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Keep on reading to learn everything about French Bulldog puppies! French bulldogs All you need to know about Frenchies: a short summary History in a nutshell French Bulldogs were first bred as a smaller version of the English Bulldog in the 19th-century England. They were particularly popular among lacemakers in Nottinghamshire, who initially kept them to chase rats but soon fell in love with their small size and calm, friendly nature. After the Industrial Revolution, they had to move to southern France where lacemaking was still done by hand and took their dogs with them. Frenchies soon got popular in the circles of French artists, actors, writers in Paris as well as rich Americans visiting the city. In fact, they loved Frenchies so much that they took them to the US, where they finally got recognized by the AKC in .Frenchie Characteristics French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds thanks to their fun, adaptable, friendly nature and distinctive look. You can easily recognize them by their flat, heavily wrinkled faces and large, erect bat ears, which make them absolutely adorable. Despite having the strong, muscular body of a bulldog Frenchies are small in size: adult males usually weigh 20 to 28 pounds while females are 16 to 24 pounds. Frenchie Colors Frenchies come in a wide variety of different colors and patterns. There are standard French Bulldog colors like black, fawn, cream and patterns like pied and brindle, which are considered common for the breed. Rare and unique colors like blue and lilac, as well as patterns like tan and merle have gained more popularity in recent years. Frenchie Personality French Bulldogs probably have the biggest personality among all the dog breeds. They are funny, friendly and insanely affectionate, making them the perfect companions for anyone. They are also highly intelligent and need a fair amount of mental stimulation. Frenchies are like small children: simply irresistible! Giving only high- quality food, ensuring regular training and exercise, finding a good vet and not exposing them to too much heat is also essential to provide a long and happy life for your French Bulldog. They are little clowns who always do something silly to make you laugh! They are amazing companions who get along with everyone in the family from small kids to older people, other dog breeds and even cats. Shall we go on?! The exact amount usually depends on various factors like the color, gender and age of a puppy as well as the breeder you get your puppy from. Breeding Frenchies requires a lot of time, effort, care and money, so those who are dedicated to only having high-quality and healthy French Bulldog puppies will ask a larger sum starting from 4, USD. Colors and patterns considered common for the breed like black brindle and fawn have the lowest prices ranging from 4, to 5, USD, while blue, lilac and merle which are more unique and harder to produce come at a higher price as well ranging from 6, to 8, USD. Isabella and fluffy Frenchies are the rarest, most valuable and most expensive from 8, to 30, USD. When it comes to age and gender, younger female Frenchies usually cost a couple of hundreds more than older male puppies. What's included in the price? We produce all of the brindles in black, blue, chocolate, lilac , fawns and sables in golden, red, blue, chocolate, lilac , creams, pure coats and tan points in black, blue, chocolate, lilac , and pieds in ALL of these beautiful colors! Call Us Are you ready to own the most popular dog breed in the U. We appreciate you visiting our site, whether you have been here many times in the past, or if this is the first time you have paid us a visit. We hope that the time you spend with us will be enjoyable, and that you will feel it is worth your time and effort. Of course, we invite you to come back as often as time permits, as we have provided a lot of information regarding the French Bulldog, and we doubt if you will cover everything in one visit. Under Owner Information, you will find a lot of information to help you determine if the French Bulldog is the breed for you. There are also FAQs for New Owners, if you have made the decision to adopt one of these wonderful dogs. Under Owner Info, you will also find several products that we use and highly endorse. We then have the unpleasant talk about scammers, who are rampant in the puppy arena, especially regarding French Bulldog puppies. If you see a deal that sounds too good to be true, there is a .It breaks our hearts every time we are contacted by someone who has been scammed, or nearly scammed. Please be careful. Lastly, under Owner Info, you will find information regarding our contract and our guarantee, which we believe is one of the best available, and it is the least we will do in the unlikely event that there is a problem with one of our dogs. Under Our Frenchies, you will find information regarding our breeding males, our females which have puppies on the ground, and retirees that are ready for their forever homes. We are very proud of the breeding male and females we have assembled. You can click on Former Puppies and scroll down to see a few examples of all of the various colors that Frenchies come in that we have produced in the past. We know that the different colors can be a bit confusing, so we have tried to make it as straight forward as possible. The only problem is that there are so many gorgeous colors that they come in, a decision regarding color preferences can be difficult .Also, under Our Frenchies, you can click on New Puppies to see all of our currently available puppies, along with a list of the litters that are born, but not yet introduced. We have placed multiple puppies in every state of the union except Hawaii, as they have a very long quarantine period. We have been using very responsible puppy nannies for years to deliver puppies to major airports all over the country, for very reasonable rates. We would love to work with you to place the perfect little Frenchie in your home. Some of our puppies, especially very specific requests, are placed with clients on our waiting list, but many are available to potential clients that are looking for puppies right away. If you are looking for a high-quality Frenchie puppy, please contact us and we will send information which will help you determine if we might be the breeder for you. We will do our best to help you adopt the Frenchie of your dreams. We do not post earlier videos. All of the puppies shown in the videos will have had their vet checks and will be available for adoption with the exception of a few that we may belatedly decide to hold back. Generally, those that we will be holding back will not be included in the videos. As a reminder to each of our Waiting List clients who have passed on prior puppies due to poor timing, when you are ready for your puppy, please let us know so we do not bypass your name when we are placing new litters. Meeting the puppy Nanny was easy and smooth at the airport! Hank was love at first sight. Happy Holidays! Just thought I would write to give you an update on our Dieter. Thank you again for doing what you do, and raising such amazing dogs! Dieter is loved by all who meet him, and he has met several people on his adventures this year. He is such a mischievous, but entertaining boy. He is the sweetest, craziest, cutest, cuddliest, puppy! Hi everyone! Just wanted to give you guys an update on Hank Mowgli. He is the center of every minute in my girls day. There were tears of joy and excitement — it was wonderful! Night went well — I had my hand in her kennel so she could sleep — she would make sure it was there and then fall back to […] Danielle, Rich and Rowan Hi BlueHaven!! Hope all is well! Rich and I would like to thank you for the care and love you put into your breeding program. Rowan is a healthy and fun-loving Frenchie! We hope all is well in your neck of the woods. All is well here. Originally, when we listed our preferred colors, we did not select brindle, but as you can see, once we saw GiGi, […] Catherine, Nick, Kolbie, Natty, and Dieter Dieter had an awesome first night. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! Just wanted to send an update on Pearl formerly Sinah. At nearly 4 months old now; Pearl is doing very, very well. She had her 3rd series of shots and vet check last week and is perfectly healthy. Both parents can be seen. Pups have been vet checked and will be vet checked again before they leave. Pups will be ready to leave, they are 12 weeks old. They are be wormed and dead before they leave and we will give you advice on how to continue with this. Akc registered. Coming along with all health documents. Contact edwardokiki1 gmail. I am open for offers but reasonable My puppies are 9 weeks old and purebred also health checked I am willing to offer free shipping depending on your location. These cute and very friendly French Bulldog puppies are family raised with lots of TLC and are very well socialized with. They are up to date with shots and dewormer and will be vet checked. These darling pups will make outstanding family pets and loving companions. They are raised in our home as family. Dad is loving and a great companion, These puppies are AKC registered and will be up to date on vaccinations and worming. Istanbul french bulldog puppies Turkey French Bulldog Puppies french bulldog puppies Istanbul, Turkey French Bulldog Puppies Hi this is my litter of fully KC registered french bulldogs with papers and will be microchipped and vaccinated also, great bloodlines from the dam and sire both sides. Sire and dam are household friendly dogs and have all grew up indoors. Both sire and dam are very calm and collected french bulldogs Istanbul french bulldog puppies Turkey French Bulldog Puppies french bulldog puppies Istanbul, Turkey French Bulldog Puppies We Are Proud to Announce the arrival of our top quality beautiful litter of 4 Self whelped French Bulldog Puppies they were born and raise in our family home with children and other animals and are ready to leave now to their new homes. Please Contact me back by Email: sandrinemayer39 gmail. Would give you the best companionship you wished for.

Kenya Labradors is solely dedicated to "breeding excellence" to offer you the highest quality family pets and champions of conformation, hunting, agility, and obedience. I specialize in English-type chocolate, fox red, and black Labs of exceptional intelligence and overall brilliance. I invite you to browse our website for photographs, pedigrees, and short stories about these amazing dogs! Kenya Labradors is lovingly owned by Christie Valdez. Our home is 20 acres in the gorgeous Santa Margarita Valley on California's central coast. With all this land, I could have chosen any breed of dog.Why did I choose Labradors? I train, breed, and show only English-type Labrador Retrievers because I believe no other dog will suffice. These fabulous dogs fulfill my every criterion for the perfect canine companion. They are magnificently built for stamina and field hunting. They are off-the-charts bright, eager to please — affectionate, easy to train, and full of personality. Kenya Labradors are filled to the brim with so much love, devotion, and intelligence — sure to become an essential member of your family. Labradors were and continue to be the obvious choice for me. I started breeding Labradors after discovering one special dog. Read my story. From there, I began a fantastic journey to produce the best quality Labrador Retrievers possible, specializing in chocolate, fox red, and black colors with English-type conformation. Kenya Labradors are beautiful, bold-looking dogs and incredibly athletic. They love to swim, play catch, and retrieve but can just as quickly kick back to watch movies with you on the couch. Kenya Labs are super friendly "people dogs," wonderful with young children and the elderly, and for announcing to welcome visitors. Please Contact Me for a Phone Appointment. I don't post my phone number on this website because I am often working with the dogs and paying proper attention to numerous phone calls became too challenging. Establishing our first contact by email allows me to set aside a time on the phone when you will receive my full attention. I appreciate your understanding on this. Simply click on "Contact" or fill out the quick form at the bottom of any page. Unless I am at a dog show or hunt trial, I will get back to you typically within the day. I look forward to meeting you! That's a BIG title, and with good reason! The Labrador is the most popular dog breed by registered ownership in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is also one of the most popular assistance dog breeds in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many other countries. They are also widely used by police and other official bodies for their intelligence and desire to please. Sorry, No Shipping When your puppy is ready to go home, I highly recommend the safe and reliable transport service of Trinity Pet Nanny. Click on the name to email and arrange for your puppy to arrive healthy and happy! You must be physically present to purchase a Kenya Labradors puppy. Our dogs are not crossbred to make designer breeds or for non-AKC-recognized colors like silver or white. When looking for amazing English-type Labradors bred according to strict AKC standards, you'll find that I take great pride in doing that one thing well. Come and see for yourself. You might fall in love! Santa Margarita, CA .Kenya Labradors breeds the best, so YOU will live with the best. Kenya Labradors is solely dedicated to "breeding excellence" in order to offer you the most outstanding family pets and champions of conformation, hunting, agility, and obedience. We specialize in English-type chocolate and black Labs of exceptional quality and brilliance. See our website for photographs, pedigrees, and information! Why Labradors? Our home is on 20 acres in the gorgeous Santa Margarita Valley on California's central coast. With all this land, we could have chosen ANY breed of dog.Why did we choose Labradors? We chose to love, train, breed, and show only English-type Labrador Retrievers because we believe no other dog will suffice. These fabulous dogs fulfill our every criterion for the perfect canine companion. They are magnificently built for stamina and agility. They are off-the-charts bright and eager to please — loving, easy to train, and full of personality. Kenya Labradors are filled to the brim with SO MUCH love, devotion and intelligence — sure to become an important member of your family. It was an easy choice for us. We started with one dog, as many people do. Read our story. Now we strive to produce the best quality Labs possible, specializing in chocolate and black colors with the English-type conformation. Kenya Labradors are beautiful, bold looking dogs, and especially athletic. They love to swim, play catch, and retrieve, but can just as easily kick back to watch movies with you. Our Labs are super friendly "people dogs", good with young children and the elderly, and for announcing to welcome visitors. That's a BIG title and with good reason! It is also one of the most popular assistance dog breeds in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and many other countries, as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their intelligence and desire to please. Please contact us for a phone appointment. We don't post our phone number here because we are often outside with our dogs, and paying proper attention to numerous phone calls became quite a challenge. Establishing a first contact by email allows us to agree upon time where you will receive our full attention. We appreciate your understanding on this. Simply click on "contact us" or fill out the quick form — at the bottom of every page. Unless we are at a dog show or hunt trial, we will get back to you typically within the day. We look forward to meeting you! Sorry, we do not ship. Kenya Labradors does not sell puppies via the Internet or to pet dealers. You must be physically present to purchase a Lab puppy from us. We also do not cross-breed Labs to make designer dogs. We breed amazing English Labradors and take great pride in doing that one thing well. Come and see for yourself. You just might fall in love! Santa Margarita, CA .Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers are consistently among the most popular dog breeds worldwide, due in large part to their cheerful personalities and obedient natures. If you live in California and want to expand your pack with a new Labrador Retriever puppy, the breeders on this list should be the first places that you check. The 8 Labrador Retriever Breeders in California 1. However, they emphasize preparing their pups to be working dogs, ready to help you with your next hunt. For an additional fee, you can have your new dog taught basic obedience and advanced gun dog training. Summerland Labradors Visit Their Website Phelan, CA Summerland Labradors is a small operation, producing only two to three litters per year, so you need to be on the ball if you want to adopt from them. Kenya Labradors Visit Their Website Santa Margarita, CA The biggest downside in buying a dog from Kenya Labradors is that the animals are raised on a gorgeous, acre plot overlooking the California coast, so the dog might be a bit disappointed when they get to your house. Still, all that room enables these dogs to get plenty of exercise and socialization before they join your pack. This kennel breeds well-pedigreed dogs, and your pup will come with more paperwork than the average new car. Your dog will be accustomed to living like you do long before you pick them up, which should cut down their adjustment time significantly. All their dogs are AKC-registered, and each one has many generations of champions in their heritage. They go to great lengths to try to match each pooch up with the perfect home for them, so your dog will be chosen based on how their temperament fits in with your existing lifestyle. They also guarantee that their dogs will be free of genetic defects up to 1 year of age or your money back. Your new pup will be thoroughly vetted, registered with the AKC, and microchipped before being handed over to you. They also have an extensive blog that answers just about any question that you might have about raising your new family member. You may also be interested in:. Here at Kentfield Kennels we are firmly committed to breeding the traditional English Style Labrador Retriever that will become your best friend, a loving family member, hunting companion, service dog, or will be out there competing in one of the many events you can enjoy with your dog. What we wish to produce is a substantial, medium sized dog with a good bone structure, strong muscles, a broad head and muzzle with wide set eyes that have a kind expression. A great double coat to keep out the cold and that thick traditional otter tail that is carried straight and flat from the body is our goal in each breeding. We want our females to weigh approximately lbs, and our males to weigh around lbs. All of our puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club, micro-chipped and enrolled in the AKC ReUnite program before they go into a new family home. What makes us different The Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate and patient dog. They are highly intelligent, quick to learn, lively, good-natured and love to play, especially in the water! We wish to breed into our dogs the excellent, reliable temperament that is sociable, friendly, loyal and above all else, great with children and other pets. You are among an elite group whose love for dogs is unwavering; and it carries through in all you do as a breeder and dog owner. The AKC is proud to have you represent the largest, and most respected registry in the world! The program gives AKC a new way to engage, encourage and recognize ALL breeders who meet specific health testing standards and who participate in continuing education. They specialize in breeding top-quality AKC-registered chocolate, yellow, and black Lab puppies and in training them for hunting. Contact Sierra Valley Labs well in advance because their annual litters usually have a long waiting list. They are a member of the Good Do Breeding Club, which sets the standards for health-testing practices for dogs. All dogs are bred as per the AKCs H. T program. This program measures how well dogs are raised across five parameters — Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility, and Tradition. Japatul also offers a two-year health guarantee for hereditary defects. They boast of decades of testimonials, reviews, and satisfied customers to attest to their quality of service. Several dog training schools and Service Dog Organizations source their dogs from Kentfield. This is awarded only to a select few breeders across the states. Almost everyone who has bought a puppy from them has boasted of its friendliness. Quail Canyon also provides professional training and care advice to their customers long after the sale. This ensures that their dogs mature well. They also offer training games and various activities that help improve intelligence for sports, chores, or hunting activities. Puppies are vaccinated, de-wormed, and microchipped as per AKC guidelines. Labs have the most consistent record of openness to strangers, eagerness to please others, and high affection, among all dog breeds. Labrador breedes. We would love to invite you to compare our testimonials with other Labrador Retriever breeders in Southern CA. We invite you to view pictures and read some of the touching letters we received from Read Testimonials Read More About Us We are a large family that loves Labs! We began breeding Labradors simply for the love of the breed. My wonderful kids are involved with the care of our pets and the socialization of the puppies. Some of our Labs have been trained to surf! They even drive from Arizona and Las Vegas Nevada! Acts Help Heal and Protect your Pet for life! Learn more click here! A lifetime of Nu Vet is cheaper than one major vet visit. Puppies and dogs that are on Nu Vet have beautiful coat and skin and are far less likely to ever suffer from allergies. Nu Vet Plus is an immune system builder that will help strengthen your pets immune system as well as the cardiovascular, skeletal and nervous systems. It will help protect pets from the side effects of vaccinations and the stress of new and different environments. Your righteousness is like the mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike O Lord. Psalm .As my website states, I am not like other breeders in many ways. First, I want to explain how the average Labrador breeder raises their pups the first few weeks of their life. They expect these tiny pups without their senses fully developed to find their way to a nipple without being smothered. I understand that this is what dogs do in the wild, but this is also why many puppies die in the wild. .Then, on top of that they hope that each of the pups will get enough milk on it's own to make it through the 1st week of life. They expect the Lab mom to do all the work, so they don't have to lose a wink of sleep. This is all very sad to say but it's true. I, on the other hand, care about each individual pup's life, I care that each and every one of them survive so that they can live a full and happy life. So, I make sure that each individual pup is given outstanding care. How do I do this? I began with hand raising each one of my pups the first 3 weeks of its life. What do I mean by hand raise my pup? It means I personally make sure each individual pup is fed every 2 hours- 24 hours a day, the first 2 weeks of its life. At feeding time, I make sure each puppy gets on a nipple so they don't have to struggle to find one. I make sure that each puppy gets an adequate amount of milk. Then, once I see that they have been well fed. I pick up one pup at a time and have the mom lick it to go potty. And then I put them in their little crib to ensure they are safe and not smooth by the mother until the next feeding 2 hours later. At three weeks, we feed the pups every 4 hours. But at this point, even though the pups eyes and ears are open. I still supervise the feeding to ensure that each pup is adequately fed and again not smothered by it's mother. I believe in giving these pups outstanding care. Even if that means that I lose a lot of sleep, and even if it ends up just saving one pups life. That one pup could be the next Labrador that I get a testimony about how it brought so much joy into one person's life! So, in the end, all the work and lack of sleep is worth it. I am up now about to give my pups their 3 am feeding. Hope this helps you all understand what is put into each litter. She is from our breeding between Cash and Bella, both parents are health certified. Sugar is overnight crate trained and has some other training. She has the sweetest disposition; we absolutely love her! However, we have had a family emergency that has come up that may cause us to have to put Sugar up for sale. If you would be interested in Sugar, please email us and let us know about yourself, and the lifestyle that you would be able to give Sugar. We will be reviewing potential families who would be interested in Sugar and pick the best family for her, and make a decision later this month. They are given constant positive attention their whole time with us. We have a big game room that we call the "Labby Room" This room is designated for our labs and their lab puppies. The puppies get a lot of interaction with all our kids in this room. They also become well adjusted to all the sounds of the home life, like the sound of a vacuum. When the pups are born, I will contact you and inform you on how many pups were born. We will post up pictures of each litter soon after they are born. And try to post weekly picture updates so you can watch the puppies grow. We will also post video on our face book page. When the pups are 6 to 7 weeks of age, I will contact you to set up an appointment for you choose and pick up your pup at 8 weeks of age. If you had first deposit in for a male pup you will have first choice of all the males available. If you have second deposit in, you will have the next appointment to choose from the males that are left and so forth. This order of reserving pups would also apply to the females as well. We honor all reservations on a puppy by not selling the puppy to anyone else. So if you are interested in a litter and don't want to make a reservation until "you see the litter". An appointment can be made to view the left-over puppies when they are 10 weeks old, and no sooner. No appointments will be allowed at a younger age, except for the families that made a prior reservation. We will not allow our baby puppies to be exposed to potential life threatening viruses from people that are just "shopping". We wait until all puppies that have been reserved are safely home, before we show any left-over puppies. Any left-over pups will be at least 10 weeks of age before any viewings are allowed, to insure they have at least had 2 sets of shots in. The only other accommodation that we can offer is a zoom call, so you can see the pups before you make a reservation. Most of our sweet puppies are sold before they are even born. Reserve your puppy today!

