blue french bulldog puppies for sale north carolina

We have two acres, fully fenced in the rural part of the city. We have a number of retired and still active breeding dogs that live with us, however, most of our dogs live in guardian homes. These wonderful guardian families provide love and support to our breeding dogs to ensure they are in the best physical and mental health. Our puppies are born in their own puppy nursery, right beside the kitchen, in a warm and clean, as well as safe, dog friendly environment. Once the pups are 6 to 7 weeks old we start to socialize them into family life by providing play time to take place where they are exposed to my other dogs and the hustle of family life. Some of our pups are raised in the guardian family's home for the first 6 weeks, coming back to my home once they are weaned from Momma. We understand that this represents a significant investment. However, the costs associated with raising a litter of high quality dogs from fully health tested parents are significant. The value of this health testing is passed on to the adopting family with much lower risk of health issues in the offspring. Further, we provide you a two year health guarantee that gives you a choice of our covering the Vet fees for any genetic or hereditary illness in the first two years of the life of your dog OR a replacement dog at no cost. Showing 1 - 40 of 63 resultsPage 1 - 63 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Are you interested in bringing home a cuddly Labradoodle to join your family? Look no further than Cucciolini Labradoodles! We have.Located near Guelph, Ontario, our animals are raised with awareness, Sarge- Sire of the litter. First picture. Imported directly from Romania. Direct son of the famous.This is a rescued dog from a friend of the family. Coco was living in an apartment, so we figured we would take her on but it is too much with our our 2 smaller.Females available. These puppies are 8 weeks old and ready for their new homes. The puppies have received their first vaccine and also ongoing deworming.They are both two years old. One male fox-red lab, and one female black labradoodle. The labradoodle doesn't shed at all. They are both very friendly. Ask for.Gorrie One sweet, 7-week-old female puppy ready for a new home next week! Has had vaccinations, vet check and deworming. Mother is on site and very good.Bunni is a medium size double doodle weighing 40 lbs, non-shedding double doodle puppy. She is 8 months old and will have puppies when she is the.Kawartha Lakes Ready to go to loving homes. They come from a home with a 4 year old who has made sure they are gentle and playful with the littles. Ideally looking for a.Bunni is a medium size double.Description: 3 Females Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. These pups.Description: 2 Females remaining Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. Urgent Beautiful puppy for you! Are you ready to welcome a bundle of joy into your life? Look no further! We're thrilled to introduce our enchanting litter of 6 Labradoodle.There are 2 girls still available. They will grow to be approximately 25 Ibs. They all have amazing temperaments! Please Contact 1. He is great with kids and fairly well behaved. He has all his shots and is not fixed. We are just unable to give him the attention he.Playful, sweet and bright little ones. Father Labradoodle is a playful, gentle giant and mother bull-mastiff is a very.Toronto Ready to go! I hope you're having a great day. Please take a moment to read through the information provided before asking.She is playful and would do best with a fenced in backyard. She can sit, shake a paw and loves treats. She is crate trained and has been exposed to kids and a.The owners are finding it difficult to care for him with an illness int he family. Both mom and dad on site and both wonderful family pets. All puppies have been vet checked with first shots and deworming. Mother, Rue is our miniature Aussie doodle,Brown ticked parti, 28 pds. Father, Stitch is a miniature Labradoodle, blue.Kingston Hello from Teddybear Australian Labradoodles! We have puppies available NOW! We are a small in-home breeder of Registered Australian Labradoodles in Kingston, Adorable F1BB third generation puppies ready to go to their forever home. Two males and one female available. Born July 16, .Puppies have been family

Breeder Referral Among companion animals, boxers are unmatched in their devotion, loyalty and friendship to humankind. Anyone who has ever loved a boxer can attest to its hundred-fold return. The excitement your boxer shows when you come home, the wagging tail at the sound of the leash being taken from its hook, the delight in the tossing of a tennis ball, and the head nestled in your lap-those are only some of the rewards of being a boxer owner. Owning a boxer is not just a privilege, it's a responsibility. These animals depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. If you are considering taking a boxer into your life, you need to think seriously about the commitment that boxer ownership entails. If you already have a boxer, you need to consider if you are fulfilling all your obligations as its owner. The ABC does not recommend, guarantee, endorse, nor rate breeders, their kennels, or their stock. We also do not examine individual dogs. Buyers beware in all instances. For more information on puppies available in your area, contact our Breeder Referral Chairman: Fran Illuzzi Email: illuzzifran gmail. Find a Responsible Breeder To find a responsible breeder, go to a dog show or visit the breed's Parent Club for additional resources and contact information. Don't be put off if a breeder isn't immediately responsive. Hobby breeders often have full-time jobs and they don't always have available puppies. Be selective. Find a breeder who is knowledgeable and make sure you're comfortable with them. Visit the breeder's home or kennel and ask to see at least one of the puppy's parents. Get an idea of what the future holds for your dog in terms of temperament and appearance. Observe the premises. Dogs and puppies should be clean, well fed, lively and friendly. Pay attention to how the dogs and puppies interact with their breeder. Does the breeder appear to genuinely care for the puppies and their adult dogs? Both dogs and puppies should not shy away from the breeder and should be outgoing with strangers. Find out about the health of your puppy and its parents. Breeders should be honest about the breed's strengths and weaknesses and knowledgeable about the genetic diseases that can affect their breed - including what's being done to avoid them. Establish a good rapport with the breeder. You should be encouraged to call the breeder if your dog has a crisis at any stage of its life. Don't expect to bring home the puppy until its eight to 12 weeks of age. Puppies need ample time to mature and socialize with its mother and littermates. Breeders should be willing to answer any questions you have and should ask many of you as well. Breeders will want to make sure their puppies are going to good homes, with people who know what to expect and have made all the necessary preparations. Don't leave the premises without the appropriate documentation of the dog's pedigree, a. You'll need to send in this application form to register your dog with the AKC. Welcome to our website! A photo of Rocky, the best Boxer ever, and the one who started it all! We are a family owned operation that breeds champion bloodline AKC Boxer puppies. Our objective is to produce the highest quality puppies, for family pets and companions. We do not offer nor do we guarantee our puppies for show or breeding, instead we would rather they be considered by the people that adopt them as family members, preferably as children! Our love for Boxers came about after we welcomed our first Boxer Rocky into our home. He is an amazing dog, and has been the backbone of our program, providing many of the adult Boxers that we have today. Although he is no longer used for breeding, his amazing personality seems to be what everyone we encounter is looking for in a Boxer. It's no accident that we chose to keep his puppies, they have the same laid-back and relaxed personalities as Rocky. We are vigilant to assure that our puppies are the finest available, we use the best technology to closely monitor the mother and her babies for the first eight weeks. We work with and handle the puppies daily, pampering them helps to create superior emotional health. Three days after birth dew claws are removed and tails are docked by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccinations and deworming is completed utilizing a strict program, all documentation is provided. Pre-crate training begins at six weeks of age. Puppies are socialized with adult dogs and other animals, such as cats at an early age. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. All else Copyright Riverhillboxers. All Rights Reserved.

