white labradoodle puppy

Reserve your puppy today! Breeding Allergy-Friendly, bright, gentle, loyal companions!! Whether you are looking for a family pet, a hunting dog or a service dog a Goldendoodle is for you! English Golden Retrievers: are often cream to light golden in color, coat is thick and feathered. Blocky square head with a stocky build. Wider and shorter muzzle, shorter legs and tail. Dark brown to black round eyes, noses and pigment. English Golden's are known to have great disposition, and are calm at an early age. The Golden Retriever, with its intelligence and eager to please attitude, is one of the most popular breeds. The working ability that has made the Golden Retriever such a useful hunting companion also makes him an ideal guide, assistance, search and rescue dog. Average life span is 12 years. Poodles originated in Germany as a water retriever. The poodle is exceptionally smart, active and excels in obedience training. The Poodle can accommodate nearly any size living quarters, making them ideal for city dwellers living in apartments and condos. Their hypoallergenic coat may reduce allergic reactions and requires regular professional grooming. Goldendoodles are a Hybrid Breed, they are generally healthier and live longer than either parent. This is because they are only prone to diseases shared by BOTH parents! You may hear the term "Hybrid Vigor": This is a phenomenon in animal breeding that refers to the offspring from a first cross First Generation - F1 between two unrelated breeds. This results in a healthier dog than either parent. With each successive generation the vigor is decreased. Because of this we breed F1 Goldendoodles. Result of an F1 crossed with an F1. This produces a genetically varied result, and the hybrid vigor is decreased. The coat will be fluffy during puppyhood until the adult coat develops at around one year of age. Texture of coats can also vary, commonly flat waves to soft curls. The curlier the coat, generally the less shedding. We know you will love the versatility, the trainability and the loyalty of this loving Hybrid!! A puppy can be the perfect addition to a home to give and receive love and build a strong mutual bond of devotion. Welcoming a new puppy into your forever home is an exhilarating time, but it also brings a wealth of responsibilities. At Almond Blossom Doodles, we want this homecoming to be a beautiful and joyous occasion, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We ensure that these adorably perfect family companions receive an abundance of love and affection from the moment they enter this world. Our hands-on approach helps socialize the puppies while also aiding in the development of their loyalty and trust. We put a piece of our hearts into each puppy that we raise and share with you so the transition into their forever home will be seamless. Our sweet and lovable puppies are ready to come home with you eight weeks after birth, and all puppies come with the following services: Two-year health guarantee A Start on crate training-one week before you take them home ENS Early Neurological Stimulation Age-appropriate shots and worming with records included Collar and leash Almond Blossom Doodle Swag Bag. Windsong breeds Goldendoodle puppies that are healthy, happy, and well-socialized. We help each family select the right puppy for their lifestyle while keeping the individual needs of each puppy in mind as well. Love Our babies receive round-the-clock care from birth until they join their new family at 8 weeks. In fact, our babies spend the first weeks in our master bedroom as this makes for easy nighttime checks! They are loved on from their first day of life by children, cats, and most of all me! At 4 weeks they move to my living room where they can observe and interact more closely with our family. Health A high-quality diet, proper supplements, and the necessary genetic testing is our key to raising healthy puppies. We are passionate about health and are proud to offer a 2-year health guarantee on all our puppies. More info Happiness The happiness and well-being of our moms, dads, and puppies are extremely important to us. All of our breeding dogs live in our home or in loving guardian homes with their forever families. We believe there is a right and wrong way to breed. We are not a kennel, all of our dogs are well-cared for and cherished family members. Goldendoodles via ourdoodteddy How To Find A Reputable Goldendoodle Breeder Selecting a breeder is a major decision that everyone who wants to bring a Goldendoodle into their home has to face. You want to choose one carefully as their breeding practices will have an impact on the temperament and health of your Goldendoodle puppy. Start by looking at online sources such as Google reviews, online forums, discussion groups and social media platforms to see what other people are saying about the breeder. Did they have a good experience buying from them? To take your research a bit further, you can ask Goldendoodle organizations and clubs based in your area about their opinion of the breeder you are considering to purchase from. Many Goldendoodle clubs also have their own lists of responsible breeders so they can give you additional recommendations for good Goldendoodle breeders. You may also consider visiting some dog shows and events as they are a good opportunity to meet breeders in person and see their Goldendoodles. You can also ask other dog owners that are showing their Goldendoodles for breeder recommendations. Finally, ask potential breeders for references and consider contacting these people to ask about their experience with the breeder. Reputable breeders always prioritize the well-being of their dogs and strive for positive reviews. You should inquire about temperament and health of the Goldendoodle these people purchased. Use this information to make an informed decision. All reputable Goldendoodle breeders conduct them on their breeding dogs — whether they are breeding from purebred Golden Retrievers for F1 Goldendoodles and Poodles or from Goldendoodles for later generations like F2 Goldendoodles. A stipulates the health testing requirements for Goldendoodles and if the breeder is registered with G. A, you know that the breeding dogs have undergone full health testing. A heart clearance O. Ask to see documentation of these clearances before purchasing from a Goldendoodle breeder. All responsible breeders should be willing to provide any health documentation. They should also be happy to answer any questions you have about their breeding program. However, if you have the opportunity to check out the facilities you should do it. Check that the kennels are clean, that they dogs and puppies have access to fresh water and also that there is not a build up of feces or urine. Comfortable living conditions: The breeder should keep their Goldendoodles, Golden Retrievers and Poodles in comfortable living conditions. They should have large, comfortable kennels or dog beds and also have a decent amount of space to exercise and socialize with other dogs. Healthy breeding dogs and puppies: If you get the opportunity to meet the parents of the Goldendoodle litter you are interested in, make sure they are well-tempered and also healthy. Sometimes the mother will be quite protective of her puppies so she may show signs of aggression. If you are purchasing a puppy online and getting it delivered, ask if the breeder would be happy to video call you or send videos of their Goldendoodle puppies and breeding dogs to you. Ask About Socialization Goldendoodle breeders should begin the socialization process before their puppies are sold. The puppies should be exposed to a wide variety of sounds, experiences, people and places so they can adjust to their new homes and adult life. Nevertheless, they should start exposing them to sounds like household appliances, provide mental stimulation with toys and games and also encourage playtime and interactions with their littermates and family. The most common ones are: Lack of registration: If a Goldendoodle breeder cannot provide registration papers or other relevant documentation, it may be a sign that they are not operating a reputable breeding program. Overbreeding: Think twice about purchasing from a Goldendoodle breeder who always has puppies available or offers an excessive amount of dog breeds. This may suggest that the breeder is overly focused on profit instead of the health and wellbeing of their puppies. Lack of health checks: A reputable Goldendoodle breeder will conduct health clearances on their breeding dogs to ensure they are free of genetic health issues that could be passed on. If a breeder cannot provide documentation of these health checks, it may be a sign that they are not prioritizing health. Further Reading.