Things to do with your English Bulldog Nebraska is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Nebraska that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit a Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Nebraska that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Nebraska, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Nebraska, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Nebraska, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Nebraska, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Dog-Friendly Businesses Nebraska has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Nebraska. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Nebraska is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Nebraska? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. You will be getting his AKC full registration paperwork, along with vet records. Puppy will be microchipped. Ready to go to your home now! The price on the puppy is negotiable to some extent, no low balers. These dogs are expensive, and expensive to keep. Please do your homework. Puppy is guaranteed through contract for 12mo. Dewormed, shots, and well socialized. Male is full suited lilac, female 1 is lilac and female 2 is black tri. Potty training well. Transport available at buyers expense. View Detail English bulldog puppies I have 3 English bulldog puppies that are 10 months old. Prices are I also offer a payment contract lay-way if needed. For more information please contact me. I'm located in Bellevue nebraska xxx xxx xxx3 View Detail English Bulldog puppies Euphoric English Bulldog puppies ready for their new and forever lovely home. Good with kids and other pets been wormed and deflected vet checked 3 females 1 male very chunky ready to go. In excellent condition, good family pets. All injections given, also chipped. These puppies have great markings no breathing problems or health issues fantastic bone structure many champions in bloodlines EMAIL.And of course Guru s.View Detail Gorgeous Kc Bulldog Puppies Show quality meets colours in this fantastic breed Lola is our 3 year old beloved pet she live in our house along side with our 2 French Bulldogs and Bengal and my 2 older boys and my 11 month old baby that never leaves her alon.Prydainteirw are pleased to announce we have an outstanding litter available of 1 boy and 7 girls. These pups are ready to go to there new forever the boy and 5 girls have already been sold. These pups hav.View Detail Reduced!!!! They all has pretty baby doll faces with large eyes and short noses. They has very compact body and short legs! Contact for details.Interested person should email for more details. He has a very beautiful mask and is absolutely stunning. He has one blue eye and one brown eye. Current on de-wormings and vaccines. Coming due for his first rabies vaccine. You are welcome to come see him. We are also willing to meet with you within reason. Recent on all shots and loves the company of kids , toys and other home pets. Then we have some good news for you! Although we are not located in your state, we can get our Bulldog puppies shipped to you safely! For avid facebookers you will also be able to interact with siblings of your pup and watch how they grow! If you are looking for a perfect bulldogge, give us a call .I love to follow all of our friends and the adventures they have with their dawgs. Anyone else interested please do the same. Hes mellow, smart a huge :. We couldnt be happier with him and with Ary. Ary is always available to help answer questions of give advise and loves to keep up with his pups as they grow and beyond. In researching, we found Ary and the Olde English breed and could not be happier with the decision to get Bruce. Ary was incredible throughout the process, explaining everything we needed to know about the breed and the process of importing him into Hong Kong. He checked in with us several times before the flight and was in constant contact via text when we went to the airport to pick up Bruce, who arrived a little skeptical of his new surroundings but perfectly healthy and happy. The extent to which Ary cares about every one of the amazing dogs he sells is clear through his attention to detail and willingness to put in any extra effort to make sure his puppies get to, and stay in, good homes. He took to his kennel training and potty training so fast! In searching for our puppy, we did our due diligence researching online and then visiting your property in person. I was impressed with how happy and healthy all of your dogs are. I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet the parents of our puppy; they both seemed to have great termperments. Thanks for a wonderful puppy! Lauren W. I recently adopted her from Ary, and it was great! Ary is so devoted to all of his dogs, he even knows them by their bark! His property is a dog haven, dog runs, kiddie pools, and toys for days! He truly loves what he does. When I heard that Ary had rescued a litter of puppies i had to take a look! I fell in love with them all, as i do with all of his litters! He knows the background of each and every one of his dogs, he is so knowledgeable about the breed and is always there to answer any questions i have about Pepper. I will definitely be getting another bulldogge from Ary in the years to come. Thanks Ary! Jenna S. Iowa Hey Ary We just want to say thank for are boy Kane. He one of the best we gotten. He is are first bulldogge and wont be the last. Im just glad you made my day by letting take Kane home to live with use. S im looking forward to the day we get are girl from you. He is pounds and a real joy to have around! Ary is so helpful and we are grateful for him introducing us to this wonderful breed. There really is no better breed of dog! If you are looking for a bulldog and you should be! Shane S. Cares deeply about the health and well being of his dogs. A quality breeder with amazing dogs!! Cinda G. Brea, CA Just want to start off by saying: Ari, isnt just a Breeder hes a good guy and now a friend of mine!!!! I bought a puppy from him last feb !!! Since that time he taught me a lot about the breed to the point where i want to start breeding oldies!!!! So if you looking for a quality olde you have came to the right spot…. For many of these beautiful animals, they face a life in cages or possible being put to sleep. Here at One of a Kind we are trying to do our bit to help these dogs, so we have created www. So, if you want to help out and give a beautiful abandoned dog a loving home rather than buying a puppy, please have a look at our rescue website. Follow Us on Social Media! Paypal Secured Payments.

However, their size and look can vary a lot depending on what kind of disorder they have and how severe it is. It is important to note that Dwarf German Shepherds may have health issues associated with their dwarfism genes, such as joint problems, hormonal issues, and spinal issues. If you do get one, they often make fantastic pets and we do adore them, but it is vital not to support any breeder who intentionally breeds dwarfs. This is not always the case there are several different ways of getting a smaller dog , but it is something to be aware of when breeders advertise unusually small dogs for higher prices. In this article, we will discuss the different causes of dwarfism and how best to care for a GSD if they happen to have it. Is a Miniature German Shepherd a Dwarf? A miniature German Shepherd is really just smaller than a typical German Shepherd. But a dwarf is a dog with genetic issues that stunted normal growth. Causes of Dwarfism in German Shepherds Pituitary Dwarfism Pituitary dwarfism is a genetic condition that affects the production of growth hormones in German Shepherds. Dogs with this condition have a small pituitary gland, which leads to insufficient growth hormone production. This results in stunted growth and other physical abnormalities such as a large head and short limbs. The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that both parents must carry the gene for the puppy to inherit the condition. Although pituitary dwarfism is rare in German Shepherds, it is important for breeders to test their dogs for the gene to prevent the spread of the condition. If your German Shepherd puppy has pituitary dwarfism you should see the signs within the first 2 to 3 months. Stunted Growth: The dog will grow more slowly than expected and remain smaller in size. Delayed Teething: Teething may occur later than in normal puppies. Thin Coat or Hair Loss: The coat might be sparse and thin, and the puppy may even suffer from bald spots. Skin Problems: There may be various skin issues like flaking or increased pigmentation. Lack of Sexual Development: Affected dogs might not develop sexual characteristics typical of their gender. Protruding Abdomen: This might be seen as the abdomen looking distended or pot-bellied. Delayed Closure of Growth Plates: The growth plates in the bones close later than normal, affecting the overall growth of the dog. Weak Immune System: The dog may be more prone to infections and other illnesses. Behavioral Issues: Some dogs with pituitary dwarfism may display behavioral issues, often becoming lethargic or fearful. They also usually have small, fox-like faces and a shrill bark. If you suspect your German Shepherd puppy may be affected by this condition, consulting with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment is highly advised. Chondrodysplasia Chondrodysplasia is another genetic condition that affects the development of cartilage in German Shepherds. Dogs with this condition have shorter legs and a larger head, giving them a dwarf-like appearance. The condition is caused by a mutation in the COL10A1 gene, which affects the formation of bone and cartilage. Chondrodysplasia is also inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and breeders should test their dogs for the gene to prevent the spread of the condition. It is important to note that not all German Shepherds with short legs have chondrodysplasia, as there are other factors that can contribute to this physical characteristic. Enlarged Joints: The joints, especially in the legs, may appear larger and more pronounced. Spinal Deformities: Abnormalities in the spinal column can lead to a range of issues, including difficulty moving and pain. Facial Deformities: The skull may develop abnormally, leading to a changed appearance in the face, including a shorter snout. Difficulty Walking: Due to the shortened limbs and potential joint problems, the dog may have a noticeable limp or difficulty walking. Pain: The dog may experience chronic pain, particularly in the joints, due to the abnormal development of cartilage and bone. Slow Growth: Growth may be stunted, with puppies not growing at the expected rate. Dental Problems: There might be dental issues due to the misalignment of jaws. Respiratory Issues: Some dogs may develop breathing problems due to the abnormal development of the chest and ribcage. There may also be some overlap between the symptoms of chondrodysplasia and other forms of dwarfism, so professional veterinary evaluation is essential. Help Dogs In Need Our blog posts aim to provide comprehensive, accurate, and objective information on all types of dogs, helping our readers make informed choices that fit their lifestyle. We don't endorse any specific breeding practices, but advocate for ethical breeding and dog welfare. We encourage exploring adoption first. Countless wonderful dogs, from all breeds, await their forever homes in shelters. Remember, with AdoptDontShop, you can give a deserving rescue a second chance at happiness. Understanding Chondrodysplasia vs. Chondrodystrophy in Dogs with Dwarfism Now to understand dwarfism in GSDs that is not from the pituitary gland, we need to look at something called chondrodysplasia and chondrodystrophy. Think of CDPA and CDDY as two different ways that a dog might end up with short legs and we might call them dwarfs, although it is not always true dwarfism. But once in a while, it can pop up in German Shepherds because of a hidden gene that decides to make an appearance. These discs can start to break down way too early this is called IVDD , and they might even slip out of place herniate. This is a big deal and can be painful. The different causes of Dwarfism in German Shepherds is what massively impacts what these dogs look like. Dogs with chondrodysplasia or chondrodystrophy look like normal German shepherds, but they may just have shorter legs or perhaps a shorter back. Meanwhile, dogs with pituitary dwarfism look stunted and foxlike, with patchy or thin hair. We will use three YouTube videos to get an idea of what the different types of dwarf GSDs may look like. In the video, we see a German Shepherd Puppy called Ranger that has pituitary dwarfism note that Ranger has a much fuller coat than these dogs often have : The German Shepherd Puppy Will Never Grow Up The Dodo Little But Fierce In the next video, we can see a video of a GSD with a different kind of abnormality that gives him a very short back: Finally, in the next video we see the extremely rare Mikeygus, a German Shepherd with Chondrodystrophy or chondroplasia, making him look a bit like a Corgi mix. This condition is caused by the compression of the spinal cord due to the degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Symptoms of IVDD include back pain, difficulty walking, and even paralysis. It is important to keep your dog at a healthy weight and avoid activities that put excessive strain on their back to prevent this condition. They will need hormone treatment from early on. Life Expectancy German Shepherd Dogs with pituitary dwarfism have shorter life expectancies than normal-sized dogs. On average, they live to be around 4 to 5 years old. On the other hand, German Shepherds with chondrodysplasia also have shorter life expectancies due to their susceptibility to IVDD and other health issues. However, with proper care and management of their health, these dogs can live happy and fulfilling lives, often living up to 8 to 10 years. Also, see our article on how long German Shepherds live. It is important for owners of dwarf German Shepherds to be aware of these common health issues and take proactive measures to prevent them. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian and maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in ensuring the health and longevity of these special dogs. Care and Maintenance Dietary Requirements Dwarf German Shepherds require a well-balanced diet to stay healthy and active. The diet should consist of high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to feed them dry kibble made specifically for small breeds, as it is easier for them to chew and digest. It is important to avoid overfeeding a dwarf German Shepherd, as they are prone to obesity. Feeding them small meals throughout the day instead of one large meal can help prevent overeating. Providing plenty of fresh water is also essential to keep them hydrated and healthy. Exercise Needs Dwarf German Shepherds are an active breed and require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. They enjoy going for walks, playing fetch, and other outdoor activities. It is recommended to provide them with at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, but they will benefit from more if possible. However, their exercise needs will really depend on how their dwarfism affects their health and physical ability. In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is also important for a dwarf German Shepherd. Providing them with puzzle toys, training sessions, and other mentally stimulating activities can help keep them engaged and prevent boredom. Overall, caring for a dwarf German Shepherd requires a commitment to providing them with a healthy diet and regular exercise. With proper care and attention, they can live a long and happy life. Visit their website here to see available dogs and learn more about their mission. Speak for the Unspoken: Based in Ohio, Speak for the Unspoken is all about giving a voice to pets with special needs. They specialize in the rescue of animals with disabilities and genetic differences. They take in medically complicated dogs, including those with dwarfism, and provide them with the care they need before finding them the perfect home. Check out their website here for more information and available adoptions. Adopting a dog with special needs can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. These organizations provide tremendous support to both the animals and their prospective owners, ensuring that each adoption is a great match and that the dogs receive the love and care they deserve. Due to their unique physical characteristics, they are prone to certain health issues that require special attention. Here are some of the common health care needs and treatments for these dogs: Pituitary Dwarfism To manage pituitary dwarfism, regular veterinary check-ups are crucial. The vet may recommend hormone replacement therapy to help the dog grow and develop normally. Chondrodysplasia Chondrodysplasia is a form of dwarfism that affects the bones and cartilage of the dog. It results in shorter legs and a shorter stature. This condition can also cause joint problems, such as hip dysplasia, and respiratory issues. To manage chondrodysplasia, regular veterinary check-ups are necessary. Additionally, surgery may be required to correct joint problems. Make sure they stay on life-long canine joint supplements. Overall, it is important to provide proper healthcare and treatment for Dwarf German Shepherds to ensure they live a healthy and happy life. Positive reinforcement techniques work best with this breed. Consistency is key when training a Dwarf German Shepherd, as hormone issues can lead to other problems, like lethargy or behavioral problems. It is important to establish yourself as the leader early on in the training process. Also see how to potty train German Shepherds. Using treats and praise to reward good behavior is effective. Punishing bad behavior is not recommended, as it can lead to fear and anxiety in the dog. Instead, redirect their attention to a more appropriate behavior. Dwarf German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to please, making them quick learners. Training sessions should be short and frequent to keep the dog engaged and motivated. They need to be exposed to different people, animals, and environments to prevent fear and aggression. Early socialization is recommended, starting from a young age. Introducing the dog to new experiences gradually is important. This can be done through puppy classes, playdates with other dogs, and walks in different environments. Positive interactions with other animals and people will help the dog develop good social skills. It is important to supervise interactions with other dogs and animals, especially during the early stages of socialization. In conclusion, training and socialization are important aspects of owning a Dwarf German Shepherd. Positive reinforcement techniques and early socialization are key to raising a well-behaved and social dog. Is there a Miniature German Shepherd? Many people love the German Shepherd breed for their loyalty, intelligence, and versatility. However, some may prefer a smaller version of this breed, perhaps due to limited living space or a preference for smaller dogs. This has led some to wonder if a miniature German Shepherd exists. Despite some claims by breeders and sellers, there is no such thing as a true miniature German Shepherd. The breed standard for German Shepherds, established by the American Kennel Club AKC , specifies a height range of inches for males and inches for females. Any dog that falls outside of this range cannot be considered a purebred German Shepherd. Some breeders may attempt to create a smaller version of the breed by breeding smaller German Shepherds together or by crossing them with other small dog breeds. However, deliberately breeding smaller dogs can result in significant health problems and is not recognized by the AKC as a legitimate breed. So, it is important to be cautious when considering purchasing a dog that is marketed as a miniature German Shepherd. These dogs may be the result of unethical breeding practices or may be a mix of several breeds, making it difficult to predict their temperament and health issues. Perhaps the best smaller German Shepherds are really mixed breeds. These two dogs may look similar, and a Malinois by look like a miniature German Shepherd, but they are usually far more intense military grade working dogs and they are not good dogs for the average pet parent. In conclusion, while there is no such thing as a true miniature German Shepherd, there are other small dog breeds that may share some physical and personality traits with the German Shepherd. It is important to do thorough research and choose a reputable breeder or rescue organization when looking to add a new furry friend to your family. The average lifespan of a dwarf German Shepherd with pituitary dwarfism is 4 to 5 years. German Shepherds with chondrodysplasia may live as long as 8 to 10 years, unless their lifespan is cut short by a debilitating complication like IVDD. What is the price range for a dwarf German Shepherd? The price range for a dwarf German Shepherd varies depending on the breeder and location. Ethically, these dogs should not cost much as they are dogs with a disability that need special care and may have high vet bills. Try not to support these breeders, but by all means, do adopt a dwarf if you find it, as they are still rewarding and wonderful pets. How big do pocket shepherds typically get? Pocket shepherds, also known as dwarf German Shepherds, typically weigh between 25 to 50 pounds and stand around 12 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. However their size and weight differs drastically depending on the type and severity of dwarfism. What is the difference between a dwarf German Shepherd and a miniature German Shepherd? There is no official breed standard for a miniature German Shepherd. However, it is important to note that a true miniature German Shepherd does not exist, and any dog marketed as such may be a mixed breed or the result of selective breeding. Final Thoughts In conclusion, the Dwarf German Shepherd is a unique dog that offers many benefits to potential owners. While they may be smaller in size, they make up for it with their loyal and sweet nature. They are highly intelligent and trainable, making them an ideal choice for those looking for a companion that can also serve as a working dog. One of the most appealing aspects of the Dwarf German Shepherd is its adaptability. They can thrive in a variety of living situations, from apartments to large homes with yards. They are also well-suited for families with children and can be trained to be gentle and patient with them. However, with proper care and attention, these issues can be minimized. Overall, the Dwarf German Shepherd is an excellent choice for those looking for a loyal and intelligent companion that can also serve as a working dog. They are adaptable, trainable, and make great family pets. Tamsin De La Harpe Author Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs. Got Questions? I wondered if you could buy a German Shepherd, which stayed as cute as a puppy — forever. German Shepherds can be small. However, they likely suffer from pituitary dwarfism , a rare genetic condition. I can see why it can get confusing. However, this article is solely about the dwarf German Shepherd, and I have to warn you what you will learn may break your heart. It occurs primarily in the German Shepherd breed and its relatives, for example, the Saarloos Wolfdog and the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. So what exactly is the pituitary gland? This is a pea-sized endocrine gland found at the base of the brain and plays a significant role in regulating vital body functions and general well-being. Pituitary dwarfism associated with growth hormone deficiency in German Shepherd dogs has been seen for decades, and dwarfs are born worldwide. However, the condition has been reported to have recently spread quite rapidly in Europe, and this is for two reasons: Through the breeding of unsuspected carriers. The problem is that German Shepherds that are carriers of the recessive gene do not have any visible symptoms, so the reputable breeder would be none the wiser. Unscrupulous breeders realized that they could sell a small German Shepherd more expensively if they tried to pass it off as a smaller version of a purebred. This is also the main reason for the confusion between a German Shepherd suffering from dwarfism and the Miniature German Shepherd crossbreed. Other Causes of Pituitary Dwarfism We have learned that pituitary dwarfism in dogs is caused by the lack of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland due to a genetic disorder. But what else can cause dog dwarfism? Tumor Cysts Infection These other causes are also due to the lack of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Is Dwarfism Common in German Shepherds? Dwarfism is common in German Shepherds 2 to 6 months old when symptoms of slow growth will be evident. No studies have confirmed the actual percentage of dwarf German Shepherds. Other susceptible breeds are Border Collies, Labradors, and Weimaraners. Pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherds must be taken very seriously when breeding as this is an incurable incapacitating disease that we could easily prevent. As long as mating between two mutated gene carriers is stopped, no dwarf German Shepherds will be born. It is one of the few tests available for genetic conditions. I discovered that in the Netherlands, Dutch law now compels German Shepherd dog breeders to use this genetic testing. If this DNA test were mandatory for all German Shepherd breeding and the implementation of a correct breeding policy, then pituitary dwarfism would be completely eradicated. Unfortunately, screening all potential German Shepherd breeding is impracticable and seldom happens. You could also argue that screening is unnecessary due to the low prevalence of the disease, even though we have the statistics for the number of carriers. Some of the ones that survive are often sold, sometimes before the condition is recognized. There is also the cruel breeding practice whereby unscrupulous breeders operating puppy farms often called puppy mills care more about profits than puppies. I found this sad little story of a rescued puppy from a commercial breeding facility in Indiana, whereby a German Shepherd puppy was suffering from dwarfism. Signs of a German Shepherd suffering from dwarfism are their slow growth rate, which usually becomes evident in puppies between weeks old. They will keep their puppy coat for longer in their first year until they eventually go bald. The head and lower legs usually remain with fur. Dwarf puppies will retain their puppy coat for much longer than healthier littermates. However, they will lose the coat in their first year as the dog suffers from alopecia and will become bald, except for the head and lower legs. Pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherds is a severe illness, and clinical signs are not limited to physical appearance. There are also many other hidden problems that a dwarf German Shepherd may suffer. These are some of the severe symptoms: Bacterial skin infections due to alopecia. Renal failure due to underdeveloped liver and kidneys. Cardiovascular problems. Slow and dull intelligence to an underactive thyroid gland. Undescended testes in male dogs. Small testes and penis in male dogs. Irregular or absent heat cycles in females. Neurological symptoms due to abnormal cervical vertebrae. Secondary Hypothyroidism underactive thyroid gland. Delayed dental eruption. Puppies often have a shrill bark. It may have the appearance of a fox. According to the University of Utrecht, without proper treatment, the long-term survival rate of German Shepherds with dwarfism is poor, and many will not live to more than 3 to 4 years of age. Although your German Shepherd may be displaying obvious visible signs of dwarfism, the diagnosis of pituitary dwarfism in dogs is via endocrine tests blood and urine. Imaging tests may also be conducted to check for cysts. Treatment New methods of treating dwarfs have also become available in the last few years, mostly involving replenishing the missing hormones. There is no canine growth hormone, but these are some other options available: Porcine pig growth hormone. This is expensive, and the results differ. These are steroidal drugs that stimulate the production of growth hormones. Thyroid hormones, e. However, results vary. Sadly there is no treatment to cure them. Note: Be cautious about potential impacts when different breeds are allowed to breed for aesthetic reasons. Final Thoughts Suppose you came here looking for a miniature German Shepherd, and this article has melted your heart. In that case, you can contact The Saartje Foundation in the Netherlands