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At this stage, nipping bad behaviors in the bud is more important than imprinting positive ones. Instead, just redirect them to positive behavior and reward them accordingly. By this point, your puppy should have already been given their distemper and parvovirus vaccinations. By this point, they should be fully housetrained or close to it. Your dog will be likely to gnaw and bite on anything they can get their chompers on—including you. Stay calm and redirect their attention to appropriate objects like chew toys. Your Golden should be fully accustomed to their new kibble at this point, and you should feed them three to four times per day. A 3-month-old dog should also get a DHHP booster, which protects them from parvo, distemper, parainfluenza, and adenovirus. You can play with your pup as much as you like, but take care not to put too much stress on their joints. Avoid a bunch of running and jumping, especially on hard surfaces. Your dog can transition from four meals per day down to three at this point, but the meals should probably be larger. This can cause digestive issues until your dog gets accustomed to it, so be prepared to clean up a few messes. Training should continue, although your primary focus will likely be convincing your pup to chew on something besides your shoes. Your dog will need another DHPP booster at this point, as well as a rabies vaccination. Other optional vaccines include Bordetella, Lyme disease, coronavirus, and leptospirosis. This could cause a brief burst of intense biting and chewing, so power through it. Make sure your pup has plenty of chew toys available to them. Stairs in particular should be avoided. Your pup is likely to start asserting itself at this stage and may start to mature sexually if not spayed or neutered. There are no vaccinations required at this point. Everyone knows how much fun it is to raise teenagers, right? This can lead to undesirable behaviors like aggressiveness, increased tendency to roam, and destructiveness. As a result, you may think that your dog is too skinny, but resist the urge to increase their rations. While most breeds have a puppy coat that they eventually grow out of, Goldens do not. Instead, their puppy coat becomes their undercoat, so you may notice your dog becoming increasingly fuzzy. The teenage rebelliousness should be wearing off by this point, and your dog is ready to begin training in earnest. You should still be feeding them twice daily, and they should stay on puppy kibble for at least another 6 months. Goldens reach their full height between 9 and 12 months old. Females tend to get there faster, but males will be taller in the end. You may also need to cut back on the amount that you feed them. It depends on the individual dog, but females generally reach maturity first. Spaying or neutering your dog has its pros and cons. The pros are fairly obvious: less marking, reduced misbehavior, and zero chance of getting an unexpected litter of puppies. Spaying and neutering can also protect against certain cancers. You may want to wait until your dog is at least 12 months old before getting them fixed. This also leaves the window open longer in which they can suffer skeletal damage, though, so be careful about how active you allow them to be. However, stunted growth and growing too quickly can cause serious health problems, so you should check with your vet to make sure your dog is growing on schedule. Stunted growth is usually caused by malnourishment or a medical problem. You should have your pup tested for parasites like hookworm or ringworm, and consider switching them to a higher-quality, calorie-dense food. If left untreated, malnourishment can lead to weak bones, muscles, and immune system. As you might expect, growing too quickly is often caused by feeding your dog too much. American and British Goldens are similar. However, American Goldens tend to be less stocky and muscular, instead having a leaner appearance. They may weigh a bit less as well. They tend to be taller as well, often standing an inch or two higher than their counterparts. Conclusion Golden Retrievers make excellent pets, and we understand how hard it is to resist the temptation to bring a puppy home. If you do, though, you should understand what to expect from your new dog. Steady growth is what you want to see, without too many peaks or valleys. This sets your dog up for a long, healthy lifespan. Every dog develops at their own pace, so as long as you feed your pup an appropriate amount of high-quality puppy kibble and get them vaccinated regularly, you should be fine. See also:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun!

Showcasing a bolster and luxuriously soft faux fur cover, you can be sure your dog will be comfortable resting and sleeping on this bed. The fabric is clearly of high quality and the stitching looks to be strongly reinforced so you can be sure of its durability. The high quality of the bed is evident at first glance of the fabric and stitching. The external denim cover is: heavy-duty machine washable The internal zipped cover is waterproof too ensuring durability and easy, convenient cleaning. If you decide to buy this bed, the distributor will include a free lightweight external zipper cover in your delivery which will prove useful as a temporary cover when the denim one is in the wash. Additionally, the bed can support up to lbs of weight so would be perfect for your large dog or perhaps even two of them! As with all good dog beds, it has a waterproof internal cover and a durable external zipper cover made of suede which are easily removed and convenient to wash. The suede and the memory foam are both hypoallergenic so this bed is a good option for a dog who suffers synthetic fabric allergies. This bed offers great features for a very reasonable price. It gets even better: The convenience factor of this bed is great; it has an elastic seam which makes for very easy removal when you need to take the cover off for a wash. While this will be no problem for a young and healthy dog, you may need to reconsider if your pooch requires more sturdy support. The heavy-duty base is waterproof and clearly durable while the bed as a whole is machine washable. Comfort is definitely key here with this bed. The suede covering is soft and fluffy, providing your dog with the comfort it needs. Wide and supporting up to lbs, this bed is ideal for Labs and other large breeds — even those who like to stretch out occasionally! For older dogs… …. This has absolutely no effect on the final price you pay and we are very grateful for your support. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. With its breathable Textilene mesh fabric and elevated design, this dog bed offers a cool and cozy sleeping spot for your pet both indoors and outdoors. Its sturdy construction and easy assembly make it an excellent choice for pet owners looking for a convenient and reliable option for their dog's relaxation needs. With its plush donut design and shaggy faux fur cover, this bed helps dogs feel secure and relaxed, leading to a calmer and happier pet. The ergonomic design and lightweight, pet-safe materials make it both functional and comfortable for your furry friend. This bed is designed specifically for large breeds, providing solid memory foam support to reduce joint problems and improve mobility. The headrest feature adds extra comfort for your Lab, while the soft micro suede cover is machine washable, making maintenance a breeze. This high-quality bed is backed by a year warranty, ensuring your pet's comfort for years to come. Top Features 7-inch thick, high-quality foam for exceptional memory foam support Clinically proven to reduce joint pain and improve mobility Soft micro-suede cover, machine washable and smell-resistant Intuitive zippered design for easy cover removal and replacement year warranty for added peace of mind Pros Durable construction to withstand years of use Easy-to-clean, removable, and machine-washable cover Aesthetic design that looks great in your home Backed by a year warranty Cons A higher price point may not be suitable for all budgets It may not provide the same level of calm and security as a donut or bolster-style bed The bed is heavy and may not be as portable as lighter options Best Bed with Bolsters for Labs: Bedsure XXL Orthopedic Bed Size To Order for Labs: XX-Large Buy on Amazon Why We Love It The Bedsure XXL Orthopedic Foam Dog Bed offers outstanding support and comfort for dogs of all sizes, especially larger breeds like Labs. With dense foam, this bed evenly distributes weight and provides excellent pressure relief and joint support. The 4-sided bolster design adds to the bed's appeal, giving your pet a variety of cozy positions to snuggle in. It's also easy to care for, with a water-resistant liner and machine-washable cover, making it a practical choice for pet owners. This bed has a versatile reversible design, making it suitable for use in all seasons. This large-size bed is perfect for pets between 45 to 70 pounds. The bed is stuffed with a premium high loft polyester fill that is both environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic, ensuring your dog's well-being. The dog beds orthopedic therapeutic foam design ensures even weight distribution and relieves muscle tension, promoting your restful labs sleep. Top Features 3-inch thick orthopedic egg crate foam design for even weight distribution Non-slip bottom for added security Waterproof layer to protect foam from liquids Tear resistant cover for easy cleaning Pros Fluffy and comfortable design for a restful sleep Orthopedic support for dogs with joint issues or arthritis Suitable larger dogs Versatile use, perfect for various indoor and outdoor settings Waterproof liner and easy-to-clean, removable cover Cons It may take hours for the bed to fully expand after unpacking Durability may be an issue for aggressive chewers or dogs that dig Some customers may find the bed less comfortable than expected The non-slip bottom may not work well on all floor surfaces Best Washable Bed for Labs: Bedsure Washable Dog Bed Size To Order for Labs: Extra Large Buy on Amazon Why We Love It The Bedsure Washable Dog Bed is an excellent choice for Labs due to its orthopedic design, washable cover, and waterproof liner. The dog bed provides maximum comfort for your pet while ensuring that the bed stays clean and fresh. This dog bed is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use, making it a versatile choice for your dog's needs. Having great dog beds for your Lab is a crucial aspect of their health and happiness. The best beds not only provide a place for them to rest but also supports their joints and helps prevent conditions such as arthritis. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Labradors are a medium-to-large breed, with adult males weighing between 65 to 80 pounds and adult females between 55 to 70 pounds. When selecting a bed, make sure it's big enough for your pup to stretch out comfortably. Measure their length and height when they're lying down, and choose a bed that fits them like a glove! Labradors are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and arthritis. To alleviate joint pressure and provide optimal support, choose an orthopedic bed with memory foam or egg-crate foam. These materials will conform to your dog's body and distribute their weight evenly, reducing pressure on their joints and providing a cozy resting place. Labradors can be quite active and playful, so it's crucial to choose a bed with a durable cover that can withstand their energy levels. Opt for dog beds made with heavy-duty polyester or microfiber, which are scratch-resistant and can endure daily wear and tear. Labradors can be messy at times, and a bed that's easy to clean is a must. Look for dog beds with removable, machine-washable covers and waterproof linings to protect the bed's interior from spills or accidents. Consider the unique needs of your Labrador when selecting a bed. For arthritic or older dogs, beds with bolstered sides provide additional neck and head support. If your dog has allergies, hypoallergenic dog beds are an excellent option. For Labradors who enjoy spending time outdoors, a waterproof or water-resistant bed is ideal for use on camping trips or outdoor adventures. With its generous size, orthopedic support, durable materials, and easy-to-clean features, it stands out as the ideal choice for Labrador Retrievers. The Bedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed and the Western Home Large Dog Bed are excellent runner-ups, offering similar benefits with slightly different features to suit individual preferences. The Bedsure XXL Orthopedic Dog Bed is an excellent match for Labradors, fulfilling their needs for comfort, joint support, durability, and easy cleaning. Its size accommodates the breed's larger frame, while the memory foam provides much-needed pressure relief for joint health. In comparison to the other products, this bed consistently ticks all the boxes and proves itself as the best overall option for Labrador Retrievers. Remember that choosing the right bed for your Labrador is crucial for their health and happiness. By investing in a high-quality bed like the Bedsure XXL Orthopedic Dog Bed, you're ensuring a comfortable and supportive resting place for your furry friend. I have a deep love for dogs and am the proud owner of two amazing four-legged friends. My writing is a tribute to the bond between humans and dogs, showcasing the love, friendship, and adventures that we share. As a dog lover and in-home dog daycare and boarding business owner, I find daily inspiration in the company of my furry companions. Through my writing, I hope to encourage readers to embrace the natural world and the deep emotional connections we form with our beloved dogs. Similar Posts. Tweet on Twitter The first thing many of us want to buy for our new puppy is a bed. There is so much choice when it comes to Labrador puppy beds. Round ones, square ones, squashy ones. Beds lined with faux fur, tartans and checks. Washable, spongeable, hose able, even waterproof beds. Beds with legs, beds with sides, orthopaedic beds, baskets and blankets to put in them. Where do you begin? Perhaps the very first thing we need to consider, is what puppies do to beds. What puppies do to beds Puppies generally, are not kind to their beds. There are some pretty tough fabric beds that will resist modest attempts at chewing. But nothing will stop a really determined puppy from working his teeth through the strongest bed, given the time, and the inclination. Before you dash to your keyboard, to protest that you know of a puppy whose bed was not consigned to the dustbin within a week, I should say, that not all puppies destroy their beds. Some puppies curl up in a tousled heap of puppy gorgeousness surrounded by lovely cushions and soft toys, and never chew a single one. These puppies are rare! Chew toys for puppies Giving your puppy plenty of chew toys may help reduce the risk of your puppy devouring his bed, but most puppies still chew their beds, even if given all the right toys. So it makes sense not to spend too much on a puppy bed to begin with Puppies swallowing bedding Some puppies unfortunately rip up and actually swallow any kind of bedding. Many times, things that puppies swallow just pass through. But swallowing bedding can cause problems for the puppy if the swallowed pieces get trapped in his digestive system. If your puppy is chewing up his bedding, you need to watch him carefully. Most puppies will spit the bits out, but if your puppy swallows them, you need to take the bedding away. If you think he has swallowed quite a lot, phone your vet who will advise you on symptoms to watch out for. Contact your vet urgently if your puppy stops eating, seems unwell, or is unable to empty his bowels. Happily these puppies are quite rare too. Shopping for puppy beds The fact that your puppy will probably damage his first bed, is something you need to consider before you head off to your local pet supermarket, or start browsing the online stores. The less edges the bedding has, the less likely the puppy is to rip it up. And some bedding seems to be less appealing to the puppy to chew. Although these often look the most tempting, on the whole it is best to avoid deeply and loosely padded cushions with lots of stuffing. Or at least to save them for parts of the house where the puppy will be closely supervised. And probably sensible to wait for a few months before purchasing anything too expensive for your puppy to sleep on. Especially when it comes to crate bedding that he is left alone with during the night. There are four types of bedding to consider for your new puppy. Puppies can really snuggle into these. Puppy Blankets You can make your own perfectly serviceable puppy bedding from old towels or blankets, cut or fold to fit your crate. Or you can buy pretty puppy blankets which are soft and easy to clean. If you are using old blankets, it is a good idea to cut these into sections that will fit easily in the washing machine. Old baby blankets are ideal as they are always machine washable and usually tumble dry too. Puppy crate mats Puppy crate mats are specifically designed to fit standard crate sizes. They are reasonably priced and because they fit the crate without stray edges flapping about, they may be less likely to be chewed than blankets or cushions. Crate mats are not too bulky, and fit in the washing machine. You will need two mats, so that you have a replacement ready when one is being washed. Vet bedding for puppies Veterinary bedding makes great puppy bedding. It is made from an artificial fleece fabric. It is washable, tumble dry able, and very hard wearing. It is the ultimate puppy sleeping surface. Vet bed has a stiffish backing, and very large pieces can be awkward to fit in the washing machine. But you can overlap two smaller pieces in a larger crate, and it softens with repeated washing. You can buy vet bed on a roll, or ready cut to fit your crate or basket. Many puppies will have been whelped and raised on vet bed, so your puppy will feel nicely at home. All my puppies and older dogs sleep on vet bed. What about you? What is your favourite puppy bedding? Let us know in the comments below, or join the forum to chat about your new puppy. The Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. The book will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialisation and early obedience. The Happy Puppy Handbook is available worldwide. Dog Beds By Meg Marrs 20 min read April 20, 1 Comment K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Best Dog Beds For Labs: What to Look For There are a ton of dog bed options on the market, which can leave owners feeling overwhelmed when trying to pick the best one for their pooch. Chew Proof Materials and Features: Some Labs are heavy chewers, which can spell instant disaster for your brand new dog bed! Avoid visible zippers or tempting tassels for peace of mind. Get a dog bed that will last your large Labrador dog many years! An orthopedic dog bed will ease some of that stress and increase his comfort level as it evenly disperses his body weight, relieving pressure points. This will be especially important for senior dogs , as they need even more cushioning and support. They tend to amass pet hair, saliva, and other yucky canine collectables. So, always make sure that you select a dog bed with a removable, machine-washable cover unless the entire bed is washable. Tossing a removable cover in your washing machine is a lot easier than hand washing one. Sleep style: Labs sleep in all sorts of positions, from curling up into a tiny ball to stretching out like a pupper pancake. A donut design is best for curled-up canines while stretching sleepers may prefer a flat design for maximum space. Canines in warm climates need a bed with improved airflow to prevent overheating more than doggos elsewhere. This might mean opting for an elevated dog bed made with a lightweight mesh material versus one with a heat-trapping faux fur cover. Labs in colder climates will likely appreciate a plush or warming bed on chilly nights. Waterproof means a material entirely repels liquids from soaking into it, while water-resistant means that most of the water contacting the surface will bead up and roll off, but some may seep in. Cons Cushioning may be a tad much for dogs without joint issues 3. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, this bed rinses clean easily and fits into most standard crates. Featuring multiple filled inserts in one round shell, it breaks down easily for cleaning and is only made with pet-safe materials. The no-skid bottom ensures no slipping and sliding, while the plush polyester fabric is super comfortable. Learn more Brindle Shredded Memory Foam Dog Bed An easy-to-clean foam dog bed with a removable, machine washable cover that zips into place. The shredded filling breathes better than solid foam, keeping your canine extra cozy. The lightweight design has just enough polyester filling to comfort your dog without bogging down your pack. Specially designed interior layers trap heat, forming a snuggly spot for your dog to catch Zs. Their usage differs dramatically, with self-heated dog beds intended for indoor use during the winter and plug-in heated beds typically only used by outdoor dogs or those living in unheated kennels or other structures. Features: Made with a washable fleece cover and orthopedic foam interior Beds are tested by MET Labs and exceed US electrical safety standards Steel-wrapped cord extends 5. Vehoo Elevated Dog Bed Labrador retrievers are known for their loyal and friendly nature. If you have a strong bond with your dog, you might find that they try to sleep on your bed at night — but due to their large size, this might not be the most comfortable arrangement. This bed uses extremely high quality foam to provide orthopedic support for dogs who need it. The suede cover feels very luxurious and cozy to the touch. They also come in very large sizes, so you can feel confident knowing that your dog has enough space to sprawl out. Health Labs are prone to certain bone problems as they get older. In particular, they are prone to knee problems. Because of their larger size, they may also develop hip and elbow dysplasia. Because of this, labs should use supportive mattresses that relieve pressure on their joints. Size Labs are a very large dog breed , so they more space to sprawl out and relax. Size Of course, the size is a big consideration for larger breeds like a lab. They should be able to fit entirely on the bed, without their legs falling off the side. This ensures they get the proper comfort and support while they are sleeping. Look for large or extra large sizes, and consider measuring your pet before buying to ensure that they will fit comfortably. Look for beds with soft and supportive filling that will help them relax. If your dog struggles with anxiety, a bed with bolsters on the sides can also be a great choice. This creates a nest-like feeling that can help to soothe your dog. Quality The overall quality of the bed is very important, as your dog will be spending plenty of time sleeping on it. Consider the overall level of support that the mattress can provide. You may want to consider a human-grade mattress with orthopedic memory foam for dogs that struggle with joint problems. Types Of Dog Beds For Labs When it comes to choosing a quality dog bed for your lab, you have several different options. Here are the most common types of dog beds for Labradors and the pros and cons of using them. Orthopedic Orthopedic beds are one of the best choices for labs. Not only are these beds incredibly comfortable, but they help your dog stay healthy and prevent pain as they get older. Fiber Filled These beds often look similar to orthopedic beds, but they contain soft poly fill fibers instead of a supportive foam. However, this is a better option than having your dog sleep directly on the floor. Elevated Elevated dog beds are typically shaped like cots. Additionally, they are made with very durable fabrics, so they are good for dogs who chew or dogs who like to sleep outdoors. Basic Cushion These beds are similar to a pillow. However, they are very convenient if you want to add a bit of extra support to another bed or couch that your dog likes to sleep on. Nest Dogs like the feeling of being in a nest. It is reminiscent of their puppyhood and can help them relax when they are feeling anxious. There are many dog beds that are designed to give them this feeling, with bolsters around the sides of the bed. The filling in these beds can vary — sometimes they provide orthopedic support, but there are also models that only use soft filling. Best Dog Beds For Labs There are plenty of great dog beds that are designed with this lovable breed in mind. Here are our picks for the best dog beds for labs. Get it on Amazon Big Barker makes beds specifically designed for larger dog breeds like labs. These extra large beds use a high quality memory foam mattress with a pillow top for incredible comfort and support. They are made in America and are proven to provide excellent joint support for your dog. They come with a soft suede cover that is fully removable and machine washable. Get it on Amazon This cozy dog bed is a great option for labs. This is great for dogs that struggle with anxiety or get cold easily. Get it on Amazon This luxurious sofa makes a great bed for your lab. A layer of faux fur over the top provides warmth and comfort. The entire cover is machine washable for easy cleaning. Get it on Amazon This is another one of the best extra large beds for labs and other large breeds. It comes in sizes ranging from small to XXL to ensure that your pet is comfortable. It is made with a thick layer of solid memory foam for excellent support, as well as soft pillowy bolsters that wrap all the way around for dogs who love to nest. The washable cover is very durable and is made with a soft cotton and polyester blend. It also comes with a waterproof liner, which protects the mattress in case of an accident. Get it on Amazon If your pet gets hot easily, this elevated dog bed is a great choice to help keep them cool. It also keeps them up off the floor to reduce pressure, and is easy for dogs to step up onto, even with mobility issues. The frame is made from a durable PVC, and the bed itself is made with a thick and tear-resistant cordura. Get it on Amazon This solid memory foam dog bed is very supportive and durable. An internal waterproof layer protects against stains and messes. Get it on Amazon Dogs who struggle with anxiety can really benefit from using a donut shaped bed. These beds help them feel protected and safe. This bed is a great option for larger dogs who want that sense of security without feeling cramped. It is made with a soft polyfill and is covered with a very soft and comfy faux fur. Get it on Amazon This bed combines the support of a thick orthopedic mattress with the snuggly feeling of a nest bed. Soft padded bolsters go all the way around the bed for extra support. A thick layer of orthopedic foam makes sleeping here extra comfy, and also minimize joint issues for older dogs. The polyester cover is washable and has a sophisticated quilted design. Get it on Amazon This is another excellent donut bed that will help your lab have a relaxing sleep. It comes in many different sizes and has a supportive donut design that helps to keep your dog warm. The faux fur cover feels extra soft and cuddly. The base is both water and dirt resistant, and the cover is removable for easy cleaning. Get it on Amazon This dog bed is another reliable elevated option for dogs who need something extra durable. The bed uses a durable textilene mesh that lets air flow through, but is still durable enough to resist scratching. The frame is a lightweight powder coated steel that is easy to assemble. These are some of the best dog beds for labs on the market. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best dog bed for labs? While there are many excellent dog beds for labs out there, the Big Barker is our top pick. What size dog bed does a Labrador need? Labs tend to be on the larger side, so they will need a large bed to match. Related Posts.

