mini goldendoodle puppies maine
How does the Labradoodle growth chart work? The following numbers are estimates based on the litter of a Labrador Retriever crossed with a standard Poodle. If your pup's Poodle parent is a toy size, then they are likely to be significantly smaller than these estimates. Their health is what matters most, so if you have questions or concerns about your puppy's development, reach out to your veterinarian. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? Labradoodles typically need 12 to 18 months to reach their full size, especially if their parents were on the heavier side of the average weight spectrum. Large breeds grow slower and take longer to reach their full size compared to small and medium-sized dog breeds, which usually reach maturity within nine to 11 months. How big should a 6-month-old Labradoodle be? A 6-month-old Labradoodle may weigh anywhere between 40 and 55 pounds. As a general rule, male Labradoodles weigh more than their female counterparts. In terms of height, a 6-month-old Labradoodle puppy will stand around 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders, but this varies based on their genetic makeup. Pro Tip: Download our new puppy checklist for tips on how to set up a vaccination schedule, essential pet care supplies, and more. How much bigger will my Labradoodle get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much more your Labradoodle may grow. Most Labradoodles need anywhere from 12 to 18 months to reach their full size. If your pup is younger than a year old, they are likely still growing. Refer to our Labradoodle weight chart to estimate how many more pounds they might put on as they mature into adulthood. If they look oversized compared to their limbs, then they're probably still filling out. Oversized paws are a classic puppy feature indicating that your pup still has more growth underway. Lastly, if you purchased your puppy from a breeder, you can contact them about your Labradoodle's weight. Alhough the breed varies greatly in size, knowing the weight of your puppy's parents and those of previous litters can help you predict your Labradoodle's adult size. What is the size of a full-grown Labradoodle? As a hybrid dog breed, Labradoodles vary significantly in size based on their geneology. Per Agape Labradoodles , adult Labradoodles typically weigh over 45 pounds, with some Labradoodles weighing as much as pounds. However, most Labradoodles will weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. In [terms of height], Labradoodles stand 21 to 24 inches tall when measured from paw to shoulder, or approximately two feet excluding their neck and crown of the head. How do I make sure my Labradoodle is healthy? Our Labradoodle puppies are important, cherished family members who we want the best for. One of the best ways to help your Labradoodle thrive is by taking them to regular veterinary appointments to have them routinely checked out and evaluated. Prevention is always better than treatment, and regular veterinary exams provide your veterinarian with the opportunity to screen your Labradoodle for disease. Your puppy will need to see the veterinarian several times in their first six months of life for core vaccinations against things like Rabies, and then at least once a year as an adult for annual health check-ups. Like their parents, Labradoodles are also more susceptible to hip dysplasia , a common orthopedic condition that occurs when the hip joint forms improperly. Hip dysplasia can lead to pain in their back legs, impaired mobility, and even lameness if not treated - fortunately, the condition is treatable with surgery. When over 20, pet parents were surveyed, only .As loving pet parents, it can be devastating to think that our four-legged friend could develop a painful disease that requires expensive treatment. This is where pet insurance comes in. Most pet parents opt for accident and illness pet insurance plans as they cover both injuries and most illnesses, such as hip dysplasia or eye diseases. Pet wellness plans can be added to your insurance coverage to help you pay for preventive veterinary care, like your regular vet exams, x-rays , dental cleanings , vaccinations, and more. Like humans, dogs are living longer, which creates an even bigger need for excellent veterinary care so that our dogs can live their happiest and healthiest lives. Pet insurance helps alleviate the financial strain that's often caused by vet visit costs. If your Labradoodle puppy gets sick or hurt, you and your veterinarian can work together to provide your pup with the best treatment plan - without worrying about how much it might cost. Key Takeaways Adult Labradoodles weigh pounds on average. The parent Poodle breed has toy and standard size variations that impact the size of the offspring, along with other genetic factors. Most Labradoodles grow until months of age. The breed is known for several congenital health disorders, and is especially prone to hip dysplasia. Pet insurance can protect your puppy and provide a financial safety net for vet costs throughout their life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. It takes traits from both breeds, and new puppy owners will quickly see this combination was chosen intentionally. The Labrador retriever is an intelligent, loyal breed with an excellent temperament for nearly any family or living situation. Unfortunately, these dogs also shed a lot, which can be a hassle. It also makes a Labrador a poor choice for public social situations, such as outdoor dining at dog-friendly patios. Instead, the coat traps dirt, allergens, loose hair and other debris inside it. This means less shedding but also means daily brushing is required. The poodle is also an intelligent breed that makes a perfect addition to most homes since it was bred to be a companion animal. Any puppy is a lifelong commitment. Understanding what to expect at every life stage will help you prepare to give your cute little puppy a long, prosperous, happy life. A normal-sized labradoodle will live an average of 12 to 14 years. Smaller labradoodles resulting from a miniature or toy poodle crossbreed will generally live a little longer. However, you must remember that this lifespan is only an average. There are plenty of labradoodles who live into their late teens. A healthy diet, regular exercise and periodic vet visits are crucial to your labradoodle puppy living a long, healthy life. These main life stages include puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle-aged and senior. Each life stage is discussed in more detail below. Puppyhood If you adopt a labradoodle puppy, this will be the first stage you get to witness. A labradoodle puppy will remain in this life stage from birth until five or six months. Birth to 7 Weeks From birth until about seven weeks of age, labradoodle puppies stay close to their mother. They spend all their time eating, sleeping, growing and cuddling with their littermates. As they get closer to seven weeks of age, they may begin exploring their world a little. Around seven weeks of age, a labradoodle puppy will start becoming more interested in people. This is also when it begins forming bonds with you and other humans in the home or family. These adorable puppies will become more playful and curious at about eight weeks old. Instead, you want to create only positive experiences during this time to ensure it grows into a secure young adult dog. This is the perfect time to start positive training techniques. Teaching your labradoodle puppy about action and reward now will benefit its lifelong training. During this stage of puppy development, socialization is crucial. Now is the perfect time to take it to new places, introduce it to new people and provide it with new experiences. The most important part of this stage of puppy development is that your pup becomes a free and independent thinker. With its curiosity at an all-time high, this is the perfect time to bring your new companion everywhere. Socialization and bonding are other vital aspects of this stage of puppy development. Pet owners will find their puppy wants to be with them all the time and may become mildly anxious when separated from them. Most of its time will be spent eating, sleeping or getting into trouble. Your growing canine should have lost its baby teeth, have all its adult teeth and be out of the biting stage it may have had during puppyhood. Thanks to the Labrador genes, your labradoodle will always love to chew. You can stop destructive chewing behaviors by providing a chew toy or two or 20 to keep it occupied. It may become territorial, but regular socialization can help ease these issues. Your labradoodle will also begin showing quite a bit of strength, so continuing its training during this time is crucial. Acting out, wandering and even behaving aggressively are all normal during this time. Adulthood For a labradoodle, adulthood starts somewhere between two or three years of age and lasts until around its seventh birthday. During adulthood, labradoodles are at their prime. Their adult coat will grow in, which may be thicker or denser than their puppy coat. This breed is very intelligent and easy to train, so if you want to keep teaching it new tricks, you can. Weight Management Your labradoodle will reach its adult size between two and three years old. They can tell you if your dog is a normal size or needs diet and exercise. Middle-Aged Your doodle puppy will turn middle-aged around seven years old. This life stage is relatively brief and only lasts until the dog turns nine or .During middle age, most dogs are still active and overall healthy. It may exercise less and sleep a little more as it transitions between adulthood and its golden years. A middle-aged dog may begin to develop some health problems, especially as it gets closer to its senior years. The primary issues of concern are obesity, joints and teeth. The teeth and joints will become especially vulnerable during this stage, so you must take your dog for regular teeth cleaning and wellness visits. In addition, your vet may recommend supplements to protect the joints. Extra weight will also place unnecessary additional stress on the joints and heart of your dog. Senior Your dog will officially be considered a senior from around nine to 10 years of age until the end of its life. During their golden years, your labradoodle will require extra care and attention. Health problems are most likely to occur during these years, and your vet may suggest two annual well visits instead of only one. After 10 years of age, your dog will likely encounter issues staying warm. You might consider a heating blanket in their bed, keeping the house slightly warmer during winter or providing extra blankets to snuggle under. Your dog may also have problems with its eyesight. The most common issue for senior labradoodles is their joints, which tend to ache as they get older. In addition, they may have mobility problems caused by sore and stiff joints. For example, consider a ramp to help it get into the car or up your porch steps. Developing one or more health problems could mean a shorter lifespan for your labradoodle. A few of the most common health problems affecting labradoodle puppies or adults include: Allergies usually to food Ear infections which can lead to hearing loss after repeat infections Epilepsy. Labradoodle Breeders Contact Our Labradoodle Puppy's First 9 Weeks Australian Labradoodles have a naturally happy, affectionate temperament but as with any breed of puppy, they require constant attention and socialization in their first weeks to bring out their wonderful potential. Happy Healthy Labradoodle Puppies To make sure our Australian Labradoodle dogs are of the highest quality we do health testing for both parents. Our Labradoodle Puppies come with a health guarantee. We stimulate newborn puppies to ensure optimum neurological growth using the Bio Sensor program developed by the US military for their working dogs. We also use Tellington Touch to calm our labradoodle puppies as they grow and make their way in the world. Learn more about how these techniques are used as part of the Super Dog Program. Super Dog Program Labradoodle Training Australian Labradoodles have a naturally happy, affectionate temperament but as with a puppy of any breed they require constant attention and socialization in those early weeks to bring our their wonderful potential. A labradoodle is a sensitive dog and training is easy. We begin the training process here when the puppy is very young by having them go through our Head Start Puppy Program. Puppies in the dining room Part Of The Family We are often asked if our puppies are raised in the house or an out building. It is a good and important question. After three weeks of age they come down from the nursery to their new home in the dining room. Dinner parties are relegated to the garage until puppies are old enough to be part of the household. A letter from a puppy mum who has become our friend through emails and puppy love. My Labradoodle Puppy Adoption I have been meaning to write about how much this now 7 month old puppy has enriched my life. I got Lucca when he was five months and spent a couple of months sending numerous emails back and forth to Jean. I really felt I bonded and got to know him through her and her messages and even videos of my little guy. Lucca is a medium black with the most fun loving nature in the world. He is playful and yet gentle, he is frisky and yet calm and he learns faster than any dog I have ever met. I was told to stay away from the Labradoodle Breed, mostly from people who have not researched and learned that these are not a lab with a high strung poodle disposition. Whenever I take him to some ones place they comment on how good and calm he is and how he is welcome back anytime, even for a sleepover sometimes. We are in the car a lot as we live in the city and he does not make a peep in the car. He is so good. We had a little car sickness issue for a bit if we travel too far , but he seems to have been fine lately. I just wanted to express to anyone checking out this breed that if you are serious about getting one of these Doodles you are making a very good decision. Most vets recommend treating your puppy for worms at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age. After that, they should receive treatment every three months for all of their life. Based on where you live, your vet will advise you of what type of treatment your dog should have. Worming medication is relatively easy to administer yourself, so you may choose to go that route, or you can have your vet do the treatment. Here are some signs your puppy may be infected with worms: Diarrhea or vomiting. Weight loss despite eating well. Weakness and listlessness. Abnormally swollen stomach. Biting Phase All puppies bite! When the puppy starts teething, he is going to chew and bite. Biting gives the dog relief from the pain of teething. It also helps with boredom. When the puppy starts biting, take your hand away and give him an acceptable substitute like a chew toy. Having a variety of toys to choose from can really help here, as puppies, like children, will quickly lose interest when given the same toy over and over again. This variety toy bundle is packed with 12 different toys — ropes, balls, chews, and squeaky toys — that are perfect for little puppy mouths and needle-sharp teeth. An excellent value! No products found. Each time he bites, repeat this process and praise him when he chews on the toy instead of your fingers. When my dog, Oliver, was going through this phase, I found that a frozen puppy Kong really helped. Just be patient. The most important thing to remember is that this is just a phase that will soon be outgrown. Housebreaking is a huge responsibility that can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months depending on the puppy. For example, a 5-month-old puppy may be able to go for five hours in between potty breaks, but a 3-month-old puppy can only wait up to three hours before needing relief. For the best success at housebreaking, you need to be consistent and take the puppy outside at the following times. First thing in the morning. Right after eating. Right after waking from a nap. Just before bedtime. Any time you see the pup sniffing the floor. Carry the puppy outside to where you want him to go and put him down. As soon as he goes, praise him and bring him back inside. Do not allow him to play. With persistence and consistency, you should have your Labradoodle puppy housebroken in no time at all. Tip: Crate training your Labradoodle puppy will speed the housebreaking process significantly. This is the crate I use for my Doodles. Take the puppy around other dogs and animals once your vet gives the go-ahead. This can easily become overwhelming for shy or timid pups — we give you tips for making this a positive, successful experience in this article. You may also want to encourage young children to gently pet the dog with supervision of course to get him used to other people. When socializing your puppy, be aware that puppies undergo two distinct fear periods as they mature. The first occurs between 8 and 12 weeks, and the second can happen anytime between the ages of 4 and 14 months. If your puppy grows up feeling he should avoid children or be afraid of other animals, it can become a problem later. Visit our socialization article for more ideas and tips. Training Training your Labradoodle puppy should begin almost as soon as you bring him home. Give him a day or two to get used to you and his new surroundings and then begin working with him. Exactly how easy are they to train? Find out here. By the time your puppy is about 4 months old, you can begin teaching him tricks. Labradoodles are playful and intelligent dogs that love learning new things. Even the color might be slightly different. Depending on the type of Labradoodle you have, your pup will have either a fleece, hair, or wool coat. We explain more about Labradoodle puppy coats here. It will have to be groomed or brushed out as the new coat begins to come in. Failure to brush out the old dead coat can result in severe matting of the new coat, which can be a mess to deal with. Your Labradoodle will begin losing its puppy coat between 10 weeks and 14 weeks of age. The entire process of puppy coat to adult coat usually takes anywhere from one to several weeks. Although it varies from dog to dog, the baby teeth begin falling out between 14 and 30 weeks of age as adult teeth begin pushing their way through the gums. They may even begin falling out as early as 10 weeks old. The incisors are the first to fall out followed by the canines, and the premolars are the last to fall out. By the time the puppy is 8 months old, he or she should have a full set 42 of adult teeth. The dog will have 16 premolars, 12 incisors, 10 molars, and four canines. Keep those new adult teeth healthy by following the tips found in our Brushing Guide and how-to video. Related Questions: What is the average size for a Labradoodle litter? Although this can vary from dog to dog, the average size for a Labradoodle litter is eight. Litter sizes of five to nine are very common. Usually, the larger the breed is, the more puppies per litter can be expected, though first-time moms sometimes have smaller litters. They usually start yipping and barking around four to six weeks old, although it may not sound like barking at first. All dogs are not the same. Each one is different. Conclusion After obtaining all this information on the various stages of development your Labradoodle puppy will experience, you may still have some concerns. All puppy parents do! Worry just goes with the territory. Focus on enjoying and treasuring each growth stage because before you know it, that cute little puppy will be all grown up and puppyhood will be a thing of the past. Also, having an information-packed guide at your disposal can give you answers and calm some of your worries. Over 6 Months Old 8 week old Labradoodle Puppy Training At 8 weeks old your puppy has only just arrived home, so your main focus will be on helping them to settle in, bonding and starting that all important potty training process. Potty Training Your brand new puppy will need to have the opportunity to pee as much as every twenty minutes for the first few days. They will also need to pee or poop after every meal, and every big drink. Socialization Have four different sets of visitors to the house, and go to at least four busy places with the puppy in your arms. Sweet Goodbyes Puppies find it hard to be left alone, so we like to sweeten up those goodbyes with treats! Every time you need to briefly leave the room, drop a handful of kibble behind you to make it seem like a good thing for your pup. Follow me Puppies are naturally inclined to follow you at 8 weeks old, and you want to encourage that instinct. When outdoors in the backyard change direction lots, and give lots of treats and cuddles in exchange for them coming after you. Recall Blow your recall whistle we use five short pips when your puppy is running full pelt towards you. They will have started to understand that outdoors is the place to pee, and have gained a tiny bit of bladder control. But they will still need a lot of help! Socialization should still be in full swing this week, and your increasingly confident puppy will need help remembering to keep her teeth to herself. Potty Training Your puppy will still need lots of opportunity to pee outdoors in order to reduce accidents. Socialization Meeting people is really important this week. Take your puppy to four new places, and have four sets of visitors. Carry them while you are outdoors. Rewarding Eye Contact Whenever your puppy looks up at your face, pop a treat in between her paws or into her mouth. This will start to encourage her to look up at you more often, in the hopes of something scrummy. We close our treat laden palm when the puppy approaches, open it again as they back oiff and feed the treats to them with the other hand. This helps them to start learning that staying calm and keeping a little distance will get you treats quicker than biting and snatching at them. This week you might start to see those teeth come into action. Remember to remove attention from the puppy when they bite hard on your skin. At just under 3 months old your puppy will have lots of confidence, and be accidentally getting themselves into all sorts of jams unless you are really careful. The window for socialization is closing soon, so make the most of those last couple of weeks to build up their knowledge of people and the world around them. Potty Training At 10 to 12 weeks your puppy will be able to hold its bladder for maybe as long as two and a half hours during the day. If you get an accident in the house, reduce that time down again. And make a note of when your puppy pees so as not to lose track. Over these weeks try to go to two new busy places and two new sets of visitors each week. Rewarding calm behavior Now is the time to help your dog learn to relax. Every time you catch your Labradoodle puppy relaxing, pop a treat between their paws. This will encourage her to chill out even more! Introduce off leash heel position You can start to teach your dog to walk nicely next to you at this point. We begin this process by reinforcing them for standing next to you with the clicker and treats. Recall To work on your recall, whistle your puppy for running towards you as you run away. Give them lots of treats as a reward when they arrive. You can also whistle when giving meals to build up strong positive associations with this cue. Bite inhibition Labradoodle puppy biting can really ramp up at this age. Remember to remove attention when your puppy bites hard. Either standing up, or even leaving the room or popping them in their crate or playpen temporarily while they calm down. This is your final chance for socialization, and it needs to be carried out in a more relaxed way. But at least you can pop your pup on the ground now! Recall Whistle your puppy for running towards you as you walk away, rewarding them with lots of treats when they arrive. Stand with your puppy on the leash, and carry them between locations so as not to upset future heelwork progress. Introduce sit We introduce the sit at this stage, but in a very relaxed informal way. We do so indoors only, when there are no distractions. This is begun without a cue or command, by capturing the position. Potty training should be pretty established. Your goal is to encourage your dog to focus on you and to become a well mannered member of the family. Your puppy should still be given the chance to pee at least every two to three hours. As well as after meals! Changing directions Puppies are more confident at this age, so you need to keep them keen to stay near you. When outdoors in the backyard or at the dog park, keep changing direction regularly. Be unpredictable, and when they follow you back it up with lots of fuss and treats. Off leash heelwork Off leash heelwork training moves from establishing the position to taking a few steps forwards at this stage. Make sure you use lots of praise, and only practice in a familiar, boring area. And one with no distractions! Go slowly, and make sure your pup stays focussed on you. Introduce down We also introduce the down position at this age. This is done without a cue like the sit was the previous month, by capturing the position. Advancing the sit The sit advances further at this stage. Once that is well established, you can begin to very slightly increase duration and distance one by one. Adding distance, duration or distractions to things they already know. Where you get your dog used to doing as you ask them, in different locations or with distractions. Or for longer! Adding distance, duration or distractions We do this step by step, only increasing one thing at a time. So if you want your dog to sit for longer, you will do it somewhere they already happily sit and with no one else around. And thinking of adding a distraction like another dog? Then do it somewhere they are familiar with, and with that dog a long way away to begin with. On leash heelwork We love teaching heelwork off leash. It helps your dog to walk nicely next to you, without ever having the opportunity to pull. A dog that has never wandered ahead is less likely to try to do so even with a leash. Training Methods I cannot recommend positive reinforcement training enough. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog when they do something that you want them to, by giving them something they like. Food is usually the best thing to motivate your dog with, but toys work well for some dogs too. When you use positive methods you can start training your puppy from the very first day they arrive in your home. And logical to know how far you expect a puppy to be able to have come at different developmental stages. Labradoodles are clever and focussed, but they also have a fairly high prey drive. Training is a marathon, not a sprint, and every dog takes their own time. Just remember to only move on to more challenging training situations for them when they have totally mastered the stage before. Related Articles. They venture into the surrounding environment. Puppies removed too early tend to be nervous, tend to bark inappropriately, tend to bite simply because these lessons a mother and littermates usually provides were missed. Training problems and long-term behavior problems can often be attributed to a puppy removed from the litter much too soon. Beginning at 3 weeks of age, what is going on at this stage of puppy devleopment: The first lessons learned are dog specific behavioral patterns They will learn various postures meanings and their affects to their mother and littermates. They will learn how to bite and what it is like to be bitten. They will learn what barking and other vocalizations mean and their uses. They will learn how to establish social relationships with other dogs. Beginning at 5 weeks of age, what is going on at this stage of puppy development: Vocalization and tempered activities dog manners usually are learned at approximately 5 weeks of age. They will learn how to be submissive to the leader of the pack. They will learn and refine additional postures, vocalizations, and acceptable dog interaction behaviors. With a few very clear signals and repetitions, the young puppy will learn quickly. At that point, a mothers glare or low growl is all that is needed to keep a young pup in line. Littermates also learn clear signals of communication to each other. It is during this time, that your dog needs to have positive experiences. They need to be introduced to new things and begin the groundwork to a happy, well-adjusted dog. Beginning at 7 weeks of age, what is going on at this stage of puppy development: Short attention spans. Things learned are permanent and will be resistant to change. Puppy will be eager to learn. What he does and learns now, he will do as an adult. Puppy will be transitioning his education from his mother to his human environment. Beginning at 8 weeks and ending at approximately 11 weeks of age, what is going on: Any traumatic, painful or frightening experiences can have a lasting impact. What You Can Do: Gradually introduce your puppy to new things, environments and people. Do not let others push your puppy or be forceful with them. Provide a secure comforting demeanor. Teach the puppy you are there to protect and lead. He has been watching you and the family very closely. He is picking up on human behaviors and reactions. He is learning the pecking order of the pack. As he observes and learns, he will then attempt to figure out where exactly he stands in the pack order and to also see if moving up in the pack will work. How could such a cute little pup be such a pistol? What is going on at this stage of puppy development: Puppy will begin to question authority. Puppy will attempt to move himself up in the pack order. Puppy will try to dominate. Puppy will grab leashes Puppy will try to determine what activities are going to be done and when. Puppy may growl. Puppy may put his mouth on you. Puppy can often become over excited. What you can do: Learn how your actions and body language communicate to your dog. Do not play aggressive games during this phase. Tug or wrestling If puppy becomes over excited, growls or mouths you, you stop all activity. Be very aware of how the puppy interacts with children — do not leave children unattended with the puppy. Enroll in a puppy kindergarten class to redirect some of the energy. He has been aware of where you are and would stay pretty close. During this period that same cute little puppy will decide that he is ready to go solo and take off running quicker than lightening. During this time, teaching the puppy that he must stay close by or come when called is critical. The failure to do this will result in a dog that will not be reliable to come or to stay close by as an adult and very well could lead the dog into a life or death situation. What is going on at this stage of puppy development: The puppy will become more independent. A puppy that previously would never go very far, will venture off. The Puppy will ignore commands to stay close or come. How you handle refusal to come or stay will affect future reliability off leash. Puppy will be clever in attempts to run around loose. Never allow dog loose in an unconfined area. Yes this is redundant to the above, so it must be pretty important for us to say it twice. Being off leash outside of a confined area is reserved for who have been well trained. Enroll in a training class that utilizes positive training techniques. Make coming a very positive experience. Oh… and never allow your puppy to be off leash in an unconfined area. This often is a time when many families start to worry that maybe they made a bad decision in getting a dog. Remember: you get what you put into it. You take the time right now to teach good habits, you will have the dog you always dreamed of for many years. This work will payoff. What is going on at this stage of puppy development: The puppy will become a free and independent thinker. The puppy will continue to review the pack order. The puppy will be very energetic. The puppy will be exuberant and enthusiastic. They turn into clowns with teeth. They will delight in learning new and fun things. What you can do: Appreciate the humor of it all. Have you read the book The Dog Listener yet? It will help. Understand that despite the behaviors it is your time to continue to train and reinforce the things you do want him to do. Reaffirm the family pack order. Be realistic about expectations still very much a puppy in a big boy body Channel all that energy into positive learning experiences. Continue with training classes; explore options for additional training opportunities. This is normal, but you must help your dog figure out how to deal with his fears or concerns. It will also reduce the chances that the things he fears will not be permanently imprinted for life. What is going on at this stage of puppy development: The puppy that was so confident will suddenly become reluctant to new things. This period can be subtle. This period can come and go several times over this entire period. It may appear to be unprovoked or unrelated to any specific occurrence. Puppy can become frustrating to owners. You may notice this behavior more in males. What you can do: Avoid extremes in your response no anger or forcing or over comforting Be patient and understanding. We aware of surrounding and potential triggers. Work on desensitizing him with gradual introductions with rewards. Praise with grand rewards for his attempts. Your dog will take his clues from you, if you act frightened or concerned he will too. He will begin to fill out a bit and develop more muscle tone. But, mentally, the dog is still working out some last details of his life and what it means to him. He IS a member of a pack and now begins to find that his turf is worthy of monitoring and protecting. You do not want you dog to take over these responsibilities because in no time you too will be under the rule of the King Dog. Which can lead to aggressive behaviors, protective to the point of creating fear or actually harming someone or another animal as he protects. This is bad news, and often a reason a dog is taken out of the home or destroyed. What is going on: The dog may become more turf protective. Strangers may be greeted with barking. Barking at noises, birds, cars, butterflies, pretty much everything he believe worthy of attention. Playing with other dogs may escalate to fighting. Same sex confrontations of other dogs can occur. Once again, checking the pack order to see if he can move up. What you can do: Reinforce how to greet strangers into your home. Teach your dog to ignore dogs he cannot be nice to. Practice or reinforce dog manners utilizing no threatening dogs Learn to read your dog and other dogs. Circling, walking on toes, stiff tail wags, tense facial expressions — are the signs of aggressive behaviors Rally your family to review that the pack order is clear and very one is consistent with training and corrections. Reward him for good behaviors. Give that dog another job, therapy work, obedience classes, agility. Republished with permission from International Doodle Owners Group. Save Save Ready for your puppy?
