4 month old english bulldog puppy

Brindle 2. She needs plenty of exercise and lots of play! Given that both the Boxer and the Pitbull were bred for use as working dogs, these breeds are very energetic, so your Boxer Pitbull Mix requires a lot of exercise. This is what a well-exercised Boxer Pitbull Mix should look like: The Boxer Pitbull Mix is very playful and will need lots of toys at home. Careful, though! With her strong jaw and love of chewing, this dogs can destroy a chew toy within minutes. When you take her out, take a ball or a Frisbee to play fetch. She will love it! You should take her out for a brisk one-hour walktwice a day. If you are running, twenty minutes to half an hour should be enough. If your dog tires you will notice her slowing or beginning to pant excessively you should stop for a five-minute break and hydrate her. I recommend taking out a collapsible doggie bowl in which you can give her water. A note on exercising your Pitbull Boxer Mix puppy This advice on exercise applies to the adult dog only, as when large-breed puppies do too much running and ball-chasing this can cause long-term injuries. With your Pitbull Boxer Mix puppy, it is best to do lots of short walks and indoor play until she matures, at about 1 year — 16 months. Watch this 11 week old Pitbull Boxer Mix. She is curious, playful, active, and absolutely, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Whatever the weather — not with this dog! In rainy weather, she will need a doggie coat to keep her warm. During summer months, it is best to take her out in the early morning or the evening when the sun is less intense. She may still need sunscreen, but make sure you purchase one without zinc oxide, as it is toxic for dogs. The Pitbull is also a very affectionate dog when well-socialized, who will lick you all over if you give her an inch. She was in fact bred for both work and companionship , and due to her gentle nature, is beginning to be used more and more as a therapy dog. Both Boxer and Pitbull are also great with children , which makes them excellent family dogs. The Boxer is very patient and protective, while the Pitbull is solid, a people-pleaser and highly trainable. So mix them together and what have you got? A companionable, affectionate dog who fits in perfectly with a family, wants a lot of attention and gives in return. It is, of course, worth noting that as puppies they are going to be more hyper, and so their contact with children must be supervised. Also, your dog must be well-exercised to be around children, as if not she will be incredibly excitable and could knock over a small child. Her guard dog instinct is strong, which can be useful if there is an intruder or attacker. These are courageous dogs who used to risk their lives baiting bulls, so have no doubt that she will defend you and yours if necessary. If this instinct gets out of hand, however, it can become a problem. You must make sure that you socialize your Boxer Pitbull Mix from a young age with as many people as you can. Invite friends and neighbors to your home and provide her with a positive association by having the person give her a treat when they arrive. As long as you train her well and stay consistent, this dog will be the friendliest dog around. She might be too hands-on for older pets Providing they are both socialized properly, both breeds can get on well with other animals, particularly Boxers. As for play style, Pitbulls can be rough and Boxers like to use their front paws when playing much like a boxer… oh, that makes sense! People are also beginning to look past the negative stigma around Pitbulls and realize their high intelligence and trainability, too. Director of Operations at Universal K9 claims that out of the hundreds of dogs he has trained for police work, the Pitbull, Kiah, is one of the top three he has ever placed. These dogs can be stubborn, though, meaning that you need to be firm and consistent with them. As long as you are in charge, your Boxer Pitbull Mix should pick up basic commands quickly. Make sure you do enough repetition and provide rewards and lots of praise. As puppies, they are boisterous and energetic little characters. You will need to be assertive in order to get their focus. She is a moderate shedder Though these dogs have a short coat, they are moderate shedders and will require a good grooming session once a week. They will probably lose more fur in the Spring, from April through May, so it may be a good idea to brush her twice a week during these periods. She will also need her ears checked monthly, either at the vet or with a reputable groomer. She is usually healthy but has some potential health concerns The Pitbull Boxer Mix is generally a healthy breed, as both pure breeds are as long as she gets sufficient exercise, of course and as I mentioned in the intro it can live for up to 13 years. Having said that, it is always worth being informed on any potential health issues this breed can develop, so here are the main ones your dog could be prone to: Cancer While the majority of Boxers are healthy , they are at risk of an aggressive form of cancer called hemangiosarcoma , which occurs in the blood vessel cells. It can be difficult to detect, but signs can include weakness, a distended abdomen, difficulty breathing and weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, talk to your veterinarian as soon as possible, as this cancer can spread rapidly. Hip dysplasia This condition consists of a malformation of the hip joint, where it is unstable or loose in the socket. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals shows that this condition occurs in both breeds , although Pitbulls are more susceptible. Severe cases can lead to arthritic joints and lameness. Signs can include walking or running with an altered gait and reluctance to fully extend their rear legs or jump. Weight control helps enormously with this condition; keep her slim, as any excess weight will put stress on her joints. Heart disease The Boxer is prone to a heart problem called aortic stenosis , which in most cases of the disease the dog is born with. This disease causes narrowing of the aortic valve, which puts pressure on the heart. Symptoms can include rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, sudden loss of consciousness, and congestive heart failure. If your vet picks up a heart murmur, the diagnosis can be confirmed with an X-ray and a cardiac ultrasound. Allergies Pitbulls can have various allergies , so your Pitbull Boxer Mix may be susceptible. They can be treated with antihistamines, and in the case of skin irritation, you should use shampoos specifically designed for sensitive skin. Conclusion Are you a family with children without any older pets? Are you ready to dedicate your days to plenty of exercise and play with your new lively companion? Can you give her the consistent training she needs? If the answer is yes to all of the above, you are more than ready to own a Pitbull Boxer Mix, and she will be more than happy to have you. Have you got a Pitbull Boxer Mix and a story to share? Comment below! About Alexandra Animalso I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. Had her posted on the local shelter site but no takers. We have a year-old Chihuahua and 8-year-old Yorkie so keeping the new dog inside is not possible. For a temporary measure we put a cardboard box with lots of pillows and blankets warmed in the dryer on the porch swing. It has since warmed up into the range. She appears to be happy running around outside and sleeping on the porch swing near the now chewed up box. We have ordered a dog house for her and are having her spayed tomorrow. We are a late middle-aged couple but I hope to be able to walk with her at least once a day. I hope you can wish us well for rescuing her. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Bullboxer Pit Highlights The Bullboxer Pit is a mixed breed dog. Bullboxer Pits may tend to overeat. Owners must be diligent about monitoring diet. Bullboxer Pits have often been used as farm or guard dogs, due mostly to their loyal nature and powerful strength. The most regularly seen coat colors are brown, tan, yellow, and black. Although their coats are easy to maintain, Bullboxer Pits do shed all year long. Brushing can help. Due to their exercise requirements, physical strength, and need for training, this breed might not be best for novice dog owners. Boxers came on the scene in Germany back in the s; the dogs were often used to transport supplies and ferry messages to troops during the first two World Wars. The American Pit Bull Terrier was first employed in blood sports and used in baiting bears and bulls. The first ever Bullboxer Pits can be traced back to a German dog breed called the Bullenbeisser, which is now extinct. Due to the care and attention Bullboxer Pits require from an owner, many of them can end up in shelters. Bullboxer Pit Size The Bullboxer Pit is often described as a medium-sized dog, although they are also stockier and sturdier than many other middle-sized canines. Most weigh in at 50 to 80 pounds and range in height from 16 to 20 inches. Female Bullboxer Pits can often be a little smaller than their male counterparts. Bullboxer Pit Personality Bullboxer Pits have often been used as farm or guard dogs, due mostly to their loyal nature and powerful strength. These dogs can be especially devoted to their families, and often become very protective of any children in the household. Very upbeat walks—or even jogs—are required, so the owner must also be able to maintain a healthy and regular exercise routine. Around two hours of exercise per day is required—adding agility training or even swimming to the daily sessions can help vary things up. Apartment dwellers may find that many buildings do not permit Bullboxer Pits to live with them. Some of the more common health problems Bullboxer Pits suffer from include: Obesity due to overeating. These large dogs are a loyal and energetic companion for any family and their intelligence makes them playful and fun to be around. They may look like their Pitbull parent or they make look like their Boxer parent. One thing we can be sure of though is that, with the right socialization, these dogs are an excellent family member. Breed Origin It can be difficult to know where the Pitbull Boxer Mix originated from, so we can take a look at the parent breeds in more detail to understand the origins of this dog. The Pitbull parent in the Pitbull Boxer mix can actually be any of four types of Pitbull. The Pitbull was created in early 19th-century England for the popular spectator sports of bull and bear baiting. They were thought of as aggressive fighting dogs but it was also known that they were very gentle with humans and made excellent family dogs. The Boxer was also originally a fighting dog and was used by the Germans to chase and hold down bear, bison and wild boar. However, as time went on, they began to diminish in size and therefore became much better suited to family life, thus becoming a family pet. Characteristics Of The Pitbull Boxer Mix As we have mentioned above, it can be difficult to know the exact characteristics of the Pitbull Boxer Mix because they may take after one parent more than the other. However, we can make assumptions based on past litters. You must make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. Appearance Taking a look at the parent breeds will give a good indication as to what your Pitbull Boxer Mix may look like when fully grown. The size of the Pitbull Boxer Mix depends on which type of Pitbull was used to breed. The American Pitbull Terrier is the largest breed of Pitbull and will produce the largest dogs. Coat The Pitbull Boxer Mix has a smooth, short coat as this is the type of coat both their parent breeds have. Luckily, they do not require much grooming, but we will go into more detail about that later on. However, they can come in a wide range of colors, including black, red, white, grey, blue, brown and tan. Temperament The Boxer Pitbull Mix is a loyal and lovable dog that loves to be around people. Super playful, these pups just want to be outside with you, playing games and accompanying you on hikes. If you need to leave them for more than 3 hours at a time, then it is a good idea to employ a dog walker or sitter to look after your friendly pup! These dogs are very intelligent, which is one of the reasons they love to play. Also because of their intelligence, they can get bored very easily. They must be kept entertained otherwise they can get frustrated and begin to exhibit signs of unwanted behaviors. It is a common misconception that because both parent breeds were originally fighting dogs, that the Pitbull Boxer Mix is an aggressive breed. This is not true. You will need to train and socialize your Pitbull Boxer Mix, but they are certainly not violent and really just want to be loved by you! Often, these dogs can feel it is their duty to protect their owners and can make good watchdogs and guard dogs. They will bark when they feel something is out of place or if there is a threat, so this is something to watch out for! Lifespan The Bullboxer has an average life expectancy of between 10 to 14 years. Known Health Issues Unfortunately, as with any breed of dog, the Pit Boxer Mix is at risk of inheriting the same health problems that their parent breeds are predisposed to. Below we have laid out the main health concerns that this breed face. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. Aortic stenosis — this is a heart defect that is often found in large dog breeds. It can be treated with medication. Cardiomyopathy — this is an enlarged heart with poor function. It can be helped with medication. Degenerative myelopathy — this is a progressive disease of the spinal cord. There is no cure but there is treatment. It can be helped with intensive physical rehabilitation. Allergies — the Pitbull Boxer can be prone to allergies from a range of causes such as food and pollen. It can lead to scratching and other skin infections. Thyroid issues — this is common in Boxers, who can have either an overactive or underactive thyroid. Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable. Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any issues to offspring. Daily Life Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Bullboxer, it is time to take a look at what daily life with one of these dogs is really like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs. This means that the amount of food you will be feeding them will vary. You should always check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding them of a particular food based on their weight. On average, a dog of this size with the same activity level will need roughly calories a day, which is about 2 cups worth. This should be split into at least two meals a day. This food you feed your Pitbull Boxer Mix should be a high-quality kibble. It should contain a good source of protein so that they can stay active. Take a look at the dog food we recommend below. Boxer pitbulls are one of the original crossbreeds. Boxers originated in Germany during the s and were useful in times of war. Known for their intelligence, boxers would deliver messages to the battlefield across long distances. On the other hand, American pit bull terriers were used for baiting animals like boars and bulls in blood sports. In the past, boxer pits were known as the Bullenbeisser by German breeders. Unfortunately, this specific version of the boxer pit went extinct many years ago. That said, similar practices are used to create the boxer pits that you see today. Boxer pitbulls are gorgeous dogs. Their fur is often straight and smooth but long enough to cause problems with shedding. A boxer pitbull also has big, wide dark eyes and straight, pointy ears. However, some ears may droop on boxer pitbull mixes. In many cases, the way they look depends on the breeder and the dogs involved in the breeding process. Other facial features include a short snout, long legs, and a broad chest. When it comes to color, pitbull boxers are usually light brown with patches of white. Some boxer pits may have more brown or a darker shade of brown that gives off a maroon appearance. What Size Is a Pitbull Boxer? Pitbull boxers are not the biggest dogs but are not the smallest breed either. The average boxer pit weighs between 50 and 80 pounds, so there is some variation there. Variation likely depends on the breeder and the dogs used for breeding. When it comes to height, boxer pits are not that tall. When standing on their hind legs, they may reach close to 50 inches. Boxer pits have short and smooth coats. Boxer pits are known for being loyal and intelligent. Boxer pitbulls are also good with other animals and children but only under the right conditions. Are Boxer Pitbulls Affectionate? Boxer pitbulls are affectionate dogs that are loyal to their owners. They want to play with you, spend time with you, and even cuddle up in your lap. Boxer pitbulls are also easy to play with. Running in the backyard is sufficient, but they are also great hiking companions. In fact, you can do most activities with a boxer pit. Boxer pitbulls are great with kids; they will play with most toddlers and teenagers without hurting them. Plus, children can wrestle around with them without them getting too aggressive. This makes boxer pitbulls great companions for both adults and children. That said, there is a catch. Boxer pits do have aggressive tendencies when not socialized properly. Furthermore, boxer pits may be too large to play with babies and toddlers because of their weight and strength. Boxer pitbulls are good with other animals. However, they are larger dogs, so make sure you watch how your animals interact closely for signs of aggression, injury, or danger. Are Boxer Pitbulls Aggressive? Socialized boxer pitbulls are not aggressive. Do Boxer Pitbulls Bark a Lot? Not all boxer pitbulls have the same traits, so some dogs may bark at cars as they pass your window. Ultimately, it depends on the traits the dog inherits from its parents. Are Boxer Pitbulls Intelligent? Pitbull boxers are intelligent dogs and respond well to most types of training. Boxer pitbulls are also smart enough to understand triggers for rewards and punishment. Are Boxer Pitbulls Easy to Train? Intelligence is a big factor when it comes to trainability. They respond well to reward-based training and positive feedback. Moreover, they enjoy pleasing their owners, which makes them easier to train. For example, punishment does not help them learn. Instead, it leads to the opposite and increases aggression. Another problem is that boxer pitbulls become overly excited sometimes. When this happens, they become more stubborn and harder to train. Luckily, the solution here is to just let them cool off for a few minutes. Are Boxer Pitbulls Energetic? Great activities to help your boxer pit expend energy include walking, hiking, running, and fetching. Of course, plenty of safe chew toys will help too. Boxer pitbulls can be good apartment dogs, but it depends on how much space you have. Smaller apartments will struggle to contain the energy of a boxer pitbull, which may result in damage and restlessness. Boxer pitbulls also benefit from time spent outdoors in backyards and parks. Are Boxer Pitbulls Good Watchdogs? Boxer pitbulls are good watchdogs. Boxer pitbulls also get defensive over their home or owners, so they may display aggression towards aggressors. Boxer pitbulls, like many other breeds, can be good service dogs. That said, boxer pitbulls are becoming increasingly popular as emotional support animals ESAs. How to Care for Boxer Pitbulls? Caring for a boxer pitbull is easy when you have enough space and free time. As for grooming and other types of maintenance, boxer pitbulls are low-maintenance dogs. Boxer pitbulls are low maintenance when it comes to grooming. To groom your pitbull boxer, give them a few baths every three months with mild dog shampoo. While that may seem like a big gap between a bath, over-grooming can lead to skin issues. Do Boxer Pitbulls Shed? Boxer pitbulls shed a minimal amount of fur throughout the year. Brushing them every two or three weeks is enough to maintain their coat and remove excess hair. What Should a Boxer Pitbull Eat? Boxer pitbulls need a diet full of nutrition because of their high energy levels. Some important specific ingredients to look for in dog food for a boxer pitbull are ground bones, fat healthy fats , and vegetables. However, you should consult your veterinarian on all diet matters first. Boxer pitbulls have a few common health issues. These health issues include: Hip dysplasia Hemangiosarcoma cancer Allergies Depending on the health issue, there are a few ways to prevent them. Hip dysplasia is challenging to prevent, but your best option is to watch them as they age and limit their activity. For example, limit sudden changes of direction and aggressive pulling. To prevent other issues like cancer, take your boxer pitbull to the vet often to check for heart murmurs and other risk factors. For allergies, vet checkups will help you get the appropriate treatments. Boxer pitbulls have an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years. Are Boxer Pitbulls Expensive? Boxer pitbulls are not expensive dogs — at least when you compare them to purebred dogs like Alaskan huskies or German shepherds. You may also find boxer pitbull for free at adoption centers and online. How to Find a Boxer Pitbull Breeder? How long have you been breeding boxer pitbulls? Are your boxer pitbull puppies socialized? When was the dog last vaccinated? Is there a guarantee of health? Can You Adopt a Boxer Pitbull? Yes, you can adopt a boxer pitbull, and the process is often easy. Are Boxer Pitbulls Purebred? Boxer pitbulls are not purebred dogs. A boxer pitbull is a mix between a boxer and a pitbull. Furthermore, boxer pitbulls respond well to training and can learn dozens of voice and hand commands. Boxer pitbulls also have a mild temperament when it comes to barking, which is great for new dog owners. Therefore, boxer pitbulls may be a blessing for dog owners who love their antics, but also possibly too much work for someone looking for a more low-key dog. Below we list traits you must love to enjoy a boxer pitbull: Affectionate and playful. The recipe features real meat, garden veggies, and fruit plus whole grains and LifeSource Bits rich in antioxidants. It also features ingredients that support healthy growth and development for a growing pup. Natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine are the building blocks of healthy joints and cartilages ideal for mobility. It is packed in vitamins and minerals with antioxidant benefits for lifelong health and happiness. This kibble made for large breed adult dogs also features Iams DHA Gold to promote mental sharpness and alertness and also to encourage healthy cognitive ability. It is crafted with prebiotics for healthy digestion and strong defenses. Puppies and adult pooches have diametrically different nutritional needs, and senior canines require kibble that is gentle on their aged teeth and stomachs. We suggest you pick one of our recommendations for the best puppy food brands and the best senior dry dog food and see how your pup responds. Who knows? Given that your Pitbull Boxer is neither big nor small, they may like the taste of the best dry dog food for small dogs and the best large breed dry dog food alike, so you might want to offer them both kinds! Pitbull Boxer Mix Exercise Requirements The general advice for most dogs would be to train them while they are young. But in the case of your Pitbull Boxer cross, you have to very cautious. Puppies of large-breed origin that exerts too much energy from running or playing can cause injuries that may last his lifetime. For puppies, activities may be limited to regular short walks or play until it has reached a certain maturity, around one year up to 16 months. As it gets old, the daily exercise requirement will also change. For an adult Pitbull boxer, minutes of exercise should be adequate to maintain good health. It is a very energetic hybrid so they will thrive in a lively environment. An ideal home would mean lots of space to move around, inside or in the backyard. Some states enforce restrictions with regards to Pitbull mixes like your pitbull boxer, so you have to keep it on a leash while out exercising. Using a leash will also prevent them from running into or jumping into everyone they encounter. They are most happy walking around in the city or the Dog Park or even trudging in the mountains. Another essential thing to consider is the weather. During the rainy season, your dog will need a raincoat to protect her from the rain and also to keep her warm. Sunscreen can be used but avoid products with zinc oxide, as it is a poisonous substance. The jacket provides full chest coverage, and the solid print is stylishly chic. The elastic leg straps and adjustable fastener guarantees a snug band comfortable fit. It also features reflectorized stitching so you can see your dog even at night. It is guaranteed durable — it features a galvanized cable and coated with crack-resistant vinyl. It should be able to withstand up to 7x the weight of your dog. My Dog Nose It! Pitbull Boxer Cross Training The combination of Pitbull and Boxer is explosively stubborn, so it is a suitable pet for someone with a firm and unyielding grip in training and socialization. And as always, your dog will react and respond best with positive reinforcement, rewards, and incentives. Punishment will never work, and more often than not, will only create or aggravate behavioral problems. It is essential to reward your pet to encourage positive behavior. Early socialization and training from puppyhood will form the foundation of a well-adjusted dog. Training your Pitbull Boxer should be a piece of cake because of their ability to pick up commands. To get their focus though, you would need to be tough and establish yourself as the master and make him obey you. We listed some training activities you can try out with your petpal: Behavior Training — How do you train him to stop barking mad? Constant practice will help you achieve the desired effect but never shout at him even if he continues to bark. Also, allow him to learn commands other than barking. Keep in mind that the goal is to reward your pup for being silent. Chores Training — Teach him to fetch your newspaper for you. Playing fetch with a toy or a ball should prep your dog for this activity. All you have to do is replace the toy with the newspaper and tech your Pitbull boxer how to get it, pick it up or bring it back to you. Fun Training — Rollover is one activity designed with your big Boxer Pitbull in mind. Start with getting your dog to lie down, and eventually how to roll over. Make sure you reward each action accordingly, and of course, practice makes perfect. Pitbull Boxer Combination And Families The Pitbull Boxer will become accustomed to any family dynamic most especially when trained well and socialized correctly. Their energetic and sometimes rowdy nature can knock off small bodies, so be extra careful if you have kids. There are specific training designed to help you manage this kind of behavior. Check with your local authorities with regards to the legal status of Pitbull mixes in your area. Find out if your Boxer pitbull mix is banned or restricted. Not only will they thrive in large spaces to allow lots of movement, but they will also want owners who will dedicate their time to train and socialize and to love and care for them. Reach out to your vet for more information on a proper Bullboxer Pit care. Pitbull Boxer Mix Grooming And Shedding The most important factor is that these dogs are low shedding and low maintenance. They seldom require many products and it means getting trims on a daily basis is not needed. The Bullboxer Pit sheds moderately. Unreasonable shedding indicates some sort of a health issue. Use a brush and comb their loose hair. Bathing is recommended once in a fortnight or when suggested by your vet. A soft bristle brush or a curry comb is enough. Medicated shampoos are needed if skin disorders are present. If your dog consists of the wrinkles and facial folds of the Boxer, then examine the muzzle and face area on a regular basis. Prevent the growth of bacterial infestations, fungal, and red yeast due to drooling problems. These dogs need safe moisturizer and need attention to stop cracking and drying. Start this habit early as some hybrids can be stubborn about getting their feet touched. Brush their teeth once daily and provide them with dental treats. This will keep their gums strong. Clip their nails and clean their ears regularly. Hire a professional groomer if you are unsure of anything. The most crucial thing is that you should follow and adopt consistent training. Experts suggest early training for this breed because of obesity issues. They have the potential to become abnormal chewers. This need not adhere only to cushions, shoes, or anything including food. The Bullboxer Pit is a kind and loving dog when they are left with their family members and the same does not work with other strangers or animals. A properly socialized Bullboxer Pit will offer unconditional support to other pets. A brilliant watchdog, this dog is always active and alert. When a Bullboxer Pit senses a stranger close by, it will bark loudly to alert the owner. Pitbull Boxer Mix Exercise A pretty strong dog with a brilliant and strong physique which requires a complete lot of exercise, Bullboxer Pits is here to stay. They need exercise to maintain their health and form. This dog appears very alert and agile and seems to behave hyper. It might move around without your permission. The Bullboxer Pits are suitable for families with kids because of their affection, friendliness, and energy. For those who already lead a physically active lifestyle, then this Pitbull Boxer Mix is the right choice. These dogs are developed to be a strong dog with gameness and tenacity. This dog needs its daily dose of exercise. They love activities including agility training , flyball, swimming, jogs, and brisk walks. Experts normally do not suggest this large dog breed for apartment living. They can become obese if left unsupervised. Sticking to the feeding schedule can help stop that. If not given proper medical care, these pets can turn critically ill. Hip Dysplasia — This refers to a condition wherein the socket and ball joint of the hip is malformed. Cardiomyopathy — Cardiomyopathy is a condition which affects the heart. Sudden heart failure or fainting can occur. Some dogs can also develop congestive heart failure. Aortic stenosis — Aortic Stenosis is a disorder where the aortic valve reduces in size and this valve manages the blood flow to the important aorta ventricular Some of the minor health issues include Allergies — If you notice signs of allergies in your pet , do these things- Try dietary changes and nutraceuticals Ear cleaning Topical treatments and bathing Contact your vet Demodectic mange — This condition is caused due to an itchy, red skin infection. Demodex Canis mite lives ideally on dogs. Degenerative Myelopathy — A progressive disorder of the spine mostly found in older dogs. This disorder can lead to progressive paralysis also. Pitbull Boxer Mix Food These are big dogs and you can easily expect them to eat large quantities. In order to keep them strong and healthy, Bullboxer Pits are fed with the best quality dry food. Check the label for any preservatives or artificial flavors. If you find these ingredients in the dog food, put it back- Wheat Gluten.

