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Being a veterinarian, Dr. Cathary decided to make pet food for both cats and dogs that focused on the nutritional needs of these animals. Royal Canin creates and distributes all of its pet food in their own production facilities. Unfortunately, Royal Canin does not specify where they source their ingredients. Despite being very thorough in the details of where their pet foods are made, Royal Canin has not shared much information about where they get the ingredients that go into their products. The company states that they carefully pick their ingredients and try their best to use raw materials that are close to each of their manufacturing plants. However, sometimes they use international suppliers, so not all of the ingredients that go into Royal Canin products are locally-sourced. Royal Canin Products And Recalls Royal Canin offers a huge variety of dry and wet dog food and cat food, such as breed-specific and veterinary diets. The former is formulated for purebred dogs and cats by taking their specific nutritional needs into account. For example, the ingredients used in the Royal Canin Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog food claim to help with cardiac function. This is a common health concern with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as they are predisposed to heart conditions, such as mitral valve disease. For example, the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Diabetic dog food is targeted for dogs who have diabetes mellitus. The company offers pet foods for all life stages of dogs and cats in both dry and wet form. Royal Canin also has pet food options for small, medium, and large cats and dogs. Regarding recalls of Royal Canin products, there have been a few in recent years. The most recent recall for Royal Canin was in May .The company was told to recall various Royal Canin pet foods, which involved multiple Kasco and Sensible Choice formulas due to possible melamine contamination. The ingredients used in their dog foods are not as high-quality as brands with a similar price tag since they use controversial ingredients such as maize corn , hydrolyzed animal protein, and animal by-products. These types of ingredients are not very nutritious for dogs, and hydrolyzed animal proteins do not name which parts of the animal they come from. This is not to say Royal Canin is a bad brand. The huge variety in their pet foods is notable, and they tailor to an array of different types of dogs and cats, whether they are purebred, small, medium, large, or suffer from a specific health condition. This aspect alone makes it clear why they are popular among cat and dog owners, as not many other pet food brands offer such an elaborate range of products. Based on reviews from consumers, a lot of pet owners are happy and satisfied with their dog foods, so it does show that the brand has worked well with a lot of pets. Additionally, Royal Canin products are available in most pet stores and even veterinarian offices. Product Name. Lab puppies are energetic little learners eager to run, swim, and fetch. Although active, they also tend to overeat and gulp down their food. They can benefit from the right growth formula to provide immune system support, healthy growth, weight management, and digestive care as they take on puppyhood. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever dry puppy food is tailor-made nutrition created just for your pure breed puppy. Whether you have a Yellow Lab, Chocolate Lab, or Black Lab, this exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your Labrador Retriever puppy with specific nutrients to help them thrive. The unique donut-shaped kibble is specially designed to help your fast eater slow down and actually chew. An exclusive mix of antioxidants and vitamin E supports their developing immune system and keeps their body growing strong. Calcium and phosphorus support healthy bone structure, while a balanced energy content helps them maintain an ideal weight. Once your Lab puppy is over 15 months old, transition them to Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult dog food for precise nutrition into the adult years. Read more Promoting pet health and wellbeing Creating value for our entire ecosystem Committed to become certified carbon neutral by Cookie Settings. Or use express checkout methods: Checkout Order now, fast shipping and specialized vet support About this item Details Labrador Retriever puppies are some of the most affectionate dogs you can have as a companion. They quickly become part of the family, and providing them with the best possible care is important. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy offers complete and balanced nutrition so you can enjoy many happy years together! Nutritionists at Royal Canin know each dog is unique. This recipe caters to your puppy's biological profile. Firstly, this formula helps maintain your woofer's ideal weight, keeping them light on their paws. Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important during puppyhood since a weight surplus can harm your puppy's joint health. So, through a mixture of balanced calories, protein, calcium, and phosphorus, this kibble supports your puppy's development while preventing excessive weight gain. Puppies are still developing their immune system, meaning an "immunity gap" opens them up to dangerous ailments. So, Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy includes an exclusive antioxidant complex with vitamin E to boost your pet's immunity. Likewise, Labrador puppies have a sensitive digestive system, which makes feeding them the right food essential. Hence, this dry food contains prebiotics and highly-digestible proteins to support a healthy gut microbiome and promote stool quality. Lastly, this kibble's shape, size, and texture are tailored to your Labrador's jaw. Because of this, your pet will have an easy time picking up food and chewing it, making mealtime more accessible. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy overview: Maintains ideal weight with balanced calories, protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Supports immunity with exclusive antioxidant complex and vitamin E. Features prebiotics and highly-digestible proteins for digestive health. Technological additives: clinoptilolite from sedimentary sources 10g. Sensory additives: yucca extract mg. Contains preservatives and antioxidants. Analytical constituents: Crude protein: .Dimensions This product is available in the sizes: 3 kg. Optimal feeding amounts may vary according to your pet's temperament, activity level and environment. If you have any questions regarding your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. Transition Instructions We recommend at least a 7 day transition before you begin feeding the new food exclusively. On the 7th day, you can feed the new food exclusively. All of our dry diets are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and rosemary extract. Our canned diets are naturally preserved and sterilized during the cooking and canning process. Where do the ingredients in Royal Canin diets come from? Royal Canin is making strides towards sustainability by attempting to obtain sources of raw materials as close to each manufacturing facility as possible. In some cases, we use international suppliers, because only those suppliers can offer raw materials that comply with our quality and food safety standards. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain by-products? Royal Canin chooses ingredients because they deliver high-quality nutrients that support our customized pet food formulas. Using chicken by-product meal instead of chicken meal for example will allow Royal Canin to maintain its highly customized nutrient standards while achieving a more secure and sustainable supply. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain grains? As always, we focus on the nutrients each ingredient provides and grains can provide many important nutrients. How do you ensure Royal Canin diets are safe for my pet? Our Quality and Food Safety systems are state-of-the-art and we continue to invest heavily in new technology to make sure they remain that way. We monitor every load delivered to our plants to verify the safety and quality of the ingredients we use to make pet food. We perform tests on finished pet foods before they are shipped to our customers. How do I know which Royal Canin diet is right for my pet? Based on size, age, lifestyle, and breed, each cat or dog has unique nutritional needs. For healthy pets, use our Product Selector to find the right diet for your cat or dog. If your pet is experiencing health issues, please refer to your veterinarian for more information. Your veterinarian will consider multiple factors when recommending an appropriate diet. They partner with veterinarians, breeders and other pet experts to recognize the effect of each nutrient as they develop formulas for a particular breed. The breed's lifestyle, life stage needs and the tendency to develop certain health issues are all studies, taking every detail into consideration so your dog can be his most magnificent self. That clear focus steers their research and underpins the quality of the nutrition. Developed Through Science and Research: Royal Canin has over formulas that have been developed by vets and nutritional experts and tested at one of their research facilities. Committed Quality and Safety: Nutritional quality and product safety are at the heart of their operations. With more than , analyses on raw materials and finished products per year, they never compromise on providing your pet effective and precise nutrition. Their obsession with detail is what makes it possible to deliver precise, effective nutrition for a variety of breeds, sizes, lifestyles and health needs.

We have owned and bred American Bulldogs since .As a breeder, it has always been my dream to have and produce extremely large and bully monsters while maintaining the agile athleticism of a true working dog. So I hit the books and the internet to gain as much knowledge as I could. I discovered a dog with compact muscle, immense strength, agility, extreme bully looks, courage, loyalty and a brain that can fill their basket ball heads. The American Bulldog was the breed for me! The research didn't stop there. I had only scratched the surface. I now had an insane amount of styles of American Bulldogs in front of me. After years of researching bloodlines, I narrowed it down. What's in the works Are dogs are very important to use and apart of our family. We are Health testing all of our current stock and adding new blood that is also health tested to our lines. As you know we got big goals, adding new blood is tricky. We are currently in the process of combining show quality with huge bone and thick muscle! Maintaining show quality structure on the biggest thickest beast we can get it on is the goal. We love the shock and awe that DAKK'S dog already get no matter the crowd they are in but we want more. Who doesn't love an impressive dog that not only is built on quality but can move and even work. We invite you to take a peek at our handsome, friendly, large breed American Bulldogs. We are a a team of private American Bulldog Breeders and our dogs and pups are never kenneled or crated. They are our family pets and roam our house and land. We breed loving American Bulldog Puppies for you and your family to cheerish. Learn More After breeding these amazing creatures for 22 years. We have perfected the best breeding standards that have award us the 1 American Bulldog breeder in America. At We Love American Bulldogs we take a lot of care and pride in helping educate families about the breed that are interested in bringing one of these beautiful creatures into their homes. As any breed the most important thing you can do, is educate yourself about the breed that you are about to bring into to your life. We hope by offering these documents and our YouTube videos, about the breed and about the puppy you are about to consider to be a part of your family, that you will do it with complete awareness of your responsibility to the breed and your puppy. Get a Puppy Our team at "We Love American Bulldogs" feel blessed to care for these wonderful creatures we brought into the world. We worked very hard to make sure the foundation of your puppy is stable, loving and strong. Now we hope with all the information my over 22 years experience with this breed bring me, that we will share with you, that you will stay the course and make sure these pups are the best and true American Bulldog they can be. A Day In The Life.We specialize in breeding and training, working American Bulldogs that can do it all! Our dogs exhibit intense drive, stable nerves, and sound structure. All of our personal competition dogs and retired dogs live inside the house with the family. At Norcal's American Bulldogs we strive for the total package. Our dogs excel in competitive sports such as Schutzhund, Mondioring, obedience, agility, weight pull and even dock diving as well as the conformation ring. Many of our dogs make excellent sport dogs, weight pull dogs, and conformation prospects but others are just as happy in active pet homes. Some of the dogs listed on our website are in co-ownership homes all across the US and even Canada; this allows each dog reach his or her full potential! Our dogs are medium sized, performance hybrid lines with a lot of personality. We believe in breeding quality over quantity and all of our litters are well planned out. We make sure to carefully match our puppies to their future homes so they can reach their vull potential. Please explore our site to learn more about our breeding program, training regiment and family companions. No way. These Bulldogs are very gentle and love being around kids and adults alike. Besides that though, American Bulldogs are very confident, highly alert, and are extremely loyal to their owners. They're also very protective of those they've bonded with, even the kids. Continue reading to learn more about the American Bulldog, popularly known as being a descendant of the Old English Bulldog. Popularity: Very popular. Trainability: This dog is strong willed and can be stubborn if left with the wrong person. Training can be challenging if you don't show assertiveness and leadership. This breed isn't recommended for the first time dog owner. Once dominance is determined, it's possible to train this type of dog for obedience and agility. They were also used to catch and take down feral pigs. Energy Level: Active and energetic. Also likes to establish dominance. You'll need to be able to keep up with this dog if you want the experience to be a good one. Requires daily exercise as well as a yard or farm to play in. Temperament: If not trained properly early on, these dogs can have a tendency to be quite bossy and stubborn. They are generally friendly though and snuggle and cuddle with the best of them on the couch or in the bed. Friendly and social when trained. It's best to have no other animals in the house and this dog will guard you with its life. Not good with other dogs of the same sex and definitely not good with cats. Necessary Space: Due to the high energy and exercise requirements of the American Bulldog, you'll need enough space for it to run and play. If you try to keep one in a small apartment, things will get even smaller very quickly. Talents: Great to exercise with when trained properly. Also, this is an excellent watch and guard dog. As stated above, this breed can be extremely loyal and protective. Life Expectancy: years. Group: Working group. A few terms and phrases to describe the typical American Bulldog puppy and dog: loyal, stubborn, companionable, somewhat difficult to train, good guard dog, protective, needs exercise, big softie, good watch dog, worker, friendly, loving, good with families, strong, muscular, alert, self-confident and good with kids. Find American Bulldog puppies for sale near me. Search our free American Bulldog dog classifieds ads by owner. Find American Bulldogs wanted, to adopt, and better than Craigslist. We specialize in Bully-type, also sometimes referred to as Johnson American Bulldogs. However on occasion we do produce fantastic standard- and hybrid-type American Bulldogs. We breed for functional and balanced temperament allowing for the American Bulldog to be a family member and a companion while having the drive and intelligence to perform desired functions. At Grand Future, we typically produce large American Bulldogs. Males range in lbs and females range in lbs. We have always bred to a significantly stricter breed standard than the current American Bulldog breed standards under U. Dogs with the following characteristics are not shown at conformation shows nor bred in our kennel: 1. Full black mask — this genetic trait is usually a result of another breed having been infused into the gene pool. Usually a dog with a kinked tail itself is not at risk of health complications as a result of the kinked tail. Teeth — dogs missing more than 3 teeth. Dogs lacking full pigmentation are more susceptible to various health problems. Lack of pigment is also responsible for deafness in dogs. We have never produced a deaf dog. Interested in a puppy? We have many repeat buyers — over 30 families have purchased 2,3,4, and even 5 dogs. Our dogs generally love children and have balanced temperament. Having produced over dogs in 7 generations, we have history and data that allows us to make some conclusions that we believe are significant. The very common problem of hip dysplasia that afflicts this breed is nearly non-existent in our kennel. Our dogs tend to have normal locomotion — good movement due to anatomically sound physical structure. Our dogs have never torn ligaments such as the Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL , which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never prematurely died from heart problems, which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never been diagnosed with tracheal hypoplasia — a hereditary genetic defect common in bulldog breeds that leads to potential deadly obstruction of the airway. Our dogs tend to live long. Our foundation dog lived to the age of 15 years and 10 months old. Our dogs have never been afflicted with cancer at a young age. The earliest instance of cancer has been encountered at 8 years of age by one dog. The remainder of cases have been documented at over 10 years of age. The biggest tragedy for an owner is in having to care for a sick dog as a result of poor breeding, and be absolutely helpless as that dog passes in their arms. Exorbitant medical bills end up being paid to prolong the time together even by just a little with the beloved family member. As with any animal breeding program, our kennel is not immune from problems. This drives us to continually improve. We maintain contact and help our owners in any way we can; even at 4AM or during a vacation since we have owners all over the world in various timezones. Our breeding expertise enables us to deliver healthy, beautiful, strong, and intelligent American Bulldog puppies. We provide a contractual health guarantee against the following genetic health problems — hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL ruptures, cataracts, entropion, ectropion, heart, kidneys, thyroid, ichthyosis, cryptorchidism, epilepsy, and any neurological disorders including NCL. Our conversation with a prospective owner always involves questions to understand the kind of dog the person would like — the more details the better. If so inclined, the prospective owner can request guidance in picking the puppy based on personality and activity level, temperament, phenotype, and more. We evaluate our puppies at 6 weeks of age on a variety of parameters. We provide lifetime unlimited advice and guidance by phone to owners concerning all subjects relating to dog ownership. You can be sure you will have the information you need to succeed even if this is going to be your first American Bulldog puppy. Because we stand by the quality of our work, we want our owners to participate in our breeding program and we are happy to provide the necessary guidance. Our dogs are also ideal candidates for service animal work. Training a service dog requires a significant investment of time and money, making the genetic health and temperament of the dog even more critical. A service dog needs to be healthy, hassle-free, intelligent and receptive to training, have stable temperament to handle any type of environment, and of course lead a long life disease-free. All of these selective requirements for service dog candidates make Grand Future American Bulldogs an ideal fit. Join us in our mission of producing the best American Bulldogs possible! Professional worry-free shipping worldwide Of course our preference is for you to come visit our home, get acquainted with us, and pick up your new American Bulldog puppy in person. However, we understand that it is not feasible for everyone. Even if you do not live anywhere near Nevada, do not be concerned — we are highly experienced at shipping our American Bulldog puppies worldwide, as even just the list of our Grand Champions and Champions spanning 9 nations attests. We can prepare all necessary export documentation. Search this website.

