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Black, black and tan, liver, blue, sable, bi-colored Suitable for: Singles and families, homes with yards, active owners Temperament: Smart, loyal, active, playful, protective Understanding this playful mixed breed means learning about both the German Shepherd and the Jack Russell Terrier, as their offspring will likely take on traits from both breeds. We break down everything that you need to know about both parent breeds and ultimately, this interesting mixed breed dog. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. They grow quickly due to their German Shepherd genes, but they typically do not get nearly as big as a purebred German Shepherd does. Some are thin and wiry, and others are thick and smooth-coated. It all depends on the traits that a Jack Russell Terrier German Shepherd mix inherits from their parents. When you bring a Jack Russel Terrier German Shepherd into your home, you can expect to have a loyal and protective dog by your side. They love to learn, which makes them relatively easy to train, but training should start during puppyhood. These dogs are playful like their Jack Russell parents yet protective like their German Shepherd parents. They are loyal to their human companions, both children and adults, and will stand guard over them whenever a threat is perceived. These designer dogs are sociable and enjoy playing with kids in the yard whenever the opportunity arises. They can also settle down and cuddle when spending time indoors with family members. When it comes to interacting with others, these dogs are typically welcoming both at home and in outdoor social situations. Are These Dogs Good for Families? This mixed breed can get along with other dogs that do not live within their household if they start socializing with them from a young age. A Jack Russell Terrier German Shepherd mix should start meeting other dogs from the time that they are just a few weeks old, to ensure that they do not become skittish or aggressive while around other pooches later in life. These dogs may or may not get along with cats and other animals that live inside their household. Early introductions, training, and supervision can all increase the chance that your mixed pooch will get along with other smaller pets. You should also know what to expect when it comes to training and grooming. There are also health conditions that these dogs are susceptible to. Commercial dog food that contains animal protein as the first ingredient and does not include any fillers, like corn and soy, or artificial ingredients is the best option. Fresh vegetables, such as grated carrots and chunks of boiled sweet potato, can be offered as supplemental snacks occasionally. Fresh water should always be available. When in doubt about what to feed your pooch, consult with your veterinarian to get a customized diet plan to follow. They should go on walks daily and have an opportunity to play in a fenced yard or run around in a public dog park. Time playing hide-and-seek or training indoors when the weather is bad will get these dogs through the day without becoming too bored or destructive. Since they are smart and eager to please, these dogs typically take well to training and can learn to come, sit, and stay quickly. They also take well to obedience and guard training, although professional training may be required to get them started. These dogs do not typically get knots or mats, but bathing might be necessary after a day outside. They should get enough outdoor exercise to keep their nails naturally trimmed, but if the nails become long and sharp, trimming should take place. Dental chews can help keep the teeth and gums healthy as time goes on. Minor Conditions. However, a mix could be on the larger size if it takes more after its GSD parent and more on the smaller size if it takes more after the Jack Russell parent. They also can have a rough or broken coat too. German Shepherds have a double coat of medium to long length ranging in colors from black and tan, all black , sable, liver, blue , and bi-colored. A mix between the breeds can create either the shorter coat of the Jack Russel or a medium-length coat more similar to the German Shepherds. The coloring of the coat will depend on whether the pup takes more after their GSD parent or their Jack Russel parent. A German Shepherd Jack Russell mix will need to be brushed once a week. They may need to be brushed more frequently like two or three times a week in the spring and fall during shedding season. Baths can be given every weeks, nails should be clipped about once a month, and their teeth should be brushed regularly. Bite Force German Shepherds have a strong bite force at around psi. A mix of these two breeds will likely lead to a dog with a bite force in the mid to upper s, but some of this depends on whether the pup takes more after their GSD parent or their Jack Russell parent. German Shepherd typically run about 32 miles per hour, and a Jack Russell runs at a speed of about 30 miles per hour. Thus, you can expect a Jack Russell German Shepherd mix to run between miles per hour. Expect them to need a minimum of one hour of physical activity each day, as well as some time for mental stimulation. Since both breeds are smart a Jack Russell GSD mix will thrive in households that focus on training and provide opportunities for them to mind. Temperament The German Shepherd Jack Russell mix can be an excellent family dog and can also be good with other dogs , and even cats given the proper socialization. This dog will be energetic with a spunky personality, friendly , love to play, courageous, loyal, vocal, have the drive to work, and loving and affectionate. Both German Shepherds and Jack Russell are vocal dog breeds so expect a cross between the two to produce a dog that likes to bark , whine , groan and maybe even howl from time to time. This is typically caused because of excess gas or too much food or fluids. Additionally, they are also prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Jack Russell Terriers are known to have eye issues such as dislocation of their eye lens. Basically, the lens becomes unattached from the ligaments that hold them in place. Additionally, they are also prone to tracheal collapse and pancreatitis. Although some of these conditions sound scary, all dog breeds are prone to some health issues. Being aware of the potential issues with both breeds of a mixed pup will help you know what to look out for during their lifetime. This lifespan is based upon the life expectancy of both breeds. Accordingly, a mix between the two is usually either the result of accidental mating or artificial insemination by a breeder that intentionally wants to create this mix. Final Thoughts A German Shepherd Jack Russell mix is a great dog to add to your family, but they may be difficult to find as there are not many breeders who actively cross these two breeds. You can also see how the Doberman , Dutch Shepherd , Husky and Australian Shepherd compare to the German Shepherd if you are considering other breeds altogether. Hypoallergenic No History The terrier is a hard-working English dog. It was named after John Russell, an avid hunter who crossbred different strains in order to create the perfect hound for chasing the game and flushing it out from cover or rather biting its foot without killing it! The shorter variety remains Jack Appearance German Shepherd Jack Russell mixes are a playful, loyal and protective breed that has the appearance of one or both parent breeds. They also have an intelligent temperament making them easy to train as well! They seem to do very well with children as well as other animals! They need to brush them three times per week in the spring and fall months with regular vacuuming for allergies! German Shepherds bark to communicate with other animals and humans, but they can also be very loud. To make sure your pet has enough energy, serve them meals packed with vitamins and minerals as well! Give your pet 1. Make sure the kibble contains essential minerals like salt or vitamins so that their bodies stay strong with all this hard work they do for us every day and night. One thing I always recommend when buying topical products such as lotions is also including calcium supplementation because our skin becomes less effective over time without these nutrients helping repair damage from outside elements such as weather factors. Health Problems Hip and elbow dysplasia is a condition that affects the German Shepherd, and Jack Russell terrier breeds. Your pup needs to be healthy and happy. The cost of a Jack Russell German Shepherd hybrid puppy can vary depending on many factors. For example, you may pay more to buy one from an established breeder who has been breeding these dogs for years rather than purchasing your pup at Petco or Walmart! You may want to take a look at the breeder before buying your new furry friend. Wrapping Jack Russell Terrier German Shepherd mixes are one of a kind, high energy dogs that need plenty of attention and love to thrive. These hybrids have the protective instincts typical in GSDs but also boast playfulness as terriers do! Post navigation. The size of the dog is not predictable even if the same dogs are bred together more than once. The results of this cross have been producing dogs that have a great instinct to protect their loved ones. This is a mix that loves to walk on streets and in yards and gardens. They seem to do very well with children as well as other animals. As with any dog, purebred or mixed breed, there are certain qualities you want to look for to make it the ideal family pet. They possess strengths and weaknesses that can be compensated for or modified. Dog trainer, Sarah Wilson, suggests certain qualities should be intact from the beginning that will make a dog a more personable and pleasant pet. Your dog should love people When you meet a new puppy or dog that adores everyone, wags its tail nonstop, and approaches people of all sizes and ages, this is not just a result of socialization. Those types of dogs do not need to be purebred and come in every size, color, and mix. A dog that is not able to self-soothe will bark at noises and then continue to bark until you make him stop. This can be miserable. You want a dog who will eagerly greet guests, but then be willing to go lie down. A dog who can self-calm may cry the first few times when crated, but will eventually fall asleep and be able to fall into a comfortable routine. This is a good sign of a dog who can self-soothe. Choose a dog who is life-resilient This a term used by experts who train Seeing-Eye Dogs. It is a temperament test. Puppies are exposed to something new three times. The test is to see if the puppies are calmer or get more startled with each repetition. A good dog will tolerate other dogs The ideal dog does not have to love every dog he meets, but he should not be aggressive toward others. While training can alleviate or make the aggressiveness less, it is not easy and it is very time-consuming. Sarah understands that finding a dog with these qualities is a gift. Success has been had with mixing Shepherds with Terriers and producing a mid-sized dog that is not only personable but quite athletic. The Daily Puppy has a YouTube video that will melt your heart and make you want to own one of these unique mixes. Be aware that the potential exists for a puppy to strongly favor either breed or its characteristics. German Shepherd The Shepherd personality is very active. They are very intelligent and are easy to train and have strong guarding instincts. They do require a lot of exercise or they may become hyperactive. Physical attributes: Weight: between 75 and 95 pounds Height: 23 to 25 inches Naturally upright ears Longevity: 10 to 12 years Exercise needed: 40 minutes a day Desire to bark: low Desire to dig: moderate German Shepherds were bred for herding animals and as guard dogs. They have a medium-length double coat and they shed heavily twice a year, and minimally on a continuous basis. They come in most colors and require moderate grooming. You can expect German Shepherds to be large, powerful dogs with a strong guarding instinct. They need to be socialized at an early age and obedience trained to help channel their intelligence and instincts in a positive direction. Shepherds should be integrated with family members and exposed to pets and people around the neighborhood while under supervision. They do not have a good personality for being confined to a backyard or kennel with other dogs or alone. Jack Russell Terrier Jack Russell has a strong personality and is not a breed for everyone. Jack Russells are extremely energetic and require lots of exercise. They tend to be very vocal because of their instincts as hunters. They love to explore and have a tendency to bolt and wander. Physical attributes: Weight: between 13 and 17 pounds Height: 13 to 14 inches Energy level: Extremely energetic Longevity: 13 to 15 years Exercise needed: 40 minutes a day Desire to bark: high Desire to dig: moderate Jack Russells were bred for fox hunting. They have short, double coats, with white, black, and tan markings. Their need for grooming is low but they have three different coat types. All three coats smooth, rough, and straight long hair do shed. This breed is compact and muscular. They are very happy and energetic dogs that love to work. The dogs that have a job to do are the happiest. They do love to dig, especially if they pick up the scent of a rodent. Hunting ground animals are in their breeding and un-training this instinct is nearly impossible. Because they are hunting dogs, Jack Russells will be vocal. They make great watchdogs as they are always alert. They are not the best dogs for young children because they are assertive. They tend to be aggressive when they meet other dogs. Since this breed needs lots of exercises, a home with a very large fenced-in yard is the best environment for this dog. They can get along with other family pets if they are introduced to them as puppies. These dogs will be the happiest when going for a long hike or playing fetch. They are not good dogs for those who like to stay indoors and spend the day on the couch. The puppy was a result of an accidental breeding between a Jack Russell and a German Shepherd living in the same household. Five puppies were born. The owners of the puppy said he had a very sweet nature and was a quick learner. Yahoo forum answers what you can expect from this breed, from an owner of this mix. She has had her dog for five years and previously owned two other dogs. Her Jack Russell German Shepherd mix has the most unique personality of all her dogs. She believes her dog inherited the intelligence from Jack Russell and the loyal and protective features of the German Shephard. She loves the combination and is very happy with her dog. Her dog is protective but not to the point where she posses any danger. She is a great guard dog, loves to play, and learns fast. She highly recommends this mix. Frequently Asked Questions How big will a German shepherd terrier mix get? How big the German Shepherd terrier mix will get all depends on the type of terrier the German shepherd is mixed with. The bigger the breed of terrier, the bigger the mix will be. In addition to this, the size is dependent on the parents. If the parents are bigger dogs, then genetically, their offspring are going to be bigger too. However, if the parents are smaller, the dogs will be smaller too. Even so, we can roughly estimate how large a German Shepherd terrier will be, but it is important to remember that the size will vary, even within a litter. When looking at German Shepherd and American Pit Bull terrier mixes, these are typically around 17 to 25 inches in height, and can weigh anywhere from 30 to 90 pounds. When looking at other terriers, if you are mixing them with a larger breed, like a German Shepherd, they can be anywhere from 16 inches, through to 30 inches. When looking at the weight, they will be up to around 90 pounds. What does a German shepherd terrier mix look like? It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what a German Shepherd terrier mix will look like. This is because there are many types of terrier you can mix with a German Shepherd. Given this, the dog will look different depending on the mix. A mixed breed dog will look like both of the breeds it is mixed with. But, due to its genetics, it can potentially look more like the terrier, or more like the German Shepherd. As a result of this, even puppies that are in the same litter can look quite different. Some of these differences can include size, height, fur color, and the type of fur. Conclusion It seems to mix a German Shepherd and Jack Russell can result in a dog who is loyal, smart, playful, and learns quickly. This mix will most like produce a medium-sized dog that will be a good family dog. If you buy a product through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Adopting a dog is a big commitment. Adopting a mixed breed can be intimidating and daunting. Not to mention, if you are planning to adopt a dog breed mixed with the Jack Russell Terrier or the German Shepherd, you are sure to have your hands full. The Jack-Shepherd is the remarkable result of crossing the intelligent and loyal German Shepherd with the energetic and sprightly Jack Russell Terrier. Stepping into the realm of mixed breeds , the Jack-Shepherd is a blend of brains and boundless energy, standing out as a truly unique canine. However, it is important to realize that this mix breed is not for the faint of heart. You have plenty you need to understand about the Jack Russell Terrier and German Shepherd mix to ensure you can provide adequate care and to ensure this is the dog for you. The rest of this discussion is going to dive deeper into the two remarkable breeds that contributed to the creation of the Jack-Shepherd. By the end of the discussion, you should understand a brief history of the breed, in addition to understand what it takes to provide care for this unique mix if you do plan to adopt. Lets dive into those details now. Compact but full of life, Jack Russells have an unmistakable spirit. Developed in the late 19th century by Max von Stephanitz, this breed is celebrated for its intelligence, bravery, and versatility. German Shepherds are known to be large, powerful dogs with a keen instinct to work. These two parent breeds bring together a rich history and a set of distinct traits that make the Jack-Shepherd a truly unique canine companion. However, what we are here to cover is what you can expect from the two dog breeds when they are bred as a mix. As a mixed breed, the size of the Jack-Shepherd can vary significantly. However, typically, they could weigh anywhere between 25 to 80 pounds, with a height that ranges from 15 to 24 inches. Coats and Grooming The coat of the Jack-Shepherd can be as diverse as its parent breeds. Grooming needs for this mixed breed will depend largely on which parent they take after. On the other hand, if they lean more towards the Jack Russell, their grooming needs might be less demanding, requiring only occasional brushing. However, regular ear checks and nail trims will be essential for all Jack-Shepherds. Remember, each Jack-Shepherd is unique, and their appearance can vary greatly. This diversity is part of what makes mixed breeds so incredibly special and appealing. Behavior and Temperament The Jack-Shepherd is a vibrant mix of energy and intelligence. They may inherit the tireless energy of the Jack Russell Terrier and the diligence of the German Shepherd. This breed mix is usually highly active, eager to work, and loves engaging in physical activities. As someone who owns and raises a Jack Russell Terrier I can tell you that you can either have a dog that is going to test you daily and be a tough dog to raise or one of the best dogs you can choose to adopt. All of this will hinge on your training routines and your ability to remain patient with the dog during the early stages. This is when a dog breed such as the Jack-Shepherd can be molded into a loyal, well-behaved and highly intelligent dog to adopt. This is one of the key areas of focus I made sure to emphasize heavily early on with my Jack Russell Terrier and it made a huge difference. The more the better. Early socialization with various people, sights, sounds, and experiences can help them grow into well-rounded dogs. Encourage positive interactions with other animals and humans from a young age. Regular walks, trips to the dog park, or enrolling them in puppy classes can provide excellent socialization opportunities. Without socialization you run the risk of more anxiety in certain situations arising later that can be difficult to overcome for you and the dog. However, they might inherit a stubborn streak from the Jack Russell side, which could make training challenging at times. Consistent, positive reinforcement methods work best with this breed. Remember to be patient, keep training sessions short and fun, and always reward good behavior. Agility training could also be an excellent outlet for their high energy levels. Given the right socialization and training, the Jack-Shepherd can make a loyal, intelligent, and dynamic pet. Part of being capable of providing the proper care is understanding what it takes to keep this dog happy from a physical standpoint, a mental standpoint and being aware of basic health concerns. Lets cover some of those basics now. Exercise Needs As a high-energy breed mix, the Jack-Shepherd requires plenty of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. Ideally, they should get at least 1 to 2 hours of physical activity daily. This could be a combination of walks, playtime, and mental stimulation exercises like puzzle toys. A well-exercised Jack-Shepherd is less likely to develop behavioral problems and is generally more content. If I could hammer home any one area of focus from this discussion, it would be to absolutely ensure you have the time or ability to provide a dog such as the Jack-Shepherd plenty of exercise. Health Concerns While the Jack-Shepherd can be generally healthy, they may be prone to certain health conditions inherited from their parent breeds. These could include hip and elbow dysplasia, common in many larger breeds like the German Shepherd, or deafness and eye conditions, which can sometimes be seen in Jack Russell Terriers. Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet can help maintain their overall health and catch any potential issues early. The key to a healthy Jack-Shepherd is consistent care and a good understanding of their needs. This mix breed, with their energy and intelligence, will certainly keep their owners on their toes! Adoption and Cost Adopting a Jack-Shepherd can be a thrilling journey. Look for breeders who conduct health checks on their breeding dogs and who raise their pups in a clean, nurturing environment. Always ask to see the parents and where the puppies are kept. Good breeders will be more than happy to answer any questions you have and provide proof of health clearances. Be sure to consider all the financial aspects and responsibilities involved before you decide to adopt. With their energetic nature and love for playtime, they can be a hit with children. However, due to their high energy levels and potential size, supervision with younger children is always a good idea to ensure safe play for both the child and the dog. Remember, the Jack-Shepherd, like any dog, requires commitment, love, and care to thrive as a family pet. With the right training, socialization, and understanding, they can make an entertaining, loyal, and loving member of your family. They bring together the best of both worlds — the bravery and diligence of the German Shepherd, and the fearless and lively spirit of the Jack Russell Terrier. The Jack-Shepherd inherits fascinating physical traits from both parent breeds, creating a delightful mix that is truly unique to each dog. Their behavior and temperament can be a lively mix of both parents, resulting in a brave, alert, and energetic companion. Proper care, including adequate exercise and regular health check-ups, are essential to ensure a happy and healthy Jack-Shepherd. Adoption requires not just a financial commitment but also an understanding of the responsibilities of pet ownership. Luna and I wish you the best of luck if you do intend to adopt a Jack-Shepherd in the near future. Josh founded TerrierOwner. Recent Posts. It combines the tenacious nature of the Jack Russell Terrier with the loyalty, intelligence, and protective traits of the German Shepherd to create an all-around excellent family pet. These parent breeds were bred for very different reasons — while the Jack Russell was developed as a working terrier, used mainly in fox hunting, the German Shepherd has been primarily used as a guard dog and herding breed. Despite their differences, they have both been selectively bred over many generations to become loving companions devoted to their families. This mix can be prone to certain health issues like hip dysplasia due to its large size, but if properly cared for, it will make a wonderful addition to any household. With proper training and socialization, this hybrid exhibits characteristics from both its parents — resulting in an active, intelligent, and loyal canine companion that loves spending time outdoors with you or your family. With the right diet plan, exercise routine, and training methods, this pup can bring plenty of value to any household. Coat colors range from white to black with different shades in between. The coat may be single or double-layered, depending on the mix. Double coats provide added insulation for cooler climates as well as protection against the elements when out and about exploring. They tend to stay around 20 inches tall and pounds in weight. These dogs have protective instincts, which makes them excellent family pets; however, owners must remember that proper socialization is essential during puppyhood if one wishes to avoid overly aggressive behavior later on in life. All things considered, this hybrid breed offers a unique combination of attributes that few others can match, making it perfect for active households looking for a loyal companion! With an activity level that can only be described as off the charts, this breed requires a significant amount of daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. These pups have plenty of energy and need mental stimulation throughout the day in order to avoid getting into trouble. In short, a Jack Russell German Shepherd mix will keep you busy while providing endless amounts of joy if given ample attention and physical activity. If left alone too often, however, this powerful combination could lead to behavioral issues down the road — so make sure you give your pup all the care they deserve! Check out the video below of the lovely temperament of Riley, the Jack Russell German Shepherd mix puppy, getting used to his new home! With their excellent intelligence level and eagerness to please, they are highly trainable. To get the most out of training sessions with your pup, daily exercise must be included in their routine. This breed is known for its athleticism and love for physical activity, so make sure to provide plenty of opportunities to run around and stay active! Training your Jack Russell German Shepherd should start from puppyhood — the earlier you begin teaching basic obedience commands, the more successful it will be. As puppies have short attention spans and can become easily distracted by shiny objects or loud noises, keep each session brief but consistent. Be patient during these moments and remember that consistency is key — create a regular schedule that works best for both yourself and your dog. Designate certain times per day when you practice commands such as sit, stay, come here, etc. With hard work on the part of the owner s , any pet parent can enjoy all the benefits that come from having a Jack Russell German Shepherd in their lives! Being a combination of two breeds, it will likely have similar energy levels as both the Jack Russell and German Shepherds. As such, you should plan for at least 60 minutes of exercise every day to keep your pup happy and healthy. This can be broken up into several walks or other activities throughout the day. Furthermore, regular exercise builds strong muscles which support their joints and bones, promoting good overall health and helping them stay fit longer into their lives. To ensure your pup gets enough exercise each day, create an individualized regime tailored to his specific needs — like age, size, breed, and medical condition — then stick with it! Many people consider this breed the perfect dog for families, but it is important that owners ensure their pup receives plenty of mental stimulation. Thankfully, providing lots of exercise and a high-protein diet can help keep them active and alert. Here are some tips on how to provide sufficient mental stimulation for your Jack Russell German Shepherd: Firstly, give them daily physical activities tailored to their hunting instincts. Your pup will love having free reign in wide open spaces where they can explore and sniff things out — whether this be an area near home or going hiking with you. This could include puzzles such as treat-dispensing balls or tug ropes which encourage problem-solving skills. Finally, make sure time is set aside every day for training sessions. So why not try rewarding them with treats during each session? With consistent reinforcement through reward-based training techniques, your pooch will stay obedient whilst still being stimulated by learning new behaviors! These medium-sized dogs are created by crossing two of the most popular purebreds in the canine world—the Jack Russell Terrier and the German Shepherd. This combination results in an intelligent, active, and loyal animal that requires special attention when it comes to grooming. The Jack Russell German Shepherd has a coat of medium length with thick layers that need to be groomed frequently in order to avoid tangled hair or mats. Brushing should occur at least once per week, more often if possible. It is also important to use high-quality brushes specifically designed for breeds of dogs like this one which has longer coats. Additionally, trimming nails regularly will help keep them from becoming too long or sharp. Keeping up with these basic grooming requirements can ensure that your furry companion looks great and remains healthy all year round! Jack Russell German Shepherd: Nutrition and Feeding The Jack Russell German Shepherd mix is an amazing hybrid breed that combines the best qualities of two loyal and devoted family companions. This breed has a bouncy personality, making them great for families with children or active lifestyles. Fruits and vegetables are also beneficial for providing vitamins and minerals needed for a balanced diet. Avoid fatty treats as they can lead to weight gain, which can ultimately cause joint issues down the line. In short, Jack Russell German Shepherds require regular exercise and carefully monitored diets in order to remain healthy and happy! Provide your furry companion with plenty of love, exercise, nutritious food, and lots of cuddles — you will be rewarded with years of joyous moments together! Jack Russell German Shepherd: Health Conditions There are various health conditions that this breed is susceptible to. We cover these below: Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a common health condition that affects many dog breeds, including the Jack Russell German Shepherd mix. It is a genetic condition that affects the hip joint, causing discomfort and pain in the dog. The condition occurs when the hip joint does not develop correctly, leading to abnormal wear and tear on the joint, which can cause arthritis and mobility issues. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include limping, stiffness, difficulty getting up, and reluctance to exercise. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, it is crucial to take them to a veterinarian immediately. Allergies Another common health condition that the Jack Russell German Shepherd mix is prone to is allergies. Allergies can be caused by various factors, such as food, pollen, and fleas. Symptoms of allergies in dogs include itching, scratching, redness, and swelling of the skin. In severe cases, dogs may also develop skin infections due to constant scratching. Treatment for allergies typically involves identifying and avoiding the allergen and providing the dog with medication to manage the symptoms. Epilepsy Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects dogs and can cause seizures. The Jack Russell German Shepherd mix is known to be prone to epilepsy, and the condition can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, head injuries, and brain tumors. Symptoms of epilepsy in dogs include seizures, loss of consciousness, muscle spasms, and drooling. Treatment for epilepsy involves medication to manage seizures, and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary. These include cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy PRA. Glaucoma is a condition that occurs when there is an increase in pressure within the eye, which can cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to blindness. PRA is a genetic condition that affects the retina, causing progressive vision loss. Symptoms of eye problems in dogs include redness, swelling, discharge, and squinting. Treatment for eye problems can range from medication to surgery, depending on the severity of the condition. Obesity Obesity is a prevalent health condition in dogs, and the Jack Russell German Shepherd mix is no exception. It can be caused by various factors, such as overfeeding, lack of exercise, and genetics. Symptoms of obesity in dogs include excessive weight gain, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Obesity can lead to various health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Treatment for obesity involves a combination of a balanced diet and exercise to help the dog lose weight. Are They Compatible with Other Dogs? Jack Russell German Shepherd mixes have a compact body that makes them well-suited to living with other dogs. They are intelligent and respond quickly to advanced commands, so they can be trained not to act out in dangerous levels of aggression. With the right training from an early age, these pups should find it easy to get along with other pooches. When introducing your Jack Russell German Shepherd mix pup to another dog, proper socialization is key. Start slowly by walking both dogs on leashes while keeping them apart at first until they become comfortable around each other. If possible, you could also introduce your pup to other friendly dogs at the park or doggie daycare — this will help him learn how to interact appropriately with his canine friends. It is important that when interacting with new four-legged companions, owners stay vigilant in supervising their Jack Russell German Shepherd mix pup. By doing so, you can ensure that no issues arise between the two dogs during playtime or walks together. With proper guidance and positive reinforcement techniques, your pup will soon understand what behavior is expected from him when meeting new doggy friends — making sure everyone enjoys quality time spent together! The Jack Russell German Shepherd mix is a great option for first-time dog owners. This hybrid breed has the intelligence, energy, and loyalty of both parent breeds, making them an ideal fit in any home. While they can be challenging to train at times due to their high energy levels, this breed makes up for it with its willingness to please and overall adaptability. One example of how well-suited these dogs are for first-time owners comes from my own experience. I adopted a Jack Russell German Shepherd mix puppy when she was only 8 weeks old. She also became very responsive to hand signals which made it easy to communicate with her even during off-leash walks. Additionally, due to their sociable temperament, they typically get along well with other dogs and enjoy playing together or just snuggling up on the couch after a long walk. In summary, Jack Russell German Shepherd mixes make excellent companions for first-time dog owners who have the time and dedication required to properly raise one. On average, these dogs can live up to 13 years with proper care and attention. Exercise should be tailored to their individual needs — some may need more physical activity, while others will require mental stimulation as well. A balanced level of both will keep them happy and healthy for many years! These hybrids are also prone to certain hereditary health problems such as hip dysplasia or eye diseases, so regular vet check-ups are essential in order to spot any potential issues early on. With regular medical attention from you and your veterinarian, your pup can enjoy a long and fulfilling life by your side! Puppy Prices They say that you get what you pay for, and when it comes to puppies, this is no exception. The price of a Jack Russell German Shepherd mix can vary significantly depending on the quality of the pup and its breeding background. If the pup is from an experienced breeder with a high-quality pedigree, expect prices to be higher than if purchased from a backyard or pet store. When choosing a puppy, cost should not be your only factor in deciding which pup to bring home. Quality matters just as much, especially when considering health issues associated with certain breeds. A reputable breeder will know how to best care for their pups before they are ready to go home with you; they will also provide important information regarding potential behavioral problems specific to their breed. Vaccines protect against serious diseases, while spaying and neutering help reduce the risk of unwanted litters that could end up abandoned in shelters later down the line. All these factors add up, so make sure you research thoroughly before making any decisions about bringing home your new furry friend! First and foremost is adoption; many shelters across the country have these special dogs waiting patiently for their forever homes. Adopting a pup from an animal shelter not only saves a life but also gives back to your community in a big way! Another option is to purchase one of these unique pups through a breeder or pet store. No matter which routes you choose when purchasing your Jack Russell German Shepherd mix, do your due diligence beforehand to ensure that your pup has been raised with proper care and love. Not only does it benefit them, but it could mean fewer behavioral issues for you down the line—which ultimately leads to more freedom for both owner and pup alike! Final Thoughts As a Jack Russell German Shepherd owner, you have the responsibility to properly train and groom your pup. I can assure you that if done correctly, they will be an amazing addition to any family. Not only are they loyal companions — their energy is contagious! To ensure their physical health and mental stimulation, exercise must become part of your daily routine with them. As for training, this breed has an independent spirit, but with plenty of positive reinforcement and consistency, these pups learn quickly like a sponge soaks up water. With regular brushing and bathing, as well as trimming nails, you can make sure your pet looks and feels good in no time. When considering adding a Jack Russell German Shepherd into your life, think about how much love and attention it requires — because trust me when I say these cuddly dogs give back tenfold what you put in! They are intelligent, easy to train, affectionate, and form strong bonds with their owners. They do so for two reasons: They inherit a strong protective instinct from German Shepherds. They inherit a strong hunting instinct from Jack Russells. German Shepherds have been used as herding dogs. They had to protect sheep from predators [1]. This enhanced their territorial behavior. German Shepherd Jack Russell mixes bark loudly. They inherit this trait from both parent breeds, making them great at signaling danger. German Shepherds are the 3rd most intelligent breed when it comes to obedience and working intelligence [2]. The Jack Russell Terrier ranked 46th. Even if they are not among the best-ranked breeds, they still have above-average intelligence. As a result, Shepherd Jack Russells easily understand what humans want them to do. This makes them easy to train. While German shepherds are highly trainable, Jack Russells can become stubborn and are easily distracted. Still, the mixes are easy to train, especially if you are patient. Related: Are Jack Russells Smart? A velcro dog likes to spend their time as close to its owners as possible. Still, they are highly affectionate and loving towards their family members when they are together. As a result, a Shepherd Jack Russell has a dense undercoat, covered by a short or medium outer coat. German Shepherd Jack Russell mix dogs shed both their undercoats and outercoats. They grow from the same hair follicle. This means when the hair follicles end their cycle, all old hairs growing from them fall out. Shepherd Jack Russells shed most during spring and autumn. This is when they need daily brushing if you want your home hair-free. Related: Do Jack Russells Shed? If their needs are not met, they become hyperactive. Consider the following when Shepherd Jack Russells have a hard time settling down: The dog can be understimulated. They are hyperactive because of their breed drive. They are not suited for busy or sedentary people. Jack Russell Terriers have learned to bark a lot and loudly as they use barking to signal dangers they perceive in their environment. German Shepherds bark to communicate with other animals and humans. German Shepherd Jack Russell mixes are also loud. This crossbreed is most often the result of accidental mating. The year and place where this first happened are unknown. German Shepherd Jack Russell mixes are not designer dogs. Designer dogs are the result of the intentional breeding of two different breeds, while this mix is often the result of accidents. There are breeders who do this with Jack Russells and German Shepherd but it is not recommended. The difference in size between the breeds can lead to several health issues for the mother. The breeders that do intentionally breed this mix use female German Shepherds and male Jack Russells. This is done for the safety of the dogs. The purpose of the breed was to hunt foxes. This color was desired as hunters had to differentiate the dogs from their prey. Jack Russell Terriers are currently bred for companionship and vermin control. They have been recognized as a separate breed since by the British Kennel Club. The breed is included in the Parson Russell Terrier category. In the s, the need for a sheep herd dog led breeders to crossbreed several traditional herding dogs from Germany. This crossbreeding process resulted in the German Shepherd. It has since become one of the most popular dogs in the United States. In , German Shepherds were the 4th most popular breed in America. They are usually black and brown or black and red. They can have markings and white patches, depending on the genes they inherit. These dogs have short or medium-length coats with thick undercoats. Jack Russells are between 10 and 15 inches tall and German Shepherds are between 22 and 26 inches tall. The outcome is a mix that ranges between 10 and 26 inches in height. They can weigh between 14 and 90 pounds. These measurements are general guidelines. As crossbreeds inherit traits from both parents, their weigh and height ranges are high. Considering the high difference in size, German Shepherd Jack Russell mixes fall somewhere in the middle. They are double-coated, and their undercoats are dense and smooth. The outer coats of Shepherd Jack Russells are smooth or wired. Although German Shepherds can have long coats, there are zero chances for a German Shepherd Jack Russell mix to be long-coated. The gene for long hair in dogs is recessive, meaning both parents have to pass on the gene for the puppy to have long hair. Jack Russells do not have this gene. The color of the parents indicate the color of their puppies. The essential aspect one needs to consider is that Jack Russells are not primarily white. The primary color of a Jack Russell is usually a combination of black, brown, and tan. The majority of German Shepherds are black and brown, or black and red. By combining these two breeds, puppies are most likely to inherit the following colors: Black Brown Red German Shepherd Jack Russells can be bi or tri-colored if they inherit the gene that gives white patches from Jack Russells On rare occasions, Shepherd Jack Russells are pure white. This happens only if the German Shepherd parent is pure white. Melanistic Mask Shepherd Jack Russell mix dogs can have dark face masks called melanistic masks [4]. These masks require both parents to pass on the gene for this specific color pattern. Both Jack Russells and German Shepherds can carry the gene. They are affectionate with their family members and love spending time with them. The results showed that the evolution depends on the purpose a dog breed has. Dogs bred for various purposes pass on the traits necessary to perform their tasks well. In other words, this mix has traits suited for hunting and herding, making them protective, territorial, and wary of strangers. In time, their purpose changed to vermin control. This mixed breed inherits the following hunting temperament traits from Jack Russells: They are obedient. They quickly understand what humans want from them. They are eager to please. They are intelligent. Herding dogs are not used as work tools, but rather as intermediaries. They are believed to possess a deeper understanding of the animals they herd [6]. This is why the relationship between humans and herding dogs is more like a collaboration. This mixed breed inherits the following herding temperament traits from German Shepherds: They are loyal. They work well with humans. They are protective. German Shepherd Jack Russell mixes have a predisposition for aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior in dogs has a genetic component. A study [7] conducted on 23 dog breeds places Jack Russells 17th in terms of aggression. The German Shepherd is the 4th most aggressive dog breed in this study. This means that Shepherd Jack Russells are most likely to display aggressive behavior. The discussion around aggressive behavior leads to biting behavior. German Shepherds are popular dogs, which influences the relevance of this analysis. Aggressive behavior can be prevented and controlled. You can achieve this by engaging your dog in regular physical exercise and feeding it a proper diet. Early socialization and training also help. Their average lifespan is between 12 to 16 years. Still, these dogs are prone to several health issues, especially as seniors. To keep them healthy, make sure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation. Good nutrition is also an essential factor to consider. Conclusion German Shepherd Jack Russells are loyal and smart. They are loving companions and make great watchdogs. If they are trained and socialized in puppyhood, these dogs are less likely to display behavior issues. Still, they inherit the genes for aggression. Shepherd Jack Russells are great for active families because they require a lot of physical exercise. Other Jack Russell Mix Breeds.