Sometimes the owners reduce the price if you have a talk with them. You need to deposit a certain amount to reserve your puppy. Why are Pure French Bulldog puppies expensive in Alabama? The French Bulldogs are quite popular and they are one of the most expensive dog breeds. For this breed, naturally giving birth is complicated. That is why they usually undergo C-sections which are moderately expensive. The breeders also have to pay a hefty stud fee. Since the mothers do not have delivery, they become quite weak after giving birth and cannot take care of their offspring. So, the breeders have to take care of them which is like a full-time job. The puppies are given necessary vaccinations too in due time. Because of these costs, the breeders charge comparatively more for bulldog pups. Before adopting a French Bulldog pup from any breeder, you should do some investigation on the breeder. You should ask about their breeding and raising process, check if they are American Kennel Club or AKC registered or not. Ask them questions about the medical history of the puppies and if they got any genetic disorders. You should also check the pedigrees. You can check the list of breeders mentioned above who reside in Alabama. The breeders are also AKC registered. How do I choose a French Bulldog puppy in Alabama? When you are planning to adopt a Frenchies pup, you should do some background medical checks on them such as Dwarfism, malformed hips and back problems, eyes if they have cataracts. You should also check the pedigree. After that, you should choose a pup that you can love unconditionally and can give a new loving home. Do not feel shy to ask any questions related to the French Bulldogs to the breeders. The frog dogs are so popular because of their ability to adapt to any home, even in a small apartment. Their low energy is also another reason for their popularity. People like their temperament and size as well. They are very calm. They have a friendly outgoing personalities. What is the rarest color of French Bulldog In Alabama? Why Are They Rare in Alabama? Though blue, lilac, black, tan are not AKC standard colors for French Bulldogs, they are quite rare and popular. Among these colors, the rarest color for Bulldogs is Blue Merle. These colors are achieved through very particular interbreeding. Because of this, they are quite expensive as well. In the first year, the cost is more as you need to give the puppies the necessary supplies, visits to the vet, and medical shots. How much is a French Bulldog puppy in Alabama without papers? But the puppies without papers might not even be purebred so be careful of puppies without papers. What is the most popular French Bulldog color in Alabama? The AKC standard colors for French Bulldogs are white, tan, fawn brindle, and a combination of brindle and white. Among these colors, the most popular color is the Brindle French Bulldog. Where can I take my French Bulldog in Alabama? In Alabama, there are some leash-free dog parks where you can take your French Bulldog pups for a walk or run. You need to be careful of the puppy mills and backyard breeders. Adopting puppies from them is discouraged because you can never get to know about the bloodlines or any genetic disorders of the puppies. The puppies might not ever be tested too. So, to avoid them, you need to have enough knowledge about the breeders in your area. Try to adopt from AKC registered breeders. Why Not? It is up to you if you want to adopt a pup from rescue centers but the thing about rescue center pets is that you do not get to know about their bloodlines or if they have any genetic disorders or if they are infected with any disease. Try to adopt puppies from breed specific centers and support law by adopting pups that are registered and have papers. The Frenchies are very easy to maintain. The ears of the Bulldogs are like bat ears. The coat of the Frenchies is shiny and smooth. So, these dogs are very easy to groom as well. The dogs might look tough on the outside but they are very sweet on the inside. The Frenchies thrive for human contact. The clown dogs cannot get taller than 13 inches at the shoulder. This quality makes them a great option for the people who reside in the cities and have less space. Do you know any breeder about whom I have not featured in the article? If yes, please let me know in the comment section below. Among the breeders mentioned above, which breeder did you like the most? Please let us know in the comment section which size, age and color of golden pups you prefer the most. Michelle Brown. They can melt your heart with those big loving eyes. They learn quickly and are always eager to please you, their best friend. Frenchies are an attractive and eye catching breed. Their bodies are small but muscular and heavy boned, giving them their characteristic appearance that is so desirable. They average 18 to 24 pounds, so are small enough to fit into most living situations. They love car rides, leash walks, and just spending time with you. We have adorable frenchies for sale in Alabama. We selectively breed for health and temperament, cuteness and specialize in standard, rare and exotic color French bulldog puppies. We DNA health and color test all our dogs. All of our puppies are AKC registered so our customers know they are getting healthy and purebred puppies. We follow a strict vaccination and deworming schedule and all our puppies come with a 1 year health guarantee. All of our puppies are microchipped and they come with a microchip enrollment form. Our goal is to have all of our puppies go to loving pet homes or to qualified breeders. Our puppies are raised around adults, kids and other French bulldogs. This helps socialize the puppies so they can quickly adjust to their new home. When you bring home your new best friend from WW Best French Bulldogs, you know that they are healthy, happy, and well-loved. We are dedicated to raising happy, healthy, and well socialized family companions.

This way, the dogs receive one on one care, as well as the love attention that only comes from being in a family environment. We learn their likes, dislikes, and temperament and can address any illnesses or behavior problems quickly. They live indoors with our own pets, as they are our very own! We have many wonderful Boxer dogs available for adoption. An adoption donation fee is required to adopt a rescued Boxer. Most of our Boxers come from high kill shelters. Some of our rescue Boxers were picked up as strays by Animal Control. Some of them have been surrendered by their owners due to divorce, death, financial problems, etc. If you are interested in adopting from our rescue, please fill out an Adoption Application today. We thoroughly screen applicants and check references. Please feel free to browse through our available dogs! Everyone I was in contact with was so very nice, understanding and immediately became good friends… I cannot begin to express the gratitude I have for Blue Ridge for putting the three of us together. Alan B A few months ago, my husband and I decided we were ready to open our home up to another boxer. After looking through the available males section we found him. Ruger is a fawn boxer with a little white smudge on his nose. He is also a three-legged boxer…. He has become such an amazing part of our family. We adopted Juneau aka Chrysler four years ago. He has since earned his UKC novice agility title, starred in a local commercial and just recently earned his first leg toward his AKC Novice agility title! Juneau took first place with a perfect score and a course time of .He is the best dog and we can never thank BRBR enough! Sign up for BoxerBriefs to get news delivered right to your mailbox! Get them early for holiday gifts! We are an organization dedicated to the rescue and adoption of Boxers in the metropolitan-Atlanta area, and to provide support and education for Boxer owners. We are operated and managed by a group of dedicated volunteers, and we are funded by adoption fees, fundraisers, and gifts from generous donors like you! Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. If you are interested in adopting a Boxer in Atlanta, you've come to the right place. Take a moment to learn about the Boxer breed, including some of its history. When you are ready to move forward, familiarize yourself with everything you need to know before you adopt. Some Frequently Asked Questions are answered on our site as well. We strive to support your adoption to make it a success for you and your new Boxer friend. All of our Boxers have had a check-up with a veterinarian, been spayed or neutered, and brought up-to-date on vaccinations. We have also done our best to evaluate our Boxers for temperament, socialization, and house-breaking. We are always looking for great volunteers to help us. If you are interested in being a foster home for a Boxer in need, thank you! The number of Boxers that we can save depends on the number of willing volunteers like you. Please complete our Foster Application or contact us for more information. We have a lot of resources to help you. Sign up for our newsletter , contact us about any questions or concerns you might have, or seek comfort if you've lost your Boxer friend. We can't do this without you, so please consider a donation or a purchase from the ABR Store!

It's our goal to provide the best dogs, by raising them in our home with our family. We provide them the best care, lot's of love, attention, and training in order to have confident socialized family dogs. This breed originated in Australia to fill a need for an intelligent dog that was allergy friendly who could serve as a guide dog. This breed was carefully infused over generations for temperament, coat, conformation, and size. Generations of careful and responsible breeding. The breeding clubs that govern the accredited breeders have a history of verified pedigrees with required health testing which holds the breed to a higher standard. Our passion is to share our love for this breed by being committed to upholding the integrity and standards of these amazing dogs completing families one puppy at a time. Family Dog We are animal lovers especially dogs. We found this special breed after researching to find the best puppy for our family. We suffer from allergies so we needed an allergy friendly puppy, as well as a one with a great temperament growing up with our children. This is exactly what you get with this Amazing breed. A great family pet that is loyal, loving, and ready to go on adventures with your or just relax on the couch. We love to explore and take our dogs with us just as much as we love downtime at home with our fur friends. Since we raise our pups in our home with our family they are confident, well rounded and socialized pups. Our pups are best described by one our junior puppy trainers as "Mood Puppies". That is they are always ready to adapt and be there for you as a loyal best friend. This company breeds health, temperament, and excellent conformation. Angel View Doodles has been in operation since .Angel View Doodles is a top Labradoodle breeder in Alabama because they give rigorous genetic health testing for each puppy. In addition, Angel View Doodles places a premium on natural, holistic care for its breeding dogs and puppies, and the puppy contract reflects this. Their dogs are raised in a loving environment, and they are bred to be great pets for life. This breeder takes pride in the quality of the dogs they produce, ensuring that every pup goes to a happy home with people who will love them for life. Address: Birmingham, Alabama Email: angelviewdoodles gmail. No two breeders are identical, but they all have the strengths that make them stand out from the rest. When it comes to Labradoodles, buyers should remember that there is always a market for healthy, quality animals. Labradoodle breeders are everywhere, but never purchase a puppy from a breeder who does not show the same dedication to excellence in their breeding program that the above Alabama Labradoodle breeders have. Labradoodle breeders have a chance to improve the lives of humans, and each kennel should strive to be better than the last. These Alabama Labradoodle breeders all provide excellent services that help buyers get healthy, happy pups that they can love for the rest of their lives. Labradoodles make fantastic pets. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Our puppies are raised here on our very secluded 5 acres. The puppies are socialized and handled daily by a variety of people including myself, my youngest children and my grandchildren. Living just 20 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico, my family and I are what many would consider to be "water people". My family loves to go out to the beach, swimming or fishing. This is almost an every weekend event for us during the Summer months. We wanted our dogs to love the water as much as we do, but to also possess a calm, people friendly demeanor. We have found the perfect breeds and could not be happier with the personalities of our dogs. As a breeder, I knew that the only thing that could enhance the wonderful personality of the English "Block Head" Labrador and the English Golden Retriever would be this breed mixed with the Poodle. Poodles are one of the worlds smartest breeds. The inclusion of the poodle in these hybrid mixes makes these pups low to non-shedding, very healthy due to the hybrid vigor, extremely smart and easily trained. In my opinion, English Labradoodles and English Goldendoodles are the perfect dogs! While they possess above average intelligence and are very low to non shedding, they are also adorable and have gorgeous blocky, plush heads and look like real life Teddy Bears! I am sure that you are asking, "where does the TeddyBear Schnoodle fit into this mix? I was originally a breeder of the smaller Schnoodles, but eventually graduated to the larger ones as well. Molly, my first Giant Schnauzer lived to the ripe old age of .She was the most amazing dog. TeddyBear Schnoodles are extremely smart, loyal, easily trained and well behaved dogs. Schnoodles are also totally non-shedding and hypo-allergenic. For those that love the Schnauzer, want a smart, non-shedding and family focused dog or have extreme allergy issues, the Schnoodle is an excellent choice. I currently raise schnoodles in only the smaller size which average between 12 and 18 pounds as adults. Please feel free to contact me at with any questions that you may have about the 3 Amazing TeddyBear Breeds that we Specialize in. I enjoy getting to know the families that my puppies are going to be living their lives with. I love to see these pups as they grow and achieve milestones throughout their lives as well as witness the joy that each puppy brings to their new families. Please give me a call, I would love to talk to you.

As you can see by the multiple pictures on our site and on our Lindel Shepherds Facebook page , our dogs are part of our everyday life and one of the family. They are socialized, have manners and are JOY to live with! We use predominantly American bred lines with occasional West German Show lines. We strive to produce a dog that is an ambassador for the German Shepherd Breed. A dog you can be proud of, with a family oriented temperament, easily trained, healthy, intelligent, striking physical beauty and correct conformation. With limited breedings, We are proud to say that our puppies have grown into wonderful examples of a true German Shepherd Dog. We are proud of each and everyone! We are dedicated to at least one parent being a DM Clear. And many of our breedings consist of both parents being DM Clear. Much time and effort is taken into every litter we produce, so that we may have the best possible chance of producing Sound , Healthy, Lifelong companions. Social Contact Us Our babies are spoken for quickly, so reach out to reserve your furever friend or to ask any questions. We have answers. We absolutely can! To start with, all you need to do is browse through the adorable German Shepherd puppies for sale Philadelphia and all over the USA. When you see your perfect puppy, simply message their breeder and they can give you all the details you need to know about how to make that puppy yours. What makes Uptown different from other places with German Shepherd puppies in Philadelphia? Are there any Philadelphia German Shepherd puppies for sale right now? As one of the most popular breeds in the USA, there will almost always be German Shepherd breeders Philadelphia with some adorable Philadelphia German Shepherds for sale. You can expect five-star service in terms of both the care your puppy receives before they travel to you, and the health records and progress reports that you can request at any time. Do you have the cheapest German Shepherds for sale Philadelphia? We know that it takes a lot of time, expertise, and money to breed the best German Shepherds. We are a pro-shelter organization, and choosing where to find your new puppy from comes down to choice. For some families, choosing a purebred pup from a registered breeder who can provide a full health history is the right choice. For others, rehoming a shelter dog will be the way to go. How do I know that my German Shepherd for sale in Philadelphia will be healthy? We recommend taking a copy of their results and booking a follow-up with your own vet. Is it enough to walk German Shepherd puppies Philadelphia, or do they need more exercise? German Shepherds are an active and intelligent breed, so as well as regular active walks, they also need training sessions and plenty of playtime to take care of their mental well-being too. German Shepherds love to have a job to do, so signing up for puppy training or agility classes is a great way to help them feel useful. How big will a German Shepherd for sale Philadelphia grow? German Shepherds are large, graceful dogs. Once fully mature, a male German Shepherd will weigh between 65 - 90 pounds and stand 24 - 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are usually slightly smaller, so will weigh around 50 - 70 pounds, and stand 22 - 24 inches tall. They are muscular and athletic, thanks to their herding heritage. What will a Philadelphia German Shepherd for sale be like to train? German Shepherds are famed for their abilities as working dogs. They are incredibly intelligent and pick up new commands very quickly. They have a strong work ethic, but also respond very well to positive reinforcement methods, with plenty of praise when they nail that new command.

