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My story started here. My best friend, my constant companion, everywhere I went, she went with me. She protected me, helped teach me about life, and was my Best friend for 16 years. My inspiration. I'm Robin.I breed long coated German shepherds. My dogs are from European countries with outstanding lines. I breed for temperaments, beautiful red and black color, quality not quantity. I am a small hobby breeder, breeding with attention to detail. My dogs live with me in my home, not outside in kennels. They are a part of our family. Feel free to visit our Ranch in Pennsylvania to see for yourself. SG1 Baldrsens Tequila is beautiful, graceful,and with great confirmation in show lines. Tequila is very protective of her family. Excellent Mother! They say the eyes are the mirror to the soul. Our Bobbie is protective of her family, a joy to be around and one of the prettiest long coat Black German shepherds I ever had the pleasure to own and love. Eve has Good Hips and Elbows, Dm test score is "A" Eve has matured into a very stunning female, highly intelligent, and is high drive with a willingness to learn. Our breeding program has earned the the highest level of accomplishments that a kennel in the United States can achieve. Nadelhaus breeds purebred German Shepherds year round and we also import both German Shepherd puppies and adults direct from Europe for our clients. Long-haired German Shepherds are technically called a long coat German Shepherd, while a short-haired German Shepherd is called a normal coat or stock coat German Shepherd. Dogs with either coat have the same physiological structure and both have double coats: an undercoat and a top coat. The only difference between the two is the top coat. The long haired German Shepherd will have a heavier top coat than the undercoat. The double coat of a German Shepherd is an important feature of the breed. The double coat weathers and insulates the dogs—it protects them from the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. The length of the coat of a German Shepherd has no impact on its ability as a working dog. What does a long haired German Shepherd look like? The skeleton and structure of a long-haired German Shepherd will be the same as a short-haired German Shepherd. Both dogs will have an undercoat, but the difference is that the top coat of a long-haired German Shepherd will be longer. The long coat GSD has longer and silkier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Short on the head, including the inside of the ears, on the front side of the legs, on the paws and toes, somewhat longer and more strongly covered in hair on the neck, almost forming a mane. On the back side of the legs the hair extends to the carpal joint or the hock and forms clear trousers on the back side of the haunches. Historically, German Shepherds originated in Germany and were native sheepdogs. He firmly believed that the standard of the German Shepherd breed should not include dogs with long hair. Throughout the s, long haired German Shepherds were considered unsuitable and unacceptable for breeding. It is important to note that long-haired German Shepherds are the result of natural genetic diversity and not a separate breed. Their long coats are an inherited trait that can occur when both parents carry the recessive long-hair gene. This gene manifests as a more luxurious and abundant coat, offering a striking contrast to the traditional short-haired German Shepherd appearance. The breeding of long-haired German Shepherds follows the same rigorous standards and principles as their short-haired counterparts. The focus remains on maintaining the breed's exceptional temperament, working abilities, and overall health. Over time, breeders recognized the value of long-haired German Shepherds and began selectively breeding them to maintain and enhance their unique characteristics. Through careful pairings and strategic breeding programs, the long-haired variety established itself as a distinct and cherished branch of the German Shepherd breed. How big do long-haired German Shepherds get? Long-haired German Shepherds are structurally the same as short-haired German Shepherds, therefore they can both grow to similar sizes. Males: inches tall, pounds Females: inches tall, pounds Since both German Shepherds are physiologically the same, they also have the same temperaments: loyal, intelligent, energetic, courageous and protective. German Shepherds are ranked 2 on the AKC Breed Popularity list and make for wonderful family companions and working dogs. How can I identify a long-haired German Shepherd puppy? In the photo below are two litter mates from a recent Nadelhaus litter. The puppy on the left is a long coat and the puppy on the right is a normal coat. The long coat has wispier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Long-hair female German Shepherd next to short-hair male German Shepherd. Genetically in German Shepherds, the short hair gene is dominant and the long hair gene is recessive. This means if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated, but neither carries the recessive long hair gene, then no long haired puppies can be produced. However, if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated and both carry the recessive gene, then long-haired German Shepherd puppies can be produced. Long-haired German Shepherds are considered a less common variant of the breed, adding to their allure and exclusivity. While short-haired German Shepherds dominate the breed standard, enthusiasts of long-haired Shepherds appreciate their unique beauty and elegant appearance. Due to their rarity, finding a reputable breeder or rescue organization specializing in long-haired German Shepherds may require some research and patience. However, the joy of owning one of these beautiful dogs is well worth the effort for those who appreciate their longer coats and exceptional qualities. Do long-haired German Shepherds shed more than short-haired German Shepherds? No, this is a common misconception. Although they shed less than short haired German Shepherds, their coats still require regular maintenance. They will need regular brushing and grooming, especially if you enjoy hiking or outdoor activities with your GSD. While it is a rare occurrence for a long-haired GSD to not have an undercoat, most of them do have undercoats. And just like short-haired GSDs, their undercoats will shed more or less throughout the year depending on the season. Should I trim my long haired German Shepherd's coat? The decision to trim a long haired German Shepherd comes down to personal preference, but it is not a necessity. Trimming can help make for more manageable living around the house. If you choose to trim, you can trim around the backs of the ears, on the back of the legs both front and back and then thin the bushy tail. Shaving a German Shepherd on the other hand is never recommended. Their double coats help keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. What are long haired German Shepherds called? Regular brushing: Long-haired German Shepherds require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Aim for at least a few brushing sessions per week to keep their coat in good condition. Finish your brushing session with a gentle dog brush to clean up loose hairs. Bathing and drying: It's important to bathe your long-haired German Shepherd as needed, using a dog-specific shampoo. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all the shampoo to prevent any residue. After bathing, use a high-velocity dryer or a cool air dryer to dry their coat thoroughly, as moisture trapped in the fur can lead to skin issues. Professional grooming: Consider taking your long-haired German Shepherd to a professional groomer for occasional trimming and coat maintenance. A groomer can help keep the fur around sensitive areas, such as the paws and ears, tidy and reduce the chances of matting. Watch for seasonal shedding: Like all German Shepherds, long-haired ones will undergo shedding seasons. Be prepared for increased shedding during these times and brush your dog more frequently to remove loose hair. A de-shedding tool can be helpful in managing shedding and keeping their coat healthy. Remember, each dog is unique, and the specific care requirements may vary. Does Nadelhaus sell long haired German Shepherd puppies? Nadelhaus breeds German Shepherds puppies year round and while the majority of puppies we sell are short hair, we do have occasionally have long haired puppies. We breed all our German Shepherds in the black and red color. If you are looking for a long haired adult German Shepherd, we can also import long-haired German Shepherds direct from Europe. Contact us for more information. Our Dogs Info We specialize in the best quality long coat king German Shepherd's that have a large bone structure, straight backs and stunning long hair around their main. We love the fact that our German Shepherds are not only very large but come in stunning black and red mahogany color, and no two are ever the same! As you can imagine we fell head over heels for this world champions stunning intelligent breed. We use our experience as a reputable breeder to specialize in long coat German Shepherds for quality not quantity. We strive to produce not only great quality but also German shepherds with great health and great temperament that is tested with every litter. All our puppies are carefully checked by my vet for all the genetic issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, breathing problems, cherry eyes, heart murmurs, any sign of infection and come with a health guarantee and health certificate. They come home with full medical records, shots, dewormings, microchipping, and the full starter package! Our puppies are healthy, happy and come with a great amount of love to give. Our shepherds are raised indoors and are socialized by our whole family, they love kids and other pets. Our shepherds are never kenneled, even at night we put them in a doggy pen inside our home. Our shepherds are part of our family and without them the house would seem empty. We start potty training the new puppies at an early age and put them on shedueles so that when the puppies go to their forever homes they are pretty much potty trained. Caution If you have never owned a King German Shepherd you will see that they are great companions, love attention, intelligent, lovable and love to learn; you may even find that they are like potato chips — you can never have just one! Click pictures for more info about our dogs Puppies.
They are intelligent, loyal and energetic dogs when grown, but require lots of training and stimulation to avoid boredom and become well-adjusted socially. While loving to their owners, they are often distant with strangers and can suffer from separation anxiety when their owner is away. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop. Nutrition During the neonatal stage, your German Shepherd puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a few kibbles mixed with warm water. Health During this time it is important to monitor your GSD for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance. Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach. Behaviour During most of this time your GSD will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. In this time your GSD will develop a trusting relationship with you and will respond negatively to harsh treatment, so be sure be assertive and establish your dominance but avoid shouting. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your German Shepherd's large size and young age. This breed tend not to be gluttons and quickly work off any weight during exercise, but this time is crucial for developing healthy bones and joints so feed them the best quality food you can. You should also familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into places it shouldn't be. If your GSD is a long-haired variant you should make them familiar with brushing early as this will become a daily necessity for their entire life. You must be careful to monitor play and not allow your puppy to play too rough or they may irreversibly damage their sensitive back legs and shoulders. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your GSD will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and build your relationship early, but be careful not to allow your puppy to become dependent on your attention and presence. GSDs are often described as aloof since they are shy with strangers — it is important to socialise them with strangers early so that they do not become aggressive towards people and dogs they are unfamiliar with. Your GSD will be full of energy and already require lots of time exercising, playing and in training. Your dog will likely do well at puppy training school and will benefit from obedience training to help control them in public. Nutrition Your German Shepherd puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. It is particularly important that you make sure your pup has the right diet at this time to help them grow properly and avoid joint or bone problems later in life. Your GSD has a double coat which changes with the seasons: the bottom layer sheds in the warmer weather, but will need daily or weekly brushing to help it along. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that. Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet. Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks. A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Behaviour German Shepherds are unendingly loyal to their family but are distant with people they don't know, so familiarise them with friends, strangers and other dogs early. It is vital to teach your pup early to be patient with children who may not respect their boundaries and might otherwise provoke aggressive behaviour. It is important to provide your GSD with lots of sturdy, entertaining toys to stimulate them — a bored German Shepherd will destroy your furniture and backyard for fun. Recommended Articles. Less than 1 hour per day, e. Overfeeding and Underfeeding Underfeeding and overfeeding both carry significant health risks for your GSD. As a guide, your German Shepherd should have a defined waistline and you can feel her ribs. Obesity is costly, both in terms of veterinary bills and health. An overweight German Shepherd is at an increased risk of arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. German Shepherds love to exercise and keeping them in good body condition is part of maintaining their diet. But, puppies tire much more quickly and are still developing their joints. How often should I feed my adult German Shepherd? Full-grown German Shepherds do well on a twice-a-day feeding schedule. For most adult German Shepherds, feeding twice per day, around 10 to 12 hours apart is healthy. Regardless of the feeding schedule you choose, avoid allowing your German Shepherd to exercise vigorously after consuming a large meal for at least 1 — 2 hours. This is especially true if your dog eats its food rapidly. Giving your dog time to fully digest her meal will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction, or other serious digestive disorders. What food do German Shepherds need? The German Shepherd Dog is an athletic powerhouse! The German Shepherd is an Olympic athlete at heart! They love to exercise, play, run, and generally stay in motion most of the time. Giving them the best food is essential to their natural drive. Due to its convenience and ease of feeding, dry kibble is the most common way to give a German Shepherd her dietary requirements. Common commercial foods are made with chicken, beef, lamb, or fish products and by-products, grains such as corn, wheat, rice, barley, or oats. They contain added vitamins and minerals to ensure that the final diet is balanced. Some owners prefer to mix dry kibble with wet food, make their own homemade food, and only serve a raw diet, or any combination they feel is the right fit for their dog and lifestyle. Any mixture of food you feed your GSD must meet their dietary requirements. Dog food sales in the United States are a huge business. German Shepherd owners must not only stay alert as wise consumers but also monitor the health of their beautiful breed, which is an indicator of the quality of food you feed them. Many German Shepherds can carry on for a long time on a substandard diet, but inadequate nutrition can lead to more than health problems. In fact, poor nutrition could cause your German Shepherd to develop: behavior problems susceptibility to disease and even shorten their lifespan! What are the nutritional requirements for German Shepherds? Nutrition gives your dog the fuel they need to power through her day. The six basic nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Good nutrition plays a large part in the appearance and vitality of your dog. The minimum dietary requirement has been established for many nutrients. Keep in mind, these are the minimum requirements, and not what will give your German Shepherd optimal health. Proteins The main nutritional requirement of German Shepherds is protein. Protein has several functions that keep your dog healthy. Proteins provide energy, help build and repair muscles, form new skin, hair, and nail cells, and even keep the immune and musculoskeletal systems strong. Protein requirements vary with age, activity level, temperament, life stage, health status, and the specific protein quality of the diet. Estimating Protein needs Although energy requirements vary widely between dogs, protein needs are fairly constant. Adult dogs generally need at least 1 gram of protein per pound. However, younger and geriatric dogs may need more; young pets for early growth, and old pets because they appear less able to take advantage of dietary protein than their younger counterparts. But these amounts are only the minimums. Remember that you want your dog to thrive, not just subsist on the minimum industry standard. Fats Fat is the second main nutritional requirement for your German Shepherd. Fat provides energy and is necessary for the normal development and function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and tissues. But these minimums will only sustain your German Shepherd, not provide optimum health and sustained growth. Manufacturers further combine fiber, vitamins, and minerals to meet the minimum nutrient profiles of commercial dog food. Most German Shepherd owners use treats daily either in the training or for general fun with their dogs. Treats and Snacks German Shepherds rarely turn down a tasty treat or snack. There are a wide variety of treats available commercially, but these vary in quality. Try to limit treats to reward good behavior or for enrichment exercises to avoid the dreaded German Shepherd boredom. These are good alternatives as they are lower in calories. Examples of safe natural treats to feed include: Sliced cooked or raw carrot Frozen blueberries great for teething puppies and on hot days Slices of apple with the core and seeds removed If you have questions regarding which treats to feed, start with one of these healthy German Shepherd treat options. Feeding Habits Create good feeding habits for your German Shepherd from a young age. Follow these diet tips to keep your athletic dog in top form. Any uneaten food should be removed after about 20 minutes to encourage good eating behaviors. Some German Shepherds may develop fussy eating habits. In many cases, this is down to an owner being too quick to offer something tastier. Stay mindful of this and resist giving in to your dog immediately. Provide access to fresh water at all times. Always leave their water bowl available and check it regularly. This is normal, as German Shepherds are notoriously messy drinkers and tend to splash out more water than they drink sometimes. Plus, bits of food tend to wind up in the water dish, making the water turn cloudy quickly. Last, here are a few tips to make feeding your German Shepherd easier. Choose the best diet for your German Shepherd to match their life stage and activity, as well as dog food that is: Complete — includes all required nutrients. Balanced —all nutrients are present in the appropriate balance. Appetizing— your dog enjoys eating the food in sufficient amounts to keep them in optimum body condition. Safe — is free of weaknesses, excesses, toxins, unnecessary sugars, salts, additives, and dyes. Feeding a German Shepherd requires a balanced combination of nutrition to keep their energy reserves in check while not adding any excess weight which could harm their larger frames and bones. Additional References Coile, D. Henriksson J, et al. Journal of Experimental Biology. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppy diet: newborn For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother's milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy's immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk. Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don't give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy's mother's milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy. German Shepherd puppy diet: 1 month old From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy's diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere. In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy's diet as it could cause diarrhea. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea. In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. German Shepherd puppy diet: 2 months old At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd's dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn't finished eating. A puppy's food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn't finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy's food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times. Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppy's intellectual development. It also facilitates more complex and demanding training sessions. Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food. This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition. German Shepherd puppy diet: food plan after 4 months Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals which we have detailed in our German Shepherd puppy food chart should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian. You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement. Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog's health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals [1]. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human. German Shepherd puppy diet: after 6 months When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy. After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. For more, take a look here for more about; Bones For Puppies. German shepherd puppy: Dog food and water bowl hygiene Your puppy's food and drink containers should always be clean. Hygiene is very important in order to prevent the appearance of insects. If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for three consecutive meals, consult your veterinarian immediately. This lack of appetite in a puppy could be caused by bowel obstruction and stomach pain; due to the ingestion of toxic food etc. Don't forget that puppies are very sensitive and fragile and if you ignoring any symptoms of disease, it can result in severe issues or even puppy fatality. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppies should be socialized and trained to live with you from day one. These dogs are incredibly capable and have the ability, if trained properly, to learn tricks and perform activities [2]. In addition to the diet of a German Shepherd, don't forget the importance of preventative medicines, following the appropriate vaccination schedules and general German Shepherd dog care. For more information about your German shepherd, take a look at.Image used with permission by copyright holder How much should a German Shepherd eat per day? When determining how much to feed your German Shepherd you need to consider his age, size, and activity level. Puppies need to be fed a specially formulated puppy diet focused on growth. Adult dog diets should focus on maintaining a healthy weight. An adult male German Shepherd can weigh between 75 and pounds, while a female can weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. Experts at Prudent Pet Insurance offer the following feeding guidelines for large breed dogs. Many fruits and vegetables such as apples, blueberries, carrots, and broccoli can make healthy treats for your German Shepherd. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the following popular people foods are toxic to pets: Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, and even death. Chocolate, coffee, and, caffeine all contain methylxanthines, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts contain high amounts of oils and fats that can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and they can potentially cause pancreatitis. Onions, garlic, and chives can cause gastrointestinal irritation and can lead to red blood cell damage and anemia. What dog food brands are affordable but healthy? When shopping on a budget, steer clear of cheap, low-quality dog foods. According to an article in The Whole Dog Journal , these foods are made with the cheapest ingredients available in the pet food industry and are not healthy for dogs. Instead, look for an affordable high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet that will keep your dog happy and healthy. Of course, if your dog is on a prescription diet for health reasons, you will have to pay more for that food. Following are three top-rated foods manufactured by experienced pet food companies that have veterinary nutritionists on staff. We all want the best for our pets and want to feed our German Shepherd the best diet. The best dog food for German Shepherds is dry food, which is more practical for large breeds. It is also the least expensive, even if you choose a high-quality brand. Of course, you can feed other diets, such as wet, a mix of dry and wet, raw, home-produced, dehydrated, or freeze-dried. Most owners feed commercial dry food or wet canned food. You should check that vitamins and minerals are also included. The best quality commercial dog foods will consist of additional protein sources, like fish, eggs, and plant-based proteins, like vegetables, legumes, and grains. The best diet for your German Shepherd should suit his size and lifestyle. I will explain what I mean when we take a unique look at the different types of food you can feed your dog see below. Many pet food companies have invested millions of dollars into researching what ingredients contain the maximum levels to achieve a healthy, balanced diet that aids in essential puppy growth and mental and physical development. Dry Foods Dry dog foods are one of the most popular choices. The latter is gaining popularity in the United States and other regions and is widespread in the UK and Europe. Cold-pressed food is deemed a higher quality kibble due to its cooking process. So what exactly is kibble? Kibble is dry dog food made either through extrusion or oven baking. The food is produced under high pressure and high temperatures. All kibble is made the same way and using the same machinery. What is cold-pressed dog food? Cold-pressed dog food is dry food made at much lower temperatures and cooked quickly before being pressed into the desired shape. This unique method means the food retains more nutritional value, flavor, aroma, and vitamins. All the goodness is retained in bite-size pieces. Dry dog food provides more nutrients per bite than wet food because they contain less moisture. Dogs with dental problems may also benefit from dry food as it helps to clean their teeth and gums. Dry dog food is the most practical choice for a large dog, especially a German Shepherd. However, dry food comes in all shapes and sizes, so a smaller sized variety can be suitable for smaller breeds. It is also okay to feed your dog a pure dry diet and add cooked meat, fish, or vegetables, and this is what I do. I feed Willow cold-pressed dog food, and although this is a complete, balanced, high-quality food, I like to mix things up for my German Shepherd. Willow eating dry food with a natural yogurt topping Occasionally my dog will have some tinned tuna or mackerel in oil, which is also excellent for her skin and coat. If I add a topping, I always slightly reduce the quantity of the food to ensure that she is not gaining extra calories. There are some things to be wary of; not every canned food brand provides the protein your German Shepherd needs. Also, the higher the water content, the fewer nutrients, so your dog has to consume more food to get the nutritional value their body needs. Additionally, be wary of low-quality canned foods, as manufacturers often add wheat flour as a thickener or extra white rice or other grains. Canned dog food can be more expensive, especially if you have a large dog breed, but it may be ideal if your dog enjoys eating a more considerable portion. Other advantages of wet food are that it may be more suitable if your GSD is a fussy eater or if you