Like many small dog breeds, Pugs reach their full size faster than medium to large-sized dogs. Pugs reach their adult size around nine months of age but may continue to put on a small amount of muscle until they are a year old. Image Source: Pexels How big should a 6-month-old Pug be? A six-month-old Pug will weigh between 7 and 12 pounds on average and will be close to their full adult height, which is typically around 10 to 13 inches tall. Pugs are highly prone to putting on excess weight and their food intake needs to be monitored closely. Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on health, puppy-proofing practices, training, winter and summer safety, and more! How much bigger will my Pug get? Pugs reach their full size around nine months of age but may continue filling out until they are a year old. If your Pug is younger than nine months old, they are definitely still growing! If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, they are likely still growing. This is a classic puppy feature that indicates that more growth is needed. A puppy will rarely grow to be larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you an idea of their maximum size. What is the size of a full-grown Pug? According to the American Kennel Club Official Pug Standards , you can expect a full-grown Pug to weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and stand 10 to 13 inches tall. A full-grown Pug will appear compact and solid, rather than lean and leggy. If your Pug continues to put on weight past 18 pounds, reach out to your veterinarian to assess whether your Pug is putting on excessive weight. If your Pug weighs more than 18 pounds, consult with your veterinary professional to ensure that they are at their healthiest weight. Pugs are especially prone to heatstroke due to their compromised breathing. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to lessening the side effects of brachycephalic syndrome. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct narrow nostrils or elongated soft palettes. Many veterinary treatments and procedures cost thousands of dollars. When surveyed, Only .This is a crucial factor in why pet insurance is so valuable to pet parents. Pet insurance reimburses you a percentage of your out of pocket expenditure for veterinary bills. Not only can pet insurance provide you peace of mind should surgery or treatments be needed, but available wellness plans can significantly reduce the cost of routine veterinary exams or maintenance, like dog teeth cleaning or x-rays. Your veterinarian is your greatest resource in keeping your pup happy and healthy. Continue making healthy lifestyle choices, like daily exercise and a nutritious diet, for your Pug to keep them active and living their best life! Unfortunately, Pugs are prone to a larger number of health issues due to their brachycephalic syndrome and other genetic predispositions. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. They will want to be with you. Have a crate or bed next to your bed for at least the first few weeks while you get them into a Puppy night-time routine. Here is how to get a puppy to sleep through the night. Alone Training Teaching your Pug puppy that they can be totally fine being left alone can be done with stuffed chew toys, time and patience. Remember to do it slowly to avoid any stress! Toilet Training Training Practically every website you read may tell you that Toilet training your Pug puppy can be a challenge. As with alone training, start sooner rather than later. Of course, if they run into any birds, butterflies and hear planes flying over, it will be great for them to get acquainted already. Have fun gathering surfaces with different textures for them to explore, like synthetic grass, tiles, and soil. Use treats! Remember to use lots of treats and praise when training. They love making your tail wag! Repeat their name to them a lot in the first week, so it really starts to click. Recall — How to teach your Pug puppy to come back when called — This is important for safety. Pugs generally stay close, but they can be very friendly and want to run up to people and other dogs for a bit of a cuddle, so a good recall will always help. But they can enjoy fetch games on a smaller scale, get on the floor and interact and play with your Pug puppy to learn what they enjoy. This will help to avoid resource guarding. Husbandry Tasks Pugs love affection but should be handled with care. Be mindful to not treat them like toys. Not going to blame children to think they are toys though — the resemblance is uncanny. To do this we want to teach them that hands will do nice things to them so use plenty of treats when handling your puppy. Week 2 — Training your Pug puppy Week 2 already! Punk and Star Photo courtesy of The Kuney's If you have had your Pug for a while, it may be hard to believe that your 12 year old dog is the equivalent age of 59 human years; however this is a guideline that refers to the breakdown of the body's ability to fend off disease, level of exercise a dog is able to handle and so forth. An owner can have a Pug in this teens that still loves to run around the park! Let's look at the milestones that a Pug will enter from birth until the senior years. Birth to 8 Weeks - Many owners do not see this stage, however newborn Pug puppies double and triple their weight very quickly. Newborns will sleep up to 22 hours per day. Those at the 8 week mark will sleep up to .Growth is going to be rapid. It will last several months. Females will have their first heat if not spayed. Males will have viable sperm. Though technically a female can become pregnant at this young age, breeding is recommended at the age of 1 year old or older. Males should be at least 9 months old. Some Pug puppies will stop growing by the age of 9 months. For others, just a few pounds will be gained from now until the 12 month mark. By the time, full height is usually reached. The adult Pug will fill out in width, most noticeable in the chest area. The dog is muscular and will not grow any larger. Extra weight gain at this point may be deemed unhealthy. Pugs that gain a significant amount of weight after the age of 18 months should be checked out by the veterinarian. The Pug dog is muscular and in his or her prime. Most vets will classify a dog as a senior by age 7 or 8. Even if this is not officially done, 9 years would be the limit that one could hold off on dubbing the Pug a senior. Pug Weight and Growth Chart This chart will give you a guideline for what to expect in how fast your Pug grows and how quickly he will gain weight. An 8 week old Pug puppy will weight between 2 and 4 pounds. Though the AKC breed standard gives us a final full size of pounds 5. It's a funny thing because the changes happen gradually and owners usually do not notice.And then, one day it reaches a certain point and the owner will say, "When did my dog get old!? Your dog may show a bit of difficulty when rising from a down position. He or she may walk slower up a staircase. A quality canine mattress is recommended for any age, however during the senior years an orthopedic canine bed is more important than ever. Expect an older Pug dog to take more naps and retreat more often due to a lower tolerance for noise levels. When your dog reaches the age of 8 or 9, it will be time to give a bit more attention to certain grooming techniques. Skin looses its elasticity and cleaning wrinkles will be more important than ever. An older Pug will be more susceptible to infections. Take extra time to clean the folds and keep them dry. Your Pug's veterinarian should be performing more thorough tests, especially for sugar levels. Eye exams are very important, as well. Just as with humans, an older Pug may be more susceptible to developing diabetes, arthritis , have problems with joints and their bones may be more brittle. The pounds that they have been carrying around and the body structure that they have short legs especially have been taking its toll. At this age, excess weight be a problem. It is recommended to make a gradual change in the diet, to ensure that meals have a higher count of nutrients specifically for aging pets. If you previously gave no-so-healthy snacks, make an effort to change over to a solid, healthy meal and snack plan. It will be time to make a change in regard to a vitamin and mineral supplement, switching to a senior formula. Additional supplements can be helpful depending on a Pug's specific needs. Most often, this breed does best with supplements to aid in joint health. Omega 3 can help to keep the skin and coat healthy and combat drying issues. The intensity of exercise should be scaled back a bit for seniors ; though daily duration of activity should remain as normal if the older Pug can handle it. It is still important go for walks so that a dog's heart stays healthy; movement is very necessary. However, once your Pug dog is a senior, you do not want to overdo activities as an older heart will not be able to handle what a younger heart was able to. It is during this time that you want to make the household as quite and peaceful as possible. Unless you absolutely must, do not move your furniture or make any changes that could cause stress or confusion. Creatures of habit, dogs know where things are and it can be disturbing if the environment is changed. The ability to hold elimination may weaken as bladder and bowel muscle loose some strength. At this time, you may want to start using doggie diapers. As odd as they may look, this will help your Pug and your home stay sanitary. If your senior does have accidents, never scold or punish. This is a normal process of aging. A loving owner, will of course, want to spend every moment that is left by showing compassion and care. 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. Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! 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. Since I was little and running around the playground with my friends, I've wanted to welcome a pug into my life. A friendly, happy puppy who will be my fur baby for existence. This was only a dream until that day. While I thought Carl was at work, someone knocked on my door, extremely loud and quite aggressively. So I rushed down the stairs thinking what the actual hell that person think knocking on people's door like that I will tell him what I think. When I opened the door, Carl was standing there with this little tiny pug in his arms tucked in nicely and looked so cosy in that blanket. I got pretty emotional. I was so overwhelmed with happiness and love for both of them that I quickly forgot about telling him off for knocking so damn harsh. Carl handed him over to me he was just staring at me for so long with his big bulging eyes then he gave me a big wet kiss on my cheek. I knew straight away that we were soul mates. Being a pet parent for five months has changed my life and taught me so much. Pugs have so many unique characteristics and having a pug puppy of my own now I have learnt so many new things about this adorable breed. Either though it's hard to say no for them, there are some things that you may need to consider before you adopt one of your own. You will never ever be alone again. I'm pretty sure that you have seen paintings or movies which shows that pugs were bred as lapdogs for the Chinese emperors in the accent times. This can give you a hint that even nowadays pugs are very good at this. Happy follows me around the house literally everywhere. He is like my shadow; he goes everywhere I go. I mean everywhere, including the bathroom. No more private time to yourself once you get a pug. Not to mention, there is absolutely no personal space. Happy literally sit in our face if he feels like it. He is really not bothered, and he thinks that's a perfect place to rest. Gain weight easily. Now that my brother moved in with us, I live currently with two chefs and a pug. They are all obsessed with food, so it's tough not to pick up their habit. I feel confident to say that out of the three boys, Happy has the biggest obsession of food. Happy is such a small breed, but when it comes to food he will make room for it, I mean literally anytime. He eats like there is no tomorrow. He doesn't get full; this is why when it comes to a pug, you always need to measure their food intake or they will plump out in no time. Always follow a healthy diet and regular exercises with a pug. They will eat literally everything. I've seen Happy eat the strangest things ever. Like snail's house, orange peels and even broken brick bits. No matter how cautious we are about things dropping or lying around on the floor, he will find something that he really not suppose to, and he will eat it. Some expensive vet visits. This is the part that scares a lot of people away from getting a pug. They are prone to health problems such as eye ulcers, epilepsy, skin fold infections, kidney stones, breathing problems and even food allergies. You also need to be extra cautious about their bulging eyes as they can easily scratch them. To summarise this, do your research about their health issues and make sure you check up on the breeder before you adopt your furry friend. Carl's did his research very well before getting Happy, his parents and even grandparents never had any health issues, so that's a good start, but again this doesn't mean that he cannot get any. Fingers crossed. Also, make sure you get pet insurance. High maintenance. Don't get me wrong I'm definitely not complaining as I love pugs and I love Happy, but he is without any doubt a high maintenance puppy. Cutting his nails, brushing his fur, bathing him every two weeks or we will end with a very dirty smelly pug, brushing his teeth and a lot of facial care. Those beautiful wrinkles on a pug's face require a lot of cleaning, or it will result in infections. Yes, he needs just as much carrying as a child. If you don't have time for all this, pugs aren't the right breed for you I'm afraid. Attention seekers. Pug puppies always want to play and like to be in the centre of the attention. They are people dogs. They aren't the kind of breed who are okay with just left for themselves all the time. Anytime Happy plays with his toys, he always around us. He tries to get as close as he can, and he is continuously checking upon us from the corner of his eyes to make sure we still there. Love or hate relationship with water. Some pugs absolutely cannot stand water. Puddles, ponds, showers, rains all a big no for those who hate water. However, certain pugs love water just as much as food. Luckily our little boy is the second one. Anytime he hears the shower or the bath running, he runs all the way up on the stairs across the hallway to the bathroom hoping that it is his bathtime. Carl loves running the shower for a minute or two before jumping in and by the time he is trying to get in Happy is there having so much fun with the dropping water on his face. Their obsession with toilets. Happy gets way too excited when he hears the toilet flushing. During a dog's house training, there are times when accidents happen. Sometimes more sometimes less but at the end of the day you will end up picking up a lot of poops. It all depends where the accident happens, but when it closer to the bathroom, I always flush it down, and of course, Happy inspect the situation very carefully. He gets to the bathroom before me then he stands up on his feet, putting the first two paws on the toilet seat and waiting until I flush the toilet down. Once it's flushed, he walks away as nothing happened. Sounds funny and quite worrying in the same time writing this down. Double coated of fur. Well, this is something that certainly surprised me about pugs. Looking at all the furniture around the house and our clothes are more definitely don't look the same as used to before Happy. No matter how many times we clean everything, they all covered with his fur in the next hour. Fawn pugs have a double coat which means they malt I mean they malt a hell of a lot. Once you get a pug, a hair-less outfit will be a distant memory, and a sticky lint roller will be your best friend. Energy level. Happy is a very happy and cheerful dog. He enjoys his nap times, but he thrives on activity. He is always ready to play, but this is not uncommon with young pug puppies. Most of them just like him—walkies, a lot of playtimes and running up and down the stairs nonstop. Patience with house training. Pugs are very stubborn, which means they will test your patience when it comes to potty training. They aren't the easiest breed to potty train but again not impossible. One thing to keep in mind is they do not respond to punishment quite well, so try to train them with positive reinforcement like treats. Stubborn breed. Oh, yes, they are. They do not respond to commands quickly, and it will take time to accept your authority. They do love to do what they want, and lead-training will might take a bit longer than with other dogs, but if you are patient enough and you stick to it, you will notice that he is acknowledging who is in charge. They're very loyal. Just because training is a bit of challenge with a pug doesn't mean they are not as smart as other dogs. Pugs are incredibly loyal once they are trained. Once you gained their trust, they will follow you anywhere. They will listen to every word you say intently. Their purpose in life is most certainly is your happiness. This is why our little boy got his name, Happy. He's already made our lives happier than ever before. Pug eyes. Pugs have large, gorgeous, dark eyes which also make them very vulnerable. They are very sensitive, and they are easily proved to any eye issues. When Happy was about months old, we got him a fluffy toy that he loved, but we had to get rid of it because every time he chewed it, he got a bit of fluff on his eye. It was not pretty and wasn't a simple task to get it removed as it got stuck on his eyeball. Excellent watchdog. Pugs make good guard dogs. They keep the noise to the minimum that your neighbour also will appreciate. Have space for your pug wardrobe. Some humans love to dress their dogs in cute outfits, so if you are one of them, pugs are for you. Yep, I'm just as guilty as you are! At times, clothing is necessary for dogs like for most of the flat-faced breeds. Pugs are not good at controlling their body temperature, which means you need to protect them in the cold by clothing them. Unique characters. Pugs are super extraordinary creatures who will change your life for the better. They wheeze, snort, sneeze, fart and snore. They make some super weird and funny noises while they are napping. They will keep you laughing and put a smile on your face every single day. They will steal your heart. Pugs are happy, loyal, charming, playful and mischievous creatures. Once you get one of your own, you will never go back. They give unconditional love to their families. Happy always give kisses and want to snuggle up with us. He glazes at us like we are the best people on this planet. Completely melts our hearts. We have happy for about five months now, and despite all his quirks I do not regret it for a second welcoming him in our lives. He makes the perfect pet for us. Since day one, he got me hooked for life. Have you ever considered getting a pug? Have you ever had a pug? If so, please share your tips or advice in the comment below.
