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Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic German Shepherd Dog Overview The German Shepherd Dog, recognized as the Alsatian in Great Britain and various parts of Europe, stands as one of the foremost canine breeds globally, often finding its place in the top 10 most favored breeds in the United States. Its distinction and fame can be attributed, in part, to a poignant tale from World War I. Amidst the turmoil of war, Corporal Lee Duncan rescued a young puppy from a war-torn breeding kennel in France. This pup, later named Rin Tin Tin, would become a legendary figure in the entertainment industry, starring in numerous films and amassing an astonishing 10, fan letters weekly during the pinnacle of its stardom. Beyond the silver screen, the German Shepherd has embraced a multitude of roles. From aiding the visually impaired and apprehending criminals to detecting illicit substances and serving in the military, this versatile breed has exhibited its prowess. It has also demonstrated its compassion by visiting the sick and exhibiting its herding instincts with livestock. Originating as herding dogs tasked with day-long duties, they possess substantial energy levels, necessitating ample physical activity and mental stimulation. A lack thereof can lead to undesirable behaviors like excessive barking and destructive chewing. Characterized by an aloof and occasionally wary disposition, they excel as vigilant watchdogs but may not exude the warm welcome typical of a family pet. Nevertheless, early exposure to diverse situations and individuals during puppyhood can cultivate adaptability. Descendants from American breeders often prioritize the pursuit of dog show accolades and distinctive aesthetics, sometimes at the expense of traditional working abilities. These dogs tend to exhibit heightened energy and determination. Thus, a visit to a shelter provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with your potential lifelong companion before making a commitment. German Shepherd Dog Highlights Renowned for their vigor and intellect, German Shepherds thrive when engaged in various activities such as learning, playing, and purposeful tasks. Daily routines should incorporate both physical exercises like jogging and Frisbee, as well as mental challenges like training sessions. The German Shepherd may not be the ideal choice if your schedule frequently keeps you away from home or requires extended absences. When left alone, they can develop feelings of unease or monotony, which might manifest through undesirable behaviors like excessive barking , chewing, and digging. German Shepherds often exhibit an aloof and cautious demeanor towards unfamiliar individuals. Initiating obedience training, commencing with puppy classes, aids in familiarizing them with other dogs and humans, while also instilling fundamental canine etiquette. Crate training proves invaluable not only for housebreaking purposes but also in instilling a sense of tranquility and contentment when separated from their owner. This aspect is particularly significant for the German Shepherd, as they can experience separation anxiety, leading to heightened distress when left alone. While they excel as vigilant watchdogs, it is essential to avoid chaining or tethering the German Shepherd solely for guarding purposes. This practice can result in frustration and potentially aggressive behavior. Optimal living conditions involve indoor coexistence with the family, along with access to a spacious, enclosed yard where they can expend their abundant energy. Consider exploring local shelters or breed-specific rescues for your next furry companion, including German Shepherds. Adopting from these sources before resorting to a breeder not only benefits the dog but also offers a chance to make a meaningful difference. An officer in the German cavalry, Captain von Stephanitz harbored a distinct ambition: to cultivate an unparalleled German herding dog. In preceding centuries, German farmers and their European counterparts relied on dogs to manage and safeguard their livestock. Certain canines gained legendary status for their herding prowess, prompting shepherds to traverse great distances to mate their female dogs with distinguished sires. However, as von Stephanitz astutely observed, the local herding dogs had yet to evolve into a distinct and unified breed. In , upon retiring from his military career, von Stephanitz embarked on a new chapter dedicated to his passion: experimenting with dog breeding to fashion an exceptional German herding dog. Drawing inspiration from the British, renowned for their exceptional herding dogs, von Stephanitz studied various breeding techniques. He traversed Germany, attending dog shows and closely observing German-style herding dogs. Amidst the fine examples he encountered—athletic, intelligent, and capable—he found a crucial element lacking: a single dog that encapsulated all these traits. While von Stephanitz initially intended the breed to excel in herding, the industrialization of Germany led him to envision a different path. Among them was an American corporal from Los Angeles, who rescued a newborn puppy from a war-ravaged kennel in France. However, the aftermath of the war introduced challenges. By , he recognized certain unfavorable traits emerging in German Shepherds, such as poor temperament and dental issues. He instituted a rigorous quality control system, requiring dogs to pass rigorous tests before breeding, assessing intelligence, temperament, athleticism, and overall health. American breeding prioritized appearances and show wins, while German Shepherds from Germany remained steadfast in their working abilities. In the face of performance challenges and genetic health concerns among American-bred dogs, a shift began, with some U. This breed falls squarely within the medium to large dog category, characterized by a strong and robust build that exudes both elegance and power. Adult German Shepherds typically possess a height range of 22 to 26 inches 56 to 66 cm at the shoulders, with males often standing slightly taller than females. However, these measurements may vary based on factors such as genetics, lineage, and geographical regions of breeding. This weight range contributes to their substantial and muscular appearance, reflecting their historical role as herding and working dogs. Their well-proportioned body structure, characterized by a level back, strong hindquarters, and deep chest, further emphasizes their agility and strength. While their imposing stature contributes to their role as capable guardians and protectors, it is important to note that their size is coupled with intelligence and an eager-to-please temperament. This blend of physical prowess and mental acuity positions them as versatile companions, excelling in various roles such as search and rescue, police work, service, and family pets. Maintaining an ideal weight and overall health is crucial for the well-being of German Shepherds. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and routine veterinary care contribute to their longevity and vitality. These dogs are inclined toward reserve, forming connections not instantly but deeply, and once those bonds are forged, their loyalty knows no bounds. Within their family circle, they exhibit an affable and approachable demeanor, yet when faced with threats, they can transform into stalwart protectors, showcasing their exceptional watchdog abilities. Endowed with remarkable intelligence and trainable instincts, this breed thrives when given a purposeful task—no challenge is too great. However, one aspect that requires careful consideration is their need for companionship and engagement. Prolonged periods of solitude do not align well with their nature. Without the necessary interaction, exercise, and opportunities to engage their sharp minds, they can experience boredom and restlessness. A German Shepherd left under-stimulated and isolated from family activities may resort to undesirable behaviors, such as excessive barking and destructive chewing. In line with all canines, early socialization proves pivotal for a well-rounded development. The German Shepherd should be exposed to diverse people, environments, sounds, and encounters during their formative stages. Such socialization lays the foundation for an adaptable and balanced adult dog, equipped to handle a variety of situations with confidence and ease. By embracing these qualities and providing suitable outlets for their energy and intellect, the German Shepherd can evolve into an outstanding companion and guardian, embodying the best of their remarkable personality traits. German Shepherd Dog Health German Shepherds typically enjoy good health, yet, akin to all breeds, they have susceptibility to specific health conditions. Hip dysplasia can manifest with or without apparent symptoms. Some dogs may display lameness and discomfort in one or both hind legs, with arthritis potentially developing as they age. Screening for hip dysplasia through X-ray assessments is conducted by organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be used for breeding. The consequence is painful lameness. Veterinary recommendations could encompass surgical intervention or pain management medications. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Bloat : A life-threatening situation predominantly affecting deep-chested large dogs, bloat occurs when the stomach distends due to gas or air and subsequently twists. Immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent shock and possible fatality. Suspect bloat if your dog exhibits abdominal distension, excessive salivation, retching without vomiting, restlessness, lethargy, and rapid heart rate. Dogs with DM struggle to coordinate hind leg movements, often progressing to an inability to walk. Treatment options are limited, although rare instances might involve vitamin deficiencies, necessitating vitamin supplementation. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency EPI : This genetic pancreatic disorder diminishes digestive enzyme production, leading to impaired food digestion and absorption. Symptoms include gas, appetite loss, weight reduction, altered stools, and increased hunger. Allergies: German Shepherds are susceptible to various allergies encompassing contact and food sensitivities. Indicators may involve persistent scratching, paw licking, and facial rubbing. Consult your vet if such symptoms emerge. This translates to a surplus of energy that necessitates daily exercise for release. Extended periods of solitude without physical exertion can result in issues. Boredom and inactivity pave the way for undesirable behaviors, such as chewing , digging , and barking. To satiate their energetic demands, German Shepherds require both physical engagement jogging, playful sessions at a dog park and mental stimulation participation in agility or obedience competitions. Similar to many herding breeds, German Shepherds have a penchant for vocalization. Furthermore, these dogs have an inclination for chewing, and their formidable jaw strength can swiftly demolish various materials. German Shepherd Dog Feeding Tailoring a diet for a German Shepherd Dog requires consideration of their large size and elevated energy demands. Seeking guidance from your veterinarian or a certified nutritionist is prudent to determine the appropriate nourishment and portion sizes for your German Shepherd. As they progress through puppyhood, adulthood, and senior stages, their dietary requisites will evolve. Remaining attentive to these nutritional shifts is crucial. For German Shepherd puppies, particular attention is necessary when it comes to feeding and physical activity. Their rapid growth between four and seven months leaves them susceptible to bone-related issues. To mitigate such concerns, a high-quality, low-calorie diet is advisable to regulate their growth rate. Grass surfaces are more suitable, and puppy agility with minor jumps is permissible. Cautious portion control is essential to prevent excessive weight gain and potential joint complications. Striking a balance with treats, promoting regular exercise, and adhering to scheduled mealtimes, as opposed to constant access to food, safeguards against overfeeding. By being attentive to their dietary needs and mindful of their activity levels, you can contribute to the well-being and overall health of your German Shepherd. German Shepherd Dog Coat Color And Grooming Originally bred to manage flocks in challenging climates, the German Shepherd boasts a medium-length double coat that suits this task impeccably. This coat serves as a natural shield against rain, snow, and prevents the accumulation of burrs and dirt. The German Shepherd exhibits a diverse range of coat types and colors. The outer layer features dense, straight hair that lies close to the body, occasionally presenting a wavy or wiry texture. Notably, the American Kennel Club does not endorse white as an accepted color for conformation shows, though they remain eligible for other competitions. Prospective German Shepherd owners must brace for hair on various surfaces, from clothing to furniture. While no foolproof remedy exists for shedding, regular brushing , ideally two to three times a week, can help manage the hair situation by capturing more in the brush than on furnishings. A reliable vacuum cleaner also proves advantageous. Despite their shedding reputation, German Shepherds tend to maintain a fairly clean and odor-free disposition. Supplying durable and secure dental chew toys or bones can combat tartar buildup, especially on the back molars. Supplementing this with periodic brushing using a soft toothbrush and dog-specific toothpaste enhances gum and teeth well-being. German Shepherd Dog Children And Other Pets A well-trained German Shepherd that has been exposed to children, especially during their puppyhood, can make an excellent companion for kids. Some liken them to a blend of a caretaker and a guardian, as they exhibit gentleness and protective instincts towards the youngsters within their family. However, given their size, there is a potential for accidental bumps with toddlers or small children. Their reserved demeanor translates into a cautious approach with unfamiliar kids, yet their reliability generally prevails. While not overtly exuberant, German Shepherds can harmoniously coexist with other dogs and pets, provided they receive proper guidance from their early days. In such cases, enlisting the aid of a professional trainer or seeking guidance from the rescue organization, if you obtained the adult German Shepherd from there, can prove beneficial. German Shepherd Dog Rescue Groups Many individuals acquire German Shepherds without a comprehensive grasp of the responsibilities associated with their ownership. A multitude of German Shepherds are seeking adoption or foster care, and numerous breed-specific rescue organizations are spread throughout the nation. Below are a few links to a few of these German Shepherd rescue groups. UKC Classification: Herding Dog To prevent over-guarding and aggressive behavior, German shepherd dogs should have socialization and obedience training at a young age. German shepherd dogs reach a maximum of about 25 inches in height, and they weigh up to about 95 pounds 41 kilograms. He is a well-proportioned dog. The head is broad and tapers handsomely to a sharp muzzle. The ears are rather large and stand erect. The back is level and muscular, and the tail is bushy and curves downward. The coat is thick and rough and may be black, tan, black and tan or gray. The coat should be harsh and of medium length; however, long-coated individuals occur often. The breed lives about years. Personality: German shepherd dogs get along well with children and other pets if raised with them, but in keeping with their guarding instincts, they tend to be leery of strangers. The breed is considered to be smart and easy to train. Some poorly bred German shepherd dogs can be high-strung and nervous. Coupled with poor socialization and inadequate training, over guarding and aggressive behavior are risks. Living With: Because German shepherd dogs are large and powerful and have strong guarding instincts, great care should be taken to purchase German shepherds from reputable breeders. Poorly bred dogs are more likely to be nervous. To prevent over guarding and aggressive behavior, German shepherd dogs should be carefully socialized from a young age and be obedience trained. They should be with the family and continually exposed under supervision to people and other pets around the neighborhood; they should not be confined to a kennel or backyard either alone or with other dogs. German shepherd dogs are active and like to have something to do. They need ample exercise daily; otherwise, they can get into mischief or become high-strung. The dog sheds heavily about twice yearly, and the rest of the time sheds a lesser amount continually. To control shedding and keep the coat nice, brush at least a few times a week. History: German shepherd dogs are, as their name implies, a breed that originated in Germany. They were developed beginning in the late s by crossing various herding breeds. The breed was subjected to stringent selection and it progressed quickly. In the United Kingdom, the dogs are known as Alsatians because fanciers of the breed there wanted to protect the dog from anti-German sentiments after World War I. German shepherd dogs were introduced in the United States by soldiers returning home from World War I. The breed caught the public eye because of movie stars Strongheart and later, Rin Tin Tin. The first guide dogs were German shepherd dogs. Today, they are one of the most popular dogs in America. The German shepherd dog is a herding breed known for its courage, loyalty and guarding instincts. This breed makes an excellent guard dog, police dog, military dog, guide dog for the blind and search and rescue dog. For many families, the German shepherd is also a treasured family pet. Related Pet Care Articles. German Shepherds are the third most intelligent dog breed. An average lifespan of a German Shepherd is between 9 and 13 years. The official name of the breed in English is the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is a sport created especially for German Shepherds. They were the stars of the 20th century, both in cinema and on battlefields. Read on to find out how these fantastic dogs made history. The German Shepherd was introduced in the early s. Vom Geliebten Haus The first German Shepherd was actually a Thuringian Shepherd, used to develop the breed by being bred to other herding dogs. Max von Stephanitz is the man who bought and named the first German Shepherd in .He wanted a dog that is loyal, easily trainable, intelligent, and able to perform many tasks. He found all that in one dog and used it to create many more like it. During WWI, they served only in the German military. They primarily served as messengers but also performed the roles of guards, ammunition carriers, and rescue dogs. The number of German Shepherds that were a part of the team is unknown, but some sources say that there were roughly present in NY after the attacks. Additionally, a German Shepherd named Trakr was the only dog that found a survivor in the rubble. His DNA was later used for cloning, and 5 Trakr clones were born in .German Shepherds were among the most famous stars in the silent film era. However, the highest-grossing star in Hollywood at the time was actually another German Shepherd — Strongheart. He eventually became a multi-millionaire and was generally considered more widely known. A German Shepherd was the very first guide dog in America. Many were skeptical, but helping her new owner cross a busy street in New York proved her skills very quickly. Interestingly, the trainer of that dog was also an American living in Switzerland , Dorothy Eustis. German Shepherd Features We all know what German Shepherds look like, and a lot of other breeds have a similar physique developed by the breeders. Keep reading to find out more fascinating German Shepherd facts. The breed has a lot of predispositions to different health issues. MAGSR Some of the most common illnesses they can have are degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, bloat, pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, and hip dysplasia. They also often suffer from thyroid diseases, skin allergies, and many other problems depending on their genetics and lifestyle. Some of the best service dogs are German Shepherds. CertaPet They are excellent service dogs because of their loyalty, intelligence, and easy trainability. They work as guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, medical alert dogs for people with epilepsy, mobility assistance for people with disabilities, and lastly, as psychiatric service dogs. They are one of the most active dog breeds. PitPat, Ready, Set, Puppy! German Shepherds are among the most energetic dog breeds. They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Adult German Shepherds need at least 90 minutes of exercise each day to stay healthy. Puppies and seniors need a bit less. Puppies should exercise only for five minutes for each month of their age. If over-exercised, they can start developing hip dysplasia earlier than normal. German Shepherds belong to the herding dog group. American Kennel Club They were created from different herding breeds and were first used for herding sheep. Today, many of them are used for guarding, protection, and police purposes. Like other herding dogs, they have a strong herding instinct they might also use on their owners, especially kids. There are both mini and giant German Shepherds. Giant German Shepherds, also called King Shepherds, are also a hybrid breed. Besides these two, there are also dwarf German Shepherds, which are purebred German Shepherds that suffer from pituitary dwarfism. German Shepherds are the third most intelligent dog breed in terms of obedience and working ability. Because of their size and potential health issues, the average age they reach is .When they reach 13, they can be compared to an year-old human. In rare cases, they can reach the age of 18—20, but not more. American Kennel Club Independent of the fur color, the tip of the nose cannot be of any other color. In other words, if a German Shepherd is born with a nose of any other color, it would be disqualified in a breed dog show. However, it could still compete in agility events, work as a service dog, and be an amazing pet. There are two lines of German Shepherds. German Shepherd Shop The line can either be working or show, and the dogs are usually bred to fit the line. Show line dogs are bred to have more sloped back, broader shoulders, and lower energy levels. They are also friendlier and less intense. However, some of the physical requirements also make them suffer from more illnesses. Working line German Shepherds are bred to be healthy, strong, active, fearless, and enduring. These clubs celebrate the dogs that reach the age of .The official English name of the breed is the German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherds are the third most popular dog breed in the US as of .American Kennel Club Among officially recognized different breeds of dogs , German Shepherds are always in the top three in the United States. In , they went from second to third place but are still equally loved. There are eleven standard colors of German Shepherds. Canine Weekly Although the most famous German Shepherds come from the bi-color group, there are more standard colors to choose from. They can be: Black Black with either red, tan, cream, or silver, Blue White Sable Keep in mind that not all colors are acceptable for breed shows. For example, liver, blue, fawn, spotted black, pure red, and white are considered faults and cannot compete in breed shows. However, as the price depends on the breeder and location, it can be much higher too. Buying from a reliable breeder is also a must, because German Shepherds can change color from puppyhood to adulthood. It tests the following features: Endurance. Post by: Heather M. They are often used as guide, therapy, search-and-rescue, police, military, and narcotics and explosives detecting dogs. While they can come across as aloof to strangers, they are known to be wonderful family dogs. History As the name suggests, these dogs were originally bred in Germany as shepherd dogs. Max von Stephanitz was the first official breeder of German Shepherds. He was a Captain in the German Calvary who was looking to create a breed that would be an unsurpassed herding dog. Size and Shape These dogs are long and can measure around 22 to 26 inches in length. On average, they weigh about 75 to 95 pounds. They also have strong upper bodies and an elegant stride. Coat and Coloring German Shepherds have a double coat that consists of a thick undercoat and a dense outer coat that can be straight or a little wavy. Their coats are medium to long, although longer hair is less common since it is passed on through a recessive gene. The outer coat sheds year-round and requires regular brushing. However, they can have other colorings, including black and red, black and silver, gray, blue, and liver. Personality Dogs have unique personalities that depend more on their lifestyle and environment than their breed. German Shepherd personality traits that they are famous for include being highly intelligent, loyal, courageous, and protective. While they can be suspicious of strangers at first and may come across as reserved and aloof, they are typically very caring and devoted dogs once you get to know them. He brought the pup to Los Angeles, where his movie career began. Rin Tin Tin had a famous predecessor named Strongheart, one of the earliest dog celebrities after starring in silent films in the early s. They changed it back to German Shepherd in .The breed has been called the Alsatian in Great Britain and parts of Europe. No doubt—German Shepherds have a rich and fascinating history. How to Care for Your German Shepherd German Shepherds need the same kind of care as most canines, such as proper nutrition and regular veterinary visits. Still, they can also benefit from special attention in areas like grooming and socialization. Grooming To help keep your canine looking and feeling good, it is essential that you establish a regular grooming routine. Some grooming items that are necessary for German Shepherds include, Brush their coats regularly German Shepherds have an outer coat that sheds year-round. Brushing your dog at least once a week can help minimize shedding and keep their coat and skin healthy. Brush those teeth too Regular tooth brushing along with an annual dental cleaning can help them avoid periodontal disease and other health issues. Clip their nails These dogs tend to love being outside, which can help keep their nails worn down from rubbing on rough surfaces. However, you should keep an eye on their nails and trim them carefully when they get too long. Bathe as needed Avoid bathing your German Shepherd too often because it can strip away the natural oils that keep their coats healthy. You can also spot clean them by wiping debris from the ears and face with a soft cloth or cotton ball. One of the best ways to get your dog used to and comfortable with grooming is to begin as early as possible. By familiarizing your dog with each item, they will continue to grow more comfortable with their routine. Health and Nutrition There are many steps you can take to help ensure that your dog lives a long, happy, and healthy life, including, Get an annual check-up German Shepherds are prone to heart issues, which makes it especially important to schedule routine exams so they can be detected early. These visits are also a great time to ask your doctor about preventing bloat , skin conditions , and other common issues. Give them lots of exercise German Shepherds need plenty of exercise to help keep them in shape and avoid boredom or frustration, which can lead to unwanted behaviors like excessive barking or destructive chewing. They typically love the great outdoors, so you can take them for long walks or fun romps in the park. Provide safe chew toys Like all dogs, German Shepherds love to chew. Chewing is natural for dogs and helps keep their teeth and jaws strong and healthy. You can help avoid coming home to chewed-up shoes, carpet, or couch cushions by giving your dog safe chew toys. Here are a few recommended steps to help make sure that your pal gets along well with other dogs and people. Crate training can help address this issue since it gives the dog a safe and comfortable retreat. However, a crate should never be used as punishment or for very long periods. Socialize them early You can help ensure your German Shepherd gets along well with others by providing them with plenty of positive experiences with puppies, dogs, and a variety of people at a young age. Train them well German Shepherds need to be trained to learn how to behave properly and respond to your commands. They can also be very vocal dogs because of their herding background. It can be painful and cause lameness. It can also make the dog more prone to arthritis later in life. Bloat and Gastric Torsion — This is a life-threatening issue that affects deep-chested dogs like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. It can cause the stomach to twist and impede blood flow to the heart. Learn how to help prevent bloat. Allergies — German Shepherds are prone to environmental or food allergies. If you suspect your dog has an allergy, speak with your veterinarian to help determine the source of the problem. Degenerative Myelopathy DM — DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord, which can result in a loss of the ability to move the back legs. It can typically be managed with proper diet and medication. It can cause uncontrolled bleeding that requires immediate medical attention. Heart Problems — As a bigger breed, German Shepherds are subject to heart issues, such as valve problems, murmurs, or enlarged hearts.
