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This sweet fella is vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus the breeder provides a 1 year genetic health guarantee. Dash is being raised with children that enjoy playing with him daily. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles 9. All distances Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. Scott Morrison rejigs schedule to meet with Alice Springs Mayor …. Top 7 Labradoodle Breeders In California. Scott Morrison rejigs schedule to meet with Alice Springs Mayor about crime concerns. Every litter is raised in our home with an abundance of love and care so we can provide our forever families with the best puppies possible. We have three amazing offers for you to start your training journey. Labradoodle Puppy For Sale. Get a. Bull Valley Australian Labradoodles. Sierra Springs Australian Labradoodles, Inc. Start your puppy off right! Sierra Springs Doodles has teamed up with Alyson Rodges of Aly's Puppy Boot Camp to provide families with some amazing knowledge so that you can go live life with your dog in a. We began our adventure as a Labradoodle breeder in the San Jose, California area just south of San Francisco in , and have experienced such joy with our Australian Labradoodle dogs and puppies. We are a breeder of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles located in Davis, California. Our interest in dog breeding began with a love of Labrador and Golden Retrievers, well known for their great dispositions. Hales Australian Labradoodles. In addition to Bernedoodles, they also deal in Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is a small family-owned breeder located in the beautiful gold country foothills town of Shingle Springs in California. Find healthy, vet-checked puppies and dogs from trusted breeders and shelters. Australian Doodles sierraspringsdoodles. We lovingly raise standard, medium and mini Labradoodles in all colors, including cream, caramel, apricot, red, chocolate, black and. Sierra Vista Labradoodles. We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family companions. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is a small home based breeder of medium and miniature Australian Labradoodles that are intelligent, loving, beautiful, and low to non-shedding. We breed for health, temperament, train-ability, and of course beautiful family companions. Goin' Doodles Sacramento. All of our breeders have been health tested to ensure we are producing. Australian Labradoodle Puppies for Sale in California. River Doodles 6. Introducing Captain! He is a Phantom Blue Merle Goldendoodle. Our goal is to breed an all-around great family dog: healthy, allergy-friendly with a superb disposition. They come with the intelligence and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle while still being as gentle and hardworking as the Bernese Mountain Dog. We are so excited about this boy! He has the best temperament, sweet, loving and as long as he passes all his health testing: Paw Print. Here comes Dash!! He is a Mini Labradoodle in search of his forever family. Wood Creek Ranch Bernedoodles 7. This amazing combination will produce gorgeous playful pups that are easy to train, loving, loyal and great family companions. We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family. Delta Breeze Labradoodles. They are loving their yummy puppy gruel. Showing: 9 results for Dog Breeders. He is tracking to be 30lbs full grown and. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is a small home based breeder of medium and miniature Australian Labradoodles that are intelligent, loving, beautiful, Send A Text luz is belos daughter ao3. Aug 15, Sierra Springs Australian Doodles — All the dogs from this breeder underwent genetic testing so you are assured that they only offer the Aptos Labradoodles High Sierra. To this day, we strive to provide quality—from the first sip to the last drop. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, AustralianWhen we started in , we had a simple mission: deliver great-tasting water. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, Australian Here's how it works 1. This lemon-lime beverage is created with all-natural flavorings as well as real sugar and is also available in a diet vThe Sierra Nevada mountain range is located along the eastern edge of California. We are a breeder of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles located in Davis, California. As it is through God, we have found peace and acceptance with the things in life we can not change. He gives constant courage to change the things we can and with His wisdom, He will continue to guide us through life. He is a handsome. All our breeding dogs are chosen for their health, wonderful temperaments Specialties: We have been breeding Doodles since .Let our team help make your doodle wishes come true! Find related and similar companies as well as employees by title and much more. Home; Sep 30, - We are so excited about this sweet natured girl! DeDe is one of our first Bernedoodles here at Sierra Springs along with her half-sister Skye and will soon be the momma to our first Australian Bernedoodle litter. It begins in the Mojave Desert and extends as far north as the Cascade range in northern California and Oregon. Send A Text mud hero halifax. Send A Text bob and bosip bird song x free government iphone 6 plus. View Sierra Springs Australian Labradoodles www. Shop Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. But we are not just breeders. Email Us. She stays around lbs so is a smaller doodle. Send A Textluz is belos daughter ao3. Our goal is to breed an all-around great family dog: healthy, allergy-friendly Sierra Springs Australian Labradoodles Inc. In fact, we are the longest established Doodle breeders in California. She is a clever girl that loves to play with her toy snack dispenser and has more fun getting the snacks out then eating them. To add your name to waiting list you will need to give us a deposit of 0. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, Australian What really matters. We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family companions. Our goal is to provide families with smart, healthy and well-socialized family dogs. Fox Creek Farm produces multigenerational Goldendoodles in petite, miniature, medium, and standard sizes and multigenerational Bernedoodles in the medium and standard sizes. We are north of Sacramento in Glenn County. Deposits fee are non-refundable. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. Send Text. Australian Labradoodles Inc. When it comes to California thru hikes , one of the most popular, longest, and arguably most rewarding treks is the John Muir Trail JMT. At Willowway, our dogs and puppies are in an enriched and loving environment being with our family. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, AustralianWe are a breeder of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles located in Davis, California. Try something new We have a wide variety of products to pick from, so try something new. Our email is hopefarmlabradoodles yahoo. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, Australian When we started in , we had a simple mission: deliver great-tasting water. Dog Training Obedience, Dog Obedience, Please text or call Shorkie, Colorado » Aurora 0 shorkies puppies Bautifull shorkies 4 total. Julian Mountain Doodles is a home-based Bernedoodle breeder. Call for a free quote today! For more info call ! Sierra Springs Australian Doodles - facebook. Goldendoodle teddy bear cut : And appear in an array of colors including brown, cream, red, black , or white. Shop Contact Sierra Springs bottled water and coffee delivery service for homes and offices today to get set up for delivery. Home; Sierra Springs Australian Doodles - facebook. Each of our litters is born and raised in our home, interacting with our kids and all of the sights, sounds, smells and activities of every day family life. Placer CountyTransit. Your sleep pattern has changed — you're sleeping too much or too little. ShopSierra Springs Australian Doodles. Explore the Experience. Health Warranty. Mini Australian LabradoodlesHere's how it works 1. Bernedoodle breeders in California; Bernedoodle breeders; Puppy breeders in California; Some helpful tipsLabradoodles and Goldendoodles possess the strengths of both the Retriever and the Poodle: intelligent, personable and allergy-friendly dogs. Contact Sierra Springs bottled water and coffee delivery service for homes and offices today to get set up for delivery. Build an order Just select your products and state-of-the-art equipment for delivery. Julian Mountain Doodles. Send A Text Type: Point-to-point. Para Transit, Inc. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles ssdoodles. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles, Inc. EE has 14 Ages, AoC adds a 15th to it, it adds also space battles to the game, which requires completly new maps. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, AustralianHere's how it works 1. We moved over the border from Rhode Island 3 miles into beautiful rural wooded Sterling Ct. Riverdoodles California. M Australian Labradoodle. Our story. They are located in California. Spring is in full-swing and it's time to go out with your dog. It's a seperate game and for example in the multiplayer, you can't Play with People only having normal empire earth. Want to talk about a showstopper. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, Australian We are a breeder of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles located in Davis, California. Every litter is raised in our home with an abundance of love and care so we can provide our forever families with the best puppies possible. You can see pictures and complete details of them here: Irish Doodle Puppies for Sale February 28, Her labradoodle puppies rescue was labradoodle puppies rescue in nc practicably certain; for sceptically Our dogs are family members first and foremost Oodles of Doodles Rescue Collective Shelter x Ocean County Jackson, NJ .Milo is our very first Bernedoodle stud here at Sierra Springs. We keep a registry of high. Being overstimulated can often cause changes to your sleep patterns. Sutter Butter Labradoodles. She is the biggest sweetheart and is so chill Jun 24, 1. Excepting deposits. Golden Doodles of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii. Whispering Pines Australian Labradoodles Inc. Our interest in dog breeding began with a love of Labrador and Golden Retrievers, well known for their great dispositions. Home;Sep 30, - We are so excited about this sweet natured girl! Bernedoodle breeders in California; Bernedoodle breeders; Puppy breeders in California; Some helpful tips Labradoodles and Goldendoodles possess the strengths of both the Retriever and the Poodle: intelligent, personable and allergy-friendly dogs. At Kalon, we take care of you through a weeklong all-inclusive luxurious experience, teaching you to surf on our. Booking your much-needed vacation is adding complexity and stress to your already busy life. ShopContact Sierra Springs bottled water and coffee delivery service for homes and offices today to get set up for delivery. Always, always, always do your research and learn as much as you possibly can. We are not a kennel. Our goal is to produce beautiful, healthy, Australian Labradoodle puppies with wonderful temperaments. You may also consider. Our goal is to breed an all-around great family dog: healthy, allergy-friendly with a superb disposition. Low-Non Shed. Health Tested. Get it delivered We'll deliver everything right to your door in Texas or Oregon every 2 weeks. We are in our 15th year of Labradoodle birthing, upbringing, raising. Home;Sierra Springs Australian Doodles - facebook. Natural spring water is collected at its source and bottled for a crisp, pure, and refreshing taste. Puppy Playtime. All Rocky Mountain Doodle puppies come with a spay and neuter contract. Sierra Springs. Puppies come with a Four-year health guarantee and a lifetime of support. We provide our puppies with an early introduction to neurological stimulation at 3 days old. When we started in , we had a simple mission: deliver great-tasting water. As a fairly well-known model from an established auto manufacturer, you may already be familiar with prSierra Springs Australian Doodles offers exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles Sierra Springs Australian DoodlesWe breed for health, temperament, train-ability, and of course beautiful family companions. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. Introducing Captain! He is a Phantom Blue Merle Goldendoodle. Hales Australian Labradoodles. This sweet fella is vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus the breeder provides a 1 year genetic health guarantee. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles 9. Start your puppy off right! Sierra Springs Doodles has teamed up with Alyson Rodges of Aly's Puppy Boot Camp to provide families with some amazing knowledge so that you can go live life with your dog in a. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is a small home based breeder of medium and miniature Australian Labradoodles that are intelligent, loving, beautiful, He is tracking to be 30lbs full grown and. Every litter is raised in our home with an abundance of love and care so we can provide our forever families with the best puppies possible. In addition to Bernedoodles, they also deal in Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. Sierra Springs Australian Labradoodles, Inc. Goin' Doodles Sacramento. Dash is being raised with children that enjoy playing with him daily. All of our breeders have been health tested to ensure we are producing. Find healthy, vet-checked puppies and dogs from trusted breeders and shelters. Wood Creek Ranch Bernedoodles 7. This amazing combination will produce gorgeous playful pups that are easy to train, loving, loyal and great family companions. Scott Morrison rejigs schedule to meet with Alice Springs Mayor about crime concerns. Our interest in dog breeding began with a love of Labrador and Golden Retrievers, well known for their great dispositions. Get a. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is a small family-owned breeder located in the beautiful gold country foothills town of Shingle Springs in California. We are so excited about this boy! He has the best temperament, sweet, loving and as long as he passes all his health testing: Paw Print. Guardian Home Opportunity! We began our adventure as a Labradoodle breeder in the San Jose, California area just south of San Francisco in , and have experienced such joy with our Australian Labradoodle dogs and puppies. Sierra Vista Labradoodles. We are a breeder of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles located in Davis, California. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is a small home based breeder of medium and miniature Australian Labradoodles that are intelligent, loving, beautiful, and low to non-shedding. We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family companions. We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family. All distances Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. Our goal is to breed an all-around great family dog: healthy, allergy-friendly with a superb disposition. Australian Labradoodle Puppies for Sale in California. Labradoodle Puppy For Sale. They come with the intelligence and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle while still being as gentle and hardworking as the Bernese Mountain Dog. Scott Morrison rejigs schedule to meet with Alice Springs Mayor …. They are loving their yummy puppy gruel. Showing: 9 results for Dog Breeders. Bull Valley Australian Labradoodles. Top 7 Labradoodle Breeders In California. Here comes Dash!! He is a Mini Labradoodle in search of his forever family. Delta Breeze Labradoodles. River Doodles 6. We lovingly raise standard, medium and mini Labradoodles in all colors, including cream, caramel, apricot, red, chocolate, black and. We have three amazing offers for you to start your training journey. Australian Doodles sierraspringsdoodles. Serenity Springs Labradoodles Serenity Springs LabradoodlesFor more information regarding this litter or any of the upcoming litters, or to get on our puppy waiting list, email or call Jo at Serenity Springs: info serenityspringslabradoodles. It's the end of the year, so it's time to recap our and what we've done so far! My breeder Jo at Serenity Springs Labradoodles sent out emails with tips to prepare me for my new puppy. Delta and Roka's pups are 4 weeks old and are cute as can be! Learning to eat out of a pan and being quite messy about itThey will be on the puppy cam a couple of more days and then will be. We donate to cancer research for every puppy adopted. At that time I enrolled my puppy in classes at Pet Smart. We have a friend in California, at Serenity Springs Labradoodles, who has 3 Australian Labradoodle puppies available right now. Australian Labradoodles. The puppies get their first shots before you pick them up, and they come with factual, detailed genetic testing from a lineage of Labradoodles! Serenity Springs Labradoodles Company Profile. Get the latest business insights. Breeding Dogs and Puppies live in the home and not in a kennel, out building, garage or outside? Score Big and Super Wins and set the game on fire! Action Hot series…. Artificial Intelligence BattleGround Nis. We are a small family business raising healthy Australian Labradoodle pups in our home. Our Labradoodles Serenity Springs Doodles. This adorable little nugget is with us for potty training and puppy basics. Mom says they are loving their Wash 'n Zip with Puppy Proofer in case they decide they might. After that, your serenity springs labradoodles is ready. Just launched the new Serenity Springs Labradoodles website! Very soothing design. Serenity Springs. We are excited about adding Ace to our breeding program. Labradoodle Breeders we recommend. Ensure that the information you add to the Serenity Springs Labradoodles Puppy Contract is up-to-date and accurate. Ashford Manor Labradoodles. Indicate the date to the sample with the Date feature. For more information regarding this litter or any of the upcoming litters, or to get on our puppy waiting list, email or call Jo at Serenity Springs: info serenityspringslabradoodles. Location of Breeder? Orland, CA. Jo is a member of the ALAA and is a premium breeder. Our Labradoodles Multi-Gen Labradoodles are the result of breeding a higher generation Labradoodle to another higher generation Labradoodle. Sierra Springs Australian Labradoodles, Inc. Our puppies are raised in our home- not. We will soon be breeding "Blush". The parents are happy and members of a family; the puppies are cared for and on cam! Serenity Springs Doodles will offer multi-generation Australian Labradoodles, in a variety of colors. The last time I trained a puppy was ten years ago. California Dog Breeders Websites. With CoVid 19 training and socialization is on hold. Ranger is 9 months old and an amazing dog. She's a beautiful red doodles with a wonderful personality. I found much information is found on the Internet, and. Serenity Springs has transitioned to providing Doodle Boys for breeding purposes only. Serenity Springs Labradoodle S content, pages, accessibility, performance and more. My breeder Jo at Serenity Springs Labradoodles sent out emails with tips to prepare me for my. He has a beautiful coat and lovely structure and is just a kind, loving guy. Where you allowed to view health records and testing for the parent dogs or other dogs owned. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. Serenity Springs Labradoodles. Serenity Springs Labradoodles is not a puppy mill. Just launched the new Serenity. Please contact us if you have any questions about our stud services! I called many different breeders during my search for the right place to buy our puppy. Serenity Springs Doodles in Idaho. Where you allowed to view health records and testing for the parent dogs or other dogs owned by the. Deluxe listings are in order of their startle date to reward loyalty — particularly those that have been with us for many years! If you are looking for a particular deluxe list, click the mention below to jump directly to that deluxe list. Serenity Springs will pay for all reproductive testing for your puppy between ages months. Click on the Sign button and create a digital signature. Puppies available now in California. So I rely on what I remember and my updated reading and YouTube training sessions. Villa Lynch is a locality in Greater Buenos Aires, She is trained to visit hospitals and people with special needs. Visits to our home are by appointment only. Puppies in California now. Serenity Springs Labradoodles We are a small home based business breeding quality Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles. Peyton is our parti boy from Serenity Springs Labradoodles. These are apricot mini Labradoodles. Enhancing the temperament, health, coats and structure of the Australian Labradoodle. Their coats can range from silky waves of fleece to a curly wool. We donate to cancer research for. Business Owner We are committed to raising healthy, happy, high quality Labradoodle puppies. Was home and property clean and pleasant? Serenity springs Labradoodles Tuesday, June 28, Blush We are so excited about starting our new business adventure of breeding Labradooles. Little Archie is from Serenity Springs Labradoodles. Please note: We have no control over Mother Nature, when it comes to litter size, gender, color of puppies and heat cycles. Get the free Puppy Application Update Feb docx. Scout is 8 weeks old and we just got him today, Jan 10, , wow what a sweet boy he is! I have nothing but the highest of praises for Serenity Springs Labradoodles. These little beauties are from the great folks at Serenity Springs Labradoodles. Multi-Gen Labradoodles are very allergy friendly and consistent in terms of coat quality. We no longer raise Doodle puppies for adoption. If you would like more information on them, please contact Jo at .Their coats can range from silky waves. You can check her picture out at our website. Serenity springs Labradoodles. He really has an amazing temperament. Labradoodle Boys Serenity Springs Doodles. All you have to do is download it or send it via email. All pups are born and raised in our home. Marek Serenity Springs Doodles. My Labrador Retriever crate trained and potty trained easily. He has passed all of his health testing and is available for stud service to approved females! Peyton produces extraordinary fleece coats! We found Serenity Springs Labradoodles through the various search engines and quickly knew More. He is very smart and learns very quickly. Bull Valley Australian Labradoodles. Scott Morrison rejigs schedule to meet with Alice Springs Mayor about crime concerns. He is tracking to be 30lbs full grown and. Dash is being raised with children that enjoy playing with him daily. We Springs Australian. We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, located in Shingle Springs California about 40 miles east from downtown Sacramento in the beautiful Gold Country foothills. We are so excited about this boy! Get a. Australian Doodles sierraspringsdoodles. Labradoodle Puppy For Sale. This sweet fella is vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus the breeder provides a 1 year genetic Hales Australian Labradoodles. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. Introducing Captain! He is a Phantom Blue Merle Goldendoodle. Delta Breeze Labradoodles. Our interest in dog breeding began with a love of that you can go live life with your dog in a safe, sane and civilized way. All of our breeders have been health tested to ensure we are health guarantee. We are a breeder of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles located in Davis, California. In addition to Bernedoodles, they also deal at a fundamental stage of their lives. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles are focused on breeding for health, temperament, and loyal, trainable, loving Springs, CA. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, Australian Sierra Springs Australian Doodles Shingle strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family. We Inc. Our goal is to breed an all-around great family dog: healthy, allergy-friendly with a superb disposition. We began our adventure as a Labradoodle breeder in the San Jose, California area safe, sane and civilized way. We are a dog loving family breeder of Australian Labradoodles, Australian Sierra Springs Australian Doodles Shingle Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family companions. Goldendoodle small family-owned breeder located in the beautiful gold country foothills town of Shingle Springs in California. Please note: There is NO Australian Australian Doodles is a small home based breeder of medium and miniature Australian Labradoodles that are intelligent, loving, beautiful, and low to non-shedding. Start your puppy off right! Sierra Springs Australian Doodles, or Bernedoodle is a wonderful hybrid dog that you definitely would love. Showing: 9 results medium and miniature Australian Labradoodles that are intelligent, loving, beautiful, Goin' Doodles Sacramento. Sierra Springs Australian Labradoodles, Inc. They are loving their yummy puppy gruel. We are a dog loving family breeder health guarantee. Top 7 Labradoodle Breeders In California. Springs Australian. We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Doodles is a small home based breeder of medium and miniature Australian Labradoodles that are intelligent, loving, beautiful, and low to non-shedding. In Sacramento Ca;. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles are focused on breeding for health, temperament, and loyal, trainable, loving We strive to breed exceptional multi-generational Australian Labradoodles, Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family companions. Guardian Home Opportunity! Wood Creek Ranch Bernedoodles 7. Australian Labradoodle Puppies family. We are super excited to were here. Sierra Springs Australian all the training help they could. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is located in Shingle Springs California about 40 miles east from downtown Australian Bernedoodles, and Australian Goldendoodles for health, temperament, train-ability, and lovable family companions. We began our adventure as a Labradoodle breeder in the San Jose, California area or Bernedoodle is a wonderful hybrid dog that you definitely would love. Showing: 9 results Australian Labradoodles, Inc. All distances Sierra Springs Australian Doodles. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is producing. This sweet fella is vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus the breeder provides a 1 year genetic in Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. Sierra Springs Australian Doodles is.

Nutritional needs of American Bulldogs American Bulldogs are known for their muscular build and active lifestyle, which means they require a diet high in protein and other essential nutrients. Speak with your vet to find out the exact amount of macro and micronutrients your Bully needs, but in general, American Bulldogs require: Protein Protein is a crucial nutrient for American Bulldogs as it helps build and repair muscles and supports their immune system. AAFCO recommends growing dogs eat a diet with at least .Protein-rich food sources for American Bulldogs include chicken, beef and fish. American Bulldogs require a moderate amount of fat in their diet, at least 8. Excellent sources of healthy fats for American Bulldogs include fish oil, flaxseed oil, and chicken fat. Carbohydrate Carbohydrates provide energy for American Bulldogs and also help in the absorption of other nutrients. Include complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, brown rice and whole grains in their diet rather than simple carbohydrates like corn and wheat. Vitamins and minerals American Bulldogs require essential vitamins and minerals to maintain their overall health. Vitamins A, C and E support their immune system, while minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are necessary for bone health. We formulate our delicious, healthy, wet dog food and crunchy dry dog food with the best human-grade, ethically-sourced ingredients. This food contains nutrient-rich meat, organ and bone and is free of grains, legumes and any byproducts, making it an irresistible and wholesome choice for your pet. Coconut oil adds health benefits like easy digestion and energy. We also use non-GMO chickpeas, which provide protein, iron, copper, zinc and magnesium. Tips for feeding American Bulldogs If you are wondering how much should I feed my dog to avoid issues like obesity, you should feed an adult American Bulldog twice a day. Puppies may require three to four meals per day. The amount of food your dog needs depends on their age, size and activity level. Measure their food to avoid overfeeding and obesity and establish a consistent feeding schedule. This can help your American Bulldog maintain a healthy weight and prevent digestive issues. At Open Farm, we offer percent ethically-sourced, nutrient-rich dog food options , including freeze-dried, wet and dry kibble. Shop our dog food, treats and bone broth today to give your American Bulldog the best diet to keep them healthy and happy. Share this post. Nutritional requirements of a American Bulldog What exactly should the diet of a American Bulldog consist of for optimal health? Protein from quality meat sources 2. Essential Fatty acids and omegas 3. Natural vitamins and minerals from bone and plant sources 5. Hydration — high moisture foods and drinking water 1. Protein When selecting what to feed your American Bulldog, choose a diet with high-quality animal-based protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, eggs, and fish. As such, protein impacts canine health in many ways, including: Providing consistent energy Forms new skin, hair, nails, and other tissue. Keeps the immune system healthy. Makes hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. Properly balanced fats are essential for optimal health, and also provide energy. Dietary fat we generally refer to as a triglyceride. There are two types of triglyceride, saturated and unsaturated fat. In balance, they promote a healthy coat, skin, eyes, nervous system, control hormones, fuel brain and learning, and reduce inflammation. Carbohydrates, such as vegetables and some fruits, provide fibre, prebiotics food for beneficial bacteria , and antioxidants that are lacking in meat alone. Dogs are carnivores, but they can benefit from some vegetation in their diets for optimal health. Natural vitamins and minerals A raw food diet aims to replicate what dogs evolved to eat in the wild. As such, meat, bone, offal and a small amount of plant ingredients are all important ingredients in the diet of a American Bulldog, each adding highly beneficial vitamins and minerals to meal times. Incorporating ground bone in meals or providing recreational bones for enrichment add nutrients that will support digestion, skin and bone health, and mobility. As such, water is a vital nutrient for all cells, systems and functions, including: The regulation of body temperature Maintaining healthy organ function. The digestion and absorption of nutrients. Detoxification; water helps to flush out toxins and waste products from the body. Preventing dehydration which can lead to serious health problems, including kidney damage and heat stroke. Lubrication and cushioning of joints, thereby supporting ease of movement. Discover more about a raw food diet for dogs in our complete. American Bulldog raw feeding guide Whilst you could create homemade raw food meals for your American Bulldog, dog owners new to raw feeding can often find making their own raw dog food meals complicated. Formulating meals with the appropriate ratios of key ingredients is essential to ensure your dog receives optimal nutrients, so going it alone can seem daunting. The good news is there is a much simpler approach. By choosing a reputable supplier of pre-prepared raw dog food supplier, you can stock your freezer with quality raw food meals at the click of a button. American Bulldog Feeding Chart. They love to play, and they really love to eat. Therefore, the best dog food for bulldogs should consist of plenty of high-quality proteins, enough carbohydrates to fuel their bodies, and fats for normal joint function and overall health. But just like us, dogs are individuals. So choosing a food specifically for their individual needs can be a little more complicated. For one, there are hundreds of different brands with different nutritional values that most of us would find confusing. And secondly, since each bulldog is different, they all have different weights, ages, activity levels, and preferences. Adding to the confusion, bulldogs can have sensitivities to certain ingredients and can be allergic to others. So to make the task easier, we have prepared a special guide for American Bulldog owners so they can identify which dog food will best suit their unique pup. Macro-nutrients or macros consist of three major groups of food; proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. We already have an idea about the number of macros we should feed bulldogs, but here are some details that you need to know: Proteins For an American Bulldog, proteins are the most important macro. Proteins consist of amino acids that help in repairing muscle tissue and provide lots of energy so your dog stays active. More than that, proteins also aid in the release of hormones and enzymes and help in strengthening the immune system, amongst other things. Because bulldogs have a muscular body, your dog food must provide enough protein to maintain their physical structure. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are necessary for providing energy to your bulldog. The two most common sources of carbohydrates in dog foods are grains brown rice, oatmeal, barley and vegetables potatoes, peas. Although carbohydrates are important too, you should generally opt for a dog food that has lower carbohydrate content. Fats Fats are important as they make dog food tastier and thus more appealing to your dog. But more than that, fats are essential for the healthy functioning of nerves, body cells, and joints. Fats also provide almost twice as much energy as proteins and carbs. Daily Caloric Intake for Bulldogs The question of how many calories a bulldog should eat is rather confusing. The reason for this is because bulldogs can vary drastically from one another, and thus will have completely different calorie requirements. Bulldogs can weigh anywhere between 60 to pounds on average, and their activity levels can vary widely as well. They might be a puppy, or an adult, or even a senior. Also, they can be either male or female and might be spayed or neutered. All of these factors play a huge role in determining the right amount of calories your bulldog should consume without being under or overfed. However, there still is a standard measure of how much calories your bulldog should consume. Some smaller bulldogs might even be satisfied with fewer than calories, while some heavier and more active ones would require as much as calories a day to stay lean and healthy. But like we said before, it all depends on the individual dog. These can give you a good estimate as to how much you should be feeding them. Thus feeding them with the right frequency can help make sure they remain healthy and fit. Puppies are generally more energetic but have smaller stomachs, and thus need regular feeding to stay active. For bulldogs between the ages of 4 to 6 months, the frequency should be reduced to three portions a day. And once your bulldog is older than six months, you can follow the adult feeding regime which is feeding them two portions a day. Common Health Issues in American Bulldogs Although bulldogs are a healthy breed, they are prone to developing health issues at any life stage. Early identification of these issues can protect your dog from more severe problems later on by making the necessary changes in their diet and lifestyle. Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Joint Problems Hip and Elbow dysplasia is a degenerative health condition in which the hip or elbow joints fail to develop properly, leading to pain and even arthritis later in life. Joint problems are also more common in bulldogs due to their larger body size compared to their short legs. Although hip and elbow dysplasia is genetic and incurable, recognizing them earlier on can prevent them from worsening with age. Feeding them proper food along with exercise and physical therapy can save your bulldog a lot of pain and discomfort in their golden years. Obesity Obesity is a particularly serious issue with bulldogs. Because these dogs love to eat, they can easily be overfed. Obesity worsens joint and hip conditions as well as leading to many other health problems. Place your thumbs on their back where their spine is, and wrap your fingers along their midsection so that your hand is wrapped around their body and then try to feel their ribs. Foods You Should Avoid Feeding Your Bulldog Just like any other pet, there are certain foods you should refrain from feeding your bulldog as well. Some of these foods can cause stomach issues, while others are toxic for bulldogs. Onion and Garlic: Both of these are extremely dangerous as they can cause anemia in bulldogs. If fed in large amounts, they can cause organ damage or failure. Chocolates: Although chocolate seems like a pretty harmless food, it is severely toxic to dogs. Fruits with pits: Most fruits that have pits in them contain cyanide. In large amounts, this can cause seizures, vomiting and an irregular heartbeat. Some pits also pose a choking hazard to bulldogs. Macadamia Nuts: These nuts contain compounds that can cause vomiting, inflammation, and joint pain in dogs. Food Allergies and Sensitivities in American Bulldogs Just like other dogs, American Bulldogs can be allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients too. Here are some of the more common allergies and sensitivities found in American Bulldogs: Grains: This is a very common sensitivity and allergy found in bulldogs. Soy: Soy is another ingredient that can cause rashes and itching in bulldogs. Beef: Although beef allergy only affects a minority of bulldogs, you should take it seriously. There are plenty of other dog foods with proteins like lamb, chicken, and turkey, which you can choose instead. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Don't disregard advice from a vet. We may direct you to retailers such as Chewy or Amazon that provide us with a tiny commission on resulting sales. This comes at no extra cost to you. OUR TEAM Our team is made up of professional pet trainers, veterinarians, and experienced pet owners who have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. We believe that pets are not just animals but members of the family, and we strive to provide the best possible advice and support for pet lovers. Every recipe comes personalized and proportioned for your dog and addresses any medical needs that they might have. Even better, the formulas all come from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, and only the best-quality ingredients are used for each portion. The recipes are tailored specifically for your pup, which is ideal if your dog has a sensitive stomach or food allergies. Pros Formulated recipes by board-certified veterinary nutritionists Personalized and pre-portioned meals for your pup Made in the U. Only the best quality ingredients Different recipes More expensive than store bought brands 2. This moderately-priced dog food comes in pound bags. The small kibble is specifically designed for Bulldog puppies, aged two to 12 months, based on their jaws and biting patterns. We found that this food could be too rich and may not work as well for sensitive stomachs. These LifeSource Bits include a combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They offer omega fatty acids for improved skin and coat health. They can aid in good eye health because of the inclusion of taurine. They also contain vitamin B12, D, and L-Carnitine to further support good health. Its main ingredients are deboned chicken and chicken meal, which are a good source of protein. Other significant ingredients include rice, barley, and oatmeal. This is a grain-inclusive food, which means that it might not be suitable for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies. Although the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food is a little more expensive than some of those on the list, many of its ingredients are high quality and provide a balanced and nutritional diet. However, a handful of ingredients are considered low-cost, low-quality fillers. Pea protein and alfalfa meal, for example, do not provide much nutritional benefit. The ingredients also include garlic. This low-cost dog food comes in .It naturally contains Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants and is made without poultry by-products, preservatives, and artificial flavors. When we tested this dog food, we found that it had plenty of protein and provided quite a bit of energy for active Bulldogs. It also works well for dogs with sensitive stomachs. We did find that it sometimes arrived stale, and some bags may contain bugs. Purina offers a great money-back guarantee. Buying Guide Allergies Do you love your Bulldog but dread the idea of him getting a rash or an upset stomach? Gluten-free dog foods can be made with potatoes, sweet potatoes, or chickpeas. To avoid this unpleasantry altogether, just choose one labeled hypoallergenic to ensure safety from rashes and other allergic reactions like itchy skin and ear infections caused by bacterial growth in moist areas without proper ventilation. Some dogs tend to eat less than others during each mealtime; this may affect what kind of budget —or even which brands- best suit them! As your puppy grows, you can graduate to larger size kibble like Royal Canin design their smaller bites and Bulldog jaws in mind. For example, if you have an adult bulldog over 12 months old, their diet should be different from the one for all-life stages four weeks or older. It can be hard to know how a bulldog will react when it comes down to chicken. Some are allergic, while others seem ok with the food. You should always buy quality dog foods but if you notice symptoms of an allergy, then steer clear from this type of protein entirely! Although some dogs might not have any problem eating chicken , there are still plenty that need more care than just giving them any old things — especially those who may be sensitive or allergic to poultry products like eggs and turkey. Things To Look Into For American Bulldogs When it comes to American Bulldogs , choosing the right food is crucial, and there are many things you should consider before purchasing. The American Bulldogs can weigh anywhere between pounds. For example, hip dysplasia and ACL tears will be more common in heavier dogs due to all their added weight around joints and bones, which makes them vulnerable at higher rates than other breeds might have been. Keeping your pet healthy by getting enough exercise and not allowing too many treats while keeping an eye out for any extra fat or bulges should help tremendously! The food you serve should be packed full of nutritious protein, such as chicken, beef, or pork. Lean, high-quality proteins are best for your guests, and they will thank you with their business — so always check the brand to see where the company sources its meat from. Your American Bulldog needs healthy doses of Omega-3 and six fatty acids to have a strong immune system, heart function, muscle shape. Not all carbs are created equal! Simple carbohydrates like rice or blueberries digest more easily than complex ones such as grains which many dogs have difficulty digesting. Some believe that fiber is important for digestion, but some dog foods are more difficult to digest. Always read the ingredients list, so you know what goes into those kibbles before feeding them to your pup. This is because they vary so much from one another, with some being smaller and others larger. Bulldogs are full of surprises! Bulldogs have a wide range of activity levels and can change over time too — from puppyhood into adulthood, senior citizens even. All these factors go towards figuring out the right amount of calories that bulldogs need without being underweight or overweight at any point in their life cycle, so make sure you get it just right with our easy-to-use food calculator tool! It all depends on the individual dog. The Royal Canin Bulldog Puppy is also an excellent choice if your pup has special needs or nutritional requirements. We hope this roundup helped you figure out which type of dog food to buy! Related Links. When it comes to feeding your American Bulldog puppy, it is important to choose a high-quality food that is designed for large breeds. Puppies grow quickly and need plenty of nutrients to support their growing bodies. Look for a food that is rich in protein and fat, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Avoid foods that are high in fillers or contain artificial ingredients. Your American Bulldog puppy should eat three to four times a day, so divide their daily ration into smaller meals. Puppies under six months old need to eat more often than older puppies. Always have fresh water available for your puppy and monitor their food intake to ensure they are getting enough to eat. A healthy American Bulldog should eat about 2 to 3 cups of food a day, divided into two or three meals. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian how much food your dog needs. Puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs may need more food. Senior dogs may need less. There are a variety of raw meats that you can feed your American Bulldog. Some of the most popular include chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb. You can also find specialty raw foods that are made specifically for Bulldogs. These can be found at most pet stores or online. You should also wash the meat thoroughly before feeding it to your dog. Raw meat is an excellent source of protein for your American Bulldog. It can help to build muscle and keep their coat healthy. Raw meat is also easy for them to digest and can give them the energy they need to stay active. If you are unsure of what kind of raw meat to feed your American Bulldog, you can always ask your veterinarian for advice. They will be able to recommend the best type of food for your dog based on their individual needs. Blue Buffalo is considered a good source of nutrition for American Bulldogs. It is a high-quality food that contains all of the necessary nutrients and vitamins that these dogs need to stay healthy and active. Additionally, Blue Buffalo does not use any cheap fillers or artificial ingredients in their products. This makes them a safe and healthy option for American Bulldogs. Is Pedigree Good for American Bulldogs? Just like with any other type of dog, it is important to do your research before you decide to feed your American Bulldog Pedigree. While Pedigree is a popular brand of dog food, it may not be the best option for American Bulldogs. There are a variety of factors that you should consider when choosing the right food for your dog. This includes the ingredients, the size and activity level of your dog, and any health concerns that your dog may have. One of the main things to consider when choosing food for your American Bulldog is the ingredients. Another thing to consider is the size and activity level of your American Bulldog. If your dog is on the smaller side or is not very active, he may do better with food that has fewer calories. Conversely, if your dog is larger or more active, he may need food that has more calories to help him maintain his weight. Finally, you should also consider any health concerns that your American Bulldog may have. If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, you will want to choose a food that does not contain any ingredients that could trigger an allergic reaction. There are a few commercially available dog foods that are specifically designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs, and these may be a good option for your American Bulldog. Can American Bulldogs Eat Chicken? Yes, American Bulldogs can eat chicken. In fact, chicken is a great source of protein for them. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly to avoid any food safety issues. Can Bulldogs Eat Bread? Most bread is perfectly safe for American Bulldogs to eat, but there are a few things to be aware of. Additionally, some bread can be very high in sugar, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Chocolate is toxic to American Bulldogs and can make them very sick. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is a stimulant that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in large quantities. Can Bulldogs Drink Milk? Yes, Bulldogs can drink milk. In fact, many American Bulldogs enjoy drinking milk and it can be a good source of nutrition for them. Just be sure to choose low-fat or skim milk to avoid any health problems. Can Bulldogs Eat Fruit? Yes, Bulldogs can eat fruit. In fact, some fruits, such as blueberries and strawberries, are packed with nutrients that can be beneficial for them. Just be sure to wash the fruit thoroughly and remove any pits or seeds before feeding it to your Bulldog. Can Bulldogs Eat Peanut Butter? Yes, American Bulldogs can eat peanut butter. Can They Eat Table Scraps? Table scraps are often high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems. There are a variety of dog treats available that are safe for American Bulldogs to eat. Just be sure to choose treats that are low in fat and calories, and avoid any that contain chocolate or other potentially harmful ingredients. Foods that are high in fat, sugar, or calories can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

These pups are intelligent, friendly, and eager to please. Black Labs are also known for being loyal, protective, and devoted to their families. In addition to their great personalities, Black Labs are also excellent athletes. They excel at agility and obedience trials, and they make excellent hunting and retrieving dogs. Black Labs are versatile dogs that can fit into almost any lifestyle. They do very well with children. The breed is usually tolerant of climbing and tugging by small children and love to be spoiled. This confident yet tender pup is social and easy-going around new people. Black Lab Puppies Health Considerations Though generally very healthy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around 10 to 12 years — our Black Labs for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Black Lab puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Hip and elbow dysplasia are both hereditary conditions that can cause joint pain and mobility issues. Allergies are relatively common in dogs, and Black Labs are no exception. Symptoms can include itchiness, redness, and hair loss. Exercise-induced collapse is a relatively rare condition that can be triggered by strenuous activity. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, and collapse. While these health concerns can be daunting, many of them can be effectively managed with proper care. Finding a Black Lab puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. They are also one of the most popular breeds in the United States, in part due to their beautiful black coat. And while the coat does require some maintenance, it is relatively easy to care for. Weekly brushing will help to remove dead hair and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy. Labs also benefit from occasional baths, which will help to remove any dirt or debris that has become trapped in their fur. Meet Black Lab Puppies for Sale. Life Span Did You Know? Black Labrador Retrievers, or just Black Labs, are a common coat color variation of one of the most popular dog breeds. The Black Labrador Retriever is not necessarily a separate dog breed. Black Labs are still Labrador Retrievers; they just have a distinct coat color that is a specifically-bred characteristic. Like other Labrador Retrievers, Black Labs are energetic, playful, and affectionate dogs that make great family companions. Although they are active and energetic dogs, Labs are also known for their gentleness and patience with other family members. Well-socialized Black Labs tend to get along well with just about everyone including children, other dogs, pets, and even strangers. They are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , Black Labs thrive on attention, especially from their favorite humans. They are happiest when they are spending time with their families and receiving affection and attention from them. Despite their high energy, Labs are highly adaptable dogs. They do tend to be better suited to homes with fenced yards where they can run, but they also adapt well to apartments provided they get enough daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. They do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold like many dog breeds. As such, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Black Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, heart disease, hereditary myopathy, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Another potential health concern is EIC exercise-induced collapse , which can occur in young adult Labs and has a genetic link. Because carriers can be identified by DNA tests, it is recommended that breeders test for them. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Labrador Retrievers are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Although their high energy and puppylike exuberance can sometimes be a challenge, they are intelligent dogs that are eager to please. As long as training is kept consistent and focused on positive rewards and praise, novice owners still tend to do well with Black Labs. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training too. Black Labs have a short, water-resistant double coat that sheds year-round and sheds heavier as seasons change. Depending on how active your Black Lab is and what they get into, they may need a bath more often, especially if they are swimming a lot. Weekly ear checks and careful cleanings when needed help prevent ear infections. Good dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. As one of the most active dog breeds , a Black Labrador Retriever will need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are a minimum. Your Black Lab will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood. They tend to maintain a puppylike exuberance until they are years old. Although they do tend to mellow out as they get older, they are still active, energetic, and playful dogs. Once they are fully grown, you can try other things like hiking, running, dock diving, and more to find other activities you and your Black Lab can enjoy together. Fully-grown Black Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Black Labs generally live for years on average. Black Labrador Retrievers came before the also-popular Chocolate Lab. All modern Chocolate Labs can be traced back to three Black Labs in the s. It was the December issue of .Featured Black Labrador Retriever Article.

Original Labrador Retriever Color Black is the original, archetypal Labrador color, and genetically the most dominant. Chocolate and yellow puppies were frequently euthanized at birth. To understand that we have to look at the genetic difference between black and chocolate Labs. Labrador Retriever Color Genetics Both types get their color from a pigment called eumelanin. Labs with lots of eumelanin pigment in their coat are black. If they have a little less, they appear brown instead. We use letters to tell each place apart — a bit like giving each locus its own zip code! The B locus is home to a pair of genes called B genes. There are two types of B gene your Lab can get in their pair: One we call big B — it contains an instruction to make lots of eumelanin, and causes a black Labrador coat. And one we call little b — it contains an instruction for less eumelanin, and causes a brown or chocolate coat. Big B is a dominant gene, and little b is a recessive gene. Dominant genes to switch off, or override, recessive genes. So dog with BB genes will be black, because he has two genes for a black coat. And a Bb dog will be black too, because the dominant B genethe recessive b gene. Only a dog with a matching pair of bb genes will express the instruction for less eumelanin in their coat, and be brown. Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog with two copies of the b gene will actually look brown. But the dominance of the black color enabled our chocolate friends to remain hidden and rare with the breed, for many decades. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. In fact, it would take two black Labs both carrying the little b gene to produce chocolate puppies. Like this: Statistically, one quarter of their litter would be chocolate colored. And of course, some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. These genes are located at the E locus. And — you guessed it — we call them E genes. Just like B genes there are two versions of the E gene, big E and little e. Big E is the dominant gene. It does not interfere with the B genes. Little e is the recessive gene. It has the potential to mask the B genes that would otherwise give us black or brown coats. And the result is a yellow dog. How Yellow Overrides Black and Chocolate Only the little e gene can mask the instructions for black or chocolate fur. There are three possible combinations of E gene that a dog can inherit. It could have two dominant genes EE two masking genes ee or one of each Ee. Only the middle of these three dogs will be yellow. Nine Different Possible Labrador Genotypes! Every Labrador has a combination of B and E genes — called their genotype. There are nine different possible genotypes. Here they are in full: Can you see why each combination of genes turns out the way it does? Because as you can see, the second dog down the list may look black but he could throw brown puppies, and the fourth dog down the list may look black, but he could throw yellow puppies. The fifth dog down the list is also black but he could throw yellow and brown puppies. Puppy colors are easier to predict when both parents owe their appearance to the recessive genes b or e. Mating Two Yellow Labradors Two yellow Labradors mated together will never throw brown or black puppies. All their offspring will be yellow. This is because yellow dogs do not possess the big E gene which is needed to switch off the masking effect. Mating Two Chocolate Labradors Two brown Labs mated together will never throw black puppies because brown dogs do not have the big B gene. But two chocolate Labs can produce yellow puppies, if each of the parents carries the little e gene — like this: In the mixed litter, statistically one of half of the puppies will be chocolate and one half yellow. Depending on their genotype, two black Labradors can indeed have yellow or chocolate puppies. Remember from our grid above that there are four different possible genotypes for a black Labrador. The genotype refers to the genetic code that the dog carries. And the four different possible black genotypes down the side to represent the father. Inside the grid are the puppies that could be born from each combination. If and only if, both parents carry a little e gene, then some of the puppies may be yellow. Remember that your puppy needs two little e genes one from each parent in order to be yellow. If only one of two black dogs carries the little e gene, all their puppies will be black. Yes it is, check out the bottom right hand square in the diagram above! Notice that it can only happen if both parents dogs have this genotype: EeBb. In other words, they both carry a little e and a little b. This is good example of how complicated, and unexpected, Labrador colors can be. There are six different possibilities for litter color combinations depending on the genotype of the parents. You can even get a litter of all black puppies from a chocolate mother and a yellow father or vice versa! Here are the color possibilities: yellow, black, and chocolate puppies yellow and black puppies. Do Labrador Dog Colors Matter? The three different shades of Labrador are often associated with different roles. The yellow Labrador has become associated with Seeing Eye dogs, the black Labrador with hunting and retrieving work and the chocolate Labrador with pet homes and the show ring. But of course these are just broad generalisations and in reality, Labradors of each color have embraced all the many roles at which these amazing dogs excel. Labrador Color Inheritance There are three main Labrador colors, and a huge variety of shades of color too. To find out much more about where these Labrador colors came from, and how they inherited their lovely coats, head over to our in-depth article on Labrador color inheritance. Yellow Labradors Yellow Labradors are well known for a variety of roles, but perhaps best of all for being Service Dogs. They are nice tempered, easy to train and full of love. Although popular for highly trained roles, and of course very photogenic and therefore frequently used on charities literature, the yellow Labrador can still make a magnificant pet and be popular in the show ring too. These dogs tend to come from working lines, and have a more orange hue to their coats. They are still classed however on Kennel Club documentation as yellow Labradors. Fawn Labradors In recent years some people have begun to refer to yellow Labradors as fawn Labradors. If your Lab pup color is slightly darker than the traditional yellow, but not as orange as a Fox Red Labrador, you might well refer to him as being a Fawn Labrador. However, this is not an official Labrador color, nor indeed is it really one which is referred to by Labrador breeders in the way that Fox Red now is. Black Labradors Black Labradors have long been favoured as gundogs, but also make wonderful pets, companions and agility dogs too. They are the most common color of Labrador, due to the way in which their genes are inherited. Chocolate Labradors Chocolate Labradors make great family pets, as well as playing a role in the Show Ring. In America, chocolate Labradors are quite firmly established in hunting lines. However, it is worth bearing in mind that in the UK, Chocolate Labradors have only recently been achieving awards in the field. Black and yellow Labradors still taking more prominence at least in Field Trial circuits. In our extensive article on Chocolate Labradors we will let you know all about the chocolate Labrador. Where he comes from, his pet suitability and much more. Silver Labradors Silver Labradors are a fairly new trend in Labrador breeding. This amazing color inspires a lot of comments from Labrador fans, both positive and negative. The color varation from chocolate is caused by a diluting gene, but how this got into the breed is the source of some controversy. In our extensive article on Silver Labradors we take a look at where they come from and how to buy a healthy silver Labrador Retriever puppy. Some people have a strong preference for a particular color, but others are quite happy with either. If you are not fussy about color, you will have more choice of Labrador breeders to put on your shortlist when setting about choosing the right dog. Although you might love one particular color to look at, do think carefully about your prorities when it comes to picking a puppy. Perhaps what really matters is your Labradors breeding: his parents temperaments, roles and health. Show vs Field Bred Labradors Whatever your preference, it is worth bearing in mind that Labradors have become divided into two quite distinct types, show, and field. Finding a suitable dog will probably depend more on choosing the right type, than on choosing the right color. With some you will have more choice in one type rather than the other. And with some types you will have more choice in one color than the others. To find out more about the differences between show and working bred Labradors, check out this article comparing the Bench and Field varieties of Labrador here. Rescue Labradors When picking your new Labrador, you might be looking for an adult rather than a puppy. Find out how we get chocolate, black or yellow puppies and what color pups we might get when we mix Labradors of different colors. Strictly speaking, there are only three different types of Labrador color: black Labs, brown Labs usually referred to as chocolate and yellow Labs. These are the three colors recognized and accepted by the Kennel Club In practice, there is a wide range of shades of yellow Labrador color, from palest cream to richest fox red. But what makes a Labrador brown, or black, or yellow. And what about Silver Labradors? Where does this new and controversial coat color come in to play? Where do Black and Chocolate Labradors come from? The information that determines whether or not your Labrador is basically black or basically chocolate is passed on through a pair of genes. Why black is a dominant color: It is normal for dominant genes to switch off, or over-ride, recessive genes. And that is exactly what happens here. A dog with BB genes will be black, because he has no little b gene, the one that gives us a brown coat. But a Bb dog will be black too, because if the dominant black gene is present, it switches off the brown gene. How chocolate Labradors are made: Even though a dog inherits a little b gene, the dog will only appear brown if no black gene B is present at all. Two black genes BB gives you a black Labrador One of each Bb also give you a black Labrador Two brown genes bb gives you a chocolate Labrador Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog at the bottom will actually look brown. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. Remember, the dog in the middle of our list above will look black, but pass the brown gene on to about half of all its offspring. But things are never that simple are they? Because of course some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. And these genes have a different kind of power. The result is a yellow dog But little ee is recessive, and if the dominant E gene is present, it switches off the masking gene. It only takes one big E gene to do this. So the dog will only appear yellow if no big E gene is present at all. There are three possible combinations of eee gene that a dog could inherit. There are nine different possible combinations. Nine different possible Labrador genotypes! The chart below lists them genotype is the genetic makeup, phenotype is the appearance of the dog.