Home » Breed » Golden Dox what you need to know before getting one Golden Dox what you need to know before getting one This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. The lifespan of the Golden Dox is around 10 to 14 years. In this article, I will be talking more about these adorable puppies and what to consider before taking them home. What is a Golden Dox? Both the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund have been household pet favorites for years. With its parentage, it seems like the Golden Dachshund is made for dog superstardom. Golden Weiner dogs are true people lovers; they love cuddles and just being around their human family. They are good around children, making them ideal house pets. Their friendly nature, however, does not make them ideal guard dogs. Golden Weiners are more likely to welcome strangers than scare them off. They are fine with other dogs, but not with other pets such as rabbits or cats. The Dachshund in them has the tendency to look at smaller animals as prey. Golden Dachshunds are not nuisance barkers and would only bark when they sense that something feels wrong. The Golden Dox loves playtime Golden Weiner dogs are a smart and highly energetic bunch that loves to play outdoors, something that they inherited from their parent breeds. Golden Retriever Dachshund mix need at least 60 minutes of play a day to release all their pent-up energy, or they may turn to chewing and digging. Training the Golden Dox Golden Dachshunds are quick to pick up on commands and learn tricks, but, just like any other breed, it is best to train them young. Starting training as early as 8 weeks old curbs their Dachshund tendency to be stubborn. The eager-to-please Golden Retriever side craves human affirmation so he will seek opportunities to make you happy. But this does not mean that the Golden Dox will obey all the time. Training for the Golden Retriever Dachshund mix has to be both positive and firm. They love positive reinforcement such as praise and treats for a job well done. What do they look like? How Golden Weiner puppies turn out will be largely dependent on which parent breed their genetic makeup is leaning towards. Some of these puppies have the head of a Golden Retriever and the body of a Dachshund, while others take on a different appearance. These hybrids are also described as little Golden Retrievers or bigger Dachshunds. How big do Golden Retriever Dachshund mixes get? As mentioned above the average size of a full-grown Golden Dox is 10 to 23 inches 25 to 58 cm in height and around 30 to 60 pounds 13 to 27 kg. There are also breeders who can give you miniature Golden Dox puppies, which are bred from Golden Retrievers and Mini Dachshunds. However, not much information is given on how tiny Mini Golden Dox puppies can get. The Golden Weiner inherited its muscular build from its Golden Retriever parent and got the long body and short legs of its Dachshund side of the family. You can expect moderate shedding from the Golden Dox all throughout the year. Their double coat can vary from short, medium, or long depending on what they inherit from their parent breeds. The hair can also be smooth or wavy. Grooming the Golden Weiner dog is simple. Daily brushing should keep their coat shiny and tangle- free. Visits to a groomer every other month is also recommended to ensure their coats remain healthy and attractive. Golden Dox ears need to be checked and cleaned once a week to avoid ear infection and his nails should be clipped every two to three weeks. Teeth should be brushed daily or at least three times a week. How can I keep my Golden Dox healthy and happy? As mentioned on the first paragraph the average lifespan of a Golden Dox is 10 to 14 years. Some common health issues are the same as what its parents have. These may be ear infections, intervertebral disc disease, and hip dysplasia. Where can I buy a Golden Dachshund? You can get them from breeders, but, sometimes, you can find a Golden Dox for adoption at rescues and shelters. Breeders who focus on the Golden Retriever-Dachshund mix may not be common, but you may check breeders of the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund. Conclusion Overall, the Golden Dox is ideal for an owner who can take the time to go out and play with it. They are active dogs that want you to be with him in their daily activities for them to be healthy and happy. These crossbreeds can be high-maintenance when it comes to your time and in affirmation. If you have the stamina, the Golden Retriever Dachshund mix is perfect for you. If you want to share your experience with the breed, feel free to submit a comment below. About Alexandra Animalso I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. Are the dams and sires of Golden Dox puppies always a Golden sire and Dachshund dam or does it go both ways? If so, is having a Golden dam or a Golden sire better? Like many designer breeds, we don't know much about the origins of this mixed breed. However, we can uncover the history of both parent breeds. Golden retriever Waterfowl hunting was extremely popular among the Scottish nobility. But existing salvagers lacked the skills to salvage the shooter on land and water. They were therefore crossed with water spaniels, thus creating the Golden Retriever. Dudley Majoribanks developed the breed as the ideal hunting dog, keeping scrupulous records between the s and s. Today, the Golden Retriever is very popular as a pet. But he is also an excellent therapy and assistance dog. Dachshund The origins of the Dachshund date back to the 17th century in Germany. Bred for badger hunting, the dachshund's elongated body and short legs allowed it to penetrate the animals' tunnels. Their brave nature gave them the courage to attack the inhabitants and force them above ground. Unfortunately, due to Dachshund's connection to Germany, they lost popularity during both World Wars. But since the s, they have become popular companion dogs. They also argue that a hybrid's traits are unpredictable compared to those of a purebred, making the outcome of a pup uncertain. On the plus side, crossbreeding strengthens the gene pool, reducing the risk of many hereditary diseases and deformities. The appearance of the Dachshund Golden Retriever Mix Having two wildly different parent breeds makes it challenging to determine what a Dachshund Golden Retriever mix looks like. Size of the Dachshund Golden Retriever Mix The size and weight of a Golden Dox can vary significantly due to the extreme differences in the size of the two parent breeds. You can expect your Golden Retriever Dachshund mix to weigh an average of 30 to 60 pounds with a height ranging from 10 to 23 inches. Due to their noticeable physical differences, this mixed breed is only possible by having a male Dachshund and a female Golden Retriever. The opposite is too risky for mothers and puppies. Physical Characteristics of the Dachshund Golden Retriever Mix The Dachshund is known for his distinctive long back that often defines the Golden Dox, as well as his short legs. Other physical traits include the Golden Retriever's face and head, which may have the Dachshund's long nose, long droopy ears, and a muscular, compact body. Coat of the Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix The coat of the Dachshund Golden Retriever mix has various possibilities in length and texture depending on their parent breed. It can be long, medium, or short and have a stiff or smooth surface with a wavy or straight double coat. Possible coat colors include dark or light gold, tan, black, brown, red, and yellow. To know what to expect from your Golden Dox, we need to look at both parent breeds. Golden Retriever Temperament: They love company and get along with everyone, including children and other animals. Bred to hunt all day, the Golden Retriever is highly intelligent with high energy levels. Dachshund temperament: Dachshunds are stubborn with a strong independent streak. Despite their small size, the dachshund thinks they are bigger than they are. They are known for their bold nature, with some showing signs of aggression. In , a scientific study of over 30 breeds found that Dachshunds scored high on aggression directed at humans and other dogs, including biting or attempting to bite. That said, the Dachshund is a loyal little dog that is comical and loves to play. But they are jealous and possessive. What should you expect? The Dachshund Golden Retriever mix will likely be playful, intelligent, loyal, and loving. They make excellent companion dogs with high energy levels and a love of the outdoors. However, they should never be left alone for long periods as they suffer from separation anxiety resulting in destructive behaviors like digging and chewing. The goal of breeding the Golden Dox is to reduce some of the Dachshund's extreme personality traits with the Golden Retriever's gentleness. In addition, the goal is to give a much more tolerant and gentle lapdog. However, with any mixed breed, there is no guaranteed outcome, and a puppy may inherit more traits from one parent breed than the other or a mixture of the two. Does the dog in your life have a cat in theirs? Don't miss life's perfect companion with an excellent friend. There are actually lots of different names out there for this mix breed. So much so that it can get a little confusing when searching for a Golden weiner dog or Golden Dox for sale. Either term is fine, although Golden Dox is more common. You are probably more likely to find breeders and keen owners talking about Dox crosses than Weiner Dogs. Just make sure to see the parents when buying a puppy, to make sure you and the breeder really are on the same page. Want to train your dog without spending hundreds of dollars? Click Here to check out the brain training for Dogs course now! Why some people are concerned about this extreme hybrid and question the ethics in breeding it? There are some people that will dislike the idea of this cross because it is so extreme. There are fears over the health of the parents and litter, and the practices involved in creating the pups. Clearly, the most important issue on the minds of owners is the size of the dog. Golden retrievers are medium sized gun dogs with a good build. Dachshunds are tiny little hounds with long bodies and short legs. There are many short Golden Doxie dogs with longer bodies and the ears and color of the Golden. These factors will all depend on the leaning towards a certain parent. Some take after the Golden a lot, while others are much more like the Dachshund. Gender will also play its part here. The opposite would put a female Dachshund at risk because of the size of the puppies. Clearly, this safer method requires artificial insemination. Many breeders will go about this the correct way, and breed for healthier litters with fewer health concerns. Others wont think about the risks and could put the pups and mother at risk. Ideally, these pups wont have as many spinal issues, but there are still joint risks due to the heritage of the Golden Retriever. Other risks include epilepsy , bloating and some eye problems. Some Golden Doxes may live longer with proper care. Others will not live that long due to physical issues. Take a guess! We think all of these names are extremely cute, but the one that caught our attention the most is the Golden Dox. Like with most mixed dog breeds , people get very creative with dog names and nicknames, so can you with the Golden Dox puppy! Although it may seem like an unusual combination, Golden Retrievers can indeed breed with Dachshunds. The breeding process requires that the Golden Retriever female carries the Golden Dox puppies. Wondering why? Both the Dachshund and the Golden Retriever parent must undergo a health examination prior to mating. Dog owners have to be aware that the mating process comes with its risks, especially when you have two dogs that are very different from one another in size. Male Dachshunds are outgoing and energetic little dogs that can become even more energetic during heat periods in female dogs. When a male Doxie shows signs that it wants to mate , he will be determined to do so — no matter what! Obviously, there is a massive difference in size. When it comes to their personality traits, the Golden Retrievers are known to be the best family dogs and companions for practically everyone. On the other hand, Doxies are known to be needy and even a bit aggressive! There is lots of information about our beloved sausage dogs being the most aggressive dog breeds in the world. Say whaaat? It seems like there is nothing similar between the purebred Golden Retriever and the purebred Dachshund. Or is it? The Dachshund Parent The wonderful sausage doggy we all know and love very much. The Dachshund originates from Germany and it was bred primarily to be a fierce hunter. Back in the 17th century when serious Dachshund breed development took place, this small dog was used to hunt badgers and other small animals. With its short legs, the Dachshund showed incredible digging skills. Its long snout could get inside the holes it dug, so it was pretty easy for it to retrieve any small animal from the ground. Clever, active, courageous, and a bit stubborn are the words that best describe the Dachshund breed. Perhaps the reason why both male and female Dachshunds are so energetic, loud, and needy might just lay in the way they were bred. These doggies were always on the mission to hunt and thrived when they had a job to do. Plus, they were very attached to their owners, just like modern Doxies are. Its smiling face and loyalty towards its family members made the Goldie one of the most popular breeds in the world. The Golden Retriever is a large Scottish dog whose origin dates back to the s. It was primarily bred to, you guessed it — retrieve game such as waterfowl from bodies of water and bushes. Its hunting skills were passed down from Water Spaniels that were used to create this purebred dog. Many Golden Retriever dog lovers may not be aware of it, but this golden pup is one of the best bird hunting dog breeds. Not only that, but the cuddly Goldie has also earned its spot on the smartest dog breeds list. Besides their affectionate nature, both Golden Retriever genders are real smarty pants! But, we might just have an answer to it! As with most dogs, male and female Golden Doxies are going to be different in height and weight. Its size will also depend on whether or not the Dachshund parent is a miniature or standard type. Due to the fact that there is a size difference between the American and English Golden Retriever , this factor is also something to keep in mind. Height Despite its large and tall Golden Retriever parent, the Golden Dox is going to be a short dog. It usually inherits the dwarfism gene from its Dachshund parent that makes its legs short. Having said that, the Golden Dox height ranges from 10 to 23 inches. We can say that the Golden Dox is going to be a small to medium-sized dog. In case you are not sure how big a purebred Dachshund will get, we got you covered with our detailed Dachshund growth chart. Weight The weight of a Golden Dox pup can vary depending on which parent side it leans more towards. With both dog parents looking and weighing so different, the weight range of a Golden Doxie can be quite broad. However, in most cases the Golden Dox weighs between 30 and 60 pounds. The Golden Retriever growth chart shows how big this purebred dog gets, so you can figure out its maximum weight. Both Goldie and Dachshund growth charts can help in predicting the size of your Golden Dox puppy. Photo from: frejalolathehotdogs Oh, these are splendid little sausage dogs that inherit very unique looks! When you take a good look at the Golden Dox puppy, you see that it clearly resembles both the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund parent. Most of the time, the Golden Dox inherits equal appearance and personality traits from its Golden Retriever and Dachshund parents. However, the way the Golden Dox looks depends on whether or not both parent dogs are purebred or not. If a purebred Goldie is bred with a Dachshund mix puppy, then the outcome will be something different. To achieve the unique Golden Dox look, both the Dachshund and the Golden Retriever parents must be purebred dogs. For Goldies we have a field and show Golden Retrievers , while Dachshunds can be miniature or standard sized. So, the body structure of a Golden Dox will depend on these factors. Oh and, if a blockhead Golden Retriever is in the mix, then the Golden Dox has a higher chance of inheriting a larger and sturdier skull along with almost identical facial features as the Goldie parent. Unique Appearance The Golden Dox puppy inherits short legs and elongated sausage body like most Dachshund mixes do. The long muzzle is still present, as well as floppy ears. Strong and sturdy bones are inherited from the Golden Retriever parent. For the most part, the Golden Dox has a wider skull than its purebred Dachshund parent. How a Golden Dox coat type will turn out depends solely on what types of Dachshund and Golden Retriever were crossed. Yes, both dog breeds come in different types, and all types have different coat lengths and densities. Canadian Golden Retriever — short and thin coat 3. American Golden Retriever — flat or wavy with feathering and a ruff around the neck The Dachshund parent comes in three coat types as well: 1. Smooth Doxie — short and shiny coat 2. Long-haired Doxie — soft and dense coat 3. Wire-haired Doxie — short and wiry Golden Retrievers of all types inherit a double coat, while the wire-haired Dachshund is known to be the only Doxie type to inherit this coat. However, long-haired Dachshunds usually inherit double coats. All of this should be taken into consideration when estimating what kind of coat type a Golden Dox will have. But, the funky sausage dog is here with over twenty different coat colors and patterns. I mean, the official Dachshund breed standard states that there are twelve Dachshund coat colors. So, this means that the Golden Dox is bound to inherit a whole pinwheel of interesting coat colors. Golden, cream, white, black and tan, wheaten, red, black and cream, and so on — almost any color you can imagine! Take a look at the dapple Dachshund dog, a very unique pup that could pass its color genes to the Golden Dox puppy. Do Golden Dox Shed? Photo from: cookiegoldendoxie The shedding amount of a Golden Dox puppy will depend on previously mentioned coat types of both parent breeds. The Golden Retriever has a thicker and denser coat than the small Dachshund parent. Goldies shed normally moderately the year, but fall and spring are when they shed the most. On the other hand, Dachshunds shed very little. Due to the fact that the Golden Dox is a combination of both worlds, the shedding amounts seem to be divided evenly, making the Golden Dox a relatively low-shedder. But, this can vary. If a long-haired Dachshund mixes with a Golden Retriever, chances are that it will shed moderately. Quick answer — no. The Golden Dox is not a hypoallergenic crossbreed because both parents are not hypoallergenic pooches. Although they make great family pets, Golden Retrievers may cause health issues to allergy sufferers. Same goes for Dachshunds. Even though they can inherit short coats, Dachshunds are still non-hypoallergenic dogs. On the other side: extremely energetic, playful, loyal, affectionate, and unbelievably cuddly. The Golden Retriever Dachshund mix puppy is all of that! Actually, the Golden Dox personality is quite difficult to put in words. The Golden Dox has two incredible dog breeds for parents. It inherits the lovely and affectionate side from both of them. Willingness to play and please is definitely something that the Golden Dox inherits from the Golden Retriever parent. Devotion and high energy levels are passed onto the Golden Dox from its Dachshund parent. Personality traits of the Golden Dox puppy that aspiring dog owners may find challenging include stubbornness and free-will. Even though the Golden Dox can be extremely obedient and loyal, there are times when it wants to have things its own way. Golden Retrievers are among the most loved family pets in the U. But, most dog lovers are not aware that Golden Retrievers may have an aggressive side to them. As for Dachshunds, these small sausage dogs are known to be needy and loud, but extremely affectionate! However, Dachshunds are also labeled as aggressive dogs. What gives? Does this mean that the Golden Retriever Dachshund mix puppy is going to be an aggressive dog? No way! Both Golden Retrievers and Dachshunds parent breeds are fun, outgoing, loyal and affectionate family pets. If trained and socialized on time, both make wonderful pets that will do anything to please their loved ones. So does their little hybrid offspring, the Golden Dox. I mean, any dog can become aggressive if not trained and socialized properly. Photo from: brianbsantacruz Even though it gets attached to one person in particular, the Golden Dox gets along with everyone in the house. It can be very good with children and with the elderly. Besides being an affectionate cuddle buddy, the Golden Dox is actually a small guard dog. Golden Doxies can get really loud and bark at nothing , just enough to alarm their owners. This particular trait makes them great guard dogs. There might be an issue if you own a cat or other small animals because the Golden Dox may inherit a high prey drive. Both parent breeds are known for their hunting skills, so the Golden Dox may see the small animal as prey. Photo from: frejalolathehotdogs Children will love the Golden Retriever Dachshund mix, not only for its size and cute looks, but for its high energy levels and willingness to play. Children must know how to play nicely with Golden Dox puppies, while puppies must go through early socialization and get used to being around children. There are times when kids become too much even for the highly energetic Golden Dox, so it will want to be alone if it feels like it. I would advise parents to never leave their small children unsupervised with a Golden Dox, or any other dog. Besides running around and chasing stuff, Golden Doxies enjoy mental games that get their clever brains going! You can expect a Golden Dox puppy to be a very smart little dog with lots of energy and zoomies that are difficult to calm down! But, you will love the energy that this mixed breed passes onto everyone. Are Golden Dachshunds Healthy? However, several congenital health problems from purebred parents can still be passed onto the hybrid Golden Dox puppy. Golden Doxies are generally healthy pups, but there are some health risks lurking in their genetic code. Conclusion Each Golden Dox has its flair, depending on how much each parent they inherit. You can find all the information you need about these Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix puppies in our comprehensive guide so that you can decide if the Golden Dox puppy is the right one for you. Here's what you need to know. Because the Golden Retriever and Dachshund parent breeds are so dissimilar, it's difficult to predict how a Golden Retriever Dachshund hybrid would appear. There are tremendous differences in size, coat, and body shape, so it is no wonder that this is the case. The Golden Dox dog looks very much like a Golden Retriever, and it is a very cute dog. All of us know that Golden Retrievers have been the most popular breed of dog for many years among dog lovers; after all, no one is surprised by this fact. In addition to being adored for their endearing and innocent looks, they are also well-known and in high demand. Furthermore, they are highly sociable with others. They can also have markings. They are usually golden, although they may also be red, blonde, black, or brown. Spotted and merle colors are more uncommon, as they are generally a recessive feature that Golden Retrievers lack. Size Golden Doxes have short legs, large torsos, and floppy ears. They are tiny to medium-sized canines. The average Golden Doxie weighs 30 to 60 pounds and stands 10 to 23 inches tall. The size difference between these dogs and their dachshund or golden retriever parents is frequently noticeable. Coat The Golden Dox will most likely inherit the head shape and facial traits of a Golden, but it will indeed have the longer, low-slung physique of a Dachshund with a coat that can represent either breed. The Golden Retriever typically has a wavy, medium-length double coat with a golden or white hue that resembles that of the Golden Retriever. Nature Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix puppies are real people lovers who like cuddling and simply being around their humans. This breed is good with children, and makes an excellent pet for a family. On the other hand, their loving attitude makes them poor guard dogs. Strangers are more likely to be welcomed than frightened by Golden Dox. They get along with other dogs but not with other animals. Golden Dachshunds mix pups are not annoying barkers and will only bark if something is wrong with them. Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix - Things to Know Temperament Golden Doxes are gentle canines with some of the most appealing characteristics among lap dogs. These puppies are inquisitive, lively, and prone to social engagement. However, these puppies become fatigued rapidly due to their small size and may need to be removed from the situation if they become upset. These dog breeds are highly loving and excellent to have around the house if you can respect their boundaries. These puppies may begin to indulge in destructive habits, including chewing and scratching, if they take too much after their golden retriever parent. You may solve this problem by providing more toys and a clean, free room for them to run about in. Grooming A Golden Dox's fur is fluffy and has to be groomed regularly to keep it in excellent shape. Brush your dog's fur at least once every few days, if not on a regular basis, for optimal benefits. You should also bathe them twice a month, wash their teeth , and keep their nails trimmed. Golden doxes all have different coats, so they'll need to go to the groomer on a frequent basis to keep in good form. Remember to get your dog's fur cut to save them from overheating in the summer. Training The Golden Dox are clever creatures who respond swiftly to commands if adequately motivated. Positive reinforcement works on Golden Retrievers and Dachshunds, making training a Golden Dox easier for owners. Going on fast runs and catches with your dog might also be part of the training strategy. Positive reinforcement strategies include sweets, praise, and presents. Golden doxes are tough to teach since they are picky creatures. Although they like spending time with their owners, they are not fond of being told what to do. You should start with to minute training sessions, and then stop when you notice your dog isn't paying attention anymore. Remember to conduct refresher activities at least once or twice a week after your dog has been taught. Extra training is also an excellent reason to spend spare time with your dog. Exercise Golden Retrievers require a lot of activity, but dachshunds are pretty inactive. Therefore, Golden Doxes need a yard so that they can roam freely. These dogs are very small, so unless you're willing to take them to the restroom every few hours, they might not be a suitable choice for apartment life. Otherwise, make sure your low-riding dog has lots of toys and a clear roaming area on the floor, so he doesn't get lost, confused, or hurt when exploring the home. Food Golden Doxes' stomachs are tiny and delicate; therefore, they don't require a lot of food. Make sure your dog receives small amounts of high-quality kibble every day, and choose a kibble that's made specifically for small dogs. You could expect your dog to be energetic all day if you feed them too much. Please do not give these dogs scraps since they are more likely to develop stomach or liver disorders, resulting in a shorter lifetime. Average life expectancy The Golden Dox will require frequent exercise, food tailored to his size and age, and regular vet visits to live a happy and healthy life. The lifespan of Golden Retrievers is generally the same as their parents. The life expectancy of a medium-sized dog is between 12 and 14 years, which is reasonable for a dog of his size. Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix-Health Guidelines It's common for Designer Dogs to be physically healthier than their purebred parents; however, you should always do some research if you are interested in learning what your new puppy may inherit from his parents. One of the most common reasons against purebred dogs is that they have more health problems than mixed-breed dogs due to a lack of genetic variety. While this is often true, it does not mean that mixes like the Golden Dox are immune to their parents' health problems. While proper breeding can help prevent the spread of these illnesses, you must regularly manage them. This devastating spine condition may affect dogs in a variety of ways, with some canines experiencing just minor discomfort and others being paralyzed permanently. Long-backed dogs should be maintained trim, walked on a leash, and jumped on as little as possible. Epilepsy A type of epilepsy that appears for no apparent reason is called idiopathic epilepsy. Recurrent seizures can occur in patients with this condition because of abnormal brain activity. Many types of epilepsy exist, including facial twitching and generalized seizures. You should seek treatment for your Dachshund Golden Retriever's epilepsy by consulting a veterinarian. Ear infection Throughout their lives, the Golden Dox is prone to ear infections. Because of the ear's structure, dirt and debris become trapped inside, and the atmosphere within the canal tends to be damp and wet, allowing bacteria and yeast to thrive. Regular ear washing and avoiding getting ears wet during bathing and swimming can help prevent ear infections. Allergies Your dog may have an allergy if it's itching in a specific area or all over the body, and it's having difficulties breathing. Allergies can also cause skin issues, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. Determine the allergen that the Golden Dox was exposed to in order to prevent them from developing allergies. You will be able to prolong the life of your Golden Retriever Dachshund hybrid if you take proper care of him. You will also be able to help him become healthy and robust. Conclusion Overall, the Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix is best suited to an owner who has the leisure to play with it. They are energetic dogs who require your presence in their everyday activities in order for them to be healthy and happy. The Golden Dox is the classic pet dog, intelligent, friendly, and lively, and is an excellent choice for first-time owners and families with children. They do, however, demand a lot of care and may be stubborn during training sessions, so they may not be the best option for everyone. When it comes to your attention and affirmation, these crossbreeds may be high-maintenance. The Golden Retriever Dachshund breed is ideal for those who have the stamina. If, however, you are looking for a dog with a distinct look, then the Golden Dox is an excellent option. More Dog's World. The two dog breeds also love to spend their lives outside of their homes. Families who like to go on trips and spend time outside the house are perfect for the hybrid dog. Spend about thirty to sixty minutes a day to exercise with your dog. Take the Dachshund Golden Retriever on a walk in the morning and the evening. During the day, play fetch with the Golden dox leaning to the Golden Retriever side. If it is leaning to the dachshund side, the fetch game may not work as well. Make sure that your house has proper fences to avoid losing the hybrid dog. It is also ideal to avoid letting the Dachshund Golden Retriever from jumping off of high places to prevent leg and back injuries. Puppies love exploring things in their early days, which makes a trip to the woods an ideal exercise for your baby Golden Dox. Invite your friends to your house to give the dog the chance to form bonds with strangers at a young age. Make your friends offer treats to the Golden Dox to make it feel comfortable with friendly visitors. While in public, make sure that you keep your Golden dox on a leash to avoid losing your adventurous pet. It is also ideal for the hybrid dog to participate in dog sports like flyball, treibball, and agility exercises. Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix Training When training the Golden Retriever and dachshund mix, you need to be consistent with your technique. The Golden Dox are intelligent creatures and will react to orders quickly with proper motivation. Positive reinforcement can work on Golden Retrievers and dachshund, which makes it easier for owners to train a Golden Dox. The training method can also include having fun with your dog by going on quick runs and catches. Use treats, praise, and gifts as your positive reinforcement techniques. Golden retrievers are one of the most natural dog breeds to teach, which is why training will not be an issue if the hybrid puppy is leaning more on the Golden Retriever side. The retrievers dedicate themselves to exercise until they get the command right. Dachshunds are more challenging to train because of their stubborn personalities. They can quickly learn commands but feel less inclined to obey them. They mostly decide on what they want to do rather than listen to order if they are not in the mood. To understand better the Sausage pup personality, skim through Dachshund training and Dachshund potty training articles, as well as our Dachshund breed guide. If the pup is leaning to the Golden Retriever side, training will be a breeze. It is advisable for the whole family to use similar command gestures to avoid confusing the dachshund mixed with the Golden Retriever. It is also recommendable to start building a connection with the Golden Dox and let it calm itself before undergoing training. The Golden Dox love to chase and hunt smaller animals, which makes it vital to teach it how to obey commands. If you own a Golden Dox puppy, go through the best ways to train your puppy article, you will find lots of useful info there. Make sure to avoid the most common mistakes in dog training. It is also important to socialize the Golden Dox with other animals in its first months. The dogs leaning to the Dachshund side will chase after other pets, sometimes animals bigger than it, because of lack of training. Its energy levels are suitable for people who love to go outside and participate in activities. Dachshund Golden Retriever is also loyal when owners take the time and patience to raise them properly. The alert level of the Golden Dox is exceptionally high, making them great guards for a safe house. A Golden Dox is a welcome addition to a loving family. When owners dedicate their time to the dog, it will repay them with loyalty and affection. The price of a Golden Dox may be expensive, but it will be worth it when it starts to form bonds with each of the family members. If you are interested in more Dachshund mixes , take a look at our list of these mix cuties. Brown, tan, black, gold suitable Suitable for: Active families, guard duty, children Temperament: Playful, loving, loyal The appearance of your Golden Dox can vary dramatically depending on what parent it takes after. However, it usually has a long muscular build with short legs and floppy ears. Its color can be any combination of the parents, and the fur is very dense but does not shed too heavily. 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. This means you will be dealing with a breeder if you want to welcome a Golden Dox into your home, so you should be sure to ask all of the right questions before you begin the adoption process with anyone. Most of the better breeders will run genetic tests on the parents to make sure they are not passing on genes that can lead to a health problem later on, and while these tests can raise the price of your dog, they tend to be worth it in the long run. Golden Dox puppies are adorable, cuddly, and full of energy. They are friendly, they love people, and they love to play. This breed typically has plenty of energy to spare and is welcoming to strangers but is also alert and will let you know if someone unexpected is in the yard, so they make fantastic guard dogs. It likes to be the center of attention and will require plenty of positive reinforcement. Early socialization will help it enjoy being around other pets, but they usually make friends quickly with most other dogs. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Its high activity level makes it well suited to large families because each person can help the dog gets the exercise it needs to stay healthy and happy. It likes to make friends and will usually play games a few minutes after meeting a new dog. In most cases, the two will get along fine, but your Golden Dox may chase cats and other small animals in the yard.
