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Are you interested in bringing home one of our adorable French Bulldog puppies? We currently have several Frenchie puppies awaiting their forever home. Add a bundle of joy and happiness to your family today by visiting us to take a look at our available puppies! You're in the right place. Click here to find out more about our studs and the special care we go through to make sure you are happy! Look no further! Our dedicated team puts in extra effort and care to ensure you're getting the best when it comes to reliable and quality Frenchie stud service for your furry friend. Check out our website for more information! Determine Your Desired Outcomes. Think about the physical and personality traits you'd like to bring into your litter. Some common examples are a broad head, short muzzle, and deep chest; or loyal, intelligent, and calm temperaments. Talk to our team at our stud services to learn more about which studs will produce the best results based on your desired outcomes. It's vital to consider each eligible French Bulldog stud's health certifications and genetic qualities. All our studs are AKC Registered and committed to maintaining high health care and socialization standards. You can also ask us about any specific known or potential inherited conditions that the sire or dam may be prone to so you feel confident in their quality of genetics. Ask us about these topics upfront so that you can decide which stud will best suit your needs. We accept electronic payments using major credit cards and other popular payment services like Zelle and Venmo. After we agree upon a fee, a deposit will be made, which is non-refundable in the unlikely event that you decide not to use our service or if mating is unsuccessful. This document will provide all the details of your particular arrangement, including fees due upon completion of services, health testing requirements, and payment options. Our Instagram. Take the Quiz Crossing a French Bulldog with a smaller dog breed The first and most obvious way of creating mini French Bulldogs is by crossbreeding a standard Frenchie with another small dog breed like a Yorkie or a Toy Poodle. Naturally, the pups will be mixes of the two breeds, so the breeding needs to be repeated across several generations until the puppies have all the physical traits of a Frenchie and retain only the small size of the other breed. Breeders usually achieve this around the third generation. Crossbreeding is not a new practice although it is quite a controversial one. However, it is still considered to be the safest method to produce a mini French Bulldog, and the simple reason for that is the health of the puppies. A crossbreed mini Frenchie is less likely to suffer from any of the health issues that their parents may be predisposed to. Breeding the runts of the litter Another method that some breeders use to create mini Frenchies is breeding runts. Constantly breeding such puppies with the aim to pass down the small-size trait not only involves possible health risks but it also takes multiple generations to achieve the desired miniature size. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies Breeding Frenchies with dwarfism The last and by far the worst method is purposefully breeding Frenchies with the dwarfism mutation gene to create puppies with shorter bodies and legs. Unfortunately it comes with a number of health issues for Frenchies who already have a delicate bone structure: it may not only cause a lot of pain for them in the legs, back, and hips but also significantly reduce their lifespan. Pros Mini Frenchies are a great choice for city dwellers who live in small apartments with little space. Due to their small size mini Frenchies require less food and exercise. They of course still need a high quality dog food as well as daily playtime and walks. Mini Frenchies have all the best personality traits that we adore in French Bulldogs: they are funny, affectionate and extremely friendly. Their adorable look is hard to resist! Ultimate Guide. They have a short muzzle and have been bred to have an even and pleasant temperament which makes them a great companion for families with children. They are very playful in nature and even have some hilarious moments as they thrive for human attention and long, lasting friendships. French Bulldogs are typically less than 28 pounds. They're consistently in the top 10 of most popular registered dog breeds in America. Before you start asking where can I find a "French Bulldog for sale near me" you need to make sure it's the right breed for you. Here is everything you need to know about French Bulldogs, including their history, appearance, disposition, activity level, care needs, and cost. History French Bulldogs are the result of a cross between Toy Bulldogs imported from England and local ratter dogs in Paris, France, in the s. The breed was then exported to France, where it became known as the Bouledogue Francais. In , these dogs were brought back to England and they eventually made their way to America. Frenchies are now their own specific breed. Appearance When it comes to appearance, the number one thing people associate with them are their large, bat-like ears that are set high on their heads. French Bulldog puppies for sale typically have a stocky build with short legs, a large head, and a stubby tail. A French Bulldog puppy has a wrinkly appearance and a short nose and muzzle. French Bulldogs typically weigh between 20 and 28 pounds and stand 12 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. Their incredibly gorgeous, short-haired and long-haired coats come in several colors and patterns, such as fawn, tan, brown, chocolate, cocoa, blue or dilute, cream, lilac, Isabella, black, brindle, piebald, and merle. Disposition If you're looking for a small, lovable companion dog, you can't go wrong with a Frenchie. These dogs are known for their affectionate, gentle nature and loving, easygoing personality, and they make great pets for families with children. They can be lively and hilarious. Searching for "French Bulldog puppies near me for sale" and finding the right pup will leave you a companion dog through and through. They love nothing more than to cuddle up with their favorite person and they make excellent lap dogs. They do well in homes with children and other pets, although they can be a bit boisterous at times. They don't bark much and don't like to be left alone for long periods of time. French Bulldog puppies thrive in any environment from apartments to rural areas. Activity Level Looking for French Bulldogs for sale may have you wondering how much exercise a Frenchie requires to be happy and healthy. They are relatively inactive dogs and don't require a lot of exercise, although they do enjoy occasional walks and playtime. They are a great choice for busy people. You won't need a large yard for a Frenchie. Grooming Requirements French Bulldogs are relatively low-maintenance in terms of grooming needs. They can have a short coat that is smooth and soft to the touch. Some long-haired French Bulldog puppies are called Fluffies. When it comes to grooming, French Bulldog puppies only need to be brushed occasionally, and their nails should be trimmed regularly. They are also moderate shedders, so you'll need to do some regular vacuuming to keep your home clean. Training Opting for a French Bulldog puppy for sale is the perfect choice if you're looking for a funny, even-tempered, social pup. Training them can be more challenging since they are so incredibly stubborn. These dogs have big personalities and a mind of their own. You can make training a French Bulldog puppy into a game and offer rewards like food or treats, praise, and playtime. However, with consistency and motivation, their people-pleasing personality will have them trained in no time. Cost If you're wondering, where can I find a "French Bulldog puppy for sale near me? French Bulldog puppies for sale can be higher priced due to their coat length, genetic makeup, and rare coat colors, including which genes they carry, such as the intensity coat color gene variant, dilution, merle, lilac, or Isabella. They also have some health problems that can be expensive to treat, such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and respiratory issues, so be aware of these expenses in addition to regular veterinarian care. However, with proper care, a Frenchie can be a loving and loyal companion for years to come. When looking for Frenchies for sale, it's crucial to factor in the ongoing costs beyond just the initial price. Food, toys, veterinary care, vaccinations, and other ongoing expenses should be taken into consideration. For instance, if you're planning to travel with a fluffy friend, be ready to pay for a pet-friendly transportation service. However, for many owners, the joy and companionship that these beautiful pups provide are well worth the investment. If you're looking for French Bulldog puppies near me, be sure to research breeders carefully. A trustworthy breeder with Frenchie puppies for sale will provide documentation of vaccinations and other health records for their puppies. A good breeder will also be happy to answer any questions you have about the breed, including size, temperament, and grooming needs — so don't be afraid to ask away! Some unscrupulous breeders are known for selling sick or poorly-bred puppies, so it's important to find a reputable source like Pawrade offering happy, healthy French Bulldog puppies for sale through pre-screened breeders. Why Pawrade? Finding a reputable breeder has never been easier Ready to find your perfect French Bulldog? Pawrade is dedicated to connecting loving families with a dog that needs a home. Using Pawrade to browse for a French Bulldog for sale is a reliable way to ensure that you get a dog from a reputable breeder. Our focus is on the health of the dog and ethical, sustainable breeding practices. We ensure that the breeders on our platform are genuine, so you have peace of mind in knowing that you are receiving exactly what you expect. If you've always dreamed of owning this type of dog, choose Pawrade for your French Bulldog for sale and begin a new chapter in your life today! Stop searching for "French Bulldog puppies near me" — you've come to the right place! We understand just how difficult it is to find a legitimate breeder, so we've put our experience and expertise to work for you. Why wait any longer? Browse through our vast selection of puppies for sale from a safe and reputable source. No Puppy Mill Pledge We have zero tolerance toward puppy mills and pride ourselves in connecting you with honest and reputable breeders where puppies are raised with love and compassion. Learn More Health Guarantee As fellow puppy owners, we know the importance of having a happy and healthy puppy. Every puppy is backed by our comprehensive health guarantee.

This comes at no extra cost to you. As a new Golden Retriever puppy owner, you may be wondering about when important puppy milestones happen, such as: When do they lose their puppy teeth? When do they stop growing? When do they finally stop biting? When do they sleep through the night? These puppy behavior stages and developmental milestones will differ from individual to individual, but this timeline can give you a general understanding of what to expect with your puppy. Day 1: Puppy is born You could also call this the best day ever. After carrying the pups for about 9 weeks , mom is ready to give birth! The average litter size for Golden Retrievers is 8. Their eyesight is very limited, and their soon-to-be-brown eyes are sometimes blue when they first open them. And as you know or will soon find out , they are very sharp. The puppy kibble is soaked in water, mashed up, and introduced to the pups. They work up to eating solid food about four times per day while still nursing from their mother. Because puppies need to complete weaning, most breeders wait until the puppies are 8 weeks to 12 weeks old before they send their pups home with their new owners. You can also start training them at this age the best way to stop bad habits is to not let them start! Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy? Download the Potty Training Cheat Sheet here! The biting phase is one of the toughest behavior stages for puppy owners. Golden Retriever puppies lose their baby teeth at around 4 months of age. Sometimes he would be chewing and then start to play with something on the floor. Most of the time when that would happen we would find a tooth laying there. This depends on the gender and your individual dog. And this is definitely a conversation to have with your vet, as spaying or neutering your Golden Retriever too young can have adverse health effects. Females are typically inches tall, while males are inches tall. It becomes their undercoat. At one and a half years old, Goldens have typically grown out their full coat. Related article:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! By Tom Massey Mar 02, Adopting a golden retriever is one of the best decisions you can make. These loving dogs are constantly praised for their gentle and calm, yet playful nature, making them perfect dogs for all walks of life and types of families. So when you do finally bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, you want to do everything you can to give them a long and healthy life for years to come. This is a wide range, so keep in mind that the weight of your Retriever will vary depending on genetic factors and sex. For example, female Golden Retrievers will weigh closer to 55 pounds while Golden Retriever males are heavier and will weigh closer to 75 pounds. Females also typically reach their full size by their first birthday, while males may continue growing through their second year. You can usually tell the size males and females will be based on what their parents look like, which is why Snowy Pines encourages meeting the parents or browsing through their photos and biographies online. Then, calculate 1. What to Expect: This age is crucial for mother-puppy bonding since he will depend on his mother for food, cleaning, and socialization. Image Source Weeks months Golden Retriever Male Weight: Between 8 to 12 weeks, your male puppy will average between 10 to 22 pounds. Golden Retriever Female Weight: Although females will grow to be smaller than males, they are typically around the same weight at this age group. The puppies become very playful, curious, and discover their voices little by little. Introductory training like house training is essential. Socialization is also important, which is why Snowy Pines ensures that all puppies stay with their littermates until adoption. For female puppies, 6 months is a little over the halfway point to their full-size, and males are essentially smaller versions of their adult bodies. Remember, at this age, you can multiply by two to determine their adult weight! What to Expect: Socialization is still crucial at this age, and more intense training can also begin. The puppy should also be kept in happy and safe environments, as any exposure to something fearful at this age may impact him long-term. This is entirely normal: Think of your puppy as a teenager who is going through adolescence and waiting for the rest of his body to catch up. They may get territorial and challenge you and other pets for dominance. Most Golden Retrievers will be fully grown by 24 months old, although this varies. Golden Retriever Female Weight: In most cases, females are finished growing before 16 to 24 months. Whatever their nature is like at the to month mark is likely what it will be throughout their adult life. They are loyal, friendly, and calm, making them the perfect companion for small and large families alike. However, Goldens are susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases that are common in bigger breeds that are typically caused by overfeeding, stunted or accelerated growth, and genetic issues. One of the most common diseases that goldens experience is Osteochondritis dissecans OCD. OCD is a developmental disease that affects large-breed dogs because of the accelerated growth they experience. It is an inflammatory condition that causes abnormal cartilage development on the end of a bone in the joint. This can lead to joint problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia which commonly appears in the elbow, hip, and knee. Image Source The good news is that, although larger breeds like golden retrievers are prone to joint issues like this, you may be able to help prevent it through proper practice. OCD is a specific disease that is more common in dogs that receive too much energy and calcium in their diets. Other common factors are genetics, rapid growth, and hormonal factors. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, and all that extra weight can leave your puppy with skeletal abnormalities that put too much weight on joints. Another way to avoid accidentally stunted or accelerated growth is to ensure your golden retriever puppy is getting fed appropriately and receiving the right amount of calories. Image Source Months Between 2 and 4 months old, your puppy should eat 4 times per day with 2 ounces per meal. This will add up to 7 to 9 ounces per day, depending on how much he willingly eats. Keep him on puppy food through his first year before switching to young adult food. They must receive regular exercise every day. However, this depends on their age. As previously covered, the more your puppy grows, the more susceptible to common diseases like joint problems. Breeders with years of experience, like the team at Snowy Pines, work hard to keep pure bloodlines so that all of the parents and their litters are as healthy as they can be, which helps guarantee a lifetime full of happiness without any issue. Share on. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This was the first time we had a chance to chart puppies from birth until 8 weeks old. We tried to take as many pictures as possible so we could have a journal of our Golden Retriever puppy growth week by week. When raising guide and service dog puppies we usually bring home our puppies at around weeks old. On occasion we are allowed to see puppies before 8 weeks of age, but they need to stay with their mother and siblings during those important early weeks to get milk and antibodies from mama and learn how to interact properly with siblings, learning important behaviors like bite inhibition. During our days as a foster we raised two litters of puppies , but both were already weeks old by the time we got them home. We actually own the Puppy Culture DVD and Workbook which includes charts, lists, worksheets and other great information for raising your litter. Keep your eyes and ears open and absorb it all like a sponge! Birth To 1 Week Old Guess what? This was the first litter we ever whelped!? We got a lot of advise, but we were largely on our own. Large Puppy Dish — great for feeding the puppies when they moved to solid food. Whelping Mats — we ordered 2 of these mats and washed them several times a day. Whelping Box — We have a homemade whelping box built by my father-in-law, but if we continue raising litters I plan on purchasing an EZWhelp Whelping Box. Our homemade box lasted three litters. We ended up purchasing the Magnabox which was hellu expensive but if you plan on raising multiple litters we highly recommend it. We recently put together a whelping checklist with all the supplies we gathered together to help out with our second litter of Golden Retriever puppies. Check out our whelping supplies checklist here. However, none were overly huge and none were extra small. No runts and no beasts. It was my understanding that when the cord was chewed down to the base of the belly it was sometimes difficult to get it to stop bleeding. I took the hemostat and pinched the umbilical cord about 2 inches from the base of the pups belly then cut the cord rather than let Raven chew it off. I kept the hemostat on the cord for about 2 minutes to let it clout. The umbilical cord dries up quickly and then within a day or 2 it falls off. Raven was a good mama and took care of her poops. Puppy eyes and ears are closed at this stage and puppies army crawl around the whelping box looking for a teat to suckle. We did everything we could to make sure our pups stayed warm by adding a watt heat lamp to the whelping box and portable heating unit in the puppy room. As I mentioned Raven stayed in the whelping box most of week 1 and of course… the puppy piles! One thing I learned is if I had a puppy on my lap then do not let Raven lick those areas or be prepared for a little accident on your lap. While caring for Raven and her litter Raven was really blowing out her coat that first week, but as time went on it slowed down. I heard from other friends this is common and that Raven blew out her coat much less than other mama dogs. We got Probiotics for Raven before her first litter, but forgot to order them for her second litter. After an upset stomach for the first week or so we realized our mistake, got Probiotics, and no more upset tummy. Week 2 — Pups eyes are opening starting to waddle. Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. Have you ever had a litter of Golden Retriever puppies? Tell us about your experiences with puppies in the comment section below. Are you about to raise a litter of puppies? Not raising a litter, but getting ready to bring home your first Golden Retriever puppy? Puppies for Dummies will give you the basics on how to raise and train your new puppy. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

