labradoodle poodle mix puppies

A rolled eyelid entropion is an eyelid malposition in dogs Teat Tumors Tumours of the mammary gland, also known as mammary tumours, are among the most common cancers in dogs. The American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mix is a large, muscular dog with a short, low-maintenance coat. They come in a variety of colors, but most have a brindle or black base color with white markings. What is the personality of an American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mix? The American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mix is a loyal, protective and loving dog. They do well with children and love to be part of the family. They can be stubborn and willful, but respond well to consistent training. How much exercise does an American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mix need? The American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mix needs moderate exercise. A daily walk or playtime in the yard will suffice. They don't need a lot of room to run, but they do enjoy a good game of catch. How do I care for an American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mix? The American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mix has a short, low-maintenance coat. Weekly brushing is sufficient. They shed an average amount of hair. Are American Bulldog and Bullmastiff mixes good with other pets? They have a very strong temperament. If they are well trained, they get along great with cats as well as with a second dog. Author Sissi Author Sissi is a blogger since , came on the dog .Since then she struts daily her steps with Loki through the world. The Beagdor Labrador-Beagle mix is a therapy dog for children and also accompanies her to schools. Secretly she fancies a French Bulldog as a second dog. Sissi is a blogger since , came on the dog .Useful Articles. However, these dogs are so adorable as puppies that many people often adopt them without giving it the proper amount of thought. The food costs are exorbitant, though, and you should expect a whopper of a vet bill every now and then. They can also be prone to behavioral issues if not properly trained and socialized. Just keep in mind that your home will get smaller after you bring one into it. You better know how to swim, because these dogs drool. When you combine two breeds that are already known for having overactive salivary glands, you get a mix that can flood your entire house. It may sound adorable and it often is. They have no idea how big they are. However, they generally weigh well over pounds. Also, they have no idea where their feet are at any time, and they will definitely step on you. They love being the center of attention. They constantly crave affection — and at their size, they have no problems getting it. They make up for it by being incredibly sweet, though. Masti-Bulls are fun-loving and affectionate, but they can quickly get serious if they perceive a threat. They will not hesitate to protect their families, making them great guard dogs and equally good babysitters. Despite their agreeable nature, they have sad-looking faces, especially their solemn eyes. Are These Dogs Good for Families? However, that protectiveness can sometimes be an issue, especially if your kids have friends over who like to roughhouse. Also, these dogs have no idea how big they are. If they get rambunctious, they can easily step on or bowl over a small child. You need to teach them to be aware of their surroundings; you also need to teach your kid how to act around the dog. They have formidable barks that broadcast just how big they are; there are few criminals brave enough to risk entering a house with one of these monsters inside. However, both parent breeds were originally bred as fighting animals, and there may be residual violence left in their DNA. Also, be careful about resource guarding with these dogs. They may get along great with other animals — until somebody gets too close to the food bowl, a favorite toy, or even you. Avoid anything with animal by-products. Portion control is important with larger breeds, as many of them will eat until they run out of food. A brisk walk, lasting minutes, is often all they need. They love to play, and they can spend hours pulling you around the house with a rope toy. Be careful not to overdo any exercise regimen you put them on. That means avoiding activities like agility training or anything that involves running and jumping especially on hard surfaces. Swimming is great for them, though. Introduce them to new people and places, and build up their confidence. You need to pay special attention to their ears too. Other than that, their grooming needs are fairly basic. Brush their teeth every day , bathe them every few months, and trim their nails as needed. Unfortunately, the breed is prone to a variety of health issues, both large and small. Minor Conditions. Bullmastiff — Price, size, and temperament Last Updated on: June 23, by Bhanu Bullmastiffs are large dogs that were developed by crossbreeding two dogs with a division of 60 percent English Mastiffs and 40 percent old English Bull Dog. Bullmastiffs are large-sized dogs that were bred by English hunters as guard dogs for their estates. They have a broad head, solid build, and a dominating presence. These dogs got their size from the English Mastiffs that were large dogs but not aggressive enough. There are many factors on which this may cary as below. Breeder Repute — The cost of buying a puppy from a reputable breeder would be higher. Lineage — The cost of puppies from known, healthy, and registered dogs would be higher. Health Tests — Some breeders would get the health tests done. More screening tests would mean a higher cost. Age — A puppy that is 2 months old would come at a higher cost than a puppy that is 6 months old. Sex — Female puppies tend to be at a slightly higher cost compared to females. Lifespan: They have a relatively short life expectancy of 8 to 10 years. English Bulldog Mastiff mix is a large-sized dog having a strong and muscular body. They have a broad head and a deep chest. Their muzzle is broad and deep. The tail of the bullmastiff is set high with a thick base tapering to a point. It may be straight or curved. The ears of the bullmastiff are folded and V-shaped. Bullmastiffs have a short dense coat and shed less and typically come in brindle, fawn, or red color. Occasionally they may have a white patch at the neck. Their coat provides good protection from weather like rain, snow, or cold. Bullmastiff — Temperament Bullmastiff is a fearless, confident dog who is loyal to his owner. They have the instincts of a protector. Bullmastiff will stand firm to the strangers and protect. At the same time, they are quite loving and affectionate to the family. They are popular as companion dogs and are also called the gentle giants of the canine world. Bulldog mastiff mix can be aggressive to other dogs specifically males and can injure them. Hence, they should be socialized and trained early. Once grown up, they can live the day alone if both parents are out at the office. They also do not shed much and are apartment-friendly dogs if properly trained. Are Bullmastiff good as family dogs? English bulldog Mastiff or Bullmastiff is a large, muscular dog. They are quite loyal and would protect their family with the instinct of being the guardian of the home. Once grown up, they are good to be left alone for some time for a family at work. They are also one of the few large-sized Apartment friendly dogs. Further, you should be cautious if you are having small children or pets at your home. Kids may not be mature enough to treat this large dog with respect and as with any large dog, care should be taken. With pets like cats they may sometimes go with their instincts and chase them subverting the training and hence if you have pets, you may avoid him. If you have made up your mind and looking for a very loyal, couch friendly large dog then this is a great protective companion for the family. Source: Flickr Care required Nutrition: Bullmastiff is recommended to have high-quality dog food that should be light in calories as they might get overweight. The feeding amount can vary based on the age, size, and activity level of the dog. Take the advice of Vet if needed who can advise based on the age, size, and build of the dog. They have a short and dense coat that comes in red, fawn, or brindle color. They are one of the easiest dog breeds to groom. You can easily clean them with a brush. Daily brushing will also help to make the bonding between you and the bullmastiff. Bathing him should only be when needed. Frequent bathing may result in drying up of natural oils and that may lead to dry skin and other skin-related ailments. Keep checking his nails as well. Long nails may lead to discomfort in walking. You will also need to keep his wrinkles free from dirt and moisture to avoid skin issues. Check out these wipes that may help you with the same. They are not for folks who would like to have a running companion. Instead, they would be a good company for short strolls. Bulldog mastiff mixes are not high-energy dogs and hence they do well in houses with a yard as well as in apartments. They are prone to overheating and hence ensure that you have enough space where they can cool down. Avoid exercising in direct sunlight. Training: A bullmastiff is a large dog with a powerful body and can be aggressive to other dogs. They must be trained and socialized with other humans and pets from the beginning. They learn the training commands quickly as they are quite intelligent. English Bulldog Mastiff mix also are independent thinkers. This may make training a bit difficult as they can become a bit obstinate. Firm, positive, and consistent training is required for them. Bullmastiff Health English Bulldog Mastiff mix is generally a healthy breed but may suffer from some common dog health issues. It is important to screen the puppy with a vet before you adopt him. Some common ailments that they are prone to are: Cancer — Just like humans, cancer can develop in dogs as well. Bullmastiff is prone to lymphosarcoma, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumors. Bloat — This is a life-threatening medical condition that large deep-chested dogs like English Bulldog Mastiff mixes are prone to. Dog parents must be aware of this so they know what is needed if an unfortunate situation happens. This is a condition when the stomach of the dog is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is not able to vomit the extra air and goes in shock due to the lowering of blood pressure. Immediate medical intervention is required. Care must be taken not to give one large meal and instead divide it into two or three meals in a day. Be vigilant that the dog is not eating rapidly. Do not give large volumes of water to drink after eating. Exercise just after eating should also be avoided. Hip Dysplasia — This is a medical condition which a dog can inherit. This is painful for dogs in varying degrees. It can sometimes get unnoticed until arthritis develops in old age. Elbow Dysplasia — This is also a painful medical condition in the elbow joint. Hypothyroidism — This is a medical condition in which the thyroid hormone is not produced as required. This may lead to infertility, obesity, mental dullness, and lack of energy. Symptoms of this include bullmastiff coat becoming coarse and brittle. Aortic Stenosis — This is also an inheritable medical condition in which the defect in the aorta narrows the aortic valve to enable a smooth blood supply. Symptoms include dog feeling lethargic all the time and having instances of fainting. Again, as this is an inheritable condition, dogs having this should not be bred. Entropion — This is prone to wrinkle dogs. This is a medical condition when eyelids roll inwards and start to irritate. Surgery may be required for correcting this. If not treated, this may lead to blindness. Skin Allergies — English Bulldog Mastiff is prone to skin problems like rashes, sores, and irritations. They may also get skin infection easily. Keep an eye for any rashes on his skin. Interesting fact about Bullmastiff origin In a dog show in , Mr. Burton of Thorneywood Kennels challenged that if anyone can escape the dog which he has brought, he will win a prize of Pound one, a good sum of money in those days. An experienced man took that challenge for some harsh consequences. Despite him being given a head start, he was chased and knocked down by the dog three times. This increased the popularity of the English Bulldog Mastiffs. Sylvester Stallone adopted a Bullmastiff named Butkus when he was six weeks old. Be prepared to clean the floor often. Slowly poaching declined and they were started to be used as Guard dogs. In the early 20th century, they were started to be bred as a pure breed with the name of Bullmastiff. They currently rank 51 in the popularity list among the registered dog breeds. English bulldog mastiff mix parentage Bullmastiff is a crossbreed of large English mastiffs and firm, agile old English Bulldogs. Let us also explore briefly about their parent breeds. English Mastiff: English Mastiff or Mastiff are known for their massive size and muscular body. They can become larger than humans. Though great Danes can be slightly longer, Mastiffs like English Mastiffs can outdo them when it comes to size. They usually weigh around to pounds but few can reach up to a massive weight of pounds or more. Thus they are not the dogs for the novice or first-time owners. They used to be broad, agile, muscular, and confident dogs averaging around 15 inches in height. They were revered for the fights and frequently participated in the English blood sport of bull-baiting. With the passage of the Animal Cruelty bill in the year and crossbreeds with terrier and mastiffs becoming more popular this breed started to decline and eventually go extinct. FAQs Is Bullmastiff a good family dog? Bullmastiff is a gentle and good-natured dog. They do well as family dogs though they are not recommended for families having small children. Is Bullmastiff dangerous? Bullmastiff is a large, strong, and powerful dog. If they are not trained properly, they can become very aggressive especially to dogs of same-sex. Is Bullmastiff a good guard dog? Yes, Bullmastiffs are excellent guard dogs. They are gentle and loving with the family but can be very protective of their family. How big does a Bullmastiff grow? A full-grown English Bulldog Mastiff mix can grow to a height of 25 to 27 inches with a weight averaging around to pounds.