Things to do with your English Bulldog Ohio is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Ohio that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit a Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Ohio that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Ohio, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Ohio, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Ohio, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Ohio, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Pet-Friendly Businesses Ohio has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Ohio. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Ohio is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Ohio? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. However, with Cheappuppiesforsale. Our user-friendly website allows you to filter your search based on location, price, and other preferences, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. When it comes to purchasing a puppy, we understand that cost is a significant factor for many individuals. We work closely with a network of trustworthy breeders who prioritize the well-being and health of their puppies. Rest assured, our breeders comply with ethical breeding practices and provide a nurturing environment for their dogs. Understanding the origins and characteristics of this beloved breed can provide valuable insights for prospective English Bulldog owners. Originating in England, the English Bulldog has a lineage that traces back to the ancient Mastiffs. Bulldogs were originally bred for bull-baiting, a popular sport during the 13th century. Temperament of english bulldogs Despite their intimidating appearance, English Bulldogs have evolved into gentle and affectionate companions. They are known for their patience, loyalty, and love for their families. The temperament of English Bulldogs is characterized by their calm and easygoing nature. They tend to be docile and get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs. Bulldogs have a reputation for being dependable, protective, and fiercely loyal to their loved ones. While Bulldogs are generally laid-back, they also have a stubborn streak. This means that consistent and patient training is necessary to establish good behavior and ensure About Ranger Well, hello there! I can assure you that I am the one you have been looking for. How do I know? My coat is shiny and soft, and I have been told that my face is too cute for words. I am also fun if I do say so myself. I have been known to catch a ball or two, long walks tickle my fancy, and fetch is just about my favorite pastime. Reviews There are no reviews yet.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. A delightful blend of Pug and Beagle, Bacon captures the best of both worlds-playful yet calm, charismatic and endlessly loving. His soft coat, a mix of warm shades, invites you to hug him, and his expressive eyes seem to tell stories of his little adventures. Imagine coming home to this young guy who can't wait to shower you with affection. As soon as you step through the door, you'll be greeted by the adorable sight of Bacon, his tail wagging in excitement, his eyes sparkling like stars. Though he's young, he has a certain wisdom and calming presence that makes you feel instantly at ease. He's the perfect companion for those Netflix binge sessions, but don't let his cuddly nature fool you. Bacon loves his playtime just as much - Bacon is up for it all. He's got a playfulness that's infectious, and you'll find yourself laughing along with his silly antics more often than not. Bacon is wonderful with other dogs, making him an excellent addition if you're looking to expand your furry family. He believes that the more, the merrier, and loves to engage in play with his canine friends. In fact, seeing him around other dogs highlights his social skills; he's polite, engaging, and knows when to give space. For families with kids, Bacon's gentle disposition and friendliness make him an ideal choice. His manageable size and temperament are suited to homes both big and small, so whether you have a sprawling yard or a cozy apartment, Bacon will fit right in. Health-wise, Bacon is a spry young pup who's had all his vaccinations, and he's ready to go to a forever home that will give him the love and care he deserves. He's got plenty of years ahead of him to create lasting memories and build bonds that will last a lifetime. In a world where true companionship is a rare find, Bacon offers unconditional love and endless joy. If you're looking for a loyal friend, a loving family member, and a playful companion all rolled into one adorable package, look no further. Bacon is ready to make your life infinitely better, one wagging tail at a time. Adopt Bacon, and you're not just getting a dog; you're gaining a lifelong friend. You can learn more about Bacon and other dogs at Happy Bark by visiting www.

The best time to adopt a German Shepherd puppy earlier than eight weeks is during the spring. They are very lovable and the best gift you can give to them is a loving home where they can grow up. The adoption fees for adopting a German Shepherd are quite high, but if you compare it to the benefits you will get out of the dog it is indeed an expense worth taking. These dogs need care, time and space, love, and affection. They have a strong desire to please their owners and this shows in their actions and performance. So, if you are planning to get one of these dogs, York PA is the place that you should be looking. Nowadays many websites are dedicated to helping dog owners with their German shepherd puppies in NY. These websites contain all the necessary details regarding the dogs, their care requirements, and the necessary vaccinations that they should have. You can even interact with other dog lovers and find out more about the puppies. It is also possible to know about the different aspects of owning these types of pets. Here you can learn about the different puppies, their qualities, and the different locations from where you can adopt them. If you want to have a healthy and happy pet then you must know how to take care of them. German Shepherds are very lovable and they make the best companions in the world. There are many ways in which these dogs can make your life happy. One of the best ways to show how much you love and care for your dog is to adopt them and give them the best home possible. This will ensure that they stay with you for long and your loyalty and care for them will never fade. All these puppies have their own personalities but they are all very lovable and energetic. They are intelligent, loyal, protective, and happy dogs. Most of them are good-natured and you can even go as far as to say that most are gentle. German shepherd puppies that are available for adoption are cheap because these dogs are bred to be used for police work and not for show. If you plan to adopt them then you need to prepare yourself financially. However, the important thing is that you have to be sure that you are prepared financially. You can adopt one of the little dogs or a full-grown adult. Just make sure that you choose someone honest and dependable. German Shepherd puppies are smart and strong dogs but they do tend to be stubborn. So, if you are planning to adopt a puppy ensure that you have somebody willing to give it the time and attention it needs to become accustomed to its new environment and the people who will be around it. Choose carefully, because if you choose the wrong person then you might end up with a dog that is either too aggressive or too submissive. Adopting a puppy from York PA is not easy because there are many considerations to take into account. Also, there are certain factors that you need to consider such as the socialization that the puppy has undergone. You have to make sure that your puppy has been trained to act properly in public so that you will be able to socialize it right away. A York puppy also requires a lot of love and attention. You need to show it that you really do care for it and that you love the dog first before you buy it. Make sure that you know the kind of dog that you want to get before buying one because there are different kinds. The Chihuahua is the most common and cute of all the dog breeds and is the one most commonly used by people. You could pay to have a German Shepherd dog surgically installed in your home, which will mean having to travel with this dog in its cage at all times. Or, you can also choose to adopt a German Shepherd pup and go about getting your new family pet right here in the city or state of New York. And New York has a lot of different options for where to adopt German Shepherd puppies. The correct age to get a German Shepherd pup is approximately seven weeks old to eight weeks old. The longer a puppy is in a foster care situation, the more likely it that it will develop issues associated with being removed from its natural environment at an early age. You just need to look harder. Adoption agencies and breed rescue groups often have a high demand for these puppies, so you may have to do a little bit of searching to find the right one. Another plus side to adopting German Shepherds is that they have a great temperament and if raised in loving homes, they have a high level of self-confidence. These dogs also love daily walks, so if you have the space for a large yard for your puppy, then you could consider buying one. The most common German Shepherd puppies available for purchase are those from Yorkie breeders. There are also several premium German Shepherd breeders available who specialize in breeding them and have a good understanding of animal husbandry and psychology. When you buy German Shepherd puppies earlier, you can choose to buy puppies who are already housebroken, or you can opt to buy pups who are still in the puppy stage and have not been formally trained yet. This is the best period to adopt since negative reinforcements such as harsh training and neglect will no longer affect them. By six weeks old, your puppy should be able to follow simple commands such as sit, come, and stay. If you opt to buy puppies at a younger age than eight weeks old, then the best age for adoption is between three months and five months old. At this age, your puppy will already be housebroken and will already be showing signs of intelligence. You should also take them out for walks regularly to expose them to new environments. When you decide to adopt German Shepherd puppies in the fall, the most common reason why these dogs are available is due to puppies being born into the breeding population. Typically, you can get these dogs at seven weeks old, but you should make sure they are healthy before bringing them home. Since German Shepherd puppies, in general, have very good temperaments, they are great dogs to have around your household for many years. Share this:. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. E-mail Share by e-mail German Shepherds make great family dogs — they are loyal, intelligent, and have lots of energy! A good diet is key to giving your pet a long and healthy life, and the wrong diet can lead to a number of health problems. German Shepherds are big dogs with active lifestyles, so making sure they get the right nutrition at different stages throughout their lives is essential. Feeding your German Shepherd Puppy Puppies are growing rapidly and have very specific nutritional requirements. Puppy food tends to be high in calories and protein as they are bundles of energy at this age! Feeding your German Shepherd puppy a good quality balanced diet is essential to ensure that they grow up to be healthy adults. There are some foods designed specifically for large breeds such as German Shepherds, which provide extra support for their growing joints. You should look out for these foods in the pet store and ideally choose one of these large breed diets. You can find further general puppy feeding guidelines and advice via the AKC as well as specific German Shepherd facts and info. How often should I feed my German Shepherd puppy? Puppies need to be fed more frequently than adult dogs to support their rapidly growing bodies. German Shepherd puppies should be fed 4 meals a day until they are 3 months old, then reduce to 3 meals a day until they are 10 months old when their growth rate starts to slow down. Once they reach this age, they need 2 meals a day. When should I start feeding adult food? Puppies must stay on puppy food until they reach adult size. German Shepherds are large dogs and tend to reach adult size later than smaller dogs. They are usually fully matured at months. German Shepherds should stay on puppy food until they are months old, then they should move on to an adult diet. Feeding your adult German Shepherd An adult German Shepherd will weigh around lbs and need at least an hour of exercise every day, so their diet needs to reflect this. It might seem like your dog is eating a lot, but they need to replace the energy they burn off and eat enough of the right nutrients to sustain them! How often should I feed my German Shepherd? Adult dogs should be fed two meals a day. When should I switch from adult to senior food? As dogs get older their nutritional requirements change again. They are less active, and German Shepherds are more prone to joint problems such as osteoarthritis. You should consider switching to a senior diet at around 8 years of age. What type of food should German Shepherds eat? Whichever diet you pick, you should ensure it is suitable for large dogs or working breeds and that it has plenty of protein and calcium, and also includes some type of doggy superfoods, too. Commercially prepared foods are the best way to ensure your dog gets a balanced diet with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, and they come in wet or dried forms. Some dogs prefer one or the other, whilst some enjoy a variety and mix of both. Dry Food Dried food is cheap, easy to feed and store, and has lots of benefits for your dogs. Dogs fed a dried food diet will drink more water, and you can soak the kibble to add a bit extra if you like. Wet Food Wet foods contain more water than dried, and often resemble meat which some dogs love. The food is usually in chunks with jelly or gravy, and some dogs prefer it to dried. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are large and active dogs with demanding nutritional requirements throughout their lives. They go through a rapid growth stage as puppies, and as adults need the right balance of nutrients to replenish the energy they burn off exercising. They need to eat a diet that has the right balance of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, and ensure they get the right number of meals a day to maintain good physical and mental health. Puppies should eat meals a day until they are around 10 months old then they should eat 2 meals a day as adults. Do German shepherds require a lot of food? German Shepherds are large dogs so naturally, eat larger portions than smaller breeds. They are active dogs and need lots of protein and energy to keep them healthy. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Shares German Shepherds are graceful, obedient, and loyal dogs with specific nutritional needs. Following a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart will enable you to track the amount of food your puppy is eating as they grow. There are varieties of foods available in the market and most of them come with guidelines at the back of the packaging showing you how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy. This article will cover different types of diets available and the specific nutritional needs of your German shepherd. It will also help you know what to do to ensure that your GSD gets nutritious and balanced food for every stage of their life. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart There are three aspects of this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, namely the German shepherd feeding amount, feeding frequency, and mealtime lengths. It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount, frequency, and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. That way, you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog. Overall, there are four ranges that you need to keep in mind. An active dog may require a bit more than the numbers in this list, and an inactive dog will need a slightly less amount. But this guide can act as a solid benchmark. A puppy will need to eat more because they are growing very quickly. Talk to your vet about how much exactly so you keep them healthy and happy. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water all day. When you take your dog for a walk make sure to bring along some extra water in a collapsible bowl. If they get tired on the way or it gets very hot, this can save their life. So for example, if your dog is 60lbs they should eat between lbs of food in one day. If you notice your dog is losing weight, add more calories to its meal size. However, there are other considerations on how much to feed a German shepherd puppy per day. You might want to consider avoiding meals right before bedtime. Let them digest their food first before they go to sleep. Understanding German Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs All dogs require nutritious, satisfying, and healthy food and every breed have their special diet. For maximum energy and health, there are factors to consider when deciding what to feed your German Shepherd: Size considerations- the AKC breed standard says that a German Shepherd can go to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Females can be around 49 to 71 pounds while Males can be around 66 to 88 pounds. This means that they have a big appetite hence it is good to find quality food for them. They grow pretty fast hence they need specific nutrients for specific stages. Activity level- German shepherds are muscular, active, and agile which contributes to higher caloric needs to be complemented by feeding them a high-quality diet. Health consideration- GSDs are prone to many diseases hence a healthy diet will prevent problems. For example, arthritis that is caused by hip and elbow dysplasia can be mitigated through an excellent diet. Ensure that your GSD diet contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. How long does it take for your dog to be full? Is your dog still hungry after eating his portion? German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet. If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem. However, if your dog is still hungry after finishing the meal, consider sending him to your vet. This is because this can be a sign of a serious health issue involving their digestive system. They encourage the puppy to chew hence preventing periodontal diseases or tartar. Kibble is less expensive to buy and can stay fresh for longer. See also German Shepherd Gestation Period And Pregnancy Wet food is also essential for puppies because they allow puppies to feel fuller with less food. If your GSD need to shed a few pounds, wet food is a good way to reduce their caloric intake. Wet food is easier to digest, hence they are good for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs. Wet food is appetizing and keeps the puppy hydrated. You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue. There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness. If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick. If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery. The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues; therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine. Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food. The German shepherd is a medium dog breed according to the AKC. Therefore, free-feeding is not a good idea. For the German shepherds, feeding schedules work better. If the puppies are free-fed the puppy may eat the leftover at any time even when they are not hungry. Sticking to a feeding routine help the puppy to stay healthy and prevent obesity. When you have a schedule, managing their weight and house training will improve. The puppy usually relieves themselves around 15 minutes after eating or drinking, therefore, when they feed at the same time every day and are taken outside after a while, accidents will be minimized. A raw diet is good for German shepherds. A raw diet help improves vitality and energy. The puppy gets healthy white teeth with an increased lifespan and reduced shedding as well as a stronger immune system. Raw meat is a great source of protein and an optimal diet. It is like keto to humans because it allows the puppy to reach their total capacity and good health. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, hence raw diet aligns with their natural needs. However, you should speak to your vet before putting your puppy on a raw food diet. The majority of commercially available kibble food is balanced and complete, and of high quality for your German shepherd puppy. Human supplements often contain harmful substances to animals and are unregulated or minimally effective. Therefore, never give human supplements to your German shepherd puppy. But they can eat small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey, plain cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, plain yogurt, and small amounts of fruits like apples or bananas without getting sick. Talk to a vet for advice on how to feed your German Shepherd puppy a healthy and balanced diet. These include chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chives, avocado, onions, nuts, grapes and raisins, garlic, raw or undercooked meat, and bones. These foods can cause a wide range of health problems, from stomachaches to more serious problems like pancreatitis or kidney failure. Some foods that people eat may have a lot of sodium or sugar, which can also be bad for dogs. How much food to give an older German Shepherd will depend on their needs and how much they move around. But as dogs get older, they tend to slow down and may need less food to stay at a healthy weight. As a general rule, an older German Shepherd needs about 2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided between two meals. A German Shepherd that is getting older should eat high-quality senior dog food that is made for their age and size. Senior dogs might also benefit from getting smaller meals more often. If your German Shepherd puppy seems to always be hungry, you should look at what they eat and how often they eat. Make sure they eat enough for their age, weight, and level of activity. Puppies grow quickly and need more calories than adult dogs, so it is possible that they are not getting enough food. Also, make sure you feed them high-quality puppy food that is right for their age and size. If you are worried about how hungry they are or how much they weigh, you should talk to a vet to rule out any health problems and make a plan for feeding them. The amount of dry food you should feed your German Shepherd will depend on several factors, including their age, weight, and activity level. Puppies: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Adult dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Active dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Senior dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. If the dog is obviously overweight or underweight, adjust accordingly. If you can feel most of the ribs without squeezing your fingers in between them — try 1 cup per day. This is a decent starting point for a growing large breed puppy that needs the extra calories to grow big and strong. If you can feel most of the ribs AND see its waist — try 3 cups per day. This is perfect for an adult German Shepherd which needs extra calories due to being very active. With this amount, it will be able to maintain its weight, but not gain any extra fat. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 3. This is a good amount for a very active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain a healthy weight. This should be sufficient for an adult German Shepherd which is quite active. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 5 cups per day. This is a good amount for an extremely active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain lean muscle mass. For example, when my dog was a puppy, he would feel all ribs and see his waist when eating 2 cups of food per day. However, as he got older and larger, I had to increase the amount — even though I could still feel most of the ribs! He maintained around .Although there are lots of opinions on how much food your shepherds needs, these guidelines work for me and my German Shepherds. Everyone is different though, so you will have to adjust accordingly if necessary — this guide should help you until you find the ideal amount. If your dog is a very active one it may need more food depending on its activity level. Always be sure to give plenty of water since dry kibble can dehydrate the animal over time. However, this amount will vary depending on the size, age, and activity level of your dog. Puppies and young dogs, for example, generally need more water than adult German Shepherds. And working dogs or those who exercise frequently may require even more. This is because they can easily hydrate themselves if given free access to water. However, you still need to remember some things. For example, take note that your dog will need to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3. Depending on the temperature and activeness, this amount can increase. Lastly, make sure you take extra care in providing water access to your German shepherd. The most preferable way is to fill a bowl with a moderate amount of water, not too much. The feeding amount, frequency, length, and water requirements can always be changed. If you have no time to visit your vet, the following topic may help you. How Much Should A 1-year-old German Shepherd Eat A 1-year-old German Shepherd should eat about two and a half to three cups of food each day, broken up into two or three meals. Pointers for Feeding German Shepherds Improper feeding practices can lead to serious health problems for German shepherds. An owner is responsible for taking into consideration the age and weight of a German shepherd before feeding them. When feeding a german shepherd puppy that is four to six months old, you must give them two meals a day that comprises around eight ounces and five ounces. When feeding a German shepherd puppy that is between seven and twelve months old, the meal amounts should be increased to ten ounces for each meal. This amount should be split into three smaller meals. This is regardless of whether they are active or not. Yep, German shepherds can gain weight regardless of whether they exercise or not. If you think your dog is gaining too much weight, you can split their daily calories into four or five smaller meals. Some people prefer using dry dog food, while others would choose canned dog food. Whatever you choose for your German shepherd is usually okay, but canned food tends to contain more moisture than dry food which may lead to bladder stones in certain dogs. However, when it comes to the amount of dog food you feed your German shepherd, canned food leads to more obesity than dry food. If your German shepherds are over five years old, you must give them an extra meal. This additional meal should comprise around four ounces of food so they can easily digest it during their older age. When feeding a German shepherd puppy, you must know how to correctly measure their food amount. Be accurate when following the proper measurements; otherwise, it could lead to your dog gaining too much weight. Use measuring cups that are specifically made for dry food. If you use any other type of measuring device, it might lead to your dog eating too much or too little food. You must not feed your German shepherd until they are full, but allow them to eat until they are slightly satiated. Do not serve unlimited food; give them about two to three cups of food per day. If you are unsure whether or not your German shepherd is obese, check its waistline. If they have a thick waist and their stomach looks like a sphere, then that is a clear sign that your German shepherd is obese. Never let them finish their meal if they are still hungry; otherwise, you will encourage them to gorge on their food. Your German shepherd must always have access to fresh clean water, so you should ensure they can drink it whenever necessary. Feeding Guidelines by Age Before proceeding with the following points, remember that age is not the only determining factor in a German shepherd feeding chart. Make sure to consider all the content in this blog post as well. It is recommended that you slowly let them adapt first. This can be their regular food from now on. This includes fruits, bones, and more. You should also avoid giving them your leftovers. However, they will need time to adapt. You should also consider feeding your German shepherd foods that can be gnawed and chewed. This is so they can develop their jaws, teeth, and gums. This will result in less feeding amount and frequency. Feeding Guidelines by Weight German shepherds can be of different weight ranges. An average weighted German shepherd 35 kilograms will then need calories per day. This only applies to German shepherds that do not exercise or are inactive. Active German Shepherds: In the case of active German shepherds that exercise regularly, every 1 kilogram equals 55 calories per day. So an average weighted German shepherd will require calories per day to be able to function properly. Take note, however, that this calculation may be affected if the German shepherd has a health disorder concerned with metabolism or digestion. German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults Guidelines Our last topic involves the difference between a puppy and an adult. The following are some of the facts that recent studies have proven: Puppies have higher energy levels than adults. This means they need to eat more than adult German shepherds. German shepherds will need higher protein and fat content at an early age. The amount of fat and protein will decrease as they grow older. Puppies cannot tolerate too many nutrients. Ingesting extra minerals and vitamins may lead to serious health disorders. Meanwhile, adults are only risking being overweight when taking in more than intended. German Shepherds usually have a good appetite and can eat a lot, especially when they are young and growing. But their food intake should be balanced and right for their age, weight, and level of activity to keep them from getting too much food and getting fat. As they age, they should usually eat less quickly. Most of the time, bones that have been cooked and ground up completely may be safe to eat. Instead, give them dog-made chew toys or treats. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Since German Shepherds consume meat, it follows that they must consume a significant amount of animal protein in order to get all of the necessary nutrients. Although while it is feasible to offer a dog a vegetarian or vegan diet, owners of German Shepherds should avoid doing so since it increases the likelihood that their dogs will not get all of the nutrients that they need. After talking about the feeding amount, frequency, and lengths of a German shepherd, you can now easily plan how much, how many times, and how long you feed your dog. You even learned how to hydrate your German shepherd the proper way. Lastly, we talked about the difference between a puppy and an adult in terms of feeding. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. If you feed them too much as a puppy, it can cause them health issues later in life. However, puppies love to eat, making it hard to know exactly how much you need to feed them. At weeks, your German Shepherd will hit a growth spurt and eat more. This article will explain the process of feeding your German Shepherd puppy more each week based on their age, and helpful information to provide your puppy with a healthy diet. If they gain too much too quickly now, it can be challenging to lose that extra weight later. However, knowing exactly how much to feed a puppy can be tricky. Some puppies naturally eat more or less than others. You can give them up to two cups per day at this age, but they may not eat everything. Since you want them eating on a regular schedule, take away any food they do not eat. Take note of what they do not finish so that you can give them that much less for their next meal. Pay close attention to your German Shepherd during meals to see how they respond to the amount of food you give them. During this phase, their appetite should increase a lot. You may need to feed them more food during meals, but make sure that you still only offer three meals per day. During this stage, your puppy is growing very fast. On the other hand, if your puppy is very excited about food, this is not a sign they need more. Be sure to check their food bag for additional feeding directions. This process should also be gradual. Start with more of their current food, then mix in a small amount of their new food. Slowly start to add more new food each day until it eventually takes up their entire bowl. This process needs to be slow. Otherwise, your puppy could experience some digestive issues from the sudden change. German Shepherd puppies grow quickly. However, the amount of food you give them will depend on their age, food type, weight, and general appetite. The best time for feeding will be in the morning when you first wake up, then again in the evening. Also, give them some time to digest their food before going to sleep; avoid having meals right before bed. The food you feed your puppy should change slowly over time. However, you can offer the puppy small amounts of dry food mixed with water occasionally. They may not express an interest in it until they start weaning. It contains plenty of protein and nutrients, specifically for German Shepherd puppies. Some people also enjoy making homemade food for their pets. You can prepare them a chicken casserole with the following ingredients: Chicken breast. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

At Rush Lake Kennels we are wild bird hunters first and foremost. Dogs must possess outstanding noses, temperament, prey drive, natural retrieve, trainability, and bidability. Our dogs are hunted extensively on wild birds in conditions ranging from open plains to high desert and mountain country. Their health must be excellent including hips, elbows and eyes and their confirmation flawless. We strongly believe that your gun dog should be your family's companion. All dogs are AKC registered. These are real gun dogs that will hunt in all terrain and conditions. Dogs that do not meet any of these attributes are not part of our breeding program. We proudly stand behind our puppies with a 24 month written guarantee. We raise our puppies in a loving home environment. All pups are socialized daily with people and other dogs. We encourage retrieving from an early age beginning with bird wings at four weeks. By six weeks of age pups are retrieving bobwhite quail and pigeons. We begin teaching puppy manners and do the right things to ensure a good start on house breaking. We have Lovely Potty Trained Labrador puppies for sale. Puppies that we are giving out to any new homes for adoption because of our new location. They are very playful, potty trained and have all their shots already. Health and vet papers, they are very friendly to kids and other pets, very mellow and of good temperaments, they will be a good companion and playmate into your home. If you are looking for a pet or a companion please contact us with the name of the breed directly via xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. View Detail 2 labrador puppies with items included I have two Labrador retrievers for sale in this bundle deal. First of all, I must say that they are sisters that came from the same litter and must stay together, which is why they are being sold as a set. They were born on April 24th of this year. Requirement: Send me an update picture of the puppies once they get settled, either the same day or a few days later. He is very energetic and playful. Jack will be a great hunting partner or a companion dog. He is also Vet checked and certified. He is UTD on vaccinations and dewormings and is ready for his new forever home! Ready for new homes June .Dew claws removed, wormed and first shots. Both parents on site and avid bird hunters. Puppies are happy , healthy , lovable , well handled and loved. Puppies located near xxxx. Contact Barry xxxx. We have 3 that are ready to go home. They were born April 5. All puppies are AKC registered,and first round of vaccines are done also. They are also potty trained. Please call Scott at xxx-xxx-xxxx for more information. In order to insure this DNA must be checked and certified. Why is this important? Because silver genetics Carry serious health and temperament issues. Feel free to do your research on silver Labrador genetics. Now about our Chocolate English Labrador puppy , sleeping through the night hard work is done. Please read carefully before inquiring. A little about us… true Chocolate Labradors are hard to find. Most chocolates health have been ruined by silver genes being bred into them. Pay the extra money and buy only DNA tested puppies. If any of these things are important to you read our entire bio and visit us on our website. First and foremost we breed for health and temperament not what is trending in the show ring. We home raise all of our litters. Our whelping room is right below our bedroom and are adults have access to our home. These two things are very uncommon with large breed breeders. We provide ongoing support for all