Prevalence: Common The bullmastiff has a broad, wrinkled head and a fairly short, square muzzle. The nose is black, the eyes dark hazel. The ears are v-shaped and hang downward. The tail is set high on the rear end and reaches to the dog's hocks. The bullmastiff's body is large, powerful, and square looking. The coat hair is short and easy to maintain; coat colors may be fawn, reddish-brown or brindle. A male bullmastiff ranges in height from 25 to 27 inches and weighs between to pounds 50 to 59 kilograms. Females range in height from 24 to 26 inches and weigh between to pounds 45 and 54 kilograms. Personality: Bullmastiffs are gentle and affectionate with family members. Their generally calm, easy-going natures make them good dogs for families with reasonably well-behaved children. However, the bullmastiff's laid-back attitude with family members is likely to change when a stranger enters the picture. These dogs tend to be quite suspicious of people outside the family. For all his family-oriented loyalty, the bullmastiff is no pushover. He can be an independent thinker, which can make training a challenge. He also may be less tolerant of a family's animal members than of its human members. Caution may be in order if you're thinking of adding a bullmastiff to your menagerie. Living With: A family with a bullmastiff will be rewarded with a loving, loyal companion. However, despite the dog's generally easy-going nature, supervision is imperative when the dog is around children as the dog is so large that it could inadvertently knock a child over. Socialization and training are crucial to living successfully with this breed. By exposing the dog to as many new people, places and situations as possible, especially when he's a puppy, he may be less suspicious of visitors and people he doesn't know. The short coat makes his grooming needs minimal and he sheds little. If you're adding a bullmastiff to your family, consider buying him a bib as these dogs tend to slobber and drool quite a bit. They also are known for snoring. As is true with most very large breeds, the bullmastiff doesn't live as long as smaller dogs do. Average life expectancy is about eight to 10 years. History: The bullmastiff was developed during the midth century by British gamekeepers to protect country estates from poachers. By crossing the larger mastiff with the bulldog, breeders were able to develop a powerfully built but active animal that could cover short distances quickly, knock a poacher down to the ground, and hold him there until the gamekeeper arrived to apprehend the intruder. Today, however, the bullmastiff is more likely to be an easygoing, loyal and loving family pet than a poacher's worst enemy. The breed was recognized by the AKC in .Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Bullmastiff Overview In , Mr. Burton from Thorneywood Kennels issued a bold challenge to spectators at a dog show. He presented a muzzled Bullmastiff and offered a substantial prize of one pound to anyone brave enough to escape from the dog. A confident man with experience in handling dogs volunteered, but he quickly realized the daunting task ahead. Despite a head start, the Bullmastiff relentlessly pursued, caught, and knocked him down three times, showcasing its true nature as a fearless and determined guardian. Bullmastiffs were originally bred by gamekeepers on English estates to serve as courageous and strong protectors of the grounds. Their formidable appearance alone acts as a powerful deterrent to potential attackers or intruders. When well-trained and well-socialized, the Bullmastiff embodies confidence, nobility, and trustworthiness, making it an exemplary representative of the canine world. Daily walks and playtimes are sufficient to meet their exercise needs, making them adaptable to apartment living as long as they receive regular outings. Though they are mellow, Bullmastiffs excel in various dog sports and can be excellent therapy dogs due to their calm and humorous demeanor. Training Bullmastiffs requires firmness, fairness, and consistency, as they are independent thinkers. Early socialization is crucial to shape their guardian instincts positively. These dogs can adapt well to homes with working individuals if they receive enough human interaction during non-working hours. However, they should primarily live indoors to maintain a close emotional bond with their owners and act as dependable guardians. Weighing up to pounds, Bullmastiffs possess considerable strength and muscle mass. Responsible ownership entails ensuring they undergo proper training and socialization. When properly handled, a Bullmastiff becomes a loving, faithful, and courageous companion, a true best friend that you can affectionately embrace. As a silent watchdog, the Bullmastiff instinctively protects its family, resorting to biting only when necessary. They show remarkable patience with children, but their size may be overwhelming to toddlers, requiring supervision during interactions. Ultimately, living with a Bullmastiff brings great joy and companionship when their needs are met and their guardian instincts are channeled positively. Bullmastiff Highlights Bullmastiffs are low-energy dogs that are content with a couple of short walks each day. They can do well in families with working parents, but puppies may need someone to let them out for potty breaks. They shed very little and require minimal grooming. These mellow dogs can thrive in apartments or condos. However, proper socialization is essential, as they may become aggressive towards other animals if not exposed to them early on. They should live indoors with their owners, as they are prone to heat exhaustion and heatstroke in hot or humid weather. They need early and consistent training to control unwanted aggression and stubbornness throughout their lives. Despite their large size, Bullmastiffs are affectionate and enjoy spending time with their owners, often occupying space on the couch, feet, or lap. They make determined guard dogs and will protect their home and family if necessary, as their size and confidence act as a deterrent to intruders. Bullmastiffs are good with children , but they can unintentionally knock over or step on toddlers due to their size. Bullmastiff History The Bullmastiff, a relatively modern breed, was developed in the midth century, around , by English gamekeepers. Their aim was to create a large, quiet, and fearless dog with the speed to track down poachers and the strength to hold them. They experimented with different breeds and found success with a cross between the Mastiff and Bulldog. As poaching declined, the Bullmastiff transitioned to a new role as a guard dog. The influence of the Mastiff led to the fawn coat with a black mask becoming more common. Today, the Bullmastiff holds the 40th position among the breeds and varieties registered by the AKC, which reflects their outstanding qualities as a loyal companion. Bullmastiff Size A Bullmastiff male is 25 to 27 inches in height and weighs to pounds; females are 24 to 26 inches and weigh to pounds. They are known for their intelligence and reliability, displaying both independence and a desire to please. As natural guardians of the home and family, they respond instantly if any threat arises. Interestingly, Bullmastiffs were bred to be silent watchdogs, making barking an uncommon behavior for them. Like all dogs, Bullmastiffs require early socialization to become well-rounded adults. This involves exposing them to various people, sights, sounds, and experiences. Enrolling them in puppy kindergarten classes is an excellent way to start their socialization journey. Regularly inviting visitors over and taking them to busy parks, dog-friendly stores, and leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will further enhance their social skills. Proper socialization ensures that Bullmastiff puppies grow up to be well-behaved and socially adept companions. Bullmastiff Health Bullmastiffs are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Elbow Dysplasia is common in large-breed dogs and can cause painful lameness due to joint laxity. Hypothyroidism results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone, leading to various signs like infertility, obesity, and mental dullness. Entropion is a defect in which the eyelid rolls inward, irritating or injuring the eyeball. Subaortic Stenosis is a heart defect that narrows the aorta below the aortic valve, causing fainting and potential sudden death. Cystinuria is a genetic disorder that causes kidney or bladder stones due to the inability to reabsorb cystine. GDV , also known as Bloat , is a life-threatening condition where the stomach distends with gas or air and twists, requiring immediate medical attention. Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament is a common knee injury in large young dogs or older overweight dogs, leading to sudden hind leg lameness. Cancer can affect dogs, with various types requiring different treatments. Panosteitis is a condition seen in young dogs with sudden lameness, usually outgrown by two years old. Skin Problems are common in Bullmastiffs, with sensitive skin prone to rashes, sores, and irritations. Regular check-ups and early treatment are crucial to maintaining the well-being of Bullmastiffs and ensuring they lead healthy and happy lives. Bullmastiff Care The Bullmastiff is a low-energy dog that adapts well to various home environments, although their size makes them best suited for a house with a fenced yard. A fenced yard not only prevents them from roaming and protects them from traffic but also helps limit their territory and prevents territorial behavior towards others. Training should begin early, preferably when they are still a manageable size as a puppy. Enrolling in a puppy socialization class helps them learn to interact with other dogs and people, which is vital for a Bullmastiff, as they can be aggressive towards unfamiliar individuals if not properly socialized. Beyond puppy classes, exposing them to various places and experiences will help them adapt to new situations. Positive reinforcement is the best approach in training a Bullmastiff, as they respond well to encouragement but need a confident trainer. Avoid repetitive training to keep them engaged, and set boundaries early to prevent unwanted behaviors from becoming habits. Housetraining should be positive and consistent, and crate training can aid in preventing undesirable chewing behaviors. While firmness is necessary during training, the Bullmastiff also requires love and patience. Once trained, they become wonderful, caring, and loyal companions, ready to protect their loved ones at any cost. Building a strong bond with your Bullmastiff and providing them with proper training and care will ensure a harmonious and rewarding relationship with this majestic breed. However, the specific quantity varies based on factors like size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Just like people, dogs are unique individuals with different dietary needs. Active dogs will require more food than less active ones. The quality of the food also matters; better food nourishes your dog more efficiently, meaning you may need to serve less. To keep your Bullmastiff in good shape, measure their food and feed them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. To assess their weight, use the eye test and hands-on test. When looking down at them, you should see a waistline. When placing your hands on their back with fingers spread downward, you should be able to feel, but not see, their ribs without pressing too hard. For more guidance on feeding your Bullmastiff, refer to our nutritional guidelines. It comes in three colors: red, fawn, or brindle, with a dark muzzle and ears. Occasionally, a Bullmastiff may have a small white mark on their chest. Baths are only needed as necessary. Regular grooming practices ensure their coat stays clean and shiny. If an ear smells bad or contains waxy material resembling coffee grounds, it could indicate an infection or mite infestation, requiring a visit to the vet. To maintain their feet in good condition, trim their nails once or twice a month. Nails that click on the floor are too long and can lead to spreading toes, reduced foot support, and an increased risk of debris getting stuck. Brushing their teeth at least two to three times a week prevents tartar buildup and periodontal disease, while daily brushing yields the best results. Grooming sessions offer an excellent opportunity to bond with your dog and monitor their overall health. While brushing their coat or teeth, check for any signs of irritation, such as redness on the skin, mouth, feet, and ears. Eyes should be clear of redness or discharge. Handle their paws frequently to desensitize them, and look inside their mouth and ears. Bullmastiff Children And Other Pets Bullmastiffs are known for their patience and protective nature towards children. However, due to their large size, they can accidentally knock over or step on a toddler. Educate your children on how to approach and interact with dogs, and always supervise their interactions to prevent any ear biting or tail pulling from either side. Never leave any dog, no matter how good-natured, unsupervised with a child. Bullmastiffs may exhibit aggression towards unfamiliar dogs. They tend to get along best with dogs of the opposite sex, particularly if they have been raised together. While some Bullmastiffs can coexist with cats if they are raised alongside them, others may have a strong chase instinct. A confident cat that stands its ground is likely to fare better than one that runs away. Responsible pet ownership, early socialization , and proper training are essential when bringing a Bullmastiff into a household with children or other pets. With the right approach, Bullmastiffs can be wonderful and loving companions for families. Bullmastiff Rescue Groups Bullmastiffs are often acquired without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one, and these dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering. Contact rescue organizations for more information about available dogs and adoption requirements. Not quite a bulldog or a mastiff , it's the best of both breeds in one. If you want a well-trained, formidable guardian who also adores you and your children —and welcomes all belly rubs, ear skritches, and full-body hugs, this is the dog for you. Bullmastiffs couldn't hide their devotion even if they wanted to, as pounds of love heading your way is hard to miss! Smith says bullmastiffs "are intensely loyal with long memories. They don't seem to feel the need to have other doggie friends, but rather crave human companionship. Appearance Stately and strapping, with his large head held high and a focused gaze, a bullmastiff is an attractive dog. His sturdy, wide legs support a deep chest, broad shoulders, and sloping hindquarters. He has a square, muscled body inherited from his mastiff ancestor that wiggles slightly when his tapered tail whips at full speed. He's really not as sad as he appears—quite the opposite. But in true bully fashion, his jowls hang with a slight frown, and his rounded deep-set brown eyes appear a little wistful. A bullmastiff's sleek, dense, and short coat is usually fawn or red, with accents of black encircling his eyes and inking his V-shaped ears as they point down the side of his cap. Males weigh between — pounds, and females range from — pounds. A bullmastiff meets you at hip height or higher, slipping the crown of his head under your palm for easy pats. Standing 27 inches at the withers is pretty common for this large working dog breed. Temperament Under the mammoth physique of a bullmastiff dog is a peaceful cuddle bug who craves your company. While each pup's personality is unique, a bullmastiff will typically want to be in the same room with you, and perhaps even by your feet, next to you, or actually on you as much as he can. Like many working dogs—and dogs in general—a bullmastiff becomes his best self with proper no-fear and positive reinforcement training , starting when he's about 10 weeks old and after his vaccinations are complete. Training should include setting boundaries early on with a bullmastiff, and don't stop with puppy kindergarten and socialization training. Continue his training with regular refresher courses so he always understands he isn't the leader of the family. Krista Sirois, DVM at Florida Veterinary Behavior Service , emphasizes the importance of socializing your bullmastiff so he has rose-colored glasses: He should see new people, animals, and situations as good things. Being inconsistent sets them and the family up for unfair expectations. Bullmastiffs fall under a different classification of working dogs in that they don't need daily intense exercise to be healthy and on their best behavior. Regular walks throughout the day and praise reinforcement of good habits should help keep your bullmastiff content. However, it's essential to tap into his intelligence and natural abilities with agility sports and tracking games, or to train him as a therapy dog. Bullmastiffs are relatively quiet hounds who don't bark much and are known to be gentle giants, but there's no need to doubt a bullmastiff's watchdog abilities. He has a history of roaming large country estates with gamemasters in search of poachers, so he's dedicated to his family and will alert you if anything seems amiss. As with any dog, make sure to socialize your bullmastiff so he learns to practice good manners around everyone—even visitors. Living Needs Bullmastiffs need a secured, fenced area in which to exercise, and shouldn't be taken off-leash except in his home environment. Because he doesn't have to always be on the go like other working breeds, he might do well as an apartment dweller if he is taken outside to stroll and sniff a few times a day. But be aware of how much exercise they're getting—as with all giant dog breeds, it's possible for them to work out too much , especially when they're young and still growing. But nice, long walks will suit him just fine. Your Guide to Adopting a Dog for the First Time Bullmastiffs aren't fond of hot and humid conditions, so make sure to have a cool place for him to rest. They shouldn't overexert themselves during exercise, especially when the summer heat is at its peak, so choose cool mornings or evenings for your steady walks. While bullmastiffs do have high prey drives , Sirois says bullmastiffs weren't bred to be aggressive toward other dogs, and with proper supervision and socialization from an early age they should do well around canine friends. He's a brachycephalic, or flat-faced dog , and he drools a lot; and the way he eats challenges his digestive system, which causes noxious fumes. A veterinarian can advise on how best to keep his mask folds clean and give you methods for mopping up dribbles, and dietary recommendations for—well, the other stuff. Your bullmastiff puppy will grow and grow fast! Sirois recommends feeding him large breed puppy food instead of regular puppy food to help protect his joints. He'll shed a little bit, especially during the spring and fall, but a quick brushing through the week will keep him neat and tidy. If he smells less-than-fresh, give him a bath. A frequent routine of dental care , nail trimming , and ear checks keeps a bullmastiff looking spiffy. Health A bullmastiff is a lot to love, but like many large dogs, only for a short time. His average lifespan is 7—9 years. And similar to dogs his size, there are few medical concerns to understand. One of the biggest issues to be aware of is bloat. Sirois says this is a condition all large, deep-chested dogs are susceptible to—and it can be deadly. Bloat requires emergency surgery so a veterinarian can untwist the stomach, among other things. For other potential health issues, she recommends getting your bullmastiff screened for any heart conditions, hypothyroidism and progressive retinal atrophy. Medication may help for a while, but surgery is often necessary in later stages. Consult with a veterinarian about genetic factors, progressive age-related testing, and exercise recommendations. History Sometimes referred to as the "Gamekeeper's Night Dog," bullmastiffs originated in England in the mids when gamekeepers on expansive country estates struggled to keep poachers from stealing. Because the act was a criminal offense, most landowners wanted to capture poachers, not mangle them. The goal was to create a dog that was quick and assertive, but also even-tempered. According to the ABA , breeding mastiffs and bulldogs together developed an imposing animal that could track with stealth, run fast, and then pin down a trespasser until the gamekeeper arrived to haul him away. This new dog's cunning abilities protected the lives of gamekeepers and poachers alike. These impressive canines soon hit the British competition circuit, as gamekeepers vied for bragging rights over their bullmastiffs' prowess and formidable presence. As dog shows became more popular in the early s, bullmastiff breed fanciers pushed for recognition with England's Kennel Club, which was granted in .Bullmastiff dogs were imported to the U. The East Coast elite couldn't help but notice the majestic presence of this new dog, and the American Kennel Club recognized purebred bullmastiffs in .If you're wondering about the difference between bullmastiffs and English mastiffs, the first variant is size. English mastiffs are about pounds heavier than bullmastiffs. English mastiffs also aren't as "square" in their bodies as bullmastiffs. Other than that, they're both descendants of the giant ancient molosser, they have similar temperaments, and they make good family dogs. Fun Facts Many bullmastiffs share celebrity status with such diverse talented owners as folk legend Bob Dylan, movie star Marlon Brando, pop superstar Christina Aguilera, and rocker and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi. Sylvester Stallone's own beloved pet Butkus the bullmastiff appeared in the original Rocky and again in Rocky II. He took over from his father, Swagger, in when the elder retired after five years of leading football players out of the tunnel each game day. Was this page helpful? He is afraid of nothing, and once aroused will seldom back down. Bullmastiff puppies up to two or three years old can be rambunctious and have an aversion to keeping all four feet on the ground at the same time. Fortunately, adults are calm and quiet and need only moderate exercise to maintain their impressive muscle tone. This breed is intensely loyal to his family and doesn't like being left outside. If he doesn't get enough companionship or personal attention, he may walk through fences just to be with people. Though sensible with strangers, the Bullmastiff does have well-established protective and territorial instincts. He must be thoroughly socialized at an early age so that he learns to distinguish friend from foe. He can be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex, and though he may be fine with the family cat, strange animals will not be accepted onto his property. Tremendously strong and stubborn, Bullmastiffs are inclined to do things their own way and will test members of the family. However, he will respond to early, consistent obedience training that includes leadership, cheerful praise, and food rewards. Overall, he's a splendid, capable companion for assertive owners, but without ongoing time and effort, socialization and supervision, he is too much to handle. If you want a dog who.Is massive and powerful Has a short easy-care coat Is calm and quiet indoors as an adult Makes an imposing watchdog Is serious and self-assured with strangers, yet generally mild-mannered unless aroused Needs only moderate exercise A Bullmastiff may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with.A very big dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet and lean his weight against your leg Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young Destructiveness when bored or left alone too much Potential aggression toward people in some lines, or when not socialized enoug Potential aggression toward other animals Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, grunting, loud snoring Slobbering and drooling Serious health problems and a short lifespan Legal liabilities public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits A Bullmastiff may not be right for you. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Bullmastiffs have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics. If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up. More traits and characteristics of the Bullmastiff If I was considering a Bullmastiff, I would be most concerned about.Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Bullmastiffs need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Bullmastiffs need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds. Since you need to minimize their exercise, young Bullmastiffs can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision during this trying time. Otherwise your young Bullmastiff will become bored and destructive and his powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room. Providing enough socialization. Most Bullmastiffs have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone — obviously not a good situation! Potential animal aggression. Many Bullmastiffs will not tolerate another dog of the same sex, and some won't tolerate the opposite sex either. Some Bullmastiffs have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals. The strong temperament. Bullmastiffs have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Many Bullmastiffs are willful and dominant they want to be the boss and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your Bullmastiff to listen to you, I recommend "Respect Training. Bullmastiff sounds. Because of their short face, Bullmastiffs snort, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others. Most people are not prepared for how much Bullmastiffs slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. Gassiness flatulence. All short-faced breeds gulp air when they eat, and that air has to go somewhere, after all. However, commercial diets make flatulence worse by including fibrous or hard-to-digest ingredients. Bullmastiffs who are fed a homemade diet of real meat and vegetables have much less trouble with gassiness. Potential health problems. The lifespan of a Bullmastiff is short. Read more about Bullmastiff Health. Potential legal liabilities. Bullmastiffs may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. Your friends and neighbors may be uncomfortable around this breed. