labrador puppy calendar 2019

Puppy Supplies Welcome to Buck Family Farm, a place where our love for Golden Retrievers has evolved into a passion for providing families with affectionate, intelligent, and healthy Golden Retriever Puppies. Our goal is to make sure your next family pet is everything you expected and more. Our Dogs Our family specializes in raising Golden Retrievers of all coat shades who enjoy our spacious 20 acre farm. It is important to us that each dog gets special attention and care each day. Our family-style setup allows our dogs to have the luxury of running free and romping around to their hearts' content while playing together and with our family. Also, since this is our at-home classroom, someone is always available to play ball or give a much needed scratch on the belly and pat on the head. Genetic testing is also performed on each dog to help us make wise choices for the best pairings and to produce puppies with the best probability of excellent health. Of high importance however, is taking into consideration the temperament of each of our Golden Retrievers to produce a well balanced and friendly companion, who exhibits all of the classic traits of the breed. Puppies Buck Family Farm puppies are AKC registered, vet certified, have first shots, are wormed and will come to your home with a 1 year health guarantee and a first bag of puppy food. We also send a blanket with mommy's scent and all appropriate NYS paperwork as well as copies of parents' health clearances. Our desire is to make your experience with us and our puppies everything you expected and more. Puppy Applications If you are interested in purchasing a puppy from our farm please fill out an adoption application to help us get to know you a little better. When your application is accepted you will have the opportunity to place your name on our waiting list for an additional fee. This ensures a courtesy call when a particular color, gender or litter of choice has arrived. You will then have the opportunity to place a deposit on one of our puppies. You will receive a courtesy notification of the litters' arrival and have opportunity to place a deposit. However, deposits that are not submitted promptly will affect your pick-order. Deposits are usually non-refundable. Placing a Deposit Once a new litter is born and determined to be healthy and thriving, we open them for deposit. First, to those on our waiting list, and then to families who have pre-approved applications. We choose puppies at 5 weeks of age in the order that deposits were placed. Please contact us for Paypal, zelle and Venmo handles. Visiting We frequently update pictures of all puppies on a regular basis. You will not be allowed to visit the puppies or parents until mommy is settled in and feeling comfortable with visitors. At 5 weeks of age we have adopting families visit our farm and choose their puppy. Puppies are chosen in the order that deposits were placed. Homecoming At 8 weeks of age and after veterinary examination, puppies will be united with their forever families! Both of which conduct yearly inspections and verify my dogs are all well cared for. I have been breeding Golden Retrievers since .I hold a degree in Animal Science. I have worked several years in an active animal hospital. I administer most of my own vaccines, conduct progesterone testing with my own machine determines best timing of breeding through collection of blood sample , and I conduct my own ultrasound at home for confirmation of pregnancies. I conduct natural breeding with all my dogs. Delivery of puppies also occurs at my home naturally unless an emergency health issue dictates otherwise. I am very passionate about the care of my dogs and strive to have the healthiest and happiest puppies possible. If you would like to see more detailed information about Hilltop Golden Retriever, please continue to read on and click through all the tabs of this website. Hilltop Golden Retriever Location: If your still unsure of where South Westerlo is located, we are about 25 minutes northwest of Catskill and 35 minutes southwest of Albany capital of NY. We are closest to Albany International Airport if you are looking to fly. If you are looking for a direct flight, you might want to look into Newark but would require a car rental and some travel time on the road. If you are traveling from decent distance away and in search of a hotel. If your early for your puppy pickup appointment and looking to get something to eat, a few minutes away in Greenville you can find the Tasting Lab or the Tiny Diner to sit down at. If you want something quicker check out the hot dog stand in front of the Tiny Diner or the Dunkin Donuts just up the road off of .I worked several years as a veterinarian technician assistant in a very active animal hospital. Over the years I learned so much and gained a lot of experience that has helped me excel as a breeder. While I was attending college, I ended up meeting my husband. He also shared my passion in dogs. She was my dream come true and truly encouraged me to be the breeder I am today. I fell in love with a dark female puppy from the litter. Over time and seeing so many families pleased with our puppies we wanted to grow. We felt that a large property was a must for our dogs to exercise and play. We ended up selling our first home and purchasing the house where we reside now. Technically our mailing address is in Greenville however we are in fact in South Westerlo within the hills of Albany county. Both of our families are from the area, so the transition was very supportive and the location is very easy to travel from or to the New York State Thruway or from Interstate I.Soon after our move we have spent so much time with creating the best environment and care for our dogs. Throughout the year we get visited by the state and AKC to verify our dogs are in the best care possible. Everything was thought of during this build. The building consists of two floors. Fans are optional throughout the entire interior. We have additional propane heaters that will work with no electricity. The floors have built in drainage and are covered in grippy flecked epoxy. Our dogs have constant access to water and have comfortable Kuranda beds to lay on. We have designated areas for our older puppies after mom is done nursing them. These areas consist of very nice over-sized play areas. The walls are made out of washable white plastic, and we use g-flooring with fresh wood chips for the bedding. The puppies have plenty of toys and their own Kuranda bed s that they love to lay on or hide below it. Our outside run area consists of a fully covered roof, so our dogs are protected from the elements, with lighting and fans. The play area has over feet of beautiful black chain link fencing. The large play area also offers a doggy playground area where they have plenty of toys to tug and pull on. About our Dogs: We strive to provide the best and healthiest lines of Golden Retrievers. We spend endless hours in search and communication with multiple breeders from all over the United States. Checking pedigrees and clearances prior to committing with a new line. We have made some amazing relationships with some of the best breeders, all of which share the same common goal of breeding healthy AKC Golden Retrievers. We raise and train all of our puppies within our home. We work with commands, potty training, and socialization on many different platforms and various environments. Early on we are verifying their personality and traits are conclusive with a possible prospect for future breeding. As time goes on, we decide if they are a good candidate or not for breeding. If they are a good candidate additional health testing is scheduled per their age. We conduct several medical tests to verify healthy lines prior to breeding. The health tests set us apart from most breeders that claim their dogs are healthy per a veterinarian check or that claim that they conduct DNA genetic health testing but nothing else. One of the first health tests that we conduct and one of the most important tests on all our dogs, is DNA genetic testing. We have used Animal Genetics in the past but have been shifting towards using Embark. This test allows us to verify we have the best pairing of parents prior to breeding and that we are not passing on bad genes that could be avoidable issues in the future. After our dogs turn 1, they proceed to get OFA testing of their eyes and heart. A specialist either looks at their eyes or heart to verify they have no health conditions that could be passed to their offspring. If we are lucky enough that our young golden passes, we will move forward to the next health testing stage. The next health test that we typically conduct once our young golden is 1. While they are sedated to have these x-rays we usually also have Penn Hip testing done. Also, per our vet the Penn Hip is a better test to know the overall health of the hips as they test the elasticity and movement rather then judging based on an image. Last health test we do is done at the age of 2 years old. As the dogs age their bones calcify, a dog with failing elbow or hips younger then 2 could very well change to passing once they turn 2. Under each dog there is a link from K9 data. Unfortunately K9 data will not allow preliminary testing information in the link which is the OFA elbow and hip test results if the dog is under 2 years of age when the test is conducted. However we do list the preliminary test results under each dog. Once we have the official results K9 data will be updated to reflect their latest test results. We are constantly conducting health tests and updating K9 data as well as the webpage. Lots of factors could play into why a dog could fail their OFA elbows or hip tests. It may not necessarily be genetic but instead could be from the environment that they are raised in. Limiting their jumping heights is extremely important. Simply slipping on ice can cause unforeseen affects to their overall development. It is also highly recommended for additional joint supplements as they grow, we prefer the use of NuVet supplements see link on website tab for further information on NuVet products. Lack of vitamin C in their food is another considered attribute to not having passing scores. All of these factors are highly overseen during the raising of our potential breeding dogs. Unfortunately, sometimes our dogs do not pass all of their tests. We sometimes keep them, but we also have found amazing homes for them. We are even more particular in their home placement as we know their personalities and what would be the best fit. They will be spayed prior or be contracted to be spayed soon after being placed in their new homes. We are very focused on ensuring we know our breeding stock through both their individual health and their genealogy testing. Our dogs and puppies get a lot of socializing. Daily they are engaged with our other dogs, our young sons, our friends, and other family members. They all get a ton of love and attention. This ensures they keep up on their house manners and it also makes it incredibly easier when pregnant moms deliver within our home. Our dogs are not kept outdoors like you might see with other breeders. We also have them go into large fenced in play areas where they play in large groups with each other. We do not show our dogs or conduct any competitions with them. When I am not raising my children, I am constantly spending time with my dogs or interacting with potential customers. My husband works many hours in his law enforcement career to dedicate any additional time in competitions, trials, or shows. Once he retires and the children are older, we may pursue that however it is not our current focus. Some of the lighter goldens that we have also known as English Creams do have championship titles in their bloodlines as does our darker red field goldens. Any of our puppies with proper training could and would be amazing for shows or hunting trials as its in their bloodline. About our Puppies: I usually make the determination of puppies after 30 days of a breeding. I have my own ultrasound machine and can get a good determination of how many puppies are present. It does not give me an exact count. Only way to really narrow down the number of puppies is by an x-ray, around the day mark. I do not conduct my own x-rays and that would require a visit to the animal hospital. To reduce stress on mom and the puppies we do not do x-rays. I get a final count upon delivery keeping mom where she is most comfortable. Delivery of puppies take place in my home around the days after being bred, unless an emergency C-section requires otherwise. Typically, all our puppies are delivered naturally. Someone is always with the mother for the entire delivery. It is very strenuous but has the best outcome for both mom and pups. When all the puppies are born, we will post pictures on the Facebook page. We will then reach out to anyone on our waiting list. If by chance, there are any extra puppies we will make an announcement on Facebook after exhausting our wait list. Sometimes people back out and puppies do come up available at various times. During the initial few days into the few weeks mom and puppies are spending a lot of quality time together. We are keeping a close attention that everyone is gaining weight and seem to be progressing. The pups are handled daily by us. After about 2 weeks eyes and ears will begin to open. The fourth week they are starting to find their legs and moving around exploring. The fifth week if all are doing well, I begin the weaning process where mom is nursing less and less as I introduce kibble to their diet. We begin the deworming process and also begin the first vaccine. We do not travel with the puppies to an animal hospital. I feel it could be stressful for the puppies and creates an opportunity for the puppies to be exposed to other pet sicknesses. I have a traveling vet come and conduct full physicals on all of the puppies. You will receive a copy of her report in the puppy folder upon pickup date. We have outside play areas and toys for them to interact with. They will also be played with by children and handled by adults. They will have several toys to interact with. Obstacles will be in there play pens to learn jumping and crawling. Process Purchasing a Puppy: If you decide that you would like to move forward with getting a puppy, we recommend that you first look at the females and the males that we have. Sometimes the males could change if multiple females come into heat at the same time. We also have an additional tab where you can view planned future breeding so you can have a better idea of potential pairings. Next, I would like to have a phone interview so we can find out more about yourself and the home that a puppy of mine would be going to. In our discussion I would like to know which mother you were leaning towards and whether you prefer a male or female puppy. I can go over all additional questions that you may have including total costs. If both parties are fully satisfied, I will move forward with sending you over the contract. I sell all my puppies with limited AKC registration. Under certain circumstances I will offer full AKC registration for an additional charge. If you are wondering what the difference is between limited and full registration. Limited registration means you can never breed a puppy from me and it will be expected upon proper age that the dog is spayed. Full registration is only for breeders that want to purchase a puppy with intentions of breeding. I am not against giving another breeder full registration however it must be discussed prior, and all requirements must be met that I have. I do require the final payment to be in cash upon pickup of the puppy, so there no issues of bounced checks or issues with sending monies from one bank institution to another. No exceptions. I typically only reserve the first 3 females and the first 3 males as there are no guarantees of how many puppies are born. I go in order of when I am contacted. For an example if you contacted me in May for a female, and John Doe contacted me in January for a female from the same mother then John Doe will get first pick and you would get second pick. It seems to be the fairest method I have come across and will be moving forward with that process unless I discover a better way. I also reserve the right to have first pick so I can sustain my future breeding line as it dictates. I do not allow visitation to the puppies until they are ready for pickup. It also increases the chances for the puppies to get sick and potentially all die from a condition call parvo, as they are not full vaccinated. I have scheduled meetings with individuals that would like to meet me and the adult dogs fully vaccinated prior to making a commitment but not when I have current litters. I would recommend if you want to see the puppies earlier to log into Facebook and follow my page on there. I conduct live videos where you can see all the puppies. After a few weeks old we begin to collar them so you can tell them apart better. I do not place or pick certain pups for certain homes. Some people may not like that due to a puppies drive or behavior. I personally feel training is key to your dogs behavior. You have to spend time with this puppy and be consistent. Goldens just want to please you, but they will test you to learn their place in the household. If you lack experience in training dogs, I do recommend you work with a trainer and read literature so you can achieve the most success with your puppy. You will get an hour to choose your puppy. Please be mindful as I will have others scheduled after your hour of time is completed. I will need some of that time to go over paperwork that is required through the state to complete. I have no problems if you want to bring a trainer or conduct your own tests to see if one puppy might be a better fit based on their opinion. Please be respectful of my property and do not go adventuring around wherever you may like without me being present. Once you pick your puppy and all paperwork has been completed, you will be provided with vet records of your puppy and the vaccines that were previously given. At this time, I do not microchip any puppies. I personally feel the best time to microchip a puppy is when they are sedated which I recommend during the spay. We do require that you schedule an appointment with your vet within 14 days of the pickup date. You may want to schedule this prior to arrival as animal hospitals have been extremely busy. We will have gift bag for you. There will be some surprises in there for your pup, including enough puppy food for the next several days so you can either remain on it or gradually change the food to one of your liking. We highly recommend slowly changing the food over time if you decide to change it as they have extremely sensitive stomachs at this age. You must consider important elements like social and living conditions when choosing a Golden Retriever breeder. The way your Golden Retriever is raised will have a significant impact on their lives. Evaluate the conditions of the breeder and the treatment of every puppy. The type of dog breeder you choose is important, so consider different factors like the acreage, reputation, and pedigree. Considering how your New York dog breeder raised them is very important to their health and learning curve. If they raise your golden retriever in a positive environment, they should have an obedient and loving personality. As you select your puppy, consider the appearance, age, size, and gender. For instance, the gender of the Golden Retriever has a large impact on its personality. Choose a puppy compatible with your personality. Golden Retrievers can be outrageously disobedient without early training and socialization from their breeders. Without training from breeders, your puppy will certainly require professional training later in life to receive the required discipline that a Golden Retriever needs. Training in puppyhood can instill obedience in your dog, preparing them for a bright future of good behavior. Adirondac Golden Retrievers Adirondac Golden Retrievers is a certified dog breeder who only raises every type of Golden Retriever, from active companions who excel in their athleticism to compassionate companions. All puppies are raised in a loving environment with plenty of social interaction, allowing them to flourish in any home. In addition to raising healthy puppies, Adirondac Golden Retrievers trains their puppies in various therapies, professions, and hunting techniques. Many of the puppies that come from this breeder become professional work dogs like K9 units and assistants. Name of Owner.

Check out our guides on best dog food for Doodle puppies here. The age at which a Bernedoodle reaches its maximum height is very much dependent on their type. Smaller dogs, such as Tiny Bernedoodles naturally achieve this much earlier at around months, while with Standard Bernedoodles may take up to 14 months to get to their full size. Miniature Bernedoodles will sit somewhere between this at months. When they get to their adult size, they will likely continue to grow outwards as their muscles develop. This means their weight will continue to go up. You can calculate their potential adult weight by taking what they weigh at 18 weeks and multiplying it by two. Medium and Miniature Bernedoodles Medium and Miniature Bernedoodles usually get to half their full weight around 3. You can calculate their potential adult weight at 18 weeks by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two. Standard Bernedoodles Standard Bernedoodles usually get to half their full weight around 4. You can calculate their potential adult weight at 23 weeks by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two. While there are no guarantees with hybrid dogs breeds, careful observation of the various types and generations of Bernedoodles now allows us to make some pretty decent predictions on their adult size and weight. Their specific rate of growth, as well as their final size, has a lot to do with the type of parent Poodle used in the original, as well as in any subsequent breeding. This enables us to categorize Bernedoodles in Standard, Miniature and Tiny sizes. Smaller dogs will attain their adult size much sooner than their larger counterparts who may not reach full maturity until well into a year of their lives. Either way, their weight is likely to continue to increase even once their size is fixed. Hopefully, the information included here will allow you to do that with a fair degree of accuracy. It is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. There will be Bernedoodles or Australian Bernedoodles who will fall outside these averages. Genetic luck and the size of the parent dogs are the greatest influencing factors on the final weight and height for Bernedoodle dogs. There is no strict rule here though, so when considering the averages think slightly lighter for female Bernedoodles but no major difference. Stuck inside? We wrote the ultra fun mega list of 35 Indoor Dog Games and Activities to play with your puppy! Treat that Bernedoodle to some DIY fun indoors at home. So we know now that Bernedoodles can swim , but do they actually enjoy swimming? When Do Bernedoodles Stop Growing? There is no steadfast and definite rule about when a Bernedoodle will stop growing. Much of the growth rate is going to be influenced by the two parent breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog and a standard Poodle. Because Berners Bernese Mountain Dogs are giant breeds, their Bernedoodle offspring will experience slower, more prolonged growth. Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered fully grown at the very earliest 2 years of age. It can extend to almost 3 years before growth stops completely. Poodles can be at their maximum height and weight by 18 months of age at the earliest. The percentage of each parent breed present in the Bernedoodle will influence the age at which a puppy will stop growing. This means there are different growth rates and growing stop times for the following F1 Bernedoodles F1b Bernedoodles Australian Bernedoodles By chatting with Veterinarians, breeders, and double checking with actual owners — I have calculated the following age at which Bernedoodles stop growing depending on which type of Bernedoodle they are. Genetic makeup is more important than gender or size. At-home grooming is a breeze with the correct tools. Check out the only Bernedoodle brush you will ever need to buy , or our reviews and tests of the 5 Best Shampoos for Bernedoodles and our very favorite choice. An F2bb Bernedoodles enjoy snow just like all Bernedoodles! What exactly is puppy growth? There are two different variables to consider when we are figuring out when a Poodle Mix will stop growing. The height measured to shoulder and weight pounds or kilograms will peak at different times. When do Bernedoodles start growing? They inherit the love for the cold form the Bernese Mountain Dog — a breed originating in the Swiss mountains. Well technically it started before they were born, but we can monitor the incremental increases once they are born. There will be continual addition of weight and height from birth all the way through puppyhood. The most exuberant fast growth occurs around months of age. This is when you will see the most significant increases in height and weight for your Bernedoodle puppy. Full height can be reached after around 12 months of age. Set a line in the sand at 14 months and do not expect any more height increases at that time. Full weight will take longer, as per the table above. Bernedoodle Size Calculator Once you have your Bernedoodle puppy , start to weigh your dog. The easiest way to do this when they are young is to step onto a scale with your dog, and then weight yourself without them. The difference between the two is the current weight of your Bernedoodle puppy. As the giant Poodle Mix breed Bernedoodle gets older it will become more difficult to easily weigh your dog. Most veterinary clinics will have a scale they are happy for you to use though. Give your Vet a phone call and check they are happy for you to do so. Some larger pet stores will also have a scale available for use. In other words: take a Bernedoodle growth chart with a grain of salt. It is not a major issue if your Bernedoodle grows more quickly, or more slowly than the averages. Use the Bernedoodle puppy weight calculator instead to predict the size of your dog. The standard Berendoodle growth chart. As you can see, there is a range. Different Bernedoodles may trigger the exuberant fast growth earlier or later. Consider using the Bernedoodle weight calculator once you have some data from your own dog. Bernedoodle Puppy Development Stages Birth — 2 Weeks Regardless of Bernedoodle breed size, the puppy development stages are very similar. Newborn Bernedoodle puppies have not developed all senses. They can taste and touch but cannot see or hear. During these initial few weeks, you can expect the pups to be reliant on their mother for milk and warmth, with them reluctant to leave her side. Mothers play a critical role in these first few weeks. They regulate the body temperature and help support the potty needs of puppies at this stage. The pup becomes more independent and curious about the world around them. Bernedoodle pups will start to crawl and wag its tail. By 12 weeks, they will easily stand up and confidently stroll. During this phase, Bernedoodle puppies also develop all their senses so can start to be trained. Simply obedience and social skills training can start to happen to ensure that good habits are learnt early. By 12 weeks, the pup will start to teethe and at that point can start weaning. In this stage you can start to train them with more complex commands to make them into the loving and affectionate pets you crave. Bernedoodles can be potty trained during this phase as they continue learning key life skills to carry them through into adulthood. You can also expect the baby teeth to get replaced with adult teeth and the development of the adult coat. By the end of adolescence, your Bernedoodle will start to resemble the size of an adult and have developed full sexual maturity. However, they are not likely to have developed full mental maturity by this stage. During early adolescence, you should consider getting your pup spayed or neutered as this can prevent unwanted pregnancy and also calm your puppy down as they experience adolescent hormonal change. Bernedoodles can fully transition to adult food by the age of 10 months. Adult From 18 to 24 months, Bernedoodles will reach physical, emotional, and sexual maturity. They should have developed good behaviors and routines so they can live a fulfilling adult life. By adulthood, Bernedoodles will have reached their maximum height, however, you should keep a close eye on their weight as this can be affected by non-genetic factors such as nutrition and exercise. Continue to visit the vet regularly for check-ups to ensure any health issues are caught early. How Big Do Bernedoodle Get? Four common ways to predict the size of a Bernedoodle are explained below. The information provided will have details on the size and weight of the parents and hopefully grandparents. A DNA test is an alternative to getting genetic information from breeders. Ost vets will offer this as a paid-for service. Observing the paws is another easy method of monitoring growth. If they are larger than the body, further growth is coming. Finally, the Bernedoodle growth chart is a free way of tracking the size and weight of your puppy. The chart is easy to use and is structured by providing monthly height and weight estimates for you to compare against. Bernedoodle Height Chart Combining a Berner with a Poodle, which has four size varieties, means Bernedoodles can range from tiny to large dog breeds. This is something to consider when looking to adopt a Bernedoodle. Also note, that males and females will likely differ in sizes, with males on the larger end and females on the lower end of estimates. Measuring the height of your Bernedoodle is an easy task. Simply grab a tape measure and place your pup straight on a flat surface, then measure from their withers to the ground to get an accurate height measurement. The withers are located between the shoulder blades. Spaying and neutering are common, low-risk procedures, however, you should be careful as to when they are carried out. Neutering removes the testicles from a male dog while spaying removes the ovaries from a female dog. These common procedures prevent your pup from impregnating other dogs or getting pregnant themselves, while also protecting against testicular and ovarian cancer. The procedure reduces aggressive tendencies during adolescence. The procedure is recommended to take place once the physical growth of your Bernedoodle has stopped, so this may be a period between 12 to 18 months. Use the Bernedoodle size chart to help guide you. Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Size Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle are both cross breeds which have multiple sizes. The Standard Bernedoodle is larger than the Goldendoodle, with the Standard ranging up to a maximum of 90 pounds, while the maximum weight of a Standard Goldendoodle is 65 pounds. The Medium and Mini breeds of both breeds have similar weight and height ranges, with specific sizes dependent on the breed generation of the parents. In terms of temperament, both Bernedoodle and Goldendoodle are friendly and sociable dogs. Bernedoodles can be calmer, while Goldendoodles are typically friendlier. Both make great loyal companions. Factors That Affect Bernedoodle Growth The section below highlights some known factors affecting the growth trajectory of Bernedoodles. Where possible, find out if there are any hereditary health issues from the breeder so you can be prepared. Gender plays a role too, with male Bernedoodles being larger than females across each breed size. Nutrition While genetics set the overall parameters for growth, nutrition will affect where your pup sits within the estimates. A healthy balanced diet containing a good range of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals is essential for supporting strong growth. The dog owner controls the nutritional intake of the pup, therefore, you play a critical role. You should take time to research specific foods and reputable food brands. Also, monitor closely each time your pup tries new foods to look out for adverse reactions. Bernedoodles are not particularly energetic so need between 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. This will allow them to burn calories but also ensure they are kept happy and stimulated. Exercises may include running, jumping, or climbing. An additional hour of low-intensity exercise such as walking is also recommended. Be careful when exercising during adolescence as their muscles can be strained. The first step to determining the amount to feed your Bernedoodle is finding out approximately what your puppy will weigh when they are adults. Increase the food intake as the pup grows. Young puppies are usually offered 3 meals between 2 two and 6 months of age. After 6 months, offer your puppies two meals per day. The amount of food your puppy needs to maintain their good body condition varies depending on the metabolism rate of each puppy and its activity level. A healthy Bernedoodle will eat cups of food daily. Four months puppy east more than 8 weeks old puppy. Spotting signs of being significantly underweight or overweight is an important role that a dog owner plays. Often, this can be a sign of a serious medical issue or a sign of insufficient care. It is therefore critical that you know how to spot this. As weight gain or loss can be gradual, it may escape the eye of dog owners as to whether your dog is underweight or overweight. There are simple checks all owners can do; these are outlined below. If you cannot feel the ribs because of the fat, then they have excess weight. However, if you can feel the ribs easily, your Bernedoodle is underweight. Feel the spine — the same test of the ribs can be applied to the spine. You should run your hands gently and be able to feel the spinal cord, but the bones should not be protruding. A spine that is pronounced with no or little flesh means your puppy is underweight, but if there is a lot of fat on the spine, your Bernedoodle has extra weight. You are lucky if you own a Bernedoodle because mixed breed generally tends to have fewer health-related issues that can affect their growth. However, there are still chances that your Bernedoodle will develop conditions such as elbow dysplasia, allergies, eye issues, hip dysplasia, and skin eyes. The good thing about these diseases is that they should not affect the lifespan of your Bernedoodle or their growth, hence you should not worry so much. You always seek advice from your vet to ensure that your dog is not safe. Do Bernedoodles Experience Growing Pain? Panosteitis is commonly referred to as Growing pain and is an inflammation of the leg bones which ultimately leads to lameness. It shifts from one location to another and can phase from worsening to improving within a few days to a few weeks. Growing pains usually occur during growth and affect Bernedoodle puppies up to 2 years of age. It is caused by pressure that is created by the growth rate within the bones. Growing pains are a no concern and do not affect the later health life of your Bernedoodle but it is a painful condition and can interrupt the growing experiences of the puppy. Seek vet advice to rule out any possible illnesses such as bone diseases and get insight into how to manage Growing pain in your puppy. It is of great concern to know if your Bernedoodle puppy is the right weight when compared with the growth chart. However, it is normal to have your puppy not perfectly fitting in a growth chart. Not all dogs will fit in the spectrum of the growth chart. They are made up of averages especially for mixed breeds because they can have a lot of variety. It might be time to cut back some food if you find that his tummy is sagging but if you can see the ribs then it is time to increase his food. Consult the vet if there is no reason why your dog is not on the growth chart so that you can rule out any possible illnesses. Some dogs are picky eaters and hence might not like some food. Your dog is overweight because they consume more calories than they burn. Therefore, to achieve good results your dog should be able to eat less and exercise more. Most dogs can achieve a predictable weight loss when they are fed with a constant amount daily but other may require even fewer calories depending on their age and activity level. For weight control, you should be aware of how many calories are in a cup of food. Do not free-feed an overweight dog because it is unnatural and can contribute to unnatural hormonal changes that can make weight loss more challenging. Feed your dog two to four small portions of food daily with the total number of calories and treats being equal to the number of calories desired to lose weight. Weigh yourself first if your dog is light enough to lift. The reason you should weigh yourself first is that small and medium-sized dogs may not weigh much to offset the scale and provide a reliable measurement. Then stand on the scale again while you are holding your dog that is climbing on the scale again with your dog. Ensure that you keep your dog calm and still because too many movements could delay the reading or throw you off the scale. Subtract the reading when not holding the dog from the one when holding your dog. The veterinarian usually recommends weighing your dog every 6 months to ensure they are within the healthy range and to monitor any potential illness. Bloat usually happens when the stomach gets swollen with gas or food. GDV can be prevented by the pet parents undergoing a surgical procedure known as Prophylactic Incisional Gastropexy. Orthopedic injuries— Bernedoodles at any age may suffer from orthopedic issues such as elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament ruptures, and hip dysplasia. Vets may recommend weight management, joint, and hip supplements with chondroitin, glucosamine, and fish oil to help Bernedoodle suffering from any orthopedic conditions. In some cases, you may need acupuncture, medication, surgery, or physiotherapy. Final Words Hopefully, this article has given you all the essential information you need to know about the Bernedoodle growth chart. Monitoring the size and weight of your Bernedoodle pup is crucial for all dog owners to do. As we have demonstrated, it is easy, simple and cheap to do and will give your pup the best chance of living a long and healthy life. If you ever have concerns about the growth of your Bernedoodle, you should seek the advice of a vet for reassurance. These regular check-ups will also spot any underlying health conditions early. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. There are four Bernedoodle sizes—tiny, mini, medium, and standard. Read on to find out how big do Bernedoodles get, what impacts the height and weight of a Bernedoodle, and when do Bernedoodles stop growing! The Toy Poodle stands around 10 inches in height and weighs between 6 and 9 pounds. The Mini Bernedoodle size varies between inches in height and pounds. Although you should always be careful about selecting a responsible doodle breeder , you should be even more wary when considering a toy or teacup size. Unfortunately, there are some unethical breeders out there who prioritize tiny stature over healthy puppies and those dogs often have major health problems throughout their life. Click here to get an instant, online pet insurance quote from Healthy Paws! How big do Tiny Bernedoodles get? On average, the full grown Tiny Bernedoodle size is around 17 inches tall 50 cm and weighs between 10 pounds and 24 pounds. Cody the Tiny Bernedoodle is 18 pounds. Photo courtesy of Caryn Zeman on Facebook. The Mini Poodle is around 15 inches in height, and pounds in weight. The Bernese Mountain Dog, on the other hand, is inches in height and pounds. How big do Mini Bernedoodles get? The full grown Mini Bernedoodle size varies between inches at the shoulder cm and they weigh around 25 pounds to 50 pounds. Luna the Mini Bernedoodle is 28 pounds. Photo courtesy of Christa Szczepanski Savage on Facebook. It is often used to describe larger Miniature Bermedoodles or smaller Standard Bernedoodles. How big do Medium Bernedoodles get? The Medium Bernedoodle size is generally between inches tall at the shoulder. Lucy Belle the Medium Bernedoodle is 40 pounds. Photo courtesy of Skinny Kidplaying on Facebook. The Standard Poodle is inches in height at the shoulder and weighs pounds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is usually slightly larger at inches in height, and pounds in weight. How big do Standard Bernedoodles get? A Standard Bernedoodle is generally between inches tall at the shoulder centimeters. While the weight of a Standard Bernedoodle starts at 50 pounds, they typically are between 70 and 90 pounds and can even go above pounds! Calvin the Standard Bernedoodle is 95 pounds. Photo courtesy of Lisa M. Harkins on Facebook. What Impacts the Height and Weight of a Bernedoodle? Some of these include their gender, the height and weight of the parents, and which generation of Bernedoodle your dog is. The combination of all of these factors make it somewhat difficult to predict exactly how big your dog will be, but it helps us come up with a general estimate. First, their gender plays a role in answering the question of how big do Bernedoodles get. Should you choose a male vs female Bernedoodle? In most cases, the height and weight of a male Bernedoodle will be slightly larger than a female Bernedoodle. In the smaller Tiny Bernedoodle size and Mini Bernedoodle size, the height and weight difference between males and females may not be as noticeable as with the larger Medium Bernedoodle size and Standard Bernedoodle size. Another important aspect to consider is the size of the parents. The genetics that are passed from the parents to their offspring play a role in how large a Bernedoodle will get. However, keep in mind that genetics are tough to predict. Finally, which generation of Bernedoodle your dog is will be a big part of how big they will get! Check out our article on Bernedoodle generations to learn more! Put simply, a Bernedoodle that has more Poodle than Bernese Mountain dog could be slightly smaller than a Bernedoodle that has more Bernese Mountain dog than Poodle. Simply, the higher percentage of the larger dog, the larger the dog is likely to be. When Do Bernedoodles Stop Growing? Savor these puppy days— time will fly by before you know it! Bernedoodles usually reach full size anywhere from 1. Just like other factors, this relies significantly on genetics. Bernese Mountain Dogs, like other large breeds, tend to grow over a longer period of time. Poodles, on the other hand, are a smaller breed and are generally done growing by 18 months of age. Due to differences in stature, in general, a Tiny Bernedoodle will be fully grown sooner than a Mini Bernedoodle, which will be fully grown before a Medium Bernedoodle or a Standard Bernedoodle. Related Articles:. They are unable to look after themselves and are fully dependant on their mothers as the only senses they have are taste and touch. Mini Bernedoodles spend majority of these 2 weeks sleeping and nestling as close to their mother as they can. Their muscles are not developed and they cannot walk. At the beginning of this period they will get their hearing and sense of smell. Their eyes and ears open so they become much more inquisitive about the world. They start to interact with litter mates, bark and walk a little as their muscles start to get stronger. Mini Bernedoodles start to become more aware of their surroundings and start to interact with others. By 8 weeks, they have full use of their senses and usually go to their new home. Many Mini Bernedoodles undergo a big growth spurt at this age as they are only eating puppy food now. At this age, your Mini Bernedoodle will be at least half their adult weight. Female Berneoodles go through their first heat if they are not desexed. At this age Mini Bernedoodles are extremely active and also very inquisitive. They love exploring their world and learning new things. Unfortunately, this is the age where you might start having problems with your Mini Bernedoodle as it is the adolescent stage. Mini Bernedoodles may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Mini Bernedoodle is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Check out the adorable Bernedoodle puppies that are currently available here! PuppySpot is a dog adoption website that connects breeders with prospective pet owners. They have a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills which is why they screen every breeder annually! They have placed over , puppies in homes and offer various trusted, USDA-certified transportation options to deliver your puppy to your home safely! Further Reading.

Chihuahua Pug Mix Origins The Chihuahua Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, and they are also one of the most popular. These pint-sized pups originated in Mexico, and they get their name from the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are known for their big personalities, and they are also very loyal companions. In addition to being great pets, Chihuahuas also make excellent watchdog. They are always alert and ready to protect their families. The Pug Pugs were brought from China to Holland in the 16th century. Some think the phrase "multum in parvo" was created because of the pug's small size and big personality. In , pugs were brought to England and became very popular there. Pugs were a symbol of royalty and were kept as indoor dogs. The Chug The Chug was first developed in the United States during the early s as a result of selectively bred hybrids of the two floppy-eared breeds. While there's no specific breeder associated with creating the hybrid, it's believe that it was created in order to help improve the less-than-stellar breathing problems associated with the Pug. The Chug is not recognized by the A. C Chug Appearance The Chihuahua and the Pug are different in many ways, but their are both classified as toy breeds. The Chihuahua Pug mix is a small dog that is generally sturdy and very muscular. Chihuahua Pugs mix' face is round, featuring brown colored almond-shaped eyes. The Chihuahua Pug mix' nose is rather short and darder in color, just like what a miniature boxer would look like. Their head is big in comparison to their body. They have erect ears which can be either floppy or pointy. The Chihuahua Pug mix' neck is thick, and their chest is broad. Its tail can be either long or short, and it usually curls over their back. The Chihuahua Pug Mix typically weighs between 10 and 20 pounds and stands 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. Pug Chihuahua mixes can be black, white, fawn, brown and cream. There are many different coat patterns for Pug Chihuahua mixes including, solid colors or sometimes a blend of different colors. Chug Temperament If you're looking for a dog who is equal parts adorable and annoying, the Chihuahua Pug mix is the perfect breed for you! Combining the best and worst attributes of the Pug and the Chihuahua, the Chug is a small dog with a big personality. Like both of its parent breeds, the Chihuahua Pug mix is prone to barking and is very alert, making it an excellent watch dog. However, this also means that your Chihuahua Pug mix will bark at any time, whether someone is actually at the door or not. In addition, Chugs are notoriously clingy and crave attention, which can be frustrating for owners who prefer a calmer pet. But despite their occasional yapping and neediness, Chugs are intelligent, affectionate dogs who make loyal companions. A post shared by Dexter and the Divas dexterandthedivas Chug and other pets Chihuahua Pug mixes generally get along well with other dogs and animals, although they may be a bit possessive of their toys and food. As long as you introduce your Chihuahua Pug mix to other pets at a young age, there should be no problem in having a multi-pet household. Just be sure to keep an eye on your Pug Chihuahua mix around larger animals, as their small size makes them more susceptible to injury. Regardless of their hair lenght, they do shed. They will likely shed as much as their Pug parent, which has very dense fur. Chugs's coat can be single coated or double coated. If they have a second coat, they'll be shedding all year. Double coated Pug Chihuahua mixes shed more in the summer and winter. We recommend grooming your Pug Chihuahua mix twice a week during the spring and autumn seasons, as well as deshedding when needed. Their coats will generally be thinner in length. Chug Health Chihuahua Pug Mixes typically have a lifespan of between 10 and 13 years. While Chugs may inherit some of their physical and behavioral traits from their parent breeds, they also inherit the same health issues. Brachycephaly Unfortunately, the Chihuahua Pug mixes inherits many of the health problems of its parents, the Chihuahua and the Pug. One of the most common problems is brachycephaly, a condition that results in a short, flat skull. This can cause a host of issues, including difficulty breathing, eye problems, and neurological issues. Heat sensitivity The Chihuahua Pug Mix is a brachycephalic breed of dog, meaning it has a shortened snout. This can cause a number of respiratory issues, including difficulty breathing in cold temperatures and extreme heat. As a result, Pug Chihuahua mixes are best suited for homes in moderate climates. However, if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, there are a few things you can do to help your Chihuahua Pug mix stay comfortable. In the winter, invest in a high-quality coat or sweater to help your Chug dog retain body heat. And in the summer, make sure to provide plenty of cool, fresh water and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day. How to find a Chug Puppy? You can get a Pug Chihuahua Mix through a breeder or a rescue. Breeder Chugs, also known as designer breeds, may be bred for specific colors or qualities due to the absence of a breed standard. When searching for a Chug, it's important to be cautious of profit-driven breeders or unsanitary conditions. A responsible breeder will allow you to see the parents of the dog and selectively breed to avoid passing on health issues to the offspring. Rescue Looking for a Pug Chihuahua mix can be tough since they're not common. But you can try looking at Chihuahua rescues or search specifically for this mix. These rescues may provide care and help for deer head Chihuahua owners. It's not guaranteed, but it's worth a shot! With some luck and effort, you might find the right rescue organization to bring your furry friend home. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Chug Highlights Chugs can be prone to excessive weight gain if overfed. Make sure to stick to an appropriate diet and feeding schedule. With early training, you can curb unwanted barking, however. Most owners say their Chugs have goofball personalities and like to act silly. A Chug will be great at making you smile. As a mostly brachycephalic short-snouted dog, Chugs can be prone to heat stroke. Take extra care of them in hot weather. Chugs also have shorter fur, so they may need the added protection of a jacket in cold weather. The main colors of Chugs are brown, black, fawn, cream, and white. Their coats can be solid colors or a mix of colors. Chug History The Chug dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing Chihuahuas and Pugs in the early s , likely in the United States. Although there is no specific breeder created with the creation of the Chug, like other mixed breeds, it can be assumed that the Chihuahua and Pug were crossbred in hopes of attaining the positive attributes of each breed. Even though the Chug breed got its start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the breed for you. Check your local shelters, look up Chug rescues, or check with breed-specific Pug or Chihuahua rescues, as they sometimes take in mixed breed dogs and find homes for them. Chug Size As the Chug is a relatively new breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a mix between Chihuahua and Pug parents, you can expect Chugs to be on the small side. Most Chugs weigh in around ten to 20 pounds, and they can be between ten to 14 inches tall. Chug Personality The Chihuahua is known for its feisty but loyal attitude. The Pug is known for being a goofy and playful pup. Some people report that their Chugs are extra cuddly and playful, while others say their Chug has a comedic Napoleon Complex and can sometimes get territorial. With proper training, your Chug can learn how to curb their yappy tendencies. Like their Chihuahua parent, the Chug can sometimes get attached to one particular human member of the family. They may become territorial and guard this person if they feel threatened. Fortunately, there are ways to curb resource guarding and this type of behavior in general. Chugs can also be incredibly silly dogs. Many Chug owners refer to their pups as goofballs who love to play, run around, and get lots of cuddles. Chug Health The Chug breed is predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Chihuahua and Pug also face. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Chugs are prone to weight gain , and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one good half-hour- to hour-long walk per day with a few good, active play sessions and shorter walks mixed in. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth daily, as small breeds—especially the Pug and the Chihuahua—are prone to dental issues. Chug Feeding An ideal Chug diet should be formulated for a small breed with high energy. Like their parents, a Chug can be prone to excessive weight gain if overfed. Stick to a regular feeding schedule and do not leave food out during the day. Limit their amount of treats, as well. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors. Their coats can be short and coarse, like short-haired Chihuahua and Pugs, or it can be softer, like long-haired Chihuahuas. Chugs are not recommended for those who suffer from dog allergies. Regular weekly brushing and grooming can help keep shedding to a minimum. No matter the type of coat, Chugs are not made for extreme weather. If you live in a colder area, they will need coats or sweaters when going outside. Likewise, they should not be kept outside in extreme heat, especially if they have a short snout. Chugs prefer to be mostly around adults or older kids who know how to play gently. That said, for children who learn early how to properly approach and play with a small dog, the Chug can make a great, active companion. When it comes to other pets, Chugs can get along with other animals if they are introduced slowly and calmly, and early socialization will help this go smoothly. That said, Chugs, like their Chihuahua parent, might not be naturally fond of other animals and may prefer to be the sole animal of the house. Chug Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Chugs because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Chihuahua or Pug breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Sadly, the Chug has a few medical issues to keep in mind, so the cost of vet visits and dental care might be higher than average. How much is a Chug puppy? There is a lot of demand for Chihuahua mixes which drives up the price of Chug puppies. However, many families get Chugs and quickly realize they are not good for small children, so keep your eyes open for Chugs to adopt. Pretty cheap! Medical Expenses for a Chug can average per year. Insurance: We recommend every dog have health insurance. If you find you can not afford pet health insurance, please try to get your Chug puppy insured for the first year or two. We recommend TruPanion, because they are easy to communicate with. However the only thing a short haired chug will need is a few baths and having their nails clipped. Check out our pug grooming guide for DIY at home tips! There are usually only puppies in a Chug litter, and the puppies are known for playfulness, jealousy, and being extremely attached to a single owner. Pug Chihuahua Mix puppies will grow extremely loyal and bond with their owner very quickly. They are fairly smart but have a stubborn streak and will figure out a way to get what they want. Please visit the breeder and poke around first! Find a responsible breeder. A good Chug breeder will have a spacious clean home. They should be transparent and open. Good Pug Mix breeders will want to meet you in person. They will also specialize in only one or two mix breeds. FaceTime is usually a good way to check the Chug puppies living conditions if they are far away. Tracheal Collapse - please make sure they are wearing a harness and not a dog collar! Brachycephalic syndrome - trouble breathing. They are known for having a big personality in a small package. These little dogs can also be surprisingly energetic and have been known to compete in agility competitions. The Chihuahua is a people dog and bonds closely to its owner. They are also known for being a little nervous and snippy with strangers. Patellar luxation Portosystemic shunt PSS The Pug is also brachycephalic, a condition that gives it a flat face and makes it vulnerable to breathing issues, the problem with regulating body temperature through panting, and reverse sneezing. The Chihuahua side of your hybrid puppy is also rife with medical problems, like hydrocephalus. Pugs have a tendency to overeat and giving them chow that is rich in fiber may be the best solution to make them eat less and let them think they are eating more! Unlike best dry dog food , these worst dry dog food brands are not likely to give you pooch anything except a few extra pounds! Puppies, adults, and seniors all have different dietary needs. Explore the importance of age-appropriate nutrition by browsing these handy best puppy food brands and best senior dry dog food guides to make sure the pup is getting all the nutrients they need. The Chihuahua Pug mix should be given a diet created specifically for small breeds such as best dry dog food for small dogs. The size of your furball does matter when it comes to food and, by opting for best large breed dry dog food for a tiny pooch, you risk giving them an inadequate amount of nutrients. High-energy meals with meat as the main ingredient are best. A cup of the premiere, dry dog food is ideal. Imbalance of protein and fat, as well as vitamins and minerals, can in the long run trigger all sorts of health conditions. Here are some of the best brands out in the market today: Wellness Core Dog Food : This premier dog food has a remarkably high protein content that comes from deboned chicken. This dry dog food has been designed by holistic veterinarians and nutritionists who wanted to create the best mean for small breeds. Dog For Dog Food : This dog food for small dogs is also great for puppies. The kibble is a mix of soft and crunchy pieces that even the pickiest eater will enjoy. Daily exercise lasting for 30 to 45 minutes is enough to keep your dog healthy. So is a weekly walk of five to six miles since this little dog gets tired easily. The brachycephalic genes it inherited from the Pug also makes it vulnerable to breathing issues due to strenuous activities. You should also play with your dog for at least half an hour, one to three times a day. Here are some of the best toys for this breed out in the market today: Air Kong Squeaky X-Small Tennis Balls: These bright balls are durable and perfectly fits even the small mouth of a Pug Chihuahua cross. Made from corduroy fabric with a little squeaker inside, its size is ideal for Chug puppies. Mini Sqwuggie Dog Toy: The best tug toy for toy breeds, the Sqwuggie is colorful, durable, and can even float in water, allowing your pet to play with it anywhere. Chihuahua Pug Training A lot of small dog owners tend to forego training and socializing their pet. Owners tend to dismiss them as a threat due to their size and lets them exhibit dominant behavior. With a Chihuahua Pug already prone to aggressive tendencies, thanks to its Chihuahua side, owners should take steps to ensure their hybrid pet does not become some diva. In short, behavior that is not acceptable from adult large dogs should not be tolerated in small dogs either. It will do well with someone who can provide a Your Pug Chihuahua mix should undergo obedience training and socialization while its still a puppy. Owners should also continue with the training and socialization programs even when their dog becomes an adult to prevent the development of the syndrome. Thanks to their propensity to please their owners, Chugs are easy to train. Here are some interesting tips to consider when training a small dog like the Chug: Think and stay positive. Always remember that small breeds tend to get scared or startled easily. Give your dog small treats and give belly rubs and praise freely. Keep it short and sweet. Stay low. Looming over your small dog while you shout commands will just frighten it. It will make you less intimidating and make your dog feel more comfortable and secure. Once your dog has learned some commands and tricks, you can stand and begin training from a higher level. Stand your ground. Small dogs get away with a lot of things because of their size. Stand your ground and stay true to the training. Housetraining small dogs is different. Crate training is one of the best ways to housetrain your puppy. It loves its human and will try its best to please its owner. However, you should be ready to provide your pet with lots of love and attention. Children should also be taught how to handle this dog properly. This means families with very young children might not be a good match for this dog. A Chihuahua Pug cross is an ideal pet for apartment dwellers, although it will thrive in all types of homes. It has to live indoors as its small stature means it can easily wiggle out of a fence. This dog also prefers warm weather, which is why it loves to snuggle so much. As the popularity of mix-breed dogs increases, so does the potential for puppy mills and backyard breeders. You can find a good breeder by asking for referrals from pet care professionals, such as vets or trainers, friends or family members, or by attending a local dog show in your area. Be Sure to Bundle Up! Since they are short-haired dogs, Chugs do not like cold, wintery weather and love being dressed in a coat or sweater for wintertime walks. Small but Mighty Your Chug could come with a muscular face that strongly resembles that of a Boxer. They were actually named after the Pugyal Kingdom. He can be a sweet comedian, like the Pug, or a little imperious, like the Chihuahua. Your Chug will most likely be feisty yet loyal. As with Chihuahuas, the Chug can sometimes become fiercely attached to one particular member of the household and even become territorial over that person. Fortunately, the right training techniques will curb this unwanted behavior. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Chugs thrive with couples and active families with older children. If you have tiny tots running around your house, you may want to consider getting a different breed. The Chihuahua side can sometimes get snippy around young kids. Take him to the dog park or walks throughout your neighborhood to get him acclimated to other dogs and people. When properly socialized, Chugs can make fantastic housemates to the other four-legged members of your family. So, try not to overdo it on the treats, even when he is tempting you with his adorable, wrinkled face. Also, keep his daily caloric consumption to under every day. This roughly equates to one cup of dry, high-quality kibble per day. Excess weight can exacerbate some health issues, including joint problems and breathing difficulties. Luckily, they can burn it off very quickly and tire themselves out within 45 minutes. Ideally, your Chug should be enjoying a minute walk followed by 15 minutes of playtime every day. Due to their short snout, you should never overexert your Chug because he may have trouble breathing. But, thanks to their Chihuahua parent breed, they can also be extremely stubborn. You will need to be patient and consistent when training your Chug, and always use positive reinforcement as your training method. Punishment methods have been known to promote anxiety and problematic behaviors in Chugs. Yapping is a common issue in Chugs. Instead of using punishment, give them a tasty treat when they stop barking or when they do not yap in a situation in which they normally would. However, brush him once a week to remove dander and dead fur. Be sure to also gently clean their adorable face wrinkles daily with a baby wipe or damp cloth. Minor Conditions Like cherry eye or cataracts Obesity.