have a senior dog who may have lost his appetite and find wet food more palatable. Semi-moist Dog Foods Semi-moist dog foods are not as popular as other types as they offer the least nutritional value and can be pretty expensive. Unfortunately, manufacturers add sugar and salts to preserve moisture and shelf life. Therefore, a semi-moist diet may not be appropriate for your German Shepherd, especially if he is overweight and needs to lose a few pounds. Many semi-moist foods are also loaded with artificial colors, chemical preservatives, and flavor enhancers. However, semi-moist food may be the best choice if your German Shepherd finds it challenging to digest all other types of dog food. Your dog may also enjoy the meaty taste and find this food more palatable if they are incredibly picky. Dry Dog Food vs. You can mix the foods in the same bowl or feed dry for the morning and wet for the afternoon feed or vice-versa. Some German Shepherd owners that feed dry dog food like to add wet food as a topping. If you choose this option, keeping to the same brand is advisable. They believe their pets will not like or refuse commercial dog food. They may need a home-prepared diet to help with a diagnosis e. They may require a home-prepared diet if a dog has a combination of diseases for which no commercial diet exists. They sought comfort as a home-feeder for dogs with chronic or terminal illnesses. There are several drawbacks to the home preparation of dog food. You can do it, but it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and it may be more expensive than even the best quality dog food on the market. Homemade diets can provide complete nutrition. However, you need to ensure your German Shepherd gets the right mix of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, which is not easy. Suppose you wish to prepare a home-cooked diet. It is recommended to cook all animal products to kill bacteria that could make your German Shepherd sick. However, if you are a raw feeder see below , you will likely disagree with this statement. Grains, beans, and starchy vegetables must also be cooked to make them easier for your dog to digest. Never add foods that are toxic to dogs. These include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocados, and macadamia nuts, to name but a few. Do you want to know more about homemade diets? My final thoughts on helping you decide on whether to become a home feeder would be: Do you have the time to become a home feeder? There are plenty of high-quality commercial dog foods on the market. Your dog will require regular health checks to check for any nutrient deficiencies. Faster nutrient absorption Weight management A BARF diet ensures dogs eat fresh, wholesome, and allergen-free foods, as no chemicals, additives, or fillers are used in raw diets. Raw Dog Diet Research Increased lifespan. Generally, raw-fed dogs are so much healthier. The changes are profound. A study on feeding practices in the United States and Australia indicated that .Lisa M. Freeman Freeman, a nutrition professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, tells WebMD many benefits attributed to a raw food diet for dogs, such as a shinier coat, are the result of the high-fat composition of the typical raw diet. Ingredient contamination. Raw ingredients pose a higher risk of contamination with potentially harmful pathogens i. Coli that can sicken your pet and possibly be transmitted to humans. Feeding whole bones to dogs presents a risk of choking, broken teeth, intestinal obstruction, or internal punctures. Nutritionally unbalanced. Raw allergies. Dogs might be allergic to raw ingredients. Wash all meats, organs, and other raw ingredients. Buy raw products from reputable grocery stores or butchers with high sanitary standards. Raw bones. Avoid big bones and feed only raw bones that are small or ground bones. Never feed cooked bones. They become softer after cooking and are more likely to splinter when chewed. Speak with a vet nutritionist. They can provide nutritional guidance to formulate the best German Shepherd raw diet or recommend a raw dog food delivery service. However, after two weeks of storage, most samples declined compared to salmonellae. We also analyzed the price for the most popular meats. According to the U. It might be cheaper. Conversely, buying commercial raw-meat food over traditional kibble is a tad more expensive, but we think the health benefits and convenience are worth the price. Read our feeding raw dog food on a budget guide for tips on how to feed raw for cheap. Choose lean cuts. Raw meat is the main source of protein. Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more. Ground bones are the safest choice. Avoid heavy or big bones - They can break teeth or get stuck in the digestive tract. Provide essential calcium, phosphorous, and other essential nutrients. Great source of high-quality protein; vitamins A, B12, B6; folic acid; iron; zinc; and essential amino acids. Organs are a great source of vitamins and minerals. The more organs you add to the diet of your dog, the better the mix of nutrients your dog will receive. Fruit such as apples, cranberries, and blueberries. Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, and oregano. Never feed toxic fruits or veggies Fruit provide antioxidants while vegetables have carotenoids, flavonoids, antioxidants, and many other phytochemicals that are beneficial to immune function and health dogs. It states every dog meal should have six indispensable nutrients to create a balanced meal that supports life and proper function in dogs. These include protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. No fruits or veggies. Always consult with your vet. Adding a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews ensures your German Shepherd gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals. For common GSD problems like osteoarthritis and other joint maladies, look for products containing glucosamine and chondroitin , which may help treat or prevent symptoms. Do you have a busy lifestyle with little time to cook for your pup? This company is the pioneer of raw dog food. They deliver Biologically Appropriate Raw Food straight to your door. Their formula is a balanced blend of raw meat, fruits, vegetables, organs, and bones. All of their ingredients are USDA-sourced. Their formulas are developed with the input of a veterinary nutritionist to meet the nutritional guidelines set by AAFCO. The body weight percentage method is the most straightforward alternative to many raw feeders new and experienced. Please consider his metabolism, activity level, lifestyle, health, and other factors to determine the perfect amount. Senior, less active, or overweight dogs weight loss : Feed 1. For a German Shepherd that weighs 65 pounds, here is how much raw food you would need to feed him daily. It is also a vital element for brain and eye development. Fresh chicken meat in the diet provides protein with high biological value. Natural Prebiotics to boost the overall digestive process. The benefits of Orijen Puppy Large: A calorie limited diet to promote a healthy weight and to put less pressure on joints. Rich in protein for making German Shepherd pups healthy and strong. Highly delicious chicken and turkey liver tempt the pickiest of eaters. The crusty and crunchy kibble texture of this food promotes good periodontal health and helps in curbing problems like Tartar and Plaque buildup. An essential fatty acid like Omega 3 has been added in the diet for boosting the overall skin health of the dogs. A natural antioxidant like Vitamin E fortifies the natural immunity of the pups, keeping them strong and healthy. You can feed your adult German Shepherd 2 times a day. You should avoid feeding them synthetic preservatives. High in Fibres: Natural fibres maintain superior digestive health and also an ideal body weight. Vitamin C: Vitamin C keeps the joints healthy, preventing problems like hip dysplasia and arthritis. Natural fibres promote excellent digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. The benefits of Fidele Adult Large Breed: Contains a substantial amount of protein for enhancing strength and endurance in grown up German Shepherds. Omega fatty acids boost skin health and also maintain good eyesight. It consists of Real Chicken meat as the main constituent which is favourite for German Shepherds. It has a good combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that significantly improves the skin health of the dogs. They do not contain any fillers or preservatives which makes this diet completely safe for German Shepherds to savour. Breed Specified Recipe specially made for German Shepherds Real Chicken meat offers good protein content for supporting strong muscle mass Excellent blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids endow the dogs with good skin health. This dog food has a rich protein content that fortifies the muscle mass in the dogs. Moreover, the crusty texture of this food helps in removing Tartar and Plaque build-up. Ideal dog food for a large breed like German Shepherd Consists of Calcium and Phosphorus that boosts bone density Glucosamine and Chondroitin provides anti-inflammatory effect to the dogs Beet Pulp and FOS prebiotics boosts overall digestive health of the dogs Crusty kibble texture of the food eliminates Tartar and Plaque build-up 5 Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog A highly nourishing meal that has Chicken and Barley as its primary constituents, the Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed is an easy-to-digest meal offering a nutritional profile that suits an adult German Shepherd. Omega 6 and Vitamin E promote beautiful skin and coat in German Shepherds. Ample amounts of protein maintain lean muscle mass and endurance. They need foods that are low in protein and fat content while richer in fibres. However, an overall moderate diet with all the components is also considered healthy, provided your dog trains and exercises regularly. A senior German Shepherd consumes around calories daily. They can be fed 2 times a day. Fish Oil Omega 3 : Fish oil is an excellent source of Omega fatty acids that provides a good anti-inflammatory effect to senior dogs. Fewer Carbs: As elderly German Shepherds are quite vulnerable to obesity and diabetes, a diet that has a low glycemic index is most preferred to them. A combination of Vitamin E and C, builds a stronger immune system. Devoid of artificial flavors and preservatives. Fresh meat and freeze-dried liver make the meal highly delectable. A biologically appropriate diet that nurtures your older German Shepherds according to their biological and evolutionary needs. Thus, when you adopt a German shepherd pup, make sure that you provide it with a fully nutrition loaded diet and maintain a lifestyle with lots of physical activities. A comprehensive diet including all the above parameters will lead to a healthy and long life span of your little beasts. An avid nature and animal lover, Akhil likes to read and watch anything related to wildlife. He also has a great interest in athletics, mainly track and field events and is a big Masala Dosa fan. More like this.
This name exudes toughness and confidence, ideal for a bold and fearless Frenchie. Zephyr Derived from the Greek god of the west wind, symbolizing power and strength, suitable for a swift and dynamic French Bulldog. A French Bulldog with a strong and muscular appearance would be a great fit for this name. A French Bulldog with a protective and loyal personality would be a great fit for this name. Suited for: A French Bulldog with lots of wrinkles, known for their playful and mischievous personality. Frenchie McSnoresalot French Bulldogs are known for their snoring, and this name emphasizes that charming trait. Suited for: A French Bulldog who loves to snore and enjoys a good nap. Monsieur Snorty Pants French Bulldogs often make cute snorting noises, and this name captures that endearing characteristic. Suited for: A French Bulldog with a penchant for snorting and amusing everyone with their adorable noises. Madame Droolington French Bulldogs can be droolers, and this name embraces that characteristic with a humorous twist. Suited for: A French Bulldog who has a tendency to drool and loves to slobber. Sir Barks-a-Lot French Bulldogs may have a loud bark despite their small size, making this name a humorous choice. Suited for: A French Bulldog who loves to vocalize and enthusiastically express themselves through barking. Lady Flatulence French Bulldogs are known for their gas-related antics, and this name brings some lightheartedness to that trait. Suited for: A French Bulldog with a slightly gassy disposition, adding a touch of humor to their character. Captain Wigglebutt French Bulldogs have adorable wiggly bums, and this name celebrates their energetic and joyful nature. Suited for: A French Bulldog who wiggles their butt in excitement and is always ready for a fun adventure. Count Snugglepaws French Bulldogs are notorious for their love of snuggling, and this name captures their cuddly nature. Suited for: A French Bulldog who is a champion snuggler and craves constant affection. Duchess Fartlek French Bulldogs can be quite active, and this name combines their energy with a humorous touch. Suited for: A French Bulldog who enjoys bursts of playful and energetic activities, while also having the occasional gas. Baron Von Burpsalot French Bulldogs are known for their comical burping sounds, and this name adds a fun twist to that characteristic. Suited for: A French Bulldog who has mastered the art of burping and never fails to make you chuckle with their unique talent. Are there any specific French names suitable for French Bulldogs? What are some badass boy names for French Bulldogs? Any suggestions? Can you provide some girl dog names specifically for French Bulldogs? What are some cute names for girl French Bulldogs? Do you have any suggestions for boy names for French Bulldogs? Can you recommend some cool and unique names for female French Bulldogs? What are some exotic names for French Bulldogs, both male and female? Whether you prefer a name with French origins, a strong and badass moniker, or an exotic and unique choice, the options are plentiful. Remember, the name you choose will be a lifelong representation of your beloved companion, so choose wisely and embrace the joy that comes with naming your French Bulldog. Related Articles. Celebrity French Bulldog Names Roll out the red carpet for your Frenchie with our celebrity-inspired name ideas! Discover a dazzling collection of names inspired by the stars of the silver screen, music icons, and beloved celebrities. From iconic to trendy, these names will make your Frenchie the talk of the town. Get ready to unleash their star power! Dive into this list of unique and stylish names that will make your Frenchie shine like a true fashionista! Sapphire — A precious gemstone known for its vibrant blue color. Indigo — A deep, rich shade of blue. Azure — Inspired by the clear blue sky. Navy — Referencing the dark blue color associated with naval uniforms. Cobalt — A vibrant shade of blue resembling the mineral cobalt. Skye — Representing the vastness and beauty of the blue sky. Bluebell — Inspired by the delicate, bell-shaped blue flowers. Teal — A shade of blue-green resembling the color of the teal duck. Sapphire — A precious gemstone associated with royalty and wisdom. Blueberry — A sweet and delicious fruit with a blue hue. Bluebell — A charming and whimsical flower often found in meadows. Cornflower — A vivid blue wildflower often seen in fields. Azure — A beautiful and vibrant shade of blue. Ocean — Representing the vastness and tranquility of the sea. Topaz — A gemstone available in various shades of blue. Aquamarine — A light blue gemstone associated with calmness and clarity. Blue Moon — A rare occurrence, symbolizing uniqueness and rarity. Discover a delightful array of names specially curated for small female French Bulldogs. From adorable to fierce, these names perfectly capture their big personalities. Coco — A stylish and chic name inspired by fashion. Pixie — Evoking a sense of playfulness and mischief. Daisy — A cheerful and vibrant flower name. Gigi — A short and sweet name with a touch of sophistication. Lola — A lively and energetic name for a small French Bulldog. Rosie — A classic and timeless name representing femininity. Peanut — A cute and playful name for a small-sized Frenchie. Mimi — A charming and delicate name for a small female Frenchie. Olive — A name associated with peace and vitality. Poppy — A vibrant and lively name inspired by the flower. Roxy — A spunky and energetic name for a lively Frenchie. Scout — A name representing curiosity and adventure. Tilly — A cute and friendly name for a small French Bulldog. Willow — A graceful and elegant name with a nature-inspired touch. Cookie — A delicious and adorable name for a petite Frenchie. Pebbles — A playful and whimsical name for a small-sized dog. Pippa — A lively and cheerful name for a spirited Frenchie. Muffin — A sweet and lovable name for a small and cuddly Frenchie. Gidget — A playful and mischievous name for an energetic Frenchie. Wren — A small bird known for its dainty and graceful nature. Funny Names for Girl French Bulldogs If laughter is the best medicine, then funny names are the ultimate cure for a dull day! Explore our collection of side-splittingly hilarious names for girl French Bulldogs that will have you grinning from ear to ear. From witty wordplay to humorous twists, these names guarantee endless giggles and memorable moments. Let the laughter begin! Fizzabelle — A name that combines fizziness with a touch of elegance. Lady Pancake — A humorous name that adds a fun twist to traditional titles. Wigglebutt — Reflecting the playful and wiggly nature of French Bulldogs. Snorty McSnortface — A whimsical name that embraces the distinctive snorting sounds of Frenchies. Miss Slobberchops — A funny name that captures the adorable drooling tendencies of French Bulldogs. Sprinkle Paws — An amusing name that evokes images of a mischievous pup with sprinkles on her paws. Squishmallow — A playful name that emphasizes the squishy and cuddly nature of French Bulldogs. Noodle Noggin — A lighthearted name highlighting the adorable, wrinkled face of a Frenchie. Snugglebug — A cute and funny name for a French Bulldog that loves to snuggle. Dizzy Doodle — An energetic and amusing name for a Frenchie with a playful personality. Giggles McWiggles — A name that captures the infectious laughter and wiggly movements of a Frenchie. Chubby Cheeks — A funny name that playfully emphasizes the round and adorable cheeks of a Frenchie. Noodle Legs — A humorous name that highlights the wobbly and funny way French Bulldogs walk. Sniffle Snort — An amusing name that showcases the endearing sniffling and snorting sounds of French Bulldogs. Sassy Pants — A funny name for a Frenchie with a sassy and confident personality. Miss Burrito — A playful and amusing name for a Frenchie who loves to snuggle up like a burrito. Wiggly Woo — A name that perfectly describes the energetic and wiggly movements of French Bulldogs. Frenchie Fiasco — A funny name for a mischievous Frenchie who always finds herself in entertaining predicaments. Pudding Pop — A sweet and comical name that combines a love for desserts with the adorable nature of French Bulldogs. Droolius Caesar — A humorous name that embraces the slobbering tendencies of French Bulldogs with a touch of grandeur. Miss Biscuit Bottoms — A funny name for a Frenchie with adorable biscuit-shaped markings on her backside. Wobble Waddle — An amusing name that captures the unique wobbly walk of French Bulldogs. Gassy McGee — A funny and light-hearted name that playfully acknowledges the flatulence tendencies of Frenchies. Step into a world of delightful names that celebrate the beauty, grace, and playfulness of girl Frenchies. From classic elegance to whimsical wonders, these names will capture hearts wherever you go. Embark on the journey of finding the perfect name for your Frenchie princess! Sophie — A timeless and elegant name for a female French Bulldog. Chloe — A stylish and sophisticated name that exudes grace. Luna — Representing the moon, symbolizing calmness and serenity. Ava — A short and sweet name for a female Frenchie. Lily — A delicate and charming name inspired by the flower. Coco — A fashionable and chic name for a stylish Frenchie. Mia — A cute and playful name with a touch of elegance. Ruby — A vibrant and precious gemstone name for a special Frenchie. Lola — A lively and energetic name for a spirited female French Bulldog. Daisy — A cheerful and adorable name inspired by the flower. Penny — A cute and playful name for an endearing Frenchie. Lucy — A classic and popular name for a female dog. Molly — A friendly and lovable name for a female Frenchie. Roxy — A spunky and confident name for a spirited French Bulldog. Millie — A sweet and gentle name for a female Frenchie. Hazel — A warm and inviting name for a delightful Frenchie. Penelope — A sophisticated and regal name for a female French Bulldog. Sadie — A charming and affectionate name for a beloved female Frenchie. Cute French Bulldog Names for Girls Prepare for an overload of cuteness with our collection of adorable names for girl French Bulldogs! Get ready to unleash the aww-factor and find the cutest name for your furry bundle of joy! Peanut — A cute and tiny name for a small-sized French Bulldog. Poppy — A delightful and playful name for a spirited Frenchie. Rosie — A sweet and friendly name for an affectionate French Bulldog. Honey — An endearing and affectionate name for a sweet Frenchie. Maisie — A cute and energetic name for an active French Bulldog. Mimi — A charming and delightful name for a small-sized Frenchie. Peach — A sweet and soft name for an adorable French Bulldog. Pippa — A lively and cheerful name for a small-sized Frenchie. Noodle — A cute and quirky name for a playful French Bulldog. Winnie — A lovable and cuddly name for an affectionate Frenchie. Pebbles — A playful and whimsical name for a small-sized Frenchie. Cupcake — A sweet and adorable name for a delightful Frenchie. Sprout — A cute and energetic name for a lively French Bulldog. Buttons — A cute and playful name for a small-sized Frenchie. Snickers — A sweet and lovable name for an endearing Frenchie. Bunny — A cute and playful name for an energetic French Bulldog. We hope that you like the precious collection of bulldog names. Please share this article with friends and family on social media sites. Our other collection of dog names. Look no further! Check out our selection of cute names that will make your Frenchie even more irresistible. Charlie — A cute and friendly name, suitable for a lovable companion. Teddy — Inspired by teddy bears, symbolizing comfort and cuddliness. Archie — Represents boldness and bravery. Oscar — Signifies divine strength and courage. Cooper — Refers to someone skilled in working with copper, symbolizing craftsmanship. Benny — A friendly and approachable name for a lovable companion. Jasper — Represents a precious gemstone, symbolizing beauty. Toby — A cheerful and friendly name, perfect for a happy-go-lucky Frenchie. Rocky — Signifies toughness and resilience. Gizmo — A playful and energetic name for a mischievous Frenchie. Dexter — Symbolizes skill and dexterity. Sir Barksalot — For a dog that loves to bark. Wiggles — A name for a Frenchie with a wiggly and playful personality. Slobberchops — Suitable for a dog that drools a lot. Pudding — A name for a Frenchie with a round and squishy appearance. Sir Snort-a-Lot — For a Frenchie that snorts and makes funny noises. Bark Twain — A humorous name inspired by the famous author Mark Twain. Fuzzbucket — Ideal for a Frenchie with a fuzzy or fluffy coat. Sir Wigglebottom — Perfect for a Frenchie with a wiggly butt. Sir Pounce-a-Lot — Suitable for a Frenchie that loves to pounce on toys. Captain Sniffypants — For a Frenchie with an exceptional sense of smell. Barkley Banks — A funny and playful name for a mischievous Frenchie. Sir Drools-a-Lot — Ideal for a Frenchie that drools excessively. Wigglebutt — A name for a Frenchie with a constantly wagging tail. Professor Snorts-a-Lot — Suitable for a Frenchie with distinctive snorting sounds. Sir Bumblepaws — For a Frenchie with clumsy and adorable movements. Chewbacca — Inspired by the iconic Star Wars character known for his distinctive growls. Snickerdoodle — A funny and sweet name for a lovable Frenchie. Sir Pupington — A sophisticated and humorous name for a French Bulldog. Sir Barkington — Perfect for a Frenchie that loves to bark and make noise. Sir Sniffsalot — Ideal for a Frenchie with an exceptional sense of smell. Snickers — Inspired by the popular candy bar, signifying a sweet and lovable nature. Sir Woofington — A playful and lighthearted name for a fun-loving Frenchie. Mischief — Suitable for a Frenchie with a mischievous and playful personality. Sir Nibbles — Perfect for a Frenchie that loves to nibble on toys and treats. From trendy to edgy, our collection of cool names for boy French Bulldogs will make your pup the epitome of style. Ace — Represents excellence and skill. Maverick — Symbolizes independence and originality. Diesel — Refers to strength and power. Titan — Signifies great strength and size. Jax — A cool and modern name for a stylish Frenchie. Bandit — Represents a mischievous and adventurous nature. Blaze — Refers to fire and passion. Zeus — Named after the powerful Greek god. Axel — A strong and edgy name for a Frenchie with attitude. King — Represents authority and dominance. Jet — Symbolizes speed and elegance. Rocco — A cool and charismatic name for a Frenchie with a bold personality. Dash — Signifies quickness and agility. Harley — Inspired by the iconic motorcycle brand, representing strength and freedom. Ryder — A cool and adventurous name for an active Frenchie. Blade — Represents sharpness and precision. Thor — Named after the Norse god of thunder, symbolizing strength and power. Hunter — Refers to someone skilled in hunting, symbolizing agility. Diesel — Signifies strength and resilience. Colt — A cool and masculine name for a young and energetic Frenchie. Jagger — Inspired by the legendary musician Mick Jagger, representing style and charisma. Blaze — Symbolizes fire and passion. Bronx — A cool and urban-inspired name for a city-loving Frenchie. Zephyr — Represents a gentle breeze, symbolizing calmness and tranquility. Knox — A cool and edgy name for a Frenchie with a tough and fearless personality. Marley — Inspired by Bob Marley, the legendary musician. Elvis — Named after the iconic singer Elvis Presley. Bowie — A tribute to the influential musician David Bowie. Sinatra — Inspired by Frank Sinatra, the renowned singer and actor. Hendrix — Named after the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Cooper — A nod to actor Bradley Cooper. Hanks — Inspired by the beloved actor Tom Hanks. Clooney — A reference to actor George Clooney. Beckham — Named after the famous footballer David Beckham. Depp — Inspired by the versatile actor Johnny Depp. Hemingway — A tribute to the renowned writer Ernest Hemingway. Ledger — A tribute to the late actor Heath Ledger. Bogart — Inspired by the legendary actor Humphrey Bogart. Cruise — Named after actor Tom Cruise. Cumberbatch — Inspired by the talented actor Benedict Cumberbatch. Phoenix — Named after the versatile actor Joaquin Phoenix. Pitt — A nod to the renowned actor Brad Pitt. Eastwood — Inspired by the legendary actor Clint Eastwood. Cage — Named after the actor Nicolas Cage. Washington — Inspired by the esteemed actor Denzel Washington. Cooper — A reference to actor Bradley Cooper. Atlas — Represents strength and endurance. Thor — Named after the Norse god of thunder, symbolizing power. Tank — Signifies toughness and resilience. Titan — A name associated with great strength and size. Hercules — Inspired by the legendary hero known for his incredible strength. Goliath — Represents a formidable and powerful figure. Bruiser — A name for a Frenchie with a strong and muscular build. Rocco — A strong and masculine name for a Frenchie with a bold personality. Rambo — Inspired by the fearless and resilient action hero. Caesar — Signifies leadership and authority. Axel — Represents strength and edginess. Samson — Named after the biblical figure known for his superhuman strength. Jett — A cool and powerful name, representing speed and strength. Rocky — A name associated with toughness and resilience. Blade — Signifies sharpness and precision. Magnum — Represents strength and power, like a magnum-sized firearm. Kodiak — Named after the mighty Kodiak bear, symbolizing strength and dominance. Diesel — A name associated with strength and endurance. Duke — Represents nobility and strength. Maverick — Symbolizes independence and strong-willed nature. Apollo — Named after the Greek god of the sun, associated with power and vitality. Major — Signifies importance and strength. Chief — Represents leadership and strength. French bulldogs are very popular and gorgeous. We hope that you like the precious collection of boy bulldog names. Please share these names with friends and family on social media sites. More Dog Name Ideas.