Articles As a first-time pet owner, you definitely want a dog who is cute and adorable, a good companion, and at the same time, obedient and easy to train. If you are looking for such a dog, you should consider getting yourself the Black Pug. What exactly is a Black Pug? A Black Pug is a version of the popular Pug breed that comes with a shiny, black coat. While Pugs, in general, have been popular for over 2, years, the Black Pug was popularized by Queen Victoria, who owned several of them. If you are considering purchasing the Black Pug, it is crucial for you to know all the important information pertaining to this adorable little doggie. In this article, I am going to share all the important information about the Black Pug, including its health problems, its temperament, and how to care for the pooch. Appearance Like other Pugs, the Black Pug is a small, stocky pooch with a barrel-shaped body and short legs. The most distinguishing feature of the Black Pug is its round head and flat face coupled with a short snout that is covered in wrinkly skin. This is typical of brachycephalic dogs. The Black Pug also has large, bulging eyes, small ears, and a curled tail. Height And Weight The Black Pug is considered to be a toy dog breed because it is relatively small in size. A fully-grown adult Black Pug stands at a height of about 10 to 13 inches 25 — 33 cm tall, and weighs about 14 to 18 lbs 6. Generally, female Black Pugs are smaller than males. Sometimes, a Black Pug can weigh more than 18 lbs, since they tend to get overweight quickly if they are overfed. Keep track of their weight with a puppy weight growth chart. Color This is the main distinguishing factor between the Black Pug and the Fawn pug. As you can tell from the name, the Black Pug is black in color. In most cases, the Black Pug will have a shiny, jet-black coat from head to toe. Sometimes, however, a Black Pug might have some white markings on its chest, which are referred to as mismark. When looking for a Black Pug, it is important not to confuse brindle for black. Brindle is a coat coloring that is a combination of black and brown stripes. Pugs with a brindle coat do not fall under the Black Pug breed. Coat Most Black Pugs come with a single coat, though it is not uncommon for some Black Pugs to have a double coat. Black Pugs with a single coat shed less than those with a double coat. Compared to other Pug colors, the Black Pug is relatively rare. Actually, the black color of Black Pugs was originally thought to be a birth defect, and most pet owners avoided Black Pugs. However, this has since changed, and Black Pugs are now highly sought after. It is good to note that the Black Pug is not the rarest Pug. So, what is the rarest Pug color? While Black Pugs are not that rare, the fact that they are not as common as Fawn Pugs means that breeders will try to convince you that they are rare. As a result, they will usually charge you a higher price for them. The price will depend on where you are buying your Black Pug puppy, as well as your intended use for the puppy. If you are buying a show-quality Black Pug, you can expect to pay more than you would for a Black Pug puppy that you only intend to keep as a pet. The reason behind the high prices for Black Pug puppies is because they are born through C-section. However, it was later discovered that the only difference between Black Pugs and Fawn Pugs is their color. That said, Black Pugs experience the same health problems that affect other Pugs. These include: Breathing Problems While the flat, wrinkled and mushy face of the Black Pug makes them adorable, it sometimes causes obstructions in their airways, making it difficult for them to breathe. This condition is known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to various eye problems, such as corneal ulcers. Luxating Patella Pugs are prone to a condition known as luxating patella , which is characterized by a dislocated kneecap. This condition causes lots of pain and leads to walking difficulties. Screw Tails Pugs have a distinct, curvy tail referred to as a screw tail. While the tail looks cute, it is actually caused by a gene defect that causes the vertebrae in the tail to twist. Ordinarily, this is not a problem. Sometimes, however, the twisting of the vertebrae can start further up the spine, leading to a condition known as Hemivertebrae. Despite the health problems covered above, the lifespan of a Black Pug is about 12 to 15 years. Proper care is important if you want to keep your Black Pug healthy, strong, and happy. Here are some things to watch out for when it comes to caring for your four-legged friend. Feeding Requirements You should keep your Black Pug on a diet that is low in carbs and high in protein. As I mentioned, Pugs tend to gain weight easily, and therefore a high-carb diet can easily make your canine obese. I recommend feeding your Black Pug with dog food from Pet Plate. Their dog food is made from all natural ingredients, it is designed by a vet nutritionist, and is cooked in a USDA facility. In addition, it comes in different flavors and comes in pre-portioned containers. Exercise Requirements The Black Pug is a very playful dog, and therefore, you need to make sure your little pooch is getting enough playtime. Anywhere between 30 and 40 minutes of playtime per day is enough. When exercising your Black Pug, you should vary your route regularly to keep your furry friend stimulated. In addition, you should use a harness instead of a leash when walking your Black Pug, since leashes can easily put pressure on their throat. It is also recommended that you take your Black Pug for a walk in the mornings or evenings when it is cooler. Temperament Of A Black Pug One of the major concerns for people looking to get a Black Pug is their temperament, especially considering the popular belief that Black Pugs are very mischievous. So, are Black Pugs naughtier than other Pugs? There is no difference between the Black Pug and the Fawn Pug except their color, and therefore, the temperament of a Black Pug is similar to that of a Fawn Pug. They absolutely love it when you show them lots of love. Fortunately, they also know how to show love in return, and will want to spend time cuddling on your lap. They can also be a bit mischievous, though they are not any more mischievous than other Pugs. Due to their love for attention, they easily develop separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. When they get lonely, they will start chewing on your furniture, carpet, and shoes. Very Friendly Black Pugs are very friendly little doggies. They will get along well with just about anyone, from your kids and other pets to complete strangers. Intelligent But Stubborn Black Pugs are very intelligent dogs. They learn commands and tricks quickly and can easily read your emotions. However, they can also be a bit stubborn, which can make them difficult to train, especially if you do not know their likes and dislikes. Due to their intelligence, they also get bored quickly, so you need to mix things up for them when training them. Otherwise, they will stop paying attention. The Fawn gene is recessive. So, what happens if you breed a Fawn Pug with a Black Pug? In this case, the puppies will be either black or fawn, depending on whether the Black Pug is a dominant black or a hybrid black. The best Pug cross breed for you will ultimately depend on what you are looking for in a dog. That said, however, some Pug crossbreeds tend to be very popular. Save for their color differences, there is no other difference between different colored Pugs. Therefore, the best Pug color will depend on your likes and preferences. Provided that you take precautions to ensure you are getting a healthy Pug, you can go for whatever color pleases you. Their coats can be black, fawn or silver. Silver-coated pugs are extremely rare. Although black pugs possess the dominant color gene, breeding a black and a fawn pug does not guarantee any particular color. In fact, many experts and breeders recommend against the cross-breeding of black and fawn pugs because it can create many unusual colors that are not recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC. Obtain a black pug and a fawn pug if you want to breed them. The puppies will likely contain a mixture of colors that will not be recognized by the AKC. If you are not interested in show dogs, you can breed the two different color pugs and should not see any ill-effects from the breeding. Schedule a veterinarian appointment so that your pug can be examined to ensure she is in good health and able to breed. The veterinarian should check for parasites and update your pug on her shots at least two weeks prior to breeding. Introduce your male pug to your female pug two or three days after she begins her estrous cycle. The stud can be in the same pen as the female pug for a day or two so that they can pair. Visit your veterinarian shortly after your pug has been bred. Your veterinarian will let you know if your dog is pregnant and will suggest nutritional supplements if necessary. Construct or buy a whelping box for your pregnant pug. Allow plenty of time for your dog to become accustomed to the box. The whelping box should be roomy, about a foot longer than your pug lying on her side, with low sides so that you can reach in easily. Line the box with paper until the puppies are born. Some suggested whelping supplies to gather and keep in the room are scissors, clean towels, paper towels, iodine, unwaxed dental floss and a heating pad. Keep the room quiet, warm and away from other dogs. Look for signs of labor. She may stop eating and will look for a place to "nest" which will hopefully be the whelping box. Tips There is no way to ensure that the pug puppies will come out a certain color or multiple colors. If you breed a black pug with a fawn pug though, you will likely get some unusual colors and patterns. What Is a Fawn Pug? The fawn Pug is a common color variant of the Pug breed. This dog has a pale coat color that has soft cream or a faint tan shade. Fawn Pugs may also have lighter or darker fur in some areas of their body. Other than its color, the fawn Pug shares most of its traits with the rest of the Pug breed. When we chase back history, there are only a few details about the fawn color. However, it was noted that Pugs are considered an ancient breed, and it was through selective breeding wherein the fawn color was developed. These brachycephalic dog breeds were standardized by the 19th century, and the fawn fur color was generally used as a foundation in shows as it gained popularity during breeding processes globally. Generally, the fawn and black fur color of Pugs are recognized as standard by reputable kennel clubs worldwide. Fawn-colored Pugs are usually seen in dog shows and movies since they are more desired by pet lovers. These Pugs also come in different varieties, such as regular fawn Pugs, apricot fawn Pugs, and silver fawn Pugs. However, they are still the same dog breed. These color varieties are just simply to describe the tinge and fur shade. Are Fawn Pugs Rare? These non-black Pugs are the most common Pugs globally. Despite them carrying recessive genes, fawn Pug puppies are about two-thirds of the Pug population. However, a particular fawn Pug variety, the silver fawn Pug, is pretty rare. They are much lighter than the regular and apricot fawn Pugs. A fawn Pug is a small breed dog with a pale tan coat color or slightly yellowish and very light cream. They also exhibit a brachycephalic head, which means that they have flat faces. Fawn-colored Pugs have wrinkled faces, a short muzzle, big prominent eyes, round heads, and non-erect ears. Their bodies are usually compact with a curly tail at the back, and their legs are short. They have masks that typically cover the muzzle and chin and extend around the eyes. This marking is highly desirable in dog shows, especially darker ones. Moreover, they have a darker brown sheen or black hairs on their backs called trace. It predominantly starts at the back of the neck down to the base of the tail. However, the trace may fade away as the fawn puppy matures. In addition, there may be slight differences between male and female Pugs. However, both genders grow to about 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh between 13 and 20 pounds. Although fawn Pug puppies already came from a tiny breed, their size and weight should not be confused with teacup Pugs that are not pedigree dogs. As mentioned above, these Pugs have varieties that have silver or apricot tones. Some kennels consider them under fawn-colored dogs, while others separate them as apricot Pugs or silver Pugs since fawn is a broad term. Pugs with apricot fawn coats have a medium cream appearance that is darker than that of a regular fawn Pug. Silver fawn Pugs have the lightest shade, and they usually appear as extremely pale silver tinge coats. They may have markings such as masks on their faces, but each purebred Pug will have unique placements of these marks. Most Pugs are also not uniformly solid in color. Some may have lighter or dark coat hues. Other rare Pug colors that are not fawn are brindle Pugs, panda Pugs, and chocolate Pugs. However, we will discuss those in other articles. A Pug puppy gets one color gene from each of its parents. Combining these two color genes will determine the coat color of the litter. A reputable breeder usually does DNA testing to achieve the desired fur color. That means the parent should be both fawn Pugs, or the black Pug being bred to the fawn Pug should carry the recessive genes for fawn Pug litter to be produced. This happens because black is a dominant color, meaning you only need one black gene to produce black Pugs, despite being bred to a fawn Pug. In the case of a fawn-colored Pug puppy, they either lighten or darken, especially in their first year of existence. As puppies, they may appear with a dirt-like appearance due to the black hairs intermingled with their light colored-fur. These hairs are called smuttiness, and they often fade as the pup grows. The same goes with the trace. In contrast, the masks of non-black Pugs tend to darken as puppies mature into adults. They generally follow the guidelines set by the Pug Dog Club. However, Pugs with non-standard Pug colors such as silver fawn, those with brindle coats, and apricot Pugs can still be registered in AKC but cannot compete in show rings. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes three Pug colors — silver-fawn, fawn, or black. Aside from either fawn or black Pugs, the Kennel Club of the UK accepts four coat colors as a breed standard, including silver and apricot-colored dogs. For generations, the Pug breed has proven to be great companions and family pets. Fawn Pug puppies have docile, charming, playful, and affectionate personalities, making them loved by most dog lovers. An essential thing to consider is that a fawn Pug does not tolerate being left alone for long periods and is highly attached to its owners. So if you want a clingy buddy, a fawn Pug puppy is perfect for you. They are great with children and other pets, including cats. However, they still need to be socialized early to know how to behave appropriately. These fawn puppies are intelligent purebred Pugs that respond well to training and positive reinforcement. However, you may need to stand your ground at times since most Pugs are stubborn. Furthermore, they tend to be energetic, so as Pug owners, you should give them about 30 minutes of exercise to shake off stored energies and avoid destructive behavior. It is important to note that coat colors do not affect the temperament of your Pug. Female Pug: Which Is Better? The lifespan of a fawn Pug is between 11 and 14 years. They are a brachycephalic breed which makes them prone to several health problems. This makes them at risk of developing respiratory problems like laryngeal collapse and hypoplastic trachea. This can cause neurological issues, pain, weakness, and loss of bladder control. However, this can be managed by rest and anti-inflammatory medicines. Heat Stroke: Pug dogs are affected mainly by heat strokes due to their tight coats. They are sensitive to changes in temperature and do not do well in hot climates. Keeping them indoors during summer can help avoid this condition as it can be life-threatening. Many factors will surround the health of your puppies, such as acquiring them from a reputable breeder, diet, exercise, and genetics. Puppy Prices and Expenses Since the fawn color in Pugs is one of the standard colors, fawn Pugs are priced similarly to other Pugs. Adopting a fawn Pug puppy is a great option. This means you get to save money while giving a rescue pup a second chance at life. They will need essential items to transition and settle into a permanent home. Here is a list of initial expenses in owning a fawn Pug puppy: Type of Expense. Killah K pm, 14 June My puppy came from a fawn mother and a black dad.Just was curious on if other black pugs have come from the same combo.I would think that my little lucas would have been a wierd color mix.Let me know your thoughts?! My puppy came from a fawn mother and a black dad.Publish Preview bethanym. His fur is pretty dark with a brownish overcoat on his torso that's more apparent in the summer. I heard the weird color mixes bridle can only be achieved by breeding in another type of dog that has a bridle coat, so brindle pugs would not be technically considered purebred pugs. There had to be another breed mixed in there somewhere. Post Reply Jane Caruana 16 years ago My oldest black bitch had a fawn mother. When I mated her to a black dog, out of a litter of seven puppies there were two fawn dogs. The rest all had good black coats. There are mixed thoughts on the subject of cross breeding fawn and black, on the one hand it prevents too much inbreeding in the blacks, however, if overdone, it can give a brown tinge to the coat. I have heard it recommended that if you need to breed with fawn it shouldn't be done more than once every seven generations. Post Reply Killah K 16 years ago Yah, my black pug has some brown fur around his shoulders and at first I thought it was dirt, but that is the apparent blending of the 2 colors. He's still very black though. I guess I'll wait to see if he gets any other random patches of his fawn mother's hair. Post Reply. Black Pugs Overview Pugs are found in two basic colors, black and fawn, plus silver-fawn and apricot-fawn standard with clubs other than the AKC. Black is a very interesting coat color with the Pug; distinctive markings seen with fawns do not show on black Pugs, however, an all black Pug is extraordinarily beautiful. This article will dive into the details about black Pugs including popularity, variations, possible markings, photo examples, mistaking brindle for black, coat aspects, questions regarding behavior, and origin. Black Pugs in Kennel Club Breed Standards Though there are variances in regard to non-black Pugs with all major kennel clubs, there is agreement across the board regarding black Pugs. How Common Are Black Pugs If you've noticed that there are generally fewer photos of black Pugs than fawn Pugs or that you don't see black Pugs in person very often, this is because there really are fewer of them. To determine more precisely how many black Pugs there are, we presented the question of 'What color is your Pug? This polling suggests that a bit less than one-fourth of Pugs are black or in other words, 1 in 4 Pugs have black coats. Variations with Black Pugs In conformation show rings, all major kennel clubs expect black Pugs to be solid black. And, this is indeed what many black Pugs are, but there are some