Some of these you can help prevent, while others are out of your immediate control. If your GSD carries the genes for ears that lie down, instead of standing erect, then more than likely they will have floppy ears. This means they may have ears that never stand up and are floppy for life. Breeding Some breeders choose to pair parents that both have large, erect ears. And some buyers and owners prefer this larger style of ears for show or aesthetic purposes. But, there is some theory that breeding a German Shepherd with larger and larger ears might contribute to ears that stay flopped over. Always see the parents of the puppy you buy from the breeder on the premises to see their appearance. Physical Damage or Accidents Puppies are active and mischievous and can get into plenty of trouble. This includes physical damage or accidents that have the cartilage or muscles in their ears. If this happens their ears may suffer long-term damage and not stand up naturally on their own. So watch out for a rough play that might lead to ear damage. And, if your pup has been in an accident that hurt their ears, take them immediately to the vets. Improper and Poor Nutrition German Shepherds need balanced nutrition during crucial growing stages, including vitamins and minerals that aid in cartilage and muscle development of their ears. You should ensure your dog gets the right nutrition from the start to avoid any issues. Along with Vitamin D, calcium helps strengthen the cartilage to aid in building a strong foundation for the ears to stand up later. Neglecting Ear Cleaning Puppies still need ear cleaning when dirt and build-up are overly present. Dirty ears that become neglected can inhibit proper growth and cause discomfort for your dog, causing them to excessively scratch their ears which can cause damage. This could cause them more harm! Instead, wipe away the dirt from the skin of the ear with a warm, damp washcloth or use special ear cleaning wipes. A dog with one floppy ear and one ear upright is totally normal. Occasionally, your German Shepherd might have one floppy ear and one ear standing upright. If they are a small puppy then they are most likely growing and the one ear down still needs time to go upright naturally. These are some of the best techniques that will help their ears to stand up. They only need to sit inside the ear enough to support cartilage growth. Make sure you check for any creases or folds in their ears before moving on to the next step. Repeat in the other ear. Make a Popsicle Support Now, take the popsicle sticks and place them at the top of the foam rollers both ears should have foam rollers in them at this point. You might need another pair of hands to help with this, so ask your family or friends to help. Take the self-adhering waterproof tape and place a medium-size piece across and around the two foam rollers and popsicle sticks. This ensures even and symmetrical growth. Make a bridge across their ears instead. If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance. When in doubt, get your vet to show you what to do for their ears. Your puppy might become annoyed with the tape on their ears, so they may need close supervision and even some distraction during the taping process. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a German Shepherd that has floppy ears and putting them at risk to have any unnecessary surgery to get their ears to stand up can cause them pain. Speak to your vet about the side effects and pain associated with ear implants. You can help prevent floppy ears in your dog by taking the appropriate steps to keep them healthy. The top ways to help a GSD with floppy ears include: 1. Feed them a high-quality food Giving your dog the proper nutrition for optimum growth is a necessity, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. Choose a puppy food with the correct ratio of nutrients and vitamins to ensure they get the correct building blocks for development. When you choose to give them treats, pick ones from this list of the best healthy dog treats for German Shepherd puppies. Provide them with the proper chew toys Chewing helps to strengthen the muscles that surround the ears. Or worse… Injure them. Learn to play and discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way to avoid accidental ear injuries or damage. German Shepherds with ears that are floppy are a joy to own, no matter their age! Floppy ears are adorable and give your dog even more character. Go on, and find out what makes your companion the happiest dog on the planet! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. A thick-bellied and thick-legged cub of a Shepherd color with a long tail and dense fur can only be finally classified as purebred when the ears of a German Shepherd puppy stand up. The ears of a true German Shepherd are, according to the standard, erect, of the medium size, set high, with the ends directed forward and up, and not adjacent to the skull on both sides, even when a Shepherd dog is in motion or presses its ears or lowers them in a calm position. When German Shepherd ears stand up when excited, the distance between their highest points tips should visually equal the width of the auricle. Since the range of frequencies heard by a dog is much higher than that of a human, a German Shepherd determines the source of the sound and its direction and location instantly and accurately due to such an auricle at a distance of m depending on the pitch of the sound. Moreover, a Shepherd can hear the peals of thunder or the sound of a working chainsaw at a distance of km. The lowest sound for a human is 16 Hz, while the highest one is 20 thousand Hz. The upper limit of frequency fluctuations perceived by a GS dog as a sound is thousand Hz. Clear hearing is especially important for a German Shepherd as for a dog with high service qualities and no less high requirements for its work. Sensitive ears allow not only for relying on a Shepherd dog as an excellent guard but also for guiding it at great distances, giving commands at frequencies that are not perceived by the human ear or in an undertone. Their small ears are also imperfect — they are rather soft due to the underdeveloped cartilage that makes up the auricle. That is why there are separate German Shepherd puppy ears stages when they start standing up. The cartilaginous plate is covered on both sides with a layer of thin connective tissue that provides the main cartilage with growth and nutrition and is called the perichondrium. The perichondrium, on the contrary, is dotted with mini-hematopoietic capillaries and blood vessels. Through them, the cartilage receives necessary substances for its growth and compaction with the help of conventional diffusion literally, penetration by contact. In the same way, the ear cartilage of a GS dog is built on, and the perichondrium has semi-stem cells which, like bricks, are built into the cartilage tissue. Cartilage cells, in turn, produce collagen and elastin. This is due to the active work of all parts of the auricle cartilage and perichondrium. Up to 4 months, cartilage tissues are especially active, but by the fifth month, the growth of elastic layers and the embedding of stem cells decreases. Having reached a certain density, ear growth slows down, and in a short time, it almost diminishes. The metabolism in the auricle becomes so low that visually the ear seems to no longer grow. However, limited living processes in it continue throughout life. Otherwise, it would be impossible to restore the tissues of the German Shepherd puppy ears in case of damage. To do this, you need to feed the puppy a balanced diet with enough calcium and phosphorus. Excess calcium and phosphorus can adversely affect the formation of the ear cartilage and the development of the musculoskeletal system of a German Shepherd. We must not forget about the composition of the blood because it is the main food for the growth and strengthening of the cartilage plate due to the diffuse contact with it via the perichondrium. Not only nutrition but also the obligatory physical activity of a German Shepherd puppy, both at home and on walks , help improve the blood supply to the perichondrium. Under such keeping conditions, the ears of the Shepherd stand up on time and additional actions on the part of an owner are not required. The optimal age when the ears should stand up is 5 months. Do not be afraid if the ears are 1. This sometimes happens. You need to worry if the puppy is already 8 months old, and the ears still do not rise. If at the age of 12 months, the ears are still not on top, the question of a purebred puppy will emerge. Teeth and Ears It often happens that at 2- 3 months the ears of a Shepherd stood up, and at 4 they fell one or two at once This is a normal process associated with the change of teeth, when the body mobilizes all the microelements to build a strong dental system, pulling phosphorus and calcium front he cartilage in this direction. At the same time, the drooping ears should stand up. Hurry up! After a year, hopes to put up ears in a German Shepherd are melting exponentially. There may be, for example, a birthing crease, subluxation, or hematoma as a result of injury to the ear canal. Has your dog ever had ear infections or other ear problems? They can involve inflammation of the middle ear, otodectosis, or a forest tick attack. Have you noticed any allergic reactions in your pet? It may be allergic to dairy products or antibiotics. If antibiotics or immunomodulators were used, what did your dog get sick with, and how often? Infectious diseases significantly inhibit the development of a Shepherd dog and slow down growth and physiological formation, including cartilage tissues. The latter is in charge of whether the ears of a GS puppy will stand up or it will remain floppy-eared. In what conditions is the young Shepherd kept? When living in an aviary, a dog must have a warmed booth in winter to avoid hypothermia of the ears, leading to spasms of small vessels of the perichondrium and a dense canopy from the sun in summer — overheating also leads to spasms. Do you walk and talk enough to your dog? Each age demands its own supplements developed for puppies, and they are also divided by the size of the dogs: small, medium, and large dogs. The German Shepherd is a large breed! This is one of the most common problems in pedigree dogs, including German Shepherds. Diseases associated with the imbalance of hormones lead to problems with the immune system and prevent the body from proper formations of all organs and their functions. Overfeeding a German Shepherd as well as underfeeding leads to a deficiency of micro-and macroelements, which highly contributes to the timely formation of cartilage tissues by the age when the Shepherd should raise its ears. Have there been any stressful situations? Cortisol, a stress hormone, activates a defense mechanism that blocks the production of new cells including semi-stem cells in cartilage tissues , reduces blood flow, and forms a negative calcium balance in the body of a Shepherd dog. Very often, this problem is transmitted at the genetic level, and your German Shepherd floppy ears can be a result of it. When was the last vaccination administered? After vaccination, the body of a GS dog begins the active formation of immunity. The process requires the consumption of microelements and vitamins for biochemical reactions, so their deficiency is formed, similar to the condition after an illness. How often do you pet your puppy on the head? At your touch, the Shepherd dog instinctively lays its ears back, getting used to keeping them folded lengthwise from the base to the top. The result will be an acquired crease or scar along with the entire ear that keeps the German Shepherd ears down, and this will require cartilage adjustment. If the doctor sees it necessary, your pet will have to take a blood test, undergo an ultrasound, and possibly take some x-rays. Treatment Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will prescribe medicines most often — flavonoids, vitamins, glucosamine, calcitonin, thyroxine, iodine, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium , which normalize the composition of the blood and add the necessary building material to the body. It is important to carry out all the medicinal prescriptions under the supervision of a veterinarian. An overabundance of any element can lead to a deterioration in the general condition of the pet and its ears in particular. In addition to medication, the doctor will most likely prescribe an ear massage at home. The massage procedure is not complicated — knead the ear from the base to the very tip between the thumb and forefinger, helping to improve blood supply, for about 5 minutes, times a day. Be careful with the place where the ear is attached to the head! This place does not need to be kneaded, only the auricle itself! Though, the most favorable result will not be long in coming — the ears of Shepherd dogs stand up in just a week or two. It is worse if the veterinarian makes a diagnosis of the atypical defect of the ear cartilage. What does it mean? Is it safe for the health of the Shepherd? And is it possible to put ears on a puppy with such a diagnosis? Atypical Cartilage and Ways to Eliminate Consequences Atypical cartilage is a defect in the development of the ear cartilage, resulting from a damaged structure of ear tissues, and their inability to support the ear in an upright position. This often occurs in young dogs after the ears have stood up, and then an ear or even two has fallen off. The same picture can be observed in old Shepherd dogs — the ear or both fall off and then rise again. The reason is the same — deformation of the ear cartilage due to long years of life at old age. However, with the old GSs, it will no longer be possible to return the ears to a stable standing position. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to correct the position of the young German Shepherd ears — they need to be glued, allowing the cartilage to recover. Gluing is nothing more than the necessary support for the intensive synthesis of elastin a connective protein in tissues and its uniform growth over the entire area of the ear cartilage. Properly glued ears do not allow creases or folds, never stretch scars, and make it possible to fill these creases with full-fledged elastin within 1. In this case, the puppy or young GS should be given maintenance vitamin supplements containing gelatin. Good results are also provided by a steep bone jelly or soaked food gelatin, 1 tbsp before every feeding. Adding bone meal and sea fish to the diet is a good solution, too! Taping Ears Correctly Since when is it worth starting the taping process? Until months of age, cartilage correction is unlikely to be needed. It is better to use the support in the form of massage and, possibly, a garter to put two ears together from months of age so that they take the correct position on the head. Feel the ear from its base to tip. If a crease or scar is found, you need to tape the ear urgently! You can watch some videos to see how to tape German Shepherd ears correctly. To correct one non-standing ear if the cartilage is even and of good density, without creases and scars, you can resort to a cardboard or plastic insert that maintains the ear in the desired position. Watch some videos to see how to do that. In any case, do not despair! David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Suffice to say that the dog has come a long way from its herding roots. Part of that perfect picture we have of these pups is the erect position of their ears. It gives them the qualities we associate with the breed, such as intelligence and confidence. Floppy ears strike us as a disconnect. These dogs have a dense coat that puts a lot of weight on their ears, relatively speaking. Also, large breeds like the German Shepherd mature more slowly than smaller dogs. It could just be a matter of time. That fact will come into play with the availability and price of the dog. It may have a disqualifying trait , such as floppy ears. This characteristic has a genetic component. Injury or Trauma Damaged the Cartilage Puppies sometimes play rough. They bite at each other, and sometimes the ears get the brunt of it. That often translates into slower healing times. Some manufactures produce tailor-made foods for specific breeds , such as the German Shepherd. That can go a long way to helping your dog recovering from an injury. It can interfere with air circulation in the ear canals, setting up the perfect storm for infections or mites. These conditions are horribly uncomfortable for your pup. Left untreated, it can cause a hematoma or swelling. This condition requires veterinary treatment. Several options exist, from aspirating or draining it to surgery. The best prevention is avoiding the conditions that caused the ear discomfort in the first place. All German Shepherds have floppy ears as puppies. The difference depends on when they start to change and stand up into their adult position. It can take several months. However, the number of adult dogs with floppy ears is about one in five. That may get its ears standing upright quicker. Taping the ears is usually part of the healing process when dogs get their ears cropped. The other concern is doing the procedure correctly. That could lead to ear trauma or a bowel obstruction if it swallows the materials. We suggest that you have your veterinarian do the job if you want to go this route. Final Thoughts The upright ears are an essential feature of the striking pose of the German Shepherd. Nature often has her plan for when that will happen in a puppy. Sometimes, it takes longer in pups with thicker fur or large ears. Healthy nutritional support will help the cartilage develop stronger and quicker. In the meantime, patience is the key. See also:. A common misconception that many people have is that German Shepherds have cropped ears that account for their erect posture. It often surprises some people to learn that the AKC standard calls for naturally erect, not cropped ears. GSD puppies are born with floppy ears set against the side of the head. As puppies mature, their ears usually start to stand up naturally. However, for various reasons, some dogs have ears that stay floppy. You can reasonably expect erect ears by around eight months old. This is because calcium that would generally nourish the ears is reallocated to the teeth during this time. You can expect the ears to become erect after the teething stops , around 20 weeks. After a puppy is no longer teething, they will start retaining enough cartilage in the ears to help hold them up. GSDs ears are heavier than they appear, and the cartilage must be sufficient to help keep that position. A sign of ears likely to stay erect are ears that become pointy once they start to stand. If your puppy reaches four or five months without any sign of the ears standing up, you might need to give them some help. When the ears are not erect by around seven or eight months, they will more than likely retain a floppy position. It is not something that is going to happen overnight. If you notice that your pup can prick their ears up or even just the tips of their ears by the time they are four to five months old, the chances are that the ears are developing normally and should become pointed without any intervention. The best thing to do is to keep your hands off their ears and avoid bending, rubbing, or folding their ears. If you notice that your German Shepherd is shaking their head a lot or scratching at their ears, it may be their attempt to relieve some kind of minor itchiness or irritation. However, if you notice that the head-shaking persists, then you should be concerned, especially as your pup grows. Any trauma to their ears before they reach