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They are a loving and sensitive breed. One of the most common questions asked by new French Bulldog owners is how much food they require, and how often should they be fed. French Bulldogs typically will eat as much food as you give them. The amount of food required depends on their age, weight, and activity level. Source Feeding French Bulldog puppies When puppies are born they get all of their nutritional needs by drinking milk produced by their mothers. Breeders typically start to wean the puppies off their mother's milk by weeks and by six weeks they are eating kibble 1. When your puppy is home with you at 8 weeks old they will typically require 1. I recommend splitting this up between meals over the day. When our puppy was at a very young age we would mix the kibble with a little bit of water to soften the food for them. As your puppy is at a stage of rapid growth over the following year we recommend feeding your dog the best nutritional food you can afford. Active Frenchbuilldogs based on a weight of 15kg 33lb requires caloiuries a day. This can be split over several meals and would be approximately 3cups of kibble. How much should I feed my elderly French Bulldog? As your French Bulldog ages and activity levels decrease they will require less food. Typically they will require calories per g 1lb of body weight. However, if your dog is showing they are still hungry and underweight feed them. How much should I feed my underweight Frenchie? Increase the amount of food you are feeding your dog up to between calouries per g 1lb of body weight until they are at their ideal weight. What can you feed your dog? Kibble Dry food is very accessible and can be purchased at most supermarkets. Nutritional values provided by kibble differ by product sold. We recommend doing some research to provide good quality kibble to your dog. Some of the benefits listed for kibble are: Increased dental health Reduced risk of bacteria Raw diet Raw food can be homemade, and or store-bought. Meticulous care and planning need to be done to ensure your dog does not get sick. Some studies have found many benefits of raw diets: Healthier coat and fur Increased longevity Fresh diet Cooking for your dog at home allows you to provide nutritionally valuable ingredients of your own choice. The downside is that it does take up time and requires planning to make. If you decide to feed your dog fresh food we highly recommend that you consult an animal nutritionist. Some of the benefits of feeding your dog fresh food are below. Avoids fillers Allows a variety of food Food quality To learn more about your dogs microbiomme and gut health visit our blog post here. If you are after dog shirts, or cooling shirts for your French Bulldog visit our shop here. Pin64 71 Shares When we first brought Claude home, we had no idea on how much food we should be giving him. We spoke to our vet, and this is what he told us about how much you should feed a French bulldog puppy. A French bulldog puppy should be fed 3 times a day whilst there are still 2 to 6 months old. Once the French bulldog puppy reaches 6 months, you can reduce the feeding schedule down to 2 meals a day. But now having been a French bulldog owner for 3 years, I can now look back and give you some more detail on exactly what our French bulldog puppy feeding schedule was like and how it worked for us and him. French bulldog puppy feeding chart Below you can see a French bulldog puppy feeding guide I put together. It contains some rough guidance on how you should schedule and plan his feeds, and what other factors you might need to take into account. Please do print it out and put on your fridge. How many cups of food should I feed my French Bulldog? Before you look at the French Bulldog feeding chart below, you might want the quick answer to how many cups of food to feed your French Bulldog. As a general rule of thumb, you should feed a French Bulldog puppy aged 8 to 12 weeks around 1 and a half cups of food a day, in 3 separate meals. As your Frenchie gets older, the number of cups of food you should feed them will change. You can see the cup amounts and frequencies in the French Bulldog feeding chart graphic below. This French bulldog puppy feeding chart tells you how much you should feed them Source: Canin The French bulldog puppy feeding chart shown above is taken from the Royal Canin dog food range. This is exactly what we fed Claude as he was growing up. They range a specific French bulldog puppy food, and on the packaging you will see a version of the chart above, including how best to feed your own puppy. Handy Hint: To stop your Frenchie from bloating and possibly choking you should use a suitable feeding bowl. Here are the best French Bulldog food bowls that vets recommend. When you take your puppy to his new home, he should already be used to eating puppy food. As I mentioned earlier, you should be feeding your French bulldog puppy 3 times a day. They need that regularity as they are growing and burning a lot of calories. You know how energetic they are! How much you feed them at each mealtime will typically be half a cup of their dry puppy food. Across the day, that will equate 1. However, their weight and health will then determine how much you feed them as they get older. Calories matter, but are hard to count As French bulldogs get older, you should try to feed them according to their weight. For every pound, they should be fed between 25 and 30 calories. However, for the rest of this French bulldog puppy feeding guide, I am just going to talk in cups. Puppy weight How can weigh your puppy at the vets or, and this is can be a more interesting and fun way if your puppy already knows how to sit, have them sit on a scale at home. It will not be as accurate as a scale at the vet, but it could be a cheap and fun experience for you and your pet. Because of this, your puppy may be a little stubborn about eating dry and wet food if they were only just recently weaned. Here is where the math gets a little more detailed, but not too complicated. When they are between 8 to 12 weeks old, the puppy should be fed about 1. This food should be high in calories since they need extra nutrients that they are no longer getting from their mother. This kind of follows the main rule when it comes to spreading out the meals to 3 times a day. But for younger pups, many owners will split the 1. Because feeding them 0. Once they are between 6 and 9 months old, they should be used to their eating routine. That is when the main rule is applied because by then, the pup will be maturing into its adult size and should weigh between 20 and 25 pounds. What about older dogs? Also, if you are wondering how much they should be fed once they start hitting their senior years, they should be fed a little less as long only if they are not as active. Make sure you still stretch out the meals to 3 to 4 times like when they were puppies because it is not uncommon for their stomachs to weaken with old age. Overweight or underweight? French bulldog puppies usually weight between 8. Once they reach 6 to 9 months, they are just at or are closer to reaching their adult weight, .If the puppy is underweight, then add very small increments to each meal every day until they are no longer underweight. It is important to not add too much food because of the possibility of them getting a twisted stomach. If the puppy is overweight, you can either slightly reduce the size of their meal until they lose weight, or you can give them more exercise. Many people prefer the later since it helps the pup to get stronger and adds more bonding time. The same methods apply to grown French bulldogs as well. Handy Hint: Read this guide which explains how to check if you have a fat French Bulldog who needs to lose weight, with tips on how to get the pounds down. If the dog does not appear to be gaining weight when they are underweight or vice versa if they are overweight, you might want to take them to the vet since it could be a sign that something is affecting their health. Health conditions Since not every animal is the same, ask your vet the next time your pup has a check-up what a French bulldog of their size and age should weigh. Health factors like diabetes yes, dogs can have diabetes , can make your pup need a more strict diet or feeding routine. Here are some different diets and feeding routines. Raw food vs. Many dog lovers say that there are too many preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and protein in dry and wet food. While the raw food diet can be more natural, especially if it is organic, you also have to make sure your pup would be getting more foods with vitamins and minerals mixed in with the raw food that your pup would need. Raw food diets can be more expensive, require more storage room for the meats and veggies, and take longer to prepare. However, you would be personally ensuring that your little French bulldog pup is getting their full daily nutrition without harmful by-products and additives. Is there a good dry food diet? Possibly the biggest questions out of all of them: is there any good dry dog food out there and how do I find them? The answer is yes, there can be some healthy dry dog food products, but it takes some time to look for. The key is to look for dog food that does not contain any preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and too much protein. Fillers basically do not provide any nutritional value and can even harm your dog since most of the ingredients they use as fillers are common allergies for dogs that can cause skin conditions, bowel issues, and more. Wheat and corn are included since they are also a popular allergen for dogs. Too much protein is even more dangerous for them since it can put more pressure on the organs, throw off nutritional balance, increase the likelihood of diabetes, and can harm dogs that already have diabetes. To see the safe and dangerous fruits list, click here. Another two meat choices would be duck and turkey, but these are a little less common to find, especially if you are looking for a French bulldog specific dog food. Your dog eats his food too quickly Another common problem is how do you control how fast your French bulldog puppy eats. French bulldogs love to eat their food and eat it fast, which is one of the primary causes of GDV. Frenchies will stop eating for a number of reasons, some more serious that others. Conclusion So there you have it, your guide to how much you should feed your French bulldog puppy. Everything in this feeding schedule and the French bulldog feeding chart you see is based on personal experience. Once in the morning, and once in the early evening. Keep a regular feeding routine, and your Frenchies will stay as healthy as ours has! How often should I feed my French Bulldog puppy? Home » How often should I feed my French Bulldog puppy? Your puppy has been on unlimited food all of the time. If on the smaller side 5lbs , we recommend four times per day. If a little bit stouter, you can start with three times a day. We recommend giving them as much as they want at each setting while they are growing babies. As they age and grow you can take it down to times per day. Two feedings per day seems to be the amount of times most people end up feeding their Frenchies. When you place your puppy on a feeding schedule it helps with the potty training as well. After eating, take them outside to potty. Make sure to tell your little one how good he is for doing his duty outside. Basically you just fill the water up to the level of the dogfood. If they continue to turn their nose up at the kibble, try adding a bit of canned dogfood to the kibble. Puppies are like humans. Some overeat when stressed and some undereat. Changing to a new home is an environmental stressor even though we are sure your Frenchie is enjoying being the center of your world. Each Frenchie is different and each human family is different. Do your best at scheduling for you and your Frenchie to live your best lives. In this article, I will cover some key information about feeding your French Bulldog puppy, including how much you should feed them and a suggested outline for a feeding schedule that you can adapt as they grow. Keep reading to find out more. Typically speaking, the breeder that you have bought your French Bulldog puppy from should provide you with all of the information that you need on feeding your puppy. This includes what food your new puppy has been eating as well as how often your puppy has been fed throughout the day. French Bulldog puppies have high caloric and nutrient needs. Generally speaking, French Bulldog puppies aged anywhere from weeks of age need a total of 1. That being said, you will need to bear in mind that the quantity your dog eats depends on a number of factors, including their size, metabolism, and activity levels. Spreading out the meals is the key to a healthy, happy puppy, as it minimizes the peaks of energy your French Bulldog will experience due to dramatic rises and decreases in blood sugar levels between meals. Ensuring you feed them in these intervals will allow your puppy to maintain a healthy amount of energy and nutrients throughout their day. Once your French bulldog puppy reaches 6 months, you can reduce the number of times that you feed them down to 2 meals a day. Puppies can have sensitive stomachs. You will need to feed a puppy the same type of food, the same amount of food, and feed them at the same times of the day to ensure that their stomach can cope. To come up with a feeding plan for your specific puppy, you should consult with your veterinarian and come up with a suitable feeding schedule in conjunction with their advice. Age You will need to consider when feeding your French Bulldog puppy is their age. As a result, your puppy may initially be a little stubborn about eating dry and wet food if they were only just recently weaned. In this circumstance, you will need to ensure that you remain patient and consistent when it comes to meal times. Alternatively, you could try adding a dash of water to the dry kibble to make a type of gravy. Not only will the meaty aromas tempt them to the bowl and encourage them to eat their food, but it will also soften the dry kibble slightly and make it easier for them to chew. French Bulldog puppies are allowed to be separated from their mothers at 8 weeks, at which point they will weigh somewhere between 7 to 12lbs. How much your French Bulldog puppy weighs will depend on their gender, as male French Bulldogs typically weigh more than their female counterparts. They are considered fully grown around 12 to 14 months old, but may continue to put on muscle until they are two years old. They are a greedy breed by nature, and you need to be wary of overfeeding your French Bulldog as this can lead to a variety of health conditions if they become overweight. When assessing whether your Frenchie puppy is overweight, you should be able to see a little rib and they should have a defined waistline. When it comes to choosing to give your dog treats, fewer high quality treats on special occasions are much better than feeding them many lower quality ones more often to train them. When it comes to training your puppy, positive reinforcement in the form of praise also works. Calories As your French Bulldog puppy gets older, the number of calories they are eating should increase according to their weight. You should feed your puppy 12 to 30 calories per pound of their body weight. However, if you are not sure how much to feed your French Bulldog puppy, consult your vet. Nutrition One of the most important factors to consider when feeding your French Bulldog puppy is nutrition, as a healthy, well-balanced diet is essential for their growth and development. This simply comes down to the fact that puppies have higher energy requirements and are actively developing muscle and other tissues. Energy comes from the breakdown of protein fats and carbohydrates. Health Conditions When feeding your French Bulldog puppy, you will also need to bear in mind any health conditions that your Frenchie could be prone to developing. Diarrhea Stomach upsets are very common in Frenchies, so monitoring their diet is absolutely essential. Signs of a digestion problem include wet, runny, and loose stools. If a food allergy is suspected, the only treatment is an elimination diet. As a result, you will need to watch out for any food sensitivities your dog has. Reflux Flat-faced breeds such as Frenchies can suffer from reflux or struggle to swallow their food. You will need to monitor this when it comes to giving them their food. Dental Problems Flat-faced dogs often have crowded teeth which, in turn, can cause dental problems when it comes to chewing. While some French Bulldogs are hyperactive, others are lazy and love nothing more than lying on the couch all day. As your French Bulldog edges closer to adolescence, the amount of exercise they need will increase. Around 60 minutes of daily exercise split into two walks is plenty for your fully grown French Bulldog. As a result, too much exercise can even be bad for French Bulldogs. As a flat-faced breed, French Bulldogs can overheat and struggle to breathe and pant, especially in warmer weather. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome BOAS is a condition that can cause severe breathing problems and is caused by their shorter faces. As a result, you should make sure that you take precautions to keep your dog cool and make sure that you understand the signs of heatstroke in dogs. Consult With Your Vet Above all else, consulting with your vet should be your first port of call when bringing home your new puppy. Invest In A Slow Feed Dog Bowl A slow feeding bowl is a useful dog bowl to have as they are designed with ridges or grooves which are designed to slow your dog down when they are eating. However, some treats contain high amounts of sugar, colourings, milk products and fat. As a result, you will need to make sure that you choose your treats carefully and use them wisely, as failure to do so can quickly result in your puppy becoming overweight. The moisture in wet food reduces the risk of urinary infections and other related issues while your puppy is still getting used to drinking water. As a result, it costs more to feed your dog, even if you are buying the product in bulk for a cheaper price. Wet dog food cannot be left in a bowl for hours on end, and it can be messier. As a result, people often consider wet dog food less convenient to feed their dog and store. Dry Dog Food Benefits Cheaper Dry dog foods are affordable and are incredibly easy to store for longer periods of time, meaning that they have a longer shelf life than wet foods. Dry kibble is excellent for getting rid of plaque build-up in the process of your dog chewing crunchy, dry kibble. However, despite the lack of hydration this dog food provides. Your French Bulldog puppy requires high-quality dog food that provides everything it needs to meet its requirements and ensure healthy development. In Summary Generally speaking, you should be feeding your French Bulldog puppy 1. Before coming up with a consistent feeding schedule for your French Bulldog puppy, you should consult with your veterinarian. Following their advice, you will be able to make a feeding schedule that suits your dog and you. Good luck and enjoy welcoming your new French Bulldog puppy into your family! Post navigation. We do not claim to be veterinarians. French Bulldogs can easily become overweight or underweight , especially the lazy ones. Some french bulldogs are hyperactive while others are couch potatoes. It is also critical that you maintain a consistent feeding schedule and never slack off on feeding your French Bulldog. Even more important than that is feeding your Frenchie the proper amount of food daily. Young Frenchies have high caloric and nutrient needs. French Bulldogs aged anywhere from weeks of age need a total of 1. Spreading out the meals minimizes the peaks of energy your French Bulldog will experience due to dramatic rises and decreases in blood sugar levels between meals. Feeding only twice daily can sometimes lead to gastric dilatation volvulus. By this stage, your French Bulldog is ready to get into an eating routine that they will continue on for the rest of their happy, little chubby lives, barring no serious medical ailments later on in life. From around 6 months to 1 year of age, you can start feeding your French Bulldog a very high quality adult doggy food. It is important to maintain a strict routine for your French Bulldog. You can always supplement a few treats in between. Wink wink. A half a cup at a time will make sure your Frenchie is pleasantly tubby and happy. Some days, it seems like a French Bulldog can never get enough food. This seemingly natural hunger is relative to the breed and you should be weary of overfeeding your French Bulldog. Monitor your Frenchie as she eats and make sure she only eats her own food, especially if you feed your French Bulldog near other pets. Note that non-neutered males may grow into the low 30lb range. Always consult a vet. Ideally, 2. This sort of consult is always quick and cheap sometimes free and you owe it to your companion to get the opinion of an expert veterinarian. Overweight Frenchies can suffer from some very severe health problems, including heart disease just like humans , labored breathing, and lack of physical exercise. Never take a French Bulldog out to play in sweltering heat, they can die. Generally, older French Bulldogs will require slightly less food than their young counterparts. However, do not restrict food from your French Bulldog if they appear to be underweight or hungry. A reader pointed out in the comments below that these calculations would put french bulldogs in the 40lbs range somewhere around calories per day. This is obviously an outlier situation and no french bulldog needs that many calories. This means feeding your french bulldog less food as they age. If they look thinner than usual, you can move up by 5 calories per pound of weight until you find a magic number. No french bulldog is identical and our suggestions are based on average weights computed to a mean average calorie intake suggestion. Read: I use this calculator and a pad of paper. See this guide in order to determine the appropriate weight for your Frenchie. Subject: How much should I feed my French Bulldog? In this section, we are going to discuss in detail how much to feed a French bulldog puppy. Like every dog, the French bulldog also needs a balanced diet since it was born to seniors. These figures we are giving here are average numbers because every dog is different and these numbers can different as well. You can follow these details as a general guideline to feed your puppy. Newborn puppies are just helpless. They cannot see because of their sealed eyelids. They are completely dependent on mummy French bulldogs. At this age, they just drink mummy milk, so you have nothing to do for the puppies. Their mother should take care of their puppies. You should simply ensure that their mother is caring for the puppies and that the mother dog is getting adequate rest and nutrition. From this age, Frenchie is able to see and hear as well, and even now they will be able to make noise too, but they still spend most of the time sleeping and feeding on mummy milk, which is good for them at this age. By this time, she would be ready to drink water from the bowl as well. If they are showing interest in drinking water from the bowl, then you should introduce them to a mushy mixture of puppy food and water. This food should contain mainly water. This mixture should be 3 parts of water and 1 part of dog food. This kind of food can be served to your Frenchies twice a day. And if you have already introduced them to puppy food with a mixture of water, then they should show interest in that as well. They eventually become independent of their mother. At the age of 6 weeks, they start to understand their surroundings. They should be eating mixed puppy food with water multiple times a day. They need regular replenishment because they exert a lot of energy. They are ready to go to their new home by the age of eight or nine weeks. At the age of 8 weeks, they should eat 4 meals a day, and throughout the meal, they eat approximately one and a half cups of puppy food. You should make sure that they are not overfed because obesity is a big problem with French bulldogs. According to their appetite, you should divide their meal portions for the whole day, but by the age of 9 months, 3 meals a day should be fine. They are growing rapidly, so you should make sure they are getting high-quality dog food with balanced nutrition. At the age of 10 weeks, they should have a well-established feeding routine, which is very important to monitor if they are getting proper nutrition during the day. They are very playful by the time At the age of 11 weeks, they should still eat one and a half cups of puppy food and they should follow the routine for a healthy lifestyle. Do not overfeed them. Try to avoid sharing your meal with them. Overfeeding is absolutely not good for their growth and development. By this time, they should be very familiar with their feeding routine and be ready to eat at mealtime. You should continue feeding them a balanced diet per the schedule. After 3 months now, you should start slowly increasing their meal size. The exact amount of meal size depends on their size, so you should make sure they are not overfed because they are known as lazy dogs, so if they get overfed they get overweight, which is not good for them. And they should not be underfed as well because they are still growing, so they should have a balanced diet. A piece or two of adult kibble is fine a couple of times a day. To avoid digestive issues, begin with a mix of half the adult dog food and half of the puppy dog food. As per the French bulldog growth chart, you should increase or decrease the small amount of food as per requirement. At about the age of 12 months, they are fully grown, and at their senior age, they need a change in their diet. Compared to growing French bulldogs, senior French bulldogs eat less and need fewer calories. About 3 to 4 weeks is a good age for weaned French bulldog puppies. When should I stop feeding my French Bulldog puppy food? For your French Bulldog, 9 to 12 months is a good time to slightly change from puppy food to adult food. How much dry food should I feed my French Bulldog? It depends on the age of the French bulldog puppies. For a 6-week-old puppy, you can feed 1 cup of dry food mixed with water about 3 times a day.