Breeds The link has been copied! French Bulldogs are an adorable and popular breed of dog known for their distinctive bat-like ears. These cute canines have captured the hearts of people all around the world, but many potential owners wonder when their furry friends' ears will stand up. The good news is that French Bulldog ears typically do stand up eventually, but the process can vary from dog to dog. In this article, we'll explore the fascinating world of French Bulldog ears and learn when you can expect them to stand up. So get ready to fall even more in love with these lovable pups! Typically, French Bulldog puppies' ears will start to stand up between weeks of age. However, some puppies may take longer to develop, and their ears may not stand up until they are 6 months old or even longer. The reason for this variation is that each dog's genetics play a significant role in the shape and development of their ears. While you're waiting for your puppy French Bulldog's ears to stand up, it's also a good time to work on potty training. Starting early and using positive reinforcement techniques can help establish good habits and prevent accidents in the house. With patience and consistency, you can successfully potty train your Frenchie while also enjoying their adorable and unique appearance. It is also important to note that some French Bulldogs' ears may never stand up fully, which is completely normal and doesn't affect their health or happiness. So, whether your Frenchie's ears stand up quickly or take their time, they will still be adorable and loved. French Bulldogs are famous for their cute and distinctive bat-like ears, and owners often wonder when their puppy's ears will stand up. Typically, French Bulldog puppies' ears will begin to stand up between weeks of age. However, it's not unusual for some puppies to take longer to develop, and their ears may not stand up until they are several months old. It's essential to note that the ear development process can be different for each puppy. Some may have both ears standing up at the same time, while others may have one ear up and the other down for a while. This variation is normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. As your French Bulldog's ears start to stand up, you may notice some changes in their behavior. They may become more attentive and start to respond to sounds and noises around them. Their ears will also become more sensitive, and they may start to tilt their heads to listen to sounds better. If your French Bulldog's ears are not standing up by the time they reach six months of age, it's worth speaking to your veterinarian. Still, it's important to note that some French Bulldogs' ears may never stand up fully, and this is completely normal and doesn't affect their health or happiness. If your French Bulldog's ears are still down even after they are six months old, there could be a few reasons why. Firstly, it's worth noting that every dog is unique, and some may take longer to develop than others. While most French Bulldog puppies' ears start to stand up between weeks of age, it's not unusual for some puppies to take a bit longer. However, if your French Bulldog's ears are still down past the six-month mark, it's worth speaking to your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. Sometimes, ear infections or other medical conditions can affect the development of your dog's ears. Another reason why your French Bulldog's ears may be down is genetics. It's possible that your dog inherited genes from their parents that affect the shape and position of their ears, resulting in ears that may not stand up fully. Finally, it's essential to remember that not all French Bulldogs' ears will stand up fully, and this is completely normal. Your furry friend will still be adorable and loved, regardless of whether their ears stand up or not. Yes, it is entirely possible for French Bulldog ears to stay down. While many French Bulldog puppies' ears will start to stand up between weeks of age, there is always variation in the development of individual dogs, and some may have ears that do not stand up fully. Additionally, genetics can play a significant role in the shape and development of French Bulldog ears. Some French Bulldogs may inherit genes from their parents that result in ears that do not stand up fully. It's worth noting that a French Bulldog's ear position does not affect their health or happiness. Whether their ears are up or down, your furry friend will still be a beloved member of your family. If you're concerned about your French Bulldog's ears, it's always best to speak to your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. However, if your dog is healthy and happy, don't worry too much about their ears. They will still be adorable and loved just the way they are! The exotic coloring of a French Bulldog, such as lilac , merle , fluffy , platinum , or red fawn , is determined by genetics and is not related to the dog's ear position. The color of a French Bulldog's coat is determined by the interaction between different genes, and the resulting coat color is usually evident from birth. The ear position of a French Bulldog can change as the dog grows and develops, but this is not related to changes in coat color or pattern. It is worth noting that some French Bulldogs may experience changes in their coat color or pattern over time, but this is typically due to factors such as exposure to sunlight, diet, or hormonal changes. Additionally, while a Frenchie's ears may change in position as they grow, it is unlikely to have any impact on the dog's coat color or pattern. It is important to note that the term " Micro French Bulldog " is not a recognized or standardized term by reputable breed organizations, and is often used to describe French Bulldogs that have been bred for a smaller size through breeding practices. In general, the time it takes for a French Bulldog's ears to stand up can vary from dog to dog, and is not necessarily related to the dog's size or breeding. Here are two easy ways to help your French Bulldog's ears stand up: Add Calcium-Rich Foods to Their Diet One way to help your French Bulldog's ears stand up is to make sure they are getting enough calcium in their diet. Calcium is a crucial nutrient that supports bone development and growth, including the cartilage in your dog's ears. You can increase your French Bulldog's calcium intake by adding calcium-rich foods to their diet. Foods like yogurt, cheese, and bone broth are excellent sources of calcium and can help support the development of your dog's ears. Consult Your Vet About Calcium Injections or Supplements If you're concerned about your French Bulldog's ear development or think they may need additional calcium, speak to your veterinarian about the best course of action. Your veterinarian can advise you on the appropriate dosage and form of calcium to give your dog, as well as monitor their health to ensure they are not experiencing any negative side effects. In addition to discussing calcium supplementation with your veterinarian, they can also rule out any underlying health issues that may be affecting your French Bulldog's ear development. If there are any health concerns, your veterinarian can provide treatment or recommend lifestyle changes that can help support your dog's overall health and wellbeing. What Taping Method Is the Best? While there are several methods of taping French Bulldog ears, there is no one "best" method that works for all dogs. Each dog is unique, and their ear development can vary, so what works for one dog may not work for another. However, there are a few general guidelines to keep in mind when taping French Bulldog ears. First, it's important to start taping as early as possible, ideally between weeks of age when the ears are still soft and pliable. This can help encourage the ears to stand up and prevent them from flopping over. When taping, use a soft, non-irritating tape, such as a surgical or athletic tape, and avoid using anything too sticky that can pull or damage the skin. It's also important to wrap the tape gently but securely around the base of the ear, creating a slight fold in the ear to help encourage it to stand up. Taping Their Ears Step-By-Step Guide It's essential to follow proper techniques and guidelines to avoid causing any discomfort or injury to your dog. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to tape your French Bulldog's ears: Clean the ears: Before taping your French Bulldog's ears, make sure they are clean and dry. Use a gentle, pet-friendly ear cleaner to clean the inside of their ears, being careful not to insert the cleaner too far into the ear canal. Prepare the tape: Use a soft, non-irritating tape, such as a surgical or athletic tape, and cut it into strips that are about inches long. Apply the tape: Starting at the base of your French Bulldog's ear, gently fold the ear over and wrap the tape around the base of the ear, creating a slight fold in the ear to help encourage it to stand up. Be sure to wrap the tape gently but securely, avoiding any gaps or wrinkles. Continue wrapping: Continue wrapping the tape around the ear, overlapping each strip of tape slightly, until you reach the tip of the ear. Make sure the tape is snug but not too tight, as this can cause discomfort or injury to your dog. Monitor your dog: Check your French Bulldog's ears regularly to make sure they are not becoming irritated or uncomfortable. If you notice any signs of discomfort or injury, remove the tape immediately and speak to your veterinarian. Remove the tape: After a few days or a week, remove the tape and let your French Bulldog's ears rest for a few days before taping them again. It's important to give your dog's ears time to rest between taping to avoid irritation or injury. It's essential to remember that taping should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian or experienced breeder to ensure that it is done correctly and safely. While taping can be helpful in encouraging ear development, it's not a guarantee that your French Bulldog's ears will stand up. Some dogs may still have ears that do not stand up fully, even with taping. If you have to bandage your French Bulldog's ears, it's important to change the bandage regularly to ensure that it remains clean and dry, and to prevent any irritation or discomfort to your dog's ears. The frequency of bandage changes will depend on your dog's individual needs and the severity of the issue being treated. In general, most veterinarians will recommend changing the bandage at least once a day, and possibly more frequently if the bandage becomes soiled or wet. It's important to monitor your French Bulldog's ears closely while they are bandaged to ensure that the bandage is not too tight or causing any irritation or discomfort. If you notice any signs of irritation or if your dog seems uncomfortable, it's important to remove the bandage immediately and speak to your veterinarian. In addition to changing the bandage regularly, it's important to keep the ears clean and dry, as excess moisture can lead to infection or other issues. Use a gentle ear cleaner to clean the inside of your dog's ears, being careful not to insert the cleaner too far into the ear canal. If you have any concerns about your French Bulldog's ear health or need guidance on how often to change a bandage, it's always best to speak to your veterinarian for advice. Taping French Bulldog ears is generally safe and can be an effective way to encourage ear development and encourage them to stand up. However, improper taping techniques or leaving the tape on for too long can increase the risk of ear infections or other ear-related issues. When taping French Bulldog ears, it's essential to use a soft, non-irritating tape and to wrap the tape gently but securely around the base of the ear. If the tape is too tight or the ears are taped for too long, it can create a warm and moist environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and yeast, leading to ear infections or other issues. It's also important to monitor your French Bulldog's ears closely while they are taped, checking for any signs of discomfort or irritation. If your dog seems uncomfortable or if you notice any redness or discharge, it's important to remove the tape immediately and speak to your veterinarian. If your French Bulldog already has an ear infection or is prone to ear-related issues, it may be best to avoid taping their ears or to discuss other options with your veterinarian. Taping French Bulldog ears can cause damage if it's not done correctly or if the tape is left on for too long. Taping too tightly can cut off circulation to the ears, leading to discomfort, pain, and even tissue damage. Similarly, leaving the tape on for too long can cause irritation, rubbing, or even open wounds. It's important to note that taping French Bulldog ears should only be done under the guidance of a veterinarian or experienced breeder to ensure that it is done correctly and safely. The taping should be done with a soft, non-irritating tape and be wrapped gently but securely around the base of the ear. The length of time that taping French Bulldog ears should continue varies from dog to dog and depends on the individual dog's ear development. In general, taping should be done consistently for several weeks, typically between weeks, and should only be done under the guidance of a veterinarian or experienced breeder. If you're concerned about your French Bulldog's ear development or think they may need additional support, it's best to consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your dog. One benefit of floppy ears is that they can help protect your dog's ear canal. When a dog's ears stand up, the ear canal is more exposed, making it more susceptible to debris and dirt. Floppy ears, on the other hand, provide a natural barrier, helping to keep your dog's ears clean and free from irritants. Additionally, floppy ears can give French Bulldogs a more laid-back, relaxed appearance, which many people find endearing. Floppy ears can also make your dog more approachable to other dogs and people, as they may appear less intimidating with soft, floppy ears. Finally, it's important to remember that a French Bulldog's ear position does not affect their health or happiness. Your French Bulldog can lead a happy and full life no matter how their ears stand. Conclusion French Bulldog ears can be a unique and distinctive feature of this lovable breed, and many owners want to ensure that their dog's ears stand up as they grow. While taping the ears can be helpful in encouraging ear development, it's important to do so under the guidance of a veterinarian or experienced breeder to ensure that it is done correctly and safely. It's also important to note that not all French Bulldogs' ears will stand up fully, and this is completely normal. Whether your French Bulldog's ears stand up or not, they will still be a beloved member of your family, and it's important to prioritize their health and wellbeing above all else. 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. Give them some treats or cuddles to help them relax. Be careful not to insert the applicator tip too deeply. Massage the base of the ear for 20—30 seconds— gently massage the base of the ear for about seconds. This will help the solution break up any dirt, wax or debris in the ear. This is normal and will help remove any loosened debris. Wipe away any excess debris or ear cleaning solution— use a cotton ball or pad to gently wipe away any excess debris or ear cleaning solution from the ear. Repeat for the other ear— repeat the process for the other ear, using a new cotton ball or pad and fresh cleaning solution. French Bulldog Ear Timeline weeks— French Bulldog puppies are born with their ears closed and flat against their heads. Bat Ears These are the typical Frenchie ears that we all know and love. The AKC says they have to be set up high on the head, but not too close together. The AKC states… Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the ear fine and soft. Other than bat ears is a disqualification. Close share Copy link The French Bulldog is a lively, fun-loving, and intelligent breed, unlike the rest. In a way, you can refer to this cute little pet as a distant cousin of the English Bulldog. But the intriguing thing about the French Bulldogs ears is that they all don't look the same; while some may appear floppy, others may be pointing up. Curiously, this distinction or variation in the appearance of French Bulldog ears provides a source of concern for some Frenchie owners, especially those with floppy ears. Frenchie Shop interacted with some French Bulldog owners and gathered some of their points of concern and questions, most common among them, in order to provide some answers that may be soothing. Almost all French Bulldogs have floppy ears at birth. So, if you noticed that your French Bulldog puppy's ears are floppy you need not worry you wanted your cutie's ears to be pointing up like a bat's because it is not peculiar to you, that's how Frenchie's are born. There's no straight-jacket answer to this question. It may take a couple of weeks, and sometimes, you may start seeing the signs of it springing up within days. It would depend on the level and speed of development of each Frenchie. But ideally, your Frenchie's Ear should start standing at 7 weeks old. There's nothing wrong. When eventually your French Bulldog's ears start standing up, it is not all the time and all Frenchies that both ears rise up at the same time and at the same pace. You might notice that one ear is up and one is down. It could also happen that the following day, the one ear that was down the previous day could be standing up and the one standing up the previous day could go floppy. Sometimes both ears may start going up and in a day or two, both ears or one of them might go down. Also, one ear may be up weeks before the other even starts to show any sign of rising up. The French Bulldog ears do all sorts of wonky things. As a matter of fact, you should see the tricky rise and fall as an entertaining and interesting process. It is actually entertaining and interesting, and not worrisome. There's no cause for alarm. One thing you must know is that each puppy is on his or her own time table, even puppies from the same litter. Some puppy's ear may be perfectly erect at their 4th week while some may take up to 10 weeks. Like I said earlier, at the 7th week, your puppy's ears should already have started showing signs of rising up. If you noticed this, it is better to let the ears stand on their own. But, if at that time you haven't noticed any such sign, there are ways you can help your Puppy's ears to stand up. Use the following techniques: 1. Tape each ear individually with 1. Make sure the ear is kept flat while taping to avoid a wrinkled-looking ear base. Orient ears to the top where they would normally stand erect. Once in the erect position of 11 and 1 O'Clock, tape a connecting bridge from one ear to the other. Leave tape in place for between four to five days, then make a small cut at the base of the tape and gently peel off to remove the tape. We hope these few answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about French Bulldog ears are helpful to you and will help you achieve the perfect ear shape that you want for your French Bulldog. You are most welcome to share with us your experience while your Frenchie's ears were beginning to stand, or what challenges you are facing at the moment with them. Owning a French bulldog is pretty similar to owning a child. When everybody has their own opinions they might make you worry about your Frenchie even if he or she is perfectly healthy. Everywhere you look, you see a Frenchie with erect ears. Their ears make them look unique and just dandy. Then you look at your Frenchie puppy and his or her ears are down. You shouldn't worry about whether or not his or her ears are down, here's why. It important for you to know that all French bulldogs are born with floppy ears, this is absolutely normal. As they grow, their ears gradually become erect, there really is no exact time for this growth to occur. French bulldogs can get their erect ears anytime from 6 weeks to 18 months. There is no hurry. When the Frenchie puppy is still young, their body uses up all of the calcium for growing teeth. During this period, his or her ears may go up, may go up and down, may go droopy, may go up one a time or may not go up at all. Here are some answers to questions you may have. As it has been mentioned, there is no exact time, each puppy is an individual and will develop differently. Some French bulldogs get their erect ears before they are separated from their mother but that is not always the case. Sometimes the ears are erect but droopy at the top. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Their ears being upward or droopy does not in any way affect their personality. As long you clean them regularly and thoroughly, droopy ears have no health-related issues. However, if you really want to give them a little help, there are a few things you can do. But if I happened to own a French bulldog puppy with droopy ears, I would never tape them up so taping a French Bulldog ears is not a recommended method by anyone here at the Frenchiestore. Droopy or floppy ears can give the French bulldog dog a bit of character, a super-cute look and the amusement they bring doubles. It is recommended that you hold on and let nature take its course. The other method would be trying to even or up the calcium levels in your Frenchie. There are a number of ways to figure out whether or not your French Bulldog is a pure breed. They can be easily distinguished from other dogs if you know what to look for. Body Structure French bulldogs are relatively small. Their height is about 10 — 13 inches and they usually weigh under 28 pounds. French bulldogs are known for erect ears with wide bases and rounded tips. A purebred French bulldog will almost certainly have bat ears. This is not to say that they might not be delays in the ears becoming erect. French bulldogs usually have dark brown, almost black eyes. Although in some cases, a French bulldog could have light brown eyes or even green in some of the rare colors Frenchies. French bulldogs also have a short tail that can either be straight or screwed and they hang low below their backs. French bulldogs have a fairly muscular build. With their short, well-rounded bodies, they are usually seen walking actively and unrestrained. Coat The coat of a French bulldog is usually short and smooth. They have soft, loose skin which may form wrinkles around the head and shoulders of the Frenchie. French bulldogs usually have light color bases that come in white, fawn, cream or any combination of these colors. French bulldogs can also have other colors in patterned forms. Some of them include brindle, piebald, black masks, black shading and white markings. The most common of these patterns is the brindle. The brindle pattern could either be sparse or heavily concentrated so that the base color is almost completely hidden. Temperament French bulldogs are incredibly affectionate, they give a lot of love and this makes them great family pets. French bulldogs are alert and attentive, well, they hear you, obeying is another matter. But their energy levels range from low to average. French bulldogs exercise some enviable levels of patience unlike many dog breeds. Even as puppies, they are calmer than most other dogs. French bulldogs are social and usually welcoming towards strangers. They react well to new things and are fairly adaptable. French bulldogs seem to be laid back and easy going. Lookalikes There are a number of dog breeds that have similar appearances to a French bulldog. Sometimes you may even have to do a double take, but if you know what to look for, it is easier to know a French bulldog French Bulldog and English Bulldog: Although the French bulldog and the English bulldog are both bulldogs and naturally have a lot of similarities, there are differences. The English bulldog is bigger and they do not have bat ears. French Bulldog and Boston Terrier: The Boston Terrier bears a striking resemblance to the French bulldog and are commonly confused for one another. But there are a few differences. The Boston Terrier is taller than the French bulldog with about 2 to 4 inches. And though they share similar coat colors and texture, the Boston Terrier can also be seen in seal or black. French bulldogs weigh more. They also have tipped ears instead of a rounder shape than the Frenchie dog. Pugs are smaller than Frenchies, being 10 — 14 inches tall and they have floppy ears rather than erect ears. They have curly tails unlike the short tails of the Frenchie. French Bulldog and Pitbull: American pit bulls have some things in common with a Frenchie but these pit bulls are larger, weighing up to 78 pounds. Both breeds have similar coats though pit bulls can be seen in blue, gray, white, tan, brown, red, yellow or black. However, bull terriers are larger than Frenchies, they weigh as much as 45 pounds — 80 pounds. Bull terriers usually have smooth and dense coats that come in brown white, brindle, black or tricolor. They also have longer muzzle. To find out whether or not your French bulldog is a pure breed, you should consult your vet with any questions or suspicions you may have. To prevent this, always get your Frenchie from reputable breeders. Erect or floppy ears should not determine the amount of love you give to your Frenchie. Be rest assured, nothing is wrong, they deserve all your love and care. Leave a comment. Frenchies win our hearts with their wrinkled little faces and large, bat-like ears. To a French Bulldog, down-turned ears are perfectly natural. Frenchies are born with floppy ears. As the puppies teeth, their little ears begin to perk up. However, there is no precise timetable for this. Sometimes ears will spring up in a matter of days. But it usually takes closer to ten weeks. On occasion, one ear will pop up before the other, creating an adorably lopsided appearance. And sometimes they stick out on either side like bicycle handles. None of this is cause for concern. Each puppy develops differently, even if they come from the same litter. How do I fix it? First, make sure you give your French Bulldog time to grow at his or her own pace. Get some masking tape that is about 1. Gently wrap one strip of tape around each individual ear and ensure that the ear is flat when you do this. Use a longer strip of tape to connect the ears and hold them erect. Leave the tape on like this for four or five days and countless hilarious photos. You may have to