Call Vic Kasser or Email! A heart murmur is an abnormal heart sound, usually heard by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. What causes a heart murmur? A heart murmur is caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart. Sometimes a murmur is determined to be 'innocent' or 'physiologic', while other times the murmur is determined to be pathologic or caused by disease. Pathologic heart murmurs can be caused by a structural problem within the heart i. Do all murmurs sound the same? The loudness of a murmur reflects the amount of turbulence that is present in the heart. However, the loudness of a heart murmur does not always correlate directly with the severity of disease. Murmurs are graded by their intensity, usually on a scale of I-VI. A Grade I murmur is very soft or quiet, may only be heard intermittently, and is usually only heard in one location on the chest, while a Grade VI murmur is very loud, heard everywhere that the heart can be heard, and can be felt when a person places their hand on the chest in the area of the heart in cardiac terminology, this is called a 'thrill'. Murmurs are also characterized by the time in which they occur during the heart cycle, and by whether they are long or short. Most murmurs are also characterized by their location, or where they are the loudest. The majority of murmurs in the dog occur during systole, the phase of the heart cycle when the heart is contracting to pump blood out. The specific characteristics of the murmur, along with any symptoms that your dog might be showing, will help your veterinarian to determine what is causing the murmur. What is an innocent, physiologic or Puppy heart murmur? An innocent or physiologic or Puppy heart murmur is a heart murmur that has no impact on the dog's health. It is very common for young puppies, especially large breed puppies, to develop an innocent heart murmur while they are growing rapidly. The murmur may first appear at weeks of age, and a puppy with an innocent heart murmur will usually outgrow it by about months of age. This type of murmur is benign. In general, a physiologic or innocent heart murmur will have a low intensity usually Grade I-II out of VI , and does not cause any symptoms or clinical signs. What structural heart problems cause a heart murmur? The heart is composed of four chambers - the left atrium, the left ventricle, the right atrium, and the right ventricle. Blood flows from the right side of the heart through the pulmonary artery to the lungs where it is oxygenated, and then the oxygenated blood goes through the left side of the heart and into the aorta, where it is pumped to the rest of the body. Between each of the chambers and main blood vessels there is a valve that functions to prevent blood flowing back into the chamber as the heart pumps. With structural heart disease, there is some sort of abnormal structure or defect that is disturbing the flow of blood, creating turbulence. The abnormality in the heart may be a leaky heart valve, a thickening or narrowing of a valve or large blood vessel, or an abnormal hole between the heart chambers or between two arteries that are not normally connected. Structural heart problems may be congenital the dog is born with a defective heart or acquired a structural heart problem develops later in life. Some of the congenital heart diseases in dogs are hereditary in certain breeds of dogs, and include diseases such as 'sub-aortic stenosis', 'pulmonic stenosis', and 'patent ductus arteriosis'. Other congenital heart diseases are not as well documented as being hereditary, including 'ventricular septal defects', 'atrial septal defects' and 'Tetralogy of Fallot'. The most common cause of an acquired heart murmur in the dog is 'mitral insufficiency' also called 'mitral regurgitation' , a condition in which the mitral valve becomes thickened and begins leaking see our handout 'Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs' - mitral insufficiency tends to be more common in small breed dogs. Other causes of an acquired heart murmur in older dogs include bacterial endocarditis, caused by a bacterial infection that localizes on a heart valve and dilated cardiomyopathy see our handouts 'Endocarditis in Dogs' and 'Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs'. What extracardiac problems cause a heart murmur? Some extracardiac problems can cause what is called a 'functional heart murmur'. A functional heart murmur may be due to anemia low levels of red blood cells , hypoproteinemia low protein levels in the blood , fever or infection, or by conditions such as pregnancy, obesity or emaciation. With anemia or hypoproteinemia, the blood is too 'watery' so turbulence is created as it flows through the valves. Adult dogs may become anemic because of blood loss or may have a serious underlying disorder. How is a heart murmur detected? In most cases, a heart murmur is detected when your veterinarian auscultates or examines your dog's heart with a stethoscope. How do we find out if a murmur is due to a significant problem? Most murmurs are detected with a stethoscope during a routine veterinary examination. If your veterinarian detects a heart murmur, you will be asked a series of questions about your dog's health and then your veterinarian will assess your dog's general physical condition to determine whether or not there are any symptoms or clinical signs that indicate the need for further diagnostic testing. If your pet is still a young puppy and the murmur is of low intensity, your veterinarian may recommend a re-examination in a few weeks time to track whether the murmur has decreased in intensity or disappeared, indicating that it was likely an innocent murmur. Similarly, if your adult dog appears to be extremely stressed at the time of a routine health examination and the murmur is of low intensity, your veterinarian may recommend a re-evaluation at a later time when the dog is calmer. In some cases, if a dog is extremely excited or is panting heavily, it can be difficult to determine if abnormal sounds are being caused by a heart murmur or are just related to the elevated heart rate or panting. A dog with a heart murmur that is caused by a structural heart disease or an extracardiac problem will generally have some sort of symptoms or clinical signs that can be attributed to the disease. During a physical examination, if your veterinarian detects an abnormal rhythm to the heartbeat, or finds that your dog has weak pulses or irregular pulses, it will be more likely that the murmur is caused by an underlying problem. If your veterinarian determines or suspects that the heart murmur is caused by structural heart disease or an extracardiac problem, further diagnostic testing will be recommended. In the majority of these cases, further diagnostic testing should be performed immediately so that any treatment can be started as soon as possible. What other tests may be recommended? Depending on what other clinical signs are present in your dog, your veterinarian will usually recommend x-rays, an electrocardiogram, or an ultrasound examination of the heart called an echocardiogram. If your veterinarian suspects that the heart murmur is secondary to another disease, blood tests or other extensive tests might be recommended. An echocardiogram that includes a Doppler examination is the most useful test to determine the location of a heart murmur. With an echocardiogram, the heart is imaged while it is beating, allowing the examiner to evaluate the heart's size and movement. A Doppler examination is a specialized type of echocardiogram in which the speed and direction of blood flow can be measured across the heart valves and in the heart chambers. The Doppler examination will usually pinpoint the location of the turbulence that is causing the murmur. How is a heart murmur treated? Heart murmurs are simply abnormal heart sounds caused by turbulent blood flow, and treatment depends upon the underlying cause of the heart murmur or the turbulent blood flow. Physiologic heart murmurs do not require any treatment; however, regular monitoring of a dog that has evidence of a physiologic murmur is advised to ensure that no other problems develop. If the heart murmur is caused by an underlying problem, the treatment plan will be based on the diagnosis, and may include a combination of specialized diets, medications and supportive care. Some congenital heart defects can be surgically corrected - these include pulmonic stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus. Your veterinarian will be the best person to advise you on the appropriate course of action to meet your dog's unique needs. What is the prognosis? The prognosis ranges from excellent to grave, depending on the cause of the murmur. If the murmur is physiologic, no treatment is required and the prognosis is generally good to excellent. If the murmur is caused by extracardiac disease or a functional problem that can be treated, the murmur may resolve over time. The long-term prognosis for a dog with a murmur caused by congenital heart disease is extremely variable, depending on the specific type of defect that is present; if the defect can be surgically corrected the prognosis is very good. A dog with mitral insufficiency can usually be managed with long-term medications. The prognosis for a dog with dilated cardiomyopathy varies - if the dog is showing symptoms of heart failure the prognosis will be grave. The prognosis for a dog with bacterial endocarditis will vary with the severity of the infection and the valve that is affected. The need for good dental care, including regular professional dental cleaning under general anesthesia cannot be overemphasized as a means of preventing endocarditis see our handout "Dental Disease in Dogs". Since each case is different, your veterinarian will discuss the prognosis and treatment options for your dog, based on the results of diagnostic testing. In all cases, ongoing monitoring and periodic diagnostic testing will be necessary to track the progress of the condition. Heart disease in companion animals is too often a silent killer. By the time your dog or cat shows the classic signs of heart disease like lethargy, wheezing, croupy coughing a liquid-sounding cough, as though there's fluid in the lungs or exercise intolerance, it's very often too late to save your beloved pet. To make matters worse, an enlarged heart can't be detected with a stethoscope. Significant heart disease can be present and undiagnosed by your veterinarian long before your pet shows clinical symptoms of illness. Too many pet owners too often find themselves in this heartbreaking situation. Two Types of Heart Disease Both dogs and cats are at risk for heart disease, and both can develop either type: Heart muscle disease Valvular disease Cardiomyopathy is the scientific term for an enlarged heart muscle. Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to the condition, including New Foundlands, Great Danes and Dobermans. Cardiomyopathy can also be caused by a dietary deficiency. The amino acids taurine and carnitine are critical for normal heart development and performance. If your dog's or cat's diet is lacking in these amino acids, heart muscle damage can result. Poor valve health can also lead to heart disease. A leaky valve makes your pet's heart work harder, and the harder it works, the bigger it gets. Valve disease leads to congestive heart failure in both dogs and cats. Heart murmurs which are usually present when there are valve problems are ranked on a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 is considered mild and 6 is the worst case. Leaky valves or heart murmurs are frequently seen in predisposed breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Leaky valves are also found in aging pets and animals with some metabolic conditions like feline hyperthyroidism. These tests, usually x-rays, EKG or cardiac ultrasound, can cost several hundred dollars. For many pet owners who want to be proactive in detecting heart disease in a dog or cat, the expense of these tests is prohibitive. It's a terrible situation to be in. If you've lost a dog or cat to heart disease, you're bound to be fearful it could happen again to another pet. You want to take proactive steps to help your current dearly loved dog or cat avoid the problem, but you can't afford the tests that will tell you whether or not you need to do more to insure the health of your companion animal. It feels as if you have no choice but to wait to see if heart disease sneaks up silently to claim another four-legged member of your family. That is, until now. At long last, veterinary medicine has developed a blood test that can identify which dogs and cats are at greatest risk for heart disease and heart failure. The test is called a proBNP test. The proBNP is a blood test that measures how much peptide hormone, released by the heart, is in circulation in your pet's body. This hormone is only released when the heart is pushed beyond its capacity. Very early in the disease process, small amounts of the hormone will be released into your dog's or cat's bloodstream, and it's presence is a signal that steps must be taken in order to preserve your pet's heart health. If heart pathology continues to progress, the blood value of the peptide hormone will continue to rise. The proBNP blood test can give you peace of mind that your pet has no early signs of heart disease. It can also help you and your veterinarian differentiate between, for example, a respiratory condition like feline asthma and an underlying heart condition. The proBNP is a simple blood test with a fast turn-around time that can provide the information you need to proactively manage your dog's or cat's heart health. You can have the test repeated as often as necessary to chart your progress in meeting your pet's cardiovascular health needs throughout his life. Make sure you're meeting your pet's CoQ10 requirement. CoQ10 is a naturally occurring coenzyme that young dogs and cats have in plentiful supply. But as she ages, your pet's ability to produce CoQ10 decreases. I recommend you supplement your pet's amino-acid-rich diet with Coenzyme Q10, especially if you have an animal that is predisposed to cardiovascular disease. Supplying your pet with extra CoQ10 can insure she has the quantity her body needs to maintain a healthy heart muscle. CoQ10 supplements come in two forms: Ubiquinone and Ubiqunol. Ubiquinol is a reduced form of CoQ10 and is the supplement I recommend for my dog and cat patients. A good heart-healthy maintenance dose is: 50 mg per day for cats and small dogs mg per day for medium sized dogs mg twice per day for large dogs. Eating non-food items such as grass or human food. Bacterial and viral infections. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS. Bowel cancer more common in older Frenchies. Aggression — 2. As puppies, they can be more aggressive, but most will grow out of this particular health concern by around 12 months. Aggression is a natural attribute, with many Frenchies displaying it when they feel threatened, jealous, or provoked. However, at certain times their ancestry and genes can come to the fore, with some displaying aggressive characteristics which can become problematic. The best way to head this off at the pass is to ensure that your male Frenchie is neutered when the time comes and has proper puppy training. Heart murmur — 2. However, with older dogs, a heart murmur can be a very serious health problem and can lead to a reduced life expectancy. The most common reasons for a heart murmur to develop in a French Bulldog can include: Weakened heart muscle walls dilated cardiomyopathy. Heart wall defects. Heartworm disease. Infection in the heart valves endocarditis. There are varying grades of seriousness with dog heart murmurs, all of which a vet can detect using a stethoscope. Grade 1: This is a very soft and quiet murmur that is almost undetectable. Grade 2: This is a soft murmur that can be easily heard by a vet. Grade 3: This is a low to moderate noise. Grade 4: This is a moderate to loud noise. Grade 6: This can be heard without listening directly on the chest wall. Grades 1 and 2 offer no concerns, and your Frenchie should lead a full and long life. Grade 3 will require your Frenchie having a heart scan, letting your vet then recommend a medical treatment. If the heart murmur is graded on the higher end of the scale, your Frenchie will have a reduce life expectancy. Heart murmurs are common in Frenchie puppies. In adult dogs it can be more serious. You can read more about how heart murmurs can impact on pet insurance here. Vomiting — 2. I lost count of how many times Claude used to vomit as a puppy. If your Frenchie is vomiting a lot, it should not be taken lightly. To summarise on that though, here are some reasons why your French Bulldog will vomit: Food allergies. The swallowing of a foreign body. Eating and drinking too quickly. Oesophageal issues and disorders. Vomiting is very common with French Bulldogs, and most of the time is nothing to be worried about. I would exercise caution though; if your dog is vomiting frequently and appears to be distressed and in pain, take him to the vets immediately. Infectious canine tracheobronchitis kennel cough — 2. It is highly contagious but will often be a mild illness that can be treated and cured in under a month with the use of antibiotics or prevented with a vaccination. This is one to look out for if you are leaving your Frenchie in kennels for any period of time, or if your dog lives and plays in close proximity to other dogs. Patellar luxation dislocated kneecap — 2. Our French Bulldog is a complete clown and has no sense of danger. Patellar luxation can occur in Frenchies where: They have degenerative arthritis. They have a genetic malformation. They have suffered a traumatic injury to the knee. If you see your Frenchie holding his hind legs up that could be a sign of a dislocated kneecap. He will do this so that the muscles in his hind legs relax, as that can then let the dislocated kneecap return to its usual position. Ulcerative keratitis eye ulcer — 2. April 7, 20 Comments We all love our Frenchies, so the last thing we want to see happen is for them to get sick. Unfortunately, French Bulldogs are synonymous with health issues. Due to their flat-faced structure, hereditary bone conditions, susceptibility to allergies, and a number of other underlying factors, your life as a Frenchie owner can be riddled with visits to the vet. Breathing and heatstroke Due to a short nose and scrunched face, French Bulldogs tend to snort, wheeze, grunt, and snore more than other dogs. This may be something that you find endearing about the breed, but this smaller airway can present a problem if your dog catches a cold or becomes congested. The best remedy is to spray your dog with a cool mist to help reduce their body temperature. Never leave them in the car unattended. Think about buying a kids pool for your home. Eye and ear problems Even though the French Bulldog is one of the healthiest of all the Bulldog breeds, they still experience some of the same health issues. Due to additional exposure to the surrounding environment, yeast infections of the ears are a frequent problem that Frenchies are prone to developing. If they are left untreated, it can result in deafness or other issues. Your vet can perform a hearing test to see if your French Bulldog suffers from this condition. Frenchies also experience quite a number of eye problems. One example is where the eyelashes can become inverted and irritate the eye itself. This condition is known as entropion. The only way to treat this condition is through surgery, otherwise, the dog may suffer from chronic eye infections. Since the French Bulldogs eyes protrude from their face , the eyes can also easily become scratched. This can lead to corneal ulcers and other eye problems. So if you spot excessive blinking or irritation of the eyes, go to your vet! Finally, cataracts in the eyes can develop as your dog ages — just like any dog. This is something that you should watch out for to prevent blindness. Allergies and food sensitivities Unfortunately, French Bulldogs have a genetic predisposition to several environmental allergens. This can result in them having dry and itchy skin. In more severe cases, your dog may develop swollen glands or hives. Buy on Amazon Here Using a hypoallergenic shampoo or one that contains oatmeal can help to relieve some of the discomfort associated with the condition. Or in some cases, your vet can administer a steroid injection to reduce the histamine response to the environmental allergens. As well, your Frenchie may develop food sensitivities. These can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms are similar to environmental allergies. Some of the more distinguishing features of food sensitivity are that your dog may suffer from extreme flatulence. Heart disease Poor heart health is something you should be aware of if you own a Frenchie. There are two types of heart problems that you need to be concerned about in this breed. Heart murmurs, which can generally be detected during the puppy years, and heart or valve disease. The second type is similar to what people suffer from as they get older. It can be brought on by lack of exercise and poor diet. However, some dogs are more genetically prone to develop heart disease than others. Look for brands of dog food that are lower in sodium so that you can be more proactive in maintaining their overall heart health. Spinal disorders Hemi-vertebrae is a congenital condition that can be seen with the screw-tail breed. It presents as a compression of the spaces between the vertebrae. This compression impedes the messages of the nervous system resulting in some form of paralysis for the dog — in extreme cases of course. Sometimes this condition can show generalized limb weakness or even loss of bowel and bladder control. Another problem that can result from this condition is bulging discs in the back. This usually occurs later in life but will present with the same symptoms as the congenital form. Joint diseases Arthritis can affect Frenchies due to their smaller stature and low center of gravity. It shows similar symptoms that it does in people. If your dog has arthritis they may refuse to move much or be in pain when they do move. There are over the counter treatments that can relieve much of the discomfort. Another joint problem with Frenchies is patellar luxation. This is where the kneecap pops out of place unexpectedly. It can cause your dog to limp or even fall down suddenly. Hip dysplasia is something that you may also observe. This is where the hip joint comes out of the socket and remains stuck. This can cause extreme pain and difficulty getting around. Other french bulldog health issues Due to the scrunched up face appearance, this puts Frenchies at an increased risk of developing problems with the soft palate. Something called cleft palate is extremely common. It is easy to identify because it presents as protruding teeth and gums. There may also be one nostril that is shaped differently than the other one. Secondary cleft palate is more difficult to diagnose. This is where the deformity is inside the mouth. Some of the symptoms include frequent sneezing, excessive snorting even after light exercise, difficulty eating or drinking, and a chronic runny nose. Surgery will be required to repair this condition. More severe cases can result in chronic respiratory infections and malnourishment due to an inability to eat properly. Wrapping up Overall, the French bulldog is a great breed. They tend to do well with other pets and the whole family. But any purebred dog is likely to have health issues. You just need to be aware that Frenchies are more prone to health problems than many other breeds. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercise are some of the best ways to prevent these health problems. By Dr. I hope you can respond quickly since the possible purchase of a puppy is involved. I recently contracted with a breeder to purchase a French bulldog puppy and I just received a call that the puppy has a Grade 2 heart murmur, as detected by their vet. The pup is 7 weeks old and is the only pup out of a litter of five with the problem. I was also informed that there was a good chance the murmur would resolve, so I was hoping you might share your opinion on whether I should go ahead with buying this pup. I also read about a test called a pro BNP and wonder if that might be helpful. Clearly, I want to bring home a healthy puppy. What is the likelihood that this murmur will go away? If I get this dog, will it have a normal, healthy lifespan? It is commendable that the breeder informed you of this cardiac issue now before you bring the puppy home and get attached, which you still might do. Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of and a Grade 2 murmur is a soft-sounding low grade one. In puppies, this can sometimes be called an innocent murmur, which is not serious and may resolve with time, usually by the age of 4 months. If it does, it has no consequence on the health or longevity of the dog. However, there is no guarantee that this will occur. Murmurs can come in different types and be heard at different times in the cycle of cardiac contractility and relaxation. They can also be caused by many different anomalies, some congenital and others that develop over time. The pro-BNP test that you mention measures the amount of stretching of cardiac muscle and typically is used in mature dogs with more advanced changes in the heart, so it might not have relevance in this case other than providing a baseline and allowing it to be monitored over time. You might ask for an EKG, echocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound or a cardiologist to further assess the dog. You could ask the breeder to keep the dog for a few months to see if the murmur goes away or you might roll the dice and take the dog home, but know that there are no sure ways of knowing that all will work out. If things do not resolve or worsen, you will be attached to a sweet dog with potentially costly health issues. Only you know what you are willing to gamble. Good luck with your decision. My pet was diagnosed with a heart murmur! What does that mean? It is caused by abnormal turbulent blood flow. Abnormal turbulent blood flow can occur when blood passes across abnormal heart valves or across abnormal structures within the heart. It can also occur when blood flows very fast across normal structures such as when an animal is excited. An echocardiogram ultrasound of the heart is a non-invasive test that is performed to determine the cause of the murmur. In some instances, the louder the murmur, the more significant the abnormality within the heart. They are soft and usually go away by 14 weeks of age. This may indicate that congenital present at birth heart disease is present. The cardiologist will perform an echocardiogram as well as other tests EKG, blood pressure, etc. Depending on the disease present, some congenital diseases can be fixed or made better with an interventional catheter procedure, traditional surgery, or administration of cardiac medications. If you have an older, small breed dog: Heart murmurs in these dogs may indicate that these dogs have a leaky mitral valve the heart valve in between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve degenerates as dogs age and when it does, the older valve allows blood to leak backwards. We refer to this disease as chronic valve disease, endocardiosis or degenerative mitral valve disease. Mild chronic valve disease that leads to small leaks across the mitral valve usually does not create a problem for a dog. The disease is slowly progressive in most cases and the leak will continue to worsen over months to years. If the disease becomes severe, the dog is at risk for developing congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure means that the leak across the heart valve overwhelms the heart and fluid goes from the heart backwards into the lungs instead of from the heart forward to the body. A cardiologist can perform an echocardiogram and determine the stage of chronic valve disease present. The presence or absence of congestive heart failure is diagnosed by X-ray of the chest. If congestive heart failure is present, oral medications can be prescribed to help maintain a good quality of life. Some dogs can do well with these medications for years. Bernard, Newfoundland, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian or Portuguese Water Dog : Heart murmurs in these dogs may indicate that they have a disease called dilated cardiomyopathy with a subsequent leaky mitral valve. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the pumping chamber ventricle of the heart where the muscle becomes weakened and the contraction of the heart is decreased. When the ventricle is unable to pump blood to the body, fluid goes from the heart backwards into the lungs instead of from the heart forward to the body. This is known as congestive heart failure. In addition, because the heart is not pumping effectively, these dogs can develop profound weakness, lethargy, exercise intolerance and fainting. Unfortunately, they can also pass away suddenly from abnormal heart beats arrhythmias from the diseased heart chambers. A cardiologist can perform an echocardiogram and determine if dilated cardiomyopathy is present in susceptible breeds. Oral medications can be initiated in the preclinical asymptomatic phase of dilated cardiomyopathy and in some cases, these medications can delay the progression of the disease to the development of congestive heart failure. If a dog develops clinical symptoms of congestive heart failure, X-rays are used to confirm the presence and determine the severity of the congestive heart failure. Some dogs can do well with these medications for a period of months to years. If you have a middle-aged to older cat especially a Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Sphynx or Devon Rex : Heart murmurs in cats can be due to the excitement of the veterinary visit physiologic heart murmurs or due to underlying heart disease. An echocardiogram is necessary to differentiate between a heart murmur that is just due to excitement versus a heart murmur from underlying heart disease. Heart murmurs or other abnormalities heard with a stethoscope may indicate that cats have a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is the most common acquired heart disease seen in cats. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the pumping chamber of the heart where the muscle does not relax well after it contracts. Blood is then unable to fill the heart normally and fluid goes from the heart backwards into the lungs instead of from the heart forward to the body. Signs of congestive heart failure include a fast breathing rate, difficulty breathing, fainting, weakness, lethargy, hiding and a decreased appetite. Unfortunately, in addition, these cats can also pass away suddenly from abnormal heart beats from the diseased heart chambers. A cardiologist can perform an echocardiogram and determine if hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or other structural heart disease is present in susceptible breeds and in cats that have abnormal heart sounds on physical examination. The progression of disease is different in every cat. Some cats develop congestive heart failure soon after their disease is diagnosed by echocardiogram. Other cats remain asymptomatic for their hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for many years before they develop congestive heart failure. Still others never develop congestive heart failure or any symptoms of their heart disease. Recheck cardiology visits and echocardiograms are necessary to determine the progression of disease in each patient. If a cat develops clinical symptoms of congestive heart failure, X-rays are used to confirm the presence and determine the severity of the congestive heart failure. If congestive heart failure is present, oral medications can be prescribed to help maintain a good quality of life, and some cats can do well with these medications for a period of months to years. Consult with your Vet should two or more symptoms be present. Accurate diagnoses are possible by using x-rays or ultrasound, where the presence of cardiomyopathy in the pedigree is unknown. Drugs to help the heart are available and may prolong life. They are usually administered at the same time as drugs that treat water retention. Low salt diets are recommended and your Vet may suggest that you switch from your regular brand of dogfood. This is because salt increases fluid retention, already a problem when the heart is not working properly. Your dog should not be allowed to be overweight when he presents with cardiomyopathy — although most dogs with hereditary cardiomyopathy tend to be skinny. Exercise needs to be monitored, as your dog needs to be fit, but not to over-exert himself. Cardiomyopathy is occasionally associated with other conditions or disorders, like hypothyroidism. Diseases like parvovirus may sometimes weaken the heart, creating conditions suitable for heart disease to develop. Heartworm , is now also of concern. Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common heart diseases in adult dogs. Large breeds are most commonly affected, with three-quarters of the affected dogs being male. Affected females have a markedly lower survival rate than affected males. Survival statistics are poor. Heart Murmurs A murmur can usually be heard when the puppy is 10 weeks old — although it can be picked up earlier by a very experienced Vet, this is very difficult as the puppy has a very fast heart rate, fidgets and sniffs. It is not easy for a Vet to determine the difference between a puppy murmur and a congenital heart defect murmur by listening with a stethoscope auscultation. The blood thus flows forwards AND squirts backwards with every heartbeat. ECGs and X-rays may be needed to definitively diagnose a heart murmur, and to determine what type of murmur it may be. It is defined as an "obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract that ranges in severity from an incomplete fibrous ridge to a fibromuscular tunnel", and lies just under the aortic valve. This lesion causes turbulence in the blood as it crosses the aortic valve, and creates a murmur in most affected dogs. The subaortic lesion progresses with maturity. Heart murmurs can be detected as early as six to eight weeks of age, or develop as late as three to four years of age in milder cases. Most of the information available on SAS, including inheritance of the defect, has come from breeding studies done on Newfoundland dogs. Information from this breed is identical to the clinical features observed in other SAS affected breeds, such as Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers. The mode of transmission found in the Newfoundland dog breeding studies suggests an autosomal dominant gene trait with variable expression or penetrance is responsible, with the variability probably due to modifying gene factors. This makes the true mode of inheritance complicated, presenting a challenging problem in removing the defect from the dog population. Regardless of the degree of severity observed, any affected SAS animal can produce a degree of severity in its offspring because of the dominant genetics of the disease. Subaortic stenosis has been graded based on post-mortem exam: Grade 1 is the mildest form, with raised white nodules occurring in the area under the aortic valve; Grade 2 is the intermediate form, with a fibrous ridge that partially encircles the outflow tract; Grade 3 is the most severe form, with a fibrous band encircling the entire outflow tract just under the aortic valve, and may also cause changes in the mitral valve complex. The mildest lesions create the most frustrating problem for breeders. In studies performed on Newfoundlands, it was found that ausculation stethosope exam , cardiac catheterization, and echocardiography ultrasound , the most technologically advanced methods to detect and define heart murmurs, failed to reliably detect some, if not most, of the mildly affected dogs, as determined by post-mortem exam. The Grade 2 lesions are often associated with soft cardiac murmurs and minimal changes in the pressure gradient across the aortic valve. The Grade 3 lesions are usually associated with the more severe clinical signs, including moderate to severe murmurs, exercise intolerance, syncope fainting , congestive heart failure, and sudden death. The importance of this clinical data is clear - while the genetic makeup for SAS may be present in a dog, the actual detection of subaortic stenosis becomes difficult in mild cases, with definitive diagnosis of the carrier depending on post-mortem exams. This makes genetic counselling for this genetic trait difficult and leaves breeders frustrated. Treatment for SAS can be frustrating. Mild Cases:Therapy is usually not indicated in mild cases, as affected dogs are usually asymptomatic and can live a full and productive life. The only exception requires the use of prophylactic antibiotics for potential bacterial problems; such as dental procedures, surgery, and wounds; due to the risk of the dog developing endocarditis bacterial colonization of the heart valves , which may damage the heart valves. Moderate to severe cases: For moderate to severe cases, treatment is limited to drugs aimed at decreasing the clinical symptoms, such as those associated with congestive heart failure. However, the benefits of such drug-oriented treatment are minimal. Many moderate to severely affected dogs may develop acute heart arrhythmias as a result of heart muscle ischemia and sudden death. It is thus perhaps better to use a holistic approach based on nutrition, moderate exercise, a wellness-oriented lifestyle and dollops of affection. How can breeders decrease the incidence of subaortic stenosis? Firstly, the limitations of current diagnostics in recognizing mildly affected dogs must be recognised. It is also known that many affected animals shall be identified in a comprehensive program of screening. A carefully planned program of screening - and definitively diagnosing heart murmurs, along with genetic counseling - could reduce the incidence of the defect within a few generations. This includes screening all breeding stock, then carefully screening all progeny for the defect and eliminating parents which have produced affected offspring. A Conservative Program to Screen Dogs for Discrete Subaortic Stenosis see reference1 Most, but not all, discrete subaortic lesions will produce a murmur, and it is reasonable to use ausculation stethoscope examination as the main screening method. Some very mildly affected defects will go undetected, but neither are these likely to be detected by ultrasound or catheterization. Because the lesion develops postnatally, screening should not be begun until weeks of age. Pups with murmurs should be examined by more definitive methods, as needed, to make a diagnosis. Moderate to severe subaortic stenosis can be diagnosed by this age. Pups with mild lesions may not be distinguishable from those with innocent flow murmurs. Pups with low grade murmurs and no other evidence of heart disease should be re-examined at weeks of age. If the murmur disappears, the pup can be considered clear of clinically significant congenital heart disease. However, if there are close relatives with subaortic stenosis, it is prudent not to use such animals for breeding stock or use them only if their offspring are carefully screened for congenital heart disease. Discontinue breeding such dogs if they produce pups with confirmed subaortic stenosis. Pups with a low grade murmur that persists beyond 12 weeks should be re-examined by more definitive methods to make an accurate diagnosis. If echocardiography ultrasound or cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography are used, it should be possible to reduce the number of false positives. Pups that have a persistent murmur consistent with subaortic stenosis, but have no evidence of a congenital heart defect after further studies can be considered clear of a clinically significant lesion, but a very mild lesion cannot be ruled out. Such animals should not be used for breeding unless there are other compelling reasons for it. If bred, the offspring of such dogs should be carefully screened for evidence of congenital heart disease and breeding discontinued if any affected pups are produced. References: 1. Genes and the Heart: Congenital Heart Disease. Donald F. Linda B. Lehmkuhl and John B. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals,
Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Wisconsin Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Wisconsin? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Wisconsin? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. He will do well in a home that can provide exercise and mental stimulation with games. He is a bright puppy, who I believe will excel, if given the opportunity and training. His recall is very good. He generally responds to his name or a whistle. He is crate trained and is now sleeping through the night. He takes about three naps a day — — generally after exercise. He still prefers to be in the same room as his person, or to at least have sight of them. As a general rule, he is not left in his crate, during the day more than three hours. However, this time frame will grow as he gets older. We continue to work on potty training. Which is an ongoing process with a puppy his age. He is generally taken out after meals, naps and playtime. We have not worked on general commands. However, he will sit before coming out of his crate, and before receiving a meal — — if you wait for him to settle down. He does need to be fed either by hand, or using a slow feeder. Otherwise, he eats his food so fast that he will regurgitate it. Again, this is something he may outgrow. He is a handsome little man who loves attention and snuggles. He will be an amazing companion to someone who is willing to put in the time and effort required to to train any puppy.
