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They are prone to take naps during daytime, but are alert and protective by disposition. Sometimes they tend to display independent and stubborn behavior if not properly trained from puppyhood. Care Exercise Considering their big size and high level of energy, the golden pyrenees need lots of activities daily. Take them out for brisk walks and jogging every day to assure they stay healthy and in good shape. These dogs love to play like fetching games etc. Allowing them to play and run around in an open but safe space would help relieve their energy. Grooming Most golden pyrenees dogs would shed a lot, and hence it is not the right dog for those who are looking for a low-shedding breed. Brush them every day, and quite frequently, if you think your dog is shedding too much. These dogs are also prone to developing that typical doggie odor, and hence try keeping it clean and hygienic. Bathing is advisable whenever you get that unpleasant stench. Health Problems Generally a healthy breed, they have no known breed-specific problems, but do keep an eye for any general dog health issues. Training Socialization training is a general requirement for all pet dogs. The golden pyrenees dogs are often obstinate and would try to act according to its own whims. Hence, a consistently firm training is required. However, if you act diligently to prove yourself its pack leader, the intelligent and easily-trainable dog would learn to be obedient right from its puppyhood. A professional training class should also help. Interesting Facts Some golden pyres are known to gain a weight of up to pounds. These dogs are accustomed to cold temperatures. But they can also withstand heat for short time periods of time provided they get enough shade and water. This mixed breed is a cross between two very definitive dog breeds — one a retriever or hunting and the other a guardian. This mix receives parts of both parent breeds. The Golden Retriever has been around since the early s, their presence documented in the accounts of a Scottish lord. This parent breed was designed to retrieve waterfowl without tiring and has also grown to exhibit an upbeat and overtly happy demeanor. The Great Pyrenees, however, tends to take a much calmer and quieter approach to life. These dogs were bred as mountain-top flock guardians. They appear unassuming at first but can snap into action fluidly to meet a potential threat. The product of these two well-known breeds, the Golden Pyrenees, has no breed standard as they are only crossbred. There are no breeders actively breeding these dogs. Their breed history is the combined history of their two parent breeds. The mixed breed can take on any trait or temperament from the two parent breeds, or any combination of them. On average, though, Golden Pyrenees tend to be less energetic than their Golden Retriever counterparts and more engaged than your typical Great Pyrenees. This Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees mix will be highly intelligent. This is a fantastic trait to have, as it means the dog will be easier to train. However, this also means that the pup will need more mental stimulation. If dogs are bored, they can become destructive towards objects in the home. Thankfully, they can glean that mental stimulation from their humans. Their Golden Retriever parent typically passes on a friendly and outgoing personality. We all know the look of that goofy, constantly wagging tail. Goldens are known to have no discretion when it comes to asking for pets or playing. The Great Pyrenees, on the other hand, is very aloof. They tend to be quiet, calm, and watchful. This makes them fantastic with kids, as long as they are trained early on to understand their size and strength. They were bred for protection and can be a wonderful family guard — they will protect a farm and livestock, and they will also have the inclination to protect your children You will need to fine-tune these protective behaviors early in your Golden Pyrenees. Unchecked, these dogs will not learn boundaries and how to accept guests without extreme suspicion. Make sure to socialize your puppy properly. What does a Golden Pyrenees look like, you ask? Well, they can be any combination of the traits of their parents. The only characteristics that could come from both sides are the warm, brown eyes and lots of fluff. This crossbreed could be medium to long-haired, with colors ranging from stark white to deep honey gold. Both dog breeds express long, fluffy ears and big, broad heads. Another trait that occurs in most if not all the Great Pyrenees mixes is a double dewclaw in the hind end. The dewclaw is the claw that rests higher on the paw than the others, a remnant of what would have been the thumb. Some dogs have these on the front, some on the back, or some on both. Regular nail trims are necessary to keep the dewclaws from curling onto themselves. Nail trims also keep the dewclaws short so that they cannot snag on furniture or other objects. Ripped nails are highly preventable. The Great Pyrenees is known for having double dewclaws in the hind end, rather than only one. These dewclaws were originally there for assistance in scrabbling up the mountainside. The extra appendages can be removed early in life via surgery if there is no bone connection between the dewclaw and the leg bones. The only reason that these would be removed is if your dog has a talent for getting the claw caught on things and ripping the nail. These are not typically removed in puppyhood, and not all dewclaws can be removed. This should be a decision made by a veterinarian and should be solely based on whether there is a bone-to-bone connection between the extra digits and the leg itself. This procedure has been widely proven to cause chronic pain to the animal for the rest of their life. The Lifespan of a Golden Pyrenees Unlike other mixed breeds, the Golden Pyrenees does not seem to have gained any extra length to their lifespan. Both the Golden Retriever and the Great Pyrenees have an average lifespan of years. Large breed dogs tend to have shorter lives due to the increased strain on their hearts in comparison to their smaller counterparts. A mix of the two seems to continue that trend and will not outlive their parent breeds. If you are looking for a dog with longevity, this may not be the breed for you. This is a mix of two large breed dogs; there is no opportunity for a different outcome. As such, a Golden Pyrenees should always be on a Large Breed diet. A Large Breed diet is any dog food that is specially formulated for large breed dogs. They contain the correct amount of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to support quicker and more dramatic bone growth, larger muscles, and a higher body mass. Big dogs need more from their diet than little dogs. A Large Breed diet can sometimes even alleviate growing pains. Most brands have a Large Breed diet option. Your veterinarian will probably recommend Science Diet, Royal Canin, or Purina, as these three brands have a veterinary nutritionist on staff. It has also consistently been the easiest to find in pet stores. I cannot stress that enough. Grain Free foods have actually been proven to cause heart problems such as cardiomyopathy in large breed dogs, and they specifically used Golden Retrievers for the study. Stick to the brands and types of food recommended by your veterinarian so that your Golden Pyrenees or any other large breed dog can live a long, happy life. Large breed dogs are notorious for early onset arthritis and joint problems. You can start over-the-counter glucosamine chondroitin as early as 6 months to 1 year of age. Glucosamine chondroitin has no negative side effects so it can only help your dog strengthen their joints before they start to have problems rather than maintaining them after problems are noticed. A Golden Pyrenees is, without a doubt, going to need plenty of outside time. They may be medium to high energy, depending on how much of their energy comes from the Golden Retriever parent. However, the Pyrenees in them will make them want to patrol what they consider as their territory. If that is a backyard, they will probably prefer to be outside. These walks will also give your dog mental stimulation in terms of new sights and interesting smells. Walks are necessary unless you are releasing your dog into a yard or fenced area for an off-leash time. The trainability of a Golden Pyrenees Puppy With this crossbreed, you have a high chance of an easy training experience. Golden Retrievers are very rewarded motivated and the Great Pyrenees is known for its high intelligence. It stands to reason that training should go relatively well. There are, however, some specific behaviors that should be watched for and trained out early. These behaviors typically are inherited from the Great Pyrenees. The first of these is guarding behaviors and suspicion of strangers or guests. This can be caught and trained out early on. A second behavior that can be trained out of Golden Pyrenees while they are young is alert barking. They will let you know, in a very deep and loud voice, that someone or something is approaching. Even if that something is only left falling outside. Desensitization training and positive reinforcement for quiet responses are crucial. A third behavior that is inherited from the Great Pyrenees is nighttime pacing. This may not be something that you can train out. If you start to see this behavior in your puppy, consult a behaviorist who has a background in working with Great Pyrenees. This means that he wants to be outside patrolling and is anxious that he cannot do so. You may find that these dogs will do well as service animals. With a history of Golden Retrievers as guide dogs added to the calm energy of the Great Pyrenees, they have unlimited potential. They could be trained as guards or alert dogs, as well. There is not very much information on either of these two parent breeds as protection animals but if you partner with an experienced trainer, that is also possible. If you do decide to pursue guarding or protection tasks with your Golden Pyrenees, take extra caution to make sure that your dog can still assimilate into life as a house pet. They have the potential to do really well in guard dog training but it has to be taught young and they have to be guest and child-safe. Potential Health Problems of Golden Pyrenees This mixed breed has a chance of inheriting several health problems from their predecessors. One of these is early onset arthritis or inflammation in the joints. As a large dog breed, they are also predisposed to hip dysplasia. This is a physical deformity that worsens over time where the head of the femur the long bone that connects to the hip does not sit correctly in the socket of the pelvis that it is designed to fit. This gets worse with age and cannot typically be fixed. This is not the only type that could be affected. These dogs also have a higher chance of experiencing patellar luxation. This is the fancy name for when the kneecap pops out of its designated groove. This can sometimes be fixed with surgery but the surgery is usually less successful in larger breed dogs. For some reason, Goldens are known in the veterinary field for this issue specifically and that chance passes on to their offspring. Golden Retrievers could also share their tendency towards hypothyroidism. This is a complication with the thyroid, a gland that produces different hormones. When thyroid levels are too low, the body starts to slow down and becomes less functional. Another issue that would require chronic medication is allergies resulting in skin issues. Dogs can experience two types of allergies: food or environmental. If they encounter allergens the thing that they are allergic to , symptoms include itchy skin, stomach problems, and weepy or crusty eyes. Sometimes they itch to the point where they are causing themselves body-wide skin infections. Every dog is different and responds to different types of treatment. Seek out a veterinarian if your dog is itching beyond what you feel is normal. The final health problem that could possibly plague a Golden Pyrenees is entropion. This is when the eyelashes curl inward, scratching the cornea, or the surface of the eyeball. This needs to be surgically corrected or it could cause constant irritation, injury, and possibly blindness. There is one health concern to note that is not hereditary but these dogs would have a higher chance of contracting. Since these dogs desire to be outside most of the time, they are more at risk of heartworm and tick-borne diseases. A heartworm is a literal worm that is transmitted via mosquito bites and grows in the blood vessels of a dog until it blocks them completely, killing the pet. These are treatable but they are also preventable. In terms of what this dog would cost you, the vet bills are going to be the most expensive. Big dogs require bigger doses of medication which costs more money. Also, it would really benefit you to look into pet insurance. These dogs are going to eat you out of the house and home. Golden Pyrenees have the potential to grow to the size of a small horse and need to eat like one. Be prepared to look into the rewards programs at big-name pet stores to find savings on dog food. Refer this post to know how much it cost you to buy and raise a Golden Retriever Puppy. Is Golden Pyrenees Right for You? Would I recommend a Golden Pyrenees as a pet? I honestly would. I think that they have the potential to be fantastic family dogs as long as they are trained properly. They could also make excellent working dogs — working as service animals, alert dogs, guard dogs, or in certain cases, protection dogs. These are not cheap dogs, by any means. If you are operating on a low budget, I would not recommend these guys. Purchasing food alone for these dogs would beggar you. Vet bills would throw you into bankruptcy. I would also say that these Golden and Pyrenees mixes would not be ideal for an apartment situation. They want to be outside and have distinct territories and apartments may not fulfill that need. Also, if you have dark-colored furniture these are not the dogs for you. They will shed all over everything and light-colored fur will appear very obviously against dark couches. Overall, a Golden Pyrenees seems like a well-mixed breed to bring into the family. They are typically lower energy than the Golden and more outgoing than the Pyrenees. Just make sure you keep them on their year-round prevention, give them enough outside time, and train them properly when they are still young. These dogs could turn out to be great pets! Other Golden Retrievers Mixes. Moreover, this large, intelligent breed is matched in size by its big personality. The Golden Pyrenee is a pup with a lot of energy and love beneath its large and fluffy exterior. This dog is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Great Pyrenees, this second parent being the reason its size is no surprise. Golden Pyrenees appear to be designer dogs, majestic and elegant, especially as they grow into their personality. They need the space to get their exercise for a fit and longer-lasting life. This puppy has the sweet and loyal heart of a Golden Retriever and the size and strength of the Great Pyrenees. This mix makes it an excellent fit for watchdog duties and families with kids. Since it requires such an active lifestyle, runners, hikers, or bikers may appreciate the new workout buddy, keeping them and the dog in shape for a healthy life. You may like: St bernard golden retriever mix. Golden Pyrenees history. To understand more about the Golden Pyrenees, it is necessary to take a closer look at the parent breed. Great Pyrenee. Elegant, imposing, and majestic, the Great Pyrenees is a large dog of medium substance that is slightly longer than tall. The thick coat of the Great Pyrenees gives the impression of heavier bone and stature. This breed was developed to guard flocks on steep mountain slopes and so must combine strength with agility. The dog moves smoothly, with good reach and drive. The weather-resistant double coat consists of a dense, wooly undercoat and a long, flat, coarse outer coat, imparting great insulation from the Pyrenean cold. The expression of a Great Pyrenees dog is elegant and contemplative. These dogs served as the foundation of the modern Pyrenees. Serious importation of the breed to America occurred in the s, and by the Great Pyrenees received American Kennel Club recognition. Golden Retrievers. Beloved family pets, Golden Retrievers are loved worldwide for their playful and affectionate nature. As one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world, the ancestry of this golden breed can be traced back to the Border Country between England and Scotland, where Golden Retrievers were bred for hunting purposes. Their soft-mouthed retrieval methods were loved by hunters as these dogs could retrieve fowl without causing any damage. The Golden Retriever was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, who used other Retriever breeds to develop the golden-haired beauty we know and love today. Originally called Flatcoats, the breed was named Golden Retriever in and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in .Today, along with being ideal family pets, Golden Retrievers are also used to guide, track, and detections. Pros: The Golden Retriever Great Pyrenees Mix is a great family pet because of its natural playfulness and loyalty to its human owner and his family. The Golden Retriever Great Pyrenees Mix has a thick fur coat that you can brush until it is silky smooth. This mixed breed is also a worthy companion in your play activities and regular jogging or walking exercises. Cons: The Golden Pyrenees breed is known for its affectionate nature, but it can be very destructive. The Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever Mix is not a good choice to have around very young children especially if the dog has not been trained yet. The Golden Retriever Great Pyrenees Mix is a large dog and is not suitable for small spaces such as small apartment buildings. You may like: Shar pei golden retriever mix. The Golden Pyrenees come from two parents that are well known for high intelligence that is normally exhibited throughout the breed. This mix makes for an odd possibility of expected traits. Golden Retrievers are generally outgoing and sometimes overly friendly with people and other animals. The purpose of the breed is to retrieve. These tendencies contrast with the Great Pyrenees, which meant being a watchdog and staying wary of strangers and other animals. The expectation for the Golden Pyrenees can typically be across, with the better characteristics winning out: enthusiasm and loving. These dogs are quite intelligent and have large personalities. This can be a lovable feature, but it makes them more challenging to train than other more obedient breeds. These tendencies make the dog a better match for owners that are well-versed trainers or have a lot of determination. It needs to be watched when it comes to having this bulky pooch around the kids due to its lack of understanding of its size. They like to believe they are lap dogs and may accidentally knock over very young children because of their sheer size. Are these dogs good for families? The Golden Pyr has a temperament that makes it a perfect fit for families. It is very loyal and loving and will often protect its small companions if it feels danger approaching. It is not always the best fit for families with very young kids since it is so large. Also, it would never do anything to harm a child purposefully but may accidentally due to its sheer size. Does this breed get along with other pets? This breed has been known for its loving nature towards everything, other dogs, any humans, and even cats. They have a very playful nature. Get them accustomed to strangers and other animals as young as possible to train them to be an approachable dog and agreeable with other animals in their space. You may like: Great dane golden retriever mix. Coat, Grooming, and caring Golden Pyrenees. The parent dogs of this crossbreed will greatly impact the coat. If your Golden Pyr takes after the Great Pyrenees parent, their coat will be heavy and wool-like, while the Golden Retriever parent will contribute a silkier, smoother coat. Whether you groom the puppies or the adult Golden Pyrenees, you should take care of the coat first. The coat has a very thick, wool-like consistency. Put extra attention to this coat because it usually gets covered in sticks and debris and sand and leaves. Clean and brush it regularly to keep it soft and smooth as silk. Here is a list of the tools that you will need for grooming your dog: Pin Brush. Lifespan Sociability The price of a mixed breed dog is partially determined by the average cost of its parents. A Golden Pyrenees puppy is generally less expensive than its parents. The pedigree of its parents also determines the price of a puppy. A show quality dog costs more than a pet store puppy. They have strong mothering-type instincts. Combining the traits of the two breeds that are the parents for the Golden Pyrenees equals a very loving and attentive dog. The dog practiced extreme care and loyalty for the flock and was aggressive towards suspected dangers. This trait often carries over in families with children. They are better suited for colder environments. The Great Pyrenees was a European mountain dog, and throughout decades of genetic preferences, they grew thick and long coats meant for protection in high altitudes and cold temperatures. The dog should be kept cool, though, especially during hot periods of the year. It is especially given to overheating and even heat stroke if left in warm conditions for long periods. Getting the dog blown out every spring is another fitting way to keep it cool. They need extra grooming to keep them looking silky and golden. The short, soft undercoat combined with the long, straight hair on the outer coat tends towards matting. The hair initially helped to protect the two dog breeds, helping to control their interior temperature. It does shed quite a lot, especially during spring and early summer. The Golden Pyrenees requires more grooming than most, needing a brush every day to keep the coat looking healthy and golden. This mix makes for an odd possibility of expected traits. Golden Retrievers are generally outgoing, sometimes overly friendly with people and other animals. The purpose of the breed is to retrieve. These tendencies contrast the Great Pyrenees, meant to be a watchdog and stay wary of strangers and other animals. The expectation for the Golden Pyrenees can typically be a cross, with the better characteristics winning out: enthusiastic and loving. These dogs are quite intelligent and have large personalities. This can be a lovable feature, but it also makes them more challenging to train than other more obedient breeds. These tendencies make the dog a better match for owners that are well-versed trainers or have a lot of determination. When it comes to having this bulky pooch around the kids, it needs to be watched due to its lack of understanding of its size. They like to believe they are lap dogs and may accidentally knock over very young children because of its sheer size. Are These Dogs Good for Families? It is very loyal and loving and will often protect its small companions if it feels danger approaching. It is not always the best fit for families with very young kids since it is so large. It would never do anything to harm a child purposefully, but may accidentally due to its sheer size. They have a very playful nature. Get them accustomed to strangers and other animals as young as possible to train them into being an approachable dog and agreeable with other animals in their space. Their food should be of high quality but can be a general kibble. Since this breed is genetically accustomed to cold temperatures and a high level of activity, they gain weight quickly without the right care. Watch them to make sure they avoid overeating and stay in the best shape for a long healthy life. On average, the dog should get around minutes of activity per day. This is why they are generally not suitable for apartment living, as having a yard or acreage to roam around in will supply them with the bulk of their needed activity. It is recommended that an owner be prepared to walk an average of nine miles with them each week to keep them fit. In order to train them well, they need a strong pack leader they can respect. The first part of training is convincing them that you are the pack leader and not them. They need a firm, calm owner to work with them. If more than one person is working with the dog, be sure that everyone agrees on the training protocol. Some owners rely on the expertise of a professional to guarantee a solid training regimen. They need to be brushed every day, even more during the seasons such as late spring and early summer, as the temperature increases. Golden Pyrenees may develop a doggie odor if they are not kept properly groomed. Although brushing them out frequently may help, it is also a good idea to give them a bath whenever the odor begins to develop. The best tools to use for the coat of this particular dog is a pin brush, a comb, and a deshedder to release the undercoat and keep them cool during warm months. Great Pyrenees often struggle with bloating, although proper exercise and a healthy diet help alleviate this stress. They also suffer from hip dysplasia, luxated patellas, as well as bone cancer. Any of these may carry down the line to the Golden Pyrenees puppies. This is not a guarantee that a Golden Pyrenees will suffer from these, but the owner should learn about and watch for early indicators. Lastly, due to their thick fur coats, Golden Pyrenees may struggle with skin irritants and other problems. This especially applies to humid areas around the world. Minor Conditions. The Golden Pyrenees is not purebred. It is a crossbreed of the Golden Retriever and the Great Pyrenees. The parent dogs are quite different in physical and personality traits. However, crossbreeding a Golden and Pyrenees brings out the best of these dogs in the resulting puppy. This dog is intelligent, friendly, loyal, and loves to please. Goldens are outgoing and will get along with family, strangers, children, and other dogs and animals. Besides, you can quickly train a Golden Retriever using its favorite treats to reward desired behavior. These are some of the great traits Dudley Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth, desired when he crossed several breeds to create a fast, energetic, and loyal dog — the Golden Retriever. Goldens were initially water and land retrievers, and they made faithful and obedient hunting companions. The popularity of Golden Retrievers has spread widely since then. Today, Golden Retrievers take the 3rd position in the most popular dog breeds list. Great Pyrenees The Great Pyrenees is a snowstorm at first glance. Its snow-white fur gives it an air of majesty, even though some Pyrs can come with markings. The Pyr is a good dog and is known for its patience and affection with family. However, a Great Pyrenees can also be a blazing fire if someone threatens their family as they have acute guarding and protective skills. Weighing the Pros and Cons At some point in history, Great Pyrenees dogs decreased in numbers with the decline in sheep predators. But their arrival in North America and their registration by the AKC in helped revive this royal breed. Appearance, Coat, and Colors Being a crossbreed, it is difficult to precisely predict what your Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever mix will look like. The crossbreed will adorn the majesty and elegance of the Pyr and show the symmetry of the Golden Retriever. In addition, your Golden Pyrenees will display the regal expression of the Pyr with an incorporated aspect of the kindly yet alert and confident expression of the Golden Retriever. First, your Golden Pyrenees pup will have a weather-resistant double coat that could be coarser like the one of the Pyr or take a softer texture after the Golden. The fur may be straight or wavy depending on their Golden parent or flat after their Pyr parent. The length of the fur may vary from medium to long. The Great Pyrenees and the Golden Retriever have heavier feathering on the neck, back, and tail. These aspects are likely to reflect in the Golden Pyrenees puppy. The Golden Pyrenees puppy coat can be golden in color after their Golden Retriever parent or pure white like their Great Pyrenees Parent. Alternatively, the puppy could come with a mixture of white and golden dark or light or bear reddish-brown, gray, tan, or badger markings from the Pyr parent. The head is proportionate to the body. Muzzle: The muzzle will tend more to a well-balanced length and head skull as with the Pyr parent or show more of the straight Golden muzzle that blends smoothly and firmly into the skull. Eyes: Medium-large eyes with the friendly and intelligent expression of the Golden Retriever. The eyelids fit closely. The color of the eyes is dark brown like that of the parent breeds. Nose: Black from both parents, with a possibility for a brownish-black nose from the Golden Retriever parent. Ears: Small to medium-sized ears, carried flat and close to the cheeks. Tail: Long, extending to the hock. It may be well plumed as that of the Pyr. The tail carriage may vary from low to level and have a moderate upward curve. The tail might also extend over the back like the Pyr. A male Golden Pyrenees will grow to around inches .A male Golden Pyrenees grows to approximately 65 to lbs .It is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Great Pyrenees. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. He was born at the end of January in Saskatchewan. Charlie is a laid-back, easy-going and very friendly dog. His best friend is my year-old boy; they are the perfect match. He has a temperament of a Great Pyrenees ; he likes to watch the world go by, but when he is outside playing ball he is as gentle as a Golden Retriever. Charlie is not a very active dog. We go to the dog park as many times as we can in the winter and most days in the summer he runs around for about 30 mins and then is looking to mom and dad to go home. Charlie lives with two cats that he gets along with great, one snake , and two Great Danes named Stella white Dane; she is deaf and Dexter, a mantle Dane that just came to us in January of .I owe them both a world of gratitude. Without knowing the training tips I have learned my home would be a scary place to visit and live. He is a Golden Pyrenees who we found at our local shelter in NC. He is so sweet and is famous in our neighborhood as everyone loves him. When I found him, he was 40 pounds at 1. He had been a stray for those 1. When we brought him inside, he did not know what to do with stairs so I had to carry him up and down the stairs to teach him. Let's say he has blossomed since we brought him home, and he now weighs pounds. He is the best dog we've ever had and would highly recommend his hybrid. Does not have a mean bone in his body. He is the picture of both breeds; he's very good with children, even at such a young age, gentle, intelligent and quite lazy. He weighs 30 pounds in these photos, and gets bigger by the day. His coat has the texture of a Golden, but hasn't completely filled out like a Pyrenees. He's got a very low energy level; two minute walks a day will suffice for him. He eats about two cups a day and maintains a very healthy weight. Our vet expects him to be around pounds as an adult with a projected height of 30 in. He's trained very well thus far and excels at demanding tasks. Fen adapts well to new people and situations, and is currently working toward getting his Canine Good Citizen certification. We have collected the best large breed dry dog food to help you choose the best options for your pooch, but we also have tips on how to recognize the worst dry dog food. It goes without saying that you should avoid overfeeding the dog with snacks once they have eaten their main meal as that can quickly lead to obesity. Feed your Golden Pyrenees with general dog food that is high quality and that is meant for their weight range and size. While they are young and still growing, you can offer them some of these best dry dog foods for small dogs or one of the overall best dry dog food brands on the market. Small breeds are known to have a refined taste, so you can bet your dog will enjoy those flavors, too. Give them plenty of physical exercise in order to keep their weight at a normal range. In case you think they need more from their diet, consult with your vet, and introduce a supplement if they agree. Golden Retriever Great Pyrenees Exercise Requirements Golden Pyrenees puppies and adults may only be moderately active because of their large size. They tend to sleep most of the time. Thus, two hours of regular exercise is desirable to keep them in shape. Keep your dog fit and active through long walks or runs at the park or in the neighborhood. A one- or two-hour walk each day should be sufficient for burning extra fat for a breed that has a tendency to gain weight. The problem with Golden Pyrenees, or golden pyres as some call them, is that they tend to grow up to pounds heavy. Thus, you should break this habit through constant regular exercise. Take care not to expose them to heat for a long time. Give them enough water and shade too during exercise if possible. This is because they are accustomed to the colder areas of the world. Take exercise breaks too in the form of intermittent naps. This should be good enough for Golden Pyrenees puppies and adults that are used to being a couch potato. These dogs love to play outdoor games such as fetching games. They can also join you and other family members in your swimming sessions. You may also run around with them in a large and open but entirely safe place. The importance of exercise is to keep them at a healthy weight range. Your dog is most likely to get sick if they put on excess weight. If you do not want swimming or jogging long distances, you can have a variety of play activities instead, from chasing a ball to playing tug of war. The most important thing is to do your play activity early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it is not too hot for your dog. Overall, I recommend the following exercises for maximum benefit: Jogging. Saint Berdoodles perfectly combine the playful, obedient, eager-to-please side of the poodle with the gentle, calm, affectionate, and loyal side of the Saint Bernard. We have very happy buyers from our past litter, and two of the puppies from our last litter are now therapy dogs! Our puppies are extremely smart, easy to train, sweet, and are fully potty trained within their enclosure which should make potty training at home a lot easier! All puppies will be dewormed, health checked, and UTD on their shots. Baron male : Baron is a playful puppy with a very sweet temperament. He is black with tinges of brown, a white chest, white back toes, curly hair, and will be medium build between pounds After losing our sweet Millie Big-Butt, we decided to get a puppy. Teddy has received two-thumbs up by our vet in terms of his health and demeanor. After losing our sweet Millie Big-Butt, we decided to get a puppy. We are over the moon happy with Nova. Already sits on command and fetches most of the time. She is a beautiful puppy with a great temperament. She has caught on to potty training quickly too. Thank you soooo very much. From the moment the family handed her to us in a very simple exchange, she has been a very sweet, very healthy, exuberant pup. Thank you for raising her on a farm we are farmers and exposing her to all the good that comes from that type of life. We would highly recommend autumn creek ranch to anyone looking for a healthy, happy, ready for the world, pup! Thanks again! We had a lengthy car ride home from picking her up and she settled right in for the ride. She is smart as a whip and learning fast. We are enjoying every minute with her and love her very much! With a regular routine and high-food drive, Hamilton has learned so much in just one week; he is already house trained, sleeps in his crate with minimal fuss at night, and is excelling on sit, stay, lay down, paw, off, and no commands. We are so proud of him and so happy with our choice to get our Golden Retriever from your family farm! From our first communication to taking Hamilton home, you have been informative and timely with your responses to my many questions. The puppy selection process was clear and fair, and pick-up was seemless. And as a researcher, I really appreciate all the scholarly research you provided on why fresh food diets are best. Ham is thriving on his fresh food diet! We were very intrigued with the farm raised dogs, knowing they were coming from a good home meant a lot. If a Great Pyrenees Mix takes after their Pyr parent, they will be a large, powerful, and intelligent dog that is loyal and affectionate with their families. They will also be protective of them. Great Pyrenees tend to have a calm and patient nature. Although they are a serious, focused, and independent working dog, they often have a sweet, gentle, and affectionate personality with their families. They tend to get along well with children and other pets and tend to take on a guardian role. Their protective instinct makes them wary of strangers, but they will open up once introduced as long as they have been properly socialized. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect something similar from a Great Pyrenees Mix. In addition to talking to the breeder about the other parent breed, you can also meet the mother in person. This allows you to see what her temperament is like and what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. The breeder should have started some socialization and training, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. A Great Pyrenees is a moderately adaptable dog. They are built to roam and wander, so do best in homes with fenced yards. They do well in the cold, but are sensitive to heat. Although they are one of the most independent dog breeds and can handle some alone time, they may become bored and destructive if left alone for too long. The other parent breed will introduce their own quirks and traits that may affect adaptability, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. You also want to be aware of any potential quirks you should be prepared for in a Great Pyrenees Mix. Just as they could inherit none of the conditions common to their parents, they could inherit some or all of them. Good breeding practices make a huge difference. From the Pyr side, potential health conditions to be aware of in a Great Pyrenees Mix include patellar luxation, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and some types of cancer. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies, so make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. As a large dog breed, the Great Pyrenees can be at risk for bloat, which means a Great Pyrenees Mix may also be at risk for bloat in dogs. A Great Pyrenees is an independent work dog that is used to making their own decisions and working without guidance. Because of this, they are a better fit for experienced owners. Even if the other parent breed is a good fit for first-time dog owners, you need to be prepared for the potential of a Great Pyrenees Mix that may be a challenge to train. Being prepared to enroll in puppy training classes and to enlist the help of a professional trainer is a good idea with this mix. A Great Pyrenees Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or one that is a mix of both. If they inherit a Pyr coat, they will shed year-round and more heavily when seasons change. Weekly brushing, brushing a few times a week during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are enough to keep a Pyr coat healthy. Nail trims once or twice monthly are usually enough to keep them from growing too long. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste daily along with cleanings at the vet when needed can help prevent dental disease later in life. The Great Pyrenees may be a working dog and need a job to do, but they sit in a more moderate activity range. Daily walks plus some activity to get them moving are usually enough. If the other parent breed has a higher or lower activity range, you will need to be prepared for that potential range in a Great Pyrenees Mix. A fully-grown Great Pyrenees usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. Great Pyrenees generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span from a Great Pyrenees Mix. 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They are amazing breeders, and the puppies are so beautiful and healthy. Chubba Chubba Choo is almost a 1. Jason and Michelle run a successful business with healthy pups that are loved from day one. I highly recommend them!!! His puppies are gorgeous and I promise your heart will tug at you to bring more than one home. The mama dogs were so happy, sweet, pretty and just wanted your attention. The puppies were adorable, healthy and competing for you to play with them. Not one of those dogs ignored you and didn't want to be the center of attention. You could tell they all had great personalities and were very social. Puppychase is Bulldog Heaven! I was very satisfied with the purchase of our puppy. The environment is clean, cool and does not smell. That's hard to accomplish with so many dogs. The Bulldogs are well cared for and the property shows they are a top priority. I can't imagine not being pleased with any dog from Puppychase. The only regrets I have are not being able to take more puppies and I wish I could have seen the male Bulldog in person. I didn't even think to ask. Maybe next time! I have had 3 Bulldogs from PuppyChase. Chester 13 yrs old, Henry 8, and Gus 15 wks. Chester died 2 wks ago. Jason is so knowledgeable and loves his Bulldogs. The health and personalities of his dogs are perfect! The hardest part is picking which one. He uses a flight nanny to ensure the safety of these little guys which allows families from all over U. S A to have a dog from PuppyChase. What a beautiful home and kennel he has in Georgia. Thank you Jason and Michelle! Keep up the great work with breeding English Bulldogs and giving families and experience of a lifetime of owning and loving these beautiful dogs!!! I would highly recommend. Jason and Michelle are dedicated to ensuring their pups and litters are taken care of! Their pups have the best disposition!! Exceptional customer service and will go above and beyond to accommodate your needs. New to the breed? Will definitely make our way back to PuppyChaseKennels. After partying hard with my friends while mom was away home! No doubt a bulldog is a very strong dog with a solid attitude, a snoring dog — due to their short nose that makes their respiration difficult, but deep inside they are not that cold-blooded. But yet, a number of people believe also that the Bulldogs have a very rare frightening physique — short, fat and old-looking! Well, I bet after seeing these lovely pictures of Bulldog puppies — you will absolutely disagree with such opinions about bulldogs, as they will totally make you fall in love with them! I love my little cute sister as she loves me back! My 8 months guy serious face! Speaking of life! I told you do not piss me off in the morning! My mom does not allow us to watch TV anymore! You forgot to mention you would leave me home alone! I look like this every time I get a cheek kiss from my honey .Sometimes even my tongue looks like a heart! What are you saying, bro?! I admit I am enjoying this a lot! Stop talking to me like that! Left alone in the yard with no Wi-fi! Did I say that?! Hey dude! Look at the camera! When my mom says you can walk alone for the first time! Freedom feels like this! At BigBullDogs. We offer the best service for purchasing the perfect bulldog puppies, and we have quality studs that have set us apart as the top breeders for bulldogs. Whatever it is that you need regarding these beautiful bullies, this is the right place for you. Here are the varieties we have; What You Need to Know About English Bulldogs English Bulldogs are very distinct from the other breeds of bulldogs and are the more prevalent breed. These sturdy, muscular dogs have a cute waddle walk that directly results from their short, stubby legs. The English bulldog also has a flat-looking face, dark and low set eyes, massive and broad jaws, and fleshy cheeks and lips that give it that signature pouty and droopy look. Its short neck, thick shoulders, and barrelled chest, slightly arched back make it one breed that you can easily identify anywhere. Our standard Male English bulldogs are inches and weigh an average of 50 pounds, while the Female English bulldogs weigh about 40 pounds. All our English bulldogs have the finest textured coats and healthiest skin with a variety of colour patterns. Whether you pick a male English bulldog or female English bulldog from us, you can be assured of their wonderful demeanor and gentle disposition. The AKC recognizes over dog breeds and rated the Bulldog as 2 for the best family dog breed. They are incredible family dogs but not the best watch dogs these days. The last nine decades of domestication has turned them into couch potatoes, considerably different from their original genetic breeding that made them perfect for Bull Baiting. Nevertheless they are fantastic at lying on the couch and giving you the stink eye when you disturb their rest. Quick Guide to French Bulldogs French bulldogs were named for their origin story, which says that they were a breed of English toy bulldogs and several unidentified dog breeds. They have distinct features that make them stand out against their English counterparts, such as their pointy, bat ears. French bulldogs are small, cute dogs that are very playful and perfect for being a home pet. Regardless of whether you pick the male french bulldogs or the female French bulldogs , you get a pet that is calm, attentive, attention-loving, and a partner to you and your kids. The male french bulldog is an estimated 12 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight. On the other hand, the female french bulldog is about 11 inches and 20 pounds. The male french bulldogs are usually a bit more muscular than females and have larger heads. However both are equally affectionate and super family oriented. Not to be outdone by their British Bulldog cousin, the female french bulldogs also made the Top 10 Best Family Dog breeds list in .Looking to Adopt Bulldogs?

Tail docking or cropping is usually done while the Boxer is still a puppy. Nowadays, Boxer tails are docked mainly in adherence to the breed standard and to prevent potential tail injury. In fact, this procedure has already become a part of the breed standard for some dogs, such as the Boxer dog. Unsurprisingly, many dog enthusiasts are against this practice and deem it unethical. They argue that tail docking negatively impacts the life of a dog, especially on how its body naturally functions. Meanwhile, Boxer owners historically administer tail docking procedures believing that such practices prevent rabies. However, this assumption has already been long refuted. Some dog breeds also have their tails docked because of the nature of their tasks as working dogs. The tails of herding dogs, for example, are docked to prevent them from getting stomped or stepped on by cattle when they herd. Originally, Boxer tails were docked because breeders and dog owners thought back then that such practice prevented their dogs from developing and spreading rabies. However, this baseless assumption has been long debunked. Going back to 18th century England, a tax law was imposed on all dogs except for working dogs with docked tails. To avoid paying taxes, owners opted to dock the tails of their dogs. The tails of working dogs like Boxers were also docked to prevent injuries while they were doing their tasks. As Boxer dogs were also historically bred to hunt and hold down large wild animals such as bears, deer, and wild boars, a few reasons why they have docked tails have something to do with hunting. Hence, a Boxer dog with an undocked tail will be severely penalized on a dog show. Are Boxers Born With Tails? Nowadays, it is rare to see a Boxer dog with an intact natural long tail. However, most Boxer dogs are actually born with tails. The tail of a Boxer puppy is intact at birth. The Boxers with short tails that you see nowadays have mostly undergone tail docking. However, with the recent introduction of the bobbed tail gene , some Boxers are born with naturally short tails or also known as bobbed tails. Typically, Boxer dogs that inherited the bobbed tail gene will have nearly absent tails or short tails that are about two inches long. Tail docking in Boxers and other breeds is considered to be a legal practice in most parts of the United States. There are only two states where this procedure is restricted: Maryland and Pennsylvania. Just for emphasis, tail docking is not banned in Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is only restricted, which means it is allowed so long as the requirements of the government are met. In Maryland, the law requires that dog tail docking and other similar procedures such as dog ear cropping and declawing should only be done by a licensed veterinarian or a registered veterinary technician. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, owners are only allowed to dock the tails of their puppies while they are less than five days old. Puppies older than the stated age should only be docked by a licensed veterinarian. People who oppose tail docking deem the practice senseless and unnecessary because it no longer serves a purpose for companion-type Boxers other than for cosmetic reasons. Since most Boxer dogs today are bought as companion pets, there is no longer the need for their tails to be cut as means of preventing them from suffering injuries while they herd. In addition, the supposed health benefits of tail docking, such as protection from rabies and faster and more agile bodily function, are baseless and unscientific. This is why they encourage the American Kennel Club and other canine clubs to remove tail docking on dog breed standards. Tail docking is also considered to be unethical and cruel. Anti-tail docking advocates contend that cutting off the tail of Boxers is a painful process that brings no significant advantage or benefit to dogs. Canines use their tails to express emotions and communicate by moving their tails which is similar to body language. Some dogs also use their tails for balancing and stabilizing their body while running or swimming. Because of these reasons, many countries around the world have already banned tail docking and ear cropping on dogs, while other countries have put heavy restrictions on such practices. Just like with other dog breeds, Boxers are born with natural tails for various reasons. Boxers use their tails to counterbalance while they are moving and performing tasks. Working dogs like Boxers use their tails to navigate when they run or swim by swinging them to one side of their body. Boxer dogs also use their tails to communicate as a form of body language. Tails are like human eyebrows. They aid dogs in expressing emotions such as happiness, excitement, fear, and anger. If a Boxer dog approaches you while wagging its tail softly, it means that it is happy to see you. An excited Boxer will also swiftly swing its tail. Meanwhile, Boxer dogs with their tails between their legs express fear or submission. They do this to mask the scent coming from their anus. Dominant dogs will set their tails high to release more scents from their anal glands. Some argue that it is cruel and unnecessary, while others say it is advantageous and beneficial. Check them out and decide for yourself which side weighs more. Boxers with docked tails are less likely to suffer from tail injury since their tails are cut short. Working dogs with long tails are at high risk of suffering from a condition called happy tail syndrome or splitting tail. Dogs suffering from this tail injury have deep wounds that are difficult to heal. Breed conformation. A Boxer with tails docked is considered more desirable in the show ring since the Boxer breed standards of different kennel clubs specifically mention that Boxer dog tails should be docked. A Boxer with a long tail will surely get severely penalized on a dog show. Advantageous for working Boxer dogs. Tail docking is still deemed advantageous for Boxer dogs that are raised for herding. A Boxer with a docked tail may become less able to express its emotions. In general, Boxer dogs communicate emotions with their owners and other dogs through the use of their tails. Tail docking is a painful procedure. Contrary to popular belief, puppies actually feel pain when they undergo tail docking. This is according to a study. In addition, researchers also found out that tail docking can cause long-term pain to dogs. Tail docking can lead to complications if done improperly. Tail docking is a procedure that involves cutting off tendons, skin, muscles, and bones. Hence, if it is not administered correctly and safely, complications such as infection and excessive bleeding could arise. Tail docking is a permanent and irreversible procedure. For puppies older than five days old, anesthesia should be administered in cropping their tails. The tail can be docked by cutting it off using a sharp object or by cutting the supply of blood using a rubber. Most veterinarians and Boxer breeders prefer using scalpels, surgical knives, and scissors to cut off the muscle, tendon, and cartilage of the tail. Tails docked through this method usually have cleaner cuts once healed. A rubber is tied tightly to the part of the tail that should be removed to cut off the blood supply and promote necrosis. The tip of the tail will automatically fall off once the process is done. Nonetheless, there is a high risk of infection if this method is done improperly. More often than not, the tails of puppies docked through this method are also deformed. The length of the tail that should be cut off varies from breed to breed. A Boxer with a docked tail may develop a condition called amputation neuroma or a nerve tumor. This is common for dogs that had undergone tail amputation because of tail injuries or had their tails cut for cosmetic reasons. A Boxer with a docked tail suffering from this condition experiences hypersensitivity and pain on the docked area. Furthermore, puppies may also develop infections, tail deformity, and other health complications, especially if the docking procedure is done incorrectly. AVMA also mentioned in a literature review on their website that most dogs that had their tails docked have a higher incidence of incontinence and may have less developed muscles around the pelvis. Tail docking is a painful procedure since it involves cutting off muscles, cartilages, and nerves. Tail docking in Boxers and other dogs has left the canine community divided. Those who are against docking tails, especially cosmetic tail docking, argue that such a practice is cruel and unnecessary. Since docking tails offers no clear scientific and medical benefits, many pet enthusiasts want to put an end to tail docking procedures on dogs. Meanwhile, advocates emphasize the importance of tail docking in defining and preserving the characters of some dog breeds. The cost of tail docking may vary depending on your location and the docking method. However, the cost could greatly increase if the dog is older since anesthesia will be required for the tail docking procedure. Always remember that docking is a permanent and irreversible procedure. Hence, you should carefully weigh down the pros and cons of tail docking. Nonetheless, with or without tails, the Boxer dog proves to be a loyal and amazing guard dog and pet to have! How about you? What do you think about tail docking? Tell us what you think in the comment section! We would love to hear your side. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. But are Boxers born without tails? What happens to their tails? And is tail docking ethical? However the reality is that Boxer puppies are born with tails, but they are docked when the puppy is between weeks old. There have been several attempts to breed from naturally bobbed boxers, but as they are genetically predisposed to have tails, those genetics often win out. Within a few generations, even naturally bob tailed boxers will often start producing tailed puppies. Boxers often have their ears docked or straightened at the same time. Boxers are naturally born with full tails and floppy ears which are often surgically altered for aesthetic reasons. What Is Docking? Docking is a practice that has been happening for centuries, whereby dogs — particularly breeds known for fighting and hunting — have their tails removed as puppies to avoid injuries. There are also several other very outdated notions that also contributed to the docked tail we see today. From believing the removal of the tail would help prevent the spread of rabies to old fashioned tax laws that changed between pet and working dogs. Many breeders who dock puppy tails will place a tight elastic around the tail, cutting off the blood flow and killing the nerves and muscles until it just falls off. Boxers were used as hunting dogs that would chase and catch large animals like bears and boars, guard dogs, military dogs, and sadly as fighting dogs. As we now have a better understanding of animal physiology, we know how important their tails are to help them move and balance. Other breeds that commonly have docked tails and ears include Dobermans and Pitbulls. Since the majority of Boxers owned today are simply house pets and not working dogs, debate has sparked around whether there is still any need for their tails to be docked. The American Veterinary Medical Association has said that since the only reason for modern tail docking in Boxers is aesthetic, there is no justification for the practice. The World Canine Organization FCI , on the other hand, states that a naturally high set and long tail should be present in Boxers according to their breed standard. Boxers do not need to have their tails docked. Some owners of working Boxers, for example dogs working on farms with cattle and other livestock, may argue that docking the tail of a working dog helps them to avoid injury. The tail is part of the spine and made up of vertebrae which are easily injured. As a happy and energetic breed, Boxers wag their tails excessively and can be prone to breaking the tail bone by repeatedly hitting it against hard objects like door frames while wagging — ironically known as happy tail. Though it is possible to heal a broken tail, it can be very painful for the dog and holds the possibility of happening again. Do Boxers Need Tails? It also acts as a rudder that improves their swimming, so docked Boxers are often not great in water. Tails are also a way for dogs to communicate their emotions, similar to how humans use body language. This means that Boxers with docked tails can have trouble communicating and can also lead to lifelong pain and sensitivity in the area. In the United Kingdom, only working dogs and some specific breeds are allowed to be docked. You might have noticed that some Boxers have pointed ears while others have soft, floppy ears. This is because some breeders and owners also crop the ears of Boxer puppies. Straight, pointy ears are not a natural feature in Boxers. In fact, their ears are naturally wide and forward facing. Known as cropping rather than docking, this practice is very similar. By cutting their ears short, owners of working Boxers thought they could enhance their dogs' hearing and prevent injury to their naturally soft ears. Share with your friends. Overview The debate regarding docking a Boxer's tail is side by side with ear cropping. Look to our Ears - To Crop or Not to see which countries allow this and which deem it illegal. Usually, if an owner decides to crop the ears, they will also have the Boxer's tail docked. Docking is the process of having a certain percentage of a Boxer puppy or dog's natural tail removed. This is done to produce a short tail that stands erect. Docking is done one of two ways. The first method is to cut off the blood flow in the tail with the use of a special rubber band, placed so tightly that the blood cannot reach the end of the tail; thus causing it to eventually fall off. The second method is via a procedure in which the tail is cut. Billy the Boxer Photo courtesy of James and Joanna Murphy It is believed that the puppy feels this amputation, since most puppies let out a very loud yelp, however they seem to recover quite quickly. Long ago, it was thought to prevent rabies and increase the dog's running speed; however this has been proven false. With this said, docking has also been done for centuries to prevent damage to the tail. There are no specific records that show why this train of thought was applied to some breeds and not to others. At this point, with docking being done for so many generations, those in favor of this argue that if docking were to suddenly stop, the Boxer breed would not carry 'good tails' tails would too heavy to sit correctly, the dog's balance would be off, etc. The deliberation between those who favor it and those who are against it goes on to say that within a short amount of time the only breeding pool available would be dogs with 'bad' tails that could not produce viable offspring. Of course, all of this is debatable and the Boxer breed is as strong as ever in countries where this is illegal. Putting health and breeding issues aside, some simply believe that a Boxer should have cropped ears and a docked tail to have the "Boxer look". Consensus among those who do choose docking, dictates that the dog looks stronger, more powerful and more intimidating with the cropped and docked appearance. Those who have a dog with a natural tail or those who have a litter of newborns and choose to forgo this procedure should feel just fine about that decision.In regard to dog show requirements, the debate is still on. Some clubs do not give an advantage to a docked dog and others state that docking is expected for a Boxer to conform to requirements. When is Docking Done? Many Boxer breeders will have a puppy docked very early, within a few days of being born. Since a dog is not sold or given to a new owner until the age of at least 8 weeks, many owners do not see the docking process or the healing process. Although this may make some cringe, if a Boxer puppy under 12 weeks old is to have their tail docked, it is usually done without anesthesia. In states where it is legal, an owner may have their Boxer's tail docked at any age ; however the older a dog is the longer amount of time is needed for recovery. In addition, a dog that is quite used to having their tail may have a difficult time adjusting to what may seem to them as an amputated part of their body. Three inches will look quite appropriate for most Boxers expected to be of average size and maybe a tad longer 3. Legality and Banning The laws of docking tails are a bit complicated with changes occurring often. Also, some countries view both ear cropping and tail docking the same; others will allow one but not the other. Though it is illegal in many countries, it is not uncommon for Boxer puppies to be docked at any rate. It should be noted that in many countries, it is the tail docking itself that is banned and it is not unlawful to purchase a puppy with a docked tail. You may be wondering about what the fine or punishment is for docking a Boxer's tail in countries in which it is illegal. Punishment ranges from fines to imprisonment. Tail docking is a surgical procedure whereby the end of the tail is amputated, leaving a small stump-like tail. When is tail docking typically carried out? The reason it is done at this time is that it was once believed puppies do not feel much pain at this age. Thus, it is often carried out without any anesthetic at all. Vets will use a rudimentary tool a tail cropping emasculator that cuts off the tail and stems blood flow. For most Boxer pups, this is a straightforward procedure as long as it is performed by a professional. Tail docking in later life When the tail is shortened in adult life, this is called an amputation. This may be done for medical reasons, such as a severe tail break, non-healing infection, or cancer. This is a much more complex procedure that requires a full anesthetic and will take several weeks to heal from. Dogs are usually prescribed medication such as anti-inflammatories, pain relief, and antibiotics while recovering. They will also be given a buster collar to ensure they do not chew or lick at their wound. This has now been disproven, but superstitions die hard. Working dog breeds which boxers are are prone to getting their tails caught or lacerated while out in the fields or on duty. It can also act as a magnet for things like burrs and grass awns, which can burrow in and cause abscesses. However, as the Boxer has short fur and does not regularly hunt anymore, this is less of an issue. The vast majority of Boxers are now kept as companion animals and not as working dogs. As well as resulting in dogs with short tails, this has resulted in animals with cropped ears. Even a very heavy tail will not impact performance in such a way. And not to mention the fact that boxers have slim and streamlined tails, anyway. Trending article: When do boxers go into heat? Interestingly, one breeder in Britain is purposefully breeding bobtail Boxers due to tail docking being outlawed in the EU. These tail-less Boxers were established by breeding in Corgi dogs and the 4th generation of this mating is allowed to be Kennel Club registered. Can you tell the difference between a docked tail and a bobtail? You can tell the difference between a natural bobtail and a docked tail if you know what to look for. Tails that have been docked will end bluntly. Conversely, Boxers born with a naturally short tail will have a tail that tapers to a more natural point and have a fleshier tail tip. The tail is a long and cumbersome body part that is not uncommonly trapped indoors or stood on. Tail docking means the tail is not there to get injured. For some long-haired breeds, tail docking proponents will advocate that the docking is more sanitary. A study from the University of Glasgow concluded that docking working dogs at a young age can reduce their risk of injury. However, a large number of tails need to be docked in order for one injury to be prevented. This study was carried out in response to the outlawing of tail docking in the UK. Source Cons of tail docking Complications can occur soon after tail docking. This is more common when the docking is done by someone inexperienced. It is not unheard of for tails to be docked too short, which can cause neurological issues such as incontinence. We can also see wound infections and wounds which do not heal as they should. Dogs can be left with unsightly scarring and chronic pain. The procedure itself causes short-term pain. Whether tail dockers wish to acknowledge it or not, the tail has pain receptors present at all ages. The pain may be short-lived, but it is significant. It is postulated that significant pain in the early part of life can affect how pain is processed in later life in a negative way. Ethically, tail docking is questionable. Should we be removing a healthy body part from a young dog? Since , they have petitioned breed clubs to remove this standard from their breed description. Of course, dogs have no investment or interest in their appearance, so cosmetic tail docking is only beneficial for the humans involved. Tails are needed for communication, both with humans and other dogs. Indeed, dogs will wag their tail to indicate delight or hide it in between their legs when uncertain or anxious. It is also believed that dogs use their tail for balance, especially when running at speed and jumping. When swimming, it also serves as a type of rudder for steering. If you do not live in a country where tail docking is illegal, the decision is yours. You may have a strong desire for your dog to look a certain way, for example, if they are to be a show dog. Yikes… If you are not planning on showing your dog, I would urge you to think twice before going along with the crowd. Docking a healthy tail should not be a decision that is taken lightly. If your dog is to be a companion animal, they will likely be grateful to keep their tail. Of course, many pups have their tails docked at such a young age that the buyer has no say in the matter. If you feel strongly that you would rather your dog did not have their tail docked, be sure to let the breeder know before the litter is born. Last Thoughts Sadly, many dogs have their tail docked because it has fallen into fashion. Some members of the public are unaware that Boxers are born with long tails. As they are always seen with docked tails, it is assumed that this is how they were designed by nature. Tail docking is not a minor procedure. A dog without a tail is less able to communicate with their owners and their canine peers. The procedure is not without its risks and can cause pain in young puppies. Many vets are openly against tail docking and view it as cruel and unnecessary. Of course, there is little question that docking a diseased tail when advised by a medical professional is the right decision. This is the case, for example, after significant injuries or when there are nonresectable tumors. When a requirement for show dogs, showing owners are left with little choice but to have the tail docked. However, times are changing and this procedure is now outlawed in many countries, including in the whole of the EU, UK, and recently Canada. News: February VCA Animal Hospitals Canada makes a country-wide ban on all cosmetic surgical procedures including tail docking, ear cropping, devocalization surgery debarking , and the removal of articulated dewclaws. The Puppy Mag makes an active effort to search for plagiarized content using plagiarism detection software. If plagiarized content is found, action will be taken. What do the Boxers in these shows have in common? Their tails are docked. Want some proof? After watching that, you might think that the breed is simply born with a short tail. All the Boxers seem to share this trait, after all. Rather, their tails are docked at a young age. What Is Tail Docking? There are a few breeds that commonly feature docked tails, Boxers being one of the most well-known. Is Tail Docking Ethical? For the most part, tail docking is performed on working dogs. Usually, these are dogs that work in jobs where their tails are likely to get injured. Farm dogs, for example, could get their tail stepped on by large livestock. For working dogs, you can definitely make the case for tail-docking being a beneficial procedure. Ethics are subjective, but to really judge tail docking, we need to understand its effects better. Do Boxers Need Their Tails? It leads you to wonder why dogs even have tails in the first place? Turns out, tails have multiple benefits for Boxers. In addition to those clearly important benefits, Boxers also use their tails for communication. Very similar to how humans use body language to communicate, Boxers use their tails to convey many messages , including their emotions and feelings. Having a tail can also help dogs swim and the best swimmers use their tail as a rudder to steer. Furthermore, it found that dogs with docked tails suffer heightened ongoing pain sensitivity and negative welfare impacts that will be life-long. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA reports that only about a quarter of a percent of the dog population suffers serious tail injuries yearly. Having said that, I can personally attest to the possibility of tail breaking in Boxers. My own Boxer mix broke his tail in two places, and it freaked me out when I came home and saw it! Luckily, it did heal on its own, but he was in pain for weeks and I was definitely worried that it would never heal all the way. Though Boxers today are primarily beloved companion pets and show dogs, they used to be serious hunters. They were originally created by crossing Bulldogs with the now-extinct Bullenbeisser , which was an impressive dog used for hunting large game such as bears and boars. Additionally, it was also done to protect the dog from the prey it was hunting. A bear could easily grab hold of that tail or bite down on it, and then the Boxer would be in serious pain and might be unable to escape since their tail is being held. Still, many members of the breed display docked tails to this day. An undocked tail should be severely penalized. Without a docked tail, a Boxer has little to no chance of placing well in a dog show. After banging their tail hard on enough different items, it can actually break. In some cases, the problem becomes recurring and tail amputation is necessary, though this is pretty rare. In some countries, the practice is frowned upon and considered illegal. However, many countries do still allow tail docking, including the United States. At present, no states have banned tail-docking, though a few states have considered legislation against it in the past, including New York and Vermont. Some of the other countries where tail docking is still legal are: Argentina.

These dogs combine the French Bulldog and Chow Chow breeds and are relatively new. Both separately have quite different qualities, but they result in a particular dog when put together. His stature is small, with a short nose, a totally friendly personality, and puffy hair. The French Bulldog is super recognizable worldwide as its popularity is increasing. Although the Chow Chow is no longer recognized, it is known that the combination of both breeds would be interesting. Individual appearance General French Bulldog standards dictate that they are small, muscular, and even stable pets. Their weight ranges between 16 and 28 pounds, so some sites rate them as Toys. Chow Chows are not sports pets, and they have a broadhead that could be considered quite large. Its snout is short, and the eyes are a little hollow. The ears are small. They are compact dogs that are inches tall and weigh 45 to 85 pounds. One of the most outstanding characteristics of the Chow Chow is the color of their tongue that can be black-blue. The appearance of the mixture A French Chow has a high chance of coming out small and with a short tail. In some cases, it can be slightly curly. Typically the dog is 14 inches tall and weighs 30 to 50 pounds. Their head will be large and square along with a short muzzle, but it will not be as wide as a French Bulldog. The ears will also likely be bat-like and with fairly straight hocks in comparison. It is also possible that the ears do not stand up until a certain age, apart from the fact that the tongues may appear blue or black. It is rare to see white hybrids. Fortunately, many of these difficulties have a solution; you should only consult a specialist as soon as possible. Brachiocephalic syndrome This anomaly is characterized by causing breathing difficulties in animals with brachycephalics. Chow Chows and French Bulldogs have shortened snouts, which is the main reason for this syndrome. The chances of the hybrid inheriting the short muzzle are very great and related. You have to help the dog avoid making excessive efforts and completely avoiding the heat. Urinary stones are very serious, especially for pets, as they cause severe pain and other difficulties. They may also require surgical intervention, which is quite important. Not to mention the strict diet that the dog must follow afterward. This means that the chances of the hybrid contracting this disease are too great. Statistically mixed breeds such as the French Chow can have luxating patella by inheritance. In short, the kneecap would have trouble sliding properly while the dog is in motion. Eye problems Chow Chows may pass some eye difficulties to their hybrid offspring, some more important than others. Inward rolling eyelid problems, premature cataracts, and even glaucoma. Tail Problems The tails are more important than it seems since, in French Bulldogs, these are directly related to rectal problems. Fecal incontinence or hernia are pretty common things. French Bulldogs used to have longer tails, but that changed with selective shortening. The previous size is preferred since these were not related to difficulties, especially those with a log shape. The hybrid will most likely come out with a short but thick coat, which has many benefits. Something highly recommended is to constantly brush the canine so that the entire interior layer is manageable. Also, maintaining constant care in this area will prevent loose hairs, so there will be much less mess at home. Some dogs are not made for training, and therefore caution and moderation must be exercised. General characteristics Small breeds are not as easy to train as would be expected. Chow Chows are super independent and require respect if you want to be heard by them or receive any cooperation. You have to be very patient because the repetitions will surely be constant, even with skillful owners. The French Bulldog has the quality that they are very stubborn at times, apart from stubborn. This should be short in time, and the hours saved can be used for socialization and the development of obedience. How to care for your French bulldog food mix? There are many attitudes that dogs can acquire as time goes by, with care being a fundamental part of development. Regardless of the circumstances, several things should be considered for a French Chow, respectively. Maintain a balanced diet. Adequate and constant personal hygiene. Regular visits to the vet. Moderate but daily exercise, ideal are short walks. They are house dogs; you have to consider that. Avoiding heat is ideal. Many other things can be done to keep your French Chow pet in perfect condition. Care is a very important factor that cannot go unnoticed during canine rearing. Their well-being is a responsibility that the owners take conscientiously; taking charge is essential. You may also like:. Should a French Bulldog Mix take after their Frenchie parent, they will be a small companion breed that bonds closely with their families. They tend to have an energetic, playful personality and love nothing more than being with their favorite humans. French Bulldogs tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate dogs that get along with just about everyone. They tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets. They will even warm up quickly to strangers as long as they have been properly socialized. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect the same from a French Bulldog Mix. You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and the behavior she is modeling for the puppies. The breeder should have started some training and socialization, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. Frenchies are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes. However, as a brachycephalic breed, they are extra sensitive to heat and also sensitive to the cold. They also do not like being left alone for long periods of time. If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a Frenchie Mix to also be a highly adaptable dog. The other parent will introduce their own traits and some potential quirks, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. They could inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, or they could inherit some or all of them. They can also be prone to allergies, have sensitive skin, and also a sensitive stomach. Good breeding practices will make a huge difference. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. Although French Bulldogs can sometimes be stubborn, they are eager to please and tend to be easy to train. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive praise and reward, they can be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. If the other parent breed is also easy to train, then you can expect a French Bulldog Mix to be highly trainable as well. Regardless of owner experience, there are many benefits of puppy training classes. A mixed-breed dog can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a mix of both. You will also need to clean their facial wrinkles. Weekly ear checks with cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, a Frenchie Mix is more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. This makes good, consistent dental care for dogs even more important for them. Daily brushing with a dog-friendly toothpaste or using an enzyme toothpaste paired with cleanings at the vet when needed is ideal. Frenchies are known couch potato dogs that are happy to lay back, relax, and cuddle with you. Daily walks plus some playtime are usually enough for this affectionate little dog. Even though they like to relax, they also like to play and will be energetic when they do. They can also be athletic and compete in dog sports. As a brachycephalic breed, you do need to be careful of overexertion and overheating. But, there are plenty of ways to safely exercise flat-faced dogs to make sure your French Bulldog Mix gets enough exercise. If the other parent breed is also a low-energy breed, then you can expect something similar from a Frenchie Mix. If the other parent breed requires more activity, then you will need to be prepared for the potential of a higher energy dog. Fully-grown Frenchies usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so make sure you ask the breeder about them. This can give you some idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown French Bulldog Mix. French Bulldogs generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span in a French Bulldog Mix. Featured French Bulldog Mix Article. October 20, My Chow Chows and French Bulldogs I am always so happy to share updates on my pets - my dogs, cats, canaries, horses, donkeys, pony, chickens, geese, pigeons, and the peafowl. They bring such joy to me and everyone here at my Bedford, New York farm. I currently have four dogs. My dogs love all the extra time I spend at home. They love being in the kitchen with me, especially when I'm cooking and baking - they're always ready for whatever "falls their way. And they love to stop and play in the soft grass of the enclosed pool area. Here are some of the latest photos, enjoy. Here they are in the courtyard behind my kitchen. This breed is known for its wrinkly, smushed face and bat-like ears. They are half siblings and both grand-dogs of my late Champion G. The Chow Chow is an ancient breed of northern Chinese origin. As an all-purpose dog of China, it was used for hunting, herding, pulling, and protection. Because this area is completely fenced, I often take them here to run and play… And roll… And roll… Creme Brulee loves to roll. One reason dogs roll may be to rub their scent off on an area, marking it as theirs. Dogs may also be trying to scratch an itch when they roll in grass. And others just like how it feels. Here is Bete Noire walking over to check out the action. Bete Noire is called a brindle French Bulldog. Brindling mixes black hairs with brown or fawn. Brindle-colored dogs look a bit like canine tigers. It is so important to provide dogs with ample exercise to keep them physically and mentally fit. I make sure my dogs get good long walks, and lots of time to play with each other outdoors. He and Qin pronounced chin also enjoy wrestling with each other. This is all safe dog play behavior. Chows should be sturdy and squarely built. Its body should be compact, and heavy boned. Empress Qin is already a Champion show dog — she is a beautiful Chow. I know Han will also do very well in the show ring. The French Bulldog is a small, active, and muscular dog with heavy bone and smooth coat. These two will try to catch anything in the air. Have you seen the videos of them on my Instagram page MarthaStewart48? And she is always ready for a belly rub after she is done jumping. Here she is taking a little rest before running around again. Frenchies, as they are affectionately called, are very playful. They also have calm, gentle natures. My dogs are all accustomed to the the many sounds on a working farm, but like all dogs, have a very sharp sense of hearing — I wonder what caught their attention. Han loves to rest on the stone pavers. Chows have dense coats, so the stone feels cool. Chows can weigh anywhere from 45 to 60 pounds. Their coats can be rough or smooth and come in red, black, blue, cinnamon, or cream. Both Qin and Han are red rough-coated Chow Chows. What is most unique and distinctive of a true Chow Chow is its blue-black tongue. The Chow should have a large head with a broad, flat skull, a short, deep muzzle, and very expressive eyes. Qin chose the grass for a rest — also soft and cool. The Chow has a lovely thick mane, with small rounded ears, giving it the appearance of a lion. Are you getting tired, Bete Noire and Creme Brulee? The bright, affectionate Frenchie is a very charming breed. Once inside, all the dogs are brushed, their paws are washed, and their coats are inspected for ticks.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic German Sheprador Highlights The German Sheprador is a mixed breed dog. The main colors of German Shepradors are black, white, red, cream, blue, and grey. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors. While they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job. Many German Shepradors absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also help to keep them cool during hot summer months. German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. Protective in nature, they will alert when strangers approach. They can easily become board, depressed, and frustrated, which will result in unwanted behaviors. German Sheprador History The German Sheprador dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing German Shepherds and Labradors in North America, possibly in the s. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health problems that affect many purebreds as well as create an ultimate family companion and watchdog. They continued to create German Shepradors as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the German Sheprador got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the dog for you. Check your local shelters, look up German Sheprador rescues, or check with breed-specific German Shepherd and Labrador rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breeds. German Sheprador Size As the German Sheprador is a relatively new mixed breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a mix between German Shepherd and Labrador parents, you can expect the German Sheprador to be on the large side. Most weigh in at 60 to 95 pounds and range in height from 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder. That said, many can be smaller or larger. German Sheprador Personality German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. However, once they befriend you, you have a friend for life. These pups hail from a line of two working parents. Their German Shepherd parents regularly work as military, police, and guard dogs, while their Labrador Retriever parents have jobs as hunting and guide dogs. German Shepradors like to work and need to have a job to do, whether big or small. Give them a sense of purpose, and this dog will earn their keep ten fold. They are highly trainable, and thrive on positive reenforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. German Shepradors are prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one hour long walk per day with several shorter walks mixed in. Hiking and other adventurous activities are also recommended. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth daily, as this mixed breed is prone to tartar build-up. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility with its one-inch jumps. Crate and kennel training should start in puppyhood. German Sheprador Feeding An ideal German Sheprador diet should be formulated for a large breed with high energy. They have a tendency to gain weight if they are overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day. Limit their amount of treats, as well. They usually have medium length, dense coats, and while they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job and bathing is recommended every few months with a mild shampoo. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Their double coats do shed quite a bit. You will definitely want a vacuum on hand. You will need it. Have you tried robot vacuums? See if the Eufy RoboVac is right for you! Their double coat gives them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also helps to keep them cool during hot summer months. Keep in mind they are an indoor dog and need to live indoors. Like all dogs, however, German Shepradors need to be trained how to behave around children and vice versa. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Learn more about this awesome breed by reading about their parent breeds the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever. German Sheprador Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for German Shepradors because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try German Shepherd Dog or Labrador Retriever breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Characteristics Life Span As pointed out in the intro paragraph Shepradors generally live between 10 and 12 years, and sometimes they can reach the age of .However, they tend to be cautious with strangers, thanks to their German Shepherd ancestors. Caring Grooming: their shorthaired coat needs regular brushing: every day in the shedding season spring and autumn and three-to-five times a week in the rest of the year. Activity level With two highly energetic parent breeds, these dogs need an active life, so be ready to spend several hours a day keeping your pet busy. A Labrador Shepherd is generally 20 to 26 inches tall cm. Besides being active, you should have a large house, with a yard to provide her with enough space to move around. The Labrador Shepherd likes cold climates rather than hot weather, so be sure to have the ability to keep her comfortable all year. Further Reading Top 10 Dog Sports 2. They have it in their blood, and can successfully do police work, including searching, tracking, rescue, or guard work. If you care about your flowers and plants, you should also consider building an enclosure to keep your dog away from them. When you bring her inside, provide her with toys and games to keep her busy. She will enjoy any activity that stimulates her mind, such as dog puzzles or training sessions. The vacuum cleaner will be your new best friend German Shepherd Lab Mix is a double-coated breed, which means they have an undercoat next to the skin with longer hair over the top. Dogs from this crossbreed shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. If you want to keep her hair shiny and healthy, you should take time to brush her for at least minutes, three-to-five times a week. A consistent brushing schedule will help you reduce the amount of hair around the house. Besides brushing, you should include in your schedule: cleaning her ears once a week , brushing her teeth at least three times a week , and cleaning her eyes when needed. While this sounds like a lot, on the other hand, she only needs to take a bath about once a month. Exercising her on a concrete surface could help you keep her nails in good shape and reduce the number of visits to the vet. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents. Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Most hybrids tend to have a balanced personality, but as your puppy could be the result of more crosses , she may not inherit the exact characteristics you want in a dog; your future dog is prone to a series of health issues, caused by her bloodline. Obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and diabetes are a lot more common with these dogs, but she could also develop epilepsy, skin allergies, bloat or cardiovascular diseases, these being common among Labradors and German Shepherds. From my point of view, most estimations work well for average dogs. You should buy your dog from a responsible breeder In most cases, a Labrador Shepherd has high potential and is a great candidate for the title of the perfect family dog. However, as mentioned before, hybrid dogs could have unpredictable coat colors, personalities, and health issues, so buying your puppy from a reliable source is as close as you can get to a clear image about your future dog. Generally, this hybrid can be 26 inches 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 88 pounds 40 kg. Taking into account the height and weight of its German Shepherd and Labrador mix parents, this crossbreed is a medium to a large-sized dog. So measurements can still vary more or less from that range. Good news for you! It will shower you with love and loyalty, and make you proud with its intelligence and playfulness. Do you think you can deal with this? Shepradors has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, but some of them can reach this age. We all want our pets to live longer and spend more years with us, so read this section to avoid and better prepare against genetic illnesses. Conclusion As you could see above, when buying a Sheprador you get the best of two great breeds. I think that this mix of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever makes for the perfect family dog — kind, loyal, patient with children, and protective. However, they have endless energy and require a lot of time and attention, which makes them suitable for active families only. So are you ready to handle such a dog? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your personal experience with this unique crossbreed. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. But I adopted my little Hank recently and he seems both very playful and very cuddly. He likes to snuggle a lot but is very active too. Just wondering if I should expect him to go crazy one of these days? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is, therefore, no surprise that some breeders are starting to mix the two. Considering whether a German Shepherd Lab Mix is right for you? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing mixed-breed dog. Lab German Shepherd Mix Overview Size — 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds Coat — Medium length, double coat, color varies Shedding — Yes Temperament — Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers Trainable — Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored Activity — Highly active needs two hours of activity per day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them What is a German Shepherd Lab Mix? As these dogs are roughly the same size, the mother can be of either breed as long as she is larger than the father, to ensure against any difficulty in the birthing process. Sheprador Appearance As is the case for most mix-breed dogs, it is a bit of a gamble what you will get when these two come together. They might have the pointed ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There is nothing to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, so however they turn out they should be handsome. That said, we can make a few generalizations about the appearance of Shepradors. Size As both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect their mixed offspring to be the same. German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall. Labradors are only a little bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents. Color The color of these gorgeous mixed-breed dogs is also highly variable, and you might end up with a pooch of a solid coat color, like Labs, or striking mixed coloring, like German Shepherds. A lot of this depends on the color of the Labrador parent, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate. As a general rule, the darker the lab parent, the darker the coat of the pup. But you also get white German Shepherd Dogs, which can result in striking white Shepradors. Coat When it comes to coat length, you should expect in most cases that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of German Shepherd Lab Mixes end up with this type of coat. The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a feature of both breeds. The undercoat will be soft and fluffy, and the guard coat rough. This does mean that they shed—a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if anyone in the household suffers from allergies. Shepherd Lab Mix Puppy Lab German Shepherd Mix Character While temperament is again unpredictable with mix-breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs, so you can expect their offspring to share these traits. German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They have a tendency to guard whatever they consider to be theirs. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs, to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to be pleasers, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans. As both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect these characteristics to appear in a Sheprador. However, whether they will be a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers, or a pleaser that is great with children, you will have to wait and see. While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, if you want to take a Lab German Shepherd mix into a family home, or if you are a first-time dog owner, you will want to be careful about which individual dog you choose. Activity Levels However their personality turns out, you are going to have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working need around two hours of exercise each day. Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when they do get bored, they can have a tendency toward destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. They do best with active owners with whom they can go walking, hiking, and running. Whether these dogs will like swimming is a coin toss. While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more wary. But their size and adventurous nature mean they can be trained to love the water. So you have a good chance that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will be a swimmer. These dogs are loyal and love being around their humans. You will find them at their happiest and healthiest when you make them part of the family and shower them with love. Exercise Ideally, your Sheprador will need around two hours of exercise per day. This might be more than just a long walk, as their high energy levels mean they will like to run as well. They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you at their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means this breed is likely to enjoy a good game of fetch. Bear in mind that these dogs will need this level of exercise rain or shine, or they will become frustrated and start engaging in destructive behavior. This is not only bad for them in general, but can put excess pressure on their hips, which are also prone to issues. Intellectual Stimulation German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train but also means they get bored very easily. When they do get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble, and you may come home to quite the scene. These dogs need to spend time with people to occupy their minds, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating games. But expect them to make short work of these challenges, as they are chewers. You will be getting them new games quite often. Companionship Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait their offspring with German Shepherds are likely to share. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can become depressed. Grooming Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shedders, so you can be sure their Sheprador offspring will be as well. This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They will need to be brushed at least twice a week, and as often as once a day during the shedding seasons fall and spring. As well as brushing, invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner that has special functionality to help you pick up dog hair. These dogs are also likely to enjoy jumping up on the couch for a snuggle and a snooze. Invest in coverings and be sure your swanky vacuum cleaner has an attachment for upholstery. Their coat is not the only part of their grooming to attend to. You need to clean their teeth three times a week, with a brush or with dental treats. Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is both for their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a big dog like this, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet to get their nails clipped. But if you feel confident to do this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers. Diet German Shepherd Lab Mixes are big dogs that have lots of energy, but they also have a tendency toward obesity, which means they have to get their energy from good sources. This means high-quality protein and fats over carbohydrates. Preferably this means meals made from quality meats rather than meals or byproducts. When looking at the ingredient list, look for named meats at the first ingredient. Lab German Shepherd Mixes also benefit from novel proteins in their diet, as they can be prone to allergies. Dogs tend to develop allergies to the meats they eat the most, which often means beef and chicken. When they are puppies, Shepradors should be fed three times a day, and this should be cut down to two times a day from about four months of age. As a rule, dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound of their weight per day, though you should watch their individual weight and energy level to see if you need to adjust their meals up or down. You can also check the label on your dog food to get a rough estimate of how much you should be feeding your Sheprador. Of course the amount will also vary depending on how often you exercise your dog. Known Health Problems While there is no limit to the number of health problems that a dog of any breed can develop, or they might not develop any at all, some dog breeds are more prone to some conditions than others. German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs have the potential to develop the health problems that are common in goth German Shepherds and Labradors. These include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — This is a condition where the hip and elbow joints do not develop normally and that can cause extreme pain and arthritis in later life. For more information check out our list of Glucosamine for Dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and can lead to blindness. Shepradors are also prone to eat whatever is put in front of them, so you need to be conscious of what you are feeding them. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — Poor diet can lead the stomach to dilate and expand, in turn leading to a twisting of the stomach that is life-threatening. It can block the flow of blood to the abdomen, leading to rupture of the stomach walls, and put pressure on the diaphragm thereby inhibiting the lungs. Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy — This is a condition that affects the spinal cord and leads to progressive weakness of the hind limbs, and eventually paralysis. Panosteitis — This is an inflammation of the outer surface of the long bones in the legs, resulting in a shifting lameness and making bones more susceptible to breaks. Allergies — Dogs can be born with allergies or develop them over time. Dogs often develop allergies if they eat the same foods consistently. Underactive Thyroid — The thyroid manages hormones, and an underactive thyroid is unable to secrete the required hormones. This can result in weight gain, lethargy, and cold intolerance. At this time, their energy levels will drop and they will need some changes in their diet and exercise. GSD Lab Mix Puppy But no matter how well trained they are, if they are left to get bored for too long, they can engage in some pretty destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing everything in sight. You have been forewarned. The highly assertive nature of German Shepherds means they do not respond well to domination training. They are likely to revolt when subjected to punishment. The best way to train a Labrador German Shepherd Mix is through positive reinforcement. Labradors are pleasers that love to make their humans happy. This means their offspring are also likely to feel the same way. So they will respond rapidly to training based on rewards for positive behavior. Deal with this behavior early, with specific training for dealing with children and strangers. They are very active and need lots of attention, so they need to be in households that support this. But they do great with adults and kids, so they can be a great family pet. Remember that German Shepherd Labrador Mixes need around two hours of exercise every day, so they need someone who can commit to that level of activity. But at the same time, it means they are the type of dog you can take on all of your adventures if you like hiking and trailing. They also need attention and stimulation throughout the day. If anyone in the house suffers with pet hair allergies, this is another reason Labrador German Shepherd Mixes are not the right dog for you, as they shed a lot. Consider something like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle instead. Also, ask for medical records of the parents, to see what health conditions the pup might be prone to in the future. If you decide to adopt a mature dog, spend a bit of time with them to see what their temperament is like. History of the Breeds German Shepherd German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century as a sheep herding dog. But, because they are very intelligent, trainable, obedient, and strong, they have since moved into many different working roles including police, military, search and rescue, and disability assistance. German Shepherds can have a reputation for being aggressive, but they are more alert and wary than aggressive. They can have a tendency to become overprotective of family and territory. But if socialized and trained properly, this tendency should be highly manageable. German Shepherds are the second-most popular dog in the United States and the seventh-most popular dog in the United Kingdom. Labrador Labradors, also known as Labrador Retrievers, were initially used in Newfoundland as fishing dogs to retrieve fish that had gotten away. Because they are incredibly friendly but also intelligent and therefore easy to train, today Labradors are favored as disability assistance dogs, often helping individuals with blindness, ptsd, mobility issues and autism. Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent and therefore easy to train, and loving and loyal, so they will quickly feel like part of the family. However, they do need a lot of exercise and attention, so adopting a Sheprador into your family is a commitment. German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it is not really deserved. They are natural watchdogs and reserved around strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack. They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means easy to control. Beagles, Poodles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Spaniels are all extremely friendly dogs as well, many specifically bred to be companions. They do best with active people or families who are full of people to love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when they are cared for properly. This means training them appropriately, exercising them, keeping them mentally stimulated, and feeding them well. But these loyal pooches will repay your care and commitment with a lot of love and affection. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. There is no way to find out if your puppy will develop any of these conditions. All you can do is to take care of your dog properly to prevent some of these severe medical conditions. Your growing dog should maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can be an additional weight on its spine. The ideal dog nutrition will also depend on any nutritional needs of your dog. If you are training your dog, never give treats as a reward. This encourages obesity and will only cause more problems for your dog. Here are top dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will surely love. Its core ingredients include ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken. It is all natural and contains no preservatives. Even a picky puppy will surely love this dog food. Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula Precise Holistic contains chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal and is considered the best organic dog food for large dogs. This comes with extra calcium and phosphorus needed by dogs to achieve its full, large size. This is a portion of irresistible dog food for large breed dogs such as your Lab German Shepherd mix. Just like any other dog, never give your German Shepherd Lab the following human food. Not all human food is safe for dogs. Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Salty foods and junk food Chocolate, coffee, or tea Onions, chives, and garlic If you want your dog to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them the best care in the world. So, start with their nutrition! That means you need to stay away from the worst dry dog food, and try out the best dry dog food instead. Your hairy friend comes from different parents and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Our puppy friends need nutrition that is full of proteins and easy to digest. You can look for some ideas in the best puppy food brands. Senior dogs, in their grandpa style, need food which contains moderate protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Because of this, you need to spend ample time in a day to exercise and to walk this dog otherwise; it can develop destructive behavior. Play with your dog regularly to develop a strong bond with your pet. Remember that this dog will love to swim because of its Labrador Retriever lineage. A local dog pool or a pond would work great with your dog. If you have a large yard, an old, large vat will work great just for him to play and cool off. All dogs love to fetch and play Frisbee. Use other kinds of toys like large ropes so you can play pulling games. Use a giant ball for fetches like an old football or a tennis ball. Here are a few ideas 1. This is available in six sizes so you will surely find the best size for your medium to large-sized Lab German Shepherd mix. It is indestructible so your dog will undoubtedly spend hours playing with it. It is made from durable materials that will never break or chip. This is indestructible, and your dog will surely love to play with this over and over again. It is soft but is made to be indestructible. Your pet will surely love to chew on this soft bone. This will be his favorite toy in no time. Lab German Shepherd Mix Training The Lab crossed with a German Shepherd is a brilliant dog, but it may need more than simple traditional training techniques to train this dog. The following tricks will help you make your dog obey you in no time. The Clicker Technique Learn how to train your dog using a clicker. Press this, and you will hear an audible click, a sound that dog loves very much. The clicker may be used in all kinds of tricks, but the most common is for positive reinforcement. Just click the clicker when your dog can follow the trick and then click again if you want to repeat the behavior. Invest in a good clicker which is available in most pet stores online. This can contribute to obesity and other health problems related to being overweight. Reward good behavior by patting your dog, playing with him or giving him a good scratch. Tell your dog what a good dog he is and combines this with a lot of pats as reinforcement. Every dog takes his time so you must be patient. His bed should at the same place where he found it the first time while his food bowls should also be in the same area. Consistency is the key to training dogs important stuff. Also, consider talking to everyone at home regarding your rules and commands to reinforce consistency in training your dog. Train Your Dog In A Familiar Environment Dogs like the Lab are easily distracted; therefore you must train your pup in a quiet and familiar environment first before you take him out for further training. Start inside a quiet room with only you and him. You can train him outdoors once he is less distracted to noise and the presence of other pets and people. You may also opt for professional training for your Lab German Shepherd mix dog if you want your pup to grow up and become a service dog or police dog. German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families Lab German Shepherds can be great family dogs because these dogs love to be with their masters and to please them every way they can. These are patient with children and will never roughhouse or bite. They can even tolerate toddlers and very intense games like dress up and role play games. Lab German Shepherd mix dogs will love to be with other pets and even other dogs. They are not domineering and will never cause a fight. The Lab German Shepherd mix may become anti-social and may become aggressive with people or other dogs when they are not introduced to people and other pets early on. Your dog should be trained first and exposed to other dogs and people to prevent this untoward behavior. German Shepherd Lab mix puppies German Shepherd Lab mix dogs are a combination of energetic friendliness and natural protection. As well trained adults they have the potential to make great herding, hunting, retrieving, therapy, service or pet dogs. German Shepherd Lab mixes are affectionate with their family, but need plenty of exercise, shed heavily, and can be destructive if left alone for long periods. That is, they have one parent of each pedigree. So there is huge variation in how they look, and no standard appearance. Some have the telltale muzzle and tall ears of the German Shepherd, others more resemble a Labrador. The color of their coat will depend on the coloring of their parents. For example, a black Lab German Shepherd mix is likely to have a dark coat, and a German Shepherd yellow Lab mix is likely to have a mid-toned coat. There are even arresting-looking white German Shepherd Lab crosses. An ultra-warm undercoat and a coarse outer coat to protect them from the elements as they work outdoors. This is because the gene for long coats is recessive and very unusual among Labs. Gathering up their lost hair will be a never-ending task! A good vacuum cleaner is essential. This might be reason enough to choose a different crossbreed if you have a busy family or someone with allergies in the home. German Shepherds are large dogs. They stand 22 — 26 inches tall at their shoulder blades, and weigh 49 — 88 pounds. Meanwhile, Labs are a medium sized breed, 22 — 25 inches tall at their shoulders, and 55 — 80 pounds on the scales. A Labrador German shepherd mix could be as petite as their smallest parent or as big as their largest parent. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could weigh anything from 55 pounds to 80 pounds. As usual, the lower end of the range is typically made up of female dogs, and the top end is dominated by the boys. They love to interact with people, show their affection, and get on well with children. Also, the German Shepherd is confident, courageous and smart. They are loyal and full of life. Furthermore, Labradors and German Shepherds are both fast learners and eager to please. German Shepherds in particular need productive ways to channel their intelligence, or they will get into mischief to stave off boredom. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could inherit any combination of the traits of their parents, which is why meeting both parents before committing to bringing home a puppy is so important. Socialization Socialization is the process of making a dog comfortable with other animals, people, places and activities. Even for breeds that are known to be friendly and easy-going, like Labradors, socialization is very important. German Shepherd Lab mixes are likely to inherit a love of people and company from both sides of their family tree. But socializing them properly as puppies will be vital to give them the confidence they need in meeting new people. German Shepherds, despite their great loyalty to their family, can be wary of strangers. So thorough socialization from puppyhood is essential, even for a mix. For instance, Socialization can involve having new people call over to the house regularly so your pup gets used to new faces and voices. It can also involve introducing your puppy to new dogs, cats, children and other animals so that they do not become fearful or territorial. A young dog in good health could require even more. They will also need human company for much of the day, and training to keep those big brains from getting bored. They are working dogs at heart. Highly motivated to learn and impress you with their ability to follow instructions. Like with any dog, training them is an ongoing commitment that lasts a lifetime. But with your ultra smart dog it should be a satisfying and rewarding one. German Shepherd and Labrador Health Magnification of health problems in pedigree dog breeds has become a well-documented problem. Labrador Health One of the biggest health problems facing Labradors today is hip and elbow dysplasia — looseness in the joints that eventually leads to painful arthritis. Another is progressive retinal atrophy, a gradual failure of the retina at the back of their eyes that can ultimately leave them blind. Also, Labs are also notoriously greedy, and prone to obesity if their penchant for snacking is indulged too often. Another less serious but common issue in Labs is ear infections. These are easily treated but may require veterinary care and frequent inspections. In addition, they are more than usually prone to: Gastrointestinal diseases.