repeat this process several times over the course of a few months to see results. Some websites suggest feeding your Frenchie calcium supplements to assist their ears in rising during the teething process. But this method is unproven, particularly because ears are made of cartilage, not bone. Your pup has a unique body that will grow and change in time. That way, whenever they reach full perkiness, those trademark bat ears will be healthy and ready to listen to your commands. Or at least, to hear them. They will be soft and floppy when born. In fact, many breeders will say you should even be worried about floppy ear development until the 8-month mark 32 weeks , as puppies all develop at different rates. But what is the reason for all of this, and what can you do about a Frenchie with floppy ears? Frenchies have very big ears when they are puppies. They look completely out of proportion as you can see in this photo of our dog Claude when he was younger compared to being an adult — he was 7 months old in this shot on the left, and 3 years on the right, and had no issue with his ear development. Our Frenchie never had floppy ears. As you can imagine, with ears this big and heavy, it takes a lot of strong ear cartilage to make them stand up and not flop down. So why do some French Bulldogs have floppy ears, and other not? This is the barometer that Frenchie experts use with regards to floppy ears. As the puppy progresses through the teething stage, the cartilage grows strong enough to keep the ears standing up versus their current floppy appearance. Handy Hint: To find out more about teething and how long it takes, read the guide to Frenchie teething that I previously published. They can even go up and down The floppy ears can go up and come back down again during the teething period. Just wait until your Frenchie has stopped teething — and this can be as old as 7 to 8 months — before you make any judgements. Their ears could be floppy, erect, and floppy again at during this time. The first thing I would do is ask the breeder if floppy ears is a hereditary thing. When should you be worried? If you fall into that category, when it the time to panic and take action? Not necessarily, but it might be wise to start the fix before this date… and here are some ways you can do so — most people will start the fixes at around 5 to 6 months. The ideas below are all ones that I have been found via social media and blog posts. All of the methods below should be used before you consider taping. You can start doing this from the age your puppy comes home to live with you from 8 weeks and on: 1. Consult with you vet first Assuming you have spoken to the breeder and ruled out any hereditary ear floppiness, you should talk with your vet first… before you even taking the online advice from a blog, even like mine! Get the vet to do a health check-up to see if there are any development issues. These can include bone spurts, arthritis and joint problems in a growing Frenchie puppy. Instead, give your puppy small amounts of foods such as cottage cheese or yogurt. These are said to encourage calcium growth in their ears. I have heard that this could be a myth though, so ask your vet. Add a cartilage encouraging supplement to their diet Some owners swear by a supplement called glucosamine. You can buy these tablets on Amazon , which are the number 1 supplement according to vets. Give them chew toys Chewing not only helps your Frenchie with teething but the physical act can also strengthen muscle essential for ear development. Dogs have a temporalis muscle at the top of their jaw and under their ear. Strong temporalis muscle helps ear to stand up… therefore, lots of chewing means a reduction in floppy ears. Handy Hint: Find out what chew toys I recommend for Frenchies with this selection of the best chewing toys on the market. I personally think Frenchies with floppy ears look cute, but, each to their own… people who have done this successfully have done so around the 5 to 6-month age. Other reasons for floppy ears Whilst most French Bulldog ears will become erect after the teething phases, there will be some cases where floppy ears, either as a pair or just one, will remain floppy after this point and will never fix. Your vet will be able to diagnose and explain more, but here are the reasons other than teething I found for floppy Frenchie ears: Genetics and breeding: There is a small market for Frenchies with floppy ears. Also known as French Bulldogs with rose ears, breeders will try to engineer puppies with ears that never stand up. This is what it means if you see Frenchies with rose ears for sale. Injury: Frenchie puppies are extremely energetic and can get themselves into various scrapes, some of which could be traumatic to the ears. An ear could get cut, squeezed, or suffer some form of trauma — this can often result in a French Bulldog with one floppy ear only. Frenchie puppies are born deaf with sealed shut ears. After 3 weeks, their ears will start to open. Frenchie ears will stand up between the ages of 5 to 15 weeks. Frenchies will stop teething at around 7 to 8 months. During this period ears can be floppy, up, down, and in varying orders! Frenchie ears should, in most cases, all stand up after 8 months at the latest. After a couple of weeks went back up and never done again. They are a living creature, not a show piece. Leave their ears alone and if one is a bit floppy, just embrace the difference as it will be part of their character! They were up and down as a puppy but eventually never went up again. We think he looks amazing though and love him to bits. She had her dog DNA tested and he had a slight bit of pug in him! They go back up with time. Like ourselves, dogs are not designed to be perfect, how saddening this topic is. A common fear and concern for new Frenchie owners is wondering if their Frenchie is destined to have floppy ears or only one ear that is erect. Their ears do all kinds of wonky things in the teething stage. For example, one ear might be up and one might be down, then the next day opposite ears will stand and lay down. One or two ears might start going up, and then the next day they both might be down. One ear may be up weeks before the other ear stands up. Also, when they do start standing up they are often not completely erect they look more like airplane wings. Each puppy is on his or her own time table, even puppies from the same litter. We have had several puppies with perfectly erect ears at 4 weeks old and other puppies which have taken 10 weeks or longer for their ears to stand up perfectly straight. Usually, if the ears are going to go up on their own without help, you will see signs that they are starting to go up by about 7 weeks. In these cases, it is normally best to just let them go up on their own. In these cases, it is necessary to train the ears for 3 to 5 days by taping them as explained below. Occasionally, with particularly stubborn ears, it will be necessary to tape them up a couple of times, or possibly even more. As mentioned, the majority of the time they are up on their own between 4 — 10 weeks, but if they are showing no signs of going up on their own at 8 weeks, it is time to consider giving them a little help. The best way we have found to tape the ears is to start by taping each ear individually with 1. Start by tearing off a small piece of tape just long enough to loosely wrap around the ear one time front and back towards the base of the ear. Make sure that the ear is kept flat when wrapped or when you take the tape off you will see the folds where the ear was bent and crinkled. Do the exact same thing on the other ear. The pictures below show only one wrap of tape on the lower ear, but we have found from experience that it is better to put at least two wraps of tape on each ear so that they are taped from the extreme base to the extreme tip to provide the best support. Then tape a bridge from one ear to the other. Do so by tearing off a piece of tape that is just long enough to reach from the outer side of one ear to the outer side of the other. Do this on the front and back sides to provide more support and so that the sticky sides of the tape are stuck together. Hopefully the pictures will help give you a better idea. Leave the tape in place for several days generally no more than 5 and then gently remove it we usually use scissors to cut the tape on the underside of the ear and then gently peal it off. If the ears were close to being ready to stand up on their own they should stay up indefinitely. Occasionally, they will need to be re-taped a day or two later, and very rarely a third time. But, with patience and perseverance, you will be rewarded with beautiful, erect Frenchie ears.

Degenerative Myelopathy Von Willebrand Disease Perhaps the most well-known is hip dysplasia, a condition that causes the hip joint to develop abnormally. This can lead to pain and lameness, and eventually requiring surgery. German Shepherds are also at risk for elbow dysplasia, a similar condition that affects the elbow joint. Other common health problems include allergies, intestinal issues, and eye problems. With proper care and diet, however, German Shepherds can live long and healthy lives. Finding a German Shepherd puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. While German Shepherds are often considered to be low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, their coats do require some care and attention. The most important thing to know about German Shepherd coat care is that the breed does not shed uniformly throughout the year. After the shedding period has ended, you can reduce the frequency of brushing to once or twice a week. In addition to regular brushing, German Shepherds also need to be bathed on occasion. How often you need to bathe your German Shepherd will depend on factors such as how often they play outside and whether they have any allergies or skin sensitivities. Generally speaking, however, a once-monthly bath is sufficient for most dogs. German Shepherd Puppies For Sale. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article. Our website offers a wide selection of German Shepherd puppies at affordable prices. Our breeders are experienced and knowledgeable about the breed, and they take great care in raising happy and healthy puppies. What is the History of German shepherd puppies German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world. They were originally bred in Germany in the late 19th century as working dogs for herding and guarding sheep. However, their intelligence, loyalty, and trainability soon made them ideal for police work, search and rescue, and as family pets. What is the temperament of German shepherds The temperament of German Shepherd puppies is typically described as loyal, intelligent, and protective. They are known to be great with children and make excellent family pets. However, they do require a lot of exercise and training to keep them healthy and well-behaved. In conclusion, German Shepherd puppies are a wonderful breed with a rich history and a loyal temperament. You have found yourself an amazing German Shepherd puppy! He is super social, fun-loving and a bundle of joy. This lady loves running around playing with the children he is being raised with. He is ready to explore and will be happy to go on new adventures with you. This cutie is vet checked, vaccinated, wormed and comes with a 1 year genetic health guarantee. His momma is Tina. .You better claim this cutie before someone else does! 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How to buy a French Bulldog puppy on a low budget French Bulldog puppies are one of the most expensive dog breeds to bring home. So how can you get your first French Bulldog puppy on a low budget? There is no such thing as a cheap Frenchie or a low budget French Bulldog due to their breeding per birth price tag. Nonetheless, there are several creative ways you can get a Frenchie puppy with little to no money down and we took the time to explore options and share this valuable info with you. A very fine show quality French Bulldog can cost that much. The high price tag reflects the expense per Frenchie puppy birth of artificial insemination, c-sections, constant care when they are born and multiple health and genetic exams. Why are French Bulldogs more expensive than any other dog breed? Most Frenchies can't have live babies the normal way. Many breeders would agree good breeding practices can greatly reduce the risks of genetic disorders that can lead to hearing loss, hip problems, and respiratory illness. Buying a well bred French Bulldog is never cheap and can help avoid a lifetime of vet bills and care. Creative ways you can get a Frenchie puppy or dog with little to no money down: Easypay Finance: Need help buying your Frenchie puppy? Easypay Finance can help. Good credit to no credit applicants accepted. Just as the name suggests Easypay is a streamline straight forward application that allows you to be approved instantly online without pay stubs or bank statements. If your loan is paid back within 90 days you can get a full interest rebate back. Requirements: Have a cell phone and email address. Have a checking account for at least 3 months. Puppy Spot Financing Puppy Spot Financing offers a convenient payment plan through Community Finance to help families buy their dream puppy. Breeders invest time, effort and resources into breeding and often this results in a hefty price for the Frenchie puppy. With a financing option, you don't have to compromise on a quality French Bulldog puppy. All you have to do is fill a form and a Puppy Concierge will contact you within one hour of receiving pre approval to help you reserve your dream Frenchie puppy. Requirements: Employed for the last 12 months at the same job. Pet Loans dot com can help finance your pet purchase price or veterinary care and even your pet supplies. Pet Loans dot com specializes in exotic pet purchases. French Bulldog Breeder financing: Certain Breeders accept financing through programs that are set up to protect them and help the buyer with a flexible payment plan. Ask your chosen breeder if they are able to accept breeder financing through one of the above programs. My Pet Funding allows breeders and pet stores offer the potential buyer the flexibility to spread their purchase cost over time. Rescue a French Bulldog. Take the Quiz As the puppies get bigger and stronger, they need to be regularly checked by a vet to make sure they are developing well and to administer the necessary shots, de-wormers, anti-parasite treatment and microchipping. Health screenings like echocardiograms also need to be performed to ensure the pups are as healthy as possible when they join their new owners. Needless to say, these examinations also come at a considerable cost. Popularity of Frenchies The second reason that explains the high prices of Frenchies is the increasing demand for them. People simply love them for their unique personality and looks, but such popularity has its downsides as well. A high demand not only means higher prices, but it also attracts people with false intentions who will take any opportunity to get rich. More about that in the next section! Now that you know why Frenchies are so expensive, you probably wonder why you can still see some considerably cheaper offers on the internet, starting from a couple of hundred dollars up to couple of thousands. They know all the tricks to look real: they use photos and videos of puppies from other breeders and they write fake reviews about themselves. Ultimate Guide First name Email Unfortunately, we hear stories from adopters about having been scammed on a regular basis. What makes us even sadder is that some of these scammers are using our brand, name and photos to rip people off! You may think that could never happen to you, but one can never be too careful. Part of our mission is to fight against scammers and educate adopters about how they can recognize false intentions, so please read our article on how to avoid French Bulldog scams. Puppy farms If you think that scammers are horrible, wait until we tell you about puppy farms or puppy mills run by unethical breeders, also known as backyard breeders. They are the ones who saw the increasing demand for French Bulldogs as an opportunity to make money by breeding and selling these pups merely for the profit. For them, profit always comes first. They keep the poor babies in tiny places where they are not even able to learn how to run! In fact, unethical Frenchie breeders are the reasons why the breed gained a reputation for being unhealthy. A breeder like that is extremely selective about the breeding parents; they know the bloodlines for generations and exclude any Frenchie that shows any possibility of carrying a health issue. They always give you a Health Guarantee with their puppies and take responsibility if something goes wrong. An unethical breeder will do none of these things! So, now you see that you might save money at first by choosing a cheap French Bulldog, but later on you will leave a fortune at the vet, not to mention the stress both you and the puppy will go through! Always buy from a reputable breeder! In the previous sections, we tried to present all the dangers that you might face when adopting cheap French Bulldogs. Always ask yourself and the breeder these before reserving a Frenchie puppy! How does the breeder keep the puppies? Ask them about how and where the pups spend their days. How do they talk about the pups? If a breeder talks about their Frenchies like products, they most probably treat them and think of them as products! Are they ready to show you the pup via video call? This is a crucial question. You should always be able to see a Frenchie on a video call before reserving them. Breeding Frenchies requires special methods and practices from breeders, like artificial insemination and C-section. The steep rise of their popularity also made French Bulldog prices to increase in recent years. What is the problem with ads of surprisingly cheap Frenchies? Always be suspicious of scammers and unethical breeders. How to avoid online scams and puppy farms? You can avoid online scams and puppy farms by doing a thorough research. Always ask plenty of questions and expect satisfying answers only! The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies , or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies What is included in our prices? We provide nanny service to all major US airports for an extra fee. Shipping to other countries is also possible, contact us for more info! PayPal and Stripe have payment insurance which means that they keep your money pending until you get the puppy. We get your money just after you have confirmed that your puppy has arrived in your arms safe and sound! Shots up-to-date worth USD Our pups receive all the necessary shots while they are with us: 1. Deworming worth 50 USD Our puppies are dewormed every two weeks from the age of 4 weeks old and they also get Simparica Trio against ticks, fleas and heartworms right before they leave. Anti-parasite treatment worth USD We give our puppies anti-parasite treatment against all parasites before they leave except for heart worms. Echocardiogram heart examination, worth 1, USD We do echocardiogram on our Frenchies and when we find the slightest chance of heart murmur in one of them, we rather cancel the adoption and find a loving home for them locally. Valer, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Membership and right to post in the TomKings Frenchie Family closed Facebook group We created a Facebook group for our adopters where we answer their questions and they share their experiences with each other. We are a Family because we are connected by the love towards Frenchies and we are always there to help and support each other, as well as share valuable experiences and advice! Only TomKings Frenchie parents are allowed to post and ask from us or any other member in the group. Participation in TomKings Frenchie Meetups We organize Frenchie Meetups in major cities throughout the States where you can talk with other TomKings Frenchie owners and exchange advice while your Frenchies are playing with each other. Frenchie Love eBook worth .Lifetime Health Guarantee We give you a lifetime health guarantee on all genetic disorders which cause death, which means that we send you another puppy if your Frenchie dies. We have never had that so far since the parent dogs go through a rigorous selection process before the breeding program and our vet checks the puppies often. We know that Frenchie owners have a bunch of questions about feeding, raising, training, etc. Our goal is to have only happy and healthy puppies so we will always be there to answer your questions! Lifetime vet assistance Frenchie owners have a lot of questions about the health of their puppies and most of the time they run to their vet right away and leave a fortune there for nothing. We even tell you whether you need to visit your vet at all! Health certification TomKings Frenchies are examined strictly before they leave for their new homes and we give you a health certificate which can be used if you want to have insurance for your puppy which we highly recommend. Exceptional care We treat every puppy as a family member from the moment they are born. We believe that the secret of having socialized and healthy Frenchie puppies is spending time with them all day long and letting them run and play in the backyard. Potty training It is crucial how puppies are trained at the beginning of their lives. At TomKings Puppies we are focusing not only on their health but their proper training as well. We start potty training for them so that you have a much easier job! Ultimate Guide. The breed actually originated in and around Nottingham, England, which was the center of lace making. This small bulldog was a companion to the lace makers and ratter-in-chief. As the Industrial Revolution took hold in England, cottage industries such as lace making were threatened by mechanization, and many lace makers relocated to France. Toulouse-Lautrec even put a Frenchie in several of his paintings. French Bulldogs are surprisingly good watchdogs. City dwellers love Frenchies. Besides snoring, they make all sorts of snorts, grunts, yips, and other odd noises. If only Rosetta Stone taught Frenchie-language! French Bulldogs can be very stubborn and hard-headed. However, even after they learn a trick or behavior, they may do their own interpretation of it. They may circle the coffee table or jump on and off the furniture, and it will always be exuberant. French Bulldogs have a huge celebrity following just like Toy Poodles for sale. French Bulldogs are sensitive just like Dachshunds for sale. With a mischievous sense of humor, Frenchies are enormously entertain .Of course, children need to be taught how to play with a dog, regardless of breed. Plan on buying lots of toys; a Frenchie is a toy terminator, and enjoys ripping out stuffing and squeakers. Be careful what toys you choose for him and avoid ones that could be choking hazards. Their personalities are as large as their big bat ears. Adaptable, loving, smart, and mischievous, the French Bulldog is pretty much irresistible! We were reluctant to put a deposit because we almost got scammed before and the sell was so trustworthy he held our puppy for us. And when we were ready, he shipped the puppy over as he promised. Thank you guys for everything and making our family complete Ann Belcher Here is a picture of our Heavenly Deja, the day she was delivered to our home from Lovely home French Bulldogs by Thomas. Rated 0 out of 5 What is the the Temperament French bulldogs for sale French Bulldog dog breed is a clever, loving canine who needs to contribute lots of energy with his kinfolk just like the maltese. French Bulldog puppies are also very playful and affectionate in their nature. They simply like being around people. In terms of caring, Frenchies for sale are simple to care for — all they require is a healthy diet along with regular exercise, and a family that will lavish them with love and affection. Join our Facebook platform to engage with other French Bulldog lovers and breeders, share ideas and adopt a puppy for a cheap fee. Click here to visit the group. This is Because they are Brachycephalic canines smushed-face , French Bulldog puppies are prone to heat and susceptible to many health problems. Bulldogs are bulldogs. French Bulldog Puppies are characteristically stubborn, which can hinder the process of training. While not as large as other breeds French Bulldog puppy breed are stout compact and strong. They require exercise as well to maintain their shape. They are also available in a range in coat colors and designs. The selection is so wide of fantastic French Bulldogs for sale that you might need assistance in locating the perfect French Bulldog puppy for your family. The best method to locate the ideal French Bulldog puppy for sale is to talk to an GlamorousFrenchbulldog consultant now by opening a conversation through our live chat below. Look no further! Browse our website and embark on the exciting journey of finding your perfect furry friend. Our platform connects you with a wide range of affordable French bulldog puppies, each one waiting to become your loyal and loving companion. With our dedication to affordable prices and reputable breeders, you can find the perfect Frenchie for your budget and create a lifetime of memories together. Unveiling the History of French Bulldog Puppies The history of French bulldog puppies is a captivating tale that dates back to the s. Originally bred in England as companion dogs, these adorable canines quickly gained popularity across Europe. French bulldogs eventually made their way to the United States, captivating the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. At Cheappuppiesforsale. Understanding the Temperament and Health of French Bulldogs Frenchies are known for their unique temperament and distinctive personalities. These affectionate and sociable dogs make fantastic companions for individuals and families alike. They are known to be friendly, playful, and adaptable, making them a great fit for various lifestyles. How much do frenchies cost About Daisy Hi there! My name is Daisy. I have just met you, and I love you. My current family has raised me to be the most amazing, little puppy you will ever meet. I love to play, take naps, and give kisses. I am a great puppy and will come home to you up to date on my vaccinations and vet checks. I am in search for stuffed animals and toys; will you help me find them? I love to play with everyone. Will you be my new family? Sex: Female.