Knowing what to look out for will help you notice early symptoms; thus giving your Boxer dog a better chance at recovery. We will look at common yet frustrating Boxer dog eye problems including cherry eye, inflammation, dry eye, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. We'll also cover Boxer dog eye care tips and cleaning. There is a separate section on Eye Boogers. The 3rd eye lid is rarely seen under normal circumstances. A human would only notice this if lifting up a Boxer dog's main eyelid. However, certain canine health conditions can cause this membrane to move location, thus covering the eye either entirely or partially. Many Boxer dog owners will become concerned as they describe this as a "film" covering their dog's eye. Symptoms Red tissue will be seen on the Boxer dog's eyeball. Treatment Until recently, common veterinary practice would be to remove the 3rd canine eyelid. In current times, surgery can usually be performed to move the membrane back into place without having to remove it. There are some rare cases in which the membrane will need to be removed. If so, a Boxer dog will need daily eye drops indefinitely. This can happen when a foreign element comes into contact with or enters the Boxer dog's eye or can be a symptom of an underlying canine disease. Symptoms Large amounts of water discharge Sensitivity to bright lights both outside in the sun or inside Dulling of the iris or a bluish tint covering the dog's eye Redness Swelling Treatment The veterinarian will look at the Boxer dog's eye with a tool that allows him to see the interior of the eyeball. If the cause of the irritation is not clear, blood testing may be done. Quite often, medication is given to the dog. For swelling, anti-inflammatory medication will be given. For infection, antibiotics will be given. For pain, eye drops may be given. If an underlying disease is found such as Brucellosis or Lyme disease, those will be treated as well, of course. Very rarely and only in extreme cases will a Boxer dog's eye need to be surgically removed. There is a natural film that protects a Boxer dog's eyes. With this film, the dog's eye is not protected. The eye becomes very dry causing many health problems. This can happen because of many reasons including: an injury to the eye, a dog not receiving proper nutrition through a correct balance of food, malfunction of the thyroid, infection or side effects from medication. Symptoms This is also sometimes referred to as "Brown eye", as the eye may develop a brown tinted film Scar tissue may appear on the dog's eye A stinging pain that is usually constant, as the eye loses all lubrication Blood vessels may grow rapidly throughout the dog's eye Treatment The Boxer dog will be given eye drops to lubricate the eye, swelling and infection will be brought down with medicine and the dog will be given drops to help his body produce natural tears. Surgery may need to be performed by the veterinarian if a tear duct is severely damaged. This condition describes the clouding of the cornea. This is an inherited canine eye disease and will affect both eyes equally. Symptoms Gray or white crystal-like material will begin to develop on the Boxer dog's eyes. In almost every case, both eyes are affected in the same degree. Treatment As of now, there is no treatment for this canine eye disease. Fortunately, this condition is not painful. While it can affect how clearly a Boxer dog can see, it rarely completely blocks a Boxer dog's eyesight. Both eyes will be affected at the same time. The dog does not feel any pain. Unfortunately, all Boxer dogs with PRA will eventually become blind. Symptoms Symptoms do vary in Boxer dogs with this eye disease, however things to look out for are: Night blindness — you will know your dog has this if your Boxer dog does not see well at night — your dog may stumble into walls or furniture if the lights are kept low at night, etc. Diagnosis Once a Boxer owner notices any of the above symptoms, the dog should immediately have a full and complete eye exam by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Treatment At this time, this is not treatable. Of course, studies are being done to someday cure this canine eye disease. It is suggested that one action may slow down the process: Antioxidant supplements for retinal health — there are some good signs that this type of supplement for dogs may slow down the disease. If your Boxer is having eye issues, you may want to speak to your vet about this. Typically, these are a blend of a large array of antioxidants, up to 10 or .The Boxer dog should have regular eye exams, even after losing all sight. While this disease does not cause pain; PDA cataracts can develop and those can be very painful. Because the blindness occurs very slowly, over a large span of time, the dog usually does not suffer from the shock of not being able to see. A Boxer will have time to slowly adjust to lessened sight. The dog is not in pain. A dog can still go for walks, play with you, and be a wonderful companion. In case your dog ever becomes lost, it is suggested to have a medical alert tag on your dog that relays that he or she is blind. Boxer Dog Eye Care - Preventing Injury When you have a breed like the Boxer with very big, prominent eyes, you'll want to take a few preventative steps to help keep the eyes from suffering scratches and irritations. Some of the things you can do include: Do not allow your Boxer to sniff under bushes or into any sort of thick landscaping. Do not allow your Boxer to fully stick his head out of the car window. If you have a cat and she tends to swat at your Boxer, consider cat nail tips, which are plastic nail coverings that will at least prevent deep, harmful scratches. If your Boxer appears to have something in his eye, use a canine saline rinse to flush it out. If this is allowed to build up and crust up, it can cause eye irritation. In addition, eating and drinking throughout the day can cause the hairs around the eyes to become wet. If those hair remain damp, yeast infection can set in. On dogs with light coats, this is often referred to as tear stains; however, this can happen to any breed of any color. You will want to have a good supply of canine grooming wipes on hand; choose a quality brand like Earthbath All Natural Grooming Wipes that are hypo-allergenic and fragrance free. Each day, preferably after each meal, but at least once per day, wipe down your Boxer's face, paying particular attention to the eyes. Swipe under each eye, and then start in the inner eye and wipe up and around the upper lid and brow. Daily maintenance of the eyes is just good hygiene; after a week or so it will become second nature. Just about every owner has, at some point, wondered this about Boxer dog eye boogers. Technically, this is discharge.But when it is thick and gooey, eye boogers seems like just the right term to use. These can be more apparent in the morning, as the "gook" can accumulate over night while the eyes are not blinking. These can glop up right in the corner of the Boxer dog's eyes.Sometimes, the eye boogers can actually be a bit on the eyeball itself. This is created by the body's defensive mechanisms that clear out debris. Throughout the day, those large, round and slightly bulging eyes are picking up dust, dirt, pollen and plenty of other nasty things that are out in the air. When the lid blinks and the tear ducts release fluid during the day, this does help to keep vision clear. However, at night when your Boxer dog is at rest, the body will then work extra hard to clear out the eyes.And this is why you find Boxer dog eye boogers. The consistency can be watery or it can be rather gooey. With some dogs, this type of eye discharge can be thick and almost rubbery.It can become thin and stretch out, covering much more than the eye area. If it holds a lot of debris such as dirt and dust, these can tint the discharge.This can be rubbed off during sleep, leaving marks on blankets and pillows. So, while it can be a bit frustrating to keep your Boxer's face clean, this is nothing to be concerned about.Unless there are signs that it something more serious. We will discuss how to help keep these eye boogers at bay.The eye or eyes are bloodshot badly There is so much dried discharge that it has crusted over the lid, impeding movement It has a bad odor It is accompanied by discharge from the nose Boxer dog eye goop may be produced a lot more during certain times of the year. It is not uncommon for pollen and other seasonal elements to affect this. When pollen counts are high this can trigger the dog's body to produce more discharge to protect the eyes, thus resulting in more boogers. An owner may find that if their dog is outside and the lawn has just been mowed, the discharge increases. They can even increase on very windy days.If the air is whipping around the eyes, discharge will often be released to protect them. The first thing that you should do is to make sure that the issue is not caused by a health issue. Infection, tear ducts issue and other problems can be the cause and this may be a more serious eye problem. After having your Boxer checked out by a reputable and experienced veterinarian you can then rest assured that your Boxer's eye boogers, while a nuisance, are not affecting his or her health. If your puppy or dog has any of the above signs of "what is not normal", do be sure to take them for a checkup. If the veterinarian diagnoses this as an allergy issue, and particularly if you notice that they increase during certain times of the year or under certain circumstances after the lawn has been cut, etc , it may be decided that an allergy medication such as Benedryl is the best course of action. This should be overseen by the veterinarian. It can cause mild drowsiness and in some cases dry mouth. For most dogs, it is best to give it to them at meal time to prevent possible nausea. Typical dosing for canines is 1 milligram per 1 pound of the dog's weight 3 times per day every 8 hrs. The liquid variety has a high alcohol content and for that reason, the pill form is given to canines. Cleaning the eye area is important. If the Boxer's eye boogers are left alone, they can accumulate and then settle into the folds of the skin. At that point, they will begin to smell and infection can set in. You will also want to clean your dog's eyes simply to keep the boogers at bay so that they do not interfere with vision and so that they do not rub off on you, your furniture or any other items in the home. When you wipe the eyes, it should involve 2 steps: wiping with a damp cloth and then a 2nd wiping with a dry cloth. Because if you are wiping with a wet cloth throughout the day, the hairs on the face will remain damp all day and that in itself can keep wrinkles damp which can lead to a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. You can use hypoallergenic baby wipes or canine grooming wipes and soft paper towels for the drying part. You can set up a schedule, which makes it easier. An owner could spend the whole day wiping them away, so it is best to try to get into a regular routine and not stress about the times in-between. It can help to simply set up the wipes and paper towels in 1 spot, such as the kitchen counter. A good example of a schedule for a puppy would be after each meal times 3 times per day. A good example for an adult dog would be 3 times per day: after waking in the morning, when you get home from work and after your evening walk together. Choose what works best for you. Why Boxer dog lean - A trait of the breed or a learned behavior. How many owners have dogs that do this and what it really means. Reasons why a Boxer dog smells - Is there a strange odor coming from somewhere on your dog? Find out the various causes of odd odors and steps to resolve them. Most say "The eyes should be dark brown; not too small or protruding; not deep set. Enno Myer in his book "Judging the Boxer" said about eyes: "Size, shape, setting and color share equal responsibility in creating the correct Boxer expression even though it is true that these qualities overlap in influence, each upon the other. The normal Boxer eye is dark brown and luminous. It radiates energy, amiability and intelligence. It breathes trust as opposed to any semblance of craftiness or beligerence. If dark it may have a threatening or piercing expression, foreign to the normal character of the breed. If it is light in color, it often incorporates a certain degree of shrewdness as if the dog must make up in cunning what it lacks in real brain power. Loose bottom eyelid Eye socket larger than eyeball showing white around the eye Bottom eyelid loose This is a drawing of my interpretation of the correct shape and frontal placement After drawing this shape I think it resembles a lemon! Below more are examples of typical well shaped Boxer eyes Notice there is a softness in the bottom lid, but the eye is reasonably tight and the haw does not show. Beautifully shaped eyes with mood mirroring expression Lovely expressions on very young puppies. They are extremely lazy! Indolent corneal ulcers—also known as Boxer ulcers, recurrent epithelial erosions, or SCCED—are common in middle to older aged dogs of all breeds, but most commonly, as one might suspect, Boxers. They are believed to be associated with a defect in the layers of the corneas to adhere properly1. Generally there is no history of trauma and the majority of cases occur spontaneously. Dog looking up The signs of boxer keratitis include discharge, squinting , redness and excessive tearing. Additionally there may be a strange appearance to a normally clear cornea2. Diagnosis of eye ulcers The presence of a corneal ulceration can be confirmed using a fluorescent dye that adheres to damaged tissues. It is important to thoroughly examine the eye for problems that may have played a role in the ulcer or delay healing. Indolent ulcers will generally have evidence that layers of the cornea are peeling or not sticking to each other. This will require a veterinarian to carefully examine the cornea. Treatment of eye ulcers Therapy can be very challenging because of the underlying abnormality of the corneal tissue that will delay normal healing. Effective treatments may require a variety of measures. A number of treatments have been used for these ulcers. Routine antibiotic and atropine treatments are often not effective. More aggressive treatment recommendations have included: Corneal debridement Chemical cautery to disrupt the corneal basement membrane and stimulate vascular ingrowth Hyperosmotic agents e. Application of soft contact lenses or collagen shields Surgery including a third eyelid flap Punctate or grid keratotomy or superficial keratectomy Corneal debriement is a frequently used treatment. However even more aggressive treatment may be needed in Boxer keratitis. Treatment may require contact lenses or collagen patch bandages to protect the cornea. Prognosis of eye ulcers Because affected dogs are often affected by an underlying defect of the cornea, recurrance is a possibility. While there is no proven genetic basis, breed predilections suggest that there may be genetic influences. It is likely that there is a genetic predisposition to this defect in Boxers. Studies are being conducted to look at the condition and identify genetic markers. If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. These will include genetic passed on from the parents and congenital present at birth conditions. For some, the problems are evident in early life. For others, they are only an issue in middle age or even in their senior years. As we know that Boxers are so predisposed to ocular issues, their eyes should be closely examined at every routine health check, such as during their annual vaccination exam. Vets should assess the eyes closely, checking for signs such as tear staining or corneal pigmentation. It is also advised that a Schirmer Tear Test is performed. More on this later. Some of the problems that vets will be looking out for include: 1. Corneal Ulcers Ulcers on the surface of the eye pose a real issue to Boxers, more so than most other breeds. Ulcers can cause signs including blepharospasm squinting of the eye , tearing, and pawing at the eye due to discomfort. They are diagnosed with a Fluorescein Tear Test. During this brief test, an orange dye is dripped onto the cornea. It is then cleaned away and the eye is examined under a slit lamp while the lights are off. Any stain uptake is consistent with an ulcer. The vet will assess and measure any ulcer that is present. Dogs will usually be treated with a combination of topical antibiotics, pain relief such as atropine drops and a buster collar to prevent rubbing. Most ulcers heal quickly, within a matter of days. It is important to re-stain the eye to ensure the ulcer has healed after a couple of days. If the eye appears to worsen at any time perhaps it becomes cloudy or there is a visible dip in the surface of the eye , an urgent vet visit is needed as ulcers can become infected or even rupture. A quick update on training your Boxer pup! Brain Training For Dogs might now be one of the best training methods suitable for Boxers. Owners are seeing improvement in obedience, behavior, and stubbornness quicker than ever before. Okay back to the post! These non-healing ulcers do not act like regular ulcers and persist despite routine treatment. The healing process and cells that are present are thought to be abnormal in those dogs that are affected. Vets will be suspicious of an indolent ulcer if your dog is an older Boxer with a non-healing ulcer. Oftentimes, we can perform a quick debridement with a cotton swab under local anesthesia to remove the abnormal cells. Frustratingly, this is not always effective and some dogs will require more aggressive treatment such as a Grid Keratotomy. Entropion Eyelids that turn inwards cause issues as they scrape the surface of the eye and are very uncomfortable. Normally, this disorder is diagnosed in young dogs. Entropion can be diagnosed by an experienced vet by looking at the eyes. Treatment usually consists of surgery to repair the deformity. The sooner this is done, the better the long-term prognosis. Uveitis The iris, ciliary body, and choroid all form the uvea of the eye. Inflammation of these structures is called uveitis. Causes can include infections, immune-mediated disease, or trauma. As this is a painful disease, your Boxer may squint their eye shut, rub at it and act subdued. Vets will monitor affected dogs for glaucoma, which can be a complication. Cherry Eye A prolapse of the nictitans gland causes a red swelling at the corner of the inner eye that is said to look like a small cherry. While one eye may be affected initially, it is not uncommon for the other eye to follow suit shortly after. Surgery under a general anesthetic is required to replace the gland. Previously, vets would trim away the gland but this is no longer recommended as it can lead to Dry Eye in later life. In a small number of patients, the cherry eye will recur after surgery and a further procedure will be required. Glaucoma Increased intraocular pressure is known as glaucoma. Signs can include severe pain, sudden vision loss, and obvious redness. It may occur secondary to other conditions such as uveitis. Measuring the eye pressure should be part of a routine eye exam and is usually done with a tonometer. A Schirmer Tear Test can quickly rule this condition in or out. This test is easily done in a conscious patient and only takes a couple of minutes. A small piece of paper is placed under the eyelid and the tears produced are measured. If the measurement of tears reads more than 15mm, we are happy that the eyes are producing enough tears. Dry Eyes require medicine including lubricants and topical Cyclosporin such as Optimmune. Affected Boxers will need ongoing monitoring. Popular article: Why do boxers have their ears cropped? Dogs may be irritated and itchy and there might be ocular discharge. Due to the rubbing, fur loss around the eye is not uncommon. Dogs may also develop small pimples or pustules. There are several causes for blepharitis including allergies, infections, and other inflammatory disorders. A Boxer who has had blepharitis in the past is more prone to getting it again in the future. Of course, there are other considerations for swelling in the ocular region including a tooth root abscess, insect sting, or local trauma. Due to this, an accurate veterinary diagnosis is a very important step in the treatment plan. How your Boxer dog is treated will depend on what exactly is going on, but many will need antibiotic eye drops, anti-inflammatories, and a buster collar to prevent rubbing and protect the peri-ocular skin. We would consider: Trauma, such as from a bang to the head A clotting disorder, perhaps caused by recent toxin ingestion or lungworm Severe conjunctivitis.