to help adopt and rehome a dwarf German Shepherd. Please be aware that it will involve a potentially very high cost because the dog has particular health needs. You can also contact them confidentially if you have a dwarf dog that you feel you cannot keep, as the foundation has a small number of experienced people in various countries willing to give a dwarf a new home. Related Posts You May Like:. They were initially bred as herding and guard dogs. There are no official records of when pituitary dwarfism first appeared in German Shepherds. Dwarf German Shepherds are linked with faulty breeding techniques employed by puppy mills or backyard breeders. Image Credit: Werner B. They have built a reputation for being loyal, loving, and hard-working. They form strong bonds with their humans and thrive in family life. German Shepherds are versatile working dogs, naturally vigilant and protective, with a strong sense of responsibility. They excel as guard dogs and have been used by the military and police as service, search, and rescue dogs. Most dogs with pituitary dwarfism are euthanized and do not reach their fifth birthdays. The stunted growth of the dwarf German Shepherd is one of the most noticeable traits of this dog. However, their problems go much deeper than just their size. Dwarf German Shepherds suffer from severe growth issues, such as the abnormal development of the joints, spine, and bones. As a result, they risk experiencing pain and instability throughout their lives. Some dogs also go on to experience paralysis in their lifetime. They Suffer From Many Health Problems Dwarf German Shepherds can develop coat and skin problems; their soft puppy coat will shed, but they rarely develop an adult coat, and their skin becomes rough and scaly. They can also suffer from secondary hypothyroidism and renal failure. The hormonal abnormalities might also result in temperamental and behavioral problems such as aggression and extreme separation anxiety. They Can Be Pricey While not many owners go out looking to purchase a dwarf German Shepherd, some breeders might unscrupulously sell you one and advertise it as a miniature German Shepherd. They Have to Receive Treatment Pituitary dwarfism is treated with hormone therapy, and it is necessary if your dog is to live beyond adolescence. Thyroid and growth hormone treatments are also recommended. They Can Lead Fulfilling, Happy Lives Despite everything they go through, these dogs are exactly like any other dog; they love their families and are utterly devoted to their owners. Dwarf German Shepherds are unique dogs that require a special type of care from their owners. They have many health and behavioral problems that can make their care challenging, and their lives are short and sometimes filled with pain. There are treatments available, but they are still in their infancy. They need a very special person to provide the life they deserve, for however long that life may be. Conclusion The dwarf German Shepherd is a beautiful dog that looks like a puppy for their entire life. Behind this adorable exterior lie years of treatment and pain. They can be challenging to own, but dogs with dwarfism can lead full lives as long as their families know exactly what to expect. Related Reads:. Breed Info Dwarf German Shepherds are definitely eye-catching. But what causes dwarfism in these dogs and how does it affect their lives? Just like humans, dogs can have a condition called pituitary dwarfism. This is a genetic issue that affects the pituitary gland, which is a vital organ that balances hormones and regulates critical processes within the body. Among the most obvious effects of this condition is stunted growth. You can easily tell a Dwarf German Shepherd from an average one because it stops growing at about half of its typical adult size. However, dwarfism affects much more than size in dogs. Dwarf GSDs often suffer from a variety of serious health issues, which lead to a short life expectancy. Dwarfism is not a disease that dogs contract. Rather, dogs are born with the condition caused by the genes they inherit from their parents. This may not be apparent until the lack of growth is observed. In humans as well as in dogs, pituitary dwarfism is a genetic disorder caused by a recessive gene. Neither parent needs to be a dwarf to produce a dwarf GSD. However, both parents need to carry this gene to produce offspring with this condition. For clarity, you can use A to represent the dominant gene of a GSD with properly functioning pituitary glands and a to represent the recessive gene associated with dwarfism. Dogs that will develop as dwarves will have the aa combination. So, dwarf German Shepherds are usually produced by mating two dogs that are carriers of this gene. For this reason, they are, thankfully, not very common. Despite the fact that they are not very common, they still do exist and breeders need to take responsible steps to prevent the occurrence of dwarfism in their litters. Doing so can eventually eradicate pituitary dwarfism from the GSD gene pool entirely. The only way to reliably prevent the production of dwarf German Shepherds is to test both potential parents before they are allowed to mate. Two dogs with the recessive gene should not be allowed to mate. However, it is typically unnecessary, as you will notice the effects of the condition at an early age. A dwarf GSD will stop growing while others in the same litter experience a growth spurt. Your veterinarian should also recognize the symptoms. Dwarf German Shepherds stop growing at around months of age. Because of this stunted growth, GSDs with dwarfism grow to about pounds. Without this genetic condition, these dogs generally grow up to 90 pounds, some even over pounds. However, this issue goes much deeper than just its size. They are not merely small but actually suffer from real growth issues like abnormal development of their spine, bones, and joints. Because of this, they are much more likely to experience instability and pain. Many will also develop some form of paralysis in their lifetime. Apart from growth problems, dwarf German Shepherds will experience skin and coat issues. They will shed most of their soft puppy coat but will rarely ever develop into their adult coat. Their skin also becomes scaly. Additionally, the adult teeth of dwarf GSD may grow too late or not at all. Their organs—including reproductive organs—may not form or may form to be abnormal. Dwarfism affects German Shepherds not only physically but also emotionally and mentally. Many dogs that have this condition are extremely temperamental due to the hormonal imbalance it causes. In some cases, they develop aggressive behaviors. Throughout their short lives, they are usually treated with artificial hormones and medication that should help manage the symptoms of their condition. Because it is such an undesirable condition, it would be difficult to find a dwarf German Shepherd to buy. Most are put to sleep as soon as symptoms become apparent. Nevertheless, not all people believe that euthanizing dwarf GSDs is the more humane option. Some will try to save them and give them the necessary support so they may have the best possible quality of life until they pass on naturally. Even in these cases, they are rarely ever put up for sale. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous pet shops that will still sell dwarf GSDs either to unwitting buyers or those who were drawn to the uniqueness of dogs with this condition. Although they might be cheaper to buy, they will cost much more to maintain due to the veterinary expenses they will incur throughout their lifetime. Are Dwarf German Shepherds Purebred? Yes, German Shepherds with dwarfism are purebred. Two purebred parents produce dwarf German Shepherds, although they are both carriers of the dwarf gene. Therefore, all their offspring—dwarf or not—are purebred. However, the dwarf offspring will be undesirable or unsuitable for mating. The American Kennel Club is a registry for purebred dogs. Neither would they be healthy enough to excel at canine sports and title recognition programs. No, puppies typically sold as mini German Shepherds are not dwarves but mixed breeds. These dogs generally live long and healthy lives. In contrast, dwarf German Shepherds are purebred but suffer from the genetic condition that severely affects their health and lifespan. Final Thoughts Caring for a dwarf German Shepherd can certainly be challenging. Not only do they require more medical attention than the average GSD but they also live much shorter lives. Hopefully, over time, this defect will be wiped out from the breeding pool and no dog would have to suffer from it. Dwarf German Shepherds can have a range of health issues. As Antagene explains, pituitary dwarfism is not a benign condition that simply results in a smaller than normal German Shepherd dog. It is a condition that is linked to a problem with the pituitary gland where the gland itself fails to grow and develop properly. It controls the activities of other glands in the endocrine system and that in turn controls growth throughout the body. The pituitary gland and its subordinate glands secrete important hormones that tell the other parts of the body what to do and how much to grow and when to stop growing. And many important functions such as metabolism and reproduction also do not happen as they should. This is basically what is happening when a German Shepherd dog inherits pituitary dwarfism. As Merck Veterinary Manual explains, pituitary dwarfism is considered to be a juvenile-onset canine disease. In other words, it starts in puppyhood. There are two main reasons why the pituitary gland may stop forming properly in puppyhood. The first reason is that the growth is paused because of a tumor forms on the gland itself. The second reason is that the gland itself simply does not form properly. Pituitary dwarfism affects more German Shepherd dogs than any other dog breed, although certain other breeds may occasionally develop the condition as well. Pituitary dwarfism can affect male and female German Shepherd puppies equally. What Happens to a Dwarf German Shepherd? There are a number of concerning health impacts to watch for when a German Shepherd puppy is born with pituitary dwarfism. The condition is visible very early in life — usually by the age of two months old. In most cases, the puppy is not expected to live any longer than five years old and may pass at a younger age. Two to three months old The German Shepherd puppy starts to slow down in their growth. This becomes visible around the age of two months as littermates keep getting bigger and the dwarf German Shepherd puppy stops growing at an equal pace. Three months to one year old The dwarf German Shepherd puppy does not shed out the puppy coat like their littermates but retains the soft puppy coat. The coat may become increasingly sparse and, in time, shed out somewhat, but the adult coat does not grow in. Rather, the skin becomes scaly and blackened. The coat that remains if any is still soft like the puppy coat. In most cases, the puppy will retain a larger amount of fur only on the head and hocks. The puppy teeth may or may not fall out but the adult teeth often fail to grow in. If they do come in, they will be late. For male puppies, the reproductive organs will be smaller than normal and the testes may not form properly or descend. For female puppies, the first heat cycle may be delayed or prevented. One year to four years old Even with a life expectancy that is typically five years or less, a dwarf German Shepherd puppy can easily take up to four years to finish what growing they can do. Significant neurological and spinal issues can be present due to the failure of the spinal column to form normally, especially in the first two vertebras in the upper cervical spine. Another unfortunate side effect of pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherd dogs is anxiety or aggression. Vice tells the true story of a litter of six GSD puppies, of which three were born with the condition. Dwarf GSDs that develop either of these conditions can behave in very aggressive ways towards people and other animals. Pituitary dwarfism is what is called an inherited genetic autosomal recessive disorder. What this means in simple language is that both German Shepherd parent dogs must contribute a copy of the gene in order for a puppy to have a chance of inheriting pituitary dwarfism. The fact that the incidence of pituitary dwarfism in the German Shepherd dog breed today is estimated to be as high as 20 percent is telling. Many German Shepherd dogs are carriers of the disease. However, as the Veterinary Information Network VIN explains, there is a pre-breeding genetic screening test that can take a blood draw and detect whether a potential parent dog is a carrier of the gene. If the dog is verified as a carrier, that dog should not be bred. This is the only reliable way to prevent a puppy from inheriting pituitary dwarfism. These types of breeders are much less likely to take the time and go to the expense of having pre-breeding genetic screening tests performed before permitting their dogs to mate. Even if a breeder is absolutely sure their dog comes from a purebred lineage that does not carry the gene, as this Vice story illustrates, it is still vital to have the pre-screening health test performed. German Shepherd puppies that have pituitary dwarfism are likely to suffer from a wide variety of health issues throughout their short lifespans. However, not every puppy that is a dwarf German Shepherd will necessarily have the exact same set of health symptoms. To that point, a puppy that receives expert veterinary care and appropriate treatment is likely to experience less severe health symptoms along the way. There is no cure for pituitary dwarfism in any dog breed. But there are treatments that can ease symptoms and in some measure supplement the vital hormones that the malformed pituitary gland is not producing naturally. According to GSD Pituitary Dwarfism, there are two ways that pituitary dwarfism can show up in a dog. The dog is a genetic carrier only When a dog is a genetic carrier of pituitary dwarfism only, this means that dog received only one copy of the recessive gene for the condition. But carriers, even though they do not show any signs or symptoms of the disease itself, they can pass it on to their puppies if the other parent dog also is a carrier and also passes the gene on to a puppy. The dog has active pituitary dwarfism When a dog gets two copies of the pituitary dwarfism gene, that is when you will see the health symptoms that we addressed earlier in this article. Not only is it likely that a dwarf German Shepherd puppy will grow up to be sterile not able to breed but these dogs should never be permitted to breed. Because dogs that inherit pituitary dwarfism have malformed and malfunctioning pituitary glands, the primary treatment involves supplementing the missing hormones with artificial sources. By supplementing with artificial synthetic versions of some of the missing hormones, a dog with pituitary dwarfism may have less severe symptoms of the condition. As ResearchGate explains, treating dwarf GSD puppies with synthetic thyroid hormones can help ease symptoms and promote the growth of the coat and adult teeth. However, it is important to note that supplementing with synthetic hormones can also introduce side effects that may cause further discomfort to the dog. Skin conditions, hot spots, and cysts are some of the many side effects associated with these therapies. Another treatment that can somewhat promote more normal growth is to delay the spay or neuter procedure. However, to avoid any risk that the dwarf GSD might inadvertently mate with another dog and pass along the condition, the owner must be willing to be extra-vigilant about keeping the dog away from other intact dogs. As well, by choosing to delay the spay or neuter procedure , an intact dwarf German Shepherd dog that develops severe anxiety or aggression may have even worse bouts of these symptoms, which could present a danger to the owner as well as the community. Daily Life With a Dwarf German Shepherd Dog More than a few dwarf German Shepherd dogs have garnered significant followings on social media for their cute perpetually puppy-like appearance. This has helped to raise awareness of pituitary dwarfism in dogs as well. With careful breeding, pituitary dwarfism in GSD dogs can be prevented. You can watch him running and playing and snuggling and doing all the things German Shepherd dogs do. While his condition, pituitary dwarfism, is rare in most species, it affects up to 20 percent of all German Shepherd dogs according to the Saartje Foundation.

Serious applicants only. Potential homes will be vetted for proper placement. Every breed has different requirements, whether the space they must have or the amount of exercise they need. If you are not certain yet, check out our essential Wolfdog breed info to find out everything about the Wolfdog. How to find Wolfdog puppies for sale? When buying a puppy, it is important to consider not only the pet but also the breeder. Because a responsible breeder will ensure their dogs come from the strongest bloodlines and have the best start to life. Ask about the health and temperament of their Wolfdog pups as well as their living environment. But also find out about the breeder's practices and commitments. A good breeder will be happy to answer everything before you decide. After all, they will want to ensure that their dog goes to a good home. When you have done your research and got all the info you need, you can then choose the right breeder with confidence. To help ensure you choose a responsible breeder, all the Wolfdog kennels you see listed here are verified by Pets4You. You will also find that the best breeders will provide a guarantee with their dog. This information, and more, is available on the breeder's website within Pets4You. Browse through our dog breeder directory with complete breeder profiles and current puppies for sale to find your dream dog. Disclaimer It is the duty of every person that is considering buying a puppy or dog to confirm all the information provided to them by the breeder is accurate. Pets4You makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the condition of any dogs offered for sale, the standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their canines, or the accuracy of any information contained within our site. Pets4You does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee a particular kennel, breeder or dogs listed on the Pets4You website. For Buyers. A cage with corners will give a spot for one wolf to aggressively corner another wolf. Also wolves will try to climb and jump in corners. The wolf is a climber and can climb a chain-linked fence. You will need to have an enclosed top or a overhanging climb barrier that is a chain-linked section that is about 3 feet wide and is set at an inward and upward angle of 40 degree. They will try to dig out so you will need to lay wire horizontally about 1 foot underground and 3 feet out to prevent them from escaping. Housing a wolf Housing outdoors in the winter. Species of wolves which are naturally found in cold climate will do fine in a cold climate area but will need access to a dry sheltered area that will protect them from rain, wind, sun and extreme cold. A shelter area should be provided for each wolf. Straw should be spread on the floor of the shelter to provide a dry bedding that can be easily cleaned. You can use a heated water bowl to provide clean drinking water at all times. Warmer climate species will need supplemental heat when the temperatures go below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The can be accomplished by installing a space heater, heat pads, or heat lamps. Make sure the heat source is secure and the wolf cannot knock it over or lay too close to it and get burnt. Warm climate species of wolves will whelp, give birth, during the winter. If you are expecting pups, you need to keep the shelter area at 50 degree Fahrenheit or above for the pups. Housing outdoors in the summer. Wolves do well in the summer heat if shade is provided for each wolf. You can also provide a shallow pond or pool for them to cool down in when needed. Make sure the water level is safe for small pups if any are present. They will also need to have access to clean cool drinking water at all times. Wolves in captivity can be fed a high quality dry dog food diet. Raw meat, bones and whole or partial carcasses can be feed periodically. Clean water needs to be provided at all times for drinking. Vaccinations that you should have administered is for rabies, parvo virus, canine distemper, leptospirosis and corona virus.

Yet underneath that strong and active exterior is a lot of labor and commitment to protecting their loved ones. When it comes to maintaining their health, you need to understand how much to feed a Boxer puppy. We have included a Boxer puppy feeding chart to help you take care of this breed. The daily food intake for a Boxer may range from one cup to four cups. Meal sizes for Boxers depend not just on weight but also on the sort of food they eat. Due to their medium size, boxer puppies need three daily meals and around four cups of food every day. Keep in mind that RER is only a rough estimate of how many calories your dog requires per day; other variables, including their age and activity level, will need to be included in as well. Keeping the puppy clean and warm is essential during this time, as is giving it enough milk or formula to help it thrive. Choose a premium puppy food that has been developed with their unique nutritional requirements in mind. Provide modest, regular meals three to four times a day. At the beginning, feed the puppy just a quarter to a half cup every day, and gradually increase the quantity as it grows. Always have clean water available, and keep an eye out for any symptoms of food intolerance or gastrointestinal distress. To keep them healthy, give them high-quality puppy food in many little meals throughout the day. Exercise, socializing, and the introduction of obedience training should all be high priorities. Keep a close eye on their eating habits and weight gain, and alter their food intake accordingly. This is a pivotal time for training and socializing, so be sure you provide lots of both. It is important to keep feeding them three times a day, and to stick with a high-quality puppy food. Provide around 2 and a half cups of food daily, split between three meals. Starting now is a great opportunity to introduce more advanced training methods like obedience or agility programs. Throughout a day, give them around 2 and a half cups of food. This is a pivotal time for further education and integration into society. Feed them around two and a half to three cups each day. Throughout this phase, they are still learning new skills and interacting with others, making it an essential part of their development. Provide two meals daily, adjusting the quantity of food based on their weight. Maintain a program of regular exercise and training, and watch out for any signs of age-related health decline. Boxer pups need a high-protein, moderate-fat diet for optimal growth and energy. Bone health may be supported by making sure the meal has enough calcium and phosphorus. Depending on its age and degree of activity, the calorie requirements of a Boxer puppy may range from around to 1, per day. A Boxer puppy requires between — calories per day when they are 8 weeks old, and — calories per day when they are 6 months old. Authentic meats and seafood, whole grains, and produce should all be included as ingredients on the label. Puppies of different ages have different dietary needs and feeding schedules. A Boxer puppy of 6 weeks old has to be fed times a day, with each meal consisting of only a few bites. Puppies need to be fed three times a day until they are three months old, then twice a day until they are 12 months old. Training and housebreaking are aided by establishing a consistent eating pattern. Yet, the two are not identical. Dry kibble offers the advantages of being portable, simple to store, and lasting for a long time. Crunchy kibble is good for your teeth because it encourages chewing, which may reduce plaque. Yet, some pups may prefer wet food because to its increased moisture content and inherent tastiness. In addition, it may help you stay hydrated, which is crucial to your health. The preference and dietary requirements of each puppy are unique, thus the choice between kibble and wet food must be made carefully. An animal hospital is the best place to get advice on what to feed a Boxer adult dog. Many factors might be at play if a Boxer puppy suddenly stops eating. Illness, stress, dental issues, and even just a change in habit may all cause lack of appetite in Boxer pups. Sometimes getting a puppy to eat may be as simple as presenting a more appetizing food, feeding it by hand, or making mealtime less of a stressful experience. Leaving food available for a puppy to graze on all day is considered free feeding, which is not advised for Boxer pups. Since free-feeding might induce overeating and weight gain, it is not recommended for Boxer pups. High-quality protein from genuine chicken initially supports muscular growth. This natural dog food has all the nutrition your puppy needs with whole grains, garden vegetables, and fruit. Pros Real chicken first ingredient for protein Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive function Wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit A blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals No chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy 2. Real chicken is the first ingredient in this tasty, nutritious puppy chow, delivering protein for strong muscles and a healthy heart. It also has a SmartBlend of high-quality, readily digested omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for a lustrous coat and healthy skin. Four antioxidant sources for strong immune system High-quality, easily digestible ingredients. Delicious crunchy bites and tender meaty morsels. Cons Contains some corn and wheat 3. This high-quality kibble for pups under 1 year old has actual chicken as the first ingredient and no chicken by-product meal, maize, wheat, or soy. Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA help brain and ocular development and deliver protein. Pros High-quality protein for muscle development and growth No GMO, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy. Brain and eye growth from omega-3 fatty acids like DHA. This formula contains high-quality protein from lamb and omegarich fish oil to create lean muscles and enhance brain and eyesight development. Pros Protein-rich lamb is the first component. Omega-3 fish oil DHA for puppy brain and visual development. Calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals for bones and teeth, Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat Cons Lamb, may not suit all pups 5. Pros Flaxseed and salmon oil contain omega-3 fatty acids Grain-free Created by vets with protein, fat, and minerals Cons Not for ingredient-allergic pets. Raw feeding a Boxer puppy is a contentious issue with no clear consensus on whether or not it is healthy for the dog. Yet, some owners and vets are worried about the potential for bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances in a raw diet, despite the fact that others feel it might give advantages including better digestion and coat health. Also, choose a reliable raw food supplier. The typical growth rate for a Boxer puppy is pounds per week for the first several months of life. A Boxer puppy, depending on its size and gender, may gain pounds by the time it is 6 months old. To make sure your Boxer puppy is developing normally, keep an eye on his or her size and weight. A constant supply of cool, fresh water is essential for the health of a Boxer puppy. Puppy development necessitates that they consume more water than an adult dog would. Puppies need half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. A Boxer puppy weighing 20 pounds, for instance, should need 10 to 20 ounces of water each day. Puppy water consumption should be closely monitored to prevent dehydration. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. And, I'll go out on a limb to say I bet those early Boxers ate dog food with less additives and fillers than found in today's formulas. That is of course, unless you're armed with information on sourcing the best possible modern foods for feeding Boxer dogs! Adult Boxer dogs require 1, to 2, calories of good quality dog food per day depending on age and activity, with an averagely active adult dog somewhere midrange. Being a muscular breed that is highly active, Boxers require quality protein in food at a slightly higher level than many less active breeds. Credence should be given to invest in a quality kibble dog food with high protein and caloric value or go with a Raw Dog Diet , especially for active Boxers. Bloat Concerns This breed is prone to bloat, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus , so grain free kibble and raw diets are a great option for feeding Boxer dogs. Carbohydrate and fat levels are less a concern when feeding Boxer dogs, yet Boxers are know to put on extra weight rather easily. Low carbohydrate diets should be fed to overweight dogs and the breed ideally should be slim, stocky and muscular. To learn how we choose quality kibble formulas, or for help selecting your own, visit our Feeding Dry Dog Food section. For a great alternative to kibble and food we highly recommend for Boxer dogs, visit our Raw Feeding Dogs section. Supplements As with any medium to large breed dog, providing a food that includes supplements adds additional insurance towards good health. To maintain your Boxer's joint health, foods containing chondroitin and glucosamine are awesome. If your kibble doesn't include these compounds, they can be supplemented separately with a product such a Cosequin. For a shiny coat and to promote skin health, foods with Omega-6 fatty acids are wonderful. For control of inflammation or arthritis pain in older Boxer dogs, support the heart, kidneys and stabilize overall mood, Omega-3 fatty acids are great to see on an ingredients panel. Just like Cosequin however, Omegas can be fed separately and as needed by simply squeezing a gel capsule over your Boxer's meal. In summary, feeding Boxer dogs about 2. Amount fed may go up or down based on your dog's size, weight, age and overall daily activity. Feeding Boxer Dog Puppies Quality formulated all life stages food and several small meals a day for a Boxer dog puppy. Your Boxer puppy will grow rapidly through the first six to eight months. Similar to any medium or large breed puppy that is susceptible to bone growth issues like hip dysplasia, feeding a quality all life stages, large breed puppy formula, or Raw Dog Food diet will help regulate growth. Boxer puppies can eat! Two to three regulated servings per day is recommended, do not free freed. There's an unwritten rule in among Boxer enthusiasts to feed at least twice as much food daily that your puppy would eat as an adult, In multiple regulated servings. Begin by following feeding guidelines per the label provided on your chosen Kibble Dog Food Formula. Increase or decrease the amount fed by assessing your Boxer's body weight and energy as he or she grows. From age 6 to 8 months on, the rapid growth phase should cease and while still technically a puppy, your Boxer can be transitioned to an adult diet. This includes higher protein foods yet many who were already feeing an all life stages formula can continue with the same. As always with both puppies and adult Boxers, keep an eye on your dog's weight. You should always see a trace of the last rib with this breed and they should appear slim, yet muscular. Adjust amount fed per serving accordingly to maintain that perfect Boxer appearance. And lastly, with all dog breeds that are prone to bloat, feeding Boxer dogs several small meals a day is a safer bet than free feeding, or one HUGE serving! Don't forget to check out our Feeding Dry Dog Food articles which focus on selecting a quality kibble for your Boxer dog. And, if there's another mid-size dog in your pack, Feeding Medium Size Dogs provides access to a library of breed specific feeding guides. For help choosing kibble dog food for your Boxer Dog plus additional info about raw feeding, visit our Homepage for quick banner access to the major sections of our website! Besides a nutritious diet, Boxer owners must know the right time to feed their pups. Boxer puppy feeding schedule is made easy with this Boxer feeding chart. Larger and stronger Boxer pups push their weaker siblings aside to get the most food. This is why many Boxer breeders and owners make sure that all puppies get enough food. Two week old tiny Boxer puppies are new to this world and rely completely on the Boxer mother. They should always stay with their mother because her breast milk is their main and only source of nutritious food. During this period, two week old Boxer puppies open their eyes for the first time. However, they are still dependent on the Boxer mommy. Even though they are double the size at three weeks of age, Boxer pups are still nursing. During the period between four to six weeks, their teeth grow bigger and the Boxer mommy will wean them off soon. At four weeks of age, the Boxer mother starts weaning her puppies. To help the Boxer puppy transition from milk to store-bought puppy food, it is time that you try making puppy mush. Try offering your Boxer pup this mixture up to four times per day but make sure not to overfeed it. Too much puppy mush can cause your Boxer pup loose stools and diarrhea. However, most Boxer puppies will need some time to fully get used to their new diet. That said, you will need to soften the puppy food that your seven week old Boxer puppy is eating. You should give your Boxer puppies high-quality food three to four times a day. Boxer puppies at this age love to eat, so make sure not to overfeed them two cups per day. This means that your Boxer puppy is totally ready for proper mealtime! The feeding schedule should include: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They will also have more energy, which may necessitate consuming more calories or eating larger portions. Its little body needs all the nutrients from high quality food it can get. At this point, your Boxer puppy eats twice the amount of food an adult Boxer dog would eat. Even though your eleven week old Boxer puppy has an enormous appetite, you must not leave food to its own will. So, every time it is done eating, you should pick up the leftover dog food. Make sure to separate the amount of food in 3 to 4 smaller portions through the day. At six months of age, the Boxer puppy is growing rapidly and you might want to consider home-cooked dog food or introducing it to a raw diet. High-quality commercial dog food is packed with necessary nutrients, but nothing can replace a good home-cooked meal! The period between seven to twelve months of age is when you will want to give your Boxer puppy less food than you would feed a 5 month old Boxer. At twelve months of age, Boxer puppies will do well with two meals per day. However, this depends on the health state and development of your Boxer puppy. If the Boxer pup is more on the skinny side, then you should feed it more food than described in feeding charts. Just make sure to ask your vet to help you develop a balanced diet for your Boxer pup. Fully grown male adult Boxer dogs reach between 65 to 80 pounds, whereas adult female Boxer dogs weigh a bit less, reaching anywhere from 50 to 65 pounds. Adult Boxer dogs should be fed two meals per day — breakfast and dinner. The most important thing is to take away leftover dog food when your Boxer dog is done eating. Due to the fact that the Boxer dog breed is prone to bloating a life-threatening condition , owners and breeders should be cautious around feeding them too much food. If you have owned Boxers or if you are currently a proud owner of the Boxer, then you know how highly energetic these pooches are. Well, due to their high energy levels, Boxers require a lot of exercise. With frequent exercise comes heavy calorie burning after which your Boxer dog needs more food! Besides high energy levels, Boxer dogs are medium breed dogs that inherit faster metabolism than an average medium-sized dog. That said, Boxer dogs require food that is rich in calories and nutrients to make up for the energy that they use during the day. The best Boxer food will be one that is made for active dogs and includes all the vitamins and minerals they require to stay healthy and fit. Young Boxer puppies should eat more than a cup per day, while older Boxer puppies can consume up to three cups daily because their nutritional needs are higher. Adult Boxers require about 40 fewer calories per pound of body weight than puppies. That said, daily food intake for adult Boxer dogs typically ranges from 3 to 5 cups, depending on their weight. Adult Boxer dogs should be fed twice a day, while Boxer puppies must be fed 3 to 4 meals per day. All dog breeds require basic ingredients in dog food such as protein, carbs, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. But the Boxer dog breed is a bit different. Because Boxers are hyper dogs with insane energy levels! So, a good diet for a Boxer pup must consist of basic ingredients, but you may also want to boost it with home-cooked food and supplements. This is why you have to choose the best source of protein for your Boxer dog. Poultry, beef, and seafood are excellent sources of animal protein for Boxer dogs because they are easy on their digestive system. Fatty acids like omega-6 and omega-3 are great for your Boxer dog because they give its coat extra shine and make its skin healthier. With a proper diet that is packed with vitamins and fatty acids, Boxer coat colors become more vivid and its coat sheds less! Fruit and veggies are also great for Boxer dogs because they are packed with vitamins and minerals which are essential for a healthy metabolism. Dairy products like whipped cream and blue cheese should either not be given at all or given in very small amounts. Grain-Free Diet What makes the Boxer dog breed different from other medium-sized dogs is that they are prone to developing Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus bloat. This means that the majority of Boxer dogs will have to go on a special diet. Grain-free diets are usually recommended for adult Boxer dogs in order to avoid bloat and other digestive system issues. We can say that Boxer dogs have more sensitive stomachs than other dog breeds. Not only can these ingredients trigger canine bloat, but they can also cause food allergies. Supplements Sometimes a simple diet for your Boxer dog is simply not enough. Due to their rapid growth and high activity levels, Boxer dogs need to keep their joints in tip-top condition. So, you want to search for food supplements that contain glucosamine chondroitin — compounds that are essential to joint health. Moreover, Boxers are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia which is why these supplements are of utmost importance. But, the Boxer dog breed is a bit different than the rest. Now, I know that this is an ongoing dilemma to the majority of Boxer owners, as there is no correct answer. Dry Dog Food Despite the fact that many Boxers dogs may prefer wet over dry dog food, dry kibble is preferable to keep their teeth and gums healthy, and their jaw strong. The crunch of a hard kibble will help to some extent to remove plaque, but you will still need to provide some at-home dental care. Pure kibble diets are perfectly acceptable to give to your Boxer dog. Additionally, you can boil some chicken or give your Boxer dog some raw meat. Boxers love those! It is perfectly fine to feed your Boxer dog a pure kibble diet. But, you will want to make it a bit more interesting by adding some dog food toppers, cooked or raw meat, fish, and vegetables. Wet Dog Food Wet food has more water, which keeps Boxer dogs hydrated throughout the day. Compared to dry dog food, wet food has higher fat content which is a no-no for Boxers that are prone to canine obesity. For most Boxer dogs that are prone to heart disease like cardiomyopathy, wet food with high fat content may be too much. Different Boxer dog life stages require different food amounts. Besides the life stage your Boxer dog is in, we should take into consideration that Boxers are medium-sized dogs, which means that they require a healthy diet that is specially designed for medium breed dogs. Age Earlier in this article we have mentioned that Boxer puppies need a special diet that consists of a higher percentage of protein, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. This is perfectly understandable because Boxer puppies need a healthy diet to grow. Additionally, Boxer puppies are always on the go and their bodies burn calories like crazy! In contrast to young Boxer puppies, old Boxers need to be fed a healthy diet that has a lower content of protein and fat. Naturally, the metabolism of a Boxer dog slows with age. So, due to the fact that many senior Boxer dogs are less energetic and more on the lazy side, they burn fewer calories. A slower metabolism is one of the main reasons why older Boxer dogs become obese because excess calories from high-calorie dog food are converted into fat. Failure to feed a diet designed for the unique requirements of medium to large-breed puppies like the Boxer can lead to health issues such as canine arthritis , hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, and obesity. This is why you have to choose Boxer food that is designed to control the amount of calories and calcium consumed in order to reduce the risk of these health issues. Gender Regardless of the gender, all Boxer dogs need the right nutrients that will help them stay healthy and strong as they grow. However, the nutritional needs of male Boxer dogs greatly differ from those of female Boxers. Research shows that intact male Boxer dogs eat more than their neutered counterparts. Which is pretty obvious due to the fact that intact male Boxer dogs go crazy when they show signs that they want to mate. In fact, intact male Boxer dogs are known to roam and jump fences in order to get to their ladies. Roaming and chasing those female Boxer beauties burns away all the calories! So, intact male Boxer dogs are always hungry! Neutered Male Boxer Dog Upon reaching sexual maturity, intact male Boxer dogs often become restless and impossible to handle. This is the period when you can see signs that your male dog needs to be neutered. Neutered male Boxer dogs have lower energy needs than their intact counterparts. After having your Boxer dog neutered, you have to put it on a special diet to ensure a fast recovery. In fact, you will need to cut the food portion in half because neutered Boxer dogs require fewer calories. If your neutered male Boxer dog starts to lose weight, you can reintroduce a gradual increase in food. Intact Female Boxer Dog Intact female Boxer dogs typically need fewer calories than both intact and neutered male dogs. Intact female Boxers that are fed the same diet as intact male Boxer dogs are more prone to obesity and heart problems. Spayed Female Boxer Dog Boxer dogs that have been spayed or neutered have lower levels of estrogens and androgens, which, just like in neutered male Boxer dogs, lowers their metabolic rate. Therefore, the spayed female Boxer dog requires less energy. After surgery, the appetite of a female Boxer dog might increase because estrogen has been shown to suppress hunger. To ensure that your spayed female Boxer maintains a healthy body constitution and condition, the amount and type of food must be changed. Pregnant Female Boxer Dog Once your female dog starts showing signs of pregnancy , get ready to learn more about what a feeding schedule for a pregnant pooch looks like. Start by offering your pregnant Boxer dog smaller and more frequent meals rather than large portions. Pregnant Boxers will have less space in their tummy for large amounts of food so make sure to keep the balance between small meals. Additionally, her diet should consist of a lot of soluble carbohydrates along with a little fiber. One of the most crucial minerals for pregnant Boxer dogs are calcium and phosphorus. These minerals support healthy bone development of unborn Boxer puppies. Activity Levels Boxer puppies, adolescents, and young adult dogs that are in perfect heath have insane energy levels! This means that their activity levels are high and they need regular exercise. When your Boxer pup runs all over the place, it needs a lot of nutritious food to feed those muscles! Boxer dogs that receive these optimal levels of dietary protein are more likely to perform to their full potential. Besides healthy protein intake, active Boxer dogs need a bit of carbohydrates. If you notice that your Boxer dog is gaining more weight , simply feed it less, and if they are becoming underweight, feed more. Lazy Boxer Dogs Adult Boxer dogs differ from one to another and have different activity levels. While active adult Boxer dogs normally active require 30 calories per pound of body weight, lazy Boxer dogs require less calories per day to maintain their overall health and avoid becoming obese. Senior Boxer Dogs The majority of senior Boxer dogs frequently prefer canned or raw food over dry dog food. Maybe it is because their teeth are not as strong as before, or simply because of the added moisture found in canned dog food. Even though senior Boxer dogs tend to eat less because they are less active and have slower metabolisms, they require dog food that is high in energy, antioxidants, and fatty acids. This is why senior dog food for Boxers features a healthy balance of antioxidants and fatty acids. Senior Boxer dogs typically prefer smaller portions that are given more frequently throughout the day rather than two fully loaded bowls a day. What Foods Should Boxers Avoid? As we mentioned in the grain-free diet part, Boxer dogs should avoid any dog food that contains wheat, corn, or soy. These ingredients are merely fillers for your Boxer dog, offering little to no nutritional value. In fact, the majority of food allergies in dogs are triggered by grains such as wheat and corn. Besides these common dog food ingredients, Boxer dogs should avoid human food like chocolate, macadamia nuts, milk, avocado, candy, and spicy food. Cooked bones should never be given to Boxer dogs. So, when cooking bone broth for your Boxer dog, make sure to get rid of all cooked bones. Boxer dogs are known to have sensitive stomachs. If your Boxer dog ingests food that is toxic to its digestive system, chances are that it will throw up yellow or develop diarrhea. It is best to consult with your veterinarian and go over any worries you have about what foods your Boxer dog should avoid. While many Boxer dogs simply have an insane desire for food, an increased appetite also known as polyphagia can also indicate a number of health problems. For example, Boxers with diabetes often show signs of polyphagia or an insatiable appetite. These can be signs that your senior dog with diabetes is dying. Besides health issues and all that serious stuff, Boxer dogs can simply inherit a faster metabolism which makes them always hungry. Owners are understandably worried when their Boxer pup abruptly stops eating or gradually loses interest in food. In the absence of other symptoms of health issues, a Boxer not eating is typically not a cause for concern. Normally, stress, reaction to medication, and changes in their environment, can all cause a Boxer pup to stop eating. Boxer puppies that are in their teething period like to nibble on people or objects, rather than consuming their puppy food. Some Boxer pups experience severe discomfort and pain while teething which reduces their will to eat. A Boxer puppy may frequently stop eating due to intestinal parasitic infestation or infections that cause upset stomach. The lack of appetite in Boxer puppies could be a sign of a serious issue like a blockage or poisoning. In other cases, Boxer dogs can lose their appetite due to internal obstructions, pain, and dental issues. The best food for your Boxer dog is usually food that is made for active dogs. While most Boxer owners prefer the Royal Canin brand, there are other commercial dog foods across the U. The majority of Boxer dogs inherit a sensitive stomach, so it is best to avoid bad food brands and to consult your veterinarian about the best dog food that you can find. Conclusion Give your hungry Boxer pooch all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and live a long life! The best way to keep a Boxer pup happy is by giving it nutritious food and lots of exercise. This Boxer feeding chart explains how much food a Boxer needs based on its activity levels. So, I believe that you have gotten the hang of this feeding guide! Make sure to ask your Boxer breeder for additional tips and tricks. Even though this Boxer feeding chart answers the most common questions about Boxer diet and feeding schedule, in case your Boxer puppy is showing signs of health issues, call your veterinarian for a check-up. Related Content. Your dog may suffer from indigestion if they are fed too late at night. A Boxer may struggle to acquire weight at times. Having three meals each day, including snacks, can help during this time. Adult Boxers should be fed in the morning, noon, and evening. Scheduled feeding times should be established early on to prevent weight-related diseases. Adult Boxers on a two-meal diet should eat in the morning and evening. Never let your dog exercise vigorously after a large meal, especially if they eat rapidly. This prevents bloating , intestinal obstruction, and other serious digestive problems. Introduce fewer carbs and consider nourishing their intestines and giving them micronutrients that help fight off disease-causing microorganisms. The following is a top-notch selection of Boxer food: Dry Food: Your best bet is to feed your Boxer dog grain-free kibble or dry kibble. Some even advocate dog food with human-grade ingredients. High-quality kibble containing animal protein formulated specifically for the growth and development of lean muscle mass in Boxers. Wet Food: Wet food is another commercial dog food option. If you want raw feeding for your Boxer, be sure to consult a veterinarian first, as raw diets can be tricky to prepare. Home-Cooked Diet: Aside from raw food, you can feed your Boxer home-cooked food as well. Always get your meat and other ingredients from reputable butchers and merchants to avoid potential problems. There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these dog food options mentioned above. But, for the most part, these are the best food options for the Boxer. If you are in doubt, seek the advice of an animal nutritionist or veterinarian. However, Boxers are susceptible to skin allergies caused by these products. To have a grain-free diet for your dog, you should look out for ingredients like brown rice, wheat, corn, and barley. Chocolate: While chocolate is a delicious treat for us humans, it can be harmful to your Boxer. The stimulants in chocolates, known as methylxanthines , make them toxic for dogs. It could be fatal if your dog has consumed cocoa powder, cocoa butter, or cooking chocolate. Fatty Meals: Pancreatitis outbreaks in dogs can be blamed on fatty meals. A veterinarian should always be consulted before feeding a dog a new diet. Call a veterinarian immediately if you believe that your Boxer dog has consumed something hazardous. Some dogs may have stomach upset and even appetite loss if you suddenly switch to a new high-quality food or diet. This shift should occur within a five- to seven-day time window. American Kennel Club AKC advocates starting with 25 percent of the new food for your Boxer and gradually increasing it until all of the old food has been replaced with fresh food, based on the same ratio. Below is a table showing what the AKC recommends as a standard diet transition plan for most dog breeds, including Boxers: Day. How much food to feed a boxer puppy How much food to feed a boxer puppy May 15, Let Everyone know For decades the Boxer dogs have been loved and cherished all over the world. Their imposing build along with their gentle and playful personalities captured the hearts of many dog lovers. This broad and muscular breed burns a massive amount of energy in their day-to-day life course, and thereby their diet and feeding formulas are subject to additional requirements. So the food to feed a boxer puppy must be taken in to consideration. To provide the boxer with quality and meaningful life, it is rather important to know how much food they should be fed, what and how often they should be fed. Concerns when feeding a Boxer puppy Boxers are a medium to large dog breed of German descent. Bred to bait bulls in the 19th century, they were fed a lot healthier than they are today, and their dietary habits were managed better. They are, by nature, lovely and enthusiastic, not to mention, far more involved when they are puppies. Their dietary requirements are a little different from other dog races due to certain anatomical variations. What food to Feed a Boxer Puppy Although it is undoubtedly not a fact that boxers are picky eaters, they may have special nutrition requirements when it comes to their feeding. Puppies typically need a nutritious feeding formula with a minimum of .Also, calcium and phosphorus are needed to maximize bone growth for your boxing puppy with ratios of at least or even .However, more is not always better. This will keep your Boxer pup from developing joint problems like osteochondritis or hip dysplasia. Boxers are also vulnerable to food-related allergies that can occur as food intolerances such as itching and inflammation. So choosing the right feed for your Boxer Pup might necessitate some experimentation. And indefinitely the feeding rate varies with the growth of your boxer. Boxer puppies, however, demand about 55 calories of food per pound of body weight, from a general viewpoint. A Boxer puppy is likely to become a medium to large muscle and a lean dog between 50 and 70 pounds if it feeds the correct food type and amounts. Since they are a highly active muscle species, they need high-quality protein foods to feed their energy slightly more than other less active breeds. Many dog food brands have just 25 percent protein formulas, which could prove to be inadequate for a Boxer puppy. It is therefore critical that you do your research and invests in a feeding formula of good quality. There is a common misconception that Boxer puppies should be fed twice as much food as they can consume as adults. It is still a good idea, however, to weigh your puppy every week or every two weeks and change the food intake accordingly. Some puppies may be susceptible to elevated protein, in which case food with moderate protein and fat content is recommended. Besides, Boxers will require a Calcium-to-Phosphorous ratio as near as possible to .In the first 6 to 8 months, your puppy can develop steadily in size and maturity. When your puppy grows older, you should decrease food consumption progressively as it can go longer without food. Kibble specifically intended for Boxer puppies is what is widely recommended as a choice of food as it helps preserve both intestinal and oral health and is nutritious. Some Boxer puppies tend to be a bit sensitive to food, in which case you may have to try a few options before you settle on your favorite puppy. Food with Omega-6 fatty acids is great for a sparkling coat and to support skin health. During their development, Boxer puppies need the recommended quantities of high-quality food and feeding formulas in different ranges. They can be fed up to 4 times a day between 2 and 4 months. Individual pups can still be eaten 3 times daily between 4 and 6 months. The frequency is reduced 2 to 3 times daily over 6 months. It is also possible to maintain this level of food in adulthood. This is the stage where you can teach your pup some food or sleep or exercise discipline and whatnot. In these cases, three meals a day can be considered. However, 2 meals per day are the preferred feeding schedule for your dog to train. You can feel some pressure from its ribcage or spine as you place your hands on the chest or back of your puppy. And you can encounter several problems by over-feeding your puppy. Bloating Bloating is a problem that is particularly common among boxer puppies. It can happen if you feed your puppy too much or too little. Constant bloating may contribute to other more severe gastrointestinal problems that could prove fatal to your dog. For this reason, boxer puppies are often recommended eating kibble-free foods and raw diets as they use more plant-based protein and carbohydrate formulas. Other food sources containing items such as grain, wheat, rice, and oats are frequently discouraged and may trigger excess gas in boxer puppies, which in turn causes bloating problems. Obesity As previously described, boxers are ideally supposed to have a slim, muscular build. They are not specifically susceptible to gaining too much weight, which is why the level of carbohydrates and fats in their food formulations is less of concern. However, boxer puppies or any dog are considered to be opportunistic when it comes to feeding. They will also continue to eat as long as they have food at their mercy. Boxer puppies may end up overeating for these reasons, which could cause them to become obese and overweight. This, in essence, will make their joints weak and cause arthritis, heart disease, liver disease, and kidney problems. There may be a variety of reasons why your puppy does not eat enough. Very frequently, loss of appetite is also one of the first symptoms of a more severe illness. This can also occur due to various reasons, such as; Anorexia Anorexia is indeed a problem for dogs, just as it is for human beings. Symptoms of anorexia include