Hypoallergenic: No History Hailing from England and boasting lineage from the mighty Old English Bulldog, the American Bulldog journeyed across the seas with tenacious working-class immigrants seeking a fruitful life in North America. This dog's superhero-like agility and strength proved itself to be a powerful ally for herding cattle and combating the onslaught of wild pigs that had invaded the American South. However, swept up in the chaos of World War II, the valiant American Bulldog was nearly lost to the sands of time, but fate had other plans! Today, these resilient dogs have surged back from the brink of extinction, earning recognition from the United Kennel Club in and securing their place as a beloved and enduring breed. Temperament Meet the American Bulldog, a loyal and brave companion that's guaranteed to bring joy and energy to any household! With their outgoing and friendly nature, these gentle giants adore children and are sure to become the loving guardians of those they call their own. When trained from a young age, American Bulldogs become the ultimate family pets, thriving in social settings with both people and other dogs. Keep them active and engaged to prevent any mischievous behavior, and remember, they crave your company! So fight off their separation anxiety with lots of quality time, and you'll have the perfect sidekick for all of life's adventures! Our breeders see their American Bulldog puppies and parents as vital members of their families. At Homemade Puppies, we pride ourselves on giving responsible, in-home, family breeders a platform to get their furry American Bulldog friends found. Your American Bulldog puppy is just waiting to be welcomed into their forever home. Life Span Did You Know? The American Bulldog is a descendant of a generic bulldog type of dog breed brought into the region that is now the Southern United States by working-class immigrants many years ago. These were all-around working dogs used by small farmers and ranchers for several tasks around the farm. They were often found working as catch dogs, stock dogs, and overall farm guardians. When feral pigs were introduced to the New World, they had no natural predators and the population quickly grew out of control. In addition to their farm duties, the settlers found the bulldog-type dog to be the best solution they had for dealing with it. So, the bulldog continued to thrive, especially in the South. Johnson and Alan Scott that we have what we know today as the American Bulldog. Modern American Bulldogs can still be found working as all-around utility dogs, farm dogs, catch dogs, cattle drovers, and more. They can also be found competing in dog sports, working as a guardian, police, or military dog, and are also popular as a family pet. This dog breed is a sweetheart with a gentle, fun-loving nature. The American Bulldog is affectionate and adores their families. They also love children and tend to be good with other animals. American Bulldogs can have a high prey drive, so you will want to make sure you introduce and socialize them properly with other small animals in the household. Due to their protective nature, they can be aloof towards strangers and strange dogs, especially when they are younger. Early socialization can help them be more comfortable navigating their guardian instincts. Overall, this dog breed tends to be confident, social, and are most at ease and relaxed when they are with the people they love. American Bulldogs are an emotional dog breed and thrives on human attention and affection, so they tend to bond strongly with their owners and may come across as clingy sometimes. They will also often convince themselves that they are lap dogs regardless of their size, so make sure you are ready for a lot of love and cuddles with your American Bulldog, drool and all! The American Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are strong, high-energy working dogs that love being around their favorite humans. This makes them better suited to larger homes with space for them to run. They are not generally a good fit for apartment living, but they can adapt as long as they get more than enough exercise and attention. Because they do tend to bond strongly with their owners and want to be near them, they do not tend to do well with long periods of time alone. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, but can adapt to well to most climates. There are some health issues that can be found in specific genetic lines and are not common to the breed overall, but these can be ruled out with genetic tests. Some potential health conditions to be aware of in general with the American Bulldog include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders, bone cancer, and eye-related issues like ectropion, entropion, and cherry eye. Talking to the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay potential concerns. American Bulldogs are highly trainable and eager to please, so they are a good fit for owners of any experience level, including first-time dog owners. They can have a stubborn streak, so a first-time dog owner may want to consider enrolling in puppy training classes. As with any dog breed, early and ongoing training and socialization are important for your American Bulldog puppy to grow into a well-rounded, and a well-behaved, dog. This dog breed has a short coat that is generally smooth. Common coat colors are white and predominately white with patches of brindle, black, or red. More coat color patterns are emerging and becoming more common like all shades of brindle, fawn, brown, red, and more. The American Bulldog is relatively low maintenance and easy to groom and they are light to moderate shedders. They only require a bath as needed. But, you will need to be prepared to deal with some extra drool! Floppy ears tend to trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to ear infections. The ideal dental care for dogs is using an enzyme toothpaste or brushing their teeth every day. Dental hygiene chews or treats, a specially-formulated dental care diet, and more can be used to supplement your dental care efforts. The American Bulldog is an athletic and high-energy dog breed. They love daily walks and plenty of playtime outside. They may even enjoy plenty of other activities with you like swimming, hiking , and more. With their working dog background, this dog breed does need a job to do in order to stay happy and healthy. They also tend to be a good candidate for dog sports like obedience, weight pulling, the Iron Dog competition, and more. A fully-grown American Bulldog usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. An American Bulldog generally lives for years. Chance, one of the canine stars from the Homeward Bound films, was an American Bulldog. Featured American Bulldog Article.

Schulz "Poo, how do you spell love? You don't spell it.It's no wonder the Cavalier was King Charles of England's favorite dog! A Cavalier's 1 goal in life is to love you unconditionally and please you! He will happily go on a run with you, or snuggle on the couch all evening. He is happiest at your side! She is a perfect indoor companion. Your Cavalier King Charles puppy is very friendly, calm-natured, and an average shedder. Frequent brushing is recommended. Cavaliers are often cited as being rated near the top for best companion and therapy dogs because of their intelligence, low exercise requirement, and high love-o-meter! She will likely weigh between 13 to 20 pounds. A Cavapoo or Cavoodle puppy is also considered 'hypoallergenic'.Officially, there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog - but there is no dispute that poodle mix puppies have given allergy-laden families symptom-free companions! He is known for a "forever puppy" look he'll carry into adulthood. Our first-generation F1 Cavapoos have registered purebred parents. Your Cavapoo puppy will take on the traits of his parents - just like people! It's important to remember that you are getting a puppy from two different breeds and your puppy may favor one way over the other. Either way, the intelligence and friendliness of both breeds are the perfect match! As 3rd generation family farmers, we love and live what we do - every day. We have a small purebred Angus cow herd, pigs and a few chickens, as well as row crop farming. There is never a dull moment with our 5 children from elementary to high school! Each and every one of our puppies and their parents are played with and socialized on a daily basis. Every person in our family is involved with caring and loving! It is our goal to only raise dogs that will improve the overall health and temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed. We became passionate about Cavapoo puppies because our oldest child has many allergies and it was our hope to help bring the love of a Cavalier puppy to others with this same story! Combining the intelligence of a Poodle and the affectionate loyalty of a Cavalier King Charles makes the perfect companion for those with allergies or who wish for a low or nonshedding puppy! We believe that everything we do is a reflection of who we are as people. In our rural, small farm setting there is no better place to raise a family, or a pup! We strive for only strictly healthy, well socialized, and beautiful pups to bless others. Our parent dogs are thoroughly examined, genetic DNA tested, and health-checked by our Veterinarian. Our Cavalier mamas are OFA certified for heart health. It's our goal to improve the health of our pets for ourselves and for you! Beyond parent health.Find Us Yes, we're actually on a Map! West Bend, Iowa! We welcome your visit to our farm after joining our Wait List. By Appointment only. If an in-person visit isn't feasible - contact us to connect through Zoom to choose your pup. Deposits are non-refundable but always transferable to another litter. This means you can pass your turn for any reason timing, color, gender preference, etc. Our Cavapoos generally will be between lb. We look forward to offering toy Cavapoos in ; expected to be lb. Your deposit does apply towards your total fee. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. They are renowned for being friendly, sociable, and family pets. Anyone who has owned this adorable mix knows how gentle and loving these little guys can be. They make brilliant family pets, their gentle nature suits children of all ages. They will curl up on the sofa, but are equally as happy to go for long fun walks. Their intelligence makes them highly trainable; a general good all-rounder. They come in different colors and types as well. Cavadoodles coats can be white, black, or tri-colored. The coats can also either be flat and straight or wavy. This ease in training is due largely to the temperament of most Cavadoodles, which is obviously hereditary. Super good-natured dogs - Cavadoodles are known to be good dogs for families. They are great around children, and they are also great pets to grow up around. Cavadoodles are extremely friendly animals,and love to keep up with active children as well. Exercise needs? Any health issues? Minimal Grooming - These dogs tend to be non-shedding dogs just because of their mix. However, you need to brush your Cavadoodle at least once a week Indoor Small Space Pets - Cavadoodles are the best dogs for small living spaces such as apartments and condos. Attached to you.Life expectancy - The good news is Cavapoo dogs can live for a long time. Their average life expectancy is anywhere from 10 to 14 years, but many Cavapoos have been known to live for up to 20 years. All it takes is some extra love and care, a proper diet, and enough exercise, and your dog should see a longer lifetime than average. The Cavadoodle was bred to be a family or companion dog; boasting a relatively low shedding coat — much more suitable for those with allergies. These adorable balls of fluff come in a range of colors including gold, black, white, Blenheim, and even tri-colored. Here at Puppies Up North, we expect our Cavadoodles to be approximately lbs fully grown as an adult. The Cavadoodle is a dependable addition to any family helping them build stronger bonds. They will be gentle and loving with babies, yet energetic and interesting with teenagers. They have kept that spirited happiness of the poodle! The adaptability of these pooches means they suit most home environments. Most Cavadoodle are sociable with other dogs and are happy to cohabit with other animals. They really are an adaptable, laid back dog and will fit in with your lifestyle. The Cavadoodle is highly trainable, the whole family can get involved. To have well-rounded, stable dog, early socialization is vital. This means introducing them to everything the world has to offer, in a safe environment. Your pup needs to meet different people; children and adults. Puppies Up North brings all puppies through a point socialization test so that all of our puppies are adaptable with your family and home. They are often described as a fuzzy faced teddy bear. You will be proud to own one of these puppies!! Mini Cavapoo Puppies What is a Cavapoo? They can be described as affectionate, gentle, loyal. They are even tempered, but can also be playful and full of personality! Be prepared for your cavapoo to be by your side. Cavapoos are not known to be excessive barkers and they can be somewhat hypo-allergenic depending on the genetic result from the parent dogs. Since poodles are non-shedders, the cavapoos often inherit some of this quality! What is an F1? The term F1 simply refers to the amount of poodle compared to the amount of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the particular cross. This is often a desirable cross because they receive hybrid vigor which simply means lower risk of the known issues associated with either of the parent breeds! What is a Mini? A mini cavapoo means that one of the parents was a miniature, and in our case, the sires, Chief and Thunder are AKC registered miniature poodles! They both have been OFA tested! She weighs 20 pounds, she is OFA tested and up-to-date on all vaccinations! We expect our puppies to be somewhere between lbs when full-grown! Our approach to puppies starts with our housedog Fancy giving birth in her own little doggie room assisted by Monica. Fancy is a rockstar mama! At about 4 days old we begin doing Early Neurological Stimulation exercises daily. At three and a half weeks we start potty training and weaning them. We took our cue from Fancy who starts to pull away. They take immediately to wet puppy food and transition to a slurry of dry food prepared fresh each meal. We then begin potty training them! Additionally we teach them emotional stability skills such as responding to new stimuli and recovering quickly. Along with emotional skills, we begin handling the pups daily paying particular attention to pads of the feet, tail, ear and mouth in order to desensitize them to these types of touch. This will aid in grooming and doctoring later in life. Getting their nails trimmed will be old hat for these puppies by the time they are 4 weeks old! Exposing them to household sounds such as the hair dryer and vacuum cleaner, traffic and thunderstorms along with other dog sounds will make the transition to your home even more seamless. Your puppy comes home with all up-to-date worming and vaccinations along with a health check from the vet! We even throw in a welcome home package for your puppy to have a smooth transition away from the litter. Later in puppyhood, some basic training such as "sit" and "come" will be introduced as well as early crate training! We want these puppies to be absolute blessings to your family as Fancy is to ours and our early weeks with them are very important in that journey! We will do our best for you! Email us to come pick out your future best friend! Our old farm office has turned into our "Dog Room. Breed Title Cavapoo Temperament Our Cavapoo puppies for sale are the most loyal and affectionate dogs you will ever meet. They love to cuddle and will be your best friend for life. These dogs are perfect for anyone who wants a loyal, affectionate companion by their side at all times. Cavapoos will become very attached to their owners and have been known to become lonely and despondent when their owners are away. So, make sure to give your Cavapoo puppy lots of attention and approval. Keystone Puppies is the perfect place to find your new best friend. Our Cavapoo puppies are bred for good temperament and make great family pets. Consider getting your new puppy this best-selling pack of small plush toys! With a little patience and consistency, your puppy will be well-behaved in no time. Check out these puppy training essentials! Cavapoo Dog Health The Cavapoo is a relatively healthy crossbreed. The average lifespan is years old. All mixed-breed dogs have a better chance of having fewer health concerns because of their genetic diversity, but Cavapoos may also be susceptible to the health problems of both the Cavalier and Mini Poodle. Try these trusted hip and joint supplements and easy-to-use ear cleaner wipes to help prevent health issues! Another benefit that puppy parents appreciate when looking for Cavapoos for sale is that we place the health of their dogs above everything else! Not only do we work with reputable breeders who put a premium on good practices, but we also provide a no-hassle puppy health guarantee. Cavapoo Dog Health This breed is known for its soft, curly coat that stands away from their body, giving them the cuddly appearance of a teddy bear. Even though the coat looks great, it is relatively low maintenance. Cavapoo puppies love grooming time with their owners. Their coat requires some grooming to prevent matting. Daily brushing with a self-cleaning slicker brush will minimize tangles and keep the coat looking fluffy and soft. Overall grooming every 4 — 6 weeks will keep your pup looking clean and tidy. Meet Cavapoos for Sale. Cavapoo is a mixed breed dog that results from breeding the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Curious, playful, outgoing and very social Cavapoos get along well with both humans and other pets as well. Cavapoo dogs inherit the best traits from their parents including the looks and impressive intelligence. With a lovely temperament, Cavapoos make great family companions and pets. Cavapoos are also known as Cavoodle or Cavadoodle and were initially meant to be hypoallergenic and low-shedding dogs, which makes them ideal companions for individuals suffering from allergies. Owing to their cute looks and friendly nature, Cavapoo dogs grew to be popular among many dog lovers. Cavapoo's small stature and low shedding nature make them ideal for apartment dwellers, singles and seniors who love including their dogs in every social activity. Cavapoo dogs generally do well with older kids who know how to appreciate their small nature and will enjoy romping around their owners. Cavapoo is a designer dog and as with all other mixed breeds, they don't have long histories. In the late s, breeders started intentionally mixing the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Australia. Cavapoo