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for New York Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in New York? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in New York? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Should you get a Black Golden retriever puppy? It is the perfect family dog. A golden retriever can be your friend, your jogging partner and a reason to smile and love daily in the hefty world. The golden retriever with gold hair on his or her body looks beautiful when playing in the lawn. But lately, a lot of people have shown interest and love for the Black Golden retrievers. Black retriever? Do the black golden retrievers even exist? Is black golden retriever is any different from the regular the golden retriever? How do they look? Do they share the same breed? How is it black? What are you talking about? Well, ladies and gentlemen, these kinds of questions I have been hearing for quite a time now, and I especially dedicated the today's article for you to tell you everything you need to know about the Black Golden retrievers. This article will help you get all the information regarding the black golden retriever breed and the ultimate answers to all of your questions. So, hold on your horses, turn off any distraction and get that chips packet and get right into the content, maybe this breed will be your next pet. Sounds great, doesn't it? It does, so let's find out about this mystery. What basically are the black Golden Retrievers? They share all the same characteristics, but they have that classic midnight shade. Black Golden Retrievers exist, yes for real, and they are same as intelligent and friendly as The Golden ones but have that glamourous black colour. I love the colour I hope you do too, so my love for black retrievers is exceptional. One of the reasons for the importance of the black Golden Retrievers is that they can surely be purebred. They are just black because of the genetic diversity factor which was added into their bloodline in the breed development processes. Major people think that a purebred black Golden Retriever is the outcome of a Flat-Coated bred Retriever that was used in the breeding process to make the Golden Retrievers. The black colour they have just becomes of the recessive gene that came up in the next litters. But, the Flat-Coated Retrievers are an entirely separate breed which is actually not wholly suitable for the first-time dog owners. The flat-coated retrievers have higher impulse and nature to wander than the pure Golden retriever, and they might have the need of more exercise daily. So comparing with all that, Black Golden retrievers are very easy to train, they have a relaxed nature that means they donk bark and irritate that much as compared to other breeds , and they will surely stick by and love your family. The physical differences There are quite a lot of physical differences between these two diverse breeds. Though, Flat-Coated Retrievers have a long and a wavy coat, which is nowhere close as thick as the Golden retriever's body. To describe to you an interesting fact, the Black Golden retrievers can be purebred, but they can never possibly perform in the show rings. The reason for that is the British, Canadian and American Kennel Club are very strict in the colouration requirements. The ultimate comparison of Black Golden retrievers with the Golden retrievers As a matter of fact, the Black Golden Retrievers are no any different than the old Golden Retrievers. The main difference is in their coating which is entirely black. The average Black Golden retriever can live for up to 12 maybe 13 years old and can have a height of 23—24 inches. The healthy Black retriever can weigh between 70 to 76 pounds. Most of its physical properties are like the Traditional Golden retrievers just the difference is in the colour and minor other differences. The Black Golden share the same temperament as the traditional Golden retrievers. That means if you are thinking to buy a puppy of this breed you will get an affectionate, lovely, friendly, and also a little bit goofy dog in your home. The traditional golden retrievers need consistent and many exercises. They have that tropical travelling nature. Same is with the Black Golden retrievers. The black or golden retriever is full of love, literally always but you have to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. The bad mood of your Golden or Black Retriever can result in the catastrophe of your new Nike sneakers, and no one wants that, so keep your dog happy and healthy. If you want a Golden Retriever but with an exciting and different coloured coating, then look no further as the Black Golden retriever is the dog you want. The share all those wonderful characteristics that the traditional golden retrievers have. This is the perfect family dog. The Black Golden retriever is also very sociable, that means you won't have a hard time to teach your dog to be social and well-mannered. The Black Golden retrievers are very patient, friendly and gentle. They play well with small children and are very excited to join their little adventures. So now you have discovered that the black golden retrievers are not much different than the traditional Golden retrievers and maybe you want this breed for your new pet. If you are interested and excited to get a Black Golden Retriever, you have to go to a dog breeder and the black golden retriever specialist to learn more about the breed and the guidelines to have better care. You will get a best friend for 12 years if your dog is guaranteed by the breeder to be healthy and you keep him or her healthy too. For that you have to find the trusted and well-reputed pet provider in your area, ask around in the family and friends, search online, visit and ask other people views about the pet specialist especially the Golden retrievers one. Make up your mind to take care properly of the new puppy because it will be no less than raising a baby. Provide a good environment for your Black Golden retriever puppy and raise him or her well to be very responsible, caring, well mannered and a good dog citizen. So what are you waiting for? Go and buy your new little best friend and enjoy the life. Need our help? Contact us, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. After you have chosen the right breed for you and your family, you have to look for a good pet store where you can buy your pup. It seems obvious that the health and happiness of your pet are most important, but you may be surprised by just how much this fact will impact how much your dog eats and how long it lasts. The first thing you need to know is that the price of a Black Golden Retriever puppy will always depend upon how many pups are in the litter, what color and type of pups are, and of course the breeder. Some things like color, pedigree and other characteristics of the dog will affect the price. The price of a Black Golden Retriever will always vary based upon the age and weight of the puppy and also its appearance. A puppy will also cost more than an adult dog. The more desirable the Black Golden Retriever breed, the more the puppies will cost. A Black Golden Retriever with a beautiful coat and a naturally active nature is going to be a better-looking puppy than a Black Golden Retriever with a rather dark coat and an inactive temperament. Of course, the price of a Black Golden Retriever puppy also depends upon the breeder that you buy from. Some breeders will charge more money for their puppies than others. Some other factors to consider when it comes to the cost of the Black Golden Retriever puppies are the size and weight of the puppy, how it is raised, and whether or not it is registered. A puppy that is smaller than other puppies or that has been born into a large family is likely to cost more money. Once you have determined the cost of a puppy then you can start to calculate what it would cost to take care of the puppy. A breeder will not always charge you the same price per month, which means that you should be able to get several quotes from different breeders. You may be able to negotiate a lower price on a puppy that you find at a lower price on a puppy that you find at higher price. Make sure that you take all of these factors into consideration when you are trying to determine what it would cost to raise a Black Golden Retriever puppy. Taking these factors into consideration will help you to determine what breed of puppy would be best for you and your lifestyle. When you have decided on what type of puppy you would like, you will also need to decide how you will feed it, and when you will feed it. When it comes to Black Gold Retriever puppies for sale, you want to be sure to get the most out of your money. Black Gold Retriever puppies for sale are usually bred from purebred Black Gold Retrievers and should be considered as such. When it comes to looking for these pets in the market, keep in mind that they should be in good health, and have good temperaments. This means that you need to have patience and make sure you have given them proper training. This way, you can compare different breeds and their prices and get the best bargain. Although there are many different sources where you can buy this kind of pet for less money, you should remember that these dogs need lots of love and attention if they are going to grow up well. The Internet is one of the most useful sources where you can get all the information you need about them. There are a lot of online breeders you can consult so it would be much easier for you to find a reputable breeder who can provide you with the right puppy for you. You just have to make sure that you choose a reputable breeder and that he has a lot of experience in dealing with them. As a buyer, you must look for a breeder that has a good reputation when it comes to his breeding of this kind of dog. Just keep in mind that the more information you know about these animals, the better you will be able to choose the right. But, you have to keep in mind that they are not cheap pets. So, if you are planning to buy or adopt one, you should invest. You need to save for the training of the dog, the medical expenses, and food and water. Aside from that, you also have to prepare for the future so that the pet can still enjoy living with you. When you are going to buy a dog, you have to take some time first to research and compare different breeders and other options. Black Golden Retriever Puppies For Sale cost depends on the breeder or dealer from whom you have bought the pup. It is a sad reality. Most breeders just want to sell their puppies to the highest bidder so that they will get the most amount of money possible. You also have to consider the cost of grooming, vaccinations, and other possible expenses when you choose to buy from a breeder. To prevent overspending, you have to find a breeder who offers good quality at a reasonable price. It is better if you can check the background of the pup since a good breeder would never sell a pup that is sick or has a serious illness. Also, you have to find the right breeder since you must be getting the right pup. You have to know what kind of personality traits your new pet has. The breeder must know what he is talking about. Black Golden Retrievers have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Knowing them will help you to find a good pet for you and your family. Some pet experts suggest that you consider a breed if you have a friend with a golden retriever. Another option is to get a purebred from another source. However, it is up to you where you will get your pup from. It is important to note that breeding dogs can produce problems like birth defects or health problems. You have to be sure about the pedigree of the pup to avoid getting a sick pet. This is usually the easiest and fastest way to get your new pet. However, there are also pet stores that offer quality service and grooming services. It will be better if you choose one of these stores instead of shopping at your local pet shop since the latter may not offer you the best deal. In terms of grooming, you have to make sure that your breeder takes good care of its pups. You may ask the breeder to show you how to properly groom the pups. The best breeder will always be ready to provide information about the proper grooming of the dogs. Black Golden Retriever puppies can grow up to 16 inches in height, so you must get your pup from a breeder that can cope with such a breed. You can find a good pet store by visiting the Internet. The web will help you get the best possible deal on your Black Golden Retriever puppy. You may need to ask the breeder for advice regarding the purchase since this breed is quite difficult to sell. This information can be very useful when you finally decide to get your pet. Share this:.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. C is a group of breeders with the same vision. We consider each other a family. Officially established as a breed in the making in this tight-knit breeding program began before with Adam Parcelli and George Garibay teeming up with dogs who were brothers Pacific Blue's Kong and Pacific Blue's Heff, both produced by Adam Parcelli and their descendants. All dogs coming into the program are approved by Adam Parcelli, the founder of the Pacific Bulldogs. After 5 years in of being established many in the group had left and others had entered. George decided to go his own way. The family then made the necessary adjustments to continue with the original vision. Now in , the PBKC has a solid group including 31 official breeders and many in the approval process. When a person wants to enter the PBKC they 1st need to acquire a Pacific Bulldog or two and produce a litter and be accepted by displaying ethical business and breeding practices. It is easiest to enter the family by being mentored by an Official breeder. We only have up to go from here as the gene pool increases. This is a breed in development. English Bulldog Companion Dog Group The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated. After bull-baiting was banned by the English Parliament in , the English Bulldog eventually developed into a shorter-legged, thicker, companion version of its working predecessors. Bulldogs that are made to be massive, with excessive nose wrinkle, and muzzles of insufficient length, are unfit for an active, healthy lifestyle. For this reason, English Bulldogs of moderation are preferred. History The English Bulldog of today would not be recognized by fanciers of the earliest dogs of the breed. Those early dogs had a specific use, that of bull holding, which was a legitimate part of the butcher's business. Unfortunately, this also developed into the grisly sport of bull baiting, and they were also pitted against other animals, as well as their own kind. The Bulldog eventually developed into a shorter, squattier version of its progenitors, as that is what was preferred in the show ring. Regardless, the Bulldog has endeared itself to many because of its loving, gentle temperament. General Appearance The ideal English Bulldog is a medium size, short coated dog with a thick body that is wide and heavy in the shoulders and lighter in the hindquarters. When viewed from above, outline should be a pear shape. He is powerful and compact, with a head that is fairly large, short and broad in proportion to the size of the dog. General appearance, coupled with attitude, suggests great stability, vigor and strength. The dog appears fit and capable of great athleticism. When comparing both sexes, due consideration is to be given to females as they do not bear the breed characteristics to the same degree as the males. All points of the standard are well distributed and bear good relation one to the other. Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Characteristics The English Bulldog has an equable and kind disposition; and is resolute and courageous. The characteristic demeanor is one of peace and dignity. These attributes are evident in the expression and behavior of the breed. Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness. Head When viewed from the front, the head is broad and square. In profile, the head appears high and moderately short from the occiput to the point of the nose. The forehead is flat, never rounded or domed; and never too prominent nor overhanging the face. The well-defined temples frontal bones are broad, square and high, causing a deep furrow that extends from the stop to the middle of the skull. The stop is a deep, wide indentation between the eyes. The well-rounded cheeks protrude sideways and outward beyond the eyes. SKULL The skull is relatively large in circumference, and appears high from the corner of the lower jaw to the apex of the skull. The muzzle is turned slightly upward and is very deep from the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth. The distance from the bottom of the stop between the eyes to the tip of the nose should not be less than the distance measured from the tip of the nose to the edge of the under lip. The jaws are broad and very square. Jaws should not be wry. The thick, broad, pendant flews, referred to as the "chops", are very deep. They completely overhang the lower jaw at each side. In front, they join the under lip, covering the teeth, which are not noticeable when the mouth is closed. Serious Fault: Wry mouth. The canines are wide apart; and the incisors are in an even, level row. Eliminating Faults: Teeth or tongue showing when the mouth is closed. EYES The very dark eyes are quite round and moderate in size; never being sunken nor bulging. When the dog is looking directly forward, the lids cover the white of the eyeball. There is no haw showing. Viewed from the front, the eyes are situated low down in the skull well away from the ears. They are set in the front of the head and are wide apart but with their outer corners within the outline of the cheek, when viewed from the front. The eyes and the stop are set in the same straight line. Eyes are free from entropinism, cherry eye, and excessive amounts of loose skin. No white is showing while the dog is looking straight ahead. Serious Faults: Visible haw. Whites of eyes showing while dog is looking straight ahead. Eliminating Fault: Excessive amounts of loose skin around eyes. NOSE The nose is large, broad and black in color. Its tip is set back deeply between the eyes. The wide, large nostrils are open. Nose roll does not protrude over the nostrils, constricting breathing. Very Serious Fault: Any nose color other than black in adult dogs. Eliminating Faults: Pinched nostrils. Over-nose roll, even if broken, that covers any part of the nose. EARS The small, thin, "rose" ears are set high on the head. The front inner edge of each ear joins the outline of the skull at the top back corner of the skull, placing them wide apart and well away from the eyes. Very Serious Faults: Erect ears; prick ears; button ears; cropped ears. Neck The short, thick neck is deep, strong, and well-arched. The skin is moderately loose, thick and wrinkled, forming a dewlap on each side from the lower jaw to the chest. Forequarters The shoulders are very broad and muscular. They are widespread providing stability and great power. They are set