mini labradoodle puppies for sale in oregon

Chopped carrots or celery make great little healthy treats. Your vet can help you develop a care routine. Boxadors love to eat and will rapidly gain weight if they are allowed to free feed. Pick a high quality dog food and stick to a feeding schedule; two feedings per day could be ideal to keep this pooch happy. They also need an exercise schedule. A 30 minute hike, walk, or game of fetch, plus an hour of active running around a yard will help burn off pent up energy. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. Keeping them clean and dry is the best way to avoid doctor visits. If your dog develops a pungent aroma or is scratching their ears excessively, they may have an ear infection and will require a vet exam. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth a minimum of three times a week. Clean your dogs eyes as you would your own. You can use a cloth or your fingers to wipe away discharge or debris that collects in the corners. Boxador Feeding An ideal Boxador diet should be formulated for an active, medium- to large-sized breed. Limit their amount of treats, as well. The main colors of Boxadors are; black, brown, brindle, and white. Rarely solid, their coats typically have a blend of two or more colors. Luckily, their coats are very easy to groom. A good brushing per week will probably do. They may self groom and are considered a pretty clean dog. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any tail pulling or biting on the part of either party. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Learn more about this pup by reading about their parent breeds, the Boxer and Labrador Retriever. Boxador Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed specific rescue for Boxadors because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Boxer or Labrador Retriever breed specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. As owners, we need to make sure that they are cared for and their needs are met. Below are detailed tips on taking the best care of your Pitbull Boxer Lab mix. Food and Diet To ensure optimum growth for your Pit Boxer Lab mix, it is vital to provide your dog with a healthy and balanced diet. Make sure you give them at least one to two cups of dog food rich in protein per meal every day. If you want to make your Pit Boxer Lab mix more lean or muscular, it is best to introduce a muscle-building diet consisting of essential protein, carbs, and fats. For added reference, you can follow our proven ways to make your Pitbull more muscular. Brushing their coats at least once a week goes a long way in keeping them clean and shiny. Also, remember that your Pit Boxer Lab mix is a moderate shedder that sheds all throughout the year, so investing in a good-quality deshedding brush will make your life easier. To keep them fresh and clean, Pit Boxer Lab mixes can be bathed once every 4 to 6 weeks or as needed. Since they have short fur and natural oils to protect their fur and skin, you need not bathe them too often. Additionally, they may also require weekly ear cleaning to avoid wax build-up and nail trimming at least two to three times per week. Likewise, their teeth should be brushed weekly to avoid tartar build-up. Training and Exercise Training your Pit Boxer Lab mix should be fairly easy since these are highly intelligent dogs. However, due to their stubbornness, this task can be quite challenging. As with any other breed, the key to more successful dog training is starting out while they are still young. It is also essential to train them using positive reinforcement along with a healthy amount of treats and lots of praise. Likewise, taking them to dog parks where they can meet and play with other dogs is also helpful. Exposure to different sounds and triggers is also a huge help in training, socializing, and exercising. Thus, expect that you will have a highly active dog that requires at least an hour of vigorous exercise daily. Here is the initial cost of expenses that you need to consider when you take home a Pit Boxer Lab mix: Type of Expense. However, unlike its boxer parent that might not be too friendly with strangers, it has a calmer disposition and would not bark unnecessarily, enjoying human company with an eagerness to please its owner, and with a separation anxiety out of sheer loyalty. Care Exercise Boxadors would constantly try to eat, and thus gaining weight like the labrador, for which reason, brisk exercise for at least an hour is a must, that might be divided into schedules daily. Grooming Already famous for their glossy coat, they rarely need a bath, unless too untidy. Health Problems Although a generally healthy breed, but however, because of their specific allergy to grains they might end up developing syndromes like dermatological irritations, diarrhea loose motion , stomach-licking or foot-licking etc. If kept alone for long periods of time, they might suffer from boredom or loneliness, affecting their psychological health. Training The overly-happy boxadors must be trained to socialize with people and pets and learn dog manners as a puppy, so that they would remain within the limits of sweetness in the family, knowing the rules to remain calm and balanced. Feeding Meat should be the first ingredient, better whole meat like chicken or turkey or red meat. Grains like oats, wheat, rice, barley etc. A high-quality dry dog food divided into two equal halves during lunch and dinner is recommended. Eating is in the genes of this breed. Hence, their food habits need to be monitored, especially when they are full-grown. Interesting Facts The gloss in the coat of the boxador comes from the natural oils present in their body hair. This dog has a tail that is either coiled, or else they are docked. Temperament: Active, Friendly, People-Pleasing Generally, these dogs make excellent but active family pets. They are best for families that like to go on adventures and partake in strenuous activities. They love to run, fetch, and participate in canine sports of all sorts. 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. However, a few breeders breed these dogs, though it is usually on the side and not their primary breed. You may be able to find one in your area. Alternatively, you can sometimes find some puppies at rescues. These dogs tend to be happy accidents, which means they are often unwanted and turned over to the local shelter. You may be able to find this breed if you keep an eye on your local shelter and other rescues. However, statistically, the odds of this exact mixed breed showing up are slim. When you bring home a Boxer Lab, be ready to have a friendly and loving dog by your side. They are very energetic dogs, so make sure they have plenty of space to run around in. They are very people-oriented and love to be around their family and strangers alike. Most of them are pretty friendly towards strangers. They can be pretty good with children as long as they are socialized early. Due partially to their high activity level, they are pretty playful. They enjoy just about any game, including fetch, water retrieval, and disc catching. These dogs are well-known for getting along with other pets, as long as they are socialized correctly. Their high prey drive often means that they will chase just about everything that runs. This means cats, rabbits, and other small pets. The Boxer Lab mix is pretty happy and content most of the time. Generally, they are pretty well behaved inside and outside alike. They are pretty intelligent. This makes them pretty easy to train. However, it also means that this mixed breed needs regular mental stimulation. If they are not kept entertained, they are prone to destructive and problematic behavior. They will find ways to entertain themselves, which often causes them to get into trouble. The best ways to keep them entertained involve obedience training, dog sports, and puzzle toys. They need regular interaction to stay happy and healthy. They thrive the most in active, large families that will keep them entertained. Due to their high exercise and mental stimulation, they require quite a lot of care and attention. This is best accomplished in larger families, with multiple people to look after the dog. These canines are pretty good with children as long as they are entertained early. Most of the time, dogs are aggressive towards children due to their fear. Children can be pretty unpredictable, and some smaller dogs may be fearful. Because the Boxador is so large, they are generally not fearful of children. However, they still need regular socialization with children to get along with them. Puppies that grow up with children are typically just fine interacting with them. Families that adopt this dog need plenty of extra time and attention when compared to other dogs. For this reason, they are not best for families that are gone for much of the day. This breed is excellent with dogs in most cases. Their friendly, playful nature makes them a perfect match for similar dogs. However, older, laidback dogs may find their constant ask to play a bit annoying. The Boxer Lab mix does not have any territorial tendency, which allows them to get along with most dogs quickly. This is even true for dogs of the same gender. However, you still need to socialize these dogs from an early age to understand how to interact with other dogs. Otherwise, their social skills may not be up to par, which can cause problems when they do interact with other dogs. We recommend puppy classes, which should fulfill their need for socialization and mental stimulation. They have a decently high prey drive and will chase just about everything. This includes cats, bunnies, ferrets, and other small pets. They may act perfectly fine with a cat for years, only for their hunting instincts to kick in one day and lead to disaster. We do not recommend ever allowing these dogs to be alone with a cat or other small animal. They are large and active, so they may need more calories than you would initially expect. Instead, base their food amounts on their body condition. If they are a bit on the skinnier side, they may need some extra calories These dogs are typically very food-driven, so they tend to overeat. Obesity can cause serious problems, especially since they are already prone to joint issues. Instead, two or three carefully measured meals a day are often sufficient. You also need to be very careful when feeding your puppy. The ball and socket of the joint end up misaligning, causing extra wear. Often, this leads to arthritis at an early age. How you feed your puppy has a significant effect on how they grow. If they are fed too much, they will grow faster than they naturally should, which will lead to severe problems with their joints. For this reason, you should avoid overfeeding puppies. It is common for puppies to act hungry all the time, especially when they are as food-driven as this breed. These are one of the most active dogs around. They are very high-energy, so they should only be adopted by active families. They are not going to sit around and cuddle all day. This is especially true when they are puppies, as they are typically more hyperactive when younger. These dogs benefit from a backyard that they can run around in. They enjoy just about any canine game out there, including fetch, retrieval, coursing, and just about everything else. If you like to run or hike, this dog is highly suitable. However, you should aim to keep their exercise low-impact for the first two years while their hips are still forming. This will help prevent hip dysplasia later on. Never force your dog to exercise, especially as a puppy. Puppies are prone to growing pains and can often not perform as athletically as an adult. Short, frequent exercise sessions are often best for puppies. A quick game of fetch in the backyard a few times a day may be all the time they need to stay healthy and worn out. This makes them generally easy to train. They are not prone to any behavioral problems, except for occasional bouts of separation anxiety. You must teach your puppy how to be alone from an early age so that they are comfortable without anyone else around. Without the proper treatment early on, your puppy can quickly revert to nervous behaviors when left alone. This can cause destructive behaviors and barking, which many dogs find anxiety-relieving. Chewing is often a big problem among dogs with separation anxiety. These dogs are usually well-behaved, especially when they are adequately trained. You should ensure that your dog is adequately exercised and mentally stimulated. A bored and hyperactive dog will often look for things to do, including chewing, getting into cabinets, and similar problem behaviors. For this reason, you should plan on being incredibly patient and expect puppy behaviors from them for a while. Their coat is usually short and dense. They do shed moderately year-round, so we recommend a regular brushing session weekly. This will help keep them clean and remove loose hairs that would end up on your floor otherwise. They may shed more during season changes. Once their coat stops shedding quite as much, you can decrease the sessions back to once a week. They keep themselves cleaned quite easily, except when they roll in mud or swim in swampy water. We recommend keeping their bathing to a minimum, or you may end up stripping them of their natural oils. This can cause problems on their skin and coat, such as irritation. They will also need their ears and nails taken care of. Like all dogs, you should plan on trimming their nails as needed. You can do this yourself at home or visit a groomer. Many of them provide walk-in appointments for nail clippings that are very inexpensive. Their ears are typically not in need of regular care. However, they can get dirty, which can lead to ear infections. Keep your eye out for dirt and debris in the ear and clean them with a wet cotton ball when necessary. They inherit genes from a vast gene pool, which means that they are less likely to inherit genetic conditions. They are still prone to a few problems. The most severe problem that the Boxer Lab mix often develops is hip dysplasia. Typically, it is caused by excess wear and tear. This can be due to genetics alone, though it is often caused by improper feeding and exercising when they are puppies. Because this mixed breed is likely to be large, they may be at an increased risk of bloat. This is a life-threatening condition that comes on suddenly. Within only a few hours, the dog goes into shock and eventually dies. Male vs. Female There is no significant difference between males and females. Because this breed is so diverse, it is difficult to tell similarities and differences between genders. They are incredibly active. These are some of the most active dogs on the planet. Their parents were bred to work all day, so this mixed breed is often ready to do the same. For this reason, they are only recommended for active families that are willing to commit an hour or two a day to their exercise. Boxer Lab Mixes are pretty intelligent. Boxer Lab mixes are one of the more intelligent dogs out there. For this reason, they can quickly learn most commands. They also require quite a bit of mental stimulation, though. This is best accomplished through obedience training or canine sports. Often, dogs will outgrow regular obedience training at some point and then must continue to be stimulated through other means. These dogs vary quite a bit. Because they are a mixed breed, these dogs vary quite a bit. They can inherit any traits from either of their parents. Some may act like Boxers but look like Labs. Others may be somewhere in between. This mixed breed is highly active and requires a lot of exercise, making them inappropriate for families that would rather cuddle on the couch. You should expect to exercise this dog for hours each day. Due to their high intelligence and people-pleasing nature, these dogs are pretty trainable. However, they also require a lot of mental stimulation. Plan on meeting this need through obedience training, puzzle toys, and canine sports, or you may end up with a bored and destructive dog. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. I have had him for about 9 months now and he was mistreated for the first 4 or 5 months of his life. He was stuck in the kitchen or the back garden if he was too much to handle, which he was. He was lucky if he had 1 walk a night. He was also given adult food every day, and that has left him with a sensitive tummy. He is very clever, learns tricks with only a few attempts. He has calmed down loads since I got him. He loves his walks, which he has at least 3 a day. We live near the sea and he loves it when the tide is out. He loves to play football and he is too good for any of us. He also likes the woods and the park at the end of the road. The whole family loves him to bits and he is the pride of the family. He loves sausages, plain whole chicken, rice, pasta, peas, also he loves fresh cod and salmon, turkey, beef, pork, rabbits—any meat. He is at my feet and his nose is in what I am doing ALL the time. He is one wonderful guy! He is the most time-consuming dog I've ever had. Everything is play to him and I spend a lot of time "putting things away. He is smart, athletic, loyal and a great buddy. Loves to ride, chase the goat and fetch the chickens. He definitely got the best of both breeds. In this picture he was waiting for my next move; he doesn't leave my sight. We recently adopted Bailey from a local shelter and have learned that we are her 4th home in one year. She is very playful and full of energy. She is very smart and is quick to learn new tricks that we teach her or that she teaches herself. We take her to a local dog park on a daily basis sometimes twice a day where she can run "free" and socialize with other dogs. On days that we are not able to get her to the dog park for exercise she tends to get destructive. We think that the previous owners were not giving her the amount of exercise that she needed. Because she loves to run and jump we are thinking of training her to be a flyball dog, once the basic manners have been mastered. She is very playful and shows no aggression toward other dogs or people, however she has a fascination with squirrels and cats and will chase them if given the opportunity. She has some manner issues that we think are due to being in so many homes in a short amount of time and a lack of consistency with training. We are currently working on the basics with her such as come, stay, off etc. No matter where we take her, people always stop and ask us what kind of dog she is and say how beautiful she is. His owner says, "He's an all-around great dog. I know most experts frown upon taking a dog away from its mom that young. Guinness is a wonderful, fun-loving boy, who is FULL of energy. He is great with other dogs as well as people. He goes to doggie daycare 3 days a week and I am constantly being asked by the other pet parents for tips on how to get their dogs to be as well behaved as Guinness, which makes me feel great. I own several of Cesar Millan's books, which is like a bible for me. How to raise the perfect dog from puppyhood and beyond established a foundation for myself and Guinness that I have been able to build on 2 years later. Due to the tips from Cesar's books, I have a dog that goes everywhere with me, from restaurants, to the grocery store, to parks and even the carwash. He is currently being service dog certified, which is a big accomplishment for him. He is 3 and a half years old. He's a very friendly dog, but likes to hide behind mommy and daddy when around strangers or if he hears strange alarming noises. Each time he gets a new toy, it gets a name. He only needs to hear it 2 or 3 times, then has it memorized. If we tell him to go get one, he does. He knows so many words, such as: ride, food, potty, grandma, potato chips, eat…and so many more. We've had to start spelling some words, and he's picked up on that as well. I swear he's part Energizer bunny , he never stops. There are times when he seems too clingy and has separation anxiety issues. He doesn't destroy things, but carries on in a way which you wouldn't expect from a dog his size. He whines and howls in a desperate manner. Since we now live in a town, we try to play with him in the house as much as we can, or throw the Frisbee in the backyard as often as possible. He loves when we visit home where he can have all the free running and playing with a dog friend of his.