We have answers. French Bulldogs come at a whole range of different prices for various reasons. The prices are simply dependant upon various reasons including pedigree, breeder experience, coat color and some other factors. Keep in mind that our network is designed to help you get the puppy you desire - and one that fits your budget too! What kind of dog is a French Bulldog? French Bulldogs are little, short, goofy pooches with heads that are a little too big for their bodies and make them look like they could tip over at any point. French Bulldogs come from English Bulldogs, their bigger cousins. They are just much smaller with charming personalities that will win your heart. Why are Miami French Bulldogs so expensive? You may be surprised to find out that French Bulldogs are a bit more expensive than other breeds. Because of their extremely narrow hips, reproduction proves to be very hard. Therefore their breeders have to artificially inseminate their dogs and when their Frenchies are ready to give birth, a C-section has to be performed. Do you only match me with French Bulldog breeders in Miami? Most companies and breeders that belong to the Uptown network are complete professionals when it comes to arranging travel for your French Bulldog. They can transport your new puppy to any major airport near you! The Uptown network is also growing by the day so you may even have the chance to pick up your Frenchie in person. How do you screen French Bulldog breeders Miami? All day we are messaged and called by breeders and businesses who want to be part of the Uptown network. Once they do this they also have to take our Breeder Pledge. We have very strict standards regarding animal care, breeding experience, facility quality and oh, so much more. Finding puppies is really easy today due to the internet. Sadly, there are many breeders out there who are inexperienced, as well as puppy mills who sell sick dogs. We have one simple goal - to help the absolute best breeders out there connect with loving families, just like yours, so that you can find the Frenchie of your dreams. What is a puppy mill like for French Bulldog puppies Miami? Puppy mills are exceptionally cruel places for dogs. If you actually see one it will break your heart. Female dogs are locked in small cages all their lives where their only sole purpose is to breed litter after litter after litter. Often puppies who come from puppy mills cost you thousands at the vet because they are weak and sick with behavioral issues and often die young. Are there any French Bulldog puppies in Miami right now? With one click underneath, you will be able to see a list of puppies that are available to you through the Uptown network. Rest and relax because we really do have the best breeders in our network! A beautiful French Bulldog puppy will be yours in no time! Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents 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.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water.

Post header Skip post header How much exercise does a German Shepherd need? Making sure your German Shepherd gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation is really important for keeping them healthy and happy. Regular exercise can not only keep them in good shape, but it can also help improve their behaviour and well-being. How much exercise does a German Shepherd need? German Shepherds are highly active dogs , originally bred for working and guarding flocks of sheep, and more recently used by military and police forces. All this means that German Shepherds are among the most high-energy dogs out there. Of course, their exercise needs can vary based on a number of factors including age, fitness level, general health, food intake and more. That said, most German Shepherds usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing. To get an exercise goal tailored to your dog, simply download the free PitPat app and enter their details. How much exercise does a German Shepherd puppy need? This is especially true for this breed since they are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia. As a rule of thumb, puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise such as walkies for every month of their age. These walks should be opportunities to explore their environment, work on training and good behaviour outdoors, and socialise with other people and dogs in a controlled manner. How much exercise does a senior German Shepherd need? You can also set your own goals manually in case they have higher or lower exercise needs. What types of exercise are best for German Shepherds? German Shepherds excel at all sorts of exercise and canine sports thanks to their working background. In addition to their daily walks, you could try:. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You need the best exercise for German Shepherd puppies to keep them healthy, fit, and, more importantly… Out of mischief! Quite the opposite is true for your fast-growing breed! German Shepherd puppies should stick to only five minutes of continuous, on-leash leisurely walking at a time, based on their age in months. So, an 8-week-old puppy can walk for 10 minutes at a time on a leash, while a 6-month-old can walk on a leash for 30 minutes at a time. However, your puppy can enjoy low-impact, gentle exercises for longer periods of time. You can play games that work on sustained growth multiple times per day safely. Instead, exercise on soft surfaces, for example: Grass Sand Dirt paths or trails Stretching of soft ligaments at too early an age, strains on young, growing joints, and carrying too much weight on their overall framework can and will harm your young puppy. This leads to problems in adulthood, which you could avoid! Remember to watch for: Panting heavily with rapid breath Lagging on their walks for longer than usual Stopping on walks and standing Lying down on their belly or side If your dog is hyperactive and displays excessive chewing and destructive behavior, they may need engaging brain stimulation to help them use their brains to engage in their environments constructively. Ideally, you also need to teach them basic commands and house manners. Start now with basic obedience training to avoid later behavioral issues. Eventually, your active, adult GSD will need at least 2 walks of 45 minutes each source. Other great ways to exercise your German Shepherd puppy include working on their balance, enjoying mental stimulation, and playing gently with toys they love. Until your vet clears your dog as having their bones fully fused this is around 12 to 18 months of age , activity should be cautious and slow-paced. Up to twelve months of age, natural free running is the best way to exercise German Shepherds. With free running, your dog is off-leash and can stop or slow as they wish. Limit and monitor on-leash walks and activity while your German Shepherd is growing. When walking on a leash, allow them to Walk at their own pace Stop and start as they please Sniff around leisurely to explore the grass, flowers, and trees Lay down, roll around, and dig in approved digging places Use a no-pull harness with a design that allows for natural shoulder movement to avoid unnatural gait development. Try this padded no-pull harness on your German Shepherd to avoid any neck injuries to her while she is young. This design also limits pulling and helps teach nice leash walking manners. The handle on the back of the no-pull harness makes it easy to grab your pup to stop them from running into a hazard or just to catch them! Read more helpful information on the benefits and disadvantages of using a harness or a collar to help you choose the right equipment for walking your new puppy. There are plenty of other ideas to try with your new baby German Shepherd. Even better? You can find so many ways to learn what your new German Shepherd puppy likes to play with for their fun and games! Keep reading for a German Shepherd puppy exercise chart and specific, step-by-step fun games to keep your new pup happy and healthy. Exercising puppies heavily too early in life may lead to joint damage. This is especially likely in large breeds with rapidly growing and heavily loaded joints, such as your GSD. High-Impact Activity to Avoid Jumping, especially from couches, furniture, or cars Twisting such as chasing a toy that wildly moves in many directions Exercising over hard or uneven ground especially sidewalks and asphalt Keep exercise short and frequent, as this is more beneficial than long, infrequent periods of activity. Sep 06, Puppies need exercise to develop healthy bones, muscles and hearts. Exercise goes a long way to help curb anxiety and behavior issues related to boredom. But you may have heard that too much exercise can be harmful. How much exercise is necessary, how much is too much, and what kinds of exercise should you be doing? As a general rule, your puppy knows best. Normal puppy play is okay, and you should never feel as though you should stop your puppy from playing on its own accord. Short walks are also okay, as long as your idea of a short walk isn't 3 miles every morning! Short games of fetch and tug are also okay. Fetch is especially hard on the body because most dogs rapidly accelerate to go after the ball and rapidly decelerate once they get to it, so good throws is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises. Tug is also hard on the body, so minutes is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises as well. Swimming is a great, low-impact exercise. Just make sure your puppy doesn't ingest too much water while swimming. It's also recommended that you not play fetch in the water because dogs can accidentally ingest a lot of water when retrieving toys thrown into bodies of water. Examples of exercises that are too rigorous for puppies are long hikes, running steps, long games of fetch, long walks, running, jogging, weight pull and pulling carts of any kind, wearing vests with anything over a few ounces in it for anything other than a short stroll, flyball, and inappropriate amounts of agility training. All of these things are stressful on soft, growing bones and joints and can result in hip and elbow dysplasia and musculoskeletal deformities, diseases and injuries. As a rule of thumb, don't exceed 5 minutes for each month of the puppy's age of acceptable exercise no more than twice a day. For instance, 15 minutes of exercise twice a day is ideal for a 3-month-old puppy, while 20 minutes twice a day is ideal for a 4-month-old puppy. As a general rule, you can start building up puppies to adult levels of exercise once they turn 9 months of age if they're not expected to grow over 25lbs. By a year they can be exercised as an adult as long as you properly build up their stamina. For medium and large breeds, you can begin to build them up to adult levels of exercise by 15 months and it's safe to exercise them as adults once they turn 18 months old. German Shepherd dogs will naturally travel in a cantering-lope rather than a slow walk. That means that it is imperative that you train your puppy early on how to walk on a leash by your side without pulling. German Shepherds are a powerful breed and are capable of dragging handlers who aren't strong enough to hold them back. Eliminate the possibility of a physical tug of war by relying on solid training instead. Remember, exercise is also great for keeping hip and elbow joints stabilized in German Shepherd Dogs. Many large breeds are known to suffer from hip and elbow problems later in life, but dysplasia seems to unfairly target the German Shepherd. Regular exercise can help to build muscle around joints to protect them. The more muscle, the less stress on the joint. Make sure you keep your puppies lean, well hydrated, and wait an hour or two after your puppy eats before exercise. If you stick by these rules, you lessen the chances of hip and elbow dysplasia, panosteitis, strains, sprains, ligament injuries, bloat, obesity, heart disease and arthritis. Also keep the temperature in mind and watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Stop exercise if your puppy no longer wants to play or stops to rest and everything should be fine. Beginners often have a lot of questions: how long should they walk with a German Shepherd, how often should they do it, and what are the rules of feeding and vaccination. Therefore, before the responsible purchase, it is important to get acquainted with the nuances of ownership. At what age can you walk a German Shepherd? Experts have different opinions about the age at which a German Shepherd can go for a walk. There are two polar positions, so owners should consult their breeder or veterinarian. Some experts, when asked how to properly educate the pet, argue that it is categorically not recommended to walk puppies before they reach 3 months old. This is due to the high vulnerability of puppies to infections, which they can catch while playing with other dogs during the period when routine vaccinations have not yet been done. Put napkins or gravel or sand on it. Keep a close eye on your puppy. The negative side of this approach is the increased likelihood of encountering puddles of urine at night even in adulthood. According to the opposite opinion, up to 2 months old puppies still have the immunity received from their mother, so you should start walking outside as early as possible. Increased production of vitamin D due to exposure to sunlight, preventing the development of rachitis. Frequent exposure to nature increases the production of general immunity. If you decide to walk your puppy from an early age, you must choose a small but clean area and prevent him from coming into contact with other animals, especially stray ones. Until the German Shepherd reaches the age of six months , you should carry him in your arms when walking up a flight of stairs. His spine is not yet strong enough, so sprains when going up and down are detrimental. How long should you walk The duration of a walk with a German Shepherd puppy should increase in increments. In the first days, minutes is enough to familiarize the dog with the world and empty the bowels and bladder, but you need to go out times a day. It is better to go out right after feeding. Further, the duration of time outside should be in accordance with age: three months — about half an hour, the puppy should definitely run; four months — from 40 minutes to 1 hour; at six months, the normal mode of walking is established — at least two hours, twice a day. If it is possible to walk longer, you should take advantage of the opportunity. You need to figure out how to walk your German Shepherd correctly. To do this, you need to follow a few tips. It is important to use every walk outside to teach your dog to potty outside the apartment or house. While the dog is still very young but is already used to having to pee outside, spontaneous but short walks at night are likely. Up to 6 months old, it is important to make sure that the dog does not jump over any obstacles. As with ladders, this harms the skeleton and back muscles. You should try to take your German Shepherd outdoors during daylight hours so that he can enjoy the sunlight. After exploring the nearest surroundings, you should decide where to walk for an extended period of time. Great if there is a park or square nearby where it is allowed to walk the dogs. It is also important to go to special doggy playgrounds. You need to give your pet some freedom to get to know other puppies and adult dogs. It allows: Control the movements of the dog and accustom the puppy to the leash. Helps in the initial stages of training. Prevents him from eating unhealthy food picked up off the ground. Provides safety when stray dogs appear. More mature dogs can be leashed to a collar. Answering the question of when you can put the collar on the puppy, many experienced breeders responded with a recommendation to do it as early as possible, so that the puppy got used to the foreign object initially. Before buying a collar or harness, it is important to pay attention to the material: Leather — is the most durable, suitable for walks and training, but it is recommended to replace it in rainy or snowy weather. Leather gets wet, stretches, and loses its durability from moisture; Tarpaulin — holds its shape in all conditions, but is prone to contamination and has a short lifespan; Synthetic — is versatile and does not have the negative qualities of the previous 2. To properly put on the harness or collar during the period of accustomization, you need to create a comfortable atmosphere for the puppy: calmly call by name, and offer a treat. Before buying, it is important to measure the pup. This will allow you to choose the optimal size collar, in which the German shepherd will feel comfortable, and walks will be a pleasure both for the pet and for its loving owner. 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. For the most part, you let the puppy decide his own activities at this stage. Your puppy, at this tender age, does not need exercise; he needs activity. Indoor play consists of informal activities in which you educate your German Shepherd to avoid dangerous behavior while satisfying his need to be active. At this stage, it is more about mental activity games and basic training as opposed to physical activity. This nifty little toy is excellent for young pups. Here are some low-impact games that are appropriate for a German Shepherd puppy at 8 weeks of age: Puppy the Explorer Let your GSD explore the indoors while keeping a close eye on him. This also presents an excellent opportunity to teach him to follow you. You must do this organically. Wait for him to get in his explorer mode and start walking beside him. Remember not to exceed a period of 10 minutes of exercise in the second month and stop whenever your pup shows signs of being tired. The minute mark is the maximum duration, not the minimum. Initially, your puppy will get tired after a few minutes of walking around and exploring. In each subsequent week, he will be engaged for a few more minutes. You might need to use jazz hands to get his curiosity. Once your pup starts following your palm with his head, simply tap his nose and hug him. At this point, you might be tempted to start moving your arm out of his reach to prolong the game. Follow the Wiggling Toy This is the ideal transition exercise that I would start around the tenth week of indoor play. For this, I recommend the Pacific Pups Rope Toys Set from Amazon, not just because it is budget-friendly but because you can use toys of different sizes as your German Shepherd puppy continues to grow. Once you have him sitting close to you, introduce the rope toy and place it on the floor with your hand holding onto one end. Your job then is to make sure he takes at least four steps before he catches the rope toy. Again, this is a high-engagement, low-impact exercise that builds up the foundation for medium-impact activities later on. Jaw and Bodyweight Exercises Recommended age: 3 — 4 months Maximum duration: minutes per day, twice a day Risk factor: low Things to avoid: sprints Your German Shepherd puppy is now three months old; he is building on his training according to the standard puppy training methods, and you can start to interact with him more physically. Still, his growth plates remain open, and you still need to avoid exercises that strain the joints, especially ones located around long bones like limbs. At the same time, your German Shepherd has more energy and may want to exercise more than is good for him. As a result, your role has shifted. Here, instead of letting your puppy have the toy once he follows it and grabs hold of it, you play a small tug of war with him. If your GSD is used to getting the toy after following it, he may get too defensive when you tug it. I recommended the toy set for this reason precisely. The final thing worth remembering about this game is that you always lose! You place the rope toy on the ground and let your German Shepherd puppy follow it as you move it around. Once he grabs hold of it, you use your arm strength to keep it in place. Do not try to pull it too hard. It is also essential that you gradually move up the tug of war in time and position. Gradually you can move the tug toy slightly above the ground. Throughout this, make sure your dog is on a leash because you do not want to encourage grabbing and dashing. Ultimately, you have to let your puppy win! As soon as you release the toy, he gets to have it for a while. This is also the best stage to train him to release objects on command. Make sure your GSD is on a long leash before you start this activity. Associating running with playtime is risky. A long loose leash allows you to bring him back to you gently. Be prepared to spend a lot of time negotiating with your GSD. I suggest playing tug before this because it builds trust. When you roll the ball on the floor, your puppy will get it. You cannot expect him to bring the toy to you. You simply tug the leash gently and bring him close to you. Then, you hold the ball in place. You should not pull it away. That will only cause your German Shepherd to bite down on it harder. When you have it firmly in place, your dog will try to wrestle it free but will eventually let the ball go. You can encourage this by just talking to him in a reassuring tone and using training treats. As soon as he lets go of the ball, put it on the ground and roll it. As GSDs take pleasure in high-engagement activities, the activity itself becomes a reward. In my experience, this will always be a mixed bag. Some dogs never stop giving pushback at the retrieval stage, while others let go of the ball the moment you extend your arm toward it. Stick to softer surfaces, like grass and dirt paths, while your pup is young and their bones are not fully fused. Most GSD owners simply want to take train their puppy to walk on a leash in the neighborhood and park without getting pulled down the street. There are three basic ways to communicate how you want your German Shepherd puppy to walk on a leash with you: the stopping method, the turning method, and the luring method. The Stopping Method Open the door, but only open the door if your dog is sitting. This step could take some time and practice. Once you both are out the door, have your dog sit again. You need to lock the door and your dog needs to sit for this. During your walk, have your dog sit for you at various times. When he does offer a tasty, high value, quick-to-eat treat. Now immediately start walking again and give the release cue. Stand still and wait until he sits. This could take a while. This is important, especially because one day your little pup will be large enough to injure you if they pull you along on the walk wildly! This will take lots of time and patience. But setting a strong and obedient walk foundation allows you to enjoy your walks more and maintain control over your large breed dog as they mature and grow stronger. The Turning Method Use the same steps as above to get outside your house and begin your walk, except instead of stopping and waiting on your dog, turn in the opposite direction and begin walking the other way. Quietly turn around and guide them along when they get a few steps ahead of you. You may also tire of turning. But stick with it. Either of these techniques takes plenty of patience and a strong mental character. But your dog loves to learn. Their mind is like a sponge at this young age, but they also lack obedience skills and an attention span. Use treats and toys to get your dog to follow you. The Treat Luring Method: Hold the treat at their eye level in front of them so they can see and smell the treat. Take one or two steps forward, having them follow the treat with their nose and eyes. They will probably keep following the treat. She loves them! Take a couple of steps forward while squeaking the toy. As they follow, keep stepping forward and squeaking the toy. After a few successful steps forward, let them play with the toy as their reward. Keep up this game to motivate them to follow you. Eventually, your dog gains confidence in their new surroundings and with your help and will walk on their own. Never allow your dog to run loose near traffic. Never unleash your dog in a new area. Never allow your dog to eat objects found on the ground. They could be poisonous! Never think a person running or someone on a bicycle sees your little pup. Puppies are quick moving and can dart in front of a moving person causing them to trip and fall. This can also injure your dog as they may fall on top of them or kick or step on them. Pup is distracted Remember that being outside with your dog is equivalent to you going to Disney Land! Give them a chance to develop their attention skills, or use the high value treats to make them pay attention to you. If you are limited in the places you can go, choose different routes so your dog gets to experience new smells and sights. The dog looks stressed or afraid Find quieter areas to walk in or use the lure and reward method to help them overcome their walking fears. Carry them home and end your walk. Next time, go a shorter distance and take less time. Use positive training and rewards to communicate. The best walking setup for a puppy is a no-pull harness that connects at two different points in the front and back. No-pull harnesses are great for introducing your puppy to structured walks while keeping them safe and happy. Need More Manners Training? Your GSD needs to learn more than just walking nicely. He also needs to learn all the basics of obedience. Use this free training guide to get started today! This activity is usually one of the longest and hardest to teach since you are competing with the sights and smells of the great outdoors! Stay patient, positive, and stick to your training. Your doggie will love you for it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts.