If your puppy is doing zoomies around the house, a chew toy with peanut butter on it or a bully stick will most likely grab their attention and get them focused on chewing instead of running around being crazy. After a long chewing session and a potty break, your pup will happily lay down for a nap. However, it is important that you monitor your puppy with new chew toys. For example, some toys are less durable than others and your puppy will chew through those in just minutes. He would completely ignore it until we started putting his food in there and rolling it around for him. Eventually, he started chewing on it a little bit, then realized he loved chewing on it, and it was one of his favorites for a long time. So to get your puppy hooked on chew toys, here are five tips. Put peanut butter on it If you spread a little bit of peanut butter on a toy, your puppy will love it. This worked for Oliver, especially with new chew toys. If you use a toy bin and rotate toys, you can recreate that feeling over and over again. Choosing toys that are the right size for their mouths will help them enjoy it more, and also keep them safe. They help wear them out, help relieve pain from teething, and they keep your puppy from chewing up your house. Have any questions about chew toys for Golden Retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Classic Kong The Classic Kong is a versatile toy ideal for keeping your puppy entertained. Fill it with treats or peanut butter and freeze it for an added challenge. Teething toys are essential for puppies because they relieve teething discomfort. You can help your puppy through this challenging phase while protecting your home with suitable teething toys. Chewing on toys relieves sore gums and can help prevent destructive chewing behavior. To keep your puppy engaged and satisfied, provide a variety of textures and shapes. How To Choose The Best Toy Your Golden Retriever Puppy There are several factors to consider when choosing teething toys for puppies to ensure your furry friend gets the best toys for their needs. Here are some key points to remember: 1. To soothe their gums, for example, at weeks, you can select a Nylabone teething ring or a Kong Natural Teething Rubber Puppy Toy filled with frozen treats. You can introduce adult chew toys such as rope or fetch when they are past the teething stage around 24 weeks. The Type Of Toy Numerous teething toys for puppies are available, but some of the best options include sturdy rubber toys that provide both safety and durability. Bully sticks are also a good option for teething puppies. Many puppy teething toys are softer than adult toys because they are gentle enough for developing teeth but firm enough to withstand chewing. Look for durable rubber toys that can withstand chewing without breaking apart and posing a choking hazard. You can choose the best toys for your furry friend by keeping these factors in mind, allowing them to get through their teething phase easily and comfortably. Chewing is an innate need in dogs because it releases endorphins, which make them feel good and relaxed. Unfortunately, this can lead to destructive chewing of household items. In addition, chew toys are crucial for puppies during the teething stage. Their mouths become sore as their adult teeth emerge, and chew toys can provide relief. Furthermore, Golden Retrievers are known to be a mouthy breed. Because their breeding history includes carrying hunted birds in their mouths, they are accustomed to using their mouths frequently. As a result, chew toys are an essential tool for satisfying their needs while protecting your belongings. There is no wrong time for a puppy to pick up a chew toy and begin gnawing. Chew toys are beneficial during crate training because they can keep your pup entertained and focused on something that makes them happy rather than feeling lonely in their crate. If your dog is tearing around the house, a peanut butter chew toy or a bully stick can be a great way to distract them and get them to focus on something else. Additionally, chew toys can help a hyper puppy relax. Your pup will be ready to nap after a chewing session and a quick potty break. Supervising your puppy when using new chew toys is critical because some are less durable than others and can be easily chewed through. If your puppy chews through the toy quickly, the pieces may be swallowed or choked on. Here are some valuable tips to help your puppy learn to love their chew toys: Treat them with peanut butter: Most puppies adore peanut butter, and smearing some on a new chew toy can instantly make it more appealing. As they lick and chew the toy, they associate it with the tasty treat and develop a fondness for it. Toy rotation and storage: Because puppies enjoy new toys, try rotating and storing their chew toys in a toy bin. Toys that are too small can pose a choking hazard, whereas toys that are too large may be difficult for your dog to grip and chew on. Put toys in the freezer: When your puppy is teething, their mouth may be sore and hot. Put their chew toys in the freezer for a few minutes to cool them down and provide extra relief for their sore gums. Praise them for chewing: Positive reinforcement is essential for getting your puppy to enjoy their chew toys. Chewing is an entirely normal behavior in dogs, but it can become a problem when it becomes excessive and causes damage to household items such as shoes, carpets, and clothing. To prevent this, provide your Golden Retriever with a safe chew toy they can enjoy. Another cause of excessive chewing in dogs is a lack of attention from their owner. Training is also essential in reducing excessive chewing habits. Teach your dog not to chew on anything they come across by rewarding good behavior with positive reinforcement. Finally, exercise is essential. Golden retrievers are active dogs who require moderate to vigorous exercise regularly. They may become destructive and aggressive chewers if they do not get enough exercise. So give them plenty of opportunities to run, play, and let off steam healthily. The frequency at which you need to replace the toys will depend on how aggressively your puppy chews and how often they play with the toys. As a general rule of thumb, you should replace teething toys when they become damaged or start to show signs of wear, as this can pose a choking hazard or lead to ingestion of small pieces. Can I give my Golden Retriever puppy frozen teething toys? You can give your Golden Retriever puppy frozen teething toys. Frozen toys can provide additional relief for sore and swollen gums during the teething process. Be sure to monitor your puppy when they are playing with frozen toys and remove them if they become damaged or if your puppy seems to be having difficulty chewing. Golden Retriever puppies, like all puppies, will go through a teething phase during which they may be more prone to biting and chewing on objects around the house. Providing appropriate teething toys can redirect their chewing behavior to appropriate objects and help prevent destructive chewing of household items. Additionally, consistent positive reinforcement training can help teach your puppy appropriate chewing behavior. Toys that are designed to promote dental health often have ridges, bumps, or other textures that can help scrape away plaque and tartar as your puppy chews. Some toys may also contain enzymes that break down plaque and tartar, reducing the risk of dental problems. Harder toys made from materials like nylon or hard rubber can also help clean teeth and exercise the jaw. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Premium Mammoth Interactive Flossy chews color rope tug Toy Feeliong fancy and want to spoil your dog a little bit? Get this one. You can also use it if you have a medium breed, it also includes a ball for fetch. Outward hound hide-A-squirrel squeaky puzzle plush dog toy. Outward hound invincibles dog toy — stuffing — less squeaky. This toy is great for keeping them active inside and out, you can play fetch or tug-of-war with it. Multipet lambchop plush dog toy This cute toy will make your golden fall in love with it, they might form a bond with it and it will become their favorite toy. Outward hound Hedgehogz squeaky dog toy. It has a unique rounded shape that your retriever will love to snuggle with and carry wherever they go. This toy is suitable for all breeds because it has four sizes so if you have a large dog you can get this toy in a big size for them. Best pet supplies dog squeaky chew toys. It has a squeaker in the head and another one in the tail, this toy is also perfect for every size whether you have a golden retriever or Shih Tzu. Outward Hound Hide-A- Squirrel squeaky puzzle plush dog toy. Word of advice; if you have kids, keep them away from this one as they will want to have it for themselves instead of leaving it to the dog. If they do destroy it then you will need to replace it immediately. Multipet duckworth plush dog toy 13 This toy is so huggable and most dogs use it as a pillow due to its soft feeling and fluffiness. This fun toy is fluffy, soft, and has a squeaker, it can be for a gentle and playful fight but it can be easily destroyed. Check Price on Amazon Best Puzzle Toys for Their Mental Health Golden retrievers are an intelligent breed, they are the fourth smartest dog breed and they need to stay active, physically and mentally. So here are the best puzzle toys for their mental health. Like I mentioned above Nina Ottosson puzzles have many levels so you should start with the first one and work with them on the way up. Nina Ottosson by outward hound — interactive puzzle game dog toys. It will keep your dog mentally stimulating, it features 9 hidden compartments and they are covered by 9 removable dog bone pieces. You should hide their favorite treats in the compartments and elevate the bone. It reduces their boredom and any destructive behavior. These puzzles are both level two intermediate , you can choose either of them if you want, they are both the same idea. Nina Ottosson by outward hound interactive puzzle game dog toys. It will keep your pup busy and will prevent any destructible behavior. It means playing with your golden retriever too. Golden Retrievers love to be entertained and can provide hours of fun for both adults and children. However, many golden retrievers are left alone while busy owners go off to work each day and children are away at school. Ensuring that your golden retriever doesn't get bored and start eating your furniture and plants is another aspect of golden retriever ownership that many people neglect. This topic is dedicated to the best chew toys for golden retriever puppies in .Golden retriever dogs, especially puppies, love to chew. They'll chew anything in their path, from entire bushes to that pair of shoes you left outside the back door. For puppies, chewing relieves the pain of teething, while for others, they just like to gnaw on anything hard, including branches, sticks and, believe it or not, tools left lying around. To keep puppies and adult golden retrievers from damaging your property, make sure they have plenty of chew toys for golden retriever. These toys come in leather, plastic, and cloth and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Chews toys also aid in dental care for both golden retriever puppies and adults and provide hours of entertainment and satisfaction. So do balls, ropes and yes, even human toys. Golden Retriever puppies love to fetch and jump, and owners would be well off purchasing a selection of Frisbees and balls to play with their golden retrievers. Golden Retrievers also seem to like toys that make noises, so squeaky toys should be on your shopping list. No matter what kind of toys you purchase for your golden retriever, or whatever your golden retriever manages to find lying around to mangle, make sure that you remove damaged toys that may break into small pieces and become lodged in your golden retriever's throat. Remember, you're not the only one who gets bored on occasion. Quality of life is as important for your golden retriever as it is for you. If your golden retriever is left alone all day, it's your responsibility to take the time to play with him when you get home, to make sure your golden retriever is getting an adequate amount of exercise and has interaction with his best friend. The below picks are toys for Golden Retrievers that are fully grown. For most Goldens, the toys I have recommended below will be great choices. If your dog is known to destroy and chew up his toys, skip to the section below on toys for chewers. Reminder, as a veterinarian I have to point out that even non-chewers should not be left alone with a toy. The large size Bob-A-Lot from Starmark can fit up to 3 cups of food so you can serve a whole meal in the toy. The toy method of feeding is great for smart dogs like Golden Retrievers and keeps them from eating too fast. You can also add treats to the inside to encourage them to play with it. It is easy for your Golden to pick up and carry. All of this makes this one of the best toys for Golden Retrievers which is why I usually have a couple rolling around my house. This plush stuffed critter is one of our favorite toys for Golden Retrievers. It is fairly sturdy so it can handle a lot of shaking and a little bit of tugging. Plus it is just really cute and will pose well with your pup for all sorts of photos. They just love it so much that I keep buying it. However, the topic of toy destroying leads to my next section on toys for Golden Retrievers who are chewers. Many companies claim their toy is chew proof but there is no such thing. All dogs should be watched carefully as they play with their toys so that you can take them away if they start eating the pieces. However if your dog is a moderate chewer, here are two that my toy destroying dogs enjoy. The good news is that inside the toy is a Kong toy so even after they remove the fabric, your pup will still have a great toy to play with. The Wubba is great because they or you can throw it around, play tug, or just carry it around the house. They do come smaller for young puppies. These balls dispense treats or dog food and can hold up to some moderate chewing remember no toys will outlast a really aggressive chewer. My dogs love these types of toys. This will keep them entertained for a bit and the larger the pieces you put into it, the longer it takes them to get them out. Best Toys for Golden Retrievers — Puppies Puppies have special needs in each part of their development. Although they can of course play with all of the toys listed above, we have chosen a few that are just for the little ones. Just like human kids, Golden Retriever puppies lose their baby teeth and gain adult teeth. This happens from 12 weeks to about 6 months of age for a Golden Retriever puppy. The linked product is a 6 pack of fun shapes so they can have one in every room. These toys are durable, but you should always watch your puppy carefully as they chew and play with toys. If your pup starts getting some string loose, take it away immediately because string can cause GI problems. After they get used to the noises, they really enjoy tossing this around to get it to make the sounds. Lesson learned: Do not give the Giggler to your puppy and then get on a conference call with work, enough said. Best Stuffed Puppy Toy. Safe for both adult and puppy Tempting beef scent Carry on reading to discover why we made these choices, and lots of tips and buying advice to ensure you get the right product. As well as potentially choking on them, broken toys can cause a host of internal problems for you golden, too. Safe Materials The best chew toys are fairly hard and durable, but there are a few other things you should look out for when making a decision. If possible, always opt for toys made of non-toxic materials. That way, if they do chew off and swallow any of it, the internal damage can be somewhat mitigated. Be Prepared To Pay For Quality Not all expensive dog toys are high quality, but most high-quality dog toys are more expensive than the run-of-the-mill toys you can pick up at your neighborhood dollar store. Spending a little more money now to get a durable, safe and fun toy that will last is ultimately less expensive in the long run than having to continually replace cheap toys that your dog can destroy within hours. As with any product, the best materials will necessarily cost a little more. Certain materials lend themselves to durability — one of the most important features of a high-quality chew toy for golden retrievers. Favorite brands like KONG and Goughnuts make some of the toughest and most durable chew toys on the planet, and they use special formulations of hard rubber to achieve this. Rope Toys A close second to hard rubber is the huge balls of rope that many dogs love playing tug-of-war with. The plush fabric can be torn apart easily and swallowed. Any stuffing and squeakers can be swallowed, too — a definite choking hazard and something that could cause internal damage. Like a plush toy, they can easily be chewed apart in a few hours by a power chewer, and the likely included squeaker can, again, cause health problems if swallowed. Plastic While plastic is often just about hard enough to withstand the jaws of a heavy chewer, it scratches up easily and — if it does break — could see your dog swallowing sharp bits of plastic. These toys will keep your pooch entertained for hours, and hopefully your belongings intact and safe for far longer. Incredibly tough and durable, these toys are able to withstand a lot of pressure from gnashing teeth and can last for years. The idea is to stuff it with treats or kibble and let your retriever toil to get it out; keeping them busy for a few hours. First, they need to control the wobbling toy and stop it from rolling away from them! Top Features Great for dogs that eat too fast — the unpredictable dispenser helps them slow down, work for, and savor their food and treats It wobbles unpredictably, keeping your dog interested and challenged Can be used at mealtimes as an alternative dog bowl or for treating your dog Made in the USA Made of FDA-approved, high-strength plastic polymer Dishwasher safe with a twist-off dispenser Click Here For Price West Paw is another brand that specializes in high-quality dog chew toys. This Hurley bone chew is the perfect toy for golden retrievers that love to play fetch and gnaw on rawhide. Brightly colored so you can spot them outside Very durable and able to withstand heavy chewing Made in the US.

Christmas Puppy -- Why It's a Bad Idea You may want to think twice before giving your friend or family a puppy over the holidays. While holiday cards are filled with images of irresistible puppies peeking their heads out of stockings, the reality of introducing a puppy to your household over the holidays can be quite different. A puppy is not a stuffed toy. It will not take kindly to being ignored once a newer, brighter toy is discovered. Puppies need attention, training and a lifetime supply of love and care. Overexcited children may scare a puppy or neglect it, especially after it chews up their holiday toys or has an accident on the rug. Cute puppies soon become full-size dogs. Remember, an impulse gift over the holidays can last for 10 years or more. A dog will need training, food, shelter, medical care and exercise. A dog is a treasure. If you want to give someone a puppy, don't have it be a surprise. Consider a gift that signifies the puppy to come or will help someone choose the right dog for his or her lifestyle. Visit the American Kennel Club website and online store. You'll find complete descriptions and photos of more than breeds as well as sound advice for finding a responsible breeder who will become an invaluable resource throughout the life of your dog. They make great gifts and are easier to wrap than a wiggly puppy! It's always best to allow the actual owners to pick out their own puppies. The person taking care of the dog for years to come needs to carefully consider adult dog size, disposition, appetite and grooming. Attending local dog shows and finding and talking with reputable breeders will help decide what breed is best for you. The AKC publishes several free brochures on being a responsible dog owner. These individuals can put you in contact with breeders or rescue organizations in your area. Finally, please keep in mind: A dog is for life -- not just for Christmas! Avoid feeding your dog table-scraps and sweets. Chocolate contains harmful, and sometimes fatal, chemicals to dogs. Poultry bones can splinter and cause intestinal blockages. Pets are attracted to the taste of anti-freeze, which can be lethal. Check driveways and wipe up leaks immediately. Ice-melting chemicals and salt on sidewalks can irritate a dog's footpads. Wash off your dog's feet as soon as you return home. Avoid decorating with popcorn or cranberry strands, tinsel, and glass ornaments. Dispose of all wrapping paper, bows and ribbons after presents are opened. Keep small decorations out of your dog's reach. When decorating with holiday lights, remember that exposed indoor or outdoor wiring could electrocute a curious canine animal that chews on it. Tape wires to the wall or sides of the house. Consider an artificial tree. Real Christmas trees may be toxic to dogs. Dogs find tree water tempting, so be sure to use pet-friendly preservatives in the water. Dogs also swallow pine needles which can be harmful. Plants such as poinsettias, holly and mistletoe can be poisonous to pets and should be kept out of reach. Resist the urge to give your favorite dog lover a cute, cuddly puppy during gift-giving season. Puppies are a lifetime responsibility requiring exercise, training, veterinary care and -- most importantly -- love and attention. Instead, consider gift wrapping dog toys or supplies such as a leash, or food bowl to symbolize the gift of a dog to come. Boxer dogs were bred for guarding and working with people. They make great guard dogs due to their rather scary appearance and hard bite which most people would not want to face. Our shop is filled to the brim with Boxer dog gifts. This page is packed with gifts designed specifically around this stunning breed. Not only is there a broad range of gifts for dog owners but our dog accessories are perfect for your Boxer dog as well. For the Boxer dog lover why not brighten up their home with our stunning breed ceramic ornament which makes the perfect addition to any home. The ceramic heart Boxer dog ornament features a beautiful dog portrait from one of our UK-based artists. When it comes to finding the perfect greeting card for the Boxer lover in your life we have a stunning range which can be used for any occasion, from Christmas, to birthday and everything else in between. All our cards have been designed by our artists. For the ideal present for any Boxer dog owner, have a look at our wall art page where you can find the details of all the different dog portraits and drawings which you can order from our artists. Whether you want a black and white drawing, a vintage wooden print of your dog, or a colourful ink portrait, our shop can provide the perfect Boxer dog portrait gift. Fun fact about the Boxer dog Not many people realise that Boxer dogs are actually cousins of the Terrier breed. This connection is why the Boxer dog makes the perfect hunter, it's using it's Terrier instinct. For the perfect Boxer dog gift look no further than our cute Boxer dog mug and matching coaster or maybe you prefer to buy one of our Jute shopping bags which features a boxer dog print on the front, bringing added class to any trip to the supermarket. Gifts for Boxer dogs Every Boxer owner wants to mark his Boxer birthday and our Gifts for Dogs section has everything you need to treat your dog. Or maybe you are hoping to make it a Boxer Christmas at home so check out our dog greetings card range and don't forget our dog-themed wrapping paper and gift tags. Our dog accessories range includes the option to have your Boxer portrait painted onto his own personalised food bowl and treat jar. Our UK-based designers can create these beautiful Boxer dog gifts which are unique for your own dog family. If you want your Boxer dog to look super stylish on his walk, check out our range of bandanas , dog coats and collars and leads which you can choose from. We offer collars and harnesses in a range of sizes for different dog breeds and several of our bandana range can even be personalised with your Boxer dog's own name. If your Boxer dog feels the cold, or likes to curl up in his own bed , our range of dog blankets and bed s might be a perfect dog gift. Some of our range can be personalised with your Boxer dog's name, making them even more special for your pet. Our personalised range of presents are suitable for every dog, whether you are looking for something for a Golden Retriever, French bulldog or a Terrier, our shop has something for every dog or puppy out there so have a good look around and you will find that perfect dog gift. To add that extra touch to your Boxer dog gifts why not add one of our unique artist-designed greeting cards and you can even match it with our dog wrapping paper and present tags for the finishing touch. If you are overwhelmed by all of our Boxer dog present choices and you just can't choose from our range of high quality items then why not let the Boxer lover in your family choose their own gift by buying them one of our gift vouchers instead? That way, they can pick out exactly which Boxer dog item they would most value. Footer menu. Where can I buy boxed Christmas cards online? Buy your boxed Christmas cards right here at Hallmark. You can even shop online for boxed cards available your local Gold Crown store and pick them in about three hours. What other Christmas products does Hallmark have? At Hallmark, we love celebrating Christmas. Deck your halls with Christmas decor and of course, Christmas ornaments for all ages and interests. Nativity sets are a beautiful, traditional holiday decoration. Help Santa coordinate all the gifts under your tree with premium Christmas wrapping paper , tags, bows, gift bags and more. Personalize your Christmas photo cards with favorite family pictures and send to everyone on your list; we'll even add return addresses to all your envelopes for free. What types of boxed holiday cards can you find at Hallmark? When you shop our Christmas cards online, choose from a wide assortment of designs and themes, from beautiful religious Christmas cards about the true meaning of the season, to funny boxed cards designed to elicit holiday giggles. What are some unique Christmas cards? Try a video Christmas greeting this year—just add your video and photos to create a custom video Christmas letter. Or Pick-a-Packs let you mix and match different designs, so you can send a more traditional card to elder family members and a funny card to friends or co-workers. 