Height: 11 - 16 inches at the shoulder Weight: 11 - 15 lb. Lifespan: 12 - 14 years Border Terrier Poodle Mix Personality Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. This should be a very friendly dog that is rather small. It will make an interesting mix of energy levels. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They are somewhat capable of independence, or alone time when the house is noisy or full. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. The Border Terrier Poodle mix might be prone to: Addison's, bloat, Cushings, LCP, Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, skin problems, eye problems Note that these are just common problems in both breeds. This mix will have shorter hair that needs groomed. Both of these dogs have higher grooming requirements with their wiry hair. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him. What are the exercise requirements? Like all dogs they will do better if they get plenty of exercise. This will be a moderate energy dog as the Border Terrier is known as a couch potato and the Poodle has much higher energy. Plan on exercising them daily to keep their energy level down. He might be bouncing off the walls so get ready. A tired dog is a good dog. What are the training requirements? Though intelligent, it might be stubborn and demanding. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background. Links to other breeds you might be interested in. Border Terrier mix puppies for sale come in many colors and patterns. Breeders of the Border Terrier mix puppy breed and are often willing to pay more than average breeder prices for these puppies. A Border Terrier mix puppy will generally have a shorter life span than a purebred Border Terrier puppy. The Border Terrier mix puppy will be susceptible to hip dysplasia, eye diseases, inherited eye defects, and congenital heart defects. Border Terrier mix puppies for sale are typically born with a short coat, are usually pale in color, and weigh less than typical Border Terrier puppies. Most Border Terrier mix puppies are sold with a price tag on the dog that has no value. However, if you are looking for a Border Terrier mix puppy for sale then you may want to buy one of the Border Terrier mix puppies that have some money to put on it. If you can make a fair offer for the dog, you will not be the one that is giving the dog away. There are many Border Terrier mix puppies for sale that are being sold because they rescued dogs. These puppies are very much like normal Border Terrier puppies that were rescued by the shelter and brought to the breeder. These are normally very sweet Border Terrier puppies for sale. If you have had your pet for any length of time you know that a breeder is a person that does not lie. If you are taking in a Border Terrier mix puppy for sale, or plan to take in a Border Terrier mix puppy for sale, then you will want to do some homework to make sure that the breeder that you are considering adopting from is legitimate. The best way to do this is to talk to other people that have bought from the breeder and find out if the breeder has been around for a long time and has a good record. One of the advantages of getting a Border Terrier mix puppy for sale is that they are usually cheaper than their purebred counterparts. This makes for a cheaper price tag on the pup. A breeder who is willing to buy Border Terrier mix puppies for sale from shelters is doing what he or she feels they have to do to help save these dogs. If you are just starting with Border Terrier mixes and want to find a breeder to start with, then you will want to check out several different breeders to see which one will be able to give you the best deal. The breeder should be willing to take you into his or her home to look at the puppies, as well as to help you decide whether or not you want to adopt one of the Border Terrier mix puppies for sale. If you are going to be taking in a Border Terrier mix puppy for sale, you should take the time to learn as much as you can about the dog you are about to adopt. Many breeders will be willing to help you with your decision and will answer all of your questions. Many of the Border Terrier mix puppies for sale have been carefully bred and tend to be of high quality. In this article, I will discuss the border terrier Yorkie mix and some tips that you should know before making your decision. Although the border terrier is considered a purebred dog, some are not purebred and instead crossbreeds. This is not a bad thing because the purebreds are always going to have a better chance of living long, healthy lives with their owners, but some of these crossbreeds are simply not as good as the purebreds. There are three border terrier Yorkie mix puppies for sale on the market today that you should take a close look at. The three dogs that are for sale are the border terrier Yorkie mix, the border terrier Yorkie terrier, and the border terrier Yorkie pups. The border terrier Yorkie mix is a border terrier that has been crossed with a Yorkie. The Yorkie is a smaller version of the standard border terrier. It is usually taller than a border terrier. This makes it more adorable and less intimidating to the family and children. The border terrier Yorkie is also a good choice for people who want a dog that is friendly and sociable but does not have a long coat. The border terrier Yorkie pups are smaller, thinner, and more compact. Because they are smaller and more compact, they are easier to train. The border terrier Yorkie mix and the border terrier Yorkie pups are great options for those who want to have a small, friendly dog, but still, can grow into a larger dog. The border terrier Yorkie pups, however, do not have the long coats that the border terrier Yorkie does. This means that they will not be as friendly with children and will not be as friendly with other pets. If you are looking for a small dog that is friendly and easy to train, then you will want to look at the border terrier Yorkie. Although they are not as cute as the border terrier pups, you will still find that these puppies are very friendly and easy to train. When looking for the border terrier Yorkie, keep in mind that the pups are also available in larger sizes as well. You may want to purchase the border terrier Yorkie pups in a standard size so that you will have enough to have two dogs or one dog and two pups. Border dogs make wonderful family pets and are great companions. They are very intelligent and are great for children and families with small children. You can find border terrier mix puppies for sale at a variety of places. Just because they are crossbred does not mean that they have any issues with temperament. Many dogs bred for this purpose are very intelligent, well-behaved dogs that make great family pets. If you are looking for the right dog, then the internet has many breeders and rescue groups that can help you find just what you need. When it comes to Border Terrier mix puppies for sale, you want to be sure that you know all of your options before making a decision. You will likely have many questions and even more options from which to choose. The first thing that you need to do is learn as much as possible about these dogs before making a purchase. You can learn a lot by talking to other breeders and handlers. One of the best ways to find good Border Terrier mix puppies for sale is to talk to other breeders. Breeders know everything there is to know about breeding and have had experience with raising the type of dogs they are interested in. Because Border Terrier dogs have gained fame recently, it is easy to find reputable breeders willing to help you with your new pet. However, the selection process can often be frustrating because you must choose between many different Border Terrier dogs. Talk to the breeder to learn about the different types of Border Terrier mix puppies for sale, and make an educated choice. A good breeder will let you know upfront what types of traits you should look for, and he will also be able to give you examples of successful mixes. When you start to talk to breeders, learn as much as you can about each dog and its temperament so that you can make an informed decision about the right match for you and your family. There are three types of Border Terrier mixes the border terrier pups, the border terrier mix, and the border terrier terriers. Learn as much about each group as possible before deciding which one is right for you. When looking at Border Terrier mix puppies for sale, keep in mind that your new best friend is probably going to have plenty of personality quirks that you will want to figure out. Look for behavioral problems like extreme caution when on walks, fear of strangers, or excessive barking or meowing. Any breed that has a history of these issues should be avoided, as should any puppies with known genetic defects. Even purebred Border Terrier mix puppies can display these problems. Ask your breeder for advice if you have any doubts. Good breeders want you to be happy with your new pet. That is why they do all they can to meet your needs as a new owner. A good breeder will ask lots of questions to find out just what it is you want in a companion. This includes your desires for training, herding, shedding, and whether you are considering other dogs or breeds. Sometimes the answers you get to your initial question can influence your choice. If you are considering a border Yorkie mix puppy for sale, be sure to find out if there are other dogs included in the mix that are suitable for training or herding. There are pink, red, yellow, blue, black, white, and even mixed colors. Most breeders and shelter workers are more than happy to sell you a color that is not shown on any show standards, but you may be able to find more information if you do some digging. Do not be shy about asking about the parents of your prospective litter. You may be surprised to learn that one of the parents is an older purebred and the offspring has certain traits from both parents. The more information you gather up about your potential choices, the better prepared you will be to make an informed decision when it comes time to choose your new puppy. Border terrier mix puppies for sale have a variety of temperaments, just like purebreds of any other breed. Some mixed puppies will be laid back while others can be quite demanding and hyper. You must choose carefully. If you are planning on bringing home a border terrier mix puppy for sale, you should do your homework before you bring him home so that you know what you will be getting in terms of personality. Share this:. It is a small-sized Doodle breed. This designer breed is also referred to as a Borderpoo or Border Terrier Poo. Here, farmers and shepherds developed swift and agile terriers to pursue and dispatch the clever sheep thief: the hill fox. He also was named after hunting with Border Foxhounds. In early paintings, you can spot the Border bringing up the rear of the hunting party; his sturdy legs got him there just in time for the action! In addition, as a working Terrier, he has a naturally hard, wiry outer coat and a dense, short undercoat [4] btcoa. The physical and mental qualities of the Border result from generations of breeding and enable the Border to do his job with the least amount of injury to himself and with the greatest efficiency possible [5] borderterriercanada. What makes the Border Terrier different from other terriers? Four main traits set the Border apart: its hide, temperament, length, and legs. It allows him to work his way in and out of narrow openings underground and protects him from scratches and, no doubt, fox bites! Moreover, the breed standard confirms that you should be able to grab a fistful of pelt anywhere along the back. Border Terriers have a strong prey drive. The length of the Border also sets him apart. His long body allows him to maneuver underground through narrow and twisted holes. Prominent ribs, bulky shoulders, or too short of legs are considered handicaps. Moreover, the Border Terrier is friendlier toward other dogs. This is because they were expected to run peacefully with foxhounds. Breeders purposefully made him less dog-aggressive than other Terriers who hunted primarily independently. Lastly, the head is the most visible difference. This was because hunters initially bred Poodles to retrieve waterfowl. Even though Poodles remain excellent hunters, today, they have become popular as companion dogs worldwide. They are brilliant and easy to train, which makes them great pets for people who want a dog that can learn tricks and perform well in obedience competitions. Plus, they are known for being hypoallergenic, which is a huge plus for people who are allergic to dogs but still want to own one. But the biggest reason for their popularity is their unique appearance. Interesting fact: The Poodle cut was meant for function, not fashion! Less hair made the Poodle a more efficient swimmer but more vulnerable to the cold. To find a happy compromise, Poodle owners left puffs of hair on the head, upper torso, and ankles for warmth [7] akc. Appearance The Border Terrier-Poodle mix has a fluffy, round face, otter-like eyes, and a slightly prolonged nose. The body has modest proportions, yet a somewhat longer body and legs.

An adult Doberman can weigh up to 80 pounds and could measure more than 27 inches tall. The Doberman has a stately appearance, and this contributes to its height and stature. Meanwhile, a Labrador Retriever weighs from 70 to 80 pounds and can grow up to 25 inches tall. At present, there are no dog organizations and dog breed registries that recognize the Lab mixed with Doberman dog breed. Doberman Mixed with Lab Puppies for Sale Possibly the first thing that comes to your mind is to look for a breeder to purchase your Lab Doberman pup. But before you do, please consider getting a puppy or a dog from a shelter. If you still want to purchase a dog from a breeder, make sure that you find a reputable local or international breeder. The following are online sites are found to have ads for Doberman mixed with Lab puppies or dogs. If it has a longer coat because of its dominant Lab parent, then you should brush it more often. You may also choose to have it groomed in a pet salon. Invest in a good lint roller and a vacuum cleaner because your dog will likely shed a lot. If your dog hails from its dominant Doberman parent, then expect a dog with very short hair, therefore, less frequent grooming is required. You must still brush it once a week to keep its coat shiny and healthy. Inspect its nails and cut or file it as necessary. You should also give it some dental products to clean its teeth. Playing with a net or a rope may also help your dog floss his teeth. Your dog needs a bath but only when it is dirty. But if your dog swam, wash him off with plain water to remove chlorine from its coat. The following are the best dog shampoos for this mixed breed dog: 1. This shampoo is made only from all- natural ingredients including oatmeal, honey, and beeswax. These ingredients are known to soothe skin and can help relieve with a variety of skin conditions in dogs as well as in humans. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo This dog shampoo is made from aloe and oatmeal and can heal itchy, dry and flaky skin. It can reduce irritation and stop inflammation. You will love the smell of this shampoo because it smells like delicious vanilla and almond oil. This shampoo also has moisturizing effects that can promote healing. It does not contain parabens, dyes, and phosphates that can only cause irritation and itching. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo is suitable for dogs with sensitive skin and allergies. It is a paraben and soap-free dog shampoo that contains aloe and oatmeal to treat skin conditions. Your dog may have a solid color like a Labrador Retriever or may have a combination of black, gold, brown or gray if it has a Doberman dominant gene. If possible, have your dog groomed at least once a month especially if it has the coat and long fur of its Lab parent. As much as possible, have your puppy checked by a vet to rule out any health condition. This should be done as soon as you take it home from a breeder or the pound or the shelter. The following are common health problems of a Lab Doberman mix. Heart disease. Doberdor Highlights Doberdors are mixed breed dogs. They are not purebreds like their Doberman Pinscher or Labrador Retriever parents. The most common Doberdor colors include black, chocolate, tan, and fawn. Doberdors require way more exercise than your average dog. Ball games and interactive toys are also a must. Doberdors get along well with children, though they should be socialized from an early age. As with all dogs, children should be supervised and taught how to properly interact with pets. The Doberman first came on the scene back in the s in Germany. The dog was actually invented by a tax collector who also worked at a local kennel! After a while, the breed graduated from being renowned as a guard dog to being employed by the military and police force. The Labrador Retriever originates from Canada, where it was first bred as a dog to help out with hunting and retrieving tasks. These days, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the United States. The Doberdor has become known as a designer dog breed, but many of them unfortunately end up in shelters. Doberdor Size The Doberdor is usually described as a large-sized dog. Although, as is always the case with newer dog breeds, exact size standards might vary. Most weigh in at 60 to pounds and range in height from 24 to 28 inches. Female Doberdors can be noticeably smaller than their male counterparts. These dogs can become super loyal and will definitely act as a guardian of your family and property, but they also require an owner with the time, patience, and experience to train and socialize them properly. The breed is very smart, but with that intelligence also comes a degree of stubborness. Doberdor Health Doberdors are generally considered to be healthy dogs—although the breed can be predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Doberman Pinscher and Labrador Retriever face. This should be split up into two or even three separate sessions. Games of fetch can also help keep the breed in tip top shape. Doberdor Feeding An ideal Doberdor diet should be formulated for a large breed with high energy. Bathing needs are low and should be undertaken if the dog seems dirty. Ask your vet if you wish to put into place a regular bathing routine for your Doberdor. Due to their coat, the Doberdor does much better in warmer rather than colder climates. Think of the dog as like an older sibling, full of love and protective instincts. Teaching children to act responsibly around the dog is also a must. Most Doberdors will be okay living with other animals and pets—but you will need to very quickly let the breed know that cats and rabbits are not to be considered as prey. Again, early socialization between the breed and any resident pets is key. Ultimately, early socialization pays off—so make sure to reward your Doberdor for good behavior and adhere to a proper training regime when you bring them home to your family. Doberdor Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Doberdors because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Doberman Pinscher or Labrador Retriever breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Doberman and Labrador Histories The Doberman Lab mix has a rich working history, specializing in two very different jobs. The Labrador Retriever breed was first developed in Newfoundland, Canada. Where smaller water-fowl hunting dogs were mated with Newfoundlands to make the ultimate retrieving companion. Modern Labs are prized working dogs, service companions, therapy animals and of course family pets. The Doberman Pinscher was first bred in Germany during the late s as a protection dog. To develop this type of dog, short-haired Shepherd-type dogs were bred with Rottweilers, black and tan terriers, and German Pinschers. Even military work! What Do They Look Like? Your Doberman Lab mix dog will be tall, lean and leggy. They have naturally floppy ears and long slim muzzles. As their name suggests, chocolate Lab-Doberman puppies could come out chocolate brown, like their chocolate Lab parent, or they could come out looking more like a Doberman. Generally, Doberdors are solid colored like the Lab, but they may be bicolored like the Doberman. A dense double coat will require weekly brushing. Doberman Pinschers have long been viewed as dangerous dogs. Some Dobermans may have a more severe temperament than others. Additionally, Dobermans do not take well to being caged for long periods of time. They do not do well with isolation at all. Labradors also have a tendency to get bored and destructive if left