How long should puppies stay with their mother? The ideal window is between 8 and weeks-old. They are healthy and adorable, and you want to bring them home as soon as you possibly can. However, the time your puppy spends with their mother and siblings is critical for development, and so it's important to make sure they spend this growth period with their litter. The first month For the first four weeks or so, puppies depend on their mothers for everything. This milk provides all the nutrition the puppies need for the first few weeks after birth. Weaning to solid foods Puppies start to experiment with solid food as early as 3-weeks-old. They still nurse, and mothers continue to produce milk for up to 10 weeks. Some nursing is for nutrition, but it is also a comforting, bonding activity for the puppies. Most puppies are fully weaned to solid food between 7 and 10 weeks of age, although the transition can occur earlier. Learning to speak dog Just as important for puppy development is learning proper canine etiquette and communication as part of a litter. For example, as early as 3 weeks of age, puppies start learning from their mother and siblings to eliminate away from where they sleep, which helps with housebreaking later. The pups are practicing hunting and communication behaviors that they need to perfect. One of the most important skills that puppies learn through play is bite inhibition and not chomping down too hard. If a puppy bites too hard, the other will cry out, signaling that the bite was too rough. Moms will do the same thing or may gently correct the puppies for getting too rough. This is a critical lesson to learn before heading out into the world, as other dogs will be far less tolerant of inappropriate puppy play than Mom! Biting is also a common problem behavior that can land a dog in a shelter or worse later in life. Puppies will also practice a variety of vocalizations and body language, learning to communicate with their siblings and mother. Socialization Puppies have an early critical socialization period from approximately 5 to 14 weeks of age. During this time, puppies are open to learning and experiencing new things, and the things they learn will affect how they go through the rest of their lives. Breeders and other caretakers should be exposing the puppies to novel sights and sounds on a regular basis. Puppies destined to be working or sporting dogs should be exposed to things they will encounter in their future roles, such as sheep wool for herding dogs, a variety of materials and obstacles to climb over for agility dogs, and training scents for future drug and bomb detection dogs. These safe exposures should continue after you bring your puppy home, but early socialization with litter-mates and the mother are also important for building confidence. The puppies will observe how their mother responds to new people and things and then mimic her behavior. If Mom is relaxed and friendly around new people, the puppies will likely be comfortable with strangers. Research has found that puppies who are separated from the litter too early are more likely to show fear, aggression, anxiety, resource guarding, reactivity and inappropriate play biting than puppies who stay with the litter for at least eight weeks. The ideal time The exact time that is best for a puppy to go to its new home can vary by situation, but most breeders and veterinarians agree that 8 weeks of age is a good minimum. Some states have laws in place preventing puppies from being sold any earlier. Eight weeks after birth, the puppy is eating solid food on their own, they have benefited from socializing with litter-mates and observing mom, and they are well within the ideal timeframe to bond with new owners. Breeders may also opt to keep the puppies until 10 or 12 weeks of age. Toy breeds in particular are often kept with the litter until they are 12 weeks old because they are so small and fragile. This gives the pups extra time with the litter, and still has them going to their forever homes in plenty of time to form a strong bond with their new people. And anyone who has welcomed an adult dog into their home knows that dogs of any age will still bond with their new owners as long as they have had socialization with people! Keeping the puppies longer does mean more work for the breeder, since they are responsible for all the puppies during those extra weeks. But if the breeder is putting in that time and effort to give the puppies a great foundation, then the extra time with their litter can be very beneficial to both you and your new puppy. These pups are incredibly intelligent and capable canines who are ready to work. And German Shepherd puppies are too cute! Remember, you can get any kind of dog, including a GSD, from shelters and rescues, so always adopt! They tend to be one-family pets, meaning they can be suspicious of strangers. Although absolutely gorgeous, Shepherds are shedders to the max. Prepare for a snow globe of hair to poof off your pup any time you give them a big snuggle, which will be more often than not. When you first get your puppy, playing may consist of nipping due to their herding background. When your GSD is fully grown, they may love to wrestle around and forget how big they are. These pups are always up for snuggling with others, including kids and other pets. Softies Who Are Also Busy Bodies If you want a German Shepherd puppy in your life, you have to really want your dog to be a part of every little bit of your daily routine. Morning showers? Your pup will want to sit right outside to make sure you rinse off the soap. Your bed? Highly intelligent and curious, Shepherds want to know what is going on all of the time. German Shepherds will attach at the hip and make the right person the happiest dog parent on the planet. German Shepherd puppy in grass close-up of German Shepherd puppy German Shepherd puppy in profile German Shepherd puppy on rock German Shepherd puppy lying down on lawn German Shepherd puppy looking at camera German Shepherd puppy on snow German Shepherd puppy in yard Remember, you can find just about any breed of dog you are looking for at a shelter or rescue. Would you adopt a German Shepherd Puppy? Do you have experience with these adorable pups? Let us know in the comments below! If you have a German Shepherd who plays rough, you might hesitate to stop him because you might be interrupting his fun. For the most part, you would be right not to stop the play. That means you need to know when to step in and limit how rough they can get during play fighting. Otherwise, they will be incompatible with smaller breeds or children. Recent research has shown that both veterinarians and the public believe that different dog breeds differ in their sensitivity to pain. The results of this survey included the German Shepherd. In contrast, veterinarians disagreed with this view, claiming that body size was just a minor indicator of pain sensitivity. But whatever your view, German Shepherds love to play rough. Once you learn where the boundaries are, you must be assertive and step in no matter how much fun your pooch might seem to be having. You do! The solution is different for each context and is detailed in the respective subheading. German Shepherds are intelligent and receptive to training. Remember, they have the strength to herd livestock yet have historically aided in nurturing and securing them. The non-negotiable aspect of this is proper socializing. Fortunately, I have a complete guide on how to train a German Shepherd puppy. Pro Tip! Experts recommend adopting a dog of the opposite gender. For the happiest dogs and the safest homes, opposite-sex dogs almost always get along better. Many same-sex combinations will fight as they want to be the dominant pet. Get comfortable putting your German Shepherd in an effective timeout a few times. Since GSDs are intelligent, it will take less than four timeouts before understanding where the limit is. An effective timeout means marking the behavior at the precise moment it occurs, and the duration should be no more than a minute for adult dogs and just a few seconds for puppies. Letting your German Shepherd know that there are limits is not the challenging part. The challenging part is figuring out where the boundaries are. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Puppies German Shepherd puppies are incredibly playful. So how do you play with a German Shepherd puppy? This article will examine the best way to play and entertain your German Shepherd puppy, providing example games to play and activities to do. The best way to play with a German Shepherd puppy is through short bursts of low-impact physical activity. This will keep their growing bones and joints safe from injury and malformation. Additionally, play games that sharpen their motors skills and hone their natural abilities. All dogs have a maximum tolerance for exercise, and playtime counts towards that limit. Most will play for as long as you allow them. Thus, you need to pay attention and keep them from overexertion, especially during activities that involve plenty of physical movement. In general, young dogs should have two sessions of exercise per day where each session is about 5 minutes per month of age. So, a German Shepherd puppy of around 2 months old should only get 10 minutes of playtime twice a day while a 6-month-old pup can tolerate two minute sessions. By the time your GSD is a year old, they should be able to tolerate hour-long sessions of play or exercise. Keep in mind, however, that these are general guidelines. You need to keep an eye on your dog and determine their own tolerance to avoid serious consequences like overheating and overexertion. Like children, individual dogs have different preferences. Use play as a means to strengthen their motor skills, nurture their sense of curiosity, and build their confidence. The best toys for young German Shepherds are interactive ones that stimulate their senses. Especially exciting are treat dispensers and squeaky toys while teething toys provide tons of comfort. They also love balls that they can grasp and chase after. They also love playing with people and other animals. Doing this often will help prove each of these commands and ensure they will obey no matter the situation. Have fun with the Obedience Shuffle by randomly asking for each command and rewarding your dog every time they obey. Make it increasingly difficult for them by adding distractions in between. Hide-and-Seek Hide-and-Seek is an excellent game to play with your German Shepherd puppy because it requires some concentration, sniffing, and running. It also primes them to think of you as the best reward. To play this, ask your dog to stay while you hide. Release them from their stay position and respond with excitement and praises when they find you. Hide in easy-to-find spots at first and find more difficult hiding places as your pup picks up on the object of the game. You can start by keeping your pup in a down position as they watch you hide the treats. When they understand the point of the game, you can make it more challenging by keeping them in another room and letting them in only when all the treats are hidden. It also requires very little space and involves more concentration and nose work. To play the shell game, take 3 cups and some treats, and sit across from your dog. Place the cups upside down on the floor and keep a treat under only one. Shuffle the cups before arranging them in a row. Turn over the first one your pup touches. If they get the right one, let them have the treat. If not, re-shuffle the cups and play again. Find-and-Retrieve Find-and-Retrieve is not just a game of obedience and concentration. This game involves teaching your dog the proper names of things, finding those things on command, and handing them over to you. To play this game, start by teaching your dog the name of one toy. Then, make the game more difficult by asking them to retrieve the ball from other places. Here are other things you can do to interact with your puppy, strengthen your bond, and help them to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally: Walking Walking can be a good way for your GSD pup to learn more about the world outside of your home. Allow young pups to walk at their own pace and try not to be too harsh on the lead. Let them stop to sniff and interact with whatever they might find interesting. This will form a huge part of their socialization. German Shepherds typically like water if they are exposed to it and learn how fun it can be. Swimming is also an excellent way to have fun with your growing dog since it is easy on the bones and joints. Being in water will also help strengthen muscles for even better skeletal development. Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys for dogs are not only excellent for mental stimulation but also for independent play. Depending on the toy, it could also help prime your German Shepherd for nose work, combat boredom, and control their impulses. They can compete in these companion sports as early as 6 months old or you can simply join local clubs to engage in these activities for fun. This helps avoid issues like hip and elbow dysplasia in the future. Until your German Shepherd has developed into adulthood, you should generally avoid activities that involve plenty of jumping. Staircases and other steep angles are safe enough for regular use but not as a means to exercise. Additionally, when running or walking, opt for turf and soil rather than concrete. Final Thoughts Discovering the best ways to play with your German Shepherd puppy will help you develop a strong bond and learn to communicate with one another. These games will also help stimulate their intellect and develop a love for learning. Learning how to discipline your GSD puppy correctly will teach them to respect your leadership and stay on their best behavior.
Our commitment to the breed! The German Shepherd Dog is an exceptional dog. GSDs are able to perform at a high level in many different skills and duties: search and rescue, nose work, protection, herding, service and therapy work, and sport work, all while being loyal and loving pets. A GSD will always have your back! Unfortunately, poor breeding has created many genetically flawed and sick dogs. These genetically flawed dogs break hearts and bank accounts and destroy the standard of the breed. Our breeding program is committed to providing genetically sound, clear in the head, true-to-the-breed-dogs, both in body and mind. All our breeding dogs are genetically tested for disease markers to ensure that they will not be subjected to these diseases. All our dogs go though hip and elbow testing and all are titled in Schutzhund or AKC and are certified in police, service or therapy disciplines. Our breeding stock are all imported or from imported stock and have outstanding lineage. From a Medal of Honor winner and IPO3-titled dog to a certified narcotics detection and patrol service dog - our GSDs come from highly awarded lines, true to the breed and clear in the head. We start working with our puppies the day they are born. They receive early neurological stimulation: They are introduced to sounds of city noises and thunderstorms starting the third week - these sounds are introduced very quietly at the beginning and increase over time. We "play" as soon as they are able, working their natural drive and building confidence. They get a head start on the housebreaking process: At 4 weeks we introduce a "litter" box and at 6 weeks we move to outside potty breaks. We begin crate training at 6 weeks, with the goal of having them sleeping singly by the time they go to their forever home. You will appreciate this more than you know! And of course, they are age-appropriate vaccinated, microchipped and thoroughly examined by our veterinarian. Exercise Grooming In the 19th century, Shepherds bred all kinds of dogs mainly to herd and guard flocks. Thus, the dogs needed to display a high level of intelligence, extra normal strength, resilience, courage and bravery, a keen sense of smell, and trainability qualities, etc. These mongrel combinations provided dog breeds that could efficiently guard and herd flocks but differed in appearance and ability, from one locality to another. German Shepherd dogs are well known to be highly inquisitive which makes them excellent for rescue mission training. The German Shepherd has a noble character and shows very high levels of loyalty to its owners. The dog is also described as extremely territorial and has displayed characteristics of overprotectiveness in some cases. The German shepherd can survive in all types of environment; their thick furriness makes them better prepared for cold climates. German Shepherds are considered extremely playful and active. These breeds spend half of their daily routine with activities. The German Shepherd is popularly known as an athletic natured dog and requires a good dose of daily exercise to keep up muscle tone, build and development. If improperly exercised the German Shepherd has been known to become frustrated and exhibit undesirable behaviors. The German Shepherd requires an occasional brushing, as this helps with removing loose hair from its fur. The German Shepherd sheds fur once or twice a year and in this time the breed requires a lot of soft brushing. This can be done using a soft to medium bristle brush. The German Shepherd occasionally requires that its nails are trimmed off when they grow too long, however, some breeds instinctually file their nails against any hard surface that can be fine. Excessive nail growth can cause much pain and even lead to structural concerns. In choosing a German Shepherd breed you must ask yourself what it is you want in a dog and what kind of person are you? Our German Shepherd puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. German Shepherd Puppies for Sale. We have answers. Of course! Are there any San Antonio German Shepherd puppies for sale right now? Every single breeder and company on our site is pre-screened to ensure they match our high standards when it comes to not only breeding, but transparency. Do you have the cheapest German Shepherds for sale San Antonio? Rather than focus on price, the breeders and businesses that we work with pour their heart and soul into breeding the healthiest and happiest German Shepherd puppies. We only work with the best breeders, and we know that their prices reflect the time, dedication, and financial investment it takes to breed the best. Whether or not to choose to bring home a shelter dog or one from a breeder or business in the Uptown network all comes down to choice. Before being cleared for travel, your puppy will get a clean bill of health. We highly recommend requesting their records and then booking an appointment with your local vet for once your pup arrives. Is it enough to walk German Shepherd puppies San Antonio, or do they need more exercise? So as well as regular active walks, you need to spend plenty of time looking after their mental health as well. Training classes, agility, puzzles, and games are all ways to keep these smart dogs engaged and content. How big will a German Shepherd for sale San Antonio grow? German Shepherds are tall and powerful dogs. Males are larger, weighing 65 - 90 pounds, and standing 24 - 26 inches tall. They might be big, but they still love a good nap on the couch! What will a San Antonio German Shepherd for sale be like to train?