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However, both parents may still carry specific genes, such as those for hip and elbow dysplasia, putting your Alaskan Shepherd puppy at risk. Always seek out a reputable breeder and always ask to see the DNA reports and hip and elbow scores of the parents before purchasing a puppy. This way, you do not encourage irresponsible breeding practices. Some other genetic issues to look out for include cartilaginous exostosis, which involves bony enlargements on any part of the skeleton except the skull, and chondrodysplasia, which sometimes affects Malamutes. It is a type of dwarfism that creates abnormally shaped limbs. Malamutes should also be screened for idiopathic polyneuropathy, day blindness, hypothyroidism, and cataracts before they are bred. In terms of the German Shepherd parent , genetic disorders include degenerative myelopathy, resulting in complete paralysis of the hindlegs, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This problem can lead to digestive issues. German Shepherds are also prone to various cancers, such as renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis. These cause skin nodules and kidney tumors. German Shepherd crosses have been known to inherit these genes. An Alaskan Shepherd is also at risk for Von Willebrand disease, a blood-clotting disorder. While some dogs may never show any symptoms of this disease, others might bleed profusely from orifices like the nose, and cuts and scrapes can turn quite serious. Finally, since this is an active breed with a hearty appetite, its diet should be monitored if it eats a little more than it burns off exercising, as Alaskan Shepherds have been known to struggle with obesity. What is the lifespan of an Alaskan Shepherd? The German Shepherd is often not a long-lived dog, which can influence its offspring. However, the Alaskan Malamute is quite hardy, and so the Alaskan Shepherd can be expected to live between 7 and 14 years. The trainability of a Malamute German Shepherd mix: Temperament and Intelligence Generally, the Alaskan Shepherd inherits a high working drive from both parents, meaning it is at its happiest when it has a job to do. It also usually has the intelligence of the German Shepherd, making it moderately to highly trainable. One trait it will also likely gain from its GSD parent is its guardian instincts. However, this might be affected by the Malamute parent, as Malamutes are incredibly affectionate to all people and are usually not good guard dogs. Many Alaskan Shepherd owners report their dogs making the same hilarious sounds. However, like many ancient breeds, the Malamute is an independent and sometimes domineering dog with little patience for repetition in training and a strong mind of its own. It may well pass this willfulness down to the Alaskan Shepherd. Sociability with Other Pets It should also be noted that while the Malamute typically loves people, it also tends to have a high prey drive, making it a challenge to keep in homes with smaller animals. It has also been known to be dominant and sometimes aggressive with other dogs. So much so that it is recommended never to keep these dogs with others of the same gender. It is hoped that in the Alaskan Shepherd mix, although some of this may be less prevalent, that you socialize the dog from an early age and establish yourself as a pack leader. Preferably it should live in a cooler climate, better suited for its double coat, and should be given access to as much space as possible. Do German Shepherd Malamute mixes make good family dogs? The Alaskan Shepherd is the perfect dog for the right family. They tend to be protective and loving with children, although they should always be supervised because of their size. So long as their need for stimulation, challenges, and exercise are met, they are loyal guardians and devoted companions. Raising a German Shepherd Malamute mix puppy As a large to possibly giant dog, the German Shepherd Malamute cross needs to have its exercise carefully monitored while young to avoid undue stress on its joints. This is no small task since a young Alaskan Shepherd is likely to be rambunctious and rowdy. This means it will need carefully structured exercise and early socialization and training to deal with any potential aggression problems. Training should be kept short and positive to avoid problems with its stubborn streak. It will also need specially formulated food to help it grow. For this, it is best to speak to your veterinarian and make sure he is on a balanced diet. Since it is a mixed breed, the exact price can be hard to pinpoint. While this may not be the breed for a passive home, it can make an excellent companion, hunter, and sledding dog for anybody willing to put in the time. With enough stimulation, exercise, and training, the Alaskan Shepherd is likely to make one of the best dogs a person could own. If you are interested in this breed or have any experience with them, be sure to let us know about it in the comments below. Tamsin De La Harpe Author Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs. Alaskan Malamutes are speculated to have descended from wolves and may have accompanied hunters on their travels as far back as 4, years ago. Named after the Mahlemuts Indian tribe, they have long been bred for pulling sleds and assisting in big game hunts. As the official state dog of Alaska, this AKC-recognized breed has gained large fame across much of the northern and central United States. As you might expect, German Shepherds originally hail from Germany. Developed through intensive crossbreeding of native shepherding dogs in the early s, they were bred specifically to herd sheep. Renowned for their responsiveness and naturally well-behaved temperaments, they soon became a popular option for working dogs in every profession — even the German military. Their ancestors may have crossed the Bering Strait. As far back as 4, years ago, it is speculated that Paleo-Indian tribes migrated from Asia to North America via a land bridge that was only passable due to lower ocean levels. Larger dogs of this breed can nearly double the average weight. Uncommon amongst any dog breed, the Alaskan Shepherd has ancient genes that sometimes produce surprising results. Whereas most dogs of this breed weigh between 60 and 80 pounds, the largest examples can weigh in excess of pounds! Puppies of this breed can seem to have boundless energy and require substantial amounts of training to curb their constant enthusiasm and occasional recklessness. Are These Dogs Good for Families? While they would never intentionally harm a child — and often go to great lengths to protect them — their herding instincts can lead them to bully or boss children around without meaning to. As puppies, they may not be as inclined to spend time with other dogs and especially not cats or rabbits. Once they grow older and naturally mellow out, though, they can be very sociable and welcoming dogs. Things to Know When Owning an Alaskan Shepherd Adopting an Alaskan Shepherd will almost certainly be a large investment of your time, money, and attention. Possessed of great stores of energy and endurance, they love being taken outdoors for walks, runs, and hikes. A good baseline to shoot for is an hour per day of moderate activity, though they can easily handle more without complaint. If you like a dog that you can play games with, the Alaskan Shepherd is an excellent choice! This is especially true in the spring and fall when they will lose one coat to prepare for the season ahead. Weekly brushings will suffice for most of the year, but this should be increased to a daily frequency during their shedding seasons. However, they have inherited a tendency from their ancestors towards a few medical conditions, such as the following: Minor Conditions. This mixed breed is a cross between a German Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute that likely originated in the early s. Bred to carry packages and pull sleds, breeders wanted the best of two already popular, strong purebreds. Over the years, people combined various strains of this purebred to produce the modern-day GSD. Fun fact: The German Shepherd is quite popular in pop culture, too. From wolf to dog: the Alaskan Malamute Alaskan Malamutes , or simply Mals, are descendants of canines from the Paleolithic period. Meet the cheerful Alaskan Malamute Malamutes are directly domesticated from their wolf ancestors, explaining their fierce wolf-like appearance — rock deep chests with powerful shoulders and erect ears. It tells the tale of a scientific expedition in Antarctica. What does an Alaskan Shepherd look like? They have pointy, erect ears, and eyes that can be hazel, brown, or blue. Then their noses can either be black or brown. German Shepherd Malamute mixes have great strength, which is evident in their muscular body and sturdy disposition. How big does a German Shepherd Malamute mix get? Alaskan Shepherds have a height of 21 to 28 inches 53 to 71 cm and weigh 60 to pounds 27 to 59 kg , with females being a tad smaller than males. Medium- to giant-sized dogs are NOT suitable for apartment living. They need a house with a large indoor and outdoor space to be comfortable. Are German Shepherd Malamute mixes hypoallergenic? They have a straight, medium-length double coat made up of a soft, dense undercoat and a thick, rough topcoat. These fluffy beauties can have a red, brown, gold, black, and grey color coat. But other combinations and shades are possible too, like blue, silver, sable, white, cream, and liver. They can be tricolored, too. Temperament: Is a German Shepherd Malamute mix a good family dog? Alaskan Shepherds are affectionate, loyal crossbreeds that are excellent with children. Be cautious and supervise play because this pooch might not be aware of how strong and big they are. Their independence can make them stubborn and would need a pack leader. Early socialization and training are crucial to avoid potential aggressive behaviors, which comes from their GSD parent. Eventually, they can serve as therapy or service dogs. So go ahead and train your pup as early as two and a half weeks. Want to see how smart the German Shepherd-Alaskan Malamute cross is? Watch this video of Zoey instinctively herding goats! After bringing your Alaskan Shepherd home Be aware that these dogs require moderate to intense maintenance. They need some serious upkeep. Are you up for it? This will provide you full access to brush her coat, especially the parts where matting often occur, like the neck area. Get your bristle brush and run it in one direction. Some owners use a deshedding tool twice a week to lessen the amount of shedding. Baths should only be given when your doggo looks and smells dirty to avoid drying her coat and skin. And use a soothing shampoo that has aloe vera and oatmeal. For that weekly ear cleaning, use a cotton ball and a dog-specific ear solution. The frequency of nail trims will depend on activity level since dogs can naturally wear down their nails with exercise. They could get dry and scaly; if this happens, you can use Vaseline as treatment. Exercise: How active are Alaskan Shepherds? The Alaskan Malamute-German Shepherd cross has parents with a working background, so we can expect this pooch to be highly active. But at least an hour of exercise a day will be sufficient. Plan for a range of activities to keep your fur baby engaged. They also need mental stimulation. You can play fetch with her, or give her time to enjoy sniffing and running around. The best food for a German Shepherd Malamute mix The kind of diet and amount of food you should give your dog will depend on her age, weight, metabolism, and health. Choose a brand with high levels of protein and calcium, as well as easy-to-digest ingredients like rice, chicken, and barley. Hypoallergenic dog food may also be a great choice since the German Shepherd breed is prone to various allergies. Resist those puppy-dog eyes! Are these dogs healthy? Still, all dogs can inherit some of the health problems that their purebred parents are predisposed to. Where to buy Alaskan Shepherd puppies? There are many places where you can find a German Shepherd Malamute mix puppy for sale. Do your research and ask questions before deciding who to buy from. Responsible breeders mostly require potential buyers to visit their kennel for a meet-and-greet, as well as to conduct interviews. In fact, we encourage you to get a dog that aligns with your lifestyle. Here are other designer dogs you may want to check out:. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. He is very energetic and well mannered. He is very gentle with children and protective of the whole family. He is very loving and great with our kids as young as 2 years old. He is very calm and we couldn't ask for a better puppy. He is full of energy and very loving. An intelligent dog and very easy to train. He howls like a Malamute and barks like a Shepherd. He loves playing with other pups and dogs as soon as he is familiar with them and his surroundings. He is very well house trained already and has not shed a hair in our home. He is very dependent on us for companionship and does not like being alone at all. He is very big boned and strong. He gets a lot of exercise, loves to play and is friendly with people. Ben is very intelligent and is easily trained. His prey drive is very high but living with a cranky cat is curbing that. An amazing pup who's growing quickly into an excellent well mannered Alaskan Shepherd who tends to howl at night. She is a very intelligent, mostly well-behaved dog who can be stubborn at times when it comes to learning commands, but she is very well housetrained. Naomi adapts well to new environments, proving this when we moved from the country to an apartment nearly miles away. She loves car rides and going places. She is very people-oriented and is good with children and cats, but she likes to establish her rank with other dogs before accepting their presence. She can be a bully, but is not really dog-aggressive. This dog is not very playful with other dogs, but loves to play with people. She displays many Malamute behaviors and some Shepherd behavior. She rarely barks, but instead makes the "woooo" talking sound Malamutes make and she howls when sirens are heard. She has some protective behaviors will growl at suspicious people when being walked at night , but she probably wouldn't keep a burglar out of the house if I was away. Her appearance and size, however, deter many people from coming too close without asking. She can be mischievous, but she is generally laid-back as long as she's walked several times a day. She is very clean and grooms herself like a cat. She sheds A LOT all year long. She is a large dog, around 83 pounds. Naomi was diagnosed with hip dysplasia when she was a year old and it had already caused arthritis. The only bad point is he sheds a huge amount of fur, but that may be due to the heating inside our home. The height of these crossbreeds varies from 21 to 24 inches. Males and females have little height difference. You can expect this crossbreed to have a medium-length, double coat. The colors of their coat can be a combination of black, gray, red, gold, and brown. This type of coat helps them cope with the extremely cold environment. The Malamute German Shepherds are diligent working dogs. On top of that, they are alert and aware of their surroundings. They make excellent watchdogs. They bark appropriately without being annoying and disturbing. They have keen senses to discern suspicious acts and people. Another trait it possesses is its affectionate nature. The gentle and loving German Shepherd Malamutes can come off as intimidating at first sight. In reality, they are fluffy and lovable dogs that enjoy the company of people. You must apply good researching techniques to locate professional breeders when it comes to crossbreeds. Professional breeders allow you to access the documents of the puppy, including health records and DNA testing. They also provide a suitable environment for the upbringing of the dogs. They will help you become reassured that the dogs will grow to have minimal problems regarding their health. Visit the breeders in their location is highly recommended. Another way to verify a breeder is through this visitation. You might think that another good place to acquire this crossbreed is through purchasing in pet stores. I advise against this method. As a breeding ground, the puppy mill has thousands of stories supporting the terrible conditions for breeding. The puppy mill does not provide the most suitable environment for rearing puppies. In this place, the puppies are forced to mate with one another and give birth. This mixed breed is relatively rare. There are some breed-specific and non-profit rescue centers all over the country. You can check out these rescue shelters to obtain a new fluffy companion. Their shedding process usually involves a lot of mess and hair, especially during periods with warm weather and when placed in a blistering environment. Brushing the coat needs to be done for three to five times per week. If your dog has a collar, remove it when brushing the coat, and do not leave out the neck area unkempt. You should pay attention to spots where tangles occur often, like the base of the ears. You can prevent loose hair from the brushing process by dousing the coat with water. Another tip for maintaining the shine of the coat is using a slicker brush instead of a pin brush. You can also get rid of loose hair and some debris by using the brush. If you notice that your dog is uncomfortable each time you brush or comb its coat, you should consider starting a desensitization training. The process starts with using your hands to familiarize the dog with the brushing activity. After some time, you may alternate between using a real brush or comb and using your hands. You can finally change to a full-time brushing with a slicker brush after a few weeks. The little parts of the Malamute German Shepherd Mix, such as its eyes, nose, nails, ears, and paws, must be cared for as well. You should check for ear infection signs like the accumulation of earwax. A cotton ball and an ear solution formulated for dogs are must-haves for sanitary ears. For dried and scaly paws, you may utilize Vaseline as treatment. The popular opinion of daily bathing for dogs is not advisable to follow. The indication for bathing the dog is its appearance or smell. You may use formulations with ingredients that are soothing to its skin, like aloe vera. It is important to determine some early signs of skin lesions. If you are unable to do the necessary steps for grooming, you should opt to bring your pup to a professional groomer in your locale. There are many innate and environmental factors affecting the health status of the crossbreed. Some of these factors are genetic make-up, the environment where it grew up, nutrition, and level of activity. There are some health problems with a predilection to one of the parent breeds. As a reliable owner, you must be cognizant of the health risks of this crossbreed. Obesity: This mixed breed tends to eat more than its requirement. This should be controlled because it makes the dog vulnerable to many diseases, such as back pains, cancer, and joint problems. Chondrodysplasia: This condition may lead to hip dysplasia. Degenerative myelopathy: This is an untreatable and progressive disorder that results to the inability to move the hind legs. Von Willebrand disease: It is a blood disorder that causes a lot of blood loss. One of the things you can do is to acquire vaccines. The recommended vaccines for puppies are rabies, measles, and a combination vaccine called DHPP. I strongly advise seeking the help of a trustworthy veterinarian to become knowledgeable on the signs and symptoms to watch out for. Malamute Crossed with German Shepherd Food Requirements There is no fixed quantity of food for a dog, even among those with the same breeds. You need the most appropriate diet that will