alone for lengthy periods. These breeds are not advised if you work away from home during the day. If you plan to get a Doberdor, you might like to have two of them. Or maybe another pet that you know your Doberman Lab mix gets along with. All of these precautions should help reduce their need to guard their property or family from people or other pets. As the Doberman Lab tends to be a good-sized dog, some people may find one that likes to jump a bit intimidating. Or once he spies something that resembles a bird or squirrel! A great recall is essential. Until you have this a Doberman Lab mix would greatly benefit from a fenced-in yard. This way they can play, be trained and exercise risk free. Doberman and Labrador Health A few common canine ailments that are common across breeds. These include hip dysplasia, eye diseases, allergies, and skin irritations. However, hybrids like Doberman Labrador mixes may inherit the health conditions that are common in their parent breeds. Doberman Lab mix dogs have the potential to inherit health conditions from either parent. Both the Doberman and Labrador mother or father should have great hip scores and be tested clear for Progressive Retinol Athrophy. You absolutely will need an exercise plan for one of these active and playful fur babies. Exercise is especially important if your Doberman Lab takes after his Lab parent in the weight category, as he may easily gain too much weight without adequate exercise. Your pup will be even happier if he gets to stretch his legs at the dog park every so often! Lifespan Hybrid dogs generally have the same life expectancy as their parent breeds. So, the Doberman Lab mix has an estimated life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Doberman Lab Mix Puppies Your Doberman Lab mix puppy should come from a breeder who prioritises health and temperament. You should be confident that they know you can handle a dog of either temperament, and ask you lots of questions about what you plan to do in terms of training and exercising your new puppy. The best Doberman Lab mix breeders are open, honest and have ensured both parent dogs were fully health tested. Should I get a Doberman Lab mix? As with any dog, mixed or not, you must also be prepared to deal with any ailments that come with the breed or breeds, especially hip dysplasia and loss of eyesight, in this case. There are a host of other inherited conditions that a Doberman Lab mix may develop, so we also recommend genetic testing of breeding stock before you purchase a puppy. Both of these personality types can be handled with proper training. Today, the concept of designer dogs is well known and accepted. But where some designer dogs are so popular they are nearly household names Cockapoo , Labradoodle, Puggle , others are still catching up. The Doberdor is one such hybrid dog. Doberman Pinscher History Interestingly, like the Dobredor, the Doberman purebred dog breed also has somewhat mysterious origins. What is clear, is that this dog breed first appeared around , courtesy of one Herr Karl Friedrich Louis Doberman. So the story goes, Herr Doberman needed a guard dog to protect him during his work. Breeding efforts over time shifted from producing a fierce and unpredictable military and police dog to selecting traits for loyalty, protection and trustworthiness. This shift resulted in the Doberman breed taking its place as one of the favorite large dog family breeds. Labrador Retriever History The Labrador Retriever has been the number one most popular purebred large breed pet dog in the nation for a while now. These furry, friendly, loyal and loving large breed dogs are very popular pets and workers. Early Labradors were always black, but today the yellow lab and the chocolate lab have joined the black lab in the purebred lineup. Even those from the same litter can be completely different from one another. So, one puppy might be exactly like their Labrador Retriever parent, whilst their brother has more of a Doberman influence. Luckily, we will cover all of the options in this guide. Your puppy could have the long water-friendly tail of the Lab. Or she could have the shorter triangular shaped tail of the Doberman. The very short tail on adult Dobermans is always a result of docking during puppyhood. When it comes to ears, you can expect longer, floppier ears to predominate in any Doberman Lab mix litter. Since both the Doberman and the Labrador purebred breeds have this ear type naturally. You can read more about this here. Doberdor Size In terms of size, you can be reasonably certain your puppy will grow up to weigh anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds and stand anywhere from 21 to 27 inches high at the shoulder. Males being larger than females in most cases. Doberman Lab Mix Coat Type One area where there continues to be a great deal of variance in Doberman and Lab mix puppies is in appearance, especially when it comes to the Doberador coat. A purebred Doberman has a short, neat, sleek coat that sheds very little and needs only regular brushing for maintenance. A purebred Labrador Retriever, on the other hand, could safely be called a shedding machine. Their coats are mid-length to long, double layered and thick, with an oily feel due to the water-resistant coating on each hair. Their coats require regular grooming and brushing just to keep them under control, let alone neat. A Doberdor puppy could have a short but shaggy coat, a long but thin coat, non-oily or somewhat oily hair, a non-shedding or a shedding coat. Color Variations Coat color can also vary a great deal from one Doberdor puppy to the next. Labradors have three coat colors: black, chocolate and yellow. So here, you will just have to wait and see what coloration the genetic melting pot produces in your Doberdor puppy! For instance, a black Lab Doberman mix could come out with tan markings, or even be fawn if it takes after a fawn Doberman parent. And incredibly different in others. Both purebred dogs are known to be loving, loyal and strongly bonding. They are also affectionate to their owners, athletic and energetic. Not to mention intelligent and trainable. You can therefore expect your Doberman Lab mix to display these qualities when she grows. But, they also have an important significant difference. The Doberman is highly protective and has a guarding nature. Labs are the exact opposite. Being happy to welcome anyone, from friends to burglars, into the home with open arms. When you cross the two, there is no way to know whether your pup will be a social bunny or a bit of an introvert. Socialization From the day your pup arrives home make sure you have lots of visitors, adults and children. Take them to a number of places, with crowds and strangers. This is very important, even with a mixed breed. Because there is just no way of guessing which trait will be expressed. If the consistency and discipline of training and socialization is not there, all of the risks inherent in both purebred parent breeds can manifest in a Doberman cross Labrador puppy as well. Lack of ongoing training and socialization will produce aggression, inability to distinguish friend from foe, destructiveness, willful disobedience, separation anxiety and other unwelcome behavioral issues. The reward based nature of these will bring out the best in them. Punishing a potentially aggressive dog is dangerous, as it can mask signs of upset that the dog would otherwise use to show you they are unhappy. You can find out all about the demise of the use of dominance in this article on Alpha Dog Theory. But, no matter which parent breed your puppy takes after, they will need plenty of exercise every day. Doberman Lab puppies grow into energetic, alert dogs. Training will provide some exercise, but they will also need something more formal. This could be walks, hikes, retrieval games, swimming, and more! Labrador Doberman Mix Health and Care There is no dog breed on the planet that is completely healthy. This is simply not possible. Both Dobermans and Labrador Retrievers have their own unique set of known health issues. For this reason, it is critical to be aware of breed-specific inherited health conditions for each parent, both so you can watch for signs of these health issues manifesting and so you can do genetic testing to ensure you pick the healthiest Doberman Lab mix puppy. Doberman Pinscher Health Genetic testing can identify some of these issues in the parent. The breeder should have run heart cardiac , vision, hip and general DNA tests on the Doberman parent before mating. The main health issues potentially occurring in Doberman dogs are: Heart disease cardiomyopathy. Canine hip dysplasia.

Check them out on Amazon here. To learn more about what to feed your golden retriever puppy, check out this article here. Brush Golden retrievers are obviously very fluffy and need to be brushed often. Check this brush out on Amazon here. Check it out on Amazon here. Chew Toy Check it out on Chewy here he had the size small. Plush Toy This is a plush, squeaky toy that will keep your puppy busy for hours. Interactive Toy Interactive toys allow you to play and bond with your puppy, and are great for teaching or reinforcing commands like drop it, sit and stay. Bonus Items The above list is for the bare necessities of what your puppy will need to get started. Below are some extra things that, although are not necessary, have come in pretty handy. Food Storage Container This is great for keeping food fresh and in a convenient place. Since we get the pound bag of food, we get this container that holds 42 pounds of food. Note that this container does not come with a scooper, so we recommend one like this that has measurements on it. Check out the storage container on Amazon here. Exercise Pen Exercise pens are great for confining your puppy to a smaller area while giving them more space to run around in than a crate. Using a combination of baby gates, exercise pens, and the crate will help you keep them safe while also keeping them from chewing up the house. Get this baby gate from Amazon here. Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook Getting everything you need will help you physically prepare for your puppy, but you also need to mentally prepare for your puppy. This book will help you know exactly what to do before you bring your puppy home, how to handle the first month which is the toughest month! Get the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook here. That means get their crate set up, have their food and water bowls in their designated places, and have a few welcome home toys set out to help your new pup have a great experience in your home right away. Find a veterinarian. Locate the nearest emergency animal hospital. Find both the nearest hospital, and the nearest 24 hour hospital. Find a puppy kindergarten class. If you ask any trainer, breeder, or veterinarian how to have a well-behaved pup, nearly all of them will recommend joining a puppy kindergarten class. The socialization aspect alone is worth it. Puppy-proof your house and yard. Get down on your hands and knees to see what your puppy will be seeing remember this: whatever can be chewed will be chewed , and make sure there are no puppy-sized holes that they could escape through in your backyard. For more tips on how to raise your new golden retriever puppy, check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Life With Your Golden Retriever Puppy Although this might seem like a pretty big list, if you have it all when you bring your puppy home with you, it will make the transition time that much easier. Take lots of pictures and videos! Have a question about any of these items? Let us know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is getting a puppy and needs to see this list, please share this with them! Related articles:. Food bowl There are endless options of food and water bowls. In addition, the bowl can prevent gagging, choking, vomiting, indigestion, bloat, GDV, and malabsorption. If you already have a dog bowl, you can simply add a slow feeder insert. Water bowl Ellie has an 8-cup YETI water bow l to keep her water cold for more extended periods and a 4-cup bowl for food. YETI allows you to customize each bowl with a name, initials, or image. Great as a gift! They help prevent your puppy from getting tangled up in the leash and provide better control. Make sure you check out their sizing guide for the appropriate fit. We added a crate pad for noise reduction and comfort. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. It is essential that the dog crate is never used as punishment — the crate must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat. Gates Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. Use a gate to limit access to certain areas of your home and reduce unwanted chewing or house soiling. Introduce your dog to small sections of the house at a time. We prefer the walk-through gate for easy mobility through the house. Toys and Chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with various items to see what interests your puppy most. However, the last inch of a bully stick can be a choking hazard if swallowed. This safety device allows your pup to enjoy the benefits of long-term chews while reducing the risks of choking. I typically give it to her for 20 minutes, rinse it off, and store it in the refrigerator until the next day, which prevents bacteria growth. Note you probably want to keep it separate from your food. By Susan B. Barnes Susan B. Barnes is a lifestyle, food and travel journalist who is as comfortable bicycling through Italian olive groves and sampling fermented shark in Iceland as she is taking her dog on miles-long walks and hanging out at the dog park. Daily Paws' Editorial Guidelines Published on January 28, We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Though she's happy to snuggle and cuddle up with you, she's also an active dog who enjoys being outside, be that going on walks or hikes , to the dog park , or playing fetch in a fenced-in backyard. As a good dog parent, you want to be prepared for whatever adventures await the two of you, but taking a look at all of the products out there for dogs can be overwhelming. From the right collar, leash and harness setup to grooming needs, food bowls, road trip necessities, toys to burn off all that energy, plus a few goodies for the humans, this list has everything you need to take care of the most golden part of your life. Featuring a collar, leash, and waste bag dispenser, you'll be prepared for your walks and your golden will love all the compliments on how handsome she looks. This harness, with its padded chest and belly, is fully adjustable for a perfect fit with leash clips in the front and back. It comes in a variety of colors to coordinate with your dog's leash and collar, too. The adjustable height means the serving tray can grow with your golden, and the pads on the bottom prevent slipping while she eats and drinks. Place a mat under the bowls to catch any water droplets. The stainless steel bowls can be removed and popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Not only will she have to slow down to find the food, but she'll essentially work out a puzzle which keeps her mentally stimulated, too. Choose to purchase just the cover and fill it yourself with old pillows, towels, sheets, or clothes, or you can opt to purchase their eco-friendly fill made from plastic bottles or their memory foam insert. The extra-large size is recommended for full-grown goldens. Not only does the shampoo leave your pup fresh and clean, but it moisturizes and conditions so that after-bath brushings are tangle-free. It's terrific for dogs with sensitive skin, too. With a dense outer coat and thick undercoat, it can take some time to brush out all the layers, but this undercoat rake makes quick work of their luscious locks. One Chewy reviewer wrote that the medium-tooth rake was "so wonderful to get my two golden retrievers' undercoat combed out. Also, the gel grip is quite easy to hold on to. The non-slip handle works for both right- and left-handed users, and ensures you maintain control to avoid any mishaps. One reviewer says: "I stumbled across these supplements while trying to find some joint relief for my golden, Sandy. After only a week I already saw some improvement in her movement and she had an easier time getting up into and out of the car, which was becoming a struggle. Her coat is also looking healthier and she seems to be less itchy. Not only does this fleece-lined coat fit snugly for maximum warmth, but it's waterproof and has reflective strips to stay safe during nighttime walks and winter hikes. They can also help older dogs find traction on slippery floors. Tip: use the printable sizing guide to measure your dog's feet before ordering to ensure a perfect fit. And send us videos of your dog trying them for the first time! This seat cover is not only comfortable for your pup, but waterproof, too. When it's time to go, simply lay the cover over the seat, loop straps around the head rests, push the anchors in, and voila—you're ready to hit the road! One way to do that is to use a harness that doubles as a seat belt: simply attach the harness to the seatbelt using a carabiner, and you'll both be on your way safely and comfortably. Fill the bottle, twist on the top that doubles as a bowl, and when your golden's ready for a drink, squeeze the bottle and water will fill the bowl. Release, and the water disappears back into the bottle. Pop some treats in the holes, cover them up, and watch your pup work her magic to figure out the puzzle and find those tasty rewards. Just like a ball you use to play fetch , this one flies through the air but when she retrieves it, she'll spend some time figuring out how to get to her favorite treats inside. When your pup drops the ball into the top of the launcher, it'll throw it 10, 25, or 40 feet; choose the "random" setting to keep her guessing. Buy Now Change up your game of fetch with this fun Frisbee alternative. This flying squirrel is made of a double canvas material that is durable enough to withstand rough play, yet still agile to spin and tumble in the air, keeping your golden guessing and enticed in play. Shop now: Chuckit! The sturdy sole ensures you'll stay on your feet, and the bone-printed liner is a fun and unexpected treat. Embroidered on percent cotton canvas, and if it gets a little dirty, simply pop it into the washing machine, air dry, and it'll be back on your furniture in no time. The rubber backing prevents slipping when your guests wipe their paws before stepping inside. It's hilarious enough to be a favorite gift for any golden lover on your list, too! Perfect for the dog park, running errands, around the house, or really anywhere you please! The design can also be used on totes, hats, and more. However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both. Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Puppy Food Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too! Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident. Image Source Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Chase Toys Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines. So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime. Training Treats Food is a powerful reinforcer , so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy. Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house. Dog Shampoo and Conditioner The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris. Pooper Scooper and Poop Bags A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. In the Home: Image Source Keep the toilet lid closed. Believe it or not, open toilet lids have the potential to be drowning hazards. Secure medicine and cleaning products. Keep these products high up or use childproof locks and latches on lower cabinets. Garbage should be kept lidded and secure. Lidded, secured bins are the best type of garbage cans you can have with a young puppy. Not only do you want to avoid spilled garbage, but a locked lid will prevent your puppy from getting into any potential hazards. Hide electrical cords and blind cords. Exposed electrical cords and long blind cords can prove to be fatal for curious puppies. Keep electrical cords hidden away, buy cord wraps to keep them safely covered, and be sure that your blind cords are tied high and inaccessible. Invest in a pet or baby gate. Gates can be used for doorways or staircases to keep your puppy away from certain areas of the house. In the Backyard: Be careful of plants and landscaping that may be poisonous or dangerous. Many plants are toxic to dogs , so be sure to triple-check if any are growing in your yard. Secure your yard with fencing and add gates around bodies of water. If you plan to let your puppy roam freely in your backyard, you should have complete fencing with no puppy-sized gaps around the perimeter of the property. If you have any ponds or pools, block them off with appropriate fencing to avoid accidental drowning. Keep your yard landscaped and manicured. Long grass and brushy areas can invite ticks, which can be extremely dangerous if any potential bites are not discovered early on. Generally speaking, your grass should not be higher than a couple of inches and potentially even shorter while your puppy is still young. In the Car: Image Source Move any chewable items and lock loose items in the glovebox. Confine your puppy in one area of the vehicle, like the backseat. Keeping your puppy confined to one area of the car is safe for everyone. Many puppy parents choose harness seat belts and car seats for younger dogs, while older dogs are big enough to safely sit in the back seat or trunk with cargo barriers. As your Golden Retriever gets older, you may find yourself opting for different barrier methods that will better suit his size. Kennel your puppy while in the car. Crating your puppy is the safest mode of transportation while in the car. Deciding on a Daily Routine Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues , like separation anxiety and barking or whining. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include: Feeding: Pick out regular meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Golden Retriever puppies will need three daily feedings until they are six months old. After that, stick to feeding twice a day at the same time each day. Fixed meal times will help you predict when your puppy needs to potty each day, which better ensures easier potty training. Scheduled potty breaks: Take your puppy out to the yard or on a walk to potty immediately after a meal and after they wake up to enforce a schedule that will help with house training. Playtime and exercise: Playing and mental stimulation are key to a happy puppyhood. Even though they will mellow out in personality as they become adults, Retriever puppies are high energy! Place the dog crate in a quiet part of the house since we kennel train at Snowy Pines, and it helps ensure their safety and comfort. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home! But now what? Puppy Socialization Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations. You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp. Training Techniques Training is just as essential as early socialization. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence. Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys. Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and minute training sessions each day. Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals. While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role! Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months. Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run. At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped! Read the full disclosure here. This comprehensive list covers all the essentials, plus some added extras. Food: Every dog needs food! See our puppy food guide for recommendations. Bowls: Your puppy is going to need something to eat that food from. Something to think about. Bedding: Your pup will need a comfortable bed to call their own. You can decide whether to choose a puppy-sized one or one that they can grown into. To avoid buying more than one crate, you can get one big enough to fit your adult golden and make it puppy-sized using dividers. Brushes: Get your puppy some brushes suitable for a longer-coated dog. The sooner you get pup used to being brushed, the easier it will be in the future. Toothbrush and toothpaste: These are daily essentials in your grooming routine. Be sure to choose a dog-specific toothpaste as the human stuff can be dangerous to canines. Treats: Essential for training. Pick high-value treats for when you really want to motivate your pup. Chew toys are essential to help direct chewing away from your belongings. Tug toys, balls to play fetch and treat-dispensing toys are also nice to have. Travel harness or dog guard: To keep your dog safe in the car. These are the main things you need to think about when puppy proofing your home. Put them up high or away in their proper place. Not only will it leave you out of pocket if your pup chews something expensive, many such items are also choking hazards. Be careful of plants: Make sure you remove any plants that are poisonous to dogs , both in your house and your garden. Common offenders include foxglove, wisteria and yew. Secure medicines and cleaning products: Both medicines and cleaning products can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested. Hide electrical cords: If a puppy sinks their teeth into an electrical cord, it can prove fatal. Try not to have electrical cords running across the room or out in the open where your puppy can get to them. If needs be, you can get cord concealers, cord wraps or even pvc pipes to secure them. Planning Appropriate Puppy Socialization Socialization, with both humans and other dogs plus other animals, if your new puppy is going to be around them , is one of the most important things to think about with your new puppy. A well-socialized puppy should turn into an adult dog who interacts well with all dogs and people, which makes your life so much easier as a dog-owner. It might sound a bit over the top, but it will stop your pup from getting confused or overstimulated and it sets some ground rules for the humans involved, too. Pick out regular meal times for your puppy and try to stick to them as closely as possible. Also take your puppy out into the garden on a schedule, as this will really help with toilet training. You can also schedule in training sessions, play sessions and, when your puppy is old enough, their daily walks. Learning How To Train Your Puppy You might think that training your new dog will be intuitive when you get them home, but dog training is a skill you learn, not one you just pick up as you go along. Once your puppy is old enough, group puppy training classes are an excellent idea. Not only will you learn more about training your pup, your dog will also get to socialize with other young canines. The ideal option is to have the puppy in the back seat in a car harness and have a passenger sit next to them, who can hold, pet and comfort them on the journey home. Some people forgo the harness altogether and have a passenger simply hold the puppy, wrapped in a blanket or towel. However, before you even get your puppy into the car, you should try to get them to relieve themself first , to avoid any toilet-based accidents on the journey home. Once you get your precious pup home, all that effort and preparation will have been worth it to give your new four-legged friend the best start in life. 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The long adolescent period that ends the puppy years is highly individual, but most dogs mature somewhere before 3 years of age. The Neonatal Stage This is the very earliest stage your German shepherd will pass through. Simply put, this is the helpless baby stage when your puppy's eyes will still be closed and he is completely dependent upon his mother. She will feed him, wash him and clean up after his accidents for the first two or three weeks. His eyes will open at around 10 days. At this time, your puppy is little more than an eating machine -- filling his belly to help his tiny body grow and develop. The Transitional Stage Though it is short and indistinct, the transitional stage from the neonatal to the socialization stage is important to your pup's development nevertheless. This brief phase -- lasting only about a week after his eyes open -- marks the period when your German shepherd begins to notice his environment. He will start to look at things curiously and be aware of sounds around him. Prior to this he has been in his own little world with no sights or sounds beyond his own body and that of his mother. When his eyes open, the immediate environment -- with other living beings -- is suddenly a part of life that he must face. The Socialization Stage At around 3 weeks, your puppy begins to learn how to interact with others -- both animals and the humans around him. He has already had some practice with dogs through the daily contact with his mother and litter mates, but now he begins to expand his circle of acquaintance to other dogs or cats in the household and to the family of humans around him. This is the most critically important phase in your German shepherd's development and helps decide his later suitability for work in rescue, service or as a family dog. At this time, he should have opportunities to meet as many new animals and faces under differing circumstances as possible, so he becomes comfortable with meeting people and other animals in a variety of situations when he grows up. This stage lasts to about 3 months of age and is the period when puppies are at their most impressionable and playful. The Juvenile Stage From 3 to 6 months old, your puppy will begin to look beyond the biological world of dogs, cats and people to the larger world around him. He will want to explore new places more than new faces at this point -- which may often get him into trouble. This is an active and trying age for puppy parents. Your puppy looks like a mostly grown-up dog but behaves entirely like a pup. His attention span is about as long as that of the average teenager, so this is not a particularly easy time for obedience classes. Your shepherd will have other things on his mind, but pet parents should continue to persevere because this is the best stage to resolve any obvious aggression or anxiety issues your pup may display. If those issues are not addressed early, they could become larger problems later on. To make things a tad more difficult, at around 5 months of age, your German shepherd starts to mature sexually. The Adolescent Stage The teenage angst that human children go through is roughly equivalent to what pet parents can expect from their adolescent German shepherd. Beginning with the onset of sexual maturity and lasting through the first two years of his life, your puppy's hormones will rage uncontrollably unless he is neutered early. This stage is usually marked by mounting -- anything and everything -- marking his territory and even fighting with other male dogs. Females will enter their first estrus period at this time and may try to escape the yard or otherwise pose problems. The pup's body has become adult, and his brain is fully alert and capable, but his emotions are still in the turbulent transitional phase from teenager to full adult. If he were human, this would be the stage at which you would hide the car keys. As an adult, your German shepherd is finally the calm, dignified, courageous and respectful dog you always knew he would grow up to be. If you were patient and dedicated through those early, sometimes difficult, years, you now have a well-trained and disciplined companion for life. More Articles. Are male and female German shepherds different? The Neonatal Period. Birth-2 Weeks. In the first two weeks of their life your puppy is mostly helpless and fully dependant on their mother. Their mother will be responsible for feeding, eliminating waste and keeping them warm. The puppies will be able to taste, touch and feel warmth but their eyes and ears are sealed shut. You should see the following milestones hit in the first two weeks. What you should expect to see: Puppies Starting to Crawl Eyes and ears starting to open Teeth starting to appear By the end of the first two weeks your puppies should be able to stand up, albeit a little shakily and have their eyes and ears fully open. The Transitional Period. They will start to be able to control their body and temperature much better. They will start to interact with their litter mates but will still be largely dependent on their mother. What you should expect to see: Puppies Walking Well Puppies Interacting with you and their littermates Puppy teeth almost complete. The Socialisation Period 4weeks — 3 months The puppies will now have complete control of their body and will start exploring the world around them. The latter half of this period is the ideal time to rehome the puppies as this is when they are most susceptible to learning new things and they can start to be taught basic commands. Between weeks your puppy may start to display signs of some fearfulness. This is perfectly normal and will need to be nurtured Not encouraged by you. What you should expect to see: Start showing adult behaviours Wagging tails, sniffing bums Start to be able to be taught basic commands Ears begin to sit upright. The Juvenile Period 3months-6months Your German Shepherd puppy will become much more independent during this period. They will start to understand dominance and will explore their home to understand where their position is in the household. What you should expect to see: Female puppies begin heat cycles Ears now fully upright Males reach sexual maturity The Adolescence Period 6monthsmonths Most of your puppies social understanding and behaviours will have developed by this point but a reinforcement of these is still important. Your puppy will be at their most energetic and will require a structured training routine to help them to continue to develop. Males are considered fully grown at 36months whereas females reach this mark around 24months. You will know have an excellent, loyal family pet and companion to spend many years together with. German Shepherds are a medium-large breed. Females will grow to around inches and weigh lbs whereas the males will grow to around inches and weigh lbs. How many puppies is there in the average German Shepherd litter? German Shepherd litters Usually consist of between 5 and 10 puppies. How long do German shepherds live? The average life span for a German Shepherd is somewhere between 9 and 14 years. Other than the size difference already discussed females tend to be more affectionate than males where is male dogs are usually more protective of their surroundings and their families. Related Posts. German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. 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. Though they typically only average nine to thirteen years, those years can be very memorable and special to dog and owner. Along the way, there are several German Shepherd growth stages that they will encounter including several fun and exciting breakthroughs. They will go through many different levels of development stacking up in inches and packing on the pounds. German Shepherd Growth Stages: This article will cover in detail, all of the month-to-month growth stages including their size from 1 month old to 3-year-old. It will also include important milestones along the way. This is the puppy portion of the German Shepherd growth stages and these cute little fur balls are beginning their journey into the new world. They are independent, spry and ready to explore! They are starting to grow but stand no taller than half a foot. Cuteness Factor: Through the roof! Height: Male: 4 — 6 in 11 — 16 cm Female: 3 — 6 in 8 — 14 cm Weight: Male: 5. They stand up for the first time. They start exploring independently and playing. Bowel movements are partially controlled. Light barking and growling begin. Puppy teeth should be filling in. This is a good time to introduce them to some kibble. They may or may not be interested. Month 2: Socialization Growth Stage Once the fuzz balls reach month 2, they start socializing more with other animals and people. This is also the time that their little chompers should be complete. They have grown up a little but still remain under a foot tall. Cuteness Factor: Just look at my ears! Height: Male: 7 — 9 in 17 — 22 cm Female: 6 — 9 in 14 — 22 cm Weight: Male: 16 — 20 lbs 6 — 9 kg Female: 11 — 17 lbs 5 — 7. They start to bond with animals and people. Their mental development starts to speed up. Fear reaction begins. They are typically ready to find their forever home. Food: Weaning should be wrapping up at this age. They should transition to a diet of puppy kibble. One and a half cups total three times a day is recommended but stick to a solid schedule. Vaccines: Puppy should have distemper and parvovirus by this time. Teething will be in full force at month 3 and their adult canines and incisors will start to push through. Those cute little fluffy ears may start to go up and down. They will start to lose their puppy coat and you may notice a racing stripe on the spine where the adult hair is starting to grow in. At this point they have almost made it to the height of a standard ruler. Cuteness Factor: Equal to fluffy pillows! Height: Male: 9 — 11 in 23 — 27 cm Female: 8 — 10 in 20 — 25 cm Weight: Male: 22 — 30 lbs 10 — 14 kg Female: 17 — 26 lbs 8 — 12 kg Milestones: Ears begin to stand up. Teething stage begins and continues for several months. Lots of biting and chewing ensures. Potty training and socialization should be consistent. Puppy fuzz begins to be replaced with adult double coat of fur. Food: Two cups of puppy kibble total three times a day is recommended. Vaccines: DHPP which includes distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are recommended. Month 4: At this point GSDs will be very playful and getting into some trouble. They have left puppy hood and become adolescents. Multiple skills will be developing as they learn, socialize and train. Height: Male: 11 — 14 in 29 — 35 cm Female: 10 — 12 in 26 — 31 cm Weight: Male: 35 — 40 lbs 16 — 18 kg Female: 31 — 35 lbs 14 — 16 kg Milestones: Ears continue to perk up. Teething continues as adult teeth come in. They continue to play and explore everything around them. Training continues as they constantly learn. Food: Puppy should continue to eat two cups of kibble total three times per day. Vaccines: DHPP and rabies are recommended. Month 5: At 5 months of age, they are still growing fast and should have gained close to 10 pounds. They are still in the juvenile stage and have plenty of energy to go around. They are looking much more like an adult but still have that puppy spirit. Ears may have perked up at this point. Cuteness Factor: Cute as pumpkin pie! Height: Male: 14 — 16 in 35 — 40 cm Female: 12 — 14 in 31 — 36 cm Weight: Male: 40 — 49 lbs 18 — 22 kg Female: 35 — 44 lbs 16 — 20 kg Milestones: Ears may be standing up. Adult features are filling out. They are at least half of their adult size. They are still teething. Sexual maturity begins to emerge. Food: Juvenile should still be eating around two cups total three times a day. Month 6: Adolescent Growth Stage At 6 months old, they are making their way into the adolescent part of the German Shepherd growth stages. They will be starting to get into their sexual maturity stage which will last until they are around two years old. Hormones will kick in and males will begin to mark their territory and look for females to mate with. Females may go into heat for the first time. Their adult coat should be completely grown in but it could take a bit longer. Cuteness Factor: Equivalent to a teddy bear! Height: Male: 16 — 18 in 41 — 46 cm Female: 15 — 17 in 37 — 42 cm Weight: Male: 49 — 57 lbs 22 — 26 kg Female: 44 — 49 lbs 20 — 22 kg Milestones: Ears should be standing up. Adult features are more filled out. They are sexually active and will begin marking their territory and roaming for mates. Teething should be close to finished and all 42 of their adult teeth should be almost grown. Full adult double coat of fur should be present. Food: Adolescent should be eating around two to three cups total two times a day. Month 7: At 7 months old , a German Shepherd should be well developed cognitively. Their sexual maturity continues, and your leg may just become their next mate. Some aggression may be present as their hormones go up and down. Their weight gain begins to slow down for the first time only adding around 5 pounds from the previous month. They are looking much more like an adult dog. Aggression and sexual maturity continue. Teething should be close to finished. Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day. They are still maturing and could still be aggressive and bark or lunge at other dogs, kids or people. This behavior must be reined in with the proper training. Teaching them new tricks is a great way to curb their aggression. Cuteness Factor: Still able to melt your heart! Height: Male: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Female: 18 — 20 in 45 — 50 cm Weight: Male: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Female: 53 — 57 lbs 24 — 26 kg Milestones: Ears should be well formed and perky. They continue to transition into adulthood. They are still maturing, and aggressive behavior may be present. Teething should be finished, and all of their adult teeth should be grown. Month 9: At 9 months old, German Shepherds have reached most of their milestones. They should be sporting a full set of 42 adult chompers and some nice big perky ears. They are still maturing sexually and could be exhibiting aggressive behaviors, but training should be in full force. Cuteness Factor: Not puppy cute but still irresistible! Height: Male: 21 — 23 in 54 — 59 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 64 — 71 lbs 29 — 32 kg Female: 55 — 60 lbs 25 — 27 kg Milestones: They are still growing but only gaining a few pounds a month now. Month By 10 months of age, GSDs are still trucking along in the adolescent stage. They will still be acting like teenagers and may be getting into some trouble. Although clever and smart they will sometimes act clumsy and goofy. They are still learning and should be in training. Cuteness Factor: Cute and nutty like peanut butter! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 73 lbs 30 — 33 kg Female: 57 — 62 lbs 26 — 28 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Month Moving into month 11, German Shepherds are becoming more and more adult but may be stubborn. They may start to challenge their owner with respect to leadership. They need to know that you are in charge and that they must respect your commands. Training and reinforcement is crucial during this time period. Cuteness Factor: Cute enough to get out of trouble! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 57 — 62 cm Female: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 75 lbs 30 — 34 kg Female: 60 — 64 lbs 27 — 29 kg Milestones: They are still growing slowly. Month 1 year old German Shepherds are moving out of the puppy phase of the German Shepherd growth stages and into adulthood. By now they have most likely formed a strong bond with their owner. They may still misbehave occasionally but proper training should be paying off. Food: Adolescent should transition to adult food and be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: DHPP, rabies are recommended. Year 1. They are getting closer to sexual maturity. Cuteness Factor: Furry and plushness overload! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 55 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 79 lbs 32 — 36 kg Female: 60 — 66 lbs 27 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Food: Adolescent should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Year 2: At 2 years old, they should be well along in their journey to adulthood. With the proper training and socialization, they should be transforming into the alert, confident, courageous, loving and loyal German Shepherd companion that makes them so popular among dog owners. They are pretty much full grown at this point with only a few more pounds to pack onto their athletic frame. Cuteness Factor: Perfectly precious! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 57 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 84 lbs 32 — 38 kg Female: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but almost full grown. Vaccines: DHPP is recommended. Year 3: Adult Growth Stage Your German Shepherd is finally an adult with all of the beautiful characteristics and traits that people admire. They have reached physical and sexual maturity and are ready to brave the new world. Consistent training should have payed off. They should be calm and well disciplined. Height: Male: 24 — 26 in 60 — 65 cm Female: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Weight: Male: 79 — 88 lbs 36 — 40 kg Female: 66 — 70 lbs 28 — 32 kg Milestones: They are done growing. They have matured physically and sexually. Food: Full grown adult should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: Rabies is recommended and can be required by law depending on your state. A full grown adult German Shepherd will stand approximately 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 70 and 88 pounds on average. However, some German Shepherds will get bigger even getting over a pounds. Hopefully your GSD is in the correct range. Keep an eye out for any deficiencies during their growth. These German Shepherd growth stages should help you determine all of the proper measurements to make sure they are right on track in their development. Each stage in their maturation is important. Remember to give them a high-quality healthy diet, plenty of exercise and sufficient training and socialization. These will all help lead to a stable and well-adjusted German Shepherd. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Do you have any experience with a growing German Shepherd? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story! Share this:. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. While looking through the different stages of growth you can see the rough size of German Shepherd puppies at different stages of their life by comparing the ages to a German Shepherd growth chart. Important Note: Once a puppy has been weened off milk it is essential that the puppy is given a high quality puppy food to ensure proper development. A lack of proper nutrients can result in ears not rising, smaller than normal dogs and health complications in later life. In my opinion Blue Buffalo Puppy Food is the best available on the market. German Shepherd puppies, as with all other dog breeds, are born with their eyes and ears closed. At this stage the GSD puppies are completely dependent on their mothers for care, food and the like and the newborn puppies are relatively immobile. A small section of the umbilical cord will still be attached to the German Shepherd puppy - this will dry up and fall off on its own within a few days. The first 3 days are the most critical in a GSD puppies life. Birth is the beginning of the neonatal period in GSD development and it lasts roughly 2 weeks. Typically the puppies will curve into a comma type shape when picked up. This is because their nervous system at this time is still very immature. Additionally, they can't eliminate unless the mother, or caregiver, stimulates their anus or urethra by licking or gently rubbing the area. Gentle, frequent handling by humans is very helpful from this age onward. As their nervous system development continues they will now also now arch their backs when they are picked up and held rather than curving into a more comma shaped position as before. Around Day 7 German Shepherd puppies now begin to crawl more readily and more often during this phase of GSD development. Short periods of daily handling and exposure to some stimuli can also be very beneficial to stimulate weight gain in the puppy, earlier eye opening, hair growth and motor development in all members of the GSD litter. The German Shepherd puppies eyes will appear to be blue in color at first even though they can't focus right now. They will be able to see shapes after about 2 weeks of age during continued GSD development. Around Day 14 The German Shepherd pups eyes and ears should be fully open by now and many may have their first incisor teeth beginning to erupt. The puppies should also be crawling quite well by this time. This is the beginning of the transitional period of GSD development which typically lasts about a week or so. This is also a period of profound changes in the German Shepherd puppies growth and development. The German Shepherd puppy will begin to be more independent from it's mom during this time. During this time the German Shepherd puppies will begin to eliminate on their own and should start walking within 2- to 3 days by about day 16 or so - very shaky at first, but with practice growing legs will soon become less wobbly. You can observe tail wagging as well as the beginning of play fighting. German Shepherd puppies will also be eliminating on their own by this time. Around Day 21 Around this date the German Shepherd puppy will move from the transitional phase into the socialization period of GSD development. By this time GSD puppies should be able to walk pretty well, with a more adult-like gait. They will also begin a more active exploration of their environments and that of their GSD litter mates. This period is thought to last from about 2. This is an extremely important time for the emotional and social development of the German Shepherd puppy. This is also a period of dramatic changes in your German Shepherd puppies life. This is the period in GSD development when puppies can form bonds with species outside of its own such as human beings. This is also the time when the puppy can identify their own species as well as being able to identify future social partners. Oftentimes, the peak of sensitivity to the formation of social bonds is described to be between 6 to 8 weeks of age. This is also called the fear period in GSD development! Around Week 4 By now social play becomes an important factor in GSD development and German Shepherd puppies learn how to interact with litter mates and adult animals of their species as well. They can also play with toys, play fight, play with humans and other animals and are beginning to eat other soft foods to supplement their mother's milk. Many times the GSD puppies are fearless during this time - exploring their environment and all that is about them. This is also a good time for continued exposure to new and novel things, to various people and other kinds of animals, all while the German Shepherd puppy continues to develop. The socialization stage is very important in the growth of GSD development, however it should be looked at within the context of the developing emotional system of the puppy. At around 3 - 5 weeks of age attraction responses in German Shepherd puppies are very strong. These kinds of responses begin to diminish between 5 - 7 weeks of age as fear responses begin to emerge. It is important to note that early socialization is tremendously important in the development of well-adjusted GSD puppies. During these few weeks, your German Shepherd puppy will also learn how to play and communicate with it's littermates, respond to humans it comes in contact with and how to get along safely in the adult dog world. Around Week 6 German Shepherd puppies begin exhibiting more adult like behaviors such as mounting of other litter mates and demonstrating dominance roles. Sniffing of tails and noses also becomes an important part of the greeting process among their canine peers. Between about 7 - 9 weeks of age the fear response may become so strong as to begin to overwhelm the attraction response. For other puppies the social motivation to make contact may very well overcome any wariness during this phase of GSD development. Around weeks 7 - 12 Among other things, this is an ideal age of socializing your German Shepherd puppy to humans, other animals and new surroundings and objects. It also a great time to learn such important skills as: leash training, housebreaking, crate training, accepting gentle handling and grooming and to accept human domination and control. The socialization period is absolutely critical in GSD development and acceptance of other animal species. If a GSD puppy is not exposed to horses, sheep, goats, other dogs, cats or small children before it reaches 12 weeks, it is likely it will never accept them. You may also observe that your German Shepherd pups ears are beginning to come up in some form or fashion. Don't be surprised by the wild and interesting shapes that they may take on as they mature. As the puppy goes through the teething process the ears will go up and down and will do all sorts of weird things - one up one down; one flopping to the left, the other to the right; both in the center, etc. This period is thought to occur from the end of the primary socialization period through sexual maturity. Motor skills are increasing for the GSD puppy. During this time the puppy is still refining both learning and social skills as well. While puppies in this phase can learn quite well, they are easily distracted and very hard to keep on task. This is an excellent time to start puppy kindergarten. This is also a good time to start being very aware of your GSD puppies ear carriage. Around 4 Months German Shepherd puppies will begin to lose their puppy teeth and will soon replace them with their adult teeth, generally starting with the incisors. Young German Shepherds will continue to learn about their environment and all the individuals in it throughout their social maturization process. This is often the time when older puppies are learning about their social relationships within the environment they live. Social maturity takes more time to achieve than sexual maturity. In the beginning of social maturity dogs will begin to display more mature, adult social behaviors. This time is thought to vary between breeds and from dog to dog and to occur anywhere from 12 - 36 months of age, especially in the larger breeds such as German Shepherds. Again, this varies from German Shepherd to German Shepherd but this is a good place to start. If your German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing up by this time on their own it is a good time to consider taping them. Detailed directions for this process can be found here. Overall, most of the puppies internal body systems are nearly "adult" even though the skeleton is still growing and will for some time to come. In many respects your German Shepherd puppy is now a "small adult". The heart rate has decreased again to about 70 BPM and by the end of this month the GSD puppy should have a full set of adult teeth. Also an important milestone: German Shepherd females reach sexual maturity and have their first estrus heat period. If the GSD's ears are not up by this time you need to take action quickly to get them up before it is too late. Read the article on ear taping. Around 7 - 12 Months German Shepherd males reach sexual maturity and begin to hike their leg when urinating. It is important to be especially firm and consistent about setting limits and enforcing commands during this time since your older GSD puppy may challenge dominance of other dogs or humans during this stage. If the German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing on their own by this point, there is a good chance that they will never stand on their own. This is an ideal age in GSD development to start "Beginning" level classes of obedience training. Bonding to humans is now very firmly established and your German Shepherds vocal and body communications are now that of a more mature individual dog - and more easily understood, and well on their way to many years of happy companionship with you. Sign up for promotions, news, discounts, and the chance to win prizes for you and your German Shepherd E-mail Address. German Shepherd Development: From Puppies To Adults Posted on Last updated: Categories German Shepherds From early puppyhood to adulthood, German Shepherds undergo significant development that shapes their temperament, behavior, and physical abilities. As a dog owner, understanding the developmental stages of your German Shepherd is crucial to providing the right care and training. German Shepherd development consists of several stages. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Contents Final Thoughts German Shepherd Development and Growth Stages German Shepherd development refers to the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in German Shepherd puppies as they grow and mature into adulthood. These changes include the physical development of their muscles, bones, and organs, as well as their ability to learn and process information. Social development involves their ability to interact with other dogs and humans and to understand and follow social rules and norms. As a dog owner, it is important to understand the growth stages of your German Shepherd. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. In the latter case, you need to know that the German Shepherd puppy depends on his mother for everything in these initial weeks. This includes food, warmth, and physical security. Here, your only responsibility is to make sure the dam is equipped with what she needs to fulfill her duties. As long as you feed the adult GSD right, she will be able to feed her babies and give them the warmth and company they need. You might notice that the puppies may seem asocial. Do not measure how the puppy interacts with other dogs for at least three to four weeks, which brings us to what you can expect within the next two weeks. This is where the puppy can wean off and not need a diet made up of milk exclusively. The puppy can consume solid food but is not too fond of it, especially if it is strange in texture. Your priority at this stage should be to get him to accept solid food without regressing to a diet of milk. There will be a social incentive in weaning off as the puppy will observe the litter he belongs to and notice a simultaneous change in feeding preferences. This brings us to a very important change: social interaction. I mentioned above that you should not worry about social disinterest up until the third week. However, by the fourth week, you should look for some interaction. If the puppy fails to acknowledge others in the litter or is getting shunned collectively, consulting an expert trainer or a vet can be helpful. Otherwise, the journey from being 4 weeks old to being adoption-ready is a long one, and it starts by accepting a human guardian. From weeks 4 to 5, the puppy is learning to accept a human usually the breeder as his guardian. Both dominant guardian and guiding guardian archetypes work in establishing yourself as the leader, but the dominant frame might box you into less palatable training tactics. German Shepherd puppies are quite intelligent, but a bulk of this cognitive ability is unlocked in two stages. The first is around the five-week mark. This could be the fourth or sixth week, depending on the individual puppy, but it is noticeable when the dog starts getting excited about other dogs. Of course, you need to be on schedule with socialization and carry-walks to notice this. Again, this explains why breeders usually keep the GSD puppies at this stage. Aggression issues can stem from excitement signaling menace. The opposite is true as well. Fortunately, professional breeders expose the dog to other dogs his age at this stage, and he learns to adjust how he shows and perceives excitement, making your life as a new German Shepherd parent much easier. But socializing your German Shepherd happens in stages as well. And of different ages. The wider the variety of people he gets to see and interact with at this stage, the more receptive he will be to people growing up. If your German Shepherd has seen only young people all his life, he might react differently to older ones and vice versa. This also applies to experiences. Exposing your puppy to experiences like car rides and ringing doorbells ensures that he will be calm in normal situations as he grows up. And in addition to getting your German Shepherd acquainted with normal stimuli like bells and travel, you must get him crate trained at this stage. Introducing the crate as a refuge and a secure spot as opposed to jail is a great way to get your GSD puppy to accept the crate. The more you delay this, the harder it becomes to crate-train a German Shepherd. If you want to check how his growth compares to the guidelines, head over to this article, When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? This also includes a handy growth chart. This is a critical stage because if unchecked, your German Shepherd might end up hurting other dogs or be hurt by them. The watchful dog-parent in you that you were holding back has his chance to shine here. Make sure you keep a close eye on your German Shepherd and how he interacts with any other dogs in the house. The status-measuring step is one even adult dogs take when first interacting with each other. But at this age, dogs engage in prolonged status-measuring inquiry and either establish dominance or accept their subservient spot. You cannot force your German Shepherd to be the alpha in a relationship with another dog. GSDs are very physical, which is fine when two dogs play within the same breed. But if one of your doggos belongs to a relatively fragile lineage, you might want to consider some separation. If you are worried your German Shepherd playing too rough , click the link for some cool tips on how to limit rough play. The easier to walk your GSD is, the more enjoyable it will be for you both. This is better elaborated in my dedicated post on the fun exercises you can do with your German Shepherd puppy. At the same time, his physical energy levels are rising every day, which can be counterproductive as your German Shepherd can get uber-excited about physical activity. Make sure you have him on a no-pull harness instead of a collar-and-leash, so you can get him properly under control without hurting him. You can also see my other recommendations here. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below.