We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Georgetown Kentucky and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Georgetown, KY? We have answers. What class of dog are Labradoodle puppies for sale near Georgetown? Labradoodles are a hybrid breed of dog, resulting from a mixture of two popular pure breeds, the Labrador Retriever and a Standard or Miniature Poodle. While the exact origin of the Labradoodle is unknown, this unique crossbreed has become popular over the past few decades with families and individuals looking for an intelligent, sociable pet. Labradoodles possess the Lab's intelligence, socialability, and nonaggressive nature, combined with the Poodle's hypoallergenic coat and reputation for being easy to train. Will Labradoodle puppies for sale in Georgetown cause me to have allergies? While Labradoodles are considered hypoallergenic due to their low-shedding coats, the truth is that there is no guaranteed, one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It all depends on what type of allergies you have, and if it is dog-related. Many people are allergic to the dander that dogs secrete, and some Labradoodles are known to have higher levels of dander than others, depending on their genetics. What should I not feed Georgetown Labradoodle puppies for sale? Labradoodles are highly intelligent and energetic dogs that require a balanced diet. Additionally, Labradoodles can be sensitive to certain ingredients, so it is a good idea to avoid feeding them human food. High-fat and high-sugar foods, such as candy, baked goods, chips, and other processed snacks, should be avoided. Raw bones can also be dangerous, as they can splinter and can cause choking. How do I prepare to adopt Labradoodle puppies in Georgetown? Preparing for your new Labradoodle will require some effort and patience. First, it's important that you provide them with proper nutrition and understand the various foods to avoid. Additionally, set up an appointment with your vet for an initial checkup, as well as regular wellness care and vaccinations. You should also start obedience training as soon as possible. Set up a play area and provide plenty of toys and chew items so they can stay entertained. Grooming is important for this breed and will require daily brushing and regular trips to the groomer. Are Labradoodles for sale in Georgetown considered small dogs? Labradoodles can vary in size and weight; some may be considered small while others may be considered large. In general, Labradoodles tend to be in the medium size range and typically weigh between 18 and 36 pounds. For the most part, Labradoodle puppies fall within the AKC's standard for a small breed, however, there are always exceptions and it is possible that an individual Labradoodle could be considered a large breed. How much exercise do Labradoodle puppies near Georgetown need? Labradoodles are active dogs and require daily exercise. Generally, they need at least 30 minutes of activity three times a week, such as walking, jogging, or playing at the park. In addition, Labradoodles should receive a little bit of exercise throughout the day, such as short walks or fetch. Although they are fairly small dogs, they need a substantial level of physical activity to remain healthy. Providing your Labradoodle with adequate exercise can help prevent health issues such as obesity and behavioral problems. Do Labradoodles in Georgetown get along with other pets? Labradoodles are generally known to be friendly and social dogs that get along with other pets. As long as a Labradoodle has been properly socialized and trained, they typically get along great with other furry friends. When introducing a new pet into a Labradoodle's life, it's important to do so gradually and in a controlled, supervised environment. That way, both animals can either recognize each other and interact in a peaceful way, or keep their distance. Are Georgetown Labradoodles for sale smart? Labradoodles are recognized as having incredibly high intelligence. Their intelligence can be attributed to poodles, which are famously known for their extensive problem-solving skills, and Labrador Retrievers, which are driven to please their owners and learn new tasks quickly. These fuzzy canines are often easily trainable and confident.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Have you always wanted a Labrador retriever, but are you worried about the common health problems of the breed? Someone might have recommended that you go for a Pit Bull-Lab mix. Labrador retrievers and American pit bull terriers began to be deliberately interbred in the s as a way of minimizing the health problems that are common to both pure breeds. The result is usually a gorgeous, medium-sized pup with the strength and loyalty of a pit bull and the intelligence and affection of a Labrador. But wait, you might be wondering if these dogs are highly aggressive, since pit bulls do have a reputation for being a pretty aggressive dog. While exactly what you get with a mix-breed pup is always unpredictable, the aggressive reputation of the pit bull is undeserved. They are, in fact, intelligent and affectionate canines. A word of warning, while pit bull-Lab mixes are highly affectionate and highly trainable, they are not generally recommended for first-time dog owners since there is quite a bit of work involved in looking after these special dogs. But whatever you call them, they are a mix between a Labrador retriever and an American pit bull terrier. Labrador retrievers are medium-large gun dogs that were initially bred to retrieve game. But over the years, they have also become incredibly popular family dogs. They are also highly intelligent, trainable, and friendly, so they are also often used as disability assistance dogs, for example working as guide dogs for the blind. American pit bull terriers are solidly built medium-sized dogs. In the early 19th century, they were often used in blood sports such as bull and bear-baiting, and after these sports were outlawed in , they were also often used in dogfighting. This is why the breed has a reputation for being aggressive, but they are not naturally aggressive when properly cared for. They are, in fact, strong, confident, and lively, and make excellent family pets as they love children and are protective of them. Pit Bull-Labrador Mix Characteristics Unlike with pure-bred dogs, which tend to have a fairly predictable appearance and temperament, you can never be sure exactly how the characteristics of parents will combine in a mix-breed dog. But it is possible to generalize about the most likely characteristics of a pit bull-Lab mix based on the characteristics that appear most often, and characteristics that breeders will often try and control to produce the best possible pups. Labrador-Pit Bull Mix Appearance Most pups that are a mix between a Labrador retriever and a pit bull can be characterized as medium in size. They usually range from between 17 to 25 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 45 to 90 pounds. Male Lab-pit bull mixes tend to be significantly larger than their female counterparts. They will almost certainly have a strong and muscular physique. Labradors are fairly strong to start with, and this is only enhanced by the extreme muscular nature of the American pit bull terrier. Their facial features generally fall between those of a Lab and a pit bull, and they will have a broader forehead than a Labrador retriever, but it will be narrower than that of a pit bull. They usually have a relatively long muzzle and long pointed ears. Your pitador might also come out with the classic Labrador retriever double coat that sheds a lot. Breeders will often try and control for this characteristic, but there are no guarantees. There is no way of knowing what kind of coat they will have when you adopt a puppy. Coat colors vary from classic Labrador colors including black, chocolate, and golden yellow, but you can also expect to see white, spotted, brindle, and cream. Lab-Pit Bull Mix Temperament When you adopt a Labrabull, you can expect a dog that is affectionate, intelligent, and energetic, as these are characteristics of both Labrador retrievers and American pit bull terriers. Lab-pit bull mixes are very affectionate and bond quickly with new families. They are incredibly friendly with children and will be both careful and protective of them. While you can trust a pit bull-Lab mix with children, small children should never be left alone with any dog unsupervised. While they do get on with other animals, this breed does have a need to be dominant. They may engage in behaviors you consider aggressive or undesirable to assert their dominance over other dogs or household animals. They crave to be included in everything the family does and to be the center of attention. These dogs are very intelligent and also eager to please, which makes them highly trainable. They are just as capable of being trained as working dogs as their Labrador retriever parent. They are motivated by praise and reward, and training should always utilize positive reinforcement. When your dog is frustrated and confused by what you want from them, that is when they can become aggressive. But pit bull-Lab dogs are not naturally aggressive; they actually have a calm and fun-loving temperament. But they are also high energy and need a lot of exercise. They are highly alert and will bark a little to let you know if guests arrive at the door or strangers are lurking near the house. Lab-Pit Bull Mix Health These crossbreed dogs generally live for years and within that time are likely to have fewer health problems than either purebred Labrador retrievers or American pit bull terriers. Nevertheless, they can be inclined to develop some of the joint conditions that are common in Labrador retrievers, such as hip dysplasia. They can benefit from glucosamine supplements to help keep their joints supple and healthy. You can find our recommendations for the best glucosamine supplements here. These dogs are also more inclined to developing epilepsy and hyperthyroidism than some other dog breeds. You should monitor your dog for seizures to identify the onset of epilepsy. You can read more about seizures in dogs here. Finally, dogs that are a mix of Labrador retrievers and pit bulls can be inclined to develop skin conditions and allergies. For this reason, it is important to choose a good pH-balanced shampoo for your dog, and try to keep their food and environment free of toxins that can trigger or exacerbate allergies. These might help you to decide whether they are the right breed of dog for you. Exercise Lab-pit bull retrievers are energetic dogs that need lots of space to play. They need a yard to give them space to run and play throughout the day. They need a lot of exercise each day. They need at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running or playing catch, each day. On top of this, they will need hours of moderate exercise such as walking and playing. This exercise is best when split into at least two exercise sessions each day. It is advisable to keep your pit bull-Lab mix on the leash when in public parks as they have a high prey drive. Attention These dogs thrive on love and attention, and since they are so intelligent, they also need a lot of mental stimulation. This means that it is not appropriate to leave them alone for long periods of time. If you leave one of these dogs alone for ten hours a day while everyone is at work, you will come home to a lot of destruction and a frustrated dog that may become aggressive in their need for your affection. Grooming Most Lab-pit bull mixes have the short-haired, low-shedding coat of a pit bull, which only needs brushing once a week. But if they turn out to have the high-shedding coat of a retriever, you may find that you need to brush them every day to keep on top of their shedding. You will also want a powerful vacuum cleaner that is designed to pick up dog hair. You also need to pay a lot of attention to dental care, as Lab-pit bull mixes are prone to tartar build-up and gum disease. Diet Since these dogs are highly muscular and full of energy, they thrive on a diet that is high in animal-based proteins and high in healthy fats. You do need to be careful how much food you give them, as they will usually eat even when they feel full, and they are prone to put on weight when they overeat. So, feed them a diet that is low in carbohydrates and put food out at regular times rather than leaving food in their bowl for them to graze throughout the day. Since these dogs are prone to allergies, it is important to invest in high-quality food that does not contain any artificial additives that can be toxic for dogs. It is also a good idea to vary their diet, and ensure they are not eating the same type of meat every day. Dogs are most likely to develop allergies to the foods they eat the most. So, if you feed your dog the same chicken-based dog food every day, it is likely that over time they might develop an allergy to chicken. Varying the protein that makes up their diet can help prevent this. Where To Adopt There are many reputable breeders out there breeding top-quality pit bull-Labrador retriever mixes. Generally speaking, you will find that the Labrador is the mother, as they are a slightly larger breed, and it is safer for the dog when the mother is a bit larger than the father. So, if possible, look to adopt rather than buy. A great place to start looking for adoptable dogs is at Petfinder. We found our Australian Shepherd Labrador Retriever mix through petfinder. FAQs Is a pit bull-Lab mix an aggressive dog? No, pit bull-Lab mix dogs are not aggressive. They can have a reputation for aggression because pit bulls have traditionally been used in blood sports, but the breed is not naturally aggressive. They can be dominant among other animals and may engage in classic alphamale behavior to assert their position in the animal hierarchy. When do Lab-pit bull mixes stop growing? Lab-pit bull mix dogs will usually keep growing until they are about three years old, which is around the same time as they start to lose their puppy energy. You can expect them to grow between 17 and 25 inches tall and to weigh between 45 and 90 pounds. Are pit bull-Lab mixes a good dog breed for families with kids? Yes, Lab-pit bull mixes are excellent kids. They are gentle and playful and will also be highly protective of their young charges. While they will give you a bark to let you know that strangers are around, they are actually very good with strangers as well. Can you have a pit bull-Lab mix with another dog? Pit bull-Lab mixes are highly dominant animals, so they will try and assert their dominance over any other animals you have in the house. For this reason, they need to be well-socialized from a young age to ensure they learn appropriate behavior. So, while you can introduce a Lab-pit bull mix puppy into a home that already has a dog, you might want to be wary about introducing an adult dog into a household that already has another dog. Do pit bull-Lab mix dogs bark a lot? No, these highly intelligent dogs are not the type to bark continuously or for no reason. They might give you a bark to let you know when something has happened or if someone is approaching. When do Labrador-pit bull mix dogs calm down? From about the age of one year, these dogs begin to calm down and have less energy. The Verdict Labrador retriever-American pit bull terrier mixes make excellent pets for anyone with an active lifestyle and lots of space for these dogs to stretch their legs. They combine the intelligent and friendly temperament of both breeds in an adorable dog that is less likely to suffer from some of the serious medical conditions that are common in both pure breeds. They are also highly trainable and have a calm and friendly temperament as long as they are getting the physical stimulation and the attention that they need. You will need to be prepared to make the time commitment to keep these dogs healthy and happy. Do you have any experience raising a Lab-pit bull mix pup? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Loyal and easy to train, the Pitbull Lab mix will make an excellent addition to any family and provide great companionship. History Of The Pitbull Lab Mix Both the Pitbull and the Labrador Retriever are historically working dogs , so it comes as no surprise that the Pitbull Lab mix likes to keep themselves busy and entertained. They were originally bred to combine the most desirable characteristics from both parent breeds into one dog — the temperament of the Labrador and the loyalty of the Pitbull. Breed Origin The breed origin of the Pitbull Lab mix is actually unknown and we cannot be sure when these dogs first appeared. However, we can look at the history of both parent breeds so you get an idea of where these pups originated from. The Pitbull parent in the Pitbull Lab mix can actually be any of four types of Pitbull. The Pitbull was created in early 19th-century England for the popular spectator sports of bull and bear baiting. They were thought of as aggressive fighting dogs but it was also known that they were very gentle with humans and made excellent family dogs. Later, these Pitbulls accompanied immigrants to America and they began new careers as all-around farm dogs. Their jobs included hunting wild game, guarding the property from animal intruders and providing companionship. The Labrador, as we mentioned above, is the most popular breed of dog in America. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs in the s and used to accompany hunters and retrieve animals that had been shot. They were also used in Newfoundland to retrieve fish that came in off the trawl, which is why they love the water. Their loyal and loving nature mean that they quickly became a very popular family dog and are still used today as working dogs, such as guide dogs. Characteristics Of The Pitbull Lab Mix Because the Pitbull Lab Mix is not a purebred breed and it is not recognized by any kennel clubs, this means that there is no definite breed standard for these pups. This means we cannot be sure how each litter of puppies is going to turn out. However, we can guess based on previous litters. These dogs are normally born in litter sizes of 5 to 10 puppies, with the average being 7. It is not normally an issue which parent is the sire or the dam when breeding. Appearance As we have said above, you can never be sure what your Pitbull Lab crossbreed will look like. They may look more like their Pitbull parent or more like their Labrador Retriever parent. The Pitbull Lab Mix is classed as a medium to large breed dog, and they can weigh anywhere up to 80 lbs, with females generally being smaller than males. These dogs will likely have floppy ears and will be muscular yet lean in statue. Coat A Labrador Pitbull Mix will generally have a short, smooth coat and they will not require too much grooming. We will go into more detail about grooming later on. Color The parent breeds of the Pitbull Lab Mix dog can vary greatly in color, which means your designer dog will likely vary greatly too. A Labrador can be yellow, brown or black and a Pitbull can be a huge range of colors — especially because there are four different breeds of this dog! If you want a good indication as to what your Pitbull Lab may look like color wise, you should take a look at the parent breeds. Temperament The Pitbull Lab Mix is a friendly and sociable dog that loves to be around people. This is particularly true for the Pitbull in them, who can become feisty when bored or not stimulated. Therefore, they will do well when they are around a lot of people and are being given lots of attention! This could not be further from the truth. When raised properly and socialized well, these dogs are sweet-natured and loving — traits which are passed down to the Pit Lab Mix. They are not known to bark and will alert you when there is anything wrong, making them a great guard dog or watch dog. The intelligence level of this mixed breed dog means they are easily trainable and will be top of the class at puppy school. They will also happily learn tricks and engage with their owners! Lifespan The Lab Pit Mix has a relatively long life expectancy and can live, on average, anywhere between 10 and 14 years. These are normally the same health issues that their parent breeds are predisposed to. However, there are two health problems that are seen more frequently, both of which are seen in Labradors. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable. Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any issues to offspring. Daily Life While the different traits and characteristics that your Pitbull Lab Mix may inherit from their parent breeds can be somewhat of a mystery, fortunately taking care of these dogs is pretty straight forward. Below we discuss their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs. As an adult, this should be anywhere between 1, to 2, calories a day, which equates to four cups of kibble a day. You should always check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding them of a particular food based on their weight. When they reach maturity, this should be reduced to 2. As an adult, you should try to feed them three times a day. Always remember to feed your Pitbull Lab Mix nutritious, high-quality dog food. We have included a food that we recommend below. This food is formulated with protein-rich chicken as the first ingredient, ensuring your doggie gets all the nutrients they need to keep their muscles healthy and strong. Designed specially for large dog breeds, this food contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint health and overall mobility of bigger dogs. There are also antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. Exercise A Pitbull Labrador crossbreed is a medium to large breed of dog and therefore has high exercise needs. A dog of this size should be exercising for around minutes a day, so you must make sure you have the time to dedicate to this breed before buying. When the Pitbull cross is a puppy, you should remember the 5 minute rule. Therefore, if your pup is four months old, you should only be exercising them for around 20 minutes. These pups will love to join you on a hike or a run or, like their Labrador parent, they also love to swim. Because of their intelligence, they can also learn different dog sports such as flyball or agility, so this is something to think about. Check locally to see whether your area has any restrictions. You may need to keep your dog on the leash or have them wear a muzzle. Loving and friendly, these pups thrive when they are around people and like to be right in the middle of everything, getting all the attention! They do not do well when left alone and can exhibit destructive behaviors and signs of separation anxiety. Therefore, you must make sure you are not going to be out for hours at a time if you are thinking about bringing one of these dogs into your home. These dogs need to be kept entertained and stimulated mentally, which is why they can be such a good playmate for children. They also get on well with other family pets, so there is no need to worry about their reaction to other dogs and cats. The Pitbull Lab Mix is a very intelligent dog, which means training them is very easy. Training and Socializing We have mentioned above that the Pitbull Labrador crossbreed is a very intelligent dog. This means that training them is easy and is one of the reasons they are recommended as a good first dog. These pups respond best to positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise and reward-based training such as treats. Socializing your Pitbull Lab cross is also not difficult. They get on well with children and other animals, so there should be no issue within the family home. You should start socializing them from a young age and introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals when you are out and about. Grooming Fortunately, your Lab Pitbull Mix will not require a lot grooming. You will need to brush them roughly two to three times a week to ensure that shedding stays at a minimum. Unfortunately, as they have a Labrador parent, they will shed a lot! You will need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner if you want to keep your home fur-free. Bathing your Pitbull Lab is also important, but this can be done as infrequently as times a year. You should also check their ears regularly to spot any signs of infection, and ensure their nails are clipped as needed. We touched on this above but the answer is no. There is a common misconception that all Pitbulls are dangerous, but when trained properly and brought up in a loving and caring environment, Pitbulls are affectionate, loyal dogs and love to be around people. Are Pitbulls illegal? In some areas of the United States, Australia and the UK, Pitbulls and other related dog breeds are under breed-specific laws. These laws prevent residents in those areas from owning these dogs, except from under special circumstances. Pitbulls in these areas are seen as a danger because of their reputation and dog fighting background, even though there is a huge amount of evidence to show that when trained properly Pitbulls make great pets. How much does a Pitbull Lab Mix cost? If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter to see if there is a pup there that needs a loving home! Summary The Pitbull Labrador Mix breed was created to cherrypick the best traits from each parent breed — the temperament of the Labrador and the loyalty of the Pitbull. These loving, friendly dogs make excellent family pups who just love to be around people, both adults and children, and other animals too. While the Pitbull has a reputation for being aggressive, this could not be further from the truth and, when put in the right home, the Pitbull Labrador Mix is a companion for life. What do you think, is one of these dogs right for you? Other Pitbull Related Guides. .You will never know if your puppy is going to look more like a Lab or a Pit in the future. Pit Lab Mixes are black, brown, tan, white, and yellow. Some Pit Lab Mixes are solid in color, while others have distinctive white marks just like a Pitbull. Originally, all Labradors were black. When a litter is influenced by the predominant features of the Black Lab, it is very likely for you to have a litter of jet black Lab Pitbull pups. A majority of Lab Pitbulls are actually black in color with distinctive white marks on the face, on the chest, at the tips of the paws and tail. Its spectrum of rich brown hues can be passed onto its offsprings. Brown Lab Pitbulls usually have markings, too. Labradors with orange hues to their coats are also classified by the American Kennel Club as a yellow Labrador. Pitbull Lab Mix Looks Generally speaking, Pitbull Lab Mixes have the following features: a broad head a pair of almond-shaped eyes small droopy ears a long tail a smooth, dense coat But as with any crossbreed, there is no way you can accurately guess how your puppy is going to turn out. You will just have to wait until he is fully grown. A Pitbull Lab can grow to a height between 30 cm. As always, this breed sits in the grey area between the Pitbull and the Labrador even in size. Their weight also depends on how much Labrador or Pitbull genes they have in them. Pitbull Labs in general, weigh around 45 lbs. However, a Pitbull Lab with dominant Pitbull genes can weigh up to 95 lbs. Pitbull Lab Mix Character Traits We all know that the Labrador Retriever has a playful, friendly spirit while the Pitbull has a bold, courageous demeanor. So, what could be the personality of a Pitbull Lab mix? Read on to find out! Pitbull Lab Mixes are family oriented and will protect their humans at all costs. These courageous canines will stand up to any threat! Pitbull Lab Mixes are highly protective of their pack, which is often displayed as an aggressive behavior. When given proper training, the Pitbull Lab mix can easily distinguish between threat and unusual stimuli, so he can exercise restraint. The Pitbull Lab mix is usually quiet, which makes them the ideal pet for apartment