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Red Blue The Labrahuahua will usually take on the coloration of the Labrador retriever parent over that of its Chihuahua parent. Chihuahuas can have natural markings such as a jacket, brindle, or spots. While it is rare for a Labrahuahua to have markings, you may come across a Lab Chihuahua mix that displays the markings of its Chihuahua parents. This means the Chihuahua genes are strong. Labrahuahuas notably have the thick, rounded ears similar to the Labrador retriever parent rather than the thinner pointy ears of the Chihuahua. The Labrahuahua is full of life, energy, and most importantly love. These dogs adore their humans and will do anything for a good, long snuggle any opportunity they get. They are incredibly affectionate with the people they are comfortable with. Labrahuahuas are wary of strangers and may bark quite a lot at them initially. However, as they get used to each other, the Labrahuahua will warm up to strangers quickly and go looking for love and cuddles. Unfortunately, the flip side of this is your Labrahuahua can be very needy and suffer when they are left alone for any period of time. You will need to put routines and training in place to avoid the onset of social anxiety in your Labrahuahua. The Chihuahua does not get along with other dog breeds or pets but will get along well with others of its own kind. The Labrador retriever gets along with just about anything that moves. Fortunately, the Labrahuahua does get along with other dogs provided it is socialized properly. Labrahuahuas are excellent companions for children. They are small and are therefore not intimidating, but they are not as dainty and snappy as Chihuahuas are. Labrahuahuas adore children and the endless fun they can provide through games, cuddles, and dropped snacks. Just like all other dog breeds and hybrid breeds, Labrahuahuas need individualized care. A careful look at the needs of Chihuahuas and Labrador retrievers can help you understand why your Labrahuahua needs the care it does. Grooming Owning a dog is a privilege, grooming that precious ball of fluff is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Coat Labrahuahuas have short coats; however, they are also fairly thick and dense. This means they need frequent brushing to loosen up the hair and prevent it from becoming compacted. Brushing them once a week should be sufficient. Labrahuahuas shed seasonally and will need additional brushing during their shedding time. If they are not being brushed often enough, they will become itchy and may develop sores on their bodies from scratching, or compacted fur pulling on the skin. A silicone brush can be used to gently grab the loose hair in the coat and massage the skin at the same time to promote healthy oil production. A deshedding brush is handy to use as well as it will help your Labrahuahua shed during their seasonal shedding time. Your Labrahuahua will need a bath every three to four months, depending on how dirty they get and how frequently you keep up with their grooming. Nails On top of all the brushing and bathing, your Labrahuahua may need its nails trimmed once every three months to keep them short, functional, and healthy. This may increase in frequency as your Labrahuahua gets older and is less active. Teeth The last item on the grooming list is teeth brushing. Chihuahuas frequently suffer from periodontal disease because of the small size of their skulls. Exercise Labrador retrievers and Chihuahuas are both active dogs that need a lot of physical exercise. Your Labrahuahua needs one hour of exercise a day broken up into three minute sessions. Exercise can come in the form of running around, going on hikes, playing games, training, and doing obstacle courses. Labrahuahuas are fairly clever dogs. Both parent breeds are intelligent and need a substantial amount of stimulation everyday to prevent them from becoming bored. Nutrition Chihuahuas and Labrador retrievers need different kinds of nutrition owing to the difference in the size and needs of their bodies. However, supplying your Labrahuahua with a healthy, well-rounded , balanced diet is fairly simple. Check out our article dedicated to the 10 best natural dog foods. The Labrahuahua has a few health issues to be concerned about and these come from the parent breeds. However, Labrahuahuas will be healthier than either parent as they are more genetically diverse because they are a hybrid breed. The major health concerns you should be aware of are luxating patellas, elbow and hip dysplasia, eye issues, and heart conditions. Patella luxation is common in Chihuahuas and other smaller dog breeds. If your Labrahuahua is on the smaller side, this could be a problem. Labrador retrievers frequently suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia as do many other large dog breeds. If your Labrahuahua is on the larger side, this could be a potential problem. Entropion is an eye disease. Labrahuahuas are likely to suffer from entropion as both parent breeds commonly suffer from it. Like entropion, both parent breeds often suffer from heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy and mitral valve disease. Therefore, this is a common problem seen in Labrahuahuas. The best way to protect your Labrahuahua is by being proactive with yearly vet visits. Taking your dog to the vet every year is a necessity as they need vaccine boosters and yearly physical check-ups. Your vet will be able to tell you if anything is wrong as your dog ages. This is because the process of breeding is a lot more hands-on and breeders involved than other hybrid dog breeds, such as a Chiweenie, where both parent breeds are small. Before purchasing your Labrahuahua from a breeder, make sure you do your homework on the breeder. There are many backyard breeders or puppy mills that have very poor breeding practices and pass themselves off as reputable breeders. You should be able to go and meet the breeder, view their breeding stock, and meet the puppies before you purchase your puppy from them. Look for online reviews or even speak to previous customers. Can I find Labrahuahuas at an animal shelter? Do Labrahuahuas get along with other pets? Fortunately, Labrahuahuas take after their Labrador retriever parent in this regard. Labrahuahuas get along fairly well with other household pets such as cats, other dogs, and even large reptiles. It is important to socialize and train your Labrahuahua from an early age as to what is and what is not appropriate behavior around your other pets to ensure a happy home life and harmony among all your furry, feathered, and scaly friends. Will my Labrahuahua bark a lot? Labradors do their fair share of barking when trying to alert their owners to something they see, hear, or smell. Unfortunately, the Labrahuahua can go either way in terms of barking frequency. Check out our article dedicated to correcting bad barking behavior to help you keep your Labrahuahua from bothering the neighbors at all hours. As a hybrid dog, the Labrahuahua can land anywhere on the spectrum between either of its parent breeds. This is a guide on the average Labrahuahua, always remember that hybrids are unique and will be different in personality and looks, even among puppies from the same litter. Labrahuahua Shedding Labradors are notoriously shedding machines, and Chihuahuas aren't much better. So if you're looking for a low-maintenance dog with minimal shedding, a Labrahuahua is probably not the right breed for you. If you decide to get a Labrahuahua, you'll have to deal with shedding, but it's nothing you can't handle. After all, shedding is just a natural part of owning a dog. Just like you have to vacuum your floors and lint-roll your clothes, you'll have to brush your Labrador Chihuahua mix regularly. It's really not that big of a deal, and it's certainly not enough to deter you from owning one of these amazing dogs. Chihuahua Lab mixes are not hypoallergenic. Labrahuahua Health Chihuahua Lab mixes typically have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. While Labrador Chihuahua mixes may inherit some of their physical and behavioral traits from their parent breeds, they also inherit the same health issues. Patellar Luxation Patellar luxation is a condition that can affect medium-small breeds of dogs, such as Chihuahuas Lab mixes. The patella, or knee cap, is normally held in place by a combination of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. However, in some dogs, the patella is misaligned and it slips out of place, which often causes pain and lameness in the affected leg. Patellar luxation typically occurs in both hind legs, but it can also affect the front legs. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to realign the patella and prevent further luxation. Entropion Entropion is a condition that affects the eye, causing the eyelid to fold inward. This can be uncomfortable for the Chihuahua Lab mix, as it can lead to irritation of the eye. In severe cases, entropion can even lead to blindness. Chihuahua Labrador mixes are particularly susceptible to this condition, as they often have loose skin around their eyes. The best way to prevent entropion is to ensure that the dog's face is clean and free of debris. If the condition does develop, it can often be treated with surgery. Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle. It can lead to an enlarged heart, which can then cause heart failure. Cardiomyopathy is a serious condition that can be fatal, and it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms so that you can get your dog treatment as soon as possible. Labradors Chihuahua mixes are particularly prone to cardiomyopathy, so it is important to be vigilant if you have this breed. Some of the signs that your dog may be developing cardiomyopathy include exercise intolerance, coughing, and difficulty breathing. How to find a Chihuahua Labrador Mix? You can get a Labrador Chihuahua mix through a breeder or a rescue. Breeder How do you find a reputable breeder that sells Labrahuahuas? Start your search by researching local breeders in your area, asking for referrals from friends or contacting a Chihuahua or Labrador Retriever club. Be sure to ask potential breeders about their experience and history with breeding Labrahuahuas, as well as their approach to raising and socializing puppies. Although finding a labrahuahua may require some patience and persistence, the end result of a loving and loyal companion will be well worth it. Rescue While Labrahuahuas may not be the easiest breed to come across, you can often find them through a rescue organization. Start by searching online for rescue groups that specialize in toy breeds or Labrador retrievers. Don't be afraid to reach out and inquire about any Labrahuahuas they may have available for adoption. By adopting one of these special pups, you not only give them a second chance at a happy life but also gain a loving companion for years to come. To understand this crossbreed better, we need to look at the history of its parent breeds. We will keep referring to the characteristics of these parent breeds throughout the article. It'll help us get a sense of where this hybrid comes from and what to expect from them. Chihuahua Chihuahua descends from the ancient Techichi dog, which was a slightly larger breed. People of Toltec civilization in Mexico are thought to use Techichi for companionship and ceremonial purposes. Americans discovered Chihuahua in the mids in Chihuahua, Mexico , and the AKC registered it under the "toy" group in .Their original breeding purpose is unknown, but they're used as companion dogs these days. Chihuahuas are small pups that weigh no more than six pounds. However, their attitude is that of a giant dog. They can be stubborn and difficult to control at times. If you don't train them properly when they're young, these dogs will happily rule your house. Labrador Labrador Retriever descends from the extinct St. John's water dog, a companion of fishermen. Early Labs used to swim in icy waters to retrieve fish and haul boats in Newfoundland, Canada. They were first brought to England in the s, and the AKC registered them under the "sporting" group in .Labrador has been the most popular breed in the United States for the last 29 years. This is because they are very loving, happy, loyal, and friendly. These highly energetic puppies are also very intelligent and love to exercise. They also love to swim, run, and play fetch. Appearance In terms of size and appearance, Labs and Chihuahuas are opposite ends of the spectrum. Labs are large-sized dogs, .Naturally, when we cross these two breeds, the results can vary greatly. The puppy may look more like a Lab or a Chihuahua. Chihuahua-Lab Mixes are bigger than a Chihuahua but smaller than a Labrador. Breeders have observed that they are usually 10 to 22 inches 25 to 56 cm tall and weigh between 25 to 60 pounds 11 to 27 kg. The males are typically bigger than the females, as with any dog breed. Overall, you can expect a small-to-medium-sized dog that looks like a mini Labrador. This is because the dog will probably inherit short legs and a skinny body from his Chihuahua parent. The mix will likely have his Lab parent's athletic body and thick tail. From Chihuahua, he may inherit a round face and big eyes. His large triangle ears will stand straight like a Chihuahua but will drop down at the end like his Lab parent. Of course, there may be variations like fully erect ears, long and narrow face, and smaller eyes. We've only discussed the characteristics found in most Chihuahua-Lab Mixes; yours may look like a giant Chihuahua rather than a miniature Labrador. Mixing breeds is like rolling a dice: you may get any number between one and six. Temperament Like their appearance, Labrahuahuas' temperament can be hard to predict. They can be loving and friendly like Labradors or skeptical and aloof like Chihuahuas. These dogs will likely bark at strangers, but their Lab instincts will help them become friends once everything feels okay. They are very affectionate, and they love to snuggle in your lap and bombard you with kisses. Labrahuahuas can also be very needy. They may want your full attention all the time. This is because we've combined Labrador's friendliness and devotion with Chihuahua's separation anxiety. If you're going to bring a Labrahuahua, be prepared to have him follow around the house. The point here is that these dogs must only live with families that can provide them the time and attention they need. Many of Chihuahua's aggressive traits can be controlled with proper training and socialization during puppyhood. While training, you'll need to show them that you're the boss, and they must listen to you. This will make sure your pet is more comfortable around strangers and doesn't embarrass you by acting against your commands. Coat and Colors Labradors have a thick, dense double coat that is of short to medium length. This double coat isolates their skin from water, helping them swim in freezing water for long periods. They are available in a couple of colors like black, yellow, white, and chocolate. On the other hand, Chihuahuas can have either a short-haired coat or a long-haired one. Fluffy coat is also common among this breed. They are available in many more colors than Labradors, such as white, black, chocolate, cream, fawn, and many more. They also have eleven official markings, including red, blue, black, white, merle, etc. You can read more about Chihuahua's color combinations on AKC. Coming to Labrahuahuas, they will usually have a single thick coat of short to medium length. Their coat texture can be either straight or wiry, and they come in various colors like black, brown, yellow, white, and red. Your mix will likely have a solid color. But he can also inherit a mixture of spots and colors like his Chihuahua parent. Grooming Needs How often your Labrahuahua pup needs grooming will depend entirely on which parent breed they favor in terms of fur. Both Chihuahua and Labrador have shed moderately throughout the year , so odds are, Labrahuahuas will also shed similarly. If they have a short coat, they'll obviously need less brushing than if their hair is longer. In any case, brushing them at least once a week is a good idea. You'll also need to clean their ears regularly to prevent ear infections from developing. Brushing their teeth and gums two to three times a week will keep them clean and avoid tartar buildup. You can also do it daily if you notice bad breath. Lastly, you have to trim their nails once every two weeks or once every month. Exercise Like Labradors, Labrahuahuas are very energetic dogs. They'll need about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily to stay content. Without their daily dose of physical activity, they will get bored and restless. They will then begin targeting your furniture with their strong Labrador jaws. All that energy has to be released somewhere, right? For this reason, only families that can devote lots of time should adopt Labrahuahuas. As we've said, these dogs love attention and cannot be left alone. They would prefer large homes with backyards, but they can also adjust to apartments, thanks to their small size. Note that if you have an apartment, you'll need to give him a lot more exercise to keep him from getting bored and destructive. Labrahuahuas will not be content with the same exercise over and over again. They're very smart, so you'll need to mix things up to keep them interested and engaged. Jogging, retrieving, playing, long walks, and running are some things they love. We've discussed that Labs were first bred to swim in icy waters, which means your Labrahuahua will also love paddling through the water. Don't think of bringing this breed into your home unless you can give him plenty of time daily. Training Labradors are intelligent dogs that are always eager to please their masters. We're combining that with the stubbornness and independence of Chihuahua. So it should be fairly easy to train your Labrahuahua, but he will likely ignore you every now and then. You'll need to be very patient with him and take baby steps in his training. As with all breeds, the positive reinforcement method yields the best results. However, a more formalized training process is essential in helping your dog reach it's maximum potential. One method I recommend is using an online dog training program. This eliminates the inconvenience of having to travel for weekend training, and is significantly more affordable. Check out my Recommended Products page for more information. Early socialization is indispensable as it'll help him become a family pet and behave well around children. Socialization is required for all dog breeds, but it is especially vital for snappy breeds like Chihuahua. Exploring new objects, dogs, and people will build his confidence and teach him how to be a good pup. Crate training is also essential for Labrahuahuas because they're likely to get anxious when you're not around. Health Labrahuahuas have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. These dogs are generally relatively healthy, and their medical bills won't be a burden on you. However, they may sometimes acquire genetic diseases from either parent, especially if the breeder is not careful. Knowing what to look out for can help you prevent these congenital deformities in these dogs. So here are the major health concerns of Labrahuahuas: Patellar Luxation: This is a condition in which your pet's kneecap moves out of its place, causing lameness in the dog. It is prevalent among small dogs. Many toy or small breeds, including Chihuahuas, are genetically predisposed to patellar luxation. Entropion: This is an eye disorder in which the dog's eyelids roll inward. It causes pain, corneal ulcers, and interferes with the dog's vision. Your pet will have to go through surgery if he suffers from entropion. Cardiomyopathy: It is one of the most common heart diseases in canines. In this disease, the dog's heart muscles wear thin and degenerate. Although this disease is often diagnosed in giant and large breeds, it is partly genetic, which means it can be passed on from parent dogs to their children. It would be best to consult your veterinarian regarding the best diet for your Labrahuahua. The vet will give you the best advice regarding this matter after examining your dog. Don't serve your dog lots of high-calcium and high-energy food as it can lead to orthopedic diseases. Labrahuahuas can become overweight very quickly, and obese dogs attract a host of diseases. Labradors are known to be voracious eaters, and if your Labrahuahua inherits his Lab parent's appetite, he'll be a food fanatic. This means you will have to monitor the amount of food your pet eats. Feeding him little and often will be the safest option, so you may have to feed him at least three times a day. You must also give your pet enough time after eating to digest the food properly. Avoid leaving any food in the bowl for free eating, and enforce a strict exercise schedule. It plays a significant role in keeping your dog in shape. Start by looking for this breed in your local rescue shelters. They may or may not have one available for adoption right away. You can talk to the staff, and they might be able to point you in the right direction. Once you've searched local shelters, it's time to look into dedicated breed rescue organizations. American Lab Rescue and Chihuahua Rescue are excellent websites to start with. These guys take care of and rehome mixed breeds, and you'll probably find what you're looking for. Here are some other sites you can head over to:. Chihuahuador Description The Labrahuahua is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Chihuahua and the Labrador Retriever. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. I got her from the animal shelter when she was 8 weeks old, and she is now a year old. She is very smart, friendly, playful, and loyal. She loves to snuggle, and chase a tennis ball this is how she gets most of her exercise, she does need to run. She does many tricks for bites of cheese. My favorite trick is that she whispers! She plays with her squeaky toys a lot! She has a wonderful temperament, mostly relaxed but she can get a little nervous and excited at times around some people, dogs, and in the car. She weighs 35 lbs. She makes my heart smile every day! He is very well behaved. He loves to play fetch with his toys or cuddle under a blanket with me. Never would I have thought a yellow lab and a 5lbs Chihuahua could've made a puppy nonetheless one as cute as him. Neiko is extremely smart he was potty trained at only 6 weeks old! His colors are from the dad Chihuahua but his actually features are definitely all from the gorgeous Lab. At 5-months-old he weighed 49lbs. I'm so curious as to how big he will get. I never would've believed it was true until I met his amazing previous owners who let me see both the mom and dad. They said it was definitely an accident and both were very surprised since they had both of the dogs for years. He has brought so much joy into me and my husbands life. Bedtime on our bed is his favorite time! As a mixed breed, it is impossible to predict the looks and temperament of a Labrahuahua puppy. Especially when the parent breeds are as different as this. But, the parent breeds can still be a great guide. You can expect your Chihuahua Lab mix to be somewhere in between the sizes of its two parents. But read on to prepare for every eventuality before bringing one of these breeds home. Have you heard of the Labrahuahua—the Chihuahua and Labrador Retriever mix? This mixed breed is rare. It can only result from artificially inseminating a female Labrador with sperm from a male Chihuahua. As you might imagine, a female Chihuahua physically cannot birth Labrador mix puppies! Besides the breeding process, are there any other challenges with the Chihuahua Lab mix? This article examines both of the parent breeds to see how they might combine. Chihuahua Lab Mix History Mixing breeds for best traits of each has become more common in the past few decades. As well as mixing traits, designer breeders think mixing genes may prevent health issues that occur in some breeds. Both sides bring up good points. There are pros and cons to purebred and mixed dogs. The history of the Chihuahua Lab mix is not well-established. Perhaps there are valid reasons that the Labrahuahua comes in for criticism. It makes this improbable combo something of a spectacle. Chihuahua History Chihuahuas are descendants of a slightly larger, indigenous dog that was known as the Techichi. Techichi were used as hunters, companions, and for ceremonial reasons by the Toltec people. They lived in what is now Mexico. Artifacts featuring Techichi date back to BC. Over centuries, Techichi were bred to be smaller. In the s, Americans visiting the state of Chihuahua, Mexico fell in love with the breed. Although the breed did not technically originate there. They retrieved nets from chilly waters and hauled fish carts on the Canadian island of Newfoundland. Once in England, hunters used Labradors as waterfowl retrievers. Did You Know…. Chihuahuas are the national dog of Mexico. Many celebrities have had Chihuahua pets. Labradors have been voted the favorite dog breed in America for 28 years in a row. Labrador Retrievers are descendants of the now extinct St. You may end up with a more Chihuahua-like or more Labrador-like mixed pup. Size is the most obvious difference between these two breeds. Chihuahuas often do not stand more than 8 inches tall or weigh more than 6 pounds. On the other hand, Labs stand .A Chihuahua Lab mix will be smaller than a Lab but larger than a Chihuahua. You can expect a small- to medium-sized dog. This mix will likely have the athletic, proportioned body of a Lab. Its ears will be triangular but can be upright or floppy. Chihuahua x Lab Coats Labs have a short, dense coat. But, Chihuahuas either have soft short or long hair. It might be fine and soft like a Chihuahua, or coarse and almost greasy like a Lab. Lab coloration is chocolate, black, or yellow. Some have white markings. Chihuahua coloration varies widely. From white, blue, red, black, brindle, and more. Popular colorations include tricolor, black, white, and fawn. Chihuahua Lab Mix Personality Mixes inherit personality traits from either parent. Socialization and training are a must to foster desired traits and prevent unwanted behaviors. As one of the U. But they can have a lot of energy! Chihuahuas are small dogs with big egos! Unfortunately, Chihuahuas are known to be aggressive. Including family members. A Chihuahua Lab mix may inherit this tendency to aggression. Training and socialization at a young age can help curb this. But, it is something to keep in mind when bringing a Chihuahua mixed breed into a home with small children and other animals. In general, a Labrahuahua will be a mix of confidence, liveliness, and loyalty. Chihuahua Lab Mix Training Beginning training and socialization at a young age is important to any dog breed. Will a Labrahuahua be easy to train? Labs are very intelligent and trainable. Chihuahuas are also very smart. But they are somewhat stubborn. If your Labrahuahua has some of this stubbornness, it may be challenging to train. Potty training can be difficult with small dogs like Chihuahuas. Consistent training using positive reinforcement is key to successful training with this mix. Our Online Training Guides will help you with this process. Both parent breeds are active and playful. So a Labrahuahua will need regular exercise and playtime. If it is smaller in size, use caution with the amount and type of exercise you choose for your Chihuahua Lab mix. Chihuahua Lab Mix Health Mixed breed dogs may inherit illnesses from their parents. Some breeds also have health issues related to their size or conformation. The Lab and Chihuahua breeds are both considered relatively healthy. A healthy and well cared for Labrahuahua may live 10 to 16 years. But, there is still a risk that a Lab Chihuahua mix might develop health problems during its lifetime. Some health issues can be screened or tested for. Here are some of the common health issues with each parent breed. Chihuahua Health Issues As such a small breed, Chihuahuas are prone to several health issues including: impacted teeth. Size: Small to medium depending on the parents Coat: Thick single coat Colors: Black, yellow, brown, white, and red History Of The Labrahuahua As the Chihuahua-Lab mix is such a recent hybrid, the history of the Labrahuahua is still unclear. It is suggested that the hybrid came about in the s when designer breeds were becoming popular. Chihuahua History The history of Chihuahuas is mysterious, but historians have suggested that the breed descends from the pre-Columbian dog, the ancient Techichi. The Techichi dog was slightly larger than modern-day Chihuahuas, and people owned these dogs as companions. Americans discovered the Chihuahua we know today in the mids in the city of Chihuahua in Mexico. During the s, Mexican merchants started to sell the Chihuahua dog to tourists who took them home as pets. The name of the dog was unclear at this point, so they were often given the name of the state they were seen in. For a while, the Chihuahua was known as the Arizona dog and the Mexico dog. Nowadays, Chihuahuas are a popular small breed for their spunky and hilarious personality. While they might only weigh less than six pounds, they certainly make up for their size in attitude. Labrador History The Labrador was bred in the s by European settlers who wanted to create the perfect dog for hunting and water purposes. For the last 30 years, the Labrador has become possibly the most popular dog breed in the world. This breed is known for its loveable, loyal, and affectionate nature. They are energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise , and they are brilliant swimmers. Labrahuahua Appearance Trying to picture a Chihuahua-Lab mix is almost like trying to picture a mix between a giraffe and a lion. While it might seem impossible to mix the two together, almost purely for the size difference, it is actually possible. It does seem odd, though. As with all designer hybrids, no two Labrahuahuas will look the same. When you breed two dogs together, the result will look more like one than the other. Labrahuahuas are smaller than Labradors, and bigger than Chihuahuas. The males are usually bigger than the females as with most dog breeds , and breeders claim that the hybrid ranges from cm tall and kg heavy. It all mostly depends on the size of the parents. In most cases, you can expect a Labrahuahua to have a slim build and slightly shorter legs. It might have a muscular build with a pointed face and large, round eyes. Each Labrahuahua will look different from the next, but the general appearance is a dog that inherits characteristics from both parents. Some Labrahuahua owners have observed that their dog looks more like a large Chihuahua, while others have said their dog looks more like a small Labrador. There is no way of telling what the puppy will grow to look like! In most cases, the temperament of the dog will be mostly unpredictable. Labrahuahuas are very needy dogs. This is because Labradors are notoriously friendly and love cuddles, and Chihuahuas are prone to separation anxiety. This means that they will need constant attention, otherwise, they might become destructive from boredom and anxiety. One of the downsides of Chihuahuas is that they can be aggressive when not trained properly. These aggressive traits can be easily controlled by early and constant training for the Labrahuahua from a young age. They will need regular socializing and a firm hand to make them know that you are the boss though the Chihuahua in them will sometimes disagree! Image Source: harrisinthehills Instagram Labrahuahua Coat: Colors And Texture Chihuahuas are either long-haired or short-haired dogs that can come in a variety of colors, markings, and color combinations. The colors their coats come in include fawn, cream, white, black, chocolate, and more. The colors of this coat are black, white, yellow, and chocolate. The coat of a Labrahuahua will vary depending on the parentage, but generally speaking, Chihuahua-Lab mixes have a single thick coat that is short to medium in length. The texture of the coat is either wired or straight, and it usually comes in the main colors of black, white, brown, yellow, and red. The dog might have some Chihuahua-like markings if the parent exhibited them. Grooming A Labrahuahua Labrahuahuas are moderate shedders, which means owners need to get used to frequent vacuuming and grooming. Generally speaking, Labrahuahuas should be brushed once a week. This is to promote healthy shedding by brushing out their old hair to allow new hair to grow. The same goes for bathing, as frequent bathing will prevent more shedding. Labradors are exposed to ear infections due to their floppy ears. Similarly, their nails need to be observed to see if they need a trim. In most cases, you should vary their walks so they can naturally trim their nails on hard surfaces like concrete. Feeding them dry food is a good step towards this, but you might want to stock up on dental chews and cleaning equipment to prevent tartar or plaque buildup. You should clean their teeth times a week. Labrahuahua Exercise Because of the Labrador parentage, Labrahuahuas are energetic dogs that need frequent exercise. These dogs should get at least minutes of exercise a day. If a Labrahuahua does not meet these exercise requirements daily, they can become destructive in the house. Furniture and shoes will be bitten and torn, they will try to eat dog and human food lying around, and they might urinate or defecate in the house to make a point. To prevent this chaotic restlessness, Labrahuahuas must belong to a family or household that can accommodate their needs. They can adjust to apartments due to their size, but they do best in houses with yards to run around in. In terms of the type of exercise, Labrahuahuas will become bored from doing the same exercise daily. One day, go to the park. The next day, go to the beach. Make sure to bring balls and toys to allow them to run around a play fetch, and even take them on the occasional run! As Labradors are water dogs, your Labrahuahua will love to go swimming. Training A Labrahuahua While Labrahuahuas are intelligent dogs, this intelligence can lead to stubbornness. With the personality traits of both Chihuahuas and Labradors, training your dog is likely to be unpredictable. Some days, the dog will be eager to please. The next day, the dog will ignore you. You just have to be patient and consistent with training the dog from a young age. There are plenty of ways to train a dog to your liking. If you find yourself struggling with training, try to take yourself and your dog to a professional trainer. Group classes are great because they will teach your dog both how to socialize and how to ignore other dogs when you give it a command. Instead, please their Labrador instincts by praising them with a lot of cuddles. With practice and time, your Labrahuahua will remember its training for life! Socializing your dog from a young age is essential for all dog breeds. While Labrahuahuas have the friendly attributes of their Labrador mum, the Chihuahua father attributes will make it somewhat unpredictable. To prevent your dog from becoming stubborn, aloof, and potentially snappy, you must socialize it with other dogs, animals, and humans from when it is a puppy. These dogs are needy and can be prone to social anxiety, so you must teach them that you will return when you leave the house. Training them with a positive association to a crate will prevent them from getting destructive around the house, and will also stop them from fearing the crate. Image Source: harrisinthehills Instagram Labrahuahua Health Risks Labrahuahuas can live between years and are generally healthy dogs. However, there are some genetic health risks that they are predisposed to because of their parents. Not only this, but your breeder should give you medical information about the parents so you are aware of possible vet bills in the future. Weight Gain Labradors are notorious eaters. They are prone to weight gain as they lack a gene that tells them to stop eating. To prevent injuries from weight gain, such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disease that is common amongst all dogs — especially large breeds. This disease is where the heart muscles begin to wear down and thin. This is a genetic disease, which should be noted in medical information by the breeder. PatellarLuxation Small dogs like Chihuahuas are predisposed to patellar luxation. This is a condition where the kneecaps can move out of place, resulting in lameness. Small dogs are prone to this due to how often they jump onto couches and beds. Weight gain can contribute to this, too. Eye Issues Eye problems like cataracts and entropion where the eyelids roll inward are common in most dogs. Labrahuahua Nutrition Each Labrahuahua will have different nutritional requirements, which is why it is important to follow the guidelines set out by a vet. They should eat little and often with enough time to digest the food before or after they exercise. The key to a good nutritional diet for Chihuahua-Lab mixes is to avoid carbs like the plague. High-protein and low-carb kibble is ideal, as this will suit their energy levels without promoting weight gain. You should avoid artificial fillers and stick to all-natural ingredients, as this is the healthiest option for your dog. As this is a rare hybrid, you need to keep an eye on local rescue centers to see if you get lucky. If you cannot find a Labrahuahua in a rescue center, the next option is to find a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders should willingly give you all the necessary documentation, such as medical histories of the parents, proof of licensing, etc. Yes, you can mix a Labrador with a Chihuahua! The safest way to do this is by artificial insemination. How big will a Chihuahua Lab mix get? Generally speaking, a Chihuahua-Lab mix will reach cm tall. It all depends on the size of the parents, as you might be mixing a large Chihuahua with a small Labrador. A Chihuahua-Lab mix will look like a small Labrador with pointy ears, a slightly pointed face, large eyes, short legs, and a slim build. Final Words There you have it, the ultimate guide to the Labrahuahua! As you now know, the Chihuahua-Lab mix is a unique hybrid that comes with little information. With proper training and care, a Labrahuahua can be a wonderful companion for a family. These dogs are friendly and affectionate, but they require a lot of patience and attention to accommodate for their bouts of aloofness and ignorance. The perfect household for a Labrahuahua is one that can provide minutes of exercise daily, consistent obedience training, and a lot of cuddles!