Register other orgs Recommended breed health tests We have established, through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Health Information Center, the following recommended health tests for our breed December 27, services , breed education , health , health testing , OFA One of our goals as a custodian for the WSSD breed, is to ensure the future health of the breed by maintaining a health database of breed stock and determining applicable health testing to be done by breeders to ensure healthy progeny. This means keeping track of known abnormalities in the breed, as well as abnormalities in the breed that we share common ancestry with, the GSD. This breed is overall a healthy one, but no breed is completely free of health concerns. Our breed standard calls for a very balanced structure, with no topline slope desired. Excessive front and rear angles, which are found commonly in the GSD, are serious faults in competitions of conformation beauty in this breed. PennHIP results will be considered final for any dogs tested at the age of 8 months or older. OFA hip testing will assess the overall formation of hips, however this method have no ability to actually assess the laxity of the hip, given that their evaluation is based on a single view. PennHip on the other hand, gathers its information from three views: distraction view, compression view, and hip-extended view. With these three views PennHip is able to measure the percentage of laxity by taking an actual measurement of movement within the joint by comparing the multiple views. The more laxity, the looser the joint. The looser the joint, the more likely that injury, arthritis, or dysplasia will present. In our opinion, any WSSD with a. Given the occasional incongruence of results between the OFA hip and PennHIP evaluation, it may be beneficial to test using both methods in order to obtain the most data. There is no PennHip equivalent test for elbows. Elbows can develop dysplasia just like hips, and breedstock should be tested prior to being bred. Issue with elbows can arise in several ways. Injury can easily occur to an elbow joint, that is completely unrelated to genetics, due to the fact that much of the joint actually does not harden into bone until 6 or 7 months of age. This makes elbows and relatively fragile in young puppies. In a nutshell, a dog can be forced to grow too fast if its diet is not proper for the dogs specific needs at the time. Too much protein or incorrect ratios between the various parts of the diet. A diet designed for large breed puppies will prevent joint issues due to overnutrition if the puppy is kept in proper weight. The third way elbow joint can have a problem is through genetics. A poorly structured and weak elbowed parent, will contribute its DNA to its offspring, and pass on a negative trait. A good breeder will monitor all possibilities, and weed out dogs that are passing on weak elbows genetically. MDR1 Multi-drug Resistance 1, is a gene mutation that is found in many herding breeds, including this one. It is not a disease per se, but gene is responsible for the production of P-glycoprotein, which is normally responsible for transporting certain drugs out of the brain. Dogs that have a mutation in the MDR1 gene, which inhibits their ability to remove certain drugs from the brain and can lead up to a buildup of toxins, may have severe adverse reactions to some common drugs, including seizures, tremors, disorientation, blindness, lack of muscle control or even death. Higher doses generally times higher than the heartworm prevention dose have been documented to cause neurological toxicity in dogs with the MDR1 mutation. Loperamide ImodiumTM; antidiarrheal agent - At doses used to treat diarrhea, this drug will cause neurological toxicity in dogs with the MDR1 mutation. This drug should be avoided in all dogs with the MDR1 mutation. It can cause central nervous system depression in dogs with the MDR1 mutation at standard doses. DM Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination ataxia in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. In the GSD and our breed, it has become known that the current test for DM is not necessarily accurate in determining whether a dog will get DM or not. There are cases of dogs with the mutation never getting DM, and cases of dogs without the mutation actually getting DM. This is likely because DM is either a polygenetic disease or has an epigenetic component not yet discovered. Due to the genetic history of our breed being tied to the German Shepherd Dog, who has a higher than normal instance of this disease, we encourage dna testing for this mutation. Hemophilia A This is another disease that we recommend testing for that possible due to common ancestry with the German Shepherd Dog. This disease consists of a tendency to uncontrollable bleeding at the slightest trauma. It is a sex-linked inherited deficiency of the blood clotting Factor 8 F V.The FV gene lies on the X chromosome and any male with a defective X chromosome will be affected by the condition. All confirmed published data on German Shepherd Dogs suffering from hemophilia in the European countries can be traced back to one dog: Canto von der Wienerau. Canto was born in and lived only 4 years, however reportedly sired over litters. All his daughters were carriers and half of their offspring would be affected males or carrier females. How to have genetic, soft tissue, and radiographic tests done Forms for submission of health tests of for our breed are to get submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA. OFA is where you will submit all test results. Genetic health testing is an integral part of a sound dog breeding program. When using genetic health testing it is important for breeders to educate themselves about concepts such as modes of inheritance, penetrance, prevalence, and phenotype for a specific variant mutation in your breed in order to apply test results. Breeders also need to know which variants are causing health concerns in their breed, and which health conditions currently have no genetic test available. This handy search function by breed or by health condition can show breeders which DNA tests Embark provides. The health condition percentages based on clear, carrier, and at-risk status presented on common, rare, and very rare genetic risk factors are based on a subset of dogs within the Embark database and do not necessarily represent all dogs of this breed. While we are not able to provide specific population numbers at this time, we believe the data provided here to be sufficient to inform on current trends within the North American population of German Shepherd Dogs. Because the nerves that control the hind limbs are the first to degenerate, the most common clinical signs are back muscle wasting and gait abnormalities. Its role is to make the plug stable by adding fibrin to the clot. Dogs with CSS have platelets that cannot signal in response to stimuli to induce platelet activation or death. The mode of inheritance is codominant. Cone cells not only register color, they allow the dog to adjust their eyes to bright light. Dogs with this disease constantly feel like us when we step out of a movie theater. Night vision remains completely unaffected. This mutation causes the normal activation of white blood cells and platelets in response to an injury or infection to fail. Dogs with this disorder can bleed spontaneously into their chest, abdomen, or joints. They will also develop significant bruising and profuse bleeding following a trauma or surgery. The gene is F8 and the mode of inheritance is x-linked recessive. In most dogs, uric acid is converted to allantoin, an inert substance that is then excreted in the urine. Dogs with HUU have defects in the pathway that converts uric acid to allantoin. As such, uric acid builds up, crystallizes and forms urate stones in the kidney and bladder. Uric acid is an intermediate of purine metabolism. While hyperuricemia in other species including humans can lead to painful conditions such as gout, dogs do not develop systemic signs of hyperuricemia. When the lysosome cannot recycle waste properly, the waste accumulates and causes the cell to die. Mucopolysaccharidoses MPS are defined by abnormal buildup of glycosaminoglycans, large sugar-protein molecules that are important for skeletal and joint function. The gene is GUSB and the mode of inheritance is recessive. The gene is FLCN and the mode of inheritance is dominant. This developmental condition can cause a scanty hair coat, malformed teeth, and few or absent sweat glands. The gene is EDA and the mode of inheritance is x-linked recessive. Citations: Casal et al With 10 known conditions in German Shepherd Dogs, this is evidence that genetic disorders are of concern within the breed and other conditions are likely to be identified in the future. Canine Health and Breed Resources. They are so helpful, knowledgeable people and particular with their breeding program. Their dogs are beautiful, intelligent, solid, and very healthy. They train dogs and offer many training classes from beginning to advanced. Best place to go when looking for the best German Shepherd dogs or where to train your dog of any breed. I Highly recommend Vom Haus Audax. Masters of their craft. And are exceptionally organized in how they run the business, breeding, board and train etc. Very clear upfront cost, transparent process, and a emphasis on great communication. You get all of this when doing business with them. Our journey: We got our little gsd boy Mamba from Kim and Jason. And the process was nothing short of amazing. Still is amazing. Yes, we loved it from a process stand point and we have learned a TON from Kim and Jason, but we have also come to feel like part of their pack. Part of the family. And we have appreciated that as new puppy owners. They truly care about every puppy they breed and every home those pups go to. If you are looking for a puppy, and get a dog from them that they bred, you are getting the highest pedigree of a GSD. Every part of the journey has been so refreshing and makes us feel like adding our new member to the family was the best decision ever. And we KNOW, we will always have a great support system. Overall: So if you are looking to add a gsd to the family Kim and Jason are your people. You will not regret it. These are the folks you want in your corner. So glad we met them, they are family now to us. Temperament, health, and of course handsomeness was paramount in choosing a puppy - all of our criteria was met. Our puppy enrolled in puppy class then later he graduated to obedience training. Under the thorough, knowledgeable, and patient instruction of Kim and Jason, our dog blossomed into a fine family pet. Everyday our wonderful dog brings us immeasurable joy. We cannot thank Kim and Jason enough. They go above and beyond in all they do and truly understand dogs and their unique behaviors. We will usually produce 2 litters a year, occasionally 3 if the timing and other circumstances allow, but because we personally train and compete in a wide variety of venues with all of our dogs and spend countless hours socializing, playing with, and observing each litter, to produce more than that would be counter productive to the goals and high standards we have for our breeding program. Because we do compete with all of our dogs and spend so much time with each litter of puppies, we know and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each dog and puppy and can and will happily discuss them. Early Training and Socialization From the moment they are born, our puppies are imprinted with human contact. They are identified with colored collars so we can track their weight, health, behaviors, and personalities as they grow. Every week, the puppies weights are recorded, their nails are trimmed, and photos are taken. As they grow and develop, we introduce the pups to many different stimuli. Different surfaces are put down for them to walk and play on such as tarps, plastic, wood, cardboard, metal, textured fabric items, dirt, grass, cement, tile. Also, while taking safety into consideration, they are introduced to unstable surfaces like wobble boards, rolled around on wheels, lifted up and down on a hydraulic table, driven around in a vehicle, suspended in air with hands or harnesses, and weather depending they are introduced to water and swimming. The puppies experience various noises including radios, vacuums, television, and audio tracks of other noises like thunder, gunshots, children, dog show noises or other sounds they may encounter during their life. We use several types of interactive toys and food games to build and encourage drives in our puppies. Our puppies are accustomed to wearing collars, have been introduced to spending time in a crate, and have been started in potty training. It is extremely important to continue socializing and training once the puppy has gone to a new home. Matching the Right Puppy to the Right Person or Family We believe that matching a family with the correct puppy is very important and is a team effort. Puppies are sold on limited registration to begin with, but that will be lifted to full registration at no additional cost to the new owner upon the puppy officially receiving passing hip and elbow certifications through the SV or OFA PennHip is also accepted for hip certification and earning an advanced performance title or working certification of some kind. Prior to going to their new homes, all of our puppies are microchipped for identification purposes. Veterinary Care Our breeding stock are all fully health tested and current on their routine veterinary care prior to being bred. Nomograph tests are performed on all females to determine the length of time the antibody they pass to the puppies through their colostrum will protect the puppies, and the puppies will not receive their first vaccination until the suggested time given by the results of the nomograph test. This helps to insure that the maternal antibody does not block the vaccine, rendering it ineffective. Puppies are de-wormed as necessary. However, if you do choose to spay or neuter your dog, we strongly recommend waiting until they are fully mature. This formula contains no chicken or chicken bi-products wheat, soy or junk fillers and is formulated for all life stages so is suitable for growing puppies, adolescents and adults alike. Guarantee We guarantee that our puppies are healthy when they go to their new homes. We also offer a written guarantee for 26 months against genetic hip and elbow dysplasia. Our relationship with you as the new puppy owner does not end when the puppy leaves our care. If at any time you have questions or concerns regarding your new puppy, we are simply a phone call or email away. If ever you are unable to keep your new puppy, no matter at what age, we will gladly take that puppy or dog back and find it another appropriate home. We do not ever want to find one of our puppies in a shelter or rescue! Cloud, MN dedicated to breeding outstanding show, performance, and companion dogs. Breeder, Dr. Our breeding program is based on our core values: Soundness, Performance, Beauty, and Style in that order. Our dogs are protective, not aggressive. They are motivated to perform, but are not endlessly demanding. Show, performance, and companion puppies will be available in the winter, spring, and summer of .The puppy contract includes a health guarantee. Applications, and deposits from approved buyers, are being accepted now. See the Puppies page on our website for the puppy application and for pictures of the sires and dams, along with litter pedigrees of planned litters. Please submit the application as directed on the website, before contacting me about puppy availability. We will have solid black, and black and tan, puppies available sired by Select Excellent Ch. Two additional breedings are underway, with a second litter to be homed in April and a third projected for June-July .All are sired by Arnold. See pictures of Arnold and Sara below. I am happy to mentor seriously committed beginners, juniors, and owner-handlers. There is an expectation of involvement in at least one AKC sport including, but not limited to, conformation, scent work, obedience, herding, therapy work, agility, and rally to the first titling level out of respect for the breed as a working dog. A RiverRock puppy is more than a pet: it is an adventure! Additional Info. Hip Dysplasia Hip Dysplasia typically develops because of an abnormally developed hip joint, but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture. This breakdown of the cartilage will eventually result in pain with any joint movement. No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. Severity of the disease can be affected by environmental factors, such as caloric intake or level of exercise. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and some dogs with barely any arthritic x-ray evidence that are severely lame. Screenings for Hip Dysplasia are performed by a veterinarian with x-rays Elbows Dysplasia Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow. Three specific etiologies make up this disease and they can occur independently or in conjunction with one another. These etiologies include: Pathology involving the medial coronoid of the ulna FCP Osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle in the elbow joint OCD Ununited anconeal process UAP Studies have shown the inherited polygenic traits causing these etiologies are independent of one another. Clinical signs involve lameness which may remain subtle for long periods of time. No one can predict at what age lameness will occur in a dog due to a large number of genetic and environmental factors such as degree of severity of changes, rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, etc. .Subtle changes in gait may be characterized by excessive inward deviation of the paw which raises the outside of the paw so that it receives less weight and distributes more mechanical weight on the outside lateral aspect of the elbow joint away from the lesions located on the inside of the joint. Range of motion in the elbow is also decreased. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative Myelopathy is a debilitating disease that causes gradual paralysis in many dog breeds. It is caused by a degeneration of the spinal cord that onsets typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It presents first with the loss of coordination of the hind legs. It will typically worsen over six months to a year, resulting in paralysis of the hind legs. If signs progress for a longer period of time, loss of urinary and fecal continence may occur and eventually, weakness will develop in the front limbs. An important feature of Degenerative Myelopathy is that it is not a painful disease. Temperament Test Results of Temperament test performed at a club Optional Testings Cardiac Evaluation - Congenital Cardiac Exam, Advanced Cardiac Exam Autoimmune thyroiditis - evaluation from an approved laboratory - recommend yearly testing Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter DNA-based testing With the advanced technologies, scientists are able to provide breeders with unique results of DNA-based traits of their dogs. We find these a great plus in aiding us to make better breeding choices. However, it is very important to understand how genetics work and not just complete the tests. Health Testing Why Health Testing Your German Shepherd Is Important Responsible breeders are well aware that hip dysplasia and other inherited diseases can be controlled or even eliminated through selective breeding practices. What is a phenotypic evaluation? These are graded based on breed, sex, age and the physical appearance and condition of different anatomic areas of the joints. Other examples of phenotypic evaluations are thyroid panels to test for hypothyroidism and the trypsin-like immunoreactivity TLI test used to screen for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. There are also a number of genetic test kits that can be purchased to help breeders identify whether their dogs are effected, carriers or clear of breed-specific conditions and diseases. These tests cannot however, accurately determine if an animal will develop a particular disease, but the information can help breeders avoid doubling up on genetic issues known to plague the breed. What are some of the health issues associated with German Shepherds? Like many breeds, German Shepherds are predisposed to a number of genetic health conditions, many of which can be emotionally and financially devastating to both breeders and owners. The number of affected dogs in the German Shepherd population is no more or less than that found in many breeds. Though daunting, the list below serves as a reminder as to the importance of health screening and why our efforts to improve the health of our dogs—and reduce risks to future buyers—is so important. Through the decades, numerous health issues have been introduced into the German Shepherd gene pool through animals carrying diseases including hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy DM , digestive disorders such as irritable bowel disease IBD , small intestine bacterial overgrowth SIBO , exocrine pancreatic inefficiency EPI , bloat gastric dilatation and volvulus , panostetis PANO , chronic superficial keratitis CSK or pannus, cataracts and corneal dystrophy. Various forms of cancer such as hemangiosarcoma and osteosarcoma are also common. By health testing your puppy or young adult German Shepherd, you gain valuable time in diagnosing and treating potential health conditions. Many disorders can be successfully treated or controlled before they cause serious problems. Do you need to have your pet German Shepherd tested? The reasons for screening your pet German Shepherd are two fold. Even though your puppy will not contribute further to the gene pool, it is essential for your breeder to collect health information on your dog. Both parents can test clear for a particular disorder, yet still pass the disease onto their offspring. By testing your pet German Shepherd, you provide your breeder with valuable health information about their breeding dogs. Test results on your German Shepherd, along with information on other close relatives, allows puppy buyers to apply greater pressure on breeders to produce normal, healthy puppies and adult dogs. If puppy buyers stop buying puppies from untested adults, breeders will be force to either stop breeding their dogs or start health testing them. A win-win for everyone. For example, there are surgeries that can be performed—and supplements given—to greatly improve the quality of life for dogs diagnosed with crippling hip dysplasia. Some of these surgeries however, are only effective if performed when the dog is very young. If treated early, eye diseases such as pannus can be treated to prevent blindness. Screening your German Shepherd for major health concerns is no different than screening yourself for diseases running in your family. Which tests should be performed? Most dog owners are familiar with hip testing because hip issues are common in many breeds. Though the level of testing desired for breeding prospects is extensive, pet owners are strongly encouraged to do their part to help breeders improve the overall health of all German Shepherds. Breeding dogs, at a minimum, should be screened for hip and elbow dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy DM. It is best to also screen for heart issues as these, too, are predisposed to German Shepherds. Breeders and owners can have OFA advanced cardiac screening performed at a reasonable cost. This simple screening can help to identify serious, underlying conditions. Additional screening for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency EPI , pannus eye conditions and thyroid panels are important in securing clean breeding lines in your dogs. Ideally, pet owners should also screen for hip and elbow dysplasia and cardiac issues. She was young, vibrant and exhibited no symptoms. We can attest that there is nothing more devastating then having a young dog run happily up to you and drop lifelessly at your feet. This type of heartache could be prevented if more GSDs were screened for heart conditions prior to breeding. Sudden cardiac death is becoming an increasingly devastating occurrence within the breed as young dogs are being found deceased in their crates or are collapsing on the field—even at world-championship competitions. Testing for DM is also valuable because knowing if your dog is effected can help you to make decisions throughout its life that might help to lessen or delay serious illness. All German Shepherd lines carry varying degrees of risk for serious genetic disorders. There are no exceptions. Education yourself about the diseases known to exist in the lines of the dogs you are considering and quiz your prospective breeder. If they cannot, or will not, discuss with you the levels of risk—find another breeder. Learn to be a discriminating buyer. Lowering your risk as a buyer is to a great extent, up to you. If a German Shepherd breeder tells you that their dogs do not need testing because they are free of genetics defects, they are either not knowledgeable about their breeding stock or the breed , or they are not telling you everything you need to know about your puppy's lineage. Once your receive any test result, provide the information to your breeder. Responsible breeders appreciate and value the information you provide and use it to make better breeding decisions. The health information on your dog should also be made available to the public when possible so other owners and breeders can make better decisions about their future prospects. Even though the German Shepherd gene pool might appear large, it is not. Many dogs are closely related and the health of one line can greatly impact the health of others. All breeders and owners need to know if your puppy has great hips. Additionally, when having health screenings performed through OFA, remember to indicate on the form that you wish the results to be made public so all German Shepherd breeders and future owners can benefit from your efforts. If you do not select this option, your valuable data is lost to everyone. NOTE: Not all breeders are created equal. Some breeders work very hard to refine their lines and improve the overall health of the puppies they produce. Some try to produce healthy puppies but are not knowledgeable or diligent enough to be successful, and others are simply not the least bit concerned with the health of their breeding stock or the health of the puppies they produce. Health data is only useful if it is shared and made easily available to the next breeder and the next puppy buyer. A reputable breeder will encourage you to publish your health results and be glad to share the data you provide—good and not so good. A reputable breeder will also have pedigrees and health information on their dogs and their progeny available on their websites. If a breeder does not have health data on their dogs or asks you not to share your findings—run. Check out Reebok's blog for additional articles coming soon on the subject of health testing. Become a part of the GSDLiving experience. Upload a photo, pay tribute to your best friend
If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More Are you planning to adopt a Labradoodle in Oregon? And we can certainly understand why. How To Choose A Labradoodle Breeder Responsibly In Oregon When looking for Labradoodles, the Oregon breeders in our guide have proven to follow ethical practices while providing the dogs the highest of care. So, what should you look for when choosing an ethical Labradoodle breeder in Oregon? This greatly reduces the chance of puppies inheriting any life altering conditions. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Additionally, some breeders are also recommended by Gooddog. More specifically, in Azalea, Southern Oregon, which is about 10 miles northeast of Glendale. All of their dogs live with them in their own home or with carefully selected guardian families. You can be sure that they really are one of the best Labradoodle breeders in Oregon, as all of their puppies come from loving family environments. In addition to that, Autumn Harvest Dood Ranch already starts with introduction to potty training, crate training, and obedience training. Puppies will also have numerous car rides, a trip to the vet, groomings, and other experiences that will make your transition much easier. Related Content. We Produce Australian Labradoodle Puppies … and not just any puppy, but one of the best! Our focus at Mountain View Doodles is breeding multi-generation Australian Labradoodle puppies that have a blocky body type, a wonderful coat of silky soft, non-shedding fleece, as well as a fun-loving, sweet temperament. Since our puppies have gone all over Oregon, to every state in the US, and some internationally as well! Apply Today We are always accepting applications for Australian Labradoodle puppies to reserve! Please visit our Available Puppies page to see our expected litters for the coming months. Sometimes our litters fill up fast so we encourage you to apply and get on a reservation list to ensure your spot. We provide all three sizes of Australian Labradoodles. We take great pride in the puppies we produce as well. Our process works with each family individually to find exactly what they are looking for not only from a aesthetics standpoint, but also a personality point of view. Our goal is to find a fabulous fit for each family that will thrive in their home. Available Puppies. Email us at: springcreeklabradoodles gmail. Spring Creek Labradoodles has served on several committees focused on the development and health testing of the Australian Labradoodle breed. Our commitment to quality and accountability means you can have peace of mind about purchasing one of our puppies. We specialize in allergy friendly, non-shedding, wavy fleece coats and gentle, intuitive, friendly, intelligent puppies. Consistency in looks and temperament set our dogs apart. We are dedicated to breeding only the best Australian Labradoodle puppies that are the quality you deserve, from health tested lines. We offer life time support to our families who adopt one of our puppies! Our 20 acres of forest land is nestled in the rolling hills between Creswell and Lorane. It is the ideal place to raise our puppies and to give them room to run and play. Come visit us when you pick up your puppy and enjoy some time exploring this gorgeous area of the Willamette Valley! Read our testimonials from families across the world and discover why Spring Creek Labradoodles has been the Australian Labradoodle breeder of choice for many families when looking for the Australian Labradoodle puppy of their dreams! What does our commitment to health testing for all the common genetic issues mean for you? It means peace of mind. We ensure all breeding dogs will not produce genetic issues that can be ruled out by diagnostic testing. Being a conscientious Australian Labradoodle breeder, we have very strict guidelines and requirements in place for our dogs before they become part of our breeding program. Newsletter Subscribe to Spring Creek's monthly newsletter for training tips, recipes, dog health care, seasonal tips, grooming advice, behavioral help, and more! Just enter your email address and sit back and enjoy our monthly news! Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Spring Creek Labradoodles is an Oregon Labradoodle breeder, and one of the first in the U. Why get a labradoodle puppy? Labradoodles are smart, loving, child-friendly dogs. They have light to non-shedding, allergy-friendly coats, and they do not have the dog smell associated with other breeds. They are highly trainable, fun loving, family companions. Labradoodles also come in miniature, medium, and standard sizes. We breed all sizes of labradoodles, but concentrate mostly on mini labradoodles and medium labradoodles with an ocassional litter of large standard size labradoodles. We have found the miniature and medium sized labradoodles to be the perfect size for families on the go. They are wonderful companions and are just the right size for a snuggle on the couch, sleeping at the foot of the bed, or riding in the car running errands. On a personal note, our family fell in love with labradoodles when we saw what a patient, loyal companion a labradoodle was for our 6 year old son with autism. By breeding labradoodles, it is my hope to provide this type of loving companion for other families. Why choose Pacific Rim Labradoodles? Located in Southern Oregon, Pacific Rim Labradoodles takes pride in being a very reputable and ethical breeder of Australian and American multigeneration labradoodles. We are a family that has fallen in love with the labradoodle breed. We began breeding labradoodles in so that others could experience the joy of labradoodle ownership. Every labradoodle puppy is born and raised at our home. We are a small Oregon breeder that believes in quality before quantity. Our goal is to breed wonderful labradoodle puppies for companion and family dogs while continuing to advance the labradoodle as a breed. All of our breeding stock undergoes genetic testing for soundness of hips and eyes. The temperaments of our breeding dogs is also very important to us. We breed only labradoodles with phenomenal temperaments since the disposition of the parents is the best indicator of the disposition of your puppy. We back up all of our labradoodle puppies with a 2 year genetic health warranty and our continued support for the lifetime of your dog. The climate and low population of our gorgeous Oregon coast means that our dogs and puppies have 36 acres of trails and forest land to play on. Our labradoodles are kenneled only for safety issues when necessary. Our goal is to provide you with a happy, healthy labradoodle puppy and an enjoyable puppy purchasing experience. We look forward to working with you to find you the perfect new addition for your family. Pine Lodge T-Shirts are here! We have been seen around the globe wearing various iterations of our iconic Pine.Axie Luna Lime boy just turned one year and he is doing great. We enjoyed your blog on the flying.Deeply in Love with Sasha We are deeply in love with this girl. Thank you for joining our family with Sasha. They have done an excellent.More Adventures with Jones Hi Heidi and family! We hope you all started this new year good! And in the snow! We just wanted.Hailey is All Settled in We wanted to say thanks to you and Roy and of course all the supporting people around. Little Willow the Graduate Willow is a whopping .Jones went on a little holiday to Ameland, one of our.Ricky, Our Friend for Life! Hello Heidi, Roy and family, After so many years of considering on getting a dog, Lucy is Incredible Lucy is growing fast and an incredible dog who is loving and super smart. We have.Max at One [Max] received two pet pun pillows from relatives in CA and it looked like he was.They are still having so.We are totally in love with our furever love! What a cutie.Nova the Graduate Pine Lodge Charity, also known as Nova, has completed 3 levels of training, before.Pine Lodge Labradoodles is located in a Level 3 mandatory evacuation zone so we have had to temporarily relocate. All of our efforts must currently go toward keeping our dogs and puppies healthy and safe. If you have already submitted an application please be patient while we work through these and get them answered. Our goal is to have applications opened back up at the end of the month. Thank you for your patience. Current Litters.