living or for close-knit subdivisions. Likewise, Pitbull Lab Mixes are great watch dogs as they always keep their eyes peeled. They can sense danger from afar, be it a wanted criminal or a teenager who is up to no good. A big softie Another remarkable trait that Labrabulls have is their ability to connect with their owners. They can sense if you are sad, troubled, or in pain. These dogs will snuggle next to you and give you wet licks — the canine equivalent of hugs and kisses. So, the next time you are about to cry, you can count on your tail-wagger to comfort you during hard times. This is certainly a trait that they have inherited from Labradors. After all, Labradors are notably known as therapy dogs. A goofball Pitbull Lab Mixes are ever-ready to face any danger that represents itself. But these fearless dogs also melt easily into a jiggly pile of face-licking love around their beloved humans. Pitbull Lab Mixes love to run fast, tug hard, jump high, play games and solve doggie problems like the smart and creative creature that he is. Clingy Although the Pitbull Lab mix is a big softie, this breed does have a tendency to develop a neurotic behavior if left alone for long periods. Encourage him to be a little more independent by allowing him to explore the world a little further away from you. Docile Pitbull Lab Mixes are notable for their obedient demeanor towards their owners. Applies to all dog food recalls in the U. Be sure to establish yourself as the Alpha of the pack, especially when your Pitbull Lab Mix is still a pup. Lab Pit Mix Temperament A majority of dog owners are not yet convinced with the Lab Pit Mix temperament, which mainly harks back to the reputation of its parent breed, the Pitbull. So, why are these dogs depicted in a bad light? But truth be told, the tiny Chihuahua is actually more threatening than the hulking Pitbull. James Serpell, a renowned professor from the University of Pennsylvania, conducted a series of tests to determine which canines are the most aggressive. Furthermore, the American Temperament Test Society performed a study in to evaluate the temperament of the controversial breed. According to the results, the American Pitbull Terrier has a temperament passing rate of .In other words, many canines that share Pitbull-like characteristics are quickly categorized as a Pitbull Terrier. Likewise, the CDC stated that there is no scientific proof that shows Pitbulls are more involved in fatal attacks compared to other breeds. But of course, any dog that was cultivated for aggression can terrorize a whole neighborhood. This applies to all dogs, not just for Pitbulls. Therefore, an angry Pitbull is not the closest thing you will encounter next to a Great White Shark. While its parent breed has proven itself a true fighter, a Pitbull can only be aggressive if the dog was bred for the wrong reasons. Undesirable traits are rooted in improper training and lack of socialization, regardless of which breed you have. This means a Labrador, which is easygoing and gentle by nature, can get into a bevy of troubles if he has no concept of right and wrong. Unfortunately, the Pitbull Terrier remains a cult favorite among irresponsible owners. Therefore, it is imperative that you take the time to ensure your canine buddy gets properly trained and socialized. Despite their undeserved reputation, a Pitbull or a Pitbull Lab mix can respond well when training is done the right way, especially when you shower your pets with tender loving care! Are Lab Pitbull Mixes Sociable? Dogs are social creatures and are happiest when in contact with others, so yes, that includes the Pitbull Lab mix. But just like any other dog, your Lab Pit Mix must learn social skills at a tender age to keep fighting at a minimum. Socializing allows your tiny pup to get used to various settings and be comfortable towards meeting new people and animals. Keep in mind that Lab Pit Mix sometimes love to play a little rough. However, this should not be mistaken as a high prey drive. As a fur-parent, you also have to be well-balanced as the dog you seek. If you have a grumpy canine with a killer glint in the eye and a growl to match, step back and consider whether you are teaching your dog the right lessons. If not, get professional help! Establish yourself as the Alpha First of all, you have to firmly establish yourself as the leader of the pack. It means you have to set boundaries, stick with your own rules, and avoid doing things out on a whim! Otherwise, your growing pooch would think you are weak and inconsistent. A successful relationship depends upon you being in control. If your little Pitador does what he wants in small, harmless ways, it is likely for him to do what he wants in big, annoying ways. Nevertheless, be sure to be fair and calm when correcting your furry sidekick. Pitadors are among the most obedient dogs but they can also be very sensitive. Employ positive reinforcement Pitadors care about praise… and yummy treats! So, be sure to hand out some tasty dog biscuits to your pup for his little accomplishments. You can also alternate it with praises and belly rubs. Positive reinforcement is absolutely crucial, especially during the first weeks of potty training. When your Pitador goes potty outside instead of your hardwood floor, make a fuss and reward him. Considering how the Pitbull Lab mix is extremely intelligent, your pup is quick to understand which of his actions are good and desirable to you. Thus, he will repeat the behavior as often as possible. Correct your dog the right way Punishment is often associated with physical harm, such as hitting your dog with a stick. This method is not only harsh but also counterproductive. So, how do you correct your canine lout without making him anxious or wary of you? Since it is no good trying to reason with your dog, the most efficient and humane way to teach him is through constructive punishment. You can confiscate his favorite toys or simply ignore your dog for a certain period of time. Physical punishment only hampers the relationship between you and your beloved pet. Explore new grounds Take your furry sidekick as many places as you can go. You can stuff him in a pet carrier while he is still a puppy and have him walk beside you when he is finally bulky. Having your little Pitador tag along with you provides him with a spectrum of experiences with various people, animals, and objects. This is the best way to shape his behavior towards boisterous children, unusual structures, and fast-moving vehicles among many others. The more exposure he has as a puppy, the calmer he becomes as an adult. Provide mental and physical stimulation Both parent breeds of the Pitbull Lab mix requires tons of mental and physical exercise, so it is quite unsurprising for their offspring to have the same demands. Regular exercise is paramount if you want to keep your furry sidekick fighting fit. Otherwise, your Pitador is bound to carry extra weight that can have a huge impact on his overall wellbeing. Dogs are rarely lazy but if the exercise is boring, dogs are as likely as humans to refuse to do it. However, simply letting your dog chase squirrels out in the backyard is not going to cut it. So, what are your options? Walk your dog Walking your canine buddy is the most commonly performed exercise. Ideally, active dogs such as the Pitbull Lab mix should be taken out for a long walk twice daily. To make this a viable solution for busy fur-parents, choose to walk around the neighborhood a couple of times or go to a park that has a decent distance from your home. Try to change the route of your walks from time to time, so your Pitador has a new battery of smells to get excited over. You can always count on the treadmill if it rains cats and dogs! It gives your dog the workout he requires in a playful manner, while you just sit and relax. It would be wise to come equipped with a nifty device, such as a toughened tennis ball with a long-handled launcher that sends the ball flying into the far distance. Dog Frisbees also fly long distances to be retrieved by your pet. Go out for a swim A lot of dogs are afraid of the water but once they get the hang of it, they will paddle like a wild duck! Swimming is also one of the most enjoyable activities you can do with your dog. There is a plethora of toys from pet stores, such as a Kong floating toy to encourage your furry pal to swim. Your fun-loving Pitador will surely jump right in and retrieve the object for you. Find out what reward motivates your canine buddy and include some of that reward for him in your exercise regime to encourage him to be more active. Even racing up the stairs with your dog can be a fun and effective exercise, as well. The simplest forms of exercise can deliver amazing results. In fact, running up and down the stairs is the quickest way for obese dogs to lose weight! They will chow down anything delicious, whether it is the best dry dog food for small dogs or the best large breed dry dog food! So, it is up to you to provide your canine buddy the balanced diet he needs to stay hale and hearty. Go for the best dry dog food and keep them away from the nutrient-deprived worst dry dog food. His choices are:. Protective yet friendly, the Pitbull Lab mix has a range of reputations to live up to. These breeds were used in bloodsports until the practice was banned. Sadly, the stigma attached to being used as fighting dogs has stuck with Pitbull-type breeds through the years. Labrador Retrievers were originally bred as hunting dogs. They are also commonly used as therapy dogs, in search and rescue missions and as seeing eye dogs for the blind. When you make a Pitbull and Lab mix, any of the qualities of the parent breeds can be passed on, in any combination. Growing controversy over American Pitbulls in recent years has led to a lot of misinformation about the breed. Pitbulls are banned in several countries because of their reputation as a fighting dog. However, if properly bred, socialized and trained, these are wonderful dogs with a warm, loving and affectionate temperament. What Do They Look Like? When buying a cross-breed there are no guarantees. Puppies can resemble either parent, or a combination of both. There can even be big differences within the same litter. But, Labrador and Pitbull breeds do have some similarities that are likely to appear in your Pitador puppy. Pitbull Lab Mix Size Both have medium-sized, athletic frames. Pitbulls are quite muscular, with wide chests and broad, flat heads. But, Labs are taller, with a slimmer shape and a longer nose. So, Labrabulls will range from 50 to 90 pounds. Labrabull Coats and Colors They have a short and silky coat and come in a variety of colors. Coat colors include brindle, brown, black and white and tan. You may also find a black Lab and Pitbull mix or a chocolate Lab Pitbull mix. Another popular variety is the yellow Lab Pitbull mix. For example, your glossy black Lab Pitbull mix puppy will likely get some gray around his muzzle and eyes as he gets older. Grooming and Shedding Thanks to its parents short-haired genes, the Labrador Pitbull mix is fairly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Just bathe when necessary and brush as needed. But, during shedding season you might find you are grooming a lot. Labradors are very high shedding dogs, and as such your puppy could be too. Make sure to get him used to being groomed regularly. This will make your job easier when he starts to molt! So you can expect your Pitbull Lab mix to be the same. Many Pitbull advocates praise their intelligence, willingness to learn and love for their families. Labrador Retrievers are known as excellent family pets. They are friendly and outgoing and play well with other dogs. So, a Pitbull and Lab mix is likely to be a people-pleaser when it comes to his family. This super-smart mutt will do anything for praise and attention. But, they will need company for much of the day, due to their strong bonds. They are therefore not an ideal pet for anyone who works away from home. Or who cannot bring their dog along with them during the day. Intelligent dogs can become bored and destructive if left to their own devices too often. This can also result in barking. Are They Aggressive? A genuine concern about Pitbulls is their bite reflex. Compared with bites from other dogs, the damage that they can do is much more severe. In a study of over bites over a period of 15 years at one trauma center, 30 injuries were by Pitbulls. The level of injury caused by them was far greater. If you are bitten by a Pitbull you are more likely to have a worse injury, and more likely to die from it. According to its results, the American Pitbull passed the test with a .So, this makes it more even-tempered than Cocker Spaniels and Beagles! However, the CDC itself admits that these numbers are culled from media headlines that could potentially misidentify the breed. A more recent study by Dr. James Serpell at the University of Pennsylvania ran different breeds through a series of tests and found that the top three most aggressive were Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell Terriers. Cautions For Pitbull Owners Pitbulls might not be the most likely dog to bite you. But if they do, it is much more likely to lead to severe injury or death. But you need to throw yourself into socialization and definitely meet the Pitbull parent to assess their temperament. Being a responsible owner means giving your dog the tools to curb his anxiety. This involves training, socialization, and lots of praise and support. Given its extremely intelligent parentage, this hybrid responds very well to instructions and can master the basics in no time. Both Pitbull and Lab breeds work best with positive reinforcement. They love to please their owners and are extremely willing. Using punishment to train your puppy is not advised. This can destroy the trust between dog and owner. In addition, it can lead to problems in the future with aggression. Punishing a dog causes them to hide the warning signals that they are unhappy. Use reward-based methods and train together every day to build an even stronger bond between you. Your Labrabull will definitely need regular exercise. As it will be on the larger side and quite active. Importance Of Socialization While Pitbulls have a bad reputation that is not entirely fair, there is some truth to it. The risks of biting is higher than with some breeds, the severity of bites is far worse. Plus, Pitties can be territorial and display some guarding characteristics. So, when you buy a puppy with a Pit parent, you need to commit to socialization as a number one priority. A confident dog is a safer, happier dog. And dogs become confident through early exposure to the situations which have potential to worry them as adults. It is very important to socialize a Pitbull Lab mix puppy as early and often as possible. But there are some serious genetic health conditions that your puppy could inherit. So health screening of both parents is essential. The breeder should provide you with evidence of good hip and elbow scores for both the Labrador and Pitbull parent. They should also show you an eye test for each of them, carried out less than a year ago. The Labrador parent should have no family history of exercise-induced collapse or cruciate ligament problems. The Pitbull parent should have no history of skin problems. Labradors live on average .Pitbull lifespan is around the same. This is about the average lifespan for medium-sized to large breeds. You need to feed your Bullador a well-balanced diet to ensure he gets all the nutrients he needs. Especially because these dogs require so much exercise! Although Pitbull dogs are often great with the kids in their families, the nature of their bite and severity of the injuries they cause is something you need to seriously consider before you bring one into a home with children. Never leave a Pit mix alone and unsupervised with kids, and make sure that they treat him with respect. Well-bred, well-socialized Labrador and Pitbull mixes are a breed that give as much as they get. But giving a rescue Pitbull Lab mix can be very rewarding. For both pup and owner. Check with your local shelters to see if they have any mixed breeds. Some may inherit more Lab genes, others will favor Pitbulls. The only way to know what you are getting is to meet your puppy first, and talk to the breeder. But, there may be additional costs for health check-ups and official documentation. From day one make sure you have visitors to the house at least four times a week. Make sure there is a range of adults and children, and that each new person gives the puppy praise and treats upon arrival. Take your pup to every type of location you think you might visit together. And make sure lots of people say hello to her. Again, if possible, they can give her treats to reward her and help build a positive association. Supervised interaction with other dogs will teach your dog how to play properly, and respect his furry friends. Organised play dates or behaviorial classes can help your puppy learn to be a calm and happy part of a pack. Pitbull Lab mix puppies, breeders or adoption? The Pitbull Lab Mix can be a great pet for the right home. In this article we will look at how well suited the Labrabull is to your family, and give you tips for finding the perfect puppy. We will also give you the information you need to properly feed, care for and groom your dog. And explore their behavior traits and training, exercise and socialization requirements. This guide is packed with information and will help you decide whether an adult Lab Pitbull mix will suit your home and lifestyle. Pitbull Lab Mix Origins? Labradors and Pitbulls have been being bred together informally for years, for pet homes and as ranch dogs. But in recent years with the rise of the designer first generation dog mixes, then are gaining more of a following. Labs are one of the most popular breeds in the US. Their ancestors originated in Canada and they were bred there in the 18th century to aid fisherman who needed a trusted and reliable helper dog. On the flip side, this hard-working, rough and tough canine also has a sweet personality. Today Labs are best described as loyal, intelligent, friendly and eager-to-please. Labs can co-exist with various age groups as well as with a cross-section of other animals. They take to training easily and make Labs a popular choice as police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. The Pitbull originated from crossing Bulldogs with Terriers back in the s. Breeds used for fighting, bullbaiting a ratting. Despite their lurid beginnings, the Pitbull is actually an affectionate breed with a fierce loyalty to their owners. Once brought over from the UK to America, Pitbulls were commonly used as farm dogs to protect livestock and herd sheep. They were known for their docile temperament with people and children and were not just working dogs but family pets. Pitbulls are strong, athletic, and courageous dogs, but underneath it all, they are often big softies looking for the same love and attention as any pet. They have expressive eyes, pointed ears and a long fairly straight tail. In other words, given his parentage, your pup can be counted on to be one of the most handsome dogs zipping around the dog park! How Big is the Pitbull Lab mix? The Labrador Pitbull mix is a medium to large, powerful, dog that can reach up to two feet in height and weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. The fur is smooth and shiny, and not difficult to maintain. You can expect the common coat colors to be a solid tan, black, white, yellow, or brown. However, the Pitbull Lab Mix can also come with various colors like the Pitbull; so a brindle is entirely possible! Pitbulls tend to shed on the low to average end of the spectrum. However, a Lab Pitbull Mix could well take after their Labrador parent in the molting department and be more of a heavy shedding dog. Either way they are not a hypoallergenic dog and are not recommended for allergy sufferers. They can also need quite a lot of grooming in the shedding season, despite their short coat. Pitbull Lab Mix Grooming A Pitlab has a silky, short, and dense coat that benefits from brushing to keep it shiny. The Labrador undercoat is not common in this particular mix breed. Due to being a high shedding dog Labs need a good grooming tool for the heavier shedding parts of the year. A weekly brush the rest of the time should be fine. Use a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste to keep his pearly whites clean. And at the same time check for any signs of infection. The Pitbull Lab Mix grooming needs range from low to moderate. The latter was bred in the 19th century to be used in physically punishing ways, such as dogfighting. In America, this tenacious and strong dog was bred with larger canines and was used as a farm dog, who was also called upon to aid in hunting large game. Today, the American Pitbull Terrier retains an alert and protective nature. He is known for his courage, determination, and loyalty, but also comes with a reputation for being a naturally aggressive breed. This is not entirely unfounded. And according to one source on dog bites, in there were 22 Pitbull dog bite fatalities in the US. For the same year, Labradors and their mixes were responsible for 3 deaths. The Pitbull is a banned breed in some countries including the United Kingdom. In regard to this particular mix breed, one source reports that between and , 46 Pitbull Lab Mix attacks had been recorded. Are Pitbull Mixes Aggressive? However, a lot of people believe that this loyal dog has been maligned. Counter-arguments regarding the dangerousness of this breed highlight the fact that until the mids, the Pitbull was not a feared dog. And was actually considered a friendly family pet. This argument identifies the change in attitude as a social construct and media bias rather than any actual increase of aggression in this breed. The unreliability of victim and witness memory and accuracy of identifying dog breeds correctly has also become an area of interest in the Pitbull debate. Some believe that attacking breed is often misidentified when victims report dog bites. It is important to note that it is only the American Pitbull Terrier under scrutiny. Temperaments of other Pitbull breeds, like the American Staffordshire Terrier, have never been called into question. However, we would add a note of caution here. There are plenty of sources now that argue that Pitbulls are less likely to bite than previously thought. Bite Type and Frequency The Pitbull Lab mix is not much more likely to bite than many other popular breeds. However when weighing this up it is important to bear in mind the possible consequences of a bite, should one happen. While no dog bite is pleasant, the American Pitbull has been bred with the physical structure needed to bite hard. With big canine teeth and strong jaws. It holds on. The damage done by their bite has the potential therefore to be far greater than that of a typical dog bite. This is especially relevant in families with small children. This trait could be passed to your Pitbull Lab mix. They will likely be an energetic and loyal dog that loves attention from their owner. If there is more Pitbull temperament in them, your dog will be more reserved and docile. Thorough socialisation will be essential for this pup. If they inherit more Labrador personality they will probably be very social and exuberant. With socialization and good breeding practices, you can have a reasonable expectation that they will get along well with children and possibly other dogs. And will make a good family pet. When it comes to other pets, the Labrador side of your Pitbull Lab Mix has a better chance of getting along with them than the Pitbull does. You should take caution with strangers and other dogs until you know how your animal typically reacts in such situations. Although a pup with a very friendly Pitbull parent, that is well socialized, could be a very friendly and cuddly companion indeed. It is advised to start training young, as early as 8 to 12 weeks old. The longer you wait the more strong-minded your dog will become. With consistent and positive reinforcement training methods, they can be a terrific and well-mannered companion. It should be noted that punishment based training is not recommended as a modern training method and it has the potential to mask problems and cause or exacerbate aggression. Therefore access to things like a yard for self-exercise, fetch with the owner, and space and time to run around is important. Owners should be aware of health issues discussed below such as Hip and Elbow Dysplasia and Exercise Induced Collapse EIC and adjust exercise routines for their dog in consult with a vet. Larger dogs generally have greater issues with hip and elbow dysplasia, and both parent breeds are prone to hip dysplasia. In addition, gastric bloat and hypothyroidism may be potential issues for your pup. You should inquire with your breeder about heart, eye, skin, and ear issues. Purchasing your puppy from a reputable breeder decreases the chances of owning a dog with unexpected, surprising health problems. You should test both parents for health conditions that commonly affect their breed. Like any breed, they have some minor health issues to be aware of, like skin problems and allergies. The Pitbull Lab cross has a similar life expectancy to that of the parent breeds. Labradors are one of the most popular family dogs. They have a friendly and affectionate nature. On the other hand, Pitbulls have had mixed reviews in this department. You probably associate Pitbulls with dog fighting and aggression. Historically, though, they are known for being loyal family dogs that are good with children. This mixed-breed would make a good family pet if bred and socialized properly like any other dog. When visiting a litter, be sure to observe the temperament of the Pitbull parent and socialize your pup early to help increase the chances of a friendly, gentle companion. Unlike Labs, Pitbulls do not get on well with other animals so your pup will do best as the only furry child. Another option would be to get a purebred Lab or another kind of mix. Rescuing a PitLab All too often designer dogs end up relinquished by owners who were ultimately unable to care for their needs. Not all mixed breeds have their own specific rescue. However, breed rescues for the purebred parents often take in related mixes as well. Pitbull Lab Mix Puppies With the increasing popularity of mixed-breed puppies, it is important to find a responsible breeder that follows the recommended guidelines for all health testing. Make sure they provide a clean and loving environment for their dogs. Working with a good breeder is the best way to increase your chances of a healthy and happy Pitlab Mix Puppy. Pet stores and puppy mills have a reputation for producing unhealthy puppies, sometimes with more challenging temperaments. Unethical breeding practices and poor treatment of the parent breeds, especially with the Pitbull parent, will not produce the desirable traits you are hoping for in your new Pitbull Lab Mix Puppy. Labrador Pitbull Mix Breeders It goes without saying, but you should only deal with an ethical, reputable breeder that can ensure your Labrabull was crossbred from parents free of medical issues. A good breeder is happy to provide evidence of clean health checks and to answer all of your questions about the Bullador. Plus, your breeder should be asking you questions to make sure you are equipped to handle this large, energetic breed. If you buy from a breeder, ask about the temperaments of your Pitlab parents. You can also ask to see the bloodlines of both of the parents for any clues. And If possible, ask to see the parent so that you can observe their temperament for yourself. Any sign of aggression in the parents is a red flag. Unfortunately, unethical breeding practices go hand in hand with the increase in demand for designer dog breeds. Do your research and ensure you are choosing a responsible breeder that can provide you with a healthy and happy pup.