exceptions. Black Pugs can have small markings, sometimes referred to as a mismark, which can occasionally be seen with Pugs of all colors. If this occurs, it is often a small white or light patch on the chest. Aside from this, there can be larger markings, seen as faults in the show ring, which may include a larger area of white on the chest or a scattering of lighter hairs throughout the coat. This doesn't stop her from being active with her family, Jerry, Shelly and Taylor Koltz in Frisco, Texas Just like humans, dogs can develop gray hairs as they age. It does not happen to all Pugs, but to a majority of them to some extent. While this will not be very noticeable on fawn Pugs, gray hairs on black Pugs stand out quite a bit. In some cases, graying will only be seen around the face, but other seniors can grow gray hairs on any other areas of the body. The appearance of gray hairs with black Pugs may start as early as the 8-year mark, but is most commonly seen with those age 10 and up. Mistaking Brindle for Black Brindle is a pattern of interlocking striping colors and is not an accepted standard color for the Pug with any of the well-known kennel clubs. In fact, many wonder where this color came from or if it can even truly exist in the Pug bloodline. Other breeds were used to develop the Pug which is where the pattern most likely came from; however, since it is not a color called out for in breed standards, most breeders do not aim to produce this and it is only seen sporadically. As you can see with Luna here photo below who is a brindle, there is a lot of black in the coat. Yet, it is woven in with fawn as part of the brindle pattern. While she may have an overall appearance of a dark coat, this should not be confused with a true black coat. This may lead you to wonder why there are more fawn Pugs than black ones. The main reason is that breeders choose more often to produce fawns. If both colors were equally represented within all breeding programs, there would be many more litters of black Pug puppies than there currently are. Each pup's color is determined by a pair of color genes, one comes from the dam, the other from the sire. If both genes in the pair are black, the Pug will be black. If one gene is black and the other is fawn, the pup will be black since it is the dominant gene and overpowers the fawn. If both genes are fawn, the Pug will be fawn. Interestingly, despite their coloring, black Pugs carry the fawn gene, known as SS, though it is a recessive gene. The B gene produces the black coat color. Generally, it is not acceptable to breed a black Pug to a fawn. Crossing colors will not improve the coat or color of either type. Therefore, with no benefit to the pairing, most breeders will focus on one certain color. This said, due to recessive genes, a litter can consist of both fawn coats and black coats. In most cases, there will be more fawns, with a ratio. Size, body structure, ear set, bite set, tail shape , and eyes are all the same for all colors with this breed. While you may see black Pugs that are smaller than fawns, there are just as many that are larger. And while you may spot more fawns with double-curled tails, there are just as many black-coated Pugs with the double curl. Any physical differences that you may see are just a matter of those particular dogs. Non-black Pugs have black ears and a black mask black over the muzzle and around the eyes , and of course technically this is there with black Pugs but is part of the dog's overall coat. The toe nails on Pugs of all colors can be black or white, though black is preferred in conformation events. Differences - The one and only difference between the two colors is that some but not all black Pugs often have a single coat versus the double coat seen with most fawns. The double coat consists of both a soft and dense inner layer and a short, shiny outer layer. Black Pugs that have just the single layer will be missing the inner layer. While you may not notice much of a difference by eye, you can often feel the difference when petting a Pug and this does affect how much a Pug sheds. With double-coats, there will be more shedding since the inner layer rapidly cycles, especially in the fall and spring. There is generally more upkeep needed with grooming tools to remove the dead hairs. Personality Differences There is much debate on whether coat color determines a Pug's personality. Some may say that black Pugs are better behaved, are more relaxed, or are less vocal than fawns. Yet, just as many will say the opposite. The question of personality traits is one of nature versus nurture. Is behavior inbred or does a dog's environment and type of care received shape the personality? It has been our experience that while genetic traits regarding temperament can be passed down, it is how a Pug is raised, trained, and treated that will have the biggest impact on that dog's overall behavior. The Origin and Popularity Spread of Black Pugs Unlike many other breeds whose development was meticulously recorded and those documents are preserved as part of history, the Pug's early development is shrouded in mystery. General consensus is that the Pug originated in China thousands of year ago at least B. Chinese drawings, carvings, and statues depicted dogs that were, most likely, ancient ancestors of the Pug. But, unfortunately, documents covering the very early development of Pugs was essentially erased from history when some time around B. Yet, of course, moving further ahead in time, evidence and record-keeping started up again, including those connected to the appearance of black Pug dogs. Black Pugs are known to exist as early as the 's thanks to William Hogarth's painting of one in House of Cards .The artist was an owner of Pugs and portrayed many in his paintings so there is an exceptional visual record of this breed's appearance from over years ago. House of Cards, a painting by William Hogarth showing a small black Pug [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Note that this far back in the breed's development, the body was more slender and the face was not as flat. It was in that black Pugs first appeared in England which allowed them to eventually spread to other parts of the world including the United States. It is believed that Lady Annie Brassey, a Victorian author who traveled extensively, is responsible for this introduction. On one of her trips to China, she brought back a pair of black Pug puppies and decided to show them at the Maidstone Dog Show that was held that year. Due to her efforts, black Pugs where shown more and more and started gaining acceptance and popularity. Black Pugs actually became recognized as a separate variation of the Pug in by the Kennel Club in London. Do you have a Pug? This comprehensive care book guides you through every step of your Pug's life. Are you part of the PetPugDog family? Join us by becoming a free PetPugDog Member ; this will allow you to receive newsletters that announce new articles and help you stay up-to-date with care tips and other information. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Chinchilla Platinum These coat colors are usually not a pure-bred coat color but a mix of a few other breeds. Most of these breeders are breeding from the pure pug line. If you want a pure breed pug, keep in mind that these rare pug colors are usually not pure breeds. The short answer is YES. Mask and Ears Most fawn pugs have a black mask and ears. The mask will start under their chin and extend up over their eyes as well as covering their muzzle. These are the most common looks of a pug. The masks and black ears can be of different shades and varying amounts to give each Pug their unique look. Smuttiness Some pugs have what is called smuttiness. This is when your Pug has a lot of black hairs that are mixed with lighter colors in their coat. If your fawn-colored Pug has a few black hairs here and there, this is not considered smuttiness. Many times, a dog with smuttiness will have enough black hairs which looks like a mild haze to their color. Smuttiness is a fault and will cause your Pug to getting deductions in the show ring but will not be disqualified. The Trace A trace is a dark line on their back. A trace will usually begin at the scruff of their neck, going all the way straight now their back to the base of their tail. This line can be varying degrees of thickness and darkness. Sometimes the trace may not be apparent when your Pug is young and will slowly start to show up as they get older. The opposite is also true, your Pug may have a trace at birth, and this will slowly fade as your Pug starts to mature. Also be called a diamond due to the irregular or diamond shape of the mark. A thumbprint is present when your pug is born and puppies very rarely develop these as they get older. It may get bigger or darker as your dog ages but rarely does it appear or disappear as your puppy grows. These two traits are very highly wanted in pug breeds. In the AKC show ring, the darker black these spots, the better. White Paws While white paws are not common or wanted in a show ring. However, they can happen. White paws are usually due to the gene or mixed breed pugs. A pug with white paws will likely have white on their chest, body, or face too. It is normal for a dog to change color some as they get older. As previously mentioned, some of the black markings may fade or get darker as your Pug gets older. A fawn color pug may also get lighter or darker as they get older. Some of the apricot or silver colorings may not be present when your Pug is born but may start to show up as your puppy grows and develops. The amount of smuttiness can go away or even get darker as your Pug gets older. As your Pug reaches adulthood, the black mask and ears will usually become darker. As your Pug enters their senior years, they will also start to develop gray on the face and muzzle. Your Pug will not change from a fawn pug puppy to a black pug as an adult or from a black pug puppy to a fawn pug as an adult. The changes will be lightening and darkening the color they were as a puppy. FAQs 1. Will the color of my Pug affects their behavior? Some people do think that black pugs are more energetic and more personable than fawn pugs. There are no studies that show that personality is related to coat color. Most of the time, these differences in personality are how the dog was raised. Pugs can be very hard-headed, loving, and loyal dogs. These dogs are great with kids and very easy to train. Each dog will have its own personality based mostly on their lifestyle and training, giving you a wonderful companion for many years. Does a fawn Pug shed more than a black Pug? Shedding is based on the breed of the dog and not their coat color. Most Pugs have a double coat and will shed a pretty good bit. However, some black pugs shed less than the double-coated ones because of their single coat. The coat type has a much more effect on shedding than the color of their fur. Most pugs have black nails, no matter their coat color. Some pugs may have a few light-colored or brown-colored nails, which makes it easier to see quickly when trimming their nails. Final Thoughts I hope you find this article helpful about the different colors of Pugs. Check out this video below for the different Pug types you may want to know.

We actually import our dogs from reputable breeders in Australia, Hungary, Ireland, Russia, and the country of origin of Golden Retrievers: Scotland. We believe in quality golden retrievers. Our breeding is on a small scale, but results in a higher focus on quality. We breed, first, for good health. Second, for great temperament. And third, for looks. We pride ourselves on producing fabulous looking dogs with attitudes that are just as attractive as their appearances. All of our breeding males and females are Heart, Hip, Elbow, and Eye screened. We generally keep and train one puppy from each litter. They'll come with an introduction to basic obedience and a great foundation to build upon! Our breeders in Ireland are truly exceptional. They follow our protocols and practices. Every puppy is raised with love and attention to detail. Learn More Pricing Pricing is always a consideration, but there is no such thing as a good cheap Golden Retriever! We've outlined for you what actually goes into the pricing of our puppies so you can feel confident about what you're receiving. Learn More Puppies We have new puppies arriving all the time. If you're interested in a puppy then be sure to check our puppies page regularly. Learn More What Our Customers Have To Say When we came across the Syrah Goldens website back in , we had no idea how much Hollie, her company, and her dogs would become such an important part of our lives. After losing our dog Sadie, we decided it was time to add to our family again. Tim had… Read More - Kelli Gordon. When you factor in all the necessary food, toys, grooming, vet visits, maintenance expenses, etc. They originated in the 19th century in Scotland where the Water Spaniel was combined with a Retriever, then their offspring were crossbred with Irish Setters and Bloodhounds, giving rise to the modern Golden Retrievers as we know and love them. In the world of modern dog lovers, the third most popular choice that new owners go with is the Golden Retriever. Generally, Golden Retrievers are one of the most affable and lovable breeds known to man. Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and loyal to their owners, with a calm but energetic temperament perfectly suitable for highly active individuals who do a lot of outdoor activities, or families with lively children. The Golden Retriever is an attention-seeking companion that is kind, caring, and well-behaved with children… it really is the perfect family dog. If they are cared for properly and they stay healthy, they can live as long as 10 to 12 years on average, with the oldest ever documented Golden Retriever reaching 20 years of age! Golden Retrievers are desired by a lot of dog lovers mostly because they are known to retain their puppy-like characteristics, even when they grow up. Maybe the best thing about the Golden Retriever breed is that these pups are known for their laid-back personality. In Conclusion A dog is never just a pet… as soon as you bring it home, it becomes a part of your family and your personal best friend. That said, getting a new puppy is not something to take lightly. There are a lot of opportunistic Golden Retriever breeders out there looking to make a quick buck, so make sure you keep your guard up. So, if you want the highest-quality Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable and trustworthy breeder, we suggest you start by checking out the breeders on our list. All of the breeders that we have chosen for our list of the top 10 best Golden Retriever Breeders in Georgia have transparent breeding practices and excellent references. However, you should always retain a note of skepticism. Be very diligent when contacting the breeders, and ask all the right questions. We sincerely hope that our list of the best Golden Retriever Breeders in Georgia has given you some insight into the world of reputable breeders. We wish you luck in your effort to find the perfect new Golden Retriever puppy to be your new furry companion! Read Next:. Share 0 Shares Golden Retrievers are a great family dog for anyone with an active lifestyle. These dogs love to run, play, and swim. However, their energy levels are manageable for the average person who likes to go out and enjoy the great outdoors. Families getting a Golden Retriever will also need to decide if they are going to get a male or a female , and they may also need to decide what size of Golden Retriever they want as well. When getting a Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder it is always important to do your research to make sure that they are both ethical and reputable. This will set you up to get a healthy Golden Retriever that also has an excellent temperament that the breed is famous for. Syrah Goldens Syrah Goldens in Georgia This Golden Retriever breeder is incredibly dedicated to breeding healthy and beautiful European-style Goldens that have great temperaments. This breeder also ensures that all of their dogs have passed the necessary health testing for hips, heart, eye, and elbow problems before breeding them. Of course, this breeder also follows the recommended protocols for vaccinations, vet appointments, and deworming for puppies. Additionally, every puppy from Syrah Goldens is sold with a health guarantee. The breeder behind Syrah Goldens proves their lines by being active in the dog show world, and they enter their dogs into UCI shows. In order to ensure that all of their dogs are well-loved and cared for, they have all of their adult breeding dogs living in foster homes. This way they are kept from kennel life and are given plenty of attention. Those who purchase a puppy from Syrah Goldens are provided a lifetime of support from these breeders. This means that they will take back any of their dogs if they need to be rehomed. This breeder also has a puppy training program that can be provided to new puppy owners for an extra fee. Name of Owner. Goldens we have bred have gone on to finish their show championships, field and performance titles, have served as therapy dogs and also as service animals. Most, however, are placed as family pets and nothing makes us happier than placing a nice puppy with a great lifelong family. They enjoy competing in various venues, depending on what makes them happiest: AKC conformation, hunt tests, rally, obedience, dock diving, FastCAT. All of our puppies are raised right inside our home and exposed to daily life with kids and other pets. We utilize Puppy Culture and Early Neurological Stimulation methods for the best head start possible for your puppy. Feel free to have a look around our website. You will find much information on our dogs, family, and show brag information here. Please feel free to contact us directly via phone or email if interested in one of our puppies and we will get back to you when we have a moment. If we do not have any available, we will gladly point you in the direction of another respected golden breeder who may. We look forward to speaking with you and sharing our dogs with your family. Have a wonderful day! For you to get the healthiest and happiest of pups to bring home, you must take some time to research golden retriever breeders in Georgia. After all, not every dog breeder is to be trusted. However, some breeders care for their puppies and treat them like family. The question is, where do you find golden retriever puppies for sale in Georgia? Of course, most golden retriever dog owners adopt their dogs as pets, not working dogs. Therefore, some of these standards by AKC may not be relevant. The breeding standards that relate to pet purebred golden retrievers include: General appearance: Strong, symmetrical, energetic, alert, and confident. Color: Deep, shiny golden color of various shades. No black, brown, or white. Weight: 65 to 75 pounds for males and 55 to 65 pounds for female golden retrievers. Coat: Thick and water-resistant with a substantial undercoat. Eyes: Smart and kindly, preferably medium brown to dark brown. Temperament: Amiable, dependable, and trustworthy with no timidity or aggression. Syrah Goldens import their dogs from reputable breeders in their country of origin, Scotland, and other countries, such as Russia, Ireland, Hungary, and Australia. Their small-scale breeding focuses primarily on quality in all aspects including, health, temperament, and appearance. Most of their pups grow up in foster homes, where they get