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Only interact with dogs that are safe and you know for sure will have positive reactions to your new German Shepherd. Forcing them will only make them develop stress and anxiety in new situations and with animals. Think quality, not quantity, when socializing your German Shepherd. There are tons of new things your dog needs to get comfortable with. Use treats and positive encouragement when they investigate a new situation with confidence. Train daily. Make it fun. Punishment will only cause your dog to fear you and increase anxiety. Crouch down to offer them a gentle scratch and pet. This connects their name to paying attention to you and marks you as a positive leader, which is important for obedience training and living with their new family. Always work on rewarding good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior. The goal is to build trust in the first few weeks and months that you have your new dog to create a bond. And dogs are actually happier when they are trained rspca. Keep the sessions short, but have multiple training sessions throughout the day. Never end training on a bad note. For example, give them a command they know for sure so they finish with success. Read this guide to learn all about the basics of proper German Shepherd obedience training , including a helpful training schedule and the foundation commands. Be prepared for chewing by offering the right options. Biting and chewing are natural instincts for dogs and puppies. These actions provide them with opportunities to investigate the different amounts of pressure to use in relation to the purpose of their biting. Your job as their new owner is to help your pup understand and educate them on what is appropriate to bite, nip, and chew. This teaches them your signal and cue. They should let go or look a bit startled. Follow their release with praise or a tasty treat when your dog stops the unwanted behavior. Do NOT physically punish your dog! Instead, redirect them to a proper chew toy. Sometimes puppies teethe and their gums are sore and need something to chew. Other times adult German Shepherds have a desire and natural urge to bite for relaxation and to reduce anxiety. Only use safe, non-toxic chew toys, which are found listed here, in the best strong chew toys for German Shepherds to avoid boredom. Avoid accidents by managing the home environment. Create a set routine and schedule and stick to it to avoid accidents and train your puppy faster. Say hello to your new sloppy family member… They not only shed everywhere but also dump water out when drinking, spill their food, and… Have total disrespect for your carpets! You must have them in a secure area or watch them all the time to avoid any accidents. No matter what you will clean up some kind of bodily function when owning a German Shepherd. So, do yourself a favor and stock up on pet stain and odor remover! Use food-dispensing toys and slow feeders to keep them at a healthy weight. This is a food toy called a Kong Wobbler. Keep to a schedule so that you can control their food intake and watch their weight. Instead, use rubber toys in which you place part of their food to help control their voracious eating. I like to use a Kong Wobbler for both puppies and adults. Even better? Puppies are more responsive to the Ignore method of training. As a new German Shepherd owner, you might think you need to appease your dog all the time or give in to their excessive attention-seeking. In my experience, this is one of the most effective training methods that you can use when owning a German Shepherd. Put simply, here are the basics to use the Ignore method of training: You ignore the behavior that you want to stop or reduce. On the flip side, you give attention to the behavior you want to encourage. The hard bit is ignoring a very intelligent German Shepherd who is persistent! Give your German Shepherd a job at home so they stay entertained. This represents big challenges as a German Shepherd owner. You must be smarter than your dog! But the jobs can be as easy or difficult as you have the time and energy to train. This is not a mentally lazy dog, but a breed with extremely high intelligence and a huge breadth of application for that intelligence. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. To train a German Shepherd puppy dog you must be consistent, kind and clear. German Shepherd dog puppies are divinely cute and for a reason! Just like babies are cute, puppies will win your heart even after destroying your favorite pair of shoes or that expensive carpet! Making sure you use them will start you on the right side of training and pave the road for you to get an obedient dog. The good news is that you do not need any special equipment to have an obedient GSD puppy. All you need is love and treats. The most important German Shepherd puppy training tip is socialization. Some vets will tell you to keep the pooch inside until the full set of vaccines is completed. Unfortunately, if you do keep your pooch safe inside until he is months of age, his socialization period will have closed forever and your chance to raise a friendly and confident dog drops significantly! That said, it is ultimately your decision whether you want to take the risk to take him outside or not. Most large US cities do not have too many disease problems and taking your puppy to a class where the trainer checks that every puppy has had the first set of shots is mostly safe. However, if you leave in a rural area, make sure there is not an outbreak of a disease that can affect your pooch. Of all the German Shepherd puppy training tips, I suggest you really think this one through. As a dog trainer, I recommend you find a safe puppy socialization class because this developmental period is critical to prevent behavior problems in the future. Apart from that, you also need to socialize your puppy daily on your own, this link will explain the process and give you a list of things to check as you go! Tip 2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your hands…well, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind and all your precious possessions let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much or how little pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link! Tip 3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don't want to hear any excuses for this one! Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command. Tip 6: Train your German Shepherd puppy to ask for permission. Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though - Ask for permission - is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it! This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog. To prevent a dog from jumping on people it is imperative to teach that same dog not to jump when he is a puppy. If he jumps again, then ignore again. When I say ignore, I mean it! No eye contact, no pushing or kneeing…nothing. Keep turning around if you have to. Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded food, petting, attention, verbal praise, keep on walking, etc. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you! Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us? Tell us about them here! Those ideas came from research done in wolfs in captivity and have now been debunked by new research done in wolfs in the wild. The new research says that you need to be a good leader, kind of like a parent. Alphas are most often the parents of the group. Provide shelter, food, safety and limits. This article tells you more about it! Tip The best German Shepherd puppy training tip is… Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This rule is amazing and will work wonders, besides it is really easy to apply, all you have to do is pay attention to your German Shepherd puppy and reward the good things he does. You need to figure out what the reward is and remove it. For example, when a dog is laying down, it is harder to bark. This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields labelled below in red have been filled in What is your DOG's name? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Labrador retrievers are beloved family members. But too much of a good thing—food and treats—can lead to many potential health problems. If your Labrador Retriever is starting to get a little pooch in his belly your might be thinking how much should my lab weigh? But there are many factors that enter into what determines a healthy weight for your particular lab. And female labs should weigh between 55 and 70 pounds and be between .But keep in mind that even healthy labs may fall outside of these guidelines. There are many variables that enter into why a dog is a particular weight, including the following: Genetics. The parents and family tree of a lab determine his potential size and structure. Diet and nutrition. In order to reach his potential, a lab requires the proper diet for his stage of life and activity level. A lab who is a couch potato will generally require fewer calories than one who is active. Female labs usually weigh less than male labs at the same life stage. English vs. American Labrador Retrievers Although there is no recognized separate breed of English and American labs , in reality there are distinctions regarding their breeding. English labs are bred for the conformation ring and generally weigh in at the higher end of the desired range for labs. And they may weigh even 20 more pounds than American labs without being overweight. American labs, aka field-bred labs, are bred from working lines, in order to hunt. They are leaner and more muscular than English labs. There is no definitive guide stating that labs of certain colors weigh more than others. But their breeding and function enters into whether a lab will weigh more. Black Labradors. Black labs are found in both English and American labs. But an English-bred lab is likely to weigh more than an American lab is. Chocolate Labradors. They are more likely to be from conformation lines than those from working, field lines. So chocolate labs are more likely to be at the higher end of the weight spectrum. Yellow Labradors. They are found in both show and field lines, so there is no likelihood that a yellow lab will weigh more. Other colors. Although not a recognized color, red fox labs are generally American, field-type labs. What Is an Ideal Lab Weight? Muscle weighs more than fat does by volume. Body condition and general health determines what your lab should weigh. Labrador retrievers usually reach their full height between nine and 12 months of age. There are nine different levels that are measured. And you gently palpate the dog to feel how much fat covers those areas. In the first three levels of the chart, a dog is determined to be too thin. Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones are prominent. And there may even be muscle wasting. There is no to little discernible body fat. And there is an obvious waist and abdominal tuck. In the ideal range, levels four to five, ribs are palpable without excess fat. The waist is easily noted when viewed from above. And there is an evident abdominal tuck when viewed from the side. In the last four levels of body condition, steps six to nine, the dog is too heavy. And the dog has a discernible but not prominent waist when viewed from above and an apparent tummy tuck when viewed from the side. The last three steps range from the ribs barely being palpable to massive fat deposits over the body with no abdominal tuck and even abdominal distension. So you really need to determine where your dog is along this scale. If in doubt, check with your vet to determine whether your lab is an appropriate weight for his age, size, and activity level. So expect them to keep weighing more during that period. Factors regarding how large a lab will get include: Genetics. Generally larger parents and lineage means larger lab puppies. Paw size. Of course, as a lab gets older, he should grow. During the first six months, a lab has rapid rate increases, including growth spurts. On average, a puppy will gain about two or so pounds per week. So a five-week-old puppy will be about 10 pounds and a week-old puppy around 26 pounds. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. As a dedicated Labrador parent, one of your primary responsibilities is ensuring your pup remains healthy and achieves all growth milestones based on his age. However, some of the most overwhelming factors to crack through are size and weight. So, is your Lab puppy too small for his age? Your Lab puppy might be too small if it weighs less than 12 lbs 5. Lab puppies generally weigh about 2 lbs 1 kg with every week of growth. If your puppy weighs a lot less than that, he may be too small for his age. If you're worried that your pup might be too small for his age, you're in the right place. In this article, I'll outline Lab puppies' size and weight facts to help you understand where your young canine friend stands. Keep reading! In this article How Much a Lab Puppy Should Weigh This is one of the most common concerns and one of the most challenging to address directly. This is because a puppy's weight and size may differ based on his gender, genetic composition, or underlying conditions. However, there's a trick that may help you determine your pup's weight range. In most cases, average puppies add about 2 lbs 1 kg with every week of growth. And just like the weight, Lab puppies have different sizes. You may notice a huge size variance in a litter of Lab puppies. Some may appear too big or too small for their age. Below are 3 factors that can affect a Lab puppy's size and weight. Genetic May Affect Size A canine's size is partially genetic. Therefore, a Lab puppy born of small parents may inherit the genes and appear smaller for his age. However, this isn't always the case because some small-parents puppies sometimes grow into huge dogs. So, it's possible to note a considerable size variance on puppies from the same litter. Diet Greatly Influences Weight A puppy's diet also has a lot to do with his size and weight. Poorly fed puppies may fail to grow properly. Thus they may be low in weight and small in size. When feeding puppies, it isn't always about the amount of food the pup consumes but rather the nutritional value. So, to be on the safe side, it's advisable to consult your vet on the right foods for your pup based on his age. Health Problems Can Inhibit Growth Puppies that have been ill or have underlying conditions may portray slow growth. Their size and weight may be small compared to healthy pups within the same age limit. However, you shouldn't worry about this because such puppies often catch up later after recovery. Note that this chart only gives a weight limit, and it doesn't mean your puppy should weigh precisely that. It's only meant to help you protect your pup's weight and easily point out when he's seriously under or overweight. All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. When do labs Stop Growing? Labs need to fill out more than smaller breeds as they are medium to large-sized dogs. Usually, an average Lab will be at full height and weight by their first birthday. Is Your Labrador Retriever Healthy? Labrador Retrievers are the perfect family pet. Not only are Labs wonderful companions, but their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and love for life make them ideal members of any household. The best way to guarantee that happiness? Preventative care! This condition can cause pain and make it difficult for your pup to move freely. Due to CHD, they may also develop arthritis in the hip area as they age. Some dogs with CHD have normal hips as puppies, but they can develop joint instability later in life. Unfortunately, CHD affects medium to large dog breeds, with the Lab amongst those dogs with a higher chance of developing this condition. Recognizing the early signs of this progressive disease will help you get treatment for your dog so he has an active life filled with joy instead of pain or discomfort. An old Labrador Retriever is especially prone to developing this disease. Osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Joint Disease DJD , is a progressive inflammation of the joints caused by deterioration and breakdown in cartilage. This action leads to an increase in friction, which causes significant pain for dogs. In cases of osteoarthritis, this cartilage cushion begins to break down because of factors such as age or injury. If a dog has canine atopic dermatitis, the immune system reacts too strongly to common environmental allergens absorbed through the skin, such as mold spores and grass. A dog with atopic dermatitis will typically show signs and symptoms between 3 months to 6 years of age. Labrador Retrievers are amongst the most common dog breeds to develop food and skin allergies. Gastric Distention and Volvulus Bloat Canine bloat , or gastric distention and volvulus GDV , is a condition where the stomach swells abnormally. Bloat is a serious condition that requires immediate emergency care. Dogs of all shapes and sizes can bloat, but some breeds are more susceptible than others. Unfortunately, Labradors are at the top of the list for susceptibility to this condition. The causes of bloat in Labs and other dogs are unknown, but there is likely a genetic element. Dogs who recover from bloating should never be used as breeding stock again. Got a Lab? Get Pet Insurance Coverage You love your dog like a child, but you cannot control what your puppy is dealt with in the genetics department. Health struggles can affect your Labrador Retriever, and his genes will determine what medical conditions or diseases he develops. What if cancer happens? What else might go wrong with your dog in an emergency that will require immediate attention? As a dog owner, you want to make sure that your Lab pup has the best chance possible at living a healthy and happy life. A pet insurance policy will handle any medical issue or expense which may come your way, which is a significant help, especially with how expensive veterinary bills can get. Get insurance quotes today and see for yourself how much better life will be with this coverage. Between 8 weeks and 10 months, your puppy has a ton of growing to do, and they change drastically from month to month. Each stage of growth requires specific attention, exercise, and diet, so there is much to learn and pay attention to these different growth stages. There may be behavioral challenges while your pup adjusts to their new life without their mother and siblings. This period of adjustment can sometimes lead to fearful and timid behavior, and your puppy will need as much attention and affection as possible. They should be eating 3—4 small meals a day at this stage. You can begin basic command, leash, and potty training at this point too. Although the schedule is not complete this is a critical period to begin socialization and making sure they are calm and friendly with other dogs, just make sure they are also vaccinated. We highly recommend making training a part of their daily activities at this age. Biting can be an issue at this stage too, as they will begin teething, and they will start exploring and chewing whatever they can find. Chew toys and consistent command reinforcement are both vital for avoiding this behavior. The good news is that your puppy will grow out of this habit at around 6 months old. Your lab should also be house-trained by this point, but there may still be the occasional accident. Remember to be gentle but firm when this happens, and your pooch will likely move through it swiftly. They will begin losing their baby teeth at this point, and biting and chewing may reach its peak. Firm but gentle commands, chew toys, and loads of patience are essential at this stage. Your puppy will be testing the limits and may start showing dominance, ignoring known commands, and asserting more independence. You can now drop their meals down to two meals per day, but be sure that they are not eating too quickly. Your puppy will start to closely resemble an adult at 6 months, but remember that mentally, they are still puppies and will need loads of direction and training. Females may enter their first heat at 6—7 months, so keep a careful watch for stray males. They will still display puppy tendencies and traits and have a ton of excitable energy, but they should be fairly obedient and well-trained by this stage. Be sure to give your Labrador plenty of exercise at this stage to help keep them from misbehavior. They will have reached their full height by now but may still gain weight and muscle mass in the coming months. Unless you intend on breeding, you should consider neutering and spaying your puppy to avoid wandering and unwanted pregnancies. While some breeders recommend that you wait until a year old, this is a perfectly suitable time to perform the procedure. They may still gain weight and muscle mass but much slower than during the past few months. They will still display puppy characteristics and even test boundaries, but all in all, they should be obedient and well-trained by now. They will have a ton of energy and still enjoy playtimes and loads of exercise. While they are at their full height at this age, some Labs may appear lanky and still have weight to fill out in the coming months. When Do Labradors Stop Growing? All dogs are unique, and the question of when they stop growing is largely dependent on the individual. Anecdotally, your Lab should have reached their full weight by 18 months and full height by 9—12 months. Most breeders agree that your Lab will stop growing at some point during their second year. Even so, any weight gain during their second year will be minimal, and they will have done the majority of their growth by their first birthday. Mentally, they are out of the puppyhood phase of testing boundaries and disobedience by their first year— if correctly trained. If you have been consistent in training thus far, your Lab should be friendly, obedient, and well-behaved from their first birthday and into adulthood. In males, neutering can sometimes result in a calmer, more relaxed dog, and this, in turn, will slow down his need for exercise and may result in weight gain. A study in showed that dogs neutered before 37 weeks may gain more weight, while dogs that had the procedure after 37 weeks had a slower growth trajectory. The difference was minimal, though, and there is no reason to assume that these procedures have much of an effect on growth