition from our experts , visit our Pet Expertise page. Related articles. The general rule is to switch your Golden Retriever puppy to adult food once they reach physical maturity. For Golden Retrievers this is between the age of 12 to 18 months. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adults and need to stay on puppy food until they stop growing. Switching too early can have a negative effect on the growth and development of your pup. Golden Retrievers are considered a large breed and reach their physical maturity much later than small breeds do. All dogs differ as to when they reach maturity, which is why there is no one size fits all answer to this question. Can switch to adult food at 9 to 12 months. Medium Breeds: 20 to 50Lbs. Can switch to adult food at 12 to 14 months. Large and Giant Breeds: Weigh more than 50Lbs. Can switch to adult food at 12 to 24 months. He will continue to fill out until the age of 2 when he reaches his adult weight. Keeping your Golden Retriever pup on puppy food until the age of 12 to 18 months is a good guideline to follow. But, there are other ways to tell if your Golden is ready to make the transition. Here are some other signs that will let you know your pup is ready for adult food: Skipping Meals or Leftover Food Puppy food is designed specifically for growing puppies. It is higher in fat, calories, protein and nutrients to help support growth and development. Once your puppy reaches adulthood, he no longer needs as many calories. You may notice that your puppy is skipping meals or leaving food in his food bowl because he is still full. This is a good indication that your puppy is ready to make the switch. Puppies typically eat 3 meals a day, when you make the switch to adult food, you can also reduce the number of meals per day down to 2. Decreased Activity Level We all know that puppies have a ton of energy, and Golden Retriever puppies seem to have even more! But, with age comes a decrease in activity level. Once your puppy starts to mature, you will notice they also start to calm down. Weight Gain Once your Golden Retriever puppy is fully grown, they no longer need high-calorie food. If you continue feeding puppy food to your adult Golden Retriever, you may notice excessive weight gain. Weight gain is a clear indication that your Golden Retriever is past the puberty stage and is ready to switch to adult food. The transition to adult food is important, as puppy food can quickly pack on the pounds. Weight gain is usually seen in Golden Retrievers who are spayed or neutered because owners continue feeding them the same amount of food as before. The age of spay or neuter lines up to around the time your Golden Retriever should transition to adult food, which is when they are finished growing. Puppies require a higher amount of calories, protein, nutrients and fats in order to fuel their growth. While puppies need the proper food to grow and develop, adult Golden Retrievers require food to maintain their bodies. Puppy food is: Smaller in size, making it safer to chew and swallow. Softer in texture, catering to the softer and smaller teeth of a puppy. Contains nutrients and fats essential for bone growth, muscle development, and energy. Carefully balanced for growing puppies. Feeding properly balanced puppy food is important, and large breeds like Golden Retrievers benefit from specially formulated large-breed puppy food. Most vets and nutritionists consider a pup a large breed if they weigh between 55 to Lbs when fully grown. Large breed puppy food is lower in fat and calories than regular puppy food, and it has a carefully balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus. This allows for slow and steady growth, supporting joints and bones. For more information on large breed puppy food, check out this article from PetMD. Different quantities and ratios of nutrients are ideal for different life stages. Keeping your adult Golden Retriever on puppy food can lead to obesity and other health issues such as faster growth, which can lead to hip and elbow dysplasia. Puppy food is too rich and dense in nutrients which not only causes significant weight gain in adults but could result in stomach upset and diarrhea. It could also lead to an overdose of vitamins and minerals. Adult dog food contains nutrients that are suited for dogs who are passed their growth stage. Adult Golden Retrievers need food that helps them maintain their optimal health and weight. The switch to adult food needs to be gradual, over a period of 7 to 10 days. This will prevent any stomach upset in your pup. Basically, the best way to transition your puppy to adult food is to buy a bag of adult food when you purchase the last bag of puppy food. Gradually mix the two foods together, increasing the amount of new food over a period of 7 to 10 days. By day 9 or 10 your Golden Retriever should be eating his new adult food. If at any time during the transition period your Golden Retriever experiences an upset stomach or diarrhea, or simply resists the adult food, you can extend the transition time as needed. Final Thoughts So, as you can see there is a right time and a wrong time when you should switch your Golden Retriever puppy to adult food. Golden Retrievers grow and mature at a slower pace than smaller breeds do, and require the essential nutrients found in puppy food for much longer. It is recommended to keep your Golden Retriever puppy on puppy food until the age of 12 to 18 months. You want to gradually introduce the new food in order to avoid any stomach upset. Is your Golden Retriever puppy ready for adult food? At what age did your Golden Retriever start eating adult food? Share your thoughts and comments below. I would love to hear from you! Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Look for formulas that are high in protein with smaller kibble pieces, checking the label to ensure it is a complete and nutritious diet. Many people assume that there is no difference between puppy and adult food, but the difference lies in the nutritional value. Wet canned food is often something new dog owners ask about, though wet food tends to be better suited for smaller breeds. While overfeeding tends to happen way more, underfeeding can be dangerous as puppies are still developing. If your puppy is growing and is not gaining enough weight, consider adding a little more food. If your puppy seems to look a little round or bloated, overfeeding can be the cause. When to Switch from Puppy to Adult Food The switch from puppy food to adult food is an important process and needs to be done at the right time. The general consensus is to switch anywhere between 6 months to 1 year old, though it will depend on how well your Golden puppy has developed. As we discussed earlier, puppy food is very protein and nutrient-rich to support growth and development. However, adult food is different and can cause indigestion. If there have been no immediate signs of indigestion after incorporating the adult food , make the full switch over to it. First and foremost, if your puppy has suddenly stopped eating and will also not eat treats, call your vet as soon as you can. This can be a sign of a more serious condition and may need emergency treatment, depending on other symptoms. Thankfully, picky eating can be solved by switching to a new formula, protein source, or brand. Be careful not to try too many brands at once to avoid indigestion, especially if you are also changing the type of protein as well. Generally, the average amount of food an Adult Golden Retriever eats is around 3—5 cups a day. The problem is that each dog is different and will have its own specific needs. Factors like age, gender, energy levels, and lifestyle are all things that will increase or decrease the amount of food given. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian to prevent malnutrition or obesity, both of which can lead to more serious conditions if left unchecked. We recommend looking for a dry kibble formulated for large breed senior dogs, which will have nutrients to help support their heart and joint health. The amount will also depend on how active your senior Golden is, as well as size and gender. Again, the best option is to simply ask your vet for guidance on how much to feed. Golden Retrievers are naturally food-motivated dogs, so it may seem like your Golden is constantly hungry. Spotting the difference between a food-obsessed dog and a truly hungry dog is crucial, which can be done by observing any sudden change in their growth or appetite. Is your dog looking leaner than normal? Is your dog inhaling food at lightning speed? Since Goldens really enjoy mealtime, a slow feeder is usually recommended. This will also help prevent bloat and other similar problems from eating too fast. We also recommend a feeding schedule instead of free feeding, since dogs, in general, do best on a routine. Most dog food brands are perfectly safe for Golden Retrievers, but there are some things to avoid. Conclusion Golden Retrievers are fairly active dogs that will need quite a bit of food a day, especially for more active and athletic dogs. Feeding your dog the correct amount is crucial to a healthy and happy Golden, but it can be confusing with conflicting information on the internet. We made this guide and Golden Retriever feeding chart to make it easier to understand how to feed your Golden puppy, adult, or senior. Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months.

Having a German Shepherd as a dog can make you anxious daily, not knowing what it is doing in your absence. Can German Shepherds be Left Alone? Check out our article Do German Shepherds get along with cats? According to research, the maximum number of hours to leave your grown German Shepherd is 4 hours. If your German shepherd is still a puppy, leaving it alone for more than one hour is not advisable. Young German Shepherds are very energetic and ponce around. They can sleep for as many as 19 — 20 hours a day, but when they are awake, they become very active. The older German Shepherds require attention for the sake of their bladder or if they are sick. Can you leave a German Shepherd alone for 8 hours? German Shepherds can be left alone or even in the company of other dogs. Still, it is not advisable to be left alone because of their separation anxiety and curiosity. The most your German Shepherd can and should be left alone is 4 hours. German Shepherds suffer from separation anxiety and distress when left for too long and find ways to either get to their owner or destroy the home. To begin leaving your German shepherd puppy alone, you must put them in an environment that makes you confident of their safety. It must be an environment that does not incur extra costs to replace things. There are a few tips to help you keep your mind at rest when at work. A pet cam is an amazing option for dogs like German Shepherds because of their separation anxiety. Using the pet cam provides an opportunity for your German Shepherd to see you and hear your voice even while at work. Just make sure the food provided is more than enough. If your dog has the freedom of movement in the home, you want to make sure things are in order when it comes to feeding your dog in your absence. Activity German Shepherds hate boredom and would go to any length to be entertained. They desire a lot of activity to satisfy their curiosity and restless personality. Make sure there are things to keep it busy , or else it can create sources of entertainment for itself. There are several ways a German Shepherd can be kept busy. Television and music can be left on in the house to keep it engaged Make available enough toys for it to chew on and play with Make requests from friends and neighbors to check on it and play with it Employ a dog walker to keep it active and engaged 4. Train your dog to go to the bathroom You do not want your dog messing up the whole house with pee and feces. Let your dog pick a particular spot for this, and you can train it to use a potty. Get a pee pad to signify these areas or get synthetic grass to mark them. Having a potty trained dog is important. It is easier with German Shepherds due to their intelligence. Taking your dog out for a stroll is always important. Helping your dog exhaust energy helps it through staying the day. Exercises depend on the health condition and the type of weather conditions available. Jan 19, Your German shepherd would tell you that they should never be left home alone. In their perfect world, you would be home with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, days a year. There will be times when you have to disappoint your shepherd and leave the house to do things like go buy more dog food and toys. There is no avoiding that there will be times when your dog will have to be left alone. In those times, how long can a German shepherd be left alone? How long dogs can be safely left alone depends on several things. Their age, health, and behavior all play a huge role in how long they can be left on their own. Many experts will tell you that a dog should never be left alone for more than 4 hours. Yet, plenty of people regularly leave their dogs alone for longer than 4 hours, right? How long you decide your dog is safe to be home alone will depend on how comfortable you are leaving them and their age and overall health status. Plus, there are other things to consider when leaving your pet. Things like, do they need more frequent potty breaks, do they get anxious when left alone, are they used to being alone, what is your living situation like, and more, all need to be taken into account. But there are some rules of thumb that can guide you in your decision on how long they are okay to be alone. So, a 3-month-old puppy should not be expected to hold it for more than hours, depending on when they last ate and drank. Even the best-trained puppies will have accidents in their crate, through no fault of their own, when they are left alone longer than that. After puppyhood, a healthy dog should be able to manage on their own without a potty break for 4 hours. It helps to schedule mealtimes around this schedule if they will be indoors. Most dogs do fine alone for this amount of time. Senior dogs, however, may begin to need more bathroom breaks before 4 hours. Often, they are not as comfortable as they once were while home alone. They may require more consideration than they once did. Senior dogs can also get anxious more easily, especially when they have vision and hearing loss and have more physical ailments. Health of the Dog Although healthy dogs can easily manage for 4 hours alone, this may not be true when they are sick or hurt. Pain and disability can also give the most stoic dog anxiety when they are alone. Their need for medications, etc. Dogs that tear up the house, get into the trash, or chew the furniture are obviously not candidates to be home alone, with free roam of the house. Dogs that can be left alone know the difference between chewing on their toys and tossing your couch. If you plan on leaving any shepherd alone, they will still need plenty of daily exercise, training, and interaction to be happy and easy to live with. Separation anxiety can also affect German shepherds. Anxiety can also cause them to become destructive and even engage in behaviors that can cause them harm. If you have a shepherd with anxiety or other behavior problems, you may need to get professional help before leaving them alone. A dog door that opens into an escape proof dog run or high fenced yard is ideal. Who do you trust that is available to check in on your dog? Give them a call and make prearrangements, in case you ever need help. This of course is not the answer for everyone but if your pup enjoys the company of other dogs, they may appreciate sharing their day with one. Just be sure to find a reputable one that has cameras so you can keep an eye on how your dog is really doing. We hope you get to spend plenty of time with your wonderful German shepherd. As always, please feel free to share with your friends. Unfortunately, many people are gone for way too long, and their energetic dog breeds start getting into trouble from lack of mental stimulation. So, how long can German Shepherds be left by themselves? For puppies, this time period gets even smaller. The younger the dog, the less time you should leave them alone. They sleep a lot throughout the day, but their time awake is spent playing and exploring the house. Adolescent German Shepherds Adolescent dogs are anywhere between 6 and 18 months old. Their bladders are more developed, and they are a little more mature. Currently, it is usually okay to leave them on their own for a few hours. Still, you should limit that time because they are still full of energy. However, German Shepherds are social animals, and they love the company of their families. Despite being able to hold their bladder at this age, they are more likely to act out and howl, trying to get you to come home. This disturbs neighbors, and their lack of entertainment could cause some destruction around the house. Senior German Shepherds Senior dogs are usually older than 8 years old and need to be checked on, like adolescent dogs. German Shepherds are highly prone to hip and elbow dysplasia which is painful and could get them in dangerous situations. Older dogs also have sensitive stomachs and digestive issues. Try not to leave them alone for more than 2 or 3 hours. There are some solutions that you should seriously consider if you want to keep accidents to a minimum. Hire a Sitter Image Credit: Sam Wordley, Shutterstock Dog sitters or dog walkers are excellent solutions that many owners turn to when they spend their days at work. This breaks up the monotony of the day for dogs and ensures that you maintain a close bond with them. Even ten minutes of fetch can keep them feeling entertained. German Shepherds are especially loyal and all they want is to spend as much time by your side as possible. These cameras are set up around the house. How to Leave a Dog at Home Dogs do well with a consistent schedule and throwing it out of balance could give them expectations that only let them down in the future. If you must leave your German Shepherd at home alone, start by ensuring there is nothing dangerous for them to get into. Set out a lot of toys for physical and mental stimulation. Some dogs may have to be put in a crate or confined to an area with dog gates. Dogs are pack animals, and they often benefit from having a playmate. Pay attention to German Shepherd ear positions. These dogs have a way of communicating with us through their body language. Similarly, German Shepherd tail positions can tell you a lot as well. This is why so many innocent dogs are abandoned or re-homed. German Shepherds are extremely social dogs and they need as much interaction as they can get. Without it, there are some serious problems that could arise. Separation Anxiety Dogs are capable of both separation anxiety and depression. This is a significant concern for breeds like German Shepherds. Symptoms of anxiety are shortness of breath, drooling, pacing, howling, barking, whining, and increased heart rate. This could mean that they chew on your furniture, eat your shoes, or tear through your carpet. Some dogs get so bored that they have even been known to chew through drywall to try and escape. Restlessness After being forced to lay around all day, a lot of German Shepherds get extremely restless at night and keep their owners up. This ruins their sleep cycle and gives them random bursts of energy that also ruins yours in the process. Final Thoughts If you spend 8 hours a day at work without the ability to come home or have someone spend time with your dogs, then you might be better off not having a dog. Before bringing any breed home, do your research and make sure that you live a life that suits both of you and is going to give them an interactive and stable environment that keeps them both physically and mentally healthy. German Shepherds should not be left alone for more than 8 hours a day. They are easily bored so if they are left alone for that long, they may start engaging in destructive or problematic behavior such as digging, chewing and barking. Do I need to exercise my German Shepherd? Yes, at the minimum, the dog should be exercised for at least 45 minutes, twice a day. Do German Shepherds shed? Yes, they have a heavy undercoat that requires regular brushing, at least once a week, more often if the dog is blowing its coat. If you are concerned about dog hair on the furniture and on your clothes then you should consider adopting a different breed that sheds less. Are German Shepherds good with children? Most German Shepherds are excellent with children. Much of it depends on the temperament of the children and the temperament of the dog. In general, German Shepherds are great family dogs. Are German Shepherds good with cats? It depends on the cat and its temperament and behavior. Do German Shepherds need to be crate trained? It is a good idea to crate train when the dog first arrives in your home. For puppies, it is easier to house train them using a crate. In addition, keeping a new puppy or even an adult dog in the crate when you cannot provide supervision, will keep them from chewing on items that should not be chewed on. When you crate train, the dog learns that the crate is their own safe place to go. The crate simulates a den-like environment which is comforting for the dog. Another advantage of crate training is when you take the dog to a boarding facility or to the vet, the dog is less likely to be stressed because they are already used to staying in a kennel or crate. The crate should never be used as a punishment. Should I go to a breeder to get a German Shepherd? It is a personal choice and a decision you would make based on what you feel is best for your situation. That being said, we strongly advocate adopting from a shelter or a rescue. There are so many wonderful German Shepherds that end up at the shelters through no fault of their own. Many of the dogs we rescue from shelters are purebred so we encourage you to meet our available dogs and see if you find one that steals your heart. However, this should be a gradual build-up. That being said, the limit should never exceed four hours daily. German Shepherds