Their coat is distinctively different from even the lightest fawn colors, being almost white with a bit of yellow in it. Cream Frenchies have no markings on any part of their bodies, so it is considered a solid color. Their nose, lips, and paw pads may be pink or a somewhat darker almost black color, and in rare cases, they may have forever blue eyes. When it comes to grooming and care, Cream French Bulldogs are relatively low-maintenance. Like all French Bulldogs, Cream Frenchies are known for their affectionate and playful nature. They are excellent companions for families, couples, and individuals alike, and are especially good with children. Training Cream French Bulldogs can be a breeze if you use positive reinforcement methods. These dogs are intelligent and eager to please, and they respond well to rewards-based training. Socialization is also important, as with any breed, to ensure that your Cream Frenchie is friendly and well-behaved around other dogs and people. Always do your research and choose a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs. While the price of a Cream French Bulldog may be steep, the joy and love they bring to your life are priceless. Why should you buy from a responsible breeder? Buying a Cream French Bulldog from a responsible breeder is important for several reasons. Firstly, responsible breeders like Tomkings Puppies prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs. We perform health checks and genetic testing to ensure that our breeding dogs are free of any genetic diseases or health issues that could be passed down to their offspring. We also provide proper care, socialization, and training to our puppies, which can help prevent behavioral issues in the future. Secondly, responsible breeders have a deep understanding of the breed and are knowledgeable about its unique traits and characteristics. We provide valuable advice and guidance to new owners, which can help ensure that the dog is well-cared for and happy in its new home. Lastly, buying from a responsible breeder helps to support ethical breeding practices and discourage puppy mills and other forms of unethical breeding. Puppy mills prioritize profit over the health and well-being of their dogs and often subject them to inhumane living conditions. By choosing a responsible breeder like Tomkings, you can help support ethical breeding practices and contribute to the betterment of the breed. Overall, buying a Cream French Bulldog from a responsible breeder is not only a responsible decision, but it can also help ensure that you have a happy and healthy companion for many years to come. We are knowledgeable about the unique traits and characteristics of French Bulldogs and can provide valuable advice and guidance to new owners. We also have a strong reputation within the French Bulldog community and have received positive reviews from many satisfied customers. Tomkings is committed to responsible breeding practices We are dedicated to producing high-quality French Bulldogs with desirable traits and characteristics. We carefully select our breeding dogs based on health, temperament, and conformation to breed standards. We also prioritize proper socialization and training for our puppies to ensure that they are well-adjusted and ready for their new homes. TomKings offers a health guarantee and lifetime support to their puppy owners We offer a one-year health guarantee on all of our puppies. This can help provide peace of mind to new owners. We also offer lifetime support to new puppy owners, which includes advice and guidance on training, behavior, and other issues related to owning a French Bulldog. All Fawn Frenchies have a fairly uniform coloring although some of the lighter tan Frenchies often have darker tinting on their backs and heads and fawn Frenchies do not have any brindling. Stoic is a gorgeous red fawn boy look at that head. Click on pictures to enlarge and to view full images. Astrid now known as Honey is a beautiful light fawn in which we proudly co-own with family. Jordan is an adorable medium colored fawn that is like a golden color. Shaq is a beautiful light fawn. Tyler is a stunning red fawn. Bracken is a beautiful red fawn female. Trenton is an adorable golden fawn color boy. Click on pictures to enlarge and to view full images of Hope. Porky is a precious red fawn boy. Look at all those yummy rolls! Click on pictures to enlarge and to view full images of Porky. Buckwheat is such a sweet little fawn boy. He has a very short back like his daddy, Little Rascal. Click on pictures to enlarge and to view full images of Buckwheat. Kennedy is a beautiful red fawn girl who looks so much like her handsome daddy, Rascal, and has his nice short body as well. Click on pictures to enlarge and to view full images of Kennedy.

Not only was bull-baiting considered entertaining, but many believed baiting the bull before killing it made the meat tastier and more nutritious. The cruel sport of bull-baiting remained widely popular until it was outlawed in , which nearly resulted in the extinction of the breed. Those who admired Bulldogs rescued the breed by carefully choosing those of distinct physical characteristics, not those with ferocious tendencies. In fact, the characteristics that make the English Bulldog a breed apart have also, unfortunately, resulted in an extremely unhealthy phenotype. The extreme brachycephalic skull type, heavy body, and wide chest and forequarters have resulted in breathing difficulties, heat intolerance, inability to whelp naturally, and a number of other debilitating ailments that plague this wonderful breed. Today, many organizations are out to save the English Bulldog breed by adjusting stringent breed standards that reward physical extremes such as a flat head profile to be less punishing and extreme. By allowing the English Bulldog to have a muzzle and less wide forequarter, the dogs are better able to tolerate heat, whelp naturally, breath better, and generally enjoy a better quality of life. No other breed is more deserving than the English Bulldog. Responsible breeders are on board with the newer style of conformation, which, ironically, is more in line with how the Bulldog originally appeared. CKC encourages all who know and love the English Bulldog to read the English Bulldog standard and strive to apply it to their dogs and breeding stock. Females: pounds. Height Males: inches. Females: inches. At the time, the English Bulldog was a far cry from what they looking for, with their many health issues and lowered quality of life. The closest they could get to their ideal dog were the old type bulldogs of the American South that had once lived in the area some years prior. Altman and his contemporaries set out to recreate the bulldogs that once dominated the Southeast United States. They crossed the English Bulldog to the White English Bulldog for generations until the dogs they produced were breeding true to the desired type. This resulted in the creation of the dog they had sought, one that was striking in appearance and physical strength, with far fewer health problems and greater tolerances than the English Bulldog. These dogs also possessed a lovely temperament, being gentle and loving with family and discerning of friends and foes. In , the Continental Kennel Club officially recognized Mr. While the Altman White English Bulldog is a lesser-known bulldog breed today, they are a family favorite among those who know and love them. Breed Characteristics Head: The skull is somewhat brachycephalic in type, medium to large in size, broad, and square. It should always be proportionately to the rest of the body, never so large as to hinder natural whelping. In profile, the head should never appear flat-faced. From the stop to the occiput, the head is high and broad with well-muscled temples and cheeks. From the front, the plane of the skull appears flat and not rounded. A median furrow starting at the stop and running toward the occiput may be visible. Extreme brachycephalic skull types lacking a muzzle or dogs with a completely flat facial profile are incorrect. Wrinkling on the head and face should not be excessive to allow for a neat and clean appearance. Eyes: Eyes are medium in size and may be somewhat round, open oval, open almond, or lemon-shaped, set wide apart and approximately level with the stop. The eyes exhibit a fair amount of skull above and between one another. The eyes should appear far from the ears in profile and when viewed from the front. Ears: Small to medium in size, set high on the skull, and well apart. The ears may be drop-shaped or rose. They are never long, overly large, or broken. The ears may be cropped short, but natural ears are preferred. Muzzle: Short, broad, deep, and full. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are wide, have good bone substance, and appear strong and well-developed, never snipey or weak. There should be enough muzzle length for the nose to protrude and allow easy breathing and prevention of the soft palate from extending into the airways of the throat. The lower jaw is strongly developed and curved slightly upwards. The underjaw should never appear overly protrusive, and teeth and tongue must be completely concealed when the mouth is closed. Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. The nostrils are well-opened. Neck: Moderate length and powerfully muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. A very slight dewlap may or may not be present. Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. Body: Compact, solid, and good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. Feet: Oval to round, compact with well-arched toes and tough pads. Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as an elegant extension of the spine. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail may be left natural preferred or docked short. Natural tails are of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. They may be straight, gently curved, or pump-handled. Docked tails are short and only a few vertebrae long. Movement: The Altman White English Bulldog is capable of smooth, effortless, efficient, and energetic movement in all climates and terrain. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws neither moving in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the center line of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring. Temperament: The Altman White English Bulldogs are loved by their people for their devotion and their strong attachment to their families. Just like the bulldogs of the Old South, they are protective watchdogs alerting to the slightest disturbance. They are also known to be less tolerant of other dogs, so strict socialization and early training are a requirement for the breed. They are intelligent and capable of learning many tricks and disciplines. They are also quite capable of many physically demanding tasks, such as agility and weight pulling. While friendly, devoted, and great with children, these dogs are known to be indifferent or aloof toward strangers. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed. The ideal body height-to-length ratio is .The body is substantial and powerfully muscled, with medium-heavy bone. However, the Altman should never be so substantial to appear heavy, cloddy, incapable of work, or lacking in stamina and agility, yet never so light as to appear racy or lacking in power. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. Male and female weights are always proportionate to height. The weight of males and females is always proportionate to height. Head General Appearance: The skull is somewhat brachycephalic in type, medium to large in size, broad, and square. Expression: Capable, dignified, intelligent, watchful, and alert. Stop: The stop is definite, preferably forming a degree angle between the topskull and muzzle. Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is , with the topskull being just longer than the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is convergent. Lips or Flews: The lips or flews are thick, wide, and deep. They conceal the lower jaw without extending well below it. Cheeks: The cheeks are well-muscled and broad but never overly protrusive. Flat, smooth, or chiseled cheeks are incorrect. Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized. Body and Tail General Description: Compact, solid, and good substance. Topline: Level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The topline is never swayed or roached. Croup: Gently sloped. Underline: It is without tuck-up. The underline runs parallel to the topline. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight. Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided. Forequarters and Hindquarters Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm. Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle and bone, and parallel to one another. A slight inclination inward is not a fault as long as they are straight. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns. Pasterns: Never weak or broken. Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of good bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns. Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. Coat Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog. Coat Type: Short, smooth, close, coarse, gleaming, stiff to the touch, with or without slight feathering on the back of hindlegs. Coat Color or Pattern: All coat colors and patterns are equally permissible. Movement The Altman White English Bulldog is capable of smooth, effortless, efficient, and energetic movement in all climates and terrain. Temperament The Altman White English Bulldogs are loved by their people for their devotion and their strong attachment to their families. Faults All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles. Dog Fact 18 According to folklore, Chinese emperors would keep Pekingese dogs in their clothes and use them as deterrents against attackers when necessary. It was also said that the emperor would choose four Pekingese to become loyal bodyguards. Contact Us. Females: pounds. Height Males: inches. Females: inches. Not only was bull-baiting considered entertaining, but many believed baiting the bull before killing made the meat tastier and more nutritious. The cruel sport of bull-baiting remained widely popular until it was outlawed in , nearly resulting in the breed's extinction. Those who admired Bulldogs rescued the breed by carefully choosing those with distinct physical characteristics, not those with ferocious tendencies. In fact, the characteristics that make the English Bulldog a breed apart have also resulted in an extremely unhealthy phenotype. The extreme brachycephalic skull type, heavy body, and wide chest and forequarters have resulted in breathing difficulties, heat intolerance, inability to whelp naturally, and a number of other debilitating ailments that plague this wonderful breed. Today, many organizations are out to save the English Bulldog breed by adjusting stringent breed standards that reward physical extremes such as a flat head profile to be less punishing and extreme. Allowing the English Bulldog to have a muzzle and less wide forequarters allows the dog to tolerate heat, whelp naturally, breathe better, and enjoy a better quality of life. No other breed is more deserving than the English Bulldog. Responsible breeders are on board with the newer conformation style, which, ironically, is more in line with how the Bulldog originally appeared. CKC encourages all who know and love the English Bulldog to read the English Bulldog standard and strive to apply it to their dogs and breeding stock. Breed Characteristics Head: Somewhat brachycephalic skull-type, moderate in size, broad, square, and substantial. It should always be in proportion to the rest of the body, never so large as to hinder the natural whelping process. In profile, the head should never appear flat-faced. From the stop to the occiput, the head is high and well-muscled as opposed to elongated and narrow. From the front, the plane of the skull appears flat and not rounded. The cheeks and temporalis areas are well-muscled and filled, giving breadth and depth to the head. Extreme brachycephalic skull types lacking a discernible muzzle or exhibiting a completely flat profile are incorrect. Wrinkling on the head and face should not be excessive to allow for a neat and clean appearance, with the head appearing overall neat and rather clean-cut. The head may exhibit some minimal wrinkling, but never in excess or with exaggeration. A clean, minimally wrinkled head is preferred. Eyes: Eyes are medium in size and may be open almond, slightly rounded, or lemon-shaped. They are set well apart. The eyes exhibit a fair amount of skull above and between one another. They should appear far from the ears in profile and when viewed from the front. Eyelids should be sufficiently tight as to avoid exposing haw, inner membranes, third eyelids, or whites. The eyes should never appear sunken, bulged, or overly droopy. Ears: Set wide apart, yet high on the head. They are small in size, thin, and may be buttoned, tulip, or rose. The ears should appear to have sufficient distance from the eyes from any angle. Ears should never be carried erect or cropped. Muzzle: The muzzle is broad, deep, full, and short. The upper and lower jaws are broad and have good bone substance. There should be enough muzzle length to allow the nose to protrude for easy breathing and prevent the soft palate from extending into the airways of the throat. The lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper jaw and somewhat turned up, giving the English Bulldog a slight pouting appearance when viewed from the front and giving the muzzle a rounded profile; however, the lower jaw should never protrude beyond the break of the lips. The teeth and tongue must be completely concealed when the mouth is closed. Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black or self-colored according to the coat in non-standard color varieties. The nostrils are well-opened. The nostrils should never be narrow or closed. Neck: Broad, of a moderate length to allow for proud head carriage, and powerfully muscled, with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is fairly clean-cut, but somewhat loose skin or a very slight dewlap may be present. Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows preferred but may drop just below. Body: Compact, deep, solid, and of good substance and strong bone. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Front feet may be slightly toed-out. Tail: Set low on the croup, thick at the base, and tapering toward the tip. The tail may be short to medium in length and straight, pump-handled, or gently curved, or it may be curled over the back in a loose or tight single or double curl. Preference is given to straight, curved, and pump-handled tails. Inverted tails, corkscrew tails, and kinked tails are extremely undesirable and potentially unhealthy. Docked tails that can hide such faults are not preferred. Movement: The English Bulldog should demonstrate movement that is capable, powerful, effortless, and efficient; all of the characteristics that one would expect to see in a dog once used to apprehend livestock. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the center line of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring. Temperament: A true English gentleman, the English Bulldog is renowned for their noble, calm, yet amiable character. Any fearful or unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed. The body is somewhat off-square to slightly rectangular in proportions, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body height-to-length ratio is between and .The body is well-put-together, with sturdy substance and solid bone. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of a male or female is always in proportion to height. The English Bulldog recognized by the Continental Kennel Club is a capable and healthy dog without extremes in breed type. Head General Appearance: Somewhat brachycephalic skull-type, moderate in size, broad, square, and substantial. Expression: Regal, capable, alert, and intelligent. Stop: The stop is definite, preferably forming a degree angle between the topskull and muzzle. Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between and , with the topskull being longer than the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is convergent. Lips or Flews: The lips are wide and thick, yet rather clean and well-fit. They just conceal the lower jaw without extending well below the lower jawline. Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and well-filled. The protrusion of the cheeks should extend to or beyond the corner of the eyes. The cheeks should never appear chiseled or flat. Some minimal wrinkling around the cheek, extending from the outer corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth, may be present. Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, reverse-scissor, or slightly undershot. Contact preferred between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth as a result of routine work are not to be penalized. Body and Tail General Description: Compact, deep, solid, and of good substance and strong bone. Topline: Straight and level from slightly prominent withers to croup or may be just slightly arched at the loin. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, slightly arched, and yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached. Croup: May be flat and level with the topline or gently sloped preferred. Underline: A slight tuck-up is present or the underline may run parallel to the topline. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight. Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided. Forequarters and Hindquarters Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm. NOTE: The shoulders and elbows should never be loose or so broad that they appear disproportionate or like a person's shoulders. Loose elbows detract from agility and stamina, causing the dog to work harder to move them properly. Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to or greater than the distance from the elbows to the ground. Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, strong bone, and parallel to one another. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns. Pasterns: Never weak or broken. Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of strong bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns. Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. Coat Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog. Coat Type: Short, close, glossy, fine, and straight without feathering, fringing, or waves. Standard coat color variety: Solid white, solid colors in various shades of fallow to light tan to red, various brindles, fawn, and smut, all with or without white markings piebald. Non-standard coat color variety: Black, liver, blue, all with or without tan or brindle points, all with or without white markings piebald. Movement The English Bulldog should demonstrate movement that is capable, powerful, effortless, and efficient; all of the characteristics that one would expect to see in a dog once used to apprehend livestock. Temperament A true English gentleman, the English Bulldog is renowned for their noble, calm, yet amiable character. Faults All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles. Find a Puppy.

