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Photo from: pugjohnjohn Apricot Pug puppies and fawn Pug puppies may be hard to tell apart as infants. Pug puppies start out darker and get lighter as they get older. Apricot Pugs can be a bright orange color, a deep shade of apricot, or a paler shade that is more fawn-like. On the other hand, some apricot Pugs mature with a darker, richer gold hue. To best understand how this color comes about, it can be a good idea to learn the fundamentals of the genetics at play in order to understand how this hue develops within the breed. Every dog receives two coat color genes. The instructions for a particular color will typically be found in these genes. Only one of these two genes, though, can actually manifest as the actual coat color. It all comes down to some fundamental mechanics as to which gene is selected to be expressed. We will talk about the genetics of different colors in Pugs in more detail later on, but let us first cover the general breed history so that we have some good foundations. Some Pekingese dogs were even given titles of status in China, where they were widely venerated in a manner resembling royalty. Many of them had attendants who took care of them and made sure they were as comfortable as possible. The Pug was well-known in Asia before making its way to the West, and it appears that Russia was a stop along the way to Europe. Always, a dominant gene will prevail over a recessive gene and determine which one is expressed in the dog. As a result, no dominant genes must be present for a recessive gene to express. Particularly in apricot Pugs, a recessive gene is responsible for the apricot coloration. This indicates that two of the genes necessary for the dog to express the apricot coat color are present. The final hue produced by this recessive gene can, however, vary greatly in shade. Due to the overlap between these colors, it is possible that you will get a color that is considerably closer to fawn. Select a breeder with parents who are both brightly colored apricot to increase your chances of getting an apricot-hued cute Pug. Apricot fawn is one of the several coat hues available for the fawn Pug. There are, however, four distinct colors, according to the Federation Cynologique Internationale FCI : apricot, fawn, black, and silver Pugs. There are also some other patterns that are much rarer, such as the merle Pug and the brindle Pug. Apricot Pug Appearance Photo from: archie. Their heads have recognizable deep creases, short, flat noses, and recognizable black masks. Their big, commanding eyes, which overwhelm their silly, wrinkled face, reflect a range of emotions, including surprise, grumble, delight, and curiosity. Apricot Pug Coat As was already noted, this coat comes in a variety of colors, from fawn to apricot. Apricot Pug coats can have various tones of color within the same coat and should be close to a light yellow-golden tint. The fawn Pug has a considerably paler color that resembles cream. The shade might differ within the coat itself, just like the apricot. They might refer to them as apricot fawn Pugs, though. This is what we call trace. Apricot Pug Size As we previously stated, apricot Pugs look exactly like other members of the breed, even in terms of height and weight. Despite their tough exteriors, apricot pugs are considered toys. Their height ranges from 10 to 11 inches, and they weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. They have broad limbs and are sturdy, square-looking dogs. Apricot Pug Temperament Photo from: archie. They enjoy curling up on the couch with you while you watch a movie or read a book because they are normally sedentary pets. Instead, they can be comical, animated dogs who like socializing and amusing their owners with silly behaviors. Temperament is influenced by a variety of factors, including upbringing, socialization, and heredity. Apricot Pug puppies are typically dogs with positive attitudes and are friendly, engaging, and eager to cuddle. Socialization is crucial for ensuring that your apricot Pug puppy grows up from a shy baby animal to a well-rounded adult canine. Children love apricot Pugs because they are playful and adaptable to practically any living circumstance. These courageous and sturdy tiny dogs make wonderful family pets and are a good choice for families with younger children due to their small size. Are Apricot Pugs Aggressive? Pugs are not regarded as an aggressive breed and are typically lively and adaptable. However, like other small breeds, apricot Pugs can be easily startled. If your dog feels threatened or anxious, aggressive tendencies like barking and biting may manifest. A dog with high socialization skills will be assured, amiable, and less likely to exhibit unwelcome aggressiveness when out and about. They do, however, show a small amount of stubbornness, which may be overcome with sufficient training. They often rebel and turn against you since they are sensitive and soft-hearted and do not react well to strictness and severe penalties. So, in order to train your Pug, positive reinforcement and admiration are required. Pugs are generally good socializers and friendly toward everyone. Apricot Pug Exercise The energy level of apricot, fawn, and black Pugs is the same. Pugs enjoy cuddling up next to you on the couch. Although they are not a breed with a lot of energy, they are fun and vivacious and would enjoy going on an adventure with you. Dogs with brachycephalic faces, such as the French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Pugs, are less tolerant of hot weather. Make sure they take frequent pauses, drink lots of water, and refrain from strenuous exercise on hot summer days. You should avoid the heat of the day by taking your apricot Pug for a walk in the early morning or late evening. Pugs benefit from regular exercise and would love to take daily walks for at least 30 minutes. Apricot Pug Grooming For grooming, pugs are a low-maintenance breed. Everything you need to take care of your Pug can be done at home. You can wash them in your sink or tub if they are filthy after a walk or have found something disgusting to roll in. Their quick-drying short hair will help. Weekly nail trimming maintains the health of their joints and paws. Walking can be painful and difficult when they have long nails. Your Pug can accept nail trimming calmly with some practice. To keep your Pug healthy, give its wrinkles and nostrils a periodic cleaning. To avoid accumulation, wipe in between wrinkles and the nostrils. Apricot Pug Health Photo from: archie. They are predisposed to a variety of different medical disorders, some of which are more dangerous than others, because of their particular physiology, brachycephalic head shape, and genetics. Having said that, apricot Pugs can still live a happy and healthy life if you keep a close eye on them and take them to the vet for regular health testing. Most of the time, keeping your Pug healthy means spotting problems early and treating them before they worsen. The health issues listed below can also affect apricot Pugs as well as the Pug breed as a whole. If your Pug squints or if its eyes are unusually bloodshot and crying, call your veterinarian straight away. Corneal ulcers normally get better with treatment, but left unattended, they can rupture the eye or possibly cause blindness. Dry Eye Pugs are susceptible to keratoconjunctivitis sicca and pigmentary keratitis. They could occur simultaneously or one at a time. If this is the problem, your veterinarian can do tests to see whether medication and additional care can be used to treat it. Pigmentary keratitis is characterized by black spots on the cornea, particularly in the vicinity of the nose. If the pigment completely covers the eye, blindness may occur. Both of these eye conditions require constant care and treatment. The cause of this illness in Pugs is unknown, and there is no way to diagnose or treat it. PDE typically affects young pups, who may experience seizures, circles, blindness, coma, and even death. Hip Dysplasia This illness affects both small and large breeds, including Pugs. This deformity of the hip joint is thought to be caused by a number of elements, including genetics, environment, and diet. Affected Pugs often lead normal, healthy lives when given the proper veterinary treatment. Apricot Pug Lifespan The lifespan of an apricot Pug is the same as that of any other Pug, as the color of the coat has no bearing on either longevity or health. A Pug can live for 12 to 15 years on average. While some Pugs can live up to 20 years, due to their predisposition to gain weight quickly and general respiratory issues, most of them do not survive past the age of .Apricot Pug Price Photo from: archie. However, apricot Pugs may fetch a greater price than typical since they are regarded as exceptional by some individuals. Conclusion Apricot fawn is one of the several coat hues available for the fawn Pug. According to the American Kennel Club, apricot Pugs are not given their own category; instead, they are grouped with fawn Pugs. We hope this article has provided some clarification on this cute little Pug variant. We tried to cover all the characteristics of the apricot Pug that set them apart from other Pugs as well as those that demonstrate how similar they are. If you do, make sure to thoroughly investigate every Pug breeder you have access to and choose the best one. Good luck with your new best friend! Post navigation. Conclusion Price These are scarce variety , and therefore, costly too. Origin This color is a part of pug genes, and surprisingly this is not a mixed breed. Pugs have a dominant and a recessive gene. The recessive one is apricot, and both the parents have to pass on the recessive gene to get the apricot-colored pug. Physical Appearance Since apricot is a subcategory of fawn-colored pugs, these are similar to fawn pugs. The coat is smooth and elegant. They have a few reddish-brown hair, scattered around their skin, which gives their fur a reddish shade making it look like an apricot. The apricot puppy pugs are generally more red than the fawn puppies. As they grow older, the intense red color starts fading to a lighter tone forming a peach hue. This is one of the reasons why these are pricey. Health Issues These pugs manage to avoid many coat-related health issues and do not need any extra care or unique treatments. However, one should always keep things in mind while keeping this dog. Conclusion We are all aware of the great companionship that these pugs offer to humans, and for pugs, with an apricot coat, we get some extra beauty and rarity in our home that is eye candy for the onlooker. Post navigation. Pug Dog Colors Overview Pugs can be found in four major colors, though not all are standard colors with certain kennel clubs. The two most common colors are fawn and black. Silver and apricot can also be seen with this breed, and while not standard colors per the AKC, these colors are indeed recognized by the FCI and other kennel clubs. Brindle Pugs do exist, though this is not without some controversy. All non-black Pugs have black masks and black ears. There are some unique color markings that can appear on Pugs which include the trace and the thumbprint, found only on non-black Pugs. This section will cover all of the details regarding Pug colors, both standard and alternate, as well as various markings and other color-related elements. But, of course, since other colors exist, an AKC Pug can be silver also known as silver-fawn , apricot also known as apricot-fawn , or even the rare and controversial brindle. If you have a Pug with a non-standard color silver-fawn, apricot, or even brindle , as of the time of this writing, if you register your Pug via postal mail not online and send in photos of your Pug that clearly shows the non-standard coat, the AKC will usually grant you a registration with the appropriate color or pattern listed as an alternate color. Though a Pug of any color can be registered, this does not mean the color is accepted in the show ring. For AKC conformation events, any color other than fawn or black is a disqualification. It should be noted that the AKC, which follows the guidelines set forth by the Pug Dog Club of America, used to accept both silver and apricot-fawn. If you are in the US, where most Pugs are either fawn or black, keep in mind that owners from 27 countries took part in the survey. Other well-recognized kennel clubs such as the FCI and KC make this much easier, since they accept apricot and silver coat colors in the show ring. And, the CKC allows distinction between fawn and sliver, by having 'silver-fawn' as an option. With these clubs, fawn is a light to medium cream. However, because the AKC will register a fawn as a fawn and an apricot or a silver as a fawn because they are non-black Pugs , but can also grant a registration for an apricot or silver to be as such via an alternate color, an AKC fawn Pug may truly be a fawn ranging from light cream to medium cream or technically be a silver or apricot more ahead on these colors. All non-black Pugs, including fawn, have black ears and black masks more ahead on this. Variances: Fawns are not always solid, there are variances in the coat. Many Pugs have a trace which is a stripe of back-tipped hairs running down the back that break up the fawn color. And, it is not uncommon for two shades of fawn to be seen within one coat; for example, a light cream fawn can blend into a light apricot-fawn. The wrinkles on a Pug are also responsible for color variances since a thumbprint may be present which is black fur in the creases and folds of the forehead. AKC Color Disqualification: Though fawn has a range of light to medium, the AKC does make it clear that anything other than fawn or black is a disqualification in the show ring. This refers to not only what the registration papers say but by what color is seen in person during the competition. Since there is sometimes a blurred line between silver and fawn or apricot and fawn, this can make things tricky. These colors are found all throughout the world, but in the US, show breeders focus on keeping the fawn a fawn without silver or apricot tones. Examples of Fawn Pugs: Dubi at 6 years old, a fawn Pug photo courtesy of Carmina Bautista Poppy, at 4 months old, a Pug with a combination of light and medium fawns photo courtesy of Maria Silver Fawn and Silver Overview: This is a color that is not overly common with Pugs; though, many owners of silver or silver fawn Pugs can easily be labeling their dogs as fawn, especially if that is what the registration papers state. Because, as the name implies, silver fawn is a type of fawn. It is very light and is in fact the lightest color that a Pug can be. The AKC does not recognize this as a standard color, but may grant a request for a silver-fawn Pug to be registered as such via an alternate color, and if so, generally only responds to requests that are sent via postal mail. Both the FCI and KC allow for silver and the CKC allows for silver-fawn; both are essentially the same coat color but are referred to with these different terms. With some other breeds, this sort of orange hue is referred to as fawn like with Boxers or as orange like with Pomeranians. But, with Pugs, this is a nice, shiny orange hue that is set apart from the more common fawn coat. It is very common for apricot Pugs to not be fully apricot; there may be some fawn or even an almost white color found in patches, most often on the chest. Though, just like silver or silver fawn, this is also a color that may be present in the coat, but owners refer to their Pugs as simply 'fawn', especially if that is what the registration papers deem the Pug to be. And, just like other non-standard AKC colors, an apricot Pug may be registered as a fawn or as an apricot if the owner requests for this alternate coloring to appear on the document. With the CKC, apricot