rates in dogs. Dangers of Growing Too Quickly or Stunted Growth While some puppies may grow quicker or slower than the agreed-upon average, this is usually nothing to be concerned about due to the individual and unique nature of dogs. However, if your pooch is gaining weight rapidly or not gaining enough, there may be deeper issues to look into. If your dog is from working or hunting stock, they may be smaller than average Labs and are usually lighter for work in the field. Size may also be genetic, and if your Lab comes from small parents, they will be smaller than average. The same may be true of heavier-than-average Labs—if their parents are large, they will likely be similar in size. However, larger-than-average weights may also be due to overfeeding or a lack of exercise , or a combination of both, so be sure to keep their exercise and feeding habits consistent. Image Credit: rebeccaashworth, Shutterstock Growth Distinctions of Different Labradors Although they are designated under the same breed, there are two different types of common Labradors: English and American. English Labradors tend to be stockier and more muscular than their American counterparts and have a thick, waterproof coat , while American Labs have a slender build with a slightly finer coat. English Labs are slightly shorter, topping out at around 22 inches, but their stocky and muscular build often makes them heavier than American Labs. In fact, English Labs have been known to weigh up to 20 pounds more than American Labs without being considered overweight. American Labs are known to be slightly more active and energetic than English Labs, while English Labs tend to be less excitable and more laid back. English Labs are by no means lazy, though, and they still have plenty of energy and stamina to go around. Conclusion: Monthly Labrador Growth Pictures Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the growth rate of your Labrador puppy and given you a better idea of what to expect during the different stages. See also:. The Lab puppy weight chart shows you the average weight for male and female Labs every month from 2 months old, up until 12 months if you have a puppy Lab, check out our New Puppy Checklist to learn more about what to bring home for your first 24 hours and beyond. Doing so helps you and your veterinarian keep your puppy healthy. Are There Different Sizes of Labradors? Among the retriever breeds, the Labrador is one of the largest, where an adult male can top the scales at 80 pounds. Labrador Retrievers may differ in size due to individual variation and outside influences, such as the amount or type of food they eat, the amount or frequency of exercise they get, or underlying health conditions that may affect appetite or growth. But overall, a retriever should ideally hit a 5 out of 9 on the body condition score, regardless of the actual weight number on a scale. A healthy size Labrador has an evident abdominal tuck and observable waist, viewed from both the side and top of the dog. The AKC considers Lab puppies to be in adulthood when they reach 12 to 18 months of age, though there are outliers — those who grow faster or slower, reaching maturity either before 1 year old or not until 2 years old. Like other large dog breeds, Labs go through multiple stages of puppyhood until they reach adulthood. The average height for Labrador puppies is largely unknown due to insufficient data, but the average adult Labrador Retriever gets to be about inches tall at the shoulder. These numbers are contingent on the puppy receiving top-notch care, good nutrition, and appropriate levels of exercise. Different factors, such as health, breeding practices, and nutrition, may alter these estimated numbers. The below Labrador weight calculator can help you determine approximately how big your Labrador will be. But there are dogs who will fall outside of these parameters. The Waltham Petcare Science Institute offers puppy growth charts for veterinarians to use with their clients. You can also learn more about the ideal size and weight at different ages for different breeds with our Goldendoodle growth chart , a Golden Retriever size chart , Great Dane growth chart , or Chihuahua size chart. For that advice, consult your veterinarian. Labrador puppy weight. It can be hard to know what the right weight is for your specific pup. An American Lab is likely to weigh less than an English Lab in general, but not always! How much do Labs weigh in general? Male Labradors weigh between 60lbs and 80lbs, while females weigh in at between 55lbs and 75lbs. But many healthy Labradors fall outside these averages. As you can see, there is quite a range! Labrador Puppy Weight Lots of our readers want to know how much should my Labrador weigh at this age or that age. Labrador puppies are growing fast, and their weight is constantly changing. We used the data from our forum to create the Lab weight chart below. If you want a rough idea of how much your pup should weigh at different stages of their young life, just compare them to this chart and see how they match up. But remember, average Labrador weight is not totally straight forward… Average Labrador Weight Labradors come in a wide variety of sizes. So average Labrador Retriever weight figures can be misleading. As a very rough guide an adult female Labrador might weigh between 55 and 70lbs. An adult male Lab will weigh 65 — 80lbs. Female Lab weight will on average be lower than male Lab weight, but as you can see there is a considerable cross over. But Labradors also come in a couple of different types, and his type will have an impact upon his ideal Labrador weight. English Labs bred from show lines are likely to be at the upper end of the scale. You can expect English Lab weight to be around 60 — 70 lbs for a female and 70 — 80 lbs for a male. Some of our chunkier, show bred Labs can be a good twenty pounds or more heavier than their field bred cousins, without necessarily being overweight. Whereas the American Lab who is field bred is likely to be at the lower end of average. Volume for volume, muscle weighs more. So it is worth bearing in mind, that a very fit dog will have more muscle and may weigh more than an unfit dog of similar dimensions. Black Lab Weight In theory there should be no difference in weight between Labradors of different colors. Black Labrador weight for an English black Lab will probably be at the higher end of the range, for an American black Lab it will likely be lower. Black Labs are frequently found in both these categories, but some Lab colors differ. For example the chocolates. Chocolate Lab Weight Chocolate Labs are more likely to be show bred than field bred. English Labs weigh more than American Labs in general, and may therefore be at the higher end of average when it comes to weight. This is because yellow Labs are commonly found in both categories. White Labs are more likely to be English Labs, and will therefore probably be at the heavier end of the scale. Fox red Labs are normally American Labs, and will often be thinner in build and therefore lighter in weight. The way to effectively judge whether your Lab is at an ideal weight is not through the scales. It is by feel and appearance. You should not be able to see ribs, but if you press firmly along his sides you should just be able to feel your fingers bumping along them. But in most cases it really is not necessary to weigh your puppy every day, or even every week! Any more than you would weigh your three year old child on a daily or even weekly basis. There are however, some exceptions. Very thin puppies Occasionally we have people post up about puppies that are desperately underweight and clearly failing to thrive. Most of these comments come from people that have purchased puppies that are not ready to leave their mothers, and should not have been sold by the breeder. Some of these puppies are as young as three weeks old. If you have inadvertently been sucked into this horrible trade in underage puppies, do contact a vet for help with feeding your puppy, as a matter of urgency. If you are concerned that your puppy might be seriously underweight, again, your vet is the first port of call. As a very rough guide, many Labrador puppies will weigh around a kilo for every week of their lives. So you would expect a ten week puppy to weigh something in the region of ten kilos or around twenty-two pounds. A twenty percent variation around this would be fairly normal. If your puppy falls outside this variation he may still be perfectly healthy, but if you are inexperienced, a check with the vet is a good way to put your mind at rest. Should I Weigh My Dog? You may need to weigh your dog if he needs medical treatment. Determining the appropriate dose of some drugs requires that we know the exact weight of the patient. But in this case your veterinarian will probably do it for you at their check-ups and assessments. The main reasons to weigh a dog are loss or gain. Trying to put weight on a very thin puppy? You may want to check your progress with regular weigh-ins for a while to make sure they are sufficiently gaining weight. Trying to help your adult Labrador weight decrease? Checking their weight each week will help you to know that you are succeeding, along with visual checks. How to weigh a dog If you need to weigh a puppy, and he is small enough to hold in your arms, you can do this at home. Just weigh yourself on the bathroom scales without him, then weigh yourself again whilst holding the dog, and subtract the first weight from the second. This is accurate enough for most purposes. Larger dogs will need to be weighed on purpose built scales. Most vet surgeries have one in the waiting room, and some pet stores have them too. Really tiny dogs can be weighed accurately on a good sized set of kitchen scales. For once, this is a situation where appearances really do count. Try to get into the habit of looking at your dog objectively and of avoiding comparing with other dogs, many of whom will be overweight. You may find that some other dog owners will tell you your nice slim Labrador is actually too thin. This happens a lot, largely because people are simply getting used to so many dogs being overweight, including some of those receiving the highest accolades in our show rings. Again, if you are worried, check with your vet, but the chances are if someone is telling you this that actually your dog is healthy, and it is really their dog who is overweight. Possible Common Thus, a black or yellow Labrador can belong to either breed. It is more likely for chocolate or white Labrador to belong to the English Labrador breed, and it is more likely for a fox red Labrador to belong to the American breed. Singe English Labradors frequently weigh more than American Labradors; these colors may give insight into heritage lines and reasons for differentiating weights. Physical Condition Even though these figures are universal amongst Labradors, it can be challenging to decide whether your Labrador is healthy solely based on weight. Fitness and physical capacities will have a considerable influence on whether or not their weight is healthy. Many Labradors may be over or under the healthy weight range, but they may be fit and active. This means they may weigh less due to being lean and toned without much body fat, or they may weigh more due to increased muscle mass. To assess the health of your Labrador , their weight will need to be compared with their fitness levels as well. Labrador Gender Weight Differences Generally speaking, male Labradors weigh more than female Labradors since males grow faster and typically grow larger than females would. While Labrador puppies may have similar figures on the scale at very young ages, their average weight may begin to diverge as they draw closer to the cusp of adulthood. Average Labrador Puppy Weight Irrespective of the breed and gender, ensuring a healthy weight as your Lab ages will rely on observation and care from a very young age. Weight is typically very similar during this time irrespective of differentiation, affecting their average healthy weight ranges into adulthood. They should be gaining approximately 2lbs per week up until they are 6 months old. Once Labrador puppies reach adolescence, inherent differentiations will begin to affect their average weight, after which owners will need to assess their weight maintenance according to their breed and gender. However, gender plays a prominent role in determining healthy weight in maturing Labrador puppies, and males typically weigh more and grow faster than females. Owners will need to ensure that their weight is maintained through exercise and adequate dietary compositions. Nutrition, physical activity, and a balanced diet will all play a role in supporting a healthy weight as they grow into full adult Labradors. How much should a Purebred Lab weigh? Purebred Labradors still experience a diverse range concerning their weight. However, numerous purebred Labrador owners have come together and created an average healthy weight range from adolescence to adulthood, based on experience with their fit and healthy purebred Labradors whether male or female. Labrador Age months.

For the complete list please Click Here. This number can vary depending on the breeder and where you purchase your new puppy from. This will guarantee that the puppy is purebred, healthy, and up-to-date on its vaccinations. The health of any breed is largely dependent upon its breeding practices, so this becomes even more important with purebred dogs such as boxers who are prone to hereditary diseases. Be aware that the vast majority of the pet stores have their puppies supplied by unscrupulous breeders. The best place to find reputable boxer breeders will be through the local boxer breed clubs, they will be able to put you in touch with responsible breeders who are aware of the health issues specific to this breed. Above all, take your time. Do not ever, rush into any decision when purchasing a new family member. If you do so, then chances are that it may turn out to be one of the biggest mistakes of your life. Visit Your Arizona Boxer Breeder in Person Every responsible breeder will insist on you visiting them in person before buying a puppy. The breeder should be happy to offer you references from previous purchasers, as well as conducting an interview with yourself the potential new owner. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in Arizona Most responsible breeders will have no problem in offering you references from people that they have sold puppies to previously, even better if they can provide more than just one. Other than asking for references from previous buyers, always ask the breeder what type of after-care is provided. Reputable breeders will also offer at least a 6-month health guarantee with their puppies; this means that they will either fix or replace your boxer puppy at no cost to yourself if it falls ill within this time frame. This way you can be assured that you are purchasing a healthy boxer pup, free of known genetic issues. The most reputable boxer breeders will have no issues in allowing their clients to meet one another. Find out whether the breeder uses a good vet. If they do, then they will be more than willing to give you contact information for their veterinarian, as well as provide you with a recommendation. It is unfortunate but true that puppy mills do exist and finding one can be extremely difficult as most will go out of their way to make it appear as if they are running a legitimate business. Healthy boxer pups grow into healthy boxers, so quality over quantity should always be the goal. This is not a sign of distrust but rather one of concern for both you and your new boxer pup. A good breeder will ask you what type of contract you would like before selling a puppy to you. By asking this question you can ensure that your boxer pup has never had ANY health problems such as Parvo or other issues that may become apparent in later life such as heart disease. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy The age at which your new boxer pup is received will often determine how much preparation you need to do. While it may seem like a daunting task, if done properly it can be achieved within just a week or two of arriving home — providing that everyone in the household understands what is expected and are prepared for this new addition. Boxers are very intelligent dogs which means that, with patience on your part, they will soon learn exactly where they are supposed to go. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Questions about Boxer puppies for sale in Phoenix AZ? We have answers. How much are Boxer puppies for sale in Phoenix AZ? These inputs can include things like where the breeder is located, the sex and color of the puppy, and even how much experience the breeder or business has. Will my puppy be from Phoenix Boxer breeders? How are Boxer breeders Phoenix screened? We take screening for breeders and businesses who want to be part of our network very seriously and hold them to the high standards that are outlined within our Breeder Pledge. We only want to work with the upper echelon when it comes to standards of animal welfare and ethical practices for Boxer puppies for sale Phoenix. How is Uptown Puppies different? We help you focus on the fun part of choosing your new Phoenix Boxer puppy for sale from a wide selection, all while taking care of all of the screening and vetting process beforehand. Puppy mills are unfortunate organizations whose mission is to pump out as many puppies as possible to make as much money as possible, all while mistreating the vulnerable animals in their care. Puppies from these places can often have expensive vet bills down the road due to neglect and poor breeding practices. Are there Boxers for sale Phoenix I can get right away? You can start searching our online network of breeders and businesses for Boxer for sale Phoenix immediately! Go ahead and start scrolling through those cute faces today! Boxers are a well established breed and have ancestors that can be traced all the way back to ancient civilizations in B. In their modern form, they were bred in Germany as guard dogs and hunting dogs. They were eventually brought over to the U. What should I expect after I get a Boxer? You can expect lots of adventures and laughs when you choose to get a Boxer puppy. They are one of the silliest and most playful breeds around and have an endless supply of antics to keep you entertained. They are also well rounded and have the intelligence and affection to go with their playful personalities. Are Boxers good family dogs? Boxers for sale in Phoenix make great family dogs because they always have the energy to keep up with an active family and love to play. They get along with adults and children alike and have a protective nature and desire to keep the whole family safe. How big do Boxers get? Boxers are a medium to large sized dog breed and once those cute little Boxer puppies in Phoenix grow into adulthood you can expect them to be anywhere from inches tall on average and weigh anywhere from pounds. Usually males are slightly taller and weigh on the higher side than females. Boxer Description The Boxer has a compact and powerful body. Their head is proportionate with the body and has a short muzzle with an underbite. The tail is set high and typically docked. Their coat is short, smooth, and comes in multiple colors including fawn, tan, brindle, mahogany, and black and often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat, but some clubs will not register them. Discover more about our Boxer puppies for sale below and see why they are one of the most popular breeds in the U. Disposition and Temperament Boxers are happy, playful, curious, and energetic. So much so that many remain extremely fit and athletic into their old age. They are very intelligent, eager, quick to learn and known to be a good breed for competitive obedience. Boxers bond closely with their family and are loyal and affectionate. In fact, they are known to get along well with children. A properly socialized Boxer will get along with dogs and other household pets, such as cats, but small animals such as rodents or birds may be too tempting. Being energetic and playful, the Boxer can become boisterous and jump on people without proper training and leadership. Boxers need to go on a daily walk and get daily mental and physical exercise. Without it, they can become stressed out. You should start training your Boxer while it is a puppy: Boxers do best with dominant owners who can be firm, consistent and committed. You need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack with this dog breed. Owners who do not establish dominance often find their dogs to be stubborn or demanding which can hamper the owner-pet relationship. Living Conditions As for living arrangements, they can be fine in an apartment if sufficiently exercised even though they are active indoors, but Boxers really do best with an average-sized yard. They are also temperature sensitive, overheating easily and chilling quickly. Boxers have a natural tendency to protect their owners and home, and although visitors who the dog recognizes are not seen as a threat, will protect their owners if they sense danger. Boxers are courageous which makes them great watchdogs and will even restrain intruders. It is important to know Boxer puppies require human leadership and need to be taught not to be boisterous or jump up on people. It requires very little grooming. Brush it with a rubber curry brush once or twice a week to keep it looking good. The Boxer tends to be a clean breed only occasionally needing a bath. Origin The name Boxer is thought to come from the way they use their front paws for just about everything; pawing at its food bowls, toys, and even its owner in a playful way. The Boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century and its ancestors were two German mastiff-type breeds. They were later bred with the ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Boxers were first used for dog-fighting, bull-baiting, cart pulling, cattle dogs, rounding up livestock, and to catch and pin wild boar and bison until hunters could arrive. Later they became popular theater and circus dogs. There are two types of Boxers: the German and the American Boxer. German Boxers have bigger heads and are generally more muscular than American Boxers. See store for details on a puppy. The American Canine Association, Inc. The American Canine Registry.