result in the optimal condition of your dog. The general amount of food suitable for an adult German Shepherd Malamute mix dog may vary from 2 cups to 3 cups of high-quality food items. Two to three meals per day are advised for these crossbreeds. Your dog requires healthy bones and joints for its activity. It needs a healthy amount of calcium for that. Calcium will also aid in giving the best status of immunity. Another vital mineral for the development of bones and joints is phosphorus. Below is an inventory of the recommended dry food for the Malamute crossed with German Shepherd dogs. It includes nine simple key ingredients. It has a meat component that ensures a tasty and adequate amount of animal protein. It does not have any unhealthy additives. This brand has a 4, 12, or pound bags available. Purina HA Hypoallergenic: This hypoallergenic formulation is perfect for some dogs which may be predisposed to developing food intolerance and allergies. The optimal effect of this product is achieved by giving this alone for eight to 12 weeks. You can combine this food with other kinds of high-quality kibbles after the said period. It does not have allergenic materials like soy, whey, and gluten. It does not have artificial flavors. It contains Omega-6 fatty acids that help in moisturizing the coat and adding the healthy glow for the skin. It has easy-to-digest and organic components such as rice, chicken, and barley. It has reported on nutritional breakthroughs. It possesses prime chicken and customized fiber system for easy digestion. The German Shepherd Malamute mix may be at risk for overfeeding and obesity. An easy way to determine this is by doing the hands-on test and eye test. These two tests will require you to examine the dog beside you and looking at its waist from above. You will feel the ribs of the dog when you press down if the dog is not overweight. A positive result of this test should alert you as a responsible owner. A veterinarian can help immensely in managing the diet and other health concerns of your dog. You should consider involving one while planning for acquiring a new family member. Whether you adopt a big or small doggo, feed them only with premium-quality food to keep them happy and healthy all the time. Steer clear of the worst dry dog food , and get only the best dry dog food for your furry companion. If your furry buddy is still but a munchkin, consult our list of the best puppy food brands for nutrition ideas. In case your pooch is well past their prime, make sure to serve them only the best senior dry dog food to keep those frail bones, well, not so frail! Do remember that your adorable mixed pup carries the genes of their vastly different parents. They may inherit the palate of either, so you can offer them both the best dry dog food for small dogs and best large breed dry dog food and stick with the one they choose as their favorite! The period of physical activity engagement should be at least one hour. An appropriate blend of physical and mental stimulus for this mixed breed is necessary to avoid boredom and destructive behaviors. Some examples of possible physical activities for the Malamute German Shepherd mix are hiking, fetching, and running. Another consideration for the exercise period is the venue for the activities. I recommend a big area in a well-ventilated place for this crossbreed. The Kong Ball is a widely known toy for mental motivation. The use of this toy will aid in the digestion and mental health of the dog. It comes in different sizes, so you can get a suitable one for your dog. The German Shepherd Malamutes have a notable strength in biting. It is an under-stuffed toy that has a squeaker. It is made of a tough material, perfect for hours of rough play. They could become hardheaded as well. Your contribution to the morale boost will help the process. Below are some guidelines on training this mixed breed: Limit the Duration of the Training Sessions: A way to prevent misbehaviors during the training sessions is keeping the sessions short. A great crate has a comfortable bed and optimum ventilation. The period for crate training varies from 30 minutes for younger puppies to eight hours for adult Malamute German Shepherds. This training will benefit the mental health of the dog as well. It will help in having a calm disposition, particularly during travels, and it will also ward of possible separation anxiety. Positive Rewards-based System: This training method avoids the classical penalty techniques when dogs misbehave. You can have a box of treats ready for the training sessions. You should also provide cuddles and words of encouragement and approval when the dog abides by the rules. Every dog has a unique way of following the commands. If you want to learn more about the proper techniques, you may opt to ask for some advice from professional trainers. It is essential to provide positive words and gestures to make the dog feel at home. One phase of the training a dog called early socialization is necessary for developing healthy coping mechanisms to a new environment and people. Early socialization will hone the puppy and help in becoming mature. This will contribute to their potential in becoming therapy dogs, service dogs, or herders. The owners will hold the puppy each day until four weeks. The next phase continues until 16 weeks of age. This phase involves exposing the puppy to various kinds of animals, people, textures, fragrances, and sceneries. The above-mentioned tips on training may be applied during early socialization. The Malamute German Shepherd dogs are generally good with children. They will give affection and friendliness to the little ones. You still need to be careful with the child-dog interactions, especially when the dog is still young. You must also teach your children how to respect and play with the dog within respectable bounds. They were bred as working dogs, and their original purpose was to herd sheep. Alaskan Malamutes are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. They were originally bred by the Mahlemut tribe of Alaska as sled dogs. While they are known today as one of the more popular designer breeds, these two breeds were not mixed until the early s, when people began to cross them for their working abilities. They are strong and athletic, with a muscular build. German Shepherds are inches tall at the shoulder. Alaskan Malamutes are one of the largest dog breeds, weighing in at pounds. Their typical height is inches at the shoulder. Malamutes are thickly built, with a broad chest and strong legs. They have a dense coat of fur that can be either short or long. The German Shepherd Malamute mix will usually take after its Alaskan Malamute parent in terms of size, but there is some variation. These dogs typically weigh between 50 and 85 pounds and stand inches tall at the shoulder. They may have the short coat and sleek build of the German Shepherd or the thick fur and broad chest of the Alaskan Malamute. Their coat colors are typically black, brown, or gray; however, they can also inherit the white markings of the German Shepherd. Like both of their parents, this mix has a strong and muscular build. They are a medium to large breed of dog that is very athletic. They will typically have almond-shaped eyes, and their ears may be pointed or floppy. Their tail is usually bushy and thick. These dogs are typically loyal, loving, and affectionate. They are also very protective of their family and may be suspicious of strangers. German Shepherds were originally bred as working dogs, so they are very intelligent and trainable. They are also known for being loyal and protective of their family. Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred as sled dogs, so they are very strong and athletic. However, they are also very affectionate with their family. This results in a mix that is very intelligent and trainable yet an independent thinker who can be stubborn at times. These dogs are also very affectionate with their family and make excellent protectors. However, they may be suspicious of strangers, so socialization is important from an early age. While this mix is an intelligent breed, poor breeding practices can result in your dog having behavioral issues as they age. They are also quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement. As with all dogs, early socialization is important for this mix. This will help them to be less suspicious of strangers and reduce the likelihood of aggressive or destructive behavior. This mix can be stubborn at times, so patience and consistency are important. They respond well to positive reinforcement, such as treats or praise. Puppy obedience training is a great way to socialize your puppy and start them on the path to good behavior. Exercise Needs This mix is a very active breed of dog that needs plenty of exercise. They are also very strong and have a lot of energy. These dogs need at least an hour of daily exercise and prefer to be outdoors. Daily walking or running is a great way to meet their exercise needs. German Shepherd Alaskan Malamute mixes also enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and hiking. They are also very intelligent and need mental stimulation, so interactive dog toys or puzzle games are a great way to keep them entertained. Overall, this mix is a great breed of dog for first-time owners or active people or families. They are a loving and affectionate breed, yet also make excellent protectors. They can be a great addition to any home with proper training and exercise. They also have an outer coat that is coarse and thick. A slicker brush or another shedding brush can help to remove loose hair and reduce shedding. Bathing These dogs also benefit from a soothing shampoo that is designed for dogs with sensitive skin. Additional grooming may be necessary if your dog has any mats or tangles in their coat. Ears This mix has erect ears that should be checked regularly for dirt or wax build-up. Cleaning with a cotton ball and dog-safe ear cleaner can help to prevent infections. Nails The nails of the German Shepherd Malamute mix grow quickly and should be trimmed regularly. Dental chews or bones can also help to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Overall, this mix is a high-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. However, regular brushing and occasional baths will help to keep their coat looking their best. However, like all breeds of dogs, they are susceptible to certain health conditions. Degenerative myelopathy is a degenerative disease of the spinal cord that can cause paralysis in the hind legs. Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joint and can cause pain and lameness. Elbow dysplasia is a condition that affects the elbow joint and can also cause pain and lameness. All of these conditions can be debilitating and cause a decrease in quality of life. Fortunately, there are treatments available for all of the above-mentioned health problems. Overall, this mix is a generally healthy breed of dog. However, they are susceptible to certain health conditions that can be debilitating. Nutrition Requirements The German Shepherd Malamute mix is a high-energy breed of dog that requires a high-protein diet and is rich in fat. Dry dog food that is designed for large breeds is a great option for this breed. They should be fed between two to three times per day. A regular feeding schedule is important for this breed to help prevent bloat while maintaining suitable weight levels. Typical dog food brands to consider for this breed include Blue Buffalo, Wellness, and Taste of the Wild. Table scraps should be avoided as they can cause weight gain and digestive issues. Doggie treats, on the other hand, can be given in moderation. However, certain dogs may view this breed as a threat due to their size and energy level. This can be done by taking them to the dog park, doggie daycare, or dog walking. Due to their size, they are naturally more comfortable around larger dogs. With early training and socialization, however, this mix can integrate and socialize with most other dogs. However, their energy levels can be a bit much for smaller children. This breed is best suited for families with older children who can handle their high energy levels. Families with small children should consider another breed of dog that is more suitable for their lifestyle. Some examples of breeds that may be more suitable for families with small children include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Drooling Levels This breed of dog is known to drool moderately. While they are not considered to be a slobbering breed, they may drool more when they are excited or hungry. They also require some maintenance when it comes to cleaning up drool, but it is not excessive. A damp cloth or baby wipes are generally all that is required to help to keep the area around their mouth clean. Barking Levels This breed of dog is known to bark moderately. They may bark when they are excited or when someone is at the door. However, with proper training, this behavior can be controlled. Barking collars are also an option but should only be used as a last resort. Positive reinforcement training is the best way to help control moderate barking in this breed of dog. Adaptability to Weather The German Shepherd Malamute mix is a breed of dog that is very adaptable to different weather conditions. They are comfortable in both hot and cold weather. They can typically handle temperatures as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can typically handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Overall, this mix is a very versatile breed that can adapt to most weather conditions. This is a relatively long lifespan for a large breed dog. While this breed is growing in popularity, it has not yet been officially recognized by the AKC. The AKC does not currently recognize any mixed breeds. However, they are working on a new pilot program that may eventually lead to AKC recognition for some mixed breeds, including this mixed breed. This price can vary depending on the breeder, the location, and the overall demand for the breed. Avoid buying a puppy from a pet store, as these puppies often come from puppy mills and may have health problems. This fee goes towards supporting the rescue organization and helps to cover the costs of caring for the dog. They are loyal, protective, and loving dogs that thrive on being close to their family. This breed requires a lot of exercise and training, but they are very intelligent dogs that are eager to please. This is a sled dog at its core, having great endurance and strength, which was a dog trait needed by ancestral owners in order to pull and carry heavy objects. He is sweet and family loving, loyal, and a highly capable watchdog. Read on to find out more. The German Shepherd Malamute mix is a hybrid dog. That is, a cross between the German Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute. The Alaskan Malamute breed is believed to be descended from the dogs of hunters in the Paleolithic period. Roughly years ago, they crossed into North America from the land bridges of the Bering Strait. The dogs belonging to these people were domesticated from the wolf. Traditionally speaking, the Alaskan Malamute is part of the oldest sled dog breeds of the arctic. The German Shepherd breed was originally created for the purpose of herding sheep. These people combined various dog strains from the central and northern parts of Germany. This was in order to produce what would be known as the ancestors of the modern-day German Shepherd dog. The German Shepherd Malamute Mix vs. Purebred Debate Fans of mixed breed dogs argue that diversity makes them healthier than purebreds, with resulting fewer health problems. Those who are in favor of purebred dogs argue that they are healthier than mixes. They claim this due to better control over breeding, and therefore on the selection of genetic traits. This is a debate that is surely not going to be resolved anytime soon. They played the roles of two of the sled dogs, Buck and Shadow. The German Shepherd is quite the popular dog! Both parents have such similar features so you may see the input of both! Dogs of this mix have muscular bodies, possessing great strength and a sturdy frame. These dogs are well-suited for carrying significant weight and pulling sleds. They are 21 to 28 inches high, with a large weight range of 64 to pounds on average, corresponding to a medium and large size dog, respectively. They have a straight and medium-length double-coat consisting of a soft and dense undercoat and a thick, rough outer coat. Their coat colors are a combination of red, brown, gold, black, and grey. Their eyes are brown, hazel, or blue, and their nose is black or brown. German Shepherd Malamute Mix Temperament This is an affectionate and loyal dog, known for being very attached to their families. They inherit this quality from both parents. These dogs are wonderful around children, however, adult supervision around smaller children is recommended because of the large size of this dog. They make good guard dogs due to their ability to keep a vigilant eye on strangers. German Shepherds in particular tend to be cautious of strangers and sound the alarm when unfamiliar people arrive. This is a strong-willed dog with an independent streak. German Shepherds and Alaskan Malamutes are both loyal and loving dogs towards their families, and naturally the mix has this tendency as well. The exceptional intelligence and courage of the German Shepherd is a characteristic that may be passed on to the mix. So it is important to keep this dog active and mentally stimulated. Training Your German Shepherd Malamute mix Early socialization is important to curb any aggressive tendencies this dog may have towards strangers or other animals. The natural tendency of this dog towards independent and even stubborn behavior requires consistent and firm training from the puppy stage. Positive training methods are best. Due to the large size and physical attributes of this dog, he needs regular exercise, such as walking, hiking, or jogging to satisfy its high energy and endurance levels. At least an hour of physical activity a day is ideal. German Shepherd Malamute mix Health Both parent breeds have health issues. While the German Shepherd is an above average healthy dog with few health concerns, it does have a few health issues to watch for, such as degenerative myelopathy and elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common to the mix as well. Additional common health problems which the German Shepherd Malamute mix has are:. Their eyes will be almond-shaped and usually brown, although they can have hazel or blue eyes depending on their parents. The colour of their coat can vary greatly between the two dogs with some appearing greyer like an Alaskan Malamute and having browns and reds like the German Shepherd. Regardless of the colouring, their coat will be very dense. Their fur is usually quite thick and straight, taking after their parent breeds, and will be medium to long in length. Alaskan Shepherd Grooming Much like both parent breeds, Alaskan Shepherds need regular grooming to keep their coats looking healthy and in good condition. They have a very dense double coat that sheds heavily, especially when they are blowing their coat which usually happens once or twice a year. As a result, Alaskan Shepherds will need a grooming session at least once a week to remove loose hairs and keep their coat looking shiny and healthy. Daily or twice-daily grooming will be necessary during coat-blowing season. We recommend prospective owners invest in a good deshedder tool, along with a slicker brush and a pin brush in order to be well equipped for grooming. Alaskan Shepherds only need bathing with shampoo occasionally, for example once a month, as their double coat is designed to stay naturally clean. In between baths, their undercoats should be checked for any debris that may have gathered whilst outside. Alaskan Shepherds are not a hypoallergenic breed and therefore, they are not suitable for owners with allergies. As with all dogs, their nails will need to be trimmed regularly and their teeth should be kept clean with dental chews or otherwise. They are very intelligent dogs and benefit from being trained to learn commands and tricks. Their intelligence does mean that they can become restless and bored if they are not given stimulation, which can sometimes lead to anxiety and destructive behaviours such as chewing. Much like the Alaskan Malamute, the Alaskan Shepherd is a stubborn breed and they enjoy their independence just as much as they enjoy company. They will happily walk all over their owners if they are allowed to and owners need to be as strong-willed as their dogs to prevent any destructive or dominant behaviours from developing. For that reason, we do not recommend the Alaskan Shepherd to first-time dog owners. Whilst Alaskan Shepherds are very friendly towards humans, they can be aggressive to other dogs and pets within the home. They should be socialised with other dogs at a young age to prevent aggression in later life. The breed is suitable to live with children, but they should always be supervised when around young children due to their large size and build. Alaskan Shepherd Health Note: If you have any health concerns about your dog, please speak to a registered vet. The expected lifespan of an Alaskan Shepherd is 10 to 13 years. As with all dog breeds, the Alaskan Shepherd is prone to certain health problems in their lives. The main health concerns to look out for are: Obesity — Both the Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd are prone to obesity caused by overeating. Chondrodysplasia — an abnormal growth of cartilage that results in disproportionate dwarfism, sometimes seen in the Alaskan malamute. Degenerative Myelopathy — a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs that can eventually result in the inability to move the hind legs, more commonly seen in the German Shepherd. These are all typical concerns of large dog breeds. As the owner of an Alaskan Shepherd, there are several health tests you can ask for at the vet to ensure their health is on the right track. Booking them in for these tests on regular occasions once yearly for example can help to identify any of the above-mentioned health problems early. The recommended health tests for an Alaskan Shepherd are: Elbow and hip evaluation DNA test for von Willebrand disease Ophthalmologist evaluation If you are adopting an Alaskan Shepherd puppy, make sure you have them vaccinated against preventable diseases and regularly worm and flea them. Alaskan Shepherd Exercise Needs Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd were bred to be working dogs and as a result, require a lot of daily exercise to keep them occupied. It should be no surprise, therefore, that the Alaskan Shepherd is also a high-energy and high-endurance breed. The average Alaskan Shepherd will need around 60 minutes of activity a day but this will typically decrease with age. Alaskan Shepherds love the outdoors so having a large yard for them to run around is essential. They should also ideally live somewhere close by to parks or long walking trails to help fulfil their daily exercise needs. As previously mentioned, Alaskan Shepherds are highly intelligent breeds and they need plenty of ways to keep their mind stimulated throughout the day to prevent them from getting bored.