is not its own color, but rather their definition of fawn includes all shades in the fawn family including light to deep apricot. Apricot Pugs have black masks and black ears. And, just like all non-black Pugs, a trace and a thumbprint are desired in the show ring of all well-recognized kennel clubs. Example of an Apricot Pug: Peggie, at 4 years old, a registered apricot Pug photo courtesy of Susi R Ludlow Black Pugs Overview: It is rather amazing how very different the two main colors of Pugs are; fawn is a very light cream with black ears and mask, and black Pugs are just about the complete opposite with a rich, dark black coat. Of course, the ears and mask are black too, but there is no discernible difference since the entire Pug is black. Many black Pugs have solid coats, but it is possible for there to be a small white marking; if this is present, it is usually on the chest. As Pugs age into their senior years, gray hairs may appear on the face or in different areas of the body and this is much more noticeable with black Pugs. Examples of Black Pugs: Henry, at 10 months old photo courtesy of Maxine Aird Pearl photo courtesy of Saz Race Wonder how much exercise Pugs need and how to keep activity safe for this brachycephalic breed? Check out Pug Dog Exercise. Brindle Pugs Overview: Brindle is a pattern of interlocking light and dark colors which creates a striping effect. With Pugs, this is typically in the grey to black range. This type of coat pattern is found with quite a few other dog breeds including the Bull Terrier, Boxer, and American Bulldog. The Debate: Many wonder if a purebred brindle Pug can even exist. The answer is yes. This said, there are some explanations to be given. On one hand is the argument that brindle does not exist within the Pug's bloodline. It is true that this is not a color pattern that should be seen with today's breeding programs since it is not a standard color. One of the goals of reputable breeders is to produce dogs that come as close to breed standards as possible. So, brindle is not something that most breeders would strive for and any champion dogs would not have recessive brindle genes. But, did brindle appear in the bloodline at some point in the past? The answer is, yes, it very well could have. This goes back, in part, to the fact that every single dog breed that exists to day was developed from the pairing of other breeds. As to which breeds, exactly, were used to develop the Pug is unknown. We know that this breed was developed in China. Somewhere around B. And he was indeed successful. Therefore, the first element to note is that no one can say if, looking back, brindle is or is not found in the Pug's bloodline. In fact, paintings from the 's show Pug dogs with brindle coats. This said, those brindle lines most likely died out. It has also been debated that brindle Pugs are a myth since the gene responsible for the pattern is dominant and would 'take over' the entire Pug breed with eventually only brindles existing, making fawns and black obsolete. But, that point is not accurate. Brindle exists in other breeds and does not take over. One example is the Boxer dog in which there are both brindles and fawns. So, if there are brindle Pugs, however rare, where does the brindle come from? The answer is that brindle was introduced into the bloodline via another breed at some point. For each individual Pug, this could be recent or it could be many generations in the past. This may seem contradictory. As time goes by, a random brindle is thrown every now and then. Examples of Brindle Pugs: Luna at 8 months old, a brindle Pug photo courtesy of Brenda photo courtesy of Mike Dillow Color Changes It is normal for a Pug puppy's coat to change coat color to a certain degree as he or she is maturing from pup to adolescent. With fawn Pugs, the coat may lighten or darken, predominately during the first year. It's not uncommon for there to be smuttiness at a young age which is the term for black hairs intermingled with a light color coat. This may remain, lighten, darken, or fade in other areas except for a line running down the center of the back which is known as a trace. The ears and mask may darken into a more solid black as a Pug grows. For example, here we see Yoda as a young puppy first photo below on mobile with a fawn base and lots of black hairs running through the coat referred to as smuttiness - details ahead. And, then we can see Yoda as a 3-year-old adult Pug second photo below on mobile , the fawn is much lighter and the black-tipped hairs are now a much more faded trace that runs down her back. The black mask has darkened and her head wrinkles are fully developed. There can be other color changes as well. Apricot tones may not appear until a Pug is a bit older; so, a Pug that is registered as a fawn may very well be an apricot. Another change that typically happens with black Pugs, but may also be seen on some fawns, is that hairs around the muzzle and face may gray as a Pug transitions into the senior years. If this occurs, it is generally starts around the 8 year mark and increases in time. Wondering how much sleep a Pug needs and ways to help this breed achieve a good night's rest? Check out Pug Dog Sleep. Smuttiness If you take a very closeup look at a light-colored Pug, you may see a scattering of a few black hairs over the body and this is generally not enough to classified a Pug has having smuttiness. Smuttiness on a Pug refers to a noticeable overlay of black hairs on a light coat fawn, silver, silver-fawn, apricot, or apricot-fawn. These patches of black hairs are thin enough to see the lighter hairs underneath, however it gives an overall appearance of a "haze". The more there is, either in density or coverage, the more smuttiness a Pug has. Note that black or darker hairs are desired in certain places on a Pug; running down the center of the back the trace and on the forehead the thumbprint - more ahead on both of these markings. But, when there is an overabundance of these black hairs in areas other than the forehead wrinkles or the back, the term smuttiness is then used. Smuttiness may appear in just about any area on a Pug including the saddle back , flanks, legs, and head. In the show world, this is not a disqualification, however it is considered to be a fault points are deducted. Example of Smuttiness on a Pug: Winston at 11 years old; this is an example of heavy smuttiness on the head. Though not something rewarded for in the show ring, there is no denying how cute this Pug looks. In fact, this is such a heavy intermingling of black hairs that Winston almost looks like a half fawn and half black Pug dog. The trace may begin on the nape of the neck or further down the back. It will run in a predominantly straight line, ending at the base of the tail. The thickness and the density of the trace can vary. Though a trace is a very desired trait in conformation dog shows, not all non-black Pugs have this marking. A trace may be very apparent during the puppy years and then fade as a Pug matures. On the flip side, this marking may not show at all during the newborn phase and then become apparent as the Pug grows. This particular element is considered to be an official marking of the breed and is thought to give Pugs character. In the show ring, the blacker the trace, the better. That said, if your Pug does not have a trace, this is nothing to be concerned about. If, however, when Pugs are being considered for a breeding program with the goal of producing show quality dogs, those with no trace at all are often excluded since this is a heredity trait. Example of a Trace on a Pug: Do you have a Pug and are worried about leaving them home alone? Find helpful tips for Pug Dog Separation Anxiety. The Thumbprint A Pug's thumbprint, also referred to as a thumb mark or diamond, is a darkened spot centered on the forehead. This, of course, is not seen on Pugs with black coats. Though this is another desired trait when Pugs are judged in conformation events, not all non-black Pugs have a thumbprint. Another way to look at this is that approximately 3 out of 4 non-black Pugs have a thumbprint or thumb mark. Though it is sometimes called a diamond, it may resemble an oval, a circle, or be an irregular shape. While the wrinkles on the forehead can cause shading that may appear to be a thumb mark, the thumb mark is actually a splash of darker color on the fur. This type of marking is usually present at birth. It is rare for a Pug born without this to develop one as he ages. When a young pup has a small thumbprint marking, it may grow larger or become darker as a Pug ages and matures. Example of a Thumbprint on a Pug: This is Tommy, a Pug with a nice thumbprint on his deep forehead wrinkles. This is an area of black that typically starts under the chin, covers the muzzle, and extends around the eyes. Though this is the general description, the mask can vary quite a bit on Pugs. One element to take note of is that the black may be mainly on the muzzle and then again with black fur around the eyes with little connection between the two points or, quite contrary to that, black may extend from the muzzle to the eye area with no interruption at all. In addition, while a very dark black mask is desired in the conformation show ring, the black mask on some Pugs may contain any number of fawn or lighter-colored hairs. This can range from medium to dark brown and eyes can be so dark that they almost appear black. With canine breed standards, the term dark means dark brown. Coat color does not affect eye color; for example, a fawn Pug does not automatically have lighter eyes than a black Pug. You may be curious to know if Pugs can have blue eyes. Blue is not in this breed's genetic code. However, similar to humans, dogs are usually born with dark blue eyes due to low levels of melanin in the eyes. The eyes darken as melanin levels naturally increase. This transition is usually complete by week six or seven. White Paws Can a Pug have mitted, white paws? The term 'mitted' is often used with cats since it is much more common for felines to have this type of color marking. It refers to coloring that falls on the paws that is different than the main body color, as if the animal is wearing mittens. White paws on a Pug is not common at all and is considered a major fault in the show ring; however, it can happen. This Pug below has a fawn coat and white markings on the paws and on the chest. Both photos are of Mr. Mittens, at 3 months old; photos courtesy of Suzanne White markings like this are able to exist due to the parti-factor gene. This very same color gene is responsible for small white markings on the chest that are occasionally seen with Pugs of all colors. Rarely, the parti-factor is thrown to one, some, or all paws, resulting in purebred Pugs with white mitted paws. Are you taking care of your Pug's teeth? For this brachycephalic breed, dental care is very important. Learn how to keep your Pug's teeth clean and healthy. Behavior and Personality Traits Based on Color Many people wonder if there are inbred character traits that vary depending on the coat color of the Pug. As with any other breed, the coloring of the coat has no effect on energy level, personality, behavioral quirks or any other element. But, it is easy to leap to the belief that color matters in this regard. An owner may have a black Pug that is more energetic than his fawn counterpart, for example. However, there are just as many owners who have energetic fawns compared to laid back black Pugs. Each dog is an individual, and Pugs will have their own unique personalities, regardless of coat color. Differences in Coat and Shedding Most Pugs have coats consisting of two layers of fur, an inner and an outer coat. Some, but not all black Pugs are single coated. For this reason, a percentage of black coated Pugs may shed less in comparison to fawn, apricots or slivers. And, the color of your carpeting and furniture can affect how much shedding you notice. Fur that sheds from a black Pug onto light-colored surfaces is going to be much more noticeable than fur that falls from a fawn Pug. And, fur that sheds from a fawn Pug onto dark surfaces is going to be much more visible than fur that falls from a black Pug. Though it's not suggested to buy furniture and flooring that matches your Pug, this is something to keep in mind. Did you find this to be informative? See what's inside. Related: Black Pug Dogs - More photos of black Pug puppies and dogs with a recap of color information. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. They closely resemble Lion Dogs and the Pekingese, the other two breeds bred by Chinese emperors and Mongolian monks around the same time. Due to their exotic looks, Pugs were given royal status, protected, and fed the finest meals. It was given the same status as his wives! Stealing or attempting to steal the dog was a capital offense punishable by death. Almost 2, years later, in the s, Pugs started appearing in Europe. It took another several hundred years for Pugs to appear in the US. Historians place their arrival dates in the 18th and 19th centuries, although it is not known when the first apricot Pug was developed. As we have stated, Chinese emperors and monks bred and took care of them, inspiring other citizens to do so too. In the 20th and 21st centuries, their popularity was propelled by many factors. First, Pugs have unique wrinkly faces, small bodies, and short noses. These features make them stand out and as such, many people find them adorable. Lastly, Pugs and French Bulldogs are known as celebrity dogs partly because they are owned by celebrities, or they are celebrities themselves. Doug the Pug is the most popular celebrity Pug with over 12 million followers across many social media platforms. Some celebrities like Paris Hilton and Kelly Osborne own Pugs, which has also helped fuel their popularity. However, if presented with both fawn and apricot Pugs, you will definitely spot the difference. According to the organization, fawn may range from light to deep apricot to reddish gold. Even though AKC does not recognize apricot Pugs, owners can still register them under alternate colors. The only catch is pups cannot be shown in competition. Apricot Pugs are rare While fawn is the most common Pug , getting a true apricot Pug will cost you heavily. They are rare because of the difficulties associated with getting true apricot parents whose genes will produce orange-yellow pups. The symbol, together with anything that it appears on, be it natural or man-made, was highly valued. In a bid to make it clearer, Chinese breeders selected parents with more detailed wrinkles. Image Credit: Igor Anfinogentov, Shutterstock 3. Apricot Pugs are not related to Bulldogs despite their close resemblance Bulldogs and Pugs are both short-nosed breeds. Additionally, both breeds are fiercely loyal, protective, and patient. Pugs are poor swimmers Ever thought of taking a dip with your Pug? Pugs have wide faces and short legs , which prevents them from swimming. Their wide faces cause drag, requiring more energy to swim, while their short legs are not good at paddling. Another possible reason is the location of the nose will funnel water into the lungs. So for a Pug to swim safely , it must raise its head in an awkward position. Apricot Pugs are good pets. They are committed to people, loyal, and protective, making them fantastic companion animals. Families with children also enjoy the company of Pugs. They are playful and will keep kids entertained. Even though Pugs shed a lot, their smooth coat is easy to brush, reducing grooming time. Lastly, Pugs are small in size, and traveling with them is easy. Originating from China, their coat color ranges from orange-yellow to light orange and is often confused with fawn. If you buy an apricot Pug, you will not only have the best companion animal but also enjoy the services of a dedicated, loyal, and playful dog.