wide apart. The legs themselves are not curved or bandy. The low elbows allow free movement of front assembly. Pasterns are short, straight and strong. Body The body is moderately short and well knit, with stout limbs, well-muscled, and in hard condition, with no tendency toward obesity. The brisket and body are very capacious, and the chest is very deep and well let down between the front legs. Forechest is prominent. The body is well ribbed up behind the forelegs, and the ribs are well rounded. The back is short and strong, wide behind the shoulders and comparatively narrower at the loin. The topline is a distinguishing characteristic of this breed. There is a slight fall off behind the shoulders to the beginning of the back, which is the lowest part of the entire topline. It then rises to the loin, which is higher than the shoulders. The croup then curves downward to the set on of the tail, creating the arch that is distinctive to the breed. The belly is tucked up. Hindquarters The rear legs are strong and large, and they are slightly longer than the forelegs, which elevates the loin above the shoulders. The stifles are rounded and they turn very slightly outward, away from the body, which results in the hocks turning inward and the rear feet turning very slightly outward. Feet The compact, thick feet are moderate in size. The toes are well split up and have high knuckles. The front and rear feet may point straight ahead or slightly outward. Flat feet or splayed toes should be penalized. Serious Faults: Flat feet. Splayed toes. Tail The short tail is set low, and has a thick root, a decided downward carriage and a fine tip. It may be straight or "screwed," but never curved or curly. A straight tail is cylindrical and is tapered uniformly. A screw tail has well-defined bends or kinks that may be abrupt or even knotty, but no portion of the tail may be elevated above the base or root. Absent, inverted or extremely tight tails should be heavily penalized. Serious Faults: No tail. Inverted tail. Tight tail. Skin The skin is soft and fairly loose, especially at the head, neck and shoulders. There should be two folds forming the dewlap at the throat, from the lower jaw to the chest. Eliminating Faults: Nose roll overhanging or partially covering the nose. Coat The short, straight coat lies flat and close, and is smooth, glossy and of a fine texture. There are no fringes, feathers or curls. Color Coat color is uniform, pure, and brilliant. The various breed typical colors are to be preferred in the following order: 1 Red brindle; 2 All other brindles; Note: to be considered perfect, brindles are to have a fine, even, and equal distribution of the composite colors. Note: a perfect piebald is preferable to a muddy brindle or a defective solid color. Solid black and black and tan are very undesirable, but black is not so objectionable if occurring, to a moderate degree, in piebald patches. Note: A small white patch on the chest is acceptable in brindles and solid-colored dogs. Color patches on piebalds are expected to be well-defined, of pure color, and symmetrically distributed. Disqualification: Albinism. Weight Dogs are to be fit and without excess weight. The weight range for mature males is from 50 to 55 pounds. The weight range for mature females is from 45 to 50 pounds. Serious Faults: Males over 55 pounds; females over 50 pounds. Gait Movement and carriage are distinctive to the breed. There is a characteristic roll to the gait, which allows effortless movement without the pounding of the front assembly on the floor, or having the rear assembly so turned in or out as to cause cow-hocked or spread-hocked rear movement. Movement is somewhat constrained, moving with short, quick steps on the tips of the toes. The rear feet appear to skim the ground; they should not be lifted high. They always appear sound and efficient while in motion. Eliminating Faults A dog with an Eliminating Fault is not to be considered for placement in a conformation event, nor are they to be reported to UKC. Teeth or tongue showing when the mouth is closed. Pinched nostrils. Over-nose wrinkle, even if broken, that covers any part of the nose. Disqualifications A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Females: pounds. Height Males: inches. Females: inches. Not only was bull-baiting considered entertaining, but many believed baiting the bull before killing made the meat tastier and more nutritious. The cruel sport of bull-baiting remained widely popular until it was outlawed in , nearly resulting in the breed's extinction. Those who admired Bulldogs rescued the breed by carefully choosing those with distinct physical characteristics, not those with ferocious tendencies. In fact, the characteristics that make the English Bulldog a breed apart have also resulted in an extremely unhealthy phenotype. The extreme brachycephalic skull type, heavy body, and wide chest and forequarters have resulted in breathing difficulties, heat intolerance, inability to whelp naturally, and a number of other debilitating ailments that plague this wonderful breed. Today, many organizations are out to save the English Bulldog breed by adjusting stringent breed standards that reward physical extremes such as a flat head profile to be less punishing and extreme. Allowing the English Bulldog to have a muzzle and less wide forequarters allows the dog to tolerate heat, whelp naturally, breathe better, and enjoy a better quality of life. No other breed is more deserving than the English Bulldog. Responsible breeders are on board with the newer conformation style, which, ironically, is more in line with how the Bulldog originally appeared. CKC encourages all who know and love the English Bulldog to read the English Bulldog standard and strive to apply it to their dogs and breeding stock. Breed Characteristics Head: Somewhat brachycephalic skull-type, moderate in size, broad, square, and substantial. It should always be in proportion to the rest of the body, never so large as to hinder the natural whelping process. In profile, the head should never appear flat-faced. From the stop to the occiput, the head is high and well-muscled as opposed to elongated and narrow. From the front, the plane of the skull appears flat and not rounded. The cheeks and temporalis areas are well-muscled and filled, giving breadth and depth to the head. Extreme brachycephalic skull types lacking a discernible muzzle or exhibiting a completely flat profile are incorrect. Wrinkling on the head and face should not be excessive to allow for a neat and clean appearance, with the head appearing overall neat and rather clean-cut. The head may exhibit some minimal wrinkling, but never in excess or with exaggeration. A clean, minimally wrinkled head is preferred. Eyes: Eyes are medium in size and may be open almond, slightly rounded, or lemon-shaped. They are set well apart. The eyes exhibit a fair amount of skull above and between one another. They should appear far from the ears in profile and when viewed from the front. Eyelids should be sufficiently tight as to avoid exposing haw, inner membranes, third eyelids, or whites. The eyes should never appear sunken, bulged, or overly droopy. Ears: Set wide apart, yet high on the head. They are small in size, thin, and may be buttoned, tulip, or rose. The ears should appear to have sufficient distance from the eyes from any angle. Ears should never be carried erect or cropped. Muzzle: The muzzle is broad, deep, full, and short. The upper and lower jaws are broad and have good bone substance. There should be enough muzzle length to allow the nose to protrude for easy breathing and prevent the soft palate from extending into the airways of the throat. The lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper jaw and somewhat turned up, giving the English Bulldog a slight pouting appearance when viewed from the front and giving the muzzle a rounded profile; however, the lower jaw should never protrude beyond the break of the lips. The teeth and tongue must be completely concealed when the mouth is closed. Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black or self-colored according to the coat in non-standard color varieties. The nostrils are well-opened. The nostrils should never be narrow or closed. Neck: Broad, of a moderate length to allow for proud head carriage, and powerfully muscled, with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is fairly clean-cut, but somewhat loose skin or a very slight dewlap may be present. Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows preferred but may drop just below. Body: Compact, deep, solid, and of good substance and strong bone. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Front feet may be slightly toed-out. Tail: Set low on the croup, thick at the base, and tapering toward the tip. The tail may be short to medium in length and straight, pump-handled, or gently curved, or it may be curled over the back in a loose or tight single or double curl. Preference is given to straight, curved, and pump-handled tails. Inverted tails, corkscrew tails, and kinked tails are extremely undesirable and potentially unhealthy. Docked tails that can hide such faults are not preferred. Movement: The English Bulldog should demonstrate movement that is capable, powerful, effortless, and efficient; all of the characteristics that one would expect to see in a dog once used to apprehend livestock. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the center line of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring. Temperament: A true English gentleman, the English Bulldog is renowned for their noble, calm, yet amiable character. Any fearful or unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed. The body is somewhat off-square to slightly rectangular in proportions, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body height-to-length ratio is between and .The body is well-put-together, with sturdy substance and solid bone. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of a male or female is always in proportion to height. The English Bulldog recognized by the Continental Kennel Club is a capable and healthy dog without extremes in breed type. Head General Appearance: Somewhat brachycephalic skull-type, moderate in size, broad, square, and substantial. Expression: Regal, capable, alert, and intelligent. Stop: The stop is definite, preferably forming a degree angle between the topskull and muzzle. Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between and , with the topskull being longer than the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is convergent. Lips or Flews: The lips are wide and thick, yet rather clean and well-fit. They just conceal the lower jaw without extending well below the lower jawline. Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and well-filled. The protrusion of the cheeks should extend to or beyond the corner of the eyes. The cheeks should never appear chiseled or flat. Some minimal wrinkling around the cheek, extending from the outer corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth, may be present. Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, reverse-scissor, or slightly undershot. Contact preferred between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth as a result of routine work are not to be penalized. Body and Tail General Description: Compact, deep, solid, and of good substance and strong bone. Topline: Straight and level from slightly prominent withers to croup or may be just slightly arched at the loin. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, slightly arched, and yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached. Croup: May be flat and level with the topline or gently sloped preferred. Underline: A slight tuck-up is present or the underline may run parallel to the topline. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight. Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided. Forequarters and Hindquarters Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm. NOTE: The shoulders and elbows should never be loose or so broad that they appear disproportionate or like a person's shoulders. Loose elbows detract from agility and stamina, causing the dog to work harder to move them properly. Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to or greater than the distance from the elbows to the ground. Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, strong bone, and parallel to one another. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns. Pasterns: Never weak or broken. Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of strong bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns. Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. Coat Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog. Coat Type: Short, close, glossy, fine, and straight without feathering, fringing, or waves. Standard coat color variety: Solid white, solid colors in various shades of fallow to light tan to red, various brindles, fawn, and smut, all with or without white markings piebald. Non-standard coat color variety: Black, liver, blue, all with or without tan or brindle points, all with or without white markings piebald. Movement The English Bulldog should demonstrate movement that is capable, powerful, effortless, and efficient; all of the characteristics that one would expect to see in a dog once used to apprehend livestock. Temperament A true English gentleman, the English Bulldog is renowned for their noble, calm, yet amiable character. Faults All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles. Find a Puppy.

A low-calorie diet is enough for an older dog, but it should still be full of nutrients. Moderate protein and fat content are still needed. Typically, Golden Retriever puppies need to be fed at least three times daily. Meanwhile, adult and senior Golden Retrievers are satisfied with two meals per day. A Golden Retriever puppy should be fed three times a day at scheduled intervals until it reaches six months. You may divide the three meals into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When your Golden Retriever puppy turns six months, you can begin feeding it twice a day until it reaches adulthood. For adult Golden Retrievers, the most ideal feeding schedule will be twice a day with equally spaced meals. You can give it high-quality food in the morning and evening. The same goes for senior dogs but with fewer calories. For an easier routine, you can create a customized feeding plan based on your daily schedule or commitments. A proper routine also prevents under and overfeeding. As Golden Retrievers have a ravenous appetite, you might be tempted to feed your dog often. But you should be firm and watchful to avoid any weight-related problems. Here, we provided the optimal feeding times you can follow for your Golden Retriever: 2 to 6 months: am — am, pm, pm 7 months to 8 years and above: am — am, pm — pm Ideally, you should not feed your Golden Retriever puppy after pm. Instead, give your pup an ice cube to chew on when it gets thirsty. Your Golden Retriever puppy should also be fed in the same area daily without distractions. This way, your young puppy can focus on eating its puppy food. Allot around 20 to 30 minutes for your Golden puppy to finish its meal. Remember that some Golden Retrievers like to gorge on more food while some are finicky. Keep your pooch lean with the right feeding schedule, feeding amounts, and proper physical activity. You can also consult your vet for more insights. You may give your pooch kibbles or cold-pressed dog food. Both are packed with necessary ingredients that are filled with nutrients! It can be a bit costly, but wet dog food is still a better choice for Golden Retrievers that are picky eaters and for senior Golden Retrievers, too. You may either mix them or alternate the two at every meal. Just make sure that when you take this approach, your pooch is getting the right food with proper calorie and nutrition requirements. Complete Raw Diet: Feeding your Golden Retriever raw food should be fine after it turns three to four weeks. However, feeding dogs with this option is linked to many food safety concerns. Meanwhile, freeze-dried dog food is also a raw food that has been repacked. Both have no preservatives added and are easy to store with long shelf lives. When choosing the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, you should take into account the ingredients, nutrient details, and feeding instructions as well. Based on the general guidelines, the nutrients you should be looking for besides meat products or animal protein and fats are high-quality grains such as brown rice. Fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals are also vital. This can be ideal for dogs that are sensitive to different types of grain. But grain-free food has been controversial due to its link with heart disease. Your vet can also help you personalize a diet plan for your dog. Curious to see what a homemade meal looks like for Golden Retrievers? Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are known for their strong appetite, and on top of this, they are also curious. Several foods are toxic to Golden Retrievers, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, walnuts, and macadamia nuts. Alcoholic drinks and foods that contain xylitol are also dangerous for your dog. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause severe issues to your dog, such as vomiting, and diarrhea, among others. Meanwhile, xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is also unsafe for your pooch. If your Golden Retriever consumes too much xylitol, it can result in a dangerously low blood sugar level and even acute liver failure. This substance is usually found in sweet candies, gums, cookies, and the like, so make sure that you check what treats you give your dog. Read food labels or buy organic brands instead. Other vegetables that are harmful to your Golden Retriever are Brussel sprouts, kale, and wild mushrooms. The pits, skins, and leaves of avocados contain a toxin called persin. Meanwhile, cherries contain cyanide which can be extremely harmful to your dog. You may also consult your vet to check the safety of specific foods, especially if your pooch has allergies or sensitivities. These gradual transitions typically occur over 5 to 7 days. The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. Feeding Your Golden Feeding Your Golden With the wide array of foods available today, it can be hard to make a good choice of what to feed your golden. Goldens are particularly sensitive to dietary concerns, and feeding them a high quality diet can help boost their health and immune system. Feeding a high quality food is not necessarily more expensive. Price is misleading: cheaper foods require more volume to be fed, up to several cups at each meal. With the wide array of better foods available today, you can make a smart choice of what to feed your golden. A golden will normally eat about two cups of premium food per day. It can be adjusted a little more or less based on activity level and metabolism. Goldens are prone to skin problems, and a poor quality diet will cause skin problems which translates into costly veterinarian bills. You will need to go to the pet store to purchase your food. Grocery store brands do not offer the nutrition goldens need for good health. Do not be persuaded by fancy advertising. Many commonly hyped foods are not high quality and maybe lacking the necessary nutritional value for your dog. For example, Grain Free foods may play a major part in taurine deficiency in Golden Retrievers and other large breed dogs. This deficiency can cause serious heart problems for your dog see Taurine and Grain Free information on this web page. Here are some guidelines: Look for food free of chemical preservatives. Some of these additives are suspected of causing cancer. Look for food preserved with Tocopherols Vitamins C and E as well as rosemary and other herbs. Make sure you have several months before this date. Frequent stores where there is a good turnover of food so you get a fresh bag. Always store dog food in a tight airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you only have one dog, consider buying pound bags instead of pounds bags so the food is fresher. Look for a food that has some form of meat as the first ingredient — such as lamb, chicken, or turkey. Avoid foods that have grain as the first ingredient. Also look for multiple meat proteins in the first seven ingredients. Protein from multiple sources is generally viewed as being beneficial such as lamb, chicken and fish , unless your dog is allergic to certain proteins. Dog food companies sometimes list several types of grains in the first seven ingredients. Beware of this — your dog needs animal protein in his diet! These are the intestines of the animal including what is in the intestines!! Most by-products are not desirable. By-products normally contain beaks, feet, feathers, heads and other slaughterhouse wastes — not the most nutritious part of the animal. Avoid foods that have sugars or artificial colors or flavors or a lot of added salt. Semi-moist dog foods are the worst — they usually are loaded with artificial colors and sugars. Added vitamins and minerals are beneficial only when applied after the baking process, because heat destroys vitamins. The best foods are made up of ingredients that would be suitable for human consumption. Most dog foods contain meat products that are not fit for human consumption. They can include meat from diseased livestock, condemned material from slaughterhouses such as tumors cut away from meat , and as horrible as it sounds, some pet foods include euthanized pets sold to rendering plants and even road kill. Is it any wonder why so many dogs die from cancer when they are being fed meat from these sources? Grains — many dog foods will contain some grains, for example, brown rice, barley, corn, wheat, etc. We have found that some goldens in our rescue program generally do poorly on a food that contains corn or soy. Many goldens are allergic to corn or wheat. So if your golden starts getting a lot of hot spots or skin problems — check his food. There is a big difference in quality of grain products. Look for whole rice or brown rice in the ingredients; white rice and ground brewers rice are much lower in nutrients than whole or brown rice. Often pet food companies take the sweepings off the mill floor and put it in pet food. Look for whole grains instead such as oatmeal, brown rice, barley, or whole oats. Grain Free foods. Grain Free foods have become increasingly available as food companies try to offer foods that are easier to digest with lower levels of complex carbohydrates and grains. One misconception is that grain free dog food is also low-carb, however, vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas and tapioca often replace the grains in grain-free dog foods, especially in kibble foods, making them as high or higher in carbohydrates than grain-based dog foods. Studies have shown peas, beans, pea starch, legumes, potatoes and sweet potatoes that have replaced the grains in dog foods block the function of taurine. Taurine, a sulfuric acid, is essential for healthy cardiovascular function in Golden Retrievers. If left untreated, taurine deficiency in Golden Retrievers can cause dilated cardiomyopathy DCM , congestive heart failure and possibly death. Read all the ingredients in the food which should include taurine and check with your veterinarian before selecting or feeding any grain free food to your dog. Detailed information on dog food ingredients and taurine can be found on this web page under Taurine and Grain Free information and at: Diet Associated Heart Disease Treats — beware of many dog treats out there. They are filled with sugars, preservatives and artificial colors. Try buying biscuits at your local dog bakery or making some yourself. The dog food companies listed below have high quality treats available for your dog. Is your dog overweight? Beware of some diet dog foods, they can be loaded with fillers that provide no added nutrition. At least green beans are healthy. You can also use canned pumpkin. Typically goldens love it! DO NOT free feed your golden; instead feed a measured amount of food twice a day. Most adult goldens will eat 1 cup of premium dog food twice a day. Is your dog too fat? You should be able to feel its ribs and your dog should have a waist. We have found that we have a different view of what constitutes a fat dog than many veterinarians. They will typically allow dogs to carry more weight than is optimal. This perhaps is because they do not want to insult their clients and risk losing business. Letting your golden get too fat is like chopping years off of its life. We also see lots of hip problems with goldens, and keeping weight in check will give your dog better mobility. Fat goldens are an epidemic from our experience. We routinely get goldens into our rescue program that have to lose 30 — 40 pounds!!! Therefore we have a lot of experience at taking the weight off! It is very discouraging and upsetting when an adoptive home will let some weight creep back on. You may think you are loving your dog by giving it too much to eat, but if you really love it you will keep it at a normal weight. Remember — Ribs and Waists! Can you feel and see them on your dog? If not, break open the cans of green beans! The bottom line is read the ingredients, consult your veterinarian and research reliable resources. Making sure your dog has the best nutritional food will help to insure he has a long and healthy life. Here, from Whole Dog Journal, are some additional links for selecting best dry dog food and the best canned dog reviews. Goldens Rescued Since .What type of diet should you consider? Therefore, you should consider their nutritional requirements at different life stages like puppies, older pets, and nursing mothers. Various factors will affect the nutritional needs of your Golden Retriever. Golden Retriever Size With size, we mean weight and height. An adult male Golden Retriever weighs kg and measures cm. While an adult female Golden Retriever weighs kg and reaches up to 56 cm on average. Golden Retriever Activity Levels Since Golden Retrievers are adaptable and versatile, they can shine at being both a family loving pet and a working dog. They make great companion pets who are well known to happily adjust to life with other four-legged friends like rabbits. On the international stage Golden Retrievers are hard working rescue dogs, retrieval pets, and guide-dogs. Working Golden Retrievers have a higher activity level, consequently they will require a diet that is rich in carbohydrates as their source of energy. It is also important that you make sure that the fat level is moderate. Adjusting this accordingly depending on your pets activity levels. Conversely, Golden Retrievers with a lower activity level should have a low calorie diet. Golden Retriever Sensitivities Golden Retrievers can live up to 12 to 15 years of age. Golden Retrievers are sensitive to weight gain, which can lead to a host of unwanted health issues. Cooked bones splinter causing major issues not only in the throat and mouth, but also leading to abdominal surgery. It is only advised to feed your dog raw bones and always supervise. Repairs body and organ tissues. Strengthens and improves bone flexibility. Regenerates cell and blood components. Wholemeal grains Examples are brown rice, barley, oats, bulgur grounded wheat. They are an essential source of energy. Vitamins and minerals They boost the immune system. Vegetables and fruits. A rich source of fiber for egestion. Healthy fats Ideal for reproduction and pregnancy. Helps the body to absorb nutrients. Maintain skin health and body insulation. Helps with inflammatory issues. Prebiotics Aids digestion and good gut health. Ensure that you give your pet plenty of fresh clean water throughout the day. Dry Food Merits It is cheaper than wet food. You can store and divide it into portions easily. It is available in smaller packages than wet food. Wet Food Merits They have a lot of moisture content that is good for your dog. It is tastier than dry food. It contains fewer calories, which are more suitable for your Retriever. Have a longer shelf life. Golden Retrievers have an average weight of 45 to 80 pounds, and should be fed two cups of dry dog food daily. Be sure to mix wet food with dry food in their diet as well! The golden retriever is a large dog breed that is usually over 45 pounds at maturity. Their diet must consist of the right foods in order to stay healthy and happy! This should be split up into two meals, one in the morning and one later in the day. In order to keep your dog full and active, it is important to feed them small portions more frequently during the day instead of just once or twice a day. Summary Understanding the nutritional requirements of your Golden Retriever is essential for their optimum health. Providing a specially formulated Golden Retriever diet is also recommended. There are many top brands available from your vet or pet shop that can perfectly match the diet requirements of your chosen breed. Always follow the manufactures feeding guides and seek help if you have any concerns with your pets weight or health. Write a Reply or Comment Your email address will not be published. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months.

Cheer up!! You have joined a great Family, the Southernwind Family, where you will have full access to Complimentary advice and share the knowledge of our plus years in the Dog World! Our Puppies are part of our legacy, we trust them to our Families with a completely honest desire that they become a unique part of your Family. You need to understand all the time love and devotion investment is shared in their growth and development. We consider our puppies a Top Winning Prize in the Dog World, puppies that go a step further when compared to the rest. He is the one to compliment you and your family, he is to be your friend, your guardian, your emotional support, and your protector, that is Southernwind breeding plan's commitment! Southernwind goal is to deliver healthy, confident, outgoing, and well-rounded puppies with the ability to adjust to new environments with great resilience to react and adjusts to new situations and who will possess a willingness and desire to serve and create long-lasting Human Bond Since they are born we evaluate and Through observation and interaction, we strive to place the puppy who best suits the clients' needs, type of household, and lifestyle. Our puppies' fullness is very important to us. Southernwind has a Priority in our breeding program and is that Puppies need to be in an adequate environment where they can develop at their fullness their natural abilities and instincts developing a long-lasting relationship between the puppy and his family We will not place a puppy in a situation where we feel the puppy is not suitable to the lifestyle of the Individual or family! This is one important detail that we explain to our future puppy owners, we are the ones who choose the puppies for you, we are the matchmakers! Now the reality, let's talk about prices. .Before placing a deposit on one of our puppies we require you to fill out our Puppy request Form after we have evaluated the questionnaire we will get back to you and discuss further details! AKC registration is prepaid by the owner and filled by the breeder. Our puppies include a Support Program throughout their puppy life into adulthood. You become a Southernwind Member of the family! Puppies are not held more than 10 days after being ready to be delivered. Selection of Puppies Many people ask us why we do not place color ribbons on the puppies, we do place color ribbons on them, but we do not send pictures when asked with the color ribbons on, for people tend to choose by pictures and they have no idea what the puppies traits nor temperaments are yet. Puppies are to be selected by the breeder in combination with the prospective owner. At Southernwind, we understand everyone is eager to make their selection, but so many things have to be taken into consideration first. From the moment our puppies are born we start evaluating the puppy's characteristics and once the puppy is old enough to show real traits we start creating a profile on each puppy which we use to determine the most suitable match for an owner. If we have different families with the same type of lifestyle, we go by the first person who put their reservation deposit money, hence, pick of the liter. This is for the benefit of you and the puppy. As a Precaution we have established a Rule where Visitors are allowed to come to see puppies only after they have had their first set of vaccines, this is at 6 weeks, we hope you understand, this is for safety and health of our babies. Due to our amount of work with our Dogs, and setting a priority for our puppies Health concern it is very hard for us to have spare time to accept leisure visits, we try to offer the most complete information on our Web site, if there are any doubts we accept phone calls and try to answer all questions, taking this into consideration, Visits are welcome, we charge a .Website: appleridgegsd. They have been deeply committed to the breed for over a couple of years, and they are one of the only breeders in the state to have both AKC and SV German Shepherd Dog Club of America breeding permits. They are a small, family-run kennel that breeds German Shepherds for companionship or working purposes. They breed German Shepherd dogs that are versatile, stable, loving, loyal, extremely smart, and trainable from the best West German lines in the world. Their breeding stock is all OFA certified for hips, elbows, heart, and diabetes. Their breeding stock is also VWD-free, so their puppies will not contract the disease. They strive to breed German Shepherds that are healthy, happy and have good temperaments. They also have a small number of retired adults who are looking for loving homes! Please contact them if you are interested in adopting one of these pets. You are guaranteed lifetime support and coaching! Provided at no additional cost. Emial: mechezarreta yahoo. They breed German Shepherds and provide a stud service, drawing on the best genetics acquired from Germany to achieve their success. Their puppies come with a health guarantee, which makes them one of the few breeders who do so. If you decide to purchase a German Shepherd puppy from them, they can assist you with the full process of bringing your new pet into the country in order to make it as seamless as possible for you and your loved ones. A hereditary hip and elbow guarantee, current vaccinations and deworming, a microchip, and AKC registration papers are all included with every puppy purchased from Puppy Heaven. The puppies are available in two sizes: small and medium. According to their owners, a number of championships, including Best In Show, have been won by their Shepherds at both the regional and national levels. If you are looking for a reputable and reliable breeder of German Shepherds in Florida, then these 11 breeders should be at the top of your list. Each of them has a long history of breeding healthy, happy, and beautiful puppies that make excellent family pets or working dogs. We hope this list will help you decide which of these kennels are best for your family and pets. Do any of them sound like a good fit? What other factors do you think should be considered before making this decision? Remember, this is one of the most important decisions that you will make in your life, so take some time to research these breeders before contacting them. The German Shepherd makes a wonderful companion dog, as well as a guard dog if trained properly. The breed has been used in many roles throughout history, including therapy and search-and-rescue. If you have any questions about the breed or their temperament then feel free to contact your local German Shepherd rescue for more information on how this amazing dog can enrich your life. Are there any other Florida German shepherd breeders that should be on this list? Please let us know by leaving a comment below. I've been breeding German Shepherds of sound body and mind for over 30 years and specialize in providing families with loving companion dogs, and dogs for emotional support therapy, for veterans suffering PTSD, and for other special needs. I'm trying to share my extensive knowledge on breeding and training the perfect German Shepherd with the wider community. We offer lifetime guarantees on health and temperament. Our bloodlines started out of the top 2 bloodlines in the world, Vom Arlett and Bad-Boll. As I continue this blog I will help you learn how to assure you are picking a healthy and happy pup for your next family companion. Recent Posts. These puppies have been raised indoors and around other dogs since birth. We expect these puppies to have nice deep pigments, solid nerves, nice bone structure and all in all an excellent quality dog from top pedigrees from Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Dad is a 95 pound Sable Male with good hips and elbows along with solid nerves and a great disposition. Mom is 84 pounds with an extremely nice blocky build. She too has good hips and elbows. Mom is more of a fun loving free spirited dog. We own a 50 acre kennel in Daytona Beach, Florida. Our goal is to improve the breed through selective, quality breeding. All Imported sires and dams used for breeding have Europes highest hip ratings A Stamp. Importing German Shepherds of this quality is not easy nor is it inexpensive. Unlike most American breed Shepherds, our German Shepherd adults and puppies have great temperaments and strong nerves. Our breeding stock is here on site and impressive to say the least. You may make an appointment to visit our kennel at anytime. If you are interested in purchasing a pup in the near future, keep in mind that many times the pups are sold before the litter arrives so you may have to be on a waiting list. We take great care in the placement of our animals. The ideal home for a German Shepherd will include a yard or kennel run with plenty of daily exercise. Hope you enjoy the pictures on our site! Receive updates on new litters, get PupPact Assistance from Mike, communicate with other Shepherd's Meadow Parents and Staff or share information about your new pup. Merry Christmas!