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. Frankly, most Bullmastiffs are "too much dog" for the average household. This is a serious working dog with tremendous strength. Very few people really have the ability to manage this breed. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. To help you train and care for your dog Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy. For puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. If your dog is over 18 months, you'll want Respect Training For Adult Dogs: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved dog. Again your dog will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Teach Your Dog English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Related posts you might enjoy. Bullmastiff Training Help To the outside world, the Bullmastiff comes off as intimidating. They can weigh up to pounds and can be over 27 inches tall at the shoulders , making them one of the largest dog breeds in the world. Yet, there seems to be a disconnect between their physical appearance and their temperament. Bullmastiff Temperament Traits Include.For such a large breed, the Bullmastiff is truly a gentle giant. Read More Below.Pro-tip: Ever try lifting a Bullmastiff? Their weight can hurt not only your back but their joints when they hop down from cars, sofas or even your bed. To protect your back and theirs check out the best Mastiff ramps on Amazon. Bullmastiffs Are Loyal The loyalty of the Bullmastiff is practically unmatched. But, to understand why the Bullmastiff is so loyal, we have to go back to the beginning of the breed. That brings us across the pond to England in the 19th century. The Bullmastiff was specifically bred by gamekeepers looking to keep poachers off of their land. The end product was a dog so loyal to its owner and its property that it would pin poachers down at the slightest sign of trespass. A Tail of Two Breeds.A lot of the loyalty seen in this breed comes down to genetics. In fact, the Bullmastiff comes from two of the most loyal dog breeds: Bulldogs and Mastiffs. But, what exactly does this mean for the Bullmastiff? Bullmastiffs Are Docile Despite their ferocious appearance, Bullmastiffs are actually some of the most docile dog breeds out there. Training Your Bullmastiff.Since the Bullmastiff is so submissive, learning the rules of the house and new commands will be a breeze. The Bullmastiff tends to get bored rather easily, especially during training. So, the best way to train your brand new Bullmastiff puppy is by breaking training sessions down into short ten or minute blocks. For even better results, try adding a little food to the training routine. Bullmastiffs tend to be really food motivated and will do anything to please you and for a little treat. Pro-tip: Bullmastiff anxiety, aggression, destructive chewing, jumping up, fearfulness, and other behaviors can be controlled with the right training program. Bullmastiffs Are Reserved Another Bullmastiff temperament trait is they're typically a very friendly dog with his family, but your pal might be a little untrusting and suspicious of new people. It might take some time for him to open up and be more like himself around strangers, so consistency with new people is the best approach. Socializing Your Bullmastiff.Puppy classes are great for teaching your pooch the basic commands and how to walk on a leash. Once the puppy classes are over, you need to continue socializing your Bullmastiff. That means frequent exposure to other dogs and people, so he becomes more trusting of outsiders. Here's a great article of ours covering more about the subject of Mastiff Socialization and best practices when socializing your pooch. Since the breed tends to be rather docile, his devotion is quite clear from the moment you pick him up from the breeder. The Bullmastiff values his relationship with you over anyone and anything else. Any dog depends on his owner to keep him fed, give him water, and bring him for walks outside. You might come home to a trashed house, chewed furniture, or the garbage can ripped apart. The best thing you can do is limit the amount of time you spend away from your Bullmastiff. Also, make the extra effort to leave him chew toys and treats when you do plan on being away for a couple of hours. Bullmastiffs Are Protective Bullmastiffs are actually some of the best guard dogs out there. From the early days, this breed was trained to pin intruders down until further help arrived. They depend on you to take over once the intruder has been restrained. Keeping Him Controlled.When it comes to Bullmastiff temperament traits, it can be a little tricky owning one of these dogs. You enjoy the protective temperament of your Bullmastiff on a daily basis, but the intense fear and aggression that occurs when he encounters a stranger can be a little scary for you. They also make great watchdogs too. Letting You Know of Danger.Even if you train your Bullmastiff not to bark, he will when he feels it is necessary. Your pal will probably alert you of any dangers with a hearty bark or a growl. As a watchdog, his job is to alert you of any danger and then let you take it from there. So, be prepared to tag-team a potential intruder if your Bullmastiff begins with an unusual barking fit. Pro-tip: Bullmastiff's and their owners love dog crates…and for good reasons. Crates keep dogs from mischief while you're away, are perfect for house training, for traveling by car, and provide the dog a place to de-stress. Check out the best Mastiff crates on Amazon. That definitely comes from his Bulldog ancestry. Despite being small, the Bulldog is quite bulky and uses his weight and incredible muscular strength to gain a strategic advantage over a threat or an intruder. No Limits.Training is key, however. As much as you enjoy your dog willing to take one for the team, having too much courage might cause him to perceive just about anything as a threat. In all honesty, it takes a lot to get a Bullmastiff worked up and ready to fight. Your Bullmastiff would much rather hang around the house and even cuddle up on the couch than go outside and fight off intruders. When Calmness Becomes Laziness.But, at the same time, his activity level is really low, and he almost never moves unless he has to. Large dog breeds like Mastiffs, Bulldogs, and of course, the Bullmastiff are very prone to obesity. Yet, obesity can also be even harder on their joints and make conditions like hip dysplasia more common. This breed can grow to be up to pounds and up to 27 inches at the shoulders. That undoubtedly makes the Bullmastiff one of the largest and most powerful dogs in the world. With such a large size comes incredible bite force and an impressive ability to pin people down. So, you want to make it a point to train your Bullmastiff to know his size and to be more gentle with those around him. Training a Gentle Giant.The good news is, Bullmastiffs generally seem to be pretty good with children and protect them as their own. The best thing you can do is teach your dog the basic commands so you can have better control over him at all times. So, keep an eye on any interactions your Bullmastiff has with children and remind him how to play. When it comes to reliability, the Bullmastiff really has it all. You just have to make sure you train him as such. Also, make it a point to keep up with training. No matter what the breed or size, Bullmastiffs will compete to be the alpha, and it could turn into frequent physical altercations. So, you might be able to bring home a dog of the opposite sex and hope it turns out well, but there are no guarantees. The last thing you want to do is leave the two unattended and come home to what looks like a crime scene. The best way to prepare your Bullmastiff for another dog is by keeping him socialized properly since puppyhood and training him how to behave and play with dogs. Bullmastiff Temperament With Cats Unfortunately, the Bullmastiff has a rather high prey drive, meaning cats are probably one of the worst pets to have when you own a Bullmastiff. Your Bullmastiff might be so docile that he sees the cat as the threat and does his best to avoid the cat when waltzing around the house. Bullmastiff Temperament Traits.Final Thoughts The Bullmastiff is a great dog breed temperament wise and is fantastic with families and children. They make great guard dogs and watchdogs and will surely have your back if you ever need it. Here are some things to know about the Bullmastiff before you bring one home. Life Span Did You Know? The Bullmastiff originated in England in the mid- to late 19th century and was known as both a world-class guardian and a valued family companion. They were bred by crossing Bulldogs and Mastiffs to create an excellent guardian that would protect the vast lands of English aristocracy from poachers. They were prized as noble gamekeepers. As competitions between the aristocracy rose to determine who had the best Bullmastiffs, the breed made the jump from being solely a working dog to being both a working dog and a show dog. By , the breed joined the Kennel Club in England. Although they can still be found as a working dog, the modern Bullmastiff is most commonly found as a family pet and companion. Although their size may make them intimidating, the Bullmastiff is known for being a docile, warm, loyal, and loving family dog. They are focused and determined while working and relaxed and affectionate while at home. They tend to get along well with children and other dogs in the family. Although they get along with children, their large size means they can easily knock over small children in their excitement. So, any playtime with children should be closely supervised. Because of their protective instincts, they are wary of strangers and strange dogs at first. Proper socialization and training early and often can help make a Bullmastiff more comfortable with strangers. A well-socialized, well-trained Bullmastiff may be initially suspicious of strangers, but they will warm up quickly. The Bullmastiff is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are best suited to larger homes with securely fenced yards. They do tend to be mellow dogs, so they can adapt to apartment living as long as they are given the exercise, mental stimulation, and attention they need. They do well in most climates, but are very sensitive to heat and sensitive to extreme cold. Although they can handle some alone time, they are devoted to their families and should not be left alone for long periods of time. Also, due to their territorial instincts, they should only be let off-leash in securely fenced areas. Although the Bullmastiff is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health concerns to be aware of. These issues include heart problems, eye issues, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and hypothyroidism. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing on issues like this to puppies. You can also ask to see any relevant health clearances or test results. As with many large dog breeds, the Bullmastiff is at a higher risk for bloat. Although a Bullmastiff tends to excel at consistent training, they tend to be strong-willed, which makes them a better fit for more experienced dog owners. Their stubborn streak paired with their guardian background, territorial instincts, and large size make good training and socialization essential. Puppy training classes are recommended for both early training as well as opportunities to socialize a puppy. This will help to establish rules and routines early on and help keep things consistent as your puppy grows into a dog. As a working dog, you can also train your Bullmastiff for dog sports to help give them a job to do. They tend to excel at rally, tracking, scent work, obedience, and even agility. The Bullmastiff has a short coat that will shed a little year-round and a little more during seasonal changes. Because they have a wrinkly face, you will also need to regularly check and wipe down wrinkles to make sure they are clean and dry. Bullmastiffs will also drool, so you may want to keep a drool cloth on hand to wipe their mouth periodically. Practicing good dental care for dogs is essential for preventing painful dental diseases later in life. This will make ongoing maintenance and care much easier as your puppy grows. The Bullmastiff has moderate exercise requirements. They may be couch potatoes at times, but they also still need some activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus some playtime or other activity are usually enough for this big dog. Although puppies finish growing at different rates, most large dog breeds that weigh more than 70 pounds as an adult continue growing until they are 2 years old. Your vet can help you determine when your Bullmastiff is done growing, so you know when you can allow them to do more rigorous activities without potentially causing damage to developing joints and bones. A fully-grown Bullmastiff usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. A Bullmastiff generally lives years. Featured Bullmastiff Article. Your browser does not support the audio tag. Description The Bullmastiff is massive, very powerfully built, but is not a cumbersome dog. The large, broad skull is wrinkled and the muzzle is broad, deep and usually darker in color. The forehead is flat and the stop is moderate. The black nose is wide and has large nostrils. The teeth meet in a level or undershot bite. The medium sized eyes are dark hazel. The V-shaped ears are set high and wide, carried close to the cheeks, giving a square appearance to the skull. The strong tail is set high, thicker at the root and tapering and is either straight or curved, and reaches to the hocks. The back is short, straight and level between the withers and the loin. The short, dense, slightly rough coat comes in brindle, fawn, or red, often with black markings on the head. Temperament The Bullmastiff is a devoted, alert guard dog, with a good-natured temperament. Docile and affectionate, but fearless if provoked. Although unlikely to attack, it will catch an intruder , knock him down and hold him. At the same time, it is tolerant of children. Intelligent, even-tempered, calm and loyal, these dogs crave human leadership. The Bullmastiff is extremely powerful and needs a firm master who is confident and consistent with the rules set upon the dog. They should be thoroughly obedience trained , and should be taught not to pull on the leash. When going in and out gateways or doorways the dog should allow the humans to enter and exit first out of pack respect, because in the dog's mind, the leader goes first. The dog must heel beside or behind the human. This is most important, as not only do dogs have migration instincts and need to walk daily, but instinct tells a dog the pack leader goes first. Be sure to socialize extensively with both people and other dogs at an early age. They can be okay with other pets , depending on how well the owners communicate with the dog. The Bullmastiff is a more dominant breed than the Mastiff. He tends to drool , slobber and snore. Puppies may seem uncoordinated. These dogs are very sensitive to the tone of your voice and need someone to speak with an air of assertiveness, but not harshness. It is not a difficult dog but does require a handler who can assert his authority. The Bullmastiff should never be banished to a kennel. Meek or passive owners will find it hard to control this dog. It will appear willful, possibly aggressive with other dogs and reserved with strangers if owners do not take the time to socialize , and know how to properly communicate what is expected in a meaningful manner. Height, Weight Height: Males 25 - 27 inches 63 — 69 cm Females 24 - 26 inches 61 — 66 cm Weight: Males - pounds 50 — 60 kg Females - pounds 45 — 54 kg Health Problems Prone to cancer , hip dysplasia, tumors, eyelid problems, PRA and boils on the lips. Also prone to bloat. It is a good idea to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one large meal. Gains weight easily, do not over feed. Prone to mast cell tumors. Living Conditions Bullmastiffs will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard will do. They cannot tolerate extremes of temperatures. Exercise Bullmastiffs need to be taken on a daily walk to fulfill their primal canine instinct to migrate. Those individuals who do not get this need met are more likely to have behavior issues. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Teach them to enter and exit all door and gateways after the human. Life Expectancy.

Life Span Did You Know? The Frenchton, also sometimes referred to as a Faux French Bulldog, Frenchbo, or a Boston Frenchie, is a designer dog breed that was developed in the s. It is a mix between a French Bulldog and a Boston Terrier. As a mixed dog breed, the Frenchton can exhibit any combination of characteristics from the parent breeds. Usually, a Frenchton has a sweet personality with the build of a French Bulldog and the athletic nature of a Boston Terrier. This designer dog breed is loyal, friendly, and intelligent. Although small, they are energetic and very playful. They are a companion breed through and through, so they love spending time with their humans and crave attention. They love to cuddle! The Frenchton also gets along well with children, which makes them a great fit for families. Older children are usually a better fit for the Frenchton. Due to their small stature, they can be injured easily by accidental falls or rough play that can occur with younger children. They also get along with other pets, but may not be as open or friendly to other dogs. Socialization early and often can help your Frenchton feel more comfortable when they come into contact with other dogs. They also make alert watchdogs. Frenchtons are moderately adaptable. Although they have an energetic and playful nature, they also tend to be laid-back. This makes them a good fit for apartments as well as larger homes. They are also true companions and crave attention, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As long as they get enough exercise and attention, they will be happy. Because they are small, snub-nosed dogs, they are very sensitive to heat. Their small stature and short coat also make them susceptible to cold. The Frenchton does best in moderate climates. You can get some durable winter gear for your dog to help them better handle the cold. In hotter weather, make sure they have plenty of water available, keep their exposure to heat minimal, and the air conditioner on a comfortable setting. This is a generally healthy dog breed. Because the Frenchton is a brachycephalic dog, meaning they have a small head and snub-nose, they can be prone to developing respiratory disorders, ailments affecting the eyes, and digestive concerns. They also tend to be sensitive to extreme temperatures and are especially sensitive to heat. Your Frenchton will likely snort, grunt, and be prone to gas — these are all normal occurrences. It could be a sign they are getting sick, developing allergies, or are in need of a change in diet. The Frenchton can be a good fit for a first-time dog owner. They are an intelligent dog breed that is eager to please. They can have an independent and slightly stubborn streak, so obedience classes might be a good idea for novice dog owners. This ensures training sessions are effective, stay positive, and strengthen the bond with your dog. The Frenchton has a short coat with fine hair. Common coat colors are black, black and white, brindle, cream, golden, and brown. Although they are not considered hypoallergenic, their coat does not shed much, so their grooming needs are minimal in that respect. Brushing once or twice a week will keep your pup comfortable and their coat healthy. They will also require the occasional bath, but usually only as needed. Daily brushing is ideal to keep tartar buildup at bay and to reduce the risk of tooth decay or other dental issues. This dog breed has a moderate activity level. Because they are smaller and are snub-nosed, they tend to get tired quickly and can overexert themselves. Daily walks and the occasional trip to the dog park or playtime indoors will give the Frenchton plenty of exercise. A Frenchton usually stands 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 15 and 25 pounds. This designer dog breed generally lives for 12 to 15 years. Frenchton puppy litters usually average puppies. Frenchton Puppies for Sale. Showing 1 - 37 of 37 resultsPage 1 - 37 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Glamorous frenchies currently have.Website : Georgianbayfrenchies. They are paper trained and come with vet booklet and puppy package and one.Individual pricing!! Click my Profile for more Ads to see more available dogs. Willing to.Vaudreuil-Dorion Im looking for a forever home for my boston terrier female. She is absolutely adorable, very docile, playful, sweet, likes getting pet and be around people. She has being around my 2 year old and she.Black and white boy Merle girl puppies are healthy checked and certified by vet clinic dewormed and first shot. Male and female available. Each pet will come with complete health check Up to date on vaccinations.Salaberry-de-Valleyfield What is a Frenchton dog? Sturdy, sociable, playful, and chill, these pups inherited some of the best.We've got 3 exclusive, undeniably cute boys looking for their new forever homes and you can be part of the club : These are the offspring of JJ and Mocha, two of.They will have been raised with love and attention, making them friendly and.I have been down to Vancouver Island and other smaller hour long rides. I'm really Affectionate and.Ears are starting to come up. We've been breeding this cross for 8 years and they absolutely give you.Healthy vet checked and second shot vaccinated! Well socialized with cats,dogs and children. Serious inquiries only. Il a eu 1 an le 28 juillet. One litter will be ready to go on September 8th with 8 weeks and half old. My other litter will be.Ready to go September 7th located in Shaunavon sk but willing to deliver to Calgary.Deposit recieved for Female number .One female left. Puppy's have seen the vets! First set of shots given, dewormer and health certificate. All puppies are well socialized with dogs, cats, kids, adults, chickens and.Grande Prairie Offering three Frenchton puppies for sale! They were born on July 21st and will be ready to go September 21st they will have their first shots, dewormed, micro chipped, health certificate and will.We have 4 males and 5 females.He has an amazing personality. He has been very socialized with kids, other people, others dogs and slightly with cats. Almost fully kennel trained.He is very smart and playful. Video call can be arranged or meet up, if you have an.Browse other categories in Pets in Canada.