How old must a puppy be to leave its mother? Also, understanding the consequences of adopting a puppy before it is ready to leave its mother. The best age to get a Labrador puppy is 8 weeks old. Let me cut straight to the chase and mention that you should never adopt a Labrador puppy until it is at least 8 weeks old. Even experts recommend adopting a puppy in the 8th week, not even in the 7th. Now, you might be wondering why 8 weeks is so important. Can you take a puppy home at 6 weeks even when you are willing to provide the proper care? Labrador is a very popular and friendly dog in the United States, everybody wants to own a Lab. When can you take a puppy home The best age to take a puppy home is 8 weeks or older. It is not suggested to take a puppy home any earlier than 8 weeks. Taking away a puppy from its mother at an early age will cause apparent issues in development. No matter the level of your care and love for a puppy. Labrador puppies learn from their mother You may wonder why you should adopt a Labrador puppy at some specific age. There are some clear-cut reasons why dog breeders never allow people to adopt Labrador before the 8 weeks. As owners, we should respect this learning period and wait to bring home a puppy at 8 weeks old instead of an early age. Discipline Puppies learn from their mothers. Labrador puppies learn to behave well and get disciplined by their mother even before they are 8 weeks old. At a young age, Labrador puppies throw tantrums that a stern dog mother can handle. Nutrients Not just the behaviors, but Labrador puppies learn to live in every kind of environment from their mother. Therefore it is highly recommended to adopt Labrador after the eighth week. Understanding how to be a dog A dog will learn about new behaviors when it is well aware of its hierarchy and languages. Labrador puppies learn from their mother to communicate and relate with other dogs. Playing correctly, chasing, and having safe interactions is what they learn at the age of 6 to 7th weeks. Adopting a Labrador puppy before the proper age of 8 weeks will be a bad decision. At what age is a dog no longer a puppy? After knowing the right age for adoption, the next point is to know what age is a dog no longer a puppy. So, as a dog parent, you will be able to provide proper food and training for your dog. While adopting a Labrador puppy, keep in mind that this puppy period will last 2 years. It means Labradors are considered mature dogs between the ages of 2 to 2. Noticing new habits and behavior in a 2-year-old Labrador is quite typical. Start training your dog according to its age and maturity to make it a well-behaved Labrador. Furthermore, some points are crucial to discuss when you are about to adopt a Labrador. Photo by Shane Guymon on Unsplash How old should a puppy be to take home? The time of adopting a puppy may vary for some breeds, such as for a Labrador 8 to 12 weeks is the right age. While others 11 to 12 weeks is an excellent age to adopt some puppies. Unfortunately, even at 8 weeks old the puppy is still getting important training from their mothers. We know that puppies are highly active even in the 8 weeks, but they still have some fear and anxiety issues. If you bring home a puppy that is 8 weeks or younger, your puppy might interpret their new transition as traumatic and may get aggressive when you bring it home. Bringing your puppy home If you bring an 8 to 12 weeks old puppy home, it is recommended you follow the steps below. Vaccination Regular vaccination is highly recommended to protect your puppy from viruses. Toilet training Soon after bringing your puppy home, you should start its potty training. Also, teaching your puppy about the basic commands is highly recommended for developing a well-managed puppy. Crate training Along with potty training, crate training is required when you adopt a puppy. In this way, your puppy will sleep in its place without destroying your home. Have food and toys Make sure you have puppy food ready and some puppy-appropriate toys for your new puppy to play with. Consider having some training treats too. Training Classes No matter what is the breed of your puppy, training sessions are highly recommended. Teach your puppy basic commands like no barking, sit, stay, come, etc. Hire a dog trainer or teach your puppy by yourself. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. But why is this? Many studies performed have shown a resulting increase in aggression, over-reactivity, learning problems, fearfulness and anxiety in puppies removed too early. The puppy may throw a tantrum and feel hard done by, but the mother will be stern…although they always follow the discipline with a little nuzzling and some love :- This early and regular dishing out of discipline teaches the puppy about right and wrong, that actions have consequences and bad behavior is punished. If this learning is taken away, the puppy may develop behavioral issues and not accept direction and commands from its owner later in life. This can making training harder and ultimately lead to a less controllable dog. Also, the puppy will itself be the victim of too hard biting, so it gets some first hand experience of how painful it can be. This teaches the puppy that biting too hard hurts and results in bad consequences, so they slowly learn to control their bite. If taken away before these lessons are learnt, the puppy will bite too hard not knowing any better and this can be very dangerous as the puppy matures into a larger and stronger dog. You would have to go through the process of teaching bite inhibition yourself and this can be difficult and even painful work! They learn about hierarchy, canine body language, posturing and vocalizations barking, growling etc. They also learn about things like chasing and how to play correctly with other dogs, also how to interact fairly and safely with other dogs. By removing a puppy too soon, it will miss out on this vital education, will be under-socialized to other dogs and this can easily result in the puppy being fearful of other dogs or just plain not liking other dogs later in life. They Learn Tolerance To Touch A dog needs to be tolerant to touch for health and hygiene reasons and the safety of those around it. And a vet will need to touch a dog all over during a medical examination. So you really need your Labrador to be tolerant of humans touching it all over. A puppy will constantly be bumped, nudged, pawed and climbed all over during its time spent with its litter-mates. This teaches the puppy not to be afraid of touch, to get used to it and be more tolerant. But if a puppy is taken too young it misses out on all this touch and could grow up disliking touch in certain areas of its body. This can result in behavioral issues and even aggression when being touched which for obvious reasons is very undesirable. The things a puppy is socialized to during its first 12 weeks have a profound effect on its level of confidence and levels of fear later in its life. From about 7 weeks onwards, the puppy is very inquisitive and its willingness to approach unknown things and people is at its peak. This period declines at about 12 weeks of age and almost completely ends at 14 weeks where fear begins to creep in as a natural trait essential to survival if it lived in the wild. This is also the time when a Labrador puppy will form their strongest bonds with the humans they spends their time with. Bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks gives you just 4 weeks to do this, bringing one home at 10 weeks gives you only 2! A lack of decent socialization can result in the puppy being fearful of things, places and of human contact. This will put the puppy at greatest ease with the people and places where it will spend its future life. You may wish to bring your puppy home earlier than 8 weeks, but for all the reasons above, you should avoid this entirely. So be very suspicious of the breeder if this is their wish. This is so they themselves can provide a further week of socialization during this critical time and for the puppy to spend more time with their mother and littermates. So for the benefit of you and your Labrador, leave them with their mother and litter-mates until 8 weeks of age. Most dogs will happily bond with and love a new family if given the chance and can be valuable and loving companions. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. 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. You should take your puppy outdoors and let him exercise his socialization potential at a young age. Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pet is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. The best way to avoid this is to take them far enough from the house and ensure they have a positive outside experience. It is worth noting that you should do this as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training It would be best to start potty training your Lab puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. A good idea is to cordon off a small area and add some bark chippings. Next, you need a potty training schedule such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Many owners use dog crates to help with house training. I have a step-by-step guide on Labrador puppy crate training where you can learn tons more. Discourage Biting If you follow my blog, you know I am against punishment-oriented training. If you train your dog young enough to avoid harsh bites, you will not need punishment-driven discipline strategies. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can cause aggression in your dog. You can also check out my article, How to Discipline a Labrador , for greater insight into this topic. Instead, you can wait until your Labrador bites during a positive activity and then discontinue it. It will anchor the consequence better. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Labrador will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Labrador will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. Chances are, at first, your Labrador will try to change his pace to be behind you because of the force of habit. Walking in areas familiar to your dog will eliminate this problem. While you previously trained him to assume a heel position, you can also teach him these techniques. You may notice that your puppy can tell your words apart by the thirteenth week. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included whistling, clapping, or saying a specific word to indicate that your Labrador is doing a good job, typically followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! Where you previously whistled when your Lab ran towards you, now you must whistle, so he begins his run. This is the start of his Labrador recall training. Teaching good recall is an ongoing process. My dog was around 12 months old before seeing a noticeable improvement in her recall. Please avoid forcing the dog, as that only introduces confusion. Build Comfort With Crowds — Work on Socialization You have trained your Labrador to acknowledge close friends and family in the past few weeks. While this enables the puppy to be more social when you have visitors, a grown dog must learn to walk outdoors without acting out. This transition must be gradual, and try to keep experiences positive. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training , for example, to touch a target with a specific part of his body. Remember that your Lab may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. Here, I recommend teaching your Labrador to touch your hand with his nose. Ultimately, this is an excellent replacement for bites! Hand targeting is fun to teach, helps your pup build trust, and gets him using his brain! You have laid a strong foundation of discipline and positive reinforcement, making it easier to train your dog to follow more complex commands. In these weeks, you will introduce him to assuming different positions, obeying your commands as he moves away from you, and reacting to more nuanced anchors. Remember, 4-month-old Labrador puppies have a short attention span, so avoid long training sessions. Teach the Sit and Stay Teaching your Lab to sit and stay is a useful command for him to learn. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your Labrador to public parks and he has seen other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your Labrador may not bring the toy back to you for a second round, but he will soon get the idea of retrieving it. You can gradually turn it into a game of fetch over the next few weeks and reward your doggo with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of Labrador training, you will continue potty training with a degree of independence. Continue with a good schedule and sync your walks with his natural cycle to align with the times he needs to go. You can use it to control your Labrador and later to test his ability to execute a command off-leash. A harness is also a good idea and is used for outdoor training and walks. Many owners will opt for a rear-attaching harness. Related: Harness vs. Collar for Lab Puppy: Which is Best? How to Train a 5-Month-Old Lab Puppy A five-month-old Labrador puppy is ready to be tested for his general obedience and the ability to deal with distractions, whether other dogs, people, or other animals such as squirrels or birds. Earlier, I mentioned that you could not expect an eight-week-old puppy to delay gratification. Your puppy can deal with distractions at five months old if you introduce them slowly. You must be prepared for your dog to run ahead of you now! However, suppose you have developed a solid relationship with your pup and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay within a reasonable distance, remaining by your side and showing loyalty. Once your Lab puppy has reached his 6-month milestone, it also marks the point where you introduce him to advanced obedience training. The good news is that all the training you have previously given will make it easier for your dog to follow your lead. Conclude Potty Training Your dog has had months to learn how to communicate his need to go potty. He has also likely refined the patience to hold it instead of relieving himself on the floor. Therefore, you can communicate your disappointment with your body language if your dog makes a mess. Avoid physical punishment and even verbal chastising as it impacts your dog negatively. All dogs can still have the odd accident up to 12 months old. Moreover, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened, known as either excitement or submissive urination. Increase Exercise Now that your Lab puppy is six months old, you can increase his exercise to thirty minutes twice daily. Energy levels, especially for larger breed dogs, escalate during this time. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old Labrador can be out for one hour if you split his walks into thirty minutes a day. To train your 6-month-old Lab puppy, start with two commands with the most practical use. From six months onwards, until your Labrador is a well-trained adult, you can teach the following commands or tricks in any order. How to Train a 7-Month-Old Labrador As your Lab progresses to seven months old, a lot of the previous training needs to be kept consistent as you gradually teach him to comprehend more commands. Maybe there is a trespasser, and you want your dog to scare them away. You will need to continue training your dog to hold things or release them on command, but you can also proceed to add distance and even more background distractions. Ironically, you need to teach him to bark on command before learning to be silent on cue. Over this month, he will learn to associate the respective commands with barking and silence. This is quite tricky, but your Lab will eventually get there if you practice and stay consistent. The eighth month is ideal for training your Lab to go to different places upon hearing the command word. Either way, do not overload him with place commands, and stick to no more than two per month. Or you can use the ninth month to teach a cool party trick! After a week, you can remove the treat and teach your Lab to follow your finger. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he follows the command. By the third week, you can cue your doggo to spin and see if he does so without your finger guiding him in a circular motion. It might take an extra week or two, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your pet to learn previous commands better. You can teach him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now progress this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your 1-year-old Labrador only learns to comprehend more at the same pace as he has since the 6-month mark. You should also audit previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. How to Train an Month-Old Labrador You will not have to alter your training regimen dramatically if you have trained your Labrador properly from eight weeks onward. If anything, this is the period where you customize his training to your convenience. Now is when your dog must learn to be compatible with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your dog to be harmonious with modern adult life within reason. It is sad to see dog owners having to give away their pets because of behavior issues. Such things are avoidable if you train your dog correctly and sufficiently exercise him. It would be best if you simply established authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your dog acknowledges your authority and sees you as a guide, you can merely treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. Your job becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule and stick to your routine. This month-by-month Labrador puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and turn him into the beloved companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. What is the best age to start training a Lab puppy to work? This guide will answer all of your questions regarding when to start training a Lab puppy. It will combine my personal experience with that of other experts in the field, along with information from behavioral research, to guide you with your decision of when to start training a Labrador puppy of your own. Congratulations on your fluffy new bundle of joy. Labs gained their well-deserved place among favorite breeds for so many reasons. Enthusiastic companions, fast learners, loyal and brave, Labrador Retrievers are fantastic pets. How Puppies Learn In the natural canine world, mother dogs teach their pups everything they need to know about their world, survival and living together happily in various stages of development. Most professional trainers try to mimic the natural canine learning process in their puppy training phases. In fact, we only recommend positive training techniques. Rewards can include food, special treats, praise and petting, playing with a favorite toy, etc. Basic Training Concepts Every Puppy Should Learn The first two components of your puppy training should be thorough socialization and potty training. Here are a few tips with each of those early behaviors. Socialization actually refers to exposure to a wide range of situations and individuals. This goes for being around lots of different people, including children. While your pup is still impressionable and inquisitive, introduce her to friends, neighbors and strangers. Introduce her to children with careful instructions to stay quiet, move slowly and pet gently. They could end up grabbing her tightly, and scaring or hurting her. Being handled by other people will be very key in socializing your puppy. Your dog should be properly socialized to gentle and careful handling, teeth brushing, touching ears and paws and tail. This will make trips to the vet and groomer easier. Make sure to also check out our guide to taking puppies outside for more help with socialization. Crate Training for Dogs Crate training is the process of teaching your dog to love spending time secure in their cosy den. Some puppies basically crate train themselves, loving their crate from day one. Others need a more gradual introduction to this safe space. The trick is to not turn crating into a punishment , but instead make it a wonderful place to have a short undisturbed rest. Most puppies will go through a play biting phase, so if you need help training your lab not to nip, you can follow this guide. It will be important for your dog to sit quietly in the field or duck stand. Self-control should be incorporated throughout daily routines and all training phases. Finally, learning how to walk politely on a leash in public is important. In addition to the behaviors listed above, there are a few extra considerations for training a gundog. As early as 8 weeks old, professional gundog trainers begin introducing lab puppies to various scenarios. The core behavioral requirements for a gundog that can be started in puppies this young are: Thorough socialization and desensitization to various environments and sounds. Be sure to start with quieter sounds and build to louder sounds, especially when introducing the sound of gunfire, to avoid creating a frantic dog. Calmness and steadiness amidst distraction. The earliest introduction to this is teaching your pup to sit for his meals, which can be captured as early as six weeks. There are, however, two important considerations to your Lab puppy training. Before their leg bones are fully developed, Labs can develop joint issues if they run too hard and long. Second, resist the urge to play fetch and retrieve every day with your Lab puppy. They overdo it with tossing a ball or dummy to try to encourage the pup to retrieve. The retrieving instinct typically kicks in quite strong around puberty between five to 10 months. Instead, we suggest focusing on sit, stay and waiting quietly with self control. Those are the more difficult behaviors for a lab to learn once adolescent hormones kick in. Start with socialization and household manners as early as 8 weeks old. Then move to sit, stay, steadiness training, and walking on a leash between 12 and 18 weeks. Training is an ongoing life skill, rather than something you do once and consider done. For a hunting Lab, adding various distractions and practicing perfect recall in different environments will be the two biggest training techniques to work on throughout life. Enjoy your training! The best months to bring a Labrador puppy home are April, May, and June. It will be warm enough to give your puppy his first swimming lessons once he gets old enough. You need to recognize that I am saying bring your puppy home in April, May, or June. That means that you are looking for a litter of puppies that was whelped born sometime in February, March, or April. My puppy chilling out in a puddle of mud. Messes are another issue with bringing a Lab puppy home too early in the year. Just when your dog wants to go play, the rain and melting snow will make huge messes. I will explain all of the benefits to waiting at least until April to bring your puppy home, but first I need to go into what happens with your puppy while he is still with his mom and littermates. If you take the puppy too early age not time of year , he will not be ready to socialize and adjust to his role in your family. Some of those things are why April through June is the perfect time to bring him home. What are the problems with picking your puppy up in the cold months of the year? So, why does the time of year matter when it comes to bringing your puppy home. When it comes to your puppy himself, it does not matter. There is not a time of year that leads to stronger or healthier dogs. Opportunities to get into the water are maximized if you bring your Lab puppy home sometime between April and June. What really matters is you. When will you find parks with people and dogs to help you socialize your puppy in the important first 4 or 5 months of his life? When I consider these questions, I look to the early late Spring and early Summer. The temperatures have come up a little bit, but they are not scathing yet. I get that this logic is totally based on geography—if you live in Arizona, then maybe early might be better for you because your temps are awesome during the winter. But, speaking for the northern half of the United States that deal with cold temperatures that keep us inside for most of the winter months, I think April to June is an awesome to bring your Lab puppy home. In addition to those, there are some extra things regarding a puppy-life that make having an 8-week old puppy difficult. First, when the temperatures get really hot, I think taking your dog swimming is one of the best ways to fight off the dangers of heat. Unfortunately, your 9-week old puppy is not ready for a plunge in the canal by your house or the river down the road. An older dog, however, that has already learned how to swim is able to swim just about anywhere. Heat is a real danger to young dogs. Dogs in general have almost no way to cool down. They lack sweat glands which is one of the most effective ways that humans cool down when the temps start to rise. Puppies can easily overheat when they go outside if they over-exert themselves. If you are interested in all things dogs, check out my YouTube Channel and subscribe. What does your puppy learn from mom and littermates? Now that you know what time of year is the best to bring home a Labrador puppy, you should also know how old that puppy should be when you bring him home. Six weeks old is the absolute youngest you should ever take a Labrador puppy from his mom and littermates. Mom will be in full teaching mode and will lay the foundation for all that you will do with your puppy in the early stages. Sometimes circumstances require you to pick your puppy up a little early—but it should never be before the dog is 6 weeks old. In fact, I really prefer to get my puppies when they are between 7 and 8 weeks old. Labrador puppies are cute no matter when you bring them home. Accept discipline and correction Your puppy will eventually step out of line with his mom and she is going to teach him a lesson. With enough repetition, your puppy will not only learn the correct behavior, but he will also start to learn how to take correction without becoming demoralized. There are any number of things that could get your puppy in trouble. He might: Bite too hard while eating Bark too much at night Get too rough with his littermates Wander off That list gets longer, but you get the general idea. When your puppy steps out of line in the first few weeks of his life, his momma will be the natural teacher. Bite inhibition Bite inhibition is an interesting topic. Labradors and Golden Retrievers naturally have a soft mouth. But the first lessons they get in this area come from mom and their littermates. Have you ever watched a group of puppies playing and rough housing? Eventually one of the puppies goes too far and really clamps down. Their needle-sharp teeth hurt. When a puppy goes too far and bites down too hard, the victim lets out a loud yelp and stops playing with the violator. The natural correction process takes place again. These are the early lessons that your puppy gets in bite inhibition. You will have to finish the process when you bring your puppy home. If you want to see how I do it with my Labrador puppy, check out this video: As long as you do not give any physical correction, you can start this process right away. It will be a natural transition for your puppy. Crate training foundation Crate training potty training is one of the most common reasons that people give up on their dogs and either sell them or leave them at a shelter. If puppies have the ability, mom will teach them to actually get up and go to the bathroom outside of wherever they sleep and eat. What it means to be a dog The other thing that your puppy will learn in the first month and a half is just how to be a dog. His littermates will teach him how to play and explore. He will use his nose and wake up other natural instincts. If you had to help your puppy figure these things out, you puppy would probably end up sitting in the house acting like a cat! Can your puppy be too old? If you can bring your puppy home too early, is it possible to bring him home to late? This is a more controversial subject. Most breeders that I know like to have their puppies placed in their permanent home before 10 weeks. There is a great bonding window in those early weeks when you bring your puppy home. Part of that is because your puppy gets tired so quickly and is more willing to just sleep on your lap or in your arms. Additionally, while he is still young there is a natural dependence that you can use to your advantage while trying to build a bond with your dog. Having said all of that, getting your dog later is not as big of a deal as getting your dog too soon. There are lots of ways to make up for lost time with an older puppy—or even a full-grown Labrador. What should your puppy start be learning in the first 30 days in your home? When you do finally get your puppy home, you are going to have so many questions. Socializing him to new people, places, smells, and noises will help your dog settle into his new world. There are some other things, however, that you can start working with your puppy inside your home. If you are worried about getting your puppy through the first stages, then you should check out my new training called Dog Focus Training. It will walk you through everything your dog needs to know to adjust comfortably and successfully in his new world. I show you how to train your dog in such a way that your neighbors will notice your dog for all of the right reasons. Check out this little video preview of the program and if you want to learn more, click on the link below the movie.