Though, you get what you paid for. Best Features What makes the Haige heavy duty crate so much better than any other dog crate is the frame. Young Golden Retriever puppies, in the midst of teething, will certainly try to chew up the crate. So, this feature provides a great dog-safe enclosure for your pup. However, the only negative for some people is the one-door option. It makes it slightly more difficult to access whatever you put into the crate bowls, pads, etc. Because the second door is on top, it provides a clever way of getting things in dog crate without the chance of your dog escaping. The degree rotated locking caster are 4 wheels that can lock in place for better mobility. All quality dog crate should have removable plastic trays, including the Haige heavy duty. Unlike other dog crates, this brand comes with a 3-year warranty. Check out the current price and more reviews on the Haige Heavy Duty here. I must have forgot that this crate included a bowl, water, and mat for the cage. I was so happy and for the price. Such a deal! My dog has separation anxiety and destroyed a standard wire crate and a plastic crate, injuring himself while doing so. But so far no damage or injuries. Plenty of room, our dog is 65 lbs and he can turn and move easily. It provides freedom for him with an added security to me that I still have control. He is a larger dog pounds but this is strong and durable. The sling pack makes it an easy addition to our walks. I highly recommend this product! This also does not come with a divider sold separately , which I think is such an awesome feature for dog crates. Security is always important with crates, which is why the New World crate comes with slide-bolt latches to ensure your dog is safe in the cage. In fact, Golden Retrievers much prefer to chew on socks! Like the first two options, this dog crate is foldable and can collapse in a few seconds. Easily slide out the tray and hose it down or wipe it clean with ease. As mentioned, there is no divider. So, I would only recommend this for adult-sized Golden Retrievers. If you were to purchase a divider separately, it would probably cost you more. To check out the current price of the New World dog crate, click here. Extremely secure, plenty of room for our golden retriever pup plus plenty of room for her to grow into , and the thick plastic floor is very easy to clean. This crate, however, is great value. I had one downstairs but it was too troublesome to move every time I went upstairs. Now, Max can sleep upstairs too. This is super awesome, and super neat! These dogs are very intelligent with a cheerful demeanor, maintaining their puppy-like personality well into adulthood. Often sought after for being loyal, social, and easy to train, Golden Retrievers are sure to become lifelong best friends to their owners. Golden Retrievers are very active dogs that require daily exercise. They enjoy physical activity, such as running and playing, but due to them being high-energy dogs, Golden Retrievers can easily over-exert themselves. This is one of the many reasons why dog crates are recommended for Golden Retrievers. Since they are naturally curious dogs, and with their playful nature, even the most unsuspecting of household items can be potentially harmful. A quality dog crate is a fundamental part of caring for your Golden Retriever. When your dog has a comfortable and safe crate to retreat to, this creates a peaceful, stress-free environment for your pup to rest. This is especially important for ensuring your dog can have some relaxation or nap time and not just remain in an adrenalized state throughout the day. When you are unable to watch or play with your Golden Retriever, it is important to keep them in a crate, to both protect them and your home. When they have a lot of pent-up energy and are left outside of a crate, that is when accidents are most likely to happen. A durable, heavy-duty dog crate brings dog owners peace of mind knowing that their furniture is safe from chewing, and, more importantly, their pup is safeguarded against injuries. Energetic dogs are significantly more likely to try to escape from crates, which can result in very serious accidents. If your dog is being housed in a flimsy wire crate, that can create a very dangerous environment for your pup, causing broken nails and resulting in teeth being snagged in holes. Additionally, wire crates are not designed for transport, providing little to no protection for your dog during car and plane travel. For at-home and on-the-road use, a weak crate lacks the proper safety features, leaving your pup vulnerable to potential injuries. Our three models; the Collapsible, Stationary, and High Anxiety crates, are constructed from durable, lightweight aluminum, allowing Golden Retriever owners to securely house and transport their pups with ease. Occasionally, Golden Retriever owners will choose the size 40 inch Impact dog crate. For Goldens on the larger end, we recommend that the customer reaches out to our reps to determine the best fit for their Impact dog crate. If you're picking out an Impact dog crate for your golden retriever puppy, our reps can help you choose the appropriate crate size based on their estimated adult size and how the crate will be used. Our aluminum dog crates are trusted by Golden Retriever owners to protect their beloved pets, and we are committed to continuing to provide premium dog products that put the safety and well-being of every dog first. There are a number of different considerations to keep in mind when you decide to invest in a quality dog crate for your Golden Retriever. You should aim for a crate size that allows your Golden Retriever to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Golden Retriever owners need to consider the potential growth of your Golden and choose a crate that will accommodate their size as they mature. Common crate materials include metal, plastic, and fabric. Metal crates offer sturdiness and visibility, while plastic crates provide a more enclosed and den-like feel. You should pinpoint what purpose your crate will serve your Golden before deciding upon the material. Wire crates are well-ventilated and provide visibility, which can be particularly beneficial for dogs who may experience separation anxiety. When selecting a crate, prioritize durability to withstand any chewing or scratching attempts. Investing in a high-quality crate ensures that it will remain a safe and comfortable haven for your Golden Retriever for years to come. Ensure that the crate is easy to set up and fold down, providing convenience during your journeys. You should research different options and compare prices to find a crate that meets your requirements without straining your finances. Remember that investing a little more money in a durable and well-designed crate can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for frequent replacements. You should also check out if the dog crate comes with a guarantee or warranty. Consult with veterinarians and experienced trainers for additional guidance on selecting the best crate for your Golden Retriever. It takes less than 60 seconds to set up or collapse. Made in the USA, the Collapsible Crate has military grade handles to make it comfortable to carry it weighs 35lbs. The crate is built using a solid, single piece metal frame. Diggs were inspired by baby industry standards when it came to designing their Revol so it has an ergonomic design. The Revol is the easiest crate to construct and collapse in this feature. The diamond-shaped wire mesh will prevent your Golden from sticking their snout through the gaps. It has a handle and wheels to make the Revol easy to transport. We can offer helloBARK! Impact explain on their website that the Stationary Crate crafted from laser-cut aluminum and precisely riveted. A quick glance through customer reviews highlights that the Stationary Crate is perfect for international travel check with your airline. It has diamond-shaped ventilation holes to allow for airflow but prevent chewing. It has military handles and has the ability to be stacked just like the Collapsible Crate. It has four butterfly latches to add extra peace of mind. It has a thoughtful design with 20 ventilation holes on either side to provide adequate ventilation. Consider the age of your Golden Retriever when selecting a crate. Different types of crates offer different advantages and disadvantages. Using the wrong crate size can lead to discomfort, restricted movement, and anxiety. Make sure you understand the role of a crate, not just for training but also transportation. Crate training for Golden Retrievers requires proper timing and practice. Where to place the crate and what to put in it will help make the most of your crate. Golden Retrievers will typically grow to by 20 to 24 inches tall and up to 75 lbs, so you need to make sure to get them the right size crate. Follow these steps to determine the size of your dog: Measure the height of your Golden Retriever: Have your dog stand up straight, Measure from the floor to the top of their shoulder blades. Add around inches to this measurement to determine the minimum height for the crate. Measure the length of your dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail. Remember to add 2 to 4 inches to the measurement. Measure their width by having your Golden Retriever standing with their legs slightly apart. Focus your attention on the widest part of their body, which tends to be the chest area. Once again, always add up to 4 inches to the figure. Finally, you want to consider the age of your Golden Retriever. For example, if you have a puppy, keep in mind that they will grow rapidly. You may want to choose a crate that will work for their adult size or opt for an adjustable crate with dividers, so you can gradually increase the space as they grow. Your Golden Retriever puppy will rapidly outgrow a nice crate that is not suited for an adult size. Now that you have all the measurements, you can refer to this Crate Size Calculator to find out the right and best dog crate size for your golden retriever. Types of Crates For Golden Retrievers Crates come not only in different sizes, but also with different structural elements. Below, we explain the pros and cons of each type of crate. Wire Crates Wire crates are popular due to their durability and visibility, They provide excellent ventilation and are easy to clean. However, bear in mind that some Golden Retrievers tend to find them less cozy than other options. Plastic Crates Plastic crates are a popular choice for travel. They offer more privacy and create a den-like environment for your Golden Retriever. Being lightweight, they are easy to transport and provide a sense of security. However, they may not offer as much airflow as wire crates. They are perfectly suitable for strong and aggressive chewers , which is a frequent issue among puppies! Bear in mind that steel crates can be heavy and less budget-friendly than other crate types. Soft Crates Lightweight and collapsible, soft crates are convenient for temporary use, such as short transportation needs. They are not suitable for dogs that like to chew or scratch as they are easily damaged. These crates come in various materials, including wood or wicker, and provide a stylish alternative to traditional crates. Yet, they may be less durable, and some favor design over ventilation. Recommendations for Best Golden Retriever Crates We suggest discussing crate recommendations with your veterinarian and your Golden Retriever breeder for tips and favorite brands. It has a removable plastic tray for easy cleaning and folds down for storage. Having double doors on the crate is a practical feature as it offers convenient access and flexibility in terms of crate placement. The secure locking mechanism adds an extra layer of safety. Cons: While the crate is generally considered of decent quality, there could be durability concerns for dogs with a history of trying to escape crates. This means it might not be the most suitable option for such dogs. This plastic crate is airline-approved in the USA and provides a secure and comfortable space for your Golden Retriever during air travel. It features ventilation on all sides and a durable, heavy-duty construction. Withstood mile flight. Arrived on time. Easy to set up. Met all airline guidelines for flying pets. The dog had ample room for a mat. Adding that this is also rust resistant! Spacious and roomy: The crate offered plenty of space for dogs to stand up and move around comfortably. Cons: Durability concerns: Considering the price paid for these crates, it was mentioned by previous buyers that they were not as sturdy as expected. This raised doubts about their long-term durability. Potential safety issues: The crate had plastic edges and lips that protruded, which proved problematic for dogs with severe separation anxiety. If you have a strong and powerful Golden Retriever, this steel crate is an excellent choice. It has reinforced steel tubing and multiple locks for maximum security. I used to worry while I was out, and would come home to a 45 min cleanup, not anymore! Thanks for the great product that is, as advertised. It effectively prevents the dog from escaping and causing damage to the surroundings, giving peace of mind when leaving my dog alone. Durability and strength: The crate is built to be indestructible, and it lives up to its claim. The sturdy construction and quality materials used make it resistant to escape attempts and capable of withstanding the efforts of even the most determined dogs. Cons: Inconvenient assembly and weight: The crate can be challenging to assemble due to the use of hex screws, which may not be the most user-friendly option. Additionally, it is quite heavy, making it less portable and difficult to move around. Grated bottom design: The grated floor of the crate, although intended for easy cleaning in case of accidents, may not be comfortable for dogs to lie on or move around. Some dogs may find it less appealing, and additional padding or a flat surface may be necessary to ensure their comfort. This soft crate is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for temporary use. It features three mesh doors for easy access and ventilation. I used it for a weekend dog show and plan on using it often. I may need to purchase another for my other pup! It provides ample room for your golden retriever puppy to stand up and stretch out, allowing for comfort and mobility. Lots of ventilation: The 4-door model offers excellent cross-ventilation options, making it suitable for hot weather conditions. Sturdiness and portability: The crate feels sturdy and durable, giving you confidence in its ability to contain my dog. Lightweight: Despite its strength, it is relatively lightweight, making it easy to transport and handle. The included storage bag with various handle options adds to its portability. Cons: Limited instructions and assembly complexity: The provided instructions were not comprehensive, and there was a