For the complete list please see our Resource Page page. This may seem like a lot of money, but it is important to remember that you are buying a purebred dog with known genetics. In addition, reputable breeders will health test their puppies and provide a health guarantee. If you are on a budget, consider adopting an older dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Boston terriers often end up in shelters because people underestimate how much work goes into owning one of these dogs. They are small, but they have a lot of energy and require regular exercise and training. Be prepared to spend at least an hour per day on basic care tasks such as feeding, exercising, and potty training. Boston terriers are very smart dogs and can be easily trained, but they will not respond to harsh punishment. Positive reinforcement is the key to success when training this breed. If you are ready to add a Boston terrier to your family, start by researching reputable breeders in Michigan. You are sure to find one that meets your needs. How to Find A Responsible Boston Terrier Breeder in Michigan Finding a good breeder is probably one of the most important things you will ever do when looking for your new Boston terrier puppy. We all know that along with the perfect puppy comes a list of responsibilities and we want to make sure we can provide our pup with everything it needs throughout its life. There are several ways you can find a reputable Boston Terrier breeder, but I feel that doing some research on your own and finding several different breeders in your area and then setting up an interview could be the best way. It will give you great insight into how the actual breeder operates their business which should make you feel at ease knowing what type of environment your future pup was brought up in. This also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the breed, nutrition, training, etc. Breeders should never be offended by your questions and in fact, they should encourage you to ask away. The next step is to make sure that the breeder is licensed and insured. Also, look for breeders who are members of national organizations such as The American Kennel Club which promotes responsible breeding practices. This tells you that the breeder is serious about their business and cares about the puppies they produce. Visit Your Michigan Boston Terrier Breeder in Person Once you have found several reputable breeders, the next step is to visit them in person. This is a very important step in your decision-making process. When you visit, take a look around and see how the puppies and their parents are living. Are they well taken care of? Is the environment clean and free of clutter? Puppies should be housed in a clean area with plenty of space to run around and play. The parents of the puppies should also be visible and healthy. The mother should be well taken care of and have plenty of food and water available to her. The father should be just as healthy and both parents should exhibit friendly behavior towards people. If the breeder you choose meets all of these criteria, it is time to move on to selecting your new Boston terrier puppy. They usually have a wide range of available breeds and colors that they produce so there should be plenty to choose from. Start looking around at their dogs and see which one interests you most. A good breeder will have no problem giving you the contact information of happy customers. These references can be very helpful in your decision-making process. When you do get in touch with the references, make sure to ask them a few questions about their experience with the breeder. Were they happy with the overall process? Was the communication good? How was the quality of the puppies? Did they receive any medical information or support after purchase? If your breeder allows it, go meet up with previous customers and get to know them. They can tell you what worked for them when potty training, what made crate training easy, etc. Another good sign of a reputable breeder is if they have a veterinarian that they use on their farm. Having your new puppy vaccinated and checked for any abnormalities would be fairly difficult without the support of a local vet. If they have nothing but positive things to say about the breeder, then you know that you are dealing with someone who cares about their business. The contract should include information about the purchase price, the health guarantee, the medical history of the parents, etc. Unethical Boston terrier dog breeders from Michigan may not have contracts available for you to review. Other signs that your puppy may be coming from an unethical breeder are if they: Have no contract at all or cannot provide one upon request. A reputable breeder will want to protect both themselves and potential buyers Provide little or no information about vaccinations or de-worming. All reputable breeders will know this information and make sure to make it known to you prior to purchase Are not willing to answer questions or provide references. A good breeder will make sure that they are easily accessible for any potential Boston Terrier puppy buyers Make false claims about their dogs. For example, they say that their puppies come with registration papers when in reality, they do not. Reputable breeders will provide all of the necessary documentation without question Ask The Michigan Breeder if Your Boston Terrier Puppy Has Any Health Problems The best way to determine if a Boston Terrier is in good health is to ask the breeder for any and all medical documentation available. Any responsible and reputable Boston Terrier breeders in Michigan will have their dogs checked by a veterinarian immediately before breeding and they should be able to provide you with current vaccination records, de-worming details, etc. Many illnesses are easy to treat with proper care from a licensed veterinarian. If you suspect anything unusual, take your dog in to see a vet right away for further examination and treatment. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boston Terrier Puppy Almost any residence can accommodate a Boston Terrier puppy as long as there is enough space for the pup to run around and exercise. Boston Terriers are not the type of dog who needs to be cooped up in a small area all day — in fact, this will only lead to mischief. Some things you may want to do before bringing your new puppy home include: Putting away any fragile ornaments or objects that could be knocked over. Invest in a good quality crate and bedding for the puppy to sleep in. Bedding should be soft and comfortable, as Boston Terriers like to curl up when they sleep. Make sure that there is a designated area where the puppy can go to the bathroom as you train them also. A nice, grassy yard would be perfect for this type of thing. Make sure to keep an eye on them during their first few days as they may not know exactly how to use it yet. Set aside enough time each day to play with your Boston Terrier and spend quality time with them so that they do not feel neglected. Even if your breeder was feeding your Potty Training Your New Boston Terrier Puppy Here are some tips on how to effectively potty train your Boston Terrier Puppy: Take them outside often so they can go where they need to — every hours at first, then several times throughout the day. Reward them when they do what you want so it reinforces what behavior you like best. Crate train if possible so that when your pup does not have access to an area where they can go to the bathroom, they can still be safe in their crate until next time. If you are not able to take your puppy outside right away, have a designated area inside where they can go — for example, an old towel or newspapers that can be easily disposed of. Many people believe that Boston Terriers are the perfect dog for families with children. These dogs are gentle, playful, and always up for a good time. They also tend to be pretty forgiving when it comes to roughhousing, so kids will love playing with them. However, it is important to remember that every dog is different and some may not be as tolerant of small children as others. Always supervise any interaction between your children and your dog to make sure that things stay safe and happy for everyone involved. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Partnered with the best and most trusted breeders in the United States, Premier Pups strives to deliver happy and healthy Boston Terriers for adoption. Our Puppy Agents and care specialists provide our Boston Terrier puppies with the best care possible, ensuring they are raised in a safe, nourishing environment. All our Boston Terriers receive regular health tests and mandatory vaccinations to ensure they are happy, healthy, and ready for adoption at 8 weeks old. Our customers benefit from a year health guarantee for all our puppies at Premier Pups. Boston Terriers are unique and stunning little dogs that love to be around people. Their eagerness to please and impress makes them easy to train, while their spunk and goofiness are the best ingredients for a fun companion. Boston terriers are also very affectionate dogs who love to cuddle and spend time with their family members. They thrive in the center of attention and crave a life of fun family adventures. This beautiful and unique breed makes an excellent companion pet for any household. Adopt yours today at Premier Pups. We partner with the best dog breeders in the nation to offer you healthy, happy Boston Terrier puppies. A few of our Boston Terrier Pups. This designer breed loves their family, is devoted to them, and strives to be a committed, involved member of the family. Although the English Boston-Bulldog is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations. English Boston-Bulldogs tend to make great family dogs. They bond closely with their families, are affectionate, and love nothing more than being with them. They also tend to have a playful, comedic personality paired with a calm, gentle nature. These dogs tend to get along fantastically with children. As long as they are properly socialized, they also get along well with other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. They can be prone to barking if boundaries for this behavior are not established early on or if they are inadvertently trained into it. The English Boston-Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They adapt well to just about any home including apartments. But, as a brachycephalic dog breed, they are highly sensitive to heat and cold. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time because they bond so closely with their families. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? Just as a mixed-breed dog could inherit nothing from their parent breeds, they could also inherit any combination of the potential health conditions common to their parents or even all of them. In the case of the English Boston-Bulldog, potential health concerns to be aware of include cherry eye, skin infections, glaucoma, cataracts, and heart problems. Because they are a snub-nosed dog breed, they are at a higher risk for heat stroke in higher temperatures. So, you need to be careful in the heat and also use safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs to keep them from overheating. Reputable breeders will be screening their dogs to avoid passing congenital issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking them about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask to see results or clearances from any tests that have been done. This dog breed tends to be highly trainable and a good fit for owners of all experience levels. They are intelligent and pick up on things quickly. Plus, they are eager to please. They can be stubborn at times, especially if they are bored with repetition. Although this can be a challenge for first-time dog owners, they can usually navigate it well as long as training is consistent and focused on positive praise and reward. These dogs are sensitive and will strive to perform to your expectations as long as those expectations are clearly and consistently communicated. On top of that, they offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. An English Boston-Bulldog has a short coat that sheds a little year-round. Because debris can get in their large eyes and trapped in their wrinkles, you need to regularly check these areas and clean as needed to help prevent irritation and other issues. Weekly ear checks can go a long way in helping to prevent ear infections. Ears should be dry, clean, and free of debris, redness, or other concerning things. A good dental care routine is also essential. English Boston-Bulldogs will be full of energy as puppies and will mellow out a little as they age. They will be in a more moderate activity range when they are young with bursts of energy while playing. As they age, they tend to settle into a lower activity range. Daily walks plus plenty of playtime are usually enough for these dogs. English Boston-Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weighs pounds. English Boston-Bulldog generally lives for years. Featured English Boston-Bulldog Article. A good dog breeder is registered in a breeders association and breeds according to the rules and guidelines of the respective breed association. In addition to participating in beauty and performance shows at dog shows, this also includes health checks on their breeding dogs. These papers show which ancestors were involved in the development of the puppy and whether inbreeding was carried out. What makes a serious dog breed? A reputable breeder is dedicated to their breed and usually only breeds this one breed. The prices that dog breeders charge for their puppies mostly flow back into dog breeding. A profit is hardly achieved with good and species-appropriate husbandry. How do I recognize a reputable breeder? First, make sure that the dog breed leaves a clean and well-groomed impression. The following points can also help you buy puppies from a reputable dog breeder: Do all animals look lively and healthy? Do the puppies grow up in the family instead of having to live in a kennel outside? Are the parent animals on-site? Are you allowed to visit the puppies several times? Is the breeder interested in your living conditions? Would they like to know as precisely as possible where their puppies will live? Does the dog breeder take special measures to give their puppies a good start in life? For example, do the puppies get to know car journeys and train journeys? Are they used to other pets and children? Does the breeder grant themself a right of repurchase in the event that the buyer wants to give their dog back? These points are indicators of a reputable breeder. In addition, you should make sure that the puppies are not over-vaccinated and dewormed before buying. Worming treatments in particular can cause permanent damage in puppies that cannot be justified by a potential benefit. If the dog breeder is critical of your questions, that is also a good sign. Boston Terrier Breed Overview Boston Terrier is a dog of balanced appearance with a square compact body and proportional paws, a short head, and a short tail. In representatives of the breed, sexual dimorphism is not very pronounced, it is expressed in the following. Females are thinner and slender, while males are large and powerful. Weight can vary from 11 to 27 pounds and height — from 11 to 16 inches. Description of the Boston Terrier breed standard : The head is rectangular, flat on top. The muzzle is not wrinkled. The forehead is large and flat. The jaw is square and the bite is straight, but slight undershot is permitted The nose is colored black; rather large, therefore it is clearly distinguishable on the muzzle. The ears are small and erect. Can be docked. The eyes are large, dark, far apart. Due to the structure of the muzzle, Boston Terriers make whistling and wheezing sounds. But most of all they love to snore. The Boston Terrier breed is characterized by a short but powerful body. The back is strong, almost square. The neck is massive and muscular. The chest is wide. The tail is short, with a pointed end. Should not rise higher than 90 degrees from the body line. Some owners dock the tails of their Boston Terriers to hide external imperfections. This is prohibited by breed standards and such dogs cannot participate in shows. The puppy should be tested for deafness, heart disease. Take a closer look at how your favorite Boston Terrier puppy behaves. Aggressive pugnacious is not worth taking, since for the Boston breed it is a vice. Puppies have a humped back, which sometimes disappears over time, but sometimes it does not. If the baby does not outgrow the defect in adulthood, then it will not be able to participate in exhibitions. In order to buy a healthy and thoroughbred Boston Terriers, consider the following factors: Conditions of detention. The appearance of the parents. If one of the parents has visible defects, then there is a high probability of their transmission by inheritance. The number of puppies. The fewer puppies in the litter, the more milk they get. The stronger their immune system is. The activity of the future pet. The puppy should be nimble and agile. Avoid sluggish puppies with poor coordination. Availability of documents. Purebred Boston Terriers are sold along with a package of documents certifying their belonging to the breed. Sometimes fighting blood wakes up in Boston Terriers, and then they can rush at other street dogs. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your puppies like grooming tools, food, and shelter. Feeding can begin when the Boston Terrier puppies are three weeks old. It consists of cow and goat milk, you can give milk to puppies up to 5 months old. By two months, the puppies feed on their own. At this age, they can move to a new home. Milk porridge, low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, and fermented baked milk are added to the diet. At two months old, a Boston puppy needs to be fed times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced, and new foods should be carefully introduced into the diet. At six months, the puppy should eat twice a day. Boston maintenance and care is not difficult. The breed is small, therefore it takes up little space. The dog should have a lot of toys that will keep it busy all day. Although the Boston Terrier is considered an ornamental dog, it needs daily walks. Your pet needs to be taken outside twice a day. You should walk for at least half an hour. Due to the shape of the muzzle, the Boston Terrier quickly begins to choke. Therefore, during games, you should take breaks so that the dog can catch its breath. Due to the shape of the head and short coat, Boston Terriers suffer from overheating. In hot weather, take a bottle of water and a bowl with you. During the summer, it is better to walk your pet in the early morning and evening, after sunset. During winter, pets are easily overcooled and catch cold quickly. When walking, the dog should be warmly dressed. These platforms will help you connect with people who have Boston Terrier puppies for sale or adoption near you. It can be a great alternative in looking for your future pup within the comfort of your home. AKC Marketplace is your trusted resource to help make a lifetime of responsible dog ownership safe, happy, and healthy. They help over 21, animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free. They pride themselves on connecting loving families with new furry friends and have happy customers all over the nation. Exercise Grooming The Boston terrier was discovered in the s. They are said to have been the product of a crossbreed. The English Terrier was bred with the bulldog to bring about the Boston terrier. They are the first non-sporting dogs to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. Their distinct color and markings were also included in their description making it an essential part of their features. It is still one of the most popular breeds in America. This dog breed as previously stated is an American gentleman. They are intelligent, smart and affectionate. They need adequate training to achieve all of these as any dog could be aggressive. They also need to be socialized early so they can get accustomed to meeting people and other pets alike. They are lively for the most part and enjoy playing fetch. They learn quickly and could be a bit reserved around people they do not know. This dog breed can adapt very well to apartment life. If you are the type who works all day, this is the dog for you as they can adapt to the lifestyle. They are also friendly towards children and are small enough not to knock them over. So, if you have children, this is a good idea for your Boston terrier. They merely tolerate harsh weather conditions and should be mostly indoors except its playtime. They are also quite tolerant of other pets too. Large crowds may not work well with this breed because they may be knocked over in the process. The Boston terrier may be a small dog breed but they definitely love to get a lot of exercise. They are very playful and will literally wear you out. They need an average of 45 minutes to one hour of play or exercise daily. They may be small but they are incredibly energetic. You could let them play in the yard for as long as they want or you could take them out on short or long walks. The key is to keep them exercised enough so they do not develop health problems. His eyes are incredibly large so you should clean his face daily and examine him for redness. Clean his ears and check for bad odor which could indicate the presence of infection. Trim his nails so they do not scratch the couch. He will shed but very lightly and this should be easy to deal with. Just brush his coat a lot more to remove excess hair. Overall, they are low maintenance and should be easy to groom. Our Boston Terrier puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Boston Terrier Puppies For Sale.