German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. While looking through the different stages of growth you can see the rough size of German Shepherd puppies at different stages of their life by comparing the ages to a German Shepherd growth chart. Important Note: Once a puppy has been weened off milk it is essential that the puppy is given a high quality puppy food to ensure proper development. A lack of proper nutrients can result in ears not rising, smaller than normal dogs and health complications in later life. In my opinion Blue Buffalo Puppy Food is the best available on the market. German Shepherd puppies, as with all other dog breeds, are born with their eyes and ears closed. At this stage the GSD puppies are completely dependent on their mothers for care, food and the like and the newborn puppies are relatively immobile. A small section of the umbilical cord will still be attached to the German Shepherd puppy - this will dry up and fall off on its own within a few days. The first 3 days are the most critical in a GSD puppies life. Birth is the beginning of the neonatal period in GSD development and it lasts roughly 2 weeks. Typically the puppies will curve into a comma type shape when picked up. This is because their nervous system at this time is still very immature. Additionally, they can't eliminate unless the mother, or caregiver, stimulates their anus or urethra by licking or gently rubbing the area. Gentle, frequent handling by humans is very helpful from this age onward. As their nervous system development continues they will now also now arch their backs when they are picked up and held rather than curving into a more comma shaped position as before. Around Day 7 German Shepherd puppies now begin to crawl more readily and more often during this phase of GSD development. Short periods of daily handling and exposure to some stimuli can also be very beneficial to stimulate weight gain in the puppy, earlier eye opening, hair growth and motor development in all members of the GSD litter. The German Shepherd puppies eyes will appear to be blue in color at first even though they can't focus right now. They will be able to see shapes after about 2 weeks of age during continued GSD development. Around Day 14 The German Shepherd pups eyes and ears should be fully open by now and many may have their first incisor teeth beginning to erupt. The puppies should also be crawling quite well by this time. This is the beginning of the transitional period of GSD development which typically lasts about a week or so. This is also a period of profound changes in the German Shepherd puppies growth and development. The German Shepherd puppy will begin to be more independent from it's mom during this time. During this time the German Shepherd puppies will begin to eliminate on their own and should start walking within 2- to 3 days by about day 16 or so - very shaky at first, but with practice growing legs will soon become less wobbly. You can observe tail wagging as well as the beginning of play fighting. German Shepherd puppies will also be eliminating on their own by this time. Around Day 21 Around this date the German Shepherd puppy will move from the transitional phase into the socialization period of GSD development. By this time GSD puppies should be able to walk pretty well, with a more adult-like gait. They will also begin a more active exploration of their environments and that of their GSD litter mates. This period is thought to last from about 2. This is an extremely important time for the emotional and social development of the German Shepherd puppy. This is also a period of dramatic changes in your German Shepherd puppies life. This is the period in GSD development when puppies can form bonds with species outside of its own such as human beings. This is also the time when the puppy can identify their own species as well as being able to identify future social partners. Oftentimes, the peak of sensitivity to the formation of social bonds is described to be between 6 to 8 weeks of age. This is also called the fear period in GSD development! Around Week 4 By now social play becomes an important factor in GSD development and German Shepherd puppies learn how to interact with litter mates and adult animals of their species as well. They can also play with toys, play fight, play with humans and other animals and are beginning to eat other soft foods to supplement their mother's milk. Many times the GSD puppies are fearless during this time - exploring their environment and all that is about them. This is also a good time for continued exposure to new and novel things, to various people and other kinds of animals, all while the German Shepherd puppy continues to develop. The socialization stage is very important in the growth of GSD development, however it should be looked at within the context of the developing emotional system of the puppy. At around 3 - 5 weeks of age attraction responses in German Shepherd puppies are very strong. These kinds of responses begin to diminish between 5 - 7 weeks of age as fear responses begin to emerge. It is important to note that early socialization is tremendously important in the development of well-adjusted GSD puppies. During these few weeks, your German Shepherd puppy will also learn how to play and communicate with it's littermates, respond to humans it comes in contact with and how to get along safely in the adult dog world. Around Week 6 German Shepherd puppies begin exhibiting more adult like behaviors such as mounting of other litter mates and demonstrating dominance roles. Sniffing of tails and noses also becomes an important part of the greeting process among their canine peers. Between about 7 - 9 weeks of age the fear response may become so strong as to begin to overwhelm the attraction response. For other puppies the social motivation to make contact may very well overcome any wariness during this phase of GSD development. Around weeks 7 - 12 Among other things, this is an ideal age of socializing your German Shepherd puppy to humans, other animals and new surroundings and objects. It also a great time to learn such important skills as: leash training, housebreaking, crate training, accepting gentle handling and grooming and to accept human domination and control. The socialization period is absolutely critical in GSD development and acceptance of other animal species. If a GSD puppy is not exposed to horses, sheep, goats, other dogs, cats or small children before it reaches 12 weeks, it is likely it will never accept them. You may also observe that your German Shepherd pups ears are beginning to come up in some form or fashion. Don't be surprised by the wild and interesting shapes that they may take on as they mature. As the puppy goes through the teething process the ears will go up and down and will do all sorts of weird things - one up one down; one flopping to the left, the other to the right; both in the center, etc. This period is thought to occur from the end of the primary socialization period through sexual maturity. Motor skills are increasing for the GSD puppy. During this time the puppy is still refining both learning and social skills as well. While puppies in this phase can learn quite well, they are easily distracted and very hard to keep on task. This is an excellent time to start puppy kindergarten. This is also a good time to start being very aware of your GSD puppies ear carriage. Around 4 Months German Shepherd puppies will begin to lose their puppy teeth and will soon replace them with their adult teeth, generally starting with the incisors. Young German Shepherds will continue to learn about their environment and all the individuals in it throughout their social maturization process. This is often the time when older puppies are learning about their social relationships within the environment they live. Social maturity takes more time to achieve than sexual maturity. In the beginning of social maturity dogs will begin to display more mature, adult social behaviors. This time is thought to vary between breeds and from dog to dog and to occur anywhere from 12 - 36 months of age, especially in the larger breeds such as German Shepherds. Again, this varies from German Shepherd to German Shepherd but this is a good place to start. If your German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing up by this time on their own it is a good time to consider taping them. Detailed directions for this process can be found here. Overall, most of the puppies internal body systems are nearly "adult" even though the skeleton is still growing and will for some time to come. In many respects your German Shepherd puppy is now a "small adult". The heart rate has decreased again to about 70 BPM and by the end of this month the GSD puppy should have a full set of adult teeth. Also an important milestone: German Shepherd females reach sexual maturity and have their first estrus heat period. If the GSD's ears are not up by this time you need to take action quickly to get them up before it is too late. Read the article on ear taping. Around 7 - 12 Months German Shepherd males reach sexual maturity and begin to hike their leg when urinating. It is important to be especially firm and consistent about setting limits and enforcing commands during this time since your older GSD puppy may challenge dominance of other dogs or humans during this stage. If the German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing on their own by this point, there is a good chance that they will never stand on their own. This is an ideal age in GSD development to start "Beginning" level classes of obedience training. Bonding to humans is now very firmly established and your German Shepherds vocal and body communications are now that of a more mature individual dog - and more easily understood, and well on their way to many years of happy companionship with you. Sign up for promotions, news, discounts, and the chance to win prizes for you and your German Shepherd E-mail Address. Week 1 During the first week of a GSD pregnancy, their eggs undergo fertilization, and their reproductive system is ready for the pregnancy. This is an obvious indication of their pregnancy. You may even be able to witness the movements of puppies in her abdomen. Week 9 As the final pregnancy week commences, the puppies are fully developed as they make their way towards the birth canal. This may cause your German shepherd to feel quite restless and uneasy, pushing them to look for a safe place for nesting. Delivery of Puppies A German Shepherd will deliver her puppies at any time during the 9th week of pregnancy. If it takes any more time than that, there are high chances of complications, so you must immediately take your canine to the vet. Conclusion Caring for a pregnant German Shepherd is a lot of responsibility, especially because this breed requires special love and attention. We hope that this week-by-week guide to a German Shepherd pregnancy can help you provide better care to your furry friend. Discover how to create a joyful, healthy home for your pet. Subscribe to your weekly rundown of practice, real life ideas and training tips straight to your inbox. We offer practical, real life ideas and training tips for a joyful experince, with your pet. All rights reserved. German Shepherd Development: From Puppies To Adults Posted on Last updated: Categories German Shepherds From early puppyhood to adulthood, German Shepherds undergo significant development that shapes their temperament, behavior, and physical abilities. As a dog owner, understanding the developmental stages of your German Shepherd is crucial to providing the right care and training. German Shepherd development consists of several stages. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Contents Final Thoughts German Shepherd Development and Growth Stages German Shepherd development refers to the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in German Shepherd puppies as they grow and mature into adulthood. These changes include the physical development of their muscles, bones, and organs, as well as their ability to learn and process information. Social development involves their ability to interact with other dogs and humans and to understand and follow social rules and norms. As a dog owner, it is important to understand the growth stages of your German Shepherd. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. In the latter case, you need to know that the German Shepherd puppy depends on his mother for everything in these initial weeks. This includes food, warmth, and physical security. Here, your only responsibility is to make sure the dam is equipped with what she needs to fulfill her duties. As long as you feed the adult GSD right, she will be able to feed her babies and give them the warmth and company they need. You might notice that the puppies may seem asocial. Do not measure how the puppy interacts with other dogs for at least three to four weeks, which brings us to what you can expect within the next two weeks. This is where the puppy can wean off and not need a diet made up of milk exclusively. The puppy can consume solid food but is not too fond of it, especially if it is strange in texture. Your priority at this stage should be to get him to accept solid food without regressing to a diet of milk. There will be a social incentive in weaning off as the puppy will observe the litter he belongs to and notice a simultaneous change in feeding preferences. This brings us to a very important change: social interaction. I mentioned above that you should not worry about social disinterest up until the third week. However, by the fourth week, you should look for some interaction. If the puppy fails to acknowledge others in the litter or is getting shunned collectively, consulting an expert trainer or a vet can be helpful. Otherwise, the journey from being 4 weeks old to being adoption-ready is a long one, and it starts by accepting a human guardian. From weeks 4 to 5, the puppy is learning to accept a human usually the breeder as his guardian. Both dominant guardian and guiding guardian archetypes work in establishing yourself as the leader, but the dominant frame might box you into less palatable training tactics. German Shepherd puppies are quite intelligent, but a bulk of this cognitive ability is unlocked in two stages. The first is around the five-week mark. This could be the fourth or sixth week, depending on the individual puppy, but it is noticeable when the dog starts getting excited about other dogs. Of course, you need to be on schedule with socialization and carry-walks to notice this. Again, this explains why breeders usually keep the GSD puppies at this stage. Aggression issues can stem from excitement signaling menace. The opposite is true as well. Fortunately, professional breeders expose the dog to other dogs his age at this stage, and he learns to adjust how he shows and perceives excitement, making your life as a new German Shepherd parent much easier. But socializing your German Shepherd happens in stages as well. And of different ages. The wider the variety of people he gets to see and interact with at this stage, the more receptive he will be to people growing up. If your German Shepherd has seen only young people all his life, he might react differently to older ones and vice versa. This also applies to experiences. Exposing your puppy to experiences like car rides and ringing doorbells ensures that he will be calm in normal situations as he grows up. And in addition to getting your German Shepherd acquainted with normal stimuli like bells and travel, you must get him crate trained at this stage. Introducing the crate as a refuge and a secure spot as opposed to jail is a great way to get your GSD puppy to accept the crate. The more you delay this, the harder it becomes to crate-train a German Shepherd. If you want to check how his growth compares to the guidelines, head over to this article, When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? This also includes a handy growth chart. This is a critical stage because if unchecked, your German Shepherd might end up hurting other dogs or be hurt by them. The watchful dog-parent in you that you were holding back has his chance to shine here. Make sure you keep a close eye on your German Shepherd and how he interacts with any other dogs in the house. The status-measuring step is one even adult dogs take when first interacting with each other. But at this age, dogs engage in prolonged status-measuring inquiry and either establish dominance or accept their subservient spot. You cannot force your German Shepherd to be the alpha in a relationship with another dog. GSDs are very physical, which is fine when two dogs play within the same breed. But if one of your doggos belongs to a relatively fragile lineage, you might want to consider some separation. If you are worried your German Shepherd playing too rough , click the link for some cool tips on how to limit rough play. The easier to walk your GSD is, the more enjoyable it will be for you both. This is better elaborated in my dedicated post on the fun exercises you can do with your German Shepherd puppy. At the same time, his physical energy levels are rising every day, which can be counterproductive as your German Shepherd can get uber-excited about physical activity. Make sure you have him on a no-pull harness instead of a collar-and-leash, so you can get him properly under control without hurting him. You can also see my other recommendations here. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below.

Some Goldendoodles sleeping more than others may just lack opportunities for physical and mental stimulation. One way to get your dog more mental stimulation is to do fun training exercises like the ones in the Brain Training for Dogs program! As Goldendoodles enter their twilight years, they tend to sleep more hours on average. As their bodies slow down and deal with the effects of wear and tear through the years, senior dogs will require more rest throughout the day. Arthritis, hip dysplasia , cognitive dysfunction, and other age-related health issues that affect senior Goldendoodles can cause them to revert to the sleeping habits that they had while a puppy. They will nap on and off throughout the day. Some can sleep for a total of hours per day. Senior Goldendoodles tend to sleep more because they tire out more easily. Also, bigger dogs spend more time dozing compared to their smaller counterparts. When it comes to knowing the right Goldendoodle sleep schedule, experts generally point out that the bathroom habits of dogs are the most important consideration. When and how frequently your Goldendoodle relieves themself can affect their sleep schedule. Photo courtesy of lucyythedoodle on Instagram. When dogs were domesticated, many slept with their masters. Lying close together created stronger bonds between dogs and their owners. It was also a way to keep warm as the heat of their bodies combined. As social creatures, Goldendoodles love being around their humans even when sleeping. However, there are pros and cons related to co-sleeping with your Goldendoodle. Pros: Gives both dog and human a sense of safety, security, and comfort. Increases the amount of quality time spent with your dog. Eases anxiety. Health concerns of humans can be aggravated. A common example is experiencing allergies. Dogs carry dust, dander, and other pathogens. Risk of disease and parasite transmission from dog to human and vice versa. The difference between a dog and human sleep cycles can significantly affect the quality of sleep for both humans and their canine buddies. As you might have gathered, a Goldendoodle sleeping a lot is not usually a cause for concern. Even when they are in deep sleep, their protective instincts are always on high alert thus even the slightest sound could easily wake them up. However, these should return to normal with time. Excessive sleep can be a red flag for serious health issues such as diabetes , hearing loss, hypothyroidism, or canine depression to name a few. Goldendoodles, in their first weeks of life, will sleep anytime they are not nursing. As newborns, they tend to nurse every 2 hours taking naps in between feeds. Even so, they shut their eyes as they nurse, so essentially, they sleep all through. As they grow, they start being more active during the day. Goldendoodle puppies will stay awake for about 2 to 4 hours from 3 weeks of age. For example, they will play and explore for a few minutes, sleep for a few hours, play again, sleep, and the cycle continues. From two months of age, Goldendoodle puppies will sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day. They will have about 4 to 6 hours of active time during the day, whereby they will play and explore in short spurts. Like other puppies, Goldendoodle puppies need a lot of time to rest and recharge from short playtimes. They tend to sleep longer stretches at night, but they get up to have potty breaks and stretches. In the earlier months, your Goldendoodle puppy may wake up more than once for potty breaks, but with consistent training, they will sleep through the night before they hit five months. Older puppies between 6 and 12 months will sleep an average of 15 hours a day. They tend to have more energy to expend at this stage, spending more time playing and exploring. On this note, they will sleep longer stretches of up to 9 hours at night with short naps during the day. Since Goldendoodle puppies are energetic, they use up all their energy during the day playing and interacting. But, they tend to nap multiple times to recharge between sessions and reenergize for their next play session. An adult Goldendoodle will sleep for 14 hours on average, but the hours increase as they age. A study by the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found out that middle-aged and older dogs sleep more during the day than puppies. Middle-aged dogs and older dogs tend to take more naps during the day as their energy levels drop significantly as they grow older. That means they need more rest than younger ones to recharge and pump up for playtimes. Even so, Goldendoodles tend to be more energetic than most other dogs; therefore, they may sleep fewer hours. But, how much they sleep depends on several factors varying from dog to dog and from household to the other. Your dog will have a hard time falling asleep. According to a Journal of Veterinary Behavior study, dogs that were fed more frequently took fewer naps during the day, but those naps lasted longer. Dogs fed twice a day slept earlier at night but woke up earlier, showing a decreased total time at night. This study shows that a higher frequency in feeding affects the length of naps and, ultimately, sleep quality. If your Goldendoodle is going through a mental or emotional issue, it may have difficulty trying to sleep. This is why it is essential to engage your dogs mentally, as much as you do physically. Ensuring your dog is mentally stimulated will help it settle down quickly, rest more and sleep better. Your dog needs emotional support to help it cope with everything around the home. Your dog requires adequate love and affection, which contributes significantly to how well it settles down and rests. If your dog does not get adequate training each day, it may have a hard time trying to sleep. Exercising helps to expend built-up energy in dogs to help them calm down and rest more. It is important to note that if your dog has physical issues or complications, it may not sleep as effectively as a healthy dog. However, this can go the other way round, and your dog may need to sleep more than usual, owing to its physical incapabilities. Puppies and dogs in their first few years may need to sleep more than adult, active dogs. On the same note, senior dogs may need more sleep as their energy levels drop significantly as they age. The Environment The environment your Goldendoodle stays in can make or break its sleep pattern. If your home is noisy and full of distractions, your dog may find it hard to sleep and rest comfortably. This can highly affect how long your dog sleeps and how much time your dog needs to fall asleep. You ought to create a healthy lifestyle for your dog by ensuring your dog eats a healthy diet. Provide healthy food and clean water throughout the day to ensure your dog gets all its essential nutrients. Additionally, ensure your dog gets adequate exercise every day, essential for expending energy and mental stimulation. With regular exercise, your dog will have an easier time settling down and falling asleep. Stay on top of their health needs by scheduling regular visits to the vet and engaging them often to meet their emotional needs. How long your Goldendoodle holds their bladder depends on their age. Younger Goldendoodles below six months of age can hold their bladder for 1 to 3 hours. Puppies older than six months can hold their bladder for up to 6 hours. Goldendoodles above two years can hold their bladder between 6 to 8 hours, while those above seven years can hold between 4 to 6 hours. As they grow older, the time reduces significantly, going as little as 2 hours for dogs between 11 to 12 years. Goldendoodles love to be close to their family members and enjoy cuddling. They like sleeping in your bed or in your room at night to keep the connection going. Goldendoodles thrive on bond and will appreciate the extra time with you sleeping in your bed or next to you. Can Goldendoodles Sleep Outside? It is not advisable to leave your dog to sleep outside. They are generally indoor dogs and do not adapt well to temperature changes that happen at night. Additionally, the coat is not suited for the outdoors. The best approach is setting up a comfortable dog bed inside the house. Goldendoodles love cozy spaces, and setting up one for yours will significantly impact the quality of sleep. With a comfy dog bed indoors, your Goldendoodle will have an easier time falling asleep. Why Do Goldendoodles Sleep On Their Backs Goldendoodles like to sleep on their backs as a way to help them breathe better as they sleep. Sleeping on the back can also be an indication of your dog feeling hot while they sleep. Exposing their belly helps to regulate body temperature considering the belly has most of their sweat glands. Although the amount and quality of sleep vary according to age and health, most Goldendoodles sleep ab average of 12 to 14 hours. There might be days or even weeks when it seems to regress, but as long as you stay calm and stick to the training schedule and daily routine, your doodle puppy will thrive. Remember, the younger your pup is, the shorter its attention span and the less it understands. A lot of the earliest work involves planting seeds for the future and maintaining that consistent routine. Many goldendoodles respond best to one or more of the following methods: Positive Reinforcement Your number one tool as a puppy parent is positive reinforcement. Scolding and punishment will make it fear you, which might garner very short-term results but will ultimately lead to long-term problems like destructive behavior, biting and excessive barking. Use a mixture of praise and toys as your primary rewards, with food used as big rewards and treats very occasionally. Clicker Training Many puppies respond best to clicker training, and many professionals use it. It combines positive reinforcement with a handheld clicker that you press whenever you reward your pet for following a command or behaving well. Very quickly, it starts associating the click with a reward, until the clicker itself becomes the reward and a treat is no longer required. Animals are territorial by nature, and giving your pup a little island of its own in your home is a great way to prevent unwanted behaviors. Remember, the crate is not a punishment. However, like every breed, they have their character quirks. Below is a list of the main issues doodle owners encounter and how to approach them. Jumping All dogs have the potential to get excited and jump up on people when they meet or greet them, but this can be scary for strangers and children. Teach your doodle puppy that it only gets a reward if it sits when greeted and this behavior will eventually become second nature. Stealing Food Every dog loves to eat. A clicker can be particularly good for this behavior. Mouthing and Biting Biting is natural for dogs, and they might use it as a way to get your attention in addition to it being a sign of aggression. Check out our training program to find out more. If there is a behavior your puppy exhibits that you may think is cute while your puppy is small, you need to think ahead and determine if this behavior will be acceptable from an adult dog. Consistency is the most important tool for training a puppy in their first year and beyond. Each family member needs to use the same techniques and commands so as not to confuse your puppy. It is important to remember that a puppy associates a reward or a disciplinary action with its behavior in the past 3 seconds. Waiting longer than 3 seconds to reward or discipline is very confusing to a puppy. You cannot stop this behavior, but you can certainly direct your puppy to chew upon acceptable items until this phase passes at about a year of age. The only way puppies know how to play is the typical wrestling, biting, chasing, tackling, pulling, and nipping they do with littermates. In the absence of littermates, you and your family suddenly become the littermates. Repeat this same disciplinary action a total of three times in a row. Every now and then, a