We, more than anyone, understand that while anatomy, hair, smooth body proportions, good teeth and health are all important, it is also important that the dog has a well-rounded poodle puppies personality. For this reason we can confidently say that when you buy a Poodle puppy from us you will be receiving a suitable and well-socialized fury partner who will spend most of his or her adorable fury life with you for years to come. All our Poodle puppies interact with children, cats, and other dogs of all sizes, so they develop an extremely stable personality and they are incredibly friendly. Quality Poodle Puppies Home Quality poodle puppies stands out as the best breeder for poodle puppies around the united states. Our team are made up of the best professional puppy lovers. Our poodle are well socialize and can survive all over the united states. We have the best shipping policy when it comes to your puppy. Shipping we ship with the best companies across the united states. Why buy from us? Poodle Puppies Home is not only the best and reliable source for you puppy but also the best place you can get advice on your puppy and how to take care of them. What a wonderful dog! We enjoy absolutely every second with him. He is still a ball of pure energy, very playful, affectionate and everything you want out of a dog. Very smart too — he learnt to sit, stay, come, drop and turn all in an afternoon of mucking around at home. Loves our cat Snoek who we got a few months after we brought him home. Also loves big dogs — the bigger the better in his eyes and runs circles around them. His colouring has also turned out beautiful with just the right amount of Poodle in him. We decided to call our new puppy Ruben. We are very happy that we have him. He just gorgeous. And the family loves him. Im just sending a few pictures , the 1st is of Ruben and the other two are George : Thanks so much. Alisa Hester Sleepy time with soft cuddle beds Playtime with a large variety of toys to challenge the mind Exceptional veterinary care Carefully selected foods, vitamins, and treats Intensive routine grooming schedule including tooth brushing Loving home environment. Life Span Did You Know? The Poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds and was originally developed in Germany to hunt waterfowl. The Poodle may have originated in Germany, but they are much-loved by the French. So much so that the Poodle is the national dog of France. The Miniature Poodle is slightly more recent. This Mini version likely originated in France. The Mini Poodle has all of the same characteristics as a Standard Poodle; they just come in a smaller package. The Miniature Poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds. On top of their intelligence, they are also known to have a cheerful disposition and a sensitive nature. They get along great with children. Due to their small size, they can be easily injured by rough play or accidental falls that can happen with younger children. Because of this, they may be better suited to a home with older children. Younger children should be fine as long as they are taught how to properly interact with a small dog and interactions between young kids and puppies are closely supervised. Although they are considered part of the Non-Sporting Group, some facts about Miniature Poodles are that they are versatile and athletic dogs that are also quite playful. Provided they are well-socialized, they get along well with other dogs and tend to do well with strangers. They do tend to be protective of their home and can be suspicious of strangers coming up on the property. They are known to bark to alert you of strangers coming to the house. This makes them a good watchdog, but overall, they are more interested in making friends. This dog breed is highly adaptable. The Miniature Poodle does well in any type of home, including apartments, and fits in with just about any family type. They do well in most climates, but, as with many dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because Mini Poodles are people-oriented, they do not like being left alone and will not handle being left alone for long periods of time very well. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent, easy to train, and eager to please, which makes them a good fit for owners of any experience level and one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are a people-oriented breed and are sensitive to moods and tones of voice. They do not respond well to harsh training methods or harsh tones as they take it personally, get their feelings hurt, and lose respect for you. A Mini Poodle tends to respond best to consistent training that is fun and focused on positive rewards. A Mini Poodle is one of the fluffiest dog breeds and will have a curly or corded coat that can come in just about any color. Although this dog breed has a low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, their coat still needs a lot of grooming. They need to be brushed daily to prevent tangles and matting. They should also be professionally groomed every 4 to 6 weeks to keep their coat healthy. Miniature Poodles are high-energy dogs that require a good amount of exercise each day. Daily walks plus some playtime and other activities are usually enough for them. When puppies finish growing and developing, they often enjoy games of fetch and other activities like swimming, hiking, or jogging with their favorite human. Mini Poodles also tend to be great candidates for several dog sports, like agility, tracking, obedience, retriever hunt tests, and more. Just make sure to visit the vet and get your dog cleared for these activities before you jump in. Fully-grown Miniature Poodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Mini Poodles generally live for years on average. The Miniature Poodle was very popular among the French nobility. Featured Miniature Poodle Article.
An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy is a bundle of antics and endless energy! Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy An 8 week old your puppy requires a daily routine and training to help them become the dog of your dreams. This article will not only help you understand your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy but will also explain to you why your little puppy has certain behaviors. Raising a German Shepherd puppy can feel like an overwhelming task at first! Just remember, your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is also adjusting to its new life with you. You should expect your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to feel stressed and uncertain. They may seem timid and unsure of their surroundings. They might cry, whine, and not want your attention. Having structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both in getting along more peacefully and calmly. Introducing A Puppy Crate Many dog owners choose to use a crate when it comes to caring for their 8-week-old puppy. While some people consider crates unnecessary, or even cruel, crate training is a useful skill to offer your dog. With the right training your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax. Leaving your puppy at home unsupervised can get them and you into a heap of trouble. Crate training helps prevent your home from being a destruction zone. This useful guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy gets you on the right track to success! Crate training your puppy can: help speed up housetraining teach your dog to settle calm down offer your dog privacy But you must introduce the crate slowly and positively so your puppy builds a strong connection to the benefits of the crate. Never just shove or push your young German Shepherd into the crate without using positive training. Your new dog also needs a routine and schedule to help them through the early days with you and set the expectations you have for them. Having a schedule helps your puppy to know what to expect in their daily routines. It keeps you from losing your mind and helps ease a worried puppy. While you might work from home or have other obligations, try to follow a schedule that looks similar to this: Early morning: Take your puppy out for the first potty break of the day! So, they may need to go outside even before the sun rises. Breakfast time: Your puppy may want to go back to sleep after going outside and this is perfectly normal. On the other hand, some puppies are wide awake and ready for their breakfast. Either way, always take your puppy back outside shortly after their breakfast so they can sniff and have another potty break. Mid-morning: Puppies should eat 3 — 4 small meals a day. Mid-morning is a good time for another small meal. Afternoon: This is a good time for their lunch followed by a potty break and plenty of sniffing time to work off some of their energy. Late afternoon: Puppies need another potty break in the afternoon, and some puppies need more breaks outside. Evening: Their dinner meal and their evening potty time. Remember to let them explore outdoors in a safe area to help build their confidence. Scheduling exercise, potty breaks, and play at the same times every day helps ensure that your puppy learns their daily routine more quickly and settles in nicely. And, even young puppies can learn basic training in their first weeks with you. Try training your German Shepherd puppy at home to start with. In the beginning, you may find a few accidents in the house. But, stick with your potty training and remember to always watch your puppy to keep them from having messes in the house. When you stick to a regular potty schedule, the likelihood of potty training mishaps decreases, and you and your puppy are less stressed. Always, always, always… Supervise your puppy indoors when you are potty training. Your toughest time together with your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy might be the first few nights. Your puppy has only known the comfort of his mother and siblings before. Having your puppy sleep away from you will only scare them more. And, although they are little, their cry is loud! Having a place for them near your bed is the best way to avoid a night full of tearful cries and howling. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep in bed with me? Plus, when your puppy is an adult and tries to sleep in bed with you there will be no room for you! A full-grown German Shepherd can weigh up to pounds and will push you right out of your own sheets. Your puppy sleeps most of the day. A new puppy sleeps more often than they are awake. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy may sleep as many as 18 hours a day! Sleeping this much allows your puppy to have the energy they need to grow and keeps them ready to explore their new world. Feeding An 8 Week Old German Shepherd Your puppy should stay on the same food they were eating before you brought them home to keep them less stressed. This helps keeps your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy from having an upset stomach and becoming ill. Sometimes, you might want to switch them over to a different food. If you choose this route, do it slowly and in stages over a few weeks. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. Spreading their meals out throughout the day in regular intervals is best to avoid any upsets. Look for a balanced, complete puppy food for large breed dogs. As a large breed dog, your German Shepherd you should only feed your puppy food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies. Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs that are not found in ordinary puppy food. Feeding a commercially available food that is formulated for large breed puppies helps them to grow at a sustained rate. Steady growth in a large breed puppy helps to avoid stress on their bones and gives them a strong skeletal foundation for their athletic muscles. Limiting food intake in growing German Shepherd puppies has also been associated with fewer signs of hip dysplasia. This is of extreme importance in this breed due to the high incidence of hip problems and the pain associated with this joint disorder. A growing puppy is best fed a proprietary pet food that has been specifically formulated to meet its nutritional needs. Foods that are available as dry kibble are especially suitable to rear even the youngest of puppies. Opt for this specially formulated food for large breed puppies to keep your dog growing at a healthy rate that helps them stay strong. It is a complete balanced diet so nothing is missing. Within the first few days of arriving to their new home with you is a stressful time. Your puppy has just made a drastic life change and left everything they knew to be with you. Diarrhea and other stomach issues are sometimes stress induced. You can help your puppy by keeping to a regular feeding schedule and feeding them the same food they were on before coming to you. Sometimes diarrhea is also a sign of an underlying health issue and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If your puppy vomits blood, has bloody stools and diarrhea, becomes lethargic, or refuses to drink, call your vet immediately! To an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping are all part of playing with their siblings. And, your puppy will most likely bite and nip you at some point too. They may even growl at you and tug at your hands or nip your ankles. This is all part of puppy play. But… It can really hurt you or make you bleed! Understanding bite inhibition means they know how to control the power of their play bites and how hard or soft they nip you. Preventing Nips and Bites If you know the right way to prevent and stop German Shepherd puppy biting, you can train your puppy to understand how to keep their razor-sharp tiny teeth from sinking into you. Instead… Offer them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys appropriate for their size. When they bite or nip you, calmly show them the toy to chew instead. Get their attention by moving the toy in a playful way around them so they begin to chase and bite the toy, instead of you or your furniture. Use these links to help you stay on the right track throughout their life. Use the same commands and cues consistently. Improved obedience and communication. Reward good behavior with treats and praise. A motivated and happy pup. Socialization Introduce your pup to various people and dogs in a slow, positive manner. Well-adjusted and confident around others. Structured Play Mental stimulation and reduced boredom. Leash Training Teach leash manners to enjoy peaceful walks. Enjoyable walks with your well-behaved companion. Obedience Classes Enroll in obedience classes for professional guidance. Enhanced training skills and socialization. Training a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy involves consistent positive reinforcement methods. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Use rewards like treats and praise to encourage desired behavior, and keep training sessions short and engaging. Socialization with other dogs and people is essential, and enrolling in puppy training classes can provide structured guidance. Use these puppy training tips to have less stress with your puppy: 1. Stay on top of their exercise needs. Your GSD needs the proper exercise. Increase exercise slowly to avoid an injury that comes from too much impact on unfused joints and bones. While your puppy still lacks maturity and focus, you can increase training to help teach your dog obedience skills. Increase daily obedience and practice to help them learn training basics. Your beautiful German Shepherd puppy will grow very quickly! Teaching them when they are puppies will pay off for the rest of their life. Simple training should start the moment your puppy arrives home. Using the same word for the same activities will help them learn quickly. Give them the right chew toys. Your pup needs balls and toys that are safe and chew-worthy. Look for more indestructible toys to keep your German Shepherd busy and continue to offer chew treats to work their jaws. Find the right chews for you puppy so you minimize the potential for choking and their jaws get a good workout. Use some of these balls for German Shepherd puppies as a distraction toy to get their focus away from your fingers and onto the toy. Giving your puppy a chew toy when they are biting an unapproved item redirects their attention to the right item. Include mental stimulation for their minds. This puppy needs mental stimulation to help them exercise their brilliant minds. This intelligent dog need more than physical exercise. Their minds need to learn and become involved in their world in new and interesting ways. There are many ways you can include mental stimulation. Many of these ways involve teaching a new brain challenge or mental game. Keep them supervised. Even a young GSD can cause lots of trouble when left unsupervised. If your once potty-trained pup has now forgotten their potty manners, then use pet-safe baby gates to contain them or leash them to you to supervise their actions at all times. Pet safe gates like these allow your dog to still see you and feel they have watched over their family. Pet gates are a safe option that prevents your dog from getting its head stuck or worse. Shutting a German Shepherd behind a closed door increases their anxiety and can make unwanted behavior worse! Instead, use the baby gate in a safe area to give them less run of your house. Behaviors you like can improve daily. Every day is an opportunity for you to become a more successful leader. For example: If they want to go outside ask them for a sit first. If they bring you a ball to throw, ask for a down before you engage in play. Setting up expectations of accepted behavior helps them learn how to behave more appropriately. And these successful moments can help speed up how long it takes to train a German Shepherd. Even tiny successes are great confidence builders for your puppy and for you. These bursts of training are easier for your pup to understand. The most telling sign of your little puppy growing up is unpredictable behaviors. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but in a furry adorable body! Hormones, rebellion, confusion, and curiosity all add up to puppy puberty. But with the proper home management techniques and setting expectations, you can overcome these common puppyhood challenges. And my short Happy Puppy Guide is packed with helpful tips and tricks to ensure your furry friend grows up to be a happy and well-behaved companion. Your 6-month-old German Shepherd will thank you for it. I fetched it for you right here! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. So, while this is not a reason not to get a GSD, it is a reason to look for adequate breeders, to ask for health certificates, to take good care of your dog, and to go to routine vet check-ups. German Shepherds can also be costly to take care of not just to purchase The regular vet visits, the high need for exercise, and the extra-space requirements all make the GSD a relatively expensive dog to take care of in terms of money as well. German Shepherds are very smart but that also makes them easily bored — they require lots of mental stimulation As with all smart dog breeds such as retrievers and other shepherds, the high intelligence of the GSD can be a curse as much as a blessing. So, what can be done to avoid boredom? Toys and time. However, an inexperienced dog owner can find a GSD to be more than a handful. Why is that? Simple — because they are so smart! Yes, their intelligence means that you can train them a lot but it also means they can be temperamental, manipulative, and stubborn! This breed is cute and cuddly at home but socially awkward in public German shepherds are incredibly cute, social, and loving animals. They are loyal to their family and would do anything for those close to them. What does this mean for you? Even if you just get a random GSD and not give it any special training or socialization, the dog may still get along just fine with a cat or a newborn baby. However, in general, the social awkwardness and guard-dog nature of GSDs means that they often need to be socialized well if you want to make other additions to the households down the line. Make sure that you teach your growing GSD to get along with other dog breeds in the dog park or at home. If you have a cat or are thinking of getting a cat, make sure your German Shepherd is accustomed to interacting with cats without any aggression. One of the best and easiest ways to avoid most of the problems above is to just get a second German Shepherd! Yes, we did just say that this breed can be a handful. However, a second dog usually brings much more benefits than negatives: The second dog will join the first in the playtime, meaning that both will exercise with each other very often and minimize the need for your involvement. Having a second GSD also means more mental stimulation for both dogs — again, less work for you and more fun for them. As natural guard dogs, German Shepherds may need to be trained not to bark Unfortunately, GSDs are especially bad for apartment owners not just because they are big but also because they tend to bark at strangers. They are guard dogs after all. This can be avoided, of course, there are ways to train any dog not to bark at strangers or at outside noises. There are several reasons for this: The frequent barking we mentioned above. Yes, you can train that behavior away but your landlord may still forbid you from getting a GSD. Getting a carpet or another type of floor insulation will help here. Giving your dog enough playtime outside will also alleviate this problem. But you may still get in trouble with your neighbors. They are just a large breed and many people, including parents of small children, are afraid of large dogs. Not only are GSDs not hypoallergenic, but they also tend to shed a lot! There are two main reasons for this: The aforementioned health concerns that some German Shepherds have and that get more and more likely as the dog gets older. The simple fact that the GSD is a large dog breed and larger breeds just have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones. As you can see, there are lots of factors to consider before getting a GSD. In general, the right GSD owner can be characterized as such: Has a larger-than-average home, a yard, and a nearby dog park. Has enough time to spend with a German Shepherd. Knows how to train and socialize a GSD properly. Has the financial means to support a German Shepherd. Wants a second dog to play with the first one. How to prepare for getting a German Shepherd? Just like soon-to-be-parents before their first baby, there are lots of books and research to comb through if you want to give your future German Shepherd the care, upbringing, socialization, and care it needs. So Make sure your home is ready for a large dog to soon start springing through it. Make sure you have the time and daily schedule to play with a GSD. Consider owning a Cairn Terrier! In this article, we explore who would benefit them as furry friends! Check them here! Read on to discover nine types of people who should consider owning this unique breed. Check this article to learn more about the types of people who are perfect for owning a Poodle dog! November 8, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? The German Shepherd Dog, one of the top ten popular breeds in the United States, is known for their regal appearance, bravery, intelligence, and noble character. They are hard-working dogs that fit into a variety of service jobs, but can also be amazing family dogs, making them an all-around great breed for dog lovers! How do you know if the German Shepherd Dog is the right fit for you and your family? German Shepherd Dogs are a younger breed that started in Germany in by Captain Max Von Stephanitz who sought to create an unmatched herding dog. But as Germany became more and more industrialized, the breed shifted from herding work to police and military training. Hundreds of these dogs made their way to the United States during WWI, one such being a small five-day-old puppy that was rescued from a destroyed kennel in France and brought home to the states to Los Angeles. This puppy later grew up to be one of the most famous four-legged movie stars, Rin Tin Tin, starring in 26 movies, forever making the German Shepherd Dog breed a popular choice in the nation! If you are looking for an attractive dog, look no further! German Shepherd Dogs have beautiful coats, strong muscular builds, a square muzzle, long bushy tail, and a black mask. Some colors like red and black, or tan and black, have distinct markings such as saddle or blanket on their back. However, German Shepherd Dogs come in a variety of colors: sable, silver, liver, panda, solid black, and solid white. What are German Shepherd Dog Personalities like? German Shepherd Dogs can be reserved, often appearing aloof toward new people, but this very loyal breed loves their families and can be very affectionate. While they can be wary of new people and protective of their family, with the right socialization, German Shepherd Dogs can be friendly and easy-going. They are an intelligent and high-energy breed that thrives with a job to do. Due to this, without the proper or consistent amount of stimulating work, they can easily become bored and frustrated. Those feelings could translate into behaviors like barking, howling, or chewing. As they get older, they'll equally enjoy relaxing with you at home and getting up with you to do the next fun activity! If you are a lover of going for long walks or runs, enjoy hiking on the weekends, or trips to the beach depending on where you live, a German Shepherd Dog will gladly trot alongside you! German Shepherd Dogs while they can be independent, do crave to be with their family and offer great companionship. With crate training, your German Shepherd puppy will learn to adapt to being left alone for periods of time without developing separation anxiety, however, this breed thrives with interaction and will do best a puppy parent that can provide them with a balanced amount of alone and accompanied time throughout the day. Like many large breed dogs, German Shepherd Dogs can suffer from some common illnesses including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, degenerative spinal stenosis, and Von Willebrand disease. Thankfully, responsible breeders today have bred out many of these and improved the health of the breed significantly! When you bring home your new German Shepherd puppy, schedule their first veterinarian visit to discuss appropriate health care, proper nutrition and supplements, and exercise. German Shepherd Dogs tend to shed regularly and heavily twice in the year during the Spring and Fall season. With soft undercoats and harsher topcoats, they would do best with regular brushing once a week will help remove their dead fur and maintain healthy skin! Note: When looking for a reputable German Shepherd Dog breeder, go through an accredited website such as AKC for their breeder locator. Additionally, many pure-breed and mixed German Shepherds are available in rescues and shelters for adoption! German Shepherds are smart and hard-working, so puppy training will not only provide them with the stimulation they crave but also solidify your communication, trust, and overall relationship! Early puppy training Lay the foundation for good behavior the day your puppy comes home, introducing them to basic obedience. Keeping your puppy on a leash at home while under supervision will help to build their focus on you as their leader and also help keep them from darting away. Soon, build up to more obedience training commands, work on their focus through distractions, and start to introduce training in different locations such as your yard, or neighborhood to solidify their communication with you in any situation. Also, check out the rest of our Puppy Training and Puppyhood Made Easy for New Owners series to guide you through what to train your puppy next, how to troubleshoot, and other important topics every puppy owner should know! Going back to their wilder instincts, puppies will naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. Crate training your German Shepherd Dog puppy will help boost their confidence and resilience while learning to be alone at home. Socialization is a must German Shepherd Dogs are natural protectors and benefit greatly from being socialized with other dogs, people, new places, textures, and sounds. When done correctly, s ocialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on barking or jumping, which are common puppy behaviors when they are excited or over-stimulated when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer to help set you up for the best success! Consider advanced training to keep them engaged German Shepherd Dogs are very intelligent and have high-prey drives which mean they love to work! Along with basic obedience, dog sports like agility are a great way to motivate them and help your puppy work out their energy. Agility helps establish a stronger communication bond through body language while your puppy is participating. Developed as part of K9 and military dog training, this is a perfect activity for your German Shepherd to burn off some mental and physical steam! Did you recently bring home a German Shepherd Dog puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! Join and learn directly from Nadelhaus founder Traci Needles, who has over 25 years of experience breeding and training German Shepherds. Over 50 videos on the following topics covering German Shepherd puppies, housebreaking, crate training, obedience, feeding, grooming, wellness, and much more. New videos to be added every month. The breeder will also inform you of additional vaccinations you will need to schedule with your veterinarian as your puppy grows. Traveling Home With Your New Puppy On the day you pick up your new German Shepherd puppy from our facility, bring a small crate for the puppy to travel home in. We sell Puppy Packs at our facility which include a dog crate and can have one ready for you if you wish to purchase one. Otherwise, if you plan to hold your puppy in your lap on your drive home, bring a few small towels to place on your lap for the puppy. We highly recommend that you DO NOT stop at rest stops, dog parks, or parks to let your puppy go potty. Your puppy will not have received all of its parvovirus shots yet, so exposing your puppy to areas where other dogs have been increases the risk of your puppy contracting parvo. Instead we recommend that you find places that have concrete or hard surfaces like a paved parking lot. In the summertime, be conscious of the surface your puppy is walking on. At Home Care For Your New Puppy The first 24 to 36 hours in your new home is an acclimation period for your puppy to get settled in your home. It is common for your German Shepherd puppy to have diarrhea or loose stool the first week it is in your new home. It is acclimating to a new world and a different schedule. Be very mindful about what kind of dog treats and toys you supply the puppy to chew on. These are all edible things that can cause loose stool and diarrhea. These are also additional calories that puppies will eat before they eat a meal. During their acclimation to your new homes, we recommend you keep treats and cookies to a minimum. These are too rich and too hard on their systems. Wait at least 24 hours before giving your puppy a bath. You are more than welcome to keep in touch with us during this time and ask questions via email or text. The breeder will review the amount of food and schedule with you when you pick up your puppy. If your puppy has a weak appetite during the acclimation period you can add boiled boneless chicken and cooked white rice to its meals. Or you can add canned food to its meal to entice its appetite. Discard any uneaten food after each meal. Ensure your puppy has access to fresh, clean water during the day. If you are house breaking your puppy, remove access to water at least 4 hours prior to bed time. Diarrhea in very young puppies during their first weeks in their new environment is not uncommon. Here's why: Stress and Adaptation: The transition from their birthplace to a new home is a significant change for a young puppy. The stress of leaving their mother and littermates, coupled with adapting to a new diet and environment, can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Dietary Changes: Puppies might experience a sudden switch in their diet when they move to their new home. This shift in nutrition, even if well-intentioned, can disrupt their delicate digestive systems and result in diarrhea. Microbial Adjustment: The puppy's gut is in the process of developing a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria. Stress and changes in diet can temporarily affect this delicate balance, leading to digestive disturbances like diarrhea. This adjustment period is natural as the puppy's gut adapts to new microorganisms in their surroundings. While occasional mild diarrhea can be expected, it's important to monitor your puppy's condition. Why young puppies get diarrhea and how to treat it Introducing Your Puppy To Other Pets Gradual Introduction: Begin with neutral territory, not in the home of the adult dog, where both dogs can meet on leashes. Increase the time and frequency of their interactions slowly and under supervision. Supervised Interaction: After bringing the puppy home, closely supervise their interactions. Start with separate spaces and controlled play sessions, intervening if tensions arise. Ensure each dog has a safe space to retreat to. Patience and Adaptation: Understand that dogs have unique personalities. Be patient as they adjust to each other. Gradually extend their time together while monitoring their behavior and providing guidance as needed. Introducing a puppy to an adult dog watch even more videos on how to care for your german shepherd puppy with a learning center subscription.