do not respond well to being left alone for long periods. They are high-energy dogs that thrive on companionship and affection. Dogs are, after all, derived from wolves who are pack animals. They see you as their pack and need to be part of the family. Even though they will choose one master, a German Shepherd will bond with each family member differently. So, how long can German Shepherds be left alone, legally? Legally, no law specifies exactly how long German Shepherds, and all dog breeds, can be left alone. The Animal Welfare Act is a federal law that regulates the treatment of animals, but this only applies to dogs bred for commercial sale and those being transported or imported. Various animal neglect and cruelty laws vary by state, but the general rule in North America is that you should not leave dogs alone for more than four hours at a time. Factors to consider when deciding how long to leave your dog, in addition to age, are training, breed, housing and lifestyle conditions, and whether they have any previous experience of being left alone. My German Shepherd Willow all alone enjoying a snooze! There are similar guidelines in the UK where veterinary experts also recommend four hours as the maximum period for all dogs to be left alone. German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia which may cause them pain or discomfort. Ensure they have an orthopedic bed, such as the Big Barker , that is clinically proven to reduce joint pain and stiffness. This bed is a real bed made for big dogs, is suitable for any age of large breed, and can help prevent arthritis, joint pain, and other mobility issues. German Shepherds are also prone to sensitive stomachs and digestive issues, and older dogs, like humans, need to pee more. How to Leave a Dog Alone Make sure you stay confident and show consistency and patience when you first leave your German Shepherd puppy home alone. Once you have made sure the area where you are leaving them is safe from any hazards, here are some important points to follow: Start off slowly, a few minutes here and there, and build up. Exercise the dog first to get them tired. Mental stimulation is just as important. Allow them to take their potty break. Use a crate or put up dog gates to confine them. Allow them access to clean fresh water. Leave interactive or chew toys for them. Play calming music if they are prone to separation anxiety. Another option is to hire a trusted dog walker to visit your home and take your dog out for a long walk or two. Walk your dog before and after you go to work. Even a short minute walk before you leave the house is enough to expend a little bit of energy whilst maintaining your close bond with them. As soon as you get home, take your German Shepherd for a long walk or, even better, some off-leash running, and play some games such as fetch. Some people have an hour of free time during the workday. You can go home and play fetch to prevent your German Shepherd from feeling lonely and provide some fun exercise for them. Flexible working is also a great solution, especially if you can start early, avoiding rush-hour traffic and being home quicker in the afternoon. Another possible solution is to work at home. Not only that, but it will save you money from having to hire a dog sitter or paying a friend every day. Get a dog camera for peace of mind. You can talk to them and even shoot out treats all from your phone! They offer a perfect solution to interact with your German Shepherd without being there. Check out the options below to see which is best for you and your dog: Give them enough toys to play with. One or two toys might not be sufficient, especially if your dog is easily distracted or gets bored quickly. Try to leave four or five of their favorite toys in their crate or wherever you leave your dog during the day. Ask visitors to stop by to play with your dog. Even if someone can come over for 15 minutes, it may be enough to keep your dog happy and entertained. It would be better if they could take your dog on a long walk, but a quick game of fetch will be more than enough to burn off some energy and curb their loneliness. When you leave them again, they will be tired and will no doubt go back to sleep. Getting another dog might seem extreme, but a buddy might be exactly what your German Shepherd needs to feel more comfortable and less stressed. In general, dogs of opposite sex pairings get along better than dogs of the same sex. Getting a second dog is a massive commitment you must consider thoroughly. Consider leaving your dog in the hands of a doggie daycare center near your home. Remember to introduce them to the daycare group as young as possible; they will quickly get used to being left and easily settle. If they are left for extended periods, they can develop various emotional and physical health issues. This is one of the sad reasons why they are often abandoned, re-homed, or even worse, euthanized. German Shepherds are very social dogs and need a job to do, even if that just means interacting with you. Regular activity and exercise are essential for this energetic, loyal, and protective breed. If you leave your dog alone for longer than four hours per day, it will most definitely cause poor results. After all, there are reasons for the recommended guidelines! The best way to find out is to start with trial periods and increase in small increments. You can also invest in a dog camera, as mentioned above, where you can watch and interact with your dog, all from your smartphone. Here are a few things to be aware of if you regularly leave your German Shepherd alone for more than four hours: Separation anxiety. Symptoms could include an increased heart rate, shortness of breath, excessive drooling, pacing, and uncontrollable barking, whining, or howling. Check out this recent study from the University of Lincoln, in the UK which states that separation related problems in dogs should be seen as a symptom of underlying frustrations rather than a diagnosis. They may also display destructive behavior. Digging, urinating, or even worse, eliminating can occur. You will need to address these extra signs of separation anxiety or distress. If your GSD has unfortunately developed a problem with excessive chewing , here are 8 steps on how to stop it. They could become extremely restless during the evening. It might not sound like a big problem, but restlessness causes your German Shepherd to have difficulty sleeping. They will often have random bursts of energy throughout the day and night, ruining their sleep cycle and yours in the process! As you can see, all sorts of negative outcomes result from not properly caring for your German Shepherd and failing to keep him happy and entertained. Long-term neglect can also lead to these other physical and mental health problems: Blood pressure and heart disease caused by stress. Gastrointestinal problems. Bladder infections due to the dog being unable to relieve themselves for hours on end. You must never punish your German Shepherd for showing distressing signs of separation anxiety. Your dog is not doing these things out of disobedience or spite but because he is trying to cope with being extremely stressed. Check out my article for more info on German Shepherd Separation Anxiety. If you have the option of leaving your dog outside when you go to work, it can provide them with tons of space to run around and get some exercise. Some dogs bark at people walking by, especially German Shepherds who are very protective dogs. Make sure to properly train your GSD, so this is not an issue or prevent him from accessing those areas of the house. This is especially important in places with bears, mountain lions, and other predators. Unfortunately, your yard will pay the price and will soon appear like a moon crater! Cons of Inside If your German Shepherd puppy is impatient and super inquisitive, he might start chewing on furniture, the carpet, or other items. Make sure you leave him enough chew toys to play with, but it will be inevitable sometimes. Leaving your German Shepherd alone is not a good idea if you live in an apartment. Although GSDs can live in apartments they need to be exercised frequently throughout the day. As large energetic dogs need an appropriate amount of space to feel comfortable. They could excessively bark or howl if they become distressed or separation anxiety sets in. This could not only lead to noise complaints but can have serious health implications for your dog. Training them to behave indoors and outdoors is also beneficial as this helps to keep them socialized and ready to be friendly when you introduce them to other people or dogs. A bark now and then from your backyard is actually a good thing. Unless your German Shepherd is constantly barking up a storm, one or two here and there will be perfect for warding off strangers or intruders. You can invest in a dog agility course so that your German Shepherd can sprint up and down and enjoy himself without messing up your garden! They come in all shapes and sizes. A small yard will not be good enough. Neglect is just one word to describe leaving your dog outside alone for longer than four hours. Remember, not all German Shepherds are the same, which means that even four hours might be too long. You and I now know that German Shepherds may become anxious or restless if left outside for too long and start to chew on tree roots, destroy flowers or plants and engage in other destructive behavior. This will inevitably cost you time and money to replace. Before you make any decisions, remember that your German Shepherd will need an adequate amount of room. Here are a few suggestions to contain your dog inside: Leave them in a dog crate. This large size will be enough for them to move around and stretch out comfortably. Plus, they need a good crate pad to protect their joints, such as an orthopedic one. Check out my favorite crates here. My GSD loved her crate and often went to her special place to rest or chew her favorite toys. Gate off an area inside your house. You can use dog gates to fence off an area to keep them contained. Dog gates allow you to section off various off-limit areas of the house, leaving you to decide how much space your puppy can have to roam around. Consider letting them roam free throughout the house. Most owners of indoor German Shepherds eventually try this route. It provides them with enough space, and they are already familiarized with their surroundings — my GSD Willow was two years old before she was allowed to roam freely around the house. German Shepherds are social animals and can experience separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods of time. German Shepherds are known to be loyal and social dogs that can become very attached to their owners. When left alone for extended periods of time, they can experience anxiety, stress, and even depression. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are wonderful dogs to own. They do require lots of attention since they are so loyal and protective. Give them enough food and water before you leave and plenty of exercise. You can leave your German Shepherd with toys, music, or the TV to keep them entertained. If you leave your GSD alone for too long, they could suffer from separation anxiety and distress. German Shepherds form a strong bond with their owners, so you should only adopt one if you know you can be there for them. Related Posts You May Like:. If you are thinking about getting a GSD you may be wondering, can German Shepherds be left alone, and for how long? This article will dive into those questions and give you helpful tips for leaving your German Shepherd alone. Yes, German Shepherds can be left alone! However, the time a GSD can be left alone will depend on their age. Generally, if your German Shepherd is a puppy, they can be left alone for one hour per every month of age. Here are some things you should do before leaving your dog alone: Tire your dog out That saying a tired dog is a happy dog is very true when it comes to German Shepherds. Also, a tired dog is one that is less likely to get into trouble. Establishing a routine where you talk your dog on a walk , play fetch , go to the dog park, or some other form of exercise before you leave the house makes a big difference. After a fun activity, your dog will likely relax and nap so they will be less concerned with you leaving. Just make sure the activity is something that makes your dog exhausted, so if you know your dog still has a lot of energy after walks, you want to find an activity that tires them out more before you leave the house. Get your GSD used to spending time alone early If you get your dog as a puppy, make sure to get them used to being alone immediately. German Shepherds that become overly clingy and used to their humans being around are more prone to separation anxiety. The best way to do this is to start off leaving even young puppies sometimes for very short amounts of time. Crate training is also key for a potty-training German Shepherd because you want them to be safe and not have accidents for the short time you are away. Start by leaving your pup in a safe location and just go into another room for minutes at first. Never come back in the room if your German Shepherd is whining , barking , howling , groaning , or crying because they will learn that doing those things gets you to come back. When your dog is quiet and calm go back. Keep doing this gradually extending the time by 5-minute increments and start going further than just another room maybe go outside and do some yard work for 20 minutes. Be calm about leaving Lastly, never make a big deal about your coming and going. Acting like your leaving is no big deal will help you GSD think the same. Our dogs feed off our energy, so if we get all hyped up and make a big fuss every time we leave the house, our German Shepherds will think our leaving is a bigger deal than they should. Remain calm! Tips For Leaving Your GSD Alone Here are some helpful tips of things to before leaving your German Shepherds alone to make the process smoother: Make sure they are empty before leaving First, and most obviously, take your dog potty immediately before leaving. Also, try and make sure your pup pees and poops before your leave the house, not just one or the other. Leave enough time before having to leave to walk your dog around a little so they can do both if your German Shepherd takes a little longer to do their business. A crate is a great safe place to leave your German Shepherd when out of the house, especially for younger more mischievous pups. The key is to pick a place where your dog is limited in what they can stick their noses into, at a nice temperature, and provide someplace comfortable for them to lay like a good dog bed. Giving them a homey spot to call their own will make them want to go there and be more comfortable while they are alone. This is especially important for puppies but also a factor for adult and senior dogs. If you know your dog can only hold their bladder for 3 hours, you should make sure you can get back in two and a half hours to be on the safe side. If your dog has to struggle to hold themselves every time you leave, they will be more likely to not want to be left alone. Doing so will greatly decrease the time they will be able to hold their bladder while you are gone. For example, a dog that can usually hold themselves for four hours may only be able to hold themselves for three if they drank a lot of water while you were out. Leave them with a stuffed Kong to keep them occupied A stuffed Kong is a great tool every GSD parent should have in their bag of tricks. Giving your German Shepherd with a tasty treat helps them to really not care about your leaving. When my girl was a puppy I would stuff a Kong with peanut butter, plain yogurt, or some other Kong filler and she would happily lick away without even noticing my departure. This also contributes to tiring your dog out, because not only will they be exhausted from the activity you did, they will also be tired from trying to get all the yumminess out of the treat. Consider a dog walker or pet sitter Sometimes things come up where we have to leave our dogs for a longer time period, whether it is for work, or some other appointment. These options will allow you to leave your dog longer without having to rush home for a potty break. As a general rule, German Shepherds can be left alone for one hour for every month of age up to about nine months old. So, a three-month-old puppy can be left alone for three hours. Whereas a nine-month-old puppy can be left alone for a full 8-hour workday. It is important to remember that these are basic guidelines, some dogs maybe can stay home for slightly more or less time depending on how well they can hold themselves. You want to make sure your dog has enough mental stimulation , physical stimulation, and attention and affection on a daily basis. Final Thoughts German Shepherds can definitely be left alone, but the time that each individual GSD can be left alone will vary. Some of these factors include their age, health conditions, and how long they can hold themselves. Although German Shepherds will become capable of holding themselves for an eight-hour day around nine months of age, you should strive to make sure they are getting enough attention, exercise, and engagement from you when you are home to keep your GSD happy and healthy. Home safety Age German Shepherd puppies, like all puppies, have limited bladder capacity. At this time, a properly trained and socialized German Shepherd will be able to safely tolerate periods of up to four to six hours of alone time. In order to stop your GSD from developing separation anxiety, It will be up to you as the owner to put systems in place. This may not be the case if you rescue a German Shepherd as an adult. Prior history, therefore, trumps age as the determining factor in how long your dog can be safely left alone. In their company, it may be possible to leave your dog alone for longer periods of time. While nothing can replace your presence, other friendly animals can be a nice stand-in when you must be away for extended amounts of time. Examples would include: Your German Shepherd is new to the family. Home safety Finally, you need to consider whether your home is safe for your German Shepherd. GSDs are extraordinarily strong! Anxious GSDs are known to have pulled down curtains, torn apart couches, ripped off crown molding, and even dug under fencing to escape. Not only is this super stressful and potentially dangerous for your dog — but the repairs can end up being quite expensive as well! Hopefully this little checklist can help you evaluate how long your German Shepherd can be safely left alone. As previously mentioned, the German Shepherd dog breed is one of the more sensitive breeds. This also means that GSDs are more prone to separation anxiety. This is a condition where they become so anxious about being left alone that they act out in destructive and aggressive ways. The bad news: your German Shepherd may develop this condition even if you do your best to create a welcoming and comfortable home environment. This video shows how easy it can be to help a GSD with separation anxiety feel calmer. Like their wild wolf cousins, dogs naturally seek out smaller, enclosed spaces to hide, rest, whelp, and care for the young. A research study showed that wild dogs also exhibit denning behavior. They prefer to den near people, but the point is that they do den just like wolves. A frequently mentioned tip is to tire them out before the fireworks are scheduled to begin. As Forbes explains, this strategy treats fireworks like a noise phobia. Any type of phobia takes energy. This same principle can work well with separation anxiety, or a separation phobia. Unable to take your GSD for a long walk to tire them out? Try hiring a local dog walker or pet sitter to do this for you! As an added bonus, this allows your dog to develop another relationship. This can help ease any issues associated with being overly attached to you. If your budget allows for it, another great option is doggie daycare. This can be a great way to socialize a high energy GSD puppy. Daycare services can provide detailed notes to owners on a daily basis. Some even provide live video feeds so that owners can check in throughout the day. German Shepherds need significant amounts of daily physical activity. They were developed to work tirelessly for long hours herding and guarding livestock and, later, people as well. It can be playing with a sensory ball that emits lights or sounds. You can even record yourself saying common commands with these toys! Another creative idea to try playing music made specifically to appeal to dogs. For some dogs, this is very calming. Dog puzzles also exist and have different levels of difficulty. These puzzles allow you to change how and how often the treats are dispensed once your dog masters the basics. A variety of these toys exist today. A lot of these toys allow for things like scheduling times to dispense treats, voice recordings, speaking to your dog live, video conferences with your GSD, and more. Many offer live video feeds of your dog at home so you can check in to see how your GSD is doing during the day. What toys and treats does your dog love most? What has worked well for you to keep your German Shepherd active and occupied while you have to be out of the house?