Hide Caption Golden retriever lovers unite! Hundreds mark breed anniversary. Hundreds of golden retrievers met in the Highlands, Scotland, where the dogs were first bred to mark the th anniversary of the breeds founding. Claire Hardwick, Storyful This must be what doggy heaven looks like. Hundreds of golden retrievers gathered at the Scottish Highlands Thursday to celebrate the breed's th anniversary, BBC News reported. The four-day anniversary event , held every five years, was organized by the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland at the ruins of Guisachan House, where the dogs were first bred. The event was marked with talks, training workshops, a picnic and a night-time procession. Hundreds of golden retrievers from a dozen countries But the best part was the hundreds of dogs and their owners from across the world in attendance. Golden retrievers from more than 12 countries including Canada, the U. Pictures and videos circulating on social media are from Thursday's "The Gathering" event, which included games such as haggis hurling, tug of war, scurry and the Grand old Duke of York to count the number of Goldens present. The Telegraph reported that dogs were part of the event. Earlier on Tuesday night, the dogs gathered for a mile-long procession from Kennel Field to Guisachan House where the dogs and their owners were met by a piper and delivered a toast to their founding father Lord Tweedmouth. How the golden retriever breed evolved In a note posted to their website , the club said that the dog was originally bred at Guisachan, Glen Affric, near Inverness in by aristocrat Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, also known as Lord Tweedmouth, as a working dog, with great working ability, stamina, power and training abilities. The first litter of golden retrievers was born in to a Tweed water spaniel, a breed now extinct, and yellow flat-coated retriever. It added that over the years, the breed has branched into two distinct "styles" — the heavier built, heavily coated "show" style golden retriever and the lighter built, darker "working" style golden retriever. Purebred Golden Retriever Puppies Buying a puppy is a big decision. We made that decision easy. Not knowing where your puppy has come from could lead to genetic health and socialization issues, and ultimately disappointment. There are even tons of puppy scams on the internet, some of which even try to imitate us! We believe dogs are not like family — they ARE family! Unlike other puppy adoption agencies in Ohio, we allow and actually encourage you to meet our Golden Retriever puppies for sale before you agree to take one home. Remember, too, that when it comes to getting a puppy, ultimately, you get what you pay for. You get a Golden Retriever you love, vetted for good health, from a breeder you trust. He has a very fun loving spirit and has made our family complete. Marcus and his family are very gracious and great to work with. We would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a Golden! She will be turning 9 months in a few weeks. I had a wonderful experience getting her through your company! So glad I got her. All Rights Reserved.

A puppy will learn faster if it knows that you are the leader. Merle can also alter different colors and patterns aside from the typical red or black. Whether you own a black-tri, red-merle, or blue-merle Aussie, there is not any difference apart from the cosmetics or visual appeal. Generally, Australian Shepherds are rather healthy dogs. For instance, they are hyperactive dogs that need to work. All Australian Shepherds generally have copper-type markings that signal they are truly an Aussie. Maintenance and Care Australian Shepherds are comparatively simple to care for but require a great deal of maintenance. The ideal thing you can do to make sure a happy and healthier dog is diet and exercise. Adopt or Purchase? Should you decide that you would prefer to purchase a puppy? Additionally, German Shepherd puppies have to be actively socialized. With other dogs, people, and places as a way to grow up with confidence, they should be balanced dogs. If you are a dog owner who is looking for a blue Merle German shepherd. Make sure that you buy from a reputable and trusted breed. There are many breeds of this type of dog out there and you need to do your research. And be sure that you are getting a good breed that will last for a lifetime. The blue Merle is a popular color and has a great name. It has a very long coat that makes it very sleek and easy to groom. They are very gentle dogs that love attention but will not get angry because they are of a certain color. This makes them great pets for families that do not have a lot of time to spend with their children or pets. A good breed of blue Merle is a cross between a long-haired German shepherd and a short-haired one. There is a genetic reason why the color blue merles come into existence and it is believed to be a recessive trait. This means that if a dog is of one color and has another color on the same side, then the resulting offspring will be blue. The blue Merle is often a cross between a poodle and a miniature Schnauzer. The poodles are known for their manliness and love to have children around. On the other hand, schnauzers are extremely affectionate and loving. There are many different characteristics that you should look for when you are looking at purchasing a blue Merle German Shepherd. First, make sure that you look for long and flowing hair. You want to look at the eyes as well because this is where you will be able to tell if the dog is nervous or not. You also want to make sure that you are buying from a good breeder or rescue group. Make sure that you do not take your chances with a pet that may get hurt or worse. Also, make sure that you have your pet spayed or neutered so that it will be less aggressive. So now that you know what a good breed is and have some ideas of what traits that you would like your dog to have, it is time to look for one. A good place to start is with a local breeder that you can trust and that you feel comfortable with. After finding a good breeder or rescue group, make sure that you have your pet evaluated by an expert in the field before bringing your pet to the new home with the blue Merle. A lot of research has been done about this type of dog and this should help you make an informed decision. Ask as many questions as possible to ensure that you are getting a good fit for your family. If you feel that your dog will be too demanding, then you should keep looking until you find one that you can afford. When you bring the blue Merle into your home, make sure that you set up an environment where your family can get to know each other. This will also give you a chance to bond with your pet. Remember, this is a special pet and you have to make sure that everyone is happy. One final tip on how to find a good blue Merle is to use the internet. If you do not live near a breeder or a shelter, then search for a rescue group online and read their website to learn all you can about their puppies. These shelters can sometimes have great puppies that are left to fend for themselves but they are often in poor health, so you should not buy from these puppy mills. Once you find a good breeder, make sure that you do your homework before buying. If you have not been keeping German Shepherds, then I encourage you to do so. The reasons for this are many. This breed is adorable, full of love, and very lovable. This article will give you all the information you need to adopt a Blue Merle German Shepherd. The first thing you need to know when learning how to adopt a German Shepherd is that adopting a puppy can cost anywhere from two thousand up to ten thousand dollars. This all depends on where you live. Some areas have more licenses required for puppies than others, and the cost could go up even more. It is best to find out all you can before choosing to adopt one from a shelter or other place. The cost is so high because these dogs need a lot of care and love before they are fully grown, and they are very protective as a breed. When you adopt a German Shepherd, you are adopting a very energetic dog. They need lots of walking and daily exercise. A blue Merle has a high prey drive, which means they will pursue anything that moves. If you have children in the house, they may get bitten or even choke on their new puppy. These puppies can get very aggressive if provoked. Be prepared for this. When playing with children, it is best to keep your pup on a leash. If you decide to adopt a blue Merle German Shepherd, you should also be prepared to get an inoculation shot. This is very important because the virus that causes this is the same virus that causes hip dysplasia in humans. Because it is a rare disease, the chances of your pup contracting this disease are slim. German Shepherds are very protective dogs and should be around all members of the family. This includes children. You should also not allow your pup to go outside unless there is another adult in the family, such as a parent or grandparent. A responsible breeder will not allow an unplanned pregnancy, and will also not allow the pup to be alone without the supervision of an adult in the household. When your puppy is old enough, he or she will be trained to stay out of the room where the other animals sleep. A German Shepherd can end up inside the room of another animal. You will have to make sure that your pup understands that when you are away, he or she has to stay in his room. Having a blue German Shepherd in the family also means that he or she will get acquainted with the people in the family. It is common for puppies to become shy around people. But they usually become friendly once they get to know more people. If you are thinking about having puppies, make sure that you carefully research breeding requirements. Blue German Shepherds can make wonderful, loyal companions, but you have to make sure that you are ready for the responsibility. You have to keep in mind that the puppy should be socialized before you introduce him or her to other people. You must consult a professional trainer to help you with training. This is the time when he or she needs to get used to humans and other animals. During this crucial period, it is vital to establish early on that you are the alpha owner. Remember that a puppy will not obey just because you tell it to do so. You have to take charge and be the one who establishes rules and discipline. An important part of training your puppy is getting him or her used to being indoors. Give your dog sufficient amounts of outdoor exercise, so that he or she gets used to the routine of going outside. It is also important to establish a routine for feeding. Schedule feeding times in the same manner as you would schedule bedtime. You can teach your blue German Shepherd that the four-legged friend who loves you always gets an equal amount of attention and love. Share this:. Sable White Though all these colors are standard for this dog breed, not all of them are widely bred. Breeders choose to avoid colors such as liver, white and blue, despite being standard colors. So, if you have your heart set on one of the ones I just mentioned, then you may need to spend extra time searching for a reputable breeder. But even with this common color, there is plenty of room for variation. The tan fur can range from deeper hues to a shade that almost approaches silver along the edges. The black color usually appears as a saddle-like pattern along the back and can vary quite a bit in size. Something to keep in mind is that GSDs born with this pattern usually begin life with a darker shade and slowly lighten as they mature. Darker, especially black, coloration is recessive in the German Shepherd. So if both the parents display the black and tan coloring, then the pup is more likely to as well. Sable German Shepherd via Instagram: konathesablegsd The most common color seen in the German Shepherd breed is the sand color. As a matter of fact, this opens the door for quite a few color combinations. While other colors of this breed are largely defined by single colors, or bicolor ratios, sable dogs are a bit more homogenous. That is, the coloring is more even throughout without distinct areas of one color or another. Within this coloring, the shades can range from lighter greys to darker colors, such as more grey or shades approaching red and brown. If you were to look at any single hair of a German Shepherd with this coloring, you might notice that their hair can have two to three colors on each strand. As such, they are much more popular in the work line or as pets. They are especially popular in the K-9 units of a police force. Bicolor German Shepherd via Instagram: asulkancrew At first glance, this may seem like a variation of the black and tan German Shepherd. And there is some debate about whether bicolor German Shepherds are simply displaying a pattern or a distinct color on its own. A bicolor German Shepherd will have black and tan colors, but the black with be much more dominant here. Almost the entire body will be black, with only a few areas such as the legs or chest displaying fur that ranges from tan to brown. At birth, the two-tone German Shepherd will be hard to distinguish from its solid black siblings. In fact, it may take months to start seeing changes. However, an indicator of whether the puppy will grow up to be a bicolor dog is if it has some brown color under the tail. Black German Shepherd via Instagram: trublueaussiedogz The gene for a black coat is recessive in German Shepherds, so an entirely black dog will be somewhat hard to find. Black GSDs might actually have a bit of brown fur on their toes or feet, and even some hints of white on their chest. While less common than other colorations, a black German Shepherd is by no means rare. There will be some breeders that hike up the price based solely on the idea that these dogs are rare or special. And while, yes, they are absolutely beautiful and worth taking home, just be sure the price is fair and do some market research beforehand. The white GSD is downright gorgeous. The white coloring really gives the dog a wolf-like look and lends it an air of mystery. They may often get confused for an athletic, slimmed-down Samoyed, but their poise and calmness begs to differ. Plenty of people, The Smart Canine included, see this coloring as one of the more desirable for a German Shepherd. And, in any case, the AKC does allow them to be registered, but simply not as a show dog. For most owners, this is fine because who really has the time to show their dogs? Biology and evolution did well here by pairing these two genes. Liver-colored German Shepherds tend to range from lighter browns to darker and warmer colors. And in some cases, even bordering on red. The coat can also have hints of other colors in it, smoothly blending in with the brown, here and there. There are three variations of the liver coloring: liver and tan, liver and white, and solid liver. The good news is that all three of these are recognized by the American Kennel Club. Blue German Shepherd via Instagram: titanbluegsd Contrary to what some people say, blue coloring in a German Shepherd is not an indication of fault and or poor health unlike blue French Bulldogs. The reasoning for this belief could be due to the fact that blue coloring might indicate temperament or health problems in other breeds. For example, some blue dogs may have hormone or skin issues. We call this condition, Color Dilution Alopecia. However with the German Shepherd, this is definitely not the case. Plenty of breeders purposely breed for this color because of its rarity. Coming from a recessive gene, blue coloration does not occur often without specifically being bred for it. While you might not have too hard a time finding a blue German Shepherd nowadays, be prepared to dig deeper in your pockets. Their scarcity can push up the price and will vary from breeder to breeder. In a way, the coat pattern of the red and black German Shepherd looks almost like a brindle or merle. The black is not limited to those areas of the body — it depends on the dog and the parents. Most of the time, color distribution may vary from dog to dog. However, they will typically have a silver base on the bottom of their body and black on the top half on their body. The hue of black can range from a dark gray to a deep black. In some instances, the German Shepherd may have silver with multiple shades of black on the coat. Instead of the metallic-like silver coloring, the black and cream has an off-white cream color. However, this cream color can vary from dog to dog, but usually has a hint of yellow to it. It really depends. If you like how it looks, whether white, dark, or blue, then you should choose accordingly. Unfortunately, white German Shepherds will be out of the picture, despite its aesthetic appeal. Either way, coloration in a German Shepherd covers a wide range of options, and each of them are simply just colors. No single color indicates better health, temperament, skills or anything like