What kind of diet do we give our pooches for a healthy weight? What you should never overfeed a dog? You should never ever overfeed your dogs too much carbs as they get stored as fat in the body if they are not used. Unfortunately, carbohydrates are much cheaper an ingredient as compared to the other nutrients like protein. Hence, they are often used by major large dog food manufacturers to make up the weight of dog food whilst keeping the prices of the dog food low. This is the main reason why pets all over the United States are getting obese. And, ironically, this became the driving forces behind the rise of these healthy pet food startups , as their founders seek to provide their own proper and much healthier alternatives. The high fiber content will make your dogs feel content faster and thus eat less. And since fiber does not get stored in the body like carbs do, it can be promising measure to keep your pooch's weight under control. Mathematically, eating less will reduce weight gain. However, it can easily lead to malnourishment if your dog is not given the proper nutrition. We are talking about nutrients beyond the common proteins and carbohydrates. They include omega fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and many more! The key here is not to eat less. The key here is to maintain a balanced diet. And what constitutes a balanced diet? That requires a deep understanding and a wide study in the field of pet nutrition to truly determine it; so much that it warrants a university degree. To get the most balanced, holistic and healthiest dog foods , it is often better to leave it to the experts. Have you been scheduling your dog's meal time wrongly? And does it really matter? Scheduling your dog's meal time will tune their stomach to become hungry only at their meal times. Combining this with the right amount of dog food given to them, it will keep your dogs from becoming hungry out of meal hours. In turn, this will maintain their metabolism rate and utilize all the food they consume fully and appropriately. As a bonus, regular meal time will also discourage them from scavenging around the house like little vacuum cleaners as they grow accustomed to the amount of food they are given and to be used for the intervals between meal times. These food brands are not your typical corporate pet food manufacturers. These are pet food startups fueled by the passion from their pet enthusiasts founders who only want the best for all dogs under the sky. Each of them have came up with their own unique formula that will surely satisfy your dogs' taste buds without compromising their health. Click here or the button below to learn more about these bespoke food brands. Underweight and undernourishment is as real an issue as obesity among dogs. Underweight dogs appear thin and frail. And before you know it, they will start to lose all the hair on their coat and look like anything but a dog. These cases created a market of specialized dog food that help your dog to gain weight healthily. Here are 7 of the best dog foods for weight gain that can help your underweight dog get back its glory. Read more by clicking the button below. This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. Courage and loyalty are attributes the Boxer is usually described with. With a good work ethic, playful demeanor, and a goofy face, this dog breed ranks among the top 10 in the USA for a while now. Their nobility and elegance came to focus after the originally working breed Boxer became unemployed during the early 19th century. The breed name derives from the way they defend themselves with their paws while playing. It really appears as the dog spars with the front paws. There is no doubt one might be tempted to get bring home one of these loving fellas. The growth in dogs has much to say about their health and potential — but how? While growing up dogs that suffer from some diseases might stagnate more than others. Boxers are a medium to large dog breed and are pretty safe from the usual bone and muscle disorders in larger dogs. However, hip dysplasia remains one of the most common issues. Reputable breeders will let you meet the parents and give you contacts from owners of puppies born in previous litters. Most Boxer puppies will correspond just fine to the ranges mentioned for their age. It is super important to not rush the growing process. Dogs that are overweight can experience problems later on in life that might have been avoided by maintaining an appropriate body condition. Moreover, the veterinarian can have the pup checked for possible health conditions causing the slow growth. Photo by otsphoto on Shutterstock Even with late bloomers, there is no reason to worry. Some dogs experience growing episodes sooner than others. The same rules apply to puppies that grow too fast. Damage due to wrong feeding can be avoided by using high-quality premium food and sticking to the recommendations according to weight and age on the labels. Never miss out on consulting your vet on the topic first — they will be glad to guide you through it! Boxer Growth Stages Until they reach adulthood, Boxers go through 3 growth stages. The general difference between the growth stages is how fast the puppy grows during the period and how they appear in posture and body condition. The first stage is from birth until they are 2 weeks of age. After the second week, the growth rate slows down. Most breeders wean the puppies off around the 4th-5th week. At 18 months of age, you can probably introduce your companion as a fully developed, curious, and independent adult Boxer. Boxer puppies have somewhere between 2. At the end of the first stage, they can reach around 4. At 1 month of age, their stuffed muscle figure comes at about 5. By the time they are 16 weeks old, males weigh lbs .Male Boxers are expected to have approximately lbs .In the next six months, the growth slows down to about lbs 0. Male Boxers should weigh around lbs kg by the time they reach 6 months of age. Female boxer puppies are expected to have lbs kg when they are half a year old. Since the Boxer qualifies as a medium to large breed, it takes longer for them to reach their full-sized version compared to other smaller breeds. There are exceptions when Boxers complete the growth at 20, even 24 months. Female Boxers that are done growing up weigh approximately lbs kg and stand .Their male counterparts have between 60 and 70 lbs kg and are 23 to 25 inches cm tall. In the meantime provide quality food, regular exercise, and maintain regular veterinary check-ups to ensure their well-being. As with all other dog breeds, some adult Boxers will be smaller than the standard dimensions of the breed. On the other hand, there is a handful of those that are larger than the standard too. Genetics is the most probable cause for this. Rarely do Boxers end up being smaller than the rest due to low production of the growth hormone. Luckily growth hormone problems in Boxers are very rare and other breeds such as the Miniature Pinscher, Spitz, or Karelian Bear Dog are more prone to the condition. Growth defects in dogs can appear due to Dwarfism Achondroplasia. Minor deformities can be surgically corrected, but again with a dubious prognosis. In Conclusion Understanding the growth chart will help you understand what role nutrition, diet, and exercise plays and adjust accordingly. Getting rid of excess weight or ruling out health issues is something you and your vet can work on together. Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. As a medium to large-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to fill out and reach their full size than smaller dog breeds. As a general rule, expect your Boxer to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. Keep in mind that this range is an estimate, so there are always exceptions. Image Source: Canva How big should a 6-month-old Boxer be? A 6-month-old male Boxer should weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a 6-month-old female Boxer will weigh about 39 to 44 pounds. According to Care. For a male Boxer puppy, this would be around 17 to 19 inches tall. Pro Tip: Check out this downloadable new puppy checklist covering topics like vaccination schedules, setting up the home for a new puppy, teething, veterinary visits, and more! How much bigger will my Boxer get? There are several ways to estimate how much bigger your Boxer will grow. If your Boxer is less than two years old, they are likely still growing. Some Boxers stop growing closer to 18 months, but many Boxers will continue to fill out in weight and body size until they are two years old. A puppy will rarely be larger than either parent, so this can give you a clearer idea of their maximum size. Do their paws look oversized compared to their legs and the rest of their body? This is a strong sign that your Boxer is still growing and filling out! What is the size of a full-grown Boxer? According to the American Kennel Club Official Boxer Standards , a full-grown male Boxer will stand around 23 to 25 inches tall, while a female Boxer will stand about .A fully grown male Boxer will weigh around 60 to 70 pounds, with their female counterpart will weigh about 55 to 65 pounds. As with many things, prevention is always better than treatment. Taking your Boxer to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do for their health, along with consistent love and care at home. One of the best things you can do at home is brush your dog's teeth regularly to help prevent painful periodontal disease and avoid pricey dental treatments in the future. Periodontal disease can cause bad breath and oral pain for your pup and may require your Boxer to have a dental cleaning or tooth extractions under anesthesia at some point in their lives if not attended to at home. Keeping your Boxer at a healthy weight is crucial for their longevity, overall health, and happiness. If your Boxer is overweight, talk to your veterinarian to develop a weight loss strategy so that you can get them back on track. Consult with your veterinarian about the ideal food and exercise for your Boxer. Like all dogs, Boxers have certain conditions that they are prone to. Boxers are a purebred dog breed prone to heart problems, like cardiomyopathy, heart valve narrowing, and congenital heart defects. Brachycephalic syndrome increases their risk of respiratory distress, allergies, heatstroke, and sinus problems. Regular veterinarian appointments are crucial in finding and treating illness early to give your Boxer the healthiest and longest life possible. Unfortunately, veterinary bills can be costly with many treatments for emergencies and illnesses, such as heart problems, being thousands of dollars to treat. When surveyed, .The financial safety net provided by pet insurance is why pet insurance is worth it for many pet parents. Keep in mind that even healthy behaviors, like exercise, can be overdone. Consult with your veterinarian about how much exercise is prudent. Medium to large-sized dogs that are still growing may suffer from joint damage if they are overexercised. Make a plan with your veterinarian today to provide your Boxer with the ideal amount of exercise to keep them lean, healthy, and happy. Boxer puppies grow into strong and sturdy adults that make fun-loving, often silly companions, and fierce protectors. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Also, as long as you take your dog to vet check-ups regularly, and if the dog has received all the necessary vaccines for his age, you can be sure that your dog is healthy. However, an alarm could be triggered if you notice that your dog has problems with obesity or if he is underweight. In that case, it is necessary to find the reason for the inappropriate weight and work to solve this problem as soon as possible. A fully grown male Boxer weighs between 65 to 80 pounds. The adult weight of a female Boxer goes from 50 to 65 pounds on average. However, various factors significantly affect the average weight and height of a Boxer, so there might be some deviations from the average weight and height of these dogs. We will explain the factors affecting Boxer Growth in detail below. How big is your pet friend going to be? Birth-Two Weeks When they are just born, all that Boxer puppies do is eat and sleep. In this stage, puppies do not have teeth and are deaf and blind. However, this stage is not passive for Boxer dogs. Boxer puppies usually weigh around 3 pounds when they are born. At the end of their second week of life, their average weight is between 4 and 5. Therefore, this growth stage presents a rapid growth stage for Boxers. Two Weeks Weeks Being a large dog breed, Boxer dogs need a lot of food so they can grow accordingly. If you are used to having a small dog, be ready to give a lot more food to your new pet! When these dogs are around 4 weeks old, they start to eat solid food. During this period, they gain a lot of weight, so it is necessary to be careful not to exaggerate with the dog food. By the time they are 4 weeks old, Boxer puppies gain teeth and also develop a sense of hearing and open their eyes. When they are 5 weeks old, Boxer dogs start to show the urge to socialize and need their playtime. At the stage between 6 and 8 weeks, your puppy should start with his first vaccinations. When they are 8 weeks old, Boxer puppies are ready to leave their mothers and go to their new homes. In the next stage, when Boxer puppies are from 9 to 12 weeks old, dog owners will enjoy them the most, since this is the period when these dogs are ready to learn some basic tricks and commands. At the end of this period, both male and female Boxer puppies should be around 12 inches tall, according to the breed standard. Three Months-Six Months This is the period when your new puppy starts to explore the world. In this stage, it is extremely important to introduce your Boxer to new places and new people. This is the best way to properly socialize and train your dog. In terms of weight for this stage, a healthy weight for a Boxer at 5 months is between 33 and 40 pounds. As to height, a 6-months old Boxer should be around 18 inches tall at 6 months. Six Months Months Compared to some smaller breeds, you sometimes might think that your Boxer is not acting according to his age. Larger dogs or medium-sized dogs such as Boxers reach maturity in later stages than some smaller dogs. You might have to wait a while until you have an adult Boxer in your home! Most dogs of the Boxer breed reach their adult size when they are around 1 year old. However, some of these dogs continue to grow, so, according to the Boxer growth chart, these dogs will reach their full height and full body weight at the age of 18 to 24 months. According to some opinions, it takes up to three years for Boxer dogs to reach their full maturity! So, be prepared to enjoy a long period of childhood behavior from your dog friend. Larger dogs usually have a shorter life expectancy than smaller dogs, and we are not quite sure yet what is the main reason for this. What Factors Affect Boxer Growth? If you are well acquainted with the Boxer growth chart, you will be able to provide your dog with the lifestyle he needs to have to become a happy and healthy dog. A couple of factors might significantly affect the growth of your Boxer. Genetics Genetics is very important for your dog in general, as it largely determines the appearance and behavior of a dog. If this information is not available to you, you can always have a DNA test done that can help you find out how big your dog might get. Going for a walk, running around the yard or any other activity is always welcome to help your Boxer spend the tremendous energy he possesses. Although exercise is essential for this dog, it is important to make sure that exercise is not overdone. If a Boxer gets too much exercise before his bones and joints are properly developed, this could negatively affect his further growth. Nutrition Since Boxers are bigger dogs, they need a lot of quality food to develop properly. However, every Boxer owner must be extremely careful here. The food your Boxer gets should be full of vitamins and minerals, but you should not overdo it with the amount of food. Two meals a day is quite enough for a Boxer, so try not to leave food out for your dog outside of these two feedings. This way, the dog will learn his routine and will not look for extra food. Boxers are dogs that easily become obese, so proper feeding habits need to be instilled at an early age. Bottom Line We know that all dog owners sometimes wonder if their pet is at the right weight and height according to their age. To make it easier for you to answer these questions, we have described the Boxer growth chart in this article. By following this chart, you can conclude whether your dog is in the average weight and height range that corresponds to his age. If you notice minor deviations, do not stress! Various factors affect the growth process of your Boxer, and, remember, some Boxers continue growing even after their second year of life. All you as a responsible dog owner need to do is provide your dog with enough love, exercise, quality food, and regular visits to the vet. This way, your Boxer, without any doubt, will grow into a healthy and big dog! We can see when your Boxer puppy will become their adult size and reach its full height. Your new puppy will grow rapidly for the first two weeks. Your pup should weigh between 4. When your doggo is between six and eight weeks old, they should also prepare for their first vaccinations. Males should be around 17 to 19 inches .At one year old, females should weigh between 55 and 65 pounds .Many factors are involved. For your doggo to maintain a healthy lifestyle, monitoring their growth and weight is a good idea. How can you tell how big a Boxer will get? Within the first six months of age, your Boxer will grow rapidly. You can tell how big your pooch may get by looking at their paws and head. For example, your furry friend may look disproportionate for a while. However, some parts of their body will catch up to the rest within a few months or even a few weeks. Is your Boxer at a healthy weight? You can typically tell whether or not your Boxer is at a healthy weight by their ribs. But, on the other hand, if you can feel and see their ribs, they may be underweight. Always check with your vet to be on the safe side. What are some Boxer dog body shape changes? Boxer puppies grow in height faster than their weight gain. When this dog breed matures and becomes an adult, they will have a wide chest. But, overall, Boxer is strong and lean. In addition, different factors are involved when it comes to impacting how your dog grows. In addition, reputable breeders should have this information. The nutrition you feed your pooch can help or hinder their growth. For example, if you feed them dog food with unhealthy fillers and lots of fat, they may become obese, thus hurting their growth and overall health. Will neutering or spaying your Boxer affect their growth? Spaying or neutering your Boxer has more pros than cons. For example, some health conditions may include hip dyslexia, bloat, acne, arthritis, and cancer. The best way to ensure your pooch remains healthy is to work together with your veterinarian. Take your dog to regular vet appointments at least once per year for an annual check-up. In addition, talk to your vet about the type of dog food and exercise your Boxer should be getting. If your doggo is overweight or underweight, the vet will be able to help. Finally, properly groom your doggo. Physical activity Boxers need plenty of room to run around and stretch their legs. However, they love to play and enjoy a round of fetch with you in a fenced-in yard. Just be sure to wait until their bones and joints are fully developed before taking them for jogs or hikes. Otherwise, they could have joint issues later in life. Dangers of stunted or accelerated growth If your Boxer is a little bigger or small than the others of its breed, that may not necessarily be a bad thing. However, some issues can occur. For example, your pooch may be smaller due to a growth hormone deficiency. This controls the growth rate in dogs, their bone and teeth development and maintains a healthy coat. Dwarfism could also be the reason. When do Boxers stop growing? You can expect your Boxer to be fully grown and stop growing between 18 and 24 months of age. This system works on a scale of one to nine. One means your pup is underweight and unhealthy. Nine means they are extremely overweight. The ideal place on the scale where you want your large dog to be is a five. What should you do if your Boxer is growing too fast? Growth disorders can occur in larger dogs, such as Boxers. If you notice your dog growing too fast, talk to your vet first. How to help your Boxer lose weight if he is overweight? This includes their diet and exercise. Take a look at what dog food you feed your pooch. In addition, do you feed your doggo people food and table scraps? Do Boxer mixes vary in size? If you want to learn more, you can read about Boxer mixes here. How Big Is Your Boxer? These happy doggos are a delight to have around. Boxers are great companions dogs for anyone young or old. While this pooch can have certain health conditions, they do have an average growth track. Overall, with proper exercise and dieting, your Boxer will develop into a happy, healthy pup. Did your Boxer puppy grow on track? Let us know in the comments below. Further reading: Learn more about the Growth of other Dog Breeds. You will notice that there is a range in both height and weight. Use the lighter weights for female Boxers and the heavier weights for male Boxers. This principle also applies to the variations in heights. Females tend to weigh less and be smaller in size than males. Between 6 — 12 months of age, Boxers are no longer considered puppies since they start to reach sexual maturity. Boxers are considered adolescents between 6 months to 24 months, and at 2 years old Boxers reach adulthood. They will continue to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. How long does it take for a Boxer to be fully grown? As a medium-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to reach their full size and weight than smaller dog breeds. On average, Boxers will grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. At 2 years old, Boxers are full-grown, reaching their full height and weight. As with all other dog breeds, some adult Boxers will be smaller than the breed standards. If your Boxer is less than two years old, he or she is likely still growing. Insider Tip: To estimate how big and heavy your Boxer will get, you can contact the breeder. Puppies rarely exceed their parents weight and height. Boxers above this average may be classed over-weight. Check with your vet to get an accurate diagnosis since more athletic dogs will have bigger muscles and will weigh more. It is important to recognize if your Boxer adds extra weight so that you can adjust his or her lifestyle. After, you just need to deduct your weight to find out how the weight of your Boxer. However, the bigger they get, the trickier it gets for them to stand still on such a small scale. Measure at the withers shoulder whilst standing. Try it out below:.