to socialize before finding permanent homes. The good news is that their breeding adults are screened for eye, heart, elbow, and hip. This breeder only breeds golden retrievers of the highest quality, meeting all required eyes, heart, hips, and elbow health standards. They often take their dogs through various competition standards such as agility, obedience, and rally. Their facility is incredible, clean, and offers the best classes for the golden retrievers before they can find their forever homes. The inspiration came from her parents, who raised this dog breed in the 80s. At the Golden Retrievers Atlanta , they train, love, and play with their golden retrievers with the assistance of their daughters. Evaluations of this facility by the American Kennel Club show perfect scores. In fact, this family-run breeder in Georgia guarantees AKC-quality golden retriever puppies born from fully-screened parents confirmed to be of good health. In addition, every week, they groom and ear clean their golden retrievers with love. In addition, all their dogs are up to date on their preventive medicines. The facility has been breeding since .Their passion for dogs drives them into giving everything towards ensuring dogs get the best life possible. It includes a trainer teaching the puppies, playing with them, and socializing with them before they can find their new home. I like that the facility is kennel-free, and their dogs are free to roam everywhere on their land. In addition, adult males and females receive full body x-rays to determine their health to ensure they breed the best healthy puppies. Once you contact them, they organize a meet and greet or facetime session to meet them and their puppies as you start the adoption process. Anna and Jason run this family-operated breeding program, a tradition they inherited from their families. They endeavor to breed quality golden retriever puppies from healthy adults with a clean bill of health. Their breeds are AKC-registered. The instructors give plenty of attention and love to the dogs and handle each dog depending on its unique personality. By the time you pick a pup from them, the dog is up to date with all age-appropriate shots and deworming and is ready to thrive in a new environment. They also provide a health guarantee to all adopting families. They obtain their puppies from the best and most-respected lineages all over Europe. Their breeding program focuses on the health, structure, and temperament of the dogs. They raise the puppies in their home to ensure enough socialization before releasing them to their forever homes. All their dogs are health tested for heart, eyes, elbows, and hips. Their dogs also receive supplements daily. These include Vitamin C and E, coconut and salmon oil, and diatomaceous earth. In addition, these adults must be health-tested and possess great temperaments and pedigree. The acre facility specializes in English Cream Golden Retrievers. They take their genetically sound pups through a raising program that ensures you adopt quality and well-socialized cuddle buddies. Most families seek the facility for a second and even third English Golden Retriever, citing the fantastic way it raises their dogs. The dog must also conform to the AKC breed standards, be intelligent and skillful. As for the puppies, nurturing and training begins at birth to ensure the dog is well adjusted to become a functional member of your family. Their cheerful and dedicated trainers guarantee healthy puppies that are vaccinated and dewormed before you take them home. Their size does not prevent them from producing high-quality dogs. Patrece, the owner, is a dedicated instructor who raises amazing dogs with beautiful conformation, calm demeanors, and color displays. Initially, she was a Labrador Retrievers breeder before switching to Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles, citing their nicer temperaments. The breeding starts with genetic testing to ensure only quality genes pass to liters. The dog is also well-socialized for being part of a family since birth. The puppy comes with a two-year health warranty, dewclaw removal, current deworming and vaccination, a veterinarian health certificate, microchip, health records, and appropriate registrations. Share This.

With a little bit of patience and luck, the three tips below could help you land your dream dog. The first way is to scour your local animal shelters. Yes, this is a long shot as most Goldens will go quickly, but if you check early and often, you might get lucky. Plus, you could find another dog that steals your heart. The second way is to get involved with your local Facebook groups. Just watch out for scammers! The third way to find a Golden who needs your home is to get involved with your local Golden Retriever club. This is another long shot, but some of the members might have an inside scoop on a dog who needs a new home. Plus, the more Golden Retriever lovers you know, the more likely you are to stumble upon one of your own. Here are some benefits of being involved with them: You can get tips from experienced Golden owners about raising and training your dog You can get your dog involved in sports and other activities to socialize and exercise them You can get referrals for services like vets, groomers , and doggy daycares And much more There are no Golden Retriever Clubs officially in Tennessee, but there is the Golden Retriever Club of North Alabama in Huntsville, AL, and the East Tennessee Retriever Club. One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Tennessee Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Tennessee? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Tennessee? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. So, how many times a day should you feed your German Shepherd? German Shepherds should be fed at least twice a day. Vets recommend two smaller meals instead of one large meal for healthy digestion and energy. For puppies, feed 4 meals a day up to three months old, then 3 meals a day up to six months old, before finally reducing to 2 meals a day. It is essential to stick to food schedules that are consistent for the long-term health of your German Shepherd, especially as the breed is prone to the life-threatening condition, Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus GDV , commonly known as bloat. This article will cover how often to feed a German Shepherd whether puppy or adult and how much to give your dog to keep him healthy and happy. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. My German Shepherd Willow eating her meal Hey! As a working breed raised to herd and protect sheep, they are typically energetic, enjoy physical activity, and love having a job to do. Due to their dynamic character, they demand a high-energy diet. However, as large, deep-chested dogs, they are one of the breeds prone to bloat GDV , and vets advise against feeding one large meal a day. Twice per day is the standard, with a good few hours in between, as it allows your GSD to eat and digest his food properly. German Shepherds, like most dogs, work well when fed on a schedule. I absolutely agree with this, especially as the German Shepherd is susceptible to a sensitive stomach and is known to have more digestive problems than other breeds. However, if you have any concerns, you should speak to your vet. If you have a high-energy or working German Shepherd, such as a guard dog, assistance dog, or Police or Military dog that gets a lot of exercise, you may consider feeding little and often to prevent hunger. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule German Shepherd puppies will require more frequent feedings as they expend far more energy and have smaller stomachs to hold their food. You should feed a German Shepherd puppy four meals a day between 6 and 12 weeks old. Puppies aged between 12 and 24 weeks should have three meals a day, and from 24 weeks onwards, German Shepherd puppies should be fed twice per day. Age of Puppy. Growth and weight The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs. When Your Puppy Comes Home Although they look pretty sturdy at eight weeks old, German Shepherd puppies are vulnerable to tummy upsets when they arrive at a new home. To help them settle in stick with the food their breeder was giving them for the first two weeks minimum. You can then gradually swap over by increasing proportions over the course of a couple of days. However, if they are doing well on their original food, considering sticking with it for longer. To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the breeder, the feed manufacturer or by your veterinarian. This will vary depending on how calorie dense the food is and how it is formulated. Your puppy should be fed four times a day up to the age of four months. After this age, two larger meals at regular times will be sufficient. However, the more often you feed your pup the stronger your bond will grow. Simple sits and recalls, puppy tricks, they all make a big difference to how your dog behaves towards you and feels about you as they grow. What to Feed A German Shepherd Puppy You will find there are a lot of different opinions about what kind of food is best. Kibble and wet food are the most popular, but you do also have the option of raw or homemade meals. Puppy Kibble Great quality, high meat content kibble is my go-to for feeding larger puppy breeds. At the beginning of the day I measure out their daily food amount, then separate it into little pots. Some as meals, and the remainder to use throughout the day to reward good behavior or get off on the right foot with positive reinforcement. The FDA recently issued a notice alerting dog owners to a potential increased risk of a serious heart condition. This is called canine dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. The risk is in dogs eating foods that include peas, lentils, or potatoes instead of grains. The underlying cause of these cases is not clear, but the FDA note suggests that caution should be used in selecting foods with these ingredients for German Shepherds and other large dogs. Canned Dog Food For picky eaters canned food can be more appealing. It smells stronger, and debatably tastes nicer. These diets do not include cooked or otherwise processed foods. However, it may be more difficult to regulate a BARF diet to ensure a slow and steady growth rate in young puppies. If you find this option intriguing, you can check out our article on feeding your dog a raw diet. Homemade Diets Research has shown that in the past, poorly balanced homemade diets have been harmful to German Shepherd puppies. There is now abundant information available to anyone who is willing and able to produce a safe and balanced diet. However, modern cases studies have shown that well-meaning owners may still over-feed or create an unbalanced diet. So, this is an area where you really can have too much of a good thing. As with commercial foods, homemade diets must be properly formulated for a large breed dog. Do not deviate from recommended recipes as provided by a veterinarian. If possible, preferably a vet with a board certification in veterinary nutrition. Recipes published in popular magazine and websites may not be nutritionally complete or suitable for a large breed puppy. Is My Puppy the Right Weight? You can also refer to German Shepherd puppy growth charts to see if you puppy is gaining weight and within the normal range. However, keep in mind that some dogs will be unusually small or large but still be perfectly healthy. Do not try to maximize growth rates as this can lead to health problems later. Ensure that you are familiar with how to assess the body condition of your puppy. The ribs and spine should be easy to feel but not simple to see. My Puppy Is Still Hungry If your puppy seems excessively hungry provide more frequent but smaller meals. Young puppies cannot tolerate going without food for extended periods. With older puppies you may wish to experiment with foods that help them feel more full, and provide low calories treats. Keeping a health puppy active and occupied will help prevent them from becoming overly focused on anticipating their next meal. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading.

Visit the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory website Labrador retrievers have coats of three basic colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. These colors are determined genetically, just like almost all of the traits that offspring get from their parents. The modes of inheritance of these coat colors are autosomal not related to the sex of the dog. The information for black or chocolate comes from two versions of the same gene different versions of a gene are known as alleles. This gene is different from the one that causes yellow hair. There are four known alleles at this gene in the Labrador Retriever: one is the allele for black designated as B and three different alleles that result in chocolate collectively designated as b. In determining if your puppies will be black or chocolate, the black coat color B is dominant to the chocolate b. Therefore, a puppy will only be chocolate if each parent contributes a chocolate allele bb. If one or both parents Bb or BB contribute the black dominant allele, the puppy will be black BB or Bb , although a Bb puppy would carry chocolate and could therefore produce chocolate puppies. Black Labrador Retriever. Photo by Katy Robertson. Chocolate colored Labrador Retriever. There are several known alleles of this gene in dogs, but for Labradors the most common are E produce black and brown pigment and e only produce yellow pigment. An e allele at the MC1R gene prevents expression of the black or chocolate color in the hair follicle and the puppy's hair ends up yellow. Interestingly, the black or chocolate pigment is still expressed in the skin, just not in the hair. In order to be yellow, a Labrador must have two recessive alleles of the MC1R gene ee. This means both parents contributed a yellow allele e. However, if only one Ee or no EE yellow-causing alleles are contributed, this puppy will be either black or chocolate depending on which alleles are present at the TYRP1 gene see above. Yellow Labrador Retriever. Two yellow labs can only have yellow puppies ee , since they both only have the yellow allele e to contribute to their offspring. If they are bred to each other, there is a chance that some puppies will get a copy of e from each parent and have yellow hair Bbee, BBee, or bbee. If you are interested in breeding your Labrador and would like to know the genetic make up of your dog to predict the color of your puppies, genetic tests are available. The tests are easy, non-invasive, and simply require that you take a swab of the inside of your dog's cheek and send it to the laboratory. Primary Category. A fox red and traditional yellow Lab, flanked by a pair of black Labs. Black, yellow, and chocolate are the three traditional coat colors recognized by the AKC. If you ask the American Kennel Club , those are the only acceptable colors for a Labrador. And even then, those dogs must have other specific color features like dark noses and lips to count as true Labradors. But lately, non-traditional Labrador retriever colors have increased in popularity. The coats on these dogs look like faded versions of the traditional colors. Charcoal, silver, champagne, and white Labs have all emerged on the scene. So where did these new colors come from? Are they associated with health problems? A yellow Lab rests with her black pups. The dogs that Labs originate from, St. Once multiple generations of Labrador retrievers reproduced, recessive-gene colors like chocolate and yellow emerged from other bloodlines. The sire and dam that produce the litter of puppies pass down those genes to the offspring. Natalie Krebs The black coat color gene is dominant, Wilson explains. The chocolate coat gene, on the other hand, is recessive. Say two black Labs breed and produce a litter of pups. If just one of the parents—in this example, the sire—has all-black genes, none of their puppies will be chocolate. All the pups will be black Labs. Chocolate Labrador retrievers carry the recessive gene for coat color. If two chocolate Labs produce a litter, all the pups will be chocolate, too. The same is true for a black Lab that breeds a chocolate Lab. If the black Lab only has black genes to pass down, all their puppies will be black. But if that black Lab has a recessive chocolate gene to pass down, the litter could include both black and chocolate pups. Two chocolate Labs can only produce a chocolate litter, Wilson explains. All these dogs—the parents and the offspring—only have recessive chocolate genes. This yellow Lab was bred from a black female and a fox red male. Natalie Krebs Yellow coats come from an entirely different pair of genes than black or brown coats. Yellow Labs have the widest range in coat color while remaining within the AKC breed standard, Wilson says. Yellow Labs must have dark, heavily-pigmented noses, eyes, and lips, but their fur can range from a lighter vanilla to fox red. But in reality, the earliest yellow Labs were fox red, Wilson says. The color was first documented toward the end of the 19th century, and today, this coat variation is well within the AKC breed standard for yellow Labs. One of the more common falters is the light brown or pink nose, lips, and eyes. But from a health perspective, says Wilson, yellow Labs with light features are more prone to complications. Yellow Labs fall outside the AKC breed standard when their lips, nose, and skin around the eyes is pink, rather than black. These types of Labs are often referred to as Dudley Labs. This can make the skin more prone to sunburn or melanoma. Lighter, more sensitive eyes also make it harder for the dog to work properly in the field. Black Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular bird dogs in the country. Alex Robinson The best traditional Labrador retriever color is, of course, a matter of personal preference. Each color has their pros and cons. Yellow Labs Are harder to disguise in marsh and timber Are tougher to keep track of during an upland bird hunt since they tend to blend into grassy cover Identifying ticks, cuts, and abrasions is easier on their light coats Black Labs Are easier to disguise in many waterfowl environments, including marsh and timber Are easier to spot while working thick upland cover Their dark coat makes it harder to notice ticks, blood, and thorns Chocolate Labs Are the least traditional of the traditional Labrador retriever colors Have amassed a loyal following over the years Blend well into most habitat types and environments Non-Traditional Labrador Retriever Colors If a puppy inherits the recessive dilute gene from both parents, its coat will be diluted, or lighter in color. Chocolate Labs will turn silver in appearance. Black Labs will become charcoal, chocolate Labs will turn silver, and yellow Labs will turn either champagne or what is known as polar white. Dilute breeding to produce non-traditional Labrador retriever coat colors has its controversies. The practice is particularly frustrating to the traditional Labrador retriever community that strictly adheres to AKC purebred standards. Wilson rehashes a story of the first documented silver Lab, which she says was supposedly born in Wisconsin in to a chocolate Lab female and a chocolate Lab male. But the breeder, who Wilson says she knew about through a friend, was having trouble with a Weimaraner on his property at the time. When the litter arrived, some of the pups were chocolate Labs and some were silver. Silver Labrador retrievers have