fever, pain, shortness of breath, and tiredness. In certain cases, it can also induce changes in the size of the organ and the weak lungs. If left untreated, it can end up being fatal to your dog. Lack of exercise may also be a source of anorexia, which is why exercise has become so crucial to your puppy. They will likely burn calories at the same amount of consumption to maintain balance. Short Life Span If you consistently underfed your Boxer puppy during its stage of growth, it will most likely grow into an undernourished and extremely unhealthy boxer, with far less engagement and energy than most other boxers. This could also affect his life span. Since Boxers are muscular dogs with a reasonable level of activity, they do need a constant supply of nutrients as described above, otherwise, they will not accompany you for a long time. Recap Boxer puppies need great care and consideration when it comes to their diet since they have some particular and unique dietary needs compared to other dogs with the same level of activity. What to Avoid when feeding your Boxer Puppy? There are no grains at all. Until ultimate research has been completed, play it safe and offer kibble with some level of healthy grain unless otherwise recommended by the veterinarian Boxer Pup must be on a specific grain-free diet, etc. Another one is synthetic preservatives, which could certainly be toxic. Artificial Coloring Ingredients, Blue 02, Yellow 05, and 06 are the most common types of dyes that we can find in feeding formulas that cause behavioral problems in puppies. Additional taste enhancers like MSG, which is one of the worst taste enhancers, are linked to anxiety, stress, rapid heartbeat, and respiratory problems. Fillers are inexpensive additives that are mixed into dog food to pump it up but have little or no nutrient properties. A dog could eat a massive amount of food and yet still be hungry again shortly after. Because of that fast metabolism function, this has become one of the major causes of Coprophagies eating feces. By-products — There are animal parts such as some intestines that are not suitable even for a boxer. Consumption and feeding formulas that involve such food might cause troubles with spinal tissue, lung failure, spleen removal, issues in hooves and tails and undeveloped ovum, etc. However, you should still consult your vet or pet nutritionist to be on the safe side. You should feed your adult Boxers two times a day, with 12 hours of spacing between meals. Ideally, one in the morning and one in the evening. You should feed your senior Boxers two times a day except given a specific schedule by a vet. As a general rule, you should feed your boxers a few hours before going to bed in the evening, so they have enough time to digest the food before going to sleep. Treats should be heavily used as a reward when training your dog. The food you feed your Boxers should specifically cater to large breeds and contain the required nutrients necessary for a strong and healthy dog. The kind of food to feed your Boxers includes dry dog food, wet dog food, a home-cooked diet, and biologically appropriate food to ensure your dog eats a balanced diet. Let me touch on these few points to help you understand what to feed your dog: Dry Food: Dry dog or kibble is a portion of commercial pet food made by grinding and mixing up ingredients like meats, grains, and nutritional additives, which are then shaped into little kernels and cooked at high temperatures to remove the water content. Dry dog contains more carbs, less fat, less water, and sometimes less protein, and is often recommended by vets due to its lower cost, dental health benefits, convenience, weight loss support, and playtime perks. Wet Food: Wet dog food, or canned food, is made by mixing up and cooking the ingredients before adding or extracting varying amounts of water. Unlike dry dog food, wet dog food contains more water, fewer carbs, more fat, and often more protein. They are recommended by veterinarians due to their high water content, taste, ease of eating, and high nutritional profile. Home-Cooked Diet: Home-cooked diets are a great option for pet parents who are not into commercial dog food, and want to go the extra length to prepare a meal for their furry companion. Feeding your dog a home-cooked meal will give you control over its nutrition and can put you at ease knowing that you will always give your dog the best treatment. BARF Diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food is a type of food that contains raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. BARF diets are used as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. However, consult your vet before feeding your pet a raw diet to avoid health complications from harmful substances. They have large appetites, which makes it tempting to hand them whatever we find ourselves eating. There are certain human foods, fruits, and vegetables to avoid feeding your Boxers because these foods contain toxins that are harmful to your pet that could lead you to frequent trips to the vet. Human food to avoid feeding your Boxers includes chocolates, coffee, gums, peanut butter, candies, cooked bones, etc. The Fruits and vegetables to avoid feeding your Boxers include grapes, avocado, garlic, onions, etc. You should always check the ingredients on the food label to see if these ingredients are present in the food. Or you can simply consult a vet or pet nutritionist to check the ingredients with them. Puppy food contains more calories and nutrients than adult food to meet the nutritional requirements at that stage of life. Your boxers will not eat if they have one or a combination of the factors listed below: Illness, dental problems, tooth medication, separation Anxiety, time of day, spoiled food, stress, and picky eaters Boxers are prone to having dental problems, and a major sign of this is bad breath. If you notice consistent bad breath from your pup or if your pup is not eating or drinking water, consult your veterinarian. You should visit the vet. Boxers and most dog breeds are ravenous feeders, which is why meals must be arranged in strict order. This goes hand in hand with training your dog from an early stage. You must avoid free-feeding your dog, as this might cause them to bloat and lead to stomach issues. An alternative reason might be if your dog is engaged in too many exercises, is under stress, or is infected by worms; if your dog is in any of these categories, then it may be why they are always hungry. Do boxers eat a lot? Boxers are notorious eaters, and if they are not trained properly, they may eat to the point of developing stomach issues like bloating. Boxers are large and thus will need adequate and proper training to keep them on a straight and healthy diet. Can boxers become vegetarians? The Boxer breed can live on a vegetarian diet as long as this diet consists of all the essential nutrients required by the Boxers to thrive and grow optimally. If you are taking your dog on a vegan diet, then ensure that meals contain micronutrients that may not be present in a vegan diet. You should consult your vet or pet nutritionist while planning your vegan meals to ensure your Boxer does not encounter any health complications. Can boxers eat bones? Boxers can be fed raw, not cooked, bones, as this will encourage healthy bones and teeth and, as a bonus, contain a lot of micronutrients that may not be in their food. However, you ensure that bones fed to your dog are deboned after two to three days to prevent infection. Some guidelines concerning this have been stipulated by the American Kennel Club. You can feed your boxers different types of human foods, such as beef, chicken, pork, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. They can also be noodles, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, unsalted peanuts, parsnips, and other foods such as rice and pasta, yogurt, cheese, and peanut butter. Boxers can eat many types of fruits, such as strawberries, apples, bananas, raspberries, peaches, mango, pears, blueberries, plums, melon, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi fruit. They can also eat vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, peas, corn, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and more. However, you may need to feed them supplements if you feed them home-cooked meals as recommended by your vet or dog nutritionist. Final Thoughts on Feeding A Boxer? Boxers are adorable and strong dogs that can thrive on balanced, rich nutrients. Pet parents have to take special care in structuring the diet plan of their beloved pet to ensure that it grows most healthily and strongly. Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. You can free-feed your Boxer as a puppy, but you have to draw up a strict plan as they go on. It is also essential to know what foods are healthy and should be avoided, as some are toxic. However, if you desire more information on how to take care of your Boxer, you should contact the nearest vet for information on essential nutrients, and you can also see a pet nutritionist for a regimen schedule for your pet. David Cassiel As a biologist and dog enthusiast, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge through my internship at a veterinary hospital and my personal ownership of multiple breeds. My passion for dogs and expertise in areas such as nutrition, care, and training drives my goal of providing a helpful resource for dog owners through my pet website. Find More Search for: Affiliate Disclaimer We may earn commission from Amazon and other retailers when you make a purchase through our links. You can learn more about our affiliate disclaimer here. Your vet can run the necessary tests and examine your puppy to determine the cause. Male Adult male Boxers are slightly larger than females. Males weigh an average of 60 to 70 pounds, requiring 3 to 5 cups of food. This weight range requires 2 to 4 cups of food per day. On top of a caloric increase, an active Boxer will also need a protein-rich diet to feed their muscles. A protein-friendly, calorie-dense dry kibble should be offered, and you should follow the instructions based on their weight. Image Credit: boxerdogmadness, Pixabay Sedentary Boxers tend to become overweight quickly if you overfeed them—blame their voracious appetites and love for snacking. This food offers a low-calorie alternative without skipping out on necessary nutrition. However, what really happens is that it decreases their metabolism rate, slowing their energy. This slowing process can cause weight gain if you continue to feed them the same amount of food. The puppies always get the nutrients first. So, if you have a food that is lacking in certain areas, the mother will suffer. Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock Boxer Feeding Guide for Seniors Just like puppyhood has special dietary requirements when dogs reach a certain age, so does old age. Seniors need to eat foods that cater to their life stage to keep them capable, happy, and healthy for their remaining years. A Boxer transitions into the senior category, usually around 6—9 years of age. If you have your dog on dog food for all life stages, it might be appropriate to continue this diet. A lower-calorie food will also help to prevent your dog from becoming overweight. If your senior has specific health issues, it might be best to feed them a specific diet that helps with their condition. As time goes on, you can work with your vet to accommodate their special dietary needs. It is formulated specifically for later years. Some dogs have voracious appetites that are never satisfied. It seems like you barely get it into the bowl before they suck it up like a vacuum cleaner. Free-Feeding—this practice involves making food available to your dog at all times. The danger with this method is that large dogs like Boxers are susceptible to bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus GDV. Bloat happens when the dog eats too quickly, causing gas to fill the abdomen. It can be fatal. This method can also make overeating seem like the norm, which causes bad manners. Feeding your dog smaller, more frequent meals is a better alternative to free-feeding. Slow-Feeder Bowls—a great way to slow your pooch down, allowing them to digest their food properly, is to give them food in a slow feeder. It gives your Boxer unique designs to eat around, stimulating their mental curiosity while slowing them down. What Foods Are Bad for Boxers? Some things to look out for are: Corn. Male boxer puppies would be around 17 inches or more during their 6th month while females will be slightly smaller at around 16 inches. Birth to 3 weeks old When your boxer pup is still very young, they should be with their mom and be nursed properly. Keep in mind that your boxer should get equal amounts of milk, especially if they belong to a large litter. Observe the litter for any signs of bullying or some puppies being overpowered. This is also the case if the mother is too thin to supply milk to all of her pups. When your puppy reaches 3 weeks of age, you might start to notice rapid growth. That is normal for boxer puppies since the breed tends to grow faster than most dogs. Boxer pups of this age still need to be nursed. To do this mix 1 part puppy food with 3 parts water in a bowl and offer it to them. It also helps to train your pups to only eat when they are hungry. A good rule of thumb in terms of scheduling for the water and puppy food mixture would be 3 to 4 times a day. You want the process to be a pleasant one for your boxer pup. This is when the weaning process becomes slightly visible. The mother dog will slightly let go of her little ones for them to be independent. Keep them away from dangerous objects and supervise them as much as possible. Ensure that their food is easy to chew to avoid eating problems. If your vet allows for it, you can add some veggies or other food ingredients that are deemed safe for pups as advised. Your puppy will need more nutrition by this time so they need to learn to eat solid puppy food. After all, 6 weeks old is a time for exploration, playtime, and energy bursts whether indoors or outdoors. You may also want to feed them more if they spend a lot more time playing or running around. Once your puppy reaches 7 weeks old, they should already know how to eat their solid food. Give them the serving somewhere between 3 and 4 times a day depending on your available time and their hunger pangs. Your boxer pups will also get nursed less often during this time, as the mother will likely just stand up while giving milk reluctantly to her little ones. She might even run away from them at some point, allowing them to become more independent. Keep their meals served at 3 to 4 times a day, with at least 2 or more cups per day, divided equally. You can also follow the chart that we mentioned above, especially if your boxer pup is quite the active fellow. Having more cups a day is important for puppies that have far less weight than others. You can also ask your vet about how many calories they need depending on their energy levels. Know the activity levels of your puppy and adjust accordingly. If your boxer pup is always on the go, they might need more calories than usual. Moreover, a 9-week-old boxer pup might also roam around and pick various objects to ensure that their surroundings are kept puppy-proofed. Bloating comes from excessively gobbling food so make sure they only get equal portions for their daily meal schedules. While we did say that boxer pups during this period are likely to eat twice as much as a regular adult boxer, always observe if your puppy is getting overweight by checking their waist. Talk to your vet if you suspect your pup might be gaining too many pounds. Always keep in mind to avoid bloating problems with your pup by ensuring the schedule gets followed. Continue with the usual puppy food or as instructed by your vet. Recommended Food Now that your boxer puppy has a set schedule, what should you feed them? Here are some suggestions: 1. Quality Kibble Like most active breeds, dry kibble is the way to go if you want affordable and easy-to-store food for your boxer puppy. Worry not — there are grain-free options in the market. Wet or canned food If you want added calories for an active boxer puppy, consider wet food. After all, canned puppy food is tasty to most dogs, especially during their puppy years, since the smell is enough to get them eating. Omega fatty acid foods Boxers are prone to cardiomyopathy, which can be lessened if they take foods and supplements rich in omega fatty acids, such as fish. Talk to your vet for a diet plan that will help lessen the likelihood of such eye problems. Glucosamine foods Hip dysplasia is common in boxers so we recommend foods that are rich in glucosamine, such as chicken feet and seafood. Consider looking for either kibble or canned puppy food that has glucosamine to help prevent hip dysplasia and other joint problems. Look for primarily meat-based puppy food rather than cheap commercial brands. Commercial brands out there may have more corn and wheat than protein from meat. Instead, look for slightly pricier yet more quality brands of puppy food for your boxer. And, as usual, you should also stay away from human foods that are toxic to dogs, such as grapes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and the like. FAQs on Feeding a Boxer Puppy Boxer pups need extra care when it comes to their diet — here are some frequently asked questions with regards to feeding them properly: When do I switch to adult food for my Boxer puppy? By this time, you can slowly transition your puppy to adult food in portions. Should I give my Boxer puppy supplements? As a workaholic dog breed, boxer pups need protein and other nutrients, which are fortunately already in most quality dog food brands. Raw feeding a Boxer puppy A raw diet is okay for boxer puppies provided that you get expert advice from your vet about it. Raw feeding is no walk in the park since you need to do the math on calories and nutrients as compared to commercial food. Also, take note of food handling to avoid bacterial infection, especially if you live in areas where humidity is high. If you need help, talk to a breeder or someone you know tried raw feeding before — especially for puppies. Conclusion A healthy and energetic boxer puppy will be a satisfied life companion if you feed them properly. All you need to know is that boxers are typically workaholics so they need to have a balanced diet with sufficient calories based on their activities. We hope this helped you figure out how much to feed your boxer puppy! Every bite of food will be detrimental or beneficial to this breed's health. Overview Food is fuel both for a growing Boxer pup and large strong adult Boxer dogs. The type of food that you offer for both meals and snacks has a direct affect on your Boxer's health both now and in the future. Also of importance is a feeding schedule and making sure that you offer the proper amounts. This section will cover everything you need to know in order to provide a well-balanced, nutritious diet for your Boxer puppy, adult, or senior. How Often to Feed a Boxer Puppy or Dog Let's look at a summary and then the details: Puppies under 12 weeks: free-fed Puppies and up to the 2-year mark: 3 meals per day Adults 2 years and up: 1 to 2 meals per day Young pups 8 to 12 weeks old: Very young pups, and particularly those that are a bit underweight, should be free-fed for at least the first month at their new home. This is the method of having fresh food accessible at all times. For a pup still trying to gain their bearings, you may need to lead them to their bowl throughout the day. Note that food should be thrown out and the bowl washed and then refilled several times per day as opposed to just topping off the food since pups may not be interested in stale food. Growing pup to 2 year mark: It's best to get a Boxer onto a feeding schedule as soon as possible. Schedules of anything feeding, exercise, sleep time, etc. Young Boxers often struggle a bit to fill out and during the 1 to 2-year mark Boxers can go through a 'skinny phase', so 3 meals per day, plus snacks, can work well during this time. Adults 2 years and up: Most adult Boxers that have reached their final adult weight and height do well with 2 meals per day, plus snacks. If snacks are regular and of substance, a Boxer may be perfectly content with 1 main meal per day. Note that this breed is prone to bloat, so you want to avoid letting a Boxer get so hungry that he rapidly gulps his food down. If that is the case, increase the frequency of meals or use a slow-feed bowl; stainless-steel is best, something like Mr. How Much to Feed a Boxer Puppy or Dog The exact serving size that is appropriate for each Boxer varies and depends mainly on age and current weight but also is affected by activity level, health status, type of food wet vs dry , and individual metabolism. This said, there are general guidelines: Puppies usually require about 55 calories for each pound of body weight. Young pups might eat a bit over a cup a day, older pups can eat up to 3 cups a day. Adults need fewer calories per pound of body weight than their younger counterparts, about .Depending on an adult Boxer dog's size, food is usually in the 3 to 5 cup per day range. To know exactly how much to give your Boxer, know your dog's weight. Don't guess since that can be wildly off. Then, look at the feeding guidelines on the bag of kibble; these are listed by age and weight and are usually pretty spot on. Dry Kibble vs Wet Canned Though many Boxers may prefer wet canned food, dry kibble is better to maintain healthy teeth and gum and a strong jaw. You'll still have to provide some level of at-home dental care , but the crunch of a hard kibble will work to some extent to remove plaque. Additionally, dry food seems to keep the stools firmer and healthier. If your Boxer is a finicky eater and balks at dry food, try mixing in just a bit of canned stick with the same brand or add just a bit of water or low-sodium chicken or beef broth. Grain vs Grain-free It's wasn't that long ago that putting a dog on a grain-free diet wasn't much of a big deal. Some grains, especially those with gluten, can cause excessive gas , upset stomach, and other issues. And, some dogs are allergic to wheat or gluten which can manifest as itching and other skin problems. But recently, a suspected link between certain grain-free dog foods and dilated cardiomyopathy DCM, a canine heart disease caused veterinary experts to take pause. And, since Boxers are one of the breeds prone to DCM, it's important to understand where things are on this. Though it was first thought that any grain-free diet may be the cause, the current thought is that it is a BEG diet, meaning boutique small specialty brands that have exotic meats non-traditional meats like alligator, kangaroo, bison, venison, etc. Many more studies need to be done for conclusive answers to be found. For now, it is recommended to offer healthy grains and this can be done while avoiding gluten if your Boxer has an issue with it. Navigating the Many Choices of Dog Foods What to Avoid: Many brands are guilty of having at least one of these elements that you do not want your Boxer's food to have: No grains at all. Until conclusive studies are complete, play it safe and offer a kibble with some level of healthy grains unless the veterinarian recommends otherwise Boxer needs to be on a specific grain-free diet, etc. Synthetic preservatives. These can be toxic. Butylated hydroxyanisole BHA , butylated hydroxytoluene BHT , and ethoxyquin, just to name a few, are linked to behavioral issues, organ damage, and some forms of cancer. Artificial coloring. Common dyes like Yellow 5 and 6 and Blue 2 are linked to behavioral and health issues. Artificial flavor enhancers. MSG is one of the worst, it is linked to anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and breathing issues. Generic animal digest, meats, oils, or fats. When anything is listed as 'animal', it is derived from a 4-D animal: dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals and can literally be any meat from any animal at all: minks from mink farms, roadkill, zoo animals, expired meats from supermarkets and butcher shops, etc. Fillers are cheap ingredients that are put into dog food to bulk it up but they have little to no nutritional value. The 'food' goes right through their system; a dog will eat but be hungry again soon afterward and this is one cause of coprophagia eating feces. These are the animal parts that are not fit for human consumption and includes such things as spinal tissue, lungs, spleens, hooves, tails, undeveloped eggs, etc. Made outside North America since meats from overseas can be questionable. The kibble will be preserved using a vitamin blend often listed as mixed tocopherals and will be naturally flavored and colored. Some level of grains. Grains that are generally well-tolerated include rice, oatmeal, and quinoa. Wholesome real meats, veggies, and fruits. Some ingredients sourced from Norway are fine; this country has very strict guidelines. If you are not sure what is in your Boxer's food, investigate it. Know about grain content and the presence or lack of additives and subpar ingredients. Recommended Dog Food for Boxers Please note that the following recommendations are formulas with some level of healthy grains; if you did not read the previous ' Grain vs Grain-free ' you may wish to do so before continuing on. This meets all of the requirements of what you're looking for. There are no synthetic preservatives; vitamins are used instead shown as mixed tocopherals. The grains in this formula are generally very well tolerated: quinoa technically a seed , oatmeal, and barley. There are 3 different recipes to choose from: beef, chicken, or lamb. Other ingredients include peas, salmon, carrots, apples, blueberries, and flaxseed. There are good levels of glucosamine chondroitin vital for joint health , antioxidants, and omega fatty acids important for skin and coat health. There are no by-products, fillers, or generic meats or oils and this is sourced and made in the USA. For this one, the base is chicken a very classic tasty protein that most dogs love , along with oatmeal, brown rice, ground barley, peas, flaxseed, carrots, tomato pomace, spinach, sweet potatoes, apples, and blueberries. All other ingredients shown on the label are either vitamins and minerals or natural preservatives. This has no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and this is made in the USA. This brand offers a top-quality formula that is gluten-free. There is no wheat, corn, soy, by-products, artificial flavors, artificial colors, or chemical preservatives. The base is chicken and brown rice and other ingredients include white rice, oatmeal, rice bran, avocado, flax seed, herring, and kelp. It has good levels of omega fatty acids and antioxidants. The one trade-off for having it be gluten-free is that it does not contain any fruit; however, it does have all required vitamins and minerals and you can always offers a small amount of fresh fruit as snacks. Homemade Vs Commercial Commercial dog food is convenient and, if you choose a superior brand, it will ensure that your Boxer receives all needed nutrients and is on a well-rounded and well-balanced diet. And, home cooked food gives you complete control over what your Boxer eats and does not eat and can be tweaked to satisfy a finicky eater. So, there are pros and cons to each. Whether you opt for a top-quality kibble or you use good cuts of meat and fish and fresh produce in homemade meals, neither option is super-cheap. Because, of course, you get what you pay for. But, if you buy in bulk and lean toward frozen vegetables and fruits, home cooking may be a bit less expensive. That said, when you prepare meals at home, you'll need to offer a good daily vitamin and mineral supplement even good brands of kibble need to add this in because it's nearly impossible for a dog to receive all nutrients just from food alone. Some of the foods that can be incorporated into meals include: Proteins: Chicken, turkey, veal, beef, fish mackeral, haddock, salmon, whitefish, cod, and others , eggs, and certain beans kidney, lima Vegetables: Carrots, broccoli in moderation , potato, sweet potato, sugar snap peas, green beans, spinach Fruits: Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin Grains: Quinoa, oatmeal, rice Related Articles: Best Snacks, Chews, and Treats for a Boxer - A great rundown of the difference between these 3 things and top recommendations. How many calories does a Boxer dog need - Requirements based on age, size and activity level. Recommendations to lower or raise intake. Boxer dog weight issues - This breed can become overweight, usually due to a combination of eating too much and being sedentary. Boxer begging behavior - Boxers are pretty good at playing their humans and it's easy to fall into the trap of giving in to begging. Read how to stop the cycle. Choosing the Best Bowl for a Boxer - Size, height, material and design are all important.