Little boy reverse brindle with a black mask and white stripe on nose. Comet Found his forever home Home: Gallery Just a few of the wonderful families who love our puppies. We had a boxer that we bought from a breeder in our area but they were no longer breeding. We wanted to make sure that our puppy would be healthy and not inbred. There were many boxers available in our area, but they were not from recommended breeders. We were one of the first people to call about the puppies and they were only a couple days old. Shannon was a big help in picking out our little girl, Kaiyah. We had to decide mainly from pictures since we live 3 hours away. We went to see her and put our deposit down a week later. Shannon was able to answer any questions we had and the puppies were very well cared for. The Mother and Father were both there for us to meet and were well mannered. When we got her home and took her to the vet, he was very pleased. He raves about her every time she is there and tells us what a beautiful boxer she is. He wanted to know where we got her and told us that the breeders did a very good job. The Duncan family I have been a Boxer lover for 24 years. Needless to say, it took awhile to think about getting another addition to our family. My other boxer girl was so lonely we decided to start looking for a brother for her. My husband came across Shannon's name in the paper, so we checked out her website. I immediately fell in love with a male, by the time I called he was already picked by another gentleman. So with careful thought we took the ride to see the other male, to our delight we got to meet Shannon, Jack and Tesla and Reyes, what beautiful dogs, when we met our male it was destiny, he high fived my husband, we were sold. Another reason I knew we were taking Jaxson is Shannon was very knowledgeable about this wonderful breed, and she had both parents and puppies on organic food, that was very important to me, as knowing the breed the way I do, I know they thrive on the better foods. So time will tell. Thank you Shannon for keeping this wonderful breed alive, we will keep in touch forever. I wanted a puppy that came from a loving home where the parents were family pets. I found lots of puppies that appealed to me in looks, but for 1 reason or another, did not feel comfortable with the breeder. When we arrived for our visit, we met the parents of the puppies; both were beautiful, friendly, well cared for, family dogs. She is absolutely the best dog! From the moment we left with her, she never cried or whined at being separated from her Mom or littermates. I think she knew she was with her family! She loves nothing more than being where we are. Shelby is a happy, healthy, funny, beautiful, energetic girl who brings joy to our lives every day. Orchard Park is 3 hours away, but was well worth the trip! I would definitely contact Shannon again when we are ready for another boxer baby! If not, here is the form! Get a bite of what is happening at WCBR, our dogs, our amazing adopters and all the incredible people that keep this rescue going! Email Address Woot Woo! We will never keep you chained or leashed to our list. You can run free at anytime, unsubscribe at the bottom of any emails you receive. We are so excited to have you in the fun! His love and compassion for Boxers was felt by those who had the pleasure of spending time with him. Ken loved sports and spending time with friends. He also collected sports memorabilia and other collectibles like Hot Wheels. He truly loved Milo, featured in the the photo with him. Every time we received a message from him he included a picture of him and Milo. He never gave up hope that some treatment would be the ultimate cure. He worked as long as he could and made his journey to the light in late June. His weakened system just couldn't fight any longer. He will be deeply missed by WCBR, and we wish his family peace with his loss. Thank you to so many who have donated to WCBR in his memory. Ken will forever be in our hearts. We need your help. The number of Boxers being surrendered by families and in the shelters is overwhelming. We continue to receive owner surrenders a week, along with multiple pleas from surrounding shelters for Boxers in need. So many Boxer are coming from families that are no longer able to financially care for them, just don't want them, many are dealing with illness or the Boxer's pet parent has passed away, and many just are moving. Without the funding or foster homes, sadly we have to turn away these surrenders. Please Foster, Fund or be a Forever Home. Exercises Grooming From ancient Germany precisely around the 19th century had the now extinct mastiff breed Bullenbeisser and bulldogs brought in from England. At the time of their arrival, they served as hunting dogs for bears, deer, and other ferocious beasts, it would capture the prey with the help of its awesome teeth and detain it until the hunter arrives. And in the first boxer standard club was launched with a comprehensive document that is still in use today. Shortly after, the breed made its way into other European countries and got into the U. S in the late 19th century with the American Kennel Club taking registration of its first boxer around .During the first world war, boxers played the role of a military dog as a pack-carrier, a guard dog, and an attack dog, later they were taken home by the soldiers and got introduced into the domestic world as a show dog, best companion, and a reliable guard. One with so much life, energetic, curious, attentive, active, smart, sociable and incredible fun with children is the boxer, they are also known to be very patient and highly protective of their family members making them the love and desire of many homes. As active dogs, they need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally fit, apparently having a mind of its own, you will find your boxer entertain itself by digging the ground often, chewing, and licking the mouth to beat boredom. They are also very stubborn in character which makes them a terrible choice for first-timers with dogs, they are generally a bit difficult with adult dogs including dogs of a similar breed but friendly with puppies. They usually do not bark unless there is a genuine reason behind it but they love to growl. If you have occupied home with people around all the time or you want a canine buddy the whole time, then a boxer is just the perfect breed to get. Being a highly active dog, they dread loneliness and they can cope finely in both a house and an apartment as long as you provide it with enough room and spaces for exercises and activities. What you must have is a large yard if you are living in a house for it to dig the ground and run around as it likes. And more so, if you are given to being away from home most of the time, getting a boxer may not be the best for you and the dog, because they usually get aggressive when left alone. Boxers are known as loud snorers and they drool greatly too. Boxers are playful and very energetic dogs as such regular exercises are part of a good canine relationship, especially a breed of this sort. Your boxer should be allowed to play in a fenced area and on-leashed since it is likely to jump and leap around in excitement. This puts a boxer as a bad choice for a frail owner as they may find it a tad impossible and daunting keeping up with its excessive activity demands. Being a breed with a short and thin coat its grooming demands are quite easy and little, all it needs is a light brushing of the hair twice every week to maintain its good and gleeful looks. Bathing should be a once in a while since boxers are generally clean dogs and its nails, be trimmed once every month or as often as they grow worn on surfaces, its teeth should also be brushed daily to avoid tartar formation and other dental crises. Our Boxer puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Frequently Asked Questions Are Boxers good family pets? Yes, boxers are particularly fond of their family members especially when goodly trained. Are Boxers trainable? Though the boxers can be a little headstrong, they are very intelligent and with a proper training environment, they respond well. Are Boxers friendly with kids? They are very fond of children and they love playing games with them. Are Boxers friendly with other animals? Boxers are naturally patient with puppies, pooches and small animals but a bit unaccommodating of adult dogs and other animals. Are Boxers good apartment dogs? They can live anywhere you make as a home all you need is to provide it with enough space for exercise. How is Boxers shedding? Given the shortness of their coat, they shed minimally and occasionally, you can also regulate the shedding by frequent brushing of their coat. Are Boxers good for first-time owners? Not quite, as their exercise needs are way too high for their inexperienced hands. Are Boxers loud barkers? But growling is a thing they do most. Are Boxers tolerable to heat and cold? All they need is moderate exposure to heat and cold because of their thin fur body. How long can Boxers live? The average life-span of boxers is 10 years Are you interested in purchasing a Boxer? 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Height: 26 inches Ratio: .This should give you their height. For example, 26 inches times 0. Using the other example, .Since each dog is going to be different, you need to look at their overall body condition rather than a weight range. Fortunately, there are body conditioning charts that you can use to figure out if your German Shepherd is at their ideal weight. Just look at them from the side and from above, feeling for ribs and pelvic bones when necessary. Younger dogs will also typically be on the thin side before they fully fill out as adults. Years of line breeding has produced several distinct types of Shepherds. Show dogs are known for a sloped back in which the back legs are shorter than the front. This unnatural formation can cause back and hip problems along with an abnormal gait. German Shepherds bred for show will also be thinner than their hardworking cousins. As you can see in this picture, this is a show-bred German Shepherd with an obvious curved back and short back legs. Working dogs, on the other hand, are bred for a sturdy, straight back so they can work long hours without getting sore. They tend to be thicker than show dogs and will, therefore, weigh more, even at the same height. As you can see in this picture, this dog has a straighter back and longer back legs, so it has been bred for working. Something else I wanted to mention here is that, according to some sources, Black German Shepherds are larger than their bi-colored cousins, despite being otherwise the same. So, if you have one of these rare and beautiful creatures, you can follow the same charts that were listed above. If your German Shepherd is diagnosed by a veterinarian as underweight or overweight for their age, then the first thing you should do is ask him or her to help you figure out the underlying cause of the problem. This will determine what should be done next. Do you have a giant German Shepherd? What about a tiny one? Comment below to tell us more about it! About Alexandra Animalso I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. American German shepherds have straighter backs then German shepherds. If you have a german shepherd and their lineages are close to their German roots they will have that arch in their back. Though they typically only average nine to thirteen years, those years can be very memorable and special to dog and owner. Along the way, there are several German Shepherd growth stages that they will encounter including several fun and exciting breakthroughs. They will go through many different levels of development stacking up in inches and packing on the pounds. German Shepherd Growth Stages: This article will cover in detail, all of the month-to-month growth stages including their size from 1 month old to 3-year-old. It will also include important milestones along the way. This is the puppy portion of the German Shepherd growth stages and these cute little fur balls are beginning their journey into the new world. They are independent, spry and ready to explore! They are starting to grow but stand no taller than half a foot. Cuteness Factor: Through the roof! Height: Male: 4 — 6 in 11 — 16 cm Female: 3 — 6 in 8 — 14 cm Weight: Male: 5. They stand up for the first time. They start exploring independently and playing. Bowel movements are partially controlled. Light barking and growling begin. Puppy teeth should be filling in. This is a good time to introduce them to some kibble. They may or may not be interested. Month 2: Socialization Growth Stage Once the fuzz balls reach month 2, they start socializing more with other animals and people. This is also the time that their little chompers should be complete. They have grown up a little but still remain under a foot tall. Cuteness Factor: Just look at my ears! Height: Male: 7 — 9 in 17 — 22 cm Female: 6 — 9 in 14 — 22 cm Weight: Male: 16 — 20 lbs 6 — 9 kg Female: 11 — 17 lbs 5 — 7. They start to bond with animals and people. Their mental development starts to speed up. Fear reaction begins. They are typically ready to find their forever home. Food: Weaning should be wrapping up at this age. They should transition to a diet of puppy kibble. One and a half cups total three times a day is recommended but stick to a solid schedule. Vaccines: Puppy should have distemper and parvovirus by this time. Teething will be in full force at month 3 and their adult canines and incisors will start to push through. Those cute little fluffy ears may start to go up and down. They will start to lose their puppy coat and you may notice a racing stripe on the spine where the adult hair is starting to grow in. At this point they have almost made it to the height of a standard ruler. Cuteness Factor: Equal to fluffy pillows! Height: Male: 9 — 11 in 23 — 27 cm Female: 8 — 10 in 20 — 25 cm Weight: Male: 22 — 30 lbs 10 — 14 kg Female: 17 — 26 lbs 8 — 12 kg Milestones: Ears begin to stand up. Teething stage begins and continues for several months. Lots of biting and chewing ensures. Potty training and socialization should be consistent. Puppy fuzz begins to be replaced with adult double coat of fur. Food: Two cups of puppy kibble total three times a day is recommended. Vaccines: DHPP which includes distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are recommended. Month 4: At this point GSDs will be very playful and getting into some trouble. They have left puppy hood and become adolescents. Multiple skills will be developing as they learn, socialize and train. Height: Male: 11 — 14 in 29 — 35 cm Female: 10 — 12 in 26 — 31 cm Weight: Male: 35 — 40 lbs 16 — 18 kg Female: 31 — 35 lbs 14 — 16 kg Milestones: Ears continue to perk up. Teething continues as adult teeth come in. They continue to play and explore everything around them. Training continues as they constantly learn. Food: Puppy should continue to eat two cups of kibble total three times per day. Vaccines: DHPP and rabies are recommended. Month 5: At 5 months of age, they are still growing fast and should have gained close to 10 pounds. They are still in the juvenile stage and have plenty of energy to go around. They are looking much more like an adult but still have that puppy spirit. Ears may have perked up at this point. Cuteness Factor: Cute as pumpkin pie! Height: Male: 14 — 16 in 35 — 40 cm Female: 12 — 14 in 31 — 36 cm Weight: Male: 40 — 49 lbs 18 — 22 kg Female: 35 — 44 lbs 16 — 20 kg Milestones: Ears may be standing up. Adult features are filling out. They are at least half of their adult size. They are still teething. Sexual maturity begins to emerge. Food: Juvenile should still be eating around two cups total three times a day. Month 6: Adolescent Growth Stage At 6 months old, they are making their way into the adolescent part of the German Shepherd growth stages. They will be starting to get into their sexual maturity stage which will last until they are around two years old. Hormones will kick in and males will begin to mark their territory and look for females to mate with. Females may go into heat for the first time. Their adult coat should be completely grown in but it could take a bit longer. Cuteness Factor: Equivalent to a teddy bear! Height: Male: 16 — 18 in 41 — 46 cm Female: 15 — 17 in 37 — 42 cm Weight: Male: 49 — 57 lbs 22 — 26 kg Female: 44 — 49 lbs 20 — 22 kg Milestones: Ears should be standing up. Adult features are more filled out. They are sexually active and will begin marking their territory and roaming for mates. Teething should be close to finished and all 42 of their adult teeth should be almost grown. Full adult double coat of fur should be present. Food: Adolescent should be eating around two to three cups total two times a day. Month 7: At 7 months old , a German Shepherd should be well developed cognitively. Their sexual maturity continues, and your leg may just become their next mate. Some aggression may be present as their hormones go up and down. Their weight gain begins to slow down for the first time only adding around 5 pounds from the previous month. They are looking much more like an adult dog. Aggression and sexual maturity continue. Teething should be close to finished. Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day. They are still maturing and could still be aggressive and bark or lunge at other dogs, kids or people. This behavior must be reined in with the proper training. Teaching them new tricks is a great way to curb their aggression. Cuteness Factor: Still able to melt your heart! Height: Male: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Female: 18 — 20 in 45 — 50 cm Weight: Male: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Female: 53 — 57 lbs 24 — 26 kg Milestones: Ears should be well formed and perky. They continue to transition into adulthood. They are still maturing, and aggressive behavior may be present. Teething should be finished, and all of their adult teeth should be grown. Month 9: At 9 months old, German Shepherds have reached most of their milestones. They should be sporting a full set of 42 adult chompers and some nice big perky ears. They are still maturing sexually and could be exhibiting aggressive behaviors, but training should be in full force. Cuteness Factor: Not puppy cute but still irresistible! Height: Male: 21 — 23 in 54 — 59 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 64 — 71 lbs 29 — 32 kg Female: 55 — 60 lbs 25 — 27 kg Milestones: They are still growing but only gaining a few pounds a month now. Month By 10 months of age, GSDs are still trucking along in the adolescent stage. They will still be acting like teenagers and may be getting into some trouble. Although clever and smart they will sometimes act clumsy and goofy. They are still learning and should be in training. Cuteness Factor: Cute and nutty like peanut butter! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 73 lbs 30 — 33 kg Female: 57 — 62 lbs 26 — 28 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Month Moving into month 11, German Shepherds are becoming more and more adult but may be stubborn. They may start to challenge their owner with respect to leadership. They need to know that you are in charge and that they must respect your commands. Training and reinforcement is crucial during this time period. Cuteness Factor: Cute enough to get out of trouble! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 57 — 62 cm Female: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 75 lbs 30 — 34 kg Female: 60 — 64 lbs 27 — 29 kg Milestones: They are still growing slowly. Month 1 year old German Shepherds are moving out of the puppy phase of the German Shepherd growth stages and into adulthood. By now they have most likely formed a strong bond with their owner. They may still misbehave occasionally but proper training should be paying off. Food: Adolescent should transition to adult food and be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: DHPP, rabies are recommended. Year 1. They are getting closer to sexual maturity. Cuteness Factor: Furry and plushness overload! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 55 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 79 lbs 32 — 36 kg Female: 60 — 66 lbs 27 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Food: Adolescent should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Year 2: At 2 years old, they should be well along in their journey to adulthood. With the proper training and socialization, they should be transforming into the alert, confident, courageous, loving and loyal German Shepherd companion that makes them so popular among dog owners. They are pretty much full grown at this point with only a few more pounds to pack onto their athletic frame. Cuteness Factor: Perfectly precious! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 57 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 84 lbs 32 — 38 kg Female: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but almost full grown. Vaccines: DHPP is recommended. Year 3: Adult Growth Stage Your German Shepherd is finally an adult with all of the beautiful characteristics and traits that people admire. They have reached physical and sexual maturity and are ready to brave the new world. Consistent training should have payed off. They should be calm and well disciplined. Height: Male: 24 — 26 in 60 — 65 cm Female: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Weight: Male: 79 — 88 lbs 36 — 40 kg Female: 66 — 70 lbs 28 — 32 kg Milestones: They are done growing. They have matured physically and sexually. Food: Full grown adult should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: Rabies is recommended and can be required by law depending on your state. A full grown adult German Shepherd will stand approximately 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 70 and 88 pounds on average. However, some German Shepherds will get bigger even getting over a pounds. Hopefully your GSD is in the correct range. Keep an eye out for any deficiencies during their growth. These German Shepherd growth stages should help you determine all of the proper measurements to make sure they are right on track in their development. Each stage in their maturation is important. Remember to give them a high-quality healthy diet, plenty of exercise and sufficient training and socialization. These will all help lead to a stable and well-adjusted German Shepherd. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Do you have any experience with a growing German Shepherd? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story! Share this:. The long adolescent period that ends the puppy years is highly individual, but most dogs mature somewhere before 3 years of age. The Neonatal Stage This is the very earliest stage your German shepherd will pass through. Simply put, this is the helpless baby stage when your puppy's eyes will still be closed and he is completely dependent upon his mother. She will feed him, wash him and clean up after his accidents for the first two or three weeks. His eyes will open at around 10 days. At this time, your puppy is little more than an eating machine -- filling his belly to help his tiny body grow and develop. The Transitional Stage Though it is short and indistinct, the transitional stage from the neonatal to the socialization stage is important to your pup's development nevertheless. This brief phase -- lasting only about a week after his eyes open -- marks the period when your German shepherd begins to notice his environment. He will start to look at things curiously and be aware of sounds around him. Prior to this he has been in his own little world with no sights or sounds beyond his own body and that of his mother. When his eyes open, the immediate environment -- with other living beings -- is suddenly a part of life that he must face. The Socialization Stage At around 3 weeks, your puppy begins to learn how to interact with others -- both animals and the humans around him. He has already had some practice with dogs through the daily contact with his mother and litter mates, but now he begins to expand his circle of acquaintance to other dogs or cats in the household and to the family of humans around him. This is the most critically important phase in your German shepherd's development and helps decide his later suitability for work in rescue, service or as a family dog. At this time, he should have opportunities to meet as many new animals and faces under differing circumstances as possible, so he becomes comfortable with meeting people and other animals in a variety of situations when he grows up. This stage lasts to about 3 months of age and is the period when puppies are at their most impressionable and playful. The Juvenile Stage From 3 to 6 months old, your puppy will begin to look beyond the biological world of dogs, cats and people to the larger world around him. He will want to explore new places more than new faces at this point -- which may often get him into trouble. This is an active and trying age for puppy parents. Your puppy looks like a mostly grown-up dog but behaves entirely like a pup. His attention span is about as long as that of the average teenager, so this is not a particularly easy time for obedience classes. Your shepherd will have other things on his mind, but pet parents should continue to persevere because this is the best stage to resolve any obvious aggression or anxiety issues your pup may display. If those issues are not addressed early, they could become larger problems later on. To make things a tad more difficult, at around 5 months of age, your German shepherd starts to mature sexually. The Adolescent Stage The teenage angst that human children go through is roughly equivalent to what pet parents can expect from their adolescent German shepherd. Beginning with the onset of sexual maturity and lasting through the first two years of his life, your puppy's hormones will rage uncontrollably unless he is neutered early. This stage is usually marked by mounting -- anything and everything -- marking his territory and even fighting with other male dogs. Females will enter their first estrus period at this time and may try to escape the yard or otherwise pose problems. The pup's body has become adult, and his brain is fully alert and capable, but his emotions are still in the turbulent transitional phase from teenager to full adult. If he were human, this would be the stage at which you would hide the car keys. As an adult, your German shepherd is finally the calm, dignified, courageous and respectful dog you always knew he would grow up to be. If you were patient and dedicated through those early, sometimes difficult, years, you now have a well-trained and disciplined companion for life. More Articles. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. German Shepherd Development: From Puppies To Adults Posted on Last updated: Categories German Shepherds From early puppyhood to adulthood, German Shepherds undergo significant development that shapes their temperament, behavior, and physical abilities. As a dog owner, understanding the developmental stages of your German Shepherd is crucial to providing the right care and training. German Shepherd development consists of several stages. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Contents Final Thoughts German Shepherd Development and Growth Stages German Shepherd development refers to the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in German Shepherd puppies as they grow and mature into adulthood. These changes include the physical development of their muscles, bones, and organs, as well as their ability to learn and process information. Social development involves their ability to interact with other dogs and humans and to understand and follow social rules and norms. As a dog owner, it is important to understand the growth stages of your German Shepherd. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. In the latter case, you need to know that the German Shepherd puppy depends on his mother for everything in these initial weeks. This includes food, warmth, and physical security. Here, your only responsibility is to make sure the dam is equipped with what she needs to fulfill her duties. As long as you feed the adult GSD right, she will be able to feed her babies and give them the warmth and company they need. You might notice that the puppies may seem asocial. Do not measure how the puppy interacts with other dogs for at least three to four weeks, which brings us to what you can expect within the next two weeks. This is where the puppy can wean off and not need a diet made up of milk exclusively. The puppy can consume solid food but is not too fond of it, especially if it is strange in texture. Your priority at this stage should be to get him to accept solid food without regressing to a diet of milk. There will be a social incentive in weaning off as the puppy will observe the litter he belongs to and notice a simultaneous change in feeding preferences. This brings us to a very important change: social interaction. I mentioned above that you should not worry about social disinterest up until the third week. However, by the fourth week, you should look for some interaction. If the puppy fails to acknowledge others in the litter or is getting shunned collectively, consulting an expert trainer or a vet can be helpful. Otherwise, the journey from being 4 weeks old to being adoption-ready is a long one, and it starts by accepting a human guardian. From weeks 4 to 5, the puppy is learning to accept a human usually the breeder as his guardian. Both dominant guardian and guiding guardian archetypes work in establishing yourself as the leader, but the dominant frame might box you into less palatable training tactics. German Shepherd puppies are quite intelligent, but a bulk of this cognitive ability is unlocked in two stages. The first is around the five-week mark. This could be the fourth or sixth week, depending on the individual puppy, but it is noticeable when the dog starts getting excited about other dogs. Of course, you need to be on schedule with socialization and carry-walks to notice this. Again, this explains why breeders usually keep the GSD puppies at this stage. Aggression issues can stem from excitement signaling menace. The opposite is true as well. Fortunately, professional breeders expose the dog to other dogs his age at this stage, and he learns to adjust how he shows and perceives excitement, making your life as a new German Shepherd parent much easier. But socializing your German Shepherd happens in stages as well. And of different ages. The wider the variety of people he gets to see and interact with at this stage, the more receptive he will be to people growing up. If your German Shepherd has seen only young people all his life, he might react differently to older ones and vice versa. This also applies to experiences. Exposing your puppy to experiences like car rides and ringing doorbells ensures that he will be calm in normal situations as he grows up. And in addition to getting your German Shepherd acquainted with normal stimuli like bells and travel, you must get him crate trained at this stage. Introducing the crate as a refuge and a secure spot as opposed to jail is a great way to get your GSD puppy to accept the crate. The more you delay this, the harder it becomes to crate-train a German Shepherd. If you want to check how his growth compares to the guidelines, head over to this article, When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? This also includes a handy growth chart. This is a critical stage because if unchecked, your German Shepherd might end up hurting other dogs or be hurt by them. The watchful dog-parent in you that you were holding back has his chance to shine here. Make sure you keep a close eye on your German Shepherd and how he interacts with any other dogs in the house. The status-measuring step is one even adult dogs take when first interacting with each other. But at this age, dogs engage in prolonged status-measuring inquiry and either establish dominance or accept their subservient spot. You cannot force your German Shepherd to be the alpha in a relationship with another dog. GSDs are very physical, which is fine when two dogs play within the same breed. But if one of your doggos belongs to a relatively fragile lineage, you might want to consider some separation. If you are worried your German Shepherd playing too rough , click the link for some cool tips on how to limit rough play. The easier to walk your GSD is, the more enjoyable it will be for you both. This is better elaborated in my dedicated post on the fun exercises you can do with your German Shepherd puppy. At the same time, his physical energy levels are rising every day, which can be counterproductive as your German Shepherd can get uber-excited about physical activity. Make sure you have him on a no-pull harness instead of a collar-and-leash, so you can get him properly under control without hurting him. You can also see my other recommendations here. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Almost Home Campaign Puppy Developmental Stages and Behaviour To have a well-adjusted and social dog, you need to ensure his needs are met during each phase of development. Building the foundation for a great dog starts with appropriate training at each stage of development and establishing appropriate guidelines so that that your puppy is properly integrated into the family. You will see many behaviour changes during the life stages of your pup. Knowing how to handle your pup through each developmental stage will help to shape your puppy into a lifelong family member. Puppy Developmental Stages The puppy development process covers five distinct stages. However, puppies grow through these stages at their own pace and these timelines can vary. Stage 1: Neonatal Period 0 — 2 weeks This is the first stage of puppy development and begins at birth. At this age, puppies only have the sense of taste and touch and rely totally on their mother. Stage 2: Transitional Period 2 — 4 weeks Sensory development continues with hearing and sense of smell. Puppy teeth start coming through and their eyes will begin to open. Puppies will interact with their litter mates, wag their tails, stand, walk a little and bark. It is vital to understand this stage as most puppies go home to their new parents between 7 — 12 weeks. During this period, changes start to occur rapidly. Between 3- 5 weeks puppies start to become aware of their surroundings and have the ability to develop a relationship with people This is the period where puppies get familiar with the day-to-day noises of a regular household such as TVs, vacuum cleaners, telephones, etc. At this age puppies are just learning to interact with each other and beginning to play. They are also learning their doggie social skills and exploring their ranking status within their pack. Their curiosity is developing, as are their biting skills. Nipping behaviours begin as they practice biting behaviour with their mother and litter mates. At the weeks stage, they will have full use of all their senses and will be ready to go home to their new owners. Bringing your pup home usually between weeks is right in the middle of his socialization period. Therefore, it is vital that you introduce your puppy to as many new dogs, people, objects and surroundings as you can. BUT, make sure you do so in a controlled manner and never put your puppy in a dangerous situation where they can be injured, scared or contract disease. This is a great period to begin crate training, for a variety of reasons. Puppies are old enough to start getting used to being left alone to avoid separation anxiety from developing and are capable of being house-trained. Even though your home is likely puppy proofed, it also saves your possessions. During this phase of development, puppies are developing their reactions to things much more consistently. They are also likely to focus more on different types of people and should be friendly and approachable to strangers. During this time they are also going to continue to practice their biting skills a whole lot more! It is important to learn how to manage this behaviour early on. You may also notice that they are more curious and will probably look to explore their environment more. Be prepared for this and keep your puppy close to you and leashed. Stage 4: Testing Period 3 — 6 months This is the time your puppy starts to test their boundaries within their world. They will test the limits with their owners and other animals. At this age many adult dogs will start to enforce manners. Problematic behaviours can begin to arise in this period. At this age your puppy is going to go through teething and chewing is a common side effect. Make sure he has plenty of chew sticks and toys. Use commercial sprays or gels that dissuade your puppy from chewing your belongings. Try soaking a cloth toy in chicken stock and freezing it if your puppy is experiencing pain while teething. Once frozen, this can be given to your puppy as a chew toy and will help to relieve sore gums. Puppies are usually finished teething by the age of 6 months when the upper fangs canines come in. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour. Dogs go through adolescence much earlier than people; for small breeds, is can be as early as six months old while larger dogs starting at nine or 10 months of age. Adolescence in larger breed dogs continues until they are two or three years old with smaller dogs reaching maturity at about 18 months. Typically the larger the dog, the slower the development. Signs of Puberty in Canines Here are the typical signs to watch out for to tell you that your own puppy has hit puberty: Males.