four to five months of age can affect the cartilage and cause the ears to remain floppy rather than erect. Aural Haematoma: this is a blood blister found on the outer skin of the ear and can appear swollen. This condition is often the result of trauma due to vigorous ear shaking or a dog fight. However, if they are more serious, they will need to be removed surgically, and this can sometimes include the removal of part or all of the ear canal. If not, your pup will continue shaking their head and scratching, which can cause further injury and trauma to their ears. Skin Allergies: The head shaking and scratching may also be due to an allergy. For this, you may have to use antibiotics, antihistamines, or put your pup on a low allergy diet to treat their ears. For more information on avoiding dog ear infections and what to look for regarding causes and treatments, visit AKC. One of the more recognizable features of the German Shepherd dog breed is their large, erect ears and stoic expression. However, a lesser-known fact is that a German Shepherd puppy is born with floppy ears. So, how do you know what kind of ears your German Shepherd will have? The ears should also be pointed. If you got your German Shepherd from a reputable dog breeder, you could expect that their ears will stand erect after they are done teething. However, if you acquired your puppy from a puppy mill or there were less than desirable breeding practices or health problems, then your adult dog may end up with droopy ears. German Shepherd Ears Chart Although there is an official breed standard, in reality, German Shepherds have different types of ears, from ears that are set too high or too low to ears that are too large, asymmetrical, or too small. Some dogs even have ears pointing outwards or inwards or tilting one way. Overall, as you can see in our German Shepherd Ears Chart , there are at least 12 different types of German Shepherd ear shapes. Blood flow into the cartilage will likely increase when you do this, helping the ears keep their shape. Proper cleaning will help prevent infections that can be painful and costly to treat. Make sure you have a towel handy as you drop the ear cleaner into their ear. The towel can be used to clean up any mess as well as massage the ear cleaner solution in and around the ears. You can then use a cotton ball to remove any dirt or excess liquid. Chew Toys Sturdy chew toys will not only help keep your puppy busy but can also play a role in exercising the muscles supporting both the ears and jaws. Chewing helps with teething while also exercising their jaw and neck, and head muscles. Quality Diet The food that you feed your puppy should have high-quality, nutritious ingredients. Foods free from both wheat and corn are some of the best choices. You should also discuss supplementation with your veterinarian. Glucosamine, for example, helps to lubricate joints and supports healthy cartilage. For example, hearing certain noises that attract their attention or hearing their name can make them prick up their ears. Take advantage of this situation by praising them and providing a treat when they prick up their ears in response to this type of stimulus. They will associate pricking their ears up with getting a reward. Regularly Check for Parasites You also want to regularly check your dog out for parasites and ear mites. In addition, tapeworms and roundworms take away the essential nutrients your German Shepherd pup needs, which can ultimately cause poor health and other deficiencies. An ear mite infection can also cause your dog to itch, which causes them to shake their head excessively. Cartilage is extremely fragile and is prone to damage. If the cartilage becomes damaged, it can prove impossible for the ears to stand erect. However, keep in mind, this is invasive and does require your dog to go under anesthesia. They will also require pain medication following the surgery, and there will be a lengthy recovery time. Discuss Options with Your Vet You may want to consider having your vet make sure nothing is going on, like an ear infection. Some German Shepherds come from lines that carry genes that lead to floppier ears. Unfortunately, when genetics is the cause, there is little that owners can do aside from being more conscientious about ear health, which is a more significant concern in floppy-eared dogs. Many dogs from show lines, in particular, have larger ears that require more cartilage while the dog is growing to help support a more upright position. In many cases, these dogs will not have ears that stay upright. Broken Ear Cartilage German Shepherds can also end up with permanently floppy ears as a result of broken ear cartilage. This can happen in GSDs for a variety of reasons, including: Injuries. Well, there are a few different possible explanations. Causes can vary from age-related to genetic and medical issues. All puppies are born with soft, floppy ears. This is because the cartilage and muscles in their ears have not developed yet. Although some breeds, like Spaniels and Poodles, always have floppy ears, others, like most Shepherd breeds , almost always have pointy, pricked, upright ones. In such breeds, their ears should start to stand up between weeks of age as the bones and muscles in their bodies develop and strengthen. Are they both floppy — or is only one of them drooping whilst the other stands up normally? Teething Several young puppies experience floppy ears during teething. Teething is a period that all infant mammals go through, in which their baby or milk teeth fall out and their adult teeth grow in. It starts at around three weeks old and ends at months of age, although it can take longer. So, their bodies may draw calcium out of other areas, such as the ears, weakening their skeletal structure and making them flop. You may even notice that their ears look different every day during this period. They might be up-right one day, then floppy the next, or even change throughout the day depending on their mood. Their ears will return back to their original shape as soon as their hormones calm down. Although most German Shepherds have up-right ears, some can have floppy or semi-pricked ones. Judges of dog shows and competitions also often look for large ears in the breed. Poor nutrition during puppyhood As mentioned above, calcium is needed to develop and strengthen the cartilage in the ears in order for them to stand up. Vitamin D is also needed to keep bones healthy and strong. This is especially common in rescue dogs that come from puppy farms, homelessness, and neglectful backgrounds. Always buy from reputable breeders! Other symptoms of calcium and vitamin D deficiencies include muscle spasms and joint issues. If severe, nutrient deficiencies can be deadly. Both conditions require urgent veterinary attention, and treatments will likely include special diets and supplements. Similar to malnutrition, this is common in dogs that come from a background of neglect or homelessness. A build-up of wax, debris, or dirt can make the ears heavy and cause them to droop. Poor hygiene As we mentioned above, poor ear hygiene can lead to drooping of the ears. It can also lead to smelliness and infection. All dogs have self-cleaning mechanisms in their ears. However, allergies and hormone imbalances can cause disruptions to the mechanisms, meaning they require some extra care. Dogs can be allergic to environmental allergens like pollen, household cleaning products, and foods like wheat and dairy. Other symptoms of allergies can include skin irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny noses and eyes, and stomach upsets. Each has different symptoms, but they often include drastic changes in energy, coat, thirst, appetite, and weight. German Shepherds are also particularly prone to experiencing hormonal disorders. Ear mites Another cause of ear drooping in German Shepherds is ear mites. Ear mites can be picked up outdoors, or from coming into contact with another animal with the condition. The inflammation from the infestation can cause droopiness in the affected ear. Other symptoms include excessive itchiness, and redness, bleeding, and swelling from the constant scratching. If left untreated, the infestation can cause disease, which can lead to hearing loss and balance issues. Infection Ear infections can be bacterial or fungal, and they can affect both the inner or outer ear. They are most often picked up after exposure to water, and the inflammation can cause the affected ear to droop. Other symptoms can include redness, swelling, irritation, discharge, and excessive head shaking or scratching at the ear. Vets can treat ear infections with antibacterial or antifungal medications, but they need to be treated quickly before they spread or cause permanent damage. Trauma Physical trauma to the ears can also cause them to droop. The most common trauma that causes changes to the shape of the ears in German Shepherds are bites from fighting with other dogs. If your dog has a visible injury to their ear, you should take them to see their vet to check it over and dress any wounds to prevent infection. Make sure to brush your GSD regularly, also around the head and ears — these dogs shed heavily! You can get these over-the-counter at your vet, online, or in a pet store. You can also use a few drops of olive oil for wax build-up, but not too much. To administer, get a towel and ask your dog to lie down in a comfortable place in the home. Then, massage the mase of their ears for around 30 seconds to help it loosen any wax or dirt. Finally, allow your dog to shake their head and use the towel to catch what comes out. That said, if they have particularly problem ears, you should ask your vet and do it however often they suggest, which could be weekly or monthly. However, this is very controversial. It is not yet illegal in the USA, but it is also not something that we would recommend outside of medical necessity, as it can be unnecessarily stressful and painful for dogs. The method known as taping is done by placing something, usually tape, inside the ear to make it stand up straight and grow into that position permanently. It can be effective when done during puppyhood and usually takes weeks to work. As we mentioned above, nutritional deficiencies can cause the ears to flop. Puppies should eat nutritionally complete and balanced food that is enriched with calcium, vitamin D, and DHA for healthy bone and brain development, as well as high-quality protein sources like chicken and fish for strong muscles, and tasty, fiber-rich fruits and veggies. All puppies should have a handful of strong, hardy chew toys to avoid being destroyed during teething, but they can also help the ears to stand up. This is because the ears are connected to the jaw. So, strong jaw muscles means stronger ears, too! Finally, you should avoid playing too rough with your pup and interacting with boisterous dogs to prevent accidents and traumas, which, as we mentioned above, could damage or change the shape of their ears. Dogs communicate with us owners in many ways; they bark, they growl, and they use their bodies. Body language is a key part of understanding how your dog is feeling. Dogs use their entire bodies to communicate; including their tails, their eyes, and their ears! This often happens when a suspicious stranger or an unknown or unfriendly dog is approaching, or when there is a strange noise inside the home. When their ears go back or downwards, it could simply mean that they are listening, or it could indicate either excitement or anxiety. Excited dogs may whine, wag their tails very quickly, and run towards what they are excited about. This happens a lot when dogs are greeting a loved one. An anxious dog, on the other hand, may lower their head and cower their bodies away from what is causing their anxiety. If they are frightened, they may also tremble and whine, and if they are feeling angry or threatened, they may show their teeth and growl. This can happen when a dog is exposed to a phobia or an aggressive dog. It can be difficult to determine exactly how a mixed dog will look. Different pups from the same litter can also present with different traits from their siblings. That said, certain traits, like short hair, for example, are genetically dominant and therefore will be passed on over others, like long hair, which is genetically recessive. Dominant traits are those that require only one copy of a specific gene for the trait to be passed down to a pup. Recessive traits, on the other hand, need two copies; one from each parent. So, which is dominant; pricked or floppy ears? The answer is — floppy ears! Floppy ears are genetically dominant to pricked ears in dogs. That said, different ear shapes in dogs does tend to reflect their original working purpose. For example, the Spaniel, a gun dog, has floppy ears that gather and hold scent particles. This helped them track down what they were looking for much faster back in the day. German Shepherds, on the other hand, along with other wolf-like breeds, such as the Siberian Husky , have pricked, pointed ears. This is thought to aid their hearing during guard work, keep their body temperature under control during strenuous hunts, and give them an alert look to ward off predators. This may be why people are statistically more likely to perceive dogs with pricked ears as more threatening, according to research conducted by James Madison University, USA, in .This is not necessarily true, however, as any dog lover will know. It is likely down to something old and instinctual, as they also discovered that people perceived coat colors differently, too. The type of ears that a dog has can affect their hearing. Whether a dog has pricked ears or floppy ears, they have 18 different muscles that control them to funnel sounds from all different directions. A healthy-hearing dog of any kind can still hear from 40 to 60, hertz, which is more than double what human ears can hear! Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

The socket is where the femoral head fits and also articulates. In unaffected dogs, the femoral head fits tightly into properly formed sockets. In severe cases of hip dysplasia in golden retrievers, there can be partial dislocation and bone spurs present on the rims of the sockets and the femoral heads themselves. So are all golden retrievers likely to get hip dysplasia? This survey has been tracking the prevalence of hip dysplasia since and allows you to examine the severity and frequency of hip abnormalities over time. We do know that golden retrievers are among other large breeds like Great Danes, German Shepherds , and Saint Bernards as being dogs that are primarily affected by hip dysplasia due to their size and breed characteristics. But there are some environmental factors that contribute to the likelihood of a golden retriever with hip dysplasia as well. Excessive, quick growth, too much exercise, the wrong nutrition, and injuries to their joints are all factors that will determine if and how much golden retriever hip dysplasia could affect your pup. Golden Retriever Hip Dysplasia Prevention Tips Your golden retriever is your family, and no one wants to see someone they love in pain. Prevents further breakdown in the joints. Reduce pain and inflammation in their hips. Improve the lubrication of the hip joints. Adding a joint supplement also helps your golden retriever with hip dysplasia to avoid further pain, so even if your golden has already developed this condition, supplements can offer tremendous benefits. But making sure you know how to read a supplement label is important so you can pick the right joint supplement for your beloved pet. Low Strain Exercises via GIPHY That means they love to get outside when possible and are just a little extra prone to excited zoomies around the house. But you have to be careful with your pup — getting the right amount and type of exercise is important if you are looking to prevent golden retriever hip dysplasia. Giving your puppy too much hard exercise like jogging, bike riding, agility, or hiking can further increase their risk of hip dysplasia. Plus, young and clumsy puppies are more prone to injuries, and more injury to the joints may mean an increased likelihood of developing golden retriever hip dysplasia. Instead of sporadic, intense exercise, your pup needs exercise that is: Consistent and low-impact Allows them to stay on a leash Promotes the stretching of hip joints Not sure where to start? Type of Exercise. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Hip dysplasia HD is a disease of the hip coxofemoral joints. Dysplasia means abnormal development. Both hips are usually affected Brass .It is a complex disease that results from a combination of genes that predispose a dog to developing hip dysplasia interacting with environmental factors that lead to its full development and expression Riser .It is characterized by hip joint instability which, if compounded by environmental factors, then results in secondary osteoarthritis and the clinical signs of hip dysplasia which include pain, lameness and disability Zhang et al .To fully understand hip dysplasia, it is necessary to understand the structure of the hip joint. The hip joint is the joint at the top of the hind leg, where it articulates forms a joint with the pelvis. It is described as a ball and socket joint, as in normal hips the ball-shaped head of the femur the thigh bone fits perfectly into a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis, the acetabulum. The head of the femur femoral head and the acetabulum are normally covered with cartilage which produces a smooth, low friction surface. Within the joint there is also a fine layer of synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant between these cartilaginous surfaces. This thin layer of synovial fluid, along with the round ligament a ligament that runs round the edge of the acetabulum — between the acetabulum and the femur , keeps the two cartilaginous surfaces together by creating a suction-like effect. The ligaments and the joint capsule also help to hold the ball and socket closely together. In newborn puppies, because the bones are soft and not fully ossified turned into bone as they need to grow and develop, they are still deformable if abnormal movements or stresses and strains occur in them. Riser suggests that, in a normal six month old individual, ossification of the bones and soft tissue strength the strength of the surrounding ligaments, joint capsule and muscles have developed enough to prevent hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is described as a biomechanical disease. The hips appear normal at birth. However, in affected individuals, the hips develop abnormally due, at first, to joint instability sometimes called joint laxity Riser .This means that the developing femoral head and acetabulum are not held constantly, closely together, and can move into abnormal positions relative to one another. This puts abnormal stresses and strains on the joint. Riser states this is due to the soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscle, not being strong enough to maintain congruity between the articular surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum ie the constant contact between the surfaces of the bones is not maintained. Joint laxity the looseness of the joint, allowing abnormal movements of the parts relative to one another can lead on to joint subluxation partial dislocation of the joint on movement that in turn causes flattening of the acetabular cup and femoral head Shell and Harasen .The pathological changes seen due to the joint instability are progressive inflammation and degeneration of the tissues that together form the joint. Brass details the following changes in the joint: The joint capsule can become thickened and the round ligament can become stretched or ruptured leading to additional, excessive movements. The synovial fluid increases in volume and changes in nature, due to inflammation, this pushes the joint surfaces apart. The cartilage on the bone surfaces gets worn away exposing subchondral bone the layer of bone beneath the surface cartilage. Unlike cartilage, bone contains nerve endings and such exposure will commonly cause pain. The rim of the acetabulum becomes damaged and flattened and later new bone starts to grow here as the body tries to stabilize the joint. The femoral head becomes deformed and flattened and also grows abnormal bone called exotoses or osteophytes. This changing of the shape of the joint with new bone growing in abnormal positions, and being lost in others, is called joint remodelling. The signs that are seen with hip dysplasia can vary hugely in their severity, the age at which they first appear and their progression. In mild cases dogs can be free from clinical signs for years; however, for more severely affected individuals, signs of pain can develop whilst they are still immature less than a year old Signs include acute pain, particularly after strenuous exercise or movement. This may show as lameness or reluctance to jump, to go for walks, climb steps or move at all if really severe. The pain may be worse in cold, wet conditions Brass .These signs may start intermittently, but over time can become constant. Muscle wastage is often seen in the hind legs Brass .There appears to be little correlation between the severity of pain shown by the dog and physical abnormalities felt on examination by a vet or revealed on an x-ray Brass ie some dogs can be in severe pain but have few changes on x-rays and vice versa. This is typical of any joint disease. Controlling food intake during growth has been shown to decrease hip dysplasia in Labradors ie by reducing excessive energy intake and therefore excessive weight gain during growth Kealy et al .High calcium intake during growth has been shown to delay maturation of the skeleton and increase the risk of hip dysplasia in Great Danes Hazewinkel .It is thought that controlling the amount and form of exercise during development may also help Corr .Bennett and May suggest excessive exercise during development can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment for hip dysplasia is complex; many surgical interventions have been developed to prevent signs appearing in young animals with high joint laxity and to treat dogs with severe osteoarthritis. All need specialist surgeons. Various medications to aid pain relief are also available, along with recommendations to reduce the effect of environmental factors. Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Though some dogs may be mildly affected, for many Golden retrievers with hip dysplasia, the impact of the condition is a major and life changing. These animals suffer pain that is severe and debilitating, leading them to be in pain even with small everyday movements such as standing up. Their quality of life is severely affected so that they are unable to enjoy normal canine behaviours such as walking and running. It is not uncommon for dogs to be euthanased due to the pain and disability of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease with signs seen from any age. For some dogs pain starts before a year of age. Signs may be intermittent to start with but often progress to be constant. Medical treatment and advice can help control pain and possibly slow progression, though a cure can only be obtained with major surgical intervention in dogs that are considered suitable candidates for such surgery. Return to top 4. Number of animals affected Hip dysplasia is the most common joint problem of large dogs Smith et al .UK VetCompass data for dogs overall showed that 7. In this sample, diagnosis of conditions affecting pelvis eg hip dysplasia did not significantly differ between purebred and crossbred dogs. Figures vary greatly for how frequently Golden retrievers are affected by hip dysplasia, depending on the method by which they have been screened and the database reviewed. The frequency is likely to vary for different populations of the same breed Brass .Sturaro et al. Previous studies in the USA, using the OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals database, have given lower figures, but, Paster et al suggested that the OFA population was biased, as it is not compulsory for radiographed dogs to have their x-rays submitted to the OFA scheme so some vets and owners pre-screened them and only sent apparently non-dysplastic ones for consideration and scoring. Earlier studies in Europe and Canada suggested frequencies of hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers of between .From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are golden retrievers Lucy Asher, , personal communication , we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around , Return to top 5. Diagnosis For a young dog suspected of hip dysplasia, a diagnosis can be made on the clinical signs shown at home and on examination of the dog, including assessment of joint laxity and joint pain plus evaluation of radiographs x-ray pictures of the hip joints Corr .Assessment of the joint laxity and radiographs may need to be performed by a specialist vet who is used to checking for this condition. For a formal diagnosis, the radiographs are usually submitted to a panel for evaluation. There are three methods of assessing joint laxity. Radiographs and assessment of joint laxity need to be performed under heavy sedation or anaesthesia Corr .Return to top 6. Genetics Hip dysplasia in dogs is a polygenic disease; many genes are thought to play a role in its development. Most of these genes probably have small additive effects quantitative, polygenes and some probably have larger effects Zhang et al .Currently, none of these genes have been identified. Wilson et al .Genes are not solely responsible for whether a dog with the genetic potential for hip dysplasia develops the condition. Environmental factors play an important part. They are discussed in the clinical and pathogenic effects section above. However, there are significant breed predispositions to this condition and the Golden retriever is one of the breeds affected. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? There are a number of breeding schemes around the world developed to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia in dog breeds. These schemes assess potential breeding animals in somewhat different ways. All aim to give breeders and owners a strong indication of which dogs are likely to produce healthy offspring and which should not be bred. However, this is by no means straightforward for hip dysplasia as it is a polygenic condition in which the genetics are poorly understood and which is also affected by environmental factors in a major way. This lack of clarity has produced much debate over the best way to assess potential breeding dogs. A brief summary of the various schemes follows including some current evidence for their benefits. All dogs must be at least 12 months of age. There are nine radiographic features which are scored, including the Norberg angle NA - a measurement for hip laxity taken from the EHR and each dog is given a score out of 53 for each hip total of up to for both. A low score indicates healthy hip joints e. Greyhounds would score 0, as hip dysplasia is not seen in this breed and a higher score indicates worse hip dysplasia. Breeders are recommended to only breed from animals with a score lower than the breed median score e. It is also based on an extended hip radiograph EHR , which is then graded by three independent experts to give an overall grade. All dogs must be over 2 years of age to be assessed. There are seven possible grades for the radiograph: excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate or severe hip dysplasia. Dogs must be between 1 and 2 years of age and the radiograph is graded by someone appointed by each breed club — they do not have to be an expert. Grades include: A- no signs of hip dysplasia, B — near normal hip joints, C — mild hip dysplasia, D — moderate hip dysplasia, E- severe hip dysplasia. Older dogs can be assessed but the likelihood of more secondary osteoarthritic changes is taken into account. Dogs from 4 months of age can be assessed. It involves the assessment of three different radiographic views of the hip joints called the distraction view, the compression view and the EHR. The radiograph must be taken by a vet who is registered with the scheme and the radiographs are assessed by vets at the PennHIP Analysis Center. Dogs with a DI lower than 0. Dogs with increasing DI values over 0. Dogs are ranked within their breed. Vets from the PennHIP scheme recommend breeding dogs with overall scores and DIs that are better than the breed average, to continue to try to improve the hips in the breed whilst not excessively narrowing the gene pool. If only dogs with normal DI were used ie those below 0. Advocates of the PennHIP method like it because it accurately identifies individuals who have hip laxity - the primary phenotypical abnormality that predisposes dogs to hip dysplasia. The other schemes only look at the EHR and though the NA can be measured from this, the NA has been shown to be an inaccurate method to assess hip laxity Culp et al .Much of what is assessed on the EHRs are secondary arthritic changes, these are not specific to hip dysplasia and are affected by many environmental factors. Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed that the Distraction Index DI is a significant risk factor for the development of hip dysplasia. In other words, DI scores give a very good indication of the likelihood of osteoarthritic changes, due to hip dysplasia, developing in the future Smith and others , , , Smith , Runge et al .These and other researchers argue that the other schemes are not as good at detecting animals that have hip dysplasia as the PennHIP method and, despite older schemes existing for over 40 years, little improvement has been seen in hip dysplasia in the general pet population Corley , Kaneene et al , Leppanen et al , Paster et al .In fact, one recent study looking at a database of over 1,, dogs found an increase in the prevalence of hip dysplasia Witsberger et al .However EHR scores were found to have a much higher heritability 0. Heritability studies are difficult to compare between different populations with different environmental influences. To improve the gene pool, phenotypic traits that can be easily detected with strong links to the genotype genetic make-up of animals have to be found. Ideally, any potential pet would have had its hip joints assessed by one of the above schemes prior to purchase, although this is often unhelpful, as most pets are purchased as young puppies. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee all their offspring will be free from hip dysplasia. .Certainly any potential breeding animal should be assessed prior to breeding using an appropriate scheme. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Hip dysplasia is a complex trait which involves multiple unknown genes and environmental factors. Eradication schemes have been running in some countries for decades and still it is commonplace. Thus prospects for its quick elimination are low. In a recent study, Zhang et al suggested that using scores from four hip traits combined to create a breeding value for each animal would help speed up elimination of the condition. They felt that information on the single joint trait EHR eg the OFA scheme gave insufficient information to provide the basis for breeding decisions. The DLS is a measurement made from an x-ray taken in a weight-bearing position to measure the subluxation of the femoral head Farese et al .In this study on two populations of dogs where environmental factors were strictly controlled, heritabilities for all these traits were found to be relatively high eg heritabilities were 0. The researchers suggested these heritabilites were higher than expected due to the controlled environmental conditions. Zhang et al suggested an improved way for selectively breeding out hip dysplasia would be if breeders could be given breeding values derived from the four traits for each potential breeding animal, plus a measurement of the inbreeding of any potential mating e. This way, they suggest, inbreeding can be avoided and only animals with phenotypes strongly indicative of healthy hip joint genes would be bred from. This scheme is a more organised form of others that have suggested using a combination of breeding values determined from pedigree information and phenotype score Ginja et al , Hou et al .As described by Bell , when breeders are prioritising raising dogs that have good hip dysplasia genotypes for future breeding the phenotype has to be used as a marker for the genotype. Although the diagnostic signs can be affected also by environmental factors such as feeding and exercise regimes. It is important that the puppies are raised in a standard and not excessively protective way. Otherwise, dogs that would normally have developed radiographic signs of hip dysplasia will have this masked and their genes will be perpetuated. Future development of genetic tests to help identify some of the hip dysplasia genes, along with more use of pedigree data that includes the health of ancestors and progeny for clinical signs of hip dysplasia and also for other inherited defects of Golden retrievers , may well help to improve methods used to eliminate this condition. Currently we have to continue to rely on choosing phenotypical traits which apparently indicate the presence of healthy genes. Return to top 9. What You Need to Know Know the signs of hip dysplasia and whether or not your dog is prone to the condition so you can treat it early on. By Sarah Mouton Dowdy Sarah Mouton Dowdy writes for both pet parents and veterinary professionals and is passionate about meeting the needs of both to the benefit of all involved—especially the pets. With a master's degree in human health communication, she's particularly interested in the ways in which human and animal health overlap. Sarah's own health has been positively impacted by adopting a dog named Agnes whose tricks include sitting, staying, and stealing pizza from the kitchen counter. Updated on April 15, Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Jenna Stregowski, RVT Jenna is a registered veterinary technician with a range of veterinary experience that includes small animal internal medicine, oncology, neurology, emergency, alternative medicine, and practice management. As the Pet Health and Behavior Editor for Daily Paws, Jenna is living the dream as she combines her veterinary knowledge and passion for animals with her love of writing and education. Learn More Hip dysplasia in dogs is a common developmental condition in large and giant breed dogs. It's caused by a hip deformity that results in joint laxity, or looseness, and can lead to pain, mobility issues, and osteoarthritis. Though the condition is present from a young age, many dogs won't show clinical signs until they're older. However, screening your pet for hip dysplasia early on can give you an opportunity to treat the deformed joint before it causes problems. What is Hip Dysplasia? Canine hip dysplasia occurs when a dog's hip joint doesn't develop as it should. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, and if the two components don't grow properly and at the same rate, it can result in a very loose, unstable joint. This may not sound like a big deal, but according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons , hip dysplasia in dogs can cause serious problems. When a dog moves around with a loose hip joint, it can cause permanent damage to the joint's anatomy. If left untreated, dogs may develop osteoarthritis also called degenerative joint disease in the hip because the abnormal movement wears away cartilage and leads to the formation of scar tissue and bone spurs. Dogs can pass the condition to their offspring and large breed dogs are more prone to the disease. Commonly affected breeds include German shepherds , Rottweilers , golden retrievers , Saint Bernards , Labrador retrievers , and Newfoundlands. However, any breed or mixed-breed can develop hip dysplasia, and breed isn't the only risk factor. Puppies with a genetic predisposition for hip dysplasia are more at risk of developing the condition if they're given more food than they need, resulting in faster than normal weight gain and growth. Heavy exercise is another risk factor in puppies. Canine hip dysplasia can affect both young and old dogs, but not always in the same way. The Morris Animal Foundation divides the signs according to age of onset: Juvenile dogs younger than 18 months of age lameness limping in one or both of back legs bunny-like hopping dog holds its back legs together and hops instead of running normally difficulty getting up clicking sound from hips when moving or getting up shifting of weight to front legs unable to exercise for long periods Mature dogs older than 18 months of age history of lameness limping in back legs limping after exercising loss of muscle mass in one or both of back legs difficulty jumping or climbing It's important to note that while dogs can develop clinical signs as puppies, many don't show any outward symptoms until they've lived with the condition for multiple years. How is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed? Your veterinarian may also use their hands to examine the hip and check for looseness. What is the Treatment for Hip Dysplasia? There are two common surgical options for dogs with hip dysplasia: total hip replacement, which involves implantation of an artificial hip joint, and femoral head ostectomy, in which the head and neck of the femur are removed and scar tissue forms to create a "false joint. Hip dysplasia home treatment is also often recommended for dogs with mild to moderate disease. However, it's important to note that NSAIDs like carprofen can have significant side effects and must be closely monitored. Other potential treatments include cold laser therapy, acupuncture , and physical therapy. Your veterinarian will work with you to determine the best options for you and your pet. Bear in mind that treatments often need to be adjusted over time, so be sure to follow your vet's recommendations for follow-up visits. These radiographs can help you determine how likely it is your dog will have problems in the future and whether you want to consider early surgical intervention. A veterinarian who knows your pet and can examine him in person is in the best position to offer information and advice. Was this page helpful? Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition, which can affect any dog. Although the causes may vary, the effects are always the same: loss of mobility, increasing pain, impaired gait, and even behavioral and mood changes in your dog including snappishness and depression. Dysplasia is simply the dislocation of a bone from its proper place. Hip dysplasia or displacement is one of the best-known types of dysplasia in dogs. The degenerative process of hip dysplasia is gradual. The onset of symptoms, specifically pain, is also somewhat gradual taking place over the course of years. In simple terms, the two bones of the hip joint shift out of alignment. Perhaps because they are such hand-working structures, the ball and socket joints are prone to disease, and simple mechanical wear and damage over time. The muscles and joints become lax, and the joint capsule, a strong band of connective tissue which circled the bones for added stability, loses its elastic strength. As this happens, the articular working surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. The bones slowly separate as the soft tissues around the joint degenerate. The disease may affect one or both right and left hips. With the loss of protective scaffolding between the bone surfaces, the nerves in the bone endings themselves become exposed. When bone touches bone, there is acute pain. In addition, the loss of tensile strength of the supporting tendons, muscle, and cartilage means that other structures in the hip and leg must compensate in terms of weight-bearing and movement. This unnatural compensation may cause fatigue and pain. It may even cause the dog to injure itself—running to catch a Frisbee, or climbing stairs, for instance. What Causes Hip Dysplasia? Experts disagree as to the source of hip dysplasia in dogs. Too much food One theory is that feeding a young, growing dog too many calories early in its development contributes to the disorder. Too much exercise Another theory is that too much exercise, or the wrong kind of exercise, or simply too much high-impact exercise, such as fetching, jumping, and catching a ball or Frisbee on concrete, contributes to hip dysplasia. A factual observation about this condition is that hip dysplasia tends to affect large breeds more so than smaller dogs. This, too, is relative—it is possible for small dogs to become affected by hip dysplasia, too. However, we correctly associate the condition most frequently with big breeds. These breeds do carry a genetic predisposition toward the condition. It is also true that purebreds, especially large dogs, are most likely to become vulnerable to hip dysplasia, therefore calling upon informed and responsible breeding practices. Sometimes our decision-making process is clouded by emotion—guilt, fear, even panic when we see our beloved canine companion suffering. These are also common in dogs, attacking the cartilage, muscles, and membrane linings of cartilage and joints. These may offer your dog safe alternatives: calming inflammation as an immediate solution and helping to rebuild joint integrity as a long-range treatment. These trusted products can slow or even stop the degeneration of the hip joint. In many cases, hip replacement surgery which is the last resort may be prevented altogether. An X-ray examination will be recommended as a first step. If your dog becomes less active, weight gain may become a challenge. Eliminate treats, and if possible, offer your dog low-impact exercises like stretching and swimming. We Can Help. Does your dog have trouble walking, standing, or getting up? There is an excellent chance we can help your dog. This breed of dog is as loyal and as loving as they come. So, in order to ensure that your new, faithful companion lives a long and healthy life, there are some common medical issues Goldens face which you should be aware of. Unfortunately, Goldens, amongst a few other dog breeds, are predisposed towards joint problems a. Should it go untreated, it could severely impact both their overall health and well-being along with the length of their life. That said, if you know the common signs of hip problems and catch it early on, there are steps you can take to manage the issue, mitigate symptoms, or all together treat the problem. Below, we will discuss golden retriever hip problems, the signs, and treatment options at your disposal. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare had this to say in response: The primary reason for this abnormal development is hip joint laxity if the joint is too loose; leading to the two articulating parts of the joint of the pelvis — the femoral head and the acetabulum which form the ball-and-socket of the joint - moving abnormally relative to one another; the femoral head in subluxation partly dislocating from the acetabulum. This leads to abnormal stresses and strains on the joint and leads to inflammation and degeneration of the joint tissues. According to the American Kennel Club AKC , Golden Retrievers were the third most popular breed in the United States in and have consistently been in the top 10 for the past decade. The total number of Goldens in households is difficult to assess, but approximately 50, are newly registered with the AKC each year. Based on their average lifespan of 10 years, the number of registered Goldens is , This number is estimated to represent less than 10 percent of the total breed population, as many are unregistered. In addition to their friendly, energetic, and likable dispositions, Goldens also are known for something else—hip dysplasia. Less desirable than their personality attributes, hip dysplasia is a complex, multifactorial condition that involves multiple genetic and environmental factors. This includes restricting juvenile animals from repetitive, high-impact activities. Per the statistics collected by the OFA, , radiographs for hip dysplasia have been evaluated since .Of those, the incidence of abnormal hip joints is approximately 20 percent. Again, this estimation is low, as many affected dogs do not have their radiographs submitted through the OFA. It was discovered that she has hip dysplasia through a proactive radiograph taken prior to her first visit to the Rehabilitation Service. Her owners are working closely with Dr. As her primary care veterinarian, Dr. What is hip dysplasia? Per Dr. The first is during skeletal immaturity when canines are between 6 and 14 months of age; these signs are predominantly due to loose hips. The second is when canines reach skeletal maturity 4- and years-old ; these signs are primarily due to osteoarthritis OA. Hip dysplasia diagnosis is made through a pelvic radiograph where veterinarians look at the hip socket acetabulum in relation to the head of the femur to determine if there is a proper fit or if there are any secondary arthritic changes. Once OA is present on a radiograph, dysplastic changes are irreversible and usually continue to progress over time. Kiszka leads Summer as she does figure-eights. Studies have shown that up to 76 percent of dysplastic dogs with osteoarthritic changes on radiographs are able to function and live comfortable, quality lives with conservative management. Conservative management includes exercise modification, physical rehabilitation, and anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. For the cases in which canines do not respond to this method of management, surgery, such as a total hip replacement or femoral head and neck excision FHNE , may be recommended. Even with a prosthesis total hip replacement in place, or an FHNE, OA may still develop in the opposite hip joint and cause ongoing problems that require constant conservative or surgical management. With appropriate treatment, however, the prognosis for long-term comfort and function is good to excellent. Exercise modifications are typically tailored to avoid activities that cause limping and decrease high-impact type forces. If the dog is overweight, a weight-loss plan would be recommended as excess fat promotes OA. At-home exercises and rehabilitation help maintain muscle tone and strength while stabilizing the joint. The goals of the exercises are to help to maintain range of motion in the joint and prevent compensation, and promote body awareness, sense of proprioception, and core strength to avoid injury. Medical management involves anti-inflammatories, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and chronic pain medications. Additional medications may include injections that protect the joints. Treating the pain and inflammation in hip dysplasia patients is extremely important, as pain limits mobility, joint range of motion, and decreases quality and quantity of life. Kiszka helps Summer practice how to shift her weight on an uneven surface. Summer takes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and eats egg whites as a protein additive to her food. She starts her day with a 23—minute walk on the underwater-treadmill at 1. This speed and time equates to her walking approximately yards. The water allows Summer to bear only 70—80 percent of her body-weight, which lessens the impact on her hips, while she is walking. The water contact also increases sensation and the moving treadmill belt increases multiple-joint range of motion. After her water exercise, Summer rests before she begins therapeutic exercises. There are seven different exercises prescribed to Summer; based on her strength and mobility, her exercises vary each rehabilitation session. While exercising, she is monitored for signs of fatigue, pain, and poor posture, as the Rehab team pushes her to maximum potential to achieve the greatest therapeutic benefit. After she completes the exercises, she receives a therapeutic laser treatment of her hip and lower back region. The laser has factory presets for her weight, body type, and hair coat length and color. This type of laser therapy has proposed benefits of increased circulation and improved tissue repair with decreased pain and inflammation. How is Summer doing now? Summer walking on the underwater treadmill. Through the relationship among Dr. The early intervention allowed her to maintain mobility and quality of life for both her and her owners. Related Stories.

Andorra and Spain Well, to some extent, you have to suck it and see. Many dogs are absolutely fine with a new addition. On the other hand, mine absolutely hated our new puppy with a vengeance. I'm pretty sure there would have been some serious harm done if I had let it happen. So the pup stayed in a puppy pen when the other dogs were in the same room - I spent a lot of time in that puppy pen for the first couple of months! My older dogs 2 years at the time were fine with her outside, so we spent a lot of time in the garden so they could get used to her and, when she was old enough to start little walks, I would take one other dog along for some of that so that they could learn to co-exist. It was seriously hard work, especially as I was alone in a different country away from my husband! It took about two to two and a half months before they started to accept her but they absolutely adore her now. Luckily, she was a very respectful puppy who never jumped on them at all. Even if your boy is good with the puppy, though, you need to give him plenty of time away from it, and make sure he gets plenty of attention. I would always recommend a puppy pen, baby gates or similar to help with this. You know how your own dog usually reacts in such situations. If anything seems too extreme, I would end the walk and try later. Our New Puppy Is Home. What Happens Now? Have another person bring the adult dog in the room on leash on a harness. If at any time the dog senses stress, he may become reactive. Just try to maintain a calm, upbeat presence though as much as possible. Some small bumps in the road are to be expected. A harmonious household can exist, but it takes work! The adult dog can be loose with the leash dragging so that you can grab it if need be. Have them meet for a few minutes. End on a positive note. Keeping them together too long could lead to some reactivity. Eventually, over days or weeks, depending on their progress, they can each have leashes dragging. The dog has to accept the puppy before leading to this step. They can also meet through a gate as long as both do well. Again, have them meet for minutes not hours. Over time, of course, they can be off-leash together in a secure location like a room or fenced yard. It may take weeks or even months for them to get to this point. When my current puppy Millie arrived, it took about three weeks before my Lhasa apso would play with her. Separate them before the dog stresses if possible. Exercise the puppy and the dog before they meet. To help the puppy not be too rambunctious, exercise him with a game of fetch or short walk before meeting the dog. It also should help relieve stress levels in the adult dog for him to be exercised prior to being with the puppy. Give frequent breaks. Even when you get to the point that the puppy and dog can be together for a while, say 30 minutes, I would give breaks from each other before things become tense. Have a schedule. A puppy can adjust. Just add a meal time for the puppy if needed and work out the other details. Give the puppy and dog some separate attention. Of course, the puppy and the adult dog will be together sometimes so that they begin to adjust to each other. Giving the puppy your individual attention will help you bond with him. Train each dog separately. Give each canine separate areas to retreat to. Each dog will need to relax and have down time. Feed each separately. This will help prevent any squabbles over space or food. Each should be relaxed while eating. Have a way to redirect the dog and puppy away from each other. Before getting the puppy, if you can have a method to call the dog away from anything—including the puppy—it can help. For example, before things get too unruly, call your dog back and the other handler can call the puppy. A great recall or emergency recall can help. You can also teach that to the puppy. Introduce toys and other goodies together over time. Of course, have separate toys for each dog and play with them separately. Start introducing toys when the dogs are together after the adult dog starts accepting the puppy. The puppy may try to take the high-value chew. This can potentially lead to a dog being aggressive to a puppy. Reward positive behavior. Good dog! A savvy, experienced positive-reinforcement trainer or behavior specialist can evaluate the situation. And hopefully she can help resolve any issues. DO NOT correct the older dog when he growls at the puppy. But doing so could really backfire. Growling is communication. It tells us that the older dog is stressed. And, he may even bite. If, at any time, you see that the older dog is too stressed in many interactions with the puppy, get the help of a behavior specialist. DO NOT expect the older dog to tolerate all behaviors by the puppy. They have no manners. Give each break before things go over the top and the dog needs to harshly correct the puppy. Redirect each to a command such as going to a place. DO NOT allow the adult dog to bully or be aggressive to the puppy. Some adult dogs know how to correct a puppy. Millie understood the correction and the two continued to play—with a less annoying puppy. I know my dogs know how to correct a puppy without being aggressive. If your adult dog who gets along with the puppy sometimes corrects the puppy by growling when the puppy is too rough and the puppy backs off, things are probably fine. Final Thoughts So, in introducing your adult dog to the new puppy, take your time. As long as the dog is dog-friendly and the proper puppy has been chosen, they can have a happy relationship. And double the fun! Have you introduced a puppy to your older dog? If so, tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. One dog trying to avoid the other Tucked tail Ears flat These are all obvious signs that the dogs may not be compatible. This may extend as far as setting aside an entire room for just the new dog. Your Lab should have free run of the home, but with the ability to check up on the new dog when it wishes to. Double Up! Even if your dogs seem to be getting along fine, jealousy can flare up quickly if the new kid on the block makes itself at home on the only dog bed! The same goes for favorite toys. Keep these items in the separation area at first, so that your new dog can make them their own. Supervised Visits When the dogs are allowed to interact openly in your home, supervise them at all times during the early days. Praise both of them for good behavior and reward them with treats. Should either dog become aggressive, verbally admonish the aggressor or both, if they both act up and then separate them for a brief period before allowing them together again. Neither dog should be made to feel as if they are not the favorite. Training sessions can be enhanced by using one dog as a distraction for the other. Trust me when I say, there will be times when it will be useful to have one dog be capable of ignoring the other nail trimming sessions come to mind. But having said that, each dog will enjoy, and benefit from, individual one-on-one training time with you. These are the times that enhance the bond between you and your dog, and let them know they have a special place in your life. Food Fight! Maybe more so! Naturally, meal times are a time of heightened alertness, too, since each dog is anxious to make sure it gets its share. Trying to feed your dogs in the same space can lead to a showdown. Yes, dogs will fight over empty bowls! Eventually, the dogs will come to learn whose is whose when it comes to meal time, but it is always a good idea to keep them apart when they eat to avoid any possible agitation. And maintain separate time-out spaces, including individual crates, if you have the space. A multi-dog home can be a crazy, and patience-trying place at times. 