breeders initially wanted to mix the intelligence and low shedding nature of a Poodle with the calmer and outgoing nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The main goal was to have a hypoallergenic dog that would be suitable for people with allergies. This is because Toy Poodles are more prone to hereditary health issues than the Miniature. Their popularity has been attributed to their cute looks, great temperament, small size, and hypoallergenic nature. Breeders advise that if you intend to get a Cavapoo to adopt one. As a result of two different purebred dogs, one cannot tell which parent's genes will be dominant in the Cavapoo puppies. At times the traits will be evenly distributed while at other times the Cavapoo puppy will tend to have more genes from one parent. To get a uniform breed, breeders will prefer to do the multigenerational crossing. For instance, if the breeder is looking to develop a dog with hypoallergenic coat, then he will add more Poodle genes. It all depends on the ultimate goal of the breeder. Cavapoos are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as they are considered to be a hybrid breed. Cavapoo Lifespan What is the lifespan of Cavapoo dogs? Cavapoos have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Cavapoo Size How big do Cavapoos get? Cavapoos are small to medium size dogs, depending on whether the breeder used a Toy Poodle or a Miniature Poodle to create this mix. For the Toy Cavapoo, size ranges between 28 and 35 cm 11 to 14 inches while for the Miniature Cavapoo the height ranges between 30 and 40 cm 12 to 16 inches. Generally, Cavapoos weigh between 5 and 10 kilograms 11 to 22lbs Cavapoo Temperament Cavapoos are loyal, friendly, affectionate and very social. Cavadoodles get along well with children and other pets as well. They have gained popularity due to their gentle, friendly nature and winning personality. Owners should, however, know that Cavapoos tend to suffer from separation anxiety, they don't like being left alone for so long. If that happens then they result in destructive behaviors such as excessive barking, chewing furniture or rooting through the garbage. Since they are eager to please and live for your validation and praises, you will find them fair to train. Cavadoodles are also good athletes which makes them great when it comes to obedience competitions. Once they arrive at your home, they will consider being a part of your family, since they like taking part in every family activity. You will find them following the owner around the house and Cavadoodle dogs are not ideal for people who are not at home most of the day. Cavapoos require loads of attention and will love anyone, so if your looking forward to kennel your dog doesn't consider Cavapoo as your pet. They thrive well on human companionship and may even greet a stranger with a wagging tail. Anyone looking for a guard dog, Cavapoos may not be a good idea. Early socialization and training coupled with positive reinforcement and soft treatment will give you a well-rounded and healthy puppy. Consistent is key when it comes to training, although house training may not be easy patience and understanding may work the trick. Cavapoo with Children and other Pets Due to their small nature Cavapoos can be easily hurt by overly excited kids and more so the smaller ones. It's highly recommended for any owner to properly teach their children on safer ways of approaching and playing with Cavapoos. Generally, Cavadoodles enjoy playing and romping around children. In regards to other pets, Cavapoos tend to be friendly and sociable with other dogs and pets provided they are introduced and socialized well in a calm and slow manner. When properly trained, Cavapoos get along well with other dogs and cats. Consider giving Cavapoos some ample attention if you happen to have other pets in the house because Cavapoos love loads of attention from their owner. Cavapoo Puppies Toy Cavapoos produce even smaller puppies. Extra care should be taken to safeguard them from either well-meaning children who may hurt them unintentionally due to rough plays. Cavapoo puppies are sensitive to extreme cold or heat and should live indoors with their family. Considering Cavapoo's high intelligence and eagerness to please, start socialization sessions early, when the dog is still a young puppy. Early socialization will help the Cavadoodle puppy to stay comfortable while interacting with other pets and humans as well. Cavapoo Appearance With adorable large eyes, Cavapoos are described as fuzzy faced teddy bears. They will melt anyone's heart on the whole. Cavadoodles are small dogs that have physical features resembling those of their parents the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. The Cavapoos size will, however, be determined by the size of the Poodle parent, since they come two different sizes the Miniature and the Toy. These lovely pups may have either a silky or a wavy coat that comes in different colors. Cavapoo coat colors include chestnut, black, white, gold, black white and tan, chestnut and white. Cavapoos have a round face with long floppy ears. Cavapoos coats also come in three different types which include hair, wool and the most common one the fleece. The fleece coat has a loose curl or wave and is very smooth and soft to the touch. Cavadoodle dogs are also low shed and may need to be clipped regularly for low maintenance. The hair is usually wiry and rough, pups with the hair coat will shed more than those with the other coats. They require less grooming though because the hair doesn't grow so long. The wool coats don't shed much and due to the tight curls, they don't release much dander compared to the other coats. Cavadoodles are best suited for allergic people and will require frequent clipping and brushing to maintain. How to groom a Cavapoo? Cavadoodles come in various colors which include fawn, cream, chocolate, chestnut, gold, and white. Mainly they have solid colors or tri-colors. Cavadoodle coat may be wavy or curly and soft to the touch. At times Cavapoo dogs can be quite fluffballs which require regular grooming. Owing to the nature of their Poodle parent, they shed little which makes them ideal for allergy sufferers. Brushing the coat on a weekly basis should help keep the coat healthy. The curly coats help them tolerate moderate heat and cold. Like with all other dogs, Cavapoos should not be left out in either extreme cold or warm temperatures. Since Cavapoos are considered low shedders a weekly brush will help keep their coats shiny and healthy while preventing knots at the same time. The amount of grooming will, however, depend on the type of your Cavapoo. Those with long hair will require more grooming and a monthly trimming or clipping may work well for them. Check Price Cavapoos do also experience reddish-brown tear stains, a disease that can be addressed by regularly washing the dog's face, while carefully paying attention to the lower part of the eyes. However, it's advisable to visit a professional groomer every month. Brush their teeth daily, clean their ears occasionally and clip their nails regularly. This routine should give you a superb Cavapoo. How to care for a Cavapoo? Cavapoo owners should keep up with the regular vet check-ups, so as to determine any health issues early and diagnose it. Veterinarians are usually ready to offer routine care tips that will ensure that your dog stays strong and healthy. Keep your Cavapoos weight on check since they are prone to gaining weight fast. This will protect him from any heart disease. To avoid this, make sure your Cavadoodle gets at least one walk per day of at least 30 minutes with active plays. Due to the nature of their long floppy ears, check Cavapoo's ears for debris or pests on a daily basis to help prevent ear infections that are more frequent in dogs with floppy ears. Signs of ear infections include redness and sensitivity around the ear area. There may also be an unpleasant smell from the ears. If you notice any of these signs of ear infections in your Cavapoo, take the dog to the veterinarian. Brush your Cavapoos teeth daily as small breeds are prone to dental problems. Always use canine toothpaste on your dog's teeth. Enzyme based toothpaste for dogs works best to help prevent plaque from forming on your dog's teeth. Cavapoo training How to train a Cavapoo dog? Cavapoos are not hard to train, owing to their intelligent nature. Begin training and early socialization immediately they get home and at that very tender age. Keep the sessions short and enjoyable while incorporating plays, rewards, and praises whenever a milestone is achieved. As with other dogs' repetition and consistency is paramount. Train the pup for about 10 to 15 minutes with positive reinforcement and gentleness. Cavapoos don't do well with any harsh treatments. At times, house training will prove to be a little difficult since they may be slower to learn, but patience will work the trick. You will be amazed at how fast the Cavadoodle pup can learn during that tender age, take advantage of those early months while they are still young. Cavapoo Exercise Requirements How active are Cavapoos? Cavapoos are small crossbred dogs that don't require extensive physical activities. However, Cavadoodle dogs need at least one long walk per day in addition to indoor structured playtime. Cavapoo dogs enjoy games such as chasing a ball, fetch, or agility activities that make him receive loads of praise from his handler. Cavapoos that don't receive enough physical activity throughout the day may develop various behavior problems as a way to use their energy. Training the dog, playing outdoors with your pet and other fun activities channel Cavapoo's energy into a healthy and productive direction and help prevent various dog behavior issues. Cavapoos also require plenty of stimulation, both physical and mental. Playing with safe toys is one strategy that would help Cavadoodle release any leftover energy. Such activities will keep the Cavapoo alert and help develop their total potential. Cavapoo Potty training Being an intelligent dog, the Cavapoo is moderately easy to train when the right procedures are followed. The very first step is to identify a specific potty area in the yard outside your house. One easy way to potty train your Cavapoo is to always know where they are and what they are doing. By so doing, you can be able to observe them and find out the signs that they need to pee before they do it inside the house. Such signs include sniffing the floor, moving in circular motions and being restless. Below is a basic schedule that you need to potty train your Cavapoo, although every puppy has a unique personality. The first thing in the morning avoids greeting your Cavapoo with much enthusiasm because this only makes it hard for the dog to keep it in. Be keen to watch her, every time she wakes up from a nap rush her out to pee When your puppy gets too excited during or after plays, they usually need to pee even though they may not know it Between 5 to 30 minutes after eating a meal your Cavapoo needs to pee, so take them outside and be patient If the above does not happen, then you will have to wait for about 45 to 60 minutes then take her out as an opportunity to eliminate Be keen to go to the same dog potty area always, the scent around the area will make your dog want to pee. And eventually, they will know that's their elimination area. When night falls take out to pee before you rest to bed, be patient even if you feel sleepy If the dog wants to pee in the middle of the night take her to do so, although keep it silent so that they may not it's time to play. Return the Cavadoodle dog to her bed immediately after. Encourage your Cavapoo using the same words each time they go pee such as go potty or go pee. Soon the Cavapoo pup will learn to associate those words with elimination business. Shower praise after the dog eliminates properly. Do not shout or talk loudly. By the tone of your voice, Cavapoo puppy will know that he or she have done well. Use words such as "good pup". Avoid pouring praise to your dog when they are still in the middle of the act. This may prompt them to stop, which is not a good thing, but praise them immediately after you're sure they are done. Do not be disappointed, when accidents occur during the potty-training session. Instead, practice patience and persistence soon the results will be worth it. Cavapoo Diet Cavadoodle's diet should be formulated according to the size, weight and energy level of the dog. Since Cavapoos have a tendency of gaining weight, it's advisable to stick to a regular feeding schedule as well as limiting treats. Remove any food leftovers as soon as the dog is done with the meal. As with all other dogs, the diet will definitely change from puppyhood to adulthood and later to the seniors. Cavapoo dogs require dry, healthy and high-quality kibble. Supplement dog's food with healthy additions such as boiled chicken meat or boiled beef and add some boiled or steamed vegetables that your dog likes that may include cabbage. Unlike other dogs, Cavapoos have complex nutrition needs that are met through dry food specifically tailored for them. The right proportions of micronutrients, healthy carbs, fats, and meat-based protein will help keep your Cavapoo strong and healthy. If you happen to have any concerns about which food is best for your dog, consult with the dogs' vet for advice. Due to their small size and big appetite, Cavapoos are prone to obesity if they get too much food and too little exercise. Giving dry food will promote good dental health and even better if proper hygiene is maintained by brushing your pet's teeth. Be sure not to overfeed your pup if you want your Cavapoo to remain healthy and fit. Lisa Stirling 28 Oct 22 We were fortunate to get two beautiful.Shih Poo puppies from Amy 5 months apart. Our female Millie is now 2 years old and our male Oakley will be 2 in January. They are both extremely friendly, loving and quickly became part of our family. Amy was able to guide us throughout the entire process from selecting our puppies, to picking them up and bringing them home. She continued providing us with support anytime we had questions. Our experience with Amy was wonderful. She answered all our questions, gave us detailed info to help us with our new puppy. She truly cares about her dogs. If you buy a puppy from Amy you will not be disappointed. Highly recommend. Her advice helped us establish some great groundwork for training success. Her kennel is well maintained and set in a quiet countryside location. We brought the crate and the puppy settled pretty quickly for the trip home. We would recommend Amy to anyone looking for a Poodle mix. Our girl is four months old this week and she is well adjusted and loves everyone and everything. Even our vet was surprised by how comfortable she was with people. There are so many things that confirm this was a perfect choice. Amy will answer your questions and provide you sound advice. Amy was very helpful and gave lots of tips and advice. Communication is excellent and the kennel is impeccably clean! Life Span Did You Know? This designer breed became popular in Australia during the late s. Although it is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC , it is recognized by other dog registries and clubs. Cavapoos tend to be outgoing, loving, and playful dogs. They make fantastic family companions as they tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets. Their sweet, gentle nature makes them a great companion breed. They also make great therapy dogs! As long as they are well-socialized, they are even open and friendly with strangers. Although small, Cavapoos are relatively sturdy dogs, but they can be hurt by rough play. So, interactions between young kids and puppies , especially playtime, should be supervised. Due to their smaller size and moderate energy level, the Cavapoo is a highly adaptable dog that thrives in apartments as well as larger homes. They do tend to have short muzzles, which makes them even more sensitive to heat. They also do not handle the cold very well either and may need some winter dog products to stay warm while out on walks when temperatures drop. As a true companion breed that bonds closely with their families and is happiest being around them, a Cavapoo does not like to spend a lot of time alone. They can be prone to developing separation anxiety if you do not work with them on it early on. Potential health concerns to be aware of can include Mitral Valve Disease, patellar luxation , progressive retinal atrophy, and hip dysplasia. Good breed practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Willingness and openness to talk about these things and their breeding practices are qualities to look for in a great breeder. A Cavapoo tends to be a highly trainable dog that is one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are intelligent and eager to please. Although they are smart and learn quickly, they also have a mind of their own and may be more interested in cuddling or sitting on your lap than listening to basic commands. They can usually be persuaded to change their mind and find the command or trick worth performing if there is a treat or praise involved. This is a good way to keep your dog engaged during training sessions. Due to their short attention spans, especially as puppies, consistency in training is imperative. Cavapoos also tend to be sensitive, which means they respond best to positive reinforcement techniques like play, food rewards, and praise. Because they are sensitive souls, harsh or sharp tones can sometimes send a Cavapoo into a sulk or a pout. Common coat colors are red, white, black, red and white, and tricolor. Daily brushing is recommended to remove tangles and prevent mats. Professional grooming is recommended every weeks. The dog groomer may be able to take care of some of this, but you will still need to do some maintenance at home between visits. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, the Cavapoo is more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. Daily tooth brushing, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is a good start. Daily walks with some playtime are usually enough to keep this pup happy and healthy. A Cavapoo loves spending time with their favorite humans and will be more than willing to be more active if their owner leads a more active lifestyle. Plus, they tend to love chasing balls and are almost always up for playing fetch. Cavapoos can also be a good fit for dog sports like agility, rally, and obedience. As with any intense training or exercise regimen, you will want to have your Cavapoo cleared by your vet before jumping into these high-energy activities. A fully-grown Cavapoo usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Looking at the size of the parents, especially the mother, can give you a better idea of what to expect when it comes to size for a particular Cavapoo puppy. Cavapoos generally live for years on average. The Cavapoo is sometimes also called a Cavoodle or a Cavadoodle. Featured Cavapoo Article.