Call Vic Kasser or Email! A heart murmur is an abnormal heart sound, usually heard by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. What causes a heart murmur? A heart murmur is caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart. Sometimes a murmur is determined to be 'innocent' or 'physiologic', while other times the murmur is determined to be pathologic or caused by disease. Pathologic heart murmurs can be caused by a structural problem within the heart i. Do all murmurs sound the same? The loudness of a murmur reflects the amount of turbulence that is present in the heart. However, the loudness of a heart murmur does not always correlate directly with the severity of disease. Murmurs are graded by their intensity, usually on a scale of I-VI. A Grade I murmur is very soft or quiet, may only be heard intermittently, and is usually only heard in one location on the chest, while a Grade VI murmur is very loud, heard everywhere that the heart can be heard, and can be felt when a person places their hand on the chest in the area of the heart in cardiac terminology, this is called a 'thrill'. Murmurs are also characterized by the time in which they occur during the heart cycle, and by whether they are long or short. Most murmurs are also characterized by their location, or where they are the loudest. The majority of murmurs in the dog occur during systole, the phase of the heart cycle when the heart is contracting to pump blood out. The specific characteristics of the murmur, along with any symptoms that your dog might be showing, will help your veterinarian to determine what is causing the murmur. What is an innocent, physiologic or Puppy heart murmur? An innocent or physiologic or Puppy heart murmur is a heart murmur that has no impact on the dog's health. It is very common for young puppies, especially large breed puppies, to develop an innocent heart murmur while they are growing rapidly. The murmur may first appear at weeks of age, and a puppy with an innocent heart murmur will usually outgrow it by about months of age. This type of murmur is benign. In general, a physiologic or innocent heart murmur will have a low intensity usually Grade I-II out of VI , and does not cause any symptoms or clinical signs. What structural heart problems cause a heart murmur? The heart is composed of four chambers - the left atrium, the left ventricle, the right atrium, and the right ventricle. Blood flows from the right side of the heart through the pulmonary artery to the lungs where it is oxygenated, and then the oxygenated blood goes through the left side of the heart and into the aorta, where it is pumped to the rest of the body. Between each of the chambers and main blood vessels there is a valve that functions to prevent blood flowing back into the chamber as the heart pumps. With structural heart disease, there is some sort of abnormal structure or defect that is disturbing the flow of blood, creating turbulence. The abnormality in the heart may be a leaky heart valve, a thickening or narrowing of a valve or large blood vessel, or an abnormal hole between the heart chambers or between two arteries that are not normally connected. Structural heart problems may be congenital the dog is born with a defective heart or acquired a structural heart problem develops later in life. Some of the congenital heart diseases in dogs are hereditary in certain breeds of dogs, and include diseases such as 'sub-aortic stenosis', 'pulmonic stenosis', and 'patent ductus arteriosis'. Other congenital heart diseases are not as well documented as being hereditary, including 'ventricular septal defects', 'atrial septal defects' and 'Tetralogy of Fallot'. The most common cause of an acquired heart murmur in the dog is 'mitral insufficiency' also called 'mitral regurgitation' , a condition in which the mitral valve becomes thickened and begins leaking see our handout 'Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs' - mitral insufficiency tends to be more common in small breed dogs. Other causes of an acquired heart murmur in older dogs include bacterial endocarditis, caused by a bacterial infection that localizes on a heart valve and dilated cardiomyopathy see our handouts 'Endocarditis in Dogs' and 'Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs'. What extracardiac problems cause a heart murmur? Some extracardiac problems can cause what is called a 'functional heart murmur'. A functional heart murmur may be due to anemia low levels of red blood cells , hypoproteinemia low protein levels in the blood , fever or infection, or by conditions such as pregnancy, obesity or emaciation. With anemia or hypoproteinemia, the blood is too 'watery' so turbulence is created as it flows through the valves. Adult dogs may become anemic because of blood loss or may have a serious underlying disorder. How is a heart murmur detected? In most cases, a heart murmur is detected when your veterinarian auscultates or examines your dog's heart with a stethoscope. How do we find out if a murmur is due to a significant problem? Most murmurs are detected with a stethoscope during a routine veterinary examination. If your veterinarian detects a heart murmur, you will be asked a series of questions about your dog's health and then your veterinarian will assess your dog's general physical condition to determine whether or not there are any symptoms or clinical signs that indicate the need for further diagnostic testing. If your pet is still a young puppy and the murmur is of low intensity, your veterinarian may recommend a re-examination in a few weeks time to track whether the murmur has decreased in intensity or disappeared, indicating that it was likely an innocent murmur. Similarly, if your adult dog appears to be extremely stressed at the time of a routine health examination and the murmur is of low intensity, your veterinarian may recommend a re-evaluation at a later time when the dog is calmer. In some cases, if a dog is extremely excited or is panting heavily, it can be difficult to determine if abnormal sounds are being caused by a heart murmur or are just related to the elevated heart rate or panting. A dog with a heart murmur that is caused by a structural heart disease or an extracardiac problem will generally have some sort of symptoms or clinical signs that can be attributed to the disease. During a physical examination, if your veterinarian detects an abnormal rhythm to the heartbeat, or finds that your dog has weak pulses or irregular pulses, it will be more likely that the murmur is caused by an underlying problem. If your veterinarian determines or suspects that the heart murmur is caused by structural heart disease or an extracardiac problem, further diagnostic testing will be recommended. In the majority of these cases, further diagnostic testing should be performed immediately so that any treatment can be started as soon as possible. What other tests may be recommended? Depending on what other clinical signs are present in your dog, your veterinarian will usually recommend x-rays, an electrocardiogram, or an ultrasound examination of the heart called an echocardiogram. If your veterinarian suspects that the heart murmur is secondary to another disease, blood tests or other extensive tests might be recommended. An echocardiogram that includes a Doppler examination is the most useful test to determine the location of a heart murmur. With an echocardiogram, the heart is imaged while it is beating, allowing the examiner to evaluate the heart's size and movement. A Doppler examination is a specialized type of echocardiogram in which the speed and direction of blood flow can be measured across the heart valves and in the heart chambers. The Doppler examination will usually pinpoint the location of the turbulence that is causing the murmur. How is a heart murmur treated? Heart murmurs are simply abnormal heart sounds caused by turbulent blood flow, and treatment depends upon the underlying cause of the heart murmur or the turbulent blood flow. Physiologic heart murmurs do not require any treatment; however, regular monitoring of a dog that has evidence of a physiologic murmur is advised to ensure that no other problems develop. If the heart murmur is caused by an underlying problem, the treatment plan will be based on the diagnosis, and may include a combination of specialized diets, medications and supportive care. Some congenital heart defects can be surgically corrected - these include pulmonic stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus. Your veterinarian will be the best person to advise you on the appropriate course of action to meet your dog's unique needs. What is the prognosis? The prognosis ranges from excellent to grave, depending on the cause of the murmur. If the murmur is physiologic, no treatment is required and the prognosis is generally good to excellent. If the murmur is caused by extracardiac disease or a functional problem that can be treated, the murmur may resolve over time. The long-term prognosis for a dog with a murmur caused by congenital heart disease is extremely variable, depending on the specific type of defect that is present; if the defect can be surgically corrected the prognosis is very good. A dog with mitral insufficiency can usually be managed with long-term medications. The prognosis for a dog with dilated cardiomyopathy varies - if the dog is showing symptoms of heart failure the prognosis will be grave. The prognosis for a dog with bacterial endocarditis will vary with the severity of the infection and the valve that is affected. The need for good dental care, including regular professional dental cleaning under general anesthesia cannot be overemphasized as a means of preventing endocarditis see our handout "Dental Disease in Dogs". Since each case is different, your veterinarian will discuss the prognosis and treatment options for your dog, based on the results of diagnostic testing. In all cases, ongoing monitoring and periodic diagnostic testing will be necessary to track the progress of the condition. Heart disease in companion animals is too often a silent killer. By the time your dog or cat shows the classic signs of heart disease like lethargy, wheezing, croupy coughing a liquid-sounding cough, as though there's fluid in the lungs or exercise intolerance, it's very often too late to save your beloved pet. To make matters worse, an enlarged heart can't be detected with a stethoscope. Significant heart disease can be present and undiagnosed by your veterinarian long before your pet shows clinical symptoms of illness. Too many pet owners too often find themselves in this heartbreaking situation. Two Types of Heart Disease Both dogs and cats are at risk for heart disease, and both can develop either type: Heart muscle disease Valvular disease Cardiomyopathy is the scientific term for an enlarged heart muscle. Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to the condition, including New Foundlands, Great Danes and Dobermans. Cardiomyopathy can also be caused by a dietary deficiency. The amino acids taurine and carnitine are critical for normal heart development and performance. If your dog's or cat's diet is lacking in these amino acids, heart muscle damage can result. Poor valve health can also lead to heart disease. A leaky valve makes your pet's heart work harder, and the harder it works, the bigger it gets. Valve disease leads to congestive heart failure in both dogs and cats. Heart murmurs which are usually present when there are valve problems are ranked on a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 is considered mild and 6 is the worst case. Leaky valves or heart murmurs are frequently seen in predisposed breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Leaky valves are also found in aging pets and animals with some metabolic conditions like feline hyperthyroidism. These tests, usually x-rays, EKG or cardiac ultrasound, can cost several hundred dollars. For many pet owners who want to be proactive in detecting heart disease in a dog or cat, the expense of these tests is prohibitive. It's a terrible situation to be in. If you've lost a dog or cat to heart disease, you're bound to be fearful it could happen again to another pet. You want to take proactive steps to help your current dearly loved dog or cat avoid the problem, but you can't afford the tests that will tell you whether or not you need to do more to insure the health of your companion animal. It feels as if you have no choice but to wait to see if heart disease sneaks up silently to claim another four-legged member of your family. That is, until now. At long last, veterinary medicine has developed a blood test that can identify which dogs and cats are at greatest risk for heart disease and heart failure. The test is called a proBNP test. The proBNP is a blood test that measures how much peptide hormone, released by the heart, is in circulation in your pet's body. This hormone is only released when the heart is pushed beyond its capacity. Very early in the disease process, small amounts of the hormone will be released into your dog's or cat's bloodstream, and it's presence is a signal that steps must be taken in order to preserve your pet's heart health. If heart pathology continues to progress, the blood value of the peptide hormone will continue to rise. The proBNP blood test can give you peace of mind that your pet has no early signs of heart disease. It can also help you and your veterinarian differentiate between, for example, a respiratory condition like feline asthma and an underlying heart condition. The proBNP is a simple blood test with a fast turn-around time that can provide the information you need to proactively manage your dog's or cat's heart health. You can have the test repeated as often as necessary to chart your progress in meeting your pet's cardiovascular health needs throughout his life. Make sure you're meeting your pet's CoQ10 requirement. CoQ10 is a naturally occurring coenzyme that young dogs and cats have in plentiful supply. But as she ages, your pet's ability to produce CoQ10 decreases. I recommend you supplement your pet's amino-acid-rich diet with Coenzyme Q10, especially if you have an animal that is predisposed to cardiovascular disease. Supplying your pet with extra CoQ10 can insure she has the quantity her body needs to maintain a healthy heart muscle. CoQ10 supplements come in two forms: Ubiquinone and Ubiqunol. Ubiquinol is a reduced form of CoQ10 and is the supplement I recommend for my dog and cat patients. A good heart-healthy maintenance dose is: 50 mg per day for cats and small dogs mg per day for medium sized dogs mg twice per day for large dogs. Eating non-food items such as grass or human food. Bacterial and viral infections. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS. Bowel cancer more common in older Frenchies. Aggression — 2. As puppies, they can be more aggressive, but most will grow out of this particular health concern by around 12 months. Aggression is a natural attribute, with many Frenchies displaying it when they feel threatened, jealous, or provoked. However, at certain times their ancestry and genes can come to the fore, with some displaying aggressive characteristics which can become problematic. The best way to head this off at the pass is to ensure that your male Frenchie is neutered when the time comes and has proper puppy training. Heart murmur — 2. However, with older dogs, a heart murmur can be a very serious health problem and can lead to a reduced life expectancy. The most common reasons for a heart murmur to develop in a French Bulldog can include: Weakened heart muscle walls dilated cardiomyopathy. Heart wall defects. Heartworm disease. Infection in the heart valves endocarditis. There are varying grades of seriousness with dog heart murmurs, all of which a vet can detect using a stethoscope. Grade 1: This is a very soft and quiet murmur that is almost undetectable. Grade 2: This is a soft murmur that can be easily heard by a vet. Grade 3: This is a low to moderate noise. Grade 4: This is a moderate to loud noise. Grade 6: This can be heard without listening directly on the chest wall. Grades 1 and 2 offer no concerns, and your Frenchie should lead a full and long life. Grade 3 will require your Frenchie having a heart scan, letting your vet then recommend a medical treatment. If the heart murmur is graded on the higher end of the scale, your Frenchie will have a reduce life expectancy. Heart murmurs are common in Frenchie puppies. In adult dogs it can be more serious. You can read more about how heart murmurs can impact on pet insurance here. Vomiting — 2. I lost count of how many times Claude used to vomit as a puppy. If your Frenchie is vomiting a lot, it should not be taken lightly. To summarise on that though, here are some reasons why your French Bulldog will vomit: Food allergies. The swallowing of a foreign body. Eating and drinking too quickly. Oesophageal issues and disorders. Vomiting is very common with French Bulldogs, and most of the time is nothing to be worried about. I would exercise caution though; if your dog is vomiting frequently and appears to be distressed and in pain, take him to the vets immediately. Infectious canine tracheobronchitis kennel cough — 2. It is highly contagious but will often be a mild illness that can be treated and cured in under a month with the use of antibiotics or prevented with a vaccination. This is one to look out for if you are leaving your Frenchie in kennels for any period of time, or if your dog lives and plays in close proximity to other dogs. Patellar luxation dislocated kneecap — 2. Our French Bulldog is a complete clown and has no sense of danger. Patellar luxation can occur in Frenchies where: They have degenerative arthritis. They have a genetic malformation. They have suffered a traumatic injury to the knee. If you see your Frenchie holding his hind legs up that could be a sign of a dislocated kneecap. He will do this so that the muscles in his hind legs relax, as that can then let the dislocated kneecap return to its usual position. Ulcerative keratitis eye ulcer — 2. April 7, 20 Comments We all love our Frenchies, so the last thing we want to see happen is for them to get sick. Unfortunately, French Bulldogs are synonymous with health issues. Due to their flat-faced structure, hereditary bone conditions, susceptibility to allergies, and a number of other underlying factors, your life as a Frenchie owner can be riddled with visits to the vet. Breathing and heatstroke Due to a short nose and scrunched face, French Bulldogs tend to snort, wheeze, grunt, and snore more than other dogs. This may be something that you find endearing about the breed, but this smaller airway can present a problem if your dog catches a cold or becomes congested. The best remedy is to spray your dog with a cool mist to help reduce their body temperature. Never leave them in the car unattended. Think about buying a kids pool for your home. Eye and ear problems Even though the French Bulldog is one of the healthiest of all the Bulldog breeds, they still experience some of the same health issues. Due to additional exposure to the surrounding environment, yeast infections of the ears are a frequent problem that Frenchies are prone to developing. If they are left untreated, it can result in deafness or other issues. Your vet can perform a hearing test to see if your French Bulldog suffers from this condition. Frenchies also experience quite a number of eye problems. One example is where the eyelashes can become inverted and irritate the eye itself. This condition is known as entropion. The only way to treat this condition is through surgery, otherwise, the dog may suffer from chronic eye infections. Since the French Bulldogs eyes protrude from their face , the eyes can also easily become scratched. This can lead to corneal ulcers and other eye problems. So if you spot excessive blinking or irritation of the eyes, go to your vet! Finally, cataracts in the eyes can develop as your dog ages — just like any dog. This is something that you should watch out for to prevent blindness. Allergies and food sensitivities Unfortunately, French Bulldogs have a genetic predisposition to several environmental allergens. This can result in them having dry and itchy skin. In more severe cases, your dog may develop swollen glands or hives. Buy on Amazon Here Using a hypoallergenic