New puppies are just so adorable and fun to have around. How your new puppy is brought into your family has life long implications on how that puppy will develop and grow as a member of your family. No pressure! There are some practical things that you need to take care of and make sure are in place and, importantly, some behavioural things. Remember, the day you bring your puppy home is the day that they have been taken away from their litter mates. And they are just 8 weeks old. Expect them to be a little bit scared by it all. A well-planned homecoming will help them settle into their new home quickly and, just as importantly, will help you to enjoy the experience a whole lot more. The Practical Stuff - what you should have at home for your new puppy A place for your puppy to sleep and something for it to sleep on. Start out as you wish to continue. There are a multitude of dog beds on the market and dog crates are also a great option. Puppy food, and food and water bowls — By 8 weeks of age your puppy is weaned from its mother and is eating dry food. Ask us in advance the brand and type of food the puppies are already on so you can help them settle in with what they are familiar with. If you plan to change their diet we recommend you doing so over 2 weeks or so to give their digestive systems a chance to adjust. Health care worming, ticks, fleas, ear care — Talk to your vet about what they recommend for the area that you live in. Prevention is always better than cure in this case, particularly with ticks which can easily kill a small puppy. Australian labradoodles have ears that hang down so having a mild ear solution and scissors on hand to trim and keep ears clean is also recommended. Grooming — we recommend having at least a comb and a soft brush so your puppy gets used to being groomed from an early age. Go gently as their skin is still tender but if done gently this is something a puppy will always look forward to, and it is a great bonding exercise. The coat of an Australian Labradoodle can get long as it grows older so getting your puppy used to being groomed is a necessity. Hopefully you have had a chance to look through my puppy preparation checklist by this stage too. The Behavioural Stuff — introducing your puppy to its new family and home Day 1 with your new puppy is a very important day for you all. For example, can your puppy sleep on your bed? Can it play on your couch? Can you feed it while you are eating at the table yourself? Where will it go when you need to leave it at home? This can be extremely difficult as they are just so adorable — and have been so anticipated — but being calm and quiet in those few minutes will pay dividends. Let it smell you and feel your calm energy — it is looking for a pack leader in this moment so now is your chance to establish yourself as its new leader. When you take it home you should have something so it can travel safely and securely. A lap is ok if it is an adult holding it or otherwise we recommend a crate. Have the puppy close so it can still see you. Hold your puppy so it can put its front paws on the car and let it take its first few steps into the vehicle. This is very important. Be patient and let it decide to move forward. Once it has accepted that is where you want it to go quietly put it into its crate, close the door and drive home. It may cry on the way home and this is normal. Soothe the puppy calmly. If you are overly fussy or anxious yourself in these first few moments you are only teaching it that crying brings more attention and this can create a difficult dog as it grows. When you get home follow the same routine as with the car. Let it take the first steps into your house rather than carrying it inside. If you have children then they will be desperate to play with it. Calmly introduce the puppy to each child and let everybody get to know each other. Your puppy by now is probably thirsty and exhausted so once the initial introductions are done it is a great opportunity to introduce it to its new sleeping area. You should have a water bowl waiting, and a feed bowl ready to give it some kibble. Its amazing how quickly a puppy can get into something it shouldn't! Some will be more nervous than others. Be patient. They have just left everything that they know and are on their own for the first time ever. They need to learn to trust you and their new environment and this will take a week or two. Don't force them to do things or go to places eg. They will get there eventually but one step at a time. See my puppy care notes for tips for sleeping and those first few nights too. The key here is to be intuitive and flexible. Every puppy reacts differently and no book, blog or you tube clip has the exact right answer. The first five months - sets their behaviour for life The behavioural aspects of bringing home a new puppy and raising a puppy are so important. The first five months of a puppy's life are what sets its behaviour for life so it is extremely important to avoid traumatic experiences. This can include fear reactions when you take them into a new environment so be observant and intuitive and manage these gently if they happen. Sometimes you might need to relax your rules or adapt your expectations for a bit to help build their confidence. Puppies are an absolute joy and they will quickly settle into their new home. Giving them a great introduction and clearly defining their routine and boundaries from the outset will make them feel more secure in the long run, and this makes for a long and happy family relationship with your new furr-friend. There is a lot of pressure these days for the 'perfect puppy'. There is no such thing as perfect - each dog has its own personality and traits and, just like us, we work with what we have. Your strategy should be to create an environment where they trust you, and can relax and grow in confidence within the boundaries of how you see your life with a new furry family member. With a labradoodle though you have a breed that is naturally inclined to want to please you and to be part of the family so its a great foundation. You can expect a joyful experience raising a puppy that is full of personality, intelligence and love. See my puppy care notes for more tips Posted on January 10, Samantha Willis. We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime. This is usually the first question people think of when they ask if a Labradoodle can be left alone, and I can quickly think of at least a handful of potential disasters you could end up returning to when you get home after a long day of work. For example, if your dog struggles with anxiety in the form of separation or isolation anxiety like many dogs do I will look more into this point in the next section. Any kind of anxiety will probably lead to some kind of destructive behavior if your Labradoodle is left alone. Another quite important thing to consider is if your dog is properly house trained. If you have a rescue dog from a local shelter may, they may come with the benefit of being potty-trained already. This is a really good situation if your lifestyle requires that you have to leave your dog at home alone for extended periods of time. Some dogs might act perfectly normal when you are about to leave for the day, and then it just gets progressively worse all throughout the day. This is the kind of behavior that suggests that what the dog is experiencing is just boredom and not a case of anxiety. If you are interested in more information about anxiety in Labradoodles, check out this article on how to address some of the more common issues related to anxiety in dogs. However, if you read on I will suggest some tips that I usually give when someone describes to me that they have a dog with anxiety issues. If you are going to be away for a longer period of time, then a crate is not the perfect solution to the problem. Your dog usually loves sitting in his crate because, to him, his crate is like your favorite chair or spot on the couch. Even if you have bought one of the best crates on the market, leaving your dog alone in it all day is not the answer to any problems. There are quite a few really serious issues that can develop if you leave your dog in a crate for too long periods of time. First of all, dogs have to go to the bathroom regularly. And if you leave your Labradoodle in a crate for too long, he will eventually have to go to the bathroom. There is also the possibility that you introduce serious health concerns in your dog if you leave it in a crate all day. Doodles are already susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. And while this disease is due to genetics, a few studies have shown that the disorder can be developed in other ways. What causes hip dysplasia in Labradoodles? The first reason is bad genes from either mom or dad. But also environmental factors can increase the probability of a dog getting hip or elbow dysplasia including a lack of exercise, obesity, and also poor nutrition. And that is something that will depend on the setup you have. A few questions that you should consider before you try to figure out for how long your doodle is okay with being left alone are: Is it possible for you to leave your dog roaming the house or do you have to confine him to a smaller area? Is it possible for your dog to relieve himself during the day or does he need to be let outside for potty breaks? Will your Labradoodle get bored during the course of the day or have you prepared any kind of mental stimulation throughout the day? Does your doodle have access to plenty of water and food or do you have to be there to serve out the rations? Is the temperature controlled, or can your dog risk be stuck outside in the case of a sudden weather-change colder or hotter? If it is possible for your dog to get up and wander around without a problem, or even better run around a bit, then your doodle can stay home alone for a while. But what if there is no other option besides your dog being confined to his properly-sized crate? If your doodle has the option of going to an appropriate bathroom place completely on his own, then this will be a very positive factor. You or somebody able to help you will have to visit your dog, depending on his age, at least every 4 to 5 hours. If you have a puppy, it will have to get out a lot more often than that, at least every 2 hours. There are several different solutions to keeping your dog mentally stimulated throughout the day. For example, take a KONG toy and fill it with water-soaked dog food. The more of these kinds of things you have placed around your house, the longer your Doodle will be able to be left on his own. Unlike food where you can decide how often your dog eats, that could be once or twice a day for older a Labradoodle, your dog should always have access to plenty of water throughout the day. Especially in a warm summer. This is pretty easy to manage thou. If you need to, you can just buy an extra water bowl. If you then take a look at your doodles situation. What will he do if the weather suddenly turns cold? Perhaps it starts raining. Is there a place where your dog can go to get out of these unforeseen weather changes? What could be the solution for your dog might be an insulated dog house or perhaps a doggy door into your home or garage. Puppies are very high maintenance and have to get outside a lot more often than an adult dog. Check out this post for more information on crate training a Labradoodle puppy if you want to do it the best way possible. This breed is a very active and energetic dog, so you should give them a fitting stroll through the neighborhood or some fetch in your backyard before you leave. A Labradoodle is one of the most intelligent breeds you can get, so you should play some different mental games with your Doodle before leaving. You can find a lot of different games that your dog will adore, but if you want some inspiration to get going, I can strongly recommend that you take a look at the training program called Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli , which is packed with highly entertaining exercises you can play with your dog. This is the Outward Hounds Puzzle Brick affiliate link. Your dog has to move the different pieces to get the hidden treats. This toy is supposed to be filled with treats before you leave. And then while you are gone, your dog will have to push it around the floor to get his reward. So, why not let your puppy in on this action. Your doodle may find a favorite movie or TV show that will keep it occupied for a couple of hours. No reason that your Labradoodle cannot take part in binging a Netflix show on their own every once in a while. YouTube also has a long list of channels dedicated to this form of entertainment, try searching and see if you can find a favorite for your dog. Some channels have assigned pet experts and scientists to design their programming to do one of three specific things: stimulation, relaxing, and exposing. Return Home for Lunch If it in any way is a possibility for you to come home for lunch, even once in a while, it will give your dog the option for an extended break outside. If perhaps you live close enough to work or might be able to take a bit longer of a lunch break, then you could give your dog enough exercise and mental stimulation in the middle of the day to last until you return for the evening. Get Someone Else to Let Your Dog Outside Depending on whatever your relationship might be with your neighbors, try asking one of them if they could be interested in helping you get your dog outside once or twice during the day. If this is something you will only have to do once or twice, it will typically not be a problem. Hire a Dog Walker If you are interested in a long-term solution, then you should consider trying a local dog-walking service. Depending on what the options in your area might be, you can typically arrange for someone to come by your house every day at an agreed-upon time, and have them feed, walk, and supply water for your dog. This is also without question the most expensive option on my list. For me, every now and then, I take my dog in the back of my car and bring him with me to work. There are a few things that you have to be certain of before you get carried away though. The only time I take my Labradoodle with me is if I know that I will be able to leave the office about every two hours so that my d og can get outside for some fresh air and exercise. Where will he sleep, and if you have to go out to work full time, can a Labradoodle be left alone for 8 hours? A grown Labradoodle can be left alone for 8 hours as long as certain measures are taken. Access to Outdoors One of the main concerns about leaving your Labradoodle on his own for long hours would be the worry of coming back home to a mess. Of course, this is in no way the fault of your Labradoodle. Compared to humans, Labradoodles have very small bladders and will need to visit the bathroom every four or five hours. Even if your Labradoodle does have access to outside, several other things need to be put into place before you leave him alone. A Bit at a Time If you have no other option than to leave your Labradoodle alone for a lengthy amount of time, make sure you do it gradually. Maybe start by leaving him for an hour at first and build up gradually until he feels okay about being left for longer periods. It would be a good idea to try and coincide your Labradoodle purchase with some leave from work. This way, you will at least have some time to toilet train them. Relieve the Boredom Labradoodles need stimulation. So, firstly, hide your shoes. You can fill a Kong with some water-soaked dog food. Not only will this supply him with a snack, but it will also stimulate him as he tries to get the food out. Chewy toys are always a great choice, and leaving the radio or TV on is a good way of distracting your Doodle from other misadventures such as cushion destruction. Comfort and Warmth Crates are a fantastic way of training your Labradoodle but are not the answer when leaving him alone for long hours. A dog will look on his crate as you would your favorite armchair or couch. Afford your Labradoodle the luxury of a comfortable bed. You will also need to take into account the changes in weather conditions. Make sure you have a fan on during hot, humid conditions. Not only will this keep your Labradoodle cool, but the noise will also be a great distraction from any sounds from outside that may set your dog off barking. The cold conditions in winter will mean you will have to make sure your dog is kept warm by keeping the room comfortable by adjusting the heating. Exercise and Hydration It goes without saying, your Doodle should have access to water at all times. Leave more than one bowl of water, and make sure your pooch has easy access to them. If you have to leave your Labradoodle alone for long periods, try to get into the habit of getting up an hour earlier in the morning and take your doggy companion for a brisk morning walk. A well-exercised dog in the morning is less likely to wreak havoc and befall to boredom in the daytime. Final Words As with everything else when owning a dog, whether or not you can let your Labradoodle be left alone depends on whatever your specific situation is. Your dog will most likely love that! But, if you have a Labradoodle or plan on getting one, there are a lot of different options for what you can do to make it as great as possible for the dog whenever you end up having to leave it alone for extended periods of time. 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. It is surely an exciting time for both your family and the puppy. The key to making this a smooth and easy process is proper preparation. Below you will find a simple plan to make this as easy as possible for both you and the puppy. Know your local Veterinarian This would be something you wouldn't think about until something happens and then the need arises. It is very important to have the Veterinarian you plan to use already in place prior to the puppy arriving. This will allow you to make plans for the puppies vaccine shots that will need to be done only a few weeks after arriving at your home. Having a Veterinarian already in place will eliminate a lot of stress if something happens with the puppy and you need a resource to ask questions or seek care for your Labradoodle. When looking for recommendations for a Veterinarian ask your local friends, family, neighbor, or local Doodle Facebook group. They will often be very honest about who they choose to take care of their own dog. If you are unsuccessful use Google but check reviews before making a selection. Having these items on hand prior to the puppy's arrival will make the transition of settling into the new home a lot easier. It is not necessary to have all these items on hand, so use your own judgment as to what you feel comfortable with having on hand. Most of these items are listed on our puppy products page. We recommend the "Pawtree" brand and instructions on how to order are listed on our puppy products page Small Puppy treats-see our recommended brand or select your own. Just make sure it is made in the USA Metal food and water bowls Slicker brush, comb, and detangler brush. A quality slicker brush will save you headaches later on Nail clippers Leash, collar, and harness. The puppy will grow out of these items very quickly and there will be a need to buy these items several times. So keep that in mind when deciding on how much you need to spend on these during that period. PeeWee pads. Durable chew toys. All toys should be bigger than the Labradoodle puppy's mouth. Inexpensive playpen works great for having a place to put the puppy for busy times that your attention is not on the puppy. How to Puppy Proof Your House Puppies are very curious and often find things that they really should not be in contact with. Take a look at your home and consider what the puppy might find themselves getting into. Just like having a young toddler in your home if there is trouble the Labradoodle puppy will find it. Look for items they can reach or come in contact with and remove items that might be harmful to them. Here are a few things to consider: Electric cables- Puppies will crew on anything and electric cables are one of the most dangerous and can be life-threatening. In today's world, we have so many items that require charging or electrical power. TV's, lamps, extension cords, phone chargers, and small devices throughout your home all provide the puppy an opportunity to be harmed. Small trash cans- smaller trash cans should have lids that do not allow the puppy to get into them. Also, consider the weight of the trash and could the puppy turn it over and get into it. Baby gates- These work great to keep puppy and dog out of areas you don't want them to have access too. Designated Daily Area- Your Labradoodle puppy should not be left unsupervised in your home. Inexpensive Playpens provide you with a place to put the puppy during the day when your full attention cannot be on the safety of the puppy. These can be easily moved into whatever area of the home you are in at the time the puppy needs to be in Playpen. Add a water bowl, waterproof blanket for the floor, safe toys, puppy bed, and you have a safe zone for the Labradoodle during periods of the day. It has been our experience that it is best to do a couple of things that in the long term lead to a happier puppy. Use a crate for sleep time. By using a crate we have found that the puppy sees it as their den and a safe place. Use a soft crate mat, the litter blanket from Majestic, and safe toys to make the puppy feel at home. By using one area in the home for this allows the Labradoodle to understand what is expected when in the crate. Find an area in the home that is safe, quiet, and freer of daytime light for the puppy to sleep in. Use a blanket to cover the front of the crate to allow for a cozy feel to the den. We play low volume classic music to drown out other noises that might interfere with the puppy sleeping. Set a Schedule and stick to it. Labradoodle Puppies are just like babies if you can get them on a schedule they will adjust and find comfort in having a routine. By setting a schedule for sleep time, feeding time, and playtime the puppy will quickly learn the structure. After a short period of time, it is amazing how they know what is next even without being able to tell time. Feeding Your Australian Labradoodle We feed puppies weeks old 3 times a day. We try to keep them on a schedule such as 7a, 12p, and 5 pm. It is best to not feed after 6 pm to help the puppy with bedtime. Once the puppy is 12 weeks old we cut them back to 2 feedings a day. We don't recommend free feeding and the food bowl left out at all times. Water should be provided at all times except at bedtime. This is what your puppy has been fed and what we feed to all of our dogs. In our puppy products section, you will find the instructions to purchase. Order ahead of time so that it will arrive prior to the puppy's arrival. But the first few days is not the best time to show the puppy off to family, neighbors, or friends. All of these are great for puppy socialization and we encourage you to take advantage of them. Let the puppy settle into the new surroundings before doing this. Keep the vibe in the house calm and relaxing for the first few days and soon the puppy will take to it and be right at home. During this time keep the puppy busy with lots of activities, praise, snuggles, and love to form a special bond with your family before introducing the Labradoodle to others. The Labradoodles First Night Home It is very important to understand what can happen the first few nights once you bring home your new Labradoodle puppy. In addressing this topic it is difficult to know how it will go when the puppy arrives. A lot of families have no issues and the puppy settles in and is right at home. Sometimes that is not the case and the puppy has to make the adjustment to the new surroundings. But even the short period of time it takes to get over this is worth years of the friendship, companionship, and love that the Australian Labradoodle has to offer. Labradoodle puppies prefer the safety and comfort of their family and do not like being separated from them. Consider the mindset of the Labradoodle puppy. They have always been with their mom and siblings for the last 8 weeks. Surrounded by warm bodies and the loving care of the mom. Dogs are pack animals and find safety and comfort in being with the rest of the pack. On the other hand, your family has waited with great anticipation to bring the puppy home to give it all the love and attention that you can possibly give. The only problem is the Labradoodle doesn't know that yet. The Labradoodle instinctively knows that being away from the pack is dangerous and not normal. So the crying, whining, barking, and evening squealing that could happen the first few nights are normal and just their way of trying to find their pack. I know, sad but let's read on. This will all pass and is something that a lot of puppies go through. Puppy's first few nights can be the hardest for you as well. We tend to be more emotional, take everything to heart, feel guilty the puppy is sad, overwhelmed, frustrated, think they don't like us, we picked the wrong puppy, or there must be something wrong with our new puppy. Try not to do this and understand that in a short period of time the Labradoodle will LOVE their new home. So it is important that you prepare yourself and the rest of the family for what may come in the first few nights. If your Labradoodle just settles in and doesn't cry or whine this too is ok and just count yourself lucky. So we have established that crying is the norm and the first few nights may be hard. It is also important to not jump to conclusions the first night or weeks as to what kind of companion your puppy will be. Setting boundaries, schedules, routines, exposing the puppy to new things, and continued training will all go a long way in helping the Labradoodle to be a well-balanced member of the family. Just give them all the LOVE you can and take the time to keep them busy. This will go a long way to keeping the puppy from having anxiety or being afraid. The first few weeks are not a true reflection on how successful that will be. Stay with the plan and it will all work out. So again I want to remind you that not all puppies have issues adjusting to their new forever home. But if they do it is short-lived and well worth all that the Australian Labradoodle will bring to your home. Puppies need crates like babies need cribs. It gives them a place to relax and sleep where they can feel safe. Associate the crate with something pleasant and never use it for punishment. Puppies under 6 months of age should not be crated more than hours at a time. Puppies don't have the ability to hold their bladders and bowels well at the first and really don't understand that they need too. This will be key with potty and crate training. Don't be afraid to set boundaries and don't feel guilty in establishing rules to live by. Finds ways to show puppy attention and love. Love will solve a lot of issues. Play games, sniggle, train, and just find ways to make them feel comfortable with their new surroundings. It's ok to keep the crate next to your bed for the first few nights. This will allow the Labradoodle to be able to smell and hear you. It can also help the Labradoodle to feel less afraid, not abandoned, and get over any crying a little sooner. Give the puppy the litter blanket and a soft toy animal to snuggle with. Covering the crate with a lightweight soft blanket also helps. Do not put the puppy in bed with you. I know, wow that sounds mean. But working through the first few nights or week can be hard but you will likely regret making the decision to let the puppy sleep with you. Wait until the puppy has matured to about months before doing this. Helping Your Puppy Sleep at Night Make sure the Labradoodle is getting plenty of exercise during the day while out of the crate Try to wear them out playing games, simple training, tossing a ball, or running in the yard. All this will help the puppy to be ready for a nap or to sleep at night. Make sure the Labradoodle puppy has had plenty of bathroom breaks throughout the day. Take them for a potty break just before putting them in their crate to rest or at night. Staying on a schedule will also help the Labradoodle to know when it is time to rest or sleep. The hour or so before putting them to bed for the night should be a winding down period and make it part of the everyday routine. Limit water before bedtime, potty right before bedtime, tire them out after 6 pm, and settle them down one hour before bedtime will help them to sleep longer. If the puppy wakes up in the middle of the night and is whining to go potty, take them out and put them right back to bed. Limit interaction and no playtime or sniggling. By staying with the same routine and schedule the puppy quickly learns what is expected. However, these traits may also make you wonder if a labradoodle puppy or adult can be left alone without developing separation anxiety and for how long. Can Labradoodles Be Left Alone? Yes, Labradoodles can be left alone. However, experienced doodle owners will tell you that these dogs require early training to avoid destructive behavior and isolation anxiety. Adult dogs can be left alone significantly longer than young dogs. Despite being social breeds, adult Labradoodles can be left alone occasionally for up to eight hours. This means labradoodle puppies may be a less-than-ideal choice for busy people or families often gone from the home. For example, many pet owners have found that dogs left alone without the proper precautions end up with destructive or anxiety-based behaviors and potty issues. The tips below can help your dog be safe and happy while left alone for extended periods of more than an hour. Create a Safe Space Your adult dog or puppy needs a safe space inside your home where it can go at any time. This will be the space you use when you leave the house for more than a couple hours. Some dogs do well with crate training sessions, and crates are great for short periods. This safe space should have somewhere for your dog to sleep, food, clean water and toys. If your dog has a stuffed animal, blanket or other item that makes it feel safe, include that. Use Soothing Sounds and Smells Labradoodle owners will find that leaving on some background noise can help their dog feel less anxious. You may also consider using a calming pet diffuser to help ease any separation anxiety. Keep your goodbyes short and sweet. When you return from work, avoid any dramatics or overenthusiasm. Instead, greet your dog with a calm, level-headed approach. After that, you need to keep moving forward with your routine to show the dog that you returning and leaving is normal. Exercise It Before Leaving Whether an adult or a puppy, your labradoodle needs plenty of exercise. While each individual dog varies, experts usually recommend 30 to 90 minutes of exercise once or twice daily for this breed. A labradoodle home is happiest and devoid of destroyed furniture when the dog is exercised enough. Both the Labrador retriever and the poodle are high-energy dogs, which means the labradoodle naturally inherits this trait from both parents. Aim to get up early enough to take your dog for a minute walk before leaving for work each morning. This will allow it to get out any morning energy and use the bathroom. You may also consider using a dog walker to take your pup on a daytime walk if you regularly leave your dog for longer periods. A to minute daytime walk should help keep your labradoodle out of trouble. Between getting home and your evening meal, try to get in more exercise. This can even mean playing around the house or doing a few minutes of training. Consider Professional Pet Services A socialized labradoodle will often do well in a doggy daycare. You could consider hiring a dog walker for daily walks while working a traditional eight hours a day. A neighbor, friend or family member may be able to help if costs are an issue. Professional services can be found at reasonable rates, however. If possible, look to have a dog walker come around halfway through the day. A local dog-walking service may have different schedules available and might even be able to walk your labradoodle twice a day for a reasonable rate. Besides exercise and socialization, dog walking services also provide potty breaks. However, some dogs are naturally more high-maintenance and prone to having anxiety when left alone at the house for an hour or more. You should also consider visiting the vet if anxiety continues to be a worry. They may have more recommendations, including a mild medication for high-stress situations. Signs of Separation Anxiety To Watch For If you notice your animals are exhibiting the symptoms of separation anxiety , you can fix your routine accordingly, hire a professional or schedule a trip to the vet. The most important thing is that your Labradoodles get the help they need before their quality of life suffers. A few common symptoms to watch for include: Using the bathroom in the house Destructive behaviors Aggression in an otherwise friendly dog Barking and howling. What do you need