lack of guidance on disassembling the crate. Assembly can be straightforward, but taking it down and folding it back may require some trial and error. It may not be suitable for dogs with such behaviors, and additional caution is necessary. Additionally, the larger windows and netting material can pose risks for puppies, as they may get caught or try to escape through them. This aesthetic crate combines the functionality of a wire crate with a stylish cover. It blends well with home decor and provides a cozy den-like environment for your Golden Retriever. No more stuck paws. After my puppy got her paw stuck twice in the kennel bars and woke me up screaming, I knew I needed to find a way to make her kennel safer. This is a great solution. Not only does it keep her from accidently getting caught in the bars, it looks great and is high quality and well made. My huge kennel looks so much nicer in my room now and the crate pad is pretty nice. I love the option for side or front entry too as my kennel has both. The fabric is described as plush and the bumper and pad offer protection from the wires of the crate, making it more den-like and cozy. The set created a more appealing and inviting space for the dog. Cons: Inadequate size and ties: There were issues with the sizing and ties of the bumper set. The side panels were reported to be slightly short for the cage, which could affect the overall fit and coverage. Additionally, the ties on the bumper set were not sturdy enough and ripped easily, particularly during playful interactions inside the crate. Misleading washing instructions: While the packaging stated that the set was completely machine washable, the bumper was later found to be spot clean only, resulting in twisting and seams starting to rip after washing. One user felt that the packaging and description were misleading, and that clearer instructions should have been provided. Advantages of Choosing the Right Crate Size Comfort A properly sized crate ensures your Golden Retriever has enough space to lie down, stand, turn around, and stretch comfortably. Safety The right crate size prevents your Golden Retriever from getting stuck or injured while inside. It reduces the risk of accidents or escape attempts. Effective House Training A correctly sized crate aids in house training by discouraging your Golden Retriever from soiling their sleeping area. It helps establish a routine and promotes bladder control. If the crate you choose is too small, your dog will be uncomfortable. And if the crate you choose is too big, they may feel comfortable pottying inside of it. Downsides of Choosing the Wrong Crate Size Beware of some of the most common issues when picking the wrong crate size. A crate that is too small can cause discomfort, stiffness, and limited mobility for your dog. Insufficient space in the crate may prevent your dog from stretching, changing positions, or engaging in natural behaviors. Finally, a cramped or confining crate can lead to anxiety and stress for your Golden Retriever , resulting in behavioral issues or reluctance to enter the crate. A crate offers several benefits for both you and your Golden Retriever. Crates provide a secure and private space where your Golden Retriever can retreat when they need rest or alone time. The crate helps build a routine and provides a designated area for your dog. Crating your Golden Retriever when unsupervised can prevent them from engaging in destructive behaviors, such as chewing furniture or household items. Finally, a crate will give your dog safety and prevent distractions while traveling in a car or an airplane. Benefits Of Crate Training Crate training can present many benefits, such as accelerating house training. The crate helps establish a routine and teach your Golden Retriever to hold their bladder and bowels until they are outside. For anxious dogs, crate training can provide the safety and secure space they need to rest and feel protected. Finally, crate training also reduces separation anxiety through a cozy environment. Of course, it is important to ensure the crate is well-ventilated and meets the necessary travel requirements and airline approvals. Ideally, you want to start crate training when your Golden Retriever is still a puppy. Puppies are more adaptable and open to learning. However, that being said, crate training can be successful at any age. Make it more comfortable by providing toys, blankets, and treats. Step 2: Once your pup is at ease, close the door and bring toys and treats inside. Keep an eye on them and let them out if they become distressed. Step 3: Increase the time your puppy spends in the crate with the door closed gradually, and step away from the crate while they are distracted. Step 4: Extend the time you are away from the crate. Remember, crate training requires patience , consistency, and positive reinforcement. Make it comfortable! Add a soft and washable bedding for your Golden Retriever to rest on inside the crate. Never rush the introduction phase. Always introduce the crate slowly, allowing your dog to explore and associate it with positive experience. They should always see the crate as a positive place to be. Clean the crate regularly. Opting for washable beddings makes it easy to maintain the crate. You should also wipe down any surface after use, especially for temporary or transportation crates. Remember to use safe and gentle cleaning products. Provide toys and chewable treats for your dog when they get in the crate. This will engage their mind and keep them entertained. Make sure you put the crate in a quiet, sheltered and well-ventilated spot inside your home. Poor placement of your crate may cause stress for your dog. Conclusion Choosing the right crate size for your Golden Retriever is crucial for their comfort, safety, and effective training. Measure your dog accurately and consider their age when selecting a crate. Bear in mind that crates can come in a variety of materials, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of each crate type. It may be worth having more than one crate if you suspect they will need to cover different purposes. Finally, crate training your Golden Retriever provides numerous benefits, both for your dog and for you. Generally, it is recommended not to exceed hours for adult dogs. Should I crate my Golden Retriever at night? Crate training your Golden Retriever at night can help with house training and provide a safe space for them. However, ensure the crate is appropriately sized, comfortable, and placed in a quiet area. Is it better for dogs to sleep in crate or bed? Some dogs feel more secure and comfortable in a crate, while others may prefer sleeping in a bed. What age can dogs stop sleeping in crate? The age at which dogs can stop sleeping in a crate varies. Some dogs may be ready to sleep outside the crate as early as months as they are fully house trained too. Others may benefit from longer crate usage as their house training progresses. Most pet carriers are designed with safety features that protect your dog from injury during travel, such as secure latches and ventilation. Additionally, many airlines require pets to be transported in an approved carrier that meets certain size and weight restrictions. It is always best to consult with a veterinarian or animal transportation specialist for advice on safe and comfortable ways to transport your dog. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. It is perfect for travel, for a spare crate, for camping, or to have in an extra room of the house. It folds down for easy, quick storage…and also includes a plush fleece-covered pet bed. Your dog will love this crate. Key Features: Includes plush fleece-covered pet bed Easy storage Well-ventilated with multiple screened panels Pockets on the top and sides for storing treats, toys, and more Many colors and sizes What to Look For in a Crate As mentioned previously, finding a crate with great reviews is not the only thing you want to base your decision on. A few other things you will want to consider when selecting a crate are the material, quality, cost, and primary use of the crate. Use the information below to help you know which of these characteristics is essential for you and your dog. Material When considering the material of a crate, wire is the best choice for a Golden Retriever. Here are a few reasons why you might consider a wire crate: Wire crates are durable Easier to clean than other crates Creates a comfortable environment for the dog Allows the dog to see out of the crate easily Breathable For comfort, just place a blanket or pad in the bottom of a wire crate, and your dog will feel right at home. Plastic and wooden crates are also very popular. Plastic crates are a good option for traveling and provide a cozy environment for the dog; however, they are not as breathable as a wire crate and can trap in more heat. Wooden crates are breathable like wire crates; however, their durability can vary depending on how big of a chewer your dog is. Soft, travel crates are another common type of crate. This material is not ideal for a Golden Retriever as a primary crate. However, they are a great option for a travel crate, or an extra around the house. They also provide a cozier environment for the dog, but can be a challenge to clean. Quality When looking for a dog crate, you want to find one that will last the entire lifespan of your dog. The material the crate is made from will play a significant role in its quality. Wire and metal crates will last longer than wooden, fabric, and plastic ones. If your dog is a big chewer, go with a metal crate for more durability. Cost The cost can be a significant factor for some individuals when selecting a dog crate. As you browse through crate options, make sure you find one that is the quality and style you need, but fits within your budget. The price will sometimes, but not always, be a sign of quality. Typically, higher-priced crates are built sturdier and will last longer. What Size of Crate for a Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers will grow to be just over 20 inches in height and weigh between 60 and 75 pounds as adults. However, use the tips below to adjust for your dog. There needs to be enough room in the crate for the dog to be comfortable while standing and lying down, but not too much room that the dog feels unsafe. Do not eyeball the size of the crate when you make your purchase; instead, take the time to measure your dog correctly. Follow the steps below to figure out what size of crate you need for your Golden Retriever: When taking your measurements, make sure the dog is standing. To measure the length: Measure starting at the tip of the nose extending to the base of the tail. To measure the height: Measure from the top of the head down to the floor. Keep in mind these measurement directions are for Golden Retrievers. If you have other dogs at home, the way you take the height measurement may vary. Figure out the size of the crate: Using these measurements, add about 4 inches to each measurement to obtain the height and length of an ideal crate. To avoid buying multiple crates, look for ones that come with dividers so you can expand the crate as the dog grows. Do your best to figure out how big your puppy will be by getting the measurements of its mother and father. For a female puppy, focus on the size of the mother and for a male, the father. Use the measurements of the parents to purchase an adult crate for your puppy. Again, make sure it has dividers that can temporarily make the crate smaller. Too large or too small and it will not be fit for purpose. You have to get this just right. This article will discuss all these factors so that by the end you will be highly informed and confident in making the correct buying decision. A crate should be just big enough for your dog to stand up without hitting their head, to turn around comfortably, and provide room to lay on their side with their paws stretched out before them. This is an unnecessary waste of money. Many brands of dog crates have dividers available that can be used to reduce the available space of a larger crate to suit a puppy. The divider is a removable panel you can place inside the crate to reduce the space to suit the size of your dog. So my advice is to buy a crate large enough to suit an adult Golden retriever, then use a divider to scale it down to a size that suits a puppy. This will save you money in the long run. However, the best way to know what size crate your Golden Retriever needs is to measure their size and buy the crate that best fits. Add 4 inches and this is the height of the crate you want to purchase so your Golden can comfortably sit or stand inside without hitting their head on the ceiling. Secondly, have your dog stand on all fours and referring to the picture, take measurement B, from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose. Again, add 4 inches and this is the perfect length of the crate for your Golden to be able to lay down comfortably without being cramped. So to summarise, your Golden needs a crate of height A plus 4 inches, and of length B plus 4 inches. So now you will be able to get exactly the right size crate for your adult Golden Retriever. But how about buying a crate for a puppy? As previously discussed, I recommend you purchase a crate for an adult Golden and use a divider to make it suit your puppy, thereby doing away with the need to upgrade to increasingly bigger crates 3 or 4 times during their first 18 months. But if you do wish to have crates just right for your puppy without the use of a divider, please take measurements as detailed in the previous section to guide you in your buying decision. And be prepared to upgrade and replace every 4 or so months as they grow. The sheer number of different styles of dog crates on the market is quite startling. There are crates made of wire, plastic, wood, cloth, and many more besides. As explained on www. There is still some variety of styles available within this one type: Some have a single door, some have two or three. Most have a removable plastic tray at the base…but not all. But with these choices aside, what are the pros and cons of a wire crate: The Advantages Of A Wire Dog Crate Very strong, durable and long-lasting Very easy to keep clean Most have a slide out tray as a base that makes cleaning after accidents very easy make sure to look for this feature when buying! Folding ones are available for easy storage or moving the crate They allow the maximum flow of air compared to other styles, making them most suitable to hotter climates. They allow maximum visibility of the surroundings to the dog inside. This can be important for some dogs. Dividers are readily available for most models so you can buy a large one and re-size it for a puppy instead of replacing it as they grow. Though you can of course cover them if necessary. They are one of the easiest types to escape from if your dog is a budding Houdini! They are noisy if placed on solid surfaces and you have a fidgety dog.