shampoo or one that contains oatmeal can help to relieve some of the discomfort associated with the condition. Or in some cases, your vet can administer a steroid injection to reduce the histamine response to the environmental allergens. As well, your Frenchie may develop food sensitivities. These can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms are similar to environmental allergies. Some of the more distinguishing features of food sensitivity are that your dog may suffer from extreme flatulence. Heart disease Poor heart health is something you should be aware of if you own a Frenchie. There are two types of heart problems that you need to be concerned about in this breed. Heart murmurs, which can generally be detected during the puppy years, and heart or valve disease. The second type is similar to what people suffer from as they get older. It can be brought on by lack of exercise and poor diet. However, some dogs are more genetically prone to develop heart disease than others. Look for brands of dog food that are lower in sodium so that you can be more proactive in maintaining their overall heart health. Spinal disorders Hemi-vertebrae is a congenital condition that can be seen with the screw-tail breed. It presents as a compression of the spaces between the vertebrae. This compression impedes the messages of the nervous system resulting in some form of paralysis for the dog — in extreme cases of course. Sometimes this condition can show generalized limb weakness or even loss of bowel and bladder control. Another problem that can result from this condition is bulging discs in the back. This usually occurs later in life but will present with the same symptoms as the congenital form. Joint diseases Arthritis can affect Frenchies due to their smaller stature and low center of gravity. It shows similar symptoms that it does in people. If your dog has arthritis they may refuse to move much or be in pain when they do move. There are over the counter treatments that can relieve much of the discomfort. Another joint problem with Frenchies is patellar luxation. This is where the kneecap pops out of place unexpectedly. It can cause your dog to limp or even fall down suddenly. Hip dysplasia is something that you may also observe. This is where the hip joint comes out of the socket and remains stuck. This can cause extreme pain and difficulty getting around. Other french bulldog health issues Due to the scrunched up face appearance, this puts Frenchies at an increased risk of developing problems with the soft palate. Something called cleft palate is extremely common. It is easy to identify because it presents as protruding teeth and gums. There may also be one nostril that is shaped differently than the other one. Secondary cleft palate is more difficult to diagnose. This is where the deformity is inside the mouth. Some of the symptoms include frequent sneezing, excessive snorting even after light exercise, difficulty eating or drinking, and a chronic runny nose. Surgery will be required to repair this condition. More severe cases can result in chronic respiratory infections and malnourishment due to an inability to eat properly. Wrapping up Overall, the French bulldog is a great breed. They tend to do well with other pets and the whole family. But any purebred dog is likely to have health issues. You just need to be aware that Frenchies are more prone to health problems than many other breeds. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercise are some of the best ways to prevent these health problems. By Dr. I hope you can respond quickly since the possible purchase of a puppy is involved. I recently contracted with a breeder to purchase a French bulldog puppy and I just received a call that the puppy has a Grade 2 heart murmur, as detected by their vet. The pup is 7 weeks old and is the only pup out of a litter of five with the problem. I was also informed that there was a good chance the murmur would resolve, so I was hoping you might share your opinion on whether I should go ahead with buying this pup. I also read about a test called a pro BNP and wonder if that might be helpful. Clearly, I want to bring home a healthy puppy. What is the likelihood that this murmur will go away? If I get this dog, will it have a normal, healthy lifespan? It is commendable that the breeder informed you of this cardiac issue now before you bring the puppy home and get attached, which you still might do. Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of and a Grade 2 murmur is a soft-sounding low grade one. In puppies, this can sometimes be called an innocent murmur, which is not serious and may resolve with time, usually by the age of 4 months. If it does, it has no consequence on the health or longevity of the dog. However, there is no guarantee that this will occur. Murmurs can come in different types and be heard at different times in the cycle of cardiac contractility and relaxation. They can also be caused by many different anomalies, some congenital and others that develop over time. The pro-BNP test that you mention measures the amount of stretching of cardiac muscle and typically is used in mature dogs with more advanced changes in the heart, so it might not have relevance in this case other than providing a baseline and allowing it to be monitored over time. You might ask for an EKG, echocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound or a cardiologist to further assess the dog. You could ask the breeder to keep the dog for a few months to see if the murmur goes away or you might roll the dice and take the dog home, but know that there are no sure ways of knowing that all will work out. If things do not resolve or worsen, you will be attached to a sweet dog with potentially costly health issues. Only you know what you are willing to gamble. Good luck with your decision. My pet was diagnosed with a heart murmur! What does that mean? It is caused by abnormal turbulent blood flow. Abnormal turbulent blood flow can occur when blood passes across abnormal heart valves or across abnormal structures within the heart. It can also occur when blood flows very fast across normal structures such as when an animal is excited. An echocardiogram ultrasound of the heart is a non-invasive test that is performed to determine the cause of the murmur. In some instances, the louder the murmur, the more significant the abnormality within the heart. They are soft and usually go away by 14 weeks of age. This may indicate that congenital present at birth heart disease is present. The cardiologist will perform an echocardiogram as well as other tests EKG, blood pressure, etc. Depending on the disease present, some congenital diseases can be fixed or made better with an interventional catheter procedure, traditional surgery, or administration of cardiac medications. If you have an older, small breed dog: Heart murmurs in these dogs may indicate that these dogs have a leaky mitral valve the heart valve in between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve degenerates as dogs age and when it does, the older valve allows blood to leak backwards. We refer to this disease as chronic valve disease, endocardiosis or degenerative mitral valve disease. Mild chronic valve disease that leads to small leaks across the mitral valve usually does not create a problem for a dog. The disease is slowly progressive in most cases and the leak will continue to worsen over months to years. If the disease becomes severe, the dog is at risk for developing congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure means that the leak across the heart valve overwhelms the heart and fluid goes from the heart backwards into the lungs instead of from the heart forward to the body. A cardiologist can perform an echocardiogram and determine the stage of chronic valve disease present. The presence or absence of congestive heart failure is diagnosed by X-ray of the chest. If congestive heart failure is present, oral medications can be prescribed to help maintain a good quality of life. Some dogs can do well with these medications for years. Bernard, Newfoundland, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian or Portuguese Water Dog : Heart murmurs in these dogs may indicate that they have a disease called dilated cardiomyopathy with a subsequent leaky mitral valve. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the pumping chamber ventricle of the heart where the muscle becomes weakened and the contraction of the heart is decreased. When the ventricle is unable to pump blood to the body, fluid goes from the heart backwards into the lungs instead of from the heart forward to the body. This is known as congestive heart failure. In addition, because the heart is not pumping effectively, these dogs can develop profound weakness, lethargy, exercise intolerance and fainting. Unfortunately, they can also pass away suddenly from abnormal heart beats arrhythmias from the diseased heart chambers. A cardiologist can perform an echocardiogram and determine if dilated cardiomyopathy is present in susceptible breeds. Oral medications can be initiated in the preclinical asymptomatic phase of dilated cardiomyopathy and in some cases, these medications can delay the progression of the disease to the development of congestive heart failure. If a dog develops clinical symptoms of congestive heart failure, X-rays are used to confirm the presence and determine the severity of the congestive heart failure. Some dogs can do well with these medications for a period of months to years. If you have a middle-aged to older cat especially a Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Sphynx or Devon Rex : Heart murmurs in cats can be due to the excitement of the veterinary visit physiologic heart murmurs or due to underlying heart disease. An echocardiogram is necessary to differentiate between a heart murmur that is just due to excitement versus a heart murmur from underlying heart disease. Heart murmurs or other abnormalities heard with a stethoscope may indicate that cats have a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is the most common acquired heart disease seen in cats. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the pumping chamber of the heart where the muscle does not relax well after it contracts. Blood is then unable to fill the heart normally and fluid goes from the heart backwards into the lungs instead of from the heart forward to the body. Signs of congestive heart failure include a fast breathing rate, difficulty breathing, fainting, weakness, lethargy, hiding and a decreased appetite. Unfortunately, in addition, these cats can also pass away suddenly from abnormal heart beats from the diseased heart chambers. A cardiologist can perform an echocardiogram and determine if hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or other structural heart disease is present in susceptible breeds and in cats that have abnormal heart sounds on physical examination. The progression of disease is different in every cat. Some cats develop congestive heart failure soon after their disease is diagnosed by echocardiogram. Other cats remain asymptomatic for their hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for many years before they develop congestive heart failure. Still others never develop congestive heart failure or any symptoms of their heart disease. Recheck cardiology visits and echocardiograms are necessary to determine the progression of disease in each patient. If a cat develops clinical symptoms of congestive heart failure, X-rays are used to confirm the presence and determine the severity of the congestive heart failure. If congestive heart failure is present, oral medications can be prescribed to help maintain a good quality of life, and some cats can do well with these medications for a period of months to years. Consult with your Vet should two or more symptoms be present. Accurate diagnoses are possible by using x-rays or ultrasound, where the presence of cardiomyopathy in the pedigree is unknown. Drugs to help the heart are available and may prolong life. They are usually administered at the same time as drugs that treat water retention. Low salt diets are recommended and your Vet may suggest that you switch from your regular brand of dogfood. This is because salt increases fluid retention, already a problem when the heart is not working properly. Your dog should not be allowed to be overweight when he presents with cardiomyopathy — although most dogs with hereditary cardiomyopathy tend to be skinny. Exercise needs to be monitored, as your dog needs to be fit, but not to over-exert himself. Cardiomyopathy is occasionally associated with other conditions or disorders, like hypothyroidism. Diseases like parvovirus may sometimes weaken the heart, creating conditions suitable for heart disease to develop. Heartworm , is now also of concern. Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common heart diseases in adult dogs. Large breeds are most commonly affected, with three-quarters of the affected dogs being male. Affected females have a markedly lower survival rate than affected males. Survival statistics are poor. Heart Murmurs A murmur can usually be heard when the puppy is 10 weeks old — although it can be picked up earlier by a very experienced Vet, this is very difficult as the puppy has a very fast heart rate, fidgets and sniffs. It is not easy for a Vet to determine the difference between a puppy murmur and a congenital heart defect murmur by listening with a stethoscope auscultation. The blood thus flows forwards AND squirts backwards with every heartbeat. ECGs and X-rays may be needed to definitively diagnose a heart murmur, and to determine what type of murmur it may be. It is defined as an "obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract that ranges in severity from an incomplete fibrous ridge to a fibromuscular tunnel", and lies just under the aortic valve. This lesion causes turbulence in the blood as it crosses the aortic valve, and creates a murmur in most affected dogs. The subaortic lesion progresses with maturity. Heart murmurs can be detected as early as six to eight weeks of age, or develop as late as three to four years of age in milder cases. Most of the information available on SAS, including inheritance of the defect, has come from breeding studies done on Newfoundland dogs. Information from this breed is identical to the clinical features observed in other SAS affected breeds, such as Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers. The mode of transmission found in the Newfoundland dog breeding studies suggests an autosomal dominant gene trait with variable expression or penetrance is responsible, with the variability probably due to modifying gene factors. This makes the true mode of inheritance complicated, presenting a challenging problem in removing the defect from the dog population. Regardless of the degree of severity observed, any affected SAS animal can produce a degree of severity in its offspring because of the dominant genetics of the disease. Subaortic stenosis has been graded based on post-mortem exam: Grade 1 is the mildest form, with raised white nodules occurring in the area under the aortic valve; Grade 2 is the intermediate form, with a fibrous ridge that partially encircles the outflow tract; Grade 3 is the most severe form, with a fibrous band encircling the entire outflow tract just under the aortic valve, and may also cause changes in the mitral valve complex. The mildest lesions create the most frustrating problem for breeders. In studies performed on Newfoundlands, it was found that ausculation stethosope exam , cardiac catheterization, and echocardiography ultrasound , the most technologically advanced methods to detect and define heart murmurs, failed to reliably detect some, if not most, of the mildly affected dogs, as determined by post-mortem exam. The Grade 2 lesions are often associated with soft cardiac murmurs and minimal changes in the pressure gradient across the aortic valve. The Grade 3 lesions are usually associated with the more severe clinical signs, including moderate to severe murmurs, exercise intolerance, syncope fainting , congestive heart failure, and sudden death. The importance of this clinical data is clear - while the genetic makeup for SAS may be present in a dog, the actual detection of subaortic stenosis becomes difficult in mild cases, with definitive diagnosis of the carrier depending on post-mortem exams. This makes genetic counselling for this genetic trait difficult and leaves breeders frustrated. Treatment for SAS can be frustrating. Mild Cases:Therapy is usually not indicated in mild cases, as affected dogs are usually asymptomatic and can live a full and productive life. The only exception requires the use of prophylactic antibiotics for potential bacterial problems; such as dental procedures, surgery, and wounds; due to the risk of the dog developing endocarditis bacterial colonization of the heart valves , which may damage the heart valves. Moderate to severe cases: For moderate to severe cases, treatment is limited to drugs aimed at decreasing the clinical symptoms, such as those associated with congestive heart failure. However, the benefits of such drug-oriented treatment are minimal. Many moderate to severely affected dogs may develop acute heart arrhythmias as a result of heart muscle ischemia and sudden death. It is thus perhaps better to use a holistic approach based on nutrition, moderate exercise, a wellness-oriented lifestyle and dollops of affection. How can breeders decrease the incidence of subaortic stenosis? Firstly, the limitations of current diagnostics in recognizing mildly affected dogs must be recognised. It is also known that many affected animals shall be identified in a comprehensive program of screening. A carefully planned program of screening - and definitively diagnosing heart murmurs, along with genetic counseling - could reduce the incidence of the defect within a few generations. This includes screening all breeding stock, then carefully screening all progeny for the defect and eliminating parents which have produced affected offspring. A Conservative Program to Screen Dogs for Discrete Subaortic Stenosis see reference1 Most, but not all, discrete subaortic lesions will produce a murmur, and it is reasonable to use ausculation stethoscope examination as the main screening method. Some very mildly affected defects will go undetected, but neither are these likely to be detected by ultrasound or catheterization. Because the lesion develops postnatally, screening should not be begun until weeks of age. Pups with murmurs should be examined by more definitive methods, as needed, to make a diagnosis. Moderate to severe subaortic stenosis can be diagnosed by this age. Pups with mild lesions may not be distinguishable from those with innocent flow murmurs. Pups with low grade murmurs and no other evidence of heart disease should be re-examined at weeks of age. If the murmur disappears, the pup can be considered clear of clinically significant congenital heart disease. However, if there are close relatives with subaortic stenosis, it is prudent not to use such animals for breeding stock or use them only if their offspring are carefully screened for congenital heart disease. Discontinue breeding such dogs if they produce pups with confirmed subaortic stenosis. Pups with a low grade murmur that persists beyond 12 weeks should be re-examined by more definitive methods to make an accurate diagnosis. If echocardiography ultrasound or cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography are used, it should be possible to reduce the number of false positives. Pups that have a persistent murmur consistent with subaortic stenosis, but have no evidence of a congenital heart defect after further studies can be considered clear of a clinically significant lesion, but a very mild lesion cannot be ruled out. Such animals should not be used for breeding unless there are other compelling reasons for it. If bred, the offspring of such dogs should be carefully screened for evidence of congenital heart disease and breeding discontinued if any affected pups are produced. References: 1. Genes and the Heart: Congenital Heart Disease. Donald F. Linda B. Lehmkuhl and John B. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals,