But much like other puppies, a Golden Retriever puppy has a tendency to chew and bite. So, how can you train your Golden Retriever puppy not to bite? Consistency is the key to teaching your Golden Retriever puppy not to bite. However, you have to train your dog to behave, and that includes keeping them from biting. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! Get up and walk away from the dog. Leave the room if you can. Focus on something else for a bit. And believe me, a Golden Retriever puppy or not always wants your attention! Now, you may not see immediate results with this method, but it will work over time if you remain consistent. Sending your new puppy mixed signals will only confuse him or her. You can pet your dog to reward them for not getting mouthy with your hand or fingers while playing. It can take a while to get to this stage, so be patient. When, your dog gets through an entire play session without biting, that deserves some extra love. Now, you have to be careful not to give too much attention when your dog does bite. If your Golden Retriever reverts to biting out of excitement or nervousness, immediately stop giving them attention. Turn away and ignore your dog like what you did before. Hopefully, they will get the message more quickly, so you can go back to playing without them biting. Use a firm tone rather than a cute tone you might use when praising your dog. When you say no, use physical signals to get your Golden Retriever to stop. Take your hand out of their mouth and move it out of reach. Make sure anyone who trains the dog uses the same firm tone. Tips to stop golden retriever pups from biting. Watch for Patterns Another way you can train your Golden Retriever puppy to stop biting is to watch for patterns. See if your dog tends to bite more at certain times of day, in the same room, or while playing with a particular toy. When your dog does bite, you can use other methods to get them to stop immediately. But after the fact, write down the date, time, and situation. If multiple people are training your dog, you should also log who your dog tends to bite. That way, you can see if there are patterns. Use Bitter Spray When you start training your Golden Retriever puppy, you may want to try using a bitter spray on your hands. Try this bitter spray Amazon , it works on your hands to stop chewing and biting and it also works on other things around the house that a new puppy might want to chew on like houseplants, furniture, etc. This can be an easy way to get your dog not to bite you. Now, this can be difficult if your dog bites other areas of your body, but it can help. You might get quicker results than if you only stuck to ignoring your dog. Have Lots of Toys Another excellent way to train your Golden Retriever to stop biting you is to use toys. You should be careful and use toys when your dog exhibits good behavior. But you can give your dog chew toys so that they have something they can bite. There is even a teething ring for dogs Amazon that you keep in the freezer and it provides something cool to chew on to help ease the pain during this period of your puppies life. Then, your dog will want to behave well when they play with you. Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! You can have a bag of small treats in your pocket that you use when playing with your dog. Whenever they go a long time without biting, you can give them a treat. You can also use the treats to distract your dog. If you know their patterns and when they usually bite, you can preempt that with a treat. Then, your dog can chew on the food rather than your hand. There are tons of treats out there, so go with something small. Try to avoid using treats as a bribe, and focus on making them a reward. That way, your dog can look forward to a treat for their good habits. Start As Soon as Possible Training your Golden Retriever puppy not to bite should start as soon as you bring your puppy home. If you wait until your dog gets into the habit of biting, it will be hard to break. You may still need to use various ways to train your dog, but it should be easier. Starting when your puppy is super young can also help them with other areas of their life. If you can train them not to bite, you will know how they learn best, which will help you train them for other things. It will also be harder if you use one method while your spouse uses another method. Everyone in your household should decide on how and when to train your Golden Retriever puppy. Use the same toys or treats, train your dog simultaneously, or use the same speaking tone. That way, your dog can learn from everyone rather than a single trainer. Then, you all can enjoy your Golden Retriever, and they can develop good habits. Final Thoughts Training a Golden Retriever to stop biting can take some time. You have to figure out when your dog bites and what triggers the biting. Then, you have to determine how your dog learns best and use that method to train your puppy. But once you find the perfect tool, your dog will learn to stop biting. You are bound to want to know when your biting puppy will grow out of this phase and how you can speed that process up. Biting, as you will have discovered is usually accompanied by lots of noise! Why do puppies bite? So why do puppies bite? My puppy is biting hard Puppies do bite hard and it does hurt. But I want to reassure you that even at 8 weeks old, your puppy has learned to moderate his bite in play. Puppies have powerful jaws designed to tear through flesh and crush bones. Those of you who feed your puppy a raw diet will know that even an 8 week old puppy from a medium sized breed can crush bones the size of your little finger. He is deliberately attempting to be gentle. Puppy Biting — Bite inhibition This ability, that your puppy has, to moderate the power of his jaws in play, is called bite inhibition. It is something that his mother started to teach him when he was just a few weeks old. And now it is your turn to take over and complete the training process. Growling and Puppy biting One thing that often worries people who have a new puppy in the family, is the growling that accompanies puppy biting. It sounds horrific. Great snarls and snaps accompany the biting and the puppy can appear quite demonic as he grabs onto your skin, or clothes. Tugging away with all the strength he can muster. Ninety nine times out of a hundred this is completely normal play biting. Is my puppy biting aggressive? You cannot determine whether or not a puppy is biting aggressively by how hard he bites or by the volume of the noise he makes. Play biting puppies bite hard and growl fiercely. Some puppies do occasionally draw blood. But these are not normally savage or crushing bites and the puppy is clearly enjoying himself. Fierce but fun! The play biting puppy will launch himself at the target of his bite. Whether it is your slippers or your fingers, with equal tail-wagging enthusiasm, hanging on grimly and grabbing repeatedly when the item is removed from him. All this, shocking though it may seem, is normal, and is not a sign that your puppy is going to be an aggressive dog! In fact some of the gentlest and most amiable breeds the labrador for example are the worst and fiercest play biters. The puppy that is a cause for concern is the puppy that is frightened. Because although puppies rarely bite through aggression, the nervous puppy may become aggressive as he matures Is my puppy afraid? A scared puppy may bite and scared puppies can grow into scared adult dogs so this is something you need to address quickly. You will know that your puppy is scared because he will try to avoid whatever it is he is scared of. A really frightened puppy will sometimes give off a distinctive musky smell. This hiding, and retreating, and the scared smell are warning signs that you have scared your puppy badly, or purchased a poorly socialised puppy. In this situation you need to get specialist help right away. Your vet should be able to advise you. For the vast majority of puppy owners then, biting is normal puppy behavior. Will my puppy biting stop naturally? To some extent biting is a phase caused by natural puppy playfulness and teething. Some puppies do stop biting with very little input from their family. Which is great. You may feel he should have grown out of it by now. We can physically prevent puppies from biting and we can train puppies not to bite. Both of these are good strategies. Or when children are getting upset, or visitors are winding your puppy up. Prevention usually involves interrupting the biting behavior, then redirecting the puppy into an alternative and more acceptable behavior, such as chewing on a toy. Or, it may involve temporarily separating him from his playmates. Interrupting the puppy biting In mild cases you may simply be able to put a toy in your biting puppy's mouth and get him tugging on that instead of on your fingers. If you are on the floor with the puppy stand up. And if you are standing up, turn and walk away from the puppy. This is where dog gates come in very handy with small puppies. A standard baby gate works fine for most breeds of dog. Managing the puppy You may have to pick up your biting puppy to remove him from the scene if he is biting your children for example, rather than you If he bites your hands and clothes as you try to restrain him, put him on the other side of a barrier or in his crate or puppy playpen for a short while. Although the puppy does learn from them, these are useful management techniques to enable you to control the situation. They help you to keep your puppy calm, and prevent the biting escalating through over excitement. Over-excited puppies Puppy play biting is directly linked to excitement. The more excited your puppy gets, the more and the harder he will bite. And the harder it will be to interrupt and distract him. Rough play excites puppies and noisy play does too. Children tend to squeal when they play and get very physical with puppies. One of the first rules they need to learn when playing with dogs, especially big dogs, is to stand up and stand still when the game gets too much. Limit such play and call a halt to it if your puppy is biting. With medium to large breed dogs, physical rough and tumble play is not a great idea. It can lead to dogs bowling people over or humping them, neither of which is very pleasant. Stopping play when it gets rough is a good management strategy and it is a form of training too. Over time, your puppy learns that biting and rough play loses him his playmates and that people simply leave if he is being mean. When do puppies stop biting? Many puppies have stopped biting completely by six months of age and biting is usually subsiding by the time that the puppy is heading towards five months old. This is if the puppy has been managed appropriately If people have been exciting him, or rewarding him for attention seeking behavior then biting can persist And it can be much more of a problem in bigger stronger puppies than in little ones. Training Puppies Not To Bite The idea of this exercise is to teach a puppy to accept being stroked and handled in any way, without touching us with his teeth. The event marker is a distinctive sound. Even around his mouth, without him making any attempt to bite you. You can also make it easier for him by starting this training when he is calm and not distracted. But for now, keep things simple. It can be a good way of getting the training started so that you have chance to say YES and give the puppy the opportunity to learn what you want him to do. Over the next few sessions, you can work on getting your hand closer and closer to the puppy. Until you are brushing the sides of his face without him making any attempt to mouth or bite at you Progress to touching and holding his collar, stroking his ears, grooming him, examining his paws and so on, all the time rewarding him for the correct behavior. Anytime the mouthing returns, back up to a point where he can succeed and move forward more slowly again Bite Inhibition Training Some experts feel that puppies should be allowed to mouth and even bite gently for a week or two before being prevented from biting altogether. Simply follow the instructions for managing your puppy above when he bites hard. But allow him to mouth you when he bites gently without much pressure. This is a great way to teach a dog excellent control over his mouth. After a couple of weeks of this, you can progress to the training exercise I outlined in the previous section. Older puppies that bite in play have often learned that this gets them a lot of attention. They have discovered that people squeal and shout and get quite cross. Sometimes these people push and shove the dog around which young dogs quite enjoy when they are playing. For these dogs it is important that you stop all physical play, with all family members If a puppy is biting hard at your hands when you try to interrupt his game. Or an older puppy is getting out of hand biting at clothing, you need to put your puppy on a harness and house-line a short trailing leash. This will enable you to control your puppy, and take him to a calming place, without handling him. You can just pick up the end of the line and lead him away. Older biting puppies are often bright and bored. And the best approach to avoiding future episodes of bad behavior is a structured programme of training and interesting activities. A professional dog trainer using modern positive training methods will be able to help you with these. Summary So now you know some tips on how to stop your puppy from biting. The first few weeks can be tough with a determined biter in the house, but you will get through this and come out the other side. A few months from now, this difficult period will be a distant memory In the meantime, focus on keeping your biting puppy calm, avoiding too much rough play, and redirecting his biting onto appropriate toys and activities. Spend some time on the training exercise set out above. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Wish your golden retriever puppy would stop biting so much? Puppy nipping is one of the most frustrating things about raising a new puppy—their teeth are razor-sharp, it hurts when they bite, and they can ruin your clothes! But why do puppies bite so much? Puppies bite to learn acquired bite inhibition, or ABI. What exactly is ABI? He might leap up and bite you because you hurt him and scared him. But the important thing is this: how hard will they bite? This is where ABI comes in. So ABI is really important. Now the question is, how do they learn it? The only way for puppies to learn ABI is to bite, and bite often. The best teachers are other dogs. Next time they bite a little less hard and playtime continues. This is how they learn ABI. Obviously, it takes a lot of repetition of this scenario to happen for a puppy to learn not to bite so hard, but this is essentially how it works out. Yes, you will need to help teach your puppy ABI. You can do this two ways: Set up puppy playdates and take them to puppy kindergarten so other puppies can teach them ABI. You actually want them to bite a little bit and learn to control how hard they bite. That being said, letting them go on a biting rampage is not helping the situation, so here are five tips to help you stop your puppy from biting so much: 1. Socialize your puppy Other dogs are the best teachers of ABI so make sure to get your puppy in kindergarten and set up playdates with dogs that you know are vaccinated. Remove yourself from the situation Puppies can often be over-stimulated or over-tired. One thing we did with our puppy, Oliver, when he got in these moods was to go sit at our high-top table in the kitchen and ignore him until he calmed down or distracted himself with a chew toy. Exercise your puppy A tired puppy is a good puppy. Young puppies have weak jaws, so if they had dull teeth, a bite from them would be no big deal. Most adult golden retrievers bite out of fear and a professional can help you properly handle it. Puppy Biting vs. Chewing Puppy biting or nipping is when a dog purposefully bites you. As we already talked about, they need to do this to learn ABI. Puppy chewing, on the other hand, is when puppies chew on things to relieve the pressure in their mouths from their adult teeth coming in. Since puppies bite and chew for different reasons, you need to handle these problems differently. Mentally wear them by out by training them, going for long walks and letting them sniff around, and giving them puzzle toys or frozen kongs. Remember that a tired puppy is a good puppy. A: It can take up to six weeks or more for your puppy to learn ABI and what is appropriate to bite or not. If it takes longer than six weeks, just remember to be consistent with the steps to stop it and have faith that it will slow down soon. Q: Is puppy biting an act of aggression? A: Most puppy biting is a form of play. It helps them learn ABI. If you think your puppy is biting out of aggression, then you should talk to a professional. Q: Why are puppy teeth so sharp? Q: What is ABI? A: ABI is acquired bite inhibition, or the natural ability for a dog to not bite so hard. Q: Do all puppies bite? A: Yes! Instead, they need to learn to control their bite force, then learn to bite less. Have any questions about puppy biting? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. They Are Naturally Mouthy Golden Retrievers are a mouthy breed, to begin with, they are naturally inclined to pick up and hold anything and everything in their mouths. While it may seem like there is something wrong with your puppy to cause him or her to bite so much, rest assured, all puppies bite, not just Golden Retriever puppies. Play Behaviour When you see a litter of pups play together, they often nip and bite at one another. It is their way of socializing and initiating play. Your puppy will bite and nip at you during playtime with you because it is a natural behaviour to them. They Are Teething Many people associate puppy biting with teething, however when a puppy is teething they will resort to chewing and mouthing in order to relieve their pain. They may chew or mouth on your hands and fingers, but teething is not the cause of biting that every puppy owner experiences. Puppy biting is most often just play. To summarize, puppy biting is normal and should be expected as a puppy owner. In general, biting will naturally subside in Golden Retriever puppies around the age of months. This is around the time that their adult teeth have come in. Puppies at this age usually already know how to moderate their bite, and will not bite or nip at you as much as they did when they were younger. While biting anything and everything is normal behaviour to your puppy, it is not something that you want your puppy to continue to do. It is up to you to teach your puppy not to bite humans, especially children. Take a look at the common mistakes puppy owners often make, and learn to avoid them. Puppies who are excited bite more. Children often fall victim to the most puppy bites because they get very excited around puppies and this just gets the puppy going which results in biting. Any attention that you give your puppy after they bite you will seem like a reward to your puppy, and the biting will just continue. Yelling at your puppy, pushing them away, talking to your puppy, or even looking at them is giving them the attention that they want. Bite inhibition is when your puppy learns how to control the strength of his bite. Puppies learn this skill when they are with their littermates, which is why they need to stay with them and their mother until they are 8 weeks old. Playing with their littermates teaches puppies that biting too hard hurts and will end playtime. The puppy then learns to bite softer. When your puppy comes home with you, it is up to you to teach your puppy how to control the force of their bite. Biting down on the thick fur coat of his mother or littermates is a lot different than biting down on human skin. By not teaching your puppy bite inhibition, you will risk your puppy turning into a dangerous adult. Puppy bites are a lot different than adult dog bites. Once your puppy learns how to control the strength of his bite, eventually the bites become gentler, and in time, your puppy will learn to stop biting altogether. This is part of teaching your puppy bite inhibition. This is a way to mimic how puppies play together, when one puppy bites another puppy too hard, that puppy yelps in pain, and will walk away. In some cases, puppies could get even more worked up by the noise and keep on biting. This is when you need to walk away. When your puppy has calmed down, you can resume playing with your puppy. When your puppy bites you again, repeat the steps of yelping and walking away. Eventually, your puppy will learn to soften his bite, because biting too hard ends playtime. The following video discusses why puppies bite, how to teach bite inhibition and how to survive puppy biting. It is a good idea to have a few chew toys on hand to offer up as a distraction from your skin. Check out this list of the best teething toys for puppies. This will get your puppy to stop and focus on being obedient. A great way to solve boredom is by going for a walk with your puppy. How much exercise should you give your Golden Retriever puppy? A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes of exercise for every month that your puppy is alive. So a 3-month-old puppy should get 15 minutes of exercise a day, a 5-month-old puppy should get 25 minutes per day, and so on. This is in addition to and not instead of playtime. Bitter Apple Spray can also be used to prevent your puppy from nipping and biting at you. Before you interact with your puppy, spray it on your arms, legs, pant legs, or sleeves, anywhere that your puppy likes to nip at you. Once your puppy bites at you, he will get a bad taste in his mouth and will stop. Bitter Apple Spray may not work on all puppies, some may actually develop a taste for it. I know that when my Golden Retriever Ellie was a pup this stuff worked amazingly well, but as she got older she developed a taste for bitter things such as crab apples which are extremely sour and she once sucked on a vinegar packet that was lying on the ground! Reward Good Behaviour Every time your puppy stops biting and nipping at you, you need to see this as positive behaviour. Good behaviour should be rewarded so that your puppy learns that he did something good. Rewarding good behaviour with affection and praise is great, you can also use treats, or toys, sometimes the best reward for your puppy is just spending time with them. Be Patient and Consistent Owning a puppy requires a lot of patience! It is so easy to lose your patience at times, but you need to know that your puppy is learning what is right and wrong, and that takes time. It might not happen overnight, but as long as you remain consistent and patient, your pup will learn good behaviour. If your puppy is nipping at your pant legs or sleeves, chances are he is loving the tugging feeling and is actually already playing tug-of-war. Instead of using your clothing, redirect his attention to a rope toy. One thing to be careful of is being too rough with tug-of-war, especially when your puppy is going through his teething phase. A game of fetch offers your pup a distraction from biting, and Golden Retriever puppies naturally love to retrieve things. This is a great way to also teach your puppy to drop it, by offering a treat when your puppy drops the ball or rope toy. A well-socialized puppy will be less likely to exhibit any unwanted behaviours later on. Enrolling your pup in puppy kindergarten or arranging some play dates with other dogs who are friendly and vaccinated is a great way for your pup to learn social skills. Other dogs are sometimes the best teachers for a puppy because they will let your puppy know what is okay for play and what is not okay, in terms of biting and nipping. Always supervise your puppy while playing with other dogs. Yelling at your puppy will only make your puppy scared and confused as well as lose trust and respect for you. Common mistakes people make when their puppy is biting are pushing them away, clamping down on their mouths or spraying them in the face with water. All of these are a bad idea! Your puppy could see this behaviour as a form of play and continue biting and nipping at you even harder. If you remain calm and use a firm voice not yelling , your pup will see you as in charge. Puppies and dogs often exhibit the same behaviour as we do, if you get upset and start yelling, your puppy will just get even more excited. As unpleasant as puppy biting is, it is normal behaviour. Your puppy biting and nipping at you with a mouth full of shark teeth may seem aggressive, but it is most often just out of curiosity and play behaviour. Golden Retrievers are known for their calm and gentle demeanour, but there are rare instances where you may have an aggressive puppy on your hands. Puppies who have been taken away from their litter earlier than weeks, bad breeding, being abused, a chemical imbalance, and not being socialized are all reasons for aggression in puppies. Signs of an aggressive puppy include barking, growling, lunging at you or another dog, a stiff posture, and showing teeth. If you think your puppy is aggressive, it is important to work with a professional dog trainer or behaviourist in order to find out the reasons for aggression and work on correcting the behaviour before it gets worse. It is important to keep your calm and work with your puppy to teach him the important skill of bite inhibition, and to redirect his biting to more appropriate behaviour. Socializing your puppy, as well as rewarding good behaviour will all help to turn your puppy into a well-behaved dog. Have you tried any of the tips mentioned above? Do you have any other tips to stop Golden Retriever puppy biting? Share your thoughts and comments below, as well as any questions you may have. I would love to hear from you. Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. Are you a proud new golden retriever puppy parent or considering getting a furry friend? While puppies are adorable and full of energy, they can also be a handful, especially when it comes to biting. This article will cover practical strategies to manage puppy biting and help you and your pup develop a solid and loving relationship. Thus biting is natural. Their bites will become softer as they practice and learn to manage their bite strength. They will eventually stop biting entirely. While biting is a natural part of the learning process, it is essential to train your puppy not to bite excessively. Here are a few tips to get you started: Providing Chew Toys for Redirecting Biting Behavior Providing chew toys is an excellent approach to help your puppy stop biting. When your puppy begins to bite you, remove your hand or foot and replace it with a chew toy. This teaches them that biting is acceptable, but only when done with toys, not people. It is essential to keep an eye on your puppy when they play with chew toys to ensure they do not consume anything toxic. By exposing your puppy to a variety of people, animals, and environments in a controlled and positive manner, you can help them develop proper social skills and reduce biting tendencies. Socialization helps puppies learn appropriate bite inhibition and establishes boundaries for acceptable behavior during interactions. Through well-planned socialization experiences, you can guide your puppy towards becoming a well-behaved and gentle companion. Employing the Time-Out Strategy for Persistent Biting Use the time-out strategy when other methods fail to stop your puppy from biting. If your puppy continues to bite, place him on a time-out for 30 seconds before allowing him to return to play. This teaches your puppy that biting is unacceptable and will result in a loss of playtime or attention. Again, use a gentle tone and avoid shouting or scolding your puppy. When your puppy plays gently with their toys instead of biting you, shower them with praise and perhaps even a tasty gift! This teaches your puppy that good behavior leads to beautiful things. Instead, concentrate on encouraging appropriate behavior and redirecting any inappropriate biting. Your puppy will learn to control their biting and play in a friendly and safe manner with time, patience, and positive reinforcement. This entails repeating the same commands, techniques, and rewards each time you train. When you do this, your puppy learns what is expected of them and how to get rewarded. On the other hand, if you are inconsistent, your puppy may get confused and unsure of what they need to do to please you. This can make training more difficult and frustrating for you and your puppy. So, strive to be consistent in your training. However, they can get nippy during their fun exploration of the world around them. The good news is that this is a natural habit for pups, and there are ways to deal with it. Puppies prefer to bite to initiate play, learn more about their surroundings, and adjust their bite pressure, especially when they are teething. These actions are part of how they play, interact, and learn about their environment. First, however, puppies must be taught how to control their biting pressure and redirect their biting to appropriate toys and chew objects, which we will discuss later. Puppy bites, for example, can become more painful and even harmful as they increase in size. Additionally, it might lead to destructive chewing if you do not divert their biting habit to appropriate chew items. As a result, it is critical to address this habit early on through regular teaching and positive reinforcement. Understand what motivates them and what makes them more likely to engage in biting. Adjust your training methods: Not all puppies respond to the same training techniques. Some may respond better to positive reinforcement, while others may require more redirection and distraction. Consider their energy levels: Golden Retrievers are known for their energy and enthusiasm. Be patient and consistent: Training takes time, and each puppy learns at their own pace. Be patient with your puppy and provide consistent guidance. Remember, every Golden Retriever puppy is an individual, and what works for one may not work for another. With a customized approach, you can effectively address biting behavior and set your unique puppy on the path to becoming a well-behaved and happy companion. So, most puppies begin to bite and mouth less frequently when they are 8 to 10 months old. However, this varies greatly depending on the individual pup. Some may stop sooner, while others may take a little longer. Golden retrievers, for example, love using their tongues. At the same time, herding dogs such as border collies or corgis may continue to nip at ankles as they age. Just keep working with your pet and providing the guidance they require to create positive habits! Conclusion As you begin the joyful road of raising your Golden Retriever puppy, keep in mind that training and socialization are essential for producing a happy and well-behaved dog. You can teach your puppy what is expected of them and create healthy behaviors that will last a lifetime using consistent and positive reinforcement techniques. Remember that each puppy is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. You will be rewarded with a devoted and well-behaved companion if you are patient and committed to the training process. Remember to give your puppy enough exercise and mental stimulation and to continuously reward positive behavior. You can help your puppy grow into a happy and healthy adult dog who will provide you happiness for many years by doing so. By the time your puppy reaches around three months of age, they should start to develop bite inhibition and learn to control the force of their bites during play. As you continue to interact and train with your puppy, you can gradually increase your sensitivity to the level of bites you find acceptable. By the age of four or five months, their play bites should no longer exert any force. Can I use physical punishment to stop my puppy from biting? Certainly not! To stop a puppy from biting, never use physical punishment. It is not only ineffective, but it can also be harmful and cause long-term behavioral issues. Instead, train your puppy using positive reinforcement techniques, including redirection, time-outs, and excellent rewarding behavior. What can I do? Puppies frequently nip and bite while playing with other dogs, but teaching them to control their bite force is essential. My puppy is teething. What can I do to stop them from biting? Teething is a normal developmental stage for puppies , and they naturally want to chew and bite things. Similar to what we discussed earlier. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Read the full disclosure here. Tasty finger! Your golden retriever puppy is as friendly as can be — great with kids, respectful of other dogs, and not overly attentive to your cat. Yes, golden retrievers are known for their good-natured demeanor, but they are still dogs — not so very far removed from their wild cousins, and they can be unpredictable when faced with stressful, disturbing, or frightening situations. One of our jobs as responsible dog owners, of course, is to keep our dogs safe, but we may not always be able to protect them, and we may not always be able to prevent them from biting through fear or when in pain. What is Bite Inhibition? Puppies begin learning this from their mother and siblings as soon as they start to tumble around with each other in play. If they bite too hard, they are scolded by their mother or alerted with a yelp from their siblings. Eventually, they learn how hard is too hard, and they use their teeth more gently in play. Human Sensitive or Advanced Bite Inhibition By the time your puppy moves into your home, they will have been using their bite inhibition skills for weeks. Your puppy needs to learn that human beings are fragile and should be treated with care. There are many professional trainers who recommend that you simply train your puppy not to bite. This seems like a practical course of action, and it does work — in the short term. Teaching a puppy not to bite will give you quick results, but it may mean they never learn how much force is safe to use on people when they are forced to bite in an emergency. So if they do eventually bite, they will know to hold back the pressure safely and will not cause anywhere near as much pain or damage as they otherwise might. Why is Bite Inhibition Important? Believe it or not, even the most gentle dog that has been trained from a young age never to bite, can react to certain triggers. Those triggers are fear and pain. Consider these situations: Your dog has been suffering from chronic ear infections and hates to have his ears handled. The neighbor stops by with her toddler, who immediately runs to your dog and fondles his sensitive ears roughly. What will he do? You and your dog are walking down the road like you do every morning when out of nowhere comes a huge dog who attacks your dog without thinking twice. You manage to pull your dog away, but in the process, your frightened dog bites your arm. Your sweet golden retriever has gotten themself tangled in some barbed wire while hiking. As you loosen the wire from her skin and fur, she snaps at you, biting your hand. You may never experience any of these situations. By teaching bite inhibition while your puppy is young, you will be far safer and ready for any of these situations should they occur. Teaching Advanced Bite Inhibition Following is a general guide to the bite inhibition skills your puppy learns and when, as well as where you should aim for their skills to be at certain ages. She will start the puppies off by teaching them how rough is too rough during nursing and play. These lessons begin when the puppies start nursing day 1 and continue until the day you pick your puppy up from the breeder. This works for some puppies, but for others, it just seems to arouse the pup and make matters worse. You will have to experiment to find out what works for you and your pup. You should withdraw all of your attention from your puppy for very hard bites. Do not over-correct your puppy so they become afraid of biting. After your puppy has calmed down, use a chew toy as a reward and let them chew it in your lap or lying by your side. This teaches you puppy that there are other ways to keep their mouths and teeth busy. By four or five months, all force behind play bites should be eliminated. Kids tend to play rough with puppies, and puppies will get rough right back. Your puppy needs to know that every human being is sensitive to their bites, not just you. It is a process that sometimes lasts months, depending on your puppy. Be prepared for this, and remember that long-term results in your adult dog are more important than curtailing puppy bites as painful as they may be. Supervise your puppy around children — If you have young children at home, you will have to think carefully about how you will protect them and your puppy. Little puppy teeth can cause a lot of pain, especially when your pup is still learning to control those urges. Young children can also cause a lot of pain to small puppies. Always supervise very carefully when your pup and children are together. A tired puppy is a happy puppy — It will be much easier to teach bite inhibition if your puppy is not bouncing off the walls. Make sure they get enough exercise every day. Not only will this help with training, but it will also help prevent all kinds of other destructive behavior. Conclusion Teaching bite inhibition to your golden retriever puppy is a gift you give to your pup that will last forever.

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our list of the highest rated Labradoodle Breeders in New York features ethical facilities whose main focus is producing healthy Labradoodle pups. More breeders are taking on the huge responsibility of breeding Labradoodle puppies in New York, which is naturally a great thing. However, the high demand has also attracted Doodle scammers and puppy mills. See Also: Click the image Although Doodle scammers will leave you empty-handed with no money or puppy, puppy mills are a different story. Namely, their lower prices are used to attract unknowing buyers while selling them unhealthy puppies from overbred parents. Oftentimes, the kennels are in horrible conditions, the dogs are malnourished, and come with a wide set of health problems. You can always ask the breeder for proof of health testing, as reputable breeders have no problems providing you with the documentation. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Another great indicator is that a breeder is recommended by Gooddog. All of these organizations require their certified breeders to follow high standards of health and genetic testing. In addition to that, the breeders have to follow ethical breeding practices and provide a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for the breeding dogs and puppies. See Also:. We ensured that none of the Labradoodle breeders mentioned here has a bad reputation and that no breeders with unethical procedures or puppy mills were listed. Secondly, PuppySpot offers a range of resources and services to make the process of bringing your new Labradoodle home as easy as possible. Lastly, PuppySpot is committed to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. They have a strict policy against working with puppy mills or substandard breeders and partner with animal welfare organizations to support their mission. They make the process easy, and their commitment to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare is something to be proud of! You can trust this breeder, who has been breeding Australian multigenerational miniature and standard-sized Labradoodles since , to do everything she can to raise healthy and happy puppies. All puppies have been vaccinated, microchipped, and checked their health. You can also request health and genetic tests from this breeder. Hips, eyes, and other joints are among the most common health examinations. Furthermore, genetic testing guarantees that your dog will be free of inherited disorders. You will get a Labradoodle puppy that will share your home for the rest of its life. Each breeding parent has undergone extensive health checks and genetic testing. Before you can be approved as a breeder, both organizations need you to undergo health tests on your dogs. This breeder spends time exposing puppies to various stimuli and lifelong conditions such as nail trimming and bathing. Most Labradoodle breeders in New York will not provide their puppies with this additional training and stimulation. All puppies are vet-checked, given their first set of immunizations, dewormed, and come with a health guarantee. Parent dogs are health-tested and genetically checked, providing you peace of mind when choosing a Labradoodle puppy. This breeder is known for its multigeneration medium-sized Labradoodles. All pups come with a health guarantee of 2-years, up-to-date immunizations, microchipping, and free pet insurance for an initial period of 30 days. All breeding parents are entirely healthy and have had their eyes, hearts, knees, elbows, and hips examined by the OFA. This breeder is known for its multigenerational medium and standard-size Labradoodles. They only have a limited amount of certified therapy and service dogs available each year, so talk to them if you want your Labradoodle to be more than just a family pet or a companion dog. In New York, Guardianship initiatives are an excellent method to receive a low-cost Labradoodle pup. Within one week of the buyer receiving the puppy, a veterinarian will inspect the puppy. They breed F2B standard-sized Labradoodle puppies. At 6 weeks of age, the puppies will get their first checkup and vaccinations with the Country Side doctor. We usually suggest contacting each breeder individually and asking them a range of questions. Choose a breeder willing to address your issues and choose the best dog on the basis of temperament rather than appearance. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. They have puppies that come from very good bloodlines and they focus mostly on Australian Labradoodles, Multi-Generational Labradoodles F3 , Goldendoodles, and double doodles. Johnson raises them like their own within their own home and they teach them basics from a young age until they go home. They socialize the puppies with people and other dogs so they are ready to go to their forever homes. Tips for New Puppy Owners Congratulations on your new puppy! That tip is to take the time to prepare your puppy for his first visit to the grooming salon! Most puppies have their first grooming experience at around 11 or 12 weeks of age when their course of vaccinations is complete. Daily Brushing First of all, you must get into the routine of combing and brushing your Doodle pup every day. After a few days of wriggling and attempting to steal the grooming tools, Raffles has now gotten used to the whole rigmarole and accepts it without too much protest. Blow Dry Many dogs find the sound and sensation of a blow dryer quite alarming, so I started to introduce my puppy to that from day one. When I dried my hair, I simply put Raffles on the bed next to me, set the dryer onto its lowest, coolest setting, and gently allowed the air to pass over him. Here is a Labradoodle puppy checklist to help your puppy settle in during their first month in your home: Make sure you have a safe place for your puppy to sleep. This could be a crate or an exercise pen with a soft bed inside. Puppies need to eat three to four times a day, so make sure you have a regular feeding schedule of good quality pet food for the healthiest puppy possible. Puppies should be taken outside frequently to go to the bathroom. They may not hold it for long at first, so be prepared for accidents. Happy puppies need a lot of exercise, so make sure you have time for long walks or play sessions every day. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come, and be consistent with your rewards and corrections. Remember to be patient! Enjoy this time and create lots of happy memories with your new furry friend. Puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding operations that churn out puppies for profit without regard to the welfare of the animals. The puppies are often raised in horrible conditions and may not receive proper vet care or socialization. The breeder seems more interested in making a sale than answering your questions or getting to know you. The breeder has multiple breeds of puppies available. The breeder has puppies that are very young less than eight weeks old. We made a list of ethical Labradoodle breeders from nearby states, so you will not fall into the hands of these puppy mills. Check these out:.

Eager to get started? This is an important consideration because puppies have smaller bladders and may not have full control over them yet so a little extra patience and understanding is required. Like many dogs, senior Labradoodles can be harder to housetrain but if you own a puppy, you can start training them when they reach 4 to 6 months old. The Labradoodle is a naturally smart breed and will take about 4 to 5 months to housetrain. Consistent training and applying the right training methods will go a long way in making the process easier for you and your dog. Dogs are in the habit of sniffing the ground before doing their business. Barking and Whining Your dog will sometimes bark and whine to let you know that it needs to go outside. They can be signs of discomfort as they get the urge to pee or poop. Going in Circles This is another indication that your dog needs to go outside. Here are 3 methods we recommend. Choose one that you feel will work best for you: Method 1: Using Commands A tried and tested classic potty-training method, commands allow us to communicate with our dogs so they know what we expect from them. How To Do It As you start out, this method requires you to take your dog out 10 to 30 minutes after finishing a meal and every three hours. Issue your command and eventually, your dog will learn to associate the action with the word. Method 2: Bell Ringing This has to be one of the more impressive ways to train your Labradoodle. You can train your dog to ring a bell whenever it needs to go out for potty. Australian Labradoodles are a different breed the Labradoodles although similar! You only need to attach a bell like this one to your door so that it rings every time you go out. Potty Bells dog doorbells are THE original dog doorbell made of only the highest quality.Great Training Tool: Tired of the scratching and barking at your door? Dog potty door bells are the perfect aid to housetrain your puppy or dog. Follow our easy 3 step training guide. Teach your pooch.Simply the best puppy training bells for dogs. Eight color options. Black and grey Potty Bells also.Function: Potty Bells are the original superior dog training aid for housebreaking your puppy. Adjustable strap training bell is ideal for any size or age puppy or dog. Use the strong holding snaps to.We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Teach your dog to ring the bell on its own. To do so, you can hold a treat near the bell and when your dog makes it ring, reward your pet with the treat and praise your dog profusely. If this happens, let them out anyway. Your pet will sooner or later tire of the game and will only ring the bell to alert you of legitimate potty breaks. Method 3: Crate-training Crate-training is another classic method for potty-training. This method also gives your dog a safe space where they feel comfortable and cozy as they adjust to a new home. Make sure that your dog can comfortably lie down, turn around, and stand in it. This method requires you to move quickly and let your dog out at the earliest sign that it needs to go. You can also let your dog out even before it starts sniffing and moving in circles. Depending on the dog, it can take days or weeks for crate training to work. Note that younger dogs will need to go out more frequently than older dogs. What should you name your Labradoodle puppy? Our best Labradoodle name ideas. Tips for Potty-training Success Do you have an idea of which training method you want to use? Here are some things to keep in mind: Tip 1: Maintain a Consistent Schedule One of the best ways to predict when your Labradoodle will need to go is to maintain a consistent feeding schedule. When you serve meals at the same time every day, your dog will learn to anticipate them and have more consistent bowel movements as well. You can also incorporate scheduled walks and playtime to create more consistency and give them the physical and mental stimulation that healthy dogs need. Tip 2: Treats and More Treats! Labradoodles have a healthy appetite that you can use to your advantage while potty-training them. Since Labradoodles inherit the eager to please personalities of their poodle parent , you can also shower them with praise and belly rubs to show them how pleased you are with them. Pro Tip: If your dog rings the bell, or relieves itself on command or right after you let it out of the crate, reward it immediately so they learn to associate the action with the reward. Tip 3: Build a Strong Bond This must be one of the most enjoyable tips on this list because it entails cuddling with your Labradoodle and spending time with it. As their owner, your dog will not only thrive by having a healthy and secure relationship with you but will also want to please you during potty-training. A great way to build a strong bond with your dog is by feeding it from your hand. This is particularly effective for shy and fearful dogs. Dogs by nature love their humans and enjoy their company. You can also use the opportunity to get to know your dog better. Additionally, pee pads are also much easier and more pleasant to deal with than cleaning your floor. Tip 5: Make Learning Fun As their owner, you can help them associate following commands with positive experiences. After your Labradoodle is done relieving itself, spend a few minutes playing with them. Get to know what activities they enjoy the most and reward them by engaging in them. While it may seem like an obvious and practical lesson, it may take some time for Labradoodles to understand what we want from them. Despite the challenges, potty training is worth the time and effort that you put in. Imagine what a difference a properly housetrained dog makes compared to an untrained one. Being patient with them as they learn will also help you establish a strong bond and make it easier if you want to teach them more tricks in the future. Remember to be patient, consistent, give your dog a structured schedule, and immediately reward your furry friend whenever the situation calls for it. If, once in a while your dog fails to measure up, just keep at it, and sooner or later your Labradoodle will pick up on what you want it to do. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. You must understand his nature as an animal and companion. Knowing these things will help you house-train your dog. In this way, you can give rewards or praise when the dog does well. These rewards will likely depend on what dogs want as dog food or as a simple pat on the back. The next thing you need to know, in addition to the time it takes, you should also be patient enough to train your child at home. If you find it difficult to train a human child, it would be impossible to train a dog. Communicating with your dog can be the most difficult part. However, when you understand them, their nature will be more relaxed. Patience is a key aspect of ensuring that the dog learns what it wants to learn. It should feel that your home is with you, the person who is training you. In this way, the dog would surrender to your order and would do as you say. You, as a coach, should always have quality time together in the form of connecting through games or as easy as doing it together in the park. Unfortunately, many dog owners have no idea how to train their dogs at home. Go Outside Every Couple of Hours A Labradoodle puppy should be outside every time it has slept, eaten, had something to drink, after playtime, or just after being really excited. That might seem excessive, so as a rule of thumb, it might be easier to just remember to allow it outside every hours. That should lower the risk of an accident quite a bit. A clear signal that your puppy is about to have a call of nature, is that it will spin around itself a few times, before sitting down on its bottom. When you see this, quickly get it outside. Praise and Treats Shouting and screaming have probably never helped anything, the puppy will learn far more by positive reinforcement. This way it will quickly find out which behavior is rewarded, and the puppy would naturally want to repeat those actions. The reason why it might have a few accidents inside is that it has never really learned any alternative. When there is the occasional accident, there is really no better way, than to just get a paper towel, clean it up, and move on. Patience is a virtue If you do intervene with the puppy, it might take a bit of time before it remembers where it left off. And the second you get back inside where there are peace and quiet, the puppy will let out a sigh of relief, and pee on the floor. Quick Summary Let the dog outside every time it has eaten or had a drink. Also quickly after a nap. To begin with, also a couple of times through the night. Start as soon as possible. And if you want it to primarily go on grass, introduce it to this element fast. Perhaps even use the same area so the puppy is familiarized with the spot. Praise it when the opportunity is there. By following these simple ideas, you should be able to house-train any puppy. And if you want even more detailed advice and tips on how to house-train your puppy, this guide affiliate link has pretty helpful tricks you might be interested to look into. Additional Tips for House Training a Labradoodle Puppy Training Tip 1 The first rule of thumb to train your dog at home is to stick with foods that are already used to his system. Giving your Labradoodle puppy fatty foods can make it difficult to control his intestines. Training Tip 2 Not only is it important to feed your dog the food it is used to, but it is also very important to feed it every day. Doing this makes home training easy for both you and your dog; for your dog because it helps you establish a regular elimination pattern. And for you, because you can use this pattern to your advantage when it comes to training your pet, quickly and efficiently. Training Tip 3 You probably already have the idea that schedules are a good idea when it comes to training your dog at home. Well, here is another piece of the puzzle. Then be sure to take it out every few hours throughout the day. Doing so will help you understand that his business must be done outside. The sooner he learned this, the better. If you can avoid it, you really want to prevent your dog from entering. Not only because cleaning is a pain, but because the smell is almost impossible to remove and will continue to attract your Labradoodle puppy repeatedly. Hopefully, your dog will crash from time to time during training. When this happens, immediately clean the pool. Remember, animals tend to repeatedly return to places where they can smell urine or feces, so be sure to clean them well, especially carpets. If you notice your Labradoodle puppy gravitate to the point and bend down to do his business again, pick him up and take him outside. You may also want to check with your local pet store for something to help you get rid of the smell. Dogs often behave in a certain way when they feel the need to eliminate. It is much easier to train your Labradoodle puppy at home when you are alert and ready to accompany your little one as soon as you see the first signs that he may need to leave. You may want to look at boxes to train your dog. With a little time and training, he will learn how to do his business where he should. The key here is to make sure your labradoodle puppy gets out of the box and into the yard! Training Tip 6 Good behavior should be praised. Then give credit where it is due. Your Labradoodle puppy will do almost anything to gain approval. You must make it very obvious that you are satisfied with his behavior, so be enthusiastic and effusive. Later, when obedience training begins, your Labradoodle puppy will already know that obedience equals praise, so home training sets the stage for all your dog training efforts. Doing so will truly show your pooch that working together outside is synonymous with being distant from everyone else. Put a positive turn on the whole preparation experience. Praise your little one while doing business, and then spend a few minutes on quality playtime. He will learn faster, and you will both be happier. Daring your dog after the disaster will only scare him of you or the mess. And in some cases, it can even cause your dog to start eating its waste because it feels its presence annoys it. Training Tip 8 Pick a verbal order. The pet is more used to short expressions that its owner utilizes much of the time. Since mistakes will continue to occur during the home training process, you will need a variety of hand-cleaning supplies. You can use Bleach to neutralize urine, but beware of where you put it away, as it will stain some clothes. Buying cleaning products for controlling pet mess will be more beneficial than using regular cleaning products. It takes a lot of love, but your dog will learn not to make the whole house his personal bathroom. Final Words Not all puppies are created equal when it comes to training. Some require more time and effort than others, but the training methods are usually very similar. It takes time and dedication to train a dog properly. Patience is the key to training, and repetition is key to reinforcing the learning process. The age of the little dog can be critical, as it is commonly simpler to prepare more puppies. If possible, training should start between six and eight weeks. Different races can also play an important role in training methods. Different breeds have different temperaments and personalities. Then take him outside immediately. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Apr 26, Share Labradoodles are smart, loving, and active dogs. Hybrid dogs end up with traits from both parents. Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are both incredibly smart breeds. Here are nine expert tips to help you potty-train your Labradoodle. Take Your Time Patience is a virtue when it comes to potty training Labradoodles. The entire process can take 4 to 6 months, so get ready to clean up a few accidents! While most adult dogs can go for around hours without a bathroom break, puppies require more frequent trips outside. Most 3-month-old dogs need to pee every 4 hours, and 4-month-old puppies are usually okay for around 5 hours without a bathroom break. Puppies often require bathroom breaks first thing in the morning, after naps and meals, and before bed. Puppies often have physical tells that indicate they need to hit the bathroom. Once you know what those indications are, take your pet outside, encourage them to pee, and give them a nice reward. Dogs eventually learn to associate peeing outside with getting a reward, which usually leads to increased motivation to pee outside. Sniffing, pacing, and whining are often signs that dogs need a bathroom break. COM, Shutterstock 3. Stay on Schedule Feed and take your Labradoodle for walks at the same time each day. Regular scheduling often reduces canine stress, as most pets do best with steady routines. Stick with Positive Reinforcement and Training Labradoodles are sensitive dogs. Harsh training techniques, including punishment and even sharp reprimands, can increase canine anxiety, often making it difficult for dogs to learn. Catch your dog doing the things you want to see and provide lots of praise and treats for emphasis. And make sure to keep training, including potty training, fun to ensure your dog remains motivated, interested, and engaged. Image Credit: Josh Borup, Pixabay 5. Training and Bonding Most dogs can start basic obedience training at 8 weeks old. Begin with the basics, such as sit, stay, and down. Early obedience training and socialization exercises provide fantastic human-canine bonding opportunities. Owners often find that training is a great way to spend quality time with their pets. Because Labradoodles are people-oriented, having a strong bond with your dog may make the potty training process more manageable. Allow your pet to become comfortable with one way of communicating their need to take a potty break; you can always introduce alternative options after your dog has mastered the basics. Image Credit: Lopolo, Shutterstock 7. Walk Your Puppy Before You Head Out Because puppies have small bladders, most need to use the bathroom more frequently than adult dogs. Walking your puppy at set times, like after breakfast and before bed, is often helpful. Set your Labradoodle up to succeed by allowing them to take appropriately spaced bathroom breaks. Take your dog to the same place every time you go for a walk, and wait until they go to the bathroom. When your dog uses the bathroom outside in the designated spot, provide treats and praise. Eventually, most dogs learn that peeing in that spot instead of in the house earns goodies. Image Credit: John Edmonds, Pixabay 9. Ignore It When Your Dog Has an Accident Dogs pee and poop inside for several reasons, including not being able to hold it long enough and not understanding how to communicate their needs. If you catch your dog getting ready to pee inside, tell them to wait and take them outside immediately. Most dogs will naturally stop peeing or pooping in response. Next, take them outside to their pee spot, let them finish going to the bathroom, and then reward them for good behavior. Conclusion Labradoodles are sweet, friendly dogs that make fantastic, devoted companions. They bond deeply with their favorite people and enjoy spending time around loved ones. Labradoodles are incredibly smart , and they are known to be incredibly easy to train. Potty training a Labradoodle requires patience, and you can expect the entire process to take anywhere from 4 to 6 months. Stick with positive reinforcement , reward what you want to see, and celebrate when your Labradoodle masters a new skill. Toilet areas can be as specific as a litter box or as general as an area outside. You must have a clear idea, however, of what is an acceptable toilet spot, before you start educating your dog. Your dog can be trained to use only a specific corner of the yard if you are willing to take the time to train your dog to that level of understanding. Your attitude is the most important ingredient in the formula of house training. You are taking your dog or puppy through a process of education; he does not know that it is wrong to use your carpet as his toilet. His Mother never told him. It is not preprogrammed into his genetic coding. It is your job to help him understand the whole concept. With patience and understanding you and your furry friend should be able to achieve your goal in a few short weeks. Keep all meals on a predictable schedule. Avoid any rich foods that could upset your puppy's bowels. Establish a bedtime and a wake up time. Puppies need a lot of nap times, make sure your schedule allows for these. Keep in mind, your puppy will need to go out immediately after all naps. Anytime your puppy has been emotionally stimulated IE frightened or a very rowdy play time your puppy may experience the need to eliminate. Supervise in the house If you know where your dog is at all times and what he is doing, you can catch him before he makes a mistake.If he starts to make a mistake, firmly but calmly say "No" and take him straight out to the toilet area. Do not yell at your puppy or chase him. If you are busy and cannot totally supervise your puppy, put him in a contained area, where he won't make a mistake, or tie him to the door knob of the room you are in. When supervision is not possible gone to work all day? Provide a small area to contain your puppy IE a crate or small bathroom or fenced off corner of the garage. Do not leave food and water with your puppy and do not load your puppy down with a lot of doggie cookies. If you are gone 8 hours, it would be good to find someone who would take him for a walk and give him some water. Take Your Puppy Out Take your puppy out to the desired toilet area and stand quietly while your puppy investigates the area for the "right" spot. This is not play time! Do not distract your puppy by trying to talk to him into hurrying up. If he does not go potty during that time , return him to the house and contain him in a crate for a half hour, then try again. When he does start to potty, quietly and calmly praise him while he is in the process of going potty. Use the word you have chosen for this IE "Good Potty", when he is done, you can praise him with more enthusiasm. Learn your puppy's habits. Some puppies need to potty 2 or 3 times in one outing. Urination is often followed by a BM. If the weather is foul and you aren't happy about taking out your puppy, it is very important not to let your puppy sense this. You may create a dog that does not like using the outside to do his business in foul weather. While you are learning your puppy's habits, take him out, every time he wakes up, after he has eaten, and after all play sessions. Help your puppy get outside to the appropriate potty area; follow the preceding instructions for taking your puppy out. Clean the mess with an odor neutralizer. Your puppy's sense of smell is far superior to ours. If it smells like a toilet area to him, he will continue to use that area for a toilet. Do not clean up the mess in front of the puppy. Put the puppy on a leash and calmly bring him to the scene of the accident. Keep the dog to your side, not in front of you. While your puppy is watching.Blot up some of the urine on a tissue and take it and your puppy out to the appropriate toilet area. Place the tissue with the potty on it on the ground, with the puppy watching; Praise the tissue for being in the right area, then leave the tissue there. Clean up the remaining mess as previously stated. By: David Codr Published Date: May 2, For this Omaha puppy training session we go over remedial potty training to help 15 week-old Labradoodle puppy May stop having accidents as well as share tips to stop 5 year-old Maltipo Friend from marking in the house. Being a mature puppy, May is all about energy and playing. After sharing some creative exercise ideas and enrolling May into our puppy socialization classes , we discussed how to add rules and structure by petting with a purpose and rewarding desired behaviors with passive training. I asked how they potty trained the puppy and its possible there was some confusion between the puppy and people. I handed my camera to the guardians so I could share potty training tips to use when you have a mature puppy peeing in the house. Many puppies and adult dogs need to brush up with some remedial potty training tips. If the guardians take the dog out as detailed in the free dog training video below, they should be able to potty train their puppy the positive way. To help the guardian remember all the tips we shared in this in home puppy training session, we filmed a roadmap to success video that you can check out below. Ways to Potty Train a Labradoodle Puppy There are two main schools of thought when it comes to potty training a puppy: Puppy pads But there is also a happy medium, where you combine these when necessary. Which Method is Best? In reality, neither method is better than the other. But, one may be better for you and your lifestyle. When done correctly, both ways, and the happy medium, can create a well trained Labradoodle. But, for others, cleaning up puppy pads inside is no big deal! The end result will be the same — a Labradoodle that goes to the toilet in the right place. Puppy Pad Potty Training Potty training with puppy pads involves covering the floor of the area that your puppy has access to with pads. The floor you need to choose must be easy to clean for this method, like wooden or linoleum. So a kitchen is usually ideal. Then, when your puppy is reliably toileting in this smaller area, you just pop a couple of pads outside the back door. Finally, you will remove them altogether. You must remove the pads gradually for the same reason that you must start off by covering your entire kitchen floor. To reduce the risk of your puppy having an accident on your floor itself! To him, the floor might seem just as suitable as a puppy pad. So, covering the entire floor at first will remove the risk of any accidents on your floor. Removing the pads gradually will help your puppy learn that the pads are the right place, rather than causing any confusion when they suddenly disappear. But the downside is that it takes longer to get your puppy going to the toilet outside. And in the meantime, you have a house that is periodically peed and pooped in. It can also be more confusing for the puppy to transition to doing their business inside, to moving outside. Which can mean the occasional accident. Crate Training Crate training is a great help to many puppy parents, because it helps your puppy learn to pee outside from the very start. A crate also gives your puppy their own cosy and safe space to stay in for short periods of time. The crate must be big enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around in, but not much more. And it should be full of comfy, cosy bedding. When gradually introduced to a crate, with lots of rewards and for very short periods to begin with, a puppy will love their soft bed very much. And because it is where they sleep, they will really not want to pee in there. As long as it is not too big. This means it is a useful place to put your puppy if you want them to wait just a few short more minutes between pees. The rest of the time the pup is out and about in a wipe-clean room with you. If they squat or start sniffing around, take them outside and stay with them to see if they need the bathroom. If they have any accidents, clean them up with a pet safe spray straight away. But hopefully, your schedule and lots of close monitoring will mean that accidents are few and far between. Using the Crate Safely When used properly, a crate can make a great training tool. However, if your crate is too large, your puppy will simply go to the toilet at one end and sleep at the other. The benefit of the crate is that you can easily wash bedding and clean the crate tray if there are any accidents. Labradoodle puppies need lots of mental stimulation, play, engagement, and exercise. But, another great way to do this is simply by picking your puppy up. If they usually pee every 20 minutes, and you want to see if they will last 30 minutes, just pick them up after 20 minutes if they have already spent a lot of time in their crate today. Hold them for 5 or 10 minutes before taking them out for a pee. And remember, you need to introduce the crate gradually at first, to ensure your puppy feels happy and safe inside. So, picking them up will help you a lot in those early days. Combining Crates and Puppy Pads The crate training puppy method requires getting up at 2am for at least a few days, as you will need to continue to offer regular potty breaks through the night. Many puppy parents find this understandably tough. It also means that you can barely remove your attention from the puppy at all during the day for the first few weeks. But, puppy parents are often human parents too. And, you may need to pop out of the house for a few minutes a couple of times a day as a minimum. A great way to deal with these situations is to set up your crate inside a puppy playpen. During the night and when you need to briefly pop out during the day, you leave the crate door open and line the puppy play pen with puppy pads. This means they can relieve themselves if they need to, without risking messing in their bed or on your floor. Schedules for Potty Training a Labradoodle Puppy To give your puppy the best chance of success when crate potty training, you need to give them lots of opportunities to use the bathroom outdoors. These timings are not set in stone, but are a good starting point for each stage. Some owners will find that they need to offer a pee break as often as every 20 minutes. Watch out for the behaviors we talked about above if you think your puppy needs a pee — particularly sniffing in one spot and squatting. Many puppies will start sleeping through the night. Give them lots of opportunities to pee outdoors, including after every meal or big drink from their water bowl. Remove the water at night, but keep it somewhere they can get at it during the day. In those early weeks, they should spend most of their time with you in a room with wipe-clean floors, just in case! Post navigation. However you must teach your puppy all of your expectations, gently and firmly from day one. Decide the rules you want for your puppy, and teach them those rules right from the beginning, such as: not getting on furniture, not jumping up on people. If you allow that in the beginning, it will be very difficult to break the habit. Getting Prepared for A New Puppy! Puppy Chewing The more things you have for your puppy to chew, the less likely they are to chew up your things. The need to chew will go on for at least 18 months, although they may always love having things to chew and toys. You will also need a premium puppy food of your choice. We use an All Life Stages dog food made primarily of chicken and rice. Dogs originally were den animals, they burrowed holes underground, where they were safe from predators and nice and warm. They instinctively do not go to the bathroom in their dens. A crate is a safe haven for your puppy. Never take your puppy out of the crate until they are quiet, just sit patiently, without speaking, until they are quiet for a few seconds, and you will teach them to be quiet in the cage. Every time you take your puppy out of the crate, take them immediately outside to the place you want them to go to the bathroom. Puppies find places to go to the bathroom with their feet. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet and it becomes part of their potty que or trigger. If you allow your puppy to have accidents on your rugs or hardwood floors even by accident then that can quickly become their potty texture preference. Same goes for potty pads. Using potty pads only teaches your puppy that going potty on absorbent material is Ok. Not a great idea. Try to avoid accidents at all costs. This way, you will teach your dog to go to the bathroom on command. This can be very convenient if you are traveling or leaving the house. Stay away from the puppy until they are done with their business, keep other animals, children and any other distraction away from them. As soon as your puppy is done, immediately give them a dog treat and praise, and praise and praise. Then, stand back and see if there is more forthcoming and repeat the process. Your Puppy At Night. .If your puppy cries in the middle of the night, get up, sit by the cage until they are quiet for a minute or two, then and only then, take them outside to their spot, give the potty command to go, and stand quietly ignoring them until they are done, do not instigate play or talk in an excited voice. When their bladder gets mature, this nighttime potty break should stop. Read my post about how to stop puppy whining and crying in the crate! Then after that every hour for a couple of days, 2 hours for a few days. When they finish going to the bathroom, praise and treats. Never hit or yell harshly at your puppy, or they will be afraid of you, and will develop fear of you, rather than trust. It may take months before your dog is completely housetrained, be patient, it is all worth it! When you feed your puppy, stroke their back and head, and tell them how good they are. You want them to be used to having someone touch them when they eat. When you sit down to eat, ignore the puppy, or put them in the crate. When you have to leave make sure to crate your puppy or put them in a x-pen setup, when you get home, even after a short absence, calmly take your puppy outside, talk gently to them, let them go to the bathroom, take them back inside and talk to them calmly, pet them slowly and try to be as calm as you can. If you come back and get them excited, they will try to recreate that excited feeling when you are gone, because that means you will be home soon. Puppies are like any baby, they need lots of attention, a dog that does not get attention, will get anxious and nervous and may chew and chew furniture, rugs, shoes, cords, anything to get rid of the anxiety. Read my post on crate and x-pen setups for potty training puppies! Taking your Puppy to Class Take your puppy to obedience school. An untrained puppy can be a nuisance instead of a pleasure. Another important benefit, perhaps the most important, is puppies will meet many new people and dogs in puppy class, which will greatly help socialize them, and make them more people and dog friendly. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet. When they get to your home, your puppy will be used to the surface that you want them to use. This teaches them that talking to you actually works. Going Potty Outside Step by Step — Take your puppy outside on leash, take them to their designated spot, put them down, and give the potty command, stand back without touching them, and wait a bit for them to go to the bathroom. When you know your puppy is done going to the bathroom, praise them, give them a treat or a snuggle and then take them immediately back into the house, unless you are going to play with them outside. Our Main Menu. That was a smart move on your part, because the Doodle is more than just adorably cute; you have a loving and highly intelligent dog who is eager to please and is curious about his or her new environment. What your puppy discovers is up to you, because your Labradoodle will learn whatever you teach it. Those lessons begin the moment it arrives in your home. Put yourself in the place of your puppy. Being anxious makes you nervous, and being nervous makes you. But where? And does it matter? What's in it for You - and Your Doodle? As it turns out, most dog owners say it does matter, a lot. The Labradoodle is a family dog, and as such, needs to live with its family, indoors. That means having a dog that has indoor manners and habits. The Labradoodle has to learn when and where it can go potty. Postponing potty training your Labradoodle will make the process much harder, and it will take longer if you wait to begin instructing your puppy on your expectations. Left untouched, they serve as beacons, or direction finders, to remind your dog to go in this location. Even if you clean it up, you might not be able to remove the scent that draws your pup back to the X that marks the spot. The answer to that question depends on you more than it does on your Labradoodle. Puppies are all about sleeping, waking, eating, playing and pottying. The most difficult part of the potty training process is being ever vigilant. You have to watch your Labradoodle constantly for signs that it needs to go potty. Training yourself to supervise your doodle may be the hardest part of all, but if you know the signs to look for and you have a strategic plan, your Doodle will become a housebroken member of the family, and a pleasure to be around or leave at home without worry that your carpet and floors will become soiled. Training a Labradoodle puppy to use a designated spot to relieve itself is a matter of age and bladder control versus time. Expecting a young pup to hold it for five or six hours sets him up for failure and up for disappointment, if not displeasure. Figure that your pup can hold its bladder and bowels one hour for each month of age, and then add one more hour. A three-month old puppy, for example, should be able to wait to do its business for one to three hours, plus one, or four hours. Your puppy may be able to go longer or need to potty sooner. Rather than wait until the last minute, take your dog out at the three-hour mark. They also have to go outside when they become excited. All training can be divided into one of two categories, regardless of the method used: ignoring or praising. If your Labradoodle has an accident in the house, scoop up the mess and take it outside to the spot you want her to use. After all, no one ever made a fuss about it until now. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and the spot in the house they used once will lure them again and again to do their business unless you remove all evidence of the act. On the other hand, praise your pup for pottying in the location you designated. You can give small treats as rewards. Offer tons of praise and a treat, and after 30 days, wean your pup off the treats. The praise will mean much more to your dog. So which method is best? The one that works. The crate recreates the den your puppy grew up in, and no dog wants to soil its own house if it can be helped. As a benefit, the crate also provides a safe break from all the action in the rest of the house, and sometimes your puppy will choose to hang out in the crate. Baby gates work the same way a crate works.