Fortunately, there are many SAFE peanut butter options to go for on the market today. Any peanut butter that is natural, Xylitol-free, or salt-free will be safe for your German Shepherd to consume. There are many more brands to choose from online and in-store, just be sure to check the label and stay away from Xylitol and Salt. As peanut butter is high in calories we should only ever give small amounts. A good way to limit the amount consumed is by only letting your puppy lick the peanut butter. A few licks of peanut butter will excite your GSD enough for it to be an effective training reward. Gulping down tablespoons of peanut butter will likely lead to weight gain quicker than you know it. Stick to a few licks here and there and you cannot go wrong. Not only will this help keep peanut butter appealing, but it will avoid accidental weight gain as peanut butter is high in calories. Using tasty treats proves to be particularly important throughout this stage. After this, getting him to eat could be as simple as mixing in a small blob of peanut butter with this kibble. This works like a charm for most. Nail trimming can be a nerve-racking moment for both pup and owner… One way to completely distract your pup is to smear peanut butter thinly on a plate and set it aside for him to lick. While your pup is peanut butter land, you have full access to control his leg and secure his paw while you safely trim his nails. Let your puppy enjoy a few licks and put the rest away. Not all puppies are tolerant of peanut butter and your pup may be in that group. Feed in moderation but harder to digest Almonds Feed in moderation but harder to digest However, if you decide that you want to try your dog with one or two of these nuts, bear in mind that almonds and hazelnuts may be more challenging for your dog to digest. Chestnuts are probably the best choice, especially if you mash them. Keep in mind that even nuts deemed okay for German Shepherds to eat can still be a health risk depending on the individual dog. It is therefore advised to consult your veterinarian first. No, neither did I! Technically speaking, peanuts are considered legumes, such as peas and lentils, as they grow in pods that mature beneath the ground. However, as most people think of them as nuts, we shall discuss them here, especially as they are nutritionally similar to other nuts. Peanuts are not considered toxic to German Shepherds. One or two plain unsalted peanuts may be okay for your dog to try. However, you must not forget about their high-fat content, which may cause your dog to have a stomach upset. They are high in calories, and you must also consider the general risks of choking. You must also remember to remove the shells! They are high in protein and are okay as an occasional snack or energy boost. However, you must feed them in moderation as they are also high in fat, and you should supervise your dog to prevent choking. Ensure they are free of salt and do not feed chocolate-coated cashews, as both chocolate and salt are highly toxic to dogs when eaten in large quantities. Their high-fat content can cause a flair-up of pancreatitis in some dogs. Almonds are often sold sugar-coated or covered in chocolate and these need to be strictly avoided, especially chocolate ones, as they contain a chemical compound called theobromine which is toxic to dogs. Chestnuts German Shepherds can eat chestnuts. They are tasty and nutritious, full of fiber, and contain omega fatty acids and vitamin C. They are also much lower in fat and calories than other nuts. Nonetheless, you should feed them in moderation due to their high fiber content. Feed them boiled, mashed, or baked. Although these nuts can be eaten in theory, in that they are not poisonous, they must be unsalted and fed sparingly: Overall, sticking to those nuts that dogs can have and not giving your dog too many is key. Horse chestnuts are the brown seeds of the horse chestnut tree, also known as conkers. So, can German Shepherds eat horse chestnuts? German Shepherds can not eat horse chestnuts conkers as they contain a poison called aesculin which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. However, your dog would have to eat several horse chestnuts widely found in the UK to suffer severe poisoning. I know I certainly do! There are many varieties of nuts that are a good source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals for humans. Their mix of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber certainly helps suppress my appetite and makes me feel full, so I find a small handful of nuts to be a quick healthy snack. So, why are nuts bad for dogs? Most nuts are bad for dogs and can be very harmful. You and I have already learned that macadamia and black walnuts can be highly toxic. In addition to this, all types of nuts contain high amounts of fats and oil that can cause an upset stomach including vomiting and diarrhea as your German Shepherd finds it hard to digest fat. Some dogs may also develop pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas due to the high fat and oil content. This is a painful condition, and although your dog can receive treatment for pancreatitis, severe forms can prove fatal. If your German Shepherd should eat nuts once they have turned moldy on the ground, this becomes an additional danger as foods like moldy walnuts contain mycotoxins which can cause weakness or lethargy. A specific mycotoxin called aflatoxin can cause liver failure in dogs. Symptoms of moldy food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, incoordination, high temperature, tremors, and seizures. Nuts are a choking hazard for dogs due to their size, shape, and hardness. Choking may especially cause problems for smaller breeds or if you choose to feed one of the smaller types of nut. Some nuts can also obstruct your GSDs intestinal tract, especially if your dog swallows large whole nuts like walnuts or pecans. This may result in life-saving surgery being required. Some small nuts e. Only a small handful of toxic macadamia nuts or black walnuts may be sufficient to cause serious problems to your German Shepherd. Dogs of different sizes may react differently, or some dogs may be able to tolerate a higher dose of the poison: Dogs have shown signs after ingesting 2. Like grapes and raisins, which are also toxic, the exact toxin that causes poisoning in some dogs is unknown, and the exact dosage is unknown. If you believe your German Shepherd has eaten many nuts or is showing signs and symptoms of nut poisoning, you must call your veterinarian for immediate advice. These are the signs and symptoms to be aware of: Vomiting Weakness, especially in the hind legs Lethargy. Peanut butter gives way to some of the best dog parenting hacks. A single smear goes a long way in keeping your GSD occupied, calm, or focused. But is it actually a pet-safe food? Can German Shepherds eat peanut butter? German Shepherds can eat peanut butter. Dogs liking peanut butter actually provides many benefits to us owners as well. That includes bathing , nail clipping , and even getting shots at the vet. This is especially useful if your pup suffers from separation anxiety. It makes it easier to administer medicine Dogs typically hate taking pills. But, smearing on some peanut butter can work wonders. Not only does it help make the pills go down more easily, but it also conditions them to be excited for medicine time. Some dogs will go crazy with just the scent of an open jar, while others will happily perform tricks for a lick. How to Feed Peanut Butter to German Shepherds The beauty of giving peanut butter to dogs is that you can do it any way you want. Some people allow their dogs to enjoy it straight from a spoon while others use it to stuff some toys. For those who use peanut butter as a distraction, smearing it on tiles or a special lick mat usually works wonders. These include: Ingredients Avoid all products that contain xylitol, which is a toxic substance that can quickly lead to lethal consequences. Derivatives to watch out for include D-xylitol, anhydroxylitol, xylite, and xylitylglucoside. If your dog ingests some xylitol, call your local Pet Poison Helpline right away or take them to a nearby animal hospital for emergency care. Serving Size Peanut butter is naturally high in fat. Too much can cause severe illnesses like pancreatitis. It might also pose harm to dogs with diabetes, obesity, and digestive issues. Generally, a healthy German Shepherd adult should not be given more than a tablespoon of plain peanut butter per day. GSD puppies and smaller breeds should be given much less than that. Nevertheless, although canine peanut allergies are rare, it is still something to watch out for. When you give your German Shepherd some peanut butter for the first time, keep an eye out for typical allergy reactions. If you observe any, make sure you get them checked by a veterinarian right away. Final Thoughts As long as you check the label and confirm that there are no toxic ingredients, it should be perfectly safe for your German Shepherd to eat peanut butter. Whether you use it to administer medicine more easily, stuff their toys to keep them occupied, or simply as a random treat, just remember that it is meant to be given in small, infrequent servings. Peanut butter can be a source of protein for your Shepherd. However, peanut butter should be considered as a treat, not a dietary staple for your dog because it has a very high calorie count. You can use peanut butter to disguise the taste of medicine or vitamin tablets that your German Shepherd needs to take. You can also use it as a bath-time distraction or a training incentive. If your German Shepherd gets frightened during thunderstorms and firework displays, or when you have company, you can give them an empty peanut butter jar to lick out. Licking the jar gives them something else to focus on and works particularly well if your dog is food driven. If a peanut butter jar works really well for your German Shepherd, you can consider purchasing a Classic Kong chew toy or a similar device. These are hollow rubber toys that you can fill with different mixes of food and treats. You can then seal the opening with some peanut butter. Dogs will spend hours trying to get every last scrap of food out of the toy. If you are giving your German Shepherd some peanut butter treats, you should always remember the 10 percent rule. This will change as your dog grows and ages, so the allowable peanut butter amounts can also change. Too much peanut butter can cause your German Shepherd to gain weight. German Shepherds are a big breed of dog and should be kept in the lower range of appropriate weights to preserve their joint and general health, especially while they are still growing. If your dog starts gaining weight, discontinue the peanut butter treats before you reduce their regular food. If your dog is already overweight, avoid giving them peanut butter at all. Another suggestion is to bake your own dog treats, using peanut butter as a flavor. In this way, you can spread a small amount of peanut butter over more treats. You can also cover a healthier treat with a thin layer of peanut butter, which can make the treat last longer. When to Consult A Veterinarian If your German Shepherd has other food or skin allergies , or if they have diseases such as diabetes, obesity, or pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas , then it is safer to consult your local veterinarian before giving your dog peanut butter. Additionally, if your German Shepherd gets sick after eating peanut butter for the first time, you should take them to be seen by a veterinarian immediately as they may be suffering from an allergic reaction. The veterinarian may then also want to check your dog for other allergies or underlying conditions. Nut Allergies and Your German Shepherd You most probably know at least one person who is allergic to nuts. Nut allergies are less common, but not unheard of, in dogs. So, you should not leave your German Shepherd alone the first time you give them peanut butter. You need to watch them in case they have a reaction. It is also wise to try out new foods during the day when you know the veterinarian clinic will be open. If allergic to peanuts, your German Shepherd can have one of two reactions to peanut butter. They can either go into full anaphylactic shock or develop red and itchy skin, a condition known as atopic dermatitis. If your German Shepherd goes into anaphylactic shock, take them immediately to your nearest veterinarian. If you have ever had eczema , you know how miserable chronic skin irritation can be. Dogs will scratch and bite at their skin until they create bald spots and even open sores. Such sores are then at risk of becoming infected. You usually treat skin allergies with corticosteroids, but these are harmful to your German Shepherd, especially with prolonged use. It is infinitely kinder to deny them a peanut butter treat under these circumstances! These days, some types of peanut butter contain an artificial sweetener called: xylitol. Xylitol is used as a replacement for sugar in order to lower the sugar content of peanut butter without losing the sweet taste. While mostly harmless to humans, xylitol and its derivatives are extremely toxic to dogs, including German Shepherds, so always read the label on the jar before giving your dog peanut butter. Xylitol is particularly bad for dogs because it triggers the release of insulin. Insulin is a substance produced by the body to facilitate the absorption of sugar from the bloodstream into certain tissues. Xylitol, therefore, can cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar in dogs. Symptoms will develop 10 to 60 minutes after your Shepherd ingests the xylitol. The symptoms associated with xylitol poisoning in German Shepherds include: Weakness. Peanut butter contains proteins and natural fat, and if consumed in excess it can lead to obesity and pancreatitis. If your GSD is diabetic , consulting the vet first before feeding peanut butter to him is the best option. It is not advisable to give peanut butter as a daily treat. Instead, alternate it with other treats like carrots and fruits. Two times a week are enough for him. Why Peanut Butter is Good for Dogs? It is nutritious. It is a tasty treat and contains proteins and vitamins. Assist to give medicine to him. Giving medicine to your GSD especially tablets can be made easier by peanut butter. You only need to mask the medicine with a piece of meat coated with peanut butter. Help him in cooling. Peanut butter can help your dog to cool off on hot summer days. Add a few drops of water in peanut butter and freeze. Assist when taking a bath. Bathing your German shepherd can be tedious especially if he is not the calm type. This can be made easier if you distract him with peanut butter. He will be clean within no time. Act as a distraction. This is mostly when there is a thunderstorm or fireworks as GSDs fear them. If you give him a hollow rubber toy filled with peanut butter, he will only concentrate on licking out everything from it. He will not be anxious or scared. Its fun watching them feed on it. Ingredients to Avoid in Peanut Butter You should check the ingredients of the peanut butter before buying it. Avoid buying peanut butter with the following ingredients; Xylitol Xylitol is a sweetener used in human food. Though it is also found in fruits, Xylitol in concentrated form it can be fatal to dogs. It can cause death within minutes. Keep away food that has xylitol in it or get rid of it completely for safety. Xylitol can have the following effects on your GSD; Confusion.

As a family-owned Goldendoodle breeder based in Burlington, North Carolina, we take great pride in raising our puppies right in the comfort of our own home. Our mission is to provide families with the perfect companion in the form of a healthy, happy, and well-socialized Goldendoodle puppy. Our Goldendoodles are carefully bred from health-tested parents to ensure that your new furry family member is healthy and happy. As a Goldendoodle breeder, we take pride in raising the best quality Goldendoodles with excellent health, great temperaments, and beautiful coats. Our puppies come with a lifetime health guarantee and support, and we're always here to answer any questions you may have. We provide a loving home environment for our puppies and ensure they are well-socialized with people and other pets. In addition, we are pleased to offer delivery of our Goldendoodle puppies within the United States. We understand that it can be difficult to travel long distances to pick up your new puppy, so we offer a convenient delivery service to bring your new furry family member right to your doorstep. Thank you for considering Doodles of NC for your next furry family member. We look forward to helping you find the best Goldendoodle to join your family! Why do we exclusively offer Goldendoodle puppies for sale? Their loyalty, affection and non-aggressive temperament make them great family dogs - especially families with children. With our dedication to raise the puppies in our personal home, the F-1B Goldendoodles are the perfect breed to trust around our two young daughters. What are F-1B Goldendoodles? An F-1B Goldendoodle has become very popular and is known for its friendly, loving nature paired with its hypoallergenic fur. The resulting dog has the wonderful disposition of a Golden Retriever with the almost non-existent shedding of the Poodle. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Our town is a small boating and farming community within an hour of the Outer Banks. We are a true family operation I, Heather, built my program with the intention of having it become a true family operation, with great help from my children, husband, mother, her husband and my brothers. We consider ourselves an average family. My mom and I are both nurses. My mother, Tracey, lives with us and keeps our other Goldendoodles, Nani and Lilo, and her poodle, Hope. In addition, we have other poodles and goldendoodles all placed in excellent guardian homes with local families. Producing perfect family dogs is our passion I have been around animals the majority of my life ranging from household pets to livestock and am finally living my dream of breeding dogs. I chose the Goldendoodle breed because I've owned both golden retrievers and poodles. Although they are both great breeds, I believe that combining the intelligence and non-shedding characteristics of the poodle with the goofy, family-oriented golden retriever yields the perfect family dog. Each litter is born and raised inside our home What sets us apart from many other breeders is our unique Guardian Home Program , where all of our dogs and puppies are raised in a nurturing home environment with real families, and never in an outdoor kennel. Each litter is born and raised inside our home, where they are exposed to normal household noises, socialized with other dogs, and handled daily by adults and our children alike. Your puppy will be bomb proof! Our breeding dogs are always put first To honor safe and responsible breeding practices , we look at each breeding female to determine if it is better to breed back to back heat cycles or to skip a heat. We prefer to retire our females at a younger age. This helps to produce healthier litters and reduce prolonged trauma on our Doodle Mommies. We love our dogs and will always put them first. OBX Doodles proudly utilizes the following companies to health test, raise, and register our puppies and breeding dogs click on an image to learn more Building relationships with families like you When you place a deposit with us, we make ourselves readily available anytime by phone, email or in person. We try to build relationships with our adoptive and guardian families by sending one another updates with letters, pictures, and communicating through our Facebook page. We'll try to match you with a puppy that will best fit your family based on personalities and your lifestyle. Families who have already placed a deposit have a phone conference with us and use the pictures, videos and temperament description we provide to select their puppy. This meeting allows us to advise if the puppy will be a good fit for your family. We hope you'll consider us as your next breeder, and we look forward to welcoming you into the OBX Doodles family Sincerely, Their personalities are fantastic and they are the perfect additions to our family. They spend most of their time cuddling with each other, playing in leaves, and building piles of toys. Kingsley is an amazing dog. He was practically house trained when we brought him home and he has been so loving and sweet. Our lab Patton, and Kingsley became best friends instantly. He really is an amazing dog. So smart and very easy to train. Thus began the hunt for the best non-shedding breed for our family. Albus previously named Louie is the perfect dog for us! He absolutely loves cuddles and loves to be active! The Knights are a fantastic family and we adored their dogs. We wanted to thank you again, for being so knowledgeable and helpful in the process of picking out our puppy. We would not have our best bud Ollie without you and would recommend Knight Goldendoodles to anyone who is looking for a pet. She has totally stolen our hearts to the point that I know one day we will have another one. She has the most amazing temperament. She is the calmest puppy I have ever seen, but still has lots of great puppy energy. Her personality is really fun. Her favorite things are a bone, ball, kids, her bunny toy, and dog movies…in that order. I think she has added a few years to his life…. Health Guarantee About Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are a cross between the second and fourth most intelligent dog breeds in the world - a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Goldendoodles are the perfect family pet, combining the elegant yet silly nature of the Poodle with the friendly and social behavior of the Golden Retriever. Plus you get a very smart, easily trained puppy. Goldendoodles are low to non-shedding, making them a popular choice for families with allergies. They are considered hypoallergenic. The Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are the classic family companion. They are obedient, playful, intelligent, well-mannered, great with kids, and take kindly to strangers. They are good watchdogs, but make lousy guard dogs as they love people far too much to be effective. Golden Retrievers are always at the top of their obedience classes and are often the champions of sporting competitions. Hunters find them to be reliable bird dogs. Their keen sense of smell and desire to work alongside people makes them sought-after service dogs. The Standard Poodle The Standard Poodle is one of the most obedient and smartest dogs, which combines a playful enthusiasm and an adventurous spirit. They are natural hunters. They are fond of swimming, running, and retrieving. Although they are shy with strangers, they are loyal to their family and are very good with children. Poodles are non-shedding and considered hypoallergenic. Here at Strong Oaks Goldendoodles we only allow the absolute highest quality, health tested dogs into our breeding program. Crossbreeding these top quality purebred dogs results in puppies that are healthier than either of their parents. The reasoning behind this is because each breed is generally prone to different genetic problems. Hybrids such as Goldendoodles are only likely to inherit health problems that are found in both Golden Retrievers and Poodles. Through meticulous breeding practices Goldendoodle puppies should have the best attributes of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. A properly bred and trained Goldendoodle should be smart, loving, friendly, social, loyal, affectionate and playful. The Goldendoodles love for work, intelligence and eager-to-please personality make them an excellent choice as a service dog. Goldendoodles enjoy an active lifestyle. They love to run, play and go hiking. Most Goldendoodles inherit both the Golden Retriever and Poodles love of the water and retrieving. After a long day playing the Goldendoodle is more than happy to cuddle up next to you or on your lap for a nice nap. F1 doodles possess all of the traits that make Goldendoodles such desirable dogs. This includes marked intelligence, a loving demeanor, and hypoallergenic qualities. However, it is important to note that some F1 Goldendoodles shed lightly to moderately, so are better for homes with only slight allergies. F1 Doodles tend to have a shaggy or wavy coats, but can occasionally have a very curly coat. This generation has become the most popular generational breed largely because F1B Goldendoodles are non-shedders most of the time. Because of this this, F1Bs are great for families with moderate allergies. As for coat types, F1B doodles tend to showcase more variety and can range from long and wavy to short and curly. F1B doodles also exhibit more color variation than the F1, giving rise to apricots, champagne, red, and parti colors. An F1BB Goldendoodle is .This generation has become popular largely because F1BB Goldendoodles is the most likely to be totally non-shedding. Because of this this, F1BBs are great for families with moderate to severe pet allergies. Jack has a great temperament and demeanor. We love him! I would strongly recommend Strong Oaks! Justin C. Would highly recommend Strong Oaks for your next puppy. She is a smart, loving, and healthy puppy. Would definitely recommend Strong Oaks Goldendoodles. We got our sweet goldendoodle named Claire from Strong Oaks! They were awesome from the very beginning! I was so excited, they were great about updating me, sending pictures, and answering any questions! We are so glad we were able to add her to our family! I would highly recommend Strong Oaks Goldendoodles! All I can say is WOW! Whenever I reached out to Strong Oaks whether through email or text they responded in seconds! I would recommend to anyone! Thank you Strong Oaks! Excellent people, puppies and all. We got our beautiful little Lady in Feb. Our little Lady is a beautiful goldendoodle baby. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a quality goldendoodle puppy to check into this wonderful breeder. Thank you Strongoaks! Rhonda W. The Strong family is wonderful! We live 5 hours away and they were willing to meet us halfway and give us a military discount. The little black goldendoodle, that we are naming Arya, is calm and precious. A perfect addition to our family. Mason V. We recently got our puppy, Murphy, from Strong oaks! They are very nice and very knowledgeable! I was pretty nervous but they made me feel so much better! Our puppy is very lovable, calm, and it has been easy to introduce into our family! I received an educators discount which was amazing! Highly recommend and if we decide to grow our dog family we will be going back! Tabitha J. We are thankful we found the Strongs! After recently loosing our beloved pet of 13 yrs, we were ready for a new addition to our family. We did some research and decided a Goldendoodle was the dog for us. Through FB we connected with the Strongs and felt like they were the breeders for us. They were extremely professional every step of the way; providing us with vet records, a written contract, helping to match us with the puppy that was right for our family, and since we live 2 hrs away, they were happy to meet us half way. We are thrilled to say that they brought us the most precious bundle of love who is now named Bear. It was love at first sight! He is a happy and healthy boy and so, so sweet. Lori T. You want to choose one carefully as their breeding practices will have an impact on the temperament and health of your Goldendoodle puppy. Start by looking at online sources such as Google reviews, online forums, discussion groups and social media platforms to see what other people are saying about the breeder. Did they have a good experience buying from them? To take your research a bit further, you can ask Goldendoodle organizations and clubs based in your area about their opinion of the breeder you are considering to purchase from. Many Goldendoodle clubs also have their own lists of responsible breeders so they can give you additional recommendations for good Goldendoodle breeders. You may also consider visiting some dog shows and events as they are a good opportunity to meet breeders in person and see their Goldendoodles. You can also ask other dog owners that are showing their Goldendoodles for breeder recommendations. Finally, ask potential breeders for references and consider contacting these people to ask about their experience with the breeder. Reputable breeders always prioritize the well-being of their dogs and strive for positive reviews. You should inquire about temperament and health of the Goldendoodle these people purchased. Use this information to make an informed decision. All reputable Goldendoodle breeders conduct them on their breeding dogs — whether they are breeding from purebred Golden Retrievers for F1 Goldendoodles and Poodles or from Goldendoodles for later generations like F2 Goldendoodles. A stipulates the health testing requirements for Goldendoodles and if the breeder is registered with G. A, you know that the breeding dogs have undergone full health testing. A heart clearance O. Ask to see documentation of these clearances before purchasing from a Goldendoodle breeder. All responsible breeders should be willing to provide any health documentation. They should also be happy to answer any questions you have about their breeding program. However, if you have the opportunity to check out the facilities you should do it. Check that the kennels are clean, that they dogs and puppies have access to fresh water and also that there is not a build up of feces or urine. Comfortable living conditions: The breeder should keep their Goldendoodles, Golden Retrievers and Poodles in comfortable living conditions. They should have large, comfortable kennels or dog beds and also have a decent amount of space to exercise and socialize with other dogs. Healthy breeding dogs and puppies: If you get the opportunity to meet the parents of the Goldendoodle litter you are interested in, make sure they are well-tempered and also healthy. Sometimes the mother will be quite protective of her puppies so she may show signs of aggression. If you are purchasing a puppy online and getting it delivered, ask if the breeder would be happy to video call you or send videos of their Goldendoodle puppies and breeding dogs to you. Ask About Socialization Goldendoodle breeders should begin the socialization process before their puppies are sold. The puppies should be exposed to a wide variety of sounds, experiences, people and places so they can adjust to their new homes and adult life. Nevertheless, they should start exposing them to sounds like household appliances, provide mental stimulation with toys and games and also encourage playtime and interactions with their littermates and family. The most common ones are: Lack of registration: If a Goldendoodle breeder cannot provide registration papers or other relevant documentation, it may be a sign that they are not operating a reputable breeding program. Overbreeding: Think twice about purchasing from a Goldendoodle breeder who always has puppies available or offers an excessive amount of dog breeds. This may suggest that the breeder is overly focused on profit instead of the health and wellbeing of their puppies. Lack of health checks: A reputable Goldendoodle breeder will conduct health clearances on their breeding dogs to ensure they are free of genetic health issues that could be passed on. If a breeder cannot provide documentation of these health checks, it may be a sign that they are not prioritizing health. Further Reading.