of our owners. You will never be without a answer to a question or need no matter how long ago you purchased your pup. We are one of the only breeders nationwide that will offer the initial crate training as a add on service. Yes if you choose the hardest part of training is done before you pick up. We are The only breeder that will deliver in person nationwide without risking our puppies by using airline cargo methods. We breed English Labradors. Our dogs are at their best as companions. We have spent 18 years to get our dogs to produce healthy, calm and easy to train offspring. We do not believe in kennel or barn breeding. For this reason, we have a limited amount of litters. Our pups must be spayed or neutered per our contract. We are accepting deposits as of now. A limited amount of deposits will be taken. We take it very seriously where each of our dogs end up, so with that said we would appreciate phone calls instead of emails or texts. I can be reached day or night at xxx-xxx-xxxx; ask for James. We do hand deliver to any of the lower 48 states. The cost of delivery is included in the price above. We will not fly any puppies in the bottom of an airplane via cargo. I purchase a flight to your closest international airport. She is playful, and friendly with kids and other dogs. She is still a little puppy!! We have 4 healthy males and 4 healthy females who have had dew claws removed , wormed and will have first set of shots. Both parents hunt and are on site. Puppies will be ready June .View Detail Charcoal labrador retriever This gorgeous charcoal colored lab pup is 11 weeks old and ready for her new home! She is house broken, crate trained quiet while in the crate obedience trained sit here heel on and off lead. She will make an excellent house dog. View Detail Laberheeler to good home We are only Getting rid of our year and a half old puppy only because we are moving and cant have dogs at new place. Please feel free to call or text me a0t xxx-xxx-xxxx for any questions. Her name is rexxy. She is a very loving dog. We are located in Sturtevant Wisconsin and can meet if you would like to meet rexxy. We got her when she was about 4 months old. We have 2 kids that she is very good with View Detail Chocolate AKC male lab Declawed removed, first puppy shots, prepaid microchip, vet, check and deworm several times ready to go to their new home would make a great family pet or a great hunting buddy Tex x-xxx-xxx-xxxx View Detail Adopt Me!!!!! Chocolate Lab whose name is Tobie. She loves kids and loves to play outside. Who can resist this precious baby girl? Born Feb 25 ready to go end of April Second pic is of parents Sparta, WI View Detail 25 week old silver lab Beautiful, intelligent, toilet trained, good natured silver lab. The only reason we need to find her a new home is working schedules have changed causing her to spend more time in her kennel than is acceptable. She is the perfect family dog or for someone who has the time to give her the attention she deserves. I can be reached at xxx-xxx-xxxx. If you reach voice mail your call will be returned. I will be happy to answer any questions you have. Thank you. View Detail Yellow lab puppies 10 pure bred yellow lab puppies 6 male 4 females, parents are on site and healthy, born March 3rd, ready to rehome may 5th. Life Span Did You Know? There is a reason that year after year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States. The history of the Labrador Retriever dates back to the early s in Newfoundland, just off the Atlantic coast of Canada. Had these families not played a vital part in the continuation of the breed, the loving and affectionate Labs we have all grown to love may not exist today. The first recognized Yellow Labrador Retriever was born in .One of the friendliest breeds out there, Yellow Labs are great companions and love to be a part of the family. While the color yellow is part of their namesake, their coats range from fawn or cream to butterscotch or a deep golden hue. Coming into popularity during the midth century, the Yellow Labrador Retriever has been a staple for hunters and family homes alike ever since. These dogs are patient and kind when faced with energetic young ones. Yellow Labs delight in big spaces, opting to run and play wildly. However, they will happily lounge on the couch after having a long, hard run outside. When given a little training, they can easily learn to control barking habits and restrain themselves from digging. Their double coat also makes them a good fit for just about any climate. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold. Generally speaking, Labradors are healthy. They can develop certain inherent conditions, along with cataracts and kneecap displacement, but will remain healthy overall. As long as they are taken to their vet appointments with regularity, Labs will usually feel just fine. Yellow Labs are loyal companions with few drawbacks. Treats never hurt, of course. This, paired with their eagerness to please, makes them a highly trainable dog breed that is a good fit for owners of any experience level. With minimal training, these dogs can control their barking and digging without much trouble. Labs have very short, double-layered, and water-resistant fur. Its density protects them from the cold, so they will often try to swim any time of year. They experience heavier seasonal shedding twice a year and slight shedding throughout the year. Giving them a good brush once a week or a few times a week should keep their coats shiny and healthy. Other grooming tasks include nail trimming, ear care, and dental care. Proper dental care for dogs includes brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day. This helps prevent the tartar buildup that causes dental diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with dental hygiene chews, a special dental care diet, and more. This breed tends to be very active. They were bred to be working dogs and need exercise. A few daily walks and some time to run should help assuage their energy levels. Yellow Labs also need a fair amount of mental activity as well; they like to stay sharp. Yellow Labs are classified as medium to large dogs. They reach an average height of 23 inches and an average healthy weight of 75 pounds. A Yellow Labrador Retriever generally lives years. It was traditional in Newfoundland for every fishing boat to have a Labrador Retriever that would help retrieve the fish as they came in off the trawl. Featured Yellow Labrador Retriever Article.

Our goal for the future is to always strive for excellence in our breeding practices in order to maintain the integrity of the breed and protect the Australian Labradoodle now and into the future. All of our breeding dogs have DNA profiles completed and on file. Both clubs recognizes that not all dogs identified as Australian Labradoodles are the "real deal". The certifications are an effort to make clear the identification process available to those interested in purchasing a true Australian Labradoodle. We are proud to be producing Puppies with PurposeTM! We are dedicated to producing the finest multi-generational Australian Labradoodles descending from the two original line, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor bloodlines of Australia. Our mission at Read's Australian Labradoodles is to strive for excellence in all we do, protect the integrity of Australian Labradoodles by always upholding and exceeding the value of quality over quantity! Our focus is to breed quality dogs that are healthy, free from genetic issues with non-shedding, allergy friendly coats, that make great family pets; as well exceptional emotional support, therapy and service dogs. All of our puppies are raised with their mama in the middle of our home with our three fantastic, dog savvy children our puppy whisperer's , following Puppy Culture and other puppy imprinting protocols, allowing for the foundation that is critical for developing their amazing gentle and loving temperaments and preparing them for the world. All of our adult dogs in our program live in trusted amazing guardian homes, to insure they have a wonderful lifestyle, where they will continue to live when they retire. All of our puppies are raised personally by us, in our home. We strongly encourage ALL of our puppy buyers to purchase a copy of Puppy Culture so they can follow along with us as we raise their puppy, and so they can continue our hard work, once they bring their puppy home. The half an hour every night it takes to teach puppies to take treats so that you can later reward them effectively. The 3 hours a night it takes to go through the whole litter for their first box game. The 15 minutes per puppy that it takes to teach them that you grabbing their prized possession is the best thing that could ever happen. These are the activities which give them the tools to seek enrichment and interact with their world in a confident manner. This is what makes them brave. We provide special bedding that allows our puppies to have traction while crawling on their tummies. Proper traction in the whelping box is crucial for proper hip and knee development—as research is proving the connection between hip dysplasia and environment factors such as whelping box material. Our puppies are weighed twice daily to ensure they are taking in enough milk and growing properly. We start doing car rides with them do desensitize them to the motion of being in a car. Around week three, we introduce food to them and give them a potty tray in with their bedding. This is because they instinctively start leaving their nursing bed to eliminate. Within a week, puppies will using the litter tray more often than their bedding. We complete the ENS program and continue petting and holding our puppies. You may not think much can be done with such a young puppy—but it is quite the opposite. At three weeks old, studies have proven that puppies have virtually no fear. They do, however, have a strong startle reflex. Dropping metal dog-food-dishes, banging around, vacuuming, sneezing, coughing, dropping a stack of books… anything that will cause the puppies to startle. We use a speaker and play Canine Audio Therapy noises. In addition, we clip puppy nails to start their acceptance of feet handling. And lastly, we are sure to remove puppies, one at a time and spend individual time with each one. This helps begin a healthy bond with humans, as well as reduce separation anxiety later in life. Studies have proven that physical activity in young puppies actually helps their brains grow the ability to learn and bond. So during this time, we make their living space larger. We continue exposing them to new obstacles and sounds as well as give them challenges to overcome. We set up problem solving scenarios such as an simple barrier between them and their food that they must learn to go around, to find food. Problem solving and learning are crucial at this young age, and we have a lot of fun creating ways to do it! As the puppies approach 5 weeks of age, however… the game changes. The puppies now develop true fear responses, so we use more caution in exposure. During this sensitive time, we are watching closely for individual reactions so we know if we need to help a particular puppy overcome a fear stage of a particular sound, item, smell or texture. They are coming into a peak time for socializing and continuing positive experiences. This is a great age to introduce them to as many appropriate people as possible. We also introduce more less-stable objects such as miniature agility equipment, which helps build their self confidence. We have the puppies evaluated by Pat Hastings at this age. She looks at the structure of the dog including the head and a little bit of temperament. This is a very important day for the litter because this is when we decide if we are keeping a puppy for our breeding program. Puppies visit the vet, are vaccinated, microchipped and puppy bags are packed! Home-raised, hand-held, child-tested Australian Labradoodles from Oregon. When selecting a breeder, this may be the most important factor to consider after you have ensured that your breeder has puppies with the correct bloodline and heritage. Why does it matter how they are raised? They are just puppies. What can they really learn when they are so young and fragile? In fact, research has shown that the overall success and happiness of the puppy is mostly formed during the first 12 weeks. If you would like a puppy to grow into a dog that is social, has the correct temperament, confident, obedient, and happy, the process will start while the puppy is under the care of a responsible breeder. And