Exercise, Growth, and Joints Exercise Labradors not only love exercise, they need exercise. We all look forward to taking our puppy for a walk, however it is important not to over-exercise your puppy. In natural play, puppies will romp until they are tired and then stop to lay down for rest. When walking a puppy on a leash, they cannot stop when they normally would for rest. Too much exercise or walking can severely damage their bone and joint structures irreversibly. This should be taken seriously. THE RULE is: No more than 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age So that means, at 2 months old 8 weeks , your puppy only needs to exercise or walk for 10 minutes per day. At 3 months of age 15 minutes of exercise and so on. If you walk your puppy too far too soon, your puppy may develop hip and elbow dysplasia as they get older. Labradors have been known to develop dysplasia younger than other breeds of dogs. In many of these cases, it is often due to environmental factors such as over-exercise, running on hard or strenuous surfaces such as concrete or sand , continual jumping or agility work. Things to avoid with your puppy: No jumping in or out of car, especially larger cars. Lift the dog or use a ramp. No throwing balls or frisbee great distances for your puppy to chase. The sudden stopping and over reaching with the front legs is dangerous. No agility, jumping or flyball before years old Do not let other dogs knock or push the puppy over continually, includes body-slamming Avoid much stair climbing which can increase the risk of dysplasia No fast turns or roll-overs Good exercise: Swimming is great, since there is no weight-bearing impact on their joints. Remember, labradors love water! Walking on leash, for no longer than the recommended length of time for their age Self-directed play is an overriding rule for any puppy under 18 months old. The majority of exercise should be free play, exploring, and noodling around Hide and seek games are fantastic, as the dog can move at its own pace looking for its toy or treat or you. Size is a factor as large dogs, especially ones that like to play with paw whacks, can inadvertently injury a young puppy. Supervised play is critical. You need to teach the puppy a release command. All these games are forms of exercise for puppies and are a great way to help your puppy learn useful lifelong skills and qualities. Growth plates and bones: Development and injury Growth Plates Growth plates are soft areas that sit at the ends of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. They contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to grow longer until the end of puberty. Growth plates gradually thin as the hormonal changes approaching puberty signal the growth plates to close. In puppies, this closure normally completes between 18 to 24 months old in labradors. After sexual maturity, the growth plates calcify and the rapid cell division ends. The growth plates become a stable, inactive part of the bone, now known as an epiphyseal line. Dogs bones are held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments soft tissue. In an adult dog, if a joint experiences a stress such as bending the wrong way or rotating too much, the bones will hold firm and soft tissue will be pulled, resulting in a sprain or tear. Why this matters so much, is that unlike a sprain, injuries to the growth plate may not heal properly or not heal in time for the puppy to grow up straight and strong. Injury to a growth plate can result in a misshapen or shortened limb, which creates an incorrect angle to a joint resulting in yet more future injuries when he grows up, including dysplasia. These xray images show open and closed growth plates in a puppy and adult dog. Bone Strength In addition to having soft growth plates at the end of long bones, puppies bones in general are softer. Spiral fractures of the tibia lower leg bone are very common in puppies. A spiral fracture is where the bottom half of the bone twists in the opposite direction of the top half. Any exercise that puts torque twist on a bone puts the puppy at risk of a fracture. For an example, movements such as twisting and turning suddenly can cause these type of fractures. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia This is where we recommend you read our Health and Genetic Testing page, where we talk about hip and elbow dysplasia. It is critical that you, as a puppy owner, understand as much as you can about hip and elbow dysplasia, how you can help prevent it, and what your breeder should be testing for. On the other hand, an underfed or malnourished puppy or dog is also at higher risk of injury. Muscles mass directly influences strength, likewise inadequate calcium and nutrients affect bone density. A body condition score of about is healthy for a young puppy. Once an adult, the ideal body condition score would be about 5 for a healthy, fit labrador. Sterilisation Desexing In larger breeds, sterilising young puppies at a young age has shown to increase the risk of joint disorders and injury. We recommend sterilisation occurs between 24 months old for this reason. This recommendation is outlined in our Health Guarantee. We discuss this more under Desexing or Sterilisation. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Whether young or old, big or small, yellow, black, chocolate, from field lines or show lines, your Labrador needs exercise. It will keep their heart and muscles strong, their mind stimulated and their weight under control. But how much exercise does a Labrador need? Labradors Are a High Energy Breed The Labrador Retriever is a high energy working breed, initially bred for very physically demanding work retrieving game for hunters. This would involve all day hiking, running and swimming in sometimes difficult conditions. So Labrador Retrievers were bred to have lots of energy and be very active. And though their main role in life today is as a family pet, they still have those same genetics that made them suited to their original role. Dog Ball Thrower. Yes, you can throw a tennis ball extra far with the Chuckit, but two reasons why I love it: 1. In this state they will often resort to destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing…and will often be very restless, may bark excessively and try to escape your home and garden at every opportunity. Insufficient exercise can also lead to weight problems with Labradors. Excess weight is a problem because it can lead to all sorts of problems such as damage to their joints hips and elbows , heart disease, increased blood pressure and increases the risk of diabetes. So a lack of exercise leads to behavioral problems, hyperactivity and possibly an assortment of health problems. However, as a general rule of thumb, a normally healthy adult Labrador Retriever will need 1 hour of exercise every day. The more relaxed Labs just 45 minutes per day, the more energetic 1. This can be made up of running, swimming, playing fetch , jogging alongside you…anything that goes beyond a gentle walk. But if the first consideration is your Labradors age, how much do puppies and the elderly need? Nice for long runs with your Lab. If you have older dogs or children, the puppy may well try to keep up with them and over-exert themselves, playing to exhaustion and damage their developing joints. So keep an eye on them and interrupt play if need be, to give them plenty of rest. Once they are fully grown, they can go out for much longer. The 5 minute rule should be sufficient to keep your lab puppy fit, burn off excess energy yet not over-exert them and cause possible developmental issues. Continue the 5 minute rule until your puppy is at least one year of age where you can then begin to exercise them more vigorously. This is highly dependent on your labs overall health and can vary wildly from one Labrador to another. Some labs may need to slow down from the 7th year onwards, while others remain extremely active beyond their 10th year. As Labradors get older, many develop arthritis, dysplasia and other health issues that can prevent a Labrador from enjoying or needing exercise as much as they used to when young and healthy. They will likely still try to chase a tennis ball all day and hike mountains just to please you, even if it may be doing them more harm than good. Try not to put them in this position. As your Labrador ages, you need to be more observant , looking for changes in their movement, excessive panting, slowing down, feeling tired. And during grooming sessions and massage, check for any painful spots indicative of sore joints or other problems. We noticed Linus was stiff getting up in the morning and decided to try adding glucosamine to his diet. We saw a noticeable difference a few days later and an added spring in his step. If your Labrador tears around your home like a tornado. If your Lab displays any of the restless and destructive symptoms described above, try increasing their levels of exercise for a few days and see if their behavior problems improve. However, if you have money burning a hole in your pocket you might want to check out PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher. Over-exercising very young and elderly Labradors can do more harm than good. For your adolescent and adult Labrador, exercise them well. As a general rule of thumb, aim for 1hr per day and scale this up or down depending on your Labradors individual needs. This could mean 45 mins for the more sedate and elderly, or 1. And at the end of the day, think of it like this: You have the best exercise machine to rival that of any gym to keep you fit and healthy yourself. And hey, what fun!!! What better motivation and need is there to keep yourself in shape? Do you mostly agree with the above? Please let us know in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. These tips will also help you to advance your dog so that, eventually, you can trust them to be off the leash in a safe area. Don't release your dog until they can demonstrate knowledge and obedience on the long leash and in many different settings. To begin with, walk them in the house and in the yard. Dogs learn 'contextually and by repetition'. These hints will help you to become the pack leader. Be certain that this is only reason that your dog will follow you. Make time to walk your dog Whether you walk your dog in the morning or evening will be influenced by your program. Whenever you exercise your dog, the walk should allow for 'focused time' and 'free time'. Two leashes will facilitate this. If they are under 12 months old, take some water with you. Also take a back-pack and a treat belt available on Ebay. I recommend no more than thirty minutes of walking in total for a dog under 14 months old as their growth plates are not set until this time. Be careful of overly vigorous activity, particularly if you have an older but playful dog. I don't recommend running for more than very short bursts for the same reason. Healthy hips and elbows are critical for a healthy, active and long life. Use two leashes - a long leash approx 7m and a short leash approx 1m Start your walk with the labrador pup on a short leash. The short leash will help you to direct and guide the dog. This allows you to maintain full control over your dog. Set up your walk for success. Start by getting the dog to sit or at the least be stationary and under your control. As you begin, keep your dog behind your body alignment. Be patient and encourage your dog. Do not show aggressive frustration. This will only cause confusion and fear or aggression. If your dog is not complying, stop and reset. You are the master Walking in front of your dog demonstrates that you are the master or the pack leader. You should be first out the door. The dogs should exit the compound only at your command. This is essential whether you are walking 1, 2 or more dogs. If your dog controls the pace and direction of the walk, they are the pack leader. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk. Dogs learn contextually The next two hints are important training essentials. Firstly, labradors learn contextually and their training in not immediately transferable to a new environment. Using the same disciplines and routines, train your dog the same way in different settings. This will entrench your expectations. Correct immediately Secondly, a labrador has about a five second retention of information. After five seconds the dog has lost any association between your assertiveness and their behaviour. If they disobey you, you must correct them within five seconds or not at all. If the dog is disobedient or simply does not understand, reset and start again. The long leash I'm a big fan of the long leash. A long leash will help you to correct bad behaviour at a distance. After a period of training with the short leash, remove it and connect the longer lead. Keep the leash in your hand, releasing it slowly and progressively. As they master this, you can back away while the dog is 'sitting and staying'. Reward your labrador pup with vigorous affection and a treat. After this, you should allow them to wander and sniff around. All this time you will keep your dog on the long leash and under your control. Be sure that the free time is less than their focus time. During the socialisation phase, 8 - 16 weeks, you will need both leashes as you expose your labrador pup to other dogs. As you walk your dog, you will come across small and large dogs that are aggressive. Walking on either leash will give your complete control. And it will ensure safety at all time. You new labrador pup has no innate road sense. Walk them, getting close to roads. Expose them to vehicles so that they do not panic. Reward your dog for good behaviour. Remember that dogs register tones and frequencies, not words. Use higher tones to affirm, reward and encourage. You approval is the greatest reward for a Labrador. Direct eye contact without high vocal affirmation will be interpreted as aggression. Use lower growling tones to reinforce disapproval. Try to avoid 'No' as a command. It is too general and therefore confusing to the dog. Always reward and reinforce obedience to specific commands. Use food treats to begin with, however you must gradually phase them out. Your vocal affirmation and affection should be your longer term goal. As your dog maintains the proper behaviour, reward them with treats. Reward your dog after the walk I recommend that you reward your labrador pup after the walk. Let them have a drink firstly then give them a portion of food that is less than a meal but more than a treat. It will not take long for your dog to anticipate the whole experience. When you appear with the leashes, they will become very enthusiastic. If you adhere to these eight hints and maintain the discipline of your training, you and your dog will value and enjoy the experience. Finally, remember to pick up after your dog. Don't go on a walk without your poop bags on hand! Find a vet you can have confidence in. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Just like us, Labradors need plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Whether you have a young or old dog, they all need to get the blood flowing to stay healthy and live long happy doggie lives. Regular exercise with your Labrador is very beneficial for you both. Exercise stimulates neuron growth in the brain, encourages the production of endorphins with a known mood-boosting effect , helps strengthen your bones and muscles, improves blood pressure, and can significantly help with depression. Are you having a hard time figuring out how much exercise your lab needs? Answers vary drastically from one dog to another. The amount of exercise to give your Labrador depends mostly on the age of the dog. The key to taking your Labrador puppy out for exercise is to be patient. Some labs are athletic, and thus need more exercise than others. Also, certain Labradors are genetically programmed to be energetic and have high metabolism rates, whereas others are more laid-back. Here are some exercise guidelines a new lab owner can follow to make sure their dog gets the right workout. With older dogs or children, a lab puppy may well try to keep up with them and exhaust themselves before they reach their adult size and stamina. Hold off on structured games and other forms of heavy physical activity for the first three months. This will set the stage for long-term, healthy exercise habits. This rule states that you should take your Labrador puppy out for at least five minutes of exercise per month of age up to twice a day until he or she is fully grown. This can be anything from a walk around the block to a run in the dog park. How old your dog is will make a difference in their stamina. To determine how much exercise your dog needs, first take their age into consideration. Labs that are four years old and above need between one and two hours of exercise per day. The truth is Labradors can lead a perfectly healthy life with just an hour of daily active playtime. The Labrador Retriever was bred to retrieve game for hunters. That means they naturally love to play fetch. All you need is a toy for playtime and room for running around. Tug-of-War is less cardio-oriented but helps with muscle mass and body structure in growing dogs. Plus, they love it! It requires that you prepare your puppy with a proper agility training course. Agility training is great for completing a total-body, structured workout, while also providing mental stimulation for your labrador. This involves activities such as going through walkways, tunnels, and hurdles to reach the other end. You will need to train your lab to engage in the activity and this involves proper instruction. Find one that fits his size and abilities, as well as your own personal comfort level. Either due to space or having a small yard, it may be difficult to get their puppies out every day. The good news is that, with a little creativity, indoor exercise can be just as viable and fun! Here are a few ideas you can try at home. Try Treadmill Training Sessions With Dogs A dog can be trained to use a treadmill and enjoy it, but the experience will take time. Build an Obstacle Course for Your Labrador Use everyday things found around the home or office to create an obstacle course. It also boosts their energy levels and problem-solving skills. For example, you might use old boxes and trash bags to make a tunnel, chairs or stools to jump across, and other furniture for your puppy to climb. At first your puppy may not catch on, but with effective use of the treat and lots of encouragement, you can help it learn as it goes. Hide-and-Seek With a Treat! Hide a treat around the house, and let your puppy work to find it. As you hide treats around the room, remember to make sure they are not hiding somewhere that is unreachable. Tip 2. Make sure that all the activities are not just what you enjoy but what is enjoyable for the puppy. Otherwise, they may get frustrated and stop cooperating with you. Include treats and praise whenever they accomplish something. All dog breeds respond positively to lots of physical affection and verbal affirmation. This will make the activity more enjoyable for the puppy. Keep fun as the central theme and good health will flow. Tip 3. Make an Exercise Routine and Schedule for Your Dog Lab owners, take note: maintaining the health of an adult Lab is all about consistency. And this starts with walks at a young age. Take regular walks with your dog, no matter the weather conditions. Walk at the same time each day in order to create an exercise pattern that both you and your dog can stick to. Maybe you can get the puppy used to a leash and casually walk through your neighborhood with it. That way, you can vary the activity occasionally. In six months, increase the amount of time your dogs are running to 15 minutes. This keeps their energy high and stops weight gain as they mature. Conclusion As a dog owner, your foremost responsibility is protecting the health and safety of your pet. Insufficient exercise causes health problems in dogs , like hip dysplasia especially those already prone to hip or joint problems. Share on. Tweet on Twitter Puppy exercise requirements vary between different types of dog, and as a puppy grows the exercise they need will increase. It is possible to give a puppy too much exercise so I will give you a puppy exercise chart, as a guide to how far a puppy can walk at different ages. Taking your new puppy for a walk We all look forward to the day we can take our new puppy for a walk. For many people, daily dog walks is a huge part of why they bought a Labrador in the first place. Others already take quite small puppies for quite long walks and are surprised to discover that many experts believe this to be a bad thing. So just how much exercise does a puppy really need? How much exercise does a puppy need? This rule of thumb says that a puppy should have no more than five minutes of walking for every month of his age. So that would be fifteen minutes a day maximum for a three month old puppy, twenty minutes for a four month old and so on. This concern about excessive exercise has arisen because it is widely believed that exercise is a factor in the development of serious joint disorders. Especially in larger breed puppies such as Labradors Breeders are particularly concerned about hip dysplasia, a serious and complex disorder of the hip joints, that is believed to be influenced both by inherited factors passed from dogs to their puppies and by environmental factors In addition to factors influencing growth rates, the stresses and strains placed on the vulnerable growing joint by excessive exercise are believed to be a contributory environmental factor in the development of inadequate hip joints. It seems likely, that a puppy that had inherited a tendency for poor hips, could have its soft and still forming hip joints made a good deal worse through prolonged or hard exercise. It is also possible that a puppy that has inherited excellent hips, will come to no harm whatsoever through hard exercise. On the contrary, a certain amount of free running exercise is a good thing Running off-leash A Norwegian study published and which included labradors, showed that puppies given the opportunity to exercise off leash in a park before the age of three months were less likely to develop hip dysplasia HD , not more. Stair climbing The same study showed that puppies that had to climb stairs on a regular basis during the same period were at increased risk of HD You can read about this study in Science Daily. So what does this study tell us? Well, it is only one study, but it suggests that playing in a natural way, with other pups or simply running about at their own speed is probably going to benefit a small puppy Strenuous exercise Whereas more strenuous activity such as climbing hills and stairs, may not be such a good thing at a very young age. Another study has suggested that running hard for a retrieve, may not be great for joint health either. And some breeders also prevent dogs from jumping for the first twelve months to reduce impact on the shoulder and elbow joints. This may be especially important for some of the heavier breeds of dog, and those that are slow to mature. How far should my puppy walk? But how does that translate to distances walked? If you like to think in distances rather than time, a mile is around steps for an adult human and takes about twenty minutes at a moderate walking speed. So a maximum walk for a four month old Labrador might be about a mile. And of course if you are walking out and back again, that means not taking the dog more than half a mile from your home or car, whichever is your starting point. With young puppies, you need to keep a balance. Think about the overall energy your puppy is expending rather than focusing on walking alone. Walking is only one form of exercise and is no more valuable or important than games or training exercises. If you have been to visit a friend with your five month old pup and their dog has played for half an hour in the garden with yours, your dog does not need a walk as well. It is the total exercise that counts. How much exercise is too much? And you are bound to know of someone whose puppy had far more exercise than this and came to no harm. However taking a puppy for long walks or asking him to negotiate very steep or uneven surfaces when he is little, is probably a bad idea. Beware of letting a puppy play for too long with an older dog that does not want to stop. And keep an eye on children who may inadvertently exhaust a puppy by encouraging him to play when he needs to sleep. Crating your puppy when he is tired or overexcited, will enable you to make sure that your puppy gets some well deserved down time. Summary Young puppies need the time and space to run about freely, and free running exercise is beneficial. You do not need to attempt to prevent puppies playing in the garden, trotting about the house or playing with another young puppy for a while. Provided that the puppy is free to stop and rest whenever he wants. As far as we know at the moment, formal exercise — walking on a lead — for example, is probably best restricted using the five minute rule as an approximate guide. And strenuous exercise such as stair climbing, and chasing balls should be limited or avoided altogether in puppies under three months of age. Remember, an adult dog can become an amazing athlete, but like all athletes, fitness and stamina are best built up in gentle stages if injury is to be avoided. Do talk to your vet about exercise at your first appointment with your puppy. We are still learning about hip dysplasia. Research is ongoing, knowledge increases all the time. Your vet should be up to date with the latest information regarding the optimum amount of exercise for your new puppy. Published in April , the Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. It will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialization and early obedience. This article was originally published in and has been extensively revised and updated for References Slater et al. Diet and exercise as potential risk factors for osteochondritis dissecans in dogs. Am J Vet Res. Sallander et al. American Society for Nutrition. Krontveit et al. Risk factors for hip-related clinical signs in a prospective cohort study of four large dog breeds in Norway. May 9, Aug 12, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You want to show off your new labrador retriever puppy. Is it safe to walk your puppy outside? How far can you walk a puppy? Or is it time for a puppy stroller? Puppies usually receive a series of vaccinations starting at six to eight weeks old. Some say wait another two weeks until the vaccinations are fully effective before taking him to places where other unknown dogs may have been. As far as getting our puppies out and about we follow the guidelines set forth by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. The Primary and Most Important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated. They grow more quickly than their smaller counterparts but mature more slowly. Exercising a larger breed puppy too much can lead to orthopedic problems and arthritis. Also, brachycephalic dogs with short muzzles like pugs and shih tzus have a lower tolerance for exercise because they can overheat more easily and have more difficulty breathing. And some breeds, like working, herding, and sporting dogs have a higher exercise need even as a puppy. So your border collie, golden retriever , labrador retriever etc. A rule of thumb is a puppy can walk five minutes for every month of age starting at eight weeks. So a two-month-old puppy can walk about 10 minutes. And a three-month-old can walk for 15 minutes; and a four-month-old for 20 minutes. And so forth. Of course these are general guidelines. Important Considerations When Walking Your Puppy In addition to how far your puppy should walk, there are many things to take into account regarding his excursions. Over weeks, build his endurance. He may have to potty or be thirsty. Avoid the hottest or coldest parts of the day Young puppies can be susceptible to temperature extremes. They may overheat and suffer from heat exhaustion, which can be deadly. In cold weather, puppies may require a coat or sweater to help keep them warm. Breeds with short muzzles such as shihs tzus or Lhasa apsos are especially susceptible to extremes of weather. And salt to melt snow can be dangerous to our dogs too. Places that are slippery can be dangerous for you and your dog to explore. Also, areas with sharp surfaces are hazardous. This can especially occur with blacktop. Also try not to walk him on surfaces that have any chemicals, such as salt to melt snow or weed control, as some are toxic to dogs. Get him used to grass, pavement, and dirt trails. Note From Colby: This is uber important for service dog puppies in training. If a service dog cannot walk across sand, grass, pavement, metal grates, etc without any kind of reaction, then the dog is not suitable as a working service dog. A walk or two a day as well as other play should be enough. Remember not to go so far on other walks, as you have to take into account the portion of the walk returning home. If at any point your puppy seems to be lame, limping or otherwise showing discomfort, end the walk. If your puppy shows any lameness, a vet visit is in order. Give your puppy a few exercise sessions a day You can break up his walk and give him two or three short walks a day. A little fetching his favorite toys can help meet his needs. Some free running in the house or safely enclosed yard can be fun for him. Stuffed Kongs and puzzle toys can help exercise his mind. Remember: He needs physical exercise as well as mental stimulation. Remember to bring the essentials Poop bags and water are important on your walks. You can bring a collapsible bowl or a water bottle with a built-in bowl so your puppy can drink. Be visible! There are reflective and lighted vests , leashes , collars , and harnesses you can purchase. Why Walk Your Puppy on a Leash? He can get exercise other ways such as playing fetch or playing with another friendly pup. But to be able to properly socialize your puppy, he needs to be taken to places on a leash. And socialization involves not only having him meet friendly people and dogs but also exposing him in a positive manner to new sights, sounds, experiences, and footings. There are many benefits to walking your dog, in addition to socialization, including: Physical and mental exercise Your new puppy wants to explore the world with you. In order to grow up to be a healthy adult, your pup requires both. New sights and sounds will stimulate him and help him grow into a well-rounded adult. Weight control Regular short walks will help keep your puppy fit and at the correct weight for his age and breed or mix. Bonding time Regular walks also provide a time for you and your puppy to bond. You puppy will learn that fun, enjoyable things happen when you both interact. And the walks will help provide a basis for a life-long bond with your pup. Reduces unwanted behaviors Exercise helps lessen destructive behaviors. A well-exercised puppy is less likely to engage in destructive chewing, jumping, digging, and other undesirable behaviors. Have him perform a sit. Work with attention. Practicing training exercises he already knows while on his walk will help him learn to do them in everyday life, with distractions. Lessens anxiety and stress The socialization and real-life experiences help a dog cope better with everyday life. There can be too much of a good thing. Even though we want our pups to get a sufficient amount of exercise, we can overdo it. Following the above guidelines should lead to a safe amount of exercise. Too much walking and exercise can also lead to arthritis developing early in life. Too much exercise can lead to severe exhaustion and limping A puppy can get over-tired and even over-heat. Just like when we overdo it, he may have sore muscles and may limp. A vet visit is in order if you see him limp. Over-exercising even can lead your puppy to being more vulnerable to injuries. Too much exercise can cause injuries to heal incorrectly If you exercise a puppy with injuries, he may not heal correctly. Final Thoughts Walking your puppy has many health and socialization benefits. But a walk with your new puppy can be a bonding experience. As a plus, you can show him off to your friends. What about you guys? How much do your walk your puppy? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Related Articles:.