Smaller breeds will usually have puppies in a litter, with a max of .Larger breeds will usually have 7 puppies in a litter, with a max of .A Norwegian study from revealed that the following factors have an influence on the amount of puppies a dog will have: Size of the breed. The bigger the breed, the more puppies in a litter. Age of the female. Younger and older dogs will have fewer puppies, that dogs in between these age groups. Method of breeding. Insemination will generally give fewer puppies than breeding done the old fashioned way. The most important factor when seeing the number of puppies was the size of the breed. The study was done on .Photo by Pixabay on Pexels. In the Norwegian study from , it was shown that a large dog breed such as Labradoodles will produce an average of 7. There have previously been claims of puppy litters with up to 20 puppies, but that has yet to be confirmed anywhere. More Info About The Amount Of Puppies The above-mentioned Norwegian study is the most comprehensive study done on litter sizes and mortality rates in puppies and is therefore the best source for any information on this subject. But there are other sources of information available, and we will try to summarize some of them below. Rule of thumb: There is an old rule of thumb that says that mammals, in general, will have half as many offspring as the number of teats the mom has. Other factors: Other factors mentioned include in-breeding, the age of the male dog, and diseases, and other health issues. Photo by Chevanon Photography on Pexels. A lot of us know that aunt in the family who claims to be able to tell the size of the litter just by looking at your pregnant dog from 30 feet away, but can you guess how many puppies your dog is having? People who work with dogs professionally such as vets, breeders, shelter owners, kennels, and so on, might be able to give a qualified guess. Mortality Rates In Puppies The same group of researchers who did the study above also made another study on the same .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. Can you breed two Labradoodles? You can absolutely breed two Labradoodles! In fact, this is a pretty common practice. When two Labradoodles are bred, it typically results in a Labradoodle litter with more consistent traits. This is helpful for weeding out undesirable traits, like the straight coat type. This type of cross is also known as an F2 cross. What is an F1B Labradoodle? This creates a pup with stronger Poodle characteristics. This cross is usually best for owners with allergies because the Poodle coat does not shed very much. This will also likely yield a curlier coat, as opposed to the straight or wavy coat. What is an F1 Labradoodle? An F1 Labradoodle is the first litter of Labradoodle offspring in that family line. This cross is made with a purebred Labrador and Poodle. This cross will produce the common characteristics seen in Labradoodles but does not always yield consistent results overall. Breeders often take the F1 Labradoodle and cross it with another F1 or Poodle to further refine their desirable traits. What is an Australian Labradoodle? Australian Labradoodles are bred a little differently than American Labradoodles. American Labradoodles only come from Labradors, Poodles, or a cross of the two. In contrast, Australian Labradoodles introduce other breeds to the mix to acquire the desired traits. Like the American variety of Labradoodle, it may take several generations of crossbreeding to achieve the desired result. These dogs look similar to their American counterparts, but with minor differences that may be indistinguishable to the untrained eye. Often times, dogs that have a variety of breeds in their lineage have fewer issues with genetic diseases because their gene pool is a little deeper. What is a Miniature Labradoodle? This dog is like the Standard Labradoodle, only smaller. It is bred by crossing a Labrador with a Miniature Poodle. This dog is noticeably smaller than the Standard Labradoodle and typically weighs somewhere between pounds on average. It is also around inches tall. Besides the size difference, there are usually no other differences in appearance or personality, compared to the Standard Labradoodle. Some owners believe that smaller dogs bark more and are less friendly, but these factors are largely dependent on breeding. How much does a full-grown Labradoodle weigh? Labradoodles are big dogs that weigh around pounds. How big is a Labradoodle? Labradoodles grow to around inches tall. Male Labradoodles tend to be a little bigger than their female counterparts, but only by an inch or so. How big is an Australian Labradoodle? Australian Labradoodles are between inches. They weigh between pounds. They are typically no different in size than the American Labradoodle. How big is a Medium Australian Labradoodle? The smaller version of the Australian Labradoodle is inches tall. Do Labradoodles have an odor? Labradoodles, like any other dog, are capable of getting stinky. But, like the Poodle, many owners report that this breed has a very mild odor when it comes to stinky dog smell. Proper grooming is necessary to keep your dog looking and smelling fresh. However, excessive bathing can dry out delicate skin and lead to discomfort. Try to limit baths to once every few months, unless they have gotten excessively dirty. Regular brushing can also help with redistributing skin oils throughout the length of the fur. It also prevents painful mats. Are Labradoodles hypoallergenic? Labradoodles are not hypoallergenic. This myth is perpetuated because allergy sufferers seem to have a lessened allergic response to this breed than others. This is mostly because the Poodle lineage keeps the Labradoodle from shedding excessively, which reduces dander in the home. Some owners find that they sneeze less with a Labradoodle than a dog that sheds a lot, like the Labrador. While this may be a good choice of breed for people who have dog allergies, it does not mean that this dog will not cause an allergic response. If you are considering buying a Labradoodle because you have dog allergies, make sure you test out a puppy by spending time with it before you take it home to see if it causes an allergic reaction. How much does a Labradoodle cost in Australia? The cost for a Labradoodle can vary from breeder to breeder. Keep in mind that an unskilled or inexperienced breeder will charge less for their services. Fortunately, this price often comes with medical checks and vaccinations. How many years do Labradoodles live? On average, Labradoodles live between years. This is pretty standard for dogs of this size. Do Labradoodles shed? Yes, Labradoodles shed. However, they do not shed as much as many dogs, thanks to their special coat. Labradoodles can come with different kinds of coats and some shed more than others. A straight-haired Labradoodle is rare because it is less favored, due to high shedding. A wavy-coated Labradoodle will shed a little. A curly-coated Labradoodle sheds the least of the three types. The amount of visible shedding can also be reduced by frequent brushing to remove dead hair. What do Labradoodles eat? Because of their size, Labradoodles need to be on a diet that is made for large dogs. Large dog formulas tend to have more carbohydrates and lower protein to fuel their big bodies. Your dog should stick to a feeding routine and not be allowed to graze on their food freely. When it comes to dog foods, some formulas are better than others. Formulas with complex carbohydrates will also keep your dog energized for longer. Dog foods with glucosamine are also beneficial for Labradoodles because it supports healthy joints in active dogs. When it comes to dog food prices, the cheaper brands use more fillers and lower quality ingredients than the more expensive brands. If you can afford it, aim for the middle-range or higher quality dog foods. What do Labradoodles look like? Labradoodles come in many coat types, sizes, and colors. They also have cute, floppy ears and long tails. This breed typically has a medium-length, wavy coat, or a short, curly coat. These dogs can be white, black, brown, blue, silver, red, brindle, or a combination of these colors. Not only does it give them a clean-cut appearance, but it helps keep long fur out of sensitive areas like the eyes. What should I look for in a Labradoodle? A knowledgeable, experienced Labradoodle breeder has the skills to produce pups with the right traits. Ask your breeder if she has genetic health clearances on the parents, too. When you get the chance to meet the pups, look at the ones that are in the middle of the pack. An overly excited, bossy puppy might be cute, but these behavioral traits may make the dog more unruly as an adult. Similarly, the sweet, loner in the corner may garner sympathy, but it could become an anxious adult. The ones that play together, but are also fine chilling out on their own are good picks. What are the different coats a Labradoodle might have? There are three different types of Labradoodle coats. The wool coat is the curliest. These coats are typically shorter because curly hair can become matted easily. Many times, this coat is achieved by crossing the Labradoodle with a Poodle or other curly-coated breeds. The second coat type is fleece. This is a wavy coat that is usually worn a little longer than the wool coat. This coat does not shed very much, but it sheds more than the wool coat. The fleece coat is silky and soft to the touch. The third coat type is hair. This is a straight coat that is usually avoided by breeders. This coat type sheds much more than the other two types and is not good for allergy sufferers. This coat is longer than the other types. However, it is rather rare to see this coat type in a Labradoodle because the wool and fleece type are preferred for this breed. How much exercise does a Labradoodle need? Labradoodles are energetic, active dogs that require plenty of exercise. For starters, this dog does best when it can be walked twice a day. Along with physical exercise, this smart breed needs mental exercise. Playing games like fetch can satisfy both of those needs at once. While your dog is housebound during the day, make sure you have enough toys available to your dog to keep it entertained. Many Labradoodles like to swim, which is another great way to burn off some extra energy. Dog parks are also a good place to let your dog run around while allowing it to socialize with other dogs. The Labradoodle gets its intelligence from the Poodle side of the family. These dogs are smart and easy to train. These dogs love to learn new tricks because it makes them feel like they have an important job to do. Unfortunately, this means that an untrained Labradoodle can become unruly because they made their own rules. This is why regular obedience training is necessary. These dogs are also very friendly with both people and other dogs. This makes them a great family pet because they get along with everybody, even children. This breed is very fun-loving and active. They love to play games and run around the backyard with their owners. They can fetch, swim, and play with other dogs for hours. Labradoodles are often used as service dogs because they are obedient and are sensitive. This means that they are very keen to pick up on non-verbal cues from their owners. They may get upset easily if they are scolded, but they are also encouraged by positive responses. They seem to be able to pick up on how their humans are feeling, which makes them excellent therapy dogs. Related posts:. Labradoodles can have varying litter sizes, typically 4 to 8 puppies. Miniature Labradoodles tend to have smaller litters of 3 to 5 puppies, while Standard Labradoodles have larger litters of 6 to 8 puppies. Multigenerational Labradoodles fall within the average range. Parent size, health, and care during pregnancy influence litter size. It is essential to have veterinary assistance during the birthing process. The joy of welcoming Labradoodle puppies lies in the surprise and uniqueness of each new arrival. Labradoodle Labradoodle Litter Size Variability Like any other dog breed, Labradoodles can exhibit variability in litter sizes. The number of puppies a Labradoodle will have is influenced by various factors contributing to the breeding process. Parent Size: The size of the parent dogs plays a significant role in determining the litter size of Labradoodles. Generally, larger dogs tend to have larger litters, while smaller dogs may have smaller litters. Suppose a Labradoodle is bred between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever, typically medium to large-sized breeds. In that case, the litter size may be larger than when a Miniature Poodle is bred with a Labrador Retriever. Health and Fertility: The overall health and fertility of the parent dogs can influence the litter size. Healthy dogs with no reproductive issues are more likely to produce larger litters. Breeding dogs screened for any genetic disorders or health conditions can help ensure healthier offspring and potentially impact the litter size positively. Genetics : The genetics of the parent dogs are crucial in determining the litter size of Labradoodles. While genetics can be complex, certain genetic traits related to litter size can be inherited. If both parent dogs come from a lineage with larger litter sizes, it increases the likelihood of having a larger litter. Individual Characteristics: Each Labradoodle has unique genetic makeup and personal characteristics. This individuality can contribute to variations in litter sizes even when bred from the same parents. It is common to have different litter sizes among different litters from the same pair of Labradoodles. Occasionally, Labradoodles may have smaller or larger litters that deviate from the average range. Nature has its way of surprising us with the joy and unpredictability of puppy births. When considering breeding Labradoodles or welcoming a litter into your home, it is essential to consult with experienced and responsible breeders. They can guide on selecting healthy parent dogs, ensuring proper care and nutrition during pregnancy, and offering professional assistance during whelping to safeguard the well-being of both the mother and the puppies. Labradoodle Labradoodle Average Litter Size On average, Labradoodles tend to have litters ranging from 4 to 8 puppies. Some Labradoodles may have smaller litters, while others might surprise you with larger ones! Miniature Labradoodles typically have a smaller litter, ranging from 3 to 5 puppies, due to the smaller size of the parents. Labradoodle Standard Labradoodles Litter Size Standard Labradoodles, which result from breeding a Standard Poodle with a Labrador Retriever, tend to have larger litters than their miniature counterparts. These litters usually consist of 6 to 8 puppies, though occasionally, there may be even more! The litter sizes of multigenerational Labradoodles can vary, but they typically fall within the average range of 4 to 8 puppies. Understanding these factors can shed light on how they impact the litter size. Dogs with good overall health, free from any reproductive disorders or genetic abnormalities, are likelier to produce larger litters. Regular veterinary check-ups, genetic screening, and appropriate breeding practices can help ensure the health and fertility of the parent dogs. Breeding Practices: Responsible breeding practices can also influence litter size. Experienced breeders carefully select compatible pairs based on their health, temperament, and genetic traits. Breeding dogs with a history of producing healthy litter can increase the chances of larger litter sizes. Conversely, breeding dogs with a history of smaller litters may result in consistently smaller litters. A well-balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals helps support optimal fetal growth. Adequate nutrition can contribute to healthier and more robust puppies. Breeders and owners should work closely with veterinarians to ensure that the pregnant Labradoodle receives appropriate nutrition. Overall Care of the Mother: The care provided to the mother during pregnancy and whelping can also impact the litter size. A stress-free and comfortable environment, regular exercise, and sufficient rest are critical for the well-being of the pregnant Labradoodle. Adequate prenatal care, including regular veterinary check-ups, monitoring, and support during whelping, can promote a successful and healthy litter. Responsible breeders prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs and take the necessary steps to ensure a healthy and successful breeding program. They follow best practices, seek veterinary guidance, and provide appropriate care throughout the reproductive process. Labradoodle How to Care for a Pregnant Labradoodle Caring for a pregnant Labradoodle requires attention, diligence, and care to ensure the health and well-being of the mother and her growing puppies. Here are some essential tips to help you care for a pregnant Labradoodle: Veterinary Care: Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian experienced in reproductive health to confirm the pregnancy and establish a prenatal care plan. Proper Nutrition: Provide a well-balanced, high-quality diet for pregnant and nursing dogs. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate type of food and feeding schedule for your Labradoodle. Pregnant dogs have increased nutritional requirements, so ensure their diet includes essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid overfeeding, as excessive weight gain can lead to complications during delivery. Exercise and Rest: Encourage moderate exercise to keep your pregnant Labradoodle fit and healthy. Regular walks and gentle activities help maintain muscle tone and prevent excessive weight gain. However, avoid strenuous exercise or actions that may put undue stress on the mother. Provide a comfortable and quiet space for resting, ensuring she gets enough rest and relaxation. Environmental Comfort: Create a quiet, comfortable, and secure space for your pregnant Labradoodle. Provide a cozy whelping box or nesting area where she can give birth and nurse her puppies. Ensure the area is warm, clean, and well-ventilated. Consider using soft bedding to provide comfort and insulation. Keep the environment free from hazards and potential stressors. Monitoring and Observation: Monitor your Labradoodle closely during pregnancy. Watch for any signs of distress, discomfort, or abnormal behavior. Keep an eye on her appetite, water intake, and weight gain. Note any changes in behavior, as these could indicate potential complications that require veterinary attention. Socialization and Mental Stimulation: Continue to provide socialization and mental stimulation for your pregnant Labradoodle. Engage in gentle play, interactive toys, and positive interactions with family members and pets. This helps maintain their well-being and reduces stress levels. Preparing for Whelping: Educate yourself about the whelping process and signs of labor. Prepare the whelping area with clean towels, blankets, and necessary supplies. Familiarize yourself with the signs of potential complications, such as prolonged labor or difficulties in birthing. Postnatal Care: After the birth of the puppies, continue to provide attentive care. Ensure the mother is nursing correctly and that the puppies are gaining weight. Monitor their health and consult with your veterinarian if any concerns arise. Each dog is unique, and circumstances may require additional care or adjustments. With proper care and attention, you can help ensure a healthy and successful pregnancy for your Labradoodle and the arrival of adorable, thriving puppies. Labradoodle Vet Assistance During Whelping Whelping, the process of giving birth to puppies, is crucial for the mother and her litter. Regular check-ups and professional assistance can help mitigate any potential complications. Labradoodle The Joy of Puppy Surprise One of the exciting aspects of welcoming Labradoodle puppies is the element of surprise! Each new arrival brings its unique personality and charm. Labradoodle Conclusion Labradoodles are charming and affectionate companions who bring wonder and surprise during their journey into this world. While the average litter size of Labradoodles ranges from 4 to 8 puppies, remember that individual litter can deviate from these numbers. The best way to embark on this heartwarming adventure is to seek guidance from reputable breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of both the parents and their precious offspring. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Popular Posts. Factors that Affect Labradoodle Litter Size A black and brown Labradoodle up close Labradoodles, like all dogs, can have litters of varying sizes. The size of the litter depends on several factors, including: Ready to Adopt Puppyspot Poodle Adoption 5. They have placed over , puppies into homes in the US! The size of the mother The age of the mother The health of the mother The quality of the breeding The size of the mother is one of the most significant factors that affect litter size. Generally, larger dogs have larger litters. However, this is not always the case, as some smaller dogs can have larger litters than larger dogs. The age of the mother is another factor that can affect litter size. Younger dogs tend to have smaller litters, while older dogs may have larger litters but also have a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and birth. The health of the mother is also a crucial factor in determining litter size. If the mother is not in good health, she may have a smaller litter or may not conceive at all. It is essential to ensure that the mother is up to date on all vaccinations and is free of any underlying health conditions that could affect her ability to conceive or carry a litter to term. Finally, the quality of the breeding can also affect litter size. If the breeding is done correctly, with healthy, genetically diverse parents, the litter is more likely to be larger and healthier. However, if the breeding is done poorly, the litter may be smaller and may have a higher risk of health problems. The fur is usually clipped to 2 inches or less, making brushing and upkeep between trims a snap. A red Labradoodle coat. Labradoodles are a hybrid breed that results from the crossbreeding of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. As with any other breed, the size of the litter depends on various factors such as the size, age, and health of the mother, as well as the quality of care she receives during pregnancy. On average, a Labradoodle can have a litter size of 6 puppies. However, it is not uncommon for the litter size to range from 4 to 8 puppies. Factors such as genetics, age, and size of the parents can also influence the litter size. It is important to note that the litter size of a Labradoodle can also be affected by the breeding method used. For instance, artificial insemination may result in smaller litter sizes compared to natural breeding. It is therefore essential to consult with a reputable breeder who uses ethical breeding practices to ensure healthy and happy puppies. When it comes to caring for a pregnant Labradoodle, it is important to provide her with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest. Regular veterinary check-ups are also crucial to ensure the health of the mother and her puppies. Overall, the average litter size of a Labradoodle is around 6 puppies, but this can vary depending on various factors. By providing proper care and attention during pregnancy, breeders and pet owners can ensure healthy and happy puppies. Breeding Considerations for Labradoodles When it comes to breeding Labradoodles, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. Another important consideration is the timing of breeding. Breeding too early can increase the risk of complications and health issues for both the mother and the puppies. When Breeding Can Start for Labradoodles When it comes to how many puppies a Labradoodle can potentially have, the answer will depend on when it first starts breeding. Before beginning a breeding program, one should consider the age of the potential parents. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, dogs should be at least two years old before being bred for the first time and this is especially true for Labradoodles, due to their health considerations. At two years of age, most Labradoodles have reached full physical and emotional maturity and can safely endure the stress of pregnancies and caring for puppies while they are still young themselves. Additionally, waiting until two years of age allows Labradoodles ample time to mature mentally and physically which leads to healthier offspring down the line. You should also be aware that pet insurance is often more expensive for a Labradoodle puppy that has not been neutered or desexed. Conclusion Labradoodles are a popular breed of dog, and many people are curious about how many puppies they can have. Based on the research, it appears that the average litter size for a Labradoodle is between five and six puppies. Breeders should always prioritize the health and well-being of both the mother and the puppies, and should never breed a dog simply for the sake of producing more puppies. Overall, Labradoodles are a wonderful breed of dog that can make great pets for families and individuals alike. Similar Posts. From their friendly, playful personalities to their intelligent, eager-to-please natures, there are plenty of advantages to owning labradoodles. What Are Labradoodle Puppies? Not only was this new breed low-shedding and hypoallergenic, but it was also incredibly friendly and intelligent. Their sociable, affectionate natures make labradoodle puppies great for new owners and experienced pet parents alike. Most labradoodles require around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, which can be easily fulfilled by walks or games. Intelligence: Thanks to their poodle parentage, labradoodle puppies are highly intelligent. Their natural curiosity and eagerness to please makes them fairly easy to train which is why labradoodles are common candidates for therapy dogs. Most mother dogs give birth to anywhere from one to 12 puppies at a time, with the average being just a few pups around five to six. It can be hard to single one puppy out — each one is adorable! Here are a few important factors you should look out for. Size Every new pet owner wants to go home with a healthy puppy. If a puppy is much smaller than its littermates, it may have a congenital or genetic issue that could affect its lifespan. On the flip side, if a puppy is the largest of the litter, it may be stealing food, which could mean it has trouble listening to commands. Personality The way a labradoodle puppy acts around its siblings and mother dog can be very indicative of its personality. When examining a litter, watch how the puppies interact with one another. A withdrawn, shy pup that keeps to itself may have aggression and biting issues in the future. An aggressive, independent pup that bullies other dogs may be reluctant to listen to commands. Meanwhile, a friendly, relaxed pup that gets along with its littermates will likely be easy to train. Playfulness The way a labradoodle puppy acts around its littermates can tell you a lot about its personality. But what about the way it acts around you? As you greet the puppies, observe how they behave. The puppies that rush forward and are interested in playing are more likely to be sociable and friendly. See if any puppies roll over on their backs — pets that exhibit this behavior tend to be more easygoing and trusting, which will come in handy while training. Gender For many prospective owners, the gender of their new puppy is probably inconsequential. However, if you already have a dog at home, gender may be an important factor to consider. According to many experts, male and female canines tend to get along better than two dogs of the same sex. Thus, if you have a female dog at home, you should consider getting a male pup and vice versa. Appearance Many prospective dog owners have a certain look in mind when searching for a new pet. For example, some people may want a puppy with a solid-colored coat, while others like multicolored pups. If you have any appearance preferences, look for a puppy that meets those expectations. Generally, you can expect labradoodle siblings to look pretty similar. However, there may be some slight differences — for example, one may have a traditional, golden curly coat, while another has a few spots of white. The only thing you can count on for sure is that all the labradoodles will share a distinguishable curly coat. Legs: Is your desired puppy walking and running normally? Any limping indicates a paw or leg injury. If this spot is larger than the size of a dime, the puppy may experience bone problems in the future. Stomach: Check to see if there are any protrusions or hernias around the belly area. Moreover, the puppy should not be scratching its eyes and ears excessively. Reputable breeders should answer your questions thoroughly and do everything they can to help you find your perfect match. Here are some good questions to ask. How Does the Puppy Behave in General? No puppy acts the same way throughout the entire day. The breeder will let you know if the puppy is a good match or if another puppy might be better for you. Before you take any puppies home, try to get some more specific information about them. For example, you could ask what activities a puppy enjoys. If you exercise frequently and want a labradoodle puppy that can keep up with your excursions, the breeder can direct you to an active puppy. On the flip side, if you prefer to stay in, the breeder can introduce you to a calmer, lower-energy puppy. For instance, if the breeder says a puppy likes spending time with people and learning new tricks, it suggests that the puppy will be more responsive to training. What Do the Parents Look Like? Generally, standard labradoodle puppies grow to be anywhere from 20 to 25 inches in height. You can get a better idea of what your new labradoodle puppy is going to look like by observing the parents. For example, if the parents seem too large, you might want to try another litter. In some cases, you may be able to meet the parents of your new labradoodle puppy in person. Are the Puppies Health-Tested? For example, ear discharge could indicate an infection, while a dull coat suggests skin allergies. Make sure the breeder health-tests all their labradoodles for common