Thank you for your interest in our AKC Goldens. See below to join our Farm News for updates on new litters. We accept deposits right here on our website to Hold the Gender of your Choice first paid-deposit, first reserved basis. If you have a preference for which momma you'd like, you can make note of that when placing a deposit. Otherwise, we will notify you when the next litter is available and confirmed through ultrasound! Your new fur baby will be ready to go home at 8 weeks old. The final payment must be made before taking the puppies home. Please join our email subscriber's here. Each puppy has such a precious, unique personality, so we like for our families to have time to interact with them and pick them out in person. We will schedule 1-hour appointments when the puppies are ready to be picked up 8 weeks old. Deposits are non-refundable. You or a flight nanny will need to meet us outside of the airport for puppy pickup. Additionally, If you are unable to fly to pick up the puppy or arrange a flight nanny , we are happy to provide the flight nanny service for you. The Flight Nanny charge is outlined below. Please feel free to message with more questions. We are happy to offer flight nanny service, though! The nanny is either ourselves or someone we personally know and trust. The flight nanny is attuned to your pet's needs and will give special attention to a smooth, caring transition from our farm to your arms. Flight Nanny fee must be paid ahead for scheduling purposes. We are happy to speak through these detail specifics with you. Be sure to watch for our mahogany. We put the safety and happiness of your puppy above everything else! Although picking up your puppy in person at the breeder is ideal, we understand this is simply not practical for everybody. To accommodate those who cannot pick up their puppy in person, we offer two puppy travel and delivery options through our travel partners. We love the opportunity to hang out with your pup for the day and make some road-trip memories and potty stops together! Joyful Reunion: The best part! Rates: See map above Puppy Air Travel Airport Selection: Well find and choose the most convenient airport that provides a pet program and an incoming flight schedule that is best for the pup. Coordination: We take care of communicating and coordinating with you and the breeder to insure your pup is well-prepared for their travel day. We work with you and the breeder to coordinate schedules, and you will be provided with a full flight itinerary. Puppy Pickup: We will pick up your puppy from the breeder and transport them to the airport. We love this because we get to spend extra time with your pup in helping them to have the best travel day possible! Accommodations: After good-bye kisses and check in, your puppy will travel in the comfort of a new airline-approved kennel with absorbent bedding, food, and water. Joyful Reunion: We stay in touch with you to let you know your pup is safely on its way, and will wait to hear the good news of your new pup arriving safely in your arms! We are highly experienced in puppy travel and understand all the small details that will ensure your pups comfort and safety above all else. All you need to worry about is preparing your home for the puppy of your dreams. A few more details for you… Any kenneling fees owed because of flight cancellations will be the responsibility of the individual who receives the puppy. From May to September, temperatures can be hot. For the safety of your puppy, airlines pet services have temperature restrictions. From December to March, temperatures are cold and postponements in puppy travel to a warmer day is fairly common. Please keep in mind our number one priority is the safe arrival of your puppy. Have a Travel Question? Also, transporting a pet in a car is not ideal since it is very dangerous when not handled professionally. We do care about our puppies so much and that is why we always chose to handle the delivery of our puppies by ourselves to all our clients who have to drive 6 hours or more to get to us. We once had a very bad experience where a client from Arizona picked up a puppy from us and while driving home, he decided to get some food and refuel at a gas station. He left our puppy locked up in the car in the heat so the puppy suffocated and died before he could make it to his car. That is why we do handle the shipping process ourselves because we know it will be professionally done. Plus, we are in a crisis now and it is risky for you traveling so far because everyone is expected to stay indoors to save lives. We do ship your puppy to the closest airport in your location after which the puppy is then delivered to your home address, so you do not need to leave your home to go and pick up the puppy from the airport. This process is professionally handled by the shipping agent who is in charge of shipping and delivering your puppy in perfect health condition. We chose air transport because it is the fastest and it is less stressful for the puppy. The puppy is shipped in an electronic pet crate that is completely sealed and thermally regulated. The puppy is kept at constant a body temperature irrespective of thermal changes in its environment during the flight time. This enables your puppy to be safe and comfortable at all times. Also, the puppy has a constant supply of freshwater and food in the crate. You need not worry about anything because this process is handled by professionals who have been trained to do it. The pet delivery crate is labeled with your full delivery information including home address and phone number so as to easily identify your Puppy. We do issue you the flight schedule of the puppy after we ship him so that you should know the time he arrives in your city. So we advise you to be at home an hour or two after the puppy lands in your city because the delivery van will definitely be bringing the puppy to your home address. Once the puppy is brought to your home address, we expect you to examine the puppy physically to make sure he has not been injured or maltreated in any way. You shall need your government-issued ID card of Drivers' license to identify yourself before signing to collect the puppy. Please make sure to give us a call once you get your puppy and also don't forget to comment on our website. Thanks for your cooperation and we wish you the best with your new family member. We are always ready to hear from you! We will call you to conduct a brief phone interview after we've received your application. We take deposits on upcoming litters, and customers with deposits get priority in the selection process on a first-in first-out basis. Deposit customers are offered the puppy of their choice in the order of deposit after the 6-week old photos are posted. You may choose to apply your deposit to a future litter in the event that circumstances prevent your from taking a puppy or there is not one that meets your criteria. Make a Deposit We accept Venmo , cash, checks and credit cards for deposit and balance payments. If you don't have a PayPal account, you may still use this payment method to pay using your credit or debit card. Follow instructions after clicking on the link. All of our puppies come with a 2-year genetic health guarantee. Full unlimited registration may be considered if certain conditions are met in addition to purchase of breeding rights. Contact us for more information. Lifetime support for you and your new family member from us. Puppy Delivery We will deliver your puppy within our delivery area, which is within a 4 hour drive of Terry, MS. If you live outside of our delivery area, consider driving to the edge of our delivery area. We will meet you there! We will also arrange for ground transportation if you prefer. Price varies by number of miles. We now offer shipping in the USA and Canada! Feel free to email or call us at if you have any questions, or are interested in a puppy from one of our upcoming litters. We have several litters currently and have some availability left for these pups who will be ready for their new homes late June and early July. English Cream Puppies! August 24, English cream puppies are not actually completely white. They still have just a little bit of color. Did you know that when an English Cream golden gets older, you can actually see completely white hair around the muzzle? But only slightly.Anyway, these puppies from Snowflake and Lance.They are quiet, calm, and friendly with very good people interaction skills which is very important for family puppies. All our goldens receive individual handling at least 3 times per day by adul.We managed to get a few pictures the other day and wanted to share them with you! Both Clover and Charlie are very gentle, quiet, and calm. All their.Growing Up the Golden Way August 19, Is it any wonder that goldens are one of the most sought after breed in America? They are happy, content, bright and full of fun. Elemay and Freddy's puppies fit that description and then some. These puppies are going home on the 2nd of September! Searching for some new adventure May.Our goldens come in all different sizes starting with Susie who is the mother of these two weighing in at fifty-five pounds and working up to our heaviest male, George, the.Feel free to click the Reserve button to learn more about puppy availability and our reservation process! But the truth is, as puppy buying rises, so do puppy scams. A few quick ways to identify a scam: Scammers will not allow you to speak with them on the phone Copycat or Stock Photos Unusual payment requests instead of credit cards or checks Price is too good to be true Read more about this on the AKC website. Make an Appointment. Testimonials Safe And Comfortable Shipping Process If you are interested in any of our puppies on our website and live too far to drive down and pick up the puppy in person, then we can make the arrangements for you to have your puppy on a next or same day delivery. The puppy will be shipped to the closest airport near you or hand delivered to your home. Delivery prices are per county, region or country. In most cases the puppy will arrive within hours within the US and 72 hours max international delivery from the departure time. However, sometimes delays do occur due to weather or puppy checking, so check the flight with the airline before you leave your home to go to the airport. General Airline Requirements The puppy must be at least 8 weeks 4 days old. Your physical address, it cannot be a post office box Phone numbers that you can easily be reached at, preferably at least two numbers. The name of the COUNTY that you live in The name of the airport that you prefer your puppy to arrive at, and the name of an optional airport. What puppy you are interested in. Before you panic, get that picture of cardboard boxes and foam peanuts out of your mind! Shipping puppies is usually quite safe and any airlines or trucking companies that take live animals have procedures in place to be sure they arrive in good health. This is probably the safest mode of air travel, but may be more expensive and what we mostly use since we pay an additional fee for the pet. We do ship by Land using a trucking company that specializes in transporting pets is another option. The trucks will carry puppies, dropping off and picking up dogs on a very carefully planned route that can cover as much as half of the United States in one long road trip. We always give all our puppies a Bordetella vaccine prior to shipping to avoid the chances of other dogs or pets infecting them.

Tom Thorpe Blog Once you own and have a dog as a pet, you will generally feed him with dog food that is commercially available. In case your Golden Retriever is still a puppy, then you would rather give him plenty of milk. Actually, it is very much okay. However, the same with us, homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy is also a better option. On the contrary, some pet owners think of this food choice for their Golden Retriever puppy in a difficult manner. They will basically try to shift on this dog food alternative the moment their little Goldies begins to develop rashes. In fact, numbers of commercial dog foods are made of byproducts and fillers which are not actually nutritious for your dog. If your Golden Retriever is more than a dog for you, reading this article would be very helpful to feed him healthy homemade food fresh from the kitchen. Aside from that, it also needs your effort in doing so. However, if homemade food is good for human, homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy also entails lots of health advantages for dogs. Check below for the perks of feeding homemade food to your little Goldies. Guarantee the quality of the dog food There are basically a numbers of issues about available dog food in the market having bad quality. Preparing and feeding your Goldies with homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy may give you an assurance that they only take in nutritious food. Moreover, if you want to add more nutrients in it, you can adjust and control the food based on their health requirement. No included chemicals or fillers Usually, most commercially available dog food today has fillers and other artificial ingredients. These may generally cause harm to your Goldies. Giving them homemade dog food will definitely keep them away from fillers and artificial ingredients that do not have any nutrients at all. More diet varieties Like humans, dogs also get bored when they eat the same kind of food over and over. Homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy is the best solution for this. Provide good nutrition Typically, most brands of commercially available dog food claim that their product contains the highest number of benefits. However, some ingredients look cryptic which will result in feeding your little Goldies with unfamiliar ingredients. With homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy, you will have the opportunity to add healthy ingredients over it. Reduce waste In preparing homemade dog food it is actually good to use leftovers such as the veggies. You can even use raw meat. This can generally lessen the waste coming from food which is very helpful with the environment. Budget-friendly Basically, homemade dog food tends to be very affordable as you are allowed to use leftovers as ingredients. Aside from that, when you compare the price of the commercially available dog food, you may found out that they are a little bit pricey. So, opting to feed your Golden Retriever puppy with homemade dog food will generally save you more money. You just need to allot of your time and exert a little bit effort in doing so. But, the most challenging part of it is to choose the right diet for your Golden Retriever puppy. Actually, it is very easy to buy and feed your dog with commercial dog food. By just pouring a scoop of kibble directly into their bowl you can already perform such a pretty convenient way to relieve their hunger. Unfortunately, because of some issues about commercial dog food, lots of pet owners are considering to prepare homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy. There are actually numbers of advantages if you try to give homemade food for your dog. However, opting to prepare homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy necessitates you to allot time and commitment on your end. So, you just have to ensure that you have more time in preparing the food properly and regularly. Actually, there is more information that you must have to know first prior to starting feeding your dog with homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy. Important Tips to Consider While Preparing Homemade Food for Golden Retriever Puppy It is really much crucial to determine that the homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy you cook will generally provide a well-balanced diet for your dog. Also, keep in mind that the dog has a short intestinal tract compared to humans. Because of that, they cannot able to chew in the same manner as us. Basically, you just have to make sure that your little Goldies can have a sufficient amount of nutrients from the homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy that you will provide. So, for a proper full digestion process, it is better to chop or grind the food properly. You can also consider adding some flax seeds or fish oils to the homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy. This is one of the healthy options that you may provide to your little Goldies. Another thing to remember is that cauliflower and broccoli should be avoided. Even though these are healthy foods for humans, these vegetables may generally cause stomach upset for canines. So, as much as possible, try not to include those into your homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy. Instead, you may opt using organic vegetables and leaner meats for healthier options. In case you want to feed your Goldies some rice, it is better to give them brown rice because of more nutritional contents. Basically, you also need to incorporate bulk and add fiber to the diet of your dog by using oats. Aside from that, to ensure that all the vitamins are present in their meal, add high-quality dry food on the homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy. Aside from being easy to prepare, you can also assure that your little Goldies receive the nutrients that they need. Feeding these dog foods for them will definitely help in maintaining their overall health and wellness. Homemade Healthy Puppy Food with Fruits These recipes basically contain organic fruits and will guarantee to provide your little Goldies with the essentials requirements that they need. Basically, this homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy has low-fat and low-sugar that will surely maintain the overall health of your dog. Fruity Mixed Combo with Chicken Generally, this is the best fruit meal that you can offer to your Golden Retriever puppy. Make sure that you will add the favorite fruits of your dog on this recipe. HOW TO COOK: Initially, prepare the following ingredients: Chicken — about 2 pounds, already cooked and chopped afterwards Any fruits — 3 cups Quinoa, lentils or rice — around 3 cups, already cooked Basically, combine all the ingredients and mix it well. Finally, serve it on bite-sized servings on your Golden Retriever puppy. Stripped Fruit and Veggie Mix Instead of using meaty strips, you can generally use fruits and vegetables for a great-tasting organic chew. You can basically use them as a treat or a puppy snack. Afterwards, mash the sweet potato and the banana in one bowl until you get a smooth texture. Add the carrots, flour, and the oats into the mashed sweet potato and banana. Eventually, put the water and applesauce and make a dough. Form strips by rolling the dough. Put the dough over the baking tray and place it inside the oven. Bake it for 25 minutes. Finally, store it inside the refrigerator and reward it to your dog as a treat afterwards. Crockpot Homemade Puppy Food Below is the list of the best homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy that you can prepare over a crockpot. Delightful Turkey Dog Dish Basically, this dog dish is easy to prepare and the resulting product comes in large quantities. Since they are in bulk, they can be stored inside the refrigerator and freeze it which can be fed for a couple of days. HOW TO COOK: Initially, prepare the following ingredients: Brown rice — about 1 to 2 cups Olive oil — around 1 tablespoon Turkey — ground, about 3 pounds Baby spinach — chopped, around 3 cups Carrots — shredded, 2 pieces Peas — frozen and canned, about 1 cup Using a large saucepan, basically, cook the rice with water. Basically, on a crockpot, heat the olive oil over a medium setting. Afterwards, incorporate the ground turkey. Generally, cook the rice until the color turns brown. Also, wait for the turkey to crumbles into smaller pieces. Pour on all the remaining ingredients, mix and heat thoroughly. Finally, let it cool and serve it to your Golden Retriever puppy. Crockpot Dog Stew Making this homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy will generally offer your pup a healthy stew. HOW TO COOK: Initially, prepare the following ingredients: Chicken thighs — skinless and boneless, about 3 pounds Chicken liver — about 2 quarters Carrots — sliced and peeled, around 2 medium-sized Apples — big sized, 1 piece; medium-sized, 2 pieces Water — around 2 to 3 cups Peas — frozen, about 1 cup Parsley — freshly chopped, around 1 handful size Olive oil — about 1 tablespoon Basically, mix all the ingredients inside the crockpot excluding the peas, parsley, and olive oil. Eventually, set the crockpot on low heat and cover it. After 10 to 15 minutes, pour the peas, parsley, and the olive oil into the crockpot. Cook it for about 8 hours. Let it cool and serve it to your Golden Retriever puppy. Refrigerate the remaining quantities for the later use. Luckily, this homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy is not just a delicious treat. These homemade peanut butter healthy cookies are a great source of fish oil for dogs. Due to this, your little Goldies will have a shinier and healthier coat. Afterwards, mix the flour and oats in a bowl. Add about one cup of water and mix it all together until creating a smooth texture. Pour on the peanut butter together with all the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add more some water slowly until you get a thick consistency of dough. Cut the dough on the preferred shapes using a cookie cutter. Place them over the baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes. Finally, serve it to your Golden Retriever puppy. Final Thoughts The homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy is such a delicious and healthy snack for your little pup. Actually, they really deserve to eat that kind of dog food as our little Goldies is more than just a puppy. Besides, they are also a great part of the family. With this, the health of the Golden Retriever should be given much priority. There are also plenty of homemade recipes for your little pups that you can freshly prepare at home. Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. All growing puppies need proper nutrition. However, choosing the right diet for your puppy can be an overwhelming task. When you choose to feed your puppy home-prepared food, it takes a certain amount of commitment on your part. Make sure you have the time to prepare the food properly and on a regular basis. There's a lot you need to know before you can start feeding your dog an appropriate homemade diet. Like humans, dogs have specific caloric requirements and need certain vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Puppies have even more specific needs in order to grow at an appropriate rate and thrive. The food you feed your puppy must be complete and balanced. It must also be designed to support growth. One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make when they decide to feed home-prepared diets is not following the right recipes or, not following a recipe at all. Preparing the right puppy diet is about more than just feeding enough calories. It must also have the proper balance of protein, fat, and calories for a growing puppy. When you begin to develop a home-prepared diet, make sure your puppy gets everything it needs in its diet to keep it as healthy as possible and help it grow. The best way to do this is to consult with your veterinarian. You might even want to ask for a referral to a veterinary nutritionist. Working with a vet, you can design a diet that meets all of your puppy's nutritional needs. Your vet may have recipes for you to use or may guide you to a website like BalanceIT. These websites have recipes developed by veterinary nutritionists. They can help you choose a diet that is complete and balanced but also meets other needs. In many cases, you can choose your preferred ingredients or find formulas designed for puppies with specific needs like large breeds or health issues like allergies. How to Prepare Homemade Puppy Food In general, puppies need about twice as many calories per day than their adult counterparts. According to the Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Cats and Dogs of the National Academy of Science, a pound puppy that is expected to weigh 33 pounds at adulthood needs to eat about calories per day. In addition, puppies need more protein, fat, vitamins and minerals than adult dogs. Many owners who feed home-prepared diets set up a regular schedule , setting aside time weekly or monthly to prepare and portion the diet. The food can be prepared in bulk and portioned into containers one container per meal makes it extra-easy. You can keep meals frozen for several months or refrigerated for about 5 days. When the supply of pre-prepared meals runs low, it's time to make a new batch. If you like to feed a variety of foods, you can make multiple batches and color code by ingredients, rotating out the different meals. Remember to increase portions appropriately as your puppy grows. Raw Diets for Puppies There's no doubt that home-cooked diets for puppies can be healthy when done correctly, but what about raw food? There is much controversy over raw food for dogs. The AVMA and other agencies warn of the risks of dangerous pathogens in raw pet food. Some other experts see the potential benefits of raw food for healthy adult dogs. However, puppies are a different story. Raw food may contain dangerous pathogens that can lead to illness in people and some dogs. Like children, young animals may not have the immune systems to fight off pathogens found in raw food. If you feel you can safely handle raw food and you are willing to assume the risks, talk to your veterinarian about transitioning to raw food when your puppy gets older. In the beginning, you might choose to offer a combination of cooked and raw foods to see how it works out. Raw diets should never be fed to dogs coming into contact with immunocompromised humans. In addition, raw diets are not recommended for dogs with immune system issues. This meal contains healthy carbs, lean animal protein, and the goodness of veggies! Directions: Put the ground turkey, rosemary, rice, and turkey into a Dutch oven. Stir ground turkey until it is broken up and is distributed evenly throughout. Bring the turkey to a boil over high heat and then reduce it. Simmer the mixture for 20 minutes. After simmering you can go ahead and add frozen vegetables and cook it for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool. You can refrigerate this recipe for five days. Directions: Preheat oven to degrees and take the help of two baking papers as well as baking sheets to help avoid sticking. Mix the pumpkin and the beaten eggs in a container until the mixture is smooth. In another bowl, combine the brown rice flour and the flaxseed oil. Add the pumpkin mixture whilst constantly stirring and also add water slowly. You have the option to leave some rice if you want to use it as toppings for the cookies. Mix the dough properly with your hands. Using waxed paper or baking paper try to roll dough to the thickness you desire and remove the top of the baking paper. Pour rice flour evenly on the top of the mixture and press it lightly to the waxed baking paper. Remove the top part of the paper and cut the biscuits to your desired size. Place the dough in the oven until the top is completely dry or for 35 minutes. Once the cookies are done cool them and then store in a glass container. These recipes are nutritious and filled with goodness and love and are easy to make and store. You can also use them in combination with kibble to mix things up a bit. Which one of these recipes did your dog like the best? Let me know in the comments section! More Health. Brush a dog biscuit baking tray with coconut oil. Mash the ripe banana in a bowl until smooth. Ensure there are no large chunks left. In a medium-sized bowl, blend the gluten-free flour and oats. Add coconut oil, water, mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, and fresh blueberries. Mix until well combined. Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Stir until you get an even consistency. Drizzle in the CBD oil and give it another stir to ensure even distribution. Use a tablespoon measure to scoop out portions of the mixture. Press each scoop firmly into the dog treat baking mold. Place the tray in the oven and bake the treats for 30 to 40 minutes. They should be firm to the touch and slightly golden when ready. Once the treats have cooled, transfer them to an airtight container for storage. This easy-to-make recipe ensures your Golden Retriever gets a nourishing and delightful meal. This batch yields approximately four servings, which can be stored in your refrigerator. Ingredients 1 lb. Cut the chicken into half-inch pieces. In a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, cook the chicken on medium heat for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove the chicken pieces and set aside the pan drippings. Rice preparation. Once done, set aside. Gravy creation. Over medium to low heat, warm the chicken drippings in the pan. Gently stir until it becomes a smooth mixture. Continue cooking until it evolves into a thick gravy consistency. Combining ingredients. Add the cooked chicken, rice, peas, and carrots to the gravy. Simmer the mixture for approximately 10 minutes or until the veggies are tender. This enhanced dog food recipe combines the richness of turkey with the nourishment of vegetables and quinoa — a superfood known for its protein and fiber content. Ingredients 1 pound of ground turkey 1 cup of quinoa 1 cup of carrots, finely chopped 1 cup of green beans, finely chopped 1 cup of spinach, finely chopped 1 tablespoon of fish oil A sprinkle of turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits, optional Directions Cooking the turkey. Over medium heat, cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet until fully done. Preparing the feast. Combine the quinoa, cooked turkey, and water in a large pot. Bring this mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until the quinoa becomes soft and translucent. Adding vegetables. Introduce the carrots, green beans, and spinach to the pot. Allow the mixture to cook for another 10 minutes, ensuring the vegetables are tender but not overly soft. Finishing touches. Let the meal cool to room temperature before serving. Extra portions can be refrigerated and consumed within five days. Adding eggs and beneficial herbs ensures your Golden Retriever gets essential vitamins and nutrients. Begin by boiling the eggs until they are hard-boiled. Once done, peel and finely chop them. Beef cooking. Once done, drain off any excess fat. In a large mixing bowl or container, combine the cooked brown rice, browned sirloin, chopped eggs, diced or shredded carrots, peas or green beans, minced parsley, and the optional sprinkle of turmeric. Drizzle with olive or safflower oil. Stir together. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently mix all the ingredients until they are evenly distributed and well combined. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want more homemade dog food recipes and cooking options for your Golden Retriever, cookbooks can be useful for various recipes. Maintaining a healthy weight is easier when your Golden Retriever is fed the right dog food. However, identifying a healthy gut is not an easy task. Skin or coat issues, excessive tiredness, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, and obesity can be caused by unbalanced and insufficient meal plans. If you detect any of these symptoms while feeding your dog meals, stop doing it immediately and seek expert advice. Below is a list of the most common toxic ingredients dogs need to avoid. Ginger Foods dogs should never eat If you are serious about making the shift to a DIY dog food lifestyle, avoid including any of the foods mentioned below as they can be toxic and poisonous to dogs: Chocolate and other sugary foods or drinks Avocados Milk or other dairy products Meat with nitrates i. Add ground turkey, begin to break it down, and cook for minutes, or until mostly cooked through. Chop veggies: With a food processor, finely chop sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini and broccoli. Add vegetables and stock: Add in the chopped vegetables and chicken stock or water. Cook on a strong simmer for minutes, or until veggies are tender and cooked through. Stir in pasta: Mix in your cooked pasta noodles to the turkey vegetable mixture. Feed your pups: Portion out meals accordingly. Example: If you have a 20 lb dog, they will eat .Rascal weighs 70 pounds and eats about .Alternative method: Slow cooker Add in all the ingredients and cook on high for 4 hours. Tools needed for cooking dog food at home Food Processor: Before I start cooking a batch of homemade dog food, I blend up all the vegetables in my food processor. This Cuisinart food processor is my go-to. Blending up the veggies nice and fine will speed up the cooking process. I love using a Dutch oven because I can ground the meat first, and then finish off the batch right in the same pot. The process is very similar to making chili… except for dogs. Ya know…Dog Chili. Yes, you can also use a crockpot. Just add all the ingredients and set it on high for 4 hours. Measuring Cups: Rascal has his own set of measuring cups now because it makes measuring out food ingredients and the finished batch WAY easier. Meal Prep Containers: This is basically meal prepping for your dog, so you will need some great Tupperware. Recipe variations: What natural foods can I feed my dog? Home-cooked dog food diets can be one of the best ways to keep your best friend happy and healthy. Vegetables: Spinach, butternut squash, cranberries, cauliflower, apples, green beans. Here is an entire list of AKC approved fruits and vegetables you can give your dog. If you can believe it, Rascal is actually allergic to rice. I wish I were kidding. Snacks to pair with home cooked dog food Peanut butter: Rascal has his own dedicated jar of peanut butter. He loves a traditional kong but you can also mold and freeze peanut butter in any shape for a quick frozen treat. When the jar is almost finished I break out my peanut butter spoon. Greek Yogurt Ice Cream: In the summer we blend up unflavored Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and peanut butter. Place a spoonful or two into a silicone cupcake pan and freeze for a few hours. Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes: Rascals favorite easy treat. How to store, reheat and freeze This homemade dog food will last days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. When eating time rolls around, simply nuke it in the microwave for seconds and cool slightly before serving. For freezing, I recommend freezer-safe containers or freezer zip-top bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before feeding and reheat as directed. Homemade dog food recipe FAQ How much homemade dog food should my dog eat? This will definitely vary from dog to dog and I highly recommend speaking to your vet before going homemade. Rascal weighs 75 lbs and we feed him about .Is it cheaper to feed your dog homemade food? Homemade dog food is more affordable than you might think. Small Pets Indian Homemade Food that can be given to Labradors and Golden Retriever Dog Breeds Pet dogs are so very aligned as first of the kin in most dog loving Indian homes that it is impossible not to share the human food tid bits with them. The pleading gaze of big brown eyes are hard to avoid and it seems almost cruel at that time to not share our food. But there is always an apprehension regarding the suitability of the human food for our dogs and puppies. Premium commercial dog food brands like Royal Canin , Hills Science plan and Solid Gold Dog Food offer complete and balanced nutrition to assure fulfillment of all basic needs of the pet. In respect to the safety and health of the dogs , you would be glad to know that there are plenty of human foods which the dog can eat to acquire protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. So one does need to walk consciously, but anddo understand that most things which are healthy for you may not be as healthy or even fatal for our four-legged companion. Boiled or scrambled egg, chicken, fish, mutton, beef, pork are all commonly eaten at home and are good sources of protein and fats. Chicken is being a popular dish in most non-vegetarian Indian kitchens is often shared with the home grown and stray dogs, pl ensure to avoid any dinner table offering that entails onion, garlic, excess oil and spices. Even cooked chicken bones are not recommended as it is brittle and may cause oral injuries and in some cases even fatal obstructions in the intestines of dogs that will be required to remove surgically. Grains and Pulses Whole grains like brown rice, wheat, oats, barley, millet and quinoa and pulses supply various important nutrients to the dog. A blend of brown rice and mashed boiled vegetables constitutes an easy and good healthy meal for your furry friend. Some of the dogs can be allergic to wheat; for rest of the doggie population it can be safely eaten in the form of chapatti Indian wheat bread and whole wheat pasta without salt, sugar and acidic sauces. Soybeans also go well with dogs, provided your dog is not sensitive to it. Whole wheat or brown breads can be fed in small quantities. Do not feed these 10 foods to your dog. Storehouse of important vitamins, minerals and fibres, fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories. They not only make one healthy and energized but also cut the risks of several diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. Though low in calories, any fruit or vegetable carry the risk of upsetting the stomach in case of excessive intake. Fruits Fruits are a great power snack to quench in-between meal time hunger. Banana, oranges without rinds , watermelon, muskmelon, berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries , mango are great fruits for dogs. Serving a blend of fruits to the dog, cut into chewable pieces, mixing various flavours, will make fruits more interesting for the dogs. While feeding an apple, just take a very good care to remove all the seeds as they are poisonous for the dog. Certain seeds, like apple seeds contain cyanide which may not be harmful for us because of the small dose of toxins. But the same dose can prove poisonous to our dogs. Grapes and raisins are a complete No-No for the dogs; they can cause irreversible kidney damage — just keep the dogs away from them. Vegetables Boiled, cooked, peeled, raw or as scraps — vegetables are good for your dog. The fresh and crunchy vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cucumbers and spinach are good for health and do a lot of good to the teeth of the dog as well. Sweet potatoes, green beans, pumpkin, bottle guard, peas, tomatoes compulsorily ripe and potatoes boiled or mashed are also much loved veggies. Onions are not be ingested by the dogs in any form raw, cooked, dried, powered as it can damage the red blood cells of the canine. Garlic is also capable of harming the red blood cells of the dog; some people argue that garlic in small quantities act as natural antibiotic. Raw veggies can be eaten by dog but when it comes to relatively greater quantity, the vegetables should be boiled and then mashed or cut into chewable pieces. Treats In small amounts, our canine partners can enjoy cottage cheese, peanut butter, popcorns sans salt and butter , sunflower seeds shelled and plain white yogurt. More natural and plain a treat is — minimum sugar, salts, preservatives — more will they suit the health of your dog. BUT do remember that chocolate, coffee, macadamia nuts, raisins are toxic for your pet. Be very careful with them. Certain dogs, just like humans, can be lactose intolerant; apart from them, milk, in moderate quantities, can be safely digested by all dogs. Cottage cheese is loved by most dogs. Curd and buttermilk are also good sources of prebiotics and calcium. It is recommended that before you offer a new food item to your pet you should consult your vet. Allergies and reactions to particular food stuffs would vary from dog to dog, so it is a good habit to observe your dog each time you feed it a new eatable. Care should be taken to avoid artificial sugar and have minimal salts pinch of salt a day would suffice. About Shikha Sharma Shikha Sharma believes that Mother Earth is our mutual abode, where all creatures have an equal right to live with dignity. This belief is clearly reflected in her wonderful writing pieces that revolve around animals and their well-being. She is the blog editor of Pets World. More like this.