Sable White Though all these colors are standard for this dog breed, not all of them are widely bred. Breeders choose to avoid colors such as liver, white and blue, despite being standard colors. So, if you have your heart set on one of the ones I just mentioned, then you may need to spend extra time searching for a reputable breeder. But even with this common color, there is plenty of room for variation. The tan fur can range from deeper hues to a shade that almost approaches silver along the edges. The black color usually appears as a saddle-like pattern along the back and can vary quite a bit in size. Something to keep in mind is that GSDs born with this pattern usually begin life with a darker shade and slowly lighten as they mature. Darker, especially black, coloration is recessive in the German Shepherd. So if both the parents display the black and tan coloring, then the pup is more likely to as well. Sable German Shepherd via Instagram: konathesablegsd The most common color seen in the German Shepherd breed is the sand color. As a matter of fact, this opens the door for quite a few color combinations. While other colors of this breed are largely defined by single colors, or bicolor ratios, sable dogs are a bit more homogenous. That is, the coloring is more even throughout without distinct areas of one color or another. Within this coloring, the shades can range from lighter greys to darker colors, such as more grey or shades approaching red and brown. If you were to look at any single hair of a German Shepherd with this coloring, you might notice that their hair can have two to three colors on each strand. As such, they are much more popular in the work line or as pets. They are especially popular in the K-9 units of a police force. Bicolor German Shepherd via Instagram: asulkancrew At first glance, this may seem like a variation of the black and tan German Shepherd. And there is some debate about whether bicolor German Shepherds are simply displaying a pattern or a distinct color on its own. A bicolor German Shepherd will have black and tan colors, but the black with be much more dominant here. Almost the entire body will be black, with only a few areas such as the legs or chest displaying fur that ranges from tan to brown. At birth, the two-tone German Shepherd will be hard to distinguish from its solid black siblings. In fact, it may take months to start seeing changes. However, an indicator of whether the puppy will grow up to be a bicolor dog is if it has some brown color under the tail. Black German Shepherd via Instagram: trublueaussiedogz The gene for a black coat is recessive in German Shepherds, so an entirely black dog will be somewhat hard to find. Black GSDs might actually have a bit of brown fur on their toes or feet, and even some hints of white on their chest. While less common than other colorations, a black German Shepherd is by no means rare. There will be some breeders that hike up the price based solely on the idea that these dogs are rare or special. And while, yes, they are absolutely beautiful and worth taking home, just be sure the price is fair and do some market research beforehand. The white GSD is downright gorgeous. The white coloring really gives the dog a wolf-like look and lends it an air of mystery. They may often get confused for an athletic, slimmed-down Samoyed, but their poise and calmness begs to differ. Plenty of people, The Smart Canine included, see this coloring as one of the more desirable for a German Shepherd. And, in any case, the AKC does allow them to be registered, but simply not as a show dog. For most owners, this is fine because who really has the time to show their dogs? Biology and evolution did well here by pairing these two genes. Liver-colored German Shepherds tend to range from lighter browns to darker and warmer colors. And in some cases, even bordering on red. The coat can also have hints of other colors in it, smoothly blending in with the brown, here and there. There are three variations of the liver coloring: liver and tan, liver and white, and solid liver. The good news is that all three of these are recognized by the American Kennel Club. Blue German Shepherd via Instagram: titanbluegsd Contrary to what some people say, blue coloring in a German Shepherd is not an indication of fault and or poor health unlike blue French Bulldogs. The reasoning for this belief could be due to the fact that blue coloring might indicate temperament or health problems in other breeds. For example, some blue dogs may have hormone or skin issues. We call this condition, Color Dilution Alopecia. However with the German Shepherd, this is definitely not the case. Plenty of breeders purposely breed for this color because of its rarity. Coming from a recessive gene, blue coloration does not occur often without specifically being bred for it. While you might not have too hard a time finding a blue German Shepherd nowadays, be prepared to dig deeper in your pockets. Their scarcity can push up the price and will vary from breeder to breeder. In a way, the coat pattern of the red and black German Shepherd looks almost like a brindle or merle. The black is not limited to those areas of the body — it depends on the dog and the parents. Most of the time, color distribution may vary from dog to dog. However, they will typically have a silver base on the bottom of their body and black on the top half on their body. The hue of black can range from a dark gray to a deep black. In some instances, the German Shepherd may have silver with multiple shades of black on the coat. Instead of the metallic-like silver coloring, the black and cream has an off-white cream color. However, this cream color can vary from dog to dog, but usually has a hint of yellow to it. It really depends. If you like how it looks, whether white, dark, or blue, then you should choose accordingly. Unfortunately, white German Shepherds will be out of the picture, despite its aesthetic appeal. Either way, coloration in a German Shepherd covers a wide range of options, and each of them are simply just colors. No single color indicates better health, temperament, skills or anything like that. Which is your favorite German Shepherd color? And which one do you own? Let us know in the comments section below! Posts you may like:. This is not true. They have a large, muscular build They have a fluffy tail Their ears are erect They have a double coat They are heavy shedders They are a solid black color They can be larger They often have a straighter back Their coat can be longer, sometimes with a flowing mane around the rear of the neck , skirting on either side of the body between the front and back legs and feathering long hair on the ears, backs of legs and beneath the tail 3. Black German Shepherd puppies are born black All German Shepherd puppies are either born black, gray or white and can change color as they grow. Their true coat color can usually be determined at about 8 weeks of age. Black German Shepherd puppies are born black and will stay black through adulthood. So, if you are looking for a solid Black German Shepherd puppy, you will want to get her at this age, and not before, in order to be sure she is indeed a solid black color. A German Shepherd that is, say, black and tan, can carry the recessive solid black gene and produce Black German Shepherd puppies. However, both parents must have the recessive gene for solid black to appear in the litter. It can happen. The second way solid Black German Shepherd puppies are produced is by mating two solid blacks. This mix can only produce a solid black litter. The color of this dog does not affect its temperament. The Black German Shepherd is just as loyal, alert, active and intelligent as the standard variety and is not predisposed to aggression. She is often aloof at first, but once you bond with her, she will be your companion for life. Black German Shepherds are also incredibly trainable and are used as police and military dogs, disability aid dogs, and obedience dogs. Look how obedient this month old Black Shepherd puppy is: Just like any German Shepherd, their protective instinct can be strong. These are dogs that were used to herd and protect livestock, and they will do the same with their human pack! In the case of your family coming into danger, have no doubt this dog will defend you. As a companion dog, however, you want her to recognize that not all people are a threat. Make sure you socialize her from a young age so that she gets on well with people in adulthood. They can be pricey Black German Shepherds are quite rare and for this reason tend to cost more, especially if they have the long, luxurious coat. Like all German Shepherds, they are prone to health problems The German Shepherd breed can, unfortunately, suffer from numerous health issues. The number one concern for this breed is hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. This condition occurs when the ball and socket joint is malformed and can result in arthritis or even lameness. This can be helped by maintaining a healthy weight in your dog. Other potential health problems include: Heart disease. Breeds The link has been copied! For most of us, a black and tan dog or black and brown dog comes to mind when we think of a German Shepherd. But did you know there are actually 11 standard colors recognized by the American Kennel Club? On top of that, there are several more unrecognized colors that these dogs can sometimes be. What Determines a German Shepherd's Color? A German Shepherd's unique coat color is largely determined by genetics. Each dog carries two sets of genes that influence their coats. The first set is the base or primary color gene, which determines the basic hue and pattern of the coat. For example, a black and tan German Shepherd will have a black base color gene while a sable one would have a brown base color gene. The second set of genes are modifiers, which can lighten or darken certain areas of the coat for more variation in shades and patterns. These modifiers can also produce rarer colors like white and blue German Shepherds! While some owners may be lucky enough to get an eye-catching pup from just these two sets of genes, others may need to look into breeding specific lines in order to achieve their desired look. In any case, it's always fascinating how much variety there is among this amazing breed! Black and Tan German Shepherds Black and tan is typically the color that comes to mind when people think of German Shepherds. These are classically handsome dogs with a saddle-like pattern of black running across their back and a black face. Under that, they will be some kind of tan color, though the exact shade can vary from a deep brown to a lighter color that is almost silver. German Shepherds also tend to lighten as they age so your German Shepherd pup may look slightly different throughout his life. Sable German Shepherds Surprisingly, though black and tan is more stereotypical, Sable is the most common color thanks to its dominant genes. This German Shepherd has a more homogeneous coat, meaning they tend to be one color rather than having distinctive black highlights. The base color can be black, tan, red, silver, or gray and all hairs will have black tips. Note that a sable puppy will change color as he ages. Some GSDs do not stop changing color until they are nearly three years old! However, they can be registered and they are sought-after by some for their unique and beautiful coloring. These stunning pooches have coats made of pure snow-white fur —- creating an absolutely breathtaking look that everyone will be sure to notice. They are sometimes confused with white Huskies, but will never have blue eyes like a Husky can. But others appreciate the regal, wolf-life majesty of these beautiful creatures. These dogs have stunning coats made of pure black fur — creating an eye-catching yet subtle look. Plus, their dark coloration helps them blend into their surroundings better than other breeds. This helps promote their prowess as excellent guard dogs or hunters. Black genes are recessive, so pure black German Shepherds tend to be harder to find. Some can have a little bit of brown on their toes or even white markings on their chest and are still considered a black German Shepherd. Then why not go for a Liver German Shepherd? These gorgeous pooches have coats made of stunning liver brown colored fur. They can be solid colored or have tan or white markings. Liver, liver and tan, and liver and white are all recognized by the AKC. The liver color itself can range from a lighter brown to a darker brown, almost red color. The red color can range from a lighter strawberry tone to a deep, rich mahogany color. Black and red genes are dominant, so this type of GSD is quite easy to breed for and somewhat common. Yet these beautiful dogs are always in demand. A freshly brushed black and red GSD positively gleams in the sunshine! Bicolor German Shepherds The bicolor is similar to the black and tan version and some people debate that it should be a variation rather than its own color. But, for now, it is categorized separately. Bicolor GSDs are mostly black but have tan or brown fur on their legs, chest, and under their tail. However, they will usually have some brown under the tail which indicates how their color will change as they mature. These dogs have a smoky gray coat that leans toward a lovely shade of blue. The blue gene is quite recessive and breeders have to work carefully to achieve the right mix. The color is desirable, though, so they are not necessarily rare. However, they may cost a pretty penny, depending on who you buy one from. However, some people will say that they are really just a type of sable. But contradicting this is that many gray GSDs have no black hair and remember that the sable color typically has black tips. Regardless, the light or dark gray color of their fur makes this GSD appear more like a wolf, which some people really love. You may have to do a bit of research to find one. Black and Silver The black and silver GSD looks a bit more exotic than the black and tan but follows a similar color pattern. The actual color distribution can vary considerably from individual to individual. The color itself can vary as well. The black part can actually range from dark gray to an inky black and some individuals have various shades of black in the same coat. And this is only scratching the surface of all the colors a GSD can be. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Want to know more about TryFi. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. But did you know there are actually a variety of different German Shepherd colors? Alongside being a loyal and wonderful family companion, the German Shepherd makes an excellent working dog and has exceptional versatility. These dogs are known for being guide dogs, military or police dogs , herding dogs, search and rescue dogs and drug detection dogs! These pups are strong and muscular and they love to stay active. They are best brought up with a family who likes to exercise so they can join in the fun, otherwise they can become bored and frustrated when not kept entertained. Their personality can be a little aloof and they can be wary of strangers, but when raised correctly this breed is extremely loving and even gets on well with children! German Shepherds are a medium to large breed of dog. A male will weigh between 75 and 95 lbs, while a female will weigh between 50 and 75 lbs. While they can be prone to some health issues, the German Shepherd has an average life expectancy of between 10 and 14 years. A German Shepherd has either a medium length or long coat, but did you know that this coat could come in thirteen different colors? Read on below to find out more about this wonderful breed and the different German Shepherd coat colors. History Of The German Shepherd The German Shepherd was first discovered by Von Stephanitz who spotted them at a dog show and decided that this breed was the perfect standard for a working dog. Horand was the first breed standard for the German Shepherd breed and was bred alongside dogs with a similar appearance to give German Shepherd litters. They are thought to have first appeared in the United States in and were recognized by the AKC in .There are 13 different colors for the German Shepherd, although some are not as popular and can be considered faults by major Kennel Clubs. The most popular German Shepherd colors are black and tan, black and red, black and cream and black and silver. German Shepherds will have one of two coats, either a medium coat or long coat. They are both double coats, having a more dense guard layer with a softer undercoat. However, later, more attention began to be focused on the coat color and some thought that a lighter coat color meant a weaker dog. Their coat develops as they grow and will reach their final adult color at around three years old. The black and tan coloration is actually caused by a recessive gene. The black appears on the saddle and they may also have black on their face like a mask. The tan coloring will appear their chest, sides, underbellies and on their necks. Black and tan puppies will appear more black than tan until their adult coat has grown in at around 2 to 3 years old. Instead of a tan chest, side and underbellies, the color will be more of a strawberry blonde, although it can also be a dark red that is more pigmented than the tan GSD. This colorway is very popular among show dogs and is not often seen on working dogs. In fact, it is just a lighter variation and is caused by a recessive gene, much like when humans have blonde hair. It is still presented in the same way across the body, with the black on the saddle and face. However, they can partake in obedience competitions. This color of GSD comes from the working bloodlines of these pups. This is one of the least common colors for a German Shepherd dog. Again, because of their lighter color they are often not allowed to partake in dog shows. It is not known why this color appears, but it is thought to be down to a recessive gene. Although they are labelled bi-color, the majority of their coat is black and there are tan markings around their feet and legs, and maybe on their face. It is said the ratio of black to tan on these dogs is ! Often, bi-colored Gemran Shepherds are mistaken for black German Shepherds. However, if a GSD shows any sign of another color on their coat, then they are considered a bi-colored pup. As we mentioned above, if there is any sign of another color in this dog then they will be considered to be a bi-color dog. This color can be expensive and difficult to find because it is very rare. They are recognized by the AKC as a purebred dog and have the same origins at the other purebred German Shepherds, but they are just less common. A black German Shepherd puppy can be born to either two black parents or a black and tan parent. The black pigment trait is not a dominant gene and is, interestingly, a recessive gene. It has often been thought before that black German Shepherds have a straighter back than their different colored cousins, but this is yet to be proven as true. The solid white color was bred intentionally by breeders and is not a genetic flaw. However, it was seen as a weakness when bred through the working lines of the GSD, and is still to this day not recognized by the American Kennel Club. The white color gene is a recessive gene which means that both parents need to carry this gene to create a white German Shepherd puppy. White Shepherds usually have longer coats than other variations of this dog and therefore shed more. They are also a shyer and more skittish dog but are very gentle by nature and make excellent family dogs. This color is declared a serious fault and therefore these dogs are not allow to compete in shows, although they are recognized by the American Kennel Club. The blue pigment is down to a recessive gene and breeding them means that both parents need to carry the gene. These dogs commonly have blue eyes and their coat can come in three different variations — blue and tan, blue and sable or blue and black. The color is produced due to a dominant gene in one or both parents. The grey color comes from a dilution of darker pigment genes. Often, these dogs are born with bright blue eyes that turn a honey color or light brown as they mature. These pups are not popular as show dogs, but due to their distinct color are popular as companion dogs. The liver color appears all over the German Shepherd and, unlike many colors in this list, does not have any areas of black on the saddle or face. The mask and saddle are actually brown, because the liver gene blocks the black pigmentation. This is another color that is not popular among show dogs and is thought to be a fault. Contrary to popular belief, this dog is not a mixed breed and is a purebred German Shepherd. The Panda German Shepherd is created due to a rare genetic mutation. These dogs still have the more normal black and tan coloring, but there will be white spots on their coat. The sable coloring is not a solid color and a single hair can actually be a mix of a lot of different colors. Each hair has a black tip, while the rest of the hair can be gray, tan or golden. Despite their history, they are still not as popular as black and tan German Shepherds. A variation of the sable coat, these dogs also carry the agouti gene. In the red sable GSD, a deep reddish brown replaces the usual tan in the sable pattern. The red and brown is spread throughout the body, much like the different colors in the sable dog we mentioned above. For this reason, no two red sable dogs are ever the same. She loves exercise. I always tie her to my bike and she runs next to me. She has never shown aggression but usually barks when a stranger knocks at the door. I taught her the commands sit, down, stay and come here. My sister taught her to say "Hi" with her paws. Her parents May and June came to Nepal from Japan. My Japanese friend gifted me with Dixy at the age of 1 and a half months. She is very friendly to every person who comes to my house. She likes to sit beside me all the time. Early mornings she likes to drink half a liter of cow's milk, at around 11 a. She enjoys chewing bones all of the time. Beau is trained in protection and obedience. She is a bit overweight due to her hip dysplasia, but still maintains her amazing personality and quality look of a Shepherd. Beau loves to play in the snow or in her kiddy pool in the summers. She is a very active old girl. She is super friendly and just strives on attention. Beau has three siblings, which happen to be cats. She loves to curl up with the cats in the living room to take a nap. She is currently training for her CDX, has won a few blue ribbons in conformation, and just began Schutzhund training. Apollo the GSD—"He is very clever and energetic. He weighs 85 pounds and his height is 26 inches. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. The black German shepherd is a rare and highly sought-after variety of the standard German shepherd dog breed. Although multiple color variations of GSD exist, black German shepherd puppies are one of the most popular thanks to their sleek, handsome coats. The pitch-black color that gives these dogs their magnificent appearance is the result of a naturally occurring recessive gene. This means black German shepherds have naturally existed for quite some time, but they are much rarer than their black and tan counterparts. When properly socialized from a young age, black German shepherds make wonderful companions and excellent guard dogs. These large doggos are best suited for experienced owners with large homes and fenced-in yards. If you are looking for a handsome companion that can double as a guard dog, the black German shepherd is a fantastic choice! Keep on reading to find out more about this rare variety and decide if it is the right canine for you. Black German shepherds are a color variation of the standard German shepherd dog. While they may look completely different, these dogs are the same breed, and the black variety is recognized in the official GSD standard. While purebred black German shepherd puppies can compete in dog shows, they are often overlooked in favor of the classic black and tan look. These dogs were later used by the military as messengers, sentries, guards, supply carriers, and rescuers. Black shepherds tend to be slightly larger than the average GSD, and most have a straighter back. When it comes to features, you can expect your black German shepherd puppy to have a clear-cut head, pointed ears, a long snout, almond-shaped brown eyes, and a black nose. Males are usually around 24 to 26 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. Female dogs are typically smaller and stand between 22 and 24 inches tall and weigh from 50 to 75 pounds. The average GSD can be black and tan, black, sable, grey, red and black, or even black and silver. In German shepherds, black coats are caused by a recessive gene. This means a puppy needs to inherit two copies of a recessive gene from both mom and dad in order to have a black coat. For example, if you mate two sable German shepherds that carry this recessive gene, a quarter of their puppies will have a black coat. However, if you breed a black German shepherd with a sable dog that carries the gene, roughly half of their litter will be black in color. Breeding two black German shepherds is the only guaranteed way to produce a litter of completely black puppies. Bear in mind that all German shepherd puppies change color as they grow. Coat Texture These pitch-black canines have a medium-to-long double coat. The coat can be either straight or wavy and will shed all year long and go through two blowouts — once in the spring and again in the fall. If you decide to welcome a black GSD into your home, be prepared to welcome lots of loose doggy hair as well! Since these doggos shed a lot, invest in a powerful pet hair vacuum cleaner and be prepared to vacuum every day to keep your home clean and tidy. Black German Shepherd Temperament And Character Black German shepherds are best known for their loyal, courageous, obedient, and watchful temperament. Thanks to their protective nature and working history, they make amazing guard dogs that will fiercely protect your family and your home. A properly trained and socialized black GSD puppy will get along well with people outside the family but remain a loyal guardian and protector. They are naturally wary of strangers, so early socialization and consistent training are a must! Although they are working dogs at heart, black GSD make wonderful companions and even get along with children and other pets when properly socialized. An anxious or stressed black shepherd will turn to destructive behavior to relieve their frustrations. As a result, your black German shepherd pup may decide to chew woodwork , destroy your home, or bark loudly. While they are not the best choice for first-time owners, black shepherds make fantastic family pets and companions when properly trained and socialized. Because they tend to get so attached to their people, these pups are better off in homes where someone is usually around to keep them company. Activity Level Highly energetic and agile, these handsome solid black pups need regular exercise to stay healthy and in good shape. Apart from at least two daily walks, your black German shepherd pup will also enjoy running, jogging, hiking, cycling, swimming, or any other activity that allows them to spend time with you. Caring For Black German Shepherd Puppy While they are not harder to care for than standard German shepherds, your black GSD still needs a lot of love, care, and affection to stay happy and thrive. It is crucial to design a consistent care routine for your pooch and keep track of regular veterinary check ups to detect any health problems early on. When creating a care routine for your GSD puppy, pay special attention to the following factors: Exercise The black German shepherd is a highly energetic dog that needs at least one hour of intense exercise every day. Enrolling your puppy in agility classes is a great way to keep them exercised and can be a fun and entertaining experience for them. Games such as fetch, flyball, Frisbee, tug-of-war, and hide and seek are also great options and will keep your pooch exercised and entertained. Intellectual Stimulation Black German shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that can easily become bored, frustrated, and destructive when not mentally stimulated. A bored or anxious black shepherd can cause serious damage to your home and belongings. Companionship Loyal and devoted to a fault, black GSD puppies make superb family dogs and companions. They form strong bonds with their people and are happiest when they can spend time and interact with their families. While they are large and intimidating at first, these pups are loving companions that crave affection and attention. Black German shepherd puppies need company and are best suited for homes where someone is around all day. Grooming The black German shepherd is a high-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. If your pup has a medium-length coat, brush them two to three times a week to remove loose hair and keep their coat in pristine condition. Use a de-shedding tool to remove loose hair and minimize the shedding during spring and fall. To further reduce shedding, bathe your GSD with an anti-shed dog shampoo every two months or as necessary. You should also brush their teeth at least three times a week and trim their nails every other month. Diet An ideal diet for black German shepherds should be formulated for a large-sized dog with high energy. When choosing the best food for your pooch, make sure it contains higher levels of protein, a moderate amount of fat, and easily digestible complex carbohydrates. Keep in mind that black German shepherd puppies grow extremely quickly between the ages of four and seven months, which makes them susceptible to bone disorders. Feed your pup high-quality, low-calorie food to prevent them from growing too rapidly. Known Health Problems As a breed, German shepherds are considered generally healthy. Black GSD and all other German shepherds are prone to the same health problems, including: Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that causes malformation of a hip joint. Affected dogs may or may not show clinical signs of this condition, but in most cases, dogs experience pain and lameness in one or both hind legs. Elbow Dysplasia: This is another hereditary condition commonly seen in large breeds. This condition is caused by varying growth rates of the three bones that make up the elbow, resulting in joint looseness. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus: Also known as bloat, GDV is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested dog breeds, particularly if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink a lot of water after eating, or exercise just after a meal. Degenerative Myelopathy: This is a progressive disease of the spinal cord. This condition affects the part of the cord that gives information to the brain regarding the rear legs. Lifespan The black German shepherd has an average lifespan of around 9 to 13 years. With proper care and regular veterinary checkups, these pups can reach their senior years in good health. Training A Black German Shepherd Puppy Black German shepherd puppies are highly intelligent and obedient, which makes them very easy to train. These pups are fairly easy to housetrain, and they also learn obedience commands after just a few repetitions. Like all other dogs, black German shepherds thrive on reward-based training and a lot of praise. Positive reinforcement training techniques are highly effective for training puppies and adult dogs and are much more reliable than dominance training. Besides training, you should start socializing your black GSD puppy as soon as you bring them home. Since these pups are naturally aloof with strangers, early socialization is essential and will help your dog to become friendlier to other people. Try to expose your puppy to as many people, places, situations, animals, children, and sounds from a young age to help them grow into an outgoing dog. Properly trained and socialized black German shepherd pups make wonderful companions to people of all ages and families with children. Due to their large size and highly energetic nature, these dogs are best suited for large homes with spacious, fenced yards. While they can live outdoors, black shepherds should primarily be kept indoors so they can regularly interact with their people and stay close to them. In addition, because of their high social needs and potential to develop separation anxiety, they thrive in families where someone is at home often and able to keep them company. However, when compared to other varieties, black German shepherds are quite rare and hard to come by. Finding a reputable breeder might require a bit of research on your part, but all the extra effort will pay off in the long run. Since black German shepherds are rare and in demand, be mindful of puppy mills and unethical breeders who just want to make a quick buck. However, the exact price depends on a lot of factors, namely the breeder, supply and demand in your area, and pedigree and quality of both parent breeds. Black German shepherds make wonderful family pets and companions. Naturally loyal and devoted to their owners, they like to be close to their people and spend lots of time by their side. Plus, due to their protective nature, black German shepherds make excellent watchdogs and will always feel the urge to watch over you and your family. The black German shepherd is a rare and absolutely stunning color variation of a standard German shepherd dog. Loyal and protective of their owners, these dogs make fantastic family companions and can also serve as vigilant guard dogs. If you want to bring a black shepherd pup home, be prepared to: Exercise your pooch for at least one hour every day Start training and socialization from a young age Groom your dog at least three times a week Do you own a black German shepherd dog? What do you like the most about your pooch? Share your experience owning this gorgeous dog with us and our readers in the comment section below! Related Article:. Black and Tan This is the color most of us think of when we picture a German Shepherd dog. With a rich tan undercarriage and a black face and back, this color of GSD has been around since the very first was officially registered back in Germany at the end of the 19th century. Although Horand von Grafrath was a little darker than the modern black and tan GSD, the ancestry is evident. With their luxurious white coats, these pale dogs look more like Golden Retrievers with erect ears. Despite their popularity, like the white German Shepherd, the blue has been a cause of controversion in the Shepherd world because recessive dilution gene comes with inbreeding practices and health issues. Blue German Shepherds may appear gray or even silver and are sometimes mistaken for a Blue Belgian Malinois. Isabella This unusual coat color variation is another washout as far the AKC is concerned, which is a shame given how striking it is. It originates from genetically combining liver and blue dilution genes. Like the liver and blue German Shepherd dogs, Isabella GSDs often have unusual eye coloring and different colored noses. Liver German Shepherds will usually have a brown nose. Blue German Shepherds have a blue nose. There is no evidence that the Isabella coloration makes the dog more susceptible to health issues. However, Isabella is a recessive trait. Selecting for recessive traits always limits the gene pool and makes dogs more susceptible to genetic conditions. Grey Not to be confused with the silver, black, or blue German Shepherds, the gray variety look more wolf-like with their dark coats. Some breeders specialize in producing dogs of this unusual color. Silver Similar to the gray German Shepherd, silver is nevertheless recognized as a distinct color. Often grouped together, however, the gray and silver colors are produced by the same genes. Finding a breeder that specializes in silver German Shepherds is a lot easier than finding one that focuses on the grey, so this might be your best bet if you want a more exotic-looking companion. Silver is an uncommon color for GSDs, possibly because it is a recessive gene. Similar to the dilution gene, this gene influences black pigment. While you also get silver sable German Shepherds, the patterned coats mean they are categorized as sable rather than silver. However, silver German Shepherds are often seen in military work or the police force. The red color is the result of the color gene pheomelanin. It can have any shade of red, ranging from strawberry blonde to a deep mahogany red. Alongside black and tan, the black and red combination is preferred over others by German Shepherd breeders. As black and red are both produced by dominant genes, this color combination is easier to breed for, and many breeders focus on producing purebred dogs with deep red coloring. Sable A classic color for the German Shepherd, a sable comes in a variety of colors but each hair sports a black tip. Sable GSDs can be black, gray, red, silver, or tan and are also known as agouti. Agouti is a type of coloring also present in other dogs, like the Agouti Husky. In this coloring each hair has several bands of brown and black, leading to a typical wolf-like coloration. Some founding members of the German Shepherd breed believed this should be the only color present in German Shepherds. Black sables are born as all-black pups and tri-colored sables are born as black and tan puppies. As the puppy ages, their coloring changes. Some GSDs may take as long as three years to develop their final sable coloration. As every sable GSD is different, with the color and pattern both varying, it makes for an eye-catching and unique dog. Sable is a dominant color that is easy to breed for. If you breed a Sable German Shepherd to any other color, you will likely get sable puppies. Black and Silver Much like the black and tan GSD, a black and silver German Shepherd usually has a silver saddle across its back, although the pattern and hue both vary from dog to dog. Like the silver GSD, the black and silver coloration occurs only when the recessive intensity suppression gene is present. This color is not common in the AKC show ring and can mostly be found in working dog lines. Because these dogs are not visible in the dark, it is highly advisable to only walk them on a light-up dog collar in the evenings and at night. Bicolor Bicolor German Shepherds appear almost completely black and, to fit the breed standard, must have black heads, back, legs and tail. Even if their paws are brown, the heels need to be black by the color standard definition. However, the AKC accepts bicolor as a recessive color in the breed. Though technically allowed in the show ring, these dogs are mostly found in working lines. Black and Cream The last official color on our list, the black and cream GSD remains true to its origins as a lighter version of the common red and tan coloring. There is some controversy surrounding the black and cream variation. Most AKC breeders do not want them to participate in the show ring. They strive to breed darker dogs that do not show the light cream coloring. The color does little to change their character, however, and black and cream GSDs excel obedience, nosework, rally and agility and are as loyal and brave as their black and tan cousins. Her DNA proved them wrong, although the Panda coloration remains unrecognized by some kennel clubs and breeders. The Panda GDS is created by a rare genetic mutation. The genes responsible for an all-white body and the patchy white are two different ones. This does not stop them from being popular however! There is a large demand for Panda-colored German Shepherds. Unfortunately, this inflates the price and leads breeders to focus on the color mutation rather than genetic health, so be sure to only source a puppy from a reputable breeder. Albino An albino German Shepherd is incredibly rare. An albino of any species or breed lacks any pigmentation, including of the skin, hair, and eyes as well as the blood vessels, resulting in a pinkish tinge. You can distinguish an albino German Shepherd from a white one by checking his eyes and nose. A White GDS will have some pigmentation resulting in brown eyes, whereas albinos always have red or pink eyes. An Albino GSD, should one exist, may experience other health problems associated with the condition. They may, for example, be photosensitive, requiring protection from direct sunlight. What is the Rarest Color of the German Shepherd? The rarest color of German Shepherd is the isabella due to the recessive combination of liver and blue. You will have to search for a long time to get such a puppy — and his price will likely be high as well! What is the Best Color for a German Shepherd? The best color for a German Shepherd in the show ring is black and tan, followed by sable. If you are not planning on showing your dog through the AKC, you can pick any color you like. This is not based on any actual working abilities though and more of a myth that has been passed on through generations. What is the Original Color of a German Shepherd? As German Shepherd dogs were bred as working dogs, the original breeders focused on temperature rather than appearance. The original color of working German Shepherds was sable. The most traditional color in the show ring is black and tan. While you should pick the coloring you like the most, make sure to not just choose your dog based on his looks. German Shepherds are prone to developing back and hip issues. Before buying a puppy for his color, make sure that his breeder selects for health first and color second! Otherwise you might end up with a puppy with great color but poor health … which is never a good thing. Unleash the real potential of your companion! We will email you daily with training tips, ideas and videos. This is an introductory course into our training philosophy. You will get customized video lessons based on your training goals — and you can implement them in just 5 minutes a day.