puppy diseases. Get a Labradoodle Today! There are probably plenty of healthy, friendly puppies within a litter that would fit well in your home. The best way to find the right puppy is by observing the litter, asking the right questions and working with a high-quality breeder. All our trained labradoodle puppies go through health and coat testing, as well as obedience training and housebreaking that meets therapy dog standards. Learn more by contacting us today! Progressive retinal atrophy Progressive retinal atrophy PRA is the malformation or deterioration of the retina over time. PRA can be inherited or late-onset and age-related, but both lead to complete blindness over a period of years. Pups with inherited PRA will begin showing signs of vision loss at months of age. Symptoms include: Loss of vision, starting with night blindness Anxiety about dark rooms or nighttime Dilated eyes that are very reflective of light Clumsiness No eye contact General anxiety and clinginess PRA can be diagnosed following a veterinary eye examination and ERG testing. Although there is no cure, it is not a painful or life-threatening condition, but it can be frightening. It creates a dazzling, light-colored, mottled effect in the coat that is very striking and beautiful to look at. This is dangerous because the lack of pigment doubles, which affects the eyes and ears and often results in vision loss, hearing loss, or both. Most Doodles are sweet-natured, so this is not usually a problem! How to breed Labradoodles When looking to breed Labradoodle pups, you first need to make sure that your parent dogs are healthy and of good temperament, as discussed above. Visible signs of pregnancy such as a swollen belly will develop at the week stage, and a veterinary ultrasound should be done to clarify the number of pups. The average litter size for Labradoodles is puppies. Birth can take hours. Signs of labor in dogs include restlessness, discomfort, contractions, and dilation. Breeders should have the number of the emergency vet on hand just in case, and be familiar with the signs of dystocia, or difficult birth. These include strong contractions for more than 30 minutes with no delivery, straining for more than 2 hours with no delivery, more than four hours between puppies, and blood with no delivery. Breeders should also have the necessary supplies for whelping, including a whelping box, medical scissors, blankets, and towels. Good breeding practices with Labradoodles When breeding Labradoodle puppies, breeders should adopt good breeding practices only. This means no inbreeding, or breeding of related dogs, and no breeding runts of litters. All parent dogs and their puppies should be treated with the highest quality of care, with safe, spacious housing, clean bedding, healthy food, and constant access to water to drink. They should also be sufficiently groomed, walked, socially and mentally stimulated, and receive all of the necessary medical care, such as vaccinations, check-ups, and preventative parasitic medications. Top tips when breeding Labradoodles When breeding your Doodles, be sure to take their genetic traits into consideration. For example; what size Labradoodle do you want? Which color? What is backcrossing? This means that the gene pool is kept large and healthy. How much is a Labradoodle puppy? The exact price tag will depend on a number of factors, including the breeder. In fact, smaller breeders tend to provide a much higher and personal level of care to their dogs than big-time breeders. Unfortunately, puppies are twice as likely to come from illegal breeders and inhumane puppy farms than legal breeders in the US. Pups bred from show dogs and working dogs will always be more expensive than those bred from regular pets, and rarer or more desirable coat colors such as pure-black Labradoodles , or the merle-patterned ones will be more expensive than more common colors or those considered less desirable such as the brown coat. Size can also play a part, as these days, Labradoodles come in all shapes and sizes , including the micro Doodle and the teacup Doodle, both of which are highly desirable and highly costly because of their trendiness and cuteness. When looking for a micro or teacup Doodle, extra care must be taken when selecting a breeder to ensure good breeding practices. This may be anywhere from fifty dollars to a few hundred dollars. The exact price will depend on the shelter you adopt from. Rescue centers that are well-known nationally may charge lower prices as they receive a good amount of publicity and donations. Whereas smaller, localized shelters may be more expensive. How to make sure your Doodle pup is healthy When you buy a Labradoodle pup from a breeder, always remember to ask for proper health documentation that proves they have been tested for the genetic conditions mentioned above and received all of their essential vaccinations. Make sure that the breeder was providing a high-quality food for Labradoodle parents and puppies , too! The adult dogs should look happy and healthy. They should be in good condition, have clean eyes and a shiny, well-groomed and clean coat. Some illegal breeders even forge health documentation, so you should always have new puppies checked over by a vet, just in case. With Doodles, your vet should pay particular attention to their joints and eyes. Unleash the real potential of your companion! 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Striving for excellent quality with emphasis on temperament, conformation, intelligence and all around health. Our dogs come from top pedigree, filled with champion lines. Our goal is to produce calm, intelligent "English" Labradors who will provide wonderful companions to you and your family. We are a small kennel, located outside of Alliance, Ohio and believe in producing the utmost quality in our pups. Therefore, we are able to make sure all of our breeding stock and pups receive lots of attention and care. We believe that Labs are at their best when they are in the companionship of people, and where they have freedom to run and play. We take great pride in the quality of the pups we produce emphasizing temperament, conformation and all around health. Our dogs have great pedigrees, filled with champions, from traditional English lines. Our pups are in homes throughout the United States and have proven to be accomplished service dogs, therapy dogs, hunters and companions to many families. You can see many, many years of our dogs, growing from pups to seniors, as well as testimonials from puppy families, on our Facebook page at Maple Creek Labradors. Our Labradors are the 'English' type, meaning they have a square or 'blocky' head, a well muscled body and thick bone. Their soft, kind expression make them instantly lovable. They are not separate color genes. We do not breed dilutes, nor do we support them. The Labrador Retriever is also the most popular purebred dog in America for the 21st straight year. More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: The ten reasons that I am giving for children to have a dog are not listed in order of importance. All of us have different characteristics which we find more important than others. Every reason I list, however, is important to the childhood of your son or daughter. Dogs are great stress relievers for children. Imagine the effects on family life when the stress levels of parents go down. Children who have a dog feel more secure about home safety and going to sleep in the dark. One of the greatest stresses on children is night fears. To have this overcome, or lessened, is a great benefit to relieving stress. For children who are having any sort of difficulties at school, but especially thoughts and concerns over being liked or accepted, having a dog as a companion that loves you unconditionally is positive and brings with it a good feeling and alleviates symptoms of depression. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Did you know… Cleveland had its beginnings in when Moses Cleaveland, a surveyor, picked his townsite on the shore of Lake Erie. Only three members of his group agreed to stay since most were ill with Malaria. The Ohio and Erie Canal was completed in .The name of Cleaveland was shortened to Cleveland when the local newspaper, The Cleveland Gazette and Commercial Register, had to shorten its masthead by one letter to make it fit. During the Civil War times, Cleveland was an important part of the underground railroad. The port on Lake Erie was important for those slaves seeking to go into Canada for freedom. Many large industrialists settled into the area, such as: Jephtha Wade with the telegraph company which later became Western Union, John D. The distance from Cleveland to Washington DC is miles. The distance to the Ohio state capital is miles. Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! Please see our new website, DevanleyLabs. Thank you. We are a family-run and family-oriented Labrador Retriever breeder who shows primarily in the AKC conformation ring and breeds for the purpose of improving our own lines. The goal for each and every litter is for us to keep at least one puppy as a show prospect. We do not breed just to have a litter and sell those puppies. We raise, train, and breed our dogs with our primary focus on only breeding for the betterment of our current breeding program which includes correct structure, temperament, and health. We enjoy our dogs as family pets first and then as show dogs. Our sons help with the raising and training of our dogs. We purchased our first "registered" Lab in and we were hooked. Animals have always been part of our daily life and will always be part of our daily life, God willing. The Labrador Retriever is such a fun and lovable breed that adds so much to our lives. Who could ask for anything more? Our puppies have gone on to become AKC Champions and AKC Grand Champions as well as wonderful retrievers, service dogs, therapy dogs, obedience and agility dogs, family companions, and beautiful couch potatoes. Please see Current Litters. We dilute test because no dilute factors of silver, champagne, or charcoal will be part of our breeding program since the dilute gene is not part of a true purebred Labrador. Much to the dismay of dilute breeders who claim that this dilute gene is rampant and widespread throughout all bloodlines, my dogs have all come back as dilute free! Please feel free to contact us by phone
I recently reserved an English bulldog puppy. He was born 4 days premature by C-Section and has 7 other littermates. His mother is a red and white, kc registered family pet and his father is a kc registered red and white stud dog who participates in shows. My puppy opened his eyes around 2 weeks old and started walking around 3 weeks old. Fast forward to now, he is 6 weeks old tomorrow. When we saw a video of him walking at 3 weeks old, he seemed to have some weakness in his back legs but we passed it off as normal because he had only just started trying to walk. His siblings seem to have some leg issues too. Another pup in the same video had one leg that seemed to go out to the side, as if stretching. They walk on wooden floor and the grass outside. They are being weaned onto puppy food and are drinking from a bowl etc. Everything else with my puppy is fine, his eating and drinking habits, his toiletry habits etc. They are all booked in to see the vet on Monday and then I am viewing my pup on Tuesday. I am just looking for some piece of mind. Should I be concerned about his legs? Is this true? Any help or advice is welcome and appreciated. Thank you in advance. He has a massive head and is a very stocky boy! He is the sweetest boy and loves everyone he meets and gets along well with other dogs! He is very laid back! He will make someone a great pet! We will be picky on where he goes! Call us at for more information on him! She is super sweet and loves people and attention. She is a big boned, stocky, short to the ground Frenchie! She has a nice haircoat and no soundness or eye issues. You can EMAIL us or contact us at with any questions on her or to schedule an appointment to come meet her in person. She could have another litter or two but will only sell her to someone wanting to keep her forever as a pet as well with breeding rights! She is a 3 years 4 mo. She is reserved around strangers until she gets to know you but is very sweet!! She is big boned, stocky and just drop dead gorgeous. She tolerates heat and exercise pretty well. She has only had 2 litters and could have a few more litters if someone was interested in her to breed for a litter. Contact us at with any questions or for more information on adopting her. She is outgoing and confident. Find Us. Pictures are taken of each litter of pups at 4 and 6 weeks of age. We do not honor any other photo requests for pups that are sold and waiting for their release day. Delilah is bred to Oscar pups due October 10th. Accepting pick of litter deposits. Finding Your Perfect Olde English Bulldogge Puppy As the premier breeder of Olde English Bulldogges in the Southeast, we love providing families and individuals of all ages with healthy, happy puppies from this amazing breed. Our puppies turn into healthy, well-tempered and athletic dogs that will make a loving addition to your home — whether you have young children, lead an active lifestyle, or want a couch companion. They can keep up with an active lifestyle of jogging, hiking and camping or a more relaxed one sitting at home and watching TV. Our bulldogges have gone on to live with people from all walks of life, including single adults, couples, families with children, active retirees, and the elderly. Loving They become very attached and love spending time with their families, including young children. Athletic Compared to other bulldog breeds, Olde English Bulldogges are athletic dogs with strength and stamina. They love getting outdoors, playing, jogging, and being part of the fun. Trainable Olde English Bulldogges are eager to please and responsive to commands. Healthy Our bulldogges have fewer of the genetic issues that commonly impact bulldogs, such as airway issues, breeding difficulties and climate sensitivity. As a result, our puppies are healthy, well-adjusted, IOEBA registered, and have a documented blood line with five-generation pedigrees. With the scientific expertise of our owner, we provide dogs with common, rare and tri-color combinations. In addition to our high breeding standards, we pride ourselves on having superior customer service. We love our little Stella. She is so playful and sweet. Was super easy to potty train. Thank you Robyn for all you do! Lee W Davenport, Iowa.
We are overjoyed for you! Golden Retrievers are one of the most friendly and loving breeds…and lucky for you, one of the easiest to train. Golden Retrievers require a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid going about on their own or becoming frustrated. Their love for food is infinite. Prerequisites for training my Golden Retriever puppy? What age can I start to train my Golden Retriever puppy? Sounds like a good deal! We can only hope. What do I need to train my Golden Retriever? Say bye to that sticky, meaty feeling in your fingertips. A piece of non-slip vet bed or a soft mat: For a cozy bed, warm nights, and good dreams. Treats: The more smelly, the better. Two identical toys : Great for swaps! The name says it all…your Golden Retriever puppy will love retrieving, so identical toys will be great for all the games we have in store for you in the Zigzag Puppy training app. Of course, Golden Retrievers grow to be big dogs. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? A golden retriever needs 2 hours of exercise a day. What age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? Golden Retrievers reach adulthood at 3 years of age and are seniors by 8 years old. Though their height has been reached, their weight will still fill out and they will continue to mentally mature. What are Golden Retrievers bred for? Distinctly British, the 1st Baron of Tweedmouth developed the breed crossing his golden colored retrieving dog Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel — these look similar to Irish Water Spaniels. The cross resulted in a dog that was comfortable being on land and water kind of like crocodiles , and robust enough to hunt goose, partridge and even deer. Do Golden Retrievers make good family pets? In fact, Golden Retrievers are one of the most loved dog breeds in the UK. The Kennel Club has a lot more good information and info about them. What does this have to do with how I train my Golden Retriever puppy? But there is a logic as to why knowing the context might help you train your Golden Retriever better: Golden Retrievers love to work. Commonly employed as Guide Dogs, they love having a job to do, which means they will adore training. Anyhow, they will be a breeze to train. They will also do almost anything for your soft words and approval — your praise will work just as well as treats. Because they are so gentle, they are a great fit for families with a variety of lifestyles and ages. They need a good amount of exercise; mental as well as physical. Let us rephrase — a hefty amount of exercise. Besides you and food, being in water is what they love the most! They have a very strong sense of smell, so retrieving or scent work games tend to be the biggest treat for most. Golden Retrievers are the social butterflies of dogs. They love most people, and are not discreet in showing it. You know how us Brits can be about politeness. That being said, make sure you also teach them the wonders of giving things up. It can lead to great things! But it can also be less helpful when they give you a love bite on your arm — give them a toy to carry instead. Shift to some play, and revisit training later — we want training to be associated with fun, and not something they begin to dread. There are a variety of reasons to crate train your dog. Use your crate: [25] X Research source To keep your puppy safe when you cannot watch her. To keep your belongings safe when you cannot watch your puppy. When your puppy is home alone. To give your puppy a place to calm down. When traveling. To keep your puppy away from children or other dogs. To aid in house training and other behavioral training. Never use your crate to punish your dog. And once your dog is no longer a puppy and can be trusted not to destroy the house, do not crate your dog when you are away. Save the crate for special times — i. For the most part, your dog should enter her crate voluntarily. The type of crate you use is up to personal preference, though many find that wire crates are the most durable and comfortable long-term solutions for dogs as well as being used at most kennels where you might board your dog. The most important thing is that you get the right size crate. If it is too small, your dog will not be comfortable. If it is too large, it will provide the den-like space dogs crave. Your dog should be able to stand in the crate without hitting her head, to turn around comfortably, and to lie on their side with their paws stretched out. Also buy a divider if purchasing the crate for your puppy. Your dog should enjoy her crate. It should provide a comfortable place for her to relax, so much so that she should choose to spend time there. Make sure to: [28] X Research source Put the crate in a room where you spend lots of time, so your puppy does not feel abandoned. Keep it a comfortable temperature: out of direct sunlight and far from fireplaces and radiators. Place soft bedding inside. Place chew toys inside to give your dog something to do. Cover your wire crate with a towel or crate cover. This will give it more of the den-like feel your dog craves. If you do it well, crate training will be much easier. Throw some new dog toys in, too. Let your dog explore the crate on her own. Let her go at her own speed. Every hour or so put more treats in the crate when your dog is not looking. Be sure to subtract all these treats from their daily food allowance. Also start feeding your dog in the crate. At first, put the bowl just inside so they only have to poke their head in. After 2 or 3 successful feedings, move it to the middle, then all the way back. Show your dog a treat and toss it in the crate. Move away and wait for her to leave the crate. Always use your cue words. Repeat the whole ritual several times a day until your dog is happily entering the crate to fetch treats. After tossing a treat in once or twice to warm your dog up, use your command word without a treat. If she enters, praise profusely and give a treat or two. Also praise her when she leaves. Repeat this training several times a day for two or three days, until your dog is entering and leaving the crate on command. If your golden puppy struggles with this step, go back to the previous one. Ask your puppy to enter the crate and sit. Slowly close the door. If you have to bang it shut before your dog escapes, then she is not ready for this step. When the door is closed, praise and give treats, then open the door and let her leave. Gradually lengthen the time they must sit in the crate before you let them out. Do sessions of training where they wait ten seconds, then 30, 45, and a minute. When your dog can comfortably stay in the crate for a minute, you will want to start moving away while she is in the crate. In the first session, move only a few feet away before you come back. Move to different areas of the room and keep looking at your dog. Next, try training sessions where you move around the room without paying attention to your puppy. Add moments when you step out of the room briefly and return. Finally, leave the room. At first, stay out for only five minutes. Gradually increase the time you are gone to 30 minutes. Go back to the previous step or reduce the time you are leaving her. Always remove your puppies leash and collar before putting her in the crate, as they are choking hazards. For a puppy, these will need to be shorter trips, as a puppy cannot be expected to go more than 3 hours or so without urinating. She needs to be able to get up and stretch her legs. Vary the time you put your dog in the crate. Sometimes do it ten minutes before you go. Sometimes five. Sometimes right before you head out the door. Praise your dog for entering her crate, then go. Now that your puppy is comfortable in her crate, she can sleep there overnight, but be sure you can hear her. Puppies often need to pee in the middle of the night. Well, besides their beauty, both Golden Retriever puppies and adult doggos typically are very people-oriented dogs who exhibit good behavior, lots of affection and gentle temperaments. Golden Retriever breeders will tell you that these intelligent dogs have lots of energy and usually respond well to training. Here's how it works: When your dog performs a skill or behavior that you like, you give them treats, toys or praise. In time, your dog associates that skill or behavior with good outcomes and becomes more likely to repeat it. There's one catch, though: Positive reinforcement works best when pet parents stay consistent. For example, every time they ask a dog to sit or shake —and it is done correctly—a treat or toy should be given. Use a happy tone of voice rather than a stern one, avoid yelling, and exercise patience. Goldens are highly motivated by food and often by play. When you use highly rewarding training treats or dog toys during your dog training sessions, you reward the specific behaviors you are trying to teach your dog and you build an enthusiastic learner. Teach your dog to love learning. In the same vein, make sure your expectations are reasonable for your dog. For example, puppies need shorter training sessions—around three to five minutes each—because their bodies and brains are not well-developed yet and their attention span is shorter. Regarding age-appropriate training for puppies, Dr. George recommends the following: Potty Training: This should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. Take your pup out to go potty several times per day and within a few minutes after eating. Socializing: You can begin socialization—aka introducing your puppy to new people, places and experiences—within a week or two of bringing your puppy home. George advises. Obedience Training: Start training your pup around eight weeks of age. Training your dog early will make it easier to take them to visit the vet, go on walks and thrive in other social situations. Even adult dogs who are new to you and your home may not be ready for high-level training because they still are adjusting to the new environment and people in their lives. Feel it out and practice patience. On that note, because Golden Retrievers are often large, strong and energetic dogs, you may want to consider a gentle leader head collar, such as the PetSafe Gentle Leader Dog Head Collar. This gives you additional leverage whenever you are walking your pet in an exciting environment. Clicker training is extremely effective and is used worldwide to train all kinds of species. This method uses a special sound to mark a specific behavior. Speed up the process by including dog training during daily activities. Is it time for dinner? Are you about to take a walk? There are many opportunities to practice commands in everyday situations, so use that to your advantage! Encourage each family member to practice basic skills with the dog, including: Sit. Goldens are often very people-oriented dogs, aside from their beauty and cuteness. When considering adding a Golden Retriever to your pack, it is prudent to conduct research by speaking with golden retriever breeders, rescues, and parents. These are huge, lively dogs that are often unaware of their size. The good news is that golden retriever training is super easy as they are eager to please, especially when it comes to high-value puppy treats. It is important to get the best puppy training treats, whether you're teaching your puppy to lie down, sit, or potty train. Keep things interesting and exciting for your Golden throughout each training session. Instead of a severe tone, use a cheerful one. Avoid screaming and practise patience instead. If your pet ignores your cues, you can re-engage him by being playful and making the process a little simpler. You can also use delicious training treats while training your golden retriever. Make it enjoyable Food and play are powerful motivators for goldens. Positive reinforcement is guaranteed to help with golden retriever training. Age and skill-appropriate golden retriever training We don't expect toddlers to perform algebra, so make sure your expectations for your dog are reasonable. Puppies, for example, require shorter training sessions—around minutes each—due to their underdeveloped bodies and brains. Adult dogs who are new to you and your house may not be ready for advanced training because they are still adjusting to their new surroundings and humans. Keep It Secure A well-fit dog collar, such as the Frisco solid martingale dog collar, is one of the best tools for Golden Retriever training. For everyday walking and training, you'll also need a foot flat training leash. Because Golden Retrievers may be huge, strong, and energetic dogs, you might want to consider using a gentle leader headcollar, such as the PetSafe Premier gentle leader rapid-release dog headcollar, to provide you with more control when walking your dog in a stimulating area. Make Golden Retriever Training Easy to Understand When your dog does it right, using the clicker training approach can help you provide very clear feedback. Clicker training is incredibly effective and is used to train different kinds of animals all over the world! A distinctive sound is used to signify a certain behavior in this procedure. Your dog will realize he has earned a reward if you use a dog clicker, such as the Downtown Pet Supply training dog clicker. It doesn't take long for a dog to grasp the concept and then repeat it. Include training in your daily routine We can't perfect skills without frequent practice, and your canine companion is no exception. Start with something basic, like potty training your golden retriever puppy. Is it dinner time yet? Then, before you set the bowl in front of your dog, practice "sit. Just before you pick up the leash, call your dog's name or whatever cue the dog might notice. After your dog's stroll, practice "down" and "stay" when he is more likely to respond to your command. Take advantage of the numerous opportunities to practice commands in everyday circumstances. Make training your golden retriever a family project Make sure your Golden Retriever gets along well with everyone in the family, including other pets. Encourage each family member to work with the dog on fundamental commands such as sit, down, off people, counters, furniture , stay, come, and "all done" to end sessions. Encourage everyone to make default behavior a priority for training your golden retriever. When supervision isn't possible, you can assist other pets to feel comfortable around your golden by using equipment a dog leash, crates, or baby gates to separate them as needed. Maintain Consistency Some "home rules" for your dog must be agreed upon by all family members. While little variances in how people interact with pets are acceptable, the dog will learn and keep his manners best if the rules are followed consistently. Parents may prefer to start with the fundamentals of training their golden retriever. After that, you can assist your children in teaching the dog how to ask for them as well. Train your dog in stages You can increase your training requirements as your Golden Retriever masters fundamental manners and rules. When your dog understands that he must sit and lie down at specific times, you can ask him to stay in that posture until he is freed. Commit for the rest of your life Even if your dog is a beloved family member with excellent manners, there are always new things to learn. Training your golden retriever stimulates the brain, allowing you to better utilize your golden's high activity level. It also deepens the human-animal link, benefiting the whole family. Learn about new sports and activities, including nose work, agility, rallying, and therapeutic visits. Summary These suggestions can assist your new Golden Retriever in understanding the training. Whether you start with an 8-week-old puppy, an adolescent rescue, or a senior dog, these tips will result in success. It also allows you to assist him in burning energy, providing excitement, and developing a deep bond with your dog. Share this on:.