Look no further! We have a network of trusted breeders who ensure that our puppies are healthy, happy, and ready to be your new furry best friend. What are Boxer puppies? Boxer puppies trace their origin to 19th-century Germany, where they were developed as versatile working dogs. Around the mids, German breeders aimed to create a loyal and courageous dog capable of performing various tasks. They crossed Bullenbeissers with Bulldogs and selected for traits like strength, intelligence, and agility. The result was the Boxer we know today. Boxers quickly gained popularity as police and military dogs due to their loyalty, trainability, and protective instincts. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC in , solidifying their status as a distinct breed. Over time, Boxers transitioned from working roles to beloved companions and show dogs. Their friendly demeanor, boundless energy, and affectionate nature make them cherished family pets worldwide. The origin of Boxer puppies is a testament to the careful breeding and selection that have crafted a breed known for its remarkable combination of strength, intelligence, and affection. Temperament of Boxers Boxers are known for their playful and energetic temperament. They are intelligent dogs that are eager to please and love to learn new things. Boxers are loyal and protective of their family, making them great watchdogs. They are also affectionate and make great companions for children and adults alike. With proper training and socialization, Boxers make great family pets. We offer a vast selection of healthy and happy Boxer puppies that will make excellent family pets. With our commitment to quality and affordability, we make it easy for you to find your new furry best friend. About Vincent Hello! Are you looking for a lifelong companion? Look no further. I am here and just perfect for you. Trust me! I am very loyal, and I can make you smile with just the way I wag my tail. I have a wonderful disposition. Oh, silly me! Well, choose me today! Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article. Boxer Description The Boxer has a compact and powerful body. Their head is proportionate with the body and has a short muzzle with an underbite. The tail is set high and typically docked. Their coat is short, smooth, and comes in multiple colors including fawn, tan, brindle, mahogany, and black and often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat, but some clubs will not register them. Discover more about our Boxer puppies for sale below and see why they are one of the most popular breeds in the U. Disposition and Temperament Boxers are happy, playful, curious, and energetic. So much so that many remain extremely fit and athletic into their old age. They are very intelligent, eager, quick to learn and known to be a good breed for competitive obedience. Boxers bond closely with their family and are loyal and affectionate. In fact, they are known to get along well with children. A properly socialized Boxer will get along with dogs and other household pets, such as cats, but small animals such as rodents or birds may be too tempting. Being energetic and playful, the Boxer can become boisterous and jump on people without proper training and leadership. Boxers need to go on a daily walk and get daily mental and physical exercise. Without it, they can become stressed out. You should start training your Boxer while it is a puppy: Boxers do best with dominant owners who can be firm, consistent and committed. You need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack with this dog breed. Owners who do not establish dominance often find their dogs to be stubborn or demanding which can hamper the owner-pet relationship. Living Conditions As for living arrangements, they can be fine in an apartment if sufficiently exercised even though they are active indoors, but Boxers really do best with an average-sized yard. They are also temperature sensitive, overheating easily and chilling quickly. Boxers have a natural tendency to protect their owners and home, and although visitors who the dog recognizes are not seen as a threat, will protect their owners if they sense danger. Boxers are courageous which makes them great watchdogs and will even restrain intruders. It is important to know Boxer puppies require human leadership and need to be taught not to be boisterous or jump up on people. It requires very little grooming. Brush it with a rubber curry brush once or twice a week to keep it looking good. The Boxer tends to be a clean breed only occasionally needing a bath. Origin The name Boxer is thought to come from the way they use their front paws for just about everything; pawing at its food bowls, toys, and even its owner in a playful way. The Boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century and its ancestors were two German mastiff-type breeds. They were later bred with the ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Boxers were first used for dog-fighting, bull-baiting, cart pulling, cattle dogs, rounding up livestock, and to catch and pin wild boar and bison until hunters could arrive. Later they became popular theater and circus dogs. There are two types of Boxers: the German and the American Boxer. German Boxers have bigger heads and are generally more muscular than American Boxers. See store for details on a puppy. The American Canine Association, Inc. The American Canine Registry. Questions about Boxer puppies for sale in Phoenix AZ? We have answers. How much are Boxer puppies for sale in Phoenix AZ? These inputs can include things like where the breeder is located, the sex and color of the puppy, and even how much experience the breeder or business has. Will my puppy be from Phoenix Boxer breeders? How are Boxer breeders Phoenix screened? We take screening for breeders and businesses who want to be part of our network very seriously and hold them to the high standards that are outlined within our Breeder Pledge. We only want to work with the upper echelon when it comes to standards of animal welfare and ethical practices for Boxer puppies for sale Phoenix. How is Uptown Puppies different? We help you focus on the fun part of choosing your new Phoenix Boxer puppy for sale from a wide selection, all while taking care of all of the screening and vetting process beforehand. Puppy mills are unfortunate organizations whose mission is to pump out as many puppies as possible to make as much money as possible, all while mistreating the vulnerable animals in their care. Puppies from these places can often have expensive vet bills down the road due to neglect and poor breeding practices. Are there Boxers for sale Phoenix I can get right away? You can start searching our online network of breeders and businesses for Boxer for sale Phoenix immediately! Go ahead and start scrolling through those cute faces today! Boxers are a well established breed and have ancestors that can be traced all the way back to ancient civilizations in B. In their modern form, they were bred in Germany as guard dogs and hunting dogs. They were eventually brought over to the U. What should I expect after I get a Boxer? You can expect lots of adventures and laughs when you choose to get a Boxer puppy. They are one of the silliest and most playful breeds around and have an endless supply of antics to keep you entertained. They are also well rounded and have the intelligence and affection to go with their playful personalities. Are Boxers good family dogs? Boxers for sale in Phoenix make great family dogs because they always have the energy to keep up with an active family and love to play. They get along with adults and children alike and have a protective nature and desire to keep the whole family safe. How big do Boxers get? Boxers are a medium to large sized dog breed and once those cute little Boxer puppies in Phoenix grow into adulthood you can expect them to be anywhere from inches tall on average and weigh anywhere from pounds. Usually males are slightly taller and weigh on the higher side than females.

Lisa Chiarelli Without hesitation, Chiarelli agreed to rescue the puppy. She spent the rest of the night planning his freedom ride but woke up the next morning to a shocking update. He was accompanied by four littermates , and they all clearly needed help. Chiarelli was determined to save the entire little family. But she could tell right away that they had a long road to recovery ahead of them. On top of round-the-clock medicine, the puppies were given consistent cuddles by everyone at the clinic, and, before long, they started to thrive. Soon, they were all healthy, and finally ready to live the carefree puppy life. As soon as they were given a clean bill of health, the puppies were placed into foster homes. Lisa Chiarelli For now, the remaining puppies will continue to learn and grow with the help of their loving foster families. And, as Chiarelli sees it, the best is yet to come. To inquire about adopting the puppies, you can reach out to Lisa Chiarelli via Instagram or email. To help these puppies and other animals get the care they need, you can make a donation to Frankie Lola and Friends here. A viral TikTok video showing the puppies being rescued was shared by Kristin Erwin streetheartstx. She was driving past a couple of people with a sign that read "Free puppies" and immediately "made a U-turn" to rescue the frail-looking dogs that were in a crate. The video, which was posted April 11, has since been viewed over 10 million times and has generated over , likes. Erwin felt compelled to rescue the puppies, which are thought to be chiweenies, a cross between a dachshund and a Chihuahua. Each one weighed just 2 pounds when Erwin found them. After the rescue, she nursed them back to full health. The three puppies rescued by Kristin Erwin were in a crate by the side of a road. Fortunately, there is a happy ending for around two-thirds of those animals that end up in shelters. It's thought that 2 million dogs and 2. Erwin, who lives in Dayton, Texas, is regularly on the lookout for dogs in need of rescuing. She said her area is filled with animals in need of a home. With the help of Rescue Texas, Erwin is making sure the puppies get vaccinated, microchipped and fixed before finding owners who can provide them with a loving home. She continued: "They're doing much better now that we've got the fleas off them and started them on a dewormer. They'll need a few more doses to clear the worms up, but they seem to be on the mend. The guy said that he initially had six puppies, but three were already given away. So I took the last three that he had left. Texas is just littered with puppies needing homes, so we do a lot of transport to other states. She didn't name the puppies because she had them only temporarily before giving them to Rescue Texas. One of the puppies has already got an approved adopter in New Mexico, and the other two will be moved to a rescue center in New York while a family is sought. One user commented: "Thank you for saving these sweet babies! Send them to life newsweek. Read more. Manitoba Puppies found abandoned in box at Pine Falls dump Animal rescue groups in Manitoba are raising alarms after seven abandoned puppies were found in a box at the landfill in Pine Falls over the weekend. Animal rescue groups in Manitoba are raising alarms after seven abandoned puppies were found in a box at the landfill in Pine Falls over the weekend. The puppies were between four and five weeks old and appeared to be in good health when they were discovered on Sunday, said Ernie Stacey, founder of Anishinabe Sunset Country Animal Rescue. Another six abandoned puppies were found last week, Stacey said, adding that the group has rescued a total of about 20 puppies from the dump in the last three months. These seven puppies were found in a box at the Pine Falls landfill on Sunday. Submitted by Ernie Stacey The puppies that were rescued from the dump on Sunday are now in the care of Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, a group based in Winnipeg. The group delivers pet food to 75 families a week who cannot afford to feed their pets — more than dogs in all. The food is donated from Winnipeg, Stacey said. The lack of access to a veterinarian, and a lack of funding, are a reality for most First Nations communities, said Sagkeeng First Nation Chief Derrick Henderson. How do you control the dog population in your community? There's not a vet nearby or if the families are low-income, then they're not able to have their pet fixed," she said. Manitoba mobile clinic helps control dog population The mobile clinic helped control the pet population by spaying and neutering more than dogs, but he said the problem is out of control again. The Anishinabe Sunset Country Animal Rescue is hosting an event at the Sagkeeng Treatment Centre gym on Saturday evening to raise money toward providing basic veterinary care to more pets, including shots and spaying and neutering services. As for the puppies that were found at the dump, they were reunited with their mother on Tuesday afternoon. They will be put up for adoption at a later date.