become wildly popular across the country. They forwarded the information to the AKC, who dispatched a field inspector to determine the genetics of the pups. This was a tricky assignment in the era before modern DNA testing and microchips. The breeder presented a chocolate female as the dam and said the sire, which had been on loan as a stud, was back in the northern part of the state. Silver Labs can have the exact same personalities and capabilities as traditional-colored Labs. Courtesy of Peggy Stalnaker Stalnaker, who breeds dilute Labs at DuckCreek, doubts this version of the silver Lab origin story, given what she knows about dilute genetics. Her hunch is that a few true recessive dilute puppies were born by accident. Stalnaker points out that this book was published well before the first documented cases of dilute Labs in the United States. The charcoal Labrador retriever is darker than silver and comes from a black Lab with the dilute gene. When dilute Labs became popular, she explains, attempts to meet consumer demand resulted in some problematic inbreeding. This resulted in dilute Labs that were less genetically diverse and had higher chances of genetic health issues. But Stalnaker puts all her dogs through extensive genetic testing to determine any predispositions for these issues, which range from dwarfism to exercise-induced collapse syndrome to excessively dry noses. Their fur would be really thin. She has avoided this by breeding in non-diluted Labs that possess the dilute gene. This means some of her puppies are traditional colors and some are diluted. But the diluted Labs have less disorder-prone genetic codes thanks to the genetic diversity from the non-diluted sire and dam. Her customers have been happy with their DuckCreek Labs. She recalls one man who flew to Kansas from south Georgia to pick up a silver puppy and fly it home. She cites the time commitment as a barrier. Despite criticism from traditional Labrador loyalists like Wilson, some owners still register dilute Labs under traditional AKC colors. Choosing a certain color Lab is really a matter of personal preference. If anybody is nasty, I just block them. The new variety of Labrador retriever colors is probably here to stay, since the consumer demand is high. But the dilute Labs will probably remain on the outskirts of the Lab community for the foreseeable future, while the traditional Labrador retriever colors of black, chocolate, and yellow continue to win hearts and field trials alike. Katie Hill Katie Hill is a staff writer for Outdoor Life where she covers outdoor news, hunting, and conservation in the West. She still lives in Missoula. However, you can encounter several other Labrador colors thanks to genetic variation and different breeding practices. Below are six of the most common color varieties. Black Labrador Since four out of nine potential Labrador color gene variations result in a black coat, black Labs are the most common coat color in Labradors. So, the takeaway here is that black Labs are always the dominant coat color. People love black Labs for their soft, shiny coats. The black Labrador pose for a photoshoot! Yellow Labrador Yellow Labs come in as the second most common color after black Labradors. Unlike black Labs, which have an unmistakable, predictable color, yellow Labs can come in many different shades. The genetic makeup of yellow Labradors includes one-third of the possible Lab color combinations. The genetic codes include eeBB, eeBb, and eebb. A Labrador sniffs a smoked dog bone 3. Chocolate Labrador Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the three primary Labrador colors. There are only two genes that will produce these dogs—EEbb and Eebb. As with yellow Labs, chocolate labs vary significantly in their coat color. Some chocolate labs have a light brown coat, others a medium brown, and some are even so dark that they appear mixed with black and brown. Aside from their genetic predisposition to an earlier death, these dogs can also suffer from the same issues as other Labs, including patellar luxation, osteochondritis dissecans, and canine hip dysplasia. So, if you have your heart set on buying a chocolate Lab, keep in mind that you may lose your best four-legged friend about 1. A chocolate Labrador Retriever having its coat brushed 4. They get their dark, reddish coat from the same gene as yellow Labs. But since yellow Lab genes can present a wide variation in yellow colors, it causes some puppies to enter the world with an almost red coat. Red Fox Labrador Retriever looks up. Silver Labrador You might have trouble recognizing a silver Lab as a Labrador when they walk by, given that this is such a distinct color deviating from the three primary colors. And, unfortunately for silver Labs, these dogs are a color variation from chocolate Labs. Another issue that silver Labs frequently face is color dilution alopecia. Alopecia is a condition when the immune system harms hair follicles, which leads to skin issues and hair loss. So, should you be interested in breeding your Labrador, please be responsible and never breed a silver Lab. Silver Labrador Retriever sitting in the forest. Like red fox Labradors, white Labs have the same genetic makeup as yellow Labs. Nevertheless, no one will mistake these dogs for pure white; they almost always retain a light cream-colored look, thanks to some yellow fur. Albinism is a life-threatening and rare genetic condition resulting from a lack of pigmentation. Albino Labs often die young and suffer from conditions like blindness and deafness. A white Labrador Retriever sits quietly. If you think mating two black Labradors is a guarantee for producing black Lab puppies, think again. Black is a dominant gene in Labs, but the color yellow always overrides black and chocolate. Instead, check out the chart below to see the puppy colors from mating different colored Lab parents. Parent Colors. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Updated: Nov 15, When it comes to coat color of Labrador puppies, there are three colors recognized by the American Kennel Club. Black Labs, yellow Labs, and brown Labs often called chocolate Labs are the three main varieties of Labrador retriever, however these puppies often exhibit different shades of black, yellow, and brown fur. So with so much variation, what causes a difference in color? Where it begins to get tricky is when we discuss the genetics of black labs and chocolate labs when compared to yellow lab. Allele: One of two or more versions of a gene. When it comes to the coats of Labrador puppies, fur color is determined by one of two different genes, as well as a variety of alleles. When it comes to black lab puppies and chocolate lab puppies, both varieties inherit their fur color from a single gene, known as "Tyrosinase-related protein 1. Here we have two dominant genes for black fur, obviously resulting in a black lab puppy. In a situation in which either parent passes on the dominant allele and the other passes on the recessive, the lab puppy will still have a black coat. When both parents pass on the recessive allele, only then do we see a chocolate lab puppy. So, Where Does Yellow Come from? Yellow Labrador puppies get their hair color from a gene entirely different from the gene that determines black or brown fur. Melanocortin 1 receptor MC1R is the gene responsible for yellow lab puppies, but can still result in fur coats of black and brown. As you may have deduced, the allele for yellow lab puppies is recessive. Both parents pass on dominant alleles for black or chocolate fur, resulting in a black or chocolate puppy. Only in a situation in which both parents pass on alleles coding for yellow fur is the TYRP1 gene overridden and yellow lab puppies are produced. What is also interesting about the creation of yellow lab puppies is the fact that while their fur coat is without black or brown pigment, their skin will still exhibit the same color pigment as that of black or chocolate lab puppies. Their fun-loving and positive personalities combined with their gentleness and willingness to please their owners makes them the perfect family pet. Statistically speaking, Black Labs are the most common of all Labrador color variations. This is due to how coat color is inherited in this breed. Without getting too far into a scientific explanation for this, there are nine different possible gene combinations for coat color. Four of these lead to a black coat, three to yellow, and only two to chocolate. Due to random chance, Black Labs make up nearly half of all Labradors. Yellow Labs often have a very light brown or tan colored coat that can appear yellowish. Chocolate Labrador Image Credit: skeeze, Pixabay The rarest of the three major Labrador colors, the Chocolate Lab is beautiful and adorable with a deep brown, chocolate-colored coat. Chocolate Labs are regarded as the most energetic and hardest to train, and while there is no research-based evidence to support this, Chocolate Labs are the only Labs not used as service dogs by the leading dog training organizations. This is possibly due to a higher energy level. Their absence from service dog institutions may also be due to the fact that Chocolate Labs experience more health problems and tend to have shorter lifespans than their Black and Yellow counterparts. On average, Chocolate Labs live about a year and a half shorter than other colored Labs. Simply put, they have the genetics of a Yellow Lab but present a darker coat that appears reddish. White Labs usually have very pale brown fur that can appear purely white, especially in the sun. Their fur normally has light brown or yellowish tinges around the ears and paws. Albino Labs do carry additional health problems such as deafness, blindness, and other eye issues. Austin, Shutterstock Silver Labs are stunning, regal, and sleek. Their light grey coat shines beautifully in the sun, and their appearance is as striking as it is adorable. These pups are similar to Red Labs in that they have the same genetics as one of the major three Lab colors. Silver Labs are really Chocolate Labs, even though they may look more like Blue Labs, but their coat is light or diluted, and the result is a silvery appearance. Like their chocolate siblings, Silver Labs, unfortunately, inherit some additional health issues and tend to live shorter lives than Black and Yellow Labradors. Defining Physical Characteristics What is it that makes this breed so recognizable? Labs are often stocky and athletic with a broad chest and a thick, wide skull. Labs have short, dense fur that is water-resistant. In fact, they were named after the Labrador Sea off of Newfoundland where they were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl. No matter where they go, Labs seem to bring joy and happiness with them. They are loyal, loving, and affectionate. What more could you ask for in a dog? Labs have short, dense fur that is prone to heavy shedding and matting, so you should plan to brush your Labrador at least two or three times a week to cut down on shedding and keep their fur looking sleek. Labradors of all coat colors should be bathed about once every other month with a dog-friendly shampoo. Bathing more often can eliminate those healthy skin oils we mentioned, so avoid giving your pup a bath more often unless they find their way into some mud. Final Thoughts Labs come in three main colors but can have lots of different coat shading that makes them appear unique and especially striking. See also:. Find out how we get chocolate, black or yellow puppies and what color pups we might get when we mix Labradors of different colors. Strictly speaking, there are only three different types of Labrador color: black Labs, brown Labs usually referred to as chocolate and yellow Labs. These are the three colors recognized and accepted by the Kennel Club In practice, there is a wide range of shades of yellow Labrador color, from palest cream to richest fox red. But what makes a Labrador brown, or black, or yellow. And what about Silver Labradors? Where does this new and controversial coat color come in to play? Where do Black and Chocolate Labradors come from? The information that determines whether or not your Labrador is basically black or basically chocolate is passed on through a pair of genes. Why black is a dominant color: It is normal for dominant genes to switch off, or over-ride, recessive genes. And that is exactly what happens here. A dog with BB genes will be black, because he has no little b gene, the one that gives us a brown coat. But a Bb dog will be black too, because if the dominant black gene is present, it switches off the brown gene. How chocolate Labradors are made: Even though a dog inherits a little b gene, the dog will only appear brown if no black gene B is present at all. Two black genes BB gives you a black Labrador One of each Bb also give you a black Labrador Two brown genes bb gives you a chocolate Labrador Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog at the bottom will actually look brown. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. Remember, the dog in the middle of our list above will look black, but pass the brown gene on to about half of all its offspring. But things are never that simple are they? Because of course some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. And these genes have a different kind of power. The result is a yellow dog But little ee is recessive, and if the dominant E gene is present, it switches off the masking gene. It only takes one big E gene to do this. So the dog will only appear yellow if no big E gene is present at all. There are three possible combinations of eee gene that a dog could inherit. There are nine different possible combinations. Nine different possible Labrador genotypes! The chart below lists them genotype is the genetic makeup, phenotype is the appearance of the dog. Original Labrador Retriever Color Black is the original, archetypal Labrador color, and genetically the most dominant. Chocolate and yellow puppies were frequently euthanized at birth. To understand that we have to look at the genetic difference between black and chocolate Labs. Labrador Retriever Color Genetics Both types get their color from a pigment called eumelanin. Labs with lots of eumelanin pigment in their coat are black. If they have a little less, they appear brown instead. We use letters to tell each place apart — a bit like giving each locus its own zip code! The B locus is home to a pair of genes called B genes. There are two types of B gene your Lab can get in their pair: One we call big B — it contains an instruction to make lots of eumelanin, and causes a black Labrador coat. And one we call little b — it contains an instruction for less eumelanin, and causes a brown or chocolate coat. Big B is a dominant gene, and little b is a recessive gene. Dominant genes to switch off, or override, recessive genes. So dog with BB genes will be black, because he has two genes for a black coat. And a Bb dog will be black too, because the dominant B genethe recessive b gene. Only a dog with a matching pair of bb genes will express the instruction for less eumelanin in their coat, and be brown. Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog with two copies of the b gene will actually look brown. But the dominance of the black color enabled our chocolate friends to remain hidden and rare with the breed, for many decades. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. In fact, it would take two black Labs both carrying the little b gene to produce chocolate puppies. Like this: Statistically, one quarter of their litter would be chocolate colored. And of course, some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. These genes are located at the E locus. And — you guessed it — we call them E genes. Just like B genes there are two versions of the E gene, big E and little e. Big E is the dominant gene. It does not interfere with the B genes. Little e is the recessive gene. It has the potential to mask the B genes that would otherwise give us black or brown coats. And the result is a yellow dog. How Yellow Overrides Black and Chocolate Only the little e gene can mask the instructions for black or chocolate fur. There are three possible combinations of E gene that a dog can inherit. It could have two dominant genes EE two masking genes ee or one of each Ee. Only the middle of these three dogs will be yellow. Nine Different Possible Labrador Genotypes! Every Labrador has a combination of B and E genes — called their genotype. There are nine different possible genotypes. Here they are in full: Can you see why each combination of genes turns out the way it does? Because as you can see, the second dog down the list may look black but he could throw brown puppies, and the fourth dog down the list may look black, but he could throw yellow puppies. The fifth dog down the list is also black but he could throw yellow and brown puppies. Puppy colors are easier to predict when both parents owe their appearance to the recessive genes b or e. Mating Two Yellow Labradors Two yellow Labradors mated together will never throw brown or black puppies. All their offspring will be yellow. This is because yellow dogs do not possess the big E gene which is needed to switch off the masking effect. Mating Two Chocolate Labradors Two brown Labs mated together will never throw black puppies because brown dogs do not have the big B gene. But two chocolate Labs can produce yellow puppies, if each of the parents carries the little e gene — like this: In the mixed litter, statistically one of half of the puppies will be chocolate and one half yellow. Depending on their genotype, two black Labradors can indeed have yellow or chocolate puppies. Remember from our grid above that there are four different possible genotypes for a black Labrador. The genotype refers to the genetic code that the dog carries. And the four different possible black genotypes down the side to represent the father. Inside the grid are the puppies that could be born from each combination. If and only if, both parents carry a little e gene, then some of the puppies may be yellow. Remember that your puppy needs two little e genes one from each parent in order to be yellow. If only one of two black dogs carries the little e gene, all their puppies will be black. Yes it is, check out the bottom right hand square in the diagram above! Notice that it can only happen if both parents dogs have this genotype: EeBb. In other words, they both carry a little e and a little b. This is good example of how complicated, and unexpected, Labrador colors can be. There are six different possibilities for litter color combinations depending on the genotype of the parents. You can even get a litter of all black puppies from a chocolate mother and a yellow father or vice versa! Here are the color possibilities: yellow, black, and chocolate puppies yellow and black puppies. Labrador Colors 1. Black Labrador Most black Labs are entirely black. But, some have one or two white spots on their fur. This interruption in their solid black coat is due to genetic traces left from their late ancestor, the St. The black Labrador Retriever was historically the most common coat color. Even today, nearly half of all Labs are black! When Retrievers were first bred, black coated dogs were the only pups deemed acceptable. Their popularity was driven by two reasons: Black is the favorite coat color for hunting. Four out of nine gene combinations result in a black coat. Sadly, until the 20th century, all other Lab colors would be euthanized shortly after birth. They were not valued the same way black Labradors were. Black Labradors were perfect for their original purpose, hunting. Their dark coat color helped them blend in and move stealthily while hunting or participating in field trials. These Labs tend to have the strongest hunting instincts as their black coats were historically bred for hunting. Even to this day, they are focused, diligent workers. These shiny, sleek dogs are not only beloved in the field, but they also make wonderful pets. Many owners regard black Labs as the calmest and most affectionate of all Lab colors. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim. Chocolate Labrador Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the three major Lab colors. These dogs are rarely used for hunting or working, but are champions in the show ring! Their color stuns judges and earns high marks in conformation shows. The shade of brown that chocolate Labradors can come in varies. Some are a rich chocolate while others are a dark brown color known as liver. Some even have a beautiful red hue within their brown fur! The chocolate color exists on a spectrum and can vary greatly due to genetics. Some of these assumptions have become widely accepted in the Labrador community. Chocolate Labs are regarded as the most rambunctious with a bit too much energy for their bodies! These pups are spunky and often hard to train, which may explain why they are not used as service dogs. Even if these Labs are a bit energetic and naughty at times, they are just as beloved due to their affectionate nature and goofy personality. The unfortunate truth about chocolate Labradors is that they often suffer from more health problems than other types of Labs. Some of these health concerns are minor and include hot spots skin irritation and ear inflammation. However, some are more serious and can shorten their lifespan. They often live a year and a half less than the other Labradors. Yellow Labrador Yellow Labradors may not be the most popular Labrador Retriever color, but they are the most beloved. Many owners claim that yellow Labs are the friendliest and most outgoing. Their outstanding reputation is reinforced by their heavy presence in daily life! Yellow Labs are often seen in movies such as the adorable Lab who played Marley in Marley and Me or the sweetheart who acted as Old Yeller. The media have also boosted their popularity as has their recognition as common service, search and rescue, and therapy dogs. Similar to chocolate, the yellow coat color exists on a spectrum. Some yellow Labs are a light brown or tan, others are yellow like a lemon, and then there are cream-colored Labs. There are also fawn Labradors. Fawn Labs are darker, but are not quite red. The yellow Lab may be the Labrador Retriever with the most variation in its coat color! Yellow Labs are just as hard-working as black Labs, although they are not as commonly used for hunting. They are very similar to black Labs and are just as highly trainable, affectionate, and hard-working. Silver Labrador Silver Labradors are by far the rarest of all colors. These dogs are a light gray to blue color that looks silver in the sunlight. These Labradors are often mistaken for Weimaraner mixes because of their silver coat. Silver Labs actually have the same genetics as any type of Lab, despite looking very different. They are just as smart, fun, and loving as any other Retriever. They have a dilute gene that overrides the designated chocolate coat color. Rather than being chocolate, these dogs have a silver or blue coat color. This same coat color dilution can occur in yellow Labs and in black Labs. Diluted yellow Labs are known as champagne and diluted black Labs are known as charcoal. However, Silver is the most unique. Not many silver Labs exist due to the recessive nature of the dilute gene. Silver Labs are undoubtedly stunning, but they have a higher potential of developing health issues. They often develop color dilution alopecia which presents as itchy skin or patchy fur. Fox Red Labradors have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, but just have a deep yellow or brown hue to their coat. This deep brown looks rusty red and makes them look just like a fox. Labrador Retriever fans adore fox red Labs because of their friendly personalities. They have lovingly nicknamed these dogs Ruby Labradors. Clifford, the beloved big red dog, is even based off a fox red Labrador. The red color gives them a rugged look that many owners love! However, this love does not extend to the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club does not recognize fox reds as a unique color and registers these Labrador Retrievers as yellow labs. Judges often view this dark pigmentation as a serious fault, so it is unlikely that a fox red Lab would ever win a conformation show. Some people are highly suspicious of the fox red color. They often argue that fox reds are not purebred and that they are mixed with Golden Retrievers. This is not true. It is all the beauty of a Golden Retriever without the high maintenance and long coat that Goldens are known for. White Labrador White Labradors are just a variation of the yellow Lab. They have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, they just happen to be much paler. White Labs are the lightest shade of yellow possible. This color exists on the opposite end of the spectrum than fox red Labs do. The shade of their fur is typically a pale yellow that looks white in the sunlight. They may also have brown or yellow ears and paws that are darker than the rest of their coat. Their white fur gives them an aura of royalty. Just like any yellow Labrador, white Labs are regarded as kind dogs who love everyone they meet. They make horrible guard dogs as they make friends with everyone and are quick to trust every stranger they meet! They are often pampered and spoiled beyond belief. There are no known health issues associated with this color. Most white labs are healthy because they are just a pale yellow, not true white. Albino Labradors are rarer and also sensitive to bright sunlight. Merle labs may suffer from deafness, blindness, and shortened lifespans. Discussing Labrador Retriever colors can be controversial. Are silver and red Labs purebred? Do personality traits differ between different colored Labs? Should silver, red, and white have their own color category? The answers to these questions are not simple. They say that behavior is determined by genetics, socialization, training, and health. In their opinion coat color is just cosmetic. On the other hand, there are owners and breeders who argue that coat color affects the personality of a Lab. These owners and breeders have lived and interacted with Labs of all colors. In their opinion coat color is linked to characteristic personality traits. These Lab lovers have agreed that: Black Labs are the calmest and most skilled at hunting. Yellow Labs are the friendliest and best with people and children. Chocolate Labs are the rowdiest, most energetic, and difficult to train. On the side of science, color does not affect the behavior of a Labrador Retriever. However, breeders and owners have recorded the behavior traits associated with each coat color. It is up to you whether to decide if color matters for Labrador Retrievers or not! Which Is The Rarest Color? Silver is the rarest Lab color. Silver is rare because it can only come from a unique genetic makeup. The dilution gene needed to produce this silver hue is a recessive gene and is often masked by the genes for a chocolate coat. If you ever happen to see one of these silver beauties, take the time to really admire them as you may never see another one again! Which Color Is The Best? This is definitely an opinion question that has no right answer! Each color of Labrador suits a specific type of owner: Athletic, hunting owners will want a black Lab. Yellow Lab owners claim that their dogs are the best due to their friendly personalities. Chocolate Labs win the most prizes in conformation shows. Silver Labs are the rarest, to complicate the argument even more. It is up to each owner to decide which color they love the best. An argument can be made for each Labrador color as to why that color is the best. Among Labrador owners it is widely accepted that black Labs are the calmest. This could be a result of their hard-working, hunting instincts which cause them to be much more focused and level-headed. Chocolate Labs who parade around show rings are often the most rambunctious. If you ask the experts, you will get the answer that coat color has no effect on Labrador behavior. However, if you read various Labrador Retriever websites and forums, or talk to Lab owners, you may hear a different story. Whether you decide to believe this claim is up to you! There is no scientific evidence to back the claim up that black Labs are the calmest Labradors. Summary Each color of Labrador Retriever is beautiful and unique in its own way. Silver Labs are rare, black Labs are sleek and elegant, yellow Labs have an aura of kindness, white Labs are elegant, red Labs are devoted to their work, and chocolate Labs are gorgeous and show ready! Labrador coat colors are the perfect example that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Want to learn more about Labs? Read: English vs. American Labrador: Top 10 Differences. Which coat color is your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below! She is a passionate dog lover and was raised with an affectionate, calm Yellow Lab Golden Retriever mix that fostered her love for her canine companions. Kelsie is actively involved with multiple humane societies and has cared for the dogs of over 45 different families. You May Also Like.

Black and tan, tan, liver, blue, black Activity level High; requires up to minutes of exercise daily Suitable for families Yes, for active families that can meet the exercise requirements Dietary needs High-protein diet; adults require approximately 1, to 1, calories per day depending on activity level Potential health issues Hip dysplasia, allergies, Patellar Luxation, arthritis, elbow dysplasia, and cataracts History of Rat Terrier The Rat Terrier is a breed of dog that was developed in the United States from a mixture of English Fox Terriers, Manchester Terriers and Smooth Fox Terriers. The Rat Terrier was initially bred for hunting rats and other vermin but is now also used as a family pet. As their name suggests, they were used to hunt rats in the US. However, when mouse baits and poison were invented in the s, their popularity declined. In the s, Rat Terriers again were in demand when they were crossed with other toy breeds like Chihuahua. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in .The German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. Image Source: Dids — pexels. They have long tails and erect ears. They are considered an alert and active breed that is known for being loyal and protective of their family. Size The Rat Terrier Shepherd Mix is a medium-sized crossbreed that typically weighs between 40 and 65 pounds. This hybrid is known for being energetic, playful, and loyal. They make great family pets and are often used as service dogs. Rat Terrier German Shepherd Mixes are very versatile dogs and can be easily trained. This dog is known for being an energetic and playful breed that is great with children. They are also very clever and protective of their family. They have a lot of energy and need lots of exercise and stimulation. Grooming is also important for these dogs, as they tend to shed heavily. Rat Terrier x German Shepherd should be brushed at least once a week to keep their coat healthy and free of mats. In addition, they should be bathed regularly and have their nails trimmed. This dog has a lifespan of about 13 to 16 years. They are considered medium-sized dogs, and they weigh anywhere from 40 to 65 pounds. These dogs are known for their intelligence, athleticism, and loyalty. This mix can be great for families with children, as they are known to be protective and loyal. They are also very active dogs and need plenty of exercises. In terms of feeding, Rat Terrier cross German Shepherd should generally eat around two cups of food per day. This can be split between two meals, or given all at once. In general, German Terrier does well on high-quality dog food, though they may also enjoy a good home-cooked meal every once in a while. Rat Terrier Shepherd Mix should never be given table scraps, as this can lead to obesity and other health problems. Just make sure to start out slowly and work your way up to longer distances. Rat Terrier Shepherd mix make great pets because they are so versatile and can adapt to any situation. They are always up for a good game of fetch, a long walk, or an agility course. Training German Rat Terrier are a great new addition to your family. They are full of energy and love to play, but they also need plenty of training. GSD Terrier mix are smart dogs and will learn these commands quickly. These dogs need to know what is expected of them, and they need to be able to rely on you to give them direction. Treats and praise work best and will help your dog learn faster. It may take a little time for them to learn what you are asking of them, but they will eventually get it. German Shepherd Rat Terriers make great pets, and with a little training, they will be the perfect addition to your family. This disease can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your dog and can eventually lead to arthritis. Allergies can cause your dog to have a lot of skin problems, and they can also be very itchy. If you think your dog might have allergies, take them to the vet so they can get some medication to help clear them up. Finally, another common disease among Rat Terrier cross breeds is cancer. Cancer is a very serious disease, and it can be tough to treat. If you think your dog might have cancer, take them to the vet as soon as possible so they can start getting treatment. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog and take them to the vet if you think they might be suffering from one of these diseases. Rat Terrier x German Shepherd are not often used as guard dogs, but they can be. They are very protective of their family and home and will bark to let you know when someone is coming. They may not be as big as some other breeds, but they will certainly let intruders know that they are there. Rat Terrier cross German Shepherd are also very clever and can be easily trained to do whatever you need them to do. If you are looking for a good guard dog, they may be the perfect choice for you! Is Rat Terrier German Shepherd a good family dog? Rat Terrier Shepherd mix makes great family pets because they are so loving and protective of their family. They are also very intelligent and can be easily trained to do whatever is required of them. If you are looking for a good family pet, a Shepherd Terrier may be an ideal choice. Some may be less, some may be more, depending on the breeder. Be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder who has healthy dogs with good temperaments. Remember, you get what you pay for! By doing your research and getting to know this breed, you can make an informed decision about whether or not a German Rat Terrier is right for you. They can be great companions, but they do require a lot of exercise and plenty of training. With the right care, however, they can make wonderful pets. Sergey Uhanov, a certified veterinarian, has authored all of the content here. With over 20 years of experience in dog care and breeding three dogs of his own, he has a deep passion for these furry friends. Sergey owns a pet clinic in Israel where he provides care and treatment to dogs. He enjoys sharing his expertise and knowledge to assist others in caring for their dogs. All content on this site is written by Sergey Uhanov who is an experienced veterinarian. For more information about Sergey, click here. As Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Lifespan Sociability In many cases, these dogs are not available from breeders. Some mixed breeds are popular enough to have breeders dedicated to them, but the German Shepherd Terrier is not one of them. Most dogs will come from accidental litters. A German Shepherd will accidentally end up breeding with a terrier, leaving the owner with a bunch of puppies to get rid of. As you might imagine, the puppies will often be extremely inexpensive. You may even be able to get them for free. However, they would not have undergone the genetic testing that breeders put their dogs through. Some backyard breeders produce this mixed breed, and they may be a better option than purchasing a puppy from an accidental litter. However, the quality of these puppies tends to shift a lot. There are few terriers that a German Shepherd can breed with, making accidental litters a bit difficult as well. Jack Russel Terriers are small, energetic dogs bred to hunt small rodents and protect farmland from pests. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a larger dog that was bred to fight other animals. They are largely kept as companion animals today, though they are also one of the few dog breeds that can handle wild boars and similar, dangerous animals. We recommend asking about the specific terrier used to produce the puppy before adopting them. The breed can affect their temperament significantly. In accidental litters, the identity of one parent may not be known. Some terriers are pretty large, which would produce a dog closer to the size of a German Shepherd. They may weigh as little as 20 pounds or as much as 60 pounds. Often, they are at least somewhat protective. Sometimes, they can be extremely protective, while this trait is less pronounced in other instances. Where their protective instincts fall depends on the genetics they inherit from both parents, as well as how they were raised. Dogs that are heavily socialized at a young age can often be friendly or at least not aggressive towards strangers. This canine will likely never be as friendly as a Labrador Retriever. Often, this breed is exceedingly intelligent. This makes them very easy to train. They are often very devoted to their owners and follow commands easily. However, it also means that they need regular mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Otherwise, they can become bored and destructive. With that said, most terriers are not as intelligent or trainable as a German Shepherd. They are still intelligent dogs. They require lots of mental stimulation and exercise. However, as long as you can meet their needs, these dogs are an excellent option for most experienced dog owners. Just be sure you can dedicate the time their temperament calls for before you adopt a puppy. Most are not scared of kids due to their larger size, especially if they have been socialized with children previously. However, sometimes, German Shepherd Terrier mixes can be pretty small. This weight is plenty small enough for some exuberant children to hurt. If a pound child falls on a pound dog, the dog could easily get hurt. Often, these dogs are great with members of their own family, including children. Be sure to keep this in mind if your child regularly has other kids over. The dog might not like them playing together very much, especially if things get a bit rough. In the end, it can be hit-or-miss with this mixed breed and smaller children. However, they are often great for active families with older kids. If you have small children, you may want to look elsewhere for a more appropriate breed. If you adopt these dogs as adults and know that they are on the larger end of the spectrum, they can be good in households with small children. Their protective instincts can be applied to unfamiliar dogs, especially if they come into their home. However, most are completely fine with dogs they have been raised with. However, it takes socialization to make your German Shepherd Terrier mix accept other dogs. We highly recommend puppy classes at an early age. Group classes are great for training and socialization. In fact, we recommend them primarily because they provide a great socialization opportunity that is safe and controlled. They will chase cats and anything else that they interpret as prey animals. Because this is an innate instinct and not fear-driven, socialization will not help you. They will still see it as something to chase. Feists and Italian Greyhounds helped as well. Considering a Rat Terrier mixed breed is a good idea because they are prone to a few health problems such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation loose kneecaps Some of these issues may be less prominent and it may elongate their lifespan. Rat Terrier hybrids will do well with ample space to exercise and play along with high-quality dog food for a long, happy, healthy life. The Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix is affectionate, loyal, loves attention, and will make an overall great family dog. This mixed breed will typically have a short coat but could have a longer one from the Chihuahua parent. They get along well with others and are affectionate. However, they do have a strong prey drive, so they may want to chase the cat or other small pets you may have at home. They are curious and could be aloof from their Beagle parent, so training the Beagat Terrier will need to be met with patience. They have high energy levels and will need ample space and plenty of exercise and playtime. Be warned; this pooch has a smooth, double-coat that will shed a lot. Daily brushing to keep the loose hair at bay will be a must. They have a long spinal cord and small rib cage, leaving them pretty fragile. However, the Rat Terrier Dachshund mix is great with kids, energetic, and playful. They love attention but will enjoy some alone time now and then. The Poorat Terrier will get along well with others as long as they are trained and socialized early and well. Regardless of size, this pooch will be low maintenance with grooming. Whippet Rat Terrier mix This friendly and curious pooch will need early training and socialization to get along well with others. Grooming needs will vary, depending on which type of coat they inherit from the parent breeds. This doggo is playful, lively, and will make a great companion. They do love to dig, so be careful of your garden! The Shizurat is also energetic and will need ample exercise and playtime each day. This doggo is friendly and a good companion dog. Australian Shepherds are sweet while Rat Terriers are feisty, so it may be a perfect mix of the two. However, they are also stubborn and may be prone to separation anxiety. This doggo does require minimal grooming, thanks to its short coat. Having them on a leash or letting them romp in a fenced-in yard will be great for them. This crossbreed is also not hypoallergenic and will have moderate grooming needs. Shiba Inu Rat Terrier mix This medium pooch will have a short coat that will need weekly brushing. This Ratshire will have moderate grooming needs with its medium coat. This doggo is intelligent, affectionate, and playful. They may also have a strong prey drive, so early training and socialization will be good for them. This will diminish their high energy level. Depending on the coat it inherits, the Ratsky Terrier may have moderate grooming needs. The Rat Terrier Boston Terrier mix will be a small size, typically a perfect mix of both parent dog breeds. This doggo will need moderate grooming with weekly brushing. This mixed breed is easy to train and loyal. This small to medium-sized pooch will need moderate grooming. Pugs, like Bulldogs, have short noses. This doggo is intelligent, easy to train, energetic, and will be an overall great family pet. They love attention and may cause mischief around the house to get some. The Rat Terrier Cocker Spaniel mix will need a fenced-in yard to let loose and get out some of their energy. Having a hybrid will allow your pooch to have different personality traits and even different grooming needs. You can choose a hybrid that will work well with your family in terms of activity levels, as well. Do you have a Rat Terrier mix at home? Let us know in the comments below! With a background in animal science, dog training, and behavior consulting, her hands-on experience and extensive knowledge make her a trusted source for dog owners. When not writing or leading the K9 Web content team, Cess can be found volunteering at local shelters and participating in dog-related events. Leave a Comment. Rat Terriers were initially bred in the early s and originally came from the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Rat Terriers have their roots related to a hunting background. On the other hand, German Shepherds were generated in the latter part of the s to protect herds. As the name implies, these dogs were developed in Germany. Both parent breeds have their own extensive history, yet their hybrid version is not the oldest hybrid dog breed. Terrier cross breeding became demanded in the late s. They were developed to create dogs with unique looks and great personalities. Rat-Shepherds gained popularity in recent years. Most probably around the s. It is also clear that these two breeds have distinct appearances. So what would their mixed-breed look like? Rat-Shepherds could have more physical characteristics from one parent over the other or be a perfect blend of both breeds. Purebred Rat-Terriers are considered small-sized dogs, and German Shepherds are considered medium to large-sized dogs. Therefore, it is hard to pinpoint which category Rat-Shepherds belong to. Rat-Shepherds typically have a weight of pounds and a height of inches. They have short to medium length coat that often combines two to three colors, including black, white, brown, and tan. They have erect ears, sharp eyes, and slender yet muscular bodies, which add more boldness to their appearance. How big do Rat Terrier and German Shepherd mix get? As mentioned above, it is hard to predict exactly how big a Rat-Shepherd would get. Inheriting genes from a small dog breed and relatively a large dog breed, Rat-Shepherd often becomes a medium-sized dog. Therefore a full-grown, healthy Rat-Shepherd could have an approximate weight of 50 pounds and a height of inches. Genes are the primary determinant of their size. Meanwhile, few other external factors, such as nutritional food and physical activities, also impact the growth of a Rat-Shepherd to a reasonable extent. The measures could slightly differ due to the mentioned factors. Nonetheless, as we know, now these breeds have become trendy family dogs. These dogs are affectionate and loyal. Also, they have bold personality traits that they own. Therefore, Rat-Shepherds get a blend of these temperaments. Rat-Shepherds are active, energetic, tenacious, clever, and highly protective. Rat Terriers and German Shepherds are both energetic and lively dogs which undoubtedly makes their hybrid versions the same. On top of it, Rat-Shepherds are excellent watchdogs; hence German Shepherds have a great reputation as watchdogs. Sometimes they can be a little feisty due to the predator instinct they especially get from Rat Terriers. Rat-Shepherds are generally good around children and other pets, but early socializing is necessary. Raising them with proper training from a young age will make them great family pets. How long do Rat Terrier and German Shepherd mix dogs live? Rat-Shepherds typically enjoy a good life expectancy range thanks to the parent breeds. RatTerriers are considered one of the dog breeds with the highest life expectancy, around years. German Shepherds have a life span of years. So if your Rat-Shepherd is in good health condition, it will likely enjoy a life span of years. How much do Rat Terrier and German Shepherd mix puppies cost? The price of a Rat Terrier and German Shepherd mix could vary for several reasons. Previously mentioned factors could change their price. Therefore the cost of their hybrid version also varies accordingly. Usually, you will have to spend around US Dollars if you are willing to buy a quality Rat-Shepherd. However, you should never forget the duties and responsibilities you should fulfill as a dog parent. Maintenance is one of the crucial things to pay attention to when having a dog. You might feel like it will be hard to maintain a hybrid dog, but if you have a fair understanding of the maintenance of parent breeds, you can ace the job. Below you can find some valuable tips regarding the maintenance of Rat-Shepherds. Follow a grooming schedule Grooming schedule of a dog changes from breed to breed. Nevertheless, following a grooming schedule is very important no matter what breed they belong to. The good news is it is not tiring to maintain a grooming schedule for a Rat-Shepherd because these dogs require minimal grooming needs. Rat-Shepherds mostly get short to medium length coats. However, it will not be as dense as a purebred German Shepherd coat. Weekly brushing would be sufficient to maintain a healthy and smooth coat. These dogs can be prone to dental issues, so make sure to brush their teeth a couple of times a week to maintain their oral hygiene. It is also important to trim their nails and check their ears at least once a month. Rat-Shepherds could be affected by common health implications from both parents, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, and allergies. Feed good food, and make them exercise Nutritional food and plenty of physical activities are mandatory to ensure the well-being of a Rat-Shepherd. These dogs do not require complex dietary needs, but you must feed them with quality food as they have high energy levels. The number of calories that a Rat-Shepherd needs varies according to their body weight. Typically two to three cups of dog food would be sufficient per day. When it comes to exercises, you can simply take them for a walk or play with them for minutes. Also, try your best to be consistent with the exercise schedule. Final thoughts about Rat-Shepherd dog breed If you are a first-time dog owner, you might feel reluctant to get a hybrid dog because it is fair enough to think they could be a handful for an inexperienced dog owner. However, if you educate yourself with the basics, it will not be as complex as you think. Rat-Shepherds are the hybrid version of two all-time favorite dog breeds, Rat Terriers and German Shepherds. Whether you are a first-time dog owner or an experienced one, Rat-Shepherds will be a good fit for you. Rat-Shepherds will make affectionate, loyal, and protective family friends if you raise them with proper care. Hope you found this article helpful. Thank you for reading this article! Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about your favorite dog breed. Author Lisa Watson Lisa W. One of her research fields is mixed-dog breeds and their temperament, behavioral issues, and genetic health concerns. Also, she gathers data about purebred dog breeds and their origin, lifespan, and genetic conditions. Lisa is a loving dog parent who is keen to share her expertise with other fellow dog parents. Parson Russell Terrier Fox Terrier Feists readily distinguish themselves from other hunters like hounds as they utilize air and ground scent as well as sight to track their quarry, and they pursue it silently. They often specialize in rodents and hares but are fierce enough to effectively corner larger game like wild pigs. Rat Terriers are treeing feists, meaning they often run animals like squirrels into trees and await their owners. They contributed fierceness and agility to the Bull and Terrier of the time even as they received additional speed from the Whippet and Italian Greyhound and pack social etiquette from the Beagle. Although largely replaced by Bull and Terriers and later Pit Bull Terriers for rat baiting in England, Rat Terriers would prove to have an exceptional affinity for rat control in the US. Rat Terriers suffered a population decline with the arrival of rat and mouse baits and poisons in the s. The terriers would make a comeback in the s, according to Rover. Their popularity was sealed when crosses with Chihuahuas and other Toy breeds increased their appeal as house pets, and their speed earned them a reputation in various competitions like agility and flyball. Your Rat Terrier German Shepherd mix may pick up the following background characteristics from the Terrier side. Very alert and active, high-energy Fast and agile High prey drive — tendency to chase animals who run Intelligent The Rat Terrier Shepherd could inherit several feist-like physical features Erect, button, or folded-tip ears Slender but muscular build — compact with relatively long legs; Beagle lines have shorter legs Short or bobtail Smooth coat with little or no underfur Rat Terriers are about 10 to 18 inches tall and weigh from 10 to 25 pounds with more people seeking dogs under 13 inches at the shoulders. They were traditionally black and tan, but like others in the feist group, they are now often tricolor with large areas of white. Rat terriers can also be calico, bicolor, fawn, chocolate, merle, or sable. Dilute colors like blue and Isabella or Pearl can appear with or without white markings and may also combine with merle. Bicolor dogs are usually black and white or red and white. Sable is similar to the color in Collies where at first glance a Rat Terrier may appear solid brown until you notice the black-tipped hairs or varying tones of red. German Shepherds contribute a background of drive and versatility When you imagine a working GSD you most likely picture a large athletic and beautiful dog with a single-minded purpose and drive. It may shock you that German Shepherds did not always make the best working animals. Max von Stephanitz chose a show dog named Hektor Linksrhein as the founding father of the German Shepherd breed. Hektor, who under von Stephanitz became Horand, embodied the beauty of the herding dog type and could also work in the field. However, many dogs of the Thuringian line were unfocused, unruly, difficult to train, and highly predatory and aggressive, according to Germanwatchdogs. Von Stephanitz brought dogs from the Wurttemberg and Swabian regions of Germany to add stability, size, work ethic, and weather resistance to his sire lines. German Shepherds developed an unparalleled ability to focus on work as well as versatility that made them useful during World War II when many other breeds were in severe decline. Your German Shepherd mix will likely inherit at least a couple of the following attributes from his GSD parent. Intelligence, obedience, and trainability. It's okay if this is an estimation: it is just a starting point. We then factor in your dog's breed composition, information at certain genes that affect size, and their inbreeding coefficient to calculate genetic age. Exercise and diet also play a role in how long your dog will live. Nevertheless, genetic age is the primary risk factor for numerous diseases in dogs, including cancer, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, cataracts, cardiac disease and cognitive decline. If your dog has recent wolf ancestors, you will see that in the breed mix report. Instead, the Wolfiness Score is based on the number of ancient genetic variants your dog has in our unique Wolfiness marker panel. These ancient genes may be a few thousand years old, or may even date back to the original domestication event 15, years ago. They are bits of a wild past that survive in your dog! These markers are thought to be related to "domestication gene sweeps" where early dogs were selected for some trait. For people with puppies, you probably want to know how big of a crate to buy or just how big to expect your dog to become. But genetic weight is also useful for people with fully grown dogs. Just like with people, overweight and obese dogs suffer reduced length and quality of life. They can develop chronic health conditions and suffer from limited mobility and other issues. How do we predict weight? How accurate is the predicted weight? Unlike in people, healthy weight in dogs is controlled largely by only a few genes. However, due to a few as-yet-undiscovered genes and genetic interactions that affect size, this algorithm sometimes misses. Occasionally it misses by a fairly large amount especially when a dog has a breed with an unknown size-influencing gene. This information will inform our ongoing research into the genetics of size and weight in dogs. Because they are inherited whole, your dog and his or her mom share the exact same maternal haplotype. Because most breeds were started with only a few individual dogs, many breeds are dominated by only one or a few haplotypes. These groups all originally descend from one male or female wolf, usually one that lived tens of thousands of years ago. Because they are inherited whole and not shuffled like other DNA, they can be used to trace the ancestral routes that dogs took around the globe en route to your home. Only male dogs have paternal haplogroups because they are determined by the Y chromosome, which only male dogs have. How are Max's ancestors represented in her DNA? All dogs are related and share some DNA. Siblings share lots of their DNA half of it in fact , cousins share a bit less an eighth , and so on. Because dog breeds are made up of a closed group of dogs, all dogs in that breed share a lot of their DNA, typically about as much as second cousins, though it varies by breed. Different breeds that are closely related share somewhat less DNA, and dogs from very different breeds share even less DNA but still much more DNA than either dog shares with a cat. DNA is inherited in pieces, called chromosomes, that are passed along from parent to offspring. Each generation, these chromosomes are broken up and shuffled a bit in a process known as recombination. So, the length of the segments your dog shares with her ancestors decreases with each generation above her: she shares longer segments with her mom than her grandma, longer segments with her grandma than her great-grandma, and so on. How does Embark know which breeds are in Max? We can use the length of segments Max shares with our reference dogs to see how many generations it has been since they last shared an ancestor. Long segments of DNA that are identical to known purebred dogs tell Embark's scientists that Max has, without a doubt, a relative from that breed. By testing over , genetic markers, we build up her genes one DNA segment at a time, to learn the ancestry with great certainty. Other dog DNA tests look at many fewer genetic markers and have to take a guess at breed ancestry based on that. What does this mean for Max's looks and behavior? The exact similarity depends on which parts of DNA Max shares with each breed. Embark will tell you even more about Max's traits soon! In these rare cases we contact the owner to find out more and let them know about their unique dog before they get their results. With this in-depth detective work, we are pushing science forward by identifying genetically unique groups of dogs. Still have questions? Let us know with our contact form or by email at howdy embarkvet. Some dogs descend from other dogs that were themselves mixed breed. These other dogs can give small contributions to the ancestry of your dog, so small that they are no longer recognizable as any one particular breed. Just kidding. But we do think supermutts really are super!