Miscellany The "Critters" Pose Do the cats get along? I get that question quite often. If you were to drop in, here's what you'll often see, usually with doggie close by, too. This photo is several years old, when Nago was a lot lighter color Seal Point. His mother is Pica, who's on the right, behind Subi, the Blue Point, who's Nago's cousin, and the eldest. Now you see why pet shots are generally frowned upon, along with this too-chatty narrative! Those of you who have animals who share in your lives are well aware of the many times they just "fall into" cute poses like this. I grabbed the camera because of the symmetry of the three interlocking "C"-shapes they formed there on the couch that evening. That was a new pose on me. Only Nago, the youngest, got curious about my camera probing and looked up. The other two are quite unflappable. Nago's vivid blue eyes happened to catch the light just so. Here's Subi's Portrait, on the left, and to the right of it is Pica's Portrait. I took them with a blue paper backing when I was trying to come up with my parody of the legendary HMV logo, having a kitty look into a Grammy, for my proposed Catalyst Records, as mentioned on the Artwork Page. These ought more than satisfy all of you alleurophiles out there who share my love of Siamese Cats. Despite Subi's constant talking and clever attempts to get attention, he's a dear old pal, and this shot captures him in a very mellow mood. Pica has a wonderfully shaped lithe body that is shown to advantage in this portrait of a proud little cat. I used a few old photofloods and my Rollei SL66 to snap them and get them used to the idea of the photo session, before attempting a parody image. One time I walked in and this is what greeted me. I had a long roll of Escher's lovely geometric art on the table, still curled up as you see it, waiting to be hung on the long hallway upper wall. A Nago Nest. Lucky that the camera was still loaded, or I'd have missed it. A Siamese cat cannot resist sitting inside an open box or bag or walled-in area, like this one. Nago had discovered it while I was out for dinner that evening, and had set up shop here as you see. He remained in place for quite a while even after I'd taken his picture. Yes, that's a Russian nesting doll in the upper right corner, in front of the card from which the Sonic Seasonings cover image down below was taken. Heather Dog, in a portrait I took in March of '.Many of you have experienced this sadness, of losing a treasured pet. On September 25th of this year '96 I had to take this dear little doggie on her last voyage to the vet's. It was quite expected, she was almost 15, and had been losing her vision gradually cataracts , and similarly getting deaf, and even losing her sense of smell. But when she began falling, or getting splayed out on her tummy, limbs all stretched out helplessly, and having great difficulties in eating without splaying out, and similarly in walking, eliminating, or even trying to lie down chronic arthritis , what could be done? Her time had come. This dear little creature was perpetually sweet, loving and intelligent I counted a vocabulary of perhaps words that she clearly understood , as are most Soft coated Wheaten Terriers. And oh yes, very stubborn. But only we knew that. It became a universal theme for visitors to call or write back, "how are you, and how is Heather? Of course she made sure anyone who came into the loft was treated as the finest human being in the world. You know. Heather was my first dog, and I loved her without reservation. She was endearing, a true companion especially while working in the studio for hours alone. The cats are always up on top-- of the sofa, or chair or monitors, whereas Heather would station herself beside me, as closely as possible, even up on my feet and ankles. In the final few months she had difficulty in finding us, or the studio, and similar to the story about the final year of Galileo, her horizons had narrowed from the whole loft and parts of our neighborhood, to one room, one carpet, with walks and exercise around one table. But she was never ever really sick a day in her life, and was lucky to have the cats around, as they were genuine companions Subi howled like a coyote when he woke up to find her missing the next day. Since I work out of the loft, she always had us around, too. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was to take her for her final trip that afternoon, and remain with her, gently holding and stroking her as she faded away. I still keep "losing it", as when typing this out. I'm sure many of you understand the grief. For those who don't, why not just skip to the next section? Heather takes a nap. This is one of the last photos of her, as she no longer could lie with her rear limbs akimbo in a classic Wheaten manner. You can detect hints her graceful terrier shape, even under that shaggy beige lambs-wool-soft coat of hers, which we usually left rather long. It did make her look more like a Sheep Dog, but that also seemed to match her outgoing personality. Heather at play. This is an early shot of doggie, jumping off the steps of a rural house upstate where I was visiting friends Tom and Sharon. You can see their cute charcoal dog, Pepper, dashing along just in front and lower center of the photo. Heather loved to travel, and the dogs had a lot of fun whenever we could bring them together. This time it was in September of .Heather with me. Here's a final photo I have of me with "woof" for a 28 pound dog, she had a humongous bark , on her next to last day. If I look haggard, it's because I'd been crying. But she was happy to be cuddled, and certainly knew she was greatly loved. While the previous two weeks had not been kind to her, this day she seemed to regain a little of her former old self, still enthusiastic John Klett always called her: "Enthusadog". I filled the day with treats and extra little dog-gifts and other such silly stuff one does when about to part with an endearing pal of many experiences over many years. Farewell, dear friend. Piccola Cat "Peek" , in a typical personality pose I took it when she was almost 2. Late this April, only seven months after losing Heather, tiny Chocolate Point Pica decided that her time had come. What else to say when she decided to stop eating and then drinking, and curled up to sleep away her last strength? A strong minded cat in the best of times, it became quite a torture to try to force food and drink into her. The same with the medicines she needed for her continuing allergies and bronchi infections, mixed with lifelong athesma. The Littlest One would have none of it. In just over a week, early on April 26th, she died quietly as we were taking her to the vets. I had just returned on Friday from a grim necessary visit with my parents, mostly spent in doctor's offices but they are doing okay , and a close friend she loved was taking care of all the critters here. I got back to find Pica looking very sick and thin, with nearly no life left in her. But she had waited for me. I'm very grateful to have had that final 12 hours with her, tenderly stroking her on my lap, watching her respond gently, clearly recognizing my touch, my smells and my voice by then she was quite blind , and knowing she was safe and loved. Dear Subi and her son rested up close to her, sensing somehow that the situation was very grave both later had a hard time adjusting to her not being here any more -- cats often know more than we assume they do. Pica's final two years were spent in a chronic effort to breathe. She had come close to suffocating several times, but with quick response and medication, I had gotten her past each crisis. January through March were clear dry months, and she rallied during them, returning to some of her endearing old habits. Then with allergy season upon us the difficulties had begun again. Although we miss her dreadfully, I'm relieved her suffering is over, that her death was truly peaceful. I will spare you more emotional details, as it hurts very much to talk or write about it. Unlike Heather, I was less prepared this time, except in a general way. Rough one. That's why it took me a few weeks to add this to the site. As I speak about such matters above, this mention and additional photos are for those of you who understand the joy of sharing one's life with "fuzzy critters", and the grief we experience when their short lives are over. Pica kittenishly playing, taking a characteristically graceful, athletic jump from the top of a kitchen cabinet to her kitty pole. She and Subi were a lot of fun to watch as they grew up. A cat pole, which also is where they scratch their nails -- sparing the furniture a tip to other alleurophiles, but you must expose them to it early on , quickly becomes a special territory: for scrambling around and exercising, having a round of hide and seek, performing wild gymnastics, or just to get up high for a better look, especially when strangers arrive. Pica napping on one of her favorite spots, the cable TV box in the dinning area. This is one of the last good pictures I have of her she began to look sick in April. I took it at New Year's , when the loft was dimly lit, a small Xmas tree was lighted nearby, and everything seemed quiet with the world. Later on, I turned on the computer, and "Peek" figured this out, and soon insisted on being lifted to the top of one of the monitors, her very favorite toasty place to hang out and nap near me and all my work and sounds. Pace, sweet Pica.Nago patiently sits up in one of the few formal poses I have of him. He wasn't too happy about having his portrait taken, so I'd postponed doing this most of his life. Subi and Pica had been pretty good about it when I took theirs when they were both about three years old, and these are the pix you see of them above, against the blue paper roll. Finally I setup the camera and lights and backing and waited until Nago was quite still after a long nap. He was still a bit sleepy. Up on the table he went, "Just sit there! I'm glad to have this photo now. Classic Seal Point Siamese, the best description of this lovely portrait of Nago taken in September of '.He'd just began to show signs of sickness, and for the first time in his life was not interested much in eating. Of course you worry that something bad is going on inside. I grabbed the Rollei and took a couple of rolls that evening while he was reclining and cleaning himself. This was one of the best, perhaps it's even the best shot I have of my friend. The vet thought the slight lump he felt might be a cancer in the abdomen, but a sonogram suggested an enlarged spleen I still suspected cancer. In a week he was eating again, but I watched him closely from then on. In '98, when giving him one of the tummy rubs he haunted me to get, I felt something inside myself. This time the vet thought it was a cancer for sure. So in early May, he underwent surgery. It was cancer all right, of the kidney, a very large tumor. He'd been losing weight through the last few months. I didn't have all the time I wanted to keep an eye on him as the filmscore to Woundings was now in highest gear. But with a lot of TLC, and medicating him from then on both by pill and daily doses of Ringer's Lactate subdermally he minded the pills much more than the injection , he rallied once more surprisingly well. Began eating, and was extra demanding of affection. Fine by me. Several times in the first months of the Cat Trio would pose dourly like this the camera's strobe caught their super reflective retinas very well here! Note Walter Cronkite, expaining how angry he is at the myths perpertrated on a young generation by Stone's paranoid, contrived "JFK" polemic I agree -- letting Oswald off and sanctifying Garrison is the true perversion. In February the newest addition, Pandora "Pandy" , had joined the crew. Amusing, and I have several photos of them sitting just so. Subi got along with Pandy right away, but Nago, being shy, was slower to adjust. I kept her from him when I could, and there were few real hassles. Since Subi is so old, it was time to add to the clan, as I had not the courage of being with but one cat and then none finally. Overlapping, according to our breeder friends, is the way to do it. I'll get more pix of Pandy here, along with the other two critters, another Siamese, and a new puppy! It's always difficult to say good bye. After the surgery, Nago had about ten more weeks of mostly decent time. He purred often, sought me out a great deal, and spent days in bed with me when I was very sick much of the month of June in '.He always loved cuddling in bed, and I could hardly object to having this beloved companion with me. He even seemed healthier than I did for a while, was eating regularly, and showed no other symptoms. Then on a Saturday in July he suddenly refused one of the extra meals I was feeding him. The only thing I could get him to try was a dab of butter. I called the vet again. Told him I could palpate a further enlargement of a tumor in his abdomen. Not at all surprising. The Prednesone slowed the regrowth, but did not stop it. It was time to say our final good byes. This is the last photo I have of him with me. Subi was trying to clean him, Pandy was just curious. In three days dear Mr. Nago had slid down rapidly. It would have been cruel to delay any longer. Its rough on you, but the most merciful way to "pull the plug" is what I did. The first step is a strong sedative. So while still home Nago fell asleep, as I spoke to him quietly, stroking him tenderly. There was no added trauma. He was in his own spot, with his last experiences just three or four feet from where he had been born. Everything was calm and normal, like the habits of his lifetime. In five minutes he was asleep, and the awful labored breathing of the past three days became calm and easy. Ever so gently I laid him in his carrier, then walked him quickly to the vets office. He never knew any of it. The doctor felt the tumors. Very fast growing, he was now riddled with them. They use a somewhat larger dose of anesthesia than given for surgery, and the heart slows and stops. Nago's ordeal was over. I kissed him good bye a last few times, thanked this sensitive, dear heart of a vet, and went out into the bright afternoon daylight. July 22nd, the hottest day of the year here. My pal was no more. The last two deaths were no preparation for this one. Heather and Pica had long good lives, and plain wore out. Nagus did not. He died much younger than the others. He'd been cleaning himself and responding and finding his usual favorite spots just two days earlier. The doctor says there is usually some nausea in the late stages of this horrid disease, and that is probably why he rejected food suddenly. In four days he dwindled, and now was gone. I was angry at the disease many of you have your own experiences with cancer, and understand. Even now I've not gotten past grieving for this special, gentle soul, my Nago. You are missed, sweetheart, you are missed. And Subi turned 18 at the start of July '.That's kinda old for a cat, you know. Never expected that the first fuzzy to live here would also be the last of the original group to be still around, but there you are. And here's the old fella in a very recent shot as this is written , just a few weeks prior to his birthday this year. You have to look closely to see the signs of age in a kitty. Their fur hides any wrinkles or boniness. Here I note that Subi's wrists are somewhat weaker, and curve inward a bit. It's not a big change. He's experienced some arthritis, and walks with care and some discomfort. But he keeps at it in a way you'd admire in an elderly human, courageous and uncomplaining, still there after all these years. I dearly love this ol' critter, and try to make his twilight years as decent as I can. I find it amazing the closeness of the bond that can develop between "them and us. But the luckiest thing is to have both. When it comes to working, though, you'd be hard-pressed to find a much better companion than a snoozing critter like this on your lap or beside you, or up on a piece of warm equipment very nearby. One year later: Then a year after the above senior-citizen photo, is this quick portrait of a 19 year old Subito, warming himself on one of the computer monitors. Since some of you have kindly asked about the old guy, if he's still around, I'll let you see this one, too. The sad news is that a few months before this 19th birthday he was overtaken by a late developing case of macular degeneration, and is now quite blind. I have to run to help him out of cul de sacs all over the loft, as it's especially difficult to lose your vision so late in life. But he has slowly learned how to find his favorite spots. In fact, he's right now meowing out softly to me in the studio where I'm typing this caption. He just managed to jump up into my lap, not so easy with arthritis and the rest of it. Looks like I'll have to give him a bit of attention right away -- be back in a moment.Long stretch of cat. During cat shows it's common for judges to pick up a fuzzy contestant very much as I've picked up Subi here. Long ago he got quite used to it, all the cats did, and they don't mind one whit being made the focus of attention. For the Siamese breed in particular, a good judge looks for a long tubular body, wiry and muscular, without sag or fat or notable taper. In this respect even at 19 Subito would get high marks on body shape. Of course much of his body mass has been lost in the past few years, we all do tend to lose some as we get very old. This means he now does have more taper than he used to, rib cage compared with haunches. So this photo is not as fine an example as one taken some four or more years ago would have been. I just never thought to do it before this shot. It also happens to be, IMHO, a grand gesture and graceful pose, and it's kinda fun to watch a good cat respond proudly like this. A long good-bye, the most difficult in years, has finally happened. See the pencil sketch I drew of him sitting on my lap during his final evening, on the artwork page HERE. I've been dreading this even as it became more and more probable. In Subi had been diagnosed with a moderate case of renal failure. His kidneys, as with most older creatures, were losing their function, and would probably end his life soon, the vet explained. For a while he had to be hydrated, with some Ringer's Lactate injected under his skin every week. It always seemed to make him feel better, increased his appetite and disposition. Eventually he began drinking at his dish very often on his own, and simply refused to take any more of the injections without a real battle. Fine, it wasn't worth traumatizing the old feller, and as he continued to do rather well, that treatment was abandoned. Subi went blind in March of , a late case of macular degeneration which Pica had many years earlier. It was awful to watch this elegant, intelligent creature, with his increasing arthritis, have to learn in old age how to find his way around his home by sense of touch and smell alone. As with older people I've seen it with my parents, and I'll be getting there soon enough myself he was able to do fewer of the things he enjoyed most of his life. Yet there were compensations. He still sought out my lap constantly, was eating well, enjoying special treats, and showed great affection and constant awareness, right to the last week. His purr remained generous. Here you can see young Pandy cleaning the dear fuzzer just a couple of nights before he died. He seemed to enjoy her attention, probably bringing back memories of similar grooming help from Pica and Nago. I also gave him regular cat "sponge baths," and had twice the past week once when he got caught into a dusty spot. He loved getting a "blow-dry" the last month, with my hairdryer on low heat mmm.This Little Lord Fauntleroy of a cat had always been clean and neat, and so he was on his final few days. Subi had again found his way by feel into the bedroom, and for his final year slept every night beside me in bed, usually with his head under my arm, pressed up against my left side often with his head on my pillow, as here, his final morning. I'm a quiet sleeper, and this worked very well, and it was a great comfort to us both. I was able to put on hold any travel plans, to be here with him for the final year and a half. So it became obvious exactly when Subi suddenly reached the point where the simple pleasures of life were no longer enough. On May 12th he refused all food. His final meal taken voluntarily was some grilled swordfish I'd had for dinner on Monday, and saved him the best part, broken into small pieces. That was always a big treat, and became the last meal he would take. Here you can see him, under his own power, a brave, gaunt little figure inching his way out of the bedroom for a final time. He was still drinking a little, and suddenly wanted down from the bed to seek his water dish. I had taken a camera into the bedroom with us, and caught him feeling his way out to the kitchen area and the dish. I got out of bed and dressed quickly. This would be his final day, instead of allowing the now frail cat to starve to death days later. He had very slowly lost about half his weight during the final two years, from over 7 lbs. Subi's time had come. The critters have a wonderful vet, a truly compassionate person. He's gone through this with his own pets many times, and could advise from personal experience, the most merciful way to hasten the inevitable. Again a sleep inducing medication would be used for a first step, as for Nago. So this sweet old character with the pungent personality would spend his last few hours in his own home, among friends, without tension or incident, fear or trauma. I spread out a new thick bath towel onto the table. After one last tender time on my lap the two of us are together above , I took a couple of final closeup snapshots of him resting quietly in my lap. This is the last photo I have of him in a similar pose to that sketch I made the evening before. You can see that he's not sleeping, but just waiting for the inevitable, patiently and with dignity. Then I carefully carried him to the table, onto the soft towel, to give him a strong sedative. It took about 8 to 10 minutes to take effect. All the time I spoke to him, pet him all over, hummed to him, kissed him, his head pressed against my face, the usual homely and loving ritual we'd shared for years. He began to fall asleep, and I helped him lie down. A couple of minutes more to be sure he was deeply asleep, and then gently into the carrier. It turned out to have the very same small towel in it which Stephanie his breeder had given to me for Subi's original trip here, early November .Now it would cradle him for the final visit to the vets. I realize that I'm a sentimental old fool, but losing this beloved pet was particularly painful. Fortunately, there was none of the anger and rage I'd felt when Nago died too young to cancer. Subi had a wonderful, long, rich, lucky life, much better than most cats and certainly most humans! He was loved, by more people than just me, although I was his special pal. He got to travel many miles, and would take over the other homes he visited, proving how neat a bright, spirited Siamese can be to have around. Many notches on that old tail for friends made. But he's also both the first and last of the original generation of animal friends who lived here. And now that he's gone I feel years older and palpably diminished, trying to accept that I'll never have this empathetic connection, perhaps, ever again. Dear cat, dear friend, fare thee well. Pandora "Pandy" is another Chocolate Point Siamese, the same color-coordinated outfit that Piccola wore around here for over 15 years. When I first saw a Chocolate Point, I thought of an animal equivalent to something ephemeral and delicate, tiny nearly white "angels" with fur. They can be very striking to witness in person, and are still not so commonly seen as Sealpoints and Blue Points. Pandy was a tad old when she arrived here. Jeanne Singer, a fine composer and pianist I've known for nearly 20 years, is personally responsible for helping to bring Siamese lines back to the original dainty cats they can be when not diluted with the heavier set domestic shorthair and other breeds. Her Singa cattery name is properly well known within the cat fancy, and cats from her lines are found all over the world. She saved Pandy for me, as she thought she was unusually bright and attentive, and it was a wonderful choice. This scamp took over right away, and alternates between playing Ms. Independence and a demanding playmate. A lot of fun, no kidding! Pandy has a habit a bit like Nago once did: she steals into the studio here where I'm working, and reaches up on tip toe to tap me gently on the elbow. When I look down, I earn a mild ululation, and then a cat in my lap who want's attention. Then after some minutes of tummy rubbing, it's back down again, to sit on a warm monitor or nearby chair. She also loves to find "goodies" around the loft, and carry them off to her secret hiding places. Small screwdrivers and pliers, bits of string, wire and pencils have vanished mysteriously -- without a trace.After losing Nago to that damned cancer, there were only two critters left in the loft, dear old Subi, and new kitten, Pandora. It felt awful, a big change from the