UKC Classification: Not recognized Prevalence: Common The goldendoodle dog is a cross between a poodle and a golden retriever and tends to exhibit the best traits of both their parent breeds. The goldendoodle is not a true dog breed but, rather, a hybrid, more popularly known as a designer dog: an intentional cross between two purebred dogs, chosen for particular characteristics and traits. With the goldendoodle dog, breeders aimed to combine the personality and temperament of lovable golden retrievers with the low-shed traits of the distinguished poodle. The result was a medium-sized dog with a shaggy, low-shedding coat and the friendliness and eager-to-please nature of the golden retriever and the high intelligence of the poodle — making for a dog who's both easy to train and a sweet family pet. Like their golden retriever parents, goldendoodles also make great service dogs. Their intelligence and obedience are a winning combination that helps them excel as guide dogs, and their affectionate and gentle nature makes them a great choice for therapy dogs. Goldendoodles also possess a knack for sniffing out the presence of peanuts for people allergic to the legume. Because they're not a true breed, the appearance of goldendoodles can vary widely depending on which parent possesses the more dominant genes. Their coat can be straight like a golden retriever's or curly like a poodle's, but it often lands somewhere in between, appearing wavy and shaggy. Goldendoodle puppies may go through different stages before their coat takes on its final appearance. Coloring is often yellow-brown like that of their golden retriever parent, but it can also be any color you'd find in a poodle, including white, amber, red, brown, black, gray or white. It's also possible for the coat to be multicolored. Size also tends to vary widely, depending on what type of poodle is used in breeding. Typically, golden retrievers are bred with standard poodles to produce larger dogs but miniature goldendoodles are also becoming popular — a cross between a golden retriever and a miniature or toy poodle. As a result, goldendoodle puppies can weigh anywhere from 15 to pounds. If you ask your breeder what type of poodle the parent was, you can get a better idea of what size dog your goldendoodle puppy will grow up to be. Personality: As with their appearance, goldendoodles' temperament might take after one parent more than the other. But more often than not, they're intelligent, obedient and extremely loving dogs. Goldendoodles love people and also get along great with other pets, and they tend to be patient and gentle with young children — making them a fantastic choice for families. They are far too friendly to make good guard dogs or watchdogs and would more likely try to befriend a stranger than warn them off. As highly social dogs, they need to be with their family and wouldn't do well as outside dogs or in homes where they'd be left alone for long periods of time, which could cause them to develop separation anxiety. Living With: Goldendoodles are fairly energetic dogs who need room to romp and play. As such, they may not be a good choice for apartments but would do well in a home with a fenced-in yard. They need about 30 minutes of daily play and exercise to stay fit and entertained. With their high intelligence, they can get bored easily and need activities to keep them out of trouble, but they can also be content curling up on the couch for cuddles. If you're crate training them, it's best to provide toys to keep them entertained and to turn on the TV or radio when leaving, so they won't get distressed while they're alone. Although it's possible that they'll take after their golden retriever parents in terms of shedding, goldendoodles more typically don't shed a lot. They don't need to be bathed more often than every couple of months unless they get dirty, but they do need to be brushed daily to keep their coats from matting. If their coat is clipped fairly short, which some pet parents prefer, they will only need to be brushed once or twice a week. History: Goldendoodles first appeared in the s to provide a larger alternative to the already popular cockapoo: a cross between a poodle and a cocker spaniel. They're a fairly recent entry into the designer poodle crossbreeds but have been steadily gaining in popularity, with a more recent surge in demand generated by social media. As they're technically mixed-breed dogs, goldendoodles are not recognized by the AKC or other international purebred dog registries. And as of , no breeding clubs have formed to promote the development of a breed standard. However, they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club and can be registered with that organization. As cute as they are sweet and loving, goldendoodles are also energetic and playful, making them an excellent match for active families who like to include their dogs in all of their outdoor adventures. Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldendoodle Overview Also known as the Groodle, the Goldendoodle ranges in size from small to large, depending on the variant of Poodle that the Golden Retriever is crossed with. Originally bred as a larger alternative to the already popular designer breed known as the Cockapoo, the Goldendoodle has proven to be an excellent family dog. Goldendoodles have achieved success as guide dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and sniffer dogs one study tested their success at sniffing out peanuts in foods for owners with nut allergies. Goldendoodles have also done well in agility. The Goldendoodle is an affectionate and gentle dog that has gained popularity since he was first developed in s. Goldendoodles are usually highly social and get along well with everyone. Goldendoodles should not live outside or in a kennel, however, since they thrive when they are in contact with the people they love. Goldendoodles can be very easy to train and are a good match for first-time or timid owners. The best way to avoid any destructive behavior is to crate them and to provide toys and treats to keep them busy throughout the day. Goldendoodles are considered to be non- to light shedders and may be a good match for people with allergies. They do require weekly or biweekly brushing , and many owners opt to have them clipped. They have become popular quickly, and their star is still rising. They make excellent family dogs and provide gentle, intelligent companionship throughout their lifetimes. The Goldendoodle is the result of Poodle to Golden Retriever breedings. So far there are very few multigenerational breedings crosses between two Goldendoodles. The Goldendoodle is considered to be a non- to light shedder, but he requires regular grooming and clipping. If the coat is kept short, it should be clipped every six to eight weeks and brushed every few weeks. If the coat is kept in its natural state, it should be brushed once every week or two. He may not bark even if someone knocks on the door. He does much better in a home with a fenced yard. The Goldendoodle requires about 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise. Being a wonderful family companion, the Goldendoodle generally gets along well with children and does well with other dogs and family pets. The Goldendoodle is a very social dog who should not live away from his family. The Goldendoodle can suffer from separation anxiety if left for long periods at a time. The Goldendoodle may make an excellent companion to people with allergies. To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Breeding began in the s, after both the Cockapoo and the Labradoodle gained footholds. The fact that the Goldendoodle is still a fairly young cross means that most pups are the result of first-generation breeding. That is, most are Golden Retriever and Poodle mixes; as of yet, breeding rarely occurs between pairs of Goldendoodles. Despite the fact that the Goldendoodle has gained some popularity, especially in Australia, there is still no breed club or registry in existence. There are, however, several online communities for the Goldendoodle lover and owner. Goldendoodle Size Goldendoodles vary in size. These dogs tend to range in size from 13 to 20 inches in height and 15 to 35 pounds in weight. The average height for a Small Standard Goldendoodle is 17 to 20 inches; the weight is 40 to 50 pounds. The Large Standard Goldendoodle averages 20 to 24 inches in height and weighs 50 to 90 pounds. Goldendoodle Personality The Goldendoodle has not become popular for lack of good reason. His positive personality traits are numerous — he endears himself to everyone he meets with his friendly, intelligent, accepting nature. He is loyal and, with proper training, can be highly obedient. He does have a playful side and can be mischievous if the mood hits. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training , and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldendoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. Patellar Luxation: Also known as slipped stifles, this is a common problem in small dogs. The patella is the kneecap. Luxation means dislocation of an anatomical part as a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint often of a hind leg slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be crippling, although many dogs lead relatively normal lives with this condition. Ear Infections: These can be a problem for Goldendoodles because of their floppy ears, which trap moisture. Check and clean the ears regularly. X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem. Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, this condition is also a degenerative disease. The disease varies in severity: the dog could simpy develop arthritis, or he could become lame. Treatment includes surgery, weight management, medical management, and anti-inflammatory medication. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same. An affected dog will have symptoms such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from surgery, prolonged bleeding during heat cycles or after whelping, and occasionally blood in the stool. However, it can be managed with treatments that include cauterizing or suturing injuries, transfusions before surgery, and avoidance of specific medications. Allergies: Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Goldendoodle is no exception. Treatment varies according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Also called bloat, this is a life-threatening condition that can affect large, deep-chested dogs such as large Goldendoodles. This is especially true if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat is more common among older dogs. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists torsion. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid himself of the excess air in the stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen and is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak, with a rapid heart rate. Hypothyroidism: This is a disorder of the thyroid gland. It is treated with medication and diet. Goldendoodle Care The Goldendoodle can be easy to train. He should be trained with positive reinforcement, since harsh corrections could damage his confidence. Socialization is important for all breeds, but for a gentle dog like the Goldendoodle it can be instrumental in discouraging any shyness or timidity. The Goldendoodle has an average energy level and will require daily exercise through walks or a good romp in the back yard. Generally speaking, 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise will be enough to keep a Goldendoodle from becoming bored. Since the Goldendoodle may grow large, he does require room to move. Goldendoodle Feeding Recommended daily amount: 1 to 4 cups depending on adult size of high-quality dry food a day, divided into multiple meals. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Keep your Goldendoodle in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. A Goldendoodle should also be fed several small meals per day instead of one large one, since the Golden Retriever can suffer from gastric torsion, or bloat , a trait that can be easily passed on to any Goldendoodle offspring. For more on feeding your Goldendoodle, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldendoodle Coat Color And Grooming The Goldendoodle should have a wavy to curly coat of about two to three inches in length. He has longer hair on the tail, body, ears, and legs legs may be slightly feathered ; the hair on the head and muzzle tends to be shorter. The coat can be black, copper, white, cream, gray, golden, apricot, or red, although golden seems to be the common coat color. Owners generally opt to clip the coat for easier maintenance; but if you choose to leave it in its natural state, expect to brush it about once every week or two. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Dog toenails have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far you can cause bleeding — and your dog may not cooperate the next time he sees the nail clippers come out. His ears should be checked weekly for redness or a bad odor, which can indicate an infection. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldendoodle Rescue Groups Goldendoodles are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Goldendoodles in need of adoption and or fostering. There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. Goldendoodle Breed Organizations Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have both health and behavioral issues. More Info For You. Available in both the larger standard size and as a smaller miniature, goldendoodles are playful yet gentle dogs that crave human interaction. They do best with daily walks or outdoor play sessions to fill their physical fitness needs and, because both of their parent breeds are friendly and highly intelligent , goldendoodles are ideal for families with small children , first-time dog owners , and as emotional support animals. Appearance Because poodles range in size more than golden retrievers, a goldendoodle's height and weight depend largely on his poodle lineage. Specifically, a standard poodle will result in a full-size goldendoodle, while a miniature poodle parent likely reduces a pup's full-grown stature. Standard doodles can stand more than 21 inches tall and weigh up to pounds. Miniature goldendoodles typically weigh no more than 35 pounds and stand less than 14—17 inches tall. While golden retrievers have coats that stick to the wheat or golden range, a poodle can be one of many colors—this variation also shows up in goldendoodles. While the teddy bear gold hue might be the most popular, breeding can also result in black, white, brown, cream, and red goldendoodles. In very rare cases, a pup bred from multiple generations of doodles will have recessive color traits such as gray, blue, or even be multi-colored. The most common eye color for this breed is brown. As a descendant of the poodle—a popular option for dog owners with allergies—a goldendoodle doesn't shed much , which means they can be a good fit for people who tend to sneeze or itch around pups. For owners who want a big dog that doesn't shed, a doodle that's 75 percent standard poodle and 25 percent golden retriever known as an F1B goldendoodle is a good option. These inherit a curlier poodle coat that's better for those with dog allergies. A goldendoodle can have very curly, poodle-like locks or inherit a more wavy mane from their retriever parent. And despite their allergen-friendly fur, doodles have a double coat that consists of a dense undercoat of short hairs beneath a top coat of longer hairs, called guard hairs. Dogs with this layered fur need regular brushing. Temperament Goldendoodles get their gentle nature from their golden retriever side, making them a wonderful option for families with young children. They're naturally inclined to be careful with infants and toddlers, and will be patient companions for children as they grow up. However, as with any breed, you still need to supervise small kiddos and dogs, and make sure your children learn how to properly interact with pets. As extremely affectionate dogs, they love to socialize and rarely meet a human or fellow animal they don't like—even smaller critters like cats. Instead of wanting to chase, goldendoodles are laid-back and almost bashful. Both poodles and golden retrievers score in the top five of the smartest dog breeds, according to the Goldendoodle Association of North America. So while playful, these pups are obedient with the proper training. They can learn some fun tricks, too. Near the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, Lynne Whitmire has been breeding goldendoodles for over 15 years. The GANA blue ribbon breeder believes the goldendoodle's temperament is one of the best things about them. With such an easygoing attitude, they'll flourish with additional playmates dogs and humans alike. Doodles are also known for loving water; swimming gives them another outlet to get their exercise. While outdoor time is still important, a miniature goldendoodle is more apt to enjoy apartment living than a standard-size doodle. And as long as your pup has been properly trained and socialized, neither the standard or miniature goldendoodles are excessive barkers , so you won't have to worry about any grumpy neighbors. Care Even with little to no shedding, goldendoodles, like all poodles and poodle hybrids, still need consistent grooming to keep their coat healthy. They'll need to see a professional groomer every 6—8 weeks, but won't need much bathing beyond that. Frequent baths can actually cause dry skin, so experts recommend only bathing doodles if they're smelly or dirty. The curlier the coat, the more often they'll need to be brushed. But in general, a goldendoodle needs daily brushing to avoid painful matting. However, if they have a straight coat or a very short hairdo, weekly brushing sessions will be sufficient. A fenced backyard makes exercise easy, but a brisk walk around the neighborhood will also do. Doodles love social interaction with humans and playdates with fellow pups, so they generally shouldn't be left home alone for long periods of time. A lonely or bored goldendoodle can develop separation anxiety and exhibit undesirable behaviors, including digging or barking. Proper socialization and attention should start early and continue throughout the dog's life to ensure good behaviors. Quick to learn and eager to please, these pooches are excellent for first-time dog owners. As with all breeds, they do best with positive reinforcement training and rewarding good behavior with treats. Even a young goldendoodle puppy can learn tricks and obedience through early training and socialization. Health Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 10—15 years, and in general they're very healthy dogs. But, as with all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain health issues. Varying types of cancer can also be passed down from the golden retriever parent, so a health clearance is important to ensure a healthy pup. Consult your veterinarian about warning signs to look out for. Their floppy ears can trap moisture, so owners should clean their dog's ears soon after any water-related activities or bathtime. As with any new puppy, it's important to request a health clearance from the breeder. And all reputable breeders should conduct the appropriate health tests and provide documentation when you buy your goldendoodle puppy. Because this hybrid is so popular , you need to do your research before working with any breeder. As a general rule, avoid breeders who sell multiple mixed breeds, offer to ship puppies, are difficult to contact, or don't let you meet your puppy's parents. In fact, goldendoodles have many similar characteristics to that earlier hybrid. However, goldendoodle coats can be longer and wavier, thanks to their golden retriever genes. Labradoodles, on average, are also slightly larger. Although both types of doodles are very friendly, goldens are generally more enthusiastic about meeting new people. They inherit a social, happy-go-lucky attitude from the golden retriever that differentiates them slightly from their Lab-mix cousins. Labradoodles were created to be guide dogs, and goldendoodles are also commonly used as emotional support animals and therapy dogs. As goldendoodles gained popularity, breeders began taking requests for more variations. They introduced new sizes and traits to please all sorts of dog owners: petites and minis, unique colors, curlier or straighter coats. The goldendoodle may be one of the newest poodle mix crossbreeds, but the breed's popularity is still on the rise. We have Aussies to thank for the growing popularity and the cool name variation. The TV personality and cookbook author has a cream goldendoodle named Gus , who loves to eat her homemade peanut butter dog biscuits. Meet Samson the goldendoodle , who has more than 1 million followers on Instagram. Was this page helpful? Reviewed by Monica Tarantino Dr. Monica Tarantino, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian and writer with five years of general practice, emergency medicine, and geriatric pet health experience. She is certified as a Fear Free doctor. They are the ultimate combination of good looks, smart wits, and playfulness. Thanks to their poodle heritage, they shed little and are hypoallergenic. Goldendoodles make an ideal family dog due to their extreme friendliness and social personality. They vary in fur types, colors, and size, so there's no doubt that you'll be able to find one that suits you. Read on to learn more about these high-spirited dogs that'll brighten your day! Their adorable name was coined in .While not officially a registered breed of their own, Goldendoodles are considered a "designer breed" because each of their parents is a purebred, but different breeds from each other. Poodles don't shed and are very athletic and intelligent, while Golden Retrievers are lovable and playful family dogs. The mix makes the Goldendoodle a great choice for a lifelong pal, especially for those with mild pet allergies , though no dog is completely hypoallergenic. It should be noted, again, however, that Goldendoodles are a mixed breed, and it's difficult to tell which traits they will eventually inherit. After all, every dog is a unique individual, regardless of breed. Continue to 2 of 11 below. Get a Goldendoodle! It is important to realize, however, that all dogs have dander dead skin cells , saliva, and urine, where allergens exist, so there is no guarantee a Goldendoodle won't set off an allergic reaction. Regular baths and grooming sessions can help reduce the chances of your pooch setting off your allergies. Continue to 3 of 11 below. With a heritage of two retrieving breeds, Goldendoodles love to play fetch, accompany you on a jog, race around the dog park with the other pooches, or tussle with the kids. These dogs are great companions for active families. There are several different sizes of Goldendoodles, depending on whether their poodle half was toy, miniature, or standard, and their weight and size can vary from 15 pounds up to 60 pounds depending on their parents. Most love going on long walks, runs, and hikes with their owners, but of course you'll need to pace yourself if your Goldendoodle is on the small side. If you like bringing your pup along on outdoor adventures, consider the Goldendoodle for your next dog. Continue to 4 of 11 below. This breed loves to socialize and be near their owners; marry that with a penchant for playfulness, and you will have a buddy to enjoy plenty of time together in the park. They love to play with children as well, and a good romp in the backyard is a great way to burn off some energy from both your kids and your pet. And because this is an intelligent breed of dog, you can easily teach your Goldendoodle not just basic commands, such as sit, stay, and come, but also tricks like roll over, shake, and dance. Continue to 5 of 11 below. They also typically enjoy spending time interacting with other pooches at doggy daycamps or the local dog park. But it doesn't have to be all hustle and bustle with your pet. Although this doesn't make them the best watchdogs, their calm demeanor is part of what makes this adorable canine so friendly. Continue to 6 of 11 below. In general, however, they have thick coats that are medium-to-long. Many people choose to have their Goldendoodle trimmed every few weeks, similar to poodles. This is especially helpful if your dog has longer, curlier hair that's prone to tangles. If you prefer to keep your Goldendoodle natural, it's important to brush the coat regularly to remove tangles and debris. Continue to 7 of 11 below. That's not surprising when you consider that both poodles and golden retrievers were originally bred to serve as retrievers for hunters shooting ducks. Your Goldendoodle will be thrilled to join the whole family for summer fun at the beach, lake, or swimming pool, but be sure to provide your pooch with a doggy life vest in open waters, and teach him how to enter and exit a swimming pool by using the steps. But you'll want to stand clear when your Goldendoodle decides to shake off all that water! Continue to 8 of 11 below. They can be orange, cream, dark brown, gray, or black in color, although most are golden. Some Goldendoodles are somewhat darker along their upper body, with lighter hair along their chest and belly. Some are even multiple colors. Aging Goldendoodles can sometimes seem to "fade" a little in color. Continue to 9 of 11 below. While the first of these dogs were bred from golden retrievers and standard poodles, producing fairly large offspring, there was soon demand for smaller versions of this popular canine. Today, there are three basic sizes of Goldendoodle, each depending on whether the poodle parent was a toy, mini, or standard poodle. The mini Goldendoodle is around 15 to 16 inches in height and weighs less than 30 pounds. The medium Goldendoodle, which is the most common size, ranges in height from 16 to 20 inches and can weigh between 30 and 40 pounds. The standard Goldendoodle is the biggest size, with an average height of 22 inches and weight of 50 to 60 pounds. So whatever size dog you prefer, there's a Goldendoodle to fit. Continue to 10 of 11 below. For anyone needing a little cheering up, their happy demeanor will bring an instant smile to anyone's face. Goldendoodles also do well as medical alert dogs, which are service dogs specially trained to alert their owner or even call for help when the dog senses that their person is about to experience a seizure or that a diabetic is suffering from low blood sugar. Standard Goldendoodles can also work as mobility service dogs, which help people with mobility issues stand, walk, or balance better. Continue to 11 of 11 below. Groodles is one, while Doodles is another. This breed of dog is also sometimes referred to as the Goldenpoo. But whatever you call them, the Goldendoodle is an adorable, affectionate, intelligent, and lively breed of dog. These codes refer to the genetic makeup of your dog. How do you trim a Goldendoodle's face? For around the eyes, start with blunt-tipped scissors, gently trimming away the hair above them. Cut at an angle, like a downward V. Since the cut line will be blunt, a pair of thinning shears will help it look shaggier. Next, tackle the beard by brushing your dog's fur downward and creating an oval shape with the blunt-tipped scissors. Again, fluff up anything too blunt with the thinning shears. Then, brush the top upwards and trim away anything too long. Finally, brush her ears and trim away scraggly fur, finishing with the thinning shears. How long does a Goldendoodle live? Like their poodle parents, Goldendoodles are fairly long-lived dogs, with an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Goldendoodle Size In recent years , Goldendoodles have become one of the most popular dog types for pet lovers across North America because of their wonderful Goldendoodle temperament, cuddly good looks and they make great family pets. These doodle mix pups are the offspring of two beloved dog breeds — golden retrievers and poodles. The crossbreed poodle mix of these two dogs in this breed group brings out the best of both lines. These dogs are affectionate, loving, kind, and accepting of strangers, making them an ideal choice for both new and experienced dog owners. The Goldendoodle puppy is one of the cutest! Five important things to know about Goldendoodle temperament 1. They do, however, have a very high energy level and a high activity level, and do best in households with enough space and time for lots of exercise. Goldendoodles love all the classic canine activities, such as fetch, long walks, and running. Many also love to explore water and can learn to swim, and they make great guide dogs, service dogs, and even therapy dogs. With plenty of exercises, most Goldendoodles display very little aggression and are very obedient. As your dog ages, you will want to watch for hip issues referred to as hip dysplasia. Most other health issues are minor. Though many top breeders offer trained Goldendoodles for adoption, these pups can also continue their training at home. Goldendoodles are very smart dogs and willing to learn new behaviors and commands with the help of positive reinforcement. Punishments such as hitting or shouting at a Goldendoodle are not recommended and can inhibit the Doodle training process. Crate training and alone time training are highly recommended, as Goldendoodles can suffer from separation anxiety. Socializing Is Good Goldendoodles are naturally curious, friendly dogs and calm around humans and, like their parent breeds, most are also fine around other dogs. This is especially true of professionally raised Goldendoodles that have lived around their littermates for at least the first eight weeks of life. They are both wonderful pets with beautiful curly coats, and both are easy to train. Goldendoodles can have some key personality differences, including more immediate friendliness with new people. Both of these doodle mixes benefit from an active lifestyle, but Goldendoodles can be slightly less energetic. As the offspring of two sporting class dogs, Goldendoodles share DNA with many popular hunting dogs. Goldendoodles can be known to chase smaller wild animals, including squirrels, chipmunks, and mice, so be sure to keep your friend on a leash during their first visits to the local park. In our training program, they will be introduced to other animals to build comfortability and tame curiosity. If you are considering adding a Goldendoodle to your family, you can be certain that it will bring plenty of love and fun into your home. Take a look at our available puppies or contact Pride and Prejudoodles today for more information. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Outgoing, friendly, and intelligent, the Goldendoodle is known for having the best qualities of each parent breed. The Goldendoodle earned its name as a designer dog breed. Similar breeds considered as designer dogs are the miniature poodle and Yorkie poo. The result of coming from a golden retriever and a poodle is the ultimate loving companion dog with a desirable coat type. It is thought that the success of the Labradoodle and Cockapoo brought about the idea of the Goldendoodle breed. With the temperament of a Golden Retriever and the light shedding of a Poodle, the Goldendoodle immediately became a hit across America. By the request of pet owners, breeders have developed four sizes of Goldendoodle breed: petite, mini, medium, and standard. Also due to popular demand, breeders have created a wide variety of coat colors, including caramel, chocolate, cream, and red. Not only are they as friendly and cuddly as a teddy bear, but they are known for their teddy bear appearance. The Goldendoodle coat comes in a variety of fluffy colors and textures. While the golden teddy bear coat color might be the most popular, the Goldendoodle comes in colors like black, white, brown, cream or red. Their coat types can also range from straight, wavy, and curly depending on the genes they inherit from their Poodle parent. Since the Goldendoodle is a mixed breed, mini Goldendoodle puppies can grow into Goldendoodle dogs of all sorts of sizes. A cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and Miniature Poodle will result in a mini Goldendoodle, a smaller dog than if crossed with a Standard Poodle. They are extremely intelligent, and according to the Goldendoodle Association of North America, they score in the top 4 of the smartest breeds. They have an extremely social personality and love to be with their fur parents. The loving and social Goldendoodle personality makes them great family pets, as they get along with kids and other pets. Their temperament is not entirely predictable. Goldendoodle Trainability Because they are so intelligent, Goldendoodles are easy to train and are often recommended for first-time or timid pet owners. Some even call Goldendoodles people pleasers because they always want to make their fur parent happy. If your Goldendoodle is a people pleaser, training will be a breeze. Good Goldendoodle behavior should be rewarded with positive reinforcements. Exercise Requirements for a Goldendoodle Goldendoodles require minutes of exercise each day to prevent them from getting bored and keep them in good health. If possible, take your Goldendoodle swimming. Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles are water dogs, making the Goldendoodle a swimming fanatic. It is recommended that you do not adopt a Goldendoodle if you live in an apartment because Goldendoodles need plenty of room to roam around and play. Goldendoodle Lifespan Despite their large size, a Goldendoodle lifespan ranges anywhere from 10 to 15 years. Popularity of a Goldendoodle The popularity of the Goldendoodle keeps growing! Their light shedding makes them perfect for those with allergies, and their playful, gentle personality makes them a great pet. Feeding Recommendations for the Goldendoodle Goldendoodles require cups of dry food each day, split into separate meals. How much food they require is dependent on their build, metabolism, activity level, and age. How to Groom a Goldendoodle Goldendoodles require sufficient brushing once a week. Only bathe your Goldendoodle when it is necessary, like after a muddy hike, as he can lose essential oils that are necessary for a healthy, wavy coat. For optimal Goldendoodle health, their ears should be checked once a week for redness or a bad odor, which are signs of an ear infection. Clean their ears with a cotton ball and an ear cleaning fluid, making sure to only wipe the outer ear. Are Goldendoodles Good With Kids? Goldendoodles make great family pets. Their patience and unconditional love are Goldendoodle characteristics that bring happiness to kids and adults alike. They are highly social and thrive on human interaction. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air, then twists. If this occurs, get medical attention immediately, as GDV can result in death. Signs your dog has GDV include salivating, retching without throwing up, being restless or lethargic, or having a rapid heart rate. You can prevent GDV by not allowing your Goldendoodle to eat a large amount of food at one time and watching how much water he drinks after eating. Also, try to keep exercise minimal right after eating. Ear Infections: Moisture can get caught in their big, floppy ears, resulting in an ear infection. Check and clean their ears regularly to avoid any ear infections. Elbow Dysplasia: This condition is often found in fast-growing, large puppies. Elbow dysplasia is a sign they have an underlying condition, such as osteochondrosis, fragmentation of the coronoid process, ununited anconeal process, or elbow incongruity. The treatment of elbow dysplasia is dependent on the cause. Epilepsy: Unfortunately, both Golden Retrievers and Poodles are prone to epilepsy. Epilepsy is a lifelong disease for most dogs. However, there are ways to alleviate symptoms. Signs your dog has epilepsy include paddling of the legs, collapsing, frenzied barking or whining, and loss of consciousness. Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a type of thyroid health problem, and is often thought to trigger epilepsy, alopecia hair loss , obesity, lethargy, hyperpigmentation, pyoderma, and other skin conditions. Hypothyroidism is easy to fix with a change to the diet and some medication. Patellar Luxation: Patellar Luxation, also known as slipped stifles, occurs when the knee joint slips in and out of place, causing the dog extreme pain. Separation Anxiety: Due to their love of human interaction, Goldendoodles often suffer from separation anxiety. They hate being alone, so if you are often gone for extended periods of time, a Goldendoodle is not for you. If you have a Goldendoodle and come home to a chewed up couch, a scratched up door, and an angry note from your neighbors complaining about your barking dog, he may have separation anxiety. There are many exercises you can do with your Goldendoodle to help them with their separation anxiety. Your Goldendoodle may have this disease if they have bloody gums, nosebleeds, or prolonged bleeding after surgery. While there is no cure for this disease, suturing or cauterizing injuries can help prevent extra bleeding. Goldendoodles are also known to suffer from a multitude of eye conditions such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, Progressive Retinal Degeneration, and distichiasis. Other Resources. Thanks to their curly, low-shedding coats, poodle mixes abound. The Goldendoodle puppy generally inherits the intelligence and coat of its poodle parent, along with the friendliness and playfulness of its golden retriever parent. Below are seven things you should know about the Goldendoodle temperament before deciding: 1. Most Goldendoodles are as intelligent as their poodle parent — a trait that can have both pros and cons. They pick up tricks and commands relatively quickly compared to other dogs. This intelligence does have a downside, however. Goldendoodles like golden retrievers can become destructive if left to their own devices for too long. Some Goldendoodle puppies are even smart enough to solve puzzle toys or complete mazes. We can ship nationwide. Reserve your puppy today 2. These dogs can be trained to work as therapy dogs or participate in dog course contests. Most Goldendoodles will find this extra training fun since it helps keep their minds engaged as well as their bodies. Even a Goldendoodle rescue dog can be trained as an adult if you have a little extra time and patience. Like some other dogs, they can also be quite funny at times and will enjoy making you laugh. Of course, this playfulness can sometimes be a little exhausting. Like a toddler, your Goldendoodle puppy may not know when to stop playing and start relaxing. If you run a home business or would like to bring your dog to work with you, a Goldendoodle is a perfect choice. They Make Ideal Service Dogs A combination of easy training and friendliness makes Goldendoodles excellent service dogs. In fact, with the proper training, a Goldendoodle can offer all the same services as its golden retriever parent does. For example, Goldendoodles can be trained to: Assist those with hearing or vision impairments Act as guide dogs for those with a disability Learn how to open doors Learn how to switch lights off and on Alert their owners to oncoming seizures or other medical issues Be taught to bring extra help in the event of an emergency Provide emotional support for anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses Goldendoodles are also often used as support animals for veterans and others with post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Many believe service dogs help provide a significantly better quality of life for those battling PTSD. Families with other pets and young children will quickly feel comfortable with their new family pet. Like any animal, Goldendoodle temperaments can vary based on genetics, health, training, and more. The Goldendoodle is a perfect companion for children. As a designer breed, they have always been bred for human companionship. Lots of activity going on at your home? Want a dog you can take everywhere you go, from outdoor dog patios to state parks and beyond? A Goldendoodle is an excellent choice. A Goldendoodle is friendly with other dogs, children, strangers, and other animals. Of course, the best thing you can do is start socializing your healthy dog as early as possible. The downside is that your Goldendoodle can become a very anxious dog when left alone for long periods. When you leave the house, your Goldendoodle may suffer from separation anxiety, which can cause many issues. For example, dogs with separation anxiety tend to become destructive or use the bathroom in the home. If the idea of a great family pet outweighs the ability to leave your dog alone, consider alternatives for your workday. You might hire a dog walker to visit your home once or twice to give your Goldendoodle exercise. Or, you could hire a dog sitter during the day. Bernedoodles Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles are both doodle breeds, meaning one parent is a toy, mini or standard poodle. There are other doodle breeds also, but these two are exceptionally popular. While similar in many ways, several key differences exist in the Bernedoodle and Goldendoodle personalities. For starters, the Bernedoodle tends to be calmer than the Goldendoodle. So while a Goldendoodle may make the perfect pet for an active family with rambunctious kids who like to run and play, a Bernedoodle often does better with a calmer family or young children. Bernedoodles are quite a bit larger than Goldendoodles. A standard Bernedoodle averages 23 to 29 inches tall at the shoulders when fully grown and weighs anywhere between 65 and 90 pounds. On the other hand, standard Goldendoodles will only average 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 50 to 70 pounds fully grown. Miniature Goldendoodle or Bernedoodles will likely be the better choice if you have a smaller home or apartment. Besides personality traits, appearance and price are other considerations. Bernedoodles are often tricolored, while Goldendoodles will most often be a solid color. Bernedoodles also cost significantly more than Goldendoodles, so they may not be the best choice for families with a strict buying budget. We have a few healthy Goldendoodle puppies for sale which would love to find their new forever homes today. His area of expertise is in the responsible breeding of two popular doodle breeds, the Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle. Central Illinois Doodles has garnered significant recognition for their exceptional breeding practices, including being ranked among the Top 10 Bernedoodle breeders in the United States by respected industry authorities such as Bubbly Pet and Pupvine. Additionally, they have been distinguished as one of the best Goldendoodle breeders by Trending Breeds and Devoted to Dog. Related Posts. Aggression and guarding instincts Goldendoodles were first bred by Monica Dickens in .Popularity grew in the s when breeders in North America and Australia began crossing the two breeds. Goldendoodles are still gaining popularity, especially in Australia. However, there is still no breed club or registry in existence. The Typical Goldendoodle Temperament Goldendoodles of every generation are friends of everyone. This results in making them a very good candidate as a family companion. Due to their bright, loving temperament and outgoing personality, they are excellent companions for people with disabilities. They are cheerful, trustworthy, loving, gentle, smart, and highly trainable. This breed does not have a strong prey drive and can be surprisingly friendly towards cats and smaller dogs when introduced. Goldendoodles are highly sociable dogs and need to be in the presence of people. If they do not get the socialization they need, then they can get into trouble. This lack of socialization is the main cause for behavioral issues like barking, jumping, and fear. Linking Exercise with Behavior Another cause for behavioral issues is lack of exercise. Goldendoodles require a moderate amount of exercise and can live happily in urban environments. This breed is active with a high amount of energy that can keep up with all types of activities and exercise, such as fetch, long walks, running, and outdoor canine sports. Many Goldendoodles are attracted to water and love to swim. Keeping your Goldendoodle active will keep them mentally healthy and physically fit. In return, they will have a happy, affectionate temperament and significantly reduced aggression. Most Goldendoodles are extremely smart and easy to train. This dog is willing to learn and responds best to positive reinforcement and gentleness when training. Harsh, loud correction like yelling or hitting to punish them is not helpful when working with these dogs, or any dog for that matter. Socialization skills need to be taught at a very young age and continue throughout their life. A well-trained and highly social Goldendoodle will be a happy companion, with a friendly temperament towards unfamiliar people and other animals. These dogs should be taught gradually to spend time alone to avoid attachment disorder, which can cause behavioral problems. Are Goldendoodles Friendly? Goldendoodles are some of the most affectionate dogs when it comes to family. Some breeds are independent and aloof, even if they are raised right. This is not the case for the Goldendoodle. This can make them less fond of other people, but usually does not affect them. This breed almost has the perfect temperament when it comes to children. The Goldendoodle is a bigger and sturdier breed, but that does not change the way they treat little ones. They are naturally kind-hearted and careful around children. However, they may need some training when it comes to playing around kids, because of their large size. Furthermore, this breed does not tend to be aloof, in fact, they usually friends of everyone, even unfamiliar people. Are Goldendoodles Aggressive? While it is not common for the Goldendoodle to be aggressive or aloof, there are some instances where they can show these signs of aggression and discomfort around other dogs and people. They can be well behaved and friendly around their family, but when you bring an unfamiliar person or dog into their environment, they may act differently. One great way to do this is by rewarding them with treats when they behave positively to new people or dogs. They will start to learn that good behavior is rewarded, and the good behavior will become natural. Guarding Instincts Since the Goldendoodle is one of the friendliest dog breeds, they do not make good guard dogs. They will most likely just bark and do nothing else to ensure the safety of their family. Noisy Behavior and Barking These dogs can be somewhat prone to barking, which can sometimes seem aggressive. Furthermore, this will make them significantly less aggressive and help them become more comfortable around dogs and new people. Do Goldendoodles Like Other Dogs? Friendliness towards humans and friendliness towards other dogs are two completely different things. Most Goldendoodles are fine with other dogs, as are their parent breeds. Almost all Goldendoodles are pretty happy with other dogs, but how they are raised will play a part. It has been found if puppies grow up with their littermates until they are at least eight weeks of age, then they are more likely to be sociable and friendly towards other dogs and animals. They learn canine social skills by being around the other pups. Socialization Enhances Temperament To make sure you have a well behaved and sociable Goldendoodle, socialize them at a young age. As they get older, it will become harder for you to train them to be friendly towards dogs and unfamiliar faces. A few ways you can begin socializing them is by taking them for short or long walks daily. This can be done at the park or around your neighborhood. The purpose of this method is to get them used to unfamiliar environments. Take them to a one-on-one playdate. This can be done at the park or in any controlled environment. If after a few minutes they show signs of positive progression and friendly behavior, take them off the leash and see how they behave. Take them to a doggy kindergarten class to socialize and play. Talk to your local vet, and they can point you in the best direction to find a class right for you and your Goldendoodle. Bad Breeding? These dogs were never worked independently; this makes them extremely friendly dogs by nature. However, a Goldendoodle bought from a puppy mill or backyard breeder with no regard for the health, disposition, and overall consistency of the breed may have serious behavioral problems. Some may include aggression, fear-biting, timidity, separation anxiety, digging, destroying furniture, and excessive barking. It is best to get them from a reputable breeder to ensure a happy and healthy Goldendoodle that will live life to the fullest. Should a puppy be microchipped before being sold? Like the Golden Retriever, the standard poodle was originally bred as a water retriever as well and is highly trainable and athletic. Bred specifically for its small size and companionship rather than athletic field work, the Miniature Poodle tends to be more demanding of attention and is known for their spunky, affectionate personalities and delightful sense of wit. Breeding the loving, biddable Golden Retriever with the clever, devoted miniature poodle is a winning combination for many families! Mini goldendoodles tend to be delightfully smart, fun, and spunky! Owners often describe their Mini Goldendoodles as almost humanlike in their wit and quirks! They are typically very devoted to their owners which can be both a pro and a con depending on your concept of personal space. This is a dog that will absolutely find a way to be in the limelight. He will likely follow you around to all rooms of the house. The downside is that if your miniature goldendoodle is not getting his attention needs met, he may become a bit demanding—seeking your attention with negative behaviors such as barking. Mini Goldendoodle Personality for Trainability? Mini goldendoodles are incredibly trainable — well above average! As mentioned previously, Golden Retrievers are the most common breed in the service dog industry so they are world-renown for their obedience and trainability. The miniature poodle is also known for being eager to please. They are smart sometimes too smart! Likewise, the mini goldendoodle always seems to know what their owners are thinking and feeling. However, he may have his own opinion when it comes to pure obedience. While miniature goldendoodles may have a little attitude and spunk when it comes to their overall approach to life, we would still consider them well above average when it comes to trainability. For the most part they are good natured, eager to please, and catch on extremely fast to new commands! Energy Levels of Mini Goldendoodles When it comes to various dog temperaments, oftentimes smarts and trainability is coupled with high energy. The mini goldendoodle is no exception—we would rank their energy level as medium-high, or just slightly above average. While their short legs may not have the stamina for extended periods of exercise, mini goldendoodles tend to love to play hard and fast in short bursts! They often excel at agility or fetch related activities. Despite being small, this is a dog breed that still needs exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis. They tend to have an excitable nature so you can expect some exuberance when it comes to playing and physical activities! Are Mini Goldendoodles Family Friendly? Overall, the mini goldendoodle is above average when it comes to being able to get along with various members of the family although may not be the best choice for families with particularly young children. Mini goldendoodles tend to be friendly and playful. They tend to get along well with other dogs particularly if paired with another similar energy level. The compact size of the miniature goldendoodle can make them more manageable for some families. They are easy to control a leash and it can be helpful for owners to be able to easily pick up their pup when it comes to bath time, getting in and out of the car, etc. On the downside, the smaller the Mini Goldendoodle, the less likely they are able to keep up with the family on a walk or hike. They may tire easily on longer walks. They usually do well with elementary aged or older children as they do enjoy companionship of multiple family members! For the most part, the mini goldendoodle is a friendly, sociable breed who fits in well with many types of families. Adaptability and overall upkeep? We would score the miniature goldendoodle as average when it comes to adaptability. They adapt well to apartment living. Their small size means they can easily fit in smaller spaces. They need lots of play to release their energy, but a game of a fetch in a small yard will do the trick. They do not need long walks or strenuous exercise. They are above average when it comes to heat tolerance and average when it comes to cold tolerance. Keep in mind if you live in a snowy area, that you will have to comb the fur on their legs and feet to avoid the clumping of snow in these areas and resultant matted fur. The goldendoodle can really adapt to a variety of living situations as their main aim in life is just to be with their owners! This is the area that they are not adaptable in—you must be able to spend time with your mini goldendoodle. This is not a dog that can be left alone in the backyard all day. However, keep in mind, this breed does require regular grooming and brushing to avoid long, matted hair. In conclusion if you are looking for a devoted companion who would never turn down a snuggle and is more than willing to accompany you wherever you go, then the mini goldendoodle may be the perfect breed for you! Their spunky, clever, and affectionate temperaments have charmed many families and made them one of the most popular breeds today. Still, it is important to be prepared to give this dog a lot of love, attention, and play time to ensure a happy partnership between you and your mini goldendoodle!