particularly feisty puppy will become more excited by this disciplinary action and need a more distinct disciplinary measure. This next action needs to be initiated quickly. This will be uncomfortable for your puppy. When behavior meets with uncomfortable consequences, the behavior will stop. With all this being said, the absolute best remedy is for you to arrange daily play dates with other puppies or young dogs. The bottom line is that your puppy needs to have active playtime each day. Jumping — Your puppy will jump on you to get your attention. This may seem innocent while your puppy is small, but Grandma may not appreciate being knocked over by the full grown untrained dog. Make sure you do not reward the puppy for the act of getting down as this will enforce the behavior of jumping up only to be told to get down for a reward. This is not a sign of aggression unless you allow this to go undisciplined over time. You need to actively discourage any and all growling directed at you. If your puppy growls at you when you get close to the food bowl, immediately remove the food bowl and feed the puppy out of your hand. Do not stop brushing until the puppy accepts this without growling. Each puppy needs to learn its place in the pecking order of a family. Obviously, they need to be the lowest on the totem pole. If allowed to be boss, growling is a normal thing for a puppy to exhibit when showing its dominance. Each family member must establish they are boss. This includes young children who are timid or fearful of the puppy. Remember that any behavior you allow as a puppy is then extremely difficult to curb later in life. If you do not wish to have your adult dog on the furniture, do not sit on the sofa holding your puppy. If you do not want your grown dog to grab your pant leg, etc. Leash Training — Training your Goldendoodle puppy to walk on a leash without pulling will take some time. Be patient and read our complete guide to leash training here. Buying a Trained Puppy — You can opt to have your puppy purchased at Fox Creek Farm trained by a professional trainer. Buying a trained puppy can save you a lot of time and benefit the entire family. Please visit our board and train services page for more information. Pet Insurance — We always recommend that any dog owner have a good quality pet insurance. Choosing the best pet insurance will take you a bit of time to learn about the coverages and fees associate with the brand and your particular dog. Spend some time with our blog articles on pet insurance linked above to determine what is right for you and your furry friend. Growing takes a lot of energy too, so they need to sleep and conserve some energy for the proper development of their immune system, central nervous system, brain, and muscles. Whether you are raising a Goldendoodle pup or any other breed of dog, this guide will help you and your new pet establish good sleeping habits early on. Here are some tips to help your puppy nap throughout the day: Recognize overtired behavior. When your Goldendoodle puppy is clearly ready for a nap but would rather play, take them to their crate, bed, or another sleeping place. Signs may include bad behavior or trying to cuddle. Nodding their head is a red flag too. Show them where to sleep. Follow a schedule. Plan naps into the day, like after walks and playtime. Goldendoodle puppies may need to nap every hour or so. Naps may range from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Take them outside when they wake up. Take them out to go potty as soon as they wake up to help prevent accidents. Tips for Bedtime Bedtime can be tough for the whole family, especially the first few nights with your new Goldendoodle puppy. But establishing a Goldendoodle puppy schedule will help ensure they are sleepy for bedtime and can sleep all through the night over time, with a lot of patience. Here are some tips to help your puppy and you sleep better at night: Start a routine. Make the crate inviting. Crate training is a crucial part of having puppy Golden Doodles, and it needs to start from the very first night home. Instead of an expensive dog bed that will probably get chewed up, line the bottom of the crate with cheap towels or fleece blankets. Keeping the crate inside your bedroom is best, so you can hear them whining, at least while your puppy is new and has a tiny bladder. Keep their sleeping area dark and quiet. A cover on the crate can help keep light out. If you watch TV in bed and have the puppy in your room, keep the volume low. You want ideal conditions to help your puppy fall — and stay — asleep. Be prepared to wake up. This is normal, and your puppy will eventually grow big enough to sleep through the night without a potty break. The first few nights may be difficult. Your Goldendoodle puppy may cry, whine, and bark to get out of the crate and join you in bed. Goldendoodle Puppy Sleep Schedule Obviously, you will develop a routine that works best for you, your family, and your Goldendoodle puppy. Give them breakfast. Take them outside to go potty right after eating. Spend minutes playing, walking, or socializing your Goldendoodle puppy. Time for a nap. Take your puppy outside as soon as they wake up. Time for another potty break when your puppy finishes eating their lunch. Up to an hour of playtime and exploring. Another potty break as soon as the puppy wakes up. More playtime. Your puppy may need another nap, then another potty break. Evening Dinner time. Make sure to feed your puppy dinner several hours before bed. After dinner, it is an excellent time for a long walk. One last potty break, then time for bed. When Should I Worry? Sometimes, lethargy can be a symptom that something is wrong. If your Goldendoodle puppy displays any other signs alongside sleeping excessively, you should call the vet right away. Puppies can get very sick, very fast. Be on the lookout for any of these symptoms: Vomiting. On average, Goldendoodle puppies can hold their bladder for their age in months plus one. Bladder size also varies by puppy. A Standard Goldendoodle puppy may be able to hold their bladder longer than a Mini, Petite, or Toy Goldendoodle puppy as they get older and bigger. Of course, bladder size is only part of the puzzle. Your puppy started off life on a hour clock, waking up to eat every once in a while, regardless of the time of day. Medium and large breed dogs, on the other hand, have larger bladders and can hold their pee for longer periods. House training is usually easier for these dogs. A regular sleep schedule is the best way to eliminate sleepless nights and help your puppy settle down quickly. A bedtime routine helps the puppies wind down and prepares them for sleep. This routine can include a bathroom break, chew toy, and white noise machine to help them fall asleep faster. A good bedtime routine for most puppies may look a lot like it would for human babies. Puppies need more sleep than adult dogs, and the amount of sleep they require varies depending on their eventual size. Some puppies may whine or bark excessively when left alone, making it difficult for them to sleep. This can be harder for to do with smaller dogs since you might want to cuddle them to sleep. Keep in mind the difference between small, medium, and large breed dogs when training a puppy to sleep through the night. Bladder size, mental stimulation needs, and sleep requirements all vary by eventual size. Tips for Helping Your Goldendoodle Puppy Learn to Sleep Through the Night As your Goldendoodle and their tiny bladder grows, there are a lot of things you can do to set them up to start learning how to sleep through the night. Cover the dog crate to help make it dark and quiet. That will help resemble the type of den where puppies sleep in the wild to stay safe while they sleep. Just make sure your puppy is still getting airflow, even when the crate is covered. Play and go for a walk early in the evening to wear your puppy out. Expend puppy energy before bed! Feed dinner a couple of hours before bedtime. Dinner time should be about hours before bedtime. Go potty right before bed. That will buy you the most amount of time before your Goldendoodle puppy needs to go out again. Establish a routine so your puppy learns the steps that happen leading up to bedtime. Make sure your room is dark and quiet. You want to optimize the situation to make it easier for your puppy to sleep without distractions. To make your puppy feel secure, make sure nighttime sleep is peaceful. By: Author Jennifer Seegmiller What is more adorable than a fluffy curly-haired Goldendoodle, well a fluffy curly-haired Goldendoodle that is sleeping of course! Whether you are a first-time Goldendoodle owner or a long-time lover of this loyal and intelligent breed you may wonder what is normal for sleeping patterns and behaviors for your Goldendoodle. I did some research and reached out to other Goldendoodle owners and this is what I found out. Adult Goldendoodles will sleep on average hours a day. Goldendoodle Puppies will sleep hours a day in a 24hr period. How much your Goldendoodle sleeps depends a lot on their personalities. Goldendoodles also tend to develop sleep habits similar to their owners. If you are fit and active your Goldendoodle will be also if you are relaxed and laid back chances are your Goldendoodle will be similar to you. Continue reading to find out. Puppies, Adults, Seniors Goldendoodle Newborns This stage of life is very short and full of lots of shut-eye! Newborns generally nurse every 2 hours but even while doing so they will have their eyes shut and look as though they are eating in their sleep. As they grow they will slowly start to spend more time awake. Around 3 weeks old they will have around hours of active time a day broken up into small spurts of energy and exploring their world. Goldendoodle Puppies Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend high-quality products that are used and recommended by real owners. If you use these links to buy something we earn a small commission. Puppies are quickly growing and changing. They need plenty of sleep to fuel and recharge their growing bodies. From months old Goldendoodle puppies will generally sleep around hours in a hour period. This includes sleeping at night and daytime naps. Your puppy will sleep in longer stretches at night, but will still need to get up to relieve its small bladder and stretch. He may even have a burst of energy and seem like he wants to play. With some patience and guidance, your puppy can learn to sleep through the night by 4 months old, maybe even sooner. Older puppies from around months old will sleep about hours throughout a 24 hour period. At this point, they should be more active and inquisitive during the day and will be better about sleeping through the night in a hour stretches. They will also take multiple naps during the day, as well as times of rest when they appear to be just lying around, but somewhat alert as well as high energy awake time when they will want to play and train. Goldendoodle puppies will generally sleep through the night by about 4 months old, but it can range from 8 or 9 weeks old all the way through 6 months old. Some puppies may also go through a sleep regression when going through a growth spurt or teething. Towards the end of this article, we will discuss those in the heading sleep problems and solutions. Fun Fact: Senior dogs, as well as puppies, tend to twitch more in their sleep! This is due to a part of their brain called the Pons which regulates muscles and keeps them still while they sleep. Goldendoodle Adults Your adult Goldendoodle will normally sleep around hours in a 24hr period, but more as he ages. In this study, researchers found that older and middle-aged dogs slept more during the day than young adult dogs. This was because they took more naps, not because their naps were longer. They tend to run out of energy and need to rest more often than the younger group. Older and middle-aged dogs also slept more at night than younger dogs because they had long stretches of sleep at night waking up later and woke up fewer times during the night. When I asked Goldendoodle owners what their Goldendoodles behavior was like they covered all the ranges of this hr span. A big factor was how active and attentive the owners were. Goldendoodles tend to be pretty high energy and love to be kept busy with games and exercise. Because they may have a bit more energy than other breeds, they may sleep a little less than other breeds as well. Some owners I talked to said that if their Goldendoodles are left home alone all day they tend to just sleep since there is no one there to engage them with play or give them a reason to exercise. So as you can see their sleep schedule greatly depend on the kinds of habits you develop for your dog. If your dog is sleeping a lot maybe try and steal his bed to see how he reacts! Senior Goldendoodle Your Goldendoodle is considered a senior sometime between 7 and 10 years old. At this time you will probably start to see your dog slowly increasing the amount of time it is resting and sleeping. Senior Goldendoodle will sleep hrs a day on average as they get to be years old and older they could be sleeping up to 18 hrs a day. At an older age, your Goldendoodles sleep patterns may change as well. For older Goldendoodles, these could be signs of more serious issues such as dementia, arthritis, hypothyroidism, or other conditions associated with older age. Your Goldendoodle may be waking up more at night because its bladder is getting older and they need to use the potty more often. You can try and help with this by taking them out right before bed and limiting their water intake just before bed as well. Can Goldendoodles Sleep Outside? It is not recommended that Goldendoodles sleep outside. Goldendoodles thrive on relationships and being close to their owners, sleeping outdoors can be lonely for this social breed. Their coats are also not thick enough to keep them very warm in cold temperatures. Many factors could contribute to your Goldendoodle sleeping a lot. Puppies and senior dogs sleep more than adult Goldendoodles. Stress, anxiety, boredom, diet, or disease can all be factors for why your dog is sleeping more than usual. In most cases, it is normal for dogs to sleep 12 or more hours a day. If you are concerned about your Goldendoodle sleeping patterns it is always a good idea to talk to your vet. Lethargy or a lack of energy and enthusiasm can be a sign that your dog is being affected by something more than just laziness or a bit tired. If this describes your dog then definitely consult with your vet. Many diseases and age-related problems can come with a change in sleeping patterns. Some dogs will sleep more in the wintertime because the days are shorter and colder. You can read this article I wrote to learn more about that. Do Dogs Hibernate? Winter Weather Questions Answered If you think your dog is sleeping a lot because of boredom you can always make an effort to have more playtime and exercise sessions with your dog. You could hire a dog walker we have a neighborhood teen that loves to walk dogs for a very reasonable rate! Or join a fun program you can work on together like this popular brain training for dogs course! Sleep Problems and Solutions for Puppies and Adults If you are struggling with getting your Goldendoodle to settle down and sleep at night you are not alone. Things that may be making this challenging can range from crying or whining at night, waking up in the middle of the night, struggling to settle down, or waking up too early in the morning. Some dogs will start to sleep well through the night then a few weeks or months later start to wake up again. This is called a sleep regression and can be normal. Similar to human babies when puppies are teething or going through growth spurts it could cause them to wake up at night or have difficulties sleeping. This routine can include using the restroom, bringing the noise level down, dimming the light, creating a relaxing and calm atmosphere. Give them plenty of exercise: Since Goldendoodles were originally bred from Retrievers and Poodles whose origins come from being hunting dogs they are very intelligent and have an internal desire to work. Goldendoodles need plenty of stimulation and exercise each day. Two hours a day for a high-energy Goldendoodle should be the minimum. The best time for a good exercise session is about 2 hours before bedtime. Try to include high cardio exercise as well and engaging brain activities so that your Goldendoodle will be both physically tired as well as mentally tired. If your dog sleeps in his own bed, or in a crate, having something that smells like you and a small stuffed animal to snuggle with can help him feel more safe and secure. This is especially true for puppies. Try changing meal times or limiting food and water: Take up their water after a certain time of the evening. If your Goldendoodle seems to need a bathroom break in the middle of the night all the time you can try changing his meal time to be a few hours earlier so he will get the poop out before bed or a few hours later so he can hold it until tomorrow. Either way, you may want to slowly adjust the time of his meals to see if that will help with the late-night bathroom breaks. Are Goldendoodles Picky Eaters? Inside Info from Real Owners If early morning waking is a problem try figuring out what it is that may be waking them up? Is the sun coming up? Try adding some darkening curtains. Are there noises such as birds or early morning traffic? Try adding some white noise by using a noise machine like this one from Amazon. Amazon affiliate link. All it takes is some investigative work to try and figure out what may be causing the problem. Speaking of eating, if your Goldendoodle eats strange things click here to read my latest article about Goldendoodle health and what to do. If nothing seems to be working, your dog has changed his sleep patterns suddenly, he seems very lethargic and low on energy all the time, or he has other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, blood in his stool, or other concerns then you should take him to the vet immediately to get checked out. If you have a puppy and all its needs are met and it is still crying just remember it is common for it to whine and cry especially for the first week or so that you have him in your home. You can try a soothing stuffy like this one from Amazon affiliate link. An older dog who is new to your home may experience this as well. If you must check on him make sure that the lights stay dim, and you are as un-intrusive as you can be. If you are working with your puppy to sleep in their own bed or crate, make sure to not give in and then expect smooth sailing after that. You need to start the expectations as you mean to go forward. If you are thinking of having your dog sleep in bed with you, cuddle up in your favorite Goldendoodle sleepers Affiliate Link and read about all the pros and cons first! There are a lot of great benefits you could get by letting your Goldendoodle sleep with you. Here are some listed below. Eases stress and anxiety. Goldendoodle owners always find it onerous while searching for the best place to sleep for their squeaking balls of fur. The sleeping habit of Goldendoodle puppies also adds to their worry because, unlike other puppies, they are in love with sleep. The average sleeping duration for puppies is hours per day. Subsequently, it is necessary to offer them a peaceful and comfortable sleeping-place. You can make Goldendoodle puppies accustomed to either a crate or a particular bed. Why is it necessary to provide Goldendoodle puppies enough sleep? For a dog owner, the first and foremost duty should be the provision of adequate health facilities. Apart from this, the growing puppies need extra sleep for their proper mental and immune growth to combat challenging diseases. Undoubtedly, a growing body burns a lot of energy, which should be compensated by sleeping, particularly conserving energy for growth. How can you get to know the sleeping comforts for your Goldendoodle? It will help if you know what would be the best place for your Goldendoodle to sleep for better growth and active nature. Furthermore, crate training provides you and your puppy a life free of worries. This will help you trust your puppy not to chew some odd things and pee on your bed. Tips: Always try to make the crate a happy placefor your puppy, not like a punishment. Schedule the duration of the crate, especially during the early days, to make them used to it. Make a habit of taking your Goldendoodle puppy out of the crateafter regular intervals of about 3 to 4 hours. Try to make them feel free to go to the cratevoluntarily despite shoving. Do offer feed in the crateto reinforce them to understand that it is just like a fun place. Make sure your Goldendoodle feels comfortablein the crate during your presence at home. Is crate training a better option for your Goldendoodle puppy? There are different thoughts about the spending time and duration in the crate for dogs. Exclusively, there is nothing to need brood until and unless you get succeeded especially in making your Goldendoodle habitual to the crate. Apart from this, it is crucial to make sure that your Goldendoodle is not afraid of being in a crate or kennel. In this case, they might possibly try to escape, thus hurting them, resulting in teeth or nails ripping.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Deer Creek Comfort Dogs Shaping future companions for families and those in need of comfort Our family has been raising puppies for over 20 years. Our children have always had a passion for dogs which began our journey and now our grandchildren enjoy growing up with our wonderful dogs by their side. Deer Creek provides emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, service and therapy prospects, canine good citizen dogs as well as family pets. Deer Creek assists our families with puppy selection to help ensure the families get the puppy that will work well with their needs. Someone once said, "Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" and we hope you choose one of ours. If you are interested in finding your new family member, fill out our puppy application and we will be thrilled to work with you. We recognize that our dogs have the capability of changing peoples' lives on a therapeutic level. Many of our Doodles have become therapy dogs at funeral homes, children's advocacy centers, hospitals and nursing homes, and others have found homes as anxiety, PTSD and emotional support dogs. Learn more about our nonprofit organization Deer Creek Paw Prints at www. Learn More Molly, Rhys, and Beau! Their adorable curly fur and expressive faces make you want to cuddle them — and these little guys love nothing more than a good squish. All this and more makes our labradoodle puppies for sale one the most in-demand in our center. Activity-loving families adore these dogs for their propensity towards sports, and anyone who prefers low-shedding pooch benefits from their wooly or fleecy fur. Labradoodle puppies for sale are so cute and come in such a wide range of colors that it makes choosing your new best friend super-hard! While spearheading the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia breeding program, he conducted the crossbreeding of a standard poodle and Labrador retriever in view of it being a hypoallergenic guide dog for blind people. The first example of this type of dog, called Sultan, went to live with a lady in Hawaii, where other breeders saw him as an inspiration and this is how Australian Labradoodle puppies started. Both the International Australian Labradoodles Association and the Australian Labradoodles Association of America are working hard to incorporate more intergenerational breeding so these dog breeders can register this type of dog as a purebred dog. Its gentle, obedient and intelligent personality combined with a hypoallergenic coat make it ideal for family members with allergies, but it also makes an excellent service or therapy dog. Labradoodle Puppies Lifespan When properly taken care of, healthy dogs tend to live anywhere from 10 to 13 years. The lifespan of our Labradoodle puppies for sale is slightly above average at 12 to 14 years. Here are the life stages of multigenerational Australian Labradoodles: Puppyhood: First five months Adolescence: Between five months and two years Adulthood: Between two and three years Middle age: Between seven years and 10 years Senior: Over 10 years Labradoodles need the most attention and care in the first and last stages of their life. During puppyhood, their minds are highly impressionable, which is ideal for training. During their senior years, Labradoodles are more susceptible to health problems, which means owners need to keep a watchful eye. Labradoodle Size The size of labradoodle puppies for sale directly relates to the size of their parents and which generation of breed Labradoodle breeders chose. The larger the puppies, the larger the adult dog will be, and the faster their growth will be coming out of the puppy stage. A standard labradoodle puppy will weigh from pounds by the time it reaches two months of age. By a year old, it will have grown dramatically to up to 80 pounds, depending on the size of its parents. Medium Labradoodles occupy a spectrum of sizes between standard and mini Labradoodles, with the specifics depending heavily on the details of the breeding pair that birthed them and the breeding program they come from. Labradoodle Puppies Temperament While Labradoodle breeders originally bred the Australian Labradoodles as therapy dogs, their fun, friendly personalities made them popular pets. Now you can find these sociable dogs in homes across the globe. Here are some of the top personality traits of our Labradoodle puppies for sale. They tend to do best in active households where they can work off all that pent-up energy. You can fulfill their needs through the following activities: Walks or jogs: Labradoodles make great walking companions and can even keep up with you during a jog. Playing in the yard: Enjoy a game of fetch with your furry friend in the yard or just let it loose on its own. Dog sports: If you stay active through sports, consider making your labradoodle a part of your routine. Bring it on bike rides, go for a run together or kick a ball around in the yard. Obstacle courses: Set up an obstacle course for your dog using household items. Scavenger hunt: Creating a scavenger hunt for your canine is a great way to exercise its body and brain. In general, Labradoodles need anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. You can also enroll them later at a Labradoodle puppy alumni school for proper training. Friendliness What makes Labradoodles the perfect puppy compare to other dog breeds is their ability to get along with just about anyone. They inherit this trait from their Labrador retriever parent, a breed also known for its outgoing nature. You can trust your labradoodle to form friendships with everyone, from children and older adults to strangers and other puppies. Thanks to their affectionate, sociable personalities, Labradoodles make great pets for first-time owners, families, or anyone looking for a companion. Intelligence Thanks to their poodle parent breeds, Labradoodles are incredibly intelligent dogs. Because Labradoodles are intelligent, they often crave mental stimulation. Labradoodle Puppies Grooming Our Labradoodle puppies for sale have a variety of coat textures that dog owners enjoy, but in general, their low shedding coat needs brushing at least twice a week. Not only does this keep them tangle-free but it also removes excess debris from their coat, keeping them fresh and hygienic. Regularly trim the hair around their eyes and in between their paws to prevent these problem areas from causing irritation. Pooches with fleece coats tend to have longer fur and benefit the most from going to a professional groomer — although every dog loves getting pampered once in a while. At Pride and Prejudoodles, we send a can and a bag of the foods we use for free with your hand-delivered bundle of joy. If you need to change it for any reason, it must be done gradually to avoid stomach upsets. Just bear in mind that a diet is such a crucial aspect of wellness that feeding them good quality food will add years to their lives compared to opting for low-quality feed. Pride and Prejudoodles is here to help. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Labradoodle puppies for adoption. Many times we have adults that we are thinking of retiring, to increase your chance of adopting one of our dogs please complete our adult application online FIRST and then send an e-mail. Please be specific about your interest in an adult. Provide as much information as possible about your lifestyle and family. Please specify why you feel an adult is best for your family vs a puppy. When these dogs retire from our programs they stay with these families. It is very rare for a dog to be returned to be re -homed, I have personally had only 2 in 17 years. When our dogs that live with us retire from our program they will be fully tested and in an age range of years old. They are priced based on age, training and health testing. We would almost never have any dogs available that would be 6 mo -3 years of age. Watch our website we will post adults in advance of being available so that we can make the best possible match. With a reservation we will keep a puppy for additional training, and taylor the training to your specific situation. Additional fees will apply.