days when four fuzzers shared the premises. Since Pandy came from Jeanne's cattery, I thought it only fair to ask my other breeder friend, Donna Davis, if she had any male Sealpoint kittens, or if any litters were due soon. From this simple question came Charly, who you see when he first arrived, early September .He was 5 months old. Charly was rather old to be available for adoption having been born in April. But he was a "reject", from an unbelievably neurotic home in NJ, from people who truthfully didn't want an active kitten. All kinds of ridiculous stories were told, and Donna just asked them to return the little guy, and refunded the whole fee. Turned out this sweet, spirited kit had been abused, some really bad stuff went down, what can I say? He now ducked when anyone came near, attempted to pat him or skritch him in any way. Just four weeks had turned him into an insecure bundle of fear, a marked change from his early outgoing kittenhood. Donna gave him a couple of weeks of her best care, and he began to come around. She simply offered Charly to me if I would provide him with a good home he deserved after all the trauma. So he was mine for the asking, a short LI train trip to pick him up. He was immediately friendly when I met him, and has been a wonderful companion since he arrived here. Pandy and Charly have become very close friends, the same thing I'd seen with my previous cats, rather like Subi and Pica were many years back. Here's Charly at one year old. He's an unusually light colored Sealpoint, with a soft toned tawny body color, and "points" that are only now starting to approach the usual brown-black tone usually seen on Sealpoints. His tail is more "tweedpoint" than seal, but seems to be slowly darkening. When he's ON, you will generally count two of him, perhaps three, as he dashes from room to room, up the kitty pole, down and into the bathtub, then zips under the table. When he's OFF, you have an extremely affectionate warm pillow of plush velvet, who purrs easily, gently sniffs at your nose, and wants to remain as closeby as possible. Charly isn't perhaps the brightest of cats I've lived with, although he has certainly learned a lot from Pandora dammitt.With Pandy being so damn swift in the cat intellect department, the contrast is kinda pleasant. It takes all kinds, even in catdom. I used to find Pandy cuddled with Charly often, and Subi is often with one of them or the other, as they often help groom the "old bod" for him. Friendship, just a perfect blendship. More lately, they seem to prefer napping alone, as is mentioned below, but I wouldn't be surprised if THAT pattern also changed eventually.To the left you'll see the latest addition to the four-legged critters in the loft. Yes, it's a puppy, a cute, happy-go-lucky, floppy, loopy puppy. Almost every visitor falls in love with this Border Terrier. Her name is Brrittania, with the double-r there in honor of her mother, who had the name "Brree", being born on the coldest day of that year. Borders originate on the border of Scotland and England, so the name fits quite well. Miss Britty is quite a bit pushier than Heather was, although their terrier personalities are astonishingly similar. I thought a slightly smaller dog, from a breed not so ruined by trendiness as are Wheatons at least they've become so in the NE , might be more suitable as I'm getting older. This pup's about half the size of dear Heather, a real lap dog. She's stubborn and curious and friendly and full of energy and knows how to turn on the charm with every visitor. She also loves the new cats. If you have any doubt of that observation, take a look here, and see Charly driving Britty about as crazy as she's driving him. The active young duo actually wrestle together many times a day, an amiable plug for Interspecies Athletics when's the next Convention? Pandora often participates I think she picked it up by watching the others , although she'll never be the rough housing expert these two are when they "get it on! I was concerned at first, too, but you soon notice that they both enjoy it, and keep pestering the other for more good times. Heather always seemed eager to romp with the cats, too, who were much smaller than she was. The size disparity meant it never happened. But given the correct match of body weight and unflagging spirit displayed here, the novel exercise just developed spontaneously. Hey, long as no one gets hurt, it's their business! Subi's days of cat play are over, I must admit, so he generally declines any invitations to join the young'uns in tumble and chase. I have to yell at them when they try to coerce the slow movin' old guy, who just wants to watch and be near, see what's going on, and amble around slowly and creakily, into joining in a friendly competition. I call this snapshot: "Trio Stealth". The three youngest are often seen playing together, so this is not a unique snapshot. Britty's long red leash is usually much too much of a temptation for Miss Pandora to ignore. Whenever Britty strolls by with the leash "in tow", this is the very next thing you'll witness: Pandy about ready to pounce on the end of the long red moving snake. Charly is pretty good at it, too. It's like animal magnetism, although I thought that cats, like humans, were mostly dielectric.Of course I could be wrong. It might have something to do with static electricity, don't you think? Ever stroke a cat or pup on a dry winter's day? Bobbsey twins with old-timer. Often I come into the studio and find some new critter business in front of me, a surprise that's hard not to smile at. This time I saw that the younger cats had taken to sitting side-by-side on one of the computer monitors, like those old children's book illustrations of the Bobbsey Twins, or some such. My, but aren't they cute?! Take a pretty wicked heart not to smile about this friendly pose. I had to grab my camera, which fortunately was loaded. It's nice to discover that the old Subi cat was not being disturbed on the other monitor. Sometimes they bully him out of a good warm spot, and often I have to step in to restore fairness. They'll someday have first choice, but for now they must make do at times in sharing a warm spot. Pandy and Charly do get along very well, inseparable, really, so that's no hardship. Pandy's first sight of a pair of lobsters produced this amusing reaction: "Whatzzat?! I wondered if she'd even notice if I put her up on the counter, as some of the cats have been rather blase about these slow moving and slower-witted beasites, nothing at all resembling the silly scene in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall. Not often any of us get this treat, so she's not had many other opportunities like this. It'll be amusing to see if the next time produces any familiarity "oh, I see you're having those big bug things again! In the meantime, you might get a smile to see this candid shot. Curiosity can often have its downside. One evening well after dinner time I heard an abrupt loud scuffling sound in the kitchen area, a bonk and flurry of activity and something suddenly was flailing around. I had absent-mindedly left the plastic container for cat crunchies on the sideboard, and finally Pandy had discovered my gaffe, and was about to sneak an extra snack from the normally hidden treat-holder. She obviously found her way to pop the top open, and had stuck her small head well inside. Then she must have panicked, and tried to pull out in a hurry. Bad mistake, the lid of the container came off easier than her head could slip away, and so she was left wearing a heavy "necklace" several sizes too large for a small feline. The camera was loaded, so here's a shot of a disgruntled victim of curiosity. Then I helped the grateful silly cat to freedom from her humiliating trap: "Not funny! Where'd it go?! In a more recent snapshot, here's a new annoying habit Pandy has gotten into. For the time being I've had a new laser printer sitting on the floor of my studio, just in front of the 3-M 16 track tape machine. It's a nice high res printer, replacing the 12 year old original LW-NTX that finally is wearing out aren't we all.The Elite 21 has the neat ability to print on both sides of a sheet of paper, which saves quite a bit of money and space for all those sheets we aren't supposed to need in this "new paperless society" we inhabit. But the printer has a cute way of printing on both sides. First side A begins to come out of the slot, but immediately the paper is pulled back in, only to emerge some seconds later with side B also mysteriously printed upon. For an extremely intelligent, curious cat, that's just too much. Pandy saw the paper going back in, like a mouse retreating quickly into its hole in the wall, and sprang down from the monitor to see what this was all about. Now when she even hears the motor begin to wind up, there she goes, to watch the paper emerge, pull back, then come out again. It's irresistible, and this cute pose shows you a bit of the action. Now there's just this little problem of crushed and wrinkled paper printouts I frequently have to read from.This is a new one on me. When Charly sits on top of the new computer monitors, he often crosses his legs like this. The tops of these monitors are more tilted than any of the older ones were, so there may be a caution about rolling off when they're up there. Perhaps crossing one's feet like this makes a fuzzy critter feel more secure, less "rollable," when about to take a nice warm nap? This is the only place I even see him doing it. Let me look again, as both cats are up on top of the screens again as I'm typing this. Nope, different positions going on there right now. That's what snapshots are for, prove we didn't imagine the whole amusing thing.We are just good friends. The current critters certainly can "get it on" in the mutual aggression and play department, and it's not often I find them together in a heap like the older crew was so much of the time. But they're still good friends. Just let any one of them get into a fix, and call for help -- the others come running pronto! And during quiet times I'm often caught off guard with something like what you see here. This time it was "Miss Britty and Miss Pandora," enjoying each other's company on the carpet next to the middle sofa. I'd just been reading, and was about to head back into the studio. Fortunately a camera was near my elbow, so I caught it right away. It's a lot of comfort, especially in the current dangerously troubled world and country, to have them here. And as we get older we may find that small creatures do provide a great comfort in our lives, well worth the occasional slight inconvenience they may be. We still need our human friends, family and connections, but don't underestimate interspecies friendships, either! A rare moment together. The current "dynamic duo" worked out a rather competitive relationship when they first learned to deal with one another in the loft. I found Pandy cuddled up with dear old Subi regularly. But Charly never learned to cuddle with other cats, being from a very small litter and having been by himself for several early critical months. Which means that you just don't find him napping or sitting next to Pandy very often, even though he loves to cuddle with people just fine one of the "most spoiled cats" I've met, in that regard.Anyway, I'm generally surprised the few times each year when I discover the pair making nice-nice like this photo from early .They do love to romp together and chase one another, but just quietly sharing a toasty computer monitor? As I said, rare. I ran to grab the camera and snapped a few pix before they became self conscious, more interested in what I was doing, and jumped down. But not before this photographic proof that the "Bobbsey Twin" image a half-dozen photos above still happens at times, even without a diplomatic, tolerant Subi around to set a good example to the next generation.When the old Pioneer projection monitor passed away quietly in early , the critters didn't pay much attention to the new replacement HD Sony. That is, until the winter of .One night, when I was catching a film I'd missed in the theaters I think it was "Ice Age: The Meltdown" , Pandy happily ambled into the studio, no doubt to get some protracted attention from a "captive audience" that would be me. She suddenly froze in her tracks, staring upwards intently. A warm lap can wait. What IS that? Perhaps seeing moving animals vividly on a large screen provides the attraction "animal magnetism"? But this was nothing to take for granted -- it became a new interest for her reach out and touch someone. Since then, she almost always stops to check out any: cats, dogs, birds especially birds -- she LOVES to sit by the window and stare out at the big city pigeons , horses, frogs, prairie dogs, etcetera etcetera, on the screen, with bonus points when they're in High Def. I grabbed the small digital camera, this was too cute not to document even though it's much funnier in person, trust me. And so, you'll see here a curious, intelligent Siamese going head-to-head with a "gen-yoo-eine Mastodon" on screen. Immediately after she attempted, futilely, to reach out and touch another furry creature up there, she dropped down and darted around both sides, and from above, to the back of the monitor, trying to find another access way to reach this fascinating new animal, since some kind of "window" seemed to be "in the way", from the front. Simply a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e well it really WAS.I found it also hysterical, and had to contain my chuckles so that I wouldn't break her mood and lose the chance to catch her with a few decent snapshots. I've taken several similar shots since the first time it happened. This is still one of the best of them, from that first awakening. Well, what good is it to share your home with other sentient species if you can't enjoy one another's small quirks and foibles? Hope you agree. Charly turns ten. Yup, the years go flying by, for us and our much loved pets, too. Above you'll find several earlier snapshots of this classic, beautiful Siamese, starting from around the time he first arrived here. Now it's what, a decade gone by -- whoosh? Charly turned 10 in April '08, and this time I usually forget about such sentimental "trivia" I got the camera out to document this healthy, curious, affectionate seal-point Siamese he's pushing right up against my elbow while I'm trying to type this. Ain't he cute? Both he and Pandy are unusual in maintaining their light youthful body colors, even as mature adults. During the initial year I called Charly a "tweed-point", because his seal "points" were significantly flecked with light beige and white hairs; turns out to have been a good thing. He never did develop the usual mostly dark brown body color, as both previous sealpoints I lived with did Phunkalaro and Nago. Anyway, I remembered to give this constant companion a few treats for his birthday this year. While he was in the kitchen area anticipating something tasty, I first grabbed the camera, caught several good poses. He's sitting patiently rare for a cat and wondering why instead of giving him something to nibble on I'm messing with that damn camera again. But not to worry, click - click - click, I put the camera down, and he had his "reward" for posing so nicely. Only fair.No images, text, graphics or design may be reproduced without permission. All Rights Reserved. Top of the Page Photo Miscellany Here's something you've never seen before. It's called The Circon, short for: "Circular Controller". It has no sound of its own, although with the proper synthesizer patch it makes a marvelous Theremin. Unlike that earlier instrument, you don't hold your hands in free space. The pitch wand is an easy to move pointer arm that shows which note you're playing, with the exact center marked by a grey dot, so microtonal passages become possible. The left hand moves a much shorter arm which is spring loaded, to return up off when released. The further down, the louder and brighter the sound, in its usual configuration. Since you have physical references, you can repeat notes, and jump wide intervals, with complete accuracy. So it's a lot easier to play and play well! At least for me it is. It's a featured instrument on Tales of Heaven and Hell , where you can hear it to good effect on several of the selections. Here's the background on the Circon , if you're interested. Even if you've looked at this in the past, you might want to take another look again. By popular request here is the cover art on Sonic Seasonings. For those of you who don't already know, it's called: Waves at Matsushima a six-panel screen by Ogata Korin, early 18th century Museum of Fine Arts, Boston collection Now if I both admit that I love this cover, too, and commend you for your good taste, is this logically self-serving? Rachel found this beautiful painting the original screens are about 5' tall to use as the album cover of our release, and it's gotten a lot of compliments since then. To read even more about it, check out our new Matsu Page. A small poster sized enlargement, about 2' x 3' of most of the screens was included with each double-LP set when it was originally released. I've been informed that these are now considered "collector's items," or some such trendiness. Early in I was fortunate enough to be invited on something I'd always wondered about, but never could afford to find out: a Caribbean Cruise. The opportunity arose when a college friend whose student film was my first scoring assignment, retired from a successful career as a film studio head. He and his wife wanted to celebrate with family and friends, and decided to look into contracting a small ship for having a real celebration on, as it traveled from Trinidad towards Curacao and Aruba, up to Puerto Rico, and the NE arc of islands over to Martinique. They invited different groups to share the experience with them, family the first week and a half, then three more segments for industry friends, business contacts, and chums from childhood and their many travels around the world. I was lucky to sneak into the final group of "miscellaneous" friends, and we shared the ship max of about 75 passengers for it's final 12 days, to Fort de France, Martinique. It will remain an indelible cherished memory in all of our minds, a really unique generous adventure with many shared experiences. It's worth a page of its own, but I have been timid about speaking out about something I had very little to do with, except to feel very grateful about. I suspect they might prefer it to remain a private matter, so however grateful, I'll mention no names here but you know who you are.Nonetheless I did want to share with you, already one year later, this lovely, highly saturated rainbow that I managed to photograph early on in the trip, during a late afternoon surprise shower. That's Saint John's below it. We all had to "sing for our supper" inasmuch as each of us was expected to prepare a half-hour "Salon", given during the evening hours after dinner. Fair enough. It was to be something important for each of us, a small slice of our lives, interests, hobbies, jobs, whatever we wished. For mine I chose to show some total eclipse images, discuss the fun of chasing them, and then play some of my music, giving each excerpt some behind the scenes information. As blind luck dictates, the most improbable coincidence of all occurred the evening of my "lecture". The ship happened to be in the best possible location for a lunar total eclipse, one I had completely forgotten about being such a solar eclipse "snob", no doubt.So just as my talk was to begin, so was totality. Amazing "serendipity. Unforgettable, truly. We watched the moon nearly vanish, then headed back down to the main lounge, where I gave my presentation, ending with the Coda of Seraphim then we headed off to bed. You know, for the rest of the trip, no one would believe me when I answered their questions on how I had managed to schedule a lunar eclipse to coincide with my description of total eclipses. Dumb luck??! Sometimes the truth is simply too plain and homely to be believable.Nancy Chessare was a wonderful audio engineer who worked in several recording engineers in NYC, from the late 50's until shortly before her untimely death to cancer in .She broke down the sexist barriers for the rest of us who have since followed, while proving over and over to be one of the very best. I met her when she was on the staff at Associated Recording Studios in the mid 60's, and was duly impressed by her skills with microphones, mixing, and tape editing, not to mention diplomacy with often neurotic artists and musicians. She always kept her cool, while making them look good, making the final recordings sound as effortless and polished as they were generally, in fact, not. Nancy was a good friend for many years, someone you could speak with about an amazingly wide range of topics, from the dully technical, or subtlely musical, to travel and cooking and philosophy. Here you see her from many years ago, when three of us went to the island of St. Thomas, the U. Virgin Islands we stayed in The Shibui, shown here, a Japanese-style series of tiny houses on a hill -- utterly charming! Somehow she also made her life look "easy", too, when it was not. At the end of , during an elegant memorial service put together by her friend of many years, Rachel Elkind-Tourre , and Rachel's husband Yves I learned more about Nancy than I had suspected. Her sister "spilled the beans. But she was too modest and too private to tell us very much about her background and abilities, a refreshing contrast to so many of today's ego-driven mini-minds and mini-talents, know what I mean? Turns out Nancy had been a serious pianist, classically trained and very polished, but had abandoned that profession to one less in the limelight. That explained a lot to us, how she was sought after for her canny abilities in assembling complex musical segments into a cohesive whole, for athletes and ice skaters competing in Olympic Games and the like. This was why she was so knowledgeable about the most arcane subjects of serious music. I really will miss this elegant, grace-filled friend, and wish she could have enjoyed more than a few months of deserved "play