However, there is much more to this friendly dog that would make you want to get it as soon as possible. Lifelong Companion Labradoodles have an average life span of 10 to 14 years. Best Service Dogs There is no doubt that Labradoodles make some of the best service dogs because of the temperament that they inherit from both Labrador Retriever and Poodle. They are kind, friendly, gentle, loyal, playful, active, and get along with people quickly. Not just people of all age groups, Labradoodles are also known for getting along with other dogs and animals such as cats. The minimal shedding also eliminates the need to regularly groom them, as you would need to brush them twice a week. Moreover, if you have a swimming pool at your home, that would be the best because Labradoodles love water and swimming is one of their most favorite activities. Labradoodles might be a little stubborn, but they are still much easier to train than other dog breeds. After going through the various reasons listed above, you might be wondering where you can get the best Labradoodle puppies in Dallas. To help you out, we have curated a list of the 4 best Labradoodle breeders in Dallas from where you can get yourself a furry companion. In that case, the following are the 4 best Labradoodle breeders in Dallas from where you can adopt healthy Labradoodle puppies or dogs. They strictly follow ethical standards while breeding their dogs. All of their puppies are bred and raised at home, allowing them to get along with their new family, that is, you, with ease. In addition to breeding dogs, they provide multiple services such as breeding and stud services along with a unique guardian program. By signing up to their guardian program, you can get the chance to raise one of their breeding dogs and take care of it. You can easily get accurate information on the breeding dogs of Dallas Labradoodles on their website. Dallas Labradoodles Contact Details. Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat. Contact us today for more information about our family-raised, hypo-allergenic, highly trainable Labradoodles. We started our breeding program with the best bloodlines to ensure we would be producing the most beautiful, intelligent, trainable and lovable dogs possible. We are grateful for the guidance we had when we started and we continue to improve the way we do things through training and education for more than 18 years. It is our dedication to excellence in the way we raise our precious dogs and train them that sets Texas Labradoodles apart. Most of the breeders were breeding true Australian Labradoodles. Since that time we have watched our amazing and magical breed of dogs become a world wide phenomenon with Labradoodles taking over everywhere. From being in the movies to being the number one choice for commercials, print ads and funniest video stars, Labradoo dles are everywhere. With this profound movement of the love of all things Labra doodle, the purity and purpose of what Labradoodles were originally bred for has become convoluted with many types of doodles. The Labradoodle breed itself is be coming a confusing mixture of levels of breeds, types of infusions into the blood lines, etc. Australian Labradoodles are produced when multiple generations of the original Australian bloodlines, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park are bred together. These two kennels began breeding these dogs to create a hypo-allergenic, low to non-shedding dog. These dogs are bred to be highly trainable dog for the purpose of being taught to be guide dogs or therapy dogs for people with allergies. It took these two kennels a lot of work, testing and breeding to get the breed to where it is today. It was not as simple as breeding a Lab to a Poodle, both great dogs, of course, but not a true Australian Labradoodle The importance of adopting a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle If you want a hypo-allergenic, highly trainable dog for your new family member or a dog for therapy work, you want to get a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle. Working with a reputable breeder that has many years of experience and a true love of the breed is important. Make sure the genetic testing and puppy care are done to ensure they are breeding the best and most healthy dogs possible. Dogs that are registered with the ALAA as multi-generational Australian Labradoodles are the most consistent breeding of Labradoodles that you can get. These dogs are going to have a consistent temperament and trainability level. This consistency and care to our breeding program helps our families to know exactly what to expect from their new family member. Clearing our dogs for potential diseases not only ensures that our dogs do not have these issues prior to breeding, it also ensures that we will never produce puppies that could have these diseases. The hip and elbow testing does not guarantee that puppies will never have hip dysplasia, but it is the best method that we have to prevent producing puppies with genetic hip issues. Hip problems are often caused be environmental factors, but culling puppies for breeding purposes helps to reduce the risk of breeding bad confirmation. Temperament, coat and trainability for different types of disciplines are key in our breeding program. Creating perfect family members, guide dogs, therapy dogs and best friends begins with breeding the perfect parents. Years of care and experience have made us experts at accomplishing high standards set by the ALAA and our own personal goals for our dogs. We know that a Texas Labradoodles bred dog is the finest of our wonderful breed and we are so proud to have produced such wonderful companions and working dogs. Please see our references page for more stories and letters from our families. November, .I cannot say enough good things about Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! From the beginning Mardee was very caring and knowledgable on all things Australian Labradoodle. It is clear she and her family love their dogs and take excellent care of them from the very start. She takes the time to match each puppy to their forever home and I scored the jackpot with my Maggie! I could not be happier with her sweet demeanor and easy going temperament. She is super smart, easy to train and equally as adorable. Even after bringing our puppy home Mardee has been a great resource and we are still in touch. I am so thankful to have found Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! Mike Tadlock .October, .Texas Labradoodles and Mardee were Amazing. She helped guide us through the selection process and we could not have gotten a better fur baby than Sadie. If you could meet Sadie and see her with us you would understand. We are obnoxiously crazy about this girl! We know others who have used Texas Labradoodles and they all feel the same. She has brought so much joy and happiness to our home. Paul Chapman 4. We recently welcomed the most perfect medium Australian Labradoodle into the family. I could go on and on about how wonderful this dog is and if you email me I will. That said, I have been equally impressed by our experience with this breeder. First and foremost, Mardee loves her dogs and this breed and that loves comes through in every single interaction and detail. They are true to breed standard. Go through all the appropriate genetic and health screens and, most importantly, are bred and raised in a loving home with plenty of outdoor country air. These dogs are not inexpensive but they are well-priced, given all the time and expense put into raising quality animals in the very most humane and caring of environments. If you want to know what to look for in a breeder - TX Labradoodle is the standard. Chris Monroe .August, .Highly knowledgeable, caring and experienced. Mardee and Bruce patiently answered all of my questions about Australian Labradoodle's and she matched us with the perfect addition for our family. Mardee provided a thorough background and documentation of care, and a detailed checklist for us to take home. June is 14 weeks old now and is everything we imagined and more. June, .TX Labradoodles are truly amazing, full of heart, and extremely knowledgeable! Mardee and her family have become our family! We have the 3 most gorgeous fur babies ever who bring immense joy and love to my life! We consider ourselves beyond fortunate to have crossed paths with Mardee, Bruce, and James! We are forever grateful! We love you tremendously!!! Thank you for making the world a better place with the most extraordinary fur babies!!! Brittany Meuth .April, .My husband and I recently adopted our first puppy from Texas Labradoodles and we could not be happier with our experience! Mardee has remained a resource to us even since bringing Murphy home and could not have created a better experience for us. She is amazing at what she does and truly loves providing families with amazing pets! Steven Roberts .We got 2 girls from Mardee two months ago. The experience could not have gone better. Loving environment, plenty of outdoor room, clean as a whistle and the pups are all we could hope for. No puppy mill atmosphere here. Solid solid folks and superior dogs. And another plus: Wimberley Texas is awesome. Karen Hernandez .I have truly been blessed by the forming relationship with Mardee and MOE. I did not realize how much joy at my age she allows me to experience. She is not my only dog that I share my life with, but she is definitely an exception that I must say is out of the ordinary. Mardee is very responsive and knowledgeable and her understanding of the breed. I can tell she only wants to breed the best genetics and protect the breed from becoming a backyard hobby only to make money. It is nice to see and know how much she strives to improve the breed. I think anyone looking to start or expand their canine family would be truly blessed. Google rating score: 4. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Dallas Texas and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. This family owned business is committed to performing extensive health testing and temperament assessments on each female and male breeding Doodle before selecting them to produce our adorable puppies. We have a select number of litters each year, focusing individual attention to the development of each doodle puppy before it goes to its forever home. Whether you are looking to purchase your first Australian Labradoodle or your third, this will be a very exciting time for you and your family! To achieve this, we carefully select our breeding dogs based on extensive health examinations and temperament assessments. Our breeding moms and studs have been carefully examined and tested by local veterinarians here in Texas to ensure they are free of eye, hip, and elbow problems, cardiac issues, genetic diseases and coat issues. Eye testing is ongoing for the entire time the dog is actively breeding. Photo Right: Our reproductive veterinarian, Dr. Kirk Esmond Each and every breeding dog passes extensive health testing to provide the best opportunity for healthy puppies. I think we are getting ready to go to our forever homes! We specialize in medium size dogs, ranging from pounds. Needless to say, the precious puppies we raise are part of our family. Our breeding Australian Labradoodle dogs live in our home as our family pets or in Guardian Homes as a valued family member. Welcome to the world of a Legendary Labradoodle. People are talking about us. Not only do we have an adorable, healthy, hypoallergenic and non-shedding family companion, but Legendary Labradoodles goes to great lengths to assure the temperament of the puppy will thrive in your home environment. They are truly producing the best pups in temperament, coat, and health not to mention hands down the cutest faces and body shape. Learn more One of the best out there with a golden paw award from the ALAA, Lakeview Labradoodles ensures with their breeding program that you go home with the healthiest pups possible. They evaluate and require all of their dogs to go through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA testing to make sure there are no genetic defects such as hip dysplasia or other serious conditions. The size of the litter The health and temperament of the parents The experience of the breeder The price of the puppy The distance you will travel Whether you want a male or female puppy What color labradoodle you would like Do you want an F. The location of the breeder What can I expect from a breeder when looking for a puppy? A good breeder will answer all of your questions about the breed and help you decide if a Labradoodle is a right fit for your family. They will also be able to provide you with information on health clearances, temperament testing, and training. How long does it usually take to get a puppy from a breeder? Depending on the breeder, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get a puppy. This is to ensure that everyone who wants a pup is given a fair shake at getting the one they want. What requirements are there for a future owner of a puppy from a breeder? Most breeders will require that you fill out a questionnaire or application before being considered as an owner. This is to ensure that you are prepared for the responsibility of owning a dog and that you understand the commitment required. Do most breeders health test their dogs, and can I get these records? Yes, most breeders will health test their dogs and provide you with the results. A friend of mine recently bought a puppy from a breeder who assured her that the dogs were health checked by a vet before being allowed to go to their new owners. In addition, all the parent dogs were allegedly checked for genetic conditions. All was well until the pup reached 15 weeks of age. My friend noticed that the puppy seemed to be experiencing discomfort in one of his eyes. The little guy was constantly rubbing at the eye with his paw, and it was inflamed and watery. After carrying out an examination and lots of tests, the vet concluded that the puppy had a form of genetic eye cancer and would most likely finish up losing an eye in the future. Adele contacted the breeder to explain what had happened and ask for proof that the breeder had actually had the parent dogs tested for genetic health conditions. So, I cannot overstress the importance of insisting on visually inspecting the health testing documents before you part with any cash and take a puppy home. What should I expect from a breeder when visiting their home? The dogs should be friendly and well-socialized, and the breeder should be able to answer all of your questions. If there is what looks like a kennel, make sure you see whether they are well-kept. Check out these posts to see our list of top ethical breeders:. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Dallas TX? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Dallas TX. Standard Labradoodles come from a mix of a Poodle and a Labrador. The trainability and intelligence of these breeds come together in the Australian Labradoodle. How much are Labradoodles for sale Dallas? You might notice that there is a variety of price points for Labradoodles--even among puppies of the same litter. Factors like gender, size, coat texture and color, breeder reputation and more are considered in the price. Whatever your budget or preferences may be, you can be sure our network has a match for you! Will you only connect me with local Labradoodle breeders Dallas? Our network of puppy businesses and breeders spans from one end of continental US to the other. If your dream puppy is from our one of our partners out-of-state, rest assured they have the means to safely transport your new Labradoodle to the airport nearest you. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Dallas? We take time to check if the applying business follows animal welfare laws, practices ethical breeding, and provides loving care to all dogs in their care. Check our Breeder Pledge page for more details on our process. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodles Dallas? There is a lot of money in dogs, and this can be exploited by shady characters. What is a puppy mill for Labradoodle puppies Dallas? Puppy mills are run by people who care more about making a profit than they do about the animals in their care. Buying from disreputable sources helps fund their activities and perpetuate poor treatment of dogs in the years to come. Are there any Labradoodle puppies in Dallas available now? What is the MatchMaker process like for Labradoodle Dallas? Our MatchMaker service is the most convenient way to find your new best friend! She is the sweetest, most amazing dog we could have ever wished for and we are completely in LOVE! We are such proud parents! She likes to play but seems to really enjoy her naps. We are so happy how everything worked out and we were blessed with our little sweetie Lola. Will keep in touch with more pics to follow! We may want to even add a sibling to our family! He plays well with other dogs and children, is energetic enough to play fetch and will curl up with us on the couch and take a nap when it is movie time. It was a pleasure working with you guys through the process. From the initial meeting to the weekly picture updates to picking out and taking home our puppy. She is a people magnet. Everyone wants to see her and pet her because she is so gorgeous! And fluffy! We lover her curly coat! She is extremely smart…when she wants something and is definitely still in the hyper puppy stage! Her forbidden love is socks and she will do just about anything for a piece of cheese. The most important thing is that we love her so much. She brings so much joy to our family! We can love all over her…pet her…kiss her…and she wags her tail and licks us. She is a good girl! Still a hyper puppy that tries to get into everything, but a really good girl!

Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 49, times. Pugs may be little, but what they lack in size, they make up for in personality. They are fun loving, loyal, and affectionate dogs that love to make their owners smile. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Crate training will keep your pug protected from household hazards, help with house training, and give him a place to retreat when he's overly excited. An ideal crate size is 24 inches long x 18 inches wide x 21 inches high 61 cm x 46 cm x 53cm. Place a blanket on top of the crate so it feels like a cozy den to your pug. Leave the crate door open at all times during this part of crate training. This will allow your pug to explore the crate at his leisure, without fear of you closing the door behind him. For crate training to be effective, your pug must learn to be comfortable in the crate when its door is closed. Gradually, have your pug wait up to 10 minutes after a meal before you open the door. You may need to leave your pug crated for hours at a time during the day, and maybe overnight. Sit with him briefly, leave the room for few minutes, then return to the crate. Work up to leaving the room for 30 minutes. Reward him with a treat each time he responds to it correctly. Practice leaving the house when you crate him. Do not get your pug worked up when you leave home or return; this could build up a lot of anxiety and anticipation in your pug. A common concern with crate training is whether to respond to whining, especially with overnight crating. Just be prepared for the whining to get worse before it gets better. Pugs aim to please, but can get sidetracked by a short attention span. When your pug stays focused on your finger on your nose, immediately give him a treat. Lengthen the time he watches your finger before you reward him. When your pug learns the basic commands, he will have the proper foundation to behave well and learn even more commands. Basic commands include sit, stay, come, and heel. If his short attention span is making training difficult, consider enrolling him in a local dog obedience class. Use plenty of positive reinforcement verbal praise, treats, extra petting each time your pug correctly follows a command. The more excited and positive you are, the more your pug will try to please you and behave properly. Pugs love to chew. Teaching your pug to 'leave it' will help keep him from chewing something inappropriate e. If you cannot stay with your pug all day and take him outside frequently, gate off an area in your home for him to stay during the day. Place some pee pads in the corner of this space where he can eliminate. When your pug urinates, the urine would go through the grass into the underlying tray. Place his water bowl and bed in the gated area. Without knowing when he should eliminate, your pug may have accidents in your home more often. A consistent bathroom routine is very important for puppies, since they cannot hold their bladders for very long. If you have a pug puppy, take him out first thing in the morning, 15 to 20 minutes after eating, after naps, and before bedtime. As he gets a little older and has better bladder control, you can start leaving his water in the crate overnight. The indoor gated area lessens the need for frequent outings during the day. However, it may take longer to house train your pug if he gets used to eliminating on pee pads or in the litter box. Your pug should learn to eliminate in the same area each time you take him outside. If you have a backyard, take him out on a 6-foot 2-meter leash, stand in one area of your yard, and let him pick a specific spot within a 6-foot radius of the leash. Examples of this body language are sniffing around, looking for a private place, going to the door, and whining. Give him a treat and verbal praise when he eliminates so he makes a positive association with eliminating outside. When you reward him for eliminating, he will also be learning how to respond to your command. It can take time—up to 20 minutes—for your pug to relax enough to eliminate outside. If you become impatient, you may experience what many other dog owners have experienced: elimination as soon as the dog gets back inside. Twenty minutes can feel like an eternity, so bring something with you e. If you pug has an accident and he probably will clean it up promptly with an enzymatic cleaner that will erase the urine smell. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source If your pug smells the urine, he will likely go back to that spot to eliminate. Do not punish your pug, whether you catch him in the act or not. Doing so will make him fear you, rather than teach him not to have another accident. Your adult pug may have had some previous training, but it may not have been completed or consistently reinforced. Ask the rescue group or animal shelter from where you adopted your pug about what types of additional training he will need. Be patient with your adult pug during the training process. If your adult pug was mistreated by his previous owner, he may be extra sensitive to yelling or harsh punishment. If you have other household members, have them all train your adult pug. Pug puppies are cute and cuddly, but they require a lot of care and attention. In this article are some tips for taking care of your pug puppy: Give your pug puppy plenty of love and attention. Feed your pug puppy a healthy diet. Exercise your pug puppy regularly. Train your pug puppy to obey basic commands. Pug puppies are energetic and playful, but they also require a lot of care. Here are a few tips on how to take care of a Pug puppy: Provide plenty of toys and chew toys to keep the Pug puppy entertained. Feed them a high-quality diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits. Take them for regular walks and exercise. Brush their coat regularly to remove dirt and loose hair. Trim their nails regularly to prevent them from getting injured. Here are the detailed explanations for taking care of your pug puppy: 1. A crate will be essential for both housebreaking and exercising your pup. Feed your pup a high-quality diet Pug puppies are adorable, but they require a lot of care and attention. One important aspect of taking care of your pug puppy is feeding them a high-quality diet. Look for a food that is specifically formulated for pug puppies, and avoid brands that contain fillers or artificial ingredients. They should have three meals per day until they are six months old, and then you can switch to two meals per day. Make sure to have fresh water available at all times. With a little bit of care and attention, your pug puppy will thrive. Give them the best start in life by feeding them a high-quality diet! Start by getting a soft-bristled toothbrush specifically designed for dogs. You can also use a finger toothbrush or gauze wrapped around your finger. Put some doggy toothpaste on the brush and let your pup lick it off to get them used to the taste and sensation. Then, gently lift their lips and start brushing in a circular motion along their gum line. Be sure to get the back teeth too! Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Give your pup plenty of physical activity Pug puppies are full of energy and need plenty of exercises to stay healthy and happy. A good way to provide them with exercise is to take them on walks or runs around the block. You can also play fetch with them in your backyard. Just be sure to keep an eye on them, as they can get overexcited and runoff. Be patient with your pup Pug puppies are adorable, but they can also be a handful. Here are some tips for taking care of your pug puppy: -Create a routine for your puppy and stick to it as much as possible. This will help them feel secure and learn what is expected of them. This means setting rules and sticking to them, providing positive reinforcement when they behave well, and being consistent with the commands you use. If you are inconsistent, your puppy will get confused and will not learn as effectively. So make sure you are on the same page as everyone else in your household, and that you are all using the same commands and following the same rules. Make sure to take your pup to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations. Keep an eye out for signs of illness, and be sure to report any concerns to your veterinarian. Feed your pug a high-quality diet appropriate for their age and activity level. Avoid giving them table scraps or letting them beg at the dinner table. Make sure your pug has plenty of fresh water available at all times. Invest in a water fountain or water dispenser specifically for your pug, and clean it regularly. Pugs shed a lot, so regular grooming is important. Brush their coat daily with a soft brush, and bathe them monthly with a mild dog shampoo. Trim their nails regularly, and brush their teeth daily with dog-specific toothpaste. Spend some time playing with your pup and observing their behavior. Do they seem to prefer cuddling or running around? Do they like being left alone or do they enjoy company? Expect your pup to make mistakes No matter how well you train your pug puppy, they will make mistakes. Be sure to spend plenty of time playing with your pup and giving them belly rubs. Here are some things to keep in mind when adopting a Pug: -Pugs are intelligent and playful dogs. They require plenty of exercise and playtime and need someone who is patient and can provide enough stimulation for them. Consider adopting a Pug in a quieter area of the city or suburbs. Provide plenty of toys and chew toys to keep your pup entertained. Reward good behavior with treats and praise. Help your puppy learn basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, and come. Regularly take your puppy for walks and playtime to keep them exercised and stimulated. Be prepared to deal with potty accidents and teach your pup how to use the litter box. Be patient with your pup and allow them to develop at their own pace. Have fun with your pup and make sure to bond with them! Read More. They will want to be with you. Have a crate or bed next to your bed for at least the first few weeks while you get them into a Puppy night-time routine. Here is how to get a puppy to sleep through the night. Alone Training Teaching your Pug puppy that they can be totally fine being left alone can be done with stuffed chew toys, time and patience. Remember to do it slowly to avoid any stress! Toilet Training Training Practically every website you read may tell you that Toilet training your Pug puppy can be a challenge. As with alone training, start sooner rather than later. Of course, if they run into any birds, butterflies and hear planes flying over, it will be great for them to get acquainted already. Have fun gathering surfaces with different textures for them to explore, like synthetic grass, tiles, and soil. Use treats! Remember to use lots of treats and praise when training. They love making your tail wag! Repeat their name to them a lot in the first week, so it really starts to click. Recall — How to teach your Pug puppy to come back when called — This is important for safety. Pugs generally stay close, but they can be very friendly and want to run up to people and other dogs for a bit of a cuddle, so a good recall will always help. But they can enjoy fetch games on a smaller scale, get on the floor and interact and play with your Pug puppy to learn what they enjoy. This will help to avoid resource guarding. Husbandry Tasks Pugs love affection but should be handled with care. Be mindful to not treat them like toys. Not going to blame children to think they are toys though — the resemblance is uncanny. To do this we want to teach them that hands will do nice things to them so use plenty of treats when handling your puppy. Week 2 — Training your Pug puppy Week 2 already! Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement First, as a general rule, remember that Pugs are dogs, not just lap pets, and need attention and daily exercise to feel content; a tired dog is far less likely to misbehave! Although Pugs are often very treat motivated see some of the best dog foods for pugs here , toys, play and affection can also be great incentives for your little snort monster, too. House training and Potty Training for Your Pug Pugs are not known for their speedy ability to learn proper toilet habits. They can often reach the age of 5 or 6 months before they truly get the hang of housetraining, and need toilet breaks overnight for a longer time than other breeds. Although this is perfectly normal, it can be very frustrating for some owners! Patience, consistency, a regular daily routine, and the use of an appropriately sized crate just big enough for your pup to stand, lay down and turn around are all excellent ways to help potty learning along. First, set an approximate routine for your Pug — they should be eating, playing, and having the opportunity to pee and poop in a designated area at roughly the same times each day. Puppies cannot be left along for long periods of time, either — most need a toilet break every two hours at least — and even adult pugs need to have the opportunity to go potty several times a day. My last adult pug was generally okay with going once in the morning and once at night. My new pug puppy at 10 weeks currently goes every hours. When you are out of the house, or otherwise not able to directly supervise your Pug, then a short rest time in their crate is a good idea to prevent house accidents — most dogs instinctively hate to soil their sleeping places. Do make sure to go out with your Pug to their toilet area during housetraining— this is so you can make a big fuss over them when they actually do toilet outside! Pugs are highly food motivated, Benji learned a host of tricks with food as a motivation! For owners of older puppies or adult Pugs who already mainly potty outside, training them to ring a bell beside the door is a great method to get them to communicate that they need to go out. For the first week or two, reward him clicker training works well here too each time he sniffs or touches the bell with his nose. I was lazy with cleaning it though, and in retrospect I would have used potty pads underneath the grass to ease the cleaning. Prong collars or choke chain leads are also a big no-no with Pugs for the same reasons. A front attaching harness most have a clip at chest level will let your pup move freely, as well as allowing you to redirect their front end and their attention back to you to prevent continued pulling. Puppia harnesses are super popular in the pug community. The best solution, though, is to teach your four-legged little friend to walk at your side. Use food or toys to reward your dog for staying at your side while walking. When they pull, stop walking and keep the leash still, then reward them for taking steps toward you or returning to your side. Soon, the two of you will make a great walking team! After doing some research, I found out that he uses this e-collar , as well as clicker training. In spite of their ability to leave chaos in their wake, however, Pugs are perfectly capable of learning appropriate doggie manners when consistent boundaries are set, and good behaviour is rewarded! There are two kinds of reinforcement that you can give to your Pug during training — either negative or positive reinforcement. Negative Reinforcement — This includes verbal or physical punishment or scolding, and the use of corrective collars like choke, prong or muzzle collars. If you punish your Pug for misbehaviour, he could inadvertently end up being afraid of you, the place where he was punished, or other people or dogs that were present while he was being corrected. Negative reinforcement training might lead to growling, biting, or other unwanted behaviours from your Pug. Positive Reinforcement — Remember how happy you were the last time someone gave you a compliment, or that time you got a work bonus for a job well done? Well, your Pug feels the same way — praise and food especially food! With this method of training, teaching your Pug obedience commands and good manners can be fun for both of you. When your dog is offering that behaviour regularly, you can add a spoken command word. Remember that all dogs, and especially Pugs, need a lot of patience during training — work in short sessions, and keep the tone fun and upbeat for success. To prevent naughty Pug antics like household destruction and counter surfing, initial dog-proofing tends to be the best prevention. You can also take the Alpha Dog approach , which Cesar Milan The Dog Whisperer uses, though controversial, it is effective because dogs, like wolves, are pack dogs. And respond to the leader of the pack the alpha. You asked super valuable questions and really listened to our concerns. You helped us to make a conscious choice about what is right for us and take the steps to determine that we were doing the right thing. Ultimately we decided we weren't ready to be a 2 dog family, and we're so glad to gain this insight before taking on a commitment to a second dog. Thank you so much for your advice and support. She has a really flexible approach to training and finds what works for you and your dog. They sent weekly reminders about the classes and would even send us a text before the class started. Tara was amazing and soooo great with buckwheat. Would happily go to another class that she was teaching. They are both incredibly knowledgable and professional in their approach, and both went out of their way to provide additional help and support. Our great dane has benefited immensely from this training and we couldn't recommend this service more highly! No more pulling! She gave me some great strategies to help with reactive behaviours and some really simple tricks which just make life so much easier. The one in one session was a great investment. Such a refreshing change from the outdated, harsh methods and so much more effective, and fun! I have been struggling with barking with my 6yr old anxious staffy for years. We felt like we had tried everything and Cassie came and it felt like she gave us those last few missing puzzle pieces. As soon as we started enacting her advice we have had a massive improvement and have not looked back since. Not only this but she arrived right on time and was super friendly and compassionate with zero judgement. I've been to a lot of people with my little one and I can happily say Cassie is by far the best trainer we have been to. We would recommend the company to anyone experiencing the need for some professional support and advice. The ongoing support has also been most helpful! Google rating score: 4. Small Pets Taking Care of a Pug Puppy Pugs are some of the most soulful looking animals on the planet, and are very expressive. You can easily recognize a pug as these small breed dogs have a wrinkly face and a curled tail. They first came to international prominence when mobile operator Vodafone used them to endorse their brand —the ad with the pug, named Hutch in the ad, was a stupendous success with the pug soon becoming a household name. But there are certain things that you must be aware of if you also want to adopt this cute pet. Unlike adult pugs, small pug dogs are most likely to suffer from a number of health issues ranging from obesity, overheating and pharyngeal reflex. So, you need to be the doubly careful when dealing with these vulnerable puppies. If you are worried, you can take heart from the fact that taking care of the pups is uncomplicated and easy as they have very few demands. Before bringing home the pug puppy Ensure that you have all the grooming items in place starting from brush, cotton swabs, and petroleum jelly to puppy shampoo and dog treats. Here are some guidelines that you can refer to when taking care of the pug puppy: Training the puppy to follow your commands: There is no substitute for a well-trained dog, so train the puppy from day one. The first six months are the most crucial as during this period, he will learn the most which will mold him. Every time he responds correctly to your commands, like sit, run, jump, and come, give him some treats and words of encouragement. But there is one caveat: keep the sessions short as being such a young dog, his power of concentration is limited. To start with, minute sessions would be ok. Also, when taking him for a walk, better use a harness which will provide protection to his windpipe. Potty training: This is a very important stage of puppy training. When he is young, he has very little control over his bladder, so you need to take him out for potty breaks more frequently than you would do to an adult. He may demand potty breaks every hours at this stage, but as he grows older and his control over the bladder imp roves, the frequency will gradually become normal. However, under no circumstances, you should overlook his tendency to soil corners of the home thinking that it is an isolated incident, because it is not. Deal with such incidents with a firm no, or else he will become a big nuisance and a lazy dog. Grooming routine: The pug has a double coat which keeps shedding continuously, so daily grooming is essential. Brush the pug at least twice every week and vacuum him extensively. In what is unusual, pug dogs are very fond of water, unlike other dogs. You can easily find soaps and other bath related items that are designed for puppies in the local outlet, use them. Try oatmeal based shampoos which not only keeps his skin soft, but protects his sensitive skin. Pugs have narrow ear canals, so chances of getting an ear infection if water gets into its ear are higher in pugs. What you can do is use soft tissues or a cotton ball to wipe the ear clean and dry. If your pug is shaking his head violently, then it may indicate an ear infection —and if there is an infection, get in touch with the vet immediately. Cleaning of Pug Wrinkles Pug wrinkles are called folds, which serve as a great place to accumulate all sorts of unwanted stuff like water, mucous, dirt, tear, food etc. Cleaning of pug wrinkles is an easy task and getting the Pug used to it at an early age is a good idea. Some owners use an Ear Bud or Q-Tip for this purpose, but we would not recommend this as the slightest struggle from your Pug could cause an eye injury. Instead, you can use baby wipes or medicated wipes. You can fill a cup with lukewarm water and dip the baby wipes or cotton swab in it. After that, run the moist tip of baby wipes through the wrinkles so that all dirt and grime particle come out. At the end, you should use a cotton swab to smear petroleum jelly inside the wrinkles to keep the internal skin protected. Tackling overheating issues: Pugs are adversely affected by warm conditions and may get dehydrated. So, ensure that the living condition of the pup is cool- special care needs to be taken during the summers when the pugs feel great discomfort. Regularly check the room temperature where the pug is kept, and if you feel that the room is too hot, you have to either move it to a cool room or else you have to provide him with lots of water. In extreme conditions, there are cold compresses that you can put on his belly till it cools down. Exercise: Pugs are actually overweight for their size, so unless they exercise a lot heath issues are a given. Take him for a daily walk and play different games with it which will help it maintain its health. Be careful not to take him out on a bright sunny day, as it can dehydrate him. Feeding the puppy: There are special diets that are designed for pugs. But you may be unsure which brand to select for your puppy as there are so many different brands in the market. The best thing to do in such a situation is to take the advice of a vet. Pugs would eat almost anything and in the process put on a lot of weight. So, make it a point not to overfeed it. Also, if your dog prefers a particular food and you want to wean it away from that food, do it gradually. Normally, puppies in the age group 3 to 6 months should be fed at least three times a day. And from 6 months to 1 year, change it to two times. To make the feeding process easier for the pet, try using bowls that has an elevated shape off the ground. For more guidance, please refer to this article : Puppy feeding tips for new dog owners Dealing with obesity: Overeating will not only make the pug overweight, but may pave the way for ailments like leg pain, eye disorders, and lung problems. About Rahul From Delhi, Rahul is an animal lover at heart. He is a writer and most of his writing revolves around making people aware of animal issues like health, training and grooming.