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. By thinking a few steps ahead of situations in which problems are most likely to arise, you can prevent a lot of the common difficulties of introducing a puppy to an older dog. As you follow the tips below, the biggest hurdle to overcome will be the difference between the characteristics and needs of your new puppy, and your older dog. This can make playtime between these dogs tricky to manage. Supervision is vital in the first few weeks. Be especially alert to your older dog growling, snarling or raising the fur on the back of his neck. These are signs that he has long since had enough! Let your current dog smell it back at home to start making a mental map of the new family member coming his way. Make sure the space is fenced-in so that you can let both leashes drag loosely on the ground. If any problems come up, you can easily grab the end of the leash and separate the dogs safely. And keep an eye on that body language! Stay relaxed and playful, while always gauging the situation. Parallel Walks: A great way to keep things moving is by going for a walk together. Simply going for a guided walk can reduce tension, anxiety, and fear in dogs. It also helps establish familiarity with other dogs in a natural canine social behavior. Both dogs are distracted from the introductions by physical activity and the sights, sounds, and scents of the world around them. This is usually at around 16 weeks old. In the meantime she should not walk anywhere that any unvaccinated dogs could have access. To do an effective parallel walk, two walkers each have one leashed dog. Throughout the walk, the walkers rotate through positions — the older dog could start in the lead, about 10 yards ahead of the puppy. Then after 10 minutes, the positions are reversed. After another 10 minutes, the dogs are brought side by side with only a yard or two of space between the now parallel-walking dogs. Training Games: You can apply the same intent behind parallel walks to keep the dogs active and distracted from antagonizing each other by playing training games with both dogs near each other during early introductions. Instead of simply turning both dogs loose in the backyard and watching what happens, you can run them through a series of simple cues and tricks. For example, grab your treat pouch and your clicker if you use one and stand in the middle of the backyard, occasionally calling out a cue that your older dog knows. Sit, high five, turn in a circle, target your hand or a target pole, etc. Run through a few commands that will earn your dog some treats and distract him from the new dog. Have a second handler working with the puppy, introducing some basic training games for puppies. Both dogs will be preoccupied, with intermittent sniff and greets in between mini sessions. Finish your short training sessions with a big burst of excitement and playtime with both dogs. Run around the yard together in a game of chase, romp, and roll! My theory is that lying down creates canine body language associated with vulnerability and submission. In a situation with an unfamiliar dog nearby, my dog would rather ignore my training cues than put himself in a position of vulnerability. You should also be very cautious of food-based aggression, as you give out treats. So if you notice either dog getting tense or aggressively stealing treats from the other, then end this game. If this happens you may need to consider working with a professional trainer on how to train two dogs at once without developing treat aggression. Adversaries Become Allies: Take both leashed dogs to unfamiliar territory for walks, such as a park or busy public place. The scents of other dogs will become the focus of their attention, and they will suddenly be allies against the world! Tips on Avoiding Problems The above activities are all great ways to help your older dog and your new puppy to bond. But they do all require active supervision and engagement from you. Follow these top tips to avoid problems between your new arrival and his future friend. Separate Corners or Rooms If your house is a boxing ring, give each dog their separate corner. This is absolutely the simplest but most effective thing you can do when you are getting a puppy with an older dog already in the house. Toy-Free Zone: Put away all toys in the house for a few days to prevent a common form of aggression called resource guarding. Supervised Chew Time: If you want to give your dogs a bone or chewable treat each, great! Just make sure to offer each dog a treat, and be sure to separate them to opposite sides of the room. Remove whichever dog finishes first to avoid a fight. Here are some additional troubleshooting ideas if your new puppy and older dog are still not getting along. Puppy and Older Dog Not Getting Along How to deal with a new puppy and an older dog not getting along will depend on what your dogs are doing, and why. If, however, the older dog becomes VERY aggressive and looks like he could really harm the pup, then by all means, intervene. And give your older dog some space to recover and relax! Older Dog Attacking New Puppy If this is the case, you need to be a bit of a watch guard for your new pup. When the dogs are loose around each other, keep an eye on their body language. The minute you see what makes your older dog aggressive to puppy, step in. When the older dog shows signs of arousal or tension, for example if you catch your dog growling at puppy, break things up. Be sure that both dogs have a space of their own to retreat to. The puppy needs a place to calm down when he gets overly aroused and gets too energetic or aggressive with you or your other dog. Your older dog needs a space of his own to have quiet, peace, and no nipping puppies chewing on his face. But if your older dog constantly steals toys away from your new puppy, growls if the puppy approaches when you are giving affection to the older dog, or gets more protective over his toys or your attention in general, it could seem like he is jealous of the new pooch in town. Do your best to spend quality time with both dogs. And do reward your older dog any time he approaches the new puppy nicely. Give him a treat and praise if the puppy comes near without any incident. Remember that dogs probably do not share our understanding of possession, and puppy toys left lying around will seem like fair game to your older dog, so try to make sure that there are enough to go around. Older Dog Depressed By The New Puppy If your older dog seems to have less energy, be less playful, spend more time away from you and in the other rooms of the house, or hide in corners or under furniture , he may be more than just a little jealous. He might be full-on depressed at the changes in the household routine. Dogs really benefit from routine and structure, so the sooner you can get the whole household back into a routine that resembles what your older dog was habituated to, the better his mental state will be. Quiet nights and crate training. This article will take you through everything you need to know, from what to buy, to how to help your pup settle in on his first day and night. Bringing a Puppy Home Bringing home a new 8 or 9 week old puppy is a potentially stressful experience for you and the pup. Of course, it will be better if you have been able to visit your puppy regularly before collecting him. But for most people, time and distance make this an unlikely option. Everything he sees, smells and hears, in your home will seem very strange to him at first. Fortunately, most puppies leave their mother and siblings at an age when they will readily accept their new friends and family. In a few days time, he will have settled in and accepted your home as his, and your family as his own. Holding Your Puppy The first thing to master when bringing home a new puppy is holding them the right way. This is the most comfortable position for puppies. But if you have had a long car journey, the first thing your puppy will need is to pee! Carry him in your arms to the area you want him to use for toilet purposes, and put him down there. Your first steps in potty training have begun. Maintaining Regular Bathroom Breaks Puppies vary widely in how often they need to empty their bladder. Some may last an hour or more from day one, whilst others seem to need to go every 15 minutes or so. During the course of the day, take the puppy to the toilet area at regular intervals half hourly at least to begin with. In addition, take him there every time he finishes a meal or wakes from a sleep. Set an alarm on your cell phone to remind you. Many Labrador puppies are very greedy and will eat astonishing quantities of food. New puppies are especially prone to upset tummies. The new environment and the stress of leaving home all add to the risk. You can reduce that risk by feeding little and often. If you want to change diets, do this gradually once the puppy has settled in. How often to feed Four times a day is the minimum number of feeds for an 8 week old puppy. Five or even six portions are better for a puppy with an upset tummy. Remember that the daily quantity is the same. More portions means smaller portions. If you get this right, there will be little or nothing left to put in the bowl when mealtimes come around You can find out more about using puppy food in training games by joining our Puppy Parenting course Meeting the Kids Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time for all the family. For much of the first day, your puppy will probably be cuddled and admired. Kids should also be aware of safety precautions, such as learning to let the pup be if he seems uncomfortable. Some older dogs will play too roughly with a puppy. Others will growl and appear to reject the puppy at first. These are normal reactions but they do indicate that you are going to need to keep a close eye on things for a while. A baby gate or other barrier is a perfect way to keep a puppy from annoying the resident dog or cat while they adjust to the newcomer. As the day draws to a close, your thoughts will turn to night time, and getting your puppy to sleep! Or he howls the house down either constantly or intermittently throughout the night. There are two approaches to choosing where a puppy sleeps for those first few nights. One is to get him used to his permanent sleeping quarters right from the start. The other is to have him next to your bed until he has got over his homesickness usually three or four days. And if you keep going back, the howling may well increase. Leaving a puppy to cry alone in a strange house is also probably very distressing for the puppy and not a great way to start their new life. But we recommend having the puppy next to your bed for the first three nights. This reduces the risk of getting into an increasing spiral of night howling or having your puppy miserable for the first week. Just pop his blankets in there and put the box right next to where you sleep. Night waking Most 8 week old puppies wake in the night to pee for the first week or so. But the first few days is a time for settling your puppy in, building their confidence and avoiding bad habits such as whining or howling, getting started The best way to meet all those goals, is to keep your puppy very close to you until their homesickness has passed. Bonding with your puppy Your main objective now is to bond with your puppy. Spend lots of time with your puppy. Make him feel at home. Pay him a lot of attention when he is quiet, fuss and praise him when he pees outside. Once he has settled in, there will be plenty of time to think about crate training and learning manners, but for now just enjoy his Labrador puppy loveliness, and that scrummy new puppy smell. It will be gone all too soon, replaced by a bouncing, boisterous, and joyful friend who all too often smells of pond water. What you are doing is establishing good habits, which will last a lifetime. What About Crate Training? A quality dog crate is an excellent source of help with potty-training. But a puppy should not be left inside a crate for longer than his immature bladder can hold its contents. For some puppies, this is not very long at all. Socialization is a big part of bringing home a new puppy. This is the process we take puppies through, to make sure they are comfortable with all aspects of living in human society. For instance, dogs need to be confident around things like vehicles and machines. They should be happy to meet people of all different shapes and sizes and to go boldly wherever people want to take them. A confident dog is not just a happy dog; he is a safe dog. Socializing also means taking your puppy out and about. Naturally, many worry about exposing a not-yet-fully vaccinated puppy to the risk of infection. Yes you can! If you use modern dog training methods, you can get going right after bringing home a new puppy! In the first week puppy training is based on a series of fun games. So that your puppy will be learning without even realising. The games you play should lay foundations for future good behavior, teaching your puppy not snatch, to say please, to focus on you, to love their crate, to wear a harness or collar and to run towards you rather than away from you. A lot of people worry about whether or not to take a puppy to classes, and some are unable to do so. But there is a great deal you can do at home by yourself. You can avoid this by getting off to a great start with recall training in the very first week. The video below will help you. And never chase after a puppy. Puppy recall training starts right after bringing home a new puppy. Build an association between the act of running towards you and the sound of the recall word or whistle. If you call the puppy and he does not come, you will have begun to teach him that the recall command is optional. Check out our puppy recall training video to give you an idea of how easy it is to build this a good association if you start off in the right way. You can find out more about building a great recall from the beginning in Total Recall. But for now, in these first few days at home together, make sure no one calls the puppy to them. When they want him, they can simply pick him up. If he runs away, all they need to do is run in the opposite direction and he will come chasing after them. For the first few days after bringing home a new puppy, focus on bonding and helping him to feel safe. Consider having your puppy next to your bed for the first few nights. This will comfort him while he is feeling homesick and missing his mom and playmates. Expect to get up in the night to take your puppy out to pee for at least the first couple of weeks. Set a reminder to avoid teaching your puppy to cry for your attention. During his daytime naps, dive into the feeding, potty training, and obedience training guides mentioned in this article, and head over to the forum for support from our other readers, many of whom have been where you are now, and come safely out the other side! If you want help choosing an adorable puppy name, make sure you take a look at this article too!

Dilated pupils Stupor or coma Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can quickly become an urgent health problem in toy and small-breed dogs, say experts. Without intervention, there is risk of dogs slipping into a coma and possibly dying. Juvenile hypoglycemia, which is seen in puppies less than 3 months of age, generally occurs because puppies have not fully developed the ability to regulate blood glucose concentration and have a high requirement for glucose. In toy and small-breed dogs that timeframe is greatly reduced when compared to larger dogs. A simple case of hypoglycemia is often due to overactivity combined with too much time between meals. Providing a simple sugar solution and hydrating liquid are key. I shake it out and wrap the puppy in it to bring up his body temperature. If the puppy seems to be getting better, I follow up by giving small amounts of warm sugar water over the next few minutes. A high-quality, nutritious dog food is important in helping to sustain a dog. Owners also should provide a warm environment. Smolarz crates puppies and adult dogs when they are fed to ensure they eat. When they are that small, you have to be sure they have enough to eat. I make sure they have kibble to eat freely, and I feed puppies three to four meals a day until they are 5 months old. Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. Reviews 0 toy poodle for sale Toy Poodle for sale are one of the most popular breeds in the world and the perfect family dog. Along with wanting a unique and special friend who will never leave your side, there is no better companion than one that will cuddle at your feet while also letting you be as independent as possible. Poodle ownership has never been easier with our offer to insure you against loss. With more than 20 years of breeding history, toy poodles for sale have been proven time and time again as the cutest and smartest companions for everyone because they go beyond being left-alone lapdogs or wagging tails! Our toy poodle puppies are registered with all of their documents available for viewing upon request. No hidden fees required. Are you Searching for toy poodle for sale available to be purchased? This canine has been famous as far back as the sixteenth century when it was reproduced down from a Standard Poodle, likely in France, to turn into an ally for rich blue-bloods. Regardless of what you call these smart pooches, they have been mainstream in the U. Indeed, the American Kennel Club positions Poodles as the seventh generally well known out of perceived varieties. These fiery pets are enthusiastic, simple to prepare, and well disposed around different canines and individuals. Age : 10 Weeks Old.

Because of this, Teacup Pugs can reach high prices. Some breeders work to produce smaller and smaller puppies, which is done by breeding with toy breeds or breeding the runts. Unfortunately, this means breeders are selecting for size rather than health or temperament, so you could have a puppy that grows into an adult with behavioral or health issues. This unofficial term is more of a cute buzzword that highlights the novelty of these tiny dogs, which can often literally fit within a teacup. A toy breed, on the other hand, is an official term for small versions of standard breeds. Image Credit: kikkian, Shutterstock 3. They were favored as the impish companion of Chinese emperors and became the beloved mascot of the royal House of Orange in Holland. They make excellent companions and enjoy playing with their owners, including young children. Be sure to always supervise interactions, however, particularly if you have large dogs that can easily injure a miniature pup like a Teacup Pug. Puppies should be on high-quality puppy food for the first year. Then they can transition onto a quality adult formula. Small, stocky dogs like a Pug can suffer from health problems if they become obese. Still, Pugs are playful and lively, so they will engage in some exercise to stay fit. Short-faced breeds like Teacup Pugs and standard Pugs often struggle to cool themselves in hot and humid weather, however, so be sure to limit exercise in the heat. Early socialization is important for keeping Pugs friendly and tolerant of other pets and people. Regular brushing will remove loose hair and prevent shed hair from building up. They also benefit from occasional baths, and their nails should be trimmed regularly. Allowing the nails to grow too much could cause discomfort and, in severe cases, arthritis. Because these dogs are sometimes selected for their small size rather than good health, they can be more susceptible to common Pug health issues. Eye problems often occur, as well as ear issues, skin allergies, mange, and skinfold infections. Like other short-faced breeds, Pugs struggle with breathing conditions. Minor Conditions. What is a teacup dog? How are teacup dogs made? Teacup versions of already small dog breeds include Pugs, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, and Chihuahuas, amongst others. Puppies are often photographed sitting inside of teacups, to showcase their small size. But how are these teacup versions made? There are a few ways. Teacup dogs are usually produced by breeding runts together to create the smallest version of the dog possible. Unfortunately the small dogs chosen to breed are sometimes also not the healthiest. They may be small because of a birth defect or other medical condition, and that can then be passed on to their offspring. Health risks for tiny versions of dogs can be significant, and breeders often take these risks because they want to rake in the big bucks. Another way a teacup dog might be bred is by mixing smaller breeds. For example, a teacup pug might have a small amount of chihuahua in them, to ensure a smaller size. What is a Teacup Pug, or a Toy Pug? What is the pug breed standard? Glad you asked. What is a very small pug called? In the United States and Canada, the pug breed standard only has one classification — standard. However, people do use certain words to describe purebred pugs that happen to be on the small side. They often just have one goal: to breed smaller and smaller dogs. Common health risks that come with breeding small versions of dogs include: Hydrocephalus: also known as water on the brain, hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid in the brain. Hypoglycemia: a condition where the blood sugar glucose level is lower than normal. Collapsing Trachea: Tracheal collapse is when rings of cartilage in the trachea begin to flatten out, making it difficult for air to get to the lungs. Patella Luxation: or sliding kneecap, is a condition where the knee cap rides outside the femoral groove when the knee is flexed. They can also be prone to seizures, respiratory issues, and liver shunts. These health issues and complications result in higher vet bills, and dogs with shorter life spans. Share your comments below. Pin for later! Welcome to the online World of Petla Pug Puppies, a place from where you can get all your favorite Black teacup pugs delivered to your doorstep. Receive all the healthy, friendly, and fantastic Petla Pug Puppies services. Now, you do not need to go anywhere while you are looking for black teacup pugs. We have all the beautiful, amazing-looking pugs that we deliver across the United States of America. We make sure that the buyers will have the best services from us. Even though our prices for the pugs are pretty affordable, you will no need to visit any other place to search for your favorite pug along with us. 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