Breeds The link has been copied! Attention all dog lovers and French Bulldog aficionados! Are you ready to meet the latest sensation in the world of canines? Look no further than the Lilac French Bulldog, a breed that's taking the world by storm with its unique and stunning coat. These pint-sized pups pack a punch with their irresistible charm, playful personalities, and adorable squishy faces that will melt even the coldest of hearts. Get ready to fall head over heels in love with this captivating breed, as we delve into the history, characteristics, and everything else you need to know about the Lilac French Bulldog. So sit back, relax, and get ready to embark on a journey to discover the world's most delightful new furry friend. What Is a Lilac French Bulldog? It is characterized by a coat color that is a diluted shade of chocolate brown, resulting in a pale, bluish-grey hue that is commonly referred to as "lilac. Lilac French Bulldogs are highly sought after by dog enthusiasts due to their unique coloration. However, it's important to note that breeding for specific coat colors can sometimes lead to health problems in the dogs, so it's crucial to find a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of the dogs. Are Lilac French Bulldogs Rare? Yes, Lilac French Bulldogs are considered rare. Breeding for the lilac coloration is also a complicated process, as it requires two copies of the dilution gene to produce a lilac-colored puppy. Because of this, lilac French Bulldogs are generally more expensive than other colors of French Bulldogs. However, it's important to note that while the lilac coloration may be rare, it should not be the sole factor in choosing a French Bulldog. It's crucial to prioritize the health and temperament of the dog, as breeding for specific coat colors can sometimes lead to health problems in the dogs. Lilac French Bulldogs have a coat color that is a diluted shade of chocolate brown, resulting in a pale, bluish-grey hue that is commonly referred to as "lilac. Lilac French Bulldogs typically have light-colored eyes, usually green or blue, and a pinkish nose. On the other hand, Isabella French Bulldogs have a coat color that is a diluted shade of liver or chocolate brown, resulting in a pale, silvery-grey hue that is commonly referred to as "Isabella. Isabella French Bulldogs typically have light-colored eyes, usually green or yellow, and a brownish-pink nose. CDA is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to a dog's coat, skin, and eyes. Dogs with CDA have hair that is fragile and prone to breakage, leading to hair loss and skin irritation. While not all dogs with dilute coat colors develop CDA, it is important for owners of Lilac French Bulldogs to be aware of this potential health issue and monitor their dog's coat and skin for any signs of hair loss, redness, or irritation. There is no cure for CDA, but there are steps that owners can take to manage the condition and reduce its impact on their dog's quality of life. This may include regular grooming and bathing to keep the coat and skin healthy, as well as the use of specialized shampoos, conditioners, and supplements to support hair growth and skin health. It's also important for potential Lilac French Bulldog owners to work with a reputable breeder who conducts health screenings and genetic testing to minimize the risk of inherited health issues, including CDA. Here are a few examples: Blue: Blue French Bulldogs have a coat color that is a dilute shade of black, resulting in a grey-blue hue. Merle: Merle French Bulldogs have a coat pattern that is characterized by patches of different colors and a marbled or speckled appearance. Chocolate: Chocolate French Bulldogs have a coat color that is a rich, dark brown. Fluffy: Fluffy French Bulldogs have a coat with long hair. Some breeders advertise "micro" Frenchies as smaller, cuter versions of the breed, but it's important to note that breeding for extremely small size can compromise the health and well-being of both the mother and the puppies. It's important to note that while these exotic color variations may be desirable, it's crucial to prioritize the health and temperament of the dog over its coat color. Here are some important aspects to consider when caring for a Lilac French Bulldog: Grooming: Lilac French Bulldogs have a short and smooth coat that is easy to maintain. Brushing them once a week with a soft-bristled brush will help to remove loose hair and distribute the natural oils in their coat. They only need to be bathed as needed, as over-bathing can strip their coat of its natural oils. Exercise: Lilac French Bulldogs are a relatively inactive breed, and they only need a moderate amount of exercise. A daily walk and some indoor playtime should be enough to keep them happy and healthy. They are also sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, so it's important to protect them from extreme weather conditions. Health: Lilac French Bulldogs are prone to certain health issues, such as breathing difficulties due to their short snouts, skin allergies, and joint problems. Regular visits to the veterinarian and a healthy diet can help to prevent and manage these health issues. Training and socialization: Lilac French Bulldogs are intelligent and social dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement training. Early socialization, potty training and behavioral training can help to prevent behavioral issues such as separation anxiety and aggression. Dental care: Like all dogs, Lilac French Bulldogs need regular dental care to maintain their oral health. Brushing their teeth regularly and providing them with dental chews or toys can help to prevent dental problems. Lilac French Bulldog Grooming Here are some grooming tips for your Lilac French Bulldog: Brushing: Brush your Lilac French Bulldog once a week with a soft-bristled brush to remove loose hair and distribute the natural oils in their coat. This will help to keep their coat shiny and healthy. Bathing: Bathe your Lilac French Bulldog as needed, but avoid over-bathing as it can strip their coat of its natural oils. Use a mild dog shampoo and rinse thoroughly to avoid any residue that can cause skin irritation. Ears: Check your Lilac French Bulldog's ears regularly for any signs of infection or inflammation. Clean their ears with a gentle dog ear cleaner to remove any dirt or debris. Nails: Trim your Lilac French Bulldog's nails regularly to prevent them from growing too long and causing discomfort or pain. Be sure to use a sharp and appropriate-sized nail clipper. Teeth: Brush your Lilac French Bulldog's teeth regularly to prevent dental problems such as tartar and plaque buildup. You can use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste or dental chews and toys to promote good oral health. Wrinkles: Lilac French Bulldogs have wrinkles and folds on their forehead and cheeks that require regular cleaning to prevent any bacterial or yeast infections. Use a damp cloth to clean their wrinkles and keep them dry to avoid any moisture buildup. Lilac French Bulldog Health Problems Like all dog breeds, Lilac French Bulldogs can be prone to certain health problems, and it's important to be aware of these issues to ensure that your dog stays healthy and happy. Here are some of the most common health problems that can affect Lilac French Bulldogs: Brachycephalic Syndrome: This is a respiratory condition that can affect dogs with short snouts, such as French Bulldogs. Symptoms can include snoring, wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, surgery may be required to correct the condition. Skin allergies: Lilac French Bulldogs can be prone to skin allergies, which can cause itching, redness, and hair loss. Allergies can be triggered by food, environmental factors, or parasites. Treatment may involve identifying and eliminating the source of the allergy and medication to manage symptoms. Joint problems: Lilac French Bulldogs can be prone to joint problems such as hip dysplasia, which can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and weight management can help to prevent and manage joint problems. Eye problems: Lilac French Bulldogs can be prone to eye problems such as cherry eye prolapse of the third eyelid gland , cataracts, and other eye infections. Regular eye exams and early treatment can help to prevent or manage these issues. Dental problems: Lilac French Bulldogs can be prone to dental problems such as tartar and plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth loss. Regular dental care, including brushing your dog's teeth, can help to prevent and manage these issues. However, Lilac French Bulldogs can still participate in AKC events such as obedience, agility, and rally trials, as well as conformation events as French Bulldogs. Lilac French Bulldog puppies are considered a rare and exotic color variation of the French Bulldog breed, and as such, they can be quite expensive. The cost of a Lilac French Bulldog puppy can vary widely depending on several factors, including the reputation of the breeder, how many puppies are in the litter, the location, and the puppy's pedigree. Some breeders may charge even more for a puppy with a particularly desirable coat color or pedigree. It's important to be wary of breeders who offer significantly lower prices, as they may not be reputable or may be breeding for profit rather than the health and well-being of the dogs. Pup-Friendly Tips For Walking in Hot Weather Walking your dog in hot weather can be dangerous, as dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke and dehydration than humans. Here are some care tips to keep in mind when walking your dog in hot weather: Walk during cooler times: Avoid walking your dog during the hottest part of the day, which is usually between 11 am and 4 pm. Walk your dog during the cooler times of the day, such as early in the morning or in the evening. Stay hydrated: Bring plenty of fresh water for both you and your dog. Offer your dog water frequently, and encourage them to drink if they show signs of thirst. Check the pavement: Before walking your dog, check the pavement temperature with the back of your hand. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Walk your dog on grass or in shaded areas instead. Use a cooling vest: Consider using a cooling vest or other cooling products to help your dog stay cool. These products can be soaked in water and worn over your dog's coat to provide a cooling effect. Take breaks: Take frequent breaks during your walk to allow your dog to rest and cool down. Find a shaded area or a cool spot to rest, and offer your dog water during these breaks. Conclusion Lilac French Bulldogs are a stunning and unique breed that have gained popularity in recent years. With their distinct coat color and charming personalities, they make wonderful companions for anyone seeking a loyal and affectionate pet. However, as with any breed, it is important to do your research and find a reputable breeder to ensure the health and well-being of your furry friend. Whether you are a long-time fan of the French Bulldog or just discovering this delightful breed, a lilac Frenchie may be the perfect addition to your family. For additional pet-parenting tips, head over to TryFi. And don't forget to check out TryFi's innovative Fi Dog Collar , which offers GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts to keep your furry friend safe. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Hair loss that progressively gets worse— it starts out as patches of hair loss Color Dilution Alopecia cannot be tested for Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to test for color dilution alopecia as the gene directly responsible is still unknown. Allergies : French Bulldogs can develop allergies to environmental factors such as pollen, dust, and certain types of food. Common symptoms of allergies in dogs include itching, skin irritation, and digestive issues. Breathing issues : Due to their short snouts and flat faces, French Bulldogs can experience breathing problems. Stenotic nares narrowed nostrils , elongated soft palate a condition where the soft palate obstructs the airway , and tracheal collapse when the trachea collapses or flattens are all common respiratory problems in Frenchies. Joint problems : Joint problems are among the most common health issues in French Bulldogs. Hip dysplasia , elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation knee joint dislocation , and arthritis are all conditions that can affect Frenchies and cause pain and mobility issues. Spinal issues: French Bulldogs can also be prone to spinal problems such as hemivertebrae a spinal deformity , intervertebral disc disease a condition where the discs between the vertebrae in the spine degenerate or rupture , and degenerative myelopathy a progressive disease that affects the spinal cord. Eye problems : Cherry eye a condition where the tear gland in the eye protrudes from its normal position , cataracts cloudiness in the lens of the eye , entropion a condition where the eyelid rolls inward , and distichiasis an abnormal eyelash growing from the wrong location are all eye problems that can affect Frenchies. Frenchie Health Guide An in-depth guide on nearly every health problem affecting Frenchies. How much is a Lilac French Bulldog? Are Lilac French Bulldogs Expensive? They have the same body structure, including their signature bat-like ears, and are known for their friendly, loyal, and playful nature. Size: Both variations typically weigh between pounds and stand around inches tall at the shoulder. Health Concerns: As both colors are linked to dilution genes, they can be associated with certain genetic health conditions, such as color dilution alopecia a condition that can cause hair thinning or loss. Differences: Color: The most obvious difference lies in their coat color. Blue French Bulldogs have a unique blue-gray coat, while Lilac French Bulldogs have a coat that can be described as silvery lilac or lavender. Eye Color: Blue French Bulldogs often have blue or grey eyes, while Lilac French Bulldogs can have light-colored eyes that are blue, green, or amber. Rarity: Lilac French Bulldogs are more rare than Blue French Bulldogs due to the specific combination of dilution genes required to produce the lilac color. Is a Frenchie right for me? Are you trying to decide whether or not a French Bulldog is the right breed for you? Me What is a Lilac French Bulldog? Lilac French Bulldogs are a unique and sought-after variety of the famous French Bulldog breed. Lilac Frenchies have a very light, almost ashy or silver color which gets lighter and lighter as they age. To produce this rare and beautiful color, the parents must be blue and chocolate or at least a chocolate carrier. Lilac French Bulldogs usually have light-colored eyes such as yellow, light brown, and blue which are glowing red. Lilac French Bulldogs, like all dog breeds, go through a growth process as they develop from puppies to full-grown adults. As puppies, Lilac French Bulldogs are small and delicate, weighing only a few pounds and standing just a few inches tall. As Lilac French Bulldogs mature into adults, they typically reach a full-grown size of between 16 and 28 pounds and stand between 11 and 12 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a muscular build and a flat face, and their distinctive lilac coloring is the result of a recessive dilution gene. Despite their small size, Lilac French Bulldogs have big personalities and are known for their outgoing nature. They are typically not aggressive or confrontational, but they may bark or become protective of their owners in certain situations. The fur color of a Lilac French Bulldog may change as they age, although the extent and nature of the changes can vary from dog to dog. In general, the dilute coloring of a Lilac French Bulldog may become more pronounced as they age, resulting in a more prominent lilac or greyish hue. This is particularly true for Lilac French Bulldogs with a lighter coat coloration. Additionally, some Lilac French Bulldogs may develop white hairs or patches in their coat as they age, particularly around the muzzle, chest, and paws. This is a natural part of the aging process. Whether you are considering a young Lilac French Bulldog puppy or an older adult, their unique and striking appearance is sure to turn heads and capture hearts. This is due to the unique genetics required to produce their distinctive coloration. Lilac French Bulldogs are a unique and sought-after breed, and as such, they can come with a higher price tag than other French Bulldog varieties. The price of a Lilac French Bulldog can vary based on several factors, including gender, lineage, and geographic location. Additionally, the price of a Lilac French Bulldog should be considered in the context of the long-term cost of pet ownership, including veterinary care, food, and other expenses. With proper care and attention, a Lilac French Bulldog can be a loyal and loving companion for many years to come. We, at Tomkings Puppies, take great pride in our excellent bloodline and the outstanding health of our parent dogs. We also provide ongoing support on dog ownership, training, and health for the owners of TomKings puppies. Our Frenchie puppies receive the best possible care, including plenty of playtime, socialization, and training. We teach them good manners and how to interact with both dogs and people, including children. With our approach, our puppies develop strong musculature, great immune systems, and excellent manners without ever having to spend a day in a cramped kennel. Our puppies are raised with love and care in a family environment, giving them the best possible start in life. Contact us today to learn more about our available puppies and our approach to breeding Frenchies!
Sometimes we have adults dogs for sale, Contact us for more information please. Sound of mind and body, rich in pigment and personality. Loyal companions who are wonderful to live with. Our dogs are selected for temperament, health, and strength. All breeding dogs are X-Rayed for their hips and elbows. Pups are whelped and raised in a family environment and have plenty of open space for play and development. Every puppy that leaves our program is seen by a professional veterinarian, vaccinated, and dewormed. We encourage communication with all of our clients and are available to help and answer questions. We welcome your inquires. Please email or call for a phone consultation. We look forward to meeting all of our prospective buyers in person. Puppies do not go to new homes with breeding rights. Debora and her family were so kind. We got to pick out our puppy when they were around 4 weeks old. They let us take our time finding the right fit. They talked to us about all their personalities and helped us understand the breed better. When it was time to come home at 8 weeks, Debora told us all about the vet visit and gave us tips about what to do when bringing our pup home. They clearly loved these little guys and provided a safe, clean and nurturing environment for them. We felt very comfortable here and highly recommend them if you are considering a German Shepherd puppy. Proudly created with Wix. For the complete list please see our region-wide German Shepherd Breeders page. The price of a German Shepherd puppy can vary from breeder to breeder. An AKC registered German shepherd typically costs more than a non-registered one. Be sure to do your research before making a purchase. You can also search online for breeders in Connecticut. You can also visit local pet stores and ask employees if they know of any reputable breeders in the area. It is important to find a responsible breeder who is willing to answer all of your questions and who has healthy, well-socialized puppies. Buying a puppy from a breeder who is not reputable can lead to health problems and other issues down the line. When purchasing a puppy, it is important to choose a breeder who has had lots of experience with raising German Shepherds. Visit Your Connecticut German Shepherd Breeder in Person With almost all breeders, you will need to fill out applications, come visit them or make arrangements via phone calls to see the puppies. Most breeders want the puppies to go to their new home after 8 weeks of age. This is also a great time to have the pups vaccinated, wormed, and checked by a vet. All good breeders will insist on this. Visiting the puppies to see how they interact with their mom and littermates is also a great way to see if they are well-socialized. Reputable breeders will have no problem allowing you to come to see the puppies and their living conditions. They should also be more than willing to share with you any health clearances and show you the parents of the breed. When visiting a breeder, always be on the lookout for unhealthy puppies. If you see any of these signs, it is best to walk away and find another breeder. They should be happy to provide you with the names and phone numbers of previous puppy buyers. Call these references and ask them about their experience with the breeder. Were the puppies healthy? Was the breeder responsive to any questions or concerns? Did the breeder provide additional training or support after the sale? If the breeder does not want to give you references, this is a big red flag and you should walk away. A good breeder will have nothing to hide and will be more than happy to provide you with references. The references will give you great insight into the quality of the breeder. This will give you a good idea of what the puppies are like and if the breeder is reputable. Most responsible breeders will be more than happy to let you meet some of their past customers. They should also be able to provide you with contact information for these people. When meeting past customers, be sure to ask them lots of questions about their experience with the breeder. If you get a positive response from all of the people you talk to, it is a good indication that you have found a responsible breeder. Keep in mind, however, not everyone will have only positive things to say about their breeder. Also, some former customers may be reluctant to provide you with too much information. If the breeder you are talking to does not have any references and will not let you meet any past customers, that is a red flag. Not only will a good breeder be able to provide you with references for their business, but they should also have no problem giving you the name of their veterinarian. This is extremely important if you are looking to purchase a puppy because it will help ensure that your pup is healthy. Reputable breeders will work closely with their vet and know them very well. Responsible breeders are also concerned about raising healthy puppies, not just being able to sell puppies quickly so they will take the pups back at any time if they become sick or develop health problems. If this happens, you want to make sure the breeder you are working with will be able to help you get the pup the medical care he needs. If your breeder cannot or will not give you the name of their vet, this should be a red flag. These breeders will not hesitate to sell sick puppies or puppies that have genetic disorders. They may also be selling puppies from multiple breeds and not just German Shepherds. If you are looking for a healthy and well-bred puppy, it is important to be able to spot the signs of an unethical breeder. It is important to ask the breeder about any health problems the puppy you are interested in may have. A responsible breeder will be up-front about any health issues their puppies may have and they will also provide you with information about how to care for the puppy. How to Prepare Your Home for Your German Shepherd Puppy in Connecticut Before you bring your new puppy home, it is important to make sure that you have everything you need. There are some things in your home that will be off-limits for the first few weeks with your pup and there are also some supplies that will be helpful. Once your new pup has gone through his shots and is at least eight weeks old , he can become a part of the family. If you find the perfect breeder who provides references and helps ensure their puppies go to good homes, then there is no reason why they cannot stay in your home. However, before you get your pup, you will need to get your house ready. The following are some things that you should do: Put away all of your shoes and other small objects that the puppy could choke on Make sure that all electrical cords are out of the way or covered up Create a safe space for the pup to sleep and play, like a fenced-in yard or a room with baby gates Have plenty of food, water, and toys available for the puppy If you have other pets in your home, make sure they are introduced slowly and carefully When bringing home your new German Shepherd Puppy there is one cardinal rule: You are the alpha dog. This means that you need to be in control and set rules for your pup. If you do not establish yourself as the pack leader, he will become dominant. This can be a difficult process, but it is much easier if you start as soon as possible. There are a few things that you can do to help with the potty training process: Take your pup outside often, especially after meals and naps Make sure that you have a designated spot in your yard or close to your house where your pup can go to the bathroom Reward your pup when he goes potty in the right spot Do not punish your pup for going potty inside, this will only confuse him and make the process longer German Shepherds are intelligent dogs and they will usually learn how to potty train quickly. However, some puppies may take a little longer than others. Just be patient and consistent with your training and you will have a well-behaved pup in no time. Now that you have some idea of what to expect when bringing home a German Shepherd Puppy in Connecticut, you can make the best decision for your family. Remember to do your research and ask lots of questions to ensure that you are getting a healthy, well-bred puppy from a reputable breeder. And most importantly, be prepared to commit to taking care of your new furry family member for the next years. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. German Shepherds and many other breeds, come in two coat lengths: normal and long. His intelligence is astonishing. Everywhere we go people comment on his beauty and size and of course he amazes everyone and us with his intelligence. He is just amazing!! You should be so proud. He is wonderful with our 7 and 9 year old boys, and has just fit right in to our family. In addition to being strikingly handsome, he is very intelligent. His training has been quite simple. Zahra is everything we could have ever hoped for and more. Thank you Barbara, she makes our family feel complete! He is absolutely wonderful, has the same build as his mom, and the most amazing temperament, he is incredibly calm and smart. My grandkids enjoy dressing her up and she is very good with them. I just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful dog. He has touched our hearts in so many ways. He is a kind, loving, affectionate, intelligent boy! Where ever we go, we get sooooo many compliments on how beautiful he looks. I want to say what a fantastic job you did. I just wanted to write in to let you know what a wonderful dog she has turned out to be. She has such personality! She can be serious and goofy all at once! Zoe has brought so much joy and happiness into my life and the lives of my family and friends. Everywhere we go, people always comment how beautiful she is. German Shepherd Breeders in The Other States The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile dog breeds you can find in the United States or the entire world, and this high versatility is why many people love the German Shepherd. They are highly intelligent species that can be easily trained to be service dogs like police dogs, or therapy dogs. They have good conformation making them great show dogs and of course, they are sweet enough to make great family dogs. The breed is quite popular in the country, so picking a breeder should be easy. However, not all the breeders reading in Connecticut are reputable breeders. In this article, we provide a list of some of the best German Shepherd Breeders you can find in the state of Connecticut. They were selected based on their overall breeding programs, socialization protocols, and training methods amongst other things. It is essential that you use this list as a simple guide toward helping you find the right puppy for you. Perform your research before choosing to work with any breeders listed below. With that being said, do ensure you read till the very end as the article promises to be both engaging and informative. They are quite experienced when it comes to breeding as they have been breeders of family-raised German Shepherd dogs since .Wunderhund German Shepherds is focused on exceptionally blessed German Shepherds from the European lines. They are mostly focused on working dogs and each of their parent dogs are imported, with them being registered with the American Kennel Club. They check their dogs to be certain they are healthy enough to be added to the breeding program. All their dogs are genetically health tested as well as have their hips, elbows, and hearts checked. When it comes to how they raise their puppies, it is mostly done in the family house in Central Connecticut. The puppies are given the best socialization opportunities, they are also well-trained to make great working dogs and are checked by the licensed vet to be certain they are healthy. They mostly breed a few litters, so they can adequately manage their time and resources to ensure each puppy is well-rounded. Their dogs come home with a written health guarantee, records of their vaccinations and deworming, and their vet medical records.