Tom Thorpe Blog Have you ever wondered how many puppies in a litter of golden retrievers? That said, if you have a female golden retriever and someday you want to let her have some litter, you are prepared and able to calculate some expenses beforehand. In this article, I will attempt to cover the question regarding how many puppies in a litter of golden retrievers. Average litter size of golden retrievers Time and again, we always say that golden retrievers are a one of a kind canine breed. The fact that they are the friendliest, affectionate, energetic, and stranger to none, these reasons are what makes the golden retrievers popular and it will become one for many years to come. Interestingly enough, the largest litter size was produced by a Neapolitan Mastiff back in .On the other hand, the largest litter ever produced by a golden retriever is 17 albeit there are no official records, only online sources that only appeared. With that, golden retrievers are capable of producing a litter between 1 to 17 young pups. We can safely assume that golden retriever breeds have an average litter size of 4 to 8 puppies. For most instances, the first litter size is somewhat smaller compared to succeeding litters. Also, this is true among golden retriever breeders. They know the ins and out of very golden retrievers. Another important fact you should keep in mind is the ratios of females and males differ. Other litter will have more females than males, while in some, males are more. In addition, there is a small chance that the puppies are of one gender only. This is because there are numerous factors that make the outcome of the litter different from any other golden retrievers and other canine breeds. Thereby the question of how many puppies in a litter of golden retriever will likely have come from these factors such as: Consider the genetic factor Every canine is different from the other, although they have some commonality if we are going to categorize them according to their breeds. But still, they have different genetic structures and they are all individual creatures. This also includes the litter size. The most common observation in regards to litter size, if the mother of your female golden retriever produces in large litter size, chances are, your female dog also will produce a large litter size. That is, of course, assuming some factors remain constant. In relation to the litter size, keep in mind that the majority of the traits largely came from a dam female dog and the small percentage came from the sire male dog. The sire has likely had an influence on the litter size. Among the sire can influence are health, age, size, breed, and genetic structures. Gene Pool Diversity At some point, the gene pool diversity will somehow affect the litter size. This again will vary from dog to dog. The fact that canine who are drawn from diverse backgrounds tend to have large litters. Diet Another factor to consider is the diet. Compared to dogs fed with substandard kibble food and supplement. Health Again, health plays a crucial role. This is because they can somehow affect and have a chance to have more puppies. That said, if the golden retriever is not healthy enough, it will inevitably affect the litter size. An ideal healthy weight for golden retrievers is usually slim, and those who are overweight are prone to health issues. Thus, giving a routine exercise and a well-balanced diet has a possibility to produce in larger litters. More particularly in the case of a male dog. Male dogs who are 5 years old and above have a smaller sperm count than those who are in ages 5 years and below. This means the litter size will also decrease. This is the reason why dog breeders who have dog show quality are often bred extremely and intensively in order to produce as many quality female dogs as possible. But, it has a more major point in influencing the size of the litter size than the male and this is actually quite true. That means, dogs over the age of 7 years will have a greater chance to produce large litters than those of young age under 5 years of age. Usually, the first litter regardless of age will likely be smaller than the succeeding production of litters to come. Also, a female golden retriever who was never been bred until the age of 5 will have a tendency to produce smaller litters that are permanent. On that note, the ideal age of female golden retrievers where there is a yield in litter size is between the age of 2 to 5 years. Generally, the larger the breed, the larger the litter size. In the case of golden retrievers, the average size of litter rangers from 4 to 8 and other dog breeds like Spaniels. The fact that genetics and other various factors in dogs alone have the possibility to increase the litter size, all these factors lead to a different outcome and are somewhat related. But can humans influence or somehow affect the size of a litter? Is there any correlation regarding this? The short answer is yes, but to a certain extent only. The long answer is, although yes, there are no guarantees as to how much can humans change the course of the litter size. Fortunately, there are things that humans may likely increase the odds. In fact, breeders who are using artificial intelligence are becoming even more rampant. Thanks to the ai, the chances of finding champion dogs both in the US alone and abroad are getting bigger. However, artificial insemination does not produce large litter sizes. Instead, it only produces a small litter size. Moreover, the kind of semen will largely affect the litter size regardless if it is frozen, chilled, or fresh. In addition, canine sperm will likely die because their semen does not freeze well. Post Breeding Management The best possible and simplest way to somewhat affect the litter size of your golden retriever is just to have the best possible care. Nothing more nothing less. Obviously, any dogs who lack proper nutrition and have an imbalanced diet will greatly decrease the chance of having a large litter size. If the golden retriever has improper housing and has nutrient deficiencies, they can absorb puppies due to lack of care. So, see to it that your female golden retriever has everything they need. Make sure to not miss any appointments in their scheduled checkups with your local vet. Give them proper nutritional needs and also groom them regularly. Care Tips for Golden Retrievers Proper Treatments The best way to secure a healthy pregnancy for your female golden retriever is to have her getting proper treatments. That means, getting treatments for fleas and worms should be consistent even while in pregnancy. Vaccinations Treatments and vaccinations are the most important and should be regularly maintained if necessary. This will guarantee that the antibodies are optimal while the female mother has a puppy bump. Consult your vet with the best possible vaccines in order to keep your dog healthy. There is some vaccination that can be administered while your dog is in pregnancy. The fact that pregnant golden retrievers or any dogs will feel become lethargic when the due is near. With having adequate exercise before their pregnancy, your dog will become fit and able to carry on while she has a puppy bump that is about to give birth. This can lead to stress and other health condition that may greatly affect their pregnancy. Final Thoughts All in all, I hope the question of how many puppies in a litter of golden retriever is completely answered. If you are still confused, the average litter size they can produce is about 4 to 8. Also, if you are a first-time pet owner who has a pregnant golden retriever, you should know what to expect and even know some basic tips regarding the proper care of your pregnant golden retriever. Keep in mind that they should stay fit and healthy plus groom them regularly. Jan 20, Share Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. They are known for their loyal and friendly personalities, and many people choose them as their first dogs. Such a popular breed is always in demand, and more Golden Retriever puppies are born every day. However, there is some uncertainty about how many puppies Golden Retrievers typically have. Due to their size, larger dogs tend to have larger litters, while smaller dogs tend to have smaller litters. As a bigger dog breed, Goldens can have anywhere from one to twelve puppies per litter, but six to eight puppies are about average. Some litters may have as few as four. Read on below to find out more. Why the Size of the Dog Breed Affects Litter Size The different sizes of litter between breeds are due to the fact that larger breeds have more room in their uterus to grow puppies, while smaller breeds have less room. This is likely due, in part, to the fact that smaller dogs have a shorter gestational period and thus less time to mature a large number of offspring at a more rapid rate than larger dogs. This difference in litter size can be important for breeders, as they need to consider the size of the breed when planning how many puppies to produce. However, it is also worth noting that different breeds of dogs will exhibit different average litter sizes, even within the same size class. For example, the German Shorthaired Pointer is around the same size as a Golden Retriever, but has an average of nine pups per litter. The first litter of puppies for a female Golden Retriever is typically smaller in size than later litters. Additionally, since the first litter is typically born earlier than later litters, the puppies may not have as much time to grow and develop before being born. She should, however, have regular checkups with a veterinarian to ensure everything is going well. Despite Golden Retriever mothers being able to deliver many puppies, not every pup will survive birth. A dam may give birth to four puppies, but only two or three will survive. Pregnant dogs require high-quality vitamins, minerals, and premium proteins in addition to a healthy and balanced diet. Additives and fillers in dog food can lead to poor nutrition and ultimately affect litter size. In addition, diet plays an important role in the health and survival rate of puppies after birth. The chances of a Golden Retriever producing a small litter are higher if they are unhealthy. It is also possible that the puppies are born weak and have a lower chance of surviving. Age of Parents Female Golden Retrievers should not be bred too young or too old. Ideally, a female should be between the ages of 2 and 5 when she is first bred. It is also important to consider the age of the male. Once a male reaches the age of 5, their sperm count will decrease. Image Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock Lineage Overly inbred dogs are less likely to have large litters than dogs with a diverse gene pool. Ask your breeder about their parents and whether they have been tested for defects if you are looking for a puppy. Conception Method and Timing It may surprise you to learn that the way your Golden becomes impregnated may determine how many puppies she will have. Having a larger litter is more likely for Golden Retrievers that become pregnant naturally while conceiving artificially is more likely to lead to a smaller litter. This is because the freezing process kills many sperm cells in preserved semen, resulting in fewer pups. Dogs that conceive within 48 hours of ovulation have a higher chance of having a larger litter. These larger litters usually occur in the third, fourth, and fifth pregnancy. Puppy Mills Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities that mass-produce puppies for sale to the public. In a puppy mill, the mother dog is often bred repeatedly until she no longer can bear puppies. There are many reasons why one should avoid buying a dog from a puppy mill. First and foremost, puppy mills are notorious for breeding unhealthy dogs. Dogs from puppy mills typically have a variety of genetic health problems, ranging from joint problems to heart disease. In addition, puppy mills often keep dogs in horrible conditions, with little or no veterinary care. Dogs in puppy mills may also be malnourished and abused. Conclusion In conclusion, Golden Retrievers have an average of eight puppies. However, a breeder or owner can mate their Goldie at the right time, exercise them, keep them healthy, and feed them high-quality food all year long, but ultimately they cannot control the litter size. Thanks for reading! Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Golden Retriever puppies are fluffy balls of joy, and you must be thrilled to welcome them into your home. But how many puppies should you be expecting from this upcoming litter? On average, Golden Retrievers can have around eight puppies. Litter sizes can vary depending on the breed of dog, so there are a few factors that can determine the litter size of your Golden Retriever. This article goes over what kind of litter you could be expecting based on your Golden Retriever mother. Litter Size: First-Time vs. This is the national average for first-time mothers, so it is normal for your dog to give birth to a few less or a few more. However, it is always important for her to have check-ups with a vet to ensure everything is going well with her puppies. It is very rare that your Goldie will have a single puppy birth. Litter sizes of over a dozen puppies are also possible with Golden Retrievers, but not as common. If your Golden Retriever is pregnant, it is safe to assume that she will give birth to four to nine puppies. While it is always important to feed your dog a healthy and balanced diet, pregnant dogs need high-quality vitamins and minerals and premium protein. Dog food that is filled with additives and fillers can affect the litter size. Diet will also be a factor in how healthy the puppies will be after birth and what their survival rate will be. Health: If your Golden Retriever is obese or not given enough exercise, this can affect the litter. An unhealthy Goldie will more than likely produce a small litter. The puppies might also be born weak and have a smaller chance of survival. Age of both parents. You do not want to breed your female Golden Retriever too young or too old. The age range for the female to be bred is 2 to 5 years old. However, if you wait to breed your Goldie for the first time after they are five years old, their litters will always be smaller in number. The age of the male is also a factor. The sperm count in males will decrease once they reach 5 years old. Genetics: Dogs that have a more diverse gene pool are more likely to have larger litters than dogs that have been overly inbred. This is why if you go to a breeder, ask them about the parents and if they have been tested for defects. Image Credit: PorChonlawit, Shutterstock Final Considerations If you are a dog owner, you already know how important health, diet, and exercise are for raising a strong and happy dog. These factors must also be considered when deciding if you want to breed your Golden Retriever. Have her checked with the vet before she gets pregnant to make sure she is healthy and able to carry a litter safely. Ensure the potential mate is also healthy and the right age. However, no matter the litter size, each puppy will be a bundle of pure joy! A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. Its exterior coat is a little bit coarser than its fluffy, velvety undercoat and both of the layers are crucial for protecting the skin from moisture, heat, and cold. Despite their name, Goldens come in a variety of colors. While others are a much duller and muted yellow cream tone, some are a much darker, richer gold color that is almost orange. If you want a serious watchdog, Golden Retrievers are not the best option. In fact, a research that examined more than 30 dog breeds discovered that Goldies were among the six kinds least prone to display aggression. A Golden Retriever will have on average 8 puppies in a litter, and the range is usually between 6 and 10 puppies. Litter sizes do go outside of this range from time to time, but should be considered quite uncommon. That said, a Golden named Giselle gave birth to a record-breaking 17 puppies in one litter in ! The size of a litter can be influenced by the breeding lines; some lines tend to have larger litters than others. Golden owners who are considering breeding their dogs should talk to a veterinarian or breeder about the size of the anticipated litter. Many other variables, which I go into more detail about in the sections below, will also affect how many puppies there are in a litter. At birth, a Golden Retriever puppy weighs around 1 pound only, a far cry from the adults we always see! The breed standard for Golden Retrievers is between 65 to 75 pounds females tend to be smaller and the weight can vary slightly depending on genetics, diet, and activity level. All dogs, including Goldens, do not experience menopause and are capable of reproducing up until their death. Their heat cycle lasts between six and eight months on average, or roughly twice a year. Overbreeding will put a lot of strain on your dog, which may lead to a number of health problems like heart disease, arthritis, and infertility. Also, stopping early is necessary in order for it to be spayed and to enjoy a happy life even after retirement. Add to the fact that there are nations where it is illegal to breed a dog more than four to six times in its lifespan, and you should understand the importance of not overbreeding. In the US, the American Kennel Club AKC does not accept registrations for dams that are bred over the age of 12 and under 8 months, and sires that are over the age of 12 and under 7 months. Age of the dam Typically, as the dam ages, the size of the litter decreases. Oddly enough, the first 2 litters are often smaller than the following ones, so once your Golden breeds again after the first two litters, you should likely see your dam having one or two extra puppies. Have your dog spayed long before then to improve its overall health. Breeders often need to use artificial insemination to help with breeding older males, thus it is preferable to only breed when they are younger. In addition, the amount of puppies in a litter is significantly influenced by nutrition. All year long, a high-quality, protein-rich food should be fed to maximize the chance of having a larger litter. Smaller litters are more common in dams with bad diets, especially those who are overweight. Size of dog Bigger body sizes in terms of build, not weight are often associated with larger litter sizes within a particular breed. With Goldens, their size can vary quite a fair bit even though they are the same breeds, and this can have an effect on how many puppies it can give birth to. In general, dams that are bigger has a higher chance of having a larger litter. Litter in which mom was born The level of fertility of your Golden Retriever has a thing or two to do with the litter it was born in. If she was born into a large litter herself, she will likely have a larger first litter. On the other side, you may generally anticipate that your girl will have a small first litter if she was born in a small litter herself. Type of breeding Actually, considering how easily it could get complicated, it might be best to reserve this topic for a subsequent essay. Just be aware that the method of reproduction can have a big impact on both the quantity and quality of puppies for the time being. As the bonds between the dogs get closer, these issues are more likely to arise. Linebreeding , on the other hand, aims to maintain sufficient genetic diversity while preserving the best genes from a bloodline, making it frequently a safer method of dog breeding. Time of breeding It is said that a dam is more likely to have a larger litter size the closer she is to ovulation. This is defined as the period after the estrogen period when the Luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any studies supporting this theory, so at this point, I would say this factor is probably not that significant. Although Golden Retrievers can begin reproducing once they reach their first heat cycle, it is not a good idea at all and must be avoided. Wait until your dog is at least in her second or third heat cycle to give her enough time to develop sexually and gain weight and size. Most ethical and responsible breeders will wait till a Golden Retriever is at least 2 years old before breeding them as they would have completed all the necessary medical checks by then. Most female Golden Retrievers go through their first heat cycle between the ages of 9 and 12 months. A useful rule of thumb is that it will go into heat at about the same age that its mother did. Numerous symptoms, including bloody discharge, receptivity to male dogs, restless behavior, and others, can indicate that a dog is in heat. Nov 29, Nov 5, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Busy taking care of puppies! A couple of weeks ago, Raven, our Golden Retriever had her first litter of puppies. Several weeks before she had her puppies we were all curious about how many puppies Raven would have in her first litter. And what did we learn? Bring your Calmeroos Puppy the day you pick up your puppy and rub it all over his litter mates and mama. Ten years later my memory of all those puppies is still vivid. Of course in the end we came home with our first puppy, Linus! Back then the smallest litter we saw was two six-week-old black Labrador Retriever pups. Our friends at Guide Dogs of America have experienced many, many more litters than I have or probably ever will in my lifetime. I would guess they have a litter of pups at the school nearly every week sometimes two litters a week! So what did I hear from my GDA friends? The largest litter I heard about was 16 Golden Retriever puppies! Let me say that again: 16 puppies!!! The smallest litter size was 1 lonely puppy…although only children get all the attention…right, Ali Ali is my wife…an only child :? After personal experience and talking to friends and family the consensus was Raven could have anywhere between 1 and 16 puppies. Our Golden Retriever puppies! Time for a little bit of internet research. Just ask Google the following questions and find the answers in the featured snippet: What is the average first litter size for a Golden Retriever? The average litter size for a golden retriever is eight puppies. Litter sizes vary from four to 12 puppies, and humans are not usually needed for help in the birthing process. Other sites in the top 10 search have similar numbers for average litter size. What is the largest litter size for a Golden Retriever? So we can probably expect less than 24 puppies…lol. The largest litter of Golden Retrievers we found on the internet were 17 Golden pups. The Golden Retriever Forum and other sites mention Golden litters as small as one puppy. After talking to friends, and family, and doing my internet research the consensus was Raven would probably have between puppies with the outside possibilities of only 1 pup or up to 17 remote possibility of 24! We took care of litters of puppies, but the youngest pups we had were already 3 weeks old. We got those little cuties when they were about weeks old and at that age, they were a handful. I specifically remember one of the rescue leaders saying that 5 or fewer puppies are much easier to handle. That number 5 has stuck in my head for over 10 years! My fingers were crossed… Puppies from our our Golden litter! However, the day we planned on bringing her in for an X-Ray her temperature dropped which was an indication she was close to giving birth. Rather than risk her giving birth in my car on the way to the vet we opted out of the X-Ray. Raven went into labor on Wednesday, November 9th, , and at… am — Female.