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Arizona Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Arizona? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Arizona? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Nature has a way of changing our plans sometimes. We cannot put in an order for the correct amount of females or males. We will also only breed if we have a substantial amount of commitment deposits for that litter. Please be patient, we are committed to find the right puppy for you, it might even be with another breeder we recommend that would better fit your needs. Phoenix, Arizona. We breed quality Golden Retrievers for service, therapy, facility, hunting and pets. Sires we pick have all of the same health certifications as well. Which means that our goals for being a good breeder revolve around Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility and Tradition. Our local owners enjoy six weeks of free puppy classes after they take their pups home and have unlimited counseling with us and our trainer. Family Pets Goldens are made to love We believe Golden Retrievers are the best for all types of owners. They are so gentle that you can be assured your loved ones are safe around these wonderful dogs with responsible training. Service, Therapy and Facility Dogs goldens are made to serve We breed for service, therapy and facility dogs at a high quality. All of our puppies are trained as if they are going into service. We typically have about pups in every litter that go into service of some kind. We usualy donate one puppy out of every litter. It is our tithe and a gift we love to give to someone in need. Our Training Mission goldens are made to work We strive for excellence in our training program. All puppies are introduced to many sounds, textures and surfaces to create a confident dog. We offer complimentary 6 weeks of puppy Socialization and Obedience with their litter mates. Testimonials "Quality parentage and conscientious breeding standards.He is beyond eager to learn. She has truly changed our lives, especially our daughters life. They are affectionate, obedient and loyal to a fault. Originally bred as a hunting dog for retrieving waterfowl it makes an ideal pet for any type of family. They make a great family dog because of its patience, versatility, and adaptability. A golden retriever is super easy to train because of how smart and devoted they are to their owner. Goldens are gentle and playful with children and other pets, making them a perfect family pet. Their coat comes in various shades of gold and is dense, waterproof and may be wavy or straight. Discover more about our Golden Retriever puppies below! Interestingly, the Golden Retriever is very calm and relaxed indoors despite its hunting roots. However, they immensely enjoy activities, such as carrying objects around in its mouth and a good game of catch. The breed is faithful, obedient and easy to train. Golden Retriever Disposition The Golden Retriever does best when kept inside with the family, though it needs daily exercise. The Golden Retriever is very playful. Not surprisingly, it lives up to its name as a great retriever, excelling in games of catch and carrying objects around in its mouth. While it enjoys active time outdoors, the Golden Retriever is calm indoors — making it a great household pet for anyone. They do especially well with kids too. This breed is highly regarded for its love of human companionship. It is faithful, obedient and picks up easily on new commands. The Golden Retriever is among the easiest breeds to train. Its enthusiasm for learning new tricks and the ability to quickly and easily understand new commands makes it a pleasure to own and train. See store for details on this particular puppy. American Canine Association.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. This is especially true with dogs like German Shepherds because they have a strong prey drive, but this nipping and biting can also quickly get out of hand. This often comes out as biting and nipping, but puppies will also bite when they are teething and to taste the world around them. This can, of course, quickly get out of hand if not taken care of swiftly. In this article, we look at the reasons behind German Shepherd puppies biting and seven steps to help stop the behavior. Training The first and most important step in stopping your puppy from biting is early and focused training. Beginning training at an early age is vital for powerful dogs like GSDs, as without it, they can easily develop problematic behaviors and even become aggressive. An important part of training is socialization, and getting your GSD to interact with other dogs will help teach them boundaries, as any biting too hard will have instant consequences for them. Image Credit: AnjaGh, Pixabay 2. Toys Toys are ideal for your GSD puppy to exercise their teething. There is a massive variety of suitable chew toys available, and whenever you notice your pooch getting the urge to chew, you can gently offer them a chew toy instead. Commands Basic and simple commands should be taught to your GSD from a young age. Whenever they get overexcited and bite down too hard, you can then simply issue a verbal command that catches their attention. After you issue the commands, leave your puppy alone for a few minutes so they learn that this behavior is unacceptable. Image Credit: Jim Sluder, Pixabay 4. Redirection Redirection is a useful tool in training and can work well with biting too. This method is simple and works by keeping your pup from unwanted behavior and offering them appropriate behavior instead. Whenever your pooch bites or nips, try to offer them a chew toy of some kind instead, and this will gradually lead them to chew toys as opposed to your hands. Squeak toys are great for this type of redirection, as the noise is enticing to most puppies and dogs. Reward good behavior Positive reinforcement training methods are best for leading your puppy toward desired behaviors and away from unwanted ones. These methods involve no scolding or harsh treatment, so they are ideal for cementing the bond between you and your pup. When you offer your dog a chew toy instead of biting and they take it or you issue a command that they instantly follow, you simply reward that behavior with either a treat or praise. You ignore any bad behavior. They will swiftly associate treats with good behavior and stop the bad behavior that gets them no attention. Image Credit: Happy monkey, Shutterstock 6. Games Since GSDs are such powerful and athletic animals, they need to be mentally and physically stimulated through games and interactive play. Games are also the best time to engage and enforce training techniques and get your GSD accustomed to them before biting gets out of hand. Stick to simple games like fetch or frisbee, where you can train your pooch to give the ball back when you tell them to. Harsh treatments like hitting or shouting are highly unlikely to solve the problem and will probably just make it worse, as your dog will simply become nervous and wary of you. With a powerful dog like German Shepherds, trust is vital. They are highly intelligent and aware animals, and the smallest of sounds or movements are enough to set them off. There are several reasons for this, including: GSD puppies will begin teething as early as 2 weeks old, and this can be uncomfortable and even painful for them. This behavior can go on until your puppy is 6 months old, and they will chew on almost anything that they can find — including your hand — in an attempt to try and soothe their discomfort. Separated too young. The first 2 months of your GSDs life is vital to their socialization and learning, and if they are taken away from their mother and litter too young, this may cause a lack of understanding of boundaries. Puppies will play and learn with the rest of their littermates, where they learn to control the force of their bite. GSDs should be at least 8 weeks old before they are re-homed. Fear or overstimulation. Fear, anxiety, and overstimulation are common reasons for puppies to lose control of their bite because this can cause them to become irritable or defensive and lead them into the habit of biting. Conclusion Since German Shepherds are such powerful dogs, proper training is vital, and bite inhibition is an essential part of that training. Proper training is the vital first step and will set the tone for all other methods. With time, consistency, patience, and gentle leadership, your German Shepherd puppy should kick the biting habit in no time. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share!

View full details FAQ Frequently asked questions from our customers. You might just find an answer to your question here. If your question isn't answered in our FAQ below, or you'd like photo advice, please contact us at support toonyourdog. Our team loves dogs, as much as we love other pets. If your furry or not-so-furry friend is a cat, hamster, horse, pig, parrot, or lizard - we will draw them with pleasure! We can design a portrait for any animal no matter the species or the breed. What are the photo requirements? For best results, try taking a clear photo of your pet in an area with natural light without filters. Try for a close-up shot and take care not to obscure any part of the face. Keep this rule in mind when cropping the photo as well. We can't illustrate pictures where they're laying down, so avoid overhead or blurry shots. Check out our Photo Guide as well. Do you toon portraits with more than one pet? We can draw a pet group portrait from separate photos. There's no limit in the number of pets we can draw together. Just choose required number in Quantity upon placing an order. How long will my toon take to be done? We will draw your dog portrait and deliver to email within a week. If you order several pets - the drawing time will depend on the total number of your pets. On average all orders up to 10 pets are delivered within two weeks. Can I return my toon? Do you offer refunds? When you order a personalized picture of yourself with your dog, we will make it so that no one else in the world has one like yours. We don't take back pictures or give refunds because each person who orders gets something special and different. If you want to change anything about it after it's done, we will fix it for free until you're happy with how it looks! Yes, we do! Shipping time depends on the type of product. Refer to the description of the product. Do you sell gift cards? Yes, you can get a Gift Card for a personalized dog portrait on our store. Can I email you a photo? Feel free to send your photos to support toonyourdog. In what file format the toon will be sent? We will deliver your drawing as JPG at dpi. You will be able to print the portrait on any size up to cm. Do not hesitate to let us know if you need a specific printing size when you place the order. How will I get my custom toon? Your dog portrait will be sent to your email in high resolution. You will have 3 days to approve the drawing and request any revisions. What can I have as my background? You can request any background for your drawing. Your pet's portrait will be fully drawn by hand, so only imagination is the limit when it comes to selecting your background. Are there any copyrights for the toons? No, you can use your toon however you like! Can you work from more than one photo? Yes, when you submit multiple photos of your dog it always helps! We can choose the best lightning and better angles for the portrait. What payment options do you take? We accept all major credit cards and Paypal. Will I be charged for revisions? No, you get unlimited free revisions with all drawings! Photo Guide Photo image guidelines Please advise the photo guidelines below so that we can make your artwork toon look perfect! We will contact you in case your photo is not suitable. Make sure your photo is high quality and taken in daylight or a brightly lit room. Your pet's head and chest should be visible. They can be sitting, standing, or lying down. The best photos are taken as a close up at eye level. Crouch down to get the best shot. This is a guide only, we understand that not everybody has the best photos, so we can generally work with most shots. Good examples:. Contact General Information and Canine Behavior The pages within the Homecoming Prep segment of our website are private and can only be accessed through the link provided through email and through the link on the Prepare For Puppy page. The button on this page is titled Homecoming Prep. Once you are in the Homecoming Prep section of the website you will need to use your back button to navigate the pages and return to this Homecoming Prep home page. General Information The following links and attachments include general information concerning your puppy. This will help you prepare for your puppy's arrival and get you started on the right foot. Click each page above to see a larger image in a readable size. Puppy Behavior The following links and attachments include general information on caring for your puppy. Please be sure you, your children and all family members understand the signals your puppy is giving you. The puppy is not a toy and not meant to be held at will. Set limits on how many times a day no more than 4 that your child can hold the puppy. Children should only be allowed to hold the puppy if they are seated. Too much handling can physically hurt the puppy as well as begin the process of the puppy not tolerating your child. No walking around carrying the puppy. This is true for all children under 8. Puppies will chew on and sometimes ingest toys. If ingested, the pieces can lodge and cause your puppy to have to undergo surgery that is not always successful. Puppies generally do NOT like to be hugged. Puppies will jump up on people. There are two primary responses that most dogs will respond to. The first is to cross your arms, hiding your hands, and turn around showing the dog your backside and being very still. If your dog continues to jump on you they are not responding to this method and you should not continue trying it. Instead, step right into the space where there front paws are on the ground, being careful not to step on their feet. Repeat this behavior each time your dog jumps and instruct all people who your dog interacts with to do this same thing. Puppies and dogs in general will feed off of the people around them. Those who are very exciteable and talk in high pitched tones will create a dog who responds to seeing people by becoming super amped up and difficult to follow simple commands. Try to limit this. It's not in the puppies best interest to repeatedly be encouraged to escalate the excitement level to this high level. This is when the dog will become less focused and less able to follow your guidance. Keep in mind that your dog will feed off of you, your tone and your energy level. But will you recognize the signs? Imagine your puppy is growling at a child. Could you have prevented this from happening? Perhaps, but you have to know what to look for. Click below to learn more. The Family Dog: Stop the 77 Puppy Development Stages Click the link below for a great resource to learn about your puppies development. Once you get to this site, click on Puppies, then development stages. Use your back button to return to this page. This is usually the first place pictures and video show up. We also have a private Facebook page for owners of our puppies. At this time, you can join this group by answering a few short questions. It is titled Legendary Labradoodles Owners Group. There is info about grooming, vet care, training and all sorts of topics. There are links in the footer of this page to our main Facebook page, not the owners group and our instagram account. If you click on the icon it will take you to our pages. Labradoodle drawing A standard Labradoodle is a first generation hybrid dog that is created by breeding a purebred Standard Poodle with a purebred Labrador Retriever. A website called TheDogPeople. Labradoodles make great family pets as they are happy and easy to train. They have different coat types that need lots of brushing but tend not to shed. Labradoodles also have energy to spare and need lots of exercise. Drawing a Labradoodle calls for a plan to make sure you get all that curly hair in place. The curly lines are then traced, and the light ones erased of course. This two step approach may seem like it takes more time, but in the end helps avoid a lot of extra erasing and frustrating. After all, if your light sketch looks like the beginning of a dog, then the added curls are just an added feature of a very cute Labradoodle dog. Lightly sketch the rest of the head. Draw the body and front legs, lightly. Add the back legs, very lightly. Draw over the head with wiggly lines. Add wiggly lines over the body and legs. Draw wiggly lines over back legs. Add tail, more squiggles and horizon. Trace with marker and color.