Our Story When our 1st son was 18 months old, he was bitten by a family member's dog when he fell on her. She was a common rescue mix and even though she was kind and showed no aggression before, we had to pry her off of his head. This was a horrifying experience, and it was very hard on the family. After that happening, we knew we needed a family friendly breed for our young family. We chose a Golden Retriever puppy and she was loving, smart and affectionate. I started adding a few breeding dogs to my program and began a wonderful adventure. I have always longed for the farm experience that I grew up with. Both of us grew up in farm settings, and have always been around raising animals and puppies. I knew that breeding dogs would give me the love of the farm, at our home near Boise, Idaho. It is the perfect match for me. We started breeding Goldendoodle puppies and have never looked back. I will always be a dog breeder. It fits my personality perfectly. When we started our journey for a family dog, we were where you are. The journey you're on is not easy. If you've researched, you know that Goldendoodles are amazing with families and children. Feel free to reach out to us for support, we are here to help you in the process. Authority Check it out! I am proud to be published in the Complete Guide to Goldendoodles. I dedicate myself full-time to being a Goldendoodle Breeder. We put our heart and soul into being professional and dedicated. I am learning every single day something new about genetics, health or breeding. I network with hundreds of other breeders where we discuss changes in the parent breeds, new medications, materials, new genetic testing, and trends. I also have a handful of excellent specialized veterinarians that I work with weekly to ensure the best care of our moms and puppies. We carefully learn about genetics and commit to extensive ongoing research in health, genetics, training and breed practices for goldendoodles. We are an in-home goldendoodle breeder. We purpose to always be adding more and more health testing to our breeding program. Our Mommas We run a Guardian Program, which is on of the best breeding practices in existence. We breed full-time and therefore have lots of experience. Small breeders often make many mistakes because they only breed occasionally. They don't have the knowledge or resources to improve the breed. We average litters a year. Are we a puppy mill because of many puppies being produced? We are the farthest things from a puppy mill. Puppy mills kennel their many mother dogs and puppies for most of their lives. They re-sell their retired mothers for cheap prices, donate them to rescues, or even worse, euthanize them. Our mother dogs are pampered, and cared for with their loving families and live with no more than 1 other dog forever in the same home they were raised in. They are bred for only up to 4 times, and if they have no health issues. We are able to have many, happy dogs this way. No mother dogs are kept outdoors or in dirty, disease infected areas. In fact, they get more attention than most dogs because we hand select homes where the environment is extremely healthy emotionally and physically for a family dog. They have kids to play with, usually an adult home most of the day, sometimes another doggie playmate and of course, there are two families watching out for their health. They are groomed, exercised required , vetted, protected, and loved! Champion Lines Champion Lines means that there are close relatives of a dog that has achieved a Champion title in the show ring. We import our parent dog's lines, so they are from International Champion Lines. This is Ace for example. We raised Ace as a puppy and he now lives in Washington, DC with our sister, as a stud for our breeding program. He has 15 International Champions and 1 World Champion in his 5 generation pedigree. Several of his puppies are now grown and are currently in our Guardian Program having mini teddybear Goldendoodle puppies. She is such a wonderful example of a sweet, highly trainable mini Goldendoodle puppy. Trainability Blossom, one of our talented puppies has achieved "Trick Dog Champion. She also opens the refrigerator, gets you a drink of water and closes the fridge. She is a dock diving dog and a demo dog for a highly regarded trainer in Northern California. See her HERE. We breed our own lines of English Golden Retrievers and all of our future breeding dogs will be English Golden Retrievers. We partner with family members and choose from the very best puppies to introduce into our program. Our current American Golden Retriever mommas also have many of these characteristics. We chose them because out of the American lines, they have similar qualities. We look for blocky, mellow, and great health testing in our parent dogs. We found that most English Cream Golden Retrievers have all three of those qualities. Some American Golden Retrievers have all three, but they are hard to find. Their hip testing has significantly higher scores. The other genetic tests we do on our dogs are often much better with the English. Their temperament is the biggest difference that most people notice between the two types. They are much more mellow. We feel that because our puppies will be family and service dogs instead of hunting or agility dogs, we think that the mellow, laid back temperament of the English Golden will be best for our lines. English creams have a wonderful body style for Teddybear Goldendoodles. They are blocky and thick. This offsets the lean, athletic build of the poodle and perfectly compliments them. They are the parent dog for us! Our Puppies Our puppies are thoroughly and highly socialized. Our puppies are handled daily by children of all ages. Our Goldendoodle puppies are exposed to every household noise because they are raised in a home. They are in the dining room or living room areas so that they are close by all the daily activities in the home. This also gives everyone in the home convenient access to socialize them as part of family life. As they grow, we integrate outside playtime for the puppies part of the day, so that they learn the dog world as well as the people world. A few of our breeding females are active therapy dogs in facility settings. We have sold several diabetic alert dogs DADS and many to be trained for therapy and service. We work with local and national trainers to choose potential puppies. Golden Retrievers are known to be the all-around best family dogs in the world. They are trainable, easy going, and safe with children. That's why we initially chose a Golden Retriever when we had a young family. They are great at agility, retrieving, hunting and they have beautiful soft coats. Most of all, Golden Retrievers are people pleasers and will do almost anything to earn affection. They are one breed and so their temperaments are the same, just in different sizes. They are the second smartest dog in the world and easily trained. They are alert, and of course, non-shedding! They give the Goldendoodle their lovely fleecy and easy to groom coat. Why Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are retrievers with a soft mouth, affectionate, and highly intelligent. They have endurance and agility. Goldendoodles have what Breeders call "Hybrid Vigor. This contributes to their health and minimizes the breed specific hereditary health predispositions. Goldendoodles often grow stronger than both parent breeds. They often have better hips, eyes, and lifespan. To get a book on Goldendoodles, click here. Please reload. We are so excited to help you bring the perfect fur baby home. We have always loved poodles and after our first batch of Goldendoodle puppies we fell in love with them as well. We first started breeding Goldendoodles to provide a seizure alert dog for a family member. We loved the experience of loving on and raising up puppies that we had to do it again. We kept one Goldendoodle and placed 3 of our F1s into Guardianship homes to expand our breeding program. We have found that having guardian homes is the best way to run a breeding program. All of our females have loving family homes where they are well cared for. It's our desire to walk beside you through this journey. We are a quality Goldendoodle puppy breeder in Boise, Idaho. We currently specialize in F1b Goldendoodles of varying sizes. All of our Goldendoodles are health tested and bred for Health, Temperament, and coats. We take pride in the quality of our puppy raising process, and whole health care for our adult dogs. We start with Early Neurological Stimulation which helps to stimulate the neurological system and improves the growth and development of the puppy's immune system, cardiovascular system, and stress tolerance. We begin litter box training very early which helps them transition easily when you take them home. They get crate and leash training as well as desensitization to household sounds like the vacuum and blender. We pick up and interact with each puppy every day. It is always bitter-sweet to see them go but the joy they bring to others warms our hearts. We will always recommend Mountain Meadow Puppies to all. Your kindness and professionalism made it all possible. We made the epic trip up from Southern California all in one weekend. Our family made memories that we will never forget. Norma made the entire process seamless! Meeting her and her husband and seeing the hard work and love they put into these dogs was amazing. So thankful for all they do for these puppies and our new family member Mango! This is Mango smiling after a bath. The process was so easy and enjoyable. We would recommend Mountain Meadow Puppies to everyone! I was looking for a very specific dog and she was more than accommodating and helpful! My puppy is the greatest addition and he was well taken care of. I cannot thank Norma enough for everything or say enough about how much of an amazing breeder she is! He is perfect! Hogan and Gracie are now 2 yrs and 1 yr and thriving! Thank you again, Norma. He loves to play, go on walks and cuddle???? Norma was amazing and helped us find Murphy. .He is a very smart little guy. He is starting puppy training today. An Exceptional Dog Bijou is an exceptional dog but maybe all owners think this. I LOVE her very much! Now that she is a year old, I can begin getting her ready to be a therapy dog. Requires a lot of discipline on my part! She always wants to be touching me — she is my girlie-girl! Linda Wonderful Experience! We had a wonderful experience adopting our sweet mini Goldendoodle from Mountain Meadow Puppies! Norma was absolutely amazing! She was prompt in messaging me back and answering any questions that I had. We are beyond smitten over our sweet Benny???? First haircut! Hazel is such a sweetheart. So smart, kind and a bit of a clown. We love her so much!???? Birthday, Maya! You are such a blessing to our family! Yacelin P. We Love Her These puppies are amazing! Kona is now 10 months old and we love her! I highly recommend Norma and her puppies. Very special! She was really a joy to work with! Helped me find my fur baby Nala Rose! A picture with my 1-year-old pup with long and short hair???? They made sure as first time puppy owner I was ready, keeping me updated on her health, as I waited for pickup date. I would recommend them to anyone interested in a goldendoodle, or bernedoodle. Just wanted to give you a pup-date on Dash, now known as Toby! We just love him so much. He has such a fun personality. He loves all his squeaker toys, and balls of all sizes. My family adores him. He checks off all my desires in a new pup. Carol C. Love Our Puppy! We love our puppy! Very nice people, easy to get ahold of! Great experience all around! Paullena Willis Phenomenal in every way!!! Mountain Meadows is absolutely phenomenal in every way!!! We fell in love with Murphy on their website, spoke with Norma multiple times over the phone, and made the drive to Libby to pick him up. Norma is incredibly knowledgeable and kind, you can tell the puppies love her!!! Their home is beautiful and their facility is beautiful and very well kept. Amazing amazing amazing. Mike Masters A Beautiful, Caring Establishment Mountain Meadow Puppies we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this special girl that we were blessed to get from you. I have to say I have never seen such a clean, beautiful, and caring establishment. Norma I pray the Lord blesses you and your family, thank you for taking care of your puppies the way you do and your customers, making sure my questions were answered. Just to watch you with your puppies and how you love them and care where they are going is amazing. I would recommend everyone I know who wants a healthy gorgeous puppy to come to Mountain Meadow Puppies. She is such a doll and I can see that you raised her well during those first few weeks. She has kept her beautiful red color and is the hit in the neighborhood. Everyone loves her. Thank you! Susan Moxley Absolutely Delightful We drove a long distance to get our little girl, and it was worth it! Norma was so helpful throughout the process and our new puppy is absolutely delightful. I hope you and your family are well! She just got her bath and is still wet. She has settled down a lot these past few weeks, and is a joy in our lives. She loves to play and cuddle. We love to watch her play outside in the snow. She is very entertaining. Thanks again for everything. Donna M. The Sweetest Boy! Hi Norma! I just wanted to send you some pictures of Scout Stallone. We love him so much. He is the sweetest boy! Bryant M. She is so gentle and intelligent. She slept through the night from the first night. She loves toys that are a challenge and to play fetch. She struggles a bit with housetraining. We still have a foot of snow in our yard and she would rather play than do what needs to be done, but we are getting there. Patience, consistency, and kindness really pay off with these guys. Love this girl! They are the best! The entire facility was immaculate and you could tell the dogs are well loved and taken care of. I had lost my 14 year old Goldendoodle to cancer the week before contacting this facility and was worried. But our little Violette is brimming with personality, smart as a whip, healthy and she gets along great with our mastiff and 75 pound Goldendoodle as well as our 2 cats. I highly recommend Norma and her amazing operation. Jacquie E.

Top 5 Labradoodle Haircuts Be sure to check out our 2-part series on types of Doodle haircuts, with tons more pictures that cover overall body styles and variations of styles. Different groomers may have different ideas of what the following types of cuts are. If any of these pictures represent what you want your Labradoodle to look like, be sure to bookmark this page for easy access when dropping them off at the groomer! With the hair slightly rounder and longer around the face and legs, the Labradoodle teddy bear cut gives your pup the most adorable puppy-like look. As the name hints, the goal is to give your Labradoodle a puppy-like look with shorter hair on the body, and longer on the head. This look is not for the faint-hearted, but a dog as cute as a Labradoodle will surely pull this off. Labradoodle Long Clip Almost the same as the Labradoodle short clip, but not quite. The Labradoodle long clip is great for emphasizing those beautiful waves and an effortless, shaggy look. However, longer hair can also trap in more dirt, so make sure to set aside enough time for daily brushing. Here you can check out the best brushes for Labradoodles. A comb is also great for brushing hard-to-reach areas like the paws, face, and ears. Dog Clippers — When it comes to grooming, you are going to need a set of clippers to get the job done. Which ones should you choose? These are our favorite grooming scissors for Doodles. Dog Shears — Are you ready to take your grooming to the next level? Detangler Sprays — One of the best hacks for hassle-free brushing is having a detangler spray at hand. Use it before each brushing or just before bathtime, a good detangler spray cuts the time spent on tangles in half. Shampoo — A proper grooming routine includes an occasional bathtime. Whether your Labradoodle struggles with skin sensitivities or tends to shed a lot, there are tons of different options available on the market. Here are the top 6 dog shampoos that Labradoodle owners swear by. Ear Cleaning Products — With those cute floppy ears, Labradoodles are prone to ear infections due to the restricted airflow. Take a look at some of the highest rated dog ear cleaner products that help prevent and treat minor ear infections. Grooming Tables — Every Labradoodle owner knows how difficult it can be to groom a Doodle with one hand, while trying to keep them still with the other. A grooming table will take care of all that you still need to do the grooming though… and save you from back pain. Check out the best dog grooming tables or create a DIY grooming table. Be sure to check out our guide on dealing with matted hair , and another about the line brushing method. Bathing: Before a haircut or after a muddy playtime, your Labradoodle will need a thorough wash. Typically, once a week should be perfectly enough. However, some pups might need a couple of times a week. Once in a while, you might want to use a special dog ear cleaner to prevent any infections. Here you can check our guide on Doodle ear infection symptoms, treatments, and prevention. Eye gunk: Gently remove any eye gunk you notice, as this will prevent discoloration around the eyes and bad smell. If you can do it daily, great! Here is our step-by-step video tutorial guide that includes the entire Doodle grooming process from head to paw. For example, the best Labradoodle haircuts for summer would be short so your pup has an easier time cooling down. The Labradoodle puppy cut is the most popular Labradoodle haircut. However, we recommend you choose high-quality tools, as they will last you a longer time. As a Labradoodle puppy starts to develop an adult coat, you should start with regular grooming. The sooner you introduce your puppy to the whole process of grooming, the easier it will be for them to get used to it. See Also: Click the image To conclude, we hope that you learned some useful Labradoodle grooming tips, and that we managed to inspire you with the Labradoodle haircuts that you can try on your Doodle for your next grooming session. Let us know in the comments! The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional groomer advice. Always seek the advice of your groomer, veterinarian, or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. The first grooming appointment can be frightening for your puppy. The following tips can help your puppy have a positive experience at the groomer. Handling and socializing your Labradoodle puppy Before scheduling your first appointment, make sure your puppy is comfortable with being touched and handled. Be sure to praise and reward your puppy for calm behavior. Continue socializing your puppy by introducing him or her to new people and animals. Introducing the grooming tools Once your puppy is comfortable with being touched, you can introduce common grooming tools. Let your puppy inspect and sniff the brush, comb, scissors, hair dryer, and clippers. Turn on the hair dryer and clippers while feeding your puppy treats to create a positive association. Grooming your puppy at home Keep your initial grooming sessions short and reward your puppy for good behavior. You can build up the duration over time, as your puppy gets more comfortable. The first session should be short and positive. In fact, just visiting for a quick introduction and nail clipping is a good start. The most important thing is to give your Labradoodle puppy a positive experience with professional grooming. After drop-off, always wait to be notified that your puppy is ready for pickup. Never come back to the grooming salon early. If your puppy sees you or hears your voice, it will be very difficult for the groomer to finish the job. Maintaining health with regular grooming For best results, your Labradoodle puppy should be professionally groomed every 4 to 6 weeks. You will also need to brush your puppy at home. While many Labradoodles do not shed, their undercoats can mat and become difficult to manage. If you have questions about how we groom our Labradoodles, feel free to contact us any time. Keeping a well-groomed dog is essential to maintaining their health, happiness, quality of life. This guide will instruct you on grooming as young as 8 weeks into adulthood. In order for this to be the best experience for you and your Doodle, the most important thing to remember is: Be patient! If it is frustrating for you at any time throughout the grooming process, take a break and come back later. We always want our Doodles to relate grooming with positivity! Well, short answer, I groom my dogs every 8 — 10 weeks. There are so many variables to the grooming question that I hate to boil it down to one sentence. First, we should ask ourselves a few questions: 1. How much time does he spend outdoors with the potential to get dirty? What sort of coat does your dog have? Different Coat Types Require Different Labradoodle Grooming Schedules I have dogs with different coat types, and they have different grooming schedules. My two older dogs both have a wool type coat. It is very curly, a little wiry, and not the easiest to brush. It is most like a poodle coat. These two get the most regular grooming appointments, and I keep them pretty short. With this type of cut and frequency I do not need to brush them out at all between grooms. I usually wait more time between grooms on this coat. I love the fluffy look when it grows out. Often the ears and collar area need regular brushing to prevent matting. If your doodle does not go out and get dirty, then cleaning is not an issue, and you could keep a longer coat with or without regular visits to the groomer. If a mat develops next to their skin it is painful for the dog, and you will need to have your Labradoodle shaved down to eliminate. Artistic Grooming Techniques And of course, there are all sorts of artistic grooming techniques. I often see the ears and tail left longer than the rest of the body. And the Teddy Bear- is always