to do to prepare? Here are some things you will need to have that very first night. The Crate You will need a crate that the puppy can stand up and turn around in. A crate is one of the pet carriers used to transport dogs on the plane. You see them in pet shops. The crate must be big enough but not too big. A Labradoodle puppy from us has been introduced to sleeping in a crate. Many puppies find it a safe refuge and a great sleeping spot. We will let you know about your puppy when she is ready to come home. A crate might not look as adorable as the pink fluffy bed with princess embroidery but to your new puppy her crate can be the equivalent of having a room of her own. When you want your puppy to be safe while you spend a couple of hours shopping, or your puppy needs to nap the crate is a good place for puppy to be. If you are going to leave puppy for an extended daytime period a pen is a better choice than a crate. Puppy can go to the bathroom, have a drink and chew toys in a pen. Hugo in a crate of his own choosing Our puppies have been introduced to a crate. If you use your crate as a sleeping and napping space at home their crate becomes their own space. We have them spending the night in a crate before they go home to you. Our puppies often fly to their new homes and they are always welcomed by airlines because they are used to their crates. Can you imagine the trauma puppies who are not crate trained experience when they are put into a strange box and taken away from home? To our puppies the crate is their own little place and they are comfortable there. If your puppy arrives and tells you she no longer likes her crate put it where she can see you. Put her in it for short periods of time for naps. With a new environment she can be feeling strange but she will come round as all of our puppies nap and travel in crates. Pretty Or Practical Even if your plan is that Fluffy should sleep in the bed with you, her time spent in her crate will help with potty training. When nap-time is over take her quickly outside and she will go to the bathroom in the appropriate spot. Without her crate she will wake up on her frilly pink cushion, take a few steps and pee in the dining room. If she falls happily asleep at your feet or on a cushion just watch and be mindful. The minute she wakes up she will need to pee. You will both get in to a rhythm that suits you. We have introduced your puppy to appropriate places to go potty but puppy is still a baby. They are far too young and bladder and brain are not properly connected. A soft bed in the kitchen and any other room where you spend time is a great idea for puppy. Puppies will drag their toys and chewies over to this spot and it is where they are close but not right under foot. We have them in the kitchen, where we are on the computer and where we watch TV. Puppies chew. It is a fact of life. We have big smoked bones and lots of other chew toys available. Like little children they like variety. Rather than scolding him for chewing the chair rung or the woodwork offer him something even better. Ours like kongs with peanut butter inside. All kinds of dental chews. A warning though, things with bright green or red dye are never good! We like a wire crate for the car and we have a travel crate for seeping. A tin of pumpkin for tummy emergencies If you are coming to us to pick up puppy remember to bring a water dish for the car and a chew toy for the crate. He will beg you for a big, gigantic meal! Feed him very little as his tummy will be easily upset. His little system will take a while to adjust to new water, new surroundings, even new little organisms in the dirt in his new backyard. Have a tin of plain pumpkin on hand should he have some diarrhea. A big scoop of pumpkin with some kibble will help the problem. That is irritation from the diarrhea. Give the problem a couple of days before you fly to the vet. Make sure your puppy is drinking lots of water. We used to give Pepto Bismal for upset tummies but they have changed the formula and it is no longer safe for dogs. However, he is not completely protected. Your puppy will have a record telling you when his next our of a series of three vaccines should be. We used to be able to give two vaccinations but veterinary medicine has changed its protocol and does not administer the first vaccine until eight weeks. Your puppy is completely protected two weeks after her third vaccine. That is the day she can walk in the park! That being said puppy should meet as many people and go to as many noisy places as possible. Take her to sports events, to school and to all the places you go. Labradoodle Safety Tips Puppies should get used to the car even if they are not going anywhere special. However, they tend to want to leap out every time you do. This can lead to a terrible accident. Secure your puppy in a crate before you get out of the car. Be very careful when you are driving your new puppy home for the first time because everything is strange to her. Puppies love to play. Invite a puppy to your house for some puppy play but take off their collars. Accidents can happen with little mouths and little collars. Puppies are babies who put absolutely everything into their mouths from passing bugs to live electrical wires. I find I need to be in the same room as a puppy unless he is confined. A little water, five chew toys and a mat makes a nice little spot where he can be while I am not paying attention. When I do work around the house I just have appropriate chew toys in every room and keep on encouraging their use. Mercifully, young puppies sleep a lot. Labradoodle Food A puppy lives to eat! Although an older dog might be a picky eater a puppy always behaves as if he is starving. Choosing the right food for your puppy is important and we have found all those little kibbles look pretty much alike. The dog foods we are familiar with are the brands we see on TV. It is sold in the supermarkets and these foods are generally poor quality. We are now feeding various very high quality foods made by Orijen, Acana and Go. We will send home a sample of exactly what we are feeding your puppy. Puppies have sensitive tummies so she might need to be weaned from one food to another if the food she is on is not available. We do not feed puppy food. The best way to find a new food is to go to Dog Food Analysis. This is a site run by food scientists. It will give you a chemical breakdown of the food and it will rate the food according to nutrition. After you have checked out the site go to a local pet store and ask them which nutritious, well rated food they have available. Good dog food is not cheap but it is a lot less expensive than the vet bills will be a few years down the road with a poor quality food. Some foods are the equivalent of feeding your children hot dogs every night. Multiple Dog Dinner Time We humans like to dine together. I used to love to see the little food bowls of our multiple dog household all lined up in the kitchen. If puppy is joining other dogs in your house feed them in separate rooms or feed the puppy in her crate. It is a good thing for humans to be around dogs when they eat but they are too intent on seeing who got something better to eat as a dog family. Liza's family having luncheon al fresco. In a few days all of their meals will be taken separately. If you have your heart set on diamonds wait until Gigi arrives and take her into a pet shop to purchase a collar. She will need one that fits exactly right. Too large and she can easily back out of it if she is nervous or afraid. We like a harness or loopy for walking. A harness is a great investment for puppy because it will keep her safe while you are out in the world. Buy a good sturdy leash with a good clasp that will fit through the collar ring. Trainers do not recommend retractable leashes. Puppy needs to know exactly when he is at the end of the leash. When you are training your puppy you will want to have more control over the situation than you can have with a retractable leash. A Plan For Training Once your puppy has been settled into your home it is time to continue with puppy training. Learn how to continue training at home, with kids and how best to care for your puppy. When can Labradoodle puppies leave their mother? Labradoodle puppies need to stay with their mom for at least eight weeks before going to their new home with you. Some breeders may even choose to keep their puppies until 12 weeks of age. In those first two months, puppies must stay with their mom and littermates to develop properly — both physically and mentally. If you take your puppy home too early, they can be more prone to physical health issues, and to behavioral problems. As we now know, Labradoodle puppies must stay with their mom and littermates for at least eight weeks. But, some Labradoodle breeders may choose to keep their puppies for 9 , 10, or even 11 weeks. In this guide, we are going to look at exactly what a puppy will gain from spending those first 8 weeks with their mom. And, the potential consequences of leaving their mom too early. Labradoodle Puppy Development Timeline Labradoodle puppies have a packed schedule right from whelping day. Week 1 Your Labradoodle puppy comes into the world blind, deaf, toothless, and utterly helpless. So, he will spend all of his time cuddled up with his siblings and mother. As well as crying out to his mom for food. And, this is around the time that puppies will get their first worming treatment. At this age, they will still be relying on their mother for food, and their mother and siblings for warmth. Week 3 During week 3, your puppy will figure out what standing and walking are all about. Some breeders may even offer a small amount of puppy food by the end of this week. They will also be interacting with their littermates more, play growling and starting to wag their little tails. Week 4 This is when things start to get really cute. Your puppy will continue figuring out how to play and wag their tiny puppy tail. And this is when they embark on two of the big essentials of puppyhood — weaning and potty training. By the end of week four, puppies will be getting considerably more solid food. Puppies at this age will also be much braver. Week 5 This is another exciting week! At this age, the mother dog is encouraging puppy independence and teaching bite inhibition. Puppies are also building on their previous social skills with littermates and people. Puppies will roll around, run with one another, play fight, and will even enjoy playing with toys. Some Labradoodle puppies may also discover their voices at this age, which means plenty of barking. Week 6 Your six week old puppy is most likely fully weaned. Instead of relying on their mother for food, puppies will receive four or five small meals of puppy food. They usually get their second worming during this week. Your pup should also have their full set of 28 puppy teeth. Week 7 Your puppy is really starting to learn the ropes of daily life with people, now. And puppies will continue to play with one another, on top of the new experiences breeders give them. This week typically includes their first veterinary visit and their first vaccinations. Littermates are heading off to their new forever homes. Potty training and general puppy training is going full steam ahead, to be continued by you! What if a Labradoodle Puppy is Orphaned? Of course, if your Labradoodle puppy has sadly lost their mother, their first eight weeks of life will look very different to this. Your reputable breeder will have to step up their game, and will be feeding each puppy by hand, as often as every 2 hours in the first week. Puppies will also need an artificial heat source to help them keep warm. Labradoodle puppies without a mother may be slightly more hard work as they grow up. As, they have missed out on some important lessons in puppyhood. This includes bite inhibition. Labradoodle puppies will learn so much from their mother and siblings, even up to the eighth week mark when they come home with you. If they leave their mother early, they will miss out on some of these important lessons. This can lead to behavioral problems later in life. On top of this, Labradoodle puppies have a lot of growing to do, which is why time with their mom is so important. A reputable breeder will not let your Labradoodle puppy leave their mother before eight weeks. If your breeder has let you take your Doodle pup home early, at five or six weeks old for example, you must return them to their mother until eight weeks of age. Doing so will save you a lot of stress later on. Why is Week 8 So Important? If that sounds like your annual Halloween horror house excursion, it probably feels that way to your Labradoodle puppy! The first fear imprinting period will last from week eight, through to the end of week .During these three weeks, any experience your puppy has good or bad will be heightened and remembered for the rest of their life. What This Means It sounds like a lot of pressure. This is especially true during socialization with strange people and animals, including other pets. The first fear period is also why some Labradoodle breeders may choose to keep their puppies for an extra week or two before releasing them to their new homes. Whether your breeder chooses to keep your Doodle pup for an extra week or two, or is willing to rehome your pup at eight weeks, just remember this. Good, positive, loving experiences are critically important during these first few weeks of your new life together. Can I Just Skip Socialization? Studies have shown that proper socialization in puppyhood can help to reduce behavioral problems in adult dogs, including aggression and fearfulness. Instead you should carry them. This also makes it easier to slip them treats and give new experiences a positive edge! You can even invest in puppy slings if your Doodle gets too heavy for you. Scary Experiences to Watch Out For With Labradoodle Puppies So, what types of experiences could cause lifelong fear, fearful aggression, or simply socialization problems for your Labradoodle puppy later in life? Kids One of the most frequently overlooked scary things that happens to Labradoodle puppies is rough handling from children. Kids love puppies. So do adults! Puppies are cute, playful, and curious. And Labradoodle puppies look just like teddy bears! This is very different to the type of play they experienced with their siblings so far. Even playful screeching or shouting from kids can strike fear into the heart of a newly rehomed puppy. Instead, teach young children to be gentle with your Labradoodle puppy, to stroke them softly and to walk away if the puppy gets overexcited. Make sure your Labradoodle puppy has a positive experience with kids of all ages. Treats can help to make the meetings even more fun! This is often not until 12 weeks, and can be as late as 16 weeks. But, before then, known, vaccinated, well-trained, and well-behaved dogs can offer important positive socialization for your puppy. If a strange dog nips or bites your puppy, or even plays too roughly, this can cause a fear scar that will recur in the future. Often in the form of aggression towards other dogs. So, socialize your puppy with dogs you know and trust. Keep meetings short and happy. Make sure both dogs have a positive time, with lots of lovely treats. And remove your Labradoodle puppy if it looks like your older dog has had enough, to avoid the situation turning sour. Veterinary Care Puppies will need to visit their veterinarian from an early age, to get pest treatments and vaccinations. But, your Labradoodle puppy may also need to go if they are unwell, or injured in their first few weeks. But, you can be extra-vigilant to protect your new puppy from unexpected loud noises. Avoid playing outside during morning or evening rush hour, when honking, car alarms, or backfiring might startle your pup. Get your puppy an anxiety vest if a thunderstorm or noisy holiday is brewing. Choose a quiet area for crate training, naps, and overnight. You can even play very quiet noises like cars or fireworks at home, slowly increasing the volume to ensure your pup is used to them, and associates them with positive experiences. Or, take them to see a busy road or loud school yard, but start very far away, gradually moving closer as long as you know your pup is happy with the sounds. Every Labradoodle puppy has their own unique personality and temperament based on which of their parents influenced them the most, genetically. So, some Labradoodle puppies will naturally be more outgoing and adventurous. But, others will be more shy and wary. No matter how brave they are, your Labradoodle puppy will encounter lots of potentially scary experiences in the days and weeks after being rehomed. But, you can provide lots of love, soothing words, pats, cuddles, treats, and the reassurance that your puppy can always turn to you for comfort and protection. Make sure you work with your Labradoodle puppy during socialization. Move slowly when introducing new things. This could be a favorite toy or blanket. Your breeder may also give you some suggestions for puppy bedding, crate training, and potty training. As for the rest, just be sure to give your Labradoodle puppy lots and lots of love to get your new life together off to a great start. More information about your first Labradoodle. Food and Water dishes, or a water bottle to hang in the crate door. Brushes are great for surface brushing Doodles but you really need a good comb for getting the mats out and getting all the way down to the root of the hair. I love the Carlson Gates with the handles, I do not recommend the cheap accordion style wooden ones. Puppy Bed and Blankets, if puppy is peeing on their bed or blankets then replace them with a Stuffed Animals to cuddle Whelping Pads. Your puppy has been trained from birth using these so if you absolutely can not let them outside, I think these work better then the disposal potty pads they chew and drag around. Dewormer — I recommend using Safeguard dewormer, an over the counter dewormer that kills all 4 types of intestinal worms and also treats giardia which is a very common parasite transmitted via infected feces in water or soil and the 1 cause of diarrhea in young puppies. Dreamydoodles puppies are dewormed 4x before they go home and should be wormed again at home with Safe-guard at 12 wks and then every 6 months. Feed you puppy the same food at the same time every day. Puppies should be fed times a day on a strict set schedule. Growing too rabidly can cause hip, joint problems. Appetite changes. Do not worry too much just continue your feeding routine and pull up leftovers after mins and try again their next scheduled mealtime. Puppies should be drinking even when stressed. Let sleeping puppies lie. Growing Puppies need lots of sleep, so if your puppy is sleeping, just let them sleep. ALSO some puppies may sleep even more then normal the first few days home, as a coping mechanism to the stress of a new environment. Take this very short period of time to just let them settle in and start to feel at home with you and your family and THEN you can show them off to the world, in fact I encourage you too! Kids love to carry around their new puppies but most puppies. .Talk to young children about how important it is to stay calm, Not to fight over them with each other or get super loud or scare the puppy. BEFORE you know it your kids and your puppy will be the best of friends but try to take it slow especially the first week. You wouldnt leave your infant with your 3 year old right? You gotta be just as logical with your kids and your puppy. All the situations listed below should be observed at least a couple times without a negative reaction from your adult dog… before considering leaving them alone together. For example… How well does your adult dog handle the puppy jumping on them or invading their space, bugging them while their asleep? How do they react to puppy trying to eat out of their bowl, or sleeping or playing in their bed, playing with their toys etc? Introducing puppy to new people! After the first few days and once their settled in and adjusted then I recommend you start introducing them to LOTS of new people, every age, size and type of person you can find willing to meet them. You should also start introducing them to lots of new environments and new situations. Just stay away from high dog traffic areas until after 16 wks and their last set of vaccinations. MOST puppies will grow out of this, with early puppy socialization. Take some time out every day to have a short training session with your puppy. Prepare by getting out your treats, treat bag, a few toys and chews. Bonding with you puppy! The best way to bond with your puppy is through training, games and getting down to their eye level and playing with them. Throw a toy and see if you can get them bring it back to you for a treat, use their name! Remember to keep puppy training session short. Always end by asking them to perform a command or task that they know well so you can end with a big win and lots of praise. Zak George, has a ton of helpful and positive puppy training videos! Check out the rest of his videos on his channel! Take your puppy out after eating and sleeping. Supervise your puppy! Crate-training is essential! Designate a certain potty area and stick with it! Pick an area of your yard where you want them to go, preferably in a corner of the yard away from the door and where they will play the most, this not only makes your clean up area smaller then your whole yard but it also helps it click for them. .Correct accidents only when you catch them in the act. Dog Info , New Puppy , Separation Anxiety , Socialization , Training Bringing A New Puppy Home… When you bring your puppy home for the first time, first introduce them to the front yard to see if they have to go potty after the trip home. This is also a great time to introduce your new puppy to your other dogs. Once you bring your puppy inside, try to keep the whole vibe in the house as calm as possible. Socialize them with as many new people as possible during the first few months home and getting friendly with the neighbors is a great way to socialize your puppy — just not the first day home. Give it a couple days. TIP: Discuss these things before bringing your new puppy home. Buying Puppy Supplies! Make sure you have a nice cozy and safe enclosure for your new puppy like a crate or x-pen setup. If you plan on shopping online for the best deal then I recommend you visit my puppy supply page linked below: Why do puppies cry the first night home? When you bring a puppy home, keep in mind this is a baby animal and spent their whole life up until today surrounded by the warm bodies of their mother and littermates. Dogs and Puppies are natural pack animals and being alone feels unnatural at first. Being comfortable alone is something puppies need to be trained. The best way to train a puppy to remain calm while alone is crate training. The crate training teaches your puppy to self-soothe, to respect your boundaries, and also how to trust you, and follow your directions. Prepare for this. Humans tend to feel guilty because their new puppy is sad! Try not to do any of the above. Prepare for the challenge and just keep in mind… this will pass. Some whining and crying is expected and also totally normal. Try not to judge your puppy. How your puppy turns out as an adult depends on you, how much time you put into bonding with them, socialization, and training is up to you. Take advantage of my free tips and advice on this website! Helping Puppy feel safe in their crate. The first week home: Puppies need crates like babies need cribs! Crate Training should be done in a series of small steps. This is key to potty training. Find Crate Training Schedules here!! The Crate needs to be the right size for a good reason. It should only be big enough so they can stand up, turn around and stretch out laying down. No Bigger. If a crate is too big, they can start peeing on one side and sleeping on the other. If they really hate their crate. You can try both to try to figure it out. You can also try putting a blanket over the wire ones. The crate should always be associated with something pleasant like a chew stick, toy, or better yet, dinner! For the first couple of weeks of crate training feed your puppy in their crate Keep the crate next to your bed at first so they can at least hear and smell you. Give the puppy a fluffy stuffed animal to snuggle instead and get one for yourself too if you must! Just keep the puppy out of your bed! Getting Puppy to sleep through the night: Make sure your puppy is getting plenty of exercise during their time out of the crate. Try to wear your puppy out by playing games, tossing a toy, and getting them to bring it back, take a run around the yard after a potty break. Work on training simple hand commands like sit and down. An hour or so before bedtime should be time for winding down time and should become part of their new nightly bedtime routine. Puppies are notorious for peeing on and chewing up dog beds chew them up. You need the basics at the very least and to have everything setup and ready to go so you can focus your attention on the puppy not shopping. Save yourself money and time and check it out. The crate provides a safe and comfortable space to chill during the housebreaking process. Encourage them to enter the crate by placing treats or toys inside. Make the crate comfortable: Add soft bedding and blankets to the crate to make it a cozy and inviting space. Add a stuffed animal to cuddle and chew toys to keep them entertained. Use positive reinforcement: Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they enter the crate voluntarily. This will help them to associate their crate with positive experiences. Start with short periods: Begin by leaving your puppy in the crate for a pretty short period of time, you can gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable. Provide plenty of exercise and attention: Make sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise and attention outside of the crate to prevent them from becoming restless or anxious in the crate. This can cause your puppy to develop negative associations with their cr ate and make crate training even more difficult. Puppies should not be left in a crate for more than a few hours at a time. Instead, use positive reinforcement and encourage them to walk in themselves. You want the crate to become their cozy space. If they start showing signs of distress or anxiety or panic. Then take a step back in the process, slow down and make adjustments to the schedule as necessary. In conclusion, puppy crate training can be a VERY effective method for teaching your puppy good behavior and providing them with a safe and comfortable space. Our puppies recommend the Beef Gullet sticks on Chewy. Half the price of the ones you get at Pet Stores! How you talk to your Puppy Matters! Your puppy hears tone and volume more than actual words when you speak to them. They respond to changes in intonation and volume, and can detect changes from soft to loud, happy to demanding, or sad to cheerful. If your tone reflects pleasure, love, sadness, disappointment, or worry, your dog will pick up on it. If your volume changes from soft to loud, he will pick up on that, too. For example, if you speak at a regular volume, then suddenly shout, your dog knows something is up and to pay attention. Similarly, your dog detects tonal changes from happy to demanding, or sad to cheerful. There are five common tones dog trainers and owners use that dogs can understand. Cheerful tones, show approval and playfulness Disappointed tones, convey disapproval. The Caution tone, is used in emergencies to stop a dog in its tracks. There will be a transition period for every puppy in a new home. Signs of Puppy Stress and How to Help your Puppy get Past it… Some signs of Puppy stress may include acting shy or timid at first, not being interested? All puppies deal with stress differently, some may pant alot the first night, some may sleep alot or just seem down and out and kinda sad. Especially considering what a big change it is for them. Separation discomfort is a normal part of acclimating to a new home and family, and gentle patience and awareness is called for. Crate training puppies is invaluable for helping to avoid seperation anxiety in adults! You wanna get one that is not too big and not too small. You should have at least an inch all the way around that is outside of the pen to avoid the tarp slipping, leaking or allows the puppy to pull up the sides while playing. You can find all the best puppies supplies that I recommend for new puppy families on our Puppy Supplies page and on Amazon! Most everything on that page is linked to Amazon Prime for free 2 day shipping! If the crate is too big then your puppy will create a bathroom on one side and a bedroom on the other. Potty training puppies do not NEED big fluffy pillows, blankets or dog beds yet! IF they can handle having a bed without using it as a pee pad then great go ahead and make it as comfy as they want! Puppies can do just fine without bedding as long as the room is kept warm enough. Remember these are still dogs, they are animals, not humans. A bed is a human necessity, not a dogs. Replace the doggy beds, blankets, and towels with a soft decent-sized Teddy Bear or a few small beanie baby-size bears to keep them company and something comfy to snuggle. Have you been moving too fast, for example, how much time did you take to introduce them to the crate so they have a positive association to the crate? The more challenging parts are usually quickly forgotten and before you know it the family is starting to talk about getting another new puppy! That was a smart move on your part, because the Doodle is more than just adorably cute; you have a loving and highly intelligent dog who is eager to please and is curious about his or her new environment. What your puppy discovers is up to you, because your Labradoodle will learn whatever you teach it. Those lessons begin the moment it arrives in your home. Put yourself in the place of your puppy. Being anxious makes you nervous, and being nervous makes you. But where? And does it matter? What's in it for You - and Your Doodle? As it turns out, most dog owners say it does matter, a lot. The Labradoodle is a family dog, and as such, needs to live with its family, indoors. That means having a dog that has indoor manners and habits. The Labradoodle has to learn when and where it can go potty. Postponing potty training your Labradoodle will make the process much harder, and it will take longer if you wait to begin instructing your puppy on your expectations. Left untouched, they serve as beacons, or direction finders, to remind your dog to go in this location. Even if you clean it up, you might not be able to remove the scent that draws your pup back to the X that marks the spot. The answer to that question depends on you more than it does on your Labradoodle. Puppies are all about sleeping, waking, eating, playing and pottying. The most difficult part of the potty training process is being ever vigilant. You have to watch your Labradoodle constantly for signs that it needs to go potty. Training yourself to supervise your doodle may be the hardest part of all, but if you know the signs to look for and you have a strategic plan, your Doodle will become a housebroken member of the family, and a pleasure to be around or leave at home without worry that your carpet and floors will become soiled. Training a Labradoodle puppy to use a designated spot to relieve itself is a matter of age and bladder control versus time. Expecting a young pup to hold it for five or six hours sets him up for failure and up for disappointment, if not displeasure. Figure that your pup can hold its bladder and bowels one hour for each month of age, and then add one more hour. A three-month old puppy, for example, should be able to wait to do its business for one to three hours, plus one, or four hours. Your puppy may be able to go longer or need to potty sooner. Rather than wait until the last minute, take your dog out at the three-hour mark. They also have to go outside when they become excited. All training can be divided into one of two categories, regardless of the method used: ignoring or praising. If your Labradoodle has an accident in the house, scoop up the mess and take it outside to the spot you want her to use. After all, no one ever made a fuss about it until now. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and the spot in the house they used once will lure them again and again to do their business unless you remove all evidence of the act. On the other hand, praise your pup for pottying in the location you designated. You can give small treats as rewards. Offer tons of praise and a treat, and after 30 days, wean your pup off the treats. The praise will mean much more to your dog. So which method is best? The one that works. The crate recreates the den your puppy grew up in, and no dog wants to soil its own house if it can be helped. As a benefit, the crate also provides a safe break from all the action in the rest of the house, and sometimes your puppy will choose to hang out in the crate. Baby gates work the same way a crate works.