Breeding Labradoodles takes more than just mating two dogs and hoping for the best. It requires lots of research, time, and money to raise the healthiest litters possible. Unfortunately, the soaring demand for Doodles has also attracted Doodle scammers and puppy mills. The Humane Society conducts an extensive review of problematic breeders and puppy mills each year. Likewise, look for breeders who offer at least a two-year health guarantee for all their puppies. Typically, health warranties cover most or all genetic diseases that the parents have been tested for. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Additionally, many reputable breeders are also recommended by Gooddog. To become a certified breeder by any of these organizations, the breeder must follow strict health and genetic testing standards, and follow ethical breeding protocols. All puppies are handled from the day they are born. The pups are exposed to children, everyday sounds, sights, and household experiences. What Makes This Breeder Unique? We are a small, family friendly breeder of Goldendoodles and Labradoodles in Suisun Valley California. Our puppies are raised at our home and are socialized with adults, children, and other dogs daily. You can be sure your future furry family member will have a sweet, gentle disposition. We pride ourselves on our well behaved, cheerful, and intelligent puppies. Our labradoodles make terrific family companions, activity partners, and even therapy dogs. Our home is in Suisun Valley where our families have been farming for over years. To the west of our farm is Twin Sisters Peaks, the highest points in the part of hilly ridge that borders our little valley. This locally well known peak called Twin Sisters, and is where we take our name from. In this case, mom is a goldendoodle and dad is an Australian labradoodle. Since their settlement in this area, our past generations have always farmed our land. We continue to farm tree and row crops. But we also have great love for animals of all kinds. For many years, we helped our children learn to raise and respect animals through the 4-H and FFA. Just as our parents did with us growing up. Reserve your spot! Or give us a call today! With 17 years of experience in breeding Australian Labradoodles, we pride ourselves on selecting only the best dogs for our breeding program, which in turn ensures that we are producing the best puppies imaginable. We work closely with our licensed vet to perform health testing, including hip and elbow testing; eyes, heart, skin, and patella testing; and a series of genetic tests, on all of our breeding dogs. We provide a temperature controlled, in home my master bedroom environment, with sound therapy to expose your puppy to lifes sounds from an early age. This helps desensitize your puppy to the sounds of life traffic, fireworks, outdoor machinery, crying baby, misc appliances, automobiles, etc. We start crate training at 5 weeks with a soothing heartbeat snuggle puppy to comfort them as they transition to sleeping alone and all the puppies love it and sleep better with minimal crying. We add nutrients and special additives for puppies to their drinking water. We add probiotics to their food for a healthy GI tract and immune system. We make special liver water, gruel, with puppy supplements, dog milk formula to their nutritionally dense food to support eyes, ear, bone, joint, coat and heart health. We expose your puppy to sunlight daily on the deck right outside the puppy nursery area. There is always a plush bedding for their cozy comfort in their play areas for those impromptu naps puppies love. Our puppies are held and played with while being bathed and exposed to water, in our walk-in shower, which builds a positive experience, with water, for their lifetime. Bath time is with a human sitting in this large shower allowing plenty of space for your puppy too roam around and enjoy water in a nurturing experience. The puppies love it instead of being in a sink with a dry human just washing them. Water is actual playtime while they get clean and build positive experiences with being wet. Instead we utilize Puppy Culture, Badass Breeder protocols and tons of love from humans that are passionate and dedicated to what they do. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We look forward to providing you with your fury best friend! When full grown, these health tested, Australian Labradoodle puppies will be approximately pounds with wavy fleece coats, curly fleece coats or the occasional straighter hair fleece coats. Our puppies can go home as early as 8 weeks old. We can also hold back a puppy if you are interested in training services. Sugar Pine Doodles on Facebook. Would you like to be a guardian for one of our breeding doodles? Please click for our Guardian Home Program to learn more. Find the Next Member of Your Family. In July , Kiah, my Australian Shepherd, was killed and the opportunity to adopt a miniature Labradoodle named Daphne came along. Needless to say, I fell in love with the little bundle of joy that helped me get through the loss of my best friend Kiah. My family had always planned on breeding Australian Shepherds, but after bonding with Daphne and meeting other Labradoodles, I was quickly hooked and Ocean View Labradoodles was born. In , I went back to school for a degree in teaching and needed help if Ocean View was to continue. My parents took an interest in labradoodles as well and Ocean View Labradoodles became a family business. My mom, Sheri, is the main contact person for our puppy families now, especially during the school year! The whelping area is in my bedroom, the playpen when they get older is in the living room, and when the pups are old enough to venture outdoors, an outdoor run area is made available to them during the day. They are introduced to a litter box early on, which will get them started on potty training before they leave Ocean View for their new homes. They will also be socialized with our other dogs, our cat, and children of all ages to provide them with as many experiences as possible to lessen their stress when they leave our home. They have been groomed at least twice by the time they join your family. We feed both our parent dogs and our puppies a holistic dry dog food. Lets Bark About It.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. The black German shepherd is a rare and highly sought-after variety of the standard German shepherd dog breed. Although multiple color variations of GSD exist, black German shepherd puppies are one of the most popular thanks to their sleek, handsome coats. The pitch-black color that gives these dogs their magnificent appearance is the result of a naturally occurring recessive gene. This means black German shepherds have naturally existed for quite some time, but they are much rarer than their black and tan counterparts. When properly socialized from a young age, black German shepherds make wonderful companions and excellent guard dogs. These large doggos are best suited for experienced owners with large homes and fenced-in yards. If you are looking for a handsome companion that can double as a guard dog, the black German shepherd is a fantastic choice! Keep on reading to find out more about this rare variety and decide if it is the right canine for you. Black German shepherds are a color variation of the standard German shepherd dog. While they may look completely different, these dogs are the same breed, and the black variety is recognized in the official GSD standard. While purebred black German shepherd puppies can compete in dog shows, they are often overlooked in favor of the classic black and tan look. These dogs were later used by the military as messengers, sentries, guards, supply carriers, and rescuers. Black shepherds tend to be slightly larger than the average GSD, and most have a straighter back. When it comes to features, you can expect your black German shepherd puppy to have a clear-cut head, pointed ears, a long snout, almond-shaped brown eyes, and a black nose. Males are usually around 24 to 26 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. Female dogs are typically smaller and stand between 22 and 24 inches tall and weigh from 50 to 75 pounds. The average GSD can be black and tan, black, sable, grey, red and black, or even black and silver. In German shepherds, black coats are caused by a recessive gene. This means a puppy needs to inherit two copies of a recessive gene from both mom and dad in order to have a black coat. For example, if you mate two sable German shepherds that carry this recessive gene, a quarter of their puppies will have a black coat. However, if you breed a black German shepherd with a sable dog that carries the gene, roughly half of their litter will be black in color. Breeding two black German shepherds is the only guaranteed way to produce a litter of completely black puppies. Bear in mind that all German shepherd puppies change color as they grow. Coat Texture These pitch-black canines have a medium-to-long double coat. The coat can be either straight or wavy and will shed all year long and go through two blowouts — once in the spring and again in the fall. If you decide to welcome a black GSD into your home, be prepared to welcome lots of loose doggy hair as well! Since these doggos shed a lot, invest in a powerful pet hair vacuum cleaner and be prepared to vacuum every day to keep your home clean and tidy. Black German Shepherd Temperament And Character Black German shepherds are best known for their loyal, courageous, obedient, and watchful temperament. Thanks to their protective nature and working history, they make amazing guard dogs that will fiercely protect your family and your home. A properly trained and socialized black GSD puppy will get along well with people outside the family but remain a loyal guardian and protector. They are naturally wary of strangers, so early socialization and consistent training are a must! Although they are working dogs at heart, black GSD make wonderful companions and even get along with children and other pets when properly socialized. An anxious or stressed black shepherd will turn to destructive behavior to relieve their frustrations. As a result, your black German shepherd pup may decide to chew woodwork , destroy your home, or bark loudly. While they are not the best choice for first-time owners, black shepherds make fantastic family pets and companions when properly trained and socialized. Because they tend to get so attached to their people, these pups are better off in homes where someone is usually around to keep them company. Activity Level Highly energetic and agile, these handsome solid black pups need regular exercise to stay healthy and in good shape. Apart from at least two daily walks, your black German shepherd pup will also enjoy running, jogging, hiking, cycling, swimming, or any other activity that allows them to spend time with you. Caring For Black German Shepherd Puppy While they are not harder to care for than standard German shepherds, your black GSD still needs a lot of love, care, and affection to stay happy and thrive. It is crucial to design a consistent care routine for your pooch and keep track of regular veterinary check ups to detect any health problems early on. When creating a care routine for your GSD puppy, pay special attention to the following factors: Exercise The black German shepherd is a highly energetic dog that needs at least one hour of intense exercise every day. Enrolling your puppy in agility classes is a great way to keep them exercised and can be a fun and entertaining experience for them. Games such as fetch, flyball, Frisbee, tug-of-war, and hide and seek are also great options and will keep your pooch exercised and entertained. Intellectual Stimulation Black German shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that can easily become bored, frustrated, and destructive when not mentally stimulated. A bored or anxious black shepherd can cause serious damage to your home and belongings. Companionship Loyal and devoted to a fault, black GSD puppies make superb family dogs and companions. They form strong bonds with their people and are happiest when they can spend time and interact with their families. While they are large and intimidating at first, these pups are loving companions that crave affection and attention. Black German shepherd puppies need company and are best suited for homes where someone is around all day. Grooming The black German shepherd is a high-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. If your pup has a medium-length coat, brush them two to three times a week to remove loose hair and keep their coat in pristine condition. Use a de-shedding tool to remove loose hair and minimize the shedding during spring and fall. To further reduce shedding, bathe your GSD with an anti-shed dog shampoo every two months or as necessary. You should also brush their teeth at least three times a week and trim their nails every other month. Diet An ideal diet for black German shepherds should be formulated for a large-sized dog with high energy. When choosing the best food for your pooch, make sure it contains higher levels of protein, a moderate amount of fat, and easily digestible complex carbohydrates. Keep in mind that black German shepherd puppies grow extremely quickly between the ages of four and seven months, which makes them susceptible to bone disorders. Feed your pup high-quality, low-calorie food to prevent them from growing too rapidly. Known Health Problems As a breed, German shepherds are considered generally healthy. Black GSD and all other German shepherds are prone to the same health problems, including: Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that causes malformation of a hip joint. Affected dogs may or may not show clinical signs of this condition, but in most cases, dogs experience pain and lameness in one or both hind legs. Elbow Dysplasia: This is another hereditary condition commonly seen in large breeds. This condition is caused by varying growth rates of the three bones that make up the elbow, resulting in joint looseness. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus: Also known as bloat, GDV is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested dog breeds, particularly if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink a lot of water after eating, or exercise just after a meal. Degenerative Myelopathy: This is a progressive disease of the spinal cord. This condition affects the part of the cord that gives information to the brain regarding the rear legs. Lifespan The black German shepherd has an average lifespan of around 9 to 13 years. With proper care and regular veterinary checkups, these pups can reach their senior years in good health. Training A Black German Shepherd Puppy Black German shepherd puppies are highly intelligent and obedient, which makes them very easy to train. These pups are fairly easy to housetrain, and they also learn obedience commands after just a few repetitions. Like all other dogs, black German shepherds thrive on reward-based training and a lot of praise. Positive reinforcement training techniques are highly effective for training puppies and adult dogs and are much more reliable than dominance training. Besides training, you should start socializing your black GSD puppy as soon as you bring them home. Since these pups are naturally aloof with strangers, early socialization is essential and will help your dog to become friendlier to other people. Try to expose your puppy to as many people, places, situations, animals, children, and sounds from a young age to help them grow into an outgoing dog. Properly trained and socialized black German shepherd pups make wonderful companions to people of all ages and families with children. Due to their large size and highly energetic nature, these dogs are best suited for large homes with spacious, fenced yards. While they can live outdoors, black shepherds should primarily be kept indoors so they can regularly interact with their people and stay close to them. In addition, because of their high social needs and potential to develop separation anxiety, they thrive in families where someone is at home often and able to keep them company. However, when compared to other varieties, black German shepherds are quite rare and hard to come by. Finding a reputable breeder might require a bit of research on your part, but all the extra effort will pay off in the long run. Since black German shepherds are rare and in demand, be mindful of puppy mills and unethical breeders who just want to make a quick buck. However, the exact price depends on a lot of factors, namely the breeder, supply and demand in your area, and pedigree and quality of both parent breeds. Black German shepherds make wonderful family pets and companions. Naturally loyal and devoted to their owners, they like to be close to their people and spend lots of time by their side. Plus, due to their protective nature, black German shepherds make excellent watchdogs and will always feel the urge to watch over you and your family. The black German shepherd is a rare and absolutely stunning color variation of a standard German shepherd dog. Loyal and protective of their owners, these dogs make fantastic family companions and can also serve as vigilant guard dogs. If you want to bring a black shepherd pup home, be prepared to: Exercise your pooch for at least one hour every day Start training and socialization from a young age Groom your dog at least three times a week Do you own a black German shepherd dog? What do you like the most about your pooch? Share your experience owning this gorgeous dog with us and our readers in the comment section below! Related Article:. I went through diaries from the last ten years or so to come up with the usual times pups begin doing all sorts of things, and the ages at which I do different challenging and socializing things with them. Knowing how much people enjoy cute puppy photos, I put one or two photos in the main text to illustrate a new development and supplemented those by a link to more photos that you can view if you like. I have been breeding for 42 years. Years ago, all the screening anyone did was OFA hips. Then OFA began offering elbow certifications. As I went on and encountered other problems such as eye conditions and bad hearts in dogs I bought as breeding prospects or was offered by breeders as breeding prospects, I began screening my dogs for them as soon as OFA began offering certifications. I began with the old American lines, which still had a lot of German imports in their pedigrees. For example, photos from the C litter [whelped ] are distinguished from those of the CC litter [whelped ] by the use of the one-letter or the two-letter label. First, Selecting Parents I do more health screening on a prospective breeding prospect than most breeders. Thyroid ad eye certifications must be redone annually. When I buy pups as breeding prospects, usually 1 out of 3 pass all my health screenings at age 2. The problem is that most health problems are multi-gene recessive faults and can hide in the gene pool for generations. When a particular pup is conceived, it may get an excess of the bad genes and have a health problem. I follow my pups all their lives and keep track of any problems they might have, hopefully minor, and use that knowledge as I choose future breeding partners. So we breeders work in the dark, guessing which combinations of breeding partners will give us what we want, grieving when individual pups get a concentration of some bad genes for a certain trait. I have a friend who had an absolutely gorgeous, super social, fantastic Rottweiler who had 10 generations behind him of every ancestor having OFA good hips. When he turned two she did his OFA hip x-rays and he was severely dysplastic. It happens. All we have to go by are the phenotypic traits that show up on x-rays, not the genes that the dog has. For OFA evaluation the dog is sedated, stretched out on its back, and an x-ray taken. Three radiologists look at the x-ray and rate it excellent, good and fair are passing grades; failing dysplastic hips are rated mild, moderate or severe. In PennHip, the dog is sedated more deeply. After the standard x-ray is taken same view that OFA uses , a fulcrum is placed under each hip and pressure applied. The actual laxity is measured in the joint. PennHip rates each hip separately and gives each a distraction index and rates the possibility of its developing arthritis as the dog ages. PennHip is MUCH more expensive than OFA and only veterinarians who have completed PennHip training can do the x-rays so for me it not only involves a higher fee for the x-ray but also travel expenses and a day lost from other activities. The only health problem for which we have a gene test is spinal myelopathy DM , where the spinal cord gradually becomes constricted and the dog loses control of its rear end. DM comes from a mutation in a famous German dog who was bred to extensively in Germany and whose progeny are all over the world. DM Carriers will not get the condition as the dominant normal gene carries the day. My breeding dogs also must have some kind of training title. Mine usually have Nosework titles, often the Canine Good Citizen title, sometimes agility titles. Outside stud dogs to whom I consider breeding must have as many health screenings as possible and titles, either those listed above or others such as AKC obedience or tracking titles, or Schutzhund BH or further Schutzhund titles. I am serious about breeding dogs that are mentally and physically sound, with good working drives, and I want prospective breeding partners to have proved that in some way. I show a pedigree for the litter with the titles and health screenings listed for four generations. Artificial Insemination, especially with frozen semen, is iffy, so I wait at least until we do an ultrasound at four weeks in whelp before asking for a deposit; sometimes I wait until the pups are born. People on the waiting list are notified first and allowed to put down a deposit before I advertise the litter on my website. I ask people to spend some time doing the application as it gives me a first idea if one of my working-line pups would work for them. My dogs are intense and highly intelligent, not good for people with couch potato lifestyles or who will not spend time training and socializing. Once I approve a person as a possible puppy owner, they are welcome to come meet all of us. Beginning when pups turn three weeks old, people are invited to come play with them. I have to do an ultrasound to determine if my girl is pregnant. Twenty-eight days after breeding an ultrasound will show fetuses, and more importantly, fetal