Female Health Guarantee We guarantee your new puppy for one 1 year against life-threatening congenital defects. If the puppy has a life threatening congenital defect, we will replace your puppy with the first available puppy of the same value from the seller, as soon as possible. We guarantee for 72 hours only that the puppy is free of contagious diseases. Since the seller no longer controls the environment, there is no guarantee beyond 72 hours for contagious diseases. Terms Replacement puppies will be mutually agreed upon by both parties. We will work with the buyer to ensure satisfaction, but reserve the right to offer the replacement puppy from different parents. Buyer understands that the puppy is susceptible to contagious diseases, including parvovirus, and agrees to keep all vaccinations and de-worming up to date. All puppies are at risk for coccidiosis and kennel cough and should be keep in a clean environment to ensure their safety. Kennel cough is self-limiting, like the common cold, and must run its course. Full recovery is expected, and on its own is not life threatening. Certain disorders may be caused by environmental factors, such as, but not limited to, allergies, demodectic mange, thyroid dysfunction, and other auto-immune disorders and will not be covered by this guarantee. Then the Toy Poodle is definitely for you. These adorable curly-coated puppies are super smart and make excellent therapy and companion dogs. Toy Poodle History Poodles originated in Germany, where they were bred and used as retrieving water dogs. With its elegance and intelligence, the poodle became a popular breed among the French nobles and in other parts of Europe. Because of their trainable, attention-loving nature and showy looks, poodles were often used in the circus. You Might Also Like.Their coats may show some variation in color, especially darker feathering on their ears and tipping on their ruffs. This is not a fault according to AKC breed standards. Brown poodles should have liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, with dark toenails and dark amber eyes. Brown poodles have a sophisticated look and an easy temperament. Like all poodles, they are lively and intelligent, perhaps one of the most easily trained of all dogs. Poodles are often preferred for agility and obedience competitions. And when properly socialized, they are among the happiest of breeds. Our puppies are accustomed to being around children, neighbors, other dogs and cats, so they exhibit none of the shyness that other poodles can display. These are happy, good-natured pups, full of fun and frolic. They are truly ready to become a member of your family. How do you know which one is the right puppy for you? Often people say that you should let the puppy choose you, but that can result in a quieter, gentler puppy being overlooked. The most outgoing puppy may have more energy than you will be able to handle once you get him home. Often the best puppy is one in the middle of the temperament range, neither too bold nor too shy. Poodles Info.

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. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppy diet: newborn For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother's milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy's immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk. Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don't give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy's mother's milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy. German Shepherd puppy diet: 1 month old From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy's diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere. In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy's diet as it could cause diarrhea. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea. In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. German Shepherd puppy diet: 2 months old At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd's dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn't finished eating. A puppy's food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn't finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy's food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times. Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppy's intellectual development. It also facilitates more complex and demanding training sessions. Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food. This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition. German Shepherd puppy diet: food plan after 4 months Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals which we have detailed in our German Shepherd puppy food chart should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian. You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement. Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog's health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals [1]. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human. German Shepherd puppy diet: after 6 months When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy. After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. For more, take a look here for more about; Bones For Puppies. German shepherd puppy: Dog food and water bowl hygiene Your puppy's food and drink containers should always be clean. Hygiene is very important in order to prevent the appearance of insects. If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for three consecutive meals, consult your veterinarian immediately. This lack of appetite in a puppy could be caused by bowel obstruction and stomach pain; due to the ingestion of toxic food etc. Don't forget that puppies are very sensitive and fragile and if you ignoring any symptoms of disease, it can result in severe issues or even puppy fatality. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppies should be socialized and trained to live with you from day one. These dogs are incredibly capable and have the ability, if trained properly, to learn tricks and perform activities [2]. In addition to the diet of a German Shepherd, don't forget the importance of preventative medicines, following the appropriate vaccination schedules and general German Shepherd dog care. For more information about your German shepherd, take a look at.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 best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. As the German Shepherd growth chart suggests, a German Shepherd dog reaches full size and adult weight after one year. A growth spurt can occur between 1. The result of this late growth is an up to 10 percent increase in height and weight. Although you can consider a German Shepherd fully grown by one year, there may be additional factors that influence the growth of German Shepherd dogs. Is Your German Shepherd Healthy? Improper development can occur for many reasons. It could be as simple as your dog responding poorly to their dog food. Your feeding schedule and portions might not be sufficient. Your dog could also have a basic nutritional deficiency that you need to correct. Yet, being underweight or overweight can signify serious health problems. Weight loss can occur when the syndrome develops. Dogs typically show signs of EPI at between six months and six years of age. Parasites Dogs are highly susceptible to parasites. Deworming medication helps to reduce the risk. Yet, almost all puppies experience a parasitic infection at least once. Upon infection, your dog is at risk of serious weight loss and other troubling symptoms. Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes mellitus can affect any breed but has an above-average occurrence in German Shepherds. These dogs need insulin daily to accommodate for the inability to metabolize sugars. If your German has diabetes, severe weight loss can occur in a short period. Diabetes typically affects canines that are four years or older. It is the most common cancer in German Shepherds. Up to three percent will develop HSA. In most cases, this condition sets in at around nine to 12 years. Dietary Deficiency Do you have your German Shepherd on a raw food diet? Puppies often run underweight when receiving their nutritional requirements through raw meat. This diet is healthy and effective but needs monitoring, as not all dogs respond the same. Review the diet plan with a veterinarian and confirm there are no digestive or metabolic issues. Also, do not forget the importance of exercise! Clear Your Concerns with Coverage You put your heart into loving your dog like a child, but some things are out of your control. Health struggles can affect canines as much as humans. Even purebreds from AKC-certified breeders are not safe from serious health struggles both early and late in life. All you can do is prepare yourself to overcome complications. What if cancer happens? What else could happen? Peace of mind is great as a dog owner. Is coverage the answer? Get pet insurance quotes and see for yourself. Get Quotes for Your Cat Charitable Giving With every pet insurance policy we generate, we do our bit to help less fortunate animals across Canada and the U. Popular Articles. May 10, Dogs , Pets John When you adopt a German Shepherd as a puppy, you bring home this tiny, cute, cuddly, bundle of fur that fits in your hands. Fast-forward by a year and you probably wonder if your dog decided to grow at the 98th percentile. The five-pound puppy you brought home will become a full-grown dog of about 90 pounds. Essentially, she or he will grow to the size of a teenager in weight, but about 26 inches in length. You chose one of the largest dog breeds in the world. While these dogs reach physical maturity at three years of age, they typically have a median life expectancy of about ten years. Many German Shepherds live longer than that. Your puppy might grow up to live until the age of 12 or 13 , which equates to 77 to 82 years old. You will get many years of love from this breed of dog. While every dog differs, in general, female German Shepherds reach the age of full maturity before the males do. A female German Shepherd typically grows to two inches shorter than the male and a weight of about 70 pounds. All in all, German Shepherd growth is divided into seven stages. The Stages of Growth: Newborn to Adulthood Perhaps you got to visit with the puppies when they were firstborn. Enjoy it while you can. They gain weight quickly in their early days. Each day, your puppy will gain between 2. As a newborn, your German Shepherd probably weighs around four pounds. That means that in its first year of life, the dog goes through childhood, pre-teen or tween years, and half of its teen years. They gain weight and height accordingly. At the end of one year, the dog typically weighs about 49 to 50 pounds. The German Shepherd will nearly reach its full height by this time, too. Transitional Stage Veterinarians refer to every few weeks, then months as a different growth phase of early development. They call the two weeks to four weeks period transitional stage. T four weeks the typical female weighs between 4. The males may weigh between 5. When it comes to maturity stage for training, you can start even at the transitional stage, especially when you use positive reinforcement. Socialization Stage The socialization stage lasts through their third month. In the middle of this phase, the German Shepherd puppy usually experiences a growth spurt. By the end of the three months, your GSD puppy will measure about 10 to 11 inches in height. Females will weigh between 11 and 17 pounds, males will weigh between 22 and 30 pounds. Juvenile Stage Try not to think of your German Shepherd pup as a juvenile delinquent as they pass through this period from three to six months. At four months, your furry friend reaches the halfway point of height and weight. At the end of their fourth month, your puppy becomes a man or woman-dog. At this point of German Shepherd development, it reaches sexual maturity. At six months, the German Shepherd exits the juvenile stage. Your male German Shepherd exits this phase weighing between 49 and 57 pounds and at a height of 16 to 18 inches, but your female puppy will weigh between 44 and 49 pounds and attain a height of 15 to 17 inches. Adolescent Stage The adolescent stage ranges from six months to two years. At the end of one year though, your puppy becomes a dog. At one year of age, he or she enters adulthood. At this point, the female German Shepherd weighs between 60 to 64 pounds and has a height of 20 to 22 inches. The male German Shepherds weighs between 71 and 71 pounds and has a height of 22 to 24 inches. Some German Shepherds reach physical maturity at the age of two years, but most continue to grow until they reach the end of their third year. Female German Shepherds typically reach a height of 22 to 24 inches and weigh between 66 to 70 pounds. As long as their diet is stable, the adult German Shepherd dog should relatively stay the same weight for the rest of their lives. Genetics Plays a Large Part Like a human, your dog will grow to a smaller or larger size based on its genetics. To get an idea of how large your dog will grow, meet the parents. Tracing the genealogy can also help determine what are the potential German Shepherd health issues even German Shepherd skin issues to know your pup might have down the road. Regardless on the stage of growth, always make sure your German Shepherd pup is healthy. At Vetericyn , we have wellness products that can help keep your pup healthy and happy. Reviewed by Dan Richardson, Veterinarian Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Dan is originally from rural western Nevada and attended the University of Idaho for undergraduate study and Oregon State University for Veterinary School. The Richardson Family enjoys camping and spending time on the water fishing, paddle boarding, or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm. Sources: All Shepherds. When do German Shepherds stop growing. Large dog breeds. GSD Growth Chart.