Thankfully, it is very preventable with proper vaccination. This virus was discovered in the s and rapidly became a serious threat to canine health. This is primarily because the virus is hard to kill, can live for a long time in the environment, is shed in large quantities by infected dogs, is highly contagious, and is often fatal without appropriate treatment. This is why the parvo vaccine is considered a core vaccine for puppies and dogs. While the highly effective parvovirus vaccine has decreased the risk to properly vaccinated dogs, this disease is still widely prevalent, especially in puppies and poorly-vaccinated adolescent dogs. Parvo is an infectious DNA virus that commonly causes severe illness in young and unvaccinated dogs. Heart muscle cells of very young puppies can also be damaged by parvovirus. Although parvovirus is most common in puppies and adolescent dogs, it can also affect adult or senior dogs, especially if they are unvaccinated. Symptoms of Parvo in Dogs A dog infected with canine parvovirus will usually start to show parvo symptoms within days of infection. An infected puppy will often show lethargy as the first sign, and they may not want to eat. They will also often have a fever. As the virus progresses, your dog will begin to suffer from abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be severe. Very sick puppies may collapse and have a high heart rate , difficulty breathing, and hypothermia due to the degree of dehydration and infection. Causes of Parvo in Dogs Parvovirus is an incredibly contagious disease that spreads quickly and efficiently. While canine parvovirus is not airborne, it can be found on many surfaces. However, it is susceptible to diluted bleach and some specialized cleaners commonly used in veterinary hospitals. Can Humans Get Parvo? Parvovirus is species-specific, so humans have their own version of the virus. This means that humans cannot get parvovirus from dogs, and dogs cannot get parvovirus from people. Cats also have a type of parvovirus that causes severe disease, known as feline panleukopenia. While dogs cannot get feline parvovirus from cats, cats can become infected with canine parvovirus. They most often have much more mild clinical signs than dogs do, but there is a strain of canine parvovirus that can cause severe illness in cats. The feline parvovirus vaccine, which is part of the core FVRCP vaccine , may offer some cross-protection against canine parvovirus. How Is Parvovirus Diagnosed in Dogs? Are There Parvo Tests? Fecal ELISA tests enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are the most common way of diagnosing a dog with parvovirus in a clinical setting. The test requires a fecal swab and takes about 10 minutes. While this test is accurate, a negative result does not necessarily rule out parvovirus in a symptomatic dog, as they may not be shedding the viral antigen at the time of testing. Further testing may be needed in these cases. Stages of Parvo The stages of canine parvovirus are the same as most viral infections. Infection The puppy or adult dog is exposed to parvo via fecal material from an infected dog. Incubation There is an incubation period usually days in which the dog is infected with parvovirus but not yet showing symptoms. During this period, the virus specifically seeks out the most rapidly dividing cells in the body—typically, it starts attacking the tonsils or lymph nodes in the throat. Once it has multiplied and entered the bloodstream, the virus will seek out other sources of rapidly diving cells. The most hard-hit areas are: Bone marrow Cells that line the walls of the small intestines In very young puppies, parvovirus can also infect the heart, which causes inflammation of the heart muscle, poor heart function, and arrhythmias. Illness When the virus infects the bone marrow, it attacks the young immune cells, which leads a drop in protective white blood cells. This is where the worst damage happens. While most dog owners carefully vaccinate and protect their dogs, it seems parvovirus is on the rise and that all too often, we hear of another beloved dog becoming ill or even dying of the disease. How Do Dogs Get Parvo? Dogs catch parvo by coming in contact with an infected dog, infected feces or infected surfaces, and parvo can live in the environment for months. Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet and floors. It is common for an unvaccinated dog to contract parvo-virus from the streets, especially in urban areas where there are many dogs. Areas that dogs typically catch parvovirus include veterinary clinics, groomers, training classes, parks, schools, shopping malls, residential neighborhoods, humane societies, rescues and dog shows. But parvo can live on any surface, nearly anywhere. Parvo Symptoms Parvovirus is known for its ability to cause bloody, foul smelling diarrhea, lethargy, severe vomiting, loss of appetite, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration, and can cause lifelong heart damage. Which Dogs Are At Risk? Puppies are most susceptible to contracting parvo, but dogs of any age can catch it. Unvaccinated dogs are more prone to contracting parvo. The breeds with the highest risk are German shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman pinchers, Labrador retrievers, and American Staffordshire terriers. Wolves, coyotes and foxes are also susceptible. Prevention The best way to protect your dog is through vaccinations. Puppies should be vaccinated at 6 — 8 weeks, receive boosters at four-week intervals until the puppy is weeks of age, and then again at 1 year. The puppy series is not complete before 4 months. A titer test to determine immunity can be performed by a vet. The best way to protect puppies from contracting parvo is to avoid areas that may be contaminated until full immunity. Treatment Dogs infected with parvovirus need immediate medical care. According to stats from The Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th ed. How to Kill Parvo If you suspect your environment has been infected with the parvovirus, you will need to disinfect all areas with a solution of 1-part bleach to 30 parts water. Let the solution sit on surfaces for 10 minutes. You may use on any non-material surface, including the soles of your shoes, dog dishes, toys, etc. Areas that are harder to clean, such as grass, wood, carpet, etc. Potassium peroxide brand names Trifectant or Virkon also kill parvovirus. Never use these disinfectants on your dog. Parvo gets a lot of talk around it and while you may have heard of it, you might be wondering what are the symptoms of parvo in dogs and how you can treat it. Canine parvovirus, often referred to as parvo, is a highly contagious virus that commonly affects puppies. However, the disease can pose a risk to unvaccinated adult dogs as well. While parvo can be a life-threatening disease, knowing the prevention strategies, signs, and symptoms are key to making sure your pup remains healthy and safe. Common symptoms and signs that your dog may be suffering from parvovirus can include diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, fever, vomiting, depression, dehydration, and if left untreated, can result in septic shock and death. What Is Parvovirus? Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and most commonly affects young pups under four months of age and unvaccinated dogs. Canine parvovirus is a relatively new virus in dogs, with some of the first cases and discussions about the disease dating back to the s. When a dog contracts parvovirus, they can be contagious within days of the virus entering their system, often before the incubation period has been completed and your dog begins to show signs and symptoms. Dogs can contract the virus by coming into oral or nasal contact with infected feces or by coming into contact with objects or an environment that has been contaminated with parvo. The virus can remain viable in a contaminated environment for over 6 months and be transmitted to many animals. Parvo can also begin to show within a broader range of days. Diarrhea One of the most common symptoms of parvo in dogs is diarrhea. Loose or abnormal stool can be the result of a lot of contributing factors like dietary changes or allergies, but in puppies can be especially alarming. Diarrhea occurring in unvaccinated puppies or adult dogs can be an indicator that they have been infected with parvo. After examination, your vet can determine whether the symptom is a result of parvo. Lethargy Parvovirus can also cause an energy decline in your dog and lethargy can be a resulting symptom. While it's normal for your dog to enjoy a nice long nap after some serious playtime, if your dog begins to exhibit signs of a significant decrease in energy, it is always a good idea to describe the changes in behavior to your veterinarian. Lethargy in dogs looks more like a slower response to stimuli, acting out of character, less interest in activities they otherwise enjoy like going out for a walk , and grogginess. Dogs need lots of nutrients, especially growing puppies and a puppy not eating could lead to significant weight loss or anorexia. Fever Fever is another common symptom associated with parvo. Just like with many illnesses, the body responds by increasing its internal temperature. Dogs naturally have a higher body temperature than humans, with the average ranging from around .If your dog is suffering from a fever, there can be visual indicators such as red eyes, a decrease in energy, a dry nose, warm ears, coughing, and shivering, similar to that in humans. When your pup develops a fever, its immune system is trying to fight off the virus by increasing its body temperature to make it harder for the virus to survive. Vomiting Similar to diarrhea, vomiting can be a resulting symptom of parvo in dogs. Some dogs have particularly sensitive stomachs, but vomiting in combination with some of the other signs can indicate a parvo infection. There could be many reasons for your dog throwing up , but it is always best to play it safe and rule out any illnesses or possibilities that your dog ate something toxic or has been infected by a virus. Knowing the signs of depression in dogs is the next best thing to them telling you themselves. One of the symptoms of parvo in a dog can be depression due to feeling sick. Paying close attention to body language, lethargy, a decrease in appetite, or any major changes in behavior that deviate from their normal pattern could potentially mean your puppy has got the blues. Constantly feeling sick and not being able to enjoy things as they usually would get any puppy down, and parvo can make life for your canine friend miserable, so ensure you rule out this possibility. Dehydration occurs when the body is not getting enough water to a dangerous degree and are losing more than they are replenishing. If it bounces back to normal, your pup is probably getting enough liquids. If the skin seems to have difficulty getting back to its normal position, your dog may be dehydrated. When parvo infects a dog, the virus travels to their intestines, causing inflammation. The inflammation and intestinal bleeding from the virus make it very difficult to ingest anything since it will usually result in vomiting. This can lead to puppies becoming dehydrated, which should be treated as an emergency situation because, without proper treatment, your dog could develop septic shock and die. Septic Shock If left untreated, parvo can quickly develop and symptoms can worsen. One of the most alarming symptoms of parvo in dogs is septic shock. Septic shock occurs when there is an overwhelming infection in the body. When parvo enters your pup's digestive system, it can lead to inflammation and bleeding of the intestinal tract. This damage to the intestines can lead to the infection entering the bloodstream, therefore infecting the entire body. When septic shock occurs, it can be extremely difficult to treat which is why it is so urgent to get to your vet as soon as you may suspect they have contracted parvo. Signs consistent with septic shock include hypothermia, tachycardia, and a poor or weak pulse. They can offer you some peace of mind and advice on how to protect your pup if the results come back as negative for the virus. If your puppy did catch parvovirus, bringing them in as early as possible can help save their life and get them the proper medical care they need. If you suspect or have confirmed that your dog contracted parvo, it is important to strictly quarantine your pup immediately and inform others if you had any puppy playdates recently. Canine Parvovirus Prevention When it comes to parvo, knowledge, and prevention are key. The best thing you can do to ensure you keep your puppy safe is to take preventative measures and know the signs and symptoms just in case. Some parvo precautionary measures include: Follow strict isolation procedures if you suspect or have confirmed your dog has contracted parvo. Clean and disinfect any areas and surfaces the infected dog may have come into contact with. Follow CPV vaccination guidelines at weeks, weeks, and weeks of age, with a booster one-year following and another every three years after that. Limit the amount of contact your dog has with other unvaccinated dogs. Deworm your puppy if needed. Limit the public areas you go to with your dog prior to the age of vaccination. Initial signs that your dog may have contracted parvo are running a fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and anorexia. These initial signs may progress and can result in vomiting and diarrhea within two days after showing their first symptom. What does a dog with parvo look like? The visual cues of a dog suffering from parvo can be any of the signs listed above. Knowing about the symptoms of parvo in dogs can give you a visual indication of whether your dog may be suffering from an illness or virus. Does parvo come on suddenly? Are some breeds at higher risk for parvo? Some breeds are at an increased risk for contracting parvo, including1: Rottweilers. Puppies are especially at risk for contracting the potentially life-threatening virus. As a German Shepherd owner, you want to make sure you are doing everything in your power to keep your dog healthy and happy. Treatment will be effective in the overwhelming majority of cases. The important thing is to start treatments as soon as possible and make sure you are prepared for every possibility. Contents What Is Parvovirus? Parvovirus is a serious and highly contagious illness that targets dogs. It does not harm humans but you are still capable of carrying the virus and spreading it to your dog. It attacks the digestive system causing your dog to have severe intestinal distress and become unable to retain fluids or nutrients. It also lowers their white blood cell count so that they are less able to fight off the virus and any other infection that tries to take hold while your dog is sick. Parvo is spread primarily through fecal matter and it is very, very contagious. Even a small speck of parvo carrying fecal matter brought in the house on the bottom of your shoe could be enough to get your unvaccinated dog sick. And if any pet in your house has it, strict quarantine is essential to keep your other pets safe. While it is so easy to spread, parvo is specific to dogs. So if your dog has parvo, your cats and the humans in your family are safe. When left untreated, parvo has an extremely high mortality rate. Symptoms Of Parvo In Dogs Symptoms start to become noticeable about 5 or 6 days after the dog has been infected. If left untreated, vomiting and diarrhea and the lack of appetite will become so severe that the dog will dehydrate and starve. Essentially, parvo will weaken your dog until it no longer has the strength to fight the virus. This is a painful and tragic process to watch. We are not trying to scare you but simply prepare you and make sure you understand just how important it is to get treatment for your dog as soon as you notice these symptoms. These symptoms indicate a serious illness that might be parvo or might be something else but, in either case, should be treated. When left untreated, parvo will almost certainly kill your dog. With treatment, however, most dogs will recover. So with those statistics in mind, read more about what treatment actually involves. Parvo Treatment Once parvo takes hold, you and your German Shepherd will have a tough road ahead of you. However, survival is possible and, in fact, if treated, the overwhelming majority of dogs will survive a battle with parvovirus. The biggest health risk is dehydration. With the diarrhea and vomiting, your dog is losing a lot of fluids. They will not be able to drink water quickly enough to replace the lost fluids. Alongside dehydration, they are losing a lot of nutrients and their lack of appetite prevents them from restoring those lost nutrients. As their body weakens from these things, they become less capable of fighting the virus and they became more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. Because it requires an IV, most parvo cases are treated by hospitalization which can get expensive. It is possible to do this treatment at home. But you will need instructions and training from your vet to learn how to administer the IV and how to care