that. Which is your favorite German Shepherd color? And which one do you own? Let us know in the comments section below! Posts you may like:. The Merle shepherd is a large and muscular dog with a strong and agile body; they are very loyal and protective of their family and make excellent guard dogs. These are also intelligent and trainable, which makes them a popular choice for many dog owners. This breed is a beautiful but controversial type of German Shepherd. Their coat is mottled, with patches of different colors, with the most common colors being blue and black, but it can also be brown, red, or cream. However, because the Merle gene is linked to deafness and blindness, many breeders avoid breeding dogs with this gene. If you are considering a Merle German Shepherd, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder. Cost The Merle German Shepherd is an attractive dog that is sure to turn heads when out on walks. They are some of the most beautiful dogs in the world but also some of the most expensive. Characteristics Merle German Shepherds are some of the most intelligent and trainable dogs, making them great companions for active people. They are not for everyone, though, as they require a lot of exercise and attention. If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog, a Merle German Shepherd is not the right breed for you. They are easily recognizable by their merle-colored coat, ranging from light blue to deep black. They are intelligent and loyal dogs, making them excellent companions and working dogs. Merle is a recessive gene, so both parents must be carriers of the gene for their offspring to have the merle coat pattern. Table of Contents show 1. This is because they are relatively easy to train and are very friendly. But they can be very independent, so they may not always listen to you when you tell them to do something. Training them with patience and consistent commands is important to make them obedient. They love to play and run around, so if you are looking for a couch potato, this is not the breed for you. They need plenty of exercises and will do best in a home with a backyard where they can run and play. They can keep up with your kids while running around outside. However, it is important to remember that all dogs are different and that you should never leave a child alone with any dog, no matter how well-behaved they may be. Yes, German shepherds can be Merle. Merle German shepherds are beautiful but can also have some health problems. Health concerns are associated with this coat color, so prospective owners should research before purchasing a Merle German Shepherd. This coat color is caused by a genetic mutation and is relatively rare in the breed. Merle Shepherds are often sought after by breeders and owners alike due to their unique appearance. What does merle mean in Australian Shepherd? Australian shepherds are a type of herding dog that often have this coat. This coat pattern is created by a genetic mutation and can occur in any color or combination of colors. Merle-colored dogs often have blue or green eyes, and their coats can be either short or long. How do dogs become merle? Dogs are born with either of two genetic mutations that give them the merle gene. The first mutation is a double recessive gene, which is thought to have originated in Australia and spread through the breed. The other is a single recessive gene, which is not as common. This can happen if a double merle dog breeds with another dog with the double recessive gene. The merle color pattern results from a mutation in the melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor MC1R gene. The mutation leads to a loss of pigment cells in random coat areas, which results in the merle patches. Are merle dogs disabled? There is no clear answer, as there is no definitive scientific research. Some people believe that merle dogs may be more prone to certain health conditions, potentially leading to disability; however, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Ultimately, it is up to the individual dog owner to decide whether or not their pet is disabled. Many dog breeds are being discriminated against because of the color of their fur. One such breed is the merle. Merles are not disabled; they result from a genetic mutation and should not be discriminated against. Can you breed two merles together? Merle can be a large white patch, a stripe, or speckled. Double merles are at risk for hearing and vision problems, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. Are merle dogs less healthy? Merle dogs are not less healthy than any other dog. They are just as healthy, if not healthier, than other dogs; they have a higher risk of contracting some diseases. Merle dogs often carry a gene mutation that affects the pigment in their coat, making them a different color than other dogs. Is Merle Dominant in Dogs? Yes, merle is a dominant trait in dogs, which means that if a dog has one copy of the merle gene, it will express the merle phenotype. If a dog has two copies of the merle gene, it will be homozygous for merle and express the merle phenotype more intensely. Merle is a pattern of the piebald gene that is seen in dogs. It is dominant, meaning that if a dog carries one copy of the merle gene, it will show merle markings. It is also recessive, meaning that for a dog to show merle markings, it must have two copies of the merle gene. The difference between blue and a merle is that blue is diluted. Merle is a pattern that can occur in any color, but blue is a specific color. This mutation results in random patches of color, often in a mottled or brindled pattern. Blue merle is created when the merle gene is combined with the dilution gene. This combination results in a blue-gray color with patches of a lighter blue. Blue merle dogs may have blue, gray, or silver patches, while merle dogs can have any color patches. Another difference is that blue merles typically have blue or green eyes, while merles can have any color of eyes. Is merle a bloodline? There is some debate over whether merle is a bloodline or not. Some people believe that merle is simply a color pattern that can occur in any dog breed, while others believe it is a separate bloodline; there is no definitive answer, but the debate continues. They can occur thanks to a genetic variant in purebred dogs. This fact automatically makes them less valuable to breeders than dogs that can be shown in competitions. Because they are considered a fault, blue eyes are becoming rarer and rarer. Instead, most of them are neutered and sold as pet dogs. A breeder may continue to use a blue-eyed dog for breeding in rare cases, but only if they have exceptional features otherwise. The rarity is increased even more due to the recessive nature of this trait. Both parents have to be carriers of this gene for their puppies to have blue eyes. Brown eyes are dominant, which means that they will cover up the blue eyes trait. A dog may technically have blue eyes — but still, end up with brown due to a dominant brown-eyed gene. Instead, many of them focus on matching the breed standard — which means not using dogs with blue eyes in breeding programs. Breeders that breed show dogs will not have blue-eyed dogs available. However, you may be able to find them produced by breeders that concentrate on pet dogs. These people may even purposefully breed them because they are sometimes sought after by those looking for a pet. German Shepherds usually have brown eyes. This color is the most common and recognized by the breed standard. When many people breed German Shepherds, they aim to breed dogs with brown eyes. The brown-eyed gene is dominant. This means that the dog only needs to inherit one gene for its eyes to be brown. On the other hand, most other eye genes are recessive; the dog must receive two to develop the other eye color. The shade of brown can vary widely, though. Some dogs have dark brown eyes, while others are more of a tan. It largely depends on the amount of melanin a dog produces. More melanin equals a darker shade. There are multiple traits involved. Whether they are brown or blue is pretty easy to work out, but all the traits determining the shade can make determining their end eye color rather tricky. They may look like one of their parents — or they may not work at all. When they are first born, a puppy will not produce all the melanin that they will when they get older unless their eyes are a very light color — in which case they may never increase their melanin output. Therefore, most puppies will be born with light eyes, but they will darken as they get older. Usually, their eyes will reach their final color by the time they are about ten weeks old. This can vary widely from dog to dog, though. Some dogs may have their final color much earlier. Others may develop them much later. Some puppies may even be born with blue eyes — but these rarely stick around into adulthood. Typically, they will darken to brown within a few weeks. Instead, they happen to have blue eyes instead of the usual brown. This is a recessive trait, so your best chance of getting a puppy with blue eyes is to breed two blue-eyed adults. You may occasionally end up with a few blue-eyed puppies from breeding two brown-eyed dogs — assuming that they both have a recessive blue-eyed trait. Some German Shepherd mixed breeds also have blue eyes. Siberian Huskies are a typical example of this. Many Siberian Huskies have blue eyes. Therefore, if you breed them with a German Shepherd, your odds of getting a blue-eyed puppy are much higher. Of course, brown-eyed dogs are much more common. Finding two German Shepherds with blue-eyed traits is much more difficult than finding a Husky with blue eyes. At the moment, it is unknown. There have been few studies done on blue-eyed German Shepherds simply because there are so few of them. Most German Shepherds with blue-eyes are also mixed breeds. There are some health problems associated with blue eyes in other breeds, though. This is primarily because of the decrease in melanin that these dogs produce. For instance, German Dalmatians with blue eyes are more likely to have sensorineural deafness. However, this study also found that there was obvious inheritability even when eye color was controlled for. Therefore, other genes involved caused the deafness — not just the blue eye color itself. It may be that the blue-eyed gene itself has a large enough effect to cause deafness — or German Shepherds may not be affected at all due to their lack of this other deafness gene. Dalmatians also have an increased chance of being deaf if they have blue eyes. There have been other physical traits linked to increased deafness in Dalmatians in dogs, including the amount of spotting in their coat. This may suggest that German Shepherds will have an equal chance of being deaf if they have blue eyes. However, this is not known for sure. What About Merle German Shepherds? There are no merle German Shepherds. However, mixed-breed German Shepherds may have the merle gene — depending on the dog they are bred with. Sadly, the merle gene causes quite a few health problems. However, the science is pretty clear on this topic. Many proposed health problems may come along with a merle coat. However, only a few have scientific evidence supporting them. Dogs with the merle gene are nearly twice as likely to be deaf or blind than those without it. Multiple studies have drawn these conclusions. These health problems likely stem from the decrease in pigment the dog creates, leading to problems with their eyes and ears. Many breeders will not attempt to create merle German Shepherds for this reason. And these canines would not be purebred. It makes the dog worthless since they cannot be shown. Finding a blue-eyed German Shepherd is extremely difficult. For the most part, these dogs are rare. Most breeders produce dogs to be shown in the show ring. Instead, they are focused on producing pet-quality dogs. In this case, they may purposefully breed dogs with blue eyes, as many potential pet owners are willing to pay a high price for these German Shepherds. These breeders are few and far between. You may have to travel quite far to find one. And the waiting list may be substantial. If you want a dog now, you should probably settle on one with brown eyes. Due to their rarity, some people assume that this is a defect. However, it is caused by a recessive gene — it just happens to be a rare one. There may be some health problems associated with this gene. In other breeds, dogs with blue eyes are more likely to have certain health conditions. Plus, the current need for studies is relatively low, as these dogs are often not very common. If these dogs do have different health problems, the odds are likely not substantial. They might have a slightly higher chance of being deaf, for instance — but this chance will be meager. However, you may want to keep this in mind if you decide to adopt one. Conclusion Blue-eyed German Shepherds are very rare. The blue-eyed gene does exist in this breed. However, it is not nearly as common as the brown-eyed gene. Therefore, finding these dogs is difficult. Many breeders do not produce German Shepherds with blue eyes because they cannot be shown. They will avoid breeding these dogs where possible, though some blue-eyed dogs may pop up occasionally. These breeders usually market their dogs to pet owners. Stay on the lookout for more studies, which may be published as this dog becomes more popular. Author: Kristin Kristin was born in Tennessee and currently lives there with her husband and children. She is passionate about educating pet parents and helping them make the best possible decisions for their pets. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish. Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly. A rich diversity of lengths, colors and pigment—combined with a number of varying body types—make the German Shepherd one of the more structurally diverse of all dog breeds. From the short stock coat of the East German working line dogs to the extreme long stock coat of some West German show-line dogs—there is a shape, style and color tailored to you and your lifestyle. There are three main types of hair on German Shepherd Dogs: ground hair undercoat , guard hair topcoat and whiskers. Dogs with both an undercoat and a topcoat are called double coated. The first layer, or undercoat, functions primarily as insulation and is soft and usually of a lighter color. The second layer, or topcoat, consists of thick-shafted, coarse hair. It also has weatherproofing qualities ideal for working and playing outdoors. With rare exception, most German Shepherds have double coats—though the degree of undercoat can vary widely. German Shepherds can have little to almost no undercoat or have massively dense, woolly undercoats that require daily maintenance. Double coats are ideal for maintaining warmth in colder months, but also provide cooling in the summer by keeping heat away from the surface of the skin. For this reason, the shaving of double-coated dogs is not recommended if they have prolonged exposure to the elements. Their coat helps regulate body temperature and protects their skin from harmful UV rays. Shedding German Shepherds, aka German Shedders, shed and shed a lot. Working dogs are required to do their jobs regardless of weather or terrain. To keep their coats in optimum condition—daily, excessive shedding is needed. Unfortunately for us, this means additional brushing and bathing. If you do not own a good vacuum cleaner or sweeper, you will need to purchase one if you have one or more German Shepherds inside your home. In the spring, their thick winter undercoat is shed and replaced with a thinner, cooler undercoat. In the fall, their summer undercoat is shed and replaced by a thicker, warmer undercoat. Care and Grooming Daily brushing and frequent bathing are your best defenses against excessive shedding. Bathe and groom puppies frequently so they learn to enjoy—or at least tolerate—the experience. Most German Shepherds enjoy a good grooming and since most love water in any form , bathing can also be a pleasurable experience for them. Daily brushing and frequent bathing are your best defenses against excessive shedding. Brushing Most double-coated breeds like German Shepherds need to be brushed regularly—especially if they have a thick undercoat. In the spring and fall when their coats are being blown, daily brushing is important. This helps reduce the amount of hair inside your home and removes their undercoat more quickly. While regular brushing is great for removing loose and dying hair, it also gets rid of mats and tangles—which are common with long- and medium-length coats. Mats are not only unsightly, but they can be painful due to their closeness and tightness to the skin. In southern parts of the country where humidity is high, mats can also lead to skin irritations as the dampness can encourage the growth of skin irritants and other microbes. Check your German Shepherd often for mats—paying special attention to areas behind the ears, between the legs and along the back of