Display Email Mistybrook Labradors are excited to announce that we are expecting a very special litter very early September !! Litter of 7 has arrived, all black! Our main interest is in producing happy, healthy, sound and typical Labrador Retrievers with exceptional temperaments. We breed, exhibit and compete with the dogs we love that are raised in the family environment. Our aim is to build a distinctive line of Labrador Retrievers we can be proud to take anywhere, do anything with and relish in the beauty and love at the other end of the lead. Puppies going off to their new homes will be DOGSNZ Registered, fully health and vet checked, vaccinated, microchipped and will have already started to have been integrated into our family environment. Generous Puppy Feeding Packs will also be available as well as feeding instructions. Jan and Peter Wallace are always available for any questions or advice. Extensive written instructions and advice on puppy Labrador rearing within the Puppy Pack. Visitors are always welcome at Mistybrook Labradors. For all further details, you can ring or email mistybrooklabs gmail. How Is Skylit Different? There are a number of ways that Skylit Labradors are different from other Labradors and breeders out there. Each of their pedigrees was unique. Several were the sons or daughters of show Champions. Others came from strong working lines. Skylit Labradors pedigree lines are unique to New Zealand. At Skylit Labradors I have the ability to produce a range of different shades — the darkest and lightest of yellows, the traditional black, chocolate, and yellow colours, as well as dilute versions of those colours. I do not breed strictly for colour but am aware that people have personal preferences. Health, temperament and fit-for-purpose are my primary focus with colour next on the list. I love developing their special traits and sharing their abilities with the community. I have a purpose and goal for each litter that I produce as well. That purpose may be to produce a litter of fantastic family members. Or it may be to produce great candidates for therapy or service dog work. It may be to produce a litter that will work well for active families, competitors or weekend hunters. It may be to find the next best scent dog candidate. I look for the natural tendencies in my Labs… what they gravitate toward… and that is where they are likely to excel. This in turn allows me to make better matches for those looking to add a Labrador puppy to their family. Life at Skylit If you want a Lab that will live outside or in your barn, then by all means, get a puppy that started life outside or in a barn. If you plan on keeping your dog in a kennel, then be sure that its parents were raised that way as well. Skylit Labs begin life immersed in both dog and human family life. They begin life in our shared home on 40 acres in the Manawatu. The dogs spend their days lounging around and playing with each other, me or friends but they also go on playdates, hang out at cafes, have visitors over, plod around the property, go for swims in the pond, lay by the fire, curl up on the couch, go on road trips across country, have sleepovers, and regularly run often boring errands with me. Health Testing I am a strong advocate of health testing. My Labs are genetically health tested for the common diseases found within the Labrador breed as well as several other diseases. Their elbows are also assessed by OFA. Hip and elbow evaluations help me to ensure I am making good breeding choices and reducing the risk that offspring will develop hip or elbow dysplasia due to a genetic predisposition. Note: No breeder can guarantee that their puppies will not develop hip or elbow dysplasia as both conditions can be caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Breeding for good health is a non-negotiable rule for each of my litters I plan. What that means is that I feed what I feel is the most applicable species appropriate diet for canines — raw meat, bones and organs. They primarily eat beef, chicken, fish, lamb, duck, venison as well as the occasional quail, rabbit and wallaby. They are fed twice each day. Raw feeding plays a major role. The Puppy program Pre-Birth Producing a great litter begins long before the breeding takes place. It begins with properly assessing your dogs to ensure they are fit to breed. Are they healthy? Have they fully recovered from any previous pregnancies? Are they physically mature? Are they mentally mature? What are their weaknesses? What are their strengths? Do the potential mother and father compliment each other? The care of the mum-to-be before and during her pregnancy is paramount to a successful whelping. I have been blessed with wonderful mums and I hope that continues for as long as I breed! By taking the best care of them, they take amazing care of their babies. My key role in the early days is to support the new mum. That way she can do an exceptional job whelping, raising and nurturing her babies as life intended. Weeks Once the babies are born, their weight is tracked daily for the first two weeks to ensure proper growth. Each puppy wears a different colour collar so that I can be aware of each puppy individually. This helps with things such as fireworks, children crying, doorbells, thunderstorms, and much much more. Around 3. At 4 weeks of age the puppies begin separating themselves from mum and start exploring the outside. At this age the door is removed from their cubby so that the puppies can come and go as they please to use their potty boxes or to begin exploring outside. Weeks By 5 weeks of age the puppies are spending full days outside in their puppy play yard. Their mum is primarily nursing them in the afternoons and I am providing meals for them. Typically my mums finish nursing around 6 weeks of age but the puppies still have much to learn before they are ready to leave Skylit! This consists of my removing the potty boxes and putting the door back onto their cubby. Now at night time they are placed into their cubby and I will let them out through the night as needed. Within nights the puppies are sleeping through the night without needing to go out and they are alerting me if they DO need to go out to go toilet during the night. At this point I begin separation conditioning by initially splitting the litter into two cubbies and then three cubbies etc. I have found this process makes the departure from Skylit so much easier on the puppies AND their new families. Puppies are settled in their crates which is especially important for those puppies that fly to their new families. Other key events happening during this time period include a variety of visitors interacting with the puppies, exploration walks around the pasture and main house yard, as well as water play in the puppy pool. The puppy play yard adjoins the adult dog yards so the puppies frequently have doggy visitors as well. The puppies have their full vet checks based upon when they will be leaving Skylit and that involves their first car trip into town and lots and lots of cuddles at the vet clinic! Puppy Placement The Right Fit Labs vary considerably in their build, energy level and natural tendencies. Some live to retrieve, others to swim, and still others to cuddle up on the couch. Others are happy-go-lucky. Some are incredibly smart and love to learn. Others… not so much. Some are food driven. Some are toy driven. Some have big thick blocky bodies and some are built like extreme athletes. Like humans, each Lab is an individual. There are some traits and tendencies that tend to pass from parents to offspring. There are also signs of what that puppy may be like as an adult that begin developing from a very young age. As a Breeder I strive to get to know my puppies and look for how they are similar or different from their parents or other puppies I have raised. I have an application process for my puppies. They are not placed on a first come, first served basis. Instead I look for families who will embrace that puppy as a member of their family, loving and caring for it as fiercely as they would any family member. But my diligence is to your benefit. If approved for a Skylit Labrador, you have an advocate at your side that will do all in her power to ensure your puppy is a good fit for your family. I made a promise to my girls when I started breeding that I would only ever place their puppies in environments that would be at least as good, if not better than, the life I could give them if they remained here. New Family Guide In order to help each new family through the process of adding a Skylit Lab to their family, I have developed a step-by-step guide for my families. As new questions arise, I continue to add to the New Family Guide so that it can hopefully be a wonderful resource for each new Skylit Lab family! While the Sales Agreement may change slightly depending on the litter, the terms and conditions are fairly consistent. This is to protect the integrity of my program. I have invested countless hours and money into building my breeding program. It requires little to no thought and very little if any investment to throw two dogs together in a backyard and produce a litter. That is not how I breed and those are not the type puppies I produce. Breeding in that manner can do irreversible damage to the reputation of my program and its future success. If a family should desire a puppy from their Skylit Lab, I encourage them to reach out to me and we can look at whether it may be possible in partnership. This is due to several of my foundation Labs carrying the Dilute gene. While other kennel clubs around the world are more accepting of this gene, Dogs NZ has chosen to not permit the registry of dilute-coat-coloured Labradors nor any litter that had the genetic potential to produce dilute-coat-coloured Labradors. To learn more about this colour gene and the controversy related to it, click HERE. I register all litters with Dogs NZ that meet their dilute gene requirements. I do not breed to any Labradors that are not kennel club registered unless they were born here at Skylit and I can therefore be assured of their pedigree. If at any time you can no longer maintain or no longer wish to maintain custody of your Skylit Lab, they are to be returned to Skylit. They will either remain at Skylit for the rest of their life or should I happen to find a well-suited home for them, I will place them. If there are any proceeds from their re-homing I will return them to you. You can see a sample copy of the guarantee HERE. My puppy families know that they can reach out to me at any time, night or day, days a year. I take my commitment to my Labradors and their families very seriously. I WANT to know if they are struggling. I may be able to help. I am not a vet but my experience with my own Labs, all the puppies I have raised, my puppy families experiences and also the research and learning I do gives me a unique advantage to possibly be able to provide insight into what may be going on should a challenge arise. The same goes for training. I am not a professional trainer but I am happy to share what I know and perhaps it can help or perhaps I can recommend a resource that may be able to help. I truly care. The Skylit Labrador family is a community of puppy families across New Zealand, the UK and Australia that have one key aspect in common: They all have added a Skylit Lab to their family. They very likely followed your puppy from birth, may have a relative to your puppy, and have been in your shoes with raising their own Skylit Lab. Given that they may have a relative to your puppy or even a littermate! Many Skylit families reach out to others in