These dogs were believed to be a cross between the Toy poodles and smaller canine breeds of the Terrier clan. The creation of these dogs in actuality as documented began in in the United States of America by crossing the Poodle and Schnauzer, with the first purposeful crossbreeding done in Minnesota. It was developed with the intention of creating a companion breed, inheriting the intelligence of both their parents, also being well-suited for people with dander allergies. Though it has not gained sufficient popularity in comparison to the other designer breeds, Schnoodle puppies are being highly sought after at present. At present breeders have also begun creating multigenerational Schnoodle where one dog of this breed is bred with the other. You might even spot a tiny teacup variety acquiring the genes of the teacup Poodle. Temperament and Personality The friendly, loving and easy-going disposition of the Schnoodles makes them ideal family dogs. In fact, traits of both their parents may be observed in these dogs, making them alert and playful like the Schnauzer or intelligent, active and obedient as the Poodle. Their intelligence may at times come in the way of their personality, making them over-demanding. Small-sized Schnoodles are well-suited to live in an apartment though the larger variations thrive well in large homes having a fenced yard. Keeping them alone in kennels is not recommended as they are prone to separation anxiety that might make them noisy and destructive. These loyal and devoted dogs are highly protective towards their family, a trait wholly inherited from their Schnauzer parent, which also makes them an excellent watchdog, causing them to bark on seeing any unfamiliar face at the door. Although they display fondness towards all members of their family, they might have a special affection for a particular person in the household just like the Schnauzer. Though the Schnoodle is said to mingle well with other pets, it might be harsh to other dogs regarding sharing their toys or space, especially if they have inherited the stubborn instinct of Terriers the Miniature Schnauzer categorized as a part of the Terrier group. If you have a Giant Schnoodle, it might adapt the behavioral traits of the Giant Schnauzer, being territorial reserved and even aggressive. They are highly inclined to hold blankets and toys with the help of their front paws that they use as hands. Schnoodles will develop a knack of digging and be very clingy towards its family members if one of its parents is the Miniature Schnauzer. Care Exercise Owing to their highly active nature, they need to be exercised at least for an hour every day to maintain a sound physical and mental health. They enjoy going out for a brisk walk or accompanying their master on a jogging spree. Since they are fond of playing, you can engage them in a ball fetching game when confined indoors. Grooming Their grooming needs vary according to the kind of coat they have. Those with a soft, wavy coat require brushing once or twice a week to prevent the hair from getting matted and tangled. If your pet has a double coat like the Schnauzer, then the coat would need to be stripped many times in a year, whereas if they have acquired the single-layered coat of the Poodle, then clip their hair in every six to eight weeks. Bathe your dog whenever needed to keep its coat clean and soft. Schnoodles have a tendency of developing hair inside the ear that should be removed by a professional groomer to avoid infections. Moreover, check their ears on a weekly basis for redness, bad smell or dirt and clean it using a damp cotton ball dipped in an ear cleaner prescribed by your vet. Do not allow excessive growth of fur around the anal to facilitate the excretion of the feces without any obstruction. Go for a professional groomer rather than trimming the hair on your own to avoid any injury and infection. Health Problems Though a healthy and hardy breed, they might acquire the health issues of both their parents. The Miniature and Toy breeds may be prone to developing luxating patella. Some of them may even suffer from allergies. The risk of dental problems is observed more in Toy Schnoodles because of their small mouth size. Socialization and obedience training are to be imparted to the Schnoodle puppies to help them develop a pleasing personality. As they get bored, quite easily try keeping them motivated by positive reinforcement techniques so that they acquire interest towards the training procedure. If you do not want to go through the tedious task of training your puppy, you may send them to a puppy kindergarten school. Feeding Schnoodles weighing up to 20 pounds can be given three-fourth to one cup of dry dog food of a higher quality daily. Miniature or Toy variants need a lesser amount of food, whereas the quantity for your Giant Schnoodle, should be greater. It is essential to feed your pet twice a day rather than giving him an excessive amount of food in a single meal. Their tails remain straight and upright when they are highly active or in a good mood, but they tuck them up whenever they get nervous or are sad. What is a Schnoodle? I had the joy of having a Schnoodle in my life for 16 years! Dusty was the perfect dog for a family with energetic kids, a mom with allergies, and a dad who liked having a nearby buddy. Maybe the Schnoodle is the right match for your family as well! Here are a few things you should know. Here is a Schnoodle enjoying a fun beach day. A Schnoodle is a combination of a Schnauzer and a Poodle. The Schnauzer is energetic, loyal, and a little feisty. The Poodle is an intelligent dog with a reputation for being aristocratic — but who can also be a great athletic and versatile family dog. Combine the two, and you have a dog that is smart, energetic, and loyal! Not to mention, super cute. With one litter, you may get more of the personality traits of the Schnauzer and more of the physical traits of the Poodle — with the next litter, it may flip-flop! Schnoodle traits could even vary puppy to puppy. They may be extremely loyal like a Schnauzer, or more independent like a Poodle. Are Schnoodles hypoallergenic? Schnoodles have hair-like coats that have very little shedding and low dander. Like most Poodle crossbreeds, they have a reputation for being hypoallergenic. Overall, most people that have standard dog allergies are able to tolerate cohabiting with a Schnoodle! How big do Schnoodles get? Schnauzers and Poodles come in a variety of sizes — and so does the Schnoodle! The Schnoodle can range from 6 lbs — 75 lbs, depending on which sizes of Poodles and Schnauzers your mix. Poodles come in Toy small , Miniature medium , and Standard large. Schnauzers come in Miniature small , Standard medium , and Giant large. This perma-pup will range from 6 to 10 pounds and is a great size if you often travel and like to bring your dog on the plane with you. This mid-size dog is typically about lbs, and can be a great dog for a family! The next size up is a large Schnoodle, which crosses a Standard Poodle and a Giant Schnauzer, ranging anywhere from lbs. If you go this route, be prepared for a big and energetic dog! There is no regulation and little consistency within sizes. For example, a breeder could mix a Miniature medium Poodle with a Giant large Schnauzer for an in-between size, and many breeders do just that. The variations in sizes mean that if you have your heart set on the breed, you can certainly find one that fits your life and living space! Just make sure to ask what sizes the parents are! Are Schnoodles good pets? Schnoodle cuddling with an owner. Schnoodles want to be part of your family. They, like the Schnauzer, are very loyal and will possibly follow you around from room to room in order to stay near you. No matter what you are doing, they want to be there with you! Because Schnoodles value the family so much, they must be kept in the house with the rest of the family members. This breed gets along well with the family and will become a devoted family member. As with a Poodle, there are lots of options for how you choose to groom your dog. You can let it grow long and fluffy, or keep it short and soft. The choice is up to you! Because Schnoodles have longer coats that will grow and mat if not attended to, they require maintenance. They should be brushed at home a few times a week and brought to the groomers at least every 12 weeks. Like with the Poodle, you have a lot of options for how you want to groom your dog. You can cut the fur short, let it grow long and fluffy, or anything in-between! Otherwise, the choice is up to you! One thing to note is that Schnoodles do have a possibility of getting ear infections if their ear hair is not kept under control. When you bring your pup to the groomers, make sure to ask specifically for them to attend to the hair in the ears to help prevent infection. How long do Schnoodles live for? The size of the dog can greatly influence the lifespan of the dog. Small dogs tend to have longer life spans than bigger ones. Because there is such a large and unregulated variety in sizes of Schnoodles, their lifespans vary greatly. The average lifespan of a Miniature small Schnoodle is about years. The Standard medium size is about years, and the Giant large variety is about years. However, this could vary depending on the sizes of the parents, and the general health and lifestyle of the dog. Schnoodles are Active! A Schnoodle enjoying a long walk on the beach! These are an active breed, so make sure they get minutes of activity every day in order to keep them happy and healthy. The Schnauzer was originally bred to be an all-around farm dog, actively helping out on the family farm. The Poodle was originally used as a retriever dog, retrieving birds for their hunters. The Schnoodle loves to run and jump. His natural physical aptitude with its high intelligence makes the Schnoodle and great candidate for agility courses! Because there is such a variation in sizes for the Schnoodle, though, take into consideration that your dog may need more or less exercise. An hour of activity is a lot for a six-pound dog! The Sky is the Limit with Training Your Schnoodle will certainly be smart, and he will hopefully be eager to please, so the sky is the limit with what you can train him to do! In addition to training your pup to sit, stay, and come, this is a dog that you can train to fetch your slippers, scoot over a little bit, or find the kibble under one of three cups. Your creativity and patience are the only limiting factors — this dog will be able to keep up! Their ability to learn has benefits beyond simply learning fun tricks! Because of their loyal, devoted, and intelligent nature, Schnoodles have a reputation for making great therapy dogs! They can quickly learn what is requested of them, and once they have a connection with someone, they are friends for life. Schnoodles Live to have FUN! Full-grown Schnoodle energetically playing on a rope swing. Schnoodles live to have fun and will join you in whatever activity you are doing! Think of the kid you went to high school with that always wanted to play, could rarely sit still, and still got good grades on the test. This dog is smart, but at his core, he lives to have a good time. While other lower energy dogs might be happy with one or two walks per day and lots of naps in between, this dog will keep wanting to play long after the walk is finished! Terrier-like breeds like the Schnauzer love to dig, so you could designate an area of your yard to dig and bury a few toys or treats for your pup to dig up. Poodles are retrievers, so why not play a game of catch? The more fun and active! A tired dog is a happy and obedient! For all of its great personality and ability qualities, there is also absolutely no denying that the Schnoodle is stinking cute. The puppies and even the full-grown versions of the smallest size look like little stuffed animals. This teddy bear pup will grow into a full-grown, energetic dog requiring your time, love, and attention. By Lila Noffsinger. Lifespan Sociability Always the center of attention, the Schnoodle sometimes spelled Shnoodle is a dazzling designer dog that has gained major popularity with both families with small kids and single seniors. Definite people-pleasers, Schnoodle puppies are always happy, playful, and protective over their pack. With the rise in demand for hybrid breeds, however, comes the rise of bad and backyard breeders. A backyard breeder is an amateur dog breeder whose breeding is sub-par and has little regard for the wellbeing of the parents or puppies. In other words, backyard breeders are simply out to make a quick profit at the expense of the parent dogs and the puppies. There are many dire consequences that come with buying a Schnoodle from a bad breeder. Your new pup could be littered with health and behavioral problems that may affect her for her entire life. Though it may seem appealing to save a couple of hundred dollars in the short term, the consequences of buying from a backyard breeder will haunt you for years to come. However, this designer dog offers plenty of more amusing surprises! They Come in a Variety of Sizes The Schnoodle can weigh as little as 10 pounds or tip the scales at over 80 pounds. This is because she can be a combination of any of the three Poodle or Schnauzer sizes. A Natural Performer Your Schnoodle loves being in the spotlight! This is because her Poodle parent breed is a natural-born performer who actually was used in the circus for centuries. Schnoodles are simply oozing with personality. They love being entertained and entertaining. Additionally, they are loyal, sharp, smart, and can sometimes be energetic and protective. The Schnauzer is a great dog for folks of all ages. They are super active pups that love to romp and play. Although they are extremely devoted dogs, it is always best to socialize Schnauzer puppies starting from a very young age. The Poodle, while not as outgoing as the Schnauzer, are super smart canines with an affinity to please and perform. They can sometimes be aloof toward strangers, protective, and shy, so it is best to socialize them from the start. Your Shnoodle will be a combination of any of these traits. However, she will most likely be very intelligent, active, and love life. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Schnoodles are great with children of all ages. However, always keep an eye on your Schnoodle and your tots during playtime. Additionally, teach your kids never to take away food from an eating dog as this could lead to potential nipping or snarling. Remember, that her dietary needs will change as she ages. Always consult with your vet if you are unsure of the amounts you should be feeding your dog. This can be a brisk walk in the park or a game of fetch in the backyard. Consider getting a puppy puzzle or enrolling her in weekly agility or obedience courses to fend off boredom. The Schnoodle was born to please. Though she does have a stubborn streak. She will be at her best with firm, consistent training and positive reinforcements. However, Schnoodles can get bored easily with the same basic training techniques. Or her coat may fall somewhere in between the two. Weekly brushing is necessary for either coat type. Be sure to also clean her ears and trim her nails as needed. To ward off possible genetic issues, it is crucial to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder who has had genetic testing done on both parent dogs. Minor Conditions. This curly-haired hybrid dog is a cross-breed between the poodle and the schnauzer. Breeders have created schnoodles from toy to standard and even giant sizes, so you can find this mixed breed ranging from 5—70 pounds, depending on their lineage. The schnoodle is often recognized as a dog that may be more "allergy friendly" for her low-shedding coat, which she inherits from both the poodle and schnauzer though no dog is truly percent hypoallergenic. Appearance Poodle breeds come in three different sizes: toy, miniature , and standard. Similarly, the schnauzer breed includes giant, standard, or miniature sizes. When any of the three sizes of poodle mixes with any of the three sizes of schnauzer, you get a schnoodle. So schnoodle sizes can have an extreme range, all depending on the size of the parents. A giant schnauzer crossed with a standard poodle creates a "giant schnoodle" that can weigh up to 80 pounds. On the opposite side of the scale, a toy poodle and miniature schnauzer will create a "toy schnoodle" that can weigh 5—10 pounds. Miniature schnoodles are most popular, however, and will stay in the 10—20 pound range. The wide sizing variation is why it's vital to meet the parents of your schnoodle before adopting and have knowledge of their specific lineage. Prospective owners don't want to anticipate a pound schnoodle and end up with a dog three times that size. The schnoodle is not quite like older breeds that have been around for hundreds of years. While those curly coats—which come in all shades—may mean less vacuuming for owners, their hair grows quickly and will require regular combing and trimming. Schnoodles are well-known for their inherited smarts, and they are easy to train once their owner understands the best way to motivate them. If you find your schnoodle is not motivated by treats, try using dinner time as a training opportunity. Owners may also need to use toys and praise to get their schnoodle to learn new tricks. All of these personality traits often apply to the schnoodle, regardless of size," Irish says. That being said, if a schnoodle is well-socialized as a puppy , then she will be affectionate, enthusiastic, and ready to learn as she grows. Living up to their "teddy bear" nickname, most schnoodles enjoy lounging with their family after a long walk , and they live well with other animals that they have warmed up to. Their relaxed personalities mean schnoodles can be left at home for short periods of time though no dog should be left alone for long without developing anxiety. Even with their calm energy, though, schnoodles will need regular exercise because they are predisposed to diseases that are made worse by weight gain. If prospective owners do not have a backyard, the schnoodle will benefit from a regular walking route or access to a dog park where they can run around. While they are not as eager as retriever dogs , many medium-sized or large schnoodles enjoy swimming or playing fetch with their families if they are in the mood. It's not that they will be totally active and goofy on their own; some of their personalities are very calm," Irish says. While these pets are loved for their low-shed coats, a schnoodle's hair will constantly grow and require frequent grooming. If schnoodles spend a lot of time outdoors hiking or swimming, their fur can get matted. Ochoa recommends that owners maintain a good bathing routine for their dog and plan on grooming their schnoodles every six to eight weeks. Some owners will opt to trim and brush their dog's coat at home, while others prefer to leave it to the professionals. With my dog, we end up brushing her a few times a week just to keep the tangles and the matts out. Health Schnoodles typically live between 12—15 years, though smaller varieties may have longer lifespans than their larger cousins. As a hybrid dog, schnoodles can be predisposed to similar health issues as schnauzers and poodles. Irish says this means schnoodles are prone to pancreatitis and liver disease, and they may also develop orthopedic issues like luxating patella when the dog's kneecap moves out of place. Owners should look to their parent breeds for other potential issues: Schnauzers are at an increased risk for bladder stones, epilepsy , and diabetes , while poodles are at a higher risk for endocrine issues. It's important to watch for signs of each in your schnoodle, depending on her genetic background. Low-allergen designer dogs like schnoodles are increasing in popularity, but they are not a regulated breed. Because there is no formal "breed standard" for these dogs, aspiring owners can run into problems when they get an animal from an unlicensed breeder or a commercial dog breeding facility that does not produce the healthiest puppies. Irish advises only working with reputable schnoodle breeders who have paired multiple generations of schnoodles and have established health screenings in order to get the healthiest dog. Be wary of breeders who: Are selling multiple variations of hybrid breeds Are pushy or try to create a sense of urgency Don't have verifiable health certificates for their dogs Won't let you meet the parent dogs, or who send puppies home too young, or offer to ship you a puppy History As a hybrid, schnoodles are a relatively young species of dog. This breed was only developed in the s as people began demanding more variations of low-allergen dogs that were mixed with poodles think: the ever-popular labradoodle and cockapoo. The creator of the designer dog movement, Wally Conron, has expressed regret for making the original poodle hybrid, remarking that modern breeders do not always give the poodle hybrids proper health screenings. It's important to ask breeders for health records of parent dogs, both to learn more about any conditions your puppy may be predisposed to and as a reference check against potential puppy mills. Standard poodles were originally bred as duck-hunting water retrieval dogs, while schnauzers can be traced back to the 15th century when they were used as small animal hunters. Schnoodles are not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club. While the schnoodle's parent breeds have their own National Breed Clubs that need to qualify for AKC registration, this hybrid does not. Today, schnoodles remain a popular dog, but it's vital that potential owners do their research and purchase responsibly. Fun Facts Schnoodle owners are familiar with the " Schnoodle ," an affectionate name given for the distinct moment when schnoodles sprint in a circle so quickly that their rear ends sticks up in the air. Actresses Clare Danes and Dakota and Elle Fanning both call schnoodles members of their fur families. The schnoodle's low-allergen coat and sweet temperament make them popular therapy dogs and service dogs. Was this page helpful? Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Schnoodle Overview The Schnoodle is cheerful and intelligent. He makes a terrific jogging companion and his love of activity can get you off the couch. Despite that, he will also happily cuddle on the couch with you. A Schnoodle will fill your life and lap with both love and laughter. This breed is loyal like the Schnauzer and fun-loving like the Poodle. Like his Schnauzer parent, a Schnoodle has a protective nature and makes a good watch dog. Schnauzers are solid terriers and tend toward being a bit stubborn and independent. At the same time, they are known for being extremely loyal. Contrastingly, the Poodle is smart, agile, and active with a high-maintenance coat. Accordingly, the Schnoodle should have plenty of exercise every day, at least 30 to 60 minutes. Both Schnauzers and Poodles are smart, so this hybrid requires daily mental stimulation as well. This pup also has an unusual propensity to use his front paws as hands to hold toys and blankets. Unfortunately, some really enjoy digging. Some really enjoy barking , too. There are three different variations of both Schnauzers and Poodles, making for a wide range of sizes in the Schnoodle. The larger ones are still relatively uncommon. There is no breed standard for Schnoodles — nor any breed clubs — so, as of yet, their different sizes are currently defined as Toy, Miniature, Standard. Notably, size may make a difference in the personality of this hybrid. A large Schnoodle should have a softer temperament than a Giant Schnauzer. In the latter case, someone could simply slap a litter together because she has a purebred Schnauzer and lives down the street from a purebred Poodle. When the parents are carefully selected, the Schnoodle is a great dog. Hybrid vigor can work wonders, but poor parent selection can result in the worst traits of both breeds with none of the good ones. If you want the temperament that the hybrid is meant to provide, get a puppy from a responsible breeder who has taken care in selecting the parents. You can also adopt from a reputable rescue or shelter , since these pups are now appearing in those places. A small Schnoodle can do well in an apartment , but the larger Schnoodle does better in homes with fenced yards. Schnoodle Highlights Schnoodles are a cross between a Poodle and a Schnauzer, and they are known for being intelligent, friendly, and hypoallergenic. They come in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. Here are some of the highlights of the Schnoodle breed: Intelligence: Schnoodles are highly intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They can learn basic commands quickly and can be trained to do more complex tasks, such as agility or obedience. Friendliness: Schnoodles are known for being friendly and outgoing dogs. They love to be around people and other animals, and they make great family pets. Hypoallergenic: Schnoodles are considered to be hypoallergenic, which means that they do not shed as much as other dog breeds. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies. Active: Schnoodles are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, going for walks, and running around. Loyal: Schnoodles are loyal dogs that form strong bonds with their owners. They love to cuddle and be petted, and they will always be there to greet you at the door. If you are looking for a smart, friendly, and hypoallergenic dog, the Schnoodle may be the perfect breed for you. Here are some additional things to consider before getting a Schnoodle: Grooming: Schnoodles need to be groomed regularly to keep their coats looking their best. This includes brushing, trimming, and bathing. Training: Schnoodles are intelligent dogs, but they can also be stubborn. They need to be trained consistently and firmly. Exercise: Schnoodles need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. They should be walked for at least 30 minutes a day. Schnoodle History The Schnoodle was developed in the s, when the interest began to grow in Poodle crosses. The original goal with the Schnoodle was to create a low-shedding, low-dander family dog. The Schnoodle is generally the result of breeding between a Schnauzer and a Poodle, although some breeders have started breeding multigenerational Schnoodles Schnoodles bred to other Schnoodles. Right now there are no breed clubs or standards, but efforts have begun to create both. Schnoodles can come in a variety of sizes, since there are three Poodle sizes and three Schnauzer sizes. The range of possibilities has created an interesting variety of hybrids. Despite that, Schnoodles have traditionally been small dogs. The introduction of the Giant Schnauzer and Standard Poodle into the mix is the most recent variation, producing a dog of a different temperament from the small, cuddly Schnoodle. Schnoodle Size The size of the Schnoodle depends on the size of the parents: a Standard Poodle bred to a Giant Schnauzer will produce offspring who will be the size of their large parents. If a Standard Poodle and Standard Schnauzer are crossed, than the result could be sizes ranging between both the Miniature Schnoodle and the Standard Schnoodle. This uncertainty is part of the joy of a mixed breed: the ultimate details can be a welcome surprise. Like any mixed breed, the variation involved can eliminate guarantees of size. Mixing and matching can add up to some interesting ranges and the variety is enticing. However, most Schnoodles tend to be 20 pounds or less. Toy Schnoodles range from 10 to 12 inches in height and weigh 6 to 10 pounds. Miniature Schnoodles range from 12 to 15 inches in height and weigh 13 to 20 pounds. Standard Schnoodles range from 15 to 26 inches in height and weigh 20 to 75 pounds. Giant Schnoodles range from 20 to 28 inches in height and weigh 50 to pounds. Schnoodle Personality The well-bred Schnoodle is a wonderfully happy, loyal, and intelligent companion. He enjoys having fun and aims for a life filled with love and play. A Schnoodle can have a strong temperament but generally is loving and loyal to his people. Socialization helps ensure that your Schnoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly — as well as taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors — will also help him polish his social skills. However, there is a general misconception that hybrid vigor automatically applies to mixed breeds. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA website. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Cataracts : These cause opacity on the lens of the eye, resulting in poor vision. Cataracts usually occur in old age and sometimes can be surgically removed to improve vision. Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease : This involves the hip joint. If your Schnoodle has Legg-Perthes, the blood supply to the head of the femur the large rear leg bone is decreased, and the head of the femur that connects to the pelvis begins to disintegrate. The first symptoms, limping and atrophy of the leg muscle, usually occur when puppies are four to six months old. Surgery can correct the condition, usually resulting in a pain-free puppy. Patellar Luxation: Also known as slipped stifles, this is a common problem in small dogs. The patella is the kneecap. Luxation means dislocation of an anatomical part as a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint often of a hind leg slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be crippling, although many dogs lead relatively normal lives with this condition. It can cause mild or severe seizures that may show themselves as unusual behavior such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Diabetes Mellitus : This is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels, due to improper levels of insulin. Symptoms of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and the administration of insulin. More severe signs occur when a dog is stressed or when potassium levels become high enough to interfere with heart function, causing severe shock and death. But if your Schnoodle is on the large side, and had a Giant Schnauzer for a parent, this condition is worth knowing about. Bloat is more common among older dogs. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists torsion. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid himself of the excess air in the stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen and is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak, with a rapid heart rate. Schnoodle Care Although the energy level of the Schnoodle is reflective of the parents, and is therefore variable, expect to exercise your dog for about 30 to 60 minutes per day. Some require less while others require a bit more. Schnoodles enjoy brisk walks and make great jogging companions. Schnoodles can adapt to a variety of residences, but take size into consideration. A Toy or Miniature Schnoodle will do well in an apartment or condo , but a larger Standard may not. Ideally, a home with a fenced yard is best for all Schnoodles. Schnoodles can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. This can lead to barking and destructive behaviors. And once that habit starts, it can be difficult to stop. Keep your Schnoodle in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice or three times a day rather than free feeding , or leaving food out all the time. How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. When possible, minimize the amount of highly processed food your pup is consuming. Talk to your vet about switching your Schnoodle to a vegetarian diet if they suffer from certain health issues such as food allergies , skin issues , or even coat dullness. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Schnoodle, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Schnoodle Coat Color And Grooming The Schnoodle coat can be black, gray, silver, brown, white, apricot, sable, black and white, black and tan, and even parti-color. The wavy coat occurs in multigenerational breeding. While Schnoodles are low-shedding dogs, they must be clipped or trimmed. The amount of grooming needed for a Schnoodle really depends on the coat of the individual dog. If your dog has the soft, wavy type of coat, brush once or twice a week to prevent tangles and mats. The Schnoodle will also need to be bathed on an as-needed basis to keep the coat soft. The best time to brush is after a bath. Drying the coat with a hair dryer will help prevent any mats from forming. Schnauzerpoo Description The Schnoodle is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Poodle. 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. They are good with children and get along fine with other animals. They are great watchdogs because they will let you know when someone is near, but they are non-aggressive. They not yappy dogs unless you allow them to take over your home. They love car rides. This great companion dog excels in obedience, agility, Flyball and makes an excellent therapy dogs , but they are first and foremost a loyal and loving companion! They would be fine in an apartment or on a farm, as long as they are with their family. These dogs are so loyal and affectionate they would not be happy kept outdoors. As far as exercise, the Schnoodle is very adaptable. A game of fetch played in the house or a 5-mile jog, either one is fine with them. Because the Poodle and the Schnauzer both do not shed, the Schnoodle does not shed so they must be brushed weekly and clipped every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the length of hair preferred. Their nails should be kept trimmed. The Schnoodle sheds little to no hair and is considered good for allergy sufferers. Quick to learn and can wear himself out playing. Very, very inquisitive and loves to chew his toys. Picked up his name, "fetch," "sit," "pee-pee" and "poopers" quickly although seems a little bashful. Took to the leash well. A little yappy with the neighbors and outdoor sounds. Loves people—presents his little tummy with ease. Plays hard with other dogs and doesn't share toys well. When running on "puppy power" somewhere between speed of sound and wartends to wipe out He is a little headstrong—little more coaxing required. Often willful—you can see the wheels turning. Hasn't figured out goldfish in our little pond—we're afraid he will attempt his own sushi recipe soon! Arlie is a Standard Schnoodle shown here at 9 months old. His mother was a Giant Schnauzer and dad was a Mini Poodle. Not a day goes by when people do not stop us to ask what kind of dog Arlie is. In fact, after playing with Arlie and seeing him walked daily , many people have inquired about Schnoodles. He loves to be cuddled and loved. We are fortunate to have gotten a dog that loves endless hugs, kisses and cuddles. He also loves to play tug with his rope. Doesn't matter what kind of rope as long as it's long and someone is at the other end pulling. He will drop the rope when asked and has been very easy to train. He is probably about 2 years old. His legs are very long, though, and his hair is soft and wavy. He is very affectionate, energetic and eager to learn. He is 16 inches tall at the shoulders. She is a month-old Schnoodle. We rescued her. She has a wonderful personality and she has a high energy level. She loves car rides and boating. She doesn't like to be left alone. She is a very loyal dog. She loves to play with our kids and she also loves to cuddle and give lots of kisses. She is a sweet and playful dog. Life Span Did You Know? As a cross-breed, the Miniature Schnoodle is meant to take on the best traits of both parent breeds, but they can end up with any combination of traits from one or both of the parents. Overall, Mini Schnoodles tend to be loyal dogs that are devoted and affectionate to their families. They also tend to have a very friendly disposition and a playful, energetic personality. Miniature Schnoodles are popular family pets and they often make good therapy dogs too. The Miniature Schnoodle is a small, cheerful, playful, and loving ball of fluff. They are intelligent dogs with a friendly, happy disposition and a gentle nature. Mini Schnoodles tend to get along with just about everyone including children, other dogs, other pets, and strangers. They tend to be a great addition to any family and a great companion for single owners too. The Mini Schndoodle is affectionate, loving, and devoted to their families. They thrive on affection and attention from their favorite humans and tend to bond closely with them. A Mini Schnoodle can also be prone to jumping up and ignoring personal space because they are so friendly and excitable. Training and socialization early on can help curb this behavior and channel it more positively. Mini Schnoodles are highly adaptable dogs. These little dogs may be energetic, but they adapt well to larger homes as well as apartments. They tend to thrive wherever they are as long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. They also tend to do well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. Due to their small size, they may need to bundle up to stay warm when winter sets in. But, having the right mix of winter dog products on hand can be a big help. Because a Mini Schnoodle tends to bond so closely to their families and owners, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. With a mixed dog breed, they can inherit the potential health concerns from both, one, or neither of their parent breeds. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing genetic issues on to puppies. Also, you can talk about any relevant health clearances or test results. Both of the parent breeds of a Miniature Schnoodle are highly intelligent, eager to please, and highly trainable dog breeds. So, your Mini Schnoodle should also be a highly trainable dog that learns quickly. Oftentimes, your Mini Schnoodle will master basic commands and be ready for more advanced commands and tricks quickly if they are challenged and motivated. Although they are a good fit for dog owners of any experience level, puppy training classes can still be a good idea as they tend to offer great opportunities to brush up on training skills and to socialize a puppy. The Poodle is known for their low-shedding hypoallergenic coat, which is one of the reasons why there are so many Poodle mixes. There is no guarantee that a Schnoodle will inherit a full Poodle coat. Poodle coats need daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats. They also need professional grooming every weeks. On the Schnauzer side, weekly brushing is sufficient. However, they need regular bathing, stripping, and clipping to maintain a healthy coat. This usually means professional grooming every weeks. Checking ears on a weekly basis is usually a good routine for helping to prevent ear infections. Miniature Schnoodles tend to have moderate exercise requirements, but they also tend to match their energy levels to yours. Daily walks plus some playtime or extra activity is usually enough to keep this dog happy and healthy. But, if you want to do more, your Mini Schnoodle probably will too. Who knows? Your Mini Schnoodle might love taking trips to the dog park, going for a swim, learning to play frisbee , going on hikes, and more. A fully-grown Miniature Schnoodle usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. A Mini Schnoodle generally lives years. Although Mini or Miniature Schnoodle is the most common name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Miniature Schnauzerdoodle, a Mini Schnauzerpoo, or a Schnauzer Poodle Mix. Featured Mini Schnoodle Article. As the mix is still climbing in popularity, not many specifics are known about the original time and purpose when the Schnoodle first came on the scene. But, the cross was likely first developed in the s in the United States. Like most Poodle mixes, the goal was most likely to achieve the perfect dog for people who suffer from allergies to dog dander. As well as those who prefer not to have dog hair coating their clothing and home. But both parents are intelligent working dogs first and foremost. The Schnauzer Poodle mix is one of the Poodle mixes that people seek for its low-shedding coat and teddy bear qualities. When you cross a purebred Poodle with a purebred dog which does not have a curled coat, such as the Schnauzer, the offspring F1 generation may or may not have a curly coat. Appearance traits like this are unpredictable, and even puppies in the same litter can have very different coat types. These hybrids are usually solid-colored and sometimes have a mask, markings, or points in black or white. From the black Schnoodle to the white Schnoodle and every shade in between. Even more colors are possible when the parent stock have non-standard coat colors — parti-colored Schnoodles may be possible in these cases. Or it may have a wavy coat that falls somewhere in between. Keeping curls or waves in check, though, will help to prevent severe matting or tangling. Are They Hypoallergenic? No dog is truly hypoallergenic. All dogs shed, even if in very small amounts. You can learn more facts and myths regarding non-shedding dogs in our article about hypoallergenic dogs. However, we can confidently say that this mix will be a low-shedder. Both Poodles and Schnauzers shed minimally. Grooming can help to control any small amount of shedding. Owners may also prefer to go to a professional groomer. Selecting a later generation of Schnoodle cross may help you get a puppy with breed-specific looks and tendencies. Generally, thanks to the shared traits of the parent breeds, a Schnoodle will be energetic, intelligent, and generally friendly. As long as they are socialized well. Are They Good with Kids? Schnauzers of all sizes are excellent with children and people in general. They are extremely active dogs who are outgoing and love to run and play. Make sure to socialize your Schnauzer Poodle mix well to ensure they get along well with children, strangers, and other animals. Miniature Schnauzers in particular can be a little noisy, thanks to their alert personalities. So, choosing a miniature Schnoodle mix could result in a vocal dog. You can train a dog not to bark in some instances. Training Your hybrid will be intelligent and probably very active. With good socialization and training, he will also likely be friendly with all sorts of people and get along well with children and other animals. Stick to positive reinforcement methods to create a strong bond between you and your dog. This will also help you to avoid any potential stubbornness. Like Schnauzers, all classes of Poodles are very active dogs who love stimulating activities that keep their bodies and brains moving. They do not take kindly to being bored. Poodles also do not like being left out of activities with you or being crated for long periods. They are intelligent, working dogs who want to have something to do or play with, which is why many of them are amazing in the show pen! Training can be a great way to offer your Schnoodle mix some mental and physical stimulation each day. But, this mix will also need structured exercise. Exercise These dogs need a job to do or plenty of space to run and play in order to be happy and to stay out of trouble. Schnoodles may also play on the rough side. As neither Schnauzers nor Poodles appreciate being bored, a Schnoodle may be likely to develop bad habits if you do not give her adequate attention. Scheduled time for exercise each day will help to minimise the risk of bad behavior, such as barking and digging. Schnoodle health risks to be aware of include heart disease, epilepsy, vision problems, joint issues and liver disorders. Health testing potential puppy parents can significantly reduce the risks of the litter carrying any of these conditions. Both Schnauzers and Poodles can become overweight easily, so a healthy diet and plenty of exercise will be required to keep the dog fit and the joints fluid! What is the Schnoodle Life Expectancy? Poodles and Schnauzers have a generally similar life expectancy , with about years for the larger sizes and closer to 14 for smaller. You can expect your mix to reach somewhere within the averages of the parent breeds, depending on size. As long as they receive good veterinary care and general care throughout their lives, Schnoodles will often live well into their teens. Due to the typical personality traits of the parent breeds, Schnoodles can be recommended as family pets. However, it must be emphasized that all dogs need socialization and training. For a giant Schnoodle, make sure to supervise smaller children to keep them from getting accidentally knocked over or involved in play that gets a little too rough. Likewise, for a mini Schnoodle, ensure that small children treat the little dog carefully. Remember that this breed is going to be very active and will want to be with his family. If no one is at home for a large part of each day, or if the dog will be kept in a small area without room to run and play, this is not the breed for you. They need families that have plenty of time to dedicate to them. Including to grooming, playtime, and training. Schnoodle Breeders Before you purchase a Schnauzer Poodle puppy, carefully research Schnoodle breeders so that you choose responsibly. Responsible breeders use genetic testing to prevent the passage of undesired traits, and they keep their breeding stock at a good weight and in clean conditions. Mixed breed dogs are growing in popularity. Go to breeders with lots of questions, and make sure you see evidence of health testing.