Some breeders thought that another male had gotten to their female and the resulting brown looking puppy was a mutt. Others knew what they were and put them down as they did not want anyone to know they were producing anything other than traditional colored shepherds. However, with the canine genomic project and strong breeders who stood their ground for this color of GSD, they are beginning to be seen in several countries. I have always admired the liver coloration and wanted to incorporate liver into my breeding program; however, I found it to be difficult in the beginning to find them especially with AKC full registration as the breeders that did allow them to live, only sold on limited registration for fear that they were not as healthy as their colored siblings. I came across a litter of four liver female puppies and between myself and my best friend, Dawn, we rounded up three of the four, and the last sister went to a fellow liver lover. My search was far from over since the liver gene is inherited autosomal recessive I had to find a male that carried liver or was liver himself. Finally, I found an awesome four year old male, Dutch, for sale. His owner drove him to my kennel and I was in love as he is a big social, warm, gentle giant but will protect in a heart beat. Shortly after I found him, the liver pups arrived and I knew I wanted to go with chocolate names for my liver shepherds. Chocolate is a much more flattering word for these majestically colored GSD. She violated our agreement. She is a proven scammer. The color has been apart of the original gene pool from the start. The puppies born a brown chocolate color are registered as Liver. It is a recessive gene and in many pedigree's. In order for a GSD to produce Liver, both parents must pose the b gene. Brown is incomplete black. Thus giving all areas of the GSD that would normally appear black be a chocolate color. Since the colors and patterns are separate, they can come in all patterns: saddle back, bi-color, sable, solids, and various patterns. We are looking forward to meeting like minded people that want to work with the dilutes as well. We are open to discussing medical and color questions for anyone interested. Scroll through the albums and if you do not find what you are looking for please send me a message. Keep in mind you do not have to have a facebook page to see this page. Articles If you have little or restricted knowledge about various dog breeds, you will have a hard time deciding whether Liver German Shepherds are a different or the same breed as the traditional German Shepherds. So, what exactly is a Liver German Shepherd? Is it a different or the same breed as a German Shepherd? Well, Liver German Shepherds are distinct, yet the same as the traditional black and tan German Shepherds. To put it simply, the Liver German Shepherd is just a German Shepherd, only with a unique coat color variation that is in the form of liver color. This article will help you tune in to all the information you need about Liver GSD. A typical German Shepherd has a liver coat and fur, which can be solid brown, liver and tan, or liver and white. The Liver GSD also has amber eyes and either brown or pink lips. Image from Instagram: dave. Hence, buyers are usually advised not to buy them from any random breeder. As a matter of fact, they generally come out of designer or specialty breeding programs or litters of regular breeding programs. So to get your Liver GSDs, make sure you are buying from a recommended breeder. Never consult any backyard breeder for the purchase of your liver GSD. Another reason why liver GSDs are rare is because of how they come into being. In order for a liver GSD to be born, its parents both need to have at least one liver gene which, in turn, is passed to the puppy in its DNA. They just have to possess at least one liver gene. The Liver German Shepherd has an average life expectancy of between 9 and 13 years. That said, the Liver German Shepherds that lived the longest, lived for 18 years. Male liver German Shepherds grow to a weight of lbs kg and a height of inches. A female Liver GSD may average lbs kg weight and height of inches cm. Generally speaking, a German Shepherd is a healthy dog. If cared for properly, they will enjoy a disease-free life. The liver shepherd is as strong as all other GSD breeds. They have muscular working bodies and are often bred for sports, agility events, and sometimes, law enforcement agencies. Breeds The link has been copied! This remarkable canine is a unique twist on the well-loved and highly-regarded German Shepherd breed, sporting a stunning liver-colored coat that will make you do a double-take. Bold, intelligent, and utterly enchanting, these dogs have a special kind of charm that's impossible to resist. Don't be surprised if, while strolling through the park, you hear whispers of "Is that a chocolate German Shepherd? So get ready to be smitten, because once you meet the Liver German Shepherd, you'll be swept off your feet by their endearing personality and irresistible good looks. Prepare to fall head over paws in love! This striking canine is a variant of the classic German Shepherd breed colors , distinguished by its eye-catching liver-colored coat. The liver coloration is a result of a recessive gene, making it a rare and sought-after trait among German Shepherds. Although the liver hue is the most prominent feature, these dogs retain all the impressive qualities of their traditional counterparts. The liver color ranges from a light, tawny shade to a deep, rich chocolate hue. This fascinating coat color does not affect the breed's temperament, intelligence, or working abilities. Liver German Shepherds are as smart, agile, and devoted as any other German Shepherd, making them exceptional working dogs, loving companions, and protective guardians. Just like the standard German Shepherd, the Liver variant is a versatile breed, excelling in various roles, from police work and search and rescue missions to therapy and assistance work. Their keen intellect and unwavering loyalty make them a perfect fit for families and individuals seeking a steadfast companion with a unique flair. So, if you're captivated by the allure of the Liver German Shepherd, you'll be happy to know they're not just a pretty face but a remarkable, well-rounded canine with a lot to offer. The Genetic Recipe for the Liver Coat Color To create the enchanting liver coat color in a German Shepherd, both parents must carry the recessive gene for this unique trait. The liver color arises from a mutation in the B locus gene that affects the production of black pigment in the dog's coat. When a puppy inherits the mutated gene from both parents, it will display the liver hue instead of the typical black pigment. Interestingly, liver German Shepherds can appear in various coat combinations. Solid liver, liver and tan, liver and cream, liver and silver, or even liver sable are all possible outcomes when the right genes align. Each of these captivating combinations adds an extra layer of allure to an already striking breed. It's essential to remember that responsible breeding practices are vital for maintaining the health and well-being of these dogs. A reputable breeder will prioritize the breed's overall health and temperament over coat color, ensuring a happy, healthy pup with that mesmerizing liver hue. Developed in the late 19th century in Germany, the breed was initially intended for herding sheep and protecting flocks. Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, envisioned a versatile and intelligent working dog and played a significant role in shaping the breed we know and love today. The liver coloration has been present since the early days of the breed, albeit rarely. As German Shepherds gained popularity worldwide for their exceptional abilities, the liver variant remained relatively uncommon due to the recessive nature of the gene responsible for the color. In recent years, the Liver German Shepherd has gained recognition and admiration for its unique appearance, while still maintaining its status as an extraordinary working dog. As more enthusiasts become captivated by this rare beauty, the Liver German Shepherd's legacy continues to thrive, proving that their charm goes beyond their alluring coat color. As mentioned earlier, the liver coloration results from a recessive gene, which means that both parent dogs must carry this gene for their offspring to exhibit the unique hue. Even then, not every puppy in the litter is guaranteed to have a liver coat. The rarity of the Liver German Shepherd adds to its charm and appeal. It is not uncommon for these dogs to be the center of attention when out for a walk or at a dog park, with their eye-catching coat sparking curiosity and admiration. While their scarcity can make them more challenging to find and potentially more expensive, it also contributes to their allure for those seeking a truly distinctive canine companion. The liver coloration is simply a genetic variation that occurs naturally within the German Shepherd breed. While the coat color may be unique, Liver German Shepherds maintain all the essential breed characteristics, such as temperament, intelligence, and physical attributes. It is crucial to work with a reputable breeder when searching for a Liver German Shepherd to ensure the dog's purebred status and genetic health. A responsible breeder will prioritize the well-being and overall quality of the breed over the coat color, resulting in a healthy and well-rounded companion. Bear in mind that the liver color does not impact a German Shepherd's eligibility for breed registration with organizations such as the American Kennel Club AKC. However, it is essential to note that, in some breed clubs or dog shows, the liver color may be considered a disqualifying fault due to the breed standard, which can limit a Liver German Shepherd's participation in certain events. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and bravery, making them exceptional companions and working dogs. These canines are highly trainable and eager to please their owners, thriving when given a task or challenge to keep their minds engaged. Liver German Shepherds are inherently protective, making them excellent guardians for their families. They can be aloof with strangers but warm up quickly once they understand that the newcomer poses no threat. Early socialization and consistent training are crucial for nurturing a well-behaved and balanced Liver German Shepherd. They are sensitive dogs that respond best to positive reinforcement and a gentle approach to training. They are well-suited for households with children, forming strong bonds and exhibiting patience with their younger family members. Their high energy levels make them a great match for families who enjoy outdoor activities and have the time to provide ample exercise and mental stimulation. While Liver German Shepherds are generally good with other pets, early socialization is key to ensuring harmony in multi-pet households. It's important to remember that these dogs are strong and energetic, so supervision around small children and pets is advisable to avoid accidental injury. As with any breed, a Liver German Shepherd's suitability for a family depends on individual circumstances, such as available space, time commitment, and the family's ability to provide consistent training and socialization. With the right environment and dedicated owners, a Liver German Shepherd can be a loving and protective addition to any family. Nutritional Needs of Liver German Shepherds A balanced and nutritious diet is essential for maintaining the health and well-being of your Liver German Shepherd. These dogs have similar dietary requirements as standard German Shepherds, as their coat color does not impact their nutritional needs. A high-quality commercial dog food, formulated for large breeds with high energy levels, is generally suitable for meeting their dietary needs. Keep in mind that the specific dietary requirements of each dog can vary depending on their age, weight, activity level, and overall health. It's essential to consult with your veterinarian to determine the best feeding plan for your Liver German Shepherd. They can recommend the appropriate type and amount of food to ensure your dog receives the necessary nutrients for optimal health. Remember to monitor your dog's weight and body condition regularly, as German Shepherds can be prone to obesity. Providing treats in moderation and incorporating a consistent exercise routine can help prevent weight-related health issues. Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi. TryFi's The Fi Dog Collar is a must-have for any pet parent, it's a GPS tracking collar that helps you keep tabs on your dog's location, activity, and sleep patterns, and alerts you if they escape your backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! Common Health Concerns in Liver German Shepherds Liver German Shepherds share the same health concerns as their standard counterparts, as the liver coloration does not contribute to any additional health risks. Some common health issues found in German Shepherds include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: These hereditary conditions affect the joints and can lead to arthritis and mobility issues. Regular check-ups, maintaining a healthy weight, and providing joint supplements can help manage these conditions. Degenerative Myelopathy : This is a progressive neurological disease that affects the spinal cord, leading to hind limb weakness and eventual paralysis. Regular veterinary check-ups can help monitor your dog's neurological health. Bloat Gastric Torsion : A life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding exercise immediately after eating can help reduce the risk. Allergies : German Shepherds can be prone to skin allergies or food sensitivities. Consult with your veterinarian if you notice excessive itching or digestive issues, as they can help identify the cause and recommend treatment. Working with a reputable breeder and scheduling regular veterinary check-ups can help ensure the health and longevity of your Liver German Shepherd. A proactive approach to healthcare and early detection of potential issues will contribute to a happier, healthier life for your canine companion. Their distinct coat color results from a recessive gene, which means both parent dogs must carry this gene for the puppies to display the liver hue. Due to the rarity of the gene combination, Liver German Shepherds are not as commonly found as their standard counterparts. Their scarcity adds to their unique charm, making them a popular choice for individuals seeking a distinctive and eye-catching canine companion. While this rarity can make finding a Liver German Shepherd more challenging and potentially more expensive, the allure of their remarkable appearance often outweighs these factors for enthusiasts of the breed. Their unique liver-colored coat sets them apart from the crowd, while they still maintain all the impressive characteristics, intelligence, and loyalty that make German Shepherds such exceptional dogs. Whether you are drawn to their captivating appearance or their steadfast companionship, Liver German Shepherds have much to offer. With proper care, training, and socialization, these striking canines can be loving and protective family members, devoted companions, and exceptional working dogs. If you're ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime with a Liver German Shepherd by your side, make sure to find a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of these extraordinary dogs. With dedication and love, you'll have an unforgettable bond and an extraordinary partnership with your Liver German Shepherd. The link has been copied! You might also like. Their liver brown coloring is a striking contrast to the usual black and tan coat of the breed, and they usually have brown markings on their fur, nose, and eyes. Their coat color is due to a recessive gene called B locus. They are considered dilute types, meaning their supposed black pigment is diluted by a recessive gene, resulting in a lighter coat. Fortunately, their unique coloration does not negatively affect them in any way. The liver gene can only affect their coat patterns. Hence, all the other aspects of a liver German Shepherd are similar to other varieties. Are Liver German Shepherds Purebred? Yes, liver-colored German Shepherds are purebred dogs. Remember that for a dog to be considered purebred, it needs to meet particular specifications or breed standards, not just the coloration. In the case of liver GSDs, some of the indicators that they are purebreds are the following: They stand around 26 inches tall. They appear to have smooth, graceful curves rather than angles when viewed in the outline. They are courageous, confident, and willing to put their life at risk in defense of their owners. The most defining feature of a liver German Shepherd is its brown-colored coat. The hue can range from a brownish color to a deeper brown tone. In some cases, it may even look reddish at first glance. Apart from their unique coloration, they look the same as any other German Shepherd with their imposing muscular body. These dogs also have double coats. The topcoat protects them from harsh weather and other external elements, while the lush and soft inner coat provides insulation in cold and hot climates. Unlike other GSDs, liver shepherds do not have any black markings on the saddle or face as the liver gene prevents any black pigmentation. The most common color and combinations found in liver German Shepherds include solid brown, liver and tan, and liver sable which are discussed in detail below. Solid Liver German Shepherd Photo by kumamatata IG Solid liver shepherds don a solid brown coat color, and their nose has a brown leather hue as well. However, they take on a rich brown color instead of black. These dogs have a combined liver dark brown and tan interpreted as any shade of brown, from fawn, chestnut, or silver to deep darker hues markings. You will rarely find these dogs on canine shows, given that their color indicates diluted genes. Liver Sable German Shepherd Photo by hellsgermanshepherd IG The sable color of this GSD means that their hairs will have varying amounts of black on the tip, while the rest of their coat will take on a primary liver color. Sable is considered a classic pattern in the breed, and it makes the liver look like a typical wolf coat. Liver German Shepherds get their light brown coat from a recessive liver gene that occurs on the B Locus gene. For a German Shepherd to manifest this color, its parents must carry and pass on at least one liver gene to the puppy. Given that the recessive B locus gene blocks eumelanin pigmentation, the standard black color turns into a liver except for the eyes. Any German Shepherd with the recessive liver gene cannot have a black coat. In some cases, one or both parent dogs may not be liver in appearance, but they may be carriers of the recessive liver gene. When a puppy inherits two copies of the gene, the GSD is expected to be homozygous for the mutation from its parents. Its coat will then take on a reddish-brown hue. Are Liver German Shepherds Rare? If you want to have a better chance at finding a liver GSD, consider browsing special or designer breeding programs instead. While some other German Shepherd colors change over time, a liver German Shepherd stays the same throughout their life. The puppies will usually have a white toenail and a pink footpad, but they will eventually turn liver-colored as they grow. They do not change color either, but the tan color only starts to appear when the puppy reaches 6 to 12 months old. Meanwhile, the acknowledged patterns include black and cream, black and tan, black and red, bi-color, and black and silver. While the AKC standard prefers dogs with strong, rich colors, liver GSDs can be considered serious faults but not enough to disqualify them from shows. Keep in mind that the AKC is specific to the accepted pattern. Your dog must have solid liver coloring. Other variations, such as black and liver or liver and tan, will not be recognized. The liver is regarded as an off-color, as far as breed standard goes. Every other aspect, including their behavior and physical attributes, will be similar to traditional German Shepherds. They adore toddlers in the household and often become protective of them. The breed is generally known to do well with children of all ages, as they are calm and patient. Given proper socialization, these dogs can be civil and even friendly with other pets like cats. However, they may also be friendly to strangers especially if they are taught to be. They often need physical and mental stimulation, which may be a deal-breaker if you are looking for a low-maintenance pet. Also, they need positive training methods for them to be more affectionate and obedient. Liver German Shepherds have an average life expectancy of 9 to 13 years. Generally, the breed is known to be healthy if adequately cared for. Bringing them to the vet regularly is vital to ensure that they will live a long, disease-free life. However, like other GSDs, there are a few health-related problems that this dog is predisposed to. Here are some of their most common health problems for your reference: Hip Dysplasia: This is a common orthopedic condition in liver German Shepherds, resulting from a malformed hip joint. Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in dogs, and GSDs have an above-average incidence of this health condition. If your liver shepherd is diagnosed with diabetes, they will be unable to regulate sugar metabolism and require daily insulin injections. Corneal Dystrophy: If your liver shepherd is diagnosed with corneal dystrophy , there will be a white or gray cloud in their eyes. Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is commonly observed in several large dog breeds, including the liver German Shepherd. It refers to a late-onset, slowly progressive degeneration of the spinal cord. Hemophilia: This refers to an inherited disorder involving a deficiency of blood clotting activity. Hemophiliac liver German Shepherds suffer from prolonged or spontaneous bleeding in various areas of the body. Epilepsy: This chronic condition causes repeated seizures in your liver GSD. It is the most common long-term neurological disorder in dogs, and in most cases, a lifelong disease. An initial sign to look out for is the gradual onset of a dry and dull hair coat. To ensure the optimal health of your new liver shepherd, feed them with a nutrition-filled diet and give them supplements to improve their immunity. Make sure to keep them up-to-date with all vaccinations as well. Lifespan Sociability Liver German Shepherd puppies look a little bit different than their adult counterparts. While adult Liver German Shepherds entire bodies are brown — including nose and feet — puppies will usually have pink paws and sometimes even a pink nose. Liver German Shepherds are an incredibly rare color variation , so you may have a difficult time finding one. The chances of finding one of these pups at a shelter are slim; you will most likely need to go to a reputable breeder an excellent place to look is on the American Kennel Club site. Liver German Shepherds color variant is caused by a recessive gene. These dogs get their coloring from a recessive gene called the B Locus. This gene dilutes the black coloring and only the black typical of German Shepherds, which in turn makes their coats much lighter. For a German Shepherd to end up as a Liver German Shepherd, both parent dogs must have the B Locus gene, and at least one gene must be passed onto their offspring. Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock 2. The American Kennel Club has certain standards when it comes to show dogs. When it comes to the Liver German Shepherd, they consider its color to be a fault i. Strong rich colors are preferred. Pale, washed-out colors and blues or livers are serious faults. A white dog must be disqualified. They are not, however, the same. Isabella German Shepherds are even rarer than Liver German Shepherds and are often referred to as double dilutes or dilute livers because they carry two of the B Locus genes. However, they also have two of a blue recessive gene that changes their coloring further. Liver German Shepherds are escape artists. Because these dogs can both burrow underground up to a few feet and jump at least 5 feet! Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock 5. Liver German Shepherds are some of the most energetic dogs around. Take them for multiple long walks or give them lots of time to run around in the backyard with you. While they are incredibly rare and can be challenging to find, if you manage to locate one, it will make a great addition to the family. As with all animals, be sure you have the time and energy to devote to a new pet before you get them! Many are also familiar with the sable working line GSDs as well as solid-colored black or white ones. This article will tell you all about liver German Shepherds, how they differ from other German Shepherds, and how their unique coat coloring is created. Liver German Shepherds are exactly the same as the GSDs you know and love, the only difference being a unique coat color. Typically, the noses of liver-colored GSDs are also different. They are often pink or brown rather than black. Additionally, their eyes are lighter in color. Many describe their eyes as amber rather than brown. Dogs have thousands of different genes, but only 8 affect the color of their coats. The brown color is associated with the B locus, which comes in two forms: the dominant brown B and the recessive brown b. B produces the color black while b is responsible for the liver color. When a dog has the combination Bb, it would take the color of the dominant allele the capital letter. In that case, the dog would still be black but would pass down the recessive b to its offspring. To produce the liver color, the dog should have the combination bb. The only way to guarantee a liver-colored litter is to mate two liver-colored GSDs. However, having one liver parent or two parents with the b allele will also produce some liver-colored puppies. The only way to determine the latter is through DNA testing before mating. Liver German Shepherds are rare for two reasons. First, there are only a few genetic combinations that produce them. Since it takes at least 1 liver-colored parent or two parents carrying the allele to produce liver offspring, they are understandably uncommon. For reputation and prestige, kennels prefer to breed dogs that have the potential to become excellent show dogs or at least conform to the best traits as described by the breed standards. Are Liver German Shepherds Purebred? Yes, liver German Shepherds are purebred. However, they are definitely pure as long as they are the offspring of two purebred German Shepherds. No GSD can be considered a mixed breed unless at least one of its parents is actually a mix. However, the GSD breed standard notes that having a liver coat color is actually a serious fault. According to the AKC, German Shepherds with strong, rich colors are more desirable than those with pale, washed-out ones. Although a dog would not be automatically disqualified for this characteristic, they are not likely to win conformation events. The liver coloring might cover their entire coat or just the saddle. Their nose, paw pads, lips, and eye rims might also have a light brown or even pink color. Additionally, their eyes are noticeably lighter and typically have an amber-hue. They have the same build, intelligence , and general temperament. Their requirements for everyday care, grooming, and training are also no different. Liver-colored GSDs are actually quite expensive because they are so rare. If you find reputable breeders that specifically endeavor to produce this color, you can expect their puppies to be even more expensive because of their more responsible breeding practices. Nevertheless, GSDs are among the most common breeds in animal shelters. Once in a while, you might encounter a liver German Shepherd available to rescue. Opting to adopt rather than buy from a breeder will enable you to have the uniquely colored dog you want at minimal costs. Final Thoughts Owning a liver German Shepherds is special because they look incredibly unique. They will require firm leadership, plenty of physical exercise , and regular mental stimulation.