time" after her retirement in .Good-bye to a gentle, unforgettable friend! Lift Off! Since I don't live anywhere near Florida, I've missed the many opportunities of the fortunate residents of the area to witness the extraordinary events of our baby steps into space. And until we experience the angst of disaster which all great feats of exploration entail, it's too easy to delude ourselves into thinking these ambitious adventures are routine and matter of fact. Nothing of the kind. Apollo produced two nightmare, one claiming three lives, the other ended happily only after some swift intelligent minds figured out how to get the Apollo 13 crew back to Earth safely. We lost the Challenger in that risky launch in , lessons were learned, and just today, almost exactly 17 years later, the Columbia shuttle claimed seven more lives. Brave people, all, and we mourn their loss. Several books, like Wolfe's "The Right Stuff," describe the earlier courageous acts which opened the skies to human exploration, at the ultimate price for those who perished in the attempt. Many more were luckier and surived their steps right up to The Very Edge, and came back to regale us with their stories and experiences. So other younger minds were inspired, and the long journey continues, as it must. I'm not quite a full-fledged "space nut," but can come close to it. There's quite a collection of books, CD-ROMs, videos, posters, models, and other memorabilia dotted around the loft, from Russia's and America's space programs, and also Europe, Japan, India, and others to follow. One of my fondest memories stems from , a trip down to the Cape with Rachel taking a needed short break from By Request.This isn't the right place to describe the whole trip, but it is an idea webpage to show you two photos from that launch. The first one is as the smaller Saturn II-B lifts off of pad 39, where the shuttle would launch only a few years later I'm sorry I never was able to get to a Saturn V launch. We were set up on the Shuttle's landing strip, not quite finished at the time, as it had been turned into a temporary viewing site for many of us who made our reservations early. We brought some of the same equipment I've used at many total eclipse expeditions: the mm Nikkor, Rollei SL medium format camera, and Ken-Labs Gyro stabilizer it was very windy, that helped a lot , all mounted on a Celestron portable pier. Good heavy-duty stuff to capture this spectacle. The skies were deep azure, cloudfree, and only the rising heat waves from the ground during the first several seconds impaired any of the images we took that afternoon. One of the best shots is this one, around 15 seconds into launch, a vividly clear image from the days when we used to launch into space quite slowly, majestically, before zippy solid rockets were developed for the Shuttle. I'd found these two 11 x 14" prints from that summer only recently, and scanned and cleaned them, preparing to add them to this page. But in the course of other deadlines and the usual chaos around here, somehow they were set aside for the last several months. Well, today with emotions still very near the surface from our latest tragedy, I again found them. We must remember that these startling adventures are wrought with risk, a risk that these brave pioneers accept as part of their job. It's difficult to bear both sides in mind simultaneously as we continue to explore our next frontier. It is certain there will be more of both kinds of experiences as we push ahead, as mankind always has done. We now should pause, even tearfully, as we pay respects to our lost heroes -- those who generously bear the risks in championing a noble, and probably inevitable, part of our humanity, curiosity, and sense of wonder. With the release of my Beauty in the Beast album, and then Switched-On Bach and Tales of Heaven and Hell , I became known for my composing in, and arranging music with tunings other than the standard step equal tempered scale. The new enhanced-CD version of the first title, BitB, happens to include in the enhanced files on that CD a long article I wrote about the history and experiences of working with other tunings, shortly after creating the album. One of my great life disappointments, but then, you can't have everything you wish for. Even a dreamer must occasionally be practical! As with most notable "brainstorms", the idea itself isn't my own, but came from work done about a century before I composed the score to BitB, in England, the USA, and several other countries. But the essential form, and even the name: "generalized keyboard", is due to the pioneering efforts of R. Bosanquet, who lived in the UK. His most important published work on the topic, sadly forgotten today, is: "An Elementary Treatise on Musical Intervals and Temperament. I first learned of this work in the still available excellent Dover Publications reprint of Hermann Helmholtz's: " On Sensations of Tone " -- with critical appendixes by Alexander Ellis. If you look it up, you may also want to check out an excellent newer source of information on musical timbre: Arthur H. Benade's " Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics. Chief among these is a step Equal Tempered scale that this harmonium was tuned to. Others discovered the same temperament, too, but no one ventured into a practical use of this rich microtonal garden as much as he did. Even today there isn't anything really to compare with that early effort. And most new generalized keyboards, alas, design their keys more like the digits on a typewriter or computer keyboard, grouped tightly together why -- to save space? It took me years before I saw any photographs of the Bosanquet Harmonium which I've just learned is now in the collection of London's wonderous Science Museum , in South Kensington , and could grasp the eminently sensible instrument he devised to play what is a fairly intimidating collection of pitches and intervals. Above is the best color photograph I've been able to find. This cleaned and tweaked jpeg is posted here for those still curious souls who might be interested in a rich, neglected field. A webpage like this about photographs is not the place to describe the tuning, the keyboard or theory behind them. But it is a fascinating image even without an analysis. Note that all the keys sit much like the black keys on a piano, synth, or organ, and at about the same size and spacing. The octave is also roughly the standard span. Yes, there are MANY keys in each octave, divided into black and white, the same scheme as on a piano. And once you master any desired key, melody, or chord passage, you can transpose it into any of the other 52 keys in a flash -- the fingering remains exactly the same! That's the friendly tradeoff, there are a lot of keys to navigate although fewer than you'd guess at any one time , but from then on all musical keys are a snap to modulate through. Note that like the HP calculator described here , these are excellent colors even for those with color deficiencies. I'll add a drawing of my proposed version to the site so you can see it as well. Meanwhile, this is the instrument which best combined a choice theory of tunings with something a real musician could play. Bravo, Mr. Look V-e-r-y Closely.Now that flat panel LCD type computer displays have become popular, there's a nifty small scientific experiment just waiting to try out, once you know where to look for it. I'm referring to Haidinger's Brushes, a venerable, if generally overlooked, proof that our mammalian eyes have the ability to detect polarized light directly, with no further optical aid! It shouldn't come as that much of a surprise that we've retained a mild form of this sense-skill. Birds and many insects navigate with reference to the natural polarized light pattern in the daytime sky. We wonder how they can tell which way to head, where north is, and while there are other senses that come into play, an important one is the capacity to detect the degree and angle of the atmospherically scattered and polarized solar light. Since humans do not need or use the ability, it's never developed far, but remains latent in most of us. What's that, you don't believe me, never saw it with your own eyes? So thought I, until I'd I read about it years ago, and began checking it out for myself. Oh, it's there, all right, this is no urban legend or specious hoax. But the phenomenon is also very faint, nothing obvious to jump out at the viewer, or most of us would be well aware of it already. The suggestions I've read most often recommend that beginners first look up in a clear blue sky, at a region roughly at right angles to the sun's location. Early morning or late evening work best, when you can look up, either to the north or south, with the sun shining to one side of you. Then you tip or rock your head quickly from side to side while looking towards the same spot. Some people like to spin their whole bodies a bit, while keeping their eyes at the same aiming point. Anyway, I'm not going to go through the whole exercise here, as there's a much better new way to study the phenomenon, if you have a computer with a flat-panel display available. Makes things much easier for those learning about these color brushes for the first time. The computer screen obviously should be powered on, preferably showing an even flat gray or white surface a blank page is fine. Let's say you have a plain light grayish page opened out on an LCD display in front of you. The image just above again, click it for the larger version will show you what to look for next. Many people report that they first began to learn how to see the pattern using a pair of polarized sun glasses, or even better, a polarizing filter for their camera years ago I used a filter, too. In that case you look through it towards a blankly lighted neutral wall or surface, and quickly rotate the filter alternately: clockwise, counterclockwise, pausing a few seconds in between. But that won't work on the computer display which emits polarized light, as you may know , as the screen will merely shift from normal brightness down to nearly black, depending on the filter's angle. Instead, just use the same trick the sky gazers do, tip your head first to one side, pause briefly, then the other. With practice most people should see two hourglass shapes, one colored in a smudgy pastel yellow-ochre, the other in a lighter bluish-violet tint, the hourglasses sitting at right-angles to each other. The size and colors of the "apparition" are generally consistent, but the orientation changes, and may first appear rotated cw, then ccw, depending on which way you've moved. But in my "here's what to look for" image I've simply set the yellow axis to be vertical, the bluish companion horizontal. Some people say they see one color easier than the other, but most of us can learn to see both of them. It's a nice, ethereal, even "spooky" effect, seeing this color pattern just floating there briefly each time you regenerate it the retina then fatigues, which is why it fades away each time. Since the eye generates this shape directly, you can't simply photograph it even so, I'm including it in the Photos section, since this is a real optical effect, not a piece of artwork. But using Photoshop I created pretty close to what I see on my monitor, in shape, color, and contrast. If you examine this image from something like 18" away it should be about " square on your screen , the two subtle colored regions suggest what you ought look for. The overall hourglass lengths are about the size of the human fovea, which on the computer screen will be under an inch across. Note: If you wear glasses to correct for astigmatism or can borrow a pair , you don't have to tip your head. Just flick your eyes first from one side, then to the other if that doesn't work for certain eyeglass prescriptions, try going up and down, or at an angle, instead. In between the motions, by tipping or flicking your gaze, Haidinger's Brushes will be visible for about seconds before they fade. Once you remember what you're looking for, you'll detect them on your own with minimal head tip or eye shift. It may take awhile before you get the knack, or you may even be startled to see it immediately, if you're doing it all correctly. Just a few weeks ago one of you wrote to tell me you'd discovered you can see the brushes any time you stop to look for them on your computer screen, so I expect this idea to become more popular with time. There are quite a few good websites which describe the phenomenon well, I won't go into them here. Now that I know how to see the Haidinger's Brush shape, I often become aware of it faintly when not even trying to detect it. You may have even seen it before, and wondered what it was, a monitor or eye defect, or some weird illusion. Nope, something much more interesting than that is afoot. See if you can nail down the best way to see it, how screen and room brightness affects it, how rested or sleepy you are, and so on. Enjoy your experimenting! NYC-Henge Even though I've lived in Manhattan for most of my life, this topic simply never occurred to me before a science-minded friend pointed it out to me two years ago. Each year the street layout of this city provides a kind of modern midyear "stonehenge", with a regular rectilinear grid to mark sunrise and sunset moon versions, too. When another celestial mechanician friend, Leroy Doggett, worked at the U. Naval Observatory, he was part of a movement to establish a new hybrid field of Archeo-Astronomy, which is now a growing field. I recall trying to assist him a few times to find the earliest or latest moon crescent in the twilight sky. People with lower, less obstructed horizons do better than I can in the city on this. But one naked eye observation is rather fun, if completely trivial, and even from a city like this. And that's what you can see in the photo to the left click as usual for a large view. For a few weeks every late June and early July I love to see the sunset navigate dramatically down all west facing streets with great theatrical effect. And there happens to be a pair of dates each year with an exact lineup, lasting days each. Those occur in late May, and in mid July this year they fall on May 28th and July 15th. If the western horizon happens to be quite clear on those evenings, you can watch the solar disk set exactly down the middle of the streets. In fact, it IS a bit like stonehenge! Please pardon my hyperbole, as MOST cities with long, straight streets and tall buildings on each side have their similar "henge" alignments, for those who care. For Manhattan, most E-W streets angle at about 28 degrees NW of N, which matches the azimuth of the setting sun on the above dates they vary a little each year, due to the leap year correction factor, as do the exact Solstice and Equinox dates. I also ought point out that the photo here was taken right in front of the much-loved Flatiron Building, while looking due west along 23rd Street. This was the mid-July 11th "henge", and had I stepped out onto the exact median strip in the middle of Twenty-third, the disk would have lined-up a little better. Also, I was a couple of days early, but the rest of the evenings that week were cloudy, so this is my best shot. NYC-Henge It's not often I can add something so brand-new to the website as this follow-up image, taken this past evening. The recent index page shot of me with Pandy lounging over my shoulders was another such case, posted one day after it was taken. Anyway, this image is of the May 30th "henge" for .I tried on the 28th, but the traffic was too heavy to get an unobstructed shot during the critical minute. Two days later and here's a very decent "henge" photo. That's 14th Street, and I've just crossed from the north sidewalk as the light changed, giving me seconds to snap off a few shots, before scurrying to the opposite curb. You'll note we're right on the median strip this time, and fortunately, there are no trucks or other vehicles, nor even pedestrians to block the moment. The sky was even clearer than for the '05 attempt above last year we were clouded out all the best evenings. I did feel lucky this time, and a few clicks later and it was over. Fortunately a pair of "bracketing" frames came out just fine. They're composited together here to create a wider dynamic "HDR" view, very much like what I saw myself. Studio "Loft-Henge" Now for something not-quite "completely different. All the angles have to be Just So. I guess it doesn't take too much to capture my attention, but for no good reason, I think it's kind of a magical moment that it's so rare helps. When I completed the Wurly II Kurzweil setup, I noticed that on several evenings in late May and again in July those sunbeams very briefly swept over the new instrument. You can see what it looks like to the left. I ought explain that the studio is towards to rear of a long and relatively narrow space which faces east-west. The windows up in front look west, but it's quite an obstacle course for the narrow beam of direct sunlight to slip between many tall buildings outside, then in through the front windows, past walls and hallways, finally slipping through the studio doorway to reach all the way inside. It's a path of about 80 feet from front windows to the Wurly! With such a long baseline, the bright beam of light traces its path surprisingly quickly. If you stand still quietly you notice it slide along, which I've never seen on, say, a sundial, or even the shadow of a traffic light on the pavement. I caught five shots during May of last year of some of the best moments. Two were blurred from the rather slow shutter needed to capture the glow of bounce light in an otherwise darkened room. This was the best of the other three, quite well centered, too. Okay, now you're permitted to say it: "Big Deal! This one IS honestly "completely different. But up until early this year, all I had was my memories and a pencil sketch I had drawn in '02, to show my parents, and now you. I remembered seeing these back in Pawtucket RI , in the '50s, on the roofs of several textile? The drawing to the left is what I recall, of a particularly odd twin version, two units connected "in cascade", it now seems, all long gone. The next image is one of a few quick snapshots I took from the highway while passing through Bridgeport CT, on my way back from visiting with my elderly mom in RI. I had no idea any of these still existed, as the last time I can recall seeing one is in the late 60s, in the Pawtucket area. So my memory had not fooled me, looks pretty similar to the drawing. To a child growing up with an active imagination, those "smokestacks? And the pair joined together seemed to be having some silent conversation. In any case, I never completely forgot them. And when I showed my drawing to my mom and dad, they smiled as recognition dawned on their faces, too. We'd never asked anyone back then what these actually were used for. And until discovering a couple of them in Bridgeport, I assumed it was WAY too late to ask anyone who'd remember now. But that's exactly what I'm doing here. Consider this another informal puzzle challenge on our site. Any ideas? So what do we know? These large devices were located on factory roofs. Probably some kind of textile factories. The construction looks like they are hollow and have inner and outer jackets, a manifold. At first I thought: "heat exchangers. Okay, then how about some kind of air discharge filters, to keep tremendous amounts of fabric dust and lint from covering the neighborhood? That might work, a minimal environmental awareness for the time. At least that's my best guess. What's yours? And if you live in the area, CT or RI, you may have seen these before. BTW, this photo was taken from Interstate highway 95 at the end of January '07, just a bit west of the center of Bridgeport, looking north of the highway. Further info: If you know the Bridgeport area, HERE's a satellite view with my best estimate for the unusual "dust-filter chimney. Right now I wouldn't be surprised if a few other extant examples exist, a bit of history from a time when the USA still made things.Since posting the above visual conundrum I've received suggestions from two engineers the first week, and two more right after that. The first message came from Evan Bentz, Ph. John also sent me further info which backed up the idea. The two newest messages came from Jim Cook and Tom Johnson. Both sent me links which clearly show the same kind of devices, still in use after all these years, in many places besides New England. Pretty good qualifications from all of you and interesting, helpful letters, too , I'm impressed. Thank you all very sincerely for taking the time to send your comments and supportive links. So this IS a kind of dust collector. Actually, it's an industrial cyclonic dust filter. Google such words for many other examples. I had stumbled upon similar but smaller devices by accident when I first searched the web about this topic a few years ago, but felt too insecure about concluding this was it. Finally now with the help provided by these good people, I think it's safe to announce that this puzzle has been solved! Yeay, I'm pleased to put the speculations of decades aside at last! We had total piece of mind knowing our furry family had company and attention daily and over night. This allowed our pets to stay in their own home while we received daily texts and pictures of them. We were able to enjoy our vacation without any stress or worry. When we returned home our house was warm and clean, filled with happy animals and a sense of clam in the air. Such an amazing service provided by such amazing people!! Wendy stayed with my five year old terrier mix with a partially torn ACL and a knee brace for week and also managed to deal with several days without power due to a storm. I do not believe I could have handled it better than she did. I recommend wendy without qualification. Brava Wendy! It's obvious Wendy genuinely cares for animals. I was confident my dog was receiving the care and cuddles he needs. Thank you again Wendy! Wendy loved my dogs if they were her own- super cooperative to work with and we loved the photo updates she texted. Thanks so much!! Wendy stayed in our home and took care of our two dogs while we were away