Arthritis Cancer You can keep your Bernese German Shepherd as healthy as possible by bringing him to the vet for a wellness check at least once per year. As your dog gets older, you may want to increase the frequency of the visits and consider doing senior bloodwork at least once every year. Also make sure to keep your dog on prevention for heartworms , fleas and ticks at all times. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. The Euro Mountain Sheparnese lifespan is sadly not that long. Giant breeds simply do not live as long as smaller breeds. With good care, the lifespan of your Euro Mountain Sheparnese could reach 10 or ever 12 years, but that would be quite old for this breed. Many pass away around 8 or 9 years old. Grooming and Shedding: Get Ready for Fur! The answer to that question is definitely yes! If you cannot handle dog fur, this is probably not the right dog for you. When you combine the two breeds into a Euro Mountain Sheparnese you are definitely going to get a designer dog that sheds profusely! You are going to need to stock up on a heavy duty vacuum cleaner as well as a variety of brushes and combs. You should give your dog a bath as needed, but approximately once every month or two. If your dog has very long fur, you might want to take him to a professional groomer a few times per year for a haircut, or at least a sanitary trim. You should also clean his ears frequently to prevent infection. Is the Euro Mountain Sheparnese Hypoallergenic? The Euro Mountain Sheparnese is not hypoallergenic unfortunately. If you are allergic to dog dander, this mixed breed will not work for you. Exercise The Euor Mountain Sheparnese is a big, athletic dog that needs plenty of daily exercise. You will not be able to keep this dog cooped up in the yard or in a small apartment all day. These dogs need vigorous exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, hiking, or playing with other dogs. After they burn some energy, they are happy to relax by your side, but you should be prepared to provide at least an hour of daily activity if you adopt a German Shepherd Mountain Dog. Likewise, the German Shepherd Mountain Dog needs a lot of training and mental stimulation to keep him from becoming bored and destructive. The best way to train a Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix is through positive reinforcement training. If possible sign up for a basic obedience class or a puppy socialization class with a positive reinforcement trainer. Never use painful tools such as pinch collars or shock collars on your German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog mix. Such tactics will damage the fragile trust between you and your new dog. Your dog will learn best through positive, pain-free methods. If you think your Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix would enjoy even more mental enrichment, you can sign up for a canine sport such as nosework, agility, weight pull, or herding trials. The best route is probably through rescue or adoption. Since the Euro Mountain Sheparnese is a mixed breed dog, there are not too many breeders out there creating Euro Mountain Sheparnese puppies. Although there might be a few. If you do end up working with a breeder, make sure you do a lot of research to make sure it is a responsible breeder. Definitely do not buy a Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix puppy from a pet store or over the internet. Visit your local animal shelter and let them know that you are looking for a German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog mix. Even if they do not have one at that time, you can fill out an application and leave your name and number on file for the future. That way they can let you know if they receive a dog that might be a good match for you. The shelter can also refer you to other rescue groups that specialize in certain breeds and mixes such as a local German Shepherd rescue, a Bernese Mountain Dog rescue, or a rescue that specializes in giant mixes. The internet is another useful tool for finding a Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix for adoption. Check out websites such as Petfinder. The price will depend on where you purchase or adopt your dog. If you adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group, the adoption fee is generally fairly affordable. This significantly less than you would pay if you purchased a purebred dog from a breeder. We hope that this article has answered some of your questions about the lovable Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix! Thank you for reading! Allie M. Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs and cats throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry. Lifespan Sociability Since the Bernese Mountain and German Shepherd continue to become more popular, their hybrid mix does as well. The parent breeds of a Euro Mountain Sheparnese tend to be expensive, so the mix of these tends to go down that price range as well. If you want to adopt a Euro Mountain Sheparnese, you might need some patience. Euro Motaunain Sheparneses are known to be energetic and playful dogs. They require plenty of mental and physical stimulation to avoid boredom. Training and early socialization are always a good idea with puppies so they grow to be friendly dogs around other pets and people. The Bernese Mountain Dogs are supposed to have worked on farms 2, years ago. Bernese Mountain dogs were initially called Swiss Mountain dogs. Although they were not originally from the Swiss Alps region, it is the area with which they have become the most strongly associated. The reason for this is their longevity, having been brought to the region by the invading Romans 2, years ago. They were also used as herders and traveled the Alps with their shepherding masters. As in many other areas of the world, the need for so many small farms decreased in the 19th century and the use for these pups along with it. They began to see a sharp decline in overall popularity. Luckily, there were devotees to the breed that worked hard to maintain their bloodlines. The Bernese Mountain dogs became popular all over Europe. When they were imported into the country, they quickly began their climb in popularity and were accepted by the AKC in .The Euro Mountain Sheparnese still have the hard work ethic and strength of the Bernese parents. It is due to these traits that they make excellent farm dogs. They like to have a job to do and appreciate more space to run around in as well. German Shepherds are a popular but relatively young breed. The Germans initially bred them, supposedly a Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to produce the most obedient and well-rounded dog. He did so by studying desirable traits in many different dog breeds in Germany during the late 19th century and developed the German Shepherd as a result. Since then, they have spread around the world as a popular dog. It is mostly because of their alert temperaments, loyalty, and high trainability. So much popularity has encouraged bad breeding, where some desirable traits end up in the mix. These dogs can be mistaken for Rottweilers, depending on which parent they favor. Sometimes, it can be confusing to differentiate purebred and well-known dogs from other lesser-known hybrids. In the case of a Euro Mountain Sheparnese, they can easily be mistaken for a Rottweiler. The reason for this is because of their coat color and texture patterns. Both the German Shepherd and the Bernese Mountain dog have a double coat, meaning two layers of fur for extra protection from the elements. It also means that they tend to shed quite a bit. They also have similar color patterns to one another, black and tan, with the Bernese typically having white splotches on their chest and paws. If the hair ends up being shorter, favoring the typical German Shepherd look, then the combination of physical traits makes them resemble a Rottweiler. The best way to tell between the Euro Mountain Sheparnese and a Rottweiler is their overall build and height. The Euro Mountain Sheparnese is large but tends to have a more athletic body and longer legs. Rottweilers have thicker chests, square faces, and shorter legs. They inherit a strong work ethic and demure attitudes from both of their parents. Both can also be serious, although younger pups still like to play with their family members. These dogs make an excellent watch and guard dogs because they are always alert and ready to protect. They can be cautious of strangers, so if your dog is socialized, be careful about teaching them appropriate social manners. These dogs are highly intelligent, coming from two independent breeds trained to be thinkers of a sort. They like to have the freedom and trust to make some of their own decisions. They are generally quite easy to train, but their size, energy, and sometimes temperaments make them not fit for first-time owners. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are protectors, though, and take this charge quite seriously. These dogs can be wary of strangers; however, they are friendly and attentive with their own family. Their affection is what makes them a beloved pet. Regarding their parent breeds, it is relatively unpredictable how well they will get along with other dogs. Sometimes they can be quite territorial, while at other times, they are friendly and extremely social. Keep in mind that each dog is different, no matter what breed they come from, and they may need extra training to behave appropriately in different social situations. It is possible for these dogs to eat you out of house and home. They can eat 3. Check into the parental sensitivities from the breeder, especially of the German Shepherd. If you are still concerned about food sensitivities, you can get various blood tests done to check. If you have one of these dogs, you will find that vets and breeders highly recommend avoiding food with any fillers or additives. In these dogs, it can lead to behavioral issues. A post shared by Rocky rocky. They need a great deal of exercise each day and are thus not an appropriate choice for those who live in apartments or small homes unless they belong to an active owner. They need about 3 hours of high to medium levels of activity each day or about 14 miles of walking every week. Since they are highly trainable, you can try agility training. Since they need quite a bit of socialization, it is best to take them to some sort of dog park from as young an age as possible. They are large dogs that were often used for pulling, especially the Bernese Mountain dog. It means that they are known to pull on the leash, but this can be trained out of them with consistency. Forming a bond with these dogs is a sure way to find success in obedience training. The trainer needs to establish themselves as the leader. When this is established, their intelligence and willingness make them quick and easy to train. They need daily brushings to keep any knots out of their fur and their skin and coat healthy. You need to clean their ears thoroughly every several days, removing wax and dirt from the inside and preventing infection. Brush their teeth at least a couple of times a week, preferably daily because these dogs sometimes suffer from dental issues. Like many other big dogs, they have relatively short lifespans. Make sure to bring them to the vet at least once a year to catch any health issues as soon as possible. Minor Conditions. Meningitis Heat sensitivity By ensuring that your dog gets the right food diet and exercise, you can help increase the lifespan of your dog companion. For puppies, it is recommended to delay neutering, about 10 months. Delayed neutering is beneficial for the dog to achieve correct hormone levels and stimulate proper growth and development. Moreover, early neutering may cause further hip dysplasia later on. Euro Mountain Sheparnese Food Requirements Taking into consideration their large size and activity level, this hybrid dog should at least eat cups of high-quality dry food per day. Take note of this 3 important tips for your Euro Mountain Sheparnese nutrition needs: Carrying out blood tests to identify any food allergies: This is recommended since both parents of this mixed breed dog are known to have certain dietary sensitives. The German Shepherd side of his lineage is known to be easily prone to nutritional sensitivities. Choosing the right food: Pet dogs enjoy the same food humans do. Make sure you choose the right food product that will attend to all your dog nutritional needs. Dog foods rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals are highly recommended. Avoid additives: This is very crucial because if they consume any additives or fillers from their food, it may cause overactivity and other behavioral issues. Consult a Dog Nutritionist. To ensure that your Euro Mountain Sheparnese is receiving the proper nutrition he needs, opt to consult dog nutrition professionals for pieces of advice specific for your dog companion. All responsible dog owners love to provide their pooch with the best care and nutrition. If you wish your dog was strong and healthy, stay away from the worst dry dog food, and choose the best dry dog food instead, for example, Wellness Core Dog Food , Dog For Dog Food , or Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. Puppies require food that is full of vitamins and easy to digest which you may find among best puppy food brands. Older dogs, in their grandpa style, need food that contains moderate fat and protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Your hairy companion comes from different breeds and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Euro Mountain Sheparnese Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd Exercise Requirements Since both parent breeds of Euro Mountain Sheparnese are high-energy dogs, regular exercise is needed to release excess energy and to keep them happy and healthy. Also, routine exercise is not only good for your dog but also beneficial for your health. You can provide interactive dog toys or conduct challenging activities to keep him mentally fit. As previously mentioned, the Euro Mountain Sheparnese is a hybrid of working dogs. Both parent breeds were developed to be work-oriented. Thus, you can train puppies at an early age to perform varying tasks ranging from agility to herding. Training this hybrid dog is very crucial since they are large sized and tends to be very active. Implement positive reinforcement training methods. Euro Mountain Sheparnese loves treats and encouragement so expect them to be very responsive. Make sure to avoid punishment-based training since this hybrid dog may tend to respond aggressively when being punished or shouted at. Train your hybrid dog consistently in a positive method, and your dog will reward you with obedience and loyalty. His Bernese Mountain Dog lineage is known to pull on anything, but proper training can help fix this. Obedience Training: Train your Euro mountain Sheparnese puppies to grasp basic obedience training commands such as sit, down, stay and recall. This will also help improve bonding with your friendly companion. Correcting Growling and Aggression: It is vital to train your hybrid dog to not be aggressive to people and to other dogs as well. This hybrid dog is not particularly cautious of strangers but may bark in alarm, which may not be dog-friendly. Early social training is essential since the German Shepherd parent of this hybrid can be aloof. He loves to be with the people all the time. Kids love the Euro Mountain Sheparnese because it tends to be very affectionate with its loved ones, which is what a child wants. Their genuine nature and friendly disposition make them a devoted family dog companion. Breeders who have German Shepherd puppies for sale will want to be sure that you know where the dog came from. They are known for their resilience and strength, which makes them an ideal choice for family pets. Their loyalty, determination, and overall affection for their owners are some of the most important traits of any type of dog. The breeding of these two breeds has contributed to what we know today as the purebred dogs we see today. Their characteristics have allowed many people to adopt the Bernese Mountain Dog as their own family pet. These dogs are also well known for their unique and charming personality and physical strength. Many breeders will use genetic lines in breeding their dogs to produce a purebred dog. Having these two dogs together has helped breeders and dog owners produce many purebred dogs that have been used for dog show performances. One of the advantages of having a purebred dog and a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale is that they are rarely involved in accidents and are very well behaved. They will happily eat at your table and sit on your lap, doing nothing more than what you would expect from a dog. If you are looking for a dog that can be used for hunting and protection purposes, then you will find that a German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale will prove to be very useful for this purpose. Their larger size and extra mass can enable them to withstand the weight of even large games and will easily drag them away to their den. Another positive aspect of these dogs is that their muzzle can be covered by the owner and he or she can be able to snuggle up with them for a comfortable nap. An advantage of the German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale is that the training will be easier to teach and the attitude of the dog will be easier to handle. Your dog will be much more patient and will learn to be more level-headed than some of the other dogs that may be more excitable and anxious. German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their endurance, stamina, and strength. In summary, a purebred dog and a German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale can be very helpful in providing a house pet that will provide security and affection for your family. They are very sturdy and well adapted to the harsh climates that some areas may have. These dogs also make great companions for children and will have them calm and loved. There are many Bernese mountain dog mix puppies for sale these days. They come from all over Europe and the United States and have been bred to work in the rugged mountains and forests of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France. The Bernese mountain dog is one of the more popular types of dogs in the world. It is a small dog that weighs between twelve and fifteen pounds and has medium-length fur. Some have short hair and others have long. Their coat is brownish-gray in color with fine flea control. If you decide to look at Bernese mountain dog breed puppies for sale, you can be assured that they will be highly energetic, outgoing, and alert. They have a good temperament and love to please. They are easy to train and should get along well with children and other animals. They have a very large size dog and can sometimes grow up to about thirty or forty inches tall. They are very strong dogs, however, so they should not be left alone with small children. This breed has a very distinctive and recognizable appearance which is the result of a cross between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shepherd. They have a short coat with a reddish-brown color that makes them look like the Shepherd. This is a naturally occurring breed and has been passed down for generations to the present day. You can find Bernese mountain dog mix puppies for sale that have been shown at national shows. These dogs have an interesting and fun-loving personality, which comes from their genes. They are easy to train, and because they are so alert, loving, and energetic, they are often used in rescue work. They are used as companions for the disabled and physically challenged. Because they have a wonderful temperament, they are very loyal, and a good candidate to become a family pet for kids. The little dogs have a gentle personality and like to spend time with the family. Children especially love watching them play together and it is easy to train them to do things like fetch. They are great watchdogs and are great for protection for the home. German shepherd Bernese mountain dog mix puppies require a lot of time and attention. They need lots of exercise and plenty of food, but they do not need a lot of human interaction. Bernese mountain dog mix puppies require an entire crate to keep them safe and comfortable. They also need a sturdy bed that provides them with adequate warmth and softness, such as a dog bed with heavy stuffing. You also want to make sure you have a secure area where they can go when they want to go outside. Many people have heard horror stories about puppy mills and how they treat these little creatures. You want to avoid any type of animal shelter if possible. These places are not regulated and have horrible living conditions for these dogs. They are given food and supplies that are inappropriate for their age and personality. When you buy your dog, you want to make sure you choose a reputable breeder and a responsible breeder. You want to find a reputable breeder and the best homes for your new puppy. When you have found the best breeders and homes, be sure to take pictures of the puppies and get a certificate of registration. You want to get a purebred German Shepherd to make sure you get a purebred German Shepherd that is free from the genetic faults and defects common to this type of dog. You also want to buy a puppy that has been show-tested, since they are more prone to health problems with genetic defects than most dogs. Most of these sites do not offer you an opportunity to see the puppies in person. That is why it is important to make sure you have a vet that you can ask questions to. By doing some research ahead of time you will be able to find out the best place to buy your puppy from. When you start looking for German Shepherd puppies for sale , you want to make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. A good breeder will give you a paper trail to go back to whenever you need it. They should be willing to show you all of the relevant paperwork as well as the breeding history and health records. You want to make sure that the breeder you are dealing with is legally allowed to breed animals. You also want to make sure that the dog mix puppies for sale that you are considering are healthy. Sometimes these dogs end up in animal shelters because they are sickly. The breeder you are dealing with should be able to provide you with a clean bill of health. Be wary of any breeder who does not take adequate care of their animals. They should make sure that the dogs are getting proper exercise and are getting proper nutrition. German Shepherd dog mix puppies for sale can come in various colors and patterns. It should be no more than one color different. You do not want to get your German Shepherd a brown puppy and then end up with a chocolate Labrador. You will also want to make sure that the dog you are getting has been socialized. This is an important part of finding the right mix of dogs for your family. You should take the time to work with the breeder to learn whether or not the puppy is a good mix for your family. Do not be afraid to ask questions about this as you want to make sure that your puppy will fit in with your family. German Shepherd dog mix puppies for sale can come in various sizes as well. This is something that you will want to take into consideration. You do not want to get a puppy that is too small to be a good match for your German Shepherd. You also do not want to get a puppy that is too large as this may strain the relationship between the two dogs. This is so that you can know what to expect in terms of the general health and behavior of the puppy. You also want to know if the dog has any genetic diseases. Make sure that you get the parents when possible to ensure that there is adequate knowledge regarding the health and behavior of the puppies. German Shepherd dog mix puppies for sale are often available through local breeders or rescue groups. In most cases, the breeder will be able to give you more information than you can find online. If you cannot find enough good information about the dog online, ask the breeder to speak to you about it. You should never rely on just the pictures that you see on the Internet and you should always ask to see the dog in its actual home before purchasing a puppy. Share this:. Should they take after their Bernese Mountain Dog parent, they will be a large, fluffy, energetic, playful, and friendly dog that makes a great family pet. But, you do want to talk to the breeder about the other dog breed in the mix. Because a mixed-breed dog can inherit any combination of traits from one or both parents, the other parent breed will introduce some other potential traits into the mix and you will want to be aware of what those are. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their large, fluffy appearances and their friendly, affectionate personalities. They get along well with children, other pets, and other people. They can have a high prey drive, so they may need some extra socialization with other smaller pets in the household. Talking to the breeder about the other parent breed and meeting the mother dog can give you an idea of potential temperament. But, once you get a puppy home, continued training and socialization are up to you. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a moderately adaptable dog. As long as an apartment can handle their large size and they still get plenty of exercise, they can adapt to apartment living even though they are better suited to larger homes with yards. The other parent breed in the mix could result in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix that is more or less adaptable than the Berner parent. So, you do want to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed to get an idea of what potential range to expect. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than established breeds? A mix can inherit the potential health conditions common to one, both, or neither of their parent breeds. On the Bernese Mountain Dog side, potential health concerns to be aware of include elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. As a large dog breed, they are also more prone to bloat. Bloat in dogs can become dangerous quickly, so you do want to know how to prevent it as well as the symptoms so you know when to get help. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing issues on to puppies. So, you want to make sure you talk to the breeder about the other parent breed as well as the health and genetic history of both of the parent breeds. Berners are highly trainable dogs. They are intelligent and eager to please their owners, so they tend to be a good fit for owners of any experience level. But, they are a working breed with a lot of energy, which can be challenging for first-time dog owners. If the other parent breed is similar when it comes to training, then you can expect the same in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix. If not, then you will want to be prepared for a dog that may be more difficult to train. Puppy training classes can be a big help and they also often offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. A mix can inherit a coat that is similar to one of the parent breeds or a true combination of both. If they inherit the Berner coat, a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix will have a thick, fluffy double coat that will shed year-round and heavier during seasonal changes. Brushing a few times a week, daily during seasonal shedding, and bathing as needed is enough to keep a Berner coat looking great. Monthly nail trims are usually sufficient to keep nails from growing too long. You want to make sure ears are dry, clean, and free of debris and pests. Due to a lack of good dental care for dogs , gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. This will help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Although they are a working breed, Bernese Mountain Dogs are not a high-energy breed. They have a more moderate activity level. But, when they play, they play hard and tend to keep things up until they are tired. This can result in some intense play sessions, so you will want to be prepared for some bursts of high energy. The other parent breed in the mix could result in a lower or higher activity level. Talking to the breeder about the other parent breed can give you a better idea of what range to expect in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix. A Bernese Mountain Dog is a large dog breed that stands about inches tall and weighs pounds when they are fully-grown. The other parent breed can affect this, so you do want to talk to the breeder about them. Although it is not a guarantee, you can also meet the mother dog in-person to see around what size to expect in a fully-grown Berner Mix. Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you can likely expect something similar in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix.

Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. Helps with joint lubrication 4. NSAIDs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Just like humans, dogs can benefit from taking certain pain medications to treat their hip dysplasia. In particular, NSAIDs can benefit your dog by reducing some of the pain and inflammation that hip dysplasia causes. There are some great charts available online that show you how much your German Shepherd should weigh at various stages of his life. Hard surfaces can be especially painful for your dog to walk on, so avoid walking on asphalt and sidewalks and instead take him for a walk in a grassy park. Repair and Prevent Cartilage Deterioration We mentioned cartilage a bit earlier. When your dog moves, cartilage helps cushion the joint. But it can become damaged when your dog has hip dysplasia. Over time, this cartilage deteriorates, causing pain and inflammation. Another word for this cartilage deterioration? Fortunately, certain active ingredients can help maintain joint health and reduce the likelihood that the secondary condition of arthritis will form as a result of German Shepherd hip dysplasia. In particular, the active ingredients of chondroitin and glucosamine for dogs help maintain cartilage health. These two naturally occurring substances work together to not only repair damaged cartilage but also prevent it from deteriorating in the first place. Lubricate Joints Hyaluronic acid is another key active ingredient that benefits dogs suffering from German Shepherd hip dysplasia by improving joint mobility and reducing discomfort. In particular, hyaluronic acid may help reduce the pain your dog experiences as a result of hip dysplasia. And how does it do that? Well, hyaluronic acid is an important component of synovial fluid. So it stands to reason that making sure your dog has enough hyaluronic acid is a great way to ensure his hip joints can move as smoothly as possible. But fortunately, MSM, a powerful antioxidant and building block for healthy joints, can help reduce the pain and inflammation your dog experiences from hip dysplasia. And the great news is that this ingredient is often found in joint supplements. Additionally, MSM may become even more effective when used alongside glucosamine, another common active ingredient. Yes, that is indeed our product. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Hip dysplasia HD is a disease of the hip coxofemoral joints. Dysplasia means abnormal development. Both hips are usually affected Brass .It is a complex disease that results from a combination of genes that predispose a dog to developing hip dysplasia interacting with environmental factors that lead to its full development and expression Riser .It is characterized by hip joint instability which, if compounded by environmental factors, then results in secondary osteoarthritis and the clinical signs of hip dysplasia which include pain, lameness and disability Zhang et al .To fully understand hip dysplasia, it is necessary to understand the structure of the hip joint. The hip joint is the joint at the top of the hind leg, where it articulates forms a joint with the pelvis. It is described as a ball and socket joint, as in normal hips the ball-shaped head of the femur the thigh bone fits perfectly into a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis, the acetabulum. The head of the femur femoral head and the acetabulum are normally covered with cartilage which produces a smooth, low friction surface. Within the joint there is also a fine layer of synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant between these cartilaginous surfaces. This thin layer of synovial fluid, along with the round ligament a ligament that runs round the edge of the acetabulum — between the acetabulum and the femur , keeps the two cartilaginous surfaces together by creating a suction-like effect. The ligaments and the joint capsule also help to hold the ball and socket closely together. In newborn puppies, because the bones are soft and not fully ossified turned into bone as they need to grow and develop, they are still deformable if abnormal movements or stresses and strains occur in them. Riser suggests that, in a normal six month old individual, ossification of the bones and soft tissue strength the strength of the surrounding ligaments, joint capsule and muscles have developed enough to prevent hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is described as a biomechanical disease. The hips appear normal at birth. However, in affected individuals, the hips develop abnormally due, at first, to joint instability sometimes called joint laxity Riser .This means that the developing femoral head and acetabulum are not held constantly, closely together, and can move into abnormal positions relative to one another. This puts abnormal stresses and strains on the joint. Riser states this is due to the soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscle, not being strong enough to maintain congruity between the articular surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum ie the constant contact between the surfaces of the bones is not maintained. The pathological changes seen due to the joint instability are progressive inflammation and degeneration of the tissues that together form the joint. Brass details the following changes in the joint: The joint capsule can become thickened and the round ligament can become stretched or ruptured leading to additional, excessive movements. The synovial fluid increases in volume and changes in nature, due to inflammation, this pushes the joint surfaces apart. The cartilage on the bone surfaces gets worn away exposing subchondral bone the layer of bone beneath the surface cartilage. Unlike cartilage, bone contains nerve endings and such exposure will commonly cause pain. The rim of the acetabulum becomes damaged and flattened and later new bone starts to grow here as the body tries to stabilize the joint. The femoral head becomes deformed and flattened and also grows abnormal bone called exotoses or osteophytes. This changing of the shape of the joint with new bone growing in abnormal positions, and being lost in others, is called joint remodelling. The signs that are seen with hip dysplasia can vary hugely in their severity, the age at which they first appear and their progression. In mild cases dogs can be free from clinical signs for years; however, for more severely affected individuals, signs of pain can develop whilst they are still immature less than a year old Signs include acute pain, particularly after strenuous exercise or movement. This may show as lameness or reluctance to jump, to go for walks, climb steps or move at all if really severe. The pain may be worse in cold, wet conditions Brass .These signs may start intermittently, but over time can become constant. Muscle wastage is often seen in the hindlegs Brass .There appears to be little correlation between the severity of pain shown by the dog and physical abnormalities felt on examination by a vet or revealed on an x-ray Brass ie some dogs can be in severe pain but have few changes on x-rays and vice versa. This is typical of any joint disease. Controlling food intake during growth has been shown to decrease hip dysplasia in Labradors ie by reducing excessive energy intake and therefore excessive weight gain during growth Kealy et al .High calcium intake during growth has been shown to delay maturation of the skeleton and increase the risk of hip dysplasia in Great Danes Hazewinkel .It is thought that controlling the amount and form of exercise during development may also help Corr .Bennett and May suggest excessive exercise during development can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment for hip dysplasia is complex; many surgical interventions have been developed to prevent signs appearing in young animals with high joint laxity and to treat dogs with severe osteoarthritis. All need specialist surgeons. Various medications to aid pain relief are also available, along with recommendations to reduce the effect of environmental factors. Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Though some dogs may be mildly affected, for many German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia, the impact of the condition is major and life changing. These animals suffer pain that is severe and debilitating, leading them to be in pain even with small everyday movements such as standing up. Their quality of life is severely affected so that they are unable to enjoy normal canine behaviours such as walking and running. It is not uncommon for dogs to be euthanased due to the pain and disability of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease with signs seen from any age. For some dogs pain starts before a year of age. Signs may be intermittent to start with but often progress to be constant. Medical treatment and advice can help control pain and possibly slow progression, though a cure can only be obtained with major surgical intervention in dogs that are considered suitable candidates for such surgery. Return to top 4. Number of animals affected Hip dysplasia is the most common joint problem of large dogs Smith et al .UK VetCompass data for dogs overall, showed that 7. In this sample, diagnosis of conditions affecting the pelvis eg hip dysplasia did not significantly differ between purebred and crossbred dogs. Figures vary greatly for how frequently German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia, depending on the method by which they have been screened and the database reviewed. The frequency is likely to vary for geographically different populations of the same breed Brass .However, Paster et al suggested that the OFA population was biased, as it is not compulsory for radiographed dogs to have their x-rays submitted to the OFA scheme so some owners may have had dogs pre-screened and only submitted apparently non-dysplastic ones for consideration and scoring. In this study, German Shepherd dogs had a higher odds ratio of hip dysplasia occurrence than Dobermanns, Labradors and Rottweilers, indicating that the breed is at a significantly higher risk of hip dysplasia development. Return to top 5. Diagnosis For a young dog suspected of hip dysplasia, a diagnosis can be made on the clinical signs shown at home and on examination of the dog, including assessment of joint laxity and joint pain plus evaluation of radiographs x-ray pictures of the hip joints Corr .Assessment of the joint laxity and radiographs may need to be performed by a specialist vet who is used to checking for this condition. For a formal diagnosis, the radiographs are usually submitted to a panel for evaluation. There are three methods of assessing joint laxity. Radiographs and assessment of joint laxity need to be performed under heavy sedation or anaesthesia Corr .Return to top 6. Genetics Hip dysplasia in dogs is a polygenic disease; many genes are thought to play a role in its development. Most of these genes probably have small additive effects quantitative, polygenes and some probably have larger effects Zhang et al .Heritability estimates are used to demonstrate how much variation in a phenotypic trait is due to genetic variation among individuals in a population. Using hip scores published by the British Veterinary Association, heritability for hip scores of German Shepherd dogs was 0. Genes are not solely responsible for whether a dog with the genetic potential for hip dysplasia develops the condition. Environmental factors play an important part. They are discussed in the clinical and pathogenic effects section above. However, there are significant breed predispositions to this condition and the German Shepherd dog is one of the breeds affected. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? There are a number of breeding schemes around the world developed to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia in dog breeds. These schemes assess potential breeding animals in somewhat different ways. All aim to give breeders and owners a strong indication of which dogs are likely to produce healthy offspring and which should not be bred. However, this is by no means straightforward for hip dysplasia as it is a polygenic condition in which the genetics are poorly understood and which is also affected by environmental factors in a major way. This lack of clarity has produced much debate over the best way to assess potential breeding dogs. A brief summary of the various schemes follows including some current evidence for their benefits. All dogs must be at least 12 months of age. There are nine radiographic features which are scored, including the Norberg angle NA - a measurement for hip laxity taken from the EHR and each dog is given a score out of 53 for each hip total of up to for both. A low score indicates healthy hip joints eg Greyhounds would score 0, as is not seen in this breed and a higher score indicates worse hip dysplasia. Breeders are recommended to only breed from animals with a score lower than the breed medianscore e. It is also based on an extended hip radiograph EHR , which is then graded by three independent experts to give an overall grade. All dogs must be over 2 years of age to be assessed. There are seven possible grades for the radiograph: excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate or severe hip dysplasia. Dogs must be between 1 and 2 years of age and the radiograph is graded by someone appointed by each breed club — they do not have to be an expert. Grades include: A- no signs of hip dysplasia, B — near normal hip joints, C — mild hip dysplasia, D — moderate hip dysplasia, E — severe hip dysplasia. Older dogs can be assessed but the likelihood of more secondary osteoarthritic changes is taken into account. Dogs from 4 months of age can be assessed. It involves the assessment of three different radiographic views of the hip joints called the distraction view, the compression view and the EHR. The radiograph must be taken by a vet who is registered with the scheme and the radiographs are assessed by vets at the PennHIP Analysis Center. Dogs with a DI lower than 0. Dogs with increasing DI values over 0. Advocates of the PennHIP method like it because it accurately identifies individuals who have hip laxity - the primary phenotypical abnormality that predisposes dogs to hip dysplasia. The other schemes only look at the EHR and though the NA can be measured from this, the NA has been shown to be an inaccurate method to assess hip laxity Culp et al .Much of what is assessed on the EHRs are secondary arthritic changes, these are not specific to hip dysplasia and are affected by many environmental factors. Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed that the Distraction Index DI is a significant risk factor for the development of hip dysplasia. In other words, DI scores give a very good indication of the likelihood of osteoarthritic changes, due to hip dysplasia, developing in the future Smith and others , , , Smith , Runge et al .These and other researchers argue that the other schemes are not as good at detecting animals that have hip dysplasia as the PennHIP method and, despite older schemes existing for over 40 years, little improvement has been seen in hip dysplasia in the general pet population Corley , Kaneene et al , Leppanen et al , Paster et al .In fact, one recent study looking at a database of over 1,, dogs found an increase in the prevalence of hip dysplasia Witsberger et al .However EHR scores were found to have a much higher heritability 0. Heritability studies are difficult to compare between different populations with different environmental influences. To improve the gene pool, phenotypic traits that can be easily detected with strong links to the genotype genetic make-up of animals have to be found. Ideally, any potential pet would have had its hip joints assessed by one of the above schemes prior to purchase, although this is often unhelpful, as most pets are purchased as young puppies. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee all their offspring will be free from hip dysplasia. Certainly any potential breeding animal should be assessed prior to breeding using an appropriate scheme. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Hip dysplasia is a complex trait which involves multiple unknown genes and environmental factors. Eradication schemes have been running in some countries for decades and still it is commonplace. Thus prospects for its quick elimination are low. In a recent study, Zhang et al suggested that using scores from four hip traits combined to create a breeding value for each animal would help speed up elimination of the condition. They felt that information on the single joint trait EHR eg the OFA scheme gave insufficient information to provide the basis for breeding decisions. The DLS is a measurement made from an x-ray taken in a weight-bearing position to measure the subluxation of the femoral head Farese et al .In this study on two populations of dogs where environmental factors were strictly controlled, heritabilities for all these traits were found to be relatively high eg heritabilities were 0. The researchers suggested these heritabilites were higher than expected due to the controlled environmental conditions. Zhang et al suggested an improved way for selectively breeding out hip dysplasia would be if breeders could be given breeding values derived from the four traits for each potential breeding animal, plus a measurement of the inbreeding of any potential mating eg the inbreeding coefficient. This way, they suggest, inbreeding can be avoided and only animals with phenotypes strongly indicative of healthy hip joint genes would be bred from. This scheme is a more organised form of others that have suggested using a combination of breeding values determined from pedigree information and phenotype score Ginja et al , Hou et al .As described by Bell , when breeders are prioritising raising dogs that have good hip dysplasia genotypes for future breeding the phenotype has to be used as a marker for the genotype. Although the diagnostic signs can be affected also by environmental factors such as feeding and exercise regimes. It is important that the puppies are raised in a standard and not excessively protective way. Otherwise, dogs that would normally have developed radiographic signs of hip dysplasia will have this masked and their genes will be perpetuated. Future development of genetic tests to help identify some of the hip dysplasia genes, along with more use of pedigree data that includes the health of ancestors and progeny for clinical signs of hip dysplasia and also for other inherited defects of German Shepherd dogs , may well help to improve methods used to eliminate this condition. Currently we have to continue to rely on choosing phenotypical traits which apparently indicate the presence of healthy genes. Return to top 9. Reviewed by Petal Smart Petal Smart is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and has been an editor in the veterinary and medical sciences since .She has edited more than assignments, including research studies published in various academic journals, continuing medical education materials, and articles on pet health. Canine hip dysplasia is most often seen in large breeds like German Shepherd dogs , Saint Bernards , and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs , but a dog of any size and both male and female dogs may be affected. The cause of canine hip dysplasia isn't known. The condition is thought to have a genetic link, and dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Puppies from parents that have hip dysplasia will be more likely to develop the condition than puppies born to parents with normal hips. However, even dogs with normal parents can develop hip dysplasia. What Is Canine Hip Dysplasia? The pelvis cradles the head of the femur thigh bone in a cup-like socket of bone that forms the hip. Puppies typically are born normal, but as the puppy matures, the hip joint alignment becomes progressively worse. This places abnormal stress and wear on the bones when they rub together, and causes further joint degeneration and pain. Bones respond to stress by growing thicker, which makes the fit even worse. As the dog matures, this damage predisposes to arthritic changes and painful joints. Signs and Symptoms Severe hip dysplasia may become noticeable as early as four months of age, but is more typically seen in pups aged 9 months to 1 year. The painful condition causes limping , favoring of limbs, and difficulty rising, running, or jumping. Dysplastic pups may exhibit an odd wobbly gait when walking and "bunny hop" when running or climbing stairs, which may help to ease joint stress. Stairs can prove a particular challenge for these dogs, and sore hips and pain may prompt aggression , causing the pup to snap or flinch when touched. However, there are degrees of severity. Some pups may show few to no signs at all, and mild cases may go undiagnosed until the dog reaches middle age or older. How quickly, or to what extent degeneration occurs is in part determined by the pup's activity level. While healthy, normal hips probably won't be adversely affected by hard work or exuberant play, the dog with mild to moderate hip dysplasia develops more noticeable signs more quickly when excessive stress is placed on these joints. Fortunately, only a relatively small percentage of pets suffer the severest, most crippling form of the condition. The condition may also be influenced by lifestyle, nutrition, body weight, and activity level. The puppy is placed on its back and the veterinarian looks for the typical arthritic changes and subluxation laxity of the joint. Some changes may not become evident until the pup reaches 2 years old, and experts say there may be considerable changes from 6 to 9 months up to 1 year. The OFA provides a consulting service for purebred dog owners and breeders, through which it reviews hip X-rays provided by an owner to evaluate the dog's conformation and, when normal, certifies that fact. The PennHip testing method, developed by Dr. Reputable breeders have dog parents tested prior to breeding to make sure they do not have hip dysplasia and reduce the chance of the condition in puppies. Dogs can be certified free of hip dysplasia by sending appropriate X-rays to either the OFA registry or the PennHip registry. This is evaluated by three radiologists who score the hips fair, good, or excellent. PennHip evaluation uses computer analysis to compare the X-rays to all the other dogs of that breed in the registry. Management of Hip Dysplasia There is no cure for hip dysplasia. Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and improving joint function. How well treatment works depends on the severity of the problem. Often, mild to moderate cases of hip dysplasia can be managed with gentle exercise, a healthy diet, and oral pain relievers like buffered aspirin or Rimadyl as prescribed by the veterinarian. Moderate exercise helps maintain and improve the puppy's muscle tone, which alleviates painful wear and tear on the joint. Encourage your dysplastic puppy to take short walks with you. Swimming is an ideal exercise, but jumping and prolonged running should be discouraged. Keep your puppy lean; obesity increases joint strain and can make the condition worse. Massage can also help the dog feel better. Severe cases of hip dysplasia may benefit from surgery that rebuilds or removes bone or alters the muscles and tendons to reduce pain. More from The Spruce Pets. If your dog qualifies for surgeries, you have even more options. Tips for Preventing Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds Although not all cases of hip dysplasia can be prevented, a good majority can. Even if hip dysplasia is not preventable in your dog, you can use these tips to minimize pain caused by the condition. This can make a huge difference in whether your dog develops hip dysplasia. The best reputable breeders will even provide a screening for their puppies. After the screening, which can only be done after 16 weeks of age, you can know if a puppy is predisposed to hip dysplasia. From an early age, make sure to provide your dog with high-quality dog food specific for large breeds. For example, get a large-breed puppy-specific dog food when your dog is young, and switch to an adult dog food once the dog ages. Note that most senior dog foods are not generic, so your vet will be the best person to help you choose which product is best for your older German Shepherd. Only provide your dog as much food as they need, never under or over. Both malnutrition and obesity increase the risk for hip dysplasia development. If you are unsure how much to feed your dog, talk to your vet for recommendations. Right Exercise Exercise is another factor you need to consider carefully if you want to prevent hip dysplasia in your German Shepherd. Preventative Supplements Image Credit: ElenVik, Shutterstock You can begin giving preventative supplements to your dog to nourish their joints. One of the most popular is glucosamine. This supplement is prescribed to dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia, but you can use it for preventative measures too. Of course, preventative supplements will have a lower glucosamine count than prescribed medications. Final Thoughts If you suspect that your German Shepherd is experiencing hip dysplasia, please visit the vet right away. Luckily, most German Shepherds with hip dysplasia live long and robust lives. If they get a great treatment, you can expect your dog to be happy and carefree. By starting a well-rounded prevention plan from an early age, you can help your dog grow with minimal issues. Featured Image Credit: makeitclear, Pixabay Contents.

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. Helpful tips for caring for your puppy About the Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever originated in Canada in the 19th century and is now a world-wide beloved dog breed. These dogs are medium-sized dogs, females have a height of .Their average weight as an adult is pounds for females and pounds for males. They have a life expectancy of years. When it comes to their temperament, Labrador retrievers are very loyal, friendly and affectionate companion dogs. They are known for being very social towards strangers and other dogs. Labrador retrievers also come in three colours : black, brown or yellow. These dogs are very active as they need plenty of walks, play time and affection. They are great with children and make a great companion dog. If you're thinking of adopting a Labrador retriever puppy, keep reading as we go through how to care for them! Learn more about the Labrador Retriever in our breed sheet. When to collect your Labrador puppy You can adopt and collect your Labrador puppy once they are 8 weeks old. This way, you make sure that they have had enough time to socialize with their family, mother and siblings. It also makes sure that they have developed good bite moderation before being adopted to their new family. Other advantages are that they have had time to drink their mother's milk and properly wean off. They will also feel more independent and will transition better to their new home after being 8 weeks old. We also encourage you to check out your local animal shelter before buying from a breeder. Where your puppy should sleep the first night When it comes to sleeping at night, your puppy will have some difficulties. This may be due to the new environment and new people. They may feel unprotected and disoriented. For this reason, it's normal to hear them cry as they may be calling their mother for guidance and company. Now that you've adopted this puppy, this is your job as their human companion. When they call out, try to be there for them as they are scared and lonely. Be understanding as your puppy learns to adapt to their new home. As a puppy is very dependent and on their first night they will feel scared and disoriented, it's best they sleep near you on their first night. Remember that puppies tend to sleep with their siblings and their mother. Being alone in a new place for the first time will be difficult for them. The best option for your new puppy is to sleep in their own bed inside your room, near you. So that if they feel scared or lost and cry, you can let them know that you are there with them. Once they feel more oriented and safe in their new home, you can move their bed to another location where they can sleep. Learn more in our article where we elaborate on how to prepare for your puppy's first night in their new home. What to feed your Labrador retriever puppy When feeding your Labrador retriever puppy, you will need to provide them with a rich and balanced diet. Keep in mind that puppies begin weaning when they are around weeks old. This means that they will slowly transition from their mother's milk to a solid food canine diet. A natural canine diet mainly consists in essential fatty acids and meat-based protein. The protein should have two or three types of protein from meat. For example: whole chicken, lamb, beef and fish. For fat sources, you can opt for chicken fat. Good fat sources can solute some of the most important vitamins a dog needs. When it comes to carbs, it should be kept in a low amount as dogs thrive on meat. If you are cooking for your dog, then we recommend to include low amounts of whole carbs, such as sweet potatoes. Lastly, you can offer some fruits and vegetables that provide good vitamins and minerals to help your dog's over-all health. Training your Labrador retriever puppy Labrador Retrievers are very active and intelligent dogs. Other than daily exercise, they will need basic dog training. Yes, even as a puppy! You can begin training your dog with paper training. Learn more about that in our article about paper training for puppies. You can then begin to teach them basic commands, such as to sit, stay, or even to play fetch. Remember to always train them for short amounts of time each day, not exceeding 15min, and always through positive reinforcement. This way, training will be enjoyable for them and will help you create a greater bond with them. To learn more, read our article about when to start training your puppy. Exercising your Labrador retriever puppy Your Labrador retriever puppy will needs plenty of exercise. Due to their small size as a puppy, this will mostly be at home. They will begin by playing with their siblings and walking or running around the house. Then, after their first round of vaccinations, usually around the age of 7 weeks old, puppies will begin to go outside. This is a very important part of their puppyhood as they will learn to go out on walks with their caregivers and will begin their socialization period. During this period, they will meet and interact with new people and other dogs. They will also explore new places. It's very important that during this period they have good interactions and don't get traumatized. When a puppy is well socialized from a young age, they will have a balanced temperament as adult dogs. Learn more in our article about socializing puppies. Hygiene care Next, we're going to talk about maintaining our puppy's hygiene. As Labrador puppies haven't grown their full coat, they won't need to be brushed regularly just yet. A bath is only necessary when they get very dirty on their outdoor walks. Dental hygiene is also important when it comes to caring for a puppy. You can opt for a dog tooth paste or a dental canine treat. Talk to your veterinarian to see which would be best for you puppy, and learn more in our article about dental hygiene for dogs. Other than that, we must make sure that their everyday environment is also clean and that we refresh their water bowl everyday. This way, our puppy will have great personal hygiene and we can help them prevent certain health issues from a young age. Health care Lastly, we're going to talk about your Labrador retriever's health. The Labrador Retriever is a relatively healthy and long-living dog, especially if they stay in shape. However, the lack of genetic diversity resulting from breeding programs makes them prone to certain hereditary diseases and conditions , which are usually manifested as the dog grows old. For instance, Labradors tend to suffer from hip dysplasia. When your Lab is a puppy, you must ensure they get the necessary vaccines, and you must follow their vaccination schedule during the rest of their lives. This will prevent them from suffering very serious diseases that tend to affect dogs. If you want your dog to stay as healthy as possible, go to the vet for check-ups every 6 months. You can prevent the development of common diseases by watching your Lab for symptoms and caring for them as best as you can. Labrador Retrievers are prone to obesity - they love treats, and if they don't get enough exercise they will soon become overweight, with the related muscular and joint problems. Helpful tips for caring for your puppy We hope that this article has given you great insight when it comes to caring for a Labrador Retriever puppy. Here are some other helpful articles for caregivers that are adopting puppies:. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Well-bred Labradors are relatively low maintenance, fit and healthy dogs. But your Labradors continuing health and well-being does depend entirely on you. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, grooming, preventive measures and regular visits to the vet are the real key to maintaining a high level of wellness and good health. All these actions are your responsibility and solely under your control. Daily routines will be diet control, exercise and physical inspections. Weekly routines will be grooming, ears, eyes, teeth and nail care. Quarterly routines could be shared between visits to the vet, a canine dentist and bathing. And the annual routine will be vaccinations. Just remember that prevention is always better than cure, so doing your best to prevent any illness and catching problems at the earliest possible stage is the goal to aim for. The following are all areas where you only need a little knowledge to effectively take care of your Labrador well. And if you cannot dedicate this time and effort, then in the nicest possible way, you might be better suited to a pet with less demanding care requirements such as goldfish. Making Safe Your Home and Garden Labradors are a lively and inquisitive breed, especially during their first three years so you need to keep dangerous household items out of their reach. Conceal electrical wiring…we all know of their infamous love for chewing. Sharp teeth and electricity do not mix! A Labrador can easily choke on wrappings or trash that may be swallowed along with edible scraps. Labs are smart and opening cupboards and drawers soon becomes easy for them. Be mindful of the toxicity of certain plants — Over plants have been identified as toxic to dogs , so be sure to research any plant before bringing it into your home. Fence of any ponds or pools in your yard. These are just a few points to consider around your home and garden, there are many more. Just try to put yourself in your Labradors shoes and take a good look at his environment as he would see it. Try to see how he could get into trouble and take measures to prevent it. Click here for a more detailed guide on puppy-proofing your home and garden. Brushing also helps to shake loose dirt out of and spread the natural oils throughout their coat for that desirable, healthy glossy look we know and love. Related article: The Best vacuums for removing pet hair from your home. Frequent baths will strip their oils, leaving them prone to wet and cold in winter, causing dry skin and making their coat look dull and not shiny. Keeping Nails Trim Most Labradors will need a nail trim every 2 to 3 months, although some may never need it. Regularly walking your dog on hard ground, especially sidewalks and roads, will have a natural filing effect and keep your dogs claws in order. This can make them sore and bleed. Ear Care What with a Labradors slightly drooping ears and their love of water, the inside of their ears can sometimes retain too much moisture, causing bacteria to build up and infections to form. I shall be writing an article on this very soon. Just some of the problems a Labrador may have with its teeth are gum disease, loose teeth, cracked or broken teeth, root abscesses and a build up of tartar. These can be very uncomfortable for your dog and can lead to further problems if neglected. Therefore, you need to inspect their teeth regularly, take measures to clean their teeth and even visit a professional canine dentist every 6 months or annually for a thorough check up and any necessary treatments. Treat their teeth like you would your own. Dealing with Parasites Controlling fleas, ticks and other parasites is essential for keeping your Labrador healthy. Immediate problems include extreme irritation and skin sores, but extreme infestations can lead to more dangerous problems including Lyme disease and tape worms. If you stick to a regular grooming schedule as you should! Simply brush your hand against the lie of your Labradors fur and watch for any small moving dots and check for any clearly visible ticks. There are many safe and effective over-the-counter flea control products , many of which contain formulations to prevent ticks at the same time. Finally, depending on where you live in the world, you may need to put your Labrador on medication for heartworm. Where mosquitoes are a problem, they can pass on heartworm and this can be fatal. Even the medicine for heartworm makes your dog very ill so prevention is definitely better than cure! Diseases such as distemper, rabies, hepatitis and parvoviros to name just a few. Your puppy will have had his first shots at five or six weeks before you got to take him home, and he will need a few further shots over a period of up to 18 weeks. A rabies shot usually follows at 6 months of age or so. After this, your adult Labrador will need just a single booster each year to stay protected. For many facts on vaccinations and the schedule you should follow when vaccinating your puppy, please click here. Dogs need a balance of vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins different to that of a human and feeding them on human leftovers can lead to malnutrition, as can a diet based on cheap filler packed dog food. You should perform a little research to find and use a recognized healthy brand of dog food that will cater to your Labradors needs. To help with this, please see our articles that list 4 of the best foods for Labrador puppies opens in new window or the best dog foods for adult Labradors opens in new window …yours really will thrive on these handpicked, quality foods! Additionally, the best thing you can do is set up a feeding schedule for your dog, twice per day being the recommended, and be mindful of any extra treats. Your Lab should always be well fed but not over-fed. I shall discuss this more in a later article. An Important Note On Drastic Changes In Eating And Drinking Habits If your dog is off their food, drinks way too much or way too little for a period of time more than 36 hours, you should call your vet as this is almost surely a sign of an underlying problem. They are voracious eaters and will eat just because they can, not because they need it. Excess weight can lead to all sorts of issues including arthritis and heart problems. To prevent this, control their diet and give them plenty of exercise for them to burn off those calories. They really do need very little exercise of just a few short minutes a couple of times per day. Too much exercise for a puppy can cause skeletal formation issues and plays a large part in joint problems. Take it easy until your puppy is at least a year old. Bedding and Shelter A Labrador should always have a soft surface to lay upon. To prevent this you should get your Lab a large sized dog bed or line a crate to offer a soft and comfortable place to rest. If your Lab spends any amount of time outside, you must provide shelter to offer an escape from the sun in summer, and preferably the shelter should have a raised floor so the wet and cold is kept away in winter. If your Lab puppy gets used to sleeping in a bed of yours or your children, it will be a hard habit to break and will more than likely end in separation anxiety and night-time whining. You want your Labrador to be comfortable alone for periods of time and should start forming this habit ASAP. Training The importance of training your Labrador cannot be overstated. A dog is a dog and not a human. You need to teach your dog how to behave and what your instructions are asking them to do. Before a puppy can become a trusted, well-behaved dog they have a lot of learning to do…and you a lot of teaching! To learn from the written word, I am part way through building the ultimate resource in the form of this site. Routines for feeding, exercise, grooming and visits to the vet are all easily managed with a little knowledge and by planning a schedule in advance and sticking to it. Spending quality time with your Lab is also key, especially regular grooming sessions. You should also attempt to learn your dogs normal living habits, how much he eats, drinks and sleeps. Anything To Add? As always, if you have any questions, would like to offer feedback, suggestions or further advice on the subject, please do so in the comments section below. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. They help you find the information you need right now. You might also want to check out our sections on Labrador Puppy Training. Do let us know what you would like to see added to the site. We are always happy to have your comments and suggestions. When To Collect Your Puppy We highly recommend that puppies are not removed from their breeder until they are 8 weeks old. There are lots of good reasons for this. It helps puppies develop good bite moderation skills before they are adopted into a family, ensures that they are ready to adapt quickly to their new life. And it helps to reduce the sad numbers of puppies bred for a quick profit. Puppies sold under seven weeks old often have health problems and need special care, and extra veterinary attention. Check out the following articles for further information: When can puppies leave their mother Your first puppy Your first puppy is a huge adventure. You have so much fun ahead. Labradors are generally very friendly dogs, but they can also be very distractible. So do start daily training games, using plenty of food. You can get regular training tips from Pippa by email, using the box below. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Labrador Puppies Labrador puppies are a ball of fun. They are playful, cute, and always enjoy the company of children and adults. Labradors are not demanding dogs. They make ideal pets that are are amazing companion dogs that are always ready to follow their owner everywhere. If you are bringing a labrador puppy home this article is for you. Where do labradors originate from? The labrador breed of dog is originally from Newfoundland. They were later bred in the UK as hunting gun dogs. They are bred for their ability to retrieve, their friendly nature, and their ability to dominate field trials. A fully grown labrador is a large dog that lives for 12 to 13 years. Labradors are heavy dogs and weigh 80 pounds when fully grown. Female labradors weigh about 20 kilos less. Labradors come in three main colors I. Labradors have thick tails that are flat at the base and tapering at the edge. Labradors have a short dense coat. In this article, we will prepare you for when you bring a labrador puppy home. Nutritional needs and how to feed a labrador Labradors have a varying diet depending on the age of the puppy. At 2 to 6 months Labrador puppies are able to eat started dry food. Choose a brand of puppy food that is rich in the nutrition that puppies need. At months your dog will start to eat like an adult. You can also feed your dog thin strips of raw red meat or cooked chicken boneless with veggies. What alternative food can you feed your puppy other than kibble? There are a number of types of healthy dog food that you can feed your dog other than kibble. These foods can be meats, veg, and cooked food. Cooked chicken with the bones removed is healthy and tasty food for dogs. Dogs love the taste of eggs and it makes an ideal puppy food. Feed your dogs scrambled as they are rich in protein and are easy to digest for your puppy. Oatmeal for dogs is rich in fiber and helps your dog have a regular bowel movement. What are the concerns of feeding a puppy raw food? Raw food can be a risky proposition when feeding your dogs. Raw foods may contain bacteria that are a health risk to both humans and your puppy. An unbalanced diet of raw food can affect the health of your dog. It is for this reason that vets recommend kibble or feeding your dog cooked meats like chicken. How to choose the right food for your dog The correct food for your puppy should take up all its nutritional needs and ensure the health of your pet. Look out for good quality food that has the nutritional benefits for your dog printed on it. Such food should also contain proteins and minerals. Feeding your puppy in his crate The crate is the home for your puppy in the first few months of its life. Your puppy plays and grows older in its crate. Feeding your puppy in its crate increases its attachment to its living space. When feeding your puppy in its crate ensure that you have put the food all the way to the back of the crate. Choosing the proper food and water bowls Choose a food and water bowl for your puppy that is heavy and does not move around. Ensure that your puppy has separate bowls for food and water. Plastic bowls are an inexpensive option for your puppy bowl. Stainless steel bowls are also good as they do not break and are easy to rinse. Keeping your puppy at the proper weight Labrador puppies love to eat and for this reason, may become overweight quite easily. Ensure that you feed your puppy only twice a day with nutritious meals that are rich in all the various nutrients. Do not overfeed your puppy. A puppy needs only grams of food per sitting. Do not feed your puppy if it is asking for food between meals. Labrador puppies are known to be voracious eaters. Washing Your Labrador retriever Labrador puppies do not need a bath very often as they may fall sick. It is ideal to wash your puppy only once every 2 months. Use a mild dog shampoo when washing your puppy. So not use human shampoo as this may dry the skin of your puppy. A puppy has natural oils in its coat and this gets washed away when you shampoo your puppy. So, be aware of the specific bathing needs of your puppy. It protects its health and lets it grow up to be a big and strong dog. Taking care of a Labrador so that he is happy Labradors are jolly dogs that often wag their tail and like to be happy. In order to keep your labrador dog happy ensure that it gets a lot of fresh air and exercise. Taking care of Labrador so that he is happy Take your dog out for a walk once a day for at least an hour. You can play fetch with your puppy or have it follow you around. You can also teach your dog how to respond to its name and come when called. Buy your pet fun toys to play with when at home or outside. Labrador puppies love toys that they can play with. Praise your puppy often and give it a lot of love and attention. Take your puppy for walks and carry puppy snacks with you for when your puppy does a good deed. Remember, lots of love creates a happy labrador. Vaccinations It is extremely important to vaccinate your puppy after bringing her home from the pet store. There are a number of illnesses that may affect your dog if you do not vaccinate it on time. The vaccinations that your dog will need to prepare its health are as follows: Canine Parvovirus. Canine Distemper. The ideal weight for a labrador puppy at 3 months is 25 lbs and at 6 months that weight will be 50 Lbs. On average a Labrador puppy will gain two pounds of each week of weight. If your puppy is picking up weight to fast try and cut down its below meals snack and ensure that you are feeding your dog the ideal amount of food. Daily Exercise A puppy that has daily exercise is a happy puppy. Your puppy should exercise at least once a day with a walk that is nearly an hour long. Having not enough exercise may cause your dog health issues like joint problems, weight gain, and other health issues. Exercising your dog not just keeps it healthy but also helps you develop a bond with your pet. Training your labrador puppy Owing to the size of the labrador breed training your dog later in life can be daunting as they are large and excitable dogs. Instead start training your dog at an early age. You can start training your dog from 6 to 12 weeks old. Training sessions should be fun. You can start toilet training your dog at this age. You can also start with simple commands such as getting your dog to follow when you call it and teaching your dogs commands such as sit and fetch. Reward behavior that you want to encourage in your dog. Dealing with parasites No matter how much you take care of your dog it may get parasites like fleas, ticks, and tapeworms. If this is the case you should give your dog a bath using medicated shampoos to care for your dog. You can also give your dog a deworming pill to get rid of any internal parasites. Visit a vet at least once every two months. Take him or her to the vet immediately so that it may get the proper medical care it needs.

Come visit our facebook page!! Welcome to Dare to Dream Labradoodles! Our labradoodles are just outstanding! We pride ourselves in producing the BEST family pets. I have been dedicated to this breed for over 20 years now. With our labradoodles, our main emphasis is on health, temperament, and overall conformation. Being associated with these organizations is extremely important to us because it means that we hold our program to a very high standard. All of our Australian Labradoodles that are born and bred here at Dare to Dream Labradoodles come from the best breeding stock, which have all been health tested to the highest level. Our breeding program produces medium and standard size labradoodles. Since , all of our breeding dogs and pets have been hand-picked by me from the finest Australian and American lines. Our foundation dogs include Rutland Manor and Tegan Park lines. We are located on 4 acres of property in Southern Ontario. We are surrounded on all sides by farmer's fields. We are a family that absolutely loves what we do. Both my husband and I are actively involved with our dogs and our breeding program. We have a very young and growing family, which allows for the best puppy socialization available! Read more about our family in the About us link. Thank you for your interest in an Australian Labradoodle. To ensure the safety of our readers and the right fit for a new pet, we work hard to make sure only the most trusted breeders are featured on the site. We have a dedicated team that works hard and has done extensive research that involves checking both the breeder and their dogs, to verify that the breeders featured on our site are highly reputable and trustworthy. Feedback on Google and Facebook is also taken into consideration before they are listed as a breeder to have the highest standards possible. We hope that this gives you a little more information about how we list breeders on our site. Labradoodle Puppies for Sale in Ontario: If you are looking for a companion dog that has a calm personality and loves children, getting a Labradoodle might be the ideal option for you. As we know, Labradoodles is a designer dog breed that becoming one of the most loveable designer breeds in Ontario, Canada. In fact, these friendly and intelligent pups are being adopted by more families at an increasing rate than other purebreds. After you decide to get a Labradoodle, the next and most important step is to find out a reputable and ethical breeder who values the breed as much as you do. You have probably heard about puppy mills and how they produce dogs with indiscriminate breeding practices as their puppies are usually unhealthy and not well-tempered. When looking to add a new member to your family, you should always buy from a good and reliable breeder. A good responsible breeder will always be there for their puppies and ensure that all of their needs are met for as long as possible. Check out this list and do your own research first about the breeder and then decide which breeder you want to go with. The Best Labradoodle Breeders in Ontario: 1. Who raises happy and healthy F1B Labradoodles with wavy fleece coats in medium to standard sizes. The purpose of this breeder is to provide the best of the best Labradoodle puppies to families so that they can live with it happily. They understand the importance of this thing, how difficult it is to find the perfect dog that suits you and your family. All Labradoodle puppies in Ontario come with a two-year Genetic Health Guarantee that you can count on, As well as they also guarantee you the incredible personalities you will receive in their puppies. If you are looking for a dog that has always been happy and can live a long life with its family and has been wonderfully cared for and well socialized, then you can buy such a dog from this breeder. If you want to know more about this breeder, we have given the link below. You can learn more about them and find out more about Labradoodles, by visiting their website. Australian Labradoodles in Windsor, Ontario! At pm on July 17th, , Cozy gave birth to her very first puppy. Just over an hour later, there were 5 more puppies in the world and by that evening, we had NINE healthy, happy puppies from Cozy by the fire. These Australian Labradoodles are medium-sized and will be between lbs full grown. They can go home as early as September 11th. In the wee hours of the morning, Tully gave birth to here very first litter and the puppies are adorable. We had 4 boys and 2 girls! We are so excited for this new litter and the best part is for the first time in 3 years, we have availabilities that are ready to go home NOW! They are medium sized Australian Labradoodles and will be lbs full grown with a going-home date of August 21st, .First bred as a non-shedding Guide Dog - this particular breed of Labradoodles has been in existence for over 30 years. Originally bred in Australia, their genealogy consists of not only Labrador Retriever and Poodle, but also the Cocker Spaniel. They are a non-shedding, hypo-allergenic, medium-sized breed that behave amazingly and are easily trained to suit your needs and your family. Pups are born to registered, health tested parents. DNA tested against over hereditary diseases and all clear. All puppies come with a health certificate and a 4 year written health warranty. Puppies also come freshly groomed with their blanket. All puppies have age appropriate training started including crate training. We have downsized our breeding program, we no longer breed the Standard Bernedoodles and are now concentrating on the minis and the petites. We only breed a couple litters a year, this way we can spend more time with each puppy one on one and provide you with a happy healthy well adjusted puppy. We practice early imprinting to make the adjustment of moving to a new home easier on both yourself and the puppy. Pups come vaccinated, dewormed, micro chipped upon request and a 4 year health warranty with whole life breeder support. Pups are well socialized with other pets and children. Pups are weaned at 7 weeks old at which time crate training is started and we provide the puppies blanket to help ease the puppy into their new homes. Mini double doodle pups ready to go Sept 14th. Taking deposits now!! Litter of Petite Cavadoodles born July 18th. Ready to go Sept .My Daughter breeds these lovely pups, they live in her house with 4 children and other pets, very well socialized, cared for and loved. Estimated weight is pounds. Taking deposits for this litter now. Petite Double Doodle pups ready Oct 4th. The link to the puppy food these pups eat is below TLC Pet Food is a complete and balanced diet, made for a lifetime of superior-quality nutrition. Pics of some previous Goldenbelle Doodles Examples of Mini Doodle Parti colours English teddy bear face mini goldendoodle just chilling. Showing 1 - 40 of 63 resultsPage 1 - 63 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Located near Guelph, Ontario, our animals are raised with awareness, Dewormed, first vaccinations and clear health check. These babies are desensitized to.Sarge- Sire of the litter. First picture. Imported directly from Romania. Direct son of the famous.Are you interested in bringing home a cuddly Labradoodle to join your family? Look no further than Cucciolini Labradoodles! We have.This is a rescued dog from a friend of the family. Coco was living in an apartment, so we figured we would take her on but it is too much with our our 2 smaller.Females available. These puppies are 8 weeks old and ready for their new homes. The puppies have received their first vaccine and also ongoing deworming.They are both two years old. One male fox-red lab, and one female black labradoodle. The labradoodle doesn't shed at all. They are both very friendly. Ask for.Gorrie One sweet, 7-week-old female puppy ready for a new home next week! Has had vaccinations, vet check and deworming. Mother is on site and very good.Bunni is a medium size double doodle weighing 40 lbs, non-shedding double doodle puppy. She is 8 months old and will have puppies when she is the.Kawartha Lakes Ready to go to loving homes. They come from a home with a 4 year old who has made sure they are gentle and playful with the littles. Ideally looking for a.Bunni is a medium size double.Description: 3 Females Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. These pups.Description: 2 Females remaining Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. Urgent Beautiful puppy for you! Are you ready to welcome a bundle of joy into your life? Look no further! We're thrilled to introduce our enchanting litter of 6 Labradoodle.There are 2 girls still available. They will grow to be approximately 25 Ibs. They all have amazing temperaments! Please Contact 1. He is great with kids and fairly well behaved. He has all his shots and is not fixed. We are just unable to give him the attention he.Playful, sweet and bright little ones. Father Labradoodle is a playful, gentle giant and mother bull-mastiff is a very.Toronto Ready to go! I hope you're having a great day. Please take a moment to read through the information provided before asking.She is playful and would do best with a fenced in backyard. She can sit, shake a paw and loves treats. She is crate trained and has been exposed to kids and a.The owners are finding it difficult to care for him with an illness int he family. Both mom and dad on site and both wonderful family pets. All puppies have been vet checked with first shots and deworming. Mother, Rue is our miniature Aussie doodle,Brown ticked parti, 28 pds. Father, Stitch is a miniature Labradoodle, blue.Kingston Hello from Teddybear Australian Labradoodles! We have puppies available NOW! We are a small in-home breeder of Registered Australian Labradoodles in Kingston, Adorable F1BB third generation puppies ready to go to their forever home. Two males and one female available. Born July 16, .Puppies have been family.Showing 1 - 40 of 47 resultsPage 1 - 47 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Dewormed, first vaccinations and clear health check. These babies are desensitized to.Located near Guelph, Ontario, our animals are raised with awareness, Are you interested in bringing home a cuddly Labradoodle to join your family? Look no further than Cucciolini Labradoodles! We have.Sarge- Sire of the litter. First picture. Imported directly from Romania. Direct son of the famous.Females available. These puppies are 8 weeks old and ready for their new homes. The puppies have received their first vaccine and also ongoing deworming.They are both two years old. One male fox-red lab, and one female black labradoodle. The labradoodle doesn't shed at all. They are both very friendly. Ask for.Gorrie One sweet, 7-week-old female puppy ready for a new home next week! Has had vaccinations, vet check and deworming. Mother is on site and very good.Bunni is a medium size double doodle weighing 40 lbs, non-shedding double doodle puppy. She is 8 months old and will have puppies when she is the.Kawartha Lakes Ready to go to loving homes. They come from a home with a 4 year old who has made sure they are gentle and playful with the littles. Ideally looking for a.Bunni is a medium size double.Description: 3 Females Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. These pups.Description: 2 Females remaining Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. Urgent Beautiful puppy for you! Are you ready to welcome a bundle of joy into your life? Look no further! We're thrilled to introduce our enchanting litter of 6 Labradoodle.There are 2 girls still available. They will grow to be approximately 25 Ibs. They all have amazing temperaments! Playful, sweet and bright little ones. Father Labradoodle is a playful, gentle giant and mother bull-mastiff is a very.Toronto Ready to go! I hope you're having a great day. Please take a moment to read through the information provided before asking.She is playful and would do best with a fenced in backyard. She can sit, shake a paw and loves treats. She is crate trained and has been exposed to kids and a.Both mom and dad on site and both wonderful family pets. All puppies have been vet checked with first shots and deworming. Mother, Rue is our miniature Aussie doodle,Brown ticked parti, 28 pds. Father, Stitch is a miniature Labradoodle, blue.Kingston Hello from Teddybear Australian Labradoodles! We have puppies available NOW! We are a small in-home breeder of Registered Australian Labradoodles in Kingston, Adorable F1BB third generation puppies ready to go to their forever home. Two males and one female available. Born July 16, .Puppies have been family