mini goldendoodle puppies maine - Sometimes called a Bull-Pug, the Miniature Bulldog is a cross between an English Bulldog and a Pug, Puggle, or French Bulldog to create a smaller size bulldog that will be perfect for your family. English Bulldogs were bred to bait, guard, and control bulls while Pugs have been companions to royals since about BC. They are peaceful and get along well with animals and people. You may find that some males are territorial or try to display dominance or aggression toward other male dogs. By nature, Bulldogs may occasionally display overprotective behaviors, but early training and socialization can help you manage it. They can be stubborn and slow during training, but they retain what they learn well. It frequently has a shortened muzzle like both parent breeds, which can sometimes lead to difficulty breathing especially in extreme temperatures. Eyes are dark, large, and round, and ears are thin and small and hang in a rose or button configuration. Mini Bulldogs have sleek and short, smooth and glossy coats that shed moderately but almost never tangle or mat. Black and fawn is the most common coloration, but you can also see brindle, red, and white. Typically this breed will be about 15 inches tall and weigh 15 to 45 pounds. They are not likely to ask for walks, and you may even find your pup to be lazy! But some daily exercise is crucial to keep these naturally thick-set dogs from becoming obese. Obesity runs in both parent breeds, so Mini Bulldogs are especially prone to putting on unhealthy weight. We recommend 30 minutes of activity per day and about 2 miles walking per week. Take care when exercising because their shortened muzzle makes them particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures. Life Span Did You Know? Although these dogs are small, they are known to be full of love and affection, especially for their favorite humans. Although the American Kennel Club does not recognize them, they are recognized by other canine registries. They thrive on being with their favorite humans and enjoy nothing more than spending time with them. As long as they are properly socialized, their calm nature and sweet disposition mean they tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they are likely to bark to alert you of strangers, they also tend to be open to meeting new people and warm up quickly once introduced. The Mini Bulldog is a highly adaptable dog. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes with or without yards. They do best in moderate climates as they are very sensitive to heat and need some winter dog products to stay warm in the cold as well. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Miniature Bulldog include cherry eye, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and luxating patella. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Since both parents are brachycephalic, you can expect a Mini Bulldog to be a flat-faced, snub-nosed breed as well. This can contribute to difficulties breathing and regulating temperature, so you need to be careful about heat and overexertion with these dogs. The Miniature Bulldog is eager to please and will strive to get attention and praise from their families. Although they can have a little bit of a stubborn streak at times, they still tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. Not only do they help reinforce training and keep it consistent, but they are also great opportunities to continue to socialize your puppy. Mini Bulldogs have short, dense coats that shed a low to moderate amount year-round. Brushing their coat weekly and the occasional bath is usually enough to keep their coat healthy and looking great. In addition to standard dog grooming brushes for this coat type, a rubber mitt can be a good tool to have on hand for easily removing excess fur. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long and causing issues. Weekly ear checks and carefully cleaning ears as needed can help prevent ear infections. Although their big, round eyes are adorable, they are also prone to damage from debris and can be sensitive. As a small dog breed, the Miniature Bulldog is more prone to developing dental disease. Daily brushing plus cleanings at the vet when needed are a good start. Although they will be energetic when they play, the Miniature Bulldog can also be one of the laziest dog breeds if you let them. Generally, they are happy to relax and cuddle with you, especially if there is food involved. Daily walks plus some playtime are usually enough for this dog. If they are interested in more activity or you need to encourage them to move more, there are safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs that will let you give them the activity they need without overheating them. A fully-grown Mini Bulldog usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Miniature Bulldogs generally live for years on average. Featured Miniature Bulldog Article. At cheappuppiesforsale. These lovable puppies are perfect for anyone looking for an affordable family pet. English Bulldogs are small, fun dogs that require minimal training. They are known for their clownish personalities and love of cuddles. History of English bulldog puppies English bulldog puppies are a completely man-made breed. The national dog of England, their strong heads, loose skin and short legs give them a very distinctive, amusing appearance. Bulldogs are generally gentle, affectionate dogs that love to be around their families. They are excellent with children and have a medium-low activity level that makes them great for apartment or city living. These loveable dogs are loyal to a fault and are sure to make you smile. English Bulldogs are calm, non-sporting dogs with a sourmug face that love to chew and play tug-of-war. British Bulldogs rarely bark but snore, snort, wheeze, grunt, and snuffle instead. Bulldogs are a people-oriented, loyal and devoted watchdogs that love to nap by your side. Unlike other breeders, We choose parents not based on champion bloodlines and registry, but on health, temperament, and looks. As a result, cheappuppiesforsale. From this breed of dogs and others,We and our staff offer a variety of healthy, attractive pups 8 weeks of age and older, all of whom are ready for a loving family and home. As a leading national seller of bulldogs, cheappuppiesforsale. The website maintains an extensive FAQ section, where Howard fields questions about the breed regarding health, fitness, care, and maintenance. Look at this adorable face! She is a real charmer so you will not be able to say no to her. This English Bulldog puppy is raised with children, friendly, fun-loving and ready to meet her new family. This baby is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed and comes with a 1 year genetic health guarantee. Make this cutie your cuddle buddy and she will be the perfect addition that you have been searching for! Sex: Female.
Similar services:
mini goldendoodle puppies maine - Use the same commands and cues consistently. Improved obedience and communication. Reward good behavior with treats and praise. A motivated and happy pup. Socialization Introduce your pup to various people and dogs in a slow, positive manner. Well-adjusted and confident around others. Structured Play Mental stimulation and reduced boredom. Leash Training Teach leash manners to enjoy peaceful walks. Enjoyable walks with your well-behaved companion. Obedience Classes Enroll in obedience classes for professional guidance. Enhanced training skills and socialization. Training a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy involves consistent positive reinforcement methods. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Use rewards like treats and praise to encourage desired behavior, and keep training sessions short and engaging. Socialization with other dogs and people is essential, and enrolling in puppy training classes can provide structured guidance. Use these puppy training tips to have less stress with your puppy: 1. Stay on top of their exercise needs. Your GSD needs the proper exercise. Increase exercise slowly to avoid an injury that comes from too much impact on unfused joints and bones. While your puppy still lacks maturity and focus, you can increase training to help teach your dog obedience skills. Increase daily obedience and practice to help them learn training basics. Your beautiful German Shepherd puppy will grow very quickly! Teaching them when they are puppies will pay off for the rest of their life. Simple training should start the moment your puppy arrives home. Using the same word for the same activities will help them learn quickly. Give them the right chew toys. Your pup needs balls and toys that are safe and chew-worthy. Look for more indestructible toys to keep your German Shepherd busy and continue to offer chew treats to work their jaws. Find the right chews for you puppy so you minimize the potential for choking and their jaws get a good workout. Use some of these balls for German Shepherd puppies as a distraction toy to get their focus away from your fingers and onto the toy. Giving your puppy a chew toy when they are biting an unapproved item redirects their attention to the right item. Include mental stimulation for their minds. This puppy needs mental stimulation to help them exercise their brilliant minds. This intelligent dog need more than physical exercise. Their minds need to learn and become involved in their world in new and interesting ways. There are many ways you can include mental stimulation. Many of these ways involve teaching a new brain challenge or mental game. Keep them supervised. Even a young GSD can cause lots of trouble when left unsupervised. If your once potty-trained pup has now forgotten their potty manners, then use pet-safe baby gates to contain them or leash them to you to supervise their actions at all times. Pet safe gates like these allow your dog to still see you and feel they have watched over their family. Pet gates are a safe option that prevents your dog from getting its head stuck or worse. Shutting a German Shepherd behind a closed door increases their anxiety and can make unwanted behavior worse! Instead, use the baby gate in a safe area to give them less run of your house. Behaviors you like can improve daily. Every day is an opportunity for you to become a more successful leader. For example: If they want to go outside ask them for a sit first. If they bring you a ball to throw, ask for a down before you engage in play. Setting up expectations of accepted behavior helps them learn how to behave more appropriately. And these successful moments can help speed up how long it takes to train a German Shepherd. Even tiny successes are great confidence builders for your puppy and for you. These bursts of training are easier for your pup to understand. The most telling sign of your little puppy growing up is unpredictable behaviors. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but in a furry adorable body! Hormones, rebellion, confusion, and curiosity all add up to puppy puberty. But with the proper home management techniques and setting expectations, you can overcome these common puppyhood challenges. And my short Happy Puppy Guide is packed with helpful tips and tricks to ensure your furry friend grows up to be a happy and well-behaved companion. Your 6-month-old German Shepherd will thank you for it. I fetched it for you right here! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Final Thoughts Remember that your 6 month old German Shepherd is not a puppy anymore. It is the age when your pet officially enters the adolescence stage. What does this mean for it and you as its owner? The most troublesome period starts here. Your doggy can become rather unpredictable, and it is sometimes frustrating. It may still seem like a big fur ball, but it shows its temperament and character, so you need to be very careful. Moreover, it is very strong, too. So if your puppy is not properly trained, you may experience some difficulties in controlling it. Size and Appearance Your 6 month old German Shepherd puppy continues growing. It has already gained pounds .It is a large dog breed, and it has become obvious now. Your boy weighs pounds kg , and the girl, though smaller, is pounds kg heavy. The height of a male puppy at this age reaches inches cm at the withers, while female dogs are inches cm tall. Now, teething is almost completed, and your doggy can normally show all its 42 adult teeth already. However, some puppies continue teething until they are months old. The fur coat is also almost adult, with its double layers and a lot of shedding. It means that you need to develop a direct schedule for brushing and grooming. Buy a high-quality undercoat rake and brush your pup at least once a week. Since teething is finished, the ears stand up straight at this age. However, some puppies do not have perky ears until they are 12 months old. Another very important thing to consider in your six month old German Shepherd is that its sexual maturity begins. This stage is equivalent to teenagership or puberty in people. The hormones start kicking in, so males may want to look for a mate when outside. That is why it is so important to keep your puppy away from stray dogs at this time. Your boy may also start marking its territory and displaying aggression toward other animals and people. Estrogen in females also results in uneasiness and aggressive behavior. Walking in a dog park is not the best idea for your girl at this period. On average, a 6 month old GSD sleeps hours a day. Most of them are at night, but it may also need several naps in the daytime. Your puppy is very active at this age, so it needs a lot of walking and running. It is capable of walking long distances or even jogging. It is a truly great breed that can be very energetic. The puppy can walk up to 6 miles or 10 kilometers, and many believe that it is OK, since wolf pups as their ancestors could walk and run with their pack for many miles. However, every veterinarian will tell you that too much exercise of this kind can be dangerous for your pup because it can result in problems with joints at this age. So, choose other types of activities for exercising. Teach your doggy to walk on a leash, with frequent breaks, increasing the length of the walk gradually. Never walk your puppy in very hot or cold weather. If your pup shows the slightest signs of lameness, talk with your vet about it. The age of 6 months is the time when many behavioral problems can appear. It is connected with the period of puberty and hormonal disbalances. Your pup needs more independence, so it may wage a war against all your belongings if not trained properly. Chewing, tearing, and demolishing everything around is common. Even if your doggy has been potty-trained properly, it may have more accidents indoors now because it finds pleasure in looking for secret places for doing its business when indoors. Therefore, you have to show it who the boss in the household is and become a true leader of the pack for it. When playing, your pup may become rougher and try to dominate. It can get pushier with other dogs due to the start of its sexual maturity. Your pet can display a lot of boldness and attack other dogs fearlessly when walking in the park. It may also develop more aggressive reactions to other people, especially strangers. Even if it does know most commands, it may pretend to forget them because its hormones fluctuate. So, you need to be very careful to avoid incidents. Scent marking is another sign of puberty. The pup can do it inside your home and display disobedience if you try to prevent this. Female pups can experience the beginning of heat. It may cause them to feel subdued and insecure, so they become less sociable and even aggressive to their owners. You need a lot of patience and knowledge to train your doggy to behave properly at this age. Try to be persistent, provide it with more outdoor exercise, and never use force or physical punishment in response to its misbehavior. Increase the amount of exercise gradually to avoid bad injuries to the bones and joints. Find the most appropriate and appealing activities and games for your puppy to keep it healthy and out of trouble. Include mental stimulation in your everyday exercise. Offer it new brain challenges or mental games. Health and Care You need to be carefully observing whether your pup meets its weight and height requirements for this age. Learn to measure your doggy regularly to be on the safe side. Your pup has already had three vaccination sessions by this time. Neutering or spaying your pup is an issue that you may have to consider. However, most veterinarians do not approve of this at such an early age. It can result in joint disorders, incontinence, musculature injuries, and even cancer. They can be explained by lessening or eliminating the production of hormones associated with growth. The cartilage in long leg bones may get soft or even be missing, contributing to skeletal weaknesses. That is why you should delay neutering until your boy is one year old. Or, if your little male displays too many signs of disobedience and aggression due to its sexual development, delay neutering until the veterinarian X-rays your doggy and ensures that the growth plates are hardened and completely closed. As for female German Shepherds, the additional safety considerations for spaying should also be taken into account. Too early spaying can increase the risks of mammary cancer and urinary incontinence, along the common joint and bone issues. It is recommended to wait until your girl is one year old or even longer. Most breeders will tell you that a female German Shepherd should go through one or two heat cycles before spaying to reduce the risks of severe health issues. That is why the most desirable time for spaying the GS female is 18 months of its age. As for other health problems at the age of 6 months, you do not need to worry. If you want to know what to expect further, research the pedigree and ancestors of your pup to see whether there were any hereditary issues in their bloodline. You can also have a DNA test to predict future problems, such as degenerative myelopathy. However, you need to be watchful and careful about different signs and symptoms that may signal some temporary disorders. These symptoms may not mean anything serious. Though, it is always better to be sure. Feeding You need to feed your 6 month old German Shepherd puppy an appropriate diet with the correct number of calories and protein rates. It still grows rapidly, so you should be careful when choosing between high-quality puppy kibble and raw homemade feeding. The latter should include raw meats fish, turkey, or chicken are good and different vegetables and fruits. Do not offer your puppy too many treats during the daytime. Remember that they can be full of fats and lead to obesity. You do not want your pup to suffer from hip dysplasia or other health issues caused by being overweight. Arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, and even cancer can also result from improper diets. Give your puppy cups of kibble per each of 2 meals daily. Develop a feeding schedule and be consistent with following it. Self-feeding can also lead to obesity. Provide clean and fresh water to your dog, and you do not need to take the water bowl away. Your pup should have access to it whenever it wants. Never add any supplements or extra treats until your veterinarian recommends them. If your puppy refuses to eat for more than two subsequent meals, have a talk with your vet. You do not need to make a transition to adult food at this age yet. However, in some cases, it may be appropriate and recommended, even if normally such a transition is due closer to the age of one year. If you do not do it gradually, you may face digestive upset in your puppy. The start for a 6 month old GSD is not the best option because the socialization window closes at 4 months in German Shepherds, and you may encounter some behavioral issues now. Never use harsh, negative, or punishment-based methods of training. Your pup is very sensitive, and all this can damage its psyche. The positive, reward-based methods are more appropriate, and they will produce better results. Continue socialization by exposing your pet to unfamiliar animals and people in a friendly environment. Though, you need to be very careful now because hormone disbalance can evoke unpredictable reactions. German Shepherds tend to be enthusiastic barkers, so you have to discourage your pup from barking all the time. Teach it to inform you when someone unknown is approaching, but keep from barking all other times. Always control your doggy persistently. Instill that you are a leader to obey. Do training for at least minutes per day regularly and always use positive reinforcement. If you need help, ask a professional trainer to assist or teach you. It is pretty tall, with the height of a male reaching inches .Female dogs are a bit smaller, with inches cm in height. How much should a 6 month old German Shepherd weight? Your pet continues growing quickly, so its weight also increases. The average weight of a boy puppy is pounds .How much should a 6 month old German Shepherd eat? You can give your puppy cups of kibble per each of 2 meals daily. How much should a 6 month old German Shepherd sleep? Because of its almost full-sized bladder, your pup does not need a potty at night or may need it just once. Therefore, it can sleep peacefully the whole night. Normally, the average sleeping time is hours, with the biggest amount at night. Though, it may also need several naps in the daytime. How far can a 6 month old German Shepherd walk? Even if you think that your pup needs a lot of exercises, walking and running should not comprise the largest part of it. The puppy can walk up to 6 miles or 10 kilometers if it is needed, but never make it walk for such a long distance. Its bones and joints are not formed completely yet, so much walking can cause many health issues. Choose some other activities for exercising, then. Final Thoughts Now, you can see that your 6 month old GSD puppy is a source of both enjoyment and trouble. You should be very patient, persistent, and careful about feeding, training, and exercising your little one to raise a healthy, energetic, and loyal dog, the best companion and protector for all your family. Follow the advice of your veterinarian relating to health and care. You can also consult with a professional dog trainer or hire them to help you. We hope that some recommendations and tips in this article will also be helpful. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. If you have recently welcomed a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy into your home, you are probably feeling a mix of excitement and overwhelming responsibility. At six months, your GSD puppy is starting to look and act a lot like an adult. He is also starting to explore his surroundings and may be roaming a lot more than usual. He is also going into puppy puberty, which comes with many behavioral changes including marking, aggression and acting on sexual desires. In this blog post, we will provide a survival guide for new owners of a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy. We will cover essential topics such as feeding, exercise, training, grooming, and health care, and offer practical tips and recommendations to help you navigate this particular stage with your new companion. What to expect from a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy? If you have a male puppy, for instance, you will notice that they are becoming overly territorial or intolerant of other male dogs and generally aggressive to unfamiliar people. In addition to the hormones, are the raging sexual desires which will make your puppy want to be around dogs of the opposite sex. Female puppies will start to go into heat, while male puppies will start roaming looking for females. Other changes to expect include: Playful and energetic Your young dog is also likely to be more energetic and playful than before. Becoming independent GSD puppies at this age are also starting to become more independent and may be less reliant on you. Enhanced communication skills Puppies at this age also have enhanced hearing skills and can process instructions a lot better. This is the time to advance obedience training to help them learn good behavior and become well-behaved adult dogs. Resource guarding Additionally, they may experience what we refer to as resource guarding. This is where puppies become so possessive of their toys that they become harsh when someone or another dog tries to touch them. American Kennel Club recommends early behavior training to prevent this possession aggression from escalating into nasty bites. Your six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will need quite a lot from you. First and foremost, they will need a consistent routine and structure. The routine should incorporate everything from feeding to play. A routine will help make life so much easier for both of you. Other needs include A good leader As an owner, you should also provide your puppy with good leadership. Part of being a good leader is giving clear instructions and being consistent with reinforcing the behavior. For a GSD puppy, establishing yourself as a pack leader is crucial in instilling good behavior. Consistent exercise You will also need to take your dog for daily walks or for play dates at the dog park to keep them mentally stimulated and physically active. Even as puppies, German Shepherds are extremely energetic dogs, and therefore daily exercise is a basic need for them. You will need to commit to at least 30 minutes of exercise in the morning and another 30 minutes in the evening. In addition, you will need to have a list of games and activities to keep them busy and mentally stimulated. Here are some activities you can try. Proper socialization It is also important to continue socializing your German Shepherd puppy at this age. This can involve exposing them to a variety of people, places, and other animals in a controlled and positive manner. This will help your puppy develop into a well-adjusted adult dog. Proper nutrition Proper nutrition is also important for a growing German Shepherd puppy. You will need to feed your puppy high-quality food appropriate for their size and age. It is generally recommended to feed puppies three to four times per day until they are about six months old, after which you can gradually transition to twice-daily feedings. Love and attention In addition to these basic responsibilities, you are also expected to provide your German Shepherd puppy with plenty of love, attention, and positive reinforcement. This will help them feel secure and build a strong bond with you. There are plenty of ways to bond with your dog. You can make use of the morning and evening exercise to bond, go on weekend hikes and trips together, walks at the dog park or play interactive games indoors. The goal is to create as much quality time with your dog to enhance the bond. Regular grooming Regular grooming is