Look for squinting, thick eye discharge, watering, or eye redness. Your pug may act like he's in pain. This is because your dog's cornea is large and can easily become scratched or injured. This kind of trauma can cause ulcers that may become infected. Depending on the cause of the ulcer, your pug may need surgery, topical medications, or contact lenses instead of surgery. EKS shares many of the same signs as corneal ulcers. Your dog will appear to be in pain, may rub her eye with her paws, have more tears, and red eyes. If your dog has EKS, she won't be able to fully close her eyes even when she sleeps. This can cause damage to the cornea since it will dry out. To treat EKS, your veterinarian will probably recommend surgery to improve the eyelid. In the meantime, your pug will probably need lubricating drops to prevent damage to the cornea. Again, your dog's eyes might seem red, irritated, watery, or you may see a thick discharge. Your pug may appear bothered by something in his eye. The eyelashes can scratch and irritate the eyeball. Your vet may treat distichiasis by surgically destroying the hair follicles so the eyelashes can't grow back. If your dog only has minor irritation, the vet can recommend an eye ointment to keep the eye lubricated. If you look at your pug's eye and see abnormal brown spots or a grayish haze covering the cornea, she may have a type of keratitis. Trauma to the eye can cause pigmentary keratitis which makes the brown spots. Pannus or chronic superficial keratitis can cause the grayish haze when blood vessels and tissue grows on the eye. Pannus keratitis is an immune response that causes eye inflammation. Since keratitis can cause loss of vision, it's important to get medical treatment. To treat keratitis, your pug will probably need topical steroids or anti-inflammatory eye drops for the rest of her life. If your pug experiences trauma around the head or too much pressure is placed on the neck, his eyes may literally bulge out of the sockets. If you see this, get emergency veterinary treatment since it's painful. The veterinarian may try to lubricate the eye and gently push it back into place while your dog is under anesthesia. Or, the veterinarian may recommend surgically removing the eye. Use a harness instead of a collar when walking your pug. Check your pug every day for any signs of eye problems. If you notice anything unusual or have any questions about a potential eye problem, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Early eye treatment could prevent serious damage to the eye. Follow through with the veterinarian's orders. This means giving all medications as prescribed by your veterinarian. Do not discontinue a medication without consulting your veterinarian. This can vary from progressive scarring and brown pigment building up on the cornea the normally clear part of the eye to painful ulcers a wound on the cornea. The typical appearance of a Pug — note that both eyes appear to be bulging outwards and there is scar tissue formation on the left eye following a recent wound to the surface of the eye. The right eye of the same Pug above - note the large are of pigment on the surface of the eye. Why do Pugs and similar breeds of dog get so many eye problems? The eyelids of these dogs are much too long for the size of the eye. This means that the dogs cannot blink properly and the clear part of the eye the cornea becomes exposed and damaged. The lower eyelid close to the nose of these dogs often roles inwards. The eyelashes then rub directly onto the clear part of the eye cornea causing further damage. Some of these dogs have extra eyelashes either on the edge or underneath the eyelid. These hairs directly rub on the cornea again causing damage. This Pug has developed a wound or ulcer on the surface of the eye — the cause of the wound is a tiny hair ectopic cilium growing out of the upper eyelid. The hair and follicle needs to be carefully removed in order to allow the wound to heal. Some of these dogs are prone to developing dry eye meaning that they do not produce enough tears. The ability for a normal corneal wound or ulcer to heal in these dogs seems to be reduced as compared to dogs with longer noses such as a Border Collie. This means that the wounds can deteriorate very quickly despite medical treatment and go deeper to the point that the eye itself can rupture. These cases then require an urgent operation to save the eye. This Pug has developed a serious infection on the surface of the eye — Pugs and similar breeds are more prone to developing these serious infections which require urgent medical treatment as well as surgery. What can we do to help these eyes? The good news is that despite all of these problems we are able to help these dogs. How do we do this? Improve the tear production — we can apply an ointment to the eyes twice daily which helps to stimulate the tear production. This ointment also has the added beneficial effect of slowing down the brown pigment build up on the surface of the eye. We often recommend the use of protective eye wear that your pet can wear when out on a walk. If tolerated this can significantly minimise the risk of your dog damaging the eyes. For more options see Google. Examples include: Doggles — these come in both plastic and mesh forms. Optivizor — although slightly more expensive than Doggles some dogs tolerate this face and eye visor better. Corneal cryotherapy — the surface of the eye is gently frozen using a special cryo-spray. This Pug has undergone a corneal grafting procedure following a deep corneal wound. The easiest way to do this is to speak to your own vet, who can then arrange the appointment for you. In all of these animals it is always best to see your dog before it gets a problem. Early intervention and prevention is often better than dealing with a problem once it has happened. Print this page Feedback At Focus Referrals we are keen to get things right. We would be very happy to hear about your experience with Focus Referrals so that we can improve how we work. Please let us know via email: info focusreferrals. Pug Dog Eyes Overview Pugs have large, gorgeous, dark eyes. Because they are so big and protrude slightly, this makes Pugs more prone to certain eye issues, though some eye problems seen with this breed are either common to small breeds or to dogs in general. Because debris can easily enter a Pug's eye and there may be issues with eye discharge, extra attention needs to be given to keep the eye area clean. Tommy, photo courtesy of owner Srinivas This section will cover: Breed Standard Nomenclature Regarding the Eyes - The ideal color, shape, and expression. The Most Common Pug Eye Issues - This includes bloodshot and teary eyes, inflammation and irritation, dry eye, cherry eye, eyelash abnormalities, entropion, corneal abrasions and ulcers, and pigmentary keratitis brown melanin moves onto the sclera white of the eye. Pug Eye Care and Cleaning - The 5 steps to keep a Pug's eye area clean to help prevent irritation and other issues and instructions for flushing the eyes. Breed Standard Nomenclature Regarding the Eyes Breed standards are detailed descriptions of what is considered to be the 'ideal' specimen of a particular dog breed. These criterion are used when judging dogs in conformation show events and are used as a general guideline for breeders when working toward the 'betterment of the breed'. The AKC, along with other clubs, lists both the physical description of a Pug's eyes as well as expression: "The eyes are dark in color, very large, bold and prominent, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and, when excited, full of fire. They are dark in color and very lustrous. Solicitous in expression; when excited, full of fire. Due in part to their size and shape, the eyes are vulnerable to a number of eye conditions which will be covered next. Allergies can be a year-round issue or appear in any of the four seasons. Though distichiasis and other conditions in this section should be ruled out, if you suspect allergies as the cause of eye irritation, you may wish to refer to Pug Dog Allergies. In most cases, this is due to small debris a tiny blade of grass, crusted rheum - also known as 'sleep', etc. Flushing the eyes with a canine eye rinse can usually help. Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as dry eye, can be a very painful condition, in which there is an abrasion on the clear film that naturally protects. The Pug is very prone to this, though poor nutrition and dehydration can play a role, and it most commonly affects middle-aged and senior dogs. If not treated, scarring can occur, which can lead to complete loss of vision. This is usually diagnosed via a Schirmer tear test that measures tear production and a fluorescein stain test to check for abrasions. Treatment includes artificial-tear medication, eye drops for lubrication, medication to reduce pain and inflammation, and in some cases, antibiotics. This condition is thought to develop due to a weakening of connective tissues. If cherry eye is not treated quickly, it can lead to other very serious issues. It is very rare for this to happen to both eyes at the same time, but once it happens to one eye it's very common for it to occur in the other within a few months. Signs of this include a pink or red bump that significantly protrudes out over the sclera the white part of the eye. This is treated with corrective surgery in which a small section of the nictitating membrane is removed and stitches are placed to secure the remaining tissue back into its proper place. Eyelash Abnormalities - Distichiasis and Ectopic Cilia Both of these issues involve the abnormal growth of eyelashes. With distichiasis, a condition Pugs are moderately prone to, one or more eyelash grows in an odd direction out from the eyelid. With ectopic cilia, a condition seen less commonly with Pugs, one or more eyelash grows through the inside of the eyelid toward the eye. With either condition, when an eyelash pokes into the eyeball, it is extremely painful and can lead to corneal ulcers. Although an offending eyelash can be plucked out, offering immediate relief, it is often temporary since it usually regrows within 4 to 5 weeks. For this reason, a minor procedure is often performed to remove both the eyelash and the follicle to prevent any reoccurrence. Entropion Entropion, also referred to as inverted or folded-in lid, is an inherited condition in which either the upper or lower eyelid rolls inward. This is moderately common with Pugs, usually involves the lower eyelids, and typically develops within the first year. This is mainly a genetic condition linked to tension in the ligaments of the inner eye but can also be triggered by rapid weight loss or can develop alongside chronic eye infections. While the inverted lid itself will irritate the eye, there are other issues that can develop. Eyelashes that that point inward can scratch the surface of the eye, leading to corneal ulcers. And, any scar tissue that may form after a scratch that can lead to vision problems or even vision loss in some cases. In very minor cases, and if the cornea is not ulcerated, the eyelid may be temporarily stitched back into place and artificial-tear medication given. However, in most cases, this needs to be resolved with corrective surgery to permanently reposition the eyelid back into position. Corneal Abrasions and Ulcerations The cornea is the clear, shiny membrane that makes up the surface of the eyeball and because Pugs have very prominent eyes, corneal abrasions and ulcers are not uncommon. A corneal abrasion is a scrape that only affects the epithelium 1st layer. A corneal ulcer is a scrape through the whole epithelium 1st layer and into the basement membrane 2nd layer or stroma 3rd layer. The most common cause of abrasions and ulcerations is trauma to the eye which can be anything from debris entering a Pug's eye to rubbing the head along the ground resulting in a scratch. This is also linked to entropion, chronic eye infections, keratoconjunctivitis sicca dry eye , canine diabetes, and hypothyroidism. Signs include moderate to severe pain a Pug may paw at the eye or rub the eye area against surfaces , sensitivity to light, keeping the eye closed, discharge in some cases. Exact treatment will depend on whether there is a corneal abrasion, ulcer, or descemetocele. Corneal abrasions generally are treated with topical antibiotics and often the use of a protection cone collar to prevent a dog from pawing at the eye and typically heal in 1 week or less. For corneal ulcers or descemetocele, treatment varies. For moderate cases, surgery may be performed to temporarily stitch the eyelid closed to allow it to heal. If both eyes are affected, each eye may be alternatingly treated. For more serious cases, other surgery including grafts or transplants may be required. If an ulcer does not heal as expected, there can be a buildup of dead cells on the rim of the ulcer which prevent normal cells from repairing the tear. If this happens, the dead cells are removed and surgical closing of the eyelids may follow. If there is no improvement after days of treatment, bring your Pug back to the vet to be reexamined. Pigmentary Keratitis Pigmentary keratitis refers the migration of brown melanin pigment from the iris into the sclera white area of the eye. This can range from minor which has no affect on vision to severe melanin covers the pupil, leading to blindness. Early detection plays a huge role in successfully managing and treating this. This may develop with no underlying causes, however it is frequently linked to other issues such as entropion or keratoconjunctivitis sicca dry eye. The sign of this is brown pigment seen within the sclera white part of the eye. It can vary from faint tiny brown specks to severe black patches. Because many cases are due to an underlying eye issue, treatment almost always involves resolving that underlying disorder. Therefore, if entropion is present, it will be treated with surgery to reposition the eyelid. If keratoconjunctivitis sicca is the culprit, it will be treated either with topical medications or, in rare cases, surgery to reposition the salivary duct. When the underlying cause is successfully treated, this will usually stop pigmentary keratitis from developing any further. In regard to the pigmentation that has already migrated to the cornea, there is very rarely an attempt to surgically remove it due to the risks involved, and there are no medications that have been proven to eliminate it. In time months or even years , the pigmentation may lighten on its own. When caught early, prognosis is good. However, prognosis worsens the longer it takes to have this diagnosed. If the pigmentary keratitis already reached a severe level and is covering the pupil, this can profoundly affect a Pug's vision, even leading to blindness. Pug Eye Care and Cleaning With such big gorgeous eyes that slightly protrude out from the face, a huge part of taking care of your Pug will be to guard the eyes against irritants, keep the eye area clean, and know how to rinse the eyes if needed. Daily Eye Care Follow these 5 tips to help keep your Pug's eyes clean and protected: 1. Take care when grooming your Pug to help prevent loose hairs, shampoo, and other grooming-related elements from entering the eyes. Routinely wipe the eye area to remove fine debris, bits of food, rheum commonly known as 'eye sleep' and any discharge. At a minimum, this should be done once per day and ideally up to 3 times per day after each meal. For this, use a wipe that is specifically made for the sensitive area around the eyes, it should be all-natural with no irritating additives. These are hypo-allergenic wipes with the all-natural soothing ingredients of chamomile and aloe vera plus lion's tooth and eyebright made from dandelions to keep the fur around the eyes free from staining. These work great for removing dirt, debris, eye crust and discharge. Avoid spraying cleaning products including air fresheners near your Pug and keep the house smoke-free. Have eye cleanser on hand in order to promptly flush the eyes if needed. Pay attention to your Pug's eyes and bring any issues to the attention of the veterinarian; most eye-related problems have a good prognosis when caught early. Removing Something from the Eye If your Pug has something in their eye, flush this out as soon as possible. Here's how: What you need: A sterile canine eye cleaning solution like Tomlyn Sterile Eye Wash this is something that owners should have on hand at all times and clean sterile gauze. Instructions: 1. Use your fingers to open the eye, gently pushing both upper and lower lids open wider. Squeeze 4 to 5 drops into the cup of the lower lid. Let go of your Pug and allow him to blink. As he does, a combination of the solution and tears will spill out from his eye. Be sure to swipe this up with a clean piece of gauze. It is a popular myth that this is a common occurrence. However, there is no reason why a Pug's eye would spontaneously pop or fall out. Only a very serious injury such as descemetocele a deep cut into all layers of the cornea could make this happen. This breed does have large, somewhat protruding eyes, however they are held into place by ligaments just as any other dog, or human for that matter. The ligaments are just as strong as with any other canine. My Pug was just stung in the eye by a bee! It's very swollen. What should I do? A bee sting, to any part of the body, is enough of a problem already. Canines can be allergic to the venom just as humans can. Hives and trouble breathing are just two concerns and while Benadryl can be given for minor reactions, the risk of anaphylactic shock is a concern that should be in the mind of all owners. With a sting right to the eye, this presents a whole new set of concerns. If the bee stung your Pug directly in the eyeball, the stinger could have caused a laceration or perforating injury to the cornea which is something that needs immediate treatment at the vet's. Even if the stinger just entered into the eye area lid, surrounding skin , severe swelling is a sign of allergic reaction. For these reasons, we'd suggest immediately contacting the veterinarian. Do you know about our book? This is the most comprehensive book of its kine. Stay informed: Receive newsletters that let you know about new articles and important information. Become a free PetPugDog Member today. Other articles: Pug Feeding Guidelines - All the details you need to know about the best food for your Pug, how often to provide meals, and answers to common eating problems. Giving a Pug a Bath - Since this breed has sensitive skin, how you give baths and the products you use will have a big impact on skin and coat health. Taking Care of a Pug's Wrinkles - The facial folds on a Pug need to be kept clean and dry to help prevent common issues including irritation and skin yeast infections. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Cherry eye is not always painful but should not be ignored. Cause: weak tear duct gland loosens and protrudes. Symptoms: redness, swelling, pronounced corner of the eyelid. Treatment: possible tear duct surgery. Corneal Ulcer The membrane that protects the eyeball is the Cornea. Many factors can cause damage to the cornea including playtime with anyone, including another dog or cat or getting something in their eye. Minor damage to the Cornea, like a scratch or abrasion will normally heal in a few days. Ulcers require more attention. Cause: membrane covering the surface of the eye wears thin due to trauma, foreign object, burn, or infection. Symptoms: redness, pain, squinting or your dog may keep their eyes closed, frequent rubbing, light sensitivity, discharge, and a noticeable film over the eyes. Treatment: antibiotic eye drops, painkillers, possible surgery in severe cases. Distichiasis Distichiasis is a serious issue that should be treated. Lack of treatment can lead to more serious issues including corneal ulcers. Cause: eyelashes growing in abnormal locations. Symptoms: redness, discharge, frequent rubbing, and itching. Treatment: professional eye exam including fluorescent staining to assess the degree of injury, prescribed lubricants, possible surgical lash removal. Entropion Imagine the discomfort if your eyelid rolled in, scraping your eyeball with eyelashes. This is common at around six-months-old. Cause: eyelids fold under pushing eyelashes into the eyes. Symptoms: eyelid distortion up or inward , milky look, redness, swelling, and constant scratching. Treatment: probable surgery to remove excess eyelid. Dry Eye most common ailment Unfortunately, dry eye, as with humans, is a chronic condition. It is likely that your Pug will need eye lubricants for the duration of their life if they are diagnosed with dry eye. Cause: low tear production causing irritation and build-up of debris. Symptoms: excessive blinking, redness, and thick discharge. Treatment: prescribed oral medication, and possible eye drops. Cataracts The lens of the eyeball consists mainly of water and protein. The precise makeup of the protein ensures that the lens remains clear. At times the protein can clump, creating a clouded area called a cataract. Cataracts normally develop slowly, over many years. Influences such as spiked sugar levels due to diabetes can speed up the process. Cause: diabetes, inflammation, trauma, genetic inheritance. Symptoms: milky or cloudy look to the eyes, grayish film, noticeable vision loss, clumsiness. Treatment: surgical removal with lens replacement or laser removal. PRA is an inherited condition and dogs diagnosed with it should not be used for breeding purposes. Cause: degenerating retina. Symptoms: noticeable night blindness, clumsiness, shinier look to eyes, and abnormal pupil dilation. Treatment: although studies have shown that dietary changes can slow disease progression, at the time of this writing treatment is not available and blindness will eventually result. Pugs love to explore and play. Their lack of a sufficient snout may be an attractive characteristic but offers less protection for their eyes. Cause: short snout. Symptoms: signs of pain, irritation, rubbing, watering, or visible scratches. Treatment: inspect the area to determine if professional intervention is necessary. Seeking the professional help of a vet can mean the difference between simple treatment and a chronic eye problem. I love these two bundies. They are the cutest.