their area for play dates as well. There are Skylit families who are more than happy to watch your Skylit pup for you should you be going away on holiday. Here we share in the joys and challenges of raising our Labradors. It is a devoted group that is truly interested in you and your puppy. We also have regular social get togethers with our dogs and even Skylit road trips! Being part of the Skylit family is a wonderful and unique benefit of adding one of my puppies to your family. Manawatu, New Zealand. They currently are:- Hip and elbow Radiographed and scored by a recognised panel DNA test for PRA [ or both parents DNA clear ] So this means if you breed a puppy that is by a clear over a carrier that meaning it can only be clear or carrier you can then put it to a clear dog A current eye certificate. Owners should not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties. Owners should ensure that their dogs should wear properly tagged collars and should be kept fully leashed or under effective control when away from home. Owners will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are exhibited. Owners should agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on their dogs, which could alter the natural confirmation of the animal, should report such an operation to the New Zealand Kennel Club. Owners should not agree to breed from a bitch in any way which is deleterious to the bitch or the breed. Owners should take care to ensure that when selling dogs there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the rehoming of a dog if the initial circumstances change. Owners should provide written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home. Owners should not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. Owners will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the quality of the dog. Owners will ensure that all relevant New Zealand Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owners when selling or transferring a dog. Advises new owners about the NZKC Register that the dog is recorded on and explains any endorsements that may be applied to the puppy and why they have been applied. Permanently identifies breeding stock by DNA profile and microchip or tattoo. Makes use of health screening schemes as they become available , relevant to their breed, on all breeding stock. Ensures their puppies are well socialised before going to their new homes. Provides written advice to new owners on feeding, worming, socialization, exercise and future training of their puppy. Provides a written record from a veterinarian on the immunisation measures taken to date on the puppy. Is available to give reasonable post sale advice to the new owner. Provides the new owner with a Sale and Purchase Agreement, detailing any of the endorsements that may have been placed on the dog. Advises the new owner about the requirement and recommendations that apply to them as an Accredited Breeder and also make the buyer aware of the NZKC Complaint Process. Provides written advice, in the Puppy Sales Wallet on the continuation of socialisation, exercise and future training. Important — The Labrador Club is not liable or responsible for any puppy bought from a breeder promoted on the Labrador Club website. If you do feel that a breeder has not honoured the above declaration please correspond with the Club in writing. The Labrador Club does not guarantee the service of breeders on our Breeders page and the buyer should review and take responsibility for all contracts with the breeder. The Labrador Club does have a Code of Ethics and we strongly suggest you read it. Display Email We David, Anne and son Andrew have been involved with Labradors since the early 80's - shooting over them, showing and occasionally breeding. We are a small kennel who have imported several from England and Australia, one from Sweden and semen from both England and Australia, all in the interests of breeding the best we can. We breed to the highest ethical standards and only from parents who have acceptable results from the health tests required by Dogs NZ. We breed primarily for us to have something for the show ring, although some do not make the grade! Despite our focus on showing most of our pups are sold as pets to approved homes. We have some yellow and some black bitches no dogs available for stud at present and typically produce pups in those colours too. We do not usually breed chocolates. We very occasionally have older dogs available for re-homing to approved homes. Please contact us if you would like to discuss buying an adorable Charing puppy, or taking advantage of a Lab who is a bit older. PS We are delighted that we have a litter of yellow puppies expected at the beginning of October. We are happy to take enquiries from people who want family pets.

About Pug Beautiful and Amazing Pug puppies for Re homing I have male and female Pug puppies looking for a good home , its With a heavy heart I am posting this because They are so special that i would keep them if I could , but I cant. I have them in my warehouse at work where I cuddle with them every chance I get because my wife is pregnant and will soon put to birth our first son and at our apartment now , our landlord does not want them around. Time is not on their side and its heart breaking. I dont want them to be stranded , that is why we are looking a loving and caring home for them that will give the the love and care they deserve. They are too sweet to be in the wild or at the pet rescue. They are not a picky eater. They are about 3 months old and the female not hit puberty yet. I call her Princess and call the male Buddy but you can call them anything you'd like. Small adoption fee required and send updates after adoption. Contact us at xxx xxx xxx5 You can get them through a carrier or you come pick them up if you would be able to pick them up. Thank you. Welcome to the Mississippi state page on TrustedPuppies. Renowned for its rich history, warm hospitality, and diverse natural beauty, Mississippi is an ideal place to find and raise your new Pug companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional Pug breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable MS breeders who specialize in raising amazing healthy puppies. Our Mississippi dog breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new puppy. Discover the dynamic dog-friendly scene in Mississippi, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Mississippi Gulf Coast Kennel Club Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of Pug canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. Mississippi, with an estimated dog population of around thousand, holds the 39th position among U. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable Pug breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Mississippi. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your Pug puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect Pug puppy on TrustedPuppies.

For dogs under the age of 7 years, visit your vet every year. The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and will treat your dog for parasites and worms. Dogs that are over the age of 7 years should visit the vet every 6 months. The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and will treat for parasites and worms. Responsible dog owners get their pets vaccinated regularly, wormed, and treated for parasites such as fleas. Vaccination is essential even if you carry your toy poodle everywhere, or he rarely goes outside. This is because some infections such as parvovirus are caused by particularly hardy viruses that can attach to your shoes. Therefore, they can still pose a risk to even the most pampered of poodles. Talk with your vet about implanting a microchip in your dog. A microchip will help you track the dog if he gets lost. One of the health problems that toy poodles are prone to in later life is diabetes mellitus sugar diabetes. The hormones associated with estrous heat in the female can trigger diabetes. Therefore, it is wise to get your female toy poodle spayed. Toy poodles often live into their teens. Each time a bitch has a season, it weakens the lining of her womb and makes her more likely to develop a pyometra, which is a potentially life-threatening womb infection. Thus, spaying whilst she is fit and strong removes the possibility of needing emergency surgery in later life when anesthesia can pose a higher risk. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Neutering a male is mainly done to prevent unwanted breeding and to control behavioral issues such as aggression or dominance. Talk with your vet to learn more. Small but resilient, toy poodles often live well into double figures. They do however tend to suffer from health issues as they age. Diabetes, poor teeth and heart disease are most common. These issues, once identified, can often be managed in order to help your pet live a long and active life. If you see any of these symptoms, speak to your vet. Some Final Words After you decide on a toy poodle and the gender, you still have to decide on the type of food you will feed him or her. Plus, you have to learn how much to feed your little puppy. Once you make all the decisions, the rest should be easy. To learn how to feed your toy poodle and what food you should use, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so that your little fell or gal will be healthy for years to come. Take a few minutes to see how important this information is. You do not want to feed too much to your little pet. It is easy for a dog to gain weight and become too fat. Then you have the difficult task of getting them to slim down. That may be harder than it is for you to stick to a diet. You can feed them a little less if you want to but not too much less. Their growing bodies need the nourishment of nutritious dog food. Many dogs may whine if they are only fed once a day and the reason for that is that they are probably hungry. However, you do not want to serve them large meals each time you feed them. Split the amount up over the number of times they eat so that they get the same amount of food. Also, you may give more food if your dog is a little more active than average. While you do not want to over-feed your pet, you also do not want to underfeed them either. For the most part, this will be up to you. Many people like to feed their dogs only once a day. But if their day is active, your pet may be hungry again in the evening or at night. It is not cruel to feed a dog once a day but if your pet is hungry, you should make allowances in the schedule to make sure they are getting their full nourishment share each day. To add a little variety to their diet, you can mix in some human food. The type of human food you give your toy poodle should be healthy and full of vitamins and minerals. For specific foods to share with him or her, talk to your vet. A lot of times, poodles and other dogs will decide which human food they like. While some people recommend up to three times a day, there is a risk of over-feeding your pet and giving them too much food. Of course, if your pet is very active, then you may give them some extra meals or snacks but not too much. The risk of over-feeding your poodle is great and your treasured friend may develop different diseases if you overdo the feeding portion of their day. There are some foods that your pet should not or cannot eat. Some of those food items are chocolate, xylitol, grapes, macadamia nuts, raisins, or drink alcohol. While these items may make your dog beg for some, resist their puppy dog eyes, and say no. Every dog owner and vet have their own personal favorites. You can choose any one of the top brands on the market today be wary of the cheap off-brand varieties. Those cheaper foods may fit your budget, but they are not as healthy as the top brands are. They do not have the very best or healthiest ingredients in them. Some Final Words Feeding your pet is a bit of trial and error. With every dog being different, you have to find the right amount of food and the right number of feeding times for your dog. Make food adjustments as you monitor their weight and their growth. Taking care of your pet means making sure they are getting the proper diet and exercise as well as the right amount of food. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As your Toy Poodle puppy is maturing and growing, it is crucial to provide it with the proper diet and our Toy Poodle feeding chart will help you. This comprehensive manual is packed with advice that will assist you in providing appropriate portions. Provide a healthy and well-balanced diet tailored to the specific requirements of your Toy Poodle puppy. Until they are six months old, Toy Poodle puppies should eat three or four small meals a day. The six-month mark marks the time when you should begin reducing their daily intake to two meals. Toy Poodle Feeding Chart RER is the amount of energy a Toy Poodle puppy needs at rest to keep their vital organs working, including their respiratory system, digestive system, and cardiovascular system. Hence, your Toy Poodle puppy would require about calories per day in order to keep its body running normally while at rest. You should talk to your vet about how much food and how many calories your Toy Poodle puppy needs. Begin feeding your dog wet puppy chow and other solid foods around week 5. Have patience as your dog undergoes the transition to a new diet. Provide quarter cup of food at each of three to four meals a day. Maintain a regular feeding schedule, and transition your puppy to a dry kibble diet. Keep an eye out for signs of diarrhea and make sure they have plenty of water. Provide plenty water and keep an eye out for symptoms of food intolerance or gastrointestinal distress. It may be beneficial to eat only twice or three times a day instead of six or seven times a day. Maintain a steady supply of fresh water and watch for signs of diarrhea or weight gain. Toy Poodle puppies require a high-quality meal that has been developed just for them. Keep an eye out for symptoms of bloating, gas, or constipation. You should start transitioning your Toy Poodle to an adult diet as soon as possible. Keep an eye out for any signs of bloating, gas, or an allergy. Never stop providing a healthy, age-appropriate diet and plenty of fresh water. Maintain a healthy, age-appropriate diet while keeping an eye out for tummy troubles, allergies, or excess weight gain. Toy Poodles are prone to being overweight, so take care not to overfeed or underfeed them. You should feed them twice a day, each time with about a half cup to three quarters of a cup of food. Adjust feeding amounts based on indicators of gastrointestinal distress, food allergies, or weight gain. High-quality protein, vital fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are all components of a healthy diet. A 4-pound Toy Poodle puppy would need roughly calories per day, or calories per pound of body weight. Their calorie requirements will rise as they get taller. Try to eat meat, fish, and eggs as protein sources. Puppies need DHA and other essential fatty acids for proper brain and eye development. Before they reach about six months of age, Toy Poodle puppies should be fed three to four small meals every day. Take into account their age, and degree of activity when determining the appropriate portion size for their meals. To find out how much food your puppy should be eating, talk to your vet. You should also provide your puppy access to clean water at all times and steer clear of feeding it any human food or table scraps to prevent them from becoming overweight or nutritionally deficient. Kibble vs Wet Food For Toy Poodle Puppies Puppy kibble and wet food are both good options for feeding your toy poodle, but they are not identical. Kibble is practical since it can be stored easily and it helps maintain dental health by stimulating jaw movement and cleaning teeth. Nevertheless, puppies of the toy poodle breed may have trouble chewing and digesting this food if they have dental problems or a sensitive stomach. Conversely, wet food may be more appealing to fussy eaters because of its quicker digestion and higher moisture content. More moisture is provided, which is great for toy poodles because they often become dehydrated. It can get pricey and go bad rapidly if left out for too long. Toy poodle puppies can do well on either dry kibble or wet food, or a mix of the two, but the best option will ultimately depend on your dog and his or her preferences and dietary needs. The changeover is expected to take around a week. As the puppy becomes older, they can transition to adult food by eating a combination of the two, with the amount of adult food increasing as the puppy food decreases. You should also be sure to provide your toy poodle with high-quality adult dog food. There are a number of potential causes if your Toy Poodle puppy is not eating. Puppies often lose their appetite at times of rapid development, teething, or stress. But, if your puppy refuses to eat for more than a day, you should take him to the vet to rule out any serious health problems. If your dog is picky eater, consider breaking up their meals into several smaller servings and giving them more often. You may also try moistening their kibble with warm water or chicken broth. You should also make sure your puppy gets lots of activity and drinks plenty of water. Toy poodle puppies, should not be freefed, or let to graze on food left out all day. Puppies have special dietary demands that must be met in order to guarantee they grow and develop normally. Overeating, obesity, and behavioral issues including food guarding and hostility are all possible outcomes of a freefeeding regime. Providing your toy poodle puppy with measured meals at set times throughout the day is advised. This will control their eating habits and make sure they have enough to eat to be healthy. This dry dog food is made for developing puppies who like smaller kibble. DHA from fish oil promotes brain, vision, and learning health. An antioxidant and vitamin E and C mix also boosts immunity. Pros DHA from fish oil for brain and eyes Healthy immune system form antioxidant and vitamin E and C No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives Comprehensive and Balanced Nutrition 2. For If you have a small-breed puppy like the Toy Poodle, this is the perfect supper for them. This dry dog food is designed for your growing small-breed pup. The first ingredient, farm-raised chicken, delivers quality protein to help your little companion grow strong muscles. It contains 22 essential nutrients, including omega-3 DHA, which improves cognition and makes your pup smarter and more trainable. Feeding a Poodle Overview Ensuring that your Poodle is on a well-balanced diet is one of the most important elements to keeping your canine family member healthy, both now and into the future. This section will cover all Poodle feeding guidelines including how often to feed a Poodle, serving sizes, dry vs wet, grain vs grain-free, and top recommended kibble. Don't need all of the details and just want to know which brands are recommended? New Puppies - The Importance of Gradually Switching Foods Before you even bring your Poodle home, it is very important to discuss with the breeder or shelter worker if you are adopting a rescue exactly which brand of food they have been feeding to your Poodle. A fast change in food can cause upset stomach and digestive problems. Breeders and shelters are buying food in bulk and have to feed many dogs which is a factor in which brand they choose; so there is a good chance that you will want to offer your Poodle something different. Have both the current food and the new food on hand and make a gradual switch over the course of 3 weeks. Though you will be leaving food out at all times, it is important that the food is fresh. Do not just top it off throughout the day, rinse and clean the bowl as necessary so that old food is not stuck at the bottom of the dish. Puppy: Starting at just about the 3 month mark, Poodles of all varieties should be eating 3 meals per day, plus snacks. Adult: When a pup matures into an adult, this does not necessarily mean that they should suddenly be given only one meal a day. Smaller dogs such as Toy Poodles and Miniatures often do best with 2 or even 3 meals per day. Standards have a bit more tolerance to a single dinnertime feeding, however many can also benefit from having food split up into two servings. Several snacks can be given in between meals and this is particularly helpful is a Poodle is a fast eater. How Much to Feed a Poodle Exact serving size varies quite a bit depending on the type of food. There is a big difference in calories between wet vs dry and low quality vs high quality. And, the amount of food that a Poodle should be eating depends on the dog's age, activity level, individual metabolism, and health status. Even the weather can play a role since dogs tend to eat a bit more in the winter and a bit less in the summer. In regard to calorie requirements, puppies need more calories per pound than their adult counterparts, approximately 40 to 55 calories per pound, daily, compared to adult dogs that need about 35 to 45 calories per pound, daily. S enior Poodles typically have slower metabolisms and reduced mobility and therefore usually require slightly fewer calories, in the 40 calorie per pound range. If you are feeding your Poodle a commercial food, follow the suggested feeding guidelines. These are usually pretty spot-on. Since these are based on both age and weight, do not estimate how much your Poodle weighs but rather know what this is within a pound or two. If you are feeding your Poodle homemade food, a rough guideline for serving size is 1 ounce of food for each 1 pound of body weight, daily. As you can imagine, this can vary quite a bit depending on the exact ingredients. Using the 1 to 1 rule as a starting point, what your Poodle consumes within 15 minutes is usually a good amount for each meal. Wet vs Dry If a Poodle had their way, most would opt for wet food. However, dry food is recommended since this is much better for the gums and teeth. In addition, dry kibble tends to be easier on the stomach and intestines and a diet of all wet canned food can lead to runny stools. Grain vs Grain-free Until relatively recently, there was not much debate on this subject; if a dog tended to have gastrointestinal or allergy issues when on a diet with grains, they were switched to a grain-free recipe. However, this changed when it was discovered that several dogs that were breeds not prone to dilated cardiomyopathy developed that particular heart disease and also happened to be fed grain-free kibble. Lots of pet parents immediately thought that they needed to change their dogs back to grains; however, many more studies need to be done. In fact, the most recent update from the Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University suggests that 'grain-free' alone may not be the issue at play. For now, it is theorized that a certain diet dubbed a BEG diet may be to blame. This stands for boutique small local brands with exotic meats non-traditional meats like alligator, bison, ostrich, venison, and kangaroo and grain-free along with peas, legumes, or potatoes as one of the top 5 