another thing your pup will require from you at least once every week. Now that their coat is fully filled up, they will start to shed a lot. This means you will need to create a schedule for brushing their coat and general grooming, like cleaning their ears and teeth. Ensure you get a good-quality brush for this job. They look a lot like a large breed dog at this point. Males will have an average weight of 53 pounds and a height of between inches, while females will weigh 46 pounds on average and will be inches tall. However, some German Shepherds puppies may be larger or smaller than others at this age. The puppies will have a more developed a more muscular appearance than they did when younger. They will have a longer, thicker coat, and their ears may be fully upright. Their paws may also be larger and more in proportion to their body, and a majority will have all their adult teeth on. Also noticeable will be their strong, muscular build and their intelligent and confident demeanor. It is normal for some puppies to grow more quickly or more slowly than others. To help speed up their growth, focus on proper nutrition. You also want to get your puppy a variety of chew toys to help with ear erection. This new stage comes with its own set of behavioral changes, as expected, like aggression, territorial marking, and moodiness. Other changes that your pup may experience to indicate sexual maturity include bloody discharge and swelling of the vulva. As the hormones kick in for both males and females, they will begin to act on their sexual desires. For males, particularly, they will start to prowl for females, and for females, they will start to go into their first heat cycle. But yes, from 6 to 12 months, your pup will develop aggressive reactions to other dogs as well as to unfamiliar faces. They will start to get pushier when playing with other dogs. They will also become bolder and more fearless when with other dogs. This is their innate need to want to dominate and protect their territory, which they are slowly marking. This sudden aggressiveness is also due to the hormonal fluctuation they are experiencing. Ideally, your puppy should have been trained as early as 4 months when the aggressive behavior starts so that by the time the aggression is heightened at 6 months, it is easier to deter. Be aware that even though they will not be aggressive to you as their owner, they will start to show disobedience when you give them commands. You will need to stamp your authority so that the puppy understands that you are in charge. This will also make training even with aggressive behaviors easier. Puppy puberty: What do owners need to know? The sixth month in puppies is marked with a surge of hormones. This makes it pretty hard to predict their behaviors. In fact, they may show some aggression and pushiness. They however like to hang out around female dogs because their sexual desire is heightened. For female puppies, you will notice a shift in their moods. They are also likely to become insecure and less interested in activities they once enjoyed as they start getting on heat. They may also become irritable and aggressive to other dogs. Both genders will also start showing some disobedience and unruly behaviors like not responding to commands they once did. Nutrition needs of a 6-Month-Old German Shepherd puppy At six months old, your German Shepherd puppy will still have some growing to do, and it is important to ensure that they are receiving the right balance of nutrients to support their growth and development. There are a variety of meat proteins that you can incorporate into the diet, such as chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, and salmon. Fats Fats and oils from fish, chicken, and meats are essential in developing healthy and shiny coat, skin, and fur. Carbohydrates Your 6-month-old puppy is going to need a lot of energy to keep up with his current activity levels. According to PetMD good sources of carbohydrates are plants and grains. Other essential nutrients Your puppy will also need essential nutrients minerals and vitamins to help in stabilizing their surging hormones as well as dental health and a multitude of other body functions. These nutrients can be found in cereals, meats, and vegetables. But your dog is still a puppy on the inside, and this is very important to remember. Your dog still has a lot of growing to do on the inside! A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy is going to need a lot of socialization and structured crate training and enough gentle exercise and play to keep all that energy under control. What to Expect as Your German Shepherd Turns Six Months Old German Shepherds are really smart , strong dogs, which can mean they are a handful to raise and train as they grow up and get bigger. If you are caring for a German Shepherd puppy right now or have ever done so in the past, you already know this! One of the biggest areas of anxiety for first-time German Shepherd owners is whether what they are experiencing with their dog is normal or not. For example, is it normal for a six-month-old German Shepherd puppy to be biting everything in sight? How about if a six-month-old German Shepherd puppy whines and barks a lot? What about appetite, portion size, and treats for a 6 month old German Shepherd? When should you transition to adult dog food and an adult dog portion size? And what about that all-important question — should you get your German Shepherd spayed or neutered and, if so, when should you do it? These are all intelligent questions that caring dog owners typically ask. So if you are wondering what the answers are, you are not alone — and you are about to find out in the sections to follow here. In most cases, the timing of neutering a male German Shepherd puppy is going to be different than the spaying of a female GSD. So we will look at each procedure separately here. When to neuter your male German Shepherd puppy However, as the University of California at Davis points out, a scary new study in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Science highlights the health risks of too-early neutering. Specifically, joint disorders, musculature injuries, cancer, and incontinence are all risks that are linked to neutering a German Shepherd before the age of 12 months one year old. Researchers believe the risks arise from how neutering lessens or eliminates the production of important hormones associated with reproduction and also with growth. When a male dog is neutered too early, the hormones that tell the soft cartilage growth plates in the long leg bones when to close go missing. This can delay reaching the final German Shepherd growth stages, cause bone overgrowth, contribute to skeletal weakness throughout life and might cause German Shepherds to stop growing. To reduce these risks, you may want to delay neutering your male puppies until after their first birthday and they are a full grown German Shepherd. Alternately, you may want to delay neutering until after your veterinarian has X-rayed your dog and determined that the growth plates have closed and hardened. When to spay your female German Shepherd puppy Choosing when to spay a female German Shepherd puppy comes with additional safety considerations and health threats beyond simply preventing unplanned pregnancy. Female German Shepherds that are spayed too early in life have an increased risk of mammary cancer and urinary incontinence along with more frequent and serious joint and skeletal issues. To lessen the risk of these issues, it is definitely important to wait until your female German Shepherd puppy has had her first birthday. But you may want to wait even longer, and here is why. Many breeders believe that a female German Shepherd should go through one to two successful full heat cycles before spaying. As owners posting on this popular German shepherds Forum explain, waiting until your female German Shepherd has had her second birthday can reduce the risk of later-in-life urinary incontinence even further. And then some owners and breeders will choose to spay at the halfway point of 18 months. Other neuter or spay considerations for a German Shepherd puppy It is also important to keep in mind that some K-9 programs, such as participation in formal military or police K-9 work, are only open to intact German Shepherds. If you want to enroll your dog in this type of program, be sure to check the requirements before proceeding with a neuter or spay procedure. For this reason, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America GSDCA explains that weight monitoring is an essential aspect of adjusting food portions during the age of three to six months old. By the age of six months old, your puppy should be eating twice per day. Make sure clean, fresh water is always available to your dog. Only feed your puppy a high-quality, complete, and balanced puppy food made for large-breed puppies ask your breeder or veterinarian if you are not sure what to feed. As we mentioned earlier in this article, a six-month-old German Shepherd puppy is likely going to look very similar to how it will look like an adult German Shepherd. But on the inside, there is still so much growing and developing to be done. What you feed, how you feed, and how much you feed can have everything to do with how strong and structurally healthy your GSD puppy grows up to be. Start by mixing 90 percent old food with 10 percent new food. Do this for one to two days. Then switch to 80 percent old food mixed with 20 percent new food. Continue until you are at percent new food. This system can ease digestive upset and temporary elimination issues like constipation or diarrhea that may arise when there is a big food switch. As the Central Texas Veterinary Hospital explains, German Shepherds as a breed can be particularly prone to issues of a sensitive stomach. This makes planning for a slow food transition especially critical to success for this breed. Training a Six Month Old German Shepherd Puppy According to expert dog trainers with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America , the type of puppy training your dog receives from the ages of two to six months is vital to raising a healthy, happy adult dog. Quite the contrary! So your GSD puppy may still be teething and biting on everything in sight to deal with that painful process. German Shepherds are high-strung, sensitive dogs and they are also strong and powerful. You can accomplish the same and even better training results using positive rewards-based reinforcement methods that will not damage your bond with your dog. Continue socialization with strange people and animals Your German Shepherd puppy will need ongoing exposure to strangers — people and animals — as part of the socialization and training process. You have total control over how you want your German Shepherd to respond when a strange person or animal crosses their path. You can teach your puppy how to alert you when an unknown individual approaches your home or crosses your path. If you are firm and consistent with your training through the teenage phase, hiring a professional K-9 trainer if you need to, your reward will be a well-behaved, well-trained adult dog that will guard, defend and protect you with their life. One reason for this is that as long as the growth plates stay soft, you risk injury if you over-exercise your dog. But the soft growth plates can be damaged if your German Shepherd puppy is allowed to run for extended periods of time, race up and down the stairs, do a lot of jumping or agility work or play too vigorously. Games like tug-of-war also bad for developing teeth. Throw-the-toy ball, stick games. Too-vigorous or rough play with other dogs or people. So at six months of age, your German Shepherd puppy should be exercising for 30 minutes six months times 5 minutes each day. But here again, make sure the exercise is appropriate for a young large breed dog that is still growing and developing internally. Using mental and sensory exercise aids like snuffle mats and treat puzzle toys and teething aids like iced Kongs and safe flavored chew toys can also provide much-needed exercise and enrichment for mind and body. This will help ensure your 6 month old German Shepherd grows up to be a healthy adult dog. It is fun to watch Sam demonstrate how he has mastered basic commands from multiple owners, which is very important to help your GSD puppy socialize and bond fully with all family members. The owner also talks about the formal K-9 training program Sam is enrolled in through their local German Shepherd dog club. This is a fun option for you and your dog that is worth checking out if you happen to have a local German Shepherd club in your community. At 6 months old, a German Shepherd puppy is still in the early stages of development, but they have already started to show some distinct characteristics that will give you a good idea of what to expect as they grow into adulthood. One of the most noticeable traits of a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy is its energy level. These dogs have a lot of energy and require plenty of exercise and playtime to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. At this age, they may become restless and even destructive if they do not get enough exercise or mental stimulation. Another characteristic of 6-month-old German Shepherd puppies is their curiosity and desire to explore their surroundings. They may start to test boundaries and push their limits as they try to understand their world. This can lead to some mischievous behavior, such as chewing on objects or digging in the yard. However, with proper training and supervision, these behaviors can be redirected in a positive way. At 6 months old, German Shepherd puppies may also start to display some protective behaviors. They may become more vocal and alert when strangers or other animals approach, and they may even start to show signs of guarding behavior. Finally, a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy may start to show signs of intelligence and trainability. These dogs are highly intelligent and excel in activities such as obedience training, agility, and tracking. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, they can learn a wide variety of commands and behaviors. At this age, your puppy is more active and playful, and you can expect them to have a lot of energy. Here are some tips to help you create a schedule for your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy: Morning Routine Start your day early by taking your puppy for a walk or a jog. German Shepherds are a high-energy breed that needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. You can also use this time to practice basic obedience training , such as sit, stay, and come. Make sure you feed them high-quality dog food that is appropriate for their age and size. Mid-Morning Playtime Playtime is essential for a growing puppy. You can use this time to engage in interactive play with your puppy, such as fetch or tug-of-war. You can also provide them with chew toys to keep them occupied and prevent destructive behavior. Lunch Break At mid-day, your puppy may need a break. You can practice obedience training and work on more advanced commands, such as heel or stay. You can also use this time to introduce your puppy to new experiences, such as meeting new people or exploring new environments. Make sure to feed them a balanced meal that meets their nutritional needs. Evening Walk End the day with a brisk walk or jog. You can use this time to provide your puppy with a comfortable sleeping space and some quiet time to relax. At six months old, a German Shepherd puppy is well on their way to reaching adult size, although it may still have some growing to do. On average, a six-month-old male German Shepherd will weigh between 50 and 70 pounds kg , while a female German Shepherd of the same age will weigh between 40 and 60 pounds kg. Additionally, German Shepherds are a large breed of dog, and their growth rate can be affected by their environment, health, and other factors. Feeding your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy the right amount of food is crucial for their growth and development. At this age, your puppy will be growing rapidly and require a balanced diet to fuel their energy needs. The amount of food your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy needs will depend on their size, activity level, and overall health. Generally, a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy should be fed around cups of high-quality dry kibble per day, divided into two or three meals. Look for a food that contains a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, and is specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. If your puppy is very active, they may need more food than a more sedentary puppy. Just like humans, puppies require an adequate amount of sleep for their overall health and development. At 6 months old, a German Shepherd puppy should be sleeping for approximately hours per day. You may also consider providing a cozy bed or crate with a soft blanket to help your puppy feel secure and comfortable. German shepherd puppies may not sleep for long periods at a time and may wake up frequently during the night. As your puppy gets older, it will gradually begin to sleep for longer periods at night and require fewer naps during the day. Additionally, providing your German Shepherd puppy with regular exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day can help promote better sleep habits. A 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy needs a lot of exercise to maintain their physical health and mental well-being. German Shepherds are active and energetic dogs, so regular exercise is necessary for them to stay happy and healthy. At this age, a German Shepherd puppy needs at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, divided into two or three sessions. Exercise can take many forms, including walking, running, playing fetch, or going to the dog park. Always keep in mind that exercise should be appropriate for the age and physical abilities of the puppy. It is also essential to monitor the temperature outside during exercise as German Shepherds are prone to heatstroke. Exercise should be avoided during the hottest parts of the day, and plenty of water should be available to the puppy. In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is also important for a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy. Games that challenge their mind and encourage problem-solving, such as hide-and-seek or puzzle toys, can help keep their minds sharp. Every puppy is unique, and their exercise needs may vary based on factors such as size, energy level, and overall health. Training Your 6 Month German shepherd Training your 6-month-old German shepherd is an essential aspect of ensuring they become well-behaved and obedient adult dogs. At this age, your puppy is likely to be full of energy and curiosity, and may also start to display some challenging behaviors. Therefore, it is important to start training your German shepherd early to establish good habits and prevent unwanted behaviors from developing. One of the most important aspects of training your German shepherd puppy is socialization. This involves exposing them to a variety of people, animals, and environments to help them develop good behavior and social skills. Make sure to expose your puppy to different sounds, textures, and smells to help them get used to new situations. You should train your German shepherd puppy to behave appropriately around other dogs and animals. They should learn to be friendly and play nicely with other dogs and not chase or harass smaller animals. Consistency and patience are key when training a German shepherd puppy. Training sessions should be short and frequent, and you should always end on a positive note. You should remain calm and avoid punishing your puppy, as this can lead to fear and anxiety. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and reward-based training to help your German shepherd puppy learn and develop into a well-behaved adult dog. Here are some common behavioral patterns you may see in your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy and how to deal with them: Biting and Nipping At six months old, German Shepherd puppies are still teething. Biting and nipping are common behaviors. To deal with this behavior, provide your pup with plenty of chew toys and redirect their attention when they start biting or nipping. Jumping German Shepherds are high-energy dogs, and jumping up on people is a common behavior. Separation Anxiety At six months old, German Shepherds can start to develop separation anxiety as they become more attached to their owners. Fear and Aggression German Shepherds can be protective and territorial dogs, which can lead to fear and aggression towards strangers or other animals. To deal with this behavior, socialize your pup from a young age and provide them with plenty of positive reinforcement when they interact with others. Leash Pulling As German Shepherds grow, they can become strong pullers on the leash. To deal with this behavior, train your pup to walk calmly on a leash using positive reinforcement techniques and a no-pull harness. As a responsible owner, you should take certain precautions to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. Ensure that you feed them the right amount of food, as overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues. Exercise Regularly German Shepherds are active dogs and require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Take your puppy for walks, and runs, and engage them in playtime to ensure they get enough physical activity. Socialization German Shepherds are known to be protective of their owners and can be aggressive toward strangers. Socialization is crucial in shaping their behavior, and you must expose your puppy to various people, environments, and other animals to avoid developing behavioral issues. Training Training your German Shepherd puppy is essential in shaping their behavior and ensuring they respond appropriately to your commands. Positive reinforcement training techniques work best for German Shepherds, and you can enroll them in obedience classes or hire a professional trainer to help with their training. Health Checkups Regular visits to the veterinarian are essential to ensure your German Shepherd puppy is healthy and up-to-date with their vaccinations. They can also check for any underlying health conditions and provide you with advice on how to take care of your pet. Safe Environment German Shepherds are curious animals and can easily get into trouble. Ensure your home is safe for your puppy, and keep harmful substances out of reach. With patience, consistency, and love, you and your German Shepherd can enjoy a long and happy life together. She especially enjoys combining her lifelong love of dogs with her passion for writing. Read more about her. The bottom line How to Train a 6-month German Shepherd Once you bring home a 6-month-old German shepherd for the first time, the first thing that you should do is to take him for an introductory walk. This helps the pooch familiarize with the surrounding, and to make it easier when you take him for a talk or backyard play. When training a 6-month-old German shepherd, you should start by teaching him basic training commands like sit, stay, come, and kneel. These are useful GSD commands for different situations, and you can use treats as an incentive during the training exercise. Reward your dog when he does what you ask — this will encourage them to keep trying because they want that reward again! How much should a 6-month-old German shepherd eat? You should serve your German shepherd puppy about two to three cups of premium puppy food per day. The quantity served may vary depending on the size and age of your pup but in general, this is roughly how much to feed him each day. A good rule of thumb when deciding how much to give your puppy is to determine their weight and size. For instance, if your pup weighs around 20 pounds then you should feed him two cups of food per day. If he weighs 40 pounds then this will translate to three cups. If your 6-month-old German shepherd has a sensitive stomach then you may want to consider feeding them wet food. Wet puppy food has a high water content, which will help their digestive tract maintain the right balance and prevent inflammation of the colon. In addition, wet food also contains healthy prebiotics that promotes healthy digestion. How much water does a 6-month-old German shepherd drink? A 6-month-old German shepherd needs sufficient water to drink. You should provide a water bowl that is large enough so that your pup can drink sufficient water. If you are out of the house and cannot give them constant access to fresh water, then it might be best for you to invest in an automatic water fountain. A water fountain ensures there is a continuous flow of clean drinking water throughout the day. How much exercise does a 6-month-old German shepherd need? A 6-month-old GSD needs about thirty minutes to an hour of exercise each day and they should be given some form of mental stimulation as well. One way you can do this is by teaching him or her tricks that will help stimulate her brain. How to Potty train a 6-month-old German Shepherd? A 6-month-old pup requires a lot of time and attention to potty train. The easiest and most popular potty training method is using urine and feces training pads. If you are not sure how to groom your GSD puppy, hire a professional pet groomer at a fee. A pet groomer is specially trained to groom puppies and adult dogs. You will need dog shampoo , towels, conditioners, or other products that might be needed depending on the type of hair coat your pup has i. You will also need a leash and harness for outdoor walks. If you live in a wooded area where dogs are likely to get lost, you can have a microchip implanted by a veterinarian. While 6 months might be considered too soon to be microchipped, it will come in handy later when the dog grows older so consider getting one done now! See the best undercoat rake for German Shepherd 6-month-old German shepherd behavior and temperament: Are they aggressive? You can even invest in an invisible wireless fence to keep them contained. When buying a German shepherd puppy , you should first check with a licensed breeder. Make sure that you find a reputable fully-licensed breeder who has the time and space needed to care for GSD puppies. Ask the breeder if they have any 6-month-old puppies available. Breeders should be able to tell you how many dogs are currently in their care and what types of breeds they typically raise so that it is easy for you to make a decision about where to buy and if there are several puppies to choose from. They should also have a contract that spells out your responsibilities as the owner before you sign it so there are no surprises down the road. See the distinction between King Shepherd vs. German Shepherd The bottom line German shepherd pups are little bundles of energy!