Black and cream Black and silver Along with their color, German Shepherds have two different types of coats. The first is a medium coat, and the other is a long coat. Despite the length, the coats are always double and have a denser guard layer with a softer coat underneath. Do German Shepherd puppies change color? Black German Shepherds are usually purebred — they are not a separate breed. Most purebred German Shepherds are solid black as puppies and tend to have a three-mix color at the later stages of their lives. There are many ways to test if your German Shepherd puppies are purebred. Some of them are: 1. DNA test This is the best and most accurate way to determine if your dog is purebred. The first step is purchasing a kit. You can get one from Amazon. The breed standard is the double coat, which consists of dense, straight, short hair that lies close to the body. The long-haired coat is also quite common among German Shepherds that are family pets. Behavioral characteristics German Shepherds are usually associated with aggressiveness. They are very calm, obedient, and friendly to their family. Most interestingly, whenever their family becomes threatened, they become protective. This makes them perfect for watchdogs. Asking questions Make sure you ask enough questions about your German Shepherd from your breeder. Also, ensure your questions are directed to a breeder with lots of experience in the field. Another essential tip is to request relevant proof about your German Shepherd before you adopt one. They also have blue eyes. The Blue German Shepherd comes in three different variations. They are; blue and tan, blue and sable, or blue and black. The blue German Shepherds are relatively very rare and a puppy could cost a bit more than average GSDs. You might even get placed on a waiting list. The fawn color is another extremely rare color of German Shepherd. Although they were noticed a long time ago, they are still relatively very rare. Instead, they come in a mixture, especially when a white German Shepherd is bred with another color. This occurrence is due to a genetic mutation. The fawn color is classified as stable color. Members of the stable colors are basically several reds though a little lighter. A way you can see it is something close to the color of the fur of a deer. The fawn color goes very well with other colors to form the signature German Shepherd pattern. Other rare colors of the German Shepherd include: Liver. Sable Brown Some puppies will continue to have the same coat and be all-black, all-grey, or all-white their entire life. It should be noted that these shades — particularly without other patterns or colors — are quite rare. The most common hues for German Shepherds are black and tan. These coat colors tend to perform better in dog shows and competitions, making them a desired trait. Breeders will make an effort to breed dogs with black and tan coats in the hopes of creating similarly hued pups. There are some other coat colors you should be aware of. German Shepherd pups can also have distinct colors such as blue , Isabella , Panda , and Bi-color. These coat colors tend to be the result of rare genetic variations or mutations. Due to this, they are not often seen in the general German Shepherd population. They are flukes and it can be quite difficult to know if such pups will show up in a litter or not. German Shepherd puppy color prediction is possible as coat color is all down to genetics. German Shepherds present as specific shades because they have the genes for those colors. At the same time, they may contain genes for other colors, but these may be recessive. These recessive genes can still be passed onto their pups, however. This is why you will find color discrepancies within a single litter. To gain a better understanding of how the color of your German Shepherd puppy may be predicted, here is a closer look at German Shepherd color genes: What are German Shepherd Color Pigments? These pigments interact with other genes responsible for color, altering them to a certain degree. The final color of your German Shepherd will depend on the specific interaction. Eumelanin is the pigment that is responsible for black. When it interacts with other genes, it can result in yellow, black with a blue tint, or off-white. Pheomelanin defaults to red but when it is combined with other genes, there will be varying shades of red, including deep brown, light brown, pale gold, and yellow. These genes have a pair of alleles — one from each German Shepherd parent. The alleles are located at specific locations on a chromosome. This position is known as locus or loci. When two German Shepherds mate, each dog will contribute an allele at random. This means that there is a fifty percent chance of a particular shade being passed onto their offspring. One of these alleles at each locus is dominant. This will result in specific coat color. Known as the A-locus, it is responsible for the base color of German Shepherds as well as the patterns. If the associated gene is dominant, the puppy may be fawn, sable, or wild sable. If the gene is recessive, the dog may be black and tan, black, or bi-color. What is the Extension Locus? The E locus is responsible for the black face mask of the German Shepherd. It also plays a role in the presentation of yellow and red in coats. The alleles for this gene are black E , red e , and mask Em. The presence of this gene results in dominant black, fawn colors, and brindle. This is often known as the brown locus as it represents brown, chocolate, and liver colors. There are two brown alleles — dominant brown and recessive brown. Two recessive alleles will dilute black to brown. If the dog has red or yellow pigments, this allele can cause their nose and foot pads to be brown. The diluted locus is responsible for a diluted pigment, causing the lightening of other pigments. It turns black or brown to gray. It can also turn the darker shades to blue or very light brown. Color dilution is the result of a mutation so this locus can be pretty rare. This locus has dominant and recessive alleles. Two recessive alleles can dilute black to gray or blue and red to cream. Not only can they tell what genes make up the parents, but they can also come up with scenarios for which genes can be passed on. This allows breeders to narrow down the range of shades the puppies in a litter can be. German Shepherd puppies can be born black, white, or grey. As the dogs get older, though, their coats will begin to change in some shape or form. Most German Shepherd puppies will change color. This transformation takes place at around 8 weeks. Every German Shepherd is different. Most will come into their final coat by the time they are 2 months old. The coats of some dogs may continue to change throughout their puppyhood, only coming in when they are around 2 years old. Most reputable breeders will not breed with a particular color in mind. This is because they focus on health and physique rather than coat color. As tan and black German Shepherds are the most common and sought after, many breeders will choose to breed two dogs of these colors together. Unless previous genetic testing is done, a breeder has no way of knowing what dominant or recessive genes each dog carries. This is why you will often find surprises in any litter, with one or more puppies being a completely different color to the rest of their littermates. There are many ways to predict what color your German Shepherd puppy may be. From genes to variations, there is a lot to learn. Once you figure it all out, you will be one step closer to making an educated guess. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. It can take time for their color to develop as they mature. Black German shepherds are one of the color patterns that you see in this dog breed that does not change over time. Unlike the other colors you see in German shepherds, a black German shepherd will be born black and remain black. Many people are afraid of all black dogs and sometimes will not want a black German shepherd. Black German shepherds have the same temperament as any other color German shepherd and will make a great companion for you. If you are wondering if your German shepherd puppy will be all black, simply look at the parents. If the dam and sire are black or have a mostly black coat, then there is a possibility that some of the puppies will come out all black. White German shepherds are like black german shepherds. They are born white and will stay white for the rest of their lives. There will be no color changes over the next several years. If they end up being not a pure white German Shepherd, you will then see some color variation over time. If you want to learn even more about German shepherds, click here! While they are growing up and learning, their coat is changing with them. Here is a timeline of what their coat could look like at different stages: German Shepherds at Birth The puppies are born! German shepherd puppies are born all black. At this point, it is hard to tell what color they will be, and they need to do some growing before we can be sure of their color. The only exception to this rule is that if your puppy is born all white, they will stay all white, and there should be no further changes. You will be able to tell if they will be an all-black German shepherd or if their coat will change. This is also the time period when you will be able to tell what type of coat they will have. German shepherds can have shorter coats or longer coats. The most common coat a German shepherd will have is a medium-length coat. Closer to the end of the 2-week mark is when you will be able to tell for sure what type of coat your puppy will have. They can get lighter and darker during this time, sometimes returning to all black as well. Your puppy will start to grow and even shed its coat in this time. If your puppy has any red, brown, sable, or any other variations other than black, they should be showing up by now. Even though your pup should be fully grown, believe it or not, their coat can still change at this time. With seasons changing and your dog blowing out their coat, it is not uncommon to see another change in their coats. Their coats could have a small change or a drastic change. At this point, only time will be able to tell what your puppy will look like in the end. Once they reach the age of two or 24 months , you can almost be certain that this is what your dog is supposed to look like. If you want even more common traits and specs for German Shepherds, you can check out the link here! As we mentioned, German Shepherds typically stop changing colors when they reach the age of two. There are rare cases, but sometimes they can go through another color change. It is unlikely though. If your dog goes through another drastic color change, you may want to reach out to your veterinarian or the breeder you purchased your puppy from. It is best if you go through a breeder to get your German shepherd puppy. When you go through a breeder, they will be able to tell you any health concerns that this specific breed could have. They try to breed these puppies without any health concerns, and they will often have specific tests done to show that these health problems are not present in the litter. You can find reputable breeders on the American Kennel Clubs website. When you go to a breeder from the AKC, your puppy should also come with a certificate of authenticity. Can I show a German shepherd? You will also want to get a dog with certain markings if you want to show your dog. Some German shepherds, like the sable coats and white coats, cannot be show dogs. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. And the best part is it also has a day money-back guarantee! You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer! Recap As you can see, there are a lot of factors that will affect your german shepherds color! But the most important thing to remember is, that no matter what the color, all that matters is that you have a healthy and happy german shepherd! If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise have a great day! Related Posts:. Yes, German Shepherd puppies are actually born black! They can also be born gray and white, as the coats will gradually change color as they grow older. By about eighteen to twenty-four months of age, a German Shepherd puppy should have its final coat color , and it will stay that way! However, many German Shepherds can be born black, and their coats may stay black. Some German Shepherds that are born black will never gain their color, and will remain with a black coat forever. However, this is incredibly rare, and it is said that only about 6. It may surprise you that German Shepherds can actually be born in three different colors. They are typically either born black, white or gray in color, and you will see the color change from the age of 8 weeks onwards, but it can take up to two years to see the final color. Black and tan German Shepherds are the most common, and they will gradually get more tan as they age, with the browner colors appearing around the face, tail, ears, and stomach as time passes. In addition, a German Shepherd that is born black can either grow up to be black all over, or they may fade to another color such as Sable, Gray, Black and Tan, Brown, Black and Silver, or other variations of the breed. Even if you have a puppy that has been black for more than 8 weeks, it is very unlikely that it will stay entirely black as it grows. Black German Shepherds are extremely rare, and most will turn more Sable colored or Tan as time progresses. Whilst German Shepherds can come in a few colors , their coats also vary in length and thickness. The most common German Shepherds will have very thick, long, fluffy hair, but some can be short-haired. The German Shepherd breed has two pigments in their fur called eumelanin and pheomelanin. How these pigments interact with other genes in the German Shepherd puppy determines how the coat will turn out! For example, the pigment called eumelanin is responsible for the color black. On the other hand, pheomelanin defaults to red, which can create Red Sable, or deep brown tones and pale gold colors. If you are hoping to find yourself a black German Shepherd, then you may have a tough job in doing so. A black German Shepherd is actually very rare, and is down to genetics and pigmentation, so even with a black parent, it is not guaranteed that the puppies would be black in color, or remain black in color as they grow. The most promising combination for a black German Shepherd puppy is if both parents of the puppies are black themselves. This will give you the greatest chance of achieving all black puppies. However, some black puppies can come from parents that are both black and tan, or if one parent is black and tan, and the other is black. It sometimes is just down to luck. That being said, if both parents have the solid black color recessive gene, meaning they are fully black all over, and not even slightly black and tan, then it is likely that the puppies will be born black, and will stay black as they grow older. As black German Shepherds are incredibly rare, some people are under the impression that they are a different breed altogether, but the black variant is a recognized version of the regular German Shepherd dog. Although they are the same breed, there can be some differences between the Black and Tan German Shepherd and the Black German Shepherd. For instance, a black German Shepherd can quite often be much larger than the regular German Shepherd. They may also have a much straighter back than a normal German Shepherd. In addition, black German Shepherds can sometimes have a thicker coat, especially at the neck and on the front and back legs. You may also notice that some black German Shepherds will have thicker fur at the ears and around the tail, which is why some people think that they are a different dog breed as they can sometimes look more like wolves than German Shepherds! Some black German Shepherds may also have much fluffier coats, or a stronger, more athletic build and erect, pointed ears, however it does depend on the dog itself. As previously mentioned, the black German Shepherd is a much more rare occurrence than the more common Black and Tan German Shepherd, and as such, they can be harder to come across and much more expensive than any other type of German Shepherd. However, you should exercise some caution when trying to purchase a black German Shepherd, as many breeders may advertise a black version of the breed, which may not exactly turn out to be. In addition, purchasing from a reputable breeder will ensure that the dog does not have any health issues or problems later in life which can also cost you thousands of dollars, too! To ensure that you get a good quality dog, you should always find out the parentage of the puppy. This means either asking for documentation to prove the father of the puppies, and checking to see if the mother is with the puppies, and properly cared for. You can also research which breeders are trustworthy by looking at registered breeders on the American Kennel Club website. Some people are under the misconception that black German Shepherds are highly different to regular German Shepherds, and have different temperaments and health issues or ailments. However, this is not always the case. A great number of people seem to think that black German Shepherds are more aggressive than regular German Shepherds, and may be more prone to angry outbursts or aggressive behavior. German Shepherds are typically very active, intelligent, alert, friendly, loyal and loving animals, but there may always be some that show signs of aggression or misbehavior. This can be solved with a solid routine and expert or professional training. You have to keep in mind that because German Shepherds are so intelligent, they need a lot of mental stimulation and attention to keep their minds engaged and active. This means giving them a lot of exercise, time, energy and toys to keep them focused and interested. Otherwise, you may notice some aggression, anti-social, destructive or bad behavior as they tend to act out and become naughty if they are bored. Summary To summarize, German Shepherd puppies can be born black, but not all are. Some German Shepherd puppies can be born black, white or gray, and may stay this color for about 8 weeks. After this period has passed, the puppies will begin to show their true colors shall we say, and turn their final color. At this point, most German Shepherd puppies will become that common Black and Tan color that we know and love, however some will have different genes and pigments, which will result in a black German Shepherd, but this is very rare. In order to get a black German Shepherd, both parents would need to be black, or one would have to be black and the other black and tan. This is why all black German Shepherds are considered a rarity, and are therefore much more expensive than normal ones. However, the black variant of the German Shepherd is no different in temperament, health or breed. To see some German Shepherd puppies with their beautiful black colors, check out this video! 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.