You can use the information on dog.Show more How much grooming does a German Shepherd need? German Shepherds have thick coats so they shed a lot. You'll typically need to brush your short or long-haired German Shepherd a few times a week. German Shepherds may also need professional grooming. To hel.What size crate do you need for a German Shepherd? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretched out.To find out more about potential health i.Are German Shepherds easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own likes and dislikes and learn to respond to.Show more Are German Shepherds good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. We are currently overwhlemed with requests to rehome dogs. In many cases these dogs are relatively young and due to inadequate training, boundary setting and guidance are reactive towards dogs and people. In some instances, they come with a bite history. It is virtually impossible for us to rehome these dogs. Often if they have the experience, visiting grandchildren for example, may make taking on a dog with these issues very difficult. As a result, these dogs are ending up in kennels at great cost to the rescue, with little chance of ever finding a home willing to give them a chance. All of these dogs have been totally failed by their previous owners. If you take on a dog at any age, it is a commitment for the duration of their life. If the dog displays behaviours that you are not happy with, it is your responsibility as a dog owner to put in the required work. This may be done by reaching out to a qualified behaviourist or trainer and even if you get professional help, you will still need to put in the work in terms of putting what you have learned into practice, and by repetition. Dogs are sentient creatures; they are not disposable. They are not there until you meet a partner, or until you move away, get a new job or your relationship breaks down. They are for life. Along the way this seems to have been forgotten. Dogs are family and deserve the time and commitment you would put into any family member. We can help with a list of approved trainers and give advice to help you work with your dog but sadly are not in a position currently to help rehome these dogs. Do the right thing by your dog, get help and don't expect rescues to pick up the pieces because you have failed your best friend. They would do anything for you, so we think they deserve the same. Tasha Desperately Needs A Home Tasha arrived in the UK in and has been in kennels ever since that's nearly 5 years, unwanted and unloved! When she first arrived she was only a puppy but she was afraid and panicked as she was carried away from the van, went to bite the person carrying her and managed to escape and was running loose for 2 weeks. We do believe that this is the reason as to why she doesn't like people she doesn't know. She was caught and now she knows everyone at the kennels she is a happy contented dog. Tasha will need someone who is prepared to visit the kennels maybe a few times to gain her trust. Once she trusts and is settled shewill be your faithful companion. She loves other dogs so would perhaps be better being rehomed where there is another dog in the home. She will follow other dogs and settles quickly in the presence of a happy relaxed dog. She has no interest in cats, she just wants to be by your side. Please give Tasha the chance of having her forever home, she has waited far too long. If you are interested please complete an adoption form so that a volunteer can contact you. During the past 2 years Swiis have proudly sponsored over 30 dogs in partnership with GSDR, most of these dogs are from overseas and with the dedicated volunteers and partners of GSDR many have found their forever homes. You can view some of the sponsored doggy updates and their progress by clicking here. Having adopted 2 dogs from GSDR ourselves, my wife Jill and I are passionate about helping as many dogs as we can and urge people who are thinking about adding a canine member to their family to consider adopting a rescue dog, there are so many rescue dogs waiting in temporary homes and kennels both home and abroad who need a safe and loving forever home. German Shepherds are the most loving of dogs, they try very hard to please and are extremely loyal and great family companions, you just need to give them direction and an abundance of love. Whether you decide to provide a temporary home or adopt, the GSDR team will help you at every stage of your journey, with invaluable support and guidance. Swiis Foster Care are pleased to continue to work in partnership with the GSDR and offer financial support to those dogs who are in urgent need. One of the dogs we are currently supporting is called Poppy who is a Romanian rescue found on the streets and was very undernourished and heavily pregnant. The pups are now 4 months old and GSDR, with support from Swiis Foster Care, will eventually arrange for their safe travel to new and loving homes. At the moment Swiis Foster Care have foster children in placement and they are at the heart of supporting Poppy and her babies; We recently ran a competition for our fostered children to suggest names for each of the 7 pups, 4 boys and 3 girls. Please click here to see pictures of the newly named pups and their proud mum Poppy, they are so adorable. Most of these dogs are finding their way into the UK through unscrupulous breeders in eastern Europe or coming in via questionable rescuers with no rescue back up here in the UK. Most that we have helped so far, have been picked up as strays here in the UK. This is certainly not the breed for everyone and if you are considering owning a Caucasian Ovcharka , please make sure that you thoroughly research the breed first. They may be the cutest bundles of fluff imaginable as puppies but they are a giant breed and will grow into a very large immensely powerful dog. Caucasian Shepherds that we have for rehoming. The Handy Nanny is available for dog walking, pet sitting and is happy to help with other pets if you are at work or away on holiday. Alice has been involved with GSD rescue since a child and has grown up with dsome very difficult dogs so nothing fazes her. All breeds catered for, all temperaments catered for. We will find the right home for all the dogs that come into our care no matter how long it takes. German Shepherd Rescue is both a registered charity and company, which produces yearly accounts so that you know where your donated monies are spent. Can you help us raise funds so that we can rescue more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs? If you are thinking of buying a dog as a family pet forget that puppies for sale advert, please read this article first. Please do not contact the rescue specifically for puppies - buying a puppy. We are looking for loving homes for rescue dogs of all ages. We always have many German Shepherd dogs for rehoming. Can you offer to adopt a German Shepherd and give it a good home or maybe you could foster a German Shepherd until a new home can be found. If you would like us to feature a German Shepherd dog that is looking for a new home, please contact us with your details. Please note that this is a genuine service for German Shepherd Rescue and not a listing for people wishing to sell their German Shepherd dog. We do not have puppies for sale or dogs for sale but we do ask for a minimum donation which goes towards helping other needy dogs. Monies raised go towards kenneling and veterinary costs. Volunteers are always welcome. German Shepherd Rescue is run by volunteers who are involved because of their love for the breed. Most have jobs and families and fit in rescue work when they can and at their own cost. Please be patient, and we will deal with your requests as soon as we can. Our rescue dogs are worth waiting for! Please help us by donating so that we can help re-home more unwanted German Shepherd dogs. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Thank you. Please help support the rescue Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. German Shepherd Dogs Dogs for Adoption - Urgent case German Shepherd Puppies and Dogs looking for homes "The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. The two breeds most at risk are GSD's and Staffies. Their crime - to be surplus to requirement. Unwanted and unloved. They have the same right to a nice home as younger dogs. She is good with children but unknown with dogs due to lack of socialisation and a no to cats. She is housetrained and travels well in the car. Our assessor found her to be a lovely and friendly dog who is sadly not being walked and therefore pulls on the lead. She is in desperate need of a new home where she will be stimulated and exercised but in return you will have a loving and affectionate dog! Zoey - Staffs This lovely girl is 4 year old Zoey who is in need of a new home. Sadly, Zoey's owner has been unable to exercise her so she is a lively girl, she will bark when people come to the home but our assessor found her to be very friendly and Zoey certainly enjoyed a belly rub or two. She is so eager to please, our assessor took her out and found she would not stray far and came back immediately, excellent obedience. She loves to play with her ball, has no food aggression, sleeps in her crate and travels well. Has previously lived with a male dog but did dominate him and currently lives with a cat but if allowed will chase it; due to her excitable nature it would be best not to rehome with younger children. She is no longer up to date with her vaccinations and has not been spayed or micro-chipped. Zoey is a very much loved dog but sadly not given the time an energetic dog like her needs, she deserves a new loving home where she will enjoy the exercise and stimulation she so desperately needs. Benson - Suffolk Benson is a 1yr old neutered male. He was rehomed by GSDR a few months ago but has returned as there have been changes within the family circumstances, and they can no longer cope with him. Benson has become over protective of his current owner and hence has issues with other dogs when out walking. He needs a firm, experienced owner who will teach him boundaries and acceptable behaviour. This young dog will blossom into a loyal friend with the right guidance. Shiloh - west mids This poor little sad girl is 3 year old Shiloh who is up to date with her vaccinations, is micro-chipped and spayed. She is a very nervous young dog and takes time to settle when visitors arrive but is exceedingly affectionate to her people. She is in desperate need of a home where the new owner will preferably not have any other pets or young children and will be able to devote the time and dedication to this very loving dog. Blue 3 year old entire handsome white German Shepherd who is currently in foster care due to previous owners lack of confidence to control and train. Unfortunately Blue suffers from fear aggression and tries to nip and frighten anyone he first meets but the foster carer can already see improvement day to day and Blue is beginning to trust humans again and be more relaxed and settled within their home. With patience and time preferably the only pet and no children Blue should make a fabulous pet for an experienced GSD home. Micro-chipped, vaccinated and medically fit. Saber Very fit and lively 10 year old, entire. Loves to play and cuddles. Unfortunately due to family constraints Saber is living in a very confined space and left for long periods of time. He has lived with a child but due to his size it would be best to place him with older ones, can live with a steady dog but a definite no to cats!! He was originally found on the streets as a stray and his previous owner spent a lot of time in training him and received a lot of certificates, he even went to work with his owner in the office. We were informed he needed careful introduction to new people he meets but he is now in kennels and has met so many people and staff and has not been an issue; in fact they all adore him. Anyone with experience, looking for a large dog, look no further, Frank is your dog!! Although he currently lives with young children it is advised due to his excitable behaviour and size he is rehomed with much older children, he has not been socialised with other dogs but our assessor said that with time, effort and the right owner he will be fine with them but a definite no to cats. He has been neutered and micro-chipped but his vaccinations are now out of date. Although he never went to puppy class he knows basic commands but gets distracted, with an experienced owner he will make a fantastic dog who is in desperate need of stimulation and exercise. Sadly, as in many of these cases, the breeder was only interested in the money and not the long term welfare of the dog; Rocky has become too much for his current family and are unable to give him the time and stimulation a fabulous dog like him requires. Can you? Tala - Notts This lovely lad is 2 year old Tala who is up to date with his vaccinations and entire. He currently lives with children but would be best placed with much older, more experienced ones, loves to play with other dogs but a definite no to cats. Tala will need firm handling and will need to know who is the leader certainly not him! He is housetrained, travels well and will make a fabulous dog in the right home where he will be stimulated and allowed the chance to have a good run out in the fields. Camy - Lou Camy Lou is a beautiful 5yr old spayed bitch. She is a calm and friendly dog in the house. She loves her walks, being outside and also likes swimming so can be a little excitable when she thinks she is about to go out. Camy Lou has had a rough start to life. Her current owners rescued her a year ago. She was in quite a sorry state but with time and patience they have got her to where she is today. She is insured and vaccinated. Camy Lou is great with people but she suffers from toy aggression. Camy Lou responds to basic commands and has a good recall unless she is distracted by a stick or toy. Her current owners love her dearly but are sadly unable to keep her as she attacked one of their other dogs, while in the home, because of a stick. This gorgeous girl has a lot of love to give and would benefit from an experienced GSD owner with no other pets and no children. Layla - Norfolk Layla is a lovely 2yr old bitch in desperate need of some love and attention. She was being kept in a run down, outside kennel with straw as her only comfort. She is quite underweight and has little muscle tone on her back end. This will improve once she is being fed and exercised more regularly. Her owner is seriously ill and has moved away to be with his family leaving Layla to be looked after by a man, who was trying to help the owner out, but who has struggled due to his own workload and other commitments. This young girl needs time, patience and most of all love to steer her back onto the road to good health. She would ideally suit an experienced owner without young children. Willow - Nuneaton Let me introduce you to the utterly gorgeous, big boy Willow. He is 4 years old 5 in Jul , entire and not vaccinated. Due to his size and strength it would be best to rehome him to a family with much older teenagers or no children at all, definitely no cats and needs to be carefully introduced to other dogs. Our assessor did find him to be a little lively but soon calmed down and Willow enjoyed a fuss and a cuddle. Willow is very large dog and has not be shown any ground rules and therefore his new owners need to work with him but in return they will have a fabulous dog! Buddy - West Mids This lovely dog is 8 years young Buddy who is entire and vaccinations are overdue. He currently lives with a family, a cat, loves to play with other dogs in the park and previously lived with dogs in a former home. The family are no longer able to keep Buddy due to his food aggression and behaviour towards various members of the family. However, our assessor found him to be a lovely, friendly dog who was energetic and this was no doubt due to not getting enough exercise or stimulation. In the right home he would make a fabulous addition and would suit an active family preferably with older children due to his excitable nature. Petra Petra is 5 and unspayed. She has never lived with children but was fine with young children she met out. Petra does not like little dogs or cats, and she will stand up for herself with larger dominating dogs. She has been living with a male GSD and her two 5 month daughters. Friendly with people who are friendly to her. Her recall is good as long as she is not distracted. Petra does have a joint problem on her right rear leg and will struggle if walked more than about 4 miles in a day. Poor Petra has had a horrible start in life. The owner used to beat his wife and no doubt at some stag Petra too. She is very nervous of lighters and matches! She will need confident and understanding owners. Current owner rehoming as mobility issues walking all of the dogs! Louie - Coventry This lovely friendly lad is 8 years young Louie. He is neutered, vaccinated and house trained. He is sadly overweight due to lack of exercise but when our assessor took him out she found he eventually walked well on the lead after initially pulling and responded well to commands but could not test his recall. A definite no to cats and dogs he will dominate them so would be best placed as an only dog and to further socialise with other dogs. Louie is a water baby, loves to swim but doesn't like to go out of his depth, travels well in the car but hates fireworks! A friendly dog who really enjoys the attention he deserves and needs a home soon! Bruno - Cambs Bruno is a longhaired 4yr old entire male. He currently lives in a barn but is chained up as he keeps escaping and has killed the neighbours prize chickens. The neighbours have threatened legal action if Bruno is not re-homed soon. While chained Bruno shows aggression and will nip, but when off the chain he is a completely different character and is very friendly. He responded to simple commands and took treats from our assessor. Bruno is good with children, other dogs and cats. We are unsure if he is house trained but he does not mess in his barn. He is not currently walked and so will need some lead training. He shows no aggression when allowed to be free and will make a great addition to the right home. This young man just needs a chance to be a pet rather than a yard dog. Bailey - Suffolk Bailey is a friendly 5yr old neutered male. He has shown some aggression issues in his current home but he is being left to his own devices for long periods and is under stimulated. Our volunteer found Bailey to be very social and saw no signs of aggression. He needs an experienced GSD owner that can spend the time needed to channel Baileys attentions in a positive direction. Can you offer Bailey the home he so urgently needs? Jake - Suffolk Jake is a 3yr old neutered male. He is currently being left alone for long periods, not walked or groomed. Despite his lack of attention Jake is a friendly boy. He needs an experienced owner who can go back to basics and teach him some manners and give him some guidance on acceptable behaviour. Jakes long coat needs a good groom. This young dog is desperate for a home where he will be loved and receive the attention and exercise that every dog deserves. Theo This beautiful boy is 4 year old Theo who will need an experienced owner to provide him with time for exercise and socialisation. He currently lives with another dog and children but would now be best placed with much older teenagers. Although he lives with another dog and gets on well with her, he does not like other dogs when out. He is fully vaccinated and neutered. He requires a home with GSD experience who will guide and stimulate him, in return you will have a fabulous loving dog. He is up to date with vaccinations, neutered and micro-chipped. He is good with children but will need to be homed as the only pet as he likes to enjoy all the fuss and tummy tickles for himself; and following an attack by another dog when he was only 15 weeks old he can no longer tolerate other dogs or any other furry creatures. He is house-trained and has good basic commands. He has unfortunately been diagnosed with hip dysplasia but thanks to his good muscle tone the vet has advised he does not require an operation; the current pet insurance is transferrable. Our assessor found him to be a friendly and pleasant dog, walked well on the lead; his current owner sadly has to give him up as she is unable to control him around other dogs and the other pets in the home. He will suit an experienced owner who will understand his behaviour and provide him with the guidance and manners he requires. Lulu - Nuneaton This beautiful little girl is 3 year old Lulu who is fully vaccinated and micro-chipped and spayed and currently in foster. She has previously lived with children and is ok with most dogs but cannot tolerate small ones and definitely no cats. She is fully house trained but will require further training as she will pull on the lead and needs to learn a few manners. She suffers with dust and food allergies and is currently on medication and a special diet for this; she is currently insured and this is transferrable. She will require a firm handler who can provide her with the guidance and socialization she requires as well as the care needed with her allergy. A lovely girl who needs a chance to enjoy another loving home. He went to attack Ash on a number of occasions, Ash soon showed him who the boss was good lad. This shows he can be ok with the correct guidance. He is a big strong boy so pulls on lead. We would recommend that no small children as he is a very big lad. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Please help support the rescue Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. Thank you. Adopt a new best friend. By choosing to adopt, you participate in a statewide effort to provide homes for deserving and loyal German Shepherds. We cover all vet expenses and will purchase all needed supplies for your foster dog while they are in your care. Adopt a Dog Help us help future dogs. Donate your time. Campaign for fundraising. Transport dogs to their destinations. Make a difference in the German Shepherd community. Apply to volunteer with us and provide care for German Shepherds that truly need it. Apply to Volunteer We have found homes for hundreds of happy German Shepherds. Below is a list of German Shepherds that have successfully found a new home. German Shepherd adoption has changed our lives, and it can change yours, too. Bodie A friendly German Shepherd with a lovely black coat. Bodie was a lovely, personable German Shepherd that was finally adopted by a loving family after a long battle with homelessness. She also loves engaging in friendly play with cats! Jill Adopted in , Jill became a playful and positive addition to her family. Jill had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Now, she enjoys daily walks to local parks. Mesaba Once abandoned by his previous owner, Mesaba found a loving family in Georgia, who named him Mesaba after their Minnesotan roots. Mesaba now enjoys walks in the park, play time with friends, and a loving family. Giroux After previous domestic issues with cats, Giroux found a home with one of our volunteers. He now enjoys cheering up his new owner, who has previously lost a German Shepherd to age-related difficulties. Abbie After a history of neglect, Abbie was able to recover from her past trauma and find a loving and accepting home in .She now enjoys playing hide-and-find with new toys, playing in the local pond, and being part of her new family. Fletcher After abandonment from his previous owners, Fletcher was finally able to join his new and supportive family. He now enjoys long walks, lots of attention and plenty of space for personal recreation. Matilda Matilda was shy before reaching out shelter - but after some training, she was finally able to come out of her shell! She now spends time with her new family, receiving more love than she could ever imagine! Queen Adopted in , Queen is a playful and positive addition to any family. Queen had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Ike Ike is the life of the party. We are pleased to announced that after years of neglect, Ike was finally able to join a family of his own. Now, Ike enjoys playing with his new owners and enjoying a life of abundant love and affection. She was once abandoned by her previous owners, but with some care and rehabilitation, Lady was able to relocate to a loving family of her own! Schatzi Talk about playful! Schahtzi is a lovely German Shepherd that was able to join a loving family after a past of neglect. Now, she enjoys lots of exercise and good memories with his new family. See More Alumni Give in memoriam. To us, a dog is family. Every pet has a story, how they were rescued and what they meant to us. Tell us your story. History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. Saving one dog will not change the world, but for that one dog the world will be changed forever. Visit our online store German Shepherd t-shirts, fleeces, badges, mugs, mouse mats, cards and much more. EasyFundraising You can help us raise money for the rescue without even leaving your home. It's easy. Sponsor a GSD You can now sponsor our kennel dogs until they find their forever home. Could you help? Check out our Dogmatic headcollars. Vogrie is booked for Saturday 27th July for our annual dog show. We have to thank a lot of people for supporting our event. Firstly thanks to.The best boy and our rescue Ambassador Ileach has gained his wings and gone.Complete our Adoption Form if you would like to adopt one of the dogs on our site. If you've found yourself in a position where you need help re-homing your German Shepherd please complete our online for and we'll be in touch as soon as possible. Foster Homes Needed If you can offer a warm, loving foster home please get in touch. German Shepherds don't do well in kennels, we would love to have warm foster homes to offer instead of cold concrete kennels. ALL food and expenses will be covered by the rescue. Like to Help? You can help us rescue more dogs like Murphy. Just click the button to send us a donation. All donations gratefully accepted big or small, every penny counts! Please donate now!