cute! Clearing the ear hair will help prevent ear infections as well as ear odor. If your groomer does not pluck ear hair, consider this task on your own or stop by your vet a few times a year to have them take care of the problem. Occasionally, a nice bath helps in between grooms too! This does mean however, that your dog requires regular clipping to keep the coat trimmed and free of knots and matting. This is important for the dog also, as their coats can get very heavy and hot and matted coats make them very uncomfortable. It will really depend on the length you want to keep your Labradoodles coat as to how much grooming you will have to do. What do I need? Hold the skin taught to protect from any discomfort, especially where you come across a knot, or matts. Like in human hair, work knots out gently, or cut through them with scissors or a matt breaker. Knots are quite common around the ears, jaw, and collar as well as behind the tops of their legs. If they wear a harness regularly, you may find matting from this too. Trim around their eyes and across the bridge of their nose between their eyes regularly — you can do this with blunt scissors, or use a little tool like the Wahl Pocket Pro, which is a little battery operated trimmer. Over bathing can reduce the oils and damage the coat. I usually bathe my dogs every weeks. It is important to use a good quality pet shampoo — dogs have a different PH in their skin to humans, so regular shampoos is not suitable for use on your pets. Fido products are expensive, but I find them very good and this is what I use on the puppies, and my own dogs. Some vets will advocate regular plucking, others may suggest trimming the hair, but regardless, keeping the hair minimal, and the ears clean, with the use of an ear cleanser or a drying agent will reduce the risk of problems. You pop the solution into each ear and massage it for seconds and then wipe it out with a tissue — never use ear buds! Check with your vet for tips on hair removal and which solution to use. Your dogs nails should be done each time they get their coat trimmed and this is a service most dog groomers usually do as part of their clip. If you choose to do this, be sure to get your groomer, or your vet to show you how to trim the nails correctly. Grooming How frequently you choose to get your dog clipped will depend on lifestyle, how long you want their coat to be and, your regular maintenance regimes. Besides you want to enjoy that adorable puppy shagginess for a little while! The Puppy Trim Trim between their eyes so they can see Fringe should be cut so there is an inverted"V"above the nose. If the fringe is thick, it can be neatened with thinning scissors. Trim the ear length back to about 1 cm following the shape of the ear leather. Neaten the face, especially if the beard is long. The Full Clip Ears Trim the ears, following the edge of the ear leather. To gauge the length — pull forward to the nose. The length of the ear should be just short of the nose. Taper the tip of the ear. Hair on the outside of the ear should be layered on the to about 3cm, and the tip of the ear tapered. Trim back any thickness behind the ear. The underside of the ear should be shaved or cut very short underneath to allow good air flow. Trim hair inside the ear canal. Top of the head The top of the head should be natural, and cut long enough that it parts naturally by itself. To trim, pull the hair forward and up and trim to around cm. You want to be able to see the dogs eyes easily. Leave the eyelashes long — it helps to keep hair out of their eyes. Eyes Below the eye at the muzzle, trim the top of the muzzle short at an angle just under the eyes so they can see easily. This makes it easier to clean around the eyes also. Muzzle The beard and moustache should be layered and trimmed into a circular shape, rather than blunt - aim for around cm in length. Body the body can be trimmed to whatever length suits the lifestyle. Tail should be evened up. If the body is left long, the tummy can be trimmed shorter, or even shaved in summer to keep the dog cool. Trim the hair between the pads, so the pads touch the ground. Trim the nails. Taper the hind quarters to the tail gradually. Brush and trim the tail to a natural length, and trim underneath. Private Parts Shave or trim close the dogs private area to keep clean and free from matting and any dags. While the adult coat is establishing, you will need to brush multiple times a week, and I find this the best time to give your pet his first trim. It will be difficult to keep up with the matting in the longer coat, but with a trim, it is very manageable, and the beauty of the adult coat is better realized. Once your dog gets to 12 to 14 months, the adult coat will be fully established, and this is the coat you can expect to work with for your dog's adult life. I find that the picture to the right will help to clarify the instructions you will need to convey for your dog's face. It is best to print this picture and take it with you to the groomer. A three-fourths inch blade don't go shorter than one-half inch will keep your dog's coat nice and full but give a smooth consistent length all over. If you like your dogs coat longer, your groomer should have a guard they can use to achieve this. The legs are typically just a little longer than the rest of the coat if you trim the coat to three-fourths inch. FEET: The feet will need a "slipper" cut to achieve the floppy, full leg look. The leg will look like a column. TAIL: The tail needs to be de-matted and trimmed. It is also important to have the hair removed, either trimmed or pulled, inside the dog's ears. Click the grooming picture for an enlarged, printable version and take it with you to your groomer! Establish a routine that you will follow through with or you will end up with a puppy with nails that may rip or cause problems walking properly, ears that have infections, and coats that are severely matted to the skin and cause severe discomfort for your dog. These are the areas that are most prone to matting. Part the hair and brush from the base of the coat in small sections. Many people only brush the surface of the coat and do not realize the dog is matting very badly next to the skin. Remember, if you cannot maintain basic brushing and grooming on your own, then you will need to budget for using a professional groomer. You should still try to clip nails and clean ears weekly at home, and give your dog a brushing at least once a week. BATHING When you groom your puppy or dog, you will want them to have a clean coat so your scissors and clipper blades work efficiently and do not wear down more quickly. Here are some general, simple tips for basic labradoodle grooming when doing your doodle at home. Eyes: Your Labradoodle should always be able to see well and not have hair hanging and restricting vision or growing up and into the eyes from the bridge of the nose! Using blunt tipped scissors, trim the hair over the bridge of nose and in between eyes so vision is not obstructed. Hair that hangs over the eyes should be trimmed neatly across the brow blending down into the sides of the face. If your dog gets eye gunk, use eye wipes every few days to keep them clean. A Labradoodle with long ear hair does NOT look like the standard for the Labradoodle, it looks more like a Cocker spaniel. Shape the ears and blend hair neatly into the top of the head. This will help prevent infections. You can use a clipper with 10 blade for a good length in this area. If the canal has a lot of hair inside, you will need to pluck it out in very small amounts to prevent irritation. Clean ear canal with solution and then use ear powder to eliminate moisture. Paws: Trim paws in a nicely rounded shape so that hair does not hang over the paw and cannot be walked on. Completely clip hair from in between pads on bottom of feet. This is most easily done with an electric clipper and a 30 blade. Keeping the paws shaped nicely will aid in less debris attaching to feet when outside and being drug into your home. Long muzzle hair results in beards that drip with water every time your dog gets a drink. The hair on the sides of the muzzle should be even with the bottom of the lower jaw. This is an area of the body we frequently see with matting. Hair is left to grow and grow and GROW and you not realize it is severely matting close to the tail. This helps prevent matting and urine or feces from building up on the coat when your dog uses the bathroom. Body: If you like a longer coat, more brushing and maintenance will be required. Here are a couple examples of shorter cuts that most find easy to maintain. Share this: Click to share on Pinterest Opens in new window 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.

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. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. When considering bringing a new dog into your life, it is always important to consider how long that dog is likely to live. In this article, we will go through exactly how long you should expect your Labradoodle to live, which is largely determined by whether their poodle parent was a standard, miniature, or toy poodle. We will also go through all the different life stages of a Labradoodle and what to expect in each. What Is A Labradoodle? Labradoodles are crossbreed dogs that you get when you mix a Labrador retriever with a poodle. They are varieties that are a mix between a Lab and all the different poodle sizes including standard, miniature, and toy. They were bred because, while the temperament, intelligence, and trainability of Labrador retrievers make them excellent service dogs, they shed—a lot. This can be a huge problem when it comes to taking them into hospitals, public places such as restaurants, and even cleaning up after them at home. Poodles were chosen to crossbreed because they have a low-shedding coat. Their tight, curly coats mean that instead of leaving hair wherever they go, it gets caught up in their coat. Poodles are also highly intelligent dogs, even more intelligent than Labradors, and also very friendly, having been bred as companion animals. They are less outgoing than Labradors, but overall it was thought that they would add to, rather than subtract from, the characteristics that make Labradors excellent service dogs. You can read more about the Labradoodle coat and shedding in this article. How Long Do Labradoodles Live? All Labradoodles have a lifespan of roughly 12 to 14 years. Various factors influence where each dog is likely to fall within this scale. Labrador retrievers and standard poodles both tend to live around 12 years. So if you have a standard Labradoodle, you should probably expect them to have a slightly shorter lifespan at around the year mark. Miniature and toy poodles often live longer, as small dogs tend to live longer in general. So if you have a Lab that is mixed with one of these smaller breeds, you might expect them to live for an additional year or so. While these expectations are based on the average lifespan of their parent pups, some research suggests that crossbreed dogs live longer than their parents, by about a year or two. There are plenty of examples of Labradoodles living well into their late teens. Labradoodle Life Stages Throughout their lives, you can expect your Labradoodle to pass through five main life stages: puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle age, and senior. Exactly when they will pass through each of these stages again depends on whether the Labradoodle is a standard, miniature, or toy cross. Smaller dogs tend to grow to maturity more quickly but then live longer. Conversely, larger dogs stay puppies longer but have shorter overall life expectancies. Puppyhood Labradoodles tend to be classified as puppies for the first five months of their lives. But just like with human babies, because they are growing so quickly at this time, they will pass through a number of different puppy stages. It is during this stage that you will find that littermates love to cuddle up and spend the day sleeping one on top of one another. During this stage, they are more interested in their mother and siblings than there are in people, but they do begin to learn that there is a bigger world and might start to explore a little in the later weeks. It is around this stage that they can also start to move onto dog food. This is often a necessity, as the mother will refuse to suckle them as their growing teeth cause her pain. This is a very important time, as they are also very impressionable. So they need plenty of attention, praise, and love. Training them at this stage will also teach them about action and reward, which will make them easier to train to do other things as adults. They will already understand that correct behavior can result in good things. At this stage, you can also start to expose the puppy to new people and new experiences. This is essential to the socialization process, so that they learn what to do when confronted by the unknown. This is a great time to try to take the puppy with you most everywhere you go. Essential training should continue throughout this stage. Adolescence Much like humans, during this stage Labradoodle puppies seem like they are either eating or sleeping all the time to manage big growth spurts, or getting into trouble. This period tends to last from around five or six months until about two years of age. But they also become more unpredictable as hormones start to play a role. Expect them to want to play all the time, to jump up a lot, and to do things that test your limits. Nevertheless, at this stage your Labradoodle should be fully housebroken, should have passed through that biting phase, and should be better at paying attention to you. They also lose their awkwardness around this age and seem more coordinated. Labradoodles in particular will start to show quite a bit of strength and agility at this stage. They should have all their adult teeth, but they still love to chew! This is something they inherit from the Labrador parent. Make sure to have an abundance of chew toys available to focus their otherwise destructive chewing. It is also during adolescence that territorial behavior tends to kick in. Your pup may become protective of their possessions, territorial of their home, and could start to bark at strangers. Also be aware that at some stage during adolescence—it can vary quite a bit—your dog will become sexually mature. Adulthood Depending on the particular type of Labradoodle that you have, you can expect them to settle down into adulthood at between two and three years of age. They should be about fully grown at this stage. So instead of getting bigger, you need to worry about them getting fatter! While it is natural for them to fill out a bit in the early stages of adulthood, it is important to keep an eye on their weight and their diet at this time. They will enter their physical and mental prime during this period, as they are much calmer and more tranquil. If they are being trained as a service dog, they can start working once they reach adulthood. None of this is to say that Labradoodles cannot continue to develop and learn new things at this time. Labradors and Labradoodles are very easy to train and can be taught new skills and behaviors at almost any age. Middle Age Your dog will start to enter the later stages of their life at about the ripe old age of seven years. At this point, Labradoodles still tend to be active and healthy dogs, but they do start to slow down a bit. It is also at this time that their joints might start to become stiff, and they can begin to develop more serious joint problems. You can try and alleviate this by feeding them supplements to support their joints. You can read more about joint supplements here. Senior When your Labradoodle hits nine or 10 years, they are truly senior and they will probably start to need a bit of extra care and attention. Joint pain is a common problem for Labradoodles, so you may need to make some adjustments to your home to accommodate them. Labradoodles also have a tendency to lose their eyesight in later years, and to feel the cold more intensely. Their appetite is also likely to change as this time, as is their metabolism. So again, watch their weight and what they are eating to maintain them at a healthy weight. This is especially important if they are suffering with joint issues, as excess weight will just make mobility even more challenging. Labradoodles are inclined toward a variety of health conditions, inherited from both their Labrador and poodle parents. The main Labradoodle health conditions to be aware of are: Allergies Labradoodles often develop food allergies, usually in their early years before they reach two years of age. This can often be caused by eating too much of certain foods in these formative months. But Labradoodles can also develop allergies in later life, and you might find that at age eight they are suddenly reacting to something that they have eaten their entire life. Labradoodles usually show an allergic reaction with skin itchiness and an upset stomach. If you notice these signs, visit your vet to try to identify what might be causing the problem. Ear Infections Labradoodles have floppy ears that cover the ear tracts. This means they are generally moist, dark spaces, which means breeding grounds for infections. This is also a common problem for Labradors but can be worse for Labradoodles because the curly hair in their ears can also trap moisture and foreign bodies. If they seem to have itchy ears, or if you notice smells coming from their ears, this is a sign that something is not quite right. This will mean a trip to the vet to determine the type of ear infection and the best treatment. Regular ear cleaning, especially after sleeping or bathing, is the best way to reduce the prevalence of ear infections in Labradoodles. Epilepsy Epilepsy is a neurological condition, of which one of the main symptoms is seizures. Labradoodles are quite prone to this condition. There is no cure, and treatment depends on the severity of the seizures and how often they occur. If your dog rarely has seizures, your vet will probably avoid medication, as it is not worth the risk. You may need to do some things to make your home safer for your dog, making it less likely that they will accidentally hurt themselves in the event of a seizure. Joint Issues Another issue inherited from their Labrador parents, Labradoodles often develop joint issues, especially in the hips, but it can be anywhere. Over time, what was an uncomfortable twinge can develop into serious pain, arthritis, and even lameness. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Sometimes joint supplements can be enough to keep your dog comfortable, while in other cases they might need serious pain medication. Progressive Retinal Atrophy This is a condition where a portion of the eye degenerates, eventually leading to blindness. This is quite common in Labradoodles and will usually affect both eyes, resulting in complete blindness. However, it is known to occasionally occur in puppies as well. There is no known treatment, though it is thought that a diet high in antioxidants may be able to help slow the progression of the condition. Signs of the disease include excessive bleeding and bruising where the dog is injured, but also spontaneos bleeds, for example nosebleeds, or blood in their urine or stool. This poses a risk to your Labradoodle throughout their lives, as they may need to avoid certain medications that can further thin the blood, as well as activities where they are at risk of getting injured. If they need surgery for some reason, such as when they are neutered, they will probably also require a platelet transfusion before the surgery. The Verdict When you decide to bring a Labradoodle puppy in your life, you are committing to love and care for that dog for about 12 to 14 years, which is the average lifespan of this crossbreed. During that time, they will pass through a number of different life stages, from being adorable puppies, naughty adolescents appropriately called the terrible twos , intelligent adults, and vulnerable seniors. But throughout all these life stages, a Labradoodle should give you a great deal of love and fulfilment. Do you have a Labradoodle? What is your experience living with these wonderful dogs? Share your thoughts in the comments section below or via our social media. Related Article. Older Labradoodle Puppies for Sale Puppies with a little training and Older dogs ready for new homes. Many reasons lead people to look for an older puppy or a dog that will require less training or time commitment than an 8 week old puppy. We are lucky at Great Day Labradoodles to have some options available to meet these needs. When possible we send a pup or two off to trainers to live with them from age 8 weeks to 10 or 12 weeks old. These pups will be posted here along with their ready date and price. Pictures and videos updated weekly with their achievements. They will have completed temperament testing and we can match them to your application then they can be reserved at any point throughout their training process. Additional time with the trainer is possible. Older dogs listed here have come about for any number of reasons. Our puppy contract requires that anytime a customer cannot keep their dog, it comes back to Great Day for re-homing. We will do our best to describe the dogs temperament, quirks and ideal situation. They will go to a new home with a mandatory 10 day trial period to make sure we have a good fit. Typically when re-homing a dog over 2 years old we like to keep them local and make that trial period convenient. All puppies and dogs require direction in their new homes. Months of training will not teach them where your doggy door is where to go when you tell them to lie down. Spending a little time with the trainer and understanding how to communicate to them will vastly improve results. A 30 minute session at time of pick up is included with purchase price. If you would like to contact Laura about training your dog of any age you can reach her at .Available Australian Bernedoodles Puppies born June 1, they will be mediums with a curly fleece like Gypsy or soft fleece like Sarge. Gypsy weighs 30 lbs, and