Sophie, while classic in her conformation, is a maskless German Shepherd with much lighter markings giving her a very distinct look. For our females that have been bred before Jett, Java and Sophie , you can see what the puppies from their previous litters look like on our Past Litters page. We have also bred dogs named Abbey and Lakota in the past, but have retired them from breeding now; you can learn about Abbey and Lakota on our Retired Dogs page and see their previous puppies on our Past Litters page as well. Each of our dogs has a wonderful temperament that you can absolutely rely on to be trustworthy with a family, yet intimidating to potential intruders. As you can see, we have carefully selected all of our beautiful females for their specific and unique physical and behavioral traits. Read more about each of our females below. Jett Jett's actual name is "Jett Propulsion" - you know, like a rocket. And there's a reason for that. Jett is f-a-s-t.And she is ALL about her ball. She takes her ball with her to go potty. She brings her ball back to the porch at night. She puts her inside ball on the couch and pushes it toward you with her nose to try to entice you to play a late-night game of ball. She literally lives to play ball. Why does this matter to you? German Shepherds that love to chase balls have what "dog people" call a "strong prey drive. If you want a dog for home protection or police work, a strong prey drive is an admirable quality. She has a high prey, retrieving and hunting drive and an affinity for airborne scents and tracking. Java Java is the daughter of two of our dogs - Abbey and Rex. You can see photos of Java as a baby and growing up here. They go everywhere together, and are the best of friends. And we like that, because we know, wherever our daughter is, she is well protected. Java is also our most vocally expressive dog. We never have to wonder if someone is pulling into the driveway - Java will absolutely let us know. And Java is s-m-a-r-t, too. In just a couple of days, our daughter taught Java to ring a bell to let us know she wants to go out to potty. Admittedly, she sometimes rings it when she want to go out to play too! She is energetic, talkative, and has an incredible ability to quickly learn new commands. Sophie Sophie is the daughter of our own Jett see left and Rex. You can see photos of Sophie as a baby and growing up here. She has the traditional Shepherd saddle, but it is lighter in color. Everyone that sees her comments on how strikingly beautiful she is, and she has an incredible personality to match. Incredibly intelligent and easy to train, Sophie is a great combination of both her parents. Like her mother, Sophie is a wonderful protector, a loyal guardian, a great herding dog, and a fun-tastic playmate. Like her dad, she loves water and is always … ready for action, but she is equally comfortable curling up and spending a quiet day at home. She loves the water - loves, loves, loves it! She plays in her pool, digs in her water bowl, and like our Lakota , Bella would probably stay wet 24x7 if she were allowed to do so. While she loves to play with Sophie her best friend , she has a very laid back personality and a calm demeanor, and has been very easily trained. She enjoys kids and all the animals on the farm, though she is quite perplexed about horses — she keeps offering them her ball in hopes they would like to play with her. Bella is now ready to breed and will become the mother of an upcoming litter very soon. She has a deep love of water, a calm disposition and is very easily trained. The history of German Shepherd colors When talking about the German Shepherd , we have to mention the father of the breed — Von Stephanitz. Initially referred to as the Alsatian Wolf Dog and bred for herding, this versatile fido was developed to become one of the ultimate working dogs. Did you know that sable is the original color of a German Shepherd? Are you ready to discover all the wonderful colors of the German Shepherd? What are the breed-approved German Shepherd Coat Colors? The ones that are favored are black and red, black and tan, or black. The bi-color, black and cream, black and silver, and gray Shepherds are accepted in the show ring but often do poorly when compared to the deeper shades above. Some can have a few stray white hairs on their chest or minimal brown on their paws, but they should look completely black. Any noticeable markings or coloring will put them under the bi-color category. They can come from two black GSD parents, or one of them is black and tan. But before you buy a black German Shepherd puppy, we recommend that you adopt one from German Shepherd rescue organizations. Due to the black dog syndrome , any dog of this color has a lower chance of being adopted. As a result of recessive genes, they can still be produced from breeding two normal-colored GSDs. This also means you can get a litter of puppies from White Shepherds without any white. You may want to try with the UKC as they accept these beauties in show lines. This solid color is completely banned in Germany that it got to the point where they cull white German Shepherd puppies. Despite being disproved with modern science, this rule stayed. You can see in this video how the black and tan can be different for every GSD. Some have more black, and others have more tan. Some Germans have white tips: But German Shepherds have other black variations. The shade can range from a deep mahogany color to a strawberry blonde. Black and Silver German Shepherd Source: silversun. If you inspect them closely, they even have a hint of saddle that extends heavily over them. Black sables, on the other hand, are born black with or without slight tan markings. But the most common variant of the sable is red. Red Sable German Shepherds show the sable on their saddle area, but it can extend over their bodies, as well. This coloring causes each strand of fur to have two or three colors. Look at the undercoat to know the base color of heavy-sabled GSDs. This color does make this breed unique and good-looking, and no two dogs will look the same because the sable pattern and color will vary. Being a dominant color, you will always get a sable even if you pair it with another color. Liver Brown German Shepherd Aside from their gorgeous russet coats, brown or liver German Shepherds can have piercing golden eyes. Much like the Blue German Shepherd, this coloration is caused by a recessive dilute gene. It represses the black and makes it brown. While livers can be registered with the AKC, they must be of solid color and not exhibit any tan or sabling. It can even create a sable liver, bi-color liver, and the liver and tan saddle back German Shepherds. They are often solid blue, with a little white on the chest. Their pigmentation will show up as a cool steel gray rather than the generic black. They can have the usual saddles but most often look like a solid-colored dog. Big black spots around their eyes, with a white undercoat, often shaded with tan. Genetically, they are German Shepherds with the piebald gene — a rare genetic mutation that occurred in .German Shepherd markings Their iconic black markings give the German Shepherd dog breed a range of colors and certain characteristics. Yet, another marking that is missing on the white Shepherd. Isabella GSDs might also lack this iconic marking, as would livers and goldens. The German Shepherd dog can also display the sable color or pattern, where its fur is black-tipped. What is the rarest color of a German Shepherd? Panda and diluted colors are infrequently seen in this purebred, mostly because of how genes are inherited. Is it okay to get a rare-colored GSD? Rare colors are often seen as a marketing ploy by people attempting to make more money off the GSD litters that do not conform with its standard. Specific color patterns, such as the Panda Shepherd, are spontaneous mutations, which means reputable breeders would stay away from breeding for a particular color. How can you tell what color a German Shepherd puppy will be? If you want to know the genetics behind it, the agouti gene causing the sable color is dominant in the German Shepherd dog breed. Standard colors, like solid black and black and tan, are variations from recessive genes. Dilute or solid-colored coats are also considered recessive, with typical markings being the norm. Misconceptions about German Shepherd coat colors Differentiating between all these shades and patterns might be slightly tricky for the untrained eye. Many believe that black and tan is the same as black and red. While red is technically a deeper tan, it has more reddish undertones than tan, making it different. White Alsatians still have chocolate brown eyes and black pigmentation around their eyes, nose, and paws. This is what sets them apart from albinos. Liver or Blue GSDs are caused by a gene that modifies the color gene. Do German Shepherd colors affect behavior? No, the color of your GSD should not dictate how he behaves. Temperament is determined by breeding, care, and training. Germans of all colors should embody the characteristics of an alert, protective, obedient, and calm type of dog that the world has come to know and love. However, it has been noted that White Shepherds make better family pets as they have milder personalities and less aggressive. Do German Shepherd colors affect health? The color white has long been associated with deafness, but a good breeder will always make sure their dogs are free of genetic defects before breeding them. With that said, we believe that this is the only time that color should be a concern. As a large breed dog, they are prone to shoulder or hip dysplasia , and bloat. This is due to the breed itself and NOT due to their coloration. How about German Shepherd eye color? Gray or liver-colored dogs might have amber eyes. The rest of them can have chocolate brown, honey-colored, or blue eyes. The last one is especially common with blue German Shepherds. Their guard coat or outer coat can have long, medium, or short guard hairs. The medium-length coats are considered to be a short-haired variety. Regardless of whether they have a short or long coat, they all require the same amount of grooming, which is daily. Plus, they tend to shed heavily at least twice a year. Some people get a deshedding tool to help control the shedding. You can go as long as 4 to 6 months without bathing them. This is where the white color of White Shepherds might seem a bit high maintenance because they can get dirty easily. Which German Shepherd color will you choose? Share with us your thoughts by commenting on the box below. Further reading: Learn more about GSDs. This page is a working progress so please bare with me, there is much more I can add and hopefully will get it all on here eventually. At the bottom of this page there is a chart of the colors of a German Shepherd however it does not show all the variations within each color and or marking. There are different patterns along with the different color variations within that pattern. All are variations of this well known marking. See the difference in the colors in the slideshow Wolf mask German Shepherd Also known as reverse mask The wolf mask reverse mask German shepherd is not a mix or hybrid german shepherd, but a somewhat rare marking that comes up on occasion when both parents carry this gene. In our first breeding of our Ziva and Duke they produced 3 wolf mask puppies in there first litter. Kitara stayed with us for future breeding. Then we got our Chanel from Kitara's brother Klondike. We also kept our Parisia from Roma who is Kitara's daughter. This masking goes back to some of the very first German Shepherds and has been carried down in the lines for centuries. The littlest Hobo was a great example The reverse mask can come with or without the wolf stripe down the nose, there are many shepherds like this. Rin Tin Tin was a great example of a maskless without the stripe. Sometimes they can be born with the wolf like strip but then it fades as they get older White German Shepherd The white German Shepherd is another color that has been around since the beginning of the breed. The are considered a fault by the AKC and cannot be shown, but fanciers have now made their own shows for them and they can still be shown in AKC sporting events. The white is a masking gene, it masks the true color of a GSD so if bred to a black and tan the true color may show up in the puppies, but to get a white both parents must carry the gene, as it is recessive. The white is also a color that has been in the breed since the very beginning, there is a photo below of one of the first white shepherds to help start the breed. When a white has red in it's background it shows up as a cream or champagne color, which is another absolutly stunning versian of the color Champagne German Shepherd a version of the white Solid black german shepherds Also referred to as Lacquer black in Germany, the solid black has been around for a long time, but is a lot less known then the black and tan saddle. Solid black is usually a recessive gene in the German shepherd therefore to get a black both parents must carry the gene. There are, on some occasions a dominant black, which only one parent has to be solid black. It is also a recessive gene so both parents must carry the gene to produce it. Sable is caused by black tipped hairs usually covering the back of the dog, but sometimes the whole shepherd, it comes in many variation, from the dark red undercoat to the very light silver. Sable GSD usually have a very dark face, some with tan or red eye circles. Some sable shepherds grow to look like saddle backs but are still genetically sable. Bi colored German Shepherd Bi color is another pattern, similar to the saddle back, but with much more black and less tan, red, cream, or silver. One of my personal favorites Liver German Shepherd Isabella German Shepherd The Isabella color is produced when both parents carry both the blue and liver gene at the same time. A rich diversity of lengths, colors and pigment—combined with a number of varying body types—make the German Shepherd one of the more structurally diverse of all dog breeds. From the short stock coat of the East German working line dogs to the extreme long stock coat of some West German show-line dogs—there is a shape, style and color tailored to you and your lifestyle. There are three main types of hair on German Shepherd Dogs: ground hair undercoat , guard hair topcoat and whiskers. Dogs with both an undercoat and a topcoat are called double coated. The first layer, or undercoat, functions primarily as insulation and is soft and usually of a lighter color. The second layer, or topcoat, consists of thick-shafted, coarse hair. It also has weatherproofing qualities ideal for working and playing outdoors. With rare exception, most German Shepherds have double coats—though the degree of undercoat can vary widely. German Shepherds can have little to almost no undercoat or have massively dense, woolly undercoats that require daily maintenance. Double coats are ideal for maintaining warmth in colder months, but also provide cooling in the summer by keeping heat away from the surface of the skin. For this reason, the shaving of double-coated dogs is not recommended if they have prolonged exposure to the elements. Their coat helps regulate body temperature and protects their skin from harmful UV rays. Shedding German Shepherds, aka German Shedders, shed and shed a lot. Working dogs are required to do their jobs regardless of weather or terrain. To keep their coats in optimum condition—daily, excessive shedding is needed. Unfortunately for us, this means additional brushing and bathing. If you do not own a good vacuum cleaner or sweeper, you will need to purchase one if you have one or more German Shepherds inside your home. In the spring, their thick winter undercoat is shed and replaced with a thinner, cooler undercoat. In the fall, their summer undercoat is shed and replaced by a thicker, warmer undercoat. Care and Grooming Daily brushing and frequent bathing are your best defenses against excessive shedding. Bathe and groom puppies frequently so they learn to enjoy—or at least tolerate—the experience. Most German Shepherds enjoy a good grooming and since most love water in any form , bathing can also be a pleasurable experience for them. Daily brushing and frequent bathing are your best defenses against excessive shedding. Brushing Most double-coated breeds like German Shepherds need to be brushed regularly—especially if they have a thick undercoat. In the spring and fall when their coats are being blown, daily brushing is important. This helps reduce the amount of hair inside your home and removes their undercoat more quickly. While regular brushing is great for removing loose and dying hair, it also gets rid of mats and tangles—which are common with long- and medium-length coats. Mats are not only unsightly, but they can be painful due to their closeness and tightness to the skin. In southern parts of the country where humidity is high, mats can also lead to skin irritations as the dampness can encourage the growth of skin irritants and other microbes. Check your German Shepherd often for mats—paying special attention to areas behind the ears, between the legs and along the back of the thighs. If your dog is a short stock coat with little undercoat, occasional brushing and bathing is all that is required to keep their coats looking great. Click HERE to learn about elbow hygromas and options for treating and prevent them. Keep your German Shepherd's elbows soft and free of calluses and hygromas. Calming bed for dogs who suffer from anxiety. Water resistant and tear resistant cover. Non-skid bottom. Replacement covers available separately. This short coat, with a thin undercoat, is easy to maintain and can require little or infrequent grooming. Bathing is a breeze as their coats are designed for waterproofing and dry quickly. Water generally rolls off of the guard hairs of German Shepherd Dogs. For all of these reasons and more, short stock coats are the preferred coat type for service dogs, police dogs and military dogs. The dog pictured to the right is an excellent example of a very nice, healthy coated, short stock coat—with minimal undercoat. Medium stock coats have longer, thicker hair on the neck, underbelly and along the back of the thighs. Their undercoat tends to be more dense than that seen in the short stock coats of West and East German working lines. Medium stock coats require additional grooming to keep their coats in optimum condition. Note also that medium- and long-coated dogs do not shed more than their short stock-coat counterparts—the hair shed is just longer. Hair around the face, ears, chest, bottom line and back of thigh panties can exceed four inches in length. This coat requires regular care and grooming. Hair, especially behind the ears and between their rear legs, is prone to matting, and requires daily brushing. The American Kennel Club AKC is one of the few show organizations that still considers a long stock coat to be faulty. Long stock-coat dogs are not only accepted by most German Shepherd Club organizations, including the German SV, but they have become valuable and sought after in recent years—and compete at the highest levels in Germany and world wide. Note also that these coats often continue to grow in length and density with age, so older dogs require additional daily care and grooming. All coat colors and lengths mentioned above are attributes of purebred German Shepherds. However, some breed organizations consider certain characteristics to be breed faults and can be penalized or even disqualifying in the show ring. However, if you plan to show your dog, you will need to study the standard and requirements of your desired show organization s to ensure your dog is eligible to compete and title in the show ring. But the German Shepherd of today actually comes in a variety of colors and patterns as pictured above. The color of their coat is determined by genetic makeup. Genes that are dominant are more common, while those that are recessive are more rare. Black and Tan This is the most common color pattern—which is usually black all over, with tan or cream-colored chest, shoulders, legs and thighs. There are many color variations to this pattern, most commonly—black and red, black and cream and black and silver. Bicolor Another variation to the traditional black-and-tan colored dog are bicolored dogs. Their bodies are predominantly black with a secondary accent color on the lower legs that can be tan, cream, gray or silver. All of these black areas, also called points, on the legs and toes should be richly pigmented. A dog is not considered to be bicolored unless it has these distinctive black markings and they can appear on both dual- and sable-patterned dogs. Sable The word sable means the color of black. The definition of a sable pattern refers to guard hairs being tipped with black. The more guard hairs and the longer the tipping, the darker the dog. Black sables are dogs with heavy tipping and less ground color. Agouti is a term that refers to the banding or grizzling of hair coloration that can be seen in varying amounts in the neck, shoulder, tail, croup and border markings in saddle-marked dogs. Some German Shepherds have so much grizzling in the black blanket or so much undercoat showing, that they are hard to distinguish from sables, and some sables that carry the partially-hidden, saddle-pattern recessive gene have so much of that recessive showing through that they look like washed-out saddles. Melanistic is another term associated with black coloring. Melanistic refers to the amount and density of melanin black pigment found within the hair shaft. Melanistic coloring refers to the masking of a color or pattern with black. Sable-colored German Shepherds are infamous for changing colors multiple times before reaching maturity. Adult dogs can have a completely different coloring and pattern then what was present as a puppy. No good dog is a bad color. Black is uncommon due to being a recessive gene but still prevalent within the breed. Typically, they are completely black with no other colors on the body. Solid White Solid white German Shepherds are not albinos. Their color is the result of a recessive gene that can be carried by any colored dog. When learning about pigment and color patterns, understand that white is not a color. There is no solid-color gene for white. The more pure white a dog, the lighter the color of its masked color underneath. Every white German Shepherd is really a traditional color and pattern covered by a white mask. The blue colors in these dogs replace the black areas of their more common black-and-tan counterparts. Blue dogs often appear as a dusty or somewhat light gray with a gray leather nose. Sometimes puppies are born with very light eyes as well. This, too, is a rare recessive gene and considered by the AKC to be a faulty eye color. Isabella An Isabella German Shepherd, aka lilac or mouse-gray German Shepherd, is the result of a recessive gene dilution giving them a washed-out silvery-blue color. The color is not technically a blue, however. The color is most widely recognized within the Weimaraner breed. Because Isabella German Shepherds are less common and considered faulty for showing purposes, there are fewer reputable and responsible breeders. Select your Isabella GSD breeder carefully and insist on thorough health testing information and lineage information. Liver Liver is another recessive gene leading to liver-colored offspring. In a liver-colored dog, all the black parts are a brown or liver color, ranging from light to dark shades. They might also have light eyes—which typically changes into a darker color with maturity. Panda The Panda German Shepherd is a piebold-colored dog meaning no more than 35 percent of its body is white with mixed patches of black and brown. Research confirms that this pattern is not the result of crossbreeding—but rather a genetic mutation. Ticking vs. Roan vs. Blue Merle Ticking is flecks or spots of color on white areas. Most ticked dogs are born white and develop ticking as they mature. Generally, ticking is heaviest on the legs and muzzle. Roan is a pattern of white and colored hairs evenly mixed over the white areas of the body. Roaning creates a near-solid pattern over a white coat causing a dog to appear dusted with white. If the predominant color of the dog is black, then the roaning can appear bluish in color. People sometimes confuse merle dogs with roan or ticked dogs. Merle dogs do not have a white base coat of color, however, some merle dogs are ticked. The genes responsible for ticking, roaning and merle are dominant so a purebred German Shepherd cannot produce these patterns without being crossed with a dog breed that carries the genes. As we can see from the images above, German Shepherds come in an array of coat colors and patterns—including saddle, blanket, bicolor, sable and solid colors. The organization does not, however, allow dogs of these colors to be shown in the conformation ring as these characteristics are faults according to the German Shepherd breed standard. Dogs carrying the liver gene or the recessive dilution gene that produces either Isabella or blue dogs also carry serious penalties in the show ring. Liver, blue and Isabella are not recognized because of the color of their leathers; and the solid whites are omitted due to the absence of black in the hairs on top of their backs. If you wish to campaign and show your dog in the conformation ring however, you will need to keep with animals with traditionally accepted colors and patterns. Dogs that are liver, blue or Isabella are severely penalized. Reverse Mask and Maskless German Shepherds The reverse mask aka wolf mask German shepherd is not a mix or hybrid, but rather a dog presenting a pattern that appears when both parents carry the gene for this coloring. These patterns date back to some of the earliest German Shepherd foundation dogs and still appear in certain lines, today. Rin-Tin-Tin was another reverse-mask without the stripe German Shepherd. The reverse mask can also present with or without the wolf stripe running down the nose. Some dogs are born with the wolf stripe but it fades with maturity—while others maintain the stripe. Maskless German Shepherds are dogs born with no mask, meaning their face coloring is the same as that of their body. Maskless dogs most commonly present as solid cream, tan, gray or silver. Both reverse mask and maskless German Shepherds are considered faulty lacking pigment for conformation purposes. Impression and Expression Impression — an idea, feeling, or opinion about a dog formed without conscious thought—or formed on the basis of little information. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. It looks substantial, giving the impression—both at rest and in motion—of muscular fitness and nimbleness. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility—difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Aside from overall outline, size and strength of body, the head is the most prominent feature of a German Shepherd. It is here that we find expression. The head should convey strength of character, intelligence, confidence and nobility—even in the very young. In recent years, some show lines have developed a black-face mask in which the entire mantle and muzzle of the dog is predominately black. Any feature that detracts from the overall impression or expression of a dog can be less desirable. Black-faced German Shepherds have become very popular, but some traditionalists believe this pattern can in fact, change the expression of the dog—giving it an intimidating or less approachable expression. Most of the top VA dogs in Germany still carry the traditional mask pattern, but there are many up-and-coming black-faced dogs vying for the top spots. Another example of how color can impact expression is eye color. Light eyes on a German Shepherd overpower other aspects of the dog and change its expression from that of a traditional, loyal shepherd to that of a more elusive, mystic wolf. For this reason, the breed standard calls for the eyes of German Shepherds to be as dark as possible. In the show ring, light eye color—especially yellow hues—are penalized. Become a part of the GSDLiving experience. Upload a photo, pay tribute to your best friend

Baby von Bachfeld is a stunning 5 month old German Shepherd. Since people sometimes forget to notify us, some of these dogs may already be adopted. Thunder is a goofy, fun loving, 2 year old purebred German Shepherd in perfect health. He has had a well-rounded upbringing in a loving home and has great obedience. He is an excellent adventure buddy and has lots of experience camping, swimming, and hiking. He loves to play ball and tug, and show off his tricks. He often joins a bike ride around the neighborhood and runs nicely alongside the bike. He lives to play in any form of water — pool, lake, river, ocean, garden hose, you name it. He has good food drive and is not a big barker. Thunder would do best with an active, outdoorsy family. He is still with his original owner and the only reason for rehoming is that he doesn't get along with the other dogs in the home. Adopters with prior GSD experience preferred. Thunder is neutered and all vaccines are current. Contact Jenny Dennis: jenny wetnosestraining. He is a resilient, loyal boy and LOVES squeaky plushee toys, string cheese, going for walks, and being with people. He will get on your lap and sleep if you let him! He has basic obedience training, is housebroken and is currently going through more training. He is a bit anxious due to lack of socialization before we rescued him and, as a result, does not like other animals. We have a newborn at home and her constant crying is causing him stress that is not subsiding. We are heartbroken to rehome him and know he will thrive where he is the only animal and either no children or older children. We will set up his new home with everything - crate, toys, leash, etc. He is neutered and there is a small rehoming fee. Please contact Janel at janelbyrne gmail. We know his next people are out there and will love him as much as we do! Look no further - Dakota the lovebug and protector is here! While female dogs and cats are not her friends, male dogs, small dogs and people could not be any closer to her heart. She knows sit and stay and has had some obedience training but could always use more who couldn't? Someone with an active lifestyle would be ideal for Dakota, whether it be hikes, runs, walks or even just car rides which she also enjoys. Dakota is up to date on all of her vaccinations and is spayed. If you think Dakota would be a great addition to your home, please contact me jtoddb23 gmail. Willow is a gorgeous year old German Shepherd. Willow is with a wonderful foster family who has shown her how much fun being a dog can be. They have a black lab that she adores and she learned what a ball was and how to go up and down stairs. She spent a month at Canyon View Ranch being trained and knows basic commands very well. She is incredible on leash and hikes off leash daily. She is crate trained and behaves well in the house. She needs to be properly introduced to new people, which is typical for this breed in general. She is spayed, up to date with shots and ready for her forever family. She would love another playful dog in her new home. For more info, please contact Kathryn kathrynreedretzer gmail. He is crate trained and loves to be around people who will give him hugs and belly rubs. His family is full with another two fur children and a toddler with autism. While they love him dearly, they are aware they can't provide the love he needs and the two older dogs in the home don't appreciate his happy puppy energy. Holliday is currently separated from the other two dogs in the home in Yucaipa, CA and deserves to have the full attention of a loving family. Please help us find his forever home. Holliday is neutered and up to date on his shots. Please contact me at chewadore gmail. He is very smart and always up for some fun. He loves people and dogs and doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. Walter responds very well to training and can jump very high! Agility anyone? Walter is neutered, up to date on shots and ready for his forever home. For more info on him, please click HERE. Because they need to be adopted together. Sweet, affectionate, playful and loving, Daisy and Luna will light up your world with loyalty, laughter and love. She knows several commands such as sit, shake and will roll over for belly rubs. She is good with other dogs and great at the dog park. She is eager to please and very social. Her owner is a student who realized that her living situation does not allow her to give Margot the attention she deserves. She is now being fostered with the parents and is located in Camarillo, CA. Please help us find her a forever home! Margot is spayed and has current vaccinations. There is a rehoming fee. Please contact Christine cwillingham16 yahoo. Tyson is such a gorgeous year old German Shepherd. Not only is he handsome, but he is very friendly, playful and affectionate and does well with other dogs. If you're interested in Tyson, please fill out an application for the Lovejoy Foundation here: application lovejoyfoundation. A super sweet boy, beware, you will get lots of hugs and lots of kisses! He's playful and cheeky and loves walks and playing with other dogs - medium and large. He's house trained and loves to learn new lessons -- he can sit, lay down, heel and is learning to stay. He gets along great with other dogs easily once they take a walk together. Astro was once a puppy who had a forever home where the new owner decided that no dogs would be allowed. His foster family has medical issues and he is being evicted again! Please help us find him another foster or forever home! Astro is neutered and has current vaccinations. Please contact Karen karenmaish yahoo. Gunner is a beautiful 5-year-old purebred German Shepherd. We are only re-homing Gunner due to financial burdens and are very sad at the prospect of losing him. Handsome Gunner loves hiking, going on runs, and playing fetch. Gunner is good with people, male and female, plus good with kids! He can be alpha with other dogs and protective of his pack; thus, he would do best as the only dog in the home. Someone with GSD experience would be ideal. If you are interested in Gunner, please email Rachael Rachmbulld gmail. German Shepherds for sale in Los Angeles Regis Regal Specializes in providing world class German Shepherd puppies and trained adult dogs Serving Los Angeles with german shepherds since With over 30 years experience in the breeding and training of world-class German Shepherds from some of the top bloodlines out of Germany, here at Regis Regal German Shepherds we've been very proud to have sold our puppies and adult dogs to the residents of Los Angeles. We're a small family run operation with our main training and breeding facilities based in Spring Grove, Illinois. Because of the quality and pedigree of our German Shepherds there's been a demand for our dogs all over the world. The owner, Cynthia Kelly, has a lifetime of experience in creating the perfect family companion, service dog or therapy dog. Because of the lack of top quality German Shepherd breeders in some parts of the United States, we've carefully set ourselves up so that we can send our dogs direct to your home by use of a private courier service. At Regis Regal German Shepherds we produce a select number of puppies at any one time, and take the utmost care when raising and training them ready for ownership. You should not forget that when it comes to buying a puppy you also need to be mindful of other costs outside of the purchase or adoption fee. Send us a message or give us a ring on .German Shepherds we've rehomed in Los Angeles Take a look at our map of LA to see roughly where we've shipped some of our German Shepherds before - and delighted some of the local residents and celebrities! Emotional support dogs are suited for both children and adults and have the ability to work with their owners in all types of locations. We have placed many dogs with children and teenagers in LA that suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and manic disorders. Service dogs provide a physical service to their owners. We have been incredibly successful in providing service dogs to children afflicted with Autism and Asbergers, as our dogs can help to enhance the verbal skills of non-verbal Autistic children and support their overall way of communicating. Some of our previous placements our dog courier service - we ship to your door in LA! You might find this a bit hard to believe but we actually ship right to your door, wherever you are based in the US! Such is the demand for one of our dogs we decided it would make things a lot easier for our customers if we could hand-deliver them right to you. For those people in need of a top class GSD, and who can't get to our premises, this is a bit of a lifesaver. We make use of a private courier service whereby they come to us and pickup the dog in their vehicle before making the journey to your home. Our driver is well trained in the handling and care of your dog on the trip, and due to their temperament our dogs always enjoy the journey! On rare occasions our dogs have flown out to their destination, again accommpanied by one of the Regis Regal team to ensure for a very smooth and calm trip. We also go through a very thorough process to make sure our dogs are going to the right kind of owner - at the end of the day it's really important that we can rest easy at night knowing they'll be going to someone that's going to love them as much as we do. Because of COVID we've held plenty of online meetings where you can ask us any questions about our dogs, and you can even get to meet-and-greet them virtually! Reviews from Customers based in LA We like to think we've made a lot of people in Los Angeles happy over the years that we've been in business. Take a look below at some of the feedback we've received to date. You can find more reviews of ours here too. He is just incredible! Cindy is very responsive. She has been a valuable resource in training our dog. As you can imagine this can change quite regularly - so please send us a message below, or give us a call on .We look forward to hearing from you! Your name. We have answers. German Shepherd puppies for sale in Los Angeles can range in price depending on the specific qualifications you are looking for. German Shepherd breeders in Los Angeles are likely priced similarly to breeders and companies within our larger network based on variants such as temperament, color, sizing and more. For instance, a white German Shepherd for sale Los Angeles will likely be priced slightly more since the white coat is more rare. While you may be connected with Gerham Shepherd puppies for sale in Los Angeles CA region, we also have a national network of top notch breeders who are experienced in arranging travel for your pup to any of the 48 mainland states in the U. Any German Shepherd puppies Los Angeles that come through us will come from one of our hand selected and screened partners. Is Uptown Puppies a breeder? Uptown Puppies is not a breeder. We are a MatchMaking service that works to put the perfect puppy into the hands of the right family for the best pup fit possible! Can I meet any puppies that may be a fit for me? If you connect with a local German Shepherd sale Los Angeles you are able to drive to interact with or pick your pooch! All of the breeders and business we work with maintaining the highest standards of breeding and pedigree to ensure you are getting a purebred puppy with verified lineage to take home. How does your service work? Our MatchMaker service works by understanding you and your families lifestyle and needs and then connecting you with a breeder or company who has the perfect pooch for you! We know that the process of finding a new pet can be overwhelming and our process takes out the stress of identifying and finding the right one, so you can focus on the fun stuff. Can I be sure Uptown is trustworthy? Absolutely, check out our Breeder Pledge to read more about our breeder standards. We only work with professionals who are committed to the highest levels of animal welfare and care.

We are a northern California breeder near Sacramento that prides itself on choosing our breeding dogs for top health, temperament, and beauty that conforms to the breed standard. Our dogs are selected from champion lines with health clearances. We will only breed dogs that pass all of these tests, so we can continue reaching to improve the breed through imposing high standards for our dogs. We breed dogs from these lines to continue a heritage of excellence in the breed. This standard is different from the AKC standard for golden retrievers, but both are accepted and licensed. The English type should have a blockier and fuller head, shorter muzzle, lower ear set, rounder eyes, stouter body structure, as well as a lighter color than the American type see comparison figure below. As an adult, it has been a pleasure to now show and selectively breed these beautiful English Golden Retrievers. Raising our English Golden Retrievers is a family endeavor that includes everyone from the youngest to the oldest. It is wonderful to make family memories with our dogs and children together. Our English Goldens are first and foremost pets who live and play among our family. Our children are involved from showing our dogs to whelping the puppies. Our puppies go home to their new families very loved and well socialized. In Northern California, we are located in Newcastle which is at the base of the Sierra Mountain foothills; close to Sacramento, and about miles from San Francisco or about miles from San Jose other cities near us are Roseville, Loomis, Folsom, Orangevale, Auburn, Lake Tahoe about an hour , and Reno about 2 hours. We can deliver our puppies to you if you are out of state, and personally travel with the puppy to bring your puppy to you. We cordially invite you to visit us and meet our beloved puppies and amazing dogs. We're located in the California Gold County just 25 miles east of Sacramento. Surrounded by golden foothills, we offer the perfect place to meet and enjoy the dogs. Expect to be greeted with wagging tails and wet noses during your visit, as our dogs are always excited to meet new people. Please let us know when you would like to visit by booking an appointment. The care and love you, Heather, and all at Classic Heritage devote to these pups is remarkable. The efforts taken to ensure pups are matched with their new happy forever home are excellent. Everyone I met was equally professional, educated, loving, kind, and a lot of fun. All of the dogs are beautiful and happy.We have had the best experience and have the most loving pup so anything we can do to help Classic Heritage we would. We have recommended you to everyone who has asked. We take our puppies into stores, to soccer games, hiking, and even kayaking!!!!!! They are loved and cared for by our family and friends , and well started in their housebreaking skills and well started in their housebreaking skills. This is one of the many aspects that sets Wonderkind puppies apart from other breeders. Our specially designed whelping areas are not only climate controlled but were built to encourage ease of housebreaking. Our own custom fitted doggie doors allow puppies to come and go as needed. This allows them to learn from their moms and the rest of litter to do their business outside and keep their home carpet, vinyl clean. We get constant feedback from our clients who learn in the early days after taking their puppy home just how far advanced the housebreaking process has taken hold. They want to do their business outside the house! Our puppies can run in long straight lines and wide open areas with state of the art canine decking that is clean and safe. We want to make sure that our puppies go to excellent homes and part of that responsibility lies in educating their new families. We not only offer a lifetime of support, but we also encourage questions about your new family member, and even extended stays for further training. All of our puppies are up to date on their shots and worming. They are also sold with a money back written health guarantee that can even be extended for up to two years with an agreement to use 'Lifes Abundance' puppy and adult dog food. We are now accepting deposits on this up and coming litter. If you want us to drop the cuties off along the way just ask! Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for New York Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in New York? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in New York? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Life Span Did You Know? The English Cream Golden Retriever is not a separate dog breed from the Golden Retriever ; it is simply a rarer coat color variation. These Golden Retrievers tend to have light white or cream-colored coats instead of honey, golden-brown, or reddish coats. As they are still standard Golden Retrievers, they are recognized by the AKC and other canine organizations and can be registered. An English Cream Golden Retriever has all the same traits as any other Golden Retriever; they are one of the most popular dog breeds and tend to be open, friendly, and make great family pets. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. As long as they are socialized and trained, Goldens tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are even known for being open and friendly with strangers. As one of the kid-friendly dog breeds , Golden Retrievers love attention. These dogs tend to be energetic, full of personality, and are devoted to their families. They also tend to be excitable, which means they can be prone to barking. Training your dog to stop barking early on can help curb this habit and help prevent it from becoming a nuisance. Due to their friendly, gentle nature and intelligence, Goldens can often be found working as service, therapy, or search and rescue dogs. English Cream Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. Their high energy and exuberance make them better suited for homes with yards where they can run. They can adapt to apartment living, but you will need to dedicate a lot of time every day to ensure they get enough attention, mental stimulation, and exercise. Goldens fare well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they bond so closely with their families and are one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Some potential health concerns to be aware of in an English Cream Golden Retriever can include canine cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. Good breeding practices reduce the risk of these health issues and make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. The national breed club recommends hip and elbow evaluations, an NCL DNA test, an ophthalmologist evaluation, and a cardiac exam at a minimum. English Cream Golden Retrievers are intelligent and eager to please. This makes them highly trainable dogs that are a good fit for owners of all experience levels. Not only are they one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners , but they also tend to excel at obedience competitions and other dog sports. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered basic commands , move on to other activities or more advanced commands. Anything you learn will help and will only strengthen the bond you are building with your puppy. Plus, there are several other benefits of puppy training classes including socialization. English Cream Goldens may have a lighter-colored coat, but they still have the classic longer Golden Retriever coat that will shed a big year-round and heavier as the seasons change. You will want to bathe them as needed and get your Golden professionally groomed a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Trimming nails once or twice a month keeps them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks, along with careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections. Daily tooth brushing is ideal to keep tartar buildup at bay. This, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is good dental care for dogs and can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Golden Retrievers are known for being high-energy dogs. Like Labrador Retrievers , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They do tend to calm down a little as they grow into adulthood, but will still have a lot of energy. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep this dog happy and healthy. Goldens tend to be athletic and versatile dogs. So, once they are done growing and the vet has cleared them for higher-impact activities, you can take them running with you, play frisbee, go hiking, train for dog sports, and more. As one of the most active dog breeds , you will likely run out of energy before they do and they will likely be up for even more activity if you are. An English Cream Golden Retriever generally lives for years on average. Golden Retrievers are one of the dog breeds of famous dogs.