for 10 days. We were able to enjoy our vacation knowing that the dogs and our house were in such good hands. Wendy is professional, friendly, reliable, punctual, communicative, trustworthy, caring and respectful. We appreciated her text updates with photos of the dogs. We highly recommend Wendy for pet sitting. Wendy did a wonderful job with our two Great Danes. She was extremely caring and trustworthy. Both of our dogs loved her and we highly recommend her. She couldn't have been more wonderful with our ex large babies:. My family and I wanted a trainer to work with Cody one-on-one in our home since that is where we felt good behavior was most important. Wendy started helping us train our Labrador puppy, Cody, at about 12 weeks of age. Her methods were gentle and effective and after only 4 lessons with Wendy, we had an obedient, well-behaved puppy that not only respected the rules of the house, but also respected us as his pack leaders. When people meet Cody, we are constantly asked how he became such a well-behaved, obedient dog and we always give credit to Wendy. As a veterinarian, I continue to recommend her to all of my clients looking for gentle effective training for their puppies or adult dogs with behavioral issues. As soon as Wendy walked through our door you could tell she had the full respect and attention of our dog. She not only teaches the basic commands, but the psychology and behavior behind having a dog that is well adjusted and respects you as the leader of the pack. She does all this without the use of treats, shock collars, or other gimmicks. We now have a well behaved dog that is fun to have around and who we feel comfortable taking wherever we go. We rescued a 6 year old large breed dog, and found he has some behavior issues. Wendy helped us to see that his aggressive behaviors probably stem from fear. She gave us some great training techniques and leadership advice. He learned proper front door behavior immediately, her method is very effective. Some of his other behaviors are going to take more time and consistent training to correct, but he is definitely improving. We are glad that we chose to work with Wendy. We love Sarge, and decided to figure out how to help him. I started to do research about training and what we were doing wrong. After a few weeks I made appointments with a few people. Much to my surprise, I found Wendy. An Appointment was made she came over to our house, told us we were going to be training with Sarge to make us better pack leaders and in turn help our dog out. He has made a lot of progress. He knows where to sit when people knock on the door, the growling and excessive barking has stop. An important lesson that we learned as dog owners is that it is continuous work. Wendy was very instrumental in making sure Sarge is a happy dog. We called Wendy as a last resort, thinking our only alternative was to get rid of one of our dogs. Our story: We have 3 rescue dogs, a male and 2 females, that were adopted at different times. Training: The first thing we noticed about Wendy when entering the house was how she commanded control. She spent time teaching us dog psychology, diet and training techniques for our different needs. We diligently worked with our dogs and saw improvement very quickly. Fat pockets were disappearing, they were looking leaner, and just acting happier. Our dog with arthritis has pep in her step again, walking around our neighborhood no problem! It is a wonderful feeling being able to take the three dogs on a walk together with our infant in her stroller and enjoy the moment. We even get compliments from our neighbors at how well-behaved and trained our dogs are! She never rushed us to be done with the visit and really wanted to make sure we had exhausted all questions and felt completely satisfied with her training. She even scheduled us a bonus training visit to follow up with our progress with the 3 dogs. Thank you, Wendy! We love having our house back and our 4 legged babies getting along so well! I have a dog with serious issues. Wendy addressed those problems with behavioral strategies that showed me a different dog within two hours. I have hope again. I have a 14 month old pit bull, Khaleesi, and started having problems with her on walks such as lunging at people and dogs, also problems with door rushing, no recall at all and nipping. She walks at heal position and now we can walk past distractions such as barking dogs without chaos. Wendy is very thorough, she takes her time to make sure that we understood what being the pack leader means and does for dogs. Me and my family are enjoying seeing the positive progress and are looking forward to our next session with Wendy. I have a two-year-old German Shepherd, my main issues with shire were jumping, polling, barking, and excitement. Wendy explained why my dog acts the way she does, and she Wendy totally right! Shire changed right away, she is a very stubborn dog but she is extremely smart! Once I started doing what Wendy taught me I could tell right away that Shire understood! Scheduling with Wendy was a seriously desperate cry for help — please! Wendy showed up with tools and skills to train our dog. My mom was so sure that nothing would work but by the end of the class, she was hugging Wendy and asking her when we could have more lessons for our dog HAHA. Jett was undisciplined until our training with Wendy. Shortly after this, Jett got out as I was taking out the trash. He began to jog off and a motorcycle was barreling down our street. I thought, Oh no! Additionally, our Daisy dog now no longer lunges and barks at other dogs on walks. Wendy helped us regain our sanity in several other dog-related areas as well. I highly recommend her. We had babied our dog out of love for him but we were not being leaders — he was running the house. When our sweet dog began becoming aggressive, we became alarmed and knew we needed someone who was an expert in behavioral strategies. She helped us realize that we could still show our dog the love and affection while being the leader he needed. Wendy was patient and available for questions as we learned to trust the process and put in the consistency needed when she left. The results were amazing! The aggression is gone and he is more obedient than we ever thought he could be. We are planning to hire Wendy again for socialization out in the community because we know the amazing results she is able to help us achieve. We highly recommend her! If you are willing to put in the work when she leaves, you will see amazing results after the first lesson! I am amazed at how quickly he has learned to be obedient. Your techniques really do work and I would highly recommend anyone whose dog needs training give you a call. In just a couple lessons he is a different dog. Michelle Baker, Corona Posted to Yelp, July 18, I rescued my dog from SBC and after a while was having major behavioral problems, such as redirect aggression, sibling rivalry, and basic obedience. She had gotten into fights and I was so worried I would have to give her up. I decided to go with Wendy after doing extensive research and numerous interviews with multiple companies. I like her apprach and extensive knowledge of dog behavior. Shes not just a trainer. She is a behaviorist. Her style is direct, logical, and dog centered. She does not use any painful negative consequences, which I like. And that puts her a head above the rest. WithShe taught me how to communicate withmmy dog and become the alpha in a positive way. With her training, my dog just passed the Canine Good Citizen test!! And I have high hopes of fostering again soon. Worth every penny. We were able to schedule quickly and had our first 3 hour training today. She sure knows her stuff! I admit I was totally ignorant to the proper way to treat our dogs. Sarina M. Not sure who enjoyed it more, myself or my dog, but it was a fun experience for both of us and the change is unbelievable. We adopted our little Chihuahua mix a month ago from the corona shelter and while she was wonderful inside of our apartment, she was fearful outside, barking and lunging at other dogs as well as people. We saw an improvement day one and in the last 2 weeks we have seen a completely different dog, much more confident and calm. We have learned so much about how we need to behave and direct her as the pack leaders. Having Wendy train us was worth every cent! Although we also have a pug and 2 Chihuahuas, losing Abby left such a huge void in our lives, we replaced her with a 3 month old black lab puppy. My husband researched and found Wendy and scheduled an appointment. Our pug and chis were all three barkers. After our first session with Wendy yesterday morning,our new puppy was walking on a leash, sitting on command and waiting at the front door until we released her to go through. The other three dogs got to the point that they did not even bark when the doorbell rang. Even after Wendy left, we had several people in and out of the house and still had no problems. We could not be happier with Wendy. She is knowledgeable, loving to our fur babies, effective, and a great teacher. Two older dogs and a new puppy. The older two had a problem with barking whenever the doorbell rang or someone knocked at the front door. I could not let people into my home right away without getting my dogs out of the way first, because they would bark at my guests as they were coming in and my dogs would also jump on them. It was embarrassing to say the least. She showed me the tools I needed to correct my dogs. After the first session my dogs no longer are barking at the door, I can leave my front door wide open while I greet my guests and my dogs are nowhere in sight. I can also now walk them without lunging out at other dogs while we walk through our neighborhood. I feel so relieved in knowing that my dogs are better behaved now. I am a stress free doggie parent now. I look forward to working with Wendy on getting my 3 month old Dachshund Puppy trained as well. Thanks Wendy! Before that, she was just spoiled. Since then she had become insecure, anxious, developed separation anxiety, and barked excessively when anyone came to the door. She knew basic commands but was inconsistent and would constantly pull forward on the leash. We used to take our dogs everywhere but could no longer trust Bon Bon to behave. We called Wendy and literally after the first session, she was a new dog! Miraculously she also learned to stop barking and instead, sit in a designated place away from the door when someone rang the bell until she was released to greet the guest. That was a couple of months ago; we are now getting close to being ready for her to take her Canine Good Citizen test and after that, begin preparing for her to become a therapy dog. This weekend we are taking her with us to a hotel with confidence that she will be well behaved. We are so grateful to Wendy and highly recommend her! We just finished our second training and my dog Otis has done a complete .Before he would go absolutely mental on the leash. My other dog Ruxin was also very bad at coming when called and listening in general. Such a huge difference for both my dogs. Thanks again Wendy!!! I was so afraid they would fight again. Oh and her shoulder to lean on. Thank you Wendy!! I still have the fear, but Wendy is always there to help me get through it, whether on the phone or in person. She is always available to me. She teaches you the technique, then you do it right there!! She gave us detailed instructions on how to work with our pup on her separation anxiety. We could see the difference in our dog right away. She taught us how to be leaders so our dog feels safe, secure, and happy. We interviewed a few different other trainers but decided on Wendy due to her gentle yet assertive approach. It was, and still is extremely important to us to train our fur kid in a gentle, non-violent way. After some research we came across Wendy. We liked the fact that she had a life time experience as a dog trainer, would enable us to train our dog in a gentle way, and also that she would come to our house for the training sessions. This is important to understand: Wendy enables the dog owners to train their dogs properly, which — in our opinion — is the way it should be. My wife and I are highly recommending Wendy! She is an outstanding and fantastic dog trainer with a wonderful personality. Both, dog and dog owner will benefit from her experience. Within minutes she had him doing it AND had him doing all sorts of agility exercises! I recommend Wendy for any issues you may be having with your dog!! She understands training is just as much about the owner as it is the pet! But like a lot of doggies, he had a few discipline problems that we were just unable to work him through. Pack Leader Wendy Blanch to the rescue! She came to our home, worked with us on working with him, and now our doggie is heading in the right direction! He also waits patiently for his ball below picture. Wendy gave us so many little hints that helped us help Jasper. You could tell she honestly loves dogs and Jasper was quite eager to work with her. How did I hear about Wendy? Well Priceless Pets of course! Wendy works with rehabilitating many of their dogs to get them ready for adoption. If your doggie needs a helping hand in becoming a better family member, contact Pack Leader Wendy Blanch. Big or little problems, she can help you fix them! Now if only she could train my husband, Mike. My lb. The first lesson made a huge impact. He stopped charging the door when the doorbell rang, stopped licking the plates while I was loading the dishwasher, he was an unruly stubborn teenager. He now walks right next to me, comes when called, is controlled by my voice, not treats or clickers. He adores me and looks to me as his pack leader. Wendy is the best choice I have made in by far. Then I brought him home…he was a mess, nipping at and jumping all over me and my family, bucking like a bronco and dragging me along on our walks! I was in tears every day for the first 3 weeks until I got a referral from my vets office. After only 1 training session, the improvement in his behavior was amazing! I kept working with him and had several additional training sessions to correct some of his more stubborn issues huskies LOVE to pull! Within 3 months I was so thrilled with what Wendy and I had accomplished with him that I went and found him a little husky sister! I used the methods Wendy taught me with her from day one. Now, I have 2 well trained huskies that bring me joy every day! I can walk my dynamic duo together with confidence, and their behavior at home is exemplary! Wendy was great, giving me the tools and techniques to be able to enjoy my pups! When Wendy first came to our house she could not even start the orientation of the program because all three of our dogs were barking and jumping on the back door. All three are very hyper, but we knew with the right training they could be better under control. Even now our neighbors and our pool guy asked us how we got them to stop barking and we said Wendy Blanch. We now can get them to walk nicely and not worry about having to take one dog at a time outside. The other issue we had was with our Brown Lab Bailey. Now she waits to be invited in and she understands not to jump on us. She can swim now with us and it is great to have fun with them in the pool. Lastly, we have begun taking them to the dog park with Wendy and her cute dogs. They had a blast and we are looking forward to finding other dog parks to take them to and have our main goal to be able to take them off leash to the dog beach in Huntington. Thanks Wendy for everything. Our puppies appreciate it as well. We look forward to continuing working with you as do Bullet, Bella, and Bailey. My dog Penelope, a year-old Jack Russell, responded very well and I am being educated on how to be the pack leader of my home. A position I had allowed my naughty dog to assume over time. Wendy demonstrated excellent communication methods and the training material she left for me to review was an invaluable resource which solidified the reversal of pack leader from my dog to me! Thank You Wendy! This sounds silly but today he dropped a dryer sheet after only being asked to do so. Dryer sheets are his favorite thing to steal and run with. Thank you Wendy! Copy link Share Every day, Wendy Shan sits in front of a blank canvas and paints the same subject. Since she was eight years old, Wendy has been creating a new iteration of her pug-shih tzu cross, Lulu. She hopes to be able to help people see Lulu the way she does. She often draws Lulu with a bit of personality and some sass. They aren't just ordinary dog portraits to her. Wendy Shan's portrait of her dog Lulu. Supplied These are some of Wendy's portraits of her dog Lulu. A collage of portraits of Wendy Shan's dog Lulu. Supplied A pencil drawn portrait of a Wendy Shan's dog Lulu. Supplied Multiple painted portrait of a Wendy Shan's dog Lulu. Supplied Two drawn photos of dogs illustrated by Wendy Shan. Supplied Wendy grew up an only child, longing for someone to play with in a home full of adults. So when her parents brought Lulu home, she became more than just a household pet. She was family. Art allows Wendy to 'unleash creativity' Working on drawings and paintings gave Wendy a stillness she needed. She had a space to distract her from school and childhood anxieties. Most importantly, it was a world she had control over. If she wanted to draw green clouds, she could. It was up to Wendy to create the fantasy land of her choosing. Supplied Art has always been therapeutic for her because there are no set guidelines or expectations. It doesn't matter if she doesn't create a perfect painting or illustration. She has freedom to fail and try again. It was kind of just knowing that I was improving. She began to get more involved in her local community with council projects and advocacy. But she says sometimes young people, despite engaging in community events and advocacy, can be drowned out of the conversion. An expert says art is important for young people's growth and wellbeing. Supplied Expert says art important for mental health Robyn Ewing, who specialises in art education at the University of Sydney, says a relationship with the arts is integral to young people's development. How does this happen? While volunteering at a local shelter many years ago, these questions weighed heavy on my heart. The more time I spent there, the more I learned. And, to the shelter good animals go. I rescued my Rottweiler, Riley, from that very same shelter. And we did have that amazing life that I dreamed of. She was such an amazing dog it was hard to understand why she ended up there. Sadly, I had to say goodbye to Riley in , but the cycle of good dogs ending up in shelters continues. They just need someone to give them a chance and help them learn how to be the best they can be. So, began my journey to find a way to help people build better relationships with their pets. Because every pet deserves the life of Riley. There were animals to play with, and they accepted me unconditionally. As a teenager, I had the opportunity to raise two litters of puppies. I kept one pup from each litter for myself to train and show in obedience, and I excelled in doing so. Despite all the commotion of the working farm on which I lived, I could get my two dogs to focus on our training and respond to my cues. Doing well with them at home and in the show ring gave me a great sense of purpose, so I decided then that somehow I wanted to work with dogs for a living. Determined to pursue my passion, I majored in Animal Science in college, fully intending to pursue my dream to become a dog trainer. Well, I got side-tracked. Naysayers, negative thoughts, and logistics made me think that working with animals for a living was an absolute pipe-dream. But, for the next thirty years, I still held onto this belief that one day I would find a way to pursue my dream of working with dogs. It never left my mind. And that got me thinking, what if people had hope? What if they could learn how to communicate with pets? These thoughts took me back to that defining moment in elementary school. It occurred to me that the same thing can happen to dogs when they have a negative experience. They Shut Down. I help improve relationships and the quality of life for dogs and their people. I educate people on how dogs think, act and feel, and why they do what they do. I show clients how to develop a mutual respect between themselves and their dogs, and how to have fun while they work together. I also help people who are experiencing behavior issues with their cats. Wendy Morgan Reading to Dogs The boys who live here have had a tough family life and have usually fallen behind in their reading; this unique program gives them a chance to practice. So offering them the opportunity to read aloud to us dogs, gives them a chance to practice their reading skills. In addition to myself, there are also a couple of pugs and a French bulldog. But I am the only Golden Retriever. Each week we work with two boys. Each boy gets 30 minutes on his own with mom and me, in a room with beanbag chairs all over the floor. Or even just met. Sometimes there will be a new boy who is afraid of dogs, or one who is nervous to read. So I always win those boys over with some wags, a lick or two, and a gentle nudge. After a boy has selected a couple of books, I settle in to listen. As a result, their reading often gets better. They say that I help by giving a calming presence. And me? I just know I love being with each boy. Often, I give him a paw to hold while he reads, or put my head in his lap to give him a little extra love. Sometimes, a boy will want his own space, so I just lie nearby. Another may want to sit with Mom to get some help with the hard words. Or she may even read to him. I understand that — because Mom is the best! Happily, after the reading, Mom gives me some water and a snack, then loads me back into the car for the drive home. After all that fun, I am always ready for a long nap! Please submit the form below and be sure to include your phone number so we can follow up with a call! Thank you! And thank you for either nominating yourself or others. Together we can make great contributions to education!