that is why we use a puppy curriculum that uses both Puppy Culture and Empowered Breeder programs. We want the best or our puppies. When we say that we work hard to ensure that our puppies are loved and cared for during the first few weeks before they go to their new home, we really mean it. It is our belief that this attention and care will manifest itself in our puppies' being ready to be a wonderful addition to their new family. This whole process actually starts before the puppies are even born. The week prior to the puppies being born, we spend time with the mother loving and caressing her side so the puppies get a jump start in responding to human touch. We ensure the mother is well fed, restful, and kept in a tranquil nursery allowing the puppies to arrive in the best environment possible. The First 16 Days.When they arrive they are so sweet. Unable to walk, helpless, eyes and ears closed, making sweet sounds, sleeping in little piles, and drinking all the milk they can before falling back asleep. It is during these first 16 days that we keep the puppies safe, low stress, well fed, and weigh them often to see that everyone is doing well. We spend a lot of time touching and handling them to get them familiar with human touch on each part of their bodies. We also use Early Neurological Stimulation ENS exercises daily to improve the puppies blood pressure, ability to deal with low tress, and nervous system development. The mother is placed on a special diet and we work to help her manage the stress involved with caring for the litter to not allow the puppies or mother to be placed under too much stress. All of this to help the puppy develop even during this small window that you would think there is nothing to do with them except watch over them and the mother. Week .Becoming Individuals Around the third week we see the puppies transition from helpless furry puppies and begin to establish themselves as individuals. They begin to see and walk in what seems like slow motion. Soon they start to hear sounds and begin the process of exploring their littermates and their surroundings in the den. It is at this time they also begin to use the bathroom on their own, making noises at littermates, and crawling begins. We continue to have a lot of contact with the puppies by touching and playing with them. All this is done in the safety of the whelping box. Introducing new toys to help them explore new textures and shapes. Daily Individual time spent with each puppy outside of the den also helps each puppy to learn and grow on their own. Potty stations are set up to help start to learn potty training. It is amazing how quick they pick this up. It is during the third and fourth week that we begin to enrich the puppies emotional development. The den becomes bigger and new things are introduced to allow the puppy to learn how to be startled and recover from their fear quickly. Simple exercises like dropping things, running the vacuum cleaner, music, tv, introducing new objects, and sounds all to help show the puppy not to fear but explore. All of this allows the puppy to grow into a dog that doesn't fear new things but sees them as not harmful and should be explored. We introduce low stress learning and problem solving training to help the puppy learn how to solve frustration and stress in a meaningful way without aggression. We want them to seek out new challenges, solve them, and we try to give them the opportunity to learn these early skills to be a well balanced dog that loves to explore and embrace new things. You teach puppies how to speak? No, what we teach them is how to begin to understand to communicate with humans in the proper way. We do this through clicker training. Teaching the puppies to respond to a marker a clicker and learn to offer a behavior. This teaches them to ask for what they want in the correct way. In other words, they gain a voice and learn how to speak to us. The goal is for the puppy to learn that the way to get what they want is to go through their owner and thus learning how to communicate with a human. After several short training sessions the idea is that the puppies learn the way to speak to a human is to first sit down. Then they get the love and attention they desire. Overcoming Fears Week 5 brings new challenges as the puppies enter a period that fear may become more real to them and can often leave lasting scars and imprinting. During this period we are careful to continue developing the puppies ability to respond to fear quickly by introducing new things for them to learn from but always looking for the newfound awareness of things can now be scary. So we introduce objects and challenges and then look for areas the puppies may need help overcoming a fear within an environment of low stress. Thus building the puppies confidence as we individually help them to overcome a partial fear and still continue to be a seeker of exploring new things. Temperament Testing and Encouraging Their Curiosity During this period we begin Temperament testing to better understand and help our puppies develop before going to their new forever homes. So we introduce them to as many things as we can without impacting them in a negative way. Helping them to learn about unstable and elevated surfaces, objects over their heads, etc. All designed to teach life lessons and help with coping with everyday challenges when they are older. Potty training continues with giving the puppy the opportunity to do what they know to do and keep the den clean. This comes very natural to the puppies. With this stage of the puppies life there are several other areas that need to be addressed such as biting, resource guarding, and handling. So we work with each of the puppies discouraging biting, learning how to share resources through training sessions, and we continue to help the puppy to remain comfortable with being touched on all parts of their body. All of these offer huge rewards for dog owners as the puppy has already been conditioned to learn how to copy with these challenges during this period that it is much easier for them to learn. Thus helping to eliminate unwanted natural instincts not wanted by most owners. Individual Training In Week 7 and 8 we begin to look for areas that the individual puppies may need help with and address these areas with additional love and training. Week 8 will often bring another period of fear development. We continue to ensure the puppies are not exposed to any single event that could have lasting negative impressions. Making sure that none of the positive training is undone during this short period before they head to their forever homes. At Majestic Labradoodles we look for every opportunity to help these loving puppies to be a successful addition to their new home. We ask that our buyers continue the puppy protocols through the first 12 weeks as it is during this time that we can make the most rewarding and positive impact on the life of the puppy. We offer our continued support for the life of the dog. Our puppies come from the bloodline formed by Tegan Park and Rutland manor in Australia. It is our desire that the training and work we put into our puppies will truly produce a well balanced Labradoodle. If this is what you are looking for then we encourage you to fill out our adoption application and take the first step in finding out why we love this breed and experience all they have to offer. Yours in doodling, New! We are a small home-based breeder of Puppy Culture raised Australian labradoodles in Southern Colorado. We breed medium and standard-sized Australian labradoodles. We only breed for the enjoyment of the puppies and to further promote labradoodles that are of excellent health, conformation, and temperament. Our Australian labradoodles are bred with responsibility and integrity. Our goal is to place these special dogs into homes where they will be loved and cherished companions. We stand by you, and offer continuous lifetime support. We do this because we love dogs, and the Labradoodle breed. Labradoodles are known for their intelligence, level-headedness, affection, sociability and cheerful disposition. They are loyal, friendly, eager to please, even-tempered, gentle and kind. This combination of traits makes them outstanding service and therapy dogs, as well as terrific family companions. We produce exceptional labradoodles because each litter is carefully planned. We keep two vital factors in mind as we make our selection: temperament and health. Each puppy born in our home is handled daily. Colorado Mountain Labradoodles utilize early neurological stimulation, as well as the puppy culture method which represents a gold standard in puppy rearing and early socialization. We also use both the Empowered Breeder, and Avidog Evaluation Test to evaluate the temperament of each puppy. A lot of doodle breeders are now claiming they raise their puppies using the Puppy Culture. There are lots of reinforcement based breeders out there who are doing a magnificent job but have never seen Puppy Culture, or followed the whole protocol. Make sure the breeder provides videos, and other information on their weekly updates. We follow Puppy Culture thoroughly, and by the time our puppies are 8 weeks old, they have been started on the commands: sit, down, watch me and go to your place. They have been conditioned with the clicker, and are excited to be trained. Our Australian labradoodles are highly intelligent and are simple to train. They quickly learn standard obedience commands, such as sit, down, come and stay. They thrive on being mentally and physically engaged. They love playing and interacting with people and other dogs, especially in games involving chase, fetch or hide-and-seek. Families also find that our labradoodles enjoy participating in competitive canine activities, such as tricks, agility and obedience. As with almost any breed, their socialization and training should start at an early age and continue throughout their life. They share a love of water with their field Labrador and Poodle ancestors and often will enter water without prompting. All of our puppies receive love and care from everyone in the family. By the time they are ready to go home with you, they will be used to children and other dogs, and ready to go home to be a loving member of your family. Our dogs are treated as family, and are included in our daily routines. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. As a contributing breeder to the development and standard of this breed we are continuously, carefully, and selectively choosing our foundation dogs and breeding pairs. Our dogs are DNA registered, thoroughly tested to the highest standards available and trace back to the two original breeding and research kennels in Australia; Tegan Park and Rutland Manor. Although raising puppies is hard work, it is a labor of love. Puppies in our lines have become successful service , therapy, special education classroom, child advocacy, medical alert, avalanche recovery and family companion dogs. It gives us great joy to see our puppies bring their affection, intuition and connectiveness into their family's lives. Our breeding dogs are of the highest quality possible. First they must have a truly wonderful temperament, which is of the utmost importance to us. They must pass stringent DNA testing for a full panel of genetic diseases, clinical cardiac testing and OFA eye, hip, elbow and patella testing. Beyond all this they must also be conformationally correct, stunningly beautiful, joyful, and possess the unique human connection ability that belongs to the Australian Labradoodle! We use this information along with our observations and daily experience with the puppies to match them with their forever families. The information our expectant puppy families provide us with is invaluable to this process and we work closely with them. We are recognized as continuing to hold the highest level of breeding standards in this most respected organization and we adhere to and support their Health Testing and Code of Ethics. We know our puppies will live in many different situations and environments and we want them to be confident and comfortable. That is why we introduce our puppies to all kinds of daily life activities; noises, sights, sounds and smells and we spend hours each day playing with, socializing and preparing our puppies for the lives they will live in their forever homes. All of our litters are raised using their guidelines and expertise, giving our puppies a wonderful head start in life and setting them up to fully thrive in their forever homes. See our Puppy Training page for more information.