ingredients. Currently there are no recalls of grain-free dog food brands and the FDA is still investigating any possible links including the BEG theory. If your Poodle does not do well with any grains at all, you may wish to stick to a brand that has traditional meats like chicken, turkey, or beef or a fish-based recipes. And, if you are not sure about which grains your Poodle may do okay with, you may wish to opt for wholesome non-wheat and non-gluten grains like rice brown or white , oatmeal, quinoa which is technically a seed. Exact recommendations for the best foods include both grain and grain-free options. Elements to Keep in Mind When Choosing Food for Your Poodle What to avoid: It's no wonder that pet parents have a difficult time navigating the many choices of dog foods in their quest to find the best brand to give their Poodle, there are a lot of ingredients to avoid: Artificial flavoring like MSG which can cause terrible allergic reactions. Artificial coloring. Some of the worst are Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2, and Yellow 6 which are linked to very serious issues including neurological and behavioral issues like insomnia and hyperactivity and serious health issues including some cancers. Chemical preservatives. This can be tricky to avoid since these do not always need to be labeled; if these are added to protect 'protein meals' in low levels, you'll never see it listed as an ingredient. These are meats and animal parts deemed unfit for human consumption. Examples are lungs, spleen, spinal tissue, genitals, hooves, beaks, intestines, and more. Generic meats or oils. This can, by law, be any species of animal whatsoever and are usually 4-D animal parts: Sourced from dead, diseased, dying, or disabled zoo animals, farm animals, or even roadkill. These are very common in cheaper subpar brands and are inexpensive ingredients that are added only to plump up the food but offer little to no nutritional value. Examples of fillers include corn, soy, wheat middlings, peanut hulls, oat husks, and cereal grains. Ingestion of fillers is a contributing factor in coprophagia eating feces and is linked to malnutrition. High grain count. Though some wholesome grains may be desired next section , high levels of wheat or gluten can cause upset stomach issues and allergies. What to look for: Knowing what to avoid can help you identify some of the better brands though exact recommendations are below. This means zero artificial additives. Natural preservatives. Wholesome ingredients. For meats and proteins this includes chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, rabbit, beef, and many types of fish including whitefish, haddock, salmon, and cod. You'll also want your Poodle to have some vegetables and fruits which provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Zero fillers. Every ingredient should serve the purpose of providing nutrients and never added simply to bulk up the recipe. The right balance of healthy grains. Though some Poodles will need to avoid all grains, most do very well with select non-wheat, non-gluten options including oatmeal, quinoa, and rice. Added extras. Next, we'll cover exact recommendations that fit all of the above criteria. Best Food for Poodles: Recommended Brands Please note that if you have not yet read ' Grain vs Grain-free ' section, you may wish to do so before continuing. Top recommend food with grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry. For larger miniatures and standards, you'll want to opt for their regular Complete Health. There are also puppy, adult, and senior formulas. All of these have no wheat, corn or other fillers, artificial coloring or flavoring, soy, meat by-products, or chemical preservatives, so you can feel very confident that your filling your Poodle's bowl with truly wholesome, healthy food. These recipes also have excellent levels of omega-3 fatty acids. And, this is made in the USA. Halo Natural Holisitc Dog Food. This top brand has found its niche by offering a purely holistic, organic recipe with non-GMO veggies and fruits and meats with no antibiotics, no hormones, and no factory farming. The protein base is chicken and liver, the two grains in this are oats and barley, and vegetables and fruits include peas, blueberries, cranberries, carrots, and sweet potato. All other ingredients are to naturally preserve the kibble or are vitamins and minerals. This particular recipe is for small breeds, however there is also an original for larger dogs. Halo is made in the USA. Top recommended food without grains: 1. Merrick is a great brand which offers this recipe for small breeds, like toy Poodles and another option for larger dogs which would include miniatures and standards. Protein bases include Texas beef, lamb, chicken, and salmon. There is no corn or other fillers, wheat, gluten, artificial additives, or chemical preservatives. And, there are excellent levels of omega-3 and both pre and probiotics. Merrick is also made in the USA. The CORE formula from Wellness is, by far, one of the very best grain-free foods on the market today. It hits very single checkbox of what you are ideally looking for in a food for your Poodle and it has some superior extras. There are excellent levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants. There is both a small breed formula and an original formula for minis and standards as well as puppy recipes and a reduced fat option. Wellness is made in the USA. What to Feed Your Poodle if Home Cooking You will want to have a mix of protein, healthy grains, vegetables and fruits. Proteins can include beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, veal, and fish cod, flounder, salmon, whitefish. Vegetables can include sugar snap peas, green beans, lima beans, spinach, peas, zucchini, carrots, sweet potato, and regular potato. Fruits can include blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apple, and pear. Extras can include eggs, salmon oil, extra virgin olive oil, certain cheese with low levels of lactose Colby, Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese, and cottage cheese and plain whole white yogurt. Note that if you home cook, you will want to include a daily vitamin and mineral since it is near impossible for any combination of foods to offer a dog every nutrient that they need. Snacks Snacks and treats are also an important part of a dog's diet. Dry treats often labeled as baked or crunchy are best to tide over the appetite in between meals. Moist or chewy treats are best when used as training rewards and to reinforce good behavior. Rapid ingestion of food can lead to gas, vomiting, or upset stomach and is linked to killer bloat. Types of Nuts that a Poodle Can Eat - If you are snacking away on some nuts and want to share them with your Poodle, see which ones are safe and which are not. Poodle Begging Behavior - Giving into begging for table scraps or extra snacks contributes to this bad habit. See how to react if your Poodle won't stop begging. Overly Picky Poodles - Read how to address finicky eaters to make mealtime less stressful for both of you. All rights reserved. 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. Share Us. Raw or cooked homemade meals When you bring home a new puppy, you might want to switch her food to a brand you prefer. Wait until your dog has been with you for at least a few weeks. This is a time of big changes for your puppy, and you should minimize the trauma coming all at once. Plan to make the dog food switch over the course of a week or so, and watch for signs of digestive upset. Poodle Puppy Diets Many diets today are age- or stage of life-specific, even breed-specific. But does this really matter, or is it marketing? The truth is, it actually does. Brands that make dog foods pay attention to research to formulate the best nutrition for different stages of life and for different sizes of dog. A good puppy formula will include extra nutrients, such as calcium, and extra calories per pound of body weight. It will also have the right number of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, carbohydrates, and fats for the right amount of growth. The right amount actually includes the restriction of certain nutrients. Having too much of a good thing can actually be bad for dogs. In large breeds like the Standard Poodle, the ingestion of excessive amounts of energy and calcium as puppies can lead to a higher likelihood of developmental orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia. Poodles are genetically prone to joint problems like this, so diet here is very important. For kibble, you can even dish up the daily meals at the start of the day. Personally, I always make one extra bowl to use as training treats. Allowing me to reward my pup for good behavior throughout the day without messing with my ratios. Over the first couple of months, I feed four meals so I make up five bowls first thing in the day. Spread the formal meals evenly throughout the day time, making sure the last one is at least two hours before you want to go to bed. This will save you getting back up again to let your puppy out to open their bowels! An adult dog food should have less protein, calcium, fat, and omega-3 acids than the puppy version. Once your Poodle gets to about 80 percent of his expected adult size, feel free to switch to the adult brand. Every dog is different in terms of metabolism and body type. In that case, it might be time to switch to the adult corollary. Look for meat-based protein sources in the first few ingredients listed on the package. Be sure to start off with apuppy formula if your dog is under 12 months old. Feeding a Poodle Puppy Wet Food Many canned dog food options are digestible and full of balanced nutrition. Not all wet foods offer a balanced diet, so make sure to read labels. If your dog needs better hydration or has problems with her teeth, wet food might be a good option. Canned food often has 75 percent moisture content compared with percent for dry. Canned food has more fat and protein and fewer carbs, along with more animal products. Also, do your research! Learn about safe handling and storage of meats. This works because some foods provide more nutrition and taste better! Others are better raw. So this diet can be more flexible and easier to deal with than the raw diet. And you can avoid some of the pitfalls of uncooked meat, too. However, some of the same nutritional issues must be addressed. Weigh your puppy frequently and use a Poodle growth chart, then adjust food amounts as needed. If you can see them without having to feel for them, your dog may need more food. Look for other symptoms of problematic weight, such as exhaustion and difficulty turning around, or bowel and gas issues. Poodles are prone to obesity, and obesity comes with plenty of health issues you do not want to deal with, such as metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, heart disease, and joint problems. Instead, find ways of helping your pup eat slower, or feel full faster. A slow-feeder bowl can help reduce the rate at which your dog scarfs down his meal, for example. A puzzle feeder or other toys may also help. Play with her to distract her, or take her out! If you really think you need to adjust food amounts, talk to your veterinarian and get professional advice. Poodles tend to be a slower-maturing breed. The different sizes of Poodle mature at different rates. Smaller dogs mature more quickly. Miniature poodles will be fully grown between months but may take a bit longer to fill out. Standard poodles may take up to 2 years to mature. You can start feeding Miniature and Toy Poodles adult foods at around months.