heartbeats. The heartbeats let you know you have live, developing puppies. The uterus has two horns, with puppies implanted and developing in each horn. German Shepherds are so thick that ultrasounds are of little value other than to confirm pregnancy; learning how many pups she has must wait until we can do a x-ray just before her due date. Otherwise, life as usual continues until just before her due date. We keep on training as long as she enjoys it and she exercises as usual, including her daily ball sessions. The Last Week in Whelp As close to her due date as we dare, we take an x-ray to see how many pups she has so I know for sure that we get all of them safely into the world. A week before her due date, I begin taking her temperature twice daily. I also begin adding some raw beef liver or heart to her lunch. I always save hearts and liver anyone gives me just for the near-to-whelping moms because organ meat helps induce milk production. Even if they begin refusing the raw beef cubes, they will gladly eat the heart or liver. The puppies have begun to drop from high in the rib cage to the abdomen area — her lower sides are larger while there almost seems to be a space up higher. The puppies are just too large to remain up under the ribs any longer. Mom has lots of mammary development, getting ready to lactate, and when she moves she clicks as her udder sways back and forth. Quinta shortly before whelping. She is so big that she looks like a snake as she walks towards me, the puppies swaying to the left during one stride and to the right on the next stride. I let her determine how much exercise she needs and just throw the ball when she returns it to me. I begin to really watch her as her behavior starts to change. She will be restless and want to stay close to me as I wander around the house, often begging me to rub her tummy, placing herself so that she can lean her head back and look into my eyes with her own and make sure I know how miserable she was. The strips absorb fluids as each pup is born and are easy to grab in handfuls to remove before placing more fresh strips in the box. I have tried shredded newspapers at times but generally prefer the strips to be wider. For the first couple of weeks they give the fragile, blind pups a place to squeeze into in case mom lies upon them without realizing it. A thermometer helps me make sure the whelping bed is warm enough. I have a doggie door going to a small private yard where she can potty if she needs to. All is ready. Her crate is right by my bed so I can hear if she becomes restless during the night. If at bedtime the thermometer says anything close to .For whelping, I pull the whelping bed out into the middle of the room so that I can access all of it and have plenty of light. I try to take photos as soon as mom has them cleaned up, but I usually wait to weigh the pup and put on its collar until mom is busy with a new arrival and not too worried about me handling the previous one. Average weight is 16 ounces, though occasionally one will weigh up to 20 ounces. I used to sew pieces of Rickrack into collars, but recently have been able to find Velcro collars in a wide enough range of distinguishable colors to make them practical. The first-born male always gets a blue collar, the first-born female always gets a pink collar, and for subsequent pups I try to put darker collars on the sables and lighter collars on the black and tans, again for better quick identification especially in the low-light whelping room during the first few days. I sit by the whelping bed and read a book, frequently checking mom as she peacefully nurses her pups, then go on alert when she goes back into labor. If she goes longer than 2 hours, I will give her an oxytocin shot to stimulate more contractions. When she delivers a pup, I let her clean it — tumbling the pup around as she chews the umbilical cord and dries it, gets it breathing well and rids it of any fluid inhaled during whelping puppy yelling is healthy! Pup on the heating pad while another is being born, BB litter. More photos: BB litter and LL litter When all are born, I give mom a last oxytocin shot to be sure she has expelled all the placentas. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract, thus forcing out any leftover fluids and sometimes a hidden puppy. I remove all the shredded newspaper, scrub the whelping bed, let it dry and then put layers of flat newspapers under an absorbent fleece bedding that will wick moisture away from the pups plus give them good traction. Quinta with part of the CC litter my Lively is the pup with the multicolored collar. I then lift the pups back into the whelping bed. Joyful with the BB litter, all black and tans. More photos: FF and KK litters After taking a few photos, I push the bed under the table to create a draft-free, private den for them and add a big bowl of cool water for mom. Newborn pups sometimes roll away from mom and not yet know how to sniff and find her. Eventually they figure things out and the new mom relaxes — their yelling having upset her as she tried to be everywhere for everyone. Peace descends and all of us sleep. While every litter is different and the size of newborn puppies in greatly depend on the term, number of puppies in a litter and other factors, the average weight of a puppy in our breeding program is around grams - give or take. All puppies are born very hungry and are latching to their mom shortly after birth. At less than a week old, the puppies began to stretch their legs. They also arch their backs when picked up. They crawl more frequently. Around the week and one half mark, their eyes are ears began to open. Their eyes are blue. Just not yet! They also experience their first incisor teeth. Crawling is much easier at this stage. The puppies begin to: become more independent from their mother eliminate on their own take their first wobbly steps Third week Puppies are walking pretty well at this point and their gait becomes similar to an adult dog. This time is full of exploration, from their environment to their littermates. The puppies learns social skills and experience emotional development. Puppies are able to identify their own species. They can also form bonds with others outside of their kind, including humans. Litter H. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. Brown Black and silver Not only is there a variety of colors your German Shepherd can be, but there are a few different textures their coat can be. Hair length can vary from short to long. Additionally, their coat can be dense and thick, medium-thick, fluffy, and thick, or they can have long, thick hair. Lastly, most of the hair will be in certain areas such as the ears, neck, tail, chest, and the back of their legs. Even if you find yourself with a black German Shepherd puppy, the likelihood that she will grow up to be pure black is very slim. You will most likely end up with a black and tan dog since black and tan is a recessive gene and one of the most popular colors. The genes of German Shepherds work very similarly to humans. The species has two pigments called eumelanin and pheomelanin. The two pigments interact with other genes and are responsible for what color the German Shepherd ends up being. When other genes interact with it, though, eumelanin can result in different colors. These shades can include yellow, off-white, or black with a blue tint. Pheomelanin Turns to Red Phaeomelanin defaults only to red, but it can differ in the shade of red. When different genes are introduced, the coat can turn deep brown to light brown to very pale gold or even a brighter yellow color. The most popular color of red is red sable. Since black German Shepherds are very rare and make up only 6. Although they are the same species, there are a few differences between the black German Shepherd and other dogs of the same species. They also can have a straighter back. Lastly, they usually have a thicker coat, especially at the back of the neck, between the front and back legs, and near the ears and tail. Despite these physical differences, they also have lots of similarities to the standard species. Some similarities include a strong build, erect ears, a fluffy tail, a double coat, and lastly, they are both heavy shedders. This is because of how rare they are and how elegant and striking they look. This will ensure the pup will be healthy and has been cared for properly. Another easy way to find a good breeder is to look at breeders registered with the American Kennel Club. If you are hoping for a black German Shepherd or just curious, it is important to know what color the parents have to be to birth a black puppy that grows up with the same color. The most likely combination is to have both of the parents be a solid black. This will give you the highest chance of having an all-black German Shepherd. One other way to get a black German Shepherd is for both parents to be black and tan or have one parent black and the other black and tan. While these two are less likely to result in a black puppy, there is still a chance. If both parents have a solid black color recessive gene, then your pup will be born black and stay black. A big misconception revolving around the black German Shepherd is that they have health issues because the color is seen as a fault. While the species is known for certain health issues, the issues have nothing to do with the black color. Another misconception is that black German Shepherds have different temperaments. This is also another myth. These dogs have the same temperament as the standard variety: loyal, friendly, active, alert, and intelligent. While they can be aloof at first, they will quickly warm up to you as you bond with them. For a complete overview of black German Shepherds, we have an excellent article for you right here: Final Thoughts All German Shepherd puppies are not born black. They can be born either black, white, or gray. The puppies can stay these colors for up to eight weeks, and then they usually change color after the eight-week mark. Different genes will interact with the pigments eumelanin and pheomelanin, which can result in 13 different coat colors. To birth a black German Shepherd, both parents have to be either black or black and tan. They will both also have to carry the recessive gene for an all-black coat to have a black puppy. Lastly, if you have a black puppy, that does not mean they will have health issues or different temperaments. These are both big misconceptions.

If you are letting your Labrador puppy climb up and down the stairs, pause it immediately. Yes, luckily, Labrador puppies can climb stairs at some specific age of their life. Even at the age of 4 to 5 months old, your Labrador puppy will be strong enough to climb stairs. They will navigate up and down without falling and asking for your help. However, allowing your young Labrador puppy to climb stairs is not recommended. As mentioned above, before the age of 12 months old, your puppy may harm itself by frequently climbing stairs. Can a Labrador puppy go up and downstairs? Puppies are curious about their environment. As a dog parent, you will always find your puppy exploring everywhere. This activity is actually not safe for your puppy, and the experts do not recommend it. If you are not willing to stop your puppy from climbing up and down stairs, you must provide the proper training. The chances of falling from stairs or dislocating a hip bone are less in a well-trained puppy than in others. Is going up and down stairs bad for dogs? Yes, it is bad for a puppy to go up and down stairs. It is highly recommended to stop your puppy from climbing up and down stairs if they do it frequently. When you are not supervising If you do not have enough time to supervise your puppy when learning to climb upstairs, you should not allow them to do this. In your absence, your puppy may fall and break its hip bone along with some other injuries. Safety precautions to make stairs safe for puppies Work on these tasks to make stairs safe for your puppy. Supervise your puppy Experts recommend that dog parents keep an eye on puppies when they are learning to climb up or downstairs. You can prevent your dog from falling and getting some serious injury. Also, you can notice if your puppy is climbing up properly or not. Improve the visibility Improving visibility is always a good approach when your puppy is climbing up the stairs. You can turn on the lights and open up the curtains so that all of the stairs will be clear for your puppy. Keep the stairs clean Keep your house and stairs clean so that your puppy will not fall when learning new skills. The surface should have a grip If you believe that the surface of stairs is too slippery and there are chances of your puppy falling, you should build up some grip. You can place pieces of rubber carpet to increase the level of resistance. Installation of dog ramp For outdoor stairs, you can consider installing a ramp. It may require some training to make your puppy confident enough to use the ramp. Your local veterinarian is your best resource when determining the proper exercise regimen for your specific dog. So many health problems in Labradoodles have obesity as a cause or contributing factor such as cancer, kidney disease, arthritis, and heart disease. Behavioral issues like jumping, barking, and destructive behavior are often made worse by lack of physical activity. Labradoodles tend to be an easy breed for trainability. Keep in mind, sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad. Until your dog reaches their full height and weight, their joints are still developing. Too much exercise or too vigorous of activities can mean life-long bone and joint problems for your Labradoodle. Getting your Labradoodle the proper amount of exercise for their size and age may decrease their risk of many health issues, but there are no guarantees! Puppies are curious, energetic, and love to play. However, their joints and bones are still just beginning to develop. Vigorous or extended periods of physical activity can permanently damage their development. One thing puppies and older dogs both have in common is that they require lots of rest throughout the day for their bodies to recover. Larger dog breeds, such as the Standard Labradoodle, tend to need more physical activity than their smaller counterparts. On the other hand, smaller dogs like the Teacup, Toy, or Mini Labradoodle sizes may need less exercise as adults, but they finish developing quicker. A Teacup Labradoodle, for example, may be done growing as early as months in age. At that point, more strenuous activities like jogging and hiking can be incorporated in addition to longer exercise sessions! Have a question to ask a veterinarian? Click here to be connected via live chat to a real, verified veterinarian! As always, keep watch for signs of injury, heat exhaustion, or fatigue no matter how old your dog is. Be on the lookout for signs like excessive panting , drooling, or laying down. Personality While Labradoodles tend to be an active breed in general, each dog has a unique and individual personality. Some dogs are naturally couch potatoes while others are born to be athletes! Genetics play a role in this and as a result which generation of Labradoodle your dog can make a difference. In general, the closer in DNA your puppy is to a Labrador Retriever, the more high-energy they will be. That being said, you should expect and be prepared for a Labradoodle of ANY generation to be high-energy. Labradoodles that are over-exercised may show physical symptoms like sickness, limping, or avoiding going outside. While walking, they may pant excessively and choose to lie down instead of continuing. On the other side of the coin, if your Labradoodle is being destructive or unusually naughty, more exercise may be a good way to calm them down. Exercise combined with mental stimulation does wonders for obedience training! Still unsure about how much exercise your Labradoodle puppy should be getting? However, they grow quickly to their full size so they can ramp up their physical activity early on. When you bring home your Toy Labradoodle puppy at around 8 weeks, start them off with 10 minute play sessions or short potty-break walks times per day. Each month older they get, you can add 5 additional minutes to their daily exercise sessions. Still have them occur times per day as needed. When they reach a full year old, they can start their adult exercise requirements of minute sessions, once or twice every day. For example, two 45 minute walks would be great. An hour walk and a 15 minute game of fetch in the backyard would do as well! When they reach their golden years, scale back the exercise a little to minute sessions once or twice per day. Mini Labradoodle Puppy Exercise Requirements Mini Labradoodles still can have a lot of energy despite their small statures! For the first 3 months, exercise your Miniature Labradoodle in 10 minute sessions times per day. When they reach 4 months in age, you can add 5 minutes to their maximum session time. When they reach their first birthday, you can ramp up their exercise to minute sessions occurring once or twice per day. At 18 months in age, a Mini Labradoodle is likely full-grown and you can increase their exercise to the adult level of minute sessions, one or two times each day. At years old when they start to slow down a bit, ease up their exercise routine to minute sessions, once or twice a day. Remember, getting plenty of rest is key for the health and happiness of older dogs. Standard Labradoodle Puppy Exercise Requirements Standard Labradoodles are large, active dogs and need a lot of exercise. However, due to their growing joints, they need to be eased into this exercise very slowly. Have multiple, short timeframes for walks or play each day to use up their puppy energy! From months in age, 20 minute exercise sessions are appropriate times per day. From months old, increase that to 25 minutes, once or twice a day. When your Standard Labradoodle reaches 18 months in age, they can have minute exercise sessions once or twice a day. Plan for around hours once or twice a day. Combine walking with other activities and games for best results! As your Standard Labradoodles ages and becomes a senior, reduce their exercise to minute sessions, times per day. Remember, the lifespan of a Standard Labradoodle is shorter than the Toy and Mini versions of this breed. While walking is by far the most common way to exercise your puppy, there are so many more options to consider! What type of exercise your Labradoodle puppy partakes in is just as important as how long they spend doing it. Opt for lifting or carrying your pup when possible. Keep your games of fetch low-impact. Long Hikes — Hikes are normally fairly lengthy. Safe Exercise Ideas for Labradoodle Puppies Play Dates with Other Puppies — This not only provides a great opportunity for physical activity, but socialization as well! Slow Walks on a Leash — Going slow allows your Labradoodle to sniff , which is great mental stimulation! Obedience Training — Training wears your puppy out both physically and mentally. Keep sessions short and fun! Keep games of fetch short and in-control. Avoid lots of jumping or other high-impact movements if possible. Here are a handful of creative ways to sneak in some fun physical and mental activity for your pup! Snuffle Mat or Ball Instead of feeding your Labradoodle out of a bowl, try using a snuffle mat or ball on some days! This makes them use their sense of smell and creativity to find it and get to it! It may not seem like it uses a lot of energy, but mental stimulation can be just as tiring as physical activity! There are lots of wonderful snuffle toy options available on Amazon and Etsy. However, if you prefer to make one yourself, we have a simple DIY snuffle ball tutorial here! Hide and Seek This is an easy, fun game for both you and your dog! Start with some easy locations and watch your pup search until they find you. Once they understand the game, start hiding in harder spots to give them a challenge! Tug of War This is a time-tested game that most dogs naturally love! It also does a great job of helping them reach their Labradoodle exercise needs! They also do an amazing job of incorporating obedience training concepts that will make your dog naturally better-behaved. How Far Can a Labradoodle Walk? When your Labradoodle reaches their adult weight and height, they can walk miles comfortably as long as their stamina is built up. Particularly as a puppy, it can be a real balancing act getting them enough exercise while not overdoing it. More About Labradoodles…. You most likely guard him against bolting out the front door and running toward traffic in the street. But you may not have thought about the stairs in your house and how soon your puppy can safely begin to climb those stairs. Depending upon who you talk to, a puppy should not go up and down stairs from the age of 3 months to a full year. For small dogs, carrying a puppy up and down the stairs may work for several months. So, this can present a dilemma for owners of larger dogs. Fortunately, most veterinarians agree that the majority of puppies can begin climbing stairs when they are 3 months old. However, puppies should be supervised for several weeks to ensure their safety. And some dogs who are prone to hip dysplasia should use the stairs as little as possible. They should not be allowed to jump or bound up and down stairs in a way that could be hard on their joints. Climbing stairs for a young pup can be very hazardous due to injury or physical developmental risks. Most young pups are usually a little frightened of stairs and rightly so! Just think about how daunting it would be for us to run down a flight of stairs head first! Young pups are still developing muscles, bones, and cartilage until they are about a year old. However, this depends on size and breed. Larger dogs mature faster than smaller dogs. Additionally, puppies are still learning how to balance and coordinate their growing body and legs and can be a little clumsy in the beginning. So, stairs present a special challenge. Falling The most obvious danger when puppies try to navigate stairs for the first time is that they may fall. Hardwood stairs with no carpet or any type of traction can be very slippery and challenging for your pup to get a foothold. Even more dangerous are outside stairs that may be wider apart and made of stone, cement, or metal. Therefore, the risk of injury can be higher on outdoor stairs. Inclement weather such as rain, ice, or snow produces even greater challenges. If your puppy or young dog does try the stairs on his own and falls, be sure to take him to a vet immediately if you think he has been injured. Joint Damage Puppies are still developing their muscles and bones and undue stress at an early age can cause some joint damage. This can turn into osteoarthritis as they age, which can lead to an unsteady gait, pain, weakness, and limping. Be sure to see my post about how chiropractic care can help prevent some of this damage. This is why trainers discourage agility training for dogs under a year old, to give them time to fully develop strong muscle tone and bones. Any activity that includes intensive jumping or rigorous running or stair climbing is usually discouraged for puppies until they reach full maturation. When this happens it wears away the cartilage and eventually causes bone-on-bone rubbing and friction. This leads to pain, weakness, gait problems, and lameness. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. During growth, both the ball the head of the femur, or thighbone and the socket in the pelvis acetabulum must grow at equal rates. In hip dysplasia, this uniform growth during puppyhood does not occur. Additionally, it can be caused by too little exercise that does not allow for muscle development, being overweight, and sometimes hormonal changes and neutering are thought to be possible causes. Dogs who are raised in cages at puppy mills with little to no exercise can be just as susceptible to hip dysplasia. This is true for dogs who are allowed or trained to jump and run too much before they are 3 or 4 months old. Breeds that are most susceptible to hip dysplasia include: Golden and Labrador Retrievers. There is obviously a place and a time when a puppy should start climbing and descending stairs. Is your Doodle large enough to even climb the stairs? For a small puppy, a set of stairs in a new home might as well be as looking at Mt. Everest for an adult, that would also be a bit daunting to us. Another thing you should take into consideration is the energy level of your dog. Is your dog patient enough to be able to take the stairs at a slow pace? Your Labradoodle puppy should be allowed to go up and down the stairs when they are large enough and thoughtful enough to be able to follow your lead and do it slowly. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease. Exercise will only make an already existing condition worse. And pretty much every response agreed with me and my vet Dr. For the exact post, I specifically asked about a Labradoodle puppy at 4 months old. If your dog seems really ready for it, everything will be fine Yes. Try to keep him from jumping up or down from anything. Just spend some time with him. If you are there to coach and guide him, he will be a pro at using the stairs in no time. But there was also one interesting response that talked about the hips. How are Stairs Dangerous for Labradoodle Puppies? One of the more common issues is that a puppy can take a serious fall down a set of stairs. My dog Monty is exactly like that. How to Teach a Labradoodle Puppy to Climb the Stairs The best approach in this situation is, in my opinion, to teach your puppy to behave while using a leash. Start by approaching the stairs and make him sit down at the bottom of the stairs. You can quite easily get your puppy accustomed to sitting at the bottom and top of any stairs. The point of this is to get your puppy to either climb or descend the stairs at a slow and steady pace. Walk to the edge of the stairs with your puppy and use the SIT command. Repeat this motion numerous times. Now walk the stairs but without giving the command this time, just wait. He will probably stare at you for a while before eventually sitting down. As soon as he sits down, you should give him a treat. Try repeating this silent approach many times. And this is related to not only Labradoodle or Goldendoodles but also other big breed pups. This can cause joint pain later on in life and perhaps even require surgeries to repair the damage. This can also be said for jumping off a tall balcony or flying himself down the last three stairs. This is also why dogs are required to be one-year-old before being allowed to participate in most dog sports such as agility courses or dock jumping. Having stronger joints allows them to endure the stress of constantly jumping better than developing and immature joints. I have seen some of the studies that are used to support the idea that climbing stairs too soon will lead to hip dysplasia. But there is an important difference between something that is directly causing hip dysplasia and something just being correlated with it. All these studies only show a correlation and never causation. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Some dog breeds are too small or have hip issues which make climbing stairs difficult. But what is almost guaranteed is that puppies will struggle to climb stairs, whether in an upwards or down direction. Their size combined with a fear and unsteady balance will make stairs a potential hazard for them. When can puppies climb stairs? Puppies can usually climb stairs safely at the ages of 12 to 16 weeks. However, this is very much breed and size dependent, as some puppies will still not be big enough at the point to successfully navigate a staircase. Keep reading so you can let your puppy do stairs safely at the right age. Are puppies allowed to go up and downstairs? Puppies are allowed to go up and down stairs, but when they are too small, you should supervise behind them. I would suggest also carrying them downstairs if they cannot go down one step without jumping — that means they are too small and run the risk of tumbling. But in most cases, the age that puppies can do stairs is around 3 to 4 months. Is it bad for puppies to climb stairs? It can also be bad for certain breeds of dog to climb stairs. For example, stairs can be bad for puppies from the French Bulldog breed where the risk of hip dysplasia is higher. Young puppies will be naturally cautious of stairs during their formative months. More about puppies and stairs By and far the biggest challenge that puppies are faced in your home is how to overcome stairs. For young puppies, stairs can almost resemble mountains, continuing upwards for what seems like forever. Just one step at a time can prove a massive undertaking for a puppy, regardless of its age, and it can take many months until they begin to finally master the art of scaling them successfully. Unfortunately, it is not that unusual for older canines to never quite get the hang of climbing stairs, with many choosing to avoid traversing them later in life. For this reason, you must teach your puppy how to do this while they are still young. Without this skill, older dogs can quickly develop extreme anxiety towards climbing stairs, refusing to follow their owner upstairs, or enter properties where steps are abundant. However, there is one question that many dog owners fail to ask themselves before attempting this task, a question that when left unanswered can commonly result in many younger dogs developing long-lasting injuries. At what age can puppies climb stairs? In general, it is not advisable to introduce a puppy to stairs until they are at least 12 to 16 weeks old and fully confident on their legs meaning no clumsiness or wobbliness. That being said, it is not uncommon for younger pups to take on smaller steps from time to time, especially if they are very confident or boisterous. If you find your puppy can climb areas with small sets of steps in the home, do not immediately panic as this is completely normal behavior. Likewise, you should not chastise your pup as this could cause them to develop a negative association with the activity. If your pup is regularly climbing one or two steps, such as those found on a porch or patio, allow them to do so as this is unlikely to have any negative impacts on their health and will, instead, help them build confidence in tackling stairs for the first time. However, that being said, always deter your pooch from climbing larger sets of stairs such as those leading to a higher floor in the house , until they are of an appropriate age to minimize the chance of injury. Furthermore, this advice is especially relevant when it comes to larger breeds such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers, which we will explore in further depth later in the article. If you own one of these breeds or a similar-sized dog, make sure to keep them well away from stairs until they are at least 16 weeks old. In fact, failure to do this could be disastrous in the long run. Additionally, you should also realize that it takes time for smaller breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers, West Highland Terriers, Chihuahuas, Mini Poodles, and Jack Russel Terriers, to grow to a size in which they can easily manage steps without any trouble. This is due to their diminutive size and overall shorter legs compared to medium and larger breeds. Furthermore, owners of small dogs should be careful not to force their pups into climbing stairs when they are very young, as doing so could lead to nasty injuries as a result of a fall or tumble. Although we may not realize it, stairs can be extremely high for small breeds. Unfortunately, many large breeds of dogs are prone to hip conditions, namely Hip Dysplasia, which can plague them throughout both their puppyhood and adult lives. Dogs suffering from this mainly inherited genetic condition develop issues with the ball and socket mechanism that allows their hip joint to move smoothly. Instead, the ball and socket will constantly rub and grind, causing canines significant amounts of pain. Over time, this abnormal motion will result in deterioration in the joint, with some dogs completely losing maneuverability after a few years have passed. Although not conclusive, there is some evidence that puppies can increase their risk of developing Hip Dysplasia by climbing stairs before their limbs have properly developed and strengthened. Despite being primarily hereditary in origin, some dogs can develop this condition solely through experiencing excessive stress on their joints or by suffering injuries. Once they reach a certain age, puppies will be bounding up stairs at will. Therefore, before introducing your pup to stairs, try and ascertain whether they are at risk of developing Hip Dysplasia. If they fall into this category, then prevent them from climbing stairs until they are at least 12 months old. However, it is worth mentioning that Hip Dysplasia can appear in medium or smaller-sized canines from time to time, although this is rare. If you find yourself worried about Hip Dysplasia occurring in your puppy, discuss this with your local veterinarian. Often, they will be able to inform you whether your breed of dog is at a higher risk of developing this issue in the future. With proper care and early treatment, dogs can easily live a relatively healthy and pain-free life. Is it safe to allow your puppy to climb stairs on its own? Alongside the risk of Hip Dysplasia, young puppies who regularly climb the stairs unsupervised are naturally at a greater risk of injury. Therefore, you should make sure to keep a close eye on your pup when they are attempting to navigate stairs, even if they have successfully done so before. Despite many dog owners feeling this is excessive or unnecessary, all it takes is one nasty tumble for a puppy to seriously injure itself. To minimize the chance of this happening you should always block the stairs when leaving the home, even if you are only gone for a short time. Alternatively, if you are unable to block access you can ask a friend or family member to keep an eye on your pup. In the case of older puppies 9 months plus , it is normally okay to allow them to climb stairs on their own. At this stage, they will have developed all the functions and skills to climb stairs without any problem. That being said, be careful not to leave any objects on the steps to limit the chance of your pup tripping and falling. Likewise, you should discourage your pup from playing or running up the stairs, as this can also increase the risk of an accident. Furthermore, this behavior is not only dangerous for dogs but can also result in owners being seriously hurt as well. How do you teach a puppy to use stairs? Teaching a puppy how to climb stairs is a relatively straightforward task. For example, one popular method used by dog owners is placing treats on the stairs. To start, grab some treats and place them on the first 2 or 3 steps, slowly encouraging your pup to climb each one. After they have done this successfully, place a few more treats higher up and repeat the process, continuing this until they have completely climbed to the top of the stairs. Make sure that you reward your puppy for any steps they have cleared successfully as this will reinforce their belief that they have nothing to fear. Additionally, you should remember to remain patient as it could take multiple tries before they feel comfortable. All puppies are different, and some may take weeks before they can climb the stairs without getting stuck or feeling frightened. Similarly, try to project confidence towards your puppy, regardless of whether you are nervous on the inside. They will quickly pick up on your positive attitude and feel less fearful when attempting to climb stairs for the first time. Conclusion Although home environments are mostly a safe and comfortable place for puppies to grow up, there are often several areas that can provide a challenge for even the most adventurous of pups — along with balconies , stairs are up there with the worst of them. With puppies and stairs you need to keep a close eye on them until they are older, more agile, and big enough to climb up or down. You might also like…. This is not true and can lead to owners pushing their puppies to dangerous and inappropriate levels of exercise. Strong Minds in Strong Bodies Appropriate exercise helps build puppies minds as well as their bodies. Exercise has a very particular and important role in brain growth and improves learning, memory and emotional response. But, exercise that is not age and development appropriate can cause significant and irreversible damage. Understanding Puppy Bodies Let's consider growth plates. Growth plates are the soft areas that sit at the ends of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. They contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to become longer. Growth plates gradually close and calcify and this closure is normally completed by 18 months. Until this time the growth plates are soft and vulnerable to injury. Puppy's muscles, ligaments and tendons are stronger than his growth plates which makes the growth plates liable to be injured. Injuries to growth plates may not heal properly or not heal in time for puppy to grow up straight and strong. Puppy Exercise Self directed play is an overriding rule for any young puppy. The majority of exercise can be free play, exploring, digging and noodling around. Climbing stairs are not the best for young pups. There have been studies that have found that puppies who climbed 'flights' of stairs daily before they were 3 months of age had an increase risk of developing hip dysplasia. Although the labradoodle is not prone to hip dysplasia it indicates that stairs represent a strain on any puppy's joints. Exercise Guidelines There are lots of guidelines for many types of exercise, but the most common questions are regarding running, walking and agility. Continuous Walking - sustained or continuous walking to be slowly built up. At around 6 months - 30 minutes walk is acceptable. Increase gradually and if puppy appears tired or reluctant you should back off. Running - No directed running going for a run with puppy's human except for short spurts in play until puppy has reached maturity approx 18 months. Puppy can run as much as he likes on his own. Running and endurance training can gradually be introduced around 18 months of age. Agility - Usually starting at 18 months of age. Learn more here or other smaller breeds. You can always check with your breeder and vet, but as tracheal collapse can happen in miniature poodles, for miniature Labradoodles this is a preferred collar type. Lack of mental stimulation can result in destructive behaviors from your pup. To learn more about this and the added benefits of mental exercise, we put together our favorite games and tips for Labradoodles. All puppies need a good foundation to start from. When born, a puppy needs to get used to handling and contact with their human friends. Holding their paws, touching their muzzle, tail, ears… all go towards the goal of getting them used to experiences with people. Letting puppies get used to sounds and sights is encouraged, and starting at a few weeks old you can let her explore. This is just the beginning of the process known as socialization, which you can learn more about in our detailed guide. Attention and contact are great stimulation, as well as playtime. Just be mindful they are still very young and developing! Still have questions or concerns? We covered everything from obtaining your puppy to surviving puppyhood in one piece to caring for adult dogs. A loose leash walk is the ability to walk your dog at your pace without him pulling you along. The dog is accustomed to staying near you and letting you take the lead. This takes some training and practice. There are a few ways to train a dog to do this. Among them are working with no leash and rewarding them for staying nearby. Other methods include gently encouraging them to stay at your pace with the leash. For example, if they pull forward you can stop, cheerfully call them, and take a few steps back. It will not happen immediately in most cases. In the end, she will naturally follow you along and at your pace. Smaller Doodles might be easier to keep near you, while larger ones might tend to pull a bit more. Each dog is unique though! If you struggle with it, try and find a professional early on. How much exercise should I expect when my Labradoodle is full-grown? Labradoodles, in particular, can be high-energy dogs, so as they grow you should be sure they get enough attention and activity. We have an entire guide covering exercise from puppy to adult, including our favorite activities, which you can read here. Ample room both indoors and outdoors are ideal for this breed. They are athletic, active and agile. Like people, they will work their way up to more strenuous activity. At full grown, they will be active and playful! They typically love the water and are natural swimmers. As a retriever breed, a nice game of fetch is always a good idea! Remember that each puppy is an individual. Regardless of his size, parents, and breed, each puppy will have his own personality. How long do Labradoodles live? Some studies have shown that mixed-breed dogs have a greater life expectancy than pure breeds. Your Doodle might surpass either of its parents in age. Smaller Poodles tend to live longer and Poodle mixes from a small Poodle may do likewise. So again, talk to your breeder, and see what the lineage of your puppy is. How healthy are her parents; how old were her grandparents? You can have at least a good idea of what you might expect from that information. A trip to your vet can confirm her health and of course, get her any needed shots. Ideally, your Labradoodle will have a lifespan of 12 years or more! Providing your dog a safe and nurturing home can only help her. Proper nutrition, care, socialization, and exercise will all help your Doodle live a long, happy life. Hungry for more? Check out all of our Labradoodle articles to become an expert on the breed. Food We feed our puppies 3 times a day until they reach approximately 19 weeks old. Then we switch to 2 meals per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. We will send you home with a sample package of the dog food that they were on while in our home. If you plan on switching, please do so gradually as to not upset their stomachs. Click Here for a great site that rates the different dog foods. Whole Dog Journal is an informative monthly newsletter packed with wonderful stuff. They also do a dog food review that is invaluable. To check it out Click Here. Clean, fresh water should always be freely available. Apple Cider Vinegar is said to have a large number of benefits for them. For more information: Click Here Sleeping Your new Australian Labradoodle puppy will be missing its mother and litter mates and the comfort of cuddling with them to sleep. It may help to rumple up the bedding and roll up some towels for puppy to snuggle up to. Each pup will go home with a cloth that has been rubbed against their mom and will retain her smell. Put this with your puppy so the familiar smell will help puppy settle in for the night. Some soft music or a ticking clock can also be helpful. Your presence will be reassuring. Your puppy will need to go out in the middle of the night, so wear your warm PJs. House Training Your Australian Labradoodle puppy will come to you already familiar with the crate. House training is more about your vigilance than it is about the puppy. Restrict the area your puppy can be while indoors. Watch your puppy like a hawk. If they show signs like circling or sniffing, carry them outside. When puppy goes in the right place, have a little party and then go back inside. Puppy should be able to hold it for an hour, then let puppy out and go directly outside to the potty spot. Once puppy goes, have a party and then take puppy back inside for some free time with you. As puppy succeeds with the free time, you can lengthen the time. Soon puppy will be spending a few hours with you, an hour in the crate and then pottying outside. This routine will take time and lots of commitment. Once puppy understands that outside is the place to go, you can give puppy more free space in the house. Remember, puppies need to go to the toilet at some predictable times such as after waking up from a sleep, after eating or drinking, after anything exciting…. Exercise Australian Labradoodle puppies under 1 year old should have restricted time on the leash. Jogging for miles or going on very long walks on the leash forces the puppy to perform the same mechanical movement at the same pace for long periods of time. This is not natural for puppies. Puppies are used to changing pace frequently, galloping one minute and then trotting the next. If puppies are forced to maintain a pace for a long time, it can damage ligaments and immature joints. Playing outside and short periods on leash will provide puppy a safe amount of exercise. Leash Times: 10 wks-4 months: Puppies could safely do a 15 minute walk on leash. Puppies should not be allowed to do any of the above. Failure to observe these things can induce hip dysplasia and other joint problems even in a healthy puppy.