Button Is a Labradoodle Right for You? They are fun, caring, and adorable. You could be wondering what it takes to be a great Labradoodle owner. Does it take a particular type of owner to own a Labradoodle? Enthusiastic temperaments: Labradoodles are known for their charismatic, enthusiastic demeanor. Labradoodles love attention and comradery. Size options: Potential dog owners have a selection of pricing options, including miniature and medium-sized dogs. High grooming maintenance: This breed will require a lot of investment into grooming. From various tools to professional care, Labradoodles are a pampered breed compared to other dogs. Non-shedding: For those looking to not dedicate large amounts of time to cleanup after shedding, this breed is very low maintenance, low shedding dog. Very social: Labradoodles are very friendly dog breeds that require a lot of attention. They require regular socializing and attention to be happy and healthy. Applying does not guarantee that you will be offered a puppy, or a puppy immediately. However, we keep applications on file to contact suited candidates when we choose to retain that extra special puppy from one of our litters. As a future Rainpuddle's breeder, we look so forward to hopefully creating a relationship with you that is beneficial for everyone involved! Learn More. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Mini Blessings Labradoodles We call ourselves "Mini" Blessings because our labradoodles are miniature in size. We really should call ourselves "many" blessings because of the abundant, wonderful blessings we receive from these furry friends. We are blessed to have found such an affectionate, intelligent, and gentle breed. We are also blessed to be able to socialize your "furry friends" until they reach your home. If you are interested in blessing your family with this premier companion, look no further than Mini Blessings Labradoodles. Meet the Puppies Hello! We are the Peterson family and we breed Miniature Labradoodles. Blessings Labradoodles began from a family visit to Cheryl's mother, a proud owner of multiple labradoodles. We knew the breed was shed and allergy free. What we didn't know was how incredibly amazing these dogs could be. Adopting our beautiful Bella taught us even more than we could have learned from her mother's experience. Besides their phenomenal intelligence, perhaps the most important thing we've learned is how loving and patient this breed is. If you are looking for a committed family member, not just a puppy, this is the breed for you. This lineage ensures the health and quality you expect from a multi-generational Labradoodle. When you take your new puppy home, it will have been socialized and "family trained" in our own home in Flower Mound, TX Dallas. This experience means we know each puppy's characteristics and can help you choose the perfect pup for your home. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We're right outside of Austin. Our goal is to provide you with a healthy, loving and devoted family companion who has a fantastic temperament and a low to non-shedding coat. Producing puppies with calm, sweet temperaments is a focus of our breeding program. We select our parent dogs with care to ensure that each litter born produces wonderful puppies that can be the pride and joy of those lucky enough to raise them. Bobbie is a certified BAB Puppy Evaluator and we temperament test our litters to help families find just the right puppy. We're also proud to have been accepted, with an Excellent rating, into the Good Breeder Program at gooddog. We learned about labradoodles several years ago. We were looking to add a dog to our family that had a great temperament and didn't shed much. We had previously owned a labrador that we loved to death, but we wanted to avoid fur covering every inch of our floor again. Our first labradoodle, Cooper, was so much more than we dared hope for and the reason we decided to go into breeding. He has a lab temperament. He's calm, sweet, devoted, patient, loving and loyal. And he doesn't shed at all. We were so in love with him, that we decided one labradoodle in our home was simply not enough. Why Australian Labradoodles? Because they are, in our view, the perfect dog. They are so sweet, love their humans so much, are so devoted and wonderful with children, and they are so smart. They are known for their beauty and looks, but the Australian Labradoodle's gorgeous coat is just the icing on a very delicious cake! We hope you take a few minutes to look around our site and get to know us and our dogs. We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions! Contact Us. Millie is the sweetest little mini girl! We are so proud of the great job she does as a companion to her family and as a mother to her sweet puppies. Lily is a daughter of Popi and Oscar, this pairing has consistently produced some of our all time favorite dogs. Cocoa is the result of extraordinary breeding and exactly why we love raising these amazing dogs. This sweet girl weighs 25 lbs. What a blessing. She was one of the first black and white partis that we delivered and we are thrilled to see the unique coloring. We look forward to lots of funny, smart and beautiful puppies from this gorgeous girl. She never tires of getting loved on, chasing sticks and being an all round good sport with whatever is going on. She makes us laugh all day. Luna weighs 35 lbs. We are so grateful to have this true Ruby red lady as part of the Texas Labradoodles family. Everything we could hope for in an Australian Labradoodle Puppy. Everything we could hope for in an Australian Labradoodle. We fell hard for him the moment he was born and we have loved him ever since. He's a VERY smart and funny dog that entertains endlessly. Charming doesn't quite cover it, but trust us, he's very easy to love! His coat is wavy fleece and so far has remained a true deep chocolate. We love his white little beard and his tiny size. Ollie weighs 23 lbs. He has a fantastic fleece curly coat, which is the perfect compliment to our girls loose wavy coats. He has a caramel ice wavy fleece coat and a beautiful teddy bear face with dark eyes and a black nose. We are so grateful to have this boy in our breeding program. We are absolutely thrilled with his good looks and fun temperament. He is always happy, ready to play and ready to cuddle. We are grateful to have this handsome boy in our breeding program. He has gorgeous parti markings with lots of white. Thanks to Butch Charlton with Downunder Labradoodles for this precious addition to our family. What a great addition to our dogs. We are grateful, once again, to Butch Charlton of Down under Labradoodles for this phenomenal boy. Contact us today for more information about our family-raised, hypo-allergenic, highly trainable Labradoodles. We started our breeding program with the best bloodlines to ensure we would be producing the most beautiful, intelligent, trainable and lovable dogs possible. We are grateful for the guidance we had when we started and we continue to improve the way we do things through training and education for more than 18 years. It is our dedication to excellence in the way we raise our precious dogs and train them that sets Texas Labradoodles apart. Most of the breeders were breeding true Australian Labradoodles. Since that time we have watched our amazing and magical breed of dogs become a world wide phenomenon with Labradoodles taking over everywhere. From being in the movies to being the number one choice for commercials, print ads and funniest video stars, Labradoo dles are everywhere. With this profound movement of the love of all things Labra doodle, the purity and purpose of what Labradoodles were originally bred for has become convoluted with many types of doodles. The Labradoodle breed itself is be coming a confusing mixture of levels of breeds, types of infusions into the blood lines, etc. Australian Labradoodles are produced when multiple generations of the original Australian bloodlines, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park are bred together. These two kennels began breeding these dogs to create a hypo-allergenic, low to non-shedding dog. These dogs are bred to be highly trainable dog for the purpose of being taught to be guide dogs or therapy dogs for people with allergies. It took these two kennels a lot of work, testing and breeding to get the breed to where it is today. It was not as simple as breeding a Lab to a Poodle, both great dogs, of course, but not a true Australian Labradoodle The importance of adopting a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle If you want a hypo-allergenic, highly trainable dog for your new family member or a dog for therapy work, you want to get a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle. Working with a reputable breeder that has many years of experience and a true love of the breed is important. Make sure the genetic testing and puppy care are done to ensure they are breeding the best and most healthy dogs possible. Dogs that are registered with the ALAA as multi-generational Australian Labradoodles are the most consistent breeding of Labradoodles that you can get. These dogs are going to have a consistent temperament and trainability level. This consistency and care to our breeding program helps our families to know exactly what to expect from their new family member. Clearing our dogs for potential diseases not only ensures that our dogs do not have these issues prior to breeding, it also ensures that we will never produce puppies that could have these diseases. The hip and elbow testing does not guarantee that puppies will never have hip dysplasia, but it is the best method that we have to prevent producing puppies with genetic hip issues. Hip problems are often caused be environmental factors, but culling puppies for breeding purposes helps to reduce the risk of breeding bad confirmation. Temperament, coat and trainability for different types of disciplines are key in our breeding program. Creating perfect family members, guide dogs, therapy dogs and best friends begins with breeding the perfect parents. Years of care and experience have made us experts at accomplishing high standards set by the ALAA and our own personal goals for our dogs. We know that a Texas Labradoodles bred dog is the finest of our wonderful breed and we are so proud to have produced such wonderful companions and working dogs. Please see our references page for more stories and letters from our families. November, .I cannot say enough good things about Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! From the beginning Mardee was very caring and knowledgable on all things Australian Labradoodle. It is clear she and her family love their dogs and take excellent care of them from the very start. She takes the time to match each puppy to their forever home and I scored the jackpot with my Maggie! I could not be happier with her sweet demeanor and easy going temperament. She is super smart, easy to train and equally as adorable. Even after bringing our puppy home Mardee has been a great resource and we are still in touch. I am so thankful to have found Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! Mike Tadlock .October, .Texas Labradoodles and Mardee were Amazing. She helped guide us through the selection process and we could not have gotten a better fur baby than Sadie. If you could meet Sadie and see her with us you would understand. We are obnoxiously crazy about this girl! We know others who have used Texas Labradoodles and they all feel the same. She has brought so much joy and happiness to our home. Paul Chapman 4. We recently welcomed the most perfect medium Australian Labradoodle into the family. I could go on and on about how wonderful this dog is and if you email me I will. That said, I have been equally impressed by our experience with this breeder. First and foremost, Mardee loves her dogs and this breed and that loves comes through in every single interaction and detail. They are true to breed standard. Go through all the appropriate genetic and health screens and, most importantly, are bred and raised in a loving home with plenty of outdoor country air. These dogs are not inexpensive but they are well-priced, given all the time and expense put into raising quality animals in the very most humane and caring of environments. If you want to know what to look for in a breeder - TX Labradoodle is the standard. Chris Monroe .August, .Highly knowledgeable, caring and experienced. Mardee and Bruce patiently answered all of my questions about Australian Labradoodle's and she matched us with the perfect addition for our family. Mardee provided a thorough background and documentation of care, and a detailed checklist for us to take home. June is 14 weeks old now and is everything we imagined and more. June, .TX Labradoodles are truly amazing, full of heart, and extremely knowledgeable! Mardee and her family have become our family! We have the 3 most gorgeous fur babies ever who bring immense joy and love to my life! We consider ourselves beyond fortunate to have crossed paths with Mardee, Bruce, and James! We are forever grateful! We love you tremendously!!! Thank you for making the world a better place with the most extraordinary fur babies!!! Brittany Meuth .April, .My husband and I recently adopted our first puppy from Texas Labradoodles and we could not be happier with our experience! Mardee has remained a resource to us even since bringing Murphy home and could not have created a better experience for us. She is amazing at what she does and truly loves providing families with amazing pets! Steven Roberts .We got 2 girls from Mardee two months ago. The experience could not have gone better. Loving environment, plenty of outdoor room, clean as a whistle and the pups are all we could hope for. No puppy mill atmosphere here. Solid solid folks and superior dogs. And another plus: Wimberley Texas is awesome. Karen Hernandez .I have truly been blessed by the forming relationship with Mardee and MOE. I did not realize how much joy at my age she allows me to experience. She is not my only dog that I share my life with, but she is definitely an exception that I must say is out of the ordinary. Mardee is very responsive and knowledgeable and her understanding of the breed. I can tell she only wants to breed the best genetics and protect the breed from becoming a backyard hobby only to make money. It is nice to see and know how much she strives to improve the breed. I think anyone looking to start or expand their canine family would be truly blessed. Google rating score: 4. This family owned business is committed to performing extensive health testing and temperament assessments on each female and male breeding Doodle before selecting them to produce our adorable puppies. We have a select number of litters each year, focusing individual attention to the development of each doodle puppy before it goes to its forever home. Whether you are looking to purchase your first Australian Labradoodle or your third, this will be a very exciting time for you and your family! To achieve this, we carefully select our breeding dogs based on extensive health examinations and temperament assessments. Our breeding moms and studs have been carefully examined and tested by local veterinarians here in Texas to ensure they are free of eye, hip, and elbow problems, cardiac issues, genetic diseases and coat issues. Eye testing is ongoing for the entire time the dog is actively breeding. Photo Right: Our reproductive veterinarian, Dr. Kirk Esmond Each and every breeding dog passes extensive health testing to provide the best opportunity for healthy puppies. I think we are getting ready to go to our forever homes! We specialize in medium size dogs, ranging from pounds. Needless to say, the precious puppies we raise are part of our family. Our breeding Australian Labradoodle dogs live in our home as our family pets or in Guardian Homes as a valued family member. Welcome to the world of a Legendary Labradoodle. People are talking about us. Not only do we have an adorable, healthy, hypoallergenic and non-shedding family companion, but Legendary Labradoodles goes to great lengths to assure the temperament of the puppy will thrive in your home environment. They are truly producing the best pups in temperament, coat, and health not to mention hands down the cutest faces and body shape. We value home socialization and offer a 3-year health guarantee for all Australian Labradoodle puppies. Our Labradoodles are multi-generational and are superior to F1 and F1b because their traits are established and dependable. Early generations of Labradoodles do not offer the consistency that multi-generational do. Our puppies have been proven for non-shedding hypoallergenic coats and temperament. Not all Labradoodles are created equal. Australian Labradoodles are a great choice for those seeking non-shedding and allergy-friendly dogs. Multi-gen Australian Labradoodles have been carefully bred over time and are consistent for coat, temperament, and conformation. Strenuous genetic testing has been done to ensure to give you the best pet possible. Australian Labradoodles are extremely loyal to their families and are known to have a sweet and gentle temperament. They are sensitive dogs with intuitive intelligence making them easy to train. These traits make them superior therapy and service dogs. What are the coats like on Australian Labradoodles? The small size of our program allows our Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles to be a part of our everyday home life and not be kept in kennels. It also provides an opportunity for puppies to socialize, be nurtured, and be loved. Our puppies are socialized with people, children, and other pets. Our diligent work with young puppies contributes to an easy transition into their forever homes. At Texas Australian Labradoodles, we keep the Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle puppy adoption experience as pleasant and comfortable for you as possible. When you adopt our puppy, you become a member of our program and a part of our Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle forever family. We want to share your joy. We love pictures! We place great importance on your satisfaction with your new Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle puppy. Guided by our experience, careful assessment of each puppy, and objective aptitude evaluations we can select the best puppy for your specific needs and lifestyle. At Texas Australian Multigenerational Labradoodles, we produce 4th generation Australian Labradoodles or later generations we do not have any of the early generation Labradoodles as their temperament, coat, and comfortation can be very unpredictable. Our Doodles are selectively bred for many generations to produce allergy-friendly, intelligent, easy to train puppies with gentle temperaments and exceptional beauty. Their coat is non-shedding and odor-free and works well with allergy sufferers. Our labradoodles are loved and well-socialized, which makes them perfect dogs for families with young children and homes that have other pets. Our Doodles are also perfect candidates for service, therapy, and companion dogs due to their intelligence as well as gentle and affectionate disposition. Our Australian Sheepadoodles are carefully bred by pairing our fabulous Old English Sheepdogs and extraordinary Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles. We are the only breeders that have paired these incredible breeds to create astonishing puppies who consistently deliver allergy-friendly silky coats, calm temperaments, and overall great confirmation. Our Doodles are loved and well-socialized which makes them perfect dogs for families with young children, first time pet owners, and families with other pets. However, our small size ensures that we are able to pay close attention to each of our Doodle puppies to ensure that they get the stimulation and the attention to reach their developmental milestones. Simply put, there are no puppies left behind at Texas Australian Labradoodles and Australian Sheepadoodles. The public is slowly recognizing the value of smaller programs that do not mill their puppies and a handful of Australian Labradoodle Breeders in the US are following our footsteps and cutting the number of adult doodles in their program so that they do not have to be housed in kennels. Although all puppies are beautiful and can enrich the life of any family through their unique personality, we love the Australian Labradoodle and Australian Sheepadoodle puppies! We want to help and give your family a lifetime of sweet memories to warm your heart. If you are looking for kid-friendly, loyal, and easy to train pets or therapy dogs, please check out our therapy dogs for sale and our affordable puppies for sale! My dog Pepper is a wonderful addition to my family! Beautiful dogs! They are beautiful and healthy. Our first one is almost 5 years old and we have a 2 month old. Lindy breeds them in a very clean home. She is extremely loving to these newborns and is open to all of our questions. She even follows up to see how they are doing. I would not buy from anyone else. Our 2 labradoodles get plenty of compliments. We have added 2 beautiful members to our family. I waited almost a year for mine and he has been life changing. They are truly amazing, healthy, loyal, and smart dogs! I have trained him and he is now a service dog and has been the greatest companion to me as well. Lindy always responded and kept me in the loop during the entire process. Before I met her I had a nightmare situation with a breeder that was a scam so was very skeptical but she made me feel at ease about everything. Thank you for everything Lindy! Nathan Kirton I ended up finding a puppy from someone else that fit my timeline better. The communication I had with her Lindy was amazing. She was super helpful, and gave me so much information about what I could expect. Thanks for being super helpful Lindy! We waited over a year and it was so worth it! Lindy was instrumental in our family getting the dog of our dreams. She was extremely helpful in asking and answering questions to ensure we got a right match for our family. She took into consideration all of my preferential factors such as the gender, coat color, personality, etc. The cherry on top was upon pick up at 8 weeks Teddy was healthy, socialized, potty trained, and vaccinated. Lindy pours love onto these dogs and puppies and treats her clients with tremendous respect. The puppies are happy and safely kept in an immaculate environment until sent home and I love that each family is celebrated with a photo to commemorate the occasion. Definitely worth the WAIT! Chuck Hahn Best dog ever!!! Worth the wait. He came home perfect! Testimonials Happy Faces Your happiness is our happiness, your success, our success. We take great pride in each and every home we complete with our dogs. We did tons of research. We wanted a dog that did not shed, was hypoallergenic, and had a good temperament. Those dogs are hard to find! We finally came across a very special Australian Labradoodle. We found our Rosie through my best friend who knew the owner of Australian Labradoodles of Texas. Her temperment is what we were really drawn to. She is so calm, obedient, and really wants to please you. She rings a bell when she needs to go outside and walks right next to you on her leash! We feel so lucky that we get to call her ours! To say that Miles has changed our lives for the better would be an extreme understatement! From the moment we set our eyes on him in your videos, we knew he was special, and he has shown us that a million times over. He is a sweet and affectionate dog who loves his family fiercely, acting protective when he needs to, yet demonstrates such a docile and gentle temperament to other people, especially small children who love to pet and squeeze his fluffiness. I had no intention of adding another dog to the mix! After several weeks, I finally pulled the trigger and we brought him home! Charley Brown was the perfect addition to our family and I would recommend these pups to anyone looking for a good family dog. All of our puppies come with Socialization.