Just be sure to avoid thinner collars as those concentrate more pressure on a small surface area, which can be painful for your pup. Belt buckle style is exactly how it sounds — the typical belt buckle closure — and is always made of metal. They are very secure, but take a bit longer to fasten than the quick release option. Quick-release style snaps on and off more quickly, and comes in both plastic and metal options. The quick-release is a nice safety feature in case you need to quickly remove the collar, whereas the belt-style buckle requires more fiddling to get it off. You can keep this information in mind as you select the best collar for your needs. Best Nylon Collars Nylon is the most affordable and common material for dog collars. They are lightweight, cheap, and come in a variety of colors. They come in three widths, and a selection of buckle colors and finishes. This offers a secure form of ID, as sometimes tags can break off. They are adjustable and built to last your dog a long time. Quality leather can look either sophisticated or rustic, depending on the style, and if you properly care for the material, it can last a lifetime. It comes in brown and black and you have the option to choose a single or double-stitch. Dirt, mud, rain, and salty water are no match for the strength and appeal of a Paco Collar. Whether you just want something classic, a little something special, a little rustic, or a whole lotta bling, Paco has something for everyone. Collars are all fully customizable with different leather options, stone colors, and buckle options. Their customer service is out of this world, and they are dedicated to helping you find the perfect collar for your dog, even if that means a totally custom design. These collars come with a lifetime guarantee, and will even turn the nameplate into a memento bracelet when your dog passes, free of charge. You get an adjustable, high-quality leather collar, with a durable metal quick-release buckle. This is a hand-crafted collar made to last. Best Biothane Collars Biothane is best described as a faux leather material made from coated webbing. It is super durable, stink-proof, long-lasting, and comes in just about any color you can imagine. It features a belt-style buckle and a D-ring to attach the leash. With the choice of 13 gorgeous colors and electroplated hardware, this collar will hold up to whatever adventures you and your Golden Retriever find yourselves on. This collar is stronger and lighter than leather, but still has that polished look leather is known for. There are plenty of color options and some choice of hardware, so you can customize it to your preference. Best Martingale Collars A martingale collar is designed in such a way that the leash attaches to a small loop that tightens when pulled. This is a great safety measure for dogs who tend to slip out of their collars. Unlike a slip collar which can tighten indefinitely, the martingale does not choke your dog as the loop can only tighten so much. But keep this in mind: a martingale collar is NOT a training collar. You should not use it to correct your dog or punish your Golden Retriever by quickly tightening or popping the collar. Some martingales use a metal chain for the loop portion of the collar. A lot of dogs might find the sound of the metal scary or off-putting, so consider a martingale that uses non-chain material for the loop, especially if your Golden has some sound sensitivity. The buckle makes putting the collar on and off your dog easy, and is great for dogs who dislike having things pulled over their head. Sloppy Chops Co. Denali Limited Slip Collar is an incredibly durable, hand-crafted collar. Loads of color options and three hardware finishes give you plenty of freedom to create the perfect collar for your Golden Retriever. You get all the benefits of biothane, plus the benefit of a martingale style, in one beautiful, practical collar. This style is not adjustable, so be sure you measure accurately. Best Safety Collars A breakaway collar is a collar that breaks when enough tension is applied. Life can be unpredictable, especially with dogs, and sometimes collars can get caught on something, which can pose a big danger to your dog. Sometimes a collar can get snagged on a fence or on the jaw, paws and claws of another dog. Another common scenario is when a dog lays down on an air conditioning vent and their ID tag gets caught in the slits of the vent. A safety collar that snaps off in these scenarios can truly be lifesaving. This can save you a lot of stress if your dog were to get loose, as you can use an app to find their location. They can also help you make sure your dog is getting enough exercise each day or week. One of the most popular GPS options for dogs is Fi, and you can check them out at their website here. Sometimes your puppy will take a nap and then wake up needing their collar loosened. Want to potty train your Golden Retriever puppy fast? Click here to get the Potty Training Cheat Sheet! The price is very affordable, which is great because they will outgrow it before you know it! If your Golden pup is really teeny, you might need a size smaller. It includes a plastic quick release buckle and is highly adjustable. Do NOT pop or quickly tighten the collar in an attempt to train them. It has everything you need for a puppy collar. The XS and small sizes will likely fit your puppy well. Generally, you want to be able to fit two fingers between the collar and their neck. Sometimes collar manufacturers will have their own specific directions for measuring your dog to ensure a proper fit, so always check to see what they recommend. Always measure a couple of times, so that you get the right number. You might need a helper to get an accurate measurement, especially with wiggly puppies. Have any questions about getting a collar for your Golden Retriever? Let us know down in the comments. Getting a Golden Retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Related Articles:. When it comes to puppies, particularly short-haired breeds, you should look for a soft collar made of a non-abrasive material. Fabric collars are a good option, and collars made from a breathable fabric that is also machine washable are even better. When should a puppy wear a collar? Even if your puppy is still too young to go outside for walks, getting them used to wearing a collar is a good idea and will prevent any tiny tantrums further down the road! Collars should be worn most of the time, even around the house, but taking it off every so often to let the skin breathe is recommended. Try leaving the collar off for a couple of hours every time you brush or bathe them. Can an 8-week-old puppy wear a collar? Responsible breeders recommend puppies should not be brought home until 8 weeks old, and you can start getting them used to their collar shortly after this. It may be a good idea to let them settle into their new environment before introducing something new, but getting them used to their collar in their second week at home is a good idea. Should puppies wear collars at night? Most dog collars are designed to be non-abrasive, and perfectly safe for pups and older dogs to sleep in. This can also help puppies get adjusted to wearing a collar for the majority of the time. However, many vets also recommend including a contact telephone number, in the event your dog goes missing. Although microchipping has been mandatory for pet dogs since , tags are still a legal requirement and provide a quicker way to get in contact with you if your dog is found, without their microchip needing to be scanned first. We hope our puppy collar size guide has been helpful, as well as our dog collar FAQs! If you enjoyed our puppy collar size guide, you might like our other article, What do I need for a New Puppy? The idea of a lost puppy is terrifying, but an ID tag will help them return home. Although this silicone ID tag is more expensive than standard tags, I love that it is silent and attaches right to the collar. Crate and or containment gate Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. You can accomplish this with a crate and containment gates. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. I recommend a crate with an adjustable divider so you can give your puppy more room as they grow. Another option is to use a Cumbor containment gate to limit access to certain areas of your home. Food and water bowls There are endless options of food and water bowls. If your dog eats fast, I recommend adding slow feeder attachment. These aids in proper digestion and reduce overeating behaviors. Food and treats Your vet is probably your best source of information for selecting the right food. They create personalized plans for your dog and deliver the food right to your door. I shared my journey of picking the right food in this blog and video. Toys and chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with a variety of items to see what interests your puppy most. Ellie still has her first toy, Dino, from 5 years ago! The safest way to deliver bully sticks is to use a Bow Wow Buddy safety device so they cannot swallow or choke on the last end. Check out this blog for all things grooming. Bonus Recommendation! Online Access to Dog Training We recognized the need for convenient and effective dog training solutions, which is why we created The Hapco. Within our app, you'll discover a wealth of resources, including: video tutorials. This is appropriate if you intend to replace a worn-out or damaged collar and are certain that the replacement will be the same size. Measure from the center of the buckle to the current sizing hole for the most accurate results. If your dog has had not any collars before, use measurement tape. If you lack a loose tape measure, you can use any available string, yarn, or ribbon. Now, let go and mark the location on the string where your finger met the end of the string. Then, use a tape measure to determine the length of your string measurement. Not only will a puppy require time to adjust to their new collar, but you will likely need to replace it multiple times to accommodate its growth. You want your dog to develop a bond with their collar and view it as a normal, comfortable part of their life, so take care to select the proper size to facilitate this. Choose The Right Materials Of The Collar Collars for dogs are constructed from a variety of materials that prioritize comfort, aesthetics, and longevity. Golden Retrievers are medium to large dogs who put their collars through the wringer, so durability should be a top priority. The widest variety of designs, colors, and widths can be found in nylon and polyester, the most popular materials. Polyester and nylon are highly flexible and relatively simple to clean fabrics. Cotton Fabric Cotton is highly durable, insulating, and capable of controlling moisture. In addition, they are simple to clean, cost-effective, and simple to maintain. Numerous collars are made of cotton