the thighs. If your dog is a short stock coat with little undercoat, occasional brushing and bathing is all that is required to keep their coats looking great. Click HERE to learn about elbow hygromas and options for treating and prevent them. Keep your German Shepherd's elbows soft and free of calluses and hygromas. Calming bed for dogs who suffer from anxiety. Water resistant and tear resistant cover. Non-skid bottom. Replacement covers available separately. This short coat, with a thin undercoat, is easy to maintain and can require little or infrequent grooming. Bathing is a breeze as their coats are designed for waterproofing and dry quickly. Water generally rolls off of the guard hairs of German Shepherd Dogs. For all of these reasons and more, short stock coats are the preferred coat type for service dogs, police dogs and military dogs. The dog pictured to the right is an excellent example of a very nice, healthy coated, short stock coat—with minimal undercoat. Medium stock coats have longer, thicker hair on the neck, underbelly and along the back of the thighs. Their undercoat tends to be more dense than that seen in the short stock coats of West and East German working lines. Medium stock coats require additional grooming to keep their coats in optimum condition. Note also that medium- and long-coated dogs do not shed more than their short stock-coat counterparts—the hair shed is just longer. Hair around the face, ears, chest, bottom line and back of thigh panties can exceed four inches in length. This coat requires regular care and grooming. Hair, especially behind the ears and between their rear legs, is prone to matting, and requires daily brushing. The American Kennel Club AKC is one of the few show organizations that still considers a long stock coat to be faulty. Long stock-coat dogs are not only accepted by most German Shepherd Club organizations, including the German SV, but they have become valuable and sought after in recent years—and compete at the highest levels in Germany and world wide. Note also that these coats often continue to grow in length and density with age, so older dogs require additional daily care and grooming. All coat colors and lengths mentioned above are attributes of purebred German Shepherds. However, some breed organizations consider certain characteristics to be breed faults and can be penalized or even disqualifying in the show ring. However, if you plan to show your dog, you will need to study the standard and requirements of your desired show organization s to ensure your dog is eligible to compete and title in the show ring. But the German Shepherd of today actually comes in a variety of colors and patterns as pictured above. The color of their coat is determined by genetic makeup. Genes that are dominant are more common, while those that are recessive are more rare. Black and Tan This is the most common color pattern—which is usually black all over, with tan or cream-colored chest, shoulders, legs and thighs. There are many color variations to this pattern, most commonly—black and red, black and cream and black and silver. Bicolor Another variation to the traditional black-and-tan colored dog are bicolored dogs. Their bodies are predominantly black with a secondary accent color on the lower legs that can be tan, cream, gray or silver. All of these black areas, also called points, on the legs and toes should be richly pigmented. A dog is not considered to be bicolored unless it has these distinctive black markings and they can appear on both dual- and sable-patterned dogs. Sable The word sable means the color of black. The definition of a sable pattern refers to guard hairs being tipped with black. The more guard hairs and the longer the tipping, the darker the dog. Black sables are dogs with heavy tipping and less ground color. Agouti is a term that refers to the banding or grizzling of hair coloration that can be seen in varying amounts in the neck, shoulder, tail, croup and border markings in saddle-marked dogs. Some German Shepherds have so much grizzling in the black blanket or so much undercoat showing, that they are hard to distinguish from sables, and some sables that carry the partially-hidden, saddle-pattern recessive gene have so much of that recessive showing through that they look like washed-out saddles. Melanistic is another term associated with black coloring. Melanistic refers to the amount and density of melanin black pigment found within the hair shaft. Melanistic coloring refers to the masking of a color or pattern with black. Sable-colored German Shepherds are infamous for changing colors multiple times before reaching maturity. Adult dogs can have a completely different coloring and pattern then what was present as a puppy. No good dog is a bad color. Black is uncommon due to being a recessive gene but still prevalent within the breed. Typically, they are completely black with no other colors on the body. Solid White Solid white German Shepherds are not albinos. Their color is the result of a recessive gene that can be carried by any colored dog. When learning about pigment and color patterns, understand that white is not a color. There is no solid-color gene for white. The more pure white a dog, the lighter the color of its masked color underneath. Every white German Shepherd is really a traditional color and pattern covered by a white mask. The blue colors in these dogs replace the black areas of their more common black-and-tan counterparts. Blue dogs often appear as a dusty or somewhat light gray with a gray leather nose. Sometimes puppies are born with very light eyes as well. This, too, is a rare recessive gene and considered by the AKC to be a faulty eye color. Isabella An Isabella German Shepherd, aka lilac or mouse-gray German Shepherd, is the result of a recessive gene dilution giving them a washed-out silvery-blue color. The color is not technically a blue, however. The color is most widely recognized within the Weimaraner breed. Because Isabella German Shepherds are less common and considered faulty for showing purposes, there are fewer reputable and responsible breeders. Select your Isabella GSD breeder carefully and insist on thorough health testing information and lineage information. Liver Liver is another recessive gene leading to liver-colored offspring. In a liver-colored dog, all the black parts are a brown or liver color, ranging from light to dark shades. They might also have light eyes—which typically changes into a darker color with maturity. Panda The Panda German Shepherd is a piebold-colored dog meaning no more than 35 percent of its body is white with mixed patches of black and brown. Research confirms that this pattern is not the result of crossbreeding—but rather a genetic mutation. Ticking vs. Roan vs. Blue Merle Ticking is flecks or spots of color on white areas. Most ticked dogs are born white and develop ticking as they mature. Generally, ticking is heaviest on the legs and muzzle. Roan is a pattern of white and colored hairs evenly mixed over the white areas of the body. Roaning creates a near-solid pattern over a white coat causing a dog to appear dusted with white. If the predominant color of the dog is black, then the roaning can appear bluish in color. People sometimes confuse merle dogs with roan or ticked dogs. Merle dogs do not have a white base coat of color, however, some merle dogs are ticked. The genes responsible for ticking, roaning and merle are dominant so a purebred German Shepherd cannot produce these patterns without being crossed with a dog breed that carries the genes. As we can see from the images above, German Shepherds come in an array of coat colors and patterns—including saddle, blanket, bicolor, sable and solid colors. The organization does not, however, allow dogs of these colors to be shown in the conformation ring as these characteristics are faults according to the German Shepherd breed standard. Dogs carrying the liver gene or the recessive dilution gene that produces either Isabella or blue dogs also carry serious penalties in the show ring. Liver, blue and Isabella are not recognized because of the color of their leathers; and the solid whites are omitted due to the absence of black in the hairs on top of their backs. If you wish to campaign and show your dog in the conformation ring however, you will need to keep with animals with traditionally accepted colors and patterns. Dogs that are liver, blue or Isabella are severely penalized. Reverse Mask and Maskless German Shepherds The reverse mask aka wolf mask German shepherd is not a mix or hybrid, but rather a dog presenting a pattern that appears when both parents carry the gene for this coloring. These patterns date back to some of the earliest German Shepherd foundation dogs and still appear in certain lines, today. Rin-Tin-Tin was another reverse-mask without the stripe German Shepherd. The reverse mask can also present with or without the wolf stripe running down the nose. Some dogs are born with the wolf stripe but it fades with maturity—while others maintain the stripe. Maskless German Shepherds are dogs born with no mask, meaning their face coloring is the same as that of their body. Maskless dogs most commonly present as solid cream, tan, gray or silver. Both reverse mask and maskless German Shepherds are considered faulty lacking pigment for conformation purposes. Impression and Expression Impression — an idea, feeling, or opinion about a dog formed without conscious thought—or formed on the basis of little information. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. It looks substantial, giving the impression—both at rest and in motion—of muscular fitness and nimbleness. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility—difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Aside from overall outline, size and strength of body, the head is the most prominent feature of a German Shepherd. It is here that we find expression. The head should convey strength of character, intelligence, confidence and nobility—even in the very young. In recent years, some show lines have developed a black-face mask in which the entire mantle and muzzle of the dog is predominately black. Any feature that detracts from the overall impression or expression of a dog can be less desirable. Black-faced German Shepherds have become very popular, but some traditionalists believe this pattern can in fact, change the expression of the dog—giving it an intimidating or less approachable expression. Most of the top VA dogs in Germany still carry the traditional mask pattern, but there are many up-and-coming black-faced dogs vying for the top spots. Another example of how color can impact expression is eye color. Light eyes on a German Shepherd overpower other aspects of the dog and change its expression from that of a traditional, loyal shepherd to that of a more elusive, mystic wolf. For this reason, the breed standard calls for the eyes of German Shepherds to be as dark as possible. In the show ring, light eye color—especially yellow hues—are penalized. Become a part of the GSDLiving experience. Upload a photo, pay tribute to your best friend

Breeds The link has been copied! Few dogs are as intelligent and loyal as German Shepherds. With its athletic build and remarkable drive, this working breed makes excellent companions, herding dogs, police K-9s, and therapy animals. How much does a German Shepherd cost? The price of a German Shepherd puppy can vary a lot from one breeder to another. German Shepherds are active and need plenty of stimulation. Flea and tick preventatives are a must-have. You might face additional costs such as pet insurance, training classes, boarding fees, or dog walkers. Puppies tend to cost more due to the high demand. However, professional breeders charge a lot more. Professional breeders usually conduct health testing for the parents. Elbow and hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are the two main tests to look for when adopting a GSD puppy. Prenatal care for the mother can be expensive. These costs can include bloodwork, ultrasounds, and X-rays. Most breeders raise the puppies for the first eight to 12 weeks. They provide nutrition, a living space, socialization, and sometimes early training. Puppies typically receive veterinary care, including a first round of booster shots and a deworming treatment. Colors German Shepherds can come in a few different colors. Black and tan and black and cream are the most common GSD colors. However, there are rarer colors, like black and silver, sable, or black. These colors meet the official breed standards, and a puppy with an unusual color can be worth more. Bloodline and Purity One of the key factors that influences the cost of a GSD puppy is the parents and their pedigrees. A breeder will look at how well the parents match the AKC breed standards. Both parents should be the right height and color. They should have a muscular morphology and the proper head shape. Breeders who are able to trace the ancestry of a litter over several generations and document that all the ancestors are purebred GSDs will charge more. You should also expect to pay more if a breeder can provide health testing information over several generations. Titles are another important factor. Show dogs can receive V, VA, or VA1 titles if they do well at an event and judges determine they meet all the standards of the breed. An IGP3 title indicates that a dog can protect its owner. Parents with IGP or IPO titles produce puppies that are worth more since breeders consider these animals to have excellent potential for training. A breeder who has an excellent reputation and many positive online reviews will attract more prospective dog owners and can afford to charge more. You can protect your dog with a microchip, but there are other steps you can take. The Fi GPS tracking dog collar helps you keep your dog safe. The design is highly resistant and waterproof for durability, and the collar comes with a battery that lasts three months. You can track your pet anywhere and locate them easily if they get lost. There are a few things you should know about this working breed. Personality of the German Shepherd German Shepherds are fiercely loyal. They make excellent guard dogs thanks to their protective instincts. They also make amazing pets who will give you lots of affection. GSDs are reliable and hardworking dogs who thrive if you constantly give them new tasks and challenges. These dogs are extremely versatile. German Shepherds have amazing potential and tend to do extremely well in training thanks to their drive and intelligence. However, they require consistent training and handling since they can be mouthy, chase prey, or become overprotective without the right training. Size and Weight German Shepherds are medium to large dogs. When it comes to weight, a healthy male will weigh 66 to 88 lbs. Lifestyle and Activity Levels German Shepherds are a working breed. Their origin dates back to the 19th century when dog breeder Max Von Stephanitz developed a new dog by breeding different herding dogs. Like all shepherds, GSDs have a strong need to stay active. Due to their athletic build, these dogs need at least two hours of exercise every day. Going for walks might not be sufficient. Your GSD will thrive if you provide plenty of opportunities to use their athletic abilities, including jumping, swimming, or running. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The total cost of owning a German Shepherd is difficult to estimate since every animal is different. German Shepherds can be expensive. Here are a few tips to help you lower the cost. Look for a breeder who cares about the animals and who does health testing on the parents, but everything else is extra. You should also consider adopting a dog with an unknown lineage. Check local shelters or go online to look at classified ads. Check classified ads to find owners rehoming their pets. If you decide to get a German Shepherd, think about using the Fi GPS dog collar to keep your dog safe, and make sure you can bring your puppy home if she gets lost. 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! The link has been copied! You might also like. Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. What factors determine the price of a German Shepherd Puppy? The price of a German Shepherd puppy does vary, depending on her age, color, bloodline, litter size, location, as well as breeding cost. German Shepherds obtained from animal shelters and rescue organizations are relatively inexpensive because they charge only enough to cover their costs. Here are the 5 most prominent factors that will affect the price of a German Shepherd: 1. Age Age is the most important factor in determining the price of a German Shepherd Dog. All in all, it has a lot to do with the desirability of a cuddly puppy. Puppies that are only weeks old will cost the most. It is because this marks the beginning of the most precious moments of a puppy. The demand drives up the price. The price of German Shepherd puppies of 12 weeks or older will start to decrease. Adult German Shepherds will be offered at much lower prices because some people see them as less desirable. Another reason is that the new owner may need to set a budget for health issues related to senior dogs. Coat Color Some colors are more expensive than others. For German Shepherds, colors such as white will cost more than the usual black and tan. This is because these rare coat colors are more difficult to breed. Bloodline Although purebred German Shepherds puppies are the most sought-after ones, mixed-breed pups usually cost much less and have the potential to be healthier than many purebreds. In general, German Shepherds have working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. We will get into them later in this article. Litter size It refers to the number of puppies in a litter. Usually, the more the number of puppies in a litter, the cheaper the price will become. Location The location from where you purchase your German Shepherd can actually affect how much you pay. Areas with a lower cost of living, or places where there is less demand will typically charge lower prices than more populated cities. Certain states or cities may even have more regulations on breeding which may increase the cost, thus the price of a German Shepherd pup. And these all come at a cost for the breeders. What are the different variations of the German Shepherd bloodline and their prices? While the German Shepherd is a dog breed of its own, you may probably stumble upon different variations. Purebred German Shepherds come in many different sizes, colors, coloration patterns, and body styles. In general, German Shepherds are divided into working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. Here is a four-minute video from which you can learn about their variations: 1. They have a distinctive angulation with their back legs shorter than their front legs, thinner bones, and significantly smaller heads. They come in quite a few colors, mostly solid with occasional bi-color variations, including black and tan saddle, solid back, solid white, and saddle sable. But their obedient and playful character make them fantastic pets. There are certain measurement minimums for their hips and elbows. This results in a stunning, very specific, and uniform appearance. These dogs have a very strong, pronounced build with a black and tan saddle, and solid back. They make good house protectors and need a lot of exercises and to be trained frequently. These dogs are very social. So they are perfect for families with kids. This is the line of GSD you would normally see in movies. They are also closest to the original breed that was bred and developed by Max von Stephanitz, who is acknowledged as the father of German Shepherd Dogs. With a stable temperament, they excel in working jobs, and also make awesome family pets. Rigid control of the original DDR breed prevents the gene poll from diluting. They must be free from any history of hip dysplasia, among other health conditions, to be able to reproduce. This resulted in a very distinct look — with large heads, large bones, and a shiny dark coat. The Czech further tightened the breeding standards, resulting in arguably the most intense breed of German Shepherd available to date. But they are extremely loyal and obedient, with a pleasant temperament. They could be the best guard dog to protect people. But they are extremely rare nowadays. Other factors that affect the cost of a German Shepherd A puppy whose parents and often grandparents and other relatives are hunting champions has the potential to excel in these areas as well. And it will cost you more than any puppy who is the offspring of just average parents. And the most expensive German Shepherds are those adults with proven records as show dogs, K9, or breeding dogs. What is a reasonable price for a German Shepherd puppy? Reputable breeders, when pricing their German Shepherd puppies, must factor in the cost of breeding, feeding, raising, and caring for the pups as well as their mother. German Shepherds are considered healthy dogs that can live many years. You must be able to pay for these dogs every month of their lives. For the most part, providing your dog with a lot of exercise and high-quality food will prevent the dog from developing unforeseen health issues. You will need to buy a dog-safe toothpaste, dog-safe shampoo, and certain medications, such as heartworm prevention, to keep your dog healthy its entire life. Not only do you have to feed your German Shepherd a lot of food, but you want to feed your dog food that is high quality and healthy. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. At the minimum, you should take your German Shepherd for an annual visit, assuming it is healthy. You also need to pay for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Most of these medications last for 1 to 3 months at a time. It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to get pet insurance. If you are interested in getting health insurance for your new pet, Lemonade offers customizable insurance plans and responsive customer service. If you do not want to pay for pet insurance, you can simply set up a savings account instead. So long as you have a house and a yard for your dog to play, the home environment is generally suitable for dogs. Some environmental maintenance things you will need to buy include doggie bags. You need these if you take your dog for a walk or if you have a yard that you have to maintain. You may also need to pay for carpet cleaner, deodorizer, and other items to keep the house clean, despite your heavy shedding German Shepherd. This means that your German Shepherd can help you out when you are in a pinch, but it also means that you need to provide your German Shepherd ample entertainment, or else your dog could become destructive. At the very minimum, you need to buy heavy-duty toys for your German Shepherd. German Shepherds can be really rough with their toys. So, we recommend some sort of brand specific for rough-playing dogs, such as Kong. These boxes will offer toys, treats, and more for your dog, but these boxes can be pretty expensive too. Additional Costs to Factor In In addition to initial costs and monthly payments, there are some other additional factors you need to think about. For starters, obedience training is really important for dogs of this size. Obedience training can be a bit expensive at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. You need to pay for a pet sitter or kennel whenever you go on vacations and your dog does not come with you. If you are buying a German Shepherd puppy, you may also have to pay to replace or fix items the puppy damages. Think about accidents or unforeseen illnesses too. These can cost a whole lot in vet visits. Owning a German Shepherd on a Budget If you want a German Shepherd but are worried about destroying your budget, there are ways that you can own one of these wonderful dogs without spending a fortune either. Unfortunately, there is little you can change about the price of these dogs up front, but you can save on the monthly expenses. The most important tip for taking care of a German Shepherd on a budget is to know when to splurge. When it comes to dog food, make sure to select high-quality food. This will be more expensive upfront, but it will ensure that your dog is healthy for as long as possible, resulting in fewer bills. Splurging on heavy-duty toys is another great idea. These toys will cost more at first, but they should last much longer than cheap ones. For instance, there are a lot of coupons and promo codes you can use when purchasing toys, food, and other items for your German Shepherd. Even if you find coupons, only spend money on the essentials. Not to mention, buy crates and beds that are suitable for the dog as it grows. Many people make the mistake of buying crates and beds suitable for the puppy, but the puppy soon outgrows them. The initial cost primarily accounts for the dog itself and any other items required when bringing the dog home for the first time. Even after the German Shepherd has made your home its home, you will still have to pay some pretty hefty bills for the remainder of its life. Although the initial and monthly costs for this dog are a bit high, they are required for this dog to live a happy life. If you cannot afford to provide a German Shepherd the sort of life it needs and deserves, simply do not get a German Shepherd. Less - The German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs , well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The outline of the German Shepherd Dog is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, strong without appearing coarse or fine. Gender differences are readily apparent. The German Shepherd Dog is confident and fearless, willing to be approached, yet a certain level of aloofness towards strangers is acceptable. When working, the German Shepherd is alert and eager, adapting well to new tasks. Lack of confidence is a serious defect in the character of a German Shepherd. The structure of this breed was designed for efficient locomotion, particularly at the trot, so poor movement is another serious fault. History Less - The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively young breed, developed almost single-handedly in the first half of the twentieth century by a German cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz, president of the Verein far Deutsche Schaferhunde S. Using a variety of German sheepdogs as his foundation stock, von Stephanitz developed a distinctive breed in a very short period of time, due in large part to the authoritarian practices of the German dog fancy at that time. Von Stephanitz emphasized utility and intelligence in his breeding program, enabling the German Shepherd Dog to switch easily from herding duties to other fields of work, particularly military and police work. All things German were shunned and popularity slumped. After the war, however, movie star Rin-tin-tin stimulated interest in the breed again. The striking good looks of this breed, combined with its remarkable intelligence and loyalty, have made it a favorite working and companion dog. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.

Bernedoodle Puppies Indiana: Conclusion Choosing a Responsible Bernedoodle Breeder These days Doodles are some of the most popular dogs around for very good reasons, we feel! Unfortunately, this is all too easy, given that breeders of these hybrid puppies are not yet subject to the same kind of standards as those of pedigree ones. The first thing you need to be on the lookout for is scammers. Not every person who says they have puppies is telling the truth. These kinds of fakers put adverts about the place using internet-sourced photos, claim deposits for the dogs left, right, and center, and then simply disappear without a trace taking all that lovely money with them. Here are a few further pointers to help you spot that you might be dealing with a scammer. On the other hand, some facilities may indeed have the puppies they are advertising, but they might not be quite as happy and healthy as advertised. Puppy mills otherwise known as puppy farms are kennels and breeding operations where profit is placed ahead of the animals. Parent pups are bred to within an inch of their lives, kept in appalling conditions, and not provided with the right food or any medical treatment. Any puppy you get here is likely to be in poor physical and mental health. Evidence of these on the website could indicate that you are dealing with a quality breeder who understands the many responsibilities involved with the ethical breeding of high-quality Doodles. Ensure Appropriate Health Checks Perhaps a more concrete way to guarantee that you are purchasing a healthy pup from a quality breeding line is to ask for evidence of genetic testing. The best breeders will do their utmost to ensure that the animals used in their program are free from the kinds of canine conditions that can easily pass on to their offspring. As usually bigger dogs, Bernies may be susceptible to joint issues, among other things. Better facilities will often display details of health checks on their websites. Look For a Health Guarantee Aside from evidence of genetic screening, a health guarantee is the holy grail for those looking to purchase a puppy. These basically give you all kinds of rights in terms of getting a new puppy or money back if any hereditary health issues arise. This makes them worth their weight in gold. Any breeder that offers a 2-year guarantee is making the ultimate statement about their trust in their parent pups and the offspring they have bred from them. If you can get this kind of guidance from a family member or friend, all the better. If not, look to trusted websites such as this one to provide information and some names to get going with. Just make sure to still keep an eye out for health screening and purchase guarantees. This will enable you to have absolute confidence in the facility you are dealing with. Read Online Reviews Another great source of information and recommendations is online reviews. With such a large community of Doodles lovers out there, social media can be an invaluable tool for potential pet parents. This goes not just for finding the right kind of breeder but also for tips on preparing your house for the arrival of your newest family member and more. Take care, though, to source reviews from independent websites. The more positive reviews a place has, the better. After all, it can be effortless to fake a few, but impossible to fake hundreds or more. For more ways to ensure you are dealing with the best quality puppy facility after all, a Bernedoodle is quite an investment! Country Creek Doodles is located in Tipton, about an hour drive from Indianapolis, and three hours from Chicago. They raise all of their puppies in their own home, all of whom they treat as valued members of the family up until adoption. This enables them to give each of their dogs and puppies all the attention and care that they need and deserve. At Country Creek Doodles, they focus on health above all else. They conduct extensive genetic, health, and DNA testing on their breeding dogs prior to breeding. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Country Creek Doodles puts great emphasis on early socialization, enrichment, and training to ensure that their puppies have an easy transition once they go to their forever homes. For example, they introduce the puppies to potty, crate, and leash training when they are ready. The family will also interact with them on a daily basis. The children in the family will have access to them with supervision so the puppies become familiar with kids of all ages. The puppies also have opportunities to be socialized with the elderly, adult dogs, and cats. Additionally, Country Creek Doodles utilizes enrichment methods such as exposing the puppies to the outdoors, strangers, and noises; Early Neurological Stimulation; and desensitization to touch, body handling, and grooming. They offer a 2 year health guarantee on all puppies. Bernedoodles are gentle and passionately loving pet dogs that will adore your children and will likely receive that love back. Moreover, here are a few reasons to make your decision of getting one even firmer. Hence, they make for the most affectionate companion dogs. Health: Due to no inbreeding, unlike pure-bred dogs, Bernedoodles live a long and healthy life for up to years. Additionally, you only need to take them for regular vet checkups. Built: These stunning pups income in a variety of sizes ranging from 12 inches to 29 inches. Depending upon your preference, you can pick from tiny, mini, and standard Bernedoodles. Moreover, our 8 best Bernedoodle breeders in Indiana are quite experienced and trustworthy. Also, they love their pups, so you can always get in touch with them for some advice. May you find the most well-suited and loving Bernedoodle soon! These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. View Our Available Bernedoodle Puppies! Standard Bernedoodles are bigger than Mini Bernedoodles reaching weights of pounds. They average inches in height at the shoulders when fully grown. Our Standard Bernedoodle puppies are all 1st generation-F1 variety puppies. They have purebred Bernese Mountain dogs for moms and the dads are Standard poodles. Their Standard Bernedoodles life expectancy is years old. Blue Diamond Bernedoodles have a loving, easy-going, and calm temperament. Bernedoodles are very loyal and social and love to spend time with their parents. Standard Bernedoodles need regular grooming because of their curly and thick coats. Shedding is very minimal after their first haircut and grooming. This breed is known to be a hypoallergenic choice. Here at Blue Diamond Family Kennels, we specialize in breeding Standard Bernedoodles along with a few other great breeds. We have teamed up with a few other reputable Bernedoodle breeders that breed and raise Bernedoodle pups that meet our very strict criteria and genetic testing. On our Standard Bernedoodle puppies page you will see all of our available puppies for sale.