Breeds The link has been copied! Few dogs are as intelligent and loyal as German Shepherds. With its athletic build and remarkable drive, this working breed makes excellent companions, herding dogs, police K-9s, and therapy animals. How much does a German Shepherd cost? The price of a German Shepherd puppy can vary a lot from one breeder to another. German Shepherds are active and need plenty of stimulation. Flea and tick preventatives are a must-have. You might face additional costs such as pet insurance, training classes, boarding fees, or dog walkers. Puppies tend to cost more due to the high demand. However, professional breeders charge a lot more. Professional breeders usually conduct health testing for the parents. Elbow and hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are the two main tests to look for when adopting a GSD puppy. Prenatal care for the mother can be expensive. These costs can include bloodwork, ultrasounds, and X-rays. Most breeders raise the puppies for the first eight to 12 weeks. They provide nutrition, a living space, socialization, and sometimes early training. Puppies typically receive veterinary care, including a first round of booster shots and a deworming treatment. Colors German Shepherds can come in a few different colors. Black and tan and black and cream are the most common GSD colors. However, there are rarer colors, like black and silver, sable, or black. These colors meet the official breed standards, and a puppy with an unusual color can be worth more. Bloodline and Purity One of the key factors that influences the cost of a GSD puppy is the parents and their pedigrees. A breeder will look at how well the parents match the AKC breed standards. Both parents should be the right height and color. They should have a muscular morphology and the proper head shape. Breeders who are able to trace the ancestry of a litter over several generations and document that all the ancestors are purebred GSDs will charge more. You should also expect to pay more if a breeder can provide health testing information over several generations. Titles are another important factor. Show dogs can receive V, VA, or VA1 titles if they do well at an event and judges determine they meet all the standards of the breed. An IGP3 title indicates that a dog can protect its owner. Parents with IGP or IPO titles produce puppies that are worth more since breeders consider these animals to have excellent potential for training. A breeder who has an excellent reputation and many positive online reviews will attract more prospective dog owners and can afford to charge more. You can protect your dog with a microchip, but there are other steps you can take. The Fi GPS tracking dog collar helps you keep your dog safe. The design is highly resistant and waterproof for durability, and the collar comes with a battery that lasts three months. You can track your pet anywhere and locate them easily if they get lost. There are a few things you should know about this working breed. Personality of the German Shepherd German Shepherds are fiercely loyal. They make excellent guard dogs thanks to their protective instincts. They also make amazing pets who will give you lots of affection. GSDs are reliable and hardworking dogs who thrive if you constantly give them new tasks and challenges. These dogs are extremely versatile. German Shepherds have amazing potential and tend to do extremely well in training thanks to their drive and intelligence. However, they require consistent training and handling since they can be mouthy, chase prey, or become overprotective without the right training. Size and Weight German Shepherds are medium to large dogs. When it comes to weight, a healthy male will weigh 66 to 88 lbs. Lifestyle and Activity Levels German Shepherds are a working breed. Their origin dates back to the 19th century when dog breeder Max Von Stephanitz developed a new dog by breeding different herding dogs. Like all shepherds, GSDs have a strong need to stay active. Due to their athletic build, these dogs need at least two hours of exercise every day. Going for walks might not be sufficient. Your GSD will thrive if you provide plenty of opportunities to use their athletic abilities, including jumping, swimming, or running. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The total cost of owning a German Shepherd is difficult to estimate since every animal is different. German Shepherds can be expensive. Here are a few tips to help you lower the cost. Look for a breeder who cares about the animals and who does health testing on the parents, but everything else is extra. You should also consider adopting a dog with an unknown lineage. Check local shelters or go online to look at classified ads. Check classified ads to find owners rehoming their pets. If you decide to get a German Shepherd, think about using the Fi GPS dog collar to keep your dog safe, and make sure you can bring your puppy home if she gets lost. Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi. TryFi's The Fi Dog Collar is a must-have for any pet parent, it's a GPS tracking collar that helps you keep tabs on your dog's location, activity, and sleep patterns, and alerts you if they escape your backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. German Shepherds are considered healthy dogs that can live many years. You must be able to pay for these dogs every month of their lives. For the most part, providing your dog with a lot of exercise and high-quality food will prevent the dog from developing unforeseen health issues. You will need to buy a dog-safe toothpaste, dog-safe shampoo, and certain medications, such as heartworm prevention, to keep your dog healthy its entire life. Not only do you have to feed your German Shepherd a lot of food, but you want to feed your dog food that is high quality and healthy. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. At the minimum, you should take your German Shepherd for an annual visit, assuming it is healthy. You also need to pay for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Most of these medications last for 1 to 3 months at a time. It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to get pet insurance. If you are interested in getting health insurance for your new pet, Lemonade offers customizable insurance plans and responsive customer service. If you do not want to pay for pet insurance, you can simply set up a savings account instead. So long as you have a house and a yard for your dog to play, the home environment is generally suitable for dogs. Some environmental maintenance things you will need to buy include doggie bags. You need these if you take your dog for a walk or if you have a yard that you have to maintain. You may also need to pay for carpet cleaner, deodorizer, and other items to keep the house clean, despite your heavy shedding German Shepherd. This means that your German Shepherd can help you out when you are in a pinch, but it also means that you need to provide your German Shepherd ample entertainment, or else your dog could become destructive. At the very minimum, you need to buy heavy-duty toys for your German Shepherd. German Shepherds can be really rough with their toys. So, we recommend some sort of brand specific for rough-playing dogs, such as Kong. These boxes will offer toys, treats, and more for your dog, but these boxes can be pretty expensive too. Additional Costs to Factor In In addition to initial costs and monthly payments, there are some other additional factors you need to think about. For starters, obedience training is really important for dogs of this size. Obedience training can be a bit expensive at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. You need to pay for a pet sitter or kennel whenever you go on vacations and your dog does not come with you. If you are buying a German Shepherd puppy, you may also have to pay to replace or fix items the puppy damages. Think about accidents or unforeseen illnesses too. These can cost a whole lot in vet visits. Owning a German Shepherd on a Budget If you want a German Shepherd but are worried about destroying your budget, there are ways that you can own one of these wonderful dogs without spending a fortune either. Unfortunately, there is little you can change about the price of these dogs up front, but you can save on the monthly expenses. The most important tip for taking care of a German Shepherd on a budget is to know when to splurge. When it comes to dog food, make sure to select high-quality food. This will be more expensive upfront, but it will ensure that your dog is healthy for as long as possible, resulting in fewer bills. Splurging on heavy-duty toys is another great idea. These toys will cost more at first, but they should last much longer than cheap ones. For instance, there are a lot of coupons and promo codes you can use when purchasing toys, food, and other items for your German Shepherd. Even if you find coupons, only spend money on the essentials. Not to mention, buy crates and beds that are suitable for the dog as it grows. Many people make the mistake of buying crates and beds suitable for the puppy, but the puppy soon outgrows them. The initial cost primarily accounts for the dog itself and any other items required when bringing the dog home for the first time. Even after the German Shepherd has made your home its home, you will still have to pay some pretty hefty bills for the remainder of its life. Although the initial and monthly costs for this dog are a bit high, they are required for this dog to live a happy life. If you cannot afford to provide a German Shepherd the sort of life it needs and deserves, simply do not get a German Shepherd. Less - The German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs , well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The outline of the German Shepherd Dog is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, strong without appearing coarse or fine. Gender differences are readily apparent. The German Shepherd Dog is confident and fearless, willing to be approached, yet a certain level of aloofness towards strangers is acceptable. When working, the German Shepherd is alert and eager, adapting well to new tasks. Lack of confidence is a serious defect in the character of a German Shepherd. The structure of this breed was designed for efficient locomotion, particularly at the trot, so poor movement is another serious fault. History Less - The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively young breed, developed almost single-handedly in the first half of the twentieth century by a German cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz, president of the Verein far Deutsche Schaferhunde S. Using a variety of German sheepdogs as his foundation stock, von Stephanitz developed a distinctive breed in a very short period of time, due in large part to the authoritarian practices of the German dog fancy at that time. Von Stephanitz emphasized utility and intelligence in his breeding program, enabling the German Shepherd Dog to switch easily from herding duties to other fields of work, particularly military and police work. All things German were shunned and popularity slumped. After the war, however, movie star Rin-tin-tin stimulated interest in the breed again. The striking good looks of this breed, combined with its remarkable intelligence and loyalty, have made it a favorite working and companion dog. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. Deworming Spaying or neutering If you were to add up the cost of all of these services separately, and not part of an all-inclusive adoption fee, the price tag would invariably be considerably higher. Additionally, you can also feel good about adopting a GSD puppy from a shelter, as the proceeds acquired through adoption fees are used to help support the shelter from which you adopted the puppy. This allows a shelter to continue to rescue new animals and relocate them in safe homes. One potential downside to adoption is the time and effort that it may take you to find the right pup for you. Unlike a breeder who is able to provide you with rather specific dates, there is no telling when a new GSD puppy may be available through a shelter. Additionally, purebred GSD puppies tend to be adopted out very quickly, so if you choose this option you must be very diligent and persistent. Be prepared to make lots of phone calls on a daily basis, as it is unlikely that a shelter will call you specifically when the puppy you want arrives, as many others will undoubtedly have the same request. This is because purebred dogs that are ethically raised by responsible breeders are expensive to breed in general. Also, in contrast to a purebred shelter puppy that spends a short portion of its life at the shelter prior to adoption, a breeder must pay all of the costs associated with raising an entire litter for a minimum of 8 weeks, as is mandated by law in many states. Next comes the cost of pre-breeding health checks performed on both parents, prenatal care, stud fees, shots, food, wormings, vet visits, and a host of other unexpected medical costs. You must also figure in the time and effort that it takes to socialize an entire litter, coupled with the fact that many breeders are dealing with more than one litter at a time, and it is easy to see how the costs can quickly add up. Essentially, a purebred German Shepherd puppy from a breeder will cost more because they are more expensive to raise. However, a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder will also come with health and temperament guarantees, so you do actually get what you pay for. For more detailed understanding of adopting a German Shepherd puppy from a shelter versus purchasing one from a breeder, we have an excellent article here that will answer all of your questions and remove all of the guesswork for you. The Cost of the First Year of German Shepherd Puppy Ownership While the amount of money that you spend to acquire a German Shepherd puppy will vary in accordance to the different factors that we have described above, keep in mind that acquiring the puppy is just be beginning of your financial commitment. It is important that you pay attention to these costs, as they can be significant, and may have a bearing on whether or not acquiring a GSD puppy is a good economical choice for you. While there are other related costs, the main costs that you will incur during the first year of GSD puppy ownership can be apportioned as follows: Initial Cost of Your Puppy As described above, this is entirely dependent on whether you adopt from a shelter or purchase from a breeder. This cost varies widely and can exceed several thousand dollars on the high end. Dog Food With so many different dog food brands on the market today, this cost can also vary considerably. From basic dry dog food to available gourmet raw diets, you can spend as little or as much as you choose. Grooming While you can groom your GSD puppy yourself, many people opt to take their puppy to a professional groomer. Necessities such as nail trimming can be intimidating to the first-time puppy owner and may harm the puppy if performed incorrectly. Training While it is our preference that you take the time to properly train your GSD puppy on your own, as this is a unique and irreplaceable bonding experience on many levels for you and your GSD puppy, many people opt to seek professional obedience training. Some people simply do not have the time to do this, or perhaps it is their first dog and they are unsure of where to begin. If this is the case for you, then you should plan on this expense during your first year of GSD puppy ownership. It is, however, important to understand that individually these items do not cost very much, but if you love to spoil your puppy, then costs can add up very quickly! Crate and Divider A crate is another essential item that there is just no getting around purchasing if you want your puppy to be well-trained. Be sure to not make the mistake that many people do by purchasing too small of a crate and then having to upsize as their puppy grows. It is wise to purchase a large crate as well as a crate divider. This way, you are able to place the divider so that the volume of the crate can be increased as your puppy grows in size. Veterinary Care A preliminary veterinary health check and vaccinations are essential. If you adopt from a shelter, these are likely included in the adoption fee. However, if you purchase your puppy from a breeder, you may incur these costs after bringing your puppy home. Keep in mind that you can, and should, also plan on unexpected veterinary bills. What happens when your puppy gets into something that he definitely should not have, and even worse, after veterinary office hours? It is wise to prepare and set aside some extra funds for such emergencies. Heartworms can be deadly, so heartworm preventative medication is a must. Ticks can also transmit disease that may cause severe illness, such as Canine Anaplasmosis , and fleas are wildly uncomfortable for both human and puppies alike. Table: First Year of German Shepherd Puppy Ownership Costs Now that we have gone over the basic essential expenses of GSD puppy ownership during the first year, we can get more specific as to the expenses that you may incur, depending on your own personal preferences. The table below provides a reasonable estimate of all costs associated with the first year of German Shepherd puppy ownership. Keep in mind that, while this is a reasonable estimate, it is still an estimate. There are certain services and items within the table below that are elective, such as boarding the puppy while on vacation or obedience classes. However, as discussed above, there are certain mandatory, nonnegotiable expenses such as food and veterinary care that you must take into consideration. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.