The modern Labrador was developed from water dogs discovered in Canada by visiting rich, English hunters in the s. When they brought some of the dogs back to England, breeders further developed the Labrador Retriever we know today. Nor does anyone know exactly how the recessive gene responsible for longer coats found its way into the Labrador gene pool. One theory is that early Labrador breeders used other, long-haired retriever breeds as part of their development, bringing the recessive version of the hair coat gene with them. Bred as water retrievers, specifically for cold weather and frigid lakes, Labs needed the right coat to keep them warm as they worked. The long-haired Lab coat is thinner and wavier, making it neither as warm nor as easy to keep clean. However, most Labradors today serve primarily as family pets, not hunters or show dogs. Long-haired Labs have become more popular as the breed itself has become the most popular dog in the U. The American Kennel Club accepted its first Labrador registration not long after, in .Although their coats are outside of the breed standard, long-haired Labradors are still considered purebred dogs and are eligible for registration. The coat length of all dogs, including Labs, is controlled by a specific gene: FGF5. In Labs, the dominant trait of this gene is the short-haired version, while long hair is recessive. Puppies inherit genes from both of their parents. Parents with two dominant genes LL only pass on the short-hair genes. However, parents with one dominant and one recessive LI can pass on the long-haired trait to their pups. If both parents have LI genes, some of the litter will receive two recessive genes II and grow long hair. Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock 2. Anyone interested in breeding their Lab should consider having the test done unless they are okay with getting some fluffy pups. As long as at least one parent has only short-haired genes, the pups will come out with breed-standard Labrador coats. They Shed a Lot! Labradors are considered a heavy shedding breed , and the long-haired version is no exception. No matter their top coat length, all Labradors produce a thick, warm undercoat. They shed this full undercoat seasonally, typically in spring and fall, producing enormous amounts of hair. Long-haired Labs also shed some fur year-round. Because their coats are longer and finer, they may need more brushing than short-haired Labradors to keep them tangle-free and clean. Their coats may look different, but in every other way, long-haired Labradors are typical of the breed that has topped the popularity charts in the U. They are smart, friendly, loving, and energetic, as all Labs should be. Although combining some recessive genes can result in deformities and health issues, the FGF5 gene is only responsible for hair growth. Those without the space, time, or energy to keep up with these pups should consider a different breed. There are long-haired Labradors that typically have a longer coat than other types. This is caused by a recessive gene and is less common than short coats. The fluffy coat type is present in all three colors of purebreds, yellow, chocolate, and black. Labradors were used as gun dogs in the past, and their thick, short coat was ideal for working on a hunt in inclement weather. The long, wavy, glossy coat of the long-haired Lab is less suited for this kind of work. To explain where long-haired Labradors come from, we have to talk about heredity, dominant traits, and recessive traits. Some Labradors have long hair due to a recessive trait of a gene called fibroblast growth factor 5, abbreviated to FGF5. Two copies of the genes, one from each parent, are required to express the long coat. Carrier puppies that inherit one copy of the gene will have normal short coats. To elucidate further, a Labrador pup receives one version of the hair length gene from each parent. Each version of the gene is called an allele. In the FGF5 gene , short hair is a dominant trait, and long hair is a recessive trait. If the pup has one short hair allele and one long hair allele, the dominant short hair trait cancels out the recessive long hair. This pup will also pass the recessive trait on to their offspring. If they mate with another dog that has at least one copy of the recessive trait, there is a good chance the offspring will also be a long-haired Lab. Long-haired Labs shed a shocking amount of fur, just like their short-haired counterparts, due to having a double coat. They shed year-round and shed more than usual twice a year, typically in spring and winter, when they will change their coat ready for the season ahead. The Labradors topcoat is longer and slower-growing. This is the coat that you typically see. The undercoat is softer, grows quickly, and keeps the dog warm. Investing in a Roomba is my advice! Are Long-Haired Labradors Purebreds? Long-haired Labradors are purebreds. Except for the length of their hair, they have exactly the same pedigree as short-haired Labs. Although the American Kennel Club recognizes them, they are severely penalized for conformation, but a slight wave down the back is acceptable. For dog shows, dogs have to adhere to very specific standards appearance-wise. Breeders even go as far as to deliberately breed Labs to eliminate this genetic trait. This is one of the reasons why most Labradors have short coats. If you go the breeder route, make sure you buy from a reputable breeder. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. This tip mainly applies to dog owners who buy from breeders. The stakes are a lot higher in the purebred dog game. Unfortunately, some breeders have been accused of selling mixed-breed puppies as Labradors simply because they have the long-coat trait. Anyone unsure of the parentage of a puppy with such a coat should have it DNA tested. This is because most people who adopt from a rescue do so to give a dog a home rather than own a dog with a valuable pedigree. When adopting a Lab puppy, you should budget not only for the initial purchase but also for the costs of taking care of your dog. This includes food, puppy training, and vet bills for vaccinations and checkups. Veterinary care will be the most expensive part of dog ownership. Long-Haired Labs as Good Family Dogs Besides the different hair lengths, long-haired Labs are the same as other Labs in physical size, shape, and temperament. They are friendly, enthusiastic dogs who are extremely gentle toward children. For this reason, the Labrador is a favorite breed among families. Labradors are also good for seniors as long as the owner is quite healthy and active. Seniors will also usually have more time to spend with their dogs, especially if retired. If breeders have worked so hard to bury the recessive long-hair gene, why does it continue to show up? The answer is pretty simple. They just want a fluffy addition to their family. Final Thoughts If you are contemplating this breed — whether the popular short-haired or the rarer long-haired variety, all Labradors make good first dogs. Overall, Labradors are viewed positively by pet owners. They are friendly, non-aggressive, affectionate, and easy-going. The length or texture of their coat does not affect this. Related Posts You May Like:. Short-Haired vs. The breed can be bifurcated into a Long-haired English Labrador Retriever as well as a short-haired Lab. A typical Labrador can be characterized as a 55 to 80 pound, short-haired dog with a life span of years. However, for those who love dogs with long locks, though not very common, long-haired Labs are also bred and can prove to be great pets. This breed was developed from imported Canadian fishing dogs. The Labrador is one of the most popular dog species in various regions all across the globe. They come in three colors, i. Genetic Differences The distinct feature of the long-haired Lab has to be its length and much finer double coat than typical Labrador Retrievers. The long-haired Lab owes this to the difference in the genetic makeup of both types. Long-haired Labrador Retriever has a combination of two recessive alleles genes , which result in lengthier coats. This gene is called the fibroblast growth factor 5 gene. Geneticists have termed it the FGF5 gene. However, it is known by the name of the L gene by the Labrador breeder community. The L gene has two alleles forms. L, which is the gene for short hair, and l, which is the one that produces long hair. L is the dominant one amongst the two. So, whenever a combination of both alleles is formed for the new offspring, the L form masks the effect of the I allele, and an individual with short hair is produced. All offspring get one allele from each of their parents. If both mates from the combination 'Ll' or 'LL,' the offspring will have a coat that grows up to be short-haired. In contrast, if both parents pass only recessive genes, it will result in an 'll' combination, and the puppies will grow up to be long-haired. One thing that needs to be noticed is that whenever two different alleles Ll combine, it results in an offspring that does not show the effect of the recessive allele but becomes a carrier of the gene and may pass it on to the next generation where the gene may show its effect. In this case, if a puppy gets a combination 'Ll,' it will be short-haired but may result in a long-haired offspring by mating with a long-haired ll or a heterogenous Ll individual. Which is the Pure Breed? When a Labrador Retriever is talked about, a typical image of it that automatically comes to mind is athletic, steady, and with a thick, glossy, short coat. The standard says: "It should be short, straight and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand… A slight wave down the back is permissible. However, this restriction does not exclude this breed from the list of purebred dogs. Long-haired English Labrador Retrievers are, in fact, purebred dogs that can be recognized in breed registries. The long coats only disqualify them from the show bench but keep them as pure of a breed as the typical ones are. Although, some breeders believe that exclusion from the literal definition should deliberately lead to no long-coated type breeding. But the continuous demand and adoration by the families as pets will never let this happen. Who is a Better Pet? The most relevant question that arises is: Can long-haired pets be good pets or not? Fortunately, the l gene has not been seen to have any other effect on the offspring except for the change in the length of their coats. No health issues, no other special characteristics. Just the long locks and nothing else. Long-haired English Labrador Retrievers have all the great traits that can be found in the typical ones, be it friendly disposition or special affection towards children. So the answer is a big fat yes! You can definitely pet these cute, faithful creatures. Labrador's thick, oily, double coat has always been the species' intrinsic characteristic which protects them from wind, rain, and harsh weather conditions. This helps them tolerate the worst environments without any significant effect on their health. A long fine coat makes the body more vulnerable to environmental conditions. Also, long hair is a bit more difficult to clean. So, the selection is based on your personal liking of you as a buyer. If you find long hair cuter on your pet and can handle all the extra fuss that comes along with the long hair, then why not go for what your heart desires? Which Breed is More Common? If the long-haired breed is ignored by the main breed registries to this extent, it surely means that the vast majority of Labradors that are bred in the present day are the typical short-haired ones. This in no way means that it is hard to find a Long-haired English Labrador Retriever. This breed is produced by several breeders in the country. You will not have to search much to find one for you. Bathing your long-haired lab might require more effort and time but once done, it makes it look and smell its best. To avoid the long locks from matting during the bathe and make the bath as smooth and enjoyable as the both of you want, brush your dog's hair beforehand. It is recommended to use some conditioner in a reasonable quantity after shampooing the hair. Don't forget to use it with diluting products so that it reaches and cleans every part of your dog's long coat. The residue from the products can be harmful to the dog's skin, so make sure to rinse thoroughly with water. It is a long and hectic process but the results will be worth it. It is advisable to use a slicker or bristle brush to bathe your short-haired Lab, as a pin brush may injure the vulnerable skin. Remember not to use any bathing products for use by humans. The ingredients which are beneficial for human hair may prove to be irritating to a dog's skin. Be careful with the shampoo as it can easily slip into the dog's eyes, nostrils, ears, or mouth, which in this case are not covered by hair. Verdict: Which One to Buy? The major difference between both breeds lies with the genetic makeup of the two of them. The different genetic combinations lead to two different coats, i. Long-haired Labs do not come under the typical Labradors definition, which leads to it being the less common breed among the two. Short hair breeds are easy to take care of. All other characteristics make both breeds quite the same. Therefore, the buying decision should more or less be based upon the mere appearance of the two. Go for the one that appeals to you the most. Bring your very own English Labrador home now! Contact us to learn more. Tweet on Twitter A long haired Lab is a Labrador Retriever with two copies of a recessive gene which causes them to grow a longer, finer, wavier coat than typical Labradors. Long coated Labs are still purebred dogs which can be entered onto breed registries. But their coats disqualify them from the show bench. Some breeders believe that since long coats are not part of the Labrador breed standard, long haired Labs should never deliberately be bred. But many long haired Labs are adored family pets. So who is right? Are There Long Haired Labs? The classic image of a Labrador Retriever is easily called to mind: athletic, steady, and with a thick, glossy, short coat. All gazing patiently at the camera and sporting silky, wavy coats. How is that? Long haired Labs owe their coat length to a very specific gene, called the fibroblast growth factor 5 gene. The fibroblast growth factor 5 gene is also known as the FGF5 gene by geneticists. And as the L gene by Labrador breeders. The L gene comes in two forms. L, which produces short hair, and l, which produces long hair. The L form is dominant, which means whenever it is present it overrides the effect of the l form. Puppies who inherit the combination LL grow up to have short hair. Puppies who inherit the combination Ll also have short hair. And finally puppies who inherit the combination ll will grow a long coat. The difference starts to appear at around six weeks old, when it becomes clear their coat is just going to keep on growing. Fibroblast growth factor 5 is a chemical signal, which acts on hair follicles and tells them to stop hair growth while the coat is still short. Long haired Labs are still Labrador Retrievers through and through. And as long as they have a proven pedigree, they are still purebred , and can be registered as such. Where does it come from? Since the gene is recessive, it can easily be passed down silently through the generations, and only be expressed very occasionally. Do Long Haired Labs Matter? But why is that? And is it justified? As we all know, Labradors are first and foremost a gun dog. They have a long and illustrious past working on hunts in all weathers and all seasons. Their thick, oily, double coat has always been an intrinsic part of their ability to do that. It protects them from wind and rain so that they can go on working in all conditions. But a long fine coat is less protective against the elements, and also less practical to clean after a mucky day of field work. But how do they get on in the far more modern role of family pet? So can long haired Labs be good pets? The answer is certainly yes! Long haired Labs have all the same wonderful traits as their short coated brethren, including a friendly disposition and gentleness towards children. But for many generations, the recessive gene has appeared unbidden and unexpectedly in Labrador puppies after years of being hidden. And the result of this test might well be included in the paperwork they offer you when you register your interest in a litter. Most Labrador breeders will avoid mating known two carriers together, since their litter is statistically likely to be one quarter long haired. The Importance Of Carriers When a Lab with the genotype Ll and a Lab with the genotype LL have puppies, approximately half of the litter will carry the l gene, but none will express it. Using all the genetic information available and making measured decisions like this are an important way that Labrador breeders can maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding, whilst still producing puppies that meet the breed standard. If you are thinking of mating your own Labrador, these tests and decisions are also something for you to think about. Long Haired Labs — Summary Long haired Labs are the result of a genetic combination which is very unusual in the Labrador Retriever breed. Nonetheless, it is possible for purebred Labs to inherit a long coat. Where long haired Labrador puppies have appeared in litters by surprise, they a disqualified from the show bench. But they usually go on to be much loved family pets instead, with owners who love them even more for how distinctive they are. Did their coat come as a surprise? Do you think further breeding of long haired Labs as pets should be discouraged? References and Resources. Long Coats Ashland Labradors Let me be clear.Below is our experience. We now have the ability to screen our dogs to prevent producing any more long coats in our litters. We hope other breeders do the same. Long Coated Labradors? After 29 years in the Labrador Breed, it finally happened. I got Long Coats! Three in ONE litter. No, they are not rare