These desirable qualities are a result of meticulous breeding practices and superior genetics. Ritterhund K9s are specifically bred for stability and soundness. Our German Shepherds exemplify the values of Obedience, Protection, and Service, making them exceptional ambassadors. While they possess strength, endurance, and speed, they are also affectionate and devoted family companions. These are the dogs you can rely on to safeguard your home and watch over your loved ones when you're away. German Shepherds view their family as their "pack" and are instinctively protective. They can cuddle with your toddler and accompany your child to the school bus, but should any threat arise, their strength and fierceness will manifest as an unstoppable force. When you become part of the Ritterhund Family, you become a lifelong member. We take great pride in our breeding program and are committed to surpassing expectations for both our K9s and customers. If you are fortunate enough to own a German Shepherd with these genetics, then you understand the difference in these K9s. Bomber is an absolute legend in the K9 Community. These puppies will be large, have high and medium drives, and be steady-tempered. We put countless hours into raising them with the proper foundation they need. Structural balance and harmony that you will only find in this genetic combination we have in this breeding. We are very selective in the homes in which our puppies are placed. A family who is educated on the breed, lives an active lifestyle, and who are willing and able to put the time and effort into properly raising their puppy. We are located near the Central Coast of California. We hand deliver our puppies to their new owners if within reasonable driving distance for no charge. Air in-cabin flight nanny and Ground transport are available for an additional charge for customers located out of the surrounding areas or state. We highly recommend placing a deposit early as our puppies do go quickly. Please download the puppy application or contact us via email or text for details. Contact Us for litters and reservations for litters. The success of Vom Banach K9 dogs out in the world, and the happiness of Vom Banach K9 owners, is due in part to the effort we make to ensure that you have the absolute right puppy for your situation, whatever it is. We literally spend hundreds of hours with our puppies from the moment they are born in our home until the time they are ready to leave for their new home with you. Whether you seek a devoted family pet, or a prospect for SAR, detection, Shutzhund, Police K9, competitive obedience and agility, or nose work, we will help select the right puppy for you. An important part of the process is speaking to you to learn about you and the dog that will best meet your needs and expectations. In advance of that conversation, please fill out the form below and click on Submit when completed. Thanks very much. Vom Banach K9 German Shepherd puppies are happy, healthy, well-socialized and confident. Our German Shepherd puppies are known for their loyalty, affection, eagerness to please, work ethic, and rich dark black sable, sable, and solid black coats. Shipping by air is fast, safe, convenient, and cost-effective. We use only airlines that have demonstrated a solemn commitment to animal travel over the last 26 years. Vom Banach K9 uses only certified airline-approved crates. For information on our current litters please Contact Us. Your browser does not support the video tag. Many purchasers are trying to replace a dog that has passed on, or perhaps, seeking to obtain a pup like the one they remember from childhood. Whatever the reason, most folks who call us are looking for a traditional black and tan dog, and usually - a male. Many of the dogs we breed here at our kennel are sable or grey in color. There are many reasons for this. The intent of this article is to explore some of these reasons and to explain the stages of pigment that a sable dog goes through on the way to its adult coat color. I hope this information is helpful to you in your choice of a puppy or adult dog that can do whatever "job" you have to do. What Is a Sable or Grey Dog? Is their a Difference? A sable dog has two coat colors on almost every hair of it s body. Run your hand "against" an adult dog's coat. That is run your hand from tail to head and look under the black hair found on the back of most German Shepherd Dogs. A sable dog will have a lighter undercolor of grey, red or brown. In essence, each hair has a black tip and the remaining hair shaft is the undercolor. This is the sable color. Viewed from a short distance, a sable dog may appear black, grey or even black and tan. Many black and tan dogs have a sable area around the neck, but this is not the dog's true coat color. A true sable has the undercolor over the saddle area of its back. The term "sable" seems to be German in origin. What the American Kennel Club considers a "grey" dog would be called "sable" in Germany. So, when we are dealing with German bred dogs as is the case today with the tremendous increase of canine imports , we frequently hear the term "sable" referring to most grey dogs. Sable Comes in a Variety of Colors Actually, sable dogs come in a wide variety of colors and pigments. The very darkest dogs are called "black sables" and are considered highly desirable because of the extremely dark pigment they possess. In my experience, black sable dogs often carry the black recessive gene, and can pro- duce solid black puppies when bred to another dog that carries the black recessive. Sable dogs can be used by a breeder to darken the pigment of the next generation. Two sable dogs with similar color will have offspring that are darker than either parent. It should be mentioned here that dark pigment of eyes and coat is highly desirable in the German Shepherd Dog. Some lines carry the dilute gene which causes the coat to be washed out in color. White Shepherds carry the extreme form of the dilute gene, and while they may be very lovely dogs, this lack of pigment is considered undesirable according to the breed standard. Working Bloodlines Most breeders have a pretty clear idea of the type of dog they are trying to produce. The characteristics of this dog usually include the following: 1. Temperament: "A sound mind to do the job" required of the dog. Good hips, elbows, good health and longevity. Freedom from genetic anomalies i. Size and structure within the parameters of the breed standard. Proper coat length and good pigment. While your dog- may get by without some of these attributes, the breeder tries to get them all in every puppy all the time. This is not easy! I placed temperament first on the list. The dog must have a good temperament to do its job in life. Most of the time, the dog's job is simply watching the house and kids. Sometimes, its job is Schutzhund sport, search and rescue work, police K-9 or guide dog. Some dogs wear many hats. But the best temperament is no good with-out a sound body. Two Types of German Shepherd Dogs. In Germany it is generally accepted that there are two varieties of German Shepherd Dog. There are dog bred primarily to excel in Schutzhund sport. These dogs have "working lines" and many famous working lines are Grey or sable. Schutzhund sport demands a fit body, sound mind, and good hips. There are also German dog bred to excel in the showring. These dogs have "high lines" or "show lines. High line dogs are also required to pass a Schutzhund trial, but once titled, show dogs usually leave the Schutzhund field behind. Of course, the best of both worlds is a beautiful show dog that works well. While this is certainly possible, it doesn't happen often. Crossing working lines and show lines can give us pups that do not belong in either world. They are not tough enough to do the work nor pretty enough to compete in the showring. Working dogs do not always produce working dogs. But the chances are far better if every canine relative in the last six generations was able to a pass a Schutzhund trial or herd sheep for a living. German dogs East and West, high lines or working lines must have working titles and hip x-rays before they are bred. We may never know all the facts about this. Some well-known German trainers say that the sable color was never very popular in Germany. As a result, the sable dog had to be very good in order to get breedings. The grey dog of today carry those very good traits. Here is a partial list of well-known working dogs. They are all sable dogs. V-Sagus v. SG-Lord v. Brix v. Bill v. V-Zorro v. SG-Bob v. SG-Artus v. This famous "U" litter also contained Uran. Racker v. SG-Voldo v. VA-Wanko v. Maarue SchH III a "tough" conformation, that is, a dog who excelled in the showring and also excelled in Schutzhund sport. There are many, many more that deserve mention. German Shepherd or Raccoon? The prospective buyer, when presented a well pigmented six- to eight-week-old sable puppy, often asks the breeder, "Why does it look like a raccoon? Their body color is usually the same as their adult undercolor is destined to be. At this stage, these pups typically have a black stripe down the spoke, black around the eyes, and a single black ring around the tail. This bizarre color scheme is only around a few weeks. The pups soon get progressively darker and more German Shepherd-like until they finally reach their adult coat. Unfortunately for the hardworking breeder, this "raccoon" color phase arrives just about the same time pups are usually ready to be sold. No one can blame a novice for wondering if the breeder is "on the level," or if some local Don Juan didn't slip in and visit "mom" in the dark of night. It is helpful if you have several sable dogs about the place and their puppy pictures to prove that this metamorphosis does in fact take place. But, more often than not, the breeder is left in the rather pathetic position of saying to the buyer, "Look, trust me. They get darker! Black sable pups are almost solid black when born, then the color starts to fade. Red sables can have a brilliant red undercoat, and are born a bit lighter, with that black stripe already in evidence. Check the parents. If the dam and sire are dark, the pups will usually be as dark, if not darker. Other signs of exceptional pigment are black toes "muddy feet" in the lingo , a black mask and black appearing on the front of the leg running down towards the feet. Dark eyes are tough to be sure of in a pup, as the eye color changes along with the coat color. If you are dealing with a Fairly dark set of parents, the eyes should be no problem. This "type" of dog has a great deal to offer the breed. The DDR dogs were ruthlessly culled for good hips. Extensive records were kept on stud dog progeny, which included missing teeth, long coats, undescended testicles, and temperament problems. These records are available to us today, and while not perfect, they do offer a breeder a wealth of information. A breeder friend of mine refers to the DDR dogs as "muddy water dogs. Some breeders, myself included, fear the attributes of this valuable gene pool will be diminished or lost altogether now that Germany has been reunified. Many DDR dogs whose blood-lines are available in this country are dark grey or black sable dogs. A Shepherd of Another Color There is nothing wrong with having a color preference when shopping for a pup. There are many German Shepherd breeders in this country and a buyer has a host of colors to choose from. But there is a great deal more to breeding a good dog than shooting for your favorite color. Don't overlook the Shepherd of another color! The breeder who has sable dogs, given today's market, has good reason for breeding them. There is a rich heritage of intelligence, as well as physical and mental soundness, in today's grey lines. Maybe you'll find, as I did, the best thing about a sable dog is sharing your life with one! Please feel free to call but please be respectful on what time as our children are younger! Send Now A devoted and dependable friend who is always eager to learn new things. The German Shepherd also referred to as the Alsatian dog or GSD, is a smart dark sable german shepherd puppy breed that was developed to herd sheep. If you have the time to devote to them, these gifted dogs make wonderful family pets because of their loyal and trainable nature. German Shepherd Personality and Temperament. The german shepherd puppies for sale in ky have a clever, devoted, and enthusiastic nature. Friendly but reserved. They frequently experience separation anxiety and typically like spending time with their family. Although dark sable german shepherd puppies for sale are not inherently aggressive, they can be wary of strangers at first because of their protective nature. Dogs have a tendency to be kind to people and other animals, but if they are left alone for too long or don't receive enough exercise, they may develop behavioural issues like hostility. Long coat german shepherd puppies for sale are known for their loud barks, but with the right socialisation, this characteristic can be lessened. The long coat german shepherd puppies are one of the most adaptable breeds in the world thanks to its intelligence and desire to please. Exercise Because of their endurance, intellect, agility, and excitement, adult German Shepherds require at least two hours of daily exercise in addition to a lot of cerebral stimulation. Without enough mental and physical exercise, GSDs are more likely to release their pent-up energy through destructive or undesirable behaviours including chewing, chasing, pulling on the lead, and barking. Training Advice The desire to please and sensitivity to your reactions are traits of German Shepherds. Therefore, it is advisable to concentrate on applauding excellent behaviour and ignore or reject "poor" behaviour before moving on. It is advisable to begin long-coat german shepherd puppy training when the dog is 8 weeks old. GSD puppies will quickly establish their own rules if they are not given structured training from an early age. Prioritising socialisation is crucial since the GSD breed can become defensive around strangers because of its loyal nature. Early exposure to new situations, people, and things is important for puppies. Game ideas Play games that require you to look for, track, and retrieve objects. GSDs are typically quite good at and willing to participate in obedience training. They are also very owner-focused. Quick Links. Sep 27, Jul 8, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Are you looking for a dog with all the amazing characteristics of a German shepherd, but you also want something a bit different and special? If so, then why not consider a sable German shepherd? The sable German shepherd is not a crossbreed dog but rather a recognized variation within the breed, so the dog retains all the benefits of a purebred pup. German shepherds are one of the most popular purebred dog breeds in the United States, in part thanks to their intelligence, trainability, and intense loyalty. They are also well-loved for their sleek, noble appearance. Interestingly, sable is actually the original color of the German shepherd breed. It is the only variation of the German shepherd that has the same color as the founding member of the breed. Read on to learn everything you need to know about these attractive, intelligent, and hard-working dogs. Sable German Shepherd Appearance Sable German shepherds look just like most other German shepherd dogs, with the exception of their distinctively colored coat. The German shepherd is a large breed. You can expect the males to reach up to 26 inches tall and weigh between 75 and 95 pounds. The females are a bit smaller. Their heads are domed in shape with a long, square muzzle. They have alert, erect ears and long necks that make them seem even larger than they are. It is considered ideal for the dog to be longer than it is tall with a proportion of 10 to 8. Their bushy tail should extend out in a hook-like shape. German shepherds tend to dip their head low like a wolf when they are running or prowling, which contributes to the consensus that they look very much like the wolf ancestors of dogs. These dogs have double coats with a soft undercoat and a denser guard layer. The guard layer can be either medium or long, though the medium length is significantly more common. Most German shepherds are either tan and black or red and black. The lighter brown shade is usually their principal color, with a black face mask and black markings on their back which often look like a saddle. A variety of other color variations exist, including pure black, pure white, liver, silver, blue, panda, and, of course, sable. Sable basically means the dog has mostly lighter colored hair with a black tips, which can make the dog appear grey or mottled. In reality, the actual color combinations are more varied, and the sable pattern could be any mixture of tan, black, brown, or red. The term is mostly used in the United States. In other countries, such as Germany, these dogs are often just called grey. It has since become a popular working dog for roles such as search and rescue, police, and military due to its strength, trainability, and intelligence. The breed emerged from the s trend to try to standardize dog breeds to assist in certain jobs, such as herding sheep. Max von Stephanitz was a leading thinker in this area and was specifically looking for canine specimens that matched his ideal vision of a working dog. He found that ideal dog at a dog show in .He purchased the dog and named it Horand von Grafrath and founded the Society for German Shepherd Dogs to promote the breed and others like it. Horand, who was in fact a sable-colored German Shepherd, became the center point of a breeding program. Horand himself had 84 puppies, and extensive inbreeding was required to secure the characteristics of the breed. When the German Shepherd was imported to the United States in the early 20th century, it became popular with gangsters and bootleggers for its strength, intelligence, and intimidating appearance. It was also popular in Nazi Germany, and even Adolf Hitler loved the breed. As a result, it has gained a reputation for being a fierce, intimidating, and even dangerous breed. However, this says much more about how the dogs were used than the natural temperament of the dogs themselves. German Shepherd Temperament The color of a German shepherd makes no difference to its temperament, so you can expect a sable German shepherd to conform to the general temperament of the breed. German shepherd dogs are often described as active and self-assured. This, combined with their intelligence and eagerness to learn and please, makes them excellent working dogs. They are also highly obedient and loyal. Their extreme loyalty also extends to family situations. They will raise the alarm with their loud, deep bark if they sense danger. However, German shepherds are not naturally aggressive. This is a reputation that stems from the way that the dog has been used in the past. That said, German shepherds are often associated with severe dog bites. This is largely due to the popularity of the breed and the strength of their bite rather than any innate aggression; there are simply more of them around than many other dog breeds. Tests suggest that German Shepherds have a bite force of over 1, newtons, which is less than a Rottweiler but more than a pit bull. They tend to have a natural suspicion of strangers and like to chase smaller animals. Their intelligence and compliance means they can be trained not to display this behavior, but as an owner, you need to put in the work of training them properly and consistently. German shepherds are a very curious breed in addition to being highly intelligent, which is why they are well suited for search and rescue missions. German Shepherd Energy Level German shepherds are very playful and active dogs, so they need lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation in order to thrive. This is another reason why they often do well as working animals. Working gives them both the physical and mental stimulation to complete these challenging tasks. Pleasing their handlers is also attractive to these highly reward-oriented dogs. Ideally, German shepherds need at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise every day, preferably spread over at least two different sessions. However, this should be slightly less when they are puppies. There is always a risk of over-exercising puppies, especially when it comes to large dog breeds. As a general rule, you should exercise a puppy daily for five minutes for every month of their age until they are an adult. German shepherds reach adulthood at around 18 months. So, for example, a six month old pup should be getting 30 minutes of exercise a day if we follow this rule, as six months times five minutes comes out to 30 minutes per day. What to know more about exercising your puppy? Read our article: How far can I walk my puppy? German shepherds will love to accompany you on adventures, such as hikes and walks, and they also love swimming. They will do well at the lake, on the beach, or even accompanying you on a boat. However, even though they are excellent swimmers, they should have a doggy life vest if you are out at sea. They will struggle in an apartment, and their large size can make navigating small apartments challenging even for these nimble dogs. Ideally, they should have a backyard where they can move around freely, especially when left at home alone. The intelligence of these dogs means they can get bored quickly. While puzzle toys, such as a Kong , can help on the occasions when you do need to leave them alone, they are likely to become stressed if they are left alone regularly. German Shepherd Health Risks German shepherds have a life expectancy of a little over 10 years. This is normal for dogs of their size, and larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. You should not expect a sable German shepherd to be immune from these, especially since further inbreeding is often required to produce the sable color. It is common for these dogs to develop hip and elbow dysplasia , which is a developmental abnormality of the joints that can restrict movement and cause pain. This is often the result of different elements of the body growing at different speeds. The best way to prevent this is to ensure good nutrition and the right level of exercise during their crucial growing period. Even if the development of hip and elbow dysplasia does not affect the dog at a younger age, it can make them more susceptible to arthritis and other forms of joint pain when they are older. Older German shepherds often benefit from an orthopedic bed to take pressure off their joints. The breed also appears to be predisposed to degenerative myelopathy. This is a degenerative spinal cord disease that generally shows up in older dogs after about the age of seven years. If you are looking for one of these puppies specifically, you may need to go to a breeder. The sable color is relatively rare, and breeders have to control specifically for this kind of coat. As a result, you can expect to pay a bit more for a sable puppy than you would a German shepherd of any other more common colors. Are you thinking of adopting a sable German shepherd, or any German shepherd, into your family? Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if you and your home are a good fit for this breed. German shepherds are highly trainable and obedient, which means even first-time owners should be able to take on the challenge of training them. German shepherds need a commanding presence to keep them in check. The sad reality is that many people are also afraid of big dogs like these, and their behavior and response to them can cause serious problems. You need to feel confident to take control of your dog in charged situations. These dogs are also very active, so they will do best if they have a bit of outdoors to call their own that lets them run around a little, dig, and play. Just be sure your yard is properly and securely fenced in! German shepherds are very energetic dogs that need to be active a lot, which means you will need to be active frequently as well. As well as daily exercise, they will want to join you on weekend adventures rather than weekends on the couch catching up on Netflix. German shepherds need to spend a lot of time with their owners, as they need both companionship and intellectual stimulation. Thinking about getting a new puppy? Check out our new puppy checklist. Sable German shepherds have a coat with lighter roots and darker tips covering most of their body. The tips are usually black, which means the dog looks as though it has a greyish color. It is a natural color variation within the breed. How common are sable German shepherds? Sable German shepherds are significantly rare in comparison to the popular tan and black or red and black colors that dominate the breed. This is why a sable puppy will probably cost you more than other color variations. However, pure black German shepherds are a bit more rare. Are sable German shepherds bigger? No, sable German shepherds are not bigger than other German shepherds. The females should weigh between 55 and 75 pounds and the males 75 to 95 pounds. Look at the size of the parents to get a better feel for how big your pup is likely to get. Are German shepherds good family dogs? With the right training and socialization, German shepherds are excellent dogs for an active household. They will be loving, obedient, and protective. They are good around children, though small children should always be supervised around dogs, regardless of the breed and their level of familiarity. Accidents happen, even when children are around dogs they have grown up with and know well. What is bad about German shepherds? German shepherds tend to be suspicious of everyone, which can contribute to overly protective and territorial behavior. Proper socialization can help minimize this personality trait, but they will probably carry an element of this with them for their entire lives. The Verdict Sable German shepherds are not exotic crossbreeds but rather a rare color of the purebred German shepherd dog. They are actually the original color of the breed, matching its famous founding member. Sable-colored German shepherds are actually relatively rare, so they can be expensive to procure. However, aside from their unique color, they are just like other German shepherds, one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They are large and strong dogs with a lot of energy, which makes them well suited to hard work. They are also highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them ideal to train to complete complex tasks such as the roles of military and police dogs despite being originally bred as herders. Overall, sable German shepherds are: Rarer than just about any other color of German shepherd No different than other German shepherds as far as personality, temperament, etc. With the right training and socialization, they are very safe dogs. German shepherds are great dogs for active people who have a lot of time to spend with their pup and want a companion to join them on various active adventures. Do you have experience with sable German shepherd dogs? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Related Article:. Still, all color variants of the German Shepherd are still the same breed. They have similar personalities, intelligence, and other traits that generally define the German Shepherd breed. Sable German Shepherds are mostly used as security or police dogs, this is due to the somewhat fierce look the coat color gives off. Please enable JavaScript If you are thinking of adopting or adding a German Shepherd of sable coat color into the family and you have no idea which breeders in America offer the sable German Shepherd or where to start, then you certainly are on the right page. One key way to start your search then is to search for a decent or reputable sable German Shepherd breeder, and this might be quite hard considering the sable German Shepherd is a little rare. With that being said, this article provides you with a list of some very good German Shepherd breeders in the United States that breed the sable-colored German Shepherd. These are responsible breeders that have displayed good breeding practices with their program. We have also included their various contact details to help make it easier to get in touch with any of the breeders. It is important that you only view this list as a guide to help you with locating the best breeder for you. With that being said, please do ensure that you read this article till the very end, as it promises to be useful. They are a well-experienced professional German Shepherd breeder that produces well-bred dogs that make great family dogs, military dogs, police dogs, and border control dogs. Their dogs are given the necessary training to make them suitable work dogs. The breeding facility is located in Oakland, California. Kreative Kennels uses some of the finest possible sires and dams from impressive bloodlines. They are true working dogs that are carefully selected from Czech and West German bloodlines. They are titled dogs with impeccable pedigrees. They have German Shepherds of different coat colors but they have a strong liking for the rich coat of the sable German Shepherd dog. Their dogs all have their genetic health tested and they each have good working orthopedic parts. Every German Shepherd puppy they produce is raised in a large kennel in Oakland California. Michael Osmundson is the owner and head breeder, he has a well-equipped well experienced team that helps with properly socializing and training the puppies. They provide all the needed love, care, and attention. They operate a state-of-the-art kennel facility that helps each puppy get all the training they need to become great police dogs, service dogs, and a lot more.