Also called Barbone and Caniche, the teacup-toy Poodle is an intelligent and loyal breed. If you want a best friend who is big enough to keep up with your adventures but small enough to ride in your lap, this energetic dog may be a match for you. Affectionate, eager, and playful, they are ready and willing to do what it takes to make you happy. Their intelligence makes them relatively easy to train, and early socialization will help your pup grow to be calm and happy around pets, children, and unfamiliar people. They are a delightful all-around dog that has such strong qualities, it has been a parent breed for dozens of hybrid breeds. Their eyes are dark and brilliant and reveal their intelligence. Their nose is refined at the end of a long, narrow snout, and their teeth meet in a strong scissor bite. A miniature variation dictates that Teacup-Toy Poodles will have a squarely-built body with a deep chest and muscled shoulders. Their stance is elegant but sturdy, and their tail stands straight up. Their hair is typically dense, curly, and even wiry. Their coats come in many colors: White. Ask for Our 'Special Order' Option. Teacup Poodle puppies are one of the most impressive dogs in the canine world. Not only are teacup Poodles extremely friendly and affectionate to their owners, these loveable beauties vibe well with young children, strangers, and other dogs. Our delightful toy puppies are also incredibly clever and easy to train. After learning a few tricks, our adorable teacup Poodles will keep you entertained for hours with their playfulness. Are you ready to open your heart and home to your fur-ever friend? Have a look at our available Toy Poodle puppies for sale, or contact us for information about our upcoming litters or the special order option. Temperament: Poodles are highly intelligent and adaptable dogs that are known for their delightful temperament. They are playful, affectionate, and loyal companions that make wonderful pets for individuals and families alike. One of the most notable characteristics of the Poodle temperament is their intelligence. They are quick learners and excel at obedience training and other forms of mental stimulation. Poodles are also highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of living situations, from apartments to larger homes. In addition to their intelligence, Poodles are also affectionate and loving dogs that form strong bonds with their owners. They are known for being highly attuned to their human's emotions and can be extremely intuitive and sensitive to their needs. This makes them great companions for people who are looking for a loyal and loving pet. Poodles are also highly sociable dogs that enjoy spending time with their owners and meeting new people and pets. They are outgoing and friendly, making them great pets for families with children or other pets. Poodles also have a playful side to their nature and enjoy games and activities that involve interaction and engagement with their owners. Overall, the Poodle temperament is highly desirable, making them one of the most popular breeds in the world. Their intelligence, adaptability, and loving nature make them wonderful pets for a wide range of people and lifestyles, and their endearing personalities are sure to bring joy and companionship to any household. Available Puppies Appearance: Poodles are a distinctive breed known for their elegant and sophisticated appearance. They come in four sizes: standard, miniature, and toy, and teacup and have a variety of coat colors including white, black, brown, silver, apricot, and red. One of the most notable features of the Poodle is their unique coat. Poodles have a dense, curly coat that is hypoallergenic, meaning they are a great choice for people with allergies. Their curly coat is also water-resistant, which makes them excellent swimmers. Poodles have a long, narrow muzzle and oval-shaped eyes that convey a sense of intelligence and alertness. They have long, furry ears that hang close to their head, giving them a regal and elegant appearance. Poodles also have a long, slender neck that flows smoothly into their well-proportioned body. Another defining characteristic of the Poodle is their distinctive gait. They have a springy and energetic step, and their movements are graceful and fluid. This, combined with their elegant appearance, gives Poodles a sense of aristocratic refinement. Overall, the Poodle is a visually striking breed that boasts a unique and sophisticated appearance. Their curly coat, elegant body structure, and distinctive gait make them one of the most recognizable and beloved dog breeds in the world. Learn more Exercise Poodles are active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. While the amount of exercise they require may vary depending on their size and age, all Poodles need daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy. A typical exercise routine for a Poodle may include a brisk walk or jog in the morning and evening, along with some playtime or training sessions during the day. Poodles also enjoy playing fetch, running around in a securely fenced yard, or going on leisurely hikes with their owners. In addition to physical exercise, Poodles also benefit from mental stimulation. They are highly intelligent and require mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. Puzzle toys, obedience training, and other forms of mental stimulation can help keep Poodles mentally stimulated and engaged. It's important to keep in mind that Poodles can be prone to weight gain, especially as they age. Regular exercise not only helps to keep them physically fit but also provides them with mental stimulation and helps to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. Monitoring their diet and exercise routine closely is crucial to prevent them from becoming overweight or obese. Overall, Poodles are active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. With the right amount of exercise, attention, and care, Poodles can live long, healthy, and happy lives. Learn more History The Poodle is an ancient breed with a history that dates back several centuries. While the exact origins of the breed are unclear, it is believed that they originated in Germany, where they were known as the "Pudel," which translates to "splash in water. Their unique coat, which is hypoallergenic and water-resistant, made them well-suited for this task. Over time, Poodles also became popular as circus performers and were trained to perform tricks and acrobatics. During the 16th century, Poodles became popular with European nobility and were frequently depicted in paintings and artwork of the time. They were also a popular choice for the court of Louis XVI, and were often seen in his court as well as other royal courts in Europe. In the 19th century, Poodles were standardized into three different sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. This allowed for greater versatility in the breed, and they became popular as companions and family pets. Today, Poodles are one of the most popular breeds in the world and are beloved for their intelligence, affectionate nature, and distinctive appearance. They continue to be used as retrievers and are also trained for a variety of activities, including obedience, agility, and therapy work. Learn more Maintenance Poodles require regular maintenance to keep their distinctive curly coat in good condition. Their curly coat can easily become matted and tangled, so it's important to brush and groom them regularly to prevent this from happening. The frequency of grooming will depend on the length of the Poodle's coat. For example, a Poodle with a shorter clip may only need to be groomed every six to eight weeks, while a Poodle with a longer coat may need to be groomed every four to six weeks. Regular brushing is also important for Poodle maintenance. Brushing helps to remove any loose or dead hair from their coat, as well as prevent matting and tangles. Poodles with longer coats may need to be brushed daily, while those with shorter coats may only need to be brushed a few times a week. Bathing is another important aspect of Poodle maintenance. Poodles should be bathed every three to four weeks, or more frequently if they get particularly dirty or smelly. It's important to use a dog-specific shampoo that won't irritate their skin or strip their coat of its natural oils. Poodle maintenance also involves regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Their nails should be trimmed every two to three weeks, their ears should be cleaned weekly, and their teeth should be brushed several times a week to prevent dental issues. Overall, Poodles require regular maintenance to keep them healthy, happy, and looking their best. Consistent grooming, brushing, bathing, and other forms of maintenance can help prevent common issues like matting and tangling, and keep them looking and feeling great. These tiny little pups are loyal and loving and can fit just about anywhere! Also intelligent, the Teacup Poodle will keep you on your toes and carries many of the same characteristics as their standard sized parents. This breed is selectively bred and is a variation of the Toy Poodle. The only difference between the Toy Poodle and the Teacup Poodle is their size, so we can look to the Toy Poodle for a lot of information about the Teacup. Breed Origin The Poodle is one of the most popular dogs in the world and is in fact one of the oldest pure bred dogs. These dogs originated in Germany and were originally bred to be a working and gun dog that made the perfect hunting dog. The Poodle has a waterproof coat and great retrieving talents. Nowadays, this breed is more known as a lapdog rather than a working dog. They are bred in smaller breeds so that more people can enjoy having a Poodle as a best friend. The Teacup variation of this breed has been selectively bred from the Toy Poodle and must be under 9 inches in height and less than 6 pounds in weight to qualify as a Teacup. Teacup puppies are normally born in litters of one to two, although occasionally there can be more. They weigh around 2 pounds when born and will only grow to around 5 pounds once fully grown. They also are always under 9 inches in height. This is because of the selective breeding process and the fact that there are fewer dogs in every litter. Although there are no official breed standards, the general rule of thumb is that a Teacup Poodle is 9 inches in height and they weigh less than 6 pounds, whereas a Toy breed is less than 10 inches. Their breed is very elegant looking, no matter the size, and they always stand poised. Their eyes are also small, dark and are always alert and they have a long muzzle with floppy furry ears. Coat Their coat is curled and thick and they do not shed any fur. This means they are a hypoallergenic dog and are perfect for those with allergies. Unlike other Poodle mix dogs who may have a mixture of different fur colors, this dog only comes in solid colors. This way, you can determine whether you are being sold a purebred Poodle or not. They are extremely loving and make great companions for everyone, including individuals, families and the elderly. Because of their size, too, they fit into many different environments and will do well in apartments and in city living and also in large homes in the country or in open-spaced environments. Their exercise needs are not great, although they do get bored very easily and do not like to be left alone. If they are left alone for too long they will begin to suffer from separation anxiety and exhibit destructive behaviors. Lifespan The life expectancy of a Teacup dog is relatively long. These dogs can be expected to live anywhere between 12 to 14 years. Some of these problems are similar to the issues that may be carried by their standard sized ancestors due to their genetic similarities. These include: Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Dysplasia — this is normally seen in large dogs but can affect different joints in the body. Also, because of their selective breeding and small size, they are also prone to some other health issues. You should always check with the breeder you are buying from to see whether the dogs show any signs of these problems. The three most common are hypoglycemia low blood sugar , heart defects and patella luxation. Patella luxation is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop. To ensure you identify the signs of any of these issues early, ensure you take your dog to the vet for regular checkups. Daily Life Fortunately, taking care of a Teacup Poodle in day-to-day life is not too challenging. They do not have as many needs as other sizes of the Poodle breed. Food And Diet Because they are small dogs , their food needs are not huge. Experts recommend that you feed your Teacup Poodle approximately calories per day, which is the equivalent to approximately 1 cup of high quality dry kibble per day. You should try them on a diet that is specially formulated for toy sized breeds, so you are ensuring that they get the right nutrients. You can also reward them with treats when they exhibit good behavior, as well as fruit snacks. Exercise The Teacup Poodle does not have great exercise needs, because of their size. Despite this, they still need to be walked every day. Exercising your dog can be a great way to bond with them and increase mental stimulation, as well as allowing them to experience new sights and sounds. Experts recommend you take your Teacup Poodle for no more than a 30 minute short walk a day. It is best that you split the walk into three so they do not over exert themselves. This way you could take them in the morning, in the middle of the day and in the evening and you could vary the locations to give your dog new experiences. Your dog will also benefit from toys at home that will increase bonding time with you. Keep in mind that a Teacup Poodle has trouble keeping warm because of their small size. If you live in a colder area, your Teacup will benefit from a sweater or jacket to keep warm! Family Compatibility Poodles love humans and make great companions for everyone, including families. Because of their size, Teacup Poodles can fit into any home, whether you live in an apartment in the city of whether you live in a large house in the countryside. They love to be around you, so they are not well suited to a family that is going to be out for most of the day. That being said, they are extremely loving and a great lapdog — and small enough so you might be able to take them with you! The Teacup may feel intimidated when being held by small children and therefore get a little cranky. Fortunately, with early socialization, this can be fixed. Training Teacup Poodles are easy to train, which is another reason many people love these dogs. They are naturally intelligent which makes your life a lot easier, especially if you have never trained a dog before. Teacups want to learn and want to please and they respond well to positive reinforcement. This includes verbal praise and treats. You will also need to socialize them, especially because they are small. They need to be introduced to other people and animals from a young age so they learn how to interact. You should aim to do this twice a week. You should also clip their nails and brush their teeth. To help prevent dental decay and disease, daily brushing is the normally recommended. Teacup Poodles certainly do well in a family environment and love to be around people. They can feel intimidated when they are around small children, so it is not usually advised to house them with young children. However, this can be fixed with socialization. They can live in both small apartments or in big houses, as long as you give them enough love. How much do Teacup Poodles cost? They are expensive because they can be difficult to breed and there is normally only one or two puppies in a litter. If this is too expensive for you, you may find a Teacup Poodle at your local shelter who needs a home. Summary Teacup Poodles are an adorable, friendly and loving dog. Ensure that you give them the right amount of food, exercise them every day and play games with them and they will love you forever! Teacup Poodles love to be around people and can make the perfect family dog. They are not difficult to train and walking is minimal, so they make a great pet to everyone! What do you think — is a Teacup Poodle the right dog for you? Search Dog Breeds. The teacup poodle is a newer type of poodle and has only recently found great popularity in the past twenty years. Originally, the poodle originated in Germany around the early 14th century and was used as a hunting dog that retrieved waterfowl. The poodle is also the national dog of France and is widely known for being intelligent, loyal, and loving. Over time, smaller sizes of this pup began being bred, and the poodle became more popular as a companion or lap dog. The miniature poodle originated in the early 20th century when American breeders started to create a more city-friendly poodle. The smallest puppies from toy poodle litters were used for breeding teacup poodles, achieving their small size. However, despite this small stature, the teacup poodle has a lot to offer owners. They lack none of the intelligence of the standard-sized poodle, and they are alert, friendly, and easy to train. Teacup poodles form strong bonds with their owners and are playful and affectionate, but they may be prone to nervousness if not properly cared for or left alone for too long. Teacup poodles stand no more than 9 inches tall and weigh up to 6 pounds. They have round heads with a slight stop, much like standard-sized poodles, floppy ears, and a longer muzzle. Their eyes are typically small and dark, but very alert, and they will have a longer neck, square body, and straight back with long legs. The coat of the teacup poodle is thicker, curly, and soft and will need to be brushed often to prevent tangles. What Size Is a Teacup Poodle? Teacup poodles are, as the name implies, pretty small dogs. This pup will stand no more than 9 inches tall and weigh less than 6 pounds. They can be quite fragile because of their small size, so you will need to pay extra attention to your dog while it is playing or moving around your home. The teacup poodle has a coat much like the standard-size poodles. Teacup poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic, so they may be a beneficial breed for those with allergies. The teacup poodle has a friendly disposition and is intelligent, alert, loyal, and loving. This pup tends to become very attached to their owners and will often be seen following them from room to room. Teacup poodles are also very smart and can pick up tricks easily. They are eager to please and will love the time spent with you learning new commands. Teacup poodles are not known to have a high prey drive or act very aggressively toward other animals, though they may be quite vocal if they notice something suspicious around their home. Are Teacup Poodles Affectionate? Teacup poodles are very affectionate and will enjoy spending as much time with their owner as possible. You can expect your teacup poodle to enjoy cuddling on the couch, sleeping in the same room as you at nighttime, and wanting to play frequently throughout the day. The small size of this breed makes them quite fragile, so rough play with children can lead to the dog becoming injured. Lots of yelling, excitement, and busy play from smaller children can also scare your teacup poodle, creating anxiety, nervousness, or barking issues. That being said, families with older, calmer children and children that know how to properly play with animals can easily get along with this pup. Teacup poodles are generally good with other animals as they are a friendly and social pup. Are Teacup Poodles Aggressive? Your teacup poodle is unlikely to attack, nip, or act aggressively toward strangers, but they can develop these behaviors if they are very anxious, fearful, or bored. Do Teacup Poodles Bark a Lot? Teacup poodles are, unfortunately, quite vocal, and you can expect this dog to bark at just about anything. Teacup poodles will bark when they are happy and playing, in addition to barking at things they find suspicious or untrustworthy around their home. They may also bark to draw your attention or to show their displeasure with something. You can train excessive barking habits down somewhat, but keep in mind that your teacup poodle is likely to be on the more vocal side, no matter what. Are Teacup Poodles Intelligent? This dog breed is fairly intelligent, and teacup poodles can easily learn new tricks. They can be house trained relatively quickly in addition to learning more complex commands and skills. Plus, teacup poodles are easy to please and love a mental challenge, something that adds to their learning abilities. Are Teacup Poodles Easy to Train? Due to their higher intelligence, teacup poodles can be quite easy to train. They are loyal, affectionate, and eager to please their owners, all factors which help them pick up new skills quickly and learn basic obedience tasks. Your teacup poodle may even be up to the challenge of learning more advanced tricks depending on their intelligence and how quickly they learn. Are Teacup Poodles Energetic? Teacup poodles have a moderate energy level and are a very playful breed. This pup will need two short walks per day that last around 15 minutes each and are likely to expend a lot of energy running around their home and playing with their toys and their families. As long as they have toys around their home and enough space to get their zoomies out from time to time, they will fit well into apartment living. However, you should keep in mind that this pup can be noisy from time to time, so training to curb needless barking is a must. Are Teacup Poodles Good Watchdogs? They are also fairly protective and loyal to their owners, which makes them easily fall into the watchdog role. While teacup poodles may be intelligent and quickly learn many tricks and commands, they are not the best size for acting as service dogs. This breed is too small to help with guiding and mobility support-related tasks, and they are not typically able to fetch heavy items for their owners. However, teacup poodles love being around their owners. So they are a good choice for a companion pup, making them eligible to act as a therapy dog or an emotional support animal. How to Care for a Teacup Poodle Teacup poodles are not the highest maintenance breed out there, but they do require a dedicated care routine to stay happy and healthy. You will need to spend lots of time with your teacup poodle, as this breed is prone to anxiety and loneliness without their owners, something that can easily translate into destructive behaviors. Make sure that you brush your teacup poodle a few times a week, as this helps to release any shed hair before it tangles and mats. You will likely need to take your teacup poodle to be groomed regularly to trim up their hair, give them a good bath, and ensure their coat is kept at a comfortable length. Supplement meals with nutritional treats to keep your pup happy. Your teacup poodle will need to be brushed a few times a week and regularly receive professional grooming. The groomer will help release shed hair, untangle mats safely, and trim up their coat, so your dog is more comfortable. Do Teacup Poodles Shed? Teacup poodles are low-shedding dogs and are often considered hypoallergenic. What Should a Teacup Poodle Eat? Your teacup poodle should be eating a diet of high-quality dry or wet food and, depending on their size, should be consuming between half a cup and one full cup of food per day approximately calories. Due to their small size, teacup poodles may be prone to certain health conditions that affect smaller dogs. These problems include hypoglycemia, heart defects, respiratory and digestive problems, seizures, collapsing trachea, and blindness. Genetically, your teacup poodle may be predisposed to dental disease and luxating patellas. To ensure your teacup poodle stays in the best health, you should be taking them to regular vet visits and checking their behavior for any concerning symptoms such as limping, lethargy, or sudden changes in behavior. Teacup poodles are known to live between 12 and 14 years, though your dog may live longer or shorter than this predicated lifespan, depending on any preexisting health issues and their overall daily care. Regular vet visits and proper care for your dog is the best way to ensure they live a long, healthy, happy life. Are Teacup Poodles Expensive? Due to their smaller size, teacup poodles can be difficult to breed, and there are typically only one or two puppies bred per litter. This creates a relatively higher demand for this dog due to a lower supply and makes teacup poodles fairly expensive. How to Find a Teacup Poodle Breeder If you want to purchase a teacup poodle, you will most likely need to find a breeder to buy from. The best way to do this is to perform internet searches of local and national breeders that are reputable, follow proper breeding practices, and care for both the breeding dogs and the puppies humanely. Make sure to avoid suspect breeding practices, very low-priced dogs if something is too good to be true, it usually is , and anything that looks like a puppy mill, as dogs and puppies that come from these spaces are likely to have been poorly treated and have increased health issues. Can You Adopt a Teacup Poodle? For the most part, teacup poodles are a variation of the standard-sized poodle and are in great demand. It is unlikely that one will turn up at a shelter for adoption, but it is possible. Keep an eye out on local and national poodle rescue organizations to see if a teacup poodle comes through that you can adopt. Are Teacup Poodles Purebred? That being said, its parents may be purebred toy poodles, and the teacup poodle may come from either a line of purebred poodles or mixed breed poodles. Can You Show Teacup Poodles? However, several other kennel clubs and organizations put on events and shows for teacup and toy dog breeds that your teacup poodle may be eligible to participate in. The teacup poodle may be good for new dog owners in certain circumstances. Owners should also be prepared to spend lots of quality time with their dog to prevent anxiousness and behavioral problems. The teacup poodle is a fantastic addition to the right type of lifestyle and family, but you may still be wondering whether or not this is the right dog for you. Review our list of points below to help make your decision easier. The teacup poodle is the right dog for you if: You want a loyal, loving companion dog that will stay by your side when you are home and likely accompany you from room to room. You need a small dog suited to apartment living, or you want a small companion dog that can also act as a helpful watchdog. You want a dog that can exercise for long periods of time and spend time in the outdoors with you hiking or completing working tasks. You want a dog that can be trained for service dog skills, such as guiding and mobility assistance. However, poodles can often be too energetic and unsuitable for smaller apartments. Well, a teacup toy poodle is just what you need. These dogs are smaller poodles and can fit anywhere. They have many different qualities that make them the best companion to have around your house. Teacup poodles are small dog breeds but are very intelligent so it is very easy to train them and take care of them. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about a teacup toy poodle! Teacup Toy Poodle History The teacup toy poodle dog breed originated from the standard poodle dogs. These dogs were initially found in Germany and are one of the oldest purebred dogs in the world. The French poodle may be a lot more popular but it is just another subsidiary of the hunting dogs found in Germany. Over the last two decades, poodles have been bred to become smaller dogs to fit into small spaces. The miniature teacup poodle is a companion dog that is a descendant of the purebred dog breed registered in Germany. In fact, the name poodle originated from the German word, 'pudelin. Toy poodles are now prevalent in America and even a few European countries. Other poodle mix dogs are also popular pets today given that poodles are the national dog of France. Teacups are now prevalent after years of selectively bred dogs thrived in various settings. Today they can be found in almost every country after the official breed standards were met. Some poodles are bred to be lap dogs while the others like the teacup dog is a companion dog. The popularity of this breed continues to increase as time passes! What does a Teacup Poodle Look Like? A teacup toy poodle looks just like the standard poodle except it is a lot smaller in size. Dogs that weigh under six pounds and aren't taller than 9 inches are generally considered teacup poodles by breeders. A teacup toy poodle full grown will not be taller than 9 inches either. These dogs have fluffy ears and their body is covered with a hypoallergenic coat. They have deep-set dark eyes and an extended long muzzle. The teacup toy poodle is an adorable breed of dog that is also very easy to take care of. This little dog has an overall squared-out body shape but its legs are just the perfect length for its body. These dogs are also very agile and have no trouble running around and frolicking. Teacup poodle dogs are often compared to teddy bears because of their appearance. Many people like to accessorize their dogs with a poodle clip. Once you adorn your poodle with this clip, you will be surprised to see how much you have elevated their cuteness. Its ancestors belong to a tough breed of animals that had a ton of responsibilities in Germany. This could be the reason why this breed rarely ever has any health issues and problems. These dogs commonly suffer from a few ailments that affect poodles. Apart from this, smaller dogs often have patella luxation, which affects the positioning of their patella in their legs. You must pay special attention to this and look after your dog's health. A little bit of exercise and proper nutrition should help prevent these problems. Your pet's medical costs are not going to be too high either. This breed may look small but it is very tough. Apart from this, many affordable pet health care options are also available today. These dogs do not have many requirements either. They love spending time indoors, and the size of your house does not affect them. You can take them out for walks to keep them engaged but these tiny pets do not need to be exerted physically daily. If you want to keep your teacups happy, make sure you spend time with them and give them affection. Additionally, regular grooming will also help keep your pet healthy and satisfied! Teacup Poodles Grooming The teacup toy poodle is among the smallest breeds of dogs in the world. While the American kennel club has recognized the toy category, there is no natural classification for the teacup toy poodle breed. These dogs can easily be groomed like the poodle too. Their thick and luscious coat makes it very easy to manipulate hairdos and try different hair cuts on them. You can cut their hair in any way you like and make it look attractive. One of the best features of the teacup poodle is that it does not shed. These dogs have thick fur that needs to be brushed so that there are no knots in their coat. Apart from this, the teacup toy poodle does not require much. As long as you comb through their curly fur, clip their nails, and brush their teeth regularly, they are good to go. Training for a Teacup Poodle Unlike the purebred poodle, the teacup toy poodle is not as active and does not venture out on hunts. However, your teacup toy poodle also requires adequate exercise regularly. They might be small in size but they are very energetic and need an outlet too. While you may not need to take your toy breed out on long walks, it is advised that you take them along for short walks during the day. You can take your dog out on short, minute walks for exercise and mental stimulation. Dog training is a very crucial part of being a pet parent. Teacup poodles are extremely intelligent and can be trained as quickly as you would train large dogs. You can conduct training sessions at home for short spans every couple of days. Since these dogs are very small, they can also suffer from separation anxiety. You must train them to socialize and get accustomed to their surroundings efficiently from a young age. What does a Teacup Poodle Eat? Nourishment is an essential part of raising and training a teacup toy poodle. Small dogs may seem like they don't eat much and do not require a variety of different food but this is merely a misconception. It is important to remember that the dietary requirements of a teacup toy poodle are not the same as a bigger dog. This breed only requires about calories a day and you must limit this intake so that your beloved pet does not develop hypoglycemia. Two hundred fifty calories are equal to a single cup of high-quality dry kibble. You can either feed them generic dog food or even prepare special meals containing all the required nutrients. Make sure you monitor their diets so that they remain healthy. Teacup Toy Poodle Lifespan Although toy poodle teacup dog breeds look dainty and delicate, they descended from strong standard-sized ancestors after selective breeding. They have working and gun dog blood running through their veins which explains their reasonably long lifespan. The average lifespan of a teacup toy poodle is anywhere between 12 to 14 years. If you look after them and take care of their needs they are sure to live long and healthy lives with you. The life expectancy of these dogs also varies depending on their lifestyle, diet, and overall surroundings. What is the Temperament of a Teacup Poodle? Teacup poodles are just like their parent dog breeds. These dogs are very lovable and enjoy companionship. They are not very aggressive and enjoy spending time with families. This breed also does not have any trouble getting along with other dogs. Since the teacup poodle fits virtually anywhere, they can live in smaller apartments too. With just a little bit of training, the dog will not have any trouble getting used to being around people and other pets. You do not need to take them out on frequent walks either. All you need to do is spend time with them and play with them indoors to keep them engaged. This is because your dog requires mental stimulation and does not like being left alone for too long. Apart from this, if you have young children at home you might need to get your dog used to them. Teacup poodles do not like being held by small children. However, this trait in animal behavior can be fixed with regular socializing. Fun Facts about Teacup Toy Poodles Teacup toy poodles are among some of the most adorable dog breeds globally. Here are a few fun facts about the teacup toy poodle to enlighten you! The teacup toy poodle weighs anywhere between 2 to 6 pounds and does not grow any taller than nine inches. The teacup poodle litter is tiny and only consists of 2 to 3 puppies. There is no distinction between toy and teacup poodles in the dog registry of America. They have floppy furry ears and come in a variety of solid colors like gray, white, apricot, blue, black, brown, silver, red, and beige. Teacup poodles can also be found in a mixed color coat too. They are easy to take care of and do not require any special care. They will prove to be your best friend if you spend enough time with them and play with them. Are Teacup Poodles Hypoallergenic? One of the best parts of having a teacup toy poodle is that these dogs are hypoallergenic. If you are someone who cannot stand dog hair and begin to break out or sneeze or have bad reactions, this is the breed for you. They have no trouble spending time indoors and do not shed. Their stunning curly fur does not require any special care apart from regular brushing. Their fur is entirely hypoallergenic, making them the perfect dog for people with allergies. Further, the non-shedding trait only helps those with allergies. So, when you ask are toy poodles hypoallergenic, the answer is absolutely not! Do Toy Poodles have Health Problems? Teacup toy poodles resemble their standard-sized ancestors due to their similar genetic composition. Poodles have a few health issues that they are very susceptible to. Teacup poodles are also prone to the same illnesses so it is vital to look after them. Your puppy could grow up to develop progressive retinal atrophy or PRA or even dysplasia. While these ailments are common among other dogs, too, you might want to take special care of your poodle. PRA could result in blindness over time so make sure your dog gets the proper nutrition and supplements from a young age. Similarly, dysplasia could result in joint pains and other body aches in your miniature poodles too. Apart from this, you should also look after their eating habits. Poodles are prone to developing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar level which could be fatal. So, keep them well-fed and clean to avoid ear infections and other minuscule problems! Do Teacup Poodles Bark a Lot? Barking completely depends on how well you train your dog and how socially accustomed it is. Teacups are very elegant dogs that do not bark unnecessarily and remain calm. However, this is only possible when they are appropriately trained. They are a little snobbish and spoilt in their demeanor. They will not bark at anyone unless they see someone new or feel threatened. Make sure you teach your puppy how to behave around people and instill mannerisms from an early age. They are very unlikely to bark all day unless they are in discomfort and do not feel very good. If your teacup toy poodle is barking too much then you must investigate the issue and see if there are any underlying causes for it. To Sum Up A teacup toy poodle is one of the best dogs for you if you like tiny adorable puppies. This breed does not grow too much and remains small enough to fit inside a teacup, hence the name. They come with many benefits and a love-filled demeanor. These dogs are easy to maintain, live long lives, and get used to new surroundings easily. So, even if you have not had a dog before you can look after a teacup toy poodle very quickly.