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. Despite the fact that play biting, or mouthing, is normal dog behavior and may be cute at 8 weeks, if not curbed, as the dog grows, it can become downright painful and a nuisance to get under control. The correction is very simple-the puppy on the receiving end of the painful bite will yelp and stop paying with the offending puppy. After a beat or two, the play resumes but this lesson eventually teaches the pups how to control the intensity of their bites on each other. Controlling mouthing, along with house training, is usually one of the first lessons puppies learn and it takes time, consistency, and patience to get past this phase of life. There are usually two types of dog owners, those that allow some play biting and those that allow none. Teaching a dog not to bite human skin is the purpose of this article and has many benefits to the dog and owner. How to teach your dog to stop mouthing: Very young puppies explore their worlds with their mouths and will need continuous training and reminders. When a young puppy bites hard, let out a loud yelp and allow your hand to go limp. That sends the message that the game is over for the moment. You can expect your puppy to resume play and each time he bites too hard, you will repeat the yelp to get his attention and praise the moment he stops biting. If this is not effective for the young puppy, when the puppy bites hard, yelp and when he lets go remove your hand for 15 seconds. This will teach the puppy that rough play ends the fun but gentle play continues it. As the puppy grows, training him to stop biting skin can begin. How to teach a puppy to stop biting skin: Substitute a chew toy when the puppy gets too rough or bites fingers and toes. When the puppies is overexcited and play bites when being handled or petted, feed treats or distract with a toy while you handle him. Encourage age appropriate play, chase the ball or tug rather than biting your hands. If the puppy bites your pant legs, shoes, ankles, and feet, offer a tug as an alternative. Carry the tug with you during puppy training or play times. Provide a variety of toys and textures for the puppy to explore. If possible, allow the puppy to play with other puppies or friendly dogs. As the puppy grows, if he bites our skin, continue to yelp and stop the play. As he matures, you can also turn your back on the puppy to stop play. Never entice your puppy to bite by smacking his face or waving your fingers in front of him. Never use your hand as a tug toy or allow him to pull on your body parts. Your goal is to startle your dog so he stops playing and mouthing for 10 to 20 seconds. Once your dog has learned to control his bite pressure the next step is to teach him to stop mouthing completely. When your dog gently mouths you, begin yelping and redirecting him to a chew toy whenever he touches your skin. If he continues to put his mouth on your skin then yelp and walk away from him for 30 to 60 seconds. Continue playing games and redirecting him with toys until he stops mouthing. If your dog is still mouthing you after you've tried all of these training options then you may want to try redirecting him by putting dog repellent sprays or bad tasting mouth wash on your hands. The last thing you want to happen is to frustrate your dog and have him become aggressive or fearful of you. If you find it cute that your little German Shepherd puppy is biting your hand, think again! GSDs grow-up to become strong and muscular dogs. However, once a GSD pup grows , its biting habits are not cute at all. Trust me on this one. Little pups that bite on hands or chew on toys are doing so because they are developing teeth. Recently, we got a new addition to our GSD family, a cute male named Bobby, and surely Bobbly likes to bite everything. We did order a set of tug ropes for him and it is working. Here is the model that we ordered from Chewy. They chew on toys because their gums feel irritated and to make the pain go away, they bite and chew on things. This behavior during the teething period is very normal and not much of a problem. Another reason that GSDs bite a lot is that they did not receive proper training as pups. When people start to appreciate or encourage GS biting or nipping, they are making it develop this into a habit. Your dog will start to bite at visitors and household items. This is a problem that needs to be controlled right away or else someone will end up getting hurt. If you let your GSD bite and nip, you are letting it take over. Biting and nipping is also a play game for GSD pups. They like to bite other pups in the litter, and this is usually harmless. However, when a pup gets hurt unintentionally, it makes a loud sound. This sound is an indication for the pup that it is hurt, and it is time to stop. There are several ways you can train your pup not to bite or nip. If your pup is biting because of teething, it is not a problem. The first step is to tell your dog that biting is not acceptable. You will do this with the help of voice commands , body language, and hand signals. When you stop playing with your pup the moment it bites, it will associate no play with biting. Repeat this practice whenever your GSD bites or nips. It will help your GSD learn that biting and nipping is not appreciated. Put your other finger lightly beneath its chin. Your pup will not be able to bite you and in this uncomfortable situation, it will try to get your fingers out of its mouth. This is an effective technique that will make the puppy feel uncomfortable and it will avoid biting you. Remember, you will have to repeat this technique several times until your pup completely hates taking your hand in its mouth. Pull your hand backward and pinch your pup in the neck. Do not pinch too tightly. This will make the pup associate pinching with No, and it will soon stop biting you. Be Consistent in what You Teach If you are trying to train your dog to behave and stop biting and nipping, make sure you are doing it with consistency and repetition. While training a GSD, you will need to repeat your technique several times until it starts to learn. Your GSD needs to know that biting and nipping is not acceptable and will upset you. You will also need to become the leader of your dog, not a friend of the same level. When the dog accepts you as a leader, it starts to follow the rules you set and the commands you give. Do not let your puppy bite on your hands during the training process. Reward Good Behavior If your dog is doing well and following your orders, do not forget to offer it a treat. Food treats are a kind of reward that you offer your dog only when it learns something. Make sure you have enough treats with you when you are training your pup. This way your GSD will learn that no biting means a yummy treat. You can also sign-up for our newsletter to get an expert opinion on GSD behaviors. 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.
Cedar Creek Labradors started breeding in ! Our love for the breed expanded in to be able to share our own personal hunting Labs. We are focused on producing quality AKC Labrador puppies with health, sound structure, looks, temperament and trainability as a priority. We are located in Delaware and own both English and American Labradors. Our goal is to continue improving the Labrador breed within the AKC Standards starting with the improvement our own puppies during each specially paired breeding! We help in matching each potential family with the best suited puppy by suggesting upcoming parents with temperaments and pedigrees to match their individual needs. Please Find us on Facebook! In we added French Bulldogs to our program! Many years with a huge love for the breed I couldn't withhold any longer! Such a great decision as their comical personalities have melted our hearts! Our puppies page contains information on upcoming litters, pictures, availability and placing deposits! Take a look at our Available page to see Dogs, Older puppies or Rescues Currently available along with information on our Boarding rates and Training. We are now working with a finance company if you need help with your payment we can email an application! Visitors are not permitted within all areas and must sanitize upon entering our property. We have to use precautions to keep our young puppies safe. All visitors are by appointment only to allow us family time as well as individualized time with any other visitors. We also must prepare by putting our dogs up in advance. Our dogs and puppies are all on NuVet Plus Vitamins. We highly recommend this product! We can not express enough how important it is to continue the use of this product! After seeing the results of NuVet and NuJoint on our personal dogs we hope to have all puppy buyers continue to use this product and it is required in order to participate in our 26 month puppy guarantee! More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: Having a dog helps teach responsibility to children. Caring for the dog will teach children that their pet is dependent on them for food and exercise and love. Dogs require a lot of care; they need to be fed, walked, played with and trained. Children come to understand that dogs have to learn discipline in order to be pleasant around the family and others. Children come to appreciate discipline by observing how important it is in their dog. Having a dog teaches children patience, commitment and selflessness. Caring for a dog takes a great deal of responsibility. Children learn to be less focused on themselves and more patient with others. Responsibility is a key factor in leadership development in children, and one of the best ways of learning responsibility is in the home with the family dog. Being responsible for a dog teaches children valuable life lessons. The lessons that children learn from having a dog are priceless and may just help in being successful in life and in a career. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Between and , the population of the town grew .Current town growth is a result of these such developments, which primarily attract high-income families relocating from Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York City Nickname: Diamond Town of the Diamond State Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client!
It is often thought that the Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix only happens from unintentional mating. This means that it will be pretty challenging to find a breeder specializing in creating this particular mix. They offer anything from purebred pups to mixed-breed dogs, and you can get your very own Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix with just a few clicks. Greenfield Puppies — A family-run organization founded in , this Better Business Bureau BBB -accredited website lists only the most reputable breeders. They strongly encourage their breeders to adhere to state guidelines and provide health guarantees. Infinity Pups — This organization mostly works as a broker and connects dogs to their perfect homes. Families are also given a chance to meet breeders upon pickup, and they also offer one-year health guarantees for every puppy sold. Infinity Pups has a wide selection of puppies and dogs alike, ranging from purebreds to more obscure mixes such as the Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix. We also have a comprehensive list of German Shepherd breeders you can check out. Keep in mind, however, that they only allow adoptees living in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Westside German Shepherd Rescue — Based in Los Angeles, this shelter primarily focuses on rehoming rescue German Shepherd purebreds and mixes to loving, qualified families. They have approximately 80 dogs waiting eagerly to find their forever homes. Instead, this is a small rescue primarily run by two volunteers named Deb and Jan. Other than the rescues mentioned above, you can also check out our top picks for German Shepherd rescues. This contains the common guidelines and requirements set by rescue shelters, as well as a few tips that you can follow to make sure your application gets accepted. Here are the pros of owning a Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix: Great guard dogs: This particular breed loves to guard and protect its family. Thanks to their herding lineage, they can also help round up smaller pets. Long lifespan and good health: If you want a dog that can last generations, the Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix is one of the best picks to consider. They have long life expectancies and are generally healthier than purebreds, thanks to their hybrid vigor. Highly intelligent: This working dog is highly intelligent and is always eager to please. Agile and active: If you have an active lifestyle, this breed may be perfect for you. Their high energies paired with unwavering agility and speed make them suitable to take on morning or afternoon runs, as well as long walks around the neighborhood. Here are the cons of owning a Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix: Barking and other destructive behaviors: If not trained or socialized properly, this breed tends to bark, get aggressive, or even chew and bite things. Heavy shedding: Depending on which coat they inherit, the Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix may end up with a medium to long coat that will shed periodically throughout the year. Alert Confident These dogs need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They excel at canine sports and jobs such as search and rescue, hunting, herding, and more. With proper socialization, they get along well with children and other pets. Their protective nature makes them excellent watchdogs. These energetic dogs require minutes of exercise daily. They enjoy activities like hiking, running, swimming, agility, and playing fetch. Along with physical exercise, these dogs need mental stimulation through training, interactive toys, and jobs. Without adequate activity, they may develop destructive behaviors or anxiety. They respond very well to positive reinforcement training and are eager to please their owners. Early socialization and obedience training is essential for these dogs. It helps prevent problematic behaviors and ensures they behave appropriately around other dogs and people. Their medium-length double coat should be brushed times per week to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. During shedding seasons in the spring and fall, they will require more frequent brushing. Occasional baths can help remove excess dirt and dander when needed. Other grooming needs include: Nail trimming every weeks Ear cleaning times per month Teeth brushing times per week Their floppy ears are prone to developing infections if not cleaned regularly. Check and wipe their ears weekly. Some concerns to be aware of include: Hip and elbow dysplasia — Malformation of these joints that can lead to arthritis. Bloat — Life-threatening condition where the stomach twists. Avoid exercising before and after meals. Allergies — Environmental or food allergies resulting in itchy skin or ears. Heart disease Cataracts — Clouding of the lens that causes vision loss. Discuss any specific health concerns with your veterinarian. Avoid pet stores or online ads selling these puppies, as they often come from irresponsible breeders. Instead, look for breeders focused on this mix who health test their breeding dogs. Ask to meet parent dogs to evaluate temperament. Reputable breeders will welcome questions and provide vet records. Check local shelters, rescues, and breed-specific rescues for adoptable dogs. Before bringing one of these mixed breed dogs home, make sure you can meet their needs. They require a securely fenced yard and plenty of daily activity. First-time owners may struggle with meeting their demanding exercise and training requirements. Homes with children should have kids who understand how to respectfully interact with dogs. Their protective nature makes proper socialization essential. If you can provide structure, training, and an active lifestyle, the intelligent and devoted German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur will make a wonderful canine companion! Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. They form close bonds and do well with children and other pets they are raised with. These dogs are medium to large-sized, ranging from lbs and inches tall at adulthood. Females tend to be on the smaller end of the spectrum. They also blow their coats twice per year and will shed more heavily during the spring and fall. Regular brushing will help manage loose hair. They are not inherently aggressive but need plenty of early socialization to prevent territorial behaviors or aggression towards strangers and other dogs. With proper training, they can get along well with most people and animals. Lifespan averages years. This can include walking, running, hiking, swimming, play sessions, and mentally stimulating activities. Yes, thanks to intelligence from both parent breeds, these dogs are highly trainable and eager to please their owners. They respond very well to positive reinforcement training methods. With their athleticism, endurance, courage, and keen senses, the GSD BMC can make an excellent hunting companion and gun dog for activities like tracking, retrieving, flushing, and more. No, the AKC does not recognize any mixed breed dogs. Both parent breeds are recognized by the AKC individually, however. Final Thought For those seeking an energetic, intelligent, and devoted canine companion, the German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur mix has a lot to offer. When properly trained and exercised, they make wonderful family dogs and excel at various jobs and activities. Their hybrid vigor gives them a long and healthy lifespan to share with their owners. While finding a German Shepherd BMC puppy may take some effort, going through a responsible breeder is well worth it. This unique mixed breed combines some of the best qualities of both the German Shepherd and Black Mouth Cur. Their loyalty and versatility is unmatched! Related posts:. A post shared by Xena and Ziggy xenaandziggy The German Shepherd X Black Mouth Cur is a crossbreed and generally comes about as a result of accidental mating between the two breeds, rather than intentional crossing. This means that the cross can be difficult to find, but it might be worth checking with breeders of German Shepherd and Black Mouth Cur dogs. Because they are mixed breed dogs and are considered large breed dogs that require a lot of exercise, you may be able to find German Shepherd X Black Mouth Curs in rescues and shelters. In most cases, you should be able to get one for a few hundred dollars, although this will depend on the breeder and the lineage of the dog. The puppies will be lively and need plenty of exercise. Also, enroll in obedience and puppy training classes when the dogs are young. Both breeds are easy to train and tend to be eager to please their owners but they do need to be taught good manners and basic commands at a young age. This is especially true of the Black Mouth Cur parent breed, which can be quite boisterous. However, it is safe to assume that the cross will adopt some of the traits and characteristics of the parent breeds. Are These Dogs Good for Families? It is gentle and understanding with children, although it can be protective, which makes socialization and training important. The Black Mouth Cur is also fond of children, but it can be more boisterous, which means that there is a danger of accidental injury so you must supervise interactions between the dog and young children. The German Shepherd X Black Mouth Cur will appreciate family members that are willing to play with and exercise them, which includes older children. Both parent breeds can be wary around other dogs, which is another reason for early socialization. While socializing your dog, make sure it meets a good variety of dogs and other animals as well as new people. If you already have pets and are bringing a German Shepherd X Black Mouth Cur into the family, ensure that you take things slowly and allow both dogs time to get to know one another before leaving them alone. If you bring one of these dogs home as a puppy, it will be a lot easier to introduce them to cats and other dogs than if you bring home an older dog that has no experience with other animals. It will require a gradual and patient introduction to other pets and will benefit from early socialization. If you are feeding dry food, expect to give about three cups of good-quality kibble per day. If you are feeding canned food, weigh your dog and feed according to the instructions on the food packaging. If you use treats as a training aid or you give treats regularly, you will have to reduce the amount of food you give accordingly. You should provide 2 hours of exercise a day. This can include walking on a leash, but you should try and offer more intense exercise, too. The breed can do well in agility and also performs well in other canine sports competitions. Alternatively, let them have the run of a fenced-off yard and throw a ball for them to chase. The breed will benefit from being given tasks and jobs to perform. This will keep their mind active and alert while helping train them. Socialization is also very important for this breed, especially to ensure that they do not view strangers or other dogs and animals as threats to the family. The Black Mouth Cur is a moderate shedding dog with a short coat and is also considered easy to groom. You will benefit from giving your dog a daily brush , especially during and around shedding season. Check the ears occasionally and clean around the outside if necessary. Possible health conditions for the cross include: Minor Conditions. Photo: Instagram The Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix is a fairly new mixed-breed dog that comes from a line of two dogs that are both energetic and initially bred for hunting. Most Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mixes will have the signature curved back of the German Shepherd with a wedge-shaped head and a longer tail, along with triangular ears that flap down and to the side. They may have longer legs than most German Shepherds, with a black snout and muzzle and a black nose, characteristic of the Black Mouth Cur. Buy Now Disclaimer — This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you. Are you looking for a way to treat your furry friend? Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win a free month of Barkbox! Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to get emails from myk9life. We'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe any time. Thought to have been used by early settlers to the United States, the Black Mouth Cur is thought to have been developed by crossing a Mastiff-type dog with various types of hounds and terriers, to develop the ultimate hunting companion with the stamina, agility and speed to help hunters fetch or take down small game. Black Mouth Curs were designed to be energetic and active hunting companions. This makes them perfect dogs for those who lead an active lifestyle with plenty of hiking, walking or indeed hunting! Their energy requirements make them less than ideal for the elderly, or those who live in small spaces or apartments. Beyond that basic history, very little is known about the Black Mouth Cur. The history of crossbreeding the Black Mouth Cur is even more elusive than the history of the breed itself. Though crossbreeding dogs became popular in the United States in the s, before soaring in the s and early s, so it is entirely likely that some of the first instances of crossbreeding the Black Mouth Cur happened during this time period. Some of the most popular Black Mouth Cur mixes include:. Breed Info Mixed breeds are becoming increasingly more popular all over the world. Since the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the U. If you are wondering whether the German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur mix would be a great addition to your family, this article will give you all you need to know about this adorable pup. They are classified as herding dogs and were bred originally to herd sheep and protect sheep. Today they are one of the most versatile working dog breeds as they are extremely intelligent, courageous and have a strong drive to work. They are used for a variety of tasks such as service dogs, military work, police work as well as personal protection. Outside of their working roles, they make good family dogs as well because they quickly bond to humans, and good with children, and are very loving, affectionate, and playful. They are believed to the originated in the south of the U. The exact combinations used to create the bred remain unknown today. What is known is that Black Mouth Curs were bred to be an all-around farm dog. They were originally used mostly for hunting, protection, herding and pretty anything else a farm dog would need to do. Outside of their farm roles, they make great dogs for single people who have an active lifestyle. However, they can also be good family dogs but need a little supervision and training around younger children as they can get a bit wild at times. Like the GSD, they form strong bonds with their family and have a protective nature which makes them a good guard dog as well. Although German Shepherds are much more popular, Black Mouth Curs have a lot of great traits that make for a very well-rounded dog. Breeders that intentionally cross Black Mouth Curs with GSDs are looking to create the ultimate hunting, herding, personal protection dog, who not only works hard but plays hard as well. No matter how they come about, learning more about the general characteristics of this mix will help you understand whether they would the perfect fit into your life. However, there are also some differences that make this a unique crossbred as well. If you are considering welcoming one of these mixes in your life, here the general characteristics you should expect. However, males tend to trend larger than females in terms of height and weight. One could expect a Black Mouth Cur GSD to be around 19 — 20 inches in height on average and between 45 — 85 pounds on average. Coat German Shepherds have a medium to long coat with a double coat. They shed all year, but they also blow their coat twice annually in the spring and the fall. German Shepherds have a variety of coat color patterns including all black, black and tan, blonde , liver , blue, and sable. Black Mouth Curs have a short coat of coarse or fine fur. They also shed year-round, and also shed more heavily twice a year. Since their coat is shorter even though they shed there will be less fur around your home. Black Mouth Curs come in a variety of color patterns as well. Most typically their coat will be yellow, black, brown, fawn or brindle. But you can expect a mix of this type to most likely have a medium-length coat. They only need to be brushed one time a week during normal times and twice a week during shedding season. A bath every few months is sufficient unless your pup gets unusually dirty. Teeth cleaning and nail clipping should be done in the same frequency as any other dog. Assuming your mix has floppy ears opposed to the erect GSD ears , then you should clean their ears more regularly as floppy ears are generally more likely to develop ear infections. Given the fact that both these breeds were bred to protect sheep and other farm animals from predators they are capable of going up against large wild animals. Black Mouth Curs have a bite force of around psi, and German Shepherds have a bite force of about psi. Therefore, it is expected for this mix to have a bite force of between and psi. Speed The German Shepherd is known for their speed and agility. They run at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour. Black Mouth Curs are also very athletic and have been documented to run at a top speed of up to 20 miles per hour. Not only do these breeds need plenty of physical exercise they also need a sufficient amount of mental exercise since they are very smart and need to be intellectually challenged. The BMC German Shepherd will need a minimum of two minute-long walks or high-energy play sessions each day. Trainability Both German Shepherds and Black Mouth Curs are extremely trainable, meaning a mix between these breeds will be easy to train as well. Additionally, both breeds become very bonded and loyal to their owners which also helps with their trainability because they are eager to please their family. German Shepherds are ranked as the third most intelligent dog breed. Temperament The German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur mix will be a courageous, loyal, protective dog, that is eager to please their family. Although this mix is a hard worker, they will also be a sweet affectionate ball of fluff around the people they trust. If given proper training and socialization this mix will be friendly to people outside the family as well other animals. This mix will also be good with children, they just need to be taught how to be gentler and not to jump on and potentially knock over little ones. Health Although mixed breeds typically have less issues than their purebred counterparts, here are some of the health issues to look out for with this mixed breed: Black Mouth Curs are known to be affected by hip dysplasia, ear infections, cataracts and epilepsy. German Shepherds are known to be affected by bloat and digestive issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, diabetes, hemophilia and cataracts. Therefore, one could expect a mix between these breeds to potentially encounter any of the above conditions. A healthy diet, routine exercise, and regular vet visits are also key to having a healthy pup. Lifespan German Shepherds have a, average lifespan of 12 and 14 years. Black Mouth Curs have an average lifespan of 12 and 16 years. Accordingly, the German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur mix can be expected to have an average lifespan of around 14 years of age. The Canine Partners program runs events for various canine sports such as agility, rally, obedience, as well as various performance tests such as those for hunting or scent work. Usually, these mixes are the result of unintentional mating, so it may be very hard to find a breeder who specializes creating this pup. They are loyal, courageous, intelligent, protective over their family members, but also a sweet loving pup. They need a family who has an active lifestyle to be able to meet their physical activity requirements. This mix is a breeze to train and will give your family loads of fun times for many years in the future. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The German Shepherd is known for being intelligent, curious, and alert. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful German Shepherd Dog Mountain Cur Mix. While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their German Shepherd Dog Mountain Cur Mix puppy. If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills. Von Stephanitz had in his mind what a good working dog should be and a few generations of breeding fulfilled what Hektor envisioned. Horand von Grafrath is known to be the first German Shepherd Dog. Horand von Grafrath was bred to other similar styled dogs that were believed to have the same traits as what Von Stephanitz was looking for. His most successful offspring was Hektor von Schwaben. Von Stephanitz is widely credited for being the founder of this incredible breed. Von Stephanitz had intended for his breed to work as herding dogs, however, as Germany became more and more industrialized he saw the need to make it working dog. He convinced the German government to use the breed. The breed initially became popular in World War 1. Many American and allied servicemen grew attached to the breed during the war and brought them back to the states after the war was over. The Allied troops fell in love with the breed but not with the fact that it had German roots. It became common for police departments and those looking for true working dogs to import their dogs from Germany because the American dogs had such bad health problems. They then moved westward to Arkansas and Oklahoma. Like most dog breeds they were used to help hunt as well as be guard dogs. Over time this became a very rare breed of dog. Some breeders resurrected them and kept them going, but they are still not that common. They are a short-coated good natured dog.
We are overjoyed for you! Golden Retrievers are one of the most friendly and loving breeds…and lucky for you, one of the easiest to train. Golden Retrievers require a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid going about on their own or becoming frustrated. Their love for food is infinite. Prerequisites for training my Golden Retriever puppy? What age can I start to train my Golden Retriever puppy? Sounds like a good deal! We can only hope. What do I need to train my Golden Retriever? Say bye to that sticky, meaty feeling in your fingertips. A piece of non-slip vet bed or a soft mat: For a cozy bed, warm nights, and good dreams. Treats: The more smelly, the better. Two identical toys : Great for swaps! The name says it all…your Golden Retriever puppy will love retrieving, so identical toys will be great for all the games we have in store for you in the Zigzag Puppy training app. Of course, Golden Retrievers grow to be big dogs. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? A golden retriever needs 2 hours of exercise a day. What age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? Golden Retrievers reach adulthood at 3 years of age and are seniors by 8 years old. Though their height has been reached, their weight will still fill out and they will continue to mentally mature. What are Golden Retrievers bred for? Distinctly British, the 1st Baron of Tweedmouth developed the breed crossing his golden colored retrieving dog Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel — these look similar to Irish Water Spaniels. The cross resulted in a dog that was comfortable being on land and water kind of like crocodiles , and robust enough to hunt goose, partridge and even deer. Do Golden Retrievers make good family pets? In fact, Golden Retrievers are one of the most loved dog breeds in the UK. The Kennel Club has a lot more good information and info about them. What does this have to do with how I train my Golden Retriever puppy? But there is a logic as to why knowing the context might help you train your Golden Retriever better: Golden Retrievers love to work. Commonly employed as Guide Dogs, they love having a job to do, which means they will adore training. Anyhow, they will be a breeze to train. They will also do almost anything for your soft words and approval — your praise will work just as well as treats. Because they are so gentle, they are a great fit for families with a variety of lifestyles and ages. They need a good amount of exercise; mental as well as physical. Let us rephrase — a hefty amount of exercise. Besides you and food, being in water is what they love the most! They have a very strong sense of smell, so retrieving or scent work games tend to be the biggest treat for most. Golden Retrievers are the social butterflies of dogs. They love most people, and are not discreet in showing it. You know how us Brits can be about politeness. That being said, make sure you also teach them the wonders of giving things up. It can lead to great things! But it can also be less helpful when they give you a love bite on your arm — give them a toy to carry instead. Shift to some play, and revisit training later — we want training to be associated with fun, and not something they begin to dread. Well, besides their beauty, both Golden Retriever puppies and adult doggos typically are very people-oriented dogs who exhibit good behavior, lots of affection and gentle temperaments. Golden Retriever breeders will tell you that these intelligent dogs have lots of energy and usually respond well to training. Here's how it works: When your dog performs a skill or behavior that you like, you give them treats, toys or praise. In time, your dog associates that skill or behavior with good outcomes and becomes more likely to repeat it. There's one catch, though: Positive reinforcement works best when pet parents stay consistent. For example, every time they ask a dog to sit or shake —and it is done correctly—a treat or toy should be given. Use a happy tone of voice rather than a stern one, avoid yelling, and exercise patience. Goldens are highly motivated by food and often by play. When you use highly rewarding training treats or dog toys during your dog training sessions, you reward the specific behaviors you are trying to teach your dog and you build an enthusiastic learner. Teach your dog to love learning. In the same vein, make sure your expectations are reasonable for your dog. For example, puppies need shorter training sessions—around three to five minutes each—because their bodies and brains are not well-developed yet and their attention span is shorter. Regarding age-appropriate training for puppies, Dr. George recommends the following: Potty Training: This should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. Take your pup out to go potty several times per day and within a few minutes after eating. Socializing: You can begin socialization—aka introducing your puppy to new people, places and experiences—within a week or two of bringing your puppy home. George advises. Obedience Training: Start training your pup around eight weeks of age. Training your dog early will make it easier to take them to visit the vet, go on walks and thrive in other social situations. Even adult dogs who are new to you and your home may not be ready for high-level training because they still are adjusting to the new environment and people in their lives. Feel it out and practice patience. On that note, because Golden Retrievers are often large, strong and energetic dogs, you may want to consider a gentle leader head collar, such as the PetSafe Gentle Leader Dog Head Collar. This gives you additional leverage whenever you are walking your pet in an exciting environment. Clicker training is extremely effective and is used worldwide to train all kinds of species. This method uses a special sound to mark a specific behavior. Speed up the process by including dog training during daily activities. Is it time for dinner? Are you about to take a walk? There are many opportunities to practice commands in everyday situations, so use that to your advantage! Encourage each family member to practice basic skills with the dog, including: Sit. Are Golden Retrievers Easy to Train? Posted on February 8, by Galen Kauffman Share: Looking for a new furever family member and wondering if goldens are easy to train? The answer is usually yes, but there are some factors at play. Whether you are training your Golden Retriever or any other dog for that matter, the main ingredients with dog training are kindness, patience, firmness, and consistency. Compared to other dog breeds, these evenly tempered, popular dogs are smart, and training your family pet guarantees to be easy peasy. Come pick up your new best friend from Ohio, or we can bring them to your door anywhere in the continental US for one low, flat fee! Golden Retrievers have a reputation for being intelligent and eager to please. Nonetheless, owners of this dog breed say it will take time and patience. Read more about if Golden Retrievers are good dogs here hint they are. When you look at how long it takes for a Golden Retriever to reach maturity, then it will take as long as 18 months to fully train your young Golden. You can enroll your dog in a dog obedience training school. You can work with a qualified dog trainer. You can try training your Golden yourself. What about toilet training? Are golden retrievers easy to potty train? There are videos available to show you potty training techniques for your canine friend that will ensure your training is peaceful and even humorous. Male puppies have to transition from squatting to lifting their legs. If they grow up with several female dogs, they may take longer to learn this technique. Dog potty training videos can be a helpful solution for quick and easy training. Be patient with your Golden as accidents are bound to happen. Puppies love routine so if you feed your puppy consistently at the same time, he can get used to you taking him outdoors soon after to do his business. Always reward your puppy when he uses the toilet outdoors so that he knows exactly what is expected of him. In fact, they are looked upon as one of the most intelligent dogs in the world. When you check out ranking statistics on which dog breeds are the most intelligent, the Golden Retriever is way up at the top. In fact, they come in at number 4 out of breeds. Canine psychologists tell us that they are as smart as a 2 and a half-year-old human child. The reason Golden Retrievers can learn so much is that they are eager to please their owners. Because of their affable nature, they derive great pleasure in being petted and patted. They love to hear that they are a good boy or a good girl. Treats for your Golden Retriever should be tasty and healthy. Dog food manufacturers have provided us with lots of dog treat varieties, some of which are — Dog biscuits in a variety of flavors and shapes. Always choose brands that are known for producing high-quality dog foods. Pieces of real meat. Beef or other meat jerky treats. These are available to your pet as shin strips of dehydrated meat. It can be chicken or fish too cut into strips and then dried. Check the ingredients carefully and make sure they contain no added salt or spices. There will be some Golden Retrievers that are difficult to train. Just like people, no two goldens are exactly the same, and they all have their own unique personality. There are many dog training styles and programs and not all of them work for all dogs. Also, no two dogs are exactly the same either, even among the same breeds. Sometimes one feels as though the human owner lacked socialization as a child. The reason that they come across as mischievous is that they are a particular breed of dog that takes a long time to mature. People who have owned these magnificent dogs say that they only really start to settle down and to mature after 2 years of age. Some Golden Retriever owners say that these dogs never grow up — that they remain gorgeously mischievous puppies all their life. Dogs are social animals, and the socialized Golden Retriever is an amicable dog. They are always at ease around people and pets. Your Golden interacts with other dogs through different body postures, facial expressions, vocalizations, and tail and ear positions. Who else is going to welcome you so warmly at the door, lavish you with kisses, and provide you with so much love, loyalty, and laughter? A dog is a long-term investment of 10 to 20 years. It is important to do some serious research before you settle on a good, reputable Golden Retriever breeder. Also, make sure you get the right type of golden retriever for you. When you buy a Golden Retriever puppy, you want to see the breed registration papers. Get a Golden From A Trusted Breeder When you want to bring a Golden into your home, it is imperative to find a quality puppy from a reputable breeder. Their breeding dogs are known for their excellent temperaments and their good health. When you check the track record of exceptional Golden Retriever breeders like ours, you find a consistent record of excellent pups. Puppies bred from great parents will inherit the trainability needed to be the best, more so if you want to enter your dog into competitions. Start Training Early Normally you get your puppy when he is 8 weeks old. Did you know that your Golden Retriever puppy can be attending puppy pre-school at 8 weeks of age already? These preschool classes will usually continue for about 6 to 8 weeks. The Golden Retriever is such a good dog generally, but without training, he will jump up at people, want to fight with other dogs, urinate wherever he pleases, and possibly nip kids and adults along the way. The established club offers classes for Golden Retrievers from basic obedience to more advanced obedience skills with positive reinforcement methods. Through training your dog he can become a much loved, valuable, calm, well-behaved family member. Socialize Them Early Socializing a puppy is all about getting him used to life out there. The key life skills that your puppy learns will ensure he is a calm, confident dog — a pleasure to be around. The beauty about socializing your Golden Retriever early is that you can be sure that he will know how to respond to new, unknown situations without becoming aggressive or fearful. Dog experts tell us that you only have a short window of opportunity to have your puppy socialized. Start as early as 8 weeks of age. The older a puppy gets, the harder the training becomes. Your Golden Retriever can be potty trained in 2 months, but many dog experts say that dog training is an ongoing process right up to age 2. A lot depends on the individual dog, your training methods, and your consistency. Golden Retriever owners say that their female Goldens mature quicker than the males, and because the females are also calmer, they are easier to train. What Commands Should I Teach? When you start with obedience training, stick to a few basic but important commands such as come, sit, stay, and down. One of the biggest obstacles in dog training is not being consistent. It can be most confusing, even for an intelligent dog like the Golden Retriever, to receive mixed messages. Any dog will lose interest. Rather have several short impactful training sessions than one long boring one that turns out to be an obstacle in training. Are Golden Retrievers easy to train? You get a yes and no for this question. Your Golden is such a smart dog that training should be easy. Make the training rewarding for him and praise him with tasty dog treats. Always ensure that the training is in keeping with his age. If you have a few members in your family, ensure that they use the same training strategies and words. Your Golden Retriever needs all the advantages you can give him which is why training for him is such a smart move. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Studies have shown that separating a puppy from mom and siblings before that time may lead to behavior problems later on. The good news is that you can start training your baby golden retriever as soon as he is home with you. Up until your puppy is 6 months old you should focus your attention on 3 main things: Golden Retriever Potty Training This may seem obvious but potty training problems are one of the main reasons dogs are surrendered at shelters. This link will take you to a step-by-step guide on potty training and crate training a golden retriever puppy. Socialization As a dog trainer I get asked many questions about dog behavior and training. In this photo Samsom is being socialized to babies and also to people putting their hands in his food bowl. Always add something yummy! Unfortunately, this period is very short and closes at 3 months of age. This means you have about 4 weeks to socialize your puppy to people of all sizes, genders, colors, ages, with costumes, hats, umbrellas; dogs of all sizes, colors, ages; cars, buses, trucks, loud noises, water, hair trimming, nail trimming, etc. Take your pup to a golden retriever training and socialization class that uses only positive methods. The first four weeks with your new golden retriever pup should be the busiest ones, follow this link for a detailed list and guide on how to socialize your new baby dog. It is natural and completely normal. The good news is that you can teach them to control the pressure they make with their mouth until mouthing turns into soft kisses. Follow this link for a how-to-guide. Playing with a puppy's mouth is a great way to teach him to how control his teeth. Finally, you can also start golden retriever training obedience commands, since puppies can learn very fast many things but you need to concentrate your attention on the three topics above, because they are key factors to help your puppy become a friendly and social dog, one you can trust and trusts you. Teaching your kids to train your Golden Retriever puppy is a grat way for them to bond. Sit and stay! Do not give up. Then repeat 3 more times. This is classic adolescence behavior and may start happening when your golden is between months. Just like humans, dogs also have an adolescence period, and just like humans, they like to test boundaries. During this time it is very important that you continue training basic obedience commands: Take your golden retriever dog to an obedience class that uses positive methods only! The ease of training dogs varies across different breeds and the age at which they are adopted. Retrievers are typically released two months after birth and ready for training. Golden Retriever puppies are easy to train because of their high social intelligence, loyalty, and desire to please; they can understand commands and positive consequences in the first few weeks. However, if you do not teach them early on, you may need to work harder to get them to unlearn bad habits. We must remember that Golden Retrievers are acclimatized to working with people and are definitely people pleasers. They were bred as hunting dogs to retrieve shot-down waterfowl and are still used today as gundogs by sportspersons to retrieve game birds. They are also used as service, therapy, and search and rescue dogs. While training a Golden Retriever is easy, you have to start early. If the dog misses the early portion of the training, the later stages draw out perpetually. By now, you know the dangers of being too late in training your dog. But what if you are too early for the party? Not if you go by the standard release time. The average breeder releases a Golden Retriever at 8 weeks old. You should train your Golden Retriever at two months old because, by that stage, he has grown enough to take cues and is sufficiently self-reliant not to need his mother to survive. He will have already learned canine behaviors by interacting with his mother and littermates, but now he can continue to learn by association. Initial training should be kept light. As mentioned in the table, it is simply a period where you establish your authority as the source of commands and rewards. You can even go 2 weeks without giving any proper training to your freshly-released pup without impacting his progression. However, the 8 to week period from release to assimilation is important. A traumatic experience can have a negative and counter-productive effect during this period. Read further if you: Have a Golden Retriever older than seven weeks or plan to get a puppy Want an approximate schedule for training your pup Wish to train a dog using positive reinforcement and ethical training methods Want to commit to 1. At this point, you have to train your puppy to see you as an authority figure. Moreover, the puppy can only form the most obvious associations between command, response, and consequence, so it is crucial to adapt your training strategy accordingly. For example, you can start clapping if your pup runs toward you. Once he realizes that clapping and running toward you are linked, you can clap, and he will run toward you. For now, notice the following and set distinct anchors for each. Each anchor has to be hard to confuse with every other anchor. Clapping, for instance, is an anchor that can be confused with snapping your fingers. But it is hard to confuse clapping with whistling. This melts a lot of the resistance as you train your pup to understand and respond to more complex commands. Therefore, the first step should be encouraging your Golden Retriever to follow you. As you may know, dogs evolved from wolves, and wolves follow the pack leader usually a parent. Delaying gratification is easier for grown dogs. Young puppies get tired too quickly and spend most of their time sleeping. So if your puppy follows you, reward him with affection, hugs, and appreciation. You need to build a positive reinforcement loop and let your dog establish a connection between following you and receiving a pleasant experience. When your puppy knows that following you results in rewards, you can make the act of following you slightly more challenging. Things you can do may include sharp turns and sudden changes of pace. Lower Socializing Barriers Golden Retrievers are the definition of social beings. Still, their appearance and the love they receive can keep them from becoming completely asocial. But why make socialization difficult when you can facilitate it early in their lives? Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pup is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. Golden Retrievers are bundles of energy, and it would take living in a castle for one to become agoraphobic. Seeing the outdoors as soon as they are ready to take block-long walks is healthier for their social development. Start Potty Training You might wonder how long you have to wait before your Golden Retriever puppy is ready for potty training. Quite simply, your Retriever is ready for potty training the day you bring him home. Cordoning it off and adding a small fence can help him identify it more easily. Next, you need a potty training schedule, such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Moreover, many owners use dog crates to help with house training and I highly recommend you do this too. The earlier you discipline your Golden Retriever , the less harsh you need to be with him as he grows up. Biting is one of the behaviors that incur severe penalties for dogs. Golden Retrievers, fortunately, develop a soft mouth and are less likely to administer harsh bites. Still, nibbling must be discouraged so that kids, other pets, and your friends can be safe around your puppy. If you have ever given silent treatment to your spouse, you know it takes intelligence to know that you are in a timeout. So a timeout for a 2-month-old Retriever might not be the right punishment because he might not understand why he is in one. Often, an untrained Retriever puppy might snatch at a treat. After that, you can withhold the second treat and close off your body language. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Golden Retriever will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Teach Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Golden Retriever will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. How to Train a 3-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Once you have established your authority and set initial anchors, it is time to progress the training of your Golden Retriever puppy to the next stage. Four weeks of light training is sufficient for setting anchors and establishing associations. That makes the 3-month mark ideal for slightly more complex commands. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. He will regress to walk behind you. He already knows how to sit and stand, and you have to use the same method you used for the heel position and command to teach your Retriever how to sit or stand on command. The method is simple. The same applies to other position commands. Since your Retriever can tell words apart, he can go into different positions based on the words you say. The anchoring process involves saying something or making a specific sound while your dog is busy holding a certain position or acting a certain way. Now is the time to start saying the words you have associated with his actions in order to inspire said actions. Where you previously whistled when your Retriever ran towards you, now you must whistle so he begins his run. This is the start of his Golden Retriever recall training. It is possible that your Retriever does not respond to the commands. There will be back and forth where you will keep saying words while the dog organically acts. After a few attempts at reinforcing the commands, you can test the triggers again. So avoid forcing your dog to be perfect on the first few attempts. This helps him be social and get close to them. He must learn to be safe and social around strangers too. After all, he has to go on walks without picking fights with people, no matter how friendly Golden Retrievers are known to be. Slowly exposing him to crowds can improve his social tolerance. The less quick he is to bark at strangers, the kinder they will be to him. This triggers a positive feedback loop where he is adored for being social, which encourages him to be more social. Updated: March 2nd, This article contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here. So which is best? What is the right age to start training a Golden Retriever puppy? This advice traditionally came from the trainers of working dogs who quite rightly felt it best to leave a puppy to be a puppy, let it grow some and become stronger before starting formal training. It was very physical with the use of corrections and physical punishments and aversives very common. The accepted idea was that it was cruel to be so physical with a very young puppy and so training was delayed until 6 months old or so. But there are so many gentle, positive reward based training methods today that physical corrections and aversives are almost completely unnecessary. So waiting for 6 months to start training is no longer essential. From the moment you get your puppy, they will be watching and learning from you. And much, much more besides. A puppy at 8 weeks knows nothing of life and learns everything from you at an amazing pace, all day every day. So you are training your 8 week old puppy whether you think you are or not. Why not start a little basic obedience or trick training as well? For a variety of reasons, the best age to start training your Golden puppy is as soon as you get them at 8 weeks of age. Puppies soak up knowledge and skills like sponges in their first few months, why not take advantage to teach essential life skills as soon as possible? If you wish to take your puppy everywhere you go, friends and shop owners will want you to have a modicum of control over your puppy while in their premises. Behaviors are being developed all the time in your puppy so you should try to influence good ones and prevent bad ones. Training is quality time you and your pup spend together, forming a bond and strengthening your relationship which is good for everyone involved. Modern training techniques like clicker training and shaping are very positive and fun ways to train that will cause no stress to your puppy and can achieve great results. But if they live indoors with you and your family, are taken through town and into other peoples buildings, then you will definitely want to be able to keep them under control. So starting training early is pretty much essential and will be a massive help to you. Keep training sessions very short, just 2 or 3 minutes long a few times per day. Their attention spans will be incredibly short and you do not want them getting bored and starting to dislike training. Only train simple commands and try to set them up to win and do things correctly. Frequent failure will cause your puppy to start dreading training instead of enjoying it. So keep it simple. In real time, you get to see what you should be teaching your puppy as they grow through all the ages and stages from an 8-week old pup to a well-behaved, good-mannered, obedience trained and confident adult dog. The course is an opportunity to see a professional dog trainer raising a puppy on video, with every single step, every milestone and problem encountered — and solved — along the way, filmed for you to follow along with. Check it out! You should start crate training, house-breaking, bite-inhibition and socialization from the moment you get them home. But Golden Retrievers are such intelligent dogs that they can learn a whole variety of simple commands and tricks while still very young. You can teach your puppy: Sit.
block head labrador retriever puppies - If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More Goldendoodles are loving, intelligent, and super friendly dogs who make great companions for singles and families alike. There are so many breeders to choose from, all of them claiming to have the healthiest puppies with the best temperaments. The rising popularity of Goldendoodles has attracted numerous backyard breeders and puppy mills , all of them luring you in with low prices and false promises. Unfortunately, oftentimes these breeders use unethical breeding practices, such as overbreeding their mamas, keeping the dogs in unsafe and unhealthy environments, not providing them enough food, and much worse. Health screening is the best way to reduce the risk of puppies inheriting any genetic conditions and illnesses , which can drastically alter their quality of life. Ethical breeders that have jumped through the hoops will be able to provide you with authentic certifications, documents, and proof of health testing. Having said that, nature works in mysterious ways and sometimes puppies do develop genetic illnesses, even if their parents have been rigorously health tested. For this reason, reputable breeders offer health guarantees that cover serious genetic defects. Health warranties are usually applicable for either one or two years and come in written and signed forms. All of these organizations require their breeders to follow the highest health and genetic testing standards and ethical breeding practices. Although not all breeders in this guide are certified by GANA, they all follow strict health testing protocols and have a proven track record of being ethical establishments. Although oftentimes the breeder might say all the right things on their website, the reality might be the complete opposite. In addition to that, you can always ask around from your friends or family members about their own personal experiences with specific breeders in your area. Our article on How To Choose A Responsible Breeder has more information about this topic, so definitely be sure to check it out. Their mamas live with their family and all puppies are raised inside their home with lots of love and care from the whole family. As one of the best ethical Goldendoodle breeders in Louisiana, Elimwood Farm Goldendoodles takes their commitment to raising only the healthiest and happiest puppies very seriously. In addition to that, they already start socializing the puppies, introducing early potty training, grooming, and regular everyday sights and sounds. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Pups receive their age appropriate vaccinations, dewormings, and a microchip. Nice to meet you! We are Matthew and Erica, and we live in Youngsville, Louisiana with our kids and fur babies. We love our job, and we're very very passionate about it. My mother had a dog breeding business most of my childhood, so I learned a lot about breeding along the way. When I grew up and got married, I knew that I wanted a goldendoodle. Our favorite dog when I was younger, Shaggy, was a golden retriever. He was an outside dog because he shed so much, and my brothers were allergic. I saw a picture of a goldendoodle and thought that I had never seen something so beautiful. I was over the moon that I could have a non-shedding dog that also had the golden retriever temperament. I searched and searched and just couldn't find a goldendoodle from health tested lines near me. I had to purchase our first girl, Ruby, from Pennsylvania. I knew that I wanted to breed Ruby to produce what I couldn't find here, and with my knowledge and background of helping my mom with her breeding business, it was a very easy decision. Our dogs are house pets and run free in our yard. We also have dogs in guardian homes , which allows us to expand our breeding program while keeping our breeding dogs as loved and well taken care of as possible. Our breeding dogs come from healthy bloodlines and are chosen based on structure, coat, and temperament. Temperament is crucial for our breeding dogs because our puppies usually go to homes with small children, and we want only those good temperaments to be passed down. Structure is also important, because a dog without good structure will most likely have joint issues and other problems as they grow, and it's our goal to produce puppies that will have a sound mind and body. We health test our dogs before we breed them to ensure that you are going to get the healthiest puppy possible. Our dogs are happy and healthy, to ensure that your puppy will be happy and healthy as well. What generations do we breed? Our goal for our puppies is to have the least shedding coats as possible, gorgeous coats, nice balanced and solid structures, and a good balance of poodle and golden retriever temperament. This can be done through any generation. There is A LOT of wrong information regarding the generation of a goldendoodle and the amount of shedding. Generation doesn't help when trying to choose the best puppy, as you can get your desired coat type and temperament in any generation. For example, some breeders will say that F1b goldendoodles are more allergy friendly than any other generation. Since we coat test our parent dogs, it's easy for us to predict what types of coats we will have in a particular litter. We pair our parent dogs based on their specific coat genetics to ensure we're getting consistent, non-shedding, loose curly coats. With the right knowledge of genetics, it's actually VERY easy to breed out shedding in our lines. We also test our parent dogs' breed percentages, so we can always have a good balance of both golden and poodle. We look at our parents' structures and pair them correctly to produce nice builds in our lines. Before we learned about coat testing, we produced F1b litters because we believed they were the most hypoallergenic according to other breeders' advice at the time. We still produced F1b puppies with weak furnishing genes that affected allergies because we were unaware that lots of poodles specifically from red lines carry weak furnishing genes. Our most common breedings are multigenerational goldendoodles, which are any generation past second generation. With coat testing, multigenerational goldendoodles will breed true. What does that mean? It means you can expect the puppies to look just like mom and dad. We currently breed mini, medium, and standard size goldendoodles. These sizes are determined by both weight and height. If a goldendoodle's weight is catergorized as medium, but his height is catergorized as standard, he'll be determined a standard size. Goldendoodles can be built like poodles tall and slender , golden retrievers short and solid , or anything in between. Two goldendoodles can weigh the exact same amount, but its their height that will ultimately determine their size sometimes its a " difference! We will always breed our goldendoodles down slowly, with no more than a " difference in height between parents. This is to protect the structure in our lines and reduce joint issues later on. Sometimes our puppies end up smaller or bigger than what we estimate based on the size of the parents, but we're able to tell at around 6 weeks old if they'll be bigger or smaller than we predict. We do not currently breed petite, which is any goldendoodle under 14". There are other wonderful small doodle breeds that would be a good choice for someone wanting petite, such as cavapoos and maltipoos. If you're set on getting a petite goldendoodle, please find a breeder that has bred petite goldendoodles down very carefully over several generations while pairing their parents based on conformation, and find one that breeds multigenerational goldendoodles. Major structural faults that make the dog look awkward and can harm your dog later in life, as well as severe bite issues, are very common in mini and petite goldendoodles when there is a drastic difference in the parents' sizes. Also, be advised that small breeds need their teeth cleaned more often and their anal glands expressed. If we are to bring companion dogs into this world, it is our job to do so responsibly to ensure they live long and healthy lives. Read more about health screening per breed here. Our parent dogs are thoroughly examined by our veterinarian before breeding, but we also perform DNA tests on our parent dogs to make sure they are healthy and don't have any genetic diseases or conditions that could be passed down to their puppies. Even if a dog appears healthy and isn't affected by a disease, they could carry a gene for a genetic disease, and if bred to another dog that carries the same gene, the puppies will be affected. If one parent is clear and does not carry the genes for these diseases, that parent can't pass on the gene and there will be no puppies affected, even if the other parent is a carrier or is affected. A puppy must inherit a mutated gene from BOTH parents in order to be affected by the disease. Some of these diseases don't affect the dog until they are older, and can be very serious and life altering. We also screen our parent dogs' hips, elbows, patellas, eyes, and heart. Hip and elbow dysplasia is common in both golden retrievers and standard poodles, and this can be genetic or occur anytime due to environmental factors. However, we still do our part in making sure the genetic factor of dysplasia is taken out of the equation. Usually, genetically caused hip dysplasia will be seen on x-ray after 4 months old. Without an x-ray, it's almost impossible to diagnose because a dog could go years before showing signs of hip dysplasia and hide their pain from puppyhood very well. The x-ray to the right shows our Godfrey's hips at a year old. If he had hip dysplasia, the joints would be coming out of his sockets. Instead, his joints fit nice and tight in his sockets. We have our veterinarian x-ray each of our parent dogs before they're bred so we can see if they have hip dysplasia or not. We also x-ray their elbows for dysplasia, and our veterinarian will examine our smaller sized parents for luxating patellas knees. A veterinarian ophthalmologist examines our parent dogs' eyes for juvenile cataracts and other genetic eye diseases, and a cardiologists examines their hearts for genetic heart conditions. We want goldendoodles to be the "low risk" breed when people are looking for a healthy family companion. Due to hybrid vigor and low Co-efficiency of Inbreeding COI's , the chance of cancer is already reduced, but there are still lots of genetic diseases that can be passed down directly from the parents. The number of dogs brought into animal shelters due to these genetic diseases is high. For example: A new puppy owner is excited to bring home their new adorable puppy. The puppy is healthy when brought home and the breeder has the normal health warranty for 2 years. He passes his vet exams with flying colors. The new puppy owner thought he was purchasing a puppy from a "reputable" breeder because the puppies were raised well in the breeder's home instead of kennels outside, or the breeder did enrichment protocols with the puppies. However, the breeder doesn't do any health testing at all, they just get wellness checks done on their parent dogs by their local veterinarian. As the dog grows past the age of 2 when the symptoms usually begin, the owners notice that he can no longer see, the dog begins to have trouble walking and moving due to weakness in their limbs, or his skin turns scaly. The dog is no longer under the age of 2, so the breeder warranty is null and void. If the dog owner cannot afford treatment for this genetic disease and does not have the time and energy to manage the symptoms of these diseases, they will sometimes have no choice but to bring their dog to the shelter because there is very little chance of re-homing the dog to someone who is willing to pay for lifelong treatment for the poor dog. Most breeder's wont take these dogs back, because how can they rehome a dog with a disease that they could have easily prevented by due diligence? We like to think most people would accept their dog no matter what and treat their dog for these diseases, but sadly that is not the world we live in, as proven by the amount of diseased and disabled dogs in shelters. Adopting a wonderful pet, falling in love with it, then loosing that beloved pet to a disease or condition that could have easily been prevented by the breeder is heart breaking. A health warranty will refund your money, but that will not take away the pain and heart break. Please do your research and ask your breeder what health testing they've done. If a breeder is not able to ensure genetically healthy puppies, they should not be breeding their dogs. Many people think that because goldendoodles are "mixes", that the puppies are a complete gamble with structure and coat. This is SO far from the truth. Modern technology has made it possible to predict what kind of colors, coats, and structures we will produce. There is also a gene responsible for weak furnishings, where the dog has a beard and eyebrows, but it's a lot thinner and wirey and not as fluffy as a dog with normal furnishings. Our goal is to produce allergy friendly teddy bear coats with furnishings. We will never produce a flat coated goldendoodle, as this is not the breed standard and there will always be moderate to high shedding involved. Flat coated goldendoodles can be very