and we surely did not breed to purposely produce long-coated offspring. Matter of fact, this was a repeat breeding which a litter of nine pups born to the same parents 2 years earlier produced NOT ONE long-coat puppy. Go figure! Long coat puppies are born looking just like their normal litter-mates. Wow, coat, bone, head, tail. WTH happened? Someone stole my pup and replaced it with a Flat Coat. .Ooh my!! The long-haired coat is inherited as a autosomal-recessive trait. Because I want to share this information freely, so people can learn more and be "assured" that if YOU happen to produce a long-coat, it is NOT the end of the world. I feel breeders should be much more open instead of secretive. Why some breeders feel they need to "hide" the fact that there stud dog or bitch is a long-coat carrier is ridiculous. It would only appear to help other breeders make better breeding decisions and avoid intentionally breeding carrier. For anyone wanting to do more research into bloodlines of which our long-coats were produced, please click here to see the pedigree. There are many theories on how the long-coat gene originated in the Labrador Breed. This was the only British retriever to be selected for the dominant smooth coat. Modern Labrador retrievers are almost universally smooth-coated dogs. However, although seldom, a long-coated puppy is born. The exact origin of these modern long-haired Labradors isn't exactly clear. They could have always been hidden within the smooth-coated St. I think a much more likely source for this coat is cross-breeding. Labrador, golden, and flat-coated retrievers were considered varieties of a single breed, and interbreeding the varieties was very common. When the Labrador retriever needed fresh blood, it was occasionally bred to wavy or flat-coated retrievers, which may have included dogs we would call golden retrievers. The Dukes of Buccleuch and the Earls of Malmesbury tried to keep their dogs from being bred to long-haired retrievers, which is one reason why they were so eager to import more smooths from Newfoundland. However, other breeders certainly did outcross. We present the following information about the fluffy long-haired coat for reference only, as it is a coat type that has been proven to be present in purebred Labradors. It is unfortunate that some breeders have been accused of selling mix-breed puppies as Labradors simply because the puppies exhibited the long-hair trait, so it is our hope that this article will be of help to those breeders, and encourage anyone who is unsure of the parentage of a puppy with such a coat to have it DNA tested, now that such a test is available. At about three weeks of age we started to notice something different about the two yellow boys. They started to develop curly hair on their ears—then on their legs. By the time the litter was five weeks old it was clear that these puppies were very different from any I had whelped before. By now I was concerned that perhaps some other dog had entered the picture as well, and yet I was confident Light had not been with any other dog. It came back quite clear—Buddy and Light were certainly the only parents of this litter. At the time no such test existed for Labrador Retrievers, although a protocol had been developed for other breeds. Randy Smith at the laboratory agreed to develop a protocol for the long-hair gene in Labradors. The wait was brief, and very quickly Dr. Obviously, the parents both carried the gene and it appears to be a simple recessive much like gene for the color yellow. The question now remained—where did it come from? Some more research has uncovered that long-haired Labradors are fairly common in Europe, where indeed the long-haired Weimaraner is generally accepted by breeders. There have been several reports of the gene showing up in European-imported Labradors. The problem for us as breeders is that these puppies really do not look the way we expect Labradors to look. In addition, there are other characteristics that appear to be consistent with the longer coat, such as larger size and denser bone. The extrapolation is that perhaps this gene is a throwback to the ancestral St. There are at least two theories on how the recessive gene of long fur has appeared within the bloodlines of the Labrador Retriever. The first is that it is an original dog legacy St. However, there is no evidence of this, and also the dogs St. The other theory speaks instead of using flat coated retrievers at the beginning of the century. According to some, this was done to strengthen the bloodlines in England were weakening, in the early , and again after World War II. Obviously, there are no certain traces of this in the pedigrees of the current dogs. The separation of this was based on the coat length because all the puppies were yellow. Apparently the third generation showed some parts of the original breed. Based on his research, I analyzed all of fluffy labrador pedigree in my possession, starting from that of Brida, our first fluffy, through the pedigree of Disel that being born in Russia should be very far from that of Brida , and then other engines in my possession. For all the pedigree we analyzed both parents. It is understood that this research does not want to give the final answer as regards the presence of a recessive gene long hair in Labrador Retrievers. Here are the results so far encountered. In all analyzed pedigree, there is a common ancestor, which is also identified in the original design of the Chocolate. It is Sandylands Mark. Based on the pedigree of Sandylands Mark, we can go back in time to find more of a flat coated retriever: Filleigh Jet passing Bee of Whitmore, and his many heirs in the pedigree of Sandylands mark, such as Tatler of Whitmore and Tag of Whitmore and downdrafts. In database Labradornet. It would now to check if between the long-haired Labrador specimens, or recessive nevertheless be established, there are that they are not in some way attributable Sandylands Mark, and in the case trace their blood lines up to verify if even in those cases they are of the flat. The presence of a common ancestor to all fluffy Labrador, in which there are multiple lines primigene Flat Coated Retrievers, however, would seem to be a confirmation of the facts, and that the recessive gene introduced with the flat is so historical legacy of the Labrador Retriever breed.

Beautiful and functional, Bella Bowls come with a removable rubber base that makes them dishwasher safe, eliminates noise and prevents spills. Bella Bowls combine an attractive poly-resin exterior with a veterinarian-recommended stainless interior. Our Bella Roma travel bowl in Blue is ideal for easy traveling with your new furry friend. The bowl portion is bisphenol A BPA -free, and the patented design features a collapsible, integrated locking lid to store dry food easily. New Puppy Snacks and Treats Houndations treats in Chicken and Salmon are the perfect reward when teaching your puppy new skills or working to establish a schedule. These puppy treats are soft, small and bite-sized. Each package comes with a free carabiner that allows you to easily attach the kit to a leash or your belt loop for easy access. These trusted goodies are made with care in small batches. It's a must-have for new puppies because it prevents canine bloat and other serious health risks by acting as a simple solution for fast eaters. It has bone-shaped embossing on the surface, features raised edges for maximum spill capacity and cleans easily. Check out our impressive selection of high-quality dog bowls and diners , bones and chews , dog treats and adorable dog gift baskets. If you have cats or fish at home, we have goodies for them as well! Get your pet care packages from Loving Pets and make your pet feel like an important part of the family. Related Products. Amazon 4. Teething Toys Teething toys are great for dogs of all ages, not just those in the puppy chewing stage. Freya is almost three and she still loves to gnaw on a good rubbery toy! It lasted quite a long time, even though she was an aggressive chewer! Just make sure you choose the right size for your dog. Toys that are too small can be a choking hazard, while toys that are too big may be a bit overwhelming for tiny pups. Interactive toys While teethers are great for helping soothe aching puppy gums and satisfy their urge to chew, interactive toys help during training and bonding time. She just turned three and we still have almost all of the squirrels. Comfy blanket for crates or beds Every dog needs a cozy place to sleep, right? Grooming Glove While really good clippers are pretty pricey for a gift basket, grooming gloves are fairly cheap and super easy to use just slip it on your hand and pet your dog! Other cute ideas include breed-specific mugs which are super hard to find for Pharaoh Hounds, sadly and personalized frames. Sounds like you need to purchase this funny dog mom tee for yourself or purchase it as Mother's Day gift for that dog lady friend. This Colorful T-Shirt for women with a heart-shaped paw print and the funny saying: Best Dog Mom Ever makes a great gift for dog lovers friends. In fact, the only hard part is sticking to your budget! So get creative and have fun!

We get asked which size collar would be best for a particular dog breed or types. So here we have compiled a list of dog breeds and their usual neck measurements - and recommended collars. Hindquarters dog collars are available in sizes from XS to Large. XS dog collars fit necks between 18 and 30cm or inches. Small collars fit cm or inches. Medium between cm. And Large dog collars are cm. Airedale: cm inches - we would recommend a comfy Hindquarters large size green or brown fabric cotton dog collar. Brighter colours, like a red dog collar , would work well too. Basset Hound: cm inches - we would recommend a Hindquarters large size brown or khaki soft cotton fabric dog collar. Beagle: cm inches - we would advise a medium sized dog collar in strong but soft and comfy cotton fabric weave, bright colours like red and purple work well. Bichon Frise: cm inches - a small size comfy dog collar would probably be best, perhaps red or blue. Or a small size adjustable harness. Border Collie: cm inches - an adjustable medium size comfy cotton collar would work well, perhaps black or grey. Border Terrier: cm inches - we advise a small size collar made from strong but soft cotton fabric weave, bright purple would work well or khaki for a muted look. Boston Terrier: cm inches - a Hindquarters small size comfy collar would work well, perhaps in red or black. Or a medium size collar would fit too, for a chunkier look. Boxer: cm inches - like lots of other breeds, there can be significant variation according to age and gender and genetics. A strapping Boxer would require a Hindquarters large size dog collar but for a younger slighter Boxer a medium size would work - a comfy khaki collar looks good. Bulldog American: cm inches - a strong but soft Hindquarters large size collar would work. Bulldog English: cm inches - a soft cotton fabric collar would be good, most colours work although red and cobalt blue both look great. Bulldog French: cm inches - either Hindquarters small or medium size collars would work. The medium size cotton dog collar is wider and so probably comfier unless wearing a harness. Bull Terrier: cm inches - a soft but strong Hindquarters medium size cotton collar would be good. Cairn Terrier: cm inches - a small size adjustable washable Hindquarters collar would suit, perhaps in green. Chihuahua: cm inches - a soft XS size dog collar would work. Chinese Crested - cm inches - a soft and comfy XS size dog collar would suit, perhaps in navy or orange. Chow Chow - cm inches - a Hindquarters large dog collar would be good, perhaps the mustard colour. Cocker Spaniel - cm inches - a soft and washable medium sized Hindquarters collar would work well, red always looks good. Collie - cm inches - a large size collar would be best, an adjustable dog collar ensures an exact and comfy fit. Corgi - cm inches - a soft but strong and washable medium sized dog collar works well, khaki and mustard both look good. Dachshund Standard - cm inches - a medium size Hindquarters collar would work best. Dachshund Mini - cm inches - there can be significant variation, most likely a Small or even XS dog collar would work best, soft but strong cotton weave with flex and give is good. Dalmatian - cm inches - an adjustable fabric dog collar in Medium or Large size, red or bright purple would be good. Deerhound - cm inches - a comfy dog collar, cobalt blue looks good. Doberman - cm inches - would require a strong large size collar, maybe black English Setter - cm inches - would require a large size collar. Fox Terrier - cm inches - a small size green fabric dog collar would be good. German Shepherd - cm inches - would require a large size soft but strong fabric dog collar. Golden Retriever - cm inches - a large size dog collar, red is classic. Great Dane - cm inches - a large size dog collar, soft but strong, black or a bright colour like orange works nicely. Greyhound - cm inches - we would recommend a wider soft dog collar, khaki always looks good. Greyhound Italian - cm inches - would require a soft XS collar, blue would suit well. Husky - cm inches - would require a soft but strong large size collar, maybe black or grey. Irish Setter - cm inches - would suit a large size dog collar, bright red would be good or perhaps mustard. Irish Terrier - cm 14 to 18 inches - a medium sized dog collar would work best, green suits well. Jack Russell - cm inches - a small size adjustable fabric dog collar would work well, grey or red are good colours. Labrador - cm inches - a large sized dog collar would probably work best unless you have a small Lab. A black lab suits classic black but also red and orange , brown works well for a yellow lab. Labradoodle - cm inches - either a medium size or a large size would work, orange looks cute - and is comfy. Maltese - cm inches - a small size or XS collar would be best. Old English Sheepdog - cm inches - a large size soft fabric collar would be good, perhaps grey or red. Papillon - cm inches - an XS fabric dog collar would work well, maybe the red. Pekingese - cm inches - small dog collar size. Pointer - cm inches - a strong but soft large dog collar would work, a red dog collar stands out from the crowd. Pomeranian - cm inches - small or XS sizes. Poodle mini - cm inches - a small size adjustable fabric dog collar, red always works well. Poodle Standard - cm inches - a small size fabric adjustable dog collar would be comfy, black or blue would suit most coats. Poodle Toy - 20 to 36cm or 8 to 14 inches - a Small or XS fabric dog collar Pug - cm inches - a small sized Hindquarters adjustable fabric dog collar for an exact and comfy fit, bright purple looks good. Schnauzer Standard - cm inches - a comfy adjustable dog collar in medium size, grey looks good. Schnauzer Mini - cm inches - a small size dog collar would be best, grey looks good and would be comfy. Scottish Terrier - cm inches - Medium sized dog collar. Shar Pei - cm inches - large dog collar size. Springer Spaniel - cm inches - an adjustable and washable Hindquarters dog collar in medium size, perhaps green or red. Staffordshire Bull Terrier - cm inches - depending on individual size, a medium or large adjustable fabric dog collar would work well. Vizsla - cm inches - a strong but soft medium size collar, green is a colour that suits well. Weimaraner - cm inches - a soft but strong large size Hindquarters cotton fabric dog collar would work well, both red or bright purple look particularly good and be comfy. West Highland Terrier - cm inches - a small adjustable fabric dog collar, perhaps in green. Yorkshire Terrier - cm inches - either a XS Hindquarters comfy dog collar or perhaps a small size. Please note there is often a wide variation in neck size within different breeds and types of dog, according to genetics, age and gender. So please take our dog breed neck size guide as a rough one. We recommend you measure your dog's neck before ordering a Hindquarters dog collar. How do you measure your dog's neck? It is best to measure the circumference of your dog's lower neck - allowing space for a couple of fingers - to ensure a comfy fit. Or measure your dog's existing collar when flat, between the two points where it fastens. If you have any questions, please get in touch. When it comes to puppies, particularly short-haired breeds, you should look for a soft collar made of a non-abrasive material. Fabric collars are a good option, and collars made from a breathable fabric that is also machine washable are even better. When should a puppy wear a collar? Even if your puppy is still too young to go outside for walks, getting them used to wearing a collar is a good idea and will prevent any tiny tantrums further down the road! Collars should be worn most of the time, even around the house, but taking it off every so often to let the skin breathe is recommended. Try leaving the collar off for a couple of hours every time you brush or bathe them. Can an 8-week-old puppy wear a collar? Responsible breeders recommend puppies should not be brought home until 8 weeks old, and you can start getting them used to their collar shortly after this. It may be a good idea to let them settle into their new environment before introducing something new, but getting them used to their collar in their second week at home is a good idea. Should puppies wear collars at night? Most dog collars are designed to be non-abrasive, and perfectly safe for pups and older dogs to sleep in. This can also help puppies get adjusted to wearing a collar for the majority of the time. However, many vets also recommend including a contact telephone number, in the event your dog goes missing. Although microchipping has been mandatory for pet dogs since , tags are still a legal requirement and provide a quicker way to get in contact with you if your dog is found, without their microchip needing to be scanned first. We hope our puppy collar size guide has been helpful, as well as our dog collar FAQs! If you enjoyed our puppy collar size guide, you might like our other article, What do I need for a New Puppy?