Champion bloodline english bulldog puppies. Vet checked. Fully vaccinated. Own both parents. These puppies are family raised and are up for adoption to a good home only. These puppies are bread not only to Bull Dog of America standard but for temperament and are perfect family pets or show dogs. All puppies from Echelon Bulldog Kennels come fully vaccinated, dewormed, and micro chipped with health guarantee. We offer delivery service for new owners that are located within the United States Buy Now English Bulldogs 8 week old puppies. UTD on shots. Puppy pack. Litter box trained Buy Now English Bulldog Hello , we have 3 male puppies that are looking for their forever loving homes! They 10 weeks old 2nd set of shots dewormed full AKC registration, Great temperament nice bone structure and very playful also been health checked. He is very playful and friendly. If you live in Phoenix, casa grand, maricopa, chandler AZ, the price will be the same. However, if you are located in a different state, the price will increase due to additional transportation costs. Alternatively, if you live in a different state and are able to personally pick up the puppy, you may be eligible for a discount. He came to us as a temporary guest. He is current on his vaccination and looking for his forever home. Please contact us with any questions. View Detail EnglishBulldog rehoming English bulldog, 2yrs old chocolate tri merle, female Up-to-date on shots and dewormed for more info. Feel free to call or text. He is up to date on all of his vaccinations, has been dewormed, and vet checked. Our puppy is socialized well with our other pets and children. He is extremely sweet and even cuter in person. AKC registered with vaccination and deworming. Great structure, rolls, loving sweet. Very Playful and Loving. View Detail He is waiting for his forever home He is 9 weeks old. Is ready for his forever home. I am not a breaded just a person trying to help out a friend. They were given this little guy as trade for work. He is energetic and smart. Please send questions and I will do my best to answer them. View Detail Puppie needs new home Beautiful pup moving cant have pets needs a loving home View Detail Exotic bulldog I have a Merle exotic English bulldog 6 months old he is house trained and trained to walk off a leash he is very smart and learns quick View Detail English bulldog puppies Born November 16 I have one male left color brindle and white 1 females left one Merle tri color and t0they are AKC registered they will come with their first set of shots and registration papers. He has a massive head and is a very stocky boy! He is the sweetest boy and loves everyone he meets and gets along well with other dogs! He is very laid back! He will make someone a great pet! We will be picky on where he goes! Call us at for more information on him! She is super sweet and loves people and attention. She is a big boned, stocky, short to the ground Frenchie! She has a nice haircoat and no soundness or eye issues. You can EMAIL us or contact us at with any questions on her or to schedule an appointment to come meet her in person. She could have another litter or two but will only sell her to someone wanting to keep her forever as a pet as well with breeding rights! She is a 3 years 4 mo. She is reserved around strangers until she gets to know you but is very sweet!! She is big boned, stocky and just drop dead gorgeous. She tolerates heat and exercise pretty well. She has only had 2 litters and could have a few more litters if someone was interested in her to breed for a litter. Contact us at with any questions or for more information on adopting her. She is outgoing and confident. Find Us.

The only thing that worries me is she is VERY tiny, and seems to be a little slower to develop.Does anyone have any experience with runts?? Im just a little nervous that she might not be as healhty.The female pug pup that we picked out ended up being the runt of the litter. By the time he was 8 weeks he was still smaller than the other puppies, at just under 5 pounds some of the other puppies were 9 pounds! I will say that as a whole he's a very suspicious dog, he considers everything before he acts. When you call him, even though he wags his tail, he hesitates before he comes over to you, he wants to see what the motivation is. I think he lacks confidence from being the runt. And he's almost two and still has that puppy like, I'm the runt, attitude. But he's great otherwise. The word I would use to describe him is "cautious". I also have a purebred Pug. My Bugg looks very Puggy, but he's brindle and has a bit of a snout, while my Pug Wallace has that sweet flat face. Post Reply maniacal cows [deleted] 15 years ago Little Caper and Stacy: It doesnt matter about runts. I raised pugs and runts are usually the ones that rule the roost. Dont worry yourselves one bit about a runt. I have one now that was the runt and she was born allmost dead. Show me a pug and ill show you a dog that will not come to you when it called. Bull headed little pixies that have a mind all there on. They just let you live with em Have fun, Watch Out for Runt Puppies Q. My sister bought our family a dog that was the smallest of the litter. Now he is 9 months old but looks like he is still 4 months old. He is eating very little, but is very active. Do you recommend it? It sounds like your puppy is not growing and developing nearly as fast as the other puppies, but he is active and mentally alert. The first step with a thin puppy is to make sure they are dewormed every two weeks starting at the age of 3 weeks and continuing up to the age of 4 months. Usually the deworming medication is a liquid or some granules that are put on food. Then puppies should be put on a monthly deworming medication like Ivermectin. The two most common intestinal parasites in puppies in the United States are roundworms and hookworms. If your puppy is simply the runt of the litter, and smaller than the other puppies, than there is nothing you can do, or need to do. However, a delay in losing the puppy hair coat sounds abnormal, and could mean a congenital abnormality. This is a type of genetic change where your puppy is born with a disease or abnormality. If so, it may or may not turn out to be serious. Thyroid hormones are important in haircoat development and metabolism, but most dogs have a thyroid deficiency which makes them overweight, and they tend to overeat. Thin dogs do not usually have a thyroid problem. I would recommend that you do the following: 1. Weigh your dog once a week and monitor weight gain. As long as your puppy is not losing weight, I would not worry too much. When your dog is older, you may want to do some thyroid blood level testing, if there is a laboratory that can do that. Like many small dog breeds, Pugs reach their full size faster than medium to large-sized dogs. Pugs reach their adult size around nine months of age but may continue to put on a small amount of muscle until they are a year old. Image Source: Pexels How big should a 6-month-old Pug be? A six-month-old Pug will weigh between 7 and 12 pounds on average and will be close to their full adult height, which is typically around 10 to 13 inches tall. Pugs are highly prone to putting on excess weight and their food intake needs to be monitored closely. Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on health, puppy-proofing practices, training, winter and summer safety, and more! How much bigger will my Pug get? Pugs reach their full size around nine months of age but may continue filling out until they are a year old. If your Pug is younger than nine months old, they are definitely still growing! If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, they are likely still growing. This is a classic puppy feature that indicates that more growth is needed. A puppy will rarely grow to be larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you an idea of their maximum size. What is the size of a full-grown Pug? According to the American Kennel Club Official Pug Standards , you can expect a full-grown Pug to weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and stand 10 to 13 inches tall. A full-grown Pug will appear compact and solid, rather than lean and leggy. If your Pug continues to put on weight past 18 pounds, reach out to your veterinarian to assess whether your Pug is putting on excessive weight. If your Pug weighs more than 18 pounds, consult with your veterinary professional to ensure that they are at their healthiest weight. Pugs are especially prone to heatstroke due to their compromised breathing. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to lessening the side effects of brachycephalic syndrome. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct narrow nostrils or elongated soft palettes. Many veterinary treatments and procedures cost thousands of dollars. When surveyed, Only .This is a crucial factor in why pet insurance is so valuable to pet parents. Pet insurance reimburses you a percentage of your out of pocket expenditure for veterinary bills. Not only can pet insurance provide you peace of mind should surgery or treatments be needed, but available wellness plans can significantly reduce the cost of routine veterinary exams or maintenance, like dog teeth cleaning or x-rays. Your veterinarian is your greatest resource in keeping your pup happy and healthy. Continue making healthy lifestyle choices, like daily exercise and a nutritious diet, for your Pug to keep them active and living their best life! Unfortunately, Pugs are prone to a larger number of health issues due to their brachycephalic syndrome and other genetic predispositions. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. A runt puppy tends to be weaker and has the lowest chances of survival. But, why is there are runt? Margaret V. Another way to understand why runt puppies happen is natural selection survival of the fittest. Litters compete for milk and privilege spots near the dam, especially in crowded litters. Puppies that early on have this advantage grow up to be the strongest and grow faster than their littermates. Runts, on the other hand, are usually the last ones to eat, resulting in inadequate nutrition and growth. Not really. We explain below. While there is no clear-cut definition of exactly what a runt is, categorizing a puppy as a runt usually means the pup is the smallest of the litter and may show poor health and weakness. At the moment, there are no set parameters that qualify a puppy as a runt. What is not a runt puppy? Another common physical attribute of runts is their fragile bodies and weak bone structure. Newborn runt puppies may also have weak suckle reflexes when the fingertip is gently placed in the mouth. Poor muscle tonality is present as well. There is no outlying evidence that the runt of the litter will be predisposed to develop a certain personality. According to a study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, personality consistency in dogs is an important aspect of human-dog relationships. You can expect runt puppies to have the most common personality traits of their breeds but the overall personality development of your pup and its changes over time will be shaped by the owner. However, research suggests that, just like humans, when dogs go through significant changes in life, their personality traits change. There are several runt dog health issues associated with runt puppies. Here is a list of the most common run health problems. Weighing each puppy in the litter will help you identify the small birth-weight puppy runt in the litter. Failure to gain weight is a clear early sign of potential problems and should be addressed immediately. If your runt puppy is not meeting this mark, you can hand-fed him or position him at the teat and monitor milk intake. A study on canine neonatal mortality by Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica showed that puppies with a small birth weight have a very high mortality rate. Colostrum Milk Deficiency: Colostrum is a special milk produced by the dam during the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. Colostrum has powerful life-supporting immune and growth factors that ensure the health and vitality of the newborn puppies. If the runt fails to drink this milk, its immune system will severely weaken, making the runt more prone to illness and infections. Human intervention may be necessary to help the runt get proper amounts of Colostrum. You may need to buy a milk replacer containing colostrum. Fading Puppy Syndrome: It can be caused by several factors including, low birth weight, poor mothering, infection, environmental impact, or congenital defects. Fader puppies usually fail to gain weight, vomit, are lethargic, and often repeatedly cry in a high-pitched tone. Sometimes they isolate themselves in corners away from their littermates and dam. Congenital Problems: Birth defects or congenital problems in runts may be more prominent. This affects adequate development, resulting in genetic defects or being less fit than the other puppies during birth. Some defects include cleft palates, cardiovascular deformities, and dwarfism. To avoid any further health complications, veterinary treatment should follow as soon as you notice any genetic abnormalities in runts. Parasite and Infection-Prone: Puppies are especially susceptible to parasites. Runts are less able to withstand a parasite load such as hookworms and roundworms. Hypothermia and hyperthermia: Did you know hypothermia is a primary or contributing cause of many newborn puppy deaths? Puppies are poikilothermic, meaning they cannot regulate their body temperature for a week or two after birth. A runt of the litter should stay close to its mother. However, if the mother leaves her puppies alone or rejects them, they need to be provided with an external source of warmth, especially the runt. Similarly, hyperthermia, also known as overheating, can occur during hot climates or inappropriate supplemental heat. This rejection may hasten its death. How do you know when dog mothers reject the runt? The most common signs to look out for are: Absence of licking: It usually happens right after a litter is born. A dam will immediately begin licking each pup to mark them and show she cares about their welfare. Too weak to survive: Mothers know when a runt is too weak to survive, and they will refrain from giving her resources to the pup, ensuring only the strongest and healthy ones survive. Sick runt: A dam may reject a runt with health problems such as a viral or bacterial infection, congenital birth defects, or any other contagious diseases that may jeopardize the rest of the litter. Separate the runt: The mother may pick the runt up and place them down away from her. Additionally, a dam may also reject her pup if she is sick and unable to care for them as a result. If the dam ignores or rejects a runt puppy, human intervention is necessary to help the runt of the litter survive. Watch this special mama taking care of her runt puppy. This step by step guide shows you how to care for a runt puppy, so your little furry friend can thrive and live a healthy life. Step 1: Identify The Runt of The Litter The runt is usually the smallest pup, significantly underweight, unable to nurse, weak, or underdeveloped, which is why you need to step in to provide the care he requires. Watch if the mother dog pushes away or rejects a particular puppy. If this happens, you should be concerned. In the first week of life, normal body temperature in newborn puppies is 95 to 98 F. In the second and third week, normal body temperature rises to 97 to F, and by the fourth-week, body temperatures are the same as those in adults, between .If the temperature is higher or lower than the specified ranges above, you should go to the vet or emergency vet hospital immediately to determine the cause. Check with your veterinarian if you have concerns or questions. If the puppy is unable to suckle or the mother rejects him, you will have to start feeding him yourself. Note: Runts require you to pay strict attention to their hygiene for optimal health and development. Always wear new surgical gloves when manipulating the runt. Sterilize bottles and nipples in boiling water between uses. Tube feed the runt: If your runt pup is too weak to suckle or has congenital impediments that restrain him from nursing, learn how to tube feed a runt. Have your veterinarian demonstrate and talk you through the procedure. If the procedure is done incorrectly, you may accidents push food into his lungs or cause other serious injuries. As previously explained, colostrum is a vital liquid, milk produced by the dam. It carries antibodies and fortifies the immune system. We found this milk powder enriched with colostrum to be a great milk alternative to feed a runt puppy. We also recommend using a nursing kit for hand-feeding your runt puppy. Always consult with your veterinarian first. Remember, puppies generally nurse at least every two to three hours but varies as they grow. Talk to your vet. Step 5: Potty Time Newborn puppies need stimulation to urinate and defecate appropriately. Usually, the mom licks their genital area to help them go potty, but you will need to do this for a neglected runt of the litter puppy. The runt will proceed to urinate or defecate following the stimulation. Clean up any mess and wash your hands afterward. A digital scale is recommended for more accurate weighing. In some cases, a runt who cannot gain weight may be suffering from an underlying health condition. Associated with low weight is transient juvenile hypoglycemia low blood sugar syndrome. This condition often arises when regular feeding schedules are not maintained. Adopting or buying a runt Runt puppies hold a unique appeal in our hearts. We want them to thrive so that we can share in their triumph. Sometimes a runt is the smallest, but healthy, sibling. But some runts are dangerously underweight, and this can be caused, or accompanied, by very real health problems. The most important resource for giving a runt puppy the best care and quality of a life is a great vet. Not every runt puppy will make it, but those that do will have a special story for the rest of their lives. Does your puppy seem a lot smaller than his litter mates? Are you worried that the tinest dog might have the biggest problems? Then check out our complete guide to the runt of the litter. We are going to explain what is meant by a puppy being the runt of the litter. Our mental image of the runt puppy in a litter can stir up some mixed emotions. As defenceless newborns, they grab hold of our instinct to protect small and vulnerable things. In books, TV and film, runt animals are often plucky survivors who become popular heroes. But when it comes to actually bringing a runt puppy home… suddenly their small size can become intimidating. What is the Runt of the Litter? This is the traditional meaning of being a runt, as a breeder would understand it. And by this definition, a litter can have more than one runt! In fact, all the puppies with an abnormally low birth weight are runts. These puppies often struggle to gain weight after birth and are slow to reach important developmental milestones. Whilst it is possible for puppies within a litter to be sired by more than one father, the eggs fertilized later catch up with the other embryos quickly in the very earliest stages of pregnancy. As well as the supply of nutrients they receive from their mum while in the womb. A runt puppy might have failed to develop quickly enough because of a congenital defect which impeded their growth. Once a puppy is outside the womb, a congenital defect might become apparent, or more likely it may never be clear why a puppy was born underweight. What Happens To Runt Puppies? If a puppy is small but healthy, then with a little care, the consequences of their size should be minimal. Newborn puppies are completely dependent on their mother for at least the first three weeks of their life. Sometimes — especially in large litters — it can be a battle to get enough attention from mum. The breeder might need to be on hand to make sure no puppy gets left out. Small puppies might also benefit from a heated pad underneath them, or a heat lamp over the whelping box. We will look in more detail at this later. The breeder will need to watch her female dog with her smallest puppies carefully for any sign that you need to intervene and help her look after them. Problems With The Runt Of The Litter Sadly when a puppy is abnormally underweight at birth, they are likely to be confronted with many more problems. Across all breeds of dog, low birth weight consistently increases the chances of a puppy dying. The more underweight they are, the more at risk they become. Rather than invest in a lost cause, female dogs will often reject an abnormally small puppy from birth, to conserve energy for feeding and caring for her remaining puppies. Runt of the Litter Health As we already touched on, a runt puppy might be small because of an underlying congenital problem. On top of this, their small size makes them vulnerable to further health problems outside the womb. Top of the list in their first few days are dehydration and hypothermia as they compete with their siblings for food and warmth. On top of everything, a runt puppy who misses out on this milk is more susceptible to life-threatening bacterial infections. Runt disease is a genetic problem experienced by some experimental animals in laboratory settings — it is not a problem for runt puppies! All of the puppies should be checked over by a veterinarian in their first couple of days, to identify any problems early. At this check up, the vet will be able to help you distinguish those puppies who are perilously underweight from those who are small but healthy. They will also give detailed instructions for any puppies who need special care. If a runt puppy is too small to latch on to their mum, your vet might advise you to express her milk by hand into sterilized cup and feed the puppy with sterilized bottle or syringe. Alternatively they might recommend a suitable brand of puppy formula. Human baby formula and cows milk are not rich enough enough in calories or protein for puppies. Only ever give puppies milk approved by their vet. Keeping Runt Puppies Warm Puppies have no mechanism for keeping themselves warm when they are born. Away from their mum, small puppies lose heat faster because they have a large surface area relative to their size. Your vet might also recommend using a heat pad or heat lamp to help a runt puppy stay warm. These might include starting vaccinations earlier than usual. Do Runt Puppies Stay Small? Are you tempted to bring home the smallest puppy from a litter in the hope they stay petite into adulthood? For example, a Labrador might be a bit big for your home, but a little Labrador might just fit? Indeed, online dog forums are awash with anecdotes from owners who brought home the smallest puppy in the litter, then watched in disbelief as they reached the highest weight ranges for their breed. So a small but healthy puppy is by no means guaranteed to become a smaller than average dog. You have been warned. Buying the Runt of the Litter Our special fondness for runts means that many of us will one day search specifically for a runt puppy to bring home. If that just means the smallest but healthy puppy, then no problem. But think very carefully before bringing home a puppy who was significantly underweight at birth. Is a Runt Puppy Bad? Abnormally small puppies who are likely to suffer health complications in future, or could pass on congenital problems if they survive and breed are often euthanized at birth. At the other end of the spectrum, some VERY irresponsible breeders and puppy farms are all too keen to sell malnourished and underweight runt puppies. In fact, they try to sell them for more money than a healthy puppy from the same litter, by passing them off as special teacup varieties. Before bringing home an undersized runt puppy, ask to talk directly with their vet about their health. A caring breeder will not have any objection to this. Ask yourself if you can afford any additional vet care a runt might need over the course of their life. Check with you pet insurer if it will be covered. Runt is also used to refer to the smallest pup in a litter, who may or may not be smaller than average size. Credit: Laures Getty Images While birth size is important, the smallest born pup usually catches up to his siblings and might even surpass them at adulthood. Still, with momma dog providing plenty of milk, the runt usually catches up in size. Being born smaller does not necessarily mean the puppy has or will have health problems. What matters is how the runt develops. Puppies who do not develop and remain smaller than the rest of the litter may have health problems. Common problems that can cause a pup to lag behind include heart defects, a cleft palate, and gastrointestinal problems such as a liver shunt or blocked anus. Any organ defect may contribute to small size and potential illness or death. If the runt puppy does not make up for this smaller size fairly quickly, have him evaluated by a veterinarian. Runt of the litter personalities are usually very positive. Runt puppies often get handled more and loved on more, so they are usually well socialized and happy. Let their dam handle interactions if she is a good mother.