beautiful, but most of our puppy owners prefer the teddy bear non-shedding coats, so that's what we strive to produce. When we have litters, we ask those on the waiting list for the current litter if they are allergic to dogs that shed. We will work with those people who have allergies so they can get the puppy with the least chance of shedding by doing DNA tests on our puppies. Pictured below are examples of the straight, wavy and curly coats that we currently produce in our litters. Poodles usually have their faces shaved, but the fur on their muzzle does grow evenly like the rest of their body if left to grow. The furnishing gene is the gene that is responsible for their fluffiness NOT curl, that is a separate gene , and low shedding. If a goldendoodle has no furnishing gene, they will have a flat coat, often referred to as an Improper Coat, just like a golden retriever. This will result in an "open face" with no beard or eyebrows. A furnishing gene could be weak or strong, but it is dominant, meaning a puppy just needs one furnishing gene in order to exhibit a beard and eyebrows. Puppies with only one furnishing gene that appears to be a weak furnishing gene will have a thinner, flatter, and wirey coat that will shed. If we know that some of our puppies inherit only one furnishing gene and its a weak one, we are able to determine this early on. The furnishing gene, both weak and strong, are testable and we know which of our parents carry which genes in order to pair them correctly. That's not true at all, and causes a lot of confusion. A Flat Coat is the result of no furnishing gene, just like a golden retriever with no fluff, beard, or eyebrows. A Straight Coat actually means that a goldendoodle has two non-curl genes, which means they'll have very little, if any, wave or curl to their coat. A Flat Coated goldendoodle could also have a wavy or curly coat, so the distinction is important due to so much confusion out there. There are two genotypes for curl, just like furnishings, since the puppies will inherit one genotype from each parent. The non-curl gene comes from the golden retriever, and the curl gene comes from the poodle. Golden Retrievers have two non-curl genes resulting in a Straight Coat no curl , and poodles have two curl genes, resulting in a tight Curly Coat. When bred together, each parent will pass down one of their genotypes randomly. ALL F1 goldendoodles golden retriever x poodle have one curl gene and one non-curl gene, which results in a Wavy Coat, because they can only inherit a non-curl gene form the golden retriever parent and a curl gene from the poodle parent. Curly Coats are pretty obvious to determine just by looking at a puppy, but whether a puppy has a Wavy or a Straight Coat is very hard to determine in a puppy without testing. All about shedding: Shedding has nothing to do with the curl gene, and everything to do with the furnishing gene. Most people think that a curly coat will be less likely to shed, but that's far from true. People associate curly with non-shedding because poodles don't shed, but poodles don't shed because they have Furnishing genes and usually at least one low shed gene. For example, yorkies, schnauzers, and maltese all have straight coats and furnishings, and are allergy friendly. We see this all the time, and it only increases that desire to want to produce well balanced dogs. As breeders, it's our job to never stop trying to improve our lines. Structure is a huge part of this, as we should be producing dogs with both sound minds and sound bodies. Good conformation allows a dog to move correctly and remain active for it's whole life without going lame or developing arthritis. If there is a mild structural fault in one of our parent dogs, we make sure that we pair them to a mate that does not have that specific fault. If we do, the puppies could have a more exaggerated form of this fault. We want straight, even toplines, great front and rear angulation, feet that point forward, and nice long necks. These are things we look for when choosing a puppy for our breeding program, as well as temperament, health, and coat quality. We stack our potential keepers between 7 and 8 weeks old and choose the one with the best conformation. Our goal is to produce well balanced goldendoodles, and when a dog has no angulation, they appear long legged and awkward. Great structure not only improves the overall look of a dog, but it also improves their movement, protects their joints, and reduces the risk of injury later on. This begins when the puppies are 3 days old, and ends when they go home with you. The Puppy Culture way is a GREAT way to ensure that your puppy will have the greatest chance of being healthy, happy, smart, and socialized. When the puppies are 3 days old until they are 16 days old, we do early neurological stimulation exercises with each puppy. Dogs who undergo these exercises at this age are proven to have greater tolerance to stress, greater residence to disease, stronger heart rate, stronger heartbeat, and a faster adrenal system. After that, beginning at 3 weeks old, we get them used to their litter box. They learn early on that there is a specific place to go, and that they can't just go anywhere. When they go home, they are completely litter boxed trained and it is very easy to house train them. They also begin playing with a new toy each day and socializing with as many people as possible at 3 weeks old. At 4 weeks old, we introduce problem solving activities and different challenges for your puppy to work through. To quote Jane Killion, the creator of Puppy Culture, "animals who are given learning and problem solving activities in addition to toys and social interaction grow up to be more stable, less easily stressed, less easily frightened, with better learning and memory than animals who are given the same toys and socialization with no learning and problem solving". We also work on manding learn to sit instead of jump for attention , grooming, food aggression, and getting the puppies used to different heights and surfaces, as well as textures. Puppy Culture focuses on making each new thing a positive experience for your puppy early on, so that they are used to the necessary things like baths, grooming, and crate training by the time they go home with you. Because we focus on using positive reinforcement from such a young age, your puppy will love to please. We try our best to prepare our puppies for their new homes using Puppy Culture, but the rest depends on you. Studies show that a dog is the most receptive to learning in the first 12 weeks. What they learn during the first 12 weeks of life will stay with them forever. Our puppies go home at 8 weeks old, so we encourage each of our puppy owners to purchase the Puppy Culture video, "The Powerful First 12 Weeks" and use weeks 8 through 12 to the best of their ability. Watching these videos, you'll learn how your puppy learns and what the best ways to train them are. Jane Killion's book, "When Pigs Fly" is another resource we highly recommend. You'll see things through your dog's eyes and these training techniques begin to make complete sense. This will also prepare you and help you tackle obstacles that could arise. We've found that our puppies transition a lot better when our puppy owner's prepare with Puppy Culture before bringing their puppy home. Share 0 Shares The state of Louisiana or the Bayou state is one that has enjoyed lots of cultural bliss. It is the home of American Blues, jazz, and lots of tasty cuisines like creole. Another thing Louisiana is famously known for is its love for canines. Goldendoodles which are a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle , are a standard dog breed with a lot of love to give. It is famously known for its luxurious hypoallergenic coats. Its overall loyalty and intelligence and its peaceful yet energetic disposition. They make excellent family members, alongside double as excellent service and therapy dogs as well as show dogs for most dog conformation events. Finding a Goldendoodle in this beautiful state can be easy, but we have provided a list of some reputable Goldendoodle breeders in Louisiana that offer fine puppies to numerous families in the state and the whole of America. They produce Goldendoodles of the three most recognized sizes which are the standard, mini, and medium-sized Goldendoodles. Their puppies are bred to become excellent family companions as well as proper dogs to compete in dog shows and agility events. They have a strong bloodline which they have been able to improve with over 15 years of breeding experience. Their breeding dogs are carefully selected after a series of examinations and research would have been done on them. They are genetically tested and each is cleared to be free from genetic health issues that could damage the newly produced litter. Some of their sires and dams are proper AKC champions with show and agility titles in their pedigrees. When it comes to how they raise their puppies, the puppies enjoy proper love and attention while being home-raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana. They are properly socialized right from day one as they are allowed to be carried by members of the family. The puppies are potty and crate trained, they are also introduced to various stimulating situations and introduced to noise or sound desensitization. All their puppies go home with a puppy starter kit, they are properly health checked by a licensed vet, and have their full vaccinations and deworming records updated. They also go home with a one-year health guarantee and lifetime breeder support. 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 Lafayette Louisiana 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!
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block head labrador retriever puppies - The very much loved Jack on his way from Tel Aviv to New York with his owner Terry Not too sure what he thinks of his mode of transport!! INessie also travelling By a slightly more traditional means! We have a passion for Labradoodles, Labradors and Standard Poodles and the more we do with them the more hooked we become! We have a small number of very special breeding dogs - our ultimate aim is to enhance the quality and standard of the British Labradoodle. Our bitches are never bred from more than once a year and depending on how they take to motherhood they have a maximum of up to four litters. Once finished being Mums they are spayed and sometimes although this is terribly difficult and if the perfect home comes along they are re-homed - usually to family or friends. Sadly we can only keep a limited number of dogs if we are to continue our breeding program. If you are interested in adopting one of our ex-breeding bitches in the future and can offer the perfect home, please contact us. Our aim is to breed healthy, happy and beautiful family pets, bred from health tested parents, with good conformation and above all excellent temperaments. About sixteen years ago I saw my first 'Doodle' and was overwhelmed by him - I had never heard of Labradoodles before, and like everyone else, wasn't entirely sure whether I was having my leg pulled or not!! However, I was assured that Labradoodles were for real and I was also told a little about their history and why they were originally bred. I was fascinated and then spent many hours, days, months and yes years, researching into this wonderful, and relatively new breed. I had grown up with labradors and poodles and felt sure that a mating between the two to produce a labradoodle would be an excellent cross. Both dogs carry wonderful traits, and are such perfect family pets - put the two together and I felt certain you would end up with something very special indeed. Of course I wanted one! My hopes right from the start, if all went well, were to ultimately aim to breed a small number of top quality labradoodles, with particular care taken on their type, conformation, health testing and particularly their temperaments. Our first Labradoodle and the start of Didlington Doodles! When we went to see the pups at 6 weeks, out of all the pups it was Stroodle who came bounding up to us on arrival - she had already been picked out for us by Fiona as one of the best bitches, so it was extraordinary how she knew we were to be her 'people'! At the same time I also set out to find a very special labrador bitch puppy with the view, again if all went well, for her to start our own line of Didlington Doodles when the time was right. I found Pindy, a beautiful black puppy from a top class field trials strain, and again there was no question which pup from the litter was coming to us! The other extraordinary thing is that both pups were born on the same day - so there was a link between them right form the start. Both pups arrived shortly after the New Year in and our house has never been quite the same since!! Now a number of years later I can honestly say that my initial instincts about labradoodles were absolutely right. They are the most fabulous, fun, bouncy, crazy, loving and loyal dogs I have ever come across. They also have a highly developed sense of humour and are very intelligent. They are always up to some wicked trick - you can almost see their thought patterns as they try to think of something to make you laugh! A labradoodle is not for the faint hearted, they love lots of attention, walks and fun. They also love everybody and every thing - even our cats nearly get flattened with licks and kisses when they come home - although of course the cats do have the upper hand in the animal hierarchy! I don't think there is an ounce of malice in Stroodle, as I said she loves everybody and all other dogs too - but they can be over exuberant so do need to be properly trained. Being such sociable dogs they would not be happy left for hours on their own. I would therefore not advise anyone who was out at work all day to have a labradoodle and indeed we would not let one of our pups got an 'out at work all-day family'! We aim to breed about four litters a year, and are receiving emails and phone calls daily, either through word of mouth or via internet search engines. Initially we started in Dorset and in in we moved to our new home in Shropshire We have more space for our Doodles and we all live in the most idyllic and beautiful setting. In we became fully Council Licensed. After thorough checks to ensure the pups are going to the right homes, we are happy to export our puppies abroad, both internationally and to Europe. We work closely with Petair UK www. We now have Didlington Doodles in wonderful new homes in Jersey, Holland, Switzerland, Malta, Hong Kong, The USA and The Cayman Islands We are also now offering a delivery service within the UK for our pups, but do insist that new owners come to visit us initially in order to meet Mums, Dads and the pups and to see where they are born and brought up. As far as is possible we do like to meet all our prospective new owners. Most of our pups leave us at 8 weeks, but it is possible for us to keep them for a little longer if required to help with holiday dates etc. We obviously make a small charge for this and also for delivery. Pindy who started our own line of Labradoodles - our original F1's. She had the most beautiful pups and was a fantastic family member always up for a good walk and even a bit of skateboarding - but only as long as Phezzie could come too! She is a small working Labrador and just the sweetest, most gentle dog. Mum to Binka and many other very special pups! I've liked the page. I remember Chewy from the website. He's gorgeous. Hopefully there will be something around next July but to be honest if it was earlier I certainly wouldn't complain. Do you take your dogs to a groomer or do you do it yourself? I was hoping to learn how to do it myself if possible. It might prove less hassle though getting someone else to do it. Also do you do the ear plucking or do you trim the ears? I'll stop asking questions after this ha ha. Although I live in Scotland both my dogs came from a breeder in South Wales Courtlands We got the first one there because both Tora and Lomond Hills in Scotland couldn't supply a puppy in the time scale we were hoping for. Went back to Wales for the second because we were so pleased with the looks and temperament of our first. I have since spoken to other owners who have purchased from both Tora and Lomond Hills and all spoke positively about their dogs and experience of both breeders. Regards grooming your dog yourself that is exactly how I felt and went to a local groomer who does training courses for people wanting to be full time groomers. I explained I only wanted to do my own dog and not start up a business and they took me on for a one day course, taught me the basics and I've done both of my ever since. I'm not as quick as a professional groomer but I can groom the dogs at a time that suits me, no leaving the dogs at a groomers. Can do it as often or as little as I want , cut as short or leave as long as suits. Would recommend it for anyone who is interested. The groomer I went to is in Lanarkshire, don't know if that is anywhere near you but you could always ask someone more local to you if they would do something similar. BRUCE, Deciding to get a labradoodle… We knew for about two years that we wanted to get another puppy to be friends with our older dog a lovely blue merle collie called Gizzi. We put a lot of time and research into exactly what would be the best match for us and for Gizzi, and we have a long list of potential breeds we were working our way through. We knew that we needed a really happy, almost bomb proof dog because our collie is a little highly strung. But we also wanted a clever dog who we could train, and one who enjoyed a lot of exercise so the pup could keep up with our existing routine. Too much to ask? One day my husband came home and said he had met a lady whilst walking Gizzi who had the most beautiful dogs, and they were Labradoodles. And had I considered a labradoodle? Immediately the research began. All my research online suggested that this was the perfect breed for us — clever, energetic but a bit ditzy. We knew we wanted a boy, and ideally a chocolatey one I had intentions of naming him Cadbury. When the litter arrived I was so excited! They looked like tiny little guinea pigs. Johanne kept us up to date daily on their progress, with loads of pictures, and every day a different pooch was my favourite. Immediately I fell in love with a little black girl, the absolute opposite of what I thought I wanted. There were two brown boys to choose from if we still wanted that, but by now we had no intention of picking a pooch based purely on physical characteristics. We wanted a naughty little rascal! So, we based it on who seemed to want us. As it turned out, this was to be one of the chunky brown boys. He was a tiny little man, and he was lovely. So we picked our boy. By this time, my husband had decided he would be called Bruce, after Bruce Springsteen. And he did look like a Bruce. The first few nights and settling in We had a puppy book from Johanne which we studied in advance of picking Bruce up, which gave us lots of tips for bringing your puppy home. However, on night one, the book came out. Bruce was upset, you see. And the book said on the first few nights he would be ok in a tall-sided box in our bedroom, so we snuck him up in the middle of the night in a box filled with towels, and he finally settled as I lay halfway down the bed, with both arms in the box. Nothing else would settle him! Crate all the way, little man! I gave up, sort of, and slept alongside the crate on the floor of our dining room that night as he still seemed unsettled. So on day three, we spent the day crate training. We essentially put him into the crate over and over again, with toys and treats, over and over again, for hours. I timed his squeaking, and we got him down from 27 minutes to about 15 seconds. That night he went to bed downstairs and settled right down. Since then, he has been a star — so long as he still gets his bedtime treats! How could you not be? This tiny bundle of fluff, she warmed to him straight away. Immediately and I am not exaggerating he had a huge beneficial influence over her temperament. Having him around, being daft and happy, has really calmed her down and she seems much more settled now. A big, flumpy, happy teddy bear. I adore Bruce. From his first little walk outside to his full off-lead walks today and his dog training, Bruce has been a star. Until he steals your shoes. Yes, Bruce really loves shoes. Your most expensive, preferably. We took Bruce to training as soon as he could after his vaccinations. He is a perfect little gentleman and was moved up to the Bronze level Kennel Club Good Citizen training after just 4 weeks of puppy school. He has also learned to high-five, which is my favourite thing. He has made friends with lots of other dogs, big and small, and has wonderful confidence. I think this is why he has had such a calming influence on our older dog. He makes friends with everyone he meets, which seems to make her worry less about meeting new people. He is a great little ambassador. From when he was still with Johanne to now, he loves his food. Johanne said he liked to shove his littermates out of the way to get extras. And at just under 6 months, he is already the same size as our collie. He needs regular brushing, and we tend to blow dry him a couple of times a week on account of him getting soaking wet every morning on our 6am walks. It was evident when the pups were still living with Johanne that Johanne was incredibly attentive to their needs, and this has really paid off in well-adjusted and incredibly happy little pooches. I brought my parents to meet Bruce when he was with Johanne, and they still claim that all his wonderful nature and ability to pick up training is a direct result of his excellent early start in life. I like to think I have also had a hand in it! Now I just need to figure out what further training we are going to do. Or as a huge floofy hot water bottle to sit on my knee each evening — he has already been practicing for that. His amazing big soft paws His really happy, bouncy, happy nature did I mention happy? His big wiggly butt That he already appears to know all the training how? Your advice and guidance throughout the whole process of choosing our four legged companion has been fantastic, we bombarded you with questions and queries as we searched out our ideal breeder and puppy, and you have always been quick and comprehensive with your replies and guidance, as a result of this we feel that we were as well prepared as we could be for when Jasper came home with us. What has also been so reassuring for us is that this help has not stopped once we picked Jasper up; it has made the whole experience of owning a new puppy a lot easier than it could otherwise have been. When we picked Jasper up at just over 8 weeks old, he was already used to sleeping in a crate, and we never had a single accident over night with him, yes we had the whimpers at bed time, but having gone cold turkey on him, by the second night he settled quickly and soon was challenging who could snore loudest in the house! Toilet training was a breeze, as Jasper had already been used to going outside, and the only accidents we had was when we took our eye of the ball! Jasper has been quick to learn, and again on your advice we had him off lead as soon as he was allowed out, and this has paid off massively, with us being able to recall him up to now really well — we will see how this continues as he goes through his teenage phase! Once again on your advice we have had Jasper enrolled in a local puppy training class, which he continues to excel at, and he is now working towards his bronze award, and in doing so is often showing up the older dogs. Not to sound too much like a school report, but Jasper is showing great potential to become exactly what we were looking for from our dog, what with his laid back attitude, his quirky loveable ways, as well as his ability to learn new things. For any other potential puppy families that are considering you, we can only say, if you want a breeder who obviously genuinely loves her dogs, and wants the best for her pups, be this by giving the new families comprehensive guidance on the likes of feeding, training, veterinary care, grooming, exercise, puppy socialisation — the list goes on; then look no further — Johanne is the breeder whom we would most certainly recommend. One very happy puppy family.