american bulldog puppies for sale miami - No bake pumpkin balls for puppies. Puppies are growing bundles of energy, so they need lots of food. However, be careful not to over-do the portion size. Large breed puppies will obviously require more food than small breed puppies. If you think your puppy is gaining too much weight, or not enough, talk to your vet about modifying their diet. These include chocolate, grapes, macadamia nuts, and raisins. Puppies Love Treats All dog owners know their pups live for treats. And nothing makes a tail wag faster than a delicious snack! Furthermore, treats are also great for positive reinforcement training or giving a puppy energy between meals. While conventional, store-bought treats look good, they can sometimes hide undesirable ingredients. To make sure your pup is getting a nutritious, healthy and all-natural snack why not bake them yourself at home? The other added bonus is that you can save some money, too. If, like some of us, you have lots of big breed dogs, the bill for treats can soon add up! Read on to discover why you should consider making your own healthy puppy treats, what ingredients you should include. For example, do you have a puppy with fussy tastebuds? Of course, you can also add some of the flavours that she absolutely loves. Are Homemade Puppy Treats Healthy? So, are puppy treat recipes healthy? And they can also be cheaper than store-bought treats. If you buy your ingredients in bulk, you can make your dollar stretch further. Simply make a large batch and freeze some for later use. There are plenty of easy homemade puppy treats recipes available. A list of tasty, nutritious recipes that you can try out on your puppies. However, be warned — large adult dogs love these just as much! Peanut butter and honey are two things guaranteed to drive most puppies wild. We have to watch those calories! Photo Credit — The Scrumptious Pumpkin. Click here to check out the recipe. The Novice Chef makes dainty and delicious peanut butter snack sandwiches. Photo Credit — The Novice Chef. Click here for the recipe. However, these are high-calorie treats so be sure to serve them in moderation. These cute flourless donuts have pink frosting and veggie sprinkles. If they taste as good as they look, your pup will be very happy. Made for Calvin the Beagle, these treats contain only six ingredients and take about 10 minutes to make. My pup was very happy to road-test peanut butter, banana and parsley treats from Margaritas in the Rain. They are easy to assemble and, judging by how quickly they disappeared, passed the taste test with flying colors. Our puppies love bananas, which are safe to give in moderation. For a savoury option, try these all natural puppy treats from The Kitchn, which contain bacon fat. Photo Credit — The Kitchn. Click here to view the full recipe. Plus, they have delicious bacon fat that had all our dogs hovering around the kitchen while these were baking! Healthy Homemade Puppy Treats Food allergies and food sensitivities can make life very difficult for both puppies and their owners. They can show up in a number of ways, including skin problems, digestive upsets, and chronic infections. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what foods are causing the problem, but eggs, corn, wheat, soy, and milk are common offenders. Since these are often found in store-bought treats, a great way to prevent a breakout is to make your own hypoallergenic treats. Mint and Buckwheat Homemade Puppy Treats Lola the Pitty has a great mint and buckwheat homemade puppy treats recipe that is wheat and dairy-free. Photo Credit — Lola the Pitty. Check out the recipe here. Photo Credit — Bitter Sweet. These biscuits are packed with superfoods like spinach and flaxseeds, so they contain plenty of fibre, antioxidants, and a whole lot of love. Hence, if you want to keep your puppy in trim shape, consider treats with low-calorie sweeteners such as apple and carrot. Homemade Puppy Cookies My Baking Addiction has a recipe for apple carrot homemade puppy treats that contains just four ingredients. Photo Credit — My Baking Addiction. These small, round cookies take just minutes to assemble and are made from ingredients you probably already have to hand. If you are a novice baker, they are a great place to start because it is difficult to go wrong. Pumpkin Puppy Treats Another very simple recipe comes from Kol the Puggle with his no-bake pumpkin balls. Coconut flour, pumpkin and peanut butter are combined to make a snack that the human members of the household can enjoy as well. Here are some ideas for making DIY puppy treats. If you want to go one step further, try your DIY skills on crafting frosted cookies, doggie donuts, or sweet sandwiches. To give your treats an extra edge, consider buying dog cookie cutters. These come in a range of shapes from bones and pawprints, to dogs and kennels. These look great and puppies will absolutely wolf them down. Click here to check them out. Natural Puppy Treats Fruit and vegetables can make great and easy snacks that are healthy and nutritious. Although you should watch the calories and keep in mind that some fruits, such as cherries , are not safe. Like making things yourself? Then why not create a cute replica of your very own puppy! Top Picks For Our Dogs Use Both Low-Value and High-Value Treats In general, owners should aim for a good mix of low-value and high-value treats: low-value treats to use often for average responses and high-value treats for when you need a stronger lure or when your dog responds particularly well and you want to give a BIG reward! A good variety of treats will also make sure your dog stays interested in their training. Some owners may prefer to opt for homemade treats such as biscuits and patties. Convenience — The treat should be easy to carry in your pocket or bait bag and definitely not greasy or crumbly. Delicious — Obviously, this is more subjective but your treats must excite your dog otherwise they will not work as a training tool. Whether you pick a treat with crunch, sweetness or a meaty texture is completely up to you — just make sure that your dog loves it! Treats are healthier for your dog than table scraps due to the herbs, spices, salt and so on that we add to our food. These are the no. Made of natural whole food ingredients sourced from right here in the US and even supplemented with added antioxidants, these small-sized treats are just 3. They also come in a resealable ziplock bag to guarantee their continued freshness. Flavors available include beef and turkey; chicken and lamb; chicken and venison; turkey and duck; and lamb and salmon. Boasting credentials of percent wheat free with no added corn, soy or artificial colors and flavors, these treats would be ideal for dogs suffering from allergies. The Wellness WellBites would certainly be an easy addition to your training arsenal as they are soft and chewy. Pet Botanics Training Rewards Treats for Dogs The bacony flavor of these small yet nutritious treats are guaranteed to make any dog want to work for them. I mean, have you ever seen a dog turn their nose up to bacon? Made in the USA with pork liver as the number 1 ingredient, with real bacon added for irresistible flavor, these soft aromatic treats your dog is sure to love. They are a perfectly small size and low calorie for frequent and repetitive rewards during training. There are no artificial preservatives, no BHT, BHA or soy but instead the treats are full of vegetables and include flax-seed and salmon oil. They really are tasty and nutritious. So what are you paying for? All-American made with no wheat, corn, soy or gluten, these jerky treats are smoked for 15 hours before they make it into their packaging. Although the treats themselves are 7 inches long, they are soft in texture so are easy to divide into smaller, treat-sized portions. As always with their products, quality, taste and flavor are paramount, hence the slightly higher price tag. Being such quality and so tasty, you should use these sparingly during training as a high value reward. Made in the USA from a single ingredient, these are guaranteed to be gluten and grain free with no fillers. Quite simply healthy and delicious. As you can expect with such high-quality treats as these, they are delivered to you freeze dried in an air tight bag to guarantee their freshness and flavor. Your dog will love them! Treat pouches are indispensable if using treats during training with your pooch. Excellent for carrying the recommended duo of low-value and high-value treats. It features a removable and adjustable belt, or can simply clip on to your existing belt with the caribiner clip provided my preferred way of using. It also has elastic loops for securing other items and you can attach your keys, or training whistle, with the caribiner. It can be hand washed or placed into a machine washer on cool, so keeping it clean and hygienic is no problem at all. Available in red, black or blue. Kurgo Go Stuff-It Dog Treat Bag This treat bag is made from nylon, with a drawstring to close the bag and secure the treats when not in use. Like the Petsafe above, it does have a second compartment for you to carry other items you need while on your training adventures. It comes supplied with a caribiner to attach the bag to your belt, but unlike the PetSafe above, no belt supplied. Not a problem as I always prefer my own belts :- All in all, this a good-sized, versatile bag that does what you need from a treat pouch: Keeps the treats secure, your pockets clean and your hands free so you can concentrate on the task in hand. To avoid this, learn to reward and treat during training correctly in the following article: How to use Dog Treats Correctly During Training Final Thoughts… Hopefully this article has given you some useful information and options for the best dog treats for training your dog or puppy. Just keep in mind that not all dogs will respond to the same treats in the same way. It might take a little experimentation before you find the ones your dog will work hard to earn. This has no effect on the eventual price you pay and we are very grateful for your support. 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. Healthy ways to treat your dog When we are buying treats for our dogs, we need to think carefully about what these treats are going to be used for. Dog treats are not just used in training to reinforce desired behaviors, they are also used on a daily basis by a lot of owners who simply want to give their pups a something nice and tasty to munch on. Best Dog Treats For Labs When we are looking at the best dog treats for Labs, we need to start off by thinking about when they are going to be given these treats, how regularly and in what quantity. However, if you are looking for treats to use when training your Labrador it will pay to be more picky. Training treats are given in far larger amounts on a regular basis. So how to you make that important choice when it comes to the best dog treats for Labs? Natural Dog Treats There are two ways to feed your dog natural dog treats. One is to feed them on raw meat or vegetables as a treat. Your second option for natural dog treats is to buy those which are designed and manufactured with this in mind. They are grain free, and contain no corn, wheat, soy or added artificial preservatives, colours or added flavourings. They are made in the USA, and come in three natural flavours — beef, chicken or duck. The treats are fairly small in size to begin with, but can be further broken down into easily manageable chunks. Making them superb training treats for short training sessions, as well as great one off health dog snacks. Just as importantly, our dogs seem to love the taste too. They are grain free, but still have a crunchy texture which makes them easy to give to your dog without getting too messy in the process. They have six flavour choices, and come in four different sizes. This means that you can save money by buying in bulk if your dog likes them. High in protein, these biscuits convenient for you and very enjoyable for your dog. They come in a great range of 12 different flavour options, with the finest natural ingredients. Made in the USA, they use salmon, turkey, chicken or duck to put together delicious crunchy treats. These natural dog treats do not contain any gluten containing grains and use real meats to get that authentic taste. They also come in a range of sized packets, so you can select the one which suits you best. They promise to contain only premium ingredients, including no artificial preservatives. These natural dog treats are available in a range of sizes, from small to large dog biscuits for different sized dogs. They also come in a variety of weighted packages, giving you a saving when you plan ahead and get more stocked up in the cupboard. Natural Dog treats can be great one off rewards, but they can also provide good everyday training treats if broken down into small enough chunks. With most natural dog treats you will find that the size makes them inappropriate to use as rewards during positive reinforcement training as your dog would rapidly reach his caloric quota for the day. Fortunately, there are some fab options for dog training treats too. Using positive reinforcement techniques not only helps your dog to learn everything you need him to know, but it builds the trust and bond of friendship between you whilst you do it. Allowing you to repeatedly reward your dog with food, without giving him an excessive amount by the end of the training session. Although they do contain high quality ingredients and real meat, they also have some less appealing aspects. Including grains and artificial preservatives. They come in very small pieces, ideal for use in your positive reinforcement training sessions. These healthy dog training treats also have the bonus of being free from artificial preservatives, colours and flavourings. This UK based company produce these tasty treats in a range of flavours, from high quality ingredients. They come in four natural flavours, including pumpkin and banana. Although they are small in size, they have a strong aroma and taste which Labs love. Mix them in with your dog kibble when training for bonus high value rewards. Containing amongst other things vegetables, barley and sugar they do have a high carbohydrate content so make sure that they are in a minority in your treat bag. But your dog will love them as a healthy special treat. Separate out an amount of the kibble he would have at mealtimes, and instead use it to fill your treat bag. These are treats which are of higher value to our dogs, to help reinforce their good behavior by giving them instead of plain kibble on occasions. These high value dog training treats can be something yummy from your fridge, like a cold sausage or some roast chicken breast, or something convenient and from a packet that he really loves. Best Dog Training Treats The best dog training treats are divided into two categories. Those which your dog finds rewarding and can eat in a considerable quantity throughout daily training sessions. And those which are of a high value to him, but can only be given on the odd occasion as they are not an integral part of his diet. Work with your dog to decide which treats you are going to use as occasional high value rewards, and which will make up the bulk of his low value rewarding training treats. Puppy Training Treats When your Labrador is still a young puppy, making sure that his diet is made up of all the right nutrients is very important. Over feeding a puppy could potentially result in excessive growth, which is linked in some cases to the emergence of hip dysplasia. Popular Dog Treats There are a wide range of dog treats available, but some are vastly more popular than others. We have had a look at a few of the highest rated dog treats on the market, to help you understand what makes them so popular. They are not ideal as training treats as they are large and contain a high proportion of carbohydrates, but they can make great occasional special treats. One is the price, they are very cheap. Another is the taste — because they are very palatable to dogs. Best given no more than once a day as a special treat, and take care if your dog has allergies as the main ingredient of these popular dog treats is wheat. Size and price wise they work well. They break into small pieces, and are very low in cost. Including even sugar! They have a strong smell and are made with real bacon and bacon fat, giving them a taste which your Lab will find very appealing. These treats will go down very well with your dog, but they do contain several ingredients that are not necessarily ideal parts of a canine diet. Such as wheat, corn gluten, artificial flavourings and colourings. So a very much appreciated occasional treat for your Labrador but not something to give to him too often. Even the healthiest humans let themselves have something a little bit naughty now and again, special treats are great occasionally. But what about daily regular treats for training? Healthy Dog Treats Healthy dog treats is a an area full of shades of grey. Even amongst experts opinions are divided on what is the most healthy diet for our modern dogs. What we can do is look at the ingredients and choose those which seem to come from appropriate sources — using high quality meat and limited fillers. They contain high quality meats, with no by-products. All natural ingredients — no wheat, corn, soy, or artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. These healthy snacks for dogs are definitely designed as one-off treats, not to be used in training. However, they are fantastic for an early afternoon snack for your Labrador, or to give him a big bonus reward once a day. Just make sure to account for it in your daily food rations. Wellness WellBites Wellness Natural Pet Foods have a line of soft healthy dog treats, coming in five different flavours Labradors love. Because they are soft and fairly small, they also make great occasional treats for bouncy Labrador puppies. Containing strips of jerky, these healthy dog snacks are made in the USA with real chicken as the primary ingredient. You can also break down the jerky strips into smaller pieces, great for putting into your training treats bag. They are made in the USA, using American beef liver, smoked for 15 hours until dry, crunchy and delicious. These treats do not contain any artificial flavourings, or fillers such as corn, soy or gluten. They also have handy score lines, making them easy to break down into bite sized pieces for your dog to eat. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. These strong-smelling treats are a good option for overweight dogs as they contain less than 3 calories per treat. However, they are quite pricey. The best treats for your dog are nutritious ones, and these contain peas and sweet potatoes, which are high in iron, fiber, taurine, vitamins, and omegas. Firstly, you have to give your Lab the right type of treats according to their life stage and health issues. Some treats that are suitable for adult Labs may not be suitable for Lab puppies or senior Labs with dental issues. There is a variety of dog treats on the market, but some of them serve different purposes. Have a look at the different types of treats and their purposes. Examples are biscuits, cookies, kibbles, and bars. They can be used for overweight dogs because you can portion out how much you break off and give them. If you have a food dehydrator, you can make these treats for your dog yourself. Never give your dog these treats in their full form, as they can be a choking hazard, but chopping them up into bite-sized pieces should be safe to chew. Apples, cucumber, carrots, plain popcorn, and blueberries are some of the human food treats your dog can enjoy in moderation. Make sure that the treat you give your dog is safe to eat because some human food is poisonous to dogs while others are high in sodium, sugar, and calories which could upset their stomachs. However, a healthy Labrador Retriever can eat any of the treat types listed above due to their large size and strong teeth. In fact, the crunchy treats that might be too hard for puppies and senior Labs are a great option for adult Labs because the harder texture breaks down plaque on their teeth as they chew. However, never give your Lab a treat that is so hard that it hurts if you tap it against your elbow or knee because those are potential choking hazards. What Ingredients Are in Dog Treats? Even in treat form, you should aim to give your dog high-quality ingredients that will benefit them nutritionally. Avoid treats with fillers, lots of preservatives, and synthetic ingredients and instead, get treats that have a shorter list of uncomplicated whole-food ingredients on the packaging. Examples of good ingredients are real fruits, vegetables, and meat. We love our dogs, and you may feel like you should express your feelings about them by giving them treat after treat. Treats are great for rewarding good behavior and training, but dogs do get all the nutrients they require from their meals. If your dog is overweight, it might be better to lay off the treats for a while. Treats are given to dogs as positive reinforcement for good behavior, which means that they should never be given for bad behavior. Avoid treat giving when your dog is jumping, barking, or being disobedient. Instead, give them lots of water. She has grown up with a range of pets, volunteered at countless pet shelters, and is highly passionate about pet care. With so much information out there, Keri-Beth has made it her mission to make pet care as easy and straightforward as possible for anyone in the world. In her spare time, Keri-Beth enjoys camping, photography, and spending time with her husband, who is a professional drummer.Read more Advertisement.