Sarge is 35 lbs. Sarge is a mini F1 Bernedoodle, so these pups will be Australian Bernedoodles, our first litter! He has a beautiful, thick structure and will add some nice bulk to the pups in his litter. Looking forward to very steady pups, extra kid friendly and easygoing. These pups now sleep through the night, have been well socialized on the farm and gaining new skills daily. He is medium size approx 30 to 35lbs , with a loose curl non shedding silky soft fleece coat. He is dark chocolate colored He is a laid back and very sweet, he is a goofy boy. He is a fun loving comical young dog, he will have you laughing. He is doing very well with his puppy training and eager to please. He would make a great family companion in any household. He is crate trained and knows how to use a dog door. He is good for the groomer and up to date on all puppy care. We do not leave him unattended in our home as he is still a puppy. He will need redirecting in his new home as he has only know our home our family and friends, this will take about a week or two. Her parents are Charlie and Hero. She is a very happy go lucky little girl, with a loving personality. She is well socialized and she is good with children. Buttons is doing well with puppy training and she is eager to please which has made her easy to train. She is crate trained and knows how to use a dog door. She sits, comes when called and we are working on the leash. She is very easy to groom and up to date on all shots and puppy care. We do not leave her unattended in our home as she is still much a puppy. She will need redirecting in her new home as she has only know our home our family and friends, this will take about a week or two. She can be spayed at 8 month. He is standard size approx 50 to 60lbs , with a wavy curl non shedding fleece coat and he is beautiful blue merle color. He has a very laid back disposition and a goofy but sweet personality. He is doing well with his puppy training and eager to please. She is a mini to small medium size approx 25lbs , with a loose curl non shedding fleece coat. She is a chocolate merle with a white chest,one green eye and one blue eye. Blossom is a happy playful little girl with comical personality. She loves playing in the water and she is a very social with everyone she meets. She is very smart and eager to learn which has made her easy to train. Blossom is crate trained and knows how to use a dog door. She does very well for the groomer and she is easy to bathe. She comes when called sits and she is walking on a harness and leash. She is also doing well in our home however I do not leave her unattended in our home as she is still a puppy. Blossom is up-to-date on all shots and worming and she can be spayed at 8 months of age. He is medium size approx 35 to 40lbs , with a curly non shedding coat. He is a red phantom with a with white on his chest. He is a very laid back little lover boy. He is medium size 35 to 40 lbs with a curly non shedding coat. Cyress is doing well with his puppy training, eager to please. He would make a great therapy companion. He is good for the groomer and eager to please. Why choose an older puppy? We have raised these puppies in our home from birth and are much further in their development. Depending on the age, they may already be crate trained, doing well with potty training, basic puppy training, etc. They are very well socialized with other dogs and lots of people. Many bad habits that puppies form from age eight weeks on will be avoided, such as chewing, barking, jumping on you, etc. Why do we have these puppies? Often times they are breeding prospects held back as potentials and then released. A few are selected to be raised into older puppies for people wishing for a puppy that has started training as a family member or as therapy and service companions. Older dogs available: Why choose an adult dog? Trained, loving dogs! Why do we have adult dogs available? These dogs are awesome! Raised by a family or us in their home as a guardian family. Additionally, we are committed to a lifetime of support for our dogs and their families. Please fill out our online puppy application if you are interested in one of our puppies. To adopt a puppy, please fill out our online application ; no deposit is required until your application has been reviewed and approved. These puppies are priced according to their age and level of training. All older puppies are in excellent health and will be spayed or neutered according to age. Our puppies have a 3-year health guarantee and are up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, worming, grooming, and a flea treatment. You may qualify for guardianship. There are often older dogs and puppies available in our guardian program. 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. Most 12 week old Labradoodle puppies can wait two hours between pees. If your puppy is having accidents before this time, go back to an easier schedule for a while for them. This stage is one of the most full on for puppies. Their confidence has grown and they are easily excited. Try not to play physically with your puppy, rough housing and wrestling are not likely to end well. Instead use toys and training to build up your bond. If your puppy bites your hands, stand up and walk away. Put them into their crate if you can do so, or just leave the room so that there is a barrier between you. Over time their bite inhibition will improve if you stay calm and never allow them to be rewarded for their mouthing. Chewing and Destructive Behavior Chewing and destructive behavior are very common with puppies, and the best way to tackle this is with prevention. If there is a type of material your puppy is focussing on, like your wooden furniture, make sure that they have a toy of the same material that you can direct their attention onto. Labradoodle Puppy Socialization Puppies need to be exposed to lots of new experiences before they are four months old. This helps them to happily accept new people, places, sounds and smells as they grow older and become more cautious. At twelve weeks old you should aim to have four different sets of guests over to your home and backyard during the week. And try to visit four totally varied new places with your puppy. Good locations to take them include bus stations, pet stores, and the school gates. They spend a lot of their day running around and playing, burning off lots of energy and building up those little muscles. Your main focus should be on getting off on the right foot with training. Think about the way you want your puppy to behave around your home and when you take them out as an older dog. Most owners want their dogs to be able to have fun in the dog park or backyard, but to relax indoors and around their human family. Reward the Relax You can encourage calm behavior by rewarding your pup for relaxing. Catch them in the act whenever they are laying down resting or sitting relaxing, by popping a few bits of kibble calmly by their feet. Early stages of sit can be taught from this stage by capturing the position using a clicker. Click and treat when they sit down, and start to build up those positive associations before adding your sit cue. Come Here! Help your dog to start developing a good recall early by blowing their recall whistle when you give them their dinner. When outdoors blow the whistle whenever they are running full pelt towards you, and give them lots of treats when they arrive. If they are reluctant make sure you are unpredictable in your movements to keep them interested, and try falling to the floor to encourage them to pounce up to you! Heelwork We prefer to teach a dog to walk nicely next to you without the leash to begin with. This is a great age to reward your dog for getting into heel, using a clicker to mark the position. Feeding your 12 week old Labradoodle At twelve weeks old your Labradoodle should be eating a high protein, high fat food with minimum fillers, designed for medium to large breed puppies. You will need to be careful not to get them too excited, and have a good schedule for mealtimes and potty training. Socialization is nearing its end for your puppy now, so make sure that you use these last few weeks wisely and help them to have lots of varied experiences. This will help them to grow into a confident, happy member of your family. More On Labradoodle Growth and Development.

Email In , the French bulldog, commonly known as a Frenchie, became the most popular dog breed in America , dethroning the lowly Labrador retriever for the first time in 31 years. At around 20 pounds and perfectly sized for carry-on luggage, Frenchies have been marketed as the dog best suited to the lifestyles of the rich and quite possibly lazy. In , they were the most popular pup in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco and in the top five in many other cities. The Frenchie is the most hashtagged dog on Instagram. There are also the breathing issues common to all brachycephalic breeds — those with flat faces — that can cause respiratory distress, heat intolerance since the dogs have to pant to cool themselves off , and frequent vomiting. Later in life, Frenchies can show signs of more serious issues like painful spine deformations and nerve pain. Frenchies make it easy for owners to project themselves onto their dogs without having to listen to what the dogs are actually saying. Rather than buying a puppy, she spent years contacting rescues before she adopted her first one, Wu, followed by Donut a year later. She fell in love with the breed, and when Pongo died, she got two more Dalmatians — a male and a female — who went on to produce a giant litter of 15 puppies. When a live-action remake of the movie came out in , their popularity surged again. This time, though, the press began reporting on a perhaps predictable consequence: Dalmatians were winding up in shelters in higher-than-usual numbers. Travel-size mini-Aussies, with their colorful coats and tendency toward eye colors more often found in humans, also had a moment. And untold curly-haired hybrid doodles have become popular thanks to their hypoallergenic fur. On Instagram, the most popular dog breeds currently are Frenchies, pugs, and bulldogs, which, in turn, only make them more popular. Their flat faces scream cute while the high prices for a puppy make them as aspirational as multi-step skin care routines, Le Creuset kitchenware, and living in a remodeled van. Dogs were bred for purpose, not aesthetics. A foxhound in one part of the country was taller or shorter depending on the style of hunting. Retrievers were any dog a hunter trained to retrieve game without biting it. Greyhounds looked different depending on whether their intended racing course was located on flat or hilly ground. The change from purpose to aesthetics came about with the beginning of dog shows in the mids. Judging animals based on how well they did a certain task, like retrieving a bird their owner hunted, was hard; judging whether they were the right color, height, shape … well, that could be done quickly and seemingly more fairly. So, by definition, all purebred dogs are inbred, related to each other in one way or another. The development of purebreds made it easier to show dogs and sell them. More than ever, their worth was tied to their genetics. Throughout the 20th century, however, Americans got better at mass-producing everything — cars, clothing, meat — and purebred dogs became another mass-produced consumer item newly available to the middle class. Tellingly, none of the features humans seek are particularly beneficial for the animals. We expect the latest iPhone or laptop to operate smoothly and improve battery life with every generation but keep breeding dogs with more likelihood of disease, disability, and early death. On average , the life span of purebred dogs is shorter than that of mixed breeds. But so far, no one has found a way to make thousands of dollars from a genuinely mixed-breed puppy. That left two guide-dog puppies without homes. At the time, Labrador guide dog puppies had a three- to six-month waiting list but nobody wanted these mixes, creator Conron said in a interview. After that, Bernstein says, people realized that if you could breed dogs to be hypoallergenic, you could also breed for big eyes or long ears, or a spotted Frenchie, or a dog so small it could be photographed sitting comfortably inside a teacup. For some, that might mean owning an Instagram-friendly Frenchie or Pomeranian. For others, it might be rescue dogs that have become trendy for the same virtue-signaling reasons that people proudly drive electric cars or shop at the farmers market. But even as the AdoptDontShop movement gains traction, more people still buy dogs than adopt them, and every year , shelter dogs are euthanized rather than finding homes. But it can be for dogs that are bred to fill a fad. What kind is it? It takes a lot of time to get to know a dog, and we have to choose based on first impressions. One study found that among 31 owners of dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome BOAS , 18 reported their dogs had no breathing problems at all. Kipperman knows that these dogs, despite their health problems, are beloved by their owners. He had a pug named Winston for 13 years who has since died. I understand what great companions they are. Puppy-selling websites such as PuppySpot. When breeders are located outside of the United States, as is often the case for Frenchies and other trendy breeds, treatment can be even worse for the puppies. Last year, a plane from Ukraine arrived in Toronto carrying French bulldog puppies. After the hour flight, the young dogs were weak and dehydrated. Some were vomiting. By the time the plane landed, 38 had died. Dogs entering the US for resale are supposed to be 4 months old and have certain vaccinations, but dogs often arrive much younger than that, and veterinary paperwork is often falsified. In her rescue work, Bernstein has encountered multiple businesses in the US that import dogs while claiming to breed them locally. This is what it takes to fill that instant demand. When asked about the future of the Frenchie, both Bernstein and Kipperman had grim predictions. Today, the average life span of an English bulldog is now only about six years. Sixty percent of golden retrievers now die from cancer , though the rate was comparable to other breeds only a few decades ago. Dogs that are overly fluffy or have cosmetic alterations like cropped ears or docked tails may have trouble communicating with other dogs. For some dogs, the circumstances of their birth and genetics are profoundly damaging. Frenchies are marketed as easy, friendly dogs that can adapt to anything and need minimal exercise. Bernstein calls this ironic. But is it fair to our dogs that being a good owner so often consists of fixing the problems we as consumers created in the first place? We buy pet clothes and toys and grieve deeply when the dogs, with their shortened lives, inevitably leave us. Tove K. Danovich is a writer based in Portland, Oregon. Update, March 16, , am ET: This story was originally published in December and has been updated to reflect that the Frenchie is now the most popular dog breed. Kathryn Gamble for Vox We're here to shed some clarity One of our core beliefs here at Vox is that everyone needs and deserves access to the information that helps them understand the world, regardless of whether they can pay for a subscription. With the election on the horizon, more people are turning to us for clear and balanced explanations of the issues and policies at stake. We need to add 2, contributions this month to hit that goal. Will you make a contribution today to help us hit this goal and support our policy coverage? Any amount helps. Olena Lukash, 53, from Kyiv, said she 'didn't believe a war could start' in her home country until Russian shells began to land near her house since the invasion on Ukraine began on February .However, the year-old soon realised she would have to save her 'four-legged children' from the terrifying threat as she decided to flee her home and head for Poland. Photos show 20 of the dogs squeezed into the kennel owner's Hyundai Tucson for the four-day drive, with the pooches blissfully unaware of the terror they were escaping. Remarkably, after Olena and her husband Alexander left the dogs in Poland they then returned to their Russian-occupied town to rescue 30 more and then fled to Vinnitsa, miles away from Kyiv. The war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin ground into its fourth week as his troops have failed to take Kyiv - a major objective in their hopes of forcing a settlement or dictating the country's future political alignments. Twenty French bulldogs have been pictured crammed in a car while their Ukrainian owner, Olena Lukash, 53, fled Russian bombs in her home outside of Kyiv - and even went back to the warzone to rescue 30 more 'defenceless animals' After Olena and her husband Alexander left the dogs in Poland they then returned to their Russian-occupied town to rescue 30 more and then fled to Vinnitsa, miles away from Kyiv Shelling was well underway in other Ukrainian cities on Friday - with Lviv, in the west of the country, the capital Kyiv, and Kharkiv, in the east, coming under fire. Next week, the year-old breeder from Kyiv will face the same gruelling drive back to Poland, but Olena admits money is running out fast. Olena, from Kyiv, Ukraine, said: 'My dogs are my children. My job is my dogs. These are all French Bulldogs - my favourite breed for 30 years now. The first week I thought that everything would end quickly, then shells began to fall near the house and I realised that I needed to save my four-legged children. The drive took me four days. There is a lot of traffic on the roads. I am ready to do a lot to save the lives of defenceless animals. I have strength and doing for this. I manage. Most importantly, we are all together and safe. Olena said: 'I am with dogs in Ukraine, the city of Vinnitsa, with my friend. We need funds for food, medicine for dogs and fuel for the car to continue on our way. I don't even have time to read everything. Individual people help financially, the rest sympathise. I need to do two or three more trips. The married animal lover claims she will continue to rescue other dogs as soon as she gets her to safety, even forming groups across neighbouring countries to ensure rescued dogs find a safe long-term home 'It is impossible to count on medicines and assistance because this all happened spontaneously. Gasoline is very expensive now. Olena said: 'First I have to provide a safe place for my dogs in Europe then I will help other dogs from Ukraine. Attacks on her home town near Kyiv have continued as the Russian troops continue to try to take hold of the Ukrainian capital. She described the gruesome find as a "horror show," and has told of seeing piles of crates crammed with puppies coming off the flight, "It was just a nightmare," Lorenzen told the Canadian national broadcaster CBC. The animal lover also posted disturbing pictures of the dogs either dead or dying in the cramped containers. The puppies were found dead in crates in the plane's cargo hold Image: Mannequins and decontamination chambers: Future of dining after coronavirus The dogs can be seen in the sickening images packed together in huddles, with their remains surrounded by faeces. A disgusted Ms Lorenzen slammed Ukrainian Airlines in her post, writing: "I truly hope this is an awakening for all! Their pure innocent silence, found a human voice to speak up for them. Witnesses at the airports loading area recorded footage of men loading crates of puppies headed for Toronto in clips now circulating on social media, according to the broadcaster. Ukrainian International Airlines is being slammed by a witness who saw the dogs Image:. More than dogs were on board, but dozens were dead. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating after the gruesome discovery of dozens of dead and dying dogs aboard a recent flight from Ukraine. The CFIA confirms that a Ukranian International Airlines flight arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport from Kyiv last Saturday with approximately French bulldog puppies on board, dozens of them dead and dozens more dehydrated and seriously ill. Video shows stacks of puppy crates At the airport in Kyiv, witnesses at the loading area became suspicious last Saturday and recorded video of what appears to be men loading stacks of animal crates filled with puppies bound for Toronto. That video is now circulating on social media, but the airline won't discuss why it allowed more than animals on one flight. WATCH Witness video of crates being loaded at airport in Kyiv: Witness video of puppies loaded at airport in Kyiv, Ukraine 3 years ago Duration Witnesses in Kyiv videotaped drop-offs as puppies were put on a single flight to Canada. For instance, most Canadian carriers only allow two animal crates per flight and refuse to fly with caged animals if temperatures exceed .Smuggling, fake documents Animal welfare advocates say the Toronto incident is just the latest in a series where flights from Ukraine and Eastern Europe are crammed with very young puppies destined for resale to unwitting owners. Submitted by Lucas Hixson "Traditionally for international animal transport you will not have space in the cargo hold for hundreds of animals," said Hixson, who believes the flight was organized puppy smuggling. News of puppy deaths on a crammed Ukrainian flight went viral after witness Abby Lorenzen posted images on social media. Submitted by Abby Lorenzen CFIA insists "Canada has rigorous standards for animal imports in order to protect Canadian animals from the introduction of serious animal diseases. All import requirements must be met before an animal is imported. Scott Weese of the University of Guelph. We have no idea how many dogs come in, where they go, where they come from," said Weese, who is working with PHAC on the study. Weese says based on online ads on Kijiji or Craigslist, there is a lucrative market for the sale of puppies that most buyers likely believe are bred here in Canada. There's no doubt about it. And it's been looked at more in the U. You mentioned French bull dogs.