in a variety of patterns and hues. Some collars have an inner fabric sleeve wrapped around a nylon band to increase their durability. Bio Thane Some dog collars are made of the waterproof material Bio thane. Bio thane is composed of polyester and polyurethane and polyvinyl layers. Its waterproof qualities make it ideal for Golden Retrievers, who are likely water-loving canines. Leather Leather is an organic material that is both durable and versatile. They are an excellent option for Golden Retrievers with allergies or sensitivities, despite being more expensive. In contrast to collars made of synthetic materials, it is easy to clean and can be used for years without fading. Neoprene Neoprene is a rubber-based material that has a wide range of applications. It has exceptional water resistance and does not retain moisture, which can lead to odors or mildew growth. Neoprene dog collars combined with nylon or polyester are extremely sturdy and long-lasting, able to last for years. Polyester Or Nylon Due to their popularity, nylon or polyester collars typically have the greatest variety of styles, colors, and sizes. Polyester and nylon are highly flexible synthetic fabrics that are also easy to clean. Different types of collars are necessary for thick and thin furs. The collar size and style are influenced by factors such as hairstyle. These are some tips for selecting the appropriate collar for your puppy. Little Fields Farm is the place to go if you want to find additional dog collar options. This list is not exhaustive, but it does contain some examples. Rope Collars: Rope collars are both comfortable and durable without irritating the skin. Flat-Front Dog Collars: These are the most common collars that are used daily. They consist of a flat, fabric-based collar with a plastic or metal buckle. Safety Considerations When it comes to choosing a collar for your pet, safety should be a top priority. Here are some safety considerations to keep in mind: Choose a secure buckle or clasp: The collar should have a buckle or clasp that is secure and will not come undone easily. This will help prevent your pet from escaping and getting lost or injured. Avoid choke chains and prong collars: These types of collars can cause pain and injury to your pet, especially if they are not used correctly. Check for proper fit: A collar that is too loose or too tight can be dangerous for your pet. Make sure the collar fits snugly but not too tightly, and can be adjusted if needed. Consider breakaway collars: If your pet spends time outdoors or unsupervised, a breakaway collar can be a good option. These collars are designed to come apart if they get caught on something, reducing the risk of injury or strangulation. Choose a collar made of safe materials: Some materials can be harmful to pets, such as those that contain toxic chemicals or are easily chewed or swallowed. Choose a collar made of safe materials, such as nylon or leather, and avoid those made of cheap or unsafe materials. Your dog should wear a flat collar at the base of its neck. Golden Retriever puppies will grow quickly, so get a collar that can be adjusted, is easy to put on and take off, and, ideally, has a place for a nametag. It would be enough to have a flat collar with a buckle made of soft, long-lasting materials. No matter whatever option you go with, your four-legged companion needs plenty of exercise and opportunities to run around and play in order to remain healthy and content. We use the 8mm size for our dogs. Alvalley is a high quality brand for all lengths. For an adult dog, use an 8 mm or larger. For a young puppy, an 8 mm leash works fine, but I prefer the smaller 6 mm Alvalley Snap Lead one for ease of use when working at home. This size fits easily into the outside pocket of a treat bag. If going for a walk, use a more substantial leash such as the 8 mm Alvalley leash. For at-home use, a 6 mm collar is fine. I like to attach a snap lead permanently to a martingale collar for ease of use. The collar and leash can easily be slipped off and on as needed. Puppies and even some dogs like to chew the plastic ones. At 10 weeks of age, we are using very small bowls for ease of use during training. Golden Retrievers tend to act like they are starving and eat too fast, even at their correct weight. These bowls slow them down so that they will come closer to chewing their food than inhaling it. I like to use buckets instead of bowls for water. Puppies love to dig in their water which makes a mess out of it. Hang the bucket on the outside of the crate by the handle that is on the bucket. Then attach the clip for security by using only one side of the clip to attach the handle to the crate. Leave the other end of the clip just hanging. Never put water inside a crate with a dog. I recommend the 2-quart size for one or two big dogs. This size is also a good size for a puppy. I use two snaps to stabilize the bucket. Though wire crates usually have a divider so that you can size the crate down, we recommend that you go ahead and purchase a 24 inch wire crate along with the correct size for your dog when he is grown. Most puppies can use the 24 inch crates for about 2 months after they are weeks of age. It is also helpful to have a smaller crate when traveling. If you want this option with a Summer Brook puppy, you can have a small icrate shipped to our home address for you to pick up when you get here. The best size crate for adult girls is a 36X24X27 inch wire crate. For an adult boy, use either a 42X28X30 or 36X24X27 inch wire crate. We prefer wire crates in most cases because they give more ventilation and Golden Retrievers like it to be cool. Midwest Life Stages : These are heavy duty and come in both double or single door options. I prefer the crate with the double door because you will have the opportunity to use it turned sideways with the entrance on the side as well as the end. The Icrates are also two inches shorter and two inches narrower than the Life Stages crate. They are larger at the bottom than the top so they fit better in the back of an SUV or van. They are crash tested and have excellent safety records. These crates are a bit difficult to set up and take down so we only recommend them for those that want a crate that stays in a vehicle most of the time. They are perfect for families that take their dogs with them a lot and want a somewhat permanent fixture in their vehicle. This crate is very lightweight and sets up and folds down quickly and easily. We love these crates for motels and dog shows. Wood Crate Denhaus Townhaus : I recommend this crate if looks are important to you. This crate looks just like a nice end table. Though it was expensive, mine has held up well for several years. Crate Pad Primo Pads: These are my favorite crate pads. They are made of a heavy-duty vinyl and I have yet to have a dog chew one up. The vinyl is cool so that my dogs like them even in the summer. They come in a big variety of sizes so that they will fit your crate like a glove. These pads are not sold anywhere except from the manufacturer. Order your Primo Pads here. This is a raised cot-like bed that is cool and comfortable. There is a new Kuranda Bed that we have not tried ourselves but it looks amazing. It is a raised cot like the aluminum bed that we have loved for years but it is sized to fit perfectly into a crate! We have purchased both the aluminum as well as the less-expensive PVC Kuranda beds. Our aluminum beds still look brand new but our PVC beds are starting to warp a little after a few years. We like the Ballistic Nylon fabric which has held up for us for several years. The large is the correct size for both boy and girl Goldens. We have two of them and they are as comfortable as many human beds. We have the extra-large size but a large would be plenty big enough for a girl. At first, your puppy will have to be watched almost every minute when they are out of the crate or pen in order to establish good potty habits and also to teach them not to chew. Until you teach them otherwise, some puppies will try to chew everything, including the furniture and even the woodwork on the walls so I have found the pen to be a huge help. If you get a pen, you need to begin training your puppy not to jump on the sides right away. Never pet your puppy or let him out while he is jumping. Reward him for sitting. They open and close easily and in both directions. The Richell Pens look really super nice. They also can be set up as room dividers. We own at least a dozen sets of these pens and have used them in a large number of configurations. However, like most exercise pens, many puppies will eventually learn to climb or jump out of them. Families must be on top of training their puppy not to jump on the sides. Unlike the Richell pen, most, if not all pens have doors that open in only one direction. If you get one of these pens, set your pen up so that the door opens to the outside. If you are getting your puppy from a breeder other than Summer Brook, plastic pens are a good option for a 7 to 10 week old puppy. It is easier to house train if you start off not allowing your puppy in too large of an area. It also has the added convenience of being able to be easily removed by simply pushing a button that locks it in place. However, this gate must be mounted to the wall. Baby Gates that are Mobile Regalo Extra WideSpan Walkthrough Safety Gate : This gate can span a space inches For a pressure-mounted gate, the Regalo gates do very well and are a good simple solution if you only want a gate for a few months until your puppy is house-trained and can be given the full run of the house. However, understand that many puppies cannot be totally trusted in large areas until they are over 6 months of age. It takes some until they are close to a year. Doggy Door Why to Use a Doggy Door If you are able to put a doggy door in, this is by far the easiest way to house-train a puppy. Also, it provides an ideal way to leave a dog when they have to be alone. I teach our puppies to use a doggy door before they go home. In the last days before they go home, I section off a small area inside next to our kitchen with free access to a doggy door that leads to our side yard. When I keep a puppy past 8 weeks, I gradually increase the size area of the indoor area as they show dependability. I reserve the times when they are free in the house to the 30 minutes right after they have pottied. We highly recommend it. If you have a particularly aggressive chewer then I would buy the Extreme Kong but if your dog is average then I would use a Classic Kong. Bob-a-lot : You can fill this toy with a lot of food; the dog has to work at getting the food out by pushing it around. JW Pet has other great toys too. If you have a particularly aggressive chewer then I would buy the Extreme Kong but if your dog is an average chewer then I would use a Classic Kong. Puppies love them and they keep our puppies happy in their crates. Toys for Month Old Puppies.