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american bulldog puppies for sale miami - Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. German Shepherd puppies , like all puppies, go through a teething phase, and their biting behavior can continue until they are around 4 to 6 months old when their adult teeth have fully grown in. But how do you get German Shepherd puppies to stop biting, and when should you seek out more help? We dive into everything that you need to know here. German Shepherds are herding dogs, and as such, they love to go after anything that moves. This could be cats, kids, hands, fingers, or just about anything else. The more they get away with it, the more acceptable the behavior seems in the future. Addressing the problem early and consistently is vital. Just like babies need something to chew on when their new teeth are coming in, your German Shepherd needs something too! First, it stops when they get their adult teeth. Second, if you try to redirect them to something that they can chew on, most German Shepherd puppies are receptive. At this time, they should have all their adult teeth, which means no more teething to worry about. But at least you know the root of the problem and can start implementing the necessary strategies to address it. Instead, get them a few chew toys, bones, and other acceptable things to chew on as they teethe. You can also throw a few of these toys in the fridge or freezer to cool them down, and this will offer even more relief for your pup when they need it! While there are plenty of techniques to try, we recommend redirection and positive reinforcement. The method is simple. If and when they start chewing on the toy or other appropriate object, give them praise. German Shepherds love to please their owners, so this is typically an effective way to train your puppy. Therefore, you should have levels of concern. If they are still chewing and nipping at the 9-month mark, you should seek obedience training or talk to a vet to see what you can do. So, get on it early and often, and stick with it! Because with just a little work and dedication you can get your German Shepherd puppy to stop biting in no time. Check Price on Amazon 4. Use Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement means giving something pleasant to your German Shepherd when they perform what you want them to do so that they learn to associate the correct behavior with the reward. The more this is repeated, they will remember and do it more often. The reward is a reinforcing motivation. In the above example of redirecting your GSDs biting to a chew toy, once he accepts the toy and starts to chew or play with it, you then offer lots of enthusiastic verbal praise and reward with a treat. Again, timing is important, and this must be done instantly so that your German Shepherd will recognize or associate his behavior with the correct action. You can give other rewards, but these may be more suited to older pups, adolescent dogs, or adults. Alternatives could be giving them a special toy, playing their favorite game, such as fetch, or taking them on their favorite walk. Always use lots of verbal praise in parallel to the reward you choose. You will, no doubt, soon get to learn where your dog prefers to be pet. Go here for more guidance on where to pet your German Shepherd. This is also useful when your German Shepherd starts to put his mouth around your possessions or furniture, ready to have a good gnaw! Using a time-out can effectively discipline a German Shepherd for biting and other undesirable behaviors. A great way to do this is to grab their collar, push their bum down, and make them sit. The idea is that your German Shepherd will quickly learn to associate that the fun stops when his nipping starts! As always, timing is critical, so your pup learns what he has done wrong at the precise moment. For very young puppies, you should only put them in time-out for a few seconds, between 7 and 10, and no longer than 30 seconds. At the end of the time-out, redirect your pup back to play and use lots of verbal praise or offer a training treat for good onward behavior. You must time the click at the exact moment your pet is doing what you want to reinforce. If you quickly reward your dog with a positive experience such as a treat, he will soon learn to associate the noise of the click with great things. The idea is that you condition your German Shepherd so that when he hears the sound of the clicker, he knows he has done something to please you. In the case of puppy biting, we are simply rewarding the puppy for choosing not to bite. You can achieve this by using the distraction technique described above. When the puppy makes the right choice and starts to bite on his chew toy, he hears the click and gets his treat. Look out for other symptoms such as drooling more than usual, bad breath, loss of appetite, or sneezing. If you are consistent and patient with your methods, you will achieve great results. Be firm but fair, which also helps to strengthen the loving bond between you and your dog. It leads to fear, avoidance, hurt feelings, guilt, stress, anxiety, and lack of trust. Owners should use positive reinforcement methods as much as possible. In another year-long study by the University of Pennsylvania, researchers found that using confrontational or aversive methods to teach aggressive dogs did not work. The dogs continued to be aggressive until the training methods were changed. The same study found that punishing techniques and dominance-based training, such as hitting or kicking, growling, or yelling at your dog, can cause aggression, as stated by Meghan E. An even more recent study in companion dogs suggests that using even mild punishments like yelling and leash-jerking can stress dogs out more than dogs taught using reward-based training. This stress causes negative consequences and poorer welfare. Alpha rolling is a controversial and outdated technique that physically puts your dog on his back or side in a submissive position to show that you are dominant or the Alpha. This old-fashioned technique is a form of positive punishment and was often used to house-train pups. Many people will have used this method decades ago without success, but at the time, they believed it was the right thing to do. For a positive punishment to work, the problem is that it has to be administered during or immediately after the act within 2 -3 seconds ; otherwise, the dog will not make the connection. Sometimes puppies naturally get over-excited and overtired. When this happens, instead of using the crate as a punishment, lure him into the crate with a treat offering lots of praise and letting him go down for a nap. If you feel sorry for your German Shepherd after disciplining him, you must never reward him out of guilt. Again, this only confuses your dog. Remember to be firm but fair. While a muzzle can prevent your dog from biting, it is not a solution to the underlying behavior issue. Muzzling your German Shepherd without addressing the root cause of their biting can lead to further behavioral problems and may even make the situation worse. Is it ever too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting? It is never too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting, but it may take more time and effort to modify their behavior if the biting has become a habit. Start with identifying the root cause and then take the guidance of an expert to set boundaries and train better to eradicate unwanted behavior. Final Thoughts Puppy biting is natural in all dogs. However, you now know the importance of disciplining your German Shepherd as soon as he starts to exhibit biting, nipping, and chewing behavior and how to do it. This is especially important with the German Shepherd breed as they quickly grow into big strong dogs. That could end in disaster for all concerned. No matter what you are teaching your German Shepherd, try to train him when young; 8 weeks old is a great time to start. Make sure you properly socialize him and give him lots of exercise and training will be much easier. Related Posts You May Like:. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share! However, whilst German Shepherds tend to have good temperaments, as puppies they use their mouths to learn and will bite anything in sight. In this guide I will explain how you can overcome German Shepherd puppy biting problems, despite the challenges involved. He has never been an aggressive biter, but he would nip a lot as a puppy. Unfortunately, a lot of the biting was down to me, as I would do rough play with him and almost encourage the nipping. But, as my puppy got older, those playful nips started to hurt. Please do take all my tips in, as I believe it to be the most detailed solution you will find for stopping a German Shepherd biting that you see anywhere on the Internet. But first, why do German Shepherds puppies bite you? Most will let you know they are scared with a little bark, letting you know to keep away. If you continue to advance and upset them, the growl can then become a snap and possible bite. But, with an older and more aggressive German Shepherd, that bite could be very painful, particularly to young children. Do German Shepherds bite a lot? When German Shepherd are puppies, they do tend to do a lot of biting. Why German Shepherd puppies bite? The teething phase is when you will notice your German Shepherd puppy biting the most. Some German Shepherds will also bite a bit too enthusiastically when they are playing with you. This is a hangover from their days with their siblings where mouth play would have been used. You can stop a German Shepherd biting you when they teethe by giving them things to chew on. Image licensed via Storyblocks. You need to draw the line between biting and playing. As mentioned earlier, I would play with my own puppy and he would go for my hands with his teeth. I turned this into a game, which then became an issue as I had to train him out of it as he got older. German Shepherd puppies can also bite as a way of showing their dominance over you. Whatever the reason is for your German Shepherd puppy biting, it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. If not, you will have problems with your adult German Shepherd thinking that biting is acceptable. Also, if your German Shepherd suddenly starts biting for no obvious reason please go to the vet immediately — it could be the sign of a new illness or injury. How to stop your German Shepherd puppy from biting Here are different ways that really work if you need to know how you can stop a German Shepherd from biting as a puppy. Squeal like a puppy bite inhibition When you see puppies playing together in their litter, they will let out a tiny squealing sound when bitten by sibling. The puppy that bit will hear the squeal and then tends to back off. As German Shepherd owners we can imitate this behavior! If your German Shepherd puppy bites you and gives you a nip, make a high-pitched squeal sound. You might find your puppy seeks re-assurance and comfort, but the key is to not give it. Instead, ignore them for a few moments, for example; turn your back to them. This might sound mean but if you want your German Shepherd to stop biting it can work very well. The quicker you begin using this technique the sooner your German Shepherd will biting you and your family. All it will do is make your dog scared and could lead to more biting out of fear. I made this mistake with my own puppy, as would push him away playfully, but that just encouraged the biting more. They will want more of the play, so will bite back again. But you are training them into thinking your hands are fair game. Instead you should use chew toys for this type of play. If you can focus their attention onto a toy and not your hands, they will learn that fingers and hands are not there to be bitten. You can also see the prices by clicking the photo below. Puppies will often eat things they should not do, so you will need to hook stuff out of their mouth. You will also need to check the health of their teeth and gums. One of the best ways you can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite your fingers in their mouth is to use a treat or snack. Let them see it, and then use your fingers to pop it into their mouth and out again. Over time, they should get comfortable letting you put fingers in their mouth without biting back. Train your German Shepherd puppy to not bite over food One of the most common times a German Shepherd puppy will bite is when food is in the equation. Puppies tend to be very overprotective of food, which they learned when in the litter as they had to fight for nutrition. Unfortunately, it will be behavior that can extend to occur over their food bowl. If your German Shepherd is showing food aggression, then you need to train the puppy to learn you are in charge and can pick their bowl up and put it back down at any time — with no aggression from the dog. Handy Hint: Here are some ways you can teach your dog to not steal from the table or start begging you for food. What you do is put a bowl in front of your German Shepherd then quickly remove it again. Dog trainers tell you to do the loud squeal when the German Shepherd puppy bites you then quickly place your thumb in their mouth, pressing it underneath their tongue. You can then put a finger under the chin. Hold this position for 10 seconds if you can, but not hard enough to hurt the puppy. The German Shepherd will not like it, and it could mean they stop biting you and will learn for next time. Let your German Shepherd know you are in charge Older German Shepherds that bite will often do it to try to exert dominance over their owner. They can also bite due to jealousy, or when you tell them to do something like get off your chair or bed. You need to train your German Shepherd to realize you are the pack leader and the dominant one. Alphas like us owners, should not be bitten by pack members lower down the chain. Being assertive will help, but often simply rewarding good behavior is enough to get a dog to bend to your will. Socialise your German Shepherd puppy with other dogs Puppies will learn from each other and older dogs. We often look after puppies for our friends. Our friends will often say what a positive impact they see in their young pups after spending a day in the company of our now older dog. And that can include not as much biting. The sooner they can get used to things like this, the sooner they should learn not to bite out of fear. Keep your German Shepherd on a leash when exposing them to new things and noises. Always supervise your puppy when young children are present A German Shepherd that bites a child is a massive problem. There are also specialist animal behaviourists who can help with biting and fear aggression in German Shepherds. Something to consider though is how long your German Shepherd could be teething for. It can last up until they are 8 months of age, so biting and chewing things is to be expected during this phase. The dangers of a dog bite Adult German Shepherds that start biting can be dangerous. Whilst they are a small breed, people can get ill from infections. For example, around half of all dog bites will infect the person with bacteria, possibly leading to illness. The result is an open, jagged wound. If the wound becomes infected, it is often severe. The No. You may need hospitalization and require intravenous antibiotics. What do so when bitten by a German Shepherd If you get bitten by a German Shepherd and it leaves a bleeding wound rather than just an abrasion, take the following steps: Press down on the bite wound. This might mean that blood comes out, but that is good as it might help bacteria to come away from the wound. Use clean water and a mild soup to clean the bite wound. Use a clean cloth to press down on the bite wound again as this will help to slow and stop any bleeding. If you have it, apply antibiotic cream to the dog bite wound and then dress it with a new or sterile bandage. If serious, contact a health professional for advice. Conclusion To conclude, some of the quickest ways you can stop a German Shepherd from biting is to make sure you use positive and negative affirmations. In other words, you praise the good, and discourage the bad. Whichever method you try to use, and can be a combination, just make sure that you are consistent when training your German Shepherd puppy to not bite. Tell your friends and family to use the same methods too if they have contact with the puppy. Ultimately, unless you a clear and obvious to your German Shepherd, the puppy will not understand that his biting behavior is a bad thing. You need to take the role of the pack leader. You might also like…. Since puppies lack the dexterity that you and I have, they use their mouths to explore the world around them. By understanding the behavior of biting itself, you can begin to see just how normal biting is in German Shepherd puppies. Just because biting is a normal behavior in a puppy does not mean we should tolerate it or promote it. Since biting is a form of communication for German Shepherd puppies, there are many things our puppies could be trying to say! So why do Shepherd pups bite? Puppies often communicate with their siblings through biting and pawing, especially when they are trying to incite a play session. Your pup may gnaw on your hand as if it were a chew toy, especially when you are a moving target. Puppies play and bite their siblings from the moment they are old enough to do so. This is why the behavior is so common, and why our Shepherd pupswill need to learn how to transition to playing with appropriate chewing options. Not only are our hands and feet tempting enough, but even more so when a puppy has a high prey drive. A prey drive is an ingrained need to chase after moving objects, whether it is appropriate or not. A swinging hand as we walk by can be extremely tempting for a growing pup, causing them to jump up and nip. If it seems like your Shepherd puppy is always biting you when you are in motion, it may be due to their high prey drive! They Are Curious As we mentioned above, German Shepherd puppies use their mouth to explore the world around them. Biting can help them examine and understand an object, and our hands and feet can fall into that category as well! If you catch your puppy gnawing on everything around your home, it may be their curiosity getting the best of them! A dog quickly learns what behavior gets a reaction, causing them to do it over and over again. Even if their bites result in a negative reaction from you, it still counts as attention. They Are Teething Similar to teething babies, a German Shepherd puppy experiences teething pain as well. If your Shepherd pup seems to find relief when chewing on objects, they may be biting you due to teething discomfort. They Are Herding You If your German Shepherd puppy is constantly biting at your ankles, they may be displaying some herding behaviors. German Shepherds are ingrained with a need to work, especially in dogs with a working bloodline. If your German Shepherd is always nipping at your feet, running to your side when you are moving, or showing signs of anxiety or frustration when you are moving around your home; it may be herding behavior. So how can you stop this normal puppy behavior? Redirect The Behavior One of the most effective ways to stop your German Shepherd puppy from biting is by redirecting the behavior. An effective distraction is a wonderful way to end the behavior without punishment, and show them how much fun the alternative to biting can be. The next time your Shepherd pup is displaying undesirable nipping, try to pull out their favorite toy. Since this will need to be a toy that your dog enjoys, be sure to offer them the option that they find most exciting. This can be a Kong toy , rope, bone, or any other chewing option that your dog loves. By doing this each time your Shepherd puppy begins to bite you, they will begin to understand that they would much rather play with an acceptable chew option. Having a variety of chew toys can alleviate their need to bite our hands and feet, and offer them the relief they seek in this uncomfortable transition. There are so many toys created for teething puppies, that it should be easy to fill your home with plenty of appropriate options. One of our favorite chew toys is the Kong Teething Binkie. Any attention can validate the behavior, causing them to make it a habit. This shows them that the behavior is unacceptable, and does not involve any harmful negative reinforcement. Our attention is important to a puppy, and they do not want to be ignored. By showing them that biting will only result in us pulling away, they will learn to ditch the undesirable behavior. Interrupt The Behavior Sometimes a Shepherd puppy needs a sharp and sudden sound to pull them out of a bad habit. By giving a quick interrupter cue ouch, yip, eek , you can pull your puppy away from the action and gain their attention. Because of this, it is so important to offer plenty of mental and physical activities throughout your home. For example, if your puppy nips at strangers each time they walk in the door, it may be best to limit their time around the guest and send them to a separate play area. Once they begin to understand that biting is unacceptable, you can refrain from using their separate play area as often. Similar to what we discussed above about being proactive, a separate play area can help them calm down and collect themselves. Once your German Shepherd puppy begins to mature and understand that biting is unacceptable, they should require less time away. Just as there are effective methods in canine training, there are counterproductive actions as well. Do Not Hit Or Yell Since biting is a normal behavior that puppies must learn to grow out of, it is not productive to hit or yell at your puppy when they bite. Doing this can show them from a young age that interaction with you results in something negative, and can hinder your training process. By using other distractions and training methods when they bite, you can turn every bite into a learning experience for your pup! This can seem like a fun game to your pup, and can actually encourage the behavior. Try your best to go limp when they bite you, and pull your attention away from the pup. By doing this, you show them that this behavior does not offer them any extra fun. Extra attention can validate their undesirable behavior, making it challenging to break. Try your best to refrain from reacting to a bite outside of your interrupter cue, and pull your attention away from your furry friend afterward. Biting is a normal behavior in puppies of all kinds. Puppies begin to bite their siblings from the moment they can move, and will continue this behavior until they learn otherwise. A biting German Shepherd puppy is to be expected, and should not result in any discouragement on your part. As long as you are following the tips we mentioned above, your puppy should shy away from this behavior in no time! Biting in puppies is not usually a sign of aggression. Mild biting is usually a form of play, and should be easily corrected. However, there are some rare cases where biting in German Shepherd puppies is a sign of something more. If your pup is displaying any snarling, growling, ears pinned back, stiff posture, or any other signs of canine aggression, your pup may be biting in reaction to fear or pain. If you are unable to make any progress within a month of implementing the tips we discussed above, it may be time to contact a dog trainer. A trainer can not only help your pup refrain from biting, but offer other obedience training as well. Final Thoughts As you can see, biting is a normal behavior for our beloved German Shepherd puppies. Be sure to review the tips we discussed above on proper canine training, and you can banish puppy biting for good! Hopefully, we will have the answers to all of your questions in this guide. But, all that cuteness quickly disappears when the biting phase starts. Puppy biting is normal in all breeds, including the German Shepherd. And, luckily, we have some great tips and tricks to minimize the painful biting period. In fact, it could have a number of causes. Here are a few of the most common reasons, in a little more detail. Teething One reason why puppies of all breeds may bite is teething. This stage often starts at around 3 or 4 months of age — only a few weeks after your puppy will arrive at their new home. Luckily, it only takes a few months for your puppy to have their full set of adult teeth. So, biting from teething is not permanent. If your puppy is biting or chewing because of teething, you may notice other symptoms like drooling, irritability, and going off their food. Boredom or Getting Attention Bored puppies may learn that biting gets some fun responses from you! Just like barking can. If your puppy has learnt that they can get some attention from you when they bite, they may do it to alleviate boredom. This can explain why puppies concentrate most of their biting on one family member — the person who gives the most fun response. Natural Play Biting is a natural part of puppy play — as much as some owners might not want to hear it! German Shepherd puppies, just like any other breed, will bite whilst they are playing with you or with other dogs. If this behavior continues into adulthood, the biting can be more problematic. Responding to Rough Play Some people like to play with German Shepherd puppies in quite a rough manner. This can include pushing them, or rolling them over. Behaviors like this can make puppies very excitable, and encourage biting during play. Encourage calm play between your family members or friends and your puppy. Herding Instincts The German Shepherd breed has a history as a herding dog. The creator of the breed, Captain Max von Stephanitz, bred the German Shepherd in an attempt to create the ultimate all-round herding breed. This was all the way back in the late s. Although the history of the breed has changed over time, from herding to working dog, their origins remain the same. Many herding dogs are prone to natural chase instincts. They may chase small children or other animals — particularly those that are making lots of noise. And, these herding behaviors can include nipping at heels. Once again, your behavior can minimize biting from this cause. Exploration Another common explanation for young German Shepherd biting is their natural curiosity. And, they may do this partly with their mouths. What you really want to know is, when will it stop? However, you can minimize the period by making a few easy changes to your behavior when biting occurs. The best ways to stop puppy biting and minimize the biting period are training and prevention. This means training your puppy to be gentle with you and other people, and taking away opportunities for your excited puppy to bite humans. You may need to go as far as to completely separate your GSD puppy from small children and people who insist on rough play with puppies. We know that this can only encourage biting. Remove Yourself Calmly If your puppy starts to bite you, during play or any other time, the best solution is to calmly and quietly remove yourself. You can use tools like baby gates to keep your German Shepherd in a puppy-safe room. In fact — your puppy will learn that biting during play or cuddles only results in you leaving, and them ending up on their own! Not only will this help to show your puppy that biting is not an acceptable part of playtime, but it can also help your own sanity to remove yourself from those sharp teeth occasionally. Think About Clothing You should also think about the type of clothing you wear around your puppy. Loose, hanging clothing can be appealing to your puppy, and provide something easy to grip on with their sharp teeth. Wear tight fitting clothing to minimize the number of things your puppy can bite at. Use Distractions If you, or young children in your household, are keen to pet your puppy without being bitten, you should make the most of distractions like treats or toys. You can hold a chew for your puppy to keep their attention and mouth distracted whilst someone pets them! Often, puppy owners only think about biting whilst their puppy is actively gnawing on them. One method is to reward them with treats when you are petting them and they are not biting you. Another is to reward them for calm behavior around the house. This way they learn that acting calmly and letting you touch them without biting will earn them good things! One popular method to stop puppy biting is to squeal, squeak, growl, or make another loud noise. Some people claim that this method replicates natural puppy play and tells your GSD when they are being too rough. For some owners, this may work. If this is the case, making a noise when your puppy bites will act as a reward, and encourage your German Shepherd puppy to bite you even more. This is one reason why puppies biting children is so common. Many children will make lots of noise, especially if a puppy bites them, which can lead to further nipping. This is similar to the method above, if used alone. This is why training has to be done in small stages — first you must teach the puppy what action you want, and then you can give the action a name, or command. Punishment Methods The best methods to stop your puppy from biting involve positive rewards for the behaviors you want. Studies on dog training and behavior have shown that punishment based methods are often associated with an increase of problematic behaviors. Punishing your puppy for biting can lead to distrust and fear from your puppy. The causes of puppy biting that we looked at earlier in this guide apply to all GSD puppies. In fact, they apply to all puppies of any breed. Biting and chewing is a normal puppy behavior, and a normal part of play. As long as you react to this behavior in the right way, it is a period that will pass. The biggest fear for most German Shepherd puppy owners is that their puppy is aggressive when it bites. German Shepherd puppy biting can be accompanied by ferocious growls or snarls. It can even draw blood. So are behaviors like snarling and growling. And, if your puppy is biting hard enough to injure you, they may not have learnt proper bite inhibition yet. This is the process where your puppy learns to be gentle with his teeth on your skin. The positive reward methods we discussed earlier in this guide are the best way to teach your puppy bite inhibition. Remove yourself calmly and quietly whenever your puppy bites. And make sure to reward any calm behavior — including when your puppy lets you pet it without biting. Speak to a Behaviorist If you think your puppy is exhibiting aggressive behaviors, such as guarding their resources, you may want to speak to a behaviorist. They will be able to look at your puppy as an individual case, and analyse their behavior properly. Do Adult German Shepherds Bite? The German Shepherd breed is known for being aggressive in some circumstances — they make popular guard dogs, and are number one candidates for working dog roles in the police and military.