for your German Shepherd properly while it heals. If you plan to do home treatment, you also need to be prepared to invest a lot of time into caring for your pup while it recovers. Your German Shepherd should not be left alone at any point while it is battling parvo. Someone needs to be with them at all times. Treatment at home will involve: Quarantine. Keep your sick dog quarantined to a specific room or area of the house until they are virus free. You need to be extra vigilant about cleaning and keeping your home sanitized during this period. Thoroughly clean food and water dishes with soap and water daily. Vacuum and mop times per week. Wash your hands before and after handling your ill dog. It is possible to learn to do an IV on your own. Do not skip this. Dehydration is the most pressing threat followed by nutrient loss and bacterial infection. Your vet will likely prescribe a course of antibiotics that are probably given via injection. Make sure that you administer these as instructed and use the full course of treatment even after your dog appears to be fully recovered. Relieve symptoms. Use other medicines or herbal supplements like the one mentioned below to help alleviate the painful symptoms of parvo. This will keep your dog more comfortable and help give them the strength they need to recover from parvo more rapidly. Here is one of our favorite herbal supplements for treating parvovirus: Paxxin All-Natural Parvo Aid This is an herbal supplement created to help animals recover from Parvo. It helps treat the symptoms like digestive distress and it also stimulates appetite. If given to your dog before symptoms show for example, if you suspect they might have contracted parvo , it is very effective at eliminating the illness before it has a chance to cause serious damage. However, if symptoms are visible, this will not be a strong enough treatment on its own. As mentioned, keeping your dog hydrated via IV bags will be essential. Preventing Parvovirus Prevention is the best way to keep your dog healthy and happy. It is the cheaper and nicer option. There is a vaccination that you can get to make your German Shepherd immune to parvo. You can get your dog vaccinated at the vet or buy an injection and do it yourself. Here are a few things to be aware of when you are getting your dog vaccinated: Your German Shepherd should be at least 8 weeks old before you start the vaccinations. So if your puppy is still too young to get vaccinated, make sure to be extra vigilant about the other at home prevention methods discussed below. The first vaccination will happen in a series of typically 3 separate vaccinations. These are given every 3 to 4 weeks. Dogs that are currently sick or pregnant or suffer an immune system disorder should not be vaccinated. So if any of those things are possible, see a vet before vaccinating. If your dog has had allergic reactions to other vaccines in the past, talk to your vet before giving it the parvo shot. Overall, vaccination is the best way to keep your dog safe from parvo. So the parvo vaccination is your fail safe that will ensure your dog is protected. At Home Prevention Whether our dog is too young for vaccination or otherwise unable to get the vaccine, at home prevention is important. Parvovirus is highly contagious and super easy to spread. It can also survive an unusually long time even without a host. So the best thing you can do to prevent Parvo at home is to practice proper sanitary methods that keep your home clean and free of parvo. Parvo spreads primarily through fecal matter. So feces in your yard could be hosting the deadly virus. Minimize this threat by either training your dog to use a specific section of the yard only for easier clean up on your part or just make sure you are regularly scooping poop from your yard. Keep unvaccinated pets indoors. You have more control over the indoor environment than the outdoor one. Clean floors and surfaces with diluted bleach. Mix about half a cup of bleach with a gallon of water. Use this mixture to clean floors. This will help remove any lingering parvovirus. Leave shoes outside. You could unknowingly be tracking in parvo from the outside world across your carpet and floor by wearing shoes in the house. Take them off before you come in to keep your home parvo free. Wash your hands. Wash your hands as soon as you come home. Especially if you have come in contact with any other dogs while you were out. Keep watch for symptoms. The earlier you can catch parvo, the better. Keep an eye out for the symptoms described earlier. Consider using Parvaid or something similar if your dog might have been exposed. For example, if you took them to a dog park or you caught them eating feces or recently took them to the vet. This can stop the virus in its tracks. With this information, you are now prepared to protect your German Shepherd from the dangers of parvo. And if your dog already has parvo, get them started on treatment immediately. So remain alert, and remain dedicated to their health. Your German Shepherd can beat this! Last Updated on October 18, by Post navigation. The canine parvovirus CPV infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The virus manifests itself in two different forms. The more common form is the intestinal form, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite anorexia. The less common form is the cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies, often leading to death. The majority of cases are seen in puppies that are between six weeks and six months old. The incidence of canine parvovirus infections has been reduced radically by early vaccination in young puppies. Symtoms The major symptoms associated with the intestinal form of a canine parvovirus infection include severe, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, fever, vomiting, and severe weight loss. The intestinal form of CPV affects the body's ability to absorb nutrients, and an affected animal will quickly become dehydrated and weak from lack of protein and fluid absorption. The wet tissue of the mouth and eyes may become noticeably red and the heart may beat too rapidly. Dogs that have contracted CPV may also have a low body temperature hypothermia , rather than a fever. Causes - Most cases of CPV infections are caused by a genetic alteration of the original canine parvovirus: the canine parvovirus type 2b. The virus can also be brought into a dog's environment by way of shoes that have come into contact with infected feces. There is evidence that the virus can live in ground soil for up to a year. It is resistant to most cleaning products, or even to weather changes. If you suspect that you have come into contact with feces at all, you will need to wash the affected area with household bleach, the only disinfectant known to kill the virus. Improper vaccination protocol and vaccination failure can also lead to a CPV infection. Breeding kennels and dog shelters that hold a large number of inadequately vaccinated puppies are particularly hazardous places. Diseases or drug therapies that suppress the normal response of the immune system may also increase the likelihood of infection. Diagnosis - CPV is diagnosed with a physical examination, biochemical tests, urine analysis, abdominal radiographs, and abdominal ultrasounds. A chemical blood profile and a complete blood cell count will also be performed. Low white blood cell levels are indicative of CPV infection, especially in association with bloody stools. Biochemical and urine analysis may reveal elevated liver enzymes, lymphopenia, and electrolyte imbalances. Abdominal radiograph imaging may show intestinal obstruction, while an abdominal ultrasound may reveal enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, or throughout the body, and fluid-filled intestinal segments. You will need to give a thorough history of your pet's health, recent activities, and onset of symptoms. If you can gather a sample of your dog's stool, or vomit, your veterinarian will be able to use these samples for microscopic detection of the virus. Those puppies that have had one or two in the recommended schedule of vaccines will often have an advantage over those without in actual chances of recovery. The build up an immunity against parvo and all the other diseases, veterinarians recommended vaccination schedule is a loading dose at six weeks, a follow up four weeks later and another given four weeks after that. Six months after the last DHLP-P is given, a follow up parvo vaccination is given and then the vaccines go to an annual injection that is usually given with the law required Rabies shot. Parvo is a relatively recent disease. Its first reported cases occurred in and proceeded to lay waste to large numbers of the canine population. Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease that can be spread in a number of ways. Contact with the feces or vomit of an infected dog is the source of the infection but tracing it back to the contagious dog can be extremely hard to do. A puppy can come into an environment in which a contagious dog was in up to six months previously. Strays can spread it by sniffing with another dog through the fence. In , humans were and still are one of the main carriers of the disease. Dog breeders at that time were often wiped out as entire litters as well as their adult dogs became infected with the disease as would be buyers would go to several different sites looking for a puppy. These buyers would come into contact with an infected dog and carry the disease to each stopping place along the way on their hands, clothes or even shoes. With infection, the disease will often take one of two forms: the diarrheal and the cardiac form. Puppies not treated for the disease will often dehydrate and die quickly. Congestive heart failure in itself will cause the premature death of the puppy. A veterinarian who suspects parvovirus may run a series of different tests to prove the infection. One of the oldest and most reliable tests is to simply do a white cell count. A marked decrease in these cells is a good sign of parvovirus being present. There are also tests that can be run on a small stool sample, which most veterinarians can run in office with results given within ten to fifteen minutes. If the test shows positive for the disease, the owner then has to decide on a course of action. The preferred course is an extended hospital stay, IV fluids given through out the day, medications given to slow the gastrointestinal tract and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections. The cost of these treatments is high and only the owner can decide if they can afford to proceed and it must be remembered that even with the best of veterinary care, there is no guarantee that the dog will survive. The vaccines are fairly inexpensive and can be gotten not only through a veterinarian but also through feed and even some drug stores. They are injected under the skin with few puppies having reactions. Please do not use our website to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. The consultation with your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for your individual pet. You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information provided on this site for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical condition or general treatment of your pet. GSD Resources.

I always buy two bags at a time, and Zooplus seems to beat the others on price. I sometimes get lucky and recieve the 12kg bags with 2kg extra free, an offer that comes a few times a year from RC. Zooplus service is always very good, can't fault them at all. Thanks Zooplus. She was suffering from colitis and the dried food she was on was she experienced often bouts of diarrhea. This food is excellent, she eats it without adding anything, smells nice and is moist. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Royal Canin absolutely brilliant. Comes perfectly packaged in a cardboard box, quick delivery so a win win situation. I will be back for more next month. He's been eating Royal Canin Breed for 3 years and still enjoys it. I definitely recommend Royal Canin! And in saying that he has refused to eat all of them. Some of them he humoured me and gave them a few days before turning his nose up at them, but mostly he just refused to eat them until he was starving. So in shear desperation I decided to give the Royal Canin Pug a go. All of my research suggested it is garbage, but perhaps I really do have an adolescent dog as he ate it like he has never been fed. .I'm conscious that it probably tastes so good because its so bad for him so I've been mixing it with his healthy grain free foods and its encouraging him to eat them too although I have caught him spitting them out when he realised they weren't his Royal Canin. So, according to my research this food isn't good for your dog, and I haven't had him on it long enough to comment, but from where I stand I'd rather he live on Big Macs than starve so for me this is a great food. She particularly suffer from a sensitive digestive system and with this Poodle 33 its gentle and highly digestible for her and her hair looks so shinny! If you have a small fuzzy doggy like me with sensitive stomach this is the best superior dry food you can provide. Highly recommended. It turned up very well,our fussy dog loves it and it doesn't make him hyper and unwell. He is very happy and energetic dog and this food is the best he could have. Happy tummy,shiny coat,healthy teeth.It was cost effective as you don't have to give as much as other dry foods. My German Shepherd liked this moist food. Had it been wheat free as well as gluten free I would have kept her on it. Do not miss out on personalised offers, discounts and coupons! Please select pet type. If your dog is suffering some kind of health issue like renal, urinary, gastro, or diabetes, these formulas will address the concerns of those illnesses with a specially tailored recipe. Price is also a factor, as neither of these brands are cheap. When should I feed Royal Canin? Even with conditions such as diabetes and renal disease, you must ask yourself these same questions. Wet or Dry? Wet food is generally better than dry, and the process offers more digestible food for our dogs. Wet food has no abrasiveness, and dry foods are also questionable — dental formulas merely contain additives to fight plaque. Some Australian vets promote Raw Meaty Bones in this respect, and I tend to agree with them completely — the gnawing and chewing action I see as a far more natural way for your dog to retain great dental health which also wards off other disease. Breed specific formulas are an excellent marketing angle for Royal Canin, but make sure you read the ingredients and consider if they sound good for your dog! The 2nd and 3rd ingredients are maize and… more maize. So very likely more maize than poultry protein as the 1st ingredient. The 4th ingredient is wheat flour. If you consider your dog a meat-eater like I do, then this seems a bit odd, does it not? We can consider maize flour and maize the same thing, so a classic case of ingredient splitting. On the subject of wheat, I find this a common cause of skin and health problems in dogs, and a possible precursor to your vet prescribing Royal Canin Anallergenic to address the issues when they arise clever, eh? Or in other words, these small inclusions are how the recipe meets requirements like AAFCO standards and how all that maize and wheat flour is possible. What are the benefits of feeding Royal Canin to your dog? I often hear from people who have visited Mars Petcare production facilities how impressed they are of cleanliness and standards. Consumer feedback in terms of sudden gastro or vomiting is rare on Royal Canin and I have to say seems common on some other Australian brands , but my real concern is the long term health impact on our dogs of feeding so much grain. Generally Royal Canin formulas seem marginally better than Hills, and with both brands the wet foods tend to have significantly more meat compared to the grain-based dry formulas. Where to buy? How do you pronounce Royal Canin? I hear Royal Canin pronounced incorrectly all the time. Many people use the pronunciation Can-in which is incorrect. The correct pronunciation of Canin would be with a French accent given the word is the literal translation of the English word canine. If you want to pronounce Royal Canin in French, simply mimic the audio provided by Google translated — Royal Canin in French press the speaker button. In English or Australian you know you can get away with saying it however you like, but the most correct pronunciation in English is Royal kay-nin. Overall Royal Canin dry dog foods contain a great deal of corn and allergenic grains like wheat. If you wish to go with Royal Canin perhaps at the recommendation of your vet , then opt for the wet over the dry, or at least a mixture of both. Feel free to add any comments or questions below! Ingredients The ingredients of Royal Canin Active Adult dog food at the time of review : Dehydrated poultry protein, maize flour, maize, wheat flour, animal fats, dehydrated pork protein, wheat, hydrolysed animal proteins, beet pulp, fish oil, soya oil, yeasts, minerals, hydrolysed yeast source of manno-oligo-saccharides.