Mini Goldendoodles are highly intelligent, and loyal companions, their affectionate and gentle nature makes them some of the finest therapy dogs. When these pups grow up, they have moderate energy levels and love long walks and spending time with their family. Goldendoodle puppies shed very little and make an excellent choice for those with allergies. If you Googled this term and ended up here, you already know how popular this pup is. The adorable mix of Miniature Poodle and Golden Retriever offers countless positive traits that make these dogs ideal for first-time owners, the elderly, and parents with young children. Goldendoodle Mini puppies are a good breed for anyone looking for a medium to smaller-sized pet to add to their household. These dogs are affectionate, intelligent, caring, and low-shedding companions. Many people also love the Goldendoodle puppy because of their soft fur and willingness to cuddle. Before searching for "Mini Goldendoodles near me," it's important that you make sure it's a good match. As always, practicing responsible dog ownership is crucial before committing to a Mini Goldendoodle for sale. Let's examine the Mini Goldendoodle's characteristics, behaviors, training, and grooming requirements to determine whether this is the right dog for you. Characteristics The standard lifespan of a Mini Goldendoodle ranges from twelve to sixteen years. The popularity of this breed stems not only from its low-shedding characteristics translation: low-maintenance and less vacuuming! These dogs are typically a lovely golden blond and it's not uncommon to find streaks of white on the head and chest. You can find a Mini Goldendoodle for sale in darker colors as well, like caramel, dark brown, and black. Incredibly cute and always friendly, a Mini Goldendoodle is an excellent choice for any household. Activity Level Looking for mini doodles for sale will mean committing to a moderately active lifestyle. Don't let this dog's small size fool you — it will follow your every move! If you purchase a Mini Goldendoodle for sale, you will have a constant companion that loves to play fetch, be chased, or just run when those zoomies hit. Expect to dedicate at least an hour of exercise for this dog daily. Since their breeding originates from two water dog breeds, Mini Goldendoodles enjoy the water, so taking them to the pool, lake, or beach will always be a hit. Disposition Opting for Mini Goldendoodles for sale is the perfect choice if you're looking for a sweet, mild-mannered, social pup. These dogs are people-oriented, love attention, and seek a lot of interaction from their owners. Get ready for lots of cuddling — they'll do anything for a belly rub! Miniature Goldendoodles are also great additions to homes that already have pets. These dogs love the companionship of other dogs as much as humans. When properly socialized from a young age, Mini Goldendoodles can even be taught to get along with cats! Training Miniature Goldendoodles are highly trainable thanks to their intelligence and desire to please. It is not uncommon for them to master new commands in just a few sessions assuming you have enough treats on hand. The main challenge of training these dogs is that they are high-energy, easily excitable, and struggle to focus for long. Maintaining short training sessions will help your dog to reach its full potential. Positive reinforcement training is by far the most effective training method for ensuring your dog is disciplined and well-behaved. Grooming Requirements As a poodle mix, this breed requires a little more hair care than most other dogs. While they're famous for low-shedding, that doesn't mean their coat doesn't need maintenance. Regularly brushing your pup's curls is essential for preventing their fur from becoming tangled and matted. It's best to brush your dog at least three times per week using a metal pin brush. The Mini Goldendoodle also has fast-growing fur. For this reason, consider taking the dog to a professional groomer every two to three months. The work of a professional also makes home grooming far less taxing. These dogs tend not to have that distinct "doggy odor" native to other breeds. However, just because your Mini Goldendoodle doesn't smell doesn't mean it doesn't need a bath. You should still regularly bathe your dog to avoid bacteria buildup and infections, and don't forget to check those ears. Why Pawrade? Finding a reputable breeder has never been easier When you search "Mini Goldendoodles for sale near me," you want to know that you're partnering with an ethical breeder. Pawrade is the online marketplace you can trust for seeking out traditional and cross-bred dogs. We ensure that all our breeders are legitimate and that any dog sold is properly cared for and in good health. Above all, Pawrade is about finding forever homes for lovable pups who deserve a loving family. Our goal is to provide a platform where mini Goldendoodles for sale are paired with their perfect doggy parent. If you're ready to make a new addition to the family, choose Pawrade. Stop searching "Mini Goldendoodle for sale near me," you've found the perfect place! We understand just how difficult it is to find a legitimate breeder, so we've put our experience and expertise to work for you. Why wait any longer? Browse through our vast selection of puppies for sale from a safe and reputable source. No Puppy Mill Pledge We have zero tolerance toward puppy mills and pride ourselves in connecting you with honest and reputable breeders where puppies are raised with love and compassion. Learn More Health Guarantee As fellow puppy owners, we know the importance of having a happy and healthy puppy. Every puppy is backed by our comprehensive health guarantee. We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near East Aurora New York and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Check Price on Amazon 4. Use Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement means giving something pleasant to your German Shepherd when they perform what you want them to do so that they learn to associate the correct behavior with the reward. The more this is repeated, they will remember and do it more often. The reward is a reinforcing motivation. In the above example of redirecting your GSDs biting to a chew toy, once he accepts the toy and starts to chew or play with it, you then offer lots of enthusiastic verbal praise and reward with a treat. Again, timing is important, and this must be done instantly so that your German Shepherd will recognize or associate his behavior with the correct action. You can give other rewards, but these may be more suited to older pups, adolescent dogs, or adults. Alternatives could be giving them a special toy, playing their favorite game, such as fetch, or taking them on their favorite walk. Always use lots of verbal praise in parallel to the reward you choose. You will, no doubt, soon get to learn where your dog prefers to be pet. Go here for more guidance on where to pet your German Shepherd. This is also useful when your German Shepherd starts to put his mouth around your possessions or furniture, ready to have a good gnaw! Using a time-out can effectively discipline a German Shepherd for biting and other undesirable behaviors. A great way to do this is to grab their collar, push their bum down, and make them sit. The idea is that your German Shepherd will quickly learn to associate that the fun stops when his nipping starts! As always, timing is critical, so your pup learns what he has done wrong at the precise moment. For very young puppies, you should only put them in time-out for a few seconds, between 7 and 10, and no longer than 30 seconds. At the end of the time-out, redirect your pup back to play and use lots of verbal praise or offer a training treat for good onward behavior. You must time the click at the exact moment your pet is doing what you want to reinforce. If you quickly reward your dog with a positive experience such as a treat, he will soon learn to associate the noise of the click with great things. The idea is that you condition your German Shepherd so that when he hears the sound of the clicker, he knows he has done something to please you. In the case of puppy biting, we are simply rewarding the puppy for choosing not to bite. You can achieve this by using the distraction technique described above. When the puppy makes the right choice and starts to bite on his chew toy, he hears the click and gets his treat. Look out for other symptoms such as drooling more than usual, bad breath, loss of appetite, or sneezing. If you are consistent and patient with your methods, you will achieve great results. Be firm but fair, which also helps to strengthen the loving bond between you and your dog. It leads to fear, avoidance, hurt feelings, guilt, stress, anxiety, and lack of trust. Owners should use positive reinforcement methods as much as possible. In another year-long study by the University of Pennsylvania, researchers found that using confrontational or aversive methods to teach aggressive dogs did not work. The dogs continued to be aggressive until the training methods were changed. The same study found that punishing techniques and dominance-based training, such as hitting or kicking, growling, or yelling at your dog, can cause aggression, as stated by Meghan E. An even more recent study in companion dogs suggests that using even mild punishments like yelling and leash-jerking can stress dogs out more than dogs taught using reward-based training. This stress causes negative consequences and poorer welfare. Alpha rolling is a controversial and outdated technique that physically puts your dog on his back or side in a submissive position to show that you are dominant or the Alpha. This old-fashioned technique is a form of positive punishment and was often used to house-train pups. Many people will have used this method decades ago without success, but at the time, they believed it was the right thing to do. For a positive punishment to work, the problem is that it has to be administered during or immediately after the act within 2 -3 seconds ; otherwise, the dog will not make the connection. Sometimes puppies naturally get over-excited and overtired. When this happens, instead of using the crate as a punishment, lure him into the crate with a treat offering lots of praise and letting him go down for a nap. If you feel sorry for your German Shepherd after disciplining him, you must never reward him out of guilt. Again, this only confuses your dog. Remember to be firm but fair. While a muzzle can prevent your dog from biting, it is not a solution to the underlying behavior issue. Muzzling your German Shepherd without addressing the root cause of their biting can lead to further behavioral problems and may even make the situation worse. Is it ever too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting? It is never too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting, but it may take more time and effort to modify their behavior if the biting has become a habit. Start with identifying the root cause and then take the guidance of an expert to set boundaries and train better to eradicate unwanted behavior. Final Thoughts Puppy biting is natural in all dogs. However, you now know the importance of disciplining your German Shepherd as soon as he starts to exhibit biting, nipping, and chewing behavior and how to do it. This is especially important with the German Shepherd breed as they quickly grow into big strong dogs. That could end in disaster for all concerned. No matter what you are teaching your German Shepherd, try to train him when young; 8 weeks old is a great time to start. Make sure you properly socialize him and give him lots of exercise and training will be much easier. Related Posts You May Like:. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share! An aggressive pound dog pouncing on you can get quite ugly fast. Think broken bones, damaged muscles, deep lacerations, bruises, scars, and expensive medical bills. German Shepherds have a bite force of PSI pound-force per square inch, or the measure of strength that a bite inflicts on the victim , compared to humans with a bite force of PSI. In fact, the American Animal Hospital Association lists the German Shepherd as one of the six breeds with the most dangerous bites, based on a US study. Therefore, training your GSD to inhibit her bite is mandatory as it not only rewards you with a well-behaved dog, but also ensures your safety as well as the safety of the people around you. A crucial step towards correcting this nasty behavior is to first understand why German Shepherd puppies bite. Nipping or biting stems from various reasons. Understanding the root of the behavior will equip you with the proper corresponding countermeasures to correct it. German Shepherds Have a High Prey Drive One of the primary and distinct characteristics thatmake a German Shepherd a popular choice for police and military work is their high prey drive, coupled with their intelligence and high trainability. Take a look at the video below showing what GSDs were originally bred for. GSDs also have a natural inclination to chase almost everything that moves in their surroundings. They Are Teething As early as two weeks old, the baby teeth of pups start to come out. Puppies use their mouth to explore their environment, so nipping is to be expected. This behavior, called teething, can last until the puppy is six months old when all her adult teeth have started showing. Teething is very uncomfortable for puppies and can lead to sore gums, so puppies turn to anything to chew to soothe the discomfort. Unfortunately, this can include biting you! They May Be Taken From the Litter Too Early Young puppies learn to naturally inhibit their biting through socialization with their mother and their siblings. A puppy does not quite understand yet the force of her own bite unless she bites too hard and the recipient reacts by yelping out of pain. Taking a puppy away from her mother prematurely will therefore deprive her the chance to learn important socialization skills. As a rule of thumb, the American Kennel Club AKC recommends that you take home a puppy that is no less than eight weeks old. By this time, the puppy should have had ample time to interact with her playmates and learn bite inhibition. We concur that you should never take home a puppy that is less than 8 weeks old. In fact, more than half of the states in the U. This does not mean, however, that your puppy will completely stop nipping. As the new parent, it is your job to continue training the dog so that any subsequent bites should be gentler. For more on selecting the right German Shepherd puppy from a litter, including additional information on the proper age, what to look for in a puppy, and what to expect from ethical breeders, be sure to check out the 2 articles linked below: How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide The Puppy Might Be Overstimulated, Fearful, or Anxious Sometimes puppies lose control of their bite because of overstimulation. Overstimulation can happen during playtime, or when your puppy has become cranky due to teasing. Your GSD puppy may also bite out of fear. Your puppy has but 2 defenses — to run away or to bite. If your puppy feels cornered, then biting is the defense that she will most often resort to. Because biting is normal canine behavior and GSDs are a breed that is more prone to it, the goal here is to inhibit the bite, not completely stop it. Do Start Training Early We keep mentioning throughout this site that training and socializing your GSD as soon as you get her home is crucial. Although training older dogs is not impossible, it is true that it is easier to train younger puppies, when habits are still new and can be easily corrected. If left untrained, adult German Shepherds can be prone to aggression towards other animals and humans, which can result in tragic situations. To get a better understanding of what is involved with these necessary steps, be sure to read these 2 excellent articles: German Shepherd Training Guide: All You Need to Know Do Use Toys as Alternative Items to Chew Puppies will nib on your hands or your feet especially during the teething stage. Train this behavior away by offering the puppy a toy whenever she starts biting your hand or your ankles. This teaches her what is acceptable to bite and which is not. It is good practice to always keep a chew toy nearby in anticipation of the biting behavior. She needs to understand that biting ends playtime and that it does not give her anything in return. In the Alpha Roll , the human pins down the dog on the floor on his side or back and holds that position to exert dominance. Besides, it has also been proven in many studies that dogs have very different behavior from wolves. Pinning your dog will cause him to freeze out of fear, which can also turn into aggression. It also teaches your dog that physical touch is something to be feared. Nobody wants to be punished by hand, not humans and certainly not dogs either. Do Reward Good Behavior Dog trainers and experts agree that positive reinforcement using rewards are highly effective in forming and keeping desirable behaviors as a puppy matures into an adult dog. If her nose touches your fingers without biting them, give her a treat and praise generously. Hold off the treat if she bites. Do this repeatedly until she associates the treat the reward with not biting your hand the good behavior. In fact, most dog bite cases in children occurred because of teasing! Instead, teach your child to be gentle with your pet , as even unintentional rough play can result in unwanted events. Dogs get cranky too, especially when they get hurt or feel that their privacy is being invaded. Never leave your child alone with your puppy unattended. Supervise their interactions at all times. Studies show that parents trust their dog around their kids too much that they overlook the signs that the dog is in distress. For tug games, keep in mind, however, that your dog must be calm and not overstimulated before playing. Otherwise, your puppy may get too serious and hold on to the rope too much. The AKC recommends that for breeds that are prone to aggression such as German Shepherds, tug-of-war can be safely carried out if the puppy knows you are in control and follows your commands. Once this has been established, a game of tugging can be used both as an exercise and as a reward for your dog. When playing, always remember to be gentle with tugging as your puppy still has baby teeth! By doing this, you are also socializing your puppy with other animals — an essential skill to learn for a well-rounded behavior. That being said, do not completely write off playing with your puppy! Playtime is still an excellent opportunity to bond with your dog, but make sure to keep it safe and fun by establishing boundaries. This method, however, is a matter of trial and error. Some puppies respond to this positively. On the other hand, many puppies get aroused by this and become even more aggressive. If you yelp and she stops biting without expressing any signs of aggression, the method has perhaps worked. You are then free to continue doing so until the puppy learns to stop biting hard. On the other hand, temper tantrums, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , are characterized by a stiff body, lips pulled back to show teeth, and growling. Biting will be more forceful and painful, since the behavior is typically caused by fear or anger. A German Shepherd puppy may be more prone to displaying this behavior, especially around unruly children. Bite inhibition is crucial especially among German Shepherds, a breed that is widely reported to be the culprit of many dog bites in America. Bite inhibition is simply one of the many important skills that your GSD must learn during her training. It can spell the difference between gentle playing and aggressive biting that leads to serious injuries. Always remember that dogs have feelings, too. They are not perfect little angels that never get angry. Even the most well-mannered dog in the world will snap out of irritation.